| JUNE 2008 Pages - Page 21 |
| THIS IS PAGE 21 OF JUNE 2008 PAGES - JUNE0821 |
IS THIS GUY DELUSIONAL ???
After I finally got off the floor, agonising in the pain from rolling on the floor with laughter, after reading an article by Chris Bowen (the federal
Assistant Treasurer), Wanted: political home for liberals of small l variety , Sydney Morning Herald, 18 June 2008, in which he claims the
"home" of "liberalism" is the Australian Labor Party - I took a hold of myself.
IT wasn't fair of me to stereotype the Australian Labor Party based on NSW Labor. After all I know little of the ALP in the other states in Australia.
It is also unfair to stereotype even the whole of the NSW Labor Party based on the behaviour of the ruling faction of NSW Labor, particularly in
the parliamentary party. Further, I said to myself, this guy has probably never been to NSW - so it was unfair to criticise his thesis simply on the
basis of one part of the whole Australian Labor Party. Then I discovered he was from NSW - which made his assessment peculiar. Then I
discovered he was the President of the ALP Fairfield State Electorate Council from 1992 -which made his claims bizarre to say the least.
Maybe, I thought, because he was a federal politician his views of NSW from far away Canberra, might be distorted by the tyranny of distance.
But then I discovered he was Chief of Staff to Carl Scully (2001-04).
Being unable to find any logical basis for his views, I can only assume he is delusional.
Wherever the home of "liberalism" is - it aint in NSW Labor.
Not unless Mr Bowen has a different interpretation of "liberalism" to what is commonly understood by that term.
Mr Bowen might be correct if "liberalism" means :
**** Sending the police to harass a business every day - until the business is closed down.
**** Treating people as collateral damage for the "common good" e.g. Gillian Sneddon
**** Giving police extra powers - and treating civil liberties as disposable items.
**** Giving tacit approval to police removing identification badges when attending peaceful demonstrations
****Treating everyone in a "one size fits all" fashion, rather than as individuals
**** Covering up evidence, refusing to release information and making the affairs of government as secretive as possible
**** Failing to accept responsibility for ones own actions,but always finding a scape goat
**** Treating people differently, depending on the quantum of donations to NSW Labor or their value to NSW Labor in clinging onto power,
**** Making appointments , not on merit,, but on the basis of 'mateship'
**** Removing power from communities to make their own decisions about their built environment , and centralising the decision making in the
hands of one person - all on the basis of the "common good".
*** Taking away peoples rights of access to their homes - without offering any, or any adequate compensation to them.
*** Ignoring individuals and dismissing them as collateral damage for the "common good".
*** Arguing that individual rights are secondary to a predetermined "common good".
*** Increasingly regulating every facet of a persons life, in the belief that individuals cannot be trusted to make responsible decisions
*** Failing to argue a case for freedom of expression, instead dismissing Henson's photographs as disgusting.
*** Refusing to recognise that the rights of self determination includes a right to make mistakes e.g. sacking councils for mistakes and then
refusing to allow the individual communities to remedy the situation themselves in elections
*** A preference for centralising power over allowing it to be exercised at a grass-roots level e.g. head office selected candidates instead of a
rank and file pre-selection
*** Contempt for the rule of law - as demonstrated by Morris Iemma's refusal to follow Labor conference motions.
*** Viewing lying (as long as you don't get caught) and cover up (as long as you don't get caught) as virtues - in it's predominant culture
*** Treating people in the same situation differently e.g. Morris Iemma's treatment of various Ministers or Minister's to be.
*** Only believing in the 'presumption of innocence' when it suits
*** Expending huge sums of money on promoting a favoured religion.
** Believing that it is appropriate and possible to "buy" people's votes e.g. giving Fred Nile a $43,000 per year pay rise.
*** Taking a 'shoot the messenger' approach to public affairs e.g. producing Della's Downfall video, digging for "dirt" on workers who had
complained about the behaviour of a NSW Labor MP
*** etc etc.
NSW Labor is the home of.....ah I can't pronounce it ...it is a foreign word, but liberalism is a stranger at the NSW Labor table.
Mr Bowen does himself a disservice by asserting it is - in the face of all the known facts and normal behaviour. I'll guarantee it would be hard to
find a member of NSW Labor - who would have the audacity to assert it is.
=================================================================================================================
After I finally got off the floor, agonising in the pain from rolling on the floor with laughter, after reading an article by Chris Bowen (the federal
Assistant Treasurer), Wanted: political home for liberals of small l variety , Sydney Morning Herald, 18 June 2008, in which he claims the
"home" of "liberalism" is the Australian Labor Party - I took a hold of myself.
IT wasn't fair of me to stereotype the Australian Labor Party based on NSW Labor. After all I know little of the ALP in the other states in Australia.
It is also unfair to stereotype even the whole of the NSW Labor Party based on the behaviour of the ruling faction of NSW Labor, particularly in
the parliamentary party. Further, I said to myself, this guy has probably never been to NSW - so it was unfair to criticise his thesis simply on the
basis of one part of the whole Australian Labor Party. Then I discovered he was from NSW - which made his assessment peculiar. Then I
discovered he was the President of the ALP Fairfield State Electorate Council from 1992 -which made his claims bizarre to say the least.
Maybe, I thought, because he was a federal politician his views of NSW from far away Canberra, might be distorted by the tyranny of distance.
But then I discovered he was Chief of Staff to Carl Scully (2001-04).
Being unable to find any logical basis for his views, I can only assume he is delusional.
Wherever the home of "liberalism" is - it aint in NSW Labor.
Not unless Mr Bowen has a different interpretation of "liberalism" to what is commonly understood by that term.
Mr Bowen might be correct if "liberalism" means :
**** Sending the police to harass a business every day - until the business is closed down.
**** Treating people as collateral damage for the "common good" e.g. Gillian Sneddon
**** Giving police extra powers - and treating civil liberties as disposable items.
**** Giving tacit approval to police removing identification badges when attending peaceful demonstrations
****Treating everyone in a "one size fits all" fashion, rather than as individuals
**** Covering up evidence, refusing to release information and making the affairs of government as secretive as possible
**** Failing to accept responsibility for ones own actions,but always finding a scape goat
**** Treating people differently, depending on the quantum of donations to NSW Labor or their value to NSW Labor in clinging onto power,
**** Making appointments , not on merit,, but on the basis of 'mateship'
**** Removing power from communities to make their own decisions about their built environment , and centralising the decision making in the
hands of one person - all on the basis of the "common good".
*** Taking away peoples rights of access to their homes - without offering any, or any adequate compensation to them.
*** Ignoring individuals and dismissing them as collateral damage for the "common good".
*** Arguing that individual rights are secondary to a predetermined "common good".
*** Increasingly regulating every facet of a persons life, in the belief that individuals cannot be trusted to make responsible decisions
*** Failing to argue a case for freedom of expression, instead dismissing Henson's photographs as disgusting.
*** Refusing to recognise that the rights of self determination includes a right to make mistakes e.g. sacking councils for mistakes and then
refusing to allow the individual communities to remedy the situation themselves in elections
*** A preference for centralising power over allowing it to be exercised at a grass-roots level e.g. head office selected candidates instead of a
rank and file pre-selection
*** Contempt for the rule of law - as demonstrated by Morris Iemma's refusal to follow Labor conference motions.
*** Viewing lying (as long as you don't get caught) and cover up (as long as you don't get caught) as virtues - in it's predominant culture
*** Treating people in the same situation differently e.g. Morris Iemma's treatment of various Ministers or Minister's to be.
*** Only believing in the 'presumption of innocence' when it suits
*** Expending huge sums of money on promoting a favoured religion.
** Believing that it is appropriate and possible to "buy" people's votes e.g. giving Fred Nile a $43,000 per year pay rise.
*** Taking a 'shoot the messenger' approach to public affairs e.g. producing Della's Downfall video, digging for "dirt" on workers who had
complained about the behaviour of a NSW Labor MP
*** etc etc.
NSW Labor is the home of.....ah I can't pronounce it ...it is a foreign word, but liberalism is a stranger at the NSW Labor table.
Mr Bowen does himself a disservice by asserting it is - in the face of all the known facts and normal behaviour. I'll guarantee it would be hard to
find a member of NSW Labor - who would have the audacity to assert it is.
=================================================================================================================
POWER PROSECUTION
see : Geesche Jacobsen , Prosecutor in more strife , Sydney Morning Herald, 18 June 2008.
Byron Kaye , Ex-prosecutor Patrick Power obstructed legal proceedings , Daily Telegraph, 18 June 2008.
ABC News, Power struck off over child porn conviction , ABC Radio, 17 June 2008.
Council of the NSW Bar Association v Power [2008] NSWCA 135 (17 June 2008) [ ONLINE ]
=================================================================================================================
==================================================================================================================
see : Geesche Jacobsen , Prosecutor in more strife , Sydney Morning Herald, 18 June 2008.
Byron Kaye , Ex-prosecutor Patrick Power obstructed legal proceedings , Daily Telegraph, 18 June 2008.
ABC News, Power struck off over child porn conviction , ABC Radio, 17 June 2008.
Council of the NSW Bar Association v Power [2008] NSWCA 135 (17 June 2008) [ ONLINE ]
=================================================================================================================
==================================================================================================================
| DAY 11 - BACK WITH A VENGEANCE |
CABINET TO MEET IN PARKES
Dawn Fardell MP (Dubbo) says Morris Iemma has accepted her invitation to hold a community cabinet meeting in the town of Parkes on 29 July
2008.
For self protection, it might be a good idea if community members attending community functions wear protective clothing, or anti terrorists suits.
There are bound to be a few fireworks at the cabinet meeting.
Also, we suggest community members read up on the full list of the Iemma ministerial team and commit to memory names, portfolios and
photographs ( a good starting point would be to look at the ministerial profiles on parliament's website ) just in case they get confronted with the
question "Do you know who I am?". On second thoughts, it may be advisable to learn the entire list of NSW Labor caucus members. Who is in
and who is out of cabinet, these days is a day by day proposition. However, you need not commit to memory Paul Gibson - he is unlikely to be
joining Morris' team any-time soon.
People may already be familiar with Kristina Keneally,MP a keen devotee of the Pope (although not a member of Opus Dei) who visited the town
recently. She is a passionate advocate for the power sell-off and a member of the ruling Terrigals faction.
As for Parkes people who work in the hospitality industry, now would be an ideal time to brush up on customer relations skills, before the big
event. An opportunity exists for the newsagent to make a financial killing. He/she should set up a stall selling statutory declaration forms outside
the various venues. Good prospects of employment exist for counsellors and medicos, and the gym should do a brisk trade. Unfortunately,
things aren't so rosy for taxi drivers, At this stage it is unlikely any ministers will require transportation.
Community members should take steps to secure the Council chambers, just in case a move is made to sack the Council before the September
elections.
The Premier wants to meet with "local groups and families" as well as individuals. We say "Premier" because at this stage it is uncertain who that
will be.
SOURCE :
Dawn Fardell MP, Fardell Brings NSW Cabinet to Parkes , Media Release, 11 June 2008.
Minister for Disability visits Parkes , Parkes Champion Post, 16 June 2008.
Fardell brings NSW Cabinet to Parkes , Parkes Champion-Post, 13 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
Dawn Fardell MP (Dubbo) says Morris Iemma has accepted her invitation to hold a community cabinet meeting in the town of Parkes on 29 July
2008.
For self protection, it might be a good idea if community members attending community functions wear protective clothing, or anti terrorists suits.
There are bound to be a few fireworks at the cabinet meeting.
Also, we suggest community members read up on the full list of the Iemma ministerial team and commit to memory names, portfolios and
photographs ( a good starting point would be to look at the ministerial profiles on parliament's website ) just in case they get confronted with the
question "Do you know who I am?". On second thoughts, it may be advisable to learn the entire list of NSW Labor caucus members. Who is in
and who is out of cabinet, these days is a day by day proposition. However, you need not commit to memory Paul Gibson - he is unlikely to be
joining Morris' team any-time soon.
People may already be familiar with Kristina Keneally,MP a keen devotee of the Pope (although not a member of Opus Dei) who visited the town
recently. She is a passionate advocate for the power sell-off and a member of the ruling Terrigals faction.
As for Parkes people who work in the hospitality industry, now would be an ideal time to brush up on customer relations skills, before the big
event. An opportunity exists for the newsagent to make a financial killing. He/she should set up a stall selling statutory declaration forms outside
the various venues. Good prospects of employment exist for counsellors and medicos, and the gym should do a brisk trade. Unfortunately,
things aren't so rosy for taxi drivers, At this stage it is unlikely any ministers will require transportation.
Community members should take steps to secure the Council chambers, just in case a move is made to sack the Council before the September
elections.
The Premier wants to meet with "local groups and families" as well as individuals. We say "Premier" because at this stage it is uncertain who that
will be.
SOURCE :
Dawn Fardell MP, Fardell Brings NSW Cabinet to Parkes , Media Release, 11 June 2008.
Minister for Disability visits Parkes , Parkes Champion Post, 16 June 2008.
Fardell brings NSW Cabinet to Parkes , Parkes Champion-Post, 13 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Remember Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, where one of the characters is Jack in the country -
and Ernest in the city.
IT seems Peter Draper MP (Tamworth) has adopted a similar double persona.
On the very same day that he voted in the parliament (Macquarie Street Sydney- about 500 kms from Tamworh)
to discuss a motion which stated :
That this House condemns the Premier for his weak leadership of the State.
and, thereby indicated his disapproval of discussing an alternative motion relating to NSW's infrastructure requirements, he issued a media
release to the people of Tamworth (about 500kms from Sydney) saying :
There will be a lot of time wasted in Parliament this week pursuing the Iguana Affair, while important issues like health, transport,
water and education are put on the back burner.People are telling me they want to see Parliament get on with the job of responsibly
managing NSW, fixing crumbling infrastructure and providing the services the community expects.
IT's simply unbelievable that Peter Draper could be such a brazen Ernest in Sydney, while at the same time pretending to the people of
Tamworth he is Jack.
He is well served by the tyranny of distance.
IT's simply unfortunate that Peter Draper hasn't learned the lessons Oscar Wilde penned over 100 years ago in 1895.
SOURCES :
Peter Draper MP, Electricity Deals Ignore Public Opinion , Media Release, 17 June 2008.
================================================================================================================
Remember Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, where one of the characters is Jack in the country -
and Ernest in the city.
IT seems Peter Draper MP (Tamworth) has adopted a similar double persona.
On the very same day that he voted in the parliament (Macquarie Street Sydney- about 500 kms from Tamworh)
to discuss a motion which stated :
That this House condemns the Premier for his weak leadership of the State.
and, thereby indicated his disapproval of discussing an alternative motion relating to NSW's infrastructure requirements, he issued a media
release to the people of Tamworth (about 500kms from Sydney) saying :
There will be a lot of time wasted in Parliament this week pursuing the Iguana Affair, while important issues like health, transport,
water and education are put on the back burner.People are telling me they want to see Parliament get on with the job of responsibly
managing NSW, fixing crumbling infrastructure and providing the services the community expects.
IT's simply unbelievable that Peter Draper could be such a brazen Ernest in Sydney, while at the same time pretending to the people of
Tamworth he is Jack.
He is well served by the tyranny of distance.
IT's simply unfortunate that Peter Draper hasn't learned the lessons Oscar Wilde penned over 100 years ago in 1895.
SOURCES :
Peter Draper MP, Electricity Deals Ignore Public Opinion , Media Release, 17 June 2008.
================================================================================================================
MP's SALARIES
In the federal sphere, paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 of the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 says :
1 Salaries
(1) For the purposes of section 48 of the Constitution, the annual allowance payable to Senators and Members of the House of
Representatives (in this Schedule called salary) is as set out in this clause.
(2) The Members of Parliament annual salary is equal to:
(a) the minimum annual rate of salary payable to an SES employee with a classification of SES Band 2; or
(b) if the regulations prescribe a percentage (not more than 100%) of a reference salary—that percentage of the reference salary.
(3) Before the Governor‑General makes a regulation for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the Minister must consider advice from the
Remuneration Tribunal about the proposed regulation.
(4) In this clause:
principal executive classification means a classification determined by the Remuneration Tribunal under subsection 5(2A) of the Remuneration
Tribunal Act 1973.
reference salary means:
(a) the annual salary applicable to an office under a determination of the Remuneration Tribunal; or
(b) the annual salary identified (for the purposes of this clause) as the reference salary for a principal executive classification, in a
determination of the Remuneration Tribunal under subsection 5(2A) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
The federal Remuneration and Allowances Regulations 2005 says in Clause 5 :
5. Remuneration and allowances of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives
For paragraph 1 (2) (b) of Schedule 3 to the Act, the annual salary of a Member of Parliament is equal to 100% of the reference salary for Band
A of the Principal Executive Office classification set out in Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2005/19.
Prior to 2008 the last determination of the salary for Band A of the Principal Executive Office, took effect on 1 July 2007 and was in the amount of
$127,060 per year. This determination was made on 12 June 2007 - Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2007/08 .
RTD 2007/08 replaced Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2007/04 which was made on 7 May 2007 which had set the amount at $121,930
and was to apply from 1 July 2007.
Presently, we do not know why the Tribunal changed its mind within one month.
On 20 June 2006 the Tribunal made Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/11 which applied from 1 July 2006 and set the Band A salary at
$118,950.
On 23 May 2006 the Tribunal made Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/09 which was expressed to apply from 1 July 2006 and set the
amount at $113,930.
Once again we do not know why the Tribunal changed it's mind within one month.
On 8 December 2005 Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2005/19 (now known as the Principal Determination) set the Band A salary as
$111,150 and expressed it to be payable from 1 July 2005..
ON 5 June 2008 the Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2008/10 set the Band A salary at $132,530 - payable from 1 July 2008.
BY VIRTUE of the Act and regulations currently in force (18 June 2008) - the amount of $132,530 will be payable to federal MP's as from 1 July
2008. We have been unable to find any amending Act or regulation that says otherwise - despite the announcement by PM Rudd that MPs would
have a wage freeze this year.
IN NSW the salary of an MP is $500 less than the federal MP salary..
In the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 1989 in section 4 it says :
4 Definition of basic salary
The basic salary is, for the purposes of this Act, the amount of the annual allowance by way of salary payable under the law of the
Commonwealth to a Member of the House of Representatives who is not entitled to any additional salary, less $500
AND in section 5 :
5 Salary of members (other than recognised office holders)
A member who is not a recognised office holder is entitled to be paid a salary at the annual rate of the basic salary.
As at 18 June 2008, it appears NSW MP's will be entitled to $132,030 from 1 July 2008, unless the NSW government amends the Parliamentary
Remuneration Act or the federal government makes new regulations before 1 July 2008.
SOURCES :
Andrew Clennell and Jessica Irvine , Iemma freezes MPs' pay to fight inflation , Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 2008.
In the federal sphere, paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 of the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 says :
1 Salaries
(1) For the purposes of section 48 of the Constitution, the annual allowance payable to Senators and Members of the House of
Representatives (in this Schedule called salary) is as set out in this clause.
(2) The Members of Parliament annual salary is equal to:
(a) the minimum annual rate of salary payable to an SES employee with a classification of SES Band 2; or
(b) if the regulations prescribe a percentage (not more than 100%) of a reference salary—that percentage of the reference salary.
(3) Before the Governor‑General makes a regulation for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the Minister must consider advice from the
Remuneration Tribunal about the proposed regulation.
(4) In this clause:
principal executive classification means a classification determined by the Remuneration Tribunal under subsection 5(2A) of the Remuneration
Tribunal Act 1973.
reference salary means:
(a) the annual salary applicable to an office under a determination of the Remuneration Tribunal; or
(b) the annual salary identified (for the purposes of this clause) as the reference salary for a principal executive classification, in a
determination of the Remuneration Tribunal under subsection 5(2A) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
The federal Remuneration and Allowances Regulations 2005 says in Clause 5 :
5. Remuneration and allowances of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives
For paragraph 1 (2) (b) of Schedule 3 to the Act, the annual salary of a Member of Parliament is equal to 100% of the reference salary for Band
A of the Principal Executive Office classification set out in Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2005/19.
Prior to 2008 the last determination of the salary for Band A of the Principal Executive Office, took effect on 1 July 2007 and was in the amount of
$127,060 per year. This determination was made on 12 June 2007 - Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2007/08 .
RTD 2007/08 replaced Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2007/04 which was made on 7 May 2007 which had set the amount at $121,930
and was to apply from 1 July 2007.
Presently, we do not know why the Tribunal changed its mind within one month.
On 20 June 2006 the Tribunal made Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/11 which applied from 1 July 2006 and set the Band A salary at
$118,950.
On 23 May 2006 the Tribunal made Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/09 which was expressed to apply from 1 July 2006 and set the
amount at $113,930.
Once again we do not know why the Tribunal changed it's mind within one month.
On 8 December 2005 Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2005/19 (now known as the Principal Determination) set the Band A salary as
$111,150 and expressed it to be payable from 1 July 2005..
ON 5 June 2008 the Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2008/10 set the Band A salary at $132,530 - payable from 1 July 2008.
BY VIRTUE of the Act and regulations currently in force (18 June 2008) - the amount of $132,530 will be payable to federal MP's as from 1 July
2008. We have been unable to find any amending Act or regulation that says otherwise - despite the announcement by PM Rudd that MPs would
have a wage freeze this year.
IN NSW the salary of an MP is $500 less than the federal MP salary..
In the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 1989 in section 4 it says :
4 Definition of basic salary
The basic salary is, for the purposes of this Act, the amount of the annual allowance by way of salary payable under the law of the
Commonwealth to a Member of the House of Representatives who is not entitled to any additional salary, less $500
AND in section 5 :
5 Salary of members (other than recognised office holders)
A member who is not a recognised office holder is entitled to be paid a salary at the annual rate of the basic salary.
As at 18 June 2008, it appears NSW MP's will be entitled to $132,030 from 1 July 2008, unless the NSW government amends the Parliamentary
Remuneration Act or the federal government makes new regulations before 1 July 2008.
SOURCES :
Andrew Clennell and Jessica Irvine , Iemma freezes MPs' pay to fight inflation , Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 2008.
| DAY 12 - Belinda Neal in her rightful place - on the front page. |
