Darron CharlesworthWhere are the Positive Role Models?
April 27th 2010 01:44
Category: No Category
The admissions by WA MP Troy Buswell should start alarm bells ringing throughout the Australian Electorate. Not that there should be any reason for this particular person to surprise anyone. After all, Mr Buswell has a history of inappropriate behaviour dating back many years. Which really questions why this person was ever given a Ministry in Government in the first place?
What this does highlight however is the calibre of the people Australian’s have representing them in government. There is no question that Mr Buswell immediately be removed: not only from the Ministry but from Parliament as well. He will join others who have fallen in the past. Most concerning, though, is the number of MPs who have been shown to be behaving in ways not admirable in community leaders who are still in their positions.
Among these models of behavioural standards PM Kevin Rudd with a growing reputation for abusive language and angry outburst toward his staff – and unfortunate Airline staff. Belinda Neal and her equally contemptible partner in bad behaviour, John Della Bosca, both with fiery tempers unleashed at unsuspecting victims. Not the kind of characteristics one wants in political leaders.
From spital to pure dishonesty there have been many cases from both sides of politics of members of government accepting gifts, influencing decision, using privilege to gain advantage, conflicts of interest and straight out fraud. From the former WA Premier Brian Burke, who can still manage to influence both sides of politics, State and Federal, to equally contemptuous ministers such as Gordon Nuttall.
The sad part is that not only are many poorly performing ministers kept in their position, if they are caught they still manage to walk away with perks, pensions and other substantial benefits over and above anything the average person could ever expect. This is just not good enough. The public deserve better. The public should receive better and, if those caught taking advantage of these prestigious positions are found to be acting illegally they should face the full weight of the law and loose all the entitlements which they would otherwise have received.
It is perfectly reasonable for the public to expect their representatives to act at all times in an honest and ethical way to represent their interest and to lead by setting a good example in everything they do. On these grounds Australia’s Political Leaders are letting themselves and the public down very badly. It is high time that accountability returned to the political spectrum. The only protection that the people have from tyranny is the political system. If that does not protect them what will?
What this does highlight however is the calibre of the people Australian’s have representing them in government. There is no question that Mr Buswell immediately be removed: not only from the Ministry but from Parliament as well. He will join others who have fallen in the past. Most concerning, though, is the number of MPs who have been shown to be behaving in ways not admirable in community leaders who are still in their positions.
From spital to pure dishonesty there have been many cases from both sides of politics of members of government accepting gifts, influencing decision, using privilege to gain advantage, conflicts of interest and straight out fraud. From the former WA Premier Brian Burke, who can still manage to influence both sides of politics, State and Federal, to equally contemptuous ministers such as Gordon Nuttall.
The sad part is that not only are many poorly performing ministers kept in their position, if they are caught they still manage to walk away with perks, pensions and other substantial benefits over and above anything the average person could ever expect. This is just not good enough. The public deserve better. The public should receive better and, if those caught taking advantage of these prestigious positions are found to be acting illegally they should face the full weight of the law and loose all the entitlements which they would otherwise have received.
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