Why We Can't Have Nice Things

This is Jackson Pollock's Number 11, 1952 - better known as Blue Polls. In 1973 the Whitlam government authorised the National Gallery of Australia to purchase the painting for $1.3 million. The decision drew much critisim at the time, particularly from conservative politicians, who claimed it was an extravagant waste of money. Today Blue Polls is the NGA's most popular exhibit, with an insurable value of $350 million.

Today the opinions of conservative politicians towards Blue Polls have changed as well. Like newly appointed Liberal senator and IPA hack James Paterson, who has suggested that the painting be sold with some of the money being used to finance the arts and sport, so that the government doesn't have to do it anymore. According to Paterson, after 25 years of unprecedented economic growth we can't afford culture:

“It's not a time when we can really be affording luxury. We've got to look at all areas of spending.“

So I did. And guess what? I found a way we could make even more than $350 million, every year. All we have to do is abolish political entitlements.

Now I'm not talking about politicians' salaries, which start at $197,000 (2.8 times the average full-time wage), or their electorate allowance of $32,000 to $46,000 which the MP is allowed to spend, or not spend, as they see fit. No I'm talking about all the other expenses and privileges politicians claim. How much is that worth? Just over $500 million per annum. That could help fund sport, the arts, and a whole bunch of other stuff the government no longer wants to pay for.

It's a lot of money, but I can't help thinking it'd be a bit unfair on our politicians. I mean who else would expect their employees to pay for their own vehicle registration, petrol, domestic and international business-class flights for them and their families, chartered plane/helicopter flights, rent paid for staying in houses they already own, election fund-raisers, attendance at sporting events and a whole bunch of other perks, let alone make them wait till they're 65 to claim a pension?

So I guess it's back to flogging the artwork. This is why we can't have nice things.