Solemn Sloth posted:

If you could show me the bit in a law which says consent is implied until retracted that'd be great.

adamantium|wang posted:

Abetz jumped on the radio this morning to say that Turnbull's new ministry should include Abbott.

Birb Katter posted:

Word on the street is that Briggs kissed some random lady on the neck in a bar and creeped her the gently caress out.

Cartoon posted:

The cynic in me thinks that the dumping of these clowns is in an attempt to be fire proof in the lead up to the next election hence the silly season timing.

ABC posted:

Trade union royal commission findings released: Cesar Melhem, Kathy Jackson referred for possible prosecution

The final report of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption has been released.

The commission has referred former Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson to authorities to consider whether she has committed criminal offences.

It said she had used union funds for her own purposes and may have committed a crime by obtaining $250,000 from an employer by false pretences.

Victorian Labor politician and former AWU Victorian secretary Cesar Melhem was also referred to authorities, with the commission saying he may have committed offences relating to a payment from Cleanevent and an agreement with Thiess John Holland.

Key points:

- Former Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson referred to authorities

- AWU Victorian secretary Cesar Melhem referred to authorities in relation to actions favouring the interests of the union over its members

- The commission's report contains six volumes, one of which is confidential

adamantium|wang posted:

Abetz jumped on the radio this morning to say that Turnbull's new ministry should include Abbott.

adamantium|wang posted:

Abetz jumped on the radio this morning to say that Turnbull's new ministry should include Abbott.

adamantium|wang posted:

Abetz jumped on the radio this morning to say that Turnbull's new ministry should include Abbott.

Cartoon posted:

The cynic in me thinks that the dumping of these clowns is in an attempt to be fire proof in the lead up to the next election hence the silly season timing.

SynthOrange posted:

Oh it's time for the thread title to be relevant again.

Jumpingmanjim posted:

quote:

How Sam Dastyari voted on key issues since 2006:
Voted moderately for decreasing availability of welfare payments.
Voted strongly against increasing protection of Australia's fresh water.
Voted strongly against increasing marine conservation.
Voted very strongly for unconventional gas mining.
Voted moderately against more scrutiny of intelligence services & police.
Voted strongly against increasing restrictions on gambling.
Voted very strongly against increasing fishing restrictions.
Voted very strongly for uranium export.
Voted moderately for increasing surveillance powers.
Voted moderately against increasing freedom of political communication.

http://www.openaustralia.org.au/senator/sam_dastyari/nsw#votingrecord

GoldStandardConure posted:

Mirrabooka area, but if froglet is going I can scam a lift off her as she's pretty close by.

Solemn Sloth posted:

I was under the apparently mistaken understanding that in a parliamentary vote you can either vote for, vote against or abstain. It's way more interesting now I know you can vote on a strongly disagree to strongly agree scale

Jumpingmanjim posted:

You Am I posted:

So does it seem like the Liberals have quickly released the Royal Commission in Trade Unions results to hide Briggs and Brough departures from cabinet?

From what I have seen from that Royal Commission, gently caress all was found. Looks like they were going for the CFMEU and AWU, whilst ignoring the shithead Shoppies.

I have a feeling that outside of the Liberals and the business council, no one gives a poo poo about this Royal Commission or its results.

You Am I posted:

So does it seem like the Liberals have quickly released the Royal Commission in Trade Unions results to hide Briggs and Brough departures from cabinet?

Doctor Spaceman posted:

TURC was always meant to hand down findings by the end of the year, so the did it at the last possible day because they are experienced, respected professionals and not me doing a uni assignment.

froglet posted:

Yes, I am happy to do this! So.. When's the next goonmeet? And where?

Jumpingmanjim posted:

quote:

Trade union royal commission findings: Malcolm Turnbull says report shows widespread malpractice in unions By political reporter Francis Keany, staff Updated about an hour ago

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has described the final report of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption as a "real watershed moment" for the labour movement and for Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Key points:

Report refers more than 40 individuals and organisations to authorities
Recommendation for independent body to investigate union records
Opportunity for Labor to undertake real and everlasting reform, Turnbull says
The report, prepared by Commissioner Dyson Heydon and unveiled on Wednesday morning, has referred to "widespread and deep-seated" misconduct by union officials.

More than 40 individuals and organisations have been referred to various authorities, including police, directors of public prosecutions, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Fair Work Commission. There was also a recommendation for an independent body with greater powers to investigate union records and finances. "They can take this opportunity to support these recommendations and undertake real and everlasting reform of the trade union movement," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney. "This is not a case of a few rotten apples spoiling the whole barrel — there are many union officials, and widespread cultures, of impropriety and malpractice." The Federal Government has vowed to re-introduce legislation re-establishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission and wants it passed by the end of March next year.

Mr Turnbull warned he was prepared to fight an election if Parliament did not support the measure. "If this is not passed, if we cannot get the passage of this legislation through the Senate, then in one form or another it will be a major issue at the next election," he said. "And we will be going to the members of the unions and we will be saying to them we want you to get a fair deal." Employment Minister Michaelia Cash described the final report as "D-day" for corruption within the union movement. "Today, the denial stops and today, the distractions stop," Senator Cash said.

Attorney-General George Brandis announced a joint operation taskforce acting on the recommendations from the royal commission will continue until the end of 2016. Senator Brandis also defended Justice Heydon, claiming he was the subject of "disgraceful attempts to smear his personal and professional reputation". "But I can tell you that when we chose Mr Heydon to lead this royal commission, we chose him not only because we knew of his eminence," he said, "but also because we knew of his unimpeachable integrity."

Opposition labels report 'political stunt'

The Federal Opposition previously released an alternative proposal for union reform, in anticipation of the final report by the royal commission. Mr Shorten has proposed tougher penalties for wrongdoing, as well as additional powers for ASIC. The changes would also include lowering the disclosure threshold for political donations to $1,000. Labor's employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor, who called on the Government to discuss the Opposition's plan, said the Coalition would ultimately use the report to attack wages and conditions. "That's not to say we're not concerned about these matters," Mr O'Connor said. "We are concerned But let's not be fooled here: this is a political stunt, a political exercise, and and it's one that needs to be called for what it is and at the same time we can deal with these serious allegations."

CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan agreed, saying the report had a predetermined outcome.

"Blind Freddie knows this royal commission was set up to smear Julia Gillard, to smear Bill Shorten and to smear the trade union movement," Mr Noonan said. "That's all it does. It's not about improving workers' rights." Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Dave Oliver said the royal commission was "about prosecuting an ideological partisan agenda. We have also noted that we believe $80 million was spent on this royal commission at a time when the cost of living is hurting taxpayers, and that money could have been well spent anywhere else," Mr Oliver said. "We have always said that if there have been any serious allegations of wrongdoing, it should be referred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation."

Former AWU head singled out

The commission found the former head of the Australian Workers Union, Cesar Melhem, may have committed offences over an agreement with Thiess John Holland, and a payment to CleanEvent. Mr Melhan has "vehemently" denied any wrongdoing, saying he was confident any further investigations would clear his name. "I will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure these accusations are subject to the scrutiny of a properly constituted law of where the proper standards of evidence are observed — not the Liberal Party kangaroo court," he said. "It's taken a major toll on my family and myself and this commission [doesn't] give a drat about ... people. They are happy for the Liberal Government and this royal commission to basically destroy people's names and reputation and families. "This report and its findings continue to be based largely on subjective assumptions of those conducting the inquiry rather than the evidence that has passed a clear test of a standard of proof that will substantiate a prosecution, let alone a conviction." Victorian Labor Minister Jacinta Allan said the recommendations of the report were serious. "These are the matters that we need to take the time to consider appropriately," Ms Allen said. The State Opposition has called for Mr Melham to stand down.

Cartoon posted:

Well it is certainly drawing all the attention away from Mal Brough being an alleged criminal and Jamie Briggs being a drunken sexual predator.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-30/trade-union-royal-commission-turnbull-report/7060250
somewhere between $40 and 80 million dollars of taxpayer money AND sums in the millions from the unions involved. Makes the actual matters being investigated look pretty inconsequential. And at the LNP taking the moral high ground on corruption, or don't you recall Arthur Sinodinos AO.

Graic Gabtar posted:

Could anyone explain to me what this "grid" thing is?

Seems to be quite a theme here.

Birb Katter posted:

It's an organic waste disposal system where you dig a different hole each time you poop in a grid pattern. You dig a grid big enough that the first lot has degraded by the time you get back to the start.