Things certainly appear to be in a bit of a mess
and unfortunately political attacks
as exemplified by both Malcolm
Turnbull and Julie Bishop's recent over-the-top rants
only demean their own positions and smack of desperation.

If rules are going to be applied here they should be
applied to all. Barnaby Joyce should at least have had
enough class to step down until the High Court made its
decision. A bad example is being shown here.

However, perhaps a lesson will be learned from all this.
One can only hope. Something needs to be done to ensure
that this does not happen again.

Penny Wong should resign. She is accountable for the actions of her senior staff, chief of staff Marcus Ganley. She cannot escape by claiming that she was unaware.

"Penny Wong up to her neck in it

The Foreign Affairs [Minister] took aim at Senator Wong this morning after it was revealed her chief of staff Marcus Ganley had spoken to the New Zealand Labour MP whose questions to the NZ Parliament sparked the probe into Mr Joyce’s citizenship status.

“Today we find that Penny Wong was up to her neck in it,” Ms Bishop told Sky News.

“She orchestrated what New Zealand Labour themselves call wrong and unacceptable conduct — conduct that should never have happened..

“And this wrong and unacceptable that should never have happened was instigated by Penny Wong using a New Zealand member of Parliament to ask questions in the New Zealand Parliament was clearly designed to undermine the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and undermine confidence in the Australian government.”

Ms Bishop said it “beggars belief” that Senator Wong had not know that her chief of staff was contacting a sitting NZ Labour MP."

This is a shocking breach of protocol and Joyce's rights. Particularly so where it impinges as it must on the case that is already set for hearing by Australia's High Court.

Foxy,

" Something needs to be done to ensure
that this does not happen again"

Something will be done; all future aspirins MsP will make sure of their status!!

And that, folks, is why you should never post a comment using your phone.

#Autocorrectfail

"The highest court in the land... is now being asked to determine whether stupidity or dereliction is an excuse under the Constitution..." (Simon Benson)

Dirty pool,

SMH, "Penny Wong's chief of staff sparked NZ Labour's questioning of Barnaby Joyce"

Penny Wong should resign.