kirby483 : "Don't fix something that is not broken"

The point is that the system is broken. We have now degenerated to the state where most of the time the media is concentrating just on the popularity of the current PM and not other issues. And we the voters are as much to blame as the media since, as the OP points out when quoting, "Voters appear to pay scant attention to the position of party and instead focus all their hopes on one person, one leader."

Personally I believe that we should not be furthering this current infatuation with leadership and a single individual. Instead we should go the other way and encourage the idea of teamwork with specialisation. That is, we should embrace the system we currently have: an executive run collectively by a by group of people who are each specialised within portfolios-- ie, the Cabinet. To further support the idea of heading the executive by a cabinet we should abolish the office of the PM.

We don't need a PM, it is that simple! We can manage perfectly fine with just cabinet ministers. eg: I've just watched Abbot doing a press releasre/interview regarding the deployment of troops to Iraq. The details/info he gave could have been done just as well been delievered by the ministers for foreign affairs and defence.

579

I thought you would not be over the champagne popping over the last few weeks due to Abbott's departure. What happened?

Our Prime ministers have been quite a
"licorice all sorts" kind of bunch. They've
suffered from an array of physical deformities,
uttered some "colourful" phrases and some of
them have even had somewhat of a liking for
debauched behaviour. We've had - "Pig Iron Bob,"
(Menzies), "Silver Bodgie," (Hawke),
"The Lizard of Oz," (Keating),
"Lying Rodent," (Howard),
and "The Mad Monk," (Abbott), to name just a few.

Miriam Margoles's response to an audience question
was the shortest and by far the most memorable on
"Q and A," last night. She's the call-a-spade-a-spade
actress and her five word summation resulted in applause
from the eclectic mix that made up the audience.

"I think he's a tit," she said.

Americans would have used the word - "boob."
Which means a fool or an idiot.

It could have been worse. Much worse.
Ask Julia Gillard.

Politics in AU is a game of ping pong, we need to get away from the brits; and stand alone.

Out style is Flawed in to many ways to be any good. AU can devise its own form of politics with out party politics.

Electing a president does not have to be expensive. That is The American system which is ridiculous. Our electoral boundaries elect their own representative from interested persons doing away with lib or labor seats, it is not necessary to have two sides in the house. All representatives are self employed, and would have a far greater interest in their electorate than now.

Politics would be put back in the hands of the voting public, and have much more sway when it came to votes on issues. Reps; would know the feelings of the public in their own electorate about issues and the rep would vote accordingly. Win or lose the public would know they tried in their interest. Vote Turnbull 1.

Interesting thoughts and a good mix of opinions.

Many seem to feel that "if it ain't broke don't
fix it." That it will cost a lot to fix it.

While others can see positive results
in fixing it. Namely that we need an Australian
President who can represent our country's interests
alone - without a conflict of interest.

Who can see that the
highest office in the land should not be given to a
birth-appointed monarch - it should be an achievement
based on merit. Who can see
that every Australian should be given
the opportunity to aspire to the "top job."
That a ruling monarch is so last century.

Many Australians
pride themselves as being egalitarian and independent
and these people see that the country
should have a symbol that accurately represents Australian
values and does not continue to promote the elitism that is
the monarchist system.

I suspect that we shall make changes inevitably.
When and if we are all ready to make those changes.

I laughed out loud when I
read a reader's comments on the web recently - who summed
up the views of Australians on politicians.

His summation
stated that Australians distrust politicians. They don't elect
great leaders who would heal their wounds and lead them to
prosperity. Instead they knowingly elect a bunch of
"bastards" (not slur intended - simply politically
speaking) that are slightly lesser "bastards" than the other
lot and they don't trust them enough for 4 years.
3 is enough.

Just letting you guys know that I'm taking a short
break (for personal reasons) from the forum.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this
discussion and I'll see you all when I get back.

Have a nice day!