Politicians are like nappys.
They should be changed often and for the same reason.

Giving money to politicians is bribery.

<<One thing the public should always do is recognise those who have give service and not assume they are always in it for personal gratification and gain. In fact few are like that. A bit of respect would go a long way too. It is thoroughly deserved by many in public positions and they are even more upset by those who let the side down.>>

Beach how true, I know you were thinking of Bob Brown when you penned that.
Take Australia's longest serving politician as an example William Morris (Billy) Hughes. Sat 51 years in the Federal Parliament, expelled from three parties, and represented four different electorates in two states. Billy served in every position from Prime Minister down. Always controversial, a real fighter. Billy could be accused of a lot of thing, but not serving the people isn't one of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Hughes

o sung wu,

<<Surely you don't mean the Greens?>> Of course, is there any other party worthy of your vote! No Beach, I'm not voting for Jim, he'll have to be satisfied with the lousy 617 votes he got in Cook, can't see myself making it 618. Seriously, I have stood outside polling booths and defended the Rev Fred's 'happy clappers' members of The Christian Democrats who have been abused by some jerk for what they believe in. I might not agree with them on some things but they are honest and have a go, more than i can say for some.
Do you think I'll burn in hell, for once giving out HTY's for the Christian Demo while he went off to answer a quick call from God, or the toilet, or whatever.

Why are any of us surprised at the fact that
both major parties, federal and state get caught
up in corruption scandals from time to time?
I would have thought that as long as money and
greed influenced our political system - that would
be par for the course. I'm just surprised that they
don't get caught out more often. We allow donations
(big ones) to our political parties, we know that
deals in business are always made - so what's new?
Corruption exists in all of our institutions.
From Charities, political parties, unions, sports clubs -
you name it. Big business has an impressive record of
interference in the affairs of politics, with activities
ranging from bribery of local and state officials to
attempts to overthrow foreign governments.

We cna continue to have Royal Commissions and extensive
investigations of illicit corporate and private activity
as soon as it's discovered - however as we know from
past records few actions of any consequance have
resulted - this of course doesn't mean that we should
not keep investigating. If nothing else it may act as
something of a deterrant. But as long as money, greed, and
power are involved - it will undoubtedly continue.

oh sung well..well said
anyhow i have much hope..that we will find a senable means..of oversight..over our public servants..[and here is my one size fits all..solution]

govt exists to educate/support/teach assist ..
to offer what is fair to all as a public good/to serve to preserve and protect the skill..govt exists only to sereve..but some..dont serve..and thus must get as they earned/de-served

the solution..is simple..public servants must live in govt supplied housing/must send their kids to public schools[and the best will get the elite/paid in full on the public purse.

my solution is that their 'civilian assets get put into trust
and sealed..[as being theirs/regardless of anything else

we thus separate/that mine/yours..from that common wealth/we call ours

further as a public servant[any public servant]..you get issued an open credit card/to use for everything you do..as long as you serve

when you leave..your complete expenditure is reviewed

so the easy answer..ios EVERYTHING..must be paid for on cREDIT CARD
[mandaTED TO BE ONLY USED BY YOU/but for every expendture/private public every expenditurre..goes on the card

its audited in live time/by others with their owen cards
in short any public servants complete histry/'service'..and dis service.over serviCE ETC IS ON THE RECORD.

if you dun served with honour
your assets are upgraded/accoordingly
if not..then its clear malfeasance/AS WOULD USING YOUR OWN CARDS OR OWN CASH..BE PROOF OF PUBLIC SERVANT..malfeasance

point being we must give complet faith[]way and means..to serve thE PUBLICINSTANTLY/VIA YOUR CARD'S/money MOVEMENTS..[to be clear even possesing 'money'..is criminal..once your called to serve...ITS ALL ON THE card.*

till the day you retire to glory honour name
or infamy..and the adverse afFects..of evil doing its vile upon tHE LIVING.

IN SHORT FINANCIAL AUDIT GOING IN/OUT
as you return back to your civil..but a/assets..
MORE OF THE SAME..is TAKEN AS A GIVEN.s long as you serve[only use your public servants go to card.[for everything].til the day you leave.

under/the sepperation of powers of person..[power]

secular dogma of moral relativism has allowed pollies and all people of all persuasions to justify their actions which stem from corrupt hearts.