Editorial: We will continue to hold Labor to account
The Albanese Government is constantly trying to fool us that its actions are something other than what they are
The attack on independent Federal MP Helen Haines was horrific.
Expressions of admiration for her integrity, compassion and courage have quite rightly been at the forefront of many minds.
But some of the political class is looking beyond her alleged attacker as they seek to find a cause for what took place. To lay blame.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.And by Monday WA MP Madeleine King, the member for Brand and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, was blaming the media.
Ms King targeted a cartoon published in The West Australian newspaper showing Anthony Albanese and senior ministers.
The cartoon linked the performance of the Albanese Government to another event — the fact a second whale carcass in less than a month had washed up on a Perth beach.
It showed a boy asking his father: “How do they get rid of them dad?” He replied: “Best to tow them out to sea, son”.
Somehow, in a cartoon of beached political whales Ms King saw “dead animals lined up on a beach ready to be dragged out into the Indian Ocean to be fed to the sharks”.
“And this was a shocking, depressing set of imagery”.
Ms King told the House of Representatives “our national conversation is still shaped by journalists, editors and media owners”.
“With their influence comes the responsibility they must take on . . . The role of the media is not to amplify our worst instincts, but to inform, challenge, and elevate the national conversation.”
We would ask Ms King is she aware of the phrase involving pot and kettle?
Where to start? Perhaps the Albanese Government’s timid response to the rise of anti-Semitism.
How it opposed a royal commission into the Bondi tragedy before it was shamed into calling one.
The Budget which broke promises that capital gains tax and negative gearing would not be touched.
The denials excessive Government spending was helping to drive inflation, and hence higher interest rates.
The plunge in house prices which the Government is fond of telling us is a good thing.
A Prime Minister taking part in a podcast involving a “shag, marry, date” question, speaking about his sex life with his wife, and melons given to him by Japanese female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Mr Albanese denied he had insulted Ms Takaichi.
Just like he denied a dirt sheet put around by his office in a bid to smear Dr Haines before she was injured was a personal attack.
Somehow, in the world of Albo, it was actually offering proof she was a “good local member”. Really?
The Albanese Government is constantly trying to fool us that its actions are something other than what they are.
There are plenty of words for that. None of them reflect well on the Government’s role in setting standards.
To see where the national conversation is shaped Ms King should stop and take a look around.
Perhaps the House of Representatives should be remodelled into a house of mirrors.
We take seriously our role in putting the Government under scrutiny and holding it to account.
Its performance demands that we continue to do so.
