On election eve, I have belatedly come to the reluctant conclusion that politicians and voters actually live in totally different worlds which are light years apart.
In reality, the gap between people and the political establishment is huge, so much so that few will disagree with me when I say that politicians appear to be dwelling on a remote planet that has no affinity to the rest of us.
Even more glaringly obvious is the fact that, despite a seemingly endless campaign, neither Turnbull nor Shorten has hit the trigger that switches on voters. Indeed, they have actually switched us off with their childish fear tactics and patronising policies that are designed to buy our loyalty.
Independents and Minor Parties are in closer contact with voters mainly because they are not burdened with outdated ideology or a born to rule mentality, but they too have a way to go to bridge a yawning gap that is a national disgrace.
So, there will be a revolt on Saturday as voters exercise the only power they possess – the treasured democratic privilege of taking revenge on underperforming politicians who weigh down both the Coalition and Labor.
My firm belief is that this will result in Australia having a minority government with power resting with many crossbenchers who will control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
This will be good for Australia just as it was in the first decade after Federation when no Party governed in its own right. It produced a Parliament of superb negotiators led by wise men such as Barton, Deakin and Fisher. They enacted profound legislation, most of which exists to this day.
But, the most significant and essential change will be that the Liberals, Nationals and ALP will be forced to change their whole attitude to Parliament and Government if they ever want to achieve majority government again. The way they operate now is totally irrelevant to the future of a great nation and an insult to the intelligence of the longsuffering people of Australia.
They will have no option but to –
*Get rid of their factions as they are a stupid exercise in dumb power struggles carried out by little guys totally devoid of common sense and to the detriment of sound government.
*Endorse candidates of quality who have open minds, leadership ability, management skills, ever expanding knowledge and expertise, as well as a socially responsible conscience. The days of hack politicians must end.
*Treat voters with respect instead of offensively dispensing the endlessly patronising spin and paternalistic arrogance that they trot out in humiliating fashion right now.
*Get rid of ideology. It is a haven of the weak which is of no value whatsoever to humanity and must be immediately replaced by common sense.
*Deal with the big issues immediately – inequality, climate change, ageing, infrastructure, refugees, republic, indigenous recognition, retirement incomes, same sex marriage, broadband for the Inland, drought proofing the nation, and the removal of violence from society. There are no carpets left for them to be swept under.
Above all, politicians must make a huge effort to inspire the nation and earn its respect. Currently, they do neither and have no understanding of the undeniable fact that people yearn for leaders they can follow with pride and confidence.
My book, The Man on the Twenty Dollar Notes, is selling well because it tells the tale of a visionary nation builder who achieved extraordinary results for the people of the Inland through a lifetime of total commitment. When he died, he did not own a home or a car and he had three pounds in the bank. He was utterly committed to Australia and to a caring society.
No wonder Australians yearn for another John Flynn to rise up amongst us as quickly as possible to inspire us to achieve our real potential as a nation.
It may well be a Joanna Flynn who is a refugee. I hope so.
At present, no one can see such a leader even on the remotest horizon because politics smothers initiative as it covets power in preference to achievement while promoting the mundane and the ordinary.
May the politics that we know today, die an instant death tomorrow.
Then, may many flowers bloom.
Yours at Large
Everald Compton
You can buy The Man on the Twenty Dollar Notes by going to my website everaldcompton.com. Click on the book title. It will lead you to an order form.
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