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.

Greens have much to answer for.
Belly,
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it those moron independents who gave us the present loose assembly of inadequate individuals who call themselves a Government ?

Giving their support was one thing indi, but continuing that support defies logic.

They have put the whole independent option back twenty years.

BAYGON
Monkeys with a more refined palate. Well put. More money does not make a better politician nor attract a better type of politician. It is a public service role not an opportunity to make money. Anyway the retirement benefits are very generous.

Reporting about minority government is a good example of poor reporting. Minority government has led to many good things such as the NDIS, more support for carers, a focus on renewables and some improvements in environmental protection just to name a few.

Minority government has not always been an easy partnership nor can any government please everyone. Ironically as regards the Carbon Tax it has been well reported and not refuted by Abbott that he was offering to implement a Carbon Tax to get Greens support. Many on the Right are at pains to ignore this simple fact instead joining in the with the mob to push the agenda of illegitimacy.

A low act really given it could easily have been the Coalition taking the reins and I am sure Abbott would not have considered his own win an illegitimate one. That is how low some elements in politics have sunk.

It is all moot though given there is very little difference in real terms between the modern ALP and the LNP. Both are at the mercy of corporate agendas and neo-liberalism is the flavour of the day.

One big difference for me as a voter is the idea that Australians should share in their own resources through a fair mining tax on super profits. The fear campaign mounted by the Coalition and the mining sector beggars belief. Despite the original mining tax companies would still be making millions, some billions, in profit. I doubt the desire for profit would encourage any to move offshore having to share the spoils with the owners of the resources. Even the Libs were buying shares during this 'chicken little' campaign.

Despite my lamenting the ALP failures often on OLO, the quality of the Opposition is woeful by comparison.

You are quite right unfortunately Pelican.
While we all get upset over the mess the labor Government has made of themselves, I can't help but worry about the probable win for the Opposition.

It's bad enough having action man/ holy man Abbott strutting around at the helm, but Julie Bishop as the 2IC really frightens me.
Her deathlike stare when she is upset with an intelligent question put to her, makes me shudder.

I would far prefer anyone else at all to these two...

I invite interested posters to goggle the SMH ,Sydney Morning Herald this morning.
You will find two separate story,s confirming Pelicans thoughts.
And reason for me, an ALP supporter to write as I do.
Obied is the subject of one story, an infamous man, while suspended still an ALP member!
Macdonald is the other! need I say more.
My words coming as they do in what is the middle of an election campaign will be rebutted by many.
Who will be saying much the same, after we are defeated.
Have we all noted the brand new Gillard? dog whistle ever present EG 457 visa, and Abbott the soft hearted nice bloke?
As evidence of just how bad these two are, we should not think they both will stager to the election as leaders.

Q: Who would win if Gillard and Abbott both fought to the death?

A: We all would.

Ar the gold mining tax scare campaign raises it's head again.

Nothing mentioned about the work choices scare campaign hey, you know, the one that successfully brought this incompitent mob into power.

Some 200 odd billion latter (mostly wasted), but hey, we saved the conditions of the lower end workers, many of which now have either fewer hours, or no job.

Do you honestly think it was worth that,not to mention the other damage these imcompitens have caused.

Atleast the libs have history on their side, which is a darn site more than ANYONE can say about this mob.

Rechtub it is a waste, trying to get you to clear your thoughts.
But know this, voters from every side of politics fought against, and voted against work choices.
Not propaganda truth!
Had John Howard not won both houses, the control of the Senate.
Courtesy of Gillard/Crean and their boss Latham, and not bought in work choices.
John Winston Howard would still be Prime Minister.
While you AUTOMATICALLY question my truths.
It is a known fact, and was so, in the Liberal party.
Like many of your views this one is far to the right of most of your incoming government.
Abbott has said others too, it went too far.

I am not suggesting it didn't go too far Belly, but seriously, was it worth 200 billion, and counting. Because that is the price we have paid for allowing labor to once again have their day in the spot light.

It happened last time they were in power as well, it's a pattern, don't you think.

Rechtub, on balance, trying to be nice to you [congrats on your win last night].
I think your post HIGHLIGHTS the quality of some of our posters.
After Kevin 07, remember?
Came the GFC big fella him money go broke.
Nothing, not even remotely, to do with work choices.
After Kev came Gillard and her mob, the center unity gang, nothing to do with good government.
Every thing to do with self serving betrayal of the folk who they gain power from those they are meant to serve.

Belly, I'm not sure why you have this idea it's a leadership issue, as well all know the leader is not really THE LEADER.

Evidence is there for all to see, in that the faceless men, with some assistance it would appear from Gillard, knifed the most popularly elected PM for years.

Moreover, they also denied him a second go, evidence being in the hurried way she called for a ballot, while he was out of the country. She has not stopped looking over her shoulder since.

Comtinued

Continued by Rehctub...

But, you must remember it was Rud who ignored the many expert warning about the insulation, who, along with Gillard in the number two seat, aided the deaths of at least four young lives, by not acting on expert advice, soon enough.

Any CEO would be in court by now over that debacle.

You must also remember it was Rud, along with the recently retired, I've forgotten his name already, the then immigration minister, who took what was a working solution protecting our borders, and thew the baby out with the bath water, something THEY should never ever be forgiven for as billions of our taxes, allocated to improving our lives, have been flushed down the toilet.

Finally, on the subject of the GFC, yes, i will grant it was a tough time, but, it had nothing to do with most of labor's dozens of stuff ups, as since 08 they have gone from ome disaster to another.

Who can forget the millions sent to either dead people, or those not even living here.

It was also he who encouraged many to buy a house they couldn't afford, (increase to grant) and now they are still going broke, the difference being they now have a huge, unsecured mortage to contend with.

Everything from the stimulus, being allowed to be wasted, more than once, to border protection has been a mass stuff up, as although they may have some good ideas, they mean nothing if you can't properly implement them.

Their greatest achievement is passing record amoumts of 'I'll fated' legislation.

Even now they crow about the jobs they have created, but fail to acknowledge the jobs lost, about the same amount in fact.

BTW, that was the best defense I have seen for a while last night, and with 15 men.

I know it's early days, but the rabbits are the ones to beat in my view. Rabbits Melbourne GF.

CHEERS!

rectub - I know this is an anachronistic comment on my part but I get exceedingly pissed off with this notion that Rudd was a popularly elected PM - no PM has been popularly elected - they are elected by their constituents. Picky I know but I live in an extremely safe liberal seat - nothing short of a swing of about 17% will unseat my member does that mean our electorate thinks Abbott is the bees knees? In fact even though I do not regard myself as a liberal voter I probably would vote for our MHR simply because even though he could sit on his backside and just take his weekly pay cheque this guy actually is doing a lot of good work for his local constituents.
We should not start believing our lazy journalists who seem to think that the election will be won or lost based on our support for Gillard or Abbot - I suspect that for many voters they will be making a choice despite what they think of those two.

A thought.
We all have them.
Some may actually make sense.
I having followed Rechtubs efforts, and tried not to, but glimpsed still Individuals.
Can only be grateful the two current leaders, both wasters of the air they breath, have not been replaced by these worthy two.

the mess the labor Government has made of themselves,
Suseonline,
you are somewhat heartless here about what Labor did to themselves but not a hint of concern what they did to the whole country & those blue collar families who are battling from New year's day to New Year's eve, year after year.

And Some never make sense.

And Some never make sense.
Belly,
You should look at your computer screen when you're typing for OLO not in the mirror.

Indy a person who under estimates his opponent.
And over estimates his own understanding is twice beaten.
You most times let an extraordinary lack of understanding, direct your posts.
In truth, now as always we have in both camps some brilliant people.
Unfortunately, an honestly held view, most who can not see that are not quite right to comment on others.
Hung Parliament, Gillard, Greens negativity, worse than Abbott,s, leave us all unhappy.
But truth remains the messureing stick, not bitter blind bias.

blind bias
Belly,
that's you, not me. I care about our society, you only think Labor !