It is an uncomfortable truth, but here we go. Most politicians work damn hard.

I have been covering politics for much of my lengthy journalism career, and most MPs who have crossed my path went into public life to make the world a little better. Not all (disgraced former NSW minister Eddie Obeid springs to mind), but most. Few of us may want to hear a spirited defence of MPs, but the reality is their job can be relentless.

Communications Minister Anika Wells arrives for a press conference on Wednesday before attending an event at Kirribilli House to mark the world’s first social media ban for under-16s.Credit: Kate Geraghty

At this time of year, for example, MPs are doing the tedious rounds of school presentation days. Sitting through your own offspring’s speech day is trying enough, save for that short moment when you take a photo of your kid on stage. But MPs have to turn up for other people’s kids. There are after-hours events, weekend community commitments, meet-and-greets. Tiresome.

There are perks, yes. But the job is rarely glamorous; nor is it all that well paid, given what is demanded of our elected officials. And our expectations are high, which is why there are two crucial aspects of politics that must be well managed. Judgment and........

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