Good idea Innes, but I would like to go even further and say that any politician resigning his seat before the next general election, be it State/Territory or Federal, forgoes all benefits that have accrued, if the term served is less than, say 10 years, except of course in extenuating circumstances.



I don't believe politicians should be able to access their superannuation until retirement age, as applies to the rest of the population. If they continue to work after poitics in another area, the perks that Prime Ministers and others receive should not kick in until they actually retire from the workforce.



Disband all State Governments, and either increase local council representation, or increase marginally the number of Federal Politicians. We need to have a system whereby all areas are represented fairly. However, we are very much over-governed at the moment, with a fair percentage of taxes paying for this very expensive duplication. If State and Territory Governments were abolished, the "blame game" would become irrelevant, and we would know precisely whom to blame for the shortcomings in Health, Education, Housing etc. Thus making our elected politians responsible and answerable for their policies. Wouldn't that be refreshing?





There are so many benefits given to politicians, which they have given to themselves, that maybe there should be an independent body, whose job is to determine their pay rises etc. No rises or perks of any sort coud be given until the review was completed.

Thanks Jade. We have to be careful here. The Fed., salaries together with the lurks & perks ARE decided by an independant body, The Remunerations Tribunal. If there was any hope of inflicting my personal will, the rule would be that all politicians be paid their pensions from the same age that applies to the aged pension, as you suggest. If a husband dumps his wife, for any reason, she is now eligable for Newstart Allowance. That would seem to be a good idea to apply when we dump a politician because he is too old or no longer effectual, or even more importantly, if he or she no longer listens to us!!!!

Thanks Innes, my ignorance is showing. However, who appoints the Remuneration Tribunal Members, and who are they?

I don't know how we finished up with 2 sites, nor do I know the answer to the makeup of the Tribunal, but I will find out & post

I agree with most that has been said here, but any political party cannot afford to push "extreme" opinions or policies. I believe that should a politician resign mid term as we are currently seeing at both state and federal level, they should pay some penalty. Especially if they resign soon after an election as their message is unmistakable..... "I will serve my country.....but not as an "opposition" member"

Parliamentary pensions should only be accessable immediately if the retiring member is unable to make a living in any other capacity......and should stop when the retired member finds other employment. Otherwise, it should be available from age 65.......like the rest of us.

The current system provides no incentive for MP's to excel at their job or even to continue to serve after they have qualified for their "pension". We are embedding in the political culture of Australia a reward system for under achievers.

You are, of course right, kfchugo. However, we are not only at liberty, but should, point out inexplicable rorts, in our midst. If it were ever put to a referenmum, I believe that the majority of Australians would have little objection to Politicians getting their pensions after the age of 65. Prior to that, they should be eligable for New Start, the same as any other citizen. As for the Remunerations Tribunal:- It was formed under the appropriate Act of 1973. It consists of 3 members, one of which is the President. The individual members must not be, a Member of Parliament, A person engaged under the Public Service Act of 1999, the holder of a Public Office, a Justice or Judge of the Federal or Supreme Court, or a person of that same status. The responsibility of the appointments are under the Minister for Employment & Workplace Relations. Two of the current Appointees are contracted for 5 years & one for another year.

I wonder how many Politicions would spit the dummy, when losing Government, if they were to go onto a pension of 15% of the current rate.. As for excelling at their job, let me reiterate, that in spite of the voting populace believing that a Politician's job is to run the Country, this is a total missconception, He, or she has one job only & that is to retain the seat in the next election. Why do you think that major, long term projects are never commenced in the last year of office & why, very long term projects, like piping water from the North West will never be seriously contemplated let alone planned, or achieved.