Deceit

by Richard Evans

  ‘Good morning.’

  ‘Do you still have blood on your hands this morning?’

  ‘That’s an outrageous thing to say. Of course I don’t have blood on my hands. I would have thought a respected journalist like yourself would not stoop to tabloid hashtags.’

  ‘Then tell us, how it is that you are the new leader of the opposition?’

  The prime minister was flicking through the national newspaper as he picked slowly through his fruit, carefully cut into bite-sized pieces by his chef, Janette. The television attached to the wall behind him was switched to the Breakfast Show, which he usually ignored, but today Tanya Maklin introduced Peter Stanley, and he swivelled on his stool to pay closer attention.

  ‘A new opposition leader, Janette, what do you have to say about that?’

  ‘I didn’t know we had one to replace.’

  ‘Exactly, and this one will be even worse; he needs a charisma transplant to get some warmth and character into him.’

  ‘My colleagues, last night, determined that I am the best person to lead them into the next election. Politics can be bruising sometimes, and last night was one such time. James Harper is a respected politician. He has served the party very well, and through his efforts we are now in a position to be a credible opposition and the alternate government. We have solid policies and we have a dynamic frontbench. We are looking forward to the privilege of serving our fellow Australians in government, if the people give us that opportunity.’

  ‘If James Harper is as good as you say, why was he knifed by you in a leadership coup?’ Maklin’s fierce reputation for asking tough questions during her days at Hancock Media was well-earned.

  ‘There was no coup, Tanya.’ Stanley shifted in his seat ever so slightly. ‘You are using very provocative language this morning. Sometimes, as politicians, we have to stand by our principles. James Harper has always been a man of principle, and when asked to put his convictions to a vote, he had no hesitation in agreeing.’

  ‘Yes, but you didn’t support him, did you, Mr Stanley?’

  ‘The party voted on a decision to either support the appropriation legislation, due back in the house today, or not. The senate had amended legislation to add extra funding to the bill, and although that funding had previously been allocated in the government’s budget, it has yet to be scrutinised by the parliament. The party chose not to support the legislation, preferring to ensure the money added at the last hour by the senate should be scrutinised in the usual way and included in separate legislation next year.’

  ‘So your party chose to deny money to the needy just before Christmas, is that what you’re saying?’

  ‘It’s not our party that linked the Christmas bonus to this huge lump-sum payment—’

  ‘So what you’re saying is that neglected children can forget about finding presents under the tree, or the poor enjoying a hearty meal with their family at Christmas?’

  Stanley winced slightly and rushed his answer. ‘The party decided not to support the amended Appropriation Bill, which we must remember was rushed through the senate late last night.’

  ‘The kids won’t care about amendments – they just want to have a good Christmas. Isn’t that what you and your colleagues want?’

  ‘Tanya, this is the first time the senate has amended a money bill for some time. It is a parliamentary convention our party feels very strongly about, and we reject the idea that the senate can amend money bills.’

  ‘Isn’t this just a reason for the conservatives in your party to play scrooge at Christmas time? You just don’t like giving taxpayers back any of their money, do you?’

  ‘No, that’s not right. The issue is rushing through a huge amount of money for Indonesia, which we do not support until the usual parliamentary checks and balances have been completed. If the government chooses today to amend the legislation once more and remove the funds they added last night for the immigration detention centres, we will then support the Christmas bonus legislation, and the people of Australia will have their money before Christmas.’

  ‘So, you’re holding hard-working families to ransom over parliamentary procedure, is that it? Aren’t you and your colleagues a little out of touch?’

  Barton Messenger twitched as he watched the interview from Anita’s couch, beneath a comforting doona. He had hidden under it for a few hours, and now he was slowly returning to the land of the living. His phone buzzed a message.

  CONGRATULATIONS. YOUR COUNTRY THANKS YOU.

  Who are you?

  IT DOESN’T MATTER NOW. YOU DID WELL, THANKS.

  ‘How did you sleep?’ Anita was yawning as she strolled into the room with a pale blue satin gown over her short summer pyjamas.

  ‘Fine. Hey, thanks for letting me stay. I didn’t want to go back to the hotel last night.’

  ‘I’m glad you called. Are you feeling better? Can I get you a coffee, or a tea?’

  ‘No, thanks.’ Barton sat up, wrapping the doona around him, allowing Anita to perch on the lounge. ‘It seems Pete Stanley is getting some stick from Maklin.’

  ‘That old biddy should just retire. I only ever watch to see if Donnie will do something stupid.’ Co-host Donnie Maguire was renowned for putting his foot in it.

  ‘She is ripping Peter apart. I’d better get moving. I suspect it will be a long and hectic day.’ Bart got up, quickly pulled on his trousers, slipped on his shoes, grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.

  ‘Do you want a shower or anything?’

  ‘No, I’ll do that at the office. I’ll walk up, it’ll do me good to get some fresh air.’

  ‘I suppose I should get moving as well. As you say, it may be a hectic day for us as well.’

  ‘I reckon your “ follow the money” story is dead, buried and cremated, given we’re not approving the legislation today.’

  ‘It’ll be interesting to see what Gerrard does now. But anyway, you are the story today.’

  ‘No doubt.’ Barton turned back to Anita as he got to the front door. ‘Hey, thanks again for letting me stay over, I really appreciate it.’

  Anita was close, so Bart slipped his hand into the small of her back and drew her closer. She fell against him and the kiss was even better than the last time, lingering a little longer, soft and warm. It was clear she wanted more.

  ‘See ya.’

  ‘Yeah, okay, see you.’ Anita was a little confused as she watched him leave. This politician was going to be trouble for her.

  ‘No, I don’t think we are out of touch. What I think the people of Australia want is certainty in government.’ Stanley’s voice became stronger as he spoke. ‘Certainty that we will do the right thing by all Australians. Certainty that they are never taken for granted by my party, and certainty that their leaders will do the right thing by the institutions they entrust to politicians. We do not want cowboys in government, playing fast and loose with the taxpayers’ hard-earned funds. The community expects its leaders to be truthful and transparent and not to rush through deals with foreign countries in the senate late at night.’

  ‘Didn’t you do a deal late at night?’

  ‘I didn’t go to that meeting thinking I would be leader by its end. No-one went to that meeting thinking there would be a change of leadership, that’s just the way it panned out. No-one is more surprised by these events than me. But, having said that, I am proud to be leading my party. I have been its loyal servant for almost thirty years in the parliament. I have been humbled by the faith and trust my colleagues have placed in me.’

  Maklin was about to interrupt, but Stanley raised a hand. ‘I am not here to say the events of last night were not disappointing, they were, for everyone involved and certainly for the many supporters of our party. But we, as members of the party, have a duty to ensure we represent its ideals and prove ourselves worthy of the trust the community has placed in us to lead them.’

  ‘What does this say about honesty and loyalty?’

  ‘Tanya, politicians
are servants of the community. Our job is to serve by doing the right thing all the time, as we did last night in voting to stop the senate amending money bills, which is highly inappropriate for the government to force it to do. Sometimes we have to be less pragmatic and do the right thing when it is required of us. Last night we chose to protect Australian taxpayers’ precious funds.’

  ‘Let me get this right, your leader asks his party to follow him, they say no, and you tell me that’s not pragmatism? You tell me that changing leaders through rebellion in the ranks is doing the right thing? I think the Australian people will see this as a cynical grab for power.’

  ‘There was no rebellion. What we were focused on was the issue of forcing money through parliament without proper scrutiny. We have to face a number of by-elections in February, and then a general election the following year. Our policies are in place, our leadership is in place, and we stand ready to be judged by the electorate. What we won’t countenance, Tanya, is a prime minister ignoring the protocols of the parliament and amending legislation to suit his own crass political needs. Doing this grubby little deal last night betrays the trust of the Australian people. I think that trust, which we all have to earn, is more important than any baubles the prime minister may wish to dangle before the Australian people to buy him votes. I think the Australian people are more intelligent than the prime minister, and perhaps you, Tanya, give them credit for.’

  ‘Well, it’s not about me, but it is about the internal struggles that have marked your party and kept you in opposition for many years. Thanks for joining us. That was Peter Stanley, the new leader of the opposition.’

  ‘You go girl,’ co-host Donnie Maguire said, when he was back in frame. ‘Some tough questions asked, and answered, I think.’ He was reading from the teleprompter.

  ‘Yes. I often wonder what goes through our politicians’ heads when what they should be focused on is the voters,’ Maklin said in response, looking straight at the camera and ignoring her colleague.

  ‘Now it’s off to Hollywood for the more interesting news of the day, with our reporter Stu Whitecross. How are you, Stuie? What’s going on?’

  Gordon O’Brien had been waiting in reception outside the speaker’s office for forty minutes, since seven o’clock, after texting her earlier to confirm what time she would be in. She was late, very late, but he was not moving until he saw her. His last days in the parliament would not be spoilt by the poor behaviour of those who should know better.

  When the speaker arrived, she asked him to follow her into her office.

  ‘May I close the door please, Speaker.’

  ‘If you must.’ Bagshaw sighed.

  ‘Speaker, I have very serious concerns about the events overnight.’

  ‘Oh yes? Not just “serious”, but “very serious”.’ Bagshaw flopped into her chair. ‘What could they be? Let me guess.’

  ‘This is not a time for flippancy.’

  ‘Nor is it a time for you to be rude and disrespectful, especially with only two more days to serve.’

  ‘You have misled me, and by implication, the prime minister has lied, not only to me, but to the house.’

  Bagshaw didn’t move, the words stunned her and she sat motionless as she thought through her options. ‘That is an outrageous thing to suggest. These are very serious charges. On what basis do you suggest such a disgraceful thing?’

  ‘The fact is, Speaker, you assured me that the Appropriation Bill was only for the payment of government funds to taxpayers. When I challenged information about the initial drafting, you assured me the funding for the immigration detention centres would be deferred until next year to be properly scrutinised by the parliament.’ Gordon stood rock solid before her desk. ‘Now, this is not the case, as the government has amended the legislation in the senate, violating convention. You have misled me.’

  ‘Are you calling me a liar?’

  ‘Yes.’ O’Brien could not control himself; he was angry. He was a servant to the parliament, but he felt obliged to ensure propriety and standards were maintained, no matter who threatened them.

  ‘That is an abhorrent suggestion. I must formally warn you, Mr O’Brien, that your behaviour is unacceptable.’ Bagshaw prodded a finger at Gordon. ‘Remember who you’re talking to.’

  ‘My behaviour is entirely honourable, and it is you who should search your conscience and remind yourself of the standards that must be retained in this institution.’ Gordon could feel his mouth drying and his throat tightening. ‘It is you who should be apologising to the parliament for misleading it, and it is you who should not allow this abuse of parliamentary process by the prime minister. It is you who should do what is right.’

  ‘Be careful, O’Brien.’ Bagshaw stood and walked to the door, motioning Gordon to leave.

  Gordon did not move, ‘I have no need to be careful. You must understand there is strong evidence to support a case of fraud against the commonwealth, and your actions have implicated you.’

  ‘What fraud?’ Bagshaw experienced a sudden small stab of doubt.

  ‘It is my solemn belief, now confirmed by the actions of the senate last night, that the prime minister is doing a dishonest deal through an arrangement with the Indonesian government. I also believe he is about to resign his commission today.’

  The enormity of the charge drove Bagshaw to sit. ‘You are kidding me? What proof do you have?’

  O’Brien stalled.

  ‘So, you have nothing,’ Bagshaw snarled.

  ‘Well …’

  ‘Yeah, right! You puffed up, pompous bureaucrat.’ Bagshaw stood and reached for the doorhandle. ‘How dare you wander into my office, call me a liar, and accuse the prime minister of dishonest dealing with another country and outrageously suggest he is embezzling funds. Get out, while you still can.’ Gordon did not move. ‘Get out!’

  ‘The opposition is likely to call votes today, and you will comply.’

  ‘How dare you,’ Bagshaw hissed, struggling to control her breathing.

  ‘They have changed their leader, making the agreement with the government void.’ Gordon smiled, ever so slightly. ‘They now have a majority in the parliament and they will take a vote on the legislation, voting it down. So the little scheme you and the prime minister have cooked up will fail.’

  Now Bagshaw was bellowing. ‘How dare you threaten me. How dare you think you can tell me how to do my job.’

  ‘You have a duty to the Australian people.’

  ‘Get out!’ Bagshaw flung open the door.

  O’Brien paused for a moment before striding from the office, crashing through the doorway and alarming the staff.

  ‘It’s Zara, Prime Minister. Good morning.’ Bagshaw had phoned Gerrard immediately, struggling to control her voice. ‘I need to talk to you, can I come over?’

  ‘Sure, Zara. Come now, before the day gets started.’

  The parliament was scheduled to start at noon and the prime minister was at his desk, editing his resignation speech that he planned to deliver as soon as the amended legislation was passed by parliament. Gerrard had earlier waved goodbye to his wife as she set off for Sydney, where she’d catch the plane to Zurich. As he waited for the speaker, he cleared his desk, moving precious ornaments to the safety of the bookcase.

  ‘Come in, Zara, come in,’ Gerrard moved to greet her with the corporate kiss to both cheeks. ‘You look very alluring today.’

  Bagshaw brushed off the advance by avoiding him. ‘There is no time for that shit today, we may have trouble with O’Brien in the chamber today.’

  ‘Fuck that wanker!’ Gerrard waved one hand dismissively. ‘What does the moron want now?’

  ‘He has just called me a liar.’

  ‘The bastard!’ Gerrard flung himself onto the lounge.

  ‘Worse than that, he seems to think you are doing some deal with the Indonesians, and making some fast cash out of the immigration-funding deal.’

  ‘Unbelievable.’ Gerrard was instantly alert, c
onsciously avoiding any sign of uncertainty or anxiety that Bagshaw might pick up on.

  ‘He has demanded I allow votes today.’

  ‘And what did you say?’

  ‘I told him to fuck off, and not tell me how to do my job.’

  ‘Good girl. What do you think he might do?’

  ‘I don’t suppose there’s much he can do, I mean he has no authority in the parliament, he’s just the clerk after all.’ Bagshaw sat at a chair near the desk. ‘But it’s not him I’m worried about, it’s Stanley. Will he abide by the agreement Harper signed, or will he force a formal vote on the amended legislation?’

  Gerrard stood abruptly and walked behind his desk, falling into his chair where he rocked to and fro considering the point. ‘It’s unfortunate the opposition has changed leaders, but there’s no reason why we should change our plan.’ Gerrard sat forward. ‘If Stanley wants a vote, shut him down.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Either rule his request invalid, referring to the agreement signed this week, or ignore him.’

  ‘I can’t do that if he’s standing at the despatch box.’

  ‘You can if you vacate the chair,’ Gerrard asserted. ‘Mind you, that would shut down the entire parliament, and we can’t do that permanently until we have the money legislation passed.’

  ‘Are you resigning today?’

  ‘No,’ Gerrard tried to sound credible. ‘What makes you say that?’