Morally barren

John Howard has an Australian ‘good buddy’ to equal his cobber George W. When Howard has need for a media deflection or character assassination he calls on his attack dog, Senator Bill Heffernan

Heffernan has apologised to deputy Labor leader Julia Gillard for attacking her political credentials on the grounds that she was "deliberately barren". It was, in the way Heffernan does things, a cruel and cowardly attack which sticks to some degree.

Sure he apologised, but it was very much a throwaway apology. Much like the one he offered after his disgraceful attack on highly regarded Justice Michael Kirby some years back. Kirby is an acknowledged homosexual, giving Heffernan some supposed soapbox to charge pedophilia claims.

Like Gillard and the ALP, Kirby was seen as a problem for the Howard government. Heffernan’s immoral attacks are becoming a barometer for just how worried Howard is. They are designed to deflect and destroy, but sometimes they fail miserably.

In this latest case, claiming that a childless women does not have the experience to govern a nation is nothing short of moronic. As is equating gay and pedophilia. The problem is that these low and immoral acts leave a stain, regardless of how erroneous they might be. A ‘humble apology does not undo the statement.

This time though he might have overstepped. The calls for his dismissal are putting pressure on Howard rather than diverting. Even in his own Liberal Party there is more than a little unease. Especially from female members.

Heffernan is a gutless specimen, and not terribly intelligent. Howard has stuck up for him up to now, as he should if he is loading the bullets. This could be an issue where these close friends might now have to bite the bullet and part ways.