It always surprises me when people ask whether a comment I've made is "appropriate" for a Senator. It implies that my standards should be different from everyone else's.

Before last July – when I was sworn in – I was a normal person who burped, farted, swore and shared ribald jokes with my mates. Now it seems any suggestion I have done or continue to do any of these things may provoke an internet explosion or cause civilisation to collapse.

Politicians who don't say what they think are bad for democracy, says Senator David Leyonhjelm. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A few well-placed swear jars in the Canberra press gallery would soon make a dent in the deficit, so it seems rather rich for journalists to pretend to be shocked by things I say, or to report that others are shocked. And yet, report it they do.

It seems to me that politicians live in fear of being found guilty of that great modern heresy – being "inappropriate". Genuine debate suffers as a consequence. Much of the public contempt for politicians, I suspect, is due to the fact people believe they've elected a bunch of cardboard cutouts.