The ScoMo Government

[sptrawler]

The statements attributed to Abetz are reasonable I reckon.

Ministerial staffers and Ministers themselves should not be going out in public getting paralitically drunk especially if they work in a sensitive area like Defence or even if they work in other areas .

The public has a right to expect a higher standard of behaviour from our employees and it's because this sort of thing goes on that Parliament is now a laughing stock.

All very well for the women to be lecturing men about bad behaviour, but it seems they are in it as well.

The plot thickens.

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

 

[basilio]

The statements attributed to Abetz are reasonable I reckon.

Ministerial staffers and Ministers themselves should not be going out in public getting paralitically drunk especially if they work in a sensitive area like Defence or even if they work in other areas .

The public has a right to expect a higher standard of behaviour from our employees and it's because this sort of thing goes on that Parliament is now a laughing stock.

All very well for the women to be lecturing men about bad behaviour, but it seems they are in it as well.

The overall story is that Parliamentarians and their staff work hard and play hard. That is their excuse anyway.

In the situation with Brittany Higgins she was a new junior employee in Linda Reynolds office. The gathering at the pub was a celebration. The alleged rapist bought her the drinks and seemed as if he was encouraging her to get drunk. He also appeared to be a respected long time staffer with the Minister. She believed he was a safe pair of hands.

Brittany Higgins: who knew what, and when, about the alleged rape at Parliament House

There are inconsistencies in the government account and the ex-staffer who says she was attacked has accused the PM of ‘victim-blaming’

www.theguardian.com

 

[sptrawler]

The overall story is that Parliamentarians and their staff work hard and play hard. That is their excuse anyway.

In the situation with Brittany Higgins she was a new junior employee in Linda Reynolds office. The gathering at the pub was a celebration. The alleged rapist bought her the drinks and seemed as if he was encouraging her to get drunk. He also appeared to be a respected long time staffer with the Minister. She believed he was a safe pair of hands.

Brittany Higgins: who knew what, and when, about the alleged rape at Parliament House

There are inconsistencies in the government account and the ex-staffer who says she was attacked has accused the PM of ‘victim-blaming’

www.theguardian.com

Bas apparently she was 24 years old at the time of the incident, she wasn't a 18 or 19 year old who had just dropped in as a junior receptionist.
At 24, as Rumpy says getting absolutely blotto isn't really without its risks, even for a bloke plenty get bashed and robbed, it doesn't make it right but not everyone in the World is nice.
This is a lot of the underlying problem IMO, all this public opinion that people should be safe to get drunk and not be accosted, is built on the premise that everyone is nice.
When in reality not everyone is, there will always be predators, bullies and nasty sadistic people, some come that way that is how they are wired, saying they shouldn't wont actually change anything.
Unfortunately telling people they shouldn't worry it wont happen to them just doesn't work, people have to get back to accepting some responsibility for their actions, or bad things unfortunately can happen.
They shouldn't, but they do, that is people, they come in all types of packages.

 

[sptrawler]

The plot thickens.

And thickens more, what a cesspit, as usual the truth has a way of coming out.

Peta Credlin says she sacked staffer at centre of lewd video, alleges orgies in Parliament

Credlin also said she was collecting evidence for the review being carried out by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins into Federal Parliament’s workplace culture.

www.smh.com.au

From the article:
Sky News presenter and former federal parliamentary staffer Peta Credlin has revealed that she had sacked the Coalition staffer featured in a video masturbating on the desk of a federal MP at Parliament House.
Credlin, who served as chief of staff to former prime minister Tony Abbott, said she was collecting evidence for the review being carried out by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins into Parliament’s workplace culture.

She said on Sky News that, years earlier, she had dismissed the staffer featured in the lewd video for disloyalty and leaking against his boss.
“That bloke I demanded to be sacked years earlier for disloyalty, for lying, for leaking against his boss,” she said.

“I sacked him and I said he would never be back while I worked in that building.”

The staffer was rehired when Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister, she said, only to be dismissed this week following the publication of the lewd videos.
“Much of the current mess on the ministerial blue carpet for the Coalition is a legacy from the Turnbull years.

“These are my first comments on incidents in the past. They will not be my last.”

Credlin said she would be “getting out every file note, every document, every bit of paper ... I’ll do my best to drive change” in relation to Ms Jenkins’ review.

In a separate case, Credlin said evidence was found showing that another staffer held gay orgies inside Parliament.

She claimed that the evidence showed the orgies included Labor staffers as well as the Coalition man, and “a number of others too”.

“When the MP cleaned out the former staffer’s desk, and the computer, that MP uncovered evidence that for many months, that staffer had regularly met with other men during the middle of the day – while the MP was in question time – for orgies in political offices,” she said.

 

[basilio]

Bas apparently she was 24 years old at the time of the incident, she wasn't a 18 or 19 year old who had just dropped in as a junior receptionist.
At 24, as Rumpy says getting absolutely blotto isn't really without its risks, even for a bloke plenty get bashed and robbed, it doesn't make it right but not everyone in the World is nice.
This is a lot of the underlying problem IMO, all this public opinion that people should be safe to get drunk and not be accosted, is built on the premise that everyone is nice.
When in reality not everyone is, there will always be predators, bullies and nasty sadistic people, some come that way that is how they are wired, saying they shouldn't wont actually change anything.
Unfortunately telling people they shouldn't worry it wont happen to them just doesn't work, people have to get back to accepting some responsibility for their actions, or bad things unfortunately can happen.
They shouldn't, but they do, that is people, they come in all types of packages.

I'm going to agree and disagree with your views here.

Certainly in the "real world" going out and getting blotto is dangerous - particularly if your a young, alone girl. That's why women will almost always have friend if going out on the town to protect each other, their drinks and keep the wolves at bay. Because frankly there are plenty of wolves hunting at pubs and discos. And I have to say seeing rows of totally wasted young women walking the streets is not a great look.

I think this was a different scenario. It was a work related party at a venue that everyone felt pretty safe to let their hair down because it was the play home of Parliamentary staffers and MPs. She drank too much with the liberal help of free drinks from the alleged assailant who was a senior work colleague. She accepted his offer to give her a lift home because she was too drunk and she trusted him.

Unfortunately in almost all cases when a "nice guy" in such a situation turns out to be a wolf the woman will find it very hard to prove assault. You were drunk. You knew him. You agreed . Whatever.

This case has turned out differently because -

1) The incident happened in Parliament House with security personal aware of what had happened and plenty of evidence.
2) Brittany Higgins finally decided to speak out publicly and press charges after Grace Tames powerful speech at the National Press Club. That was the catalyst.
3) The resulting uproar across hundreds of thousands of woman reflects their experience of very similar events. The facts are most sexual assaults happen with partners, people we know, ex's . It is that history that also makes it very difficult to go to the police and to be believed. So it gets dropped into the merde basket and people get over it - or don't and guys get away with it .

Grace Tame has been inundated with messages from survivors of sexual abuse — many of them men

She might wake to an inbox filled with hundreds of emails every day, but Grace Tame has one constant as she adjusts to life as a champion of survivors of sexual assault, male and female.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sptrawler]

I'm going to agree and disagree with your views here.

Certainly in the "real world" going out and getting blotto is dangerous - particularly if your a young, alone girl. That's why women will almost always have friend if going out on the town to protect each other, their drinks and keep the wolves at bay. Because frankly there are plenty of wolves hunting at pubs and discos. And I have to say seeing rows of totally wasted young women walking the streets is not a great look.

I think this was a different scenario. It was a work related party at a venue that everyone felt pretty safe to let their hair down because it was the play home of Parliamentary staffers and MPs. She drank too much with the liberal help of free drinks from the alleged assailant who was a senior work colleague. She accepted his offer to give her a lift home because she was too drunk and she trusted him.

Unfortunately in almost all cases when a "nice guy" in such a situation turns out to be a wolf the woman will find it very hard to prove assault. You were drunk. You knew him. You agreed . Whatever.

This case has turned out differently because -

1) The incident happened in Parliament House with security personal aware of what had happened and plenty of evidence.
2) Brittany Higgins finally decided to speak out publicly and press charges after Grace Tames powerful speech at the National Press Club. That was the catalyst.
3) The resulting uproar across hundreds of thousands of woman reflects their experience of very similar events. The facts are most sexual assaults happen with partners, people we know, ex's . It is that history that also makes it very difficult to go to the police and to be believed. So it gets dropped into the merde basket and people get over it - or don't and guys get away with it .

Grace Tame has been inundated with messages from survivors of sexual abuse — many of them men

She might wake to an inbox filled with hundreds of emails every day, but Grace Tame has one constant as she adjusts to life as a champion of survivors of sexual assault, male and female.

www.abc.net.au

From information coming out the alleged assailant i.e the 'nice guy' had form, so I would be surprised if the lady hadn't been given a 'heads up' about the wolf in sheep's clothing.
Not in anyway saying he is not fully responsible, he is, if it was my daughter I wouldn't be happy.
But like I said I have been around the traps and there are a lot of not nice people.

 

[basilio]

From information coming out the alleged assailant i.e the 'nice guy' had form, so I would be surprised if the lady hadn't been given a 'heads up' about the wolf in sheep's clothing.

She had only been in the office a few weeks. The form this guy had came out after the incident became public. Would there have been internal "gossip" ? Not sure. He was an up and coming young politico with his sights set on moving up the rungs. How would one tell stories about such a person without risking your job ?

It's true that in workplaces word gets around about bosses with wandering hands. This went to a completly different level didn't it ?

 

[sptrawler]

She had only been in the office a few weeks. The form this guy had came out after the incident became public. Would there have been internal "gossip" ? Not sure. He was an up and coming young politico with his sights set on moving up the rungs. How would one tell stories about such a person without risking your job ?

It's true that in workplaces word gets around about bosses with wandering hands. This went to a completly different level didn't it ?

He sounds like a real piece of work.

 

[SirRumpole]

She had only been in the office a few weeks. The form this guy had came out after the incident became public. Would there have been internal "gossip" ? Not sure. He was an up and coming young politico with his sights set on moving up the rungs. How would one tell stories about such a person without risking your job ?

It's true that in workplaces word gets around about bosses with wandering hands. This went to a completly different level didn't it ?

I think the best idea is to keep away from situations like that where the grog flows like water because you can be pretty sure that one way or another you could be in danger of losing control.

This is a societal issue and people are going to be called wowsers if they advocate restraint, but if people are going to be fit for high office or positions associated with them, restraint is a test of fitness for those positions.

 

[IFocus]

The senior staffer was responsible for looking out for Higgins not raping her that's the conversation required not that Higgins got blind drunk and should have known better.

I understand the realities of life but this is parliament house FFS surely if prosecuted and found guilty he goes for 4 to 5 years inside minimum.

 

[moXJO]

The senior staffer was responsible for looking out for Higgins not raping her that's the conversation required not that Higgins got blind drunk and should have known better.

I understand the realities of life but this is parliament house FFS surely if prosecuted and found guilty he goes for 4 to 5 years inside minimum.

I agree.

"Gay orgies" WTF are they bloody doing. Australia already has China on its back in a shitwar of who's worse.
Kind of glad it all came out. There's been rumours for years.

 

[basilio]

The senior staffer was responsible for looking out for Higgins not raping her that's the conversation required not that Higgins got blind drunk and should have known better.

I understand the realities of life but this is parliament house FFS surely if prosecuted and found guilty he goes for 4 to 5 years inside minimum.

Less is more.

 

[IFocus]

If you are interested in how the power brokers work this worth a read yeah yeah I know its the Gardian...

"
The factional system relies on compliance and patronage, so straight away the idea of merit-based selection went out the window. This doesn’t just affect women – it affects everyone. Even Mike Baird needed a special deal to secure Liberal selection for the 2007 election in Manly. Favours given and favours repaid is how this works.

In other states, this model was nicknamed “the NSW disease”. Unfortunately, it spread. It has escalated."

For years Liberal leaders have wheeled out female MPs like me to defend disgusting behaviour. Enough! | Catherine Cusack

Scott Morrison needs to be told why people are so furious. It’s up to us to make the case for change

www.theguardian.com

 

[SirRumpole]

If you are interested in how the power brokers work this worth a read yeah yeah I know its the Gardian...

"
The factional system relies on compliance and patronage, so straight away the idea of merit-based selection went out the window. This doesn’t just affect women – it affects everyone. Even Mike Baird needed a special deal to secure Liberal selection for the 2007 election in Manly. Favours given and favours repaid is how this works.

In other states, this model was nicknamed “the NSW disease”. Unfortunately, it spread. It has escalated."

For years Liberal leaders have wheeled out female MPs like me to defend disgusting behaviour. Enough! | Catherine Cusack

Scott Morrison needs to be told why people are so furious. It’s up to us to make the case for change

www.theguardian.com

We could say the same about the Labor Party of course.

Union controlled, if you don't get the unions onside you are lucky to get a seat.

 

[IFocus]

We could say the same about the Labor Party of course.

Union controlled, if you don't get the unions onside you are lucky to get a seat.

The factions in Labor are far more clearly defined even running through the union movement left / right and then states all having a say.

And of course power brokers exist but note females have long had a say in Labor unlike the Liberals.

Not saying Labor don't have issues but I was surprised how much tax payers funded MP staffers purely work for the purpose of running the Liberal party not for the people who elected their MP.

 

[The Triangle]

The factions in Labor are far more clearly defined even running through the union movement left / right and then states all having a say.

And of course power brokers exist but note females have long had a say in Labor unlike the Liberals.

Not saying Labor don't have issues but I was surprised how much tax payers funded MP staffers purely work for the purpose of running the Liberal party not for the people who elected their MP.

All parties equally use tax payer funded staff for party purposes. Its not just liberals. No different to corporate world PAs doing personal work for MDs and CEOs.

Now this is a good idea. These scumbags in canberra should start pissing in cups and blowing through straws.

Liberal MP calls for alcohol to be banned from Parliament House

Describing an "underlying lack of professionalism" in Parliament House and rumours of drug use, Liberal backbenchers Katie Allen and Sarah Henderson say they would support drug and alcohol testing of politicians.

www.abc.net.au

 

[SirRumpole]

All parties equally use tax payer funded staff for party purposes. Its not just liberals. No different to corporate world PAs doing personal work for MDs and CEOs.

Now this is a good idea. These scumbags in canberra should start pissing in cups and blowing through straws.

Liberal MP calls for alcohol to be banned from Parliament House

Describing an "underlying lack of professionalism" in Parliament House and rumours of drug use, Liberal backbenchers Katie Allen and Sarah Henderson say they would support drug and alcohol testing of politicians.

www.abc.net.au

Excellent idea.

Crane drivers or surgeons can't work while drunk, and neither should politicians.

Make the place dry and don't admit anyone over 0.05%.

 

[IFocus]

The current conversations on behaviour, sexual abuse, no systems for management of problems and alcohol in the work place sadly reflect how far politicians and political parties are behind public expectations and standards.

Watching conservatives struggle to deal with this is not surprising how ever the best changes long term is when they are forced into making the changes themselves.

I think should Morrison continue to fail t lead in this area will be a net negative come the next election, interesting he is getting wedged on the issue from within his own party as pay back is getting reeled out.

Where there is one cockroach there tends to be many wonder how many others will surface.

 

[moXJO]

The current conversations on behaviour, sexual abuse, no systems for management of problems and alcohol in the work place sadly reflect how far politicians and political parties are behind public expectations and standards.

Watching conservatives struggle to deal with this is not surprising how ever the best changes long term is when they are forced into making the changes themselves.

I think should Morrison continue to fail t lead in this area will be a net negative come the next election, interesting he is getting wedged on the issue from within his own party as pay back is getting reeled out.

Where there is one cockroach there tends to be many wonder how many others will surface.

They are most likely keeping their powder dry when it comes to divulging labors indiscretions. I'm sure the greens had recent history as well. It's not just one side, it's the whole lot of them.

 

[sptrawler]

Interesting move, we have discussed the use of hypersonic missiles on the forum previously.
It seems like we are going back to the future and are going to start and make missiles again. Hooray, maybe now dump the subs. ?

Australia to build its own missiles with $1bn guided weapons facility

Australia is preparing for greater tensions in the region with a federal plan to build a new weapons facility with a global arms manufacturer.

www.smh.com.au

From the article:
Australia will gain the capacity to make its own guided missiles in a $1 billion federal plan to build a new weapons facility with a global arms manufacturer, preparing for greater tensions in the region.

The spending will upgrade Australia’s capabilities at a time of rapid advances in guided missiles, which are changing the dynamics of national defence with the development of hypersonic weapons that exceed the speed of sound.

Australia last made its own missiles in the 1960s when local researchers created the Ikara anti-submarine missile and launcher, which was built in Melbourne.

The need for a stronger local capacity was made clear after the government released a Force Structure Plan last July that emphasised the greater use of guided weapons, in part due to the increased tensions in regional sea lanes.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, having the ability for self-reliance be it vaccine development or the defence of Australia, is vital to meeting our own requirements in a changing global environment,” Mr Morrison said in a statement ahead of the announcement.

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