What are these overseas junkets by politicians for? What are they 'observing'? Are nightspots suitable places for observation?

Why is it that there is money for politicians to do these things when they are unable to find an economy class airfare to help the conference attendance of an unemployed volunteer who has contributed thousands of hours of high level expertise which has resulted in saving lives?

Who gets your vote for the funds - the politician or the volunteer?
What serves Australia best - the handshakes for the camera or the networking of the volunteer?

ccat, i keep telling you, our masters will do what they can get away with, i just wish a night on the town was the worst of it.

why complain, no ones listening.

Would it be too cynical to suggest that this has been leaked from Rudd's office - he knew it was going to come out anyway? Just a thought Demos. As someone said to me yesterday, note the amount of information, the manner in which it was presented and the timing - plus the suggestion of where it might have come from... a very carefully handled piece of publicity for the Opposition leader, done in the belief that it will do more good than harm.
But then maybe I am just a cynical old bastard...

Someone should be listening - and listening carefully...