How big is the story really?

Anybody could if they were really interested Google the subject. The facts are on the web. And I quote:

"The story, by the ABC's Hayden Cooper, reported that Nicola Roxon had written to tobacco industry executives in 2005 (6 years ago) asking for $1,500 for a seat at a fund-raising dinner. According to
Cooper, "In 2005, in Opposition, she wrote to 3 executives from
Philip Morris, asking for them to support her re-election by attending a $1,500 a table fund-raiser. The new MP, Peter Garrett, was the star attraction."

So lets look at the facts:

1) The letter was sent 6 years ago.
2) There was no cover up.
3) Roxon immediately admiited the letter was sent,
owned up to being embarrassed by it, but also
confirmed that -

a) No tobacco reps. attended and no money was donated.
b) Repeat - no money was donated.

And there is no undue influence as Roxon is trying to implement
the world's toughest cigarette packaging laws.

This is a non-story. Unfortunately the media tends to prefer empty
political spin and news that will sell newspapers instead of writing a story of a Minister trying to implement legislation that will save lives.

BTW: the ALP has not accepted tobacco donations since 2004. The same
can't be said for the Opposition.

Lexi in all truth!Honestly!
A very lot of the anti Labor tripe is just as unfounded as this.And knowingly so.
A very real danger is that those forces such as the greens, supporting such dribble are condemning those left of center to conservative government.
No wish to insult you Sonofglion, I just do not think you have the understanding/Balance, or intention to make discussions between us Worth while.

well put lexie
now can you reply
how much big medicine gave the labratters party?
[or how much they gave to the libs/greens..independants

it sems we need to know
WHO IS BRIBING
[sorry 'investing'
..in giving parties money

those getting green subsidies
or fuel subsidies
or drug subsidies

for that matter how much the home insulation given to the parties
or how much the unions give..it sems we give these FOOLS..too much licence to give govt money handouts...

these people CAN MAKE LAWS
to whom much is given
much is expected

WHO IS GIVING PARTIES SO MUCH?
that govts give them so much?

seems if you got a thousand dollar plate
you can get at the member who gives you our cash..

6 years ago so what?
once a thief allways a thief
REGARDLESS OF WHO YOUR PARTY IS

6 years ago she loved them
today she HATES THEM?....

how much have..those sHE STILL LOVES
given her or gher party...[it sems an important issue]

when can we remind people that party loyalty
is for sale at a price..except when the issue becomes news

[we would have loved to remid people
about sir joe petterson...but were ASKED not at his funeral
please dont do it cause hes sick

when it was juring his reign
it was dont dare ask

then when peter beaty cleaned out the archives
[after being his lawyer at the sir joe trial]
even the labrats reniged on their policy

the nats simply took over the labratters party
with their yopung nats...and got rid of tom burns
then bill hayden...and the party muggins never even noticed

Belly you are, as most are, comfortable in the knowledge that their detractors hold opposing thoughts or ideologies. As I have said many times I am by definition a social democrat, but like Faulkner, Richardson, and a generation of Labor politicians and supporters who call a spade a spade see nothing except incompetence and self serving ideological and political actions emanating from the current leadership.

That you defend their actions and outcomes at the cost of our national financial and physical security exhibits that you are a Labor stooge first and an Australian citizen second.

Dear OUG,

You can Google the subject for yourself.
There's nothing stopping you.
This thread is about the "non-story" on
Julia Roxon and tobacco.

Dear SOG,

Watched the news lately? It looks like interesting times in politics
ahead. We probably know very little of what's really going on
behind the scenes at present and who's pulling the strings on both sides of politics. I guess we'll have to wait and see what develops
as the days go by. It makes me wonder though - who in their right mind would ever go in for that job. Idealists or con men? Probably
a bit of both. Right?