Claire (Australia)
High salaries supposedly attract talents. But if a 'talent' is motivated by money, he is unlikely to be good for public office because a person attracted to a job by high salaries will put economic gains above everything else (citizens' interests included).
The fight against corruption lies not only in a "rigorous system of checks and balances that is not only implemented, but exercised constantly" but also avenues for people bringing such practices to light without fear or being intimidated.