I fully support scrutiny of governments at all levels and robust questioning of politicians, but I felt the line of decency was crossed today when a radio journalist asked the Prime Minister if he would take a lie detector test.

The issue, of course, was the so-called “children overboard” affair from 2001 and conflicting recollections of particular events.

Most thinking people know the government was politically opportunist at that time and almost certainly exaggerated details without bothering to verify them. But it’s history now and we should move on.

People who think the other mob are more honest than John Howard and co will vote accordingly in a few weeks.

I liked Howard’s answer: “If people don’t believe what I say on the basis of looking at me and listening to my words, then going through a mechanical process like that is not going to alter their opinions.”

He’s dead right, end of story. In my view it was disrespectful to suggest that he should take a polygraph test.

What next? Bring out the polygraph to test Mark Latham’s version of the taxi driver punch-up, the pot plant altercation and his mismanagement of Liverpool Council. I’d also like to see a few football coaches, media commentators, bank chiefs and others wired up to a lie detector!