Saturday, April 01, 2006

Let us Count the Ways


Costello orders an independent review of the tax system – and then has his own Treasury officials draft it – even going so far as omitting sections written by the two people commissioned to 'write' the report.
The Government promises 'full and transparent' investigation of the AWB scandal – and then hobbles the man appointed to find the truth ('Cole won't be given further powers to investigate Government ministers.')
Helen Coonan orders an independent audit of the ABC by KPMG and then refuses to release the report.
The government undertakes an internal review of the impacts of the new IR legislation – and then refuses to release it.
Australia leaves one of its own citizens to rot in Guantanamo Bay, facing the prospect of a kangaroo court by the US military. When questioned on this, honest John responds
"Well, those allegations in America have been investigated, and a two month investigation has concluded that they're without foundation. The Government is satisfied on what we have been told by the American authorities, that the military commission process will be fair."

In 2004 a Senate Enquiry into poverty released a report with 95 recommendations - the government rejected every one of them.
In 2002 and 2003, three senate motions called for a full independent enquiry into the sinking of the SIEVX. The government is still ignoring it.
In 2004 it became obvious that Australia knew about abuses in Abu Ghraib prison - Australian military lawyer, Major George O'Kane, had not only visited the prison on five separate occasions, but was involved in providing legal advice on the prison's interrogation program. This key witness was barred by the government from giving evidence to the Senate.
When the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission issued report after report decrying the conditions in our detention centres, the Government brushed this criticism aside, implying the reports were 'emotional'or perhaps based on some political agenda. It then set about curtailing the powers of HREOC, just to be sure it didn't happen again.
Two senate enquiries have concluded the live export trade has few economic advantages – both have been ignored by the government.
Now the Government wants to close electoral rolls at 8pm on the day election writs are issued, ending the practice of giving people seven days to lodge details. They also want new rules banning prisoners from voting.
The changes they'll push through go against recommendations from a report they commissioned.
Jeebus love us, we'll be using Diebold machines to vote next.

Howard's Secret Weapon (2004)


Funny what you find when you're looking for something else.
One of Howard's supporters in the 2004 election was none other than international celebrity Gabrielle Reilly.
The Gabrielle Reilly.
You don't know her? I'm shocked. Go to her website http://www.gabriellereillyweekly.com/ and you'll find she's a self confessed 'swimsuit model, political commentator and international celebrity.' And she was born in that hot bed of wannabe celebrities, Alice Springs - though she long ago moved to the celebrity capital of the US - Kansas.
During the 204 election, Gabrielle launched an eye-catching ad campaign online in which she deftly delivered the message "Re-elect John Howard" while sporting a fetching Hawaiian-print bikini. And lambasting Latham. Of course. Funny that Howard didn't snap up the chance for a few photo ops with Gabrielle - maybe something to do with her habit of wearing very little.
But there's more - back in 1997, Richard Lim,, nominated Gabrielle for Young Australian of the Year. Go to her web site and you'll find she modestly admits as much - but the punch line lies in caption - 'Dr Richard Lim, NT Country Libersl Party (Australia's Republican Party)'
So now we know.
Bizarre. Is it Alice Springs' loss and Kansas' gain or...