Crazy Canberra theory #263: the Costello comeback

Thomas says:

11:52am | 23/06/09

Come back Peter, Australia needs a new opposition leader

ratter says:

12:32pm | 23/06/09

Forget this crazy theory of a Peter Costello comeback being behind Utegate.

Consider Machiavelli.

Who has gained the most from this episode?
Who had 6 senators enagage in theatrics to suppress reference to the fake email in the Senate enquiry?
Who knew with such confidence on Saturday that the email would prove a fake?

Peter says:

12:46pm | 23/06/09

Yeah, that is a crazy theory. I’ve got another one: Young Turk Lib dirt machine with Treasury and Murdoch press links convinces Turnbull there is mileage in seemingly innocuous PM-car dealer relationship, and stop at nothing to make the mud stick. Er, wait, that doesn’t so crazy. This could be the first political scandal to bring down an opposition! Email-gate roll on.

csr says:

12:49pm | 23/06/09

Was this a set-up, did Grech act alone or is he the fall guy in all this?  Grech appears to have plenty of links to the Liberal Party, and that needs further investigation.
Turnbull is not fit to be PM and should go. He made this HIS issue and obsessed about it in Question time last week, and he doesn’t even have the good grace to apologise for all the mud-slinging he indulged in last week or resting his whole case on a concocted email.

Justin Zane says:

12:56pm | 23/06/09

Well, well, well - who would have thought - Peter Costello the big winner in this dirty big mess.  Theories abound!!

mcdazz says:

01:16pm | 23/06/09

Peter Costello must be laughing all the way to the Liberal Leadership.

What a mess Turnbull has gotten himself into - and the funniest part is that he’s only got himself to blame.

This couldn’t have played out better if it had been written by The Hollowmen script writers.

R.E.L. says:

04:27pm | 23/06/09

What stinks about our whole system is that Wayne Swan is getting off on a technicality because Malcolm Turnbull “overreached”. What does that mean? Who cares if he “overreached”? Should he lose his job because he made a minor miscalculation? If he does then he should take his employer to the AIRC and sue for unfair dismissal…people in the business sector have been promoted for worse!

The point is that the truth must come out about Treasury’s involvement in all this and the relevant people punished.

GS says:

04:46pm | 23/06/09

R.E.L, if the truth does come out regarding Treasury’s involvement i’m sure that Mr Turnbull will have far more to worry about than Wayne Swan!

Wayne McEvoy says:

05:10pm | 23/06/09

A gentleman’s movie review.

Some of us sat down to a nice cup of tea and a biscuit at 2pm and watched an hilarious black comedy staring Malcolm (I knew I should’ve joined Labor when I had the chance) Turnball. Malcolm was again magnificent as the man who dug his own grave with not only his own hands, but with shovels supplied by his amicable side kicks Eric Abetz (or is it Erica Betz…I’m never…), and Joseph (I’ve got an airport or 2 for you) Hockey. Malcolm was outstanding as the village idiot who demanded that his alter egos Kevin (you better like me or else) Rudd, Anthony (you know where you can put that airport Joe) Albanese, and Lindsay (so what if I like white sneakers with my suit) Tanner pass him more shovels. Never, never enough shovels.

The closing scene of Malcolm praying for Saturday morning to arrive, and the arrival of his arch beta nemesis played by Julie (my desert would never run together) Gillard is unforgettable. Ms. Gillard’s outstanding closing scene, when her smile forces Malcolm to fall through his hole onto Mao’s Tomb is inspiring (if not chilling for Malcolm).

5 Stars, but don’t read the e-book … its narrative is too fabricated and not nearly as good as the movie. We await the sequel, Triumph of the Shovel.

realto says:

05:15pm | 23/06/09

@REL 4:27pm - If Turnbull’s use of this fake email in an attempt to bring down a Prime Minister was ‘a minor miscalculation’, so was Hitler’s decision to invade Russia. The same comparison can be made of prospects of success from now on. Wayne Swan is not getting off on a techinicality, he’s getting off 1. because no-one benefitted from his actions and 2. Turnbull’s gaffe deservedly overshadows Swan’s misjudgement.

iansand says:

05:34pm | 23/06/09

Where is the CIA when you need a good conspiracy theory?  That is all this circus lacks at the moment.

Have those whom we permit to rule us not worked out that we believe all of them?  Each accusation of venality reduces our faith in the species yet again, either because what they say rings true or the accusations come from a distant planet inhabited by the politicians and the press gallery.  A planet with standards of probity and relevance entirely separate from those of the rest of the universe.

Pete says:

05:40pm | 23/06/09

Personally, I’d LOVE to see Costello head the Opposition. His wit and ‘smart-arse’ persona when Treasurer were compulsive viewing (something had to be worth watching Question Time for!)  and I would dearly love to see him up front and centre stage.

luke says:

06:58pm | 23/06/09

Please Peter Costello give me a break the man was too gutless to challenge Howard for the leadership back when they were in government I doubt whether he has enough guts now. However I do see this issue as sparking more debate in liberal party over leadership .Malcolm is clearly to blame for this whole affair, and the whole party is in disarray they can’t even decide on their position on the CPS instead voting not to vote on the issue, I mean what a joke. It wouldn’t at all surprise me however if Joe was trying get his hands on the leadership of the party and had more to do with this than it seems. These are just my ideas by way… but when u think about it makes sense..

mcdazz says:

09:41pm | 23/06/09

Costello doesn’t have the balls for something like this - I’d be looking at Tony Abbott in regards to who would pull something like this.

If for some reason it turns out that someone really is behind this, I doubt we would find out - simply because their career would also be over.

Turnbull will have to suck up responsibility for this.

Peter says:

11:06pm | 23/06/09

Its time for Piers Akerman to stand up and be counted. Your Party needs you in its hour of need Piers. Forget Nancy Boy Costello, he is just too gutless. The Liberal Party needs a man who can turn even the weather forecast into an attack on the Stalinists occupying the Government benches. Alan Jones could be his deputy, occupying the position right behind Piers. What a team they would make.

The Cabbie says:

02:17am | 24/06/09

Is that right, Godwin Grech used to be one of Peter Costello’s economic advisers when he was treasurer ?
Not that this would have anything to do with Crazy Canberra theory 263. But it is fair to speculate that the Club of Melbourne would like to be represented again. Those Sydney fellows had their term for long enough !

adrian says:

05:41am | 24/06/09

My understanding is that Costello has until this Friday to re-nominate for pre-selection in Higgins. Otherwise he’s gone.

Can anyone confirm this ?

D says:

11:46am | 24/06/09

I am sick and tired of lies , innuendo and theatricals displayed by the pollies . Someone knows the truth although they wouldn’t know truth if it jumped up and bit them !
Bring in the ‘’ truth ‘’ drugs and masters of torture . I reckon that the art of torture should be made a Uni . course . The appropriate applications of same would save a lot of time and money .

fehowarth says:

01:59pm | 24/06/09

Should Wayne get off?  Remember most of the so call emails and action that condemn him were created by Grech.  There does not appear to be any information to whom instructed Grech to act the way he did.  We cannot trust the email as it is a fake.  Can we trust anything Grech was involved in.  Did Grech act on his own? It is too hard to send emails that give the wrong impression.  At least one congratulating Grech gave the impression of being sarcastic.