The political cycle.

" Today a strutting rooster - tomorrow a feather duster ! " An apt comment on political life which seems relevant to today's world.

Political life in Australia seems to run in circles - and at the moment we have state and Federal circles running in opposite directions.

The long run of Labor dominating state politics is fast coming to an end. Labor barely retained office in the Northern Territory and is hanging on with a single seat majority. It has been cast from office in Western Australia - and yesterday the wrath of New South Wales voters fell on Labor councillors who were massacred in local government elections.

In the Federal sphere Labor has returned from a long spell in the wilderness, and the Coalition is embarking on a search for a leader. At present none of the contenders seem to possess that magic spark that unites both the voters and the party to win office.

That is normal following defeat after a long term in office. Kevin Rudd is expected to last at least two terms and probably longer and if the political cycle runs true to form it will take most of this cycle for a charismatic opposition leader to rise from the ranks.

Politics is all about the cycle of life. New governments win office with a mandate for change. The old order is swept away and new directions dominate - until reality bites.

Unfortunately the longer the term in office the more disenchanted the voters become until a mood for change emerges - and the cycle repeats itself !

It is probably healthy that we have opposite cycles running in tandem in state and Federal circles. Such configurations tend to curtail extremism and act as a brake on radical change.

Nomatter which party is in office - the cycle of politics makes it certain that there will be future change - and that voters will eventually heed the cry of " throw the bums out ! "