| JUNE 2008 Pages - Page 33 |
| THIS IS PAGE 33 OF JUNE 2008 PAGES - JUNE0833 |
IEMMA's DOBBER TACTICS FAIL TO IMPRESS
Remember Premer Iemma's headline grabbing spin : No overseas trips for MP's..
That was back in 2006 - in the lead up to the 2007 election when Mr Iemma was looking for votes.
At the time Simon Benson of the Daily Telegraph reported :
PREMIER Morris Iemma has grounded his entire Cabinet from taking overseas travel and all MPs hoping to go on junkets until the
March 2007 election.
An unofficial directive has been sent out to all ministers banning them from using the winter recess to escape to warmer climes.
.......
The Daily Telegraph understands the Premier has already knocked back three applications for overseas travel from Upper House MPs.
Two were believed to be from Amanda Fazio and one from Christine Robinson -- who were entitled to the trips under the parliamentary
rules.
Private travel by MPs has not been cancelled.
WELL with the election over - and your vote in his favour in the ballot box, Premier Iemma has resorted (without any fanfare)
back to overseas travel with a vengeance.
Apparently the amount spent since the election is in the vicinity of $800,000. Basically half of that amount has been spent
on trips the Premier took.
When asked a question about this in parliament, as usual Premier Iemma did not address the question but instead turned
his answer into a sledge against members of the alternative government.
IT was almost as if, relying on the Terrigals philosophy of 'buying people off', Premier Iemma expected that by giving some alternative
government members overseas trips, they would play by "the rules" - you don't dob on us and we won't dob on you.
IF, as the Premier says - the overseas trips are of no value to taxpayers, we ask these questions :
1. Who authorises these trips ?
2. If the trips are made pursuant to some "rule" of entitlement - then isn't it time that the entitlements were abolished ?
THERE is one thing Iemma is good at - that is shameless "spin".
When at the end of his answer, the Speaker asked : "Has the Premier concluded his answer", a member of the alternative government succinctly
summed up Iemma's situation :
Yeah - he's finished.
NOTE : This retort does not appear in Hansard. I am not prepared to name the prime suspect (just in case I've got it wrong).
SOURCES :
Simon Benson, Jet-set MPs grounded - Iemma's winter junkets ban as election hots up, Daily Telegraph, 14 June, 2006. p. 17
NSW LA HANSARD,Question : Ministerial Overseas Travel , 26 June 2008.
Andrew Clennell & Alexandra Smith, Ministers' travel bill nears $1m , Sydney Morning Herald, 27 June 2008.
Alexandra Smith , London high on list of MPs' itineraries , Sydney Morning Herald, 28 June 2008.
Paul McInerney & Alexandra Smith, Noreen Hay heads off on study excursion , Illawarra Mercury, 28 June 2008.
Linda Silmalis , MPs rush off on free study tours , Sunday telegraph, 29 June 2008.
Simon Chamberlain, Politicians toing -and- throwing overseas , Northern Daily Leader, 1 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
Remember Premer Iemma's headline grabbing spin : No overseas trips for MP's..
That was back in 2006 - in the lead up to the 2007 election when Mr Iemma was looking for votes.
At the time Simon Benson of the Daily Telegraph reported :
PREMIER Morris Iemma has grounded his entire Cabinet from taking overseas travel and all MPs hoping to go on junkets until the
March 2007 election.
An unofficial directive has been sent out to all ministers banning them from using the winter recess to escape to warmer climes.
.......
The Daily Telegraph understands the Premier has already knocked back three applications for overseas travel from Upper House MPs.
Two were believed to be from Amanda Fazio and one from Christine Robinson -- who were entitled to the trips under the parliamentary
rules.
Private travel by MPs has not been cancelled.
WELL with the election over - and your vote in his favour in the ballot box, Premier Iemma has resorted (without any fanfare)
back to overseas travel with a vengeance.
Apparently the amount spent since the election is in the vicinity of $800,000. Basically half of that amount has been spent
on trips the Premier took.
When asked a question about this in parliament, as usual Premier Iemma did not address the question but instead turned
his answer into a sledge against members of the alternative government.
IT was almost as if, relying on the Terrigals philosophy of 'buying people off', Premier Iemma expected that by giving some alternative
government members overseas trips, they would play by "the rules" - you don't dob on us and we won't dob on you.
IF, as the Premier says - the overseas trips are of no value to taxpayers, we ask these questions :
1. Who authorises these trips ?
2. If the trips are made pursuant to some "rule" of entitlement - then isn't it time that the entitlements were abolished ?
THERE is one thing Iemma is good at - that is shameless "spin".
When at the end of his answer, the Speaker asked : "Has the Premier concluded his answer", a member of the alternative government succinctly
summed up Iemma's situation :
Yeah - he's finished.
NOTE : This retort does not appear in Hansard. I am not prepared to name the prime suspect (just in case I've got it wrong).
SOURCES :
Simon Benson, Jet-set MPs grounded - Iemma's winter junkets ban as election hots up, Daily Telegraph, 14 June, 2006. p. 17
NSW LA HANSARD,Question : Ministerial Overseas Travel , 26 June 2008.
Andrew Clennell & Alexandra Smith, Ministers' travel bill nears $1m , Sydney Morning Herald, 27 June 2008.
Alexandra Smith , London high on list of MPs' itineraries , Sydney Morning Herald, 28 June 2008.
Paul McInerney & Alexandra Smith, Noreen Hay heads off on study excursion , Illawarra Mercury, 28 June 2008.
Linda Silmalis , MPs rush off on free study tours , Sunday telegraph, 29 June 2008.
Simon Chamberlain, Politicians toing -and- throwing overseas , Northern Daily Leader, 1 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
REMOVE THE CAUSE
Dr Frank'n'furter :
So - come up to the lab,
And see what's on the slab.
I see you shiver with antici --- pation.
But maybe the rain
Isn't really to blame.
So I'll remove the cause.
But not the symptom.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dr Frank'n'furter :
So - come up to the lab,
And see what's on the slab.
I see you shiver with antici --- pation.
But maybe the rain
Isn't really to blame.
So I'll remove the cause.
But not the symptom.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
IGUANA JOES - A "WIN-WIN" AFFAIR
If one is an devotee of Zero Game theory (for every action there is a corresponding and equal reaction) one
could be forgiven for thinking that the Iguana Joes affair defies the Gods (or should that be Demons?).
The winners from the affair are considerable :-
* Belinda Neal MP (Robertson - NSW federal) has increased her recognition factor from a virtual unknown in her electorate ( Do you know who I
am ) to a national household name.
* Likewise Ray Williams MP (Hawkesbury) has increased his recognition factor after being ejected from parliament for being attacked by a
imitation iguana (the event brought a rare smile to the face of the Premier ).
* Charities are winners - receiving the ministerial salary of John Della Bosca MLC and the committee salary ($14,000 per annum approx) of
Belinda Neal.
* Witnesses to the incident have been paid by media outlets - simply for recounting what happened.
* The club has seen a 25% increase in patronage
* Lawyers stand to make a killing out of the wash up from the affair
* Media and journalists have been provided with a story which William Shakespeare would have killed for.
* Community members have received entertainment and laughter (the best medicine).
HOWEVER - in a return to the point where the whole affair started, the club still has fears :-
Meanwhile, the owners of Iguanas Waterfront say they wish the incident had never occurred.
"You can't pay for the advertising that we've had out of it, but to be tangling with politicians, that's something I don't wish on anybody,"
co-owner Dean Singleton said yesterday.
AND A DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENT - Iguanas Bar, Kings Cross has got some "bad press'.
SOURCES :
Dylan Welch and Andrew Clennell , Iguanas sets the tables as guest list grows , Sydney Morning Herald, 27 June 2008.
Michelle Cazzulino , Iguana Bar's alleged ban on patrons of Lebanese descent , Daily Telegraph, 27 June 2008.
Lizard eats MP: Just another day in 'Iguana Gate' , Hawkesbury Gazette, 3 July 2008.
==================================================================================================================
SEX SELLS - JESUS SAVES
At what stage has society reached when sex is being used to sell Jesus' message ?
According to the Daily Telegraph, a calendar of 12 "sexy' priests is being used to promote World Youth Day.
Images from the calendar are posted on the DT's website [ ONLINE - Hot under the Collar ].
Personally I am not into Catholic priests - but there are lots of gay boys that are. BUT if I was forced to pick one to be marooned on a desert
island with - I'd choose March or September or preferably both - two would be more fun !!! .
see : Michelle Cazzulino , Priests get hot under the collar with a special calendar , Daily Telegraph , 27 June 2008.
==================================================================================================================
At what stage has society reached when sex is being used to sell Jesus' message ?
According to the Daily Telegraph, a calendar of 12 "sexy' priests is being used to promote World Youth Day.
Images from the calendar are posted on the DT's website [ ONLINE - Hot under the Collar ].
Personally I am not into Catholic priests - but there are lots of gay boys that are. BUT if I was forced to pick one to be marooned on a desert
island with - I'd choose March or September or preferably both - two would be more fun !!! .
see : Michelle Cazzulino , Priests get hot under the collar with a special calendar , Daily Telegraph , 27 June 2008.
==================================================================================================================
A DIRECTED ACQUITTAL - NSW TAXPAYERS FACE 'MASSIVE' PAYOUT.
Justice Michael Adams directed a jury to enter a not guilty verdict in favour of a man charged with murder.
A directed "not guilty" verdict is extremely rare, and only made in exceptional circumstances where the prosecution case
is extremely weak. IT is extra-ordinary in a murder trial.
However, the fact that the case was dismissed by way of a directed verdict does not guarantee the accused person will
succeed in a compensation claim. The law in relation to that is very complicated.
BUT surely this is a case where the government must act responsibly and "settle out of court" - irrespective of the legal niceties. IF nothing else a
ex-gratia payment should be made.
OF course the outrageous case of Jonathon Manley still remains uncompensated. He was convicted on evidence obtained when NSW Police
went "expert shopping" (finally finding one in England).
ASSUMING Mr Broeder is able to win on the question of "liability" - what is the amount necessary to compensate him for -
* At the age of 20 years (the beginning of career etc) being locked up for 14 months - away from family, friends and all the normal things people
do as part of the process of moving into adulthood.
* Loss of wages
* Loss of promotional advancement because of interruption to career
* Psychological scarring from imprisonment
* Legal fees fighting the case
* Distress, worry and anxiety whilst awaiting trial
The fair compensation would be a massive amount.
IT will be interesting to see the "moral values" of the government as indicated by it's response to Mr Broeder's claim.
Will it be - oh just another mistake in the system - too bad for Mr Broeder, we will throw him on the scrap heap littered with all the other mistakes
and forget about him.
Will Police Minister David Campbell offer even an apology ?
Failure to pay adequate compensation in this case will be illustrative of what a sad and sorry state, and how morally bankrupt, NSW has become.
SOURCES :
Clementine Cuneo, Richard John Broeder not guilty of murdering Amanda O'Dell , Daily Telegraph, 27 June 2008.
ABC News, Kempsey man acquitted of murder charge , 27 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
Justice Michael Adams directed a jury to enter a not guilty verdict in favour of a man charged with murder.
A directed "not guilty" verdict is extremely rare, and only made in exceptional circumstances where the prosecution case
is extremely weak. IT is extra-ordinary in a murder trial.
However, the fact that the case was dismissed by way of a directed verdict does not guarantee the accused person will
succeed in a compensation claim. The law in relation to that is very complicated.
BUT surely this is a case where the government must act responsibly and "settle out of court" - irrespective of the legal niceties. IF nothing else a
ex-gratia payment should be made.
OF course the outrageous case of Jonathon Manley still remains uncompensated. He was convicted on evidence obtained when NSW Police
went "expert shopping" (finally finding one in England).
ASSUMING Mr Broeder is able to win on the question of "liability" - what is the amount necessary to compensate him for -
* At the age of 20 years (the beginning of career etc) being locked up for 14 months - away from family, friends and all the normal things people
do as part of the process of moving into adulthood.
* Loss of wages
* Loss of promotional advancement because of interruption to career
* Psychological scarring from imprisonment
* Legal fees fighting the case
* Distress, worry and anxiety whilst awaiting trial
The fair compensation would be a massive amount.
IT will be interesting to see the "moral values" of the government as indicated by it's response to Mr Broeder's claim.
Will it be - oh just another mistake in the system - too bad for Mr Broeder, we will throw him on the scrap heap littered with all the other mistakes
and forget about him.
Will Police Minister David Campbell offer even an apology ?
Failure to pay adequate compensation in this case will be illustrative of what a sad and sorry state, and how morally bankrupt, NSW has become.
SOURCES :
Clementine Cuneo, Richard John Broeder not guilty of murdering Amanda O'Dell , Daily Telegraph, 27 June 2008.
ABC News, Kempsey man acquitted of murder charge , 27 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
NURSE PAY RISE
The Daily Telegraph reports :
Nurses Association of NSW general secretary Brett Holmes said 91 per cent of members approved the pay offer
of 3.9 per cent per year starting in July.
Don't know how the figure of 91% was arrived at .We weren't asked orally and didn't comment. Maybe it's time to open and read the Lamp
magazine's that are lying in the corner of the room - maybe there is a survey form in there.
Tony Windsor MP says the world is run by those who turn up - maybe we should start turning up .
P.S. - Letter arrived in the mail yesterday " Notice of Rental Increase" . The rent is going up by 10.2% "Due to comparables in the area and
increased interest rates and levies". The pay rise has already been gobbled up by the rent increase.
SOURCE :
Nuses vote to accept Iemma Government's 8per cent offer , Daily Telegraph, 27 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
The Daily Telegraph reports :
Nurses Association of NSW general secretary Brett Holmes said 91 per cent of members approved the pay offer
of 3.9 per cent per year starting in July.
Don't know how the figure of 91% was arrived at .We weren't asked orally and didn't comment. Maybe it's time to open and read the Lamp
magazine's that are lying in the corner of the room - maybe there is a survey form in there.
Tony Windsor MP says the world is run by those who turn up - maybe we should start turning up .
P.S. - Letter arrived in the mail yesterday " Notice of Rental Increase" . The rent is going up by 10.2% "Due to comparables in the area and
increased interest rates and levies". The pay rise has already been gobbled up by the rent increase.
SOURCE :
Nuses vote to accept Iemma Government's 8per cent offer , Daily Telegraph, 27 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
IEMMA DOESN'T GET IT
Premier Morris Iemma must have been convinced by his multi-million dollar media monitoring unit and his spin-meisters
that the people of NSW are "stupid".
Desperate to get away from the woes of his incompetence as leader and the incompetence of his government, he went for
the sympathy tactic - " We are hurting and we are listening ".
The Australian newspaper reported :
EMBATTLED NSW Premier Morris Iemma says his Government is getting the message from voters after the latest state Newspoll gave
him a "kick in the pants".
.....
"I wasn't surprised, given the tough times the Government has been in, but it's a kick in the pants, a loud message is being delivered,
one that we hear loud and clear," he said today.
NOW just in case you thought there might be lights burning at the end of the tunnel - and this signified Morris Iemma was getting down to work to
do the things that are required to be done in NSW, all hopes went up in flames when he hit the media with his views on polygamy.
The simple fact is that jurisdictional responsibility for marriage (mono or poly) rests with the federal government and it has absolutely nothing to
do with NSW.
BUT the media monitoring service must have picked up on the "polygamy" debate which had surfaced in the media, so presumably the
spinmeisters convinced him he had better make a statement about it in order to get some media attention.
SO , an ever compliant Morris Iemma, took the advice.
The Australian reports :
Asked today if he [ Morris Iemma ] would consider changing the laws, Mr Iemma said, "Absolutely not".
"I'm not going to be changing our laws, which apply to everybody, and everybody knows the laws when they come here, regarding
marriage," he told Fairfax Radio Network.
SO the spinmeisters are sending out conflicting messages :
1. We are getting on with our job in this state, and
2. We are wasting our time discussing matters irrelevant to the state.
The spinmeisters should have told Morris Iemma - "If you get asked a question about polygamy say : I have been too busy attending to the affairs
of NSW to think about polygamy. NSW has no jurisdiction over polygamy and we can't make laws about it. I don't want to waste time talking about
matters not related to NSW - I have much to do in attending to the needs of NSW. If you want an opinion on that go to the federal government
who have the responsibility for it."
IT seems these days, even the spinmeisters are in a dither, and can't stay on message.
SOURCES :
We're getting the message, Iemma says , The Australian , 26 June 2008.
Iemma: We won't change polygamy laws , The Australian , 26 June 2008.
No change laws against polygamy: Iemma , The Age , 26 June 2008.
Premier Morris Iemma must have been convinced by his multi-million dollar media monitoring unit and his spin-meisters
that the people of NSW are "stupid".
Desperate to get away from the woes of his incompetence as leader and the incompetence of his government, he went for
the sympathy tactic - " We are hurting and we are listening ".
The Australian newspaper reported :
EMBATTLED NSW Premier Morris Iemma says his Government is getting the message from voters after the latest state Newspoll gave
him a "kick in the pants".
.....
"I wasn't surprised, given the tough times the Government has been in, but it's a kick in the pants, a loud message is being delivered,
one that we hear loud and clear," he said today.
NOW just in case you thought there might be lights burning at the end of the tunnel - and this signified Morris Iemma was getting down to work to
do the things that are required to be done in NSW, all hopes went up in flames when he hit the media with his views on polygamy.
The simple fact is that jurisdictional responsibility for marriage (mono or poly) rests with the federal government and it has absolutely nothing to
do with NSW.
BUT the media monitoring service must have picked up on the "polygamy" debate which had surfaced in the media, so presumably the
spinmeisters convinced him he had better make a statement about it in order to get some media attention.
SO , an ever compliant Morris Iemma, took the advice.
The Australian reports :
Asked today if he [ Morris Iemma ] would consider changing the laws, Mr Iemma said, "Absolutely not".
"I'm not going to be changing our laws, which apply to everybody, and everybody knows the laws when they come here, regarding
marriage," he told Fairfax Radio Network.
SO the spinmeisters are sending out conflicting messages :
1. We are getting on with our job in this state, and
2. We are wasting our time discussing matters irrelevant to the state.
The spinmeisters should have told Morris Iemma - "If you get asked a question about polygamy say : I have been too busy attending to the affairs
of NSW to think about polygamy. NSW has no jurisdiction over polygamy and we can't make laws about it. I don't want to waste time talking about
matters not related to NSW - I have much to do in attending to the needs of NSW. If you want an opinion on that go to the federal government
who have the responsibility for it."
IT seems these days, even the spinmeisters are in a dither, and can't stay on message.
SOURCES :
We're getting the message, Iemma says , The Australian , 26 June 2008.
Iemma: We won't change polygamy laws , The Australian , 26 June 2008.
No change laws against polygamy: Iemma , The Age , 26 June 2008.