Trust in, and public perceptions of, the abilities of political leaders is at a low ebb, with many blaming democracy's current problems on a decline in leadership standards among elected representatives.
Dr Mark Triffitt from the University of Melbourne argues that major dysfunctions in our political system are stripping politicians of their ability to lead.
The Australian government's secrecy in the way it handles asylum-seekers is undermining its democratic accountability, writes Alex Reilly of the University of Adelaide.
