With major political parties now aligned on the expenses issue and suggesting there is nothing for us to see or worry about, we ought to remind them what life is like in the real world.
Small businesses, like newsagents, face onerous regulation. We are subject to unexpected policing and audits that add to our operational costs.
Small business newsagents face audit by the ATO for PAYG, FBT and other taxes, audit by State revenue over payroll tax, in-store audit by consumer affairs looking for unsafe products, council by-lays inspectors looking for the food licence, ASIC chasing our annual returns, and being tested in undercover operations for selling tobacco to underage shoppers – to name a few.
Our politicians face no such audits or overheads unless one of their number is caught out as has happened recently. They are out of touch with the real world.
At the very least our politicians ought to face the risk of an unexpected audit by an independent body at any time. Such an audit should look not only at their expenses but their level of genuine service of local constituents as well as other KPIs that measure their service to the community. This could give them a dose of reality that is sadly lacking in Canberra.
I had reason recently to write to my personal and business local members as well as the Treasurer on a serious time-sensitive matter. Only by local member, Adam Bandt responded. Josh Frydenberg and Joe Hockey remain missing in action whereas Bandt’ actively and fully engaged.