At the core of any integrity issue or scandal in politics lies the question – did a person in power make the right decision, for the right reasons?

When a minister makes a decision, as they are elected to do on our behalf, that decision must always be made in the public interest, with strong evidence to support it and a genuine test of value for money.

But in a world of aggressive lobbying, of jobs for mates, and acceptance of pork-barrelling, it is no surprise that in Australia there is diminishing trust in politics and governments.

This week questions are being asked of the prime minister. Whether his relationship with the former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, the free upgrades on flights and the membership of the Chairman’s Lounge, had any role to play in decisions made about the airline industry.

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Like most MPs I am a member of the Chairman’s Lounge, and the Virgin equivalent. I rarely fly and I have never been offered an upgrade. Nevertheless, I am reflecting on the dominant purpose of memberships such as these and how it helps or hinders the way I fulfil my........

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