Pollies’ identity crisis

ON Saturday the future of the nation’s leadership hung in the balance, and Australia sat poised to plunge into a minority government, as the results of the Wentworth by-election were revealed.

All this was occurring mere weeks after the Liberal Party leadership spill that dominated the news cycle for days on end, eventually seeing Scott Morrison elected to the country’s top job. Since his rapid elevation to Prime Minister, Mr Morrison has been on a full-on social media charm offensive — including everything from tweeting from footy matches to seemingly dancing to hip-hop music in an effort to raise his profile with the ordinary Aussie punter.

Meanwhile, closer to home, campaigning for the state election is in full swing, with promises from all sides of politics coming thick and fast, and countless politician visits to the greater Geelong region, now that there is little over a month until Victorians are sent to the polls.

And yet despite the promises, despite the controversy, the leadership spills and the widespread news coverage — it appears a large percentage of Geelong voters still cannot name the men who lead our country or our state.

What is it about this era of politics that has dissociated so many people?

Is it a result of the current two-party system in which leaders are interchangeable as people vote down party lines?

Is it the influx of big personalities dominating the news cycle, even though they are independents or represent minority parties?

Or maybe it is the reckless abandon with which parties have begun to sack leaders in the party room, effectively forgoing voters’ wishes from the previous election.

Whatever the reason, if Geelong voters are struggling to name the Prime Minister and Premier after such a period of intense controversy, publicity and activity, it is a big flashing warning to political powerbrokers that their messages are definitely not getting through.