13 March 2010

Greens in chaos

| Gangrene
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[ED – The contents of this piece should be taken as no more than rumour]

The ACT Greens continue to be in disarray this week following the shock departure last Friday of their most senior and competent staffer, Meredith Hunter’s Chief of Staff, Louise O’Donnell.

It is understood that Ms O’Donnell was forced to resign with 12 hours notice following a bitter confrontation in the Greens caucus last Thursday afternoon.

This effectively amounts to a coup d’etat by the office of Shane Rattenbury, and is rumoured to be a product of ongoing bitterness and envy regarding Meredith Hunter’s elevation to the leadership following the last election. It also reveals the deep cracks that had been emerging over the last 8 months with Meredith and Amanda Bresnan attempting to work constructively with the government to achieve actual outcomes, with Caroline and Shane on the other side angrily arguing for a more activist, potshot driven approach in response to the desires of the (substantial) lunatic fringe of the Greens that helped them get up.

It is well known that Shane Rattenbury and Caroline Le Couteur favoured forming government with the Liberals rather than Labor following their success in the last election, and in light of the Ratt-enforced information lockdown over the last seven days, this coup has raised some strong conspiracy theories.

– Will the Greens now tear up the Parliamentary Agreement with the Labor Government?
– Where does this leave Katy G and Stanhope in terms of being able to deliver this coming budget and their own pet projects?
– Is it true that Shane Rattenbury will be pressing forward with his obsessive desire for a ministry?
– Is it true that Meredith is leader in name only, and the Green rebellion has forced her not to fill Louise’s position?
– Will we actually see the Greens being willing to work with BOTH sides in the Assembly now?

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I think that people do actually care what is going on with the Greens, They where elected on the Whole idea that Labor would not get so much their own way, which is a complete joke. The green seem little more than an appendage to Labor, as the National Party is to the Liberals. I think now that Level headed people like Louise is gone and Roland leaving last year that the “Darker” freak-show side of the greens is going to show its colours.

I just got offered the job! No thanks. Email blast from Greens below. Looks like Gangrene was on the money…

“ACT Greens Legislative Assembly Positions Available

Office of Meredith Hunter MLA
Senior Adviser Level 1
$88,168 – $92,631 plus 7% loading
Meredith Hunter MLA is the ACT Green’s Parliamentary Convenor and spokesperson for Treasury, Education and Training, Community Services, Children and Young People, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Women.

We are looking for an energetic and motivated team player capable of making a strategic contribution across the whole ACT Greens Legislative Assembly team.

This position involves policy research, analysis and development on a range of issues relevant to the portfolio areas within the Hunter office with a particular focus on Treasury. Tasks will include developing long term political strategies, analysing and reviewing complex policy issues, liaising with other MLAs their staff, industry, government and community organisations, writing speeches, briefs and articles. The successful applicant will need to demonstrate a high level of representation, negotiation and interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and well developed research, investigative and analytical skills.

Economic tertiary qualifications are highly desirable and experience in working in a parliamentary environment would be an advantage

Applications setting out relevant experience and ability to meet the selection criteria should be forwarded to: Meredith Hunter, MLA, ACT Legislative Assembly, GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601. Or emailed to Hunter@parliament.act.gov.au

By COB Tuesday 6 April 2010

For copies of the selection criteria please contact Fiona Walls on 6205 0106 or email Fiona.Walls@parliament.act.gov.au

Office of the Speaker, Shane Rattenbury MLA
Electorate Officer (Adviser Level 1)
25 hours per week
Salary $50,602 (Full-time equivalent) plus 7% loading

This is an exciting opportunity to be the frontline staff member for the Speaker’s office. This position will involve managing inquiries from constituents and Assembly staff, office administration and coordinating appointments and meetings. Successful applicants for this position will need to have well developed oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal and liaison skills, excellent computer skills and the ability to administer a small office on a day to day basis.

An appreciation of how a parliament functions, and an understanding of and commitment to the principles and policies of the ACT Greens party would be an advantage.

For more information and a formal position description contact Helen Oakey on 6205 0005 or at Helen.Oakey@parliament.act.gov.au

Applications setting out relevant experience and ability to meet the selection criteria should be forwarded to: Shane Rattenbury MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for the ACT, GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601 or emailed to rattenbury@parliament.act.gov.au

By COB Monday 5 April 2010″

Wow, Gangrene – were you passed over for a promotion somewhere? Certainly sounds like you’re bitter about something.

Even the ACT Greens haven’t been told about Louise being dismissed, which indicates that you’d have to be pretty close to the action – or can you cite sources outside RiotACT?

If there is a next time, you might want to hold back the invective until news has reached the media. I certainly won’t be supporting a candidate who resorts to smear campaigns against their own party.

As for bd84 – can you tell me what the liberals have achieved recently, besides keeping a tight leash on Alistair Clueless?

Pommy bastard12:33 pm 14 Mar 10

Green’s in disarray, whatever next? How’s that p!ss up in a brewery coming along with them, organised it yet?

I can’t say that the Greens have done much so far in the last 18 or so months, and Stanhopeless continues to carry on like a jackass, as seen again on the front page of today’s CT.

Stories of these background rumblings put forward by the anonymous, who are more than likely someone bearing a political grudge, will never gain much credibility on here. I don’t see why people bother posting them.

Mr Evil said :

– Will Clark Kent and Lois Lane ever consumate their relationship?

I thought that’s what they we doing in the ice cave/hideout.

What were the other questions?

Losing Louise is a devastating blow. It’s up there with losing Roland last year.

I wish both of them nothing but the best.

Will Clark Kent and Lois Lane ever consumate their relationship?

they did.

The Earth moved backwards. Lois died.

– Will anyone actually give a damn?

– Will Clark Kent and Lois Lane ever consumate their relationship?

– Will black jelly beans ever be accepted as being the best jelly beans in the packet?

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