For most citizens, it goes without saying that MPs should conduct themselves ethically. Apparently for some MPs, though, the obvious does need to be stated. An inquiry has looked into the matter in NSW, and it has found that MPs need to be taught ethics. So here, in part, is ‘Ethics 101’ for MPs.

If Parliament passes a law, you have to obey it. This holds true even if you were rolled in the Party Room, or on the floor of the House, and you think the law is stupid. This is actually not a matter of ethics: it’s the law, you have no choice, but I’ll include it just in case anyone is still unclear, like, say, in a matter such as political donations.

You hold a public office: it’s not meant to provide personal benefits. You can’t use government cars and your work hours for tours of wineries, or your electoral allowance for home extensions. And because you’re getting paid to fulfill the duties of this office, you shouldn’t get extra payments – what we call bribes, or, more politely, commissions – for services like access to Ministers. It doesn’t matter that you think you are egregiously underpaid – you agreed to that salary when you took the job.

On each occasion you decide an issue, it should be about the public interest. It’s not about getting re-elected, even if that extra term in office will give you another shot at a Ministry or, at worst, lock in fabulously generous superannuation and travel entitlements. And remember the previous point about personal benefits? When you are in a position to make a decision that will benefit you or your family members, let us know. We’ll save you the awful stress of that conflict of interest and have your colleagues make the decision.

To assist you in these matters, detailed pecuniary interest, political donation and gift registers have been put in place. If you’ve made no mistakes anyone has found out about, and have become a Parliamentary Secretary or Minister, you must also keep lists of everyone you see. Your staff will have to record what visitors talked to you about.

Think of these systems as ethical prostheses – they’ll help you stay morally upright. You have to use these registers and records – and you can’t blame office staff when you don’t.
This is a democracy, which, at the most basic level (and apparently I have to be this basic), means that every person should have an equal say in matters that affect us all. I know your time is scarce, and sometimes money is well spent on people who can get stakeholders some of that time. But please try to minimise the extent to which money buys unequal access and influence. Lots of well-connected, persuasive people will bring you proposals and recommendations. Here’s one idea: use the public service, with its wide range of policy expertise, to receive and vet major representations. Then make your final decision public, and intelligible in terms of those recommendations. A rational process may help balance an unequal one.

Keep lies to the ‘little white lie’ level. We all lie. And we get unsettled sometimes when political leaders are too honest. But we do hope that we can trust you to give an account of what’s really going on, to ensure we have the information we need to make prudent decisions at the next election. If there is a stuff-up, don’t cover it up, and don’t shut down the media. Better to have been a tragic figure in our political history than a corrupt one.

If you are going to accept a ‘commission’, avoid the traditional brown paper bag left on the front seat of your car. Insist on a bank account and an electronic record – a trail of the connections. You shouldn’t be the only one to go down for this when we find out, and your cooperation will provide you with some sense that you’ve done the right thing – eventually.
Now, like all good ethics talks, let me finish up with a motivating admonition. It’s from Marcus Aurelius, who knew a thing or two about control of the public purse and privileged political position: ‘Waste no more time arguing about what a good person should be. Be one.’