Vet now and elect later

WHILE politicians, elected by the people to represent the people, embroil themselves in “tit for tat” stunts about their own morality, north and western Queensland stagnate.

In 2017 the political stage was dominated by the minority-driven same-sex marriage debate and the citizenship debacle. In 2018 the political focus is on who did what to whomever. To spare us can you just adapt the global #MeToo agenda to a #YouToo agenda and move on.

Public servants are subject to code of conduct guidelines underpinned by legislation. Breaches are dealt with administratively with only the mismanaged ending in the courts.

Appointments to public service positions are subject to background and, at times, police checks. Are our political parties so inept they are unable to manage their administration and elected members? If so, what qualifies them to manage our country?

Public service positions require duty statements with core competencies providing the guide for remuneration levels. If our politicians are so clearly under qualified for their positions perhaps it is time for political parties to implement a stronger vetting process instead of the “jobs for the boys” or political hack recruitment currently evident. Terena Hopkins, Goldsborough Valley 1702: Queen Anne ascends British throne after the death of King William III. 1765: Britain’s House of Lords passes

Stamp Act to tax American colonies. 1930: Gandhi begins his campaign of civil disobedience against British rule in India. 1942: Japanese forces capture Rangoon,

Burma, during World War II. 1948: The US Supreme Court rules that religious instruction in public schools violates the constitution. 1950: Marshal Voroshilov announces

Soviet possession of atomic bomb. 2014: Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappears while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. BIRTHDAYS: Cyd Charisse (above), US actress-dancer (1921-2008); Micky Dolenz, US actor- director and singer of Monkees fame (1945-).