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’s Independent victory in the Wentworth by-election. Her win was a 20 per cent swing from the Liberals who’ve held the seat for 117 years since Federation.
Political parties were never part of our Constitution, but since 1901 have gradually taken over.
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, yet both complement each other and live off the taxpayer even after they retire.
Ex-governor-general Peter Hollingworth, forced to resign by John Howard for covering up sexual misconduct in the church, still pockets benefits exceeding $600,000 every year until his death – and should misfortune befall him earlier then his wife picks up 75 per cent of his pension.
Then there’s John Howard costing more in retirement than he did in office, with up a $1m bill at taxpayers’ expense in his first year of retirement.
Political parties and the elites who run them have their snouts in the trough.
Wentworth voters have wised up. I hope voters in Tweed and around Australia will do the same.
