23 February 2009

Underbelly, Al Grassby, and Canberra.

| johnboy
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[First filed: February 16, 2009 @ 14:28]

In today’s SMH Paul Sheehan is tying in events from the wildly successful Underbelly 2 show on TV to our very own, very expensive statue of Al Grassby here in Canberra.

    “And yet we have, in the foyer of a public gallery in Civic Centre, Canberra, a life-sized bronze image of a smiling Grassby, paid for by the taxpayers, via the ACT Labor Government, at a cost of about $72,000. It commemorates Grassby’s role as the “father of multiculturalism” in Australia.

    When the Chief Minister of the ACT, John Stanhope, successfully championed this statue, the evidence of Grassby’s corruption and treachery was both abundant and widely known. For many years, Grassby had acted as an agent of influence for the Calabrian criminal network known as the ‘ndrangheta, which continues to thrive in Australia’s illicit drug trade.

    In the report of the Nagle special commission of inquiry in 1986, John Nagle, QC, found that Grassby had engaged in a smear campaign to protect the real murderers of Donald Mackay. He wrote that “no decent man” could have propagated “the scurrilous lies” that Grassby distributed about the Mackay family. He described Grassby’s performance as a witness as “long-winded, dissembling, and unconvincing, constantly driven to uneasy claims of defective memory”.”

The photo above is from the website of Canberra’s very own Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan. That’s Bob on the far right.

UPDATED: In the Canberra Times Mr Hargreaves has railed against the pygmies who question the wisdom of his beloved sculpture. The Minister is at pains to point out that no court ever convicted Mr Grassby of anything. By which standard almost no federal politician has ever done anything wrong.

There is, at the very end, a slight admission that an appreciation of Al Grassby needs to be selective:

    ”We have celebrated a certain segment of Al Grassby’s life as the father of multiculturalism.”

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What an absolute joke.

Oh that the Feds still rooled over us.

Todays CT has Kate Lundy, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital & External Territories, explaining how public debate around the proposed (Immigration) bridge had prompted an inquiry into the building of it.

Pity Hargreaves & Co have no ides what she’s on about. Consultation? Listening to the electors? Fat chance.

Yes. Steve did the anti-statue position proud with a speach invoking an inteview Sonic did on radio on March 16 2007. In this interview Sonic says Hargraves pretty much acted alone in commissionin the statue and while he supports Hargraves, he may well have not endorsed this decision. Basically the statute is a taxpayer funded homage to hargraves personal hero.

Steve also read into record a letter printed in the CT on 25 Feb (wednesday this week) advising grasby’s attenpt to smear the Mackay family by insinuating teh family was involved in his murder. This letter also makes the point that grasby’s succesful appeal against conviction was based on points of law and the fact that he may have been let off the hook somewhat Parliamentary priviledge.

Hargraves response was to say that Steve is at risk had going down in his estimation.

I’m not a traditional liberal supporter by any means – but I continue to be impressed by Steve’s performance in his new job.

Deadmandrinking1:47 pm 27 Feb 09

jakez said :

Deadmandrinking said :

Get together the petition, VG, I urge you. If there’s a significant amount signatures on it, then I’d be happy to accept it being sold.

My signature, however, won’t be there.

What is a significant amount?

More than a few randoms on the internet, that’s for sure.

sepi said :

Don’t melt it down – i love it.

How about moving it to a more symbolic location

– entry to the tip?
– or entry to the multistorey carpark?

See! This is why I think it should be sold instead of melted down. Melting it down will only waste money and not recompense the victims.

sepi said :

Don’t melt it down – i love it.

How about moving it to a more symbolic location

– entry to the tip?
– or entry to the multistorey carpark?

hmm…entry to the new prison?

Don’t melt it down – i love it.

How about moving it to a more symbolic location

– entry to the tip?
– or entry to the multistorey carpark?

Deadmandrinking said :

Get together the petition, VG, I urge you. If there’s a significant amount signatures on it, then I’d be happy to accept it being sold.

My signature, however, won’t be there.

What is a significant amount?

Apparently Doszpot and Hargreaves had some very heated moments in an Assembly debate yesterday over Al’s statue but I can’t find anything on the Assembly website.

Anyone else hear anything?

Deadmandrinking8:21 pm 24 Feb 09

Get together the petition, VG, I urge you. If there’s a significant amount signatures on it, then I’d be happy to accept it being sold.

My signature, however, won’t be there.

Perhaps the statue could be pulled down and inserted in Hargreaves’ behind. It could replace his head which is currently inserted there.

Run a snap poll on Big Al’s popularity John. You’d find he’s as popular as you are at a teetotaller’s convention

It’s not about whether people are convicted criminals or not. It’s about whether they’ve conducted their lives with sufficient integrity for a community to respect and look up to. A statue is a great honour and should reflect the values and sensibilities of the community it serves.

I think it’s clear that this statue is about as popular with the people of Canberra as a statue of Belinda Neal would be – maybe less.

I don’t think it should be melted down. I think it should be auctioned. Those who think the statue is worth celebrating can pool their resources together, purchase the statute, and display it where they see fit. They can also accept the criticism that the statute brings.

The revenue raised can be returned to the victims of this fiasco; the ACT taxpayers.

Clown Killer5:49 pm 23 Feb 09

… but I for one am saying that putting a statue of him in a public place is in poor taste, given his reputation.

Don Bradman may have been a half decent cricketer but he was an out-right maggot when it came to business dealings in his life away from the game … that hasn’t stopped statues of him going up.

To describe former PM John Gorton as incompetent would be polite, but there’s still a bust on public display in the old Administration Building in Parkes.

I’d personally be happy to spit on the petition and lament the bearer about their blatant disrespect for the laws and the courts of this land. Al Grassby was never found guilty and convicted. Maybe he was dodgy…but I’m not going to support port-mortem kangaroo-courts.
How about a statue of big Russ Hinze or Joh?

Deadmandrinking said :

(DMD)”I’d personally be happy to spit on the petition… Al Grassby was never found guilty and convicted. Maybe he was dodgy…but I’m not going to support port-mortem kangaroo-courts.”

Nobody’s conducting a kangaroo court DMD, but I for one am saying that putting a statue of him in a public place is in poor taste, given his reputation.

“maybe he was dodgy”

Attempting to cover up a murder by casting suspicion on the victim’s wife is more than ‘dodgy’. Words like sinister are more appropriate.

Either way, given the controversy surrounding him, a statue is hardly appropriate.

.

I’ve always like Amanda Vanstone ever since she described sticking a really sharp pencil into John Howard’s eye and spiking it around. (Explaining how silly it is to ban butter knives on planes). I have heard little Johnny was a bit scared of her. I also saw her at Maccas once at the airport – despite being a liberal, she does seem like a normal person.

Not a fan of quite a few of her decisions, but overall I didn’t mind her.

Deadmandrinking4:18 pm 23 Feb 09

Interesting…

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/23/2498914.htm

Doesn’t matter though. I guess Amanda Vanstone’s image will be forever tarnished by the Howard government’s decision to give her the immigration portfolio as a means to stifle her speaking out about the rights of female politicians. Her politics might have stunk overall, but at least she had the guts to say some things that needed to be said (about women’s rights, of course).

I’d personally be happy to spit on the petition and lament the bearer about their blatant disrespect for the laws and the courts of this land. Al Grassby was never found guilty and convicted. Maybe he was dodgy…but I’m not going to support port-mortem kangaroo-courts.

Agreed, Avy. Well, will we see this petition? Sounds like a real goer.

I would definitely sign a petition. The statue is vile and always has been.

cranky said :

Footloose,

Hargreaves is the originator and pushy proponent of this abomination.

It is dificult to understand how any rational person could overlook the criminal leanings of Grasby and his libilous treatment of the McKay family, but laud his supposed ‘multicultural’ efforts.

The fact that Grassby’s wife was a minister in the Follett government and a key player in the local ALP might have something to do with it . . .

I didn’t know Paul Sheehan went to Eddies. I probably didn’t know who he was back then though.

After about 10 seconds of soul searching I have to admit that I’d love to be able to write as well and reach such a wide audience but I doubt that you wouldn’t either Thumper . Doesn’t mean that’s the reason I objected to what he did in the case I mentioned.

I went to school in the same year with Paul Sheehan at that sh*thole St Edmunds. I can’t say that he struck me then as arrogant. It wasn’t until he labelled a great number of his classmates who had joined the public service as parasites and failed to mention the number who had become plumbers, horticulturists, builders, accountants, teachers and doctors that I could see what he had really thought of us.

I like Leunig’s duck.

Did anyone watch last night’s Underbelly episode? Did that poor blonde girl have to get her gear off in every scene?

Lucky all those criminals were doing all that rooting. Think how much worse the crime would have been if they’d devoted more of their time to it.

And, yep, I’ll sign up for scrapping the Grassby statue. Abomination!

Absolutely, and what about a Leunig Follett?

Why don’t we go for a full set of memorable ALP personalities.

I want a Gough and a Keating, but like Pickering and Pryor drew them.

I would sign vg’s petition. I also think Bob would make an excellent statue, preferably in his Australia II jacket. I have really fond memories of that day.

: )

But I would even rather a Stanhope or Hargreaves statue than a Grassby one.

Subject matter aside, it is a great statue.

You see people taking pictures with it all the time, and draping it in hats etc.

I think Bob Hawke would make a great statue too.

Did anyone watch last night’s Underbelly episode? Did that poor blonde girl have to get her gear off in every scene?

I like gratuitous nudity as much as the next man, but I don’t like having it shoved in my face. (maybe I should rephrase that). Excellent show, regardless.

As to Grassby, can his supporters supply one plausible reason why he would try to smear the wife of Donald Mackay? -other than the obvious reason, of course.

I would definately sign a petition

If I start a petition objecting to the statue who will sign it?

Footloose,

Hargreaves is the originator and pushy proponent of this abomination.

It is dificult to understand how any rational person could overlook the criminal leanings of Grasby and his libilous treatment of the McKay family, but laud his supposed ‘multicultural’ efforts.

But we have seen that Hargreaves is hardly the epitome of rational, particularly after lunch.

“I think the statue is in exceedingly bad taste and very insensitive. There’s at least a thousand more deserving ALP people they could have chosen to publicly honour.”

I completely agree.

I’d be interested in knowing exactly who’s fantastic idea it was to have this statue made because that person is a complete idiot who should not be in office/ the ps due to their lack of education/knowledge about the darker side of life or a smug f*cker with no respect for victims of crime and probably an associate of people that crawl in those circles.
There are so many more worthy people to erect statues for; why, oh why, is this thing standing in Canberra?
Seriously, I’d rather have Bob Hawke sculling a yard glass.

barking toad said :

The obscenity of having a statue acknowledging this vile person will confirm stanhope’s place in ACT history as Worst.Mayor.Ever.!

This slimy politician, whose seat was bought by the grass castle kings of Griffith, contributed nothing to Australia. The myth of him “fathering multicultalism” will only be propogated by the faithful from the labor party and blind ideological hippies, aka stanhope.

Recall his denigration of the McKay family at the behest of mafia masters.

If anyone deserves the epitaph it is this worm:

“death becomes him”

If Grassby were a sporting personality the statue would be knocked back due to bringing “disrepute to the Game”. It seems in politics it’s easier to let things slide.

peterh said :

oh, is that bob?

What ever happened to Bob? Does he still represent us?

Yep – the Father and Son sculpture, donated by Alex senior to honour his dad – John Downer.

Is that the fountain in Garema Place?

Hmmmm – I think putting up statues apparently for people doing the job they have been well paid for is a bit rich.

At least Alexander Downer’s dad (Alex senior) paid for and wisely chose a subject other than a family member whan it was time to have an official Downer statue in Canberra.

I think the statue is in exceedingly bad taste and very insensitive. There’s at least a thousand more deserving ALP people they could have chosen to publicly honour.

Sadly, neither were members of the correct political party.

Maybe could flank Al with a statue of Sir Joh and Big Russ. Both never convicted of anything either so all as pure as the driven snow.

Imagine the outcry if a future Liberal government put up a statue of Robert Askin in NSW.

Never convicted, nevertheless accused of many ‘slip-ups’, Askin could be called ‘The father of the gaming industry’ and was a trusted friend of many colorful racing identities. He has about as much credibility as Al.

Only in Canberra.

Sonic is guilty of allowing this bastadry to come to fruition. The principal mover was the arogant inebriate, who should be shot for his total lack of respect for the McKay family.

‘All this denigration of our long departed Mafioso friend Al’. Didn’t depart anywhere near early enough.

#18

One of the family is a friend of mine and has lived in Canberra for a number of years. The family is totally disgusted with Stanhopeless.

That’s Bob on the far right.

GOLD.

Are we infringing his human rights?

uniqueusername5:22 pm 16 Feb 09

Braggs said :

All this denigration of our long departed Mafioso friend Al. Surely there’s a ‘statue of limitations’. 🙂

Just wait until they start on Frank Sinatra!

All this denigration of our long departed Mafioso friend Al. Surely there’s a ‘statue of limitations’. 🙂

I will add, personal, not professional opinion as well

Hey, think of the positives!

This could become a great tourist attraction for Canberra – come and see Al: where Underbelly meets Federal Parliament!

I actually met him once and helped him box a press release up in the gallery in Parliament House.

He was a lovely, charming old duffer at that point and I took five minutes out of my busy day to give him a hand simply because he had been such an iconic figure in Australian politics.

On the other hand a member of my family helped him change a car tyre once in the Riverina and was a trifle embarassed to have to dig the spare tyre out from under a pile of cash money. An odd thing to see in a Minister’s car.

The fact that this local government lauds someone who has been shown to have, to put it mildly, not acted in the most pure of intentions, speaks volumes.

Father of multiculturalism my ass. If it wasn’t for his influence he would have had a lot of ‘private time’.

I’m suprised a member of the McKay family hasn’t made the trip to canberra to spit on the statue

barking toad5:03 pm 16 Feb 09

The obscenity of having a statue acknowledging this vile person will confirm stanhope’s place in ACT history as Worst.Mayor.Ever.!

This slimy politician, whose seat was bought by the grass castle kings of Griffith, contributed nothing to Australia. The myth of him “fathering multicultalism” will only be propogated by the faithful from the labor party and blind ideological hippies, aka stanhope.

Recall his denigration of the McKay family at the behest of mafia masters.

If anyone deserves the epitaph it is this worm:

“death becomes him”

He wasn’t convicted due to political meddling at the time. There was evidence of some strength.

It’s not politically motivated – many Labor people who were around at the time didn’t like him either, but there’s that tribal nature in organised political parties that prevented people from speaking out. Besides, would you have publicised evidence against a bloke associated with gangsters? Look at the McKays.

Clown Killer said :

I’m no fan of Mr Grasby but it’s pretty easy to heap poo on the dead.

We’ve all heard the tired old tales people with barrows to push like to trot out about Grasby but seriously, without a conviction then all that rumour, inuendo and politically motivated slanging amounts to nothing.

Not commenting on this specific topic, the truth can be found outside of a court of law Clown Killer.

Clown Killer4:42 pm 16 Feb 09

I’m no fan of Mr Grasby but it’s pretty easy to heap poo on the dead.

We’ve all heard the tired old tales people with barrows to push like to trot out about Grasby but seriously, without a conviction then all that rumour, inuendo and politically motivated slanging amounts to nothing.

uniqueusername said :

johnboy said :

murder and ministerial level corruption are not normally described as “slip ups”.

Fair enough. However I still support the idea of having a statue celebrating the father of multiculturalism in Australia.

johnboy said :

But I see now that the mineral water conspiracy goes deeper than I’d feared…

We’ve only just scratched the surface here.

Feel free to get with those who agree with you and pay for one.

uniqueusername4:32 pm 16 Feb 09

johnboy said :

murder and ministerial level corruption are not normally described as “slip ups”.

Fair enough. However I still support the idea of having a statue celebrating the father of multiculturalism in Australia.

johnboy said :

But I see now that the mineral water conspiracy goes deeper than I’d feared…

We’ve only just scratched the surface here.

Allegations – yes. I think it would be difficult to characterise them as slip ups though.

Al Grassby was the corrupt politician who used his power to protect favoured interests and businesses, yet Paul Sheehan is the fascist.

I was going to make a ‘personally I don’t mind my taxes going to public art’ joke, however nothing I could say could come close to the joke that is uniqueusername’s contribution to this thread.

murder and ministerial level corruption are not normally described as “slip ups”.

But I see now that the mineral water conspiracy goes deeper than I’d feared…

uniqueusername4:17 pm 16 Feb 09

I think that Grassby deserves recognition for his work on dismantling the White Australia Policy and building the foundations for today’s multicultural Australia. I think it took a lot of guts to advocate multiculturalism back in Grassby’s day, and in the end it cost him his seat. For that reason the statue is justified.

The fact is in spite of a few alleged slip ups, the guy made a profoundly positive contribution to our country. Fascist whingers like Sheehan will try and do anything to undermine our multicultural society, spruik dodgy mineral water, and fan the flames of racial intolerance.

uniqueusername said :

I’m sorry if I can’t take Paul miracle water Sheehan seriously.

To put it bluntly Paul simply doesn’t like wogs, multiculturalism or the Labor party. In fact he manages to rubbish all three in most of his columns.

You make some good points, but is anything he’s said here actually untrue?

uniqueusername3:37 pm 16 Feb 09

I’m sorry if I can’t take Paul miracle water Sheehan seriously.

To put it bluntly Paul simply doesn’t like wogs, multiculturalism or the Labor party. In fact he manages to rubbish all three in most of his columns.

poptop said :

Is that sort of open-mouthed, happy expression handed out as a facial requirement when Labor men get elected? It’s kinda spooky.

I though the Chiefly One had flick-passed the “championing” of this artwork to the other John; the one who likes beer, dancing and meat onna stick.

and why does bob look like stewie off family guy??

Is that sort of open-mouthed, happy expression handed out as a facial requirement when Labor men get elected? It’s kinda spooky.

I though the Chiefly One had flick-passed the “championing” of this artwork to the other John; the one who likes beer, dancing and meat onna stick.

oh, is that bob?

This must count as the most arrogant and unprincipled actions of an incredibly arrogant and unprincipled majority Stanhope government.

May the electors of Canberra never visit such a travesty upon us ever again as an ALP majority govt.

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