Veteran political journalist, Laurie Oakes, says Australian politics is floundering because contemporary politicians lack the wit and bravery of great former leaders such as Paul Keating.

In a speech to the Melbourne Press Club on 15 September, Oakes said Malcolm Turnbull and his colleagues lacked the skills of earlier leaders to connect with the electorate and win support for their policies.

Oakes said Turnbull and his colleagues needed schooling in the basics of the political craft. He also said journalists should stop turning to social media reaction for news stories.