The Senate will not investigate how details of a conversation between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US President George W Bush were leaked, but opposition MPs are still talking about the possibility of a police investigation.
Family First senator Steve Fielding yesterday called for a Senate inquiry into how details of the telephone conversation were leaked to The Australian newspaper.
But his plan was this morning blocked by a tied vote in the Senate.
Senate votes are lost when tied.
The Australian Greens and independent Nick Xenophon both voted against Senator Fielding and the coalition.
“While the Prime Minister Rudd needs to ensure a tighter ship after late evening conversations with foreign leaders, a Senate summons to Mr Rudd, his staff, attending security guards and reporters will either fail or end up with a massive stoush between the houses of parliament,” Greens leader Bob Brown said.
Despite this, opposition MPs continued their assault on Mr Rudd today.
“Kevin Rudd finally needs to clean this up by calling in the Australian Federal Police to investigate this leak as he has done with other leaks,” Liberal frontbencher Michael Keenan told reporters.
His fellow frontbencher Ian Macfarlane said Mr Rudd could fix the drama very easily.
“It can be solved by Kevin Rudd simply walking down to the chamber and giving an explanation as to how that story arrived in The Australian,” he said.
“If he doesn't have the answer he needs to cooperate with a federal police investigation.”
For the second day running no Labor frontbenchers arrived to speak in Mr Rudd's defence, leaving it to backbenchers. ------------------------------ Just remember to salute the boss again on your arrival Kevie and suck up big time for being a loose mouthed amatuer on the world stage.Oh and dont be surprised if you find yourself on your own most of the time
