Politicians are much more careful these days not to get caught. Richard Nixon was impeached because of Watergate, but you can bet, John Howard didn't even leave a trace in the AWB wheat-for-weapons scandal.

The winning formula is simple. First, employ bureaucrats who share your political view. Second, make sure all the crucial information flows through them. Finally, but most importantly, deny you ever received the information if it suits you (and the bureaucrats will back you up).

That was the winning formula in the children-overboard scandal (PM never saw the photos), it was the winning formula in the Iraq war (PM had incorrect intelligence), and history is repeating in the current AWB scandal (PM, Foreign Minister and Trade Minster weren't given any of the documents).

To make matters worse, they appointed to key AWB positions, people who could not hear or remember.

The Cole inquiry will report this month. Even though the AWB scandal should bring the government down, I personally, am not holding my breath.

editor@sydneyobserver.com