Whilst I don't doubt the truth of this, I find there's often a deeper reason why people "just don't like" someone. Sometimes it's because that someone has ideals which challenge the assumptions of too many people. Other times it's because the media has an agenda which is at odds with that person's principles, and therefore choose to portray that person in a particularly negative light.

As an Australian I would say this is correct. The last election was not a choice between two leaders with charisma, but a case of choosing the least worse of a bad lot.