T Sharples, Tweed Heads
Australia’s political system was always meant to be ‘bottom up’ not ‘top down’, so it’s inspiring to see Dr Kerryn Phelps’ independent victory in Saturday’s Wentworth by-election. Her win was a 20 per cent swing from the Liberals who’ve held the seat for 117 years since Federation.
Machinations by elitists in both major parties (Liberal and Labor) have lead to four recent Australian Prime Ministers being knifed in the back. Saturday’s Wentworth outcome is the first wave of voter revolt against both major parties.
The scale of the revolt is likely to be of epic proportions and is only in its infancy.
Political parties were never part of our Constitution, but since 1901 have gradually taken over everything.
It’s well known advice for lawyers seeking judicial office: ‘join a political party’.
One of the fallacious principles we’re meant to believe is that the judiciary and political systems are separate and distinct, yet both complement each other and live off the taxpayer even after they retire in luxury.
Ex-governor general Peter Hollingworth sacked by John Howard for covering up sexual misconduct in the Church (even the Queen wanted him gone), still pockets benefits exceeding $600,000 every year until death and should misfortune befall him earlier than his wife, don’t worry, she picks up 75 per cent of his pension.
This is just one example of excess. Then there’s John Howard (who was up in the Tweed recently) who costs more in retirement than he did in office and racked up a $1 million dollar bill at taxpayers’ expense in his first year of retirement and the same goes for the other side as well Bob Hawke, Paul Keating etc.
Political parties and the elites who run them have their snouts in the trough everywhere.
Wentworth voters have wised up. I hope voters in Tweed and around Australia will do the same with their vote come the next elections.
