27 June 2012

Coe accuses the Speaker of misusing his power

| johnboy
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In an astonishing move of childish petulance (and a very badly raised child at that in my opinion) Alistair Coe has written to the Ombudsman making grave allegations of misuse of power against the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shane Rattenbury.

This fit of ill-advised pique was triggered by today’s finding that Coe and Vicki Dunne had changed approved copy for their electorate communications to a form not acceptable for public funding.

That’s bad enough in a “they got caught now pay back the money” sort of way that politicians seem to be allowed to do, but that rarely cuts it for the rest of us.

But to now try to go over the Speaker’s head like this?

If you’ve got no confidence in the Speaker, Alistair, then move it in the Assembly and if you haven’t got the numbers then shut up and get on with your job of convincing the electorate to change the numbers.

(And no, public funding to convince the electorate is not a goddamn entitlement)

Running to mum at your age to complain about the ref?

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Jim Jones said :

Mysteryman said :

Are you serious, johnboy? You’re suggesting that the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny and only subject to the polling booth? There are channels for complaints to be made, and they are being used. If the Speakers’ Office has nothing to worry about then surely the Ombudsman will see that. Conversely, if Coe & co actually have evidence to suggest that the Speakers’ Office is doing the wrong thing, then it will be found out.

I know you’ve got a clear anti-Liberal stance (it’s evident from the copious use of belittling terms when referring to the Liberals, but not the other parties, in headlines and articles) but this post seems pretty over-the-top.

Hmmm … now I can’t figure out if who is more stupid, you or Coe.

I’m sure there is no limit to the number of things you can’t figure out.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back5:27 pm 28 Jun 12

FFS, can someone give him a real job, like packing shelves at Woolies, building fences, brickies labourer, even a public servant, whatever.

At least then he’ll actually understand what it’s like to really work.

Damn right.

Mysteryman said :

Are you serious, johnboy? You’re suggesting that the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny and only subject to the polling booth? There are channels for complaints to be made, and they are being used. If the Speakers’ Office has nothing to worry about then surely the Ombudsman will see that. Conversely, if Coe & co actually have evidence to suggest that the Speakers’ Office is doing the wrong thing, then it will be found out.

I know you’ve got a clear anti-Liberal stance (it’s evident from the copious use of belittling terms when referring to the Liberals, but not the other parties, in headlines and articles) but this post seems pretty over-the-top.

Hmmm … now I can’t figure out if who is more stupid, you or Coe.

I would point out that the budget provides money for the Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate to:

“Deliver annual city-wide whole of government newsletter”

Not political at all!

Elephant_hunter12:48 pm 28 Jun 12

bd84 said :

While not having seen the flyers to know either way, one only has to look at the media releases issued by government ministers to know that they’re also guilty of misusing public resources for political gain by including political attacks on the opposition in them. They also tend to manipulate some releases of their directorates to get their policy in there. Just look at Chris Bourke’s release this morning about school traffic safety for Labor electioneering.. I bet not much gets done about that.

Having seen the flyer in question (although I haven’t seen the Green’s one for comparison), I thought that it was election advertising!

While not having seen the flyers to know either way, one only has to look at the media releases issued by government ministers to know that they’re also guilty of misusing public resources for political gain by including political attacks on the opposition in them. They also tend to manipulate some releases of their directorates to get their policy in there. Just look at Chris Bourke’s release this morning about school traffic safety for Labor electioneering.. I bet not much gets done about that.

I doubt the Ombudsman can deal with this under her Act and, even if she can, it looks far more like a matter to be resolved politically. If Mr Coe believes that the Speaker should be answerable to some unelected official (and that this would somehow not detract from the capacity and obligation of the legislature to manage itself), he should propose legislation to allow it. Otherwise, he or his party can work to get a majority in the Assembly or to be able to negotiate some control.
The problem is that, despite a range of ages and the presence of three parties, the ACT Legislative Assembly lacks people of the talent and maturity really needed to do the job. (I’m not volunteering – it needs better people than I am and better than those who have so far stuck their hands up). I mean, since self-government, how many have there been whom one would prepare to employ in any responsible capacity?

Mysteryman said :

johnboy said :

Mysteryman said :

Are you serious, johnboy? You’re suggesting that the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny and only subject to the polling booth? There are channels for complaints to be made, and they are being used. If the Speakers’ Office has nothing to worry about then surely the Ombudsman will see that. Conversely, if Coe & co actually have evidence to suggest that the Speakers’ Office is doing the wrong thing, then it will be found out.

I know you’ve got a clear anti-Liberal stance (it’s evident from the copious use of belittling terms when referring to the Liberals, but not the other parties, in headlines and articles) but this post seems pretty over-the-top.

Yes indeed, Labor and the Greens are so utterly thrilled by my take on things! (Note for retards: they are not)

These Liberals get belittled because they act like very small human beings.

And if you think I’ve never had a bad word about any other party you really need to concentrate on keeping on breathing.

Stupid people saying stupid things should not complain when they get called stupid. Truth is not bias.

Since you didn’t address the question, should I take it that you do have a problem with the proper processes being used, and that you do think the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny?

The speaker is being attacked for exercising scrutiny he is required to. Better question is do you think those who exercise scrutiny should fear being called corrupt?

johnboy said :

Mysteryman said :

Are you serious, johnboy? You’re suggesting that the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny and only subject to the polling booth? There are channels for complaints to be made, and they are being used. If the Speakers’ Office has nothing to worry about then surely the Ombudsman will see that. Conversely, if Coe & co actually have evidence to suggest that the Speakers’ Office is doing the wrong thing, then it will be found out.

I know you’ve got a clear anti-Liberal stance (it’s evident from the copious use of belittling terms when referring to the Liberals, but not the other parties, in headlines and articles) but this post seems pretty over-the-top.

Yes indeed, Labor and the Greens are so utterly thrilled by my take on things! (Note for retards: they are not)

These Liberals get belittled because they act like very small human beings.

And if you think I’ve never had a bad word about any other party you really need to concentrate on keeping on breathing.

Stupid people saying stupid things should not complain when they get called stupid. Truth is not bias.

Since you didn’t address the question, should I take it that you do have a problem with the proper processes being used, and that you do think the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny?

The speaker’s office is subject to the scrutiny of the assembly and the people.

Stop whining you pathetic baby.

The sooner we get rid of the states and territories the better.

Mysteryman said :

Are you serious, johnboy? You’re suggesting that the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny and only subject to the polling booth? There are channels for complaints to be made, and they are being used. If the Speakers’ Office has nothing to worry about then surely the Ombudsman will see that. Conversely, if Coe & co actually have evidence to suggest that the Speakers’ Office is doing the wrong thing, then it will be found out.

I know you’ve got a clear anti-Liberal stance (it’s evident from the copious use of belittling terms when referring to the Liberals, but not the other parties, in headlines and articles) but this post seems pretty over-the-top.

Yes indeed, Labor and the Greens are so utterly thrilled by my take on things! (Note for retards: they are not)

These Liberals get belittled because they act like very small human beings.

And if you think I’ve never had a bad word about any other party you really need to concentrate on keeping on breathing.

Stupid people saying stupid things should not complain when they get called stupid. Truth is not bias.

Are you serious, johnboy? You’re suggesting that the Speakers’ Office should be above scrutiny and only subject to the polling booth? There are channels for complaints to be made, and they are being used. If the Speakers’ Office has nothing to worry about then surely the Ombudsman will see that. Conversely, if Coe & co actually have evidence to suggest that the Speakers’ Office is doing the wrong thing, then it will be found out.

I know you’ve got a clear anti-Liberal stance (it’s evident from the copious use of belittling terms when referring to the Liberals, but not the other parties, in headlines and articles) but this post seems pretty over-the-top.

Off topic, but I would be interested to know what a handwriting analyst would make of that signature. Particularly the rather high school style, starry ‘A’.

Honestly Coe still buys his suits in the boys wear section of Lowes, what’s he doing in the Assembly?

Well said Fred, this is not the 1st time Coe has acted his age – 15 years. Should be 30 before venturing into office.

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