And there Walsh is,like Rumpelstiltskin. How long will he keep on spinning us gold out of straw before someone learns his secret?
Now that he is engaged in the Federal Court with the Australian Taxation Office,has this time come?
The ATO says that Walsh,and others in a secretive punters'club,have been running a $2.4 billion global gambling business,and it wants the taxes due. At last count,Walsh faced a $37.7 million tax bill,plus interest,for 2004-6,which he is disputing.
Last week,when more details of the tax dispute became public,he was being asked whether this meant MONA will soon be over.
Do you need to hop on a cheap flight to Hobart quickly?
Probably not. Walsh is looking to settle with the ATO. He argues that gambling winnings aren't taxable,and that until now the ATO has always told him so. He rates the closure of MONA asa "small" chance.
Instead,what is emerging is an essentially Australian narrative. We still love a cheeky finger raised at authority or at people who put on airs. We are still mad gamblers.
Walsh's corner is crowded with people who would bet on him.