from comments I've read, particularly Julie Bishop, the Libs value 3 things above all other criteria for candidacy: fund raising, community networking and rhetoric. I haven't heard any similar descriptions for Nats or Labs but I can imagine the Nats would be similar and the Labs replace only one criteria with union membership. Greens pretty similar too from my own experience.
this is one of the key reasons for my rejection of political parties.
I agree with your points on an age limit. imo there is a bias with this against age/experience.
dementia can hit at any stage of life. I've recently learned that there has been identified a juvenile presentation of dementia.
