Alexander Downer

Alexander Downer has questioned The Sunday Telegraph’s treatment of his comments about Kevin Rudd, particularly the use of the word “double agent” to describe Downer’s claim that he used to leak Rudd information damaging to his opponents the Labor Party.

The newspaper has now released a full, unedited, transcript of the relevant section of the interview with journalist Claire Harvey, in which Mr Downer was very candid about Mr Rudd.

Claire Harvey: What intrigues me, in particular about the story about the Jakarta thing, and other people’s stories about Rudd’s temper, is that he didn’t seem to have any shyness about exposing his temper? You had no reason to protect him or to keep it a secret?

Continue reading "The things that natter: Downer’s full Rudd transcript" »

The Punch has always been impressed by Bronwyn Bishop’s deep knowledge of the standing orders of the House of Representatives, and sympathises with her point of view. But no one should have to endure another Question Time like yesterday’s.

After last week’s fantastic debate about the role of sticky tape and whether it should be allowed as an adhesive in Joe Hockey’s dispatch box props, we had high hopes for some major Kevin Rudd lever-arch file action this week. Even the valiant efforts of Annabel Crabb, however, couldn’t rescue yesterday’s questions from dire tedium.

Wilson Tuckey reckons voters are upset with Rudd’s obsession with laminated photographs of primary school demountables and road works. But it’s sometimes the props that make QT bearable. Remember the cardboard cut-out Kevin Rudd? It was almost better than the real one.

Continue reading "To decorum in parliament The Punch says “No”" »