That’s like Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson starting a School of Elocution. But it’s a fact. However, when the hoots of derision have died down, you’ll see venture’s business plan is a very dangerous development.
While we’re in News territory, is something good going on down at The Astonisher? Seems so, and credit where it is due, although we’re not sure where to send the bouquets. Has the new boss arrived? But the paper also deserves a big brickbat for one shameless story this week.
Further whistleblowing about Queensland Health, which shows that the problem of coverage and corruption is not only systemic, but has been around for a long time.
And is this a record? It can’t be easy to put out a 350 word media release that says absolutely nothing, but the Palaszczuk Government’s managed it … The Magpie pecks it to pieces.
How Marjorie Taylor Green got herself in to hot water over cold soup. The American politician that makes Pauline Hanson look like the head of Mensa … well, sure, there’s several yanks that fit that description but this one in particular take the cake …the fruit cake. The laugh-til-you cry Twitter pile-on has been a joy to watch.
And the hilarious short video that will give you the longest laugh of the week, best surprise ending yet, all in under 20 seconds.
The weekly ad break: domain registration renewal is one of the several blog related financial obligations that thudded into the Nest during the week. Any support you can offer through a donation will be greatly appreciated. (A few folks have put a regular donation on monthly standing order, if you would care to do the same, then you can forget that nagging guilt you feel and instead feel quite superior when you reach this begging bowl message each week. Ta.)
Now onwards … but alas, without Bentley this week, he off elsewhere doing we know not (and probably don’t want to).
Smirko’s Week
Summary: not too flash.
Dunno ’bout you, but a bloke wanting to wash a stranger’s hair is, well, creepy … especially if he’s a religious nut. Probably just as well a film crew just happened to be on hand, or who knows what could’ve happened. But Smirko just can’t to seem to get it right with the sheilas.
From comments:
| The Magpie 9,118 approved |
Submitted on 2022/02/08 at 1:36 pm
Whoa, hang on a sec … has Scott Morrison even got trying to do the right thing wrong? Or has one single letter saved him?
“I am sorry. We are sorry. I’m sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here. And the place that should’ve been a space of safety and contribution turned out to be a nightmare.” ” Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Parliament today. Please, folks, please, this is a comment on legal procedures and nothing else, foaming rants on other aspects of this issue will be ignored, but comments looking at The ‘Pie’s take on legality are welcome. So – while he certainly apologised for the toxic parliamentary misogynistic culture, and promising a welcome end to it, the question here is did Scott Morrison apologise to Brittany Higgins for being raped? It is a little ambiguous because he used the word ‘terrible things’ plural – but if he did, then surely that is a highly prejudicial statement of pre-judgement, coming as it does before the issue of rape has even reached court. At this stage, it is and will remain just that … an allegation yet to be tested and resolved in a court of law. No matter what the wording, has the prime minister given the defence team ammunition to claim that a fair trial is not possible … that is, if it goes to a jury trial. But should it come to that unlikely outcome, then Smirko has no worries, as he was speaking under parliamentary privilege. Not like you or me, who could be had up for interfering with the administration of justice if we had said it on a national platform. |
The ‘Pie doesn’t want to say I tol … no, he won’t, just this instead, from today.
.
Then Darth Dutton weighed in, but possibly not helpfully, as The ‘Pie pointed out on Wednesday.
| The Magpie 9,118 approved |
Submitted on 2022/02/09 at 7:32 pm
See this today?
Remember this yesterday?
|
And then a toe curling appearance on 60 Minutes
… a gig meant to give him a boost but then he picked up a ukulele …
Those poor kids.
Seems Our Premier Still Thinks Integrity Is A New Model Honda
Prompted by last week’s revelations by a former Queensland Health worker about a cover-up of illegal managegerial behaviour at the department’s supply centre at The Bohle, another person has come forward with their experience of the clubby cover-up culture in the department. The informant provided their name and contact details, but prefers to remain anonymous for the moment. They emailed: ‘I had my little run in with QH a few years ago, when I used to do sessions at TGH (now TUH). There was something I wasn’t happy about, so I formally asked my local member Ken McEligott to make enquires and after a few weeks the ‘something’ was cancelled and redone correctly. Full marks to him. But I also asked a friend of our family, a Qld pollie, to look into it. I can still hear him when he got back to me. “Mate, it’s a can of worms. To take your inquiry any further, I will have to give your name and Qld Health could make your life a misery.”
‘So I’m guessing your informant last week is right on the money.’
Not spectacular, but it always the number of small things that give the game away.
Seriously what is up with the premier … or more correctly, what is she up to? Slowly, slowly, Anna Alphabet is being dragged into the sun from under her rock of government secrecy. While it did her no credit to play silly semantics with a junior TV reporter in an outback stop-over, she cannot escape what is becoming more evident with every passing day – that yet another historic overhaul of Queensland government and public service is as inevitable as it is urgently needed.
The inane deputy cub master Smiley Miles showed why he’s inane.
Master Miles, you’d do well to remember that the most destructive earthquake all begin with a ‘vibe.’
Surely that the Integrity Commissioner’s laptop was stolen – yes, the ‘s’ word no one dare utter – from her office, had the hard drive wiped and then the laptop returned, cannot be described as a ‘vibe’ … it’s a bloody out-and-out crime, and would alarm any upright leader with nothing to hide. The laptop of Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov holds – or held – the register of lobbyists and her confidential integrity advice to politicians.
Make no mistake, this is a major scandal, the stench of corruption is palpable. Now we need an unequivocal cast iron pledge from David Crisafulli to clean out the stables.
And Just To Remind You …
This is by no means the complete list, but we thought the health portfolio ones were relevant. All circled were at one time Minister for Health.
But The Insulting Spin Goes On
Not since Mike Capt Snooze Reynolds’ gushers of empty gobbledegook have we seen the public so openly insulted. The media release below is specifically about Rockhampton, but with a quick dab on two the word processor, changing the town and the number, this one is coming to Townsville in a couple of weeks.
This is a case study in utter tripe. Even goof-off Miniuzster for Yoof Leanne Linard can’t bring herself to lie about the ineffective government measures on youth crime.
*Consider these points: ‘… the co-responder team has engaged with young people 2,228 times (in the past 18 months). FFS, what does that even mean, if there is no outcomes number available? Is crime down, up or steady as she goes? And let’s assume that the 2,228 contain. A large number of repeat ‘engagements’ with the same little snot.
*The Minister is proud of the practical difference they’re making to teens, families and the wider community in preventing youth crime before it happens. So we are now required to take it on faith that whatever the figures are, they would have been worse but for this program. But no figures are forthcoming … because maybe they would prove crimes are trending up anyway?
*And most insulting of all …. MPs Barry O’Rourke (Rockhampton) and Brittany Lauga (Keppel), instead of providing meaningful KPI and crime stats, simply parroted the aims of the co-responder initiative WHICH WE ALL KNEW WHEN THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED IT MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO.
Seems Harpic isn’t the only one.
From The Folks Who Bring You Fox News ….
…and Sky, and social media misinformation – a school to learn how to be consistently biased and avaricious.
‘Commercial journalism’, eh? This is simply the most cynical corporate exercise ever devised … and such is News Ltd’s hubris, they make no bones about their purpose. Murdoch’s corporate affairs executive Campbell Reid will be the inaugural head of the Digital News Academy (DNA). He said the business school was chosen “because it’s unashamedly about the business of journalism” and they wanted to design a curriculum from the ground up. Translation: We don’t want any of that pesky woke stuff about ethics or principles.
Reid said the academy would teach students to do journalism which was “fit for a commercial purpose right from the moment of creation” . Translation: only write stories that will bring advertisers on board, and not write stories that drive them away.
News Corp Australasia’s executive chairman Michael Miller said the academy would build a stronger Australia “by keeping society informed through strong and fearless news reporting and advocacy”. Translation: strong and fearless informing in you of Rupert’s wishes as to who should be your Prime Minister, your state premier, or your local mayor.
“The academy will play a role in equipping news media organisations and news professionals – from on the ground reporters to editors and publishers – with the toolkit, skillset and mindset to meet the opportunities that digital media provides,” Miller said. Translation: no translation needed … the Stephen King level of horror of this statement is the single word ‘mindset’.
This really is an open attack on democratic principles of elected government overseeing our lives and values. Every single day, George Orwell proves he is a greater seer than Nostradamous.
What Does Commercial Journalism Look Like?
For a start, it generally isn’t an outright lie … it is just selectively biased.
For an example, we need look no further than our beloved Astonisher this week. Now before we go there, fair’s fair. So The ‘pie will be honest that he has been impressed with a few mysteriously good things happening down there.
The paper broke the story of government waste and aggravation of juvenile crime by giving expensive gifts to kiddy crims to get ‘back on track’ who then promptly sell said gifts for things they actually want, like drugs and booze. A politically motivated ‘leaked’ story of dubious authenticity, but the purpose was served and so was the community.
Then this weekend we have the renewed stoush involving the money sinkhole of public funds and tribal rorting academy, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service. Good solid reporting, bringing forward (again) valid questions for the historically inept and crooked management.
The paper is also now openly challenging the three sitting state members of their performance on several fronts, but most stridently on juvenile crime.
And columnist Shari Tagliabue has really grown into her role of serious but brightly written weekly commentary, and is being allowed to tackle all sorts of issues with being stifled … helps that she a bloody good analytical writer too, but the fact that she’s allowed to say what she does is worth noting.
All excellent to see, and to be lauded, one wonders if this is just a seasonal editorial changeover aberration or green shoots of a change for the better. One can hope.
However, The ‘Pie risks being dubbed (yet again) a nark by pointing to this story during the week as a great example of the ‘commercial’ journalism touted by the Holt Street mafia and their new ‘school for scandal’ in Melbourne.
Long story short – written by a photographer not a journalist – it’s a half story with no real curiosity by the writer. The disguised thrust of the story appears to be a sell a particular tick repellent collar, available only at vets and pet stores. But suggestions that the particular disease ecrlichiosis is new to Australia and sweeping the country from west to east is an alarmist and, one guesses, selectively targeted lie.
From the VCA Animal Hospital site
Ehrlichiosis in Dogs
By Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM
What is ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne infectious disease of dogs, usually carried by the brown dog tick. It first gained attention as a significant disease when military dogs returning from Vietnam during the 1970’s were found to be infected. The disease seems to be particularly severe in German Shepherd Dogs and Doberman Pinschers. Because of its origin in military dogs in Vietnam, it has also been called tracker dog disease and tropical canine pancytopenia.
And from the same article (one of many that can be quickly googled).
Can anything be done to prevent ehrlichiosis?
Ridding the dog’s environment of ticks and applying flea and tick preventives are the most effective means of prevention. Topical options include Advantix and Frontline Plus (given once per month) or Bravecto (given once every 3 months). Oral chewable options include Nexgard (given monthly), Simparica (given monthly), or Bravecto (given every 3 months). Your veterinarian will help you determine which preventive is right for your dog.
Not a single one of these alternatives is mentioned in the article, just that the brand name dog collar is the way to go. And on the other side of that coin, almost all the articles on the subject didn’t not mention the brand name collar. It may work a treat, but that’s not what The ‘Pie was trained to believe is proper reporting. And let Then ‘Pie add, this is in no way some sort criticism or attack on the vet quoted in the story … experience suggests she may well have said many other things that were not included.
The brown dog tick and ehrlichiosis are real, and may be around here sometime in the future, but this story appears to be a text book case of ‘commercial journalism’. Give someone, industry or business a free kick for a product with biased writing and incomplete information, and voila, down the track, Andy from Advertising pops up and reminds them of the great free run they got, so how about …. and so it goes. Indeed it happens every day, but it’s usually a tad smarter than this hokum.
Reporters and advertising staff working together really is the end of a very basic principle, and the start of a very slippery slope.
Most People Love Dogs
Sure not all, but they are wonderful human companions. Americans always love their President to have a pooch – Trump didn’t and was looked at askance for that, too.
All world leaders know a pic with their pooch can translate into votes. But different leaders show their appreciation and enjoyment in different ways.
A Pandemic Of Puns
As bad as social media is at giving an accurate account of just about anything – it’s mostly just an elongated game of Chinese whispers – on steroids – think how bad it would be if we didn’t have so much video evidence.
Well, seems we have proof that America has come up with a political answer to our own Pauline ‘One Notion’ Hanson in the form of fruitloop in extremis Marjorie Taylor Greene, a viciously stupid Republican from Georgia. So famous for her stupidity she is now just an initialisation, MTG is an openly anti-Semitic white supremacist gun nut, perhaps best known for her 2018 claim that Californian wildfires were ignited by a space laser controlled by a corporate cabal of prominent Jews. She was a leading proponent of the Hillary Clinton pizza shop basement where cannibalistic control groups groomed and ate children.
But this propellor head is a dangerous one; it is her anti-Semitic social media ranting that is attributed with prompting the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s rampage when 11 of the congregation were shot dead while they were praying.
Given her deep and deadly ignorance, it’s been hard to laugh at Taylor-Greene … until this week.
Delivering one of her regular waterfall of polluted words, she included this line:
Not only do we have the D.C. jail which is the D.C. gulag, but now we have Nancy Pelosi’s gazpacho police spying on members of Congress, spying on the legislative work that we do, spying on our staff, and spying on American citizens that want to come talk to their representatives.
‘…gazpacho police’ saw the Twitterverse light up like Barnaby eyeing up a new staffer. Mistaking a Spanish chilled soup for Hitler’s political police is not an easy mistake to make, but full points to MTG for making the world laugh… although some think she should be sent to the DC goulash … sorry gulag.
But oh, the punning … it was endless. Some thought making fun of her was really nasty and vichyssoise, others worried she was signalling a coup du jour.
A sample ..
Y’all!!! ☠️
Interesting to note she only won her seat because her opponent dropped out. of the race at the last moment, so she was elected unopposed – and bloke who pulled out still got 25% of the vote. Pundits reckon next time, she’ll be toast … or probably croutons.
Elsewhere In America …
… it’s all banned school books, voting rorts, Trump, masks, January 6, and Trump’s ripping good time.
And finally, We’ve Been Neglecting The Old Dart …
… and the party circuit at Number 10 Clowning Street. so …
… and this is genuine, so says everything about the centuries old noblesse oblige that has made Britain such a loving, tight knit society.
……….
That’s it for this week, but comments are there for your say, 24/7 get in for your chop.
The donation button to support the Nest is below.
Yes Minister Queensland edition . Where is the State Archivist report ? its with the CCC. But isnt the CCC being investigated and its head resigned so how about the integrity commissioner . Sorry the integrity Commissioner resigned because of State Government interference , lap top seized and wiped by the Public service commission, possible investigation from the Premiers office . On the local front we have “see no evil , hear no evil , speak no evil ” unless George street tells us otherwise .
We can conclude from the data in the Pie Blog Labor are a bunch of Pedo Crooks. No mention of Labor Mayor Paul Pisasale who got 7.5yrs jail after pleaded guilty to more than 30 offences, nor Labor letting Gordon Nutall out after 6yrs
As mentioned in the article, that was just an excerpt from the overall list, and Pissale was in fact the last entry but not shown (irrelevant to the point of the story). And it was Nutall’s conviction that was the pivotal point, not any subsequent actions.But anyway, you’ve got your licks in.
Surely, these files have been backed up elsewhere.
Even if they are, it is hardly the point, the fact of the removal and return of a wiped machine remains the act of corruption. Although yes, one would imagine that whoever took the laptop may well have a copy tucked away (some insurance perhaps). Pretty sure the Commish wouldn’t have a copy though … be sensational if she did and released it.
Queensland Health is a joke. the way they treat their staff is BS.
Stephen from last week has hit it on the head. that is exactly the MO at Queensland health. Who would of thought the LIB’s could be a possible solution.
Queensland Health like to ensure that staff attend training modules such as sexual harassment, fraud, plus many others which are necessary in any workplace. The modules help to identify problems and how to deal with them or if required how to report them. Nothing wrong here so far.
I can’t speak for other departments but in my experience you wouldn’t dare raise an issue let alone a complaint if it involved a member of the hierarchy. The fear of repercussions was well ingrained. Quite acceptable though if the complaint was made against someone on your level.
A culture like this takes time to build and can only exist if those in management are either part of it or just look the other way. Looking the other way still makes you responsible for the actions of those who abuse their position. No excuse.
I would suggest to anyone thinking of going against this kind of culture in their workplace that safety in numbers is required.
Don’t bring up any issue. If you do everything you do or say will be recorded, noted, twisted and you will be judged as belligerent, and disobedient. The smallest challenge ie shift rosters can bring this on, you can go right to the ceo and get nowhere. I like the “move that there,” “why,? “your being disobedient,” “no I’m not I’m just asking” “now you’re arguing “no I’m not, I’m just asking “”don’t be belligerent”. BS I wonder if Steven has the mighty SG as manager?
actually my advice is if you care about your job, life,patients or your health get out of Queensland health. find another job or career. JMO
I may be old fashioned, but if people are so lacking in morals that Qld health finds it necessary to train staff in those modules, then we’re really in trouble…
Yes Kingswood, it all comes down to common decency and how you treat those around you. Could condense all those training modules into one simply titled “Don’t be a fuckwit”. Of course, QLD Health has to provide these modules to all staff, lower level and management.
However, there is always at least one fuckwit in any workplace who thinks the rules do not apply to them. Google psychopathy in the workplace, I’m sure many can relate to this kind of parasite.
When you say “if people are so lacking in morals that Qld health finds it necessary to train staff in those modules, then we’re really in trouble,” you’ll find that when an individual has done wrong then QLD Health will apply measures across the board in the hope that it doesn’t happen again. Remember the Tahitian prince? Ask yourself, how was he finally caught at 16 million dollars? At least a few flags should have gone up well before his fall. The reason he got caught is because he went way too far. Hence, fraud training modules. Good luck with QLD Health actually punishing anyone in the hierarchy though, lower level, you’re fucked.
All agreed, Steve, but The ‘Pie thinks you’ve missed a salient point in all this training module hoopla … it is because we have become almost as litigious as the USA, and government departments are trying to sue-proof themselves against vexatious and money-grubbing folks, egged on by chancer lawyers, who are never at fault about anything. If they and their paid grifters reckon they can get a public quid from a brandified judge in a good (or bad) mood, they’ll be there in their hundreds. That’s another side of the nanny state no one talks about.
‘Pie, in light of your comments in the blog this week about ScoMo’s statement in Parliament regarding Brittany Higgins, I found these comments in an article by Janet Albrechtsen in today’s Weekend Oz to be very interesting. Once again, it seems you have beaten the national press to the point!
Quote:
It is a dark omen, then, that the Prime Minister chose to throw the most fundamental principles under the bus on Tuesday in his public statement acknowledging the trauma caused by bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in political offices.
Speaking on Tuesday about the allegation by former Liberal staff member Brittany Higgins last year that she had been raped in a parliamentary office, Morrison said: “I am sorry. We are sorry. I am sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here … the place that should have been a place for safety and contribution turned out to be a nightmare.”
Higgins made an allegation. A very serious one. But an allegation that will be, and should be, tested in the ACT Supreme Court in June given that the accused has denied raping Higgins, or any sexual intercourse between them.
The more serious the allegation, the more important it is that we abide by principles that underpin our justice system, including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by court of law.
How can an accused be assured of a fair trial when the Prime Minister has publicly prejudged the guilt of the accused?
Only after grave criticisms to that effect by senior silks, and the accused’s lawyers, did Morrison try to argue that his statement was “by no means a reflection on the matters before a court”. But surely the damage was done.
Some context reveals how Morrison carelessly swerves from one position to another to suit the politics of the day. First, Morrison made a hash of the situation early on when he said he understood the importance of the rape allegation after speaking to his wife and considering his daughters.
From that clumsy position, Morrison chose a politically cynical one by siding with Higgins so comprehensively that the accused’s right to a fair trial is now in question.
Whoever drafted that Tuesday statement has determinedly pushed the workplace pendulum to a different version of wild west where untested allegations are presumed to be true, with not a scintilla of concern for the accused’s rights.
Unquote.
The ‘Pie doesn’t like being in the same tent as Albrechtsen, but guess he’ll take this one. But certain legal principles are immutable. But when the top legal officer in the land in the ventriloquist’s dummy chatterbox Michaelia Cash, maybe immutable is being replaced by flexible.
“swerves from one position to another to suit the politics of the day”. This refers to every politician on the planet! Perhaps the current Prime Minister of Australia does it more clumsily, but that observation depends to some extent on the observer’s side of politics.
These latest revelations regarding the Integrity Commissioners laptop being stolen, wiped, and returned are absolutely disturbing to the highest degree. This is close to being ‘Fitzgerald Inquiry’ level stuff, corruption of the highest order. Our pathetic Premier is too busy preening herself and getting mid-life crisis hairstyles. It’s almost as if a thread has been pulled on the QLD Labor government cardigan of corruption and now it’s coming apart. Talk about a State that is in crisis.
The theft (the term The ‘Pie prefers) and return is certainly a concern, but the true government internal infrastructure explosion is what was on the wiped hard drive. That’s a sort of inverted QED.
As said elsewhere before, bet there’s a copy floating around … Anna better be nice to everyone around her. Real nice.
Shades of my dog ate my homework.
How low and desperate is this Townsville Council! I seen their vehicle ( white Toyota Rav) checking parking with the camera on doing the rounds on the Strand today, done a double pass on vehicles outside our unit complex on a Sunday, what a mob of low grubs and they want families to come to the Strand/ City area and they do this on weekends, oh my god they will chase more away than comes, who the Fu.. thinks of these ideas.
Well well, more craftiness from the Department of agriculture, water and environment, federal government. My source tells me that because there aren’t enough staff and there are endless booking delays, the department doesn’t inspect a great deal of ships these days. Staff are made to use the term “deferrals”. Deferred inspection until when? It looks better on paper than “missed” inspection. Gifted billions to look after our environment yet the frontline numbers are leaner than they have ever been. I’m told that morale is low, reporting lines are blurred, lunatics are in charge of the asylum and people with the title of ‘Secretary’ couldn’t work in an iron lung. With senate estimates looming this week I am told that the chubby Secretary and his power hungry assistant Secretary are hoping to keep their heads down load. What a complete joke these bureaucrats are.
Well, after watching the Morrison interview I have come to the following conclusions;
a) Scotty has no testicles
b) Morrison’s wife is actually the PM
c) The Morrison family are a freak show.
To say this bloke is an accidental PM is an understatement. What a limp wristed douchebag he is.
Yes, but after all that he is still preferable to that spineless gutless coward of a dog Albonese.
Just as well for Labor it Albanese who’s running then.
The ‘Pie gets the occasional name wrong (happens when you write about 8000 unchecked words a week) but always tries to get the name of the target of a derogatory comment correct.
Mile, a response:
a) He has balls, he has two children (unless the Immaculate Conception comes into play)
b) He is the PM – I haven’t seen wifey taking question time
c) You may have a point here………
Well, well, well…
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/politics/federal/climate-warrior-zali-steggall-failed-to-declare-six-figure-donation-from-family-trust-of-coal-investor-20220213-p59w0x.html
Zali Stegall fails to disclose large political donation is anyone surprised?
Not quite the point … it is big news because of the donor.
Indeed.
His chooks have come home to roost!
Amazing how it has taken over two years for this to be disclosed. Has the AEC anything to do with the ‘checks & balances’? That would probably explain it.
Got to hand it to Cairns. Last week pushed for funding to upgrade Barlow Park with a new stadium on grounds of Olympic Games opportunities. This week, a $4m election commitment from both parties to build a light rail system. How we miss the late Richard Power and pray for a reincarnation.
Wouldn’t be coughing in your rompers too much over this Sleeping beauty,$4million wouldn’t even be enough for a feasibility study into whether a feasibility study is needed into the feasibility of the light rail proposal.
Cairns is light years ahead of Townsville.
https://thebrag.com/cairns-travel-guide/
That’s interesting, there must be two Cairns, because the one I visited a couple of weeks ago was a ghost town with so many For Lease signs in shop windows it would make Jenny Hill jealous.
Perhaps Cairns very own Mike Choad’blower, ex TCC CEO, managed to clinch the funding deal?
Anna Palasczuk-bjelke Petersen is doing a fine job at highlighting why Queensland needs a royal commission into these latest integrity revelations. Even matters such as when Trad purchased a conveniently located investment home and intervened in a due process so that a ‘friend’ won a coveted education job are two smaller examples of Labor crookedness. Remember when Anna and her ministerial cohort were using email addresses that were not linked to the government computer servers? Crooks. And almost every Queensland government corporation has ex Labor ministers, bureaucrats or mates serving on them as board directors. And how can we forget that no serving or former government minister (Labor) can be fingered for corruption or doing any wrong when it comes to the planning and being involved in the upcoming Olympics preparation!! And now we have disappearing data from the integrity commissioners laptop. What’s next – a return to paper bags filled with money and blowjobs on level 2 at the Roxy nightclub? (Those with long memories will remember) Terrence Lewis and all the other former crooked jailed Labor pollies that have been jailed must be pissing themselves laughing.
For fucks sake, what will it take to have this disgraceful shit show busted wide open?
Sorry, wasn’t the unaccountability on Olympic decisions a Morrison initiative out of Canberra?
Mr Pie, the Queensland government is also in on the scam. Palasczuk will nominate 5 directors to the Olympic board, Scomo will nominate 5 also. There will be 20 directors in total with their snouts in the trough, and of course Teflon John Coates. Legislation was also passed whereby if any debt is left over after the Olympics conclude, the Queensland taxpayer will foot the bill. I shit you not. This is outrageous. Also, certain documents will be exempt from FOI. Again, taxpayer money is used to line the pockets of select grubby politicians and their friends, with no accountability. This is fucking deplorable, and both sides of politics are in on the scam. It’s amazing how bipartisan support can be agreed upon when it comes to everyone getting a turn at drinking from the trough. Legalised corruption. Fucking grubs.
“Terrence Lewis and all the other former crooked jailed Labor pollies that have been jailed must be pissing themselves laughing.”
Do you have an unreliable memory, unreliable sources or are you just unreliable. Terry Lewis was Joh’s crooked cop. That’s National Party territory.
Hmmm, I wonder who has the biggest skid marks on the old reg grundies at the moment? Scomo the liar, or AnAl the alleged favourite of the Chinese Govt to take office?? Their currently both unworthy of the high office of PM, oh what a terrible choice we have!!! Will Potato Head Dutton frighten electorate into voting for the fibber???
Just as a matter for reflection, Scomo deliberately lies, AnAl does not make Beijing’s book, it’s their odds not his … but Beijing wouldn’t be R Crusoe in backing against Morrison. The ‘Pie’s bet … a parliament controlled by an oil slick of independents and minor parties. Couldn’t be much worse than what’s promised by an unbridled reinstalled Morrison. In fact, might make for brighter prospects all round.
Your brain has gone soggy Pie, a Labor Govt supported by independents and greens, a brighter prospect? you got to be kidding.
Depends on your view of the present shower.
My money is still on Morrison to win. Reduced numbers slightly in favour of independents. Preferred PM figures the same as last election, Morrison is still a knob as he was last election. But last election saw Turnbull’s ghost still floating around whilst this election has seen Australia managed as good as it could be expected, out of the COVID19 disaster. Labor polling well but me thinks that voters are waiting for a reason NOT to vote for Labor and AnAl will eventually provide that. This latest integrity scandal and border bullshit in Queensland plus the scars of the Victorian mandatory COVID19 policies may just be the tipping points Scomo needs. The ghost of Carbon Tax and AnAl’s lack of Finance experience will head the LNP marketing. Labor will attack Scomo on slow COVID19 rollout and aged care but I think if LNP play the COVID19 card correctly, voters will be positive about the Govt’s recovery policies. That’s how I see it.
“a parliament controlled by an oil slick of independents and minor parties.”
And that would be the likes of Clive bloody Palmer and the legion of brain dead fuckwits we have seen in Canberra and other places recently.
I have said it before, and, given what is happening in the failed Disunited States of America, I’ll say it again, “democracy is a fragile thing.”
The likes of Clive bloody Palmer, and Murdoch and a total absence of a free, independent and fearless press, they and the odd Chinese benefactor can cause a lack of faith in our electoral system, especially in the brain dead fuckwits who are desperate for a cause, any cause, errr, except those that include scientific analysis, critical thinking, oh, and a Grade 2 education.
Where is my friend Addled? Nice Instagram photo of Tame with a bong on her lap and an elderly gentleman sitting next to her.
Who? You?
She was playing April Sun in Cuba. Said so herself
I stumbled across a random youtube channel , they principally followed natural disasters.
They were somewhat suspicious of the fires breaking out over America – it is quite clearly shown that a series of fires happening in set lines ie something is flying over America and setting fires in America – most likely some kind of space based laser.
Setting fire to things is the oldest trick in war. The Japanese used high altitude balloons to carry fire starters to America to set fire to its forests.
One should always consider arson in the case of bush fires.
Bedtime,little man.
Where’s Pete Newey’s input when you need it? Does the line of fires run in a straight line to Area 51 or to some underground spaceship buried under ice in Alaska?
You’re way behind the times, Tinfoil, Pete is alarmed by the secret labyrinth of mutant dwarf real estate agents under a Toolakea mango property directing the construction of secret asbestos-lined tunnel back to Beijing for a sonic-speed rail link to destroy the Chinese takeaway business on the northern beaches by price cutting. The first move was the construction of a secret lab under the prawn farm to experiment with an airborne species-jumping form of crustacean cancer which attacks any intelligent brain cells in humans. Pete cites early test results on Townsville City Councillors, the effect on the mayor’s driving ability and the consistently inexplicable voting patterns of Townsville residents as signs of early success.
BEWARE!!
Fifth Man
Marjorie Taylor-Greene (she of the gazpacho police) has already claimed the “Jewish space lasers” are the cause of wildfires in the US, so you are late to the party on that particular conspiracy.
Questions are being asked of the Youth Justice System as revealed that four of the six alleged occupants (aged 12 to 15 years) in the stolen vehicle, were on bail when it lost control at Saltwater Creek around 1am Monday, killing a 14 year old passenger. Five children are in hospital.
Bail conditions usually include strict curfews and school attendance.
Meanwhile, states are currently working toward raising the criminal age of responsibility from 10 to 14 years.
And the parents, what about the parents? Bring back Judge Clive Wall QC.
S F,
Who is asking the questions? The long suffering people of Townsville (and Cairns, Mackay, Bourke, Broome, Alice Springs etc, etc, etc.) have been asking questions of the so call Youth Just-us Act (Or similar in other States) for years without getting an answer, or a reduction in crime. David Crisafulli are you reading this? because Aaron (who) Harper sure the hell isn’t!
Dave of K. – Dale Last Opposition MP has just sponsored a new petition in Cairns-
“3703-22: Major reforms to address escalating crime in the Far North Queensland Community”.
In May last year the Qld opposition launched a petition to introduce breach of bail offences to tackle youth crime in North Queensland but the Government rejected the move.
Perhaps now is the time for a joint or new Nth Qld petition to add weight by public pressure for a public enquiry into departmental managing of youth affairs in both the NQ and FNQ regions. How about it Mr Crisafulli – we’re ready.
Nice work if you can get.
$200k……. You are fucking kidding me right? What a joke.
Those amounts are criminal!!!!! Words fail me………how does one get one’s head around those sorts of figures – and for WHAT??
According to this morning’s Astonisher, two former CEOs have been sacked by TAIHS, and one has already received a substantial payout. That person was Dallas Hure-Little, who’s falsified academic record was in no small part, exposed by the Magpie.
I’ve been told but can’t confirm that the CEO of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service is on a similar salary package. If this is correct then where the hell is the parity of salary between the two positions which are both funded by taxpayer dollars. Townsville Bulletin ask the questions please
One would imagine the base salary for THHS CEO would start around the $300k mark, but this isn’t a money pissing contest, the stark fact that a TAHS CEO is in that range is surprising … well, maybe not … but it does serve to fuel the Envy Wars between the two or three tribes vying for control of the government money pit that TAHS is (‘tribe’ is the accurate English for what these sensitive, upstanding folks term ‘family’ or ‘mob’.) It has been well documented over the years that if you’re not in the right one, you’re freezed out just as much as whitey, whose questions are met with ‘None of your business, white fella’. Maybe not, but it’s is whitefellas money we’re talking about.
The issue is not the $200k salary, it is not a lot these days, the issue is the restrictions placed on who can apply and will most likely result in the person appointed not being up to do the job required.
What restrictions are those? Is ethnicity one of them? Have been unable to access further info about the position and the eligibility requirements.
Yep, a First Nations person clearly articulated on the job ad on seek, add to that the long list of tertiary qualifications and previous experience in a similar role, the pool of applicants will be very small, so small that I would imagine that a suitable candidate would be very hard to find.
Depends which family they belong too.
This is positioned at the bottom of the Ad on Seek.
“THIS IS A FIRST NATIONS IDENTIFIED POSITION FOR ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER APPLICANTS ”
https://www.seek.com.au/job/55920297?type=promoted#sol=ff3abe84dec04b931d4904b6dce755cc7fa9a0f9
Wonder what would happen if other positions said “THIS IS AN INVADER NATION’S IDENTIFIED POSITION FOR NON-INDIGENOUS APPLICANTS.’
Oh! for a comma, banner on ABC News channel “World number one opens up about deportation to BBC”
Unlike the ‘Pie and the Nesters, Scott Morrison has many faults. But to his credit, and as awful as it might be for some people, credit where credit where credit is due, he has been consistent in calling out the Chinese Communist Party hypocrisy bordering on cyber, trade, and financial warfare.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-15/china-foreign-ministry-scott-morrison-ukraine-conflict/100831646
Furthermore, rectify the fuckup of leasing the Port of Darwin to the CCP (by da facto
Morrison has no balls. He is talking tough against China because his puppet masters in Washington have told him to. If the USA were to decide to become best friends with China and dry hump her, Scotty would have his suit pants down around his ankles and be joining in within seconds. Americas business is war, China’s business is business. Russia and China are forming a formidable super power that is going to well and truly dominate the world scene. America and her allies have had their day. It’s over. A new dawn is breaking.
It is true that America’s place in the world is waning, principally due to the lunatic far right. Can you imagine Trump like politicians in charge of the House, Senate, and White House.
On the plus side Russia and China have no allies and are antagonizing the rest of the world.
This is a slow motion train wreck in the making.
The only consoling thought in all of this mayhem is that Nostradamus said that the eagle and the bear will combine to fight the dragon.
So Tradie, whose the bear? Let’s give the Eagle to the good ‘ol US of A………
Hmmm, let’s have a guess … no wo nder you’re plucked.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bear#:~:text=The%20Russian%20Bear%20(Russian%3A%20%D0%A0%D1%83%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9,lived%20Russian%20Provisional%20Government%20and
Remember this wise old man had a tin foil hat and before he made any predictions he consulted with a said Peter
Newey and he earlier came up with a forecast that a bloke whose name sounded like Histler would have a strong presence in the world around the late 1930’s.
Indulge us, OT, and try the first sentence again, so we know WTF you’re talking about. Nostradamus had a tin foil hat?
Since you didn’t give me a reply button, in a painting I saw it looked like one, the same style around the Joan of Arc era.
What ARE you talking about? And what’s this about a reply button?
Nostradamus’ day job was plague doctor.
open your eyes and have a look at PNG and who controls it
do we want this in Australia
Careful what you wish for Scotty from China.
It’s easy; we have all become so emasculated by the PC mob and their persistent use of non-words such as Homophobia, Islamophobia and of course Racism et al, that to even question such an apparent excess will not be able to be debated or even discussed, for fear of accusations that rely on these non words.
George Orwell was only incorrect by the date……………….. Newspeak will suffice (suppress) all argument
Taken me 10 minutes to post this, been laughing so hard. What a punchline.
https://twitter.com/Tomycardy/status/1493329397700771841
Clever marketing, every time everyone is talking about ScoMo, they’re not talking about AnAl.
Clever marketing by whom? Bit ambiguous, that comment …. you either mean the easily discredited ‘any publicity is good publicity’ (ask Christian Porter), or when they’re talking about Smirko, they aren’t examining AnAl too closely for whatever flaws he may have.
Yes definitely ‘any publicity is good publicity’, there is no appetite to examine AnAl. In the 24hr news cycle the ukulele continues to suck up airtime, away from AnAl, whilst the “pile on” continues about ScoMo’s musical attributes they are also not examining CP’s saga.
One bright sidelight, Grace Tame has suddenly discovered the power of humour is much greater than petulance. Her witty Twitter reply to Smirko’s ukulele outing is both clever an d endearing to some of the disaffected … and damaging against her target.
Well Pie , it is a wonder Eddie Obeid and Ian McDonald didn’t get a chance to quote, this is the reason to put Labor and the Greens last on the ballot paper
Tradie, make up your mind. You can’t put both Labor and the Greens last on the ballot paper. Well actually, you probably would and that would mean your vote is invalid. Aw, shucks.
The ‘Pie is constantly amazed at the non-existent reading comprehension of some commenters … of course you can put two parties last on the ballot paper … anyone beyond year 10 understands that in this context ‘penultimate’ and ‘last’ are correctly meant. Silly semantics that are tediously pushing some pointless political agenda.
Incorrect, Magpie. In most electorates in Australia voting for some minority candidate will not result in that candidate winning that seat. What becomes important then is where second and other preferences are directed because in most electorates one of the major parties will win the seat. Many experienced voters (ie. those who’ve been around a few times) demonstrate to me that they don’t have a clue about how preferential voting works and think that because they have put say, Pauline Hanson ahead of their usual say, Liberal candidate, that they have caused some sort of revolution. What they don’t seem to realise is that if they are sick of say, the Liberals and want to vote for someone else, putting the Liberal second is just the same as putting them first. If you ever get to be a scrutineer in a polling booth during the actual count of the votes you get to see what crazy things some voters do with their ballot papers – many of which are rendered invalid by their uninformed notions of how it’s supposed to work – so a cleverdick like the Tradesman might put the same number beside the Labor and Green candidate, both ‘last’ but ballot rendered invalid.
That is deeply stupid and wilfully irrelevant to The ‘Pie’s point about language … and in just trying to gain more space for your political agenda (which won’t happen again on this subject). There is somewhat obvious that a) one cannot place two parties last in the final listing, and b) despite your patronising arrogance, the vast majority of voters know what a spoiled ballot is.
It’s easy Addled, Labor and the Greens are Siamese Twins. I think you have been inhaling something out of that bong that resembles an oboe.
And Pie, the song title and/or chorus could be – ‘The only hose I hold is mine’!
And he can sing a few Hillsong numbers while happy clapping and chanting.
The 30 House of Representatives, United Australia Party, candidates announced (along with their mobile phone numbers) in full page advert. in today’s Courier Mail. Herbert : Greg Dowling
One spear tackle too many?
Dowling will really appeal to the female voters.
Is this the bloke with the feral ears and head like a robbers dog?
Well, he’s known as, among other things, Dishface.
And just like that data reveals that vast majority of us had nothing to worry about COVID.
The Aust Bureau of Stats says 2,639 deaths of people who died “with” or from COVID-19 from March 2020 and January 31, 2022. The majority of deaths had an underlying cause of death of COVID-19 (2,556) or 96%
https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/covid-19-mortality-australia
Yep sucks to be the 83, the 2,556 sorry but your probably knew you where fucked anyway, and it was horrible that State Governments stop your families and friends being with you in your last days.
The included graph is just one statistic in this report that confirms what The ‘Pie has been saying for 18 months … the over-70 elderly – especially in aged care – and those made vulnerable with pre-existing medical conditions, should have been the overwhelming focus of early protective action. And, as said, should have been way up front with their carers in the vaccination list. 2,364 of the 2,556 deaths attributed to COVID one way or another were in this group. Even with a sluggish take-up of vaccination, these numbers show the continued pattern of massive leadership failure, federal and state.
The graph shows a similar distribution of deaths to prior years https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/deaths-australia/2018
ABS says Life expectancy at birth was 81.2 years for males and 85.3 years for females in 2018-20.
Surely the Pie concedes death is an inevitable part of being human?
And WTF is your point? The ‘Pie doesn’t say who died of what, the COVID stats were offered by authorities. Just what are you saying – if COVID hadn’t been around, we would’ve had a couple of thousand less deaths in the period.
Surely Panic Puller, you would concede that everybody dies of something? And that is what we were discussing, not historically gathered statistics.
And then these figures , given at estimates hearings.
Estimates has heard there have been 691 COVID deaths in aged care so far this year.
There were 685 aged care deaths from COVID during the whole of 2020
The ‘Pie suggests if you really care about Townsville and the almost certainly corrupt lack of accountability and secrecy about public monies by our council, spread this message from Fran O’Callaghan across all your social media contacts.
Fran is an amazing Councillor. Brave, open, honest and transparent. It’s hard getting used to her as we are used to the covering up of spending and the endless list of “COI’s”. She is the exact type of Councillor that we need as Mayor. The other fuckwits she serves with must dread her when she gets rolling. Which is a real shame. If they booted Hill and supported Fran we might have a fearless leader who makes financial inroads to our community!
Well Mopsy, MAYBE next time she will run as a Mayoral candidate?
Indeed Plucker, MAYBE she will, but unlikely. She is the opposite (in a good way) to the rest of the muppet Councillors. She tries to put the regions interests first, above her own personal interests. That won’t win her any points with the other muppets who are in it for the pay packet, therefor she is unlikely to get any internal support to become Mayor. Besides, she is doing a good job of Councillor for her division so I reckon she should just continue what she is doing.
It’s a bit premature to suggest a mayoral run for Fran, and the wisdom of doing so, but one point you miss, Royal Herring, is that if you did stand and won convincingly, the denizens of parrothead paradise would soon be fawning over her or facing difficult questions from a fed up constituency. A Fran win would not start any regard action from all the LINO** councillors.
**Labor In Name Only.
Rollmop, you state: “That won’t win her any points with the other muppets who are in it for the pay packet, therefor she is unlikely to get any internal support to become Mayor.”
The mayor of Townsville is not elected by the “internal support” of councillors. There is a separate election by all 100,000+ voters for the position of mayor. I imagine Cr Fran takes home her pay packet just like all the other councillors.
Your facts are spot on, Addled, but what’s that poppycock about I imagine Cr Fran takes home her pay packet just like all the other councillors. Getting paid as a councillor is a given and Rollmop’s comment – whether we agree or not – is about their motivation for being on the council, not the obvious well duh! fact that they get paid. Fran was upfront about her motivations for running for council – mainly Lansdown – and before you start wild-eyed arm-flapping shouting ‘conflict of interest’, Mayor Mullet is well versed and practised in matters of conflict of interest, so still your beating heart, m’dear. The fact is, Fran O’Callaghan ran on a specific wide platform centred on accountability, and she has kept her word on that from the outset. The ‘Pie cannot recall a single ad or reported speech from any other of Jenny’s aerobics class about motivation or vision prompted by burning issues. They wouldn’t dare, or they’d be kicked off the team and miss out on the gravy train.
“and before you start wild-eyed arm-flapping shouting ‘conflict of interest’,” – I never considered that approach. I had a meeting with my Divisional councillor about a water / landuse matter involving government policy and Council land. The head of department was on hand. The councillor was all over the subject and looking for answers or, shall we say, ‘a pathway through’ the conflicted issue. There was consultation on site. There are other parties with other (potentially powerful) interests and motivations. The situation is not black and white. There are financial, town planning and other ‘non-political’ issues – you mentioned Lansdown, I’ll mention the SDA. But also political ones, like who-gives-a-fuck-about-this? I am satisfied that if I want to liaise/talk with/consult my local councillor (or local member or any politician for that matter) I can ‘just do it’, irregardless of their actual/concocted/perceived political persuasion – ever since Jim Keefe, Peter Lindsay and Cheryl Kernot. In the political sense, they’re all the same to me – someone who gives a fuck.
Cr O’Callaghan is not my Divisional councillor, I’ve never met her and I know nothing about her motivations whatsoever – although she does wear a big hat which is perfectly appropriate across her division. I do know that my councillor has a mind of their own and a capacity to advocate – that’s all I ask.
Not sure what all that is about in terms of relevance, your blather about access is nothing to do with outcomes … but suggesting councillors under Jenny Hill’s governance have minds of their own depends entirely on the matter to be examined … if there’s a political downside for the mayor, you might like to re-evaluate that laissez faire comment.
Speaking of transparency, if you believe Pauline Hansen’s TV comments today, the taxpayer donation for Wellcamp was $237 million and John Wagner told her the facility will be turned into a car racing track.
It no longer matters if the council is handing out money to people and that its taking a systematic approach to emptying the bank vault.
Townsville’s actual ratepayers ( those not working for the gov, centrelink) no longer control the electoral process. The entire system is controlled by those those sucking on the government teat and the criminal vote – they OUT VOTE you. You need to start saving money to pay your rates and fit proper locks on your doors to stop the community of voters from entering and destroying what little you have.
Its nice for someone to make these points but it’s too late. I laughed when I saw they were spending 30 mill on a cop shop at the old stadium – why are they going to arrest valuable voters?
“The entire [local government electoral] system is controlled by those sucking on the government teat and the criminal vote”. All those damn pensioners, AJs, teachers, cops and nurses, eh? Is Hilary Clinton in that underground bunker in Garbutt or is that just a rumour?
Magpie, back to your statement about corrupt lack of accountability and secrecy about public monies by our council, your divisional councillor Greaney has been on the case today (although her voice is drowned out by the mayor and every Labor politician within cooee):
“The much anticipated roadworks upgrade on Horseshoe Bay Road will soon commence , with Townsville City Council awarding the tender for works to BMD Constructions.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the $9 million project, which will see Horseshoe Bay Road renewed between Olympus Crescent and Pacific Drive, would be funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments, with the Queensland Government contributing $7 million under the Local Road Network Capital Grants Program and the Australia Government contributing $2 million under the Black Spot Program.
Works will include around 4kms of pavement repairs and asphalt resurfacing, installation of around 1.6kms of new guardrails, new safety signage including vehicle-activated warning signs, pavement marking, some kerb and channel installation, footpath upgrades and minor drainage works.”
In addition to this project, Council will also invest almost $5 million towards other infrastructure and services on Magnetic Island, bringing the total 2021/2022 budget investment to $14 million.”
The media release continued at some length.
No doubt the contractual arrangements between the Council and BMD are Commercial in Confidence. Do you think the State and Federal governments should make public the grant applications or is this sort disclosure (above) adequate?
Sort of know what your getting at but The ‘Pie is a bit minced as to your underlying point. The money comes from state and feds, the council does the tender work, and BMD gets the $9M contract. What’s not open about this? … unless you are suggesting that the council has the pursestrings and are skimming state and federal grants … which not even Mayor Mullet would be dense enough to try, surely. That would require BMD to be in on it, and can hardly imagine a big call like that being the case. Why would they?
Attended the Ceremony to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore at the Townsville RSL yesterday . A well organised and fitting commemoration.
LEST WE FORGET
The coverage by The Townsville Bulletin and. Lurker Mail
HOW QUICK WE FORGET
The ABC reports today:
It’s been revealed that taxpayers have spent $48.8 million on capital costs alone for the Palaszczuk government’s Wellcamp quarantine facility.
That figure does not include the cost of the 12-month lease of the site from the Wagner Corporation or the operational costs of running the facility.
Ms Palaszczuk remains adamant those figures are “commercial-in-confidence”.
And let us not forget that the contract to manage the medical side of the facility was awarded without tender.
This is as corrupt as it is arrogant.
And it remains CIC until the Feds release the cost on their facility. Really? I’m now confused, Ms Chameleon, can you explain what your definition of CIC is? I didn’t think it was negotiable but after yesterdays statement I guess it is. Why isn’t the media now lodging a FOI request given Labor’s re-defining of CIC? Bulletin?
I bet Dolan’s feet are moving fast at the moment- either finding excuses for this dumb fuck; or distancing himself from her and the ever increasing band of Labor fuckwits.
One has to wonder now, if that any government contract deemed CIC is actually CIC, after watching Palaszczuck fold within 24hours and the costings of Wellcamp released . Are TCCs projects deemed CIC in fact actually CIC ? Haughton Pipeline, Landsdown?! Just a reason from the TCC and the State Government on why they are CIC to begin with would be a good start. Perhaps something for Fran to look into deeper.
They’re making it up as they go along now.
Speaking of the “GST sham”, somewhere it must be public knowledge whether the $100m Commonwealth money for the stadium was subjected to GST ‘clawback’ by withholding some of that year’s GST allocation to Queensland. Same, same for the $195m Haughton2 pipeline funding. I have no idea how to access whatever public accounting is now basically in the archives ie. no longer CiC or Cabinet secret or whatever. But no one in the ‘Nest seems to know either. While we’re at it, what’s happened about the multi-million overspend on the breakwaters at the Port expansion? That’s both State and Federal monies there – it’s as if there’s bipartisan agreement to keep everything possible in-da-house.
Terrible numbers once again for Townsville real estate, the highest lift in the number of sales and yet the lowest lift in house values in the country for the last year , what a terrible combination, can’t wait to see how the Poodle and local realestate agents put a spin on that one.
The Poodle will have plenty of spin but no idea, Cankers.
Word has it the fuckwit had his own Castle Hill home on the market for 5 to 6 years with several real estate agents, basically wasting everyone’s time.
The stats appear to be spot on re fairly high sales volume but bugger all real increase in values for sellers. Unfortunately plenty of real estate agents out there are satisfied with a quick sale as apposed to putting pressure on the stampeding buyers to dig a little deeper in their pockets !
The poodle is still jerking off to all the cranes which he foolishly believes is a sign of prosperity.
Can you beat the towering arrogance of this self-entitled wanker?
Discussing the costs of the Wellcamp Short Term jail (it doesn’t have inmates though, just involuntary guests), John Wagner gave a well manicured finger to the Queensland and Australian taxpayer.
“That’s a matter for ourselves and the government to discuss but I really feel quite strongly that we bid it, and we don’t want people knowing what our commercial deals are,” Wagner Corp chairman John Wagner said.
Not even the people – i.e. us – that you make the deals with through ou=r elected agebnts the government?
Seems Wagner Corps motto to the Australian taxpayer is ‘Open your wallet and repeat after me; help yourself.’
This is the business oil slick that encouraged Jenny Hill to give his outfit $18M of Townsville ratepayers money for an airstrip near Rockhampton.
In and around Toowoomba there are some businesses that have been steamrolled by the Wagner’s and they affectionally call them the “Toowoomba Cosa Nostra”. Wagner’s use and abuse you to get what they want. Stand in their way and you get flattened. These boys throw some serious money around to ensure they get what they want, which is more money. The relationship between the Queensland government and the Wagner’s is tighter than Peter Fitzsimmons and his stupid bandana.
This is just bullshit, Alan Jones style (and he paid handsomely). Magpie, why do you allow these totally unfounded derogatory comments, why this hate-speech? It’s not even muckraking, it’s just vomit.
You know this how?
Also the man who said he had NO, ZERO contact with the council over the Adani Airport then it was stated in the council minutes under FOI that the council discussed and took advice from John Wagner at one of the “secret” meetings to award the contract to Wagners, but then not award the contract as it was between Adani and Wagners, then agree to pay someone for something but not to pay Adani a cent, but also not have a contract with Wagners. Where was the money going to go? Must be commercial in confidence of course. All very transparent really isn’t it?
Ah, but you didn’t get to the best part …. when the Information Commissioner agreed to an ABC FOI (RTI) request and ordered that the details of the agreement (called a term sheet) be made public, Townsville City Council objected to that ruling, claiming the information was exempt from disclosure; the ABC went back to the IC so the ABC went back to the Information Commissioner and that claim was overturned. Adani then went to QCAT to keep matters secret (the overruled TCC then becoming a respondent, appearing to be agreeing that the information should be made public but sweating on a likely negative decision to save their bacon.) This they got – Adani won the appeal through the legal small print, the judge sending the matter back to the IC to ‘reconsider’ their original decision ‘in light of the appeal being allowed’. In other words, the information remains a deep, dark … and for the parties … dangerous secret. (Adani QCAT decision QCATA20-052 delivered 28April 2020.)
And the Wagners were hovering in the background all the time, but let Adani do the dirty work … because dirty work it was, seeking public funds by stealth and not for open disclosure.
The only reason the government and the council do not want to transparently show the details is they have something to hide.
QCAT’s judgment was a good read. The matter was referred back to the Information Commissioner (not the IO) in April 2020. Has there been any further decision from the Commissioner?
No, it seems the judge made it pretty clear that the decision to allow publication was to be rescinded in view of the court’s decision, and that is where the matter stays.
Have corrected the error, thanks for the heads up.
Well, well, well.
The ABC has finally reported on something that the ‘Pie has been banging on for ages. Media releases being reproduced, without scrutiny, as news.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-17/media-release-journalism-during-federal-election/100829444
I wonder how the Federal member for Chisholm in Vic, Gladys Lui, feels when Potato Head Dutton, Scomo and others in her party sledge unmercifully China. This is her country of birth and a place she has strong connections with???
Gladys
If you are that concerned why don’t you ask her. She was actually born In Hong Kong when it was part of the British Empire.
She shouldn’t give a fuck and should support the government, she is no longer Chinese, but 100% Australian or she shouldn’t be in the parliament. This is not the football where you can have a favourite second team, because you were born there.
This is the sort of thread that annoys The ‘Pie. It is based on a highly questionable dog whistle that an Australian of Chinese descent who is a member of our and her parliament should have her loyalty questioned. It has even been tried on Penny Wong, with the person questioning her loyalty swiftly learning the foolish error of their ways. even in a hypothetical, that’s all pretty pissweek. Should we question Josh Frydenberg and Dave Sharma if they work for Mossad? The ‘Pie isn’t about to censor everybody, and the replies refuting the silly and nasty notion even things up, what a waste of time from redneck central … but FFS people …
But having said that, have you heard that Mayor Mullet gets her strategy for council from operatives in Valetta? It’s a well known underhand strategy of promising sweet things then pulling them away at the last moment … it’s known as Malteser-ing.
maybe someone should look at PNG for the answer
Media reports the Youth Justice Minister, Leane Linard spent one hour visiting and patronizing staff at CYDC yesterday and in response there has been a brutal bashing of a female staff member by an inmate. Reports say the staff member was rushed to hospital. Who is in control Premier and what is being done to address youth crime and allay fears of terrified residents?
Have any other property owning Nesters not received their rates notice yet?
I had to ring and get hold ads devoted to singing the praises of TCC for 15mins, they said they have had a few calls about this, then they emailed me my notice 3 times in one minute!
Nope, not yet.
Yep, there seems to be a bit of confusion in the rates department. We received a rates notice and a refund notice , both in the name of the person we sold the property to. We rang council, who explained it was a new system and it had problems.
The main problem would be the clowns running the show in there !
A department is only as good as its management, and its management is only as good as its executive, which is only as good as their npolitical masters will allow. ‘ad infinitum’ as the poem has it.
Reported in The Oz this morning – Qld taxpayers have contributed $238.8m toward the Wellness camp quarantine facility. $48.8m for construction and $190m to lease it for a year. What dirt do Wagner’s have on the current government to get that sort of deal?
Anyone else wondering why initial media reports of the CYDC “brutal” assault of a staff member with a chair (the second assault within weeks), became a “minor” incident in Newswire by 6.48pm and only made it to page 09 in today’s TB despite Minister’s currently visiting NQ and the far north?
Well done to the Cairns community for pressuring the Police Minister to yesterday announce 12 new police officers will be on the ground in FNQ by June 30 with 88 to follow next year while the Child Protection Unit is expanding by 62 new officers before 2023.
As for NQ and the Townsville community-a departmental spokeswoman saying the violence is “unacceptable”.
For the Puddleduck to call this investigation suggests to me that there is a situation or issue, that she cannot sweep under the carpet, and will become public.
For the matter to be ‘found’ by the investigating officer the Puddleduck can attempt to dodge the fallout and flying faeces.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-18/qld-politics-parliament-palaszczuk-investigation-integrity/100841728
I wonder if the Mullet will follow suit and call an investigation into the integrity of the TCC.
Scomo is in Alice Springs, Albo is in Darwin, As reported in the nest a few weeks ago, if Madura ‘Teabag’ McCormack is reporting, can we assume she will title her article “Near Miss” as she did when these two were over half Queensland apart.
Meanwhile at Lansdown – nothing is happening
Not true. In during the shredder is working overtime, audit files disappearing, and paper bags being handed over.
Perhaps documents down the executive toilet, or consumed with Bollinger or Brut.
How to lose credibility 101:
What is it about news platforms and their clickbait nitwits. … even a very welcome and worthwhile news entry into the digital news arena, The New Daily, seems to have the same policy of putting Captain Adjective in charge of the teaser for stories.
And in this case, whoever it was was left holding their dick in their hands because this ‘bombshell’ was an utter dud … and as annoying as fuck!!
A classic case of trying to sell non-news as news … the bombshell was that the prosecution was still considering whether to bring Haines to a third trial … something they declared when he was freed after having the verdict in his last trial quashed.
The story itself is fine, a good clean crisp report of the facts, so a ‘bombshell’ according to the New Daily clickbait fuckwit is the status quo.
So keep an eye for …
‘”I’ve never seen anything like it – not so far today': witness. Storey Bridge Still There. Transport Department Claims ‘No Problems’.
The link below has a lot of information regarding Landsdown I haven’t seen available online before. Including heavily redacted emails from TCC, Prins Ralston and Mike Chiodo. From what I can interpret after Landsdown wasn’t short listed to get a piece of the 195M TCC sent emails to Kim Forbes Assistant Secretary of City Deals. The interesting bit of information not redacted is TCC is also seeking $40M dollars over 5 years ($8M a year from the feds) “to establish and grow the specialist skills.”
Landsdown is sounding like it’s going to be
+$100M at this stage to the taxpayer.
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/foi-21-162-redactions-applied.pdf
In the lead-up to the Federal election, switched-on Cairns is leaving Townsville for dead on the money trail with a funding push that’s paying dividends. Included is for federal funding to match state and local funds for a new stadium at Barlow Park and today in Cairns Post is a full page advertisement by Cairns Council:
“How Can This be Fair?
Cairns recent water security funding commitments – Federal Government $0
State Government $0
Townsville- Federal Government $195m
State Government $420m.”
Townsville once again is asleep at the wheel on the money trail.
The hypocrisy of the Puddleduck knows no boundaries. Yesterday she announces an investigation into government openness and accountability, then we get this, Wellcamp and the Wagners.
Queensland desperately needs an Upper House, but it will never happen.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-19/why-government-wellcamp-quarantine-facility-deal-secret/100840908
Best clear cut explanatory article of the situation.
Thanks.
So the Labor party want to shut down the Queensland Coal industry, let have a look at how much impact it will have on global carbon emissions, bugger all.
Except we loose jobs, investment and communities in North Queensland.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/future-of-global-coal-production-2021-2024f/
Maybe those jobs were not as tight as expected
If the deal between the QLD Government and Wagner Corp is so secretive due to it being COI, why is the charlatan Palasczuk prepared to break that COI agreement if the Federal government reveals all of its Pinkenba costs? It’s t that hypocritical? Doesn’t that show that the Palasczuk governments claim of CICis actuall y a lie as she is quite happy to release figures if the Fed releases figures. This bullshit must end. Anna, you are spending MY FUCKING MONEY, not yours.
Is the $48.8 million the actual cost for Wagners to build without profit added? That is, no profit margin, just the total cost to them? Then they are reimbursed by the State Government for all their building costs ($48.8 mill); therefore costs are all paid for by the State Government (aka Us); we then fork out a massive lease cost for a year or two which is all cream to Wagners. This then costing Wagners nothing to build, taxes waived, etc and they are gifted a fully funded building/s for nothing and draw over a hundred million dollars in rent.
Hey don’t knock it, it was a business strategy John W first worked out for the Adani airstrip … if you remember, the $18.5M offer from Townsville, along with a lesser amount of Rocky (not sure why lesser, they’re closer) was to have Wagners’ build an airport that they would them own … and then lease back it to the councils supposedly for their FIFO-based workers and charge other v, charge operating costs on top.
This mob show all the signs of being up there with Skase, Bond and Packer Jnr, no wonder they want their deals kept secret. Believe Martin Scorsese is looking at the rights to a movie when the fall inevitably comes. Robyn Wright set to play Anna The Godmother.
An apology to the good people of Horseshoe Bay on the island. Once upon a time your rates bought you periodic inspection and routine maintenance of infrastructure like waterlines (even simply working out how many years before they might fail) but now your council just waits for some to shit itself and begins an emergency repair.
If everything is an emergency we can dispense with the niceties of procurement and probity.
To those ratepayers not currently experiencing any emergency I offer a proactive apology as your time will come.
It’s called the ‘Nouse effect’, it’s a fault new approach to Council service standards, with lots more to come.