There appears to be a major discrepancy in the licensing laws of our country.
That is that the people who make the laws, don’t seem to have an understanding of the ramifications of their decisions. Many have no basic understanding of ethics, or how the law works … yet they are charged with making the law.
It is my contention that it is time that a Politician’s Licence is made mandatory. Any person who stands for parliament should have to pass an examination before the election.
The examination should include issues such as. Mental ability to understand complex problems, Ethical standards, Accountability, Impartiality, Honesty, Integrity, Basic Science, Basic Mathematics, People Skills and Emotional stability.
It is not enough to say that just because some party or bunch of mates thinks someone is a good person that they should be in parliament. The inane comments and puerile behaviour evident in parliament is proof enough that many of the skills necessary for a job as a statesperson are sadly lacking.
Why is it necessary for Plumbers, Electricians, Builders, Miners, Log Fallers, Traffic Controllers, Fork lift drivers, Vehicle Drivers, Chainsaw users, Gun owners, Boat owners, Fisherman and Real Estate Agents to pay for a licence every year and to pass examinations yet the people who make the laws and control the economy and well being of the State and Country don’t have to have any qualifications.
Fealty to a political party or to mates is not a sufficient qualification for a highly paid and important job of politician.
It is time that this inequity was addressed and those who drift around in the halls of powers can show that they have the necessary qualifications to be there.
What other job can one just walk into, get paid a very high salary with plenty of perks and learn on the job. With little or no consequences for any mistakes.
What other job is almost immune to prosecution in the courts for malpractice.
There are plenty of examples of the above, Richard Nixon, Silvio Berlusconi and one of our own to name a few.
From the expressions of some of the backbenchers I would suggest that random drug and alcohol tests may be worth implementing in parliament also.
We all have to put up with such inconveniences at their behest so why not the lawmakers proving that they also obey the laws they make?
The Eureka Stockade fight was about licences, so it is time that the politicians either abolished the ridiculous fees and taxation that are imposed on the people in the name of licences or prove that they themselves are worthy of their position and earn their own.
