The Gerard Thing
I haven't passed any comment on the Robert Gerard issue thus far for one major reason. I heard a quote a while back from a journo - I can't remember who, or where, but I think it was quite perceptive. He said that if politicians want to complain about being made to look like clowns in the media, they shouldn't spend all their time performing stunts.
In the end, the Robert Gerard issue is basically that - a stunt. It's an extremely well executed stunt - ironically, possibly some of the most effective work from the Opposition in some time - but ultimately, you have to ask yourself: why? And why now?
Undoubtedly, the past fortnight has been one of the most significant in Australian legislative history. Would it have been better to bring the Gerard issue up in the new year, when parliament is dealing with a backlog of dull and non-controversial legislation? As Costello himself pointed out, the information has been in the public domain for several years. This fortnight, of all fortnights, was one in which the Opposition could have distinguished itself by drawing attention to the extreme nature of the legislation that is being passed. The majority of Australians probably don't even know what's been passed, or how it will effect them. Nor will they remember a thing about Gerard within a month's time.
Obviously, the intent of the Gerard issue was to attack the credibility of Peter Costello as a treasurer, and by extension, as a potential party leader. But again, what good is this for the Labor Party? The effect has been to push Costello to finally set aside a leadership challenge. Though the `Vote for Howard, get Costello' line used for the 2004 election has been roundly criticised (not the least by the ALP itself), it was based on sound research. People just don't like Costello, and the ALP have a far, far better chance of winning against him than against Howard.
I don't know. The whole thing just gave me the impression of a sideshow. Perhaps it was Piers Akerman praising Wayne Swan's `sterling performance' on Insiders this week that confirmed my suspicions ...
3 Comments:
oakley sunglasses cheap, ugg boots clearance, oakley sunglasses, polo ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton handbags, cheap uggs, michael kors outlet online sale, uggs, rolex watches, tory burch outlet, burberry outlet, prada outlet, oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet, air max, louis vuitton, louis vuitton outlet, louboutin, louis vuitton outlet stores, burberry outlet, ugg outlet, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp handbags, nike free, michael kors outlet, tiffany and co, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, gucci outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, polo ralph lauren, louboutin shoes, chanel handbags, nike shoes, jordan shoes, michael kors outlet, oakley sunglasses, kate spade outlet, christian louboutin, longchamp handbags, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, uggs outlet, tiffany and co, ray ban sunglasses, prada handbags
nfl jerseys, ferragamo shoes, beats by dre, jimmy choo outlet, air max, gucci, converse shoes, vans, insanity workout, reebok outlet, hollister clothing store, lululemon outlet, wedding dresses, herve leger, giuseppe zanotti, asics running shoes, ray ban, air max, new balance shoes, soccer jerseys, timberland boots, instyler, iphone cases, hollister, ghd, oakley, vans shoes, celine handbags, longchamp, mac cosmetics, bottega veneta, p90x, nike huaraches, mcm handbags, mont blanc, north face outlet, chi flat iron, nike trainers, nike roshe run, abercrombie and fitch, valentino shoes, birkin bag, converse, louboutin, baseball bats, babyliss pro, abercrombie, north face jackets, ralph lauren, soccer shoes
sac louis vuitton, marc jacobs, canada goose, michael kors outlet online, supra shoes, moncler outlet, michael kors handbags, ugg, michael kors outlet, barbour, swarovski, moncler, moncler, rolex watches, louis vuitton, canada goose, louis vuitton, doke gabbana, ugg, canada goose, toms shoes, montre homme, moncler, wedding dresses, juicy couture, karen millen, canada goose, thomas sabo, moncler, barbour, ugg boots, juicy couture outlet, pandora charms, canada goose outlet, moncler, coach outlet store online, canada goose uk, ugg pas cher, moncler, sac lancel, pandora jewelry, swarovski crystal, sac louis vuitton, moncler, pandora charms, canada goose, hollister, links of london, pandora jewelry, louis vuitton uk, canada goose jackets, ugg
Post a Comment
<< Home