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The Magpie

Saturday, February 3rd, 2024   |   187 comments

Health Forces Fran Out Of The Mayoral Race – Is It All Over Bar The Shouting?

Political and local reality would strongly suggest it is, with Jenny Hill set up for another term even if a viable candidate popped up at the last minute.  And that’s an outcome this city can ill afford. The Magpie prognosticates.

Jenny the diplomat – her latest spray targeting the southern media seems more like a stroke than a master stroke.

Academic Action Man plays The Joker: when boofhead threatens snowflake,  JCU just shrugs and hangs out its double standards for all to see.

The Nest is a somewhat briefer this week, you’ll appreciate that like everyone else, The Magpie was prompted into uncharacteristic activity by the threat of a bit of wind and water – an imminent event about which the mayor indicated that we should panic by suggesting ‘don’t panic, stay calm’. But come hell or a bit of rain, The ‘Pie’s other panic – the financial one – is ever present. If you can support the Nest with a donation to help defray costs, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate button is at the end of the blog.

Art Imitates Life

Advertising art, that is. Given that 2024 is going to big on elections, both here and elsewhere,  this on-line ad seems to carry a dual message.

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And as if to prove the point of the pointlessness of the two party + fancy dress fringe chuckleheads, where as the outmoded Westminster system dictates ‘oppositions MUST oppose’, Bentley clearly predicts what lies ahead for us on the nationallevel.

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First In A Bustling Year Of Bullshit,  Queenslander Will Get To Limber Up Locally 

The Qld Local Government elections will be held on March 16, but here in Townsville, as it stands as of last Friday, it’s going to somewhat of an anti-climax.

Fran quits Screen Shot 2024-02-02 at 2.08.12 pm

Fran O’Callaghan has been forced to pull out of the mayoral race due to serious health issues. No glory for glory’s sake poser, Fran spent tens of thousands of dollars of her own money (she repeatedly refused multiple offers of funding for avoid of being compromised by conflict of interest in office), and campaigned quietly last year through a debilitating health scare, which seems may now have reoccurred.  This was her statement withdrawing from the race.

In the last week and a half I have become unwell. I am currently waiting for medical appointments to try and diagnose what is going on. I must however, accept the fact that I may not be able to continue in the election for Mayor, or in the coming months and years,  I may not have the ability to conduct mayoral duties to their full capacity. It is for this reason that I formally announce that I will not be contesting the position of mayor of Townsville. I have deliberately taken this decision just over one week before nominations close, so I can urge any potential Mayoral candidates who understand how our Council needs to change, to come forward and nominate. Otherwise, Townsville is at risk of not having the chance of better local government. I will offer you whatever help and assistance I can.

I withdraw with the great regret that I will not be able to fight for stronger, transparent and more responsible leadership for the city that I love.

I sincerely thank and apologise to all those who have offered their unstinting support over the past months, I know you will understand.

I will not be discussing the matter any further with the media at this time, and ask that my privacy is respected.

Fran’s withdrawal was a double, even triple blow. We’ll never know now if she could make up ground in the last few hectic weeks of campaigning, and even those including many in Labor who believed Jenny’s time should be up, were not confident that Fran could overcome the well-oiled Hill/Labor/Bulletin machine. What was hoped for was enough voter opposition to hopefully put a brake on the runaway hubris of Mayor Mullet – stuff like blind-siding the visiting PM by telling the travelling media to ‘get off its arse, get out of the bubble,  and stop telling us how to live’ (which they hadn’t).  (Albo couldn’t hide that he was far from happy with that little outburst, all but shoving Hill to one side as he professionally laughed his way around the stupidity …. the most embarrassing bit was the open mouthed hillbilly cackle of self-appreciation Jenny awarded herself after her statement, while our local state dimwits laughed uproariously .)

As of writing, the only opposition now is a rejected One Notion candidate and questionable businessman Troy Thompson,.

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Thompson talks down party affgiliations, which is wise of him – he’s running as an independent, probably because if you’re kicked out by Pauline Hanson, you really don’t have much prospect of serious backing. He’s making all the right noises with his policy posted on social media, but his track record leaves his ability to deliver in question. Frankly,  The ‘Pie reckons he’d be a disaster of another variety for our beleaguered city. Unless the ‘anyone but Jenny ‘vibe ramps up considerably, he is unlikely to trouble the woman one Labor insider described to The Magpie ‘the luckiest politician I’ve ever known.’

The only small glimmer of hope we have is that Paul Jacob gets up as a councillor. Despite his suspect motives, Jacob was the one who stood up against the Adani airstrip scam, helping to reveal it while raging against the lack of transparency and accountability of the mayor. He resigned from council soon afterwards to have an unsuccessful  run at state, and while aborting a run at the mayoralty because – he said – his ailing wife needed him at home. However, she seems to be OK with him being a councillor, which tends to suggest that being a Walker Street wanker isn’t quite as tough as he sometimes made out.

We may be the lucky country and Jenny may be the lucky politician, but it seems there’s precious little luck left in the pot for poor bloody Townsville.

But Fran’s Presence Lingers On

Remember this from The Nest of Dec 9 last year?

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But it gets stranger. Not only did the Gnomes of Walker Street decline to tell the councillor anything, it seems they were spooked enough by the publicity her question got that there was a mysterious change to the record of declaration of tenders over $200k. This how it stands now. (Second bottom).

Paradise Screen Shot 2024-01-31 at 7.35.18 pm

‘Schedule of rates’ is  when for instance a tradie says he will charge you $100 per hour Mon to Friday and $160 on weekends. But in this case,  it means be so much per billboard, digital sign etc. Which, funnily enough (but whose laughing) doesn’t publicly declare a cap on spending
Changing a previously published document in this way is a very strange thing to do, but it’s just as strange that just at this juncture the council needs an open cheque book for advertising. And there is a hint of conflict of interest in this matter that The ‘Pie is still looking into.

This Bloke Is About As Funny As A Fire In An Orphanage

The Magpie

  1. When JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor and Indigenous Education and Strategy Professor Martin Nakata told a 65 year old female colleague if she didn’t increase indigenous enrolment ‘I will spear you’ – he said it three different times – he dismissed the oh-so-predictable reaction, claiming it ‘was just a joke.’

    A joke, eh, Professor? Oh, you man just like footballer and child abuser Adam Goodes claimed he was joking when he pretended to throw a spear at the crowd

    Screen Shot 2024-02-04 at 9.56.06 am

    … and then sooked up big time …

    and refused to believe that a 13 year old girl who called him an ape was making a joke. Oh, no, the child had intended a deep racial slur, according to Professor Goodes.

    The sanitised, rarefied and closely monitored air of academia is light years away from the baying crowds of a football arena, but at least Goodes has the excuse that he’s just a footballing reverse-racist sook. What’s yours, Prof?

    A commenter asked the very good question of double standards, suggesting if a white person had said something similar, they’d be down at Tom’s Tavern having a farewell beer within the hour.

    Not that your ‘victim’ can feel too aggrieved. The way ‘woke’ works in the halls of academe, said woman was ‘so traumatised’ (oh FFS) that she’s been off work on full pay for the past month.  Which leads one to whichever conclusion seems more likely … that someone so sensitive as to be ‘deeply traumatised’ by this bearded boofhead’s obviously empty threat that she has a serious fit of the vapours raises the question of what she is doing ion a institution of higher learning and supposed intelligence.

    The other option – which The Magpie favours – is it is just another rort in the sheltered workshops that universities have become.

    In The US, MAGA-GAGAs Continue To Bounce Off The Padded Walls

    There continues an amazingly blatant war against truth and facts from the Republicans and the MAGA snapadoodles, and the most disheartening thing is how much of the mainstream media broadcast utter transparent drivel without suitable push bnack. The first offering in this week’s gallery sums it up accurately.

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    Screen Shot 2024-02-03 at 10.25.13 am Screen Shot 2024-02-03 at 2.36.53 pm Screen Shot 2024-02-01 at 9.01.07 am Screen Shot 2024-02-01 at 9.02.18 am Screen Shot 2024-01-31 at 7.47.59 am Screen Shot 2024-01-31 at 7.47.17 am Screen Shot 2024-01-31 at 7.46.06 am

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..Screen Shot 2024-01-30 at 11.10.09 am

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And A Final Explanation Why You’re Hearing Loud Bitter Laughter From The TCC Offices …

… because staff just read this photo caption in the Bulletin.

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……………………

That’s it this time around, hope the coming week isn’t such a trudge. Comments run 24/7, hop in. The donate button to help with Nest costs is below.

The Magpie's Nest is now more than five years old, and remains an independent alternative voice for Townsville. The weekly warble is a labour of love and takes a lot of time to put together. So if you like your weekly load of old cobblers, you can help keep it aloft with a donation, or even a regular voluntary subscription. Paypal is at the ready, it's as easy as ... well, easy as pie. Limited advertising space is also available.

187 Comments

  1. Been there says:

    There is another way besides a donkey-vote for the Mayor (which will achieve NOTHING) … get behind a councillor candidate who is capable of “doing a Fran” for the next 4 years and has a chance of beating the team hill stooge. That means joining their campaign and helping to get them elected.

    For Nesters, it means oiling the wheelie-walkers and doing some door knocking of your local area. Warriors, get out from behind your keyboards!

  2. Ben Rumson says:

    The last two comments in last weeks blog were from Kenny Kennett highlighting irregularities in Team Hill electioneering that contravenes ECQ regulations.
    How will this be brought to the attention of the ECQ? They have scores of councils to monitor. This should not slip through, unseen by the ECQ.
    As this matter was identified and highlighted by K.K. I sincerly encourage him to directly bring this matter to the attention of the ECQ. Good hunting.

    • The Magpie says:

      Yes, and it can have consequences. Our old mate Phil Batty down in Airlie took up that matter following his council’s last elections, alleging Mike Brunker did exactly that … in the end, Brunker was reprimanded, but the council still tried to avoid responsibility, and now they’ve been reported and under investigation for – well, basically – lying. The backwash is still in motion on this matter, but interesting to note that Brunker, a lifetime gold pass holder on the gravy train is not running again this time around.

      It takes integrity, guts and intelligence to take on the mammoth machinery (which is deliberately so to discourage such actions) but they didn’t count on Phil Batty who has all those qualities in spades.

      • Phil Batty says:

        Magpie, I can confirm to the readers of the nest that several/most of the Team Jenny Hill candidates are breaching the rules and regulations in exactly the same way as CLR Brunker did and was found guilty and fined for doing so.

        They should all be reprimanded in a similar fashion for this

        • Phil Batty says:

          In fact, and in my opinion they are breaching the regulations in more ways that Brunker did. If you are willing to break the laws in order to get elected then I think you should be excluded from the contest altogether but we all know that won’t happen.

          The rules are clear, the breaches are certain, the penalties less so. Like always no one will enforce the rules that they set.

        • ECQ Anon says:

          The ECQ published the Election Date on October 3rd 2023. Team Jenny Hill nominated around the same time, naming its 10 candidates, including Rachel Armstrong in Division 8. From that point forward candidates were permitted to electioneer as part of Team Jenny Hill. The nomination process between 29/01/24 and 13/02/24 is irrelevant in this instance. Cr O’Callaghan’s advertising of mayoral ambitions was similarly within guidelines.

          In this instance Phillip Batty you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Perhaps go back for a snooze.

          • The Magpie says:

            That is exactly wrong because Batty did not specify how the rules were broken (not here in comments, although he certainly did the job down at Airlie). It seems you, acting on behalf of a guilty party, are trying a pre-emptive distraction. But why should The ‘Pie go on, you have now exposed yourself to the tender ministrations of Phillip Batty Esq. If he can be bothered with the likes of you.

          • Phil Batty says:

            Ohhhh ECQ Anon, I do love it when someone puts their head up to tell me I am Wrong Wrong Wrong.
            Obviously you have no idea what I am talking about, or wha you are talking about too, I can guarantee you and the readers that several/most of Team Jenny Hill candidates are breaking the rules, right now, today, yesterday and most likely tomorrow. I will stake my reputation on it. Perhaps you would like to identify yourself if you have the balls as i used my name on the comment maybe you should do the same.
            When you are bold enough to challenge me again please use your name and I will gladly accept the challenge. Go on you know you want to.

          • The Magpie says:

            Seems fair, so any response will only be published if the commenter is identified.

            Of course, it won’t happen ‘cos Jenny would kick his arse ’til his nose bled.

          • ECQ Anon says:

            Oooh. Nice bit of collusion with the Batty one on this one. So, I’ll say thanks but no thanks and could care less. But do point your mate Phil in the direction of Fact Sheets 03 and 07 of ECQ Handbook and until he can identify exactly where and how Team Hill has contravened and Fran O’Callaghan has not, there’ll be no more correspondence from this end.

          • The Magpie says:

            Hey Phil, mission accomplished!!!

            We all owe you.

          • Phil Batty says:

            Group Campaigning which ECQ Anon was saying Fran could never prove, the ECQ say this about groups.

            Group membership and campaign activities
            Once you have decided to nominate as a candidate for a local government election, you may also choose to form a group with other candidates contesting the same local government area. You can only be a member of one group and each group can only have one mayoral candidate. A registered political party is not considered to be a group.
            Candidates must register as a group with the ECQ before engaging in group campaign activities. It is an offence for candidates to engage in group campaign activities without being registered as a group.
            Groups can campaign collectively. A group campaign activity is any of the following activities carried out by 2 or more candidates in an intentionally coordinated way:
            • using a common platform to promote the election of the candidate, including for example, the same political policies
            • candidates using the same advertisements, including pamphlets, billboards and any other media; the same campaign slogans, same brands or images, same how-to-vote cards; and other election material that promotes the election of the candidates
            • participating in the same fundraising activities or events
            • sharing the same resources for election campaigns, including human resources (other than volunteers) between the candidates
            • giving or sharing gifts or loans between the candidates.

            Unfortunately for ECQ Anon, Team Jenny Hill is not yet registered with the ECQ (screen shot from 5 minutes ago below) only three are.

            Which means no one is allowed to campaign at all yet.

            Will supply more specific facts and background, but I’ll give you a while to work all this out.

          • Kenny Kennett says:

            So just to clarify ECQ Anon, are you saying that a candidate can advertise / promote themselves for an election, saying they are officially a candidate, even if they haven’t officially enrolled? Surely if they are enrolled then their name would be listed on the official website? Or can anybody just door knock wanting to be invited into homes, without proof they are official candidates? Perhaps that could be a good defence for the mongrel car thieves when they are caught in people’s property.

          • Phil Batty says:

            It would appear that ECQ Anon has gone off to have a snooze and doesnt have the strength or intellect to go head to head on this subject.

            I was so looking forward to making him/her look like a bigger fool than he/she already does. Anonymous to us but when he/she looks in the mirror I wonder how stupid the reflection will look.

            If the nesters think I should show my hand and present the proof I would be happy to do so, then everyone can watch the almost immediate action from the candidates to come back within the law. Other candidate deserve nothing less than competing on a level playing field as abhorrent as that may be to Team Jenny Hill candidates.

          • Phil Batty says:

            ECQ Anon, your challenge even though anonymous still is accepted. May take me a little while to spell it out for you (you can thank me later before someone actually reports all of the candidates to the OIA) I will point out exactly which regulation is being breached, how it is being breached and by whom it is being breached.

            Thank I will look forward to your apology if you have the bottle for that at least and we will all look forward to seeing every candidate stop breaking the rules and play the game with a straight deck.

          • Kenny Kennett says:

            ECQ Moron, is it okay for the following to be advertising even though they haven’t officially nominated yet?
            Div 1 – Ryder
            Div 2 Shari Fabbro
            Div 3 Greaney
            Div 6 Batkovic
            Div 8 Rachel Armstrong
            Div 9 Mooney
            Div 10 Ben Fusco

          • Kenny Kennett says:

            I probably should add-
            Div 4 Molachino
            Div 5 Russ Cook
            Div 7 Kurt Reuben
            Gonna have to get a bigger trough

          • ECQ Anon says:

            While Kenny Kennett reverts to insults, I’ll simply try and clarify the facts for him. Each of the candidates mentioned has registered with the ECQ as part of a group, that group being Team Jenny Hill. The current nomination process is superfluous to this prior registration of Team Jenny Hill and each of the 10 candidates…..in October last year. Again, the same rules applied to Cr O’Callaghan and she was well within her rights to commence political advertising, which she had been doing. According to ECQ Fact Sheets, of which there are about 40, and the ECQ Handbook for candidates and groups of candidates, no one in Team Jenny Hill is doing anything in contravention of ECQ requirements nor the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 and Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023. I’m sorry but cannot be any clearer than that.

        • ECQ Anon says:

          That’s interesting Mr Batty. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information from, but my search of the ECQ shows that Team Jenny Hill submitted a group application in September of 2023. Following the retirement of Cr Maurie Soares, an application to change the membership of the Team Jenny Hill group was submitted in October of 2023. So as far I’m concerned Mr Batty, your cut and paste on “Group membership and campaign activities” is redundant. A bit like this blog if I was to be honest.

          On the matter of my alleged statement that Fran could never prove anything to ECQ on group campaigning, that is not in fact what I said. What I posted, was that Cr O’Callaghan herself was engaged in Mayoral Campaigning activities (car wraps, office signage, corflutes on fences, corflutes on cattle trucks, etc.) and had been for weeks and months. The inference was that Cr O’Callaghan, having nominated for Mayor with the ECQ and thus being entitled to campaign, was no different to Team Jenny Hill who had likewise nominated, albeit as a group.

          As I stated earlier Mr Batty. Sometimes you have been right (and magnanimity on such victories is often lacking) but in this instance you wrong. I’d put this one to bed if I were you Magpie. Its not going anywhere.

          • The Magpie says:

            You wish, Bozo. Clench the buttocks, if I know Batty, this is a long way from bedtime.

          • ECQ Anon says:

            Why?

          • Spielcheque says:

            Magpie, I can find the lists of ECQ rules for groups etc but I can’t find the place where nominated groups are listed or what Phil Batty called his “screen shot”. What do I search for?

          • The Magpie says:

            OK ECQ Anon

            Let’s be clear, I don’t make the regulations and neither do you, but if they are made, I, like anyone else including candidates, should expect they will be followed because they are the law. It is half-arsed, blustering, paid apparatchiks like you that lead to all sorts of clusterfucks like the the following.

            The regulations states :-

            Use of council resources
            You must maintain a clear separation between your council role and campaigning activities.

            Councillors and council employees should not use council-provided resources such as vehicles, phones, email accounts or printers for campaigning. This applies at any time, not just during the official election period.

            (Here’s the link.)

            Now let’s have a look at the screenshots from several facebook pages for councillors who are candidates in the election.

            Margie Ryder – Council supplied Mobile Phone and number, council email address on her campaign page.

            Deputy Mayor & Councillor Mark Molachino- Council supplied mobile phone and number, council email address on his campaign page

            Russ Cook- Council supplied mobile phone and number, council email address on his campaign page.

            Kurt Rehbein- Council supplied mobile phone and number on his campaign page.

            THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT MIKE BRUNKER DID DURING THE WHITSUNDAY REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WHICH LED TO HIS REPRIMAND AND FINE, AND PROMPTED THE COUNCIL TO BE DISHONEST IN ITS HANDLING OF THE MATTER (STILL TO BE FULLY RESOLVED).

            There’s a few things to be chewing on, interesting to note also that several of the pages are “Authorised by M Ryder 1/164 Geany Lane Deeragun.”

            That alone may cause more issues if the pages don’t actually belong to the candidates, and lets not try to say they are the Councillors pages, not the campaign pages but as the names were changed in January 2024 inserting the word “for” as in “Russell Cook for Division 5 “ they are clearly campaigning pages.

            I haven’t even considered who’s laptop they are using to campaign or even just post on social media, or answer questions on the campaign to Nouri’s etc etc etc and I could keep going if you wish.

            Anyway I look forward to your apology and admission that as I stated the councillors are currently breaching the regulations and as such can be penalised for doing so.

            Now I may have a snooze.

          • Spielcheque says:

            Magpie, he said, she said. Phil Batty said “Unfortunately for ECQ Anon, Team Jenny Hill is not yet registered with the ECQ (screen shot from 5 minutes ago below) only three are.”

            It took a while to find but I did find that Team Jenny Hill was registered with the ECQ on 11.09.23 with its agent listed as Geoffrey James Muldoon. On 25.10.23 team member Soars was replaced by Armstrong and all members signed up for same. Can’t understand Phil Batty’s position on this.

            Your observations about ‘use of council resources’ is another matter entirely.

          • Kenny Kennett says:

            Hey Spielguts, you say that Soares is the one replaced in the lineup. I call bullshit!! What about the other two newbies?

          • Spielcheque says:

            Kenny, I’m simply reporting what I read on the ECQ site. And I’m sorry but I can’t recall how I managed to find that particular part of the website. The replacement of Soars by Armstrong was recorded on 25.10.23. Perhaps when you find your way there to check you can provide a link?

          • Spielcheque says:

            Kenny and Magpie, here’s the way to find the ECQ ‘groups’ register (sorry it’s a bit clumsy):
            Google ECQ groups register. When it opens, click on ‘Registers’. Then click on ‘Register of Local Government Groups – 2024 Quadrennial Election’. Then scroll down through the various groups to Team Jenny Hill. Over on the RHS are “attached documents”.

          • The Magpie says:

            Why would The ‘Pie want to do that? Do you think he doesn’t trust you to tell the unbiased truth?

          • Phil Batty says:

            Magpie, I think your system must be missing some comments. I have looked but i dont seem to be able to find the apology from ECQ Anon for saying i am Wrong Wrong Wrong when it now seems I was Right Right Right.

            I feel sure that ECQ Anon would have sent one through immediately when he/she realised the mistake.

            i wonder how long it will take for the facebook pages to change now or will they be too arrogant to think they have to play by the rules/

          • The Magpie says:

            Well, they can’t say they haven’t been told, but Phil, as you know, it takes a complaint to bring any follow-up action, and around here, the political somnolence pervades everything.

            But at least you’ve done us the favour and forced Spielcheque to resort to just one alias. ECQ seems to have retired hurt.

            Thoughts and prayers, Diddums.

          • Spielcheque says:

            Magpie, a couple of days ago Phil Batty claimed that “Unfortunately for ECQ Anon, Team Jenny Hill is not yet registered with the ECQ (screen shot from 5 minutes ago below) only three are. Which means no one is allowed to campaign at all yet.”

            Looking at the ECQ website (you know how to find it), it looks like Phil is or was mistaken as Team Jenny Hill IS registered with the ECQ and therefore IS allowed to campaign. Am I missing something here?

          • Phil Batty says:

            Below is the screenshot from the ECQ from a few days ago showing only 3 groups, I spoke with the ECQ who confirmed that only these three groups were recorded. I do accept however that this screenshot and the ECQ officer was referring to “nominated” groups. I have now seen the registration documents and accept that Team Jenny Hill was registered in September 23.

            I hope this clears it up.

      • Peter Hood says:

        .
        I’m not sure if Phil Batty might agree with me (?); but I don’t think WRC’s Moscow Mike Brunker has retired?
        .

        • The Magpie says:

          Yes, he has, as The ‘Pie has already reported elsewhere in comments.

          • Phil Batty says:

            Phil Batty thinks Mike has done, as it said in the papers nothing to do with him being found guilty of innapropriate conduct last year and paying the fine imposed.

            Certainly would have anything to do with the current Ombudsman’s investigation or the CCC investigations into the WRC actions……certainly not.

          • Spielcheque says:

            1 February 2024, Mackay and Whitsunday Life:

            “After 25 years in office, Councillor and Former Mayor Michael Brunker is hanging up his hat and retiring from positions in local government.”

          • The Magpie says:

            Yes. As reported in the blog and by Phillip Batty. Did he give the paper a reason?

          • Spielcheque says:

            No.

          • The Magpie says:

            Not surprising. However, he’s grifted off the public teat for almost three decades, achieving nothing of note, he’ll enjoy a comfortable retirement.

  3. Mike Douglas says:

    Questions being asked this week on how Kirrily weaker than expected can take out power to 65,000 homes and does the State environmental laws impede Council / Ergon clearing trees from powerlines . Scott , Aaron , Les MIA this week in support of tourism and businesses effected by power outages , lost days without trade , perishables thrown out . Aaron will walk over a road but what about those mum and dad businesses and families that lost power for days. $180 per person , $900 family applications and how long to be paid . Messagebank didn’t seem to be at any of the State Government head nodding media events of the week .

    • Rocky says:

      Definitely something went down. We didn’t lose power in our st in Hyde Park……but i know the trees were all trimmed back only 3 months ago.

      Having visited the Green waste at Officeworks three times over the last week there is certainly not a crazy large volume of trees being brought in.

      Having lived here in Townsville for 50 yrs the whole situation seemingly had a smell about it……not the actual workers of course.

    • Jeff, Condon says:

      Harsh words of criticsm Mike D and incorrect. Our worthy reps slithered out from under their rocks for the photo OP when AnAl and Smiles came to town.

  4. wildcolonialboy says:

    Just for the sake of accuracy Magpie, the Swans player in the first photo isn’t Adam Goodes, it’s Lewis Jetta pretending to throw a spear.

  5. Doug K says:

    With the city’s huge debt growing by the minute and the absence of democracy and transparency at Townsville City Council, surely we at least need to try to find a replacement to take on Mayor Jenny Hill and the Pauline Hanson reject.
    Perhaps other concerned citizens who frequent the Magpie webpage can come up with some suggestions.
    It doesn’t matter if candidates are members of political parties – strewth, Jenny Hill is a lifetime Labor lackey – so long as they don’t have a team.
    Here’s my suggestion:
    Casie Scott, a smart-as, young politician-in-waiting who wouldn’t stand for any nonsense from the Team Hill puppets (if they are re-elected)
    Casie might have her eye on bigger things in the future, but surely Townsville Mayor would be a good start.
    So come on you Hill haters, give us your best shot.
    As an incentive, whoever comes up with the best candidate will win a permanent spot on Jenny Hill’s $6 million Ross Creek fishing platform aka The Boardwalk From Nowhere To Nowhere.

    • Inspector Clouseau says:

      It’s simply too late Doug; no-one has the time or money to take on Mullet. The alternatives needed traction last year, not with around 2 months to go before polling.

      • The Magpie says:

        Oh, I dunno. Reckon if Chad Morgan popped up, he’d give her a run for her money … steal half her votes just like that.

        • Inspector Clouseau says:

          ‘Speaking’ of Chad Morgan, Federal Treasurer Chalmers has a remarkable resemblance to old mate Chad, in particular when he smiles showing the pearly whites!

        • Bright Spark says:

          Because he’s loved by the poor and the wealthy
          Loved by the good and the bad
          Loved by the fat and the skinny
          Because he’s such a loveable lad.

    • PR Filter says:

      Does Townsville really need another political professional seeking a career rather than someone who truly wants to serve the city?

      • The Magpie says:

        Nothing wrong with seeking a career through honourable and praiseworthy performance in the role. But agree that the last thing Townsville needs is someone adding to the egoistical, power-hungry morass we’re in at the moment. We need some – even a bloody administrator – to ‘clean out Dodge.’

    • RR says:

      I think you will find that Casie has her sights set on Canberra as a Chief of Staff to a federal member.

  6. Prince Rollmop says:

    Mayor Shill may be feeling elated over Fran pulling out of the race, but at least we can say that Fran gave her role as Councillor her very best while she was in that role. The same can never be said about Hill. In fact the opposite is the truth. Hill has done more damage to this region over the past 10 years than previous Mayors. I was a supporter of Fran. Did I think she stood a chance? In reality, not really. She led a very low key campaign and her poor health was a major contributing factor. It was unfortunate timing. And on that note I wish Fran a speedy recovery and a bright future.

    Townsville people still have an opportunity to kick Hill to the curb. Hell, a donkey or a lab rat would make for a better Mayor. But sadly there isn’t enough brain cells in people’s heads to see what a failure Hill is. Beer drinking hoons simply don’t care.

    Our city has regressed under Hill’s so-called leadership and the failings have been covered up. No transparency…no accountability…no honesty… And the use of commercial-in-confidence has been so badly abused that it’s no longer a joke.

    “SHOW HILL THE DOOR IN 24”

  7. The Magpie says:

    Andrew C …. thanks, amended.

  8. A flat minor says:

    Is there a link to Jenny Hill’s “Please come and live here” speech?

    • The Magpie says:

      The ‘Pie tried to attach a link (from the Adelaide advertiser, believe it or not) but in the scramble to get this week’s Nest out, didn’t have the time to make a better search. It is always difficult, because at this stage, the WordPress forma used either doesn’t accept certain links (Tik Tok for instance) or The ‘Pie is too much of a technoklutz to know how to. Would’ve dearly loved to post it, the hillbilly cackle at the end was priceless.

        • The Magpie says:

          And the most interesting contrasts between a dignified civic promotion and childish boganism comes towards the end, which has Albanese hardly able to disguise how pissed off he was this unexpected diversion.

          MAYOR HILL:They never seem to move anywhere else outside of Australia, but live in the Melbourne bubble. Get the friggin hell off your asses come and travel north and see what the rest of Australia is like. And stop trying to tell us how to run our lives. So tell them that from me.

          At that point Jenny turned away from the mics and looked at fellow bogans in the wings and congratulated herself like a school girl who had told teecher off.

          PRIME MINISTER: On that note we might conclude. I just want to make the point I love Townsville, I want to also make the point I love Melbourne. And my job is to love the entire country. And now we’re off to Rockhampton, which I also love.

  9. Critical says:

    If we can’t get rid of Hill then maybe our only hope is that she has a hostile council to answer to. Remember her first term as Mayor in 2012-2015 and the number of times Councillors stopped her ridiculous ideas.

  10. Inspector Clouseau says:

    AnAl’s Latest Hit:
    ‘It’s my party and I’ll lie if I want to, lie if I want to, you would lie too if………’ :)

  11. Lab Rat says:

    Ah, that sound of gnashing teeth from the sad people who wish Ms Hill to be gone. She was always going to win this coming election. Cheer up, I dont believe she will stand again after this term.

    • The Magpie says:

      She will call it quits within a year or so, and leave Frothy or some other poor galoot holding the wounded baby of Townsville.

      • The Simpson predict everything says:

        You’re on the money there with what you said. The mayor wants to get back in and she will hand over to molichino. I know this because he himself told me at a function to raise funds for the election. He also said he never wanted to be deputy in the first place but they forced him to. I’ve know mark a long time and I left that function honestly disappointed. I am a labor supporter but after he said this and the recent grandstanding by the mayor with the prime minister and premier in town has left me bewildered and questioning my support. I can’t vote for someone who I know will not be there full term. Palaszczuk Did this to me and I won’t be fooled again. My love for the party will be an invalid vote on the day now. I hope you guilty conscience doesn’t keep you up all might mark, I’m pretty sure someone will tell you this is in this blog. Politics has definitely changed the man I knew for worse.

        • White Mouse says:

          Homer – Nanna Anna had every intention of staying on as leader. It was only when the Union boys tapped her on the shoulder and suggested she needed to spend more time with the surgeon boyfriend that she quit.

          • The Magpie says:

            Interesting that so few political leaders of any stripe know how to gracefully pull the pin, and instead go down in messy splatterfests. cf Hawke-Keating, Rudd-Gillard, Abbott, Turnbull et al.

        • Alahazbin says:

          Simpson, I call bullshit. You are a rusted on supporter and you will never vote any other way.

    • Prince Rollmop says:

      Lab gerbil, you will be happy to know that if your gal Jen gets in, as it would appear that she will, her activities will still be monitored and scrutinised where applicable in the Nest. So keep tuning in and enjoy the reading, fuckwit.

      • Lab Rat says:

        Now Poonce, Ms Hill doings getting monitored by the stodgy old whiners of the nest will surely have her quaking in her boots. Keep up the good work.

        • The Magpie says:

          That comment so neatly sums up the ‘let them eat cake’ arrogant attitude of the current shambolic, hubristic leadership and their arse-licking snivellers like you. Any criticism is ‘whining from old stodges’. But while Jenny Hill is making empty, inane and immediately discounted grandstanding statements about kiddy criminals, here’s something we stogy oldsters regard as worthy of comment.

          Cairns house builds up 3%, Townsville average down 40%.

        • Prince Rollmop says:

          Lab gerbil, tis true that some of us who hang around the Nest are whiners. But it’s also true that people out there like yourself like to hang around crooked and dishonest Councillors and have your pockets lined with rewards.

    • Uh says:

      SHOW HILL THE DOOR IN 24 … and hold it open because she’s coming in!

  12. Alahazbin says:

    Speaking on Council tender process, one caught my eye just before Christmas. On December 23 a tender notice was placed in the astonisher for Fire Maintenance Service. I thought what a strange time to be putting a tender notice in the paper. One of my neighbours is owner of a fire protection company and he was packing up to go on Xmas holiday’s with his family. On his return I queried him on this strange tender. His company had tendered, but he didn’t think they would be successful as Premier Fire have had the contract for years.

    • Firebug says:

      Premier is one of the more honest and reliable contractors in what is an industry full of shonky operators.

    • Prince Rollmop says:

      Alahazbin, that’s an old government trick. They put the information out just prior to Christmas holidays. In this case the 23rd December, the day prior to the 24th Dec which is Christmas Eve. Then you have 25th December which is Christmas Day. People are distracted with the public holiday and Christmas activities and aren’t checking Council’s website. Federal government is also known for sneaking in legislation in the same manner, or late in the evening on the 31st December because nobody is looking. Going back to TCC, I would closely examine not only when the tender was advertised but also have a very close look at who eventually wins it. I can tell you now that by posting the tender on the 23rd, something is dodgy about it. This one has hairs all over it.

      • The Magpie says:

        That said, it does not necessarily reflect badly on the tender winner …. just council laziness … happy with the current arrangements to continue without all the folderol of the required tender process.

      • ABS says:

        Can you name an instance of when parliament snuck in legislation on 31 December? Usually they have a long break so it seems unlikely they’d all come back for a single day to pass something.

  13. Doug K says:

    A Flat Minor, I don’t have a video copy of Hill’s “friggin get off your arses” speech, and the Astonisher, which often keeps stories on its webpage for 6 weeks or more, dropped it the day after it appeared. Funny that.
    However I do have a copy of the front page of the printed edition if that’s any help.

  14. Doug K says:

    Sorry Inspector Clouseau, I don’t agree with your might-as-well-give-up take on finding a replacement for Fran O’Callaghan.
    Yes, any mayoral candidate would need to already have a high profile in Townsville, and it wouldn’t be easy beating Hill (never was going to be even if you campaigned for 2 years), but as stated, surely it’s worth a try.
    Fact is that Fran was relatively well known for her admirable efforts in keeping the bastards honest, but from what I’ve seen she had only just started serious campaigning with social media and tv ads so the battle was only beginning.
    I can think of at least half a dozen high profile locals who would be a chance if they were prepared to throw their hat in the ring.
    I also don’t think there would be any shortage of election campaign donations to assist the right candidate.

    • Spielcheque says:

      Doug, the difference between being a candidate and being a spectator is that the candidate finds out whether anyone cares about what they think. It is pretty clear from many, many years of campaigning, that the Magpie and quite a number of ‘Nesters think that the current mayor is “incompetent”, “corrupt”, “a bully”, “out of touch” and (most recently) exhibiting “shambolic, hubristic leadership” of a bunch of “arse-licking snivellers”.

      Another difference is that a candidate has to gamble on the possibility of losing a few hundred dollars nomination fee if they can’t attract 4% of the vote.

      I would have thought that we now have a golden opportunity to see whether 4,000 out of about 100,000 voters can be convinced to support an ‘anyone-but-Hill’ candidate backed solely by the Magpie’s Nest? It could be you, Doug, or the Magpie himself. On a platform devised and revised week by week for a decade. You wouldn’t have to speak, make public appearances or even pretend that you might be going to win. You just have to nominate and spend the next month or so articulating your vision for Townsville.

      Surely the money is not the issue? It’s whether anyone who has trumpeted these views for years and who now has a clear, uncomplicated run to attract just 4% of votes, is prepared to test their views in the public sphere.` You’d have my vote.

      • Prince Rollmop says:

        Tony Bligh is that you??

        • Spielcheque says:

          Rollmop, it could be you. You’d have to attend a (probably tedious) session on ‘how to be a mayor’ but otherwise you could keep as low a profile as you like. And it needn’t actually cost anything although it may take some bark off your ego. Don’t worry you’ve got plenty to spare.

          • Prince Rollmop says:

            Dolan/Blankcheque or whatever you want to call yourself – really, training? How hard can it be, I mean all you need is a sociopathic personality, be interested in lining your own pocket, be a narcissist, and generally be a complete c#nt! Now I figure that you have completed that course in your career as it certainly shows.

          • Helmut Shmidt says:

            Oh yes, Dolan Spielchecque, the media advisor cum Mooney’s lap dog. Don’t you have a policy to write or a politicians ass to lick, Dolan? If the Magpie’s Nest is so irrelevant, why do you spend so much time around here?

        • Legal Eagle says:

          Nah too well written for Bligh sounds more like Dolan

        • Spielcheque says:

          Prince R, yesterday you said “I was a supporter of Fran.” Today you say, “How hard can it be, I mean all you need is a sociopathic personality, be interested in lining your own pocket, be a narcissist, and generally be a complete c#nt!” Make up your mind.

          • The Magpie says:

            You obviously failed remedial English as she is writ, didn’t you, Wet Check? Rollmop can speak for himself, but for anyone over 12, his comment was emphasising and lamenting Fran’s retirement, leaving only those he described.

            Now go and get six thwacks of a rolled up Bulletin across your bare bum in the mayors office for such stupidity.

      • Not standing for mayor says:

        Wetcheck as you well know anyone who puts their hand up to oppose the Madam Mullet would be abused and harassed mercilessly by her and her minions. Like a nest of rats the only way to get rid of her and her disgusting influence would be to destroy the whole next in one go.

        • Spielcheque says:

          Bollocks. What’s the point of standing up in the back stalls chucking useless jaffas when you can sit quietly down the front and take a few percentage points off the top dog just to prove a point. If you don’t have a go it suggests you don’t have the bottle.

          • Not running for mayor says:

            Couldn’t agree more Wetcheck. If as you say there is no penalty for going public why not identify yourself here so people can give you the accolades you deserve? What a silly child you are.

        • Alahazbin says:

          “The left don’t debate, they demonise”

  15. Doug K says:

    Reasons I won’t be running for mayor:
    – At age 76 I no longer have the drive to unravel shady council deals, nor the enthusiasm to work out how to pay off a $80 million debt
    – I’m prone to falling asleep in the afternoon, so wouldn’t be able to attend meetings after 2pm
    – Poor track record, having had a crack at running for council in my younger days and finishing amongst the also-rans. Based on that form I wouldn’t even beat Mr Informal to the mayoral robes
    But here’s the real deal breaker:
    – My wife has told me she’ll throw me out if i even run for council again, let alone mayor
    I guess that rules me out, lol.

  16. Been there says:

    To become a credible candidate for mayor takes months and months of planning (unless you are the incumbent).

    You need a campaign manager(s) tapped into media. A really good web/social media guru (the undecided voters are under 40 and don’t read the bulletin or magpie). A graphic artist/photoshop expert. Money – for Facebook – it’s not cheap to get good reach, and events, maybe a tv/radio campaign. Money is hard to get from anyone bar a left wing union as the developers have been excluded from donating. You’ll be flat out raising $20k outside of your family – it doesn’t go far.

    A personal profile would help a lot but very few in Townsville qualify. JT? Maybe. But he’s a Hill man.

    Labor’s rusted on vote is at least 45%. (based upon past results). So everything has to go perfectly to get the 51% to roll Hill. Any other Mayor candidate dilutes this. Or a really big skeleton comes out of Hill’s closet in the next few weeks. Unlikely. The Libs and Nats are not in this as they save their powder for state and fed fights. So the only candidate with a serious, structured, well funded backing is Labor/unions/Hill. 2024 is hers to lose.

    Divisional Team Hill candidates can be rolled with far less resources than the Mayor spot. That is the potential Achilles heel for Hill. Wear out shoes door knocking asking voters if they are well represented at the grassroots level (hubris is rife in team hill). Give them a better option for divisional councillor. Don’t focus on the mayor.

    If you don’t help a preferred candidate in your division door knocking and/or manning early voting booths and on the election day, don’t complain about the inevitable result.

    .

    • The Magpie says:

      Thoughtful and accurate analysis, and under the circumstances a workable strategy.

      But one item with which The ‘Pie disagrees is when you write ‘Or a really big skeleton comes out of Hill’s closet in the next few weeks’. With this woman’s record of reckless financial adventurism (Adani airstrip, Castle Hill fiasco, forcing the resignation of the best regional gallery director in Australia which cost millions in donations), retrograde bogan chest thumping behaviour(Qantas boycott call, telling the southern media to get off its arse) and personal vengeful vindictiveness, there is no skeleton big enough. Or, in fact, small enough to cram into an already overflowing closet.

      • Been there says:

        Pie, her blunders have been a drip-feed over many years. Old news. It needs to be on the scale of corruption that would have no chance of passing the pub test (now where is that first blood and alcohol test from 2020?). Or appointing King Charles to honorary mayor might also do it.

        • The Magpie says:

          We’ve got enough cancerous leadership without getting him involved.

        • Hondaman says:

          Hmmm! I’ve often wondered about that first breath/blood test result myself, but no matter, the dead bloke had his character smeared from the start, and by his actions was certainly in the wrong place at the right time when the driver of the vehicle admitted they did not know if there was a green arrow or not when the turn was made! I thought that a charge of driving without due care and attention was the least the driver should have copped!! But it’s all over now, and we will just have to live in wonder!

      • Spielcheque says:

        Other than paying to nominate there’s only one thing a candidate MUST attend to:

        “During the 6 months before nominating, all candidates (including sitting councillors) must complete a free mandatory training course conducted by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP).”

        Everything else is entirely optional especially if you are only trying to attract 4% of the vote to get a refund – you know, to make your point on a matter of principle.

        • The Magpie says:

          So that means no one can just pop up on a whim and have a shot. So that tends to short circuit those pipe dreams.

          • Spielcheque says:

            Quite a while till nominations close. And really, if you can’t attend to a bit of online training . . . .

            “So you want to be a councillor? will take about 90 minutes to complete. You can complete the training all at once or over several sessions. Each section is 10-15 minutes long.”

        • Kenny Kennett says:

          Again, I call bullshit. That course is one that successful candidates take ‘after’ they are elected. Six months prior to ‘nominating’ is a load of crap.

          • The Magpie says:

            Hmmm, might be off the mark there KK.

            All candidates are required to complete a free online training course with the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs (DLGRMA) within the six-month period prior to nominating for a quadrennial election or by-election.

          • Kenny Kennett says:

            I’ll take back that call. I will however challenge all candidates to show that they did do it, and within the six month period. Another bullshit piece of clacker cream. Doug K, I’m confident this wasn’t around when you took part.

          • The Magpie says:

            One imagines the candidature form would require a declaration and proof that the mandatory course has been completed. Not sure why you’ve got your teeth into this particular bit of irrelevance, Kenny.

          • Kennett Be Real says:

            Kennett, either you are a cockwomble of the highest order or a cleverly disguised shit-stirrer. Perhaps a bit of both, but mostly the former. Magpie is correct. No proof of training (an ECQ provided receipt?) no nomination form accepted. Your clueless bombast and MAGA level conspiracies over these past days on ECQ issues is tiring. Take a Bex and lie down precious.

  17. The Magpie says:

    The ‘Pie could hardly care less about award ceremonies, but amid all the sniping, hyperventilating and cattiness of blog comments, let’s take a moment for a drop of nostalgia and real music making a return at this year’s Grammies.
    https://twitter.com/NicolleDWallace/status/1754514421055967619?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email

    PS Never heard of Luke Combs but wha a great voice he has, works so well as Tracey’s unforgettable signature sound.

  18. Prince Rollmop says:

    The greedy LGAQ released an audit report last Friday from the ANAO that mentions a good proportion of Councils are not financially sustainable and more will be unsustainable in the near future. Currently 48 Councils are at risk of not being sustainable, an increase over last year. And 62% of Queensland’s 77 Councils are at risk of not being financially sustainable.

    Are TCC one of the unsustainable Council’s? And if TCC is at risk, what are the Councillors doing to minimise the risk of a debt default? Other than increased rates and fees and charges. This Council historically been reactive rather than proactive.

    Surely Blankcheque has some important information to share on this matter? Or maybe Lab rat can share Jenny’s view on Councils long term financial sustainability?

  19. Karma Chameleon says:

    Why do you hate black people? Are you threatened by the achievements of Prof. Nakata and Adam Goodes.

    Given that you are a bitter, alcoholic former journo who uses a voice box to speak, I would say life has paid you back for all the racism you spew from this rag.

  20. Russell says:

    7 news just now, our Premier. “ No one can seriously stand up and say we could have prevented this murder”. There, my friends, lies the problem!

    • The Magpie says:

      And he showed what a shallow twerp he is when he was asked what he thought of Crisafulli’s point that Qld laws should be under more scrutiny.

      “I’m sure the LNP will have many opportunities to play politics with this, but I won’t be doing that today’ … having just played politics with an answer that screamed out for a no comment.

  21. Mike Douglas says:

    Miles Government madly doing press releases on new projects when previous announced funding years behind Haughton pipeline Stage 2 , Stage 2 Riverway . 53,000 new social housing builds exactly how many for Townsville + timelines . St Hilliers construction company doing Kirwan Health service upgrade into administration . latest announcement ” Ground Lease Model ” providing public land Pimlico near Youth Foyer Accommodation where they have to find a Company to do build affordable housing on land provided who then have to hand it back after a designated period .

    • White Mouse says:

      MD – what are the odds that in the run up to the election, the state government comes up with the funds to cover the current $79m shortfall for the the Burdekin pipeline?

      I’m also aware of a just closed tender to plonk 16 x 1 bed and 4 x 2 bed units on a vacant block in Kirwan. The government paid $925k for the land, so they need to squash as many units in there as possible to get bang for buck.

  22. Jeff, Condon says:

    My comment was in reply to the reptile’s bile.

  23. Rotten Luck Willy says:

    Parental Responsibility

    Usually for the worse, Australia tends to copy trends in the USA.

    Here is a development in Yankeland that I would welcome here in Queensland. It could be called the “Negligent Parenting Justice Act.” It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

    A quick quote below, and the link. Enjoy.

    a “contentious” precedent for holding parents accountable for their child’s wrongdoings, a US legal expert says.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-07/legal-precedent-michigan-school-shooter-mother-jennifer-crumbley/103435710

    • The Magpie says:

      While that story is an interesting development, it is entirely based on the deeply irresponsible gun laws in the US. And any attempt at holding parents responsible here in Australia will face even greater legal challenges, because such evidence as provided in the American case simply would not happen because of our gun laws. Pioneering now-retired District Court judge Clive Wall threatened to do exactly that, hold parents responsible, when he ordered them to attend court when their night wandering children had set a vagrant on fire twice in Charters Towers. By memory, the ruling didn’t stick for various reasons. And it is a hard one to formulate, especially when Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is more than likely involved.

  24. Ralph says:

    I see Alan Sharatt is having another go at running for council, I have met this fellow and I’m sure he’ll be a pain in the side for the mullet if elected.

  25. Two dogs says:

    The man in the hat, mad Bob Katter rambling on about a cashless society.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zoM6CvSnGa8

  26. The Magpie says:

    EDITORIAL ADVISORY FROM THE MAGPIE:
    Fran O’Callaghan has retired from the mayoral race because of serious health issues. There will be no more spiteful back commentary involving her in comments this blog from now on … especially from despicable low turds like the unpublished Love Guru.The Labor Party Labor and Mayor Jenny Hill would not condone or applaud your appallingly crass comments. Get a fucking grip, bozo.

  27. Johnathon says:

    I think Paul is the only glimmer of hope. Keep an eye on him because it looks like he’s getting more candidates together. I’m hoping to see 6 (or more) non-Hill councillors get in. Some of the independents aren’t clearly anti-Hill at this stage, but it won’t take long for them to become anti-Hill if they get in.

    • Spielcheque says:

      Johnathon, Paul Jacob’s ‘group’ called Change has now shown up on the ECQ Groups Register:

      Change Townsville City Council

      Anne-Maree Beningfield (Division 10)
      (2 November 2023 – 16 December 2023)

      Jai Nelson Philpots (Division 2)

      Paul Thomas Jacob (Division 1)

      Not sure what those dates under Beningfield’s name mean and no sign of “it looks like he’s getting more candidates together.”

      • The Magpie says:

        Think Mr Philpots is a tad conflicted if he’s joined The Angry Ant Jacob’s coven … especially when he told the Bulletin last year:
        “I am proud to announce that I have no interest in making backroom deals, secret handshakes or confirmed endorsements with any politician or political party, because I believe making deals with such elites holds councillors back from being the best representative for their local community,” he said.

        • Johnathon says:

          No one seems to have pulled him up on it. I wonder how red his face would get if someone actually asked him the hard question on his “no interest in making backroom deals” comment

          • The Magpie says:

            The bloke comes across as a blowhard goof, and his posed picture for the Bulletin is a body language delight. Looks like a cross btween a Garth Brookes wannabee and Bob Katter and Jenny Hill’s love child.

      • Johnathon says:

        There’s a division 3 candidate on Facebook in Change but it looks like he hasn’t yet put in his paperwork. The one in div 10 stood down. That’s probably what the dates were for.

  28. Blithe says:

    Riddle me this? Just been told about a much needed affordable housing project by Mission Australia that was refused by council just before Xmas despite everyone recognising the housing crisis and it is now going to end in a costly and long fight and yet Council is about to approve an application for 22+ floors -yes, that is right- at 9 the strand without going to the public. Details are at least online so you can see but can’t comment – anyone aware? Worth a look – maybe someone can suss it out. There should be height but this should be a BIG election issue – who’s driving the ship, why aren’t our reps talking about this?

    • The Magpie says:

      More to the point, what are YOU talking about? Where’s the link to this information? Is 9 The Strand the Hive development?

      And how are you trying to link two total different issues to somehow come up with some electoral damage?

      • Spielcheque says:

        Magpie, 9 The Strand is a long-time vacant lot on the corner of The Strand and King St, straight across King St from the now-derelict Criterion Hotel.

        • The Magpie says:

          So that’s the old City Bowling Club greens, next door to the former Dudleys HQ, Wishing Well House. 22 storeys? We don’t think so … adding to the skepticism is the involvement of motor-mouth scammer Centurion Global founder Mark Tonge, who sounds like he talks in tongues. Mr Tonge mysterious deserted his appparently thriving Gold Coast business preferring the rubes and yokels of Townsville for some reason.

          All we need now is Tonge’s buddy, Explore Property director and sales agent Giovanni Spinella to declare he has sold 18 of the stories with apartments off-the-plans at an average price in the millions, and we have the whole illusionary circus in full swing. How’s Magnetic Views going, boys? You know, with all those ‘sales’ Mr Spinella was spinning about not so long ago? From the casual observers view after a trundle around the mountan goat terrain, the answer seems to be close to fuck all.

          https://centurionglobaldevelopments.com.au/magnetic-views-estate-achieves-record-sales-totalling-7-45m/

          And wouldn’t we like to see just how many of those ‘sales’ are the complete done deal and not just conditional holding deposits. One wonders why some people just prefer bullshit to an honest crust. It surely can’t be easier.

          • Spielcheque says:

            Whoa! Wrong direction. Not on the seaward side of the Strand at all. Across King St from the Cri (old Portofino site). And looking at the realestate agents who are trying to flog it, every man and his dog seems to be having a go. Including the mob representing the Hive – they too are advertising bits of the Hive site (ie. the Cri and adjacent block). I think Blithe was having a rush of blood to the head.

          • The Magpie says:

            Ah right … and flabbergasted. 22 storeys on that site really is an ask, and be most interested how that app ends up.

            Thanks for putting us on track.

    • Spielcheque says:

      Blithe, what do you mean by “Council is about to approve an application for 22+ floors”? There must be an applicant – or have you just been following the interesting but not necessarily connected Skyscraper blog?

    • ABS says:

      9 the strand is that empty block across the road from the Criterion. About time somebody did something with it. Great news thanks for sharing.

      • The Magpie says:

        Agree it’s about time someone did something with it, but you can bet now isn’t the time when you see whose involved in this utter bullshit, this someone isn’t likely to do anything. The application in a sanely amended form may be true but any real action is still a distant fairytale. You’d think that idiotic Tonge fella would try to keep his ridiculous promises about the Hive site before before burying us with fresh blather. Come to think of it, Mr Tonge, where’s that major hotel chain you were on the verge of tying up in the middle of last year for the Hive site … you promised it was only a short time before your big reveal. Still waiting, boof … not that we believed you then or now.

        Why oh why does Townsville attract these pestiferous scamming windbags? Could it be anything to do with some widely held view of our civic ‘leadership’?

        No surely not.

  29. The Magpie says:

    Funny how seeing something sometimes reminds you of something totally different. For instance, when Th ‘Pie spotted this, he inexplicably thought of commenter Gunny Highway, and how he’s been a long time silent around here. Could this assault on his beliefs by decency and competence have something to do with it?

    • Sergeant Gunny Highway says:

      Hello my Feathered friend, I’m still here! I’ve been busy with active duty and the cleanup in FNQ. I’m glad that you and my fan base missed me. I don’t care for Biden or any politician to be honest, however Biden’s insatiable appetite for creating democracy’s within third world shitholes keeps me gainfully employed. As you know, our lap dog PM follows Biden, the UN, and NATO around and performs tricks when commanded to do so. Anyway, the armed service treats me well and hell mate, what other line of work allows you to legally dispose of scumbags??

    • The Magpie says:

      Ah, our old mates from Centurion Global. Think we can confidently ignore anything being developed any time soon.

    • HiBeam says:

      From their blurb:-
      9 The Strand by Centurion Global will be a luxury apartment building located on the Strand Townsville with views over Anzac park and Townsville Marina to Magnetic Island and the Coral Sea

      The building offers spacious and modern units including multiple singe unit per floor apartments with stunning views of the ocean and Magnetic Island. Residents can enjoy the amenities of the building, such as a pool, gym, sauna, as well as the convenience of being close to shops, cafes, restaurants, and parks. 9 The Strand Townsville is the perfect place to live for those who want to experience the best of tropical living.

      I for one won’t be interested in one of their ”singe” units. I might get burned!

  30. Kenny Kennett says:

    Just saw footage on the news of the meeting between the Brisbane African community and the family of the murdered grandma. A positive move forward. Smiley was invited but declined. My eyes could be playing tricks but I’m sure Scott Stewart was front and centre at the meeting. Surely someone who represents the Ipswich/Redbank plains area could have been there rather than Stewart being there, instead of being at home in his electorate which is the worst place for crime in Qld. Perhaps SS is seen by Labor as the Mr Fixit for kiddy crime in Qld. And just for clarification, David Crisafulli wasn’t there either.

    • Spielcheque says:

      Kenny, you might need to get your eyes checked. At the media event between the African community and the family of the deceased woman there were no hangers on apparent. The African leader Beny Bol said he had urged people in the African community to become “swinging voters” in an election year.

      “You can see Cindy and myself here, no politicians standing next to us, no law enforcement officers are here. That sends a very strong message that this is our view, this is what we believe should be done.”

    • Kenny Kennett says:

      Saw the footage again and still not totally sure if it’s him (SS) but without doubt, he’d do better than Smiley any time.

  31. Hee Haw says:

    In the last 4 years council have spent over $210,000 to install boulders in 19 parks to stop hoons, thats $210,000 PER PARK over $4,000,000 . $210,000 for boulders!!!

    There are 200 parks and Team Jenny Hill want to get to all the parks we can…….thats another $38 million to do them all.

    Thanks to the Bulletin for a direct link to Team Jenny Hill’s campaign page in an article with is pure electioneering

  32. Alahazbin says:

    “The Qld Labor government have the strongest Youth Justice Laws in the country”. I wonder if Captain Cupcake will be thinking?
    Pity is wasn’t Harpic.

    • The Magpie says:

      Yeah, you’d think SS would be at home supervising the locksmiths.

      Will karma make him calmer?

      • Alfred E Neuman says:

        Peace, and joy, and happiness. ☺

        Scott will be happy to know that 30% of houses burgled will be done over again with in 3 months. The snots know their way around the house knowing all of the previously stolen stuff has been replaced by insurance and is again there to be stolen. They see the fucking white cunts are gift that keeps on giving.

      • Tezza says:

        Ha ha ha. That’s so funny. Karma is a sweet thing. And considering that politicians are always rich it doesn’t surprise me. Good pickings.

      • Kenny Kennett says:

        I’m sorry but…hahahaha

      • Cake with no icing says:

        Oh my, poor old Cup Cake. This is way too funny. Absolute gold. I love it when one of the fuckwits who is doing nothing about crime becomes a victim of crime. This has an air of fairness about it. The more times that our so-called political leaders become victims of crime, the better. Now that’s justice.

        • The Magpie says:

          … and a while back, Magistrate Cathy Wadley copped an unwelcome visit down at Alligator Creek (I think … but wherever). Wonder if it will help to get the message home. It all reminds one of the old racist joke that you never tell in a Bondi pub … the difference between a Kiwi and a computer is that with a computer, you only have to punch information in once.

      • Kenny Kennett says:

        Apparently they have footage of the break in and pursuit, on the Channel 7 QLD news tonight – police footage.

        • Keystone Kops says:

          There would not have been a pursuit as under QPS policy they do not chase stolen cars because of the risk to the community ……. Hang on – may be the risk to their jobs for not getting back a Ministers car outweighs their desire to protect human life.

    • Inspector Clouseau says:

      Ala, my understanding is that Stewart is a PRIVATE now. He’s was rank busted many times for not representing the interests of his Townsville electorate.

    • Anna says:

      I really feel for anyone who gets hit by crime, be it a politician, a judge, or even a priest. Nobody deserves that. I hope Mr. Stewart and his fam are hanging in there. I remember when it happened to us ages ago, my kids were on edge at night for years. Quit rubbing it in and try putting yourself in their shoes.

      • The Magpie says:

        You’re not quite following the thread or the logic of it are you? Both Stewart and Magistrate Wadley (known as a soft touch when it came to black kids) are members of the community who could have done more to prevent such crime. That they were victims comes under the heading of irony. And of course, no one wishes that on anyone, but it may help to jog into action those who have same position to do something.

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