Pollie reform a must

IT’S like something out of Romeo and Juliet: our two local federal members unite on an issue despite the traditional bitterness between their rival clans.

Liberal MP for Corangamite Sarah Henderson has previously called Labor MP for Corio Richard Marles “Mr Snarles”.

He has said she peddles false hope to the people of Geelong.

But in this heartwarming moment they have downed muskets to sing a song of harmony.

What issue could unite such rivals?

Extending the duration of Federal Governments of which they may form a part.

The propoal to have fixed four-year terms is a worthy one.

Our political system is in need of a few nips and tucks — if not major surgery — if it is to again be embraced by the people. Indeed it is hard to recall a time of greater disconnect between the people and their leaders.

As others have noted, a large part of that disenchantment is the contrast between our speedy hi-tech lives and the seeming glacial pace at which representative democracy moves.

We can perform a complicated global transaction on a smartphone in seconds but big necessary reforms and projects seem to mooch interminably through scoping studies and committees.

But recent governments have done themselves no favours.

We to have an oversupply of career politicians who seem to come to the role of Prime Minister, playing to their particular crowds, but with no particular driving policy agenda for the nation.

In fairness they have often had hostile senators obstructing what little agenda they have.

The Senate — which Paul Keating famously described as “unrepresentative swill” — is increasingly home to a gaggle of fringe causes and vain loners who consider themselves gamechanging mavericks but achieve little.

Four-year terms have the benefit of allowing our slowmoving governments to potentially record an achievement or two before going back to the ballot.

But make no mistake, this is only the minimalist model.

The Senate, its duration and even continued future existence needs to be scrutinised.