THE

measure of a man can be taken in the way he handles victory or defeat. Malcolm Turnbull has failed the test, but he does not stand alone.

A sniggering, lip-smacking Tony Abbot has much to answer for. Abbot’s past achievements are far outweighed by his destructive and destabilising guerrilla warfare against his own team.

And let’s not absolve Bill Shorten who walks a minefield when he attempts to take the high road. The hypocrisy of the Opposition exposes the callow nature that dominates today’s political culture. Neither side can claim the moral high ground.

Perhaps it is time to dispense with the honorific title “The Honourable” before a parliamentarian’s name because there is little honour in the way our elected leaders choose to conduct themselves. The name calling, back stabbing and personal attacks are reminiscent of children in a school yard and out of place for men and women charged with the responsibility of representing the people and running the nation.

I often find myself embarrassed at the antics of those chosen to represent me, a sentiment I’m sure many share. The distortions, lies, deceptions and pandering to our emotions treat us like fools.

This latest leadership merry go round is the last straw as is the circus that was once a house of parliament where our future was debated with a degree of honour, decorum and objectivity. It’s time to take the children back into the classroom and get on with the real business of running the country.

Our political culture must change with the focus on running the country effectively rather than the next election. Robust and objective opposition without the school yard antics would be a welcome respite.

It should never be about who has the smartest mouth or the glib retort but what delivers the best outcome. This is serious business not self-gratifying entertainment or one upmanship.

Our parliament has been seriously wounded. For some it will be fatal, others will survive but without learning the lessons of the past, history will once again repeat itself. That leaves most of the responsibility to us, the people. We let this happen, we failed to hold our elected representatives to account. Apathy or complacency will not force the necessary changes. Playing our part by demanding better representation will heal the wounds and take us all along the road to recovery. It’s time to stop being victims.