This Section 34 fiasco, everything surrounding it and the possible implications of it are all very serious matters that have the potential for damaging the sanctity of some of this country's highest offices and bringing into question the credibility of their holders.

If one were to put God out of one's thoughts for a minute and ponder the implications of the issue based solely on the evidence already in the public domain it could appear as if there was a massive conspiracy to utilise the Parliament to create an escape for (at least) two party financiers of the government.

If that is what occurred in reality, then surely we need to stop and begin whatever passes for impeachment proceedings in this country. Seriously, "who-knew-what-and-when'' pales in comparison to "who-did-what-and-why,'' and before all zandolees find their holes, I think we need to ask some questions to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Madame Prime Minister, as the head of the government and the Cabinet, were you at any time aware of the details of this legislation and specifically the now repealed controversial Section 34? Were you at any time aware of any plans to have it whole or in part proclaimed before time and on Independence day of all days? If the answer is no to either or both questions, are you prepared to remove from the Cabinet all those who had a hand in this historical and unprecedented fiasco and to begin investigations into any misconduct that may have occurred?

Finally, if the answer to either question is yes, are you prepared to dissolve the Parliament to safeguard that institution from being brought into further disrepute?

Mr President, did you at any time find the request, especially the timing and surreptitiousness of it, a little unorthodox? Did you contemplate seeking advice or perhaps pausing to consider the implications of acceding to such a request? Looking back on whatever little part you may have played in what has now become a brewing fiasco, are you comfortable with the decisions you made at that time?

Mr Attorney General, having regard for the absolute seriousness of this issue, if you were not in government and commenting as a concerned citizen and a lawyer, what consequences would you call for for those responsible for a cock-up of this magnitude?

Would you call for the AG to be fired? Investigated? Disbarred? Charged?

Regarding the Justice Minister and his role as a patriotic outsider, would you have called for his head as well?

With specific regard to your intentions behind this Act and having it proclaimed as law under what has been described as questionable circumstances, can you give account as to what on the surface appears to be clandestine legislating?

Were any others involved in the planning, creating and executing of this endeavour, and should they also be removed from office for the part or parts they played?

Clearly this cannot be the end of the questions by any means and surely everyone concerned on all sides of the political and national divide must be aware that we have crossed the Rubicon here, that we cannot simply pick up our marbles and move on.

Belabouring the metaphor for emphasis and now that the pieces do not so easily go back into the box. This matter has to be taken to a conclusion that restores public confidence in the institutions of governance and ought not to be considered resolved until all those who were involved in any way are, at the very least, removed from public office and investigated for any wrongdoing or misbehaviour.

If all through history lesser circumstances have toppled governments in the civilised world, then it follows for us to claim ourselves civilised then we as a nation and a people have to demonstrate the capacity to not only take this matter seriously but to insist on having it seen through to the conclusion most beneficial to the country, it reputation, and its people as a whole.

Phillip Edward Alexander

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