Champas isn't saying that John Howard lying isn't an issue or isn't important; he's saying that it is beside the point when judging his character based on this matter.

It is obvious that the children overboard thing was fabrication by the government. After all, the people who were there know that no children were thrown overboard and wouldn't have told the government that there were (they would nothing to gain from it, unless it was due to coaxing from the government). So the lie must have come from the government. Even if you DON'T believe that John Howard admitted to the fact that Scrafton said the tape was inconclusive. Did John Howard give the boat people the benefit of the doubt? No. So I think that Champas's point about lack of scruples is a very salient one.

I think the inquriy needs to be an independant one; senate inquiries still involve the use of public servants that can be pressured by making them fear for their jobs. They do all the grunt work for these inquiries and they are the major source of info for this case. We need outside investigators to ask them the real questions and offer them protection from government threats. Unfortunately it's the old problem of who polices the police. I'm sure there's a good answer to that question but I know the judge of the government will be us on October 9. Hopefully will won't be sentenced to 3 more years of this chodshite government.