The theft of Slipper's Diary is not going away.  This morning, under the auspices of a Search Warrant,  Police raided the home of Ashby's Parents at Beerwah here on the Sunshine Coast looking for evidence.  Such a warrant is not issued lightly, especially in such a high profile matter.

The sphincter of Brough will be twitching.

Link.

ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again?

John Smith wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 1:23pm:

ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again?

I doubt the target is just Ashby.

Up-date.  Looks like it is also the home of Ashby himself.

Link.

Quote:

Mr Brough confirmed his part in the plan to 60 Minutes in September last year, saying his actions were justified because Mr Slipper had committed a crime.

Ah, yeah. That's not how it works. You don't get to commit crimes if other people are committing crimes.

Kytro wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 2:25pm:

Quote: Mr Brough confirmed his part in the plan to 60 Minutes in September last year, saying his actions were justified because Mr Slipper had committed a crime. Ah, yeah. That's not how it works. You don't get to commit crimes if other people are committing crimes.

In any respect it is up to police to investigate crimes not a member of the public....Also as Slipper was found to be innocent Brough's argument is bullshit....Brough and Ashby may also have to answer to Parliament for conspiring against the speaker of the house???

:-? :-? :-?

Kytro wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 2:25pm:

Quote: Mr Brough confirmed his part in the plan to 60 Minutes in September last year, saying his actions were justified because Mr Slipper had committed a crime. Ah, yeah. That's not how it works. You don't get to commit crimes if other people are committing crimes.

*So, given we are now aware Slipper did not commit a crime, ipso facto Mr Brough, do you accept your actions were not justified?*

Lying arseholes!  It does not take much for the rats to be exposed.

From the extended links as above:


Quote:

Mr Brough told Channel Nine's 60 Minutes in 2014 that he asked Mr Ashby to procure a copy of Slipper's diary because he believed Mr Slipper had committed a crime. Mr Ashby however today said that he volunteered the diary. "Peter Slipper continues to pursue charges against me for the whistleblowing act of revealing his diary, which later led to charges in Canberra and aided my case," Mr Ashby said. "Mal Brough never procured me to get those diaries. "I had copies of the diaries already, I volunteered those diaries to Mal Brough. "Copies of Peter Slipper's diaries were handed over to the Federal Police when I first made my sexual harassment claim.

Ho ho ho and a bottle of good ol' Bundy Rum!  Ashby says Brough did not ask for them.  Brough says he did!

How evah so jolly, wot?

Oh the joy!!!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-17/police-search-ex-political-staffer-james-ashby-parents-home/6947684


Quote:

The search warrant includes mention of Special Minister of State Mal Brough, Industry Minister Christopher Pyne and Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy.

;D ;D ;D

Karma's a bitch ain't it?

Like much of the Abbott government and oppositions strategy the stink of political dishonesty and corruption was always on the nose.

John Smith wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 1:23pm:

ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again?

Apparently he's working for Pauline Hanson these days.

He's all class that kid.

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 9:58pm:

John Smith wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 1:23pm: ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again? Apparently he's working for Pauline Hanson these days. He's all class that kid.

Nothing 'apparent' about it.  He is.  I'll find a link later.  He is local to me, so I was well aware of that.  He is her 'pilot.'  Nothing more, of course.

Good on him for snaring another patsy.  Tells us all how great Pauline's judgement is.

Aussie wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 10:06pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 9:58pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 1:23pm: ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again? Apparently he's working for Pauline Hanson these days. He's all class that kid. Nothing 'apparent' about it.  He is.  I'll find a link later.  He is local to me, so I was well aware of that.  He is her 'pilot.'  Nothing more, of course. Good on him for snaring another patsy.  Tells us all how great Pauline's judgement is.

Not to mention the Liberal Party who endorsed both Hanson and Slipper....Being vile is an asset in the LNP!!!

;) ;) ;)

philperth2010 wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 10:16pm:

Aussie wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 10:06pm: polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 9:58pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 1:23pm: ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again? Apparently he's working for Pauline Hanson these days. He's all class that kid. Nothing 'apparent' about it.  He is.  I'll find a link later.  He is local to me, so I was well aware of that.  He is her 'pilot.'  Nothing more, of course. Good on him for snaring another patsy.  Tells us all how great Pauline's judgement is. Not to mention the Liberal Party who endorsed both Hanson and Slipper....Being vile is an asset in the LNP!!! ;) ;) ;)

I thought it was a mandatory pre-requisite.

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 17^th, 2015 at 9:58pm:

John Smith wrote on Nov 17th, 2015 at 1:23pm: ohh, poor Ashby .... is everyone picking on him again? Apparently he's working for Pauline Hanson these days. He's all class that kid.

His sphincter will be twitching.

It sure will.  It has been revealed that Brough has now been raided (Tuesday) as has Ashby's confidente at the time, Karen Doane.

Link.

Aussie wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 12:23pm:

It sure will.  It has been revealed that Brough has now been raided (Tuesday) as has Ashby's confidente at the time, Karen Doane. Link.

So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. His reason for this was he suspected Slipper of committing a crime.

All this, of course, is the job of police. What Brough hasn't said is what he did with those diary copies. I'm not sure if this is a crime in itself, but it points to a political vendetta that could well have involved crime. There is evidence here of a political conspiracy to bring down the Speaker. Some of this is politics-as-usual, garden-variety dark arts. Some of it, however, reeks of criminality. And none of it looks good for the Libs.

Brough and Turnbull are friends. It would be better for all if Brough stood down until this blows over. If it ever does, like Sinodinos, Brough could return.

Karnal wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 12:40pm:

So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary.

yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him.

John Smith wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 12:48pm:

Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him.

Is that actually a crime?

Karnal wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 12:54pm:

John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:48pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him. Is that actually a crime?

conspiracy to commit a crime? Incitement?  He conspired with Asby to steal Slipper diary didn't he?

John Smith wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:03pm:

Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:54pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:48pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him. Is that actually a crime? conspiracy to commit a crime? Incitement?  He conspired with Asby to steal Slipper diary didn't he?

I would have thought the Speaker's diary is a public document anyway. As for conspiracy or incitement, it's a bit wimpy, don't you think?

These sort of things are leaked daily. We've got enough evidence to say that Ashby was Brough's mole in the Speaker's office, but there's not much evidence on any real criminal activity.

The only way this will become a half decent political scandal is if something seriously illegal is found. Most of this is old news. At any other time - Rudd, Gillard, Abbott - this story would be far more newsworthy. Turnbull, however, has managed to get sport and terrorism back on the front page again. People are over the last few years of political intrigue. The PM is no longer enemy number one - yet.

Brough is going to need something quite nasty pinned on him to stand down. This is no Choppergate. The government's doing well in the polls.

It's not as much fun as having the grown-ups back in charge, is it?

John Smith wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:03pm:

Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:54pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:48pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him. Is that actually a crime? conspiracy to commit a crime? Incitement?  He conspired with Asby to steal Slipper diary didn't he?

All of that and add.....receiving stolen property, party to the original theft.

Quote:

I would have thought the Speaker's diary is a public document anyway..

Never heard of that.  Can you clarify?

Aussie wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:22pm:

John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:03pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:54pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:48pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him. Is that actually a crime? conspiracy to commit a crime? Incitement?  He conspired with Asby to steal Slipper diary didn't he? All of that and add.....receiving stolen property, party to the original theft.

I can't see how it's stolen if Ashby's in charge of it. You could argue this in court, of course, but it's a nothing charge.

Karnal wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:26pm:

Aussie wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:22pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:03pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:54pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:48pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him. Is that actually a crime? conspiracy to commit a crime? Incitement?  He conspired with Asby to steal Slipper diary didn't he? All of that and add.....receiving stolen property, party to the original theft. I can't see how it's stolen if Ashby's in charge of it. You could argue this in court, of course, but it's a nothing charge.

'My Office Manager' is in charge of the petty cash tin in my office, but that does not mean they have a lawful right to steal the cash.

Aussie wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:28pm:

Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:26pm: Aussie wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:22pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:03pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:54pm: John Smith wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:48pm: Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 12:40pm: So Brough admitted he asked Ashby to make copies of Slipper's diary. yep ... live and on national television ... there is no question he is guilty.  Now Turncoat needs to do the right thing and sack him. Is that actually a crime? conspiracy to commit a crime? Incitement?  He conspired with Asby to steal Slipper diary didn't he? All of that and add.....receiving stolen property, party to the original theft. I can't see how it's stolen if Ashby's in charge of it. You could argue this in court, of course, but it's a nothing charge. 'My Office Manager' is in charge of the petty cash tin in my office, but that does not mean they have a lawful right to steal the cash.

Photocopying a diary?

Karnal wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:43pm:

Photocopying a diary?

Arrr! He be a pirate!

To photocopy is to steal the content of the diary.......asportation....is a sneaky legal term, and an element of the offence of 'stealing.'

maybe COPYRIGHT is involved.. ::) ::)

just sayin..yaaaaaaaaaaaawn

Aussie wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:50pm:

To photocopy is to steal the content of the diary.......asportation....is a sneaky legal term, and an element of the offence of 'stealing.'

Ah. But we are talking about the appointments diary of a public official. This is hardly state secrets, no matter how much George Brandis is currently pretending that it is to avoid giving up the contents of his own diary. .

Karnal wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 2:23pm:

Aussie wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:50pm: To photocopy is to steal the content of the diary.......asportation....is a sneaky legal term, and an element of the offence of 'stealing.' Ah. But we are talking about the appointments diary of a public official. This is hardly state secrets, no matter how much George Brandis is currently pretending that it is to avoid giving up the contents of his own diary. .

I doubt anyone would care about a diary with nothing more than appointments listed.  That's not a diary in my sense of the word.  That is an appointment schedule or meeting record.

isn't this also a case of the abuse of the justice system - which surely is a crime itself?

This was supposed to be a criminal matter of Slipper sexually harassing his COS. However we now know that instead of simply going to the police and having them investigate, Ashby firstly went to key liberal party figures Brough and Pyne (and apparently Wyatt Roy), and conspired to get their hands on Slipper's diary. There is little serious dispute now that this was done for the purpose of finding something they can use against Slipper in a pre-planned sexual harassment allegation.

The first judge to hear this "case" saw it for what it was and promptly threw it out - even saying that it was an abuse of the system. I wondered at the time why this itself didn't prompt fresh investigations against Ashby and his liberal party friends for what surely is the crime of attempting to manipulate the justice system to bring down your political opponent.

So in short, if the police find evidence that Asby and Brough and co conspired to concoct a bogus sexual harassment case against Slipper - isn't that itself a crime?

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 2:52pm:

isn't this also a case of the abuse of the justice system - which surely is a crime itself? This was supposed to be a criminal matter of Slipper sexually harassing his COS. However we now know that instead of simply going to the police and having them investigate, Ashby firstly went to key liberal party figures Brough and Pyne (and apparently Wyatt Roy), and conspired to get their hands on Slipper's diary. There is little serious dispute now that this was done for the purpose of finding something they can use against Slipper in a pre-planned sexual harassment allegation. The first judge to hear this "case" saw it for what it was and promptly threw it out - even saying that it was an abuse of the system. I wondered at the time why this itself didn't prompt fresh investigations against Ashby and his liberal party friends for what surely is the crime of attempting to manipulate the justice system to bring down your political opponent. So in short, if the police find evidence that Asby and Brough and co conspired to concoct a bogus sexual harassment case against Slipper - isn't that itself a crime?

I dunno.....I am no expert on this stuff any more.  But, I doubt they will get enough evidence on conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and I am not familiar enough with the Crimes Act to be aware of other potential conspiracy offences.  But, in any man's language, there was a theft of, and a conspiracy to do so, the content of Slipper's diary.

While the fact of these raids are not conclusive, they do suggest the Feds believe they have something to run with.  You do not get search warrants issued against people like Brough on a whim, or just to go fishing in blind hope.  The JP or Judge who issued that Warrant would have been very pedantically cautious.

Just on this point:


Quote:

So in short, if the police find evidence that Asby and Brough and co conspired to concoct a bogus sexual harassment case against Slipper - isn't that itself a crime?

If it becomes as clear cut as that, you can bet there would be some quite serious charges available, particularly given the Constitutional position of the intended target, and the delicate political balance at the time.

Setanta wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 1:46pm:

Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 1:43pm: Photocopying a diary? Arrr! He be a pirate!

I imagine that he would be covered by the whistle blower legislation if there was a public benefit to doing so.

However I doubt that conspiring with Pyne and  Brough etc to assist the Liberals to take political power would fall into this category.

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 2:52pm:

isn't this also a case of the abuse of the justice system - which surely is a crime itself? This was supposed to be a criminal matter of Slipper sexually harassing his COS. However we now know that instead of simply going to the police and having them investigate, Ashby firstly went to key liberal party figures Brough and Pyne (and apparently Wyatt Roy), and conspired to get their hands on Slipper's diary. There is little serious dispute now that this was done for the purpose of finding something they can use against Slipper in a pre-planned sexual harassment allegation. The first judge to hear this "case" saw it for what it was and promptly threw it out - even saying that it was an abuse of the system. I wondered at the time why this itself didn't prompt fresh investigations against Ashby and his liberal party friends for what surely is the crime of attempting to manipulate the justice system to bring down your political opponent. So in short, if the police find evidence that Asby and Brough and co conspired to concoct a bogus sexual harassment case against Slipper - isn't that itself a crime?

I doubt it. Slipper never denied that he said what he did. Sexual harassment wasn't found, but there's nothing illegal about advising someone to sue for sexual harassment.

The first judge was right. Of course this was an abuse of the system. But without anything criminal being uncovered, there ends the story.

It needs to be said, however, that this is one of the most serious abuses of the system in recent history. It goes beyond the political dark arts into another place. The Liberal Party conspired to smear and finger the Speaker. Anything and everything was thrown at Slipper - sexual harassment, the taxi fares, a private text message about seafood.

And remember, it was this message, along with the gay slur, that did him in. How dare he crack a joke about vaginas?

Karnal wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 2:23pm:

But we are talking about the appointments diary of a public official. This is hardly state secrets,

doesn't give anyone the right to steal it.

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 2:52pm:

isn't this also a case of the abuse of the justice system - which surely is a crime itself? This was supposed to be a criminal matter of Slipper sexually harassing his COS. However we now know that instead of simply going to the police and having them investigate, Ashby firstly went to key liberal party figures Brough and Pyne (and apparently Wyatt Roy), and conspired to get their hands on Slipper's diary. There is little serious dispute now that this was done for the purpose of finding something they can use against Slipper in a pre-planned sexual harassment allegation. The first judge to hear this "case" saw it for what it was and promptly threw it out - even saying that it was an abuse of the system. I wondered at the time why this itself didn't prompt fresh investigations against Ashby and his liberal party friends for what surely is the crime of attempting to manipulate the justice system to bring down your political opponent. So in short, if the police find evidence that Asby and Brough and co conspired to concoct a bogus sexual harassment case against Slipper - isn't that itself a crime?

Is it perverting the course of justice?

John Smith wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 3:39pm:

Karnal wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 2:23pm: But we are talking about the appointments diary of a public official. This is hardly state secrets, doesn't give anyone the right to steal it.

It certainly doesn’t. I just can’t see how you could get a charge up against someone for asking a staffer to photocopy his boss’s diary.

Bam wrote on Nov 19^th, 2015 at 3:48pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Nov 19th, 2015 at 2:52pm: isn't this also a case of the abuse of the justice system - which surely is a crime itself? This was supposed to be a criminal matter of Slipper sexually harassing his COS. However we now know that instead of simply going to the police and having them investigate, Ashby firstly went to key liberal party figures Brough and Pyne (and apparently Wyatt Roy), and conspired to get their hands on Slipper's diary. There is little serious dispute now that this was done for the purpose of finding something they can use against Slipper in a pre-planned sexual harassment allegation. The first judge to hear this "case" saw it for what it was and promptly threw it out - even saying that it was an abuse of the system. I wondered at the time why this itself didn't prompt fresh investigations against Ashby and his liberal party friends for what surely is the crime of attempting to manipulate the justice system to bring down your political opponent. So in short, if the police find evidence that Asby and Brough and co conspired to concoct a bogus sexual harassment case against Slipper - isn't that itself a crime? Is it perverting the course of justice?

No. Ashby sued in the civil courts. It wasn’t a criminal case, and there’s no evidence that he lied to police.

This is an up-date.  Shame Mr Smith did not bung this here, an existing Thread.  Repetition on the same issue dilutes the impact, but there ya go.

Link.

I saw that Article this afternoon, and passed it on to one of my Blue Rinse Brigade Liberal Party diehards who swears by The Drum.  Ha.

Malcolm is very fragile on that issue of judgement.  It may well be his Achille's  heel.

But, Brough was a mover and shaker in getting rid of Abbott (as was that other Sunshine Coast lightweight, Wyatt Roy) and they each had to be paid their pieces of silver, despite the facts that Turnbull ought to have known they are both potential time bombs for him.

The Abbott crowd will be watching.  Anyone see Tony in Parliament today?

Calm ya tits, we all should know by now when you're a politician a different set of standards apply, should something happen , yes, will anything happen , no.

Its time wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2015 at 9:44pm:

Calm ya tits, we all should know by now when you're a politician a different set of standards apply, should something happen , yes, will anything happen , no.

I'm no expert and possess no inside special information.  But.....from a pretty simplistic look, Brough is in deep doo do, always was.  Abbott knew it and kept Brough at bay.  Brough has an ego much bigger than Abbott's and would have been a persistent Turnbull white-ant.  (You will find, if you can, posts made by me along those lines some time ago.)  No doubt about it.  Brough would have been Turnbull's main man to garner support, and while I detest the man Brough, he has the gift of the gab, and he would have been relentless....to feather his own nest by being King Maker.

Problem is, the bloke is in the shite, a 'potential' criminal and yet, Turnbull was forced to reward the prick, as he has.  Very poor judgement, not only in the man, but the job given to the man.

Aussie wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2015 at 9:17pm:

This is an up-date.  Shame Mr Smith did not bung this here, an existing Thread.  Repetition on the same issue dilutes the impact, but there ya go. Link. I saw that Article this afternoon, and passed it on to one of my Blue Rinse Brigade Liberal Party diehards who swears by The Drum.  Ha. Malcolm is very fragile on that issue of judgement.  It may well be his Achille's  heel. But, Brough was a mover and shaker in getting rid of Abbott (as was that other Sunshine Coast lightweight, Wyatt Roy) and they each had to be paid their pieces of silver, despite the facts that Turnbull ought to have known they are both potential time bombs for him. The Abbott crowd will be watching.  Anyone see Tony in Parliament today?

I didn't 'bung it here' because it wasn't actually about the Ashby case, but rather Turncoats handling of it and how it might affect his term as PM.

Ho ho ho, and a bottle of Rum!!!!!  Brough, the sleazebag slime ball was up to his shittey neck in all this matter.  Clive is now dumping on him, again.  This surfaced earlier in the lead up to the 2013 Federal Election, and when I became aware of it, I urged Palmer to go to the schmenia and tell all.  He did, and Brough called Clive a 'liar.'  Clive sued Brough for defamation, but he allowed that to drop away after he won the seat of Fairfax and to get a bit of local harmony.  Clive's seat, Fairfax, is immediately adjacent to Brough's, Fisher, here on the Sunshine Coast.     But, now it is re-surfacing, Clive is back with it.  Yee hah!!!!

Link.

John Smith wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2015 at 11:39pm:

Aussie wrote on Nov 23rd, 2015 at 9:17pm: This is an up-date.  Shame Mr Smith did not bung this here, an existing Thread.  Repetition on the same issue dilutes the impact, but there ya go. Link. I saw that Article this afternoon, and passed it on to one of my Blue Rinse Brigade Liberal Party diehards who swears by The Drum.  Ha. Malcolm is very fragile on that issue of judgement.  It may well be his Achille's  heel. But, Brough was a mover and shaker in getting rid of Abbott (as was that other Sunshine Coast lightweight, Wyatt Roy) and they each had to be paid their pieces of silver, despite the facts that Turnbull ought to have known they are both potential time bombs for him. The Abbott crowd will be watching.  Anyone see Tony in Parliament today? I didn't 'bung it here' because it wasn't actually about the Ashby case, but rather Turncoats handling of it and how it might affect his term as PM.

Turdball would be crazy to say or do anything about it, last thing he would want would be to associate his name in any part of it.

All he needs to do is to let it run its course and at the end see how many Abbott supporters he gets to sack.

Dnarever wrote on Nov 25^th, 2015 at 4:32pm:

John Smith wrote on Nov 23rd, 2015 at 11:39pm: Aussie wrote on Nov 23rd, 2015 at 9:17pm: This is an up-date.  Shame Mr Smith did not bung this here, an existing Thread.  Repetition on the same issue dilutes the impact, but there ya go. Link. I saw that Article this afternoon, and passed it on to one of my Blue Rinse Brigade Liberal Party diehards who swears by The Drum.  Ha. Malcolm is very fragile on that issue of judgement.  It may well be his Achille's  heel. But, Brough was a mover and shaker in getting rid of Abbott (as was that other Sunshine Coast lightweight, Wyatt Roy) and they each had to be paid their pieces of silver, despite the facts that Turnbull ought to have known they are both potential time bombs for him. The Abbott crowd will be watching.  Anyone see Tony in Parliament today? I didn't 'bung it here' because it wasn't actually about the Ashby case, but rather Turncoats handling of it and how it might affect his term as PM. Turdball would be crazy to say or do anything about it, last thing he would want would be to associate his name in any part of it. All he needs to do is to let it run its course and at the end see how many Abbott supporters he gets to sack.

Turnbull is already very closely tied to the ultimate fate of Brough.  As has been stated, it goes to his penchant for lack of judgement, ala Gordon Gretch.  When Abbott sidelined Brough, he became a Turnbull disciple and would have been one of Turnbull's main white ants of Abbott.  Turnbull gets the Leadership and must reward Brough, he reckons.  Bad error.  The error was compounded when Turnbull made Brough Special Minister of State dealing with matters of Parliamentary integrity....and yet here the sleazeball is.....under investigation for lacking that very quality, having been put there by Turnbull who knew this "Ashby/Slipper diary" issue was a very dark cloud over the head of Brough.

Malcolm Turnbull declines to comment on calls for Liberal MP to stand aside after Clive Palmer repeats cash claims

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-25/clive-palmer-repeats-claims-mal-brough-asked-for-money/6973446

In an episode of Sixty Minutes (September, 2014) Brough admitted he asked Ashby to get for him copies of Slipper's Diary and he justified that on the basis that Slipper was a criminal.  (Timing....at that time September 2014, Slipper had been convicted, but....bad news for Brough....when Slipper later won an Appeal which quashed the conviction.  Ooops!)

You will read in this link to an interview he gave in 2013 (just before the election) that he did nothing with the Diary copies.

Begs the question which was not asked of him by Sixty Minutes which is......Why did he want the copy if he had no intent to do anything with them?

Link.

Aussie wrote on Nov 25^th, 2015 at 11:38pm:

In an episode of Sixty Minutes (September, 2014) Brough admitted he asked Ashby to get for him copies of Slipper's Diary and he justified that on the basis that Slipper was a criminal.  (Timing....at that time September 2014, Slipper had been convicted, but....bad news for Brough....when Slipper later won an Appeal which quashed the conviction.  Ooops!) You will read in this link to an interview he gave in 2013 (just before the election) that he did nothing with the Diary copies. Begs the question which was not asked of him by Sixty Minutes which is......Why did he want the copy if he had no intent to do anything with them? Link.

The public have no right to break the law on a Fishing (pun intended) expedition....Police need a search warrant to obtain such information....Brough should have reported this alleged crime to the relevant authorities to investigate if he thought there was a crime committed....Brough and Ashby have every chance of being charged with conspiracy to obtain information under false pretences....Slipper did nothing wrong and the LNP tore him down for political reasons not any concern about rorting travel expenses....If they did have genuine concerns about such behaviour why did Tony Abbott defend Bronwyn Bishop despite her abuse of entitlements being far worse than Peter Slipper???

:-? :-? :-?

Amusing how silent the rightards have been about this.

Bam wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 8:28am:

Amusing how silent the rightards have been about this.

ITS A WITCH HUNT..

thats why..

cods wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 8:33am:

Bam wrote on Nov 26th, 2015 at 8:28am: Amusing how silent the rightards have been about this. ITS A WITCH HUNT.. thats why..

Think you will find that Labor have played no part in any of it - it has just been the Liberals digging the hole deeper and deeper to the point where even the Australian police can no longer ignore it.

Dnarever wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 8:53am:

cods wrote on Nov 26th, 2015 at 8:33am: Bam wrote on Nov 26th, 2015 at 8:28am: Amusing how silent the rightards have been about this. ITS A WITCH HUNT.. thats why.. Think you will find that Labor have played no part in any of it - it has just been the Liberals digging the hole deeper and deeper to the point where even the Australian police can no longer ignore it.

If it was a Labor, Union or Greens member embroiled in this sleaze Cods would be all over it....The only comment made was to defend or deflect the indefensible....Hilarious!!!

:) :) :)

And....at Question Time today, the Government gags debate on what Brough has done and Turnbull's inaction over it.

*Smell the fear*

Yeas, it is 'just a case of bad herpes' coming back.  Unbelievable.

Link.

Providing the contents of an MP's diary to a member of the public could have very serious repercussions if the member of the public has ill intent towards the MP....James Ashby was put in a position of trust and violated that trust by providing confidential information to a member of the public....Mal Brough must be sacked for his corrupt behaviour IMO!!!

>:( >:( >:(

Brough and even Pyne throw in Wyatt and a few others.

You know that the Liberals are very proud of these guys.

Dnarever wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 7:32pm:

Brough and even Pyne throw in Wyatt and a few others. You know that the Liberals are very proud of these guys.

Do you mean Ken Wyatt or Wyatt Roy? As if two Bishops wasn't confusing enough...

Bam wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 8:31pm:

Dnarever wrote on Nov 26th, 2015 at 7:32pm: Brough and even Pyne throw in Wyatt and a few others. You know that the Liberals are very proud of these guys. Do you mean Ken Wyatt or Wyatt Roy? As if two Bishops wasn't confusing enough...

It'll be the twerp Wyatt Roy (Longman/Caboolture/Qld)....also rewarded by Turnbull.

Just some housekeeping:

Link.

WITCH HUNT.[size=20][/size]

Looks like the net is getting wider,  Now the twerp Wyatt Roy has left his fingerprints all over an incriminating  piece of paper.  I wonder whether Brough has managed to use Roy as pawn and a buffer to keep himself just above attack but still keep the attck on Slipper going.  Would not surprise me in the least because let's not forget that Brough lost Liberal endorsement for the seat of Longman to Roy.  Long shot, but Brough is a bitter and very ambitious revengeful person (see he support for Turnbull against Abbott) well capable of wanting and getting his pound of flesh from the young twerp who ousted him.

WITCH HUNT.

Sure Is[size=20[/size]

Unions RC all over again

Here is a link to Ashby's latest sensational revelations about this Diary.  Wyatt Roy up to his twerpy neck in it, but the shadow of Brough is well and truly still in the picture.  Even if the guilty party is Wyatt Roy, this still goes to Turnbull's capacity for lousy judgement as he also rewarded Wyatt Roy with a (assistant) Ministerial appointment!!

Link.

This is an absolute ripper of a link. It is/was a schedule received into evidence in the Trial conducted by Rares J.  It is a chronological record of text exchanges between all relevant players, including those Ashby had with Brough.  Well worth the effort to read....for anyone interested in facts.

Link.

Well, well, in Parliament today, Brough said that Sixty Minutes had edited the relevant interview in which he admitted that he asked Ashby to get him copies of the Slipper Diary.

Link.

What a major error that was Mr Brough, and it is gonna cost you big time!  Fancy trying to 'verbal' Sixty Minutes when it has the tapes!  On Ch 9 News tonight, Oakes aired the relevant part of the interview, and it is very clear that the only edit was to get rid of a slight stumble of no relevance on the part of the interviewer.  The question was singular, very clear, and answered very responsively and relevantly.

Bye bye Brough.  It is now a matter of how much this erodes Turnbull.  It will.  He has a lousy record on matters of judgement, and I give you the Gordon Gretch fiasco as evidence.

It is important to keep in mind that Turnbull gave Brough a Ministerial post (on integrity of all things) knowing this stuff was hanging over Brough's head.

Turnbull has been able (till tonight) to say that he has no need to act against Brough because nothing new has emerged.  Well, that defence has now evaporated after tonight's Ch 9 News.  The Toad has delivered the knock out blow.

Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

Lol Brough just proved himself a liar: "not the question that was aired" he says. Umm yes it was Mal, and the whole of Australia just saw your lie.

What a cluts. Definitely one instance where Abbott showed better judgement than Turnbull.  Brough is gone, and it will likely be very damaging dor Turnbull.

Here ya go.....this provides the full video evidence of what Brough said to Parliament today about editing and the 60 Minutes unedited recording.

Link.

Bye bye Brough, bye bye!!

cods wrote on Dec 1^st, 2015 at 3:00pm:

WITCH HUNT.

Its about Brough, Pyne and Roy as far as I know Greg Hunt wasn't involved.

Brough really is ferked.  In this.......

Link.....

.....you can access all of what Brough said on 60 Minutes.  (I'll bet Hayes would love to do that interview again in light of later revelations.)  Man, this is going to end his career and Dreyfus will have a field day tomorrow in Question Time.

Well done Turnbull, there was no better man, in your judgement, than Brough to make Special Minister of State with oversight of parliamentarian integrity!!! 

Bewdy!!!

Aussie wrote on Dec 1^st, 2015 at 8:54pm:

Here ya go.....this provides the full video evidence of what Brough said to Parliament today about editing and the 60 Minutes unedited recording. Link. Bye bye Brough, bye bye!!

Goodness me, he certainly hung himself with that answer, that's a bit of bad luck Mal, seems to be a lot of scandals going on in the Lib camp , hope it doesn't affect their polling  :)

Its time wrote on Dec 1^st, 2015 at 11:29pm:

Aussie wrote on Dec 1st, 2015 at 8:54pm: Here ya go.....this provides the full video evidence of what Brough said to Parliament today about editing and the 60 Minutes unedited recording. Link. Bye bye Brough, bye bye!! Goodness me, he certainly hung himself with that answer, that's a bit of bad luck Mal, seems to be a lot of scandals going on in the Lib camp , hope it doesn't affect their polling  :)

Don't see why it would, nobody expects them to be honest.

So he thought a good way out for him was to basically defame Australia's most popular current affairs show. What did he think - that they wouldn't respond to this smear?

Hope Slipper's having a good laugh over this.

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 6:30am:

Hope Slipper's having a good laugh over this.

I reckon he'd be enjoying it.

Thank heavens the grown-ups are back in charge.

Karnal wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 7:52am:

Thank heavens the grown-ups are back in charge.

For all Abbott's flaws, he showed one rare instance of good judgement in leaving Brough on the backbench. Little wonder that Brough was front and centre in the coup against him - and no question that he made a deal with Turnbull to get back on the frontbench.

If this has happened once, I wander how many other times it's happened. Didn't they do a similar thing to One Nation?

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 8:28am:

Karnal wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 7:52am: Thank heavens the grown-ups are back in charge. For all Abbott's flaws, he showed one rare instance of good judgement in leaving Brough on the backbench. Little wonder that Brough was front and centre in the coup against him - and no question that he made a deal with Turnbull to get back on the frontbench.

For all Abbott's flaws,

Difficult to imagine that anything happened in this process without Abbotts full approval.

I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals

Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 9:20am:

I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election

it tells me just what the left have got to take to the next election..

bugger all..

.they are doing what they claim the right did to slipper.. shock horror and the cfmeu... but it doesnt occur to them this is the same thing.. :D :D :D :D

dingbats..

cods wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 9:26am:

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 9:20am: I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election it tells me just what the left have got to take to the next election.. bugger all.. .they are doing what they claim the right did to slipper.. shock horror and the cfmeu... but it doesnt occur to them this is the same thing.. :D :D :D :D dingbats..

According to Labor (Shorten) - Australians are interested in this. It's their justification for using Question Time to grill the LIBs about it

I guess Shorten is right - 15% of Australians are interested

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 9:20am:

I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election

It's not a peripheral issue. Turnbull has shown poor judgement in the past. Remember Utegate, Godwin Grech and forged emails?

Turnbull may not be directly involved this time, but a lack of decisive action from him on this issue will harm them later if Brough has a case to answer. The worst-case scenario is that there's enough evidence to convict two sitting Members of Parliament and they both end up in jail.

For example, what exactly is being discussed here between Ashby and Brough?

From Mal Brough 29/03/2012 11:31:19 AM UTC ... Can that be emailed James it is hard to read (email address redacted by BAM)
To Mal Brough 29/03/2012 11:31:53 AM UTC ... Done. Coming thru in minutes
From Mal Brough 29/03/2012 11:32:11 AM UTC ... Thanks
To Mal Brough 29/03/2012 11:34:56 AM UTC ... Will need to get daily print outs tomorrow with greater detail.

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 9:20am:

I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election

And you have no problem with the number of dishonest turds pretending to make moral decisions occupying ministerial seats in a Liberal government.

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 9:20am:

I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election

Not sure that anybody has said they would be.

However having half of the Liberal front bench clearly shown to be not fit for office does seem to have some relevance.

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 9:32am:

cods wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 9:26am: Maqqa wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 9:20am: I've largely left these types of threads alone because it allows lefties to focus on the peripherals Ashby and Brough will not be the centre piece of the next election it tells me just what the left have got to take to the next election.. bugger all.. .they are doing what they claim the right did to slipper.. shock horror and the cfmeu... but it doesnt occur to them this is the same thing.. :D :D :D :D dingbats.. According to Labor (Shorten) - Australians are interested in this. It's their justification for using Question Time to grill the LIBs about it I guess Shorten is right - 15% of Australians are interested

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

and they are all on ozpol.. how extraordinary....

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

you would think they would save this till the election was announced... its their BIG weapon by the look of it.. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

The issue of deliberately misleading parliament is always of interest to the public.

Otherwise our government will be an effective autocracy, completely free to do whatever they want with no accountability.

QT is going to be a ripper today.  Pyne used the 'gag' this morning to stifle a censure motion, but there is nothing he can do to prevent Labor grilling Brough in QT this afternoon.  A 'must watch.'

Link.

Other than Brough - who else can they attack?

Attack Turnbull who is on 65% preferred PM?

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:28am:

Other than Brough - who else can they attack? Attack Turnbull who is on 65% preferred PM?

One step at a time.  After Brough (if there is time before the Christmas Break) they will go after at least Wyatt Roy, then Pyne, and then Turnbull.......all arising out the Ashby/Slipper farce.

Aussie wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:15am:

QT is going to be a ripper today.  Pyne used the 'gag' this morning to stifle a censure motion, but there is nothing he can do to prevent Labor grilling Brough in QT this afternoon.  A 'must watch.' Link.

Can't the PM issue standing orders and gag QT whenever he wants?

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:28am:

Other than Brough - who else can they attack? Attack Turnbull who is on 65% preferred PM?

lol - in case you didn't notice, attacking Brough *IS* a direct attack against the PM, they point this out very specifically by referencing the PM's judgment, who appointed this dodgy guy to, of all positions, special minister of state.

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:28am:

Other than Brough - who else can they attack? Attack Turnbull who is on 65% preferred PM?

65%?!
Bloody hell he is doing a super job....

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:33am:

Aussie wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 10:15am: QT is going to be a ripper today.  Pyne used the 'gag' this morning to stifle a censure motion, but there is nothing he can do to prevent Labor grilling Brough in QT this afternoon.  A 'must watch.' Link. Can't the PM issue standing orders and gag QT whenever he wants?

Dunno.  I do know (from watching pretty often) that QT ends with the PM advising the Speaker of that, but I have never seen it cut short by the PM (gagged.)

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:37am:

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 10:28am: Other than Brough - who else can they attack? Attack Turnbull who is on 65% preferred PM? 65%?! Bloody hell he is doing a super job....

Most people are just delirious about the fact Abott is no longer PM.

Aussie wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:38am:

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 10:33am: Aussie wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 10:15am: QT is going to be a ripper today.  Pyne used the 'gag' this morning to stifle a censure motion, but there is nothing he can do to prevent Labor grilling Brough in QT this afternoon.  A 'must watch.' Link. Can't the PM issue standing orders and gag QT whenever he wants? Dunno.  I do know (from watching pretty often) that QT ends with the PM advising the Speaker of that, but I have never seen it cut short by the PM (gagged.)

I have seen it cut short, ostensibly when the opposition refuses to move on from a particular line of questioning, or if they bring forward a censure motion which is defeated.

I assume the PM is obliged to indulge the opposition for some minimum period, and in any case its not a good look for the PM to be seen to be gagging debate. So no doubt we'll see at least some grilling of Brough today.

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 10:37am:

Maqqa wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 10:28am: Other than Brough - who else can they attack? Attack Turnbull who is on 65% preferred PM? lol - in case you didn't notice, attacking Brough *IS* a direct attack against the PM, they point this out very specifically by referencing the PM's judgment, who appointed this dodgy guy to, of all positions, special minister of state.

And how is that working out for Labor?

Poor Mal - it was only a simple error in interpretation... just business:-

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/30250259/mal-brough-apology-for-60-min-confusion/

"Special Minister of State Mal Brough has apologised to parliament for "unwittingly" confusing the public over an interview he gave to 60 Minutes about the Ashby-Slipper affair.

But Mr Brough maintains he answered a question, without clarifying precisely what part he was responding to, when he admitted to asking James Ashby to obtain copies of his former boss Peter Slipper's diary.

"I have taken the opportunity to review the tape and transcript, and apologise to the House if my statement yesterday unwittingly added to the confusion rather than clarifying the matter," he said on Wednesday."

YTS do we need a 'special minister of state?  Aren't there enough snouts in the trough already and doing buggar all?

Kinda reminds me of JFK (the movie)

"I find your story hard to believe, Dave."

"Oh, yeah?  Which part?"

Dear God...

Quote:

But Mr Brough maintains he answered a question, without clarifying precisely what part he was responding to, when he admitted to asking James Ashby to obtain copies of his former boss Peter Slipper's diary.

There was only one part of the question.  There was only one question put to him by Hayes, and that is as clear as a bell.

That sort of obviously slippery shifty bullshit just makes it all the worse.

So if I'm getting the straight...

firstly, getting Ashby to procure the diary behind Slipper's back is a crime - right?

And this is what Brough appears to admit to in the 60 minutes interview

So, presumably realising the gravity of this admission, Brough then claims his answer "yes I did" wasn't in reference to whether he asked Ashby to procure said diary.

Then, after 60 minutes chimes in and points out, actually thats exactly the question he said "Yes I did" to, Brough appears to be apologising for his original claim about the interview...which presumably means an admission that he did indeed admit he asked for Ashby for the diary? Which of course completely contradicts Ashby himself claiming Brough "never never ever ever" asked him for it...

God, I'm confused now - not about what happened, its very clear what Brough did - but confused about what defense Brough is actually attempting here. It seems he doesn't want to admit either that he committed a crime, or that he misled parliament - yet it is impossible that he did neither. So presumably he is deliberately traversing his way somewhere between the two.

Its really quite incredible - this is Bronwyn Bishopesque

QT on now.   Here is a doozy:

Liz Hayes asks Brough:


Quote:

'Um why then also did you um assist, seek well, did you ask James Ashby to procure um copies of Peter Slipper's diary for for you?'

Quote:

Mr Brough: 'Yes I did'.

(- See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/12/02/brough-apologises-for--confusion-0.html#sthash.nCuNb3eJ.dpuf)

Dreyfus asks Brough in QT just now:


Quote:

Did you ask James Ashby to procure um copies of Peter Slipper's diary for for you?

Brough:


Quote:

No.

Hahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!!!

Aussie wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 1:34pm:

QT on now.   Here is a doozy: Liz Hayes asks Brough: Quote: 'Um why then also did you um assist, seek well, did you ask James Ashby to procure um copies of Peter Slipper's diary for for you?' [quote]Mr Brough: 'Yes I did'.

(- See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/12/02/brough-apologises-for--confusion-0.html#sthash.nCuNb3eJ.dpuf)

Dreyfus asks Brough in QT just now:


Quote:

Did you ask James Ashby to procure um copies of Peter Slipper's diary for for you?

Brough:


Quote:

No.

Hahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!!![/quote]

Right, then apparently he is opting for the least tenable defense. Channel 9 have verified what the whole question was, there simply was no "other part" of the question, or whatever nonsense he is trying to concoct now. So we now have 2 Brough bare-faced lies: 1. denying asking Ashby for the Diary and 2. lying about what Liz Hayes asked him

Mal will sack Brough next week I bet. Or maybe wait one more week, lose it in the Christmas noise, i.e. issue a press release late Fri night??

Quote:

Guilt or innocence is not determined by public denunciation here or anywhere else. The minister has answered the questions put to him. I thank the Opposition for their interest in this matter. They should understand that the facts relating to the Ashby affair occurred some years ago. -- Turnbull

This last one shows the blatant hypocrisy of the Coalition.

The Coalition pursued Gillard for over two years for something that happened 17 years previously - including a Royal Commission that showed she actually did nothing wrong ... and now we're supposed to accept that something that happened 3½ years ago is not fair game for inquiry?

How lame!

This is a bad image for Turnbull on so many levels - not just an issue of indecisiveness in response to a clear case of misleading the Australian public, but by, of all people, the special minister of state - who is supposed to be in charge of matters of parliamentary integrity. And not only that - the minister who had very noticeably been sidelined by the previous PM, and was, very noticeably, active in the internal push to get Turnbull to replace Abbott. And not just bad judgement from any old PM - but the PM who basically gave himself the label "Mr bad judgement" after utegate. Yet its not just a case of bad judgment, it will inevitably be seen as the PM forming a protection racket for the guy who was central to delivering him the PMship. And lets not forget also how much ammunition this is giving for any dormant Abbott insurgents - who must be conjuring a lot of will power to hold their tongue on this.

Just seems very very bad for Turnbull.

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 2:45pm:

This is a bad image for Turnbull on so many levels - not just an issue of indecisiveness in response to a clear case of misleading the Australian public, but by, of all people, the special minister of state - who is supposed to be in charge of matters of parliamentary integrity. And not only that - the minister who had very noticeably been sidelined by the previous PM, and was, very noticeably, active in the internal push to get Turnbull to replace Abbott. And not just bad judgement from any old PM - but the PM who basically gave himself the label "Mr bad judgement" after utegate. Yet its not just a case of bad judgment, it will inevitably be seen as the PM forming a protection racket for the guy who was central to delivering him the PMship. And lets not forget also how much ammunition this is giving for any dormant Abbott insurgents - who must be conjuring a lot of will power to hold their tongue on this. Just seems very very bad for Turnbull.

Indeed.  This is a potential obliteration for Turnbull.  If he acts against Brough, what will Brough reveal about the machinations which went on leading up to the knifing of Abbott.  Brough will have been central to all of it, and Turnbull is in his hands.  He has delivered himself up to Brough, or has he?  I suspect Brough will have 'photos.'

If he does not act against Brough, then he ties his ultimate fate to that of Brough, if Brough goes down, so does he especially after today's stonewalling which is in effect support for Brough.  The longer he keeps Brough the more obvious the umbilical cord.

Lovely stuff....and yet ~ Abbott was smart enough to recognise the toxicity of Brough, something Turnbull failed to do, and it is not the first time he similarly failed.

Special Minister of State:


Quote:

The Australian Special Minister of State is the Honourable Mal Brough, since 21 September 2015. In the Government of Australia, the Special Minister of State (SMOS), formerly the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity, is a ministerial portfolio responsible for various parliamentary, electoral, financial, public service and oversight affairs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Minister_of_State

It just occurred to me - this government has now been embroiled in two scandals in which the two people most responsible for overseeing and maintaining parliamentary integrity - the speaker and the special minister of state - have been disgraced for not behaving with integrity in public life.

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 2:57pm:

Special Minister of State: Quote: The Australian Special Minister of State is the Honourable Mal Brough, since 21 September 2015. In the Government of Australia, the Special Minister of State (SMOS), formerly the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity, is a ministerial portfolio responsible for various parliamentary, electoral, financial, public service and oversight affairs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Minister_of_State It just occurred to me - this government has now been embroiled in two scandals in which the two people most responsible for overseeing and maintaining parliamentary integrity - the speaker and the special minister of state - have been disgraced for not behaving with integrity in public life.

True, but we cannot put the Speaker Bishop albatross around the neck of Turnbull, and even if we could, the Brough bird is far too large to leave room for Bronnie.

Aussie wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 3:16pm:

True, but we cannot put the Speaker Bishop albatross around the neck of Turnbull, and even if we could, the Brough bird is far too large to leave room for Bronnie.

Why not?  Has he fixed the freebies rorts.. or has it just been allowed to dive underground while farcical poll results show his massive popularity....

In Australistan is one Party and Great Leader always elected by 99% majority... is nobody dissident... is no dissident, is no problem........

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 5:14pm:

Aussie wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 3:16pm: True, but we cannot put the Speaker Bishop albatross around the neck of Turnbull, and even if we could, the Brough bird is far too large to leave room for Bronnie. Why not?  Has he fixed the freebies rorts.. or has it just been allowed to dive underground while farcical poll results show his massive popularity.... In Australistan is one Party and Great Leader always elected by 99% majority... is nobody dissident... is no dissident, is no problem........

Yeas....apparently not.  Julie Bishop had a $30,000.00 ride from Perth to Canberra to be at a Cabinet Meeting one morning.  The previous night, she had attended a charity event in the place of the PM....left that event and at 11.00pm in the Tax Payer funded Jet, flew her (and her comfort blanket) out of Perth to be at the Cabinet meeting.  Fair enough?  No, it bloody well is not.  If she needed to be at the Cabinet Meeting, she never ought have accepted the gig to be at the charity event.....so......in the end....it drills down to this:

The Tax Payers of Australia paid $30,000.00 so that cow could attend a charity ball.  Phark off!

Aussie wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 3:16pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 2:57pm: Special Minister of State: Quote: The Australian Special Minister of State is the Honourable Mal Brough, since 21 September 2015. In the Government of Australia, the Special Minister of State (SMOS), formerly the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity, is a ministerial portfolio responsible for various parliamentary, electoral, financial, public service and oversight affairs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Minister_of_State It just occurred to me - this government has now been embroiled in two scandals in which the two people most responsible for overseeing and maintaining parliamentary integrity - the speaker and the special minister of state - have been disgraced for not behaving with integrity in public life. True, but we cannot put the Speaker Bishop albatross around the neck of Turnbull, and even if we could, the Brough bird is far too large to leave room for Bronnie.

did Bronny or Julie for that matter go to BROTHELS and pretend for 3 years they didnt???????>.

oh god tell me they didnt live in denial with the PMs blessing.. for 3 bloody years.... tell me????

who gives those sort of FREE passes???

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


what about first class travel for mistresses...thats not a rort is it?? or a disgrace from what I can make out.. ::) ::) ::)

Aussie wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 1:34pm:

QT on now.   Here is a doozy: Liz Hayes asks Brough: Quote: 'Um why then also did you um assist, seek well, did you ask James Ashby to procure um copies of Peter Slipper's diary for for you?' [quote]Mr Brough: 'Yes I did'.

(- See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/12/02/brough-apologises-for--confusion-0.html#sthash.nCuNb3eJ.dpuf)

Dreyfus asks Brough in QT just now:


Quote:

Did you ask James Ashby to procure um copies of Peter Slipper's diary for for you?

Brough:


Quote:

No.

Hahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!!![/quote]



isnt it wonderful our erstwhile legal eagle.believes all this crap..

but doesnt believe a word of the ROYAL into corruption..

probably because it his own side...

nothing quite like a BIASED legal... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D..

its a bit like fds rules.. they dont apply to him...only to the peasants.... ferfuxsake..

Quote:

isnt it wonderful our erstwhile legal eagle.believes all this crap..

Can you identify what part of what I posted is 'crap?'

Another "as i a lib i must defend the indefensible lib scandal" thing. 

Sad really - that supporters try to use diversions and misdirection instead of just trying to cut lose their losses.  Not all libs are good right?  Former lib clive?  Former lib Slipper?  Current but i guess questionable depending which lib you ask - turnbull or abbott?  etc etc.

So is Brough guilty at the moment?  What seems to be certain is that he made 2 contradictory statements and has not/can't explain how those statements resolve explicitly.

Brough's theme song ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I

A Qld Barrister asserts Brough has contravened Queensland's Criminal Code, and he sets out facts (as they were then known) and the Law.  Add on top of those facts the later Brough confession on 60 Minutes and the case is even stronger.

Link.

Brough about went to go over the top today, just barely managed to restrain himself.

Can Turncoat keep Brough as Special Min of State? But if he gets rid of Brough who will be next? Wyatt Roy, Pratt Pyne and eventually—Turncoat himself!

WITCH HUNT.....

cods wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2015 at 5:37pm:

WITCH HUNT.....

I must have been asleep!  Is there a Royal Commission into Brough happening?

cods wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2015 at 5:37pm:

WITCH HUNT.....

Probably GREG ?

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 5:14pm:

Aussie wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 3:16pm: True, but we cannot put the Speaker Bishop albatross around the neck of Turnbull, and even if we could, the Brough bird is far too large to leave room for Bronnie. Why not?  Has he fixed the freebies rorts.. or has it just been allowed to dive underground while farcical poll results show his massive popularity.... In Australistan is one Party and Great Leader always elected by 99% majority... is nobody dissident... is no dissident, is no problem........

Has he fixed the freebies rorts

Yes he has made absolutely sure that they get as many of them as possible.

From Barry Cassidy's weekly drum piece...


Quote:

If Turnbull sticks by Brough then he will have a lame duck - indeed, a next to useless minister - on his hands. Useless in this sense: Brough will not be able to hold a news conference - a basic requirement of any minister - without having to tackle questions like those Mark Dreyfus asked of him on Monday.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-04/cassidy-turnbull-to-pay-a-high-price-if-he-doesnt-act-on-brough/6998888

Maybe its not so bad for Labor if they don't succeed in having him removed. The continued presense of Mal Brough - Special Minister of State will be an albatros around Turnbull's neck, and a continual reminder of both his weakness as a leader and his terrible judgment.

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 4^th, 2015 at 9:34am:

From Barry Cassidy's weekly drum piece... Quote: If Turnbull sticks by Brough then he will have a lame duck - indeed, a next to useless minister - on his hands. Useless in this sense: Brough will not be able to hold a news conference - a basic requirement of any minister - without having to tackle questions like those Mark Dreyfus asked of him on Monday. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-04/cassidy-turnbull-to-pay-a-high-price-if-he-doesnt-act-on-brough/6998888 Maybe its not so bad for Labor if they don't succeed in having him removed. The continued presense of Mal Brough - Special Minister of State will be an albatros around Turnbull's neck, and a continual reminder of both his weakness as a leader and his terrible judgment.

Brough is as good a minister as any of them - the only difference is that he got caught.

There is another difference - his portfolio is specifically about parliamentary integrity, and thats makes this so hilarious.

Turnbull: hmmmm who should I appoint as the minister most concerned with upholding ministerial integrity... Oh I know! The guy who is currently under police investigation for openly admitting he illegally procured a diary to smear the guy whose seat he was trying to win - that's obviously the best guy!

The Monthly on Brough:

[url]https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2013/september/1377957600/nick-bryant/mal-brough-crashes-through[/url
Andrew Elder on Brough:http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/brough-enough.html#comment-form

Brough was too keen to kill off Slipper and take his seat.

He would have got the same result by just sitting on the sideline and saying nothing.

And Turnbull would have been elected PM without making Brough a Minister.

Jovial Monk wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 7:28am:

And Turnbull would have been elected PM without making Brough a Minister.

Turnbull didn't always have the numbers he ended up with and Brough was an easy obvious target.

Jovial Monk wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 2:22pm:

Mal will sack Brough next week I bet. Or maybe wait one more week, lose it in the Christmas noise, i.e. issue a press release late Fri night??

WHEN  ARE YOUSE GUYS GUNNA SACK..


SHORTARSE?????????


dont tell us over the sneaky break..

youve got more balls than thats surely?????

Jovial Monk wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 7:28am:

And Turnbull would have been elected PM without making Brough a Minister.

so will you vote for SHORTARSE.....??

come on monk.. you never get involved in SHORTARSE THREADS....

whats your thoughts on SHORTARSE BECOMING PM..


or even getting that close..


;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

cods wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 7:58am:

Jovial Monk wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 2:22pm: Mal will sack Brough next week I bet. Or maybe wait one more week, lose it in the Christmas noise, i.e. issue a press release late Fri night?? WHEN  ARE YOUSE GUYS GUNNA SACK.. SHORTARSE????????? dont tell us over the sneaky break.. youve got more balls than thats surely?????

what do you care about shorten? You've already said you'll vote informal. We all know you don't like the labor party, so what do you care who leads them?

John Smith wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 8:05am:

cods wrote on Dec 5th, 2015 at 7:58am: Jovial Monk wrote on Dec 2nd, 2015 at 2:22pm: Mal will sack Brough next week I bet. Or maybe wait one more week, lose it in the Christmas noise, i.e. issue a press release late Fri night?? WHEN  ARE YOUSE GUYS GUNNA SACK.. SHORTARSE????????? dont tell us over the sneaky break.. youve got more balls than thats surely????? what do you care about shorten? You've already said you'll vote informal. We all know you don't like the labor party, so what do you care who leads them?

of course I CARE>..

stoooooopid dumbarse thing to say.

I CARE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY..

unlike you who only cares about what he thinks..

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 4^th, 2015 at 11:08am:

There is another difference - his portfolio is specifically about parliamentary integrity, and thats makes this so hilarious. Turnbull: hmmmm who should I appoint as the minister most concerned with upholding ministerial integrity... Oh I know! The guy who is currently under police investigation for openly admitting he illegally procured a diary to smear the guy whose seat he was trying to win - that's obviously the best guy!

Maybe they should replace him with Arthur Sinisterdinas....

Oops that's right he has form as well with the NSW iCAC, and also is suffering from memory loss (Alzheimers onset)

;D ;D ;D ;D

you care? pull the other one

if you had really cared about the country you would never have voted for dumbarse abbott to be PM. you don't care about the country, you only care that the libs win, whatever the cost. :D :D :D

Criminals in the Libs and Labs ? nothing new about that

John Smith wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 8:13am:

;D ;D ;D ;D you care? pull the other one if you had really cared about the country you would never have voted for dumbarse abbott to be PM. you don't care about the country, you only care that the libs win, whatever the cost. :D :D :D

see what i mean...  ::) ::) ::)

dont worry I am not interested in what you think.. I would have thought that was obvious by now.. :( :(

cods wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 9:03am:

see what i mean...

no


cods wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 9:03am:

dont worry I am not interested in what you think.. I would have thought that was obvious by now..

and no

Redmond Neck wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 8:12am:

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 4th, 2015 at 11:08am: There is another difference - his portfolio is specifically about parliamentary integrity, and thats makes this so hilarious. Turnbull: hmmmm who should I appoint as the minister most concerned with upholding ministerial integrity... Oh I know! The guy who is currently under police investigation for openly admitting he illegally procured a diary to smear the guy whose seat he was trying to win - that's obviously the best guy! Maybe they should replace him with Arthur Sinisterdinas.... Oops that's right he has form as well with the NSW iCAC, and also is suffering from memory loss (Alzheimers onset)

you do realise Red that the ROYAL comm.. is taking care of all future Labor MPs dont you?...

they are falling like skittles in a bowling alley..

Mr Meaney has gone now and he was meant to clean it up...and hes just as bad as all the rest...hilarious...

I guess its back to centrelink for recruits...foe the ALP.. ;D ;D ;D ;D

John Smith wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 9:05am:

cods wrote on Dec 5th, 2015 at 9:03am: see what i mean... no cods wrote on Dec 5th, 2015 at 9:03am: dont worry I am not interested in what you think.. I would have thought that was obvious by now.. and no

I didnt think so!

cods wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 9:06am:

I didnt think so!

that's why you thought it would be obvious?  :D :D

cods wrote on Dec 5^th, 2015 at 9:06am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Dec 5th, 2015 at 8:12am: polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 4th, 2015 at 11:08am: There is another difference - his portfolio is specifically about parliamentary integrity, and thats makes this so hilarious. Turnbull: hmmmm who should I appoint as the minister most concerned with upholding ministerial integrity... Oh I know! The guy who is currently under police investigation for openly admitting he illegally procured a diary to smear the guy whose seat he was trying to win - that's obviously the best guy! Maybe they should replace him with Arthur Sinisterdinas.... Oops that's right he has form as well with the NSW iCAC, and also is suffering from memory loss (Alzheimers onset) you do realise Red that the ROYAL comm.. is taking care of all future Labor MPs dont you?... they are falling like skittles in a bowling alley.. Mr Meaney has gone now and he was meant to clean it up...and hes just as bad as all the rest...hilarious... I guess its back to centrelink for recruits...foe the ALP.. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Actually the Royal Witch Hunt has nailed not a single politician from Labor... still batting one run for ten wickets.....

All politicians should be on NewStart as their staple.... might larn 'em to actually work for their money.

Turnbull was just on the 7.30 Report with Leigh Sales and was asked about Brough.  he was very obviously most uncomfortable about it, and it is so obvious that he must cut Brough loose or go down with him.

From my point of view, it is incontrovertible that Brough told 60 Minutes one thing and Parliament the exact opposite in the most decisive way.  That alone (forget about all the rest) is enough for Turnbull to act, yet he is not.  Sales hit him with that very point and you could see him squirm, physically.

Brough must have 'photos' and knows exactly where many Turnbull skeletons are.

Aussie wrote on Dec 7^th, 2015 at 8:15pm:

Turnbull was just on the 7.30 Report with Leigh Sales and was asked about Brough.  he was very obviously most uncomfortable about it, and it is so obvious that he must cut Brough loose or go down with him. From my point of view, it is incontrovertible that Brough told 60 Minutes one thing and Parliament the exact opposite in the most decisive way.  That alone (forget about all the rest) is enough for Turnbull to act, yet he is not.  Sales hit him with that very point and you could see him squirm, physically. Brough must have 'photos' and knows exactly where many Turnbull skeletons are.

He twitched as obviously as someone on a massage table when the masseur has just found a sore spot.

I dont think there is abything sinister going on, I think Turnbull will ditch Brough one way or another but he is absolutely determined not to give labor a victory. Dont really know how he can manage that, but its clear his first priority was to not do anything while parliament was still sitting.

But as all the commentators have noted, not a single lib mp is prepared to make any sort of defence of Brough and stand by him. I think they're all just hoping against hope Brough will have the good grace to step down on his own.

polite_gandalf wrote on Dec 7^th, 2015 at 8:28pm:

I dont think there is abything sinister going on, I think Turnbull will ditch Brough one way or another but he is absolutely determined not to give labor a victory. Dont really know how he can manage that, but its clear his first priority was to not do anything while parliament was still sitting. But as all the commentators have noted, not a single lib mp is prepared to make any sort of defence of Brough and stand by him. I think they're all just hoping against hope Brough will have the good grace to step down on his own.

Obviously this is just a personal judgement of mine, but I say there is not a snow flakes chance in Hell of that happening unless there is a significant payback coming Brough's way.  He is a singularly very ambitious man who has the added burden of believing he is God's personal gift to save or lead or serious influence Australia and its political destiny.   He's another one of those people I'd like to buy at my price and sell at his.

Bam wrote on Dec 7^th, 2015 at 8:24pm:

Aussie wrote on Dec 7th, 2015 at 8:15pm: Turnbull was just on the 7.30 Report with Leigh Sales and was asked about Brough.  he was very obviously most uncomfortable about it, and it is so obvious that he must cut Brough loose or go down with him. From my point of view, it is incontrovertible that Brough told 60 Minutes one thing and Parliament the exact opposite in the most decisive way.  That alone (forget about all the rest) is enough for Turnbull to act, yet he is not.  Sales hit him with that very point and you could see him squirm, physically. Brough must have 'photos' and knows exactly where many Turnbull skeletons are. He twitched as obviously as someone on a massage table when the masseur has just found a sore spot.

Here is that interview.

Link.

The squirm starts at the 8min 10sec mark.

Aussie wrote on Dec 8^th, 2015 at 6:30am:

Bam wrote on Dec 7th, 2015 at 8:24pm: Aussie wrote on Dec 7th, 2015 at 8:15pm: Turnbull was just on the 7.30 Report with Leigh Sales and was asked about Brough.  he was very obviously most uncomfortable about it, and it is so obvious that he must cut Brough loose or go down with him. From my point of view, it is incontrovertible that Brough told 60 Minutes one thing and Parliament the exact opposite in the most decisive way.  That alone (forget about all the rest) is enough for Turnbull to act, yet he is not.  Sales hit him with that very point and you could see him squirm, physically. Brough must have 'photos' and knows exactly where many Turnbull skeletons are. He twitched as obviously as someone on a massage table when the masseur has just found a sore spot. Here is that interview. Link. The squirm starts at the 8min 10sec mark.

Gawd he is a waffler , really nothing with substance comes out of his pie hole .