Who would have thought that this would ever have been said about an Australian Prime Minister:

The lawyer of the man accused of raping a woman in an office in Parliament House has called Morrison’s apology to the accuser an "absolute disgrace", and has advised that the PM has "no authority" to make the apology, and has abrogated and ignored the presumption of innocence; has ignored and disrespected the function of the courts, and has "no respect for the rule of law".

As for the alternative to Morrison: well Albo can't seem to get enough of being photographed and grinning with the accuser who, incidentally, is not a 'victim' until she is proved to be one in the courts.

Given the Prime Minister's actions in Parliament (he has a history of jumping the gun: Obdeid, SAS soldiers), and the performance of the two "hate-filled harridans" being cheered on by the baying press mob at a Press Conference, there's not much chance of a fair trial for the accused, especially as there is no trial by judge alone in the ACT.

What a sorry state Australian has become.

Do I really think that the head of ASIO would be party to a "timed announcement" contribution to electioneering?

Probably not but Dutton could certainly time his remarks to line up with what he expected the ASIO chief to say.

It's nothing new in politics. I remember how the arrest of Craig Thomson dramatically happened during Tony Abbott's big Media event and how the (Liberal Party member) Victorian Police Chief unneccessarily sent a couple of detectives to NSW, alerted the media and kept them waiting "for no apparent reason" but until the time was just right. I also recall how Abbott disappeared from our screens for a couple of weeks afterward - he reacted badly to his Botox treatment.

Politics is a circus, managed by spin merchants, focus groups and lobbyists. Staged photo opportunities, building cubby houses, ukuleles and cooking curries are all about contrived image-making and not just happy coincidences.

If, and it is likely, China has expansionist desires in our region their objectives can be better served with a Coalition government in Canberra. The Coalition cuts aid to the Pacific nations, a loss for Australia and a win for China. Menacing talk from people like Dutton gives the Chinease an excuse to counter with military measures. South Korea and to a lesser extent Japan and India are concerned about Australia's hollow belligerent attitude towards China, it's not serving their interests.

I don't know that Craig Thomson can be compared with China, Rache. We all know what goes on prior to elections, most of it lies and rubbish from all contestants, few if any of them worthy of our attention or votes. But, China is a 'clear and present danger' as the Yanks say, not to be compared with rubbish on fast trains and what a twat the PM is. I say China, because what other country could it possibly be? Some people have speculated on who the 'wealthy, deeply rooted in Australia with connections to the "mystery" country' is, but they can't speak the name. I think most of us have a pretty good idea.

No. I don’t think this is about electioneering or politics at all. The China threat is of great concern to both sides of politics and all of us. If there is no bipartisanship on China - and I believe that there is - we are in big, big trouble.

I don't think it's a good idea for Peter Dutton
to be making comments like he did and playing
into China's hands by presenting an appearance
of a disunified Australia. We don't need to be
fighting amongst ourselves and playing politics
at this time. It makes us appear weak.

Hi Foxy,

Dutton is extremely dangerous, he is using foreign policy to drive his personal domestic political ambitions. As I understand it Dutton and Morrison are hardly on speaking terms. Dutton is trying to set Morrison up for a fall, either before the election, which is highly unlikely, should Morrison fail to win, or be returned with a narrow victory, Dutton will make his move at some stage.