The Mates saga was first aired at the end of Question Time yesterday. A
pity, in a way, as it completely overshadowed further evidence of how
Speaker David Hawker simply isn’t up to the job.

The Australian’s Strewth column has the best wrap:

“John Howard made a rare trip into the House of Representatives yesterday to withdraw a remark he had made in Question Time.

“Labor’s member for Oxley, Bernie Ripoll, asked whether the
Government had approved a clause in Telstra boss Sol Trujillo’s
contract that gives him $6 million if his contract ends inside one
year. Howard dismissed the question, saying: ‘It is easy pickings for
an Opposition to start talking about a big contract for a Telstra CEO,
but placed in the same position you would not have taken any different
attitude, and don’t be hypocrites and suggest otherwise.’ Labor’s
Lindsay Tanner then complained that the Opposition had been forced to
withdraw the term ‘hypocrite’ last year so the PM should too. Speaker
David Hawker said because it was directed at a group of people, rather
than an individual, it was OK. The PM consulted with the officials of
the House, who said he was on safe ground, but in the interest of
civility, he withdrew it.”

Yeah, yeah. The PM ducked into the House a minute before it adjourned
to save his Speaker’s skin. Have a look at page 73 of yesterday’s Hansard then go back to Question Time to see how the whole farce unfolded.