On Wednesday, the vexed vaccination rollout exploded into an extraordinary free-for-all, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison under fire and health experts arguing among themselves.
Phil Gaetjen’s evidence before senate estimates today, raise questions as to whether Scott Morrison deliberately concealed the truth during question time last week.
Phil Gaetjens has released submissions to the Senate inquiry into the “sports rorts” scandal, the government continuing to resist releasing the formal report.
An attempt to hobble Mathias Cormann in retaliation for the government’s refusal to produce the Gaetjens Report on Bridget McKenzie failed after Pauline Hanson withdrew her support.
If the PM continues to hide behind cabinet confidentiality and precedent, it won’t just be his skin that sustains bruises, but that of his right hand bureaucrat.
A strong ICAC – unlike the body the federal government is proposing – would have had the power to properly and impartially investigate the “sports rorts” affair.
The public service is a soft target, and Scott Morrison has already had it in his sights, telling it to remember the old adage – that it is on tap and the government is on top.
The issue is not that a person has served “up the Hill” - something seen as desirable all round - but how long they’ve been there and how strongly identified they’ve become with one side of politics.