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We are pissing ourselves laughing in my office over this one......BEST.MEME.EVERhttps://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-ash3/t1.0-9/10172610_664203930024_4145073680471822632_n.jpg
I don't think the argument that 'they are both as bad as eachother' holds any water when it comes to NSW.
Obeid, McDonald and Tripodi rorted the state for millions of dollars, lining their own pockets and those of their mates. Not to mention Tony Kelly and the Currawong issue. (1)
The only (NSW) Liberal that has been tarnished has been BOF, who has fallen on his sword after a simple memory lapse. He wasn't found corrupt, nor was there any suggestion he was. Aly seems to think Di Girolamo was a 'compromised' person, but at the time there was no suspicion about AWH and the dubious nature of both AWH and Di Girolamo have only come to light this year. How was he to know? (2)
Granted the Libs haven't had 16 years for the rot to set in, but I don't think Aly's argument is 100% there.
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@Hugh Jarse as a member of the Guild of Barbers (grandfather clause invoked) no thanks.
Very poorly briefed by his Chief of Staff or advisor or Privy Chamberman or whomsoever was supposed to advise him on ethical conduct, and how to "behave" while in office.
There should be further sackings of staff in O'Farrell Camp. They have let their boss (and the people of NSW) down by not advising, and monitoring his actions.
Indeed he has been compromised as a public official. Should he resign his seat and force a by election.
That would cost a pretty penny more than a bottle of 1959 Penfolds Influence, but isn't there some important democratic credibility issues at stake. He lied under oath. No "I might have received such a gift and not declared it but I can't recall that".
He flat out denied ALL knowledge of any Grange Influence.
The problem is what is the alternative? One bunch of Liberal liars vs a corrupt to the core Labour party vs Green Ideologues who exist in a policy vacuum vs various nutter single issue parasites.
I would be reluctant to turf out someone with such a long and consistent record of public service just because of one lie under oath, which had nothing to do with corruption and could very reasonably be put down to a memory slip.
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Not sure its a "lie" - I certainly don't think it was a deliberate falsehood but it was not the truth.
The theory I heard is that he saw Sinodinis crucified for saying he could not recall and decided he was not falling for that!Oh I agree it wasn't deliberate, but in the strictest sense of the term it was a lie under oath. He said he definitely didn't receive it, when in fact he did.
Not sure why he didn't say 'I could have received it but I can't recall doing so', would have sounded a bit shifty but would also have saved his arse.
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