If you know how to fix a problem with our system of government or economy, Australia needs you in parliament. If that is something you would consider, Classic Liberals would like to hear from you. If it isn’t, Classic Liberals would be keen to hear of the problem you’ve identified, and of the solution you propose.
Most politicians today are career politicians, people who entered the political arena shortly after finishing their studies, predominantly in humanities or law. Hence, most have little if any experience in the ‘real world’. They have not started a business or managed one or even been a long-term employee in the private sector. That is not a recipe for good decision-making. Australia needs diverse representation in parliament, not a political class of clones.
Some are highly critical of career politicians. I am not one of them. We do need some career politicians in parliament – as they would have a far better knowledge of how the system works, what it takes to get things done, and who to approach about what.
I am however critical of parliament being dominated by career politicians. We would be far better served having a diverse array of knowledge from which parliament can draw to make better decisions.
We need some academics who have in-depth knowledge of relevant fields, including ancient civilisations, economic history, sociology, behavioural science and some others. We also need people whose life experience has highlighted that government in their area of expertise needs improvement and they know what needs to be done to improve it. This would include those having spent many years in big-corporate, small businesses, hospitals, schools, the energy sector, agriculture, and even those who have experienced our prison system from the inside, as an inmate. And we need people who look at our trajectory as a nation and know what needs to be done to ensure a more prosperous future for all of us.
A problem with having a class of career politicians is that they are focussed on the next election. If in office, they want to retain office. If not in office, they want to be in office. A result they will be inclined to say whatever they think is vote winning and since elections are held 3-yearly, they are much more inclined to focus on short term objectives while ignoring longer term consequences. This is detrimental for us Australians.
For example, our politicians could either ensure that government reduces its expenditure to avoid fiscal deficits, or they could effectively kick the can down the road for a future government to solve, but at that stage the problem is likely to be much bigger and much more difficult to solve. Rather than doing something unpopular, such as cutting welfare and the size of the public service, the politicians at that time will probably do the same, digitally print more money to fund the now much larger deficit. This has led to many countries throughout history suffering economic crises. If only we and our politicians learnt from history!
One of the earliest cases that comes to mind, is the grain subsidy provided to Romans by Gaius Gracchus in 123 BCE. Over the following decades that subsidy increased, ultimately resulting in government providing free grain from about 58 BCE. Much of this grain was provided through conquest, which was very expensive, resulting in large fiscal deficits which were funded by continual coin debasement, which ultimately led to hyperinflation, economic crisis and the collapse of the Roman Empire. The equivalent of coin debasement today is digital money printing.
To avoid this inevitable outcome, we need to replace career politicians with people who want to fix a government problem rather than seek a handsome income. I would like to see in parliament those who have achieved a lot in life outside politics and now are motivated by how they can improve our lovely country for the next generation. These people would not be motivated by the salaries they can earn as a politician. They should however get sufficient income can pay reasonable living expenses.
I would like to see MPs and Senators getting similar income to a teacher, with those responsible for a portfolio getting the salary of a school principal. I’d also like to see MPs and Senators losing lifetime pensions.
Before adopting this as a policy for Classic Liberals to adopt, it needs further consideration and debate. One of my concerns is whether enough high achievers will be willing to enter politics as an MP or Senator.
While one would be hard pressed to find a better place in the world to live, there is room for improvement, lots of room for improvement. I can’t do it on my own, but together we can make Australia a far better place to live. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, get involved and ensure we leave our lovely country in a far better state for the next generation.
I look forward to welcoming you as a supporter, a member and perhaps even as one of our representatives in parliament.