Should MPs be accountable to a code of conduct?

14 May 2012
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A code of conduct is being discussed after a Fair Work Australia report found Craig Thomson misused members' funds when he headed the Health Services Union. (AAP)

A code of conduct is being discussed after a Fair Work Australia report found Craig Thomson misused members' funds when he headed the Health Services Union. (AAP)

There have been calls for a code of conduct to be set up for federal MPs to uphold the standing of parliament. Currently, a MP has to step down only if he/she has been sentenced to 12 months or longer or if he/she has been declared bankrupt.

A code of conduct would mean that a MP who is the subject of civil charges may not be allowed to stand in Parliament. What do you think? And what should be in an MP code of conduct?

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not their money

cazza - from adelaide, 9 months ago

of couse they should the money isnt theirs its run their department..if they complain then they have something to hide!...geez we all have to answer to someone...why should they be ant different..most od them are only in it for the money anyway,you try to see one! their never there or cant help you...they dont listen until theres an election,this is both sides of politics..the perks are ridiculous also...its getting out of proportion to what they actually do in the job! most of them its nothing!

kick the all out

geo - from gold coast, 9 months ago

I just find it amazing that at the moment we have doubt hanging over mp's, like thompson, slipper, and gillard, and any kind of investigation into anhy of them seems to get squashed, pushed under the mat as though none of it really happened. We now have grave doubt over some members of the RBA, boy oh boy, our standing with some our overseas countries must be being questioned at the moment. We shgould kicj them all out and start again.

boot them out

geo - from gold coast, 11 months ago

why wouldnt any MP not think that they have to behave themselves, and set an example both in behaviour and speech. They are elected by the people in their electorate, because (unlike gillard) they have a brain, set standards of communication and principles. . .to my mind if they dont meet these standards and want to stick their snouts in the trough, then out they go, they have then proved that they are not worthy of the electorates support. No1/2 measures boot them , pronto.

The Poodle and the Crab

Slocine - from Canberra, 12 months ago

The Prancing Poodle and the Crab Rush for the entrance to the Cave The one succeeds the other fails Left behind to rant and rave

Parliamentary Privilege

Curt - from Culburra, 12 months ago

While ever the likes of Craig Thomson are permitted to make unsubstanciated accusations against individuals in defence of the indifensable from the protection of "coward's castle", any attempt to try to improve MP's image in the eyes of the electorate will be futile.

code of conduct

Caz Observer - from Sydney, 12 months ago

Contrary to Labour's assertion,Parliament does act as judge and jury. Members are suspended regularly. Parliament has the power to imprison or fine, publicly reprimand, require an apology or exclude MPs from the Parliamentary precincts. From a sleazy starting point, the Rudd/Gillard government has reached a sleazy destination and dragged the nation down a highway strewn with lies.

Criminal Conduct

Charles Ponzi - from Adelaide, 1 year

Should MPs be accountable to a code of conduct? Yes, and we can start by holding them accountable for promoting and inflating a property bubble. I believe ponzi schemes are illegal.

of course they should

geo - from gold coast, 1 year

These people are elected by The people to not only serve their constituents but also their country, if during the course of their careers and parlimentary term they are seen to have broken the law, or are acussed of breaking the law, then they should be suspended pending further investigation, why should they have the privilage of being a politician and the benefits thereof when they are under investigation by the FPA or FWA. Stood down, if guilty kicked out we dont want them representing us.

Look deeper at the behaviour and ask why are our leaders behave as they do.

Greg - from Cambelltown Adelaide, 1 year

Coming to terms of why we are seeing very specific behaviors from some people we expect so much more from is something that must be understood. Without this insight we can never expect change, the insanity will continue on as it has for many years. The current level of so called Leadership is simply disgraceful and it needs to be brought to account. The lies, deception, manipulation, aggression, corruption etc we are seeing within our so called leaders is extremely concerning. Bullies?

Treasure in the Heart

Alcyone - from Stanley, 1 year

Years ago, Tony Blair said "It's no longer Labour versus Liberal; today, its the secular versus the faithful." He meant that the West has outgrown party politics; today, it's about big picture ideals, passions and principles each politician keeps as "treasure in the heart". They have codes of conduct already, and their behaviour shows they are dutiful to them. Democracy means Australians have duty too: to vote, in conscience, for those for whom the big picture is a portrait of Australia Fair.

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