MUNGO WENTWORTH MACCALLUM

The politician who tries to ape his rival or predecessor is, almost by definition, a second rater, inferior to the real thing.

As a new member (of Parliament) you will also be instructed in the details of what is expected from you as a backbencher…. It will be made clear to you that your role in the decision-making process is to raise your hand when you are told to and to occupy your seat in the house when it is required.

On top of this it is now considered acceptable - indeed, almost compulsory - for incoming governments to politicize the upper reaches of the public service to such an extent that they have almost become subsidiaries of the governing party.

You will always get more points for bashing the opposition than for defending the government, and practically none for giving an honest and considered reply.

Deals, flattery, threats and promises are part of the process, certainly; do not flinch from any opportunity to scheme and plot, however sordid and demeaning it may appear.

In any operation as large as that of the federal government there are always going to be anomalies, mistakes and peccadilloes. The trick is to incite so much public (or at least media) outrage about them that the government has eventually to cut its losses rather than risk continued political damage.

The politician who tries to ape his rival or predecessor is, almost by definition, a second rater, inferior to the real thing.

On top of this it is now considered acceptable - indeed, almost compulsory - for incoming governments to politicize the upper reaches of the public service to such an extent that they have almost become subsidiaries of the governing party.

You will always get more points for bashing the opposition than for defending the government, and practically none for giving an honest and considered reply.

Deals, flattery, threats and promises are part of the process, certainly; do not flinch from any opportunity to scheme and plot, however sordid and demeaning it may appear.

In any operation as large as that of the federal government there are always going to be anomalies, mistakes and peccadilloes. The trick is to incite so much public (or at least media) outrage about them that the government has eventually to cut its losses rather than risk continued political damage.

As a new member (of Parliament) you will also be instructed in the details of what is expected from you as a backbencher…. It will be made clear to you that your role in the decision-making process is to raise your hand when you are told to and to occupy your seat in the house when it is required.