A lack of life experience is being blamed for the calibre of some Members of Parliament.

Scandals have rocked Parliament recently, leading to three quitting politics in disgrace.

The latest to go is Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, who was fired for a year-long affair with a woman who'd worked for him.

Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith told Kate Hawkesby too many people are coming into Parliament having studied political science or worked in a Minister's office or Parliamentary research unit.

"In the old days, you actually had to be a respected person in your community to get elected to Parliament but that's changed totally. That seems to be the big issue."

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