To be honest with you, the things I am planning to do when I get a gigabit line are not exactly in the 'nation-building' category, either. I'm not sure how to fix that PR problem.
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.
Labor was not able to communicate its vision or its successes. Rudd was brought I. Far too late to undo the damage. They are now in the wilderness for some time. Yet again.