Quick catch-up

For those waiting to hear the next installment of Utegate, the most ridiculous political scandal currently playing out in the English-speaking world, I come bearing Developments.

For those who need a quick catch-up, the Prime Minister and Treasurer were accused of cronyism in the treatment of a used-car dealer. Both the Prime Minister and Treasurer denied all wrong doing in Parliament.

The 'evidence' against them came in two parts, the first a series of communications from the Treasurer to Treasury asking that the car dealer be helped to gain finance as part of a government scheme. The second was an alleged email that had apparently been sent from the Prime Minister's Office to Mr Godwin Grech, a senior Treasury Official. Last Friday, Mr Grech gave evidence to a Senate committee saying that he recalled the email had been sent to him, though he could not produce it.

If true, this would have meant that both the PM and Treasurer had misled parliament and they would have been forced to resign their positions.

Over the past week, the two accused have maintained their innocence. The businessman who allegedly benefitted from the favour has declared that he received no special treatment, and indeed sought none (In what one of our best political commentators called the first time on record that a politician has sought a character reference from a used car salesman.)

Meanwhile, the email that could not be produced was found, and nearly as quickly found to be an obvious fake. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition, who had been running around the country declaring: 'The Prime Minister should resign! The Treasurer should resign!', was discovered to be an acqaintance of Mr Godwin Grech and Mr Grech was found to be a former advisor to one of the senior Opposition parliamentarians.

As yet, no one has called for Mr Grech to resign, however, the government has been quick to suggest that the Leader of the Opposition might like to.

Confused? Aren't we all. If you're desperately keen, check out The 7.30 Report (click on the first two links containing the word Turnbull in the right hand panel, be warned that the second link will take you to two comedians, neither of whom is actually Malcolm Turnbull, the Leader of the Opposition, though both of whom would probably have had a better week in politics if they were.) The longer report has a lovely wrap-up of the week in parliament, showcasing the high level of debate in Canberra, including Wayne Swan's 'Of course they weren't all dealt with by me, you moron.' There is no order in the House.

In happier news, Russell Broadbent is a bloody champion. He and a small number of other Liberal party members broke ranks to vote with the government to change a law that allows the Immigration Services to charge refugees that they detain for their board and food. It was a stupid and heartless law, and one that it is good to see the end of. There are no jokes to be made on this topic, only relief that sense has finally prevailed.

Meanwhile, HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the 24th to astarael02 ! I apologise for being distracted, and hope you had a fabulous one! And happy birthday for yesterday to zumapi , if that is your birthday rather than just your lj's. Either way, welcome to the flist, sorry about the madness!

Quick catch-up

For those waiting to hear the next installment of Utegate, the most ridiculous political scandal currently playing out in the English-speaking world, I come bearing Developments.

For those who need a quick catch-up, the Prime Minister and Treasurer were accused of cronyism in the treatment of a used-car dealer. Both the Prime Minister and Treasurer denied all wrong doing in Parliament.

The 'evidence' against them came in two parts, the first a series of communications from the Treasurer to Treasury asking that the car dealer be helped to gain finance as part of a government scheme. The second was an alleged email that had apparently been sent from the Prime Minister's Office to Mr Godwin Grech, a senior Treasury Official. Last Friday, Mr Grech gave evidence to a Senate committee saying that he recalled the email had been sent to him, though he could not produce it.

If true, this would have meant that both the PM and Treasurer had misled parliament and they would have been forced to resign their positions.

Over the past week, the two accused have maintained their innocence. The businessman who allegedly benefitted from the favour has declared that he received no special treatment, and indeed sought none (In what one of our best political commentators called the first time on record that a politician has sought a character reference from a used car salesman.)

Meanwhile, the email that could not be produced was found, and nearly as quickly found to be an obvious fake. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition, who had been running around the country declaring: 'The Prime Minister should resign! The Treasurer should resign!', was discovered to be an acqaintance of Mr Godwin Grech and Mr Grech was found to be a former advisor to one of the senior Opposition parliamentarians.

As yet, no one has called for Mr Grech to resign, however, the government has been quick to suggest that the Leader of the Opposition might like to.

Confused? Aren't we all. If you're desperately keen, check out The 7.30 Report (click on the first two links containing the word Turnbull in the right hand panel, be warned that the second link will take you to two comedians, neither of whom is actually Malcolm Turnbull, the Leader of the Opposition, though both of whom would probably have had a better week in politics if they were.) The longer report has a lovely wrap-up of the week in parliament, showcasing the high level of debate in Canberra, including Wayne Swan's 'Of course they weren't all dealt with by me, you moron.' There is no order in the House.

In happier news, Russell Broadbent is a bloody champion. He and a small number of other Liberal party members broke ranks to vote with the government to change a law that allows the Immigration Services to charge refugees that they detain for their board and food. It was a stupid and heartless law, and one that it is good to see the end of. There are no jokes to be made on this topic, only relief that sense has finally prevailed.

Meanwhile, HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the 24th to astarael02 ! I apologise for being distracted, and hope you had a fabulous one! And happy birthday for yesterday to zumapi , if that is your birthday rather than just your lj's. Either way, welcome to the flist, sorry about the madness!

With due respect to ...

... those of you who are mourning him, I am probably going to bite the next person who tells me that Michael Jackson was a revolutionary figure in the fight for equality by African Americans. I hasten to add that this has so far been three in real life and double the number of media foik: my flist has been a bastion of sanity.

Aesthetic irony aside, it belittles genuine revolutionary figures. And I am not even talking about political giants like Dr King; there were many entertainers who walked a far more difficult path earlier and with more grace and charity, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Robeson, Josephine Baker, Sammy Davis Jnr and Nina Simone.

I'm all for people loving the heroes they choose, but I would love a bit of perspective at times like these. And perhaps a little sense of history.

Flistees who are just missing the singing and dancing, I apologise for intruding on your sad day. 

With due respect to ...

... those of you who are mourning him, I am probably going to bite the next person who tells me that Michael Jackson was a revolutionary figure in the fight for equality by African Americans. I hasten to add that this has so far been three in real life and double the number of media foik: my flist has been a bastion of sanity.

Aesthetic irony aside, it belittles genuine revolutionary figures. And I am not even talking about political giants like Dr King; there were many entertainers who walked a far more difficult path earlier and with more grace and charity, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Robeson, Josephine Baker, Sammy Davis Jnr and Nina Simone.

I'm all for people loving the heroes they choose, but I would love a bit of perspective at times like these. And perhaps a little sense of history.

Flistees who are just missing the singing and dancing, I apologise for intruding on your sad day.