Back in January, we were promised a start on the new downgraded Hilton Hotel near the stadium, but as of this weekend, but not even a Portaloo on site, which is always the first sign of imminent action on a construction site. Another excuse coming up?
You can’t say that the Townsville Bulletin isn’t inventive. The paper has come up with a brilliant ploy for front pages … reporting news that didn’t happen, while missing stuff that did happen.
And as the WTF NO vote gains traction amongst the mystified, The Magpie examines this tiresome fashionable trope ‘You stole our country’.
Sports betting advertisements are under the gun at the moment, but while it is getting the attention, the real scourge of the addicted punter goes on its merry plundering way. But The Magpie has a foolproof way to end the misery of the poker machine blight … a solution where all parties are a winners.
And why old age can now be both sexy and funny.
No wins in the Budget for bloggers, so The Magpie again seeks your support to help with blog costs. The donate button is at the bottom of the blog.
Albo Tries To Find His G Spot
Trying not to look like wallflower, the PM is ‘topping it the toff’ at the G7 knees up in Japan just now, trying to look cosy with Joe Biden to dampen the political bad look of the US Prez’s cancelled Aussie visit.
But reflected glory is a tricky thing, and especially when Biden, beset by an economic crisis at home, announces a slew of jet fighters for The Ukraine. Bentley reckons that big world stuff has left Albanese looking a bit lame with his climate/energy crisis agenda.
Well, at least there wouldn’t be any airport noise problems at night with the Albo air fleet.
Robodebt: Some Long Awaited Justice On The Way?
Watch this one carefully. It’ll say a lot about our government, our society and our sense of moral justice. Elizabeth Holmes wore her heart on her sleeve for much of the appalling crass testimony in the hearings, and she looks like she wants some heads. Like we all do.
Hotel Reservations
Wasn’t it about now that we should be seeing some activity down near the stadium with a start on the Hilton Double Cross Hotel, which has now been downgraded a tier in the Hilton Garden Inn stable to their bottom rung of stardom. And it quite apparent that The ‘Pie’s little quip about ‘double cross’ ( for those new to the yarn, a play on the Hilton brand Double Tree chain, initially slated for the ’ville yonks ago) ain’t far from the truth. For instance, take these brilliantly transcribed media release lines in Leighton Smith’s ‘exclusive’ January story.
“Hilton also provided us some very strong data that suggested that we needed to look for a fresher ‘post-Covid hotel brand’, still very much in the upscale space,”Focus Pacific CEO Michael Graham said.
Now that line’s gotta be a classic in doublespeak …’fresher post covid hotel brand’ is meaningless twaddle and note the word ‘still’, the universal word when you are trying to convince someone that a shoddier alternative is ‘still upscale’. Mr Graham, good mate and former business partner of Labor backroom boy Dolan Hayes, went on:
“They suggested that we look at Hilton’s alternative upscale brand, which is called Hilton Garden Inn.”
He 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.n The changes would also assist their construction partner, which will be named in late February.
‘Formulaic’ is hardly a word you would ever team with ‘upscale’, it is a weird attempt to hide the fact that Townsville is now offered a distinctly down-market McHilton, one that could be build with prefabbed sections, by the sounds of it. Bit like an IKEA dining table.
This desperate attempt to put lipstick on this pig’s dismal prospect was exposed in this hilarious paragraph of false euphemisms.
“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,” Mr Graham said
Translation: ‘Me and Dolan had to pull out all the stops to convince Mayor Mullet this dog of a downgrade was an improved deal – which she fell for like an egg from a very tall chicken.’
So just how alluring is this new edifice going to be? Let Mr Graham oblige with the details:
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 cafe, a 138-seat restaurant, and a conference facility capable of hosting 120 people in a theatre style format.
That’s pretty close to describing a well run backpackers, plus inadequate parking.
But no doubt when and if this dubious venture starts, Jenny will be down there with hard hat, Disaster Manager (how apt!) hi-vis vest and golden shovel to turn over the first big sod – something Townsville voters should do next March.
News That Never Happened … The Bulletin’s New Front Page Ploy.
Check out this fronter from this weekend’s Bulletin
indeed. And still could if she had a mind to.
Now, The ‘Pie isn’t doubting the trauma of this woman’s close call, and her comment in an interview with the Astonisher is fair enough. But a front page FFS?
This will undoubtedly be a new trend … things that could’ve happened, but didn’t. So can we expect stuff like:
Train Derailment: hundreds could have been killed … but no one on board.
Bank Near Miss: Could’ve been held up, door was open, but wasn’t.
Pensioner’s Flat Raided: Thieves could have got away with millions, but only got two cans of Spam.
Golfer’s Grief: Could’ve made hole-in-one but took 5 on a Par 3 instead. (Not really funny, I tell you.)
Community Horror: Could’ve been a proper newspaper, but was only the Townsville Bulletin.
As the Italians say, if my granny had wheels, she would’ve been a bicycle.
Then there’s the stories they miss. There was a big miss of a real story last Tuesday, when the government agreed to pay compensation for contaminated water caused by toxic firefighting foam at seven sites around the country … including Townsville. Been a big story here in the past, so big front page coming up, with local reaction to the end of a long running saga? Get real. Not even a mention in a pointer.
But turn to the bottom of page 2, there was a Sydney-reported story about the settlement that mentioned Townsville in passing.
But since then, no one seems to think it was worth a. local follow-up.
Not all Townsville’s toxic foam comes from defence bases.
The ‘Pie Will Bet You 10 to 1 This Never Happens
All the knicker twisting going on about sports betting at the moment appears to centre on it encouraging young people to ‘get the habit’ early.
But let’s look at the other end of the gambling tsunami in Australia.
From the outset, The ‘Pie was dismayed when pokies were allowed into pubs (thanks to the grasping Bob Carr when NSW premier, who started the follow the leader trend among states). Can’t think of a less deserving bunch of quietly avaricious non-contributors to society than modern corporate publicans to get this bonanza. Tight fisted and simply lazy, distant publicans allowed pokies to make their money for very little effort, effectively killing at a stroke live entertainment to attract customers. At least clubs, the hitherto only places pokies were allowed, plough their profits back into the club amenities and the community through generous support of sporting and community organisations. The move into pubs has resulted in one of the most socially and economically destructive arrangements in the Australians social scene.
But no one will ever be able to rid the country of pokies – legal addictions has been treated very warily by politicians – (fb fags), the people demand to be fleeced without having to bother with things like club membership, and governments need the lazy incomes they get by the container load from pokies tax on pubs.
But in the unlikely event of a wave of social responsibility washing over all parties, here’s a solution where there are no losers.
First, consider this.
Poker machines are currently programmed to return between 8% to 17% of money wagered (or they were, when The ‘Pie last learnt of such things). In other words, punters are offered odds of around 10 to 1 ON. One reason why you never see professional punters go near the things. So stats will tell you that at the best, you will never get ahead even a modest amount to be able to quit a session on 9 out of ten visits to the spinning wheels.
So the solution answer is to allow the government to get their ‘voluntary taxation’, and publicans to get a reasonable cut of the take but for player addictions to not to be preyed upon at this avaricious rate.
How? Simple. Just reverse the ratios.
Set the return to punters at – say – 75% of money wagered. Admittedly, the government may have to accept a slightly lower amount of tax income, but they will gain by a lower funding of welfare services in the community, less crime by those driven to it by their addiction (plenty of case studies on this) and the most attractive of all … get votes.
The AHA. will spend millions on lobbying to avoid such a socially responsible move, a move that recognises that pokies are one addiction that cannot be legislated or even at current rates, taxed away like fags.
But the fat cat boozariums will still get a cut, albeit it smaller but still for minimum effort. And they’ll still have their sports bars where brainless jocks can get their jollies by losing their hard earned on the neddies, red hots and dish lickers …. or some highly sus footy matches, where all sorts of whacky punting permutations are on offer. Like a multi about who scores the first try linked to at least one player revealing polka dot undies when tackled, linked to the best nose clearance of the game.
In The ‘Pie’s scheme of things, this way the pokie punters get what such suckers traditionally shouldn’t get – an even break.
The Other Side Of The Story
A few words about the trope ‘You stole our country, where we’ve been living for 40,000 years’ or whatever the latest figure is.
It would be more realistic to view re-shape that claim that ‘Aborigines have been living the same year over and over 40,000 times.
In all those eons, other civilisations progressed, discovering the wheel, learning animal husbandry, creating written language, arts and culture of all types flourished in different civilisations, crop cultivation was refined, which in turn established permanent communities that had no need for endless foraging, medicine, literature and science . Increasingly daring and sophisticated seafaring allowed discovery and the expansion of man’s understanding of his place in the universe, albeit mostly driven by rapacious greed and subjugation. That it was often done in a spirit of plundering economic superiority is now historical reality. And eventually manufacturing evolved, to make a hard and brutish life more bearable.
While all this was happening, the harsh realities on this isolated continent no doubt contributed to keeping any aboriginal culture in permanent stasis – ergo, the same year 40,000 times.
But the intrusion of the outer world was inevitable, and the fashionable modern-day culture of ‘presentism’ – the belief that previous generations should have had the current outlook on justice , equity, fairness and humanity of the present – simply ignores the reality of an expansionary advancing world at that time.
Yes, certainly, the arrival – there was no invasion and the arrival was not opposed in any discernible manner because of the fragmentation of the different ‘nations’ (tribes) – brought misery and cultural destruction to the continent’s indigenous people. But no one seems to consider this: it has taken less than 200 years for the ‘invader’s culture’ to become enlightened enough to work towards righting wrongs of the past. In terms of human awareness and civilisation, that is progress that can be measured in light years. And the benefits of the modern world , which far outweigh the detrimental matters of 2023, are shared by all. They can be regarded as our contribution to the indigenous Australians, along with our respect and help in preserving their culture.
If the Australian continent had somehow been left untouched by the outside world and it existed today as it did then, the indigenous people of this country would be living the same year that they lived for the past 40,000 years.
As an extension of Salman Rushdie’s wise observation ‘ ‘No none was born with the right to NOT be offended’, no one has the right to not be affected by the rest of society or the wider world. Be it good or ill, there can be no universal ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign hung on the door knob of any country or discrete group. Nor any claim to more privileged in a working democracy.
If 70 Is The New 50, Then 80 Is The New PHROW!!
The magazine Sports Illustrated struck a blow against ageism in it’s latest issue, with 80-year-old hottie Martha Stewart gracing the cover of their annual collectible Swimsuit issue.
While there was a lot diverse comment, The ‘Pie quite liked this cheerful reaction to it all.
Unfortunately, the rest of this week’s American/World gallery isn’t all cheerful or innocent, but here it is anyway.
Odds And Sods
Caroline was born to write this story.
Genuine question here:
What the hell is a touch truck? Sounds like something a bloke in a dirty gabardine overcoat parks outside a kids’ playground.
Headline Of The Week
Sounds like just another day down at the Townsville Bulletin.
……………
Another week gone, and we’re still here. So are comments, they run 24/7 and are lotsa fun, have a go. And The ‘Pie has just WD40’d that donate button below, so it’ll work just fine for you. Cheers til next week.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the US, where the Hilton brand has been around for decades. I’ve mostly stayed in the high class Hilton (no other nicknames needed) hotels to take advantage of the free grog and eats in their wonderful Executive Lounge. But on occasions when I couldn’t get a room in the real Hilton, I’ve settled for the second grade Hilton Double Tree brand, and on two occasions when I couldn’t get a room anywhere else I lowered my standards and checked into a Hilton Garden Inn (the kind of joint Jenny Hill and her mates have lowered their sights to).
Take it from me the Garden Inn is just a small bar of soap above a backpackers joint. Now before Palm Sunday (aka Dolan) accuses me of being a hotel snob, I’ve stayed in the best and close to the worst hotels all over the world. The Garden Inn is closer to the worst than the best.
So cut the crap Leighton Smith and tell it like it is. If the Townsville Garden Inn is ever built, and it’s a BIG if, it won’t be anything to get excited about.
About as good as but no better than the Oaks or Allure.
Nothing wrong with that, but please Jenny and Leighton, stop trying to put a shine on a turd. It isn’t working.
So maybe a Hilton Garden Inn will be a better fit for the people visiting for the rugby league or the V8s after all? Just took a while to work that out.
Point taken. But a spy tells The ‘Pie that the business rationale originally was that Hilton would aim at the business traveller primarily, drawing on an apparently massive corporate patronage list. That would make sense with a Double Cross hotel, but the Garden Inn model of removing mini-bars from rooms in favour of some sort of licensed 7-11 general store arrangement would be the price and comfort range for a lesser strata of punter. And even footy fans and motorheads might baulk at the idea of BYOG room arrangements.
Corporate patronage probably made sense when there was supposed to be a convention centre built. That seemed to be forgotten about when the stadium took the limelight.
A friend of mine reckons he has stayed at a Garden Inn in WA and it was fine at about $250/night
Good point.
And as to the quality of the Garden variety, The ‘Pie’s comments are more about the ridiculous hype from the mayor ad the eyebrow raising involvement of Dolan’s former business mate about the project.
And a brand like Hilton can only be criticised by comparison with its higher end operations, they certainly won’t be proposing some sort of flea. And the choice of model makes sense, as another commenter has already said, what with the imminent opening of Chris Morris’s new uber swish pile next to the casino. Doubt Hilton – or anybody – could see Townsville attracting that much custom in that location for anything above a two or three star.
The stuff about Aboriginal Australia is completely stuffed.
1. it’s not presentism – people at the time knew what they were doing was wrong.
2. it was an invasion and was opposed although the Aboriginals were greatly overpowered. Being overpowered does not mean that your resistance is meaningless.
3. saying no one has a right not to be affected by the wider world is a nice euphemism for being invaded! I’m sure China will keep that one up its sleeve!
So Mr Feather Foot. Why do you think that the people who arrived a couple of hundred years ago believed what they were doing was wrong? Science of the time said that dark skinned people needed to be saved from savagery and that’s what these people believed they were doing. How is it different from leaving unwanted babies on anthills or the old or infirm to die alone as the group moved on. Is that behaviour ok today or is negative history only for Migaloo.
No one seems to note that the initial move here wasn’t conquest, it was a place for the English to get rid of the UK’s dregs, emptying their overcrowded hulks used as prisons. The First Fleet was by no means in size or equipment one that could be remotely considered a nation-conquering force.
That is not to say that the at first gradual expansionism with free settlers didn’t begin with appalling actions against the different indigenous tribes. Racist and generally brutal attitudes continued for way too long, injustice that successive Australian governments over the past 50/60 years have been legislating and designating billions of dollars to make amends.
And sure, the government has been making amends by doing that white people thing where instead of actually fixing an issue properly we just throw money at it.
Fun fact: throwing money at a problem you created won’t always fix it. Sometimes you need bigger, more meaningful, more sincere acts.
And haven’t we taxpayers learnt that the hard way, but you’re right. Bigger, more sincere and meaningful acts are urgently needed …. by the aboriginal industry grifters and urgers, whose self-interest has hardly ever done a single thing for indigenous people with the $4billion they have been given to administer indigenous programs. And you’re also right in another way … money will never fix the ingrained myth of a stolen country and the lie of continuing oppression. The only thing that can fix that is an attitude adjustment … drop the victimhood cloak and accept the benefits of modern Australia as well as the historical horrors of the early settlement days that is passed on by ignorant resentful people who instill in the next generation the false hope of ‘the good(?) old days of the noble savage’.
This guilt trip highlights the one-way traffic of the divisive and eventually vengeful Voice argument.
Let’s be honest magpie. This aboriginal industry you crap on about, sure it happens, there’s always going to be someone dishonest. But Aboriginal people have not stolen $4b. Over the years I’ve seen more white people rip off a local government, steal from a community organisation, use public funds for personal use, than I’ve ever seen or heard aboriginal people do. There’s also a higher percentage of white people in the population working forthrse organisations. So I hope we’re all just as concerned about whiteys having access to public money.
That is an extraordinarily stupid comment for several reasons. No one said anything about stealing – certainly not by indigenous folk – and relatively small rorts like the ATSIHS health centre rort (still going on, one hears) and the like is nothing next to the blurred focus mismanagement of public funds by both black and white administrators over the years.
And the opportunity for this to get worse will be enhanced by yet another mob called The Voice.
And the last sentence is simply ridiculous… don’t you read the papers, watch TV, listen to radio? I don’t believe a single aborigine was involved in the heinous Robotdebt scheme dreamed up by white politicians and public servants, don’t think Bronwyn Bishop had any indigenous passengers on her infamous helicopter trip, think that Gordon Nuttall, John Barilaro or Jackie Trad are ‘whiteys’ as are Gladys Berejiklian, turfed out for enjoying a length slipped to her by a white crooked politician, there have been literally scores of other ‘whites only’ scandals that have been reported over the years.
So, yeah, let’s be honest … You’re not a duck, you’re a fucking goose.
I hear the Poms are going the Italians for compensation over the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD,
Settlement of Australia is was legal because when Cook sailed up the east coast, he was unable to see any villages or ploughed fields, which in the international law at the time signified a settle country. To the rest of the world, it was considered he was claiming an unoccupied land.
As Bess Price said, her people sat here for 40000 years and did nothing.
The theory of there being a former race here, wiped out by the aborigines was nullified years ago. No substantive evidence has ever been found. Genes found in aborigines were probably picked up as they passed through Indonesia.
Did they borrow that purple bee hive box from Jenny Hill?
Right on about the eternal”poor bugger me” endless moaning from ATSI activists. Jacinta Prices’s mum, Bess, said much the same thing back in 2018, before Albanetski’s Yell (Voice) was even a scribble on a beer coaster.
Hey Magpie, Answer to your question ‘Touch a truck’ I think you’ll find it’s a typo the proof reader should be fired over missing it, they should have used the letter R instead of U ,
Took me a while, but gotcha, very droll, Frankie.
Team Hills credibility has been shot for a long time . Voting to pick up $74.7 mil over spend on Haughton stage 2 when the Mayor and her Labor State colleagues stalled the project to try and unseat Phil Thompson . Think of all the repairs / mantenance that the $74.7 mil could have been used for . Councillor Greaneys follies of blowing mils $ on food trucks , entertainment no one goes to at a time when Council increased rates 9 % the highest in Queensland . Show them the door on 24 .
Thanks for the head’s up Jimmy. Suitably amended in blog.
Magpie, you are certainly on the ball. 40,000 years settlement in ‘Australia’ is the figure that science has arrived at in the last five years or so. What was your source for this information? I can’t see you pouring over recent papers in genomics.
Any estimates giving an earlier arrival date would either be due to errors in the dating technique, or, heaven forbid, would suggest a pre-arrival occupation by another species of hominid, possibly the denisovans who, it seems, were artistic. It is established that our aboriginals carry quite a sizeable amount of denisovan genes.
Archaeological evidence for what happened in those early days is probably now underwater, up to 200 metres, to be discovered during the next ice age. Fortunately, much new evidence on this early species will come to light as the snow and ice on the Himalayan Plateau melts in the coming years.
‘I can’t see you pouring over recent papers in genomics’.
Dorfus, The ‘Pie reads many an arcane document in his quest for enlightenment and yes, if the day has been long and the hour late, The ‘Pie has been known to ‘pour’ over certain document – usually an earthy SA shiraz from McLaren Vale – while he has been poring over them. And truth be known, it often happens that the shiraz tends to offer more enlightenment than the documents.
Good choice. A white is of little use when you are into heavy reading.
Was the shiraz Gramps?
Chateau Rene Pogel … always have a bottle or two on hand for surprise visits from the gals.
Mrs Palmer? (In response to Medicine Man).
poor petal https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/indigenous-elder-scorches-afl-over-perceived-snub-at-dreamtime-game/news-story/b2fffb6d525f44f986cac7999114b4a4
The woman may seem a little over-sensitive, but this is engendered by authorities and self-appointed virtue police creating a false belief of the extent of sincerity and importance with which these ceremonies are received. Fear of admonishment and charges of racism (and official threats of ejection even before the game starts) keep footy crowds seemingly respectfully silent. Forbearance typified.
I thought the one before the ladies wallaroos rugby game last night was bad enough….seemed to be more lecture than welcome.
Im over it and turn the volume down.
Blessings to all of this day, The Sabbath. EXCEPT the wrecking balls Harpic Harper, Messagebank Walker, Private Cupcake Stewart and Mullet Hill. Forgive them oh mighty one, for they know not what they do (and never had any idea, ever). Show them all the door in ‘24.
Amen.
Very Christian of you.
Here’s a very thoughtful read from the In Queensland site.
https://inqld.com.au/politics/2023/05/17/of-the-many-things-the-budget-does-not-explain-this-could-be-the-most-important/
One would deduce from it that Albo has rolled the dice and has pinned his colours to the twin masts of The Voice and the Stage 3 tax cuts. Whether the masts can stand up to the wind of outrage both will generate – no matter which outcome either produce – will determine both Albo’s and Labor’s future (especially if the Libs find a more palatable alternative to Dutton.)
Yes. That last line Magpie. When do you think the Libs will realise that Dutton is a dead horse?
He’s still enjoying the ‘at least he’s not Scott Morrison’ period … assisted by the lack of any alternative right now.
Haha yeah… and dragging the libs further to the right, aided by the recent appointment of more nats to shadow cabinet. This is a demonstration on leading your party into obscurity.
But you’re ignoring the fact that the established Labor tactic of moving more towards the centre has pushed ther Libs further right, but now, Albo is cannily disguising a massive Labor retreat back to the leftist programs (like The Voice), which will allow conservatives to edge back to more reasonable centrist grounds. All they need is a suitable leader to at least become a viable opposition again.
Well don’t hold your breath Magpie! Dutton seems to have misunderstood all the signs that he’s unpopular with the people.
The Betoota kind of sums it up
https://www.betootaadvocate.com/headlines/liberal-partys-existential-crisis-worsens-after-duttons-re-election-strategy-gets-leaked/
I have taken my family to L.A and stayed at the Hilton Anaheim on 5 seperate occasions. A1 service each time, clean, good comfy beads, and an overall excellent stay.
I stayed there too, but what is really irritating in US Hotels is the expectation (read demand) of a tip for delivering something to our room.
At that time our daughter was only a year old and I wanted a jug of hot water, the operator asked me to explain what a jug was, they call it a pitcher. I had a vision of an amphora on the waiters shoulders.
PS our room didn’t have any comfy beads.
My scoop on the Aldi story was exactly that, my scoop. I was the first to let the people know that Aldi is coming. I didn’t get that information from this blog, which incidentally didn’t know about it before me. I took my time working on that story and I knew the details weeks ago. So there.
Tony Raggatt apparently knew the details, too.
Hey Jimmy, when are you going to give us the scoop as to why the $6.2m boardwalk is not progressing past Bazza’s legal shop?
Someone was impersonating me with this Aldi comment.
Magpie I can see an unapproved comment supposedly from Ducks Nuts insulting Jimmy Olsen. Says “And you’ve been impersonating a journalist all of your career.”
I did not write this comment. Or submit it.
I’d suggest you have someone playing some funny games. I should also not be able to see an unapproved comment I have not submitted. So perhaps you have some security issues.
Something is a bit skewhiff, have had another issue like this last week. Question: can everybody see pending comments before publication? Or just your own? Could it be somehow the name is recognised and sent only to that address? Working on it.
I don’t see the pending comments, except mine.
Thanks … phew. But must admit, that doesn’t explain how an apparent interloper saw Ducky’s pending post. Unless … oh, no, say it ain’t so … that Ducky is playing the fuckwit himself.
We’ve known for years that you can see pending comments by other users, you just need the same name in the Name box.
Interesting. The ‘Pie isn’t too fussed, he still dumps those he doesn’t wish to publish.
Pie,
Just mine.
OK, thanks. Anyone else?
Similar thing happened to me some time ago. Although I do suspect that old Ducky hits the sauce way to much and is probably drunk and jumping at shadows also.
Nawww….. aren’t you sweet
Just mine, the ones from others using my name do not show up.
You are a fibber Ducky.
Can usually only see your own pending comments.
Leighton, you couldn’t even get a scoop of ice cream right let alone a newspaper scoop. Your future is certain, and that is you will always be a lightweight reporter who pinches other peoples reports and who reports on matters many days after they have already been around the news cycle a dozen times. Give it a rest sunshine, you’re not a journalist you are a gerbilist.
Bit harsh. When you’ve got no leadership, it’s hard to shine.
At least the Astonisher is consistent – even with a 50/50 chance they still fuck up.
Wrong logo for Aldi using the “Aldi Nord” rather that the “Aldi Sud” logo. Aldi Sud is the company that operates in Australia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi
Righto Old fella (I’m guessing rollmop) , it’s a lot easier to call the game from the peanut gallery than to play the game.
You’re always welcome to submit a job application if you think you can do a better.
Ummm, so how’s The ‘Pie doing from the peanut gallery. Should I apply (but be careful what you wish for)?
Leighton, nice try. Rollmop is abrasive and to the point. But I am assuming that he and many others on this blog consider you to be two-bit hack. And if as you say, I am he, why wouldn’t I respond to you under the rollmop pseudonym? Anyway, it’s a democratic society so you are entitled to have your say. Regardless, you are two-bit journalist that writes pathetic stories for a pathetic newspaper that’s only good purpose is to line my bird aviary’s.
RE: “You stole our country, ….” No other race in the History of Mankind have been given so much and achieved so little. My thoughts on the matter. T
I see where you’re coming from about the Hilton Garden Inn catering to the footy fans Russel, but do the maths.
Even if the Cowboys make the finals – and after a 66-18 loss to the last placed Tigers that seems highly unlikely – that’s 14 weekends of trade for the Garden Inn.
The new Cowboys women’s team is unlikely to attract fans from outside Townsville and the only other drawcard is the V8 Superpests weekend, and support for that has dwindled to the point they won’t announce the crowd figures (Channel 7 aerial footage from the V8s tells the story of a dying event).
Of course there may be 1 or 2 big concerts if Jenny Hill decides to hand over a few million dollars of ratepayers money to southern promoters, but it all adds up to no more than 20 weekends. That leaves 32 weekend with very little business.
Throw in competition from the flash new casino hotel and its obvious why the Hilton number crunchers are getting nervous.
It’s the old case of supply and demand, and it ain’t looking good for a Garden Inn.
Did a fair bit of work related travel in my working life and employers always booked hotels close to restaurants and places where I could safely take exercise after work or go to a cinema or other relaxation. Reality, the proposed budget class Hilton is stuck in the middle of nowhere so to speak so I doubt many businesses will book employees in here. When the new hotel next to the ‘ Ville is completed and if the proposed hotel adjacent to the Seaview is ever built, then who in their right mind would stay at this budget class Hilton.
Don’t know about a hotel next to the Seaview, but the developers of the hotel a couple of blocks down have at least been in town to chat with the big commercial builders about their project.
That the one next to the Watermark? Would make a nice little visitor cluster down there. We need more of that right along the Strand. It’s either a touyrist enticement or it’s not … you can’t be a bit pregnant.
Seriously Crits, walk straight over the rail line to the Ross Island Hotel, swinging old boobs with stretch marks out in the relaxed atmosphere of the beer garden, shirt and shoes are optional, what more could a weary traveler want.
Yeah but here’s the thing – I like stretch marks!
Cranks – what are you going Friday night?
Poor old Jenny and her councillors must be completely devoid of any morals, story has just appeared where they are claiming credit for the adventure rope course at YWAM which was funded by the coalition government as an incentive to get the youths out of the mindset of stealing cars, claiming that they relaxed the planning fees. Jenny, there is the door you are gone in 24.
Stan Grant at the ABC bleating about there are no indigenous journalists reporting on this Channel. Well Stan you’ve had 40,000 years to make changes and you didn’t. Wake up and smell the coffee. Ask yourself why not. Stop crying and whining.
How can Stan tell? I mean, for years, we thought he was a white fella.
Dolly Parton could claim to be an indigenous Australian under the guidelines for being legally recognised as such.
On that premise, these tedious boorish white aborigines should consider the fact that had Europeans not insinuated themselves Down Under then they would never have existed.
Fuck you missed the point didn’t you. Stan Grant wrote about the continuous racial abuse he has received and that he was disappointed ABC executives didn’t defend him when it occurred.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-19/stan-grant-media-target-racist-abuse-coronation-coverage-enough/102368652
ABC has now released a statement
https://about.abc.net.au/statements/statement-from-abc-director-news-justin-stevens/
Ducky, the simple point is that Grant is a typical racist bully. He is more than happy to dish out anti-white drivel but gets all thin skinned and glass-jawed when there is some pushback. He is an absolute lightweight who is exactly the sort of prick who stands to make a mint out of the Voice without it doing a single thing for real indigenous people not living in a $2.85million penthouse apartment in Sydney’s Coogee Beach like Stan Grant and his equally oily partner Tracey Holmes do.
Its been amazing to watch Grant getting darker and darker skinned over recent years to better play the part just like Michael Jackson got lighter and lighter skinned over his lifetime. Playing to the audience to make a buck both of them.
Gingerbeer I will assume that you have confused Stan Grants successful and awarded career with your own. You poor sad idjit.
WTF does that even mean, you sad little person.
I know it’s difficult for you to understand, but Stan Grant has actually had a successful and awarded career in Australia and overseas. And its ok for aboriginal people to do well in life. Just like it’s ok for white people or people of any other heritage to do well in life. It’s also good to see well educated, well spoken aboriginal people standing up for those aboriginal people who can’t do that. That’s called advocating.
Unfortunately there are many journalists who cop abuse from people just because they don’t agree with the journalist. I don’t mean because the journalist can’t spell, I mean racist, sexist, homophobic abuse. It’s pretty poor behaviour and there’s no need for it.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/05/22/stan-grant-racism-abuse-journalism/
And a pretty poor argument if you want to disagree with someone.
Sorry Ducky I was out having a life. I though journalists reported on things in a dispassionate and objective manner. I think you and Stanley have mistaken his personal commentary for journalism. Easy mistake if you are blinded by ideology and to concerned with fact.
And don’t forget ‘barely’. He is about to release a book. Any publicity is good.
The downgrade of the Hilton is a shame. I wonder if Mayor Hill will discuss the change of scope at the next Council meeting? And the wording of the presser from the Hilton people contains more wank words than a political acceptance speech. Where do they find these people. Some serious bullshit dribbling if I’ve ever seen it.
HEY, TROPICAL, want to join your mates? In fact, The ‘Pie bets you look just like this one … you’re both one-eyed.
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.239208/gov.uscourts.dcd.239208.580.0_1.pdf
Ah – Stewart Rhodes, a man so stupid he shot himself in the eye and then didn’t bother cleaning his prosthetic eye and socket, resulting in necrosis. Hopefully there is a 25 year prison sentence coming his way any day now.
Interesting to see where this leaves Trump. He was the overall instigator, director and beneficiary (he hoped) of the failed insurrection.
A lot of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys are trying to use “but Trump asked me to do it” as part of their defense. Hasn’t washed with any of the judges or juries so far. Multiple people are facing long stints in prison after convictions for seditious conspiracy.
Trump is very likely to be indicted in Georgia in August for the “perfect phone call” asking the state Attorney General to “find” 11780 votes. The DOJ won’t be far behind in charging him in relation to J6, the Mar-a-Largo documents and possibly wire fraud for conning his supporters out of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Very funny you prick. Haven’t you got anything better to do with your time?
You’re the one reading it, Trops, that you even can a surprise in itself.
Cutie Pie you fucking idiot.
That is not my comment because on the 22/5/23 I was reflecting on my sons suicide as it was the 14th anniversary of his funeral.
I now vey rarely comment on this blog because it is full of losers and crap.
All joking and word play aside, your comment may explain why you are so full of fury and rage. I sincerely hope and trust you have sought and are receiving counselling for your devastating loss … it is clear you are still grieving after all these years.
That is a very private matter and if you are having any second thoughts about it being published, I will be happy to remove it.
That said, any comments that come into the Nest are judged by their content and most are taken at face value, to be replied to on that basis. Calling an anonymous person names, stridently disagreeing with their comment and making insults based on what they’ve said is very different from targeting a known person about personal matters.
So you don’t visit the blog very often Tropical, yet you some how managed to find a comment on here from a ring in? Seriously, what a crock of shit. And if your story about your son is actually true, then you have my condolences. If your story is bullshit then you are a bigger nut job than we already thought.
I’ll submit one as Duckie and see if I can see it.
Just me, Russell, Magpie, testing the system. I shouldn’t be able to see this but Duckie should (I think).
I can see the comment so your system knows it’s from me. Interesting to see if Duckie can see it also.
Now I can’t see it. Strange indeed.
This site is always entertaining.
Yep, I sure can.
I can see lots of peoples pending comments. And no, I don’t see dead people.
Magpie, amongst all your hi falutin’ argumentation about the ‘arrival’ of civilisation in Australia 200+ years ago, there was no mention of dispossession. No mention of the murderous ‘dispersal’ of Aboriginal people from every district and nothing about the 1985 Queensland government attempt to dispossess Torres Strait Islanders of their lands. This latter action was contrary to the laws of Australia, in fact a racist act by a racist state. I don’t think they owe us anything for that bit of ‘civilisation’.
Did you miss the bit where The ‘Pie pointed out that the appalling brutal racist behaviour is not be excused, nor ever denied, but that the last fifty years has seen successive governments give the indigenous Australians as well as a fair number of grifters to the cause an opportunity to take advantage of and enjoy the benefits of modern living. Never have heard a single argument from the aboriginal industry elite agreeing that nowadays, there are great benefits that aborigines enjoy, because a comparatively advanced ‘civilisation’ colonised them, it is always a one way street. When in fact, the reality is that deficits in health (and therefore longevity) and especially education is because of underlying fractured social culture of resentment, anger and a feeling of entitlement that is never going to eventuate. And this false entitlement is passed down from generation to generation as some sort of lore.
Anyway, be advised The ‘Pie is not going to be drawn down side alleys to be mugged by fashionable tropes. He will vote NO in the referendum for one primary reason … it is divisively undemocratic. As well as not achieve a fucking thing that straight legislation can enable to help those who actually need it..
How about you leave it there, Magpie, and not write another word about The Voice? Your position is clear, as are those of your commentators, so why continue to bang on about it? Provocation? Dog whistling? I’m not convinced it’s to foster healthy debate given this blog isn’t a democracy and you simply dump those you don’t wish to publish.
Hahaha, you fuckin’ wish!
Yeah, Legislation will fix it. Lets have some more legislation requiring implementation and management by whole departments of people which still doesn’t actually make positive improvements? That’s the way Magpie! Vote for Legislation!
No, Magpie, I did not miss the ‘bit’ you refer to, but you still avoid the other more substantive point I raised about dispossession. The separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their land, community, language and culture continues to this day unabated. Offering, as you do, some sort of material cultural reward for compliance, acceptance and silence is denial. Actually, it is worse than denial because it proposes that whilst these things might have happened once, in the past, we have changed now and we are doing better and it is time that the 3% gave some recognition and even credit for that change. The attempted 1985 dispossession was not ‘corrected’ until the Mabo decision of the 1990s and (some) commenters here, in 2023, still think it is completely appropriate to push and shove Aboriginal people and their organisations about the use of their land (at Aitkenvale for example), their health services and other ‘possessions’ they have managed to eke out of the woodwork. Dispossession is what our ancestors did and what we continue to do. It hasn’t stopped, it isn’t being turned around and can’t be whilst it is actively denied. You won’t support the Voice because you don’t want to hear. That’s OK, you are not alone. But rejecting the Voice won’t bring silence and won’t stop denial.
What has any of that vastly overstated selective summary got to do with undemocratic embedding of an aboriginal voice into the constitution? How will that manage to right your list of real and perceived wrongs? Unless is it just an initial step in a staged project along the lines of Voice, treaty, full land resumption, reparations, permanent tax share to unelected indigenous leadership.
Is the United (390) States of Australia the ultimate dream?
Dolan, shouldn’t you be spending your time, paid for by the ratepayers and taxpayers, doing public service work as per the terms of your employment rather than posting meaningless drivel on this site.
Take The ‘Pie’s word for it, Mr Hayes would not lower himself to submit comments to this blog, he only plays with the big boys and girls (and that only includes Jenny when she pouts nicely in. a panic.)
Simple question PS, why is the yes case being funded using taxpayers money and the No case has received zilch, is that democracy at work? As a supplementary why is my name going to be disclosed on how I vote as pointed out by Linda Burney yesterday, as I am voting NO will I be branded a racist with possibly a tattoo on my arm.
Tradie, as far as I know, “taxpayers “ money is only being spent encouraging people to get involved and informed and ultimately to vote. Not yes or no but to vote. Apparently, some sort of pamphlet with yes and no arguments will be mailboxed later.
I have no idea what you mean about getting tattooed for voting no. Probably a conspiracy theory.
Think you are right, Willy Wanka, although the wording and presentation will bear close examination.
The tattoo thing is what’s called ‘humour’, a quality lamentably in great deficit in several commenters here.
How does one post a photo to the nest?
Send to email hidden; JavaScript is required
And like magic, here it is. Now the question … has Mayor Mullet walked into yet another swinging door? As Tenacious D said in a note with the pic ‘Can’t wait to see the story.’
Indeed.
Hey, Betoota boys, The Magpie would like to submit a caption for this photograph if and when you use it (feel free, BTW).
How about:
“Photographic proof that one out of every three Townsville voters is just as stupid as the other two.’
“More children have been found with issues after a clinical review at Townsville University Hospital revealed issues with cochlear implant mapping and flawed diagnostic testing”
Now we have an independent review into the hospital by 5 members of the hospital. hahahahahah
you could not make this sxxt up.LOL
If I can mention it. the ABC Q+A show last night exposed some interesting facts.
63% of Australian politicians own investment homes. Investment in homes costs 20million a year in negative gearing and lost capital gains to the Australian tax payer.
Just a side note 8.7% of all Australians have investment homes making 63% quite out of step with the national average.
The Tasmanian panel member had purchased her PH years ago .
The Green panel member was renting.
The independent owned 1 investment home “he was selling”
The Liberal panel member only had the 1 house.
The Labour panel member had more than 3 investment homes.
hahahaha thank got they are for the common man. hahahaha
Hot Air – Given the incredibly tight rental market at the moment, there should be more, not less, incentive for people to invest in property. As it is, landlords are selling in droves as legislation is enacted to give them less rights (but agree some restrictions need to be put in place regarding unreasonable rent hikes). We have two properties and (so far) have had fabulous tenants in both.
NQ Gal, not sure it was reported correctly but it was suggested on Q&A that negative hearing and capital gains tax concessions cost the budget $20 billion per year – a pretty sizeable investment incentive which does not now seem to give good results – because not directed towards new house construction and lately causing much short term tenancy and less long term. Hence rental shortage and yet one million unoccupied dwellings on the night of the last census. Tweaking is needed not more incentives.
SPEAK UP, WHAT DID YOU SAY, I SUFFER FROM NEGATIVE HEARING?
$20 billion across 3.3 million privately owned rental properties in Australia, roughly $6000 a year for each property, sounds like a bargain to me, how much do you think it would cost if the Govt had to provide all those houses, a lot fucking more. It’s why the Govt got out of housing, it costs too much money to build and maintain them. What is killing rental supply now is state Govt legislation turning property investment into a nightmare, so people are selling them, investors can also get a similar or better nett return from a variety of financial investments, high interest rates are providing a hassle free investment, why would anyone screw around with property.
20 billion was on only negatively geared homes, that makes up only 8.3% of australia. with some like the labor minister owning 7.
Cantankerous, you say people are selling their investment properties – but aren’t they selling to new investors? How does this increase investment in new builds?
the housing fund is 500million. I think 20billion per year would be a significant amount of investment in housing. Negative gearing was outsourcing Public Housing and I think we can all agree it has failed big time.
Not for a few people The ‘Pie knows.
I see the Mayor and Councillor Soars photo opening WYAM intergrated adventure facility but didnt Phil Thompson organize $778,000 funding as part of “BBRF ” ? . The Mayor goes on to blame ” stiff neck ” cbd property owners for holding Council back from revitalising the cbd . The same cbd traders / owners that wanted free parking continued but deputy Mayor Molachino claims Council research ( never released ) didn’t support it . Same Council that has released how many rate payers strategies on how they will fix the cbd .
Councillor Soars – can you organise one of these for the residents of your division? Councillor Soars – can you actually make an appearance in your division?
Don’t be silly. YWAM is a short drive and a positive story from council chambers and someone else has done the work. Maurie isn’t going to do any work. Or drive. Or talk to residents in his division. Let’s be honest, his division has problems. Like crime. And homelessness. And he won’t be seen near that. It smells bad.
Mike, it’s hard to believe that all those cbd property and business owners are unable to organise a ‘community’ gathering to which aspiring politicians and other leaders could be invited to attend or speak. Between them (us?) there are premises, pa equipment and capable mcs. We don’t have to wait for YWAM or TCC or TEL to turn on a show. Or give permission. Maybe the problem is apathy. There’s a fair bit of whingeing and whining and doing nothing about it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Ho hum.
The reason that idea probably hasn’t and won’t work is because no one has any realistic ideas about how make the CBD work. Mayor Mullet’s disastrous ‘built it and they will come’ experiment with City Arcade is an active deterrent to current property owners. (Love it that this architect of abject failures like the economic forecasts of the stadium, the bus hub (a glorified bus shelter that is a terminus not a hub) the deserted and forlorn arcade venture, is having a shot at property owners).
The ‘Pie will further examine ‘wither the CBD conundrum’ in next weekend’s Nest, and your suggestions are welcome to be considered in the mix.
Magpie, if as you say, no one has any realistic ideas about how make the CBD work, surely this is the opening any aspiring mayoral candidate would be looking for? JHill might not have a clue but she’ll turn up to a beer can opening if there’s publicity, any publicity in it. So who are these cbd business people who, according to Mike, want something the mayor won’t give them? What do they want?
Palm Sunday , a community gathering with property owners / Council / State MP,s so you missed the CCC enquiries on all those Councils and are up to speed on Belcarra legislation ? . Are you new to town because Lancini , Tapiolas , many other developers have expressed their feelings in the media on Mayor Hill and Council operations .
Mike, that’s the problem. Being quoted “in the media” in Townsville means being heard or read by a tiny and shrinking minority, unless you are new blood with something to say. Most new blood struggles to find a platform or forum from which to broadcast their ideas. Surely if we punters want to see and hear new blood it is up to us to make a welcoming platform and audience available? If we can’t be bothered or have all the excuses ready to hand, we’ll . . . .
Palm Sunday , did you read up on Belcara Legislation , CCC investigations , Jail for Mayors , loss of ratepayers $ . Do some googling on announcements by Council on Taskforce NQ , Cbd taskforce in jeopardy “confidential council report ” 2015 . Labor former Brisbane Mayor and alleged $ in brown paper bag Jim Soorley to lead and assist Townsville planning department preferred choice due to relationship Jackie Trad . Even State Government / Council had 3 representatives Cbd taskforce back as far as 1999 . Ask a few Cbd property owners if they are interested in a kum ba yah with State / Council representatives who cant make decisions .
Christ Mike, yesterday you claimed the mayor couldn’t run a bath, today you reckon she’s running the biggest protection racket in North Queensland. FFS, any private citizen, whether they are cbd business owner or floor sweeper, can turn up at a public forum. I guess you’ve never been there.
Wanker it seems anyone with anything to say about the city or development has to run the gauntlet of the Rotten Mullets anger. People who say thing that she doesn’t agree with find themselves getting a rough time from council or being tied up in bureaucracy for the rest of their business lives. There are plenty of good ideas out there from smart people but the people are also smart enough not to attract the Mullets wrath. They just keep their money in the bank or go elsewhere.
Engineer, you say: “ People who say thing that she [the mayor, Jenny Hill] doesn’t agree with find themselves getting a rough time from council or being tied up in bureaucracy for the rest of their business lives”.
This sounds like a sob story / conspiracy theory you might read in the Magpie’s Nest but since you claim to work for/at TCC, you would have actual examples of someone suffering this fate wouldn’t you? Are you actually Cr Fran?
The exact reason Lozza Lancini is now enjoying his view of the Glasshouse Mountains and Peter Honeycombe is living it up in Brisbane.
KLASSIC KATTERISM!!!
Bob scores headline of the day. But love to see some vision of Bob in action on a revolving door.
Maybe the big hat is getting a bit too tight.
Nanna Anna and her cronies must be getting desperate with an election coming up next year. Looks like she’s taking to social media to brainwash us about the life of the untouchables. What a waste of taxpayer money.
https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2023/05/23/vision-police-launch-youth-crime-documentary-to-take-community-behind-the-scenes-of-the-issue/
So Jenny Hill has got yet another plan for revitalising the Townsville CBD.
Talk about trial and error.
How many years has this been going on for – 10, 20?
It would be laughable if it wasn’t our money she was wasting.
Looks like Rolf’s wobble board has been permanently retired.
https://www.9news.com.au/world/rolf-harris-dies-convicted-paedophile-and-former-entertainer-dead-at-93/c184ceb1-829f-4891-a82d-a4cabe56f030
Tan me hide when I’m dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I’m dead
So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde
Altogether now: Kiddies now safer in bed.
To Palm Sunday regarding a comment that Govt are spending taxpayers dollars informing us plebs neither way – not yes nor no. I call bullshit! Take a look at those ads again- don’t worry there be one in the next 15 mins; it clearly states that you can get more info @YES23.com etc. How many millions is spent on this one sided campaign?
…and further to that, google YES23 and you get an one sided explanation, merchandise, and all the fun and flavour of a bias circus act. Google NO23 and you get a festival in Macedon, a couple of house sales at number 23 and a bunch of other insignificant crap. Before the launch of YES23 did the Government also register NO23 to put up a brick wall to the naysayers?
Kenny, untwist your knickers and go to that yes23 website again. Down the bottom you will see this notice:
Yes23 is a campaign led by Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Ltd.
ABN 70 636 542 204
I think you will find that yes23 is private volunteers, nothing to do with “government”.
Yeah, right, But of course.
I call bullshit!
Kenny, so what? You have demonstrated that you don’t mind being unbelievable.
Have you had a look at Indigenous Voice Pty Ltd a registered company in NSW
link?
https://www.abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View?abn=34634076850
Kenny, read some actual information instead of doing a Henny Penny.
https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/burney/2023/get-facts-ahead-2023-referendum
A good link, which argues the information provided will all be to do with how the constitution works, how democracy works, and how referendum works. So all fair and above board, but will not further a civil exchange and debate on both sides of the Voice issue.
One par did catch the eye, though/
“More information about the referendum is available on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice website and more about the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Constitution Education Fund Australia is available on their respective websites”.> Direct clickable links are provided for all three sites.
It is reasonable to doubt that the ATSI Voice website will take a balanced approach, so where in this government media release a link to the views of those who either oppose or unsure about the terms of the referendum?
Since when do media releases by any government party link to opposition policy?
In the case of a referendum, always … or at least an opposite point of view.And by this government’s promise of balance and fairness.
Government media releases reflect government policy even in referendums and even if they’re talking about a civics education campaign.
Even when they say they don’t and wouldn’t?
Agree. Which is why I posted AFP fact check below.
Also read this:
“Dr Paul Kildea, an associate professor at UNSW specialising in referendums and electoral law, told AAP FactCheck the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 does not state the government has to provide equal amounts of public funds to “yes” and “no” campaigns.
“In fact, section 11(4) of that Act does the opposite. It prohibits the Commonwealth from spending money ‘in respect of the presentation of the argument in favour of, or the argument against, a proposed law’ except in relation to a narrow set of activities, including the preparation and distribution of the official pamphlet,” he explained in an email.”
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/post-fumbles-the-funding-facts-on-voice-referendum/
All the more reason to vote No.
Vote whatever you like.
Just have a go at some critical thinking and stop listening to conspiracy theories.
In the case of the Voice, one leads to the other.
Mention the words ‘conspiracy theory’ and Pete Newey will come running!! Speaking of conspiracies and make believe stories, where’s Jimmy Olson?
I think the purple doona wearer has a nerve blaming current and previous CBD tenants/landlords/owners for the state of the CBD or for a lack of developing it. Pretty much everyone knows that it’s impossible to work with TCC, the costs of financially doing so are exorbitant and if you are lucky enough to lay down some groundwork you are never allowed to develop the infrastructure the way you would like to, it has to be Jenny’s way or it’s the highway.
A series of incompetent neutered CEO bullies combined with a Mayor who’s 10 year legacy has been to send our city backwards plus increase debt to over $700m
Show Hill the door in 24
I’ll never complain about Aussie petrol prices again, nor the price of a cup of coffee. I’m in Germany at the moment and petrol is AUD $3.20 a litre, and a cup of cappuccino $7.50 ($8.50 in some places).
On the other hand you can buy good quality German, French and Italian wine from the supermarket for just AUD $5, so I’m saving money by drinking wine instead of coffee as a heart starter in the morning.
Happy days.
Tends to suggest driving isn’t a good idea for several reasons.
I’m in Prague Doug, and prices are way cheaper than that!
Jump on a train, and, please, don’t mention the war!!
The ‘Pie went to Mingela on the weekend. So there.
I nearly went to Kirwan.
If you did, you might’ve nearly come back.
And Steve from Belgian Gardens went to….Belgian Gardens.
You should get out more Mr. Pie!
Charters Towers?
WHOA, hold the phone!!!
Anybody else see something strange about today’s Daily Astonisher front page?
If you count them up, there are six stories on this fronter … you’ll say five but guess where the other story is.
It is the front page itself, with NO ADS.
Honestly, no joke, The ‘Pie cannot recall one single edition in the past few years since Harvey Norman took control of the paper when there hasn’t been some sort of advertisement alongside the murder, mayhem and brave toddlers fighting some incurable condition. They even jarringly allowed commercial interests to intrude on Anzac Day.
Has there been one of the infamous Bulletin focus groups who’ve complained about the front page mix that cheapens the news part? Or will be be back to situation Norman tomorrow after this aberration?
The ‘Pie’s money is on the latter.
Thankful that the next two full pages were Hardly Normal advertising so people were not disappointed. WTF with the “Rolfe Harris last words” thing. What next “Rolfe’s last meal” he’s dead and good riddance but these pricks will keep digging him up over and over again.
That Bulletin front page headline “Minister urged to attend rally”, suggests someone might be organising a public political forum after all. It might be in a ‘paddock’ and it might be a Katteresque rabble on a Saturday morning (17 June) but at least someone is having a go.
Nah, they forgot to include the wrap around.
TWO DAYS IN A ROW … NO ADS FRONT PAGE. looks like a focus group exercise or a sudden rush of common sense somewhere in the bowels of the Bulletin.
Phew!! Praise be, back to normal with proper front pages, half given over to ads. Sanity and the advertising manager prevail at the Bulletin, and the iditor toes the line again.
Good old Townsville, now people don’t even want storage sheds in their community and a council that listens to the whingers and defies its own town plan, no wonder developers don’t want to do business in Townsville, the place is truly fucked.
Now, now, stop ripping up your nightie, Cankers, here’s how this works.
Company puts in application
Residents object in numbers
Planning officer, governed by LG regs, approves application
Mayor speaks against the proposal in prissy, mimsy terms in front of packed gallery (she vainly hoping for unruly cries of ‘Good ol’ Jenny’ and ‘we want more in ’24’)
Council votes to reject application (with pre-arranged stooges Ryder and Cook voting for to make it look democratic)
Company appeals the decision within time guidelines
THEN, ONE OF TWO THINGS HAPPEN
1. Council spends a barrow load on legal fees in the Appeals Court, and must abide by whatever decision that results in, unless the mayor decides to appeal the appeal decision, if so rinse the ratepayers wallet again, and still have to abide by the court’s decision, unless the mayor decides to appeal the decision of the appeal against the appeals court and then …
OR …
2. Mayor Mullet brings the matter before council again, and citing the need to save ratepayers money on pointless legal argy bargy, reluctantly flips and speaks for approval;
councillors, now convinced to flip flop by the mayor’s undoubted powers of persuasive argument …
(Just for the record, this not not Jenny Hill, it’s an actress in a Scandi Noir cop series … great albeit more youthful look alike.)
… pass the approval.
Mayor drags in her stenographer Leighton Smith, who duly publishes ‘Guys, I did what I could, but the cost to council of legal action I judged to be irresponsible fiscally, so we had to pass the approval in the interests of all ratepayers. So you can still vote for me OK? ‘I SAID OK!?!‘
Nice summation Magpie, you know the TCC tricks inside and out. And May I add that it was nice of you to mention our local kindergarten reporter and Mayor Mullets sidekick, Leighton ‘footstool’ Smith. He will be delighted that he gains a mention in a blog that breaks all the news stories before the local journalists hop out of bed. He is trying to pad up his C.V in preparation of the day he becomes unemployed due to the impending day that his pathetic paper becomes a Courier Mail insert (within the next 18 months).
So it basically depends on how much the Rotten Mullet like Connie Navarro and Barry Taylor at the time then or whether there is some payback scheme in the works. The northern beaches are known for these dodgy dealings.
Sorry, haven’t a clue what that comments means.
If the mayor likes or wants to pay Connie or Barry for services renedered she takes the case to court and they collect. If she doesn’t like them that day she walks away from the issue.
Gingerbeer that sounds like bullshit to me, and I don’t even like the Mullet or Taylor. How about you back that up with something other than suggestions.
C’mon Engineer, elaborate mate. You’ve wet our appetite!
Do you have an interest in the storage facilities Cankers? Residents are entitled to object. That’s why there’s a process for them to do so. Doesn’t mean it will always be taken into consideration.
Sorry, didn’t know Magpie bloggers were so sensitive.
So I won’t bother spreading the word about what I found in Hitler’s bunker.
Now, back to that cheap wine.
How dare you, sirrah!! If you are under the appalling misapprehension that there are sensitive commenters on this blog, it is clear you’ve already quite enough German goon.
(Edited by The Magpie).
Re the death of Clare Nowland.
The main copper involved remains suspended from duty with pay while investigations continue. (BBC News)
That’s the way to punish the killer of an old lady. Send the pile of steaming excrement home and keep paying the rotten cowardly bastard.
The 33-year-old senior constable will face court in early July on charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault. (BBC News)
At the very least he must be be charged with manslaughter.
How proud his mother and family must be of him, that’s if he wasn’t left in the sun to hatch.
How proud the NSW Police Commissioner must be of this ‘copper’ how disgusted must the NSW Police, if there are any, must feel!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-65696475
Was that all your own work? or just a cut and paste from Faeces Book adult edition?
Yes it was. And there was a lot more but The Magpie sanitised it!
‘Civilised’ not ‘sanitised’.
Age is irrelevant. She was armed with a knife (weapon). She came towards the officer in a threatening manner. He had a duty of care to subdue the woman, with force if necessary. He could have been injured, and so could bystanders. He could have popped a bullet between her eyes but he restrained himself, and instead he chose a method that would (should) have disarmed her relatively peacefully. Also, the cop didn’t know her age or her mental state, all he saw was an armed offender. Cut the guy some slack.
Very droll.
What about throwing a blanket over her and gently removing the knife. Gun happy cowards like this prick deserve no ”Slack” whatsoever.
What the fuck would you know, you Walter Mitty valour thief? Coppers are supposed to be smart enough to assess a threat quickly and act proportionality. “Bugger it” pretty well indicates his attitude at the time. Stick to GTA and CoD, you pussy.
You haven’t cottoned on yet, Grumps? The good sergeant is someone’s club footed attempt at satiric humour.
I expect the news today of a big rise in power prices won’t be of any concern to the Amish people of Bushland beach, nothing more required than a swinging lantern on the side of the old horse and cart, plenty of barns but no storage sheds.
If ever a story cried out for photographs to illustrate the council decision, this would be it … perhaps even a small map (not everyone is familiar with the area and block of land in question). The photographs could add vital context to the issue. Unfortunately, the Astonisher’s snappers were too busy with two-headed calves, the mayor standing in front of something she had nothing to do with, and the latest ‘world class’ ice cream parlour to open.
Can you please explain the connection between power prices and storage sheds. Because unless they were for housing solar power backup batteries there’s no fucking connection.
(Via Magppie email)
Sleepy old Messagebank + Harpic . Stockland and Willows only hundreds meters from their electoral offices can’t even keep shoppers or police safe . Show them the door in 24 .
Tony Mooney is/was a senior executive in this company responsible for opening government doors and currying favour. Wonder how that’s looking now.
https://inqld.com.au/business/2023/05/26/asx-raises-questions-as-terracom-shares-plunge/
Don’t have and refuse to pay for newscorpse access.
If Stocklands I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised. This is what goes with moving a problem that once was around the CBD parks to Aitkenvale.
I notice even TIAHS is out there now. I am now so jaded with the political machinations in this town that having said itinerants near Lancini Stadium was inconvenient so a number of levels of Government was engaged to have them appear somewhere else.
I have been in the ‘ville since the ’90’s on and off the change is very noticeable.
One hopes the police from SACAT have now brushed up on the charges test. Particularly when they deal with sexual assault and child abuse.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/crime-news/2023/05/25/police-confused-charges-test-lehrmann-inquiry/
I think that the readers of the Nest need to assist those running against The Three Blind Mice and the Mullet with some tag lines. I have my doubt about “If anyone can, Fran can!” “Show ‘em the door in 24!” is ok but I am sure we can do better.
“Please no more. 24.” I think taps into the feeling of desperation many of us feel. It is important that we get this right.
You’re onto something here, Bed Wetter. Love to hear a good slogan for Harpic, and it certain Messagebank will get a few like ‘Knock Les out in 24″ and ‘Make sure He’s down for the count that counts’.
A good slogan can be super memorable, and it was The ‘Pie’s great regret that his mate Phil Batty was unable to make a planned run for mayor last time. Had the T-shirt design all ready with ‘I’m over the Hill and Going Batty’.
BTW more about Phil in Sunday’s blog – big story.
A paradox is the use of Jen as an abbreviation for The Mayor.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jen
Ah, the vagaries of language, eh?
Les Miserable
This council is an absolute joke. The Fran Facebook sage continues. Why did Jenny Hill, Mark Molachino and Liam Mooney have to excuse themselves? What was their conflict of interest?
Was it a conflict of interest or did they just need to visit the rooms just inside the locked doors into the building as they were all shiting themselves.
What?
They declared conflicts because they provided statements of facts to the independent investigator.
The ‘Pie will do your job for you (again) and provide some further facts that an investigative, or even just a balanced reporter might have followed up in this matter. Agin, you did a pretty good job as far as it goes, but again baulked at the final hurdle.
But just on one point, and this is a genuine inquiry: by what logic could Hill, Molachino and Mooney provide ‘statements of facts’ to anyone. The offending emails speak for themselves. What could they add, unless the set-up is that they report they were deeply offended and needed counselling after reading the heinous words.
FMD.
I see on the news that this is Aboriginal reconciliation week, does that mean that the ATSIC mob are going to replace all of the stolen and/or wrecked cars, restock the supermarket and grog shops with the stolen produce?
Will they now make sure that their children attend school, no longer spit at me a call me a white c**t or can I now call them a black bastard if they do, and we’ll both just laugh it off, Oz style?
Are they going to close down all of the bludging self-serving parallel “dedicated services” and just join the queue along with the rest of us?
Are they now accepting that racism works in both directions?
You’re in a jolly mood today, Heel.
Down At Heel, think yesterday was Sorry Day. Someone must have heard your story:
“Later legends (beginning with Statius’ unfinished epic Achilleid, written in the 1st century AD) state that Achilles was invulnerable in all of his body except for one heel, because when his mother Thetis dipped him in the river Styx as an infant, she held him by one of his heels. Alluding to these legends, the term “Achilles’ heel” has come to mean a point of weakness, especially in someone or something with an otherwise strong constitution. “
We’re all sorry for you old mate.
Now do the origins of Palm Sunday.
Efcharisto
And its a No from me!
(This comment appears not be from Prince Rollmop).
I happened to see a Courier Mail sitting on a table at the coffee shop this morning. There was a half page Hardly Norman advertisement on the front cover. It’s a fucking disgrace. Anyway, Leighton Smiths little two-bit newspaper will soon become an insert (filled with Hardly Normans) ads inside the Courier Mail (also filled with Hardly Norman ads). I can’t believe people are stupid enough to pay money to read Hardly Normans ads. Hilarious.