Foxy,

Yes let's focus on a single $30 000 bookshelf and ignore a $400 000 office redecoration.

Again it is the pub test measurement. That Brandis as a barrister and AG has a vast collection of law books accumulated over decades worth over $100 000, and still his total office revamp still cost less.

Shadow Minister,

We should focus on all of the perks and
spending of the MPs - not only on a
select few as has been the case here.
I am merely pointing out that none deserve
to have a "holier than thou" attitude and
fingers should not be pointed at only certain
members of parliament whilst ignoring others.

Poor show old chap!

Poor show!

"Greens that are holier than thou"; Shadow, I can understand all your anguish, given the Greens exceptionally clean record in public office. Unlike the corrupt Coalition, with their regular visits, and subsequent penalises imposed by the ICAC, Just as the Greens don't have an Obeid or a Macdonald, they don't have a Greiner or O'Farrell either.

No, Paul, but the Greens do have proven liars among their MPs.

Name one politician who has never
lied.

George Washington never lied, so they say, he even admitted he chopped down the cherry tree.

I do not take the cynical view of politicians, having met a few in my lifetime, from all political persuasions, I say the majority are decent people. MP's are not inherently bad people, most enter parliament with a desire to achieve good things for society, but often the reality is somewhat more mundane. I know one poly particularly well, and her working day is long, often leaving home at 7am and not returning until after 8pm. The day is taken up with such 'office work' as committee meetings, a lot of correspondence, all sorts of meetings etc. The actual sitting in parliament is only a small part of her workday. Most would be surprised as to how much work an MP has to do. I would say Malcolm Turnbull and those before him, had a very hard and long working day, 7 days a week, it would be very stressful at times.

Sorry Issy, on the other hand, I can't speak for that pair of lying scum buckets, the Two Bobs, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Even Dummer from the Shooters and Hooters Party. The reality is they probably work a hard day as well.