Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Politicians at play

By Judy Cannon - posted Wednesday, 3 June 2009


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.

Advertisement

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?

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

2 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Judy Cannon is a journalist and writer, and occasional contributor to On Line Opinion. Her family biography, The Tytherleigh Tribe 1150-2014 and Its Remarkable In-Laws, was published in 2014 by Ryelands Publishing, Somerset, UK. Recently her first e-book, Time Traveller Woldy’s Diary 1200-2000, went up on Amazon Books website. Woldy, a time traveller, returns to the West Country in England from the 12th century to catch up with Tytherleigh descendants over the centuries, and searches for relatives in Australia, Canada, America and Africa.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Judy Cannon

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Judy Cannon
Article Tools
Comment 2 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy