Fleas
While it's all very fine to occupy the moral high ground every now and then, when it comes to parliamentary politics we, the enfranchised public, shouldn't always be too insistent on a side order of legalisms with our suffrage. Here, in beautiful downtown Brisbane, where its Labor one day and Coalition the next, the ubiquitous Criminal Justice Commission handles the rule of law. When the letter and intent of law breaks down the CJC steps in — sometimes.
Perhaps you have noted this penchant we have in Queensland for the CJC? North of the Tweed, handing out criminal justice in this form is a growth industry. Maybe the apparatus of the state is more corrupt here than elsewhere? Whatever the reason, in Queensland now, one cannot run government without the CJC doing a background check on the bona fides of the major players. Indeed, it is the CJC who decides who governs in Queensland. It bought down the Nationals back in the '80s, and it looks like it has now set Labor up for a fall.
Folk who live here — ordinary working folk like you and I — have learnt to appreciate the commission's role. We don't have to worry about this or that party's policies. The thermometer of Queensland politics has nothing to do with such niceties. Since we know that what's on offer in parliament is a consensus speckled with rhetoric, we have learnt to appreciate the naughty bits — like vote rigging.
And who better to rig the votes than the Labor Party!
Accusing the ALP of vote rigging is like branding the pope a catholic! Jesus, what do you expect? It's the Labor Party! Numbers do matter — and if you haven't got them on your side, you apply a little imagination to your arithmetic.
The current probe into the electoral dealings of the Queensland branch of the Australian Labor Party may masquerade as an exposé, but I tend to see it as career information. Your average Johnny or Jenny come latelys appreciate a bit of info about what a career in social democracy entails. We can't all graduate through the National Union of Students or work our way up through a series of job offers from the local trade union. If someone is ready to give up a good career as a doctor, parish priest or socialite for parliamentary politics, one needs to know what is required.
All I can do, as the heads roll, is commiserate with the families of the fallen. To all those types who over the so many years have spoken so keenly about "reforming" the ALP and "seizing" back control for the members — all I can say is: if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
BY DAVE RILEY