John Hewson is a professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, and a former Liberal opposition leader.
The only reason that I decided to stay on as leader after the election loss in 1993 was because of a genuine concern that John Howard would replace me. On two key issues: native title and the republic, I knew he would be particularly divisive by moving the party to the hardline "right".
The politicking over energy through the past several years is now coming home to roost.
Government mismanagement means voters' general disenchantment with politicians and the political process is growing.
Tony Abbott is deliberately setting himself against Malcolm Turnbull, who has said that he will vote "YES" but, claiming a number of other "challenges on his plate", is reluctant to actively lead the "YES" campaign.
I watch on in total dismay and disappointment as a handful of dissidents wrangle in the media over same-sex marriage, slowly destroying Turnbull and his government.
Neither side is prepared to concede a realistic assessment of the magnitude and severity of the risks we face as a nation, and to offer a believable policy strategy for moving forward.
Welfare crackdown savings are petty compared to massive cost overruns and wasteful pork barrelling.
The only "soul" at stake is for that of the voter. The only question is how best to win it.
The stakes are very high; the next election outcome is at risk, households and industries face rapidly rising power prices and the mounting probability of black outs
Voters have stopped listening to both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
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