I have no real issue with Kevin Rudd being appointed to the position of US Ambassador ("Global ties: Rudd appointed ambassador to the US", Newcastle Herald 21/12). Kim Beazley and Joe Hockey also occupied this role, previously, and Alexander Downer was High Commissioner (Ambassador to a Commonwealth Country) to Great Britain.
But, my issue is that they all got a very generous taxpayer-funded parliamentary superannuation pension payable immediately after they left Parliament and then accepted a well-paid employment position. I believe that ex-politicians /parliamentarians should not be able to access their parliamentary super pension until they attain the age of 60. Others cannot access super until 60 nor pensions until their mid 60s. Why should ex-parliamentarians be different?
