Health Minister Tony Abbott may
have a lot of explaining to do. The demise of John Brogden is said to
have been high on Abbott’s list of priorities for a long time, and the
allegations he got one of his henchmen to throw a bucket all over
Brogden is more in line with the modus operandi of the ALP Left than
the Right Wing of the Liberals.

But as one NSW operator told
Crikey yesterday, the line between the ALP Left and Liberal Right in
NSW is a very thin one, both camps having got basta*dry down to a fine
art.

John Brogden, the source revealed, was in the Right’s
sights long before his racist slur against Helena Carr. Brogden didn’t
quite fit the image Abbott requires for NSW Liberal leadership and
promotion. It’s alleged he requires a commitment to his own version of
Catholic Christian “values,” which in many cases run contrary to the
official church line, and he doesn’t approve of the public displays of
unruly mob behaviour identified with the Young Libs holding a
fundraising bash, although he doesn’t mind if they get away with it.

The
image of trashed premiers and alleged complaints of sexual harassment
isn’t doing the local party any good at all, especially as it provides
future leadership. Oh dear.