Do politicians need a parliamentary councillor to give them ethical advise or is this more spin at tax payers expense? http://thewest.com.au/ (Plan to offer MP's ethical councilling) I found the article to be one of amazement. Some politicians may be held in low esteem, generally as a result of their questionable behaviour and antics. Constituents may believe anything that would improve MPs' standards of conduct as worth while but is there more here than meets the eye,the proposal for such a position should raise many questions?
.Do we need another created government job for someone to help politicians to tell right from wrong. The appointment would imply that the problem is one of ignorance, rather than indifference to proper standards by MP's who are guided by self-interest and the pursuit of political advantage. Is there a case to be made, that if MP's are unaware of their ethical obligations, they're unfit for public office.
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It should be questioned as to what powers this councillor would have. A plan put forward by the Nationals was, the holder of the position would have broad powers to give confidential advise on ethics. He is to move into parliament within weeks for the establishment of the position, the job would entail alleviating pressure on MP's and prevent them from making serious mistakes.
.Here is the best part, the proposal is for the advise from the councillor to be confidential. To the extent that even the Corruption and Crime Commission couldn't have access, it could only be released with the permission of the relevant MP and the clerk of each House. He would end up as the guardian of guilty secrets, and the position of councillor could be ethically compromised.
How would this be in the public interest. The ethical standards of MP's are matters of legitimate public concern. It's definitely time that politicians were held accountable for their actions, if this position were to be passed the public have a right to know of advice being given. The main thing that MP's seem to forget is who pays their salaries.
Showing posts with label = government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label = government. Show all posts
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Drinking water contaminated.
Residents of a Serpentine retirement village were told to boil their drinking water, after it was found to be contaminated with raw sewage. The shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale told residents that tests on their bore water revealed " high bacteriological counts and faecal contamination".
The 14-unit village residents had commented that their water stored in holding tanks, had been smelly and off colour for years.
It was claimed the source of contamination had not been found, the village (Surprise Surprise) is not deep-sewered and sewage is emptied into a settling pond in a paddock 150m from the homes and the bore, which is the maximum depth of 60m. One resident that has resided at the village for eight years blames the contaminated water for a severe bout of gastroenteritis. The local MP had said liberal colleague water minister Graham Jacobs, had ignored his pleas to help the residents.
I find this appalling, it's time people stood together and demanded accountability of the government and the Water Corporation. Just what has been happening to money that has been collected over the years, what has it been spent on? Four different areas have been complaining of being deferred from getting connected to deep sewage. It's about time the Health Department stepped in.
An incident in Kalgoorlie when sewage was coming up through the back lawn, the health dept didn't hesitate stepping in, as it was a health hazard. Until areas that have been waiting years to be connected have been done, there should be no new estates. The state government collects enough in taxes and many other charges, we aren't known as the highest tax paying state for nothing. I'm sure the people would like some accountability, seeing as it's the tax payers that pay the wages of these departments that supposedly work for the people.
Why can't the government run mains water into the Serpentine village from a new subdivision approximately 500m away?I'm sure in Safety Bay, Rockingham and Spearwood as well as the many areas un-sewered, there are to new subdivisions to connect to. It's time for the health minister to come out of hiding, peoples health is being placed at risk and it's time for answers and action.
The 14-unit village residents had commented that their water stored in holding tanks, had been smelly and off colour for years.
It was claimed the source of contamination had not been found, the village (Surprise Surprise) is not deep-sewered and sewage is emptied into a settling pond in a paddock 150m from the homes and the bore, which is the maximum depth of 60m. One resident that has resided at the village for eight years blames the contaminated water for a severe bout of gastroenteritis. The local MP had said liberal colleague water minister Graham Jacobs, had ignored his pleas to help the residents.
I find this appalling, it's time people stood together and demanded accountability of the government and the Water Corporation. Just what has been happening to money that has been collected over the years, what has it been spent on? Four different areas have been complaining of being deferred from getting connected to deep sewage. It's about time the Health Department stepped in.
An incident in Kalgoorlie when sewage was coming up through the back lawn, the health dept didn't hesitate stepping in, as it was a health hazard. Until areas that have been waiting years to be connected have been done, there should be no new estates. The state government collects enough in taxes and many other charges, we aren't known as the highest tax paying state for nothing. I'm sure the people would like some accountability, seeing as it's the tax payers that pay the wages of these departments that supposedly work for the people.
Why can't the government run mains water into the Serpentine village from a new subdivision approximately 500m away?I'm sure in Safety Bay, Rockingham and Spearwood as well as the many areas un-sewered, there are to new subdivisions to connect to. It's time for the health minister to come out of hiding, peoples health is being placed at risk and it's time for answers and action.
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