The short term motivation of Labor and FWA has been to delay the prosecution of Craig Thomson so as to prevent the loss of one crucial seat in the lower house.

The short term gain is almost certainly going to come with long term pain, as the member for Dobell faces criminal investigation and charges. While the PM and cabinet are presently suffering in polls from a voter lack of trust, a slow grinding reminder of Labor corruption, cover up, and sleaze is sure to torpedo any rehabilitation of the Labor brand.

When Julia Gillard asks "Who do you trust?" She won't like the answer.

SM, it will be as you say, if one important alleged fact is true.

If Mr. Thompsin is guilty as you obviously believe, without a charge or conviction, it may reflect badly on the PM.

If it is found he is innocence, the Opposition will have egg on it's face.

This is why we believe in the presumption of innocence.

It is to allow due process.

There is a possible reason that the enquiry has taken the length of time it has.

It could be firstly that it is not a open and shut case. Secondly it could be that the FWA investigation has unearth much more important and serious breaches of the law beyond the allegations against Mr. Thompson.

The allegations made against Mr. Thompson could be questionable.

Just to make it clear. I AM NOT DEFENDING OR SAYING MR THOMPSON IS INNOCENCE.

I am saying at this time, no one knows.

Dear Flo,

Apparently the Coalition, the Murdoch Press, and
Shadow Minister, are either privy to more information then
the rest of us or they believe in stirring the pot for their
own politican gains. Either way - "wedge politics" is the
name of their game.

I would like it explained what the sleaze factor is. That is a kangaroo court judgement, by any making.
No doubt this has come from the Abbott noalition.
The author seems to agree that there is a guilty offense, preempting any due course to be taken.
For months the noalition have trying to disrupt the workings of an independent body, and now an obvious guilty verdict has been presumed by the author.
I find the said SLEEZE factor leveled at anyone, extremely disappointing , without any proof of guilt.
The author should be disgraced for such an unprovoked attack, against an elected politician

I have no doubt the bloke is guilty.
As guilty as SM is of using any and every thing to slander the ALP.
I am bound to defend unionism, not in this case.
No union should be charged with so many faults.
But the FWA is an independent body,no one should control its deliberations or out comes.
Much of what SM says is unproven, manufactured.
And know, much of what this opposition is saying is just the same.
However in defending any one who is found guilty we would be betraying every member of this union.

Of course everyone is making a kangaroo judgment.
What else could be expected after such a delay followed after a lot
of embarrassing obscuration, refusal to co-operate with police and now
to top it off delivery to the prosecution office of a jumble of
documents and no legal brief.

Not even Sir Humphrey could have done as well !

And you wonder why people are skeptical !