Political Self-interest Couldn’t Give a Flying Fiddle

Fiona Uncategorized

From our formidable Lioness:

Why has Gladys allowed the cricket to have spectators? Was she pushed into that decision by Tony Shepherd and the other old white men of the SCG Trust?

Another thing about the cricket – the media and every politician in NSW keeps blathering on about 24,000 people, half the normal 48,000 capacity of the SCG. That’s just for one day. The 3rd test goes for five days with the last day being the main fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation. Not everyone wants to or can afford to attend every day of a test .Do the maths. Work out the potential audience. It could well be a huge super-spreader event. No wonder Gladys has taken the week off.

That’s not all. There are two BBL series at the SCG and the Showground Stadium scheduled for January 13- 26. It has not yet been decided if spectators will be allowed.

This is a yet another flagrant example of Gladeyes’ preferencing her own political career over the well-being of New South Wales AND the rest of Australia.

Despicable doesn’t even begin to describe her behaviour.

455 thoughts on “Political Self-interest Couldn’t Give a Flying Fiddle”

  1. Recommended 5 stars

    This guy is good, USA politics, but this talk exactly applies to Australia’s clean energy issues. This is what our media should be discussing if it was not biased and ignoring the broader arguments. The comeback about jobs in renewables is brilliant. We just do not have this level of analysis here/

    The players are
    Ted Cruz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz Republican Senator.
    Pete_Buttigieg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Buttigieg Democrat, Biden’s Sec for Transportation

  4. A Canberra doctor has handed back her Order of Australia Medal in protest against the awarding of the nation’s highest honour to tennis great Margaret Court.

    The decision to promote Ms Court from an Officer of the Order of Australia to a Companion has already come under fire from two state premiers and LGBT groups concerned about her past criticisms of same-sex marriage.

    Ms Court, a minister in the Pentecostal Church, has been outspoken in her views against same-sex relationships and transgender people.

    Clara Tuck Meng Soo has now written to Governor-General David Hurley informing him that she no longer wants her OAM.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-24/canberra-doctor-returns-oam-in-protest-against-margaret-court/13086694

    • Very tightly written for a performer looking like a 1960s Jackie Kennedy, just to remind the viewer of America’s glory days

  8. I really like this channel. The host is really good, and even though it is the USA legal system, he regularly does the legalities of politics. He is scathing of Right-Wing and others use of dubious legal arguments. His style is light and amusing while very serious. He comments on legal scenes in movies and TV shows,giving them a rating for reality and it is quite funny, and an effective teaching tool.

    I wish we had a Legal Eagle in Australia, especially about our Constitution. Then we could track any funnybuggers as they happen.

    The important bit is his style of delivery, that even non-lawyers can enjoy.
    LegalEaglehttps://www.youtube.com/c/LegalEagle/featured covering the movie Liar Liar, lol.

    1.67M subscribers

    Description
    Do you want to know how our legal system works? You’ve come to the right place. LegalEagle is all about giving you an insider’s view to the legal system. Have some fun and learn to think like a lawyer.

    I get asked a lot about whether being a practicing attorney is like being a lawyer on TV. I love watching legal movies and courtroom dramas. It’s one of the reasons I decided to become a lawyer. But sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out because they are ridiculous. So I created this channel to answer your burning questions about the law and the legal profession. While all legal movies and shows take dramatic license to make things more interesting (nobody wants to see hundreds of hours of brief writing), many of them have a grain of truth. Learn everything you always wanted to know about being an attorney!

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  9. 90 minute lecture in English by A.L. Kennedy after brief introduction in German
    discussing manufactured anger being used to manipulate people, sound echoes

  10. If we’re posting longer discussions, this podcast is worth listening to, if you’re interested in political theory applied to current events. Many angles covered. The Know Your Enemy podcast is a U.S. Leftist guide to the Right. One of the presenters grew up in a conservative christian house before moving left, so knows it from the inside, and both presenters are very well read. No dumb takes or from shooting the hip stuff.

  11. Grrrrr!

    Gladys is selling off another TAFE campus, this time in the Hunter Valley. It’s being marketed as suitable for an equine agribusiness- in simpler words a horse-breeding establishment. Or maybe a housing development. Or perhaps a restaurant.

    The place is being sold because Scone TAFE has been replaced with a ” highly successful Connected Learning Centre in the Scone CBD.”

    A connected learning centre is just a room with computers and monitors. It is not “highly successful”, iin every town where this disaster has been inflicted the results are the same – dismal failures. These centres are just an attempt to replace TAFE teachers with online programs.Can you imagine how disastrous having, say, a hairdresser or a metal-worker taught via a computer program with no opportunity to have actual staff available to supervise hands-on experience would be?

    https://www.colliers.com.au/en-au/properties/horse-capital-of-australia/aus-2-flemington-drive-scone-nsw-2337/aus66011781?fbclid=IwAR04s0DzxWFmhGyeBTVrGMcNW6NE868bQOqOXl-wVNzV1gKUnBL3JmJgZRU

    NSW – The Dumb State.

  13. Good morning Dawn Patrollers

    Lisa Visentin writes that advocacy groups are backing a new campaign to force social media companies to keep a list of popular material shared on their platforms to help combat misinformation.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/push-for-new-laws-to-tackle-covid-19-misinformation-ahead-of-vaccine-rollout-20210124-p56wg3.html
    Bevan Shiels reports that world leaders will be urged to look beyond the coronavirus crisis and refocus on climate change during the first major economic summit held since the pandemic began and Donald Trump left the White House and he says all eyes will be on Xi Jinping
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/all-eyes-on-xi-jinping-as-elite-davos-forum-urges-renewed-focus-on-climate-change-20210122-p56waa.html
    And Rob Harris tells us that ahead of the above summit Australia will join Britain and more than 100 countries in a global push for increased urgency for nations to adapt to climate change and the increased droughts, heat waves, cyclones, devastating storms, floods and rising sea levels that come with it.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-to-join-100-nations-in-climate-resilience-pledge-ahead-of-un-summit-20210124-p56wg8.html
    Ross Gittins is less than impressed with the Coalition’s attitude to public servants and that of Morrison in particular.
    https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/pm-s-trust-and-respect-for-public-servants-vital-for-the-economy-20210124-p56wea.html
    According to Paul Karp, Anthony Albanese has signalled Labor will take improved workplace bargaining policies to the next election to boost wages but will defer a 2035 emissions reduction target until the Coalition shows its hand.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/24/anthony-albanese-signals-possible-return-to-labors-2019-workplace-policies
    Scott Morrison says he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping only if there are no conditions for restarting dialogue, as he warned that Beijing’s global outlook had become “more inconsistent” with Australia’s sovereign interests, writes The Australian’s Greg Brown.
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/china-talks-only-if-there-are-no-conditions-scott-morrison-says/news-story/5ccc2490da78cc2cee8969aa3284f277
    And Phil Coorey reports that Anthony Albanese has written to Scott Morrison suggesting he enlist the support of two of his predecessors, Howard and Rudd, to end the damaging stand-off with China.
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-should-enlist-howard-rudd-on-china-albanese-20210124-p56wer
    The editorial in the AFR says that Canberra and the Biden administration are natural allies on trade – if awkwardly out of step on climate.
    https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/biden-restores-a-sense-of-ease-to-our-core-alliance-20210122-p56w2e
    As Joe Biden moves to double the US minimum wage, Australia can’t be complacent says Van Badham.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/25/as-joe-biden-moves-to-double-the-us-minimum-wage-australia-cant-be-complacent
    The British government is stretching out the gap between first and second shots of the Pfizer vaccine as it seeks to ensure as many people as possible can be given some protection from an initial vaccine dose.
    https://www.afr.com/world/europe/uk-vaccine-strategy-under-fire-as-death-toll-nears-100-000-20210124-p56whe
    Paul Karp writes that a coalition of health experts is saying tech companies should be forced to reveal the most viral Covid-19 material online to bring misinformation to the surface where it can be refuted.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/25/tech-companies-should-be-forced-to-reveal-viral-covid-19-material-health-experts-say
    The campaign to change the date of Australia Day from January 26 is supported by fewer than a third of Australians although half believe the contentious date will be shifted within 10 years, writes Jewel Topsfield.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/almost-half-oppose-campaign-to-change-australia-day-date-poll-20210124-p56wfw.html
    Amanda Vanstone chimes in with this contribution headlined, “On Australia Day in the lucky country, let’s focus on achievements”. Actually, it’s not culture warrior stuff.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/on-australia-day-in-the-lucky-country-let-s-focus-on-achievements-20210124-p56wf1.html
    The SMH editorial believes Australia should respect our past, present and future in national celebration.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/respect-our-past-present-and-future-in-national-celebration-20210124-p56whr.html
    Australia Day used to be an obvious and uncontroversial occasion for brands to endear themselves to Australian consumers. No longer, say these contributors to The Conversation.
    https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-cricket-australia-day-isnt-the-commercial-winner-it-used-to-be-153633
    Kevin Rudd has changed his mind about January 26. He writes why it cannot stand as our national day and suggests we should change the day to celebrate the triumph of Mabo.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-date-for-our-shared-destiny-let-s-move-australia-day-to-mark-the-triumph-of-mabo-20210124-p56wee.html
    Tim Wilson has some ideas about refreshing our honours system.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-case-for-remaking-our-honours-system-with-the-help-of-our-indigenous-traditions-20210124-p56wf8.html
    William Olson writes about the Senate inquiry’s bumpy ride that awaits, given the tech giants’ “blackmail” tactics.
    https://theaimn.com/inquirys-bumpy-ride-awaits-after-tech-giants-blackmail-tactics/
    Alan Kohler says Google is not bluffing and wonders if Bing come to the government’s rescue.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/01/25/alan-kohler-google-bing-search/
    Alan Tudge says that digital vaccination certificates could provide a pathway to bringing large numbers of international students into Australian universities, without a need for quarantine.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/digital-vaccine-certificates-could-enable-international-students-to-return-minister-20210124-p56weq.html
    Australia’s outmoded electoral system must change if we are to see the end of dirty tactics like branch stacking, writes Dr Klaas Woldring.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/our-political-culture-is-rotting-at-its-core,14716
    Republican divisions over Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial came into clearer focus on Sunday, as the former president spent his first weekend out of office plotting revenge against those he says betrayed him. Popcorn time?
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-impeachment-trial-senate-republican-party-romney-rubio
    The former US coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx has said people in the Trump White House considered Covid-19 a hoax.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/deborah-birx-trump-white-house-covid-deniers
    Donald Trump is gone but his big lie is a rallying call for rightwing extremists, warns Ed Pilkington.
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-big-lie-american-democracy
    Robert Reich tells Americans not to believe the anti-Trump hype as corporate sedition still endangers their country.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-twitter-facebook-corporate-sedition

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  14. He needs to grow up

    Communications minister Paul Fletcher has taken umbrage with an article on the ABC that provided a list of events happening on 26 January.

    The article was headlined: “Australia Day/Invasion Day 2021 events for Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin”.

    Now, I am not a federal minister, but to me this makes sense because half of the events in the list were Invasion Day events. It’s just a descriptive headline.

    Fletcher disagreed. In a statement, he said:

    The ABC online article is incorrect about Australia Day.

    The ABC has clearly got this one wrong.

    The name of our national day is well understood and supported, and for the ABC to suggest otherwise – that in some way Invasion Day is interchangeable with Australia Day – is clearly wrong.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/25/australia-news-live-sa-nsw-victoria-heatwave-safety-warnings-covid-19-queensland-police-australia-day-invasion

  15. Excellent idea from Kevin Rudd to celebrate Australia Day on 3 June – Mabo Day, and to also to do this –

    To give June 3 additional meaning, it should also become the date of the final act of constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians through a Voice to Parliament as requested in the 2017 Uluru Statement, and a Treaty which confirms it

    It would give us all something to celebrate, but it will not happen under the current racist government. The only way to get that indigenous voice in parliament and to have a treaty is to boot this government out.

    Rudd also points out the absurdity of having our national day commemorate the founding of a penal settlement.

    What is it with Australians? We not only have our national day reminding us of all the wrong things but we also chose ANZAC Day as a national day of remembrance despite it being all about – once again – British bastardy in sacrificing “colonials”.The whole operation was a disaster, the best-planned part was the final retreat, and yet for who knows what reason we have this as a national day of remembering those who died in wars. Why?

  17. The CrimeMinister is rewriting history yet again and as usual the media allow him to get away with his lies.

    Today, in response to a question about using former detention centres and mining camps as quarantine accommodation he claimed Australia’s detention centres were built “under the previous government” – meaning the Rudd/Gillard government.

    I mean, if people are suggesting that we rebuild all the detention facilities that were built under the previous government in relation to the border crisis – well, we all know how much that cost, and we all know how that worked

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/25/australia-news-live-sa-nsw-victoria-heatwave-safety-warnings-covid-19-queensland-police-australia-day-invasion

    No, they were not.

    Most of those currently operating were built during the Howard years. (I include Nauru and Manus Island here) or by earlier Coalition governments. Some that had been mothballed were re-opened by Labor in 2010-2013.

    The CrimeMinister was once Immigration Minister, responsible for detention centres, so that makes this lie even worse.

  18. I am really regretting my new subscription to Crikey, it is written by young right wing ignorant journalists

  22. Just some information – because I’m sick to death of people getting these two residences mixed up.

    This is Kirribilli House, Sydney residence of the PM.

    And this is Admiralty House, Sydney residence of the GG –

    Now, stop getting them confused. It’s bad enough having a PM who won’t move his family into The Lodge without constantly being told Admiralty House is the home of the PM.

  31. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Commiserations to all of you who missed out again on an Order of Australia honour.

    David Crowe writes about the new Australian of the Year who says it is time for a symbolic shift to change the date of Australia Day amid a growing debate about the founding of the country and the treatment of First Australians. That will go down well with the culture warriors!
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-costs-us-nothing-australian-of-the-year-says-change-the-date-20210125-p56wn7.html
    Speaking of culture warriors, Dennis Shanahan tells us that Tony Abbott will lead a new movement to defend and revive traditional Australian values, as a report to be published on Tuesday warns of a collapse of living standards over the past two decades. I didn’t pick up that Abbott has been appointed as a Fellow of the IPA/
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/tony-abbott-seeks-return-to-values/news-story/58bea9a0d0337b5c932e2563b2770875
    Meanwhile Kerry O’Brien has declined to accept the offer of an AO citing “there was something ‘fundamentally wrong with a system that can produce such a deeply insensitive and divisive decision’.”
    https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/kerry-o-brien-refuses-order-of-australia-after-margaret-court-honour-20210125-p56wpk.html
    Peter Hartcher examines the ANZUS treaty and how Trump would have used, or not used, it.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-asked-would-the-us-defend-australia-if-we-were-attacked-the-answer-is-sobering-20210125-p56wmd.html
    Historian Jonathan King reckons the heat could easily be taken out of the increasingly controversial Australia Day celebrations if we changed the date from the Sydney-centric January 26 to May 9 – when, in 1901, Australia’s first parliament was opened in Melbourne’s Exhibition Building, bringing the political nation of Australia into being.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/simple-solution-to-solve-australia-day-controversy-20210124-p56whw.html
    Jenna Price does not hold back, saying the Order of Australia honours are a shameful embarrassment.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/order-of-australia-honours-are-a-shameful-embarrassment-20210124-p56wif.html
    Matt Thistlethwaite goes all the way and says Australian MPs should serve the people, not the Queen.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-mps-should-serve-the-people-not-the-queen-20210125-p56wii.html
    Scott Morrison is wrong – Cricket Australia has every right to deal with important social issues. But CA has done more harm than good in its decision to drop the words ‘Australia Day’ from its promotions, writes Andrew Webster.
    https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/how-cricket-australia-blew-its-australia-day-stance-20210125-p56wp4.html
    Aaron Patrick reports o how Morrison is softening us up for a delay in the vaccination program.
    https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/pm-begins-to-lower-vaccine-expectations-20210125-p56wm1
    The CSIRO has released a detailed circular economy roadmap identifying major challenges including inconsistencies across states, a lack of reprocessing capacity and the continued loss of materials to landfill and dumping.
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/26/australia-at-risk-of-losing-billions-of-dollars-in-revenue-without-cultural-shift-to-re-use
    According to The Australian, Nationals MPs are set to reignite a climate row within the Coalition, proposing a manufacturing plan supported by more coal-fired power as the Morrison government pledges to work with Joe Biden to reduce emissions.
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nationals-push-for-coal-to-save-manufacturing-jobs/news-story/149e59cf11435d1e507f57b98b062fa4
    THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH is not the only established institution to have neglected its solemn duty to the people of the United States, Australia and some other countries in recent years. But it is arguably now the most culpable, given its mission, its power and the nature of the evils infesting these nations, writes Alan Austin.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/religious-communities-failed-the-usa-and-are-also-failing-australia,14731
    Australia’s recession is weird and wacky but not our worst opines Greg Jericho.
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2021/jan/26/australias-recession-is-weird-and-wacky-but-not-our-worst
    The Government’s fetish for deregulation plays right into the hands of predatory multinationals Uber and Deliveroo which exploit both Australia’s tax and labour laws to siphon profits overseas. Michael West and Callum Foote report on Uber’s exploitation and the prospective tsunami of lawsuits rolling its way.
    https://www.michaelwest.com.au/uber-xploitation-ubers-secret-settlement-presages-a-wave-of-lawsuits/
    Dominic Powell writes that corporate governance experts are urging more big companies to repay funds received through JobKeeper, warning taxpayers will bear the cost for decades. (Why can’t the government dust off and modify its wonderful Robodebt system to gouge back this unjustified largesse!)
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/unjustly-enriched-mounting-calls-for-corporate-australia-to-repay-jobkeeper-as-profits-recover-20210125-p56wlf.html
    David Crowe reports that Malcolm Turnbull has urged the Morrison government to end a policy “vacuum” on climate change by seizing on the new agenda from US President Joe Biden to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/use-biden-agenda-to-commit-to-net-zero-malcolm-turnbull-20210125-p56wnf.html
    A desperate shortage of disability service workers has prompted calls for a campaign to attract employees made redundant in COVID-19-hit industries.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/seeking-work-critical-industry-needs-120-000-no-experience-necessary-20210120-p56vlz.html
    Andrew Rawnsley details the significant downsides of living in a post-Brexit Great Britain.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/24/bill-for-boris-johnson-brexit-is-coming-punishingly-steep
    A voting machine company has filed a $US1.3 billion lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani, accusing him of defamation in what it called his “big lie” campaign about widespread fraud in the presidential election, court documents show. What a bloody idiot that man has devolved into.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-lawyer-giuliani-faces-us1-3b-lawsuit-over-big-lie-election-fraud-claims-20210126-p56wsj.html
    Let’s give a big welcome home to the atrocious multiple nominee for “Arsehole of the Week” honour, Malka Leifer.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/alleged-paedophile-malka-leifer-boards-flight-to-australia-reports-20210125-p56wr1.html

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  33. Because the media won’t show this stuff.

    A video of the latest recipient of the CrimeMinister’s largesse, Margaret Court, busy “faith healing” in her church –

    Bigot Margaret Court, who declared her church would continue to meet in defiance of health measures because it was protected from #COVID19 "by the blood of Christ", literally "heals" her flock by BREATHING ON THEM!She's a potential super spreader.#auspolhttps://t.co/Cc02M2iv8d pic.twitter.com/4dPgdAusvZ— Séan (Restes chez toi ou portes un masque putain!) (@esseeeayeenn) January 24, 2021

    There is also a Facebook video floating around Twitter showing Ms Court speaking in tongues. I’ll try to post it, but as Facebook has changed its format it might not work.

    Ms Court breaks the rules clearly explained in the Bible – women must not speak in church, no-one is to speak in tongues unless a translator is present. If there is no interpreter they must remain silent.
    1 Corinthians 14:33-35
    1 Corinthians 14:27-28

  34. 25 January is the Scottish Bard Robbie Burns night

    In the Guardian Rolloutthelzal commented . . . . .

    While Hancock’s left to at least give the impression of turning up for work, Johnson’s non-essential vanity trips — plus the daily dip into the dressing-up box — may keep tabloid picture editors busy, but his crusading jaunt to Scotland will only result in yet further derision for his abject nakedness. I’m sure The Bard would find some words…

    Address to a Boris

    Awa’ wi’ yer lyin’, pudgy face
    Chief conman o the Tory race
    Aw silver spuin, a waste o space
    Aw tripe, nae guts.
    Ye’re soon tae pay fur the disgrace
    Of yer cruel cuts.

    Yer groanin’ trencher there ye fill
    Yer hurdies like twa dimpled hills
    Yer plate wad hulp to feed a million
    Weans in need.
    While thro yer press whores lies still spill
    Like choukie feed.

    Yer lies gie Covid patients fright
    We mind yer ev’ry glaikit slight
    When trenchin’ breathless corpses tight
    In unmarked ditch.
    And ye? O whit a hideous sight
    Cake-reekin, rich.

    In hi-viz jaikit, coupon buffed
    Hard hat, hair-net, a mop, chest puffed
    Ye dinnae care yer country’s stuffed
    By old schuil chums.
    Fuid rots in docks yet ye’ve enough
    Tae glut yer gums.

    While ye trough thro yer French ragout
    Or olio that wad burst a coo
    It’s neeps and tatties in oor stew
    We’re keepin’ thinner.
    Yet ye sit sneerin’, scornfu’ too
    Wi’ ten course dinner.

    Poor “Boris” thocht he’d be World King
    Wi’ peasants kissin’ his gowd ring
    But noo he lives oan a shoestring
    He’s charged fur fuid!
    And maintenance fur his offspring!
    Nae bluidy guid!

    Pure feart o lassies, men and boys
    Yon Tories plot tae droun the noise
    Of true control, of fair free choice
    Fur independence.
    Oor sov’rinty yields not oor vyce
    Tae yer “acceptance”.

    Conmen, wha mak free folk thair slave
    Unite us mair oor land tae save
    New Scotland’s soon tae rule her wave
    Tae reach new glories.
    Be safe, oor southern pals, be brave:
    Just ditch the Tories.

    To the immortal memory of Robert Burns.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/25/therese-coffey-covid-deaths-are-basically-uks-fault-for-being-old-and-fat

    • The comments are really savage, here is another

      Thérèse Coffey strikes me as someone who would unplug a life support machine to charge her phone.

  38. About the shortage of disability support workers.

    First – why on earth did Nine choose to illustrate their article with a picture more appropriate to a story on aged care?

    That said – as I’ve said here about a zillion times I used to be involved with a disability service as a volunteer board member, well before the NDIS arrived. Part of my duties involved being on the panel which selected new employees, so I had to learn a lot, very quickly, about what the service (an excellent one at that time) required.

    With the arrival of the NDIS things have changed, not always for the better, so bear that in mind.

    First – no-one was even considered for an interview unless they had minimum qualifications of a TAFE certificate in disability or were working on obtaining one. That was crucial, yet it doesn’t get a mention in the article. Whoever wrote it assumes any unemployed person can just waltz into a service and get a job. Many applicants had far more qualifications – our best ever recruit was a woman who had a uni degree and several diplomas and had been working in aged care as a diversional therapist but thought she needed a change. She was brilliant.

    Next – even TAFE studies do not prepare you for the tasks you will have to do every day, ranging from changing adult nappies to constantly mopping up drool (and worse) to dealing with behaviour meltdowns, biting and violence. Remember, these are disabled adults we are talking about, they are mostly intellectually disabled, most with added physical problems. Some are non-verbal which means carers have to learn Auslan or whatever sign language a client uses – if they use one at all.

    The article implies that the NDIS has casualised jobs in disability support. That is not true. Support work has always been paid at an hourly rate and is low pay anyway. Staff burnout is a big issue. Not all staff last long enough to become burnt out – many give up in their first week, unable to cope with the less than pleasant aspects of the job. I saw one young woman who did not return after her first day of on-the-job orientation, an easy day where she did not meet the most demanding clients.

    Most support workers have another job, or two, or three, to make ends meet. I’ve known people who took night shifts at supported accommodation hostels, or did something entirely unrelated to disabilities to get away from the whole system for a few hours. Some do bar work, one man did the late afternoon shift at a local cinema. Most support work is with services that only offer employment part-time. The service I dealt with operated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. although out of hours care was available to those who needed it and who had the funding to pay for it. Other local services were much the same. Basically it’s respite care – the clients turn up each day and work to an individual program which often includes community-based activities like going shopping for ingredients for a cookery class (which is why you often see a group at the supermarket) or doing something recreational like ten-pin bowling, seeing a movie or going to a club for lunch. There are perks for workers in all this -clients pay the cost of outings via their funding.

    Clients come to regard their service as a second home, they make friends with other clients and often see them at weekends. Some have part-time jobs at places like Big W or a local car dealer where they develop skills even though they will never be able to move on to full-time work. Some – a very few – do manage to make that transition.

    It’s not an easy job, despite the sunny picture painted by Nine and despite the perks. Many workers use it as a stepping stone to something better, as aged care workers often do. The part-time nature of the work allows time for study, if that’s your aim.

    Good luck to Shane White who at least enjoys the work so far. Many support workers would understand why he does, they also enjoy their work, but it takes a very special person to stay in this job for years. It is not a solution to unemployment, more of a vocation.

    • I endorse Leonie’s comments.

      I cared for my fiance after a car accident but no one would select me for a caring role, even my family was pleasantly surprised at how well I performed my role

      Don’t think I could do it for anyone outside close family

  39. From BK’s news feed: “Dennis Shanahan tells us that Tony Abbott will lead a new movement to defend and revive traditional Australian values”. I can’t read the article so I guess that is a black mark for me but I can’t imagine Abbot doing it for free so I wonder who is picking up the bill?

    • Let me see

      Tony Abbott’s idea of Aussie values
      1. leave the women at home
      2. drop in on chicks surfing the wave you want
      3. discuss cricket, international affairs with conservative catholic preferably former military
      4. sink beers
      5. improve ties to “mother country” works a treat for Germans, Chinese, Turks etc. Indians probably choke on their chapattis
      6. Ignore aboriginal people, culture & land conservation practices

  43. Seth Meyers –

    Stephen Colbert –

    Jimmy Kimmel –

    Brianna Kielar –

    Brian Tyler Cohen –

  47. Elizabeth Minter writing for Michael West –

    Bushfire Rorts: Coalition targets bushfire recovery funds for Coalition seat

    Federal and state funds for bushfire recovery have been heavily skewed in favour of state Coalition seats with NSW State Labor picking up just 1% of $177 million handed out. Elizabeth Minter investigates how a fast-tracked fund with no name directed grants to the timber industry, coalition donor Visy and community infrastructure that was not in accordance with project guidelines. There was even a $194,000 grant to Snives Hives, a business on the leafy Upper North Shore suburb of St Ives to “establish a Meadery to make and wholesale honey wine on the Central Coast”

    https://www.michaelwest.com.au/bushfire-rorts-coalition-targets-bushfire-recovery-funds-for-coalition-seats/

    New thread https://pbxmastragics.com/2021/01/26/illegitimi-non-carborundum/comment-page-1/#comment-324714

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