"This affair looks much more like a gross Government failure...

"This affair looks much more like a gross Government failure rather than a case of improper, or indeed illegal, behaviour."

Gross corporate failure implies heavy penalties.....What penalty for gross Government failure .and...financial loss for many Australian farming families?

"Mark Vaile's evidence showed a minister asleep at the wheel. Downer made inquiries, but his department did not follow them through adequately and he did not chase up his department sufficiently"

Well a Corporate Board would be now talking to their corporate lawyers. Downer and Vaile have simply gone home (very smugly) to bed.

Maybe Michelle has been in Canberra too long!
"Asleep at the wheel and not following up your responsibilities" fits my definition of improper behaviour.
Surely not that the "Age" is becoming an apologist for Howard......Changes to Media Regulations on the agenda?