Why Australia Needs to Rethink Post-Politics Careers for MPs to Prevent Lobbying

In 2015, former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill defended a pay rise that had just been awarded to state MPs by the state’s remuneration tribunal. It was a reasonable raise, he told journalists. And besides, 'if the public had their way, they wouldn’t pay us'.

This highlights a broader issue: when most MPs leave office, they’re often unpopular and almost unemployable. If we want to stop them from becoming lobbyists, we need to give them something to do. The article argues that providing post-politics jobs could be a solution to this problem, ensuring that former politicians have meaningful career paths without resorting to lobbying roles that might conflict with public interest.

Key points discussed:

• The challenge of MPs transitioning to new careers after politics.
• The risk of former politicians turning to lobbying due to lack of alternatives.
• Potential benefits of structured post-politics employment programs.
• Public perception and the need for systemic changes in political career support.