If the go-getting positive comments from the new incoming Chamber CEO are anything to go by, TEL will be looking even more shaky in its annual ratepayer robbery.
Pipe dreams shattered … we have a strange way of looking at things sometimes.
Why any push for a republic faces a rocky road in the medium term, and it’s not just sentiment, it’s good ol’ money.
And seems the fat lady is about to break out into The Bars and Stripes Forever for America’s mobster ex-president.
If you’d like to support the Magpie’s Nest with a sorely needed donation – The Nest donesn’t get any other income – the big button to press if you can help out is at the end of the blog.
Now, forging ahead ..
Has The Townsville Chamber of Commerce Finally Got Some Teeth?
The traditional benign below-the-radar policy of the local Chamber could be about to change, if we ae to take the word of the incoming CEO Michael Kern at face value.
Michael Kern, CEO Townsville C of C
Kern will replace Ross McLellan, who has cut and run after a couple of years in the job, resigning to ‘travel around Australia’ apparently.
Kern comes to the new job from AgForce Cane, where significantly, he expanded that organisation’s ‘membership footprint’ beyond the Burdekin to the Herbert and Mackay regions. And he says that is a strategy he intends to follow with the Chamber. ‘In my view, connection is a critical factoring the chamber’s success. I will strive to consolidate connections outside the chamber with key stakeholders regionally and beyond, to form a strong network to promote and protect the interests of our members.’
Hmm, sounds kinda familiar, doesn’t it? It’s the sort of brave words we’ve been hearing from multiple TEL CEOs for years now.
But if Mr Kern plans to go down this path, will the Chamber’s wires – swords, maybe – get crossed with those of TEL, which has unsuccessfully tried to be all things to all people and have achieved little if anything of measurable value. And an organisation named the Townsville Chamber of Commerce venturing further afield will need some interesting guidelines to keep fee paying members happy.
But if somehow Mr Kern treads on the Doc Marten’s of TEL boss Ms B-S, there could be a big old barney brewing, because the primary concern of Ms B-S is to keep the council onside with the ratepayers’ involuntary $750k annual stipend to shore up other government subsidies. Could it be that Mr Kern’s chamber ambitions may finally benefit the community by at least forcing some sort of public accountability by TEL … preferably with some tangible proof of performance than the usual word salad of obscurity.
Road Renos
Quite a few folk have been getting throbbing temple veins over some changes to access to the Townsville ring road. Specifically, blocked access ramps, as shown here.
Not in the Magpie’s area, and have only used this after visits to the hospital, so have no idea what the powers that be are thinking. The ‘Pie hasn’t been able to get the full story about the eventual outcomes of the changes, but we’ll no doubt get deluged with free and frank comment about the plans sooner rather than later. However, if this has put people in a spin, best not to plan a motoring holiday in Japan. It is interesting actually working out certain paths, but that’s fine from up here.
The Takaosan Interchange, Japan, where new car that enter come out three models later.
It’s All A Matter Of Perspective
The Magpie admits he gets a bit miffed sometimes with the one-dimensional thinking that is blighting Townsville. He was reminded of the old American saying he has quoted here before ”If you’re being run out of town, get to the head of the mob and make it look like a parade’.
No better example of this popped up during the week and was reported in comments.
| The Magpie 10,602 approved email hidden; JavaScript is required 120.152.89.73 |
Submitted on 2022/09/21 at 1:07 pm | In reply to Palm Sunday.The ‘Pie has a mixture of admiration for the PR sleight-of-hand, and rancour at the implied message of stuff like this.
Putting aside the silly visual of a bunch of nameless Hi-Vis Canavan-wannabees and a ship, with nary a pipe in sight, The Magpie cannot conceive how this is somehow implied as a progressive win for Townsville. Because it really represents Mayor Jenny Hill’s greatest missed opportunity, her most damaging fumble of the crucial ball and her political obeisance putting party ahead of the interests of the city from which she has and still does benefit so handsomely. So what should she have done? First of all (this is all fantasy, of course) putting Townsville ahead of party machinations that wanted to shore up ALP support in SA, she should have insisted, wheedled, dealed, and, offered all sorts of support and incentives for Iplex to set up a full satellite operation here in Townsville … sell it as a golden opportunity and a the chance of a lifetime right at the centre of an expanding area that will be in much need of the Iplex product for years to come. Which it will be. And in economies of scale, an Iplex plant here could be a big incentive for government support for other schemes requiring their product. This would’ve involved our mayor taking the fight up to George Street, banging on doors and making noise on our behalf (we’ll pause here and wait for the raucous laughter to die down). OK it may not have come to pass, plenty of reasons why, BUT JENNY HILL DIDN’T EVEN TRY OR PERHAPS EVEN RECOGNISE THE OPPORTUNITY. For all her rhetoric about jobs, jobs, jobs, she didn’t even have a shot at a couple thousand paying positions plus the invariable employment spin-offs. Believe it, she DIDN’T try, otherwise we’d be gazing up her purple doona as she yelled it from the roof tops ‘we wuz robbed’. And there is a debate about the conventional wisdom that saving costs is always the right path. Saving the council and the ratepayer some money – inconsequential in the scheme of most things – versus spend the extra on expanding the jobs market with all the resultant flow-on to property and service industries. And the general wealth across the whole community? There are times when public interest and brave initiatives outweighs savings of this nature. This was one of those instances. Of course, it has to be admitted that this track of extra spending on a punt has been – and is at the moment being – trodden by Queensland governments at all levels, and isn’t always the benefit it claims it will be. Like the sacking of TCC council staff, which by all reports of freelance contracts, has actually increased costs, to both the council and the community. And, on a different scale, a similar scenario with an Olympics, anyone? No? How about a Lansdown, then? |
Mayor Mullet’s BFF Anna Alphabet Has Her Own Battles With Political Will
In his court reporting days, The Magpie often heard counsel and judges justifiably bitching about the lengthy, unacceptable delays in accessing DNA evidence, matters , they thundered, that could affect the ‘administration of justice’ – which to the bewildered person in the dock, basically meant the difference between Boggo Road or the beach.
A report just released now shows just how damning the government’s neglect of a properly funded forensic service has been. Scores of people may well have been wrongly sentenced and jailed. And just as bad, escaped justice.
The barely apologetic Premier has been neatly nailed by the Australian’s cartoonist.
Of course, when Palaszczuk forfeits her and her party’s egregious role to Premier Crisafulli in the near future, the incoming government will inherit not only inquiries revealing unrecoverable political skulduggery that can’t be rectified, but also a juggernaut of financial ruin they are powerless to avoid or even soften.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) Urgently Need … Well, A Shot In The ARM
Ardent advocates of an Australian republic have had a tough time of it over the past month, with support for their holy grail the latest polls showing that just 46% of Australians support the idea, and 54% don’t … this is an issue where it seems no one is sitting the fence. The Magpie’s deeply intelligent analysis of the situation is pretty simple: a majority in favour of us cutting ties with British royalty will gradually happen as King Chuck starts to fuck up right royally …,and The ’Pie sees that as inevitable, with his clan looking more and more like a pommy version of the Beverley Hillbillies every day, although Buck Palace is twice as funny but only half as loveable. (The sexual fantasy part of the equation – there’s always been one – the Ellie Mae factor you might say – is William’s missus the new Princess of Wales …. Those legs, just WOW. Hmmm …. oh, ah, now where was The ‘Pie? Before being there?)
Oh, right …But there’s another less prominent reason that President Peter and First Lady Lisa is still a long way off … money.
A small column piece in the Australian informs us that ARM has been digging into cash reserves just to pay staff ($276,485) and ‘administrative arrangements (141,763.) and ran at a $70,000 loss inn FY 2021 against membership fees of $191,000 and dwindling donations $152,000.
Quip of the Week
It was also by the same Margin Call columnist in the Oz, commenting that although Malcolm Turnbull was a founder of ARM, ‘he was uncharacteristically emotional during an ABC interview when he said ‘the evening before the Queen’s death, when he said ‘Lucy and I went to bed in dread and we woke up in grief’. The columnist said they assumed this was how each night passed during the Morrison era’. Boom tish.
But Even The Poms May Be At A Crossroads With Royalty
Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
One of the incisive pieces stepping back for a history-as-it-happens analysis is from Guardian columnist Marina Hyde, who is brilliant even when she’s not being one of the devastatingly funny people on the planet. A very thoughtful ask of whither now, Britain.
One Thing That’s Been Missing In The Past Month
As in a Phrase ‘conspiracy theories’.
Given social media penchant for the bottom of the barrel, there’s not been a single one seen by The ‘Pie about the sudden deterioration of Her Majesty.
No such absence in America.
The ‘burial’ of Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana, took place on July 20, … or did it? In the past month, social media posts have spread the idea that the coffin did not contain Ivanka’s remains, but she was secretly cremated … along with the missing 15 boxes of top secret classified documents Trump stole from the White House stuffed in around her. The premises wa s that Ivanka was actually bumped off, suffering the current fate of Russian naysayers, falling down a marble staircase, and cremation got rid of any evidence down the track. Must’ve been a bloody big coffin.
All nonsensical and demented, as the admirable Snopes site pints out, but hey this is social media, right? And wait … this is Amerika and Donald Trump, so …hmmm … maybe ….
Now this started The ‘Pie wondering why there hadn’t been any conspiracy theories about the passing of the Queen. After all, it’s been reported on several occasions over the years that Charles was getting sick of waiting. He was tired of Camilla holding his orbs and wanted to hold his own third one. One unconfirmed report (they all are actually) even had him broaching the subject of his mother’s abdication in favour of him, to be firmly told that she intended to keep her 1953 promise to remain Queen all her life. Which she admirably did.
Now someone with a nasty turn of mind has taken a long walk on a short pier of sanity, and posted this.
Some people.
The Band Is About To Strike Up The Bars And Stripes Forever Moves For Our Donald.
The saying ‘you couldn’t make this stuff up’ is now out the window faster than a Russian dissident. The best of a head-spinning week was Trump claiming on TV that when President, he could declassify documents just by thinking it, and declaring to himself they were declassified. And the headaches kept coming, with the Special Master appointed to oversee said classified document examination promptly ruled against the man who had initially appointed him i.e Trump himself.
Then the state of New York filed against him for decades of fraud they say they can prove. The New Yorker’s Andy Borowitz was all over that, too.
And Joe Biden has been loving it, getting a break from the relentless attacks on both his age and his perceived responsibility for his predecessor’s sins – plus a few of his own.
And Finally …
The Nest avoids as much as possible the base excesses of twitter and Facebook, but the occasional item catches the eye. Scrolling through one of those interminable galleries on strange photos, one on weird wedding photographs, some made one idly wonder what sort of relationship was ahead for some couples made one wonder what sort of union lay ahead for some couples, but at least one made their short term intentions clear.
But some pix are double-take material of innocent situations.
…………..
All done for now, see you next week, or in comments which are free and run 24/7 for you to talk about anything (well perhaps not other imaginative uses for watermelon … or any fruit for that matter). The donate button is below.
Mr Magpie – Ivana was the wife, Ivanka is the daughter who is up to her neck in legal problems.
Oops, got the necks mixed up, one ‘up to’ in legal problems and the other one ‘broken’.
Thanks. Amended.
Another great blog Pie . Local semi final has been a welcome distraction for Aaron / Les / Scott from 11 stolen cars in just 2 days , homelessness , cost of living pressures / Ring Road confusion . Even Council no Mayor / deputy trotting out acting Mayor Ann – Maree Greaney on cbd activities in the media which is the only place her cbd division see her . i hope Council gets a developer or State / Federal $ for the high density housing North Rail Yards because Council has $80 mil Lansdown Costs / $74.7 mil Haughton stage 2 blow out , NQ spark ? because the Mayors ” bank of ratepayers ‘ is running dry .
Is the new Chamber CEO the same Michael Kern who resigned from a cushy job at James Cook University after he was allegedly involved in a coverup regarding a Campus rape case?
Here’s a link to a story that details what happened (you will need to scroll down to read about the role Kern played).
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4150398/Claims-James-Cook-knew-staff-member-s-rape-charge.html
That’s alarming, but having read the story, there is no explanation or indeed direct connection with Mr Kern’s departure from the university. The Magpie holds no brief for anyone in this matter, he’s never met or heard of Mr Kern until last week, and was not aware of the rape and the subsequent outcome, perhaps because he depends on local media … particularly the Bulletin … for reports like this. But from a legal standpoint, other scenarios are possible in relation to Mr Kern. For instance, in the arcane world of academia, it is quite possible he resigned in protest at the uni’s official reaction, but left in comfortable circumstances with an agreement never to discuss the matter. (Otherwise, why would he not have said something, his extra-curricular activities and volunteering all point to a productive, decent citizen). Not saying that was the case, but before a man is tainted by connection, it is best to know the background. Mr Kern now must face up to the fact that he needs to address this matter publicly. If he does not, then the selection committee for the CEO’s position needs to be asked some direct question if it to protect its image. Chamber would be well advised to consider its position.
As for the Bulletin, it would not surprise that the paper could have reported the Steele matter, but as far as The ‘Pie could search, certainly made no connection to the matters reported by the Mail.
Just how depressing is it that the local community paper that ‘is all for us’ has a major scandal snatched from under its nose by the noisome likes of the gutter press Daily Mail?
Seems Sandra Harding packed her bags in a timely manner for her comfortable retirement.
Here is a link to a more detailed news.com.au story on the JCU coverup:
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/exclusive-james-cook-university-knew-douglas-steele-was-guilty-of-rape/news-story/686a17970273325239e703b8d97591e2
Not sure if it is behind the paywall.
Seems that Mr Kern will have to make a statement, sooner rather than later … or simply say nothing and resign his new post. This re-visiting of a deeply distressing issue appears to mke his position untenable, unless he has a side of the story to tell. And the university management, and money-grubbing Sandra Harding in particular, should face severe sanctions if all this is verified at a proper inquiry.
The Magpie used the term ‘money grubbing’ very judiciously, since up in the rarified stratosphere of uni management, institutional reputation equals money. And Harding was one of the most dedicated bonus-chasing pursuers of money the uni has ever had.
Kern will be straddling a delicate line. As CEO of CoC it’s not his role to do the job that TEL is paid to do. That said, TEL is weighed down with having to carry deadwood made up of Gill the dill, Hill the shrill, Ms BS and other hangers on. I’m curious as to Kern’s professional relationship status with Hill. Do they get along? Hell hath no fury like a bogan Mullet when her toes are stepped on.
Now, I’m off to eat some watermelon…..
Yeah, right about Mayor Mullet, Doc Marten’s aren’t what they used to be.
Good point Prince R! Will be very interesting to see how Kern’s relationship with Mayor Mullet in his new role, develops from here on.
I hope he’s going to be an ongoing thorn in her side when the opportunity arises and there’ll be plenty of opportunities if indeed Kern is to be taken seriously.
PS, can you save the watermelon rind for me please ?
Has The ‘Pie, along with commenters Boffin and Chambre Maid, created some sort of elephant in the room here? Discussing Kern’s possible relationship with Mayor Mullet is a bit like a Cowboys management having a discussion last week about where to display the GF trophy. Comments like yours, Jatz, which on the face of it are legitimate posers, ignore the fact that unless Kern has a convincing story and the Chamber values its credibility (and responsibility to the city if not its members), his relationship with the mayor or anyone else won’t matter. Because he won’t be there.
The simple question non the face of it is has the Chamber, knowingly or unknowingly, hired a man who can be reasonably believed to be a rape apologist and enabler after the fact?
And spare a thought for iditor Craig Herbert at the Astonisher, waiting until he has a chat with the advertising manager tomorrow to find out if he’s allow to mention this matter. After all, JCU is a good money spinner for the paper, and so are the various members of the Chamber. It would be good if a decent and honest reporter like Tony Raggatt were assigned to this story, he wasn’t afraid, wouldn’t be bluffed and stuck to his guns when it came to Storm Financial.
Pie, I guess we will have to wait and see if any of the allegations on Kern’s knowledge of the matter will develop into something that will have an affect on the appointment of his new position.
With the transgressions and outcomes of long running inquiries into the actions or non actions of so many in high positions in the past, it tends to become a bit of a lottery these days !
Thanks for the self promotion you idiots, how about releasing a full list of the 500 completed projects so that ratepayers and the community can decide about your performance. If you can tell us that 500 projects have been completed then there has to be a master list of these projects that you can put up on your website. While your at it, how about a list of the projects that still have to be completed unless you run out of money.
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/2022/july/500-city-projects-delivered-in-challenging-environment
There is no money left to do the full list.
Michael Keen is a reputable individual who has contributed widely to the community. I hope his name doesn’t get tarnished in this pithy little blog.
No doubt, but how about Michael Kern?
And pithy? Awww, Stevie, you got a little lisp, have you, mate? Or did you actually mean ‘pithy’? If so, well, thank you, sir, flattered.
Definitions
Pithy
(of language or style) terse and vigorously expressive.
“his characteristically pithy comments”
Similar:
succinct
terse
concise
compact
(of speech or writing) expressing an idea cleverly in a few words: a pithy remark…
Steve of BG, are you saying the Michael Kern recently appointed Chamber of Commerce CEO is not the bloke involved in the JCU cover-up?
Nah, Boff. I think he is saying that he is a mate of his.
On those motorway changes, I believe the off ramp closure is permanent, part of the changes made when Beck Road interchange was added
The on ramp heading north will also be permanently closed, if it’s not already, again due to the Beck Road interchange.
The on ramp heading south over the river being closed is temporary, they are widening/reconfiguring that one to be able to handle more traffic volume.
Why we needed an interchange at Beck’s road is a question for TMR, because my understanding is no one wanted that.
And so, after the hoopla of the Prelim Final, Total Tools stadium stands empty until a rugby match at the end of February. Build it and they still won’t come.
Why would you go and watch a Rugby Union match when they produce idiots like Pocock and the red bandanna man and partner of Lisa Wilkinson Fitzsimmons.
It is in the right spot to be used as a flood mitigation dam during the upcoming wet season
According to their website there’s a Melbourne Cup function at the stadium on 1 November. Not sure if “they’ll come” on horseback.
I hope the Kids don’t get hungry at the Total Tools stadium for the Union! my wife paid $20 for 2 Dagwood dogs for my Grandkids at the Cowboys/ Parra game on Friday night.
Stadium food everywhere is a rip-off, wit. all parties pointing the finger at one another.
Stadiums are right up there with airports in the food rip off stakes. At least airports aren’t searching your bag for a contraband bottle of softdrink – yet.
But Jenny Hill has declared the stadium a huge success.
Still won’t tell us ratepayers and taxpayers how much of OUR money is being used to cover operational expenses and maintenance, but if Jenny says it’s a huge success, then it must be. Just like the V8 Superpests. How’s the calculation of those crowd numbers going Jen? Think we could have them by Christmas?
Regular, you make it sound like Townsville Council owns, operates and is responsible for the ‘success’ (whatever that looks like) of the stadium. The stadium is operated by Stadiums Queensland which, if anything, is a state government entity, although judging by the item in last week’s comments it seems like there are still plenty of boosters for the federal government’s involvement in the thing, especially if anyone from the state Labor party is getting any credit. Aren’t we all responsible for the functionality of public assets and infrastructure in our town? Does it matter whose idea it was, who paid for it or how much it costs now? Townsville people strongly demanded that we get a stadium and governments of both stripes put up the money and were re-elected after the job was done, even after a $50+ million cost overrun. We made our bed, now we have to lie in it, together. Try to stay nice, please.
“Does it matter whose idea it was, who paid for it or how much it costs now?”
That is simply staggering in its partisan arrogance, and is published only to leave you exposed as the wretched, sad and bedraggled toady that you are. Especially the last bit about how much it costs now. You are clearly advocating a public policy of ‘mind your own business and trust us’.
And there was this blatant lie: Townsville people strongly demanded that we get a stadium and governments of both stripes put up the money and were re-elected after the job was done, even after a $50+ million cost overrun.
Townsville people did no such thing, and many loudly protested as best they could, which was more difficult with the self-censorship of the complicit public rip-off of a newspaper in this town. JT, in the pay of Laurence Lancini and his self interest, made a call in the moment of grand final euphoria, and partisan groups built on this, claiming it as widespread popular public sentiment. It was anything but. The ratepayers are feeling the pain, and will continue to do so for years, through this totally corrupted council/government process in this matter.
Magpie, you told us last week that you were happy for ex-politician Ewen Jones to make a stand about the stadium because he saved you the trouble. Of the local State member Jones said:
“You had to beg the Federal Government to pay for half because your government treated Townsville like second class Queenslanders”.
You reckon I’m partisan. The Liberal Jones, representing a view you say you support, bags the Labor member, but both of them are keen to take the acclaim they believe the stadium deserves.
There is no way I’m advocating a public policy of ‘mind your own business and trust us’. That in fact, is exactly what the Federal and State governments did with their funding of the stadium – and the Haughton pipeline as it turns out. We residents of Townsville had no say in either matter and we have no control whatsoever about the ongoing costs. Whatever is needed to maintain these major public infrastructures we simply have to pay the price. I’ll leave it to the relevant politicians to explain whether there was any demand in Townsville for a stadium. They made the running. They gambled the political and financial capital. They got exactly the result they, and we apparently, wanted. We collectively re-elected them.
Yes Minister . Queensland Government pushing renting your Granny flat . Deputy Premier doesnt know the impact on the new State Government land tax on your land value if you own land in another State . The housing Minister doesn’t know how many granny flats there are in Qld . Any discussions with Councils on the treatment of rates moving from principle place of residents to investor rates up to 4 times higher ? .
Not to mention the capital gains tax that homeowners could be liable for when they go to sell their property after renting out their granny flat. This is going to be the big issue for many with Labor now in all levels of Govt, really stupid ideas that other levels of Govt won’t call out or criticise, capital gains tax on granny flats, the fact that any rent tax the Qld Govt raise in its other stupid legislation will be offset by lower tax paid to the federal Govt, as the new tax will be deductible, just fucking morons.
Maybe I missed it but has the Astonisher reported on the Moto GP win by local lad Jack Miller in Japan on the weekend? A Townsville atlete excelling on the international stage.
It should be at least worth a by line.
Oh, surely Jack’s stellar moment was mentioned … probably right next the explanation from the Chamber of Commerce as to why they have appointed an apparent rape enabler who reportedly assisted in the cover-up of sexual assault on a JCU student by a staff member. Did you miss that,too? Well, we all did.
mr Kern, if we’ve got this wrong, or have only half the story, please take the time to set the record straight. The Magpie promises to publish whatever you have to say unedited.
Nice to “reportedly” instead of allegedly.
Weekend Wanker is clearly cut from the same cloth as Belgian Gardens Steve.
Now WW, sit down, clear your head, and read this slowly:
TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL IS USING OUR RATES TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE FOR THE WHOLE STADIUM PRECINCT. THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS USING OUR TAXES TO PAY FOR THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE STADIUM. SO WHY ARE WE NOT ALLOWED TO KNOW JUST HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE ARE PROVIDING TO MAKE THE STADIUM A “SUCCESS”.
AS YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY AN EXPERT ON THE STADIUM, CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE IF THE ANCHOR TENANT, NQ COWBOYS, ARE ACTUALLY PAYING RENT FOR HOME GAMES, OR ARE THEY STILL USING UP THE $10 MILLION THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE BUILDING COSTS?
Evidently the Stadium Precinct does not include that grassed areas and garden beds on the corner of Saunders and Rooney Streets. Take a look the next time you drive throughthis area, unkempt, numerous dead/dying plants or spaces where plants have died and not been replaced and watering/sprinkler systems that do not work. But then, nothing out of the usual Mayor Idiots decree, let it die, I don’t have to budget to do anything about it and don’t care about the appearance of the city.
Regular, I am not OBVIOUSLY a shouty expert like you but a 30 second search online will tell you that Stadiums Queensland employs people to look after maintenance and operation of the stadium. And no doubt Queensland Country Bank tips in a few bob.
Just when you thought it couldnt get any worse for the Mullet and TEL.
Just when you thought it couldnt get any worse for the Mullet and TEL.
Nah mate… This is Townsville North Queensland’
That’s the slogan for the city’s new tourism campaign.
Mayor Jenny Hill launched the campaign today arriving on the strand on a jet ski alongside Lisa Wolfe and Claudia Brumme-Smith from Townsville Enterprise.
NRL legend Johnathan Thurston and Izzy Bee from Izzy’s Koala World will feature in the new campaign.
Fark me. What a great time to be alive and in Townsville.
Being both is increasingly difficult. Time soon coming to choose one or the other.
Pie,
check out TEL’s new campaign, ‘ Nah Mate ‘ , the epitome of Boganism, $750 k’s worth !!!
see comment by Mugwump. What next, a senior TEl exec flying around in a helicopter with a cardboard cutout of Prince Har …. oh, wait ….
I may be wrong but thats looks like an old Photo updated with little Paddy O’Callagan ???
It was the pic featured at the time … a just as daft and embarrassing idea to get Prince Harry to visit.
He didn’t.
We are blighted with these clueless people.
One of the basic concerns when any advertising campaign is being considered is innuendo and how easily a catch-phrase can be lampooned.
This is a godsend to social media satirists.
Had a break from your blog for a few years in order to cure my troubled mind but back
Nothing has changed. Still bagging the mayor a mayor that was re elected and of course she is still faking it
You wouldn’t want her to be your Uber driver
Still complaining about the state government despite the reflection of their Stella five star rated local members. You had your chance Townsville. Face it you all just want to punch on at the mad cow. Wake up Sunday and bitch on a local blog Yes yes yes I know the kid could of won it
Barry Taylor still soliciting in the greatest profession of them all
Still questions over water roads and crime
Great to see nothing has changed In 2 years feels like 1996
I will read a few back issues. Have a few drinks and post a few comments.
Stand by
Just when you think our redneck Mayor can’t take Townsville down any lower in the Australian public’s eye, this piece of marketing has taken Townsville as a tourist destination to new low levels.
https://www.facebook.com/337061293308/posts/pfbid0buT2vZswLExbM52oHNWxoAbBQYajtgvJfJuHHUrkibKddJoJsKVcoAgsgaV6GiEwl/?sfnsn=mo
Nah mate! It’s a joke. They can’t be serious!
If only they were. This is what we’ve sunk to.
EB, Yeah mate,they are.
Two passings in recent days that should be noted.
One the greatest writers of modern days, historical novelist/biographer Hilary Mantel has died, aged 70. She had been in declining health for some years. She will be best remembered for wonderful three volume biography of Thomas Cromwell – Wolf Hall, Bring Up The Bodies and the final The Mirror and The Light. Her writing made you forget you were reading, one of those rare feats that so many aspire to and so many fail to attain. She left a large body of work but is still a great loss to literature and insightful commentary on the human state.
…………..
The actress who portrayed a character whose name has gone into everyday language, Louise Fletcher, has died peacefully in her sleep at her home in France. She was 88.
Ms Fletcher created one of the most disturbing movie characters of all time when she played Nurse Rachet, playing opposite Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Her portrayal of the villainous tormentor of mental patients won her the Oscar for Best Actress in 1976. And ‘Nurse Rachet’ has become a well worn insult for strict authoritarianism and cruelty.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-09-23/louise-fletcher-dead-obit
I first saw Louise Fletcher in 1975 in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. She was mesmerising with her cool, calm and frustrating demeanour that was the brilliant spark to ignite the powder keg of Jack Nicholson.
She was brilliant and it’s almost like you can’t imagine anyone else ever playing that part in the movie.
She was a female version of Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lamb, without his humour but you wanted to reach into the movie screen and strangle her so many times in OFOTCN.
One of the greats in a iconic movie.
Vale Louise Fletcher.
You would think having legislation on one’s side would result in justice in this country.
Not if an individual has something somebody else wants, or a conflict of interest exists.
Conflict of interest in this town is disturbing. I believe certain organisations and a number of people in public office will go to extraordinary lengths to destroy anyone who gets in their or their friends way. The more legislation and evidence you find to support your case results in the spread of further slander and victimisation throughout the community and I believe other public entities.
It is frightening to think we now have the same political party running our Local, State and Federal governments.
I will however fight on despite my declining health.
“Is my home and car safe in this city?”
“Nah Mate! This is Townsville, North Queensland. “
We used to be called Townsville.
Then Jenny Hill became mayor and we turned into Boganville.
During the NRL season this year we became Whingeville.
Now, perfectly timed for the end of the NRL season, Townsville Enterprise has turned our once great city into Clownsville.
Jenny Hill was the star of last night’s Channel Seven news, calling the Seychelles – wait for it – Seashells.
Her TEL CEO added to the cringe by struggling to recall Townsville’s tourist attractions. The word bumbling came to mind.
And we ratepayers hand over $750,000 every year for this lot to waste.
Fair dinkum, you couldn’t make this stuff up.
The Astonisher is on board totally with this nonsense, so let’s see how they handle … indeed if they publish …. the flood of letters and TTE that bag this silly, juvenile campaign.
MAGPIE ADVISORY TO NESTER COMMENTERS:
Have been advised of a power maintenance blackout in the Magpie’s area from 8.30 to 2.30 today, so don’t think the old bird is neglecting you, any correspondence when back on-line.
Mind you, have received two similar notices previously and nothing has happened. But we’ll see.
“Does your town have a free, fearless and independent press?”
” Nah Mate! This is Townsville, North Queensland. “
Mr. Pie, check the gobbly gook that Ms. Woolfe spews on TEL’s website regarding this extraordinary “campaign.”
I don’t know what she’s smoking, but I want some.
But seriously, I have never read such garbage!
And even more seriously, this “campaign” is targeting south-east QLD, NSW and Victoria… roughly 15 million people.
Just how much money has been allocated, and, if the million or so dollars that would have to be spent to have any effect is available, where did the money come from??
“Townsville Enterprise Director – Visitor Economy & Marketing, Lisa Woolfe said the campaign focuses on awareness of Townsville North Queensland as a holiday destination and is a taste of what is to come for the new tourism brand to launch in early 2023.
“From over six months of in-depth brand research and consumer insights, we know that awareness of Townsville North Queensland as a holiday destination is one of our biggest challenges to address in order to fulfill the visitor economy potential of our region,” Mrs Woolfe said.
“With international travel now an option for consumers post-COVID, we need to remind Australians of the world-class natural experiences we have on our doorstep, and most of which are largely undiscovered offering something new to consumers from across the country.
“There are amazing experiences right across the globe, but we have it all in Townsville North Queensland.”
“Our region boasts an unrivalled power to surprise those with a seeker spirit to connect more deeply with places and themselves, for discovery and self-discovery – and this is something we are highlighting in this campaign.”
“Utilising sophisticated data intelligence to pinpoint key demographics, personality types and geo-targeting, the campaign targets highest value audiences and aims to maximise conversion for the industry.”
“The launch of the campaign today coincides with World Tourism Day and is a step in the right direction for our bigger brand launch in the new year.”
And, we have a “bigger brand launch in the New Year”
God help us! This is serious and scary shit!
I am 78 years old, reasonably still it touch with the world, I reckon,.. a shocking lot of bullshit has hit us again
Greetings Magpie and fellow Nesters. What a pleasure it was to log on this morning and see the news of the latest tourist campaign for Townsville.
My pleasure came from being thankful that I no longer have to reside there, I get to enjoy the circus from afar. And the circus is certainly on going.
This has the Mullet’s hands all over it I think. She possibly had a last second thought fart before drifting off nini, whilst silently commending herself for her latest brilliance that must be put to her minions to action come daylight.
I will guess the slogan was hers and nobody was able to, or brave enough, to point out to her that it is shit and will not achieve any positive results. The feedback I have seen this morning is scathing, as it should be.
Just embarrassing, no other words for it.
Agree with all that except the bit about it being her idea … this has outside consultants (of a very low calibre in both talent and interest) written all over it. One can imagine their glee when goofs like mayor Mullet, Ms B-S and Woolfe Woman started baying in agreement with this dangerous twaddle. What’s the chances of the threatened full-on campaign based onb this slogan, promised for ‘2023’ never gets off the ground?
Maybe if we treat NAH as an acronym the variations are endless ie Not A Hope,
a great acronym for the ninnies who thought up this tripe: Not At Home.
“Hey Dave, is your city council honest, accountable and transparent, governing in the interests of all?”
“Nah Mate! This is Townsville, North Queensland. “
$62 Billion builds lots of hospitals and schools as well as pays lots nurses and teachers.
Great smokescreen move …. because squeezed in there somewhere in that timeline is going to be the cost of the Olympic… this announcement is all fairy floss at the moment … nothing concrete, no start date … min a word, nuffink! So why carry on like pork chops about this (wonderful if true) scheme. You will note the insistence that so much of the benefit will ‘go to the regions’. And this line will be talked up … and up …. and up, until -ta da – the next state election. Then the focus will shift to the Olympics, and alas, so sorry, parts of the energy plan have been put on hold ‘for fiscal reasons’.
See if The ‘Pie is wrong.
“Fairy floss”? This is like the Voice thing all over again, lots of detail you refuse to read
Like what?
And BTW, have you noted, Clothhead, that many are now asking the same question that, in your books, makes them racists – what would a Voice mean in practical, everyday terms?
Does the grand scheme include raising the wall of the Burdekin Dam the full 6m to allow for hydro?
Hospitals and schools use electricity, Prickster.
Lots of coal power running hospitals and schools little Stevie. And it keeps them going really well and keeps people alive and educated.
And it will be replaced with renewables
Yes, they will, totally agree, you couldn’t be more correct – and The ‘Pie means it, he agrees with you …. but until it happens could you please JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP WITH YOUR DRIVEL ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. (Asking the same of all your other subjects would be too big of an ask.)
Steve, I love your optimism but Nah Mate, this is Townsville, North Queensland. (The Pie’s wrong too, unless he’s counting Hydro and Nuclear as reliable Renewables, which indeed they are)
Always seen the sense of nuclear, especially in a country like Australia, where we have the xtra safety insurance of space, but there’s a lot of biased blah, blah, blah, misinformation scare tactics, and strange arguments about costs. Hydro’s great too.
President Anna’s fairy tail energy solution? Yeah, nah! (to quote the Mullet).
and at the centre of the $62 Billion smokescreen is water, either building a new dam for pumped hydro.
New dams are bad for climate change as they are mega methane emitters –
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/nov/14/hydroelectric-dams-emit-billion-tonnes-greenhouse-gas-methane-study-climate-change
Meanwhile no talk of how much water is going to be used for hydrogen.
Promises of lower power prices are delusional, even the energy regulator sees prices going up –
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/higher-prices-a-cost-of-energy-transition-20220928-p5blju
The Qld government has cost blow outs everywhere Cross River Rail, Wanger’s Quarantine facility anyone. Not to mention that costs used in the plan are flawed from day one with increasing freight costs due to fuel prices, supply chain costs and increase interest rates.
All a smoke screen – so nobody is talking about youth crime that is now killing people in Brisbane (it’s important now it’s in SEQ apparently), or the Premier snubbing paralympics athletes, just one crisis after another.
What you may or may not be a fair assessment of the situation, but The Magpie’s comment was more along the lines that what is promised is in high danger of never happening, and at this stage, it is illusionary political waffle (except to privileged zand self-interested visionaries like Steve of Belligerent Gardens, for whom constructing anything is a lucrative professional paradise.)
BTW,you will note she’s been forced into an embarrassing backdown over the paralympic ministerial title … now says she’s happy to do so after months of point blank and inexplicable refusal … but only after prominent para-athletes published an open letter.
Feels like an early Hail Mary brain fart for the next election as well as a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the absolute incompetence firestorm surrounding the state government at the moment. President Anna can proudly say we are taking action but not for more than 10 years so all we voters have to do is elect her 2 more times before we see any action. Yeah, nah!
More like “barely conscious engineer”, this plan has been in development for years, the date announcement was telegraphed long in advance, and it’s commencing immediately. You’re as bad as the Pie, “none so blind” etc.
OK, so what’s the date? You arrogant prick.
Magpie, in Palaszczuk’s very long-winded energy plan announced yesterday, there is a line:
“It starts next week with the Kaban Wind Farm being energized – part of the Far North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.”
That’s just throwing a switch which has been known for a couple of years, that’s hardly the start of this extravaganza, one assumes that facility has been under construction for some time. Or is ‘energize’ (sic) mean something else altogether?
I guess ‘energize’ can mean whatever you want it to mean. There has been quite a bit of controversy around Ravenshoe for a while especially earlier this year when land clearing for the access roads and turbine pads got underway. According to the project’s website, “The construction works on the project have commenced and the completion date is expected to be in February 2023.”
Hey little Stevie, whoopsie, and it is only day one. It might be a long 10 years for President Anna:
https://inqld.com.au/business/2022/09/29/hot-air-hydro-energy-plan-showpiece-already-no-certainty/
Well, gosh and golly, colour The ‘Pie surprised.
Seems the small town of Netherdale will go under with the main hydro scheme west of Mackay, but somehow, the townsfolk don’t seem too fussed.
From the Courier story:
“One Netherdale woman, who has lived on her property for 60 years, said she was informed late Wednesday night by telephone that her property would need to be resumed to make way for the project, but said she was not surprised by the news.
“It’s been talked about locally for years,” she said.
“We’ve always thought it could happen, but it is progress and we know we need renewable energy.”
But the woman, who asked not to be named, said she doubted the project would come to fruition.
“There have been studies on things like this in the area before, a long time ago, and they’d get to feasibility studies and then they’d scrap them,” she said.
“I’d bet my bottom dollar that is what will happen this time.”
She was not told what compensation would be offered for her land, or that of her son, which combined totals around 400 acres.”
Even the government reckons the scheme they touted as ‘the biggest in the world’ may not be able to go ahead. But if they know that, why the fuck announce anything.
Look, Steve of Belligerent Gardens might be able to help us out here. When you’ve finished kneeling under the desk with your mouth full, Stevie, give us the inside running on why your golden girl would say such a thing.
Prickster, your comment that “nobody is talking about youth crime that is now killing people in Brisbane” is not accurate, here’s David Crisafulli’s latest letter received today. FYI
Dear ********
This week we have tragically seen another innocent Queenslander lose their life at the hands of young criminals driving a stolen car. Another Queensland family having to deal with the grief of losing a loved one. Another community left asking why?
In the past two years nine Queenslanders have been killed in incidents involving stolen cars – and still the Palaszczuk Government will not listen and will not act.
Queenslanders are rightly asking what it will take for the State Government to be on the side of victims?
The current youth justice system isn’t working. It isn’t keeping Queenslanders safe.
The LNP has consistently called for change to the system and put forward solutions.
Making breach of bail an offence is the start. This means police don’t need to wait for the criminal to steal another car or break into another home. They could act if the offender breaches the terms of their bail – before another family is torn apart.
This change needs to be supported with more effective intervention services to get kids back on the rails before it’s too late.
Help me get the Palaszczuk Government to listen and act. Please share your thoughts on Queensland’s youth crime crisis.
Please keep up to date with me http://www.facebook.com/DavidCrisafulliMP
If we can assist with any other matter, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.
Thank you and kind regards,
DAVID CRISAFULLI MP
Leader of the LNP
I wonder if Nanna Anna will mention how approximately 6 Queensland cops are resigning each week due to not wanting to have to deal with their increasing workload amongst violent fuckwits, the continued lack of support by police management whose priority is promoting women first and LGBQT rubbish rather than providing more foot soldiers, and with many cops taking leave or on workers comp there is a never ending shortage of boys and girls in blue. The Palasczuk government is too busy putting mates into Board positions and shoring up Olympic gravy train positions for mates, leaving the rest of the State to rot to pieces. Add to the list there is the complete lack of regional infrastructure or financial support, a lack of doctors, medical clinics, police stations, hospitals, quality roads and fucking schools. This incredulous Premier is too busy poncing around A-list events with her pink jacket wearing boyfriend – Dr Strangelove. FFS, can we please skip straight through to the next election and just appoint The Kid as Premier?
Achilles, I suspect that Prickster was trying to make the point that with this Palaszczuk energy plan “smoke screen” all over the news, nobody will be talking about youth crime in Brisbane. And for the time being that is probably correct. Opposition Leader Crisafulli will now have to direct his attention to the government’s massive energy investment plan – which might have a silver lining – as Opposition tourism spokesman he won’t have to pay any attention to TEL’s colourless Townsville Nah Mate flapdoodle.
Re the bogan slogan Nah Mate! etc, the ABC Nth Qld Facebook page has shut down the comments after 490 comments expressing disbelief and disgust. WELL DONE MAYOR MULLET!
DOK, what this campaign of sorts proves is that the Mullet is an amateur, a complete imbecile, and that she should be in charge of an illegal hoon’s car race meeting rather than a city’s economy. What an idiot.
To pinch and paraphrase a wonderful Marina Hyde line: ‘Mayor Mullet has such a negative impact that NASAwant to fire her at asteroids.’
I rang the Bulletin this morning to find out why the comics have been taken out of the paper and was told a survey had been conducted to find out if readers wanted more puzzles or the comics and apparently the survey found there was an overwhelming support for ditching the comics and more puzzles, they couldn’t tell me when the survey was conducted or by whom, however I was advised that if enough people complained the powers that be might realise what a big mistake they have made. The fellow I spoke to was really helpful and filed a complaint for me, not sure if it will do any good, I’ll have to wait and see.
Comics, like puzzles, are a bulk buy from outside sources, so all these decisions are basically made in Sydney, or at the very least Brisbane … and losing the comics could be see as a cost cutting measure.
Wouldn’t worry to much about losing the comics in the Mulletin. Most of their front page headline stories about the Bogan Mayor are comic enough!
Make that tragi-comic.
For bloggers who can’t get past the Astonisher paywall, here are the comments on Jenny Hill’s latest attempt at bullying Fran O’Callaghan:
Martin
1 hour ago
Townsville has gone downhill since Jenny Hill has been Mayor just look state of place her bullying actions need to stop keep it up Fran
2 hours ago
Typical Jenny Hill my way or the highway. Nothing has changed since I had a run in with her over 20 years ago when she was working in the council petty BS. Hopefully when elections come around people have the guts to change and try and vote a council that is NOT party aligned unlike state elections which is getting worse by the day, who would have thought that was even possible.
Geoffrey
2 hours ago
Keep it up Fran, many of us are relying on you to keep things above board and not a dictatorship, like the state currently is.
brett
4 hours ago
Maybe you should be talking about the dumb decision with the ring road and the build up of traffic on Becks drive.Not to mention closing lanes on riverway drive to slow down traffic.Towsnville city council building a better bank account.
OverTheHill
4 hours ago
Mayor showing her best side again. Pure Vindictiveness. Nothing fairly balanced in this Labor council. Frank Sinatra sang “I did it my way” , not Jennifer Lorraine Hill. Go Fran, you will still be there when the others are finally kicked out. It cannot come quick enough for the sake of this once great place to live.
Curious George
11 hours ago
I’d like to see a poll on who Townsville residents trust – Jenny Hill or Fran O’Callaghan.
Bullying councilors is a sign of weakness, not leadership.
Patricia
12 hours ago
The election can’t come soon enough for us to get rid of Jenny Hill
Geoffrey
2 hours ago
@Patricia I am not 100% against Ms Hill, but I do disagree with her behaviour and actions at times and this and all dealings with independents is high on my list of objections.
Kelvin
16 hours ago
Stick it to em Fran provided you are right. The town will back someone who tries to pull the crap into line. good to see someone with the guts to let them know how dismal things are
Davo
17 hours ago
Open, transparent and fair local government. Wouldn’t that be nice. Stick it to them Fran.
Richard
17 hours ago
Typical Labor practices. Deny deflect and change things to suit their agenda.
dino
17 hours ago
The one who needs to leave is Hill, before more people leave this once great city that is now full of weeds.
There’s a pattern emerging here!
Hopefully one of Hill the dill’s minions is showing her these comments. Jenny is a complete bogan who has held the city back for 10 years. Might as well call her Jenny Bjelke-Petersen. ‘Nah, don’t you worry about that’!
RR that’s not a pattern, that’s a portrait.
In Melbourne for a couple of weeks Mr. Pie…freezing the proverbials off!
Daylight savings starts on Sunday.
Wonder if Crisafulli has the balls to make it an election issue?
Shit…my three-hour flight back will now become four hours!
The thing I like about you Elusive Butterflog/NMD/Palm Sunday is that you can’t resist any Crisafulli bait. As soon as The Kid gets a mention you start seething and convulsing with anger. Poor deluded fool, your love of Anna and Jenny is truly nauseating.
EB,
Have you ever asked anyone working west of the East coast of Qld what they think of daylight saving (where do the savings go?) and the detrimental effect on work and family routine. I’ll bet no. If SEQld want daylight saving go for it. SEQld has fuckall interest in the rest of the state.
EB, do you understand Local Time vs Eastern Standard Time, local time at, say, Wellington Point, Longreach, Mt Isa , Urandagie. Local time being different for each location as a factor of longitude. Do you understand longitude?
I bet you don’t and local time is important if you don’t live in the sweet point of the various standard time zones.
That is enough for now as I expect EB is well mentally exhausted, or distracted by a fly on the wall, to contemplate further.
EB,
Just stay there.
Thanks.
What a week! Picked up on the lost opportunity re IPLEX and manufacturing pipes in the North – back in the 70’s, I remember foresighted individuals wanting to make Townsville a South Pacific hub supporting communities across the land and sea. A great ideal that would have seen the City prosper, but like many good ideas, it disappeared into the blue yonder.
TEL’s “Nah” campaign is straight out of Scott Morrison’s marketing book fail of “Where the bloody hell are ya” for Tourism Australia. Are these people at TEL that stupid? Time for the $750,000 to be taken out of their bloated salaries.
And to local Councillor Fran. Good work all round, we were so happy she was voted in after Msgbank Walker, and she is obviously in the right – the level of bullying and vitriol from Mayor and her sycophants tells us that Fran is on the money. Keep up the good work.
What the bloody hell did we good people of Townsville pay for that stupid tourism campaign? I could have done better during smoko. How about “Townsville – not as shit as Darwin”. Does anyone know which brains trust made that crap up?
The ‘Pie has been told that it was all the work of Lisa Wolfe … although that’s unconfirmed, and considering the widespread scornful reaction, she’s not likely to, The Magpie’s source points out that not even the usual third rate money grubbing southern consultancies would be stupid enough to try this on. Or would they?
It sounds like it probably evolved from a dinner party brain fart that turned into a dare.
I’m sure if feedback was positive Ms BS would have claimed the idea, watch your back Lisa.
Nah, mate, B-S will keep her around, knows she’s no threat.
Just when we thought Jenny Hill couldn’t get any nastier, she is all over the front page of today’s rag spending our rates on council legal action against Fran O’Callaghan and her husband over unpaid legal costs which – wait for it – are yet to be decided on appeal. For those who can’t access the story, Fran has stated she will pay the legal costs – when they are finally decided by the court.
The word vindictive doesn’t even come close to describing Hill’s relentless attacks on our only genuine independent councilor. (Sue Blom was been browbeaten into submission long ago).
Surely Fran is entitled to take action against Hill for workplace bullying and harassment.
If she decides to I’ll happily contribute to her legal costs.
Horrible one sided treatment of Cr O’Callaghan by our local paper. How dare they splash her all over the front page owing council $80,000 (which to my understanding is being appealed) but not put Cr Mooney’S drink driving charge on the front page. Ever since Craig Warhurst the previous editor left the Bulletin this editor has been eating whatever crumbs Jenny Hill and Labor give him! How much did the ratepayers pay for Jenny Hills previous case? I think the ratepayers deserve to know how much one of the best legal eagles in the country cost us!
From what I hear “around the watercooler” the amount of the High Court costs have not yet even been signed off by the court so she can’t pay them even if she wanted to. Tony Blight is a nasty pustule.
This has clearly been overseen – no doubt at the mayor’s request – by third rate legal drone Tony Bligh (at a ‘t’ for more accuracy). And there’s nothing worse than a third rate lawyer who thinks he’s a second rate lawyer. You can bet he has been an instrumental bully in the treatment and threats to Fran O’Callaghan from day one.
A smug, moral-free zone of legal banality. And a joke among those in the local profession.
And The Magpie challenges Blight, The Bulletin (shame on you, TR!) or Jenny Hill why they have pilloried Clr O’Callaghan about a bill that has not yet been finalised by a court, which she has never refused to pay when ordered to do so after her ultimate challenge failed, and why they chose this totally dishonest, fully irrelevant and spiteful path that brings all the council into disrepute?
Panic, perhaps. (Not Blight of course, he’s a time serving bum polisher totally safe in his government sinecure.)
And did Bligh lie (or to use the more gentile and legally safe term ‘mislead’) the council? Well, it’s all here in Fran’s reply, on which she relies on the streamed recording of proceedings when she absented herself from the meeting on a declared conflict of interest. Long, but you’ll be properly informed more than just reading the Daily Mulletin.
Another bulletin error (of judgement yet again!)
Headlines are meant to address the basic story, so this one is 100% wrong.
If Tony Raggatt (what were you thinking, mate?) hadn’t written the story upside down, the real headline would’ve been:
CLR HITS BACK AT MAYOR’S SMEAR
How has Tony Bligh not been made redundant during the numerous rounds of restructures at Townsville City Council? This baffles me.
The man is a malignant, self interested cancer on the ratepayer. He is an offensive, incompetent solicitor who offers dubious advice and would never get a job in a decent law firm or a reputable organisation. He constantly operates within the grey areas of the law, and has no moral or ethical principles and who will hang out colleagues to dry to protect his own arse.
You answer your own question … because he is a malignant, self-interested cancer on the ratepayer.
I thought he also employed Nick Hays, the legal eagle that appeared for DUI Liam Mooney.
Quite possible …. and since Mr hays is bazza’s boy in Townsville for Emanate, chances are Liam got his services pro bono, in recognition of -cough, cough – previous services rendered in the form of standover campaign fund-raising for His Radiance.
Makes him a perfect fit for the TCC executive structure.
It appears that Nanna Anna has read the tea leaves on how unpopular taxing land in other states was going to be and has told the treasurer to can the idea.
GST, the mayor doesn’t give the Townsville Bulletin crumbs, she pays millions of ratepayer dollars for important ads like pages of photos of senior citizens at her annual oldies lunch. Could this be classed as protection money? Just asking.
Just read an interesting article where Grant Atkins, the referee for the Cowboys, Parramatta game is the son of life member and former Parramatta player Graeme Atkins, Grant won’t be referee for the GF on Sunday night as Ashley Klein has got the gong, but Grant will be officiating in the BUNKER. Don’t the NRL love to lead with their jaw?
certainly not a good look, but doesn’t prove anything untoward.
So you’re money is on Parra, Pie ?
Should be a rippa game, their Battles of the West (of Sydney) always produce fireworks. Evenly matched, with Penrith with an edge, but the result could still end up lopsided if one team decides on the wrong game plan, and fails to adjust quickly enough.
I see that Magnis has posted its Annual Financial Statement for 2022. There are a couple of references to its proposed Townsville operation. Here’s one:
“Capital required
The estimated total construction costs of the 18GWh factory in Townsville is $3Bn. Project development has been phased into 3 stages of 6GWh to reduce the upfront capital requirement. Stage One construction costs are estimated to be $1.12Bn. Without a demonstrated ability in capital raising of this quantum, there is a risk that the capital required won’t be secured or will be significantly delayed. There is also risk that battery cell offtake agreements will not be secured for each of the three stages or that the price will be less than estimated. This could impact the project’s ability to repay project finance and result in a lower fair value. To mitigate these risks, iM3TSV will appoint a financing professional in the capacity of advisor to jointly develop the Project funding strategy as part of this feasibility study. In the role of financial advisor, the financing professional will bring extensive experience on seeking funding for large projects in the renewables sector including working alongside government bodies, to advise projects in North Queensland. iM3TSV will also implement a testing and market development program involving battery production testing in a commercial setting at equipment vendor facilities. Generated product will be provided for customer evaluation and qualification towards procuring offtake contracts. This program will take place prior to securing the construction costs for Stage One. Securing offtake following confirmation of product specification will assist is securing project funding.”
Hmmm.
Start date on construction at Lansdown: 12th of Never. All we need now is for magnis to select as their special financial advisor our very own Colin ‘Adjunct’ Dwyer.