Shadow Monister, people like Abbott who ensure everyone knows of their supposed holy acts for others, make me sick.

Abbott hasn't got time for all that 'volunteering' now anyway, as he has a country to run!

What with trying to stop a carbon tax that is not going to make any difference to anything, and giving us a second rate broadband system, he won't have time to put on his lifesaver jocks, put out brush fires, or join in Aboriginal dot painting...

It is obvious from the spiteful posts being directed here that the posters responsible have never done any voluntary work themselves.

Because had they ever sat on a school P&C, taken part in the clean-up at the Kindy or given some hours to a church-assisted community help program aimed at supporting old people alone in their homes, they would most certainly have encountered politicians, usually arriving in a muck sweat from a torrid day in the House/Assembly, but still willing to pitch in and help, and give their attention to help lead and solve problems.

I don't know how any of them could get to help us without (say) the car with driver. But always, their help and presence is much appreciated. Even just being there would be enough but many go much further.

Likewise I wonder how many of the politicians' critics on here and in the media have ever been in a responsible job. There is NO time that isn't made up later, no work that can be left, and it follows you home as well.

I get the impression that critics of Abbott's volunteering, who would even diminish the worth of it to the people/clubs/communities concerned(?!), are doing it as much out of ignorance of volunteering and the reality of a politician's life, as out of political hatred.

I would pay for the politicians' transport and out of pocket incidentals and accommodation. Not only are these legitimate claims arising from their work and community expectations of politicians, but it makes very good accounting sense to do it. The car with driver for example fits more into their schedule. Imagine if they had to catch the bus and fit the senior citizens meeting in between debates they could be called upon in the House.

Yes, some politicians side-step their community obligations, but they are soon gone unless they are in a blue ribbon seat that can withstand some erosion in voter support.

Seeing that Suseonline has ripped into lifesaving, something that is very close to my heart and where I have volunteered as have my family for years, I thought she would like to see this,

http://tools.goldcoast.com.au//photo-gallery/photo_gallery_popup_preview.php?category_id=43606&offset=0

Ordinary community-oriented citizens provide many services to the community. They risk the lives in the water, in fires and other rescues.

That a senior politician, now the PM, takes to time to lend support and even models the behaviour himself through competing, is laudable, fantastic!

Maybe not to you Suseonline, but that says a lot about your values and outlook on life don't you think?

otb,

What a load of baloney.

Abbott's volunteering efforts appear to be facilitated by taxpayer's contributions and flanked by photographers and spin doctors.

Those pollies who volunteer without spruiking their efforts to the world and serially claiming exorbitatant expenses are to be lauded.

Abbott is not one of them.

(You wouldn't have a clue as to what volunteer work either myself or Suse have undertaken, so that's baloney as well.)

Poirot,

Old Tin of Fruit, it is very, very obvious from the naivety of your posts that the closest you ever came to doing voluntary work is watching someone else do it on TV. LOL

There would be plenty of people on here who do voluntary work for charities, but London to a brick you are not one of them.

You have no idea and it shows.

Parrot,

Your assertion "Pyne was endeavouring to paint Abbott's "volunteering" visits as weeks-long affairs" is an extremely tenuous interpretation without any foundation. No where does Pynne claim that stays were of a two week duration as you stated falsely as fact. That the one or two weeks a year is not necessarily in one continuous stretch is the most rational and most probable meaning.

You and the other left whingers in the IA are deceitfully misinterpreting Pyne's words, and then attacking him for your fabricated interpretation. I find it difficult to believe for a moment that you are stupid enough not to understand.

Yes, Abbott used it as a photo op, the difference between this and Juliar's or Dudd's photo op at a school, which probably cost more than
$100 000 for private jet, is that Abbott's visit got real funding for the school, compared to Juliar's that gave the kids no more than the chance to chuck a sandwich.