ROB Oakeshott intervened in a government investigation on behalf of a campaign donor accused of dumping thousands of tonnes of contaminated waste.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/oakeshott-intervened-for-campaign-donor-in-toxic-waste-dumping-case/story-fn6tcs23-1225954661458

Since Rob Oakeshott effectively defied the wishes of electorate and supported Labor, the intense spotlight of the media has focused on him and his exploits.

What has emerged from this scrutiny is certainly the appearance that his personal interests take priority over those of his electorate.

I hope that he has the good grace to resign.

Shadow Minister seems to think that only the Labor party is involved in undesirable actions, of course people who are party fanatics will always point at the other party, even if their own wonderful party is also involved in the same practice. We might again some day get a party with integrity, intelligence and loyalty, but it is hard with the news media not being responsible to that idea, they have chosen their "god" as well, haven't they.

This is why we need either CIR, to abolish or recraft the states, and reform the structure of state governmence- all to possibly break up this corruption that has clearly permeated our state through and through.

Interesting twist on the situation, merv09.

>>Shadow Minister seems to think that only the Labor party is involved in undesirable actions, of course people who are party fanatics will always point at the other party, even if their own wonderful party is also involved in the same practice<<

Ahem. I think you might find that Mr Oakeshott stood as an independent candidate. So, good sharp volley of grapeshot, but in entirely the wrong direction.

As far as I could tell from the report, Mr Oakeshott's position is that he was acting on behalf of a constituent in a complex dispute.

The accusation is that he was going into bat for an individual who had supported his campaign financially, while the rest of the electorate suffered.

And I am absolutely sure, given the source of the article, the latter is the view the journalist would like us to adopt - hence Shadow Minister's spray, right on cue.

The interesting aspect, though, is that there is no Party machine available to discipline Mr O, or to rebut the allegations with any kind of privileged understanding. So it is entirely up to his own sense of honour to decide whether he has overstepped the mark or not.

That is, however, one of the rarest of qualities, in any politician, of any stripe or flavour.

The political arena is rife with this sort of stuff, but facts can be distorted by both sides of politics for the purpose of muckraking.

According to SM's link, Mr Oakeshott is prepared to answer to his critics on this accusation. Maybe we should wait and see what the facts are on this one, then make a judgement. The comment at the end of the article from a local PM resident is also interesting.

Oakeshott sided with Labor so it is only to be expected he, along with Tony Windsor, will cop a hiding from the Coaltion, while politicians like Bob Katter can continue unscathed and uncensored. Governments should be held accountable by the voters and the opposition, but lets not kid ourselves that it is an ethical principle at stake, it is just more of the same old politics.

http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/08/18/barry-ofarrell-sticks-his-neck-out-on-donations-reform/

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/08/06/big-tobacco-not-just-in-liberal-pockets-crikey-reveals-the-labor-links/

Support followed by lucrative job offers post-parliamentary service in some cases.

Pericles,

There are a number of issues with this that are dodgy:

1 - Rob Oakeshott has tens of thousands of constituents, of which the Birden group (who helped fund and run his campaign) is but one. Most of his constituents' lives are not enhanced by having tens of thousands of tonnes of contaminated waste dumped in their area. Whom is he representing?

2 - Rob's "meeting" with the EPA's star witness convinced him not to "agitate" further contributing to the EPA's case collapsing.

3 - There is no sign of Rob O putting any pressure whatsoever on Birden to clean up the waste.

Rob Oakeshott has not denied any of this and looks set to brazen it out.

Please feel free to point out where my interpretation is wrong.

Merv,

As there is very little evidence of Liberal MPs compromising themselves, but almost weekly scandals with Labor MPs, either Labor is far more corrupt, or simply stupid enough to get caught.

Perhaps you could enlighten me as to recent scandals with Liberal MPs, as I can't seem to recall any.