Ross Jones, Independent Australia's investigations editor and author of the acclaimed book Ashbygate: The plot to destroy Australia's speaker, spoke with The Guardian's Sarah Martin on the political ascent and parliamentary scandal of One Nation's James Ashby.
“Just about every coffee shop in Australia reads The Daily Telegraph. The language was pretty straightforward. And so I think the public saw Peter Slipper as a comedic figure – a useless comedic figure – who was just a silly old man trying to screw his young assistant.”
“Why? What was in it for him? What did they promise him? You asked me before about James' personality; what I didn't also say to you was I think he's definitely a grade-A opportunist.”
This is an excerpt from the full podcast ('The Populist: episode 2 - Favourite Son'), which you can listen to HERE.
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Audio only version available HERE.
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