MFC:
"Hows the piggerys going??"
Paul Keating did some dodgy dealing and ripped off an ex-business partner. He used his postion as treasurer, prime minister and an ex-prime minister to make money and later cover up the mess...not with much success as he was found out. What he did was wrong and typical of most powerful politicians. I have no idea how much this cost the tax payer but zero dollars springs to mind. I feel sorry for the ex-partner who lost a substantial amount of money.
I havevery little timefor Bob Hawke because he has been in recent years using his position as ex-PM to enhance his investments in Burma where human rights violations are adaily occuarance.
How bout Richo??
Graham Richardson was a snake. He was caught red handed using his position as Minister to have easy access to prostitutes and parties. Apart from that he is just your typical dodgy politician.
However, there are two good things about Graham Ricahrdson.
Firstly, he is a St George supporter who used his position as Immigration Minister tohelpGraeme Langlands out of the Philippines so he could have a back operation in Australia.
Secondly, Richardson was 'honest' enough to say that polticians are liars.
Qld Liberal Senator George Brandis, in his speech to the young Liberals (Jan 2001) said this:
"Graham Richardson summed it up with brutal frankness when, a few years ago, he gave his political autobiography the title "Whatever it Takes". The revelations we have recently heard before the Shepherdson Inquiry surprised no one who is close to politics. That is simply the way the Labor Party does business. That is not to say that there are not undesirables on our side of politics... undoubtedly there are. But there is a qualitative difference between that, and the culture of pervasive and institutionalised dishonesty which characterises our opponents. That culture of institutionalised dishonesty - that win at all costs mentality... heedless of legality, heedless of morality, heedless of truth... bears a direct relationship to the intellectual vacuum of which I have spoken. "
That was over a year ago. Quite clearly he believes that all pollies are subject to being dodgy but he singles out the Labor party as being controlled by 'institutionalised dishonesty' and that they are 'heedless of morality'...He can be excused for being biased, being a Qld Liberal and all. I'd say most Liberal voters agree with him and would consider Richo'sbuying ofprostitutes to beexamples of this vacuum of 'all thing good'.
I wonder what the good senator would say now given current revelations.We have amorally bankrupt Governer General (appointed and supported by the PM),a financiallyinept Treasurer anda PMwhose involvement in the'children overboard' affair must cast a shadow over this 'culture of morality' that the Liberal senator holds so dear.
"How else can we make comparisions unless we use the past?"
I totally agree. Thats why Peter Costello should at the very least have his job on the line. I've never heard of a Treasurer losing that many billions before but I am aware of a number of ministers and back benchers (form both sides of politics) losing their jobs for doing less.
"Do people honestly believe that labor pollies have never been done in for making bad (or even worse, corrupt) decisions???"
Can't help you there mate. I know that you probably said this because you have had, as you say, half an hours sleep.
Hope you've had more by the time you read this.
I get the impression that you believe Labor voters are so stupid because they keep voting for Labor come rain, hail or shine. While on the other hand, you voted Liberal because you are a swinging voter. From where I'm sitting, you seem to bringing up the past to support your own right wing perspective on the world. Don't get me wrong, its a perfectly valid way to conduct a debate. However, you also have to be prepared for others to use the same method and therefore come up with an opposite view.
I'm not here to question your voting preference, far from it. Myself, I wont vote unless there is someone who has a policy I agree with. I know thats illegal in Australia but stuff it...I don't personally see the point in voting for someone just because I have to.
Hope you caught up on a bit of lost snooze...