The South Australian election has officially started and whilst a number of the issues are localised, others are part of the national agenda.

There is an ancient principle: “You reap what you sow.”

Never has this been truer than what we have witnessed this week in Canberra. The Deputy Prime Minister is in all sorts of bother due to his personal choices, but that is all I am going to say about that today.

It has been said a week is a long time in politics so you can only imagine what a year is like - and today marks one year since the Australian Conservatives launched as a political party.

The twelve months has passed so quickly and yet so much has been achieved. Thanks to the support of so many Australians, we have laid the foundations for a sustainable and formidable political movement that will deliver a better way for our nation.

The tyranny of safe spaces and political correctness is creeping into almost every aspect of our lives. It seems everyone is oppressed, bullied, victimised, abused or somehow owed an apology from the few of us that want to stand on our own two feet.

“It’s better to be six months too early than a moment too late”

They were words of advice to me from one of the most successful stock market investors I have ever met.

He has passed away since then but this, and many other insights he shared, will stay with me forever.

It’s good advice for any investor (or politician) and particularly apt for the new ’crypto’ enthusiast.

It’s great to be back with the first Weekly Dose of Common Sense for 2018. I trust you had a break that was as peaceful and relaxed as mine. As usual, the fish got the better of me but I managed to provide a few meals for the family!

Parliament is still embroiled in the citizenship fiasco with a continuing log of claims and counter-claims.

The self-disclosure regime has proved to be less than complete with one MP actually denying any knowledge of their father (an Italian citizen) even though they were photographed with him last year.

Sometimes politics can be frustrating for both voters and those they elect to represent them. 

Electors lament political decisions that seem to suspend common sense in favour of experimental policies that deliver poor outcomes. 

It is tempting to write about something other than politics this week lest merely talking about the dysfunction of our Federal parliament delivers even greater despondency to our many readers.

There are plenty of personal or non-political things I could muse about…the pain associated with my first pre-season football training (yes I know I am too old but that won’t stop me!), how it feels to be a parent with a son just finished his year 12 exams or even the finer points of fishing.

In fact, almost anything would suffice to ameliorate the frustration attached to the current state of politics.