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1990
Cheryl Kernot, former school teacher, enters Senate as Democrat representative
for Queensland.
1993
Elected leader of the Australian Democrats.
1994
Secret relationship with then Foreign Minister Gareth Evans begins.
October
1997
Kernot Quits Democrats to join Labor. Welcomed with open arms. "You've
just made me Prime Minister," quips Labor leader Beazley. Kernot
touted as a future Australian Prime Minister.
Makes headlines
when details of "loving and meaningful" relationship with
a former student while she was married and teaching at a Sydney private
school emerge.
January
1998
Kernot threatens to leave politics.
March
12, 1998
Liberal MP, Don Randall, delivers Parliamentary speech about Kernot
and her relationship with Gareth Evans. Accuses Kernot of having "the
morals of an alley cat on heat". He is forced to apologise.
March
23, 1998
Senator Gareth Evans denies in Parliament suggestions of a relationship
between himself and Ms Kernot.
October
1998
Kernot just holds on to seat of Dickson but manages a few tantrums.
September
1999
Gareth Evans resigns from Australian Parliament
October
1999
Kernot can't take the heat and switches to employment portfolio
Affair
with Evans ends some time in October.
November
1999
Kernot takes three months leave. Enters hospital suffering from what
she called immune system breakdown caused by emotional and physical
exhaustion.
Late
1999
Evans sends Kernot an email admitting one of the reasons he ended the
affair was his guilt at having lied to Parliament.
January
2000
Kernot wears red wig to foil media.
January
2000
Evans assumes role of President/Chief Executive of the International
Crisis Group
January
2001
Evans receives Order of Australia
October
2001
Kernot loses seat of Dickson.
July
1 2002
Kernot launches autobiography with a blaze of publicity blaming her
political ruin on the media and Beazley.
July
2 2002
Leading journalists speculate about the "big secret" left
out of the book. Leaked email surfaces.
July
3 2002
Everyone hides. Politicians suggest media mind their own business. Media
suggest frustrated politicians cheating on partners better look out.
July
4 2002
Evans issues short statement confirming affair and apologising for misleading
Parliament. Crisis management was never easier.
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