12 July 2016

Greens demand Seselja oppose Joyce

| Michael Reid
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Christina Hobbs

ACT Greens Senate candidate Christina Hobbs has slammed Barnaby Joyce’s plan to force Canberra-based public servants to leave Canberra.

“This is blatant pork-barrelling on the part of the deputy prime minister. Only the most rabidly partisan would deny it,” said Hobbs (pictured).

She was referring to Joyce’s latest comments about forcing the 170 workers at the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to move to Armidale.

“This move is opposed by affected workers, their unions, the agency’s management and the National Farmer’s Federation. What possible justification could this government have for ignoring all of the available advice?

“It’s clear that Canberra’s jobs and working conditions are coming second place to Barnaby Joyce’s desperate bid for re-election – and what’s even worse is the arrogant way he and the Liberal-National Coalition are handling the uproar.”

Hobbs said it was time for Zed Seselja to step up and do the job he’s been elected to do for Canberra.

“This is just the latest attack on Canberra’s jobs by a Government that has shown disdain for our city and treated the public service like a plaything. Barnaby Joyce is now trying to buy votes in his electorate and Canberra Liberal Senator Zed Seselja is just standing by and letting him do it.

“Mr Joyce has now told these public servants and their families that they’d better get used to the idea of moving or they will be looking for a new job – and Senator Seselja has failed to call him out on his outrageous comments.

“These public servants and their families have every right to be angry. The Greens and I will continue to stand with them.”

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Masquara said :

NinaCanberra said :

Jean said :

He’s done so much. Sat by and watched the biggest APS cuts in two decades.

That would be the “biggest APS cuts in two decades” that would, according to disclosures post the last election, have been replicated by Federal Labor ! 14,000+ losses to Federal APS jobs were planned by Federal labor I recall.

Anyway apart from the potential impact on individuals (who are pretty well looked after as part of “voluntary” redundancy packages anyway), the effect on the Canberra economy was……pretty much bugger all.

So what did Zed do to protect his constituents from these cuts?

He did what he should have – nothing. The cuts were needed. Even the Labor government saw that, which is why they began cutting public service jobs 2 years before the 2013 election.

NinaCanberra said :

Jean said :

He’s done so much. Sat by and watched the biggest APS cuts in two decades.

That would be the “biggest APS cuts in two decades” that would, according to disclosures post the last election, have been replicated by Federal Labor ! 14,000+ losses to Federal APS jobs were planned by Federal labor I recall.

Anyway apart from the potential impact on individuals (who are pretty well looked after as part of “voluntary” redundancy packages anyway), the effect on the Canberra economy was……pretty much bugger all.

So what did Zed do to protect his constituents from these cuts?

Jean said :

He’s done so much. Sat by and watched the biggest APS cuts in two decades.

That would be the “biggest APS cuts in two decades” that would, according to disclosures post the last election, have been replicated by Federal Labor ! 14,000+ losses to Federal APS jobs were planned by Federal labor I recall.

Anyway apart from the potential impact on individuals (who are pretty well looked after as part of “voluntary” redundancy packages anyway), the effect on the Canberra economy was……pretty much bugger all.

Jean said :

mburston said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

To pre-empt some likely responses, yes, Zed is even worse than some of the mediocre union hacks that become Labor senators for the ACT.

So, Zed has done less than the union hack-come Labor Senators for the ACT?
If he is such an “unrepresentative representative”, how come he got elected?

He’s done so much. Sat by and watched the biggest APS cuts in two decades. Opposed same sex marriage despite three-quarters of his constituents supporting it. Great representative for Canberra.

Not all Canberrans are same sex centric and are in the APS so it is appropriate that someone represent their views too.

mburston said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

To pre-empt some likely responses, yes, Zed is even worse than some of the mediocre union hacks that become Labor senators for the ACT.

So, Zed has done less than the union hack-come Labor Senators for the ACT?
If he is such an “unrepresentative representative”, how come he got elected?

He’s done so much. Sat by and watched the biggest APS cuts in two decades. Opposed same sex marriage despite three-quarters of his constituents supporting it. Great representative for Canberra.

Acton said :

mburston said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

To pre-empt some likely responses, yes, Zed is even worse than some of the mediocre union hacks that become Labor senators for the ACT.

So, Zed has done less than the union hack-come Labor Senators for the ACT?
If he is such an “unrepresentative representative”, how come he got elected?

Default.We have one Labor senator, and the second spot goes to a liberal. He came close to losing to a Green last election…

But he didn’t.

mburston said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

To pre-empt some likely responses, yes, Zed is even worse than some of the mediocre union hacks that become Labor senators for the ACT.

So, Zed has done less than the union hack-come Labor Senators for the ACT?
If he is such an “unrepresentative representative”, how come he got elected?

Default.We have one Labor senator, and the second spot goes to a liberal. He came close to losing to a Green last election…

HiddenDragon5:07 pm 13 Jun 16

Acton said :

Lets face it ACT Senators of both sides have been pathetic in standing up for Canberrans over the last 30 years. I can’t remember any of them making a stand against their party when the ACT has copped a hammering. Humphries, Lundy, Katie & Zed have all been equally silent.

Nothing will change until Canberrans stop automatically voting for Labor & the ACT electorates become genuine swinging seats – that’s when we will get serious attention just like Tasmania does.

Well said – if the Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority was located in Queanbeyan, or anywhere else in Eden-Monaro, it is highly unlikely this move would have gotten past the thought bubble stage.

Acton said :

Lets face it ACT Senators of both sides have been pathetic in standing up for Canberrans over the last 30 years. I can’t remember any of them making a stand against their party when the ACT has copped a hammering. Humphries, Lundy, Katie & Zed have all been equally silent.

Nothing will change until Canberrans stop automatically voting for Labor & the ACT electorates become genuine swinging seats – that’s when we will get serious attention just like Tasmania does.

I seem to recal Lundy was quite vocal especially in the broadband debate. Her work forces Telstra to upgrade their rims and put the act(yes that pesky Gungahlin) on the early rollout of FTTP nbn.

Affirmative Action Man1:06 pm 13 Jun 16

Lets face it ACT Senators of both sides have been pathetic in standing up for Canberrans over the last 30 years. I can’t remember any of them making a stand against their party when the ACT has copped a hammering. Humphries, Lundy, Katie & Zed have all been equally silent.

Nothing will change until Canberrans stop automatically voting for Labor & the ACT electorates become genuine swinging seats – that’s when we will get serious attention just like Tasmania does.

wildturkeycanoe said :

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

To pre-empt some likely responses, yes, Zed is even worse than some of the mediocre union hacks that become Labor senators for the ACT.

So, Zed has done less than the union hack-come Labor Senators for the ACT?
If he is such an “unrepresentative representative”, how come he got elected?

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

To pre-empt some likely responses, yes, Zed is even worse than some of the mediocre union hacks that become Labor senators for the ACT.

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

Yep. Zed is the most unrepresentative representative the ACT has ever suffered.

devils_advocate said :

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

What have the two Labor senators Zed has served along side of done for the ACT in the same time, John?
One picked up a ratepayer funded $30K moving allowance to take on the seat.

I would have thought there is a greater talent pool of scientists to fill positions in a large city like Canberra rather than a small provincial city like Armidale. As for Seselja standing up for Canberra, fat chance of that ever happening. The only people he represents is the arch conservatives in The Vatican. Either that or he is tied up with appearing on right wing TV and radio stations like Sky News and 2CC where he always gets an easy run. I’ve started a grass roots campaign via YouTube to have him defeated in this election because I believe his performance as an ACT senator has been unacceptable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that following this pork barreling incident and my latest video, Seselja has started an ad campaign via social media with the slogan “Zed Seselja. Vote for Canberra”. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the Simple Radio app on my iPhone this morning and there in front of me was one of his ads.

clairee said :

No_Nose said :

It all worked out OK at the end of they day and I am sure it will for these 170 “workers” if they resign and stay in Canberra.
Having said that, there is nothing wrong with Armidale and with a Canberra salary one could be really affluent in a place like Armidale.

Firstly, we are talking about the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, a niche unit that would have people with unique skills employed. They would take a massive backwards step if they tried to replace the staff who didn’t relocate. Decades of experience and knowledge of how the business runs would be thrown away, replaced by newbies who’d have no clue what is going on. Other departments who connect with them would struggle to do business, considering that flights to and from there require a Sydney stopover and take almost three hours. What about the research labs, suppliers and other connections they’d be leaving behind? Are they going to build a new office in Armidale or stick them in a disused warehouse in the industrial sector? So much uncertainty and for what reason except Mr. Joyce wants to play politician.
Then what of the workers who do not want to leave their families, friends, their children’s education and other ties within the public sector? If they stay, the aforementioned unique skills they have will not be of any use in finding an alternative job in Canberra. We aren’t talking about a fast food cook or a service station attendant. These people have skills that were honed for one purpose and if they stray from that path, finding a job elsewhere is not going to be easy. Will they get redundancy should they choose to deny the transfer? Will they instead be moved into a lower paid, menial position until they get tired of the mundane nature of it and eventually go looking elsewhere in the private sector?
Barnaby Joyce’s explanation that this will create 175 jobs for Armidale is total bollocks. There will be no new jobs created because they will be taken up by those already working in that department. If they can’t get the experienced people to relocate, where are they going to find these brilliant minds to replace them? Certainly not from Armidale. The only boost will be to local businesses with the custom of these new residents. As for the concept that they could live like kings [earning P.S. wages in a cheap town to live in], I suspect it wouldn’t take long for their wages to be renegotiated to suit N.S.W. standards, bringing an end to their current living standards.

I can see you are passionate about this issue and I respect your views. You may consider the following also.
Why was the NDIS setup in Geelong? It’s a Federal Agency which is spending billions. One would think it should be in Canberra.
Also, The UNE at Armidale used to have (and still maybe has) a Rural Science faculty which may be more suited to interact with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority than any university in Canberra.
Surely there is a ongoing training programme to keep the special skills in the agency so the potential for loss of skills would be covered.
The “other departments that have to connect with them” could use the internet like everyone else does.

You don’t really move a small agency to Armidale, you just destroy what you have and recreate it somewhere else from scratch at high cost. If the agency is poorly functioning it might be a good idea. If the agency is even functioning on a basic level its just throwing away millions. As a tax payer its crazy.

Has Ms. Hobbs complained to the other ACT Senator yet?
Her name is Katy Gallagher and she used to be a national organiser for the CPSU.
What about asking Tony Windsor (Barnaby Joyce’s minority-Labor opponent) what he thinks.

No_Nose said :

It all worked out OK at the end of they day and I am sure it will for these 170 “workers” if they resign and stay in Canberra.
Having said that, there is nothing wrong with Armidale and with a Canberra salary one could be really affluent in a place like Armidale.

Firstly, we are talking about the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, a niche unit that would have people with unique skills employed. They would take a massive backwards step if they tried to replace the staff who didn’t relocate. Decades of experience and knowledge of how the business runs would be thrown away, replaced by newbies who’d have no clue what is going on. Other departments who connect with them would struggle to do business, considering that flights to and from there require a Sydney stopover and take almost three hours. What about the research labs, suppliers and other connections they’d be leaving behind? Are they going to build a new office in Armidale or stick them in a disused warehouse in the industrial sector? So much uncertainty and for what reason except Mr. Joyce wants to play politician.
Then what of the workers who do not want to leave their families, friends, their children’s education and other ties within the public sector? If they stay, the aforementioned unique skills they have will not be of any use in finding an alternative job in Canberra. We aren’t talking about a fast food cook or a service station attendant. These people have skills that were honed for one purpose and if they stray from that path, finding a job elsewhere is not going to be easy. Will they get redundancy should they choose to deny the transfer? Will they instead be moved into a lower paid, menial position until they get tired of the mundane nature of it and eventually go looking elsewhere in the private sector?
Barnaby Joyce’s explanation that this will create 175 jobs for Armidale is total bollocks. There will be no new jobs created because they will be taken up by those already working in that department. If they can’t get the experienced people to relocate, where are they going to find these brilliant minds to replace them? Certainly not from Armidale. The only boost will be to local businesses with the custom of these new residents. As for the concept that they could live like kings [earning P.S. wages in a cheap town to live in], I suspect it wouldn’t take long for their wages to be renegotiated to suit N.S.W. standards, bringing an end to their current living standards.

I can see you are passionate about this issue and I respect your views. You may consider the following also.
Why was the NDIS setup in Geelong? It’s a Federal Agency which is spending billions. One would think it should be in Canberra.
Also, The UNE at Armidale used to have (and still maybe has) a Rural Science faculty which may be more suited to interact with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority than any university in Canberra.
Surely there is a ongoing training programme to keep the special skills in the agency so the potential for loss of skills would be covered.
The “other departments that have to connect with them” could use the internet like everyone else does.

wildturkeycanoe6:47 am 11 Jun 16

It all worked out OK at the end of they day and I am sure it will for these 170 “workers” if they resign and stay in Canberra.
Having said that, there is nothing wrong with Armidale and with a Canberra salary one could be really affluent in a place like Armidale.

Firstly, we are talking about the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, a niche unit that would have people with unique skills employed. They would take a massive backwards step if they tried to replace the staff who didn’t relocate. Decades of experience and knowledge of how the business runs would be thrown away, replaced by newbies who’d have no clue what is going on. Other departments who connect with them would struggle to do business, considering that flights to and from there require a Sydney stopover and take almost three hours. What about the research labs, suppliers and other connections they’d be leaving behind? Are they going to build a new office in Armidale or stick them in a disused warehouse in the industrial sector? So much uncertainty and for what reason except Mr. Joyce wants to play politician.
Then what of the workers who do not want to leave their families, friends, their children’s education and other ties within the public sector? If they stay, the aforementioned unique skills they have will not be of any use in finding an alternative job in Canberra. We aren’t talking about a fast food cook or a service station attendant. These people have skills that were honed for one purpose and if they stray from that path, finding a job elsewhere is not going to be easy. Will they get redundancy should they choose to deny the transfer? Will they instead be moved into a lower paid, menial position until they get tired of the mundane nature of it and eventually go looking elsewhere in the private sector?
Barnaby Joyce’s explanation that this will create 175 jobs for Armidale is total bollocks. There will be no new jobs created because they will be taken up by those already working in that department. If they can’t get the experienced people to relocate, where are they going to find these brilliant minds to replace them? Certainly not from Armidale. The only boost will be to local businesses with the custom of these new residents. As for the concept that they could live like kings [earning P.S. wages in a cheap town to live in], I suspect it wouldn’t take long for their wages to be renegotiated to suit N.S.W. standards, bringing an end to their current living standards.

I haven’t worked in the public service but I am sure there would be requirements in the conditions of employment to transfer to another location when directed.
After all, wasn’t this how Canberra happened with the seat of government and all the agencies and staff moved (some are still kicking and screaming) from Melbourne?
I was once transferred from Canberra to London but my family didn’t want to leave Canberra so I joined them and stayed here. It all worked out OK at the end of they day and I am sure it will for these 170 “workers” if they resign and stay in Canberra.
Having said that, there is nothing wrong with Armidale and with a Canberra salary one could be really affluent in a place like Armidale. No trams there either.
And why is Ms.Hobbs only directing her to intervine call to Zed? I think we have another Senator in the ACT although his/her name escapes me at the moment.

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