… and it won’t cost a penny, just a bit of time … like maybe 100 years.
Bob Katter’s outrageous slur against a revered Townsville organisation … but they fire back.
None of this very surprising, because it was a vintage week for bollocks… the Bulletin grew some, a politician is sore need was presented with some, and the shady company CEO lost his. And the American state politicians who sponsored a bill requiring all men to get a vasectomy when turning 40, or after fathering three children …whichever came first.
Some qualified praise for the Astonisher (yes, since you ask, The ‘Pie is feeling a little dizzy)
Did Chris Morris blink? After a lot of huffing and puffing with righteous indignation about NAIF treachery, it appears the casino supremo has decided to dip into his own pocket for his new hotel . But he will settle for a taxpayer-funded superyacht marina instead. Or has he made the same mistake again of speaking too soon?
That proposed concert hall … why a new study? We’ve already got a perfectly good one. And The’Pie’s got a copy, even if it is marked ‘confidential’.
And is it Campion cant, or Barnaby bilge … Vicki Campion’s weekly News Ltd Column in the Astonisher has a strangely familiar ring to it, making one wonder does she actually write it? A News Ltd free kick for the Nats?
Plus, in the US gallery, fighting Facebook, the Republicans high stakes poker game with global stability on the table, and an unanswerable question for anti-mask god-botherers.
Go and make a cuppa, here’s the commercial break. It is the season to cop some annual blog bills, so a helping hand would be mighty timely. If you feel like it’s worth pitching in for this weekly missive, the donate button is at the end of the blog. Much needed. Thanks.
Now onward …
Water On The Brain?
When it comes to be written, the definitive biography of Jenny Hill’s mayoral term will see her fortunes – or misfortunes – inextricably linked to water. Whether it be too much (dam floodgates during a monsoon), too little (the Haughton pipeline project so dry for so long), its discolouration (forcing her to drink a brownish brew for the TV cameras), or burst and leaky watermains across the city, water is a definitive feature of her tenure in the mayoral office.
And now it seems, well beyond that tenure, she sees a new role for water in the Townsville story. This vision emerged when the Astonisher ran this space filler ‘scare-the-pants-off -‘em beat up last Monday.
The tissue-thin link was that second par that local council’s would be financially walloped by a predicted 0.84m rise in sea levels by 2100. A map projection of Townsville showed huge swathes of South Townsville, Oonoonba, Rowes Bay, just about all of the Bohle going under (including the Town Common) and turning the Pallarenda beachfront into a long thin isthmus.
But like a fairy godmother with a wand, our protector said she wasn’t worried , because ‘coastal inundation was a nationwide problem for the federal government to address’.
But then, with the ingenuity of a latter day Baldrick, she outlined a cunning plan that came to her in a moment of lucidity during the monsoon floods. Being a good local girl, her Road to Damascus moment was actually a Road to Charters Towers moment a few years ago.
Much like building codes were adapted to meet the threats of cyclones, our gal has suggested a further change to accommodate the surging seawater caused by climate change. She says instead of having homes built on cyclone safe pads, which concentrated the flow of floodwaters, she looked to the past for the answer to the future.
‘We should embrace the approach of the city’s forefathers … by building houses on stilts.’
Brilliant! Why not? That way, being no Jenny Canute, she reckons let the waters come, and swirl beneath our homes couple of times a day. Why, we could even have incoming tide parties, fishing of the balcony for the barbie, and have a laugh as the trampoline with the dog on it disappears out to sea. A veritable Venice of the North.
Bentley imagined how Jenny would take to it if still around.
Note The ‘Pie has a slightly different version.
A woman before her time … and amen to that, say the next generation.
Is The Worm Making A Slow But Steady U-Turn?
There was a startling story in the Bulletin this week – the story itself wasn’t what was startling – it was very old news to readers of The Magpie’s Nest – it was the fact that it was in the Bulletin, and in such straightforward language.
As The ‘Pie said, startling for the unaccustomed directness and unambiguous language. Tony Raggatt set out the reality of the stadium folly (he of course didn’t say that, but it was pretty much implied), with sporting snubs and cancelled big ticket concerts Try this for hard-nosed reporting.
Even Colin Dwyer was allowed to call it the way it is – rooted – , and that was backed by an editorial along the same lines (although, as usual, iditor Craig Warhurst again bewildered us when one moment saying the stadium cupboard was bare and then telling us there was an ‘onslaught’ coming next year).
This is the latest of a series of small indications that the Bulletin has grown some balls at last … it’s still a long way from being a serious newspaper/news outlet, but let’s hope one day they drop.
Speaking Of Urgently Needed Spheroids.
Memo Aaron Harper: if you’re going to stick out your glass jaw and slag off at a political opponent, wouldn’t it be best to get his name right?
Seems it’s not just Jenny who is completely spooked by Thompson. Harpic doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone. But some charitable folks seem to have taken pity on him, with a whip round to change his most obvious deficit. He got all dressed up in his mum’s old curtain’s (or is that flock wallpaper from an Indian restaurant) and was presented with a variety balls, to choose from, to replace the ones he lost the day he was elected.
Hopefully, Harpic, they will help you to fight crime in Townsville, something Mr ‘Thomson’ hasn’t got around to. Yet.
Jenny’s BFF Loses His
Seems Magnis Technology is getting more and more on the honker by the day. And makes even more pertinent vital questions for our mayor about just what due diligence she undertook when she first started fluttering her eyelashes at Magnis business Lothario Frank Poullas years ago.
As reported here a week or two ago, Poullas and Magnis were hung out to dry by an article in the Australian, which exposed the shaky edifice Magnis is crouching behind. Poullas had trumpeted to the ASX and shareholders that a major customer which had signed a $898m contract was a crowd called Sukh Energy. The Australian’s finance writer Kylar Loussikian outed this as bullshit (not his words of course, but still …) revealing that Sukh Energy not only has no assets but just $70,000.
Poullas since then made the error of trying to defend the indefensible, but then suddenly scuttled behind legal skirting boards saying he was not required to answer The Australian’s probing questions. He has now also removed the Magnis directors list from public view.
We await developments.
To even try a scam like this, you’d reckon you’d need to have big balls, but Frank Poullas has lost his. Here he is shortly after the Australian phone calls and emails, posing in front of his balls the paper so neatly snipped off .
One wonders if this information might embolden Tony Raggatt in his new frank and fearless role to actually ask Mayor Jenny Hill about council due diligence, money that may have changed hands, and any other arrangements with this highly questionable company and its oily CEO.
Mr Raggatt May Be A Bit Selective In His Targets For His New Found Tough Questioning.
One doubts that Chris Morris or his executives will be subject to too much curiosity. Not that there’s some dastardly deed to uncover, but there’s certainly a bit of game playing behind the Weekend Bulletin story.
That the Ville’s new hotel is going ahead is a great positive story for the city, even if one discounts the now familiar gurgling oversell. But the burning question that has everybody guessing wasn‘t even asked …what happened to the previously all-but-promised NAIF funding for the hotel, and why was it so abruptly and publicly dumped? Independent body or not, NAIF is in the political arena … which makes it our business.
After all the scripted puffery about the you-beaut project, all we got by way of background regarding public funds was this: While recent mixed messages on lending from NAIF had caused a rethink, (Ville CEO) Michael Jones said they were confident to proceed “We are working through the final stages of finance at the moment but it’s all systems go. We are in discussions with NAIF and some other parties around the marina,” Mr Jones said.
He said Chris Morris was really keen to ensure super yacht berthing was available as part of a proposed marina fronting the hotels and studies had been commissioned.”
So the heavy hint here is that while NAIF won’t cough up a loan for the high employing hotel, it might just pitch in for a more speculative super yacht marina. And with other unspecified investors. Very strange prioritising by NAIF with public money. The new hotel sounds like a more responsible loan rather than a possibly contentious super yacht marina. Have any of these people ever dealt with the Great Barrier Reef Marina Park Authority? The duck pond may not be their direct rsponsibility (it’s the Port’s, if memory serves) but they will still have a big say in all sorts of specifications an d red and green tape for a development so close to their waters.
And of course, there will be those who will reasonably ask why a private outfit with a license to print money through a popular casino, and whose owners say they are receiving ‘great support’ from NQ folk (read mugs) as well as visitors, should receive any government funds for any of their operations.
That is a debatable social question, but don’t expect Tony Raggatt to ask such a question any time soon.
Hey Quick Question, Phil Thompson
Why waste money on a feasibility report into a new concert hall for Townsville? As Trump would say, you’ve scored majorly and bigly in the political tit-for-tat with Mayor Mullet, but spare a thought for we mugs whose money it ultimately is.
There is already in existence a thorough, professional and comprehensive report already done and still current, done by an independent expert. And paid for by the TCC. One or two areas overlooked regarding sites can be easily added.
Oh, wait … perhaps your piddling little couple of million for a study – at that rorting price, presumably written in gold leaf with Mont Blanc pens – will stretch out to completion beyond the looming federal election … and then you may find the promised $98million has absconded to parts unknown.
Aww, c’mon, you wouldn’t that, would you, Phil, mate?
BTW, the report is still marked confidential, so if the link provided here is removed, let’s know, The ‘Pie took the precaution of copying all 37 pages.
The Kap Gun Goes Off
The Magpie is always pleased to report the news that others ignore. Like this.
| The Magpie 8,165 approved email hidden; JavaScript is required 101.183.150.166 |
Submitted on 2021/10/04 at 10:59 amBREAKING NEWS …. NEWSFLASH … BREAKING NEWS… NEWSFLASHEXCLUSIVE:
BOB KATTER ACCUSES TOWNSVILLE ENTERPRISE OF DOING SOMETHING.
In an unexpected ambush, and to the disbelief of Townsville residents, the member for Kennedy has brazenly accused TEL of doing something. He has told the Townsville Daily Astonisher that Townsville Enterprise is using $24m he secured when he held the balance of power in the parliament “to betray the people of North Queensland and Australia”. Despite failing to show any evidence that Townsville Enterprise had actually done anything at all regarding that, or anything else, Mr Katter stood by his claim. But the head of Townsville Enterprise, Claudia Brumme-Smith was having none of it.
Ms Brumme-Smith, known admiringly by her staff as Mistress of B-S, fired back, ‘This is a scurrilous accusation about reports of any activity at all within my organisation. We have worked hard to become known, in the more reliable media outlets, as the Dudley Do Nothings of Townsville.’ Under intense and fearless questioning from a tough investigative reporter from the Astonisher, Ms B-S was forced to admit her staff had ‘ticked some boxes’ and did occasionally rewrite press releases from other organisations ‘to appear to include us in projects we had nothing to do with’. ‘But that hardly deserves this blanket slur on TEL of ‘doing something’. No wonder he’s known as Bob Kattertonic’ But Mr Katter countered by saying. “TEL and (consultants Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation) are operating with a combination of inertia born out of laziness and arrogance which brooks no interference from reality or the people of Australia.” He added that operating anything meant you were doing something. Ms B-S said she was seeking legal advice for a possible defamation action. |
If The ‘Pie Chucks Brickbats, Then He Must Throw Bouquets When They’re Due.
Further evidence that, like the curate’s egg, the Astonisher is very good in parts.
The coverage of the Alva Beach killings has been dogged and thorough throughout, including the summary of the Coroners findings release on Wednesday. It may be questionable if the reading public were as enthusiastic about this long running saga as the paper’s ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ gang, but it was nevertheless well done. And the exposure of incredible lax and cavailier police attitudes will be up for further coverage.
But The Magpie would probably have a fit of the conniptions if he were unable to have a niggle about something, and iditor Craig Warhurst came to the rescue … putting words into the mouth of a coroner can be a dangerous exercise.
Mate, she said no such thing, and it is not a matter of petty pedantry when it comes to language and the law – as The ‘Pie sadly knows to his own occasional detriment over the years.
What reporter Vanessa March accurately quoted from the the coroner’s findings was this:
“Had he gone to Mr Webber’s residence on being advised of the matter, it is highly likely that the situation would have been defused immediately and two lives saved’.
‘Highly likely’ and ‘would have’ – the one speculative, the other definitive – are universes apart in legal matter; the shoulder shrug of ‘Close enough is good enough’ has cost a lot of people (and papers) a lot of money and embarrassment over time, and in some cases, a lot of time in places they’d prefer not to be.
What is worse Craig, is that the accurate version was in your own paper.
As Joe Biden says ‘C’mon man.’
Author Author, We Cry. But Who Actually Is The Author?
There are those with some personal knowledge of the matter have often questioned whether Barnaby Beetroot’s newly nailed missus Vicki Campion really writes her weekly News Ltd column.
The ‘Pie doesn’t want to delve too deeply into such aspersions, but if she pens it herself, then he, like friends who also knew Vicki when she was at Bulletin, will be very … ummm … surprised.
There is no doubt that from the moment Vicki’s dainties plopped down onto the ministerial Axminster, a News Ltd deal was always going to be part of the mix. Now while the column’s authorship has been a long argued debate around The Nest, this particular column in the Weekend Bulletin, appears, like Vicki herself, to have hubby’s fingerprints all over it.
In short, it gives a massive serve to those in the media who have made an issue of newly minted NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s Catholicism … and his six kid family. The column makes some very convenient and highly debatable arguments that a person’s religion doesn’t affect political decision making. really? Bob Santamaria would be turning in his grave with mirth, and Ayahtolla Khomeni would be having celestial chuckle as well. Abortion? State aid to private schools? Tax free status for religions?
But the premise that, like just about everything else it touches, the media has beaten up this aspect unfairly, is accepted. However, having read ‘Vicki’s’ opinion, The ‘Pie came across this from 2017, which was definitely the work of Catholic St Ignatius-educated Barbaby Joyce, who coincidentally, was also one of six children.
The full comments by Barnaby in July 2016 here.
OK, couples can share the same sentiments – even if Vicki is a self-confessed atheist, and Barnaby is a religious backslider – but the similarity in phrasing is almost uncanny. Don’t tell us Rupert did a deal after Vicki loosened her linen for her Catholic, then still-married boss, so the Nats would get a nationally syndicated column. But our old friend in the business, ‘plausible deniability’ required that the column be given to an ex-employee still in good odour in Holt street – a column which has proved to be about as fair and balanced as Les Walker after midnight at The Mad Cow.
And This Seems Like The ideal Segue –
A Pennsylvania lawmaker – a Democrat – has proposed a law requiring all ‘Inseminators’ to get a mandatory vasectomy at age 40, or after three kids, whichever came first. This in the world of fake News, turns out to be true … and it’s also not true.
It is what is called a parody bill, aimed at taking the mickey out of the draconian Texas abortion laws. The invaluable debunking site Snopes has the hilarious story, including a well known Republican of the past being suckered in. Delicious!
So to our weekly illustrated gallery from the US, which concentrated on alarming Facebook revelations at an official inquiry, and the last minute Republican back down on blocking supply. And on that, just so you know, this thumbnail explainer from the Guardian.
“But economists at the department also say that attempts to portray the need to tackle the debt ceiling as an effort to pay for Democrats’ budget resolutions that are yet to pass Congress amount to disinformation, according to sources familiar with the mechanism.
The criticism comes primarily because the overriding reason for raising the debt ceiling stems from the fact that the US needs to borrow new money to pay the principal and interest on around $8tn of debt incurred over the course of the Trump administration.
In recent years, the majority of the increase in the national debt has come at the hands of Republicans, and lifting the debt ceiling merely allows the treasury department to pay existing debts by taking on new debts, the sources said.”
And Some Final Matters In Passing
From The Shovel:
And this seemed sensible and long overdue …
… Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts were in panic until they realised it was referring to a minister to oversee spies.
And a COVID challenge accepted.
We end with arguably the worst advertising brain fart imaginable.
……………
That it for this time . Comments running hot, join in, 24/7.
The donate button for those kind enough to help out with blog expenses is below.
Magpie, you raised another great suggestion. Let’s ask Phil ThomPson to fund more Police for the Townsville region! Bravo. I mean, Frau Hill can’t make any traction, and Anustaster Palasczuk doesn’t have any money left over for our region, and nor does she give a shit about us up here. Phil is the only person petitioning for more money, and successfully receiving it! It’s been mentioned before, but we don’t need any other Pollies around here, not when Phil is the only one kicking goals.
Prince, Phil didn’t even have to petition for money. He was simply handed $195m by Scomo and told to have a nice day.
That simple, eh? C’mon, really
If I recall correctly, when Treasurer Dick knocked back the Haughton2 $195m from Canberra because of the inexplicable GST ‘thing’, Morrison said something like, “well, the money’s been allocated so I’ll make sure it gets spent around Townsville”. You can imagine Phil, just behind Morrison but well in shot, smiling ambiguously and looking askance.
Soon after, the cat got the cream. Now, everyone driving home from the casino (downcast or upbeat) sees the wall of scaffolding on Reef HQ and is reminded that this was brought to you by the Australian Government. Probably also stickers and pictures of Phil. Easy as.
Facts and analyse correct, but note especially Scomo’s words ‘I will make sure … etc). Don’t think that these are independent decisions being made by Thommo. Mustn’t forget that he is an absolute newbie to politics, and he has been given a smart and well connected team – and not all here in Townsville – devising ways to make Mayor Mullet rip up her nightie over breakfast every morning, (thus giving Mr Hill another reason to hate Thompson.) Phil would not be making the call, and pretty sure you’d agree as a first timer, he is unlikely – in fact no way the instigator – to have come upon the truly brilliant ploy of ignoring the state goofs and also largely ignoring the big picture federal issues, and going for a local government target with whom the electorate has well and truly tired. He and his minders have played the party game with finesse so far. His real test will come when he has to say no to something, or explain a Canberra backtrack.
If that is the case then that’s excellent. The money could rain down from heaven, who cares, as long as we get some spending that comes to us. Whatever you are doing Phil, keep it up mate.
Mayor Mullet is at Priscilla this afternoon wearing the formal purple doona. Let’s see if she gets the mullet joke in the show.
Which is … ?
hmmm, why will you not accept the mullet joke that is in PQoftheD?
Which of the half dozens reasons would you like? How about it’s ad hominen, does not add anything to the debate because there is point made, it really is distasteful personal abuse, but above all, and the most damning … IT ISN’T FUNNY.
in your opinion perhaps, but the in the context of Bernadette talking to Shirley, it was.
Still……
Conversations of the like between Bernadette and Shirley remain a private slutty matter for them. Commenters get a fair go around here, but it ain’t Facebook, The ‘Pie isn’t frightened to make a decision about what is appropriate. And personal extreme ad hominen stuff of a minsogynst sexual nature never gets a run here … maybe cold comfort, but you ain’t the first.
Feasibility study Townsville Concert Hall is 4 years old so it wouldn’t have the updated traffic management system for the new stadium approved by Council and State Governmrnt as well as whats planned for the Hive development . Is it a Concert Hall / Comvention Centre ? .
No, the confidential plan is clearly and emphatically a relatively small (500 to 1000) seat hall, designed to rigorous concert hall standards …. no orchestra pit, no wings, no proscenium arch, no ‘flies’ above the stage. Another commenter who appeared to know what they were talking about claims the ‘concert hall’ arts faction has got to Thommo and that looks like what we’ll get. Unlike a convention/entertainment centre, the concert hall will be a bauble to boast about, but like the stadium, has no hope of any sort of return on investment. A concert hall as described also seems the likely outcome because of both the amount of money on offer and the restricted size if it goes into The Hive.
The issue of the concert hall was a bug bear for TCC thanks to Simon McConnell and his supporters back in 2015/16 and was part of a hit list for the Impaler during her first six months in the job that also included bulldozing council’s planning department to ensure controversial headworks connections for the Rocky Springs development were completed. While the mayor was point blank against a hall, reasoning was that if it HAD to happen then ensuring TCC did not have to pay for construction or ongoing costs but still got credit was essential – hence the ‘independent’ report miraculously recommending The Hive or Central Park as locations. Jennifer Bott is extremely well credentialed but was no match for The Impaler.
But…..But…….But I thought our very own Mullet had secured the hydrogen plant for Townsville using Burdekin Dam water. Seems the Mullet-Puddleduck axis of evil are not on the same song sheet.
But no problem!
The Mullet will fund her own hydrogen plant with her,…er,… er,….ratepayer’s money.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-10/qld-palaszczuk-andrew-forrest-hydrogen-gladstone/100527670
Yet another knockout for our ‘hydrogen champion’ Memory Blank Walker. He should resign … oh, just a sec …. that’s the honourable thing to do, so ignore that suggestion.
Hang on, the federal government (Minister Fletcher) announced money for hydrogen only a couple of weeks ago:
“$2 million to fully fund a detailed business case for the proposed a concert hall, which will guide further funding investment for the project under the Deal.
$2 million for a feasibility study into the supply of re-use water for the growing green hydrogen industry in Townsville.
Funding for these projects has been allocated from the Commonwealth’s $195 million commitment to the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2, which is now being delivered by the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council outside the Townsville City Deal.”
It looks like everyone’s got a finger in hydrogen, not just our local heroes. And the Feds are backing it, even at Lansdown and that’s “green hydrogen” to boot. Woo hoo! Go Phil!
Interesting photo. I wonder how little Mayor Matt Burnett feels about Anna Alphabet having a new squeeze? I’m sure they’ve discussed it. Anyway, congratulations Gladstone. Your house prices will continue to rise while poor old Townsville’s continue to be as limp as Messagebank’s old fella. The lazy team Hill couldn’t secure a handjob in a whorehouse, let alone an industry like Hydrogen, or much else for that matter.
Yes , our North Qld Hydrogen Champion ko`d by Gladstone for $1 bil Hydrogen plant . Did he put up much of a fight ?.
Obviously such an investment decision isn’t made overnight, and Memory Blank was appointed to his bullshit position at five minutes to midnight. So the cynicism lies with Palaszczuk making a pointless but lucrative appointment of an incompetent to a position that she says is the state’s industry future. But she’ good at that, is our Minister for the Olympics.
We can’t even get a reliable water supply for Brownsville City, let alone using expensive, pumped Burdekin water to make hydrogen at the Mullet Industrial Precinct.
OWL, the $2m federal money referred to earlier, which somehow has Phil Thompson’s name if not Lansdown on it, is not apparently for Burdekin / Haughton pipeline water but for “re-use” water to make green hydrogen – would that be from the Mooney ponds STP? Wheels within wheels. Some CityDeal money, some “outside” CityDeal.
If you make hydrogen from recycled water, it would make sense to put the plant at the Cleveland Bay STP and not Lansdown. Close to shipping as well.
Exactly. But there is technology where hydrogen can also be made with sea water.
OWL, how do we find out what the federal government intends to spend its money on in the Lansdown site? I read here that Phil has it all over Jenny, that the state members are useless, that the mayor has the land but not the dough and that a chunk of CityDeal Canberra money is going to be spent on something or other at Lansdown. Rollmop’s in favour of it but doesn’t know what it is and Palaszczuk doesn’t care any more so long as the border stays closed. What do you think?
With the Premier making herself the Minister for Olympics (a position created to get a pay increase), she gets to create the Brisbane 2032 Organising committee which she said when she announced her appointment to the new ministry. Of course, she won’t appoint anybody on the other side of politics, so come 2032 when Crisafulli is in his second or third term running the State, he’ll have been dealing with Anna’s friends and lefty family for some time. I wonder if Prince and Dolan have already put their hands up for the cash cow. Dolan, head of marketing and spin; Prince head of HR and international affairs. MessageBank head of security – he knows the ins and outs of security. Paul Pisalali treasurer, And the Mullet in charge of travel and uniforms (the purple doona is odds on). But let’s not forget the mascot- yes, Barry the Bin chicken will be all in the hands of the Labor Party’s own mascot, Liam Mooney.
LOL …. but from the moment Anna-Joh announced her own Secret Santa present to herself, The ‘Pie has been wondering about her delusions of immortality … her Olympic Ministry will last only as long as her government, which also means the terms governing the tenure of others for this ruinous hootenanny will contain, or have introduced retrospectively, a replacement clause.
BUT…the Olympics is supposed to be apolitical and must appear to appoint people of the same ilk. We don’t want a situation like the East/West freeway in Melbourne where a change of blue to red undies cost taxpayers 1.7 billion bucks.
Thinking about it, it’s probably a good thing that she’s thinking about it now as her recent history tells us that it takes her ages to make a decision. Just ask those poor fuckers that can’t get home to QLD. Beattie will get a gig for sure. And throw in one Susie Batkovic as a wildcard with international sport and Olympic background. She’s Independant isn’t she?
If an Olympic background is the required experience, who no better than ice skater Steven Bradbury. We’re gunna need his sort of luck to pull off these games.
As sure as there is shit in a cat, Little Pattie will be close to the Olympic trough.
Colourful.
Three more fucking years Pie.
A bit ambiguous, but The ‘Pie assumes that is a political comment, and not a forecast for either you or me … ’tis but a fond memory in The Nest.
Thank goodness for that. Otherwise we would be looking forward to the 2032 Disastrous Games, and at disastrous extra extra extra costs!
KennyK, a bit cocky planning for Crisafulli’s second and third terms.
Always loved fishing and this time i used the perfect bait and I caught myself an Addled fish!!
Kenny Everett, you forgot to mention the ‘real Premier, Chief Medical Officer Janette Dung. Although she will soon be Governess over this grand State of ours, she will be called upon to advise Anna Alphabet on international health matters pertaining to the Olympians. And no, I’m not talking about the famous fuck-fests that go on behind closed Olympic doors, I’m talking about the COVID health risks. Our dishevelled CMO will be providing sound advice based upon lightweight facts. I’m sure the Government of the day will still be ducking us over with COVID lockdowns in ten years time.
Anyone know when Walker goes to court again?
I’d like to be there in case he tries to deck the magistrate.
Even Cathy Wadley would make short work of him if he tried. And Viviana Keegan would put him in hospital … if his government could find a bed for him.
Here’s an interesting wrinkle in the Hospital Code Yellow ‘No Vacancy’ issue. A friend in the medical world offers this:
“My guess is that quite a few beds were closed down as a lot of core nursing staff have elected to take leave rather than have the COVID jab. Its the only thing I can think of that makes sense in an otherwise unremarkable environment. And there are avail nursing home beds so that couldn’t have caused the issue.”
Anyone care to ask D’ath or Palaszczuk about this?
There’s a Board isn’t there? Surely the Board has got some sort of handle on what is happening under its nose?
Magpie, many of our frontline medical people, including nurses, are burnt out. As a result of that many are leaving the trade, so to speak. They are going into private nursing, rehabilitation and NDIS type of work. They’ve had enough of the understaffed, under-appreciated and underpaid clusterfuck that they are forced to endure on a daily basis. Some are also retiring and some are embarking on new careers in completely different fields.
Globally there is actually a revolution of sorts. Many people are reevaluating what’s important to them, whether putting up with shit at work is worth the hassle, whether the money is worth chasing. They are deciding to retire younger or change jobs. CEO’s are becoming gardeners, pilots are cleaning chimneys and communications managers are now just working a few hard months driving a harvesting tractor. Ultimately this will transpire into a huge gap in the jobs market. There is evidence of this already. COVID and it’s side effects is yet to be fully measured. The world has been upended.
You have missed the opportunity for a great conspiracy theory there.
You haven’t considered AI.
It goes like this: the mandarins and boffins get together and ask how they can make the transition to AI taking over human jobs, and still have a population that is economically able to support the changed market. Humans still have to do something to support the economy, the market, and corporations’ bottom line, otherwise there is no point in having AI robots making stuff people can’t buy. So a virus is created which – as a dramatic side effect – kills people, while those unaffected are cowed into sudden and drastic life changes. Forced lockdowns ensue, ensuring the desired psychological outcome of re-examination of values and lifestyles. So a retreat to more certain traditional life roles and day to day living, like deciding to retire younger or change jobs. CEO’s are becoming gardeners, pilots are cleaning chimneys and communications managers are now just working a few hard months driving a harvesting tractor.
Thus, the initial alarm and dystopian view that robots will take over all menial jobs, leaving the workforce out in the cold, is upside down. It will be the high powered decision making roles at AI will take, skilled roles from surgeons to pilots to IT whiz kids, and we will all of us become the modern-day peasants with wider leisure opportunities but less freedom. And we’ll be happy about it.
But population too big to support this new model? Not a problem. Cue another new virus made in a lab somewhere, which wipes out most of those folk surplus to requirements(no pussy footing around this time, a virus that just zaps, no arguments or protests – (Sky and Fox will go broke). And this will be done because the decision to do so will be made by emotionless mathematical-driven, AI robots running corporations – and eventually countries. Like Australia is now. (You can tell us Peter Dutton is human.)
…. or as the New Yorker put it.
Magpie, maybe I’m having a brain fart but I’m not sure why or how a potential conspiracy theory can be tied to my post. It is a fact that many nursing staff are leaving their trade. It’s also a fact that many executives and managers are exhausted from dealing with the daily COVID hassle – adapting to continuous lockdowns and procedural changes created by the constantly changing work environment.
But I do agree that Peter Dutton could be some kind of reptilian being, you couldn’t get a closer copy of E.T if you tried!
Still your trembling bottom lip, me old dear, it’s not a brain fart you’ve had … just an humour by-pass.
AND YOU APOLOGISE TO E.T RIGHT NOW, YOUNG MAN/PERSON/THEY/IT. RIGHT NOW YOU HEAR?!?
Christ Magpie, have you got caught up in Rollmop’s global “revolution”?
“And this will be done because the decision to do so will be made by emotionless mathematical-driven, AI robots running corporations – and eventually countries. Like Australia is now.”
Australia now, and its corporations, is not being driven by robots, especially mathematical-driven ones. It’s being governed by very ordinary, estimable humans, much like you and me and Phil Thompson and Jenny Hill. Not so sure about Prince Rollmop. Get off the internet, get a room and go to bed.
Of course, Addled, just joking, certainly there is no threat from AI, and if you believe there is, more fool you … fool you … fool you …fo …. (MANAGEMENT NOTE: THE MAGPIE’S NEST IS TEMPORARILY OFF LINE FOR MAINFRAME MAINTENANCE.)
Oh Addled/ECQ/NMD and whoever you shall be in the future, I do read your comments on this website and I always hope for something inspirational, enlightening, or downright interesting to spill from your mouth. However, you only spew forth the stuff that contributes to the Wulguru warriors angst – shit.
Has SBG had an epiphany? Two texts in the astonisher of late that make a bit of sense.
The ‘Pie has always noted that Steve of Belligerent Gardens has consistently saved his saner offerings for TTE. He only comes to this site as a disruptor, which The Magpie doesn’t mind, it exercises a lot of other readers to miss the joke of his nonsense.
Look closer at those texts and you’ll notice they’re from ‘STEVIE BG’. Methinks that someone is shooting back at everybody’s favourite sniping watermelon.
You better have another look, the title is STEVIE not Steve.
OT, Stevie of Ma Kelly’s Laundromat, Belgian Gardens!
In a turn up for the books, the ABC are reporting on the ALP telling the PM to listen to Prince Charles’ advice and attend the Glasgow climate gab-fest.
Must have temporarily forgotten about the republican cause and not bowing to London.
THIS IS FOAMING LUNACY.
First of all, THROUGH NO FAULT OF OUR OWN, regional places like Townsville, virtually unaffected by COVID, suffered a debilitating and unfair business lockdown in the spurious name of an ‘even spread’ of the lockdown pain across the state. Now, Queensland will stay on restrictions unnecessarily longer than needed, BECAUSE IT IS OUR FAULT.Apparently.
According the premier today, small townships like Cherbourg and Yarrabah that have woeful vaccination rates, could set the benchmark for ALL of Queensland opening up again. Such small recalcitrant communities like this could well be quarantined in toto until the target is reached, but that would never happen because that would bring out the woking dead in droves, screaming discrimination. The Palaszczuk dog is wagged furiously by this woke tail.
This is not just a departure from political responsibility, it is a departure from sanity. As said, foaming lunacy.
Pie, Townsville is doing pretty good to some of those SEQ regions.
Precisely The ‘Pie’s pont.
A very reliable source tells me there are major issues with those noble federal government public serpents who inspect the ships that come into our ports nationwide, including Townsville. They work for the department of agriculture, water and environment. The department is in turmoil as they have introduced new data software which is utterly useless. The system won’t work, ship inspections are being delayed and Import and exports are being delayed which is costing the economy greatly.The system is meant to spy on staff and log what they do but it’s a clusterfuck. The frontline workers are working understaffed due to cutbacks and redeployments and ships are not being inspected, which creates a risk. Combine that with a shitty EBA, and internal turmoil since the appointment of some executive types in Canberra, there are rumblings within the Union that a walkout is possible. The departments response is that the Secretary (nickname is the fat controller) has bolted to take leave while one of his minions cops the flak. It seems Scomo has fucked up everything else, so next on his list is our $100b import/export/agriculture industry.
Your Pieness,
I’m confused about this “AI” stuff, what has Artificial Insemination got to do with anything else except procreation, all on your own?
??? AI. Struth? I thought AI was Actual Insemination.
Scomo is acting like me. Whenever he gets in a fix, he reaches into his bag of tricks. The master of weave and swerve!
Shit hot! This prick with his millions and no moral compass is a threat to democracy.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-13/clive-palmer-loses-battle-against-state-of-western-australia/100534312
Yes DoK, had a bit of a LOL myself when I read that earlier today. Trouble is, old Clive’s millions won’t help him at all if the Grim Reaper decides to visit and cash Palmers cheque given his ballooning waist line and weight increase !
The boy is definitely looking very unhealthy !
Jatz,, And today he sold all his shares in QANTAS.
Must be building up the bank for the next pointless run at the next Fed election.
Dave, I notice that Peter Ridd from JCU (about to be IPA) got taken to the cleaners in the High Court – thereby confirming his sacking by JCU. Ho hum.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/13/peter-ridd-loses-all-or-nothing-high-court-appeal-over-sacking-from-james-cook-university
Here’s one version of what was decided, but we should all be aware that this will be a left v right load of selective twaddle for the most part. Bottom line is that this was not about the Reef or climate science, but a procedural matter of contract. The High Court decided in this area, JCU was within its right to sack Ridd.
On the Sky website, The Magpie posted this comment which outlines his take on this matter.
If Ridd had had his arguments internally without a wholesale smear of an affiliated institution (AIMS), and fellow staff, and was dissatisfied, why should not be expected to resign before dumping on them? In this way, earning the status of martyred whistleblower and all the other flapdoodle that accompanies such matters. I have no idea … most people haven’t … about the veracity of his claims, but to keep working and continue being paid side by side with the professional people he has publicly rubbished is asking that he be allowed to be a major destructive disruptor without penalty. That’s like communists using the rules of democracy to destroy democracy. You yourself say this ruling is nothing to do with the science and is a procedural matter in a contract. Rather than be alarmed, all Australians should feel even further protected from these disruptors, of both right and left.
Ridd made his own bed but doesn’t want to lie in it. He’s done this before. In October 2011 he told the Bolt Report:
“In a court system we have a protection, we have a defense, and by making the two sides argue we can get to the truth hopefully. And the defense side in a court case, actually their sole job is to try to find problems with the opposition argument”.
In his recent case in the High Court Ridd had access to virtually unlimited financial resources and any lawyer he wanted to have protection, defence, to “make the two sides argue” and get to the truth. His demonstrated ignorance of contract law led directly to him being comprehensively flogged.
Before the physicist demonstrates a profound ignorance of coral biology he should revisit some of his more ridiculous claims such as in the IPA Publication “Climate Change The Facts: 2017”, where he wrote that “Due to the remarkable mechanisms that corals have developed to adapt to changing temperatures, especially the ability to swap symbionts, corals are perhaps the least endangered of any ecosystem to future climate change – natural or man-made.”
Wow Addled. Did you forget your medication today? Or is it too much horse worming paste?
Here is a link to a Crikey article that shows how successive Governments, including Scotty from Marketing’s current pathetic Government, have blown yet another billion dollars on a failed contract. Fuck me sideways, is there no bottom to the deep pit of Government failed spending??? Fuckwits
https://www.crikey.com.au/2021/10/12/home-affairs-taxpayers-pay-one-more-billion-dollar-disaster/
Howard signed the contract, then we had two of the biggest losers in politics, Rudd,Gillard, Rudd who were also responsible for the contract. I think they might have been busy wasting money on cash for clunkers, pink battes, expensive school halls I could go on.
ans Berard Keane is one of the biggest tossers in media if you can call crikey media.
Troppo, the Home Affairs department came about after the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd years. Unaccountable brutes in black shirts. Your type perhaps?
Good god you really are addled. Seek help.
At least it stopped the boats, better than your mate Chairman Dan blowing $1.3B on a roar to nowhere, just like Jenny’s pipeline to nowhere. Labor Fuckwits.
Should we be proud of “stopping the boats”?
Was it really to save lives lost at sea, as promoted by Abbott and Morrison, or was it just populist racism?
UNHCR reports that up to 34% of refugees die of suicide, possibly prompted by the hopelessness of their situation. Could many of these have been saved if we had not “stopped the boats”?
Might care to direct us to where that figure comes from, Westie, ‘cause I call bullsheeeet.
Grumpy, pretty easy to find a reference:
“There are a limited number of studies that have examined suicide and related behaviors among displaced populations. A review of suicide in refugee populations found suicide rates to range from 3.4% to 34% of recorded deaths.10 Studies done with refugee populations resettled in high income countries have shown increased risk of suicidal behaviors 11,12 likely due a combination of socioeconomic disadvantage,13 exposure to potentially traumatic events,14 burden of mental disorders,15 and lack of appropriate and accessible care.12,16,17
10. Vijayakumar LJ, A.T. Suicide in refugees and asylum seekers in mental health of refugees and asylum seekers. In: Bhugra DC, T.; Bhui, K., ed. Mental health of refugees and asylum seekers.Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press; 2010:195‐210.
Of course, the rate of suicide dropped dramatically over the past two years … all such instances have been recorded as Died of COVID’.
Addled – now that’s an exercise in sophistry, if I’ve ever read one.
Idiotic statement even for you, Pie.
Yeah, but Grumpy, have you ever read one?
The conspiracy theory that the “Government” inflates statistics of COVID deaths for its own nefarious ends is difficult to reconcile with modern death recording practices on Death Certificates by doctors.
It is unlikely hundreds of doctors are being influenced by the “Government” to falsely record causes of death.
For existing comorbidities, the rule is the cause of death is the last thing the patient catches that leads to him being dead. So if a COVID patient is alive when hit by a bus, the cause of death is recorded as the bus, not COVID.
And if one is bleeding out in the bath with slit wrists, and catches a chill, he died of flu? A cold?
My point is that the cause of death is what the attending doctor says it is, not the Government.
Addled/Westie. I suggest you buy longer fuses for your petards. Either that, or take a crash course in statistical analysis.
And a result of this failed contract and inadequate maritime surveillance is this;
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-14/illegal-fishing-boat-influx-off-australian-mainland/100530120
Next it will be Chinese fishing boats which, of course, are not fishing for fish.
Fair comment Kelso, right up until the Chinese remark – that was stupid old mate!
He could get kicked off radio!
C’mon, Plucker – you don’t think that most of the massive Chinese “fishing” fleet consists of nothing but high-tech spy ships? Or that they have no respect at all for maritime law?
As a former true believer I remember when I saw how useless party membership was when factions took control. The corruption investigation sideshow in Victoria will open many wounds for former Labor members who won’t be shocked by the ballot rigging.
https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/investigating-corruption/IBAC-examinations/operation-watts/video-stream
A past Magpie article about RNG (Mackay newspaper) back in June 2021 about Troy Joseph Birnbrauer / Thompson. Quote – “ As the COO my role is very much around building our structures, ensuring fluidity and managing all organisational shared services, inclusive company oversight whilst utilising the unique skills of our shareholders”. Seemed all very exciting at the time and he was surely an ‘empire builder’. Fast forward 3.5 months and I wonder how it’s all travelling for him? Not totally 100% sure, but I heard he has left………..
Mal, have you or any of the Magpie contributors heard the reason the Masonic lodge had to relocate from their base opposite the court house, seems a bit strange to me,Take care, Ralph.
Vaguely remember something about the building being sold a while back.
Anyone?
Quote TB : ONE of Townsville’s most iconic buildings, the Masonic Temple, has been sold to North Queensland farming interests and will be refurbished for high end office space. It is understood the heritage building, at 42 Walker St, the city, sold for about $1 million — equating to around $1000 per square metre
The costs associated with running the lodge from this location had become quite a burden, so they sold for a pretty penny, and have re-located to a suitable building on Ingham Road, which is apparently quite fit for their purpose.
A mate tells me that the Masonic Lodge sold mid 2019 at circa $1.1M. Built mid 1930 for the Masonic’s and remained within their group until offered for sale and sold to a company with the name Webb in it !
Rent might have been too high for the Lodge’s or maybe part of a plan to capitalise and find new digs !
Anyone know if it’s heritage listed? Nice building, shame to see it go the way of so many other buildings that set Townsville apart.
Mal, since I posted this, a few people I’ve spoken to reckon there was a bit of wrong doing leading up to the sale, I don’t know anyone in the lodge to get an explanation of the lead up to the sale ( it is a secret organization), a person who went to the district court on the 23-6-2020 may know something about the sale, there is nothing I can find that any wrong doing has taken place, however I feel a Lodge like this would have a life long place in Townsville history where it was, not an old fowl feed Lamberts shed, I’ll still try and find what the truth is, bit hard with an organization like this, take care Ralph.
Ralph – it is not a “secret organisation”. It is an organisation with secrets. And why the fuck should we have to discuss our business with you?
As anyone with a legal background would know, that would depend on what those secrets are. But this is hardly CCC stuff, it’s just blokes who ride billy goats up the stairs, according to The ‘Pie’s Past Master dad.
An interesting development with the Sentinel Property Group, I wonder what this means for it’s Townsville assets? MD??
https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/prime-site/sentinel-property-groups-warren-ebert-to-go-out-on-his-own-after-bitter-split-with-ceo-daughter/news-story/188401e3d5d7bd98444a76ddf261e30c
Ask Michael Koppitke?
Peppa Pig , word with those who should know is business as usual and more activity tba .
Pay wall.
Guts of the story is that Sentinel founder Warren Ebert has had a really vicious falling out with the Sentinel CEO who just so happens to be his daughter. He’s now in a much lesser role in a spin-off company, and his daughter plans to change the culture and direction of the company (which apprently is what the fight was over in the first place). But The ‘Pie is hearing that there is little likely to change with the both existing and several upcoming investments by Sentinel in Townsville.
It’s like we are living in two different countries, Sydney house price rising by $620 a day, here in Townsville it would be flat out rising by $6.20 a day, meanwhile prize fuckheads like Mark Molochino reject day care centres and school expansions that provide employment and growth, this place is completely screwed.
I see NSW is opening up to the world. I wonder if Stashya will let Queenslanders go to Australia? I hear there’s some great sights to see if we’re allowed to.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-15/nsw-records-399-covid-19-cases/100541348
Anna won’t open the borders anytime soon. She’ll make sure her good friends the Wagners get their share of money for their quarantine facility first.
ABSOLUTE CLASSIC!!!
POLE DANCERS OF THE WORLD , UNITE!
An iditor’s plaintive plea on one of the big issues of the day …,
Oh, wait a minute … oh, I see. Damn, it sounded like so much fun.
Jenny Hill and her team have been ahead of the curve promoting projects that will provide jobs for the future , they couldnt organize $9 mil in rain forest lights on the way to the Cowboys that was suppose to use 120 workers . Fly into Townsville stand in line in the heat for 40 mins because the Mayor and her team can’t work with TMR to sort out transport . Then all the projects including 30,000 people living in the cbd by ? . Should investors check with Molachino and Greaney on whether they think there is too much traffic before bothering to go thru the planning department . Does the editor of the Bulletin really think people believe Mayor Hill ? .
As I outlined earlier this week, the federal government, through Minister Fletcher, recently allocated “$2 million for a feasibility study into the supply of re-use water for the growing green hydrogen industry in Townsville” – their words.
“Funding for these projects has been allocated from the Commonwealth’s $195 million commitment to the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2, which is now being delivered by the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council outside the Townsville City Deal.”
So the $2m is coming out of Phil Thompson’s pork barrel to be spent on what exactly? Who actually gets the $2m? Is it the Council – to fix the Wulguru sewer thing? Or the Council – to sort that water recycling Young Mooney thing – you know, “re-use”? Or could it be TEL – to cultivate some green hydrogen trees at Lansdown? Cash seems to just fall from the sky these days.
Pole dancing.
15 or more years ago, as a bit of a stir, my brother in law and I brought our wives gift vouchers for two introductory pole dancing lessons being conducted at a ladies only gym.
Apparently the sisters spent most of the evening on their bums on the floor at the bottom of the pole and did not go back for the second lesson. True story.
What Kelso, no Chinese remarks this time? Was the pole made in China?
Mr. Pie…not sure if you picked up on this?
Very sad for all concerned …it ain’t easy starting a newspaper…and, obviously ruined by “cowboy vultures”.
“The directors and shareholders of Mackay Local News Pty Ltd announced to staff on Thursday September 2 that the paper would cease publication immediately.
Despite being recognised as the best quality newspaper based in Mackay, with the highest content of local community news, views and sport, and with the largest staff of any local publication, the directors believed the market was entering a destructive ‘media bloodbath’.
Advertisers had been approached by competitors with offers of ‘free ads’.
Rather than reduce quality or participate in a destructive media war, the directors believed this to be the fairest outcome for all involved.
“The directors would like to thank the thousands of locals who regularly bought, read and responded to the paper, and the tens of thousands who visited the FREE mackaylocalnews.com.au website, as well as the local businesses who showed real dollar support by advertising their wares and services at a fair and reasonable price.
Mackay Local News was first published in February 2021, in response to vocal local concerns about the sudden closure of the Daily Mercury by foreign controlled News Corporation in June 2020, and protests about their paywalled website.”
Yes, The ‘Pie was aware of it at the time, and was surprised the abrupt manner of the closure, but the media scene down in Mackay and the Whitsundays is a bit of a hodge podge, so decided to leave it alone for the time being. But it’s fine that you’ve now let folks know. Thanks.
And while we’re around that bend in the river, some unfortunate news from the north, with one of top banner carriers for independent reporting stepping out of the scene.
ElusiveB, If the Mackay Local had the highest content of local community news, views and sport, and the largest staff of any local publication, who was around to offer ‘free ads’? Presumably the Murdoch Mackay Mercury is out of the picture so is there some other budding entrepreneur who has simply knocked off the opposition?
Why is the Mackay Mercury out of the picture? Last The ‘Pie heard, it was resurrected just a couple of weeks before this one went tits up. Could be wrong ….
Ah, there you go.
First issue date: 1867
Owner(s): News Corp Australia
Editor: Rae Wilson
Circulation: 16,045 Monday-Friday; 19,839 Saturday
Free ads then.
I am not sure what this real estate story says about Townsville, but I suspect in the long run it will not end well. They are not buying to settle here. Short term advantage for renters perhaps.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-16/interstate-buyers-causing-booming-north-qld-property-market/100538730
Are they Chinese, Kelso? Just asking
It’s no doubt very clever, Achilles, but if The ‘Pie can’t read it (what is that, Indonesian?) he’s not publishing something that could be saying anything – advertising paedophilia, supporting terrorism, voting for Aaron Harper.
Jesus Pie, that is pushing things a bit far! Not even the famous Pedophile terrorists of Indonesia would vote for Glassjaw Harper much less write about it.
After watching Thursday’s Press Club passionately eloquent dissertation by “Twiggy” Forrest I thought that Scomo would see an opportunity to take Twiggie’s ideas on board (read plagiarise) and will go to Glasgow and pontificate how Australia (read Scomo) will now lead the world with a real climate/carbon initiative that will actually work.
Seems that much more attuned minds than mine also drew the same conclusion,
None other than The Guardians rangger Katharine Murphy “So Morrison’s going to Glasgow. Should we laugh, weep or rage for the lost decade?”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/16/so-morrisons-going-to-glasgow-should-we-laugh-weep-or-rage-for-the-lost-decade