Sex scandal rocks PM's Labor party

[Ban Hammer 13,625]

CANBERRA (Reuters) – A sex scandal rocked on Tuesday Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's scandal-plagued Labor Party in the state of New South Wales -- vital to Rudd's re-election hopes.

New South Wales Labor Health Minister John Della Bosca, a factional heavyweight at state level in the same center-left party as Rudd, quit his post on Monday amid newspaper revelations he had a extramarital affair with a 26-year-old woman.

"I made some poor decisions. You have to take your medicine if you make bad decisions," Della Bosca told reporters on Tuesday.

The state Labor government is deeply unpopular with voters, and opinion polls point to it being thrown out of office in 2011 over a string of scandals and its inability to improve services such as roads, hospitals and schools.

But the state is also a national keystone and with Rudd weighing the possibility of a snap election early next year to overcome an obstructive upper house, Labor's woes there are of deep concern to Rudd and party strategists.

"I don't think there's anyone in the federal government who's going to want to be distracted by anything like this," said Agriculture Minister Tony Burke.

Rudd's government, riding high in opinion polls, controls 83 seats in the 150 seat lower house of parliament. NSW has 13 seats in the national parliament held by tight margins of less 5 percent, many in Sydney's suburbs and fringes.

It is also home to almost a third of Australia's 21 million people and a third of national gross domestic product, valued at A$360 billion ($303.8 billion), despite the highest unemployment record of Australia's six states.

"SPECTACULAR FALL"

The resignation and lurid details of sex in Della Bosca's ministerial office could cement anti-Labor sentiment, leaving Rudd vulnerable to a backlash from frustrated voters in the state in national elections, say political analysts.

"Expect Kevin Rudd to take out an Apprehended Violence Order against the NSW government when campaigning in Sydney," wrote political columnist David Penberthy on The Punch news website, referring to court orders barring contact between defendants.

"Della Bosca's spectacular fall confirms the standing of the NSW Labor government as a cross between the last days of Rome, and Melrose Place," Penberthy said, referring to a U.S. television soap opera.

State Labor leader Nathan Rees was constantly asked by reporters on Tuesday whether he and his government would resign, while the national conservative opposition lawmakers attempted to link the state scandal with Rudd.

"The electors should put this government out of its misery and I'm sure if ... Kevin Rudd were being honest, they would say the best thing Nathan Rees can do for the federal Labor Party would be to quietly disappear," said senior national conservative MP Tony Abbott.

Rudd, speaking in Western Australia, declined to comment on any national implications of the scandal.

"I don't see any point in providing lectures to anybody on this sensitive and delicate matter," he said.

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[Nagishkaw 510]

Scandal rocked the PM's Labour Party? I wonder if he brought along his flock......

[Heracles 417]

I always thought Australia's left wing party reminded me of repubs here.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

oh dem freaky aussies!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I call bs. Things like this don't happen in Australia. It is perfect. Ask Booyah, or Hellyah, or Hazayah or whatever his name is at the moment.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Was BY the meat?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Was BY the meat?

I think it was him and a kangaroo.

[Danno 1,228]

Wait a minute, I thought these types of scandals were meaningless in Europe?

as the libs tell it, they are so much more advanced than us.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Wait a minute, I thought these types of scandals were meaningless in Europe?

as the libs tell it, they are so much more advanced than us.

Australia is not in Europe

[Danno 1,228]

Wait a minute, I thought these types of scandals were meaningless in Europe?

as the libs tell it, they are so much more advanced than us.

Australia is not in Europe

gulp.... I guess you are right. (darn it)

But I think they are included in the general claim of being more "advanced" than us in this regard.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Wait a minute, I thought these types of scandals were meaningless in Europe?

as the libs tell it, they are so much more advanced than us.

Australia is not in Europe

gulp.... I guess you are right. (darn it)

But I think they are included in the general claim of being more "advanced" than us in this regard.

YAY!!!

[The Dude 206]

Wait a minute, I thought these types of scandals were meaningless in Europe?

as the libs tell it, they are so much more advanced than us.

Australia is not in Europe

gulp.... I guess you are right. (darn it)

But I think they are included in the general claim of being more "advanced" than us in this regard.

I got the jist of your post, but I don't mind a politician getting a little on the side. I only find it comedic when you have a conservative who prides himself, and even campaigns on family values, only to be caught pounding a 19 year old male page in a seedy hotel. Now, if said politician never heralded himself as a pillar of morality, being above such things, I wouldnt' care.