A rat in the front yard
Tuesday, November 5th, 2002(Dominion Post 5 November 2002)
Australia still reels under the tragic shock of the Bali bombings and the gradual return of the victims for burial maintains the grief.
Meanwhile the wily John Howard, showing the rat cunning attributed to him by a leading Australian journalist, has wrung every ounce of political advantage from the tragedy. A crucial by-election in Cunningham, a Federal seat south of Sydney, was due the weekend after the bombs went off. John Howard invited Simon Crean to travel with him to Bali to inspect the scene and comfort the grieving. A generous bi-partisan gesture. But bi-partisan in Mr Howard’s own way. The offer removed the leader of the Opposition from the crucial last days of campaigning. (more…)