From the desk of ROLAND ROCCHICCIOLI

A REMINDER to Liberal and National party politicians: In most workplaces you are reasonably entitled to two consecutive days of sick leave without needing a doctor’s certificate. Following that, your employer will require proof-of-illness entitling you to payment for your absence.

During the past weeks the respective leaders of federal Liberal and National parties have frittered their days not working for their electorates — serving those who gifted them their vote, or in the pursuit of good governance, but serving their own political survival.

The lambasting of politicians is counter-productive; however, the Coalition’s relentless display of self-interest and indifference is deplorable. Their neglect of parliamentary duties while squabbling, contradicting each other on live television, and trading of insults, deserves the full weight of public opprobrium. It was a most unedifying spectacle and profoundly disquieting for party followers and observers. Not only are they proving a political irrelevance, they are failing, miserably, in their obligation to provide a strong and robust opposition — which is their lot following the election. Good governance demands a strident, vigorous opposition. It is our most efficient check-and-balance.

ABC political journalist, Laura Tingle, said: “And the fact that their personal ambitions are just so blatantly out there (is) basically disgraceful, because we as taxpayers are paying for them to be looking after the interests of their voters in their electorates and to be looking after the national good.”

There is about their cavalier attitude a whiff of alarming hubris. For those occupying the highest office in the land their antics are disgraceful. Do they imagine that we — “the idiot public” — are satisfied the hatchet has been buried and it is back-to-business sans animosity, or future revenge; that we should trust, from now until the next election, the Coalition will be navigating tranquil waters and we should feel confident in their inordinate capacity to form an alternative government. Realistically, at the present, the Coalition is irrelevant.

While the Nation confronts a litany of alarming issues: farmers are despairing; mental health is failing; health services are at breaking-point; cost-of-living is crippling; youth crime, lawlessness, and malicious criminality is proving problematic; marginalisation jeopardises communities; domestic criminal assault is pandemic; social media is a curse; and homelessness and housing has never been more parlous, the Liberal National Coalition is selfishly and frantically pondering their survival into the future — if, indeed, they will survive. Realistically, the 2025 election routing would suggest Labor remaining in government for a third, potentially a fourth, term-of-office. Currently, to imagine the Coalition is politically viable is an outrageous folly, and deeply concerning.

The enormity of the political role is obvious, but their persistent shenanigans has made us more critical and less tolerant Most Australians are not political pundits; however, we do have an expectation politicians will honour their campaign promises — doing what is right-and-proper by the electorate; they will not mislead, or lie; and they will place constituents ahead of any inviolable loyalty to their party. Repeatedly, there is more political concern about staying in power than delivering good governance.

Democracy is vulnerable. Strong and stable government is vital. Opposition is imperative. Political loyalty notwithstanding, it is deeply troubling when one of the major parties is so obviously crippled — even dysfunctional. The serious risks should be evident to all!

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald radio 3BA — Monday 10.40am. Contact: [email protected]