What from reading newspapers, watching TV programs,
taking part in social media, it appears that people
are voicing their dis-satisfaction
with the current state of our political affairs.
Especially young people are becoming more and more
vocal. We have a Senate that seems like an unusual
mix of talent. Major parties appear to be
fracturing with certain politicians leaving the
major parties to try their luck elsewhere.
All in all political
skills don't seem to matter as much as the ability to
direct the emotional energy of the crowd.

I was watching a TV program the other night when It
dawned on me - there are so many good talented people
on both sides of our current two party system - yet
they are forced to play along party lines rather than
what's good for the nation. And then it occurred to me -
wouldn't it be great if the talented people from both
sides joined forces? What if we had a government that
put politics aside, and actually did what was good for
the nation? What if there were no divisions along
party lines, only along good policy lines that everyone
supported?

Perhaps I'm just dreaming. But wouldn't it be nice?

What do others think?

My tip, or wish I should say is for Abbott to join forces with Benardi and Latham to lead the new ship.

The past decade of polotics has plunged us into a finacial hole that I doubt I will see us return from in my life, if at all.

Picture us if we lost our miners, our multi national companies at the centre of the tax grab, and the banks.

About our only saving grace is that other countries display comon sense in that they realise that coal fired power is a must, and that our coal is of the highest grade.

Lets hope someone see the light here.

Of cause the other option is to let labor back in so they can finnish what they started a decade ago because once we find where the bottom is, perhaps then our governments will be forced to conceed thier short commings with the likes of our welfare, immigration and foriegn aid policies.

Of cause they (former leaders) dont care because they get rewarded regardless of the job they do and remain totally unacountable for the mess they leave behind.

The difference between grandkids born in 2007, and those born in 2017, is that those in 07 were born debt free. How disgusting is that!

Australia needs a republic and a restart.
Howard sold everything including his backside, and left forward estimates in the multi billions of $.
Abbott to lead a party of radical aliens is laughable. After what he did you are joking.
Lets concentrate on the last 3 years instead of the last decade. Our debt has doubled, so what does that tell you. Abbott came in and immediately changed his election promises to his own agenda, and a massive dumbing down of economy and uncertainty was the result.
Turnbull was hamstrung by the Conservative faction to continue the same agenda.
We were headed in the exact opposite direction to what was needed.
Morrison changed tact to shift to the center of politics, which was a much needed relief. Doesn't that tell you something.
In times of downturn we do not need austerity we need stimulus.
Your mob say we can't afford stimulus as we do not have the money.
Well they found billions to increase the debt with.
Morrison with some kindergarten style of bookkeeping has cut the debt in half if you can believe that.
This term of Govt; has been a complete disaster, with Turnbull playing the tune of the hard right, making funding leaner and the economy becoming more and more protective it has not worked.
Every-time funding decreases so to does the economy.
Lets not worry about the banks as they have nowhere to go, banks are asked to pay more everywhere in the world.
Coal is finished, it has lost it's appeal if it ever had any.

"What if there were no divisions along party lines, only along good policy lines that everyone supported?"

Political elitism. The path to totalitarianism. What do you have in mind when you propose the 'one way'? Obviously you have your own concept of what is good policy. However it is a democracy and each person has his/own version too.

I suggest that what is at odds here is something entirely different to what you imagine. The real problem is that the parties themselves may not be operating democratically internally. Otherwise for example, there would not be the spectacle of Bill Shorten being negative on all proposals form the other side in the Parliament.

What Shorten should be doing instead, is insisting on democracy within the Labor Party. That means that the factions need to be identified, their leaders elected (internal) and their policies published for membership and public consumption.

I might add here that others have tried to do that and their bones, those of Kevin Rudd for example, are bleaching in the sun. It is worth mentioning at this stage that it was Shorten and others of his ilk (union bosses) who rolled the logs in the way.

Proper arrangements set up what is referred to as intra-democracy within the political parties. It is sorely needed. For convenience, I referred to the Party with the most obvious factions, but ALL others have similar internal flaws in their internal democracy arrangements.

The Business Insider has an interesting article on
the problem with Australia's two party voting system.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/this-is-the-problem-with-australias-two-party-voting-system-2016-7

We're told that "Over the past 20 years there has been a
steady decline in support for the major parties, neither
of which is able to win a majority of support in its own
right. As long as preferences flow to the two major parties
the current system can provide majority governments. "

"But the past few elections have shown the capacity of strong
locally based independents to defeat the major parties.
Interestingly they come from a range of electorates, from
inner-city Hobart (Andrew Wilkie) to outback Queensland
(Bob Katter).

There's more on the link provided that makes for interesting
reading.

Foxy,

If that link and the actual intention of your OP is to spruik for the proportional representation, as is the hope of the Greens, why don't you just come out and say that first off, giving your reasons? It saves the leading with Googled links, the apparent blindsiding and the inevitable guessing game.

However you should be aware that the existing electoral system is in place and will continue. It can be further improved for the electors by implementing the changes towards intra-democracy that I have suggested and others might care to discuss seeing your interest appears to be elsewhere inclined.