Politicians and public trust

Rachel Withers’ probing comments disclosed many of our leading politicians are afraid of a federal ICAC for the simple reason that they would likely be under investigation, should their integrity be questioned (“Who’s afraid of a federal ICAC?”, October 9-15). I became discombobulated following attempts to digest spurious claims by the Coalition against the NSW watchdog. Alternatively described as “a witch-hunt”, “the Crucible”, “a kangaroo court”, “the Spanish Inquisition”, and “monster”, our leaders continually play the fear card. In 1977, Don Chipp famously promised to “keep the bastards honest”, with limited success. Public trust in our elected leaders is at an appallingly low level. A federal ICAC is necessary to investigate our political miscreants at the highest level.

– Carmelo Bazzano, Epping, Vic