It's not just the working class that's disillusioned with politics

By Michael Koziol and Conal Hanna
Updated February 8 2017 - 11:14am, first published 10:17am
'Modern democracy has reached its use-by-date', says multi-millionaire Luca Belgiorno-Nettis. Photo: James Brickwood
'Modern democracy has reached its use-by-date', says multi-millionaire Luca Belgiorno-Nettis. Photo: James Brickwood
Jennifer Westacott, head of the Business Council of Australia, believes many politicians are too scared to speak the truth. Photo: Pat Scala
Jennifer Westacott, head of the Business Council of Australia, believes many politicians are too scared to speak the truth. Photo: Pat Scala
Former senator Cheryl Kernot says she has become despondent about the electoral process. Photo: Edward Cross
Former senator Cheryl Kernot says she has become despondent about the electoral process. Photo: Edward Cross

In a stylish waterfront office, not 500 metres from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a high-powered group clink champagne flutes and imported Italian stubbies in the name of pre-Christmas cheer. There among the crowd, poised as always, is Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs. Former NSW premier Nick Greiner chats amiably by the hors d'oeuvres. A number of former senior bureaucrats, including ex-secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peter Shergold, greet each other warmly. Their mingling host, Luca Belgiorno-Nettis, is a man worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

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