Politicians at play

Hang on, how much are these guys paid?

In a recent report The Australian focused on politicians and those who lost income as a result of the 2008 election. It said one federal minister in the prior government had taken a $90,000 pay cut on the $200,000-plus salary he had previously earned. The base pay of a federal MP was put at $127,600 a year, with electorate allowances and perks, such as a car. Cabinet ministers earned about $219,000 a year. Interesting, isn’t it. I’d hate to add it all up.

It is only fair to acknowledge that some politicians work incredible hours and have the country’s interests truly at heart. Probably, even those that make such spectacles of themselves in parliamentary “debate” (aka rampant partisan gamesmanship) work hard too - at other times. Hopefully, when they are not showing off before TV cameras with their silly spats and props, they really do toil on our behalf. But the public does not see that. They see only the ludicrous, fatuous and sometimes insidious posturing on camera during parliamentary debate, or excuse for debate thereof. A plague on all your photographs and placards - Mr and Ms Australia don’t want a bar of it.

Given the real challenges, financial and global warming in our contemporary world, voters want to be reassured that all political representatives - government, opposition and others - are getting on with the business of government, doing their best to look after everyone’s interests, health and future. Does that sound too simple? That’s what they were elected to do and that is what voters pay for.

Or would they rather that - the next time any of us visit the Parliamentary visitors’ gallery - we turn up with streamers and balloons?