The Australian politics thread

[Spark]

DPP can't investigate Fair Work report - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

so i think the word we're looking for here is "farcical"

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Spark

DPP can't investigate Fair Work report - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

so i think the word we're looking for here is "farcical"

The DPP can't investigate allegations. It has no investigative powers. The Police have to do the leg work.

That's why the allegations are already before the NSW and Victorian police. FWA has the power to investigate the HSU, it does not have the power to investigate whether an individual has committed an illegal act. I would have thought Chief Justice Brandis SC (given that appellation as a political manouevre eight years after he ceased practice - the man is a monstrous legal lightweight) would have known the police forces of the relevant jurisdiction have that power. Then they refer the matter, where apprpriate, to the DPP by way of a brief of evidence.

If you think this is a bungle of the government's making, guess again. AFAIK Ms Jackson, whose husband used to travel with Mr Thomson in his days working at the HSU, referred the matter to FWA.

As for Thomson, he has always maintained his innocence. Idiot Brandis, whose cross-examination and forensic skills are those of a dead sheep, and his acolytes think this means Thomson has denied using the card. That is not so. He has denied using it improperly or illegally - that is, contrary to any guidelines given to him by his employer. If no guidelines as to the use of the card were issued, that is the end of the matter. Kaput. No more. He will not be charged.

All of the above is within the public domain and pretty well known.

There's a lot more to this, but it cannot be said by me on here. Suffice to say much of it stems from two groups within the HSU who essentially control different factions within the union and who don't get on.

[Burgey]

Character slam!!!!

[howardj]

Yeah but she's 57-43

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Burgey

The DPP can't investigate allegations. It has no investigative powers. The Police have to do the leg work.

That's why the allegations are already before the NSW and Victorian police. FWA has the power to investigate the HSU, it does not have the power to investigate whether an individual has committed an illegal act. I would have thought Chief Justice Brandis SC (given that appellation as a political manouevre eight years after he ceased practice - the man is a monstrous legal lightweight) would have known the police forces of the relevant jurisdiction have that power. Then they refer the matter, where apprpriate, to the DPP by way of a brief of evidence.

If you think this is a bungle of the government's making, guess again. AFAIK Ms Jackson, whose husband used to travel with Mr Thomson in his days working at the HSU, referred the matter to FWA.

As for Thomson, he has always maintained his innocence. Idiot Brandis, whose cross-examination and forensic skills are those of a dead sheep, and his acolytes think this means Thomson has denied using the card. That is not so. He has denied using it improperly or illegally - that is, contrary to any guidelines given to him by his employer. If no guidelines as to the use of the card were issued, that is the end of the matter. Kaput. No more. He will not be charged.

All of the above is within the public domain and pretty well known.

There's a lot more to this, but it cannot be said by me on here. Suffice to say much of it stems from two groups within the HSU who essentially control different factions within the union and who don't get on.

Yeah it's blatantly obvious, esp. after the interview Jackson (does she give anyone else the chills btw?) gave to 7.30 yesterday, that this is about powerplays in the union movement as much as anything else.

[Burgey]

Is there anyone more spectacularly lacking in self awareness than Alexander Downer?

[stephen]

So Tony Abbott's sister is out of the closet. Interesting.

[morgieb]

So...is Tony Katter our new opposition leader?

[Andre]

Originally Posted by stephen

So Tony Abbott's sister is out of the closet. Interesting.

Not really, I dare say the majority of us don't even feel its newsworthy to be honest.

[Spark]

Bob Brown is resigning as Greens leader + Senator.

Didn't see that coming.

[Jono]

Haha his aliens speech was his last weird thing to do. His farewell troll.

[Spikey]

gillard stabbed him in the back imo

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Jono

Haha his aliens speech was his last weird thing to do. His farewell troll.

That was by far the stupidest thing he's ever said, and that's saying something.

[stephen]

GhostWhoVotes ‏ @GhostWhoVotes Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
#Newspoll Preferred PM: Gillard 39 (-1) Abbott 41 (+4) #auspol
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#Newspoll Primary Votes: ALP 29 (+1) L/NP 48 (+1) GRN 12 (+1) #auspol
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#Newspoll 2 Party Preferred: ALP 44 (+1) L/NP 56 (-1) #auspol
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Is Burgey finally gonna crack?

[Burgey]

Over what?