The recent high profile departures of 2 senior ministers and their new-found careers in Corporate Australia is nothing new. Nor are vested interests lobbying behind the scenes in order to have political decisions made in their favour.

Is access and influence able to be bought? Who’s selling it? And is it theirs to sell?

The community at large cannot compete with large political donations or afford lobbyists on large retainers.

Is there a bias imbalance at play here? Maybe the community should get a seat or two at that $10,000 a table political fund-raiser?

To discuss this weighty topic we’re joined now by George Rennie, author, commentator and Lecturer in Politics at The University of Melbourne.