8 February 2009

Quentin Bryce takes a budget haircut - blames it on the GFC

| johnboy
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The SMH has an intriguing story on the Governor-General’s office trimming its sails and dumping plans to expand Government House here in Canberra with a (frankly much needed) function room.

As the story ends with a laundry list of the new GG’s wonderful modernising ways, and doesn’t mention her habit of leaving expensive fighter jets circling over Bungendore when she turns up late to major functions, one can reasonably assume the story was spoon fed to Kerry-Anne Walsh by someone in Yarralumla.

It seems passing strange that when Governments across this wide brown land are going on the biggest debt-fuelled spending binge in our national history (to fix the previous private sector debt-fuelled spending binge no less) the GGs office alone is tightening its belt (and cancelling work that no doubt hard pressed working families were looking forward to completing).

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In all seriousness, I wish William Deane was still our GG. He did the job with a great deal of dignity and humility, and really got behind a lot of community organisations.

Quentin wouldn’t do that: she might get her hands dirty or chip a nail. The only barrow she’s probably ever pushed is her own!

Bring back Peter Hollingworth! 🙂

I-filed said :

Quentin Bryce is insufferable, …octogenarian sex kitten photo poses…

Helen Mirren she is not.

barking toad1:55 am 09 Feb 09

I-Filed, in describing Government House slappers, you are too eloquent for me.

DrShrink said :

P.s Johnboy – “cancelling work that no doubt hard pressed working families were looking forward to” talk about tugging the heart strings. You could play for Australia with spin like that 😛

Insert humour module.

Quentin Bryce is insufferable, from the little-girl voice to the head-thrown-back, octogenarian sex kitten photo poses, to the self-conscious air, to the pretentious couture. Every time I see her I need an antidote and visualise Eva Cox or Dorothy McMahon or Mum Shirl.

Holden Caulfield6:26 pm 08 Feb 09

johnboy can bowl spin? Quick, get him up to the SCG now!

Well you do need someone to have the final administrative powers of the nation

You really dont. The parliament plays the role of sorting it all out, (ie who actually has power or doesnt), and with the media as it is, public opinion will quickly work its effect to deprive usurpers/the incompetent from trying to hold onto power.

P.s Johnboy – “cancelling work that no doubt hard pressed working families were looking forward to” talk about tugging the heart strings. You could play for Australia with spin like that 😛

justin heywood4:22 pm 08 Feb 09

captainwhorebags said :

Or just appoint me to do it. $25k a year, I’ll keep my day job and not even move to Yarralumla.

No, pick me, pick me! I’ll move into Yarralumla for $20k!

captainwhorebags3:50 pm 08 Feb 09

Well you do need someone to have the final administrative powers of the nation, and I’d rather that not be any of the prime ministers in my living memory.

Make the federal executive council consist of the inner cabinet, the judiciary and a couple of other notable officeholders (clergy need not apply thanks) and then let that council do the tasks of the sovereign with any disputes resolved by a 2/3 majority.

Or just appoint me to do it. $25k a year, I’ll keep my day job and not even move to Yarralumla.

barking toad3:01 pm 08 Feb 09

Whether you want a republic or are happy with the status quo – the system we have is it for the moment. Live with it.

Unfortunately, what we do have is an egotistical Quentin Bryce who wants to use her taxpayer funded junket to be an activist and make political statements.

Stick to smilingly opening fetes and accepting posies from little girls Quentin. The job is not about you.

If you’re not happy with performing the role as it should be played, despite the generous salary and perks, fark off and get a real job – it’d be your first!

canberratowie22:30 pm 08 Feb 09

12 million a year what a crock of shit ! we dont need her the whole thing should be flushed !!

The only “much needed” thing is to get rid of that whole gimmick. It’s not the 1800s, it doesn’t take a month for messages from dear old Mother England to get here anymore. We don’t need a representative of someone who can pick up the phone if they have something to say.

The same could be said about Embassies, but then people wouldn’t get to complain about DC-plate cars…

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