Pericles

The AWB in my opinion was just another intimate gentlemen's club where the code of ethical business conduct and adherence to the financial and trade sanctions was the last thing on their minds. The saga is now another shameful part of history where the federal government failed to take action. And wasn't Mr Flugge the gentleman employed for a $1 million to stamp out corruption in Iraq?

The masses may be forgiven once for allowing themselves to be duped. When corruption in governments occurs a second time with the same players, then we, the masses, are indeed an ill-informed lot.

The tentacles of Burke and Grill in WA have not only permeated every industry type in WA including commercial and industrial property development, the hazardous waste industry and mining to name a few but their connections are now having ramifications for federal politicians whose protests are a repeat of the "school boys" protests we've recently had in WA - "Wasn't me Miss - I didn't do it!"

These industry lobbyists have again been permitted to arrogantly strut our corridors of parliament, dangling carrots and colluding with ministers for personal gain.

During the WA Inc. days, Mr Burke's brother, Terry was paid a "commission" of $600,000; his secretary a fee of $55,000 for "special consultations" and Mr Burke kept $100,000 in cash,in his office for "stamp" costs. That whole sorry saga saw the WA taxpayers cough up $30 million including legal costs for Mr Burke and his deputy premier.

And here we are in 2007, same government, same players offering personal bribes and rewards to ministers and bureaucrats, now resulting in the taxpayers having to again meet the costs of the Corruption and Crime Commission's investigations.

Sure, there is nothing outwardly unlawful for ministers to lunch with members of any fraternity which begs the question: "Why are these meetings conducted in a covert fashion and not officially documented by ministers and bureaucrats and why aren't community groups afforded the same privileges?"

Just appearing respectable is no longer a guarantee of honesty.

Gday Steve, No I must say I was never privy to the coroner’s report, so I’ll accept that uppercut. BUT;
I see some fantasies drifting into the horizon when you claim Labor will become the next power broker of this once great nation; Lets hope for National sake that it will never happen.

I don’t know how close to the Government Budget projections figures you are, But if Political circles were for real, I have to know why Labor- Greens – Democrats have never made mention that the “ Supposed Surpluses the government claims?
Or are indeed deficits; if my summary is correct, the government has missed Budget figures by at least between 14 to 19 billion dollars, and they still have 14 billion surplus?
When according to projected figures it ought to be @28 Billion plus.

All that tells you is how much the public is being robbed

So what economic management is it when your figures are out by 18 odd Billion, and why has there not been any other political party; not said- Mention- Questioned- No, nothing but silence about this gaping whole in Looted Funds?

I will let you in a secret, Governments do not actually set Economic terms, People do. Governments only loot the recourses of those people and produce nothing but parasites.
Labor has been in the Looting game for far too long, and has a very extensive( Expensive) congo line of Parasites. I should also mention the political corruption is but criminal in all fronts.

A royal Commission and nothing less.

When you say Bourke I assume you mean the Former Prime Minister Bourke who was the first PM to lose his seat in an election: 1929. I wonder if Maxine is still getting those death threats? So did Andrew Wilkie when he had the gall to run against Howard.

This is how the liberals operate. They are no angels, but they manage to put on their white gloves to cover the blood on their hands.

There are mirrors here where mud is flying back with karmic forces. People are not doing their homework.

All that thuggery over what? A lunch that even Ministers in this Governemt went to, and others invested money with Bourke as well.

So Costello has never been ruthless and gratuitous in his hunger for power? Last year he orchestrated a fine back stabbing to the PM wanting his position with great hunger. He has been steaming in Parliament in sour grapes ever since. Now suddenly, old grumpy wakes up, projects his greed for power to the other side of the House, screaming like a psychopath in shrieks and snarls, that Rudd has a greed for power.

Only a power hungry bastard would know how a power hungry bastard operates. Indeed, Costello is the expert on this topic. Just as this Government is the expert in corruption. They should know with their reputation.

So you want a Royal Commission? Politics has been above corruption since when?

Rememember remember V for Vandetta: the film. What was the line? Oh yes. Who do you have to blame? How did this come to this? How did this happen? All you have to do is look in the mirror. You voted for John Howard because you were too affraid not to and you dare not ask why.

A Royal Commission indeed!

If you want justice, do it in the ballot and think carefully. If you don't trust the major parties, don't vote for them. Look at all your options. The responsibility is yours, not the Crown.

I too am from the ALP camp always but I follow my NRL team too and both my party and my team get it in the neck if I think it is needed.
We are indeed the lucky country we can fight out our differences and after voting have a beer together, that is indeed luck.
But can I ask conservative voters given the state of the nation all states in ALP hands sometimes elections won despite unflattering performances could it be true this play the man tactic is proof of a deeper illness?
If ,and it looks clearly on the cards, Labor wins NSW and the federal election, your movements highest position in Australian politics will be lord mayor of somewhere or other.
Is it time for a re look at the path of conservatism in Australia?

Rudd had dinner with Burke in a prominent Perth restaraunt.
Also present were up to a dozen prominent people from both sides of the political spectrum. Hardly a venue or setting for a bit of skullduggery.
Now , can somebody tell me where Howard had his Nuclear discussion with Walker,DeCrispypants et al?

Dickie - my point isn't necessarily that I don't care, because I for one, do. It is that the electorate won't.

I do feel however, that it is a bit rich for the Howard government to be banging on about this issue when their hands are just as dirty. I would certainly choose Rudd over Howard if the issue is accountability, though neither give me much hope.

While to an extent they are as jaded as you fear, I think the more relevant view is that issues such as AWB have highlighted that it is hypocritical for the Howard Government to use this as an attack platform.