... its just politics

...it's just politics analyses weak governance, unethical policy and misconduct in the Commonwealth of Australia over fifty years. At root is failure of leadership, whose foremost element is integrity.

But compromise, expediency and ruthlessness are necessary to gain and retain political office and wield power; parties govern to benefit or appease constituencies; and governments naturally seek to hide their vulnerabilities and avoid accountability for their mistakes. Moreover, the public's low trust in politicians suggests low expectations.

How far is integrity in democratic political leadership a practical nonsense?

Dr Malcolm Wood is an historian and a former senior executive in the Australian Public Service.