In my local press I read a piece lamenting the quality of our politicians. The author felt that there were simply not enough high calibre folk on either side of politics worthy of a ministerial portfolio.
This lead me to reflect on the opportunity missed in this hung parliament. Instead of assuming that we needed a Labor or Liberal government why did no one recognize that the result reflected the view that, in the minds of voters, neither the Coalition nor Labor deserved to govern. This could then have lead to the selection of a "first eleven" drawn from all federal politicians. With that in mind I guess my first 11 (in no particular order) would include Julie Bishop and Julie Gillard, Penny Wong, Joe Hopckey, Malcolm Turnbull, Steven Smith, Bob Carr but after that? I may not agree with their political beliefs but these people would seem to be reasonably competent.

Baygon, you have to understand that many of our pollies are chosen from what corporate Austaralia rejected, or didn't want.

Why else would a barrister work a month, for a days pay, knowing most of the country either dislikes them, or doesn't even know they exist.

There in lies the problem I say, pay peanuts, we get monkeys.

What we need is ONE LEVEL of government, HIGHLY PAID PROFESSIONALS with INDUSTRY RUNS ON THE BOARD whie the states, towns/cities are paid public servant that either do as theyre told, or go.

Govenments should also hold indemnity insurance for all front line ministers so we don't get shafted like we have been in the past five years,because although they don't accept it, it's not their money to waste.

Baygon, I would put 4 of your choices in not the no hoper, but the probably dangerous to the population's well being basket, either because of their beliefs, lac of any, or their proven incompetence.

I guess that means I believe we have the best politicians money can buy.

Well the ALP has fed the Hysteria, by its dumping Rudd and the questionable placing Gillard there.
Both sides have depth, as much as they ever had.
Not surprising the two leaders, both seem unqualified for their jobs, impacts too.
We came through the GFC well.
Our politicians may well have suffered because of that.
Why would be a good question, many even now are not aware of just how bad that was.
Depth? take Swan, please, once good now too closely linked to Gillard to see the whole picture, his deputy is ready able and better to step up now.
A fact both leaders are keeping some talent down.
I doubt in other than a hung Parliament we would see this much unhappiness with those politicians.
Greens have much to answer for.

I do think many people go into politics to do good and some remain true to their roots, but many don't and get sucked into party politics over the best interests of voters. A few go into politics purely for self-interest. You don't need to look much further than the ALP in NSW and the influence of a corrupt right faction (See ABC's 4 Corners report on the Obeid case for a sad view of the state of politics in NSW during that time).

To be fair the quality of politicians probably hasn't changed too much even though behavioural standards may have declind. That said there are poor choices on both sides of politics, always has been, look at Billy McMahon. Most human beings have foibles and can be tempted to self-interest and that is where good governance is important in preventing and deterring corruption.

What has also changed, perhaps even more than quality of politicians, is the quality of journalists and the reporting of politics. Politicians are under the microscope much more and the standards of reporting are at an all time low often interested more in tea, scandal and trite than real issues.

Naturally our view of politicians will be influenced consciously and unconsciously by the nature of media reporting. And politicians aren't doing much to rise above it and stick to their ideals and work in the best interests of their electorates.

@ Pelican - I agree. I thought when i read the article bewailing the quality of politicians that I am heartily sick of lazy journalists. Far too often journalists' analysis and reporting is little more than a rephrasing of press releases. When politicians deal with a topic about which I am well informed those shortcomings appear all too obvious which makes me suspicious about their proselytising concerning subjects about which I am less familiar.
As for the proffered solution (rechtub) paying them more will lead to quality that too is a myth, all you will get is monkeys with a more refined palate. Politics as you rightly say will always attract people with a genuine commitment to community service, a commitment (however, misguided) to make the world a better place - income will not attract those folk but equally they will be deterred from participating in a system of party politics that is as venal as demonstrated by this week's 4 corners programme. The difference between the ALP and the Coalition is, I suspect, that the latter have been better at hiding the bodies.