While they are sitting in our parliament they have a job to do and must be prepared to put their ambitions on hold and be ready to deliberate on issues of national importance without distractions and with an objective mind.

 

If they cannot do that then they should quit.

 

Instead, we get a timeout because the Liberal party needs to sort out who is going to lead them. 

 

The revolving door of political leaders over the past 10 years reminds Hogsback of Italian politics, which is notorious for the shakiness of the alliances that form its governments. 

 

At least in Rome you can forget about politics and go and enjoy a good fettucine carbonara and wash it down with a local chianti instead. That option does not really exist in Canberra unless you want to take your chances in Civic.       

 

Hogsback can't think of any field of endeavor where highly paid executives can justify their salaries while behaving like petulant children except may be at a circus. Certainly not at a mine site.       

 

There are a number of issues that still remain unresolved such as the future of the National Energy Guarantee, the state  of Australia's ongoing relationship with its major trading partner, China, and the future direction of industry policy and the introduction of automation.

 

All the major portfolios are up in the air. Key portfolios relating to resources and industry policy, will be affected by the leadership upheavals as will the functioning of the whole government.

 

Australia's erstwhile  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tore up the NEG after buckling to  party room pressures in a desperate attempt to hold on to his leadership.

 

The future of the Liddell power station, the prospect of a mooted $1 billion power station in Queensland, and the strategy of dealing with the "trilemma" of electricity prices, reliability and emissions reduction is all a mystery.

 

That is what government has degenerated into in the 21st century, the age of the 24 hour news cycle. 

 

Hogsback reckons there a lot of hardworking Australians on mine sites around the country who are tired of the political soap opera and want decent government to kick in and get on with the job.