Govts arrogance on display

[boris1gary]

Every time I have a look at one of the days papers, the PM or a minister or the treasurer seem intent on displaying their inherent arrogance for the rest of us to see....from smirking, smoking cigars, dancing around like a prat, inappropriate comments, winking....and these are supposed to be the "adults in charge", give us a break. 

Defence minister labels public servants 'fat and happy'

A union director has called on Defence Minister David Johnston to apologise to the ranks of civilian public servants he is about to sack after labelling them "fat and happy" in a radio interview.

He made the comment on ABC Radio Riverina a week after the budget which observers now say will reduce staff numbers by 2500, as opposed to the 1200 widely reported using the budget's headline figures.

It also comes as 150 staff will be cut from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

ACT director of the Professionals Australia union David Smith said the minister's comments were “utterly offensive”.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/defence-minister-labels-public-servants-fat-and-happy-...

[cherry*135]

Creepy.

Didn't he describe himself as being a Statesman? I don't think he meets the criteria.

statesman

1. a skilled, experienced, and respected political leader or figure.

[boris1gary]

That tongue thing is creepy and a little disgusting, I'm surprised he hasn't been given a "make over", a complete re do for his personal "style". Though all the arrogance and ineptitude that is shining through is only going to be helpful in getting rid of them, maybe we should all be sending shovels. 

[*elizabeths-mum*]

He's such a schoolboy. 'Sex worker' giggle giggle giggle...

[icyfroth]

Well really, it sounded like a prank call.

The woman claimed to have 3 chronic and incurable illnesses, 2 of them life-threatening and as a 67-yo pensioner had to work on a sex-line to supplement her pension.

I mean, you'd think someone was having a lend of you wouldn't you?

[freakiness]

---

@icyfroth wrote:

Well really, it sounded like a prank call.

The woman claimed to have 3 chronic and incurable illnesses, 2 of them life-threatening and as a 67-yo pensioner had to work on a sex-line to supplement her pension.

I mean, you'd think someone was having a lend of you wouldn't you?

---

Why?  Good on her for boosting her income, if that's what she chooses or needs to do.

Could be a good job if it pays well. Although if it paid well she wouldn't need to be on the pension.

[*elizabeths-mum*]

There was a show on the ABC a while back about British telephone sex workers. It didn't look too strenuous and for an older woman doing it a lot of seemed to be companionship/caring with a bit of grunting and panting thrown in. I remember being sad for so many lonely people. I can imagine a compassionate woman approaching her 70s could be quite good at it.

[boris1gary]

Prime Minister Tony Abbott's finances, if not political future, are secure

Tony Abbott is feeling a little sick - and it's not just the after effects of what might generously be termed a difficult morning on the wireless with the Prime Minister bombarded in multiple radio interviews with the concerns and criticisms of furious talkback callers.

It is contemplation of the future that has Mr Abbott feeling a touch under the weather, specifically, his future in three years' time.

Mr Abbott was confronted on Fairfax Radio on Wednesday by a caller named Chantelle, who said she was desperately worried about her employment prospects as she faced the end of her contract as a home and community care worker.

"We don't know what is going to happen after that three years," she said.

Mr Abbott responded that he also had a three-year contract - otherwise known as the time left until the next mandated federal election - and said: "I don't know what is going to happen after three years".

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbotts-finances-if-not-political-future-are-s...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbotts-finances-if-not-political-future-are-s...

[boris1gary]

really, he doesn't know what he will be doing in 3 years, I do, living very well thanks to us - although he won't be the PM anymore.

Tony Abbott has been a parliamentarian since 1994.

This means he is a privileged member of the old Commonwealth defined benefit superannuation scheme.

Only politicians elected on, or after, the federal election of 2004 are subjected to the less-generous contributory scheme introduced in haste by Prime Minister John Howard (at the goading of then Opposition leader Mark Latham), which is similar to most schemes available to Australian workers, though the annual contribution amount has grown from nine per cent to 15 per cent.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbotts-finances-if-not-political-future-are-s...

[debra9275]

However they try to water that down, as they are now doing, it was an out & out snigger, either at her occupation or her credibility

. He is OFF

[freakiness]

Mr Abbott was confronted on Fairfax Radio on Wednesday by a caller named Chantelle, who said she was desperately worried about her employment prospects as she faced the end of her contract as a home and community care worker.

Wow, what a response

Mr Abbott responded that he also had a three-year contract - otherwise known as the time left until the next mandated federal election - and said: "I don't know what is going to happen after three years".

"We all have to live with uncertainty and it's not nice and sometimes you've got a sick feeing in the pit of your stomach when you contemplate the future," he said.

What is going on. New governments just don't lose the plot so soon.  Is there something going on behind the scenes that we're about to be surprised by?