And a very selective silence at that. Why was our mayor (Hannibal Hill?) conspicuously missing in action when JetStar flights from virus-stricken Melbourne started arriving in Townsville during the week? But at the same time, very prominent when making grandiose statements on state and national matters well beyond her remit as mayor. The ‘Pie pontificates.
A further thought on council ‘transparency’ – why isn’t the Ipswich financial transparency pledge legislated for ALL councils. And one Queensland mayor has broken new ground in taking his constituents into his confidence in an amazing plain language assessment of his council’s financial position.
And Dick by name, and Dick by nature … our one-eyed Queensland treasurer goes all limp when caught out simply making things up about why he won’t release the Stage 2 Burdekin pipeline money, further impeding Townsville’s economic recovery.
Stoned!! Americans are aghast at the latest move by The Trumpinzee who declares himself emperor by freeing his convicted pal from gaol.
But first …
Bordering On The Unbelievable
Police, volunteer firies and now the army … the unprecedented closure of the Victorian/NSW border is hard to comprehend in a country so accustomed to open roads, sunny vistas and hidden speed cameras.
But the lax response by crucial areas of the Victorian public has seen the dreaded corona virus re-emerge to force the issue, and now, the entire border is closed up tighter than a Mormon door-knocker’s tamper-proof undies. Queues of cars are sometimes several kilometres long, especially just south of Wodonga on the Hume Highway, the twin city to Albury on the north side of the mighty Murray. Bentley reckons some folks will be frustrated enough to … well, not so much fly under the radar as swim under it.
And this weekend, Premier Alphabet has opened Queensland borders to everyone except Victorians, who will continue to be turned back if they don’t meet the required criteria.
So Why ….?
But inexplicably, JetStar was allowed to start flights out of Melbourne again, including direct flights to Townsville. Most of the sparse number of passengers arriving here to the warm embrace of the local wallopers were shunted off unceremoniously to quarantine in the Sugar Shaker (Grand Chancellor Hotel if you want to impress your southern friends). The arrivals were transported in the back of a filthy paddy wagon.
All this has been under a blanket of secrecy about numbers, future flights and most importantly, the incomprehensible fact that the flights were allowed in the first place. No explanation was offered, and more significantly, was demanded, either by the mayor or by the Townsville Bulletin. Townsville’s remoteness has so far greatly contributed to its relative immunity from the virus, so allowing possible carriers back into the city seems incomprehensible, a clear danger to general our well-being and our economic recovery. If they had to be quarantined, why not wherever they were before they travelled.
It is the sort of situation where a concerned populace turn their eyes to the city’s leadership. As in Mayor Jenny Hill, who has been very vocal about the state government’s shabby treatment of Townsville businesses in this crisis.
But ever since the first flight landed a week ago, and through the subsequent flights, Mayor Mullet has remained conspicuously missing in action on this issue. This has bamboozled many who know our media hungry mayor would go to the opening of an envelope if it meant she could make a media statement about something. Here was an ideal opportunity to make a splash in the pages of the Astonisher, demanding answers from Premier Alphabet, showing indignation at the shabby treatment meted to returning citizens, thereby demonstrating she is indeed the Battler’s Boadica, and calming a nervous electorate.
So what did we get?
Not one single fucking dickybird. . It was the local equivalent of ScoMo holidaying in Hawaii while Australian was on fire, a truly outrageous non-response from our putative leader
Here’s A Possible Reason Why
The Australian last Tuesday.
So instead, we had the total tosh of Mayor Mullet lecturing her Labor Party hierarchy on selection criteria for future approved candidates (she says they must be pro mining.) It presumably didn’t occur to the Australian that as mayor, Jenny Hill has repudiated the Labor Party, although still retaining her life-long party membership, as is her personal right. But expressing such an opinion as the ‘independent’ mayor of a regional city is sleight-of-hand hypocrisy. If she was fair dinkum about being pro-mining, she should extend her exhortation to the LNP and all other parties … sorry, what? Oh, those parties already support mining? Hmmm, don’t tell us Our Jen is a closet NLP supporter.
More likely she is appeasing her Labor controllers down south, in a desperate bid to move up to a more lucrative position from which to hang her trotters over the edge of the trough. Well thanks for the ‘fuck you, Townsville’, Jen, you’re a gem.
And Another Thing …
The photograph raises another matter: anyone noticed that Mayor Mullet has heeded the none-too-gentle hints from the doona fanciers among Magpie readers, and has somewhat spruced herself and her wardrobe up since the election? The Magpie suspects with four more years locked in – unless the CCC or the forensic accident investigation coppers make a surprise intervention – her current infestation of Walker Street is widely tipped to be her lap of honour. That analysis (from a Labor Magpie mate no less) is borne out by this sudden swerve away from visually scaring the horses and little children. And the photograph has a tell-tale to the future … the specs make her look – she thinks anyway – more politically businesslike and a no-nonsense thruster for higher political office. Outside the council chambers, the ‘Pie cannot EVER recall her doing a photo op wearing glasses unless reading a speech. So maybe retirement to the Malta mansion will be on hold as she seeks the long-predicted Senate ticket, which Labor power brokers have so far denied her for being ‘unelectable outside local government and even lucky in that’ … their words, not The ‘Pie’s.
So we will need to be alert to wider implications of her decisions affecting us over the next couple years if she is indeed positioning herself to further kiss bum cheeks in the back rooms of Labor.
Gympie Mayor Bares All
Last week, we featured the new open policy of the reformed Ipswich Council, revealing all financial records and dealings, including councillor travel expenditure in real time, and publishing full meeting minutes showing how councillors voted on various issues. The ‘Pie asked why this new transparency isn’t legislated into the Local Government Act for ALL Queensland councils. (Quick, break out the smelling salts in Walker Street.)
New Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig
It now transpires that Gympie Regional Council has elected a new broom in the form of Mayor Glen Hartwig. And he has immediately taken transparency to a new level, by issuing this statement on his official FB page.
The plain language is just one of the most impressive aspects of Mayor Hartwig’s new era for his council. And his brutally honest pay-off line underlines his message. See more here.
Now just imagine if we could get a similar honest statement from our mayor, unfiltered by spin meisters and media mavens. Possibly not as dire as Mayor Hartwig’s, but we deserve a plain language update given the last turbulent few years. A highly-massaged budget overview isn’t really enough to instil confidence.
But folks, hope you’re not hanging by the left one waiting for that to happen.
Running Scared … Desperate Measures For Desperate Times
How deep in political doo-doos in the Palaszczuk Government with the electorate? Particularly their three Townsville seats? The following silly, easily called out stunt during the week gives a good indication. It started with this unexpected bit of kite-flying by Treasurer Cameron Dick.
From the Bulletin’s story:
The state has just spent as much as $200 million funding development of Haughton stage one and now is baulking at having the Federal Government’s funding released to complete stage two.
According to the office of Treasurer Cameron Dick, the Federal Government “must exempt this Project Agreement from GST calculations” because it “could cost Queenslanders $156 million in GST shortfall”.
It is understood the shortfall arises because the federal money could be counted as state revenue, reducing its GST allocation.
If there was no caveat regarding GST when the deal was done, and the state government at that time didn’t seek one (knowing that that would give Canberra a valid reason to drag their feet for years on what was hoped to be a vote winner for Palaszczuk), then she can’t suddenly demand such an advantage now. The issue didn’t arise during negotiations, so if this state government is so incompetent not to realise what conditions and caveats they want before signing, that would surely make them either dumb or devious.
But dumb and devious is just the start of it, because Dick’s $156million claim of a GST hit to Queensland now has been shown to be deliberately misleading. The official outlook from Canberra – which has the money ready to go – tells a different story, relayed here in the media release from Phillip Thompson’s office.
Just the last two paragraphs spell out the campaigning dishonesty. Not even a nice try, Treasurer Dick, which makes you a prize … what?
Just When You Thought The Bulletin Couldn’t Sink Lower
The paper has hit a new nadir of judgment and taste with this jarring front page.
A truly confronting story about the rape of a disabled woman could easily have been overlooked at a casual glance, and was hard enough reading in itself, but when this deeply offensive tragedy under a headline ‘Justice For Victim Of Vile Nursing Home Rape’ is relegated to an insignificant quarter of the front page so an advertisement can be splashed across the remainder, is a damning indictment of deplorable editorial judgment. Sure, if you must, give the front page over ads for a few measly dollars, as dictated by Sydney HQ, but in this instance, there is no excuse possible for this disgusting juxtaposition.
On a less serious note (except for the message it signals about the worth of delivering community news), surely it can’t be long before the paper becomes the Townsville Daily Harvey Norman. In what must certainly be a national deal brokered at News Corpse HQ on behalf of all News mastheads, it’s not just the front page ads displacing news stories.
Here’s a recent example. 20 full pages of Harvey Norman ads out of 72, more than a quarter of the paper’s pages.
Now no one can be judgmental about a paper trying to make a quid, but how that is done is a matter of legitimate criticism. At this rate, ‘interest free’ will increasingly apply to a paper bleeding readers and credibility at a rapid rate.
Someone In The Burdekin Can’t Count
Just to mention one of life’s little mysteries.
Ummm, five?
An Astonisher Scoop?
Fascinated by this story in the weekend Astonisher.
Particularly this bit.
Which prompted a regular reader to express some doubt about the paper’s accuracy (how bloody dare he?)
| Alahazbin 373 approved email hidden; JavaScript is required 101.177.4.128 |
Submitted on 2020/07/11 at 11:44 amToday I learnt from the Astonisher that there are schools in Townsville that I didn’t know existed. “National funds crisis forcing school cuts” Did you know there are schools at: Cape Cleveland, Castle Hill, Palleranda, Rowes Bay, Shelly Beach and Town Common. Well there might be a nudist school for adult males at Shelly Beach and another on Town Common in the form of a Detention Centre, but the rest, I don’t know. |
You don’t know, mate, and you can bet neither does the Education Department.
Cowboys Jeer Squad
Local footy fans are not in a forgiving mood just at the moment, with the Cowgirls turning in another knitting circle performance against the Chooks.
The ‘Pie is unreliably told that the Cowboys visited a local orphanage yesterday. It was a moving moment. ‘It was heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope,’ said six-year-old Tommy.
The Road To Where …?
During the week, The ‘Pie promised in comments to personally check on what on the face of it is some strange reasoning with the extension to Meehan Street Halifax Street, linking it up with the airport access road John Melton Black Drive.
It isn’t open yet, but some locals are wondering what the thinking behind it is going to be. It appears it will not be able to become a commuters’ ‘rat run’ bypassing Bundock Street, because there is no left turn when heading towards the airport. And cars travelling towards the city along Meehan Street cannot turn right into JMB Drive, and have to go to the airport, which will effectively be a dead end because once Meehan Street is finished, Halifax Street will be closed. But traffic out of the airport can turn right into Meehan Street. Be interested to hear what the rationale is, and why this isn’t some sort remote-controlled on-paper bureaucratic and very expensive cock-up of limited value.
Tweet of the Week
In his most brazen dictatorial edict yet, Donald Trump has elevated himself officially into rare company.
So Trump has freed a criminal of paying fair due for his crime, simply because he personally believes his mate was treated unfairly by the judiciary and laws that all other citizens must abide by. His action prompted this terse and to-the-point tweet.
To quote the glorious wordsmith Marina Hyde, when she was writing on another matter “It’s all overhung by a noxious pall so toxic it makes the Chernobyl exclusion zone seem like a visit to the Selfridges perfume counter.”
But Our Most Stable Genius Must Know What He’s Doing … Mustn’t He?
Trumps says he submitted to a cognitive test to counter arguments that he was going gaga (going?) Although no witnesses have come forward and no documentation offered, Trump says he ‘aced it”.
The wickedly funny Sarah Cooper, who uses Trump’s voice but vision of herself, looks at Trump’s self-evaluation and wonders what really went on.
And Barack Obama is sticking in the boot, according to the New Yorker’s Andy Borowitz.
And Borowitz has a karma-like take on Obama getting square with the Tangerine Terrorist for his demanding to see Obama’s birth certificate.
And others have been none to kind, either.
Finally, To Leave You With A Non-Partisan Smile ….
……………
Another week survived, sort of, and comments are leaning towards the looming state election. Read for the fun of them, and have your say if the moment moves you. And if that moment also moves you towards giving the blog a hand, you can also whack in a few much needed dollars to help The Magpie meet the running costs. The Donate button is below.
The airport road is already a rat run, despite the 40 zone and speed bumps that have presumably been added in the past to deter that behaviour. I suspect the new roadworks are meant to put an end to it once and for all.
The long-suffering residents of Halifax Street will probably be grateful for not having to endure hordes of cars idling outside their homes waiting to collect arriving passengers. The hordes will now either have to pay for parking (a boon for the airport) or wait in the free area off Wirraway Drive, safely always from any residences.
Poor bugger with the pushies will feel the pinch…
Grumps,I don’t know the family but have it on reliable authority the bike guy passed earlier this year. Vale.
Ah. That probably explains the “No more bikes” sign. Terrible shame. He was a feature for at least the last 20 years.
Yup, another of those little landmarks of Townsville individuality gone.
Steve, I agree with your assessment that the residents of Halifax Street will (justifiably) welcome the closure of the airport access at the end of their street. However, I wouldn’t consider Melton Black Drive exclusively a rat run as it is used by many commuters as a direct route to and from their various destinations. For example the many employees at the Detention Centre and Salvo’s diversionary centre. I assume 200 plus given the number of cars parked at the CYDC. There is also the various businesses that operate out of the old Hawker’s Hanger at the end of the airport.
I don’t believe that there would have been any increase to traffic numbers on Meehan Street if the new configuration had allowed non-airport traffic to use the road as all they have eliminated the loop around to Halifax Street.
For now that is… If you recall a month or so ago the Astonisher carried the story about a hotel being built on Melton Black Drive. Could you imagine trying to sell the idea to an hotel operator now. “Sure it has great access to the airport, but if any of your Northern bound guess want to arrive or depart the hotel, they’ll need to enter via Belgian Gardens and not use Northern entry to the airport”.
Yes, it’s only an inconvenient 10 minutes car ride, but it what makes or breaks hotel guess decisions making when deciding where to stay.
Finally, I’ll be still doing the “rat run” as part of my daily commute. I’ll only have to enter 50m into the airport and do a u-turn back the piss poor designed intersection.
I would like to know why it has not opened already? It has been practically completed for weeks now.
The letter sent to locals last November indicated an opening date of May 17 2020
It is my understanding that the residents of Halifax Street will not get much respite as all freight will go down there to a card operated gate to access QANTAS cargo et al
The issue that I see is the section of Meehnan St from Halifax to the new section. It is 50km/h limit with a bus stop. This section will need to be upgraded to meet 60km/h limit standards. It might even need the title changed from local to state road (I’m speculating there)
Either way seems all quiet on the job, maybe a lawn mowing contract to be got!
A bus stop?Just where is the bus going to go, or come from?
It is the airport stop. comes up Meenan St turns right on to Lockheed, then winds its way to the city
Then goes back the other way
That can’t be the airport stop, surely there are bus facilities at the left hand end of the terminal building. Otherwise – if you are saying it is THE bus stop for the airport – people have to drag their luggage a couple of blocks to use public transport. Don’t think so.)
yep, it is true. Regularly we see backpackers waiting for the bus in to town. You do know there is no Sunbus terminal at the airport?
No bus hub here.
It has always amazed me that the only options for transport out of TSV airport is private, and even the semi private bus service is a walk away
And this airport is managed by the man who is the board chairman of what is laughingly called Townsville’s peak tourism and investment body, Townsville Enterprise Limited.
Limited is certainly the word.
Thanks Magpie. Just read Philip Thompson’s handout re: funding. While living in Townsville for over fifty years, unfortunately we are in the wrong electorate to have seen this info. The Member for Manila rarely pokes his nose out of Mackay unless forced, even didn’t comment on the repurposing of the old DPI office conversion to a centre for helping ex Defence Force personnel. Even though it’s located in HIS Electorate. So frustrating!
The jury is still out for which party-parties are holding up the water works. Pie might be right but I’ll point my finger elsewhere until proven wrong. State delivered $225 million for stage 1. Council built it. Feds allocated $195 million for stage 2. Then we had to fight to overturn the Fed business case that supported stage 1 only is needed. Next Infrastructure Australia put a spoke in our long term water security wheel also saying stage 2 will be scrapped. Now this Grants Commission ardgy bardgy. Townsville City Deal signatories to intergovernmental collaboration over 15 years where are you? Both fed reps have recently confirmed with me, in writing, the $195 million for stage 2 is locked in. No mention of the GST rider. WFTAG admin have a meeting with George Christensen and Phillip Thompson July 21. I will advise the outcome on our site and here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1848054865416507/?ref=share
Thanks Linda, let’s see where all this goes … always informative to know that is behind when you are forced to ‘assume the position’, as we in Townsville are.
The Feds explanation should be verifiable, shouldn’t it? Especially about Dick’s claim – ridiculous on the face of it – of a single injection of $195m would cost $156m in GST …. unless the GST rate has suddenly shot up 85%. So The ‘Pie will stick by his analysis, but a serious (non-loaded) question you may be able to answer. That report that ditched stage 2 … was that an independent study, or made by the government itself against its roster of priorities?
Mr Magpie, when you mention the GST rate (“unless the GST rate has suddenly shot up 85%”), you seem to imply that this has something to do with the 10% GST on transactions. I believe it’s actually about a federal impost at the other end. When the Commonwealth is divvying up the GST pie for disbursement to each of the states there is a formula. One of the ‘flexible’ parts of the formula can be that if the Commonwealth has made some contribution to the state that might be income producing for the state then the Commonwealth can declare that the amount of GST money being given to that state will be reduced by that (or some) amount. It seems that in the case of the pipeline and maybe the stadium (that doesn’t seem to be clear) the Commonwealth contribution will be deducted from the GST grant money coming to Queensland – in other words it isn’t a grant to Townsville for the pipeline at all because ultimately Queensland taxpayers will be paying for Stage2 after all. All this money is flowing in our direction under the City Deal. It seems that the negotiations about the GST thing is only happening now, not 12-18 months ago when the Commonwealth was talking about it.
That being the case, the words horses, bolted, stables door come to mind. And the person who failed to close the stable door is the Queensland government.
And the core fact of The ‘Pie’s view was that Cameron Dick tried some clunky campaigning deceptive sleight of hand when clearly indicated that he was not signing off on giving us the stage 2 money because doing so would, in and of itself, cost the state $156m. As the Feds point out, that’s an impossible figure to even approximate because of timing, but so much would involve all projects Canberra contributes to. Which no one has indicated is on the cards – except you in your mention of the stadium.
Which no one has indicated is on the cards . . . except that seems to be exactly what Linda Ashton is talking about. I might be mistaken here but what I am seeing is Cameron Dick’s “clunky campaigning deceptive sleight of hand” has turned up now, in mid-2020, because this is the first mention that the Commonwealth has made of its intention to treat the Stage2 pipeline money as ‘state revenue’ and therefore causing a deduction in GST payments. Up until now it appeared that the Commonwealth City Deal money was coming straight to Townsville – just as the stadium money did – without any impost on Queensland. You think that the GST impost thing was the plan all along. That’s why I keep pointing out that the City Deal money for the stadium didn’t get treated this way so why would the City Deal money for the pipeline be any different?
The short answer to that ramble down Hypothesis High Street is spelt out in the explanatory reply from Thompson’s office. GST applies to Federal money used by states to build money-making infrastructure … and if you don’t believe HPStage 2 is money-making, check your next water bill, we are continually told that such invoices are for infrastructure costs not the water itself. But they’d have a hard time imposing GST on the stadium money … show me one stadium – probably anywhere in the world, let alone Australia – that actually makes money in the free enterprise commercial sense. Stadiums are the beads and blankets …. Juvenal’s ‘bread and circuses’ … to catch votes in the first place, but have now evolved to the plain where they cannot be eliminated from the government books, it would be a social impossibility. They are all money sink holes. Even the tired old argument that they attract tourist dollars doesn’t stack up in today’s economy.
BIG PS ECQ: Please be accurate as to whom you are replying in your submitted comments. In this instance, you replied to yourself, which given your ponderous mauderings, you may well have been talking to yourself, but it makes context difficult to correct your incomprehension of reality (and expose your Labor campaigning dog whistling).
Mr Magpie, two things: you can see from your last comment that there is no ‘reply’ button beneath it. I simply clicked on the most recent reply button available.
Secondly, in the press release from Philip Thompson there is this statement:
“Projects in the South East corner as well as our pipeline and stadium will be a source of income for the Queensland State government into the future.”
This suggests that the pipeline Stage2 and stadium funding are being treated exactly the same way – promised by Canberra but funded by Queensland.
(Sigh) … as noted in The ‘Pie’s previous comment, the Feds would have an easily defeated argument on their hands if they include the stadium as a money making enterprise. And it appears you have a problem your end re replies, and one suspects it is a loose nut on the keyboard …. because your comment in question was clearly marked ‘in reply to ECQ’. So you must have a reply facility.
And Philip Thompson’s statement? The stadium and Stage2 funding? Cameron might be a Dick but I reckon he’s being dudded and therefore we are too.
The original point that started all this was that Cameron Dick was at best deceptive at best, outright lying at worst lying about the pipeline deal costing Queensland $156m in GST … which, being so easily disproved, is dopey as well as deceptive. That remains the fact, that even you in your boostering enthusiasm have not disputed.
And in the end, it is all taxpayers money, from all Australians.
You have become tedious, so this is the end of this thread.
That is deliberately confusing. Consequently the electorate gets weary of the issue and the end result is no opposition and the pollies get away with dudding the voters once again. Yawn.
Further to the comment regarding the commercial passenger flights arriving from Melbourne, four single seat war birds were banned from flying on Anzac Day yet our illustrious premier Ms Palaszczuk allowed the flight/s to land in Townsville where the disease is under control.
All she had to do is close the gate just south of Rockhampton and we in the North could have been opened up completely a month ago and let people get on with their lives but for some unknown reason only known to herself she wont. If we haven’t got the virus we cant catch it from any one unless it is re introduced by people arriving from a rampant virus infected location.
As with us all, our dear mayor is getting on in years and obviously her failing eyesight is catching up with her. She now has to wear glasses, though probably not for appearances sake (though a good choice in frames). Maybe for driver-licence sake.
Bit late for the last one.
It’s never too late to comment on the Mullet’s specky new eyeware. Only yesterday, even the ‘Pie could not help but remark on her new fashion statement, noting that her use of the specs previously had been for reading (from media releases). So it would appear our mayor has graduated from the occasional use of ‘readers’ to using ‘distance’ specs full time. I have been down this road too and now must wear ‘distance’ glasses for driving – amazing what I can now see from behind the wheel!
So my topical and contemporary comment still stands.
4 months out from the State election and a Labor Premier has a 11 point plan to get Queensland moving just not our current Premier but Peter Beattie who agrees with the LNP on the Bradfield Scheme . After Cameron Dicks bumbling performance on the Today show with Karl Stefanovic when he couldnt answer what you would consider important questions when you are committing $300 mil in State Govt funding like , how much debt does Virgin have ? whats their operating costs yearly how could you believe any financial statements from the Dick . Regarding Mayor Mullets lack of involvement on Victorian flights , with two marginal seats Townsville and Mundingburra and Aaron Harpers rants and lack of ability to control crime in his electorate the Mullet would have a Caveat not to embarrass the three sitting State MP,s anymore than they already are .
Interesting drive yesterday afternoon! I drove my wife to one of her friends birthday party yesterday about 5:10 pm as we were driving along Woolcock St turning into Kings Rd there was a indigenous youth about 16/18 jumping in front of cars on Woolcock st to get them to stop(presumably trying to hijack one) he was a very lucky lad as one car was going through green light at a fair speed when he jumped in front of it with his arms in air shouting, the driver swerved and just missed him but when he moved sideways another car nearby hit him so he is one lucky boy.
When I returned after dropping my wife off he was in Hyde Park carpark walking up and down, most probably drunk or high this would of been very distressing to those motorists going through those lights ( in daylight time)
After all the happenings in Town this week with multiple events pulling guns and stabbing people and this today makes me think this Government has lost total control of the youth crime in our city, i have lived here all my life (68 yrs) and we have always had a reasonably safe city but not anymore, I would have second thoughts about letting my wife drive in town at moment without me in car, surely we cannot vote these 3 mp’s who have not done their jobs fixing this and many other problems here, Enough is enough! surely we have to change this time to see if the other mob can repair the damage to our city.
Crimes such as domestic violence, car jacking, insane driving and idiotic robberies are not actions by anyone resembling a sane state of mind. The efforts over the years of attempting to control this behaviour with punitive incarceration has failed dismally.
Extreme retribution like capital punishment has failed also. The USA should be the safest country on the planet.
We should possiby look at some crimes as mental health issues and treat offenders accordingly.
90% of all crimes are committed by the same 10% of our community. With 20% of our community requiring mental health intervention during their lives is it not about time that the link was at last accepted as likely causation.
All those employed at our detention centres are aware that their job description now includes mental nurse but the training is all ON THE JOB.
Talk about blindly ignorant, most of these people do not have mental health issues, they have I am a putrid human being and don’t care about anyone else issues, bought on mainly by a pissweek society that has failed to enforce consequences from their earliest age. Incarceration has not failed, it keeps these low life’s away from society, unfortunately the incarceration is too short and too easy to have any lasting residual effects that would act as a deterrent in the future. If Australia wants to spend money on infrastructure, some big jails to house these dregs in to a very basic level would be a great start, but we all know the pissweek bunch we have become won’t do that, so we get what we deserve I guess.
I am inclined to agree with Cbh.
If you get involved with mental health issues you will soon discover that there is a totally inadequate infrastructure to handle the problem. The problem has grown totally out of proportion with Ice and similar drugs now cheaper than alcohol. The legal definition of mental health being an issue in a crime is whether the offender realised that their actions was illegal. That they still did the crime is an interesting outcome. The concept of being caught and punished does not come into the reasoning.
Talk to the prison staff and get their opinion on this. We are presently on a path of having more of our population being incarcerated and learning in that time perfecting criminal craft. This is the USA situation and that has worked well, hasn’t it.
What a load of crap. Your whole self-serving, highly selective and idiotic hypothesis doesn’t stand up to the most cursory examination. All you seem to be trying to argue that all wrong doing is mental illness. And you clearly have absolutely no regard for the victims of the crime.
Try Facebook, better suited to your style of blather.
Of course, to be absolutely clear, of course the roundabout should be referred to as the ” Five Ways Rd – Kelly Rd – Ivory Rd, Airville; Kidd Rd, Brandon roundabout”. Since the Five Ways Road goes nowhere in particular , the five ways must refer to the ways in which travellers traversed it – horse and cart, penny farthing bike, Shank’s pony, or whatever. Still, good for a laugh, and congratulations to the sharp-eyed wit who picked it up for our delight and delectation.
Err … thank you.
You silver tongue devil, Mike !
The Mullet is truly pathetic. She is happy to be a big talker during the earlier pandemic issues but when a Jetstar flight arrives from a pandemic hotspot she turns into a secret squirrel. Typical gutless politician who doesn’t have the cahonies to either take a stand, or at the very least, provide an update or a comment to the residents. Pathetic leader.
The Queensland Treasurer is an idiot. Spending our taxpayer money on a poorly run disaster of an airline. An airline which has still retained its useless CEO and Board Chair. The Treasurer can’t answer simple questions, provide data to back up the return-on-investment details, nothing!!!! What wanker would spend $200m on a whim??? These people are just unbelievable!
As a publicly spirited citizen why didn’t you call the cops? Then they could book you for using your mobile while driving, and the drongo could slink away, to cause mayhem elsewhere,
I see Ms Shane Sutton (partner of one Stephen Beckett) is now the Acting Lead – Intergovernmental Relations for the LGAQ. Not jobs for the boys anymore, jobs for the girls
Well, guess we shouldn’t be surprised, Greg ‘Pizza The Hutt’ Hallam was greasing Mooney during his time in Townsville, and Sutton was a Labor councillor in Brisbane. Mayor Mullet, LGAQ board member no doubt had a word in Hallam’s booze-bloomed little pink ear.
She is also on the Qld Govt enquiry into how the Qld Govt handled the pandemic economically, along with Hallam, what a fucken farce that is, Labor lackeys galore except for a couple of genuine economists.
While The ‘Pie takes and agrees generally with you comment, Cankers, a query. ‘Genuine economists’? Yet to meet one.
Bulletin online is reporting 2 “new” covid-19 cases in Townsville. Can’t read the story as I don’t have a subscription. Hope this isn’t a result of the Jetstar flights direct from Melbourne.
Nah Fly, it’s a couple of grunts who have rotated back from overseas, their base is Townsville.
The Bully story was a beat up. The soldiers aren’t even in Townsville, but because they have a Townsville post code, they are counted as cases here.
A mate of mine returned from Covid City (aka Melbourne) about a week ago and whilst he didn’t take his regular non stop Melb TSV direct flight he said he was appalled at the complete lack of screening and social distancing on the Virgin Flights.
He had spent most of his time in Geelong as his Father had recently passed away but still had to transit thru Melb to get to Tullarmarine to catch his flight.
Its simple
The Melbourne government wants the rest of Australia to get sick so they don’t look so bad
As the numbers climb they smile , open their palms, smile and say… see ? We all have it now.
Its been a deliberate action because they have consistently broken protocol over and over again. The quarantine needs to be isolating melbourne and other consistent hotspots.
You really are a fuckwit Guy. Occasionally you say something partly worthy, then you slip into your Captain Conspiracy suit and blow it out your arse. Everyone knows Covid19 was started by Les Tyrell and the Thuringia council back in the 90’s and 00’s. However you were the one that started The Stupid Virus.
You mean Thuringowa had a virological laboritary? Wow!
Guy, you are an idiot. Have you got your tinfoil hat on? Are you at Peter Newy’s place smoking a few spliffs? Although Governments are generally inept, deliberately infecting the rest of Australia is a ludicrous train of thought. Not even someone as daft as Premier Jugears would think up that plan.
First time: happenchance
Second time : coincidence
Third time: confirmed enemy action
Get help.
https://inqld.com.au/business/2020/07/10/adani-ceo-quits-with-mine-still-a-year-away-and-legal-battles-to-come/
It appears the Pie is an influencer around town as Sunday’s blog pushed Mayor Mullet to make a comment in the media last night on COVID —19 security . Talk about the saying “ lipstick on a pig “ the Mullet on Channel 7 , resplendent in her new outfit and glasses opened her mouth and said “ we need to be vigilante on security because the last time Townsville had a virus case was when Jesus played fallback for Jerusalem “ . Coincidentally , that’s about the same period the Mullet operated an open and transparent Council and didn’t spend rate payers time on the Labor party .
She also said: “By the way, if you’re from Victoria you’re not welcome”……but isn’t she from Victoria?
Possibly a coded message to her brother.
Yes Pie, to the loving brother who said she could not be trusted!
Factual letter by Barry Lowe in the rag this morning, regarding the funding allocation for Stage 2 of the pipeline, I wonder if private Cupcake will take up the challenge, he probably won’t as his leader Anna didn’t even know the rate of the GST when asked by a journalist some time back. He is only interested in getting photo shoots at the Stadium, yes the same Stadium that would not have proceeded without Federal monies.
Tradie I read the well researched letter but still could not work out whether the allocation of GST funding to Queensland will be reduced as a result of the determination, by the Grants Commission, that the Commonwealth funding for Stage2 of the pipeline will be treated as “state revenue”. Barry Lowe says the Federal Government has no power to deduct or withhold any funds from the state’s GST allocation but this is the opposite of what local member Philip Thompson says in his pamphlet published in this story. Can you work it out?
I’ll tell you what Not the ECQ, did you notice in the Barry Lowe’s letter that he actually rang Scott Stewart who backtracked and came up with nothing, as I am not the member I suggest that you give him a call, he is very receptive to honest peoples concerns. His office number is 07 47252066. Regards.
So that’s a ‘no’. You can’t work it out either. If it turns out that the Commonwealth’s $100m contribution for the stadium will now similarly be counted as ‘state revenue’ because, as Phillip Thompson’s pamphlet says, it will be a source of revenue for the state government into the future, then I think Townsville has been treated to a sleight-of-hand. That’s where Barry Lowe didn’t go, either because he can’t see it or hadn’t thought to look.
hahahaha … an excellent example of Labor economics, there, sport … please let us all know when the stadium, or any stadium for that matter, makes money, will you? Then the pink pigs can fall into landing formation.
It’s Liberal ‘economics’ actually. The claim is made in his pamphlet by the member for Herbert, not me.
The Queensland Government would’ve claimed that Total Tools Stadium would make money, so worth a Federal donation. Feds probably laughing up their sleeve right now.
Are the bookies ever wrong?
https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/politics/queensland-politics/next-qld-election-sworn-in-government-3776049
How snide is this, Bulletin? What’s the relevance of WHERE this bloke works? Under other circumstances, he would just be described as ‘electrician’, who committed an offence outside working hours and in private time. Click bait crap …again.
…and this is just insulting. Are we going have tasting at a special brunch at The ‘Ville to find a winner? Bring your own tomato sauce.
Yes where he works should not be mentioned unless it is mentioned for everyone that commits and offence.
On another note, why do all of these offences have no conviction recorded?
Not all of them do, but the beak always takes into account the nature and severity of the of the offence, the defendant’s history and what may be an unfair drawback on future job prospects, international travel etc. It’s a fair system, because when it comes to traffic offences, one size does not fit all, circumstances and seriousness always come into play.
But Pie! They didn’t get a photo of him.
It’s a disgrace that this blokes place of work has been identified. He fucked up, fair enough, but to name his workplace is completely fucked. I hope the reporter gets genital herpes and the poo jogger tips a bucket of raw shit on him/her.
It’s the headline writer, mate, not the reporter who can only report what is said in court. And while verbatim court reports would be impossible if for space alone let alone anything else, selective self censoring is the start of a slippery slope which the Astonisher is getting close to bottom in policy. But saying in the story something like … as the reporter did … ‘so-and-so, an electrician with the TCC’, is perfectly OK.
Many apologies my feathered friend. I am uneducated in the running of a Newspaper, particularly one as reputable as the Bullshittin. Please accept my humble apologies by way of a free 2021 Calendar featuring a photo of The Mullet on every calendar month. Cheers
Don’t carry on like a pork chop.
This is a story much occupying American sports fans at the moment.
One of the more humorous responses to the general outcry is this email sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after he had written a story on the matter.
Dear Mr. Page: I agree with our Native American population. I am
highly jilted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins.
One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native
Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be
careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and
courtesy, we must move forward.
Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the
Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the
reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get
rid of the Cleveland Browns.
The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of
militant Blacks from the 60’s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to us white
folk.
The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a
team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference
to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men’s lives. I
am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion
among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New
Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.
Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and
pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the
Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh
Pirates!
Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message
to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting
or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.
The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a
growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children. The
Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our
children.
The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message
to our children.
So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out
to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become
involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the
do-nothing Congress loves.
As a die-hard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in
mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the
Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the
Beavers (especially when they play Southern California. Do we really
want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???
I always love your articles and I generally agree with them. As for
the Redskins name I would suggest they change the name to the
“Foreskins” to better represent their community, paying tribute to the
dick heads in Washington DC.
This is pretty stupid. The team name is a slur, none of the other examples are.
No surprise here, you demonstrate the two things zealots lack – a sense of proportion and a sense of humour. You poor mutt, Steve, your life’s self-appointed quest of being offended on everybody else’s behalf must be tiring on the buttocks, continually clenching and flinching at every perceived slight.
Pie, I think that maybe I’ve seen Steve, hanging around the Belgian Gardens Laundromat Muttering away to himself!
In his state of delusion he was muttering, Quintilius Varus, give me back my legions!
You all right, mate?
For that post to be funny it would have to hit some kind of target, but it doesn’t unless you have an IQ in the range of room temperature. “Giants promotes obesity”? I’m offended on behalf of good satire.
QED The ‘Pie’s previous comment.
You must be popular at parties Steve, right up there with the annoying bastard who sits on the esky all night.
There’s only one party involving our Steve.
What hope for the NZ All Blacks.
Yeah, see your merry jest. But in fact, unless the outrage industry has appropriate colours now, they will find that the name refers to their team strip … which to The ‘Pie’s knowledge has never changed and does not have alternative strips like other teams.
There’s always Kiwi boot polish, could go hand in hand with Coon Cheese to inflame the nethers of the Waloon potter.
????
I too was appalled at Jenny Hill’s “since Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem” wisecrack about covid-19 in Townsville.
It was the sort of comment that you’d expect from a drunken bogan, and sent a message that its ok to party on in Townsville.
Typically she made her mandatory three or four nightly appearances on Ch 7 news, taking credit for the Horn fight, V8 Supercars and any other bandwagon she can jump on, but goes missing on her pipeline to nowhere and the direct flights from Melbourne.
Speaking of the V8s and the Horn fight, does anyone know just how much ratepayers money has been given to the promoters of these two events to get them to Townsville?
Sue Blom, are you still out there or has Jenny covered your mouth with masking tape?
Bogan is as Bogan does …. but not booze, too much red cordial.
The Astonisher ran with this story today, over an hour to get a taxi at Townsville airport yesterday afternoon at 2.30 pm, and no Uber .
Townsville Taxis are in administration and 13 CABS have taken over, and have experienced some comms teething issues
Townsville Taxi local Call centre has closed and calls go to Melbourne, and as you can expect the call centre people don’t know the suburbs / key pick
up areas
i made 5 attempts to get an UBER and there no cars available
Finally after getting a Taxi the person who leased a few taxis explained the Townsville Taxis -13 CABS changeover was always going to have some teething problems, but when isolation hit many
drivers went on Jobstart / Jobkeeper, meaning they simply have Taxis in
Townsville sitting in yards but no drivers
Checkered Taxis have 14 taxis and are also looking for drivers
No Ubers around either, possibly due to Jobstart / Jobkeeper.
Apparently same issues Thursday night after the Cowboys game and on the
weekend.
Must have been lucky when we came back from Brisbane last week – there were at least a dozen taxis in the rank, so we didn’t have to wait.
wouldn’t this be an opportunity for people to find work in townsville ???
Given the roller-coaster economy here people could be encouraged to find work in these kinds of ways perhaps?
Doing taxi work would still bring in vastly more money than sitting on the dole i suppose.
Country pub bar brawls are about to get a lot less interesting, but ER treatment of paper cuts expected to dramatically increase.
JW is best used as a drain cleaner or weed killer so new packaging would seem appropriate.
Also in our Fearless Leaded Jenny’s speech on Ch7 news was the statement and we don’t want any Victorian’s to come to TVille!! WTF? her big mouth is going to help us in the future when the borders are open again even if you thought it you wouldn’t embarrass your city that you are the leader of ,Victorians are gunna say don’t go to Townsville they don’t want us there, what a complete fool this Mayor is and I wonder if the Australian newspaper would want to interview her again, also her script writer he couldn’t write a script to amuse a 2 yr old.
Well if anybody should be prevented from coming to Townsville it’s got to be the Mullet. Please Mr Hallam, send her on an ollie jollie to COVID City (Melbourne) so we can keep her out! I will personally pack her bag which will consist of; brylcream, 1 x pink doona, 1 x reading glasses, 1 x pair of granny undies. That will keep her going for 12 months!
Canterbury-Bulldogs coach has been marched this morning. I wonder how far away the axe might be from the Cows coach now………
Hey plucked the right info is they won’t sack Green this season because they don’t have the money to pay him out, but after the season review it might be a different story
Makes sense Ghost; they’re busted arse broke and losing badly, so might as well stick with him!
Paul Green first stint in Townsville back in the 90’s didn’t end well with the Cowboys sacking him midway through the season. It ended in court with Green winning an out-of-court settlement against the club.
No doubt this current situation will not end well either.
Saw a VIC registered car today. VIC, for the time being, should change their rego plate logo.
VIC the place to be
“I don’t think so.”
Well, no actually, it’s right. That’s the place we want them to be.
So Aaron Harper has reported Troy Thompson’s “ Aaron Harper King of Crime “ signs going up in Thuringowa to the electoral commission . Based on the fact Kirwan seems to have the highest crime in Townsville and Aaron has little or nothing the ruling will be interesting . With 4 more years to go , I don’t think the Mullet cares what anyone thinks and will simply do what she wants .
The ruling is actually in the story … not the ECQ’s problem, refer to police.
And it’s worth noting that in his spluttering of indignation, Harpic made absolutely no mention of crime spiralling out of control on his watch, and instead puffed himself up by saying it was ironic the signs appeared on a road for which he had secured upgrade money. Yes, Aaron, good of you to create better roads for these out control little bastards can better enjoy their stolen cars.
Harpic reminds me of the Great Orange Ejit – incredibly thin skinned.
How long before the little snots knock off this one for a few wheelies. Looks like an actual invitation.
Strewth, what a crock of shit! Some people are out of touch with reality, and these are the same people who are meant to fix the ongoing indigenous juvenile crime spree. No wonder the success rate is as it is.
A car in those colors certainly won’t decrease the crime rate, the crims will see it coming for a km off and possible off quick. It’s just another example of a waste of money by this government to appease the do-gooders. Mate reckons it’s an attempt by the ALP and Harpic to remind them about how they are being protected from harsher anti crime measures of any LNP government and to get their vote in October, but of fuzzy logic but he might be right.
Seems the Townsville Turf Club have banned children from entering the members stand.
A member took her 4 year old grandson to the first meeting that allowed the public in. Upon entering the members stand a security guard stopped her from taking the lad in. The explanation from a Turf Club official was that “children are not allowed”. Even though he attended with his grandmother several times before. The child was rather perplexed also and told the woman from the turf club that he is allowed entry at Eagle Farm, Rosehill and Randwick.
Looking forward to a suitable reason from the Turf Club.
It appears that the AFL are contemplating moving a large portion of the competition to Qld for the next couple of months.
Just image what could have been, if only that $285m stadium was build to accommodate an oval field rather than a rectangle.
Tony Ireland Stadium is big enough for aerial ping pong up here.
Re:In Hindsight, I agree many of people said it should of been oval shape with retractable seats to make it rectangular. Think international cricket under lights, AFL, NRl, Union, soccer plus money making event like music, nitro circus ect. list goes on. international stadium with lighting sufficient for TV prime time. Let alone as Magpie state put a roof even retractable on it and imagine potential..
At the moment, I’d rather spend my money on a game of AFL than the woeful Cowboys.
One of these on the top of Castle Hill would ‘put Townsville on the map.’
A long drop model above the Saint would keep construction costs down.
I am happy for the Mullet to take the credit for this brilliant brain fart.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-15/loo-with-a-view-planned-for-table-cape-tasmania/12456894
I see the spin merchants are at it again, trying to suck in the gullible masses of Townsville to build houses out on the fringes so a new generation can do their arses like the ones before, trapped in debt and negative equity for who knows how long, just disgraceful.
Umm, should the new settlers buy/build somewhere else in Townsville, buy in another town or not buy at all? The town is growing, interest rates are low, prices are down, surely it’s a buyers’ market? (Yeah, I know, what could go wrong?)
Preferably they should buy in another town, Townsville has a disgraceful history in regards to real estate gains. They need to understand the shackles of negative equity and how it works, what the implications are and how it will effect them for many many years. The real issue here is inflated construction contracts on sub standard investments that aren’t scrutinised sufficiently by lenders the same way an existing property is, I know as I used to audit loan applications, the industry is rife with it. You have property constructed in 2010 in Townsville still worth 20-30% less than when it was built, they would be better off renting in Townsville if they want to live here and buying a property in a capital city.
Cantankerous those 2010 houses now worth 20%-30% less would seem ideal places to get into the market? Not for the original owner maybe. Not sure a lot of new settlers can afford to rent here and invest elsewhere at the same time.
Excellent opportunity, if you believe that property prices are actually going to recover.
I made the mistake of buying into the market back in 2011, at the time it seemed we had reached the bottom, how wrong I was.
My property has only recently recovered to a similar value in 2020, 0% growth in 10 years. At least I’m not stuck with negative equity now, like I was for about 5 years. It did cost me opportunities during that time, a real rock around my neck.
Hindsight is 20/20, but I’d suggest this property boom is a short term sugar hit driven by the current incentives, and when they end the market will normalise back down to previous levels and not recover for several years.
What this town needs is some actual leadership to attract investment and jobs, but I won’t hold my breath for that or property prices to increase any time soon.
Lenders are still being quite conservative- if the numbers aren’t stacking up, they won’t give you a loan for a new home.
Mr Magpie,
News news in Crikey that you probably won’t read in the Astonisher (you might need to copy/paste into your browser):
Print plants close as News tabloids go the full bastard
Not the Townsville Bulletin. This from an Independent Australia story:
“Three newspapers in Sydney, the Wentworth Courier, Mosman Daily and the North Shore Times, will come out of temporary closure to resume print operations. The News Corp metropolitan mastheads will stay in print, along with some of the regional or community papers, such as the Townsville Bulletin”.
I received an update regarding the old Transit Centre.
Word is that the council did not drop out of the contract, but the owners got the shits with all the extra’s and requirements of council and cancelled it.
They wanted it all for free.
Sorry, bit ambiguous … who wanted it all for free, owners or TCC?
TCC kept asking for more and more, the owner finally had enough, he was surprised to see it reported as the council walking away, they were told to fuck off!
Council wanted everything free
Who is the owner? Local?
Wasn’t it the Nazi Propaganda Minister who said it was important to control the flow of information? Council leaking the “we walked away” story is much less damaging than “we were told to fuck off”.
I see that the Community Recovery Centre seems to have packed up its bags and gone elsewhere (or folded its tents for good) from the TCC Annex.
Townsville got the white elephant Stadium, Cairns is getting something useful, a refurbished and expanded world class convention centre.
https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/cairns-convention-centre-expansion-project-shares-design-highlights/
Indeed, as reported here on several occasions. Certainly do not begrudge Cairns its better political and lobbying management, but we should weep at the lost opportunities and the total lack of a coherent vision of the past decade in Townsville. And as you will see in this weekend’s blog, it’s more of the same old same old. Around here, it’s not the humidity, it’s the stupidity.
Spot on Pie, the biggest difference between Townsville and Cairns is Attitude.
The default for Townsville leaders is being adversarial and aggressive.
Government decision makers and industry are sick of it.
Why would you want work with people who argue, lecture and whinge. When you can head a few hours North and engage with nice people who are welcoming of new people, ideas and investment.
And apparently people who don’t have a total mendicant mindset.
Townsville Bulletin finally published an “update” today on Jenny Hill’s collision that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.
Apparently the police are still trying to work out what happened, despite the CCTV evidence from the nearby Maccas restaurant.
For those who are convinced the mayor was not to blame, if that is the case why the delay in announcing it?
Could political interference be at play here?
Second guessing the cops is never a generally profitable business, but to laymen, the delay seems very questionable, which leaves open two suggestions that will be the inevitable and unavoidable speculation: your theory of political ‘leaning’ (only on timelines, certainly not outcomes), or we have a woefully ponderous, inefficient and possibly inept bureaucracy running forensics. There is also the possibility that the likely outcome is going to be have such ramifications that they are triple checking everything.
An ex co-worker of mine was involved in a car accident 2 years ago. Not their fault but 2 not at fault either people died. A third vehicle was at fault allegedly. Still no news on charges or such. Half a dozen witnesses as well.
These things take time. There is no conspiracy. Mrs Hill is innocent unless proven otherwise. Afford her the same rights as you would expect. To do otherwise shows up your character not hers.
Dear One Too Many, it is quite reasonable to inquire into the delay of a far less complex matter than the one you so conveniently pluck out of the air to bolster your totally incorrect comment. And it is most certainly reasonable to make such inquiries when the person in question is a person we look to for leadership (albeit in vain), and to represent our community.And please go back though comments and the blog and point out to The ‘Pie where he or anyone else said the mayor was at fault, or the guilty party.
And fair dinkum, you are a two-faced dill, incorrectly suggesting those on this blog have placed blame on the mayor, but your pompous, empty virtue signalling falls over with the clunk when you do precisely that … ‘A third vehicle was at fault allegedly’. Isn’t the party in charge of the third car entitled to be presumed innocent unless proven otherwise? Not by you, it would seem, ‘allegedly’ means nothing in this context.
If you’re going to comment here, lay off the fucking sauce.
The Astonisher website is saying that the police can’t get ready for court on that case of the mother’s manslaughter of her two little kids in Cranbrook because even after more than 12 months they still haven’t managed to transcribe the interviews.
Perhaps it is as you suggest just incompetence.
Perhaps the accident is the reason Sargent Hill now wears glasses? Fucking amazing how there has been other accidents around Australia in the past two weeks where little children and multiple people have died and the cops have pressed charges because they completed their investigations quickly. Yet our mayor in Townsville gets involved in an accident and it takes months and months and months………..
The cash deprived desperate Hill Council are bringing back CBD car parking fees. Personally it is a waste of time as there is a good chance your car will get stolen by a young local shitbag before the council sheriffs get a chance to chalk your tyres anyway (I know I know it’s all done electronically now). Is the Mayor trying to reign in the half a billion dollar Council debt? Good luck with that doona girl.
It now appears that the mother of one of the kids killed in that accident is now accused of welfare fraud, is still being investigated for where the GoFundMe donations went and has her own charges of illegal use of a motor vehicle hanging over her head.
The poor kids don’t stand a chance of staying on the straight and narrow when their own parents don’t seem to understand the concept.
When did society become so broken?
1788
Bullshit!
Our indigenous should be grateful it was the Poms that settled the country. Perhaps they would have preferred the Spanish or the Belgians given their track record in the West Indies and Africa. Aboriginal isolation was always going to come to an end. Get over it and take off your black armband.
Just because it was “always going to happen” doesn’t mean it was done well, couldn’t have been done better, was morally justified, or doesn’t continue to have serious negative impacts that deserve recognition and redress.
Cook was ordered to claim land with the consent of the natives and Phillip was ordered to win their affection, so from the very beginning they knew they were doing the wrong thing. Instead we had invasion and warfare for over a century.
As a mate once said about renaming Australia Day ‘Invasion Day’ … ‘Sure there was an invasion. You lost. Get over it, take some responsibility, and take advantage of the massive benefits the western world has brought.’
S,BG,
Understand this well, Governor Phillip was a most enlightened man for his time. No room on this blog to detail, but broadly covered slavery, legal application to convicts, and treatment of the aborigines. You could start by reading David Hill’s book 1788. By the results in the New World and Africa the British in New South Wales, as it was then, did pretty well. You might give credit where credit is due!
Dave – Phillip’s relative enlightenment is irrelevant to the points I made.
Hertz – acknowledging the reality of the Australia’s foundational crime is a good first step.
ASIC has today charged Fatty Palmer with multiple counts of fraud, relating to his transfer of millions of dollars to his political party in 2013. The charges are serious enough to carry potential penalties of five years in the jug.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-28/clive-palmer-charged-with-more-offences-by-asic/12012936
Pie, Pity they didn’t go after Emanuel Cassamatis of Storm the same they have gone after the ‘Fat Fool’
The fine he & Julie got was ridiculous.
He’s probaly got his jet on standby to fly out to join his nephew, just as soon as the cash is transferred offshore.
Speaking of Fatty Palmer, what happened to the millions of doses of hydroxychloroquine that he bought out of the goodness of his heart for the people of Australia?
Hmmm good question Gal; maybe he sold it back to the U S of A at a profit? Donald is probably running short by now!!
Try Tinder regarding the deleted line in your comment … or in your case, perhaps Grnder.
Good to see Gomer Pyle (Fed member for Herbert) on 7 local news tonight on a range of topics (Cowboys excellence thing, Magnetic Is. GP shortage and Veterans mental health). KEEP WORKING ON YOUR PUBLIC PROFILE GOMER!
Good to see the assertiveness training we gave him is continuing to work. Gunny
Not sure what you insist on bitchin’ about, but feel free.
Mr Magpie, read my comment again! I ain’t bitchin, I’m praisin! Gunney
Now not sure what you’re talkin’ about.
Obviously Sgt Carter is still bleeding the red stuff
after Phil Thompson gave the Red Head don’t do anything for your town O’rourke a towel up at last election, he must be doing his job good as the labor mob are all worried he might have some influence in our State Election.
Close. The name start’s with ‘o’ … put the glass down and try again.
Hey Ghost, here’s another clue you ‘toole’! Gunny
Looks like the giant white ship called the HMAS Clive Palmer has truly hit an iceberg this time. You’re listing a little to the left Fatboy. Looks like they are pulling out all of the stops to shit him down finally. At least he won’t be desirable in jail to the male rapists.
This blog has gone to the dogs.
Same old arseholes jibbering the same shit week after week.
You need to cull some of these ferals Magpie
The Greens won’t let me.
The USS Ronald Reagan was mentioned in the news this morning.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-uss-ronald-reagan-coronavirus
It got me thinking.
I wonder what sort of ship will be called the USS Donald Trump?
https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-US-Navy-personnel-looking-forward-to-serving-on-an-aircraft-carrier-named-in-honour-of-Donald-Trump
I see another French cathedral has been burnt again no doubt in mysterious circumstances.