Friday 29th of March 2024

it's all noise for the sheep...

gladysgladys

Gladys Berejiklian was careful in picking a word to describe how she’s dealt with a series of personal and broader political crises over the past six months.

A scandal trifecta – a previously secret affair with a disgraced MP the subject of corruption inquiry, the Coalition’s minor party member threatening to quit the government over koalas, and pork-barrelling grants – might have floored the New South Wales Premier in other circumstances.

However, she’s not just still standing, her approval ratings and those of her Liberal-led government have prospered.

Asked about all this at a business talkfest during the week, Berejiklian said she didn’t listen to any of it, calling it all “noise”.

The word ‘noise’ is instructive because it’s the term pollsters have used for anything happening outside the main game during the past year – dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

The once in a century, economy-stopping pandemic has been called the greatest ‘get out of jail free’ card politicians have ever been dealt. It’s true and so far remains just that.

Berejiklian and her noise is testament to this fact. As is the absence of consequence in Canberra where it is now almost officially impossible to get sacked from Scott Morrison’s ministry.

The real stress test of this theory is set for next week. The shocking allegation of rape levelled against Attorney-General Christian Porter – strenuously denied in an emotional media appearance before taking mental health leave – hasn’t found a political resolution.

The Labor Party is standing firm in backing calls for an inquiry which have spread from friends of the woman, now deceased, who made the allegations to a broad group of legal advocates, women’s rights campaigners and, on Friday, senior business executive James Hooke.

Hooke is the person putting the most pressure on the resolution from Morrison and his colleagues against having an inquiry.

The banking executive says he discussed matters in the deceased woman’s life with her and alludes to talking about them with Porter.

“I have what I consider to be clear recollections of relevant discussions I had with (the woman) over the years from mid-1988 until her death,” Hooke said in a statement on Friday.

 

read more:

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2021/03/13/atkins-morrison-porter-scandal/

 

a video of himself performing a lewd act...

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen must resign from Parliament immediately following reports he offered a sex worker $1000 for sex in NSW Parliament House.

The ABC has revealed that Mr Johnsen, who is on the crossbench after being accused of raping a sex worker, sent the woman lewd text messages and an obscene video while Parliament was sitting.

On Tuesday morning Mr Barilaro said: “I’ve been in contact with Michael Johnsen this morning and expressed the view that his position as member of Parliament is untenable.

“This is disgusting behaviour and will never be acceptable, nor should it be and I’m calling for him to resign from Parliament immediately.

“It is now up to Mr Johnsen to reconsider his position as an independent member of Parliament.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was “absolutely disgusted” by the reports.

Mr Johnsen, who has strenuously denied the rape allegations, last week revealed he was the MP at the centre of the assault claims after Labor MP Trish Doyle detailed the sex workers’ accusations in Parliament. Ms Doyle did not name Mr Johnsen.

The ABC has now revealed the same woman alleges Mr Johnsen “sexted” her during question time and sent her a video of himself performing a lewd act.

 

Read more:

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/this-is-disgusting-behaviour-john-barilaro-calls-for-mp-s-resignation-20210330-p57f43.html

 

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Free Julian Assange Now !!!!!!

 

 

when ignorance is corrupt...

 

NSW Liberal MP John Sidoti has told a corruption inquiry he repeatedly signed documents without reading them and had no "real understanding" of what they meant.

Key points:
  • John Sidoti has stood aside while the ICAC investigation was underway
  • Mr Sidoti told the inquiry he had "no real understanding" of what documents he was signing
  • The inquiry into Mr Sidoti is in its final week

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations Mr Sidoti misused his position to influence planning decisions at Canada Bay Council from 2011 to 2018 to advance his family property interests around Five Dock in Sydney's inner west. 

Mr Sidoti — the Member for Drummoyne — stood aside as NSW Sports Minister in September 2019 after ICAC began investigating his property investments.

Last month Mr Sidoti announced he would "remove himself from the Liberal Party Room" while the investigation was underway and join the crossbench.

Mr Sidoti was today asked about his knowledge of his disclosure obligations after he entered parliament in 2011. 

He said he did not fully appreciate the details of family trusts and what being a beneficiary meant until about 2019, when the matter was raised in parliament.

Mr Sidoti said until then he had no "real understanding" of the documents he signed as trustee.

He said his accountant might have discussed parliamentary disclosure obligations with him, but he couldn't recall the details. 

"I just thought I was signing tax papers... I'm not sure what I signed," Mr Sidoti told the inquiry today. 

"Prior to entering parliament, I was employed by my parents. I signed as a son and employee."

 

Read more:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-20/nsw-mp-john-sidoti-appears-before-corruption-inquiry/100080776

 

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assange2assange2

love is the air...

 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is dating the lawyer who represented her at a corruption hearing into her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire.

High-profile barrister Arthur Moses, SC, and Ms Berejiklian began seeing each other recently.

 

Their relationship was revealed in an Instagram post on Friday night by her younger sister Mary.

Ms Berejiklian and Mr Moses are pictured facing each other on the couch. The post is captioned: “After work Friday feels with these two. Glad and her boo.”

 

The Herald had been inquiring with Ms Berejiklian’s office and Mr Moses about their relationship amid widespread rumours in political, legal and racing circles.

Neither responded.

 

Read more:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-premier-dating-high-profile-lawyer-arthur-moses-20210618-p582d4.html

 

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SAVE THE KOALAS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

FREE JULIAN ASSANGE NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!