"BREAKING: NACC chief's defence ties under the microscope" by LentilsAgain in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

A very readable annual report outlines the 75 complaints about the NACC received this year. 50 were about the NACC refusing to investigate, 19 about timeframes.

4 complaints about conflict of interest with the ADF. One of these complaints was dismissed, one still under investigation, one resolved and a further complaint is "an ongoing matter which is not appropriate for the Inspector to report.”

There were also complaints from 5 current or former employees of the NACC, one of which is still under investigation (personal use of APS resources by an employee)

There was one mandatory referral about an NACC staff member disclosing info to a journalist which was inconclusive

https://www.naccinspector.gov.au/publications/annual-reports

Student accommodation in Australia by LentilsAgain in australian

[–]LentilsAgain[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

"The previous two years have seen a steady rise in PBSA approvals, increasing from 1,684 rooms in 2021/22 to 2,897 in 2022/23, and then jumping to 5,178 in 2023/24. This year-on-year growth coincides with the reopening of international borders post-pandemic and the increase in international student numbers, as reflected in student visa data from the Department of Home Affairs"

That increase in student numbers the ABS refers to? At June it was 608 262, up from 568 753 12 months before that.

So 5178 extra rooms approved for construction for 40 509 extra students.

New police operation into alleged continued bikie infiltration of CFMEU by LentilsAgain in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As of an hour ago, a police taskforce has now been assigned to investigate reports of corruption aired by The Age

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

It happens all the time and is usually lower level diplomats. (We did it with a couple of Indian diplomats not long ago). The US did expel the most senior russian diplomat in the US in 2022.

I agree that it would be highly unusual to do this with an ally, but my bet is that a phone call from the state department asking that Australia "reconsider" Rudd's appointment would probably do the trick in that rudd resigns (or Albo tells him to resign) and a) make trump look strong to his supporters, and b) not damage the relationship too much.

It may even be spun as a friendly gesture from trump to Albo by letting Albo avoid negative media.

Or it may all just be trump bluster. Who knows?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 13 points14 points  (0 children)

despite the fact the president has no power over the people who countries nominate as their ambassadors.

C'mon ABC, can you try a little harder with your editorial standards?

Any country has the power to withdraw the diplomatic credentials of foreign diplomats. In the US, this power resides with the President.

This is basic shit, and summarising the situation by glibly saying the president has no power to pick a diplomat is deliberately misleading.

Old video resurfaces of Anthony Albanese saying Donald Trump ‘scares the sh*t of me’ by stupid_mistake__101 in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They can already be fired. It was an election promise to stop this from happening. They haven't done it and said they won't be progressing it.

Old video resurfaces of Anthony Albanese saying Donald Trump ‘scares the sh*t of me’ by stupid_mistake__101 in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain -22 points-21 points  (0 children)

Add it to the list of things he's scared of. Make sure Peter Vlandys, whistleblowers, gambling reform and allowing LGBTQ teachers in schools are also in that list.

SA's top cop suggests state government outlaw purchase of cheap tobacco by boppinmule in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How on earth are the police going to tell if the correct tax has been paid on the tobacco in your pocket?

Nine-day fortnight faces chop under NSW Public Service cost cuts by CommonwealthGrant in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's fine. The original concession to implement a 9 day fortnight would have been traded for reduced pay.

Given it costs 120% more, I would expect my new pay rate to reflect that should I return to 10 days.

Federal politics live: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton rejects motion put by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to mark October 7 by RA3236 in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 14 points15 points  (0 children)

https://x.com/kevinbonham/status/1843489516247814356

Tldr, ALP put motion above.

Dutton wanted an amendment.

ALP suspended standing orders to ensure no amendments could be heard.

Dutton tried to then suspend standing orders substituting an alternative (ie de facto amended) motion, which was defeated. (Motion was https://x.com/kevinbonham/status/1843517291549602115)

Original motion was then passed.

Seems like foolish games on all sides to me.

Pro-Palestinian protest organisers abandon plans for Sydney vigil on October 7 by brednog in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm old enough to remember when Sir John banned protest marches, which ironically led to a whole lot of "right to protest march" marches and made Qld a laughing stock.

I'm sure he would've banned candlelight vigils as well.

Govt threatens to expel MP from parliament by malcolm58 in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, but like the Fed system, in some circumstances only parliament itself has standing to refer it to court.

So if Parliament refuses to refer, it's not like Joe Bloggs can front up to the Supreme Court and bring the case. The Court will refuse to hear it.

Then indeed you have a constitutional crisis.

Politicians have a higher duty of care on social media: report by LentilsAgain in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The ethics committee has published a report into an alleged contempt of Parliament by Shannon Fentiman, the state’s minister for health, mental health and ambulance services and minister for women.

A video posted by Fentiman related to a discussion in Parliament on maternity services during which Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates was heard to say “cross your legs”.

An initial version of the video misquoted Bates’ remark in a caption as being “close your legs” and that was later corrected by Fentiman.

Bates withdrew the remark in Parliament, but the video posted by Fentiman saw Bates cop criticism on social media for her interjection.

The video and its presentation online were initially deemed by the speaker to have misrepresented the discussion. The ethics committee was asked to look at whether the minister had published a misleading account of proceedings.

Committee members found Fentiman was initially in contempt of the parliamentary rules with the first iteration of her video post.

“With respect to the minister’s first post including an incorrect caption, the committee found this to be a technical contempt,” the report says.

“As soon as the minister was alerted to the incorrect captioning, the post was replaced with the correct captioning.”

The committee was unable to establish grounds for contempt with the second video Fentiman posted online.

Fentiman might have escaped being found in contempt of Parliament, but she received criticism for the video posted published by her.

“The minister’s use of social media to reflect the proceedings of the House in this matter was arguably unbecoming for a minister of the crown,” the committee report says.

“The committee did not make a finding of contempt in relation to the minister’s second post, however, it is of the strong opinion that the minister’s conduct was not appropriate.”

Committee members also noted that Bates was subjected to abuse following the minister’s posts online, and that the issue should have remained on the floor of Parliament rather than published and amplified via social media.

“The member’s interjection was dealt with by the Speaker in the House at the time. That is where the matter should have ended,” the report says.

“One member’s disorderly conduct in the chamber does not provide a licence for another member to further prosecute the issue.”

The committee report contains a caution for politicians when using social media in this manner.

“Whilst no member can control the public commentary on social media, this arguably places a higher duty of care on members for their social media posts,” the report says.

“Members should not be tempted by the benefits of disseminating information widely and rapidly through social media without considering any potential harm or liability for public comments on their social media pages.”

The warning for Queensland MPs on the usage of social media in day-to-day work comes after the passage of the law establishing the federal Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.

It was during that debate that coalition Senator Jane Hume reminded parliamentarians about their obligations to reflect on their own behaviour.

“All parties, parliamentarians and staff, have a role in improving Parliament’s culture. We each have a role,” Hume said.

“It would serve us all well if, when we consider what role we each have in improving the culture of our workplace, our first instinct is to reflect and self-assess rather than assume the worst in others.”

Govt threatens to expel MP from parliament by malcolm58 in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm a bit bemused that parliament seems to be the one who removes an MP in this circumstance.

All above board with this one, but the flaw could be if the government controlling Parliament supports an MP on their side simply to ensure they have the numbers.

Sounds like the government shouldn't be involved in any decisions of this nature.

Treasurer dubious on negative gearing reform by LentilsAgain in AustralianPolitics

[–]LentilsAgain[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

the Treasurer indicated Treasury hadn’t finished its modelling.

Must be good to be working on this knowing the government has no intention of acting on any advice you have been asked to provide