Missing the Message?

Lots of fuss (not to mention hot air - however justified) about the pollies' expenses scandals - over which I have a distinct sense of déjà vu, having been in England a lot over the past year or two.

But what, I wonder, is a good Catholic like Tony Abbott doing promoting the Mormons (aka the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)?

Come to that, why is he, as Prime Minister (or as Opposition Leader if it's an old picture), acting as a billboard promoting Cadbury over any other brand of chocolate or Pfizer over any other drug manufacturer or Amgen over any other biotech company?

PS I now know that this was, for the companies at least, to do with their sponsorship of Pollie Pedal, Abbott's annual charity fund-raiser which he runs in conjunction with Carers Australia. Good cause, no doubt, but the point still remains that politicians should not be seen to be 'billboards for hire'. And what about conflict of interest if any of these companies wants or is affected by a decision of government?