David Ettridge is now suing Abbott
That just shows that Ettridge hasn't got an ounce of concern for the country. To de-stabilise one of the most critical elections we'll ever have is worse than what they did to Hanson although that was an extremely poor act to say the least. I think Hanson's big mistake was Ettridge.

Whatever one's politics, it is concerning that a political leader such as Abbott or Peter Slipper can be dragged into an expensive legal battle by anyone who has a grudge. They can make up claims of sexual harassment, racial discrimination or whatever, sue them and then know they will be forced to go through drawn out legal process costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It is a danger to our political process. We already have poorer quality politicians than 20 years ago. This will just stop people considering a political career.

Indi,
I think you are too tough on Ettridge. He owes Abbott or Australia nothing. He, and Pauline, did the right things in registering One Nation and yet they ended up in jail. Wouldn't you be sour about that? Maybe some information has only just came to light that enables Ettridge to beleive he has a case. Terry Sharples was not the only ON member approached by Abbott. Perhaps he offered financial inducements to others for their testemony.

I think that after Abbotts claims to the Queensland Electerol commission were rejected he then went to Beattie, who had no love for ON, and that is why the criminal charges were made. The whole thing smells of collusion between Abbott and Beattie.

If Ettridge has a sound case then why is not Pauline in on the case. Afterall she went to jail as well and it knocked the stuffing out of her and she took a long time to recover. She still is not the same as before.

By the way neither Ettridge or Pauline have received any compensation for the wrongfull jailing and Pauline has not received the $500,000 back she repaid to the QEC. Newman should fix that.

cohenite,

Of course you're right, I'm sure Mr Abbott's prime consideration was protecting the social fabric of the country....hey, hey, chortle, splutter! ..... : )

Perish the thought that he was acting in an opportunistic fashion because One Nation had taken 11 seats in the 1998 Queensland election with 22.7 percent of vote - (more than either the Liberals and Nationals)

Gulp!.

I personally considered Hanson to be a redneck ignoramus, not unlike her US equivalent, Sarah Palin....but, of course, you already knew that : )

Abbott deserves all he gets from this lawsuit .

As much as I couldn't stand the ON political opinions, I didn't believe that Hansen and Ettridge deserved jail.

Abbott, and all other politicians, go into the political arena with the full knowledge that they are fair game for any legal challenges on their decisions.

He had no problems with trying to cause legal trouble for Gillard after all...

Alan Austin,you have to realise that both the Coalition and Labor have betrayed all Australians.They have sold us out to the concept of Global Governance by bankers and the corporations they control.