What was at the outset a relatively trivial matter is now the subject of a CCC investigation which could result in serious sanctions. And the man whose dogged pursuit of this matter brought it to light was once threatened by the TCC with legal action for asking question of the mayor and TCC when he lived here.
Tired of pissing our money up against the walls around town our mayor is now pissing it up against the Denham Street bridge. The cost of Mayor Mullet’s latest deranged and pointless project not revealed. Talk about bright shiny beads for the natives.
Given that development, it seems the right time for discussion of the uncomfortable truth about the future of the CBD. And maybe the only way life can be breathed into it.
And the depth of the Palaszczuk’s electoral panic was evident with the changes to two laws during the week … both changes are unforgivable in a decent society … oh, well, QED, one supposes.
Site administration fees landed in The Nest this week, adding to the regular monthly bill tally connected to the blog. If you enjoy your Sunday read, you might consider a helping hand with a donation. The appropriate button is below at the end of the blog.
Now onwards …
Courting Trouble
There were three major legal changes in Queensland in the past few days, and while one may be long debated and is really a matter of opinion, the other two are not … they are simply bad law. And the Palaszczuk – if it survives next election – will be staring squarely at another immutable law – the Law of Unintended Consequences.
The change that is debatable was the government’s legislation to clear the way for ‘treaty negotiation’ with the indigenous lobby. Bentley is baffled by Anna Alphabet’s priorities.
This is a risky follow-my-leader Labor McPolicy exercise from a Labor premier, who may well change her mind if the No vote gets up in the referendum. Or even if it does, she will be looking nervously at the Queensland outcome. If you’re one of those starting to have your doubts about certain Labor policies, just what such a ‘treaty’ may look like is sure to make the horrors of Pandora’s Box look like a box of Quality Street favourites.
But all that is all if and maybe, but what isn’t is the Premier’s spectacular, unfathomable back flip on what could be termed the Invitation To Corruption Law, more generally known as Cash For Access provisions. The trumpeting of banning corporate fund raising with ministerial functions has blared loud and long, starting as far back as 2015.
Now, Anna Palaszczuk says ‘haha, just kidding.’
And it is all about one thing – MONEY. Principles come a distant second when the Premier realised her virtue-signalling fuck-up a year ago when she banned herself and her front bench from the then common cash-for-access fundraisers where for a price – starting at $10,000 – business interests could meet with ministers and the premier in a semi-social setting, rubber chicken and expensive booze included. The end to this blatant rorting of process was signalled in 2019.
No point in harrumphing about it, the bare-faced hypocrisy speaks for itself, but it’s interesting to learn what was the driver behind this electorally-risky devaluation of values.
The answer is one word: money. (That surprised ya, didn’t it?)
According to Matt Dennien in the Brisbane Times, since Palaszczuk’s self-styled ‘principled decision’ last July, Labor has raised just $167,000, while the LNP has been buried in $752,000 from a lucrative lover-in of donors. The party of big business starts it’s tickets for smooching with mere shadow minister and The Kid Who Would Be Premier at $10, 000 but running up to $25,000, although the mind wanders into forbidden territory contemplating what one might get for the extra 15 grand. Offhand, can’t think of any LNP trim worth a knee tickle.
But here is the real reason why neither side is going to get fussed about this arrangement. This again from the Brisbane Times.
Graeme Orr, a law professor with the University of Queensland, said this was ultimately how the stop-start programs work: giving at least the appearance of access to politicians while allowing businesses to tell shareholders they’re not making political donations, even if they accept they’re giving to the cause.
And “political” donations they are not, which under Queensland’s relatively well-regarded electoral laws are capped at $4000 for political parties and $6000 for candidates and fenced off for state election campaign efforts only.
The cash instead pours into the party organisations, “gifts” which remain uncapped and can be used for general administration costs of the parties, such as staff wages, but also council elections. But anything handed to the parties worth more than $1000 is disclosed in real time.
Cute, eh?
But The Third Legal Change Is An Attack On Individual Legal Rights
And it’s dangerous … even to those it says it seeks to protect. But don’t expect anything from the media, they are already cheering the changes which promise an extra sandwich at a tabloid picnic.
This from the ministerial statement from newly returned Minister for Justice and A-G Yvette D’Ath.
Individuals charged with rape and other prescribed sexual offences in Queensland will be able to be publicly identified before they are committed to stand trial under new legislation introduced in Parliament today.
“The previous protections for accused rapists were based in part on the false assumption that women maliciously make up complaints to damage reputations. “These rape myths have absolutely no place in our society and our laws need to reflect this.
“Under the reforms we have introduced, those accused of rape and other prescribed sexual offences will no longer fall into a different category. They will be treated exactly the same as any other individual charged with an offence.
This is just plain wrong … and dangerous. And just as importantly, it begs the question: why?
Let’s put some undeniable facts on the table. There is no possible argument against the heinous crime of rape and its consequences on the victim, and that perpetrators should feel the full weight of the law. The Magpie also unreservedly accepts there women rarely … very rarely … make up malicious complaints of rape.
But therein lies the one of the two greatest flaws in this legal change: rare as it may, some women have been known to do exactly that, and those circumstances are usually exposed by charges being dropped without explanation, or in court. So let us go back to the maxim that it is better 10 men go free than an innocent be falsely found guilty. (Jury verdicts are notorious for being based on opinion, not necessarily proof, and this is to widespread in sexual trials, where it comes down to a matter of who the jury believes.)
Now OK, naming someone isn’t the same as being found guilty, but consider this: D’Ath is inarguable wrong when she says rape and the attendant variety of sexual offences should and will be treated like all other offences. Nothing … absolutely nothing … is as noisome as the mud that could stick to an innocent person falsely accused of a sexual crime. It is the big taboo even among the criminal classes. Other crimes – embezzlement, assault, theft, white collar, even, lamentably domestic violence – do not carry the life-long approbation of someone even just accused of a sexual crime. Even if they are found to be innocent of the accusation. As much as a guilty person, the wrongly accused can be ruined, financially, reputationally, and socially. If it is rare that women make up claims of rape, with police obliged to give more weight to what they say than the accused, then isn’t it fair that the rare innocent person accused gets some of the same protection? A chance for the charges to be found wanting.
This is where the Law of Unintended Consequences kicks in. Your blanket assumption that women maliciously make up complaints to damage reputations may be largely true up to now. But this change opens the door exactly that … knowing that all they have to do is make a complaint for whatever hidden personal reason, vindictive women (yes they do exist) can do the damage and – ironically being unnamed themselves – then have ‘second thoughts’ and withdraw the complaint. And there’s also the danger than the massive repercussions for a minor sexual infarction – a bum pat or an unwelcome kiss – would be the same as for a full blown rape, he publicity will have the same effect. Charges dropped, but mud sticks.
If anonymity is maintained through to a committal hearing where a magistrate examines evidence to ascertain if it holds legal water, such vengeful false actions are held in check. Now they won’t be. The coppers are going to love you, Ms D’Ath.
And finally, the big WHY? What does this achieve, apart from more post-scoop cigars for the tabloid editor? It is clearly against the logic of the women’s lobby, lumping rape and other sexual offences in with crime generally. They want this crime to be special and exceptional, high in the public’s awareness, and it already is. There are other parts of the process not afforded to other crimes … evidence from behind screens comes to mind, restricted reporting, all of which The ‘Pie has no argument with.
So what is to be gained? Why remove a regulation that is inconsequential to everybody concerned … except the person who may be falsely accused.
Driven Batty
In fact, driven. Right to the door of the CCC.
Businessman Philip Batty
It started as an inconsequential bit of reasonable payback for some post-election comments.
Phil Batty, late of Townsville and now in Airlie Beach, unsuccessfully ran for mayor of the Whitsunday regional Council when Andrew Willcox vacated to won the seat of Dawson. Mr Batty is known for straight talking, but was no spoilsport when he lost out to Julie Hall. But he did take exception to the attitude old Labor warhorse Mike Brunker, also an unsuccessful mayoral candidate, and fired in a complaint that Brunker has inappropriately used his councillor social media page to campaign for the mayoralty.
After a lot of back and forth, the council appointed an ‘independent ‘ outside crowd of accountants (FGS) called PKF to determine the facts and adjudicate on the matter. This resulted in this report extract … that yes, Clr Brunker had been a naughty councillor.
No this didn’t please Big Mike at all, and he again broke the rules by illegally addressing a council meeting to vilify Mr Batty, comments that should not have been allowed in the meeting, according to a flatly stated ruling by the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA).
And this is where the Batty bulldog came out because he saw that in the subsequent complaint judgement, Brunker had lied to the investigators. And the investigators knew Brunker was lying but nevertheless included his porkies in their mitigating factors section.
But it is that , in Mr Batty’s words, ‘was where the cover-up became bigger than the crime’.
Challenged about this, someone at the council changed previous statements Batty had made to the independent investigators in order to negate his questions about the investigative process and conclusions. A former high level executive in a national company, phil Batty is not a man to be dismissed with bureaucratic bullshit. In a series of closely argued exchanges, dates, times, wording, initial and subsequent claims, he forensically dissected the lies and attempted cover-up of the fiddling. Which is no small matter in terms of local government.
There were more attempts to deflect Mr Batty’s evidence, which he then put to the CCC.
A few days ago, Mr Batty received an email that included the following:
“Your complaint
From the information you have provided, the CCC has identified the following allegations:
- It is alleged that an unknown subject has knowingly and deceitfully included an altered extract of an external investigation report in a council agenda and presented it as if it was the same extract from a previous agenda in order to cover up the false statements made by a Councillor in the report, and
- It is alleged that the subject has also attempted to cover up the amendments to the extract and their own inappropriate conduct by lying about how and why the extract was altered.
The CCC may have used different words to describe your allegations however it can assure you that all the information you have provided has been considered prior to reaching an assessment decision.
CCC’s assessment
Based on the information you provided, your allegations meet the threshold of corrupt conduct as defined in section 15 of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001. This means that the CCC has jurisdiction to assess the information to determine what action, if any, should be taken.”
Phil says this is where the matter now sits with the WRC obliged to further investigate and report back to the him and the CCC.
Footnote
Bet the WRC wishes they had the services of a third rate shill like TCC’s Tony Bligh(t.).
Because ironically, Phil Batty, then living in Townsville and even toying with the idea of a tilt at the mayoralty, kept quizzing the TCC with questions about the Adani airstrip and the mayors all expenses paid trip as the guest of Adani at the time. The council responds was to threaten Batty with legal action if he persisted, invoking an arcane rule that the council can bring a charge against people with vexatious behaviour who ask further questions when dissatisfied with the council’s answers.
It eventuated that Batty’s questions turned out to be totally justified.
Speaking of Council Bullying …
Clr Fran O’Callaghan
Councillor and Mayoral hopeful Fran O’Callaghan has been ordered to do a media training course in the proper use of council social media rules. This was the re-run last Wednesday when the initial action against Clr O’Callaghan was repealed. The complaint was re-heated and warmed over again because the original drawing and quartering was right royally fucked up under the procedural requirements.
But therein lies a tale.
The ‘Pie noted that Clrs Hill, Molachino and Mooney gave evidence in the investigation against Clr O’Callaghan, and that is they why declared a conflict of interest and left Wednesday’s meeting. Questions need to be asked if the repeal was done for their benefit and not, as stated, in the interests of fairness to Clr O’Callaghan, as was said in April when the matter was repealed. But note this: the three councillors including the mayor (who was not present in March) did not declare a conflict in the March meeting when O’Callaghan was initially found guilty. Or the April meeting where the motions were repealed , why wasn’t this conflict declared in March and April when dealing with the same matter. They also gave their evidence in the matter last year.
The mentions this only because if you’re going to be a stickler for piiddling regulations that have been blown way out of proportion, go stickle yourselves, you muppets.
Fran should get Phil Batty on the job.
More Tinkering Around The Edges
The ratepayers remained unenlightened about how much they’re being slugged for decorating the George Roberts Bridge on Denham Street with lights (as per this media release) but the TCC says it will take four weeks to install so it sure ain’t a string of fairy lights on special at Bunnings.
In fact, just what is to be installed is unclear. The port side footpath will be closed for the duration, having a significant effect on foot traffic to Palmer Street. And despite the caption on the pic, our mayor witters on only about the seaward side of the bridge, when she gushes,’ “The George Roberts Bridge project will integrate with the other ‘Light Up Townsville’ assets when there are special events or for community awareness around health and other campaigns. “This also means that the illuminated bridge will be seen from locations in Flinders Street East, including the new East End Boardwalk when it opens, as well as locations along the southern bank of Ross Creek.”
What utter tosh.
The mayor may not have been down Via Vomitorium (FSE) of late, but there are be bugger views of the bridge from there, (and most who look from that viewpoint are probably seeing double anyway). The tens of people using the new boardwalk are unlikely to exclaim and clap hands with delight at a few bridge lights, And the southern bank of the creek? Where there is no reason for people to walk along the short street lined with offices and units?
So ratepayers are footing the bill for more cockamamy nanny state campaigns about health and other Jamie Durie-esqe matters of bugger all value, and for events they are in part subsidising.
This woman is getting both desperate and deranged.
But this is the sort of thinking that has bedevilled the stagnating CBD for years now. Walker Street seems to think that it will somehow magically return to the mixed business shopping area it once was. Well, it can under the right circumstances.
The brutal truth is that market forces will trump the scatter-brained wishful thinking every day of the week, a fact you’d think our mayor had learnt with the on-going debacle of the deserted and embarrassing City Arcade, which she co-developed.
The woes of the CBD is one perennial issue where the only answer is to think big and innovate in order to invigorate. And the short answer is pretty simple … the CBD should become an actual suburb.
Using whatever carrot and stick options are available to it, the council should assist and encourage converting some of the larger buildings into units would create a base of demand for more diverse shopping offerings from street level commercial premises. Not pipe dreams down the end of Flinders Street West, but places right in the heart of the town. The council should stay well out of involvement in direct development – that’s not really their remit, especially not with a fiscal illiterate who loses an unexplained $700,000 from her budget and, as far as we know, never finds it. . What the TCC can do is revisit regulations on zoning in the area, radically modified for commercial conversion to more compact living spaces. Foregoing the red tape costs, especially the already unreasonable development application costs, could be balanced out by not wasting further money on pipe dream schemes that never happen. (Piss off all the useless consultants and you’ve saved a few million, even if you have lost a few friends.) Lowering the discouraging red tape fees would be money better spent that just chucking it monthly food truck nonsense, road closures, and subsiding silly, poorly attended concerts and promotions.
Because as far as The ‘Pie can see in the short to medium term, there is absolutely no reason to come into the CBD unless it is to get shit faced in Via Vomitorium. Encouraging more unis to open boutique, limited subject campuses may help, providing some of the new accommodation caters for them and staff. Developments like the currently deserted City Arcade would flourish, arts and crafts and speciality shops could spring up, along with businesses to service their new base. .
So far, it’s all been done back to front, market forces will beat unrealistic piecemeal vote seeking in Walker Street any day of the week. The wrong headed thinking about the CBD is trying to attract outsider customers to come for as yet unspecified or unrealistic reasons. There is no overarching theme like jazz in New Orleans, C&W in Nashville, the eat street alleys of Melbourne or the artist’s colonies of Paris, NY, Barcelona, and San Francisco. OK so we don’t have those populations, so the only answer seems to be that the CBD should become a suburb, where the bulk of custom comes from a lively local populous.
Forget all the malarkey about a tourist attraction, it will only thrive if those central blocks become s self-contained living organism. Like the individuality of certain New York neighbourhoods, the vibe of which may eventually create a magnet for tourists and other visitors.
That’s how the Townsville City Council can make a positive difference to the CBD, which in the wash-up, is the victim of the inevitable shopping mall culture of the suburbs.
It’s not just that no one saw this obvious quantum social /economic shift coming, the problem, they don’t see it now.
Greg Norman Renews His Tenuous Link With Townsville And His Old Club
Not that the Shah of LIV golf and his blood money will be gracing us with his presence, but his course design company is already beavering away at a big upgrade at the Rowes Bay Golf Club.
The club has engaged his company for a big makeover of two holes and the total landscaping of the area in front of the clubhouse. The tricky 17th (above) is being completely remodelled, and that will be followed by the major works on the 18th and the new work in front of the clubhouse, where a massive new putting green is planned to replace the fairly modest current area which regularly hears more swearing than your average coronation.
The 10th tee will be moved across the road to make way for this change, which sadly has meant the removal of some old, non-native trees.
The ‘Pie has been told there is also some unseen work in nether regions of the adjacent national park area which will hopefully alleviate the almost perennial flooding that sees the course close for several days annually. During the monsoon, almost the entire layout was under enough water to be renamed The Lakes. The grounds manager and staff are local heroes in this respect, somehow managing to ensure the course is again fully playable in a remarkably quick time after any enthusiastic rainfall.
The club, always living up to slogan The Friendly Club, is humming along, as is the popularity of the game in Townsville generally. Out at Rosslea, the Townsville Golf Club has just completed its new club house and reconfiguration of its layout, and Rowes Bay has a strong membership – The ‘Pie understands there are only a limited number of full memberships currently available, indicating prudent board decisions and solid management has steered the course relatively unscathed through the social disruptions of the past two or three years.
And there’s always an upside to the disruption to your usual round while all this is going on. With two temporary greens in place, The Magpie’s occasional round has been boosted, particularly on the 17th, which has been temporarily shortened by 100m … the old bird now enjoys a double bogey, instead of his previously regular quadruple. It is understood it will be a few months before the works are completed and suitably bedded in, and The ‘Pie is back to his usual 5 onto the green and 3 putts.
It all started a loooong time ago ….
Meanwhile, In A Place Called America …
While we wrangle about such things as private school taxes and the cost of school uniforms, just here in Australia, just be thankful you don’t live in the US.
But just now, gun violence is being replaced by a high noon fiscal shootout between the President and the fascist Republicans over the debt ceiling. And like the movie, that deadly train nis about to pull into the station.
And finally ..,
Just because I thought it was so silly it’s funny.
……
That is the week that was, comments are as lively as ever join in.
Can you give the blog a helping hand? The donate button nis below.
Your fascist idiot president Biden is in a hole. A very big hole.
Due to his fascist policies and weaponization of the DOJ and FBI, CNN conducted a poll.
It says 66% of voters say Biden winning 2024 would be a disaster.
The poll had CNN wack job and Fascist Democrat supporter Jake Tapper in tears.
OK, everyone. The Nest is glitch city this morning. The ability to post comments isn’t working, so although I can see the comments, can’t actually publish them. Working on nit.
Hang on. The ‘Pie generally doesn’t with your childish thumb sucking bad manners, but you seem to be a bit behind the times with CNN … you know, the US network that gave your hero an unfettered ‘town hall’ hour to spew his lying and libellous bile in a deranged foaming rant (from whence you no doubt found your style for commenting). An appearance that had all the warning flags of the disaster it turned out to be, with CNN’s rating dropped straight into the toilet, millions have just switched off.
So Biden’s a fascist now? I guess it makes a change from being called a left wing commie most of the time. Tropical- you are an idiot.
Oh, please, don’t encourage the poor mutt.
Hot and Wet, I thought Fascists were right wing, like Trump. I think you mean Communist to use the current name for lefties.
CNN – Cartoon News Network.
Re: The rape laws…. The process is the punishment. I know of a family friend who was accused after a bad breakup (where he left her for another woman). It was to the point where the jury (of men and women) were almost laughing at her in court because she couldn’t get her story straight. Still cost him 50k in legal fees though. In the past false accusations were rare, however, I think that’s going to change in the age of #metoo and social media. All these changes are the result of Anna and Co trying to jump on the Brittany Higgins bandwagon. Where are a case is demonstrably false as in the above example, than the accuser needs to be charged and prison time served if the charge is proved.
Micky – if you think false accusations of rape/abuse are rare, you obviously have not had much to do with the Family Law system, where even a vague suggestion leads to a presumption of guilt.
Grumpy, having witnessed a number of close friends go through the family law system , I’d say the fault here is the lack of training and skills in the family law system and the law itself. Child and parental safety and mental health should be paramount and it is not. Why for example, does the family law system insist meth addicts with documented incidents of domestic violence and charges have access to their children? And why does it provide parental access to those who have documented mental health issues, a recorded history of domestic violence and access to weapons? And then, when these families have issues, the police are useless, the court process is lengthy, overloaded and ridiculously cumbersome and expensive, and the person causing issues is hardly ever held to account.
Oh, Ducky – you know not of what you speak. After nearly 50 years in the system, I can tell you that the interests of children have always been paramount. It’s far from perfect, but I challenge you to come with a better one. Family Law is constantly evolving and we are going through a time of significant change right now. Unfortunately, I don’t think that the change is for the better or will have practical or positive results, being driven as it is by young idealists from the golden triangle who have no practical experience. Which is why I’m out.
Nice to see the Rowes Bay Golf Club make it into this weeks blog. I’ve spent many a day on that course. As it stands it is already a well managed quality golf course. The improvements will make it even better. Full marks to the management team who have chosen the dry season to undertake the improvement works as this will minimise construction problems and will allow for the course to return to full use by the time the summer rains return.
Pie , Similar to the Whitsunday Councillor Queensland local Council elections are in March 2024 . Are Townsville Councillors voting against their own planning department purely to improve their re-election chances ? . Council seems to have increased media spend 5 pages in the Astonisher in one day and the weekly Mayor chats with Pricey trying to remind us what a great job the Mayor is doing . Positive announcements , the Mayor , negative Councillors . Re the cbd the Hive development ( now sold ) was delayed due to Council proposing to relocate the library and arts until someone advised the Mayor on costs . I believe the Chemist Warehouse claim on delays with Council before Molachino , Hill blaming big national companies . Remember Mayor Hills hissy fit retaliation comments on Qantas because they wouldn’t roll over on increased costs Townsville airport .
Mike, it’s interesting that you raise the Hill vs Qantas stoush. Firstly, she was never going to win that fight. Many others have taken on the might have Qantas, only to be crushed like a twig. But the bigger issue is that her challenging Qantas goes to show how she reacts like a narcissist and a child when she doesn’t get her own way. Not a mature bone in her body. She was prepared to do untold damage to the region by pissing off Qantas (and she came very close). She is no businesswoman. She has no intellect. She is a cruel bully. Businesses do not like dealing with her. That flies in the face of what a Mayor and Councillors are paid to do – listen to the community, work with the community, support the community, benefit the community. Hill is a muppet who has spent the past 10 years doing the opposite.
“SHOW HILL THE DOOR IN 24”
Agree madam ain’t to smart in the upper noodle area, except in the area of political spite and revenge. She claims she’s a scientist (something to with microbiology, is it?) Well, let’s hope it wasn’t virology studying epidemic diseases … the Mullet wouldn’t know her SARS from her Ebola.
It is common in many people who have achieved something that is well above their skill level, knowing themselves they have fluked a position in life they don’t really deserve, they become very hostile to anyone who threatens that position, you see it in workplaces all the time. Molachino is another classic example, achieved nothing in his life until stumbling his way onto council and now the deputy Mayor. The bloke is a mumbling dunce, but smart enough to know this is the best job he will probably get in his life, and will happily pile on with the Mullet and attack anyone who may threaten the best job he will ever get.
We take that’s a No from you.
Perhaps it’s the Peter Principle at work. I can see how it would apply to a number of current and past councilor’s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle
Another good blog this week Mr Magpie.
Thanks.
The Peter Principle is an old favourite. One great line summarised in Wiki is the authors coining the phrase “percussive sublimation” for being “kicked upstairs”
Or more accurately, the Dilbert Principle.
‘ The most ineffective workers will be systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage — management.’
Where’s the money coming from for the George Roberts Bridge ‘lightathon’. Maybe she squirreled some of the Federal money for the solar trees.
Perhaps the money is coming out of a $700k slush fund?
PR, Wasn’t the missing $700K suddenly found to used for the TPAC study. Bloody amazing.
Madam Mullet is envisioning the George Roberts Bridge will be Townsville’s version of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
well, you may laugh but should their be a fireworks waterfall a la Sydney, The ‘Pie would be among the tens of people who would flock to see it.
Another very simple way to improve the CBD is for Council and the State Government to simply do their jobs. If TCC just got on with the job of keeping the whole city clean, well maintained, litter free and enforced property owners maintaining their assets people are more likely to be out and about. If Puddleduck and her police farce took real action on crime and antisocial behaviour again people would be out on the streets rather than locked in the homes. Throwing more money at the CBD through rebates, the crazy idea of opening and closing streets for functions and markets (why not actually have a designated area for this like the Strand, Reid or Dean Park) and bloody party lights on pissant bridges makes less difference than keeping the streets clean and safe.
Here’s a new one for everyone.
To use the internet you have to purchase antivirus and malware protection. There is no way around that unless you can write your own codes as a tech freak or hacker.
In the last few years we have seen what is on offer, FOR CASH diminishing.
The stores that offer antivirus are basically under 2 banners ,Woolworths groups, and Harvey Norman/Joyce Mayne.
All that’s on offer is the standard that comes with you operating system or Norton or Trend Micro.
Up until last year you could buy Norton with cash for 1 year and simply activate it no questions asked for the standard.
I got caught out once by buying one that had features I wanted . Took it home and Norton said in an Indian accent, that even though I bought the product I could not activate it without giving credit card info for auto renewal I didn’t want. And I never had a card. I could delete it after I give it to them and wave renewal to simply have a 1 year subscription.
I refused and got the standard by paying another $50.
This year all Norton is credit card blackmail. And Townsville stores like Officeworks and Harvey Norman and Joyce Mayne are only offering 1 other antivirus. The Russian Kapersky pulled from shelves.
Here’s how it’s described https://softwaresite.com.au/symantec-norton/98-symantec-norton-360-standard-1-device-1yr-vpn-security-winmac-download-.html
So, you have to get another product you want nothing to do with to make it work. It puts you in debt you don’t want and makes you pay interest . The credit company and Norton has just got all your personal info that supplied to 3rd parties. That’s before hacking.
Norton forces you to hand over that info, they get to keep it even if you delete it otherwise why ask?
The support networks and servers are in a corrupt country under their security laws. Norton forces you to surrender to a foreign country. It forces you to buy another product to make your protection work hand over financial info when the dollar is legal tender here.
Al Townsville stores offering it are complicit.
If you don’t have a credit card, you must not be forced to get one. It’s not the fault of young staff selling it that they were born mellenials that see it as normal and look at you weird like you are from another planet for not having a credit card. It’s this moment that puts people like that in danger and the utmost self control is required.
This is a consumer rights issue under the ACCC act. Their market domination maens people are forced to get a credit card to get protection when you have already paid for the product in store. It’s a massive national security issue and data breach you are paying them to do to you.
need a hat?
I don’t have credit cards, I cut them up long ago after being milked by high interest rates,
I have a Debit card which looks like and has all of the benefits of a credit card, but ZERO interest as the transaction I do with it are debited from my account.
I live within my means, manage my budget and save up for more expensive things instead of buy now and pay interest for eternity.
The ‘Pie gave his up at 22%, haven’t had one for more than a decade. Operate perfectly happily the way you do, Heel.
No one in the tech industry would recommend Norton, its a pain in the arse, and the kids working at Hardly Normal don’t know any better. They have to sell a product.
Kaperskey used to be regarded as one of the best. But not since Russia invaded Ukraine. Look at Trend Micro, GData, Malwarebytes, ESET, Sophos. And just like when you buy other products, go read reviews or get stuck with junk.
And you can get a credit card from the post office that you put money on that would suit your purpose.
It’s not a conspiracy, or a data breach, you’re just being ridiculous. Your personal data collected through virus protection software would be of no interest to foreign agents.
And what’s the go with ads we’re seeing for Nord?
NordVPN? Nord merged last year with Surfshark to become Cyberspace, and is registered in the Netherlands. Nord is a Panama based VPN. So if you have a particular need to have a VPN and say, stream your Netflix from the US, then it’s a recommended VPN. And it has recently started offering password management, secure online storage, and antivirus protection. Both Nord and Surfshark are well known and reliable.
It’s a Yes for Malwarebytes from me!
Whatever that means.
We need Mullet, Cappuccino and Looney Mooney investigated. If they want to go after Fran over some Facebook posts then I hope they are ready because we all know these three are the most corrupt of the lot.
One of the Qld LG rules is that you must not make the council look like muppets if you are a councillor, in fact, you must make them look competent and honourable at all. Not those words, but that’s the content. Now just tell me the LG system isn’t corrupt, despite efforts like Belcarra, that has actually made governance harder and worse.
New slogan for gun-blighted American schools … teach the kids to scoot and the teachers to shoot.
Only 2,000 for a venue with 10,000 capacity . How much $ did Council blow on this? Or do they reckon like the rugby, this is ‘Townsville turning out in force.’
Likely a big chunk of the $45.6 million pie they have to bring events and sports to the City this financial year. Unfortunately it’s evident they aren’t wise investors.
The least surprising story of the day. This crap comes around every two or three years (a third of the current US debt was run by Trump who cut social prgrammes to give tax cuts to his already mega wealthy buddies). But the media had it’s usual adjectival picnic of doomsday foaming. Until next time, fellas … next year probably.
Yes, but at some time we all have to stop spending borrowed money. Countries included.
Agreed, quantitative easing is one of the great politico/economic weasel phrases. But it cannot be a unilateral call.
Moron you said it was the fascist republican’s who were the at fault.
So you’re saying it’s not the fault of fascist Republicans? Well, at least you admit that republicans are fascist. Like your good self.
Moist armpits – you are confusing us! Yesterday morning (Democrat) Biden was the fascist and now the Republicans are the fascists? Please just pick one side to call fascist and stick to it.
If you want to see how crazy things have gotten in America, this video produced by the FBI is a pretty great summary.
https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/run-hide-fight-092120.mp4/view
No doubt produced by the same consultants as that children’s book.
Run. Hide. Fight.
Yes, based on the same strategy.
Maybe if they just had some gun control… oh wait…
And let’s not worry about niceties … Republicans have it all to answer for.
So the biggest problem with gun violence in the US is black’s shooting black’s.
Mostly in democrat run cities.
This weekend Chicago had 15 black on black shootings in 24 hours at the start of Memorial Day weekend.
Bahahaha Tropical that’s the biggest load of conspiracy bullshit I’ve read today.
54% of the gun deaths are suicide.
In 2017 the Pew research centre reported that 49% of white households had a gun, and only 32% of black households and 21% of Hispanics. Most guns are owned by people in rural areas 58%. You know who lives in rural areas of the US? Republicans.
Moist armpits – appears you have conveniently forgotten 21 killed in a school shooting in Texas, 9 killed in a shopping centre in Texas, 5 killed in a neighbour dispute in Texas, 6 killed a a bank in Kentucky, 7 killed at a school in Tennessee. Last I checked, those states were all Republican.
It is good advice, but what sort of sick, fucked up country needs to get this advice. The saddest part of this video and the book featured in the blog is that iot all kills justified indignant rage and embeds the idea that this is the new normal – which you just have to accept.
Back in the Cold War, when nuclear attack was most feared, kids were shown films (remember film?) of inter alia how to hide under school desks (for whatever little good that would do). But in that case, the threat was external. Now it is internal from deranged cowards whose social culture encourages them that you can only argue with a weapon. Those who curse John Howard for other reasons, at least give him credit where it is due … his gun law call was no political walk in the park but at least he loved his country enough to face down considerable opposition. And the overall public response is another reason to be proud to be an Australian.
Guns don’t kill, people do.
Yes. People with guns do. Your point is?
Explain how an innominate object kills someone without assistance from a human.
Hallelujah at last!! You’ve got it!! It seems you realise that A) inanimate objects like guns of any sort but particularly assault weapons don’t fire themselves, and B) they only do that when picked up by a human. So, by the impeccable logic you’ve accidentally bumped into, the answer is – read it slowly now – severely restrict access to guns, but totally ban assault weapons, which have no other purpose than mass murder within the civilian population. Problem solved. Sure worked in Australia.
Now. The ‘Pie cannot believe he’s actually replied to this, because it is final proof that you are a prankster with a sicko sense of humour – and will be treated as such – or even more so than in the past – from now on. You are a gross satirical caricature of fascism, but The ‘Pie is now wondering if it’s worth joining in on the joke … some might not get it and really believe you are the special needs person with a crash helmet and crayons.
People kill people – with guns, dickhead. Fake or not, you are an absolute tosser.
If a person wants to kill someone they will find a way, even without guns. There has been plenty of mass stabbings, vehicles used to mow people down, explosive devices used and so forth. People should have a right to bear arms, own a firearm. The only reason guns get banned is because gutless politicians want to control society. Fuck the government.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, don’t you start too, one looney a day is quite enough, thank you. One suspects you and Tropical are one and the same, or at the very least, bum buddies. get help, or if its meant to be a joke, get funnier.
Yes very much the same strategy as duck and cover. And about as useful.
When the video started circulating on the socials a few weeks ago I thought it was some sort of parody, the comments from people outside of America were mostly shocked disbelief that this is what they have come to.
This is such a rubbish website, just came here to say that. Why do you put so much effort into publishing your endless ranting on the web. Get a better hobby!
Like reading a blog I don’t like?
Is Bernice our Mayor Mullet with a bug up her sphincter ?
Maybe you should take your own advice, and ask yourself the same question!
Tropic Sounds only 2,000 attendance for a venue that has 10,000 capacity and how much did Council pay to sponsor the event ? . 2,000 players + spectators would be at soccer on saturdays . Which Councillors are responsible for the Queensland Reds and Tropic Sounds debacles ? . Do we need to ask who is paying for pre and post game entertainment at Councils failed laneway .
Council didn’t sponsor it – they paid for it! Complete fail!! Mayor Mullet’s got all the promoters offside and no one wants to do business in this city. Just look at how many want to send acts up to play in our state of the art stadium!
If anyone was annoyed/frustrated with the fiasco re: the funding to complete the water supply pipeline to Townsville, the attached article is cause for real concern. Our Politicians have forgotten the Natural World does what it does, but their stupidity in dealing with it has real consequences for the rest of us. Read in Yahoo News Australia: https://apple.news/Aru3yACVMTa6fMw54x4vc3A
Dear Molly. I presume “9” refers to your age. Did you read passed the first page of that article because if you did you would see it says we are likely to face increased drought which might mean it is a good idea to get a reliable water supply from a natural source for our community. Maybe a pipeline from a nearby river. I do not doubt that we need the Haughton Pipeline I just know Council does not have the management ability to even open a bottle of water compared to efficiently building this project.
With a name like PWC that has just pissed in its own pocket, there is an open invitation to a slather of variants.
Achilles, regarding the recent PwC scandal it is actually interesting how many people work for Ernst & Young, PwC, and KPMG and then end up working for the Federal government in high level bureaucrat roles such as Department Secretaries etc. It’s all very incestual between these companies and the government of the day. Lots and lots of big dollars involved. However it would appear that PwC got too greedy and fucked the selves over in this occasion. A handful of staff have been rolled but nothing will change as all will be forgiven and forgotten in a few months time. I mean, the senate will have fun with this but they are just a mouthpiece, a toothless tiger who will slap some department heads with a wet lettuce leaf. For PwC it is a matter of rinse, dry and repeat.
I’ve not given up on my quest from last week’s blog. So far the best tagline I have come up with is, “Stop Jenny Hill and her band of craven toadies from Fucking our city up further with her criminal negligence, horrific cronyism and vindictive personal crusades against anyone successful.”
It just doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue they way I would like.
Re promoters and big name concerts:
Southern promoters (not to be confused with our local answers to Michael Chugg -Jenny Hill, Ann-Maree Greaney and Liam Mooney) aren’t bringing big international acts to Townsville simply because they don’t need to.
Why pay close to half a million dollars to transport all the equipment and staging for big concerts when you can simply schedule an extra concert in capital cities?
What’s happened here is that amongst all the sugar coating we copped from our 3 Labor stooges and Jenny Hill about the benefits that would flow from the new stadium, we actually fell for the bullshit.
You can bet that Chuggy didn’t bring Elton John to Townsville (for a second time) simply because he’s a good guy.
I think you’ll find that we ratepayers forked out a fortune to get the ageing rocker to open the stadium, but don’t dare ask Jenny Hill how much – that’s commercial-in-confidence of course.
Just like how much we pay for her V8 Supercars indulgence.
Your point is taken but perhaps you’ve got it wrong in the respect of Elton John …that would surely be a state government affair, because they gambled on the stadium which is in effect theirs and only they would have the financial clout and coercive means to get one who is/was inarguably a global super star here. Same goes for the Horn fight. SOO fell into our laps through circumstance and timing. And it seems the drought has now started, with Anna somewhat less worried about her Labor mayor chum than her own puffy hide. It is laughable to suggest that Mayor Mullet could muster enough moolah to get even a pub singer from Milparinka to grace her stage.
Message bank Walker 3/4 page in the Astonisher / Courier Mail for wasting police resources to investigate why paramedics went to his house late at night in April . Appears they simply went to the wrong house in his street . Premiers office probadly has a standard letter for Aaron + Les and will reply all this time .
Les hates the services, and the services rightly hate Les.
Some poor journo had to suffer through an interminable garbled rant along the general lines of “I am Les the amazing, I know everything and I am here to tell you how this should be done from my endless expertise” to get this story. My sympathy to the journo. You poor sucker. Next time you have to do a Les job, call in sick.
Brisbane Times makes some very valid points here. Good to see I’m not the only one who has noticed the lack of anything of substance coming from the LNP. If they want to be taken seriously as an opposition, then they need serious policies.
https://amp.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/canva-chaos-and-crisafulli-the-lnp-s-plans-so-far-for-queensland-20230529-p5dc0z.html
For once The ‘Pie agrees with you, all fluffy stuff so far. Not that The Kid has to announce policies yet, but now the heat has started he may have to be a lot more specific earlier than he wanted to be. So far, he’s using exactly the tactic used at the federal level with the Yes people for the Voice. No definite pledges, nothing rules out. No solid information, just the promise that the scope and mechanism will be decided BY POLITICIANS AFTER THE REFERENDUM. Neither side can be believed until they make a public pledge about some troubling aspects currently hidden behind empty sloganeering and baseless smears about racism against those of us concerned about democracy).
It’s a political tactic that belongs to all sides of politics.
Agree in regards to the Voice campaign. Failure on behalf of the Yes campaign to be more specific has enabled the No campaign to spread misinformation. The racism in the community that this has generated is disgusting. The worst I’ve ever seen. And some of the stuff being sent out from Jacinta Price’s campaign is knowingly incorrect and being sent to people incapable and unwilling to fact check it.
Crisafulli has an opportunity to do things differently. Unfortunately, having worked with him previously I’m not sure he’s capable. I’d like to be proven wrong. But he likes to talk the talk and and finger point and honestly I’m tired of the blame game. If he wants to win back voters the LNP needs to come back towards the middle and drop the affiliations or perceptions of affilitions with KAP.
Until someone can definitively say how The Voice will practically improve the lives of indigenous folk in communities rather than the city centric crowd, whose names appear again and again as board member of the already 2000+ ATSI organisations, it pains me to say that I will be voting no.
We can’t have two bob which way, but the politicians are trying it on. They witter on about what a great multicultural country we are (and yes we are), fair go for all (a myth but a warm and cuddly one), properly laud success stories to back up the claim (remember the fuss about the first muslims elected to parliament?). But while patting themselves on the back for the diversity that they want to think they husbanded, a majority of them want to break from the democratic principles and elevate one small group to an exclusive level above the rest. This goes diametrically against the multi-cultural boast. And all in the mistaken and bullying rhetoric that this is somehow a watershed in this country’s history, and aNo vote will set us back and so on, is never explained, never backed with projected scenarios.
Because there aren’t any.
It is at the moment a NO from The Magpie for two main reasons: it is undemocratic, and it is unnecessary to achieve what can be done with responsible and generous legislation. The argument that indigenous people be recognised in the constitution is also the empty tokenism politicians are famous for.
This thread and the comments that follow remind me of the recent SkyBus trip I took from Tullarmarine to Melbourne City. The welcome to passengers PA announcement included a phrase along the lines of: SkyBus ‘acknowledge that sovereignty of the land we know as Australia has never been ceded’. This is word-for-word what is on their website.
How many other entities are taking this approach.
Many might think this is a strange perspective from a LNP voter but here goes…
I was voting NO for a number of reasons, sharing many of the same concerns that have been raised in the comments over the past couple of months.
Then my daughter and I had a conversation about this which really changed my perspective, and she explained to me the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which I encourage you to read. I’ve been interested in the debate, and interested in learning more.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart was born from a series of regional dialogues held across the country – the most proportionally significant consultation process of First Nations peoples Australia has ever seen.
You might be interested to understand more about the Voice design principle here
https://ulurustatement.org/education/design-principles/
I’m voting YES to the Voice to Parliament as it will establish an advisory body be comprised of local community members. Policymaking needs to be informed by the experiences of those with lived experience, who are experiencing those gaps. Contrary to the stated concerns that constitutional amendment would mean the Voice will be able to compel the government to listen to it, constitutional experts have indicated this is highly unlikely.
There is a lot of misinformation circling from those against, however I firmly believe this will be a positive thing for thing country.
Australia and New Zealand are neighbouring countries. Both were colonised by the British, and both had a pre-existing indigenous population who suffered at the hands of the new arrivals.
Maoris are better integrated into NZ-society than Aboriginals in Australia. A big part of this is the establishment of formal treaties. In Australia, we have none. By comparison, the signing of the Waitangi Treaty entitled Maoris the same rights as British Subjects. Thus they were enfranchised along with everyone else in 1853 and had a voice in parliament with the creation of special Maori electoral seats from 1867 onwards. It took nearly another 100 years for Aboriginals in Australia to get the vote, and still do not have their own electoral representation. Though there were disagreements between Maori and Europeans over Waitangi Treaty, at least there was something over which to debate! We’re not talking about a Treaty this time, we are just talking about a Voice – a much smaller step. We’re hundreds of years behind New Zealand in the peace process, and until do something we will always have issues.
People talk about youth crime in Townsville but can’t you guys see that this is all related? We need to give these kids hope and a reason to be proud to call themselves Australians, a reason to make a positive contribution to this great country. But we need to address the failings of the past to move forward together.
A very strange take on matters, Paul, and a fairly typical example of the non-information, a Kumbaya cuddly-come-guilt-trip exhortation that does not answer many of the concerns you have apparently abandoned about the overall undesirable consequences for Australian society and governance.
If your daughter has such powers of persuasion and interpretation of this , perhaps you – or she – might like to drop in a comment repeating what she said to you to convince you to abandon any intelligent questioning of the proposal. It is popular to label reasonably stated concerns about possibilities and a lack of clarity on what we’re to vote for as scaremongering, doomsayers, racist and jumping at shadows. That is no argument, and not only insulting to people who are getting increasingly frustrated and angry at their concerns not being addressed it heightens the scepticism of many voters because it is seen as bullying by people with a hidden agenda.
Anthony Albanese’s words on the matter a couple of days ago in Adelaide could very well be used by the NO side as much as the YES side, although he somehow thought them appropriate for the YES case.
“Australians won’t succumb to appeals to fear and the ever more ludicrous invitations to jump at our own shadows.
“That’s because Australians have a healthy scepticism of doomsayers, a scepticism kept in good health by memories of all the predictions offered by the Chicken Littles of the past.”
The derogatory terms ‘doomsayers’ and ‘Chicken Little’ could apply equally to proponents of the YES side, telling us Australia will be set back mightily if NO prevails (what tripe, how?), Linda Burnie telling us ‘it’s the right thing to do’ (why?) and Albo seemed to have a tin ear when he talked about Australians having a healthy scepticism, the exact collective attribute that is seeing support for the YES vote shrinking alarmingly.
The Prime Minister may well be right, but not in the way he intended.
I agree with Duckie and Magpie. Firstly, The Kid can’t sit on the fence with this one. He needs to make his thoughts known now, in advance of the vote. He is going to have to start producing more policies and standing by them if he wants to win government from Anna Alphabet. Secondly, how the fuck can we vote for something with little to no detail. It’s outrageous, incompetent, and dodgy. It’s not the ‘voice’, it’s more of a quiet hum.
‘SHOW HILL THE DOOR IN 24’
More like a panicked wheedle.
Agree with your point about the State Government paying up for the Elton john concert Magpie but I can assure you that Townsville ratepayers chipped in too – and not for peanuts. Besides our cash, we also provided all sorts of in-kind support.
Add that to ratepayers paying for the poorly attended Townsville Eats before every Cowboys home game and other major events and we’re talking about millions.
It all comes out of that $39 million Jenny Hill has budgeted for whatever she wants to throw money at.
Yes indeed agree about the concert but the ‘pie’s point was that it is laughable to think the Mayor Mullet could come up with the big bucks, only state could piss that much away. but you’re right, we got stung, too.
The Townsville Eats thing has been a bloody mystery from day one … well, to be fair, the second and third time. This does nothing at all for the suffering BBD businesses, in fact could well be detrimental but what we don’t get is that when it fritters off into a sad and dispiriting event, that the Mullet and crew don’t realise it isn’t working, bite the bullet and can it. It was a forcastible idiotic idea anyway … you can’t force fun.
Would love to know how much the people at PUFT are being paid by TCC to put on these events, but I’m sure it is all CIC.
Hmmm, let’s see now … PUFT stands for Pop Up Food Trucks, does it? Or is it just a front for Mayor Mullet’s invisible alien army which robs us of oxygen and create slime turds? How long before the mayor announces the PUFTs have signed up for a Slime Farm and a Bleached Stone Farm at Lansdown? And our canny Mullet already has the bloke in place to carry out her cunning plan … refer to 2.2 on the list. No, The ‘Pie hasn’t lost it, he just hadn’t worked out the acronym, so he googled it and found the following … google and goggle, folks.
Puft is a non-aggressive critter that breathes in certain gasses (depending on their variation: Polluted Oxygen, Oxygen, and Chlorine) and excretes them as their solid counterparts (Slime, Oxylite, and Bleach Stone, respectively). Though dupes can’t be ordered directly to wrangle Pufts, they can do so using a Critter Drop-off set to autowrangle.
Contents
1 Behavior
2 Variants
2.1 Puft
2.2 Puft Prince
2.3 Dense Puft
2.4 Squeaky Puft
3 Puft Ranching
3.1 Slime farm
3.2 Oxylite farm
3.3 Bleach Stone farm
4 History
Behavior
Pufts typically inhale twice, then rise to the ceiling and excrete 1.5 to 2.5 kg of their corresponding element, doing this approximately every 10 seconds, so they can convert Polluted Oxygen to Slime at a rate of around 50 g/s.
Pufts can only achieve their maximum conversion rate if their mobility is limited and will otherwise spend much of their time traveling and rising, reducing Polluted Oxygen conversion rates.
Pufts will not produce droppings if they do not have room to rise to the ceiling. This can be circumvented by giving them a pneumatic door as roof, which is theoretically not a solid thus allowing production though not accessible to them, leaving the Puft to produce droppings in its place.
Pufts are non-hostile and will flee when attacked.
Puft eggs take 15 cycles to hatch outside of an Incubator, or 3 cycles if Lullabied.
That description of PUFT sounds like the monthly TCC Council meeting chaired by the queen of PUFT, Frau Hill.
Is the Puft viable in dihydrogen monoxide?
These guys also run Cotters Markets. It was run for years by Rotary and profits went to charity, however council wasn’t happy with this and started changing up the management.
The ‘Pie remembers when it went out to tender. Dave Harrison and his partner had a hand in it for a while as I remember, then it became a private business when Mooney had the reins. The ‘Pie thought at the time it was a funny move from a Labor council.
Still, the saying is true, you can’t argue with success … the only bleat can be how much better it could be … but without saying how.
Well I can say I have never seen people work as hard as the PUFT people do to make things happen. You are always going to get events that work and dont work and sometimes you have to preserver until they do. I personally have been involved with some of Australia’s largest events and not all of them started out as big as they became. I think a city the size of Townsville should have a Sunday market int eh CBD and one of the great things about having the stadium in the city was the ability to run pre game and post game events. Most other cities around the world do and they become very successful. It takes time to develop a pre game routine, to meet up at a point have a drink and some food and go to the game. luckily with NRL, RU and AFL its a festival with football its a war.
David Crisafulli likes to take potshots from behind well guarded fence lines. He doesn’t have the political savagery and the nouse to put forth his parties position on anything major.
Crisafulli (had the nickname of Shitafulli when he worked at Channel 10 Townsville many years ago) and the Queensland LNP are full of motherhood statements and non- sensical hype and have no details atm. Here’s hoping that he gets some real policies with practical detail out soon otherwise we’ll be doomed with the current idiots for another four years after October 2024.
Although you betray a certain age (largely correct grammar for one), you really are one of the ‘instant everything’ mob, aren’t you, Crits. And seems you’re new to this thingy called politics. Why do anything while Palaszczuk is slowly destroying herself. As Sun Tse says in the Art of War, never interrupt your enemy when they’re making a mistake. Why would The Kid interrupt her … that is, say anything that is likely to take the focus away from Labor fucking itself over so spectacularly. Apart from the stock standard ‘We won’t be doing that’.
And just an idle thought: wonder what those people (were you one of them, Crits?) who called The Kid Shitafulli in his journo days, just wonder what they’re doing now. Are any them in the running to become the most powerful leader in the biggest Australian state? What are they full of now?
Crits – take the time to read The Greens webpage, if you want to know what fluffy nonsense truly is.
Channel 10, eh Critical? Are you sure you’re not full of shit? It was WIN TV (channel 9) he worked for and he was one of the most balanced journos at that time. Friendly, fair and honest. I had a few occasions where he was present and he was always down to earth. Me thinks you have never met or had anything to do with him. Keep up the work for the cause Comrade.
Steve, you would rather have Premier Palasczuk and her incompetent muppets keep running Queensland into the ground?
Exactly the same tactic as Puddleduck except she is in government and has the money and the power to make change but just keeps on trying to score political points without doing any of the work.
Magpie, yesterday you were thinking: “ It is at the moment a NO from The Magpie for two main reasons: it is undemocratic, and it is unnecessary to achieve what can be done with responsible and generous legislation.”
I understand what you mean about the Voice being “undemocratic” but I can’t see how that specific attribute could be changed to make it acceptable to you. Therefore it would be logical to assume that, rather than being unacceptable “at the moment”, it can never be acceptable to you?
As a ‘No’ voter you will add weight to a special pile-on:
“ According to the live minutes, here are the no votes:
Sam Birrell, Colin Boyce, Darren Chester, Pat Conaghan, Mark Coulton, David Gillespie, Alex Hawke, Kevin Hogan, Barnaby Joyce, Michael McCormack, Llew O’Brien, Keith Pitt, Anne Webster, Andrew Wilcox, Scott Buchholz, Ian Goodenough, Luke Howarth, Michelle Landry, Garth Hamilton, Tony Pasin, Andrew Wallace, Rick Wilson, Terry Young
Bob Katter is not listed as voting.”
Even Phil O’Herbert voted in favour of setting up the referendum.
So let’s be clear about this: we should decide to vote Yes because of the names and implied ‘character’ of those voting No? So much for letting the issue rise above politics.
You’re a fuckwit sometimes, really.
What do you mean sometimes.
Magpie, you and I are clearly approaching this question from opposite directions. I’m inclined towards Indigenous recognition in the constitution UNLESS I am convinced otherwise. I am satisfied that the parliament will decide how to deal with representations from the Voice and will not be dictated to by it. And if the parliament decides that the mechanism or the relationship is becoming unsatisfactory it can change those things without dissolving the Voice itself.
Our government, at the time frustrated by our continuing inability to ‘close the gap’, actually invited First Nations people to make this suggestion. We asked for a new approach and we have this one before us. I’m in favour of it. I’m not scared by speculation about ‘worst case scenarios’ because the parliament will have the final say. And I welcome the views of the usual suspects, particularly in forums like the ‘Nest and other local voices, because these are grass roots, regional and remote views.
Putting this elite-managed circus in the Constitution is the undemocratic part, and will in fact achieve nothing legislation could not do. And those who miss out will be those poor bastards in the bush who are the ones who actually need assistance. Don’t see too much ‘need’ in urban areas, it’s full of those who are and many who say they are aborigines (mostly via Dublin and Glasgow), working as nurses, tradies, lawyers, doctors, baristas, and of course public servants, the whole panoply.
The ‘Pie would vote for a legislated Voice to parliament, which would still let the grifting elite get their noses in that particular trough, but which could be reviewed if and when it all fell apart, which is the usual MO in this area. (Of course, all whitie’s fault, nothing to do with fractured and factionalised aboriginal population over the past 40 years or so, eh?) Those underperforming or misbehaving with public money would be brought to account – probably with no penalty as in the past and present (hello, Townsville’s aboriginal health service.) Unfairly and undeservedly embedded in the Constitution, any review of the Voice by parliament would never be able to get to the root of any problem, because the make-up of the Voice membership is secret indigenous business, and the political blood-letting amongst fighting factions will make a stacked Labor Party branch meeting look like the teddy bears’ picnic.
That’s part of the undemocratic part of all this.
If Yes prevails, this is a massive retrograde mess in the making, but it will be nothing to what happens when we get to the treaty stage, closely followed by reparations. When that happens, expect an exposition the number of blue-eyed blondies suddenly identifying as aboriginal over their seven-eighths European blood. And voter backlash will be one thing, but given the number of cookers out there, other sorts of backlash are quite possible. Welcome to America Mark 2.
Bout time you stopped watching Sky News
That’s your best reply to the points that have been made?
Your points are the usual hysteria in circulation. Go read the codesign report. Go read some academic articles. Nothing I say will convince you because you already have a preconceived idea that this is a bad idea.
So now we add ‘hysterical’ to the Yes argument against those asking questions. Keep diggin’, mate, keep diggin’. BTW who are the authors of the co-design report?
As I said, nothing I say will convince you otherwise. You’ve already made up your mind. The codesign report is a standard consultation report. Similar to what would have been developed for NDIS, aged care, or an investigation into war crimes. Done, in the same way, by people who are familiar with the issues and can engage with the people in question.
Hahahha … you are obviously suffering the effects of a Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly. “People familiar with the issues?’ Langton and Calma for instance? No problems with a balanced view there, eh?
And then this eristic statement: ‘ … nothing I say will convince you otherwise. You’ve already made up your mind.’ You jest, surely, that the boot is firmly on the other foot … you and folks like you have made up YOUR minds but refuse in engage in facts, details and the extent of information in the referendum question. Those who dare question your feel-good vague appeal to decency etc are labelled racist. Many, many Australians, including The Magpie, were, at the outset, ambivalent but felt generous towards the idea until a shadow of uncertainty was allowed to settle over the whole thing, and prevarication and avoidance became the hallmark of the Yes camp.
Whoever designed this fluffy, soft focus lightweight campaign of fuzzy facts should be held responsible for the vicious slanging match that has developed. And the man who said this issue should rise above the personal and be above politics, our Prime Minister, said in Adelaide earlier this week “Australians won’t succumb to appeals to fear and ever more ludicrous invitations to jump at our own shadows.
That’s because Australians have a healthy scepticism of doomsayers, a scepticism kept in good health by memories of all the predictions offered by the Chicken Littles of the past.”
he’s right but not the way he thinks … Australians also won’t succumb to bullying and being fobbed off with non-answers to questions that affect our entire future as an inclusive society.
Lobbyists by trade carefully avoid words and phrases calculated to raise unwanted questions, so since they won’t mention certain things, Ducky, allow The ‘Pie to ask you your opinion of the words‘treaty, followed by reparations’.
I don’t think you’re being bullied or fobbed off. I think there’s a misunderstanding about what a referendum is,what this is supposed to do, and why you don’t actually need all the details now..
You keep wanting things to be done in legislation. Once this is in the constitution, the government can pass legislation to make it look and function however they want. This means it scaled up or down as required.
And I’ve been through the entire codesign report and I cannot find the phrase “treaty followed by reparations “. So perhaps if you referenced it appropriately, and put it into context, I could tell you my thoughts.
The ‘Pie didn’t say the ‘treaty and reparations’ were in the codesign report … and that is exactly the problem and the point. And google it, if you you’re not across it.
And listen,sport, we don’t ‘actually need all the details now’? You arrogant prick, you want our vote, then you step down from your lofty tower, and answer questions and give guarantees beforehand. Or fuck you.
Therein lies the exact problem with this completely fucked up campaign. Treating the Australian people like mugs might work on some, but not around this bend in the river, you waddling quacker.
Firstly, get down off your soapbox of personal outrage and go learn how referendums work. The approach being taken by the government is the recommended approach. Keep the question simple. Put the change into the constitution. Hash the detail out later in parliament and make legislation. Different governments can scale its relevance upnor down as required. I know it’s 30 years since the last referendum, and we forget how these things work, but that’s the generally accepted process.
And unless you can give me details of where you found that statement in an official document relating to the Voice, I shall assume you are jumping at shadows, yet again. Because nothing that I’ve read discusses the making of treaties and reparations, it focuses solely on constitutional recognition, and ensuring that aboriginal and islander people can be consulted more effectively on policy and legislation that affects them.
‘Generally accepted processes’ can be changed when the question under consideration demands it. After all, if it’s good enough to change a basic tenet of democracy by inserting a small group into the constitution based purely on racism, then the rules and timelines of a referendum can be change to accommodate the pre-vote debate. The nature of them proposal in this instance demands that. Besides, your convenient interpretation of how referendums work s self-serving bullshit. Giving indigenous people the long overdue right to vote was clear cut and simple … and successful.
Attempting to steamroll the electorate with a guilt trip is a risky course to take, its dangers already showing up in polls.
On your second point, go no further than Lidia Thorpe, whose (fading) opposition to the Voice is based solely on the proposition that it is not enough and only a full treaty (whatever that is) will suffice. And there have been numerous references to the possibility of reparations from indigenous speakers. Google it, mate.
Your mimicking of the PM about jumping at shadows occurs in not only this instance, but in all cases where information is lacking.
While we have an expert on matters indigenous with us, would you care to view and comment on this Sky News report yesterday. Especially the part where the MSM has not mentioned it anywhere that The ‘Pie can find.
https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/sharri-markson/over-1b-in-grants-havent-been-investigated-properly-by-the-niaa-pauline-hanson/video/8531fa6397a818005743e83891597285
Magpie I’ve been reading the official documents. Not heresay and scuttlebutt being spread by the mass media. You can read them yourself. Nothing is hidden. And despite your assertions there doesn’t appear to be any conspiracy to take over the world.
And as for Ms Hansen, I believe she is creating distractions from her upcoming court case where she is defending her racist tweet. She is funding this through the sale of woolie jumpers. Supposedly hand knitted. You too can be the lucky owner of one…
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/pauline-hanson-selling-knitwear-to-fund-mehreen-faruqi-defence/qfg3bpl26
The most unsurprising comment of the week.
About time you started, to get another point of view to your entrenched and largely unexamined support for the Voice.
Magpie, not sure who the above comment is directed to but it contains a largely unexamined observation. How can you possibly know what thoughts and ideas are behind an anonymous individual’s decision about the Voice? Just because a person has not laid out, line and letter, in your blog, an explanation of their intentions doesn’t mean they haven’t thought long and hard about it.
I wasn’t eligible to vote in the 1967 referendum and don’t pretend to understand the thinking of those thousands of voters who did NOT support that proposal but I would never suggest that their reasoning was ‘unexamined’ let alone racist. We humans can be better than that.
Have checked and don’t know what comment you’re referring to. And really don’t know what you’re talking about anyway, seems way off topic.
While it’s understandable that some may have concerns about including a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, it’s important to consider the potential benefits and address the misconceptions presented.
Firstly, the argument that a legislatively created Voice would be more democratic overlooks the fact that Indigenous Australians have long been marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes. The Constitution provides a higher level of permanence and protection for the Voice, ensuring its enduring existence regardless of the political climate. By enshrining it in the Constitution, we can ensure that future governments cannot easily dismantle or diminish its influence.
Regarding the assertion that the Voice will only benefit urban areas, it’s important to recognize that Indigenous peoples, including those living in remote communities, have unique challenges and perspectives that should be considered in the development of policies and legislation. The Voice aims to provide representation for all Indigenous Australians, regardless of their geographic location. It is not an either-or situation where assistance can only be provided to either urban or remote areas. Both can be addressed through appropriate policies and targeted initiatives.
The claim that the Voice’s membership is secret and prone to factional disputes is misleading. While the specifics of the Voice’s composition have not been determined, the intention is to have a representative body that includes Indigenous Australians from diverse backgrounds and experiences; local and urban. The process of selecting members can be designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and representation of different viewpoints within the Indigenous community. Information on this is available https://voice.gov.au/
The argument against future treaty negotiations and reparations is based on assumptions and fears without considering the potential positive outcomes. The pursuit of a treaty and reparations is an opportunity to address historical injustices and build a more inclusive society. It is not about creating divisions or privileging certain individuals. These processes can provide a pathway for reconciliation and healing, acknowledging the past while working towards a fairer future.
In conclusion, while there may be concerns and apprehensions about the Voice to Parliament and potential future actions, it is crucial to approach these discussions with an open mind and a commitment to understanding and addressing the needs and aspirations of Indigenous Australians. The Voice and potential treaty negotiations should be seen as opportunities for progress and reconciliation, rather than sources of division or retribution.
AND THERE WE HAVE IT. A bold and courageous admission, MsInformation but tends to let the cat out of the bag …
it is all about money.
And misplaced entitlement.
You have just told us in plain language that The Voice is just the sharp end of the wedge that will be sought for an unspoken agenda of a treaty leading to reparations not mentioned in referendum literature.
Your words, not mine.
QUOTE: The argument against future treaty negotiations and reparations is based on assumptions and fears without considering the potential positive outcomes. The pursuit of a treaty and reparations is an opportunity to address historical injustices and build a more inclusive society.
MsInformation is using words like AIM and INTENTION supposed to fill us with confidence? This is all still smoke and mirrors to put more money into the pockets of a small group and leave the rest of Aboriginal Australians behind.
Remind us again how New Zealand is doing with their voice?? Now they are continuously fucked until someone has the balls to repeal it. Yep all about money not outcomes
Cuzzibro you need facts not just rumours
https://theconversation.com/australians-should-be-wary-of-scare-stories-comparing-the-voice-with-new-zealands-waitangi-tribunal-204676
Beliee itnor not, Dycky, The ‘Pie agrees with you. It is in fact, irrelevant, nothing to learn from different cultures. There is no principle.
To long. Executive Summary please.
Amusing news banner reads “Scientific body warns that AI could lead to the extinction of humanity” .
Growing up on a remote cattle station I understood AI to be the abbreviation for what the vet did to some selected cattle and pigs. Which had the opposite effect of extinction.
Artificial Insemination as opposed to Artificial Intelligence.
Indeed, and still plenty of artificial ideas being inseminated among various groups in society. But as you might remember Heel, not all ‘took’ and just ended up similar to a big fart.
Some things never change.
Yep! so true; and everyone is in favor of progress, provided it doesn’t include change!
Those that never “took” were and are still called Politicians!
Achilles, I can’t begin to imagine the results of the ambiguity.
I thought, as an artist and cartoonist “imagination” would be your Q Card.
budget deficit ballooning at Council… growing staff numbers to blame? time for another staff review or just a culling?
Irate rate payer, you have no idea what you talk about. I’d be looking at executive pay packets, use of consulting companies and contract management. Also cost of materials due to inflation and money spent of shit such as V8s, entertainment and unnecessary events.
Blue collar workers, admin staff engineers and tech and professional staff were culled without thought previously. The number of qualified, experienced technical and professional staff need to increase to deliver services properly again, but they need to hire qualified and experienced people. These people cost money and council pay peanuts to them and ridiculous money to useless executives.
and in breaking news… Townsville City Council installs a garden bed outside their Walker St offices…
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/2023/may/innovative-garden-space-opens-for-visitors
……..
Cr Soars said the garden was great to visit to enjoy the flora and fauna.
“The garden is open all year round to visit, with plants like rosemary and sage, butterfly bush and marigolds, and low grevillia attracting pollinators like bees, birds and butterflies,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful spot and I’d highly recommend making the time to see how successful the Ecosophy Garden is in supporting our native pollinators.
……..
IT’S A BLOODY GARDEN BED!
Hey, Jenny – you were on the news last night bagging out Adelaide and saying that their stadium would be half-empty for SOO. In fact, it was a capacity crowd of over 48,000 – way beyond the capacity of our toy stadium. You really are a goose.
Haven’t checked the precise figure, but the Total Tools SOO was 27,000, wasn’t it?
Poor Townsville, so hard to soar like an eagle when you’re stuck on the ground with turkeys.
The capacity of Adelaide Oval is 53,500. So while it was certainly a good crowd for a non-NRL state, it wasn’t capacity.
Sorry haven’t seen the crowd number, what was it?
Officially 48,613
Thanks. The AFL is laughing up its sleeve.
48,700 on the night. I’ve found out since capacity is 53,000
The US has threatened Australia with disassociation due to allegations of war crimes by a Special Forces unit in Afghanistan. Pots and Kettles comes to mind.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/31/us-warned-it-could-suspend-ties-with-australian-special-forces-over-war-allegations
Before claiming the moral high ground maybe they should look up My Lai? And the leniency given to Lieutenant William Calley Jr., and his mob of rapist, murderous thugs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre
And have the forgotten the reason they want Julian assange to face trial? For exposing their war crimes in a cowardly helicopter attack on innocent people.
They dealt with Calley appropriately (well, sort of) and we are dealing with our SF transgressors (well, sort of). All square.
Can’t agree that Calley and his thugs were dealt with “appropriately” he got 4 years of home detention then Pres Nixon pardoned him.
FFS. America goes into every other country and fucking kills people, millions of people in unnecessary wars, yet it wants to cut Australia loose over a few questionable killings. What hypocrites.
The US special forces were able to have clean hands in Afghanistan because the CIA was there doing all the really dirty work.
Wanna hear something funny? Mayor Mullet and her minions will be in an area called “The Brainery” at the Our Townsville event at Anderson Park next Sunday. Come on down and see what your councillor looks like, because you never actually see them in their division.
is there a poster or some visual of that ‘Brainery’ invitation? That’s pure gold for a satirical turn of mind.
If such there be, sent image to email hidden; JavaScript is required
When Mayor Mullet tells her conga-line councillors something is a ‘no brainer’, she isn’t lying.
I will try to get a photo of her in her purple doona standing under the brainery sign. That photo would be the gift that keeps on giving!
It appears Fran hasn’t been invited?
Here’s the programme including the “Brainery”
https://whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au/events/our-townsville-2023
Oh.
The ‘Pie was under the impression that there would be a ‘brainery’ tent for the mayor and councillors to greet and enlighten the public.
Well it does include an address by Townsville Funerals, which is the same realm some of these Councillors dwell in.
And then we have this
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGsmrCDkRShGpkQhxsgCsnWlqzm?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1
… but have a look at the last image. WTF.
Anyway overall, sounds like a harmless afternoon’s plod.
Ben Roberts Smith has just been found guilty of war crimes…
Hmmm, no he hasn’t, touch of a stretch, there, Gal – unless your making a cheeky prediction. This was a civil defamation ce brought by Roberts-Smith against media companies. On the face of it, the only decision today is that he wasn’t defamed, but the outcome was the result of very fine legal points – which R-S can appeal to the High Court. Refer to Magpie’s reply reply to Kirwan Joe.
Whats the betting that Ben Ben Roberts-Smith VC will soon be just Mr Ben Roberts-Smith or Prisoner No ……..?
Maybe but the outcome of today’s civil trial has no bearing or relevance to the investigations into alleged war crimes now underway. The judge’s damning findings in a civil trial will be noted by the criminal investigation that is on-going, but in and of itself, is not proof of anything. And it will be a while yet before we know where all that goes.
Judgement here.
https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2023/2023fca0555
Thanks.
I think I first heard it here, that BRS was a fool for launching this action, what would have probably been absorbed by the media cycle now has the Streisand effect.
Spot on … but then, let’s not lament for an apparent murderer who didn’t get away with it.
Surprised this hasn’t been mentioned in the comments section. Ewan Jones gets a run in the article.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/01/the-australia-of-australia-townsville-is-the-most-popular-destination-for-internal-migration
and the full details here
https://regionalaustralia.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Files/Regional%20Movers%20Index/Regional-Movers-Index-March-2023.pdf
Lots of interesting aspects of this article, which, if you don’t read it in the Guardian today, you will be able to catch it in tomorrow’s … or maybe next week sometime …. in the Daily Astonisher. A. great line from Ewen Jones, which when you read the article, is not hyerbole and makes clever sense: “Exactly what Australia is to the world, Townsville is to Australia.” We also learn that our population is finally teetering on the 200K mark … Townsville’s population was 198,577 as of June 2022, a 1.5% increase on the previous year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
But far more interesting for locals is the extensive rosy and positive remarks by deputy doodah Mark Molachino … not a single word or mention from Mayor Mullet. Hmmm, is that indicative that our mediahound is easing down and maybe out. Perhaps too much to hope for, but it is still way out of character for her not to be batting her lashes at the likes of the Guardian. Maybe she’s finally getting some advice from an old and trusted advisor … she ‘bumped into’ Dolan Hayes at the Legacy Breakfast this morning.
Don’t forget the impeccable business advice she is also getting from “rhymes with Dill”
Don’t know why anyone would think that Townsville being so dirt cheap to move to that it is attracting losers and bogans from far and wide is in any way a positive thing.
A tad unfair, and an extreme viewpoint, Cankers. The Nest for instance, may appear to be negative about Townsville, because that is often the nature of news and analysis,but there are many reasons why many remain here rather than do the Noosa Flit.
From my observations, bogans and losers tend to stay put.
They’re the type that are still doing at 50, what they were doing at 20. Same town, same (type of) job, same pub and same narrow attitudes.
Many (I’m not saying all) move their lives to another area to improve their lot, to chase the work/$$$ and are having a go.
Perhaps I am, and in amongst them there are bound to be at least a few winners, one would hope, but this uptick in people coming to Townsville hasn’t resulted in a lift in property values, building approvals or business confidence, the only thing still rising is rents and the list for social housing, which would indicate very few of them are arriving with a pocket full of cash ready to buy a home and make a life for themselves here.
Dare to dream. Is there any chance that other Councils will follow the lead of Broken Hill and refuse to pay for Welcome to Country?
Absolutely nailed by their mayor’s statement, “For me, a welcome has to be given for it to be truly a welcome, as opposed to a paid statement,” he said. “If you’re paying for something, you’re paying for a statement.”
I wonder what it is like to have a Mayor focused on positive outcomes for the City.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-02/broken-hill-city-council-ends-welcome-to-country-payments/102422570
As a very small out-of-town Community Association, we have run several events over the years where we would have liked to include a “Welcome to Country”. We were quoted over $3,000 (one x $3,600) – 3 times, so you can imagine, it never happened. And as that lady says “it’s been happening for years”, doesn’t make it right. And feeling the same as the Broke Hill Mayor, it (sadly) never will happen in our little neck of the woods.
Given our profligate mayor, it would be interesting to know how much we in Townsville have been stung by this scam of welcoming us to our own country.
I wonder how many of Broken Hill council contracts are legitimately awarded at arms length to non related parties. It’s all well and good to complain about stuff like this, but is the rest of your house in order?
Are you seriously putting that nonsense out there, mate? No wonder you’d never use your real name around here. That is truly juvenile. You should be reprimanded at the next ALP branch meeting.
Magpie, just because that council is currently doing something you agree with, doesn’t mean they are not doing something behind the scenes that you wouldn’t agree with if you knew about it. You should know from watching the goings on at TCC. PR stunts are often done to win approval when things are going to shit elsewhere that need distracting from
And vice versa, you tosser.
The Rotten Mullet with all her friends at the Legacy Breakfast this morning
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D4E22AQFjAe9PzY-gOw/feedshare-shrink_1280/0/1685594888329?e=1688601600&v=beta&t=MBUqfbRTvprV0YOaA7E3xjv4ji0pE7haUq-zmHt6vEM
“Lest we forget” what she has done to the town.
Talk about birds of a feather flocking together – the other bloke in the photo looks a lot like old mate Kevin “Rhymes With” Gill, who got the boot from Townsville Airport but still chairs Townsville Enterprise.
Unless they’ve changed the constitution he should be serving coffee down at Wishing Well House, not running the show.
I must say Dolan is starting to show his age. Too many long lunches, combined with stress from trying to make Jenny Hill look intelligent.
Love it. Jenny in the national news whinging about the lack of live music. Jenny most of the residents can afford a ticket to the live music becaue they are saving up for rates and insurance hikes. You out of touch fool
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-02/regional-queensland-misses-out-on-live-music/102414950
Yes, bitching about stadium music events that would never break even due distance all the while refusing to support the proposed and eminently thought out Townsville Performing Arts Centre. What a hypocrite.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.tpac.net.au/&ved=2ahUKEwimv9zIrKT_AhXGgFYBHdSuBjMQFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3mKbFNXaeOH7CuMY3Ovq1C
After reading this report, let’s hope that governments do something to correct identified deficiencies in the systems so that money gets to those who need it the most and real outcomes can be measured.
https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/national-indigenous-australians-agencys-management-provider-fraud-and-non-compliance
Who built Fairfield Central shopping centre? What a complete nightmare. Scam-cini I’m assuming. The traffic is so bad they’ve had to HIRE traffic controllers. Another planning FAIL from Mayor Müllet.
Never had a problem there.
You’re lucky then. No longer go there and changed medical services because of traffic and parking although some of the drivers need to be retested for their driving skills. Many drivers also need to be given lessons on being polite to other drivers and who can use disability parking spaces, particularly those spaces nearest to the grog shop.
The ‘Pie imagines if he went there often, he may find what you’ve found. Parking is always packed, sometimes a bit of a drive around.
C,
Comments noted. In my experience at the Rasmussen shops car park, and at the Mayfair shops in Manly West, where I reluctantly find myself at the moment, motorists are for the most part, polite and considerate. These bloody car parks are computer designed and theoretically work. In the real world two cars in opposite direction cannot negotiate a corner at the same time. In kicks the polite and considerate pause for the other driver, or a pause that you may proceed, all with a gentle wave of the hand.
Perhaps the angst of the Fairfield drivers is that, in the back of their minds is that they all, and their shopping center are just one really big king tide away from being flooded.
Or that Wulguru resident Les Walker is the other driver.
Wait for when we get big rain then the shit literally flows back out the toilets in the centre
Yes it is a Lancini development and he and his lawyer mate Col Harkness bent and pushed every rule possible to push Council into approving it. The original approval was for a suburban shopping centre like Vincent Village and that’s what the traffic and parking is designed for. But it has grown into the monstrosity it is. It’s a flood-prone, badly designed testament to developer greed and Council gutlessness.