Tony Abbott's queried funds & their use; Margo Kingston; Tim Dunlop; the IPA; the ABC and The Drum

No doubt about veteran journalist Margo Kingston - she's good and she's a goer.

For those of us who use blogger as a substitute for shouting corrections at television journalists along with calls for fact-checking and greater research skills, her experience described here is a comfort albeit a disturbing one.

Read here how The Drum - you know, that television program which is like the curate's egg - backs the wrong horses.  The Drum, like the curate's egg,  is good in parts.  The parts where it is not good are clearly delineated, however.  These are the parts where a besuited smug looking young late 20s or early 30s male (always a male, it seems) speaks on behalf of the Institute of Public Affairs.

Complaints last year seemed to result in an easing off of appearances.  However, I have a sneaky feeling that they are increasing again. Tim Wilson is the one that upsets me most of all.  His overbearing presence topped off by that grin is too, too much.  

And who on earth does the ABC as well as the IPA think they are?  Does the IPA have a direct route to the ABC Board Room or The Drum Production Unit?  Clearly, the ABC has some information that I don't.  In my ever so humble opinion, I don't see a majority opinion anywhere near favouring the IPA and its libertarian views.  

Where are the political candidates standing directly for the IPA?  What are their polling numbers? Yet scarcely a week seems to go by (this may be an exaggeration but it sure feels like they are on at least once each week and sometimes more often!) without the sanctimony of the IPA strutting its stuff on The Drum.  So how dare the ignorami at The Drum ignore Kingston and her story!

Does questioning the Leader of the Opposition's deceptive use of donations make her inferior to Tim Wilson and Co from the IPA?  If so, could the ABC please cough up with the reasons which support their decision to run away and hide from Kingston's assertions?  Kingston has been tried - and in my view not found wanting - in the fires of significant political journalism.  The besuited boffins from the IPA tea-room cannot provide such a track record.

Keep up the good work Margo and more power to your arm.

Thinking again before doing coffee at Gloria Jean's - the human rights of others are of little importance there

For a clearer picture please go to the original Facebook entry.  In adddition to the factors outlined in the graphic above, I would point out that Gloria Jean's DOES NOT serve Fair Trade Coffee. Gloria Jean's promotes coffee from the Rainforest Alliance which is also supported by McDonald's. Please decide for yourself. Rainforest Alliance  Fair Trade Coffee

Information, Films and Fundraising: Our Generation and Kimberley Campaign

Darebin Greens and Moreland Greens together with CERES present

Making Connections

      – an evening of films, music and speakers.

WHAT: Outdoor screening on the CERES Village Green of OUR GENERATION, a documentary made by Sinem Saban & Damien Curtis about the NT Intervention; and a short film about the Kimberley Campaign opposing the proposed Gas Hub at James Price Point. The screening will be preceded by live music and speakers including Greens Senator Richard di Natale. The focus is on making connections between the issues affecting indigenous communities in northern Australia, and involving us all in finding solutions.

WHEN: Friday February 17th - doors open 6pm, 7pm speakers and live music until dark, feature starts at 9pm.

ABOUT the film: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/

OUR GENERATION is a powerful and upfront documentary on the Australian Aboriginal struggle for their land, culture and freedom – a story that has been silenced by the Australian Government and mainstream media. 

Film Fundraising: Profit from film ticket sales will go to community projects in Arnhem Land and to the Kimberley campaigns.

Food and Drinks: Food available will include barbecues with vegetarian and meat options.

The bar will be open from 6.30pm for wine, beer and soft drinks.

Food Fundraising: Profit from food and drink sales will go to the NT Greens campaigns (local govt and Territory elections in 2012).

STALLS: Various community and campaign groups will provide information and inspiration, including Concerned Australians, ANTAR, Save the Kimberley, Walmadan Country is Calling.

WHAT TO BRING: Picnic if required, rugs, cushions, clothing for all weather! There is an indoor venue at CERES where the films will be screened if it rains.

VENUE:

CERES Environment Park

Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets

Brunswick East, VIC 3057

BOOKINGS:  http://www.ceres.org.au/ourgeneration

Tickets $20, $16 Concession

CONTACT DETAILS:     

   CERES Reception: 9389 0100   ceres@ceres.org.au

  

   Darebin Greens contact:

Julie Bain  juliealanbain@yahoo.com.au  9481 5232

  

   Moreland Greens contact:

Margaret Dahlstrom marg.dahlstrom@gmail.com  9388 0438

David Collis  dcollis@trinity.unimelb.edu.au  0404 087 561

The real thing: Gillard's second cabinet - Part 1 - The full list

Cabinet
Julia Gillard Prime Minister
Wayne Swan Deputy Prime Minister, Treasurer
Kevin Rudd Minister for Foreign Affairs
Chris Evans Minister for Jobs, Skills and Workplace Relations
Simon Crean Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Minister for the Arts
Stephen Smith Minister for Defence
Nicola Roxon Minister for Health and Ageing
Jenny Macklin Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Anthony Albanese Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Kim Carr Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science
Penny Wong Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Peter Garrett Minister for Schools, Early Childhood and Youth
Robert McClelland Attorney-General
Joseph Ludwig Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Tony Burke Minister for Sustainable Population, Communities, Environment and Water
Martin Ferguson Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism
Chris Bowen Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Craig Emerson Minister for Trade
Greg Combet Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Outer Ministry

Tanya Plibersek Minister for Human Services, Minister for Social Inclusion
Brendan O’Connor Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Minister for Privacy and FOI
Kate Ellis Minister for Employment Participation and Childcare
Mark Arbib Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Minister for Sport Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness
Nick Sherry Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism
Warren Snowdon Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel
Bill Shorten Assistant Treasurer Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation
Mark Butler Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Gary Gray Special Minister of State
Jason Clare Minister for Defence Materiel

Parliamentary Secretaries

David Bradbury Treasury
Jacinta Collins Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Julie Collins Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Mark Dreyfus Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Cabinet Secretary
Justine Elliot Foreign Affairs and Trade
Don Farrell Sustainable Population, Communities, Environment and Water
David Feeney Defence
Mike Kelly Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Catherine King Health and Ageing, Infrastructure and Transport
Kate Lundy Immigration and Citizenship, Prime Minister and Cabinet
Richard Marles Foreign Affairs and Trade
Jan McLucas Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Picture above is from here.

Ban Political Donations: start with liquor and gambling

Here is an interesting debate on political donations.*

However, it is not just the panel

who makes interesting comments.

Listen for statements/questions from

John Cane, former Victorian Premier

and

Peter Kavanagh,

the lone DLP member of Parliament in Australia.

Miss Eagle's view is that

those who are influenced

and

those who can and hope to influence

live in denial

or, more bluntly,

cloud-cuckoo land.

Disclosure is not enough.

Perhaps if names went on billboards

in relation to what is being influenced.

Otherwise, no.

Money for influence is not new.

Money for influence has not gone away.

John Cane fingers the liquor and gambling interests.

So, citizens, want safety on Melbourne's streets?

Get liquor and gambling interests

off the political donors & lobbyists roll.

* Thanks to Denis for drawing my attention to this

even though he had to wake me from a Sunday nap

For all posts "Ban Political Donations":

Go here.

Ban Political Donations: only we the citizen taxpayers can do it

Why should we ban political donations?

Tandberg explains why.

Read more here on "access"

and the

Coalition in Victoria has some things to say.

However, none of the pollies - irrespective of party -

say anything about banning political donations.

They never will.

It is only we, the body politic, the citizen taxpayers

who can bring this about.

Currently there is no shortage of press coverage.

Join the GetUp! campaign now.

Vote against political donations at GetUp!

Ban Political Donations: The Nationals are at it

Now The Nationals are at it -

but if there's one thing they need more than money

it is an increase in their vote.

However, Brumby faces off in unrepentant fashion

with his pay per view function.

Progressive Business it's called.

Read more here.

Vote against political donations at GetUp!

Ban Political Donations: buy time with the homeless

Dear Networker,

what constitutes a lobbyist?

what constitutes a political donation?

As political fundraising, special pleading, and special access have become slicker and professionalised, a wide bow can be drawn.

Some recent matters to consider:

• Dinner with Kevin Rudd pays for election campaign
• Businesses pay to meet Brumby
• Premier denies 'pay-for-access' culture in Victoria
• Why Brumby should take the Bligh road to integrity

Then consider another scenario:

A wonderful Perth restaurant, or may be it's a Melbourne restaurant. This is a fundraiser - but not for a political party. Funds raised to-night are to be directed to a local housing co-operative which will ensure the housing of quite a large number of otherwise homeless people.

This is a night when politicians and business people

buy time - with the homeless.

Now these homeless people because of the itinerant quality of their lifestyles are almost certainly not on the appropriate electoral roll. However, once settled in stable housing it is likely that they will be enrolled to vote. Ahah! You spotted it, dear Networker, something in it for the pollie.

But money which would have gone into the political coffers to buy time with a politician has now gone to a more productive cause. The political and corporate bigwigs who have had to pay to table with the homeless have also learned a little of the vagaries of life and caught glimpses of their own mortality.

This fictional money, if the story is translated into a real world, will actually build houses that can be seen and touched. It will add a new dimension to an existing community and it will restore quality of life to those who need it - and probably contribute to fewer calls on publicly funded health care.

We are never too sure where the money paid to political funds to buy politicians time goes. Perhaps it goes to printers for election pamphlets and posters. Perhaps it goes to multinationals for fuel for jet-setting pollies.

But I prefer the first disposition: giving homes to the homeless; spending funds visibly in communities; investing so that there is less need for retro-care for our health.

So let's ban political donations now - and forever. Put the money that is out there to productive use - not gladhanding; garnering obesity at first class restaurants; and generally pleasuring individuals and enhancing individual careers.

Get more value for money?

Ban political donations.

TAKE ACTION!

Join the GetUp! Campaign

The Network, Get Up, and Political Donations.

Get Up is joining the chorus on political donations.

What a pity it is following the Malcolm Turnbull line.

Individuals could donate but corporates and third parties could not.

Harry Trigbuboff from here.

Harry Triguboff of Meriton has, until recent times, been an enthusiastic politic donor. Harry has donated huge amounts to the NSW branch of the Australian Labor Party. Yet, Harry is a true blue Liberal once hosting a fundraising breakfast in Sydney for John Howard with co-host Kerry Packer.

Now Harry has been doing this for years and I wonder if he can stop. Will he give as an individual? Will he find an undetectable way to show his support and affection for the political process? Mmmmm....?

I will support the Get Up campaign (and I hope you do too, dear Networker) in spite of my view that, if it gets up, it may still be rorted by the slick, the greedy and the powerful. Trusting, aren't I? I am supporting it because Get Up is also calling for public funding of elections -

Increase public funding of political parties.

Parties have become reliant on big donors to fund their campaigns and operation. If we are to eliminate the influence of corporate donations on politics, more public funding will have to be provided to parties. Depending on the system used and the level of funding, this is estimated to cost in the vicinity of $30 million dollars. This may sound like a lot, but international studies have shown that public funding has a positive effect on political competitiveness and decision-making. Given that the policies and private contracts our politicians oversee add up to tens of billions of dollars, we think paying a little more to make sure those decisions are free from undue influence is a good investment.

For further reading:

Please go to the Tag Cloud on the sidebar

of this blog and click on Political Donations.

Beggary and privilege: the lobbyists, their special pleaders and the humble citizen taxpayer

Dear Networkers, I feel that we - the ordinary citizen taxpayers of Australia - are like the people above. We are beggars, mendicants seeking the crumbs from government tables as the lobbyists and developers and large corporations stream on in to privilege.

Have a read of Paul Austin's and David Rood's story to-day with its revelations of the lobbyists involved in the bidding for the Wonthaggi desalination plant.

I am not trying to be party political on this. However, I do wish to single out Hawker Britton because I want you, dear Networkers, to be aware of them. Another time, another place and another brand of government and I would be talking about Jackson Wells Morris.

Because we have Labor Governments in every state but Western Australia, for now the focus is on Hawker Britton. Hawker Britton are a class act. In fact, there are occasions that - for the Federal Government - I think they have become Clayton's government spokespeople. The government spokesmen (and they are men) you have when you don't have a government spokesman or woman. Bruce Hawker is usually the one you see on television: the public face of Hawker Britton and it is surprising where The Moustache turns up sometimes.

Mr Hawker and Mr Britton came to prominence in the days when Bob Carr was the Premier of New South Wales. In short, they were public sector employees who spun their contacts and expertise into one of the most significant and prominent lobbying businesses in Australia.

Want to cosy up to a Labor politician? Call Hawker Britton. But you had better have the readies. They won't come cheap.

And your a Labor politician contemplating a post-political career? You may well be considering a conversation on the opportunities at Hawker Britton. Just like former Victorian minister, David White.

So you have an issue you want to put before the Government, dear Networker? Well, this is where beggary comes in.

You front up to your local member of parliament who may or may not be a member of the government of the day. If your local member is a minister in the government of the day it is unlikely that you will get to see him or her at all. You will get to see a staffer - high, low or medium level. You are then likely to get the mirror response: "I'll look into it." And you take your chances, dear Networker.

If you have a good, intelligent, active member of parliament with equally good, intelligent, active staffers, you will stand a chance. However, all members of parliament and their staffers are not equal: not equally good, intelligent and active.

And that's where the political lobbyists and political donations come in. Greasing a palm or three has never gone out of fashion, it would seem. As well as getting you access to the relevant minister for a fee, the political lobbyists can advise you on the greasing of palms. Or to be polite, how and where to place your political donation.

So how about it, Networkers. Let's get ourselves thoroughly aware and get our act together. Let's work together to take back our parliaments, our bureaucracies, our politicians from the palm-greasers and special pleaders of privilege.

Let's not just stop corporate and trade union political donations, as Malcolm Turnbull suggests, let's take the necessary step of banning ALL political donations large or small and publicly fund no-frills parliamentary elections.

TAKE BACK AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS FROM THE CORPORATIONS: Ban all political donations

BAN POLITICAL DONATIONS

TAKE OUR GOVERNMENTS BACK

FROM THE CORPORATIONS

Anna Bligh, the Premier of Queensland, has stepped up to the plate.

She wants to ban political donations.

Top marks, Anna.

Let us, the ordinary citizens of Australia,

ask ourselves a few questions.

• How do you feel when, as communities or individuals, you battle against major corporations and don't seem to get a look in even if we get an appointment and the Minister appears to listen and comprehend?
• Are you whinging to yourself, talking back to the TV, whinging to the converted in your organisation about the decisions of government?
• Sitting back in amazement as corporations pay huge money for a table with a Minister at a political party (all parties do this) fundraiser when you are battling to put food on yours?

I can tell you that when I ask myself those questions,

I am thoroughly cheesed off - in the extreme.

I am a member of or connected loosely to a number of organisations with water as their central theme:

• Australian Water Network
• Friends of the Earth Melbourne Water Campaign
• Watershed Victoria
• Plug the Pipe

and I have friends in other states connected to water campaigns in their areas such as Rivers SOS.

And who are we battling against? Who has the ear of government?

• Major corporations such as Suez and Veolia
• Major miners such as BHP Billiton, XStrata, Shenhua, Santos, Woodside
• Agricultural organisations and their lobbyists (sometimes agreement, a lot of times not)
• Publicly owned water corporations who listen to the above and not to the community

In short, individuals are scarcely heard by government.

There is a reason for this. Governments are bureaucracies and bureaucracies do not relate well, if at all, to individuals. They only comprehend entities with some type of organisational basis and the bigger the organisations the more they comprehend. Large organisations have bureaucracies too and communications are best when large bureaucracies ie governments talk to other large bureaucracies ie major corporations.

Of course, the corporations have learned to do it with money, unique business skills, and technology.

Those of us without financial resources

have only ever had one form of power -

numbers formed into effective organisation.

It is high time Australians took their governments back from the corporations and from institutional greed. We can only do this if we take away political donations and substitute total public funding (meaning less spectacular campaigns and advertising!).

There are other things which Bligh says she is doing: making it impossible for Ministers to go straight into the lobbying "profession"; banning success fees and so on. But all those things are nit-picking compared with the ONE THING NECESSARY - banning donations to political parties.

This is an idea whose time has come.

People are still discussing how Obama managed to tap into small people for donations. But, of course, the corporates would not have missed their opportunity either. I am talking about banning the lot - even backyard barbecue fundraisers, of which I have organised many.

Below is the discussion in the USA - with even Jack McCoy of Law and Order in his real life persona as Sam Waterston promoting the idea.

I feel strongly on this issue.

I feel so strongly that I must say that community organisations who do not promote publicly funded elections are doing their constituency a disservice. They are condemning themselves to be voices in the wilderness while the corporates roll on by to Ministerial appointments and fundraising tables with the Ministers.

Let us as individuals and community organisations

get right behind Anna Bligh.

Let's take back our governments

so that we have government for Australians by Australians

not by corporates for corporates...

and their toadying Ministers and ex-Ministers.

Clean Money Clean Elections Public Campaign