Admittedly I've had a limited amount of contact with them up at the hill and the wannabes.

But unfortunately it's always seemed to come down to trust or rather complete lack of it. From what I've experienced, the culture is take what you can get from any situation. If you can see an advantage, even though it's going to injure another take it. Furthermore, if you are in the wrong, unless you are already exposed beyond wriggling away from it, don't take responsibility.

I think it springs from suspecting other's people's motives, if you don't do to them, maybe they will do it to you - also the profession attracts it's fair share of narcissists.

I'd say it's on all sides of politics though under Howard Ministerial responsibility and accountibility have got to be a joke. I think it's probably a thing that feeds and grows on itself. Nice guys and gals come last - those that want to get their agenda into play, climb into the sandpit, though in the end maybe at some personal cost in relationships and reputation.

Boy this article certainly had me nodding my head and especially this:

“Discrimination and abuse perpetrated on the basis of gender, political, cultural or religious background, sexual orientation, or level of ability are some of the most unfortunate yet enduring characteristics of humanity.

Depression and anxiety are two frequent outcomes of discrimination and persistent abuse. Up to 30 per cent of depressive symptoms in high school children is associated with harassment, and in my view you can safely extrapolate that level of depression to bullying in our workplaces.”

You should see what my poor children and family have had to deal with in a system run by bullies and those that are just not required to care - http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/

I have been trying to get people to understand for years that it is not what you are taught that makes the most difference, but how you are treated!

From our experiences the system dumb downs society and keeps the standards low on purpose to protect themselves from having to answer and being held accountable. It also works to ensure that there are not too many people coming up the ranks that might be in a position to get into politics and want to change the status quo.

This is why the Law is so lax with those that abuse their power, break the law, drink and take drugs etc. The Laws are made by those in power to protect those in and with power.

It is time for things to change. We need to demand a rise in standards and with it the level of accountability.

There is a perception - as seen in second-rate TV shows (one starring Donald Trump) - that you cannot cut the mustard as a leader unless you have a very thick skin and can dish it out as much as receive it.

However this is a convenient rationalisation for those who lack ethics and would abuse their power for personal benefit and for those with personality problems.

Likewise there is the myth that those who work hard are entitled to play hard. This is mean to excuse those who regularly indulge in excesses and probably have the morals of a sex-starved alley cat.

As a community, we do not have to put up with any of this misbehaviour from our elected representatives (or from board members) - it is entirely unethical, creates an environment for systemic corruption is prevail and models awful behaviour to the community.

I don't think the media will be much help in improving things, but the Net is some help to empower and link those who want change.

I'm somewhat divided on this issue...

Firstly, if they're being raucous then at least it means there's a certain amount of passionate debate going on. Yes it's nasty, and yes it's unpleasant to watch, but I'd rather that than genteel agreement between all parties.
Granted, it's more about winning office than putting your views across, but occasionally a politician can rise above that and fight for what they believe in. It's rare, but I'm not quite so cynical as to believe it never happens.

On the other hand, I would prefer a more sophisticated level of argument. Stupid names isn't particularly impressive. I say, if you're going to abuse one another, at least be clever about it. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Winston Churchill, I still remember that famed incident when a female MP stated:

"If I was your wife, I would slip you poison."

Churchill: "If I was your husband, I would take it."

Now when was the last time something even remotely witty escaped the mouths of Australian politicians? (Yeah, there's a level of facetiousness in my comments here, but I'd hope it at least reflects a desire for a more culturally aware and higher class of politician in Australian circles.)

Dump Parliamentary Privilege

As an aside, I find it rather disturbing to watch Parliament and see the bullying and childish behaviour and then to compare this to the "Values" that Parliament has forced upon Australian Schools. Those values are broken in nearly every session. So the values are good enough for kids (and I have no worries about the values themselves) but they are not appropriate for grown-ups? Come on!?