Well, it was either that or ‘Big Banana Bonks Barmaid.’
I am no fan of Mike Rann. His is a government that has achieved very little at great expense.
But I am less than impressed by suggestions his term as Premier should be brought to an end by revelations about his relationship with parliament house waitress and barmaid Michelle Chantelois.
Rann and Chantelois had been friends for some before the relationship became sexual. He has been consistently polite and supportive in his comments about her, describing her as a ‘terrific person, great mother, and … a friend.’
It seems likely the relationship was sexual in nature, although at this stage there is only Ms Chantelois’ word for that – and she has apparently been paid $200,000 to say so.
It used to be the case that not commenting about one’s sexual exploits was considered a good thing. I am not sure why Rann’s unwillingness to comment about or confirm the nature of his relationship with Chantelois is being painted as something negative.
As far as I can see, if her claims are true, he and she had a long standing friendship which became a sexual relationship. She was married, he was not.
Both are adults. Both behaved badly. Despite her present complaints, there is no reason to believe her claims that she was simply his puppet.
The affair stopped before Rann married in 2006. Rann claims his wife knows about the relationship.
This is a matter for Rann, Chantelois and their spouses.
I hope the Labor government in SA comes to an end. The sooner the better for the people of South Australia
But the hapless State Liberal Party will be making another major bungle if they try force Rann out on the basis of his relationship with Chantelois.
There is no electoral ground to be made in sleazy accusations which have nothing to do with political performance.
There is plenty of electoral ground to be made in positive leadership and in policies which are clearly differentiated from those of Labor.
