Given they mostly have business / law / academic backgrounds
Lawyers or former law students are the most numerous profession in Parliament. Gillard was a lawyer. Abbott studied Law as an undergraduate, as did Howard and Hawke.
The professional training of a lawyer equips them to vigorously argue a case they may not themselves agree with, and to do so in forensic detail. The skillset and subject matter has a strong overlap with the work of politics.
That doesn't mean we couldn't do with some more professional diversity in Parliament and the Cabinet. It'd be nice to see some more scientists, engineers and the like on both sides of the chamber.
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Lawyers or former law students are the most numerous profession in Parliament. Gillard was a lawyer. Abbott studied Law as an undergraduate, as did Howard and Hawke.
The professional training of a lawyer equips them to vigorously argue a case they may not themselves agree with, and to do so in forensic detail. The skillset and subject matter has a strong overlap with the work of politics.
That doesn't mean we couldn't do with some more professional diversity in Parliament and the Cabinet. It'd be nice to see some more scientists, engineers and the like on both sides of the chamber.
I'm thinking the Mad Scientists Party might stand a chance of a seat in the senate next time around.