Last night nine repeated Geoffrey Robertson's latest Hypothetical, The Pope, The PM and the Assassin.
In Robertson's wonderfully enigmatic style he took us on a whirlwind journey through issue upon intertwined issue: cricket; Australians charged with drug and sex offences in an islamic nation; bribery of foreign officials; human rights; death penalty; terrorism; religion; Taiwan independence; national security; protecting journalistic sources; etc
For me the highlight was about one third of the way through when the hypothetical "Narelle Corby", convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death by firing squad, escaped from gaol and presented herself to the Australian Embassy for asylum.
Former police Commissioner, Warren Reed, was happy to grant asylum, but both the new Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and the Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, were adamant that the embassy would be instructed to hand her back to the authorities to be executed the next day.
Fortunately Natasha Stott-Despoja was able to ignore the diplomacy and see the intrinsic value of saving an Australian life when the opportunity arises. After a small amount of further discussion Judge Felicity Hampel suggested that the PM should be seeking to negotiate a prisoner exchange program to save Corby from execution.
Tony Abbott responded meekly with "If that was possible, sure." to which the Judge aptly quipped "But why not think creatively and use the opportunity, Mr Abbott? You're our PM, you're supposed to have vision!".
Which just goes to prove how poorly some of our politicians are able to think on the spot without their advisors whispering in their ears.
Certainly one of Robertson's more intriguing presentations. I look forward to many more to come.
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