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The poll ranks 40 professions and reveals that politicians take out the bottom spot, with car salesmen and sex workers just ahead. Meanwhile fire fighters, doctors and pilots are ranked amongst the most trusted.

Ross Robertson, MP for Manukau East and Assistant Speaker, said the results are consistent with other similar polls.

“This just reinforces that politicians must improve their professional conduct to help reinstate standards of integrity and respect to the profession,” he said.

“We are not highly thought of collectively, although we may be individually. This is because, collectively, we are seen by the community to have abandoned the standards that attract respect. It would take only our recognition that there is a real political advantage in integrity, openness, and transparency to bring about the necessary change.

“As Members of Parliament, we are predominantly in the public eye so we need to start leading by example to restore public confidence in our political system.”

Ross Robertson has long proposed that Parliament should introduce a commonly understood standard of behaviour to govern the conduct of Members of Parliament.

He has drafted a code of ethics for this purpose and in 2006 he made his third attempt to persuade Parliament’s Standing Orders Committee to adopt the code. While he is hopeful that the outcome will be successful, he is also considering legislation by way of a Private Member’s Bill.

“The proposed code consists of common rules for conduct that are based on principles, including integrity, accountability and trust,” said Ross Robertson.

“By adopting a code of ethics and following it accordingly, political leaders can set an example for others to follow and this will go a long way towards helping improve public confidence in Parliament and its members.”

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