We continue to await the return of Newspoll for the year, which I imagine might be forthcoming ahead of the return of parliament next week. With Essential Research having an off week in the fortnightly cycle, this leaves me with nothing to report on the poll front. Two bits of electoral news worth noting are that the Liberals won the supplementary election for the Victorian state seat of Narracan as expected on Saturday, confirming lower house numbers of 56 for Labor, 19 for the Liberals, nine for the Nationals and four for the Greens; and that Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has announced that the by-election for the seat of Arafura, following the death of Labor member Lawrence Costa on December 17, will be held on March 18. With that, over to you.
Yesterday afternoon I heard an interview on Radio National of a woman who wants the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to exonerate the women executed as witches in Salem in 1694 and apologise to their descendants.
I am inclined to put this in the First World Problems folder
A new ICAC commissioner would do well by grabbing a few auditor reports.
Mostly Interestedsays:
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 10:46 am
It seems to suggest that the change of policy wasn’t a Partyroom decision.
Open for comments in The Guardian:
“The no side in the voice referendum has misread the mood among migrants”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/03/the-no-side-in-the-voice-referendum-has-misread-the-mood-among-migrants
Shellbell
I’ll be appealing
”The Australian’s editorial begins with, “As a reflection of the cowardice that tends to afflict members of our political class, it would be hard to go past the non-appearance of Anthony Albanese, Dominic Perrottet and other political figures at George Pell’s funeral…”
The Australian is a crapsheet like its tabloid stablemates. Criticism is fair enough, but why “cowardice”? Why not argue the case that the Prime Minister and Premier should have attended? “Cowardice” might have been to attend for fear of being criticised if they don’t. To have attended and even given insincere eulogies to curry favour would have been hyprocrisy.
Both men would have carefully considered whether or not to attend. Both men are Catholic, although the Prime Minister is non-practising. They both decided not to attend, but without making a fuss about it. The Australian decided to make a fuss. Funny, they bang on about this and totally ignore the Robodebt Royal Commission. Why would that be?
I thought the avoidance of the Pell funeral by the catholic PM and Premier was brave, not cowardly.
I think Rowe’s $5 note cartoon was pick of the bunch this morning.
The topic was discussed for an hour on Night Life last night but I don’t think Pell cracked a mention.
“They failed their central duty it seems to me. And I cannot see why. Certainly they were overworked, but so was everyone. That will, I think be the most interesting evidence in the fourth block.”
100%; although there is every reason to think the ombudsman was as rigged / politicised as the AAT and every single other corner if the APS.
For RC viewer information
re current witness: information from Linked in.
I am a Partner in our Government and Public Service Consulting practice, and lead our Federal Government consulting team. I bring over twenty years of experience in corporate advisory roles in the public and private sector. During this time I have provided high quality strategy, operating model, financial management, budgeting and financial process improvement advice to both the public and the private sector in Australia.
Q: I am inclined to put this in the First World Problems folder
I think the rounding up and murdering women by the state, primarily based on religious fervour, is a crime that deserves to be addressed..should be quick and uncontroversial process I would have thought..
Of course this is America…
Water theft on a grand scale!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/03/nsw-irrigator-hit-with-350000-fine-for-water-theft-offences
Have any other news outlets reported this?
Mostly Interested says:
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 10:46 am
According to the Party Room podcast Senator Lidia Thorpe isn’t at/didnt attend the Greens retreat to decide their position on the Voice referendum.
So how does that work if they don’t have their FN spokesperson in the room to decide such an important FN matter?
At around 22 minutes:
https://castbox.fm/vb/567724836
____________
Sounds like the Retreat worked as well as Sir Humphrey’s Hospital With No Patients…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAk448volww
…including this gem: “We don’t measure our success by results but by activity…”
Is the Greens’ Voice Retreat (sans their First Nations’ Spokesperson) a result, an activity or…
BL
This guy from PwC is no star! The Commissioner is unimpressed. Mr Greggery is building up to something, methinks.
Themunz: A simple google search shows several media outlets covering the water theft story.
Water theft on a grand scale!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/03/nsw-irrigator-hit-with-350000-fine-for-water-theft-offences
_______
And they should be ordered to give it back to the system!
“This guy from PwC is no star! ”
The only guy I’ve ever met from PwC that I thought was a star was the one put into the naughty corner for leaking treasury secrets.
Although they bought a number of extraordinarily good tax lawyers when they took out greenwoods
Perhaps if the Liberal and National Parties promote themselves as the CCCC.
That would accurately describe the Combined Coalition of Crime and Corruption in a contemporary setting.
Barilaro, another despot in a thoroughly unethical and morally corrupt political affiliation distributing largesse without regard for equality and fairness.
The MSM continue to take a soft approach to acres of dishonesty and misuse of public office, making a mockery of the the first world status of Australia.
Any well needed criticism of the CCCC is answered with a qualified “what about…..”.
The Combined brass necks from the CCCC would bring a briad smile to any third world dictator’s wry observation.
BK
To my mind, the performance so far definitely does not match the Linked in characterisation…… and he lead(s) our Federal Government consulting team !
BK
Greggery has the draft report I’d guess. I’d speculate DHS knew what the final report was gunna say so canned the project and paid the bill.
Murky business.
Rossmcg
Yes, I have been thinking the same. I think this might have Ms Campbell’s fingerprints all over it.
Commissioner lining up some more of her ducks?
“BK
To my mind, the performance so far definitely does not match the Linked in characterisation…… and he lead(s) our Federal Government consulting team !”
Look he is probably only earning in the low millions annually, you can’t expect too much from him.
WWP ….and so far he is (not even) fulfilling that level of expectation….
Edit: added words in brackets.
WeWantPaul says:
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:48 am
“BK
To my mind, the performance so far definitely does not match the Linked in characterisation…… and he lead(s) our Federal Government consulting team !”
Look he is probably only earning in the low millions annually, you can’t expect too much from him.
_____________________________________
Their job was to give the client what the client wanted, not what the client asked for, let alone needed! In that regard he seems to have done that very well (at least at the time).
“WWP ….and so far he is (not even) fulfilling that level of expectation….
Edit: added words in brackets.”
Partners that can spell their own name without lying have met my integrity and intellectual expectations, any more is a bonus.
All the talk of st pell, patron saint of pedos this week has reminded me of this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtHOmforqxk
Naughty Tim 😆
oldenhillbillysays:
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:37 am
Themunz: A simple google search shows several media outlets covering the water theft story
———————————————————–
Well it does not even rate a mention in “google news” summary!
Apart from the Guardian only in some regional papers. No ABC, SMH, AFR, Australian!
For those following the stream the Commissioner’s “hmmm” is one for the ages.
“Their job was to give the client what the client wanted, not what the client asked for, let alone needed! In that regard he seems to have done that very well (at least at the time).”
You need to identify your client and those who have the power to provide you future work with precision and maximise the chance they will give you additional work.
Edit: your second estate in Europe may rely on it.
PwC has 98 page report nearly finalised.
Then somebody in DHS says job done. And bill paid.
Nobody knows or remembers who.
Murkier business
Mr Greggery incredulous.
Likewise commissioner.
PM: He starts off giving more details about the statement of support for the voice, which the state and territory leaders have signed: Today, all first ministers, in recognition of our commitment for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first Peoples, and also with a voice to parliament being enshrined in our constitution, recommitted and signed up to a statement of intent to secure a successful referendum in the second half of this year.
I hope that the water theft guy got flooded
😀
TPOF
That “hmmm” was one for the ages!
And she is now digging in aggressively.
And there’s another “hmmm”!
What is happening in the robocall debt royal commission with the PWC is Embarrassing for Newsltd and Lib/nats
Albanese says National Cabinet also discussed mobilising superannuation funds inot housing supply.
We also had a discussion about housing, and first ministers discussing the national Housing Accord that has been agreed to by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, the Master builders Association and other organisations, including how we mobilise funding, including of superannuation funds into the supply of housing. We all know that supply is something that needs to be addressed, in addition it is noted the improvements that are being made, and will continue to need to be done on issues such as affordable and social housing, as well as emergency housing.
“PwC has 98 page report nearly finalised.
Then somebody in DHS says job done. And bill paid.
Nobody knows or remembers who.
Murkier business
Mr Greggery incredulous.
Likewise commissioner.”
I’ve obviously lived on the wrong side of the tracks, it is in no way surprising, much more standard operating procedure.
PM’S Yes case is a slow burn methinks.
Dutton looking more and more isolated.
Commissioner
This really challenges credibility.
She’s not wrong.
This is outrageous. Almost $1m for a set of slides!
It’ll be interesting to hear if Campbell has something to say about this appalling waste of taxpayers money, when they are ripping a few thousand dollars here and a few thousand dollars there off income support recipients in order to ensure scarce taxpayer’s funds are used efficiently and appropriately.
Not usually into blood sports, but am enjoying this ……naughty of me!
“It was woeful, wasn’t it”, says Greggery about the undelivered detailed report of the DSS process.
Scott says:
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:58 am
What is happening in the robocall debt royal commission with the PWC is Embarrassing for Newsltd and Lib/nats
______________________________
They don’t care. They’re shameless.
WWP
I’m not surprised really.
One of this witnesses underlings asked about providing early draft to DHS.
Witness says he said no.
I’d reckon it happened and as commissioner says there was a nod and a wink, we dont want this.
PwC got ongoing work. 12 million worth
PwC are engaged to prepare a review report for months it is in final draft form.. it cost $1m to prepare & they abandon the process & don’t deliver the final report & there is no record of any of this happening.. The Commissioner asks…”was there a nod & a wink given”. PwC response .. “not that I know of” … Shame on the LNP!.. have I missed anything?
Also from the Guardian, the extent of LNP corruption of our national superannuation scheme.
Some self managed super funds have these grotesque stats, 39 have balances in excess of $100 million, 897 generate more than $1 million a year in income.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/03/superannuation-tax-breaks-will-cost-federal-budget-52bn-almost-matching-australias-age-pension
PwC don’t have the system to track “probability ” on a project… talk about crap… that is their CORE business.. efficiency assessment .. except when it comes to their own work..Sure!
Next RC will be into PwC service provision to all Australian Governments
Body language from Shane West is very telling, KC Greggery not giving him one inch.
There was also a presentation to Tudge in early to mid May which might have driven a hint of what was coming.
Soon after that a report, 98 pages nearly complete, is not required.
Greggery suggests PwC happy to keep DHS onside with a view to future work.