What's good for the goose is good for the gander, Mr Abbott.   

Abbott on defensive over 'fix' phone message

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has defended his efforts to support a Queensland colleague who was later dumped by the Liberal National Party in Queensland.

Member for Ryan Michael Johnson received a phone message from Mr Abbott in February saying he had spoken to LNP heavyweights to support Mr Johnson's case to remain in the party, and offering to "fix" any legal issues involving campaign funds.

Mr Abbott says he was merely offering to help a colleague in trouble and was not later overruled by the LNP.      

"More information came to light since I had that conversation with Michael - the LNP took action and I support the party and its decision."

Mr Johnson was deselected in May amid claims that he tried to claim a $12 million commission for brokering a deal to export coal to China.

The Member for Ryan, who has vowed to stand as an independent in the Brisbane seat at the upcoming federal election, says he received the message from Mr Abbott in February, the day after the LNP told him to resign from the federal parliament.

In the message, Mr Abbott says: "If there was a legal problem, well obviously we'd fix it, but I have no reason to think there was."

Mr Johnson says the tape reveals the Queensland LNP heavyweights overruled Mr Abbott when they decided to deselect him.    

"Well it just shows the power of the organisation in Queensland over the alternative prime minister of Australia," he said.

"I think it's completely inappropriate. Just as Kevin Rudd was thrown out as prime minister of Australia by the back room and the unelected people of the Labor Party, this shows the influence of the former National Party people who run the LNP today."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/16/2955708.htm

I wouldn't read a newspaper article phrased in the way they want it and write someone off.

About the young guy.. two weeks traveling and a year of international relations sort of makes me think you're more of a ninny than if you have nothing. Two weeks doesn't really enlighten you to European culture so don't act as if it does, and IR for a year is just nothing.

You made me laugh out very loud Dara with your comment. That's great!

Liberal party defends online search ads

The Federal Liberal Party says paying for links to appear at the top of search engine results is a legitimate form of campaign advertising.

The party is paying for its website to be the first search result when rival candidates names are typed into Google.

A spokeswoman for the Liberal Party says the links are clearly marked as advertising, and it is part of their broader strategy for the campaign.

The South Australian independent candidate for Mayo, Bill Spragg, says it is part of a dirty tricks campaign.

"People might think I was connected to the Liberal Party," he said.

"Because if you select a candidate who's standing as an independent and it takes you to a party site, you might wonder what the affiliation of that candidate was."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/07/2976446.htm?section=justin