Jew World Order

JESSICA van VONDEREN: For almost a month now, a political slanging match has been playing out over Campbell Newman’s financial affairs. With the unofficial election campaign in full swing, the man who wants to be premier is coming under unprecedented scrutiny. Government MPs say that scrutiny is legitimate the LNP Leader accuses them of sleaze. It raises some interesting questions how much does the public have a right to know? And what is the best way for a leader to deal with pressure-cooker situations?

ANNA BLIGH, PREMIER: Campbell is a risk to the people of Queensland.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN, LNP LEADER: These grubs will do and say anything. They stand condemned.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: The odd exchange of insults is part and parcel of politics.

ANNA BLIGH: Egotistical maniac.

TIM NICHOLLS, DEPUTY OPPOSITION LEADER: A Government of grubs.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: But the political debate in Queensland is rapidly descending from one about policies to personalities, a test of temperament over a contest of ideas. The LNP leader has come under intense pressure over his financial interests and those of his family. A Government languishing in the polls sees an opportunity.

ANDREW FRASER, DEPUTY PREMIER: What has he got to hide? What is he trying to keep secret?

ANNA BLIGH: All that’s happening here is legitimate questions are being asked.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: That’s not how Campbell Newman sees it.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: This is muckraking on a grand scale by the worst Treasurer in Australia, Andrew Fraser and Anna Bligh.

BILL DE MARIA, UQ ETHICS LECTURER: On one level it’s a just a typical school buff scrap between two political rivals and I think both of them should be shameful for that; the other thing that goes through my mind that this is titanic clash between the forces of openness and the forces of secrecy.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: Bill De Maria is an Ethics Lecturer at the University of Queensland. He says politicians and those aspiring to be them must be prepared to bare all.

BILL DE MARIA: Public officials have to be more accountable than the generation before, have to be more open than the generation before, have to be, as I said before, made of glass.

(CAMPBELL NEWMMAN BEING QUESTIONED BY MEDIA)
CAMPBELL NEWMAN: I’m not telling.

REPORTER: Why don’t you?

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: Because it is my personal private business.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: Despite initial reluctance Campbell Newman says he is being more transparent about his finances than any other candidate. But the Government doesn’t believe him.

ANDREW FRASER: I think that the people of Queensland, the media and indeed members of the LNP are all asking themselves, why won’t Campbell Newman declare in full his interests straight away?

(FOOTAGE OF NEWSPAPER STORIES ABOUT NEWMAN)
JESSICA van VONDEREN: And the reports keep coming. The CMC has been called in. Perhaps it can provide some clarity. But even beyond the legalities and ethics, there is of course the politics. The Government is fighting for its survival and Scott Prasser says there’s a clear strategy.

SCOTT PRASSER, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: The political strategy is to undermine Campbell Newman’s credibility but it’s fair game, they’re in the game of politics and policy and this is what the game is, it’s not a game for amateurs, you wanna play this game be professional and be prepared, so get with it and learn to deal with it.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: But people inside and outside the LNP are questioning the way Campbell Newman’s dealing with it. Why he didn’t nip the issue in the bud much earlier and whether this outburst was wise.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: Anna Bligh’s the one that’s the muck racker, the dirt digger, the sleaze bucket. Queensland is run today by drunks, punks and desperados headed by Anna Bligh with her dirt unit. We have a negative carping Premier who’s so desperate that all she can do is attack my mum probably my sister next is it, you know who’s next.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: Anna Bligh was even responsible for an LNP candidate’s fainting spell.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: And this is Anna Bligh’s fault as well you see.

SCOTT PRASSER: This matter needs to be handled coolly, not hotly and I think if they keep pushing this, what they’re also trying to highlight is his behaviour and how cool he can keep under pressure because you want a leader to be cool under pressure, not be too hot and so that’s the other issue here, what is Campbell like under pressure, what would Campbell be like as a State Premier.

JOAN SHELDON: I don’t think the public are impressed when either side of politics indulge in that sort of language and both sides have.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: Joan Sheldon is a former Queensland Liberal Leader. She doesn’t subscribe to the argument that aspiring politicians, like Campbell Newman, have to disclose everything.

JOAN SHELDON: He’s not a Member of Parliament, he’s a candidate, and I’ve never heard of any other candidate being expected to put what is literally a pecuniary interest file in before they’re elected.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: Joan Sheldon is hoping for a higher standard of debate when the official election campaign finally begins.

JOAN SHELDON: Well I hope it’s not more of the same from both sides because that’ll just turn people off. I think it’s really important that the main issues are covered.

(JESSICA van VONDEREN SPEAKS WITH SCOTT PRASSER)

SCOTT PRASSER: I think it’s going to be a pretty tough campaign.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: A dirty campaign?

SCOTT PRASSER: Depends on what you call dirty. I think the Government will pull out all stops and do whatever they can. The theme could well be is Campbell fit to govern Queensland. They could target him. The LNP they’ve got to show us how they’re going to make a difference. Just saying they’re going to do better is not good enough. How are they going to do better and I haven’t heard that yet from them.