Labor leader rekindles Thorp agony

THE Giddings Government has been hit by a new bungle on the damaging Lin Thorp disclosure affair – by one of its own politicians.

A day after the embattled Education, Police and Children’s Minister survived a no-confidence vote, Government Leader in the Legislative Council Doug Parkinson put Ms Thorp’s conduct firmly back in the political spotlight.

In an outburst that left Labor colleagues dumbfounded, Mr Parkinson claimed Ms Thorp had “done the right thing” in publicly revealing the confidential job selection rankings of political rival Paul Mason.

He also said Mr Mason had deserved the “right and proper” treatment meted out to him by Ms Thorp.

Mr Parkinson added Ms Thorp’s public apology to Mr Mason last Friday, eight days after the event, had been motivated solely by political necessity.

An emotionless Ms Thorp sat watching Mr Parkinson’s outburst blank-faced, after saying this week she hoped the controversy was behind her. Ms Thorp and Premier Lara Giddings later issued a joint statement yesterday, distancing themselves from Mr Parkinson’s comments.

The Premier said she did not share Mr Parkinson’s views and repeated her sincere apology to Mr Mason for Ms Thorp’s earlier “inappropriate” comments.

…

Ms Thorp volunteered the private job details about Mr Mason when questioned about her own Rumney re-election campaign, which Mr Mason is also contesting as an independent candidate.

Mr Parkinson told the stunned Upper House that Ms Thorp had since become unfairly caught up in “political humdrum”.

(Scanned by Peter)

• ABC Online:No apology, HERE