Thread: Our Tax Dollars

Labor staffers in ministerial offices have been asked to dig dirt on Coalition frontbenchers as the Government prepares to go on to a campaign footing, AM has learned.

Ministerial staffers have been asked to dig up details on political opponents' "younger days", social media posts, articles in student newspapers, and past and present litigation.

Labor ministers have also been told to be on a campaign footing from next month amid a period of intensifying political attacks inside and outside Parliament.

There is disquiet within Labor ranks about the request, with one member of the Government telling AM it is aimed at "looking for (*)(*)(*)(*) on Labor's opponents".

The Labor MP described the office of Julia Gillard's director of strategy, Nick Reece, as "a dirt unit," saying such activities should not be associated with the Prime Minister's office.

A few weeks ago, just as Fair Work Australia was finishing its lengthy investigation into the Health Services Union and allegations MP Craig Thomson misused his union credit cards, AM has been told ministerial staffers - one from each office - were called to a meeting.

Labor sources say Mr Reece then distributed a "to-do" list for gathering information on Coalition frontbenchers.

It included their "younger days", maiden speeches, ministerial records, study trips, fundraising, pecuniary interests, associated travel reports, companies they may be involved in, and "potential issues" such as litigation.

It was accompanied by a spreadsheet on where to get the information, including newspaper opinion pieces, company searches, student newspapers and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

It is not known if the Government intended to use it, or how.

Mr Reece referred AM to the Prime Minister's media unit, which has declined to make any comment.

AM understands party insiders were told last night Mr Reece, a former state secretary for the Victorian Labor Party and campaign director, has quit his job to take up an academic post.

He will leave the Prime Minister's office next month.

Know your enemy

This morning Ms Gillard said it would not be surprising if the Government was conducting research on Opposition MPs, but said she had not seen the document.

"I think scrutiny of things like Opposition members buying shares in coal mining companies at the same time that they're running round telling people that coal mining will end in this country - that's a piece of information people are entitled to have," the Prime Minister said.

But that view is not shared by all in the party.

One Labor insider said the "dirt unit" was a job for the Labor Party rather than the Government, while a senior minister, while unaware of it at the time, called it a bad omen for where federal politics is heading.

But another viewed it as unremarkable, pointing out all governments do it, and ministers should know their opponents.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the Government is "seriously ethically challenged" and says he is not surprised someone within the Prime Minister's office was tasking ministerial staff with digging dirt.

"It is typical of this government that a dirt unit should be operating, not somewhere in the bowels of Labor Party headquarters, but in the office of the Prime Minister herself," he said.

The Reece exercise comes on top of a unit run by the caucus communications team operating under the aegis of the Special Minister of State Gary Gray, which trains Labor staffers to monitor Mr Abbott's front bench.

Manager of Government Business Anthony Albanese recently expressed concern about the tenor of Parliament, accusing the Coalition of peddling vicious rumours about Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten.

He has also accused the Coalition of relentlessly piling the pressure on the embattled Mr Thomson and Labor's choice of Speaker, Peter Slipper.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshom...on-opposition/

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I don`t know what everyone else thinks, but I don`t want my hard earned tax dolars to be spent in this way. Australia, although a wealthy country (presently) needs to spend it`s money wisely. This type of wast, in my opinion, is a selfish and inappropriate way to waste our resources. We should have some say in these matters. With internet access so readily available, there should be an effective and ecconomical way for us to voice our displeasure, and hold government accountable.

Originally Posted by aussiefree2ride

Labor staffers in ministerial offices have been asked to dig dirt on Coalition frontbenchers as the Government prepares to go on to a campaign footing, AM has learned.

Ministerial staffers have been asked to dig up details on political opponents' "younger days", social media posts, articles in student newspapers, and past and present litigation.

Labor ministers have also been told to be on a campaign footing from next month amid a period of intensifying political attacks inside and outside Parliament.

There is disquiet within Labor ranks about the request, with one member of the Government telling AM it is aimed at "looking for (*)(*)(*)(*) on Labor's opponents".

The Labor MP described the office of Julia Gillard's director of strategy, Nick Reece, as "a dirt unit," saying such activities should not be associated with the Prime Minister's office.

A few weeks ago, just as Fair Work Australia was finishing its lengthy investigation into the Health Services Union and allegations MP Craig Thomson misused his union credit cards, AM has been told ministerial staffers - one from each office - were called to a meeting.

Labor sources say Mr Reece then distributed a "to-do" list for gathering information on Coalition frontbenchers.

It included their "younger days", maiden speeches, ministerial records, study trips, fundraising, pecuniary interests, associated travel reports, companies they may be involved in, and "potential issues" such as litigation.

It was accompanied by a spreadsheet on where to get the information, including newspaper opinion pieces, company searches, student newspapers and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

It is not known if the Government intended to use it, or how.

Mr Reece referred AM to the Prime Minister's media unit, which has declined to make any comment.

AM understands party insiders were told last night Mr Reece, a former state secretary for the Victorian Labor Party and campaign director, has quit his job to take up an academic post.

He will leave the Prime Minister's office next month.

Know your enemy

This morning Ms Gillard said it would not be surprising if the Government was conducting research on Opposition MPs, but said she had not seen the document.

"I think scrutiny of things like Opposition members buying shares in coal mining companies at the same time that they're running round telling people that coal mining will end in this country - that's a piece of information people are entitled to have," the Prime Minister said.

But that view is not shared by all in the party.

One Labor insider said the "dirt unit" was a job for the Labor Party rather than the Government, while a senior minister, while unaware of it at the time, called it a bad omen for where federal politics is heading.

But another viewed it as unremarkable, pointing out all governments do it, and ministers should know their opponents.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the Government is "seriously ethically challenged" and says he is not surprised someone within the Prime Minister's office was tasking ministerial staff with digging dirt.

"It is typical of this government that a dirt unit should be operating, not somewhere in the bowels of Labor Party headquarters, but in the office of the Prime Minister herself," he said.

The Reece exercise comes on top of a unit run by the caucus communications team operating under the aegis of the Special Minister of State Gary Gray, which trains Labor staffers to monitor Mr Abbott's front bench.

Manager of Government Business Anthony Albanese recently expressed concern about the tenor of Parliament, accusing the Coalition of peddling vicious rumours about Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten.

He has also accused the Coalition of relentlessly piling the pressure on the embattled Mr Thomson and Labor's choice of Speaker, Peter Slipper.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshom...on-opposition/

============================== ============================== ============================== ========

I don`t know what everyone else thinks, but I don`t want my hard earned tax dolars to be spent in this way. Australia, although a wealthy country (presently) needs to spend it`s money wisely. This type of wast, in my opinion, is a selfish and inappropriate way to waste our resources. We should have some say in these matters. With internet access so readily available, there should be an effective and ecconomical way for us to voice our displeasure, and hold government accountable.

This information is extremely important, no matter what side of politics you sit. Again it is an issue of accountability and ensuring anyone who wants to enter politics must ensure that they do so with integrity!

Originally Posted by truthvigilante

This information is extremely important, no matter what side of politics you sit. Again it is an issue of accountability and ensuring anyone who wants to enter politics must ensure that they do so with integrity!

This report made me laugh. Like we didn't know that these two parties dig dirt on each other. Give me a break. I feel the ABC might have more on this than they have released. Watch this space I guess. As for Abbott taking the high ground, come on, he was the best shovel going around in his day.

Creen had it right...."politics needs to rise above this kind of behaviour". Even if it was merely lip service.

Originally Posted by slipperyfish

This report made me laugh. Like we didn't know that these two parties dig dirt on each other. Give me a break. I feel the ABC might have more on this than they have released. Watch this space I guess. As for Abbott taking the high ground, come on, he was the best shovel going around in his day.

Creen had it right...."politics needs to rise above this kind of behaviour". Even if it was merely lip service.

It`s bad enough that they waste their time slithering around at this level, but the taxpayer shouldn`t be lumbered with their opperating expenses.

Politicians admission to this behaviour indicates these parasitical maggots are being paid obscene salaries to do nothing, while we are paying their staffers to do their work.

Is a $300K tax payer funded salary really justified for being a “mouth-piece”?

Personally speaking; I would prefer to give the high salaries to the people who are “actually” doing the politicians work, rather than double dipping as we are.

Sometimes I wonder if "Yes Minister" was a sitcom, or a serious documentry.

Originally Posted by aussiefree2ride

Sometimes I wonder if "Yes Minister" was a sitcom, or a serious documentry.

I think what I find most confronting with this issue is the fact that these politicians think its alright to do this. I was gobsmacked to hear our Prime Minister condone this but she added that they will only be digging public records. Like don't worry Australia we will only pay some inconsequential slave that's on $80,000 per year to spend their days sifting through public papers to see if Tony Abbott said the word (*)(*)(*)(*) ! Your kidding me aren't you. We already know he said that to Roxon.

This is how unattached these politians have become to you and I, that they don't see the wrong in this. I am sorry but this bit of childish nonsence has to rank up there with Abbott running from the chamber.

Am I missing something here. I work bloody hard day in day out only to sit back and see this constant game playing happening in front of me. Do something for your people you fools. Fix the F'ING health system. Help the bloody old aged pensioners out. Encourage manufacturers back to the fold.

Do bloody something constructive. Its like a stinking childcare centre.

Idiots.

Originally Posted by aussiefree2ride

Sometimes I wonder if "Yes Minister" was a sitcom, or a serious documentry.

You will find, most sitcoms have some element of facts to them - want a reference, just look at the way our politicians conduct themselves. LOL

Some people on here suggest that if we paid politicians higher salaries, we would encourage a better “type” of politician or that the current politicians would “somehow” act more responsibly and work harder for their money. I have always disagreed with that analogy. Politicians already get good salaries for doing nothing except “joy-riding” around the country and overseas at every opportunity, and appearing in front of the media answering “staged” questions. Here is a direct example to my reasoning, whereby, certain politicians are not going to do any work themselves “digging-up” some dirt on another politician, but will hire someone else at tax payers expense to do this job for them.

I’m a business owner, and when I look at what these parasites do for their money, I would not give them $50K; so giving them $250K to me is just “squandering” money unnecessarily. I might be completely wrong in my business methodology, but it was my understanding of economics, that the employer paid the employee who was actually doing the work, and that you don’t pay someone who is not doing any actual work.

People really need to wake-up quick smart, and start realising what these politicians are doing and how they are behaving to earn their tax payer funded salaries. Especially the politicians who are in opposition, who cannot “do” anything, and who are “not” doing anything, except asking questions that the media can ask for free.

It also should come down to the qualification and experience of politicians before they are voted into positions of power. Any business owner in the private sector will not hire a hair dresser to be the accountant, nor will they hire a lawyer to be the Service advisor, but this is the “exact” situation that happens when the people vote in unqualified and unexperienced politicians to senior Ministerial positions, and then the people wonder why mistakes happen, and politicians start acting like clowns.

Politicians general behaviour towards the public has gone way beyond childish, and would now be considered insulting to the degree that they all think we are stupid morons., because the people keep supporting and accepting their inappropriate bad behaviour.

Its also time the media took a hard line with politicians and stopped pandering to their lies and inappropriate behaviour of not answering or deliberately dodging questions they are asked. Instead of the media sitting their like fools and dills tolerating this nonsense, they should just close the interviews down if politicians start avoiding questions. Lets have some non-staged question for a change - instead of the whoosh washy garbage that gets asked ad nauseam.

You cannot change children from being naughty and bad by doing nothing - you have to be prepared to take the initiative to correct the in appropriate behaviour.

Why would politicians change, or why do we expect them to behave any other way, when we have given them permission to be “out-of-control” naughty children who are allowed, and have been encouraged to control and dominate the people and country on a whim.

So Culldav what do you suggest ?

It is easy to sit back and point out the problems but it takes guts to suggest a remedy. Lets see how you go.