Darron CharlesworthPoliticians cannot be believed: and this is new?
May 19th 2010 22:51
Category: No Category
If Tony Abbott was trying to make an impression with his comments on the ABC he can certainly claim success. Hardly a media outlet or political commentator in the country has been unable to restrain themselves from embracing this issue. For an embattled Kevin Rudd it must have been like a gift from his God. Finally something to divert attention from his [Rudd’s] and Labor’s string of gaffs and policy failures in national headlines.
For Abbott it is hard to imagine what he was thinking that night when he told the nation that his off-the-cuff remarks and promises could not be unquestioningly believed. Without question this has raised the issue of political honesty. Is it better to be straight forward and admit that certain remarks may not be ‘the gospel truth’, as Mr Abbott stated or, is the deceit, back-downs and furphies normally associated with politics the preferred medium? Just how much truth can the public expect?
In the political realm it is common for politicians to make grandiose claims and promises particularly in the lead up to an election. This led to the introduction of the ‘Core’ and ‘Non-Core’ promises of the Howard era. Again this deception was not new.
Across all levels of government politicians make exorbitant promises which conveniently vanish in a puff of smoke to the political vacuum moments after the election. For a major commitment like Labor’s proposed Emissions Trading Scheme this may be accompanied by mountains of political spin. David Copperfield on his best day could not perform disappearing tricks of the calibre of our political leaders and their spin machines.
With Rudd Labor’s performance of during their first term already suffering from issues of trust the statement from Tony Abbott should be of concern for all Australians. It is hoped that some level of trust can be placed in our politicians when they make promises and commitments. Yet the actions, failures and back-flips of the recent past make trust something that the public could not be reasonably expected to embrace.
Apart increasing from the probability of Rudd’s re-election – something that was looking increasingly unlikely given public opinion – Mr Abbott’s comment does highlight the issue of honesty in politics.
The Australian people should have the reasonable expectation that the promises made by politicians – particularly during an election campaign – will be adhered to. As the Political Parties are in fact businesses too maybe there is a case for the ACCC to monitor their behaviour. After all, it is on the basis of their promises that Political Parties are elected. If these promises cannot be reasonably believed then there is a clear case of deception or false advertising to answer.
If not the ACCC then the very least protection for the electorate is for legislation to remove from office parties or leaders who do not follow through on their commitments prior to an election and during campaigns.
At the Federal election likely to be held later this year the issue of trust is already being flagged as central to success. From the standpoint of an elector the issue of who to trust is easy: no one.
For Abbott it is hard to imagine what he was thinking that night when he told the nation that his off-the-cuff remarks and promises could not be unquestioningly believed. Without question this has raised the issue of political honesty. Is it better to be straight forward and admit that certain remarks may not be ‘the gospel truth’, as Mr Abbott stated or, is the deceit, back-downs and furphies normally associated with politics the preferred medium? Just how much truth can the public expect?
Across all levels of government politicians make exorbitant promises which conveniently vanish in a puff of smoke to the political vacuum moments after the election. For a major commitment like Labor’s proposed Emissions Trading Scheme this may be accompanied by mountains of political spin. David Copperfield on his best day could not perform disappearing tricks of the calibre of our political leaders and their spin machines.
With Rudd Labor’s performance of during their first term already suffering from issues of trust the statement from Tony Abbott should be of concern for all Australians. It is hoped that some level of trust can be placed in our politicians when they make promises and commitments. Yet the actions, failures and back-flips of the recent past make trust something that the public could not be reasonably expected to embrace.
The Australian people should have the reasonable expectation that the promises made by politicians – particularly during an election campaign – will be adhered to. As the Political Parties are in fact businesses too maybe there is a case for the ACCC to monitor their behaviour. After all, it is on the basis of their promises that Political Parties are elected. If these promises cannot be reasonably believed then there is a clear case of deception or false advertising to answer.
If not the ACCC then the very least protection for the electorate is for legislation to remove from office parties or leaders who do not follow through on their commitments prior to an election and during campaigns.
At the Federal election likely to be held later this year the issue of trust is already being flagged as central to success. From the standpoint of an elector the issue of who to trust is easy: no one.
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