Bankrupt Peter Bega and some son Mathew are back on old stamping ground, seeking management rights to the Solarus block on Palmer Street, a project Peter’s company almost sank during construction. Residents ain’t happy … and The ‘Pie tells why … in detail.
What Could Be More Aussie Than Flip Flops – Which Makes Albanese A True Blue. The PM has been flopping about when not flipping on policy, but The ‘Pie reckons he’s got the tax cut reversal right. Uh oh, The ‘Pie can almost hear Nest readers’ blood pressure suddenly throbbing.
Fightin’ Fran spells it out for TCC staff … “I don’t want to have to ask questions, I should be told facts without having to ask’.
And it couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of bastards … Channel 9 to cough up big time for racial slurs against Palm Islanders.
And Bentley’s back – with a ripper ‘toon.
Trust all Nesters came through our weird little cyclone unscathed, the biggest problem is of course power outages. but by and large, we’ve dodged a bullet. Life goes on. As does The Nest. You can offer support using the donation button at the end of the blog.
It Was A Bit Like An Annual Social Eclipse, Two Ideas Converging On The Same Day …
… and both darkening the landscape with belligerence and confusion.
But Bentley is a bit of a Queensland realist, and reckons the January 26 around here was a latte-free traditional celebration.
But that light-hearted view would be far from that of the urban chatterati, who see it is as day for sackcloth and ashes.
As far as The Magpie can see, for those who wish January 26 remain as Australia Day, it isn’t as though the date is sacred, it was more that they felt being unreasonably hectored and harangued by a small minority with all sorts of hidden agendas, and all sort of insults and guilt laden claims about the white (and yellow and brown) population. And The ‘Pie tends to agree, inasmuch as the indigenous leadership and their fashionable, march-loving slogan waving acolytes have decided that insult, anger and threats of violence are their best political aphrodisiac. Well, our PM and Labor generally have a hard-on (wide-ons for the ladies) as they endorse rallies to bludgeon change in a lopsided barrage that does not acknowledge one single benefit of the thousands they have access to from a technologically advanced society.
And while the average Australian generally does not begrudge the billions they have ponied up over the decades in an effort to better the lot of the primitives (a good deal of it mismanaged or pocketed by the likes of leaders like Noel Pearson and that ilk), there is no doubt that many are skeptical of the highly educated indigenous leadership. Some of them appear to be as white as a coal miner’s cock after a conjugal lunch break. If, as many are, say one eighth aboriginal, why are they being disloyal and censorious of the other seven/eighths that made their presence possible today.
Talk about sackcloth and ashes … just as Leake did in the Australian with a view that triggered a few folks The ‘Pie knows.
Albo’s Political Polka More Hokey Pokey
‘You put one policy in, then you move it about…’ and so on.
Ever since the massive Voice misjudgement, Prime Minister Albanese has been about calm and assured as a cat on a freeway. Still dumb-founded by his own tin ear for the public sentiment on the Voice referendum, he has managed to sow further division in society with his unnecessary and unwise ‘boots’n’all’ backing for Israel after the barbaric Hamas attack … it’s unclear (apart from party funding from the cashed up Jewish community) why on earth th PM of one of the world’s most successful multicultural countries found it necessary to pick a side. But he did and Australia is now seen as endorsing the (literal) overkill IDF response. In yet another walk-back, it was left to Foreign Minister Penny Wong to tell the Australian newspaper that ‘Australia must remain impartial in the matter’. That statement a couple of weeks ago was day late and 10,000 dead kids short, but it was timely; it may give this jigging and jumping PM a window to renege now that the world court has now dropped the hammer on Israel for its mass murder of civilians families. We should’ve been ‘impartial’ in the first place, simply condemning any such barbarity from either side.
But Even When They Get It Right, Labor Fumbles The PR Ball.
‘I did not lie, I did not break my word, I was just re-evaluating the parameters of my promise.’
Frank Underwood, House of Cards
As slippery as that memorable line is, it should have been the essence of selling the far more equitable revised state 3 tax cuts.
It takes a special kind of person to argue they lose out while still getting a sizeable cut, just not as much as first suggested.
But no, instead they are knuckling under to the media howls of ‘broken promise’ and ‘can’t be trusted’ Murdoch-led rhetoric. Albo gets one thing right, then fucks that up! It is hard to imagine why Labor agreed to keep Morrison’s stage 3 tax cuts in the first place, a policy diametrically opposed to Labor’s constituency. But now, Albo has screwed up his courage, and after tinkering and tweaking, he has come up with a modified version (above).
The howls from the opposition, Dutton and the bizarrely rubber-faced contortionist Sussssan Ley (honestly, her speech contortions make her face look like something a bank robber would decline to wear) were expected, as were the ludicrous excesses of those in the Murdoch media who have gone into pants wetting overdrive on this matter (‘he’s killed aspirational Australia’ gargled one nincompoop). There is also the interesting argument that by not making the rich richer and the poor unchanged will fuel inflation. FFS, really.
But once again, Labor’s justification was as bad as their referendum rhetoric. Instead of the irrefutable argument of social fairness – no one’s robbing the rich to give to the poor, everyone is now getting a tax cut, Labor, instead of attacking with superior ammunition, immediately and automatically fell back to a waffling defensive position.
If you do not agree with the new cuts, The Magpie believes you should have a quiet contemplation of your place in this society and it’s aspiration to egalitarianism and fairness.
One of the great economic minds of the modern era had the exact answer to such critics. From the archives.
John Maynard Keynes
John Maynard Keynes was an enormously influential economist, but some of his detractors complained that the opinions he expressed tended to change over the years. Once during a high-profile government hearing a critic accused him of being inconsistent, and Keynes reportedly answered with one of the following:
“When events change, I change my mind. What do you do?
When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?
When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?
When someone persuades me that I am wrong, I change my mind. What do you do?”
And that explanation is also a condemnation of the rigid but false belief that promises cannot be fairly overruled by changing reality …
In the wheelhouse of the Titanic
First officer: Sir! Captain! We’re heading straight for that iceberg. We need to veer off!
Captain: No, we told our passengers what course we would take and the company guaranteed we would take that course. Full steam ahead.
… and in the five years the stage 3 tax cuts were formulated, you tell me if anything has changed. Like icebergs of Covid, inflation, rental crisis … add your own.
Why The Residents Of An Upmarket Apartment Block In Townsville Are Lawyering Up
The building manager of Solarus Apartments has apparently agreed to terms to sell his management rights to, of all people, Matthew Bega, of Allure Apartments fame next door … and residents are up in arms about it. Little wonder, since the name Bega has been bad news for the Solarus block residents right from the outset. Now The ‘Pie does not wish to visits the sins of the father (a bigger financial villain) on the son, Bega junior hasn’t fallen far from the father’s tree. It’s a long saga, previously detailed by The Magpie in 2018.
And here’s another bit of a blast from the past.
The council was up to its neck in all this, but as usual, it all slid off and was washed away.
But talk about brazen chutzpa from the bloke who had a hand in the demise of the dud bar/restaurant on the ground floor of Solarous on Palmer street. This latest management rights sale is also bad news as it’s understood Mathew Bega intends to rent out apartments in Solarus on a short term basis, a system that has never been allowed in the block in the past … and when you’re paying those kinds of bucks, for a pad unknown temporary tenants can make tenants justifiably nervous. Already, folks in th area have experienced Mathew grasping management style.
Now it appears Peter Bega, Matthew’s bankrupt father, is the owner of adjoining Allure site, so residents are working on trying to prevent the sale of the Solarus management rights to Grub Junior on the basis that the owner of Allure is a bankrupt.
In a court case in Sydney in which Peter Bega’s wife, Helen, lost millions, they were forced to sell their luxury Sydney home. These lkeable folks then moved to Townsville and as far as The ‘Pie knows, still infest the city.
And there’s another group of locals who would like a quiet chat with Bega Senior, who was in charge of the company South Townsville Developments. That is the company which left local sub-contractors in the lurch when he went bankrupt in the middle of building the Solarus Apartments. It was also involved in building the Allure project. The thought that Peter Bega might again be involved in – as The ‘Pie’s Nana used to say – further financial ‘fast practice’, is an unwelcome possibility in a city that is already beset by inept leadership.t
Here comes the rub: If Matthew Bega is successful in gaining the Solarus management rights, it would appear that Peter Bega will control the company that manages Solarus, the development that almost fell over because he went bankrupt.
Those Solarus sub-contractors, some of whom were left tens of thousands of dollars in debt, will be impressed.
The Transparency Of Jenny Hill … Fran O’Callaghan Can See Right Through Her
The mayoral campaign will start in earnest any time now, and challenger Fran O’Callaghan has nailed her colours to the mast and has drawn first blood, forcing the mayor and CEO to explain hitherto hidden financial question marks in several areas.
From the Bulletin story, here’s what you didn’t know, and now only do because Fran O’Callaghan kept asking questions.
Townsville councillors have heard that supply-chain issues and contractor unavailabilities have led to delays in significant projects, which has required $59m adjustments to the council balance sheets.
Council staff including chief executive Prins Ralston answered questions over discrepancies in the budget related to workforce and capital works projects in the council meeting, mostly from outspoken councillor Fran O’Callaghan.
The biggest cause for concern among councillors was a $59m cutback in capital expenditure and funding.
The budget expected to spend $405.6m in capital expenditure but the mid-year review scaled this back to $346.1m, while received grants was budgeted to be $259.2m and decreased to $199.1m.
The reason for the cut-back is that there were delays in delivering the Haughton Pipeline, 14m, and the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, 36.6m, because of supply chain issues and because of unavailability of contractors, which would push those funds into the next annual budget.
So while she will announce key policy stances in the coming days, Clr O’Callaghan made it clear during the week where her main mission lies. She wants full financial accountability to ratepayers, and she wants it in writing. Fran is not the glad-handing, back slapping type, but she is a woman of integrity who has been appalled by the shenanigans in Walker Street. Here’s what she told the Bulletin.
“I want everything in writing … everyone needs to be accountable for their questions and answers and I believe that should be in a written format.”
Budget papers were given to Townsville’s councillors on Friday evening, which allowed them the weekend to research before they had the chance to ask questions of the executive team in private meetings on Monday.
She said this was not enough time for an elected layperson to determine the significance of budgetary numbers and to then question the council’s financial department.
The mid-year review will determine if there have been any changes or issues not considered in the 2023-24 budget, of which the biggest expenditures fall under water services, $292m, roads and transport, $144m, and wastewater services, $99.7m.
It also recognises large projects for the city including the Haughton Pipeline, the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, and the Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Renewal.
According to Cr O’Callaghan there will not be any fluctuations to capital works, and that was one of her main concerns.
“There must have been some changes, and this is my deep concern and what I wish to change if and when I’m elected mayor, because we must have transparent finances in this council, and at the moment we don’t,” she said.
“To be presented with figures with no supporting documentation adequate to know exactly what’s happening in my view, it just isn’t good enough.”
Cr O’Callaghan said she did not visit council staff to ask questions on Monday because she did not believe that they were appropriate.
“I want the financial people to present the finances to counsellors with supporting information to substantiate the position, not the other way around where laypeople are going to be asking questions of the experts,” she said
Jenny supporters keep smugly telling The ‘Pie that the punters don’t care about that ‘stuff’ even if most of it is their rates money. But Fran’s Walker street crusade goes to the heart of the city’s dilemma …. it’s run by what can fairly be termed a secret society with a compliant group of councillors. And Fran knows this all comes back to operating plant, financial priorities and operating schedules.
But if residents don’t care about that ‘stuff’ remember this …
A Most Satisfying Moment Of Justice
In one of the most basely stupid bits of dog-whistling racism imaginable, Channel 9 apparently decided only they could tell indigenous people how to spend their legally received money. A ‘special investigation” criticised by inference Palm Islanders for buying cars and boats with money they received from the Qld government for illegal police actions during the 2004 riots.
And how the fuck is that any of your business, Channel 9?
The primping and posing reporter Alex Heinke was shallower than your average commercial TV reporter, never once considering it was the islanders money and what they did with was none of his business … or anyone else’s. It was money awarded by a government admitting responsibility for wrong police behaviour during the riots, so the wording ‘pay day for rioters’ tried to make the victims perpetrators. It was clear dog whistling of the sort only heard in front bars or afternoon tea breaks at the tennis in North Ward. And Perhaps Heinke or his producer might’ve considered that in most aboriginal communities, freehold is no allowed, so what else are you going to spend money on if you live on an island.
Such a report would never be tolerated in the days Clive Packer was the boss … he would’ve instantly understood the low blow. He was once the forthright witness before a senate committee who, when queried about his massive wagering, told them in no uncertain terms ‘It’s my money and I’ll do what I like with it. It’s none of your business.’
The ‘Pie Takes A Stand On Abortion – The Foetus As POTUS
All this stuff about Roe v Wade got The ‘Pie thinking … well, something had to … and he’s decided he wants women to have control over their own bodies and their own destinies, but with a major amendment to the current term restrictions …. he believes abortion should be retrospective, and termination be allowed up to 924 months (77 years) especially if the foetus hasn’t grown up and brain damage is evident. That would solve America’s most major current problem immediately. But in the instance the ‘Pie has in mind, not before a foetus due for termination pays writer E Jean Carroll the $83m (US) awarded yesterday for defamation.
Trump’s New Hampshire victory brought the perspective tweet of the day from John Cleese.
Plenty of other stuff mixed with the main game over the week.
And We Cannot End Without Marking The Sad Departure Of Six Former Cabinet Minister From Canberra.
…………….
That’s yer lot, but let’s hear from you, have your say in comments, just pick a name and off you go )no one will know its you … not even The Magpie). If you can support the Nest with a donation, th button is right underneath.
So do we believe the green waste post was unapproved or did Mr Dolan Hayes see the backlash on social media and got Mayor Mullet to backflip because we are under 7 weeks until the election.
Some sort of event always happens in Townsville near election time that gives Mayor Mullet more airtime for free.
The real issue is why does it need to be approved by the mayor in the first place.
Possibly it doesn’t, but then, someone in their wisdom decided sh was Disaster Manager.
Have you met the Mayor? Her sticky little fingers have to be on everything until it goes wrong then she hospital passes it immediately. The poor little social media intern who sent it out will get the blame even though Jenny Wayne and every other bugger had it pass through their hands first.
Townsville Council further $14 mil blow out Haughton stage 2 + $36.6 mil on Lansdown . Add $74.3 mil Team Hill approved on other expected blowouts Haughton stage 2 . Its clear why Team Hill voted against Independent Councillor Frans transparency on $200, 000 contracts awarded by Council . Are the blowouts why Council only had skeleton staff on Australia Day and relied on residents to use chain saws to clear their streets and roads. Queensland Government is providing recovery support $ so where is that going ? . Frustrated that the media wanted more details on planning Mayor Hills media team couldn’t even get the green waste pick up notification right . Even Councillors confused .
The skeleton staff on Australia Day was because staff have their own homes to secure in the aftermath of a cyclone.
Ohhhhh perlease! Other places like the hospital, emergency services, etc managed to be fully staffed on Friday.
When your boss told you to say this, did it not even ring a little bit silly in your head? TCC and its disaster prone Mayor could not run a poop fight in a piggery.
Sometimes one thinks that is EXACTLY what they’re doing.
Your story on the Bega family revived memories of a meeting I had with Townsville City Council chief legal officer Tony Bligh a few years ago.
I had been given documentary evidence that TCC refunded infrastructure contributions of $194,469.80 (relating to the original Solarus/Allure development) to the new Allure developers, against the advice of its own senior public servants.
The infrastructure contributions were paid by the original developer of the Solarus/Allure complex, Glen Alpine, (Peter Bega), which was placed into liquidation in 2012 with debts of more than $10 million.
During the meeting with Bligh I suggested that any refund should have been paid to the Glen Alpine receivers, and in turn distributed to the local building sub-contractors and materials supply companies, some of whom went to the wall as a result of the Glen Alpine collapse.
I also alleged that TCC’s approval of a 100% refund of these infrastructure contributions was not in accordance with the rules of its own CBD Development Incentives Program at that time, because the Allure development was outside the “core area” required to be eligible for a full refund.
The “core area” was subsequently amended to include the Allure building but the refund was made before that change.
Needless to say, I got nowhere with Bligh.
In the old days the Townsville Bulletin would have directed a senior journalist to investigate the whole Bega saga, but I won’t be holding my breath, even after this latest dispute.
Come on Cas, Caitlan and Leighton, shock us all and actually investigate a story for a change.
And before anyone cries “conflict of interest” – yes, I am a Solarus resident. And no, I don’t want the sort of management that allows all-night parties at Allure to be able to apply the same rules at Solarus.
Clever name, Blighted. But one error in that comment, Tony Bligh was never chief legal officer, as in head of department, that would be the Peter Principle in overdrive. Once a gofer, always a gofer.
Pie, He wad the ‘City Solictor’ for some time. During that period he failed win one case for TCC in the Land Court.
When Th ‘Pie knew him at th peak of career, he was a flinty-eyed, inflexible Perry Mason prosecuting errant dog owners.
Whilst I whole-heartedly agree with your final statement Blighted, I’m not as sure as some that short-term rental can actually be stopped indefinitely, no matter who the Service Contractor is. Pretty sure there have been previous rulings on this on the Gold Coast.
More when than if I suspect.
I take offence at Fran being consistently labelled ‘outspoken Fran O’Callaghan’. Why doesn’t the lamestream media organisations label Jenny Hill as ‘loud mouthed Jenny Hill ’ or the ‘bullying Jenny Hill’? Fran should be labelled as the ‘truth seeking’ Councillor O’Callaghan’ or the ‘transparency seeking’ Councillor O’Callaghan. Thats a more accurate representation of who she is.
It’s good to see the part-time TCC CEO Ralston and the arrogant Hill squirming as Fran asks the hard questions. It might not change the March election result, but at least Fran can hold her head with dignity regardless of the election result.
“SHOW HILL THE DOOR IN 24”
Interesting last sentence PR, makes me wonder whether Fran has stood for Mayoralty as a last ditched effort. She would be a shoo-in as a councillor but perhaps she’s had enough of being bullied and disrespected and feels that the only way she can triumph over AHilla the Cun’s team is to stitch the bitch at the top. All she needs to do is get her hands on the books and Mullet will never be allowed to stand again. If she can’t defeat Hill, sadly I feel this is the last we’ll hear of Fran.
A different perspective from an Aboriginal academic. Clearly not a friend of Calma and Langton.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/australia-day-date-change-wont-help-aboriginal-people/news-story/9838de7af6459b7a157c9a808b941ac6
We’ll put, Prince.
Here’s another Jenny Hill title:
“Failed developer”.
Maybe include Jenuflect, a posture required by all, when in her presence!
Sometimes you actually are funny, Heel … Jenuflect goes into the Lexicon.
Watashi wa kōeidesu
Ha! Rarely. The ‘Pie was doubly surprised because it rose above your usual insipid offerings. Just take the compliments and Close The Yap.
It is good that there is going to be a kerbside green waste collection but the time allowed is a bit bloody short.
The notice on the TCC web site states it was published yesterday. We are advised to have the waste out by this evening, collection starts tomorrow, Monday.
FFS, I’m no spring chicken, it is bloody hot and humid, I have a considerable amount of waste to drag out, after chainsawing trees into manageable pieces, all to be done today, on my own.
Right now I am trying to recover from near heat stroke and the job is not half done. Come 3pm I will resume, to attempt a proper job on the heat stroke!
Ben you just do not understand the situation. We don’t want to actually pick anything up only score the publicity points for saying it. That said there is a list of when different suburbs are likely to be picked up so you probably have a decent time to get organised.
See here :- ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????????. ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????.
Group 1
1. South Townsville
2. Railway Estate
3. Hermit Park
4. Rosslea
Group 2
1. Oonoonba
2. Idalia
3. Cluden
4. Roseneath
5. Mount Stuart
Group 3
1. Bohle
2. Mt St John
3. Mount Louisa
4. Cosgrove
5. Shaw
Group 4
1. Kirwan
2. Thuringowa Central
Group 5
1. Cranbrook
2. Aitkenvale
3. Mundingburra
Group 6
1. North Ward
2. Townsville City
3. Castle Hill
4. Belgian Gardens
Group 7
1. Bushland Beach
2. Mount Low
3. Burdell
Group 8
1. Annandale
2. Wulguru
Group 9
1. Paluma
2. Crystal Creek
3. Mutarnee
4. Rollingstone
5. Balgal Beach
6. Toomulla
7. Clemant
8. Bluewater
9. Bluewater Park
10. Toolkea
11. Saunders Beach
12. Yabulu
13. Lynam
14. Black River
15. Jensen
16. Deeragun
17. Beach Holm
Group 10
1. Cape Cleveland
2. Cungulla
3. Nome
4. Julago
5. Alligator Creek
6. Brookhill
7. Oak Valley
8. Ross River
9. Toonpan
10. Mount Elliot
11. Majors Creek
12. Reid River
13. Woodstock
14. Calcium
15. Barringha
Group 11
1. West End
2. Garbutt
3. Rowes Bay
Group 12
1. Condon
2. Rasmussen
3. Blue Wattle Estate
4. Gumlow
5. Kelso
6. Pinnacles
7. Granite Vale
Group 13
1. Heatley
2. Vincent
3. Currajong
4. Gulliver
5. Pimlico
6. Mysterton
7. Hyde Park
Group 14
1. The Strand (1x street back from strand)
Group 15
1. Pallarenda
2. Rowes Bay
Group 16
1. Douglas
Group 17
1. Hervey Range
2. Alice River
3. Rangewood
4. Bohle Plains
Group 18
1. Picnic Bay
2. Nelly Bay
3. Arcadia
4. Florence Bay
5. Horseshoe Bay
6. West Point
The piece that turned to chicken scratch said that the crews will start at 7 tomorrow and work through their suburbs in the order posted.
The ‘Pie was going to ask you a question, but its seems you’ve cornered the market. Sticky key?
Strange formatting in the original TCC social media post turned it to custard.
G.W.
Thank you.
This afternoon I did what I thought reasonable until a bottle of Coopers Sparking Ale called me, and that was the end that.
I will now plod along with the rest of the job to tomorrow at the Autumn Chicken rate,,,,,,,, er as in er,,,,,,, no longer a Spring Chicken, ha, ha.
Sorry, happy hour has been going for a while and ………..
Give Phil Thompson a call, either he or one of his great network folks might give you a hand! See his Facebook page Ben.
I.C.
Thanks, with G.W. info the pressure is off.
Ben
I heard about the vege waste removal this afternoon after power came on. I was out after 4pm and in the midst of moving 2 sq m of street tree limbs and branches up to the street level and 50m distant, had my first heat stroke. Fortunately, the A/C came to the rescue.
There was no hint in TCC’s message acknowledging that there may be some people quite unable to heed the demand. (I didn’t see Green Waste’s comment, and Inspector, this is not Phil’s role – it should be the representative councillor’s.)
Is this the way of the future?
Dorfus, I know it’s not Phil’s role, however if you follow his Facebook page you would know that he doesn’t see it that way at all. All in, in times of need is his mantra old mate!
I noticed a comment about Prince Ralston hiring 190 staff for TCC. Can anybody confirm this figure and over what period of time? Seems ironic that as a Nous Consultant he recommended gutting the workforce (which TCC did). But now he is CEO he rehires a couple of hundred staff? Hasn’t this bloke and Hill fucked around with Council staff enough?
We’ll assume that last was rhetorical.
Did you mean “I have a considerable amount of waste” or “I have a considerable amount of waist”? Which is why I ……..
(sigh) ….said the King of Dad Jokes.
A,
While no longer a Spring Chicken I still have my youthful good looks.
I have considerable (green) waste. My waist is a six pack, not a keg. ☺
Seems Albo has grown a pair.
What a fake news fraud!
Believe it or not, there are times when The ‘Pie is very fond of Aaron Harper. Especially those times when he saves The ‘Pie the bother of cooking his goose because he himself demonstrates what a lazy goose he is. Like this idiocy … but don’t wait for a sorry from this gravytrainer.
We already knew it but you really a fake news fraud.
Aaron Who?
Aaron Discombobulated maybe.
Firstly, Harpic is an emotional fuckwit. His posts say it all.
Secondly, Harpic is out of touch. He just threw a dart at his Crisafulli dartboard hoping it would stick. The fool had no idea what Crisafulli was doing. Thats embarrassing.
Thirdly, it would almost seem as if Harpic and Elusive Butterflog are the same person. Both become unhinged at the mention of Mr Crisafulli’s name!
Have any Nesters been past the North Yards in the last couple of days to see if the sheds have finally blown over?
Mr. Pie, did you notice the token effort that David Crisafulli put in during our cyclone emergency? Barely a peep from our supposed leader in waiting. At least Premier Miles took charge and even had emergency services well positioned in case everything got blown away.
Th Kid made an appearance in Townsville (when Harpic said he didn’t) but anyway, what would you want him to do and say? He’s not in government and besides, all governments don’t fuck around with real disasters and do much the same as expected. As base as all politicians are, none are stupid enough to blame the weather on the other side.
But The ‘Pie understands the dampness of your dainties as October looms.
Elusive Butterfly – charter boat , what charter boat . Crisafulli was at the Willows at LNP candidates Natalie Marr’s pop up talking to locals . Natalie spent the day fielding frustration of Thuringowa locals blocked from Aarons Facebook crowd ” rent a crowd ” . Running his electorate via Facebook Aaron had no idea ( like the fully completed empty accommodation ) he drove past for 2 years which took the Astonishers story for him to act that Crisafulli was in town . Rumours growing stronger that Team Hill female Councillor will be Labors Mundingburra candidate State election .
Haven’t heard that councillor rumour but putting aside the ultra ambitious Margie ‘Potty Mouth’ Ryder, that would have to be Suzy, she has the ideal background for a Labor candidate – high profile former Olympian, with not a hint of skeltons, a mum, easily likeable by the public … and with no over-weaning political ambitions nor probably knowledge for that matter who will raise the arm when directed.
And she’s had good training – known as the Walker Street Way.
Hahahaha … only joking, olf course it’s Ma Greaney. Almost certain to put the hand up, The ‘Pie hears on inquiry.
Thank god we have a politically non-aligned local council.
” . . . . and with no over-weaning political ambitions nor probably knowledge for that matter who will raise the arm when directed.”
Magpie, don’t know if you have any particular first-hand knowledge of Cr. Suzy Batkovic but that statement reads like rank sexist bigotry. Why?
Nope wrong again …. basically applies Tto ALL councillors except Fran O’Callaghan (and Blom).
And te reason it sounds like that is because you’re the one reading bit. Muppet.
Then I’ll ad to the ‘sexist’ hit here. Suzy B has absolutely been hiding for 4 years now. Never once had I seen her in a shop or commented in the paper or even seen her anywhere. She’s another Labor party name only drone. Her, Pat Cummins and Steggle are of the same breed. The only difference is Pat hasn’t been offered a gravy boat by labor yet. Sportspeople think they are something special above all. Suzy would have to be one of the laziest people ever to be elected. Can anyone name one thing Annandale or Douglas has gained from her in last 4 years??
Is there anything specifically that Annandale or Douglas (home to Kim Jen Il) is in need of that Clr Batcovic has ignored?
Interestingly at a do in Anderson gardens last yr, Molachino and Suzy B were judging the best dressed/cutest dogs etc with quite a large audience. Dep Mayor Molachino was introduced to the crowd, he took the mike but neither he nor the host of the event introduced Suzy. She could have been just someone out of the crowd hanging around the middle. Very poor form and I guess if she was a political animal, she would have taken the mike and made a point of introducing herself.
Resident@, Annandale and Douglas might be the centre of your universe but they are only part of Suzy Batkovic’s Division 6. Over the river in Struggletown Thuringowa there’s been no end of bitching and whining by some (possibly from Annandale and Douglas?) about the millions spent on the upgrade of the Library and swimming pool complex at Riverway. Last time I was knocking over a few laps in the pool there were well over 200 other swimmers. It’s a fantastic community asset, culturally safe, inviting and thriving. If you are running a tab, that one’s down to Suzy.
Down the road a bit is Aldi. Everyone wants to go there. It’s in Suzy’s division as well. Oh, but not in Annandale. Sorry, not sorry.
Thanks, dud cheque, a campaign ad not very cleverly designed as a comment.
Back in 2020 Batkovic ran against a high profile previous councillor (Roberts) and a Clive Palmer-funded nobody (Brewster) and nearly pulled off an absolute majority. My bet is that she will do better this time around because she knows, shops, and is known on the other side of the river. The mayor will look after Annandale and Douglas for her.
2020 Results, Division 6
Candidate Count Percentage
Declared: BATKOVIC, Suzy
4,364 46.96%
ROBERTS, Trevor
2,799 30.12%
BIRRELL, Alan
588 6.33%
JOHNSTONE, Damon
463 4.98%
BREWSTER, Martin
1,080 11.62%
And just exactly what has, Harpic as a co-offender in this rabble done, apart from trying to politicise the situation.
With this idiot’s propensity for putting his foot in his mouth, it’s a good thing he’s not an octopus.
Elusive, putting in ‘appearances’ at sporting events like Albanese did last night (at the Australian Open) can be a double-edged sword:
“At the 1974 rugby league grand final, [PM Gough] Whitlam attended with senator (and then-president of the Queensland Rugby League) Ron McAuliffe. As the pair walked to the centre of the ground for the presentations, they were engulfed in abuse and the ground was pelted with beer cans. “McAuliffe”, Whitlam is supposed to have said on the way back to the pavilion, “don’t you ever again invite me to a place where you’re so fucking unpopular”.
Hear what you’re saying, Russell, about the short-term rentals being allowed in apartment blocks. If they were forced to obey Disturbing The Peace laws it wouldn’t be a problem, except for one-nighters posing a security issue.
But Allure management allow all night parties and don’t appear to care how many people share a room (I’ve counted up to 12 on a balcony at 4am) – that’s what I hope to avoid at Solarus.
I have been a resident since day one, and apart from a handful of minor disputes, everyone in the 73 apartments lives in harmony – no noise after 11pm and no sharing heavy metal music with other residents.
Like many others who live here, I’m concerned that is about to end, thanks to the Bega family.
And now they’re milling behind the starting gates for the Gravy Train Stakes, run over four years for old grey mares, swaybacks and geldings.
Yup Noms for council elections open today. And remember th TCC’s new slogan when you make your choice.
Oh yes indeed, the gate has been opened and it’s all aboard the express gravy train, stopping all stations to Wanker Street. It will be interesting to see who wants to become a member of Jenny Hill’s ‘team’. There is so much on offer being a Councillor – a tidy salary, brown paper bag deals, mates rates, travel expenses and long lunches, visits to sister cities, corporate credit card for casual spending, meetings and seminars in distant locations, and rewards and payoffs.
Only grifters, shysters, and conmen need apply.
‘ Only grifters, shysters, and conmen need apply.“
Rollmop, being a man of principle, you will no doubt vote ‘informal’ rather than support any ‘shyster’ applicants? Nah, it’s Townsville.
“NQ recovery action plan to bring tourists back in wake of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily
Townsville Enterprise has called for recovery assistance to enact plans to boost tourism in the region after Cyclone Kirrily put an $18M dent in local business.”
Jami Roberts
2 min read
January 28, 2024 – 2:44PM
Townsville Bulletin
“Over the weekend Townsville Enterprise, alongside local tourism business owners, met with Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Management, Murray Watt, to discuss recovery assistance.
Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme Smith said the financial impact from Cyclone Jasper and Cyclone Kirrily has put immense financial strain on businesses.
“Between the sentiment and perception challenges of Cyclone Jasper, and now the impacts of lost business, cancellations, and next to no forward bookings following Cyclone Kirrily, the industry has endured a tough six weeks,” said Ms Brumme-Smith.
“We estimate that to date the financial impact to the local tourism industry exceeds $18m.”
An audit conducted by Townsville Enterprise found that across the 600 rooms available on Magnetic Island on Saturday night only seven guests were present.”
$18 million! WhereTF do they get these figures from Mr. Pie??
Butterflog, isn’t $18m the amount that Council tried to contribute to the Adani airstrip?
Why wouldn’t it be $18 million?
“I am a former paramedic”. “I was brought up by a single mum in public housing”. So fucking what? I am a former merchant seaman. Does not mean I know anything about particle physics.
I totally agree Grumpy, who gives a fuck about Albo’s childhood or Harpic’s former profession. The reality is that as they both stand today, they are incompetent and out of touch fucksticks. Cue the booing machine…
So now our good lady Mayoress is suggesting that in the long run, residents should invest in a generator.
Behold the new addition to the Townsville soundtrack. Putting aside the cost to residents of purchasing a generator, at least the noise from thousands of suburban generators will drown out the police sirens or the Ghetto Chopper permanently hovering over Heatly and Vincent.
The only thing causing more atmospheric pollution than a city wide generator blitz are the brain farts from Walker Street.
G.H.,
Generators are sooo yesterday.
Being the thoroughly modern Motorist that I am I have modern fridge freezer that is powered by,,,,,,,,
LPG!
TaDarrrrrr!
Not that terrible poluting LPG. Have you no concience? It’s your type who are causing all this climate change in the first place. Bring back coal I say!
More BS at the Lansdown unicorn farm.
You’d think if the Edify project mentioned in the astonisher was real TCC would have announced they are protecting ratepayers by signing a lease with Edify – https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/lansdown/announcements
Nope, no lease, and I suspect if there was it would be commercial in confidence and hidden.
Forget Renewable Energy, this is all about Renewable News.
This announcement is exactly the same as the Federal Government and Edify announced on 30 January 2023 – 12 months to the day – well done team.
https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2023/01/30/australia-and-germany-tip-100-million-into-green-hydrogen-projects/
The Astonisher reported, sorry reprinted the media release on 30 January 2023, same images, same words, just a few extra desperate pollies trying to get re-elected.
Slightly off point, but genuine question: can someone do a plain language explanation of what a ‘non-competitive tender’ process is? On the face of it, it sounds like process likely to send brown paper bags futures through the roof.
Anyone?
Dear Astonisher kiddies: The word is ‘deported’
Now, now, no stubborn childish arguments that it could be technically correct, you’re meant to write headlines and stories with accepted meanings, news writing is not a creative art, it’s a craft following established rules. This headline means – especially in today’s rental climate crisis – this woman is to be kicked out of her house, not the country.
Dictionary
eviction
/ɪˈvɪkʃn/
noun
1. the action of expelling someone from a property; expulsion.
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
… 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?
Of course, being academia, unlike Goodes’ victim, the professor’s unnamed colleague has been on fully paid leave since January 3rd, judged to be suffering ‘acute stress”.
But of course.
Fucking spare me.
The prof’s a bit behind the times – these days, it’s cross bows.
Correct me if I am wrong, but we would have to assume that the defence runs both ways and a comment of “get out of my house or I’ll shoot you” while pointing to a firearm (securely stored) should be accepted as the joke it was intended to be.
No, that would be considered an empty threat, not a joke. And if the threatened person didn’t react, then the weapon may be unsecured and become a threat (or an outcome) of a very different nature.
But look, that’s all by the by and a comment on language. The ‘Pie knows what you’re saying, and takes the point. But the good professor has been embedded in precious, prickly and extreme university culture for many years, and yes, while it clearly was a bit of a ‘self-deprecating joke’ (bit worrying it was repeated three times on three different occasions), frankly he should have known the rules, especially given his position of authority AND his field of apparent expertise. Using ‘joke’ as a reason is an undoubtedly true explanation, but not as an excuse. In the greatest of all modern Catch-22s, it is how the hearer receives and chooses to perceive a statement that authorities (wrongly) use in their lofty woke judgements.
And as demonstrated with th other example, the prof can’t have it both ways. (See also comment in this thread from Spin Doctor).
That said what snowflakes waft around the corridors of JCU. Years ago, a professor friend was reported and hauled over the coals because on three occasions he greeted a female colleague with a polite ‘good morning’, but she complained – and was upheld – because he never used her name. True story.
Child abuser!
And Mr Nakata will get away with this without losing his job because of his ethnicity. Had it been a white man saying such things he would’ve been unceremoniously frog-marched out of the JCU.
Hey Aaron remember when the Energy Queensland CEO was based in Townsville, and you let them go back to Brisbane?https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/78960
So much for keeping Energy Jobs in Queensland how many Ergon jobs are in Brisbane now?
Brisbane is in Queensland.
Sorry, Townsville.
Just saw Albo on Seven News (4pm) finally arriving to help the Townsville recovery -, after almost every house and business had their power restored. Talk about action man. Anyway, the head nodders were behind him including Giggles, Stewart (who kept changing position so he could be seen) and Harpic, who was sporting a round Band-Aid on his nose, making him look like a clown. Messageblank was nowhere to be seen, thankfully.
So it takes a week before Mr Magoo visits Townsville. Good to see one of his priorities was going to the tennis final first. If Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Greta Thunberg, or the UN phoned he would be overseas meeting with them within 24 hours. Too little too late Albo ya dipshit. BOOOOOO
Albanese got booed at the tennis because people are hurting. Government isn’t offering any solutions to the cost of living crisis. Instead, this moron is sending money to the Ukraine, spending up big on our military, and jet setting around the globe with his girlfriend. And of course let’s not forget front row seats at all the events he wishes to attend. Not to mention bow tie occasions with parasites like Alan Joyce. Australians are going to hand him his arse at the next election. Suddenly Dutton is looking good!
You may be right except for one thing … Dutton will never look good except by comparison.
Its tragic that ability and competence, has been overtaken by appearance and the vanity of charisma.
I see that our ABC has done in-depth interviews with a bunch of former LNP heavyweights. People like Turnbull, Pyne, etc. The interviews really show how these so-called Governments are nothing but egotistical narcissistic, malfunctioning train wrecks. The toffee coated turd – sweet on the outside but shit underneath. Morrison led a clusterfuck and they got what they deserved. Albanese and his government are losing the plot. It would t surprise me to see big ears Chalmers take on Albo for the top job if the free fall continues.
Cherish the moment!
To answer your question magpie. What has Suzy not done for div 10? Actually representing the division would be a start. All the arse covering bullshit above by the mayors drop bear apologist spell wank is exactly what I expected from someone deep in the council desperately trying to help his gravy train ticket along. I thought message bank was bad but Suzy nearly beats him for not answering calls or emails instead allowing her overpaid assistant to do all her work. Not once since she has been elected have I ever received any personal correspondence from her. We had proper representation 2 elections ago when the council as a whole . If you didn’t get your local member another one always answered and passed the message on. Hill needs to be cleared out just like her team.
“ Not once since she has been elected have I ever received any personal correspondence from her.”
With around 10,000 voters in her electorate, I imagine there’s a fairly long queue for signed missives from your local councillor. You might have to settle for an unsigned flyer in your mailbox in the next few weeks, or take your shopping trolley to Willows – you know, on the other side of the tracks.
That has to get a prize for insulting sophistry of the dumbest kind.
Your silly childish comment, using Bulletin mathematics, proposes that 10,000 voters have or want to contact and hear back from Clr Batkovic … and that commenter Resident wants her to drop a personal line to everybody. And Resident makes it clear that he/she/it has been in touch with Batkovics office by phone and email, with inadequate (Resident thinks) inadequate response.
Christ, Dud Cheque, what are you, eight? You certainly think we are.
I rest my case magpie. It must have a good job in council being able to spend so much of our ratepayers time and money answering this blog all day. Just look at the time stamps. For my rebuttal to that dribble I’m more than happy to provide the multiple emails I’ve sent to Suzy without Her actual reply over her entire terms. I don’t think you have enough space on your blog.
But savvy politicians will attempt to reply to persistent constituents/ratepayers. IOUpitch declares the tired, drawn Mullet is too superior to communicate with those who pay here largely unearned salary.
Resident, Well I don’t expect she has done too much for Div 10 as she represents Div 6.
Sorry ala I stand corrected yes Div 6. I’m surprised spell wank didn’t realise that. Just proves it’s a dimbass kissing the mayors arse.
Resident, You are wrong about Councillor Batkovic. Politics aside, she has been a very good representative for her constituents. Have you ever tried to contact her?
Today’s paper
Page 16 Woolies brings in big guns for probe.
Seriously what chance does this country have when a Government probe into Supermarket pricing and what farmers get paid is defended by ex-wgovernment ministers?
We all know Woolies and Coles have a monopoly, we all know they screw their suppliers to the wall and we all know when they can’t get any more blood out of them they import from overseas.
So now the probe will be undermined with ex-labour and liberal ministers, no conflict of interest there.
This is announced on the anniversary of the execution of Guy Fawkes the last man to enter any parliament with honest intentions.
God help us all corruption is alive and well.
Anyone know why the dam level data has disappeared from the BOM’s rain and river site?? Has Council deemed it confidential?
Nope. And FYI, 61.5% last Friday.
1) it is “bum rap” not “bum wrap”, Chris Burns.
2) Jenny Hill isn’t going to attract people from Melbourne by acting like a clownish bogan. Of course, she isn’t even trying to attract them, she just wanted a headline.
Correct, one of many a solecism employed by ignorant ‘sounds about right’ twits at the Bulletin. (Shouldn’t be too hard on them, ‘spose an’t their fault they don’t have subs any more.
Interesting phrase with two distinct origins, originally black music scene argot simply meaning talk/talking – hence spoken ‘rap’ music – and the more commonly understood rap from ‘rap sheet’ official police Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAP).
As for the second part of your comment, she was playing directly to the front bars of the Upper Ross and Vincent, seeking the parochial rage vote and to hell with the consequences for business or civic reputation.
As a resident of Annandale, who didn’t vote for Suzi, I have to give credit where it is due. She is constantly updating resident on the local Annandale FB face on everything we need to know and should know. Ie road works, playground construction updates, garbage collections if they were delayed. The list is endless. She also advised when she will be available at the local shopping centre if anyone wishes to meet her.
The feeling I get is that she is indeed very well liked respected and supported in Annandale. I shall definitely vote for her if she stood again. I am certainly impressed. I have never seen a local councillor being so pro active in my 40 years of owning property here in Townsville.
She has certainly surprised me and I am the first to admit, I may have been wrong in my assumption that she wasn’t up for the job. She really is outstanding in “our” community.
Did you forget the ‘r’ in Kama??? Just wondering…
Like forgetting the rs in soles.
haha…no I didn’t forget the R. It is a private joke in our family “Kama” and definitely isn’t a misspelling of “Calmer”
Magpie, I’ve just been shown a copy of Cr Fran’s mayoral campaign flyer – “If Anyone Can, Fran Can”. Interestingly, she has chosen as her No.1 “priority” the Crime Crisis, stating that she will be ‘the strongest voice for stronger action’. I think you have already made clear your views about mayors playing in the state government sand pit.
2nd Priority is to “Bring Your Rates Down” – by making better decisions. I’m good with that although the process of getting the ten other councillors on side will be hard to watch.
3rd Priority is to “Secure Townsville’s Water Supply”, by getting Haughton2 finished and “pursue a gravity fed supply from the Burdekin Dam.” The water taskforce dismissed this idea out of hand years ago mainly because of the stupendous cost of modifying the dam structure and bringing a pipeline down the Burdekin valley from the dam to join a pipeline (now Haughton2) at Clare. Fran’s in la la land.
These are the issues that Cr. Fran is placing at the top of her agenda leaving ‘back to basics’, accountability, transparency and accessibility somewhere down the track. She said it herself.
It is little wonder you’r so triggered by Fran’s flyer, because to your dismay – and orders to countermand – the exact issues the incumbent is uncomfortable with are front and centre. But ‘spose The ‘Pie has to add some balance, although Fran can speak for herself.
1. On crime, Fran will be a mayor unfettered by party affiliations (no matter who is in Brisbane) and therefore will not be able to be fobbed off or bullied by backroom party heavies to not rock the the good boat ‘Kiddy Crime’, which is leaking hopelessly after years of George Street neglect. Fran will be in a position to fully represent the abandoned citizens allowed to be preyed upon because of government inaction. She will speak for the ratepayers … loudly.
2. You and your boss might be surprised what happens with councillors priorities if Fran gets up … there’s very chance there’ll be a little spine straightening if Mayor Mullet loses, because if she does, they will be seen as complicit on the performance that brought her down. Which they will have been.
3. The ‘Pie will let you own that last statement about water pipelines and feeds and The Magpie will just watch developments.
And Fran has always made transparency and greater financial accountability a core policy. This is an area that s the reason Jenny s uncharacteristically running so simperingly hard … the very thought of closer financial examination has her shitting the bed nightly, if anyone detailed what she’s been up to in the past few years. The ‘Pie isn’t talking ‘crooked’ here, more ‘incompetence’. The Magpie could be wrong, but he reckons Jenny simply isn’t smart enough to be crook. Or at least an undiscovered one. For the moment.
Idiots. There is no water crisis. Sheesh.
Fran will find a few other rather more pressing priorities if she gets elected that will keep her rather busy, like the sad state of the cities infrastructure maintenance program. Not just roads, but pipes, trees, stormwater drains, reservoirs.
PitchIOU, on your second point. She is the issue with higher rates through poor decision making and being gulled by con artists. Her acolytes will ever do her bidding.
Your third point, she was always the proponent of a second pipeline over raising the BFD and enabling gravity fed water. The “independent” Water Task Force just came in with the biased data to suit her wishes.
It was undoubtedly a coincidence that within weeks of its formation, the business run by a Force member was granted a lucrative TCC contract.
And no, stupid me, I should have recorded that, however, never envisaged needing to prove it years down the track. After reading it in the TB, I never had any doubt about the eventual result of the Task Force’s so-called investigation.
Jeff, just on the matter of “gravity fed water” from the Burdekin Dam to Townsville, how do you imagine that would be engineered? Were you thinking tunnel or pipeline? If pipeline, what do you think would be the route? If you were thinking . . . down the Burdekin River valley below the dam wall towards Millaroo and Clare, have you considered the terrain, the access issues and the distance? It’s huge. Open a google map, click on ‘layers’ and see for yourself. It would be a very serious undertaking. Easy to say, stupendously expensive to do.
Maybe pumping from the Burdekin River (not the dam) at Clare, with solar power, is a sensible medium term sustainable solution? That could be Haughton 2 if only the Lansdown ducks can line up.
Sorry, PitchIOU, I didn’t realise that apart from all the other fields of genius, you are able to claim the same in all levels of engineering. You are wasted here and should be in Canberra as AnAl’s first adviser on everything.
Well, if Townsville didn’t have a bad enough reputation already, our excuse for a Mayor has finally confirmed it. Wish all the councillors had enough backbone to stand up and castigate her for her disgusting language.
… and even a sycophantic cheerleading Bulletin didn’t give the full quote which included the well known guttersnipe word ‘frigging’,
No worse than SMiles using the c-word during a public address when referring to the incumbent PM. They’re just trying to show how earthy the are.
Sorry The ‘Pie missed that. Please quote in full (the ‘Pie will decide whether it suitable for the chaste eyes of the Nest). Surely the ‘C’ word was not ‘Competent’.
Or are you referring to an historic reference … the confusion being that the incumbent PM is AnAl Albanese.
Hill is the Donald Trump of LGA – a foul mouthed bogan fool. What an embarrassment. I can’t believe that this person represents us.
“SHOW HILL. THE DOOR IN 24”
What a bloody embarrassment the bogan mayor of this city is. No diplomacy or social graces whatsoever. But I suppose the rest of the bogans will put the idiot back in come March.
It’s a clear play to her constituency without a thought of the wider implications for the city … is a ‘bikie girlfriend’ spray like that – followed by the wide whooping laugh at the end of it to colleagues on the sidelines – is unlikely to entice anyone, tourist or business person, to come here.
I think you missed an “un” off your likely
Thanks, amended.
So, Dud Cheque, are you assuming that all of Jenny Hill’s team of puppets will be re-elected? Voters surely have a say in that.
And do you really expect Fran O’Callaghan to get rid of Hill’s concrete wall transparency policy overnight?
And are you, by any chance, one of Hill’s overpaid and underqualified spin doctors?
Doug, Cr Fran has decided to make crime fighting her No.1 priority. Looks like she’s seen the Katter’s big advert on Charters Towers Rd – “Send ‘em out bush”. Great emblem but nothing to do with roads, rates and rubbish.
So you … sorry … so Jenny would rather not aim for the Mullet’s soft spot, arguing falsely that attention to one precludes other matters? In your specious fairy world of debate, you falsely imply then that Fran sees ‘rates, roads and rubbish’ as incidentals. Boy are you in for a surprise if Fran gets up!
Not sure where you get your facts, Magpie. I’m reading Fran’s campaign pamphlet. It says that “Get Back to Basics” – return Council’s focus to roads, water, sewerage, rubbish etc . . . is her fourth-order priority. Her first priority is to focus on the “Crime Crisis” and as an independent to be “the strongest voice for stronger action to a Liberal or Labor State Government.” Is Fran running in the right election? Should she be waiting until October?
All you’re saying is that you disagree with how Fran has listed her ‘priorities’. They could be in any order, but she understandably gives top billing to the one most residents want to be assured about … that thy have a mayor unfettered by party obedience who will stand up for them in Brisbane.
It is easily understandable how your mistress … therefore you … are distressed by this … but hey, keep diggin’.
DISCLAIMER – this comment will cause Elusive Butterflog’s blood pressure to spike.
Good to see Kid Crisafulli out and about with Brisbane flood victims today. I heard he was out and about for a number of hours providing support and encouragement t to affected locals. Unlike people like former premier Palletchook or Albo who prefer to attend 6 star bow tie events rather than lend a shoulder and support the local communities in need.
God I love the French. Throwing cow shit throughout a McDonalds store. They also sprayed thousands of litres of liquid cow shit over government buildings and they used tractors to block major freeways and roads. Viva le Revolution!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jNZ7sTfjZ-Y&pp=ygUeRnJlbmNoIG1jZG9uYWxzIG1hbnVyZSBwcm90ZXN0
Might have looked a tad drab, but my memories of Paris suggest it the smell will be just the same.
L’arôme de Paris est comme de la merde de vache.
Va te faire foutre with all the frog talk, Heel. We all know you’re educated enough to know how to use a computer.
Yes Pie, your right, apologies, hoist by my own petard.
FFS there you go again with the frog speak, with ‘petard’.
Heh heh heh.
The Magpie calls ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT on this one.
Just how low will Jenny go to keep up her campaign profile of tough El Capo de Capo, making up unsupported and curiously unsubstantiated stories which the dolts at the Bulletin gorge on.
No details that verify the story, like time, location what actually happened and despite Mayor Mullet’s tough-gal posing that such behaviour ‘won’t be tolerated’ at last inquiry, the matter had not been reported to the police. The bluebags have certainly made no comment of such a matter.
Why not reported if it’s not going to be tolerated? Masyor Hill, you say it’ll be reported ‘if necessary’. Listen you complete dullard, have you any idea of your ultimate responsibility under Workplace Health and Safety requirements, let alone common law. You don’t decide what is necessary, if it’s fact, it must be reported.
Could it be that no one would think to abuse someone working their arse off to clean up after a cyclone (The ‘Pie is discounting zoned out itinerants here, and shame on the mayor and the paper if that is who we are talking about … it is made to sound that average ratepayers was abusers.)
And another thing – having seen TCC outdoor crews around the place over the years – The ‘Pie really really doubts that anyone would be stupid enough to try to have a go at them.
But hey Jen, the photos are getting better and better.
Looks like you’re fatigued out by your own lying, panic and denigration of this city on national television.
And you can bet there are many current and ex TCC staff and councillors shedding bitter tears of hysterical laughter at the caption under Jenny’s photograph. Talk about hypocritical pots and kettles.
This is just more confected ‘rage farming’ against wraith-like ghosts of made-up naughtiness. Thanks Bulletin.
You only had to wait a couple of hours to read all about it on the ABC:
“Police alleged the 34-year-old became verbally aggressive and hit a piece of timber against the windscreen of a vehicle that had been collecting green waste in the Townsville suburb of Bohle on Monday evening.
He allegedly tried to kick and punch a 65-year-old male worker inside the cab.
Police alleged he also pushed a 32-year-old man to the ground.
The man has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, going armed to cause fear and entering premises to commit an indictable offence.”
Why was’t the mayor on top of this, including that information in her statement? Why hadn’t you advised her to be cautious in her wording? And a couple hours? Then why did it take more than more than 14 hours to remove your lips from the mayoral cheeks and expose The Magpie’s perfidy?
If you choose to pin your journalistic reputation on scanty second hand news reported (if that is the appropriate terminology) in the TBulletin, then you just have to suck it up. Lucky you weren’t relying on ace insider Green Waste – “I’m in that area of Council and this allegation is complete bullshit.” Though, to be fair, apparently it was a ‘contractor’ who was allegedly assaulted, not TCC employees in a TCC truck. All the same . . .
hahahaha … the last line is a dead giveaway – ‘All the same’. All the fucking same? So t wasn’t a council employee. Although the TCC would bear the same reponsibility for safe working conditions.
And the evidence of the ‘scanty reporting’ by an incurious Astonisher drongo straight from a TCC release or at least a heads up from the mayor’s office calling for another photograph (maybe engineered by your good self?) is exactly the point of this journalists criticism.
You just try too hard sometimes, and look like the prize goose we are becoming convinced you are. But all the same ….
Speilcheque, is this the same “scanty second hand news reported (if that is the appropriate terminology) in the TBulletin” which your Council and State masters use on a daily basis to baffle the population?
If the claim was that the mayor or senior managers had assaulted a worker it would be believable. I’m in that area of Council and this allegation is complete bullshit. I challenge any of the Council PR plants to stump up just one shred of evidence to support this.
Lets see how this comes out in court if it ever gets that far. I am still told it never happened and it is likely no evidence will be produced.
Here are some legislative documents regarding violence at work and the actions required.
I wonder if anyone is in breach of any laws, here is a highlight for me…
“Either contact police or support the employee as required” presumably to call the police.
https://www.sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/642007/30.-supplementary-document-4.-work-related-violence-factsheet.pdf
https://www.sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/642006/30.-supplementary-3.-work-related-violence-and-aggression-prevention-and-management-guideline.pdf
Geez, I’m no oil painting but Mullet was definitely behind the door when they handed out good looks ! Imagine waking up next to that during a dark stormy night with lightning flashes through the window ?
Rates notices arriving . Base rates + 9.9 % , utility charges + 9.3 % ( both increases double + inflation ) state govt emergency rescue + 3.3 % . Jenny and her team are part of the cost of living issues. I notice one candidate who says he understands financials pushing for 4 yr rates freeze home + business which will require the elected Councillors supporting it .
Mike, there has been huge hikes in land values (extra revenue for Council) and general fees, charges, and rates increases (Council benefits). And of interest the Councillors received pay increases and expenses increases. Pity the rest of us didn’t get treated the same.
The land valuations were issued in 2022, which means that we should expect updated ones next month. Maybe Mayor Mullet knows something about the upcoming valuations that us mug ratepayers don’t.
Thanks Mike – curious – was the 9.9% on a owner/occupied property, or rental. Mayor Mullet can’t hide behind a hike in land values for this enormous impost on ratepayers.
Show Jenny the door in 24.
White Mouse , owner occupied . Basicly 18-20 % in 2 years many suburbs in Townsville . Long Term rentals higher and with increased insurance renters are in for large increases .
Late yesterday Magnis unveiled its report for the December quarter. Hard to tell whether the whole thing is in death throes or whether that $100 million greenfield ‘megafactory’ in upstate New York can somehow climb out of a debt mire and start actual commercial production. If not it seems like a huge waste.
An omen of some sort?
‘Hell of a Bently’ wins the first at Townsville this arvo.
While this story (the video says it all) of a child that crawled into a shopping plaza claw machine has nothing to do with Aboriginal youth crime in Townsville, it demonstrates that small openings (pet doors, laundry chutes, toilet windows, etc) are easy points of entry for a youngster, to enable your house to be unlocked from the inside, to allow the entry of older siblings and the rest of the thieving gang.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-01/queensland-shopping-centre-child-claw-machine-police/102563124?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
Rotten Lucky Willy, you do realise that even our youngest house breakers are not 3 years old. Your link between house breaking and a toddler in an arcade machine aren’t even in the same hemisphere. What complete foolishness.
Well, dunno bout that.
That kid was no slim Jim and the point that small people of some mor years can often go where no man has gone before … cat and dog flaps being the usual examples. And there have been documented cases of exactly that,
The kid that got in to our neighbours’ house got through the dog flap. He must have been a dwarf or a very young child.
E.B.,
You live in a fools paradise. Stop obsessing about the age of the child.
Have a glass of politically correct, gender neutral, virtuous kombucha with glacier ice, from a dying glacier, and adopt the flying frog yoga pose and continually breathe out. No, no, continually breathe out only. None of this breathing in nonsense, or the effect with be lost.
Now; where were we?
Oh yes, it is the physique of the youngster and the family environment from which they exist as to whether they can be poked through a small opening and then open a door or window from the inside.
Good grief, are you so naive and simple that it has to be spelled out to you in mostly words of one syllable.
Sorry, syllable:
noun
a unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants, forming the whole or a part of a word; for example, there are two syllables in water and three in inferno.
Christ, that was a very long walk on a very short pier, Willy Whacker.
(Received by email)
The Bulletin’s time machine is busy again.
Security at the Cairns Courthouse must be a little lax. Re-read the caption.
Couldn’t even wait to get in the showers at the jail, it seems.
“‘Wasted life’: Bumbling bowls burglar back behind bars”
Not a baddie for the Bulletin (pun,pun) Mr. Pie?
Actually, incomprehensible (for a headline) alliteration, and without knowing the story (don’t really want to) not a pun either.
Kiddies at play when teechers out of the room.
Christ, it appears I wasted 40 years of my life “playing” journalist!
Haven’t we all, haven’t we all.
FRAN OUT OF THE RACE. ILL HEALTH MAKES IT A ONE HORSE FIELD.
Division 10 councillor Fran O’Callaghan has announced she is retiring from the Townsville mayoral race due to ill health.
Statement by Fran O’Callaghan
2.30pm Friday Feb 2 2024
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 O’Callaghan Clr for Division 10.
Clr O’Callaghan was to date the only challenger to incumbent Jenny Hill. Nominations are still open for a week or so.
A potentially sad day for the future of Townsville. I hope someone of Frans caliber steps up.
And to Fran, wishing you all the very best.
Right now I expect there is undignified rejoicing, in the Mullets mayoral office, at Frans misfortune.
Dobt it, don;’t think they ever really rated her, and we’ll now never know.
Christ – I hope she is well enough to re-nominate as a councillor. We need someone to keep them honest.
WE…ARE…FUCKED
Still time for you to nominate.
No chance. In my varying roles I’ve had to deal with these fuckwitted politicians way too much. I fear become just like them so I won’t be nominating.
Will no one rid us of this turbulent mullet!
‘Tis a consumation devoutly to be wish’d.’
Troy Thompson nominated for Mayor earlier this week
Actually, yes, The ‘Pie should have included the words ‘serious candidates’ in his comment.
Sad, for multiple reasons.
Doubt if Fran will now run as a councilor. She should sue Hill for harrasment.
That’d be a bit hard in the political arena… but doubt she’d contemplate it even if she had a case. Anyway, the unfortunate woman has more on her mind now.
Looks like my vote for mayor will be informal.
Best wishes to Ms O’Callaghan with her health battles. However, she was never going to beat Hill. Now you can all jump on the old discarded One Nation candidate.
Does anyone have a “Drover’s dog” to nominate?? Please!!!
We desperately need a serious mayoral candidate to replace Fran, so we need to shout out to a suitable candidate to fill the gap.
Here’s my suggestion: Cassie Scott
Great image, smart as, and from the opposite political party as the Mullet.
Don’t know if she’d be interested, but worth a try.
Does Townsville really need another political professional seeking a career rather than someone who truly wants to serve the city?
But wait, there’s more, maybe, hopefully not.
As I look at the tropical cyclone interactive 7 day map on the BOM, Qld Warnings, I note the possible movemovement of tropical low 06U. I also note as I drive around town the abundant high piles of TC Kirralee deadfall waiting to be blown all around town, maybe, this time next week.
Looking through the ECQ and it states that nobody can advertise as a team member (eg Team Jenny Hill) unless they are enrolled and the team name is registered. I checked to see who has enrolled as a candidate and Troy Thompson and Paul Jacob are the only two. Then I look at Rachel Armstrong on Facebook page and she is advertising as Candidate for Team Jenny Hill for Division 8. Have I got it wrong or is this a breech already?
In fact Rachel’s signs were up on November 14 with Team Jenny Hill on them. Well before nominations opened.