IdeaSpies
Narelle Hooper
Comments
Sounds good to me. Instead we get this
The banking and finance industry has the Banking and Finance Oath, signed by more than 3000 members of the profession, including the Governor of the RBA. In 2015, The Ethics Centre developed The Politicians' Pledge, a promise made by a political candidate to constituents to adhere to a set of principles of representation. Highly regarded independents such as Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines have taken this pledge. What would it take for mainstream candidates to do likewise?
The Politicians' Pledge
As originally conceived, the practice of politics is intended to be a noble calling. Yet, without voluntary, ethical restraint, the pursuit and exercise of power risks becoming personal, brutal and self-serving; coarsening the polity, bringing public institutions into disrepute and damaging the common good.
So, consistent with the highest ideals of our profession, I promise that:
In the pursuit of power, I will:
• Act in good conscience;
• Enable informed decision-making by my fellow citizens;
• Respect the intrinsic dignity of all;
• Refrain from exploiting my rivals' private failings for political gain; and
• Act so as to merit the trust and respect of the community.
In the exercise of power, I will:
• Give effect to the ideals of democratic government and represent the interests of my electorate as a whole;
• Abide by the letter and spirit of the Constitution and uphold the rule of law;
• Advance the public interest before any personal, sectional or partisan interest;
• Hold myself accountable for conduct for which I am responsible; and
• Exercise the privileges and discharge the duties of public office with dignity, care and honour.
Great to this proposed politicians' pledge Narelle. It would also be great to see the end of pork barrelling as proposed by this review
Jonathan Chrimes
