Our politicians are servants. That's common knowledge. And all servants deserve a buck, even if (in this case) their initiatives and motivations aren't always popular or even ethical. I also believe, at least more often than not, it's not so much how much money you make as what you spend it on.
But now, since 2015 Australia has seen three significant abuses of taxpayer funded political entitlements. Firstly we had Bronwyn Bishop hiring a fucking helicopter, of all things, to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser. Then last month Sussan Ley forked $795 000 out to buy a Gold Coast apartment which I refuse to believe she needed (ever heard of a motel, love?), and as Health Minister her job is to help people who either are staying in hospital or will likely never be able to live independently. How can she sleep at night?
Finally, we now have Julie Bishop under investigation for spending $2700 to attend a polo match (and to non-Australian readers: no, she and Bronwyn are not related), but while I don't know her personally, with her well-honed death stare I'd be too scared to confront her about this even if I did.
Now, let me very sincerely stress it would be no different if any male and/or non-Liberal (they're the conservatives here, by the way, for you non-Aussies) politicians abused their earnings; I just can't think of any such examples besides Sam Dastyari. But the spendings themselves aren't the point. We, the working- and middle-classes, pay their wages, and if they serve long enough, prime ministers even get a lifelong,, taxpayer-funded pension upon leaving office. (As do former US presidents.) Now, in fairness Bronwyn Bishop resigned from parliament after her chopper scandal and Ley has vacated her cabinet post, but... they both had to get caught first.
Obviously, pollies deserve pay for at least life's essentials. But when they disregard or forget whose money has become theirs, that's corrupt ignorance and ingratitude in my book, and they should all hang their heads in shame.
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