When the Premier says she embraces this damning report, it’s of a python’s embrace, she will squeeze every ounce of slipperiness out of it, to make sure any real damage is suffered by public servants … it’s not even close to what is required.
When it comes to looking closely at lobbyists, The ‘Pie names his choice to go the top of the list … but it will take a change in the protectionist government legislation to have a meaningful look at the murky finances of the LGAQ.
And in the allied Jobs for the Boys department, seems the Townsville Council has rolled out a retirement sweetener for a favoured son from afar.
The Townsville Bulletin now appears to writing stories with the help of an Ouija board.
And in America, first it was inalienable individual rights, and now science: SCOTUS gets democracy by the scrotum … and twists … making the whole world’s eyes water.
For those of you wanting to help out with blog costs, the donate button is at the end of the Nest.
Political By-Pass Surgery: the Palaszczuk-Commissioned Coaldrake Report Is Classic ‘Look Over There’ Deflection
And patient Palaszczuk is resting comfortably after undergoing a painless procedure.
There is an oft quoted American political saying: when you’re being run out of town, get to the head of the mob and make it look like a parade. That’s Anna Palaszczuk’s modus operandi on ethics and integrity to a tee.
Media pressure had her kicking and screaming denial until she had time to work out her strategy to avoid detection of any real corruption. And that strategy is now made real in Professor Peter Coaldrake’s optimistically titled report Let The Sunshine In’, which was commissioned and now released with much ballyhoo, virtue signalling and humblebragging.
Coaldrake has done an excellent report within the narrow terms of reference he was given … and it was those terms of reference that were Anna’s masterstroke … and the cause of the LNP’s foot-stamping frustration. Just so we all know what we’re talking about, here are the 14 recommendations of this report.
Bentley has nailed the public perception of this damage-limiting report.
And he’s spot on … it isn’t much more than a black eye for the premier. One of the main reason’s is a phrase in the report on the purpose and context of his framework: ‘ensuring that the framework is • is contemporary, fit for purpose and future focussed’.
Key words are ‘future focused’. Key words that do not appear anywhere in the report are both ‘past’ and ‘retrospective’. So there’s very much a vibe of ‘moving on now, let bygones be bygones, let’s look ahead ‘. But even if there was a rear-view mirror element, it is unlikely anything in these few pages allow for other possible corruption matters to be examined. So Anna won’t face any ticklish questions about the cost of the disgraced Jackie Trad legal battle , or the Premier’s cosy relationship with the happy little Wellcampers, the Wagner brothers, or even any future ability to look at the gross political malfeasance which is absolutely certain as the Olympic circus puts up its Big Top. The rules around this latter one are already slipperier than a peeled mango.
So Anna will run on loop a ‘oh, dear, tut tut, didn’t know’ line while she and others remain unexamined about possible financial blue murder, both past and future. Yes, we do need a Royal Commission with broader scope than the very good start by Professor Coaldrake.
And just before we leave this dismal matter, the Courier Mail is to be congratulated for its excellent reporting that eventually resulted in the Coaldrake report. No, not sarcasm, genuine sentiment, so rare it couldn’t go unremarked.
Like KoKo, The ‘Pie Has A Little List For Lobbyist Investigations
And the top of that list would be the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
There was interesting exchange in comments during the week:
Prince Rollmop
July 1, 2022 at 7:38 am (Edit)
You got it Mike. It is an interesting set up between the LGAQ and Councils. As I’ve always said, there is always a method to subverting governance and processes. Here is an example of how that could ‘hypothetically’ work; the LGAQ procure someone like Technology One. A particular local Council don’t have currently have it as it costs lots money and is basically a pile of shit. The incentive for a Council to purchase it (through the LGAQ) is that if they do, that Council and it’s Mayor will be certain to win some type of award at one of the LGQA awards events. These awards serve no greater purpose than to spotlight a Mayor, potentially further their career in to State or Federal government, or simply puff up their ego. The reality is that often the Council and region are stuck with a costly tool or system that doesn’t function, but that doesn’t matter because the Mayor got what he or she personally wanted – recognition and self promotion.
If you doubt that the above happens, stop doubting. I’ve personally witnessed it. If you don’t buy the service from the LGAQ you are unlikely to win any coveted awards. I’ve seen it happen. Shit systems like Technology One (remember Queensland hospitals payroll debacle?) still gets flogged to State and Local Government even though it is crap. Navman is another lemon of which local Councils purchase it because the LGAQ ‘recommend’ it. It’s also easier to get an expensive system procured by a Council through the LGAQ if the particular Council Mayor dusts on the LGAQ Board.
I’ve said for years (and the Magpie is all over this) that the LGAQ is like a mini-mafia exerting power and influence. On the books everything looks innocent, but in reality they are shonks, shysters and snake oil salesmen. These organisations (and Councils) know how to game the system and make everything look above board and kosher when it is anything but transparent.
- The Magpie
July 1, 2022 at 10:16 am (Edit)
And it’s not so much whatever ego-pumping award councils get, it is really about what the LGAQ gets …. representing the 77 Queensland LG councils is powerful leverage to get all sorts of kick-back deals and commissions from private enterprise from their LOCAL BUY ethical swindle that benefit no one but the LGAQ. The organisation started down this path when Greg Hallam took the reins, and is now so entrenched (and also legal in this wonderful grifters free market economy) that even if the year-to-year details of its arrangements were closely audited, probably nothing would happen in this ethics-free zone known as Queensland.
And you do remember don’t you, that the LGAQ is a lobby group and not part of the government, although that mistake is often made but never much mentioned. BUT it enjoys one important dispensation from the Queensland Government – it NEVER has to be publicly audited in any detail, despite its core income being public money in the form of council membership fees. It can cloak its financial dealings behind that screen of limited exposure to examination and critique.
So two questions for you folks out there, Nesters: should one of the first focuses of any new inquiry and regulation into the LGAQ as A LOBBY GROUP enjoying special one-off privileges of financial confidentiality about deals with suppliers and councils?
And a question The ‘Pie hasn’t time to look up: is he correct in believing that membership of the LGAQ, given all the foregoing, is not COMPULSORY, therefore let’s have some speculation on what would happen if a council chose not to join.
Of course, one side effect arguing against non-membership would be that the mayor of that council would never be in the running for a great little side earner as a board member of the LGAQ, positions happily shared around the mayors of member councils. Just ask Jenny.
Job. For The Boy
We all know that the Townsville City Council is stacked to the rafters with executive jobs for the boys and girls, political cronies, mates of a like mind and those collecting favours for past deeds. And even when you leave, there’s a nice little earner on public money to pay for those retirement golf clubs or catamaran
Danny Lynch
The Magpie has long wondered … and long given up asking …. who in the council is charged with actually managing and monitoring the overall Lansdown development. But in his wanderings down a number of blind alleys, he heard … but cannot confirm … that one Danny Lynch is back on the scene picking up some handy pocket money. Now before we go on here, let it be clear that The ‘Pie has never met, spoken to or knows Mr Lynch, and he in no way is questioning his professionalism and qualifications. Which is a good thing, since he was the executive in charge of TCC Major Projects and Property Management for 10 years until he chugged off into Sunshine Coast retirement and/or private consultancy last year.
But it appears that he now back in town temporarily, brought back to oversee one road component of the Lansdown jamboree. No idea how long his contract is for, and he would of course be paid handsomely for his expertise. But this raises a question nor two. Mr Lynch is now a a denizen of the deep south, so for his Townsville gig, he would need to be lodged in suitable local digs, and have his travel expenses in a FIFO arrangement all paid by the taxpayer. The question is, does this council not have one single competent person on its Townsville staff that could oversee what in the scheme of things is a pretty basic contract? In fact, who if anyone succeeded Mr Lynch as Major Project manager? Why aren’t they on the job?
And an interesting sidelight: Mr Lynch’s experience in his pre-Townsville days included building airport runways (well, the one at Hervey Bay anyway.) One wonders if Mayor Mullet consulted Danny before trying to get into bed with Gutam Adani and his Carmichael Mine airstrip?
Mr Lynch no doubt comes under the umbrella of consultancies, an area for which council really does need its own Professor Coaldrake. But it may be a while before the currently cranking-up anti-corruption drive come knocking on the purple doona’s door. Even if more familiar faces come pouring back through Walker Streets turnstile if and when Lansdown actually starts.
Who said The Bulletin Hasn’t Got Balls?
Of course it has, …crystal balls, that is, with which they communicate with the nether world.
Just how they came by this information is their secret, but there’s no denying it’s a bit of a jaw dropper. The fellow in question, Ray Tapiloas, a Burdekin cane and cattle farmer, was by all reports a much-liked good bloke, and certainly deserved better than this appalling schoolboy howler. But The News Ltd capacity for this sort of poor English skills makes one again wonder if they know what idiots they are making of themselves with nonsense like this in the Courier.was again on show when we read this in the Courier
So in the headline, the unfortunate person was the victim of an alleged stabbing – so maybe he wasn’t stabbed at all? It is just something those silly old police suggested might have happened?…But wait, in the very next sentence, turns out he, he had suffered ‘life threatening wounds’. Well, let’s not jump to conclusions, perhaps he was the victim of a tongue lashing – alleged of course.
America The Unbelievable
Perhaps it’s time to retire the stars and stripes, Old Glory has turned into Old Gory. The Magpie certainly has a new flag that should be flown from the Supreme Court.
Now science is under attack by the medievalists of the Supreme Court. It is no hyperbole to say that the whole world was taken aback at the deeply insidious and deeply dangerous ruling by the six Republican troglodyte judges that federal Environmental Protection Agency and it’s powers were largely invalid. That clears the way for the mega rich corporate polluters to continue unhindered, and Washington has no powers to curb or police them. This again is a direct result of Donald Trump’s tenure as Mobster president and his stacking of the court. Here is a photograph that will grace history books for centuries … if we survive.
The criminal hypocrisy of these people is highlighted by their frequent quoting of their hero Thomas Jefferson when it suits them, but they completely ignore his words that should their guiding light.
We all know what clothes the barbarous descendants of an uncivilized society now dwell.
Protest marches have always had one great sidelight … witty placards. One at a protest rally about the abortion ban caught the eye … love the bit at the bottom pointing out the book of the bible it is from.
That and other issues made for a busy gallery this week.
And One Last One From The Courier Mail
News Ltd specialises in the very best spelling errors that sometimes sends the reader down for a stint in the whimsy mine.
What? Quasimodo violated by members of the tourism industry? Gives a new meaning to humping. …. oh, hang on … maybe they meant ’wringer’?
How’s this for a brilliant visualisation of how shoppers around the world are feeling right now?
And Finally, The Next Big Thing(s) From New York Vogue.
For all our current tribulations, it is heartening to know that the finer aesthetics of civilised living are reaching new heights. Especially in fashion.
Vogue is touting this as the next big look… which is perhaps what it will attract.
………………..
That’s it for another week, comments are always lively and fun, have your own shot at annoying someone. And if you can help The Nest remain viable with a donation, the donate button nis below.
Two things dear ‘Pie,
Regarding the Coaldrake report,
ABC RN reported bullying of public servants by ministerial staff and lobbyists, then Puddleduck comes out to berate the public service, not ministerial staff and the lobbyists. She is a weasel!
Coaldrake does not mention adequate funding for the various bodies that monitor and investigate corruption. We have seen in the past where Puddleduck has starved various entities of funds preventing them from doing their job. Perhaps funding was outside the TOR?
AND the second thing. Why that bloody awful photo at the end of your blog? You certainly know how to ruin a bloke’s breakfast!
Re pic: The ‘Pie had the centre outfit … suitably upsized … in mind for your next busking gig. It would be the talk of Cotters Market.
Pie , December 17th 2018 then Minister for Queensland Local Government Sterling Hinchcliffe requested an enquiry by his department into LGAQ / Peak Services under section 234 local Government act – Councils entering into contracts , bills + services requiring written quotes if a contract is entered into under an arrangement local Government association . This was based on a petition signed by 439 participants . Did the enquiry happen ? the findings ? , interference by ? .
Don’t know. Anybody?
Hinchliffe’s response on 6/12/2018 linked to this
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=2991
That’s agood find, thanks. Now can we find any follow-up?
Ha! How about we crowd source that..
Precisely … alons enfants du citizen journlism.
I can hear my French teacher screeching at me telling me to stop sleeping in her class so this is probably wrong but… I think you mean
“Allons enfants de journalisme citoyen”
The ‘Pie prefers his Franglais, cela fait le difficulté un doddle.
Magpie, does your French phrase mean “this poodle is difficult to eat”?
Not that The ‘Pie can find in any French text, he could only find such a phrase in. the tourist’s phrase book guide titled ‘How To Complain In A Korean Restaurant’.
The Coaldrake report was interesting because as Mr Magpie points out, the TOR was in fact limited in its scope. Palasczuk had no choice but to commission a review after endless damning reports into government shenanigans. The fact that the report, albeit limited in scope, was so damning that it proves that this Government has a severe issue when it comes to a lack of governance, due process and transparency. “Houston we have a problem”. The report didn’t touch on the governments abuse of the FOI process, the stacking of mates and loyalists to Board positions and consultancy work. Coaldrake did well, it’s just a pity he was only allowed to nibble at the fringes rather than take a giant bite.
They might aklso look into the totally impropoer and highly suspicious instances of nusingb Commercial min Confidence as a shield for corruption.
So, taking Caldrakes approach, and being future focused, in 2024, we have both state and local government elections. While this may seem like a long way off, we are midway through an electoral term and by now we should have seen some serious outcomes delivered by both our state government and our local government.
Yes. I know we’ve had COVID. The Qld Government and Qld Health have done a pretty good job in regards to keeping the majority of people safe, despite the general stupidity of the population and the burdens being placed on our health system that was in no way prepared for a pandemic. But who was? And you can whinge and complain about it all you like. But did you die?
TCC aren’t even going to have the Haughton pipeline finished and commissioned by 2024. So we can cross that off as a major milestone. Right now we need some viable alternative candidates to pop their heads up, wave their arms around, and start making an impression on our very slow to learn community. (And preferably not one of those nutters that run community crime pages across Townsville.) The only reason Jenny hasn’t lost previously, is the lack of alternatives, and the lack of familiarity of those alternatives in the community. If they don’t know you they won’t vote for you.
With the state government embroiled in integrity issues, and Crisafulli running around the edges like a Jack Russell trying to pick a fight with a much larger dog, nothing at all positive is coming from that level of government. We need changes in leadership on both sides, and fast.
LNP need a less conservative, smarter leader, less focused on publicity photos and the far right vote, who will appeal to a wider audience, if they’re going to have a chance. It failed for Morrison and it will fail for Crisafulli.
And Labor need to look deep into their cold little souls and find someone with integrity, ethics and morals, strong enough to bring the entire party back into line.
Your comments on the Supreme Court are under-informed. All the court has done re the EPA is narrowly interpreted a provision which limits their authority. This is bread and butter work for courts and is only contoversial because of the climate change element. Also, because it is a legislative, and not constitutional, issue, all Congress has to do is make the provision in question less ambiguos to overcome the decision. If they can’t pass the amendment, then that’s democracy at work. This is a very typical situation between the judicial and legislative powers, and is actually a positive sign of the judiciary doing their job – that is to provide a check on government power.
Whew, that’s a relief, thought there might be some uninformed unrest out there, good to know they’re doing their job. Thanks for setting the old bird straight.
Dan, my reading on this has provided me with a different understanding.
Yes. The court is saying that it’s a legislative issue. But the outcome of this ruling is that any time any agency does something previously not done before and unregulated, the regulation is presumptively invalid, unless Congress has specifically authorized the regulations. And because Congress is so dysfunctional, nothing will get regulated.
So instead of the court being an enabler, by applying a narrow interpretation, they have become obstructionist to progress in the US.
Mr. Mag, whoever is responsible for the road closures for the “Super Pests” either has an alcohol or drug problem.
Or both!
Well, it was an Emirates jumbo which had taken off from Dubai …. maybe it was hit by an arrant Saudi Arabian golf ball.
So what’s the big deal? All jumbos have always had holes in them. And very necessary they are, too!!
Shame they got it wrong again, it was an A380 not a jumbo.
Potato potato, tomato tomato.
Close enough
Fool. You berate the Bulletin when it makes mistakes, however the plane was not a Jumbo it was a Airbus A380. Big difference.
You really do have a tortured twisted mind, all out of shape through some weird raging hatred of The ‘Pie and this blog. It was the paper that claimed it was a jumbo, and that is what The ‘Pie’s little joke was referring to. You bare ca truly sad creature. Can we now go back to enjoying your absence from this area,please?
Who’s the fool now?
Not me.
The A380 is a ‘superjumbo’. Can you tell the difference Mr smartarsery.
That’s it!?! That’s the best you’ve got, sad angry little man?
To anyone who doesn’t walk around with fists and buttocks clenched, barking at clouds, ‘jumbo’ for the non-aviation buff is any big fucking plane, and always has been since other came after the original. Give it a rest, Sad Sack.
Google ” The Aviation Herald” A report re this a-380 incident ”
(Sigh) No, that’s not how this works. YOU copy the link and send it with your comment. C’mon, mate, if you were on the site, two clicks is all it takes.
I haven’t Googled/read any aviation report on the A380 incident but it’s fairly safe to assume that the hole in the hull probably happened at landing time probably from some debris on runway kicked up by engine blast or landing gear. Debris could have actually come from the landing gear prior to landing.
Doubt it happened at take off or inflight as all sorts of indicators in cockpit tell pilots if said hole caused or could cause later problem after rotation at 900 klm an hour.
Definitely would have been plenty of paperwork to fill out if whatever caused the hole was ingested into one of the engines…those things cost a shitload !
This? From someone who can’t hit the bloody fairway?
That is an outrageous slander, The ‘Pie always hits the fairway, from the rough, the bushes, and those bloody things filled with sand that the club management vare too lazy to fill in and grass over. Mind you, he will allow that it is rare off the tee, but you didn’t specify. Anyway, a lesson with the pro spotted The ‘Pie’s main fault, he was standing too close to ball … after he hit it.
Grumpy, he usually stands on his playing partners ball, claiming he hasn’t seen it and it must have been hit out of bounds !
There’s a good chance when The ‘Pie next catches up with you, Salty Biscuit, he will stand on your ball …. if you’ve still got the sole pride of your bathroom mirror.
Very hard to hit a decent drive with someone standing on your balls. I find it makes my eyes water.
Sticky, there is just one person responsible for the enormous traffic disruptions caused by the V8 Superpests – Jenny “Revhead”Hill.
The road closures are bearable for car drivers who can take a detour through Railway Estate, but spare a thought for the drivers of the hundreds of trucks that use Boundary Street to get to the Port every day. That this key route is closed for 3 weeks for a car race that would go broke without the multi-million subsidies paid by local rate payers is unacceptable.
Then there’s all that infrastructure that sits vacant (apart from during pandemics) all year for just one weekend of car racing.
We’d be much better off paying for an all expenses paid trip for Jenny Hill to go to every car race in Australia to get her revhead fix.
Hold on, we’re probably doing that already – commercial in confidence, of course.
Top of the list when a council inquiry comes will be the actual cost and payouts to have this singularly unsuccessful venture every year.
If events such as the Super pests were such a good thing, a huge win for local businesses and a massive return-on-investment for Council, the Mullet would be happy to share the revenue analysis with us in full. The fact that she won’t, goes to prove that the event is a drain on Townsville’s already empty coffers.
Why are the lights at Sturt St and Woolcock St still turned on! What the FUCK??? Talk about fucken stupid planning. And like Kyrgios I don’t normally get aggressive. Fuckers.
????
Danny Lynch is described in the Book “A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” as “Mostly Harmless” and it is a fitting description. Nice enough bloke but not setting the world on fire.
There would be a dozen project managers already in the Ville with better skills and expertise to do that project, but Dan can be counted on to make no fuss, ask no questions, create no waves, and blame people outside council when it turns to shit.
Danny is a carpenter … he’s not an engineer in any way shape or form … nor does he have any other qualifications that I’m aware of … he’s responsible for giving us the current version of what used to be called the ‘mall’ in the CBD.
Just like ex-politician John Barilaro. Only claim to fame is that he was a carpenter.
Jesus was a carpenter Bruz and has ‘followers’ worldwide. The Vatican and the Catholic Church are loaded – with shysters and money!!!
And, Mr. Mag, may I ask, where is TEL, Townsville inEptitude Limited, when it comes to the viability of the “Super Pests” attracting tourists and income for its members.
Not a word!
However, it seems that a German-born, ex container-counter from the Townsville Port, has the knowledge and experience to pontificate that a $5.4 billion dam, Hells Gate, “is a transformational project for the region, that will create economic opportunity and prosperity for decades to come.”
Try learning to crawl before you can walk, Claudia!
And, Mr. Mag, speaking of building, TEL needs to be demolished and rebuilt with people who know what they’re doing when it comes to promoting a city.
This lot is completely out of its depth and continues to drag this city further, and further down.
Along with its partner in crime, of course, the Townsville City Council!
Well, dunno about Ms B-S at the Dudley Do Nothings … don’t have any idea what her qualifications are, do you? And while you frame the term ‘German born’ with a slurry tinge, one would imagine the efficiency and technical proficiency that Germans are famous for would be an asset in assessing dams. But as said, have no idea what Ms B-S brings to the table in this position … so far nothing discernible to get the wallet fluttering.
And yes, you’re right, since TEL brags that it vis a peak tourist body, you’d think they might have a view on the wasteful racing billboards.
Sticky Palms, don’t forget Mr Gill. Another clown that came from the sheltered workshop of Townsville Airport. He has no discernible skills other than the ability to ‘bullshit and bluster’ his way through his career…..come to think of it, that makes him the perfect fit for working at TEL.
Did contract work for Gill a few years back. A Total Tool. Made a squillion while his business went down the tube. TSV has to get rid of incompetent idiots like this one. At least he’s in a zone that can’t harm anyone else because no one of influence gives a fuck what tel wants.
Counting delayed containers due to a lack of available department of agriculture, water and environment staff perhaps? Claudia should go back to the Port and help out. Then again, she didn’t do any work then and she certainly isn’t doing any work now. That is a prerequisite at TEL – the ability to sit on your ass and just copy and paste info and data from other sources. What a joke, Claudia acting like she is some authority on a $5.4b project that will never happen. Back to counting containers Claudia.
Whenever TEL is mentioned anywhere, Then ‘Pie is also put in mind nof Manning Clark’s scathing two-word description of Australia … ‘turbulent emptiness’. It has degenerated into a total waste of money now … our money for the most part.
These idiots don’t have enough inspectors to check imports in a timely manner, yet they are overloaded with managers who prioritise diversity crap and Aboriginal cultural awareness seminars. A bloated department with massive staff shortages at the coalface while bloated bureaucraps sitting around having singalongs while playing with themes leaves. A complete failure of an organisation in recent years.
The ‘Pie notes many a keyboard slip in these comments (yes, yes, makes enough himself) but ‘bureaucrap’ is worthy of The Magpie’s Serendipity Happy Incident Trophy (SHIT) … if intended, well done, you wordsworth wharfie.
Indeed Magpie, it was deliberate.
No second job at the Astonisher for you then, mate. Too good with words.
She brings nothing to table table Mr. Mag…unless counting containers, some sort of bogus online “degree” and 10 years experience in skincare…paleese…counts?
My reference “German-born” was deliberate…as in, further evidence she knows little of this area and should not be vomiting statements, like the following on July 2:
“Our focus is on securing the first tranche of funding in the federal government’s $5.4bn commitment to Hells Gates. This will develop the critical body of knowledge on the entire Burdekin River system that will deliver the best water outcomes for the region and for the State,”
Morrison and his government have gone Claudia, along with his bullshit funding promises!
“Tranche, ” Mr. Mag…money!
Stick to skincare Claudia!
Ms BS background is East German so no doubt she is familiar with disappearing acts.
Knowing where she came from concerns me somewhat.
Why?
Here’s another example of the distruption being caused by 3 weeks of road closures thanks to the V8 Superpests. If you live in Hyde Park and want to go to the CBD you have 2 choices:
1. Drive down Charters Towers Road and take the detour to the left to reach Woolcock Street, then drive in the opposite direction to the CBD right down to Kings Road, then turn right and head down to Ingham Road, then along Ingham Road to Sturt Street, then down Sturt Street to the CBD
2. Drive to Queens Road, then go right, through 2 roundabouts across to Railway Avenue, and eventually into the CBD.
You couldn’t make this stuff up, although it appears Jenny Hill has.
The real point here is that if the SuperPests lived up to Mayor Mullet’s ballyhoo about their worth to the Townsville economy, if they were indeed a magnificent bonanza for Townsville, then it would be a small temporary annual sacrifice which few … and probably you … would complain about. But being inconvenienced for the hidden agendas of a secretive mayor who wants us to take her word for the event’s value because it appeals to her core voting base is typical of the arrogance that holds sway over Walker Street … and why this city is falling behind other communities along the coast which are going from strength to strength.
You said it Magpie. If the super pests brought in some extra bang for our buck and filled our economy with money money money, then not a problem, bring it on. Some short term pain for long term gain is prudent and wise during these ‘unprecedented times’. That we live in. But it appears that the only thing the super pests bring to Townsville is a tickle in Mayor Jenny Shill’s Bombay bloomers, additional debt to our region, and an increase in pressure on our medical system for a few weeks due to a a rise in drunken fights and cases of Chlamydia!
Mr. Mag, nearly 25,000 at the “White Elephant Arena” on Saturday evening, a magnificent Cowboys local derby win over the Broncos and not one article in the Bulletin, either online or in today’s rag!
It appears the powers that be at the Bulletin know nothing of basic journalism and publishing.
The Cowboys’ win should have been emblazoned across the front page this morning … a good news story!
And, what did we get?
“Crime spike: Townsville bus drivers terrorised by gangs of ‘out of control’ youths”
But, WTF would I know?
Without a hint of a dig or comical overstatement, that is truly unbelievable – to tell the truth, The ‘Pie didn’t believe you until he checked, so apologies, Constant Onanist. And The Magpie cannot conceive of one single even far fetched reason for such an oversight … except maybe that the new iditor is from Melbourne. Without a doubt, it is some sort of monster clusterfuck at the Bulletin and an explanation is certainly merited if they are are All For Us. And this is not a paper that could even remotely argue that it was old news being on Saturday … especially when they specialise in a ‘yesterday’s news tomorrow’ policy with days old stuff regularly featured. Anyone down in the Bulletin bunker careb to explain?
Perhaps the Iditor is actually A.I that uses algorithms to scan the world for stories and then uploads them onto the Newspapers website? It would make sense as there are no real reporters anymore, just shit stories and Hardley Normal commercials.
AI ? Artificial, certainly, Intelligence, your kidding.
It is actually worse than that when you look at this story. Having for so long been fed a diet of excessive excitable juvenility when it comes to reporting the Cowboys, The ‘Pie was looking for a front page typically boffy unfunny headline and an action pic, a bit of a factual report somewhere in the first six pages, a pointer to a full back page headline and further prominent guff … and more pix. So no wonder he missed this headline that had nothing to do with the game itself back on page 29.
This was a gushing profile on a Cowboys player making his debut … the story didn’t make a single reference to the game itself overall AND IT DID NOT EVEN RECORD THE THUMPING SCORELINE.
One wonders on this Monday night if the Bulletin has enough readers left to have received any complaints – and the explanation will be a pearler, you can bet.
The ‘Pie won’t rush to judgement about the paper’s new sports editor Nic Darveniz …
… who looks like he’d be quickly puffed playing darts. The decision may not have been his, but Mr Darveniza could be the culprit, having been in the job just 7 months, knows nothing about the history and traditions of the Townsville sports scene, and anyway, has a background mainly in rugby union …. and GPS level at that.
Some mothers do have them … and they all get sent to the Townsville Bulletin.
Sticky – there was a small mention of the cowboys on page 29. The entirety of page 28 and some of page 29 was devoted to aerial ping pong.
For those wondering why Townsville hasn’t yet reached its population forecast of 200,000 there are four obvious reasons: Jenny Hill, Scott Stewart, Aaron Harper and Les Walker.
Noticed in the Astonisher or a TCC media release (oh, what am I saying, they’re the same thing aren’t they) tha Molachino recently used the phrase ‘with Townsville just ticking over the 200,000 mark’ – or words very similar. Couldn’t be bothered quibbling at the time, too many councillor are too wrong about too many bigger things, som let it go. BUT just for the record ..
Actually, here’s an expanded graph on the population stats.
Molachino is possibly one step ahead of you:
“Based on our research, Townsville population will reach 201,120 by the end of June 2022. We use end of June each year due to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) always follow Australian financial year when pushed the data. The calculation is based on the average growth rate of 1.66% over last 10 years since 2011.”
Got a link? Could be correct, but given the disruption of the past couple of years and the widespread negative publicity about the city as a safe destination to live, the 1.66% average may be out of whack. But maybe not.
Townsville Population 2022 https://www.population.net.au › townsville-population
Pop goes her popularity … Palaszczuk’s in the poo big time, but The Kid is far from home yet.
Now, keeping in mind this is a poll of just 1000 people, it still has validity and is not not one of those pointless ‘have your say’ click-on-the-page polls beloved of the Courier.
And the numbers are only surprising in their extent, especially in the past few weeks.
The pollsters analysis clearly suggested Crisafulli shouldn’t be breaking out the Moet just yet … Palaszczuk’s descend has not been matched by Crisafulli’s ascent, although he is certainly up. Many of the those disaffected with the Premier are equally pissed off with the LNP for whatever reasons, appear to be drifting off to the Greens and other minor parties, although Then ‘Pie very much doubts that Queensland is about to develop a taste for TEALS.
So if the state voted now, the outcome would be a hung parliament, which this state needs like an aperture in the cranium.
But a lot of heavy thinking and heavy drinking between now and the next poll – which it will either delight or dismay you to know that that is on October 26 2024.
Interesting polling, Magpie. Two things;
1. I see that Anna is big on promoting diversity. Her ‘partner’ sure looks thuper in that outfit.
2. The poll; I don’t think it is a teal thing that is causing the voter drift, I think it’s more along the lines of people are sick of mainstream party shenanigans.
People are sick of pollies with their snouts in the trough or being involved in fuckwittery. Labor and the LNP have had their share of troublesome politicians. That said, the Kid is the best pick of the bunch.
With the experience of the past decade behind us, I would have thought a hung parliament might be quite a good thing for Queensland. In the last years of the Beattie/Bligh government and particularly the Newman years, the absence of an upper house made government arrogant and almost negligent. The same is happening now. We’re never going to get an upper house back so perhaps a hung parliament is the only tool available to re-introduce some moderation. Party politics doesn’t cut it any more.
The ‘Pie leans towards your thinking, certainly in the Federal sphere, but has his doubts at state level in Queensland. Certainly Robbie Katter remains the keeper of the Katter family marbles, and a balance of power in his hands would see an interesting shift in the power axis away from the south-east corner. Don’t think the Greens would reach such a position in this state. But unfortunately, The ‘Pie treats your cautious optimism with with cautious pessimism, because we live in a state that has thrown up more screwball people into influential positions than any other state … even a Tasmanian like Jackie Lambie has evolved into a worthwhile addition to the senate, and the damage a emotionally stunted nutter like Eric Abetz could do was mostly held in check. An evolution like Lambie is unlikely in, say, any Palmer people who make it to George street, or a local version of Malcolm Roberts. And let’s not mention Hanson.
Of course it’s all in the numbers. If an election produced a result with each of the majors on equal numbers but short of a majority, their possible partners, based on the last election, could come from the Katter Party (3), the Greens (2), One Nation (1) and an independent (1). That’s enough options to get the glands oozing.
Just in case you think it’s only the Astonisher.
No big deal Pie ! Just means the lad can breathe under water ! We’ve all had to do that on occasions although Mullet seems to live on the bottom of the pond these days !
Pie, I see we have an MP who is a bigger clown than Harpic, being the Member for Maryborough Bruce (the goose) Saunders. He must not have read Coldrake’s recommendations before shooting off his mouth calling for the names of public servants who spoke to Coaldrake. Recommendation 11 covers it very well. And all Puddleduck could say when questioned about his rant was “Oh! Bruce is Bruce”
FFS. Bring on a Royal Commission.
July 5, 2022 at 9:42 am
NewsTownsville
State government looks for more Inland Frieght Route support from federal government
More cash for the Bruce 2.0 in the federal budget will be key for the regional Queensland, with state Transport and Main Roads Minister saying he could never secure a meeting with Barnaby Joyce to discuss the project.
Caitlan Charles
Caitlan Charles
Follow
@ccharles93
2 min read
July 5, 2022 – 5:00AM
Townsville Bulletin
This “newspaper” is a fucking shambles Mr. Mag!
I see that the Popeaphile, the leader of the Pedophile Priest Protection Unit (PPPU), has denounced abortion! This is the same bloke who blesses soldiers who go to war and kill, who hides pedophile Priests in his religion, who has assets rumoured to be worth 1 to 2 trillion dollars yet does nothing about children who are starving, and he let’s the homeless live on the streets that his very churches sit on. Seriously, the Catholic Church is a hinderence to freedom and peace and this old prick should be rotting in jail.
A wise man nonce said’Man will never be really free until the last king has been strangled with the entrails of the last priest.’
Nothing much has changed … but unfair to just attack the catholic church … all religion is bunk, to paraphrase a well known energy executive.
Oh Mr. Pie, everybody is complaining about Premier Palasczuk, but have they forgotten the dark Sith Lord Campbell Newman? Labor are steering the Queensland ship on a much more stable course than if Campbell Newman or Kid Crisafulli were at the helm.
In your straining search for humour, the result here is the same as your straining in a more traditional manner with a similar result.
But since you are obviously just fucking around at some amateur rage farming (it’s really boring, you know), suppose I’ll ask what is the relevance between Palaszczuk and Newman … and The Kid will get his turn which you’ve already pfre-judged.
It may be The Kid’s ‘turn’ in 2024 but boy has he got the job in front of him. He has to take the LNP from 34 seats currently to around 48 – a majority in a parliament of 93+1 (Speaker). Sure, Labor has a few dead heads but so does the LNP. Crisafulli has given himself shadow ministry of Tourism and shadow ministry of Olympics and Paralympics, surely the most lightweight roles? But maybe the way the LNP works, he doesn’t get to pick? And it’s not as if the Greens and Katter parties will be idling. If they each pick up another seat, not beyond possibility with so much disaffection around in both the city and the bush, the major parties will have to work so much harder. The possibility of a hung parliament comes tantalisingly closer. Bring it on I reckon.
The Kid has picked the right portfolios. The Olympic portfolio has already been stacked with Labor mates and Tourism is another area where State Labor has done certain things that benefit their mates business interests within the tourism industry. So I believe the Kid is right where he needs to be to keep an eye on Anna’s crooked team, and call them out when necessary.
Does anyone know if this brass monkey weather has or will have a positive effect regarding coral bleaching?
Don’t know about brass monkeys Achilles, but looking forward to seeing my nuts again when it warms up!!!
I suppose that’s one up (or maybe down) over a chilly willy!
Fightin’ Fran O’Callaghan manages a neat uppercut to the state government belittling the Townsville council. She always asks a good question or two.
Magpie, the paper implies that the pipes will be made locally, but they will be made in SA and shipped here the same as last time. Iplex will do as before and only produce fabrication of elbows and bends locally.
I wonder if this time we will find out how much we are paying for the pipes.
Precisely, but here’s the thing we all missed at first … the only one making that assertion about local involvement is the Bulletin itself, calling a small and apparently temporary Iplex presence in Townsville solely for the purposes you mention ‘a Townsville firm’. if you read the story, Scott Stewart and the Mayor do not mention that aspect of things at all that The ‘Pie can see , which automatically makes one suspicious, because both would be screaming for kudos for job creation. In fact, the head of Iplex Australia, who wasn’t in cooee of Townsvillem apparently, said his offshoot here would support ’30 jobs’ for the life of the contract. And the mayor would skulk in the background on that issue, because she knows, as revealed in The Nest way back when stage one details were being negotiated, that she showed political cowardice and fawning self interest by not insisting as she could’ve done that whosoever supplied the pipes, they build them in Townsville. Instead she went for the smoke and mirrors minor presence here in favour of jobs in Adelaide. We need a civic leader here who will fight for us tooth and fang, but instead we have a self-advancing vacillating political gollum who rolls over and has her tummy tickled by big business who have her Labor betters in their thrall.
To the Bare Eng.
To be noted that Iplex company do not produce the pipes, they sub contract the production to RPC Pipe Systems SA. Why didn’t TCC go direct to RPC? Maybe a link to Local Buy?
It’s a wonder that The Mullet and Premier Alphabet didn’t get them from China?
good pickup NAW – I had forgotten/ignored that
And how much would steel pipes cost if they were made here? Or is that not relevant?
Classic, absolute classic!!
Who said it should be steel pipes made here? The point is/was whatever is made for the pipeline, making that product here, should be a consideration, one that your pin-up girl, the Dancer of the Seven Purple Doonas, was too gutless to address, even if it were to explain why it would not be feasible to do so.
The job will not be finished until 2025 supposedly, that is after the 2024 election. The Mullet and those other four imbeciles, Stewart, Harper, Walker and Miles might not even be in power, hopefully, why are we going to the Clare Weir in any case? There is not one mention of the pumping costs, which will be foisted on the Townsville Rate Payers no doubt. Maybe Jenny wants to incorporate the pipeline to Landsdown. They have also mentioned that they suddenly want the $140m that has been earmarked for other projects as it now apparently has no GST component. The vindictiveness of the half smart Mayor knows no bounds, She and the other Team Hill Members need to be shown the door pronto. Maybe the newspaper can do some actual reporting on facts, but then again.
OT, the pipeline is connecting back to the Clare weir via Haughton Stage 2 to spare ratepayers the cost of upsizing the Haughton irrigation channel to provide sufficient water ($50m from memory). Pumping costs are inevitable; there’s no gravity feed available here. A solar farm has been mooted but still someone will have to pay for it. The question is, which level/s of government should cover the capital cost of the essential infrastructure for ‘drought proofing’ Townsville? And why can’t that decision be entirely bipartisan and transparent rather than opaque and shrouded in secrecy and intrigue at all levels involving both political parties?
As revealed in the recent Queensland Budget there’s money ($26m?) now committed to a 13kms takeoff pipeline and reservoir to connect the Haughton pipeline to Lansdown. And, according to Cr O’Callaghan there’s a road access plan through Woodstock to Lansdown. She lives out there, she should know. And, according to the Federal Member last year, there’s some more millions available, in or out of the CityDeal (who can keep up?), to provide some sort of road/rail overpass access to Lansdown from the Flinders Highway (at Woodstock? Who knows?). Some of this is ‘essential drought proofing infrastructure’, some is entrepreneurial development (on TCC land with funding from state + federal + ratepayers) and some seems to be blatant pork barrelling, again by all levels of government.
Looks like the next 50 years will see Townsville grow south along the Flinders Highway towards an industrial anchor and water supply at Lansdown in much the same way that over the last 50 years the city grew north along the Bruce Highway towards the state-sponsored industrial anchor at Yabulu: Queensland Nickel.
Meanwhile in another place that isn’t Townsville.
Could there be any sweeter sound than those opening words ‘Construction has begun …’ and how sour for our mayor the words that follow – ‘in Maryborough.’
And the reading doesn’t get better for Mayor Mullet, or for the three spare wheels we call local state MPs with their Maryborough counterpart in high crowing form..
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the facility would create more jobs in regional Queensland,
“Whether it’s trains or batteries, we’re making it in Maryborough,” Mr Saunders said.
There is an increasing awareness that Jenny Hill is constantly being sidelined and fobbed off by her Brisbane mates, with projects in Mackay, Gladstone and Rockhampton all announced and then started.
No wonder she looks like she’s just swallowed a gecko in the photo when A Little Boy Called Smiley announced the stage 2 tender which will bring – gasp!! – 30 ‘direct and indirect’ jobs to the city. That is, whenever it starts.
The photograph raises two questions: where’s Harpic? In iso with covid or with some loathsome personal disease? Or on the outer with the Labor fraternity?
But the other question is … any politician in hi-vis is highly questionable BUT WHY ARE THEY WEARING SAFETY GLASSES?
What a bunch of posers – literally as well as figuratively.
That is a small portion of a larger picture taken inside the Iplex ‘local’ plant – is it at the Bohle? It would have standard safety regs posted at the entrance – high vis, enclosed shoes, eye protection. Must have been short of hard hats that day.
Well, we should be able to make steel pipes here because the media release on flowing iron to Maryborough (see further on) shows that distance is no barrier to getting iron around the State, whether for making batteries or pipes.
Regarding the construction kicking off in another place OTHER than Townsville, aka Maryborough. The CEO of the Fraser Coast Regional Council is Ken Diehm, a former Director of Townsville Water. He seems to be having far more success with actual regional progress, than the poor witless fool employed as CEO in Townsville.
One thing Fran missed in this story is that IPLEX is not a “local” company. Here’s a text to the editor I just sent to the Bullsheet:
To call IPLEX a “Townsville manufacturer” is simply a lie, the company was formed in New South Wales in 1938 and has been part of the Hardie group for decades before being bought out by the global Fletcher Group. They opened a local office to successfully bid on the pipe for Stage 1 of the Haughton project. The pipes will not be made here and the tender will have minimal local benefit. Shame on the Minister and Mayor for pretending otherwise. TBCE, Douglas
Engineer, your point is taken about Iplex not being a local firm. But do we know if anyone else actually put in a tender? Another thing Cr Fran seems to have missed is that local councillors seem to be always overlooked for photo opportunities if the Mayor or any more prominent pollie can benefit more. Just a couple of weeks ago the councillor was whinging about being left out of promotional opportunities in her own division when the Federal Member, whose then-government had put up $8m for Dingo Park Rd upgrades, took the credit and didn’t consult the local councillor at all. This seems to be par for the course. Since Cr Fran is being paid a full time wage it doesn’t seem to be too much of an ask that she spend some of her obviously valuable time getting herself up to speed, by her own initiative, in matters pertinent to her own electorate. It can’t be that hard.
Have absolutely no idea what the last two lines mean.
Palm Sunday, haven’t published your comment about issues surrounding the Landsown area, because what you are saying is totally obscure and doesn’t make any sense. Give it another go if you like, the last line in particularly confusing.
Given Palm Sundays intimate knowledge of the content of the pipeline photo just like they were there helping to put it together means that perhaps you should take what they say about Wanker Street as a TCC media release.
Engineer, you are an ignorant jerk. For once, take your medicine. The photo you are referring to is a screen shot from a YouTube video. You could have looked it up but you had your head in the toilet as usual.
“Haughton Pipeline funding Stage 2 announcement”
Touchy touchy, my little mate. If I cared what you say I might be offended.
Don’t expect the Townsville Bulletin to report this fiasco.
Jenny Hill spends too much money on ads in the paper.
In fact, my mates at the pub refer to her as the editor in chief.
Your mates are spot on …. believe the masthead is about to change.
Maybe that should read “were for you”?
Nope … the never were.
Pie was in Walker st today in the Government buildings. I haven’t been anywhere near the place in years. First thing I noticed was the amount of Council offices and staff in there that weren’t there before. I’d be interested to know if any these were once probably out in the old Thuringowa office or is it a mirror of Anna’s explosion of public servants.
That said the amount of roadworks going on round the place is seriously hampering access, along with the annual V8 debacle. Haven’t they ever heard of staggering these projects or is this another example of lastminute.com because infrastructure is about implode after years of kicking the can down the road?
Very interesting listening to the link of the presser on Scott Stewart’s fb page today about the Haughton Pipeline featuring Mayor Jenny Hill and Deputy Premier Steven Miles.
https://m.facebook.com/ScottStewart.Townsville
What made my ears prick was when the City Deal was mentioned the Mayor Jenny Hill and Deputy Miles said they couldn’t wait to sit down with their Federal counterparts to discuss where the money left over money from the $195M in the City Deal approx. $140M would be spent and stated they would be short listing projects they think would be beneficial to Townsville.
What irked me was no journalist had the guts to ask anyone from the state government if they were still taking the fight to the feds about getting the GST component exempted from the project as this was the real reason the money could not be spent in Townsville.
In previous statements, Steven Miles has said:
“We’ve made it very clear that Queensland won’t agree to a deal if the City Deal projects affect GST allocations.” Steven Miles 28 September 2021. 7News Townsville.
Now Labor is in federally do GST allocations and how they are calculated just not of interest to this mob anymore after the big song and dance they’ve made over the last couple of years???
I’m not that good at maths but this latest article in the Courier Mail on who is to blame for the state’s ongoing health crisis doesn’t seem to add up:
“While exclusive polling has revealed 52 per cent of Queenslanders believe the prevalence of Covid-19 and the flu are to blame, 54 per cent have pinned the ongoing pressures being experienced across the state on the government.
Eighteen per cent of respondents believe it’s because GPs are refusing to see patients with respiratory symptoms amid the pandemic, while 39 per cent have blamed an underfunding of aged care and disability places by the Commonwealth (which causes patients to be kept in hospital instead of being transferred).
One in ten Queenslanders didn’t know”
Maybe it was put together by the same folks that calculate the bulletin readership figures.
Well, 154% sounds like a poll version of the old Labor mantra of vote early,vote often.
A close fried just told me that the Cairns bus drivers are refusing to take cash because the driver told her that he’s been robbed 5 times in the past 2 weeks by the usual dark crowd.
Great advertisement to the tourists now coming up here for their holidays. Ah! Queensland beautiful one day, purloined the next.
A protest cum appeal was made to Premier Puddleduck but no surprise that anything positive was forthcoming from Brisbane.
If you can make any sense out of this article, Mr. Mag, you’re a better man than I?
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/every-townsville-aussie-rules-coleman-contender-from-751/news-story/b40e512eb278733ac5eff4b853765b94
On top of the absurdity of this online lead piece, there is no explanation to readers, in a rugby league city, what the Coleman Medal is all about!
And just where do they get these idiots who like to call themselves journalists, you may ask, Mr. Mag?
This is Nic’s biog.
“Nic Darveniza is a sports journalist for the Gold Coast Bulletin. He joined the Bulletin’s sports team from the Courier-Mail in 2019. As the Bulletin’s rugby union and rugby league reporter Darveniza covers teams from the Gold Coast Titans and Queensland Reds down to local club and school competitions. He also covers the Gold Coast gridiron, baseball and hockey competitions.”
The Gold Coast Bulletin…WTF??
And you’ll notice there is no mention of his AFL prowess!!
One suspects there are a couple of rude awakenings around the corner for Mr Darveniza … one from complaints to the editor about this nonsensical coverage – or in the puzzling case of last week’s Cowboys/Broncos mega game, inexplicable non-coverage. Mr Darveniza may get a second rude awakening soon from God, if he keeps up his apparent dietary enthusiasms.
Best news of the week. The new government undoes another cynical and disgraceful Coalition bit of undemocratic bastardry.
OK that’s him sorted, the Bilo family is back where they belong, now time to bring Assange home … whatever his real or perceived wrongdoing, Assange has paid a penalty that, in effect, has involved torture. Will Albo bring him home, too?
I read somewhere today that Tom Tate was not put on the Olympics Board as the Gold Coast City Council don’t pay the $350000 to be in the LGAQ.
Not true, Old Timer, not only is the Gold Coast a member, the Gold Coast was the choice for the last AGM. What the Gold Coast doesn’t do is use the grasping insurance and other LGAQ businesses, so maybe that’s why Tom Taterhead isn’t on the Olympic gravy train.
Tom Taint is another egotistical self entitled fuckwit. Another millionaire businessman all bitter and twisted because he didn’t get a ringside seat at Nanna Anna’s Olympics gravy train. Maybe Anna was worried that old Tom would want to build prayer rooms at the Olympic venues and maybe include the performing of exorcisms as an Olympic event? Poor diddums, go shed a tear on the shoulder of your spiritual advisor Tom.
Labors financial mismanagement of Townsville . $42 mil stadium overspend , Council picking up $74.4 mil Haughton stage 2 costs after State political games with previous LNP Government on gst . We could have had a convention centre + Flinders st railyards development and not have average rates rising 9% , up to 43% for rental properties effecting cost of living and property values .
This has to be the strangest thing I’ve seen for ages.
Why would TCC bother to correct the “local paper” for printing that they payed over and above what was required for environmental protection. Which could be perceived as a good thing. They don’t correct any other lies that are printed in this local paper.
https://www.facebook.com/100064821813069/posts/pfbid02Cx8cwa6dt2fXqmtuGqXtZAZcRW9eV7VYgJCg5PJBY4Npqd4Xdc9M9cKDuQ32fKu5l/
$750,000!?! Isn’t that the exact same amount ratepayers fork over to protect Gargling Wobbly Tailed Redfaced Tit, to maintain its plush nests and hidey holes known as the TEL offices? These birds are close relation to Lyre birds genus Liar.
What a fucked up conflicted paper this has become. The error … and the Bulletin itself shows it to be such … is yet again ON THE FRONT PAGE FFS. Whereas, when you go inside to the story itself, it is the correct figure ‘of almost a quarter of a million dollars’.
So the reporter got it right, while some distant headline writer got it wrong. Oh, wait a minute …, that’s how it USED TO work, maybe the reporters are now writing their own headlines? Nah, that would be too stupid … and dangerous, as demonstrated.
And it gets worse … the mistake is compounded in an editorial – the usual ‘iditorial’. This really does look like a paper being run by amateurs. No wonder the councilm went to the extraordinary lengths of coyly pointing out the error in ‘a local paper’. How twee.
And by twee I dont think you meant quaint.
Just a couple of things I’ve noted in the Bulletin lately.
Mothers are no longer “mums”, they are now “moms”, and we had to be reminded this morning that Kirwan is “near Townsville” (“Incoming Wave now Mapped” by Matthew Johnston).
Actually there is almost no article to be read these days without at least one spelling and/or grammatical error, and the duplication of articles (one written locally and one copied from the Courier) is steadily increasing also.
Sad really.
And Americanisms.
I did notice over my cornflakes that the Bullsheet managed to miss the biggest global story of yesterday with the assassination of Japans ex-PM and only managed a three day old story about Boris the Buffoon.
Everything else seems to be a rehash of what has already been on the social media for days.
Beautiful day here in West End Mr. Mag, with the deafening sound of a cloud of gnats and the smell of high octane fuel wafting through the windows!
Can’t wait for the weekend when the ear-splitting sound of incessant helicopter flyovers will force me to turn the TV up when I’m watching some proper sport!!
Wouldn’t be dead for quids!
Funny thing about the SuperPests, when they were first announced, one perceived problem was the noise the cars would make … in fact, they don';t make that much bat all … like you say, more an insect buzz when at a short distance away …. but those choppers!
Yep superpests sound like bloody mosquitoes but those bloody helicopters. Been flying over Mundingburra since lunch time. I thought that they had a restricted airspace over the Reid Park only, not neighbouring suburbs. Does anyone know if they have restricted air space so that impacted people can complain and a phone number would come in handy too.
Ya reckon Albo will get the High Commissioner in London to get his Rabbito’s jacket back off Boris?
Then again, a rabbit would be a pretty good logo for Boris.
By all reports, he certainly has one particular characteristic in common with rabbits.
Pricking up his peers ?
Awful choice of adjective on ABC caption on the shooting (oops! alleged shooting?) they said he was in grave danger.
But accurate?
Yep, now both retrospectively and currently, not easily done eh?
The Bulletin gets another Grammy Award (that’s how they think grammar is
spelledspletspold ritten. The Magpie became all excited at the headline’s promise that he was going to get a whole novel about -gasp!! – maternity leave.Turns out that the nice looking lady is Veronica Lando, and she wrote her novel The Whispering WHILE on maternity leave.
I noticed on Foxtel, Mr. Mag, there are a couple of dozen people at the SuperPests.
Not sure if they were lost tourists or people looking for a pitstop aka toilet!
None were wearing ear muffs but all were looking very confused!
See there’s (another) apology in today’s rag – this time for the $750,000 endangered finch headline.
Wonder what Monday’s apology will be.