It seems that Mike is destined to retain his place as Premier, but indications are that his party's majority might be greatly reduced in Saturday's poll.

We bet that Tony Abbott will be saying a few prayers that the Libs don't come out of the election too badly. If they struggle to retain power the blame will probably be sheeted home to his defective leadership.

Tony bumbles about so much that people are just expectantly waiting for his next gaff, and his 'foot in mouth' exercises are pretty regular.

It always intrigues us that when elections come around governments make elaborates promises of what they are going to do for their constituents. One has to ask: Why don't they do these things before the election?

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We are seeing the passing of some great personalities of political life. Malcolm Fraser will be remembered as an outstanding defender of human rights.

He emerged from his conservative background to become a leading advocate for a tolerant society. His is a significant record that we would hope more people in power would endeavour to emulate.

As this column is being written we have heard of the death of prominent Singapore leader Lee Kuan Yew. He was a powerful leader who brought his country into the modern world. But not in an always democratic manner.

Nevertheless, Singaporeans owe him a great debt for the standard of living they enjoy today.

In Singapore in 2012 we were told how his outstanding career almost didn't happen. When the Japanese captured Singapore in 1942 they executed about 50,000 Chinese, because at that stage they were at war with China.

Young Lee Kuan Yew was told to report to the Japanese bureaucracy, but escaped instead, and managed to get to the United Kingdom. There he received a good education and returned post war to begin his political career. Luck, (or is it divine providence?), plays a part in our lives.