Under the Radar: Who do Australian

Who do Australian Policitians Really Represent?

Dominic Christie

Transparency and accountability are two fundamental tenets that underpin any democratic system of governance. These two fundamental qualities create trust between Australian politicians and the public. So, why is it that trust in Australian politicians is at all-time lows? Some might argue it is because of the constant leadership changes or because of the squabbling and scandalising by politicians. However, I believe one of the most important reasons Australians do not trust federal politicians is due to the limited oversight and the lack of proper lobbying laws.

Before discussing what should happen, let us consider what is happening. The Australian Election Study in 2019 found that only 59% of Australians are satisfied with the way democracy is working, the lowest level since 1979; only a few years after Whitlam’s constitutional crisis. Furthermore, only 25% of Australians believe that politicians can be trusted, the smallest amount on record, and an overwhelming 75% of people believe that politicians are self-serving. To finish off this disturbing assortment of statistics, only 12% of Australians believe the government is run for ‘all the people’, and 56% of people believe that the government is run for a ‘few big interests’.

Now consider that there is no federal Independent Commission Against Corruption (‘ICAC)’; the eight-page Lobbying Code of Conduct (2019) contains no penalties for breaches and that both Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne have taken up highly paid consulting jobs shortly after leaving parliament. Is there any wonder Australians have so little trust in federal politicians?

Although the moves of the former politicians to foreign aid contractor Palladium and Ernest & Young (‘EY’) respectively were investigated, a subsequent Senate inquiry found the initial investigation mostly consisted of a mere phone call to each of the former politicians. Furthermore, if any further investigation had been conducted and deficiencies found, there would be little, or more likely, no penalty as the Lobbying Code of Conduct is not enforced by an independent body, but by the very same government that the former politicians used to be a part of.

The Lobbying Code of Conduct does not consider the potential for reverse lobbying to occur, where instead of companies lobbying ministers for favours, the ministers lobby the companies for favours whilst in office to ensure later employment. Readers will find it interesting to note that Pyne met with EY to discuss a post politics role in defence consulting, whilst he was still the Defence Minister. Additionally, whilst Bishop was the Foreign Affairs Minister, Palladium was selected for foreign aid contracting work worth around $99 million, the third-most of any firm.

There are countless examples similar to this that might undermine public trust. The inane Lobbying Code of Conduct and the lack of a federal ICAC calls for something be done. Legislation must be enacted as soon as possible to reform the Lobbying Code of Conduct, otherwise Australian trust in politicians will continue to reach new lows.