Politicians love to talk about “public service,” yet taxpayers keep footing the bill for conveniently timed overseas and interstate trips that just happen to line up with family events, birthdays, reunions, and “networking” dinners with friends. Flights, hotels, allowances — all labelled as official business while everyday Australians are told to tighten their belts. Those perks are nothing compared to the real money. Tax-free political donations dwarf government salaries, and that’s where the t