either missed it or didn’t think it was newsworthy. The Magpie has some interesting photographs, pointing to more boofheaded bureaucracy.
Is The Hive about to become more of a political hornet’s nest? The sudden sale of the Queens Hotel block was a surprise, but the likely outcomes are not. And again, the Bulletin fails to ask a crucial question.
And the sale may impact on the mayoral race. In what is her first substantive policy announcement, mayoral challenger Fran O’Callaghan reveals her concert hall preferences.
The Voice degenerates into a political slangfest, but almost all the insults are coming from those who loftily proclaim the nonsense that The Voice should be above politics … folks, it is about nothing else but politics.
Plus a local poet cocks an eyebrow at some weighty Townsville issues in comments, and has a jaunty exchange with The Magpie: plus a bumper US cartoon gallery; and Bill Maher argues we should have trigger warnings about …. trigger warnings.
Figuring you may have a bit of time on your hands over the break, The ‘Pie has made it a bit of a bumper issue, hope you enjoy its dubious charms.
The ‘Pie is well aware that for all of us, financial times are as tight as a piscatorial anus, but if you have the odd shekel floating about, they would be a great help to keep the Magpie’s Nest flapping along. The Donate button is at the bottom of the blog.
Now onward
NOTE: TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains material that may offend the self-entitled.
Is The Voice All Over Bar The Shouting?
When Peter Dutton, for some poorly thought-through reasons, announced the Libs would formally oppose The Voice – which was really no surprise to anyone except those recently returned from a Mars vacation at Musk Holiday Mansions– a reasonable person would’ve thought ‘OK, that’s cleared the decks, now let’s get down to some facts, indeed, some details.’ After all, because the Yes camp loftily told us the issue is ‘above politics’, and it was morally wrong, for some reason, to politicise the Voice proposal, both sides could calmly discuss the issue with sweet reason. A kumbaya exchange of give and take.
That expectation – again not surprisingly to any realist – proved to be straight out of the modern dreamtime, the whole thing immediately became scathingly politicised … by the Yes supporters themselves. On the screech scale, it matched Pauline Hanson on Asian immigrants. It was clear, if you opposed the unknown quantities of the Voice, and asked a polite ‘please explain’, you were a racist.
There was no dignified disdain towards Dutton and the Libs, no staying aloof because the cause ‘is above politics’, just swirl of irrelevant and pointless personal and social slurs. Which could generally be regarded by dispassionate observers as the reaction of an interest group who, standing too close to the edge, has lost its sure footing of a perceived moral high ground and have tumbled down into the bear pit of the real world.
Let’s cut through all the puff and vapour, shall we?
The bottom line, as it stands, is that we will not know what we are voting for, because, incredibly, we are asked to leave that to politicians and members of the (understandably) self interested Voice membership to decide after the fact how this Voice idea will work and what powers it will have.
In that instance, the lie is given to the pompous assumption that, say, a retired judge’s opinion of these ‘unknowns’ is worth more than that of ‘the ordinary sensible man in the street’ whose everyday common sense juries are urged to use in deliberation.s Judges know about the law, but can have no claim of special expertise in the perfidy of politics, they have no need of such knowledge – but ordinary Aussies have plenty of experience in it, and can smell a rat when straight answers are in short supply. We are not as dumb as some would like to think.
This whole nonsense, particularly from Linda Burnie et al, that this issue should be at an elevation ‘above politics’ is pure poppycock … <strong>THIS IS ALL ABOUT NOTHING ELSE BUT POLITICS AND POWER.</strong> Nothing else. bentley is of the same opinion .
So far … and The ‘Pie is hoping this will change very soon … the Yes campaign has consisted of bloviating fact-free cant about perceived principles, morals and conscience. But when asking questions about actual real world effects, it gets you branded a racist, a dinosaur (nothing like a good old ageist insult aimed that those who have lived and experienced life longer than the accusers) and a social recidivist.
Much of the empty sound and fury, name calling and personal attacks are coming from these morally ambushed promoters, whose unquestioned assumption of being right has been suddenly and outrageously challenged. And that reaction is itself must give any thinking person pause.
TRIGGER WARNING: The following article contains information that may offend those not aware our city is sometimesrun by fucking idiots.
Pick-Up Lines.
“Do you come here often?”
‘Nah, it’s Townsville, so just for the footy … but never again after this.”
The Magpie who’s been infesting Townsville for more than 35 years, has never seen anything like it, beyond the occasional roadworks stop-and-go situations.
These photographs were taken on Friday, but these folks weren’t caught up in some rush to the beach, or the sudden urge to go to the Strand …. these cars were backed up on John Melton Black Drive and its extension into the airport, Stinson Avenue. The seething drivers, trapped by the disastrous brain fart redesign of the airport entry access, were mostly there to pick up both Easter visitors and scores of fans arriving for the Cowboys/Dolphins game that night. The Magpie is told there were plenty of frayed tempers and free character readings aimed at those who caused the chaos with idiotic road design two or three years ago.
And you’ll never guess who was one of the main instigators involved in the changes which were widely criticised even before work had started in 2020.
Yup, our old mate, Kevin ‘Rhymes With’ Gill, the then airport manager. This glowing approval was one of his last cock-ups before he got the heave-ho by Queensland Airports (QAL). He told us at the time the road changes made the airport access and egress ‘faster and safer’ when it was immediately and patently obvious it did nothing of the sort. The whole design was to stop rat runners taking a short cut to Ingham Road via Meenan Street.
If only the vest label he was wearing were true, but no, Gill landed on his well well padded arse in the chair of the Townsville Enterprise Board. Yes, he is now the man overseeing how we make Townsville attractive to visitors. And his deputy chair of the TEL Board is none other than our mayor, who had supported Gill’s earlier call for a passenger tax to go directly to QAL coffers, supposedly for airport improvements. Yes, the very same mayor who was so incensed when Qantas refused to collect any such tax that she called for a boycott of the airline, of which no one took the slightest bit of notice. Except Qantas, who gave some payback some months later with the cancellation of several scheduled Townsville flights.
So comforting to know our future is in such safe hands.
A New Buzz For The Hive – You Can Bet The Walker Street Queen Bee Is involved Somewhere
The Olympic standard incuriosity of the Townsville Bulletin was on display again when this story broke on Friday, as The Magpie reported in comments.
Another of life’s little ironies … the Bulletin gets a truly worthy front page story … on the one day of the year there is no paper!! However, it made the front the next day.
But yet again, we see the reluctance of the Bulletin … this time, to The Magpie’s surprise, by Tony Raggatt … to ask the most obvious question of all.
Given the vendor, The Gleeson group and the Gleeson family, has such well established ties with this city and its history, one would have thought Mr Raggatt might have thought to ask Gleeson Group MD Therese Smith the obvious question: why did you sell? The price has not been disclosed.
The ‘Pie isn’t suggesting there is something sneaky afoot, but the anodyne comments Ms Smith did make the reason for the sale stick out like prawns eyes … Ms Smith has proved to be a pretty straight shooter in the history of the development and has stood up to a bullying mayor amongst other things … perhaps she may have given an insight into the difficulties facing developers in the current uncertain climate. Or all just got too much for her – or it was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
So surely even the rawest cadet would’ve asked that question, and the editor would’ve demanded it be asked. Even if the answer is no comment, it has to be asked and reported.
Perhaps Ms Smith, whom The ‘Pie knows to occasionally read this blog, might give us a couple lines to fill out the picture. But maybe not.
Now we wait to see if this has any strings attached, tied in. place by Mayor Mullet to facilitate the sale. Perhaps the odds are shortening on The Hive being the site for the much mooted concert hall, as it once was, until The Gleeson group reportedly declined to offer free TCC office space in return for council approval. That’s when Jenny stomped off, and spent some more money on. the feasibility of dean Park.
Which Means The Battle Lines Are Clearly Drawn Now
Probably just happenstance, but the announcement of the Hive sale came just hours after mayoral hopeful Fran O’Callaghan has made the first definitive policy statement of her campaign.
When leighton Smith asked the mayor (Yes!! he actually asked a question. – apparently) the Mullet airly said that every councillor was entitled to their own opinion, a freedom that has been in evidence with team of independents for a decade now. And the reply ignored the point that Clr O’Callaghan isn’t just another councillor, she is an opponent for the office of mayor, so a more substantive reply would be nice for we mugs.
Now Jenny has to wait and see what the AECOM study into the best location for TPAC … Dean Park or the Hive. Now Fran has backed the Civic theatre site, AECOM will feel the hot mayoral breath down their necks to ensure they do not choose the Civic Theatre site. Not choosing the Civic will upset a lot of folks, the arts community is heavily in favour of it …. But what would they know better than our highly artistic mayor.
Another Couple of Little ‘Fuck You’s From The Townsville Bulletin
From the paper whose iditor had the Cowboys playing the Titans on Friday night (which came as a big surprise to the Dolphins). And to readers who noted the right match-up in big ads … on. the front page.
Seems getting basic facts right is also a bit old fashioned for the idiot iditor Craig Herbert. Spelling also remains a challenge for the Daily Astonisher .
America’s Ex Mobster Prez Also Has A Wrestle With Some Words
Trump hyperventilated on social media about being the first President ‘indicated’ for a crime, but nevertheless, duly turned up in a NY court to plead not guilty, before sucking his thumb all the way back to his Florida playpen. That was the biggest story of the week.
TRIGGER WARNING: The following article contains bad poetry and weak humour.
The Magpie’s Nest Comments Accommodate All Types, But Rarely Poets.
However, this week, one gifted rhymester decided to join. in the fun , which led to the following exchange with The ‘Pie.
From Rhyme and Reasoner
In Townsville, a city once so grand,
Now labeled by some as a ‘shtty’ land,
Back-to-back titles it claimed with ease,
As ‘Sht Town Of The Year’ it did seize.
Mayor Jenny Hill, a spin she tried,
To mask the shame she could not hide,
A blogger’s list, a desperate plea,
To spin a win for all to see.
“Most liveable cities” was the name,
But a Perth blogger’s list? ha! oh the shame, she is so lame, so hungry for fame,
None other than Perth got no 1 rank,
And Townsville’s pride, now in the tank.
But we’re not fooled by these gimmicks and ploys,
No smoke and mirrors can mask the noise,
Of a city struggling with a bad reputation,
Desperate, desperate for a new narration.
Embarrassing, oh what a blow,
For a city once with a mighty glow.
May hope and change soon come to be,
For Townsville’s people to live more free.
The Magpie replied
Well, your the one with the inside goss,
So YOU spill the beans on your unhappy boss,
But don’t be a tease,
Do so in prose please,
Clarity is sometimes lost in rhyme,
The ‘Pie has enough to fill his time.
Rhyme and Reasoner replied
I hear your words, and I understand,
But I’m just a poet, with pen in hand,
I don’t have intel or insider goss,
My words flow freely, without any loss.
In verse, I write, with passion and with skill,
My words a canvas, my thoughts to distill,
My rhymes may make you wince, but don’t be shy,
For in my verse, worlds of wonder lie.
For words are my canvas, my tool and my art,
A way to express the emotions in my heart,
So let my verses wash over you like the sea,
And in my poetry, perhaps you’ll find some glee.
But don’t be fooled, I’m just an outsider,
A messenger of words, a mere provider,
Of tales and stories, of truth and lies,
Whispers and rumors, that seem to arise.
Jane Scott’s exit has set tongues wagging,
Was she forced out or just tired of nagging?
The town’s rumor mill is working in full force,
But the truth will come out, as a matter of course.
And so I ask Magpie, with a hopeful plea,
To share some intel, to enlighten me,
For surely, with his eagle eye and sharp beak,
He must know something, of the truth we seek.
Magpie, spread your wings and take to the skies,
Uncover the truth, cut through the lies,
Let your sharp beak and piercing eyes,
Expose the secrets, to our surprise.
Through the city’s streets and council halls,
Search for the facts, let no stone stand tall,
Unveil the stories, big and small,
Let truth and justice reign for all.
The Magpie replied – ending the thread
Noble sentiments, soaring words,
Tho’ probably wasted on we turds,
Alas, so eagerly did we bend,
Our ears for what you would send,
But no, no info to hold us in thrall,
Seems – just like us – you know fuck all.
Brief review:
The Melbourne Comedy(?)Festival
ABC TV
(All fucking week unfortunately).
Comedy, like beauty, is in the eye – and ear – of the beholder. This gem sent by a Magpie mate was a reminder of simpler days when we could laugh at innocent silliness and not feel silly or somehow inadequate while doing so.
Kym Gyngell is one of the best comedians Australia has ever turned out, the skill he put into this sort sketch with a brilliantly conceived comedic character is unmatched.
AND it was in stark contrast to the pallid, pathetic Melbourne Comedy Festival currently on the ABC, which featured mostly fat disappointed women insisting we know about the sexual preferences, plus the occasional fey gay mincer, in turn occasionally interrupted by some ageing blokes whose day has well and truly passed. (Dave Hughes, for God’s sake, the male equivalent of Wendy Harmer, or Judith Lucy). It is more like a self-pitying therapist’s couch rather than aiming at entertaining with laughter. Even the audience was subdued in its responses, with several acts falling flat as they embarrassingly paused for applause that didn’t come. Last night, I watched it for 40 minutes of toe-curling discomfort, but decided since there was not even the glimmer of a laugh or any cleverness, I switched over the Sky After Dark, always reliable for a guffaw or three.
Perhaps next year, the festival organisers could just move the after-6pm Sky line-up onto the stage at the Palais. Gales of laughter assured.
Trigger Warning This Is About Trigger Warnings
Bill Maher takes a deadly aim at one of the loopiest conceits of modern language and life – that snowflake insurance policy known as trigger warnings. And a susual.
Finally A Bonus Bentley.
During the week, The Magpie posted this pic for a bit of light relief when someone complained about the state of the Bruise I(Bruce) Highway.
As Bentley said in reply, ‘ I just couldn’t help myself.’
……………..
Hope you are having or had a great Easter, see you next week …. Or in comments, join in the fun 24/7.
Interesting that I say the Coalition represents dinosaurs – no mention of the Voice – and you take that as a personal insult. Good to see you honestly nailing your colours to the mast.
Well, that’s a fine conceit that you are the only one who uses that tired old insult, and The ‘Pie therefore refers exclusively to you … but if it makes you feel better. And what a lily livered skulk you are …. every comment in the past week by you has concerned the Voice. Had The ‘Pie wished to exalt you to the level of ability to insult him, it would’ve been justified by that alone.
And what colours would those be, may one inquire?
As a media expert, can you please explain the meaning behind the photo of Tony Mooney holding the damming report. Is it triumphant or I found it or this is the word according to me. ?
Sorry, that’s out of the blue and The ‘Pie doesn’t know what you’re referring to. Apologies, but there are so many threads running simultaneously and you are not replying to anybody, it’s hard to work out the issue.
In the paper this week Tony Mooney received a damming report on the hospital maternity unit. The report was leaked 2 weeks ago to the ABC. Tony and kearen keys accepted the report. A few days later Tony is seen in the paper holding the report accepting all the recommendations with the report in his hands as if bringing the word into church. Just wondered what the symbolism is and how someone paid to administer a hospital had no idea how bad the ward was until an independent report emerged. The diligence of the board seem to have got off the hook without a mention> I know HR would of been informed and there would be a paper trail however the board will claim no knowledge as e-mails to the board directly are forboden.
Ah, gotcha. Good points, the issue had not previously been noted by The ‘Pie or readers.
Of course, the Hospital Board is a Mooney patronage vehicle, just as is Jenny Hill’s council of independence. Which may answer some of your questions.
Apparently Biloela and Gladstone hospital are on maternity bypass at the moment. QLD Health has had more payroll issues, and other damning reports into dodgy Mackay and Rockhampton medical activities including shit Doctors has been in the public domain in the past 6 to 12 months. Ambos are stressed, ramping is up and the amount of violent assaults against medical staff has increased. It would seem that Anna Puddleduck and the Minister for bad teeth Yvette Vader are doing their best to ensure the regions are left in a state of decay while her southeast QLD section is better maintained.
Councillor Greaney Chair of Councils Arts + Cultural advisory committee ( ACAC ) + food vans felt compelled to response to Sharis previous weekends column in the Astonisher on Councils failures on Arts + Culture over a number of years . Greaneys solution was for Shari to attend the next ACAC meeting where she will have a chance to mingle with the broad church that is Townsvilles arts community and invite her to the opening of the relocated Riverway library April 29 th . Interesting Councillor Greaney and all her meetings voted to accept the $74.3 mil blow out of Haughton stage 2 without requesting an enquiry or the $2.5 mil blow out on the budgeted $5.5 mil library relocation . Mayor Hill in her interview with Pricey earlier in the week blamed large turnover in staff as the issue in arts + culture .
And there’s one big fishy reason for the high turnover of staff.
And Clr Greaney would’ve asked permission before writing a letter to the iditor.
Unless the letter was written in crayon and included doodles in the margins the letter wasn’t written by little Anne-Maree. Council PR is so used to writing whatever the Rotten Mullet wants said and adding a name to it they probably order their morning coffee in the name Molachino.
Wouldn’t all correspondence from the Mullet and councillors offices need to go past Bede Carmody and Jonte Verwey? I doubt the poor old comms/pr people would have much to do with that stuff these days.
geez, bede’s a busy beaver these days, racing around all over the place with Mayor Hill’s re-election material, printed notebooks and monogrammed pens etc, to every event with the slightest connection to the TCC … and The’Pie hears, a few that have no connection at all.
Now tell us she’s not taking Fightin’ Fran’s challenge seriously.
They are you mates so why don’t you ask them Ducky.
You’ve got to wonder on the legalities of using council paid employees for distributing Mullet specific propaganda. And has anybody collected one of these pens and tested it to see if it even works? And who pays for this shit anyway? I hope.my rates aren’t paying for Mullet embossed pens and notepads?
And Civil, sometimes I think you drink the water straight from the sludge ponds at the CBPP.
So who is Bede Carmody?
Bede is an ex labor union rep. He overseen the last EBA. Apparently the council can’t afford a decent salary increase for the workers but the councillors got a very nice increase. Bede is a grub. Lots of union members were unhappy with the way he shot them all down. The members of different unions were not given much from there reps after meetings and it was too late to do anything because CFMEU had already reached a bargain. But don’t worry your services will still be run at a loss and new cars will be bought for the executives.
Thanks WW.
I wasn’t aware Greaney was in charge of food vans. Does she make the decision on who gets a licence to operate one?
Nup, by the visible evidence, just chief taster.
Here is the latest post from fearless Fran’s Facebook page. Team Hill burning up more ratepayer money as they relentlessly pursue a good Councillor whose only fault is to expose some of team Hills shenanigans. The motivation of barely veiled spite is evident at every stage. t makes sorry reading, and leaves egg on faces, particularly that of TCC legal officer Tony Bligh.
Clr O’Callaghan writes:
This is an update to this Townsville Bulletin front page news story: “Outspoken Townsville councillor Fran O’Callaghan is being pursued by her own council over more than $80,000 in legal costs the council claims it is owed by her and her husband.”
I am updating the public on this matter as although it was brought into the public domain by Council in detail at the 28th September Ordinary Meeting last year which resulted in the above newspaper story, the matter has now been removed from Councils reports which were presented to Council at the March Ordinary meeting.
In the Ordinary Meeting on 28th September 2022 a report was on the agenda and was presented to Council titled Planning Litigation. Since the report contained reference to a planning matter that I was involved in I declared a Prescribed Conflict of Interest at the beginning of the meeting and stated that I would leave the meeting when the matter was discussed. Unbeknownst to me, when I did leave the meeting for the matter to be discussed, a council officer was called by the Mayor to speak specifically about the planning litigation matter that I was involved in. This was unbeknownst to me as nowhere in the agenda did it contain any information that this Council officer would be speaking or presenting a report to Council. There were substantial inaccuracies in what the Council officer said which I addressed at the time in my Facebook post on 30th September 2022.
On 10th August 2022 Council first contacted me via their solicitors requesting the entirety of their legal costs for the High Court stage of the proceedings of $71,764.28 and an amount for the Court of Appeal stage of the proceedings of $4,675 making a total of $76,439.28.
The Council requested payment of this total sum within 14 days of the date of the letter and also included the following paragraph in its letter:
“In an effort to resolve the costs outstanding and avoid the need for either party to incur the expense of formally filing cost recovery proceedings in the Supreme and High Courts, our client has instructed this firm to write to you firstly, to complete the recovery of the Total Cost Sum. We are instructed to write and advise that our client anticipates that as Ms O’Callaghan is now a councillor with responsibilities to the Townsville community, she will expeditiously make payment of the claim in full so that the community is not further disadvantaged by her unsuccessful litigation”.
On receipt of this letter I waited for the Council to prepare its formal cost statement for the assessment process to commence.
Council prepared it formal costs statement for the Court of Appeal stage of the matter in the amount of $4,675 and served it on me on 7th September 2022. My solicitor prepared an objection to this statement and the matter is currently still with a costs assessor for determination.
Council prepared its formal bill of costs for the High Court matter and served it on me on 14th September 2022 in the amount of $78,566.12.
The amount was then assessed by the Registrar of the High Court and the amount estimated by them as payable by me to Council was $52,771.16.
Council then disputed this estimate because it believed it was due a larger amount from me, by filing a notice of objection within 14 days and it paid a fee of $1,250.00 to the Court to do so.
On 12th December 2022 the costs were then taxed by the High Court Registrar with my solicitors in attendance and Council’s solicitors in attendance. The outcome of that taxation was that the Registrar deducted an amount of $26,744.09, from the total claimed by Council arriving at a total of $51,822.03 allowed. Due to this amount being less than the previously estimated amount of $52,771.16 the Council was required to pay to the Court its taxing fee of $10,899.00, less the $1,250 council had already paid to make its objection. The Council was also required to meet the fees of my solicitor in attending to the costs taxing and that was determined at $4,608 which was then deducted from the amount I owed Council making the amount I was due to pay council for the High Court stage of the proceedings $47,214.03 which a certificate of Taxation was issued for by the High Court on 16th February 2023.
This amount was paid by me to Council on the 15th March 2023.
So in summary:
1. Council advised in a public meeting it was pursing me for $78,566.12 High Court costs
2. The amount the High Court estimated I was to pay was $52,771.16 which could have been accepted by Council.
3. Council objected to this estimate.
4. On a full taxation of the amount the High Court Registrar determined the amount I was due to pay was $51,822.03 and since it was less than the estimate made prior, Council was required to pay $10,899 to the High Court for undertaking the taxation AND my solicitors fees of $4,608.
5. Council also had its own legal representatives at the taxation which one would assume would invoice council for their work.
6. Because Council objected to the estimate of $52,771.16 to attempt to obtain a higher amount from me, its net reimbursement of its costs was $36,315.03 less any amount its legal representatives charged it for attending to the taxation.
That’s long but a necessary post to highlight the lengths Jenny hill is willing to go to put ratepayers money at risk by trying to circumvent fair processes. At no stage after the ruling on the original issue did Clr O’Callaghan suggest she would not pay up …. what she did say was that she – quite correctly as it turns out – would not accept at face value the amount demanded by the council.
As Prince Rollmop said, the spite is evident throughout this saga, and a dishonest attempt to claim a heroic win for the mayo has backfired spectacularly. The losers are yet again the ratepayers of Townsville.
NOW HERE’S A BET: what are the chances that Jenny Hill will now rev up one of her lickspittles to lodge a complaint with the OIA about THIS post, which is recording simple facts and not opinion. And thus waste more money in her vainglorious attempt to silence an effective critic. The mayor will claim this post is bringing the council into disrepute… and she’s right!! She is a totally disreputable council leading a small cabal of disreputable staff and pliant councillors. We deserve better.
Any takers, punters out there?
Pie, thanks for posting my comment. It was a long message on Fran’s Facebook page but very relevant. I will gladly put $100 on the table (to be put towards the Pie’s operational costs for the blog) if a complaint is lodged. Fran knows there will be backlash from Hill. Personally, when you pick through Fran’s wording there are some salient points which highlight a lack of justice meted out to her. Her wording also carefully avoids lambasting TCC or its officers in a way that could give cause for complaint. That’s my opinion anyway.
Just give the poor old bugger the Bradman and be done with it, ya cheap bugger.
Why don’t bloggers make a complaint about Hill’s conduct? Complaints are not restricted to other councillors. Maybe with multiple complaints against her some might stick.
https://www.oia.qld.gov.au/make-a-complaint
There are a couple of problems with this idea. If you put your name to a complaint about the Rotten Mullet you might as well pack up and leave town. If you do not put your name on it the investigators will not bother as there is no evidence to check. Evidence must be substantiated so it you are an employeee of Council that probably equals theft if you take or copy the documents to prove what you say. If the complaint is frivolous or vexatious you can get fined ( in essence if their lawyers are better than you). The regulations were written to protect the guilty and not the other way around.
I think the Townsville City Council are very open and transparent when making BIG IMPORTANT DECISIONS!
You can have your say on where the new toilet block is going at Picnic Bay. There are two options.
Build a new one in the existing position!
Or we can feature it over near the bus shelter and block out the ocean views, where it will make a fine tourist attraction like the one at Horseshoe Bay
On the Voice. Stepping around the histrionics reflected in this blog post and responding to the ‘polite please explain’…
With as much access to information as anyone, its pretty clear to me what ‘powers’ are being proposed. The source is always a good reference, and the options for the form of the Voice are tabled in the RWC’s final report, which you will be pleased to hear, is devoid of hysterics. https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Former_Committees/Constitutional_Recognition_2018/ConstRecognition/Final_Report/section?id=committees%2freportjnt%2f024213%2f26674
In The Guardian Australia The Voice explainer blog post (regularly updated) draws from this same source and if you accept GA to provide hysteric-free reporting of useful information, it summarises… “The voice would be able to table formal advice in parliament, and a parliamentary committee would consider that advice. But all elements would be non-justiciable, meaning that there could not be a court challenge and no law could be invalidated based on this consultation.”
And further on same article …
“What would a voice not do? The national voice would be an advisory body to the Australian parliament and government. It would not deliver services, manage government funding, be a clearing house for research, or mediate between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.”
So, kind of like how governments currently listen to Newscorpse without being legally compelled to act on its suggestions, but in this case enshrined in the constitution. Of course the important difference here between Murloch and The Voice is the latent power to remove a govt from power if ignored… is not being proposed for the Voice.
Nice to know you have made the occasional glance into The Nest, but a more thorough check would’ve have told you that both documents you post or quote have been published in full here in previous comments. And the Magpie’s replies were made then. One objection has since been nullified because of the ambiguous misunderstanding of the Guardian’s language regarding disputes, and acknowledged as such.
But a point or two. The link you post is a ‘report’ and is non-binding. And the (generally excellent) Guardian summary is derived from it.
With great effort at self-control to avoid your slight sneer of hysteria and histrionics, The Magpie will now give make his position clear.
I will vote for the Voice if – before the vote – those powers and restrictions of the Voice are written into the referendum question and cannot be changed after the vote. And another point that needs clarification for those who don’t think these things through – while I have reservations about some certain members who will undoubtedly comprise the eventual Voice, who continue to make extremist remarks and DO seek court challenge powers, it is the politicians of the established parties I do not trust … not one single inch, and neither would you if you have been awake over the past few decades. The Voice has every chance of becoming a tool for politicians to exploit for their own agendas that are not always in the interests of the majority or the country. But I can wear that just so long as this group, unrepresentative of the majority, do not have the power to disrupt and delay proposed legislation which the elected government decides is in the interests of the majority of Australians.
So MJ, Before I have to vote on this so called ‘voice’.
Can you get your mates at GA. to explain where the $35 billion that Aboriginal boards and CEO’s get from the government.
Think you’re missing a word in there.
Good analysis from the Brisbane Times on the Liberal Party Factions.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed
For once I disagree, Mr Magpie.
One of Jenny Hill’s five (and counting) spin doctors wrote the letter, handed it to the mayor for approval, and she then told “Gushing” Greaney to sign it and send it to the editor.
Shades of “every councillor is entitles to their opinion” , but in this case Jenny ply stopped short of her usual ruling on such matters, which ends with “so long as the opinion agrees with mine”.
With Shari and Fran putting the Concert Hall issue well and truly on the election agenda, poor old Jenny is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Does she stick to her “opinion” and instruct whoever is doing the latest “study” to recommend the Dean Park site, thus losing thousands of votes from the performing arts community, or does she do a double backflip with pike and instruct whoever is doing the latest “study” to give the Civic Theatre site the nod?
My money is on her sticking to her guns – she couldn’t bear to be seen as justifying the comments of Shari and Fran.
Interesting times.
Chuck into that mix whatever back room deal may have been done with the new owners of the Hive site … don’t count that out just yet.
And an interesting idea no one’s mentioned yet. The Civic site for an arts hub makes wonderful sense for an extension of Mayor Mullet boardwalk mania – imagine – being serious – of the pleasant tropical walk along the waterside to the new centre from accomodation points in the CBD. And let’s not forget the promised downgraded Hilton hotel promised for the site behind stadium car park … we have been told that retreaded project will start rising phoneix-like before our very eyes next month, wasn’t it?
“Pleasant walk”? I did that walk Civic Theatre-Cowboys Leagues Club a couple of months ago when my car was in dock. Arrived sunburnt, parched and nearly heat struck.
Most TPAC events would be in the evening, and in the cooler months of … hahha … tou .. snuffle … rist season HAHAHAHA. can’t think of anything much going on in the daylight hours.
Think about the amount of money provided for this business case. For $2m the good folk of Aecom will give the Rotten Mullet and little Pric whatever they want. It is a huge number for what is realistically a couple of months work for a couple of people. Remember TEL was rolling in cash when they got $20m for the Hells Gate BC and that was a vastly larger and more complex techinical and engineering problem than this which is basically see where the building could be plonked down, what traffic impacts it would have, and whether the public utilities in that area need upgrading to cope. I would not be surprised if Aecom are having the executive summary and findings dictated to them from the mayoral orifice right now. As far as I know the consultants have not sought input from we Council employees.
Re the stouch between Jenny Hill and Fran O’Callaghan about the court costs, of course the Townsville Bulletin will set the record straight by reporting ON THE FRONT PAGE the actual truth, and for Hill and her legal mastermind Tony Blight, the embarrassing result.
This is a true test of whether the editor has any credibility, or is just another one of Hill’s puppets.
Come on Craig, show us your true colours.
He’s already done that … day after ‘cute kittens and ailing tots’ day.
Dictator Jenny is desperate so Townsville get ready for 11 months of the most dirty local government election politics imaginable orchestrated by Dictator Jenny and played out by her and her political puppets including the Townsville Bullsheet.
IO, I doubt that Bligh was involved in preparing the Bill of Costs. It would have been done by either a junior solicitor in the office of the firm that represented Council or a firm of costs assessors (who, might I add, are the most obnoxious tosswombles God put breath into). To lose effectively 50% on taxation is a huge embarrassment and certainly arses shall be kicked and heads will roll.
Can any amateur meteorologist out there please explain why the city’s humidity, hovering between 70-80 per cent for the past week, suddenly plunged to 30 per cent this morning?
We’re certainly not going to read “why” in the Bulletin!
Change in wind direction & movement of that trough offshore. That tropical low off the NW coast is hoovering up all the convection as well. Check below:
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94294.shtml
Southerlys are usually bring cooler drier weather. North easterly winds like we’ve been having bring the hot sticky stuff.
May not be finished yet anyway sea surface temperatures are still hanging close to 30 deg C and the MJO though weak is still in our neck of the woods, MJO being one of the drivers of the monsoon.
There is a large High pressure system sitting over central Australia. As it pushed through it pushed away a trough line and low pressure system that had been sitting across Queensland out to the east. The current High pressure system contains cooler drier air, hence the drop in humidity. How do I know this shit?? FISHING TIME!!
Perhaps the Rotten Mullet has stopped hyperventilating for a moment?
In technical terms it’s called “ the weather” .
Tootling about the Tweed area and have come across the Rail Trail – the abandoned rail line connecting some of the small towns. A bit of foresight has transformed this into a mountain biking and hiking trail. Wouldn’t it be great if the same could be done with the old Greenvale line. Mountain bikers are are huge potential tourism market.
Interesting idea.
When i came to Townsville in 1986 i had dealings From a Tourist point of view with a GREAT Guy Pop O’Sullivan . He ran a boat cruise on Ross river Dam and a tour of the Tunnel about 150 Yards form the Heritage Tea Rooms where The railway went Thru Harveys Range . This was closed down due to bats in the tunnel and the safety aspect ( This was Complete Bullshit ) My son & i actually walked to the tunnel from a drive to the range about 6 months age but it was boarded up ie start at the Bruce Hgw up to Herveys range and Back.. or get picked up at the old Tea Rooms ….. WHY NOT ? ie Pop O’sullivan was forced to stop his boat cruises Due to a complaint he was disturbing the wildlife breeding ???
Airline, One of those tunnels near the tea rooms has caved in during the wet a few years ago.
Gawd, you must’ve had a big bladder! Do you have them often?
Very smart idea. I have heard that several Queensland Councils have introduced rail trails in recent years. Never really considered it for our region before. All TCC have to do is conduct a risk assessment, make sure that the potential walking trails are relatively clear of logs/bush, make sure there is some fire clearance where necessary, then throw a grader over the trail every so often. Keep it natural with no boardwalks etc. It would be a relatively low cost implementation. And there is still time to put a couple of dollars in the 2023/24 budget for it!! Now let’s see if the Mullet or the inbreds at TEL hijack the idea.
Completely agree it’s a good idea but is that within the TCC’s area?
TCC don’t own the land to my knowledge. But if they have a good working partnership with the rail trail owners (assuming it would be QLD Rail), TCC, QR and any other stakeholder could all do a joint announcement that they are supporting the region blah blah blah. Definitely worth looking into. I will ask my contacts in a few other Councils how it works.
The majority of the old Greenvale line from roughly the top of Harveys Range Rd around the Tearooms is in the Charters Towers Regional Council area. From memory access to the old Railway line was closed around 2015 for safety reasons after one tunnel totally collapsed and other tunnels were deemed unsafe to enter. No idea of the condition of the other tunnels or railway line track these days. The railway line is on private property and the owners experienced unauthorised entry, vandalism to fences etc and people scaring livestock.
Critical is correct. It is in Chaters Towers Shire and not only runs through private property but also runs through High Range.
Anyway, subsequent comments have shown that it may not work as first suggested, but vit’s a good way of thinking about making things attractive to visitors. Maybe somewhere else.
‘And while we’re about it, stop this bloody nonsense about no boating on RR Dam.
This was done many years ago in NZ’s South Island. Quite spectacular. When I saw it 12 months ago, it was rather busy. The wife is keen to do it, but I’m waiting until they open it up for GSAs.
Part of it is inside the High Range Training Area and I know we used to do lots of live fire stuff round Star when I wore a uniform.
Also some private properties I believe. The boys I drank with in my youth used to trail bike along it years ago and I remember them telling stories of being chased by irate farmers especially where the tunnels are up to Harveys Range & Thornton Gap.
I do agree has merit though, Bendigo to Heathcote is another that has been done well in Victoria.
I am heartened by Fran’s support for the Townsville Performing Arts Centre project. Well done Fran.
To any Nesters who are not aware of the details of the TPAC project I encourage you have a look at their web site. Link below, (I hope)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.tpac.net.au/&ved=2ahUKEwiJ8ubZ4pv-AhWfTGwGHcvaAU8QFnoECAgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3mKbFNXaeOH7CuMY3Ovq1C
Wot Dave Nth and Prince R said !
And while we are on the topic of local entertainment ideas, Darwin airport built an indoor entertainment precinct which included trampolines, bowling, arcade games and dodgem cars to entertain families in the shitty NT heat. It’s air conditioned. They lease the complex out to Ardent Leisure who in turn manage it. Why the fuck doesn’t TCC do something similar? We too have painful summer heat and an indoor entertainment precinct could add a revenue stream to TCC.
https://www.darwinairportcentral.com.au/partners/kingpin-family-entertainment-centre
PR,
What? The Rock Pool not good enough for you?
Jen and Prins are on to it. Their indoor entertainment centre is already planned by Wagner’s just waiting for batteries/hydrogen from Lansdown and water from Burdekin pipe line.
Audience entry will be via zipline from Castle Hill.
There are some bloody good ideas on this page this week. It seems like the magpies nest can provide better solutions or better ideas for our region than our mob of elected fucknuckles.
Totally agree, and The Magpie will be seeking $2.7m for feasibility studies for all of them, before asking for another $20m for business cases studies.
Don’t forget a couple of hundred grand for the pre-feasibility study to determine if it is feasible to conduct a feasibility study….
POV from Warren Mundine and he’s certainly not a fan of the bias ABC or SBS.
https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/outsiders/voice-to-parliament-is-a-power-grab-by-a-group-of-elites/video/52b42ffe746fcda9eb477af0c0199041
JCU has provided some links to information and explanations about the Voice.
https://www.jcu.edu.au/engage/voice-to-parliament-referendum
Well, having read some of this hughly emotive and highly debatable opinion pieces, especially the links regarding the Voice just being the first step towards a ‘treaty’, if it became a popular read, the Yes case would be doomed to massive failure. Don’t know what the treaty stuff is all about? Check it out.
And Ducky, this not an explanation of factual matters, it is a wish list of the Indigenous Elite and their mechanisms for a massive power grab.
Of course, when we get down to the Treaty business, all will be, according to academic friends and the smiling movers and shakers of the aboriginal industry will be peace, love and vegetables. And the indigenous folks regaining some rights of certain lands will handle the management of their new repossession with dignity and understanding. Like this. (Scaremongering? The ‘Pie will be happy to publish any factual refutation of the facts of the story – always a possibility with a News Ltd yarn).
Appears this occurred because of a dispute over trespassing during Australia Day celebrations in the area.
Does it? Any link? Why wouldn’t the posted story say that, instead of quoting various groups clearly showing it is an on-going issue.
Seriously, what utter bullshit. Can’t you fucking read??? You are getting super tedious, Ducky.
This power grab you talk of. Who is grabbing power, from who and what are they going to do with it when they’ve got it?
No, The ‘Pie is so of the mark, it’s all going to be kumbaya around the national camp fire.
Read your own links, dumb Ducky. And then figure it out.
I’m asking for your words you stupid old Magpie.
Putting aside that the stupid old Magpie’s words on this issue run by now into the several thousand, you’re weasley request for further words from the old bird is refused, on the grounds that you, like the drunk hanging on to the lamp post, only seek to use them more for support of your argument than for your illumination.
Hey Ducks, I’m still voting NO.
Cheers
Dave
If the treaty part of “voice, truth, treaty” is a surprise to you, you haven’t been paying attention at all. No wonder you’re easily misled by scare campaigns.
Keep diggin’, mate, keep diggin’.
Aaron Harper in self destruct mode telling us to vote yes on his Facebook page to the voice as voting no will hold us back . Thuringowa MP hasnt listened to the voice of his electorate for 8 yrs on crime finally rolling over when the Premier did . Blocking his electorate for trying to have a voice with comments on his Facebook site . Aarons poor attempt to yet again to discredit Phil Thompson who has had over 750 comments on his reasons for his no vote whilst Aaron has a handful of supporters .
Now there’s an interesting if anyone knows. Of the 750 comments Thompson received, were any of them negative and arguing for a No vote? Genuine question, don’t follow FB very closely, but one imagines Phil likely does not dirty his nappy like Harpic if someone puts an alternative point of view.
I hope it isn’t going unnoticed but no letters to the Bulletin for some time now have been published if in their content if any or all three of the local Palaszczuk stooges have been mentioned in the text. The same would appear to apply if J Hill is mentioned as well. (Several have been penned and sent in)
I have first-hand knowledge together with a colleague of mine who have had letters published with reference to the three in the last paragraph removed before publishing.
This obviously is by design so has the editor been advise accordingly by a political party or politician or is the editor somewhat biased towards the left? We must remember the slogan “We’re for you” If we cannot advise the inept Labor party together with is three stooges here in Townsville what a waste of time and they are then they will assume they are doing a great job. David Thoumine Cranbrook.
David, I think that Jimmy Olsen Smith might have some say in the matter, remember his partner unsuccessfully ran for a Labor Senate seat.
Oh. A loser, then?
You over estimate my sway.
What, with controlling your partner’s political ambitions?
Just an update on the Townsville Bulletin poll on where the new performing arts centre should be located:
Where should the Townsville’s Concert Hall and North Australia Arts Precinct be built?
Townsville Civic Theatre precinct
60 %
Dean Park
21 %
Hive Development – next to the Queen’s Hotel on the Strand
7 %
Enterprise House and the Townsville Bowls Club on the Strand
7 %
Elsewhere
5 %
Hope Jenny Hill, the experts doing her “study”, and the Bully editor are taking note.
The iditor of the Astonisher, Craig Herbert must be soiling his small clothes … unconfirmed reports say jenny was last seen marching along Walker Street to the Bulletin offices carrying a battery, a wet towel and nipple clips.
Now now Pie, dont assume anything, these days, the opposite might be the case and he’s getting out his whips and hot wax and changing into his thong (clarification of name please Sweetheards) or whatever its called and waiting in anticipation for his kinky rewards
Hmmm, could be … but he might be in for an eye-popping surprise.
Iditor Herbert should be aware of two things said to be true:
1. Using a feather is kinky, but perverted is using the whole damn chook…. and …
2. Mayor Mullet loves Red Rooster.
“Eye popping surprise”
I have tears running down my legs
Hehehe
Nah, Mr. Pie, that sounds like my ex-wife!
Always wondered what happened to her?
So just a normal work day for her then.
Typical.
Not one single mention of sub standard roads being a cause of many fatals … because that would involve spending money rather than using statistics to gouge more money from the Queensland taxpayer.
Nice unsubstantiated claim there. What proportion of road fatalities in Queensland last year were related to sub standard roads, in comparison to speeding, drink driving, distracted driving, driving without a seat belt or fatigue?
Well? Not a factor, you reckon, even in at least two and probably three of the causes you mention?
What about dying because the person driving the car is on their mobile phone on an important phone call, while testifying they didn’t know what colour the lights displayed before turning into on coming traffic.
I believe distraction is the number one cause of accidents, followed by alcohol and drugs. Better knowledge of road rules is not going to help in any of these situations.
Anyway more people die in other functions of life,such as hospital visits, than driving. But this glossed over by politicians.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/23/patients-dying-daily-due-to-poor-soft-skills-among-australian-surgeons-experts-warn
A, the driver you are referring to did not “testify”. You are making stuff up.
Nit picking. Quoted by evidence given by the cops, if memory serves. Quoting an interview with the driver, which was not denied.
Palm, look up ‘The Streisand Effect’. And then see if you think it wise to drop this matter.
Had to laugh into my cornflakes this morning with a story in the Bullsheet moaning about the affect of AI on professional journalism. Someone needs to tell them that they are safe because the shot they write isn’t professional and people would pick something written by a machine because it would be spelled and punctuated properly.
Nothing like a paper that’s spelled properly.
I’m sick of hearing about the voice and I intend to vote No. That said, I like the suggestion by Jeff Kennett in the Snail today.
For those that haven’t read it, he recommends that there be two questions put to the referendum.
The first, That this Constitution recognises the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders as the first settlers on this continent. The second question being that
the Constitution establishes an Indigenous voice to the federal parliament to be known as the Voice.
I’d vote Yes to the first question and No to the second.
It would take all of the angst out of the current debate and abuse.
Sir, the Voice is the opportunity for First Nations people to finally get their say in the management of this country. One can never get sick of hearing about an opportunity for all Australians to have an equal say. Shame on you.
‘equal say’?
EB. That’s exactly the type of hateful vitriolic nonsense that’s going to alienate people. Well done!
Indigenous Australians rejected a symbolic acknowledgement. Rather than taking the angst out of things, that would be a colossal “fuck you”.
26 parliamentarians in federal and state around Australia, 11 in Canberra, overall representing 3.1% of MPs state and federal houses, speaking for the 3.8% of the overall population who ‘identify’ as ATSIs. Better than a Bex and a good lie down for angst, you’d think.
And boy, didn’t a few discover their dusky roots and come out of the woodwork a seven years ago. This from Wiki:
Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. As at 30 June 2021 there were 984,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, representing 3.8% of the total Australian population. This is an increase of 185,600 people (23.2%) since 30 June 2016.
Parliamentarians only represent their electorates.
So, let’s see now … MPs only represent their electorates, both the majority that elected them and even those that didn’t. And said MPs then go on to vote on various issues in accordance with the wishes of the majority of their electorate. Or so the theory goes. Sounds like as good a system as we can get. So your point is?
(Magpie note: There is good reason to doubt that this comment is from the one we all know and love as Steve. Not his style at all. It is someone’s droll idea of humour, but is published anyway because of the underlying truth.)
That’s not quite true. Phil Thompson, who represents the LNP in Townsville, has done more locally than those who are currently in Government. And Phil’s work has put the local Labor Mayor and her cronies to shame. Phil’s work also stretches way beyond our city limits.
The point being that they have a full time job that is not advising the government on matters pertaining to First Nations Australians. The Voice will do that.
Twaddle. Why do you think they get elected in the first place, then? To further promote the white dominance of the parliamentary process?
They get elected to represent their electorates.
You really do have a deep understanding of how the Westminster Party system works, don’t you, mate? So should Jacinta Price who represents the people of Alice Springs abstain on anything to with submarines? Bob Katter has hardly any seafront and what he does have is protected by the reef, so no interest there for his electorate? Or, for that matter, all those inner urban seats of the main cities? Hey, maybe – just maybe – a politician gets elected because his/her party has the most attractive suite of policies? Not all policies will please everyone, but you have to take the suite with the sour. (See what I’ve done there, eh, eh?)
They certainly shouldn’t speak for the entire Indigenous population of Australia.
Quite right. Each MP, regardless of racial background, should speak for those indigenous folk in their electorates.
Yes and seek advice on Indigenous issues from the Voice, as they do with other issues they’re not experts on.
So while they represent their electorate only (your claim), an MP should not seek the views of constituents on an indigenous issue, but seek direction and advice from an new entity, enshrined in the constitution and rights to speak to cabinet, with its own internal intrigues, priorities and agendas? With no guarantee that that direction and advice actually gels with those of the MPs constituents?
There’s a word for that.
Listen to yourself, BCC.
Yes the word for that is “normal”, governments seek advice from such bodies all the time.
None of which are enshrined in the Constitution … at 3% of the population, indigenous australians democratically deserve a strong lobby groups like other organisations, none of which have the ability to delay, disrupt or promote self-interested racial division by an academic-led elite leadership (except the unions, of course, and don’t think they’re in the constitution in the manner the Voice is seeking).
The Voice also won’t have the power to delay or disrupt, it can only make representations per the wording of its constitutional amendment.
OK, let’s see that wording in the referendum question, so it can’t be changed afterwards.
Unnecessary it’s already in there.
In mostv certainly is NOT in there, that is desperate bullshit from someone losing the argument. But OK, if it is, show us.
“ The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to Parliament and the Executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples”
…and then?
How about inserting the words, ‘but should cabinet disregard such representations, the Voice will have no power to or otherwise delay appeal Cabinet’s ultimate democratic decision.’
Because there’s no need for it, there’s nothing in the wording that could be read as granting that power.
FFS, give it away, you time waster. Seriously.
There is a need for it, for those of us not willing to take the word of obfuscators and dodgers like you and the PM. What harm could such a reassurance do, anyway, even if you think it unnecessary? Try to get it through your thick fucking head that YOU want something from US, so the onus is on YOU to convince US … not arrogantly suggest we should take on some sort of faith and principle that you spout, or otherwise, as a dog whistling sub-text, we are obstinate racist arsesoles
WE DON’T KNOW THAT THEY WON’T BE GIVEN THAT POWER, BECAUSE ALL THOSE DECISIONS … YOU KNOW, THOSE DREADED DETAILS … WILL BE DECIDED AFTER THE REFERENDUM. BY PARLIAMENT. Parliament: a body consisting of highly comprised, deal-making, often personally compromised individuals who follow a party line regardless of their own convictions or promises. And fuck whatever the referendum was meant to imply … which was and should be a Voice given the privilege above other community and racial groups of being able to directly address cabinet on indigenous issues.
Even the breadth of those two words – indigenous issues – is yet to be decided. Major input into defence decisions because it involves ‘aboriginal’ rather than Australian land or waters?
BBC, you’re in the business of a selling an idea, to buy my vote to make a successful sale, but arrogance and Trump-like alternative facts that up is down and that red is green and of course, black is white, is the most stupid campaign ploy possible. And, old mate, it ain’t working. At all.
It’s not obfuscating or dodging to say that you are inventing an imaginary problem to get worked up about and that the amendment is quite clear as it stands. There is absolutely no reason to think that the Voice will have a power other than giving its opinions to the decision makers.
If the parliament hypothetically decided to give any extra role to the Voice then that would be parliament exercising its sovereignty over the Voice! And because parliament remains sovereign according to the constitution those powers could be revoked.
(The idea that parliament would give the Voice veto power is as silly as the idea that it would get such powers from the amendment itself. No politician from any side of politics would do that.)
If I’m inventing an imaginary problem, what';s your problem with making the scenario clear and irrevocable BEFORE THE REFERENDUM.
How about adding this to the referendum material available before and on voting day:
“After advising and having had privileged discussions with the cabinet , The Voice group agrees to abide by whatever decision is made by the cabinet in the overall best interests of the whole country, with no further discussions entered into.”
But no, you just sit there and parrot bwhich amounts to ‘trust me’ … the day I trust the likes of you will the fucking day, you alternative facts, English comprehension failure.
Because we shouldn’t clutter up the constitution with provisos for a potentially infinite number of hypothetical scenarios that have no bearing on reality.
The situation is already clear and irrevocable.
Your proposed wording is flawed. The Voice should be able to enter into further discussions on any subject. The whole point of the Voice and its only power is making representations on matters pertaining to First Nations Australians, and that should be frank and fearless and unconstrained.
Best to remember the wise saying often heard in court: ‘Just because you say it is so, doesn’t make it so’. Who wants to clutter up the constitution, that is exactly what we don’t want …. and that is why it should be clear and concise in what is being proposed BEFORE the referendum.
Recognising your problem with English, The ‘Pie will attempt to help you out here.
Your first point is a very convenient one for your purposes but nothing proposed by opponents of the Voice ‘have no bearing on reality’, they are warning against a sudden undesirable, unfair and dangerous situation becoming reality. Because the referendum question is not explicit in defining what we are being asked to vote for. That’s what debate and discussion is all about.
And just to help you along with language, do you realise that everything you yourself have put forward is entirely hypothetical? It may or may not happen, the parametres may or may not be put in place, all that will be decided later by parliament. Yet you state it as fact, somewhat like old time religion made something up and then presented it as a fait accompli fact.
Then the last paragraph … oh dear … so now your saying the Voice does not have accept the bunker’s (i.e cabinet’s) decision, and can come back to debate, cajole, threaten and generally carry on until you get your way. Time wasting at its best, for that’s what it will be if a cabinet cannot listen to and then rule on your ‘advice’ without the threat of an endless self-interested harague.
And what’s this ‘on any subject’. Bit of slip there, old chum … so we get back to another point: what matters for instance – but not to make you quiver at such matters being defined in the referendum question – do NOT affect indigenous Australians. Because like it or not, they are Australians in the general sense – albeit of a group seeking special privileges outside the ballot box, and therefore – stay with him here, this is about language, hard I know but – is not possible that the Voice could claim all subjects coming before cabinet concern indigenous Australians?
Make your next comment a good one, BBC, it may be your last published on this matter … your parrot-like circular sophism is becoming both tedious and dare one say, self-defeating?
By definition the Voice cannot waste anyone’s time but its own. All it can do is make representations. So your concerns have no basis in reality.
Your reality is the waste of time.
And if all it can do is make representations, why enshrine it in the constitution?
Good onya uncle Jeff.
Dilbert explains why there’s such a big staff turnover at the Townsville council.
Warren Mundine on ABC RN Breakfast program this morning.
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/warren-mundine-idea-aboriginals-do-not-have-voice-nonsense/102204854?utm_campaign=abc_radionational&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_radionational
Instead of the wedge to divide the Nation I think Bentley should have drawn “the sword of Damocles”. I think the issue at hand is more than a wedge. This think will voice kill democracy in our country.
Julian Leeser, Shadow Attorney General, quits the Liberal Party front bench over the Voice. Interesting days ahead.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-11/liberal-frontbencher-julian-leeser-voice-to-parliament/102207614
I bet that there are plenty in the Labor Party that would like their say on the NO side but don’t have the nuts to do it in public arena.
Interesting you say that, Tradie, The Magpie has been hearing from several sources that there may be a surprise gender element that could affect the referendum … increasingly, The ‘Pie is hearing that women overwhelmingly support the Yes vote, while men are much more inclined to say no.
And there is no truth in the rumour that the transgender community is petitioning the government for a special ballot paper that has a third box to tick. Under the YES and No boxes, the alphabet folks want one that says”Ooooh, can’t make up my mind’.
Magpie an exit survey done after the last federal election by the Australia Institute found
“There was a 7 percentage point gap between the male and female Coalition primary vote in the exit poll, 37% and 30% respectively.
Three weeks after the election, the gap widened to 10 percentage points, with 28% of women said they would vote for the Coalition, compared to 38% of male voters.
By comparison, the female vote is higher than the male vote for Labor (42% compared to 40%), the Greens (12% compared to 9%) and One Nation (5% compared to 3%) in the exit poll.”
So these surprise gender elements of yours are no surprise at all, it’s been in the data all along.
https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Polling-Voting-behaviour-and-gender-WEB-1.pdf
And, if you look at voting patterns by generation you will see a turn again the LNP by all generations. They have lost touch with a large proportion of the population, and the data reflects that.
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/March/Voting_patterns_by_generation
Amusing that you accept exit polling as any sort of measure of anything. And the gender Yes/No comment was about the local ALP, as per contacts (and boy, are there plenty of them).
“Amusing that you accept exit polling as any sort of measure of anything! Here’s my anecdotal evidence.”
Pie, some of them would also say ‘Oooh, that’s a hard one’ !!!
Now, now, Jatz, let the lifestyle decision come to you naturally … if a little late in life.
Come on, Ducky, which Labor member would be game enough to go against party policy?
Whilst I still think the yes vote shall prevail, I suspect it will be closer than we think.
That has always been another consideration … let’s say the Voice gets up, and starts to advise the government of the day …. whether it be Labor now nor the rejuvenated Libs in -oh, let’s say – 2040, there will always be the weapon of falsely accused racism if they don’t their way. An ever present electoral threat … until people get tired of it,m ignore and wonder why the hell it was constituted in such a divisive way in the first place.
Ducks Nuts,
If he was in the Labor Party he would be expelled.
Arts community support the new location of the “TPAC to be where the civic is”!?!?
What absolute nonsense, the arts community want the TPAC closer to the city, so people can walk into the city with much more ease after shows and concerts.
Yes, there’s an argument for that view, but seems a tad presumptuous to speak on behalf of that amorphous ‘arts community’. The local choices encompass many consideration,like parking, space to build the right facility and of course, ultimate cost. If there is a fixed allocation, then one site may be able to provide more amenity than another. Lots of further debate to go on this.
For the Civic site, The ‘Pie believes his idea of a beautifully landscaped and sculpted boardwalk along the waterside, perhaps featuring two or three stylish pop-up coffee/light supper operations that only in place on suitable performance evenings. Such a connection would admittedly not be a summer daytime attraction, but it would never be intended to be such, although even SuperPest crowds could make use of it to reach parked cars. The reverse could work for the more family orientated stadium crowds who wouldn’t go near Via Vomitorium in a fit, they could stroll back to the TPAC car park, stopping along the way for an ice cream for the kids, or even a beer if liquor laws change to allow it.And this could also service a rejuvenated attraction of a specialist museum, small entertainment venues or whatever the North Rail Yards eventually becomes when it happens about 2050.
It might even give some impetus to the latest incarnation of that Hilton Double Cross hotel behind the Cowboys Centre of Excellence (oh, spare me!)
Thus the whole inner city extends it boundaries, and may even free up current mouldering area to new ideas and approaches – whatever they may be. And this is a much more attractive proposition that the Ross Creek boardwalk currently under expensive construction.
The biggest percentage of local people do not walk anywhere unless forced. Also it might be fine to walk to the stadium in your tshirt and shorts for the footy but can you see people in their going to the theatre clothes and high heels walking a few km to line up at the Mad Cow? All the reports I have seen focus sensibly on an expansion of the civic threaten precinct be not some silly idea to rip up a badly needed inner city parking area.
Reason – being quite close to a significant number of members of the art’s community, I can assure you that what you say is complete nonsense. They overwhelmingly support the Civic Centre location. Are sure that you are not an agent for our Jenny?
Nailed that one so succinctly, Grumps. And do tell, Reason, why are you so sure that the ‘arts community’ would want to stroll into the city later in the evening? Seeking a cheap thrill of being touched up by coppers searching for knives, or hoping for an MP having a drunken punch-up?
Yep, anytime I have been to a show at the civic theatre the pre and post show nibbles and drinks are an essential part of the night, couldn’t imagine too many heading anywhere afterwards other than home, anyone I know wants any new venue at the same location.
I travel regularly to Melbourne and enjoy attending the theatre and orchestral concerts. Whenever I go, I always enjoy a nice meal with friends and family either before or after the show. It is all part of the experience of an enjoyable night out. That diner at the Civic is distasteful and you need to order your meal 48 hours in advance which is simply absurd. You are left sitting in the summer heat to eat. It’s hardly pleasant. With performances often starting at 7pm it is a rush to fit in a nice meal prior, especially when one factors in travel. After the show, the majority of kitchens are closed and exiting the carpark is time consuming. Any new theatre must be close to restaurants in order to boost the night-time economy. Whether that’s factored into the existing Civic grounds or elsewhere, I am open to ideas on locations. The expansion offered by the TPAC committee is sound in concept, and I like your suggestion about landscaping Magpie as that would create a nice space for NAFA to occupy. There is a bridge between the restaurant precinct near the cinemas and the current location of that ghastly race track which could all be part of the one solution if the access and lighting issues around the bridge were to be addressed. A light rail connecting the city or even a reliable bus loop would also help connect the theatre precinct with the dining precincts and address the car parking dilemmas.
My major reservation with the TPAC concept is the drawings. Their visual proposal looks extremely outdated and an architectural eyesore. In order to advance their cause they simply must address those drawings. The latest expansion of the Civic is rather unappealing and has no reference to the architecture of the existing structure. We almost need a renovation to fix that renovation.
I was speaking recently to a friend of mine from Melbourne who I attend the MSO with and who visits for Chamber Music Festival. She referred to an article in Limelight, which I haven’t the opportunity to review yet, but their comment was the architectural drawings from TPAC included in the article were rather embarrassing and quite the turn off. I myself am not opposed to the TPAC idea but we do need a building that is architecturally appealing, with concept drawings to match.
Commenting from last to first, don’t think you need to worry about the ‘artist’s impressions’ of the finished product. In more than 50 years of looking at these junior wet dreams, I have never seen a completed actual product that looks even remotely like such impressions. The proof of that will no doubt be when we see the new GBRMPA building … due about 2040 latest estimate. But with that timeline, likely to be cancelled anyway by the then Prime Minister Pauline Hanson.
The big danger wherever the new facility is plonked, will be just that – some cut-price establishment plonked down wherever is politically expedient, to act as a political gobstopper for those critical of the powers that be for such a cynical move. cf a $300m stadium that seats actually less than the one nit replaced … so where’s the commitment to growth there from our leadership. The growth principle must be factored in, with staging facilities, seating and ancillary prospects all made somewhat larger than would suit in the year whenever it is built.
The ‘Pie cannot comment on your qualifications as a restaurant reviewer, as he has never even ordered – anywhere – a meal 48 hours in advance, but taking you as accurate, that is precisely an argument for a stylish, five or seven day a week stand-alone restaurant and cocktail bar. When the theatres and exhibitions are ‘dark’, the restaurant could still offer an attractive outlook and ample parking right at the door would be a major plus, and if done with imagination and flair, could become an attraction in itself.
Thdn … and this will sit well with arty folks who just love a suspenseful fairytale – there is the Evil Kingdom’s promise of that greatly downgraded Hilton Hotel behind the stadium – if the Civic is chosen – indeed, The ‘Pie reckons Dolan, whose mate is the brainchild behind the idea, should lobby the mayor to make Civic the site – it would be an unexpected boost to what otherwise is the weirdest possible site for a hotel in Townsville.
And here’s an additional landscaping/facilitation idea – you mention that precinct on FSW … if a suitable middle to upmarket restaurant operated there, it. could make a selling point of having two or three of the larger golf buggies available to whisk diners over to the relevant venue/exhibition nor show. Indeed, if the landscaping as described by The ‘Pie was established, some some enterprising outfit could create a small network of buggy rides, which could transport PPAC patrons all the way along to the Victoria Street Bridge at the top of Palmer Street for an apres theatre nosh up. This would be especially viable as a two way trip if the TPAC is sited at the Civic and the Dean Street Car Park remains operational. Although the knee jerk reaction in alker Street would be to immediately think of reasons why such an operation should not be allowed, remember, this is the council that has allowed unlimited access of those pestilential scooters to infest footpaths and roads across the city, often in the hands of dickwits of all ages.
A light rail link would be impossibly expensive, and a bus loop just as unlikely on the opposite grounds of not enough patronage to make it viable … and not very classy, either.
But there are ways such as the above possibilities to make Townsville a unique and positive talking point in the broad arts community beyond our borders. All it takes is imagination and vision.
oh, shit, that’s that then.
R,
As a minor member of the arts community I can authoritatively say that you are full of shit.
Just as a matter of language and general interest, what defines a ‘member of the arts community’?
A musician of questionable ability, and musical administrator, who has, in the company of others, performed at local, interstate, and national folk festivals, a variety of Townsville events, payed and unpayed, for about 30 years now. Also published two music books of original works by a local musician infantly more talented than me. I could go on a bit but I would probably ‘out’ myself if I haven’t already. I hope the above is acceptable to you to accept me as a minor member of the Townsville performing arts community.
The TPAC project is most important for Townsville in many regards. I have quacked on about this before. It grieves me intensely that our vindictive bogan mayor is a road block to this most necessary ‘all of community ‘ facility.
The end.
In my case, the wife is a sold artist, has had paintings in Perc Tucker and a member of a prestigious art group. Of course, arty Garry’s being a social mob, they are not shy about expressing their views.
A statement on behalf of the entire arts community:
It is unwise to make sweeping statements about the views of the entire arts community. There is certainly a range of opinions and perspectives, and it would be more accurate to acknowledge this diversity rather than assuming a singular viewpoint. It’s important to recognise that the arts community is comprised of individuals with unique perspectives and experiences. To speak on behalf of everyone without acknowledging this diversity is oversimplifying the situation and does not accurately reflect the true range of views within the community.
Using one’s membership in the arts community to assert a particular viewpoint and discredit alternative perspectives may be viewed as egotistical and narrow-minded. It suggests a lack of awareness of the diverse range of voices and perspectives within the arts and entertainment community, particularly in a place as culturally rich and diverse as Townsville. It’s important to be open to different viewpoints and to seek out a deeper understanding of the breadth and scope of the community in order to fully appreciate its richness and complexity.
Collaboration is indeed essential to the arts community, and it can lead to exciting new creative possibilities that may not have been possible otherwise. Acknowledging diverse perspectives is also key to collaborative practice, as it allows for a more inclusive and equitable approach that can lead to more meaningful and impactful outcomes. When working collaboratively, it’s important to embrace different viewpoints and experiences, and to create a space where everyone’s contributions are valued and respected. This can help foster a more supportive and inclusive arts community, and ultimately lead to a richer and more vibrant creative culture.
Without inclusive and collaborative discussions that involve all members of the community, the conversation around the arts will become divisive and political, as is already the case. This highlights a failure in community consultation by AECOM, which has been expensive and has prioritised individual voices over collective knowledge sharing and capacity building.
A town hall style meeting can be an effective way to foster community engagement and ensure that all voices are heard within the consultation process. By providing a platform for open and inclusive dialogue, a town hall meeting can help build trust, deepen understanding, and generate new ideas and perspectives that might not have been considered otherwise. Such a meeting can help create a more inclusive and equitable arts community that reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of its members.
The power of collaboration lies in its ability to create a shared sense of purpose and a collective vision that can inspire and mobilise individuals towards a common goal.
We need an inclusive and collaborative meeting to move forward on this issue together as a community united.
– Arts Community Spokesperson (Self-Appointed)
BRILLIANT. One of the best parodies of a disguised message from Walker Street the ‘Pie has ever read. Well done. Or, oh, dear, has a cynical Magpie just made an unwarranted attack on a sincere but unwitting wizard of words?
The paean of buzzword waffle starts with classic satire: “A statement on behalf of the entire arts community:It is unwise to make sweeping statements about the views of the entire arts community”. and authored by ArtsCommunitySpokesperson!!
For the full effect, readers, re-read the comment while playing Kombya in the background.
But the basic message is true enough: there isn’t one shared opinion in this matter, and those with the arts at heart should get together and talk.
But do not expect the likes of AECOM to deign to lower their highly professional selves to listen to the fool in the street. It is not the way they operate.
My neighbour’s cousin’s father’s son-in-law’s wife is an award-winning ceramicist, children’s book illustrator, published playwright, choral society member, belly dancer and highly influential local arts figure who is regularly interviewed on radio and has over 5,000 followers on Instagram. Her preferred location is the Hive.
While you, Bruce, are a certified artist and comedian recognised for your clever use of the medium of bovine waste material.
So if the Voice gets up due to the indigenous wanting to be equal to white man, does that mean the rest of white Australia will then be able to receive generous job benefits, housing, social service payments and even cars, just as the indigenous currently receive? As a non-racist white Australian born and bred here 70 years ago I am disgusted at all the handouts the indigenous receive while I get SFA. If they want an even playing field, an equal voice, the same regonition then they should give up all the perks they are entitled to.
With apologies to Ross Eastgate and the Life of Brian classic
“Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, education, roads, the freshwater system, and public health … what have the white Australians ever done for us?”
White Australia does not have to apologize for anything!!
the Aboriginal Industry should be thanking us for dragging them out of the hunter/gatherer stone age.
You forgot ‘the wheel’, Winnie. Every stolen car comes with one on each corner, one in front of the driver, and a spare one up back to set on fire. Those kids would be at a disgraceful loss to society were in it not for the gift of the wheel.
Whatever word you choose, colonisation was inevitable at the time, because it was the “norm”. They should also thank their good fortune that it was the Brits that “colonised” them. If it had been the Spanish/Portuguese …. just look at the gentle touch they gave the very civilised Incas and Aztecs.
Maybe if we “imposters” decided to bugger off back to Europe in 1941 when Tojo was knocking on the door, I suspect their 60,000 year reign would have ended by 1944. If they were spared the gentle touch of the Rising Sun, their lot would not be an ‘appy one for sure.
They claim sovereignty by virtue the very same premiss that we Europeans have been using for quite a long time too. Veni vidi vici!
A perfect example of the Fallacy of Presentism n(as Bill Maher has dubbed it) … the belief that previous generations should have possessed the woke notions of 2023. And that the generation of 2023 should make unfair reparations fo great-great-great-grandaddy (back then, grandma was in the decision making picture.)
Mandingo, given that Indigenous Australians are less than 4% of the population, if the Voice gets up it will be non-Indigenous voters who carry the day. They will have all sorts of reasons.
Did you have nice easter, Palm?
Still coming down from the vibe, Magpie. Cowboys went down, Leeser’s walked out, Jacinta’s the smartest girl in the Liberal room (although Mrs Crisafulli’s boy is hanging in, for now) and if you are a Facebook fan you’d think Cr Fran is on a pedestal. A week’s a long time in politics.
Actually, The ‘Pie asked because several branches were missing of his favourite foxtail and someone stole a donkey from Mingela. Wondering if you knew anything about that. And moveable feast my arse, mammoth piss-up for sure.
Someone stole a donkey? At Easter? That would be a National,
Are you trying to say somebody stole Barnaby?
Palm the words you were looking for re Jacinta were “talented woman of conviction’
An accolade like that from Poorlene is worth running from.
I see Jacinta also got called out by Paul Bongiorno for using double speak when trying (badly) to explain the LNP stance on the Voice.
Amusing that a journo – even a respected and smart one like Paul – calling out a politician for ‘double nspeak’ … all of ‘em, including Paul, let non-answers and sophistry go through to the keeper all the time rather than do a please explain.
Aagh yes, Palm Sunday aka Elusive Butterflog once again has a sly dig at the next Queensland Premier – Crisafulli. Get over it Butterflog, go and take up knitting or watching reruns of Burkes Backyard, you need help!
You can listen to the ummm ahhhing, as I said-ing and that’s just my opinioning of Jacinta here. It’s a little painful. Hamish, however is as articulate as always and makes this bearable.
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/jacinta-price-opposition-voice/102208046
Nothing ‘sly’ about it, ButtFace. Politicians of every stripe, particularly party leaders, are being called on to state their position on the Voice. The Queensland opposition leader was on the tv the other night and when asked about his or his party’s position wouldn’t say. I understand his reluctance. Nuance and fancy verbal footwork is required or he will be snared in the jackboots of the LNP base just like his predecessor. This is the man who chose for himself the lowest possible shadow ministerial profiles – Tourism and the Olympic Games – from which to launch his campaign for the Premiership. The Voice is all over the radar. What would you do?
NOTE TO ALL COMMENTERS: Palm, to whom is that replying … not a criticism, The ‘Pie acknowledges the limitations of identifying the ‘in reply’ section, so if in danger of replying to yourself – as here – best to make your own reference at the outset.
Magpie, you are correct. I should have put ButtFace first. He seems to want to keep DCrisafulli’s name out of politics right when the opposition leader needs to be up there in lights taking it to Premier Palaszczuk. It’s not as if there’s nothing to work with. But oh, the dilemma. The LNP is a (not very) broad church dominated by older, whiter, more male types, probably a bit like the ‘Nest. Crisafulli is trying to appeal to the opposite – younger, more diverse, more female, less stubborn – in fact, a whole lot like him. It’s a tough gig and the Voice is an untimely, messy proposition that could drag him under a bus. Ho hum.
This has got to stop r we’ll need to get a hotel room, all this agreeing is hard to take.
Fair analyse, but you seem to be discounting the the axion on which The Kid seems to be operating … never interrupt your enemy while she’s in the midst of making a mistake. Bit of a while to go for palaszczuk to continue fucking up and shortcoming exposed. The longer she cannot divert attention by making deflecting replies to the opposition’s criticisms, the more rope she unloops for herself.
Given the national situation of the Libs, The ‘Pie reckons all records on campaign spending will be broken when they all hit the hustings in earnest. And boy is it ever going to be a McDonald’s campaign ‘do you lies with that’. Big whoppers all round.
I know the self-appointed experts here are knowledgeable about performing arts, but I have been fortunate enough to see musical productions in London’s West End theatre district and on Broadway in New York and I can say with hand on heart that the musicals performed by the Townsville Choral Society and North Queensland Opera and Theatre Company are equal and maybe even better than anything I have seen. Standouts include the Queen musical We Will Rock You and the classic Les Misérables.
I am a local theatregoer, and I have never heard anyone oppose the Civic Theatre precinct as the best location for the new performing arts complex (assuming it isn’t designed exclusively for the Chamber Music Festival, which runs for just 2 weeks).
The TPAC proposal caters for everyone and objections to the Civic Theatre precinct location appear to be based on what Jenny Hill thinks. On past results that would appear to be a recipe for disaster (Castle Hill cafe, Strand Lagoon, Never-ending Pipeline, Ross River Dam…..)
Yarns are being spun about the Civic Theatre precinct being on a flood plain but that was before Ross Creek was cut off from Ross River. The Civic Theatre has been flooded just once, when the water came through the roof, not from the creek.
Another Jenny Hill snow job, but who is the beneficiary of her “opinion”? That will no doubt be revealed in due course – just hope it’s not AECOM or Wagners
AECOM already are, for a phenomenal amount of dough for such a report … but we will never know, their work is C in C. And as upstanding and being pure as the driven snow,as they may be, they’ve lost the credibility battle by being Jenny’s choice to announce their site choice. Like they could give a fuck.
Phantom isn’t fooling anyone. Singer, dancer, actor, comedian and…… president of NQOMT Kevin Wright…. Is that you?
NQOMT?
Too much on to go googling.
Kevin Wright wouldn’t get the name of NQOMT incorrect in the narrative. Beside, Kevin is The Boy from Oz, not Phantom of the Opera.
“Tight-knit town reeling after fiery crash near Cungulla leaves one dead, two in hospital”
“A tiny North Queensland fishing town has been left reeling after a horror crash killed a driver and hospitalised two locals, renewing calls for a narrow stretch of road to be upgraded.”
Natasha Emeck
Natasha Emeck
Follow
@tashemeck
2 min read
April 11, 2023 – 2:11PM
Townsville Bulletin
“A tiny North Queensland fishing town has been left reeling”
Do you think Natasha was trying to be very clever with the “fishing” and “reeling” link Mr. Pie, or totally ignorant of the connection?
Whatever, fucking bad taste all-round!
Can’t rule anything out with this rag. Or perhaps she thought they had taken to traditional nautical dancing in their grief.
MERDE!! BAS MOI!
Doesn’t make sense. Even bigger than than what?
mon bateau a été volé
INEVITABLE!!
Just fucking inevitable!
Well it received the Shitiest Town award 2 years in a row. What you think about that Mrs Mullet?
Look, STOA carries no weight at all, and it would be good if we stopped referencing STOA. It was once a brief and amusing joke that has run its course, and means absolutely nothing. It may have it’s shitty points, but I’m fucked if I’m going to use the uniunformed scatalogical opinionsn of some undergraduate twirlyfucks to divert a very serious subject of Townsville’s shortcomings.
It’s in your own backyard.
And people pay money to read that shit (no pun intended)?? Seriously, how fucking pathetic is that. Who gives a fuck about where you go to snap off a cable. Save your money folks because you are paying to read stories derived by children which are interspersed with Harvey Norman adds (or is that the other way around?).
But hey, don’t laugh too soon, they may accidentally come up with a big yarn out of this – if they manage to find any of Townsville 10 sexiest crims in the dunnies with any of Townsville 10 cutest tots and one of Townsville’s 10 most lovable pets. Kowabunga!!
Well, Townsville’s best dunny would have to be the site of The Townsville Bulletins office followed closely by Mayor Mullets office !
Australia has lost a powerful figure in the global arts world.
An admirable man in all respects, Olsen leaves a wonderful legacy, his bright vivid style unmistakable, even in his rendition of the every day. Typical is his work summery celebration of Seafood Paella.
Les “Memoryblank” Walker again looked like a bloke who had lost $100 and found 50 cents on Seven News last night.
Don’t worry Les, they’ll find a job for you somewhere, so long as it doesn’t involve remembering things and isn’t in the vicinity of the Mad Cow or The Australian Hotel.
…. or any work that involves being near the booze storage room. Stock taking might find him out … again.
Just about had a heart attack when I read the descriptive bullshit about Les Walker and co in a media release by Ms Emma McFarlane. She was speaking at some function at the Townsville University Hospital.
‘So on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister Mark Butler, thank you so much for what you’ve done, for what you continue to do, and especially thank you to Les’ cardiologist who we met on the way, keeping Les up and running’.
Nothing honourable about this Sheila. Bestowing gratitude and humour on to Messagewank Walker cements MP McBride’s position of suckhole and idiot. Fool.
Can anyone confirm that the mayor of Charter Towers is FIFO.
I have heard this a couple of times from CT locals.
Christ, don’t tell me Prins Ralston got ANOTHER gig!!
Could be looking to buy a farm now he’s cashed up !
Looks like Poorlene thinks she runs the Liberal Party. She’s right though. Birmingham should resign from the front bench so Dutton can put some of his more hard right mates up there and further push the party into obscurity. Then there might be a hope of him losing an election and being forced to resign.
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/simon-step-aside-mate-pauline-hansons-blistering-attack-on-liberal-simon-birmingham-over-voice-to-parliament/news-story/aec050601e523f5a46426e1c83289d85
https://youtu.be/q4kZaXgCMoM
This link may, or may not give us a glimpse of the tender side of Elusive Butterfly
Ah, the days of unlimited weed, guitar strumming and jerky, shaky camerawork. (Sigh). We were easy meat then, weren’t we?
Actually, The ‘Pie has always admired the lyrics for their poetic imagery …. but best just to listen and not watch the poor unfortunate on camera.
Elusive Butterflog, No More Dredging, Not the ECQ, and a few other aliases is not as tender as you think. Just mention the words ‘kid Crisafulli’ and watch the venom spew forth out of Butterflogs keyboard!
Just when we thought the Astonisher couldn’t sink any lower, they’ve come up with another classic.
A story in today’s rag headlined “Ratepayers Foot Hefty Bill Over Legal Stouch” is remarkable for a number of reasons:
– it plays the man (woman in this case) and not the ball in turning a story about Fran O’Callaghan getting her legal fees reduced into a slight on the mayor’s only current election opponent for costing ratepayers money – because she had the temerity to contest a court decision
– Settling disputes though the courts is common practice. It happens every day, without being reported in the local paper
-The practice of contesting legal fees is also common, so it is strange that this one has been singled out for publicity by the council and the local newspaper
– The real story (if there is one) here is that Ms O’Callaghan had her fees significantly reduced, despite the ratepayers paying hefty legal costs to defend them
– It is unusual for a local newspaper to report such matters. If they did the paper would be full of similar stories, but based on the result and not the legal costs
– Ms O’Callaghan appears to be blamed for costing ratepayers $150,000 in legal fees when in fact it was the council that decided to enter into the legal “stouch”.
– $150,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to the money spent by the council on legal fees every year. For example, what did it cost ratepayers to defend the recent successful defamation action against the mayor, and why haven’t those costs been reported in the Townsville Bulletin?
– An earlier story claiming that Ms O’Callaghan had not paid the court costs when she was still waiting on the court to tell her how much she had to pay appears to defame her, so is a pattern of trying to undermine her reputation emerging?
Can the editor please assure us that today’s story wasn’t based on instructions from the council to publish the words they supplied IN THEIR ENTIRETY WITHOUT CHANGING A SINGLE WORD?
The term is ‘capture’. The Astonisher and Mayor Mullet have crossed the line in the sand. Neither are independent of each other, instead they are in bed together. The Astonisher is working for the Mullet. This is completely unprofessional and unethical. As for the total cost amount, which has been reduced, the newspaper has chosen not to include an explanation or the actual facts. Sanctioned corruption at the highest level.
Yes. So what can we take out of this issue? Let’s make a list, feel free to add.
1. TCC (read Mayor Mullet) object to ratepayers using all legal means to challenge its decisions.
2. TCC (read Mayor Mullet) tries to bully a savvy businesswoman into paying an illegal amount in alleged costs, which are subsequently reduced by almost 45% by the courts (you remember courts, don’t you Jenny, you know, the professional folks who apply the real rules about all legal matters – including defamation BTW heh heh heh).
3. TCC (read Mayor Mullet) object to a legal and taxation processes regarding costs that they could foresee were going to reduce the claimed debt.
4. The Bulletin has firmly nailed its colours its mast(head) by choosing to editorialise by making the most negative element as the false news point with innuendo wording.
5. … and to ensure that the truth of the matter is summarised succinctly in the very last pars of the story thus.
6. AND THE PAPER MISSES THE UNEXPECTED BONUS OF A NEW POLICY SLIPPED INTO THEIR ‘SPOKESMAN (READ MAYOR MULLET/ LEGAL SHILL TONY BLIGHT). THR MISSED IT EVEN THOUGH THEY HIGHLIGHTED IT.
HAHAHAH SINCE FUCKING WHEN?
Did the paper clarify if TCC were REALLY concerned I’d ratepayers were out of pocket? Because I know some that genuinely ARE out of pocket to TCC for overcharging rates and utilities and they don’t appear to give two shits.
A genuine question to somebody in the know.
Currently there is a major undertaking on the East side of Ross River to construct a pipe from the dam to the Douglas Water Treatment Plant. The Ross River flows right past the WTP.
Q. Why construct a pipe from the dam to the WTP when water could be taken directly from the river adjacent the WTP and water released from the dam to keep the Black Wier topped up to the desired level?
A side benefit would be a slight water flow in that part of the river.
Good question, Dave, I pondered it the other day when I was up your way. One element would be gravity feed. But I understand that at the moment raw water is being released occasionally from the cone valve to keep Black’s weir topped up so that the WTP can augment its intake from there. According to the TCC website the WTP currently produces about 57 ML per day. I think this only a fraction of the city’s consumption so my question is where does the rest of our total consumption come from?
I’m sure someone can confirm, but I thought the issue is once the Dam drops below the spillway (40% capacity from memory) water can’t be released into the weir, so you need the pipe as the permanent long term solution for when the level is low – if you relied on the weir only we’d be out of water sooner than usual.
From memory there is an intake from the weir, as a sort of emergency backup, not sure what capacity it can provide though.
On the 57ML, that makes no sense, the daily consumption of the town is somewhere around 130ML, higher in summer usually. The only other source I’m aware of is Paluma but there’s no way it’s providing 70ML to augment the daily usage.
Dave you can book a tour of the DWTP and ask all your questions there. Let us know what you find out.
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/water-waste-and-environment/sustainability/sustainability-tours/single-learnscape-tour/douglas-water-treatment-plant-tour
D.N.,
Thank- you, I have booked a tour in May for myself and wife. Wife showing all of the enthusiasm of a cat being dragged to a bath.
I went there once years ago. Was interesting. Definitely not exciting. Hopefully you will get a tour of the laboratory as well. They are one of TCCs undervalued assets.
You make a worthy point. The nature of this blog, indeed, the basis of all news, is that ‘news’ is out of the ordinary happenings – the man bites dog theory – and therefore, since 90% of happenings fit that description – can easily be falsely characterised as negative carping. The council doing what it is paid to do, across all its departments, is not news as such, but when there is some outstanding matter achieved, public recognition that all is going well is part of a responsible community news platform.
So thanks for that, Ducky, an unusually positive and welcome comment.
And that makes the catastrophic, financially stupid and politically driven move to gut the council of many good people in the name of cost cutting – many of whom were cynically replaced at greater cost by outside contractors soon afterwards – and bring incompetent and uncommitted managers and executive who were after a nice quid before pissing off.
ANNOUNCING: Townsville’s Top Ten Buttock-Clenchers.
… and they’re all in the Bulletin’s office, when they read this in the AFR today.
(Story summary by Roy Morgan).
It appears The Magpie’s consistent forecast of the Bulletin becoming an insert in the Courier could be much sooner than later. And note the line about ‘some mastheads could be merged’.
Such is the News Ltd disconnect with anything outside the metros, if they decide Harvey Norman will sustain a print edition in nth Queensland, what’s the betting they try to merge the Bulletin and the Cairns Post, and maybe even rope in the Mackay Mercury.
A business suicide in the making.
It was inevitable Magpie, and yes you predicted this some time ago. The problem is that ‘news print’ simply isn’t what it was decades ago when you had real local news stories. Today it’s all about lame, titillating eyebrow raising excitement! No local news articles are published, or if there are some published the article is manipulated, skewed, and filled with bias and an agender – take for example the article about Fran. And todays journalists are imbeciles and childish fuckwits who wrote articles about dogs jumping lamp posts or top 10 public shitters or top 20 transgender gardeners! Under the current circumstances we are better off without the local mastheads as they are utter shit.
Ummm, did you forget something,m Pribce?
Has Fran O’Callaghan talked to her lawyer about possible action against Jenny Hill and/or the council for harassment and/or defamation. A legal eagle mate of mine says she’d have a strong case.
On the subject of News Limited cutting regional staff, with a bit of luck Jenny Hill’s best mate and protector Craig Herbert will be shown the door, and the local section of the paper will be edited by a genuine journalist in Brisbane.
The boys in the big smoke aren’t afraid to tackle corruption – just look at the way they’ve exposed the Premier and her hapless State Ministers.
But sadly, up here in Hicksville the local yokel has succumbed to pissing in pocket syndrome.
You need strongly independent and experienced reporters on the ground to provide the material to a competent editor. And that is exactly what News Ltd is discouraging, as they chase the lowest common denominator in quest of a fast buck. The paper is now virtually indistinguishable from Facebook and Twitter, a classic venally driven capitulation of ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
As a postscript, The ‘Pie isn’t much given guilt or regret, but reading the gallimaufry of the current Astonisher, he gets a twinge when he recalls the rounds of the kitchen he used to inflict on Anthony ‘Simpo” Templeton a few years ago … but one thing to be admired was that Simpo actually fired in repeated FOI requests on a variety of council matters and got stories from them … no Walkley winners but it showed an initiative now sadly lacking at all editorial levels. Compared to the current high-fiving, hair-twirling, gum-chewing flinchers and punsters, in history’s rear view mirror, Anthony Templeton was Woodward and Bernstein incarnate.
I have formed the opinion from past experience that there are not that many law firms in Townsville that have the guts to take on the council. The council and LGA have a panel of law firms to chose from and there is a lot of conflict of interest.
Rocking boats only occurs when there’s some clear and risk-free advantage to be had. Complacency is a hallmark of a certain strata in this community.
THE HMS BOUNTY HAS BEEN ROCKING FOR AWHILE MAGPIE, but I am happy to say that Captain Bligh and his loyal crew have been unable to set me adrift yet.
My work, years ago, took me to the Kimberly and Pilbra a couple of times, including remote areas. Survey operations.
The WA cyclone will bring mixed blessings. Many places destruction. In some places the cyclone will bring area beautification.
dave, know you’re aiming at a jocular comment, but that ‘beautification’ may in fact be the loss of what shelter and services many disadvantaged in the area have, and may make their general life much harder than hitherto. And the creation of The Voice will do absolutely nothing for them that cannot be done right this minute by a less grandstanding and more sincere government.
Like a Dutton lead LNP? Pull the other one Magpie. He’s even less sincere that Scotty from Marketing.
Nice bit of whataboutism.
I’ve been learning from the best Mr Pie
If that’s your idea of learning, lots of study detention periods in store for you, Hong Kong Delicacy.
Dear ‘Pie,
I spent 10 to 14 days in a variety of so called remote communities. Ordinary Australians cannot visit these communities. Should the traveling public be allowed to see, hear, and smell there would be an outrage. An outrage at the wast of tax payer dollars as these remote communities have no economic, educational, or employment reason for existing.
Living on country was a last consideration, Forging beer tickets was the prime focus of the Port Keats ‘community printing press’s
Meanwhile the women and girls made the best of it as they could.
For Fuck Sake I want the Australian public to see hear, and smell what I did on that operation in numerous remote communities.
Grief will always be the result when you care more than the patient cares for themselves.
Does any of that matter if heir houses get blown away? Which was my original point.
Dave the riots occuring in Alice Springs right now, the additional violence, is because whole communities were evacuated due to floods and put into temporary accommodation in Alice. Is that what you want to happen? More violence? More riots? Because you don’t approve of the smell?
Dave can speak for himself, but it is clear to anyone with an IQ bigger than their shoe size, he was talking about extremely remote and restricted communities. It is very unhelpful in a serious conversation to snidely conflate one thing with another to make a weak attack non someone whose opinion you do not approve of. Grow up.
Oh I’m sorry Magpie. I was referring to an remote community that was evacuated to Alice Springs AFTER the recent floods because their homes were washed away.
Dave wasn’t.
Yeah. Dave was whinging that aboriginal communities smell.
Hello DN,
A picture is worth a thousand words, but being in a place, any place, and being there long enough to learn what is going on is much more powerful and informative than reading about it or seeing a picture of it.
Oh, and thanks for advice about the DWTP laboratory. If it is not on the tour I will ask.
I agree Dave. Pictures are great, but experience is invaluable. Unfortunately we can’t expect people, who in many cases are still tribal and have a way of life very different to ours, particularly in those remote communities, to live by standards we who live in cities, and western style accommodation are used to. Many of these people have never seen washing machines, they don’t know how to use soap or shampoo, they have no idea how you would arrange to connect power to your home. They often don’t even have food in their cupboards because they are more geared for subsistence living.
We don’t fully understand their issues, and what we (government and service providers do) currently do thinking we are helping is often just causing more issues. And then we all get pissed off because we have spent heaps of money on them and they haven’t helped themselves. When we never actually spent the time finding out what it was they really needed in the first place.
Agree entirely, Ducky … really, we’re going have to stop this occasional agreeing, our separate reputations bare in danger.
However, that true and lamentable situation is never going to be helped by the likes of Davies, Langton, Mayo, et al from their comfortable urban environments and expensive maintenance costs. Send in the appropriate person or people (indigenous of course but fully conversant with the problem, mindset and cultural, sensitivities and the avenues to solve it. They should have legislated guarantees that their findings will be honored – immediately.
Now seriously, before you go all catatonic, ignore the Voice issue for a moment, and tell be in sensible terms why this will not work.
The Voice will no nothing for these folks that could not be more expediently achieved in this way, and the Australian taxpayers will be spared the cost of these Voice grifting ‘elite’.
I agree that the people working out what they need must be aboriginal because is these people don’t trust the government, and often they dont trust outsiders. Particularly if you aren’t from the right tribe, dont know the country and customs, aren’t the right gender, or are ” too white”. They’ve been given bullshit stories, useless assistance and their problems ignored for too long. But they’ve also been dealing with people like “Grandmother Mullara” who claims to be indigenous but isn’t (look her up for a laugh, she claims Australia is home to teleportation points and that in the 1970s Gough Whitlam turned the constitution into a corporation without the people knowing). She tried to sue one Western Desert community for $4M+. The only way to maximise engagement and minimise the damage of scam artists like that, is to have elected representatives from the areas, who serve a term as a representative.
That’s one of the reasons I think the voice might work.
At the moment we are pissing money into the wind. All that money, all those services, no decent outcomes.
Congrats Magpie on attracting more than 200 comments so far this week. Is that a record? In any case it’s more than the Townsville Bulletin gets in a week. Has a lot to do with local news value, methinks.
Well, thanks but hold on a bit …. up to a third or more of those counted would be The Magpie’s replies to others and then few he himself posts. Truthfully, The ‘Pie doesn’t follow the weekly count, so has non idea if any one week ‘tops the chart’, because of his own involvement, and ultimately, it is no advantage to him because he doesn’t have to temper the expressions of commenters to placate advertisers. The very few commentsv that The ‘Pie declines to publish are at his own discretion alone, for legal or other reasons. The Nest’s subscriber base has remained constant over several years now, and the whole thing is supported privately by The ‘Pie and those folks who generously offer donations.
Well said Your Pieness, With such over-stated humility you would unseat Sir Humphrey …diddly quat!!!!!!!!!
Spent a humid and airless night at The Strand yesterday. Groups of Frog sailors on the prowl. My query, to them, “Got submarines?’ Met with either a disdainful snub or a Gallic shrug.
Met with either a disdainful snub or a Gallic shrug.
The French tend to treat morons like you with disdain.
Unless your an attractive sheila, that’s how the Frogs treat everyone.
Didn’t really get the joke, did you, old Darling?
Tropical, you set the bar very high when it comes to the fuckwit scale. You miserable old fool.
I have extracted the below commentary made my Fran on her Facebook page yesterday. It is a sensible and mature post. If anything, it continues to make the Mullet, Blight, and Ralston look like the retards that they really are. As for shitty rag known as The Bullshittin, well, it’s only a matter of time until it disappears and its editor and presstitute reports head to Centerlink.
Fran;
Further to the news article regarding me in todays’ Townsville Bulletin:
1. It is not correct to say that it was necessary for Council to defend its earlier planning approval. It was not a matter about defending the approval. I was not challenging the lawfulness of that approval. My argument was simply that the activities of the airfield went beyond the scope of that approval. It was necessary for Council to be a party to the litigation; however, it was not necessary for them to take an active role in the litigation. This was underscored by the Court of Appeal in its costs judgment.
2. My claims were not necessarily rejected in the High Court. The High Court declined to grant special leave to appeal. That does not mean that they disagreed with the merits of my argument. The transcript suggests that the Justices were in fact sympathetic to my arguments. Moreover, Justice McMurdo, in the Court of Appeal, said that my arguments ought to have been accepted in the Planning and Environment Court.
3. Costs were awarded on a standard basis (to be assessed on a scale). Costs were not awarded on an indemnity basis. It follows that there is no legal basis for Council to insist on payment in full of the entirety of their costs.
4. As to the comment that “Council remains concerned that ratepayers are out of pocket by more than $150,000 as a consequence of these legal actions”, the criticism could be made of Council that it did not need to incur those costs in taking such an active role in the proceedings.
May I remind readers that it was Council that brought the legal costs details of this matter into the public domain at the September 2022 Ordinary Meeting. Hence my requirement to ensure that the public is correctly informed. If this had not occurred I would not have been forced into the position that I am now of having to ensure that the correct information is in the public domain.
PR,
Thank-you for Fran’s Facebook posts. Please keep them coming.
You can all put them on alert for yourself if you want, and suggest if you support her candidacy, make sure everyone in your individual networks gets this link.
https://m.facebook.com/FranOcallaghanDiv.10/
Thanks ‘Pie, I’m not on Facebook but my wife is. Fumbled around, successfully it seems, as we just received something from Fran.
This heat in April is unusual. Upon waking after falling asleep in the sun, our pet pig exclaimed, “I’m bacon.”
Thanks DOK. The Magpie allows me some grace. I reluctantly joined Facebook for the sole purpose of seeing what the Mulket, TCC and Fran are putting out there in cyber land. With 11 months to go until the local government elections I have no other option. The newspapers, run by presstitutes who answer to their government whore masters, provide no truth or facts in our region. Most regions actually.
Thanks PR, mayor Mullet is absolutely shitting herself ! She’s reacting with over the top vindictiveness and venom because she’s feeling very threatened.
The mayoral race is a mini marathon and Fran with seasoned common-sense/business acumen knows this and will give Jenny enough rope to hang herself. (figuratively for those out there who are overly sensitive, or perhaps overly hopeful).
Townsville residents have always deserved more and it appears that a ‘Pale Rider’ has appeared on the skyline in Fran.
Your days of deceit and coverups are well and truly numbered Mullet so if you’re following this blog, best you come up with an exit strategy designed by Dolan !
Thought it was odd how much press Cathy O’Tooles former staffer Steph Naunton was getting in the local Labor Rag the Mulletin! Couple of stories in a matter of weeks obviously trying to get her name out!
About https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/nazi-symbols-in-townsville-workplace-multicultural-advocate-claims/news-story/a81e483a07de429ca30c88e4ccaa22c0
Was thinking upcoming state or federal election! Can any local Labor members enlighten us here in the nest?
Then came across this ripper in the Australian where Scott Stewart and Aaron Harper confirm they will be running next state election however, Les Walker dances round the question and says he is unsure. Note in the article it says two sitting male members have to step down so women can be preselected to reach female gender quotas.
About https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/queensland-election-gender-rules-two-male-labor-mps-to-be-forced-out-for-women-candidates/news-story/ea0f36cb6689c77c7de0c026a81e1061
Let’s hope the Mulletin is fair and gives any local candidates from KAP, LNP or independents the same amount of free press it is giving Labor. The way they have been digging the boot into Fran is horrible. The local Labor Rag needs to do better!
Planning a bit on this in the weekend Nest on Sunday.
Look forward to reading it Pie!
Just what the city and country needs is another union Labor staffer and mouthpiece for the 900,000 immigrants that Albo is going to let into the country. The tent shops will be making a killing.
As cock-up s go, this bhas the smell of greenbacks in the background … for certain. Reckon the paper has coughed more nikkies than Arnotts make in a day for this very serious bit of slackarsery.
(By Magpie email).
Shame he’s not a mayor, he’d get off easily. Wouldn’t have been breath-tested either.
Isn’t it nice Lord to see that people don’t forget????
Aaron Harpers rare achievement dominating text to the editor from Townsville Bishop and others . Aaron claims the LNP leans to the right which is dominated by the Catholic Church . Does the Thuringowa Labor branch and the Premier also believe this ? . Aarons running out of groups to attack at a time his electorate is suffering crime / housing and cost of living issues .
Hot off the press at the Bulletin!
Airport escalator to be replaced.
Great to see our local paper tackling the big issues
Yep, they nailed it, like a backyard fence. Oh, sorry … that’s the front bpage.
Only the big stuff for them, mate.
Replaced? what with, a staircase, step ladder, ramp?
Whatever it will be, it will be mostest bigly in the Astonisher.
Good English there from your favourite “newspaper”??
That would be ‘most broken’ English.