ConservativeHippie, without considering why they have a history of dishonesty, and indeed why they ceased that dishonesty, I don't think that assumption about them being likely to succumb to temptation is sufficient justification for removing their right to stand for parliament. And it is worryingly reminiscent of the situation where corrupt governments have their opponents arrested on trumped up charges and prevented from running because of that.

And removing their entitlement for welfare payments would likely result in much more crime as some of them would perceive they had no alternative.

For comparison and refer in particular to the then Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk's criticisms in final three paras,

<Qld minister quits over alleged car licence bungle
Updated 17 Apr 2012,

Queensland Police and Community Safety Minister David Gibson has resigned from his portfolio in the first hit to Premier Campbell Newman's Cabinet.

Mr Gibson quit late on Monday - no more than two weeks after being sworn in after the LNP's landslide win over Queensland Labor - after revealing he allegedly drove a car while his licence was suspended.

He says he will be taking some leave over the next few weeks to consider the incident.

Mr Newman released a statement saying he had accepted Mr Gibson's resignation.

"Late today Mr Gibson informed me that in November last year, due to an unpaid speeding fine his driver's licence was suspended for three months," he said in the statement.

"During that time, it is alleged Mr Gibson on one occasion drove a motor vehicle and will now face a possible charge of unlicensed driving.

"Mr Gibson maintains he was unaware of the correspondence informing him of his licence suspension.

"However, Mr Gibson knows of the high standard I expect from my ministers, and so he has tendered his resignation, which I have accepted."

Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the resignation is a complete embarrassment to Mr Newman.

"This must be the rockiest start to a government in Queensland's history. I've never heard of anything like this happening before," she said.

"The Premier must explain why he (Mr Gibson) didn't pay his traffic fine, which dates back to November last year, and secondly the Premier must explain why the Minister was driving unlicensed.">

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-16/qld-police-minister-david-gibson-quits/3953832

Dear Aidan,

I agree with you.

What you say makes sense.

What politician has not committed acts of
stupidity in their past - including our
current Prime Minister. We should not
throw stones (although the occasional
pebble may be overlooked). ;-)

contd..

An independent lawyer's view on LNP David Gibson's indiscretion, that the then Labor Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk criticised so sternly and demanded his head for,

<Solicitor Andrew Wiseman has represented scores of people who lost their licences after being suspended by the State Penalities Enforcement Registry (SPER).

He says it is a common occurrence.

"Tens of thousands of Queenslanders per year do get put into this position either by way of SPER or demerit points, but it is basically a case of regardless of how the suspension came about - this guy has simply forgotten to check his mail," he said.>

Aidan, are you old enough to have ever watched the Bobby Limb show?

In that Dawn Lake had a regular skit with a Sadie the cleaning lady character. A favourite was the bit where she would say, "and I says to him I says", or the reverse, "and he said to me he says". Some weeks it was both.

I can not listen to Anastasia being interviewed without holding my breath waiting for her to make such a statement, it would be so in character. Of course, not being a masochist, I no longer listen to her interviews, if I can avoid it.

However in this interview it was her obviously wanting to stamp her foot, like a petulant child, that was so funny. Labor have an unfailing ability to chose dreadful leaders, but in Anastasia they excelled themselves.

On just that, don't ever start on who has put more criminals in parliament Foxy. Up here Labor has had a leader & a deputy leader both convicted of paedophilia. This bloke is nothing compared to them. He's just a woman beater, unlicensed driver, & a break & enter merchant.

'. Up here Labor has had a leader & a deputy leader both convicted of paedophilia. This bloke is nothing compared to them. He's just a woman beater, unlicensed driver, & a break & enter merchant.'

come on Hasbeen Tony punched the air 40 years ago and that got far more coverage from the abc/sbs. And lets not forget about Gillards captains pick.