Turnbull and Plibersek bring politics into the pub

Malcolm Turnbull and Tanya Plibersek both agree politics is full of principled people, they just may not agree with each other’s principles.

The two met at Surry Hill’s The Clock Hotel last Thursday for a combined question-and-answer session and debate about politicians that had taken a stand for what they believed in, and those who had not.

Ms Plibersek said she believed most people involved in politics have strong principles but they are “not always principles I agree with.”

“I think that we very quickly accuse each other of lacking in principle when what we’re saying is we don’t agree with you,” she said.

“You don’t see the world the same way I see the world. “

Mr Turnbull is well known for his stand on the government’s emission trading scheme (ETS) and subsequent loss of the Liberal Party’s leadership. He pointed to John Howard’s championing of the GST as one of the highest points in the former leader’s career and as an example to future politicians.

“I have no doubt that if Kevin Rudd had gone to a double-dissolution with the ETS and won that he would have been seen as a really strong leader with the courage of his convictions,” he said.

“Rudd’s downfall came because he walked away from something he believed in.”

The debate was overshadowed by a parliament still uncertain of which party would achieve the necessary 76 seats to form a stable government.

“Everyone says ‘oh this is terrible, it’s a hung parliament’,” said Mr Turnbull.

“[But] I think we should look at this as a great opportunity to put something back into the Australian parliamentary democracy.”

Mr Turnbull spoke optimistically about the opportunities presented to reform parliamentary campaign contributions on the back of the current uncertainty.

“Donations should be limited to individuals who are on the electoral role,” he said “so no corporations, no trade unions, no associations, just human beings that are enrolled to vote.”

“I hope that one of the prices paid for a minority government is going to be that sort of campaign finance reform.”