Belly,

"I am quite sure immovably sure, the intention has not been justice. It has been bringing down a government. This man, not yet found guilty , yet, is but fodder."

No kidding! If Thomson was not key to Juliar's government, I am sure she would have cut him loose in an instant. But she is here defending him, and labor is trying to stop him being prosecuted and going bankrupt. Their involvement has sunk Juliar up to the neck in sleaze.

It is the most perfect wedge, Juliar can maintain government or credibility, not both. And don't believe for an instant that Labor would not do the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

Hardly true Sm. No one stoops as low as the Coalition. When it comes to exploiting parliamentary and legislative process. They have a history of it.

It is definitely true that the precedents for the low acts in Australian politics, have some star Coalition players, like Joe Bjelke and Sir Robert Askin, even John Howard with children overboard, GST, and Worchoices, and in the tradition of the Coalition, today we see Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott promoting xenophobia over a few boat people, for political gain, promoting climate change scepticism, threatening economic disruption of the nation unless they can have power, whilst acting on behalf of cronies and corporate buddies when it comes to the regulatory environments and taxation system.

A proud history is it not ?. Labor might be low enough to be focus group driven today, but the Coalition could crawl under a snakes belly, with a top hat on, SM.

"children overboard, GST, and Worchoices"

Interesting list
- children overboard, either a deliberate lie or gross failure to check the facts.
- GST, an announced policy taken to the electorate during the preceding election. No subsequent changes in the rate despite scare campaigns about that. You may not like the GST but in terms of "low acts" it's not a contender.
- Workchoices, a comment on the ABC last night "For many economists, the unsung hero of the global financial crisis was WorkChoices, the system in place for much of the worldwide recession." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-29/business-industry-bodies-urge-workplace-law-review/2861268 It wasn't put to the electorate at the preceding election and deserves a thumbs down on that basis.

R0bert

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/sa-liberal-senator-probed-on-use-of-chauffeur-driven-cars/story-fn59niix-1226124867815
The bloke has not been charged.
We should not judge him yet.
And understand most federal politicians like this are not convicted.
Too that Conservatives in trouble have white wash in instant spray on 44 gallon drums.
Any comments?
It is no use in defaming Labor so some will wait until a chance to target them comes up?

Belly from the article you referenced "But fellow Liberal senators were angry with Senator Edwards, including several who witnessed the incident last week after he had made his maiden speech."

The Lib's have protected their own in the past but nothing I'm seeing currently looks remotely like what's going on with Thomson.

Not sure what consequences apply to the misuse of Comcars, time will tell what's done about it. Hopefully he will will be given a very big wake up call.

Mary Jo Fisher has been charged and will as I understand it face court. If the claims I've seen are true her case is about an isolated incident which occurred in the context of depression, not a justification but quite different to the allegations against Thomson and no sign of party involvement to try and protect her from the consequences.

There is an old piece on Crikey about Qld Labor under Beattie which sum's up what we've come to expect from too many of our pollies

http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/07/16/crikey-says-43/
The changes of laws about misleading parliament to protect Gordon Nuttall perhaps being the jewel in the crown (although not mentioned in the article the standing joke about cabinet papers was probably the next best).

R0bert

The longer this scandal peculates, the more sordid details come to light.

Not only did Thomson "suddenly remember" to declare payments from the Labor party, just as they were exposed by newspapers, but the Labor party "forgot" to declare the $80 000 worth of free rental they received from the HSU.

From this it would appear that Labor and the unions feel that the law only applies to other people. Both appear fundamentally corrupt.

Belly, as far as your comment on Thomson is concerned "The bloke has not been charged. We should not judge him yet." I am afraid the horse has bolted. What has been exposed is a Labor / union cover up trying to protect Thomson from facing due process.

There is so much damning evidence against the grub that his explanations and protestations of innocence are beyond belief.