It's possible that I'm crediting our media with too much collective intelligence here, but I would suggest that the timing of this story is very shrewd. As we're receiving our PAYG summaries and preparing our tax returns, there's a tendency to resent the amount of money we're handing over. Add to that stories about wasted tax dollars, and you have a very easy path to moral outrage.

That does not, however, diminish the relevance of the discussion. I don't know that we're outraged simply because the media tell us to be outraged. Instead, I'd say that we're collectively outraged (or, probably in more cases, disappointed) because it is impossible to deny that - legal or otherwise - this screams "excess" from a government that is telling us to tighten our belts. It simply doesn't pass any tests of good judgment.

When I'm spending my employer's money, I ask myself a simple question: "is this the best use of this money?" If the answer is "no," then I don't spend the money. Our budget is pretty tight.

It's easy to ask another question: "is there money in the budget for this?" That question, however, is beside the point. Perhaps Bishop's budget extended to a pricey helicopter flight quite comfortably. It doesn't mean it SHOULD pay for a helicopter flight. Was her trip to Geelong a last-minute emergency? Did it matter (to the value of $5,000) if she was there or not? Did it matter TO THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC if she was there or not? If not, good judgment says "find a cheaper mode of transport or stay in Melbourne."

I think there is a more serious issue underlying the lovely Bronwyn's behaviour. When it became obvious to her that Donald Trump was copying her hairstyle, she then attempted to emulate his lifestyle via the public purse. The poor woman, giddy at the prospect of joining the ranks of the 'glitterati', has totally forgotten that she is merely a
servant of the public.

"It's possible that I'm crediting our media with too much collective intelligence here", says Otokonoko. Well you sure got that one right.

Surely I can't be tho only one who has noticed the dramatic drop in the standard of news reporting. It appears to have grown as the influx of very attractive, university trained young lady journalists has grown. It has definitely fallen as the old hard nosed ex "copy boy" journalist has retired.

While the criteria for hiring journalists is how well they look on the TV news, it will only get worse.

I would love to ask most of them to make change for a bus ticket, without a calculator, to see if any of them are smart enough know which way is up.

I agree with your “that set of items explicitly up for the active and serious consideration of authoritative decision makers”.
But anyway, we don't have to discuss the reasons.
Creative Animodel
http://www.creative-animodel.com/

The Bishop saga should not be still in existence. Only because of Abbott's arrogance, is why this person has not been removed.

She has proved her loyalty to the Coalition party, when a speaker is not to show bias.

She has made several errors of judgement let alone an outrageous chopper fee.
Just pig headed arrogance on the part of Abbott.

"Why, among so many issues, Bronwyn Bishop's helicopter trip gets our attention"

Because no expert on men and boys is interested in finding out what drove a father to do such an horrendous thing as kill his own son with a cricket bat and knife. Despite warrants being out against him the father had no prior convictions is my understanding, even though he had years of battles with his son's mother in the courts.
The mother had only recently returned from a five week trip to the UK which coincided with school holidays. Now there is a clue me thinks.