Here’s our chance at Olympic Gold for Townsville. The happy convergence of two issues collide to create a super-cell of opportunity. The ‘Pie explains a genuine chance to right some past wrongs, and accelerate Townsville’s return to prosperity. Please, Jenny, don’t fuck it up.
During the week, the Astonisher tells us that there is progress on the long-drawn out rehabilitation of the unsightly North Rail Yards on Flinders Street West. But on a closer reading, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all: The Magpie takes it upon himself to instruct a Bulletin reporter on that direst of journalistic sins, The Unasked Question.
Townsville’ juvenile crime wave has been further bedevilled by the scourge of ICE … and a prominent Queensland solicitor is the main dealer. No, not the drug, the other ICE scourge affecting Townsville, Inner City Elitism. But this week, a courageous magistrate calls out such boofheads and our feckless politicians, calling one particular damaging juvenile law ‘stupid’. And The ‘Pie call’s out one particular posturing dill on the issue.
The Academy Awards his year may have been super woke, but the ceremony managed to put most of us to sleep. And much of the media, Including The Guardian, inadvertently went all racist on it.
And one of the most charming and inspiring Twitter threads and video to lift your spirits.
But first …
What A Croc …
Bentley has retuned from wandering on some foreign strand – Gold Coast in this instance – and was quite taken by a story that confirmed he was back home in NQ, although the wording of the Astonisher’s story intrigued him.
Let’s Not Blow This One
The financial and funding stars all aligned in the past week or two, and have presented Townsville with a unique opportunity.
The sniping has continued about the windfall $195million gifted to Townsville when the state government knocked the Feds stage 2 pipeline money and said they’d do it themselves (they haven’t and there’s no sign of them doing so). One suggestion continually canvassed is that some of the Thommo money go towards a new entertainment/convention centre.
Then along came Morrison’s commitment to the Queensland Olympic games bid, conditional on Queensland agreeing that all infrastructure siting and construction be handled by an ‘independent’ non-political body. (Continue reading when you stop laughing.)
But this caveat could turn out to be a massive boon for Townsville. Consider these factors.
Palaszczuk knows she’s in trouble in Townsville, and besides the shining insincerity of the Games being for ‘all Queensland’, which even she knows is tripe, she realises no one believes that anything that comes the regions’ way will make up for the drain on Treasury – if there’s anything left to drain soon. And Canberra knows Thommo is powering along up, here locking up the seat and they don’t want that jeopardised with a Federal election looming.
Now, keeping all that in mind, consider this from the TCC just a year or so ago.
And this week, a bit of the usual overstated fluff from Madam Mayor, but has unwittingly put herself on the spot. The Astonisher report tells us that Townsville ‘now has a seat at the table to negotiate a greater role for the northern city in the 2032 Olympics bid.’
Townsville City Council has voted to enter into a Delivery Partner Guarantee Deed with the state government, which will commit the council to providing support, in the form of public services and venues, to the government’s Olympics bid.
“The premier, to her credit, is insisting that if they’re going to have the Olympics in Queensland (it has to be) all of Queensland, not just the southeast corner,” Cr Hill said.
She said because of this, the regions would not miss out on infrastructure money.
Now here’s a win win win idea, and The Magpie challenges Jenny Hill, Phil Thompson, Anna Palaszczuk or the usual carnival of experts to explain why this won’t work, why it can’t be done, why it isn’t fair and reasonable, and why it isn’t the clever sort of integrated lateral thinking, converging two separate ideas into a winning combination that we have missed for so long in this town.
First there is the long mooted, blocked and duck shoved entertainment/convention center concept.
In the Townsville Council waterfront redevelopment fly-over video, we can still see an entertainment/ convention centmre sited in Dean Park top right, just beyond the stadium). Good site, good idea, and certainly large enough for a growing population and visitor destination … hopefully The Hive project on the Strand will be a welcome addition to the arts scene in Townsville, but it cannot supply the scale for a truly successful venture.
And then, bingo from Brisbane, the answer is presented to us when Anna Alphabet simpers a few hardly reassuring words that the regions ‘won’t miss out’ on Olympic largesse, and that there would be negotiations would be undertaken as to what sports could be regional events in the lead up to finals.
So here is what should happen.
Townsville should resist with being fobbed off with stuff like beach volleyball, and bid for preliminary rounds of sports like badminton, table tennis, wrestling, boxing,basketball or even weightlifting … to be held in a new Dean Park facility, built mainly with Olympic money, which will revert (repurposed is the trendy saying) afterwards to become … ta da, an entertainment convention centre. A project being funded from different angles for different reasons makes perfect sense. Even if it is 10 years late.
Sure, there has to be a major convergence of opinion and assessment, but as the following separate story shows, our mayor a great believer in that theory – only this one could actually happen.
The Sin Of The Unasked Question
During the week, we were treated to this yarn, the substance of which sadly belied the headline, although the reporter didn’t seem to think so. The interview with Sydney technical consultant Robert Woolf sounded all sunshine, light and rolled up sleeves … until the very last quote, which knocks the story straight into the ‘same old, same old’ basket. But it was all given away as hot air with the final quote in this statement.
“That phase included site investigations, engineering, architecture, and design, cost estimating feasibility and funding.
“The initial indications from this phase one exercise are positive, and the project looks like an exciting and viable one for the future.”
He said there was still a long way to go before construction could begin at the rail yards site.
“It all depends on the achievement of progress milestones outside of the project, they’re not necessarily part of the project,” he said.
This has prompted this open letter to Bulletin journalist Leighton Smith from The Magpie.
Dear Leighton,
On recent performance, you appear to be one of the two or three journalists at the paper willing to initiate stories rather than wait for the media release to hit the inbox, and chase up leads (often originating in this blog, The ‘Pie is flattered to say.)
But here’s an observation you might like to consider, the journalistic Sin of the Unasked Question. If this failing were ever to be seen as is ever seen as being deliberate, a journalist would be justly open to an accusation of lying by omission. This happened with your story about the council’s explanation about the TCC millions slated for remediation and rubbish at the stadium. You just accepted what they said (you’ll learn, mate, you’ll learn), without asking a financial expert if the TCC explanation held water (according to a brief conversation or two I had with financial people, it does not), you didn’t press Prins on his residency status, like ‘Do you think it is right that a person in your position does not live permanently and all week in Townsville, and do your other roles, including on the Gladstone Port, impinge on your performance for Townsville?’
And , in your rail yard story this week … a saga running longer than Blue Hills – there is the usual predictable self-promoting blather from the mayor – which means absolutely nothing substantive. Then, tucked away right at the end of Robert Woolf’s useful but lacking in detail statement, is the unasked question that tends to negate the whole value of the story. Mr Woolf ends by telling you there was a long way to go before construction could start because “it all depends on the achievement of progress milestones outside of the project, they’re not necessarily part of the project.”
That can only mean ‘milestones’ over which he has no control and presumably for which the council and/or the state government are responsible … BUT WHAT ARE THEY? Could be anything, maybe not before 30,000 people are resident in the CBD? Or until the heritage goons give way on some crucial aspect of the project, and let us knock down some unsightly rat infested derelict sheds of no real historical value? Or is one milestone waiting for Elon Musk to agree to the mayor’s request to build a spaceport next to the railway station? Nothing is beyond Mayor Mullet’s fevered imagination.
This unquestioned fuzziness, which is far from being ‘on track’, a license to for the council to do more foot dragging than Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects. And Mr Woolf’s phrase ‘still a long way to go’ basically kills any positive spirit that your story carried. Even if your (unasked) questioning got further negative information, from the journalistic point of view, that would have been a positive story.
Bottom line: get on the blower and ask Mr Woolf just what are those ‘progress milestones’, and who is responsible for reaching them. Seems this Woolf isn’t just at the door, he’s already inside the council treasury, sucking up a few bucks without any details provided and any control over further ‘progress’.
Otherwise, we’re entitled to think you’ve again been used as a convenient mouthpiece to blow more mayoral orifice smoke.
Cheers
Your Ever Lovin’ ‘Pie
Jenny Hill’s spin doctors and Bulletin reporters at work.
The Magpie is sure, in fact knows, that many good and dedicated professional people are working on the overall waterfront plan, but media releases such as this one above (for that is surely what it was) give rise to questions of sincerity by the task force’s political masters (or mistresses, both here and in Brisbane).
Now She’s Hydrogen Hill, The Hillbilly’s Hope.
The story emphasises that tenderers will required fund, own, deliver and operate the hydrogen production facility.
The Magpie understands that Mayor Hill has told her acolytes that if none of the tenders ‘meet the council’s vision, then that’s OK, I’ll just have to turn the area into another small $2Million park with some shelter sheds, and hope that Magpie arsesole doesn’t notice this time.’
Hope away, Jenny, hope away all you like.
The Pomposity Of Bill Potts
Mr Potts is proving to be a leading dealer of ICE … Inner City Elitism.
On Friday in the Courier Mail, Magistrate Stuart Shearer ‘blew the whistle’ on laws that force courts to turn a blind eye to the extensive criminal histories of serial juvenile offenders once they turn 18.
Magistrate Stuart Shearer
Magistrate Shearer made the comments when sentencing an 18-year-old – who was this week convicted on a string of offences including burglary – but complained that he was forced to pretend the man had no prior convictions when in fact he had 15 juvenile probation orders. The youth’s history:
Before he was 18: 15 juvenile probation orders
Since turning 18:
- Burglary
- Unlawful entry
- Stealing
- Failure to appear
- Unlawful use of a vehicle
- Unlicensed driving
- Breach of a community service order
The thrust of Magistrate Shearer’s complaint is that, in his words, ‘“Part of the stupidity of current rules is the community is placed at risk because the court can’t take account of that.” He upbraided the youth’s barrister AND the police prosecutor for jointly calling for what he believed to be a too lenient sentence of 12 months jail. The Courier story didn’t bother to say what this little arsesole got, so we presume when both sides at the bar table put it forward, he got his year in chokey.
But there’s no show without punch … in fact, we were treated two clowns responding to this valid criticism.
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman
Bozo number one was Queensland Attorney General Shannon Fentiman who prissily opted for the status quo without exploring the magistrates proposition, and them ended with this incredible bit of sophistry: ‘I am open to reviewing the laws.’
BUT ISN’T THAT EXACTLY WHAT YOU’VE JUST DONE WITH THE DOG’S DINNER REVIEW OF YOUTH JUSTICE ACT JUST COPMPLETED, MS FENTIMAN? Do we now have to wait to start that process all over again?
Then the legal fraternity’s Ronald MacDonald clattered on to the scene, in the form of Bill Potts.
Potts is a former President of the Queensland Law Society whose firm, by the way, makes a handsome living out of DEFENDING accused people, often criminals. Lighting the fire for his hot air balloon, Potts puffed “Because the kid is now 18 he effectively restarts the clock, because, as children, invariably convictions are not recorded or can’t be taken into account in the sentencing process. The reason for that generally is that children have unformed minds, they may understand the nature of criminality but may not be able to understand the consequences of that.”
That bit of tedious legal rote, never closely examined in changing times, flies in the face of today’s reality, Mr Potts. In this age of communication and accelerated adulthood, the truth is that an offender like this bloke is not a child and hasn’t been from a very early age, probably 10 or 12. And if anybody understands criminality and its consequences, it is adolescents like these, who are forever gaming the system courtesy of lop-sided lettered idiots like you. But then your hot air balloon takes full flight when you close with this:’ “The difficulty is why Magistrate Shearer may be reflecting his own frustration – and perhaps that of the community – the use of this type of language does little to further the debate or the interests of justice.”
Maybe, Pothead, but nor does the mouthing of out-dated, unexamined, self-serving pre-conceived ideas that fly in the face of all recent studies of juvenile criminality – your ‘interests of justice’ seem to apply only to your defendants, and you couldn’t give a tuppenny toss about justice for the scores of their victims.
Reporting Of The Oscars Was Beyond The Pale This Year
It’s generally agreed that you had to be really woke to stay awake through this year’s back-slapping , politicised Academy Award snooze fest. But The Magpie stirred up some locals on one particular issue he found a bit galling. This thread from comments
The Magpie
April 26, 2021 at 10:20 pm (Edit)
Who’s a naughty little racist, then … The Guardian, maybe? Could it also include the rest of the sheeple media which doesn’t really think about what they are writing (and the first person to say ‘it’s for the greater good’ gets shot on the spot)? Read the following and see if you can find a problem of unstated bias.
First question is – is white not a colour? Apparently not in the lexicon of the racial divisions (dare we mention the word segregation?) mandated by our woke media. One wonders how this Asian … no, sorry, sorry, – at least I think I am, advice please – let’s refine that a bit more – how this Chinese woman feels about being referred to in the grossly negative term ‘of colour’ which, put in another but equally insulting way, means ‘not white’, as though that’s some vague and rubbery yardstick to surpass. But what is exactly is that? Is she not the first Chinese woman to – or just the first Chinese person, wokers – to win this award? Why non-white?
Does Chloe Zhao feel chuffed that she’s ‘non-white’ but apparently not Chinese, just ‘of colour’?
And these fucking people lecture the world on racism, while blatantly exacerbating the situation with divisive categorisation they deplore so deeply by giving it a currency it does not deserve or benefit from.
Steve, Belgian Gardens
April 27, 2021 at 7:13 am (Edit)
Of course the broadest category – “woman of colour” – is a more remarkable and newsworthy achievement than “Chinese woman”, and you should know this as it’s a very common formulation.
- The Magpie
April 27, 2021 at 10:12 am (Edit)
That is the opinion of someone who isn’t Chinese.
And far more interesting would be the ethnic make-up of the folk who decide what is newsworthy.
- Cantankerous but happy
April 27, 2021 at 3:53 pm (Edit)
Tiger Woods said many years ago that to refer to him only as a black person was disrespectful to his mother and their heritage. I can tell you that Asians do not ever refer to themselves as being people of colour, they are Asians, my in laws who are Chinese would be horrified if anyone called them people of colour. In my experience Asians are actually very intolerant of the black community, and speak about them in a very disparaging manner, both here and the USA.
- Achilles
April 27, 2021 at 8:59 am (Edit)
It’s a bloody paradox, they always bleat about discrimination and then come up with identifiers that separate them. African American is the worst, but now we have people of colour which means fuck all.
- The Magpie
April 27, 2021 at 9:57 am (Edit)
And one wonders what our indigenous folk would feel if they were described as ‘Australians of colour’? And then we get around to this woke blurry area of whether the Spanish, Portuguese, Italians and Greeks are ‘of colour’ or classed as white by this nameless moral hierarchy … the English, Germans, French and Scandinavians certainly don’t think that these Mediterranean folk are ‘white’, (but dismissively don’t care anyway), while the Spanish et al certainly don’t think of themselves as ‘of colour’, and you’re looking for a shiv in the ribs if you call any of them ‘black’.
The Magpie verdict: ‘It’s all a bit beyond the pale’.
America Continues To Take Stock
Joe Biden makes it through his first hundred days with some notable achievements that are a balm to a nation still rattled by four years of ratbaggery and executive thuggery. But he is also, as one would expect, coming for some fiscal flak over his spending plans. All covered in this week’s gallery.
And finally,
As a break from the grim world of the moment, and the high rantings and low humour of The Magpie, here is one of the most charming tweets and videos to calm your jangled nerves and realise some humans aren’t all that bad – in some cases, bloody wonderful. You’ll quickly get the gist of what its all about as you scroll down, and if it’s your cup of tea, make sure you watch the video at the end. It may just make your day.
Based on Mayors Hills handling of the Gleesons and the Hive talking up Council signing leases and back peddling delaying the project for years only bailed out by the Feds . Then there is the Honeycombes , who seem focused on their $140 mil Ferny Hills jv shopping centre and apartments in Brisbane who marketed the railyards opposite the stadium for sale and ferry terminal upgrade ? . Lawrence Lancini who quoted publicly ” Townsville will never progress with Jenny Hill as Mayor ” do you really think a private company will consider doing business with Council on the North Rail Yards on Flinders st ? . Based on Aaron Harper running a petition to try and get Phil Thompson to fund $25 mil the cost of Councils upgrade on broken pipes and Council debt of $400 mil + Mayor and Deputy Mayors only priority is Lansdown with a one page support document its kindergarten stuff . Speaking of the Astonisher , will they be asking questions of the full page of 13 properties T.C.C. are auctioning due to unpaid rates and asking , ” how many more are there ” and is T.C.C. one of the 22 Councils redflagged by the Auditor General that may not be able to fund their operations .
Good morning Magpie,
You have made this Sunday morning a very happy one indeed! That video at the end is brilliant! It completely swept away the dark clouds of despair which tend to accumulate when reading your weekly account of local and world wide stupidity, so graphically laid out, unfailingly causing moderate to severe gastric discomfort when breaking the fast … the ominous dark clouds have been swept away, replaced by brilliant sunshine and clear blue sky and a happy mood which will persist all day.
These almost 89 year old eyes were quite misty when watching it, as doubtless will happen again on future viewings. Thank you for providing your readers with this wonderful gift.
Glad you liked it, Malcolm. And what a wonderful tribute by a daughter to her father.
Bully reporter Tony Raggatt has surely committed the Sin of the Unasked Question in a story in Saturday’s edition, in which Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay finally comes clean on just who is on the board of his football club.
Included in the 2-page spread was detail of News Limited’s sale of the football club in 2007 to the Cowboys Leagues Club for $2.7 million.
Mr Ramsay explained that because the Leagues Club couldn’t afford to pay the $2.7 million at the time it was treated as a loan, with News Limited understandably requiring a “covenant” that a chosen few trusted men run the football club until the debt was paid in full.
Mr Ramsay said that wouldn’t happen until 2028, so until then there would be no election of board members.
Ït’s something that’s going to be tackled in time,” he said.
Seven years time!
But surely any reporter worth his salt would have asked the glaring question: With the Leagues Club making record profits, and the Cowboys making a much publicised $5 million profit last year alone, why hasn’t the $2.7 million debt been paid by now?
Could it be because ‘the powers-that-be don’t want members having a say in who runs the club (until at least 2028)?
Nah, of course not. Silly me.
Re the council calling tenders for a hydrogen facility at Mt St John TP. The preferred tenderer would lease the facility and fund and own the operation.
Isn’t that Brad Webb’s domain out. I wonder how he feels about somebody trying to muscle in on his kingdom.
You seemed to have ruled out Brad bidding for and getting the tender. Can think of a lot worse outcomes.
As Brad would say “Money for Jam”
Two points here worth making.
The tender specs state that proponents must ensure that all equipment and facilities be portable and removable in case council changes its mind during the 20 year lease. No likely to increase confidence.
I have been on the receiving end of Brag Webb’s implied violence, demands and browbeating. I know that Magpie has a bromance going on with him, and I respect that, but from my perspective he is not someone who I would want to be in business with.
On the first point, it is a very wise stipulation by the council and the mayor, should they and she find themselves suddenly in need of another handkerchief sized park with shelter sheds for some staggering sum. This way, they will be able to claim they have saved money by not having to buy the land and didn’t have to clear hundreds of tonnes of rock.
And on the second point, The Magpie has never met Brad Webb, spoken to him, or even seen him in the flesh, and if you insist judging The ‘Pie’s opinion of a person, which is based solely on performance, as competent and someone who actually DOES things rather than ticking bureaucratic boxes and employs a large work force get to get those things done, then a bromance it is … but not to worry, Brad, The ‘Pie will not take it so far as to try to lift your shirt.
And Barely, while you on past comment evidence have made a worthwhile contribution to Townsville, living in the commercial live-or-die world, Brad Webb’s reported attitude … possibly a Lancini-like frustration with unnecessarily laborious and foot dragging approval processes … is understandable. That’s said as a reason, not an excuse, because as we all know hereabouts, The ‘Pie cannot excuse a lack of civility, intelligence and imagination so all is sweetness and light. Except by himself.
That’s interesting. In my limited business dealings with Brad I’ve found him personable and reasonable. And whilst, by necessity, he may be a wily negotiator, he also has a reputation for generosity.
Brad Webb, offical title – “Townsville Water Taskforce Chair”. Not sure how much he got paid, but he may as well finish what he started and let us know what’s happening with the water pipeline before he lines up for any further entitlements.
Not sure he got paid anything. Would be better to check before putting the boot in.
Considering that Brad Webb owns most of the commercial properties in the vicinity of Webb Drive and others on Ingham Road and that he lives in ‘Poo Palace’ overlooking his kingdom. That is good business acumen from him not the council. Take the two properties down the end of Webb Dr. The council workshops and the waste depot. He owns and leases both back to council pocketing a few million dollars each year. Plus all the other properties down Webb Dr. I would call it his domain and it would not surprise me if he won that tender also. Nothing to see here!
Agreed. Some folk hereabout like taking a whipper-snipper to the tall poppies who are socially of greater stuture than themselves.
Listed below is a list of Biden’s achievements in his first 100 days:
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/28/politics/president-biden-first-100-days/index.html
Thanks, but you forgot to provide the link, so The ‘Pie has put it in for you.
CNN, that CNN who has dropped over 50% of its viewers since Trump left.
Your use of CNN as reference source indicates your pathetic left wing, racist outlook.
Hahahhahaha … gasp. Good one Trops. A great one for your fellow temple throbbers and fist clenchers. In your sad little universe, now it seems truth depends on numbers … and ‘left wing’ and ‘racist’ is an interesting use of two emotionally loaded words that are usually mutually exclusive. And your apparent confusion about this is amusing … fact: CNN was an arch-foe of your hero, Donald Trump. Fact: Donald Trump gets turfed out of office.Fact (and The ‘Pie will take your word as unbiased although unhinged), the ratings of CNN fall when Trump is no longer around. hat can only be because people no longer feel the need for a media champion to continually stick it to your Mobster President. And your clear inference that Trump wasn’t a racist and was a champion of black people is a cracker – from a cracker.
Keep those thigh slappers coming, mate, but hurry up, the footy’s on soon.
And your alternative is this?
https://twitter.com/Angry_Staffer/status/1388675648584048640
It is excellent news if that’s all you’ve got, you poor mutt, life looking good for others of sanity and reality. Ludicrous.
Biden’s Covid achievements.
In just 100 days as commander in chief, Biden has presided over a body count equivalent to 2 Vietnams, 8 Pearl Harbors, and 10 September 11s, at a rate equivalent to a 9/11 attack every other day.
Imagine what his score would be if he did not have Trumps vaccines.
Imagine what his score would be if he hadn’t inherited Trump’s criminal negligence that caused one of the world’s most medically and scientifically advanced countries to be one of the worst affected. And what you are saying in your reliably daffy way is that the moment Biden was inaugurated, people started dropping like flies.
More please, we all like a good guffaw on a sunny Sunday morn.
Well said.
How bout this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4oFu7X–bs&t=132s
Considering the rail yards are heritage listed and the only way you can get that changed is if the place is so degraded and irreparable economically the court may say knock it down like the old TGH Building in the REELAW case. Involving donors Lancini and Mark Adams https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2004/QPEC04-079.pdf
Old Clive appointed by the Nat’s was the beak.
So we expect the performance milestones to be a direct hit by a cat 4 or 5 to make the place legally compliant.
Or a Jewish stocktake.
In the first sentence , after “listed” delete “and”
I disassociate myself from the pie’s reference to Jewish people.
OK, petal how about an ISIS Liberation of the rail yards … same result without the insurance.
Just tells the hoons that it is a no go area and leave the gates open QED.
Or a Chinese, sorry person of colour, stocktake
Black humour.
Usual plan of attack is bulldozers followed by an apology.
That was the old way until bloody Rio Tinto fucked that up as a tactic.
Yes, you’re right. Apologies are out as they are an admission of guilt.
Pie, your suggestion regarding the Olympics-funded Entertainment and Convention Centre is brilliant.
Under normal circumstances your idea would be ignored by our 3 State Government puppets and our mayor, but with Phil Thompson now calling most of the shots in Townsville, it just might grow some legs.
Made me think about all the good ideas that have been aired in this blog over the past couple of years, like a wave pool in the duck pond on The Strand, a light rail service between the city and the northern suburbs (have you seen the peak hour traffic on that road route lately), a cable car from Castle Hill to Magnetic Island etc, etc.
I personally have also seen some annual events overseas that would be ideal for Townsville, but none of these ideas will ever be considered while we have a mayor who thinks building a lagoon identical to those in Airlie Beach and Cairns will somehow turn Townsville into a tourist mecca.
Here’s a suggestion Phil: why not pull together a group of progressive thinking locals and form a Townsville futures think tank.
But no political influencers please – just not-so-ordinary locals who are prepared to have a go.
So the latest TCC corridor whisper I have heard is that FIFO CEO, Prince Ralston, also receives an annual ‘retention fee’ believed to be in the order of 20% or so of his annual salary. It is meant to be a similar to deal to what former CEO Impaler Young (also now a FIFO CEO herself) used to receive.
And I have heard that both the Prince and Princess live in West End Brisbane. The sweaty one and the chubby one sure have themselves deeply ingrained within the LGAQ and Labor government.
At last report into The Nest, the Ralstons live in Windemere Avenue, Sinnomen Park. Been trying to sell their 5 bedroom house for more than five years.
And what the hell is a retention fee? Not peeing in work hours?
The TCC Prince owns several properties, but none in Townsville it would seem.
Retention fees are another wonderful little ‘rort’ tacked on to executive salaries, just for the sake off puffing out their already generous package. It’s a fucking joke, an annual fee to ensure you stay and don’t leave part way through your 3 or 5 year tenure. Salaries, bonuses, retention fees, sign on fees, allowances for houses, cars, and other expenses. It never ends. Often sign-on fees are also paid – $20k to $50k just for signing a contract with a start date!
The Impaler who was employed at TCC on $400k per year, received a 27% retention fee ALSO.
You won’t wouldn’t mind all that much if the mantra that ‘you have to pay the big bucks to get the best’ wasn’t so laughably untrue. Looking at the parade of second and third short vtermb raters inn alln sorts of executive position in the TCC, this clearly is a legal rort on the rate and tax payers.And surely the exact opposite should be the case … if you leave before your contract is up for reasons other than clearly compassionate grounds, YOU are the one who should pay as penalty of some sort. This world really is fucking mad.
Mind you, The ‘Pie agrees with The Impaler getting a retention fee, and was allowed to leave on compassionate grounds … it was in compassion for TCC staff and Townsville ratepayers that she left.
R-Mop, just curious about where you source your intel re Prins owning several properties, but none in Townsville ?
Any real estate agent with access to their professional data base could tell you that in a matter of minutes, couldn’t they?
Which particular chubby one are we talking about here? There are few around LGAQ
So we’re all up for a bit of body shaming, are we?
A chubby is also a semi erect penis. Few of them around LGAQ.
(Sigh) Maybe, but there certainly be a few of them among the Nest commenters.
Ha!
Very true. One grows fat feeding from the public purse.
You will notice that only about 10% of you’re pointless, totally irrelevant and abusive body shaming comment made it into print … ponder and learn, FFS. Or go back to FB if that’s your speed.
Rude prick
What do you expect when you let yourself down so badly? It only got published as much as it did because you have a track record of useable contributions to the dialogue here.
An Enigma ?
Townsville as a city is an enigma. But it also needs a giant enema.
Oh, well, 18 hours after The Magpie isn’t too bad for the Astonisher, usually they’d wait until Monday. They never really have got on to the immediacy idea of modern technology. This was posted by the Astonisher at 3.14pm today.
TOWNSVILLE
Australian Border Force and Queensland Police respond to believed call for asylum at Port of Townsville
A crew from a foreign ship is believed to be held up at the Port of Townsville after they refused to leave the city while another crew member may be on the run.
It is understood Australian Border Force and the Queensland Police Service are investigating an incident at the port in which 11 seamen aboard a ship refused to return to sea.
One person is understood to have fled the port and still has not been found.
A source told the Townsville Bulletin the remaining seamen were being kept at the Port of Townsville and were refusing to board the ship.
Australian Border Force has responded to a potential border breach at the
It is understood the crew may be seeking asylum.
The incident is believed to have occurred around 8pm on Saturday.
Multiple Queensland Police vehicles were spotted near the Quayside terminal on Sunday morning.
Police, Marine Safety Queensland, Australian Marine Safety Authority and Townsville Port have all been instructed to refer inquiries about the incident to ABF.
An ABF spokesman was unwilling to delve into the specifics of the matter.
And for the second time this week, The Magpie has to explain that it is not his regular practice to lift the work of others in toto and re-publish. But here’s why he did in this instance: there is a ship absconder, possibly COVID affected who may or may not be a criminal, loose in the community. There are a dozen other crewmen refusing to re-board their vessel, and may attempt to also get away. And because we only get the out-of-proportion Morrison/Dutton mantra of ‘Urr, listen, mate we’s don’t talks about detail, right, got it, mate? We’re big time terrorist hunters who do our own thing’, the Townsville community has right - not a selective privilege - to be informed of what details they are allowed to know.
But what does the Townsville Bulletin do? It puts the story behind a subscribers only paywall.
That’s why The ‘Pie lifted the entire story, which was bylined by Leighton Smith and Caitlin Charles, who are proving to be slow off the mark but more reliable than most.
And The Magpie notes a follow-up a short time ago, which tells us the crew who have just arrived aboard the Polaris cattle ship from China, have been tested for corona virus. Obviously no results yet BUT IT ALL REMAINS BEHIND A SUBSCRIBER ONLY PAYWALL.
We all know that the Magpie is obsessed with noting journalistic errors et etc, but in regards to the absconding ship crewman, who don’t you look at the real threat from an issue such as this? Ask questions like
1. why is the Department of agriculture, water and environment cutting staff numbers and inspecting less ships?
2. why is there more restructuring getting done to this federal agency at a time when risks are at their greatest?
3. why are there so many unhappy staff who are being overworked with less and less staff numbers?
4. why are the ship inspection rates around Australia apparently becoming less frequent even though the volumes of imports, exports and ship movements have increased during COVID?
5. COVID came ashore via the Ruby Princess yet less ships are being inspected now than back then? How does that work??
Who gives a stuff about slow reporting, paywalls, incorrect wording or any of that irrelevant shit.
People who care about their community. And refuse Rupert’s dictate to be second class citizens.
This clearly does not include you, so go and infest some other site, The Nest readership is out of your league.
BTW all your questions are totally valid. Piss poor framing of them, though.
What has Covid got to do with The Dept of Agriculture? Sweet fuck all. .
Maritime movements have dramatically decreased during Covid. And what does the Ruby Princess got to do with the Dept of Ag? Again, sweet fuck all. True reporter, you sound like a bottom dwelling union dickhead preparing a laughable log of claims. Or a whiny little ASO3 with ambition issues.
TheOtherGuy, you should check a couple of things before you get all mouthy saying stuff like “What has Covid got to do with The Dept of Agriculture? Sweet fuck all.” The trouble is that the Q in AQIS stands for quarantine and AQIS is located inside the federal Dept of Agriculture.
“The Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Department of Health are working together to facilitate the movement of people and goods across our border to protect Australia’s environment, economy, health and wellbeing, and our security.”
Get it?
The Dept of Health are looking after Covid. Got it? Or are you saying they are responsible for people with Covid. FFS. Pleaseexplain their exact role?
Hey, why’s everyone getting so aggressive and abusive about this? If every one calms down, concisely puts down their knowledge, beliefs or whatever with the unnecessary imagined character assessments, we might learn something about what is going to be the biggest story in this town this week … the Astonisher will never miss a chance to try and panic us. So armed with facts znd not personal attacks would be useful.
TheOtherGuy, I suggested you “check a couple of things”. Go online, look up Dept Agriculture Australia and get it from the horse’s mouth. Keep in mind that when the Ruby Princess was disgracing itself in Sydney harbour that dept. was in the mix. Might not be what you thought but that’s the way it is.
I would be interested to know where the so called True Reporter gets their information on the federal Department of Ag. This information is contrary to the information I have. Which is no cuts, and certainly not to regional areas.
Additionally, Border Force are responsible for keeping control of incoming passengers, not AQIS. And Border Force falls under Home Affairs.
Ducky, I don’t think anyone is questioning that BF is responsible for keeping control of incoming passengers, not AQIS. Or that Border Force falls under Home Affairs. That’s all true. The thing is, AQIS does quarantine not Border Force. The Ruby Princess inquiry went over all this stuff. Go there. There’s nothing to see here.
TheOtherGuy, something in the news today may add something to this debate. The PM has announced new funding for, amongst other things, biosecurity. The Guardian reports:
“Another $20m has been allocated to trial pre-border biosecurity screening technology on inbound and outbound passengers.
New surveillance measures will also be funded, including technology to identify containers for intervention, 3D X-ray technology for the mail system, a new national surveillance information system on the national animal sector, and new screening technologies for people and goods at the border.
The federal agriculture minister, David Littleproud, said the “comprehensive” package responded to recommendations made by the independent inspector general of biosecurity, including efforts to manage the unique public health risk posed by passengers and crew on arriving international vessels.”
Heh heh heh, that wouldn’t be you there, Chris McMahon, would it? Deputy Ed now no less.
Well the bloke handed himself in. So you can all untie your knickers.
And as it is a livestock ship he came in on, it is subject to a whole shit load of rules and regulations. More so than people ships. So it definitely gets AQIS inspections.
‘Untie our knickers’? Meaning that we have been unnecessarily concerned, nay, panicked indeed, about a possibly COVID carrying person was illegally on the loose among us? Please cite your evidence of knicker knotting.
You are clearly of that sub-genre of keyboard geniuses who confuse information with automatic panic. But The ‘Pie apologises to you personally for upsetting your day.
The ship last docked in China. It took 17 days to sail to Australia. Our Quarantine is 14 days. So technically they have Quarantined aboard an empty livestock carrier for 17 days. 3 more than required by Australian regulations. While in Australian waters the vessel must report on the health of the crew to the Australian authorities.
“All livestock vessels must undergo inspection on every visit to Australia, irrespective of the vessel’s history or last port of call.
All livestock vessels are inspected at berth. Vessels must also be thoroughly cleaned disinfected, (with Soda Ash) and disinsected prior to arrival, in accordance with biosecurity procedures. ”
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/avm/vessels/commercial-vessels
So now we have a disinfected ship that has been inspected on arrival, and one Pakistani who for reasons unknown, doesn’t want to go home. He doesn’t have obvious symptoms or the inspectors would have noticed it. So at the very worst you’ve got a scared guy, with no symptoms, he might be a carrier, but he’s avoiding people.
That is why I think you had your knickers in a knot.
The ‘Pie knows he called for some greater civility in the discussion of this subject, but Ducky, that is so inanely moronic it must be pointed out.
The crew were in virtual quarantine for 17 days? No they weren’t, they were on a ship, possibly alongside infected colleagues so that negative seaman in the end became positive, and there was no guarantee that some or all were COVID positive before it left China. Or even before that.
Your references to ship inspection are irrelevant to the subject, and one imagines all the biosecurity measures are all to do with blocking entry of animal-related diseases, and have absolutely nothing to do with COVID, or if they do, it is incidental, not the core purpose. Maybe the ship was inspected on arrival, but the crew wasn’t, The ‘Pie understands they were not scheduled to disembark. ; if they were, why did the medical teams test the absconders, who would have been swabbed before they left the ship.
Someone who jumps ship is likely to be not safe person in a number of respects, especially considering your ‘for reasons unknown’. The bit about ‘inspectors would’ve noticed’ and the rest of sentence is just simply deeply, embarrassingly stupid. And unsupportable.
But here’s the main point, try as you read this carefully to connect those moving moist lips with your brain.
Your sneering ‘knickers in a knot’ is another way of saying The Magpie promoted panic. The information The ‘Pie disseminated was factual and timely. It did not include any speculation or supposition beyond ‘is this actually happening?’. And the old bird couldn’t be bothered checking but believes he did not include any adjectives … no need for them, the facts were good enough (please note at the Bulletin). In other words, it was informing people of a matter that directly concerned them, but was restricted to facts as far as could be known at the time (and subsequently turned out to be pretty well on the mark).
Taking your demented philosophy, it seems you think we should not be informed of matters that are important to this community … in this instance, extremely important, without ‘getting our knickers in a knot.’
Smarten up, you muddled mallard, or The ‘Pie will personally pop around with his tin snips and you’ll have to find a new moniker.
My demented philosophy, is this was blown out of proportion by the media. The man was of extremely low risk, the ship berthed on the 27th and he didn’t break quarantine until the 1st.
I’m not saying we didn’t need to know. I’m saying the way the story was delivered was as if the man had a full blown case of bubonic plague and was running through shopping centres coughing on people.
Also Biosecurity officers do inspections for people as well as plants and animals. You might want to check on their jurisdiction before you go insult people.
Your initial knickers post included the Magpie, who did nothing but disseminate vital information in a timely manner (‘scoop’ in the old money) … and certainly didn’t include your childish assertions that the bloke wasn’t high risk. How did you know … indeed how DO you know that? An illegal entrant could have anything … bubonic plague is a stretch … or be anything … terrorist, rapist on the run … when all we knew was that some unknown random was on the loose.
If you were saying that the media blew this out of all, proportion (they didn’t by current standards, remarkably muted, The ‘Pie thought), then simply say so, and stop trying to be a clever commentator on ethical and professional matters you not of, you’re not cut out for it.
So take your own fucking advice about insulting people, snowflake, before you start playing journalist, which you will never be … but the Astonisher would still probably take you on.
If ever anyone needed proof the LNP is nothing more a disgusting fucking joke need look no further than the last few days. The greatest loser the party has ever had, who blew the greatest majority in living history has been returned in an executive position in the party, the perennial fucking loser who’s stupid idea it was to amalgamate the parties in the first place will be the president, and now that spineless fucking coward McGrath has beaten out a real talent in Amanda Stoker to take top place on the senate ticket, Bob Katter, you have my vote again.
Bring the Country Party. Across Australia.
And it would be so just and decent if we could treat our farmers and their ancillary support businesses as heroes.
There are probably just enough phone boxes left in country Australia to house those farmers and their ancillary support businesses that might be induced to make up a renewed Country Party. Coal miners and the Shooters and Fishers would smash them in most places and Pauline would roll up the rest in fish wrappers.
You hope.
TheOtherGuy, you really are an embarrassment. Your retort is so flawed and incorrect it made me blush. No More Dredging’s reply was 100% correct. It’s nice to see that NMD is somebody who understands what our various federal agencies actually do. Perhaps TheOtherGuy should go take anger management classes and then go and learn about the agencies who are financed by his/her tax money.
While we are all talking about the prince and his pay package, there’s a report tonight From 9 news Brisbane about fat cat salaries. It’s obvious it’s down south but maybe 9 can take a look at any labor run council and find the same thing happening. And I’m not talking about the ones that have seen there mayors sacked and put in jail already.
Well, maybe, but your a bit fuzzy on the fat cat stuff. Does the 9 report (and believe what they say at your peril) only talk about corporate salaries driven by share-owned companies? The whole structure of local government pay is a government mandated rort with self-serving rules that don’t apply in the free market.
The ‘ad’ on TV for the Nine News report tonight says ‘do you you know what your rates are being used for’, or similar to that.
Is this just a coincidences ? . Sharis Column Saturdays astonisher Shari ventured away from her normal comments about the City to talk up Bitcoin . Shari mentioned the surge in Bitcoin over the past 12 yrs ,said it was developed by whizkids and there is an entire online exchange dedicated to crypto accessible by countless apps and populated by thousands of varieties of currencies and entrepreneurs banking on alternative versions of original making transactions faster , cheaper , or easier access . Sound like someone is reading from a script then goes on to say our superannuation funds are held in old school investments . 2 days later (today ) the Astonisher runs two more positive stories on “retailers cashing in on Bitcoin “then another story “ideal money ” thriving in the community with bitcoin . Sounds like ” cash for comment ” but whats irresponsible is no warnings and the billions of $ worldwide have lost money to Bitcoin trolls .
Your information points to only one thing … Rupert has invested heavily into the Bitcoin market and industry. Wouldn’t be in the least surprised if we don’t shortly see cut-price subscription offers if paid in Bitcoin.
Mike, my column was emphasising the closure of a bricks and mortar bank in Ingham that would adversely affect pensioners, but as the arrest of a Crypto ‘kingpin’ had been in the Bulletin the previous week I thought it was likely most older readers wouldn’t know what this meant, so provided an explanation from my own experience as a ‘young’ Boomer with a toe in both financial markets.
Shari , you would acknowledge that Australians lost $27.9 mil to fraudulent digital currency investment opportunities in 2020 and $16.5 mil already in the first 3 mths of 2021 . As you quote you are young boomer with a toe in the water of financial options you would have seen the false crypto advertising claiming it’s supported by successful people like Twiggy Forest or Kochie from Channel 7 because sadly people believe everything they see on the internet .
Crypto currency is legal. Scamming isn’t. Caveat Emptor.
The great thing about crypto currency is the ease of manipulating the value. Shares are now too regulated around the World (no shorting ect…) but if you watch the kings of industry like Musk ect… buy in, let them get higher overnight and then get out is my opinion. Reality is that crypto will never be a real currency until Governments regulate them because Taxes are more important than people getting rich.
Aside from the accusation of writing ‘from a script’ which, as a freelance columnist is both insulting and laughable, the last line of my column literally warns of scammers – but to ignore cryptocurrency because there are scammers is like ignoring financial advisors or real estate or used cars or any business that attracts dodgy operators- the industry is still there, simply do your research and buyer beware..
Get ready for a couple more terms of state Labor. In one of the worst political decisions ever, Campbell “the Toxic Turd” Newman back in to a position of power within the state LNP. They can never win back QLD while they carry the stench of the Premier of Brisbane
Do tell, eh?
Dear Mr Magpie
Every Sunday I open your blog with eager anticipation in hope that the Townsville intelligentsia will be having erudite robust discussion on the troubles and opportunities of Townsville. As always I may as well of gone down to the clubhouse and listened to the the old men drinking rough red in pots, discussing wild rumours, conjecture and conspiracy theories.
I do agree with you on the need to ask the right questions and the new councillors are not asking them. I was hoping for your friend Sam Cox, though inept, could at least blame all the problems on his predecessors and in the ensuing chaos true debate could have occurred,
But first to move your conspiracy theories to debate. The Mayor is not fraudulent. The books are true and correct(I make sure they are). She is just doing what most other local governments are doing and trying to make up for a lack of leadership and short termism by the state government. In other states their is clear policy and leadership on development/growth, power, water and the environment . The new corporate plan is a perfect example of trying to fill the gap.
So in the interest of helping the new councillors (and maybe even the Bulletin) ask the right questions I will demonstrate how the card tricks are played to give misdirection and a thin veneer of alll is welll.
The first trick is every year the budget is $40 million short to perform basic services. So instead of true reform they simply cut the workers who cut grass, perform maintenance on our critical infrastructure which then starts to fail or breakdown. Then it is continual firefighting for the next 12 months with the councillors directing the money and resources to their whim and fancy while the unseen assets simply deteriorate.
The second trick has been going on for years and every local government plays it. In a normal business with a large asset base such as a water utility you collect a lot of revenue but with depreciation and retained earnings you should be able to replace/refurbish ageing assets. What local government does is mine the asset base and takes the dividend and depreciation to spend on their own whim or fancy. The true misdirection is when you borrow more money to replace/renew the commercial infrastructure.
This wouldn’t happen in other states as treasury and regulators have teeth and clear policy. In Queensland they do not ask the questions that might embarrass their political masters. They might have to make difficult decisions and have a long term plan.
So what needs to be done. The councillors need to back out of meddling and running the business. This just drives short termism, makes the executive their sycophantic yes men and the true problems are hidden. Their role is simply to 1. hold the inept and ineffectual executive to accoumt to deliver basic services 2. Be the communities representatives in setting standards and direction for future development and 3. Hold the state government to account to having a long term plan for industry/growth etc.
Lets hope there are no “unasked” questions in the upcoming TCC budget deliberations.
Appears to be reasonable if debatable information, but The ‘Pie thinks you’re a bit of the mark with your suggestion that anyone hereabouts thinks Mayor Mullet and her minions would be stupid enough to have inspectable but fraudulent ‘books’ to be examined. Jenny may be short of a few things, like humility and honour in having the job, but one thing she is not short of is rat cunning. Her (and your) version of ‘true and correct’ might not match up with the general understanding of that phrase. Indeed, if they are ‘true and correct’, why are the rorts you detail not traceable? The ‘Pie will forgive you as you’re a numbers and not a words person, BUT IF EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAY IS GOING ON, THEN THE BOOKS ARE NOT TRUE AND CORRECT. It’s a simple matter of English used for logic.
But the thing that has no doubt made the Nest’s ‘old men’ spray into their pots of rough red is your line that her books are true and correct because ‘I make sure they are’. How do you do that? Don’t be coy, if you’ve made that assertion, back it up, baby, or apply for a job at the Astonisher.
What club is this? Can I join?
Sounds a lot like our Friday lunches…..
Clever P, the books must be true and correct, they get audited. It’s what isn’t shown that is the issue. When Adele turned up she refused to register documents in the corporate information system, failed to.send things for tender, bypassed purchasing processes, just to name a few thing. Her hand picked executives did the same and a new culture took hold. Previously the organisation might have been documentation heavy, but it was transparent. Now it’s a joke. So sure, the books are true and correct. So far as what is recorded in them. And you are right. The questions that need to be asked aren’t about what is in the books it’s what isn’t.
And the Corporate Plan is a load of shit. Filling gaps by leaving gaps makes absolutely no sense.
I really don’t know, and probably don’t care that much anymore. But, because the ‘books are true, and correct’ doesn’t make it always ethically right. Even the ‘big four’ accountants copped a bit of frizzle in the Banking Royal Commission ……. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-25/banking-inquiry-should-investigate-accountancy-firms-brooks-says/9904592
Well done Jack Miller!
Not behind a paywall at time of posting
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/motor-sport/moto-gp/australian-jack-miller-puts-miserable-start-behind-him-to-claim-spanish-grand-prix/news-story/e0abe1f9bd604ebef6d1fe9ded577d2c
Whoops, Astonisher your priorities are showing. No paywall for Jack – which is good – but when there is a possible covid threat to the community, plus someone of unknown temperament on the run amongst us (was, now in custody) all the stories were behind a paywall.
InQueensland, The New Daily and The Guardian have all kept pace with the story, some more so than you lot, and THEY ARE FREE all the time.
Yes, paywalls are necessary and fair, but much for being ‘We’re For You’. Don’t you fuckers have any judgement about some things should be known free in the information market in the interests of the community?
Qld the socialist fucking shithole, making every business in the state close so the commo vermin can celebrate their disgusting ideology, what a disgrace.
Cry harder, Cant!
Yep, the lnp are going backwards with these appointments. They couldn’t organise themselves to run an Easter bonnet parade at the local kindy. It still beggars belief that Senator Susan McDonald’s office and Phil Thompson’s office COULDN’T MANAGE TO GET ONE Townsville seat over the line at the state election. Not one seat between them! Dumber and dumber. Incompetence all round.
Interesting take on whose Federal responsibility it is get state seats ‘over the line’? Kinda silly broadening of the argument, isn’t it?
RE 4800, a Federal MP and a Senator? – bizarre comment, just bizarre …….
Shari, if that is the real you, you speaketh crap. Your little dinky Newspaper has been captured by the local politicians and big business and you wouldn’t dare print the real facts about the shitpile known as ‘Team Hill’. If you are who you proclaim to be on here why don’t you go and get a statement from the Mayor and CEO regarding all the details of Ralstons ‘arrangements’ such as flight details each week and associated costs. And how about this one – will he be relocating to Townsville, and when? I dare you.
And TheOtherGuy, you have gone ever so quiet. I guess it’s because you were shot down in flames for being the dumbest local in Townsville, as proven by your not understanding the government agencies surrounding you. Ha
Probably worth pointing out that Shari T. DOES NOT work for the Townsville Bulletin. She writes a weekly column in her own time, she is NOT a reporter, and can hardly be held accountable for the papers overall failings. As both a former colleague and a newspaper columnist himself, The Magpie knows these ropes well, and can honestly say that in eight years of writing The Magpie column, never once was told either what to write about or what line to take (well, Typo Gleeson tried that once, but didn’t bother a second time). The same would most assuredly apply to a freelancer with a strong following. Day to day reporters should be editorially directed to ask the questions you raise but not how to write the resulting story.
And regarding you wondering if those is actually Tagliabue’s replies, The ‘Pie still retains enough vestige of professionalism to ensure that it was before publishing, as he does with all comments that come in under a known actual name. (The ‘Pie sniffed a rat when he got one from Adolf Hitler.)
A very logical reply old mate. I appreciate the explanation. As for receiving a comment from Adolf Hitler, that could be a disturbing occurrence. However, to receive a reply from a Kevin Rudd or a Steven Miles would be horrifically distressing.
Shot down in flames? Hardly. If you actually understood who has responsibility for Covid aboard maritime vessels you wouldn’t keep embarrassing yourself. From Hansard: Andrew Metcalf, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment talking about the Biosecurity Act 2015: “It is under this act that I, as the Director of Biosecurity, and my staff perform the duties that primarily relate to the assessment and management of animal and plant biosecurity risks. The Director of Human Biosecurity is the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, who has general policy and operational responsibility under the chapter of the Biosecurity Act which deals with the prevention and management of risks to human health.” So what was that about the staffing levels in the department and increases in shipping? I think my assessment about you being a whiny little public servant was correct. Idiot.
I’m not a public servant, however I do have family that work in these very departments so I know exactly how the system and these agencies operate. Have you forgotten that you said “ What has Covid got to do with The Dept of Agriculture? Sweet fuck all?? As already mentioned, you are incorrect. In Queensland the responsible agencies include the Department of Agriculture, QLD Health, MSQ and QLD police. A collaborative approach. TheOtherGuy you had to go and Google Hansard to work out the answer, and you still haven’t got it fully correct. Quit now because you are looking more stupid by the pen stroke.
TheOtherGuy, staffing levels are impacting the departments capabilities. Ship movements vary around the country, but if you were to look closely at Queensland’s export of minerals and gas along with freight imports you would see the number of ships across many sectors are increasing. And if you were importing goods you would also know how long it fucking takes to get an Inspector to inspect your imports. But being a keyboard warrior you will need to Google those statistics because you have no fucking idea, so feel free to do so. As an importer and exporter I have first-hand knowledge of the situation, something you don’t have. Stop while you can and just go back to mowing lawns or sweeping gutters, you muppet.
As someone who has mown lawns and swept gutters, The ‘Pie resents your tone about noble and necessary occupations, sirrah!!
Don’t take it to personally mate, I started work at 15 years young throwing bricks and then driving an unregistered forklift in a shithole freight yard. All jobs are noble, except for politicians and some lawyers, realestate agents and car salesmen. Oh shit, and I forgot Clergy also.
Not personally … humorously. But The ‘Pie sometimes wonders …
As mentioned here before. What about the skateboarding here in Townsville. Be great to get some Olympic standard facilities to use into the future.
Just go to the strand and skateboard between the walkers and scooter riders on the narrow path.
Hey, there’s an idea (already well in practice) that could be refined into yet another ICONIC Townsville pastime … an annual Strand Skateboard Slalom … close it off for just the one day event, and have a group of specially chosen walkers …. old lady on zimmer frame, teenager with unruly dog, family spread haphazardly across pathway, a pair of entwined young lovers (vertical, not horizontal), some power walkers, a few old codgers shuffling along. And Mayor Mullet out on a campaigning stroll.
Contestants are against the clock, and the course runs from the Tobruk pool to the Rockpool, all tracked in tourism-promoting exciting drone shots from above. Points are lost for any direct collisions, less for walkers forced to jump aside or stumble over backwards and contestants who fail to avoid deliberately outstretched legs, elbow nudges or stiff arms will lose all points for that run (there will be three).
And there’s a bonus double points in the unlikely event someone can knock over the mayor … many have tried but no one has succeeded, she can dodge anything.
And you could include an obstacle course where you skate around fresh dog shit on the footpath, uneven pavements and potholes, empty goon casks, and discarded spray cans? And perhaps add the challenge of a wet path caused by vandalised sprinklers along the strand or pools of saliva that takes the form of empty promises and lies that dribble from the Mayors mouth.
Now ya talkin’.
Gnarly, dude – whatever that means.
The ‘Pie learns something new every time he reads himself. Turns out gnarly is correct in this instances, in both the conventional sense ‘bad, twisted’ and the slang sense ‘excellent’.
Can we have the starting line at the top of Castle Hill? That way the ambulance and stretcher bearers can get involved.
Silly you, Dave … you can’t skateboard on grass … even the million dollar kind.
Forget it Kelso. The Ambulances will be ramped and unavailable. Another legacy of the festering Palasczuk/Miles government.
Pie, your list failed to include the people so absorbed by what is on their phone they have no clue what is happening around them.
Oh, yes, missed them … but The ‘Pie regards them more like those arm waving balloon figures you see outside car yards and Labor branch meetings (oh, sorry, the last ones are faction fighting members going into the meeting) … those types glued to their phones get buffeted, bent double only to spring up again, pushed and knocked aside, without ever once staying their flying thumbs or averting their eyes to the outside world.
P Rollmop,
You haven’t answered the question regarding your information to support the claim that Prins owns several properties, but none in Townsville. No bullshit please, just some facts and how you confirm/establish them !
Any real estate agents with the usual access like to settle this one?
Does it really matter whether he owns property in Townsville. What we need is a CEO who permanently resides in the city and whether he owns or rents property is a mere side issue which people are losing their sanity over. I wonder how many other people in senior positions and who are on a career path through Townsville actually own property here.
You are correct, Crits (christ, what’s the date, make a note) … owning property here is in no way even morally required, but with Prins, he loses on the ‘permanently’ part of it … and the issue is that on $600k+, he has the gall to stiff the ratepayer a further $100K or so with four day a week regime. Pissing off to somewhere 1500kms away for 25% of the year (allowing for weekends) – and charging us for the privilege of watching him mince through the airport every week, is simply corporate thievery.
Is that why airport numbers are climbing to pre covid levels in the Qantas lounge, you know, .the airline the mayor gave a good dressing down.
Very well articulated Mr Pie. That is the exact issue. I will be fucked as to why our locals cannot see the issue????
Smallcrackers, my information comes from a reliable source. As for your request to ‘produce evidence’, that is something that is not always possible. If you do want hard evidence, perhaps you can phone the Prince yourself and ask him? After all, it is your good self that is hung up on seeking true evidence, so go for it and have fun while doing it. But remember, you may not receive anything, but as you should already know (judging by your countless statements on this blog without ever providing a shred of ‘evidence’.), hard evidence is often under lock and key.
Good Lord, Herring Breath, one can only hope you’re not a lawyer, love to see you run that line by the beak in a court case. As The ‘Pie himself has had occasion to learn, quite often the only reliable ‘source’ in Rosella Rich Red Tomato.
Suppose you could accuse The ‘Pie of the same sin when he backs his own judgement, but to his knowledge has never said there is ‘hard evidence’ unless he has sighted it himself, or it is self-evident (e.g. Mayor Mullet is a shifty bugger’)
Of course, The ‘Pie is also aware that, around here, the phrase ‘my information comes from a reliable source‘ ranks alongside ‘Once upon a time there was …’ in terms of reliability.
Hey Mal, saw a bumper sticker yesterday that I thought you would like, it read, IS IT TRUE OR DID YOU READ IT IN THE COURIER MAIL.. Take Care, Ralph.
A bewdy!! Pic if you ever get a chance mate.
Ralph.
That is as old as Cutie Pie.
You could also have a bumper sticker that says:
Is that true or did you read it in The Age, Sydney Moaning Herald, The Guardian and various other left wing websites.
Another, is that true or did you read/hear that on their ABC.
As usual, you sour old fart, you miss the obvious one.
It was Ralph who missed the obvious one Cutie Pie, not me.
The Bulletin is a given.
As for being a sour old fart that’s a laugh with your daily demented histrionics I pale in comparison.
Interesting logic there, Tropical. The ‘Pie writes it, you read it. Ergo ….
My personal favourite is ” I don’t watch Sky News for the same reason I don’t drink out of the toilet”
Peter newy seems to think he’s got an exclusive on his TRRA page. The ceo has asked the mayor where money has gone apparently and if she doesn’t inform him he’s asked her to resign. Another tinfoil moment perhaps or we would hope he’s serious
Geez, don’t say The ‘Pie has to trawl through that TRAA stuff again, he rarely visits there but fuckit, s’pose he’ll have to.
Mal, having trouble sending the picture of the bumper sticker, however if you go to the web site Redbubble.com it’s there in all it’s glory. Stickers designed and sold by Wakeup Australia. Take Care, Ralph.
Ralph. There is a business in Townsville who will Print most things .It’s Budget Photo Copies & the Quality is 100%.. Of Course the more copies of what you want the less the cost. He has recently relocated and works from home in Cranbrook Check out his Web Site “Budget Photo Copies”
Slater slates the Chief Medical officer from the security of The Maldives, I thought his name was Michael NOT Jack.
Thge ‘Pie is having one of his denser moments. What?
Jack as in I’m alright…
Umm … OK. Goodo.
In simpler and leaner times as we were starting out the wife and i had no TV, we had simple 3 in one stereo bought I think from Gary Thyer in if my memory serves me correctly the Cat and Fiddle arcade
We walked the dog every afternoon on the beach and enjoyed life with our friends.
The sense of wellbeing was just great .. without clutter
Over the last two months i have tried something a bit different to the routine (read rut).
I have stopped watching tv apart from a 15 min viewing of the news of a morning .. and i dont flick between stations
I listen to spotify these days .. the system is different but i have returned to enjoy music of a night and weekend
I dont have a dog so i dont walk one .. but i do walk on the beach
I dont read newspapers .. i do read this blog tho
I make a point of reaching out to family and friends weekly just to check in, touch base or have a beer, wine .. or two..or three .. any more than that and the next days are just not worth it
And the sense of a great wellbeing .. well its returning and some days is great. And the clutter is diminishing daily .. i feel it melting away
And Pie .. really enjoyed Operation Mallard.. thanks for the link.
Ummmm .. could be yoga next .. get these tiring limbs more nimble and the girth somewhat reduced
We only have one shot and being bullet proof is a long gone belief.
The ‘Pie finds himself in much the same part of the river as you, Alacan. Having spent 70 years riding down the rapids, getting bumped, bruised, disappointed, elated, sometimes satisfied while bouncing from one rock to another, the old bird has finally reached the calm of that pool below the rapids, and is now lazily circling the cool waters of increasing detachment from the exploding idiocy and degeneration of this materialistic, social media, consumer-driven life. A life nowadays which only results in people perpetually living in permanent state of desire, envy and dissatisfaction with their lot – which they thought was fine a week or a month ago until they were convinced they were suddenly out of date in not just material possessions (gold plated, diamond encrusted egg slicer, anyone? Perhaps a vaginal jelly grenade?), convictions and the new morals.
Alacan, you know the nicest thing about your post was in the very first line, you mentioned your wife … and we KNEW we were dealing with a man and a woman. Nothing wrong with any of myriad permutations that have surfaced, but it is nice to occasionally not be confused, perplexed or have to wonder who’s up who and who’s paying the rent.
There are a few Townsville couples that are in the “unfortunate” position of having to spend a year of their retirement living on their yachts in French Polynesia.
From the looks of it, their hardest decision is which island to visit next and who is hosting sundowners every afternoon.
Not jealous – much!
Mahler on Spotify right now as we speak
Yeah, he’s a real foot tapper.
I just turned 60 I and have retired. I could have kept working another 10 years but I don’t think the need for more money is worth sacrificing time with the wife, kids and grandchildren. I’ve had 1 cancer scare and that’s one too many. Life is indeed short. I too stopped watching TV 18 months ago as I am sick of politics and the never ending brigade of ‘woke’ people and groups with agendas. This world is truly fucked up and I am positive the future really won’t be a pleasant one so I am concentrating on the important things now – my loved ones and friends. No government, movement or individual can take what’s in my heart, my soul and in my memory.
When the alien archaeologists finally arrive on our shattered planet and sift through the debris, they will discover records that show the closing phase of humans on earth was what they will term The Bandwagon Period, brought about by social media and despicable leadership around the planet. The ultimate end occurred because the bandwagon everyone jumped on only had three wheels – and they were square – plus the horses of philosophical progress were long dead under the weight of the toppled vehicle.
(Christ, The ‘Pie must lay off the second and third coffees.)
Alien archaeologists? Pie, now you are speaking Pete Newey’s language! The bloke is going to love you mate.
make that ‘Old(ish) Fart’, you whippersnapper.
You mentioned the square wheel.
Q. What was the first improvement to the square wheel?
A. The triangular wheel…… It eliminated one bump!
Reminds me of when John Hubbard commented that the person who invented the wheel was a genius, but then went on to say the real genius was the one who put 3 more wheels on.
I phoned in and commented that he may well be right, BUT who was the idiot that ever allowed a woman to get behind one? Barry Hamilton fell off his chair and Sarah growled that “you’ll get yours”.
Those were the days of free speech ………………..
Achilles, you’re assuming that the inventor was a bloke. And an “idiot” to boot.
We still have free speech, Achilles, just these days sexist dickheads are more likely to experience consequences for their speech.
You are truly deep thinker, Steve. it’s just language and the meaning of words that trip you up.
Hammo, Hubbs & Sarah was the best radio show Townsville ever had. Pity the Triple T board didn’t think the same way.
Quelle surprise to see you taking a stand on the side of misogyny, Magpie.
Really? Where was this?
Well they are getting closer to us – the CCC are just up the road in Cairns investigating sleepy Bob Manning and his ‘lack of unity’ team. Seems that there are many questions to be answered within Council. Surely Townsville council is on the CCC’s bucket list?
Super Sleuth , based on Townsville Residents and Ratepayers Association ( or a few people ) claiming all 3 levels of Government and most businesses leaders in Townsville are corrupt maybe the CCC think they need a bigger team to investigate . Whilst I believe in democracy at what point is it when “ self appointed moral guardians “ like TRRA continually lodging f.o.i. requests to Council , letters to the CCC chasing shadows and conspiracies , costing ratepayers + tax payers , defaming people / Government become enough .
Don’t expect the CCC to come anywhere near Townsville City Council and our Labor mayor Jenny Hill. She appears to be protected by her mate Anna, who calls the shots on everything in this state. If the CCC was for real it would be investigating Anna herself, but we all know that is as likely as Messageblank Walker answering his phone or winning a fight. Heard a joke the other day that someone asked him what was his biggest contribution during his days on the local council. He replied that he can’t remember. Neither can we ratepayers.
But Anna has appointed him our hydrogen “champion”, – similar to that community champion she appointed a couple of years ago to fix the kiddy crime crisis. That went well.
Fills one with confidence.
It’s early this delightful Friday morn, but so far, you get Comment of the Day, Hoppy. Funny … droll.
After the “situation” between CCC’s McSporran and Trad the Impailer about inapropriate emails and calls you have to wonder if Nanna Anna doesn’t have his nuts in a vice and the already toothless CCC is now neutered as well.
Voters keep seeing “yes they are technically in breach of ministerial conduct, but no harm so no foul” rather than any enforcement.
Well Messagebank Walker is full of hot air – makes him a shoe in as Hydrogen Champion.
Well, he can’t be turbine champion … he has the wind knocked out of him too easily.
We might have to start calling him Hindenberg, as he has been a total disaster. The hydrogen plant amazes me, one day it is at Sun Metals, the next at Webb Drive and the day after at Woodstock, methinks that this is all hot air. Then suddenly we also have a spur on the water pipe to nowhere heading straight to Woodstock, where they will build a solar farm but will go to the coal fired grid as a back up. I think the whole thing is a fuck up.
Headlines in the Astonisher today sink to a new low ‘Townsville’s dogging spots’ (I presume it’s not regarding off leash) and ‘blokes busted bonking in bushes besides beach’… seriously….
There is a strange linkage with this despicable low for the Bulletin (didn’t think it possible, did you?) – a paper which again clearly shows zero respect for itself or its readers.
First, this mysteriously popped up the TB FB page last night without explanation or given reason.
Then things became even grubbier, weirder and unfathomably crass when you clicked the link in the post and got this …
Note the date … 2017 FFS! The since-departed journalist, Chris McMahon infested the paper with a lot of this sort of bottom-feeding pimply year 8 drivel back then, but why bring it up now? What tenuous, slim thread of relativity did this even make an attempt to justify this stuff?
Well, it appears there must’ve been a heads up to the paper’s Facebook onanist
that this story was about to be published on line.
So the paper’s FB Tugger O’Toole did an archival search to dig up McMahon’s 2017 dross. Which is an hilarious indictment of the Townsville Bulletin’s priorities, a paper which couldn’t even link a feel-good story about the dodgy Angie Akee to her past multiple misdeeds chronicled a decade ago in a story that won the paper its only ever Walkley Award.
But there’s more … when the ‘bonking in the bushes’ story eventually was published (not in the printed edition today … maybe their saving it for tomorrow) the paper decided to dive down the lower depths of social media pond with a totally irrelevant video (not linked here).
This little misadventure at least vindicates The Magpie’s long expressed belief that Rupert Murdoch’s procession of imported iditors of the Townsville Bulletin have been openly and blatantly ‘dogging’ Townsville for years.
So now we can put a word to it – we all have the doubtful privilege of watching ourselves being publicly rogered every day.
Murdoch is a grub. His newspaper ‘News of the World’ was a despicable filthy load of shite, and Skeletor’s management and reporter were immoral and amoral parasites. The Bullshittin reflects the kind of filth that Murdoch is.
And they can’t spell Pallarenda. I wonder if they really needed the diagram to show Townsvillains what heterosexual “Doggystyle” is given that the actual story was about two blokes “going at it in the bushes”. The TBully is so seedy and low brow I can’t bring myself to even look at the steaming pile on the rack at the checkout.
I have an image of a 10-12 year old asking mum what a dogging spot is or what going at it means. Please would the Townsville Bulletin reporters have some consideration for parents who have to answer these questions because you are apparently incapable of using correct language. Appears that you have to use language which is at the same level as your intelligence is, that is in the gutter.
WTF using a 2017 news article, evidently neither of these reporters have heard of or researched the greater usage of apps such as Tinder to meet up and bonk with other people regardless of sexual orientation and/or have callous build-ups on their dominant hands.
Know where you’re coming from Crits, and am with you on most points, but, mate, in this day and age, you’ve got things back to front … my image is mum calling little Jimmy in and asking HIM what is dogging.
Is that speaking from experience Pie, I googled Urban dictionary.
It’s a particularly Pommy coinage, fairly new, which The ‘Pie came across a year or so ago while scanning of the British newspapers. The predominant part of the activity is the watching, with the knowledge and tacit permission of the bonkees … otherwise it’s just couple of people fucking. We may all eagerly await the Bulletin’s ‘Ten Best Doggings of 2021′, with appropriate commentary on style, length of time, possibly also length of length and best staged whimper.
The ‘Pie hopes all that he has just said is a joke, but with this despicable publication, don’t bet on it.
Great stories hey? Love the placement and wording for the Carlyle Gardens advert next to the doggystyle article…
Teaching old dogs new tricks, maybe?
I believe Chris McMahon is now deputy editor of the paper after returning some months ago.
Yup, had heard that … and that figures for this Murdoch mess. But The ‘Pie’s point remains that his tumescent little doggy piece was written four years ago, so we have had a double dose. The ‘Pie looks at this whole grubby situation in tonight’s blog.
Why just this bloke? Townsville has been full of dangerous clots for years.
Seems that the old one liner about “sticks like shit to a blanket” has a basis in fact. But stuck for 6 weeks???? oh cummon!
My calendar informs me that today is Administrative Professional’s Day. ?? Who makes this stuff up?
Seems to me that just about everybody has a ‘Day’ except heterosexual anglo-saxon men who pay their taxes, provide a safe and caring home life for their families, don’t swear too much and mow their lawns.
They deserve a Day …let’s call it Unicorn Day, in honour of another mythical creature.
Sometimes, Malcolm, I just don’t get your humour. That’s what this “Unicorn Day” is supposed to be, right?
No, not humorous at all, just a deeply philosophical linking on mythical animals.
Don’t worry, Dave, there’s a day for you, too https://ifunny.co/picture/national-masturbation-day-also-known-as-international-masturbation-day-and-Wnk5gAGk6
S,BG
Trust you, of all people, to know about this particular day.
Do you need glasses yet, or have you already got a seeing eye dog?
You obviously have that article in ‘favourites’ on your PC eh Steve? Or have you now got it in ‘Audible Books’ so you can free up both hands?
You omitted ‘and wash each day to promote health and cleanliness of their person’. Kelso. Errr, you do, right?
Errrrr……….Ummm……..,most days, I think, but my wife does provide me with direction and counselling regarding my personal hygiene when required.
Mr. Pie…as a former journalist, magazine editor and publisher of some 40 years, I have never been more disgusted in the running of the “Blokes Bonking” article in the Bulletin today.
I understand that editor Craig Warhurst ran the story because gutter and frivolous journalism is News Ltd’s ethos, but why name one of the offenders?
How is this in the public’s interest?
And, why not name the other offender?
The named 63-year-old man’s life, as he knows it, in Townsville, is over.
I would not be surprised if this 63-year-old man, who knows his life is over, takes it!
Would that Bulletin moron who calls himself an editor lose any sleep over that?
I doubt it!
This article is not only out of the gutter, but slovenly sloppy…something you would expect from editor Craig and the Bulletin… as evidenced by the following extract from a Bulletin article on November 28, 2013.
“A TOWNSVILLE father disgraced himself when he went to pick up his son from a school disco rolling drunk, and then assaulted another 11-year-old boy.
(I’ve deleted his name) 55, made a scene as the children were leaving the primary school event, pushing one boy in the head and threatening to kill another.
……. tried to tell a Townsville Magistrates Court that the assault – which was considered minor – was consented to, because the young victim had been giggling beforehand.
But Magistrate Ross Mack wouldn’t buy it, and yesterday found …… guilty of common assault.”
Same bloke, same age, same newspaper!!
Did you forget to do a two-minute search Craig?
You’re a fucking pathetic amateur Warhurst, and worse, a disgrace to all journalists, past and present.
It’s time you moved on!
Agree on all points, because by any journalistic measure, revealing that history would have at least given a veneer of responsible reporting, instead of just salacious titillation replete with copper-speak about thrusting motions etc.
And accept that The ‘Pie is not being flippant when he you may be wrong about the possibility of the named bloke topping himself. It may actually lift a burden of repression and secrecy, bring him out of the closet – and the bushes – sort it out with the missus and begin to live an open and happy lifestyle. From all anecdotal reports, Townsville has no shortage of those are happy to give and take.
In all honesty, are people forgetting that this ‘Townsville man’ wouldn’t have been outed and publicly shamed if he hadn’t had sex with another man in public? It’s illegal to root in public, full stop. I’m not a prude and I’m not homophobic, but seriously you own your own behaviour. If two men pack fudge in a public place and get busted, then shit happens, so to speak.
Would it have been the same outcome if it was a man and a woman?
No one is arguing bout the illegality of the actions, it is about the reporting of them, and using them as excuse to dredge up prurient matters. Journalistic reporting involves many things that people sometimes sneer at, including balance and community interest.
But good to know you’re not homophobic, and for finding it necessary to assure us that is an attitude to which you do not subscribe.
‘…as a former journalist, magazine editor and publisher of some 40 years’??
Ith that you, Ita?
EB. Occasionally, you make intelligent and thoughtful posts. This is one of them.
LHH…Ita who?
I said “journalist.”
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159285041819099&id=149009814098
Hi Magpie, thought you could be interested in a post today from Larissa Waters, Greens Senator Qld. Larissa met with Wulguru residents last Thursday (6/5/21) evening to heat their problems re getting the 30 year old problem of overflowing sewerage during and after heavy rain in the Wulguru area. The issue is ongoing and the TCC doesn’t want to know about it. Getting any answer to the problem and related issues has been hopeless.