General News
1 November, 2024
Pollies' culture of entitlement must stop
A little-known anecdote about Bob Menzies highlights the difference in the conduct of leaders six decades ago compared to today.
A little-known anecdote about Bob Menzies highlights the difference in the conduct of leaders six decades ago compared to today. A frequent overseas traveller on government business before credit cards and electronic banking, he used to be given a cash allowance in the currency of the nation he would be visiting.
His daughter, Heather Henderson, said he used to bring back the change, creating a conundrum for Treasury officials who had not anticipated such a contingency.
That would never happen today. An unfortunate sense of self-entitlement has permeated the political class and, as far as the public can see, our leaders appear to be more interested in perks and freebies than what is best for the country. The claim that Anthony Albanese repeatedly contacted then-Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to have flights for himself and family members upgraded at no cost has done him more reputational damage than any other event during his time as Prime Minister.
His solicitation of Chairman's Lounge membership for his son has also raised eyebrows. Mr Albanese has explained that after his divorce his son took his former wife's place as his "plus one". However, that has reportedly not been rescinded even though Mr Albanese's fiancee, Jodie Heydon, now also has been granted access to the lounge.
Given that the country is in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis with millions on struggle street, it's not surprising that the claim that while he was the transport minister, Mr Albanese could contact the boss of the country's biggest airline for personal favours has gone down like the proverbial lead balloon.
While Mr Albanese has come out swinging, his claims the author of the revelations is a tool of the LNP and that Peter Dutton is orchestrating a personal vendetta are hardly convincing.
Joe Aston, the former Australian Financial Review journalist and a former LNP staffer, wrote in his book The Chairman's Lounge that "according to Qantas insiders, Albanese would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel".
On Tuesday Mr Albanese appeared to be equivocating. He said the only discussions he could recall with Mr Joyce "were not through calls" and related to the first A380 flight from Australia to Dubai. That leaves a lot of wriggle room. It's amazing what politicians can remember when fresh and incontrovertible information comes to light.
Mr Albanese's attempts to tar his political opponents with the same brush by saying they have also received flight upgrades and Chairman's Lounge memberships ring hollow. He either does not get, or just won't admit, there is a significant difference between being offered a freebie and soliciting one.
At the time of some of the upgrades, while Mr Albanese was transport minister, the ministerial code of conduct stated ministers should not seek or encourage "any form of gift in their personal capacity".
It would appear the only way to get to the bottom of the matter is for Alan Joyce to be called to Canberra to answer questions before a Senate inquiry.
Mr Albanese's defence that, because everything was disclosed it's therefore all above board, just doesn't wash. The solicitation of a benefit creates a conflict of interest and the presumption of a quid pro quo.
The decision not to grant Qantas' rival Qatar Airways extra flights has had an impact on what Australians pay to travel overseas. In view of what is now known how can people be confident Qantas's largesse to the nation's political class did not influence that call?
Tuesday's COVID inquiry report made it very clear Australians have lost faith in their governments and politicians. The PM's apparently self-seeking behaviour won't turn that around.