I'm starting to wonder whether we actually have an operational government at the moment.

(That isn't a complaint, by the way, just an observation.)

But it does seem that the present make-up of our parliament is the perfect recipe for governmental paralysis.

Following the election, Prime Minister Gillard was able to persuade the Governor General that she had been guaranteed sufficient support from members outside her party to allow her form government. But that has yet to transform itself into any identifiable set of policies, or even an overall strategic direction.

It is becoming very apparent that there is a marked difference between a Party-based Coalition, and simply rounding up of a couple of independents to make up the numbers.

So, what does our present government stand for? Can anybody tell?

Or do we simply continue to dance around each new issue as it arises.

Dear Pericles,

Your topic confirms my decision prior to the last campaign, for the most part, to stop listening.
The impression I'm getting from the outskirts is one of government inertia....obviously, I haven't missed anything.

I can't see anything wrong with dancing around each new issue as it arises. The effect of the rusted-on party coalitions that we are used to, is that the party in government - in effect its most senior members - just pass into law whatever they want. The Parliament just becomes a rubber stamp. I actually prefer the current inertia - this way the sociopaths can do less harm.

"To do nothing is also a good remedy."
Hippocrates

It is called 'don't rock the boat' politics.

I doubt we would ever see any major reforms or a reining in of growthist and privatisation policy with our two-party dominant system. At least with the influence of independents there might be a sporting chance for some parliamentary reform and a desire for bipartisan approach on some issues.

There is merit in Greg Combet's latest speech that the ALP needs to represent something and decide what it is it believes in rather than be dicated to by Opposition rhetoric and poll responses. I also think Doug Cameron in the ALP was right in his assessment that many ALP polticians have become political zombies too afraid to go against the status quo within the party and more interested in career prospects than national ones. Ditto the Coalition.

While there is an argument that deference to polls is an example of democracy working, that would only count if we all got a vote. Polls are not the same as taking a vote where every individual gets a say. Polls also dumb down the debate into simplistic questions of Yes or No without any opportunities to put options and arguments.

The Coalition is the same and continues down the same old path without ever questioning its extreme right wing agenda.

There is little to distinguish between the two and that is not a good place for political democracies.

*I actually prefer the current inertia - this way the sociopaths can do less harm.*

I agree with Jefferson on this one.

The idea that parties have to rush off on some tangent, because it
seemed like a good idea the time, is fully of dangers.

*There is little to distinguish between the two and that is not a good place for political democracies*

Pelican, that is for good reasons, ie because most Australians are
clearly quite content with the middle ground.

The thing is, if people want to change and improve their lives,
they are the ones who can best achieve that themselves. The
notion that Govt has to hold everyones hand for everything, is
clearly flawed

"""
So, what does our present government stand for? Can anybody tell?
"""

Sure, they're doing exactly what they want, just most don't want to admit it or see it, they use ridicule and ad hominem abuse to shut people up that would speak out or who have slipped through their web.

Everything they are doing has a reason and it's working perfectly. The supposed intellectuals, (I call them wordsmiths because there's not one bit of intellect between them in relation to this matter) have been well and truly brainwashed into performing their roles exactly as planned.

Should I dare to mention a new world order, agenda 21 and globalization, then watch the machine(more like a man made immune system to protect the machine) jump into gear and remove, discredit, mock, those that try to inform.

It's all here for any that want to know and can think beyond their self interest or past their blinkered view on life. Open your eyes listen to your heart, for you know it to be true, trust in yourself.

Agenda 21 For Dummies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzEEgtOFFlM