How to turn the polls around in six months

Bear with me. Join me in a little game. Let’s imagine that you have won the biggest lottery prize ever – the ownership of the Murdoch media empire in Australia. You now control it and its editorial policy. You can decide on the stories you will run, the headlines, the text, and how you want the stories to work. In other words you can do what Murdoch and his editors and journalists do every day.

This piece makes the case that although what leaders and parties say and do forms the basis for most of what appears in the political media, it is the way in which the media represents this reality that is the critically important factor in how the public perceives it. No matter what the story, the media can choose the angle it will promote, the message it wishes consumers to take away, the outcome it desires.

This piece selects just four newspaper articles from the Murdoch press, displays the headlines and initial paragraphs, briefly analyses their content and tone, and then offers alternative headlines and initial paragraphs written by fictitious journalists who are in tune with the Gillard Government’s objectives and supportive of them. The facts are the same – the difference from the original is how they are presented in the facsimile. If anyone reading the facsimile feels the facts have been distorted, as distinct from how they are presented, tell us about this via the comments facility.

The original media article is presented in brief first with the text in italics, followed in each instance by the ‘alternative’ version, with the text in bold.

Let’s begin with The Daily Telegraph front page of May 9, the day after Wayne Swan presented his 2012/13 Budget.

Black Swan in Cash Splash
Business, rich slugged to fund election sweeteners
Treasurer slips out of red but finds $5b for battlers

The headlines were accompanied by a cartoon of a rather dilapidated Wayne Swan with many feathers missing, and a bandaged neck.

”Treasurer Wayne Swan has promised a wafer-thin surplus of just $1.5 billion after a savage round of spending cuts aimed at the rich and big business.

Despite the austerity drive, he has found $3 billion for the unemployed and low and middle-income earners as an extra election year sweetener to combat the carbon tax.

Family payments worth between $100 and $600 will be rolled out next year as a ‘‘cost of living’’ supplement. The rich will pay for the redistribution of wealth with the loss of a range of concessions and benefits.

The Gillard government has had to dump another promise – the 1 per cent company tax cut which would have been funded by the mining tax – in a move likely to rile small business.”


Note the pejorative words in just these few paragraphs. ‘Black Swan’, ‘Cash Splash’, ‘rich slugged’, ‘election year sweetener to combat the carbon tax’, ‘wafer-thin surplus’, ‘savage…spending cuts’, ‘aimed at rich and big business’, ‘the rich will pay’, “cost of living” pointedly in inverted commas, ‘dump another promise’, ‘rile small business’; all designed to paint a negative picture of what the Government is doing through these budget measures. It’s not the facts that are being disputed here, but the way they are being presented.

Now let’s see how the piece might have been written.

White Swan brings in surplus budget
Finds savings to support lower income families

Treasurer Wayne Swan has achieved what the Coalition confidently predicted he would never do – bring down a surplus budget. Despite this, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey insists that the 2012/13 Budget is all ‘smoke and mirrors’, that Swan has ‘cooked the books’, and that the surplus will never eventuate.

Families who will soon receive cash benefits deposited into their bank accounts will be unlikely to see them as ‘smoke’; rather they will regard them as mirroring the promise made by the Gillard Government to spread the benefits of the mining boom more evenly across the country.

These family benefits were achieved by not continuing with the planned company tax reduction of 1%. Although the Government insists it is committed to reducing company tax and has established a working group to consider how this might be achieved, its desire to do so in this budget was frustrated by the Coalition’s intransigence in refusing to vote for the tax reduction, and by the business community’s refusal to pressure the Coalition to support the company tax cut. Unable to get its legislation passed, the Government decided instead to use the money thereby saved to support working families, especially those with school children.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is crying foul and accusing the Government of breaking another promise although it was his decision to oppose the tax reduction and prevent the Government from keeping its promise. PM Gillard pointedly drew attention to Abbott’s hypocrisy.

The business lobby expressed its disappointment, but observers commented that it has only itself to blame for not showing public support for the move, by looking down its nose at a ‘mere 1% company tax cut’, and by not bringing the Opposition along with it in support.


What do you think about the facsimile – same facts, vastly different presentation!

Next, let’s look at Editor-at-Large Paul Kelly’s piece in The Australian on May 12. The paywall prohibits access to no more than the first two paragraphs, but that is enough to get Kelly’s drift.

This week highlighted how economic policy has been trapped by a tainted parliament

 

”Despite its fiscal merits and "return-to-surplus" Wayne Swan's budget strategy is unlikely to win the clean political oxygen it needs to secure even a modest turnaround in Labor's fortunes.

For Labor, the minority government parliament has now become political poison. The trap is diabolical – the government's survival depends on tainted numbers such as Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper, yet such transparency ruins the government's integrity on a daily basis.”


Note the pejorative words in the headline: ‘trapped by a tainted parliament’. Readers know what is coming. Note too how Kelly pointedly uses inverted commas around “return to surplus”; we get his sarcastic meaning. He posits that the Government is ‘unlikely to win clean political oxygen’. He uses a poisonous phrase to describe minority government: ‘political poison’. He uses one of his favourite descriptors – diabolical – in asserting that the government is trapped: ‘the trap is diabolical’. He insists survival depends on ‘tainted numbers’, which ‘ruins the government’s integrity on a daily basis’. It’s a measure of Kelly’s literary skill and partisan antagonism to Labor that he could pack so much malice into just two paragraphs.

So let’s try writing the piece another way.

Swan’s Budget wins support for its sound economic policy

Although working within a minority government presents daily challenges to PM Gillard and her ministers, Treasurer Wayne Swan has garnered support from the cross benches for his 2012/13 Budget, and already the so-called ‘Schoolkids Bonus’ legislation has passed both houses of parliament.

Despite trenchant opposition to providing benefits to families to ease the costs of schooling from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, whose philosophy seems to be ‘no matter what it is, oppose it’, the legislation has passed into law and cheques will soon arrive in the bank accounts of eligible parents with schoolchildren.

This rapid outcome was achieved in the face of repeated attempts by the Opposition to slow down parliament through repeated motions to suspend standing orders to debate the accusations made about Craig Thomson, now sitting on the cross benches as an Independent.

Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, and Manager of Opposition Business, Christopher Pyne, had the audacity to suggest that the PM should not accept Thomson’s vote because it is tainted by accusations against him, although no charges have been laid. This suggestion is not only unconstitutional but would have disenfranchised the electors of Dobell whom Thomson represents.

That such a suggestion could be made points to the extremes to which Tony Abbott will go to seize power.


Same facts – different presentation.

Next shall we look at Political Editor’s Dennis Shanahan’s article in The Australian on May 15.

Credibility takes a hit in wooing battlers

”With all his talk of fighting billionaire miners and class warfare rhetoric, Wayne Swan has achieved exactly what he intended with last week's budget: a direct appeal to Labor's base and some support bought from families and low-income earners.

What the Treasurer has sacrificed to achieve a small lift in the latest Newspoll for Labor and to give the Gillard government hope of survival is economic credibility.”


Again all we have is two paragraphs but that will do.

In just seventy words, Shanahan manages to tell us that the Government’s ‘credibility’ has taken a hit, that the Newspoll result constituted just ‘a small lift’ to Labor’s ‘hope of survival’, but in achieving this it has ‘sacrificed economic credibility’. With that opening, the other paragraphs are almost redundant.

So try this:

Wayne Swan supports ‘battlers’

In a masterstroke, Treasurer Wayne Swan has crafted his Budget for 2012/13 to support families on lower and middle incomes, while bringing back the Budget to surplus, as promised. His Budget redistributes wealth in a way that begins to narrow the widening gap between the well off and the poor. It truly is a ‘battler’s Budget’.

Although this outcome was ridiculed by Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey, who has repeatedly said that “Labor will never bring down a surplus budget”, Swan has achieved it through well-targetted cuts to spending, particularly in Defence, one of the largest consumers of taxpayers’ money, and he has done this without impairing Australia’s security.

Already, acceptance of the Budget has been reflected in the latest Newspoll that shows a modest lift in support for the Government accompanied by a sharp drop in support for the Coalition. While this may be but a temporary change, it suggests the economic credibility of the Government might be on the rise after presenting its Budget, and its electoral prospects brightening.


Finally, let’s look at an item of contemporary interest, an article by Chip le Grande in The Australian on May 16.

Union boss sues Tony Abbott for 'thug slur'

”A courtroom showdown is looming between Tony Abbott and one of the nation's most militant union leaders after the Opposition Leader last night refused to back down from public comments that Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union organiser John Setka says wrongly portray him as an industrial thug.

“Mr Setka, a former Builders Labourers Federation senior official twice jailed and repeatedly fined during a career spent at the sharp end of construction industry disputes, is suing Mr Abbott for defamation in response to a speech he gave at a Master Builders Association conference earlier this year.


Note how in just two paragraphs le Grande paints a pretty poor picture of Tony Abbott’s accuser, John Setka, with words like ‘most militant union leader’, and by referring to Steka having been ‘twice jailed’ and ‘repeatedly fined’, presumably through union activities. In two paragraphs he is deliberately attempting to tip the balance of opinion against Setka, and by corollary towards Abbott.

Here’s how it the matter could have been reported:

Tony Abbott sued for defamation

A leading union leader, Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union organiser John Setka, has issued a writ for defamation against the Opposition Leader for remarks that he made during an address to a Masters Builders Association conference in February where he said: "So many of you have got to go on to sites every day and you've got to deal with the John Setkos of this world every day. And the last thing you need is home visits from some of the gentlemen associated with some of the industrial organisations."

Mr Abbott went on to talk about intimidation, extortion and "thuggery" in the televised speech.

Court papers filed by Setkos say Mr Abbott meant to call him "a thug, in that he visits the homes of people working in the construction industry for the purpose of intimidating them" and makes demands "that amount to extortion".

In response, Mr Abbott says he stands by his remarks and will strongly defend the case.

Mr Setkos has been involved in defending the rights of his union members, and having been at the sharp end of several intense construction disputes has been fined and jailed for his efforts on behalf of his members.

Mr Abbott is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proved guilty, and should be afforded due process in the court. Questions are being asked though about whether Mr Abbott ought to stand aside until the matter has been resolved, as he has insisted some other parliamentarians do in similar circumstances, and whether his ‘tainted’ vote should be counted. In a minority parliament where every vote counts, it could be reasonably argued that if Mr Abbott insists that Craig Thomson’s vote ought not to be counted, his too should be embargoed.


I trust this game we have played as imaginary owners of the Murdoch Empire and therefore able to determine not the facts, but the way they are presented, has demonstrated that simply by writing them in a way that does not demean or demonize the PM and her Government would make all the difference in the world to how the selected stories would be received by the public, the reaction they would evoke, the attitudes they might induce, and the way they might influence voting intention at the next election.

The Political Sword has long contended that the mainstream media is a major player in Australian politics, and has a disproportionate influence on how voters assess the major political parties, and how they might cast their vote. It has argued that the Gillard Government has two opponents to battle: its natural opponent, the Coalition, but also the majority of the mainstream media, which is manifestly hostile to the Labor Government and supportive of the Coalition. It continually puts the Gillard Government under the blowtorch, while declining to do the same to the Opposition. More seriously, it distorts the facts, cherry-picks the information most favourable to its arguments, and cloaks what facts it chooses to use in pejorative language deliberately designed to demean the Government, diminish its achievements, and smear its ministers, particularly its leader, our PM.

A mainstream media different from the one we have could create a significantly different attitude in the electorate, and a different outcome at the next election.

I trust that this little game will have persuaded you that if the selected stories were written in a way that enhanced the image of the Government instead of depreciating it, instead of the electorate’s attitude to the Gillard Government being strongly negative, it would be strongly positive.

In six months of such positive press the polls would certainly turn around. Labor would be well in front, and the Coalition languishing.

What do you think?

Rate This Post

Current rating: 0.3 / 5 | Rated 14 times

Psyclaw

18/05/2012AA Haven't had time to read your new article yet....later tonight. But following on from my post to Doug Evans a few minutes back, Stephen Koukoulas has just predicted on twitter that the cash rate will be down to 2.5% by Christmas. If he's right, there goes one of Abbott's major points of argument that ALP can't do eco management. This is an example as to why premature speculators about an election 16 months away are vulnerable to getting egg on face.

Catching up

18/05/2012If Mr. Abbott was asked for a few explains, things would soon turn around for Labor.

nasking

18/05/2012 Ad, top post. Superb idea...you demonstrate effectively how different the message could be if the Murdoch empire were more balanced...and showed the government in a better light now and then. It goes to show how different the message to the public is if a mogul creates a despise unions and anti-Labor culture. Good work. N'

2353

18/05/2012AA, have you considered a complaint to the industry body that "monitors" newspapers, MediaWatch as well as the Government Media enquiry. The text of this post just needs your name and address (for contact purposes) added. Brilliant work.

Ad astra

18/05/2012Psyclaw Don't you know, interest rates will always be lower under the Coalition!!! Catching up How right you are. But whom in the media has the courage to ask the hard questions? Most are too busy guarding their future, based on their belief that Abbott will win, and they will want to be onside with Tony if he does.

Ad astra

18/05/2012Nasking Thank you for your complimentary remarks. Indeed it does show how the [b]presentation[/b] of the facts can be more important than the facts themselves. 2353 Thank you too for your kind remarks. I'm not sure how to draw Media Watch to this piece. Let me think about it.

jaycee

18/05/2012If Murdoch is found complicit in the British "Phone hacking" scandal and in the other of corrupting police and the govt'..He should be declared a "persona non gratae", his Australian executives and operations investigated by the AFP. and his entire organisation subjected to the most intense scrutiny. No mercy, no let-up and no future for such a dubious personality in Australian media!

nasking

18/05/2012 I just watched a recording of ABC Queensland news...what a complete and utter DISGRACE. They used the shouting of a rude mongrel at the fruit and vege market...whilst Abbott was visiting...the worker yelled out: GET RID OF HER...GET RID OF HER. Another biased report by...you guessed it...Mark Simkin: http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s1888089.htm?site=news My wife jumped in the kitchen the yelling was so loud and abrasive. I'm sick and tired of the ABC news being balanced in the day generally...but shifts into anti-PM, anti-Labor gear at night when so many families, workers turn on. The news presenter David Curnow seems to get a smug kick out of the attacks on the government and PM. http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s1889097.htm?site=news We've been putting up with these horrible news edits and biased stuff for a good long time now. When I watched the news tonight it was like listening to SHOCK JOCK radio during that awful segment. No way to treat a PM...like she's a criminal to be yelled at. I might add...I'm not surprised Abbott goes for support in these markets...I worked on a market stall for a few mths in Sydney during the early 80s...the blokes can be crass cheapos. For some it's all about money money money...and their workers sometimes get treated like crap...exploited. I was. Some are good, fair people...but it doesn't surprise me that some crass yob yelled out like that. This incident reminded me of the anti-carbon tax stuff we saw...Alan Jones going at Julia...and Grahame Morris. A pattern of behaviour. Should be reported to media watch. N'

nasking

18/05/2012 For some reason I'm having trouble contacting Media Watch on my iPad. If anyone else saw that disgusting QLD ABC news segment could they send a complaint to Media Watch and QLD ABC NEWS. You can add my comment above. Thnx. My wife and I are very angry about it. N'

Shirley

18/05/2012Classic Ad. This was the stuff we did in sociology at uni. Such fun. Really shows the power of words to influence public opinion. I like your versions. Thank you for reminding me of good memories of my uni days. You should send this to our PM.

Shirley

18/05/2012It appears our Mrs Mirabella has a history of upsetting people. [b]Sophie, we are not crooks[/b] http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/lsquosophie-wersquore-not-crooks-rsquo/374439.aspx After accepting donations from a tobacco manufacturer the growers are not impressed and were calling for her to donate the money to a charity.

Psyclaw

18/05/2012AA Another great word picture of the MSM status quo. As well as the oppositional style of text in the press that you have demonstrated, another telling sign of MSM incompetence/bias is the fact that all channels state Abbott's view on any matter as the foundation of the news "story". Very occasionally they deign to state the government's position towards the end of the "story". It goes like this: [i][b]Mr Abbott today slammed the government's intention to introduce paid parental leave. Mr Abbott said that the current economic conditions are not conducive to such non-essential spending by the government. He added that Labor governments always tax more and wastefully spend more. Mr Abbott was responding to the government's announcement today that it intends to introduce a paid parental leave scheme.[/i][/b] No wonder the electorate is so truly ignorant. How would it be anything different when fed on such disinformation, misinformation, and news reporting which focuses on the opposition to an issue in preference to the actual issue.

2353

18/05/2012Nas - done

Ad astra

18/05/2012jaycee We have just begun to scrape the surface of the Murdoch story. As each piece of evidence filters out, the picture looks blacker. I suspect what we are witnessing is a slow crumbling of a once powerful empire. The extent that the disintegration might extend to News Limited in Australia is one of the imponderables. It is hard to see how all that is going on in the UK will leave the Australian outpost of the empire unscathed. Nasking I caught that snippet, I think on ABC News. It is the ABC’s idea of balance, something it seems quite unable to rationally comprehend. Shirley Thank you for your complimentary words. I’m glad the piece brought back memories of your days studying sociology. Sophie Mirabella’s arrogance knows no bounds. She leaves in her wake a trail of disgusted voters she has offended. She must be sitting on a healthy margin. Psyclaw Thanks for the compliment. I see you have had fun mimicking the ABC. You are spot on – highlight the offensive Abbott utterance first, and then tell what has evoked his faux rage. For visuals make sure he is wearing a fluoro vest or kissing a fish as evidence of his down-to-earth, man-amongst-men, salt of the earth nature. I am confident that if we could control how the media presented political information for six months, the public would have an entirely different view of Julia Gillard and her Government. The prophets of doom say the people have stopped listening and imply that they will never listen again. That is nonsense. If they heard positive messages day after day instead of incessant negativity, they would sit up and listen, and they would change their views.

Ad astra

18/05/2012Folks I'm calling a day.

nasking

18/05/2012 2353, Many thnx. N'

Psyclaw

19/05/2012 Hypocrisy, thy name is Abbott. [i]Opposition Leader Tony Abbott today called on his political friends and foes to leave the Ashby matter to the courts [/i] And the SMH reported this without analysis, comment or criticism.

Casablanca

19/05/2012The ABC, for once, indicated that Abbott was mis-representing the Government. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-18/ashby-hits-back-ahead-of-court-hearing/4018480 [b]**[/b] Mark Simkin in this report on the 7pm ABC News on Friday, 18 May 2012 included footage of Mr Abbott saying, 'Labor has been pillorying Mr Ashby up hill and down dale. They have been trying to say that anyone who makes a sexual harassment claim is part of a political conspiracy against the Government. Nonsense!' Mark Simkin then said, 'Labor isn't quite saying that...... [b]**[/b]Unfortunately, during the time that I was typing this comment - having first transcribed Abbortt's remarks - the ABC updated the item and replaced the Mark Simkin report from the 7pm News with Tom Iggulden's report played on Lateline. The Iggulden report does not use the same footage of Abbort & places more emphasis on the footage of the market workers yelling 'Get rid of her'!

Casablanca

19/05/2012Lenore Taylor has written a couple of paragraphs that provide a little bit of support for the Government's Clean Energy policy. Much of the remainder of the article, however, is a sop to the anti-government forces. I do like her description of the Coalition's Direct Action plan as 'a kind of agrarian boy scouts movement on steroids.' 'Almost every one of [Abbott’s] photo opportunities regarding the carbon tax exaggerates or wilfully misrepresents its impact.' 'And what is the truth? The truth is that the science of global warming is becoming more conclusive and the global efforts to address it are painfully slow and piecemeal but happening. The truth is that a market mechanism is probably the best and cheapest way for Australia to begin cautious preparation for the economic changes that must inevitably come, although a genuine ''direct action'' program through regulation and government grants and the like could also work, if one were ever to be proposed. And the truth is also that the tax about to be imposed, while certainly high by present world standards, is not going to precipitate the economic apocalypse predicted by Abbott on a daily basis - not for the nation, and not for household budgets.' Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/the-powerful-spin-of-abbotts-wrecking-ball-20120518-1yvlu.html#ixzz1vF02HRLe

TalkTurkey

19/05/2012Ad astra All we need to do is to replace Murdoch with yourself as the CEO. That'll work. It is now increasingly evident that Ashby is a stooge - a stalking horse - and his pathetic and malicious complaints against Peter Slipper an exercise in entrapment which would make Get Smart look smart. That is one way of looking at it anyway. Ashby's case is risible and contemptible and largely discredited and abandoned already, and it should all be thrown out of court as trivial; costs may even be awarded against Ashby, poor fat petal that he is; yet the job he has already done on the Government is huge, beyond cost, and some of the damage is intractable. Hopefully the connivance of Brough and Pyne et al will come to the fore, yum, and then if we did indeed have a voice in the MSM - just an attitude-free ABC would be enough! - we would be able to turn the damage back where it belongs. As it is I think Brough is pretty damaged, and as for the Poodle well I think he is too. They didn't expect their complicity to emerge! So it's like they've lost a few pawns themselves , but they've been damaging our Queen, in this game of strategies so much more complex and deadly than ordinary Chess. And the damage to Slipper himself is incalculable - enough to drive many a man to suicide, not to mince words. I do not think him worse than many another: he is a man and imperfect, seems to have been fairly self-indulgent in ways dwarfed by the Palmers and Packers and Murdochs; less of a liar by far than Abbortt and his ilk; a sinner in his own estimation probably, after all he is a Christian holy man! I'm not about to cast stones at him, I'm saving my stones for PooPoo and Bruff! But the point of the exercise, yes, has been to damage the Government, and it has done that in spades. Even though so far it has failed to bring the Government down, it has nevertheless indelibly besmirched it, and you know, those Fascist pigs don't mind being besmirched themselves, 'fact people are dumbed down by the media just to say [i]Oh Pigs will be Pigs[/i], as though it's OK for pigs on that side of politics to talk of targets on her forehead and dumping her at sea and setting people up with slanderous allegations which don't even have to be proven in prder to do irreparable damage to reputations and perceptions. The situation reminds me of that WWII Destroyer suddenly about to run into a spiky German floating mine . . . One bloke grabs a grappling hook and hangs off the anchor with one hand . . . the mine drifts closer . . . closer . . . the crew hold their breath . . . our hero mustn't touch the spikes but must keep the mine from touching the vessel . . . Yeah well there's your Metaphor for the Week . . . Only Dam we got [i]two[/i] mines, Slipper and Craig Thomson! I hope Mr Thomson might come unsullied through his statement on Monday. I'm not prejudging him either, though actually media opinion to the prejudiced contrary I think he's probably a reasonably decent bloke - less indecent anyway than some of his accusers it would seem. There is a bush ballad (pome) by A.B.(Banjo) Paterson I think, otherwise it's Henry Lawson, I can't find it but it is about a drover, probably named Bill, who has to move a mob of hungry sheep through some pretty dry country, he comes to a nice aptch of grass and of course lets the sheep spread out to get a decent feed. Well along comes a new-chum Pommie station manager, lackey of the squatter, tries to move Bill along off the spread, Bill won't go, so the Pommie kick's Bill's dog, so of course that means a fight, well the Pommie is a big young bloke, but wiry l'il ol' Bill just keeps on sparring for wind and dodging around for hours, he eventually gives up when the grass is all et anyway, so thereafter Bill always says [i]The best day's work that ever he did was the day he lost the fight[/i]. (Those are his exact last words in that pome btw, but Google doesn't find it. Anyone?) Yeah anyway I don't think Ashby's backers care much about his case, they have already got what they wanted like Bill. But [b]we will get them back[/b]. Abbortt will come to regret this conspiracy. Both conspiracies. Well it's all part of one big conspiracy. [i]Beware![/i] [i][/i]Monday be interesting eh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81Ojd3d2rY

Jaeger

19/05/2012I think the media calling out Abbott for his post-press release runners would help immensely. "Last question." "We'll decide when it's the last question." "Mr Abbott, where are you going? Why won't you answer our questions? What are you hiding from the Australian public?" Show *that* instead of his set piece to camera and you're done.

nasking

19/05/2012 Classic! :) Solidarity forever! http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/18/solidarity-forever/ ----- Thnx for the info Casablanca. Strange days at the ABC. To be a fly on the wall during editing. N'

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]Ricketson to media: you’ve had your chance on self-regulation[/b] by Andrew Dodd Crikey http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/18/ricketson-to-media-youve-had-your-chance-on-self-regulation/ N'

Psyclaw

19/05/2012Casablanca and Jaeger Your contributions this morning motivated me to make this suggestion to the 7.30 and Lateline producers. [quote]The ABC and specifically your program has come under significant attack over recent weeks and months about lack of objectivity. Here is a suggestion to restore your credibility, if you actually desire to be credible and balanced. Mr Abbott treats the media as his plaything. He resists proper interviews and scrutiny, preferring 20 second grabs, and those few on -the-run interviews he does, he ends abruptly when a scrutinising question is asked, and simply walks away. You have much footage of this. Why don't you do an item on Abbott's avoidance of scrutiny, and show a range of your footage of him actually running away from questions. Have you the courage and sense of fair-mindedness to do this![/quote]

jaycee

19/05/2012Hate to promote conspiricy theories, BUT!...From what one can deduce from the subtle and not-so-subtle skewing of interpretaion and presentation of political events in the nation, one suspects a hint has been given to senior management of the national broadcaster that should a certain political party gain office, the ABC. will be privatised at some future date and there could be lucrative executive openings for those who looked after and assisted the elevation to office of a certain political party...

Lyn

19/05/2012Good Morning Ad Here is this morning's Twitterverse for you Dr_Tad‏ Upset with Megalogenis' latest right-wing tantrum (http://bit.ly/LfC9S7)? Then read my review of his book: http://bit.ly/JXUMuD #auspol http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/at-40-per-cent-of-the-vote-swingers-pendulum-is-an-electoral-wrecking-ball/story-e6frg7ex-1226360622497 Lenore Taylor‏ The audacious idea of truth http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/the-powerful-spin-of-abbotts-wrecking-ball-20120518-1yvlu.html via @smh Slipper and Thomson scandals taint all politicians, Laurie Oakes BREAKFAST television viewers must have fallen out of their chairs in shock at Joe Hockey's words last Sunday. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/slipper-and-thomson-scandals-taint-all-politicians/story-e6frfhqf-1226360675916 Gwillotine‏To free thinkers >>The powerful spin of Abbott's wrecking ball http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/the-powerful-spin-of-abbotts-wrecking-ball-20120518-1yvlu.html via @theage Badger‏@Ngunnawally Abbott and Hockey need lots of wiggle room to do backflips http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/abbott-and-hockey-need-lots-of-wiggle-room-to-do-backflips-20120518-1yw82.html via @canberratimes Peter Brent‏@mumbletwits Mr Carney on Mr Kelty: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/a-trusted-messenger-steps-forward-to-rebuke-labor-20120518-1yw5j.html?rand=1337352903919 TAWNBPM‏@TAWNBPM The media has been under the spotlight in recent weeks, as its tired and cynical refusal to focus on anything... http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/labor-woes-linked-to-failure-to-fight-for-policies-20120518-1yw0c.html Margaret‏@Margy011 Slipper claims he was ambushed by Ashby's team http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/slipper-claims-he-was-ambushed-by-ashbys-team-20120518-1yw0v.html via @smh ManO'Steel(town)‏@berkeleyboy @SteeleTallon @couriermail complicit in concealing Campbell Newman move to ban Queensland strikes http://www.jarrodbleijie.com.au/news/amendments-ir-act-improve-outcomes-public-sector Bernard Keane‏@BernardKeane There is no ethical basis for any journalist to report that claim by business without noting it is flat wrong (e.g. http://is.gd/pNWXNy) christopher joye‏@cjoyeMcCrann good on RBA/Treasury and rates http://christopherjoye.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/mccrann-good-on-rbatreasury-and-rates.html?utm_ Bernard Keane‏@BernardKeane Memo to the media: business claims the FWA gave unions the right to introduce new matters into bargaining are a lie: http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/11/09/the-long-tradition-of-union-interference Yahoo!7 News‏@Y7News Federal #Court has heard a sexual harassment case against Peter #Slipper may be an abuse of the legal process. http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/13717554/court-hears-of-slippers-distress-over-sex-claims/?cmp=twitter Sandra‏@abissicus @IndyPolitics: Murdoch is 'evil', former editor tells Leveson http://ind.pn/Lh2x4f#leveson ABC News‏@ABC Michael J. Fox Looks Past Stem Cells in Search for Parkinson's Cure http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/05/18/michael-j-fox-looks-past-stem-cells-in-search-for-parkinsons-cure/ :):):):)

Bilko

19/05/2012AA another light on the hill expose but just for a moment forget Murdoch's media and let us ask ourselves WHY Fairfax and the abc (still not worth capitals) has gone along with this charade or even why the SBS news reports which after the "Al'Jazeri use to be the the most accurate reporting in OZ even though to a much smaller following. Like you I am sick of it all and constantly pray for a Canadian media solution, the way things are going one would think we were behind the iron curtain or at least a paper mache curtain. Now we are off to Melbourne to attend my best mates funeral after an unsuccessful fight with cancer may the force be with us all.

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]Support for federal Labor has collapsed to a mere 23 per cent in Queensland, the latest Galaxy poll conducted exclusively for The Courier-Mail shows.[/b] (Courier Mail) I would like to see how that poll was conducted. As far as I’m concerned this is yet another blatant attempt by pollsters in league with the Murdoch empire to manufacture public perception at a time they know Abbott is starting to struggle…and the govt’s school kid bonus and compensation is rolling out. Add the disgraceful QLD ABC news report from last night and it calls for a proper media enquiry. Bring down the Murdochracy! N’

nasking

19/05/2012 In the BRISBANE TIMES: [b]Hacking saga turns into a marathon[/b] Ravi Somaiya May 19, 2012 Ms Brooks, who will appear in court on June 13, will most likely not be the last to face prosecution, the police and prosecutors said. [b]There are three current police operations, Scotland Yard confirmed: Operation Weeting, which is examining illegal voicemail interceptions, currently employs 95 officers and staff members and has made 22 arrests; Operation Tuleta, which is looking into computer hacking, employs eight and has made three arrests; and Operation Elveden, which is exploring illegal payments by journalists to public officials, employs 29 and has made 28 arrests.[/b] ”It is difficult to give an end date,” said a police spokesman. ”We follow the evidence and it’s impossible to say where it will lead. It’s safe to say it will last years.” A police budget for all the investigations extends into 2015, and anticipates that the cost will reach £40 million ($64 million) in total. Besides Ms Brooks, another closely watched figure is Andy Coulson, the former editor of News of the World who later became Mr Cameron’s director of communications. Mr Coulson was arrested but there has been no decision on whether to charge him. [b]If it is proven that those in Mr Murdoch’s employ conspired to pay public officials to further business interests, experts say he could be at risk of sanctions in the US under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Even a small fine would threaten to bring the scandal across the Atlantic, and increase political pressure on Mr Murdoch[/b] http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/hacking-saga-turns-into-a-marathon-20120518-1yvvp.html Indeed. N’

Ad astra

19/05/2012Casablanca Thanks for the links. It seems to me that most of the media has not been able to summon the courage to call Tony Abbott’s lies and misrepresentations for what they are. Why are they so fearful? My guess is that apart from any institutional pressure journalists may feel, much of what most of them write is influenced by self-interest, namely the security of their job. They seem afraid to use strong language against Abbott’s outrageous utterances, poor policies and his hypocrisy and disingenuousness. The language is always soft, in contrast to the language they use against Julia Gillard. An example of soft writing is Lenore Taylor’s description of Abbott’s Direct Action Plan as “[i]…a kind of agrarian boy scouts movement on steroids”[/i], buried near the end of her piece. She is probably the best informed writer on measures to combat global warming, yet she trots out this pap. She should be calling the DAP for the expensive, ineffective, impractical plan it really is, one she hints will be abandoned if the Coalition comes to power, which it almost certainly will be. Most of the media is gutless and self-serving. That’s the problem, as this piece asserts. TT Thanks for the compliment. I could never match Murdoch’s business acumen, but it would not be hard to do better in the morality stakes. I enjoyed reading your assessment of the Ashby/Slipper/Thomson saga, and of course ‘Monday Monday’. What an absorbing day Monday promises to be. And I warmed to your Banjo Paterson story about Bill. Like Bill, we shall win the real fight.

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]Graydon Carter on News Corp. in Vanity Fair’s New Rupert Murdoch eBook: “The Notion of ‘a New Low’ Is in Fact Bottomless”[/b] by Vanity Fair 10:30 AM, MAY 18 2012 Just on the heels of former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks’s being charged by Scotland Yard for obstructing justice, Vanity Fair has released a new, updated e-book detailing the fall of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire… [b]Perhaps the central revelation of the phone-hacking scandal is that, when it come to News Corp., the notion of ‘a new low’ is in fact bottomless,” writes editor Graydon Carter in a new introduction. “No matter how the story ends in some technical or legal sense, Murdoch has been irreversibly reduced.[/b] [b]The influence he has wielded in Britain, whether through backroom threats or the public power of his newspapers, is effectively at an end. And despite all efforts to contain it, the scandal’s impact is being felt everywhere Murdoch does business.[/b] http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/05/vanity-fair-rupvanity-fair-rupert-murdoch-ebook-the-master-mogul-of-fleet-street N’

Ad astra

19/05/2012Jaegar, Psyclaw Your idea is a winner, but has the ABC the guts to do a program on Abbott’s avoidance of the hard questions, the hard interviews. The must have miles of footage, but I bet it stays safely locked up in their archives. Jaycee You may well be right. What you suggest is plausible. Nasking Jon Faine interviewed Matthew Ricketson on ABC 774 radio. He was very forthright about the Finkelstein Inquiry, and upfront about how the media, particularly News Limited, is fighting its recommendations tooth and nail. I’m no fan of [i]Crikey’s[/i] First Dog, but that cartoon is right on target: http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/18/solidarity-forever/ Bilko Thank you for your comment. We’ll be thinking of you on this sad day for you.

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]Most of the media is gutless and self-serving.  That’s the problem, as this piece asserts.[/b] Too true Ad, makes ya wonder what our fathers and grandfathers fought for...when the rest of the media and too many politicians kowtow to a morally bankrupt, bullying media propaganda machine. They're a disgrace! Gutless sods. It's time for a REAL change. N'

nasking

19/05/2012 Ad, at least a few MSM types have courage...and integrity. They're rare. If we'd had most of these weak-kneed types around during the war gawd knows what woulda happened. N'

nasking

19/05/2012 [quote]We’ll be thinking of you on this sad day for you[/quote] Bilko, I'll second that. N'

Glofindel

19/05/2012What alternative reality is this and how do you manage to get a web-site into the regular universe? Bill Kelty's advice to the party was much more useful than this strange fantasy could ever be. The first start to restoring the party is simple, Gillard to go. Swan second.

Ad astra

19/05/2012Hi Lyn Thank you for sending onto me this morning the lovely tweet, and for your list of tweets. You never rest, and we are the beneficiaries. The Shaun Carney piece on Bill Kelty exemplifies exactly why I am so annoyed with what he said in public at the ACTU conference. Unadvisedly, he let the media off the hook regarding Labor’s poor standing, and as night follows day, Carney has pounced and has waved this statement gleefully. The state of Labor has nothing to do with the media, Bill Kelty said so! I’m sure many journalists will quote Kelty as if his view was Holy Writ. I bet if he had blamed the media, we would hear nothing of that, except to vehemently refute it. Kelty was imprudent. Nasking Let’s ignore the polls of voting intention. They have no predictive value eighteen months from the next scheduled election. I don’t bother reading them any more, even when Labor improves.

Tom of Melbourne

19/05/2012Hi Nasking, if you have a problem with my commentary, how about you post your criticisms at sites where I'm able to comment, otherwise it's pretty pathetic, in my view.

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]Let’s ignore the polls of voting intention.  They have no predictive value eighteen months from the next scheduled election.  I don’t bother reading them any more, even when Labor improves.  [/b] Quite right Ad, we should ignore them. That will be my last until a few weeks out from the election. I think it's about time QLDers stopped being led like cattle by the nose ring by the Courier Mail and dopey radio ranters... and we deserve a more balanced, fairer ABC Queensland. N'

nasking

19/05/2012 Ad, you always know when they're in a panic...the trolls and Lib hacks come out in droves. :) The Murdoch empire and other usual suspects go into overdrive. They're worried bigtime. Keep the pressure up all. N'

42 long

19/05/2012Don't they squeal like stuck pigs (in UK.)when the heat is put on them. Don't they recall how they hounded innocent people to the brink of suicide for the sake of "news"?

2353

19/05/2012I saw an interesting birthday card this morning. A drawing of a elderly man, sitting at a desk labelled "Publisher" and saying "I was going to call you on your birthday". Open the card and it says "but I was afraid everyone would find out you were a year older when you phone was hacked". Feint praise indeed! Nas - the trolls are out today (volume - not quality) & don't forget 18 months out from the 91 election, Howard was gone for all money. Bilko - my sympathies as well

Ad astra

19/05/2012Glofindel You live in your universe and I'll live in mine.

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]I saw an interesting birthday card this morning.  A drawing of a elderly man, sitting at a desk labelled "Publisher" and saying "I was going to call you on your birthday".  Open the card and it says "but I was afraid everyone would find out you were a year older when your phone was hacked". [/b] LOL 2353. More more. :) [b]don't forget 18 months out from the 91 election, Howard was gone for all money. [/b] I never forget that...these days things can change very quickly. N'

Ad astra

19/05/2012Nasking Thank you for the Vanity Fair link to the review of [i]Rupert Murdoch, The Master Mogul of Fleet Street[/i]: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/05/vanity-fair-rupvanity-fair-rupert-murdoch-ebook-the-master-mogul-of-fleet-street The last paragraph of the review captures this man so well: [i]“Perhaps the central revelation of the phone-hacking scandal is that, when it come to News Corp., the notion of ‘a new low’ is in fact bottomless,” writes editor Graydon Carter in a new introduction. “No matter how the story ends in some technical or legal sense, Murdoch has been irreversibly reduced. The influence he has wielded in Britain, whether through backroom threats or the public power of his newspapers, is effectively at an end. And despite all efforts to contain it, the scandal’s impact is being felt everywhere Murdoch does business.” [/i] It looks like a thoroughly deserved slow burn for Murdoch, from which News Limited in Australia can hardly escape.

42 long

19/05/2012If the LNP get in, we can rest assured that we will have the best polititians, that MONEY can BUY via Clive Palmer. British and American Tobacco et al. ABBOT wants to investigate the AEC( Electoral Commission) because they couldn't find anything wrong with Craig Thomson's electoral funding.AGAIN THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE GOV'T AND THE JUDICIARY THREATENED Ken Henry will go and any public servant who hasn't supported the Abbot line will go too. Politicise the Public Service. That's the way to get them to only say what you want. Just like America..."Republicans to abolish the EPA" Don't wanr anything to stop people making money and ruining the only place we have to live on, in the process.

nasking

19/05/2012 [b]Don't they squeal like stuck pigs (in UK.) when the heat is put on them? Don't they recall how they hounded innocent people to the brink of suicide for the sake of "news"?[/b] 42 long, good points. Here's a timeline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_News_Corporation_scandal Another: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2011/jul/21/phone-hacking-what-happened-when N'

nasking

19/05/2012Yer welcome Ad, I like checking out different sites...this from America: [b]10 Frightening Things That Happen at Conservative Christian Schools That May Be Funded With Your Tax Dollars[/b] http://www.alternet.org/belief/155482/10_frightening_things_that_happen_at_conservative_christian_schools_that_may_be_funded_with_your_tax_dollars/?page=entire N'

Ad astra

19/05/2012Nasking You are a prolific reader, and we benefit. Thanks for keeping us up to date. That is a frightening Alternet article; everyone should read it. It dovetails with what 42 long is saying. http://www.alternet.org/belief/155482/10_frightening_things_that_happen_at_conservative_christian_schools_that_may_be_funded_with_your_tax_dollars/?page=entire

nasking

19/05/2012 I like visiting BuzzFlash sometimes: [b]Do Nuclear Reactors that Jump $900 Million in 3 Months Now Get Taxpayer Guarantees?[/b] [b]The projected price for Georgia's Vogtle Double Reactor Project has jumped at least $900 million in just three months....and that's just for starters.[/b] http://blog.buzzflash.com/node/13504 N'

nasking

19/05/2012Cheers Ad. Is this happening here?...I know state govt's are pushing up fees and fines: [b]How Corporations and Local Governments Use the Poor As Piggy Banks The poor, in aggregate, provide a juicy target for anyone depraved enough to make a business of stealing from them.[/b] —By Barbara Ehrenreich | Fri May. 18, 2012 3:00 AM PDT http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/05/government-corporations-profit-poor-people N'

Ad astra

19/05/2012Nasking There is plenty of such loans here in Oz. We’re getting on the road now for Melbourne. Back this evening.

DMW

19/05/2012Hi ad another well written article however, it is, as I see it, based on a premise that is, at the least, fanciful. [i]... written by fictitious journalists who are in tune with the Gillard Government’s objectives and [b]supportive of them.[/b][/i] In which world would a journalist be (openly) supportive of a governments agenda? Journalists are often, correctly, accused of 'churnalism', as in merely regurgitating press releases, and many bemoan it. A large part of what you have suggested borders on 'churnalism', that is, recycling the governments 'talking points'. To expect a jounalist not probe and push would be a failure of high order. As the government is the one controlling the policy levers it is natural at this stage of the political cycle that a government would be probed and pushed more so than the also rans that are the opposition. The 'unfair' treatment, as it is percieved by some, is largely of the governments own making. The way that Ruud operated in attepting to be forever on top of the 24 hour media cycle did the government no favours. The constant 'announcables' muddied the waters and created an impression of an administration that was not capable of doing the hard yards. The Henry Taxation Review and the announcement of the Mining Tax are a classic example of how not to drive policy change. To sit on the report for six months before public release and then in what seemed like only hours of its' release 'cherry pick' the Mining Tax out of it and announce it as a virtual fait accompli was poor treatment of the public and total media mismanagement. While the 'announcables' seem to have been given the axe, by appearance, we still have a government that is not up to doing the hard yards of policy selling. A quote from Thomas Alva Edison is appropriate here: [i]Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.[/i] http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison Equally policy (and media management) are one percent inspiration ... To get better and more positive media coverage the goverment needs to do the hard work and not be easily distracted by the bombshells going off around it. Again, by appearance, this government is too often distracted and not up to the hard slog of selling itself and its' policies and blaming the media is an absolute copout and a failure to recognise its own shortcomings.

Psyclaw

19/05/2012DMW See my post above at 9.06pm, May 18. Please explain how in hell "working harder" to sell their message can counter that practice of the MSM, including ABC and SBS. That is the TV news model day in day out regardless of how extensive, articulate, and (policy) important the government's message is on any particular day, even on days when there is no controversial background "static" of their making or of Abbott's making.

Casablanca

19/05/201242 long Ken Henry retired from the Australian Public Service in March 2011. His successor as Treasury Secretary is Dr Martin Parkinson. Dr Parkinson was previously Secretary of the Department of Climate Change though much of his earlier career was spent in the Treasury. Dr Henry was appointed as Secretary to the Treasury by Peter Costello. Prior to that appointment he was senior adviser to the Labor Treasurer, Paul Keating, for about 5 years. Dr Henry took up an appointment as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister in June 2011. So far as I am aware, he is still in that position.

jaycee

19/05/2012Totally agree, Psyclaw...AND DMW, you gotta be nieve at best and culpable at worst to believe that this govt' hasn't been "selling" its' policies well. This hoary old chestnut of "govt' shortcomings" is more a problem of media shortsightedness! The public, and that includes us here on this site, obtain most if not ALL political/policy information through the sieve of media access. We rely heavily on initial reporting and then the more perspicatious seek more details and will make reasoned judgements from the accrued knowledge. That is why we here on the "Political Sword" complain of the "media" as we do....WE are the ones who seek! WE are the ones who discern the rubbish from the solid facts! WE are the ones who in some cases despair of the "in-step" churnalism (as you named it) seemingly awash in todays' commentary. WE are the ones not so easily sold such a "pup" as you propose! Now go away and consider your too-easy statement and reassess your knowledge on the subject.

Casablanca

19/05/2012DMW you said, [i]The way that Rudd operated in attempting to be forever on top of the 24 hour media cycle did the government no favours. The constant 'announcables' muddied the waters and created an impression of an administration that was not capable of doing the hard yards.[/i] You forget that John Howard was the original Dr Spin in Australian politics. He hogged the News every evening and throughout the day. He also largely got away with frequently using the Government Media Unit to promote Party, as opposed to Government policies. The spin cycle has become more aggressive as time has passed and the Liberal Party is now the spinner par excellence. Daily, the working Press get told where to be and the LNP machine organise a colourful, aggressive, anti-government tableaux starring Tony Abbott that drowns out most of the rest of what is happening in the political arena. It drowns out their own lack of policies as well as the Government’s policy and program announcements.

Casablanca

19/05/2012Psyclaw, you said: [i]Please explain how in hell "working harder" to sell their message can counter that practice of the MSM, including ABC and SBS. [/i] I agree that it is hard, almost impossible at this time to cut through the static from the MSM. Ad Astra’s current piece illustrates that amply. I wince every time the PM or her Ministers say that they will ‘have to work’ harder. In fact, they have to work smarter. As we know for any worker there comes a point beyond which they are less productive. Granted, platitudes about work/life balance abound but work practices and regulations do not always permit smart working. The Greg Combet interview with Tony Jones that we touched on yesterday is a case in point. Combet allowed himself to be drawn on the Ashby/Slipper matter. He kept trying to end the questioning by saying that he was not across the detail (WTTE) but why not just say, ‘The matter comes before the Federal Court tomorrow and it would be inappropriate for me to comment.’ Instead he allowed Jones to get under his skin. In the latter part of the interview Combet gave a lot of facts but people do not absorb that level of detail. People glaze over when presented with a mass of detail. I abhor the three word sloganeering of the opposition but it is effective. The Government probably cannot reduce its message to slogans but it could sharpen up its answers. I was impressed with the PM’s speech to the ACTU. But, it was not really an effective speech. I was impressed by her command of the facts and figures, but I had to go back to the transcript to reinforce the message that she was putting out there. I am constantly reminded of advice given in a Public Presentation Workshop that I attended eons ago. The course convenor said to us (middle ranking Public Servants) that we should regard ourselves as the expert on our topic and thus we would speak more forcefully if we did not read from notes but relied on our knowledge and spoke in a more conversational manner. Secondly, that we should not expect our audience to absorb all the detail of our subject matter during a public presentation. Instead, he pointed out that the main purpose of a speech is to whet our audience’s appetite for more detail which can either be delivered during a formal question time or at a social gathering afterwards. Also, by whetting their appetite for more detail, some at least will go and research the matter further. Julia Gillard often comes across as like the little school kid who wishes to impress her parents with the sheer detail of what she learnt at school that day. She has a prodigious memory and rarely refers to notes but less compacted detail in her formal speeches would allow her to draw breath and get more rapport with her audience. I have not met her but it has often been reported that she can light up a room when she enters it but stiffens up as soon as the cameras start whirring. Such a pity as she is really so talented and competent.

Psyclaw

19/05/2012Casablanca In one part of my career, for many years I was a presenter of workshops. However I only ever agreed to present courses about subjects that I was completely "on top of", and rarely, if ever used notes. As well as ensuring that the aim was to just get one or two simple messages across, one adage that was forever fruitful was "tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and then tell 'em what you told 'em." I agree with what you say about the depth of the government's messages that needs to be presented ie pretty bloody shallow ie spare the details. eg re the NDIS: "This is a scheme to assists parents of very disabled kids to care for them ..... and especially those older parents whose disabled kids have now grown to adulthood." John Public needs no more info, especially info about "where the money's coming from" (General Sloppy Joe's line of resistance to the scheme), or what the mechanisms for operating the scheme are. Only the parents of disabled kids will need to know the latter ..... the rest of us can wait and have any questions we might have, answered by seeing the scheme in actual operation. That's why we have a government .... to bloody well get on and do it, and spare us the details. If they badly stuff up, we tell them at the next election!

Jason

19/05/2012Perhaps the answer to these questions could be contained in the sealed section of the "Bracks Carr and Faulkner review" that was done after the 2010 election! But as with every other review nothing is changed so is it any wonder Labor is on the nose?

DMW

19/05/2012jaycee @ 3:38 PM [i]Now go away ... reassess your knowledge on the subject.[/i] I have to admit that it was over forty years ago that I first began my journey in the media/politico complex and some things have changed so my knowledge is, as always, limited. By the same token many things have not changed and the lessons are the same as always. Since before Adam was a boy governments and organisations have blamed the press (media) when things have gone wrong. All too often it is the easy way out. I have been up close and personal in the 'game' and worked with consummate professionals seeing how the sausages are made. From those experiences I draw the conclusion that blaming the media is a cop out in a lot of cases and to get the message out requires a lot of graft and damned hard foot slogging. The current government is certainly working against many strong head winds and cross winds. So have others before them. At the moment I do not believe they know which sails to choose to take advantage of the winds they are facing. psyclaw @ 3:17 PM In various ways I have touched on this before. The goverment make it easy for the media to refer to Mr Abbott in particular and the opposition in general. The Prime Minister in particular and many ministers spend a lot of time talking about what they think Mr Abbott will do or say and quite naturally the media check it out to an extent that, I believe, would not happen if the PM and ministers stopped talking about Mr Abbott. The PM and her government do more to give the opposition and its' leader credibility, relevance and air time than is smart. I will type my memo to the PM again: STOP TALKING ABOUT MR ABBOTT Just that on its own would make a difference that given time would assist in making Mr Abbott irrelevant. Casablanca @ 3:59 PM I have indeed forgotten many things but Mr Howard's mastery of the media is not one of them. I put it to you that in fact that Hawke and Keating were masters of spin and media manipulation of a higher quality than Howard. They set a standard that even only half met would certainly see the current government in better standing. Around 1979 when I first met Mr Howard face to face I confided to a colleague that, in my opinion, Howard wanted to be Prime Minister and god help the country if it ever happened. I vowed to do everything in my very limited power to prevent Mr Howard realising his ambition. I followed his ups and downs pretty closely since that time. Begrudgingly I have respect for the way he doggedly stuck at the task of achieving his ambitions, learning from some of his earlier mistakes, particularly, treating the media with contempt as he often did when treasurer. Mr Howard is a text book case of going out and selling the message and dragging people around, often despite loud kicking and screaming, to his way of thinking. The firearms buyback, in my opinion one of the few great achievments of Mr Howard, is a perfect example of the graft and footslog required to get things done. Less time spent blaming the media for any and all problems that the goverment has could be productively spent getting 'better press'.

Gravel

19/05/2012Ad Astra Another great piece, thank you. Could you clear up what you mean by: [i]Most are too busy guarding their future, based on their belief that Abbott will win, and they will want to be onside with Tony if he does.[/i] The media don't seem to be worried about not being on the side of Julia, why should they we worried about not being on Abbott's side?

TalkTurkey

19/05/2012DMW said, To get better and more positive media coverage the goverment needs to do the hard work and not be easily distracted by the bombshells going off around it. Who was it said Arbeit Macht Frei http://www.rudyfoto.com/hol/arbeit.html And Boxer, the great patient noble draught-horse in George Orwell's (Eric Blair's) [i]Animal Farm [/i]said [b]I will work harder[/b] And I only meant to find the quote but when I did, the writing so beautiful moved me to tears (true!) and I couldn't chop out just a line or two, here is the beginning to Chapter 3. You don't have to read it but you will feel ennobled if you do. Chapter III How they toiled and sweated to get the hay in! But their efforts were rewarded, for the harvest was an even bigger success than they had hoped. Sometimes the work was hard; the implements had been designed for human beings and not for animals, and it was a great drawback that no animal was able to use any tool that involved standing on his hind legs. But the pigs were so clever that they could think of a way round every difficulty. As for the horses, they knew every inch of the field, and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done. The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days, of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up, comrade!" or "Whoa back, comrade!" as the case might be. And every animal down to the humblest worked at turning the hay and gathering it. Even the ducks and hens toiled to and fro all day in the sun, carrying tiny wisps of hay in their beaks. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. Moreover, it was the biggest harvest that the farm had ever seen. There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up the very last stalk. And not an animal on the farm had stolen so much as a mouthful. All through that summer the work of the farm went like clockwork. The animals were happy as they had never conceived it possible to be. Every mouthful of food was an acute positive pleasure, now that it was truly their own food, produced by themselves and for themselves, not doled out to them by a grudging master. With the worthless parasitical human beings gone, there was more for everyone to eat. There was more leisure too, inexperienced though the animals were. They met with many difficulties--for instance, later in the year, when they harvested the corn, they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath, since the farm possessed no threshing machine--but the pigs with their cleverness and Boxer with his tremendous muscles always pulled them through. Boxer was the admiration of everybody. He had been a hard worker even in Jones's time, but now he seemed more like three horses than one; there were days when the entire work of the farm seemed to rest on his mighty shoulders. From morning to night he was pushing and pulling, always at the spot where the work was hardest. He had made an arrangement with one of the cockerels to call him in the mornings half an hour earlier than anyone else, and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed, before the regular day's work began. His answer to every problem, every setback, was [b]"I will work harder!"[/b] - which he had adopted as his personal motto. But everyone worked according to his capacity. The hens and ducks, for instance, saved five bushels of corn at the harvest by gathering up the stray grains. Nobody stole, nobody grumbled over his rations, the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared. Nobody shirked--or almost nobody. Mollie[i],[the mincing white pony, Jones special pet. . . TT][/i] it was true, was not good at getting up in the mornings, and had a way of leaving work early on the ground that there was a stone in her hoof. And the behaviour of the cat was somewhat peculiar. It was soon noticed that when there was work to be done the cat could never be found. She would vanish for hours on end, and then reappear at meal-times, or in the evening after work was over, as though nothing had happened. But she always made such excellent excuses, and purred so affectionately, that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. Old Benjamin, the donkey, seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time, never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone, he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey," and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer. On Sundays there was no work. Breakfast was an hour later than usual, and after breakfast there was a ceremony which was observed every week without fail. First came the hoisting of the flag. Snowball had found in the harness-room an old green tablecloth of Mrs. Jones's and had painted on it a hoof and a horn in white. This was run up the flagstaff in the farmhouse garden every Sunday morning. The flag was green, Snowball explained, to represent the green fields of England, while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. After the hoisting of the flag all the animals trooped into the big barn for a general assembly which was known as the Meeting. Here the work of the coming week was planned out and resolutions were put forward and debated. It was always the pigs who put forward the resolutions. The other animals understood how to vote, but could never think of any resolutions of their own. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. But it was noticed that these two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made, the other could be counted on to oppose it. Even when it was resolved--a thing no one could object to in itself--to set aside the small paddock behind the orchard as a home of rest for animals who were past work, there was a stormy debate over the correct retiring age for each class of animal. The Meeting always ended with the singing of 'Beasts of England', and the afternoon was given up to recreation.

Tom of Melbourne

19/05/2012What happened to all the recommendations made by Hawke & Wran too? Two ALP luminaries consult widely, make a series of recommendations that gather dust. When Crean tried to implement one, the unions punished him at preselection, and put Martin Pakula against him as a “rising star”. He’s now a non entity, a non performer, a dud, in state parliament. Some star, some appetite for reform from the hacks. -------------------- But Kelty was right when he said - “you can’t blame the media”. Every political difficulty faced by this government is a result of the political decisions they’ve chosen to make.

jaycee

19/05/2012I ask this in all seriousness..: Could it be possible for a collective of the citizen body to start a class-action against a collective of mainstream media suppliers? I ask because seeing as how the "suppliers"ie. The media corporations, demand payment for their "product" they must be considered "liable" if that "product" is misleading or faulty or deliberately interfered with to bring about a favourable(to them)conclusion!....Also, if their "favoured product outcome" is tainted by not delivering their "advertised promise" surely a charge of misleading would be warranted?

DMW

19/05/2012Casablanca @ 4:50 PM inadvertantly or otherwise you make the point that the government is its own worst enemy when it comes to media coverage. [i]I was impressed with the PM’s speech to the ACTU. But, it was not really an effective speech. I was impressed by her command of the facts and figures, but I had to go back to the transcript to reinforce the message that she was putting out there.[/i] Then @ 5:20 PM psyclaw comes at it from another angle with: [i]As well as ensuring that the aim was to just get one or two simple messages across, one adage that was forever fruitful was "tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and then tell 'em what you told 'em."[/i] I may well be misreading both of you but it seems to me you are both saying that the government is disobeying the KISS principle (Keep It Sweetly Simple) and over complicating things. Somehow this becomes the medias fault that the government isn't able to get its message out. I offer that you are both correct in different ways and go some way to showing that my contention that a lot of the goverments problems with the media are of its own making.

Lyn

19/05/2012Hi Ad Thankyou Ad for your magnificent article , you are a Hero Ad Astra . You attend to numerous posts by our beautiful dear readers, moderating offensive comments, sharing your opinion, appreciating others opinions everyday. Then you waltz along to put beautiful pink icing on top of your work , you write for us another awesome article. My favourite topic the pathetic MSM. I really believe the public’s perception of the Government could be turned around in less than 6 months, if the media would report just the facts alone , would do . They don’t even have to like the Government just report the truth. I have collected some tweets relevant to your article about the MSM, here you will see the general consensus of opinion, people's gripes about bias and Coalition platforms erected in every media outlet in the country. Tell you what those platforms have been built since 2007, they were not there when Howard ruled. Here is the “Twitterati :- Do journalists actually read the research they’re reporting on?Melissa Sweet, Croakey http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2012/04/02/do-journalists-actually-read-the-research-theyre-reporting-on/ Stephen Koukoulas‏ TheKouk russellmahoney mumbletwits chrisberg not one journo reported on the "lies" or factual errors in Abbotts budget reply speech. Why? Mark ‏@markjs1 I love Bill Kelty to bits....but to suggest the #MSM has no effect on Labor's current poor polling is just bizarre....and wrong #auspol Turn Left‏@turnleft2013 @misskylie77 if the media want to bombard us with Tony Abbott says, we should really look at what he actually does say when not sloganeering Fit & Proper madwixxy well done on the HSU/FWA info. There's a million stories out there, the MSM only report the narrative :) Turn Left‏ turnleft2013 Eschertology I cant believe all these things Im finding, how is it that they say the opposite the next day and no one accuses them of lying Eschertology‏, turnleft2013 because the MSM has chosen sides and Saint Tony is perfect IndependentAustralia‏ The Thomson story is the #1 story in Australia; it is downright suspicious that ALL the relevant details are NOT aired in the MSM. Eschertology‏ Pollytics if only we could adjust the sensor bias on MSM from 11 towards LNP side to a neutral setting Antony Loewenstein‏ Another in the best MSM moments; talking about fracking and not mentioning climate change http://www.fair.org/blog/2012/05/15/time-ignores-climate-change-to-paint-a-golden-age-of-fracking/ ping Eschertology‏@Eschertology Boatie86 you got more balance and truth from Soviet TV and Pravda than you do the Oz MSM Stephen Koukoulas‏@TheKouk CraigEmersonMP I think Joe Hockey horrified as well having to try to defend Abbott's crazy cat economics Yahoo!7 News‏@Y7News Federal politicians may have to consider a code of conduct after a string of recent scandals. http://yhoo.it/KixFeQ #auspol #slipper #thomson :):)

Psyclaw

19/05/2012DMW I agree that constant reference by ministers to Abbott blindsides them and gives him free publicity. That is by the by. For your assistance, here is my earlier example of a typical news bulletin. [quote][i][b]Mr Abbott today slammed the government's intention to introduce paid parental leave. Mr Abbott said that the current economic conditions are not conducive to such non-essential spending by the government. He added that Labor governments always tax more and wastefully spend more. Mr Abbott was responding to the government's announcement today that it intends to introduce a paid parental leave sc[/quote]hem[/i]e. [/b] Again I ask, how will "working harder" or refraining from overuse of the word "Abbott" ensure that the media gets its priorities right and commences to implement competent newstelling. Here is how a balanced reporting of the same info would look. Seems pretty logical to me that the news item should start at the beginning, and not just add the beginning at the end. [quote][i][b]The government today announced that it will introduce paid parental leave. The scheme is aimed at supporting families of newborns so that the birth of a child does not mean the end of the working career of either parent. After the announcement Mr Abbott slammed the government's intention. Hesaid that the current economic conditions are not conducive to such non-essential spending by the government. He added that Labor governments always tax more and wastefully spend more. Mr Abbott placed his opposition to parental leave on the record several years ago when a minister in the Howard gover[/quote]nme[/i]nt.[/b]

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19/05/2012DMW What an interesting debate you have sparked. I concur with some but not all of your points. jaycee, Psyclaw and Casablanca have already responded and have made good points. The purpose of this piece was to demonstrate that given the same facts, a story could be written in an adversarial way, or a facilitative way. Most of the MSM writes its material in a way that is adverse to the Government. It need not do that. It could write in a supportive way, or at least in a neutral way. You ask: “[i]In which world would a journalist be (openly) supportive of a governments agenda?[/i]” Look at some of the headlines, for example in [i]The Daily Telegraph[/i] during the Howard era and you will see some supportive headlines. It doesn’t have to be always negative, negative, negative as it is now from that tabloid. Of course you are right to expect journalists to probe Government ministers, especially if they smell deceit or obfuscation. But Abbott and Co ought to subject to the same probing. How come they can say any outrageous thing that comes into their heads, and nobody follows up, probes, queries, demands clarification? The best we might see is a limp slap on the hand in the press or on TV. Time and again, Tony Abbott simply walks away when the questioning gets at all uncomfortable and the media let him get away with it time and again. By all means, lets have probing, insistent questioning so long as it is polite, and follow up when the questions are not answered satisfactorily. But let’s this rigour apply to all sides. The criticism of the Government has been that it is not selling its message well. There are two reasons for this. One is that the Labor media unit is not crafting messages well. Psyclaw’s advice is sound and well tried: [i]” "tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and then tell 'em what you told 'em."[/i]”, and the messages need to be simple. It doesn’t matter much if they lack scientific accuracy, so long as they are understandable and believable. Tony Abbott uses simple slogans, and they work, even although they are often disingenuous. The other reason that the messages are not getting through is that most of the media refuses to facilitate the selling of Government messages. They sell Abbott’s slogans with impunity, but not the Government’s. To deny this fact of political life is to miss half the story, a very important half. The Government does need a more proficient media unit, but no matter how good it might become, without a fair go from the media the task of selling messages will be nigh impossible. That is the point of this piece.

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19/05/2012Gravel Thank you for your kind remarks. The reason I say that journalists want to stay onside with Tony Abbott is that they believe he will win, and they want to be on his drip feed of inside information. He would cut an unsupportive journalist off with impunity. Moreover, as the media, especially News Limited, is onside with Abbott and the Coalition, any journalist not so inclined might find his or her job in jeopardy. And in a declining print media that is serious.

Tom of Melbourne

19/05/2012Try googling “blame the media”. You’ll find that Gingrich, Santorum, Palin and Romney all “blame the media” for political problems. Obama “blames the media” for his “cold and aloof image” Gillard blames the media for her political standing. Football clubs blame the media for bad publicity. All I notice is a lack of willingness to accept responsibility for bad decisions.

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19/05/2012Gravel Thank you for your kind remarks. The reason I say that journalists want to stay onside with Tony Abbott is that they believe he will win, and they want to be on his drip feed of inside information. He would cut an unsupportive journalist off with impunity. Moreover, as the media, especially News Limited, is onside with Abbott and the Coalition, any journalist not so inclined might find his or her job in jeopardy. And in a declining print media that is serious. TT What a poignant reminder from George Orwell’s [i]Animal Farm[/i] about the need [b]to work harder[/b]. George Orwell’s message still applies.

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19/05/2012jaycee There is a law in Canada that penalizes anyone who lies in the media. If only we had it here, it might be possible to take action against any part of the media that misrepresented the facts. Imagine that!

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19/05/2012Psyclaw What a good example of media misconstruction you have given us. That is exactly what this piece is trying to convey. As you say, the Government ‘working harder’ won’t make an iota of difference to the adversarial style of journalism you illustrate so well.

Jason

19/05/2012psyclaw, "working harder" is what coaches of sporting teams do! they go in with a particular plan and hope to win at the end. However if during that game you have the match up's wrong or you're getting flogged or whatever you change the plan as the game changes. Labor's coach needs to revisit the game plan before the final siren is blown!

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19/05/2012Hi Lyn Thank you again for your always supportive, encouraging and kind remarks. And thanks too for the tweets. Anyone who whitewashes the media to obscure its culpability in the reporting of political matters ignores more than half the problem. The Government media unit needs to do much better, but no matter how well it does, no matter how brilliantly ministers feed out the Government’s message in simple, bite-sized, digestible bits, an antagonistic media will bring every message crashing down in flames. They hold the whip handle and use the whip unsparingly.

Sir Ian Crisp

19/05/2012It's interesting to see the 3% bounce in the polls for the ALP after the cash-for-votes Gillard policy has crashed in Queensland. It's hard to predict what the voters will say in 14 months time -if the gov't lasts - but the ALP's Accident Department might be getting ready to push a certain redhead under a bus.

Casablanca

19/05/2012AA @ 07:14 PM you said: [i]Anyone who whitewashes the media to obscure its culpability in the reporting of political matters ignores more than half the problem.[/i] Some of us have strayed a bit from the essential point that you demonstrated so clearly in your lead piece. Certainly, in my own case, I was distracted by the Kelty proclamation. Kelty himself had some important things to say in his ACTU address, not the least being that the current generation of unionists need to re-new and re-fresh their strategies to improve conditions for workers. He was saying that the union could not rely on past glories and that there were new and emerging challenges. Unfortunately, Kelty gave the press a stick to beat the government with and his positive comments about the Government and the good work of unions were totally lost. Perhaps he is now rueing his proclamation that the press is not to blame for any of the Government's woes. How wrong he is about the power and bias of the press.

DMW

19/05/2012Hi Ad [i]But Abbott and Co ought to subject to the same probing. How come they can say any outrageous thing that comes into their heads, and nobody follows up, probes, queries, demands clarification? The best we might see is a limp slap on the hand in the press or on TV.[/i] In various ways many others here offer up the same lament. Below are three articles published within the last 48 hours which are obviously exceptions that prove the rule that the opposition faces no scrutiny. [b]Abbott brings out Libs' Dr No[/b] Andrew Probyn @TheWestAustralian http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/opinion/post/-/blog/13723157/abbott-brings-out-libs-dr-no/ [b]At 40 per cent of the vote, swingers' pendulum is an electoral wrecking ball[/b] George Megalonis @TheAustralian (Free) http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/at-40-per-cent-of-the-vote-swingers-pendulum-is-an-electoral-wrecking-ball/story-e6frg7ex-1226360622497 [b]The powerful spin of Abbott's wrecking ball[/b] Lenore Taylor @National Times http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/politics/the-powerful-spin-of-abbotts-wrecking-ball-20120518-1yvlu.html It is all too easy to overlook the articles that do offer some form of critique of the opposition and the tactics they employ because we all know in our heart of hearts that the collective media are dedicated to bringing down the government and giving the opposition a free ride. While not exactly of 'conspiracy theory' status is sometimes gets very close. I agree that there could, and possibly should, be a more balanced reporting on the governments initiatives in the the end, a fair proportion of the 'bad' reporting is down the governments own stupidities and ineptitude's by more often than not playing at the politics rather than selling and implementing the policy.

DMW

19/05/2012For another perspective on how this Labor government has 'lost its' way' and seems hell bent on losing more and more of it's once inspired voters read a brilliant article by Benjamin Law in the Australian Financial Review: [b]Gen Y and the blight on the hill[/b] (Free) [i]... Labor is accused of economic mismanagement and is unable to communicate that not all debt is bad debt. The media is sensationally hostile and the public has clearly forgotten all about John Howard’s core and non-core promises. But all this shows how far Labor has lost control of its narrative. Labor needs to learn that good governance isn’t just about strong policy, but about having the ruthlessness to maim critics and the skills to communicate successes.[/i] http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/review/gen_and_the_blight_on_the_hill_yb5mf0VeEbHb1jSdU16XEO Benjamin takes us through journey of the eyes of a young man who tasted the euphoria of the defeat of the Howard government and the hope of a better Australia to feeling betrayed and let down by the current state of play His article, for me, helps explain a lot of the disillusionment of many in the electorate at large.

Psyclaw

19/05/2012Jason For sure the government has to accept a large chunk of responsibility for the position it finds itself in. Its agenda has been taken on in the full knowledge that like any worthwhile reform, many (the majority?) electors will be antagonistic ...... they had eyes wide open to this and expected a quantum of flak ..... they chose to risk and take responsibility for this. As Casablanca and I have both stated, they have too often got bogged down in too much detail in selling their reforms. THey have taken lot's of criticism about this and the responsibility is theirs. But let's not confuse this with "not working hard". They do need a change of game plan. This is always on the cards in any challenging pursuit in life. Bleedin Obvious 101 stresses this. But changing game plan also does not equate with "working harder", unless the new plan actually is to work harder. And don't forget that as far as the media goes, there has been a very major change of game plan in operation for most of 2012 ie the fact that JG and the ministers now take on silly interviewers quite directly. Mr Combet's handling of Tony Jones the other night was the most recent example of many.

nasking

19/05/2012 Seems everyone knows how the government could do better. I think their communication to the public has improved. Learning by the day...improving by the week. The media empire of hate and opportunism crumbles...bit by bit. I recommend this song: [b]Patience[/b] http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr_HsdiplFY N'

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19/05/2012DMW Thank you for your further comment. I take your points. Andrew Probyn is one of the more balanced journalists in the MSM. His article makes good points, but he does not come down heavily on the sheer inappropriateness of the Coalition’s approach. He even says: [i]“Malcolm Turnbull, Joe Hockey and later, Tony Abbott, have been brilliantly successful in demonizing public debt and Budget deficits”[/i] almost as if they are to be congratulated on such a disingenuous and destructive approach. ‘Brilliantly successful’ doesn’t sound like a denunciation. I couldn’t see much in Mega’s piece that boosted one side or the other. Lenore Taylor’s piece included: [i]“It seems to suggest the whole ''problem'' [global warming] can be solved by a kind of agrarian boy scouts movement on steroids. That's if in fact it's a problem at all, which after the election the Coalition may well conclude that it isn't.”[/i], which I thought was pretty soft journalism for Abbott’s expensive, ineffective, and implausible Claytons Direct Action Plan. She did say: [i]“So carbon pricing, the issue that more than any other has defined this Parliament, is a veritable Sara Lee of lies and misperceptions: layer upon layer upon layer.”[/i], but she didn’t explain whose lies they were. Taylor also says: [i]”Labor also woefully failed to explain that it was fully compensating many households for the impact of the tax, so woefully that it was forced to mollify a sceptical public with $5 billion more in compensation that it claimed (with almost a straight face) wasn't actually about the carbon price at all.”[/i] Well, I don’t know where Lenore has been, but I have heard about the compensation package [i]ad nauseam[/i], and she assumes that the SchoolKids Bonus is another carbon compensation package despite it being clearly explained as the existing scheme offered without the tedium of submitting receipts for school expenses. Of course, the all-knowing, all-wise, media pundits know better – they know the Government’s motives almost before the Government does. Lenore did express disgust at Abbott’s approach: [i]”Having convinced the nation that Labor's policy was built upon a categoric lie, rather than a half-lie mixed with obfuscation, confusion and political necessity, Tony Abbott skilfully set about demolishing it without much regard for the truth either. Almost every one of his photo opportunities regarding the carbon tax exaggerates or wilfully misrepresents its impact.[/i]”, and she did go on to call out his misrepresentations, but then goes into say: [i]”But Labor has failed to refute the Coalition's misrepresentations, or defend its own carbon pricing scheme…[/i]” The impression she gives is that no matter how culpable Abbott is, Labor is as much to blame for letting him get away with it. So while I agree that Lenore’s piece went some way to nailing Abbott, her rather wishy-washy approach left one wondering who is the culprit in addressing the climate change matter. She had a bet both ways, and in the process failed to nail Abbott’s complicity in the confusion and misunderstanding that surrounds action on climate change. While both sides have to take some responsibility for this state of affairs, to play down the sheer destructiveness of Abbott’s ‘wrecking ball’ is a noteworthy defect in her piece. Finally, for every one piece that could be construed as critical of Abbott, there are dozens that applaud his ‘clever’ and highly ‘successful’ wrecking ball approach; after all that’s what oppositions do! I suspect we are not all that far apart – it is a matter of degree.

jaycee

19/05/2012DMW....There is a great deal of logic and good arguement in your responses..IF..if they were conducted in and to a group of educated, intellectually astute group(much like this group here) that would take time and trouble to reason your points. The media we criticise know full well, as do a lot of us, that they are not addressing their rhetoric to an astute educated lot...Pavlovs Dog rules the day. As I stated in an earlier post here, I have worked shoulder to shoulder with "Joe Average" from the 'burbs for over forty years..there is nothing going on in there that a sudden spark of ignited indignation against a mistakenly perceived ememy wouldn't inspire..BUT ; They have the majority vote. That is why Murdoch's maggotts write as they do. Why would a well-educated, intelligent journalist write such crap? There is an objective. We know that objective; we saw the result in the Qld' state elections...The Liberals are waiting to "walk-in" with the same result...How?..the media will pave the way...they are now the gatekeepers to any and all mass communication. I suspect you recall those"Town Hall" "debates" between Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard last election....was there any more stage-managed media election event for the last several decades? The rules and behaviour have changed...social media has conjured an expectation of instant solution, discourse amongst the masses is as instant as a taste sensation and as fleeting..a personality or idea is either liked or disliked in an instant! there is no debate only reaction to a conjured "outrage" by a Machievellian MSM. One ought to be wary of the overdebated analysis...For Labor to gain the upper hand with the media, They must first have an inquiry into the national broadcaster..purge the lot!..then use an apolitical broadcaster to destroy the credibility of the mainstream media. There is no mistake, no delusion.."it is the media, stupid!"

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19/05/2012DMW The [i]AFR[/i] piece: [i]Has Labor lost Gen Y[/i] was good. http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/review/gen_and_the_blight_on_the_hill_yb5mf0VeEbHb1jSdU16XEO The only comment that amazes me still is the one that came near the end of the article: [i]”… it’s been a while since anyone has floated a long-term aspirational vision. Gillard doesn’t offer one.[/i]. While I can scarcely disagree with the next sentence: [i] Abbott has somehow managed to achieve the remarkable feat of offering even less[/i], I still find it hard to understand why people, young or old, don’t know what Julia Gillard’s vision for the nation is – she’s told us all often enough.

Lyn

19/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody Well this is turn up for the books:- Dan‏@drowner1979 presumably heffernan has to stand down now... http://www.smh.com.au/national/heffernan-accused-of-homophobic-assault-on-lib-20120519-1yxk2.html GhostWhoVotes‏@GhostWhoVotes Here are 3 statutory declarations that relate to the Heffernan allegations. http://bit.ly/KMTKVb #auspol GhostWhoVotes‏@GhostWhoVotes Bill Heffernan has been accused of assaulting a LIB staffer and calling him a "poofter". http://bit.ly/KMRg9p #auspol Stephen Ragell‏@TheAviator1992 I think the time has come for the Liberals to disendorse Bill Heffernan. His behaviour is disgraceful and unacceptable in 2012 Matt‏@rockmattssocks Has Abbott promoted him yet? “@GhostWhoVotes: Bill Heffernan has been accused of assaulting a LIB staffer & calling him a "poofter" #auspol” :):)

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19/05/2012Nasking 'Patience' - how apt. Thank you. Goodnight.

nasking

19/05/2012 Ad, Lyn and others, have a good, peaceful rest. You deserve it. N'

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19/05/2012Hi Lyn Agreed, it is a turn up for the books. Wasn’t it Bill Heffernan who ‘called’ Michael Kirby, or am I mistaken? He seems to be homophobic. Will Tony Abbott stand him down until the matter has been cleared? Not likely. He’s a Liberal! jaycee What you say makes a lot of good sense. We have had a great debate today. But it is time for sleep.

Tom of Melbourne

19/05/2012[i]” Perhaps he is now rueing his proclamation that the press is not to blame for any of the Government's woes.”[/i] Yeah, Kelty always speaks without forethought. If only he’s seriously considered his comments before making them… if only he was as thoughtful as the people here…

TalkTurkey

19/05/2012Hi Ad Lyn said [i]Thankyou Ad for your magnificent article , you are a Hero Ad Astra . You attend to numerous posts by our beautiful dear readers, moderating offensive comments, sharing your opinion, appreciating others opinions everyday. Then you waltz along to put beautiful pink icing on top of your work , you write for us another awesome article.[/i] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Too much praise could never be enough for either of you. You are like Boxer and Clover yourselves. Thank you both ever so. But Ad you said TT What a poignant reminder from George Orwell’s Animal Farm about the need to work harder. George Orwell’s message still applies. Yeah well Orwell's message is [i]double-entendre[/i], there's great noble Boxer working his heart out for everybody, in the end the perfidious Pigs sell him to the knacker! He doesn't even realise it until it's too late, then the Pigs just turn into capitalists as greedy as people, or is it the other way round, and all the animals' work is stolen and all their high ideals are betrayed. So let us work for all we are worth to keep our hardworking Government, and steadfastly defend the territory we have won. The game is in its third quarter, the legislation is passed, the payoffs are in train, and now it is time to fight fight fight. I know the Labor Front Bench is well aware of it. Now they must go for the jugular. I know they will. Just watch. *J*U*L*I*A* was never going to be one for the short game. She has not wavered one degree from her intended course. Of course the enemy hate and fear her! After all if that evil mob loved and honoured her something would be seriously amiss! I [i]want[/i] Big Tobacco, Big Miners, Big Media, and Big Pigs generally, to hate and fear her: as long as We have the [i]power,[/i] that is [i]exactement comme il faut![/i]

Psyclaw

19/05/2012Universal Propositions [quote][i][b]"if only he was as thoughtful as the people[/quote] he[/i]re"[/b] "as thoughtful as the people here" is different to "as thoughtful as [b][i]s[/b]ome[/i] of the people here" or "as thoughtful as [i][b]m[/i]ost[/b] of the people here". "as thoughtful as the people here" can be seen to be a universal proposition ie it refers to [i][b][/i]all[/b] the Swordsters .... every one who writes here. Judging by the language and argumentative and analytical skills frequently on display here, I suspect a good number of Swordsters are quite intelligent, and that a good number of them have had successful careers in which substantial thoughtfulness was demanded. Thus, anyone prepared to say that [i][b][/i]all[/b] Swordsters are not thoughtful is by definition a fool, a smearer, a troll, a baiter, or a person prone to hyperbowl. Putting forward such propositions demonstrates the lack of any effective counter argument or the lack of an inability to assemble a series of propositions into a logical case. [i][b]If only he'd seriously considered his comments before making t[/i]hem[/b] his credibility would not be so lacking.

TalkTurkey

19/05/2012Who [b]is[/b] paying Ashby's legal fees? Where [b]is[/b] Christopher Pyne?! What [i]is[/i] the true interrelationship between all the people involved in Ashby's accusations re Slipper: - Pyne - Brough - Credlin - Abbortt? What [i]is[/i] the true relationship between all the people involved in accusing Thomson? How are the conspiracies related? (Am I right in thinking that the same lawyers are involved everywhere?) But especially Who [b]is[/b] paying Ashby's legal fees? And Where [b]is[/b] Christopher Pyne?!

Jason

20/05/2012ToM, No wonder you were leading with your glass jaw with nasking today! You wouldn't know "commentary" if it bit you on the arse!

Casablanca

20/05/2012[b]CALUMNY and DETRACTION[/b] The above mentioned concepts have a great bearing on much of what has been raised on TPS in recent weeks, nay months past. Tony Abbort boasted to the Queen during her most recent visit to Australia that "We play our politics tough in this country. We give no quarter." How does 'tough' line up with calumny and detraction? Abbott more than any other figure in public life in the past couple of decades has pushed the envelope with utterances that at the very least border on calumny and detraction. These concepts also have a bearing on the Ashby/Slipper case, the Thompson case and the denigration of Kevin Rudd just prior to the last leadership challenge. Abbott is currently the subject of one Defamation suit. Are the moral concepts of calumny and detraction so flexible and wishy washy that he can so frequently escape censure, comment even and indeed legal action? The following definitions of Calumny and Detraction are offered for consideration. [b]CALUMNY[/b] Definition of Calumny By Scott P. Richert, http://catholicism.about.com/od/Catholic-Dictionary/g/Calumny-Definition-Of-Calumny.htm Definition: Calumny, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., writes in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, is [b]"Injuring another person's good name by lying."[/b] As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes (para. 2479), both calumny and the related sin of detraction (revealing another's sins to a third party who does not need to know about them) destroy the reputation and honour of one's neighbour. Honour is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honour of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity. While detraction can cause great damage through telling the truth, calumny is, if anything, even worse, because it involves the telling of a lie (or of something that one believes to be a lie). You can engage in detraction without intending to do damage to the person you are discussing; but calumny is by definition malicious. The point of calumny is, at the very least, to lower the opinion one person has of another person. Calumny can be even more subtle and insidious. The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes (para. 2477) that a person is guilty of calumny if he, "by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them." The person who engages in calumny does not even have to specify an untruth about another; all he has to do is place doubts about that person in the minds of others. While truth is not a defence against the charge of detraction, it is against the charge of calumny. If what you have revealed to someone about a third party is true, you are not guilty of calumny. If the person you revealed it to has no right to that information, however, you are still guilty of detraction. Calumny goes hand-in-hand with gossip, yet, while we often think of gossip as a venial sin, the Catechism says (para. 2484) calumny is so serious that it can amount to a mortal sin, if the lie that you tell causes grave damage to the person in question: The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity. Once you have told a lie about another person, you are morally obligated to try to repair the damage you have done. As the Catechism notes (para. 2487), this applies even if the person about whom you have told the lie has forgiven you. That reparation may be much more than simply admitting that you have lied. As Father Hardon notes, [T]he calumniator must try, not only to repair the harm done to another's good name, but also to make up for any foreseen temporal loss that resulted from the calumny, for example, loss of employment or customers. The magnitude of the reparation must match the magnitude of the offense, and, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (para. 2487), the reparation may be "sometimes material" as well as moral. To use Father Hardon's example, if your lie has caused someone to lose his job, you may even be obligated to make sure that he can pay his bills and feed his family. Like detraction, calumny is rarely ever a minor sin. Yet the most seemingly innocuous gossip can easily slip into detraction, and, as you delight in the attention of your hearer, even into calumny. It's no surprise that many of the early Fathers of the Church regarded gossiping and backbiting to be among the most common, and yet most dangerous, of sins. [b]DETRACTION[/b] Definition of Detraction By Scott P. Richert, http://catholicism.about.com/od/Catholic-Dictionary/g/Detraction-Definition-Of-Detraction.htm Definition: As Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., writes in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, detraction is [b]"Revealing something about another that is true but harmful to that person's reputation." [/b] Detraction is one of a number of related sins that the Catechism of the Catholic Church classifies as "offences against truth." When speaking of most of the other sins, such as bearing false witness, perjury, calumny, boasting, and lying, it is easy to see how they offend against the truth: They all involve saying something that you either know to be untrue or believe to be untrue. Detraction, however, is a special case. As the definition indicates, in order to be guilty of detraction, you have to say something that you either know to be true or believe to be true. How, then, can detraction be an "offence against the truth"? The answer lies in the likely effects of detraction. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes (para. 2477), "Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury." A person is guilty of detraction if he, "without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them." A person's sins often affect others, but not always. Even when they do affect others, the number of those affected is finite. By revealing the sins of another to those who did not know of those sins, we do damage to that person's reputation. While he can always repent of his sins (and might indeed already have done so before we revealed them), he may not be able to recover his good name after we have damaged it. Indeed, if we have engaged in detraction, we are obliged to try somehow to make reparation—"moral and sometimes material," according to the Catechism. But the damage, once done, may not be able to be undone, which is why the Church views detraction as such a serious offence. The best option, of course, is not to engage in detraction in the first place. Even if someone should ask us whether a person is guilty of a particular sin, we are bound to protect that person's good name unless, as Father Hardon writes, "there is proportionate good involved." We cannot use as our defence the fact that something we have said is true. If a person does not need to know the sin of another person, then we are not free to divulge that information. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says (paragraphs 2488-89): The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it. Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication. The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it. We offend against the truth when we tell the truth to those who have no right to the truth, and, in the process, do damage to the good name and reputation of another. Much of what people commonly call "gossip" is in fact detraction, while calumny (the telling of lies or misleading statements about others) makes up much of the rest. The best way to avoid falling into these sins is to do as our parents always said to do: "If you can't say something nice about a person, don't say anything at all." Detraction: Also Known As: Gossiping, Backbiting (though backbiting is more often a synonym for calumny) Examples: "She told her friend about her sister's drunken escapades, even though she knew that to do so was to engage in detraction. Discuss.

TalkTurkey

20/05/2012 [i]Tony Abbott's just a lout, really . . .[/i] - Greg Combet [b] [i]DRINK![/i][/b] [b] :)[/b]

TalkTurkey

20/05/2012lout, n. Awkward fellow, bumpkin, clown (Concise Oxford.) Pretty poor defn imo. Lout has propensity for violence built in. It is particularly applicable to Abbortt. Will he one day do his nana? Oh please please please . . . :) Is lout unparliamentary?

Psyclaw

20/05/2012On the positive side........ sure!!!! Here's Crassidy's opening words to the effect that: [i]"Thompson will make his speech tomorrow so it's going to be another terrible week for the government"[/i]

TalkTurkey

20/05/2012Casablanca Calumny, detraction, libel, slander, disparagement, vilification, defamation, obloquy, scurrility, an embarrassmnt of riches of detractionary words in Roget's Thesaurus. I wonder why. But surely it is intuitive that these words relate to statements which are hurtful to the persons referred to . . . I don't need a book really to categorise just how I might have offended himonhigh, I only really need to project my feelings to the hurt party. I do see Christians as having written The Book Of Hypocrisy though. Nobody else can hold a candle to them in that department. They talk so much about sin . . . But all Catholics have to do is confess and 'repent' (?!) and they're all pure again . . . ready for the next week . . . like regular delousing . . . As for born agains, holier than thous, happy clappers and goodie two-shoeses, they don't need anyone to tell them they're perfect all the time anyway. As a humanist-atheist-goodwillian I just try to be Joe Samaritan. Not perfect, but humane to other sentient beings. It comes from within, no need for books and authorities and categories. Casablanca this is not at all a criticism of what you have written nor that you have written it, au contraire, merci bien for the enlightenment. I'm just a bit bemused to think that people need it enunciated by priestly authority. Your posts are very thoughtful, thank you.

Psyclaw

20/05/2012Also on Crassidy, no mention of Pyne, Brough, Bishop et al re Ashby, no mention of Ashby's withdrawl of the cabcharge aspects, no mention of Pyne's disappearance from the media, and no mention of Abbott's self wedge (does he stand down, is his vote tainted, as a result of his impending civil case). As to the Heffernan matter, it was totally minimised in its brief mention ..... "it's only a complaint to the party, an internal matter". No reference to Heffernan's form or to the nature of the matter ie a push/shove and an aggressive homophobic slur delivered up close and personal, and quietly. Nevertheless I expect that this has not "tainted" Heffernan's vote and it will still be counted.

42 long

20/05/2012It iIS possible that with the '"right" words it could be the beginning of a hard time for the LNP Cassiry has no right to make that judgement. Poor form really. casablanca, some wise words there as there are in many "scripture" based rightings. Probably Tony would dismiss all the moral concerns as being justified in the name of the greater good. ( As radical moslems disregard the Koran's word on lying and committing suicide) It's OK if you do it to "infidels" They are going to hell anyway. I don't trust "ANY" religion, or those that rely on quotes from it. ( Not saying YOU do , and I would like Tony's response to what you have posted) It is used to justify the most "unholy" actions imaginable, as it has down through history.

Ad astra

20/05/2012Folks Having watched [i]Insiders[/i] I’ve just finished reading your interesting comments. I thought [i]Insiders[/i] was more balanced this morning than usual with reasonable panelists. Of course, as you say Psyclaw, Barrie Cassidy’s opening words to the effect that the Thomson statement would herald another bad week for the Government and overshadow other matters, demonstrates again how the media likes to set the scene, a dire scene it will ensure eventuates. Have we ever heard a journalist saying: ‘I predicted disaster but everything turned out alright’? I thought Bill Shorten performed well and Cassidy gave him plenty of uninterrupted airtime. Isn’t it a delight to listen to a respectful interview without repeated Tony Jones-like interruptions and talking over! TT ‘Lout’ is a good descriptor for Tony Abbott. I’ve not heard it used, by it is fitting. My online dictionary defines lout as: ‘an uncouth or aggressive man or boy’. That fits Abbott. Synonyms include: ruffian, hooligan, thug, boor, barbarian, oaf, hoodlum, rowdy, tough, roughneck, bruiser, yahoo, lug, knuckle-dragger. Take your pick; more than one may apply. As in [i]Animal Farm[/i] our parliamentary Pigs would gladly sell our great noble Boxer to the knackery. Our job is to prevent that in our own small way.

Ad astra

20/05/2012Psyclaw I enjoyed reading your ‘Universal Propositions’ and your well-reasoned argument. I hope ToM understands. Casablanca Thank you for posting the material from the [i]Modern Catholic Dictionary[/i] about Calumny and Detraction. What interesting reading it makes, and how relevant to contemporary politics! In my opinion, Tony Abbott exhibits calumny over and again, deliberately telling lies as he does about his opponents and their policies and plans in order to injure another person’s good name, and that person, more often than not, is Julia Gillard. He also exhibits detraction, but calumny is his most reprehensible sin.

Lyn

20/05/2012Hi Psyclaw Did you notice too, Barrie Cassidy's question to Bill Shorten about Abbott's PPL scheme. The same people have the cheek to say "The Government has got to stop talking about Tony Abbott". I really feel like if I can be bothered entering in my Diary everytime they ask Julia Gillard or a Government Minister about Tony b.....y Abbott. Julia Gillard in Chicago talking about Afghanistan Journalists ask about Thomson & Heffernan . Cheers :):):):)

Ad astra

20/05/2012Hi Lyn You are right – they tell Labor ‘Don’t mention the War’, and yet bring up the Abbott War all the time. No mention on [i]Insiders[/i] of Julia Gillard’s international endeavours on behalf of our nation – that’s not sensational enough! Psyclaw, 42 long I was surprised that the strident tabloid headlines about Bill Heffernen got any airplay at all. The matter didn’t get much comment from the panel, nor did they work over the Pyne/Brough/Bishop involvement in the Ashby/Slipper matter. Maybe they have been warned off lest they be found guilty of ‘Detraction’!

Ad astra

20/05/2012Folks I'll be away all afternoon at a pizza cooking class. I'll be back this evening, hopefully with a pizza in hand. Have a happy day.

Gary M

20/05/2012"But Kelty was right when he said - “you can’t blame the media”. Every political difficulty faced by this government is a result of the political decisions they’ve chosen to make. Tom of Melbourne " What abject nonsense. Kelty is part of the problem not the solution. He is among the cadre of Labor politicians and rank and file,that is helping to sink the Labor party. The only thing right wingers on this blog are right about, pardon the pun, is Julia Gillard is history. She will not take Labor to the next election. The party (I attended a branch meeting last week) is starting to reach a consensus that they have pulled the biggest boner in Labors history, getting rid of Rudd. The party has been hijacked by the feminist movement of that there is no doubt. The Labor party has done wonderful things since coming to government, and the working class have never had it so good.(FACT) However, if you can't communicate that to the people, notwithstanding the corrupt rotten media in this country, it is time to move on. Rudd or Shorten ?, or if they have any credibility left at all, put in the best Labor politician to come down the pike since Whitlam? Greg Combet. As a member of the party for over forty years I aint asking, I'm bloody demanding it.

Jason

20/05/2012Gary M, I'm no defender of ToM! However the rank and file of which I'm also one,object to the notion that I'm trying to "sink" the party! Kelty has every right to say what he did,we are a democratic party after all despite what those morons from the catholic right think!

Lyn

20/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody A couple of tweets from the Twitterati for you:- Mark ‏@markjs1 Tele loves a juicy 'scandal'...even if it's not REALLY a scandal...what the heck!!...More from Bushfire: http://bit.ly/KC92gP MPs rorting travel entitlements is always a welcome regular. Peter Slipper gets a mention, on a couple of “Top Five” lists, but he’s well below Lib stalwarts like Joe Hockey and Bronwyn Bishop. Joe’s excuse is that he’s a senior shadow minister. Don’t know what Bronwyn’s is. Maybe she’s getting into training for the Speakership? Or perhaps it’s those long drives from Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the airport? http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/05/18/galaxy-64-36-to-federal-coalition-in-queensland/comment-page-23/#comment-1265557 Sky News Australia‏@SkyNewsAust Liberal senator accused of homophobia http://ow.ly/1jTqpe MisdaMagoo‏@MisdaMagoo Hey #Insiders / #Bolt / #MeetThePress - First time in 40 years infaltion/unemployment/interest rates all under 5%! Discuss THAT! psychamuse‏@psychamuse There are claims - unsubstantiated to date - of (Libs) branch stacking in Parramatta ahead of the federal preselectionhttp://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hills-are-alive-with-sound-of-liberals-at-war-20120518-1yvlt.html#ixzz1vNNUkjVm ABC News 24‏@ABCNews24 This hour, @Clarke_Melissa on abuse claims surrounding Sen Bill Heffernan + Danielle Parry on E. Timor anniversary Craig Emerson http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/ Fit & Proper Geek‏@geeksrulz Breaking: Clown Counsel Brandis calls for Bill Heffernan to be afforded the presumption of innocence. http://is.gd/NCffCa#auspol A-PAC‏@APAC_ch648 Heffernan accused of homophobia: Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan has been accused of assaulting and making homoph... http://bit.ly/LoUlPA http://www.skynews.com.au/politics/article.aspx?id=752078&vId= Equitist‏@OzEquitist [MT] @dawnstarau Watch..QLD carefully Australia. This is just a very small taste of what will happen nationally under Abbott #AusPol TAWNBPM‏@TAWNBPM Can you believe it? After 20 years of discussion and an inter-party committee, Xenophon says: " The question is,... http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/xenophon-supports-repealing-carbon-tax-20120520-1yyjn.html :):):)::)

Patriciawa

20/05/2012My sense of the big Murdoch media blow up of the Heffernan incident was to distract attention from the role played by Pyne, Brough [i]et al in the [/i]Ashby/slipper affair. Sorry Ad Astra, but while agreeing with you that the interview with Bill Shorten was a good one, I think it was only because Cassidy was keeping off the really big issue. By that I mean the strong possibility that the Libs have overplayed their hand with the both the big scandals they've promoted and now would like them downplayed, preferably disappear! The role of Tony Abbott's friend and nominee to the IRC, now FWA, Michael Lawler's in apparently in encouraging Kathy Jackson in her pursuit of Craig Thomson, and that of Pyne & Co with Slipper, are huge stories.

Patriciawa

20/05/2012 Sorry, didn't check before I saved up there. Careless, but I hope you get my meaning. I find it astonishing that no one from the government has so far challenged the Lawler/Jackson and now Abbott connection. Do you think they have let them run until they have nowhere to hide?

Psyclaw

20/05/2012Lyn Thanks for the tweets. I note the last one about Xenephon. Although what he said did had a huge caveat ie "I'll support carbon price repeal only after Abbott has a (better) scheme [i][b]in pl[/i]ace[/b]." Evidently he is referring to a 3rd scheme he is involved with, not Abbott's direct action farce ("ie [i]plant some trees ad I'll give you money[/i]") Nevertheless he has become a real media tart. Sure, he might end up with the balance of power, but if so he should merely exercise it quietly and diligently and ethically. In my book, having the balance of power does not entitle the person to be out there in the media actually initiating and driving various major pieces of legislation, except perhaps in the policy area they were elected upon. So in his case, Xenephon is entitled to drive pokie reform all he wants ..... but this is the limit of his mandate to be powerfully pushing any barrell.

Tom of Melbourne

20/05/2012It’s quite funny… Those who urged people to withhold judgment about Thomson until Fair Work Australia completed their investigation are now portraying FWA as involved in some type of conspiracy. Odd, though conspiracy speculation seems to be their last refuge. Then there is some veiled allegation about the involvement of Michael Lawler, without saying exactly what it is, but without any facts, and really without any credibility. Do these people understand the separation of functions and structure within FWA? Apparently not.

Jason

20/05/2012Pysclaw, I think it would be better for Xenophon to worry about getting "re elected" to the Senate at the next election (as his term is up) rather than think aloud on what he may or may not do! For all anyone knows the Greens may still hold the balance!

Gravel

20/05/2012Ad Astra Thanks for your clarification. I do understand that written journalism is becoming a thing of the past, and that they fear for their positions. I also understand that most media owners prefer the conservatives and will support them. What I don't understand is why, with very very few exceptions, none will call out Abbott for his destructive behavior in our so called 'democratic' society. Is is simply they do not see what damage is being done, especially with the 'innocent unless proven guilty' basis of our Aussie society? By allowing this to be destroyed, it puts every Australian in jeopardy. We scream when we see injustice being done all over the world, yet apparently the media is prepared to let the conservatives, and by not calling them on it, themselves, destroy one of our most basic rights. I fear for the future under the conservatives, and even more so when this basic right is so publicly denied, specifically for solely political reasons.

Psyclaw

20/05/2012Come on Swordsters .... follow me .....take up your pens to Brandis!!!!! [quote]Senator Brandis, Your appearance on Meet the Press was replete with your usual dishonesty, hypocrisy and spin. 1) Ms Gillard did not "write" the relevant sections of FW Act. Your Howard government did. 2) You know that the FWA report is based on untested evidence and that it is a mere administrative finding subject to court scrutiny and treatment. It is not a fait accompli. 3) You know that the so called reverse onus of proof in the FW Act only occurs after an adverse action has been established on the facts. The onus to establish that the adverse action occurred is on Mr Ashby. Spin and dishonesty by you. 4) "The parliament should cease commenting and leave it to the court" ……. dumfounding hypocrisy. Just as Mr Abbott's elevation to PM is a great worry in terms of his competence, personality, pugilism, and ideologue character, your associated elevation to A-G is similarly concerning to fair minded Australians. Just saying ……[/quote]

Ad astra

20/05/2012Hi Lyn Interesting tweets. I couldn’t pick up where George Brandis insisted that Bill Heffernan be given the presumption of innocence, but he has so much front, I believe he could have made such a statement. Patricia WA You may be right that today’s rather mild [i]Insiders[/i] might have been so to avoid exposure of the nasties surrounding Liberal involvement in the Ashby/Slipper affair, and the possible ramifications of the Thomson matter that might touch on Tony Abbott. I tend to see things in straightforward terms; I should be more suspicious! Gravel I share your apprehension about the conservatives.

Ad astra

20/05/2012Psyclaw I didn't see [i]Meet the Press[/i], but nothing in what you wrote about George Brandis surprises me. Good letter to Brandis.

Jason

20/05/2012Aa, PaulBongiorno | 3 hours 40 minutes ago RT @MeetThePress10: Here's a link to the transcript of today's show http://t.co/G8tlwpH9 http://t.co/nS4AtCjd

TalkTurkey

20/05/2012Just watching Adelaide Crows giving Carlton a lesson in Aussie Rules 75 points to 41,* but really I'm thinking how lucky we are to have this brilliant game, our own invention, to play and to watch. It is the last of the codes to develop, and it was done very deliberately to be fair to all, long and short and tall, with checks and balances to minimise injury while giving full rein to manly physical abilities. Running, jumping, tackling, bumping, punching, kicking, falling so as not to get hurt . . . So many skills in Aussie Rules! These boys are really superb athletes every one, put them in any physical test and they could be expected to do well. And they are so quick! They pass the ball in the blink of an eye, I can't believe how fast! The ball, only marginally different in appearance from Rugby balls, is yet amazingly more aerodynamic, livelier, more controllable when you get skilled at bouncing it whilst running, kicking and punching it. Especially, reading its running bounces is one of the greatest skills of all. Even the umpire has his own unique skill, that of bouncing it straight and high - much harder than it looks, yet some umpires get it right every time. And the reason it is bounced, rather than thrown up at ball-ups, is to give a margin of unpredictability so that the ruckmen must jostle to the very last instant for the best position. You may bump opponents with hip or shoulder as hard as you can, but you must not use fists or knees or elbows, tackles above the neck and some other tackles are illegal, all to protect the players. Weirdly you might think, I'm not actually a great [i]follower[/i] of football at all, really it's a waste of human resources when it's all said and done, we could've been doing something useful like trying to save the Planet. But if I'm going to watch any code it has to be Aussie Rules. Because fairness as well as spectacle was built into it, in a young and optimistic, fiercely democratic new emerging nation. Fairness. Optimism. Democracy. [i]Egalite[/i]. I believe that that spirit is alive and well and very much to the fore in crowds at Aussie Rules matches. No knife or bottle fights, drunkenness - at least in AFL venues - No need for police usually. Not like in some places where round-ball rules. Glad it's not here. Australia is still a lucky country in some ways. The crowd has a well developed sense of fairness, and there is camaraderie between opposing players at the end of each match; indigenous players are honoured (and brilliant!), and there is rarely real ill-will between opposing fans. Aussie Rules is a great game still. Australian society needs to clutch at the values which it so hopefully enshrines. *Final Score 124-55! Poor Carlton! Sob! (heh heh)

TalkTurkey

20/05/2012Psyclaw said [i]Just as Mr Abbott's elevation to PM is a great worry in terms of his competence, personality, pugilism, and ideologue character, your associated elevation to A-G is similarly concerning to fair minded Australians.[/i] Dog Albitey, when did that happen? Why wasn't I told? :) Yeh Brandis eh.

Fiona

20/05/2012Ad astra May 19. 2012 06:52 PM [quote]There is a law in Canada that penalizes anyone who lies in the media. If only we had it here, it might be possible to take action against any part of the media that misrepresented the facts. Imagine that! [/quote] Ad, thank you for yet another incisive critique, and to (almost) everyone commenting, a thought-provoking debate. Just one teeny weeny quibble regarding the Canadian “truth in media” law – it applies only to the electronic media. Not to print.

jaycee

20/05/2012Psyclaw...while I admire your tenacity, my observation of Sen' Brandis over the years demonstrates he is as thick as boot leather and has the hide to match! He's the sort of kid at school who would stand around with his hands in his pockets acting as if he knew everything on every subject and if he didn't he make it up to sound as if he did!...there's an old saying : "You can't hustle a hustler" and Brandis is one of the most enduring. God help us if he becomes Att' Gen'....but I worry even more should J. Bishop become Min' for Foreign Affairs!!!

Psyclaw

20/05/2012TT Very careless of me .... read "possible elevation" Jaycee You're right. He is a really tough nut I think. A heartless, manipulative, end-justifies-the-means, conservatively-tunnel-visioned, selfish, born to rule, faux QC SOB who has no interest in the common folk and who will try to justify any unethical action by himself or other conservos. I place him up there with Abbott as one of the very few conservos I just can't abide, and who, with the levers in their hands would trash every convention or statute they wanted to, to further their own interests, without the blink of an eye, without a hint of embarrassment, and without the slightest pang of conscience. Electors should treat him as a leper, (with due respects to genuine lepers).

Lyn

20/05/2012Hi Patriciawa Did you know Polliepomes has featured at Blogotatiat: http://www.blogotariat.com/node/366739 Cheers :):):):)

jaycee

20/05/2012Actually, if you were to line up the entire front bench of the opposition with their appointed portfolios.....tell me if I'm wrong, but by hell!!...seriously,is there even ONE who is qualified OR competent to hold their portfolio!?

42 long

20/05/2012I have a bit of a test I apply . After observing pollies at question time and from all sources, over time. The TEST is. a very simple one. Would you want this person as a neighbour in your street? An AWFUL lot of LNP's wouldn't pass that test today. I've voted Liberal at times in the past, but with THIS LOT it's a no brainer. The shadow front bench specifically. After all Tony picked them didn't he.

Ad astra

20/05/2012Fiona Thanks. Do you have a link to legislation that governs truth in the electronic media? Patricia WA Congratulations. Jason Thanks for the [i]Meet the Press[/i] transcript.. It was typical Brandis obfuscation, wasn't it! jaycee The answer to your question is 'practically nobody'.

Lyn

20/05/2012Hi Ad & Everybody This is an example of how excited the news readers get about the Government getting thrown out because of Craig Thomson: Michael Rowland‏ Also on BreakfastNews we look ahead to Craig Thomson's big speech to Parliament.Will it be enough to save him and the government?#abcnews24 :):):) :):)

Ad astra

20/05/2012Hi Lyn Everyone is getting excited about Crag Thomson's address to parliament. I hope it is on ABC1 as I can't get ABC News 24 here in Melbourne. I'm calling it a day.

TalkTurkey

20/05/2012Patricia FAME! Well done. But we on TPS recognized you first. :)

Doug

20/05/2012@ Talk Turkey - May 19. 2012 03:52 AM The poem is Saltbush Bill, by Banjo Paterson. The last verse reads as follows: "So the new chum rode to the homestead straight, and told them a story grand Of the desperate fight that he fought that day with the King of the Overland; And the tale went home to the Public Schools of the pluck of the English swell -- How the drover fought for his very life, but blood in the end must tell. But the travelling sheep and the Wilga sheep were boxed on the Old Man Plain; 'Twas a week's full work ere they drafted out and hunted them off again; A week's good grass in their wretched hides, with a curse and a stockwhip crack They hunted them off on the road once more to starve on the half-mile track. And Saltbush Bill, on the Overland, will many a time recite How the best day's work that he ever did was the day that he lost the fight."

Doug

20/05/2012Text of a letter I sent to Bruce Belsham at 7.30 on the ABC: I would like to raise a couple of points on which I would appreciate your clarification. You said in your letter to The Political Sword that Mr Uhlmann asked “questions in the public mind”. I’m a member of the public and I would like Mr Uhlmann to ask Mr Abbott some questions on my mind. • How is the baby bonus different from the school kids bonus, apart from “it just is”? Mr Uhlmann’s “probing” style utterly failed to follow this through when Mr Abbott handed it to him on a plate. I don’t know whether this was because Mr Uhlmann didn’t want to embarrass Mr Abbott or because Mr Uhlmann’s interview MO consists of asking a series of prepared questions in pursuit of particular agenda regardless of the responses. If the former, then he is biased. If the latter then he is not, contrary to your claim, an “intelligent, no-nonsense journalist” – anyone can read a script. • How is Mr Abbott going to pay for all his promises and cut taxes? Mr Uhlmann has not yet teased an explanation on this intriguing question from Mr Abbott, in spite of his “probing” style. • Given how often Mr Abbott appears on fluff shows on privately-owned television and his addiction to photo ops and door stops, can you explain to your viewers why he so rarely appears on the ABC? Isn’t this disrespectful to your audience? Why don’t you invite him on more often and, when he declines, tell us so? That way we can make an informed judgement about his willingness to front “probing” interviews. I’d have thought a piece on Abbott’s avoidance of your show/network, eg his failure to appear on Budget reply night, would be newsworthy in itself. What has the alternative PM got to hide? Surely with the polls as they stand, the Australian voters should be entitled to some idea of what policies and reforms an Abbott govt would introduce, other than trying to wind the clock back to 2007. • Mr Uhlmann referred to “broken promises” several times during the interview, effectively promoting and subliminally validating the Opposition’s mantra. Mr Abbott lied about his involvement in a slush fund to put Pauline Hanson in jail. Kerry O’Brien discovered this on the 7.30 Report. He lied about a meeting with George Pell - Kerry again. He has been quoted as saying he was loose with the truth when on the fly and things needed to be written down if you wanted to hold him to account - Kerry again, I think. Why has Mr Uhlmann not regularly prefaced his “probing” questions to Mr Abbott with the phrase: “Given you have admitted not always being truthful and have been caught out lying on previous occasions, .....”? Or even ask Hockey or Reith “Given Mr Abbott’s longstanding record of laxity with the truth....”? Surely, to quote your own words, these examples of his past loose association with the truth and facts “reflect on the credibility of the (Opposition) and on its (policies)”. • Mr Abbott said a price on carbon was the most effective way to address greenhouse gas emissions (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPpQisoZqx4). Under Mr Howard, this was Liberal Party policy and Greg Hunt did his university thesis on it. Now Mr Abbott denies the effectiveness of the very policy he advocated. Why hasn’t Mr Uhlmann “respectfully probed” Mr Abbott about his changed position? Why hasn’t Mr Uhlmann asked Mr Abbott to respond to Govt claims he is a weather vane on climate change policy: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/carbon-plan/weathervane-abbott-targeted-over-support-for-price-on-carbon/story-fn99tjf2-1226098193350 Why hasn’t Mr Uhlmann reflected on Mr Abbott’s vacillations and asked why, given his record, people should now believe what Mr Abbott advocates and promises, and what guarantee Mr Abbott can give he won't change his mind and policies again? • The “theme of credibility” has been “infused into the very being of the current Parlt” by an Opposition bereft of any arguments or valid criticism of this govt’s management of the economy. However, if you think such concepts are valid, I suggest you look at the “credibility” of the Opposition’s economic policies, including the “credibility” of a carbon pricing ETS vs Direct Action, whereby an Abbott govt would hand over my taxes to polluting companies to encourage them towards clean energy. So-called wealth transfers under the recent budget and carbon compensation could be usefully compared with the wealth transfer that would ensue when my taxes are paid to polluting multinational corporations.

Gary M

20/05/2012"Gary M, I'm no defender of ToM! However the rank and file of which I'm also one,object to the notion that I'm trying to "sink" the party! Kelty has every right to say what he did,we are a democratic party after all despite what those morons from the catholic right think!" Jason please. One can only generalise in such matters, Kelty has every right to say as he pleases as I and you do, that does not make for the political outcome we desire. Have you ever heard of putting your foot in it? There is obviously a problem with the leadership of our party and it needs to be addressed. I am not an orphan when it comes to this salient fact. All of the waffle in the world does not win elections.We can't win with Julia, why the electorate hates this women I will leave to others, but they do. The party is putting off the inevitable, and time is not on our side..

Ben

20/05/2012Gary M @ May 20. 2012 10:30 PM wrote: "We can't win with Julia, why the electorate hates this women I will leave to others, but they do. " To quote Dennis Denuto in The Castle: "It's the vibe of the thing". To quote Mick Malthouse on "Gameday" on channel 7 this morning: "It's all about momentum, which is a very mysterious thing."

BSA Bob

21/05/2012I put up something like this at the Cafe, but thought I'd share it as an example of vacuous media reporting. ABC TV at 7pm tonight with a story along the lines of "No matter where she goes, Julia Gillard can't escape questions about Craig Thomson". Cut to Julia in Chicago & yes, someone asked her a question about Craig Thomson. In a broad Australian accent. A media organisation had paid for this git to travel to Chicago just to have him ask a question that could be prefaced by "No matter where she goes..." I must say the same bulletin had a fair bit on the Heffernan affair with some footage of Craig Emerson highlighting Abbott's double standards, but I thought the Gillard piece was pretty crook even allowing for what the ABC's turning into.

Jason

21/05/2012Gary M, So if Combet becomes PM all the policy problems the electorate hate with Gillard as PM will suddenly become palatable with the electorate the media will be even handed and Abbott's numbers in the polls will crash! We have problems with the "leadership alright" that's why we are losing members(last numbers I saw was around 35 thousand Australia wide) The Collingwood football club hope to reach 70,000 this year,sub branches are closing due to lack of attendance rank and file members get ignored but hey lets blame Gillard for all our woes! I suppose Richo and the former ALP members who go on Andrew Bolts show every week do far less damage to us than Kelty's speech did!

Lyn

21/05/2012TODAY’S LINKS Which Side Has The Most Tainted Votes-, Dan Gulbery, The Daily Derp The Derp won’t bother including Kelly O’Dwyer’s vote as being tainted for her stunt which was discussed in The Derp yesterday (Liar, Liar, Kelly O’Dwyer), nor that of the other LNP member involved in the rather pathetic stunt, Senator Eric Abetz. http://thedailyderp.net/ Latest BISONs - 20 May 2012, The Finnigans IMF in full flight praising Australia's BISONs - It welcomes Aust commitment to return to a budget surplus by 2012/13 to rebuild fiscal buffers. Aust has more policy flexibility with the lowest public net % debt-to-GDP, floating exchange rate. Aust economy is expected to grow 3% in 2012 and 3.5% in 2013 READ MORE http://thefinnigans.blogspot.com.au/ Hangman Jury, Peter Wicks, Wixxy’s Blog There are those who say that bloggers, and publications like Independent Australia, do not have the accountability of those in the mainstream media, and do not have as much to risk. To this argument, I would say “What utter crap”. The notion of somebody taking on a journalist, or columnist that has the backing of News Ltd, or Fairfax and their legal team http://wixxy.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/hangman-jury/ Their definition of “free speech, Jeremy Sear Pure Poison The Editor in Chief of The Australian, Chris Mitchell, launches an extraordinary personal attack on academics daring to participate in the media enquiry, asserting, in respect of specific named people, they once http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2012/05/19/their-definition-of-free-speech/ The Men Behind The Boom, Troy Henderson, New Matilda Jobs, jobs, jobs — it’s all we ever hear about. But what’s it really like to be a miner, childcare worker or scientist? Our occasional series sends Troy Henderson down the tunnel and into the lab to find out. Behind the rhetoric and beyond the boom — Matilda Snapshots is a warts and all picture of working life in Australia. http://newmatilda.com/2012/05/18/men-behind-boom Slippergate…FAIL!, Massivespray, Spray of The Day If this doesn’t immediately highlight the character of the sort of people in the LNP I don’t know what else will. I fully expect Ashby’s case to be laughed out of court and him to be thrown to the wolves by his LNP/Coalition handlers. If we’re really lucky he’ll name names and spill the details of how this was http://sprayoftheday.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/slippergate-fail/ Julian Assange: Facebook is the most appalling spying machine ever invented, Turn Left 2013 Facebook in particular is the most appalling spying machine that has ever been invented. Here we have the world’s most comprehensive database about people, their relationships, their names, their addresses, their locations and the communications with each other, their relatives, all sitting within http://turnleft2013.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/julian-assange-facebook-is-the-most-appalling-spying-machine-ever-invented/ Tony Abbott and Rupert Murdoch, Independent Australia Cameron is not the only Conservative politician to appoint a former Murdoch employee to their staff. Here in Australia, Opposition leader Tony Abbott has also just appointed a former News Ltd operative.Let me quote a report from last week: http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/business/media-2/tony-abbott-and-rupert-murdoch/ What's Wrong with Labor-, Only The Depth Varies So there they sit, disgruntled unionists, disillusioned greenies, disenfranchised lefties of all kinds, wondering where their party went. Polls, media, an obstructionist opposition, a hung parliament, the GFC, climate change, asylum seekers and the rise in popularity of the raspberry macaron notwithstanding, the base is still there, where they've been all along. The ALP chased the centre, and in doing so, moved so far to the right that it's unrecognisable to grass roots lefties like me. http://onlythedepthvaries.blogspot.com.au/ Sleazy, nasty, dirty and wrong- Just another day at The Australian, Ethical Martini The Australian thinks that Margaret and others are part of some leftwing conspiracy. In other words, anyone with an opinion that editor-in-chief Chris Mitchell disagrees with is fair game for slander and professional assassination. http://ethicalmartini.wordpress.com/ VOTE CHEATING POLITICIANS , Paula Matthewson, Hoopla When they publicly deny an affair, as Gareth Evans (left) did in the Senate years before his relationship with Cheryl Kernot was exposed, it shows they’re capable of mouthing commitment while simultaneously subverting that commitment with their behaviour. http://thehoopla.com.au/vote-cheating-politicians/ How can this happen and we not be told?? (part 1), Ash, Ash’s Machiavellian Bloggery How can this happen and we not be told?? How could CPI get to ridiculously low levels and we not be told it is happening?? How could inflation be so low and we not see it in any forecasts? How the hell can unemployment drop to 4.9% and no one know about it? http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/how-can-this-happen-and-we-not-be-told/ Same-sex marriage: the answer is logic, reason and love, Andrew Clifton, Mamamia I wrote to Mr Hockey to highlight this. I told him that I think he is a reasonable man, only trying to do what is right, however much I disagree with his perspective. I asked him if,in 18 years time when Alexandra (Penny Wong’s daughter) is a bright, healthy and happy http://www.mamamia.com.au/relationships/same-sex-marriage-logic-reason-love/ AEC takes the ground out from under Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's allegations regarding Thomson, Clarence Girl, North Coast Voices The majority of newspapers have left an impression that there is something still "dodgy" about Craig Thompson and his electoral funding to the amount of $17000. But I got a different impression when I read this report http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/05/16/most-thomsons-spendings-ok-aec/ http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/ Getting harder for pollsters to sample, Crispin Hull Not all of those would consider their case hopeless. Not all would consider their chances any better if they changed leader now. But history shows that backbenchers get techier as election day nears if polls are bad and if they show the party’s position would improve with a change in leadership. Remember that in 1983 Labor threw out Bill Hayden as leader on the day the election was called. http://www.crispinhull.com.au/2012/05/19/getting-harder-for-pollsters-to-sample/ Household Assistance , Australian Government The Household Assistance Package will deliver assistance to 9 out of 10 households through personal income tax cuts and increases in pensions and allowances, as well as other measures http://www.alp.org.au/agenda/household-assistance/ TODAY’S FRONT PAGES: Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 21 May 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia Video: Meet The Press http://ten.com.au/video-player.htm?movideo_m=189787&movideo_p=41949 Liberal MP accused of anti-gay attack, Channel 9 http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx?videoid=a4a42cfb-aa39-40c7-baab-358336111754

2353

21/05/2012Gary M - to "lose" one PM because their tribe thinks they aren't good enough is careless, to lose two is mindless. Apart from the destablising that goes on prior to and after an event such as this, it gives the Oppn and media all the ammunition they need. You claim you are an ALP member (for the record I'm not). "Your" party has chosen Gillard, I would suggest that you stand by your choice until the next election. "Your" party might lost the support of the Independents that are supporting Gillard at the moment. Otherwise, you are just validating the Oppn's "weak" and "unelected" Government line - do so at your peril.

Lyn

21/05/2012 Good Morning Ad They are all out after Craig Thomson's throat Malcolm Farr seems a little more reasonable than the rest: A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing… by Malcolm Farr As of today he has not been found guilty of anything, apart from a Liberal charge of not resigning to allow Tony Abbott to win government early. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/A-big-day-for-Thomson-who-thus-far-is-guilty-of-nothing/ :):):)

TalkTurkey

21/05/2012Doug TYVM for that Saltbush Bill excerpt. I couldn't find it on Google, wonder why? How/where did you find it? I'd forgotten the clever bit, that Saltbush Bill (I got the Bill right though) had mixed his mob up with the local sheep, and the 'new chum' was a snotty Pom (Poms used to be the World's Worst Whingers, remember?), I got that right too. But the best thing was remembering the last line word-perfect, that's what rhyming verse is so very good for. Eh Patricia. The rhymes and cadences and their echoes slot into comfy little grooves in your brain and stay there snoozing for the rest of your life and just wake up once in a while when something rings their bell, that's the technical explanation. With tunes to accompany the lines the words can't even be brainwashed away. Anyway here for your delectation is a pome what I writ in AD 1999, as part of my argument with John Winston Howard that the New Millenium would begin on January 1 2000, not as that fool had it 2001 . . . Anyway . . . The humour still works especially if you think about the implications of the last line. Not all my parodies are nasty. Just most. Especially while we got Abborttians huffing and puffing at Our House. Oh of course it sings too, to the tune of The Drover's Dream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA_gR5TwNyY (or just google the drover's dream for more versions) [i][u]Two Thousand . . . and[/u] ?[/i] Where Australia's sun is hot A Pom, a Paddy, and a Scot All try out for a job as Jackeroo And the Aussie station bloke Makes them count, half as a joke, Two thousand sheep, to see how they will do. 'Course it takes them quite a while Counting jumbucks by the mile, What with dust and heat and flies it's far from fun; Two blokes count [i]Two-Oh-Oh-Oh[/i] Paddy yells [i]No-No-No-No![/i] [i]I swear, Begorrah, there's Two-Oh-Oh-[u]One[/u]![/i] So the Aussie Station Bloke (to whom it's gone beyond a joke) Crossly does a recount with them all, and then, When their counts still fail to tally Turns the sheep loose in the Mallee, Hires the Irishman, and fires the other men. Then says Paddy, [i]Dat was weird! Seems to dem, one disappeared! Moight be Leprechauns enchanted dem - loike Elves![/i] Station Bloke says [i]Nah, they're mugs! And they're prob'ly both on drugs - Them dopey dorks forgot to count [b]themselves![/b] [/i] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA_gR5TwNyY

Ad astra

21/05/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Ad astra

21/05/2012Good Morning Lyn It will be an interesting day for all sides of the Thomson matter. Malcolm Farr wrote a reasonable piece. Let’s see how it all pans out. You have given a great set of links today. Again thanks for all the wonderful work you do for us day after day and week after week.

erTalkTurkey

21/05/2012Yes Lyn. Like Ad says. You are a true legend, uniquely linking people to people. I wouldn't have a clue where to go to get such a breakfast smorgasbord without your Daily Links. Just that there are people saying such clever things . . . Ashghebranious is one of the brainiest. As for Mal Farcom, if he writes some more fair-minded stuff like that I'll be tempted to call him Malcolm Farr! :) But I wouldn't know any of that but for you! Lyn right now many are reading the stuff you have linked us to. You would be too easily taken for granted, well I know that many people have a very lively appreciation of your work even if they don't say so. Just that they [i]are[/i] reading your links is the self-evidence of that. Poo-Poo on ABC oh very sincere (!) Oh shame he's back. Dog be with Craig Thomson today. No-one knows right now what he will say. It all sounds so weird . . . Gee I hope he'll be cleared And his enemies get blown away. Waitin' for the countdown

Ian

21/05/2012Should you analyse it. The only people who want Gillard gone, I don't mean the mindless fools that follow the blather of the day, are the interests that can, and do, influence public opinion. In fact, those that can buy it. The "vested interests" if you will. I think we have to understand that the modern media is their tool and their tool only. In a funny sort of way this Government, being a minority, is hampered by the authority it weilds. As much as it needs to happen I don't think that there will be any meaningful regulation of media in this parliament. When Ms Gillard and the Labor party retain government, in their own right, at the 2013 election I imagine there will be some "skin and hair flying" as my mother used to tell me when, as a kid, I'd done something wrong. This is what they fear the most. They will lose the capacity to sheild, bend and deny the truth....and that's gonna hurt. I do wonder though, whether the Canadian "truth in broadcasting" laws could be incorporated into the ABC charter/code of conduct and whether Minister Conroy has the authority to implement it? And can he do it now? The time has passed for treating the ABC as a sacred and untouchable cow. They have chosen to join the mob and be lead wherever they the mob goes. If they end up in a stock yard being branded, ear tagged and de-knackered they only have themselves to blame.

erTalkTurkey

21/05/2012erTalkTurkey? er er ? Search me. Waitin' for the countdown (in the summer of 81) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFIVQms3SAk

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Ad Twitterverse for you, you will see my tweets, where SEIZE is the word of the day. George‏@OverTheHill4 @BreakfastNews Lynch mob mentality today Thomson now assumed guilty by ABC tabloid reporters and shockjock hosts pathetic behaviour Katharine Murphy‏@murpharoo Good morning all. Ready for Craig Thomson's big day? The Pulse will be up and running shortly. Fit & Proper SpaceK‏@SpaceKidette Today watch the media froth and boil themselves demented over Craig Thomson. #overit #auspol Fit & Proper Geek‏@geeksrulz Is Mr Abbott, Mr Sinodinos and the Liberal Party making light of homophobic assaults? Are they condoning them? http://is.gd/Lqm2mm #auspol ABC Radio‏@amworldtodaypm BillHeffernan entitled to presumption of innocence but it'd be differnt if Oppn's approach applied:CraigEmerson http://bit.ly/KzVE91 #auspol vexnews‏@vexnews Tony Abbott caught in a double standards ethics trap as he rightly refuses to sack Bill Heffernan http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/abbott-refuses-to-sack-heffernan-20120520-1yzd0.html Sophie Black‏@sophblack Is that what we're calling it? RT @theage: Follow our live coverage of Thomson Day http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomson-to-seek-legal-judgment-20120520-1yz3e.html via @theage vexnews‏@vexnews Will the truth set Craig Thomson free? #auspolhttp://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/craig-thomson-mp-to-call-on-police-to-obtain-brothel-surveillance-tapes-to-show-his-innocence/story-e6freuy9-1226361599989 vexnews‏@vexnews Baillieu faces Thomson-like drama over MP accused of petrol stealing #springst http://bit.ly/JvdAjo Lyn Linking‏@lynlinking Labor has SEIZED on the Coalition's move as evidence the opposition ....Excerpt http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/treasury/coalition-bungles-bid-to-block-higher-debt-ceiling/story-fn59nsif-1226361653182 Lyn Linking‏@lynlinking SENIOR Gillard government ministers have SEIZED on assault allegations Excerpt http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/abbott-told-to-walk-the-walk-on-heffernan/story-fn59niix-1226361624875 Lyn Linking‏@lynlinking Craig Emerson, seized on the claims yesterday to try to take some heat off the government..Excerpthttp://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/complaint-may-be-revenge-say-heffernan-colleagues-20120520-1yz2x.html Lyn Linking‏@lynlinking the government seized on allegation that controversial Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan made homophobic attack. excerpt http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomson-to-seek-legal-judgment-20120520-1yz3e.html :):):)

Psyclaw

21/05/2012Lyn Thanks again for the links. Especially the daiy derp. That Kelly O'Dwyer is a bit of goods isn't she. The closing down shop is moving 3 doors back into their old premises ....."closing because of Gillard" ..... what lies. And the richard cranium owner admitted the lie saying it was just a bit of "black humour". Reminds me of Abbott quoting the enormous (I think $18K) electricity price rise for Ken? the Pt Macquarie butcher. It too Lenore Taylor to contact Ken and consider the price rise as a fraction of his gross costs and turnover. The result was a 2c per Kg rise in his rump steak. That their DNA contains the lying gene is so true.

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Ad Ad yesterday you said you cannot get ABC24 in Melbourne, so I thought I would remind you of this link : WATCH OUR LIVE STREAM OF THOMSON'S SPEECH TODAY AT NOON CRAIG Thomson will this morning formally ask police to obtain surveillance footage of the nights he is alleged to have visited Sydney brothels on a union credit card before he became an MP. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/craig-thomson-mp-to-call-on-police-to-obtain-brothel-surveillance-tapes-to-show-his-innocence/story-e6freuy9-1226361599989 :):)

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Psyclaw Yes Kelly O'Dwyer is a piece of work isn't she. I believe she hasn't tweeted since that particular tweet. A lot of people have called her bluff. Hubris she wears for a top hat. Cheers:):):)

LadyInRed

21/05/2012A very thought provoking article, thanks Ad astra. I do get very cranky when I read the inflamatory language the media uses when it presents what should be positive policy from the government. Sadly the ABC is starting to join in. In the past it was subtle, but lately it is getting more and more overt. I can't help wondering if we/I should have been complaining every time I saw a deliberate attempt to put a slant on a story. I think perhpas I will start to keep tabs and present them with an email a week highlighting items where the language appeared to be trying to put a slant on things. Lynn thanks so much for the links today.

Ad astra

21/05/2012Hi Lyn Thanks for the tweets with all the mouth frothing they portray, and thanks too for the link to the live broadcast. If ABC 1 is not broadcasting the Thomson address, I'll use [i]The Daily Telegraph[/i] site. I must have missed the Kelly O'Dwyer tweet. If she tweets as much as she talks, the Internet will be overloaded. LadyinRed Thank you for your kind words. You are right, it is almost to be expected that the Murdoch tabloids will be grossly anti-Gillard, anti-Government, but when OUR ABC follows suit, it really is too much, and we should say so, repeatedly.

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Talk Turkey Your comment @ 09:19 AM, thankyou very much for your always kind supportive words, you are an absolute pleasure. Your appreciation is a wonderful motivation for me. You said (You would be too easily taken for granted) well someone on Twitter said maybe I will get an invite to the Lodge one day. So I tweeted back and asked them to arrange it for me. That would be a highlight wouldn't it. I would tell Julia "all my friends on TPS have to come too". :):):):):):):):)

erTalkTurkey

21/05/2012Craig Thomson riveting the House of Representatives. Reads out hate letters. Not a sound. Full on accusing Abbortt of unleashing hatred - and then the Press Gallery. At last no pulled punches. Go Craig. ABC 24 missed the beginning of his speech.

TalkTurkey

21/05/2012I don't know what gives mit der erTalkTurkey . . ?

Gravel

21/05/2012We have just watched Craig Thomson. He was very clear and precise. He did an excellent job defending himself, even though he shouldn't have had to. I know the media will go after him stronger than ever after that statement, as he probably does too, they were never going to give him the benefit of the doubt, no matter what he had to say today. Poor fellow, my country.

Jason

21/05/2012I can hardly wait for ToM of Melbourne BA to give us all the benefit of his considered legal opinion on Thomson's statement!

Psyclaw

21/05/2012Loved the way CT began by pointing at Abbot....."You have led a lynch mob after me". Loved the way CT ended by pointing at Abbott ...."You are not fit to be PM. You are not even fit to be an MP".

Sir Ian Crisp

21/05/2012The brothel inspector must have spent plenty of time here at TPS. It turns our it's the media and the Abbott who are to blame. Has he got any proof to back up his claim? Did any of CT's neighbours notice a film crew under the Thomson's bathroom window? Shouldn't we grant the media the presumption of innocence until proven guilty? Why didn't the brothel inspector make mention of the plastic? Why wasn't this statement delivered 3 years ago? Who was the person/s who spoofed his phone? Why name those he suspected of mischief in parliament yet the same info can't be handed to the cops?

TalkTurkey

21/05/2012That has sort of shut them up! What have they got left? Oh yes, Slipper! The Liberals will be looking forward to that I don't think. I am. Do you-all see the new ?ploy? Albo is using to STFU Pyne's SSO's -moving the gag on Pyne, Speaker puts it to vote, division required, minutes go by, Government loses vote and doesn't care, clock goes on, time expired for Pyne, Mesma takes over, Albo moves the gag, . . . so what a fun way to waste time and money, but it's better than listening to Pyne and Mesma, and it's not Labor's fault. But it's nice quid pro quo from Labor. Nice.

Shirley

21/05/2012Psyclaw, Yes a very powerful statement to begin and end his address. Are we seeing today our democracy being reclaimed or further trashed by the media and opposition. Only time will tell. The people in Craig s electorate were interviewed (ABC 24) after the address and all believed in either Craig's innocence or the right of innocence until proven guilty. I think given the chance and exposure to fair and balanced reporting the majority of Australian's will want the law to be the judge and not the lynch mobs. I certainly feel for him and wish him and his family, staff and the rank and file union well. Lyn, I add my thanks and appreciation for your daily links. How to turn the polls around in six months- the answer could well be in fair reporting of Craig's address and the media taking the challenge they were given to do their job and stop be players.

Ad astra

21/05/2012TT, Gravel, Psyclaw, Shirley Craig Thomson’s presentation was plausible, frank and at times heart-wrenching. Many will believe he has had unfair treatment by his enemies in the HSU, and via the Fairwork Australia report, and by those who have already found him guilty. Many of the latter will not have changed their mind, Richo among them. But Thomson can expect renewed attack from some parts of the media, who having been called out for the disingenuous way they have handled this matter, will be so stung that they will heighten their attack. There is nothing as vicious as an egotistical and self-confidence media that has been pinged.

Ad astra

21/05/2012Hi Lyn I’m waiting breathlessly for your Twitters on the Thomson speech!

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Ad Here is the Twitterati on Craig Thomson, see the HSU Official is holding a press conference at 4pm.. channel 7 are disputing Craig Thomson's claims about the hovering claim. Fit & Proper Peeping Toms RT @Pollytics: Channel 7 rejects accusations that they "hovered" under Thomson's bathroom window. It was much more of a "lurk" Simon Cullen‏ The HSU official named by Craig Thomson as being involved in setting him up, Marco Bolano, will hold a press conference at 4pm Latika Bourke ‏@latikambourke Marc Bolano's statement 'disturbs me to watch [Craig] Thomson drowning in a river of delusion' http://www.scribd.com/doc/94254869/Marco-Bolano-Media-Release-on-Craig-Thomson Hermes Trismegistus‏@conarelli Craig Thomson finishes by saying Tony Abbott's handling of the matter shows he's unfit to be PM IndependentAustralia‏@independentaus Thomson: Opposition have trashed rule of law and democracy. Says Abbott not fit to be PM or even an MP. Not Telling‏@lisaintokyo Emotional MP Thomson speaks of threats - Yahoo!7 http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/13737891/emotional-mp-thomson-speaks-of-threats/via @Y7News smh.com.au‏@smh News: Thomson's tears http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/opposition-media-unleashed-a-lynch-mob--thomson-20120521-1z025.r The Daily Telegraph‏@dailytelegraph Labor 'still running protection' for Thomson http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/labor-still-running-protection-racket-for-thomson/story-e6freuyi-1226362371646? Sky News Australia‏@SkyNewsAust Thomson in tears as defends innocence http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=752446&vId= The West Australian‏@thewest_com_au MP Craig Thomson breaks down in Parliament has he defends his reputation. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13738709/thomson-in-tears-as-he-defends-reputation/ National Times‏@NationalTimesAU Thomson's ability to make his case gives insight into how he could convince Labor for so long, writes Michelle Grattan http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/politics/the-ultimate-selfdelusion-or-the-truth-20120521-1z0ji.html Latika Bourke ‏@latikambourke Oppn crying 'gagged' and 'shame' as Govt wins division. sansBS‏@OzFacts @latikambourke @annabelcrabb: "what you've done is not damage an individual. You've damaged democracy," Thomson concludes by telling Abbott. sortius‏@sortius Great speech there @DobellThommo. Took a lot of guts to get up & spill your heart to a bunch of hostile pricks #HoR Rob Mitchell‏@RobMitchellMP What a crock of shite. Pyne wants to SSO for a 10 min spray of crap Mike Stuchbery‏@mikestuchbery Pyne, you filthy little pig. Syd Walker‏@SydWalker That may turn out to be a historic speech by Craig Thomson. Passionate, articulate, damning of his tormentors #auspol #Thomson Peta‏@pthr9 @latikambourke Wld be great if the media reread To Kill a Mockingbird and took heed. Annabel Crabb‏@annabelcrabb "Rarely has it been raised in the media that (Kathy Jackson's) partner is second in charge at FWA", Thomson tells parliament. Adrian B‏@Volvo_of_doom To the LNP "You have unleashed the lynch mob. And you have fanned it. And for that, you all ultimately are responsible" - Craig Thomson Latika Bourke ‏@latikambourke Craig #Thomson says you don't expect Ch 7 reporters hovering under his bathroom window while his pregnant wife was showering. He's crying. Financial Review‏@FinancialReview Peter Slipper is still performing the roles of Speaker despite standing aside, a Senate estimates committee has heard http://afr.com/p/home/slipper_still_doing_speaker_roles_LSSwfJF6A10Rp4GRxufwkI vexnews‏@vexnews Senior Liberals claim NSW Senator Bill Heffernan could be the victim of payback from within the party http://bit.ly/K1jhsm #auspol ABC The Drum ‏@ABCthedrum If you’re curious about the @BarnsGreg article Craig #Thomson quoted this afternoon, here it is... http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3979060.html LNP Craig Kelly:- Robert Corr‏@robcorr .@albomp is going after Liberal MP Craig Kelly for allegedly failing to declare company roles (raised by @andrewjcrook http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/09/questions-over-lib-mps-family-) Sabra Lane‏@SabraLane Govt responds now by referring Craig Kelly to privileges committee: over allegations that he was part of co. trading while insolvent Mark ‏@markjs1 @AlboMP has taken gloves off big time and is fighting Tories with their chosen weapon...serious claims against LNP member for Hughes #auspol Stephen Mayne‏@MayneReport Oooh, reference to Crikey as a source for this big Albo counter-attack on Liberal Craig Kelly generates much noise in the chamber. George Bludger‏@GeorgeBludger Pyne upset about "smearing a member of the house"…AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA#auspol Stephen Mayne‏@MayneReport Albo certainly seems to have the goods on Craig Kelly. What next? Naming Liberal MPs who have enjoyed escort services. There would be a few. Stephen C‏@2FBS Pyne getting very shrill about an LNP MP being outed as a dishonest rat bastard. :):):)

TalkTurkey

21/05/2012What is that thing on the front of Vampirella's face? - Oh it's her [i]mouth[/i], she chews with it open. And then she gets chucked. The Liberals look and sound thoroughly chastened (well a lot anyway.) Labor has got the Thomson issue out of its hair. I think he did splendidly. Pull your heads in Abborttians. The enemy has retreated some way off in disorder to work out how to spin the story. Thomson has put it right back at them, good on him. Shorten paying them out. The Fight is properly On. Abbortt remember The Ides of September Embers by November Dead ash by Crispmess! Now Simon Crean. What a Good Man. Government looking relaxed and comfortable. And why not! :) Three O'clock and all's well The Opposition can go to Hell.

Ad astra

21/05/2012Lyn - you are fantastic - what a collection. As I predicted, some of the media are already hitting back because they could not possibly be wrong, nor could their judgement be questioned. Michelle Grattan seems unconvinced. I think this will be a setback for the Coalition.

Patriciawa

21/05/2012Amazing that results of on line polls about Craig Thomson's credibility being overwhelmingly against him. One wonders how many people were poised ready to vote him down as soon as the poll appeared on line having already made up their minds about his guilt. Had they listened to him? I certainly needed time to asses how I felt before voting. I read elsewhere that Craig Thomson has suspended himself from the Labor Party, not 'been suspended' as some reports suggest. Didn't he agree to move himself to the cross benches after discussion with the Prime Minister? If that is what has left him more free to defend himself then I am glad of it. I found him convincing today. It would have been hard to act the rather understated, matter of fact presentation he gave. He hasn't budged an inch on his story in the years since Kathy Jackson first started throwing allegations around about him. If it is true that she has made no whistleblowing allegations to the Health Services Union itself, but only to the media, why have we not been told that? That is almost as significant as Kathy Jackson's relationship with Michael Lawler of Fair Work Association who is suddenly on leave and unavailable for questioning. All these media interviews and denigration of a Member of Parliament given to someone simply making personal assertions.

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Ad Ad I must have been posting while you posted, I am one minute after you. The tweets are very informative in fact so good that if anyone missed Craig Thomson's speech the twitterverse will tell you all. I had trouble ending actually they are still going on. Notice the media links I posted, they have accentuated Craig drinking water and his tears. Heartless mob aren't they. Thankyou for your as ever kind words Ad I love your appeciation. I love it when everyone enjoys my work, TPS is worth every minute. Thankyou Lady in Red, I was delighted to see you this morning and read your thoughtful opinion. Thankyou to you as well Shirley you are a Sweetie, I enjoy your posts very much. PS. Craig Thomson made me cry, I feel so sorry for the way he has been persecuted and I blame Tony Abbott. Craig's Speech was the most heartfelt sincere emotional speech I have ever seen or heard in Parliament. Nobody deserves the treatment Craig Thomson has received. Lyndal Curtis on now trying to talk sensible about Pyne's behaviour, what a disgrace. From Jeremy Sear:- Crikey Pure Poison‏@PurePoison_Blog I suppose it was too much to hope that News might point out that the THOMSON THOMSON THOMSON story is a distraction. PS Did you see the photo they picked for Thomson, out of the thousands of frames they must’ve taken? I don’t know why I let myself believe they were capable of non-manipulative, straight news reporting, even for a moment. Sigh. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2012/05/21/compliment-turns-to-ash/ AshGhebranious‏@AshGhebranious So a coalition minister, Dana Vale, has been taking money as a solicitor while claiming parliamentary monies #auspol #abcnews24

Ad astra

21/05/2012Thank you Lyn for keeping us up to date. You do the work and we benefit. As I predicted the media will try even harder to savage Craig Thomson. The media and journalists always hate admitting that they might have been wrong. Patricia WA, I am in accord with your assessment. Let's now see how the media react. I'm afraid it won't be pretty.

LadyInRed

21/05/2012I saw all of his Craig Thompsons address to parliament. I am glad that he got a chance to get out what he needed to say. He certainly put out a credible argument in his defence. I would say the most interesting statement was the fact that on at least 3 occassions when he was supposedly at the brothel having a goooood time he was actually not even in the sate where the supposed goood time took place. That should surley be easy to prove or disprove. The video tapes were another interesting line of enquiry unless he is so certain the tapes no longer exist? I felt he needed to tell the press gallery off. They deserved his contempt. And the amount of money gone missing is making me start to think that if it wasn't him what a clever way of laundering money for yourself. Jackson also has a case to answer. Why go straight to the media? But I thought his last line was poignant. TA is not fit to PM he is not fit to be an MP. For this reason alone I just know that the media will not give up hounding him. Thompson should always have been treated as an innocent person until proven guilty. If nothing else this question should be the headlines on every persons lips, because this presumption of innocence protects us all. I feel for him, I feel for his mental health and I feel for his family. I note Gratton was still at it, apparently can't imagine a conspiracy theory being true. I think everyone must have been asleep during the phone hacking scandal. Oh, sorry that only happens in the UK.

42 long

21/05/2012Abbotts mob have no shame. nothing will change there. Michelle is in usual judgemental form. Once I would have marched down the street if someone wanted to harm tha ABC. Now it's just another station without ads. The ABC should really thing it's future. The people who lovede "auntie" are not being served. The others don't want you around snyhow I saw a pretty convincing delivery by Craig, and it all fitted what he has said all along. He only got emotinal when talking of his wife and her treatment. How would you like this to be happening to your's Tony? A few more media types should start lining up the dots and work out what kind of australia they want for their kids, long term, rather than the immediate need to run the owner's wants,in their current self interest. Print media seems doomed anyhow. The reportage is starting to resemble the Lindy chamberlain case. Divide australia. Disgusting...

LadyInRed

21/05/201242 long. Good point about the Chamberlain case. I see Pyne the attack dog is out in force. The opposition has abused this minority government. They will do anything to grab power, even bring down a persons mental health to get it. Whether it be Slipper or Thompson. When power means more than a persons rights to the presumption of innocence then we have a serious problem at the very core of who we are.

Doug

21/05/2012Talk Turkey @ May 21. 2012 08:32 AM My late mother's library contained books (reprints, not originals but better to have than to have not) including collected poems and prose of Adam Lindsay Gordon, CJ Dennis, Henry Lawson and the Banjo. The collected poems of AB Paterson was published 1963. This year for their birthdays I am giving to my 3 children (aged 25, 23 and 20) copies of Stuart Macintyre's excellent "Concise History of Australia" since I realised the extent of the gap in their knowledge of their own country because it is no longer taught in schools. Anthropologists bemoan the disappearance of cultures and languages - I see the same happening around me in Australia.

Patriciawa

21/05/2012Lyn said, [i]Craig Thomson made me cry, I feel so sorry for the way he has been persecuted and I blame Tony Abbott. Craig's Speech was the most heartfelt sincere emotional speech I have ever seen or heard in Parliament. Nobody deserves the treatment Craig Thomson has received.[/i] Me too. It was quite spontaneous, when he himself started to tear up. I've always found his steadfast, stoic sticking to his story somehow convincing. But I had no doubts about him today when he came to talk about the pressure on his wife. That was when it was all too much. Not about himself, but about her. As well, it was reassuring to hear of friends he has worked with in the past, and many of his constituents too, calling to give him moral support. He seems a hard working, straightforward sort of guy, not wanting to bad mouth all and sundry and certainly not living in a parallel universe, as Jackson and others claim. Glad to hear what he had to say about the union movement in general. They are the mainstay of working people's lives. We must maintain our trust in them. If there is corruption within there we need to sort it out. I find his account of trying to bring some sort of control to HSU finances, voting, meetings etc. wholly convincing. And I now understand the vitriol of those resisting his changes. If they have a defence, let's hear it, so long as it doesn't first require his denigration and destruction.

42 long

21/05/2012It IS a flawed report already You could reasonably not trust one word of it. It took too long (Thomson said so too). There is the motivation to do it too, and the vindictiveness. They've got FORM in this area. The FWA and some HSU. What about erik abetz calling in the cops?. Interferance ? Separation of powers? Of course not! We are the born to rule party. everyone knows that other mob are only ever temporary. We don't want the underclass upsetting all our cosy arrangemrents with the mone owners and tobacco and Clubs australia, etc. and we love what Rupert says. ( He only does smoe little "Bad" things in England Everything's just great here.Moral considerations process etc don't apply. WE KNOW he's guilty. the newspapers all agree. After all we fed them the stuff straight away, for maximum effect.

Jason

21/05/2012latikambourke | 35 seconds ago RT @_JustinStevens_: Jam packed @abc730 tonight. @CUhlmann will be putting #Craig Thomson's claims to Kathy Jackson

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21/05/2012Sorry about the bad typing folks. I've got a couple of "numb" fingers occasionally and it's showing. I'll watch it Jason. Hope I'm not dissappointed . Thomson gave credit to SOME journo's. Be nice if someone can run the list here.

nasking

21/05/2012 Trial by media is not unusual. What I do find unusual is the approach of Abbott, Pyne, Brandis and a few others in the Coalition who have demonstrated NO respect for fellow parliamentarians who they believe can be shafted in order to give them government. It does not surprise me that the Abbott and team’s LYNCH MOB tactics come at the same time the corporate media has more power than ever…driven to hype and character assassination and wild speculations in a desperate desire to survive as less and less viewers & readers find them credible. Nor does it surprise me that the Abbott and team’s LYNCH MOB tactics come at the same time as the American Republican party has been hijacked by an extremist Tea Party agenda…and the aggressive rhetoric of Fox News run by Roger Ailes. Tony Abbott is a desperate man…using irresponsible and desperate measures to gain power. The same can be said for a number of his political and media allies. Tony Abbott should resign. He has turned our democratic parliament into a joke…into something akin to the Wild West. Hangman’s noose and all. Our media needs appropriate regulation with teeth. N’

Ad astra

21/05/2012LadyinRed, 42 long, Patriciawa, Nasking I agree with your comments. But I’ll lay long odds the media will redouble its efforts to lynch him. How can big burly journalists, or the older ones eking out their last days, possible offer a [i]mea culpa[/i].

2353

21/05/2012Jason, what you meant to say at 5:16pm was that Ullman will be giving Jackson an unbridled run at muddying the waters tonight :) Unfortunately I didn't see the speech and have little faith in any of the network news bulletins giving me a fair and unbiased account of it over the next couple of days. Interesting however that the ALP had the ammunition ready to go afterwards on a couple of LNP people. Hopefully it part of a strategy to turn their fortunes around and it could just work. Hopefully they start publicising at every opportunity all of the LNP MPs that are currently defending legal actions.

Jason

21/05/201242 long, I am going to talk briefly about the media. There are many, many good people in the media. There are many good people who do a terrific job and I am going to mention some of those people, so that is probably going to be a blot on their CV for evermore—people like Mark Simkin from the ABC; Simon Benson from the Telegraph; Phillip Coorey from the Sydney Morning Herald; Paul Bongiorno from Channel 10; Kieran Gilbert from Sky News; Latika Bourke, sitting there; and Laurie Oakes. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/craig-thomsons-full-address-to-parliament-20120521-1z0vj.html#ixzz1vUKVdZmp

nasking

21/05/2012 Wixxy (Peter Wicks) over at Independent Australia and Cafe Whispers has been looking into the Thomson matter the last few weeks and put up some informative posts: http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/how-the-hsu-tangled-jackson-lawler-and-thomson-with-abbott/ And: http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/the-jackson-and-lawler-hsu-tangle-part-two/ And: http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/hangman-jury/ The following is a comment I made @ Cafe Whispers: Wixxy, what a fine job you have done considering your limited funds, resources and contacts. I had little interest in this Thomson matter due to focusing intensely on other issues related to media, politics and socio-economics. That has changed since reading your most enlightening posts. Today I began reading through various articles since 2008…trying to get a sense of how this union-related mountain out of a molehill began and grew into a LYNCH MOB frenzy. What is obvious to me is that a man and his family have not been treated appropriately by a significant part of the media…nor fellow parliamentarians, particularly those being led by Tony Abbott. Judgements have been made…calls to stand down…accusatory rants ongoing…at the expense of our parliament and taxpayers and democracy. Furthermore, it seems the public has not been provided with the appropriate details necessary to make the judgement many already have…it is indeed a case of trial by cherry picking of evidence (remind you of the buildup to the Iraq War?)… it seems to me this case against Thomson needs to be examined in a different light…exposing the strange coincidences/links related to Kathy Jackon and her former partner…and a number of other issues that seem to get little attention. At the least Wixxy you have given us some important things to think about. N’

jaycee

21/05/2012All I know is, if this Craig Thompson affair gets dismissed in court, and if I was lawyer I'd have a "Pro-Bono" contract for him to sign as quick as a flash with the names of at least two dozen journos' and pollies that could be sued to their back-teeth and beyond!......And if it does go his way I bloody well hope he does it!

2353

21/05/2012The problem with that idea jaycee is that it would be seen as sour grapes. What would be a better outcome is if the Judge in the case had a go at the media and LNP and ordered them to make a front page apology.

jaycee

21/05/2012Sorry to disagree 2353. But I would rather have them FEEL sorry, very,very sorry, rather than act sorry! There is an old adage that says : When dogs fight, the loser cowers accepting before the winner....When Humans fight, the loser goes away and schemes!.....no-one schemes quite so grimly as the right-wing and nothing, NOTHING hurts a right-winger so much as an "out-of-pocket" experience.

42 long

21/05/2012Great sentence. A fate worse than death. The LNP apologise? Love it. Isn't Pyne awful? Reminds me of those things that used to comeup out of peoples ribs on some apaceship. He says he has no personal friends on the other side of politics. ( In the old days most Pollies had friends on the other side out of respect for the way they conducted themselves even though they had different potitical views) Have we moved so far from reasonableness?

tiffany232

21/05/2012What I saw today was a broken man and I'm scared for him and his family. What if he's on the thin edge of the wedge?

Ad astra

21/05/2012Folks I'm off to watch tonight's TV to see the wash up of the Thomson address to parliament. I note Kathy Jackson denies any misdemeanour on [i]7.30[/i], and Chris Uhlmann didn't press her too hard. How much credence can we give her statements after hearing what Craig Thomson has to say?

jaycee

21/05/2012In the end you have to give Kathy Jackson as much leeway as to Craig Thompson....BUT...but, I have to wonder at a union person seeking and accepting legal and professional support from the H.R. Nicholls Society.....there can be no greater enemy of the unions than them!

nasking

21/05/2012 Heather Ewart's protected Abbott tonite on 7:30. Notice when she talks about the attacks on Thomson there is a cut to Julie Bishop. When Thomson points at Abbott there is not the expected cut to a close-up or medium close-up of Abbott so viewers know exactly who Thomson is referring to. The shot used was the basic long shot of both sides of the leaders' seats taken from today's proceedings. We know they have the technology available to zoom in for later news' stories. I believe this indicates what many of us have suspected for a good long time...there are some in the MSM...including the ABC...who are using editing, camera and other techniques...and breaking long standing codes and conventions of television...to protect the leader of the opposition Tony Abbott... to give him a free ride to The Lodge. I ask you: Do you think that PM Julia Gillard...or for that matter former PM Kevin Rudd...would have been treated in the same manner in the same circumstances? I reckon a close-up or medium close-up mage of Gillard or Rudd by this time of night would have been cut to...in order to juxtapose the image of fingerpointing and verbal accusation with the PM's image. The ABC has lost its way. N'

42 long

21/05/2012Can't imagine he is anything but . He's had to sit there and cop everything that has been thrown at him and it is not over. That wouldn't faze those who are attacking him. Your statement would even encourage them. Wilkie would have had a big think. Some even lib supporters, must be uncomfortable about this, but the "get rid of her, get rid of her" brigade will never change. They are the real success story for the "propagandists". The papers are predominately unashamedly "opinion shapers". Are you being served?

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Ad I don't think the public are going to believe Kathy Jackson's tale do you. Here is the twitterati on Jackson:- MrRabbitt‏ Harmer's guidelines for taking pro bono work. http://www.harmers.com.au/ProBonoInitiatives/631/n/3/0/0/ anne teller‏ Yeh.... have to concede Kathy Jackson claiming she argued her salary be slashed by K$100 to K$170 is a *little* unbelievable #auspol #730 fiz‏ Poor Kathy Jackson, all those requests to have her salary cut were rejected. #abc730 George‏ AlanKohler Kathy Jackson denies any claims about her former Husband http://t.co/JcMe1kfg TheFinnigans Jackson wants us to believe that there is no conflict of interest when she tells her FWA partner everything and he was appointed by Abbott Agnes Mack Kathy Jackson represented pro bono because they think she's right..Does that mean lawyers charging their clients don't think they're right? Textureclash‏ Kathy Jackson accepted pro bono representation from a union busting legal firm? No words. #rat Jennifer Wilson‏ @ NoPlaceforSheep Why does a right-wing top end law firm provide pro bono services for unionist Jackson? What's in it for them? Paul Grealy‏ Kathy Jackson "not aware of" any links between her partner and the liberal party. #QandA Marian Rumens @ Concience Vote Antibolt So why did Alan Jones say that he's paid $50,000 for Kathy Jackson's defence? MrRabbitt‏ Somewhat unusual for lawyers to act pro bono for someone on Jackson's salary.... :):):):)

nasking

21/05/2012 I will say Chris Uhlman asked some useful questions of Kathy Jackson tonight. I did not think her responses were convincing at times. I saw her asked some tough questions in an earlier session. On both occasions she gave this odd smile with an awkward look whenever a hard question was asked of her…it could be her TELL. I believe this story has a long way to go yet. Thumbs up to Wixxy…who went where too many in the MSM wouldn’t dare to go…or ignored. N’

nasking

21/05/2012 Lyn, thnx for the links and tweets. N'

nasking

21/05/2012 Three years in detention for that Sri Lankan asylum seeker named Bonus is a bloody disgrace. C'mon Bowen...do something about it. Don't act like the Liberal old guard. N'

Fiona

21/05/201242 long: [quote]I saw a pretty convincing delivery by Craig, and it all fitted what he has said all along. He only got emotinal when talking of his wife and her treatment. How would you like this to be happening to your's Tony? [/quote] I think that if Mr Abbott's wife were to receive such treatment, Mr Abbott's likely response would be: [quote]"Shit happens."[/quote] Because Mr People Skills [i]really knows[/i] how to do empathy.

Fiona

21/05/2012Ad, I did have the link to the relevant statute but I can't find it at the moment - the magical combination of words escapes me. Will have another try tomorrow. Lyn, as always thank you for your wonderful links. Mind you, I now have so much reading to get through each day that a few things are being neglected ... :)

Lyn

21/05/2012Hi Fiona Thankyou for your appreciation. You have so much reading to do, Ummmm I know the situation very well. Empathy no definately not one of Abbott's attributes. Cheers :):):):)

jane

21/05/2012Ad astra, another excellent post. As your persuasive rewrites illustrate, articles don't need to be slavishly pro government in contrast to the real articles which so slavishly favour the Liars Party, they just need to be neutral and provide a truthful news report. As you say, even 6 months of neutral reporting would do more to restore people's faith in the government than anything else. Kelty is wrong, imo. If the government had tried to counter the Liars lies, it would have been reported as sour grapes and desperation. [quote]If it is proven that those in Mr Murdoch’s employ conspired to pay public officials to further business interests, experts say he could be at risk of sanctions in the US under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Even a small fine would threaten to bring the scandal across the Atlantic, and increase political pressure on Mr Murdoch[/quote] Fingers crossed, Nas' Lyn, Dana Vale, yet another Liars Party miscreant.I'd forgotten that scandal. Another corrupt member of the Party of Corruption! And another-Craig Kelly!!! The way this is going, there won't be a Liars MP or Senator who isn't the subject of some corrupt practice or other. Must go, I have the 'flu to pander to.

Fiona

21/05/2012Jane, [quote]I have the 'flu to pander to. [/quote] Two panadol or equivalent every four hours. Lots of water. If you can persuade some kind person, hot lemon juice with two teaspoons of honey plus alcoholic SPIRIT of your choice. I find whiskey works best, but to each her/his own. Oh, and homemade chicken soup if you have a competent cook around... Take care, and get well quickly.

BSA Bob

22/05/2012Some ABC Radio bulletins this afternoon running a tactic I especially dislike. I refer to the ruse of decreeing something, no matter how recent or important, "old news" in order to place their own spin on the story. Thus we heard "X has refuted claims by Craig Thomson that s/he...". Once more a negative angle is placed on the main story.

Lyn

22/05/2012 TODAY’S LINKS Under investigation, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless Indeed it will, and those who do the reacting will be judged accordingly: can Fairfax be trusted to report this issue given that it is a participant? Will there be any follow-up on Heffernan, will Abbott refuse to accept his tainted vote, can a broadsheet newspaper focus on more than one issue http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/under-investigation.html Why Journalists Fear Academics, Mr Denmore, The Failed Estate, the newspaper has deliberately and calculatedly sought to damage the reputations of academics Margaret Simons, Wendy Bacon, Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson - all journalists who have merely sought to defend the principles of the craft and question the unhealthy dominance of News Ltd. This is what The Australian's editor Chris http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/why-journalists-fear-academics.html Craig Thomson’s day in kangaroo court, The Conscience Vote As soon as Thomson sat down, Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne was on his feet, wanting the Parliament to ‘take note’ of the statement. Basically, the Opposition wanted another crack at Thomson, and through him, at the government. They tried this no less than three times, and each time failed – twice due to http://consciencevote.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/craig-thomsons-day-in-kangaroo-court/ LESSONS: Craig Thomson gives strong account of himself but those advising silence in the past were dead wrong, Vex News He’s a talent. He bravely gave this speech, without reading it. He drew from notes occasionally but basically just spoke from the heart, from his own knowledge. Few of his parliamentary colleagues could do this, we suspect, especially not on such difficult, intricate issues where his lawyers would have urged caution over ever utterance. http://www.vexnews.com/2012/05/lessons-craig-thomson-gives-strong-account-of-himself-but-those-advising-silence-in-the-past-were-dead-wrong/ The Innocence Of Craig Thomson (3): The Aftermath, Twenty-One Minutes Later, Bob Ellis I predicted this matter will end Tony Abbott and I was right about that too. He has weeks, not months, to go. And Turnbull will be again Leader and Gillard replaced therefore. And so it goes. http://www.ellistabletalk.com/ A STATEMENT FROM ANDREW WILKIE REGARDING CRAIG THOMSON, ANDREW Wilkie Yes, there is widespread and understandable concern with the controversy surrounding Craig Thomson. But there’s much more concern with all the grand political game-playing going on right now http://www.andrewwilkie.org/content/index.php/aw/press_releases_extended/a_statement_from_andrew_wilkie_regarding_craig_thomson Craig Thomson Addresses the Parliament, Turn Left 2013 The MP said about Tony Abbott what you’ve done is not damage an individual. You’ve damaged democracyAs Thomson said: Abbott is Unfit to be a Prime Minister – Unfit to be an MP http://turnleft2013.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/craig-thomson-addresses-the-parliament/ Thomson to parliament: FWA, HSU led a vendetta against me, Bernard Keane, Crikey Craig Thomson has raised a series of questions about Fair Work Australia’s conduct of its investigation and provided a little more detail about some allegations about his HSU enemies but ultimately added little to our knowledge of what went on during his time as National Secretary. His basic contention that he has, in effect, http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/21/thomson-to-parliament-fwa-hsu-led-a-vendetta-against-me/ Here’s $1m for your newspaper … do you want it? Aussie editors respond, Scott Barnes, Crikey Fagan was more confident the newspaper industry won’t need to rely on philanthropy. “I’m well short of giving up on newspapers as a business, particularly when we keep growing our overall audiences,” he said. Crikey reported earlier this month that the Courier-Mail and the Sunday Mail lost circulation in the March quarter. http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/21/heres-1m-for-your-newspaper-do-you-want-it-aussie-editors-respond/?utm_r Craig's big speech, The Project, Channel 10 Thomson pointed to the opposition benches and then the press gallery, saying: "You have unleashed the lynch mob. And you have fanned it. And for that you all ultimately are responsible." http://theprojecttv.com.au/craigs-list.htm Craig Thomson names names, claims he's the victim, The Power Index After breaking down in tears about media harassment of his family, he ended by quoting from To Kill a Mocking Bird and pointing his finger at Tony Abbott. "Not only is he not fit to be a Prime Minister. He is not fit to be an MP," he said. http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/power-move/craig-thomson-names-names-claims-he-s-the-victim/201205211372 Union accuses Qantas of using Thomson as cover,SBS The Transport Workers Union says Qantas deliberately timed an announcement it was cutting jobs so it would be at the same time as Craig Thomson's address A union has blasted Qantas for announcing it will slash hundreds of jobs, at the same time as MP Craig Thomson's much anticipated address to parliament. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1652181/Union-accuses-Qantas-of-using-Thomson-as-cover Believe him or not, #Thomson rises to occasion, Darin Sullivan, Let Hack It’s not often you can sit in Parliament for an hour, listening, and be totally captivated. But so it was from noon to one o’clock this afternoon as the member for Dobell, Craig Thomson, delivered his feisty defence from the crossbench, the purgatory to which he has been http://lefthack.net/believe-him-or-not-thomson-rises-to-occasion Queensland: State Without Grace ,Sally Piracha, Only the Depth Varies The result of Minister Springborg’s changes is that $2.6m in funding that used to support Queensland’s peak body for LGBT issues is being redirected to a body that will focus it’s entire attention on HIV/AIDs. Perhaps the AIDs fight still needs a dedicated body to http://onlythedepthvaries.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/queensland-state-without-grace.html?spref=tw James Ashby sends it all to Twitter and Scribd, Clarence Girl, North Coast Voices would appear that Twitter and Scribd are being used to bypass the mainstream media in all matters pertaining to James Ashby v Commonwealth of Australia & Anor View Letter to AHRC Re Bob Carr and Barnaby Joyce Sent 17 May 2012 on Scribd http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/ Political media, cure thyself – it can’t be that hard, Dragonista’s Blog Sure, Turnbull and Harris are adept at using Twitter as marketing tools, Crabb’s quirky reporting is carried on various digital platforms, and Mega has mastered the Twittersphere in record time. Hartcher and Cassidy, on the other hand, seem to be part of the “too cool for Twitter” brigade .http://dragonistasblog.com/2012/05/20/political-media-cure-thyself-it-cant-be-that-hard/?utm_ Cooking the Books Coalition Style , Alex Schlotzer The Coalition declared that the government was ‘cooking the books’ because it was shifting figures around. I hate to inform the Coalition but that is what happens in any budget, whether it’s a huge multi-national or the household budget. Perhaps the Coalition’s problem with its own Budget figures is that it hasn’t worked out http://alexschlotzer.wordpress.com/ Who will be more embarrassed - Glenn Stevens or Craig Thomson-, Peter Martin The chair is Craig Thomson.Two months ago he dropped a defamation case against Fairfax Media over articles detailing the use of his union credit card to pay for prostitutes and make cash withdrawals of more than $100,000. http://www.petermartin.com.au/2011/08/who-will-be-more-embarrassed-glenn.html How spin doctors have taken control of budget papers, Ross Gittins Journalists turn a blind eye to the rank hypocrisy of the Treasurer and Finance Minister piously refusing to comment on what may or may not be in the budget, while the Prime Minister's press office leaks much of its content to selected journalists, then quietly confirms the story's accuracy to those journos who missed the exclusive. http://www.rossgittins.com.au/ Parliamentary Privilege, Craig Thomson and the Truth. An Unlikely Mix? Aussie Views News Similarly it is not clear what would happen to documents that the Opposition at least do not want Craig to present. The Sydney Morning Herald titled an article on this subject: Liberal threat on Thomson defence documents. Formal documents of Parliament are definitely privileged. So if Craig presents some and they are formally http://www.aussieviewsnews.com/2012/05/20/privilege-thomson-truth/ Craig Thomson shoots from the hip in speech to parliament , Zareh Ghazarian, The Conversation An important point to remember is that Thomson’s alleged activities occurred while he was in the Health Services Union before he entered parliament. There are no allegations that he misappropriated parliamentary resources, a point Mr Thomson made early in his speech http://theconversation.edu.au/craig-thomson-shoots-from-the-hip-in-speech-to-parliament-7150?utm_source= Dear Joe Hockey, Jennifer Wilson, No Place for Sheep I am sorry for you and your kind, Mr Hockey. I am sorry for your small minds and shrivelled spirits. With my history, I know the miracle of finding human beings who love me and let me love them. I feel sorry for you, Mr Hockey, that you are compelled to judge and reject human beings who don’t fit your narrow vision of what families should be. http://noplaceforsheep.com/2012/05/21/dear-joe-hockey/ TODAY’S FRONT PAGES:- Australian Newspaper Front Pages for 22 May 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia Video Media Watch Episode 16, 21 May 2012, You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGyj0UbNVw4&feature=uploademail Craig Thomson’s Statement To The House Of Representative, Australian Politics Com http://australianpolitics.com/2012/05/21/thomson-hsu-statement-to-house.html Union official threatened to set me up: Thomson,ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-21/thomson-reveals-official-behind-alleged-set-up/4023774 Jackson 'gobsmacked' by Thomson address, Sky News http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=752482&vId= Thomson 'drowning in delusion' – Bolano, SKY News HSU deputy general secretary Marco Bolano accused Mr Thomson of abusing parliamentary privilege and described his claims as 'fantastic and dishonest' http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=752498&vId= Ashby emails part of job – Pyne, Sky News http://www.skynews.com.au/politics/article.aspx?id=752478&vId= The missing links in Thomson's explanation ,Video, SMH He broke down and wept when he detailed claims that Channel Seven reporters had been hovering under the bathroom window of his Central Coast house while his then pregnant wife was having a shower. http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/the-missing-links-in-thomsons-explanation-20120521-1z0wx.html Posts from the ‘Daily Fix’ Category http://australianpoliticstv.org/category/daily-fix/ Latika Bourke ‏ Oppn appear to have decided re Thomson 'His statement is riddled with half-truths, inconsistencies and unanswered questions

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22/05/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

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22/05/2012Perhaps the Senate should justify it's position as a house of review by getting into this.? The lower house is bordering on disfunctional with the Coalitions shenanegans I've just had a look through some definitions of "sedition" under australian Law. I'm no expert but some people must be going close to the wind in this area.( Commentators as well)

2353

22/05/2012WHen Fairfax Media suggests that Thomson didn't hurt the current Government's potential lifespan, like it is this morning, it suggests that there is a long way to go on this and it doesn't necessarily favour the Oppn. According they will become more shrill (if that is possible in Pyne's case :) ) and look more unhinged as the lose focus on other issues. In conjunction with the ALP's (or at least Albenese's) new found ability to have some ammunition to throw back immediately, Thomson may assist in Gillard winning in 2013. However there is still a long way to go. Thanks again for the daily links Lyn, THe Bob Ellis one was interesting. I can't help wondering if he is still fighting the battles of years ago or if he's just got to the stage of saying "---- it".

LadyInRed

22/05/2012Thanks for the links Lyn. Still wading my way through them. The Bob Ellis link - a little ray of sunshine in my day. Vexnews always a good one. Abbott screeching again today at yet another factory (the man is so predictable). Got all his slogans in....This govenment...bla...bla...just doesn't get it.....bla....bla...and ON and ON and ON he goes. He wants the right to reply.....bugger parliament...bugger due process....bugger the presumption of innocence....parliament is after all just a soap opera....and by jingoes I should be allowed to treat it like one! And um and I and umm and ummm if I string the umms and ahhhs out long enough the 30 second sound bite will just contain the crap one liner slogans and nothing else. And sure enough bingo just the painful slogans get reported. I despair.

Lyn

22/05/2012Hi 2353 (THe Bob Ellis one was interesting. I can't help wondering if he is still fighting the battles of years ago or if he's just got to the stage of saying "---- it".) I agree with your "maybe assumption" of Bob Ellis, I thought the same. :):)

LadyInRed

22/05/2012re: The Australian Newspaper Headlines. The Herald Sun - WE DON'T BELIEVE YOU How dare they abuse their power in such a way. It incenses me. And people don't believe we have the same sort of problems that beset the UK media. I think we do.

Lyn

22/05/2012Good Morning Ad And Everybody Twitterverse for you:_ Sean Mulcahy‏@seanacmulcahy How the commentariat responded to Craig Thomson's speech: http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/22/craig-thomson-day-how-the-pundits-saw-it/ (via @crikey_news) Mark ‏@markjs1 Those who think SIM cards are hard to clone....Bushfire Googled this: http://bit.ly/KYrzD3 See....easy peasy....Even 4 a union thug #auspol Littleaud‏@littleaud1 a good article on Campbells abuse of parliament http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/scrutiny-lost-to-mandate/story-e6frerdf-1226362799652 Fit and Proper Zac‏@zackster @awelder are you tempted to deconstruct this? http://m.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/any-questions-member-for-dobell-raises-a-few-during-his-answers-20120521-1z1ec.html news.com.au‏@news_com_au SHADOW attorney-general says Thomson's speech was an "elaborate fabrication" and the MP could be referred to the... http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/thomsons-speech-breached-privilege-libs/story-e6frfku0-1226363068551?from=public_rss Daniel Flitton‏@danielflitton Thomson: A tale full of sound and fury http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/thomson-a-tale-full-of-sound-and-fury-20120521-1z17s.html via @theage 2UE Sydney‏@Radio2UE @TonyAbbottMHR on Thomson explanation http://www.2ue.com.au/blogs/2ue-blog/tony-abbott-on-thomsons-explanaition/20120522-1z1wn.html @Morrison954 will Opposition push to have him removed from parliament #auspol Marian Dalton‏@crazyjane13 Oh look, Tony Abbott on my TV whining that Craig Thomson didn't act like he was in court yesterday.News flash, Tony - HE WASN'T Karina Carvalho‏@Karina_Carv Tony Abbott: Kathy Jackson has been unjustifiably attacked by Craig AshGhebranious‏@AshGhebranious @TonyAbbottMHR is in violation section 28 of the crimes act attempting to prevent a political person from voting #abcnews24 AshGhebranious‏@AshGhebranious Here is section 28 http://bit.ly/McjSIh #auspol #abcnews24 The Age‏@theage Thomson's explanation a 'travesty of due process': Abbott http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomsons-explanation-a-travesty-of-due-process-abbott-20120522-1z202.html via @theage National Times‏@NationalTimesAU The Pulse - Katharine Murphy @murpharoo blogs live from Parliament House http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/politics-live-may-22-2012-20120522-1z219.html :):):):)

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22/05/2012It's always been there. You only notice it when it gets to involve something you really care about. In this instance it is Proper Process which is being trampled on all the time. THAT is the BIG issue here.

LadyInRed

22/05/201242 long. I agree. Proper Process - its being squashed and trashed. Too much at stake for the opposition to uphold it. Too late to stop the avalanche of opinion overiding it. Anyone trying to say JUST STOP IT (brings to mind a very funny skit by Bob Newhart) is just pissing in the wind.

TalkTurkey

22/05/2012Nobody commenting here today Lyn, guess why? - Everybody busy reading and musing on your links on Craig Thomson! This issue is a watershed in Australian political history. We must not let the water run to waste! It reminds me of Kenneth Williams' one really funny line, [i]"Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it 'infamy'",[/i] except it's not at all funny... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvs4bOMv5Xw Good on you Craig Thomson. I did thoropughly believe that you had been [i]mainly-at-least [/i]set up: I did before, now I am by far more convinced than ever. I would be quite au fait with your being [i]sinful[/i] anyway. Christians say everyone's a sinner anyway, so why single you out for sin? Not that I'm saying you even gave been sinful . . . just saying, I wouldn't care much about low-level sin. I'm not talking Crime, with a Capital C. Just harmless sin. (I personally don't do sin, how could I, I'm atheist! - but theists surely can be sinful, especially 'Christians', [i]because they are the ones that profess sanctity themselves[/i], whilst holding the very precept of sin close to their bleeding hearts and accusing everybody else of sin . . . ) - but I have never thought you a BAD man. Not deeply corrupt, not causing terror or pain or fomenting hatred, umm, who does that make me think of! That you have done anything meriting a year behind bars, I don't believe it. All fairminded people will have felt your pain yesterday Craig, but more, let me speak for our gratitude to you in that you had the courage, after years of harrying, to point the finger so very literally at your harriers, to accuse the Abborttians and the yellow scum Media. With your back to the wall, and nothing left to lose, you still had a sort-of choice - either to go foetal, [i]possibly permanently [/i], as I confess I might have done faced with your situation - or to face down your detractors and make a stand. That you took the latter course so bravely, with [i]no-one at all [/i]standing your friend, and to send the spitters of hate into a frenzy of dismay and confusion and denial and self-justification by your own impassioned and convincing [i]cri de coeur[/i] - That took guts and brains and heart, and we honour you for it. This Abbortt was the one who denied you a pair to be with your wife as she gave birth for the first time. I cannot think how anyone could be more despicable than that. Your cry should be a clarion call to the rest of people who value freedom that we need to be both vigilant and passionate in the defence of the twin principles of a fair society, the separation of powers and the presumption of innocence. We're not fighting invading Japs now. We're fighting endemic Fascists. The enemy within. I see that Bob Ellis is proclaiming that he was the sole (MSM) journalist to have defended your rights, Mr Thomson. Well on this site I can name quite a few who were prepared to suspend any judgment, and any who were not can hang their heads. Or pull them in. Courage, Comrade. Personally I am ashamed that you have been forced aside from the Labor Party, that of course is down to the IndependAnts' power. Hopefully much good will come from your persecution.

TalkTurkey

22/05/2012I've told this joke before I think, a bit more convolutedly, but the same joke just the same. Does the punch line remind you of anything anybody's saying about someone today? (This version accredited below) A number of years ago, Warren Mitchell was booked to give an after dinner speech at a function held by the Football Writers' Association at the Savoy Hotel in London. It did not go well. Mitchell was good, very funny, but some have a bizarre difficulty distinguishing the actor from his most famous character, Alf Garnett. Mitchell is a left-wing Jew from north London; Garnett, the invention of Johnny Speight, was a right-wing bigot from east London. One can only imagine Mitchell's frustration at this confusion. Mitchell told a politically charged joke about a black man who is offered his freedom if he can beat the toughest white man on the plantation in a fight: but there are conditions. First, it is decided the black man must have one hand tied behind his back. Fearing he will still be too strong it is decreed he must have both hands tied behind his back. Then his feet are bound together. Finally, the bell rings and the black guy struggles forward and bites his opponent on the nose. [b]"Fight fair, you black bastard,[/b]" the crowd scream. [I bet WM told it better than that.] Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286892/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Jilted-David-James-misses-punchline-calamity.html#ixzz1vYft2Arq

BSA Bob

22/05/2012Norman K A quick note to thank you for your Gravatar advice. I've gone through the process & installed a new one, though for some reason it's not coming up on the TPS site. Not sure why. But your help wasn't ignored. Cheers.

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22/05/2012Folks I've been busy this morning and have an appointment now. I'll be back later.

jane

22/05/2012Thanks, Fiona. I've been pumping Neurofen and cold and flu tablets into the body and guzzling gallons of water, placing my second hand bladder under the pump. I'd love a good dose of chicken soup, but am unlikely to get it as I am the chief chicken soup cooker and can't be fagged making it atm. Although my throat's fine, we've been given about a hundredweight of lemons, so am availing self. Once again, as the chief hld maker, I have to do it myself. *sob* Note to Herald Sun, we don't believe [b]YOU![/b] TT @11.17am, hear! hear! I shot an email of support and best wishes to Thomson this morning. His address was magnificent, imo and poured a waterfall of scorn over the Lying Toerag and his gutless, yellow bellied apologists in the msm. BTW, saw Salgabella perched behind Liealot in QT. I swear to God she was chewing her cud! An image that will forever scar me and could well be used to put the frighteners on anyone at all. Drug lords have no doubt downloaded it and will be using it to great effect! I wonder if it would be sufficient to scare Anal wordless? Nah! He looks in the mirror every day. lol

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22/05/2012I'm going to watch the Chamber of Horrors again. Can it get any worse? bet it will. Does anyone think the Senate should react to this and How.

nasking

22/05/2012Get well soon jane. Try zinc tabs with C...and herbal tea with fresh lemon juice, fresh ginger and cinnamon stick in it...works for us. BTW, The UK media and political system is starting to look like a joke…at the expense of the people…and justice…and a fair-go for the many. How conned the UK people have been…spat on as tho the aristocracy still ran the place…treated like mugs…taken for one big ride: [b]Boris Johnson’s former aide takes PR job with News International Guto Harri intends to use the post to ‘combat hysteria’, but move may reignite claims of Murdoch-Tory links[/b] Hélène Mulholland guardian.co.uk, Sunday 20 May 2012 A key former aide to Boris Johnson, the London mayor, has been appointed as head of News International’s communications team to help the beleaguered media company restore its reputation in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal. The decision to appoint Guto Harri, a former BBC political correspondent who had served as Johnson’s director of external affairs for four years until less than two weeks ago and was widely seen as the Tory mayor’s most trusted adviser, will surprise many at a time when the close relationship between senior Tories and News Corporation has become a source of embarrassment for David Cameron. Harri confirmed that he had turned down offers from a “luxury manufacturing company and a large public affairs firm” in favour of working for News International, a company he praised as delivering “first class journalism” and whose staff, he believes, have been unfairly tarnished because of a “few rotten apples”. Harri, a Welsh speaker born in Cardiff, said he was “totally reconciled” that his move to News International, after four years with Johnson, would be seen in the media as “part of an irresistible geometrical pattern” between the Conservatives and News International. Harri’s appointment at News International comes five years after he narrowly missed out on becoming David Cameron’s director of communications when the then Tory opposition leader opted to give the job to Andy Coulson, the former editor of the News of the World. Coulson quit the Downing Street post last year amid pressure about phone hacking at the newspaper on his watch. AND: Speaking just before flying to New York on Sunday evening for a two-day visit to company headquarters, Harri dismissed the findings of the Commons culture and media select committee, which concluded this month that Rupert Murdoch was “not fit to run an international company”, as a “political point-scoring exercise” by the Labour members on the committee. Harri, who is expected to meet Murdoch during his trip, said: “If he’s not fit to run a company than I’m sure the board or the shareholders would have something to say about that, and they didn’t. Share prices went up that week and the board gave its unanimous support for him.” http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/may/20/boris-johnson-aide-news-international —————– An apologist for Rupert… an appropriate start for Harri… crawling. With a smug, self-satisfied look. I recall the Blairites having the same approach…the same look. And Coulson. And Rebekah. And… N’

nasking

22/05/2012LET'S PARTY 'TIL WE DROP: [quote][b]Parties hosted by News Corp. and the family of Chief Executive Officer Rupert Murdoch were considered “a great treat” for U.K. politicians, former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said today.[/b] “If you ask anybody, if they’re honest, would they like to go to a great party, the answer is yes, but importantly, is this my only chance to have a conversation with the prime minister?” Jowell told the inquiry today in London. “It is a great treat, but it doesn’t actually impinge on the way we make decisions.” Elisabeth’s Wedding Jowell was responsible for overseeing a change in media- ownership rules, conducted while Tony Blair was prime minister, which made it possible for companies like News Corp. to expand. She said she declined an invitation to the wedding of Murdoch’s daughter, Elisabeth, while the review was under way. [b]The current culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog over meetings with media companies. E-mails produced as evidence at the Leveson inquiry showed conversations between a former Hunt aide and a News Corp. lobbyist that shared confidential information on a review of the company’s attempt to purchase British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc. (BSY)[/b] [b]The aide, Adam Smith, and the lobbyist, Fred Michel, are scheduled to testify at the inquiry later this week.[/b][/quote] http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-21/murdoch-parties-were-great-treat-for-politicians-jowell-says -------------- Comforting to know our pollies and media across the world are being entertained so well...being given a chance to let their hair down... let their integrity down... let the public down. WHO LET THE FOX OUT? N'

TalkTurkey

22/05/2012Jane said BTW, saw S[i]la[/i]gabella perched behind Liealot in QT. I swear to God she was chewing her cud! An image that will forever scar me and could well be used to put the frighteners on anyone at all. Jane did you see what I said yesterday? Yes I saw it too! OBSCENE! May 21. 2012 03:00 PM What is that thing on the front of Vampirella's face? - Oh it's her mouth, she chews with it open. And then she gets chucked. All the bleach in Ammonia could not erase that horrid vision. Medusa herself would be preferable to look upon!

nasking

22/05/2012 [quote]re: The Australian Newspaper Headlines. The Herald Sun - WE DON'T BELIEVE YOU How dare they abuse their power in such a way. It incenses me. And people don't believe we have the same sort of problems that beset the UK media. I think we do. LadyInRed[/quote] LadyinRed, I was thinking same this morning when I saw that headline. The Murdoch empire has learnt nothing. It's as arrogant and get attention at all costs as ever. Of course this bunch here are the same. They are the stench-ridden pit from which Murdoch's army of darkness rose... It is only that the UK obviously have a few gutsier politicians than us...willing to take this scourge on... Ours cower...and let the beast often do as he wishes...and his minions... His army of darkness making mincemeat of them. Mocking...taking delight at their cowardice... giving them, our representatives, the finger each and every day. N'

nasking

22/05/2012 BTW, it was good and courageous men like Tom Watson wot won us the war against the NAZIs. Not crawlers...and those cowered in the corner. N'

Casablanca

22/05/2012Rousing Speech by Paul Howes at the National Press Club today. http://www.awu.net.au/289835.html Have not found a video of the speech.

Casablanca

22/05/2012Oakeschott grandstanding with a Matter of Public Importance on Respect for Parliament. It was a spray on Thomson. He said that he was angry about the Thomson matter. Hint: it is almost always best not to speak in anger. Best to think things through first.

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22/05/2012I think the independants will be pretty aware of the need to stop the Parliament being a Kangaroo court. Evil Pyne abused parliamentary process to the limit today with an attack on Thomson. Talk about Coward's Castle. Run a story, challemging Thomson statement, with no right of real reply The Parl't is not the place for a trial.They don't get it do they? He was at his arrogant best today. Even best at being "OFF" is noteworthy. LNP didn't get it all it's way today. The lines are becoming clearer.

2353

22/05/2012Interesting comments to this story in the Fairfax media. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/qantas-splits-domestic-international-wings-20120522-1z25o.html There is some real hatred for the Federal Oppn out there.

nasking

22/05/2012 Frightening thing when you have to lie in the burning bed of your leader’s making: [b]Today in the Coalition’s party meeting, Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop warned her colleagues that Labor would come after them on a witch hunt and reminded them to keep the pecuniary interest register up to date. It is understood that a code of conduct for parliamentarians could be debated next week, with the independent MPs raising it in private members business next Monday[/b]. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-accuses-thomson-of-misleading-parliament-20120522-1z2ic.html They chose Abbott…now they have to live with the consequences of his scheming and plotting. Hard to have sympathy for those who voted for him…and his desperate measures. N’

Gravel

22/05/2012Lyn Thanks heaps for all your links and updates. After a roller coaster emotional ride yesterday and more anger at the media today, I turned the radio on after QT, only hear some really reasoned and decent debate on an MPI brought by Rob Oakshot. Until Pyne and Bishop had their say, they were sickening. They are going to go on and on and on and on.........

Psyclaw

22/05/2012Hi NormanK I too thank you for the gravatar tutorial. Every step panned out as writ, however my new gravatar will come up on other sites but not here. Any suggestions? Thanks. BTW regarding Mr Oakeschott on the CT matter, he seems to me to be pretty confused. At times he is emphasising that proper process must be preserved, then in the next breath he says the parliament must quickly work out if CT has misled it ie if CT has lied. Dog Albitey .... HTF is he going to work that out???? Then he says that one of CT or FW must be wrong. This is a naive view ..... both could be "correct". The FWA has based its report on its evidence, but its evidence may not be the total evidence, nor 100% correct evidence since it has not been tested by cross examination. As I see it, the problem is the extreme weight being put on a mere administrative report by Abbott's imbeciles/charlatans. Only when an admin report has been through the court and subjected to an Administrative Law overview, can it be seen to be "correct". Even then it is still eligible for appeal in a higher court. I hope Mr Oakeschott understands this. PS After writing the last line I thought it best that I send this post to Mr Oakeschott and I have done so.

Jason

22/05/2012Tweet of the day maybe? Paul Bongiorno ‏@PaulBongiorno Interesting how someone with an impressive legal background like Julie Bishop, conveniently ignores the constitution and due process 5m Russell Mahoney Russell Mahoney ‏@russellmahoney @PaulBongiorno More interesting is that many people have been allowed to get away with it with so little sensible commentary or reporting.

Ad astra

22/05/2012Folks I’m still going through your links Lyn. They make such interesting reading. I’ll finish them later. I missed QT today, but can imagine Pyne was in full flight again. It seems to me that the reactions to the Thomson speech were entirely predictable for the several groups of people who assessed it: 1. Those who were looking for some reassurance that everything that Craig Thomson has been accused of was not necessarily so, would have found some solace in his denials, his castigation of Fair Work Australia for the shoddy quality and excessive duration of their investigations, enough to raise doubts in the minds of the Independents, his juxtaposing of Kathy Jackson with Michael Lawler in FWA, her substantial salary and perks, his accusing of Marco Bolano of setting him up, and his denial of some of the brothel accusations by having an alibi. Enough doubt would have been generated to allow alternative explanations to be plausible. 2. Those who were disturbed about the Fair Work Australia report and skeptical about whether Thomson’s account could provide a plausible explanation, yet were open to persuasion that it might, are now thoughtfully considering the whole picture wondering who is telling the truth, and who is lying. These people have not fully made up their mind, and will reserve judgement. Some of the Independents are in this category. Some, such as Rob Oakeshott, are sufficiently disturbed about the shadow this matter has cast over parliament, that they will seek debate about the processes of parliament and whether they are adequate for such situations. Today, Oakeshott has already joined with Andrew Wilkie in a motion of censure of Thomson for being too slow to give an explanation, which sounds rather paltry, but perhaps it was the best he could muster. On the other hand, Tony Windsor remains adamant that the parliament should not become a kangaroo court, and that any determination of guilt or otherwise should be left to the judicial system. 3. Those who want PM Gillard and her Government out – Tony Abbott, the Coalition and News Limited will redouble their efforts to have Thomson ousted on any pretext. Motivated by the twin drivers of greed and fear (something we see daily motivating the stock market), like a slavering pack of hyenas, having smelt blood, they will go in for the kill. Their greed for power, and Abbott’s greed for the keys of The Lodge, will propel them into vicious action in a do or die effort to metaphorically kill off Thomson. Fear will also motivate them, because should they fail, their chance of wresting power before the next election will have all but gone, the tasty meal of Thomson’s carcass will have been denied them and they will go away empty-handed, angry and still hungry. The extent to which they will go has no bounds. Today, George Brandis, SC, who knows the law, has urged that Thomson be referred to the privileges committee on the grounds he has misled parliament, a charge that could be sustained only if what Thomson has said has been shown to be untrue, which it cannot be until it has been subject to a judicial process. But that is of no concern to our alternative Attorney General, who, having himself judged Thomson to be guilty, needs no judicial confirmation. The man has breathtaking effrontery, and cynical disregard for the processes his profession has set in place for the protection of is all. The events that unfold will be largely as expected. The Coalition will focus exclusively on destroying Thomson and the Government. As far as they are concerned, governance of the nation is secondary to destruction. And this is the party that wants us to entrust government of the nation to them, a preposterous and dangerous proposition.

NormanK

22/05/2012BSA Bob & Psyclaw Your Gravatar not appearing here seems to be something to do with the current edition of BlogEngine, the programme that underpins this site. I noticed that my Gravatar, which I change frequently, was 'locked in' after the most recent update. Bob, if you haven't already done so, I suggest you give it a go at PB so that you can be confident that you have attached your image successfully. The next update of BlogEngine is likely to correct this glitch.

Lyn

22/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody Ad you said you missed Question time today, well these Tweets will tell you everything you need to know, in other words you missed nothing much only Pyne yapping about Craig Thomson, he breached Parliamentary privilege blah, blah, blah: The Australian‏ Thomson misled parliament: Coalition: THE Coalition has demanded an official investigation into Craig Thomson's ... http://bit.ly/JBzh7f THE Coalition has referred Craig Thomson to Speaker Peter Slipper over an alleged breach of parliamentary privilege, declaring the embattled MP deliberately misled the parliament. Manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne today requested that Mr Slipper, who has temporarily stood aside as Speaker but retains key parliamentary responsibilities, refer the Member for Dobell to the House of Representatives' privileges committee. In a statement read into Hansard, Mr Pyne declared there was a prima facie case against Mr Thomson - who is accused of misusing $500,000 of Health Services Union funds - and urged Mr Slipper to seek swift consideration of the matter. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/craig-thomson-misled-parliament-coalition/story-fndsip4 Sabra Lane‏ Craig Thomson's response to Christopher Pyne RT @DobellThommo: Sleazy libs still want trial by Parliament. Just don't get it. The Wall Australia‏ Christopher Pyne is moving a motion to have MP Craig #Thomson referred to the Privileges Ctte claiming he misled... Latika Bourke ‏ Leader of the House Anthony Albanese says the Privileges Committee can't examine the issues Christopher Pyne is raising regarding #Thomson. Séan‏ After demanding Thomson explain himself to the House, Pyne refers him to the Privileges Committee for complying with his demand! # Possum Comitatus‏ Abbott suggests Qantas job losses were as a result of carbon tax yet to happen! #qt When fiction isnt held to account, it becomes the norm Simon Cullen‏ Chris Pyne alleges Craig Thomson misled the House y'day. He's trying to have him referred to powerful Privileges Committee of Parliament Greg Jericho‏ An opinion piece published today in The Australian! Well that's definitive proof then. TheFinnigans Why Prissie needs to read what it is already in his letter to the Committe. The Speaker should just STFU him up. She is HOPELESS :):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Psyclaw

22/05/2012NormanK Many thanks.

jane

22/05/2012TT @2.53pm, it was truly frightening, wasn't it? I did see your comment and I was looking out for that red thing writhing on what she no doubt laughingly calls her face. Actually, now I come to think of it, it looked very much like one of those giant machines they use to cut tunnels through mountains. Sort of a gigantic lamprey. http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://sensicology.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/lamprey.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sensicology.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/something-to-read-lampreys-caves-

Ad astra

22/05/2012Hi Lyn With your Twitterverse I'venow caught up with the happenings in parliament. Nothing too serious seems to have happened. Lots of shouting and tumult and hot air, but what's new. I hope Pyne doesn't explode - he seems to be on the verge. All this hyper angst is not good for his health.

Tom of Melbourne

22/05/2012[i]” saw Slagabella perched behind Liealot in QT”[/i] I thought Gillard was absent from parliament today. (Can anyone imagine the outrage if this type of derogatory commentary was directed to other (ALP) female MPs?)

Tom of Melbourne

22/05/2012So many here retreat from their positions of principle. Those that used to distain the dishonest political expedience of Howard now use that government as a point of comparison. There’s so many examples- • Rudd is entirely satisfied with being Foreign Minister • The media is just speculating about a challenge • Reports that Gillard is walking away from her agreement with Wilkie is baseless speculation • It’s not a tax But there's also 6000 asylum seekers in detention, the burying of the latest review of the ALP, the insidious influence of political and union hacks... It’s remarkable how AA and others now excuse what they used to condemn.

Jason

22/05/2012ToM, "I thought Gillard was absent from parliament today." She was! must have been you that was spotted!

Glorfindel

22/05/2012Hey Ad, If I may can I suggest a topic for future discussion? [b]Why [/b]is the Gillard government so inept. How does a seemingly intelligent woman get backed into so many corners and perform so disastrously? And please let's not blame the big-bad Abbott or that wicked Murdoch media.

Jason

22/05/2012Glorfindel, Stop it or you'll go blind!

2353

22/05/2012Better topic - Why can't the Oppn understand the Doctrine of Separation of Powers between the Parliament and the Judiciary. The only one that has been found guilty of an offence in the term of this Government is Senator Mary Jo Fisher - found guilty of assault. Yet the Oppn is still accepting her vote.

TalkTurkey

22/05/2012Ad astra said I hope Pyne doesn't explode - he seems to be on the verge. All this hyper angst is not good for his health. Ad I reckon you've been taking too many Hippocratic Oaths.

Sir Ian Crisp

22/05/2012I see the Maltese Pigeon can't tell the difference between a solicitor and an export manager. I prefer the Maltese Pigeon when he's in his lachrymose mood.

Lyn

22/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody Phew! at last a morsel of compassion and from a LNP MP:- TAWNBPM‏ Just saw Liberal MP, Mal Washer, interviewed re the Thomson matter. Washer is a medico. He spoke extremely... compassionately about his concern for Thomsons welfare, and the potential for self harm. He observed that he regards himself as a "tough cookie", but could probably not survive what has happened to Thomson. He has also made contact with Thomson, and urged the ALP to keep an eye on his welfare (which they say they are doing). Between the lines, he made it very clear that he is deeply concerned about these events in the Parliament. I hope there are other Libs that have the decency to express these views. Respect Washer, respect. Good on you. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tony-Abbott-will-never-be-prime-minister/274330505796 Schtang‏ Move aside Abbott & Pyne it looks like you do actually have a person with decent morals & morés in your party Dr MAl Washer #auspol Schtang‏ LNP Mal Washer basically asked all of us - at what cost to a person or society to bring down a government? #auspol #730repot :):):)

jaycee

22/05/2012The wearying predictability of the baiting on this site by right-wingers is the usual paucity of their "bait"...if these same "anglers" were to apply such "tiddlers" to fishing they would remain where they reside now..: on the bones of their arse and hungry!

Patriciawa

22/05/2012TT, I think Tony Abbot is more likely to explode. I imagined how he'd respond to the good news from the OECD - we are tops, no longer second best! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303610504577419320948930402.html?mod=wsj_share_twee Here’s good news that should be aired. Of anywhere to live Oz is now the best. An OECD Report’s declared Australia beats Norway and U.S. Would you believe our personal wealth Of all the world’s amongst the highest, Plus education and general health? "No," says Andrew Robb, "That report is biassed." Joe Hockey too comes out to claim That someone in United Nations Gave wrong info with the obvious aim Of making Oz the ideal destination For people smugglers everywhere. "They’ll bring their hordes across the seas Who all believe that we must share With them, just because they’re refugees." Tony Abbott kicks in a door, Runs out half naked to the beach, There lets out an angry roar And makes a loud impassioned speech. "These statistics are Julia Gillard’s lies! No one should believe in them! True happiness for Oz cannot arise Until she is gone and I’m PM!"

Fiona

22/05/2012TT: [quote]All fairminded people will have felt your pain yesterday Craig, but more, let me speak for our gratitude to you in that you had the courage, after years of harrying, to point the finger so very literally at your harriers, to accuse the Abborttians and the yellow scum Media. With your back to the wall, and nothing left to lose, you still had a sort-of choice - either to go foetal, possibly permanently , as I confess I might have done faced with your situation - or to face down your detractors and make a stand. That you took the latter course so bravely, with no-one at all standing your friend, and to send the spitters of hate into a frenzy of dismay and confusion and denial and self-justification by your own impassioned and convincing cri de coeur - That took guts and brains and heart, and we honour you for it.[/quote] I second, third, fourth - oh what the heck - [i]completely and utterly[/i] endorse your sentiments, Talk Turkey.

42 long

22/05/2012They've painted themselves into a corner. Tony confessed to a group a few months ago that IF this plan did not work he would be finished politically. Why not have a plan "? Perhaps he can't think of 2 things at once. Quite an astute political statement for him, but quite obvious to anyone who thinks about it. How does he back away from the course being pursued currently? How much damage has been done by scaring people and talking down the economy. Hard to measure but it would have to be considerable

Psyclaw

22/05/2012Lyn Mal Washer did talk compassionately. But IMO in the last few sentences he undid all his good work with a statement to the effect that this is politics and it is a hard game. I thought it ingenuous of him to approach Labor MPs and tell them to watch over CT while he is a party to the attack. At no stage did he say "we should reduce / stop our attack on him". I felt "good on you Mal" at the beginning but towards the end had changed to "put your money where your mouth is and pull Abbott into line". Thinking about what MW said now, my view is that his words are cheap. Imagine if he had had the courage to say publicly "enough is enough".

Fiona

22/05/2012Jane, are you anywhere near Melbourne? I have a particularly good batch of chicken soup in the freezer at the moment. Also, adding to 'nasking's prescription: any of the lemon and ginger tea brews are great; as for the pills go for Vitamin C, Echinacea, Garlic, + Zinc. Kept me free of colds and flu for 14 years working with kidz in skoolz.

Lyn

22/05/2012Hi Psyclaw Thankyou for your reply. (" felt "good on you Mal" at the beginning but towards the end had changed to "put your money where your mouth is and pull Abbott into line". ") I agree with you , that's why I only called it a morsel of compassion, and yes you are right about the cheek, advising the Labor party to look after Craig Thomson when the Liberal party are responsible for all the torment. The Liberals are all the same main affliction hypocrisy The other thing too was Heather Ewart saying Julia Gillard chimed in from afar. You know! this morning I watched Julia being interviewed and counted 13 qestions on Craig Thomson. Well! chimed in from afar indeed. How many times has Chris Uhlamnn featured "Craig Thomson" heaps. Tonight Uhlmann sounded disappointed about Wilkie's choice of support. cHEERS:):):):):):)

Fiona

22/05/2012Lyn, I was really annoyed with Ali Moore (Jon Faine's holiday replacement on ABC Melbourne) yesterday - phoned in after she'd been whinging about Ms Gillard's not having responded from Chicago. I reminded her of that quaint convention that when PMs are overseas they don't comment on domestic issues. She retorted - well, recently, some of them have. I said that that didn't detract from the convention. So she asked, "Well, Fiona, how would like this Craig Thomson matter settled?" My response? "Due judicial process." Then I disconnected. :) And this morning she was back in the same vein. Stupid woman? Or ... under orders???

Tom of Melbourne

22/05/2012[i]’ All fairminded people will have felt your pain yesterday Craig, but more, let me speak for our gratitude to you in that you had the courage…[/i] What a load of irrational partisan nonsense. He showed no courage, courage would demand that he settled on a single story. But he’s now got a couple on the go. First it was Mr Jackson, who paid back $15k for his expenditure on prostitutes. Now it is another of his former colleagues that is to blame. The least he can do is retract his earlier public statement that it was Jackson who used his card to pay for the prostitutes. …and there’s about another 150 issues that he’s yet to answer.

Lyn

22/05/2012Hi Fiona Under orders . Fancy hanging up on you, nice type. They all act the same. Take a look at what Tracy Spicer has written, mean spirited, thoughtless uncaring article. 31 comments none very complimentary so then she tweets Craig Thomson has got some support, well most of the comments are about her journalism or whatever you want to call her writing. Tracey Spicer‏ A feisty debate @TheHoopla today. It seems Craig Thomson has quite some support. http://shar.es/qo8P0 via @sharethis So I have a message for the Member for Dobell: Put up, or shut up. If you have hard evidence against Kathy Jackson and Michael Williamson, give it to the police and let justice take its course. http://thehoopla.com.au/put-shut/ :):):):)

Ad astra reply

22/05/2012Hi Lyn You and others have commented on Mal Washer's comments.  I think we are seeing an internal struggle between the caring doctor and the cynical politician. The latter is still overshadowing the former; that may change.  The fact that he went public suggests he is struggling with this conflict.  Tony Abbott will have seen that clip which would make him apprehensive that Washer might blow his campaign off course.  Washer's next move will be the crucial one. If he becomes mute, we can assume he has been brought into line.  If he talks again in public, the question is whether the caring doctor inside will transcend the nasty politician outside. Let's see. Goodnight.

Fiona

22/05/2012Lyn, be fair!!! I disconnected first (at least, I think I did). To be honest, I think that the Member for D'BILL (as Bishop the Younger kept calling him today) doesn't need to do anything. If anyone has a case against him, let them prove it. Otherwise we venture into Joe McCarthy territory: GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT AND WE AIN'T TAKING I DIDN'T DO IT FOR AN ANSWER. Sorry about the shouting, but seriously, I do think that that's where Oz Politix is heading at the moment. And remember everyone - McCarthyism ended in tears not just for pore l'ill Joe but for a whole lot of people who should never ever have been taken down that path. Judge not, etc.

Jason

22/05/2012ToM of Melbourne, He will answer eventualy, however not to you! You might be "outraged' on other peoples behalf as usual, but this isn't about you princess!

NormanK

22/05/2012[u]An Open Letter to All Australians[/u] Australian democracy stands at the very edge of a cliff today. Over the course of this year we have collectively climbed over, stepped around and wriggled under all of the safety rails put in place to prevent us from getting too near to the precipice. The last hurdle, a small symbolic yellow line of warning, was crossed when Julia Gillard claimed ownership of the stepping aside of Peter Slipper and the temporary resignation of Craig Thomson from the Australian Labor Party. If these two gentlemen had been allowed to come to their decisions and make the announcements themselves as being for the good of the reputation of the parliament and the ALP respectively then we might still be one barrier away from taking the plunge into dictatorship. When the Prime Minister finds herself in a position where, in order to govern in an effective manner, she must cede to the apparent wishes of the public as ascertained by a rolling storm of opinion that won't allow any other meaningful discussion to take place then we have reached a very dangerous place indeed. I don't assign disproportionate blame to Julia Gillard - that would be like blaming the last straw that broke the camel's back and discounting the thousands of straws that went before. In the crossing of this last line of deterrent I don't blame the Coalition. Craig Thomson had it right when he said that Tony Abbott had launched the lynch mob and the press had fanned the flames. If the press had not adopted such a tone and volume of outrage at what they chose to believe were the wrong-doings of these two gentlemen, the Coalition could have ranted and raved into the wind to no avail. It was the threatened withholding of budget coverage and the replacing of it with hysterical outpourings of rhetoric surrounding the 'indecency' of Slipper's and Thomson's alleged activities that finally forced the PM's hand. The Coalition has most certainly played the biggest role in setting this train of events in motion and in maintaining its momentum but any self-respecting journalist or editor or producer could have looked in the mirror and asked themselves: "What about the presumption of innocence? Should I be a part of the ongoing coverage that will see one of our most fundamental democratic rights undermined?" Pretty much to a man and woman they decided that some other imperative was more important than this basic right which is thousands of years old and underpins almost all of Western society. It isn't a traditional dictatorship that threatens to over-run our society. It isn't one individual with absolute power to change the laws and mete out arbitrary punishment according to his whim. It is a dictatorship where the media can foster a herd mentality (or the appearance of one) that sees perceived wrong-doers judged and punished by the entire population in an opinion poll from Hell. Precedent is the term we should be most afraid of today. Once the precedent has been set that a high-profile individual who has been accused of the misuse of funds that might be regarded as being public (whether it be the union dues of lowly paid workers or the revenue of a government or the company finances that arguably belong to shareholders) and has had these allegations publicly aired along with what appears to be compelling evidence and is subsequently stripped of the office he holds based solely on whether the public believe him to be guilty, we are one step closer to vigilante groups exercising their own brand of justice based on that precedent. Once it has been established that a high-profile individual need only be accused of sexual harassment in order for them to be stripped of their position and privileges we open the floodgates to a deluge of complaints designed solely to bring down a political opponent, an estranged spouse, a business competitor, an overbearing boss or a teacher who marks a paper unfavourably. We are already very close to this point now because an individual need only be accused of a crime of a sexual nature involving children and they are immediately demonised. The crime itself is a hideous one but it must be proved in a court of law not in the front bar of a pub. This is mob rule. It is not the rule of law. Once the judicial process is taken out of the hands of professionals bound by strict codes of conduct and operating within carefully crafted frameworks based on historical precedents and placed in the hands of untrained individuals (be they MPs or journalists or Joe Public) we undermine the very foundations of our peaceful way of life. The only thing standing between our basic democratic rights and the cliff-edge is a wall of Australian citizens. In the front line should be our politicians of good conscience linked arm-in-arm with our finest legal minds who should now be launching their own counter-attack against this mindless rush into anarchy. Supporting them should be principled members of the press but at the moment they are so few in number as to be insignificant. Behind our front line needs to be the bulk of the Australian public. We can use the comment's sections of news articles, blogs and e-mails to MPs but our most telling weapon is the opinion poll. Give the Coalition a 10 point drop in its primary vote and it will quickly get the message that trashing the fundamental principle that underpins our justice system is not a way that we expect our elected officials to behave. It is not good enough to kid ourselves, as some might be tempted to do, that if this government falls and an Abbott government is installed then suddenly everything will revert to its former position. If the media are left with irrefutable evidence that it can not only influence policy but actually bring down a government by guiding public opinion, it will continue to do so and will act with ever more audacious selfishness. It becomes particularly worrisome that this unfettered power is available to the highest bidder and that the collective beast that is the media has no conscience nor sees a moral dilemma in running two conflicting campaigns at the same time. If one political party is left with the impression that a no-holds-barred assault on democratic principles is an effective way of undoing an opponent then all political parties will adopt this tactic. Of all the things that Tony Abbott can be accused of, the most worrying is that he is indifferent to the precedents that he is setting. These precedents might well come back to bite him but that will be no recompense for the damage that has been done to our institutions. I can think of no more important principle than the presumption of innocence. Without it, one individual can be taken out and shot on the say-so of one other individual. Australia, we are in deep trouble. Each of us as individuals are indeed judge and jury when it comes to the question of morals. When it comes to the question of legal impropriety, that is best left to our institutions that are equipped to deal with such matters. The parliament is not one such institution and the media is the last one that we should ever consider empowering to uphold this most fundamental of rights - the presumption of innocence.

TalkTurkey

22/05/2012Psyclaw said I thought it ingenuous of [Mal Washer] to approach Labor MPs and tell them to watch over CT while he is a party to the attack. Not to split hairs Psyclaw but interestingly you could have meant any one of 3 things: 1. Ingenuous - Innocent, naive really, well you could mean that in this case! Thinking that he can say that AND be party to his Party! 2. Ingenious - Inventive, clever - You could say that too as a way Washer might be able to salve his own conscience in the event of a possible tragedy caused by Washer's own party! But you probably meant 3. Disingenuous - insincere - Well how [i]could[/i] he be deeply sincere and stay a member of that lynch mob? But I will say this for Washer, he does show at least a pittance of pity . . . and pity has something in common with humanity, which however pitiful in extent, still does distinguish him from every other member of his party. At least he's not as bad. Mal Washer let me make you a promise: You'll just get suspicion In your Coalition So [i]why don't you just walk away?[/i] Speaking of Pomes - Patricia - Your rhymes get better all the time - I always love that double rhyme! Fiona, well done with your closing comment to Ali Moore, proud of you. Thank you on Craig Thomson's behalf for your warm concurrence with my expression of respect for the way he has carried himself for so long, and for his gutsy desperate rounding on his tormentors. Oddly I get nearly as much pleasure from apoplectic spitflecked posts like that directed to me at 10.04 PM! :) [i][b]DRINK![/b] [/i] Because the Dismemberment is under way and there is NOTHING that the Abborttians can do about it! That's why their spit flies, and that's why they are puce in the face, and I just love it!

Psyclaw

22/05/2012TT You are 100% correct. The brain meant "disingenuous" but the fingers just got it wrong.

DMW

23/05/2012I don't recall having commented on the Thomson affair before today as I have not been able sort fact from fiction in the whole saga. I am not qualified to pass judgement upon Mr Thomson as I am not aware of all the facts and until I am called to sit on a jury to consider the charges against him I do not intend to pass judgement. I will make this observation: Many, many people who often decry 'the tabloidisation' of our news reporting are very much part of that very process. It intrigues me that many who decry the muck raking and cry foul about the reporting of 'tittle-tattle' pounce on any all snippets of the very same muck raking or tittle-tattle and link to it and/or repeat it. It seems to me that a disinterested observer coming here for the first time (and to other similar places) would easily believe that we are more interested in discussing the muck and tittle-tattle than we are in discussing things of greater import. Afternote: I wrote this ready to post before I saw NormanK's comment @ 10:57 PM last evening and am glad I refreshed before posting this comment. NK I dips me lid, you have restored my faith. Your comment though may be the exception that proves the rule.

Lyn

23/05/2012 TODAY’S LINKS Craig Thomson under the rain, Independent Australia For somebody who constantly refers to Thomson as “delusional”, this is an interesting answer. It is, firstly, an interesting response, given Kathy Jackson herself reportedly suffered a mental breakdown and was committed to psychiatric care in a Melbourne Hospital just last year. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/craig-thomson-under-the-rain/ Consumer confidence tells us 'the vibe' - that's about it, Greg Jericho, The Drum while it may be good for an economy to have confident consumers, let us not fall into the trap of believing that it should be the aim of economic policy.We have more than enough measures of economic activity going round that relate to real things – employment, http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4026382.html A jury of his peers, Ash, Ash’s Machiavellian Bloggery The hilarious part of all this is the coalition claim that it was Thomson and Thomson alone who has bought the parliament into disrepute. Let me conduct a sexual assault on a female and blame someone else. Let me start a fund where an ex lover can supply cash to Sophie without declaring it http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/3420/ Is This The Future Of Oz Politics?, Ben Eltham, New Matilda No, the reason Thomson is the unhappy spotlight of an unceasing media scrum is the minority Parliament, in which the loss of a single member can threaten Julia Gillard’s government. This focus on the instability of the parliament is almost entirely a construction of Tony Abbott’s Opposition, which has refused to accept the legitimacy http://newmatilda.com/2012/05/22/thomson-scandal-future-oz-politics When political spin turns to reputation shred, Clarence Gril, North Coast Voices Kelly O’Dwyer and Senator Abetz started their spin cycle early. Kelly tweeted this with the caption “A picture paints a thousand words”.KellyODwyer: A picture says a thousand words twitpic.com/9m6no4 (pic below) http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/when-political-spin-turns-to-reputation.html Occupy Class Warfare, Only The Depth Varies It wasn’t only the Opposition that accused the Government of Class Warfare. Dennis Shanahan, Political Editor of the Australian was happy to take up arms against the imaginary war: Mr Shanahan has completely avoided the awkward detail that the Labor movement itself is built on an ideological foundation of challenging the class structure. If the ALP is seen as playing a http://onlythedepthvaries.blogspot.com.au/ Tony Abbott Unleashed the Lynch Mob, and Fairfax is leading with the flaming pitchforks, Turn Left 2013 Craig Thomson accused the media, they have done their CSI, Law & Order thingumy-jig and hey, presto! found themselves innocent of all accusations. He talked about trial by media, and the media responds… by throwing a poll up on their website. http://turnleft2013.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/tony-abbott-unleashed-the-lynch-mob-and-fairfax-is-leading-with-the-flaming-pitchforks/ Thomson: from politics into prime-time drama, Bernard Keane, Crikey Thus has minority government served us; its hothouse atmosphere encouraging the hypertrophy of the more grotesque organs of the body politic, each to be placed on display by the media. It’s not so much that we’ve become judge, jury and executioner, but judge, jury and http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/22/thomson-completes-transformation-of-politics-into-prime-time-drama/ Craig's list: Thomson's parliamentary privilege roll call, Tom Cowie, The Power Index Suspended Labor MP Craig Thomson took to the floor of the parliament yesterday to defend himself against claims of misuse of union funds.Speaking under parliamentary privilege, he made a series of allegations against key figures as being complicit in a prostitute conspiracy and for leading a lynch mob against him. Here's the line-up of who he named: http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/power-move/craig-s-list-thomson-s-parliamentary-privilege-roll-call/201205221378?utm_source= Clive Palmer’s 'extraordinary' billboards in Brisbane, The Power Index Brisbane residents can expect to see more of the billboards rolled out in the coming weeks. Although for Palmer, he needs to win over Lilley's LNP members to take out the race – not the city's motorists.Swan, meanwhile, is unfazed by the Palmer pitch. He tweeted yesterday that Clive's first foray into his electorate was "literally a sign". http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/follow-the-power/clive-palmers-extraordinary-billboard-posters Newman's great and onerous power, Ben Eltham, ABC The Opposition, meanwhile, has been locked out of the Executive Annex, the building where state opposition party rooms are traditionally located. The LNP will instead install its bulging backbenches in the main building, banishing Annastacia Palaszczuk and her tiny party room to offices a block away. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4025876.html Wilkie backs the government’s pokies reform bill, Tom Cummings, Cyenne It’s finally happened. After countless weeks of playing hardball, independent MP Andrew Wilkie today announced that he will throw his support behind the Federal Government’s National Gambling Reform Bill.The story was broken in the Fairfax press by Richard Willingham (who is making a habit of breaking stories such as these). It’s a bold move by Wilkie, who had previously stated that he couldn’t http://www.cyenne.com/discussion/wilkie-backs-the-governments-pokies-reform-bill/ Labor or Liberal Government Debt-, Stephen Koukoulas, Market Economics So next time you hear someone from the Coalition or elsewhere for that matter banging on about the $96 billion of Labor Government debt that was paid off by the Howard Government, remind them of the fact that $40 billion of it or almost half was a hangover of the debt left to Labor by the Fraser Government in 1983 http://www.marketeconomics.com.au/date/2012/04 Can do and ought to do, Noel Preston, OnLine Opinion The question is whether "Premier Can Do" understands what he can't do. Running state government is much more than a series of engineering projects as the Premier surely knows, just as the ethical scrutiny of a government involves more than the process http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=13645 SOWING DOUBT, Nick Feik, Editor, The Monthly But it is not incumbent on Thomson to prove his innocence, or to disprove every allegation against him - particularly in such a politically loaded situation.It is not up to the media, the Opposition or the general public to ascertain his guilt - tempted though they are to try. http://www.themonthly.com.au/politicoz/latest All in the game: shining a light into the weird world of Craig Thomson , Mark Rolfe, The Conversation To Thomson, everyone within the internal political game has been playing pass the parcel on this issue, except the music has stopped and Craig the one left holding it.It’s the same game with the current fight in NSW Liberals which is spilling into the public http://theconversation.edu.au/all-in-the-game-shining-a-light-into-the-weird-world-of-craig-thomson-7140 Casting the first stone: the Thomson affair, Jennifer Wilson, No Place for Sheep No matter what Thomson has or hasn’t done, the witch hunt continues to be ferocious. To my mind, the authenticity of Kathy Jackson’s claims is equally tenuous, but we have not seen anything like the same ferocity directed at her. The public attacks on Thomson are astounding, whipped up by politicians and media, and why? Because we have a minority government. http://noplaceforsheep.com/2012/05/22/casting-the-first-stone-the-thomson-affair/ My Response to The Australian, Margaret Simons This is a campaign by The Australian to smear one of its critics. Its record of doing this kind of thing is now so well established that nobody should be surprised. For the few who are interested, it is quite clear what is occurring. http://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/caj/2012/05/21/my-response-to-the-australian/ TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT , Tracey Spicer, Hoopla If Craig Thomson has evidence of a conspiracy by former colleagues at the Health Services Union, he should take it to the police.If he wants to defend himself against allegations of misappropriation of http://thehoopla.com.au/put-shut/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=May+22+The+Hoopla&utm_content=May+22+The+Hoopla+CID_d7c66cd0e4e48 Parliamentary privilege PRIVILEGE DEFINED: http://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/house/pubs/practice/5ch19.pdf TODAY’S FRONT PAGES Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 23 May 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia Video Posts from the ‘Daily Fix’ Category http://australianpoliticstv.org/category/daily-fix/ :)

nasking

23/05/2012 Labor has frozen out former leaders: Howes Posted May 22, 2012 23:43:00 AWU national secretary Paul Howes joins Lateline, hitting out at the Labor Party for allowing its former leaders to become publicly disenchanted with the Government. Emma Alberici http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-22/labor-has-frozen-out-former-leaders-howes/4027124 N'

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23/05/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Gravel

23/05/2012Fiona I heard you, I heard you. :-) I was listening to 774, you came across very well, and I thought at the time that you stumped her. It was funny because there were very few calls and she changed the subject very quickly. Thanks for your wonderful effort. Nasking Paul Howes is a 'dig it up, and cut it down' person in his own words. I stopped listening after this was his opening words. Patriciawa Excelled pome again, you do have the gift. Talk Turkey I noticed I spelt Rob Oakeshott's name wrong. I left off one of the T's. I will always remember it now as I will think of our very on 'TT'. :-)

Gravel

23/05/2012NormanK Thank you for your open letter. Can you clarify why Julia is responsible because of the actions she took. I don't quite follow what you mean.

nasking

23/05/2012 I almost choked on my Guardian flakes and sliced banana: [quote]WASHINGTON -- The White House has laid siege to capitalism, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) declared Tuesday. Asked if President Barack Obama's campaign attacks on Mitt Romney's time running the private equity firm Bain Capital were out of bounds, McConnell didn't answer directly, but instead accused Obama of undermining the American economic system. "I do think that it's interesting to note that the whole notion of our success and of capitalism seems to be under attack by this administration across the board, not just in the campaign, but through the actions of the government itself," McConnell said at a Capitol Hill press conference. "They seem to have forgotten what made this country great and what has lifted literally millions of Americans out of poverty for a long period of time has been a robust capitalist system," McConnell continued. "I think the view of this administration is that if you're making a profit you must be up to no good. You must be either mistreating your employees or cheating your customers or both."[/quote] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/mitch-mcconnell-bain-capital-barack-obama_n_1537045.html What the heck would this lot of Republicans know about capitalism? Creating a corporate aristocracy by way of disastrous, expensive wars...and tax cuts for the rich....whilst taking their eye of the ball leading to a GFC...further enhancing the opportunities for THE FEW...that's not about creating competition and diversity of business. It's about creating enormous amounts of wealth, capital accumulation, for THE FEW owners of the means of production and distribution of goods and services. It permitted the worst examples of anti-competitive behaviour in history. N'

Psyclaw

23/05/2012DMW I[quote]t seems to me that a disinterested observer coming here for the first time (and to other similar places) would easily believe that we are more interested in discussing the muck and tittle-tattle than we are in discussing things of greater import.[/quote] I'm not sure, but are you giving an oblique backhander here? 1) It is not possible to discuss what one is criticising without specifying the object of the criticism. 2) I totally refute your view that a disinterested first timer at TPS would form the view that [quote]we are more interested in discussing the muck and tittle-tattle than we are in discussing things of greater import. [/quote] Such a view is IMHO a load of hogwash. If I have misinterpreted you, I withdraw.

Psyclaw

23/05/2012Two little points of interest from interviews on RN this morning. 1) Sim cards can be cloned and used in another phone to simulate that a call came from the original simcard/phone (from an IT expert) 2) The existing (outdated) laws of defamation apply to defamation online, including to comments on blogsites made under pseudonym. "Truth" is the main defence. 3) True identities can be easily gained by identifying the IP address of the poster, by subpoena of the site, by (legal) discovery, and/or by forensic IT investigation.

42 long

23/05/2012Back to the hothouse. The rapidity of Pyne to allege Thomson mislead the parliament was prepared and scripted and he was"in to it" before we could draw breath. One can only conclude that whatever Craig was going to say, was going ot be treated as a LIE by the "Lynch Mob". What a Paltry Pantomime.

nasking

23/05/2012 Got something you want to tell WA leader Colin Barnett? Wanna spruik yer business...yer ideas...yer pet project? Or just have a yarn as one of the little people? Got 25 grand to spare?: [b]Business leaders pay for access to the Liberals[/b] Updated May 23, 2012 09:07:37 [b]Business leaders pay $25,000 for access to Premier Colin Barnett and his Ministers.[/b] [quote]It has been revealed the West Australian Liberal Party has been fundraising by selling access to the Premier Colin Barnett and his Ministers via a group called the Leaders Forum. The forum comprises about 30 of the state's top business leaders, who pay $25,000 a year for the privilege of meeting the Premier and his Ministers. Perth construction boss Gerry Hanssen says the idea surfaced six years ago when the Liberal Party was short of funds. He denies the group is paying to influence government policy. [/quote] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-23/leaders-join-liberal-forum/4027666 [b]Conservative capitalism in action...working for you.[/b] N'

Lyn

23/05/2012Good Morning Psyclaw Your comment 08:59 AM. I too would like DMW to clarify that particular paragraph. (discussing the muck and tittle-tattle) I have always considered TPS readers and contributors to be of an exceptional source of constant informative, well thoughtout opinions. I will wait in anticipation of finding I have misinterpreted. Cheers :):):)

nasking

23/05/2012 Doesn't surprise me: [b]Murdoch asked Blair to call me off, says MP[/b] Karen Kissane May 23, 2012 [b]LONDON: The Labour MP Tom Watson last night told the Leveson Inquiry he had heard Rupert Murdoch had asked Tony Blair to ''call him [Watson] off'' the phone-hacking inquiry.[/b] Mr Watson said he could remember perfectly a phone call giving him the news in late 2010 or early last year from the former prime minister Gordon Brown. ''It's not something a backbench MP would forget easily,'' he said. Both Mr Murdoch and Mr Blair have previously denied such a call and Mr Brown has said he cannot remember it. But Mr Watson said there were concerns ''this committee was being more troublesome than they thought''... [b]Mr Watson said he was subjected to surveillance on behalf of the now-closed News of the World. He told the inquiry last night that a former reporter at the paper, Neville Thurlbeck, told him the surveillance was set up to find material to fuel ''an alleged conspiracy to blackmail members of the committee''. He said a former News of the World reporter, Mazher Mahmood, commissioned a private investigator to trail Mr Watson in the false belief that Mr Watson was having an affair. Mr Watson said he had been contacted by about a dozen MPs who had told him of their ''sense of fear'' and experiences of intimidation by tabloid newspapers. He said the MPs talked mainly of News International papers and came from ''both sides of the house, all the main parties … [and] the minor parties as well''[/b]. In other developments last night, MPs were due to debate whether three News International executives should be referred to the privileges and standards watchdog of the House of Commons for allegedly misleading Parliament. (with The Guardian) http://www.smh.com.au/world/murdoch-asked-blair-to-call-me-off-says-mp-20120522-1z3gr.html [b]Sounds like something you'd expect in the former East Germany...or Soviet Union. The UK? [/b] N'

nasking

23/05/2012 LOL...this funny coming from a top executive in the Stasi-like News Corporation: [b]Fox News Chief Roger Ailes: Jon Stewart Told Me 'He's A Socialist,' 'Wouldn't Do Well Without Fox'[/b] Posted: 05/22/2012 Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/roger-ailes-jon-stewart-ohio-unversity_n_1535866.html Beware of Jon Stewart...he might be a Socialist hacking your mobile phone messages...hiring men to follow you...get some dirt on you. BWAHAHA... N'

42 long

23/05/2012or life without union protection or watchdogs being heard. Post Labour Australia?

nasking

23/05/2012BTW, The people I’ve spoken to on the phone…and my wife…and those visiting my house…have ALL told me they are BORED STIFF with the Thomson story and want to see the media and government get on with other issues. That’s why I was pleased to see Bob Carr on tele this morn dealing with other issues: [quote]FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr has rejected reports Australia negotiated a deal with Indonesia for the early release of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby. An Indonesian government minister reportedly says Corby's 20-year sentence had been cut by five years as part of a deal which includes the release of Indonesians charged with people smuggling in Australia. But Senator Carr says no deal was struck. "The decision about minors in Australian jails was made because of the merits of the case," he told ABC radio on Wednesday. "That was raised with us and it was a very strong case, by Indonesian government people, most recently when the foreign minister of Indonesia met me in March." But the two issues are not linked, Senator Carr says. Senator Carr was unable to confirm reports that Corby could be released by the end of this year because of good behaviour. "Any argument about parole would be something for Ms Corby's legal representatives to lodge," he said, adding an earlier release would depend on remissions. "The Australian government has consistently supported Ms Corby's application for clemency on humanitarian grounds." Indonesia's minister for the state secretariat, Sudi Silalahi, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cut Corby's prison term on humanitarian grounds.[/quote] http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/senator-bob-carr-rejects-schapelle-corby-deal-with-indonesia/story-e6frfku0-1226364183673 N’

LadyInRed

23/05/2012Lyn thanks again for the great links. [i][/i]When political spin turns to reputation shred,[i][/i] that was a really shocking story, it shows the depths of the vitriol out there – I think it shows how the oppositions relentless harping on has unleashed something so nasty, so awful I want to rile against it, but I am starting to feel powerless. I have just complained to the ABC about their advertisement on ABC1 for The Drum. The entire add contains only references to Thomson and every single reference was in relation to some personality or other claiming not to believe him. Given the 7:30 Report last night was about duty of care and what effect all this vitriol aimed at him must be having I find it incredible that The Drum could find no other way to advertise their program but sensationalise this mans woes. Palmer running against Swann – the man is a fool. I really liked the Can do article. As a Queenslander I have always been worried that Can-do will govern just as he got in to the LNP leadership, without due process. He has no time for due process – it is in his body language, and the way he speaks and the way he has always come across as Lord Mayor – I am on a mission and the people are with me – I get things done. Put simply this man will run rough shot over due process – no doubt. Below is the excerpt from this article that really resonates: I should have listened more carefully to Machiavelli, that medieval practitioner of the art of politics, who observed in [i][/i]The Prince: It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new.[i][/i]

TalkTurkey

23/05/2012Starting with Bill Kelty, followed (notably) by Jason Obelix and others, there seems to be a fashion in the notion that we can't blame the Abborttians, or we can't blame the Media, or we can't blame both of them together. Well don't tell me I can't blame them, I do! I am shoulder to shoulder with Craig Thomson on this. Can't blame the Opposition for the trashing of Parliamentary usage, principles and decency? (never forgetting their great precedent in 1975!) Can't blame the Media for its bias in the reportage of Abbortt cf *J*U*L*I*A*, Coalition cf Government? Can't blame the Opposition and the Media for Burn the Bitch/dump her in a sack at sea/a target on her forehead? Don't tell me I can't blame Them. The Opposition and its media running dogs and its supporting pigs are a disgrace. Can you imagine how this country's opposition would be viewed in the Mother of Parliaments! As I write Abbortt is talking about parliamentary standards. [i]Delenda! Delenda! Delenda![/i]

nasking

23/05/2012 [b]Heartland Institute[/b] eh? Interesting that [b]The Australian[/b] refers to itself as [b]HEART OF THE NATION[/b]: [b]The Heartland Institute reflects on its beating[/b] [b]The pressure point occurred last February when the scientist on the conference mugs, Peter Gleick, used deception to obtain confidential documents from Heartland, including a donors list and plans to indoctrinate school children against belief in climate change. Bast told the conference Heartland had met with the US attorney’s office to discuss criminal charges against Gleick. He said Heartland was waiting for a formal decision before deciding whether to sue Gleick. The exposure led some corporate donors to cut their funds to Heartland – until Bast committed a huge PR blunder, approving a provocative billboard ad likening scientists to psychopaths. Donor flight accelerated, and Heartland has now lost some $825,000 (£523,000) in funding, according to the campaign group Forecast the Facts. Advocacy groups are meeting with some of Heartland’s biggest remaining funders to persuade them to cut their ties. The crisis forced Heartland to seek funds from the oil and coal industry – despite earlier claims to be independent of fossil fuel interests. Between them, the nearly 60 organisations listed by Heartland as conference sponsors have received nearly $22m from Exxon Mobil and the Koch oil billionaire family since 1998, according to an analysis by the campaign website Desmogblog. Listed as a “gold level” sponsor of this week’s conference was the Illinois Coal Association, although Heartland told reporters the contribution was only in the hundreds of dollars. Other allies were scarce. Only three groups set up tables at the conference. The largest was staffed by Americans for Prosperity, the ultra-conservative organisation founded by the Koch oil billionaires.[/b] http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/22/the-heartland-institute-reflects-on-its-beating/ [b]I guess we know what helps keep these HEARTS beating as one[/b]. N'

nasking

23/05/2012 [b]Australian companies get first shot at green energy cash[/b] David Wroe May 23, 2012 [quote]Mr Combet, meanwhile, will introduce today legislation to set up the $10 billion corporation, to be chaired by respected businesswoman Jillian Broadbent. It will require candidates for funding to have Australian Industry Participation Plans, which are a key part of the government's broader manufacturing strategy. [b]Under these plans, which are already used by the resources sector in return for tax breaks, projects have to demonstrate they have given Australian firms ''full, fair and reasonable opportunity''.[/b] [b]A wind farm, for example, might have to show it has offered Australian firms the chance to supply the turbine towers.[/b] ''The CEFC will drive investment in innovative renewable energy, low pollution and energy efficiency technologies to ensure our economy continues to grow while we reduce carbon pollution,'' Mr Combet said.[/quote] http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/australian-companies-get-first-shot-at-green-energy-cash-20120522-1z39j.html Gettin' on with the job of creating Aussie jobs. N'

NormanK

23/05/2012Gravel I have not heard of, nor can I conjure, a logical explanation for the action that she took in claiming personal responsibility for encouraging Slipper and Thomson to 'stand aside' as it were other than to appease the media in order to get some clear air for the Budget. The excuse that a line had been crossed is a lame one. Tony Jones described it as spin and whilst I would agree with that assessment I would not apply the pejorative sarcasm that he so often does to the word 'spin'. The PM needed to give a reason for taking the actions that she did and that was the best that she could come up with. It is not possible for the Prime Minister of any country to call a press conference and announce that they have decided on a particular course of action because of the level of noise in the media. When asked about the 'line' that had been crossed Julia Gillard replied that it was because both cases were afoot at the same time. Yes indeed and because both issues were running with a full head of steam something needed to be done to get them off the front pages. It was two days before the Budget and there was a very real prospect that it was not going to get the airplay that it deserved. In order to quiet the baying hounds the PM had to throw them a bone. I am not a political operative so my preference of allowing the two gentlemen to make their own announcements is probably naive and too small a bone. Ms Gillard's advisors no doubt felt that she needed to take ownership of those decisions. That's all well and good except that by doing so she joined the ranks of those who are pre-judging Thomson and Slipper. I am entirely confident that the PM would have preferred to maintain her stance of defending due process but that position became untenable in the face of what amounts to blackmail by the media. I made mention of that action by the PM because it disappointed me and stuck in my craw because it handed another small win to the baying media. There have been many incremental steps on the way to where we are now. That one by Gillard is probably one of the least significant in the greater scheme of things but it struck me as passing a milestone that we might find cause to use as a reference when we look back on this period. As Andrew Wilkie found out yesterday, it is one thing to agree with a censure motion against Thomson based on emotion but something altogether different to support it in the cold light of legal advice. The advice that Wilkie got was that if he supported a censure motion he would be prejudging Thomson. I sincerely hope that with the budget now behind them the ALP can dig in and support due process despite the rantings and ravings of the Coalition and the truly astonishing prejudice of much of the press. Let me be quite clear, I am not judging Julia Gillard for that decision. I have no idea what it takes to be Prime Minister especially in the current climate. I simply make note of the incident having occurred and how it feeds into my contempt for the collective stupidity of our press and the nefarious influence they are having on our polity.

TalkTurkey

23/05/2012It's all very nice to hear Mal Washer adjuring the Labor Party about our duty of care towards Craig Thomson, OK Mal, what about your duty of care to speak and voter against the abuses of separation of powers and presumption of guilt and trashing of parliamentary standards usages and principles hard won over hundreds of years? Otherwise it is nothing but pious mealymouth. Shameful. What about that Hippocratic Oath you took Mal? It does not admit of hypocrisy. If you think that a vote of yours is part of possibly driving a human beyond . . . Well let's not go there eh, but yeah, what about YOUR duty of care? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DMW Muck and tittle tattle? [i]Wha?[/i] Who? Where? When? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gravel said I noticed I spelt Rob Oakeshott's name wrong. I left off one of the T's. I will always remember it now as I will think of our very own 'TT'. Gravel Nice to know I have a function after all these years . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greens still unable to own their sabotage of the CPRS in 2009. Talk about climate change deniers, they daily deny their denial of Labor's would-have-been action. Speaking of hypocrisy. Now they are planning to torpedo the Pokies legislation - with the help of the hypocritical "Pokies Senator" Xenophon, the Adelaide University Election Fraudster. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seems I'm in a fightin' frame of mind today. Well, this is The Political Sword. Right On.

nasking

23/05/2012 Speaking of Fox News...memories: [b]Fearing High Gas Prices, Sean Hannity Proposes Re-Invading Iraq and Kuwait To ‘Take All Their Oil’[/b] By George Zornick on [b]Jan 14, 2011 [/b]at 11:59 pm Tonight’s Hannity on Fox News featured a discussion by the Great American Panel about high gas prices, which host Sean Hannity claimed are “now gonna go up to three, four, five dollars a gallon again.” The panel ruefully noted that Arab sheiks possess great amounts of oil, and pointed out a recent statement by Kuwait’s oil minister that he believes the market can withstand $100-per-barrel oil. After noting that Kuwait is a country that “would not exist [but] for us,” Hannity angrily offered his remedy: HANNITY: There’s two things I said. I say why isn’t Iraq paying us back with oil, and paying every American family and their soldiers that lost loved ones or have injured soldiers — and why didn’t they pay for their own liberation? For the Kuwait oil minister — how short his memory is. [b]You know, we have every right to go in there and frankly take all their oil and make them pay for the liberation[/b], as these sheiks, etcetera etcetera, you know were living in hotels in London and New York, as Trump pointed out, and now they’re gouging us and saying ‘oh of course we can withstand [these prices].’” http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/01/14/139244/hannity-invade-iraq/ -------- Yep, I'm sure the average Iraqi woulda appreciated invasion mach 3. The first time the Shia were told by Daddy Bush to rise up...they got slaughtered...as the Americans sat and watched. The second invasion saw over a hundred thousand Iraqis killed...how many kids killed and maimed? A third invasion? [b]Why does anyone listen to these impetuous idiots? Their master's voice Feb 2003 Rupert Murdoch argued strongly for a war with Iraq in an interview this week. Which might explain why his 175 editors around the world are backing it too, writes Roy Greenslade He believes that deposing the Iraqi leader would lead to cheaper oil. "The greatest thing to come out of this for the world economy...would be $20 a barrel for oil. That's bigger than any tax cut in any country."[/b] http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2003/feb/17/mondaymediasection.iraq N'

Ad astra

23/05/2012NormanK Thank you for your thoughtful comments in your Open Letter to All Australians. It is a considered and well-crafted statement about the state of contemporary politics in this country. It is such commentary that makes [i]The Political Sword[/i] such a valuable site, one that so many people visit to read the comments as much as the original piece. What appears below was written before I read your latest post at 11.10 am, where I believe you have provided some answers to what follows here. If find myself in agreement with almost all you have written. There was just one aspect that surprised me. It was your use of the word ‘blame’. You say: [i]“I don't assign disproportionate blame to Julia Gillard - that would be like blaming the last straw that broke the camel's back and discounting the thousands of straws that went before.”[/i] I could have readily accepted that statement had the qualifying word ‘disproportionate’ been omitted. Next, I was left confused about the meaning of your next paragraph: [i]”In the crossing of this last line of deterrent I don't blame the Coalition. Craig Thomson had it right when he said that Tony Abbott had launched the lynch mob and the press had fanned the flames. If the press had not adopted such a tone and volume of outrage at what they chose to believe were the wrong-doings of these two gentlemen, the Coalition could have ranted and raved into the wind to no avail. It was the threatened withholding of budget coverage and the replacing of it with hysterical outpourings of rhetoric surrounding the 'indecency' of Slipper's and Thomson's alleged activities that finally forced the PM's hand.”[/i] If one takes the first sentence literally, I presume you are not blaming the Coalition for Julia Gillard using the ‘crossing of the line’ reason for suspending Craig Thomson from the Labor Party or Peter Slipper standing down, which is a reasonable stance for you to take, as she took that decision herself. The Coalition though [b]was[/b] heavily to blame for creating a toxic political environment, preoccupied with the ‘scandals’, which would make it almost impossible for the Government’s good Budget messages to receive proper consideration in the media that was focused only on ‘fanning the flames’, as you pointed out. I mention this only to seek clarification, as the first sentence of this paragraph seems to me to be at cross-purposes with the second sentence, and with the next paragraph, or at least capable of causing confusion. Otherwise, your statement is one of the most penetrating I have read on the contemporary state of affairs and the potential it has for doing untold damage to our parliamentary system, our democratic process, and our observance of the sacred rule of law. What a commentary it is on our media that it has not been capable of, or has not seen any reason to make, such a profound statement itself. Thank you.

LadyInRed

23/05/2012Nasking thanks for the Combet link. Green jobs for Australians - well done Combet.

Ad astra

23/05/2012DMW I join Psyclaw and Lyn in asking for clarification of the meaning of: [i]”It intrigues me that many who decry the muck raking and cry foul about the reporting of 'tittle-tattle' pounce on any all snippets of the very same muck raking or tittle-tattle and link to it and/or repeat it. It seems to me that a disinterested observer coming here for the first time (and to other similar places) would easily believe that we are more interested in discussing the muck and tittle-tattle than we are in discussing things of greater import.”[/i] Folks I’m out for a few hours.

LadyInRed

23/05/2012NormanK regarding your open letter I totally agree with your sentiments. I wish that the PM could have found a way to stand by Thomson and Slipper. But dare I say political expedience often gets in the way. Something was and is now lost. Can we find it again - I don't know. But wherever I can I rile against it. Thanks.

Patriciawa

23/05/2012Thank you for your letter, NormanK. That needs to be said, and said often. Agreed, Ad Astra, I'm not quite sure what DMW is getting at there either, but if he means that we here are all more interested in the tittle tattle and muck raking than the truth then I can't agree. But if he means mainstream media I think they are not only interested in all the muckraking they can get out of it of Craig Thomson's story. I think the news organisations themselves want to run the story so long as it can discredit our government. They are interested in regime change. They are not interested in the truth. Psyclaw, thank you for your succinct overview of Monday ff. It has pushed me into this draft. (TT, as usual criticism welcome!) [b]Yes, I do believe him………..but have doubts about her![/b] I believed him, thought what he said was true. His story’s unchanged. He’s said nothing new. But the lady protests so oft, methinks, Increasingly the air around her stinks. Her stories change and are embellished In many interviews, [i]each one relished By her audience, the peoples’ jury[/i]! So why is he the focus of her fury? What did he do to deserve this hell, The unhappy member for Dobell, When her entitlements have swollen To far outweigh the sum she claims he’s stolen? Isn’t it time we really got to know her, This heroine, this whistleblower? Who are her friends, lovers, connections? Why for her so much media protection? Why do editors find it so very hard To spot an extra [i]‘p’[/i] on a phony credit card? If investigative journos checked out his alibis Couldn’t they prove which of them is telling lies? .

Patriciawa

23/05/2012Italics misplaced! Intended only for [i]the peoples jury![/i]

LadyInRed

23/05/2012Kathy Jackson has had a mental illness (according to one of Lyn's links), please keep this in mind. I hope we don't start kicking her whilst we rile against what has been done to Thomson. I would like to think we can just keep plugging away at the presumption of innocence. Let the courts decide. It goes both ways. She has also been exploited....in my opinion. I know that might be unpopular.

Psyclaw

23/05/2012Lady in Red I take on board your sentiments about Ms Jackson and judging her. But I will reserve my position as to any mental illness. There are many atypical "syndromes" of human behaviour which do not indicate mental illness per se. Bullying is an example. Narcissism is another. Egocentrism as well. The latter indicates a stunted cognitive development rather than mental illness. As our cognitive skills develop from infancy we move from the perception that [i]"I am the world"[/i] ( well perhaps 'I" and mum's breast) through a number of stages till we understand that we each are minute cogs in a big picture. The result of this is that the cognitively mature person can rise above it all (as if in a helicopter) and look down and conceptualise and recognise the various facets of our existence. In contrast, the pathological egotists go through life thinking it all starts and ends with them. KJ's 20 year long history and experience in conflict is easily researched online.

Patriciawa

23/05/2012I take note of that Lady in Red if it was written for me! I did think of it, even to the extent of asking myself where Michael Lawler is now. Hasn't it reached the point where a separation will be seen as wise and is on the cards? If Opus Dei and Tony Abbott are in this as some have suggested then even the starting of that relationship could have been anticipated as useful. Mind you, there is something foolish and impulsive about Lawler that makes me doubt that (e.g. the4 admission to sinking several bottles of wine over the decision to go to the police re. Thomson, as reported in the Weekend Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/union-dues/story-e6frg8h6-1226270776249 But we have enough examples of Tony Abbott's ruthless exploitation of anyone and anything to achieve his political goals to believe conspiracy and longterm planning on his part. So yes, the heroic Kathy Jackson is probably being exploited by him and will be discarded if she disintegrates or is just too indiscreet.

LadyInRed

23/05/2012Patriciawa I was not aiming at anyone in particular. And psyclaw really whether she has a mental illness or not to me is actually irelevant. I just wanted to make the point that the presumption of innocence, for me, is the focus. This saga has gotten so big that I fear it has gone out of control (it feels chaotic) and I guess it was my lame attempt to try to bring it back some, to remember these are people (vain and vulnerable) just like us. Naive on my part.....perhaps.

Gravel

23/05/2012Talk Turkey at 10.51am I agree with you, no one can excuse the Nopposition or the media behaviour. I am tired of people only finding fault with Labor and Julia. NormanK Thanks for the clarification and why you feel the way you do. I hate the way politics is played, but something had to be done, and I'm the last person to say what. I am sure it was a decision by many of Julia's advisers and fellow MP's. Patriciawa Thanks a million for another of your brilliant pome's. So many questions, but as we know the media are too busy running the Noppositions side that they won't look at any inconsistency by any one other the Labor. This total rubbish about Craig Thomson misleading parliament is a whole lot of b--ls--t. That was clear from the start that the media and opposition were going to run that line from the minute Craig T said he give a statement to parliament.

Tom of Melbourne

23/05/2012The question and controversy about “the presumption of innocence” is a little misdirected. This concept applies to criminal law, ultimately this may come to concern Thomson, but it isn’t what is being discussed on blogs. No one is suggesting the incarceration or conviction of Thomson. Blog discussion concerns the suitability of Craig Thomson to meet the requirements of his current occupation. When a lawmaker decides they’re unable to co-operate with law enforcement, they’re no longer suitable for the job, in my opinion. Every day people make employment decisions on the basis of the balance of probability, there are often conflicting accounts of events, but judgments are made and decisions implemented. Some people are legitimately dismissed from their employment because they are unsuitable, or unable to meet the requirements of because they have neglected to meet expected standards of honesty/conduct. This is the context that people are expressing reasonable concerns about the behaviour, honesty and conduct of Craig Thomson.

Tom of Melbourne

23/05/2012...or unable to meet the requirements [i]or[/i] because they have neglected to meet expected standards of honesty/conduct.

Jason

23/05/2012ToM, That's all well and good but what does the contitution say on the matter? and apart from "bankrupcy or a conviction that has a sentence of 12 months or more" he as the rules state today can sit there! a referendum is therefore needed ToM. As for failing to co operate with law enforcement it's not the "possible suspects" job to make the crowns case. Or then there is this view FAIR WORK AUSTRALIA'S legal action against Craig Thomson could be thrown out because the statute of limitations has been exceeded, according to two leading workplace lawyers Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomson-case-could-be-out-of-time-20120516-1yr8x.html#ixzz1vfoRVeP6

jaycee

23/05/2012I would suggest, T.O.M. that Fairwork Aust' bring those two "named" officers back from "convienience leave" and put them under the same spotlight (particularly ONE with the vested interest)as Mr. Thomson..IF..if a fairness of accountability is demanded. After all, there has YET to be any submiission put forward to "charge" Mr. Thomson. But in reality, we all know this is only about the opposition's hunger for leadership....a hunger that would let even the "honest" members of the party be used as a swill and sponge to mop-up a slurry of their own vomit! Short of total fascism, there can be no lower point of the oppositions' ambition.

BSA Bob

23/05/2012Norman K Thanks for yesterday's response re my new Gravatar. It comes up on various other sites, so I reckon you're on the money re the current TPS engine. Ta.

Lyn

23/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody tweets for Question time today. Tony Abbott was so furious when Julia called time, he emailed all Journalists to call a press conference. You will see by the tweet from Peter Van Onselen. Then Anthony Albanese came to talk to the Journalists. ABC 24 cut Anthony off before we could hear all the questions and answers. Funny though they showed Abbott’s back walking away from his questions. Here is some of the conversation:- George‏ The mentally unhinged Tony Abbott on full display today just how demented he has become in his pursuit for the keys to the lodge #Insane Possum Comitatus‏ In the game of #qt chess - that was a bit of a masterclass there by Albo. Chewed the time, killed Abbott's message, spoiled the newsgrabs Jansel‏ ash_gillon why show Toxic TA Presser in full and not @AlboMP ? Bias much?!! Ryan Moore‏ “He’s not a judge, he’s a jury, he’s a hack.” - Albo on Abbott Margaret‏ Albo says "Abbott just a political hack" in reference to being judge & jury on Thomson I agree wholeheartedly with you @AlboMP Dafid‏ in his press conf after QT said wont want to influence Priv Com & commenced to do just that I despise the RAT Malcolm Farr‏ CThomson being investigated by NSW police, Vic police, privileges comm, and civil charges to be heard by Fed Court. TAbbott wants more. AshGhebranious‏ Abbott walks away from a press conference! LOL the man who wants to be PM LOL #auspol #abcnew24 Jansel‏ What an idiot! He just walks off. Toxic T @TonyAbbottMHR has just gagged Journos from asking him questions! What a wimp! Haha Marian Dalton‏ Abbott turns his back and walks out on the presser after a final shot at the government. Marian Dalton TA: it would be 'delaying tactics' from govt if privileges committee looked into FWA report again. Marian Dalton‏ TA says no need to re-investigate FWA report, only Thomson's statement. Think Big‏ LOL Abbott calling a press conference to complain about the govt shutting down debate whilst he was attempting to shut down debate Peter van Onselen‏ ...and on cue, Abbott's press conference in 15mins just emailed through to journos... #toldya Think Big‏ LOL Abbott calling a press conference to complain about the govt shutting down debate whilst he was attempting to shut down debate Not Harry Jenkins_MP Opposition fails in bid to force PM to give statement to Parliament about the issues surrounding Thomson http://bit.ly/JoyeDL” Naomi Woodley‏ The Coalition has moved Philip Ruddock onto the privileges committee in place of John Alexander. Michelle Grattan‏ Ruddock,former AG going onto privileges committee in place of Alexander - shaping up for a fight on this normally consensus body Gemma Jones‏ Gov just lost a second vote to gag an Opposition MP 69-73 but clock run out on debate. #auspol Judith Ireland‏ Result of vote 2? Same again, Govt loses, 69 to 73. Annabel Crabb‏ And now TA crashes in to #QT with a suspension of standing orders, seeking statement from PM of confidence in FWA Joe Hockey‏ Gillard refuses to answer why CT tossed out of caucus but not parl.Labor says it has standards! Justin Barbour‏ Division now on the question of whether @tonyabbottmhr no longer be heard, as moved by @albomp. #qt Latika Bourke ‏ Abbott complaining about the Govt's tactics and wants the clock stopped for POOS in future. #qt AshGhebranious‏ Thank Christ that was over. I was starting to want to visit Pyne and punch his face in. What a snivelling toad. Ryan Moore‏ Pyne’s abuse of Burke today has been disgraceful. Screaming at the Chair is immensely inappropriate. #qt George‏ Over the top really Coalition dive for the bottom succeeded nastiest opposition leader i`ve see in my lifetime of 66yrs Marian Dalton‏ Slipper would have booted Pyne LONG since. #QT #auspol Andrew Watson‏ I agree but she determined the SSO motion should proceed. RT @crazyjane13: Slipper would have booted Pyne LONG since. Annabel Crabb And Thomson enters the chamber to vote with the government to get Mr Abbott to put a sock in it. Mark Duckett‏ PM Gillard making a complete fool out of Hockey as usual #qt National Times‏@NationalTimesAU The view from Anna's chair. Deputy speaker Anna Burke speaks to online political editor Tim Lester @telester http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/the-view-from-annas-chair-20120523-1z4bs.html JoT‏ : Abbott brushes aside Thomson health concerns http://fb.me/1O9OuoT6p" because he is a heartless scumbag bully http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-brushes-aside-thomson-health-concerns-20120523-1z481.html news.com.au‏@news_com_auMay 23, 2012 @ 1.52pm THE federal opposition has withdrawn a motion from the notice paper to suspend Craig Thomson from parliament ove... http://tinyurl.com/brfx7ce Robert Corr‏ LOL, the NSW Liberals are at it again. Branch-stacking battle between the Religious Right and the Lunatic Right. Ryan Moore‏ WA Liberals confirms it has been offering access to ministers for $25,000 a year. http://yhoo.it/Jws4pL #wapol #auspol

Ad astra

23/05/2012Hi Lyn Thanks again for the tweets. I missed parliament today; it sound like the great Abbott unhinging. Perhaps Mal Washer should take a look at his leader and offer some psychiatric advice.

Casablanca

23/05/2012ABC24 ran a video of some of the goings on in QT today. They included the clip of Abbott accusing the Government of running a 'protection racket' in relation to Craig Thomson. If the ABC were being even-handed they should also have shown the bit where Abbortt was required by the Deputy Speaker to withdraw the words 'protection racket'.

jaycee

23/05/2012I agree, ad A....I believe the opps' leader HAS some form of mental illness. Such a driving ambition that will destroy his party, the perception of parliament, our democratic ideals and ultimately himself and his family name HAS to have some sort of psychosis!....and the C. Pyne!!!..WHAT IS THAT THING??

Casablanca

23/05/2012ABC News Online [i]Mr Thomson broke down throughout the speech on Monday and at one time described how his wife had witnessed TV reporters outside their bathroom.[/b] To reflect the reality the above should have read: [b]Mr Thomson gave a forceful speech on Monday despite the intense scrutiny that he was under. He broke down only once during his 50 minute speech when he described how Channel 7 reporters had huddled under the bathroom window as his then pregnant wife was taking a shower.[/b] From their ABC. Opposition relentless despite Thomson health fears Updated May 23, 2012 16:14:56 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-23/opposition-continue-thomson-attacks-despite-health-fears/4028640

Casablanca

23/05/2012oops computer syntax error above!

Psyclaw

23/05/2012Lady in Red I've been away all day and have just read your subsequent post re KJ. As to the allegations CT made against her, and the findings by FWA against her, she is certainly entitled to be spared prejudgement. However as to her conduct in driving the CT matter, as to the way she continues to rort the HSU herself, and as to the the fact that after 5 years as National Secretary she has failed in her fiduciary duties and management duties, she stands condemned. She is no shrinking violet, nor is she pure as the driven snow. Like Abbott, she is a pugilist in pursuing her own interests.

Jason

23/05/2012Aa, Mr Denmore has revealed himself http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/oh-that-guy.html

Lyn

23/05/2012Hi Jason Mr Denmore, I like him as Mr Denmore but Jim Parker is nice too. I like both of them. :):):):)

nasking

23/05/2012My view: Frankly, I don’t believe either of them. Jackson nor Thomson. I do worry about the man’s health. And Jackson’s ego. It might eat her alive. I reckon both have brought the reputation of the union down…both have probably exploited their positions. I do feel there is some Liberal mischief making going on. And some mediocre to poor reporting. The ALP and Fair Work Australia don’t come out of this lookin’ like the bastions of integrity either. PM Gillard might’ve demonstrated appropriate loyalty…for both principled and survival reasons…but unfortunately the Thomson/Jackson saga has had a detrimental effect on perceptions of the government, the unions, the media, the investigating body, certain Liberals…the stench is considered to be emanating from all involved. This mountain out of a molehill could’ve been a real positive for the Coalition… but Abbott and Pyne and Bishop and Brandis have managed to score own goals again…coming across like a bunch of hypocritical desperadoes putting the future of many not so pure as the driven snow Coalition members at risk… their over-the-top fingerpointing tactics opening up a SINKHOLE. The incompetence and zealotry and impetuous temperament displayed by the Abbott-led Coalition does not, in my and many other voters’ estimation, make them a viable alternative government. Furthermore, PM Julia Gillard will have to demonstrate a damn sight more useful foresight when making decisions if she is going to make life for her party and supporters alot easier. N'

nasking

23/05/2012 [b]Mr Denmore has revealed himself [/b] Thnx for the link Jason. I'd like to see Jim Parker on The Drum. And Crikey. No more the alluring mystery man offering up words of wisdom based on years of experience...now transforming into Jim Parker offering up practical advice and words of wisdom based on years of experience. Good for him. Good for our media landscape and the public interest. N'

nasking

23/05/2012 [quote]Thanks again for the tweets.  I missed parliament today; it sound like the great Abbott unhinging[/quote] I'll second that. I needed a day off from the Abbott, Pyne & Friends Squawking Show. N'

Tom of Melbourne

23/05/2012[i]”the way she continues to rort the HSU herself”[/i] I’m interested in what you consider a “rort”. Is it the $270k she’s paid? Because I suspect there are plenty of union rorters around if this is the criteria.

nasking

23/05/2012 Yes, it's always the evil unions for our ToM. Conveniently. [b]Morgan Stanley Subpoenaed In Facebook Case Over Charges It Kept Info From Some Clients[/b] [quote]BOSTON — Massachusetts' top securities regulator has subpoenaed Morgan Stanley related to allegations that it gave some clients negative information about Facebook before last week's initial public offering. In a statement Tuesday, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said his office is investigating whether Morgan Stanley selectively divulged to some clients that its analyst had cut his revenue estimate for Facebook. Morgan Stanley was the lead underwriter for Facebook's IPO. The analyst's revision followed an amended filing by Facebook in which the company said a shift by many Facebook users toward mobile devices might limit its revenue growth. Facebook's stock slid further Tuesday on its third trading day, dropping 9 percent to $31. The social networking company has fizzled since its long-awaited public offering last week at $38. Rick Ketchum, head of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, said that if the allegations against Morgan Stanley are true, it would be "a matter of regulatory concern" to FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission. FINRA is the securities industry's self-policing organization. If Morgan Stanley gave revised information on Facebook to favored clients, it would mean retail customers and others weren't able to benefit from the same information before Facebook went public. SEC spokesman John Nester declined to comment.[/quote] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/morgan-stanley-subpoenaed-facebook-case_n_1537664.html AND: [b]Why Obama Should Be Attacking Casino Capitalism -- Both Romney's Bain and JPMorgan[/b] [quote]I wish President Obama would draw the obvious connection between Bain Capital and JPMorgan Chase. That way his so-called "attack" on private equity is neither a personal attack on Mitt Romney nor a generalized attack on American business. It's an attack on a particular kind of capitalism that Romney and JPMorgan both practice: Using other peoples' money to make big bets which, if they go wrong, can wreak havoc on the economy. It's the substitution of casino capitalism for real capitalism, the dominance of the betting parlor over the real business of America, financial innovation rather than product innovation. It's been terrible for the American economy and for our democracy. It's also why Obama has to come out swinging about JPMorgan. The JPMorgan Chase debacle would have been prevented if the Volcker Rule were sufficiently strict, prohibiting banks from using commercial deposits to make bets except very specific offsetting bets (hedges) on narrow classes of trades. But Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan have been lobbying like mad to loosen the Volcker Rule and widen that exception to include the very kind of reckless bets JPMorgan made. And they're still at it, as evidenced by Dimon's current claim that the rule that eventually emerges would allow those bets. [b]As a practical matter, the Volcker Rule is hopeless. It was intended to be Glass-Steagall lite -- a more nuanced version of the original Depression-era law that separated commercial from investment banking. But JPMorgan has proven that any nuance -- any exception -- will be stretched beyond recognition by the big banks. So much money can be made when these bets turn out well that the big banks will stop at nothing to keep the spigot open. [/b] [b]There's no alternative but to resurrect Glass-Steagall as a whole. Even then, the biggest banks are still too big to fail or to regulate. We also need to heed the recent advice of the Dallas branch of the Federal Reserve, and break them up. At the same time, there's no point to the "carried interest" loophole that allows private-equity managers like Mitt Romney to treat their incomes as capital gains, taxed at only 15 percent, when they've risked no money of their own[/b].[/quote] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/obama-bain-romney_b_1537449.html -------- Frankly, I despise union-based corruption and misuse of members' money. But it's peanuts compared to what these corporate fiends get away with. N'

jaycee

23/05/2012I have to concur with "Ash" and ponder why this mad monk and his co-conspiritors haven't yet been charged with sedition....are they or are they not trying to bring down the govt' by foul means....They have lied, misconstrued, coerced and downright called for an uprising to get rid of "this illegitimate govt'"...do not the AFP. have charge to look at these behaviours and act independantly of government? Would that I could wave such placards and shout such treasonous demands such as drowning or kicking to death the Prime Minister without worry! Must it come to a point of an actual attack upon the parliament led by a limping, aged and balding shock-jock!!?

DMW

23/05/2012There is a not so old saw that says someting along the lines of: [i]If you are not part of the solution you must be part of the problem[/i] I will freely admit I must be part of the problem because I have no offerings for a solution to the dilemma of the 'tabloidisation' of reporting of politics and government. Before I continue I will point out that my comment in the early hours of this morning was not pointed at anyone in particular or in general. In particular my observation [i]It intrigues me that many who decry the muck raking and cry foul about the reporting of 'tittle-tattle' pounce on any all snippets of the very same muck raking or tittle-tattle and link to it and/or repeat it.[/i] was not pointed to any one. Lyn in particular, this was in no way way a reflection on your excellent curation of links and tweets that you offer us. As has been pointed out before the offering of a link does not say that the person providing the link agrees or disagrees or that the article is good, bad or indifferent only that the link is offered as one of interest or point of view to be considerd. Amongst my readings today was an article that was, in my opinion, not so well written, or, maybe not well sub-edited, by Jack Waterford which has some good points about Labor's malaise but of greater interest to me and the subject at hand were these two comments: [i]Watching the Labor and Thomson scandal is like looking at a Hieronymus Bosch painting, its hideously grotesque, but the details are fascinating.[/i] SteveH. May 23, 2012, 12:11PM [i]You are right. One almost feels guilty for not turning away immediately, as if it were a horrible traffic accident or something.[/i] Jack Waterford May 23, 2012, 12:15PM [b]Who's pulling whose string?[/b] Jack Waterford @NationalTimes http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/whos-pulling-whose-string-20120522-1z33k.html Before we take a random walk through the comments since mine last night please note I will not attribute the cherry picked quote because I am not 'pointing fingers' at any particular person behind the Gravatar that comments here only illustrating parts of the scenery. [i]One can only conclude that whatever Craig was going to say, was going ot be treated as a LIE by the "Lynch Mob". What a Paltry Pantomime. Palmer running against Swann – the man is a fool. The Opposition and its media running dogs and its supporting pigs are a disgrace. They are interested in regime change. They are not interested in the truth. ... they should also have shown the bit where Abbortt was required by the Deputy Speaker to withdraw ...[/i] Not a particularly great selection to illustrate the point but there are some examples of how we participate in the charcter assination of those we may not agree with, how we participate in the 'tabloidisation' of commentary on the happenings of politics and governance. There have been some suggestions over the last few days about the need for codes of coduct, some form of corruption and misconduct commission and other bits and pieces. How many of us have thought about these proposals and commented on them? The Thomson and Slipper sagas do raise some important issues regarding how our system works and the checks and balances that may be needed for the better operations of government but it all seems to get lost in the day to day tittle tattling and muck raking. Who is at fault for this? I am as guilty as anyone of being sucked into the [i]hideously grotesque Hieronymus Bosch painting[/i] so it must be my fault.

Psyclaw

23/05/2012DMW I think we have a problem in definitions. You list these: [quote]One can only conclude that whatever Craig was going to say, was going ot be treated as a LIE by the "Lynch Mob". What a Paltry Pantomime. Palmer running against Swann – the man is a fool. The Opposition and its media running dogs and its supporting pigs are a disgrace. They are interested in regime change. They are not interested in the truth. ... they should also have shown the bit where Abbortt was required by the Deputy Speaker to withdraw .[/quote] ....... as examples of what you call [b][quote]the reporting of 'tittle-tattle' pounce (ing) on any all snippets of the very same muck raking or tittle[/b]-tattle[/quote] IMHO your "random walk" just lists the opinions and observations of commenters here. I thought that such opinions and observations are legitimate and fairly obvious grist for the mill. Where is the tittle-tatting? Where is the muck raking? I have no sense of paranoia that you are referring to me, but I ask again are you delivering an oblique backhander? And to whom? Are there specific commenters you have in mind? Or is it to TPS commenters generally?

Lyn

24/05/2012TODAY’S LINKS What’s good for the goose , The Conscience Vote Abbott asked Deputy Speaker Anna Burke if, from now on, the clock could be stopped for future divisions and Points of Order. The motive was obvious: if the clock was stopped, then the Opposition would have all the allotted time to say their piece. Receiving an unsatisfactory answer http://consciencevote.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/whats-good-for-the-goose/ Oh, THAT guy , Mr Denmore, The Failed Estate This is Jim Parker, a former financial journalist and now corporate communications flak. He’s also known as Mr Denmore.I’ve kept this blog going for 18 months as ‘Mr D’ and I plan to keep doing so. But I thought it was about time I revealed my daytime persona.By the way, I’m neither a public servant nor an academic, so those loyal foot soldiers of Rupert can’t pin those particular hate crimes on me. http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/oh-that-guy.html?showComment=1337764417270 The Murdoch mafia’s stunning hypocrisy, Independent Australia Tony Abbott’s relentless attacks on Craig Thomson illustrates the Bible bashing Opposition Leader’s quaint brand of Christianity – he goes for Thomson but is strangely silent when it comes to Sophie Mirabella, who is understood to be facing her own Calvary.Abbott’s obsession with Thomson is overtaking his role in Parliament — he, of course, has no policies and, in a way, the Thomson matter is heaven sent http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/business/media-2/murdoch-medias-stunning-hypocrisy/ that elusive 'fair go' ....., Your Democracy Politicians such as Joe Hockey criticise welfare payments as fostering entitlement and, by implication, sloth. I can't help thinking it's a bit rich (pardon the pun) for a pollie earning about $231,000 a year to pass judgment on someone surviving on $235 a week http://yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/18461 On Tony Abbott, hopeless luddite and panderer, Admin, Blogotariat (Above: would you pay a gold bar to read the thoughts of this thoughtless man?)The thing about Tony Abbott is that he's a hopeless luddite and panderer. Now there's usually some argument about the meaning of luddite, and recalcitrance about the use of the word http://www.blogotariat.com/node/373566 Having decided I was thoroughly fed up with the games they are playing in Canberra, Turn Left 2013 Ha, join a political party? What a joke, I’m giving up slaving away in the blog-mines for a party that takes its supporters for granted. Pay for a PR company like everyone else, if you want someone to promote you. http://turnleft2013.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/3270/ Tainted Vote Scorecard Updated, Dan Gulbery, The Daily Derp After the original tainted vote scorecard was published by The Derp on May 21, additional scores will need to be added.Following Craig Thomson’s historic speech in the House Of Representatives, Leader of the house, Anthony Albanese uncovered another member of Parliament with a cloud over them.The Member for Hughes, Craig Kelly neglected http://thedailyderp.net/2012/05/22/tainted-vote-scorecard-updated/ Opposition relentless despite Thomson health fears, ABC Earlier today, Mr Abbott signalled the Coalition would not back down from its attacks on Mr Thomson, despite concerns about his mental health.Politicians have voiced their fears for Mr Thomson's mental health amid the pressure and public scrutiny he is facing over http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-23/opposition-continue-thomson-attacks-despite-health-fears/4028640 A Craig Thomson Reader, Ken Parish, Club Troppo the case of the Federal Parliament, where the power to suspend is determined by reference to the scope of the powers of the House of Commons at the time of federation, the courts have not so far been called upon to intervene. They might agree to do so, however, if the challenge related to the power to suspend, rather than the merits of the suspension. http://clubtroppo.com.au/2012/05/23/a-craig-thomson-reader/ A DINGO TOOK MY , Wixxy, Hoopla Aside from the opposition’s Christopher Pyne, who could hardly hide his scorn, and his colleague Sophie Mirabella, who pulled mock faces and rolled her eyes during the heartfelt speech, there was hardly a dry eye in the house, on either side.Mr Thomson struggled to hold it together as he described how the press had hovered outside his http://thehoopla.com.au/dingo-mp/ Australian Politics Reduced to the Game of Scoundrels, Moth, Newanthropocene They are, after all, public servants. Their job is to serve the public. I couldn’t imagine servants of some incredibly wealthy family getting away with spending the bulk of their time on an obsessed mission to fling dirt at other employees. They would be fired. http://newanthropocene.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/australian-politics-reduced-to-the-game-of-scoundrels/ Was Bronwyn having another bad hair day yesterday-, Clarrie Rivers, North Coast Voices Seems Ms Bishop was speaking with well-heeled constituents who are going to miss out on the bonus because ... are you ready for the truth? ... they don't qualify for it. And why don't they qualify for it? Their earnings are such that won't get it because they don't need it. http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/was-bronwyn-having-another-bad-hair-day.html Greece’s Uncertain Fate, John Quiggin Although much remains uncertain about future developments in Greece and beyond, one thing can be predicted with certainty: no Greek government will voluntarily abandon the euro. The only parties favoring such a move are the (old-style Stalinist) Communist Party of Greece http://johnquiggin.com/2012/05/23/greeces-uncertain-fate/?utm_source= The NBN, service providers and you … what could go wrong?, Mark Gregory, The Conversation If the Coalition forms a government at the next election (late next year) and changes direction with the NBN rollout, it’s possible that built-up areas, already delayed into the later stage of the current NBN rollout plans, will not be serviced by FTTH. https://theconversation.edu.au/the-nbn-service-providers-and-you-what-could-go-wrong-6534 NBN here to stay under Coalition, says analyst, Renai LeMay, Delimeter Personally, I don’t see how the Coalition could possibly get away without some form of a company like NBN Co to manage all of these issues. And with — at the very least — hundreds of thousands of Australians already having access to the NBN by the time the next Federal Election rolls around, likely in 2013, it seems that a strategy http://delimiter.com.au/2012/05/22/nbn-here-to-stay-under-coalition-says-analyst/ Rinehart world’s richest woman, Financial Review According to the Rich 200, out Thursday, Rinehart’s personal fortune swelled has swelled to $29.17 billion, eclipsing Walton’s $US25.3 billion ($25.89 billion) net worth – as calculated by Forbes – and knocking the American off a perch she has held for seven years.All the more impressive, it was only a year ago that Rinehart catapulted herself to the top of Australia’s rich with a mining fort http://www.brw.com.au/p/sections/features/rinehart_world_richest_woman_JucE8ndw9hYfzDk5NuudTI Dealing With Craig Thomson: An Impressive Debate, Australian Politics Com http://australianpolitics.com/2012/05/22/dealing-with-craig-thomson-mpi-debate.html Schapelle and fishermen, Café Whispers something which former Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd had been working hard to achieve. The background is that Australia has requested clemancy for Australian citizens imprisoned in Indonesia, with the response from Indonesia being that why should they; that Australia housed many Indonesian youths on people smuggling convictions http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/schapelle-and-fishermen/ Yes, I do believe him………..but have doubts about her!, Patriciawa Polliepomes Cafe Whispers, The Political Sword and the Poll Bludger there is a substantial amount of support for the Member for Dobell, informed by and linked as they all are to the research done by Peter Wicks or Wixxy and published by Independent Australia. I think that comments by people like Psyclaw are typical of those sites. i.e. that in his opinion Craig Thomson was telling the truth. http://polliepomes.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/yes-i-do-believe-him-but-have-doubts-about-her/ Today’s Front Pages Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 24 May 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia Video Posts from the ‘Daily Fix’ Category http://australianpoliticstv.org/category/daily-fix/

Ad astra

24/05/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

nasking

24/05/2012 I guess some people would prefer to live in the Dark Ages: [b]Church member defends NC pastor: LGBT people ‘worthy of death’[/b] [quote]Members of Providence Road Baptist Church in North Carolina are speaking out in defense their pastor after he called for “lesbians and queers” to be detained inside electric fences until they all die. Geneva Sims told WCNC that she had been listening to Pastor Charles Worley’s sermon’s since the 1970s and agrees with the message. “He had every right to say what he said about putting them in a pen and giving them food,” Sims explained. “The Bible says they are worthy of death. He is preaching God’s word.” [/quote] http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/23/church-member-defends-nc-pastor-lgbt-people-worthy-of-death/ Perhaps Russia might suit this Pastor and his flock better? N'

nasking

24/05/2012 Living in the 2010s: [b]Colin Powell: I Have 'No Problem With' Gay Marriage (VIDEO)[/b] The Huffington Post  |  By Luke Johnson Posted: 05/23/2012 [quote]Former Secretary of State Colin Powell became the latest public official to back gay marriage on Wednesday. "I have no problem with it," he said on CNN, "and it was the Congress that imposed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, though it was certainly my position and my recommendation to get us out of an even worse outcome that could have occurred, as you’ll recall." "But as I’ve thought about gay marriage, I know a lot of friends who are individually gay but are in partnerships with loved ones, and they are as stable a family as my family is, and they raise children. And so I don’t see any reason not to say that they should be able to get married," he said. Powell flipped and announced his support for the repeal of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in February 2010 after opposing efforts in the 1990s to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Earlier Wednesday, Powell slammed Mitt Romney's foreign policy advisers for their hawkish views. He has declined thus far to endorse a presidential candidate in 2012 after endorsing Barack Obama in 2008.[/quote] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/colin-powell-gay-marriage_n_1540331.html N'

jaycee

24/05/2012So channell 9's ACA. have "found" a prostitute that will testify she had sex with Thomson for $60.000?.....Damn if it isn't fate when one is in the wrong place at the right time!! I wonder if channell 7 have "found" some journo who would swear he WASN'T lurking under a certain shower window...: For $60.000? I wonder if Ms.Sophie would swear she hadn't used ANY influence to procure an old man's kids' inheritance for (circa)$2.000 000.? "Don't speak too soon for the wheel's still in spin..."

TalkTurkey

24/05/2012DMW said Not a particularly great selection to illustrate the point but there are some examples of how we participate in the charcter assination of those we may not agree with, Well I agree with you here 100%: to illustrate your point about muckraking and tittle tattling you have provided a list at least as convincing as Joseph Smith the Prophet of Mormon when, one day having had stone tablets 'revealed' to him in the mountains, a la Moseses's, he went back there next day with his friends and they had GONE! Disappeared! Which of course [i]proved[/i] that they had been sent (and dematerialised) by MorGod Himself!

TalkTurkey

24/05/2012jaycee said So channell 9's ACA. have "found" a prostitute that will testify she had sex with Thomson for $60.000?..... But jaycee you aren't suggesting that the mere money would have influenced her I hope? Like the $25K the noble wealthy WA Liberals pay for personal contacts with the Ministers in that state? (They don't you know, the Premier has assured us [i]it just doesn't happen[/i].) - Or are you just muckraking? :)

Lyn

24/05/2012Good Morning Ad and Everybody Twitterverse this morning: Thankyou to Mark. Mark ‏ 4 discerning Tweeps who want news/quality political analysis without dross/propaganda...go 2 Lyn's Daily Links: http://bit.ly/GG9xl1 #auspol Mark ‏ BREAKING!!!!.....#ACA conned out of $60,000 by fake Nigerian hooker scam.... #auspol http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/hsu-officials-ask-to-front-inquiry-20120523-1z5k7.html Sabra Lane‏ The comm that supposedly never leaks has: YD'Ath says she's ex disappointed Privileges Comm stuff has appeared here: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/hsu-officials-ask-to-front-inquiry-20120523-1z5k7.html Margaret‏ Thomsons committee http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=pmi/members.htm Mark : Gillard under pressure over Thomson saga The Australian http://bit.ly/JoRMeD >>The Australian can SOD-OFF!!...#auspol Andrew Leigh‏ Spoke in Parlt about Oppn playing politics with debt ceiling http://www.andrewleigh.com/blog/?p=2647 (thanks @simonhowson 4 finding @JoeHockey inconsistency) Schtang‏ Channel 9 pays pro $60,000 to verify that Thomson was a client http://bit.ly/JrA2vN why did it take 3 years to come forward/ #auspol Bushfire‏ Bill GMegalogenis George, you're an island of sanity in a sea of despair, but how can you keep working for this outfit? http://www.independentaustralia.net/Wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/thomson1.png Marian Rumens Since Craig Thomson's face has been plastered everywhere over past few months not surprised women paid $60k recognized him Fit 'n Proper ___ Tony Abbott says Thomson "obviously guilty" of the $60k paid for 10 yr old prostitute claims "Fits nicely with my gutter standard" #auspol Rob Stott‏ Seems remarkable that a prostitute could remember a specific client 10 years on George‏@OverTheHill4 BreakfastNews Abbotts "shit happens" if Craig Thomson takes his own life, Abbott being so low would assert that proves he was guilty MP Craig Thomson denies A Current Affair escort's claims Simon Benson From: The Daily Telegraph EMBATTLED MP Craig Thomson has hit out at A Current Affair, accusing the program of "grubby" cheque book journalism after he was told it planned to air a $60,000 interview with a Sydney prostitute claiming he was a client. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/mp-craig-thomson-denies-a-current-affair-escorts-claims/story-fn7q4q9f-1226364985295 smh.com.au‏@smh National News: Anonymous prostitute 'identifies' Thomson http://bit.ly/Kq1LyY #australia Financial Review‏ KruddMP's wife Therese_Rein joins BRWRich200 with self-made fortune of $210m, one of 16 women on list [free] http://bit.ly/KMa3Tx #auspol vexnews‏@vexnews NSW Liberal Party has discovered over $200k of donations from the last financial yr not revealed to AEC http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/liberals-uncover-200000-donations-20120523-1z5lc.html TheCentreHalfForward‏@CentreHalf4ward Maybe coz it's a stupid question Dense Shamascam >> Just answer the question, Prime Minister | The Australian http://bit.ly/KdvvOq #auspol :):):):)

42 long

24/05/2012Eviidence appeared in the last day on NR of erik abetz and someone else badgering some Australian Electoral official about whether he agreed with Thomsons assertion that their findings would contradict the findings of FWA as to his electoral funding. The interview was of an intimidatiog nature in my view ans Abetz concluded that it was further evidence of Graig Thomson misleading the Parl't. Obviously this is an orchestrated media occasion as it was recorder and played on the ABC. I think the AEC person was "ambushed" This is about 1 week after they promised to "Go after " the AEC. ( which I commented on a while back). I consider this kind of action inappropriate in tne extreme. Are the LNP turning into something like a vigilante group/ lynch mob? Is someone collating all this stuff? where's that smell coming from?

42 long

24/05/2012In the interests of getting the BEST POSSIBLE person to lead Australia, would T Abbott allay concerns about some apparent obsessive compulsive tendencies he appears to exhibit by submitting himself to a comprehensive psychological evaluation? He would have nothing to fear and would no doubt kill the idea the Turnbull would scare us less, and we really can trust him to speak on our behalf on the world stage and not make any silly decisions that might get us into a war and that he will abide by established principles and that he won't embarrass us too much and not have the world judge all Australians by what HE is/ appears tb like now.

2353

24/05/2012A few colleagues and I were discussing the media a few weeks ago over lunch. Someone mentioned the Channel 10 show "The Project" and was suggesting that there was a reasonable blend of the sublime and ridiculous on the show, there was occasionally a gem of real journalism. The problem with the real journalism is that the shows format (lots of quick, fast and visually appealing stories) doesn't lend itself to in depth investigations of important issues. A recent example from "The Project" was the imprisoning of minors who bring refugee boats from Indonesia. It seems that "The Project" and an internet site (New Matilda from memory) "broke" the story and they have continued to update it. However the story was done inside the show's format of spend a couple of minutes, "humorous comment" and move on. Like it or not - it rates well and demonstrates that the media understands who and what sells - after all the program is something that is put there to get you to watch the ads (and buy the stuff advertised). The general consensus amongst us was that the media is too concerned with negativity and point scoring, rather than telling an important story. It is much easier to spend a couple of minutes to tell a story from one side, "diss" the other side and move on when you are attempting to keep eyeballs glued to the screen - people don't have to think! As a result the consumers of the media have been "dumbed down" to accept this as normal - so while 4 Corners and Insight do attempt to tell a story (with varying degrees of success as to telling both sides) their ratings are hopeless in comparison to "The Project". Look at what happened to the George Negus "serious news" program on Channel 10 that was (before it was chopped) on just before "The Project". So how does this relate to TPS? DMW has listed above extracts from a number of comments that, should one of the resident trolls have used the same language against the ALP, would have justifiably be shouted down. In short, commentators on this blog (myself included) are guilty of exactly the same thing as we consistently complain about in others. Have a look further up this page and see a number of news items re-written by AA and others to remove bias (whether the bias was intended or not). They are invariably well "edited" and demonstrate the power of the written word. In a similar fashion, why is the emotive language of [quote]One can only conclude that whatever Craig was going to say, was going ot be treated as a LIE by the "Lynch Mob". What a Paltry Pantomime. Palmer running against Swann – the man is a fool. The Opposition and its media running dogs and its supporting pigs are a disgrace. They are interested in regime change. They are not interested in the truth. ... they should also have shown the bit where Abbortt was required by the Deputy Speaker to withdraw . [/quote] any different to that which AA opened this comment with? The grist to the mill that Psyclaw suggests is also the part where the pointing out an inconsistency becomes just as biased as those that seemingly support the "blue" tribe. Is it any wonder that the resident trolls under the bridge here get so much ammunition? While comments that Clive Palmer has paid for billboards around parts of Brisbane to support a "challenge" to Wayne Swan without LNP pre-selection (at this stage) is information and worth reporting, a comment about his physical or mental abilities because he has chosen to do so is petty and not worth it. Another example is while a comparison between Mirabella and Thomson's media coverage for what seem like similar misdemeanours (the misuse of a large sum of money that clearly wasn't theirs to use) are valid - acronyms of Mirabella's name or comments regarding her physical appearance are not. Like it or not DMW has a point - at times this blog is just as insulting to the perceived "enemy" of many posters as other outlets that are the subject of frequent complaint on this blog. It is a double standard - especially when more are turning to the 5th Estate (the internet) to overcome the failures of the 4th Estate (the "traditional media"). If we are fair dinkum about "putting commentators and politicians to the verbal sword", surely we should be above reproach! There are very few absolutes in the world - there are none in current affairs. No political party has the absolutely right answer for all members of the community, and if we want to be fair dinkum about our self appointed role of attacking double standards and bias - we have to realise that at times the "other" side may be right. Comments similar to those that DMW alluded to yesterday demean ourselves and continue to give those who attack us a valid reason for doing so. If we are not careful, we will end up with the same result as befell Bryan Palmer's excellent blog "Ozpolitics" which from my point of view was a real loss upon closure. Bryan couldn't keep the partisan comment out of the comments - which just enraged others from the opposing viewpoint (and son on). I'd like to think the world has moved on for the better - but I'm not that gullible.

Psyclaw

24/05/2012TT From [b]My Word[/b] on RN early today. "he moves easiest who has learned to dance" ..... why does this show keep referring to the LOTO!!!!!! He confessed his superior dancing skills to K O'B in that classic "if it's it written down it's not a lie" I/V. Since then he has been able to flexibly slip and slide around the truth with gay abandon, supreme dexterity, and the deep confidence of a true expert.

Ad astra

24/05/2012Hi Lyn Another great collection of tweets. How low will the media sink to nail Craig Thomson? It will be a test of who is more believable, and my guess the media will go for the accuser. We will be on the road for the rest of the day. Back this evening. I'll be posting a new piece tomorrow afternoon.

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi Ad You wouldn't have seen this Video because you are travelling, so I posted it for you:- Thomson hits back at 'journalism at its worst'ABC MP Craig Thomson has lashed out at the media amid reports that A Current Affair has paid $60,000 to a prostitute who says he was once one of her clients. The suspended Labor MP called an impromptu press conference in Canberra today, saying reports of the paid interview "defied credibility". http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-24/thomson-hits-back-at-journalism-at-its-worst/4030490 :):):)

42 long

24/05/2012I agree that inventing funny names for anybody is not the best look, but I thought "paltry Pantomime" was one of my bsest descriptions, because that is exactly what it is. We pay the salaries of these Bl**dy people and they treat us as idiots. WHAT real input has Tony contributed to australia's government since the last election. which he feels was stolen from him. He doesn't just oppose the government and contribute little, He actively UNDERMINES it. Australia suffers while he plays his game to go to an early election by any means fair ot foul. Convince me has not done a lot of damage in the process. scaring anybody regardless of balance Or mostly lack of it . Ive NEVER poated on a political forum before. I just could not remain silent any longer.

2353

24/05/201242long, Agree with everything you say. My points are: 1. The ALP is not always right (something that others have implied here when the current Govt is criticised). 2. An argument is usually much better put without cheap comments that give "free" ammunition to others. Your post above proves the point. 3. How can we hope to be seen as balanced and consistent if points 1 & 2 are not observed? Your post above this one demonstrates that you have a concern, who it is with and asks for those with a different opinion to discuss the matter with you (and by implication the rest of us as well). While there is emotion, it is as a result of passion for the country, not an attempt to get the reader to believe your argument without having considered alternatives that may have some merit - such as which party to vote for to keep the current Oppn from power.

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi 42 Long "paltry Pantomime" I love your description good on you. Your posts are very enjoyable as well thankyou. "He doesn't just oppose the government and contribute little, He actively UNDERMINES it" Concera Vota‏ We've hit tipping point. Opposition have gone too far. Media needs to back off and STOP supporting Abbott's chaos tactics. :):):):)

2353

24/05/2012Hi Lyn, Love the tweet. On 22 May I linked ^^^^ up there somewhere to a Fairfax story about Qantas that had some quite vitriolic comment on the state of the current Oppn in the Federal Parliament. Frankly I was surprised at two things, first they were written and second that Fairfax published some comments suggesting if the Oppn was in fact producing policy, Australia would be a better place in a story about Qantas maintenance bases!

NormanK

24/05/20122353 @ 11.30 AM Thanks for that comment. I have been trying to compose something similar but the wording never carried a sufficiently diplomatic tone. You have said all that I might have wished to include in my own comment. DMW didn't make his case particularly well although I suspect that I knew exactly what he was trying to get at. You may find yourself shouting into the wind though. It does seem to be part of human nature to want to take sides and having done so, to deride the efforts of the so-called enemy. That this should then take the form of personal attacks, especially on the basis of name, lineage or physical characteristics is indeed regrettable. Even more regrettable is that the presumption of innocence is not accorded to the 'enemy' because .... well ..... their the enemy.

Tom of Melbourne

24/05/2012I’ll add (again) the “presumption of innocence” doesn’t apply to issues concerning an individuals suitability for employment. People are entirely capable of forming judgements about Thomson’s suitability for his current occupation without having to reach a “beyond reasonable doubt” conclusion about his action/honesty/behaviour.

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi 2353 I enjoy your comments very much as well. Not sure which tweet you are referring to, but I can assure they are all carefully selected by me so it follows, if I have a bad taste the tweets I post will be second rate to some. Funny yesterday I noticed there are a few sites posting tweets, a natural occurance seeing the TV stations all post them on their screens. Abc had a sequence of tweets yesterday on the drum I think it was, but of course it just depends on their selection how interesting they are. Those on the ABC site were all carefully selected against the Government. Surprised? (Fairfax published some comments) sounds enlightening maybe some will be a bit more fair minded in the future. Cheers :):):)

jaycee

24/05/2012This Thomson excuse has just gone too far...There is sedition in the modus operandi and the police must make some arrests soon or it will seem as if THEY are sitting on their hands. The law is thwere, the intention is seen, the lines have been crossed, time to read the riot-act....Does no citizen have rights under law anymore?...Does no govt' have scope or duty to pass legislature without an attempt to disrupt or even overthrow it? This is indeed treason!

TalkTurkey

24/05/2012When someone brought up the subject of Alzheimers a while back, some others expressed interest in the fact that [i]natural Cannabis was by far the most effective agent known[/i] in the prevention of the deposition of amyloid plaque on neurones, that is to say, stopping gunk that gets deposited on your nerve cells, effectively scrambling the impulses in the brain. That is the primary marker for Alzheimers. You can see chapter and verse on that by googling . . Scripp's Institute cannabis alzheimers . . or like that. But today I got my monthly bulletin from the [b]International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines. [/b] I'll just post a few paragraphs, just a tiny taste of the huge body of information on the IACM site, to show how much people have been disinformed, misinformed and uninformed about the therapeutic properties of Cannabis. Many are already known and recognized by researchers, and current research daily reveals more and more aspects of the efficacy of cannabis in treating an astounding range of medical and mental problems. But in the only programme ever screened on ABC TV on the subject, that insufferable posturing blonde bimbo presenter, Vomica Nooby, informed us the "the science is in" that[i] Cannabis causes schizophrenia[/i]. It was an agenda-driven dishonest disgraceful piece of propaganda. On [i]Catalyst[/i]. Crap. Anti-scientific to the nth. Well Friends - You are being hoodwinked out of this cheapest, safest, least damaging, most natural, longest-historied, first-choice medication for virtually every thing you might suffer from . . . You can sign up for free monthly bulletins yourself if you want. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IACM [info@cannabis-med.org] IACM-Bulletin 20.05.2012 Newsletter Studies Database of Clinical Studies Law and Politics Medical Possibilities Frequently asked Questions Top-News Science/Human: [b]Smoked cannabis reduces symptoms of multiple sclerosis[/b] A clinical study of 30 adult patients with multiple sclerosis at the University of California in San Diego has shown that smoked cannabis may be an effective treatment for spasticity. The placebo-controlled trial also resulted in reduced perception of pain. Principal investigator Dr Jody Corey-Bloom and colleagues randomly assigned participants to either the intervention group (which smoked ... ( more ) Science/Human: [b]Cannabidiol similar effective in schizophrenia as standard anti-psychotic medication [/b]Clinical research at the University of Cologne with 42 patients suffering from acute schizophrenia shows that CBD significantly reduces psychopathological symptoms, when compared to the initial status. Half of them received 800 mg of oral CBD (cannabidiol) daily for four weeks and the other half the standard medicinal drug amisulpride, a potent antipsychotic, in a double-blind manner. Results, ... more And much much more. Pain reduction, cancer yes, glaucoma, ingrown toenails :) This is an intensely political matter. Some are murdered, crime shelters behind the easy money in growing it if you can get away with it; many are in gaol because of the laws, many have had lives blighted by needless criminal records, and none in Australia has access to Cannabis as a legal medicine. It is all about protecting pharmaceutical companies, logging companies, plastics companies, tobacco companies, alcohol companies, and the illegal trade in drugs that really are dangerous. And Murdoch, in league with Uncle Sam, is at its core. Cannabis users are the most needlessly persecuted group in Australia, ever since Dr George Ogilvy Duncan in being drowned by police in Adelaide's River Torrens so long ago became the martyr ending the most serious expressions of prejudice against homosexuals. Grok that.

Jason

24/05/2012ToM, again I'll add until there is a referendum to change the employment conditions of MP's, Thomson is there for the time being like it or not. As an aside should Senator Fischer still be there?

2353

24/05/2012NormanK said @ 1:21pm [quote]You may find yourself shouting into the wind though. It does seem to be part of human nature to want to take sides and having done so, to deride the efforts of the so-called enemy. That this should then take the form of personal attacks, especially on the basis of name, lineage or physical characteristics is indeed regrettable. Even more regrettable is that the presumption of innocence is not accorded to the 'enemy' because .... well ..... their the enemy.[/quote] Wish I had said that!!!!! ' ToM - While I don't necessarily agree with your position again you've missed the point. So I'll spell it out in basic language for you. Thomson and Mirabella are accused of similar acts of dishonesty, one against a union where he was entrusted with the management of finances, one against an elderly man with dementia where she was entrusted with the management of finances. There is a hue and cry over the possibility that Thomson has either embezzled or misappropriated money, while you really have to search about Mirabella doing the same thing. There is an obvious double standard here when the only differences are that one belongs to a tribe that is in power, the other belongs to a tribe that claims either they should be in power (except for the lack of negotiation skill of their current leader) or "only a heartbeat" away from power. From recollection, Mirabella is claimed to have obtained the greater value of funds. While the Oppn Leader can suggest that Thomson's vote not be accepted (despite there being no facility within the Australian Constitution for that to occur) he is quite happy to accept the vote of Mirabella (who hasn't been sent off to the cross benches either). If the LOTO wants to be scrupulously balanced, he shouldn't be accepting the vote of Fisher (found guilty of Assault), Edwards (assault charges pending) or himself (defending a defamation claim). If, as you say [quote]People are entirely capable of forming judgements about Thomson’s suitability for his current occupation without having to reach a “beyond reasonable doubt” conclusion about his action/honesty/behaviour. [/quote], why aren't they being given the same volume of information to make a similar decision on Mirabella, Edwards, Fisher and Abbott? In this case to validate his point, the LOTO should be demonstrating what he considers to be appropriate behaviour. He isn't. THAT IS THE ISSUE HERE - it isn't who did what to who and when. Don't get too concerned, you're obviously not the only one who has let the "juicy bits" get in the way of the real issue, which proves the original statement by DMW. Lyn, the tweet I'm referring to is the one in your post @ 1:00pm. Your links here I'm sure set, in part, the tone and subject of daily discussion at a lot of progressive blog sites around the Country. You are a treasure to this site. And as for Channel 9 having to pay someone $60k to talk about an encounter years ago - that proves the case not to watch Channel 9.

TalkTurkey

24/05/2012Muck Raker Me Piggy Forrest, Gina Rindlard, Tony Abbortt, Anal Jones, BumBolt, Crassidy, Clive Palmhair, Hunt-the-nasty-Homophone's, Snotty Joe and Trivioli, OOman, Turdball, Poo-Poo Pyne - I'm all to blame - Oh Me so 'shame! - cos all them names are mine! [i]Like Archbigot Pell I'm ashamed![/i] :)

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody Titterati on Question Time today:- Sabra Lane‏ Albanese: says he's introduced 5 pieces of legn today .... what did they about it? Nothing. I went into politics to make a difference Misha Schubert‏ The public are more and more impatient with this govt, Tony Abbott declares. "This is a rotten govt and a rotten PM and it should go." Tristan Davey‏ AlboMP is absolutely smashing Abbott and the LNP in the parliament this afternoon. Keep it up! Misha Schubert‏ This is taking the politics of destructiveness to a very dangerous level indeed, warns Albanese. Many Libs are very uncomfortable. Sabra Lane‏ C Pyne: appeals to crossbenchers to support it .. it is time for this PM to go. Marian Dalton‏ Pyne wants to 'restore some integrity' to the Parliament. As he shrieks about the PM being a 'coward'. #qt Possum Comitatus‏ "debating the character of the Prime Minister... is the most important thing we can do in this House" says Pyne. o_O #qt Marian Dalton‏ Abbott: 'We have a right to move censure in this Parliament, and the PM has a duty to respond'. Um, no. She doesn't. #qt Misha Schubert‏ Tony Abbott brings on a censure suspension against the PM for her "consistent failure to be honest with the Australian people". #qt Latika Bourke ‏ THe SSO is needed because of the PM's failure to be open and honest, says TAbbott. #qt Marian Dalton‏ Abbott: 'At a human level, I have a great deal of sympathy for the Member for Dobell'. I am SPEECHLESS. #qt Sabra Lane‏ TAbbott: I have a great deal of sympathy for the Member for Dobell. We have no sympathy for a govt and PM who have put him in this posn... Latika Bourke ‏ Tony drops his volume and says he has a great deal of sympathy at a 'human' level for Craig Thomson. #qt Trepoole Now the LNP want Thomson to resign to guard his well being. Concern trolling at a high. Judge & Jury Geek #qt #auspol RT @robcorr: Australia's minimum wage is $589.30 per week. Last year Gina Rinehart made $598 per second. Bianca‏ hahahahah Julia Gillard is FANTASTIC she just made the Libs look like the stupid stunt lame-o idiots they are in #qt Stephanie Peatling‏ The PM thanks Opposition for attempts to suspend standing orders each saying it gives her an extra 25 mins to do some real work. #qt

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody This is a media release put out by channel nine: We reject Mr. Thomson's claims of "grubby journalism". Grubby journalists would have already run a story, without giving him the opportunity to examine the information. Tonight, A CURRENT AFFAIR on Channel Nine at 6.30pm will bring viewers up to date with the progress of our investigation. Grant Williams http://media.mytalk.com.au/3AW/AUDIO/A%20CURRENT%20AFFAIR%20RESPONSE%20TO%20CRAIG%20THOMSON.pdf

Patriciawa

24/05/2012Appreciate where you're coming from, NormanK. I too hate seeing personal abuse of anyone in interchanges of opinion, and also scurrilous language in any context. There is, however, a place for satire, caricature and jokes as opposed to insults and abuse. I think most people here know the difference. Lampooning of one's political enemies is a long and well established tradition. The joy of blogging is that we can all participate in that. Occasionally people step over the line and some comments need probably need deletion by the blogmaster. Ad Astra does a pretty good job of keeping us all in line.

Psyclaw

24/05/2012ToM @1.30pm You'll have to brush up on your Admin Law. Your simplistic statement that the presumption of innocence does not apply to employment is either a glib or ignorant red herring. Hiring and firing and any other non-exempt admin decision is appellable to the court. If that happens, Admin Law will be applied. Among other things, the court will decide if the questions/criteria applied were lawful and if any necessary questions/criteria were not applied. So if a person is not selected because of an alleged offence which in fact he did not commit, and the decision maker(s) had not checked this out and based their judgement on rumour or heresay, his court appeal would prima facie have an optimistic prognosis.

BSA Bob

24/05/2012Abbott's faux concern for Thomson as yet another way to criticise Julia Gillard & the ALP is vomitous. It'll probably be up there on the news tonight, framed to look good.

Psyclaw

24/05/2012Hi NormanK @11.30am While I respect your views generally and on this matter as well, I just do not accept your view that "DMW has a point", if his point is what he has actually written in his original post, thus: [quote]" .....easily believe that we are more interested in discussing the muck and tittle-tattle than we are in discussing things of greater import. "[/quote] Whilst there are examples of "muck and tittle-tattle" available here, to claim that [i][b]"we are more interested in discussing muk and tittle-tattle here than we are in discussing things of greater impo[/i]rt"[/b] is, (not to be pulling punches) insulting to Swordsters and in fact is quite erroneous. I have just perused all 30 comments entered here so far to date and could find not one example of "muck raking and tittle-tatt". DMW's claim is just over the top in the quantum he refers to.

Psyclaw

24/05/2012Sorry ..... third last line is "today" not "to date"

Linda

24/05/2012Just received my response from the ABC on my complaint re Chris Uhlmann's interview with the Prime Minister (lots of water under the bridge since then, I know!): "Thank you for your email regarding the interview with Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 7.30, which was broadcast on 9 May. Your concerns about this interview have been considered by Audience and Consumer Affairs, a unit which is separate to and independent of program making areas within the ABC. The adversarial or ‘devil’s advocate’ style of interviewing, employed at times by Chris Uhlmann, can generate a strong and mixed reaction from the public. Part of the technique of the ‘devil’s advocate’ approach is to take major points of criticism from various sources and put them to the interviewee. This can sometimes give the audience the impression that these are the personal views of the interviewer. This is not the case. When he is doing a one-on-one interview, Mr Uhlmann has a duty to conduct a testing interview that does not allow the interviewee to use the occasion as a political platform. Although he may interrupt at times, Mr Uhlmann has a responsibility to try, within reasonable bounds, to cut through the sometimes evasive techniques of interviewees facing difficult issues, and make reasonable efforts to ensure that questions are answered. Having reviewed the interview, Audience and Consumer Affairs is satisfied that Mr Uhlmann conducted the interview in a suitably respectful and courteous manner. The questions posed to Ms Gillard were relevant and based strictly on their news value. Furthermore, Ms Gillard was afforded ample opportunity to clearly state her views in response, and did so at length and with ease. Nonetheless, we thank you for your feedback, which has been conveyed to ABC News Management. Thank you for taking the time to write. Yours sincerely Lauren Crozier ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs" My response: "Dear Ms Crozier Thanks for your reply but I still believe that aggressive and rude interruptions could not be considered respectful and courteous, in anyone's reasonable opinion. I also note that Chris Uhlmann's manner is totally different when interviewing Mr Abbott. Thanks again for your response." I guess they will never admit that he over-stepped the mark. We'll see what happens next time the Prime Minister is interviewed (if, in fact, she agrees to go on again) LL

2353

24/05/2012Psyclaw - if you perused the comments in this thread, you might have noted that NormanK didn't suggest that DMW had a point. TT - you are just as bad as those you attempt to insult with childish names. Your post was unnecessary and designed to inflame.

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi Linda Thankyou so much for sharing you ABC letter in reply. The ABC make me sick actually they have made me feel like BSA Bob's words:- "it's vomitous" Seems to me they are measuring Uhlmann's performance on the amount of complaints they get. So the more people who complain the better. What is it with these people, like saying better to be abused than ignored. Linda I like your response good on you. I notice they say thankyou for your Feedback when you actually complained there is a difference. :):):):):)

Psyclaw

24/05/2012NormanK Abject apologies NormanK. I read your comment in support of 2353"s comment and confused the two. Mea culpa 100%. My post at 5.31 should have been introduced 'Hi 2353". 2353 [quote]if you perused the comments in this thread, you might have noted that NormanK didn't suggest that DMW had a point.[/quote] A simple "Psyclaw, I think you may have confused the comment you think NormanK made" would have been an appropriate and an affable reminder. "A twist of the knife" was not really necessary.

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi Psyclaw I agree with all three of your comments @ 11:24 PM @11:32 am @ 05:31 PM cheers:):):):)

42 long

24/05/2012The parliament is not a safe workplace for the PM. Whatever she does will be twisted distorted and used against her . It must be like dealing with a neurotic partner that every extra thing you do or say is used against you. Most of her actions were sugggested by the opposition who just try to manipulate her. The insults today reached a new high of hysteria. I had a few friends over by co-incidence and left it on. They were all disgusted totally The electorate of Dobell have the right to be represented in Parliament. Certainly should not be subject to the whim of the opposition. Albanese has made this point constantly. The Parl't is not a court. About 57 times the opp'n has moved suspension of standing orders and this gives them for FREE, an opportunity to put on a free for all attack on the Gov't, where ANTYTHING can be said without fear of libel. Televised and broadcast and repeated ad nauseium throuout the day This is certainly an abuse of parliamentary process. Adverts like this which would breach ALL permitted advertising rules in the outside world are obtained for NO PAYMENT at all. they would be worth millions of dollars if they had to be payed for, and Abbott gets away with it time after time.

Tom of Melbourne

24/05/2012Psyclaw, I’m entirely satisfied with my comment. I don’t think your reply is sound at all. If a person in a position of trust was the subject of the type of independent findings FWA have provided, a company would either stand him aside from his position until they were resolved, or dismiss him. He certainly would not be able to continue unaffected in his position. A dismissal of an individual of the seniority and remuneration of an MP would not be entitled to seek a remedy at FWA for unfair dismissal, regardless of whether or not authorities chose to prosecute. -------------------- Jason, people are simply making up their minds about the honesty and suitability of Thomson for his current occupation as a community leader. In my opinion, he is clearly unsuitable, and there is ample evidence in the FWA report.

42 long

24/05/2012Tom, the problem is that there is a lot at stake here and it is intensely political, which as some would attest is a "dirty business"". There should be a distinct separation from church and state and the judiciary from both church and state. we don't want judgement by media either, particularly where there is such a monopoly of control there. (THAT is something which is inarguable) The degree of effect is arguable depending on whether it suits you or it doesn't and also what objectivity you wish to exercise. FAct is often stranger than fiction. I keep an open mind on this. As to whether Thomson is as portrayed almost universely, I'm not particularly concerned. It should come out eventually. I would just like to see him get a FAIR go, like he isn't and Lindy Chamberlain didn't either. We are just seeing a repeat of the disgusting press activity that happened then.

TalkTurkey

24/05/20122353 If I were to tell someone [i]on this site [/i]to pull their head in, or that they were as bad as Abbortt, Vampirella et al, [i]that[/i] would be inflammatory. Because of course that would be [i]personal[/i]. I would not do that unless they had personally said something like that at me on this site first. See? :)

Jason

24/05/2012ToM, I'm not trying to be my usual pain in the arse self, but "most" people are ignorant to the "Constitution" and think "MP's" come under the same terms and conditions that they face in the work place they don't! and considering if this was a "government" with a healthy majority this wouldn't be an issue. No doubt we'll see how serious the opposition is on what you advocate if they wish to back any reforms to solve this problem!

Lyn

24/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody And so it goes on and on and on, still reporting on Craig Thomson: Abbott calls for Thomson's resignation Paul Osborne, AAP Senior Political Writer May 24, 2012 - 6:19PM Mr Abbott has called for Mr Thomson's resignation before, but not in parliament. Leader of the House Anthony Albanese said Mr Abbott's call was a clear breach of parliamentary rules, but Deputy Speaker Anna Burke let Mr Abbott continue. http://goo.gl/sKhHv Chris Johnson Tony Abbott tells Craig Thomson 'if you can't stand bullying and harassment - resign ?| The Australian http://bit.ly/JUaufr #auspol news.com.au‏ TONY Abbott has called for Craig Thomson's resignation just hours after the former union leader publicly appeale... http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/mp-craig-thomson-denies-a-current-affair-escorts-claims/story-e6frfku0-1226366086658?from=public_rss :):)

Psyclaw

24/05/2012ToM What you say would be expected and reasonable and lawful if a company was diligently investigating its own employee at or about the time that he/she allegedly mis-spent the company's money contrary to its rules and procedures. But such a situation is quite different to the CT matter. 1) The matters are 5-8 years old. 2) There were no rules/procedures to be breached. 3) The HSU (the "company") is not the one pursuing/investigating the matter. 4) The physical evidence is sparse and unclear. 5) The oral evidence comes from persons not impartial to the matter. 6) The matter involves allegations against a number of persons. 7) Some of the allegations are inter-related. Some are not. 8) It is not only not the HSU ("the company") pursuing CT. It is a number of ex-colleagues, the police, the FWA, and most of all Abbott and his unethical mob. BTW as stated, "the company" is the HSU. Any suggestion that the parliament is "the company" and should stand him down is a false analogy. The parliament is the subsequent "company" which "employed" him with eyes wide open. had sdsAnd anyway, Abbott is not the parliament, not that he appreciates this small detail.

TalkTurkey

24/05/2012"We haven't paid anyone, and we haven't published anything." Williamson, of ACA. Yes h'm, the cheque hasn't been written but what about the promise eh? "I don't think a hooker would expose herself ( [i]no pun intended[/i] ) for a cup of coffee" he says. That amounts to an admission that they have signed a deal to be concluded later - when the hurley-burley's done, when they think we're on the run . . . Any paid statement [i]must[/i] be invalid. Furthermore it is probably [b]illegal[/b] to offer any reward for information[i] which will inevitably be fatally tainted.[/i] Think it through . . . It is mischievous in that it is calculated to destroy a reputation and a career, yet it is never to be tested in court. It is an absolute disgrace. Beware now Abbortt. You are accursed. You are doomed to great grief. We are going to get you. You will not prevail. Either your mob of galoots will bring you down by November, or you will bring them down at the next election. You probably have already doomed them I think. But without you they just might have a fighting chance. They are already ashamed of having you as their stupid Leader, and of themselves for following you so far. Look there for your Curse Abbortt. The shrewd ones know they cannot win with you. Even as I write there are many grim L-CP MHRs who are lying awake at night . . . Feeling out their colleagues . . . Sharpening their stilettos . . . Abbortt remember The Ides of September . . . Oh yes and Bob Ellis said you only have weeks, not months. Not unless something exceptional happens. It doesn't fit the inevitability trajectory. You won't be there by Crispmess. Unless your party is to gutless, &/or stupid to get rid of you. Either way . . . You're DOOMED, you will never form a Government.

Tom of Melbourne

24/05/20121) The matters are 5-8 years old.
 So what? the matters are only being dealt with now because FWA took 3 years to complete the investigation. Is there a time limit on honesty for members of parliament? 2) There were no rules/procedures to be breached.
 So what? It is a matter of reasonable ethical expenditure of funds of which an individual is the custodian. You spend it with care. It wasn’t his money but he treated the union as his personal bank account. 3) The HSU (the "company") is not the one pursuing/investigating the matter.
 So what? His current employer (us) is entitled to raise matters of his past behaviour & honesty with him. We’re entitled to expect him to co-operate with investigation of those matters (he didn’t), and we’re entitled to form judgments about the FWA findings (they’re NOT allegations). 4) The physical evidence is sparse and unclear.
 That is simply not true, it’s wishful thinking. FWA concluded a lengthy investigation and found against him on almost 200 issues. By the way, it’s not as if FWA can be accused of having a Liberal bias, the General Manager of the division responsible for the investigation for most of the time was Tim Lee, who was until fairly recently an ALP political advisor. The findings of FWA were issued under President Iain Ross, who is both a respected jurist, and a former ACTU official. 5) The oral evidence comes from persons not impartial to the matter. That’s simply not true, see above. 
6) The matter involves allegations against a number of persons.
 Fine, but Thomson is the one we’re entitled to be concerned about, because he sits in the Federal Parliament. 7) Some of the allegations are inter-related. Some are not So what? We’re entitled to require the highest standards of transparency in our community leaders in parliament. 8) It is not only not the HSU ("the company") pursuing CT. It is a number of ex-colleagues, the police, the FWA, and most of all Abbott and his unethical mob.
 So what? Thomson is the one who has almost 200 findings against him, following a 3 year investigation by an independent authority and the report was issued under the watch of Iain Ross, former ACTU official. The involvement of former ALP advisor Tim Lee and former ACTU official Iain Ross really ought to put paid to some of the nonsense being spruiked about other members of FWA. ------------- Jason, I’m not too concerned with the conviction of Thomson, authorities may or may not proceed. They may run into the statute of limitations, there may be some technical/legal issues that stymie prosecution. My point is that people are entitled to form a judgment about ethics, honesty and transparency as it concerns well paid community leaders. In my view Thomson has failed to meet the reasonable criteria to be an MP. He should head off and try something suitable, like being a doorman at a brothel.

TalkTurkey

24/05/2012Psyclaw said TT From [b]My Word [/b]on RN early today. [True ease in writing comes from Art, not chance] "As those move easiest who have learned to dance" ..... Alexander Pope, [i]Essay on Criticism [/i], I love it. But Psyclaw you have to tell us the unlikely explanation of that quote's origin now, as told by Dennis Norden or Frank Muir . . . Fair?

DMW

24/05/2012ToM an historical perspective. One Nick Griener was found to have committed some shonky stuff by ICAC his minority government fell as a result. Some five or so days after his government fell he was found to be not guilty in any way of the alleged shonky stuff. Sometimes the forensic examination of bodies such as ICAC (and possibly FWA) are absolutely wrong. None of us know and those that 'know' that FWA have got it totally and absolutely right or wrong are kidding themselves.

Tom of Melbourne

24/05/2012DMW, the parallel with Greiner is hardly relevant. The facts were not contested - he did appoint Methril to the EPA. It was the conclusion of ICAC regarding whether this represented corruption that was in issue. Either way Greiner’s action was grubby and unethical.

Ad astra

24/05/2012Hi Lyn I'm back at the south coast after a long day, and have just finished tomorrow's piece which I'll post in the afternoon. It's titled: [i]What is making Labor stalwarts gloomy?[/i] Tony Abbott has gone feral over the Thomson matter. It is appropriate for us to worry about Thomson's health. We should be concerned about Abbott's too. His behaviour is worrisome.

Psyclaw

24/05/2012ToM My 8 points were simply to distinguish the more complex CT matter from your straight forward scenario described in your second paragraph at 6.54pm. It was not inviting an analysis of the differences which you so willingly leapt into. Are you actually saying that your simple scenario and the CT matter are not quantitively and qualitatively worlds apart. BTW it is not logical to accuse someone of breaking rules that don't exist. And if I may be permitted to comment on your reply to DMW, the parallels between the Greiner and the CT matters are tangible. Greiner was intimidated out of his job by crass colleague MPs after an administrative finding. He left on a Tuesday and 3 days later the court decision vindicated him. Your mob is trying to do the same with CT even before any court case has been actioned. And you as an Abbotteer have the temerity, the hide, the audacity to employ the words "grubby and unethical".

DMW

24/05/2012psyclaw @ May 23. 2012 11:24 PM you asked: [i]... are you delivering an oblique backhander? And to whom? Are there specific commenters you have in mind? Or is it to TPS commenters generally?[/i] I was obviously not clear enough @ May 23. 2012 11:03 PM when I wrote [i]... my comment in the early hours of this morning was not pointed at anyone in particular or in general.[/i] So that it is understood there is/was no [i]oblique backhander[/i] intended or being given There are no specific commenters intended as targets and rest assured if there were a specific commenter that I felt had crossed some line or another I would do one of two things; address that commenter directly or, most likely, say or write nothing and ignore them for a while. 42 long @ 12:24 PM I think that your description of recent happenings as [i]Paltry Pantomime[/i] is most apt. I chose this part of your comment: [i]One can only conclude that whatever Craig was going to say, was going ot be treated as a LIE by the "Lynch Mob". What a Paltry Pantomime.[/i] not because you wrote it but as, to me, it showed a possible example of the tendency toward 'tabloidisation'. It may not be an A Grade example and I could be convinced one way or the other. A confession. I did write my original comment on this matter in a tabloid way when I chose the words 'muck raking' and 'tittle-tattle' to make part of the point about 'tabloidisation'. And mea culpa I had thought I had corrected [i]... would easily believe[/i] to [i][u]could[/u] easily believe[/i]. It was not until late the next day I noticed that stuff-up. Oh well I do have problems proof reading my own work from time to time. 2353 has come at what I was probing from a different angle and makes some informative observations I note also that NormanK wrote [i]DMW didn't make his case particularly well ...[/i] That is often the case it seems and without intention I seem able write the right thing the wrong way and offend some when no offence is intended. Is it any wonder I was rejected bt FA's. (I didn't ever apply as I knew I could never make the grade as a diplomat). I will attempt to illustrate better by some examples. Recently a rumour about Mr Abbott and his chief of staff was mentioned. How many of us scurried off to find more info? Was it in the hope of finding proof? Was it the irresistable urge to gawk at the 'traffic acciedent'? In a similar vein the various allegations about Sophie Mirrabella have been mentioned. How many of us rubber knecked at that one? Some may have chosen to believe the worst because of the person and/or the political alliegance of that person. By bringing these up, offering links, discussing these matters and casting opinions on the integrity or otherwise of the people who are alleged to have done dirty deeds dirt cheap are we buying into the tabloid game? While I do not agree with the proposition by some in the media that they are only supplying us with the style of 'news' we want to read I suspect that the way some, including me at times, click on the links to the salacious muck and tittle-tattle with alacrity that I assist in reinforcing a view that I am more intereted in gossip than reporting on the 'real' stuff. Do we get the reporting we get because we mislead the suppliers into thinking that is what we want? I am well aware of the comments and complaints made to various parts of the media about the appalling state of reporting but is it possible that our actions are different to our words?

Psyclaw

25/05/2012 Swordsters Betchas can't identify who spoke these words of wisdom on 19 June 2000 !!!! [quote]Of course, there are explanations for these things. (1) A country which does not need to worry about comparatively big things will tend to worry, sometimes obsessively, about comparatively small things. (2)People will always fight over who should exercise power, even such circumscribed power as we exercise in this place. (3)But, Mr Speaker, at the heart of his lament I think there is a very valid point. [b]Even when our opponents are doing their worst by our lights, by their own lights they are still doing their best[/b]. (4)We often complain about the low public standing of politicians, but other people take us at our own estimation, and we are always running each other down. Of course, there is a place for judgment, and sometimes there is a place for furious denunciation, [b]but I think Australia would be better off without the feral quality which so often contaminates our public lives[/b].[/quote] Yes I know ..... some of you purveyors of wisdom knew straight away! Here's a clue for those who don't know ......... "only things written down can be taken to be the truth." Aren't words cheap.

Psyclaw

25/05/2012 DMW One final repeated reflection ..... [quote]"[b]we are more interested[/b] in discussing muk and tittle-tattle here than we are in discussing things of greater import" [/quote] It is the bolded section that IMHO you have gotten wrong, so wrong. Tittle-tatting and muck raking is [u][i][/u]not[/i] the main game at TPS.

DMW

25/05/2012ToM @ May 24. 2012 09:13 PM [i]My point is that people are entitled to form a judgment about ethics, honesty and transparency as it concerns well paid community leaders.[/i] Indeed they are and we are also entitled to expect that due process is followed and that all the 'facts' are tested in a proper way so that we can be fully informed about the honesty and ethics of all of our potential leaders and representatives. There is a lot not to like in how the government has handled this sorry saga. There is a lot less to like about the way the oppostion has acted in this sorry saga. We would all be better served by taking a step or two back and consider better ways to handle such situations should they arise again. We would all be better off if there was a total blackout on any reporting or commentary on the whole sorry saga until due process is complete. Oh look there is pig flying past my window. [i]In my view Thomson has failed to meet the reasonable criteria to be an MP. He should head off and try something suitable, like being a doorman at a brothel.[/i] You are entitled to come to that view. Would you inform us how you have all the facts and have been able to test them beyond reasonable doubt. When you have finished with that would you also be so kind as to inform us which other people currently sitting in the federal parliament are not suitable to be MP's or Senators because I am sure there must be a few more who would not be able to meet the high standards you expect.

jane

25/05/2012After today's effort in QT, the Liars Party has forfeited any right to even the most minimal respect. Liealot proved yet again that he is an inveterate serial liar, Prissy that he is an overpaid, overrated, under talented shrill shill and the Harridan Sisters, Bishop, B & Bishop, J, are striving to stoop ever lower. Liealot's disgusting hypocrisy wrt Craig Thomson, was the final straw. AFAIC, it should be open slather on these creatures, no remorse and no pity.

2353

25/05/2012Psyclaw @ 8:50pm Agree completely - could only add: * so far two police forces have investigated complaints against Craig Thomson and found he has nothing to answer. * where is the same level of scrutiny on others who have similar claims made against them? I'm wondering if the LOTO believes this is his last gasp so like a lot of "little generals" in the past is throwing all the resources he can muster into the "fight"?

Lyn

25/05/2012 TODAY’S LINKS The right room for an argument, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless Craig Thomson stands between him and the Prime Ministership; whatever Thomson may or may not have done, Abbott will screw anyone at any cost who stands in his way. Thomson showed once again, as did Albanese in his response, that standing up to the Coalition yields positive results for the government in terms of its standing and morale. The Coalition fully expect this government to give up the ghost. Debunking The Thomson Allegations, Dan Gulbery, The Daily Derp Then of course there is the sheer implausibility of the story in the first place. We are expected to believe that this woman can remember someone she met once several years ago. Even if Mr Thomson was the only “customer” she’d ever had, the story stretches credulity. If the interview is ever shown (and there is no reason to believe it will), http://thedailyderp.net/2012/05/24/debunking-the-thomson-allegations/ Class war dreaming, The Piping Shrike based on a left-right divide that has lost its meaning. At the moment the focus is on Labor because their crack-up is instructive. But if the last election was bad enough, the delusion of both sides of the political spectrum suggests we are building up to a full-blown political crisis yet to come. http://www.pipingshrike.com/ Is Craig Thomson 'undefameable'? Tom Cowie, The Power Index It's not the first time Thomson has been the subject of a rabid press pack. Earlier this week, a passionate Thomson was Photoshopped with a Pinocchio nose on the front page of the Herald Sun, next to the headline 'We Don't Believe You'. Thomson told parliament on Monday that the media was helping fan a "lynch mob" which had http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/power-move/media-takes-on-thomson-the-undefameable/201205241387 Behind the Drama of the Forty Third Parliament, Norman Abjorensen, Inside Story For all the criticism leveled at them by the Coalition, the Murdoch press and conservative media commentators, Windsor and Oakeshott actually harked back to that great parliamentarian so beloved of conservatives everywhere, Edmund Burke. As an MP, Burke memorably told his electors at Bristol that he was not their agent in parliamenthttp://inside.org.au/behind-the-drama-of-the-forty-third-parliament/ Trolled by a The Australian “journo” – oh poor petal if you feel attacked, , Turn Left 2013 Get a grip – strange reaction to a fairly innocuous tweet, suggests there was something ungripped about calling attention to media hypocrisy Not everyone in the media has written about it – so unless every single person in the media writes about something, the general term “the media” can’t be applied? Laughable http://turnleft2013.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/trolled-by-a-the-australian-journo-oh-poor-petal-if-you-feel-attacked/ The holy grail and poisoned chalice of politics, Robert Simms, ABC The Senate is shaping up to be a key battleground of the next federal election. While most of the mainstream media have focused on the numbers in the House of Representatives, the Senate is equally as finely balanced and, if the polls are to be believed, there is the potential for the Coalition to win a majority in both houses of Parliament. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4031292.html Abbott caught out misleading Western Sydney on power prices, Ed Husic MP Yet for the last 12 months the Opposition leader has run around the country making false claims designed to engender fear – that the carbon price would increase electricity prices by 20, 25 and 30% – that is specifically what he has claimed.“But now the facts are coming in, and as that happens the Australian people will see before them a shallow political conman.”http://www.edhusic.com/2012/05/24/abbott-caught-out-misleading-western-sydney-on-power-prices/ Mr Hockey’s Methodology Applied to Government Debt, Stephen Koukoulas. Market Economics Mr Hockey used the average level of interest rates for the whole of the Howard Government and compared it to the whole period of the Labor Government since December 2007 (up to April which of course excludes the May 2012 rate cut). http://www.marketeconomics.com.au/2032-mr-hockeys-methodology-applied-to-government-debt BRW Rich 200- Congratulations Therese Rein, Peter Martin Not all of that went to her, some of it would have been covered by debt,” says Ms Mills who will not confirm whether she spoke to Ms Rein in preparing the list. “In some ways it is what she did next that was more extraordinary. She went to United Kingdom and took advantage of opportunities opening http://www.petermartin.com.au/2012/05/brw-rich-200-congratulations-therese.ht PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES ACT 1987 - SECT 13 http://corrigan.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ppa1987273/s13.html Privileges committee to investigate own leak, News Com A PARLIAMENTARY privileges committee will investigate its own members after details of discussions about MP Craig Thomson were leaked to the media. The House of Representatives committee is examining whether Mr Thomson misled parliament on Monday when addressing allegations he misused union funds. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/privileges-committee-to-investigate-own-leak/story-e6frfku0- CU you remain terminally delusional.”Catching Up Café Whispers There is no need for Thomson to be hounded and bullies as he has been. That should not be the Australian way. We have a system of justice that will deal with the man it he is guilty. Many investigations in this land take years, especially in the commercial world. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/ TODAY’S FRONT PAGES Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 25 May 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia VIDEO Posts from the ‘Daily Fix’ Category http://australianpoliticstv.org/category/daily-fix/ The Tyranny of Affluence. George Megalogenis and Geoffrey BlaineyGeoffrey Blainey George Megalogenis http://www.themonthly.com.au/tyranny-affluence-george-megalogenis-and-geoffrey-blainey-5211

Lyn

25/05/2012Good Morning Ad Sorry, I have missed the link of Andrew Elder's article. Would you put it on for me please AD http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/ :):):):)

Ad astra

25/05/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Ad astra

25/05/2012Good Morning Lyn I've added the Andrew Elder link to your links on your special page. Thanks again for another great collection.

Psyclaw

25/05/2012The following email to Ms Grattan is self explanatory. [quote]Ms Grattan You have just told Fran Kelly that yesterday Mr Abbott "went out of his way" to express sympathy and understanding for Mr Thomson at the human level. Mr Abbott merely mouthed the words. They were not "written down" and we know what that means! It appears that you are complicit in Abbott's habitual confesssion paradigm. Mouthing platitudes and throwing his hands in the air is enough for full absolution of his previous attack behaviour. You will recall that on June 19, 2000, Abbott "also went out of his way" to proclaim "I think Australia would be better off without the feral quality which so often contaminates our public lives." Is there any chance that you might rediscover the analytical skills you formerly demonstrated as a journo to examine the contrast between Abbott's words and actions? [/quote]

Psyclaw

25/05/2012I read someone bragging on PB a few days back that he had had so many one night stands that he cannot remember them. Apparently this is possible. So it is amazing that someone who has numerous "one night stands" every day of the week in a professional capacity can remember all the faces and details for 6 or 7 years. Perhaps CT just has a memorable face.

Sir Ian Crisp

25/05/2012I see Shanahan has an article which shows how compromised Tony Windsor is. T Windsor wants the brothel inspector to be the subject of the usual treatement but Windsor had no trouble attacking Anderson in parliament, willing to adopt the role of judge, prosecutor and jury. He was joined by the ALP camorra, some of whom are now insisting that the brothel inspector does not have to answer to parliament and should instead answer to the cops.

Lyn

25/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody Twitterverse for you: ABC News Breakfast‏@BreakfastNews Watch Tony Abbott speaking in condolence debate for Greg Wilton in 2000: http://ow.ly/b8wGu (and full transcript: http://ow.ly/b8xu3) Mark ‏@markjs1 Abbott now been told by Peta Credlin to pretend sympathy 4 Thomson....Sociopaths don't understand emotions like sympathy though!! #auspol TheFinnigans Thomson treated 'worse than Ivan Milat' - http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomson-treated-worse-than-ivan-milat-20120524-1z7zw.html - Milat only faced one Investigation. #Thomson now faces 9 plus 4y of FWA TheFinnigans Oh please @TonyAbbottMHR spare me your crocodile tears. You're like the arsonist who he's sorry for the welfare of the bushfire victims Schtang‏@Schtang Abbott "Australia would be better off without the feral quality that so often contaminates our public life" http://bit.ly/KXVOra#auspol Toastman‏@toastman51 MPs voice concern for Thomson's wellbeing http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-24/mps-voice-concern-for-thomsons-wellbeing/4031960 @abcnews Not 'toxic parliament' more toxic Abbott,anything for power,anything Chris Barrett‏@selga55 Thanks for the advice Michelle, but you know, #STFU #auspol Labor facing battle to save the furniture http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/labor-facing-battle-tol Fit & Proper SpaceK‏@SpaceKidette Barrie Cassidy Drum article on learning our lessons from the past: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-25/cassidy-alarm-bells-are-ringing/4031494 National Times‏@ The MP, the escort and a meeting in the Boardroom. Kate McClymont reports http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/the-mp- news.com.au‏@news_com_au PRIME Minister Julia Gillard should allow Craig Thomson to quit parliament for the sake of his personal welfare,... http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/let-thomson-quit-parliament-says-abbott Ben Eltham‏@beneltham Craig Thomson scandal like a bushfire, writes ... errr ... one of the arsonists http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/no-end-to-the-relentless-pursuit-20120524-1z6od.html Meta Starostin‏@Snow_Crash Libs retreat on NBN battleground http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/libs_retreat_on_nbn_battleground_TOnH1LHLrE40j2vcJ4AAQM #auspol #nbn http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/libs_retreat_on_nbn_battleground_TOnH1LHLrE40j2vcJ4AAQM Rob Stott‏@Rob_Stott Shorter Van Onselen: I can tell something's happening because nothing is happenind http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/silence-before-the-second-storm/story- (via @2fbs) Meta Starostin‏@Snow_Crash Rural Australia wants the NBN as quickly as possible | Delimiter http://delimiter.com.au/2012/05/24/rural-australia-wants-the-nbn-as-quickly-as-possible/ via @delimiterau #auspol #nbn Darin Sullivan‏ Liberals #LNP hand back illegal cash | http://thetelegraph.com.au | #NSWpol Judge & Jury Geek‏@geeksrulz @HyperBrendan Concern in the LNP is that Abbott will fire another blank :) Time until Sunday, 1 July 2012 (Adelaide time) 37 days 890 hours 53407 minutes 3204457 seconds :):):):):):):):)

Lyn

25/05/2012 Hi Ad A promise presented by James Massola:- I’ll keep my promises: Abbott PUBLISHED: 0 hour 6 MINUTES AGO | UPDATE: 0 hour James Massola Online political correspondent Financial Review Mr Abbott said he would maintain high parliamentary standards if elected prime minister, and would not accept a “tainted” vote from one of his MPs if they were to become embroiled in a scandal. “I am not going to break an election promise but if I change my mind and an election commitment needs to be reworked, I would seek a new mandate,” Mr Abbott told the Nine Network’s Today program http://www.afr.com/p/national/ll_keep_my_promises_abbott_wY8KxyeBoi4SWPPKD3otoI

nasking

25/05/2012 When a desperate man like Abbott and his media & religious allies use desperate, win at all costs, measures they undermine everything we treasure about democracy. You begin to feel your vote is worthless…that the legal and political system is worth less than the power of the media…and those who put GOD above all (tho some pretend otherwise). Of late I have become to feel that politics is a demolition derby for the likes of Abbott and the Murdoch empire, the shock jocks and certain current affairs shows. It’s about smashing up your opposition until you’re the last one standing/moving…seeking all the attention and applause. Making moolah and gaining more power for your brand and supporters. And stuff who gets hurt in the process. Frankly, I reckon Tony Abbott has become addicted to ramming other politicians…even using his followers to do the ramming for him. But in the long run it’s all for his benefit…so he can be the winner…top dog. This type of politician tends to lose respect of both fellow pollies and the public after awhile…no matter how much conveniently timed faux sincerity & compassion they put on. They also tend to get extremely paranoid and controlling once in power. Having created so many enemies…and recognising the lack of trust and respect from their co-workers. Nixon a good example. N’

TalkTurkey

25/05/2012syclaw That 12.11 AM post was brilliantly quoted. So was your comment at the end. Yes right. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PNG Chief Justice charged with [i]Sedition[/i] 1. Speech or behaviour directed against the peace of a state; 2. an offence that tends to undermine the authority of a state; 3. an incitement to public disorder. Situation normal for Australia! This is no joke.

TalkTurkey

25/05/2012'syclaw' ? Sorry Cobber if I P'ed you off . . . :)

Michael

25/05/2012Bad Abbott After Shouldabeen's sanctimonious and drenched in hypocrisy performance on Channel Nine's Today show this morning, I doubt even Dante was taken to the special level of Hell awaiting this Cain-toad of a man.

nasking

25/05/2012 The words of a desperate man...displaying faux sincerity & compassion: [b]Quit for your own good, Abbott tells Thomson[/b] Updated May 25, 2012 09:44:48 "Obviously he is a man under enormous pressure," Mr Abbott told Channel Nine. "I think frankly that the Prime Minister should put his interests and the interests of his family ahead of her own interests here. "I think we have got to be straightforward about this. He has put himself in this position by acting in ways that he shouldn't have acted. "The Prime Minister is the one who is clinging to his vote and his Labor colleagues are the ones who are insisting that he should stay in the Parliament." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-25/possible-new-thommo-stuff/4032340 N'

Psyclaw

25/05/2012TT Thank you for your encouragement.

nasking

25/05/2012 [b]After Shouldabeen's sanctimonious and drenched in hypocrisy performance on Channel Nine's Today show this morning, I doubt even Dante was taken to the special level of Hell awaiting this Cain-toad of a man.[/b] Michael, I agree. Abbott is an actor. Quite sickening to watch. N'

Ad astra

25/05/2012Hi Lyn Thanks for the Twitterverse. EVERYONE should read the transcript of the condolences offered by the man who wants to be PM, on the occasion of the condolence motion for Labor member Greg Wilton who committed suicide in 2000. http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2000-06-19%2F0025;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2000-06-19%2F0052%22

Lyn

25/05/2012Hi Ad You are right Ad (EVERYONE should read the transcript of the condolences offered by the man who wants to be PM,) ABC have posted the video half an hour ago: Quit for your own good, Abbott tells Thomson, ABC 2012 09:44:48 Video: Watch Tony Abbott speaking in the Greg Wilton condolence motion in 2000 (ABC News) Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says MP Craig Thomson should quit Parliament for the good of himself and his family. At a Senate Estimates hearing last night, the DPP, Chris Craigie SC, explained why the report could not be considered a brief of evidence. "There were no signed witness statements or indeed witness statements of any kind," he said. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-25/possible-new-thommo-stuff/4032340

nasking

25/05/2012 From the UK: In a day of [i]new revelations at the Leveson Inquiry[/i], which heard evidence from both Mr Hunt's special adviser Adam Smith and the News Corp lobbyist Fréd Michel, it emerged that: * [b]Mr Hunt may have misled Parliament over a statement he made claiming he had had no contact with Mr Michel other than official meetings. Messages released by the inquiry revealed he had texted him on at least three occasions, including one which read: "When consultation over we can have coffee like the old days."[/b] * [b]More than 1,000 text messages were exchanged between News Corp and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport during the bid process, including 257 from Mr Smith to Mr Michel.[/b] * Mr Michel admitted Mr Smith had given him regular updates on the "timings" and "process" of the bid, but said this did not amount to a "running commentary" of the Government's thinking. [b]But the most damaging revelation was the emergence of the memo from Mr Hunt to the Prime Minister on 19 November 2010, in which he made clear his support for the Murdoch empire's ambition to take full control of BSkyB. [/b] [b]It also suggests Mr Hunt was aware News Corp was plotting a "Wapping mark 2" by uniting UK print, internet and TV interests – potentially fatally undermining its competitors. In it he wrote: "Essentially what James Murdoch wants to do is to repeat what his father did with the move to Wapping and create the world's first multiplatform media operator available from paper to web to TV to iPhone to iPad."[/b] He added: "It would be totally wrong to cave into the Mark Thompson [BBC Director General]/Channel 4/Guardian line that this represents a substantial change of control [b]given that we all know Sky is controlled by News Corp now anyway."[/b] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-knew-hunt-would-back-bskyb-bid-7786255.html The rot in the floorboards of UK society increasingly exposed. When do we begin here? N'

nasking

25/05/2012 From The Guardian (thnx to Sue @ Cafe Whispers): [b]There are three obvious questions that flow from this new evidence. The first – for Mr Hunt – is why he so recklessly defied the advice of his officials to intervene with Downing Street over a matter in which he not only had no role, but had been positively warned to stay clear of.[/b] The paperwork turned over to Leveson clearly shows Hunt’s bias towards the bid before he assumed responsibility for it. He showed virtually no interest in the counter-arguments once he was running the process and will have to explain the voluminous insider back-channel contacts between his office and News Corp. [b]News Corp must answer questions about the “son of Wapping” plan that has now been revealed by the memo. Throughout the bid its executives denied any plans to bundle together its newspapers, digital and TV offerings, companies, platforms and content. Sometimes it suited News Corp to claim that Sky was an entirely separate company. At others the argument was reversed (and duly adopted by Mr Hunt): Sky was controlled by News Corp, anyway, so there was no real proposed change of control. But it now seems apparent that there was, indeed, a well-advanced plan to bring the Murdoch platforms and content into one unity. Leveson should ask to see those plans.[/b] [b]Finally, there are ever-more delicate questions for Mr Cameron. Why, knowing that Mr Hunt was privately lobbying on behalf of the bid, did he think it was appropriate to appoint him to run it, given that Mr Cable – with different sympathies – had just been forced to step down over the appearance of partiality? And what is he going to do about Mr Hunt, who is due to give evidence to the inquiry next week?[/b] Mr Hunt has been shown to have defied his officials’ advice and to have run the bid (under the ministerial code he has to take responsibility for Mr Smith) against a background of clandestine contacts having made his own position clear in advance. Had it not been for the Leveson inquiry we would have been kept in the dark about what went on. We are, daily, getting a fuller picture, and it is not an edifying one. ——————- Seems to me that the top Tories were willing to contribute to a plan that could eventually wipe out media diversity…and create a monopoly. Why would pro-business politicians be willing to support anti-competitive behaviour? N’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/may/24/jeremy-hunt-minister-murdoch-editorial

nasking

25/05/2012 Pushy bloke this James Murdoch: [b]James Murdoch 'furious' over plans to block BSkyB takeover bid, Leveson inquiry told[/b] Karen Kissane May 25, 2012 - 5:55AM [quote][b]The Conservative minister overseeing the Murdoch bid to take over satellite broadcaster BSkyB warned the Prime Minister that James Murdoch was furious over the government's handling of it and "if we block it, our media sector will suffer for years",[/b] the Leveson inquiry heard last night. Secretary of state and minister for media Jeremy Hunt wrote a memo to Prime Minister David Cameron in November 2010 in which he said it would be wrong to "cave in" to objections that the takeover would give one media outlet too much power. He warned that James Murdoch was "pretty furious" that another minister, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, had referred the bid to media regulator Ofcom for scrutiny. "He doesn't think he will get a fair hearing from Ofcom," Mr Hunt wrote. "I am privately concerned about this because News Corp are very litigious and we could end up in the wrong place in terms of media policy..."[/quote] http://www.smh.com.au/world/james-murdoch-furious-over-plans-to-block-bskyb-takeover-bid-leveson-inquiry-told-20120525-1z8bb.html A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOUR?: [b]The day James and Rebekah revealed the arrogant Murdoch way of business There was a telling lack of judgment on display when James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks burst into the Independent to berate me[/b] http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/24/james-murdoch-rebekah-brooks-simon-kelner-independen AND: [b]Mark Scott responds to Murdoch's attack on public broadcasting In a frontal attack on public service broadcasting James Murdoch has described the BBC as a threat not only to independent news but also to innovation and the growth of creative industries.  Murdoch said that the existence of a government funded broadcaster was "a threat to pluralism".[/b] http://friendsoftheabc.org/mark-scott-responds-to-murdochs-attack-on-public-broadcasting AND: [b]On 28 August 2009, Murdoch delivered the MacTaggart Memorial Lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, in which he attacked the BBC and UK media regulator Ofcom calling the BBC’s expansion “chilling” and “In this all-media marketplace, the expansion of state-sponsored journalism is a threat to the plurality and independence of news provision, which are so important for our democracy.” The BBC chairman, Sir Michael Lyons officially responded, “We have to be careful not to reduce the whole of broadcasting to some simple economic transactions. The BBC’s public purposes stress the importance of the well-tested principles of educating and informing, and an impartial contribution to debate in the UK.” [/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Murdoch -------------- Bit of a hypocrite I reckon. Considering his plans to expand the Murdoch empire. Not big enuff obviously: [b]List of assets owned by News Corporation[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_News_Corporation Hmmm... N'

TalkTurkey

25/05/2012Nasking "sickening to watch" Very literally, indeed. Michael "Bad Abbott" Ditto. One wonders what Sydney West thinks of this behaviour, the most contemptible by any politician I have ever seen. If those on the Right do not rid themselves of this monster of mendacity then they define themselves as equally putrid. Mal Washer you have voted with Abbortt on every stupid motion he has ever moved, are you really no more than wishy-washy Washer? Because you know if you appreciate the indecency of his behaviour yourself, and fail to vote against it, you are a lower form of life again than even he. He is insane, are you merely gutless?

NormanK

25/05/2012In amongst all of the broohaha over Thomson it is worth reminding ourselves that the Coalition need to do much more than steal one vote off Labor. There are only two mechanisms that will bring this government down - the blocking of Supply and a Vote of No Confidence in the Government. Labor has 71 votes + Oakshott + Windsor + Bandt on questions of Supply and Confidence. These days it seems likely that Wilkie will support Labor on Supply and Confidence. That's 75 votes out of a potential 149 (Slipper on the side-lines). Reduced to 74 with the Deputy Speaker only having a casting vote. The Coalition has 72 votes. Katter could do anything but let's count him as a Coalition vote = 73. Thomson resigns and Liberals win Dobell = 74 votes. Abbott needs an absolute majority to carry a Vote of No Confidence in the Government i.e. 76 votes. It ain't gonna happen no matter how much the press want to impress on us that the government is about to fall over Thomson. A crucial vote on the budget where all members are present could come down to 74-74 but Burke has the casting vote. The worst that might happen is that a few bills might be blocked in the House of Reps but even then Gillard & Co are skilful and careful enough to not let that happen - either by negotiating a compromise or just not putting the bill up if they know that they don't have the numbers. There is no guarantee that the Liberals would win a by-election in Dobell especially if the electorate believe that their elected member was hounded out of parliament. The breathless expectation that this government is 'about to fall' is sensational overstatement.

nasking

25/05/2012TT, Lyn, Ad and others...Ron Tandberg's political cartoon of Abbott says it all: http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/opinion/cartoons/ron-tandberg-20090910-fixc.html N'

Lyn

25/05/2012Hi Norman K WoW! thankyou so much for explaining all the votes for us. I was going to post last night to Tom, Craig Thomson is not going to get them in Government anyway . But I couldn't explain why so I decided to stay quiet. Stephen Koukoulas has a solution : Stephen Koukoulas‏ latikambourke As someone else pointed out, would the best thing for Thomson's well-being be for Abbott to leave Parliament? :):):):)

TalkTurkey

25/05/2012Nasking [i]HTF would Abbortt know [/i]anything at [i]human[/i] level? Archbigot Pell is a relatively higher primate, what sort of misbegotten simian life form is Abbortt?

NormanK

25/05/2012Hi Lyn May I take the opportunity to thank-you once again for all of your hard work. You're a treasure! :D I'm a bit surprised, in the most pleasant of ways, by how much information can be communicated by Tweets. Thank-you for giving up the time to compile them for us twice a day - an awful lot of time must go into that endeavour. The links contained in some of those Tweets are truly valuable. Wet, cold and miserable up here today but it can't be sunny every day can it?

BSA Bob

25/05/2012I didn't see Abbott's performance this morning & as I'm not well today I won't be, although the taxpayer funded Abbort's Broadcasting Commission will no doubt supply edited highlights tonight. I was, however going to put up a post here saying there's no better example of the "Perpetual Present" than Abbott's performance with his nauseous fake concern for Thomson's welfare, the parlous state of which is of course the fault of a P.M. desperate to...etc, etc, to infinity. No one with a functional memory could (should?) be fooled by this & yet they obviously are. Abbott's far too perceptive to keep the line going if it's not effective. It's very depressing that someone like Abbott should be given such a free ride. P.S. Just realised there's no symbol for "infinity" on the keyboard. There should be. P.P.S. Being fair to the ABC, Abbott (or the whole affair) wasn't mentioned on its ABC1 midday bulletin.

Psyclaw

25/05/2012AA Your 10.03am link is of course the answer to the question in my earlier 12.11am comment. And in my email to M Grattan (above) I quoted to her the last sentence from Abbott's 2000 speech viz: [quote]You will recall that on June 19, 2000, Abbott "also went out of his way" to proclaim "I think Australia would be better off without the feral quality which so often contaminates our public lives." [/quote] Nothing more clearly demonstrates that he will do or say whatever is needed to further his own interests.

DMW

25/05/2012NormanK @ 1:29 PM There is always sunshine behind the clouds, ergo, it's always a sunny day :)

2353

25/05/2012Someone commented to me today that if the allegations regarding Thomson are true, at least there is demonstrable proof that at least one Australian knows how to arrange a **** in a brothel!

Lyn

25/05/2012Hi Ad and Everybody Twitterati for your enjoyment: Commonwealth Consolidated Acts CRIMES ACT 1914 - SECT 28 Interfering with political liberty Any person who, by violence or by threats or intimidation of any kind, hinders or interferes with the free exercise or performance, by any other person, of any political right or duty, shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca191482/s28.html Glengyron‏ Tony Abbott's foot cannon wins again: "Abbott remarks on Thomson 'breach law'" Abbott remarks on Thomson 'breach law' ,SMH May 25, 2012 - 1:44PM http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abbott-remarks-on-thomson-breach-law-20120525-1z9dx.html abc730‏@abc730 Described as #Victoria’s Craig Thompson, could Lib Geoff Shaw bring down the Baillieu govt? Find out on #abc730 #Vic w @josietaylor tonight Paul Bongiorno‏ Doncha just love politics. Now it's Julia being cruel to Craig, 'cos she needs his vote. Compassion = kick him out of parlt. AustralianPoliticsTV‏@austpoliticstv Channel 7: Abbott: Thomson should leave Parliament http://goo.gl/fb/nZOYw #auspol he 100 Bus‏@The100Bus HyperBrendan: Has Tony Abbott been arrested yet? #auspol archiearchive‏@archiearchive YESSSS! Abbott to be investigated for Crimes Act breach. RESIGN, YOU CRIMINAL! http://is.gd/zLkF0r#auspol Karen Middleton‏ Window on pimping? RT @vexnews: Brothel baron on Thomson: "I think it’s bullshit...How can she remember back 7 yrs?" http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/25/1280-clients-a-year-and-she-remembers-thomson-i-think-its-bullshit/ Mike Kelly MP‏ Abbott wants 2 destroy Thompson whatever way he can 2 win power. He knows his days r numbered once CEF begins & sky stays up SBS News‏@SBSNews Analysis: Are #Thomson's phone-cloning claims plausible? http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1653357/Analysis-Are-Thomson-s-phone-cloning-claims-plausible amanda meade‏@meadea From Gold Coast Bulletin Thomson hooker latest http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/05/25/418681_tweed-byron-news.html vexnews‏@vexnews Campbell Newman an ‘employee basher' - Bob Katter http://bit.ly/Lluwdq #qldpol Séan‏@esseeeayeenn Senator Mary Jo Fisher asks taxpayers to pay costs for finding her guilty of theft and assault. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-25/liberal-senator-asks-for-legal-costs/4033742 Shameful Bob Bain‏@bob_bain Liberal Party scandals (continued) Lindsay pamphlet scandal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindsay_pamphlet_scandal - Jackie Kelly of "Kelly Country" 3:28pm Rights at Work‏@thisworkinglife Sky News: Union furious over foreign labour plan | http://bit.ly/Kl4RU1 #ausunions #securejobs National Times‏@NationalTimesAU When will Schapelle Corby be released? Read about the many hurdles she faces in Schapelle Corby's parole catch-22 http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/schapelle-corbys-parole-catch22-20120525-1z9r3.html Murdoch Watch‏@WatchMurdoch How the 'Minister for Murdoch' made case for BSkyB deal http://bit.ly/KF6icZ via @newspin

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25/05/2012NormanK Thank you for your comment on the 'numbers' in the House. Very edifying.

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25/05/2012Folks I have just posted a piece for you to chew on over the coming week: [i]What is making Labor stalwarts gloomy?[/i] http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2012/05/25/What-is-making-Labor-stalwarts-gloomy.aspx

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25/05/2012Hi Lyn Your Twittterati this afternoon features so many gems, would you please post it again on the new piece, so that no one misses out.

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25/05/2012Folks Lyn’s Twitterati this afternoon point to the extremes that Abbott will go to wrest power from Julia Gillard. In the piece just posted this attribute features strongly under the heading; [i]The Great Abbott Unhinging[/i], which is towards the end. http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2012/05/25/What-is-making-Labor-stalwarts-gloomy.aspx
How many umbrellas are there if I have two in my hand but the wind then blows them away?