An extra clarifier for international readers could be to point out the way the political system operates by parties in Australia.
The ruling Liberal party has a strong tradition of playing follow the leader. Hence it is a fair description to say to "how did this happen" that the tastes and opinion of one man, the Prime Minister has been applied to his whole party and hence the whole nation.
The younger people of his party are generally appalled by the legislation but will accept almost anything if it means power.
Note: the parties vary in their methods and structure - neither opposition party works this way to the same extent.
Slashdot Mirror
An extra clarifier for international readers could be to point out the way the political system operates by parties in Australia.
The ruling Liberal party has a strong tradition of playing follow the leader. Hence it is a fair description to say to "how did this happen" that the tastes and opinion of one man, the Prime Minister has been applied to his whole party and hence the whole nation.
The younger people of his party are generally appalled by the legislation but will accept almost anything if it means power.
Note: the parties vary in their methods and structure - neither opposition party works this way to the same extent.