Going, Going … Gong! Jenny Hill Gives Townsville The Royal Finger

The reason why Jennifer Lorraine Hill OA didn’t get her Kings Birthday honour at the recent ceremony here in Townsville. I mean, goodness, Townsville, m’dear, really?

But ya gotta hand it to her, Madam Mullet is a past master at smoke and mirrors (or Dolan is),  as seen in her clever stance on the Strand high rise approval.

The Angry Ant takes on Potty Mouth – after pulling out of the mayoral race, Paul Jacob takes another tilt at council, this time as a councillor. He’ll face of with the scatalogical Margie Ryder in Division 1.

And it should be a regular feature: this week’s epic fails by the Daily Astonisher … AGAIN promoting lawbreakers and lawbreaking – on the front page FFS –   and reporter Light-On Smith failing to ask the crucial and oh-so-bloody-obvious question in his Paul Jacob story.

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 Have Sides Of The Voice Argument Talked Themselves To A Standstill?

We were told to expect a high velocity whirlwind final four weeks of the Voice to Parliament referendum campaign, with both sides pulling out their heavy calibre arguments. Maybe it’s just The ‘Pie, but that doesn’t seem to have happened, there seems to be an air of exhausted resignation from both sides. The Yes folks have continued with their fact free kumbaya peace, love and vegetables assurances that’ll we’ll all feel good about everything if we vote yes, while the No crowd seem to realise that they really don’t have to say anything much that could further enhance what the polls overwhelmingly say is a done deal for their point of view.  The ham acting and overstatements of Noel Pearson to the National Press Club during the week didn’t seem to inspire animosity in the No camp, just a yawn. Nor did it spark some rejuvenation in the Yes group.  Bentley was unimpressed.

So now we just seem to be disconstalantly slouching towards October 14 like we’re wading through knee deep recirculated waters.  But there’s still plenty of work up this way for indigenous outfits to help the needy among them, as witnessed by the help wanted columns in the weekend papers.

Oh So Clever, Clever, Clever, Mayor Mullet …

...or was it Dolan, seems a bit too smart for the Golden Girl of Walker Street.

A classic case of how to get a win, win and get an extra win all at once. It involves this story ...

 But when we get into the article, the reader could be forgiven for thinking that The Nest's favourite reporter Light-On Smith had made a blunder when we see this:

But apologies, Light-on, you were Spot-on. Yes, the mayor and Clr O'Callaghan agreed on something.  But for different reasons.
Clr O'Callaghan voted against the development because the TCC planning department gave it the green light because of projected council regulations on zoning and park in the future ... she wanted the decision made on existing conditions, not some if and maybe by council officers.

But how brilliant is this from the mayor’s campaign managers? 

Here’s how it works: Jenny Hill wants to be seen as the engine driver of the runaway Townsville economic train (she thinks) and really wants the development to go head – for whatever open or hidden reason. But it’s a controversial planning matter, which could lose her crucial support among her older ‘good old days’ rusted-on fans out in Voterland. What’s a gal to do? Why, easy answer, call in VoteBusters Dolan Hayes, who sees an ewasy win. He suggests Jenny bend the shell-pinks of councillors, tapping on the shoulder the dociley compliant Suzy Basketball and Ma Greaney, the local division rep who will garner votes by voting no. The mayor doesn’t have to ask how the only true independent Fightin’ Fran O’Callaghan will vote. All the other councillors are under strict riding orders to get the approval through.

And they do, with the outcome, Mayor Mullet can point to the vote to prove her oft repeated jest that the councillors are all independent, she gets the approval she wants even though voting against it, and the TCC will avoid an otherwise inevitable legal stoush and sooner rather than later get all the approval and planning costs, along with the ratings bonanza,18 million dollar+ apartments and a new restaurant will bring.

And the cherry on top of all this is Jenny Hill can legitimately if deviously claim that she and Fran can agree on some issues, thus blunting Clr O’Callaghan’s claim of a personal vendetta.

Well played, Dolan. Is this a solo effort, mate, or your first gig with your new position with Labor PR spinners Rowlands?

On The Block

When it comes to the crunch with rates, the TCC doesn’t muck around … but one wonders is this from today’s Astonisher more than usual, and an indication of tougher times in Townsville.

The Angry Ant To Take On Potty Mouth …

“We need a lot more input from councillors who think differently. It shouldn’t be a council of one, it should be a council of 11.”

With that policy statement, former TCC rogue councillor, the bad tempered Paul Jacob puts the wind up the the mayor’s purple doona, with his decision that he’s is up and running again for a chair at the Walker Street table … and he wants to bring a broom.

He had announced that while family matters wouldn’t allow him to run for the onerous job of  mayor (onerous? – spare me!), but he now says his wife’s improved health would allow him to manage a councillor’s role again. Oh, the sacrifice of the man.  Good god, like, who couldn’t manage being a councillor?

So he will take on Clr Potty Mouth, Margie Ryder in Division 1.

And The Magpie was flattered that someone has caught up with the eminently sensible and surely obvious idea of reinstating light rail to the suburbs north and south and maybe west to ease road congestion. The ‘Pie has always argued at the rail motors to Ingham and to Ayr had worked well, and he has never been able to work out why the rail motor network wasn’t enhanced and upgraded instead of dumped.

(A humblebrag moment, if The ‘Pie may.) Having drinks on the Nest’s balcony with the then Clr Kid Crisafulli more than 16 years ago, The ‘Pie expressed his enthusiasm for the light rail idea, to which Crisafulli replied’ It will never work and I’ll tell you why.’ But at that moment, we were interrupted by a new caller and David never did say why light rail wouldn’t work. But time has proved The Magpie’s faith in the idea to be more than valid.

But back to Mr Jacob:  the description ‘bad tempered’ isn’t necessarily meant as a slur … who wouldn’t be bad tempered in the face of Mayor Jenny Hill’s duplicity and opaque policy decisions. While his disquiet was the general lack of transparency, you’ll remember Jacob was particularly outraged about the Adani airstrip affair that the mayor wanted to throw $18.5m of ratepayers money at an Indian billionaire for an airstrip 400kms away. That ostensibly led to Jacob’s quitting council, but let’s not be too cute about this … a Labor stalwart, Jacob had his eye on chances at higher office at state. Didn’t work.

But this return to the political arena is based on a major challenge to Mayor Mullet. Apart from local populist stuff like light rail north and re-opening the Jensen waste facility, he concisely summed up his platform which is likely to resonate with many. He told the Bulletin:

“I’ve always advocated a back to basics approach in council, even when I was a councillor.

 Roads, drainage water and these sorts of things are much more important, I believe, than the things the council are throwing money at.

“We didn’t do enough to consider the suburbs of Townsville, (the council’s approach) was too city-centric. We need a lot more input from councillors who think differently. It shouldn’t be a council of one, it should be a council of 11.”

And that is where reporter Leighton ‘Light-On’ Smith stayed true to form and failed to ask Paul Jacob the most obvious of questions to which readers on all sides want to know, to wit: “Since your policies are so closely aligned with those of Fran O’Callaghan, will you be supporting her in her bid for the top job?’

Light-On has previously told us here that the paper doesn’t like getting into politics because then they might have to report every little squabble. Which is kinda to The ‘Pie’s mind what the job is all about.

That’s like a boxer saying he loves his sport but doesn’t like hitting people. Or getting hit.

Just Stop and Reflect For A Moment – How Brave Is This Woman? 

‘Stubborn’ and ‘obstinate’ are among words often used to describe Clr Fran O’Callaghan, by her detractors as an insult, and by her supporters as praise and admiration.

But agree or disagree with Fran O’Callaghan, no one seems to have publicly noted the personal courage of the woman. Because it cannot be easy thing to monthly face the daunting prospect of sitting among an entire council room knowing to every man and woman there is against you for more reasons that immediate issues before them.

Councillors, comfortable in their  Jenny-anointed sinecure, feel they are safe as long as they don’t rock the boat. A CEO and a snide legal officer are of the same opinion. Yet week after week, in council and committee meetings, shrugging off the effects of a hard won battle against cancer, Clr O’Callaghan enters a lion’s den, unafraid because she believes the ratepayers of this city are being stiffed by incompetence, greed and shady political deals, all done for self-interested priorities. She even attended a council meeting by phone while being driven to an appointment at the cancer clinic.

But of course, personal regard aside, the question that must be asked is would Frances O’Callaghan be a good mayor? In The Magpie’s view, as the civic leader, her stubbornness and obstinacy would need to be tempered by experienced advice about process, consequences and outcomes of her policies. But her main issue is of financial transparency and probity. This aspect is highlighted by her questioning of the latest 4%-50% increase in councillor campaign expense  funding (although allocated as monies to used for matters at the councillor’s discretion in their division, be assured it is nothing else but campaign money, and no coincidence in an election year. The mayor was unable to give an understandable and believable account of where the money came from.

That’s a typical example of why Fran believes financial transparency is so urgently needed in Walker Street and much of the public believe is long overdue.

So, while it might be said that her greatest drawback is her blunt honesty,  would she be a good mayor? In The ‘Pie’s view, Fran O’Callaghan would be refreshingly better than the lying, conniving, vindictive and arrogant publicity hound alternative.

Wonderful Things, Words – There’s One For Just About Every Occasion

Some highly useful words have fallen into disuse, but some are making a comeback, for obvious reasons.

Like the one word that sums up Mayor Mullet ‘s reaction when she read Jacob’s policy statement: “We didn’t do enough to consider the suburbs of Townsville, (the council’s approach) was too city-centric. We need a lot more input from councillors who think differently. It shouldn’t be a council of one, it should be a council of 11.”

That’s when Jenny ‘imbulbitated’.  She should take to wearing jodhpurs instead of bat-woman outfits.

They Can’t  Fucking Help Themselves- The Bulletin AGAIN Promoting Hooning! 

Naming a crime and promoting a prominent perpetrator on the front page is a new twist on this busted-arse of a paper.

FYI, from the official police website, you disgraceful drongos:

Fines for hooning

Penalties vary for different hooning offences. For example, driving in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke carries a maximum fine of 20 penalty units ($3096) while the most serious offences, such as careless driving—also known as driving without due care and attention—or street racing, carry a maximum fine of 40 penalty units ($6192) or 6 months in jail.

This is wrong on a number of other levels too. Just for starters,  IT IS NOT A NEWS STORY, it is pure advertorial for some social media masturbator who selling some el cheapo booze brand.

The whole tenor of the story is a ‘nod nod wink wink ‘to the possibility of this grubby z grade celebrity might treat us to some hooning behaviour in a flash car while he is gracing us with his presence.

The story also doesn’t make sense to be in the printed version of the Bulletin … it is now an undeniable fact beyond anecdotal evidence that the younger generations do not read print papers much at all. And the dwindling people who do buy the paper (dwindling because they are literally dying off) are annoyed at these juvenile attempts to pander to the lowest social common denominator. And it’s hardly a good look to those outside looking in to Townsville for a clue as to our values and lifestyle in this city.

But for venal reasons of ‘economy’, the paper and local TV outlets are largely staffed by a turnstile policy of younger people without adequate direction and supervision and who have no skin in the game of the social, business or artistic fabric of this city.

But if it makes Rupert a quid what the fuck, eh?

King Hit: Jenny’s Secret Thump To Townsville

The ‘Pie was a little mystified when, Friday week ago, Queensland Governor Jeanette Young lobbed  into Townsville to give Kings Honours gongs for recipients in the region. Mayor Mullet was there, as one would expect, but, inexplicably,  she didn’t receive the previously announced Order of Australia she was awarded on the recommendation of her Labor Party sponsors (presumably for hanging around Walker Street longer than expected).

Turns out she deemed Townsville wasn’t a big enough stage for her august self, she was just too um-port-unt to be just one of the local gaggle of honorees.  So had clumpty-frumped off to Brisbane on the quiet to get her gong at el swisho Government House soon after it was announced. But before she wiped her hobnails on the guv’s doormat, she stopped off somewhere –  Halloween Trick Or Treat shop, maybe  – to get her version of a gal’s LBD as a special outfit for the day.  So gone was the beloved Michelin Man purple doona, which was replaced by … by … well, what is perhaps described as a Lily Munster cast-off homage to bats.

That is not meant unkindly – well, except to bats – but seriously she looked like she flapped onto the gubernatorial axminster after a hard night hanging from a branch in Dan Gleeson Gardens.

So, as you can see here around the 18 minute mark,  she got her gong, then flapped off.

But as far as The Magpie can tell, we heard nothing of this here in the ‘ville. While such modest rectitude is so typical of our shy, demur mayor, The ‘Pie  still thought it passing strange that little or nothing was made of the brief Brisbane ceremony, especially in the Daily Astonisher.  Then Friday week ago, the twopence (inflation, you know) dropped.  Fully expecting madam to not attend claiming a prior commitment (which would’ve explained her trip south), The ‘Pie was surprised to see her at the ceremony.  That made it clear that she considered sharing the local conga line was way below her exalted station.

But to be generous, perhaps she thought she would detract from the worthiness of others with her dazzling presence. Or perhaps Dolan advised her that many voters would think she was up herself and would be insulted if they knew of the Brissy sojourn.

Interesting to note that the local ceremony was good enough for AO recipient Ian ‘Macca’ Macdonald, the retired Father of the Senate,  who has done more public service with greater effectiveness (and humility) that our mayor could ever hope to achieve. He was obviously proud to be seen with the northern region locals honoured on the regal list.

It would be interesting to know who paid for this little jolly’s airfares and accommodation.  You’ll note that the long list of organisations read out at the Gov House  ceremony included the LGAQ and TEL (and The Disaster Management Committee FFS), so ratepayer were probably stiffed one way or the other.

Remember, this is the woman whose first act as a newly installed mayor in 2012 was to buy her top-of-the-line council vehicle in Brisbane and had it expensively shipped north out of pure spite in settling an old local score with Tony Ireland.

Murdoch’s Cheshire Cat Act

Gone … but not really – well, not yet.  Like Alice In Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat, the Murdoch mendacity lingers – “It constantly grins and can disappear and reappear whenever it likes. Sometimes it disappears and leaves its grin behind.”

His machiavellian mendacity with which he has imbued his entire global operation suddenly popped up transparently during the week.

Really? I mean, fucking fair dinkum, REALLY?

From an outfit that could see nothing wrong with the Cash For Comment scandal (although paying lip service to the outrage at the time when John laws and later Alan Jones were found to be threatening to bad mouth products on air unless suitable advertising contracts were signed), this is hilariously transparent. And leaves gapingly open a variation on that very theme – best summed up with a single question: do you ever think that Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi or other million dollar advertiser across various News platforms will ever get a bad checkout review? The very foundation of this scheme presents a clear prospect of coercion and extortion –  ‘advertise with us or we’ll ensure negative publicity for your product’.

Rupert may be slowly disappearing, but his rapacious grin will be remaining for a long time yet.

And The Murdoch Legacy Hasn’t Been Missed In The USA … A Classic Wise-After-The-Fact Exercise.

One gets the feeling that the floodgates are about to open on the News Corpse global cancer, and the Pickled Walnut’s destructive role against democracy will be picked over endlessly, including by those brave in hindsight but too timid at the time to speak out.  And another megalomaniac, Elon Musk, has the foolishness of his latest brain fart – charging everyone for the use of Twitter X – is brilliantly encapsulated in a single image.

The Voice Campaign Has Generated Some Very Inventive Opposition

And We End This Week On Just Where The Voice Yes Campaign Is, Two Weeks Out

Johannes Leak in The Australian sums it up neatly.

………..

It’s week’s like the one just gone that The ‘;Pie is glad he’s around … so much you wouldn’t know if he and his network of citizen journalists weren’t on the job. And have your say in comments throughout the week.

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