Does the resounding defeat of the Voice referendum on the weekend show that Australia hasn't changed much since the bad old days, or have things just become much worse?

The logical conclusion of a philosophy which views anyone on welfare as a bludger and anyone poor as fair game was on horrifying display as Robodebt Royal Commissioner Catherine Holmes AC SC revealed her 1,039 page report to the Australian public on Friday.

Last week Peter Dutton ramped up his rhetoric against the Voice in a freezing torrent of negativity that would have done Tony Abbott proud.

Corruption takes many forms, and has become more refined since the days of brown paper bags. In Australia, we have lobbyists, interests and politicians, with the traditional dividing lines between these three now all but invisible, and numerous examples of people moving from one position to another, and then back again, as they prioritise personal gain over what's best for the country.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers' second federal budget in seven months delivered a surprising surplus, some support for battlers, and the usual appalling devil in the detail.

Later this year, all Australians of voting age will be asked to have their say on whether the Constitution should be altered to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Cartoonists love to portray federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as a zombie; cold as ice, a man stuck in the past, with a tendency towards authoritarianism. Last weekend the dead man walking analogy acquired new meaning with the loss of the once-safe Liberal seat of Aston, in outer Melbourne.

After nine long years of being led by the least among us, Australia’s future feels optimistic. Thanks, Western Australia, you were instrumental in booting those numpties out! 

Following an election like no other, Australia looks set to change course on climate and corruption, with the Coalition's Scott Morrison being prised from office and Anthony Albanese about to form a new Labor government with the support of Greens and teal independents.

When faced with potential conflict, why are we abandoning the strategy that’s worked in the past for one that will definitely fail?