I hope it does get better.  However, I live in Australia and I would say 90% of the baptised Catholics no longer attend church.  They have quietly walked away according to church records.  Australians are not very religious compared to the US.  The schools are still popular because they give a 'private' education at a fraction of the other private schools.  The prime minister you referred to (Tony Abbott) is no longer prime minister.  He was deposed in favour of Malcolm Turnbull (non Catholic).  Tony Abbott is no great loss as he is very pro ++ Pell and his ilk.

One good thing to come from all of this is that clericalism is disappearing.  Just two of my four adult kids send their children to Catholic schools and they are completely on the ball and watchful re possible abuse.  

Australian bishops will do what Rome tells them to do regardless of the Commission's recommendations.  They are 'Company' men.  The one hope I see for the Aussie church is Bishop Vincent Long (see NCR article).