Must Australian politicians work “tirelessly” for their communities or face electoral oblivion? James Panichi of InsideStory looks for the middle ground.
Politicians
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Why was Rattner granted immunity from prosecution?
Crikey readers have their say.
Drag0nista: political private lives CAN be a public issue
Journalists traditionally have been less enthusiastic about exposing low standards in politicians’ personal behaviour, particularly those occasions involving the infidelity of politicians, writes Drag0nista.
So You Think You Can Be PM
Question time may be full of fireworks, but most politicians these days are a fizzle. We need to jazz up the political experience and attract politicians who are willing to try crazy, creative ideas, writes Oliver Marc Hartwich.
When will Beazley realise he isn’t a pollie now?
Why do we keep having Australian ambassadors as ex-politicians? asks Jim Molan. Kim Beazley in Washington shouldn’t be talking so candidly about the war in Afghanistan since it’s such a tense issue between the US and Australia.
Would the world be better if cricketers ran it?
Welcome to fantasy land for cricket nuts, where Shane Warne is finance minister of Australia — until he gambles the entire GDP away — and Sanath Jayasuriya is president of Sri Lanka.
Berg: Politicians make crap managers
The government is the biggest business in Australia, but we’ve got politicians, not business people running it. Managing people and money is not the same as a desperate thirst to be PM, writes Chris Berg.
Why do journos become pollies?
From Malcolm Turnbull to Tony Abbott, Australia’s got a rich history of journalists flipping over to the dark side of politics. We’re not alone. Jack Shafer explores the US phenomena and the journo urge to run for office.
Have we outsourced our politics?
The days of mass-membership political parties are over. Instead, it seems like we’ve decided to outsource politics to a new class: professional politicians.
What’s your favourite political childhood memory?
Whether it be your childhood crush on Bob Hawke, a poem penned in primary school for Gough Whitlam or a secret fondness for John Howard, join in the discussion at Larvartus Prodeo about your earliest political memory.
Bartlett: The developing politics of tweeting
When it comes to politics and social media, the greater potential for improving genuine public engagement lies in developing countries and democracies using the technology, not just the Anglosphere, argues Andrew Bartlett.
Pay pollies peanuts and you’ll get (even more) monkeys
Why the anger when Aussie politicians’ salaries — measly compared to the private sector — are given a slight raise? Pollies also have to deal with public and media scrutiny, so let’s pay them what they’re worth.
MPs Pimp Their Ride: Gas guzzling, go gas guzzling
Our MPs may love the climate change talk, but when it comes to cars there is very little green action, with the majority of MPs driving fuel guzzling, rev head six or eight cylinder cars. And they are HUGE Ford Territory fans…
Oakes: Money can’t buy power
The new salary for MP backbenchers? $131,000. The ridiculously low salary for our PM? $340,000. The knowledge that power is the only motivator for politicians? Priceless, writes Laurie Oakes.
Lessons in History: Disappearing politicians
Those holding civic office have had a distinct tendency to wander off into parts unknown. Does power drive a man (or woman) into the yonder? History writer Mike Stutchbery investigates.
Pollies: please just answer the question
Politicians are experts at ignoring questions and spinning answers to their own agenda. It irritates journalists, and more importantly, frustrates voters, writes Leigh Sales.
Political Fashion Semiotics 101: the implications of politicians’ clothes
This week, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev thrilled and horrified the blogosphere by wearing jeans and a designer blazer to a dinner with Barack Obama. Mel Campbell does some further political fashion analysis.
Bidgood was right to take those photos and sell them
Was the taking of the photo what is said to be wrong? Or was it selling the photos to News Ltd for a donation? Asks Graham Young.
The week’s hot topics on talkback radio…
Bats - Why can’t we kill them?
Nurses are no politicians: Morgan survey
Politicians are a little more popular, but when it comes to high esteem, nothing beats a nurse.
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
Politicians seeking a work-life balance should be respected and supported. Politicians who use their long-suffering families as the PR pretext for cutting-and-running should be seen for what they are — liars.
Forget philosophy, have some money
Notwithstanding Kevin Rudd’s belated attempt to seize the moral high ground, both major parties are committed to enormous increases in expenditure as a result of promises made during this election campaign, writes Peter Saunders from the Centre for Independent Studies.
Tasmania abolishes double jeopardy
Yesterday Tasmania’s Attorney-General Steve Kons announced he was following the lead of other states like Queensland and abolishing the double jeopardy rule. This is the rule that essentially says you can’t be tried for the same crime twice, writes Greg Barns.
The Daily Verdict: Day 15 & call it a draw
Day 15 of the election campaign was like one of those nil all draws at soccer - boring and hard to get excited about. The scoring for Crikey’s The Daily Verdict had the Coalition and Labor locked together with the lowest rating yet recorded for any day.
