‘It’s about power imbalance’: Pollies and staff shouldn’t mix

Neil Mitchell says politicians should be banned from having affairs with junior staff, saying a rule shouldn’t be necessary but now, it appears it is.

“No person in a senior position should be involved in a relationship with a junior staffer,” Neil said.

“It’s nothing to do with consent, it’s about a power imbalance.”

Simon Breheny, Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Affairs, said a code of conduct for politicians is a good idea, but is unsure how it would be implemented.

“The principal is right, I agree, but I think it’s really creepy that you’d pass a law or a code of conduct telling politicians, don’t do this,” Simon said.

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“I think the AFL went way overboard with this last year,” he added.

“There is a bit of a difference when it comes to the use of taxpayer funds, the issue of staff being moved from office to office.”