Our current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lost the role of Opposition Leader in 2009 thanks to Tony Abbott.

Six months later and we had our first female and 27^th Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

A couple of months later and Gillard won the 43^rd federal election.

Fast forward to 2013 and we had Prime Minister Kevin Rudd again.

Only three months later and Tony Abbott became the 28^th prime minister.

Nearly two years to the day, in 2015, Malcolm Turnbull issued a leadership challenge and won.

In 2016 we had the double dissolution election. And now that we are edging closer to the 46^th federal election, it’s time for a leadership spill.  

Because that’s what we do in federal politics these days.  There’s little time to look to the future, you are always looking behind to protect your back.

Politicians spend more time fighting within their parties than fighting for the people – the people they represent.

Turnbull’s downfall is similar to that of Gillard’s. Like Gillard, Turnbull’s influence and personality has failed to come across.

Yes, he’s had a spiteful colleague in Abbott, but Turnbull on paper (and behind closed doors) versus Turnbull everyday is like two different people.  Gillard was the same.  It’s the lack of relatability.

With Gillard we saw glimpses of her power of persuasion in action – like the sexism speech she delivered in parliament. And the media didn’t help her image with constant critiquing of her outfits, hair style and why she had never become a mother.

As much as Turnbull has tried to relate to the average punter – drinking beers at the pub and kissing babies – he just hasn’t connected.  Which is a shame, because he has the potential for great leadership.

Regardless what happens now or at the next election – we need to bring stability back to federal politics and in turn the public may become more engaged.