Did you talk to your kids much about the 2010 Federal election? I am told that civics is taught in Year 6 as part of HSIE. This is a very good thing. So many adults are so politically unaware, that I fear for their children having any understanding of how our political system works unless it is taught well in school. Unfortunately a lot of young primary school teachers may only be a small step ahead of their charges as they also brush up on their knowledge of the political system.

I must admit that I don't fully understand the Committee System that has taken a bashing on the radio lately (apparently mostly for the waste of taxpayers money when reports such as the Henry Tax Review are undertaken at great expense and then not acted upon.) A government website extols the committee system's virtues.

The value of the committee system
The Senate's comprehensive committee system has significantly strengthened the Australian parliamentary system of government. It assists the Senate to perform its law-making and inquiry role more effectively and to keep the government accountable for its actions.

Committees also provide a formal channel of communication between Parliament and the public and this encourages greater community participation in the parliamentary process. Travelling to stakeholders in town and country, committees hear local views on government policy. Media attention is drawn to matters that might otherwise have been overlooked.

The importance of the committee system is exemplified by the increasing volume of work carried out by Senate committees. In the twenty years from 1970 to 1990, Senate committees tabled an average of 32 reports annually. In contrast, 191 reports were tabled by the Senate committees in 2009. This trend makes it clear that senators regard the committee inquiry and estimates processes as an invaluable aid to their work.

I am sure this system was set up with the best of intentions but maybe it needs an overhaul.

Rob Oakeshott, the independent for Lyne, is calling for a new way of doing government, with collaboration between the two major parties becoming a feature. It sounds a bit idealistic, but at least he's put the idea on the table.

I watched Sarah Hanson-Young on Q&A the other night. She talked a lot about the Greens need to remain 'pure'. I guess this means remaining true to their policies and philosophy in the context of holding the balance of power in the Senate.

The ideas of collaboration and purity and 'effective government', a loose term bandied around by both major parties, make for a heady mix.  How do you do all three?  I sense 'compromise' will need to make an appearance before too long.

Can we teach our children any good thing about the way politics is conducted in this country and the way politicians conduct themselves? The party political system and the 'product marketing' mentality of election campaigns has let us down badly. Our children find it hard to find examples of leaders who are true to their word. We are so used to 'spin' that we are rightly cynical about most of what our politicians say. Our children will catch this attitude. We, and they need strong purposeful leaders who are faithful to their promises and provide an example of godliness within the context of the cut and thrust of political life in this country. 'Transparent' is another word that has cropped up in this context lately. We need Christians who are prepared to mix it with the mob down there in Canberra and weather the taunts of their opponents and the media.

Is it possible I wonder, to remain pure and transparent, to work collaboratively and provide effective government?

What do you think?