Some politicians have decided to do what is better for them and their re-election and position rather than whats good for Australia. They think the smart thing to do is trash the whole idea of the Voice. Ego, power, position and privilege have nothing to do with the Voice. It has to do with Australian citizens and how best we can be inclusive and move forward.

Have I lost my humour, or have we lost something more serious from our politicians? I dont know about you, but Im so tired of hearing the constant bickering and mud-slinging that goes on in our politics. This isnt a new gripe, but this matter often gets shrugged off as its just politics. But it isnt the sort of political antics that we should indulge, because it detracts from the importance of policy.

One media outlet labelled such antics as mastering the art of the insult. Really? I think I would rather have our politicians master the art of good governance than acting like parliament is the school yard.

During Question Time parliamentary privilege protects them from being sued for defamation. Is this like being Catholic and sinning because you know the confessional is there each Sunday? Instead of politicians exchanging insults they should be figuring out how to make Australia even better. Having a barbed tongue belongs in satire, not politics_._

Were perhaps shocked when we see a fracas in a foreign government; chairs and tables are thrown, as are punches. A bottle of water is hurled at the head of another politician with suit jackets ripped off in the fray. Tear gas and pepper spray have been used as have stones and paint. Even usually well-behaved Japanese politicians slapped and shoved each other in parliament. The Australian parliament seems tame with only a lump of coal and a burka having been presented. But we are on top of the slippery-dip and should watch that we are not pushed down and also laughed at on the international stage.

We either accept undignified behaviour from our politicians or we draw the line and say, get on with the job and stop your nonsense. Call me old fashioned but I thought we were all aiming for the same thing; the betterment of Australia. The two parties often act like they live in two different countries as they tussle and squabble over who gets to be right. And when they dont get what they want they lash out at the opposition with character assassination and invective.

Quick wit and a put down are one thing, and have always been a part of Australian politics, but it wasnt the main event. Now it seems the circus has come to town and offensive language with a whip and a chair is all thats required. Although Paul Keating was the king of the put-down, he strived to make Australia shine. Now its personal. We have seen the price of name calling; some politicians didnt even get a chance to hit their stride before they were insulted, ridiculed and mocked. A certain red-head springs to mind.

I dont want kindergarten mentality in charge of my country. I want stately people who carry themselves with dignity and a certain amount of erudition and focus. We need solutions, not slagging matches as to who can take down their opponent faster than you can say Twitter. It really has taken a steep curve in politics where they shout the loudest, virtue signal (often with false humility) and appear as if it is only they who can save our country, not their dim-witted opponents.

Policies used to be the issue at stake when it came to elections. Now its who can rip their opponent to shreds and dodge the issue of what it is they can do for our country. Off-hand wise cracks from politicians also seem to be totally acceptable as an excuse or passive aggression. Most people remember things like I dont hold a hose, mate and Im going to shirtfront Mr. Putin, rather than what those men did with their time in the top job. Albanese possibly has all the makings of a decent politician who can achieve something for the masses. But well never find out unless we stop the playground language and require a higher standard from those who govern us. Instead of allowing Albanese the space to move graciously into his role, he is hampered constantly by those who would rather pull him down than assist him to enhance the country their country.

The Voice is a case in point. Some politicians have decided to do what is better for them and their re-election and position rather than whats good for Australia. They think the smart thing to do is trash the whole idea. It is so transparent of what goes on in politics that one may cry instead of laugh at the infantile attitude of too many. Ego, power, position and privilege have nothing to do with The Voice. It has to do with Australian citizens and how best we can be inclusive and move forward.

We are all in this together, so lets work to make our country a beacon of how to raise our politicians to a higher standard and to govern with dignity and thoughtfulness on what we are trying to achieve. And that is to make Australia its best self - which benefits us all.