Zali Steggall’s donation excuse exposes a political blancmange

When Zali Steggall speaks, the Senate chamber empties at a frightening pace. Picture: Martin Ollman

Zali Steggall’s “admission” of “error” goes down as the most pathetic political escape attempt in decades.

It will pass no test in Australia’s pubs. It looks like she got caught stealing a chocolate and rushed to replace it before the grocer noticed. Accepting a cheque for $100,000 from the Kinghorn family – who have extensive investments in the coal industry – was a bad look. Dividing that into eight separate lots just below the reporting line looked tricky because it was.

Tony Abbott said repeatedly he would rather be defeated as a man with principle than win via political chicanery. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The woman who stands for nothing is now exposed as the worst kind of hypocrite. She will stand up for honesty and integrity provided she is permitted to avoid facing any examination of her personal behaviour.

Steggall replaced Tony Abbott, who wore his passions on his sleeve. With Abbott, you knew what you were getting – a conservative monarchist with identifiable policies he did not try to hide or shy away from. With Stegall you get a blancmange of all that is woke in this world. Give me the former of those every time.

Had Abbott not tarnished his record with all that “bring back the monarchy” rubbish he would still be there. That monarchist tendency marked him as yesterday’s man, yet when it came to integrity he left his successor flailing in his wake.

Abbott said repeatedly he would rather be defeated as a man with principle than win via political chicanery. The righteousness of his stance can be demonstrated by looking at how his successor for prime minister came to power and exited politics. Malcolm Turnbull left with his tail between his legs while Abbott left with his head held high.

Anthony Albanese deserves his chance to lead the nation without relying on independents. Picture: Jeremy Piper

When Steggall was first announced as a candidate for Warringah, she could not articulate what she stood for. But then again, how do you articulate what you stand for when you stand for nothing other than wanting a regular pay packet?

She did not set the world on fire at the Bar. When Steggall speaks in parliament, the chamber empties at a frightening pace. Her colleagues know well what she has to offer.

In recent years we have seen enough of independents whose vote is required to form governments. They use their ill-gotten status to demand that these governments accede to their every whim and desire.

Anthony Albanese deserves his chance to lead the nation without these independents. He has worked tirelessly at the frustrating task of Opposition Leader.

He has spent inordinate amounts of time in Queensland, where only Bob Hawke ever succeeded in prising seats off the Coalition.

In Queensland and Western Australia we are yet to see if Labor’s state performances can carry through to the federal arena.

Premiers Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mark McGowan are local phenomena who have destroyed the opposition parties in their states.

If these influences can be brought to bear federally, Albo’s road to the Lodge looks assured. But we all know a week – let alone the three months we are expected to wait for the federal election – is a long time in politics.