There seems to me to be a crying need for our political leaders to articulate how the country should be adapting to the new era, explaining the need for change in simple terms, with directional goals and imaginative leadership to extricate ourselves from the mire. 

A vision is required. And then an inclusive approach to its execution to enhance the chance of success. 

Mr Abbott, after his “near death experience”, has learnt  a salutary lesson from the first budget that was roundly condemned as unfair, and correctly so. Survival seems to be his strategy and the recent budget, craftily concocted, was meant to appease and appears to have muted the disenchanted. The fundamental problems impacting on the economy were ignored. 

Bill Shorten, as alternative PM, seems visionless too from his utterings so far, apart from the budget reply, and does not inspire confidence; so we are in a right royal pickle. 

Might I suggest that our “leaders'” first step on the road to recovery could be to advocate and prosecute the case for change to the federal election cycle from three to four years. 

With constant opinion polls and with the next election always just round the corner, politicians concentrate on short-term issues at the expense of meaningful strategic planning. In the meantime they should  start working on that “VISION”. 

Hopefully, it will include greater emphasis on the importance of  maths and science right from early childhood, the importance of research and development, reform to superannuation concessions, etc. 

Most Australians are smart enough to realise change is inevitable and that involves some pain. All they ask is that it be reasonably explained and the burden fairly spread.

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