Authenticity, Optics and Taboo

TERRI-HELEN GAYNOR asked: Over the weekend Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison stated "that our politicians need to open up about themselves and be more authentic with voters if they are to avoid electoral annihilation. The next election must not be fought on partisan political grounds but on authenticity.” Alistair Campbell: Given recent election events in the UK and US and your views on political strategy (or lack thereof) in those campaigns, do you agree with Mr Morrison’s statement and what would you be advising our politicians moving forward to election time? PYNE’S REVEAL TEAGHAN LE BUSQUE asked: Behind closed doors Christopher Pyne says same-sex marriage is to be legalized “sooner rather than later” - a claim that has been rejected by key cabinet ministers. Will this disagreement within the Coalition advance the case for same-sex marriage, or hinder it? VOTER-DISILLUSION DIANA MASEN asked: With the recent backlash against the two major political parties in France, and the election or popularity of unconventional figures like Trump and Corbyn in the US and UK, should there be a fear the political landscape could change as dramatically in Australia? TRUMP & DEMOCRACY PAUL GRENNAN asked: The Trump Whitehouse seems to be surviving scandal upon scandal by attacking many of the institutions that are fundamental to democracy – a free press, the judiciary and law enforcement. Is democracy itself threatened by this new political approach that seems to be working? MENTAL HEALTH TABOO ALANAH MELVILLE asked: Alastair Campbell: As someone who has lived with mental health issues in a high profile position, do you think that mental health is still a taboo subject that must be concealed to maintain professional credibility? POLLIES & PENALTIES PETA-LYNE RELTON asked: Federal politicians are about to receive a 2 percent pay rise and a 2 percent tax cut at the same time as many of Australia’s lowest paid workers have had their penalty rates s