Basically in a Commonwealth system you go in and vote, (in oz you vote for some of the senate and the House of Reps), and there are only ever two parties with the hope of winning. Now each of these parties can guarantee a core vote, which leads to only about 20% of the mandate being swinging. Now the Politicians offer every thing they can to these 20% in the hope of winning the election.

Currently the Coalition government is spending millions of dollars upgrading the roads in the Bush in an effort to shore up there support in the outback. As one Outback Independent put it, "It's a sham, they are building better roads between townships that no longer exist".

What the bush wants is jobs and education, but the Pollies are so out of touch that they just give them roads.

Now in my seat there is a appprox 12% majority to our local non-descript mp. Will go and vote, but it will not make a difference to the outcome here. It will still be a liberal party seat, has never been anything else.

Last election the Federal Government had there total votes slashed and were well and truely beaten on the ballot box, but they still managed to win Government again.

Next year there will be blood in the water, they have two many marginal seats, and they have completely lost touch with the average australain. Expect to see some cabinet members looking for jobs, (though l expect they wont be seen in the dole queues).

Note for Yanks Our Cabinet is made up by elected Government Parlimentarians. We do not have a President, and do not appoint cabinet members.