It now seems that both major parties, federally and state are now enveloped with a strong stench of corruption ? Therefore what can we, the humble electorate, do about it ?

I would respectfully ask that we don't involve 'party politics' in this discussion, as I'm sure most of you would by now realize, both Labour and the Liberal National Party, ostensibly have some of those repulsive creatures ensconced within their ranks ? Where allegations of corruption have been levelled against them, in the preceding 24 - 36 months or so ?

It's also acknowledged by the originator herein, that within British Jurisprudence, there are held two very important tenets '...there's a general presumption of innocence...' and '...he who accuses must prove...'!

The main thrust of this topic, is what can 'we' the ordinary battler do about it, if anything ? Or are we invariably heading down the slick road to certain perdition if something's NOT done, and done quite soon ? I should admit, I've always been repelled by crime of a kind perpetrated by those in very powerful positions, including that of police. Particularly those engaged in the private sector, and especially others within our political leadership ! Generally it's not a case they need more money, rather it's their unquenchable desire for more power ?

Therefore, what is it that we can do about all these allegations of corruption, that seem to be appearing almost daily in our media ?

You ask, "What can we do about it?"

(1)Our system obliges us to use democracy. Democracy = politics. Politics = political parties. Political parties go to elections. Then the people choose. That's how our system works. We are not permitted any other way. Therefore, in order to do something about it, people need to form *NEW* political parties that are guaranteed to be honest, convince the people and then take it to an election and *let the people decide*. Then after the new, honest parties get elected, 10 years down the track they'll be discovered to be utterly corrupt, and the process then begins all over again. That's democracy.

(2) As number 1 showed that democracy is not the answer to corruption, we need to look at other measures. Let's try the legal process. As we all know the politicians who make the laws, and the law enforcers themselves are *ALL* 100% honest and law abiding. No corruption there at all. Let's give these people more authority and more power to attack the corruption problem. They'll fix it up for us, we can trust them. Hang on -- that means politicians investigating politicians and police investigating police. Oh well.

(3) Now that it's established that democracy and the legal process won't solve the problem, where to now?

(4) Church!! We can ask God to help us. Yes, Zeus is perfect and as we are made in the image of Zeus, we can pray for and find a perfect solution.

So there ya go folks, the answer is God. "One Under God" will be so happy that his beloved Zeus is the answer to our problems.

o sung wu,

You must know from your police experience what prevents scrutiny and accountability. Any competent auditor or accountant would come up with the same list and the same risk treatments.

Meanwhile the public will apply an effective treatment which is available to them. That is forced mobility. Tip the rubbish out regularly. It will become a ritual if it isn't one already.

To make it not worthwhile for the self-seeking career politicians, the outrageous golden handshakes for sacked and retiring politicians need to be trimmed back to what the long serving but obviously unloved (by politicians) government employees get.

Federal politicians have the utter gall for instance to index their own superannuation to the pay rises awarded to MPs each year, which were 2.4 per cent last year and 3 per cent the year before. However the superannuation of public servants who must contribute subs and work for many decades is indexed to the (discounted) CPI! That means that the already very frugal superannuation of public servants when eventually paid loses its value every year. Only recently the government tied military super to increases in the age pension, but immediately turned around to talk about parsimonious cuts elsewhere.

This article is relevant and the same can be said of the LNP, Labor and the lunar but greedy Greens as well,

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/anger-at-politicians-not-sharing-the-budget-pain/story-fni0cx4q-1226903805902

Politicians and governments are there to serve the public and not the other way around.

Hi there ONTHEBEACH...

As you would well know, police, politicians, members of the armed services, and I'm sure many other groups, are required to be 'sworn in'! And in so doing, they are required to take that oath, very seriously indeed. That's why the coppers, and military people, can be heavily sanctioned, amongst which can including, but limited too, punitive measures, such as substantial fines even penal servitude, if they proceed to break that oath !

And it does happen too ? Why then do out politicians appear to be totally immune to such sanctions ? As you quite correctly opined in your opening sentence, from my policing experience, they seem to be able to frustrate any and all attempts to carefully scrutinise theirs, or their political colleagues, from any meaningful review of their activities ? Which leads us back to the initial question, what can be done about it ?

I believe the only way we can shed any legitimate light on these covert political 'games' is to rely on the power of the media ? It's through these highly effective 'investigative journalists' who can dig around apparently with some degree of anonymity (much more than police!) who can 'out' many of these corrupt practices, leaving poor ol' Mr Plod shaking their collective heads in disbelief ?

It's only when they're 'forced' to publically defend their actions, or inactions, to a legally prescribed body, similar to ICAC can the truth finally emerge. What do you think ONTHEBEACH ?

Good afternoon to you NHOJ...

Firstly I must thank you for your contribution, the substance of which has been most edifying indeed. However, as you've sought to reduce this problem to it's common elements, I find we've not advanced very far ? Nevertheless, I'm sure your assistance herein, may well bare further examination.

Wu, the MEDIA is the solution?? OMG, they are JUST as corrupt as the politicians and police.

Wu, there is no "solution". Mankind by nature is this way. Always has been, always will be. Does this mean nothing should be done? Of course not. All this -- both the offences and the struggle to bring to justice, are part of the primitive biology of mankind. It's a struggle that was taking place 100,000 years ago, and is still taking place. It's the basic survival instinct (on all sides).

Until the intellectual biology of mankind is altered (that won't happen), a solution is impossible. And dealing with all the minutiae of every included detail in the situation of corruption will not produce a solution. Why? Because mankind is simply too intellectually primitive and runs on instinct. No different from the animal kingdom, although we "think" we are incredibly superior.

So Wu, have your discussion. Analise every detail, address every outrage, pursue every course on the subject matter, detail every bit of human bad behaviour and collate every piece of law enforcement, retaliation and punishment possible. Result? Politicians will STILL be corrupt. No matter what is said or done, politicians will forever be corrupt. Why? They are from a species called homo sapiens, thus politicians are a primitive species driven by their primitive survival instinct. Just like everyone else.