The Bulletin showed its trademark indifference to interesting – possibly significant – news when Asia’s richest man flew into town (direct from overseas to Garbutt) for a clandestine stay at the Ville and a day tour of his Carmichael Mine. Awww, c’mon, what’s the fuss about that, they whined. The Magpie tells them what its about, and what their job is about … yet again.
And the paper, no doubt under orders from on high, got amusingly fumbled footed as it shadowed boxed around the obvious hints the Sam Kerr is highly unlikely to be taking the field with the Matildas for next month’s international against New Zealand at Total Tools Stadium.
The idiotic fairy floss fiction about a Hilton Double Cross (sorry, Tree) Hotel near the stadium has really been laid to rest … by the Hilton group.
And in America, ‘tis the season for treason.
Your one and only commercial break: The price of oil is through the roof, so that smell from oily rag that this blog runs on is getting fainter. Assistance with blog costs remains a constant, so if you can help, the donate button is at the bottom of the blog.
Now, onward.
Jenny Is Jilted But The Astonisher Is Not Jolted.
Let’s be honest, with one or two exceptions, when it comes to real news stories, the current gaggle of reporters at the Astonisher’s cubicle farm couldn’t find their own arses with a mirror and two hands … not even if we threw in a torch to hold between their teeth.
Last Sunday, The ‘Pie shared solid inside information that Gautam Adani, his missus a delegation of flunkies had lobbed into town in somewhat specular but unannounced fashion.
| The Magpie 9,314 approved email hidden; JavaScript is required 101.167.11.74 |
Submitted on 2022/03/06 at 6:36 pmNEWSFLASH: (A real one.)
Guess Who’s Come To Dinner. Townsville is playing hush-hush host to a special group of visitors this weekend … Gutam Adani, his wife and a small entourage have been staying at the ‘Ville for the last 24/48 hours, after flying directly into Townsville from overseas (presumably India) and clearing customs here. See, told you we still have an international airport!! There has been no announcement about the reason for the jaunt – in fact no announcement at all about Adani gracing us with his presence, and especially not who exactly is in the party (Adani executives? Potential buyers? Indian financial investigators? A birthday jolly for the missus?) But The Magpie hears they whizzed off this morning (Sunday) down to the Carmichael mine, spending the day there before returning to the Ville for the night (probably in the high rollers room) before jetting out tomorrow. If anyone is an interested plane spotter, here’s what you’re looking for …
… this Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000, registration T7-RSP which The ‘Pie understands can be glimpsed in general aviation and can also be seen from the second floor arrival/departure balcony. Of course, there will be plenty of speculation about all this, and The ‘Pie is never one to shirk a dodgy conspiracy theory, so maybe they’re not flying overseas tomorrow, but down to Canberra to seek refugee status …. Maybe the Indian courts have finally caught up with this oily individual.
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So the Putin war is likely to create an energy crisis, and southern financial media are reasonably speculating that Adani will up the output pf the Carmichael mine as a result. This from the INQueensland during the week.
“The new lease of life will also line the pockets of Gautum Adani and Australia’s other coal producers. Adani is already Asia’s richest man with a worth estimated by Bloomberg to be $US88 billion ($A119 billion) and the Carmichael mine still owes him billions, but he is an interesting focal point in how the upheaval in Europe reshapes economies.
It wasn’t that long ago that critics were saying the Carmichael mine was a financial disaster, as well as an environmental one. A year ago, thermal coal was selling for about $US120 a tonne, which would have been considered a pretty good price. Now the premium coal from Newcastle is closer to $US600.
The Carmichael coal would be a significant discount to that but you don’t hear too many people calling it a stranded asset anymore. If it achieved half that price over a year the mine would be generating billions of dollars. Analysts are tipping thermal coal prices will stay at around $US400 a tonne until the end of the European winter.”
So what journo wouldn’t try for an interview or word or two from thre Great Man, maybe even asking if more FIFO jobs for Townsville were in the offing? Well, none that work for the Bulletin apparently. Now given that the Townsville Bulletin often runs things like ‘Townsville’s Cutest Bub Competition’ (vote now!!) on its front page, The ‘Pie figured that they’d be mustard keen for some good speculative news, and at least be at the airport and get some shots of the departing private jet of a mega rich visitor. The hit the phones to chase up possible reasons behind the visit. Given that Guatam Adani has been headline news for years, has had a major influence on Australian politics and social debate, and has had the hand out for public money, it would be worth more than a cursory shrug of the shoulders, wouldn’t it?.
Silly old Magpie.
The ‘Pie was unofficially told ‘problem is (yawn) can’t get any (scratch balls) proof that he was here. Adani media person (picks nose) did say a delegation was here, but would not (fart, scratch, ease undie crotch elastic) confirm or deny if Adani himself was among them. So no story.’
But – but – but, , did you try to get a pic of the plane, even the group boarding, did you ask the mayor if she’d met with her mate Adani, and if so, what did they talk about? Even maybe ask Canberra if Customs had cleared Adani through the rarely used Townsville international gateway? Did you even run it by your sister publications down south? ‘Aww, givvus a break mate, I’m up to me ears in Facebook scrolling for stories about a three headed frog out in the Towers. What’s the big deal?’ But to keep more harassment at bay, mid-week, we got this … on page 16.
Jenny held it together long enough to tell the paper she was unaware of the visit, but secretly was no doubt distraught. Bentley feels for the mayor.
Cast aside like a dirty old used doona.
Why Hiding The Likelihood That Sam Kerr Will Not Be Playing In Townsville Next Month Is Important.
Important to the organisers, but just as important to the punters pockets.
It’s become pretty clear that doubt is closer than certainty about this country’s greatest athlete of the moment, Sam Kerr, will not be joining the Matilda’s for next month’s match here against New Zealand. And hasn’t it it’s been hilarious watching all those behind this event going through more contortions than Olga Corbett to avoid saying so – and ironically, by doing so, increase the belief that one of their star ticket-sellers won’t be gracing our turf.
So why does this matter? Two words … ticket sales.
Because it is reasonable to say that the absence of the magical, idolised Kerr will have a massive dampener on tickets sales for the match. The Matildas are a great side, with all their team world-rated players, but none of them have the celebrity, talent and pulling power of Kerr. Kids love her, mum’s and dad’s love her, and even blokes in the front bars love her, despite their thwarted fantasies in light of Kerr’s gay relationship with an American player Kristie Mewis. Frankly, Kerr would be worth another 5000 on the gate at least, and likely be the sole reason for many families to travel distances across the region to be there.
AND TICKET SALES ARE WHY we got this clumsy flummery from all round when the announcement of the game was made.
In this 903 word media release announcing the match against the Kiwis, the name Sam Kerr does not appear ONCE. The world’s top female soccer player supposedly coming to town, and no one dare speak her name?
Come off it.
Even the most dead headed PR person would headline any release ‘Sam Kerr and The Matildas For Townsville!!!’ Ditto newspapers, radio and TV wafflers. Now, this Don’t get the old bird wrong, this match great fillip for our down-spirited city, although certainly not the spark for any foreseeable meaningful turnaround. But definitely the type of event we need, and as a city, we are surely grateful.ut just for once, couldn’t we have some good news without the clumsy, amateur spin? In the TCC release, it’s to be expected that such Mensa members like Jenny Hill, Stirling Hinchliffe, Cupcake Stewart and memory Blank Walker – all quoted in the release – would under other circumstances be briefed and all would be screaming Sam Kerrrrr !!! at the top of their lungs.
But not a single dickey bird.
Then we can depend on the good old Daily Astonisher to not astonish us with by not asking an obvious question or two. Reporter Daniel Shirkie’s story went from frustrating to weird in the very first sentence:‘Matilda team officials have been tight lipped about star Sam Kerr’s availability but have signalled potential for a Townsville return in 2023.’ Err, Danny, mate, how can Kerr make a return visit if she doesn’t come this time? Then the assistant coach refused point blank to say if Kerr would be playing, talked about everything else, before diving head first into the waffle pool, seeming to change her mind mid-sentence with this: ’I’ll probably get into trouble for saying this, (if) you are going to see Sam Kerr out there, you’ll see her doing her best.’ As versus what? And why are you likely to be in trouble for saying your star player will be doing her best?
It is really hard to believe that such a simple matter like Kerr’s availability is not known a month out from an international game. Does Kerr have contractual club commitments overseas? Resting after her gruelling season with Chelsea? Just needs a break before the World Cup? Then just fucking say so … trying to fool people into spending considerable dollars for something that won’t be delivered is not a good advertisement for any sport.
Or Politics- Look What’s Happened To This Mullet Fantasy
Seems you can safely forget that double cross about the Hilton Double Tree Hotel near the stadium. The project was always a load of cobblers from the outset, positioned as it was in such an ludicrous location with parking for less than half its guests. One of Dolan’s close mates got involved, made a bit of noise and a bit of money, but hasn’t been heard of or from for some years now. And Hilton have made it clear that Townsville is not on their radar.
Seems There Are Tremors In Canberra – Is The Spill On (yet a-bloody-gain)?
Like all earthquakes, the political ones also start with things rattling in the cabinet … especially the China cabinet. Nothing definite yet, but two or three tentative little cracks have been sneakily reported in the coalition. If there is a move against Morrison with a federal election in the offing, who needs polls, if even his mates think he is that toxic to their re-election chances. And why wouldn’t they when we witness this shredding of the PM himself by Andrew Probyn. Shortly after that, a tweeter made the classic observation “It’s almost like they fail upwards. The more corrupt and useless the more responsibility is given.”
Then it was Barnaby’s turn, who was such easy, self-incriminating fodder for Leigh Sales on the 7.30 report. And then note the callous thoughtlessness of Bridget McKenzie meeting with devastated Lismore residents brains, no empathy.
But if the alternative is Anal Albo, what are we likely to get. Bentley’s eagle eye caught a clue during the week, in a letter to the editor.
In The Divided States of America, Tis The Season For Treason
And that is no exaggeration. While some Republicans are slowly starting to reject the demented excesses of Trumpism, there’s still many who give Trump’s game away by openly applauding Russia’s inexcusable war on the Ukraine. They are panicked that the US economy, despite the current international problems, has expanded 5.7% in the past year under Biden, faster than it has done in history. And high fuel prices are not being sheeted home to Biden any more, there is proof that domestic producers are refusing to drill for greater supply to keep prices high at the bowsers and on their book profits at record highs. (Of course, what the Yanks think of as high petrol prices (roughly around a dollar a litre) make we Aussies envious and always have.) One unexpected left-handed compliment for the President came from the independent senator from Maine Angus King and his unique take on why that indeed Biden is to blame for petrol price hikes.
But inevitably, it was mainly all blanket news about Ukraine … and the sometimes selfish attitude of the average American revealed by the average Joe.
And Finally …
Here is the funniest tweet of the week, month, maybe the year. It is The Magpie’s favourite type of humour, when the reader is forced to conclude and say the punchline themselves. I’m still laughing.
……………….
That’ll do yer for this week, but comments are getting not just interesting but informative, hop in have a look and join in if you want.
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Another great blog Pie and your Adani scoop four days before the Astonisher . Add Hilton Double Tree to ZIP line + Cafe Castle Hill , Water Park Strand , Rain Forest lights stadium path , walkways along the waterfront as part PDA , 30,000 people living in the cbd and all those other projects put on hold . Has any Townsville Mayor promised so much but delivered so little ? . Is it possible the Magpie can set up a go fund me account for Spec savers for Team Hill Councillors ? . They dont notice over grown grass , gardens , parks , stolen cars with police stickers , rubbish , dirty cbd when they get in their Council paid cars and drive to their Council paid parking spaces in Walker street because thats what ratepayers , visitors and investors in the City see .
Dear ‘Pie, a Community Welfare Notice, if I may.
To those Nesters in my neck of the woods who, like me, take a brisk morning walk to maintain the youthful good looks; keep a sharp lookout for SNAKES! None for years, then three in the last four days. And they were not little ones. Take care. That’s it.
Given some of the walkers out your way Dave, that applies equally to snakes.
Perhaps that’s why I haven’t been seeing them previously:-(
There is a very deadly variety of Snake in that Kelso area, deadlier than an eastern brown, be very careful if you are a Walker and run into it, It’s called a Harpic and likes to hide in toilets.
What, me worry?
Can you please point to definitive evidence that I WON’T be playing in Townsville?
Can you point to unequivocal evidence that you WILL be playing in Townsville? The doubts expressed and importance of such proof or otherwise are self-explanatory, and in the interest of protecting the public from deceptive behaviour. BTW, this is nothing to do with Ms Kerr herself, someone whom you most certainly are not. (If The Magpie is wrong, he is greatly flattered!).
I really think your name is Wayne.
You won’t!!
Sam Kerr my arse! More like a WAN-Kerr made this comment; are you a TCC or State Labor Govt stooge???
Anyone else catch this in yesterday’s Courier-Mail?
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/quensland-has-to-fight-as-southern-states-make-gst-cash-grab/news-story/a520fd610417c07e4ba3e02a5802e01b%3famp
In 2021, Queensland received about 15.7 billion in GST, 3 billion on previous years.
Queensland Treasury’s submission to the Commonwealth Grant’s Commission stated it did not support adjusting how the GST pie is carved up due to COVID-19.
“Queensland Treasury supports the Commission making no adjustments to revenue bases for any differences in states’ policy responses to COVID-19,” its submission stated.
“The current method is conceptually sound and temporary revenue policy initiatives do not appear to have a material impact on states’ relativities.”
So not only did QLD Treasury state they are fine with the current model of how GST is allocated they also received an extra 3 billion!!! But Hey
Townsville couldn’t get its federally funded Haughton pipeline because the commitment was worthless and it would hurt QLD through GST clawback. Pffft pull the other one!
The CM article then concluded:
The Queensland goverment has recently had an unrelated stoush with the Commonwealth over GST carve up. There was a bitter stand off over payments for the Brisbane Metro project and southeast Queensland city deal, with the state claiming it would lose money through complex GST allocation formulas.
As the name suggests GST SHAM
Regarding the Hilton Double Tree Hotel mirage wasn’t the bloke who was in charge of the local spin called Lewis Ramsay?
I wonder if it was the same Lewis Ramsay who is NQ Cowboys chairman.
That’s the bloke. Still don;’t hear anything from him, especially on this bit of (at the time) Lancini-boosting bullshit.
Sam can’t produce the evidence. The Magpies case is now rested. Or can you Sam?
I’m glad Arnie refused. I was never that keen on Fantasia esp. in G major
Joe,
Took me a while but I got it.
Far too subtle for this bloke without a few clues.
Thanks Joe,
It had me stumped but now I get it.
Bidens lying clueless press secretary sent out a tweet, reported elsewhere.
“Psaki: We have crushed the Russian economy”
Numerous replies said ” Two economies in one year. Not bad.
Your take on the US economy is fake news and total BS.
Hang in there, mate, meds trolly will be around in a minute or two.
Fuck Bob, you never give up do you? Tell us what would’ve happened with COVID19 and Russia if your fucktard friend Trump had won the election (which he did not fairly)?
Ah, ummm, preferably don’t.
Troppo, did you even read the blog before commenting? the Pie’s vision of you at TUH is making sense…
Another reader is deeply concerned about Troppo, and thought this might h elp mif he quietly considered hisn position.
https://youtu.be/h7Y-9C6ox1Y
I have found the McGowan/Palmer litigation case to be quite interesting, and disturbing. Like Clive or hate him, one thing has been made clear, and that is the relationship between politicians and the rich. The text messages between McGowan and Kerry Stokes reveal a relationship that crosses the boundaries of ethical. There are serious integrity issues on display in all of this. And fat boy was onto something because the McGowan government quickly changed legislation so that fat boy couldn’t sue the State. It goes to show that when a government wants to screw you over all they have to do is write something into law and you are then fucked. But then again, our very own Mullet has had countless integrity issues highlighted over the past decade but yet she still remains in government.
Disappointing blog this week. Not much in it to be honest. Did the Magpie take a holiday the past week?
Wrong bait stupid
P’raps you could dredge up something positive, enlightening, even enthralling, edifying, enriching, entertaining! But please not alliterating!
Dredger…ho fucking hum. You again
Plenty of dredging happening at the Port who are now using Australia’s largest backhoe dredge
https://www.townsville-port.com.au/woomera-s-arrival-heralds-start-of-channel-widening/
What’s happening in Ukraine should be a warning to us all. If the Ukrainians lose against Putin, who is next?
We are already seeing oil prices increase, we will soon see the effects of increasing wheat prices increasing. What else will be affected?
This guy has quite a good daily diary from Kyiv
https://twitter.com/johnsweeneyroar/status/1502903095063457793
The Ukrainians have already lost. Well, not according to the mainstream media, but they have lost. Russia are only moving slowly slowly for the purpose of minimising civilian casualties. If Putin wanted to, he could’ve bombed the living shit out of them, just like America did to Irag and Afghanistan.. Putin won’t back down. His goal is unchanged. Ukraine will become part of Russia again. Putin holds all of the cards. NATO will not fuck with him. Meanwhile, geriatric Biden continues to talk tough without any real substance. As much as I am a big fan of the odd war here and there, it’s the West that is being hugely disadvantage by these economic sanctions.
It will remain an eternal mystery why you are mouldering away in little old Townsville and not at Smirko’s elbow … or indeed, given your cutting-edge analysis … have Joe Biden’s ear to help steer a careful path in this ‘unpleasantness’.
Gunny you don’t read much do you. Putin IS bombing the living shit out of the Ukraine. He is using Cluster bombs, phosphorus bombs, and targeting hospitals and schools.
The world is in this situation because big orange pansy arses like Trump cuddled up with Putin.
The West is not nearly as disadvantaged as Russia is with the sanctions. Russians can’t build their precious Ladas or Kamaz because they have no parts. Russians don’t have an appropriately trained army and are sending in conscripts, prisoners and mercenaries.
Shit, don';t encourage him, Nibbly Bits …. remember, never get into the mud for a fight with a pig, because you get dirty, too … and the pig loves it.
Pie, I just defer to the Mark Twain defence.
Idle thought; Many Australians of Ukrainian descent have openly said they are heading off to fight for their former homeland against the Russian invasion.
From a legal point of view, will they be arrested, detained and charged under our laws barring private citizens fighting in overseas conflicts, laws that saw several high profile Australian Muslims arrested, detained or barred from re-entry. The laws pertain to engaging – on. either side – in the war against terror. If such legal retaliations are announced, do we then assume Smirko does not regard a wholly unjustified invasion of a peaceful sovereign nation not of terror of the highest degree?
Talking legal question only, nothing else.
This was addressed on a recent ABC RN Law Report. If I heard it correctly it goes something like this.
If going to Ukraine and fighting as a civilian combatant, that individual is in the shit on return to Australia.
If going to Ukraine, joining a recognized element of the Ukrainian military, say Army, and fighting as a Ukrainian soldier, that individual has not broken Australian law.
I think that is how it went.
Be a brave … or stupid …. politician to prosecute under the circumstances . OH WAIT …. we only have one sort of politician, so just as well there’s an election coming up.
Australia has sent 70 million of weapons to ukraine. No one will be arrested. Another fruitless war Australia can’t win.
Instead of Loose Change, why don’t you call yourself innocent Bystander … which more or less sums up for the rest of the world, to varying degrees.
Uh Oh …Brace yourself for the $4 Bulletin.
Could be no print Bulletin soon … unless those few who now buy the hard copy are willing to cough up $3/$4 per copy.
Fortunately, it will only affect a handful of people … hardly anyone reads the Daily Harvey Norman in print anymore.
Paper crisis? Hope that does not extend to toilet paper. Then I would worry.
Wonder how many Labor plants would have enough spine to turn up to heckle? And what a gift it would be to Thompson, who only needs one reply when they talk about Federal issues affecting Townsville – ‘How are your state guys doing against juvenile crime in Townsville – care to give us a progress report?’
I’m sort of a political atheist as I believe that most political parties are shit, it’s just that one is normally just that little bit more shittier than the other one. However, this should be a walk in the park for Phil. After all, he has sourced funding for numerous projects and activities for the Townsville region from a Federal level. In fact, he has done more for Townsville than the actual elected local and state government fuckwits have done. Phil is more than capable of absorbing any hits from Anna and the Mullets minions. It might be an interesting evening.
So AnAl has promised $22m for a unicorn renewable energy hub at a place called Landsdowne, fully supported by one said Mayor of the Village of Townsville, saying that the Coalition government has to match the funding, is this the same location that has no adequate water supply, and where none of the players have signed any paperwork, and where a leading actor is under investigation. Nice one AnAl, if this is an indication on how you are going to run the country, no thank you.
Bit unfair and short sighted …. AnAl is a politician, and as a species, they are in the habit of breaking promises without even breaking a sweat. So stop fretting, won’t happen any time soon.
Old Tradie, if you are attending the Phil Thompson circus on Monday perhaps you could pose a question to the Member in the form of a parliamentary Dorothy Dixer: Can you tell us how and why the Commonwealth contribution of $12 million to development of infrastructure at the Lansdown Eco Industrial Precinct is supporting the aspirations of the local mayor of Townsville and the world-leading battery technology firm, Magnis?
Addled, why don’t you go and ask him your self, straight out of the horses mouth.
Old Tradie, I thought you would want to know why your man and his party are supporting a development in what is, in your words, a “location that has no adequate water supply, and where none of the players have signed any paperwork, and where a leading actor is under investigation.” I thought you are the one that needs to hear the answer from the horse’s mouth. But apparently not. You don’t seem to want to know at all.
I look at the performance of the state ALP local members as a barometer of how the Herbert ALP candidate would perform. They all attend the same ALP conference and all work from the little red book.
The river boardwalk renewal project shows the commitment that our Mayor has to the environment and our city. A splendid project and one that Cr Hill is truly engaged in. It would be nice for all you mysogynists out there to signify her by applauding this project.
What, for doing her job, a necessary one for the council to avoid massive insurance costs because of the age of the existing facility. Anyway, no more sucking the old bird in, you’ve had your fun, now please go dormant again.
Quote “the commitment that our Mayor has to the environment” how is using timber an environmental good. surely there are more enduring non organic alternatives?
One way for Australia to rise above the growing inflation, cost of living, fuel costs and housing shortage pressures is to apply another legislative change to superannuation. Allow people to withdrawal up to 50% of their total superannuation. That could be used towards purchasing homes, vehicles, expanding or starting businesses and paying down debt. With around $3.5 trillion sitting there idol, now is the time to strike, to give people access to some of their money now. For many, it will actually help them to shore up their future and retire wealthier than they are now. Is this idea pushing a financial can down the road? Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn’t. But these are ‘unprecedented’ times and a huge sum of money being injected into our economy could save us from even bigger issues just around the corner. It’s easy to do, just rewrite the legislation. Imagine how many positive votes Scotty would get if we can access a chunk of our super.
The first thought is that any legislation would have to have a provision that would restrict the amount of pension a person is entitled to if they withdraw as you suggest. Isn’t the whole idea of super to impose a bit of discipline on people’s financial habits to ease the overall burden of aged pension? In fact, super is just setting aside the amount one would be entitled to at whatever the retirement age now is.
With an election due for some time in May I don’t think it will pass the Senate.
As of midnight last night the NZ Govt sacrificed 25 cents a litre of fuel in taxes by cutting the cost. They also halved the cost of public transport. All due to public pressure. Freidenberg will be busily doing the numbers now as a pre election stunt while AnAl will forget the numbers (as Labor do) and just announce another uncalculated, never to be done broken promise.
Kiwis are now happy but there will be economic repercussions. Perhaps a sneaky extra 10% on smokes and 5% on alcohol?
Economics – The government already allowed for withdrawal of up to $20k from superannuation as part of the initial covid response package. Over 30 years of compounding interest – that person is potentially $80k worse off when they reach retirement.
I’m pumping as much extra money into Super as I can. I intend to have a very long and happy retirement.
Re your opening par: being $80k worse off at retirement would depend entirely on what you did with the $20K. If it got you over the line to get a home mortgage, maybe not.
NEWSFLASH:
A REAL ONE …. but start your stopwatches to see how long it takes the Bulletin to catch bup …. a real newspaper would have this on the front page btomnorrow.
from a very well informed source:
Hello Pie, This is not gossip, at 11am today the sewerage works that were to take place at Wulguru got canned as the council is broke. This came from the engineering firm that was doing the design.
A reasonable scoop Magpie
We should take that as confirmation, Barely?>
The proverbial shit appears to have hit the fan, in every sense.
Is this purely to upset Fran or are they really broke and should this be put into the Labor controlled CCC that at the moment have integrity issues.
Of course they’re broke in every sense of the word, ironic that a shit processor lifted the lid at the “eleventh” hour!
Morally bankrupt, financially inept, nepotism par excel-lance, overstaffed with non productive pals and cronies. Et al
Haha! Not possible. Jenny and Prins have been managing finances responsibly for the community.
I was told last week that the company doing the roadworks around bowen has gone bust – that’s why the road is still dug up but nothing’s happening. The company office on the corner of the highway and the road to Collinsville I was told has been shuttered.
Nothing in the Astonisher this morning, but they again, the newsroom would have been closed by 5.10pm.
Seems The ‘Pie informant’s info was off target. This from Clr Fran O’Callaghan.
Councillor Fran O’Callaghan Division 10
·
Wulguru Sewerage works – I have been advised today that …..
The Southern Suburbs Rising Main stage 3 project has NOT been “canned” as has been claimed. Construction started in October and because of the minimal rain (and associated disruption) so far during the wet season, the contractor is making excellent progress. In fact, latest estimates put us 3 months ahead of schedule. Kilometres of new pipes have already been installed. Construction of the new pump station is expected to start shortly.
I suppose that Barely a Civil Engineer will now admit that he’s full of shit. Who starts this fake news?
The ‘Pie can’t speak for Barely, but by way of explanation and apology because it originated with the Magpie, the usually reliable source’s misinformation was the misinterpretation of an independent contractor griping about being replaced by an in-house council team.
Not my story little addled friend. Magpie found it all by himself and I just commented on it.
Most of what I do at work is full of shit, or water, or other bits and bobs. How about you?
You just commented on it from a position of (claimed) informed authority when in fact you demonstrated a complete absence.
Pie , as you predicted Aaron Harper deleted your comments off his facebook page like he does with most commenters who dont agree with him after seeking what people thoughts were on the Townsville Bulletin . Aaron only likes the usual Labor sycophants agreeing and applauding him as well as positive comments from the paper including he and his wife in the list of power couples . Its understandable based on the amount of posts about himself and then the apologies to Nick Dametto and Shane Knuth re defaming them Aaron has ” self importance ” issues as well as being a bully . Good luck trying to stop what Townsville people read and commenting on your Governments poor performance Aaron .
Totally predictable, and fair enough, totally understandable. But just to make sure we all get the point, here is Aaron’s foaming attack non the Bulletin which has had the temerity to criticise a publicly elected representative for non-performance, followed by the two comments from The Magpie’s which stayed up for a while before Harpic finally saw them and hit the delete button. I like the last one best.
According to Harpic’s sneering reply, all the fellow nesters are Tories. No More Dredging – time for you to take your leave.
No, no blocking anyone here … posts like his make us all look great by compoarision.
Aaron Harper has done a lot of work for the Townsville community, particularly through these current challenging times. His criticism is unjustified.
Now we know your just being silly. But anyway, give us a few examples.
He must keep very busy keeping up with his THREE Twitter accounts.
Wonder why anyone would have three?
That smarmy photo can only be Narcissus besotted of his own reflection in the mirror (wish it was a pond) then we could push the drongo in head first.
Mike you may be in error there … this end The Magpie comments are still on Harpics page along with his dummy spit of a reply. 12pm.15/3/22
Yesterday we had a visit from our union rep about the offer on the table by council for wage increase. If what your saying the council’s broke then our EBA is a good example for that. They offered us 2.1% first year then 2.2% for following 2 years. Considering inflation is at 3.9% and rising we are getting fucked over in the long run. Now I know things are tough and others have been offered less in other workplaces. My gripe here is that we have a council full of fat cunts that so nothing all day and are paid big salaries to do it. There are 5 levels of management between me on the street and the CEO. In 2016 the mayor received a $30000 pay rise and has been getting more the 2% increases on that ever since. This is the first increase we’ve seen of any value in 3yrs. I would suggest that all the money the council doesn’t have to pay its services that we ratepayers pay for is sitting on the stadium land and the 79 million extra we are spending on a pipeline underground not being used. TCC has borrowed money for wages on the past under hill and that’s enough to send her to the audit office for investigation. If we can’t provide basic services and pay the person doing it reasonably then they should all resign and appoint an administrator today.
Someone attempting sly humour in the PM’s office? hahahaha … erk!!!
Well, we can rest assured that any resemblance to ‘male genitalia’ does not intend reference to the PM, as we all know he’s got no balls … although possibly a purple cock.
Well, it’s purple, so perhaps it was designed by our purple doona loving Mayor?
Geez, if my landing gear looked anything like that logo I’d be off to my GP quick bloody smart !
Magpie, that was a great comment that you put on Harpic’s Faecesbook page. And as always, the old bird took a screenshot as evidence. Perhaps you can keep going onto his Faecesbook page and posting that screenshot? Do it every 30 minutes ha ha. But of course he removed it, he has less spine than a jellyfish. He is a complete nimrod. Can’t wait until the local grubs finally ‘hit’ his house and pinch his wallet and expensive jewellery, shit in his bed and piss in his milk container. Then we may seem some action from this impotent politician.
Interesting thing about Harpic is arrogant denseness, thinking that just because he attacks the paper, it will changeb peoples minds about him. When he posted his self-serving twaddle, there vwere at the time The ‘Pie scanned nit yesterday, 42 comments, all attacking the Bulletin but not mentioning Harpic at all, and one – just one – endorsing Harpic himself. Must’ve been his missus back from bingo.
The issue with reducing the $0.44 cents per litre of fuel excise is twofold;
1. It will be difficult for Government to reinstate that tax once or if things settle down. Easy to remove, not very popular to reapply. Besides, the grubby fucking oil moguls will keep the fuel price high and not pass on the savings at the bowser. The ACCC is a pissweak regulator with no balls and won’t be able to police the gouging. Only one winner in all of this – the oil companies.
2. We need that $15b tax grab as it’s used for road infrastructure (supposedly). And even then, $15b is loose change when you compare it the actual amount of fucked infrastructure we have in Australia. And everything comes at a price. Don’t think for a moment hat Government would be generous to us and help us out. They give with one hand and take with two. The stinking crooks would find away to ping us for the fuel discount.
Maybe the Mullet and Ralston will do the opposite and will suggest an additional fuel excise so as to pay for Townsville’s massive debt, a debt which can’t be serviced? Idiots.
It has been conclusively proved, both by Biden and independent assessors, that America’s skyrocketing petrol prices (piddling next to ours, but still a shock to the system) rest chiefly with the oil companies … they were granted hundreds,indeed thousands of drilling licenses to lift domestic supply as well as earn export dollars, BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DRILL, CORRECTLY PREDICTING THE CURRENT SHORTAGE AND MASSIVE LIFT IN PROFITS. The ‘Pie is no socialist, either the watered down US version nor the more hard core local version, but capitalism like this MUST be tempered by regulation and punitive measures.
They just won’t let it go, will they? The state government wants to keep the Covid pot simmering on a backburner, to keep us jittery with false information. To do so, they have entrenched policy of vagueness and faux privacy to keep us anxious and gratefully continue to huddle under Mummy Anna’s protective wing.
Note the careful wording. In the Astonisher on Monday, we were told:
MONDAY: Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes has extended the organisation’s deepest condolences to the family of the region’s latest Covid-related fatality.
A 60-year-old woman became the eighth person in the Townsville region to die with the illness on Sunday.
“No further information can be given due to confidentiality,” Mr Keyes said.
And today, this:
TUESDAY: A 60-year-old man has become the ninth person in the Townsville region to die with Covid.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Kieran Keyes announced the death this morning.
“I am saddened to confirm the Townsville HHS has recorded its ninth Covid-19-related death since the pandemic began,” Mr Keyes said.
“A male in his 60s has died. We extend our deepest condolences to his family.
“No further information can be given due to confidentiality.”
This is insulting stuff, because there cannot be a breach of confidentiality or stigma about saying straight out ‘ ‘So and so has died from Covid.’ Unless of course, they died of something else but just happened to have had Covid symptoms as well.
Note in both instances the word ‘with’ … not ‘of’, not ‘from’, but ‘with’. And the tell-tale ‘covid related‘.This confirms the continued policy announced some months ago that anyone who dies of anything except major accident trauma and is found to have had Covid at the time of death – dormant or mild or whatever – will be recorded as a Covid death. These numbers will no doubt be used to validate and justify the bumbling, stumbling performance on the pandemic by this government.
The ‘Pie has no reason to point the finger at Mr Keyes himself or take issue with him, as he is given his riding orders from afar (he is, after all, a public servant) and has almost certainly been told how to word statements such as those above.
Magpie, I don’t think Kieran Keyes is a “Dr”.
“Kieran is a proud alumnus of James Cook University, holding a Bachelor of Nursing Science and a Masters of Business Administration.”
see reply to Barley. But thanks.
Don’t think Mr Keyes is a doctor, just a manager.
Corrected, thanks.
Now, Magpie, I don’t know how true this is but the Deeragun Sullivan and Nicolaides office was reportedly/allegedly (your favourite word) set on fire about a month ago by our “kiddie crims” (assumed). It was closed for renovations and then re-opened. Operated for about a month and was then targeted by gun shots in another attack recently and has been closed indefinitely.
I would have thought this a reasonably serious offence which needed public advice. Armed idiots doing that sort of public stuff is scary. I have not seen or heard anything of this in either printed or electronic media – or did I miss it?
Magpie, welcome to the wild wild north.
Serriff Jen will sort it out, aided by deputy dawg Arron, Cupcake and Memeorybank.
Just as The Magpie forecast.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-16/bruce-lehrmann-media-coverage-permanent-stay-application/100913614
Seems road maintenance problems plague councils all over
https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/2022/03/16/rod-stewart-potholes/
“Townsville girls using OnlyFans reveal what it’s like
Meet the Townsville girls who’ve become hot property on OnlyFans, cashing in their creative and naughty photos for big bucks. They detail how much they make, what they post, what their family think and why they won’t be “sl-t shamed”.”
Sam Flanagan
Follow
4 min read
March 16, 2022 – 7:00PM
Townsville Bulletin
You are kidding me, Mr. Pie.
No publication that depicts itself to be the “local voice” and “We’re For You”, could debase itself to such a degree!
Surely?
So much for the new Editor, Mr. Pie??
And good onya, Sammy. Walkley on the way for you.
How could you accept a byline for that garbage?
Moron!
What a fucking disgrace!
Elusive Caterpillar, perhaps you could round up some like-minded souls and take placards of protest to the TB office to further your ‘cause’, since you are so disgusted?
I hope the taxman is also taking note of how much these ladies are raking in as either cash or gifts.
If you don’t investigate it you don’t have a problem.
Looks like there is a high price to pay when you go against Labor’s Senate leadership team of Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-16/anthony-albanese-kimberley-kitching-labor-culture-claims/100913084
add to this factional infighting left vs right and you have big trouble
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-12/kimberley-kitching-labor-bill-shorten-preselection-fights/100894690
This whole bullying beat-up is Murdoch’s way to turn an unfortunate event into political weaponry. Senator Kitching died of a heart attack, and to suggest this was induced by the internal wranglings of the Labor Party is patently ridiculous. And one thing The ‘Pie has always known long before she reached Canberra (as a Bill Shorten captain’s pick) is that Senator Kitching was a toxic politician, never backward in coming forward with the boot herself when it came to her own interests or those of her husband, Victorian Labor weasel Bill Landeryou. She was a known dirty in-fighter and back stabber in factional matters. You can bet any stress she felt from senate colleagues not agreeing with her had nothing to do with despondency or exclusion, but (self-confessed in one interview) seething, clenched fist rage at being thwarted in her ambitions.
She has now learnt the ultimate truth – when the chess game is over, all the pieces go back into the same box.
We would live in a very different world if there weren’t brave bloggers like you Pie with a great memory and the balls to call it as it is
https://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2016/07/23/bill-shorten-and-andrew-bolts-mate-andrew-landeryou-arrested/
Well said , Hair Pie, well said.
Politics is a dirty arena and any politician that has climbed to the top – Minister, Mayor, Premier, Department Secretary, PM, has gotten to that lofty role by being a ruthless sycophant. Most are sociopaths and some are plain old psychopaths. They have massive ego’s, bad attitudes, promote disloyalty, back stabbing, and lying. Mrs Kitching was no wallflower. Did the dirty game of politics play a part in her heart attack? Possibly. But she was willing to take on that risk when she started playing the political game. Gallagher and Keneally are equally ruthless female politicians and Kitching met her match. It is a terrible thing for someone that young to drop off the perch, but she was a boisterous nasty piece of work who likely succumbed to pressures that she placed upon herself.
Hey there Mopsy, who is ‘Hair Pie’? Just wondering………
It’s clear what your getting at, Grubby Plucker, but think he meant Herr. And no kine else need to reply, thank you.
I was having a bit of silly fun with the Magpie. I felt a bit jovial. In fact, I felt like Ralston after he gets his fortnightly paypacket $20k…….delighted!!!!
‘Pie – your source and what else you can tell us/divulge about Kimberley and Andrew and why The Australian is wrong to impose martyrdom on her?
Thanks and cheers, PP
Kitching’s taste for brutal political maneuverings in her Victorian Party circles have been well documented and you can easily google them – especially her campaign to get the party’s nod to stand for the senate.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/shorten-has-erred-in-backing-new-senator-kimberley-kitching-20161014-gs2l6n.html
As you probably know, The ‘Pie doesn’t read The Australian – can’t afford it – so have little idea what their line is. But if similar to other News Ltd mastheads, Courier, Advertiser, Tele etc, the twaddle about bullying killing her, and any effort to paint her in a good light – possibly partly deserved – is really more a campaign to paint Wong, Gallagher and Kenneally in a bad light, because of the Murdoch anti-Labor edict across the corporation. As for other politicians from both sides piling in, well, what can none say, except they are, well, politicians.
And the new day brings you a reality check. It appears The Magpie’s summation is shared to varying degrees by others far more perceptive than this old bird.
Michelle Grattan in The New Daily:
Albanese has denounced the way the Kitching issue has been “politicised”. He defended his senior Senate women, saying “politics is a really tough business”.
The latter observation is something Kitching would have understood extremely well. In the Victorian Labor Party over the years she was one of the very tough players herself.
In the context of the battle between government and opposition, the internal Labor claims about how one of its women was treated reduce the scope for Labor to point fingers at the Liberals, who’ve had much trouble themselves on this front.
There have been calls for Albanese to launch an inquiry into the allegations. With the alleged victim dead, it is hard to see what this could achieve. And that’s leaving aside the political considerations when Labor is weeks from the election.
There’s no doubt Kitching was subjected to harsh treatment by her party. Whether this is judged as “tough politics” or “bullying” is more complex, depending on who is doing the judging. It can be a fine, albeit very important, line between the two.
In summation, putting aside as we must in this sort of public discourse that any early death is regrettable, Kimberley Kitching was the primary school bully who got her comeuppance when she moved on to high school and started to play with the big boys and girls. This bullying bullshit is all a construct of the far right’s campaign strategy, and hypocritically based on behaviour they would – and probably do – sanction within their own party. To pinch that great closing line from Chinatown ...‘Come away, Jake, it’s only Canberratown’.
Read a report about a “fiery” local election debate in the Bully this week and took the opportunity offered in an online survey to vote for who I thought would win the seat.
After you vote they tell you the current result, and I was not surprised to find that Phillip Thompson was on 70%, the ALP mystery candidate (he’s there but you hardly ever see him or hear from him) 16%, and Fatty Palmer’s proven political failure Greg Dowling languishing on 3%.
This will obviously come as a shock to Albo, who visited Townsville to announce millions in additional funding for his mate Labor mayor Jenny Hill’s struggling Lansdown precinct.
From what I’ve been hearing at my local pub supporting Landsdown is like a kiss of death.
So good luck Mr Ring, and take the hint this time Dish-Head.
I’m definitely hearing internally that there is some major friction between stinky Prins and the Mullet. She is pissed that local services are absolute shit and she wants team Prins to deliver some robust outcomes. However old mate Prins is pissed because he reckons he has already delivered robust financially outcomes (supposedly) and kept staff numbers lean. Both are annoyed at the bad publicity they are receiving online on Facebook, blogs and staff whispering to all and sundry about TCC’s problems. Both Mr Stinky and Mullet are pointing the finger of blame at each other and neither of them want to blink in this stare-off. Personally, I see it this way – you have complete dickheads running our City.
Frozen by fear of being caught no doubt.
https://inqld.com.au/politics/2022/03/17/no-respect-councils-take-the-fight-to-government-over-corruption-issues/
And this from the woman who fought tooth and nail to successfully keep secret the aborted under-the-table deal she did with Guatam Adani and the Wagner family that was to provide $18.5m of Townsville ratepayers money for an airstrip near the Carmichael mine, 400kms from Townsville, – an airstrip we would not own, that we would lease back, and pay the Wagners operating fees. Thank nGod for this woman’s incompetence at even shonky backroom deals, which is why it all went tits up.
Also worth noting that InQueensland, generally a pretty good news site, is part owned by the LGAQ, on which Jenny Hill is a board member … and one of their stated aims is to remove a lot of the Belcarra safeguards against corruption.
Pie, that photo………is it a pic of an angry person, or a very tired, washed up, confused soul? Or both!!
Probably all of the above … seriously, Jenny is looking all those things of late, and little wonder.
You would think that the news media would use one of her many purple doona photos. She hasn’t been spotted wearing one for awhile. Perhaps the Magpie will put up a montage of ‘Jenny purple doona photos’ for the entertainment of his followers?
Entertainment?
Please don’t.
Don’t worry, The ‘Pie won’t, it would constitute cruel and unnatural punishment … not to mention Mayor Mullet’s accusatory look.
Yeah well the cow doesn’t mind giving herself and the rest of the aerobics class in the chamber a payrise every year but wants to tell us workers there’s not much money in the budget for us. How can she be tired with all that money. Just a tip off to you all looks like CFMEU have struck a deal not to take strike action against this pathetic pay offer but I’m hearing the garbos aren’t happy so are very close to walking out. From what I’ve heard CFMEU got what they wanted for there members and said bad luck for the rest. I was told when I started in council that everything is ok until the garbos go out then you know there’s a real problem. I will attempt to find out more. Hill can suffer as far as I’m concerned
Personally I think you are somewhat entitled. Just be grateful that you have a job. And as for the Councillors, they deserve every penny that they earn as they work hard on behalf of our community. We have a great Labor oriented Councill, better than the LNPoo.
It is clear that someone has hijacked the No More Dredging name, and the above post, imagined to be a provocative rage farming post, is the last one in that vein. Even the original NMD was way more intelligent that this poor attempt at humorous levity. PLEASE DON’T REPLY TO IT, OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE DOWN TO HIS LEVEL OF DENSITY.
I second that
Well. if you lay with dogs (and Dodgy’s} you should expect to catch fleas.
Can anyway tell me why the TCC would need to be involved such that the Govt ‘department will engage with Townsville City Council on LiDAR scans, and consideration of other approaches’ vis-à-vis the Burdekin River changing its course due to the silting up of its delta, and taking out areas of cane land, etc ? It would have to make a huge diversion to get anywhere near Townsville. But, hey, it might save on piping costs.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-17/burdekin-river-changing-course-research-confirms/100914530?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
I work at parks and gardens magpie. We all have to vote on the eba around 8th April. Expect a walkout around then. I’m hoping the garbage drivers kick it off and leave the city to stink. You said earlier the ceo and mayor fighting, well she wished for it and she got it. Our service schedule is fucked because she wanted to get rid of people with the knowledge and experience after the tyrell council. We are ready to down everything.
Keep in the loop with any developments, mParkie, god knows we’ll get fuck all out of the Astonisher.
Is this where TCC is headed;
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-17/central-coast-council-public-inquiry-report/100916724
Fran would be the only Councillor who has any financial acumen. The rest of them are fools, and Hill and Ralston have completely lost their grip on TCC’s finances.
This reasonable comment appears to be a major departure from the previous comment from someone calling themselves No More Dredging. One of life’s little mysteries, eh?
Yep I’ve been following this story since last year when ray hadley put it up because of a councillor whistle blower. ( one of the sacked councillors) I said at the time if you just change “central coast” to “ Townsville city” there’s an exact replica of what’s happening here. Only difference is NSW has a liberal government and we have labor here. No chance TCC will be looked at to soon considering state labor run ccc doesn’t do anything about corruption unless it’s exposed in media first.
Our future is in safe hands. Should China attack us, Scott Morrison will immediately retaliate … and bomb New Zealand.
Our illustrious leader, dumb as dog shit. In fact, almost as dumb as Frau Hill.
Sounds just like Joe Biden.
Heard something interesting about palm island while swinging and the impaler has been given her walking papers.
Need a bit more than that to be believed.
Anyone?
She probably gave someone a black look….
or she black balled someone
Mr. Pie, if you read Vicki Campion’s piece in today’s Bulletin about Kimberley Kitching’s death, have a bucket handy!
Tend not to rush to read what Barnaby has to say, but will have a look, thanks.
It appears Sandra Harding left the university in a rather shitty state..years of neglect, a lack of hard decisions and not moving with the times, have left JCU lacking enrolments and with a $45M deficit in the current budget. In the previous financial year JCU budgeted for a $70M deficit but accidentally forgot to include some transactions. So at the end of the year the Uni made a profit. It seems those transactions were accidentally forgotten to persuade staff to vote to pass on a pay rise to save the university money. Then… the once the variation to pay increases was approved, the Finance miraculously found the missing transactions.