I haven't read 'Game of Mates', it sounds like an interesting read.
You are right, the intended role of government is make people's lives better. Unfortunately it isn't working out that way. The government care much more about big business and themselves than they do about the people they are supposed to be serving.
Pauline Hanson has received a lot of attention. I think that attention won her quite a few votes even though most of that attention has not been particularly complimentary. She also got quite a boost from the rise of Donald Trump in the US. People see her as anti-establishment.
People see Pauline Hanson as anti-establishment, even though she usually votes with the Liberals - especially for legislation that screws over workers. People see Labour as left wing, even though they're neoliberal and voted to take away our right to privacy, increase the retirement age, etc. It's all skewed.
Game of Mates was published this year, so the stories about how politicians in Australia do favours for their mates are pretty current.