Radio Australia Today Editorial
Fraud, Forgery, Fake. We have a good ol’ scandal.
23 June 2009
I thought the Australian prime minister had to know something we didn’t. When he went on any media that would listen yesterday and repeatedly claimed that the email at the root of the so-called OzCar scandal was a fraud, a fake, a forgery, he had to be absolutely sure that he was right. If the email turned up and was found to not to be a fraud, a fake, and a forgery, then it could have been argued that his position as prime minister was untenable. (To recap, the email was alleged to have come from the PM’s office and was supposed to be asking for favoritism for a car dealer known to the PM).
In making his strong statement about the fakery of the email, the PM was, in essence, placing his future in the hands of the people who assured him that the email was a fake. Probably to his relief, the federal police confirmed later that the email was a fake, and didn’t come from the prime minister’s office.
Even so, the PM must’ve known that he was taking a risk. No-one can ever be 100% sure of the loyalty of every single person in his office, especially in an office that at times has seen some fiery exchanges. As it worked out, the risk paid off. His name has been cleared. His office has been cleared. The email was a fraud, a fake, a forgery.
This takes us back to Malcolm Turnbull, the Opposition leader. He is the one left with the mess, or, as the Melbourne Herald Sun puts it: in a Car Wreck.
Malcolm Turnbull has shown his inexperience in political leadership. He believed what he read in the papers. He started making demands for the PM and the Trasurer to resign over an email that was a fake. He was taken in, like the reporter who wrote the original story. Experienced politicians do not jump onto easy bandwagons. They check their facts, think about where the rook is positioned, then go for their checkmate. Malcolm Turnbull clearly thought the chessboard was laid out for him, and he jumped in yelling Check! before he saw that the defence was pretty solid and the Queen loomed on his left.
One thing’s for sure, he’ll not make the same mistake again, and he’ll be a better leader for it.
If he survives this.
– Phil
Ian Munro
"...I am so sick of all politicians. The Opposition seem to forget that their charter is to make sure legislation is legal and in the Countries interest, not block legislation just because you don't like the Government. A pox on both houses..."
john
"...You've gotta sympathise with Peter Costello -- he resigns days before the opposition leader blasts a 12-guage hole in his foot leaving the opposition party limping lamely. Like him or not Costello stands like a beacon now...."
David
"...i am not so familiar with the Australian Constitution. If, let's say if the email was found out as real, could there be something like ' impreachment of Kevin Rudd' ?..."
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