“He’s the closest to a statesman we have”
On Friday, Phil Coorey published an article in the AFR lauding the credentials of Peter Dutton as a future Prime Minister.
He quotes an unnamed Liberal colleague (but factional opponent) as saying “Everyone listens when Peter intervenes. He’s the closest to a statesman we have.”
If any statement has shown how much trouble the Liberal Party is in, it’s that one.
Peter Dutton? A statesman?
According to Wikipedia, “A statesman or stateswoman is usually a politician, diplomat or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career at the national or international level.”
Dutton has been in parliament for almost 17 and a half years so I guess you could call his career long, but respected? For what?
After joining the Young Liberals and purchasing his first property at age 18, Peter Dutton first ran for parliament in the 1989 Queensland state election, less than a month after his 19th birthday. He lost the 2PP vote 72.5% to 27.5%.
The next year, Dutton graduated from the Queensland police academy and then spent nine years as a police officer in a force reeling from corruption scandals whilst also “working” with his father in a building business – a business that operated under several different names and which continues to operate today.
He married in 1993 but it only lasted a few months.
On leaving the police in 1999, he completed a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology before (or during) being elected to federal parliament in 2001 at age 30. During the campaign, his Labor opponent Cheryl Kernot suggested that journalists should question why Dutton quit the police force when he did. That question was never answered.
The next year he had a child out of wedlock and the year after that he married his current wife.
The following year, 2004, he was made Minister for Workforce Participation in the Howard government, a position he held until 2006 spanning the period of the development of the Workchoices legislation.
In January 2006 he was appointed Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Revenue and was questioned by Labor about a conflict of interest regarding childcare rebate legislation when his company owned several childcare businesses.
That year, he was also questioned about a 7-day trip he and his wife took to the US for which he claimed $75,000.
In 2008, Dutton chose to boycott the apology to the stolen generation because, in his opinion, it was meaningless symbolism.
As shadow health minister, he was completely silent. When he became Minister, the medical profession voted him the worst in 35 years.
Dutton’s time as Immigration Minister has been no better.
His bullying of women like Gillian Triggs, Yassmin Abdel-Magied and Sarah Hanson-Young has been shameful. He also called journalist Samantha Maiden a “mad fucking witch.”
He was caught on a microphone laughingly joking about Pacific islands being inundated, and how they must be running on “Cape York time” as a reason a meeting was delayed.
He has refused medical assistance to suicidal children, lied about the cause of disturbances on Manus, and been singularly unsuccessful in finding resettlement options for the people stuck in detention camps. He denies any responsibility for the refugees he has incarcerated offshore despite countless UN and legal directions that he has a duty of care that is not being met, resulting in many successful compensation claims.
The men he chose to command his new paramilitary Border Force both left in disgrace after having affairs with junior staff.
He uses his position to grant wishes as he pleases. On the basis of a phone call from a member of the public, he overturned a court decision and had a man immediately taken into custody for deportation. He ignored his own department’s advice, granting visas on two separate occasions to young women who arrived illegally to work as au pairs even though one was a repeat offender. He refuses to say who the women were working for or who contacted him to overrule the Immigration authorities.
He has offended the South African government by offering asylum in a “civilised” country to white South African farmers. He has been ridiculed by Melbournians after he claimed they were too scared to go out to dinner because of violence from “African gangs.”
Dutton’s department has been the subject of several scathing reports from the National Auditor with a lack of leadership, communication and accountability being blamed for poor workplace practices and outcomes.
Meanwhile Peter has been collecting investment properties, 6 so far, as well as having a family trust, a self-managed super fund, and interests in the building business and a childcare centre.
Interestingly, Peter’s great-great-grandfather was also a Queensland politician.
In 1887, the Queensland Figaro reported of Charles Boydell Dutton:
He knew he had “no case” so he “abused the other side”. He is a fool for his pains. He has made his Press opponents laugh at his helpless rage, and he has made those pressmen who excused and shielded him turn angry at his base ingratitude.
The same newspaper in 1884 described Charles as a “squatter of the squatters” and “an out and out Tory in the guise of a Liberal – a wolf in the guise of a lamb…”
Then again in 1887:
If he isn’t an idiot himself, he must fancy that the average elector is a born fool, or he would not attempt to gull him with such transparent rot as that with which he dosed the people at the Ipswich Show banquet.
It seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It’s a pity our current journalists are not as astutely critical as their predecessors.
If this heartless, misogynistic, racist, lying, self-aggrandising buffoon is the best the Liberal Party has to offer, then they really need to overhaul their preselection process.
A long career sucking on the public teat does not make Dutton a statesman, just a conniving powerbroker whose only concern is his own enrichment.
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Return to home pageSome very interesting history there … both as regards P. Dutton and his nineteenth century forebear. Most interesting indeed. Not only is it very telling regarding the thin talent on the ground in the Liberal and National Coalition (neither party of which has ever been elected to govern the country in its own right) but P. Dutton’s career could also be an interesting one for a new Federal ICAC to examine. Roll on the next election …
I noted recently that I had become aware of a public relations push to give Peter Dutton a makeover and to pretend that he is a competent, inclusive, humane and empathetic human being : quite a challenge even with an army of spinners.
I also observed that Canberra insiders were highly cynical as they have considered Dutton a lazy, self promoting manipulator.
On Friday we saw a young girl who has been detained on Nauru for several years, finally granted access to proper medical treatment in Australia. But only after months of bureaucratic blocks by Dutton’s department – once again it was only when the case was on the steps of the Federal Court that Dutton relented. Yet he still maintains, time and again, that there are no children in detention.
In the same way, Dutton had to agree to a settlement of $70 million in an out of court payment to men unlawfully imprisoned and held on Manus Island in defiance of the constitutional law of Papua New Guinea.
And why do we actually still have asylum seekers and proven refugees in detention on Nauru and Manus and why won’t we accept a gesture of good will from New Zealand to assist in resettling these people, an offer consistently made annually since 2013 ? The reason is that Dutton sees these people as a significant political tool with which to constantly wedge the opposition.
Yes ! this man looks like statesman material in this severely degraded political environment.
I know, what about Kathy Jackson as a good will ambassador for Liberal values !
I had to double check the dates. Surely this article was supposed to run on April 1.
To describe Dutton as a statesman is so wrong, it must be a joke.
Still, if that is the best they have, he makes Shorten looks good.
Great detective work Kaye Lee. The voters of Dickson need to read this. As a genealogist myself, I found it particularly interesting to find how his DNA has fallen – like his great great grandfather.
Ah, yes the slime known as dutton, what a history, what a scumbag this thing is. Early in the slime’s career we were liviving south of the border and I have a vague recollection that in a proposed boundary change, which would have put the slimes re-election in jeopardy, it had an almighty dummy spit, threatening all manner of retribution unless the LNP caved to his demands, they did, of course, leaving me wondering at the time that this shit must have a prodigious dirt file on the powerbrokers.
For a fcking “journalist” to suggest that this thing is statesman is absolutely fcking deranged. The morals and character of a squashed cane toad, yes, the empathy of broken glass hidden in the sand, yes, the compassion of a king brown, yes.
Statesman like, for f*ck sake.
Heh Terry2, I don’t reckon the PR machine is about making-over the Dud Dutton, I see it as a blatant PR job on us – they’re seeking a shift in our understanding of good leadership – “what Australia needs” bullshit – they did it with Howard, then Abbott. The bar is simply getting lower and meaner and uglier
Mr Dutton does not know the meaning of the word ‘civilised’, same can be said about Phil Coorey and his ‘statesman’…..
Dutton is curiously ape-ing Keating. That is what’s happening. It’s a style over or whatever. Copycat?? Bound to dupe people.
Jeez! The LNP are really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Statesman, Duston, never in the same sentence, surely? He would be just about one of the worst politicians to be even thought of as a “Statesman”? Surely the “person” who was suggesting this ignorant, lying, flat earth, obscenely over-paid poor bloody excuse for a “politician” is joking–although April fools day has been & gone!
Heather,
Dutton has tried humour and it was sooooo pitiful, Anthony Albanese called a Point of Order on “weirdness” which was the only funny part of this very rehearsed attempt at a joke….watch the smirk on Dutton’s face as he gets up to approach the dispatch box…
I could not access the Financial Review article as I do not subscribe. Did Phil Coorey refer to Dutton as a statesman or simply quote an LNP source? I consider Coorey to be one of the more astute political rounds men so find this hard to believe unless he was being sarcastic.
Please tell me it isn’t so.
I allows thought Coorey was a poor journo, his article now confirms it.
A great read Kaye.
Barry,
Coorey was quoting a Liberal source. The headline is “Peter Dutton: The statesman you never knew”
Coorey goes on to say….
“Costello singled out Dutton as “a talent who needs to be nurtured for our future”.
“I have a very high opinion of Peter. He was assistant treasurer to me, and he is somebody who will play a big role in the future of the party,” Costello said.
“He is a good thinker. He’s got a great touch with the electorate and good campaign skills, and a bit of toughness which I like.”
Dutton is one of four current ministers who served as a minister in the Howard government. The others were Bishop, Turnbull and, right towards the end, Christopher Pyne. Greg Hunt was a parliamentary secretary.
By this measure alone, Dutton and Bishop, who entered in 1998, are best qualified because they meet the so-called 20-year rule, which recommends that no one should consider political leadership until they have had around two decades in the Parliament.
It is generally a good guide. Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard were still both rookies when they became prime minister and both failed.
More significantly this week, Dutton drew on John Howard’s signature political strength to underscore why he, too, could be leader…
“You don’t have to be liked in politics. I’ve never seen politics as a Big Brother episode or as a reality TV show,” Dutton told 3AW.
“You need to make tough decisions and people respect you in the end I think for sticking by your beliefs and sticking by your convictions.
“And if you want to be a populist and want to try and please everyone, you’ll end up doing nothing in politics and I think in the end those people don’t survive.”
Dutton, a former Queensland cop, certainly has conviction… he has considerable political skills, as even his detractors admit.
One of Dutton’s biggest internal achievements was establishing the process to legalise same-sex marriage without destroying Turnbull or the Liberal Party. ….Even his detractors admit it was a masterful piece of political management.
Should the Coalition lose the next election, Dutton would most likely square off with Morrison for the leadership.
Should he do so, a term as opposition leader would provide a valuable opportunity for a reset for the hard man from the right.”
Piece of bile.
Coorey is a witless Murdochite regardless of whoever he writes for now.. To watch him on Backsliders is to witness a repulsive display of the worst of human servility.
An extreme case of consent manufacture.
An excellent article Kaye, thank you.
If Dutton is the best alternative to Turnbull then why are all the other Liarbral Party politicians so bad??
““Everyone listens when Peter intervenes. He’s the closest to a statesman we have.”” Read another way: like J. Edgar Hoover, they’re shit frightened on what sort of files Il Duttonuci might have stashed away?
Who is foolish enough to give credence to Phil Coorey a confirmed News Nit-wit
Dutton and statesman, not in the same sentence unless its gaol, In a field of one of course it stands out.
“He’s the closest to a statesman we have”… more like – “he’s the closest to Hitler that we have”… everyone listened to him too. Thank heavens Dutton does not have the power of his predecessor.
Succinctly written, well researched, yet again Kaye Lee.
Dutton claims not to be a populist, I wonder what Dutton thinks of Trump?
The Australian Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jan/31/peter-dutton-backs-donald-trumps-mandate-to-enforce-travel-ban
From the Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/03/16
I surmise that Dutton’s idea of governance is doing something to exploit the people rather than support the people.
Dutton a statesman? Tell Coorey & Costello they’re dreamin’.
Heather C, there’s absolutely nothing Keating-ish about either Dutton or Cormann…try as they may, they both fail miserably…
Bravo, Kaye! My feelings exactly.
I think we are missing the point of Coorey’s article. If the Liberals are claiming that Peter Dutton is the closest thing to a statesman that they have then that speaks volumes about the Liberal Party; indeed as Kaye’s article shows if this is really the best that they can do then the country is in even greater trouble than I thought.
Phil Coorey must have the IQ of a fence-post.
I don’t need to check a dictionary to understand the meaning of the word “statesman” but I do know that Peter Dutton is not an example of one. He is about as far from a model of one that I can imagine, except perhaps for Tony Abbott.
If Peter Dutton ever does become Prime Minister then perhaps Australians ought to consider following America in a way that they haven’t yet – assassination of political leaders. It does surprise me that Tony Abbott and even John Howard survived. It surprises me even more that each day I see no news flash to say that Trump is dead. In fact, I’m beginning to think that they actually have multiple clones of him and he does keep being assassinated but they just slot another one in. That might explain the perverse mish-mash of policy that comes from him, as well as the double back flips and the insane twittering. Or perhaps the whole situation is just one terrible dream and I’ll wake from it one of these days and breath some fresh air again.
Of course, I don’t really advocate suicide. I’m actually a pacifist and became so when on active service in a majority world country, inevitably witnessing how obsessively stupid our leaders can be and how willing we are to sacrifice the young whom, non-the-less we will shed endless tears over, if they are wounded or killed. However, perhaps if there is a “bad” person out there who wants to turn a bad act into a good deed, he or she could do the country a great service.
Come to think of it, if Peter Dutton wanted to give statesmanship a try, he could top himself for that’s about as close as he’ll ever get to the concept.
Yes, Phil Coorey, I know that in this I am right and you don’t appear to know black from white. If you have an intellect you certainly haven’t applied it in this case. How can I be so certain that I’m right? That’s easy. Each time a full rectum causes me to need the toilet, when my sphincter takes over and pushes out my rectum’s contents, the image that invariably comes into my mind is that of Peter Dutton.
Kaye, As you know Dutton’s involvement in the same Sex Marriage issue was typically devious.
When the parliament (the Senate) had rejected a referendum and the associated funding he suggested that the parliament should be bypassed and a non-binding, non compulsory postal vote take place with the funding coming out of a slush fund kept by the Finance Minister.
Dutton is against democracy and is all for bypassing parliamentary sovereignty when it suits his cause.
Thanks Kaye, I knew Australia was in trouble, just didn’t realize how deep!
Coorey, a respected journalist ?? Almost as brain dead as Katharine Murphy. Just what’s with the standards of journalism in this country, has that bastard Murdoch managed to corrupt everything he touches. Oh my Coorey, what a shame that you have sunk to this level. Your thirty pieces of silver won’t buy you a new conscience.
Y’know sometimes in my wildest dreams, I wish I could write like this. Wow, what an amazing piece of journalism, thorough, succinct, articulate and challenging.
Thank you Kaye,
I was reading an article which claimed that the Commission of Audit , set up by the government found that;
It costs $400,000 a year to keep ONE asylum seeker off shore,
If that same person was in detention in Australia it would cost $239,000,
If that same person had a bridging visa and was in the community it would only cost $40,000 per year.
The projected cost over the forward estimates for off shore will cost $10 billion of which 90% is wasted.
If this information is accurate , my question is ;
would a statesman allow this waste knowing full well that our budget deficit is up by 37%
that gov debt is 66%
that gross gov debt is up 64.4%
that the interest being paid on Gov debt has increased 45.3%.
I think not.
That Dutton is about as much a statesman as Josef Mengele was a benevolent paediatrician! He is a calculatingly cruel figure and is a misogynist, homophobic grub (remember saying that CEOs supportive of same-sex marriage should “stick to their knitting”?) as well as a racist bastard! The thought of Dutton being a future Prime Minister is as horrific as the lunacy of Mein Kampf being enacted!
“…he has a duty of care that is not being met”.
…he has a duty of care he is not meeting” or “he has a duty of care that he is ignoring”
Fixed it for you. Don’t use the passive voice. It subtly deflects blame from where it lies.
Is it true this guy is having medals made for his minions? Banana Republic…
Murdoch and co. scrabbling to find a replacement for Turnbull?
All the recent puff pieces demonstrate, at last, the reason behind Dutton’s huge media department. Always wondered why he needed such a department considering Nauru is on virtual media shutdown, and everything else to do with his indefinite imprisonment of refugees is shrouded in secrecy, finally the answer…… his push to be PM.
Goose stepping into Dutton’s dictatorship….. surely the Libs aren’t that desperate.
Maybe, we could all chip in and buy Coorey a dictionary, so he can find the real definition of ‘statesman’.
Where can I apply to migrate to New Zealand?
Jamboree,
“The Department of Immigration is spending more than $1.3 million on medals for its staff, outspending the Department of Defence and prompting new concerns about the militarisation of the portfolio. Government tender documents show the department has signed a contract worth $1,320,000 over three years with Melbourne-based company Cash’s Awards and Promotion Solutions for medals
The $440,000 a year contract was signed after an open tender process but appears more expensive than many of the comparable contracts available on the AusTender website.
For example, the department’s previous six-month medal contract – with the Royal Australian Mint – cost just $48,000.
Immigration appears to be spending more than the Department of Defence, which spent about $300,000 on medals, spread over eight contracts, in 2015.”
http://morningmail.org/get-your-free-medals-here/
Re:
The evidence abounds. Dutton is the power broker – knows how to count – knows how to communicate with the Liberal Party base. Heads a Department that can legitimately oversee virtually all other Ministries that matter.
Can be described a the power behind the throne or as a Shogun – the de facto ruler of the country, nominally appointed by the Prime Minister as a ceremonial formality.
Dutton is the go to man when things get really desperate – as they will before the next election. Dutton is in the perfect position to manufacture a crisis that will evoke irrational fears in the electorate. He can – and will.
Those who closely follow politics will not be surprised. In many ways, he’s a modern day Abbott – without a bike.
Re medals and the like – I am amused. Was entitled to apply – but never did – as a matter of principle. The need for extrinsic reward (recognition) seems appropriate for children (perhaps). But surely – not for adults.
What next – a ceremonial pat on the head? A tickle on the tummy? – Time to grow up?
Dutton can die, the sooner the better – I will be very pleased
Phill Corey you are all wrong, what’ s in it for you to praise this evil inhuman , for god sake stop promoting him as a future PM . He will never be a PM, youhsve gonedown in my books.i thought you were better than this,
Thank you for the clarification Kaye Lee.
I am glad that it was not Phil Coorey’s opinion.
Barry,
Whilst Coorey was quoting a Liberal, the tone of the article was still supportive of Dutton. He seemed to be saying that Dutton’s inflexible ideology is a plus. “You know what you are getting”. I think it’s part of the wider strategy to attack Shorten for supposedly changing his tune depending on his audience. They are really pushing that line though personally I don’t think it is valid.
He also praised Dutton for being an astute political operator. I think sometimes the Canberra press gallery is so interested in the power struggles it forgets the substance of what is being done. They think political manipulation is praiseworthy.
“Dutton can die,” well, if there’s any justice in this world, that will occur not in a bed in his sleep, but at the end of a rope.
I would never wish physical harm to anyone. I catch and release spiders when they come inside. I just want Peter Dutton voted out so the only family he can harm is his own.
Good grief, Costello! “Dutton is a talent who needs to be nurtured for our future.” I know there was a comedic duo partnered by abbott, but dutton is about as talented as a fart in a phone box is hilarious! And if dutton has talent, I hate to think of what a dearth of it there must be where you’re looking. As for Dutton’s own claims about people respecting you for your convictions and not having to be liked, well, if someone promises not to drink alcohol and refuses to take a sip at a wedding, yes, but to overrule the High Court when it goes against you and do what you’ve done is as evil as it is petty and juvenile.
Kaye Lee,
Fair enough. Inflexible ideology is seen by many as showing strong leadership, but compromise is the art of politics. too many so called strong leaders have led their country into disastrous wars. Give me diplomacy and reasonable compromise any day.
Thanks for your work.
Barry,
A leader has to be able to react to changing circumstances. They have to be able to listen to new ideas and approaches. They have to take on new information and adjust accordingly. Dutton is completely incapable of this.
Dutton’s electorate of Dickson is classed as a “marginal seat”, although recent boundary changes have possibly increased his margin from 1.6% to 2.9%.
Both of the last two elections have seen him losing votes.
As long as Turnbull maintains his losing streak and Dutton continues to be Dutton, he may well be gone at the next election.
Even his “rugged good looks, grace and charm” may not save Mr Potato Head next time.
Zathras, GetUp targeted Dutton at the last election and I was hopeful that we’d got him. I thought that the neighbouring seat of Petrie (Luke Howarth) was also an ALP gain but Howarth (absolutely no talent – no personality etc) increased his margin with an advertising blitz that was monumental.
Last time, Dutton’s opponent was Linda Lavarch (first woman Attorney-General in Queensland and once married to Michael Lavarch – Attorney-General at the federal level from 1993 to 1996) but she was possibly not the ideal opponent given her (somewhat messy) exist from the State Parliament.
Dutton will be hard to beat – that’s all the more reason to try harder.
Ali France is a good candidate but Dutton will no doubt attack her for her previous vocal opposition to offshore detention. She should take her lead from Ged Kearney who was in a similar situation. She said she would continue to work within the party for humane treatment for refugees. It will be an interesting campaign.
With respect, Ms Lee, there are some caveats that should be placed on the conversation.
Production of the ‘Statesman’ in Australia started in July 1971 and ceased in 1984. After an hiatus, it was reintroduced in 1990 and continued production until 2010 but a subtle rebranding occurred wherein it transitioned from ‘Statesman’ to ‘Caprice’.
Without wishing to put too fine a point on it, Australia, arguably, has not produced a genuine ‘Statesman’ for some decades. Since 2010, one could argue we have only produced ‘Caprice’. At the risk of sounding highfalutin, caprice is defined as “a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behaviour” and its cousin, capricious, is defined as “changing according to no discernible rules; unpredictable”. Oddly appropriate under the circumstances, don’t you think?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statesman_(automobile)
Regrettably, we no longer produce statesmen of even a capricious variety, as all production ceased (at the insistence of ‘eleventy’, with the assistance of ‘Tiny’) in 2017.
Oh, and a fun fact. Tiny didn’t even like the Caprice, as he ‘suddenly and unpredictably’ stopped purchasing the ‘home made’ Caprice, opting for the imported BMW (which had nothing to do with one of his daughters working for BMW).
As for Fill Cooooo-eeeee, he was doing what all good little ‘journalists’ do these days. Sounding out possible sales pitches for his ‘master’.
Dutton is clearly on the ‘campaign trail’ having previously done one interview with The Guardian, which was produced as two articles. The strongest criticism of Dutton in those articles was that he had previously said The Guardian ‘was dead to him’ but then did an interview with them. Tee hee, very funny.
It was ironic that they were ‘dead to him’ because they kept reporting on those infernal refugees he has incarcerated in his own quest to recreate part one of Alighieri’s ‘Divine Comedy’, otherwise known as ‘Dante’s Inferno’. Again, it is oddly coincidental that;
“In the poem, Hell is depicted as nine concentric circles of torment located within the Earth; it is the “realm … of those who have rejected spiritual values by yielding to bestial appetites or violence, or by perverting their human intellect to fraud or malice against their fellowmen”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferno_(Dante)
You may be interested in the defining ‘sins’ of the nine circles, particularly given our current religious zealots allegedly in charge.
Putting that aside, Fill’s rebadging of Dutton, as he stated on ‘Insiders’, was a copying of Howard’s tactic. Be seen as decisive, regardless of how much cruelty you inflict or torment you may create. Dutton wants to separate himself from Tremble’s, who is clearly indecisive, without putting forward any new policies or issues of substance.
This also serves to establish his place in the list euphemistically referred to as ‘potential candidates’, all of whom are adjudged, consistently, to be devoid of potential.
“In news that will comfort the prime minister, Turnbull remains the pick of voters as preferred Liberal leader, with 24% (up 3% since December) nominating him. Julie Bishop is seven points behind that on 17% (down 2%) and Peter Dutton rates only 3%.
Tony Abbott is favoured by 11% of the sample of all voters (up 1%) but, underscoring general voter disaffection, 27% do not know who they want to lead the party of government, and 14% say they want “someone else”.”
“Turnbull also remains the favoured option of Coalition voters, with 45% support, which is up 5% since last December. Bishop over the same period has gone backwards with the base, preferred by 13%, down 7%, while Abbott has had a small resurgence, with 17%, up 4%, nominating him.
When you take Turnbull out of the picture, 26% of the sample nominates Bishop as the best leader of the Liberal Party, while 16% say Abbott, with Dutton creeping up to 5%. Among Coalition voters, 30% prefer Bishop, 26% Abbott and 8% Dutton.
Among Liberal/National voters, 30% prefer Bishop, 26% prefer Abbott, with Dutton the outlier at 8%.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/10/turnbull-government-records-80th-straight-loss-in-guardian-essential-poll
You see? Perspective and context are important. Whilst the Liberal party and their media cheersquad are seeking to find the new MESSiah, it is only in the context of their own delusional clique. Out here in the real world, it is akin to choosing which poison you would prefer, as if the offer of choice or a selection makes the poison’s resultant damage or death palatable.
It also seems fair to mention the Broader Farce Medals. The CPSU have been arguing for a pay rise and mutual recognition of categorisation of work performances for years. They were back in Court yesterday, in fact. Clearly, paying your staff is not required when you give them a big, bright shiny medal, a pat on the head and a patronising ‘Attaboy’.
https://www.smh.com.au/public-service/home-affairs-accuses-cpsu-of-cherry-picking-agreements-20180416-p4z9y2.html
As for this members interests, trusts, super funds and private companies seem to own 6 investment properties and one residence, much of which appears to be subject to finance spread across several lenders. Naturally, the rules do not allow for scrutiny of silly things like how much is negatively geared even though he gets to vote on retention of negative gearing. Likewise, there is no record if the investment property in Canberra is where he stays when he’s there, enabling a claim for the government subsidy of members accommodation.
https://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/03%20Senators%20and%20Members/32%20Members/Register/45p/CF/DuttonP_45P.pdf
It is also interesting to note Malcolm Farr considers Ali France, Labor’s preselected candidate, is ‘a gift’ for Dutton because she’s one of those lefty bolshy bleeding heart radicals that is ‘dead to him’.
“Mr Dutton now has a prime political opportunity to question his Labor rival’s commitment to offshore detention and party policy. She had previously called supporters of the policy “hypocrites” and called for detainees on Manus and Nauru to be settled on the Australian mainland.”
http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/brisbanes-new-labor-candidate-to-hit-peter-dutton-where-it-hurts/news-story/ceb43e6949c3db6c8405d9f97a91da17
Gee, they’re quick out there in media cheersquad land, aren’t they? If the last two female inductee’s to Canberra are anything to go by (Ms Ged Kearney and Ms Kristina Keneally), the matter of offshore detention looks to be an agenda item anyway. “It’s Time” this was put on at least one party’s agenda, to bring them up to the wishes of the people.
Oh dear. He’s not a ‘Statesman’, notwithstanding his Caprice.
Thank you Ms Lee and commenters. Take care
Agree with Matters Not (yes, it does happen).
Regarding the little dictator-in-waiting Dutton. When I was in paid employment, I would’ve appreciated a bonus or pay rise for performing above and beyond – that I never received much more than a verbal “well done” was about as much as I I could expect, although I remember a time prior to 1990 when bonuses and pay rises were a reality.
I have no doubt the adult beneficiaries of medals would feel the same as I, having living expenses and such like. Although shiny trinkets look swish on black uniforms…
The morality of awarding medals at all, given the parlous state of indefinitely detained men, women and children on Nauru and Manus, merely increases the heaving pile of sewage Dutton, er, produces as his lack of worth to be in charge of anything is proven beyond doubt.
“My critics are dead… to me”.
This is what the LNP believes to be statesmanship.
That is why said party aren’t fit to administer a BBQ, let alone a country.
Mm, when I played football, I was close to an AFL player…
Yep, he and I both played on the half forward line.
I just wonder which statesman Peter Dutton is close to and why it took them so long to move away.
diannaart, we live in a complex world, inhabited by strange people. More than three decades ago, a colleague bemoaned constantly that he was denied the equivalent of a shiny medal due to some professional transgression. As time progressed, I arrived in a position where I could right his (perceived) wrong.
While the Minister of the day agreed to play ball, the intended recipient proved much more problematic – he wanted an apology as well. Needless to say it was not forthcoming – reinforced by a whole series of expletives.
It’s amazing how some people construct their political reality.
Medals for the border farce? The uniform is bad enough. Dutton is too dangerous to be taken as a joke.
FFS they’ve finally jumped the shark.
Yes, Ali France is a fantastic candidate, and a nice person to boot. If Dutton attacks her over opposition to offshore detention, he is showing that he has no humanity (well, we know he doesn’t) and attacks someone who does. It’s not just offshore detention that we are opposed to, it’s also the fact that the evil bastard sought to deport an autistic Indian woman and two Bangladeshi doctors with an autistic child. THAT, is as inhumane as offshore detention! And, let’s not forget Mozghan! Why am I speaking out, well, I’m autistic!
Matters Not
Your colleague from 3 decades ago would probably fit right in with the Dutton regime – being the place for those too full of themselves. How old IS Dutton anyway?
Perhaps Phil Coorey would serve his “profession” better with a comprehensive and more appropriate investigation into the “would-be-PM’s” background.
“Au pairs” might be a good start.
He was born on 18 November 1970.
I am reminded of my childrens’ school days when I volunteered in the classroom and the canteen and at sport. I was also the treasurer of the P&C. They decided to have a thank you morning tea for volunteers which meant I had to go in another day, help prepare the p&c catered food, clean up, and receive a certificate of thanks. I would much rather have had the day off.
Yes, I remember that day. There was an awful rumbling, then a tremendous thunder clash after which it rained and rained for around a week and the air was so cloudy and damp that everyone had a terrible sense of fore-boding.
Whaaaat!!!! Do you mean to say that I share my birthday with Peter Dutton!!!!
Oh the shame, the shame.
At least I was here first.
somebody is taking the p!ss here….surely. ( Dutton ROFL )
For a bit of fun.. Star Signs
“The highly spirited individuals born on November 18 are usually extremely active in both mind and body. One of their chief characteristics is their emotional lability, although on the outside they can appear cool, calm and collected when they wish to. In this respect they are masters at self-control, and indeed must be, since the boiling cauldron within them is not what they wish to reveal to the world. In the best case scenario, they are capable of creatively channeling their strong emotional energies directly into their work.
November 18 people are highly social and most happy when they are the center of attention. They are often ambitious, and are perhaps cut out for leading roles in life. Their ambition generally manifests in the name of a social group which they come to represent or personify. Whether their talents are astonishing or modest they prefer to reveal them on their own terms. Thus November 18 people resist pressure to seek success before they feel ready. When in fact they are ready may be a matter they not only debate with others but within themselves.Diligence is not often the strongest side of November 18 people, since they can accomplish more by intuition, sensitivity and vision than many can through dutiful application or hours of effort. Also their sensuous side is not as strongly developed as their varied and rich emotional side. They are the kind of people who invite interest and investigation; usually the more one digs the more one finds, as continuing surprises are provided by their inner chameleon-like twists and turns. In this way they encourage people to become fascinated with them.
November 18 people need attention and will not rest until they get it. In this respect they are needy and therefore manifest some degree of insecurity, but in fact may be able to justify the attention they demand by being interesting and productive. Their product may be tangible, but more often than not lies in the realm of entertainment, service, or simply manifesting positive energy. In this last respect, November 18 people are highly sought after as friends and families members who bring sunshine and laughter into the lives of others. Charming (although admittedly selfish, tempestuous, moody or unpredictable as well), they give life to any event in which they take part.
Since November 18 people are so adept at acting a part, they are sometimes accused of superficiality or irresponsibility. Such charges on closer examination generally prove unfair. Yet the November 18 need for attention is so great that they must indeed beware of compromising their ideals when in search of it."
For a bit of fun.. Star Signs
“The highly spirited individuals born on November 18 are usually extremely active in both mind and body. One of their chief characteristics is their emotional lability, although on the outside they can appear cool, calm and collected when they wish to. In this respect they are masters at self-control, and indeed must be, since the boiling cauldron within them is not what they wish to reveal to the world. In the best case scenario, they are capable of creatively channeling their strong emotional energies directly into their work.
November 18 people are highly social and most happy when they are the center of attention. They are often ambitious, and are perhaps cut out for leading roles in life. Their ambition generally manifests in the name of a social group which they come to represent or personify. Whether their talents are astonishing or modest they prefer to reveal them on their own terms. Thus November 18 people resist pressure to seek success before they feel ready. When in fact they are ready may be a matter they not only debate with others but within themselves.
Diligence is not often the strongest side of November 18 people, since they can accomplish more by intuition, sensitivity and vision than many can through dutiful application or hours of effort. Also their sensuous side is not as strongly developed as their varied and rich emotional side. They are the kind of people who invite interest and investigation; usually the more one digs the more one finds, as continuing surprises are provided by their inner chameleon-like twists and turns. In this way they encourage people to become fascinated with them.
November 18 people need attention and will not rest until they get it. In this respect they are needy and therefore manifest some degree of insecurity, but in fact may be able to justify the attention they demand by being interesting and productive. Their product may be tangible, but more often than not lies in the realm of entertainment, service, or simply manifesting positive energy. In this last respect, November 18 people are highly sought after as friends and families members who bring sunshine and laughter into the lives of others. Charming (although admittedly selfish, tempestuous, moody or unpredictable as well), they give life to any event in which they take part.
Since November 18 people are so adept at acting a part, they are sometimes accused of superficiality or irresponsibility. Such charges on closer examination generally prove unfair. Yet the November 18 need for attention is so great that they must indeed beware of compromising their ideals when in search of it.