A rat to save the ranks

PAWAN LUTHRA

Labor is haemorrhaging. After the excruciating display of speech by former head of the HSU and Member for Dobell Craig Thomson as he tried to explain the accusations of impropriety against him, it is clear that this problem is not going to fade into the background for the Gillard government. This boil is going to fester and worsen, and rather than healing it is going to cause widespread infection through the Labor brand.

With a hung Parliament, Prime Minister Gillard just cannot move in any form against her former Labor party colleague. While there are cries of reason that the Parliament cannot be judge and jury on such issues, the mere fact that there is a strong 1,100 page report by Fair Work Australia in which Craig Thomson is mentioned a few times, is enough to create a very strong case for action to be taken.

The Thomson debacle has been crippling for Labor, even overshadowing the Budget and any governmentrelated issues of state that are crucial to Australia’s wellbeing. The Australian Parliament is stuck on just one topic and though these tactics by the opposition are to be condoned, nonetheless they are to be expected. It is the governments job to lead and set the agenda, they are clearly failing to do so.

The longer the Craig Thomson saga goes on, the more the Labor party will be hurt. Already suffering from low polling, the confidence in the party is at an all-time low. Pundits and experts have all but written Labor off at the next election scheduled for Sept-Oct 2013, and not only for a single term, but they may be out of office for at least two to three terms!

The danger is that this diminishing confidence in Labor can make this exile extend to an even longer period.

Worse still the longer this saga continues, the greater the danger of more Labor members losing their seats as a disgruntled population makes their feelings known at the ballot box.

It may be time for a rat to emerge in Labor’s ranks, who will summon up the nerve to publically call for what

Australians are waiting and hoping for - a fresh election and hopefully, a good dose of clean air.

It is not even thinkable that Independents such as Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor or Andrew Wilkie will step forward to force the government into an early election. The Independents’ allegiance towards Labor will not be seen in the best light by their electorates who are traditionally conservative, and it will take a brave person to wager a bet on them retaining their seats.

Holding their seats by slim margins, the wrath of the Liberal National Party will also be inflicted on them during the election for their ongoing backing of the Gillard government.

There must be a brave Labor person who will be willing to break ranks and allow an election to take place, rather than allow the party to run its full term only to lose and be exiled in political wilderness for the foreseeable future.

And this person may need to be applauded in the history of the Labor party, as they could well be the one who lances the boil and cleans the wound, letting the slow process of recovery happen.

Before it is too late.

SPIRITUAL Bhagavad Gita classes by SVT Learn Chapters 7 to 13 of the Bhagavad Gita as taught by Sri Vasudevacharya, a senior disciple of Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and a respected Vedanta Guru. Darcy Road Public School Hall, Darcy Road, Wentworthville, 3:00pm to 5:30pm

No prior knowledge is required. The course is in English and all materials will be provided. The course is free of charge; donations are accepted. Details at www. srivasudevacharya.org

Shree Ram Sharnam society

The Shree Ram Sharnam society’s Sydney headquarters are located at 23 Sheba Crescent, South Penrith. One-hour prayer sessions featuring the recital of the Shree Amritvaani are held daily between 7:30pm and 8:30pm (except Saturday and Sunday when prayers are held from 6pm to 7:15pm). The society’s next prayer-meditation sessions are scheduled for May 13 and June 3 from 9.00am to 10.00 am at the Woodcroft Community Centre on 65 Woodcroft Drive.

Bhajan event

Sat 26 May Gayatri Parivar Australia presents a display of Indian scripture, heritage