Time for a recap in one of Townsville’s most beloved stories worthy of a Netflix series, with a Cairns construction company signed on during the week to throw up a ‘formulaic’ (Hilton’s own word) el cheapo doss house next to the Total Tools Stadium. The Magpie takes a walk down memory lane.
The ‘Yes’ mob pushing the Voice to Parliament continue their brilliant work ensuring that the proposal doesn’t get up.
The TCC’s maintenance priorities are in turmoil, with total disregard for public safety. If anything happens, it’ll be an expensive day for the ratepayers – especially since they know the risks.
Did she or didn’t she? There have been credible reports dropping into the Nest that Jenny Hill and junket chum Claudia Brumme-Smith played the ‘mean girls’ while on their Asian frolic, trying to bully and browbeat hosts on more than one occasion, causing great offence.
Plus our US gallery features a couple of interesting video clips.
As The Beatles didn’t say, help is not always on the way, but if you can support this weekly effort that aims to to keep the bastards honest, the donation button is at the end of the blog. That way, The ‘Pie will get by with a little help from his friends.
Now down to the week’s biz.
The Voice Debate: Australia Has A Long Running Case Of The Trotts
The Vicar Of Dibley’s Jim Trott (the late actor Trevor Edward Peacock).
Locked in referendum fever, the whole country seems to be mimicking Jim Trott, from TV’s The Vicar of Dibley … and making about as much sense, parroting Jim until our national f act free debate is finished. It seems that this has reached the stalemate stage, with very little argument available in the information vacuum enclosing the whole idea. And the Yes block have only themselves and our glory-seeking prime minister to blame for the stand-off, which is forcing the ‘undecided’ to choose the usual referendum ‘status quo’ vote.
The pamphlets outlining the right points on either side of the argument were released this week, and will soon be hitting our mailboxes. Their main points.
The Yes case is simply pathetic, not one of their stated eight points are any reason to vote for the Voice. Fairly childish and insulting actually, while the No case offers up reasons that could be debated but the other side simply refuses to engage beyond vague bromides which reek of a false entitlement. Even engaging in the dangerous Fallacy of Transferred Authority … giving prominent public figures greater weight of opinion for no reason beyond their often empty-headed celebrity in unrelated fields.
One wonders if Anthony Albanese is regretting his upside down glory seeking management of this looming political debacle. All he had to do to honour his election pledges was introduce a tentative bill to parliament, to be debated and decided in detail and scope, which was then to be presented to the electorate in a referendum., the outcome deciding if it would be passed into law. But the hubris of a predictable election pounding of the egregious and disgraced Scott Morrison went to his head, and he arrogantly decided on a ‘trust me with the details’ strategy. So how’s that goin’ for ya, Albo?
But Bentley can see how all this will turn out when the No vote is in.
But whose truth, mate?
Wherefore Art Thou, Jennyo?
Maybe it’s just The ‘Pie , but is there some confusion over our mayor’s advertised trip as a member of the Premier’s just completed trade delegation to Korea and Japan. While it is never wise to take your timings of anything from the Bulletin, (yesterday’s news tomorrow) it did appear that while she was supposed to be enjoying Anna’s holiday hospitality as per the media advisory, she somehow also managed to be on latrine patrol in Pallarenda, decrying local vandalism. As per this pic, from last week’s Nest, which seems to be a metaphor for Jenny, the city and crime.
Hard night, dear?
There are suspicions that this story was a ‘hold over’, shot previously so the paper be able to have a re-election campaign item while she was out of the country. Because reliable word reaching the Nest is that madam was indeed infesting Asia with Anna in the last week or so. But the news wasn’t too flash … complete details are not available as yet, but it seems Jenny went off key when playing second fiddle, and she and fellow freeloader Claudia ‘Ms B-S’ Brume-Smith from TEL tried too hard – to the point of outright rudeness – to browbeat some inscrutable types who were less than impressed, indeed mightily miffed.
Anyway, madam returned empty handed, with Gladstone and Bowen getting the lollies this time. Gladstone mayor Matt Burnett who was on the trip, is said to be less than impressed with our gals performance. Perhaps he should have a cautionary word with Townsville Council CEO Prins Ralston when the next meeting of the Gladstone Port Authority or whatever it is they both belong to down there.
The Hilton Double Cross Hotel Ep 28: ‘Size Doesn’t Matter’.
Townsville doubled crossed again, with the promised Hilton now taken down market to the lowest brand offered in the chain’s stable.
Fifteen month ago, in April last year, winsome Seven News reporter Paige Van Lunjteren told us: “(The Hilton Doubletree Hotel was) originally meant to be up and running for the 2020 NRL season but approval challenges and COVID delayed those plans.
The Daily Astonisher’s ace reporter Leighton Smith was on the scene of the crime too. (Well, perhaps not on the scene, but back at the office, he’d read the media release.)
At that time, the detail-free story, typified by the word ‘soon’, was that the project now would get underway ‘at the end of the wet season ‘, according to project proponent Focus Pacific’s Michael Graham. after being in limbo ‘due to covid’. But instead, just leaving it there, Mr Graham felt he needed to find some reason for the delayed plans which had been mooted for some years. Mndful that at thatv stage he was still looking for investors, he unwisely fell back on the widely popular canard of Covid. “We didn’t want to build a hotel when the stadium couldn’t host events and business travel would also be affected’ he said.”
That was just the latest steaming load of hot cock delivered to us by Mr Graham, and that excuse was laughable in its childish ‘the dog ate my homework’ transparency. Even an eight year. old’s maths would tell you if it was meant to be up and running by 2020, approvals, plans and construction would need to have started around 2017/18, long before Covid was even heard of, let alone the impact of its drastic effects that no one could foresee in 2017/18. Covid was declared a worldwide pandemic on March 11, 2020, and while the first border restrictions were ordered by the by Qld government on March 26, 2020, full restrictions and business closures Queensland restrictions didn’t start until April 2. If Mr Graham’s project met his first prediction, the hotel would’ve been built and nup and running before covid restriction hit all businesses, including construction supply chains. Let’s trust that Mr Graham’s old business partner Dolan Hayes wasn’t in charge of media spin, because that was a major and transparent porkie.
But back then, Mr Graham’s optimism knew no bounds, when he said in the same 2022 interview “We are definitely expecting to turn the first sod well before Christmas.” ‘Definitely’ is a moveable feast in Mr Graham’s vocabulary, as are the laws of nature, because at the same time, he told Deputy DooDah Frothy Molachino ‘ after seeing a few approvals come through, the advice I’ve. received from the proponent is that they are hoping to start straight after the wet season”. Starting before Christmas (wet season) or after the wet season (February)? And ‘hoping’?
Never mind, neither happened.
So let’s spin the time dial forward to Leighton Smith’s stenographing in January this year. That’s when he fumbled through his pink Barbie purse for the lippy for this pig. We all expected him to be reporting on the promised ground-breaking ceremony. But no.
Some highlights, which include his use of the word ‘exciting’ a verb only used in quotes or by by media spinners, not real reporters. He starts out:
Several exciting changes have been revealed for Townsville’s long-awaited Hilton hotel project, which will begin construction next to Queensland Country Bank Stadium in a few months. After years in the development pipeline, increasing cost pressures and changes to operating in a post-Covid world have forced a “pivot”, where plans were revised for the seven-storey, 166-room $40 million DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.
‘Pivot’ is the buzz word for back-flip, or in this case, ‘downgrade’. So we were regaled with the most cack handed attempt to not only but lipstick on a pig, but wrestle it into put it in a calico dress.
Let’s save time, and nutshell this update, this was the time when we learnt that the project would be larger but in every other way screamed of a high dive down market – way, way down market.
The hotel’s branding will change to from the Double Tree chain, the middle of three Hilton tiers, down the bottom tier, “Hilton Garden Inn”, with a redesign resulting in a 20 percent larger hotel, featuring eight stories and 191-rooms, worth a total of $50 million. Presumably upped by $10million because of ‘supply chain problems’.
Mr Graham said rather than the “one-off bespoke-type design” for the Doubletree, Hilton Garden Inn would be more formulaic, reducing the guesswork and uncertainty around the hotel’s design.
In other words, a McHilton which will be cheaper to build, and to operate, with a DIY model for guests.
Leighton again: The new hotel would have parking increased to 96 spaces, ditch the mini bars, and provide guests with an in-house general store (where alcohol could be purchased), a café, a 138-seat restaurant, and a conference facility capable of hosting 120 people in a theatre style format.
Ditching the mini bars in an Australian venture is, in the words of Sir Humphrey Appleby a ‘courageous decision’. But this whole MO was clearly a Hilton statement of opinion about the Townsville hotel requirements on this site … a modern flop house model in the Hilton fold, suitable for NRL fans and travelling business secretarial staff (the executive would be at The Ville).
That was the botched lipstick job, but then came the calico dress with more spun gold from Mr Graham.
“We had some significant dialogue with council, and we briefed all of council, the planning committee, and the CEO and we had confidence that they were on board with the journey to shift from a Doubletree brief to Hilton Garden Inn brief,” he said.
Translation: the mayor hit the roof when we told her about the downgrade, but despite being really pissed off about the cheaper version, we convinced her that it was that or nothing, Hilton would walk. It is worth noting here that Dolan Hayes old business mate Mr Graham and his investors will build and own the hotel, and lease it back to the Hilton group, who call the shots on the design. In tuern, Focus Pacifuic has a TCC lease for 50 years with an option for another 50. So how much does this private company pay the council for their lease? You guessed it, we’re notn allowed to know because it is … altogether now … COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE. (Not revealed by the Bulletin, BTW.)
But we were going to get, like it or not, and soon …
Speaking on behalf of project proponent Focus Pacific, chief executive Michael Graham was excited to confirm that construction would begin in the second quarter of 2023, with guests welcomed a year later.
Note that timeline.Now hop into the Leighton’s Deloren and make the short hop of six months to Thursday this week when the hard-boiled reporter continued to bubble with Mr Graham’s dictated enthusiasm for yet a new timeline.
Preliminary and “in ground works” will begin before the end of the year, with construction to be completed by the third quarter of 2025, and first guests welcomed in September/ October 2025.
Mr Graham lamely insists against the evidence that this down graded project is ‘still upscale’, but he gave away the game about how much of a close run thing the project was, with Hilton teetering next to the emergency exit, when he told the paper: Hilton have sat on the outside giving a lot of advice as to what they need, what they require to achieve a Hilton Garden Inn sign off (and) now they’re actually in the tent with us, telling us … what we should be trying to deliver in the hotel itself.” This will feature a “very different hotel model” , as now the hotel wouldn’t offer mini bars or room service, with guests instead encouraged to use an in-house 24hr general store (where alcohol could be purchased), the in-house restaurant, or food delivery services.
Interesting to note that the construction timeline is out from 15 months to 21 months (so expect two years minimum), and this time, work is expected to start not at the END of the wet season but at its START of it.
Look, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with this project, it’s their money in a free market economy, and in truth, will might make a quid at that end of the market. . What is distasteful is the paper and other media allowing themselves to be used as a free foghorn for floating what amount to free ads seeking investors and the mayor trying to make mileage at every turn with unsupportable good news fables.
This most entertaining saga is running longer than Gwen Meredith’s Blue Hills, a radio serial about country folk who daily dealt with actual bullshit. Not the invented kind we love so much.
Deadly Negligence
You may recall that a while back, the TCC sprang into almost instant action when The Magpie highlighted the dangerous unfenced small cliff in Leichhardt Street, North Ward, where any errant car, motorcycle or scooter going over the edge could end in a fatality. Within 72 hours of publication in the Nest, impressive water barriers were put in place to ensure the safety of the small stretch of road beside the cliff. But after a couple of months, residents started to question the cost of the unsightly portable barriers rented by the council – said to be in the thousands per week – and after a bit of agitation, some stone guttering and lawns appeared and the barriers were taken away. But the work did not include safety barrier of any sort … no fence, not even the innovative anti-hoon rock installations, which in fact would look quite good. If anything, the council kerbing works have more or less smoothed the passage for a nasty accident should a mishap happen.
Should such an event materialise, the Townsville Council will be open to a very costly action should someone be severely injured or die,. And with no excuse, since they’ve clearly been made aware of the issue.
From Comments During The Week
 The Magpie |
Submitted on 2023/07/18 at 12:51 pm
Everything’s a fucking joke to some people. The Magpie is hereby instituting a new occasional award – announcing THE CHRIS LORAX ‘JUST A BIT OF FUN’ GOLDEN KEYBOARD AWARD Chris Lorax you’ll remember is the cleverly named character- played by Todd Greenslade – on Mad As Hell. Lorax’s perennial explanation of some real and appalling Daily Telegraph headlines was always ‘Just a bit of fun’. There was a time when light-hearted headlines, especially puns, were rare and to be treasured because they were always on the mark, clever and carefully considered before publication. Now, though, most don’t even reach the cringeworthy depths of Dad jokes. There’s no boundaries, no maturity, and certainly no careful consideration. Take this for example from last Sunday.
The story was about grieving families of stabbing victims calling for the government to restrict knife sales. The very stuff of merriment, eh, Sunday Mail? This unfunny effort was both callous and ill-considered … and certainly not clever. Then in today’s Bulletin, an admittedly small item but the same problem. (Bought in item but still, it’s the Bulletin which published it.)
Women are being abused, bashed, whipped, publicly assaulted, detained and in at least one widely reported case, murdered … all because their male sexually repressed religious leaders insist that females cover their heads so their hair doesn’t insult their imaginary arsesole in the sky. Or you can bet, so as not to give them a hard on. In Australia, news outlets are free to publish these sorts of unpunny headlines, but people are equally free to query what sort of damaged person thinks these matters are worthy of a jokey headline. |
But There Some Very Unfunny Things We All Still Make Jokes About
Trump is a prime example. One American satirist took the notion that the former mobster president is so really on the nose, there is a commercial marketing opportunity on offer. Stay right to the end for a great cackle of a punchline. And on a more serious note, the Republicans are in even more disarray with the news this week that a dates has been set for two Trump trials, one concerning trollop Stormy Daniels and the other about storing classified top secret documents after being turfed out of the White House. One might say one trial for whoring, the bother for hoarding. Although it will never happen, there’s one person whose CV would fit the Republicans quest for someone to give Joe a run for his money. Probably make a good president if victorious.
Now The US Doesn’t Just Have To Worry About Human Nature, But Also Mother Nature.
On. top of everything else, getting hot under the collar is no longer metaphorical in America.
And Finally, It’s Not Just The Yes Voice People Who Want Us To Take Things On Faith
This has long been the province of all religions. But a lot of the Christian sects, with their penchant for dad joke signage, and pompous homilies can often fall foul of language when they fail to acknowledge the reality of the world around them.
………
Another week gone, talk back at The Magpie in comments, they run 24/7. To support The Nest and its running costs, the donate button is below. And that would be very nice.
Still overseas using the Magpie , digital Bully to keep up to date on shanigans . Mayor Hill would be doing anything to get construction of the Hilton going before the March 2024 Council election . Add checking Councils Hilton deal to the list of questions that Fran didn’t get to ask when the Mayor scarpered from Councils budget meeting . Aaron Harper has met some of his electorate effected by crime and his Facebook post he has had enough and he is a legislator . A commenter posted similar comments Aaron made in 2017 basicly showing he has done nothing . Aaron deleted the details like he has blocked the voice of his electorate from commenting for years . Of course Aaron says we should vote ” Yes ” for the voice .
(The Magpie received a note from regular commenter Long Suffering Ratepayer : Sorry Magpie, had a senior’s moment with my name on the last blog I sent you. Can you please amend it to Long Suffering Ratepayer.But The ‘Pie has left the error because of the truth it contains.)
I know Leighton thinks a dictionary is a male toilet, but knowing he reads this blog at least twice a day, here’s the meaning of the word “upscale” from Collins online:
“ADJECTIVE
Upscale is used to describe products or services that are expensive, of good quality, and intended to appeal to people with a lot of money and education.
eg upscale department-store chains such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.”
So Leighton, are you really saying a 3rd rate Hilton hotel is equivalent to the “upscale” 5-star Ordo Hotel being constructed next door to the casino? You know, the one to which “people with a lot of money” will be flocking when it opens this year? And are you saying Vinnies second hand clothing stores are up there with Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue?
The truth is that the “downscale” Hilton Garden Inn, if it ever gets built, will be akin to the Oaks on Palmer Street.
FFS Leighton stop printing media releases and ask some questions.
While you’re at it why not share the details you provided in this blog with the readers of your paper, or do you need to receive a media release to do that?
Premier Joh fittingly called what Jenny and her mates do to you “feeding the chooks”.
Did someone say KFC?
Is “Hilton Garden Inn” the same as what “Formule One” is to the Sofitel brand? I went to Brisbane for training once and was excited to be staying at the “new Sofitel hotel at the airport” which turned out to be more like the doss house across the road from the Salvos in Blackwood Street. No reception, just a code for the front door and your room given to you in advance, some vending machines for chips and soft drinks in the hall, tube steel bunk beds, a rooted TV in a cage on the wall, and a steel roller blind over the tiny window. Very upmarket. I can’t wait for Lighton to try and spin the look and feel of this dog when it is finished. As an aside it doesn’t look like all of the approvals required to start building are in place or even begun. Perhaps Lighton should start thinking of words for the next update “startling” and “unprecedented” seem popular.
The ‘Pie didn’t bother mentioning – again – the TCC’s generous dispensation regarding car parking. But that seems to be serendipitous with this downgrade … sounds like most guests will be bus people, or taxis.
There are more readers of this blog than there are people buying the bulletin. That’s why he says things here.
As much as The ‘Pie would like that to be true, it isn’t. Yet.
Long Suffering Ratepayer said;
“Leighton, while you’re at it why not share the details you provided in this blog with the readers of your paper, or do you need to receive a media release to do that?”.
I made that very point in last weeks blog, or the week before. Leighton, you seem content to provide more details on various articles here in the Nest, after much prodding, rather than putting that added detail in your articles in your crap newspaper. Why is that? Do you need to leave enough room for advertising in your paper? Or are you hobbled by your iditor, micromanaged and told what to do write? You can fool most people, but not all. The fact is that the upscale Hilton is a downscale Hilton. Another cheap and nasty Oaks with no mini bar, decent beds or quality furnishings. A truly bogan concept that would actually be commensurate with the boganess of our bogan mayor.
You missed ‘no room service’. Wonder if you have to wash your own sheets and dry them on the balcony a la Hong Kong.
It’s surprising that a local accountancy firm is involved in raising the finance for the Hilton Garden Inn.
Hope they’re not urging their clients to stump up cash for the project.
The last time a Townsville accountancy firm did that – to fund Doug Tarca’s floating hotel – it ended in tears.
Perhaps someone might like to beak around in the background of the proponents. Might be interesting.
Ease up in The Oaks – at least they have bar fridges.
Maybe the comparison should be Accor Group who run everything from Novotel to Mecure Inn to Ibis Budget. This proposal is heading to Ibis Budget territory, which is okay for an overnight stay (Brisbane one is convenient for early flight), but certainly wouldn’t want to be there any longer.
All reasonable comment but the emphasis from The ‘Pie’s piece is the slow downgrading which you can bet involved a lot of horse trading between parties – Focus Pacific & Hilton, and Focus Pacific and TCC. This appears to be a better than nothing outcome … only just. But when you think about, The Magpie has been vindicated in his observation three years ago that the site was never suitable for anything upmarket as had been first bullshitted about.
12.30pm Sunday and there’s still no report on the Townsville Bulletin website on the Cowboys v Eels game played on Saturday night.
The paper’s front page headline on Saturday summed up the situation – “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”
I believe the Maggie Island to Townsville swim occurred over the weekend.
The multiple hikes in interest rates are really biting into the local construction industry and the new home building approvals for the year tell a very sorry tale.
https://dashboards.townsville.qld.gov.au/council (on right side of screen only leave “single detached dwelling – new checked)
There have been 81 less approvals that last year (Jan – Jun).
NQ Gal ,. Ceo , Team Hill ( who voted themselves 60 % increase in expenses ) down should be put under the spotlight on the dismal single dwelling approvals Townsville . 20 % increase in rates most suburbs in 2 years , gouge rental landlords with higher rates and investors leave the market and invest elsewhere . Show them the door in 24 .
Perhaps the Hilton Hotel could be renamed the Hilton Hostel?
What is better than retaining the Ashes in England?
Nothing, probably, but coming close must be listening to the merry tinkle and scrunch as Piers Morgan chucks his toys out of his Range Rover. Piers is all poopy and sooking about the Poms getting beaten at a game for which they invented the rules.
“FFS. Has there ever been a less-deserved retention of the Ashes?” the 58-year-old wrote on social media.
“From the Bairstow debacle to this rain-soaked fiasco, it’s an absolute farce that smirking Australia have ended up with the urn still in their hands. England comfortably the better side as this Test showed. Gutting.”
Said with all the gin sodden, false entitlement of the Long Room at Lord’s.
We’re luvvin’ Piers, you pants pooper, more please.
Magpie, one thing better than the tears of crybaby Morgan would be each of Australia’s top order batsmen getting a half-decent score and winning the fifth test.
Whinging Poms?
Pie, Their rules and their weather.
You only have to look at why it’s called “The Ashes”. They just can’t bear the audacity of some colonial “types” winning against their masters.
It’s just not cricket! Another G&T barman, and hurry man I’ve got some legs to kick.
We here in Townsville are well aware of this Puddleduck inflicted ‘Youth Justice (fuck the rest of the community) Act’ scourge on the community.
I sincerely hope that David (what a wonderful name) Crisafulli realises the hope that many have in him and his peers fixing this problem, and that he has done his research and costings now in preparation for the next election, and swift implementation thereafter. I do hope the solution, (remote incarceration anyone) is not derailed by the weeping, teeth gnashing, and clothes renting, of the bleeding heart interfering do-gooders all of whom should not be ignored, but given a good kick up the arse!
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-24/qld-thousands-of-arrests-police-youth-crime/102638742
PS
We have recently invested about $3000 in house security improvements and peace of mind. I grieve that, while I can send the bill to Puddleduck via Harpic, the outcome would be, now how do they say it, “Suboptimal. “
Police commissioner frustrated that courts let out kids that they arrest time and time again then saying it’s only 20% of them that are the problem apparently. But everything else is working well with the new laws. So why the fuck arnt we locking up the 20% of bad bastards for good. If the laws are do great and are working then 20% shouldn’t cost us much at all to keep them away?? David Chrisafulli really needs to make that the point of attack. Wellcamp style prison in the desert sounds great to me. But mr Wagner won’t build it because he’s in labor’s pockets so it will be a bad idea.
“Remote incarceration” sounds a bit harsh, but surely:
– removing them from the location and temptation of their offending
– placing them in a supportive facility which will provide structure, discipline and some proper adult guidance
– ensuring they receive a solid education on-site
– teaching them trade and life skills (the more and the better they work the shorter their stay might be)
– linking privileges with behavior (didn’t finish homework – no TV etc)
– keeping them there for the duration of their head sentence rather than just a token period
– supporting them into meaningful education or employment when they finish their time
would both make a difference to the crime rate in Townsville and more importantly make a difference in these young lives?
The problem as I see it is that the State Government is completely dysfunctional, the current laws don’t work, and the community which should be supporting these kids has given up.
Just a thought.
Worried parent, if you want to “incarcerate” youth offenders whilst also providing a supportive facility, structure, discipline and some proper adult guidance ensuring they receive a solid education on-site, why should this be in some “remote” location? The infrastructure and institutional support networks required for youth detention more or less dictate that they be adjacent to large cities where the staff and resources might be available. No point building them in Woop Woop.
Hey Wanker. If you took the time to read the entire blog rather than going off like a frog in a sock to score cheap debating points you’d see that the Parent was quoting Dave of Kelso July 24, 2023 at 5:30 pm when he used the term “remote detention”. If you want to have a go, at least bother to aim at the right target FFS. We’re your hands full and your eyes crossed at the time?
I should also say that what the Parent says makes a lot of sense and certainly wouldn’t have to be “tip of cape York” remote. Clare, Majors Creek, Herbert Valley all have good mixed farming enterprises where young people could learn and earn while not easily tempted by the bright lights of town.
And the residents of those areas thank you for your suggestion.
Engineer, I understand the sentiment about giving these wayward kids (10-17 year olds) some sort of outdoor, rural, hands-on experience OK? I get it. But these kids are not foreign backpackers looking for a pastoral escape. They are detained and the government and community’s first priority is that they remain detained. So whether they pick veggies on a farm at Major Creek or pump hydrogen at Lansdown, they have to be housed in a razor wire centre with all the gizmos on display like at Cleveland. Where do you propose they be housed?
Boarding school or national service what ever you want to call it it’s not harsh, same principle as I’ve stated. Being put in the middle of nowhere with the only exit is reform yourself. Yes yourself not relying on government help except for clean bed and food while you’re there. I’m sick of hearing that these kids are hard done by. Ok yes they have been sexually abused by their own families but so have a lot of people and they got help not went into crime. I see this so much at the hospitals everywhere. It’s up to them in the beginning to seek help and they can get it even after they have been arrested. It’s not the end of the road. Look at countries like South Korea or Japan where respect is front and centre. This state government is hell bent on removing responsibility and blaming something else, hi Aaron harpic. I agree with your thoughts but there were groups especially aboriginal groups that took kids out bush to change their path and it worked but this government pulled the funding and I can vouch that this is a direct result of that decision that we have all these kids. They even took whites out as well. I know alot won’t agree but it’s discipline that’s lacking not help.
Jawp,
At the anti-juvenile crime rally (not attended by our three blind mice) Bob Katter promoted remote incarceration and suggest Coen as the location. Bob’s suggestion was very well received.
Dave, you and Katter must be in lala land. Youth detention requires huge resources, particularly staff to provide all those education, skills training and adult modelling stuff referred to earlier. At Cleveland there are 290 full time staff positions (not always filled) to look after 112 inmates. Where the fuck would you find those people on Cape York and where would they live? Or were you thinking of getting a handful of retired ringers and jillaroos to teach ratbag car thieves from Kelso how to cook damper on the campfire, tidy their tents and swags every morning and dot paint a didgeridoo and two boomerangs before dinner each day? Lala land.
Coen would be a great location, one road in and out, one airstrip and economic stimulus to the locsl community. They’d be back “on country” as Nanna Anna and the ALP has given most of the Peninsula back to them by way of native title.
Dave, Bob usually promotes this kind of rubbish. Mostly because he knows the land holders of his electorate don’t actually vote for him and he won’t lose votes promoting ridiculous ideas yet again.
Jawp,
Should remote incarceration be a bit harsh, I recommend for some sail training, VERY old fashion training for child crew on square rigged ships. Imposed discipline, new skills, active physical lifestyle, out of reach of anti-social media, and navigation skills for those who graduated from grade two.
A grand opportunity for those snots who engage.
For the snots with mutianist intentions, given the VERY old fashion training, there is, while strung to the mizzen mast, the cat, will dance upon there back.
Of course there will be lots of cabbage and oranges served to prevent scurvy,
Now you want them to steal boats? AND train ‘em up to give ‘em the necessary skills? Genius!!
At least it will keep them off the streets.
poor Piers https://theshovel.com.au/2023/07/24/australia-retains-ashes-after-3-inches-of-english-tears-fall-in-manchester/
Therapeutic Treatment? What does that mean? To me it is Dashing Doarer with her flashing fans, fishnet stockings, and in high heels walking up and down my back, while singing Kumbaya.
https://youtu.be/TytGOeiW0aE
Now let’s move from Kelso to the NT.
In the NT, 10 and 11 year old snots will receive ‘therapeutic treatment’ when released back into the communities they have terrorised, while in Victoria their Police Commissioner is pleading for the ability to arrest 10 year olds because of the increasing violent crimes committed by this cohort and older.
What is ‘therapeutic treatment’ for the criminally ingrained NT snot, contemptuous of anything or anyone but their own violent self satisfaction? (They will make great parents of the future.)
Oh, by the way, parents (of the present), when and if you ever sobre up, well done on the discharge of your parental responsibilities in what should be a civil (are you familiar with this word?) society.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-24/northern-territory-criminal-responsibility-age-raised-to-12/102638594
Therapy: treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder..
Yes. Intended. How’s that going for your little darlings?
This morning’s once in a while review of share prices reveals that the Magnis is currently trading at 1 cent.
Get in quick, suckers.
NQGal, pedantic I know but A$0.100 = 10 cents not one cent. The share price slump seems to coincide with delays to the safety certification of the ‘mega factory’s battery packs but Magnis now has this certification. Meanwhile, the top shareholder, Sydney firm Citicorp Nominees, has been quietly raising its stake in the company. Townsville, especially Lansdown, may be dead to Magnis but the battery maker in the US looks poised to launch into automated production. Though not without serious competition both in the lithium space and in newer technologies. There’s some fantastic innovation in storage happening right now making large scale production risky but potentially lucrative.
Are you hinting we should be rushing our brokers to grab some 1 cent shares?
Tuesday morning and still no report in the Astonisher’s website on the Cowboys game in Townsville on Saturday night, and no medical update on star forward Nanai who left the field early in the second half, clutching at a shoulder.
The paper must not have bothered checking because Channel 7 news reported on Monday night that in a huge blow to the Cowboys finals hopes, the Origin star is out for 4-6 weeks.
But whoever looks after the website these days did have room to repeat a story which first appeared way back on 13 July about the Broncos signing a promising young Palm Island player.
The lights are off at the Astonisher, and obviously everyone’s at home, except of course Jimmy Olsen, who’s camped up in the mayor’s office waiting for instructions.
A question for you Doug. In all your years at the Bulletin, in your various roles including sports editor, can you recall how many times did the paper missed out on an extensive report finishers places of the Magnetic Island swim in Monday edition? Or not mention it at all? Or is 2023 a first for our community beacon that’s all for us?
Perhaps the Bullsheet team are trying to work out how to put a positive spin on the piece of reheated turd that is Emphemera as it hasn’t been reported on since it opened? Lots of “art”works already seen in previous years and a lot less items (31 according to the guide compared to 45 or something last time). Is it time we put the poor old thing out of its misery?
A preferred outcome would be if they used the money they wasted on NAFA to bring in some real artists … yes,, even pay them if necessary or make a first, second and third prize worth competing for or whatever. You just have to look at the installations in Sydney annually from Bondi Beach down to Bronte. We don’t have the spectacular setting, but those art pieces are truly worth the stroll, and they could be here too. In the past, TEL have told us the tourist value of Ephemera on the Strand is a winner, so why not come up with something unexpected and get off your arses, Dudleys, and wake up to what could be possible.
Barely, Apparently last years winner was gifted $40K and Council acquired it. The daughter of the artist was on the judging panel. So what are we to expect this year.
The swim was never missed back in my days on the sports desk, but I haven’t followed it in recent years so can’t say if this year is the first it was ignored. The swim was a big deal in those days with Olympic gold medal winners flying in to compete.
I believe the problem is lack of journos. We used to have a dedicated rugby league writer who not only covered Cowboys games but also training sessions. If a top player was injured at training it would be in the paper the next day. Nowadays they rely on media releases from the Cowboys who, understandably, only tell the paper what they want the public to know.
It seems to me that the Cowboys are mainly covered by southern based News jurnos now.
Oh, c’mon guys! This obsession with childish puns in headlines – often about serious issues – is getting to the toe curling, cringe stage. Most are worse than Dad jokes, and not very clever at all. We can ignore one or two here and there, but a whole page is not ‘occasionally’.
And on the opposite page, we get another two unpunny heads.
Do these drongos imagine readers will be clapping their hands in delight at ‘such clever wordsmithing’?
Just what the Astonisher headline writers thinks it will achieve and who be will attracted with this juvenile pun policy is a question they should perhaps ask themselves.
This juvenile idiocy is so ‘on the knows’ its pungent!
OK, let’s see if some idiot jumps in on this.
I don’t know how you can pay for the newspaper subscriptions Magpie. It’s a waste of money. Our local newspapers are only good for spreading over your garden bed to prevent weeds, wiping you ass, or placing in the bottom of your bird aviary.
The sacrifices The Magpie makes for you and our faithful readers. Believe the old bird when he tells you if it wasn’t his chosen mission, he wouldn’t give Rupert a penny.
I don’t subscribe or pay at the shop. I just go to the local football field on a Saturday afternoon and look for all the bundles in the bin of the bulletin that are still wrapped in straps and plastic. Lots printed but obviously no one even takes a free one.
i’m’a’faggot ., i’m not a Bully employee or Newscorp fan but happy to subscribe and have a local paper . Sure they could be better but when you have the likes of Mayor Hill leaving Council budget before Independent Councillors get to raise questions / hapless Aaron Harper posting in 2017 ” that the City shouldnt have another year of crime like 2016 ” wasted $ empty State Govt housing including $5 mil accommodation centre , who is going to hold them to account . There has been more disclosure on Councils project blow outs / delayed as well taking the 3 local Labor MP,s to task on crime . Lots of local events featured and Doug Kingston more than i can tell you many of the achievements Townsville Bulletin . What does the future hold ? . Lots of things arnt the same as the used to be but technology / profits impact change . Council and State elections in 2024 and hope the Bully gives candidates and the City options .
Mike, one thing that doesn’t change … or at least shouldn’t, and hasn’t elsewhere …. is journalistic integrity, the old edict to ‘shine a light in dark places’. And that’s when the Bulletin crossed the line a few years ago, when it became highly compromised by choosing to be a self-interested player in the affairs of the city, accept the status quo and whatever it is told, instead of being a questioning, investigating observer. That is not to say that the average foot soldier at the Astonisher is basically dishonest or actively connives with various outside parties, they are controlled by editorial policy run exclusively by the advertising department and that has decided for venal reasons to try to compete with social media …. and to do so, have plunged down to the low end of the credibility scale.
That is why The Magpie, despite his meagre resources, personal restrictions and a network of trusted contacts, not only tries to shine that light into those dark places, but also spotlight the Bulletin – the premier news platform in this city – and its deliberate failure to serve Townsville in the time honoured way a reputable news organisation would and should.
It is clear that the Bulletin’s dereliction of its democratic duties and its cynical strategy has now made it an active detrimental organisation in this city. And THAT’S worth reporting on.
I also wonder at the journalistic ability of those who simply copy and past large swathes of Facebook posts – especially when something bad happens to someone. It’s becoming quite commonplace lately. As indeed is seeing the same article in the paper in two places, one local and one state or world news section.
Nonetheless, like Mike D, I am happy to subscribe to the Bulletin and can’t see myself not doing that into the future even when it is just a thrice-weekly insert in the Courier Mail.
WARNING: This comment may enrage our Labor loving cheer squad leader, Elusive Butterflog.
This Brisbane cafe owner is a legend. He had a right old crack at the Minister for good times, Nanna Anna, over youth crime. Well said mate. And yesterday Kid Crisafulli was also calling out the Palasczuk government for its lack of a workable solution for kiddie crime.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12337801/amp/Sunrise-hosts-shocked-cafe-owner-makes-extraordinary-comment-Annastacia-Palaszczuk.html
Well, had a look at that and don’t know about a ‘right old crack’, let alone the hysteria of ‘shocking’ a TV morning host and calling the mild – albeit accurate – ramble a ‘spray’.
Pretty tame stuff, get more pithy stuff here in comments.
Fix crime and homelessness at the same time, build more jails, big bastards, many of the low life’s that should be in jail are most likely sitting in a housing commission home, that someone who deserves it could be living in. Qld only has 9300 people in jail, way to low, they could easily lift that to 20,000 with a few mega prisons and fix two problems at the same time, at a fraction of the cost.
RUOK? You usually do better than that, mate.
Magpie, unlike Cantankerous, the Engineer, Kelso Dave and others don’t seem to appreciate how blisteringly expensive, unwieldy and unsustainable youth detention actually is – in every state in Australia. Despite knowing, with complete certainty, that it does not work, even in purpose built state-of-the-art centres like Cleveland, they still blather on about ‘earning and learning’ in some farming enterprise as if this is some new-found solution no one has thought of or tried before. They don’t remember that the Campbell Newman government gave it a go about 10 years ago up behind Ingham and the incoming Labor government had to terminate the ‘Bootcamp’ as an expensive failure.
Anyway they can hope for the best with two brand new centres being built down south – presumably with two staff or more per one inmate as here and costing billions. If that doesn’t stop the rot then maybe the knowalls will decide to look for new approaches? Or not.
Yes you’re right (please stop being right, it’s unnerving.)
But taking that into account, the priority has to be to remove these grubs away from society, there is no reason law abiding citizens should be put in harm’s way to cop this rampant lawlessness just because the judiciary and the do gooders think it is ok to be lax.
So it would seem the only answer is lock them up … give all opportunity to get some skills while in stir, but if not, just keep locking them up.
Magpie, I think you will find that no real life political party supports your view on ratbag house breaking, car stealing children that the priority has to be to “remove these grubs away from society.” Most people simply cannot accept that our educated, mature adult ‘society’ is incapable of analysing, understanding and redirecting these kids. We adults know we can do better. Unfortunately, most of us refuse to give up our strongly held simplistic opinions and demand that government do what we’ve always done, regardless of the embarrassing, wasteful, violent DonDale-style consequences.
Well, thanks for your strongly held simplistic opinion.
It is clear that just because our educated mature society is incapable of analysing, understanding and redirecting these kids, the law abiding citizens of not just Townsville but all of Queensland, must take their chances with life threatening hooligans of all ages. Priorities, Palm, priorities.
And btw, what’s your mature and educated solution, keeping in mind that law abiding folks have some rights to a secure existence?
“ . . . .law abiding folks have some rights to a secure existence”.
Sure they do but are they prepared to give up some other material good in order to pay for it? Two new fully staffed youth detention centres probably equals about five big high schools or TAFES. If agrarian socialist Cantankerous can convince the Kid to make doubling the prison population LNP policy I’m pretty sure the first new ‘lifer’ in Queensland will be Premier Palaszczuk. And Crisafulli will grow old in opposition chained to National party dinosaurs waiting for his Olympic pension.
What? We don’t build prisons because they might mean we can’t have a swimming pool/tinnie/helipad or a Harvey Norman couch?
We pay for EVERYTHING that maintains a safe environment to spend what is left over on whatever frivolous fancy takes us. Its called democracy, but our definitions certainly disagree on what that means. Jails have been around and being paid for by the punter just as long roads, railways, ports and other infrastructure have taken out taxes.
And The ‘Pie hasn’t noticed here or anywhere else the dog-chasing-its-tail howls of helpless and hopelessness outrage from people decrying the costs of prisons or new ones being built … well, not protesting about locking up bad and dangerous people, maybe sometimes for other reasons, like the destruction of the habitat of the Less Little Dickie Strangled Throated Spangled Drongo.
Didn’t mention youth detention, I am talking about full adult jails to take many of the low lifes who should be in jail but aren’t. Upcoming state election is a great time for Crisafulli to announce a big spend on new jails, because you just look like a dickhead if you are going to stand on the news each night saying criminals should be behind bars but don’t have anywhere to put them. The NT has an incarceration rate 5 times that of Qld, a doubling could easily be achieved here. The Townsville jail is overflowing, build a big new maximum security prison next door and move the current facility to a medium security operation, it’s a vote winner.
Unhappy – there is already a brand new vastly increased capacity jail in the works for Townsville. Just don’t expect the full announcement until the election and by the time the plans are fully developed and money is available in the budget, it will be pre 2028 election before a sod is turned.
And haven’t they announced a new holiday ca … youth detention centre for Cairns?
Went to the Cowboys game on sat night and having been warned about the ridiculously high prices for poor standard food, we ate at the Oz in Palmer St before we arrived at the stadium. But I got thirsty and needed to buy a bottle of water and was shocked when they wanted $5.95 for what I can buy outside the stadium for $2.20. The bloke in front of me in the queue ordered fish and chips but handed it back before paying for it when he saw the size of the fish. Had to laugh when he said to the cashier “When did you start serving goldfish?”. I won’t be going back again unless the Cowboys make the finals, and then with my own water. It’s a great night out but they have to do something about the food and drinks. They’re a ripoff.
Food and drink prices have been a rip off even since the junior footy clubs running a fundraising BBQ were kicked out of 1300 Smiles. Bugger taking water in – security don’t check what is in your 1L Yeti bottle, so it you wanted to bring in your own pre-mixed spirits, feel free.
Oh! well done NQ Gaul! now you’ve blown it. Please realise that “A closed mouth gathers no feet”!
Some time ago on the Hubbs 4TTT morning show some “mouth’ told the audience that the mini bar drinks could be opened without breaking the seal by using the hair dryer to warm the cap so it would expand and you could open it, consume the contents, refill with cold tea and screw the cap back.
Oh! shit he’s just done it again…………
NQ Gaul? She’s French?
OOOPS my French letters are past their use by date!
Just calling them French letters tends to give the game away that you’ve given the game away.
How embarrassing and nauseating – an advertising poster inside the Townsville airport of a musician serenading Jenny Hill with his violin! You couldn’t make this shit up. Perhaps it is some kind of financial ritual merging Hill, the airport, and Adani together? Either way it’s the last thing you want to see as you collect your baggage. Lame lame lame
Did it occur to you to take a pic for your fellow nester’s? But now you mentionn it, The ‘Pie saw this head scratcher on the Bulletin c lcik bait page this week.
But when you go to the story, not a mention of Mayor Mullet or any reason why she is in the pic. Like we’ve said elsewhere, in this campaign season, Jenny would go to the opening of a letter if there was a camera around. Or else she’s just playing cougar … and good luck there, granny.
Sorry Pie,, my bad, I was in a rush when collecting my bag and I was somewhat shocked at the picture. It’s worse at the airport mate, much worse than the picture you have put up, in the airport picture the violinist is serenading Kim Jen Un while she looks at him and smiles. yuk! Maybe Kevin Dill can scoot out to his old airport and grab you a photo of it? Just don’t use the photo for private imaginary purposes, you will go blind!!
OK, fair enough. A shout out to travelling Nesters, anyone got a pic of the pic. Otherwise, might pop out tomorrow and get one if I have time.
Good article on the morons who bleat on social media, this complainer copped a serve from someone who actually knows what the facts are.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/basic-maths-tax-expert-quickly-dismantles-womans-13k-tax-bill-rant-in-scathing-tiktok/news-story/5c92b094ea372ed522679db55fab3500
Achilles – This one is even better.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12323635/ATOs-86000-tax-demand-Tasha-Paige-OnlyFans.html
Poor petal.
Scary stuff NQ Gal, both are blonds!!! So is my eldest daughter, and she’s just flown out to …… somewhere overseas.
Statement from Fran O’Calligan’s FB page:
Bulletin Bias?
The Bulletin has published online a story today about a motion Cr Rehbein put forward yesterday for inclusion at the Local Government Association of Qld conference in October this year, a motion that was not directly related to Council business. The paper was happy to name me as voting against the motion just as it was happy to name me as voting for the Bushland Beach storage units a while ago. What the Bulletin didn’t report on though was the three motions I put at yesterdays meeting that were all seconded by Cr Blom and which were intended to increase the transparency and accountability of this Council. They were all voted against in full by all Team Hill members without any of them giving any reason why they were voting against them or debating the motions in any way. My first motion put was that council include the vote count in any media releases on council resolutions that occur. This would involve at most an extra two or three words in a media release eg. resolution was carried 6 votes to 5, and would give the public an insight into what is actually happening in the chamber. It would have been interesting to hear why all Team Hill councillors thought the proposal had absolutely no merit…..but what a shame we will never know as they were all silent on why they voted against it.
Looks like Jimmy Olsen was prostituting himself to Mayor Mullet once again. He would’ve had a Birds Eye view of the chamber shenanigans while he was tethered to the Mullets leg by a leather strap. Naturally he supports the incorrect or absent information in the Bullshittin article.
Another day in Townsville.
“SHOW HILL THE DOOR IN 24”
Mr Magpie, with respect for your wisdom about things legal I want to make a movement that will give me the chance to organise legislation against the flagrant use of video showing little darlings using stolen cars.
The media loves this stuff but I beleive that this unsolited matertial supplied by the little darlings should be outlawed, yes by media law, to make it unlawful to be used in any news media. On board, oh winged warrior? I truy beleive that watching little shits flagrantly showing off during an illegal manouver is gainst the rules of good journalism. Showing video of an act of theft must go against the decency of the public and the media. Surely I am right? It is also immoral to show such activity as the only media to be broadcast should only be sanctioned by the authorities. I am all for freedom speech but this bullshit is intolerable and should be outlawed by the authorities. What should I do about this problem? Where to from here? This is a serious request.
The ‘Pie will pompously pontificating on this very subject in this week’s Nest on Sunday.
The social media giants have the technical ability to do this. I was once sanctioned by Facebook for saying “ money on the fridge,wog” in response to a reminiscing post about the old TV show Kingswood Country.
pickle me grandmother!
The other news filler story images l wish media would stop using is when police display huge wads of cash in drug bust stories. You see all these bags of $50 and $20 notes. It must tempt some to think of the odds and risk it.
The Magpie has said that long and loud for years now (in this blog more than once) … just don’t understand why the coppers insist on showing the cash … just stating the figure is enough, which no doubt includes a sum that was lost in transit. But even mentioning ‘street value’ – very much a think-of-an-impressive-figure exercise – is also a temptation. Best leave that figure to be quoted in court reports, next to the time the peddlers get for dealing in it.
The puppets who call themselves Townsville councillors have no shame. They do as they are told by Jenny Hill. Same goes for Jimmy Olsen. Has she got embarrassing photos of him, or is he just her lapdog?
LSR, probably both. But it is painful obvious that he and his newspaper have been ‘captured’. Jimmy and Jen have a symbiotic relationship, with Jen being the host and Jimmy being the parasite. The two need each other. I mean think about it, after a huge day hitting the coffee and wandering around town trying to shore up votes and support for next years election, Jen needs her feet massaged and somewhere to rest them. That’s where Jimmy comes in to the equation. Jimmy and Jen are inseparable, like a mother with her new born – always together, suckling, cooing in each others ears. It’s quite a strong bond.
Any toe-sucking involved?
(Don’t answer that!!)
Looks like Julia Gillards ex went on better.
Prince, you’re 100% on the money with that cosy little relationship but I have to admit I did get a tad excited there as I reread your 50 Shades of Jenny and Leighton for the eighth time !
I don’t subscribe to this paper but does this mean that there could be a change of ownership of the Townsville airport.
https://www.afr.com/street-talk/a-1b-stake-in-gold-coast-townsville-airports-hits-the-market-20230727-p5drsz
While I understand the frustration and anger at the bullsheet’s coverage of the mayor, I think some of the personal attacks and jibes at Leighton are getting a bit over the top.
Why? Leighton’s performance has made him a player, not an observer, and he has a platform where his selective presentation of stories can influence the developmentally delayed among readers. Thus he can have an influence on the perception of public figures and thus he himself become s a public figure. The Murdoch model of journalism long ago removed the time honoured reporter’s shield of merely reporting facts, and introduced among other things, the sin of omission. What Leighton doesn’t say is far more important than what he does say on many occasions.
But two points worth remembering. He is one of the few who have been willing to engage outside the Astonisher’s ivory tower, knowing fully that he’d get the full treatment. Whether that was courage or misplaced confidence is a question for him, but he is to be applauded for taking part.
And as to over-the-top comments, several of pure purposeless abuse haven’t seen the light of day. Especially when they aren’t made in the spirit of a humorous aleit cynical take on issues.
(Sigh).
Yes, well, if you drown there’s a 100% chance you’re dead ( why not A 74-year-old man has drowned etc?)
But this chap apparently died AFTER ‘his body’ (which means a cadaver) was pulled from the water. And he was ‘residing’ on a yacht, rather than ordinary folks who tend to live on yachts. And reporter Emeck may need counselling, she’s a very sensitive gal, so tells us the bloke was ‘sadly pronounced dead’ at the scene. You mean the emergency service blokes stopped whistling ‘Happy days are here again, and suddenly decided to be sad when they realised the bloke was dead.
Factual, unemotive plain language used to be the task of reporters. Not any more apparently.
And why is this under the catch-all ‘True Crime Australia’ banner. What was the crime here?
And while we’re in Bulletin bashing territory ….
The ‘Pie understands Ms Emeck is a fairly junior reporter, so it is sad there is no one among her colleagues to help her with her chosen career. But Cameron Master Bates has been around for a while and should know better than to write in an Ingham court story that some nutjob was ‘charged with alleged drug driving.’ Master Bates, please understand in English, if police charge someone with something, it is automatically means that the police are alleging something they have to prove in court. The manner in which you have written the sentence means that, in terms of English, YOU allege the police have brought a charge … meaning there is a possibility they might not have.
Put simply so you can understand, there is no such charge as ‘alleged drug driving’ or alleged anything. Know it’s hard, mate, but keep trying.