| MONTHLY NEWS - December 2007 |
| THIS IS PAGE 11 OF DECEMBER 2007 MONTHLY NEWS - MonNewsDEC11 |
BORN A BEAUTIFUL BABY - GROWING INTO AN UGLY TEENAGER
When Richard Torbay MP was appointed Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly in 2007, there were hopes,
and indeed expectations created by statements made by him, that the beautiful baby of 'parliamentary
democracy' that was entrusted into his care would be so loved and nurtured by him that it would grow into an
even more beautiful adult.
Despite this general optimism for the future, there were some who issued words of caution, like Chris Hartcher MP
who warned :
You, Mr Speaker, will be the fig leaf of democracy under which they shroud their activity. While we have the greatest hopes for you,
we do have the feeling that you are being used and eventually will end up being abused.
Unfortunately, that prophesy might turn into hard cold reality.
On the last "voting day" of parliament for 2007, without notice or warning, the government introduced changes to the Standing Orders which
will operate until 2011 (known as Sessional Orders). Those changes ultimately have the effect of reducing the community's ability, through it's
elected representatives, to hold the executive government responsive and/or accountable to it.
Despite pleas from MP's that the proposed changes "lie on the table" over the Christmas break, to enable all community representatives to
carefully consider these changes to the rules of parliamentary democracy ( MPs were only given copies of the proposed changes less than 1
hour before the debate commenced) and the debate continue on 26 February 2008, the first available future sitting day, the government
insisted the proposed modifications be voted upon immediately.
The process the government enforced on community representatives was described by Clover Moore MP thus :
This is the worst performance I have seen in 20 years.
As expected, when the vote was taken, the back-room deals done by the Labor Party, were enforced by back-room heavyweights and Labor
members (party hacks) were hammered into obeying the dictates of the party bosses. The changes, accordingly were approved by virtue of
the government's sheer weight of numbers.
It seems the once beautiful baby of parliamentary democracy in NSW is growing into a very ugly teenager.
SOURCES :
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Assistant Speakers, 8 May 2007 [ online ]
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Sessional Orders, 6 December 2007 [ online ]
When Richard Torbay MP was appointed Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly in 2007, there were hopes,
and indeed expectations created by statements made by him, that the beautiful baby of 'parliamentary
democracy' that was entrusted into his care would be so loved and nurtured by him that it would grow into an
even more beautiful adult.
Despite this general optimism for the future, there were some who issued words of caution, like Chris Hartcher MP
who warned :
You, Mr Speaker, will be the fig leaf of democracy under which they shroud their activity. While we have the greatest hopes for you,
we do have the feeling that you are being used and eventually will end up being abused.
Unfortunately, that prophesy might turn into hard cold reality.
On the last "voting day" of parliament for 2007, without notice or warning, the government introduced changes to the Standing Orders which
will operate until 2011 (known as Sessional Orders). Those changes ultimately have the effect of reducing the community's ability, through it's
elected representatives, to hold the executive government responsive and/or accountable to it.
Despite pleas from MP's that the proposed changes "lie on the table" over the Christmas break, to enable all community representatives to
carefully consider these changes to the rules of parliamentary democracy ( MPs were only given copies of the proposed changes less than 1
hour before the debate commenced) and the debate continue on 26 February 2008, the first available future sitting day, the government
insisted the proposed modifications be voted upon immediately.
The process the government enforced on community representatives was described by Clover Moore MP thus :
This is the worst performance I have seen in 20 years.
As expected, when the vote was taken, the back-room deals done by the Labor Party, were enforced by back-room heavyweights and Labor
members (party hacks) were hammered into obeying the dictates of the party bosses. The changes, accordingly were approved by virtue of
the government's sheer weight of numbers.
It seems the once beautiful baby of parliamentary democracy in NSW is growing into a very ugly teenager.
SOURCES :
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Assistant Speakers, 8 May 2007 [ online ]
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Sessional Orders, 6 December 2007 [ online ]
OMG - ROB OAKESHOTT MP FRONTS ON A FRIDAY
It was with shock and amazement that we saw Rob Oakeshott MP, the member for Port Macquarie
front up in the parliamentary chamber on the last sitting day of 2007 - a Friday.
In 2007 the NSW parliament sat on 9 Fridays.
This was the first time Mr Oakeshott had fronted on a Friday in 2007.
His Friday truancy rate for 2007, previously standing at 100% ended the year at 89%.
Mr Oakeshott makes me think of a guy that comes to our lectures we refer to as " Sand Head".
Sand Head usually arrives about 10 minutes into the lecture, attired in t-shirt, broad-shorts and thongs. His blonde hair has the appearance
of one who just stepped out of the shower. He is the first to depart at the conclusion of the lecture. He is never seen around the campus.
Anyway, he joined us at the pub after one of the exams. Sand Head is quite cute, so naturally I engaged him in conversation. In
mono-syllabilic grunts I learned he loved surfing, indeed he lived for it and spent most of the semester at the beach. He said he had "natural
ability" and somehow, as if by miracle, he always passed. He considered a mark of 52 a sign 4% too much effort had been put in. Ultimately,
he was not stressed by the fear of failure. His dad is a very well respected (and wealthy) professional man with lots of contacts. Sand Head
will "fall into a job" somewhere - whatever happens.
It was with shock and amazement that we saw Rob Oakeshott MP, the member for Port Macquarie
front up in the parliamentary chamber on the last sitting day of 2007 - a Friday.
In 2007 the NSW parliament sat on 9 Fridays.
This was the first time Mr Oakeshott had fronted on a Friday in 2007.
His Friday truancy rate for 2007, previously standing at 100% ended the year at 89%.
Mr Oakeshott makes me think of a guy that comes to our lectures we refer to as " Sand Head".
Sand Head usually arrives about 10 minutes into the lecture, attired in t-shirt, broad-shorts and thongs. His blonde hair has the appearance
of one who just stepped out of the shower. He is the first to depart at the conclusion of the lecture. He is never seen around the campus.
Anyway, he joined us at the pub after one of the exams. Sand Head is quite cute, so naturally I engaged him in conversation. In
mono-syllabilic grunts I learned he loved surfing, indeed he lived for it and spent most of the semester at the beach. He said he had "natural
ability" and somehow, as if by miracle, he always passed. He considered a mark of 52 a sign 4% too much effort had been put in. Ultimately,
he was not stressed by the fear of failure. His dad is a very well respected (and wealthy) professional man with lots of contacts. Sand Head
will "fall into a job" somewhere - whatever happens.
WASTED EFFORT ???
We went to a lot of time and trouble to prepare a schedule of the entitlements of parliamentary office holders
for the 2007 year, with particular emphasis on the entitlements of the newly created "jobs".
Unbeknown to us - we were re-inventing the wheel. Today we discovered that the information is available
in schedule style format on the NSW parliament website.
The parliamentary website presents it in xls speadsheet format . There are files going back to the 2003 year,so it
makes for ease of historical comparison.
The file for 2007 is titled:
PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES - AS FROM 1 JULY, 2007 - FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF FEDERAL DETERMINATIONS 2007/04 &
2007/08.
The historical data for the years commencing 1 July for base salary (amount paid to a back-bencher),which is used as a basis to calculate
the extra salary and expense allowance of parliamentary office holders is :
2003 - $ 102,260
2004 - $ 106,270
2005 - $ 110,650
2006 - $ 118,450
2007 - $ 126,560
SOURCES :
Salaries and Allowances for Members of the Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament website [ online ]
The Trough, November 2007 News page 23 , www.independent-nsw.com [ HERE ]
We went to a lot of time and trouble to prepare a schedule of the entitlements of parliamentary office holders
for the 2007 year, with particular emphasis on the entitlements of the newly created "jobs".
Unbeknown to us - we were re-inventing the wheel. Today we discovered that the information is available
in schedule style format on the NSW parliament website.
The parliamentary website presents it in xls speadsheet format . There are files going back to the 2003 year,so it
makes for ease of historical comparison.
The file for 2007 is titled:
PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES - AS FROM 1 JULY, 2007 - FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF FEDERAL DETERMINATIONS 2007/04 &
2007/08.
The historical data for the years commencing 1 July for base salary (amount paid to a back-bencher),which is used as a basis to calculate
the extra salary and expense allowance of parliamentary office holders is :
2003 - $ 102,260
2004 - $ 106,270
2005 - $ 110,650
2006 - $ 118,450
2007 - $ 126,560
SOURCES :
Salaries and Allowances for Members of the Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament website [ online ]
The Trough, November 2007 News page 23 , www.independent-nsw.com [ HERE ]
MORRIS - MORE FRONT PAGE COVERAGE
Heath Aston, END OF THE LINE MORRIS - It's the centrepiece of his rail plan.
And like his Government, it's a joke. Daily Telegraph, 7 December 2007. p. 1
[ online ]
The Editorial (page 38) for 7 December of the Daily Telegraph is scathing :
THE question can no longer be avoided: Can Morris Iemma's Government be trusted
with anything of importance in public administration?
What a catalogue of slapstick nonsense, chronic mismanagement and sometimes
tragic incompetence it is compiling; from the debacle of its supervision of the
hospital system, its inept "management" of welfare services, the failed
Cross City Tunnel, its serial budgetry tightrope act, the mounting fiasco of our
Harbour ferries -- it's a pretty sorry sort of record.
Now add the mother of all public policy blunders -- the "stuff- up" which ought to be
the last straw for Morris Iemma's incompetent premiership. Today, we learn that
much-vaunted Epping to Lane Cove rail link -- the Government's "master-stroke" of
infrastructure planning and development has a problem; a big problem.
The gradient on a section of the tunnel is too steep for the present generation of
rolling stock on the CityRail network. In fact, the only trains capable of safe operation
on the new link will be the superseded "S-Sets", some of which are 30 years old, and
all of which are scheduled to be phased out of service.
So there you have it -- this wonder of railway construction, this modern marvel of
urban engineering, this triumph of civil construction. What an accomplishment.
What an embarrassment. What a complete and utter disaster. The only thing that
stops it being a matter of high comedy is the fact that it's our money -- and only
our money -- that has been squandered on this monumental mistake.
And there's a postscript to add irony to the absurdity of it all. Today, Transport Minister
John Watkins is off to Rome on a study tour to look at how that great city's
underground rail system operates. Good timing, Minister.
But it's unfair of us to suggest Premier Iemma has achieved nothing this year. He did
manage to win his argument that Sydney was ready for small inner city bars and
boutique hotels -- for which we offered due acknowledgment.
It's a good thing he did prevail in that debate -- for the balance of his Government's
performance during the year would drive you to drink.
Heath Aston, END OF THE LINE MORRIS - It's the centrepiece of his rail plan.
And like his Government, it's a joke. Daily Telegraph, 7 December 2007. p. 1
[ online ]
The Editorial (page 38) for 7 December of the Daily Telegraph is scathing :
THE question can no longer be avoided: Can Morris Iemma's Government be trusted
with anything of importance in public administration?
What a catalogue of slapstick nonsense, chronic mismanagement and sometimes
tragic incompetence it is compiling; from the debacle of its supervision of the
hospital system, its inept "management" of welfare services, the failed
Cross City Tunnel, its serial budgetry tightrope act, the mounting fiasco of our
Harbour ferries -- it's a pretty sorry sort of record.
Now add the mother of all public policy blunders -- the "stuff- up" which ought to be
the last straw for Morris Iemma's incompetent premiership. Today, we learn that
much-vaunted Epping to Lane Cove rail link -- the Government's "master-stroke" of
infrastructure planning and development has a problem; a big problem.
The gradient on a section of the tunnel is too steep for the present generation of
rolling stock on the CityRail network. In fact, the only trains capable of safe operation
on the new link will be the superseded "S-Sets", some of which are 30 years old, and
all of which are scheduled to be phased out of service.
So there you have it -- this wonder of railway construction, this modern marvel of
urban engineering, this triumph of civil construction. What an accomplishment.
What an embarrassment. What a complete and utter disaster. The only thing that
stops it being a matter of high comedy is the fact that it's our money -- and only
our money -- that has been squandered on this monumental mistake.
And there's a postscript to add irony to the absurdity of it all. Today, Transport Minister
John Watkins is off to Rome on a study tour to look at how that great city's
underground rail system operates. Good timing, Minister.
But it's unfair of us to suggest Premier Iemma has achieved nothing this year. He did
manage to win his argument that Sydney was ready for small inner city bars and
boutique hotels -- for which we offered due acknowledgment.
It's a good thing he did prevail in that debate -- for the balance of his Government's
performance during the year would drive you to drink.
PRESIDENT MUGABE's 20th STATE of the NATION ADDRESS
President Mugabe of Zimbabwe delivered his 20th State of the Nation Address to the parliament of Zimbabwe on
4 December 2007.
Some people claim that with recent attacks upon parliamentary democracy in NSW, it is headed in the same direction
as that of Zimbabwe.
Still others say that the governance models of President Mugabe and Premier Morris in NSW have much in common.
SOURCES :
Zimbabwe: A New Dawn is Now on the Horizon: FULL text of the 20th State of the Nation Address delivered by President Mugabe in
Parliament The Herald ( a publication of the government of Zimbabwe) 5 December 2007 [ online ]
Mavis Makuni, Zimbabwe: Nation Not in Good Shape, Excellency, Financial Gazette (Harare), 6 December 2007 [ online ]
President Mugabe of Zimbabwe delivered his 20th State of the Nation Address to the parliament of Zimbabwe on
4 December 2007.
Some people claim that with recent attacks upon parliamentary democracy in NSW, it is headed in the same direction
as that of Zimbabwe.
Still others say that the governance models of President Mugabe and Premier Morris in NSW have much in common.
SOURCES :
Zimbabwe: A New Dawn is Now on the Horizon: FULL text of the 20th State of the Nation Address delivered by President Mugabe in
Parliament The Herald ( a publication of the government of Zimbabwe) 5 December 2007 [ online ]
Mavis Makuni, Zimbabwe: Nation Not in Good Shape, Excellency, Financial Gazette (Harare), 6 December 2007 [ online ]
RON ESDAILE PLAYS A STRAIGHT BAT
Mr Ron Esdaile wrote to the Northern Daily Leader in response to emotive and sensationalised comments made
by Peter Draper MP relating to GM crops :-
AS a semi-retired tertiary educated farmer/agronomist who worked in the grain industry for over 40 years,
I applaud the comments made by Keith Perrett (GRDC Chairman) regarding GM crop technology and
deplore the uninformed criticism by our local member Peter Draper. ("GM a millstone Draper warns'
NDL 3/12/07)
One has only to look at the recent example of GM cotton in Australia. Pesticide use down by the order of 80%. Record yields now
being achieved despite the problems with irrigation water supply. Growers have taken this technology on board and are becoming
more efficient, whilst preserving the environment at the same time.
...................
Yet we have a former airline executive attempting to dictate our agricultural systems in defiance of leading agricultural scientists.
Maybe Mr. Draper wants us to haul our grain to the elevator by horse dray, and resurrect the one-way plough from the scrap heap.
Maybe we can save the planet that way!
Letters, Local member misguided , Northern Daily Leader, 4 December 2007 [ online ]
Mr Ron Esdaile wrote to the Northern Daily Leader in response to emotive and sensationalised comments made
by Peter Draper MP relating to GM crops :-
AS a semi-retired tertiary educated farmer/agronomist who worked in the grain industry for over 40 years,
I applaud the comments made by Keith Perrett (GRDC Chairman) regarding GM crop technology and
deplore the uninformed criticism by our local member Peter Draper. ("GM a millstone Draper warns'
NDL 3/12/07)
One has only to look at the recent example of GM cotton in Australia. Pesticide use down by the order of 80%. Record yields now
being achieved despite the problems with irrigation water supply. Growers have taken this technology on board and are becoming
more efficient, whilst preserving the environment at the same time.
...................
Yet we have a former airline executive attempting to dictate our agricultural systems in defiance of leading agricultural scientists.
Maybe Mr. Draper wants us to haul our grain to the elevator by horse dray, and resurrect the one-way plough from the scrap heap.
Maybe we can save the planet that way!
Letters, Local member misguided , Northern Daily Leader, 4 December 2007 [ online ]
POLICE 2nd JOBS ARE EVERYWHERE
According to Orange's police association representative, one-third
of Orange police have a second job and if changes to the present
rostering system prevented them from working the second job, they
would leave in droves.
“Police officers are 98 per cent behind the current rostering system.” the
police association representative said.
SO IT IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHY the 12 hour shift has lasted
as long as it has and why it will be difficult to introduce an alternative
rostering system.
SOURCE :
Janice Harris, My other job is law enforcement, Central Western Daily,
7 December 2007 p.1. [ online ]
It is not only school age children that engage in bullying, although
children can be skilled at it.
Bullying must stop : parents, The Area News, 7 December, 2007.
According to Orange's police association representative, one-third
of Orange police have a second job and if changes to the present
rostering system prevented them from working the second job, they
would leave in droves.
“Police officers are 98 per cent behind the current rostering system.” the
police association representative said.
SO IT IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHY the 12 hour shift has lasted
as long as it has and why it will be difficult to introduce an alternative
rostering system.
SOURCE :
Janice Harris, My other job is law enforcement, Central Western Daily,
7 December 2007 p.1. [ online ]
It is not only school age children that engage in bullying, although
children can be skilled at it.
Bullying must stop : parents, The Area News, 7 December, 2007.
FIRE INVESTIGATION INTO MP OFFICE FIRE
A fire which broke out in a dry cleaners shop on the evening of 3 December 2007, caused damage to neighbouring shops and offices,
including that of Smithfield MP Ninos Khoshaba . Mr Khoshaba entered prliament after the 2007 election. The seat was previously held by Carl
Scully who retired at the 2007 election.
A fire brigade officer said - "We saved 60per cent of the MP's office through quick action in the roof extension."
The MP's office was planned to be relocated to The Horsley Drive, Smithfield, in January 2008.
The fire is being treated as suspicious, and police will be examining closed-circuit television footage from neighbouring shops.
SOURCE :
Anita Maglicic , MP's office damaged in big blaze, Fairfield City Champion, 5 December 2007 [ online ]
A fire which broke out in a dry cleaners shop on the evening of 3 December 2007, caused damage to neighbouring shops and offices,
including that of Smithfield MP Ninos Khoshaba . Mr Khoshaba entered prliament after the 2007 election. The seat was previously held by Carl
Scully who retired at the 2007 election.
A fire brigade officer said - "We saved 60per cent of the MP's office through quick action in the roof extension."
The MP's office was planned to be relocated to The Horsley Drive, Smithfield, in January 2008.
The fire is being treated as suspicious, and police will be examining closed-circuit television footage from neighbouring shops.
SOURCE :
Anita Maglicic , MP's office damaged in big blaze, Fairfield City Champion, 5 December 2007 [ online ]
THE WORST PERFORMANCE IN 20 YEARS
Clover Moore MP was speaking about the changes to the rules of parliament rammed through on the last voting day of
2007 :
At the very end of Parliament this session, the Government handed out new rules that will guide what can be
debated and when in the Legislative Assembly next year. Members were given a document as the debate was
introduced.
It was the final straw for frustrated MPs, and many supported my conviction that the Government shows contempt
for NSW citizens when it shows contempt for Parliament by not giving adequate notice. Without a properly managed
Parliamentary program, Members have no opportunity to consult with experts and constituents on legislation, and cannot make
an informed contribution.
For example, legislation was introduced this week that made permanent the draconian police powers introduced temporarily in response to the
Cronulla riots. Debate occurred immediately after the Minister gave his speech and introduced the Bill on Wednesday, despite the major
civil rights implications. Members were not informed it was on the program, and there was no opportunity to consult or make a meaningful
contribution to this important debate.
When I held the balance of power with the former members for South Coast and Manly in the 1990s, we radically reformed processes to
enable MPs to better represent their communities. Reforms included 10 questions or 45 minutes of question time, estimates and legislation
committees, and Parliament adjournments at 10.30 pm instead of all night sittings.
We ensured that Members were given the following week's program on Fridays, and that legislation was not debated until at least five days
after it was introduced, or 28 days if it was significant legislation.Now Members are lucky to get a program before we start for the day,
and it constantly changes throughout the day.
The Government used its majority to push through the new rules on Parliament's operation.
SOURCE :
Clover Moore MP, ANGER OVER MANAGEMENT OF PARLIAMENT, Statement, 7 December 2007
Clover Moore MP was speaking about the changes to the rules of parliament rammed through on the last voting day of
2007 :
At the very end of Parliament this session, the Government handed out new rules that will guide what can be
debated and when in the Legislative Assembly next year. Members were given a document as the debate was
introduced.
It was the final straw for frustrated MPs, and many supported my conviction that the Government shows contempt
for NSW citizens when it shows contempt for Parliament by not giving adequate notice. Without a properly managed
Parliamentary program, Members have no opportunity to consult with experts and constituents on legislation, and cannot make
an informed contribution.
For example, legislation was introduced this week that made permanent the draconian police powers introduced temporarily in response to the
Cronulla riots. Debate occurred immediately after the Minister gave his speech and introduced the Bill on Wednesday, despite the major
civil rights implications. Members were not informed it was on the program, and there was no opportunity to consult or make a meaningful
contribution to this important debate.
When I held the balance of power with the former members for South Coast and Manly in the 1990s, we radically reformed processes to
enable MPs to better represent their communities. Reforms included 10 questions or 45 minutes of question time, estimates and legislation
committees, and Parliament adjournments at 10.30 pm instead of all night sittings.
We ensured that Members were given the following week's program on Fridays, and that legislation was not debated until at least five days
after it was introduced, or 28 days if it was significant legislation.Now Members are lucky to get a program before we start for the day,
and it constantly changes throughout the day.
The Government used its majority to push through the new rules on Parliament's operation.
SOURCE :
Clover Moore MP, ANGER OVER MANAGEMENT OF PARLIAMENT, Statement, 7 December 2007
TONY KELLY's JOB IS SAFE - KAISER SCURRIES BACK TO QUEENSLAND.
Tony Kelly's job as a NSW MLC appears safe for now. Mike Kaiser is returning at the end of the year to Queensland to
take up the job of Chief of Staff to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
NSW will be a better place for Mr Kaiser's departure. He overstayed his welcome here by 6 months.
The Iemma ship has sprung a few leaks. Maybe Mr Kaiser decided to cut and run.
Deputy chief of staff, Josh Murray will step up to the Chief of Staff role in the new year.
Mr Murray is 31 years old, a former radio journalist and government media adviser. He previously worked for John Watkins.
SOURCES :
Watkins denies any NSW succession plan, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Disgraced Mike Kaiser returns as Bligh chief-of-staff, Courier-Mail, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Andrew Clennell, Hail Iemma's new chief, he's 31 , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Iemma's man Kaiser quits to join Bligh, The Australian, 7 December 2007 p. [ online ]
ABC News, Iemma's chief of staff defects to Qld, ABC Radio, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Tony Kelly's job as a NSW MLC appears safe for now. Mike Kaiser is returning at the end of the year to Queensland to
take up the job of Chief of Staff to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
NSW will be a better place for Mr Kaiser's departure. He overstayed his welcome here by 6 months.
The Iemma ship has sprung a few leaks. Maybe Mr Kaiser decided to cut and run.
Deputy chief of staff, Josh Murray will step up to the Chief of Staff role in the new year.
Mr Murray is 31 years old, a former radio journalist and government media adviser. He previously worked for John Watkins.
SOURCES :
Watkins denies any NSW succession plan, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Disgraced Mike Kaiser returns as Bligh chief-of-staff, Courier-Mail, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Andrew Clennell, Hail Iemma's new chief, he's 31 , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
Iemma's man Kaiser quits to join Bligh, The Australian, 7 December 2007 p. [ online ]
ABC News, Iemma's chief of staff defects to Qld, ABC Radio, 7 December 2007 [ online ]
KNOCK KNOCK - after 1/1/2008
Only after the 1st January 2008 -this question will be able to be answered correctly in this manner :-
Q : WHAT do the Iemma model of governance and the Rudd model of governance have in common ?
A : ONE THING. Neither of them employ former disgraced Queensland MP Mike Kaiser.
Only after the 1st January 2008 -this question will be able to be answered correctly in this manner :-
Q : WHAT do the Iemma model of governance and the Rudd model of governance have in common ?
A : ONE THING. Neither of them employ former disgraced Queensland MP Mike Kaiser.
