The defamation of Ken Case

Three disclosures; First, I’m a unionist and a member of the AEU. Second, I’m a member of the ALP. Third, I’m privileged enough to be able to count Ken Case as one of my friends.

Understandably, I’m angry that Ken is the focus of the Liberal Party’s latest scare campaign. I hadn’t bothered to look into the details of the latest “unionist runs at Howard” rubbish, because I suspected (rightly) that it was rubbish. I didn’t know until now (thanks to The Editor) that Ken was the unionist in question.

This is the way the Libs portray Ken.

The things in this footage that Australians have most to fear in this advertisement are not unions, the ALP and the Ken Cases of the world. The scariest thing is that we have a government willing to smear upstanding Australians for the sole sake of political advantage. The scariest thing this ad demonstrates is that the Government isn’t above directing malice against its own citizenry for nothing other than its own desperate hunger for power.

Let me tell you a few things about Ken Case. Ken isn’t beholden to the ALP, nor is the ALP beholden to Ken Case. The Ken Cases of the world aren’t branch stackers. The Ken Cases of the world aren’t party hacks. The Ken Cases of the world aren’t at all Machiavellian and they are about as sick and tired of party politics as most Australians are. Probably more so.

Ken is a wonderful teacher. Ken is a wonderful father. I’ve been privileged to see the way he talks to his children and let me tell you, I’m flat out envious of how compassionate and gentle this man is.

I’ve seen Ken operate as a unionist. He’s loyal to the members and he would never forsake that loyalty for political gain or factionalism. More to the point, Ken’s demeanor isn’t at all like Joe McDonald’s, who’s voice you can hear playing over again saying “we’re coming back”.

Joe doesn’t have the most endearing personality to put it mildly and I freely admit it. I’m no fan of Joe McDonald. There are though, rough people in every line of work and that includes unions and it includes politics. Should Labor stop talking policy and run ads about the Victorian and NSW Young Liberals instead? There is plenty of nastiness there but there are however better things to discuss in an election.

Ken is just a passionate guy. He’s extroverted and he’s not afraid of an argument. The only kind of drubbing Howard was likely to receive from Ken was a telling off. Ken certainly isn’t the kind of guy who would want to “get his hands” on John Howard as this ad sickeningly alludes to. John Howard was never at any risk of a physical attack from Ken Case. This ad is rubbish.

Importantly, the Libs failed to mention that the AEU (the union in which Ken is an organiser) is not affiliated with the ALP. The idea of Ken as some kind of ALP machine man is absolutely ludicrous. Not only does he not have the position, he’s not the kind I’d expect to even have an interest in such a role. He’s a grass roots kind of guy, not a party hack.

I’m perfectly happy to associate with Ken Case. Either as a unionist or by way of the teaching profession. Ken is one of the good guys.

The fact that in order to push their line that unions are run by thugs (in lieu of actual union thuggery) that the Libs have had to smear a good, decent and upstanding bloke, speaks more about the Liberal Party than it ever will about unions.

Now, I’m hoping that the Liberal Party can get back to talking about policies and that Ken can get back to living his life without this kind of harassment and smearing.

~ Bruce

PS. If you want to know what really happened, you can read about it here. Ken’s protest was clearly worthy of the Chaser and didn’t pose a threat to the PM.