THOSE troughs in Canberra must be very deep indeed.
So deep, in fact, that politicians not only have their snouts in there, but those snouts are buried so deep in taxpayer-funded swill that eyes and ears have gone under as well.
How else could you explain the complete and utter failure of the entire political class to understand just why the electorate is still damn-near incandescent with rage over the entitlements saga.
Yes, we noticed that former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop was tossed under a bus by her colleagues over that $5000 helicopter ride and other expenses claims.
But that’s where the action stops. What about the others?
Every news outlet in the country, regardless of political leanings, has carried at least one story about politicians’ questionable judgement in using taxpayer-funded entitlements.
Do they not realise that the sight of Opposition attack dog Tony Burke defending Barnaby Joyce’s use of taxpayer flights was as transparent as the Liberals’ Christopher Pine, in turn, defending Burke.
We all know why. They’ve all hit the headlines for the way in which they’ve used taxpayers’ money to their own advantage.
Do they not realise the nicknames Tony Perk and Christopher Wine-and-Dine are going to pop into voters’ heads every single time either of these blokes now tries to score political points against the other?
Do you think the political geniuses who formulate smear and muck-throwing have figured out yet that voters are fed-up to the back teeth with the slippery answers and empty rhetoric?
A few cleverly worded soundbites on the evening news are not going to change the opinion of voters that our politicians and their advisers are overpaid, out of touch and completely contemptuous of ordinary Australians.
In the real world of ordinary Australians, people are worried about keeping their jobs and paying the winter heating bill.
Finding out your local MP thought their toddler deserved a business-class seat on the public purse is not going to play well in a family worried about meeting the mortgage payment and heating the home at the same time.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has instigated a review, which is expected to take months.
Does he think the electorate is that stupid? Our politicians are trying to fob off the electorate, in the hope the issue will be forgotten and they can get away with slapping a few MPs on the wrist with a taxpayer-funded lettuce leaf.
Maybe the electorate will forget about the specifics of this issue, but you know what they won’t forget?
Voters are not going to forget the impression they have that politicians are selfish, self-important prawns who have zero interest in the community and their eye on a first-class seat on the taxpayer-funded gravy train.
