The hope is apparently that the Townsville Bulletin’s 50 most Influential list will be a climax for readers, with the traditional screaming, moaning and cries of ‘oh, no not there, that’s too low down’. All followed by a thoughtful ciggy. But of far more interest is who’s NOT on this embarrassing list, including a major and self-incriminating omission.
And what is not said is the problem with a major story in the Weekend Astonisher ….as they say, if you’re going to deal in bullshit, you’d better have a good memory. The paper doesn’t.
Is our mayor making a single-handed bid for the pink tourism dollar, tempting the gay traveller to head for Townsville ? Is he contemplating a – cough cough – lifestyle change, where the nickname Slick Nick will take on more disturbing connotations? True or not, it sure bloody looks like it.
And a recent Trump Administration decision to drop a multi-billion bribery charge against a foreign businessman got us wondering about some recent local history in our own little corner of the world.
And on the international scene, some delightful Danish musical mischief in the background of the US-Denmark Greenland Treaty signing.
With quarterly bills thudding into the Nest’s in-box over the past week or so, a bit of financial support would be greatly appreciated. You can back your weekly read with a donation by bashing the link at the end of the blog. It really would be appreciated.
Meet The Editor of The Townsville Bulletin – Her Name Nanki Poolson ,And She’s Got A Little List
Astonisher Iditor Naki Poolson aka Jill Poulson
And it’s a safe bet her favourite cultural character is Nanki Poo, from the 1885 G&S operetta The Mikado. Nanki Poo, you’ll remember, is famous for his musical elimination song “I’ve Got A Little List’ of people ‘who none of them will be missed’. Only Nanki Poolson has turned the idea around to be a list where no one and nothing misses out … except readers who are interested in actual news. Instead, they get pelted with faux ‘lists’ of Townsville “best” of everything imaginable: best beautician, best plumber, best dog walker, best real estate agent (a low bar, that one) until they move on to things instead of people, best burger, best tattoo shop, best carpet layers bum crack, best supermarket aisle for bend-over glimpses. the list of lists in literally endless.
But the grand final in the battle of the lists in the paper’s annual laugh-in, Townsville’s 50 Most Influential People, a yearly click-bait rage-farming bit of tomfoolery that even Poolson admits – in a roundabout way – is a rubbishy attempt at what they laughingly term ‘readership engagement’. She says so in her windy explanation for this lazy excuse for journalism.
That is so patronisingly empty-headed that The ‘Pie feels silly bothering to discuss it, but Poolson takes herself so seriously as some laughable sort of kingmaker, one has to point out a thing or two.
First, debate what? What you have just said, madam, is you want readers to discuss a made-up hierarchy in terms of positions on an arbitrary list of names you have supplied, for the sole purpose of discussing the choice of positions on your ‘ladder’. Are you nuts, lady? C’mon, Jill, you’re not a serious person are you? An insulting one, but not a serious one. Passion? Deep care for the regions future? Dare one suggest those that really have such passion and care demonstrate it by not reading this nonsense publication. Which they are not doing in increasing numbers.
Then there’s this opening salvo of silliness you offer.
Oh, purleeese!
And what the fuck is an ‘expert nomination’? Do you ever actually think about what you write?
But anyway … a ‘judging panel’? Geezuz, Jill, as the od saying has it, get off the table, Mabel, the money’s for the beer.’ A bloody judging panel? Compromised of whom? This load of horsefeathers brings to mind the classic question “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who watches the watchers?” Don’t you reckon if you’re making judgements like these, it is only fair that readers know who actually made the choices, that no one was compromised in their decisions? Bet you won’t reveal any names so we could decide for ourselves, so The ‘Pie will enlighten … the judging panel is you, and your immediate boss and editorial adviser, general manager and advertising boss Suzanne (Suzy) Wilson. No compromise or possible conflict of interest there, eh?
Plus possibly some of your girlie cocktail-hour mates. (‘Phrow, whack him in somewhere, he’s a hottie.’)
If this was anything approaching a serious and honest list of influential people ‘shaping Townsville’ – (oh, bloody spare me) – there are some notable omissions – Crisafulli, Alabanese and whoever makes the defence Department decisions. But the self-owning omission, Jill, the one you dare not mention is …you, yourself, the editor of an organisation that styles itself unashamedly as ‘setting the news agenda for the city’. Many years ago, when one previous editor asked The ‘Pie who should be at the top of the list, he replied that if the idea was to be taken seriously, then he himself, the editor, should be up there . His answer: ‘In a perfect world, Malcolm, yes. But no.’ Said it all.
The pompous-assery of this annual fellating and tonguing of locals who have or hopefully will tip some advertising dollars into the paper’s insatiable maw is but one more proof of the paper’s declaration of surrender to social media and mendacity.
But Your Nonsense Isn’t Restricted To Lists
This isn’t funny, it’s just simply insulting.
So two regional towns in a relatively remote part of the country ‘battle’ to decide a major Defence Department decision with long-ranging political implications? And Canberra waits while the two dook it out for the glittering prize? And the Federal Government stays neutral? What fucking planet are people from? Forget neutral, whoever wrote that ought to neutered.
Slick Nick’s YMCA Moment: Oh, Mate, That Is Just So Gay
Here’s another for the Mayor Meathead: What Was He Thinking file.
Fooling around on stage with an acrobat to publicise the upcoming (snicker) Festival of (suppressed guffaw) The Arts is an OK thing, one guesses, but ripping off your shirt and making it a YMCA moment is something again, it is so, so … well, it’s just so gay.
It’s reported in the Astonisher’s snapper tried to take pix of this mesmerising spectacle, a mayoral minder, apparently themselves startled at this off-script development, blocked pictures being taken. That may be just a bit of bullshit by the Astonisher ( yes, it does happen, apparently) , because somehow a whole video was up on Instagram of the entire nipple and tuck episode. Should one now expect our shirtless mayor to don a glitter cloak and enter the next council meetings to the sounds of YMCA, before the music segues into Old Time Rock And Roll, prompting all councillors to clap along as Nick does a Tom Cruise slide along the table, before calling for the regular prayer to start proceedings? The ‘Pie for one would not be in the least bit surprised.
From crooked to kooky, we’re running the whole gamut of mayoral diversity here in Townsville. We should be so proud.
But We Count Our Blessings
And nice to know a few years back this very same hick town hootenanny only tempted Mayor Mullet to fully clothed arm waving, although she did show her dick in the background.
Speaking Of Gay …
The Nest is always a sucker for a good headline, so this one from the Australian’s running coverage of the Alan Jones trial tickled the fancy …
And Staying With Arsesoles For The Moment
Reported in the Guardian, bribery charges are dropped in the US against guess who?
This news prompted The ‘Pie to hark back to Got’Em Adani palship with then premier Anna Palaszczuk …
… and the weird decision, supposedly by the premier’s bestie, then Mayor Jenny Hill, to use Townsville ratepayers money to build and gift to Adani an airport near his Carmichael mine 400kms away. This was supposedly to cater to the hundreds, nay thousands, of FIFO workers who would choose to live in Townsville rather than the closer Mackay, Bowen or Airlie. In a rare moment of defiance, the idea was promptly knocked on the head by council, but still … Anna and Jenny enjoyed an all expenses paid jaunt to India courtesy of this unappetising curry muncher, and who knows what was in the complimentary ‘show bags’ awaiting them in their luxury hotel rooms. We now know he’s got form.
Just sayin’, y’know.
The Bulletin’s Puzzle Pages … More Than Just Crosswords And Sudoku
The ‘puzzle’ description applies to many of the ‘news’ pages as well. A little mystery turned up in this weekend story by Colliers MD Peter Wheeler, transcribed by Leighton Smith.
Mr Wheeler was rightly chuffed about the improved realty scene, especially with the office and medical sector returning 110% increase in sales value to the tune of $71.9m. And other sectors, including hospitality and accomodation ‘posting a significant increase in activity’ with sales up from $17m last year to $48.5m for the last FY. A pleasing, if somewhat cherry-picked, rosy outlook, with the local market diversifying rather than declining.
But then we come to the that break-out box.
Now, The ‘Pie knows, because Leighton has so vociferously told the old bird more than once, that he is a reporter and not a stenographer, so he has obviously researched and written the above summary himself which is seperate to the story.
So here’s the mystery …. given the varying value of the listed projects, some less than half a billion dollars, why doesn’t one worth $550 not get a mention? To be exact, this one.
Leighton and others have hailed the vision of developer Shaun McCarthy , who has promised a first of two stages waterpark, and a 15 storey, 200room hotel employing hundreds. Mr McCarthy told the paper a year ago that the necessary civil works, raising the entire site by three metres to flood proof it, would start last March. How could such an economic turbo booster not be mentioned in projects that are in the pipeline (an unfortunate phrase, but there we are.)
Oh, wait sec … Shaun McCarthy? Ah, yes, knew the name was familiar.
This is the bloke who is going to borrow an unspecified number of millions to build a 10-storey luxury apartment building on The Strand. We are very unreliably told that several of the multi-million dollar pads have been sold off the plans (as fucking if!!), money and contracts will be all lined up soon – ‘a matter of weeks’ – and that Mr McCarthy has apparently managed to find the requisite work force – although tradies are are rare as rocking horse shit these days thanks to the Olympics – to start work before Christmas. All this while seeking the $550m for his Cluden project. On land, as far as The ‘Pie can ascertain, he is yet to secure from the Townsville Turf Club.
Wow, what a guy, no wonder the Bulletin’s judging panel had a wide-on for him and awarded Mr McCarthy slot 41 on their ‘Most Influential list – although they couldn’t be bothered with a new pic, just the one from the so far vacant waterpark site..
Indeed, the values the panel put on Mr McCarthy’s … well, apparently ‘potential’, more than ‘achievements’ just yet … placed him five places ahead in the most influential stakes of the Chamber of Commerce CEO Emma Peters, despite the impressive Ms Peters having put her runs on the board already.
But dammit, The Magpie again missed out on the list, so maybe this is all sour grapes. That view was echoed in this exchange during the week in comments.
| Pat Myaz email hidden; JavaScript is required 180.150.104.126 |
Submitted on 2026/09/25 at 8:52 pm
Magpie, you carry on like some grand elder statesman of Townsville journalism, but half the time you just sound like a grubby little trollop yelling obscenities through a letterbox. |
| The Magpie email hidden; JavaScript is required |
Submitted on 2026/09/25 at 11:35 pm | In reply to Pat Myaz.
Well thank you, a very generous endorsement that half the time, The ‘Pie is sounding like an elder statesman of Townsville journalism. A dubious distinction, but gratefully received anyway. |
A Danish Dig Was A Danish Delight
Probably too subtle for the Americans, but when Secretary of State Marco Rubio entered the room for the Greenland Treaty signing in Denmark, the background music played ‘Send In The Clowns’ from Stephen Sondheim’s show ‘A Little Night Music’. The Danes swear it was nothing to do with them, they had nothing to do with the playlist for background music (although they neither apologised or said to whom they outsourced the musical duties.) No matter, very funny.
Which is more than can be said for the other clowning around of the week, particularly Trump’s illegal banning of selected media organisations from the White House. Which is turning out to be a bit of an own goal, since all other media outfits are now boycotting Trump events in protest. A judge has ordered that the bans be rescinded , but at the time of writing, the Orange Abomination is yet to comply.
And Finally, Maybe Our Fitness Fanatic Townsville Mayor Would Like One Of These ….
(make sure to read the final line.)
…………
‘Til next week. And hey, a donation would be kinda handy about now, if you can help out, the required link is below.
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Happy Sunday Pie
Thanks for making me spit out my coffee….
Dametto certainly loves a photo opportunity. The shirt-off performance is just another one for the collection.
The Bulletin’s Top 50 is becoming an annual backslapping exercise. Three LNP MPs sharing a spot is amusing when so much of their public messaging sounds identical. The bulletin set a new low.
And McCarthy? Plenty of big announcements, but I’d be more interested in seeing financing secured, construction underway and projects actually delivered. Influence should be measured by results, not press releases.
Spot on.
I wonder if Slick Nick will come clean on how much the North Australian Festival of Tits and Bums is costing ratepayers.
If you go down to the festival headquarters in Strand Park in peak hour around 7pm, you’ll find the place virtually deserted. More workers than punters most nights.
Surely there are KPIs for such an expensive ratepayer-funded event.
Come on Nick, you seem to be very close to the action, literally pressing the flesh with the cast.
Just don’t insult us with the old Jenny Hill “commercial-in-confidence” bullshit.
Awww, give the bloke a break, mate, he’s wrestling with some personal issues of identity, and annoying him with questions like that is likely to make him a bit short tempered, especially if he’s in a pub.
Be interesting if he ever shares a Baby Cham or two with Messagebank Walker.
Did anyone else think, Oompa Loompa ?
Maybe too much for a Sunday arvo, but I just looked one up, and there are similarities with slick and the Oompa Loompa‘s.
Were you thinking something like this?
But it appears Trump’s passion for re-naming things has now extended into Oompa Loompa Land.
I’m thinking Slick fits the model well. Once again I spat out my evening tea…
I need to point out a spelling error. It should be North Australian Festival of the ARSE.
Love your work!
Great blog again this week Pie. Loved the bit about Nick Dametto, or is it Dick Stiletto?
TCC have advertised for a Legal Counsel. Is Miss Furstenrecht looking at strengthening her team or has somebody been pineappled? There has been numerous governance issues in the past few months so perhaps that has a bearing on this advertised role?
And where’s Hills bestie, Prins? Here he is. He was always going to resurface as a CEO somewhere. Another ex Townsville deadshit who always falls on his feet;
https://itbrief.com.au/story/australian-computer-society-appoints-prins-ralston-as-ceo
And I’ve also noted that Albanese has hit the panic button over AI. Bad publicity from the Medicare breach. I hate to tell you Albo but you’re too late mate, the genie has been let out of the bottle. AI has minimal controls in place. What’s worse is that governments are giving approval for huge power hungry data centres even though we are in an energy crisis. These fools are shutting down coal fired power stations and replacing them with a handful of wind turbines, yet the government is giving the nod to energy hungry data centre’s. This is just plain fucking lunacy. I’m seriously glad that I will be a rotting corpse in the not so distant future. But I feel for my grandchildren as they are being left a fucked up world in which computers are taking over from real humans and national debt will adversely affect all who live in the once lucky country.
Wonder if the advertised TCC legal counsel position is open to ex-staff. Asking for a friend …?
The ACS has never really been a very useful organisation. Prins should fit in well.
Rolly, I think a few issues are getting mixed up. The federal government wanted sustainable power for data centres and the Queensland government chose not to require data centres to supply their own sustainable power, and approved one on food-growing land. That’s where I’d aim the anger.
On AI, the federal government is at least trying to put controls in place, which is more than can be said for the US.
On proposed data centres, and especially in own region, of great concern is dollar hungry Lansdown project – owned by TCC, another Jenny /Prins legacy.
In a recent media statement TCC claimed milestones had been achieved, because they built a road and upgraded another. After all these years and the many million of dollars already spent and the many more ratepayer dollars to come?? They haven’t even got water to the area yet.
Part of statement reads
‘The report considered by Council noted Lansdown remains Council’s principal industrial investment attraction asset, with $303 million committed to roads and raw water supply infrastructure over the next seven years and a return to Council over the next 40 years that will support investment in essential services and infrastructure.’
So when the data centres are built – we all know Townsville is prone drought conditons and power failures. Who gets the water and power first, the people or the machines? All it takes is one rouge AI agent!
What data centres are proposed for Lansdowne? None that I’m aware of.
Besides Townsville already has a data centre on Dalrymple Road and a HPCC in NQ Spark.
Ducky,
Yes I know its a bit out of patch, but a mate of mine, friend of a friend, attended TCC run information session down there at Landdown. It has been relayed back to me, that the whole event was a bit limp and Lansdown looks like the arse end of town. For all the ratepayer dollars that have already been spent, council have achieved very little,and, it appears it will be that way for quite some time.
However there were some discussion re: data centres, discussions about solar farms, but the place still has no water. These data centres require lots and lots of water.
Since you know about these things perhaps you can explain this; If the Townsville region was to be put on odds and evens watering days, will these centres be able to still function? If they were built at Landsdown would they get special water allocation because the land is owned by TCC? Will any of them no matter where they are situated over heat and catch fire? Or will they be given unlimited water supply at the expense of the residents of Townsville gardens and parks?
Surely council needs to finish the Haughton Pipeline for our water security before they spend hundreds of millions on what appears to a ‘White Elephant ‘ and smells like old kippers.
Now I have go and deal with an island issue there’s been a complaint that someone in Nelly Bay is playing the Bee Gees to loud!
If the economics stacked up – and these mega tech guys use different metrics to us cowpat kickers – the money these centres will pull in, if they thought it worthwhile, Big Tech, with the undoubtedly surefire Brisbane permissions, would fund and build it own pipeline for an allocation from the BFD. And shame the government and council by getting done and operating in less than 6 months.
But while water wouldn’t be a problem, two other factors certainly are … distance from user density markets (important for real time applications) and average temperature.
The mega centre planned for the Western Downs near Dalby will have an annual average maximum temperature of 26.2°C and the annual average minimum is 11.9°C .
Townsville has an annual average maximum temperature of about 29.0°C and an average minimum of 19.9°C, according to BOM. Add to this that Lansdown is well inland and would therefore be even warmer without ameliorating seas breezes. And then there’s the question of humidity, which as well know, comes with its own set of problems.
Which is a shame, because if we must have the centres, a place like Lansdown would be socially ideal. So it seems those concerned about the possibility can safely unknot the knickers on this one.
Magpie is correct about the temperature issues. However, I’ve read enough on data centre cooling tech to know like all technology its improving. WSAA put out this report on water use in data centres. It’s informative but also light reading when you have insomnia.
Re Lansdowne, I personally believe they are getting desperate, so will try and pitch it to anyone. Don’t be surprised if its turned into luxury acreage living if they don’t get some heavy investment. We aren’t gonna get a data centre there without water or a major power supply.
https://wsaa.asn.au/Common/Uploaded%20files/library/report/WSAA%20Data%20Centres%20and%20water%20in%20Australia%20-%20December%202025.pdf?version=33348DA2
Investment not insomnia. Perhaps i have the insomnia
Yeah, wondered what that was all about, but The ‘Pie is accustomed to not having a clue about what some are saying in comments, but nobly defends to the death the right for them to display their discombobulation in public.
Anyway, amended now.
I hate to be seen to agree with the island cat, but was musing this afternoon as I gave my mower a tour of the estate that it would be interesting to see what happens when Powerlink announces the need to load shed for whatever reason and some flavour of AI decides this is an attack on itself so wanders into the Powerlink mainframe and sorts stuff out.
I would actually like to see a giant data centre built on magnetic island. Imagine the local whingers who usually complain about potholes, faded road markings and errant palm fronds, complaining about a giant data centre! Great entertainment. I would love it.
B
The island already has a data centre … Charlie McColl.hahahahah
Yes, haha it is. A World Heritage data centre no less. But let me make one observation about the recent roadworks vicinity Radical Bay. Not one person has attempted to refute my claim that the reconstructed and resurfaced track only leads into the private freehold land at Radical Bay. Perhaps there is no one here who has actually visited the site to ascertain the facts on the ground? Also, I assert that once on that property there is no legal public access to the beachfront and no obligation on Junipers to provide one. Adam Baillie has used (hidden) taxpayer funds to deliver a personal windfall to a private developer. I smell a rat.
As The ‘Pie has pointed out before (but will make an exception here) this ‘discussion’ is of no import, what has been done has been done, and the rules and details pertaining thereto are yet to be revealed. We will then resume discussion, only with somewhat cooler air.
Not sure if The ‘Pie mentioned publicly, but a few weeks ago, he emailed Juniper’s HO a request for information on any arrangements Junipers had made regarding the road. There has not been a reply. But unwise to read anything into that … unlike The Magpie, big businesses never feels impelled to engage with every pissant communication it receives.
Yes, Mr Magpie you are correct.
Charlie McColl is the island’s data centre.
He consumes a lot of energy and exhales a lot of hot air!
Comment of the day … hahahaha.
As I’ve mentioned before, by rights natural gas power stations are the way to go
Australia has a heap of natural gas, you feed natural gas into a jet engine and burn it, the technology is well developed, fast to install, cheaper and cleaner than nuclear and coal, more reliable than renewable.
You’d pass a law requiring that a percentage of the natural gas leaving the country MUST be sold to the natural gas power stations for a pittance instead of “royalties” etc.
Another option – the government drills and taps the natural gas themselves.
During sunny days solar provides a sizeable chunk of power to the grid, the gas turbines provide back up ( can start up FAST).
During the night the gas turbines provide clean, reliable power to Queensland.
Good idea but one step at a time. A pilot feasibility scheme is needed, with a special exhaust system installed on Queensland Parliament to capture the hot air and various gases emitted during sittings.
Having spent time in a city where “portable” gas turbines were installed to cover power shortfalls, just beware that they are LOUD – we lived about 8 to 10 km away and their drone was very evident, so NIMBY!
yep, 110dB when batting along steadily but up to a more than annoying 155dB during start-up or when programmed for automatic increase based on load. They are very similar, and share certain characteristics, with jet engines. They can be sound-proofed but that requires higher cost and a lot of fucking around.
Mayor Meathead’s puppet masters will be pleased. Making a boob of himself takes the focus off them. What’s next? The Astonisher featuring a centrefold of Nude Nick?
I wouldn’t like to see that.
They’d take it in cool aircon. Nothing to see here.
Super blog Mr Magpie. I love those photos of Nick. To be honest, I saw stars and rainbows when I saw his sculptured chest! Oh behave.
Bless, sweetie.
And nice to know a few years back this very same hick town hootenanny only tempted Mayor Mullet to fully clothed arm waving, although she did show her dick in the background.
Messagewank is a real estate Guru now!
When he fails at that,maybe he’ll try used cars?
And this lifted from his StinkedIn profile – Walker Consultancy; Strategic Planning, Social Media Marketing Campaigns. He has been a ‘consultant’ for around 18 months. Perhaps he provides advice on liquor licensing and the sporting code for boxing matches?
(Via email)
‘Pie, I know you aren’t keen on giving oxygen to the silly Top 50 List, but since it’s out there, I have to say something about a few misses.
Joe Carey Carey Group one of the largest private companies outside Brisbane.
Debbie Rains Qld stadium board , successful business women .
Craig Stack Knight Frank ,
Peter + Michael Tapiolas 150 defence home contract / tropical homes / building the first planned housing development Port Moresby.
Jarod Hurst building a lot of commercial projects Townsville .
Instead of rubbishing ‘Slick Nick’ we should all be pride….sorry proud of him for coming out.
Good to see Jill being inclusive with that list and with her finger on the pulse.
Pretty sure Dametto is just practicing for February 12 to March 7, 2027 in Sydney. Good on him.
Jesus H Christ, Nick Damented strutting around like a Kansas city faggot. Is that the highlight of his career?? Another embarrassing notch in Townsville’s belt. Every week brings a new low. Fark.
Dear ‘Pie,
Regards the Mayor of Townsville, on stage, promoting Townsville, in a way the Mulett never would, I say to you this,
“A pox on you all. While not a head over heels fan of Nick, here is a bloke comfortable in his own skin, and happy enough to in an artistic way, sort of, promote the festival.
Lighten up people.
Are you jealous of Nicks 6 pack, while you carry around a keg?
Truly, you sound like, as I am told, never heard it for myself, thank goodness, a collective of prissy protestant spinsters.
And just for the record, at the Riverway lagoons, in my swimming attire, young ladies are discretely admiring, their gentlemen friends feel inadequate, old ladies are praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary for forgiveness for what they have seen.
Being shameless is a good thing.
You doubt me?
Check out the Astonisher Saturday, July 18, 2015.
Regards,
Jack
“… on stage, promoting Townsville, in a way the Mullet never would …”
Let us count our blessings.
A topless Mullet doing the Dance of the Seven Army Surplus Blankets? Try and get that image out of your head.
Hello Nick. You looked good in that photo shoot buddy. Cheers
Dear Nick & fans,
No one cares about Nick’s six pack and muffin top. We are rightfully pissed off when a mayor readily strips off and meets NAFA visitors, yet fully clothed ignores the average rate payer. When was the last time the CEO and the mayor’s handlers allowed Nick to meet with an average rate payer to address their issues? Nick, if you want to be a strong man in a circus or a stripper in a club, quit as mayor. If you want to be taken seriously as a statesman, stop performing like a monkey at the zoo. Less photo shoots and gala events with the high end of town. More time in the office to unf@ck council’s expensive mistakes. Sheesh.
Christ, talk about casual racism.
How a single word can change a legitimate headline into a racist dog whistle.
Did you spot it?
WTF is the word ‘Aussie’ meant to tell us? What else would they be? Link it to the facts of both with good jobs and clean rental records, clearly, it’s meant that we should sympathise with this couple on the grounds that they aren’t immigrants or Indigenous.
This is not The Magpie being a woke softie, this is an example of the insidious use of language to dog whistle … needless to say, it was a News Ltd in-house story.
As opposed to a middle eastern immigrant couple, and 50 odd family members accompanying them, who would have had their home presented to them on a platter by Albosleazy when they arrived.
You’ve been told a trillian times, Gunny, don’t exagerate.
News corpse flagship paper of truth and morality, The Australian, is reporting that the knives are out for the giggling Miles and he is living on borrowed time.
It really doesn’t come as a surprise, the giggling idiot never connected with the public after the execution of Palletchook. However his union puppet masters are becoming a tad restless with all the heat being placed on them over the CMFEU investigations. They can see Labor staying in the wilderness after the next state election as The Kid is still much more popular. If Labor want to make inroads they ought to ditch Miles, Dick, and double Grace immediately. Promote Frau Scanlon and start rebuilding the party. But let’s be honest, that will never happen.
As predicted in The Nest by The Magpie at the start of this month.
Maybe Giggles can get some political longevity tips from the half naked Nick Dametto (Dick Stiletto) on how to be a more studly politician? Then again, Giggles is occasionally in the media showing off his forearms while doing powerlifting. Maybe there’s a career out there somewhere for him doing that?
Dick Stiletto …. luvvit !!!
We can only hope.
Miles is toxic. He is an inept and impotent leader. In 2 years as opposition leader he hasn’t landed a single punch on Crisafulli. He provides an absolute masterclass on how to fail in politics. His union powerbrokers have backed the wrong horse.
At the risk of cliche overload, The Magpie hesitantly asks himself should he cut the Gordian knot that keeps this Pandora’s Box closed and ask what ‘punchs’ has Crisfulli left himself open to and that Miles failed to land?
Magpie, it looks like Scanlan might be in favour for a shit to party leader, the only problem is her own patch of real estate has been redistributed to LNP heartland, so I wonder if she will survive. But from listening a few mates down south, Scanlon may roll Miles if they go to a vote. Interesting times, and probably about the timeline to go after it. Thoughts?
Seems to me some bog roll may be required.
Totally agree. To date, what has The Kid done wrong?? Crime rates have improved, so has ambulance ramping. The budget is in check, funding has increased for the Bruce Highway and ‘youth crime do the time’ laws have been introduced and even strengthened after review. Also union powers have been curtailed and a great deal of corruption, cronyism, and bullying has been done away with. Even our local state members in Townsville are a vast improvement over the previous 3 fuckwits that we had. Police manpower numbers have also been increased. Miles muppets weren’t able to achieve any of this.
Saying what he hasn’t done is easy meat, and generally subjectively unfair. Especially coming from the dog’s dinner of Labor.
But the one thing could’ve and should’ve done was exactly the one that Labor could not take him to task over …. when he gained office, the very first thing the Crisafulli Government should have done -morally, ethically, responsibly, economically – was cancel Anna Palaszczuk’s bread-and-circuses economy-destroying Olympic contracts and tell the Games to go elsewhere. You’d better believe it, and you will soon enough know the truth of it that these Games will cripple whole portions of the Queensland economy, so whatever number such a pull-out activated in penalty clauses would still be way way ahead beneficially of what now lies down the track …. or in fact what we are seeing now…. the strangulation of the regions, massive disruption throughout the Brisbane area for the next 6 years, the fracturing of Queensland society and all for short term sugar hit with zero long-term benefits and lots of photo ops for politicians presiding over the decline of a once-nation leading state.
On this issue, David Crisafulli maybe a proud Queensland, but that is a distant second behind a power dazzled politician of no gumption whatsoever.
But it would’ve been the same, no matter who rolled Palaszczuk. No guts, any of them, just fake posturing glory.
Posture politics is getting worse. Crisafulli, Dametto, photo opportunities, announcements and plenty of head nodding while the regions keep waiting. Billions are being committed around the Olympics while Queensland debt continues to climb. Regional Queensland has real infrastructure problems right now.
And now the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. Anyone familiar with that precinct knows the ageing waterfront infrastructure has been an issue for years. Get the engineering done, determine whether the creek wall can be properly rebuilt or strengthened, publish the cost and fix it. Townsville shouldn’t lose another major asset because governments spend years talking about whose problem it is. Less posturing. More delivery.
Publish the cost then fix it? Why would a Labor government pork barrel an LNP electorate with no prospect of political gain in the current climate? If they leave it and take some kudos for ‘not wasting taxpayer dollars’, they can watch One Nation lay waste to the LNP in Herbert.
You a betting man, Bob?
Build another aquarium in the CBD for proper. Put residential on top of it and use the rent to help maintain the aquarium and building itself.
An aquarium doesn’t need to be by the ocean.
Create a free parking zone for anyone visiting the aquarium ie, you tap in a code provided by the aquarium when you buy a ticket.
You just bulldoze a dead zone and start again by building an aquarium.
Though to be honest building an aquarium is a waste of time. If you have to build it just make it all rentals so the money funds the aquarium.
Don’t agree, Guy, what’s needed bit of the old lateral thinking outside the envelope moving forward and circling back before the close of play.
A whole new aquarium should be built at Lansdown.
I mean, the site is there, empty, roads already built, courtesy of the rate/taxpayer, council owns it and can charge the Commonwealth rent. And while water and a few other things might need a tad of work shopping, like a different pipeline from Cleveland Bay because the aquarium has always and will always require salt water (luckily, we have many years and years … and years … of experience in pipeline construction) those ready to knock the idea can whinge and wail, but Christ, mate, think of the parking. Biggest problem solved. And Ma Greaney will be quick to show fiscal responsibility and move to have parking meters installed ‘to deter selfish people who will want to spend more than an hour at the facility’.
And if there’s any land left over, why not a water park adjacent?
A waterpark at Lansdown? Far out!!! That’s where the raw water from the Haughton pipeline could be stored before being put to use in the nickel, hydrogen or battery factory or otherwise treated for the Rocky Springs urban quarter. A masterstroke, Magpie.
As you say, it’s far out because it’s. … ummm … far out.
The Olympics were originally an LNP project pushed by the mayors of Brisbane, so there’s no chance an LNP government would cancel it.
Correct, Quirk from Bribane and Mark Jamieson, then Gold Coast mayor, led the push but it wasn’t official LNP policy, just support in principle (as in, nice idea, let’s see what happens). But that was 2014/15, and crucially, pre-Covid when the reasonable economic well-being of the state was sacrificed on the alter of social over-reaction by Palaszczuk and that ninny Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young. The resulting catastrophe (matter of opinion if it was worth it, but it is now a fact that it was a catastrophe) is still dogging all state and federal economies, so cancellation would be understood to be reasonable. Better still, if the bid was not made at all, but Palaszczuk’s posturing prevailed.
Hey Pie, I see the Pope doing his own smoking ceremony while on tour, maybe he and his team have pinched the idea from our original land owners.
Wowowoweeeee
Leighton has a massive scoop
Look, The ‘Pie sometimes has a pang of guilt given the pummelling Leighton gets around here, and it’s a hard ask for someone to have enough risky dignity to refuse to write stuff like this. He has to keep his job, and if this is the business round (really?) then it really says more about the mendacity of the paper than it does about Leighton, poor sod. But that said, despite very occasional lapses into real journalism, he puts his name to this tosh.
The ‘Pie well remembers towards the end of his time taking the Murdoch shilling, that he informed the then chief of staff, the then Bettina Giardina (now Warburton of the Bulletin’s Weekend girls mag fame) that a story she wanted didn’t stand up, there wasn’t a yarn in it. Bettina, not known for her sweet disposition, was so annoyed her, she told The ‘Pie in that case, he was to go with a cameraman to the Mall (as it then was) and do vox pops. ‘Asking what?”. This was a week before Christmas, so Bettina she said The ‘Pie was to ask a variety of people what they were having for Christmas lunch. She even handed me a piece of paper with the question on it. As a COS who lived her life in barely controlled panic, she saw the paper not something to be filled with news, but just filled.
The ‘Pie point blank refused, told her to do it herself, and threw the crumpled note on her desk, which bounced off her arm. ‘That’s assault,’ she squawked. ‘So sue me.’ She never did. But her legacy of news values lives on.
Townsville’s best burger, anyone?
Slippery Nicky (sounds gaily erotic) is ever ready for a photo op. Does he ever spend any real time on TCC matters.
And on the lost aspiration of cancelling the Olympics. After three years of her being in control and doing nothing but pick up her committee head money, it couldn’t happen. Palashchook knew she wouldn’t survive another election, so handed gormless SMiles the poisoned chalice.
The Olympics are Palashchook’s way of telling us all to “…get fucked”.
The Olympics are a financial millstone that will force taxes to increase and continue to drain the budget decades after its finish.
You cancel the Olympics and put all money into infrastructure that will continue working decades after its commissioning. If you were clever you’d build more dams and pipelines to ensure future regional security and prosperity. Crazy thoughts i know.
Unfortunately, Guy, crazy passes for sanity nowadays, and if ever an issue demonstrated thus, it is the politics of vanity (Palaszczuk) meeting the politics of cowardice (Crisfulli), yet News Ltd generally and the Townsvillemparticularly don’t seem to recognise their cognitive dissonance . One page, two stories, tends to sum up the lack of critical , balanced analysis.
Phew the mobster missed out. Now eClair won’t need hair samples.
Hobbled can get on with the job left absent.
How could she not win, with both Dametto and, The ‘Pie is reliably told, Sen Ian MacDonald backing her.
She deserved the win, I think Pugh has too much still wafting around him, and his closeness to Oompa Loompa Nick might have been a negative. I can only imagine what the next state funded pub crawl would’ve been like, Nick punches them, and Mick hits them with a bat while taking their wallets.
Bit of kickin’ a bloke when he’s down, there, mate.
It rather a kick than a punch to the mouth, but that never happened, right?
Pugh was beaten fair and square, Michelle will now take on the role, though she might want to pull back on her expectations, if she thinks things will move at her pace. I wonder whether we have heard the end of the Bulletins accusations about her qualifications etc, my gut is telling me the rollercoaster is about to continue. Let’s hope not.
It won’t, the Bulletin boofheads will their DRTB orders, given Dametto, Crisafulli and a LNP elder statesman all backed her behind the scenes.
You’re no dill, Steve, you know the way it works.
That’s why, at the federal level, the egregious former Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb was never charged with treason over the Landbridge rort – minister facilitates and pushes through a highly security compromising 99 year lease for Chinese company to take over a sovereign Australian port (Darwin), then resigns and becomes a ‘consultant’ to the very company (Landbridge) he gave the lease to. His reward: three years sitting on arse, picking up his bribe of an annual salary of $880,000 a year. Media interest quickly waned.
It helped that she lived in the electorate too.
She will ignore constituents like Jacob did. She couldn’t be bothered returning correspondence that Pugh & Blacklock took the time to in the campaign.
I have questions on her substance & experience.
However majority of voters north of the Bohle seem to pick these punters. Blom, Jacob & Ryder, yikes.
I am curious. What was the correspondence so we can work out if we are outraged with her or you?
It was more a technical matter cleared up, didn’t think it was intended to be published. Trust everything is hunky dory now.
Gladstone council just had their monthly council meeting. There was a spill and council voted to keep the deputy mayor. The results were 5 in favour and 4 against. She survives another day. Lots of disharmony within Gladstone council. It’s been dysfunctional for the past 2 years with the deputy mayor having her eyes on the big chair while a new first term young councillor also covets the big chair. With 17 months to go until the next local election, it would seem that Gladstone is in for a tonne of fun just like Townsville, Cairns, Bundaberg and the Gold Coast. All dysfunctional outfits. The current mayor Matt Burnett has checked out, he is already way too interested and involved in the LGAQ and he has eyes on state or federal politics as his next gig.
Townsville council is not dysfunctional. They hold live-streamed meetings (which virtually no one attends in the public gallery), publicly declare the budget position, elect councillors to fill casual vacancies and occasionally meet constituents out in the suburbs. All very ordinary. What’s your beef?
Bob you are right, at least that’s how it appears on the surface. Dametto took office under a majority vote, supported by the Premier, the advisors are supported by the Premier, Dametto whacked a State members employee, said state member goes quiet, Premier settles the issue in the back room, sorry who’s running council? It’s not the yes man, it’s the Premier. He never made it to mayor, so instead he’s in charge behind the scenes. Do as he wishes and funding shall flow.
That’s the reality of politics … as you surely know. Could be a lot worse (if there’s anything wrong with it anyway), imagine if a diehard Laborite like the Mullet was still in office with The Kid calling the shots in Brissy.
Division 1 Hobson claims victory. and FFS another councillor with links to developers. Yup daddy is in business and she started out in the office.
Can’t wait to hear the whinges round here in the coming 2 years about her ignoring constituents. She doesn’t return correspondence where as the other candidates did.
That said the ballot wasn’t exactly enticing, my vote was exhausted before it even got to her.
Yikes 71% turnout and close to 2% informal. QEC will be busy with please explain notices.
At least we’ll get some Hobson’s choice jokes
Certainly a worthy addition to the national branch of the global mental health charity Blue Tree Project ….
The Townsville Golf Club is also aone of several Townsville locations. The startlingly unnatural colour is so stark you stop and think about it when first seen … which, of course, is the whole idea.