Perceptions.

The most damaging content on the resignation of two senior government ministers seems to have a nautical flavour.   " Rats leaving a sinking ship " seems coupled with " Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic ".
The inference is that the " insiders " - the people at the very heart of this government - have lost confidence on it's survival and are making their departure with dignity.

Nicola Roxon is at the height of her career.  First elected to parliament in 1998 she has risen to be this country's first female Attorney General.  Resignation brings with it a very comfortable lifetime pension and there is no impediment to her choosing to take a well paying job in the private sector.

Her decision to step down to " spend more time with her family " seems certain to focus the spotlight on the gender issue.  Male members of parliament with children seem to cope with the workload by delegating child responsibilities to their spouse.This option is open to Nicola Roxon, but she has chosen otherwise.   Parliament has a number of single women with children, hence the impact of child responsibility seems to unfairly settle on the shoulders of women who choose to remain single.   It may be remembered that the prime minister was once criticised for being " childless ".

This same criteria is not levelled at Chris Evans, who first entered parliament in 1993.  He held the important position as leader of the government in the Senate.  He also claims he is resigning for family reasons - and to allow a suitable replacement for his seat to be selected.

The damage these resignations will cause is in the minds of voters weighing up their voting decision.  There seems to be no doubt that this government is riven with infighting.    Labor is a party of factions.   Beside the usual " right " and " left " ideology we have a struggle for power between two leaders - and each has a following.

The electorate has a big degree of " rusted on " political followers.   Political persuasion - like religion - is a matter of birth.   The vast majority of children adopt the religion of their parents - and are persuaded to follow the same political party when they reach voting age.   In many cases this becomes blindingly parochial - and nothing will change those intentions.

This coming election will be decided by the swinging voters.   They will judge their decisions on the past performance of the government over the latest term in office, the promises made by all political parties in the run up to the vote - and to the perception they have gained of how the country will fare in the term to come.

The phrase " Disunity is death " has long applied to politics.  Even a hint that a leader is lacking total party control is enough to split the vote and send support wavering.    Should one or two other major players throw in the towel and decide not to contest the coming election, this perception will become an unstoppable force.

What is said by either side of politics is not the issue.  It is the perception in voters minds that will decide the outcome !