FROM THE DESK OF Roland Rocchiccioli – March 28, 2019

The federal election is looming, and everyone needs to think seriously before casting their vote. Never has there been a more important election!

WHEN it comes time you should watch, listen, make an assessment, and then cast your vote. Nationally, we need to look at what local members have achieved; consider how they represent and relate to their constituents; ask about their hopes and aspirations for the future of the community; and investigate the core promises of their policy. Ballarat city is in a transitional phase, the future of which will depend very much on those major decisions taken in the coming decades. It is impossible to imagine the shape of this city 100 years hence. In 2119, Ballarat will be a satellite city of Melbourne with its own sprawling metropolitan area and a population of some millions. It will be unrecognisable to any of us, and will, most certainly, be a vibrant and important centre.

Many voters have no allegiance to any party, or politician, but it would be fair to say, Ballarat has been well served by its present federal incumbent, Catherine King, who is facing her seventh election. Ms King’s commitment to the city and its constituents is to be applauded. The political life, given the constant toing-and-froing between Canberra, is not with its own specific vagaries, something we tend not to consider in our often hasty and harsh criticisms. Whichever party you support, Ms King has, without equivocation, behaved impeccably, and served the city and all voters with distinction; which is not necessarily the case with all politicians.

One learns, with an increasing degree of disenchantment, of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour. It takes personal determination and commitment not to behave badly; not to allow the celebrity of public life – and it is abnormal for total strangers to address you by name – to overwhelm your working life. Societal obsession with celebrity and its superficial trappings is cause for thoughtful disquiet. Politicians should not be part of those television programs which are not directly related to their official capacity. The public interest in politicians’ partners, or their children; what they eat, or glossy pictures of where they, live is peculiar. The role of the politician has been so trivialised one could be forgiven for believing they are part of a tawdry soap opera. It is the highest office in the land and it ought be treated with due respect; and while the majority fulfil their obligations, there are those whose conduct is problematic.

There are no grounds to expel a politician whose behaviour brings the parliament into disrepute. Fraser Anning is a case in point. The house has the power to censure, which, ultimately, achieves nothing. That must change to meet community expectations. We need provision at law to remove a sitting member if their conduct would result in a public workplace dismissal. Too often robust public opprobrium is ignored as a direct consequence of their office. Politicians should not enjoy an immunity which is not accorded general society.

Nationally, constituent disillusionment is at its zenith. The sacking of Malcom Turnbull, and the subsequent Wentworth loss, was a watershed which followed hot on the heels of Tony Abbott’s hubristic decision to ignore the 75 per cent of his electorate who voted in favour of same-sex marriage. The long-suffering punters have made clear their anger and seized control. Self-serving politicians are no longer dictating the agenda. It is predicted that a number of formally safe seats will be lost at the next election. Polling suggests a routing. Will Julian Burnside win Kooyong? Never was there a more opportune time to examine closely the behaviour of all nominees, and to vote accordingly. It is time to make your voice heard!

Roland can be contacted via [email protected] and you can listen to him every Monday morning – 10.30 – on radio 3BA.