I agree, it's hard to imagine any candidate, even a high quality candidate like Maxine McKew, taking the seat. Two further thoughts:

1. Her intervention may draw attention to the issue of ABC funding, and there would be quite a few people on the north shore of Sydney in the ABC's "AB" demographic. It might be enough to stave off any further reform proposals from the Government that might adversely affect the national broadcaster, and could conceivably be used by McKew and her party as leverage against the Government on that issue.

2. Sometimes a party will ask a would-be parliamentarian to contest an unwinnable seat before allowing them to contest a winnable seat. We should consider the possibilty that McKew has a longer-term strategy.

A good analysis. Shewd of Rudd. Labor need a smart champaign to win government.

This is not about winning Bennelong; this is about winning Government. The rat cunning of Howard is a finite resource - the more rat cunning which has to be devoted to holding Bennelong the less available to be devoted to holding Government.

I would not disagree with The Skeptic either; McKew will emerge from this a much wiser politician and with recognition for having made the hard yards up the middle (a rugby league metaphor is appropriate for NSW). Her reward is likely to be a shot at a winnable seat the next time around - perhaps even Bennelong after Howard's retirement.

Glad Howard's in trouble. Sick of him acting like a good sheep dog while in company with George Dubya, yet forever using the 'I' rather than 'We' while dictating policy in Australia.

It is possible that he is still patterning himself on Menzies, who with British royalty acted also like the faithful hound, as was so expected of a colonial statesman.

Further, maybe it is a sign that the whole purpose of our allied illegal misadventure in Iraq is or was to still keep the English-speaking Anglophiles on top, and as one of our group mentioned earlier, promising liberty and freedom as a replacement for the lies about the blessings of Christian colonialism.

You blokes might be right but after today's allegations it might not be Rudd running as opposition Leader.

Two questions need to be answered:

Are Costello's allegations about an alleged deal between Rudd and Burke correct?

Following Costello's claim that Rudd and Burke met three on three occassions, in WA, before his elevation to Opposition Leader, has Rudd a connection to Burke?

Rudd needs to be frank and open about any contact he has had with a convicted fraud. Commentators and the media need to be open in reporting all such allegations and responses about a prospective PM.

Why Rudd met with Burke, is something he needs to clarify. It is disapointing that Rudd has made such inroads on Howard, yet Rudd appears to have let himself down in fore thinking previously. He needs to be strong and objective in responding to his fro par!

The Rudd meets Burk thing is at worst unwise Kevin would have at that time gone to the opening of a match box.
It however having seen his 45 minute rebuttal amounts to it being released he has blond hair and wears glasses.
Howard however may regret the awful performance of his speaker.
The lack of any balance or pretense at fairness has reduced our Parliament to among the worlds worst.
And Costello and his ilk running free like naughty children again highlights the out of control arrogance of Howard's team.

At the very least Rudd's judgement has been called imto very serious doubt?

If during one of those 'natchbox openings ', he's shown he was prepared to consort with a convicted and widely known fraudster, in an endeavour to gain the ultimate political power, then what will he be prepared do to retain such power?

That's the real concern with young Kevvy.

And lets not forget Labor's appalling treatment of Labor women in politics. Maxine's own media career and perhaps rivalry with KO is insightful.

Am I the only one who has noticed that Howard always gets somebody else to do his parliamentary dirty work for him?

If there is anything controversial or suspect he wants done, it's usually delegated to the likes of Tuckey, Abbott, Heffernan, Costello, Bishop and so on to do it for him so he can sit back with clean hands and appear to remain "above it all".

I thought that this attack on Rudd was a cheap shot that won't amount to much in the long run, but only shows that they are starting to play the man, and not the policies, out of desperation. Keep it up, and show us all what you are really like.

rache surely it is clear to most your post highlights the truth?
Yesterday in our Parliament the speaker with willful intent let his team act like school children .
Nothing new in that Howard has never forgotten his school days and tells his bully boys what to say who to say it to and when.
The dirty half dozen have a list of past insults to our Parliament that condemn John Howard and his methods.
Kevin Rudd to be heard had to hold a 45 minute press conference because no fairness or balance an be expected inside Australia's Parliament house, that shames my country and Mr Howard

HUMANITY! We need some fresh air in Australian politic's. Thank You Maxine McKew. I feel your move from jounalism to open politics is tough and opens up the type of transparency required.

HISTORY! The dirty politics we have been witnessing over the past decade has damaged Australian society, divided communities and broken the "trust" we once had in our own participation through "every-day" political processes, at local and regional levels.

We need to reflect diversity through politics and stop making scape-goats of those who try to engage.

We need to make the truth safe and stop under-mining the HUMAN FACE, the UNDERSTANDING of inter-relations and the importance of citizenship in the process of nation building.

We need to believe in something old and something new. What we have been seeing is a politics made up of bullies which transfers its culture onto the whole of society.

Thank God for the media, Channal 7 and Channel 9 for the morning show and SBS and ABC for it investigative probes.

Thank God for the individuals who work to make a difference everywhere.

Thank God for Maxine McKew. I will watch your journey closely.

http://www.miacat.com/

During the week, I read a pathetic opinion article on the ALP finally offering a credible candidate to run against Paul Keating instead of the usual left wing wacko.

This opinionist claimed that the Asian's who dominate the electorate only vote for Howard as he is the Prime Minister. How nice to assume that Asian's would never vote for the Liberal Party. This writer seriously needs to learn of former NSW Upper House member, Helen Sham Ho who is a Chinese woman.

I also remember a bi-election where a former ALP politician kept telling ethnics that Liberals are hater's of ethnics to scare them into voting Labor. I also remember telling an Asian family that the Liberals have the only Asian in state parliament. They voted Liberal.

Spider,
I remember a certain politician who one said that the sight of Asian faces on the streets of Sydney made him feel uncomfortable.

He later voiced no objection to an inflammatory inaugural speech made by a certain Ms Hanson in parliament and went on to woo her supporters.

I think his name was John or Howard or something like that.

Wobbles,

Pauline Hanson did say some silly things however, if it is her maiden speech you're referring to, there is nothing wrong with it and nothing like portrayed by the Bolshevic media we have.

Rache: "I thought that this attack on Rudd was a cheap shot that won't amount to much in the long run..."

I agree, Rache.

Not only is it possible that it won't amount to anything in the long run, but if Rudd handles it well, it could even work to Labor's advantage.

John Howard has shown that he is a master of avoiding responsibility for his screw-ups. I can't recall ONE situation in which he apologised for something he did wrong. So if Rudd can cop this on the chin and apologise, then that's yet another point towards him as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not sure which state you live in, but here in QLD, Peter Beattie has screwed-up enough times to warrant an election loss many times over. But he's still the Premier, and in my humble opinion, this is not only due to a hopeless QLD opposition but the fact that he admits when he screws-up and apologises - and then we all move-on (most of us any way).

The fact that Howard can't even admit when he's wrong (let alone apologise) not only shows that he is less of a person, but it makes it easier for people to feel resentment towards him for issues that are well in the past.

So let them continue their personal attacks if that's all they've got left, it won't do them any good. Especially when it comes to those in the electorate who have the maturity to rise above it.

Many people are skeptical that Maxine Mckew can beat Howard in the upcoming election. But I'm not so sure. Let's take a quick look at the scenario...

REASONS WHY HOWARD COULD WIN BENNELONG:

1. He's a seemingly formidable politician who has managed to hold the seat for many years.

REASONS WHY HOWARD COULD LOSE BENNELONG:

1. Howard's wins in Bennelong have been increasingly marginal over the last few elections.
2. Polls have shown that the Bennelong electorate disagree with the Worstchoices legislation.
3. Polls have shown that Rudd is Bennelong's preferred Prime Minister.
4. Polls have shown that Labor is ahead of the coalition on a two-party preferred basis in Bennelong.
5. Maxine McKew is a trusted journalist and a fresh female face for an electorate who have consistently voted-in a man who is growing old and tired.

Yeah sure, polls are just polls and they often don't mean much. But it's food for thought anyway...

John Simpson

Rudd has apologised for what?

His error of judgement, his do anything say anything self-serving quest for support and political power, his seeking support in his then leaders backyard, his seeking support from a convicted felon, his debt to the convicted felon, his refusal to explain in Parliament when given the opportunity...?

Look Rudd really owes us all a straight up explanation of what was offered by Burke. None of us are simple enough to believe he met Burke, as he seems to think we'd believe, out of simple courtsey. Once at a friends house, maybe, but a second and third time at outings including a speech... naaaaah. What if one of those other two occassions was a fundraiser?

He needs to cut the spin and be staight up and down with us.

This is going to haunt him every time he comments on any subject in future...how? Everything whe says will be referenced by his opponents to a simple question...what are Burke's interests in this?

I think the current attack on his past actions is just another in the series and we can expect quite a few similar attacks. It is going to be increasingly hard for him to talk on many subjects. Three he cannot relish at the moment are Iraq, Water, and Health. Iraq because he cornered himself by not immediately stating a position on withdrawal, Health and Water because of his actions when he was the very decent Wayne Goss's main man in Queensland. He squashed the building of the Wolfdene Dam. Had that been built Brisbane's water supply wouldn't be threatened as it is now. He closed Hospital operating theatres up here earning the nick name Dr Death.

There is lots more similar events to follow.

I think the Labor Party need to reject him and replace him, sooner rather than later

keith
Politicians get lobbied by people of all sorts character, those who may have a criminal background, those who want some advantage and those with a poor ethical code. Ok, Mr. Rudd has met up with former Premier Bourke in the past, it was now come to light that the Coalition Federal Minister for the Environment has also met with Bourke. If the only thing the Coalition has on Mr. Rudd is a particular meeting with Bourke, then God help them. The Coalition is spouting what comes from the fundamental orifice of a bull

Shades of spotty dots over your eyes will always mean you see what you want to see Keith. It takes a long nimble finger to reproduce the kind of mud you sling. If only you could balance it against the smear of distractions used by this present government, and address the critical way it has impacted Australian culture daily.

ie: 400 thousand odd peoples (mothers, fathers and homeless children) fleeing from the boarders of Afghanistan - weeks before the last Afghan war. Imagine their displacement and fear as they became locked into a void of this tension - terror and guaranteed hopelessness. A MAJOR HUMAN CRISIS at that time!

What did our Liberal leadship do.... during their "election time" with this news Keith?

Their own spin doctors parallelled the projections of WAR (turning public confusion into public fear) to debase the truth as we know it today, through the TAMPER "baby overboard" inccident. NASTY, SICK POLITICS KEITH! In fact there is no PIETY in it!

You need to look harder Keith. Put the nimble parts away and help Australians consider the importance of our role as citizens on the planet.

How do we "engage" with eachother to make our opinions safe eh?

We need to problem-solve.

There is too much mud, mire and ooze covering a semi-solid culture we call Australian politic's. The violence unspelt, is mobilising through this practice of sludge and impedes on our sensiblity as citizens, by its circulation.

Any person involved in politics who allows themselves to be associated with criminals such as Burke, are only writing to story of their own demise and in the case where they lead a party, possibly pull down all of those around them.

The Liberal politician who enjoyed meetings with Burke should also offer is resignation from parliament. People like Burke never have innocent meetings with politicians of influence. These politicians know this and if they are too naive to, then they should not hold such influential positions.

Maxine Mckew recieves death threats.

A new high in Australian politics.

Disgracefull.

'Maxine Mckew recieves death threats.' Nearly half as bad as the liberals, labour and greens did to Pauline Hanson!

.

No Ant, in Young Kevvy's case he apparently travelled all the way to WA to visit Burke...three times. Ian Campbell was lobbied in his office after Burke travelled all the way from WA. Burke is a lobbyist. Burke wasn't banned by John Howard(no need for how could he possibly gain influence over a decent politician.) Contact with Burke was banned by Labor leaders because of his influence over party members ... Labor Party members.

The differences are immense.

I reckon Campbell will be called to account in Parliament. There he will produce diaries, notes and requests and outcomes. He won't merely say he was being courteous. Will Young Kevvy follow suit? He didn't when he had the opportunity last Thursday, in the House.

Spider and Ant,

And if Ian Campbell resigns...what will Young Kevvy do then? Follow suit?

Miacat

I dont recall seeing you making such comments during the mud-slinging over the AWB nor the mud slinging over the nuclear power plant proposal? Why not? I might have spotty dots but at least I have two eyes and a conscience.

hansp77

McKew death threats...has anyone seen the detail? When you do I think you and Mckew might be the butt of a few laughs.

"McKew death threats...has anyone seen the detail? When you do I think you and Mckew might be the butt of a few laughs."

yes of course I have, I have the original hand written note in my hand... (please note sarcasm)

seriously, no, I haven't even seen the full report.
Of course this could be a Labour stunt.
I do not exactly think highly enough of any of the main parties to write that possibility off.
I do however think highly enough of Maxine McKew to believe 100% that if this is a stunt, then she would have no knowledge of it, and would have played no part in it- furthermore I believe if she found out such details she would take the appropriate actions.

more likely, this is the result of a very small minded critic of Labour and/or McKew, a devout Howard follower, or some meddling idiot who thinks this will actually help her or Labours cause.

if my comments are made a joke out of by the details, then please believe me,
I love making people laugh.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=155115&rss=yes

NEWS HOME > NATIONAL NEWS Saturday Mar 3 16:39 AEDT
McKew continues campaign despite threats
Saturday Mar 3 14:03 AEDT
Labor's star recruit Maxine McKew has vowed to continue her federal election campaign despite receiving death threats.

Authorities are also investigating Thursday night's discovery of men holding torches underneath Ms McKew's car parked in the driveway of her Sydney North Shore home.

The incident followed a number of death threats against the former ABC presenter since she announced she would take on Prime Minister John Howard in his seat of Bennelong.

RELATED LINKS
Death threats familiar: Wilkie
Howard minister 'met Burke'
Rudd sticks by explanation
The Bulletin: McKew or Howard?
More National news ...
Former intelligence analyst Andrew Wilkie, who was the Greens candidate for the same seat in 2004, revealed on Saturday he too had been threatened during the last federal election campaign.




Ms McKew told reporters in Sydney how her neighbour had given a detailed account to police after spotting the suspicious men around her car.

She said the neighbour told her he saw a strange car parked in a nearby laneway and two men, one underneath her car shining a torch into the undercarriage, the other looking inside.

A full search of the car by the bomb squad and sniffer dogs had turned up nothing, she said.

Ms McKew admitted the recent events had unsettled her but said she would be not deterred from her campaign to unseat Mr Howard.

"I've just got to take it in my stride," Ms McKew said.

"You don't necessarily anticipate something like this but it hasn't thrown me."

Authorities were already aware of death threats made about the Labor candidate to the national terrorism hotline, she said.

While she now knew the details of those threats, Ms McKew declined to reveal their nature as they were "confidential".

cont

Mr Wilkie told AAP he was threatened in a series of detailed letters in 2004 outlining what would be done to him if he continued his political campaign.

"I received a number of death threats, some so alarming I also had to go to police as Maxine McKew seems to have done," Mr Wilkie said.

"It looks and sounds like the exact thing I faced."

Mr Wilkie said the threatening letters stopped after the election, in which he secured a small swing against Mr Howard, but abusive phone calls continued for many months until he changed his telephone number.

The former spy also revealed that gangs of young men harassed him on a number of occasions.

Mr Wilkie said he didn't go public about the threats at the time for fear of appearing to imply that sections of Mr Howard's support had resorted to dirty tricks in the election.

"Now I see it being done to someone else I feel I have a responsibility to let people know there's a pattern here," he said.

"When people stand against John Howard there are some people in the community who react in a threatening and unsettling way."

Mr Wilkie sensationally quit his post in the national intelligence agency in 2003 over concerns about political misuse of intelligence in the lead-up to the Iraq war.

In the 2007 federal election, he is second on the Greens ticket in Tasmania for the Senate, behind party leader Bob Brown.

©AAP 2007

Hard is it not? the thread is full of insults about Rudd,evidence is not coming that he did anything wrong but flog him still.
Then look at the feathers fly a conservative minister sat down with grubby Burk and tried to deal with him!
By the election the thought Bagdad is Iraq and that it can be defended will be proven wrong.
Interest rates will have gone up yet again ,fuel may be at its highest price ever.
Howard is in trouble and the mud will fly but on election night his defeat will give Australia a chance to forget the lies.

Good work Keith, try Australia is watching and we are learning.

We need your two eyes and my two eyes and eveyones eyes.... Keith.

Australia needs a new direction.

Maxine Mckew reportedly has four men with torches examining her car?Now if I were a bomber of real intent there would be but one man and no torches.The bomb plot could have been expedited without the fanfair of 4 men waving torches to attract her neighbour's attention.This was not a very clever political stunt.

Could this be a Labor attention seeking ploy?Maxine did not look too distressed when interviewed tonight about the death threats.The intrigueing question is that whether,Maxine had an inkling of what was in the winds.

Rudd will be forever tarnished by dallying with the person who has , twice, tried to destroy the Labor Party. This time Bourke has taken out so many ministers, there are few left to keep the flag flying.
Kevin Rudd is making Mark Latham look like a kindy teacher.

mickijo

Close...but comparisons to Latham make Yountg Kevvy Rudd look like a kindy pupil.

Miacat.

Surprisingly I find myself agreeing with you on a need for a change in direction. But it is my opinion the Labor Party and the media, with their selection and fawning devotion to whichever labor 'Messiah ' is currently in vogue, keep letting us all down. And that results in us all being left with virtually no choice but John Howard...now while I think John Howard ok, I am cognisant of the fact he doesn't appeal to the vast majority of Australian voters...

My point being Rudd, or Beazley or Latham just couldn't and cannot ever expect to garner the necessary support among ordinary voters to topple him. That is simply because ordinary voters recognise their obvious shortcomings The same shortcomings which the selection processes and the uncritical and sympathetic free ride they get in the media tend to ignore.

Howard and Co are able to zero in on those shortcomings to great effect. We saw that with Beazley and Latham and we are seeing the same with Rudd. Why do the Labor Party keep putting up dud candidates? You'd think they would learn from their past mistakes?

If the Labor leadership selection processes focused on weaknesses, leaders would be chosen not just because of their electrol appeal but also because of their inherent suitability.

Media scrutiny of Liberal leadership aspirants is quite searchingly critical and any shortcomings are revealed long before selection for leadership and often unsuitable aspirants are well and truely sorted out and their aspirations for leadership are scuttled. The same never happens with Labor leadership aspirants...they tend to get a free ride and virtuallly never 'suffer' searching or critical examination in the media at any time.

We witness the results come election time...Labor federally is often trounced because of their suspect leadership.

Keith,

Ian Campbell resigned which was the right thing to do. Now that he has revealed the reason of this meeting with Burke and fallen on his own sword, the Howard government can claim it was an innocent mistake while putting the flame thrower on to Kevin Rudd who is avoiding all enquiries of his meetings.

Sooner or later, the truth will get out and if Rudd allows it, this information would most likely be released shortly before the forthcoming election. Howard is an intuitive politician. These people are hard to beat and Rudd is now handing him all the cards.

Storm in a teacup or what? Rudd met 30 people, one of them Burke, and the Liberals think they can get some leverage out of it. Isn't it a joy to see them squirm? The election's 8 months out and they reckon this will influence anyone? We know they take the electorate for idiots but posters here saying the same thing don't have that excuse.

As for Maxine having foreknowledge of this little 'incident' earlier in the week - shame on whoever suggested this. Predictable, but dumb.

I agree Bennie,

that McKew would have anything to do with the death threats is just plain ignorant, and insulting to her demonstratable integrity. It says a rather lot about anyone who would actually believe this.

also, regarding the 'storm in a teacup' we are yet to see just how much the public actually cares about all this.
I doubt they care very much at all.
Howards tricks are getting old.

Howard making Campbell fall on his sword?
I have a feeling that sword was made of rubber.
He didn't exactly look too distressed when he 'resigned', he could barely contain his grin.
Post election, if Howard gets back in, whats the odds that Campbell gets a rather rosy reward for his 'loyalty' to the emperor?
Howard has already said that there is no reason why Campbell could not return to a front bench position.

The governments tactics here, I believe, will be seen through by the majority of the public.
Doesn't mean they won't stop trying- I have a feeling we are going to hear this tune all the way to the election.

It is almost comical- if it wasn't so disgusting.
Howard and the boys getting all indignat about political integrity.
Howard is the liar we love to hate, even among some of his supporters that I know.
He rules by the hip pocket, not the heart, not by his integrity.

Every time Kevin Rudd steps in front of a camera his basic honesty shines for all to see.
However much more mud will be slung before the election if Howard intends to win he should call it now time will let Rudd's honesty be measured and not found wanting.
Bored? watch Parliament this week or any time it is on the speaker is a grin!

This is nothing more than a beat-up. Play the man - avoid any debate on policies.

Most voters ouside of WA don't care about ex-Premiers from that state so portraying Burke as some sort of anti-Christ will only go so far.

It's not like he was a financially dodgey but influential President of the Liberal Party who managed to avoid prison (like John Elliot) for example.

In the end, people will believe what they want to believe.

Maybe it's time all the gloves came off and we exposed the true state of politics in this country in ALL parties.

Keith, your questions are hard for all of us and I will get back to you... if I can, as it is what Australians are trying to deal with generally. However, I say a couple of things....

a) Bagging others (as a way of communication in life) and the idea of "Mateship" in Australia is a cultural problem, as we have not changed with the times and the original meaning of the term which had integrity for the ANZACs is out of kilter at all levels of community, be in inside the Parliment of at local sector levels. We have lost our ablity to PROBLEM SOLVE. We do not listen or respect the growth of new ideas or anyone who trys to think out loud. We are watching and allowing our countries potential innovation and human - social capital drain away, instead.

ie: Western Australia did an investigation (to end all investigations) into Bullying recently... The investigating panel then stopped - saying, something like the issue was too hard to deal with... (heated?), it appears costs got out of control... but it revealed that Western Australia is loosing its BEST - GOOD Teachers ... because of the SILO MENTALITY of BULLIES. Where does this leave us eh? Additionally, note Australias cuts in research areas and education?

b) I think it is JOKE that it is the HUMAN SERVICES minister that Howard feels should be LOST. The CHOP (unprovoked?) speaks for itself and reminds of the HUMAN value that is being sacified by this government as a whole. Learning anything is not on the AGENDA this way, is it?

c) I don't believe some of us know how to protect ourselves against villification and bullies. I know I don't... I don't want to think like an enemy... I work for the common good regardless and I make the same mistakes as others do even though I try to be fair with people who make the adverse statements, no matter how asperse they may be.

Discovery is lost in conflict driven campaigns!

miacat

I'd welcome a discussion on my idea. It could be very constructive. Self-examination and critical self examination usually is very difficult but often if successfully can see immense changes.
Mateship formed on our Goldfields long before ANZAC and was re-inforced in our National Identity by our poets and writers of the late 1800's and early 1900's. Literature of the time was full of it.
However mateship since has often been bastardised in our community at many levels. Our pollies who rely on it's existance are fooling only themselves.
I see potential denied nearly every day in all sorts of fields. I remain optimistic those who haven't been too spoiled by both our public and private education regimes will overcome the hurdles they will encounter later in their chosen carreers.

Geez we have a lot of similar ideas. I think only our inability to see through each others eyes might be our only problem.

Perhaps McKew won't win but your article was not a reasoned one, really, was it? You have not cited reasons other than you think it unlikely and history is against it. Hardly reasons. There seem a number of reasons why she might win, but regardless of this, it must be obvious to even the family cat that watches tv and listens to the radio that Howard is rattled in a way the country has never seen before. Why? And if McKew doesn't win? It will be the experience she needs, if experience is needed, to run a better campaign next election. But I wouldn't be so ready to write her off just yet. After all, stranger things have happened. Next time, balance your arguments better.
arcticdog

keith, note taken. While the Labor Party sanctifies, diefies Rock Stars, Telivision Stars,academics, union bullies,Uni drop outs,in fact any and every one but the working man, they are going to continue picking duds.
The roots of the Labor Party were the workers, the ordinary bloke who wanted a better deal for his efforts.
All the above divas are interested only in their own egos, there is no room for anything else.
That is why the people have left them.

Mickijo

I agree with your assessment. I think you could take a little further step and draw the Media in this country into sharing responsibility for that trend too.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments mickijo,and I add that it annoys the hell out of me that Maxine McKew has for years showed her strong Labor bias in interviews when she was working for the national broadcaster ABC. She could not keep her personal politics out of her job which shows she lacks the necessary disipline to do any good in politics. Perhaps Kerry O'Brien could now step up to the plate and take over from little mister good boy Kevin and then Kerry and Maxine can run the whole show. Labor will never do any good while they keep chucking out good men like Beasley and replacing him with the likes of Rudd. JMV

Well we have Labor supporters showing their indignation about myself alluding to the possible collusion of Maxine in a Labor media stunt.Let's assume she is innocent.Many people in the media and politics get death threats.Mostly they don't go to the media since that just encourages the lunies.Surely Maxine was advised against going public.

It is not in the interest of the Liberals and John Howard for this nonsense to occur.Maxine in time will undo herself.Howard is too clever for her.

Will some one answer a simple question? Why did four men with torches make a fanfare of examining Maxine's car so neighbours would report it to the media?Why did this event co-inside with death threats? Sounds like Labor dirty tricks to me.

When Mr. Howard was first elected he promised that his Ministers would need to abide by a code of conduct. That was fine until too many Ministers were being caught out and the bar was lowered.

Mr. Campbell has hardly done anything wrong in comparison to his peers whose eploits have been ignored in the past. Parliamentary standards as set by the Coalition Government are low.

Right at the time Mr.Rudd was elected leader we were told that the Liberals would be looking for dirt on him.

It would appear that we would compromise ourselves if we associate with politicians, judging by the list of misdemeanors committed by politicians:
"An email I received indicates that the Federal Members of Parliament have the following related to them:
· 36 have been accused of spousal abuse.
· 7 have been arrested for fraud.
· 19 have been accused of writing bad checks
· 117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses.
· 3 have done time for assault
· 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit.
· 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges.
· 8 have been arrested for shoplifting
· 21 currently are defendants in lawsuits.
· 84 have been arrested for being drunk"

These facts have been reported by Mr Gerrit H Schorel-Hlavka on another thread.

Its a bit rich that a political party that has been misleading the Australian electorate for years ( TAMPA, war in Iraq, interest rates )takes a holier than thou stance.

Truth disappears! As Dr Jocelynne A. Scutt has said in another discussion on "Illegality is the opposite of morality", and I reference here:

"When a country is invaded illegally, international law is breached, UN determinations flagrantly ignored, and truth disappears, the only solution"....

is ..... ?

"Nothing done in the name of the occupation of Iraq can be moral. When based in illegality, lies, untruths and hypocrisy, moral foundations crumble like sand. The Iraqi occupation is immoral. That is the bottom line."

Should the ALP win this election... it again is faced (election pattens) with the task of repair.... war vs humanity vs balance over economic's?

And I hate saying this sort of stuff but Howards reference to Ron Walker reminded me of the post Iraq invasion "Development Contracts" first given out by the Bush Government to American companys. Like the Walker case, there was no consultation just "passing dialogue" (?) over something (assumptions) just as serious... and a government properganda machine runs on it... When will this lack of intelligence or lack of development research, planning, and unsustainable development practice end. We ought to know better...!

The manipulation is like REAL ESTATE AGENTS stealing the life-style quotes from tree-huggers to over-price the tropics... if you get my drift.

Finally after watching Costello today.... I warn him to safe-guard what integrity he has left. He is risking himself by doing what he is doing.... and undoing anything he prides himself on.

Keith the thing I am trying to say is coming.... it is that the ALP is closer to the common man and anyone (which includes myself) who trys to remain objective - A political or neutral is drawn in over humanitarian socio-economic sustainable development issues. I mean it is hard to remain autonomous and especially for those with any depth working in all areas of the media. Moral wellbeing is always difficult to defend because to be moral... there is the same traps as being extreme right.... which is why the middle sail is so hard to voyage.

Truth vs everthing else ...... vs power vs LIFE?

We need politicians who look to Australian's welfare, our security, our place in the world. And we need politicians who do their duty with dignity and honour.
Not with one eye on the ratings system.

in the words of Queensland Liberal Senator George Brandis, the lying rodent is now giving out the bribes to re-elect him, trouble is the public have seen this act too many times before, and are not buying it this time.

I really just wanted to applaud the author's title, very good and raised a big smile here. Thank you writer dear.

Then Spider came and sat down beside her. This post of Spidey's

"Any person involved in politics who allows themselves to be associated with criminals such as Burke, are only writing to story of their own demise and in the case where they lead a party, possibly pull down all of those around them.

The Liberal politician who enjoyed meetings with Burke should also offer is resignation from parliament. People like Burke never have innocent meetings with politicians of influence. These politicians know this and if they are too naive to, then they should not hold such influential positions.",

would seem to exclude all current MP's. I couldn't agree more with the sentiment Spidey, all members who "make deals" should not hold public office except perhaps sefl appointeed guardian of cell block X.

I should point out though that naive isn't the right word. The term "with eyes wide open" is more applicable, they do know what they do, just hope to not get caught.

miacat

I was hoping for a much broader view of things so that some change might be bought about.

Sadly the challenge is too difficult to rise to...eh?

Erm - it appears that both ant and Mr Gerrit H Schorel-Hlavka have been taken in by one of the earlier Internet hoax e-mails. I understand that this one's been floating around since at least 1994, and originally referred to members of the US Congress. Subsequent versions referred to MPs in India, Canada and the UK, and to members of various American footbal and baseball teams.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/congress.asp

Good book Peter, well done.

Even Peter Costello has now told the truth about little John when he was the treasurer. The lunatic Hillsong cult must have the capacity to turn the truth on and off.