Couldn't the whole issue of entitlements, especially travel be resolved by simply giving them a budget for the year.

Bronnie, Tony, Billy et al, you get $50,000/year for travel related expenses to use however you like, taxis, limos, helicopters, chartered flights, etc... but when its spent, its spent, and you have to dig into your own pocket for the rest of the year.

What's so hard about giving each politician a travel budget? Oh, I know, it requires politicians to make that decision.

otb,

Most intelligent people
are aware of the problems that exist in some of our
poorer communities - be they in this country,
or overseas. Many of us grew up in the Western
suburbs of Sydney - and know these areas very well
and the problems that some people are faced with there.

You could put your time to better use by lobbying
MPs to not cut back program funding that help these
communities - and also ask for changes to be made to the
politicians' entitlements system so that it can be more
transparent and MPs more accountable for how they spend
public money.

It is not only about "perspective" it is also about the
choices we make in our lives - both living in "Struggle Street,"
and in the decisions of MPs.

Re Foxy: Couldn't agree more, especially over the attempts to exculpate Abbott and BBishop by going on about someone else's alleged malfeasance. I have long wondered why the Opposition doesn't stage a disciplined, well-planned and well-publicised walkout over the co-ordinated and sustained assault on the proper functioning of Parliament.

Dear Emperor Julian,

Thank You.

EmperorJulian, "I have long wondered why the Opposition doesn't stage a disciplined, well-planned and well-publicised walkout over the co-ordinated and sustained assault on the proper functioning of Parliament"

If you had been following the happenings in the federal parliament, or even watching a credible news outlet you would be aware that Willie Shorten and Labor walked out on fulfilling the role of an opposition immediately after being tipped out of government in Canberra.

Shorten is under threat as leader precisely because he has been incapable of developing policy and presenting an alternative to the Abbott government. Labor is bereft of policy for its members and the party faithful to unite behind.

That is also why Tanya Plibersek is coming up often as the replacement for Shorten. Plibersek is easily able to present as a far stronger leader than L'il Willie 'Whatever She Says' Shorten.

See here,
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/bill-shorten-causes-labor-dismay-over-lack-of-ideas/story-fnbcok0h-1227272018488

Beach, its not often that I agree with you, but your last post is spot on. I have never been a fan of Shorten, maybe not for the same reasons as you, and given the shortcomings of Abbott, who even you would have to admit is no Winston Churchill when it comes to leadership, OL Shorten should be top of the pops at the present time, but he falls a long way short of that lofty goal. At best I can only describe Shorten's performance as lackluster and mundane. Granted, he has had the distraction of Abbott's union bashing RC, I don't blame Abbott for bring it on, a good political move to get his man.
Normally if there is no one decent in the federal sphere the Labor Party can look to the union movement or the states for leadership material, but unfortunately at the moment those areas look rather threadbare as well. No matter how much we might deny it political parties in Australia stand or fall on the ability of their leaders.