Editorial: Bill Shorten’s confidence misplaced, with five Labor MP’s embroiled in citizenship saga

FOR the past several weeks we have heard Labor, and in particular Bill Shorten, sanctimoniously declare that the ALP’s party room was made up of 100 per cent Australians with no dual nationalities or extra passports hanging around in the back of a sock drawer. But that confidence would appear to have been ­misplaced.

SO much for Labor’s ­robust and “superior” vetting processes. For the past several weeks we have heard Labor, and in particular Bill Shorten, sanctimoniously declare that while other parties failed to do their homework when it came to the citizenship of their MPs, the ALP’s party room was made up of 100 per cent Australians with no dual nationalities or extra passports hanging around in the back of a sock drawer.

Now, with the deadline for parliamentarians to declare any potential citizenship issues come and gone, that confidence would appear to have been ­misplaced.

Among those now in the firing line are Labor MPs Josh Wilson and Justine Keay, as well as South Australian Steve Georganas who has failed to provide any official documentation proving his renunciation of his notoriously tricky Greek citizenship.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

One of the most under pressure is potential British national and Victorian Labor MP David Feeney, who in the last election campaign created a headache for Labor over a number of failures to ­declare investment properties.

It stretches credulity to think that for the entire time the federal Opposition was enjoying watching Coalition and minor party MPs twist in the wind that alarm bells were not ringing in the Opposition Leader’s office.

Hints of trouble started to appear a few days ago when Shorten began to walk back his earlier confident predictions, leading Finance Minister Math­ias Cormann to be scathing in his assessment of the situation yesterday, saying, “it just completely exposes his dishonesty and his hypocrisy when it comes to this issue”.

National Political Editor, Sharri Markson reported receiving nothing but “intimidation and obfuscation” when she asked questions over the citizenship saga. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Whatever one thinks of the strict, black letter interpretation of Section 44 that has been set by the High Court, this whole debacle has been deeply revealing of Labor’s character — and not in a good way. When this newspaper asked questions of Labor over the citizenship ACT Labor senator Katy Gallagher, whose status is also now in doubt though she refuses to refer herself to the High Court, National Political Editor Sharri Markson reported receiving nothing but “intimidation and obfuscation”.

If this is the way Bill Shorten runs his opposition, Australia should be very careful come the next election, whenever that may be, about putting him in government.

Work stress taking its toll

AS if hardworking parents didn’t have enough to worry about, a new study from researchers at the Australian National University and La Trobe found that conflicts between work and family time can have an impact on the mental wellbeing of kids.

Northern beaches mum Ashley Conde, pictured with her kids, believes her happiness at work flows onto the whole family. Picture: Danny Aarons

But there is good news: along with striving for work-life harmony, rather than balance (an elusive, and perhaps non-achievable, goal), mums and dads can take steps, including asking employers for more job flexibility, working around family time, and switching off emails on days off. Some good advice there not just for parents, but everyone.

Lost in Amazon’s jungle

RUMOURS of the death of the Australian ­retail sector would appear to have been exaggerated — particularly after Amazon’s less than thrilling official launch on our shores yesterday. As the Daily Telegraph reports today, promises of low prices failed to ­materialise, with the website ­offering a 75-inch Samsung TV for over $2500 more than retailers like Harvey Norman. Besides prices, issues with ­delivery are likely to vex Amazon — at least until its Amazon Prime service that promises express delivery launches sometime next year.

Sydneysiders can get next-day delivery for $9.99 while those in regional cities will have to pay $11.99 for two-day delivery. Those in other areas have to cop $19.99 fees for priority service. This does not mean that Australian retailers should be complacent.

Far from it. The retail sector, like all ­industries, should see the growth of online competition as an opportunity to both improve their internet ­offerings and bolster their ­in-store experiences, not just a threat to their bottom lines. That having been said, so far it seems that Amazon has hit Australia not with a bang, but a whimper.