MATTER OF TIMING

BURLEIGH MP Michael Hart is entitled to take a break.

But the timing of his Canadian holiday has been unfortunate, since it coincided with a sitting of Parliament when his electorate would have expected him to be representing Burleigh in the Legislative Assembly.

Given the salaries our MPs are paid and the fact Parliament only sits 12 three-day weeks a year, plus Budget week and during Estimates hearings, it is not unreasonable to expect Mr Hart should be happy to explain why his leave clashed with the core part of his role – representing his electorate in Parliament.

The Bulletin approached Mr Hart for comment. He declined, citing unhappiness with previous Bulletin reporting of matters in which he has been involved.

That too is unfortunate.

The problem for Mr Hart is he holds an elected position and as such, can expect to have his decisions and actions scrutinised.

We do the same for all federal and state MPs, and for city councillors and their counterparts in the Tweed. This is our role.