Yesterday the people of Australia went to the polls to elect a new government. What they delivered was a mixed message that will make passing legislation a matter of painful compromise.
It is not yet certain whether Labor or the Liberal/National coalition will cobble together the numbers to rule, but it seems that Australia will join those other fragmented parliaments in Europe and elsewhere which lack the ability to implement unpopular decisions.
Whoever governs will be faced with a bevy of independents and one lone Green in the lower house - and the usual mix of independents and Greens holding the balance of power in the Senate.
The word " compromise " will replace the stated policies of the government because to get legislation through either chamber will involve horse trading with those who hold the most power with the least representation.
The end result is " weak " government - and this at a time when world events make it imperative that those who hold the levers of power be bold and make firm decisions to set this country on the right course.
An outright win by either of the main parties would have been preferable to what the voters inflicted on the country yesterday !
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