Well, at least that is what the state government wants you to believe.

The NSW Nationals leader Troy Grant’s decision to strip member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson of her role as parliamentary secretary over crossing the floor against banning greyhound racing should be sounding alarm bells to the custodians of democracy – you, the people.

Ms Hodgkinson had the intestinal fortitude to oppose the Coalition’s stance on putting down the greyhound industry and stick up for her constituents.

And now she has been punished for doing her job – representing the people of the Cootamundra electorate. 

Her move is one that should happen more often, but – because of the very real threat of losing party status – most politicians are happy to stay safe and toe the line.

Because rocking the boat gets you thrown overboard without a lifeline.

If democratically elected representatives can’t push the will of the people, then what is the point of the political process?

This NSW government has been slowly twisting the knife in the back of true democracy and, from its eventual slow and painful death, the spectre of dictatorship will rise.

The first puncture wound was the way in which Premier Mike Baird and his merry men in blue handled the local government amalgamations.

Cootamundra Shire Council played the political game and went above and beyond most other local governments to forge proposed ties with its neighbour, Harden, only to be told by Baird that its hard work was worthless because it was being merged with Gundagai council regardless.

It’s something you’d be more likely to read in the Shanghai Daily.

Then came the decision to kill off an entire industry.

Greyhound racing has been shown to have a problem with live-baiting and killing underperforming dogs – atrocious acts.

But shutting down the sport is like confiscating all drivers’ licences because some of the state’s road users get drunk or high on drugs and get behind the wheel, or intentionally break the speed limit.

Ms Hodgkinson should be applauded for doing what’s right for her community. She was diplomatic about her leader’s decision, but made it clear that Mr Grant said nobody would be punished for crossing the floor.