March 7, 2007
Howard too clever by half!
Is it any wonder that the Australian electorate is often cynical about politicians?
Recently John Howard decided to attack Kevin Rudd for the sin of once associating with the disgraced former WA premier Brian Burke. Then one of Howard's own ministers, Ian Campbell, had to fall on his sword because apparently he had once committed the same offence. Campbell's resignation was not politically motivated, we were assured. The trouble is, it turns out that Senator David Johnston, promoted to the frontbench to fill the vacancy, also has associations with Burke through owning shares in a company that employs Burke. Where will it end, Mr PM?
Senator Andrew Bartlett, of the Australian Democrats, has an amusing take on this cynical episode that does, however, include an impassioned plea in his penultimate paragraph:
I live in hope that one day, we will see passionate public debate and frenzied media coverage about policies and issues that actually affect the public, instead of shallow talking points, manufactured division, deliberately orchestrated controversies and cartoonish character assessments.
I concur. My hope is that the majority of Australians will see through this gutter politics and cast their vote in this year's federal election based on informed knowledge of candidates' policies.
Then again, pigs might fly.
Posted to Politics by Keith Pitty