Well the Rudd Government's new ministerial code of conduct has been announced and it appears that the Liberal Party at least are rather put out by its contents.
I lost count of just how many times Liberal Party Deputy Leader, Julie Bishop, told the ABC's Lateline program last night "But Mr Rudd has set this standard, it's a standard that we'll be holding his ministers to" or words to that effect. Ms. Bishop was showing a rather fixed smile by the time she finished what began to sound like an endless mantra.
While the new Shadow Special Minister for State, Michael Rolandson, was insisting that a part of the new code was just a political stunt.
I get the distinct impression that the Federal Opposition was hoping that this new ministerial code would not surface in the opening week of the Rudd Government, as it was looking forward to using The Australian to run its line that a code of conduct no-show was a broken Labor election campaign promise.
Unfortunately for Brendan Nelson, Julie Bishop and Co., the mere fact that a new code was required so swiftly had less to do with campaign promises and more to do with an immediate need to rectify the mockery of ministerial responsibility John Howard endorsed during his time in government.
The Age yesterday:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/code-sets-rules-for-rudd-team/2007/12/06/1196812922362.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/code-sets-rules-for-rudd-team/2007/12/06/1196812922362.html
ABC News today:
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