The casual outside observer could be forgiven for thinking that Australian federal politics is a soap opera, played out on national television every night for the nations enjoyment. Now I know that Australian politics does not really rate as an exciting topic in Australia, let alone the rest of the world, but it really is fascinating if you get into it.
Australia is without a doubt, one of the (if not THE) most successful democracy on the planet. We are pretty much the only democracy that was not born out of a revolution, and while its machinations are a bit clunky, it has worked exceedingly well since Federation (January 1, 1901). It is within this context that the last couple of years of federal politics are simply baffling.
We have a Westminster System of government here in Oz, which means the people vote for a local candidate, and the party with the most candidates elected forms government. Whichever party that is (currently the Liberal Party, a rough equivalent of the US Republicans) has a party leader, and this person becomes the Prime Minister (sort of like the US President). This person is elected by the party - not directly by the population. It staggers me that we very nearly had our fifth PM in twenty months earlier this week with the attempt to spill the Liberal Party leadership on Monday, which failed to get up, but it is only a matter of time for the PM, who is mortally wounded in a political sense.
Quite simply, our federal politicians have lost the plot over the last couple of years and seem to have forgotten that they were elected to govern the country, not look after themselves. Case in point, the current PM (Tony Abbott) making a "Captain's Call" to confer an Australian Knighthood on Prince Phillip (yes, that's right - the Queen of England's husband). Just think about that for a minute. Prince Phillip cannot really refuse to accept the 'honour', but who gives it to him? For those unaware, the Queen is still Australia's sovereign, so I really cannot see who the Prince is to bow down to, to receive his knighthood - sheer madness.
I don't often stray into the political debate - my views are my own and I think that is where they should stay. I am writing this post to give the world at large the heads up that is they are looking for a good laugh on TV, seek out Australian federal politics and have a look. It strikes me that our politicians have suffered from 'Relevance Deprivation Syndrome' over the summer recess, probably born out of the typical Australian attitude of not caring about politics.
This has been a very small snapshot of what has been going on at the federal level in Australia lately. In my next post, I will bring you up to speed on what has been going on at a state level.
Until next time,
CfB
Australia is without a doubt, one of the (if not THE) most successful democracy on the planet. We are pretty much the only democracy that was not born out of a revolution, and while its machinations are a bit clunky, it has worked exceedingly well since Federation (January 1, 1901). It is within this context that the last couple of years of federal politics are simply baffling.
We have a Westminster System of government here in Oz, which means the people vote for a local candidate, and the party with the most candidates elected forms government. Whichever party that is (currently the Liberal Party, a rough equivalent of the US Republicans) has a party leader, and this person becomes the Prime Minister (sort of like the US President). This person is elected by the party - not directly by the population. It staggers me that we very nearly had our fifth PM in twenty months earlier this week with the attempt to spill the Liberal Party leadership on Monday, which failed to get up, but it is only a matter of time for the PM, who is mortally wounded in a political sense.
Quite simply, our federal politicians have lost the plot over the last couple of years and seem to have forgotten that they were elected to govern the country, not look after themselves. Case in point, the current PM (Tony Abbott) making a "Captain's Call" to confer an Australian Knighthood on Prince Phillip (yes, that's right - the Queen of England's husband). Just think about that for a minute. Prince Phillip cannot really refuse to accept the 'honour', but who gives it to him? For those unaware, the Queen is still Australia's sovereign, so I really cannot see who the Prince is to bow down to, to receive his knighthood - sheer madness.
I don't often stray into the political debate - my views are my own and I think that is where they should stay. I am writing this post to give the world at large the heads up that is they are looking for a good laugh on TV, seek out Australian federal politics and have a look. It strikes me that our politicians have suffered from 'Relevance Deprivation Syndrome' over the summer recess, probably born out of the typical Australian attitude of not caring about politics.
This has been a very small snapshot of what has been going on at the federal level in Australia lately. In my next post, I will bring you up to speed on what has been going on at a state level.
Until next time,
CfB
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