Absolutely disgraceful:

<LABOR ministers plundered about $2 million on farewell around-the-world tours in the dying months of the Gillard and Rudd governments.

Expenses records released last night reveal swan songs for the former government's most senior members dominated the almost $3 million overseas travel bill for all senators and MPs reported in the six months to June 30.

While now retired former foreign minister Bob Carr led the way with a $368,000 bill visiting 26 countries, the records also reveal some MPs racked up big costs on individual trips.

In one of the most expensive, the 10-day trip by former climate change minister Greg Combet and ABC newsreader girlfriend Juanita Phillips through France, Belgium and Germany in April has come in at $72,027.

The bill included $57,673 on airfares, $8914 on hotels and meals and $4634 on ground transport.>

http://tinyurl.com/labor-junkets

Wait what? No way! They've got the peoples best interest at heart surely?

And here I've been calling them nothing but blood sucking parasites!
Now I know the reason it's called "Polyticks!" Don't let the spelling fool you!

I have no doubt this sort of thing goes on with ALL politicians of both sides of Parliament.

Shall we look back and check the goings on just before the last Liberal Govt vacated the top job? Or even check them when they were in opposition?

I think we will find the same thing happened.
No surprises here really.
Ho hum.

Suseonline, "I have no doubt this sort of thing goes on with ALL politicians of both sides of Parliament."

You would say that. But even if you allege there have been abuses before, that does not excuse in any way the blatant abuses by these men and women that would not be acceptable in a private company.

In fact in a private company they could be required to pay the money back out of their final pay, and having been outed for abusing their position of trust they would likely find other appointments difficult to get.

Tony Lavis,

As the title of the thread says, 'Liberating Language, Tres 'Progressive'!', and as usual you have strived mightily to show how accomplished you are at it.

Nonetheless the fact remains that use of the particular term could be the basis for a domestic violence order. Nothing you have said dispels that fact.

Sorry, the above post is in the wrong thread. Please disregard.