The future of the ALP?

[Neferti]

it makes sense nef lets be honest how can a minister have knowledge of every detail its impossible...

I knew someone years ago who was secretary to Rex Connors the labor member for Wollongong...she too was in that position she spent her morning reading every newspaper and sorting out the items he needed to read and be aware of.... she was in control of everything he read....

The Minister has no bloody idea of what the Department he "ministers" nor the people there. The Departmental Secretary is more important.

There is always some "area" in the Public Service who gets to read the "newspapers" and decide who sees what.

Politicians should just shut-the-fuck-up ... they are mere "figureheads" ... the DEPARTMENT that they are Minister for already has people doing all the work.

Members of Parliament are a bunch of wankers.

[brian ross]

it makes sense nef lets be honest how can a minister have knowledge of every detail its impossible...

I knew someone years ago who was secretary to Rex Connors the labor member for Wollongong...she too was in that position she spent her morning reading every newspaper and sorting out the items he needed to read and be aware of.... she was in control of everything he read....

The Minister has no bloody idea of what the Department he "ministers" nor the people there. The Departmental Secretary is more important.

There is always some "area" in the Public Service who gets to read the "newspapers" and decide who sees what.

Politicians should just shut-the-fuck-up ... they are mere "figureheads" ... the DEPARTMENT that they are Minister for already has people doing all the work.

Members of Parliament are a bunch of wankers.

They maybe IYO "figureheads," Neferti. However, they are, under the Westminster System, Responsible to the Parliament for everything that occurs in their portfolio. If they fail to make themselves aware of what is happening - or worse - not made aware by their senior bureaucrats of what is happening, they can be forced to resign. Which is why being held accountable can hurt their careers. If they don't make themselves aware, then they are toast.

[sprintcyclist]

I don't watch Question Time as I get fed up with the antics of people shouting across the floor at each other and acting like a bunch of school brats. Besides, those Questions are written by somebody in the Department for the MP to read out.

In one position I had in the Public Service I was Ministerial Liaison Officer and when Parliament was sitting, the Minister's Office would be on the phone to me, yapping on about something they read in the morning newspaper and asking whether I could write a PPQ (Possible Parliamentary Question), sometimes I just said "Nah, storm in a teacup" or something or if I wasn't sure I would ask the Boss, who at the time was the FAS (First Assistant Secretary) of the Department and he would give me the nod one way or the other. Most times he just left it up to me to decide. He had more important things to do.

Ditto to the public who write to the Minister to whine about something or other .... the correspondence gets passed down to the area of the Department that is dealing with it ( and called Ministerials) and a junior clerk could end up writing the reply (ticked off and signed by somebody higher up). It's a joke! But you can feel very important. Certain people would love it. It gave me the insight of just how ridiculous it all is.

yes, and all this activity, and no real work gets done.

[Redneck]

Where's the porkie?

Redneck

Isnt parliament sitting this week?

He is in Parliament in that case!

Cods

yes thats correct he looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights...

cods then admitted she hadnt seen it on TV

[cods]

Where's the porkie?

Redneck

Isnt parliament sitting this week?

He is in Parliament in that case!

Cods

yes thats correct he looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights...

cods then admitted she hadnt seen it on TV

dobber I see the ads for it on ABC....I have watched it many times.....and I promise you I will this time round

gawd I cause a stir dont I....every time I see albo he looks petrified its how he looks to me....

when he screws his face up to look scary he makes me laugh... I cant help it...sorry red its how I see him always have...

I wish you luck with him as leader I really do because we need an opposition no matter whos in power..

but it should be about how the country is run and not about personalities.....oh this week we are going to get... such and such
and every question is the same.....

Labor lost the unlosable...... get used to it red.....the libs wont forget that for a long time..

[cods]

btw I dont agree with nef not at all..

does she seriously want to leave us in the hands of bureaucrats MPs have advisors as well....

[Redneck]

Where's the porkie?

Redneck

Isnt parliament sitting this week?

He is in Parliament in that case!

Cods

yes thats correct he looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights...

cods then admitted she hadnt seen it on TV

dobber I see the ads for it on ABC....I have watched it many times.....and I promise you I will this time round

gawd I cause a stir dont I....every time I see albo he looks petrified its how he looks to me....

when he screws his face up to look scary he makes me laugh... I cant help it...sorry red its how I see him always have...

I wish you luck with him as leader I really do because we need an opposition no matter whos in power..

but it should be about how the country is run and not about personalities.....oh this week we are going to get... such and such
and every question is the same.....

Labor lost the unlosable...... get used to it red.....the libs wont forget that for a long time..

Dont worry about me codsy, I am well practiced at losing elections!

[cods]

well you sounded a bit like aussie there for a minute....he also seems to think I dont know where Question time is...

btw red it isnt the only place pollies get ask questions...

[Neferti]

it makes sense nef lets be honest how can a minister have knowledge of every detail its impossible...

I knew someone years ago who was secretary to Rex Connors the labor member for Wollongong...she too was in that position she spent her morning reading every newspaper and sorting out the items he needed to read and be aware of.... she was in control of everything he read....

The Minister has no bloody idea of what the Department he "ministers" nor the people there. The Departmental Secretary is more important.

There is always some "area" in the Public Service who gets to read the "newspapers" and decide who sees what.

Politicians should just shut-the-fuck-up ... they are mere "figureheads" ... the DEPARTMENT that they are Minister for already has people doing all the work.

Members of Parliament are a bunch of wankers.

They maybe IYO "figureheads," Neferti. However, they are, under the Westminster System, Responsible to the Parliament for everything that occurs in their portfolio. If they fail to make themselves aware of what is happening - or worse - not made aware by their senior bureaucrats of what is happening, they can be forced to resign. Which is why being held accountable can hurt their careers. If they don't make themselves aware, then they are toast.

I was mostly referring to QUESTION TIME .... I know the rest of it Brian. Why people take so much notice of QT, who knows. If you are that interested watch both HoR and Senate when Parliament is sitting .... they act normally all day until Question Time, then it becomes like OzPol .... shouting and carrying on and name calling etcetera.

[brian ross]

it makes sense nef lets be honest how can a minister have knowledge of every detail its impossible...

I knew someone years ago who was secretary to Rex Connors the labor member for Wollongong...she too was in that position she spent her morning reading every newspaper and sorting out the items he needed to read and be aware of.... she was in control of everything he read....

The Minister has no bloody idea of what the Department he "ministers" nor the people there. The Departmental Secretary is more important.

There is always some "area" in the Public Service who gets to read the "newspapers" and decide who sees what.

Politicians should just shut-the-fuck-up ... they are mere "figureheads" ... the DEPARTMENT that they are Minister for already has people doing all the work.

Members of Parliament are a bunch of wankers.

They maybe IYO "figureheads," Neferti. However, they are, under the Westminster System, Responsible to the Parliament for everything that occurs in their portfolio. If they fail to make themselves aware of what is happening - or worse - not made aware by their senior bureaucrats of what is happening, they can be forced to resign. Which is why being held accountable can hurt their careers. If they don't make themselves aware, then they are toast.

I was mostly referring to QUESTION TIME .... I know the rest of it Brian. Why people take so much notice of QT, who knows. If you are that interested watch both HoR and Senate when Parliament is sitting .... they act normally all day until Question Time, then it becomes like OzPol .... shouting and carrying on and name calling etcetera.

You are making the assumption they are undertaking their performance for your edification, Neferti. In reality they are doing it for their own edification to enable it to be judged by their peers, not the electors. It is how they get ahead in their party's hierarchy...