Category: media

AAP Loss Endangers Democracy in Australia.

Ever since I could listen to a news broadcast and read a newspaper I was always taught to consider the source of the information. Propaganda thrives on the ignorant I was drilled even before I knew what the word meant.

Societies, democratic societies rely on competent ,reliable, credible journalists with no boundaries and such was AAP.

Old style foot and leather reporters hitting the courts ,parliament local cop shops grass root stuff that often gave a slant main stream either lost or were not allowed to print or say. They are to me the real engine room of news from across the world and to say that that service is being closed because it gives free news to competitors quite often news that News Limited won’t print anyway is totally against journalistic ethics where we the punters are the customers to balanced reporting.

It’s becoming quite obvious News think Australia is like America or want us to decide between left and right and those entities decide on what we see or hear and that will backfire as indicated by falling subscriptions across the world.

The attacks by them on the public broadcaster is clear indication that any view outside theirs is not valid, or slanted which makes me fearful when AAP is terminated.

No doubt the platforms are changing and I’m definitely not a journalist but over the years I have seen brilliant journalists evolve into respected go to people when truth and analysis is paramount and seeing 180 employees of different levels of expertise just disappear should be a concern to all who look for balance not Bullshit.

WAYNE Offer

It’s Wage Theft if you Get Caught.

At last the term Wage Theft is now part of the narrative in Industrial Law but surprise surprise the employer groups are blaming the Awards and conditions are the problem.

Like every single conservative government the first job on election is to adopt a royal commission into unions and do everything to destroy working conditions and what the call “red tape”.

That Red Tape covers safety and building standards, wages and representation of workers and the simple cut disturbing fact the we are loosing at least one worker a week on the job many not game to be represented by unions for the fear of loosing employment let alone challenge award wages.

It seems to be a crime nowadays to have the gumption to challenge for fair wages and conditions in a group, your declared as a militant yet its n been ok for the employers to rip off their employees without any justice other than a tut tut naught boy declaration from the establishment..

Being a former employer it’s totally my responsibility to ensure my employees were paid correctly and I appreciate oversights can occur but the ones who are falling on their swords now are serial thieves over many years.

This Coalition will never respect a persons right of representation by a union on ideological grounds so expecting anything other than a token naughty boy response is about as likely as they are in getting a federal ICAC in place.

WAYNE Offer

Jackboot Legislation Threatens Media Watchdogs.

I respect to Supreme Courts decision on the legality of the raids on Sky journalists and the ABC but that decision does not make the law just.

If we lookout the entire landscape of the way we get our news the days of just picking a a rag or clicking on a site and believing the spin or chose to research the story from different outlets then have a somewhat expansive view.

It is not beyond government regardless left or right to attempt to manipulate then truth for political advantage and it is up to the media to scrutinise, question , investigate, expose the dark truth and that includes the them who enforce the governments legislations.

Once separation of powers, law and politics was respected now its optional if the narrative suits yet some outlets turn a blind eye while others play it straight often to their ridicule from the yes men.

If your confused how a government can spin they support whistle blowers then raid them demanding their sources or else, or tip off the media of raids before warrants are served for political gain , be assured we are not in some facist republic but we could be on track if we continue to allow jackboot legislations to prevail.

Please question if we want to be like America and have political appointed judges to deliver government ideology or have that separation of power that can be protected by a robust and investigative professionals who do their job unhindered without the fear of midnight raids.

Wayne Offer

It’s Getting Just too Hard for Scotty from Marketing.

No doubt our country is going through a political identity crisis at the present and our political party’s don’t really know who their actual base is as they try to find a space that suits the current climate and suits their factional nemesis’s

Once the proud County Party now the Nationals used to represent the man on the land, the cocky,the producer, now its total focus is running a case for big coal and gas that rips the guts out of agricultural land, contaminates or irradiates underground water surrendering fertile country for the bag of fools gold.

They themselves have created a vacuum that the Greens and other groups with nowhere near the knowledge of the forefathers to fill, all self inflicted.

Amazing diatribe from Allan Jones about coal and climate denial yet the same man led the protest at Aplin against coal expansion. You have to ask who is paying the piper then conveniently forgets or hope we forget.

This country is crying out for leadership on important issues such as climate, mental health, economic certainty for business yet this government and its factions cannot decide what seat they sit in Canberra Parliament, what ideologies to have to suit days narrative, what we expect from Trumpsville but not in a thinking democracy.

If only we thought, listened and questioned more, and actually engaged we the punters could raise the bar if we choose.

Wayne Offer

Attacking the Messenger

Rarely I respond to opinions aired in the Letters to Editor Column as I believe we are all entitled to our views on all subjects across the board however I will respond if I truely believe their has been a injustice as a result.

I have seen many editors in my time as a contributor to this rag from before Tony Moore to present day and with a few exceptions the Queensland Times has been a regarded as a local credible source.

When Murdock entered I had huge apprehensions that we Ipswicharians would loose it’s balance yet that has not happened even though we have to tolerate the cut and paste of the Masters wishes in some copy our local news and opinions have and are well aired thanks to our local team of journos, so when I read that this paper has bias against our PM or publishing only anti government slant is untrue to say the least.

Thanks to Shannon and her team we get a pretty good local rag considering the trash coming out of the Courier Mail and that’s why we support our local QT, so when we decide to attack the media we have to look deep at ourselves and decide where the actual bias really lies.

Our Working Poor Does not Fit Scotty From Marketing’s Model.

It’s rude to eves drop. It’s probably unethical to write about it but this is a story that needs to be told.

While shopping in a major chain complex i inadvertently overheard two employees discussing if one had received a email from management re a issue. A negative reply then the conversation expanded into why the email was generated as one employee dared to question a manager.

The end result was that employee lost hours, and then the fear of that happening to them fully revealed how we allowed our people be manipulated as throw away human beings.

When loosing one hour is the difference of having a roof or on the streets for a family it becomes inconceivable to some who live in the land what we regard normal Australians.

These people are the working poor and in some cases destitute. They have pride and often present well clothed from charitable outlets or in uniforms and the only thing they have to trade is their labour and when your that low in the labour chain you are expendable and the ruthless employers prey on that vulnerability.

My initial thoughts was seek union advice but this contract society has taken away that safety net, and keep in mind millions of these are officially employed although they may only have 4 hours or less and do not appear on national un employment data, and then we wonder why our crime rate continues to rise as people struggle between New Start and manipulating employers of survive but when it gets down to feeding your kids or loved ones people resort to desperate measures, filling our courts and costing the community billions in enforcement.

Scotty from Marketing’s “have a go get a go” slogan does not apply to this level as his rejection of New Start increase is rejected and big business gets tax breaks about sums up the care factor to raise the living standards of all Australians not just the Silent Ones.

Wayne Offer

Australia’s Food Security Needs Action Now.

Back when I was in the communications industry after Jack the Slasher was closed at Yamanto I was laughed out of the party when I suggested large supermarkets would convert into warehouses, home grocery delivery via internet, operations would be done remotely via fibre, and newspapers would be available on your phone.

Well in todays world let’s look at the most important thing we as humans need, food security, to survive.

As the climate debate splits our opinions the thing no one can deny is our food network has to increase to accomodate our population and there will come a time where we cannot grow or produce enough greens and protein we need to survive on this island at present farming methods and the changing weather, and I think many wise old farmers will agree.

In the future taking into consideration present technology over time our reliance on “naturally” produced product ,greens and protein, will be produced in controlled environment where water can be delivered at a constant rate via recycle or air conversion and protein taken and reproduced in forms that will resemble meat as we are just discovering today all predictable and delivered on time.

If the research is near correct Australia could be fed with about as much land as Victoria. Scary stuff but must be on the agenda now or we will fall for the same trap as we did 80-90’s in ignoring the climate data we are now experiencing.

Farmers and other producers on the land will not become extinct but their product will become boutique as long as the external weather permits so that’s why if the men on the land fail to support measures to protect and improve our present earthy condition it will accelerate their demise.

As was the transition from land line to WiFi the blind skeptics will laugh you out of the party, but in this case is our basic home based survival at future risk, and we have been put on notice.

Wayne Offer

Greta Thunberg Like Bernie Banton Stands Her Ground.

It must be a pretty big thing to have the President of the United States to fly 4 thousand Kilometres to have a lash at a young teenager. Probably a bit of diversion politics from home issues but this trend to attack the young climate messenger across all media platforms is actually building the case and growing the support no matter of how many of the climate deniers propaganda portray her disability, age, school level, or intelligence.

Its a hard road if you choose to take on an issue that establishment see their status quo challenged, however without those who choose to step up always face the wrath of quite often personal attacks over a debate on fact.

Personally me and many others have to thank our real warrior Bernie Banton who’s fight against politicians. Lobbyists, shareholders and the greater business sector who suffered the same wrath that Thunberg is copping today and that fight is still ongoing across the world as politicians deny or covered up to appease their donors and launched into personal attacks as a means to deflect responsibility.

Be sure this kid ain’t going nowhere and while the men in suits go into palpitations every time they see her one thing is certain,

we had our chance and blew it when this issue first arose back in the 80’s and 90’s and that’s a fact no one can deny.

Wayne Offer

Chemello’s Legacy leaves Our City in Good Stead.

I spent the time, I read the line, all 44 pages. (See Below)

Greg Chemello’s report was extensive but not surprising by those who had genuine concerns over many years of getting feedback which many regarded as just sour grapes or politically motivated.

I feel genuine remorse for those newer councillors who were tainted by the dismissal, and I could accept that incorrect and illegal processes they were introduced to on appointment were accepted unknowingly.

The positive thing is all the network divisional brotherhoods developed over years wheeling and dealing are gone. Transparency will be restored to all ratepayers and employees without the fear of repercussions and the fact that it’s a totally new ballgame will make it very interesting observations to those former councillors who thought they were untouchable if they decide to renter the game on a equal footing with the new bloods on a brand new playing field.

Regardless I feel it’s important to spend the time and read the report yourself and judge what were the mistakes then we owe it to our great city never to become complacent in holding our elected representatives to account every day not just polling day.

Thanks Greg, and his team.

https://ipswich-qld-gov-au.cld.bz/Ipswich-City-Council-Administrators-Update-Vision-2020-January-2020

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