In the wake of the recent mid-terms, the accusations have of course not entirely been directed at political opponents, but have also flown [particularly in Florida] in the direction of the Federal Electoral Commission.

Hostile accusations of voter fraud have been thrown around during the Senate re-count, still unresolved at time of writing, allegations which should not be seen as unusual in the age of the strongman.

Back at home, Australians can and should be proud of the work of our electoral commissions, an institution that has been kept rather busy in recent years, but rarely faces the sort of tearing down of public institutions that seems to commonplace across many countries.

The Australian version of democracy is rightly lauded around the world, even if the way our political leaders play the game, seemingly unable to hold on to their own leaders for a single term, is also rightly the laughing stock.

In the past decade, the Australian Election Study shows, a yawning gap has grown between the 26 per cent of us who believe people in government can be trusted, and the corresponding 74 per cent who think politicians are in it for themselves.

Trust has been on the decline across the world and Australia is no exception - the repeated failures of our leaders to bridge the partisan divide and find solutions to energy policy, housing affordability, climate change and indigenous recognition only serve to fuel the flames of distrust.

This week marks a national occasion, the success of the national postal vote to allow same sex marriage - a victory of sorts for the community, but a bittersweet one for advocates, who may rightly argue why there was a need for it in the first place, had politicians got on with the job.

There will be debates in pubs, clubs and cafes about the vote and its historical significance for years to come.

With so many failures on so many policy fronts, a jaded public increasingly disengaged from the political debate and those who are engaged seemingly unable to bridge the partisan divide - one thing is certain.

This vote, and the significant majority of support it confirmed in the community, came not because of Australians faith in democracy, but in spite of our rising distrust of the players who inhabit its landscape.

This was not a victory, with a few notable exceptions, of our political leaders, this was a victory of the people.

The fall-out, one year on, a nation - and in Canberra, a city - so ready to signal its inclusiveness, seems still to be too immature to right its historical wrongs against its first peoples.

In May last year, indigenous Australia, with a clarity of purpose rare in any political context, released the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

They spoke, but is the nation ready to listen?