BRIEFLY BRENDAN

This is what really happened on last night's 7.30 Report when host Kerry O'Brien asked Federal Opposition "leader" Brendan Nelson a few questions about some stuff ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Given the struggle that you've been having to establish some sort of credibility with the electorate as leader, how big a political setback do you think this is?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: And you so far have completely ignored my question. Is it true that you said it to your party the joint party room today that you apologised at the start for the lead-up to this policy decision and that you took responsibility for what has been a mess?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Did you apologise to your party room?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: You don't think it's important enough, that this is an important issue for the electorate to know whether you as leader of the Coalition felt it necessary to go into your joint party room today and apologise for the way you have conducted your side of the climate change debate in recent weeks.

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: This is how the Australian media have reported the outcome of your Shadow Cabinet room yesterday:

The Financial Review: Nelson rolled on emissions plan.
Sydney Daily Telegraph: Brendan Nelson humiliated.
Sydney Morning Herald: Nelson's team leaves him high and dry on climate.
Melbourne Herald Sun: Nelson gives in on policy.
Brisbane Courier Mail: An Embarrassing double back down.
Adelaide Advertiser: lame Duck Nelson Loses More Feathers
The Australian: Nelson's new client shift.

A pretty comprehensive picture of leadership failure, wasn't it?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: This represents nine of Australia's most senior political correspondents. Do they have it wrong?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: You've said time and again that Mr Rudd is in too much of a hurry on emissions targets, he's in too much of a rush. You talk about his missionary zeal.

Yet all he is doing, it seems, is honouring his election promise to introduce an ETS some time in 2010. He went to the election saying 2010, John Howard said 2011, or 2012.

Kevin Rudd won the election, he's implementing a promise. Why is that irresponsible?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Dr Nelson, isn't it true that you are still not yet committed, definitely, categorically, to a 2012 start-up? Isn't that right?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Isn't that right?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: It is open ended still, isn't it, when you would commit finally to introducing a scheme. You might not introduce it before 2013 or later. You say probably 2012.

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Which might be after 2012?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: But might start later?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: But might start later?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: A simple yes or no Dr Nelson. It might be later than 2012?

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Dr Nelson I'm simply trying to clarify with you what your position is. So potentially an ETS under Dr Brendan Nelson's Coalition might not be introduced until some time after 2012.

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Dr Nelson thanks for talking with us.

BRENDAN NELSON: ...

I wonder if Kerry went home and punched a wall afterward?

Brendan Nelson's such a thoroughly damp little squib I doubt he could manage to set his own farts aflame after a month-long bean-eating tournament.