Politicians will never act professionally if professionals sit on the sidelines | Sam Shahin

Politicians are not the only people responsible for Australia’s social agenda, setting boundaries or guiding important changes, writes Sam Shahin.

It’s time to professionalise the political profession.

Over the course of the last century, there has been a shift of community value setting away from religion and religious leaders to social and political leaders.

In Western cultures, it is the political leadership that sets the social agenda and establishes the boundaries of social norms.

I have written on multiple occasions on the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of politicians.

I still believe that most politicians get into politics for good reasons, to do good things, and to make a contribution to society.

Politicans are not the only people responsible for Australia’s social agenda, setting boundaries or guiding important changes, writes Sam Shahin. Picture: Kelly Barnes

I’m equally convinced that the majority of politicians, once in the seat, are either unwilling or unable to navigate through entrenched bureaucratic systems, become addicted to their newly discovered powers, and are unable to remain true to their beliefs because of the passive coercive expectations to conform.

Professional political self-preservation is another reason that particularly inflicts those that see politics as a career rather than a noble profession.

We need strong political leaders.

I often reflect as to why many eminent community leaders do not take on a political pathway, and why they do not choose politics as a means to make a contribution. I am one of those people.

As one ordinary citizen, the onus is on me, and everybody in the community, to engage with politicians, to support them, and to genuinely endorse or argue against their views and initiatives.

There is a broad culture of blaming politicians for anything and everything they say and do which naturally makes them reluctant to make decisions for fear of being criticised.

It’s a downward spiral from there.

I do not advocate to cutting politicians any slack. I advocate for more engagement. If you care, and everyone seems to care, then make the effort to engage.

The most glaring idiosyncrasy I see is politicians in positions of responsibility for portfolios in which they have little or no professional expertise.

I have occasionally flirted with the aspiration of a political career in the health sector. I think my professional background has a lot to contribute to fixing the incredible wrongs, and waste, in the health system.

I’m astounded at both state and federal levels how senior portfolios are filled with individuals that have no professional expertise in the fields they’re responsible for, and in my view this makes a significant contribution to the levels of incompetence that the community often complains about.

Here’s one of many examples; when a decision is made that affects the health sector, it is often the health professionals that will criticise and complain.

They are the experts in that field and particularly so because the decision is often made by non-experts in the field.

Why should a job or a career in politics be any different to any other professional endeavour, especially when the stakes are so high.

An accounting firm would never hire an accountant without the appropriate accounting qualifications, right?

A hospital would never hire a nurse without the appropriate nursing qualifications: you get the drift.

It does not follow that all professionals are suitable to hold political positions in their field, but it should be a prerequisite.

I would subscribe to a policy where no senior portfolio at any level of governance to be occupied by anyone that does not have the professional background in that field.

It is time to professionalise politics. I think that will make a difference.

Originally published as Politicians will never act professionally if professionals sit on the sidelines | Sam Shahin