'Everything that's wrong with politics': Outrage as Julie Bishop is set to walk into a cushy taxpayer funded job as the US ambassador - as Bill Shorten hints she's his pick for the $360,000 gig
- Bill Shorten has hinted he may appoint Julie Bishop as his US ambassador
- But veteran MP says overseas jobs for retired politicians are 'mostly a rort'
- Independent Tony Windsor said jobs an example of what's wrong with politics
- MPs posted to UK, Europe, Japan - but NEVER China, our largest trading partner
A veteran MP has blown the whistle on the 'gravy train' where retired politicians land plum 'ambassador' jobs overseas, saying it's simply a rort and an example of everything that's wrong with the political system.
Labor's Bill Shorten has suggested former foreign minister Julie Bishop as the nation's next ambassador to the Washington DC, saying: 'She's a good person and we can't waste talent.'
The fashionable Ms Bishop, 62, would be the latest in a long line of former ministers to represent Australia in a plum overseas gig, with an estimated $360,000 salary. She would take over from former Treasurer Joe Hockey, who was preceded by ex-Labor leader Kim Beazley.
Ex-politicians are often appointed to postings in cities in the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand and Japan - but former longtime independent MP, Tony Windsor, said it's all 'mostly just a rort'.
Next up, Washington DC? Labor leader Bill Shorten has hinted he would send Liberal Julie Bishop to the United States - but she has said she wants to go back to the private sector
She would take the place of Joe Hockey - who replaced the tennis court at the ambassador's residence and is pictured holding a BBQ
'They're ornamental jobs, in a sense - the diplomatic professionals do all the work,' said Mr Windsor, who spent two decades as an elected representative in state and federal Parliaments.
The experienced MP said there would be 'plenty of people as good as her (Ms Bishop) and a lot less expensive to run'.
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Cushy jobs were often dangled in front of MPs to encourage them not to rock the boat in Parliament, Mr Windsor said.
'There's no doubt that in the parties that the these sort of things are used to keep people quiet while they're within the parliament.
Veteran independent MP Tony Windsor
They would be told: "If you cause a factional brawl over that issue your chances of ever going ambassador to London will just disintegrate."
'Even to get a job as a staffer now you've got to prove that you'll be loyal to the system and never rock the boat.
'A system that never rocks becomes very mediocre. It's a mediocre system!'
Politicians have recently landed key diplomatic jobs in Japan (ex-West Australian premier Richard Court, as ambassador); the Vatican (former MP Tim Fischer); Italy (ex-minister Amanda Vanstone) and Brussels (ex Liberal leader Brendan Nelson).
London is a popular destination. The UK posting has even been filled by members of the same family. John Howard's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, followed in the footsteps of his father, Robert Menzies's immigration minister Alexander Downer Sr, to become Australia's High Commissioner.
'It would be incredibly important (for Downer Jr) in his own lunchtime,' said Mr Windsor, no fan.
Father and son, in the same post: Alexander Downer Sr (left) and Jr (right) were both Australia's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom
Ex politicians Amanda Vanstone (former ambassador to Italy), Steve Bracks (former New York consul-general), David Bushby (incoming Chicago consul-general) and Mike Rann (former UK high commissioner)
Meanwhile, the far less comfortable role of chief diplomat to China in Beijing has been held exclusively by public servants.
The nation's last three representatives to Australia's biggest trading partner all had long diplomatic careers before being appointed ambassador - Jan Adams, Frances Adams and Geoff Adams.
A diplomatic source said the posting is only for 'very senior, very safe' government workers who have a track record of doing business with China: 'Can't put a blowhard in China'.
Both major parties are often accused of 'jobs for mates' but little changes.
Daniel Wild, the director of research at the Institute of Public Affairs, said politicians on all sides were clearly just looking out for themselves.
'Politicians giving jobs to other politicians is a classic example of how the permanent political class does favours for itself rather than looking after mainstream Australians,' Mr Wilde said.
'No matter which side of politics they are on, all of our politicians are on the gravy train for life at taxpayers' expense.'
'When President Trump said he wanted to drain the swamp in Washington D.C., this is the type of behaviour he had in mind: politicians helping other politicians to get ahead.'
Australia goes to the polls on Saturday.
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