We continually decry “professional politicians”, those who begin climbing party ranks as teenagers, find work in ministerial officers as advisers before finally cracking a seat in parliament.

The criticism is they lack life experience but they dominate political life.

Anthony Lynham was an exception – he was a highly skilled surgeon who went into politics to achieve one thing: The reform of alcohol laws which saw too many people on his operating table after violent outbreaks around nightclubs.

He had less than 10 years in parliament but was amazingly successful. His nomination and campaign was the beginning of the end of the Newman Government; he got through the reforms he wanted to make to alcohol laws and made a mark as Minister for Natural Resources and Mines.

Now, because of regulations that require him to be back in practice if he wants to retain his medical licence, he’s out of parliament and reflecting on the system he visited with a generosity uncharacteristic of those whose political careers end early.

What surprised you the most about politics?

Just how hard-working and genuinely sincere politicians are. Prior to politics I, like many others, believed the common perceptions about politicians. Most of my colleagues worked extraordinary hours representing their communities. It is a very high-pressure job not assisted by the adversarial nature of the task at hand. They all just want to do good, leave a legacy that they can be proud of and provide strong representation.

We have high school principals, nurses, paramedics , barristers and many more professionals give up extremely successful careers so that they could be a voice for their community. There are large amounts of time away from family, extraordinary hours worked, and in many cases significant pay reductions. People simply aren’t aware of that.

It will surprise many but I was surrounded by many genuinely good people.

Do you think that the media is fair?

The media forms part of the system. It is appropriate to have an informed and interrogative media. What I find disturbing is the concentration of media ownership and the disintegration of regional media. I personally have witnessed the demise of a strong regional media voice. I enjoyed the dialogue, the debate about regional issues in the press. This is disappearing rapidly.

What did you find the hardest?

Leaving. It was much more difficult to leave politics than to get into it. I sincerely relished my time as Member for Stafford and as a Minister in the Palaszczuk Government. I had to leave as it became increasingly impossible to divide my time between surgery and politics. The rules for doctors changed in 2016. It was unsustainable.

What did you find dispiriting?

The unnecessary conflict engineered by our adversarial system. In many areas there is a wealth of evidenced-based research that proves if you implement a series of measures you will fix the problem. To me as a researcher and a clinician it was simple logic to get going and fix the problem. To find a reflex position taken by opposition and various interest groups simply for no reason but conflict was disheartening.

The media thrives on conflict. So to see an evidence-based solution being clouded time and time again by conflict and conspiracy was disheartening.

What are the ten attributes of a good politician?

The ability to fully analyse a complex issue.

Be prepared to do hours of background research.

Avoid the knee jerk response. (ie Morrison and Holgate)

Be yourself.

Listen, Listen and Listen and get out into your communities. Travel to regional areas.

Have a vision and stick to it. Don’t compromise your reason for being there. (Joe) Biden has this in spades over (Barack) Obama. Gun control for instance.

Integrity. This is always given as a throw-away line but it is everything. It was my world. It is your reputation (and) it is how others judge you.

Sacrifice. This comes with the job.

Give by deeds rather than words. Do the job well and satisfaction follows.

Treat all those around you with courtesy and respect. Be humble, you are a servant.

What would you change about politics if you could?

Where do I start? Firstly I would increase the voice of the people. Our referendum system is flawed. There have been 44 referendums since 1901 and only eight have been successful. We need a system whereby the people can bring a referendum to the vote. There are many ways to achieve this.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learnt that I could do it. Surgeons usually talk to one or two people at a time. Mostly one of those is even asleep at the time. It was daunting to be thrust into the spotlight. I learnt so much in that time, but I learnt that I could be an effective representative and Parliamentarian.

What would you do differently?

Firstly I wish that the medical registration laws weren’t changed so that I could still be there. This is an exciting time of generational change. Renewable energy and the disruptive technologies that accompany it were my passion. I cannot wait for a renewable energy future. It can all be achieved here in Qld with power prices falling and secure supply.

Should we have more special-interest politicians like yourself?

I was a maxillofacial surgeon operating in trauma prior to politics. I continue at the Jamieson Trauma Institute. My passion has not changed. The initiatives that I brought to the table became law thanks to the Premier, the Attorney-General and my colleagues’ support. They work, and are effective in reducing violence in our community.

We need a mix in politics., We need politicians with a long apprenticeship within the system. They know how it works, they know how the media operates and they are invaluable.

But you do need people like me with a wealth of life experience in sectors removed from the system. It brings a fulfilling balance.