Dear O Sung Wu,

I'm sure that many pollies of all persuasions are guilty
of rorting the system. The temptations must be great for
them. Who knows what any of us would do given the same
opportunities - we hope that we'd remain true to our values
but who knows. In any case I think that there will be a
reform of ministerial standards - there has to be - and the
more people protest the sooner it will take place, hopefully.

Thank You for asking about my health. I'm having a review at
the Austin Hospital on Tuesday morning. I'm going in for an
echo and an hour later for a six minute walk test. Then on
Thursday I'm meeting with my specialist to evaluate my meds.
Hopefully the results will be more positive this time.
Later mid-year - I'm due for an MRI to see how the blood
clots on my lungs are doing and to check my muscles for
a complete shoulder reconstruction operation. Wish me luck.

Mum is improving a bit. She's now able to walk with her walker
(we encourage her to walk daily - short distances).
She only uses the wheel-chair in emergencies.
She has good days and bad days -
I recently brought her some photographs of my father - she did
not recognise him. Still that's dementia. She still knows who
I am and for that I'm grateful.

Again, Thanks for asking.

Take care.

More Ley,
See this little beauty from the Canberra Times

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sussan-ley-charges-taxpayers-13000-for-capital-city-charter-flights-20170110-gtosl7.html

"Health Minister Sussan Ley charged taxpayers more than $13,000 to pilot private charter planes along busy capital city routes and is refusing to say why she didn't use cheaper commercial options."

Saves all that waiting to go through the gate!

Peter Dutton was dining well at the poor old taxpayers' expense (emphasis on expense),

"Taxpayers picked up the bill for a $4000 five star "working dinner" that included seven bottles of fine wine hosted by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton at a prestigious luxury hotel in Washington DC."

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/taxpayers-slugged-for-peter-duttons-4000-dinner-in-the-us-20170112-gtq308.html

We must expect our Ministers to watch their diet.
No cheaper Australian wines when trying to impress the natives.

Foxy
we hope that we'd remain true to our values
but who knows.

I sure don't think I would.

My hunch is that folk start off idealist etc and from then on, power, causes a slippery slope, to open up at their feet.
Much as squeaky clean may be a good look, in practice, it is unrealistic and rare.

It's really how much you slip down the slope, and of course, there is the terribly difficult adjustment to normal life, upon relinquishment of the job.

Apparently, once you've had a private jet, you can't stand commercial flying any more.... and so it goes.

I think I would show them, what a bungler and Badass, looked like :-)

Hi Foxy, as me old man used to say; "Its only a wrought if ya not in on it!" a bit of a philosopher was me old man.

Since I'm on the history. here is a little story for you. The first Australian poly to undertake a semi-official government overseas trip was Joseph Cook in 1903 (later PM and no relation to the famous captain by the same name). Old Joe set out by steamer from Sydney to San Francisco on America's west coast, unfortunately Joe had to meet the expense of the trip from his own pocket, federal money promised was not forthcoming. Being a man of only modest means, and the whole exercise taking longer than Joe expected, about six months, Joe did find himself in lodgings of less than desirable standards, so he reported. All I can assume is Joe did not cut any fancy deals with the Americans, and was left to fend for himself, living in a San Francisco dump, until he was able to purchase a return boat ticket down under.

Hi there FOXY & FOOL ON HILL...

I guess we're all amenable to the occasional questionable benefit, especially if there's an absence of a paper trail. The delineation between an occasional benefit, to which we're not entitled; and criminal corruption, in law at least, is nought.

The only question is magnitude and circumstances. If there exists an identifiable element of mens rea; the intent to seek that benefit, and a clear actus reus; the actual receipt of the benefit, then corrupt activity has been established.

I've often wondered why coppers have not been involved ? Most probably because our political masters don't like the waters to be muddied too much, therefore they don't wish to have a formal inquiry into their nefarious activities. Probably because they can't control or orchestrate a desired outcome ? Criminal investigations, are generally not limited by 'Terms of Reference' unlike Royal Commissions, and these Senate Inquiries.

We all hope your next hospital check-up will prove to be just routine and completely fine as well too FOXY. As will your dear Mother gradually come to accept her new surroundings as time goes by. So please, just take care of yourself and allow that fine intellect of yours to further confuse and confound us slow thinking males.

Dear FOH.

You're right - I probably would fall into the trap as well
(the devil made me do it). And then suffer the consequences
if caught. I don't think that I could do anything major
or really, really bad though - especially if it hurt other
people. I'm still a believer that God would get me for it. ;-)

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the story. However I think it was Oscar Wilde who
said something to the effect that - "I can resist everything
except temptation." Most of us would indeed be tempted I'm sure.

Dear O Sung Wu,

Thank You for your kind words (and big heart). I am learning
to think positiively concerning my health issues. I'm in
excellent hands with the specialists (glad to be living in
this country). As for mum - I have to accept - it is what it
is and deal with things as best as I can. She enjoys my visits,
and the stories I tell her about her life, the photos I share.
The moments are very dear to me.