Saturday, May 30, 2009

South Australia Attorney-General Atkinson. Hard at work again!



I know, I’m always harping on about Members of Parliament and their overseas jaunts.

Sure, there are times when travel is necessary. This I acknowledge.

But reading these Study Tour reports makes me wanna commit unspeakable acts.

Back in December 2004, for most of December, the Attorney-General Mick Atkinson swanned across to Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy with his usual entourage. I assume his Chief of Staff Peter Louca was there to hold his hand, as he wrote the Report, according to the properties of the PDF file.

It reads more like a geography lesson and should have been submitted to National Geographic.

This is riveting stuff, the type of stuff that makes me do horrible things with my teeth:


'We befriended the old woman caring for the chapel who told us about the old Thessaloniki and her life under the German occupation of the Second World War.'


And his justification for spending OUR money:


'Some of the biggest ethnic community groups in South Australia, many based in my electorate of Croydon, originate from the Mediterranean. They have asked me to take an opportunity to visit their homelands to gain a better understanding of their origins, culture, language and beliefs'


And, of course, the sightseeing, sorry, cultural visits:


'In Rome we had the opportunity to visit important cultural and religious landmarks, including the colosseum and the Vatican'


Holy toledo, has any of our Polies NOT been to the Colosseum?


If you get to the end of the Summary below, I tip my hat to you. Interestingly, the author certainly does write in a very defensive way......
 
Summary of results and recommendations arising from the travel
I believe this travel - only the second time I have travelled overseas since I was elected in 1989 - was of benefit. I established networks that help me to converse with some of the biggest local ethnic communities. I have a markedly better understanding of the occupation of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces, a matter that has been a feature of South Australian politics for decades. I was able to establish that the Premier’s grant to some South Australian Cypriot families was being put to good effect and that these cases were proceeding apace. I recommend that the Government continue to support South Australian Cypriots in any appropriate manner to ensure the liberation and unification of the island. It is in the interests of all, on Cyprus, that peace talks succeed and they will endure if they are based on a just, lasting solution that respects international human rights standards.
In Greece, I established that South Australian volunteers to the Athens 2004 Games will be appropriately trained and that there was still a need for more skilled volunteers. I understand that this matter is being given further attention through the memorandum of understanding signed by South Australian and Greece. South Australia’s representatives to the World Council for Greeks Abroad were the stronger for the attendance of the delegation at the event. There are opportunities for stronger links between Greece and South Australia especially in the arts and culture. There are opportunities to include Greek film in our International Film Festival. There are also options for events such as the Glendi Greek Festival to source cultural artefacts and educational materials from Greece. I recommend that the South Australian Government pursue these opportunities using existing resources. Cultural and educational exchange may prompt trade.
Malta, like Cyprus, is about to become a full European Union member. Through art restorative institutions, such as the Maltese Centre for Restoration and Artlab, there is an excellent opportunity to create productive exchanges that have the potential to provide trade and educational markets. Artlab has been provided a briefing on my meetings in Malta and are now investigating avenues of mutual benefit. I understand that an appropriate joint venture could attract European Union funds. I will continue to pursue this matter. Malta should not be discounted as a source of potential immigration to South Australia. Its legacy as an English-speaking country with an understanding of our mostly British institutions make its people good candidates in our States push to increase its population. Although there are other places and sources of migration, given the size of our local Maltese-background population, chain migration could lead to settlement in South Australia rather than Sydney and Melbourne.
The Calabrian Government is keen to create better ties to South Australia. Given the devolved regional powers over trade matters in Italy there are opportunities with the Italian regions. The Italian Chamber of Commerce in South Australia has had some success in other regions of Italy and Calabria seems an untapped market. The Calabrians are genuinely interested in stronger links. Further exploration of appropriate opportunities is needed. I am maintaining contact with the regional representatives and I understand that a reciprocal delegation intends to visit South Australia.
In the Campanian region, our universities could embark on an educational partnership with Campanian universities. Similar partnerships have been established with New South Wales. I recommend that our universities investigate this matter. Italy should also be considered as a source of skilled migration to South Australia, particularly nursing and aged-care where Italian-language skills are needed.
Attachments have been provided to this report, including biographical information about some of the officials that the delegation met. Where background briefings are of use, I have attached them too. I have wherever possible credited sources for any material in this report. I extend my thanks to my colleagues Mrs Zollo and Miss Ciccarello for their assistance. I want to thank all our diplomatic representatives in each country. It is important that I acknowledge the effort of the Italian Consul to South Australia, Mr Simone di Santi, the Maltese High Commissioner, Dr Ivan Fsadni, the Consul General for Greece in South Australia, Mr Emmanuel Papadogeorgakis, and the Cyprus High Commission in Australia as well as local community leaders and my staff.
I have attached to this report transcripts of radio interviews I gave while overseas. While on this parliamentary travel, I did that which I do when I am in Adelaide and that is to ring talkback radio and tell the public what it is that I am doing as one of their elected representatives. I have been calling talkback since I was elected and I will continue to do so. That is why, when I was overseas for only the second time in my 14 years in parliament, I did what I always do, I told Adelaide listeners what I saw and did in Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy. Mr Speaker. I think one of the best things that we can do as members of Parliament is talk to and listen to the public. I think it is good for South Australians to know why Members of Parliament travel overseas and it is good for them to learn about the places and issues overseas that affect many of our immigrant communities here. I am not ashamed about being part of a South Australian delegation to the Mediterranean, so I had no reason to hide it. As a Member representing a very ethnically diverse constituency and as Minister for Multicultural Affairs, it is appropriate that I visit some of the principal sources of our immigrant population. I have benefited a great deal from this tour. I met many senior, influential people in each country and I believe that the visit has strengthened ties between these countries and South Australia.
Michael Atkinson M.P.
Member for Croydon


Thursday, May 28, 2009

SA Rann Government & Adelaide Reporters


Is this what it is like to be a journo in Adelaide?


I give recognition to Anonymous for this story.


• 7/11/2008 - Interview Mike Rann- An implacable hatred
Posted by Anonymous
An implacable hatred TOM RICHARDSON 7/11/2008 11:13:00 AM.




An implacable hatred You won’t read about this in the Advertiser.

A couple of weeks back, nightly TV news bulletins ran a line about Mike Rann storming out of a press conference after a heated disagreement with a reporter.

The Tiser’s Michael Owen, unhappy with Rann’s response to questions about Labor’s leadership crisis, had talked over the Premier, demanding he answer “in a professional way”. That clearly got under Rann’s skin; he retorted that he hoped “one day you will act in a professional way”, before walking off.

As he passed Owen, the reporter hit back: “The feeling’s mutual, Premier.” “I know,” said Rann. “You’re about as biased as it comes.” Rann later returned to the podium, perhaps realising that terminating a press conference in such a way is a bad look. For Owen, though, the trouble had just started.

Now, I’m not denying that Rann strongly felt he’d been wronged. He was livid and shaken about the exchange. It was certainly not treatment to which he is accustomed. So he took action to try and ensure it was not treatment he would have to deal with again. According the various sources (not Owen), the Premier called Michael Miller, Advertiser Newspapers’ managing director, who in turn called the paper’s editor, Melvin Mansell. Mansell summoned Owen and, after hearing his version, effectively cut him off at the knees. At all future media conferences, the Tiser’s political reporter must sit at the back of the room, and is banned from asking any questions. Not bad for a paper Rann recently dubbed “a Liberal newsletter”.

The fact that the spat was reported on every network that evening further inflamed the situation. Channel Ten played the entire exchange, rolling subtitles over Owen’s interjections.

Miller and Mansell determined that Owen must sign a grovelling letter of apology to Rann, something he was apparently none too keen to do. Of course, he had a choice – he could either sign the letter, or he could be fired. As a symbol of the Tiser’s willingness to back its reporters, it was not a good look. The fact is, Owen’s abrasive relationship with the government and his unwillingness to toe their line has yielded him plenty of good yarns over the past year or two, including a genuine revelation about the new Marjorie-Jackson Nelson Hospital.

The Tiser can’t expect to foster a news culture in its young newsroom if it bends to government pressure, openly cowing a senior reporter to keep the government on-side. As I say, Rann was genuinely vexed by the exchange, so it could be argued he took drastic action to address what he saw as a drastic problem. Well, that could be argued, if not for the fact that this isn’t the first time the government has campaigned to nobble a political journalist.

Kevin Naughton will certainly never forget the time he crossed the Rann Government. The former journalist, who now works as a spin doctor for the Liberal Opposition, was hosting afternoon drive-time on ABC radio in 2002. Government buildings in the CBD were in lock-down after the shooting of Margaret Tobin, amid a massive manhunt for her killer. The station was getting calls from frazzled public servants, wanting to know what was going on. As it happened, Naughton’s next guest was the Premier.

His producer informed Rann that he would be asked for an update on the situation, to which he replied that he wasn’t across it, and didn’t want any questions on the subject. This was relayed to Naughton, who insisted that the Premier should offer some reassurance. Finally, 30 seconds before the interview was due to take place, Naughton’s producer informed him that Rann had pulled the pin on the interview altogether. Incensed, the presenter relayed the entire exchange to his listeners.

This was back in the early days of the Rann administration, so there was no telling how the Premier’s office would respond. What they did was lean on the program director for an on-air apology (which they got), and then refuse to appear again with Naughton...ever.

The only other time Naughton spoke to the Premier was during the 2006 election campaign, when he was writing for the Sunday Mail. Even then, Rann had demanded the interview be conducted by someone else; the paper’s editor, Phil Gardner, informed him that he decided who wrote what at his paper, not the Premier’s office.

Then there was the almost two-year boycott of ABC891 morning duo Matthew Abraham and David Bevan.

Of course, not all the government’s efforts have been so successful. When I was at The Australian’s Adelaide bureau, Rann’s office met several times with senior executives in News Ltd to try and have the bureau’s then-political reporter, Michelle Wiese-Bockmann, removed from her post. Ministers and staffers alike took exception to her abrasive style, and believed she was out to get them with her reporting agenda.

But the principle of the media as a fourth estate suggests that it’s not up to politicians to dictate who reports the news, or how they do it. Whatever the rationale, if the newspaper had adhered to a government’s request to remove a particular reporter, for whatever reason, the credibility of that paper would never survive.

The Tiser has not removed Michael Owen, but it has effectively prevented him from doing his job. And it has sent out a message to all its reporters about whose side it is on when the chips are down.

Mansell and Miller answer to News Ltd CEO John Hartigan. Miller is a marketing man by profession, but Hartigan came up through the ranks as a reporter. Last year, he gave a laudable Andrew Olle Lecture about the state of modern journalism, its character and its soul. He lovingly quoted British journalist Nicholas Tomalin’s list of qualities every reporter should possess. Among them was “an implacable hatred of administrators, lawyers and politicians”.

I’d like to think Hartigan would disapprove of the treatment Owen is receiving, but who knows? We live in strange times. But if anyone in the media is comfortable with the principle of a State Government getting to decide who reports the news, and how, in the lead-up to an election, then, as they used to say during the Cold War: “Why don’t ya just go and live in Russia?”

Michael Owen now works for the Australian here in Adelaide.

Schapelle Corby, Prisoner Exchange, Enough is Enough?





You know, maybe enough IS enough.

Never have I been a supporter of or a believer in Schapelle Corby. Only she, and maybe a few others know the truth.

And yes, you gotta respect the law of other jurisdictions. And cop it!! Yeah, I know.

But something happened to us on returning from the U.S. last April.

Somewhere between Sydney and Adelaide, one lock that was on one of our suitcases no longer was. Gone. And the zip to the compartment was quarter open.

The thing is, we just shrugged our shoulders and muttered something about Customs checks. In reality, I don't know if they chop your locks without so much as a 'we had to' sticker.

But, on reading the paper this morning about Ms Corby being shipped off to another hospital, for some reason it caused me to remember what happened to our suitcase.

And I am not trying to get into that airport people smuggling theory.

It just made me think for a moment, that's all.

Four years she has been stuck in that crap hole. What happened to the prisoner exchange treaty? Murderers incarcerated in Australia have better living conditions and access to resources!

Maybe it is time to give this young lady a chance at true rehabilitation.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Workplace Bullies, Public Trustee, Corruption, Workers Rights, and the Rann Wagon Train.


I have been criticised for my constant bagging of the South Australian Government, currently led by Premier Mike Rann. Not the one on the left.


My persistent criticism is easy to explain.


For 9 years, when I worked at Public Trustee, I battled the bullies and the corruption that made my life a bloody misery. And what did the Rann Government do? NOTHING!!!!!!


Ever sent someone a simple Email, and you know how quick and easy it is to CLICK the REPLY button? Even just to say 'get back to you on that '?


Weeks pass, months pass, then years passed, persisting with follow-up Emails, letters and telephone calls.....and still nothing? I didn't go away!!!

Had to resort to the Equal Opportunity Commission. Jan McMahon's union the PSA (that was a bloody joke), The Equal Opportunity Tribunal in the District Court. The State Ombudsman. Anti-corruption branch of SAPOL. Politicians. The media...and that was my undoing.

The Government unleashed its internal investigators and accused me of breaching the Public Service management Act. Within 2 weeks of appearing on Today Tonight. But hey, why not ignore my years of whistleblowing when its directed at the top of the totem pole!

NINE YEARS of nothing. I think the picture tells the story.


There is something radically wrong with the way in which this state is governed.


  • If we can build submarines, why can't we build bloody trams!
  • Why does the Government flog off buildings without a public tender...25 Franklin!
  • Why no Independent Commission against Corruption!
  • Why did the sale of a government building involve Spain!
  • Why did the design of the yet-to-be-built warships involve Spain!
  • Why does the construction of the desal plant involve Spain!
  • Why are we going to buy 6 trams out of.........Spain!
  • Why does the Premier want to eradicate the Upper House.


I do not profess to have spectacular answers. Only speculation. And with a Government so hell bent on secrecy, I can only speculate, along with 100% off the people I know, all in agreement.


I was wronged. No doubt about that. My job is gone. My Career is stuffed. My health in tatters. I just pick up the pieces. And you, Mr Premier, and 99.9% of those below you, NEVER GAVE A STUFF!!!


Trouble is, Premier Rann, when you turned your back on me, and you and the Attorney-General Atkinson, in writing, demonstrated that you didn't give a toss about your Duty of Care, you my friend created a Northern Irish radical Eureka Stockade-inspired nitpicking pain in the arse monster that will thunder along next to your wagon train......all the way!


Yep, the picture says it all.

Monday, May 25, 2009

South Australian Politicians, Zero Mostel, Turbulence, Travel Reports (Part 4)




What is it about the House of Commons in London. There must be something, extraordinary.

Why? Because, South Australian elected members are always going there.


I just can't get these Travel Reports out of my system. In fact, I have been slowly but surely going crazy during the past week. I have read them all.

Now, a couple of things really, really stick out. First, the terminology.

You see, Politicians do not sight see. I quote, they go on 'cultural visits'. Yep, they all do this cultural thing, whilst the rest of us sight see.

Back in August of 2007, Ms Lindsay Simmons, Member for Morialta, was playing culture vulture at the Forum, in Italy (Zero Mostel, 1966). Oh, and the Colosseum, and the Tomb of Popes. Fantastic, and as a taxpayer I am absolutely in a state of total unashamed gratitude for the positives those experiences brought back to the state. MY MONEY was well spent.

Getting back to London. The list is too long. I was going to waffle on about each & every member that felt it necessary to visit the House of Commons. They all said the same thing, the same justification. Need to know how it works.

Well boys & girls, here's the link. And it will cost us, the taxpayer, bugger all. Go grab a cuppa in that subsidised canteen of yours, take your taxpayer funded lappie, and.....get to know how it works. See, easier than turbulence.


Kris Hanna was doing it back in 2002, (the earliest on-line reports) and Lynn Bruer, Member for Giles, just after Christmas. Oh Lynn, bad time to go to the UK. Christmas break and all that. That was bad timing.....yeah right!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Deputy Premier the Hon Kevin Foley, London, Red Bull, and Bollocks





Who: The Honourable Kevin Foley. Deputy Premier, South Australia Government.

Where: London

When: 7 August 2008 to 14 August 2008.

What: Sheer Exhaustion


Again I say that I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I must be missing something.

Maybe 50 pages of the Report fell out on the way across cyberville. It is difficult to focus on a particular issue with the report as, well, there is bugger all to it. Just a lot of tables and facts that anyone could get via Google.

He did chuck in a lovely map of the UK, and it was sweeeeeet to see him acknowledge my home country of Northern Ireland.

This will be easy. Here is what you, the taxpayer, got for your money:


THURSDAY
Travel.

FRIDAY
3pm. Meeting with CEO of Connaught

SATURDAY
Big fat blank

SUNDAY
7.00pm Dindins with the Agent General

MONDAY
12.30pm Lunch with Agent General
2.30pm Meeting with CEO Ultra Electronic

TUESDAY
9.00am - 10am Meeting with Genesis
11.00 am - noon Meeting with Credit Suisse

WEDNESDAY
2.00pm - 3.00pm Meeting with Fidelity

THURSDAY
1.40pm off to New York.


When I worked in the Public Service, had I presented this itinerary for approval, I would have been laughed out of the room. A big, fat knockback!!

Apart from the obvious fact that Kevo and Billyboy (Agent General Bill Muirhead) must have really hit it off on the Sunday, or it could have been an all-nighter finishing Monday lunchtime, we taxpayers got just under ONE business day of meetings out of our Deputy Premier's 8 day Qantas-frequent-flyer-pointed, expenses-every-day stopover.


At least he stayed at one of London's cheaper hotels, the Radisson Leicester. Room rates between $430 and $930 per night.

Holy toldeo, I would just love to work for Kevie. Though, with that hectic schedule to follow, methinks Red Bull!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Senator Wong, Premier Rann, and Polly Waffles


In this morning's Advertiser, Senator Wong declared that she '.......plans to have the ailing Murray-Darling system nursed back to health within 10 years......'.

Maybe she will, maybe she will not. Maybe the next Government, if the current mob gets the boot!



It does make me THINK about the experts Premier Rann has been herding in to South Australia during the past 6 years. Thinkers-In-Residence.




Having honourably served my time in the Public Service, I did marvel at how others beamed when the word OVERSEAS was uttered. That magical kingdom, beyond our shores, concealing experts with all the answers.

However, a quick Google of the phrase 'visting australian expert' will equally suggest that we too, here in the land of water-for-some BUT not-for-others, are held in high regard by the rest of the world.

Though, one visiting Australian expert, in New Zealand, stated that '.....poker machines are unsafe products.....'. For a moment I drifted to the land of the head scratch.

To my point. Return On Investment (ROI). A term foreign to many Servants of the Public.

On carefully reviewing some of the Thinkers-in-Residence reports, I wonder what return the taxpayer got measured against the cost. In a way, these Reports uncomfortably remind me of the Travel Reports this state's elected members submit on their return from OVERSEAS.

I have discussed some in my Blog already.

The Honourable Jennifer Rankine on returning from Europe: "Children don't learn from people they don't like"

In the beginning, Senator Wong, before she became Senator, impressed me by the megalitre with her strong and decisive rhetoric. Unfortunately, my opinion has changed, since intently observing her fielding questions from a Committee this year.

The Polie Waffle, and she has it down pat. It is as though newly elected members are put through some waffle boot camp on arrival in Canberra.

It would be so refreshing to hear YES, or NO, or I REALLY DON'T KNOW, but I will get back to you on that one!



Monday, May 18, 2009

Did the State Government Goofy phone call the Editor and tell him to lay off?




Do Politicians pick up their telephones, call the Big Kahuna at the newspaper and say; “I would consider it a personal favour if you did not draw attention to this issue”.



I am not a Journalist. I am not a Politician. I do not work for anyone in the media or within the confines of Parlie House. Like many others, I read papers, I watch the telly and I talk at the pub.


In March of 2000, I embarked on what I thought was to be a two day quest to sort out some silly behaviour by my Manager in the Public Service.


For the past nine years, I have been embroiled in a war seeking justice. Unfortunately for me, the more I ranted & raved, the more I was punished!


Here in Adelaide South Australia, there was a furore in 2008 when the Manager of a rural prison gave permission for a Christmas Party, a gathering of the inmates. Some of these inmates dressed in drag and sang YMCA.


When the story broke, it was front-page news. For days, the media flooded the community with exquisite detail of every possible aspect surrounding the event.


The Manager was named, and shamed. Maybe rightly so.


The Government moved swiftly. Before the ink dried, she was relocated to an administrative position in the city, and an Inquiry convened. Moreover, before we were allowed to forget, the Inquiry meted out punishment and the media twirled the torchlight elsewhere.


Now, this is where I get confused, and when I get confused, I draw conclusions, rightly or wrongly. I try to explain away the confusions.


The office of the Public Trustee is responsible for, as reported in its 2007/2008 Annual Report, ‘…more than $1 billion of clients’ funds and assets under management…’


This Agency has been under the spotlight in recent years for all the wrong reasons. Allegations of entrenched workplace bullying, financial mismanagement, and sexual improprieties. Throw in a Police investigation, an extensive Government internal investigation, and a current Parliamentary Inquiry and you have all the ingredients for a media frenzy.


Considering the enormity of the sum total of events, and the fact that ONE BILLION DOLLARS of the public's money is involved, many others and I expected more from the local media. Other than my appearance on a local Current Affairs television show, there has been bugger all else!


I just cannot reconcile the attention given to the cross-dressing affair at the Port Lincoln Prison, to the lack of attention given to the alleged mismanagement of other people’s money, ONE BILLION DOLLARS of other people’s money.


One thing I know. The Government, for many years, moved very, very slowly on issues at Public Trustee. On the other hand, the Government moved very, very quickly to dump the Port Lincoln prison manager.


Do politicians pick up the phone? I do not know. However, it would be disturbing if this were a practice to which the media favourably reacted.


From what I have read in the local press, our Premier, Mike Rann, did just that when he chucked a mental at an Advertiser reporter during a press conference. I saw the video on television. He behaved like a goose. It was reported he demanded that the reporter pull his head in.


Maybe some of them do pick up the phone!

Country Prison frenzy.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21752777-2,00.html
Financial Mismanagement allegations, Public Trustee.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,,24663578-5006301,00.html
 

Sunday, May 17, 2009

ADELAIDE: Must have been stuff in our water over the weekend!

Davy Crockett robs newspaper van:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25495806-2682,00.html

Drunk woman on a horse caught directing traffic:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25495748-2682,00.html

1812 Overture, Napoleon, Russians, and Workplace Bullying


There is a bit near the end of the 1812 overture that goes something like this:

do do do do do do do do do do.......... then, the cannons crack in.

This is the turning point toward victory over Russia's '...treacherous and cruel enemies....', the invading French, led by Napoleon.

The do-do-do bit depicts throngs of peasants pouring into Moscow from their villages and from their towns.


SOLIDARITY! Then the miracle. The deep freeze sets in, the Russians capture the French guns now firmly stuck in the snow and they turn those guns against the poor buggers who had dragged them across Europe. Conscripts, cannon fodder.

A lesson I learned over the years when fighting workplace bullying relates to work colleagues. Confronting the CEO, en masse, is much more effective than waddling in, on your own, with a cupof tea.

Now, this is the interesting bit. Unless you have had a different experience to me, and others I know:

YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!

Why? Easy to answer, easy to illustrate by example. Some months ago I met someone I had worked with during the years I was swilling around in the pit with Workplace Bullies. After the obligatory, "How are ya?", I gently skated toward the sixty-four million dollar question. Why did no one back me up?

He said; "Rob, we saw what they were doing to you and we didn't want the same treatment."

No consolation to me as he was heading back to his fortnightly paid position and I was heading back to the trench to fossick for coins.

But, I understood. So, don't expect a great deal of trench warfare support from your work colleagues, but do empathise.

Was Napoleon a bully? Depends on what side of the road you park your bicycle on. But one thing I do know. The last image entering the eyeballs of anyone that bullied him would have been the glint bouncing off his 32 inch sword!



Saturday, May 16, 2009

Parliamentary Inquiry: Public Trustee

To give hope to victims of workplace bullying, click on the link and get a sense of where one individual, moi, has taken an employer to task.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,,25028667-2682,00.html

Let me share the feelings. Whilst the past 9 years have been bloody disturbing and abhorrent, there have been moments of solitary bliss. One of those days was last February. The news article gives an insight.

I couldn't believe it. After 9 years out there on my own, no one ever backing me up, I sat in front of 6 state politicians spilling my guts. Though, I did sense some derision from the 2 members of the state's ruling party, but that was to be expected.

I still have another quest, and that is for a Royal Commission Inquiry into the Office of the Public Trustee and the Attorney-General's Department. I will never, ever give up!

So, and I am speaking to you, the person reading this story. If YOU are in the throes or at the beginning of your life experience in the disgusting & challenging swill pit of Workplace Bullying, have hope. People make things happen. But one thing for sure, don't expect to have the same friends at the end of your ordeal. I guarantee many surprises along the way.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!

Friday, May 15, 2009

More on South Australian Politicians Travel Reports (Part 3)

From 4 August 2004 to 25 August 2004, the Minister for Families and Communities, the Honourable Ms Jennifer Rankine, swanned off to the UK and Spain to study issues concerning childhood development and learning and to study issues concerning volunteers.

Again, I make no excuse for extracting bits & pieces from a rather lengthy document.

  • Children don't learn from people they don't like
  • Children don't learn if they are not well
  • The relationship between parents and their children is recognised as critical to a child's development

And,

  • Not all volunteers are good people.

Look, I am not setting out to 'have a go ' at Ms Rankine, because I do have respect for her and she does represent my Electorate.

My issue is with taxpayers monies being spent on some trips that on reading the subsequent travel reports make me think they were a waste of time and nothing meaningful was gained.

Since 1977, I have been employed within the Government (14 years) and I have been contracted by the Government whilst self-employed (15 years), and during those years I never ever saw a copy of any travel report being circulated amongst the plebs. Let's face it, why keep all that new knowledge to yourself. The plebs are out there in the front line, and the Minister is back to Parlie House, cheap lunches, and a chauffeur.

It is my belief and my understanding that travel reports, most of the time, are written by someone else. In this particular case, by PNSG, according to the file properties of the PDF file.

So, the Minister wings overseas, meets people, goes on a few tours, scribbles a few notes, gathers a few brochures & reports, and on return to Adelaide tosses them across to the assistant.

Whoever PNSG is, I think you should not have included comments such as '...children don't learn if they are not well...'

It only attracts critics, like me.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

WORKPLACE BULLYING: WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE TO LEAVE !

In my Equal Opportunity Tribunal Determination of 25 June 2004, Judge Rice stated:

'.......There is no reason why Mr McKibbin should have to find another position or even be put in the position where he felt he should be looking for another position.......'

Simple question; "What have you done wrong?"

You stood up to (or are standing up to) workplace bullying. And that takes guts. Been there & done that, and it is not easy, particularly if the allegations are levelled up the chain of command. My challenge was finding someone to listen who was higher than the highest, if you get my drift.

At the end of the day, only you know how much punishment your health can take should you embark on this arduous trek.

I found a sackful of daily difficulties. Standing in the kitchen making a cuppa and in walks the bully, or one of his mates. Attending meetings managed by the bully and being ignored. Having leave requests ignored. More intense scrutiny of my work. The bully telling lies about me, in front of others. And so on.

I can only offer this piece of advice. And it is advice you will find difficult to swallow.

Somewhere along the track, maybe many years later, you might be lucky enough to find yourself in a room, as I was on several occasions, with the bully and with a person of greater authority passing judgment.

ENSURE YOU HAVE CLEAN HANDS.

Until that day comes, smile at the bully, say good morning to the bully, and always be pleasant to the bully. Don't play the game. Don't stoop to that gutter level. Do you really think the bully is losing sleep, like you? The bully is not dry-retching on the way to work. The bully is not feeling embarrassed at meetings.

Look, you don't have to go out of your way to engage these animals. But, I always remember leaving that kitchen with a smile on my face after seeing him squirm as I stood there smiling & saying good morning.

I guarantee, on a daily basis you are NOT going to score points. This is why you must THINK STRATEGIC. Focus on the end result. Judgment Day!

And focus on the ladder you will have to climb. For example, when I went to the Equal Opportunity Commission the first question was '......have you spoken to HR in the Attorney-General's Department....'. Don't try to reach for the top rung first. You do need to follow whatever processes are in place, whether you think they work or not.

In doing this, set time frames for each step. You don't want this to drag on for years as in my case. I wish I knew then what I know now. In every piece of correspondence request a reply by a particular date, and state quite clearly your intention to escalate should a response not be forthcoming. And don't expect quick fixes!

Make sure you have a documented medical history assuming, of course, the bullying is affecting your health.

KEEP A DAILY JOURNAL.

This is gold in a Court of Law.

If your brain and your body are suffering to the point where depression sets in, get the hell out. Better to be a living witness than a dead combatant!

Cheers.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Aussie 58 billion buck deficit.

Dear Wayne Swan, our Federal Treasurer, our Mr Budget.

I might not be a beancounter or the sharpest tool in the shed, but I got our household budget down pat. You see, when we get into a bit of strife we just tighten the old belt and defer the weekends up the river, switch from lamb to bangers, drag out the home brew kit, whatever. If things get real bad we cut down on time spent at the pub, like leaving before midnight. And we don't buy the kids anything for Christmas.

Now let me give this a bit of a go here.

As of tomorrow, 13 May, Australia, the land of Skippy, Vegemite and the world's best beer COOPERS, will be 58 BILLION SMACKERS in the hole.

TOO EASY!!!!

The 25 to 30 billion for defence for the next 12 months? Send all the sappers, the wing jocks, look, even the regimental mascots off on paid holidays. Like, 12 months of holidays. Stick all the tanks and the other stuff into some big shed in the middle of the Simpson Desert.

BINGO.........30 billion you don't have to worry about. And because the whole box & dice is shut down, probably another 10 billion back into the old skyrocket.

And don't go worrying about any invasions. Trust me, it won't happen! Countries invade countries only to snaffle someone else's goodies. Never, ever has there been a Beer War! Boer War yes, Beer war no.

Nearly there.


Go follow Western Australia's example and DUMP THAT FLEET OF FANCY CARS you got there in Canberra. Send the drivers home, on a holiday, for 12 months. Yep, equality, don't ya love it? Catch a cab, help an ailing industry out. Nope, bugger it. See if you can stitch up K-Mart or Target for some free bicycles. Give them a grant or something. BINGO!!

Transfer funding away from those arty farty places and into PUBS. Yep, that's where the votes are mate. In the great Aussie pub. Get the price of a pint down to where it was in 1972, nope 1952. Let's get Aussies out & about and back into three-deep shouts at the local. Then sit back and watch gambling turnover blast into orbit with your popularity in supersonic tow. And honestly the hospitals will love ya for it.....they get a great, big chomp out of the gambling pie in every state. Go for it Swannie!!!! BINGO!!

Why stop there. I was in your Parlie House a few months ago watching you dudes in action. I couldn't help but notice all those smartly uniformed staffers running your little messages around the room and delivering glasses of water. Holidays, send them all home for 12 months, on full pay. BINGO!!

Get off your lazy backsides and get your own bloody water!!!!

I think I'm nearly there.

No more overseas junkets...... GOOGLE IT for heaven's sakes!!!! Get yourself a Twitter account and Tweet away.

And Prime Minister Kev doesn't need that big fat plane to flit around in.

MOTHBALLS!!!! I think someone is doing Canberra to Sydney for a fiver inclusive of peanuts. Oh, but they charge extra for the hairdryer.

That's it mate. Take my advice and Wednesday morning you will be the most popular polie in Australia. The World. The only country on this economy-ravaged planet with a surplus. You'll be swamped by offers from all over the globe and maybe even further afield. Melmac, Twilight Zone, the Orion Nebula, who knows...the sky will not be your limit. Get your bags packed and standby for blast-off.

And one last thing, be a true blue fair dinkum Aussie and give the Pensioners 150 bucks a week extra. You can afford it on the Rob 'Robbo' McKibbin Budget.

Monday, May 11, 2009

More on South Australian Politicians Travel Reports

OK. I know I should not pluck bits & pieces from reams of reports for fear of presenting words out of context. Nevertheless......

I was under the impression that our honourable elected members embark on overseas trips with a view to bringing back something that will enrich our community.

Here are more snippets from the Attorney-General's (Mick Atkinson) report on his 2008 romp in the northern hemisphere:

  • Surveillance means........using a surveillance device.
  • CCTV is a powerful crime fighting tool
  • Community justice is about courts engaging with the local community
  • Poland celebrates its national day on 3 May each year
  • The delegation visited the birthplace of Pope John Paul II

Give me a break! Is this all fair dinkum?

Mick, are you absolutely positively sure that a surveillance device is used for surveillance? Can we have May 3 as a new public holiday?

Sounds like a job for moi. Let me see. From the Honourable Rob 'Robbo' McKibbin's USA travel report 2009:

  • Donald Duck is not real
  • The plonk on the plane was from South Australia
  • Americans use a lot of petrol
  • John Olsen says gudday
  • There are 14 Irish Pubs in Denver

And I haven't started on one of the most bizarre reports I have read yet, courtesy of another Honourable Member who jaunted upaways to the UK. Here's a snippet:

'.....research has shown that kids dont like to be told off......'

Well bugger me!

http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Members/HouseofAssembly/TravelReports/

snowball: South Australian Government Report Card

snowball: South Australian Government Report Card

Workplace Bullying in the South Australian Government. Why we need an ICAC

I made my first complaint back in March of 2000. It wasn't a big deal at the time. Little did I know it was the start of a very long arduous trek.

I was still complaining by the time I resigned in September of 2008. During that period, and the word is now getting monotonous, I COMPLAINED all the way up to the Premier, Mike Rann. In fact, here is a piece of the ladder I was compelled to climb:

Public Trustee management, where it all began
Attorney-General Department
Equal Opportunity Commission
State Ombudsman
Workplace Services
Commissioner for Public Employment
Equal Opportunity Tribunal, District Court

http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/sa/SAEOT/2004/1.html?query=mckibbin

The Attorney-General, Mick Atkinson

The Premier, Mike Rann

Oh yes, my Union, the Public Service Association.

During the entire time, I got sick of hearing '......get out of there...'

After the 2004 Court Case, the victimisation intensified in retaliation for hanging out the washing in public. The people responsible for that treatment have now moved on to other fertile pastures.

I am certain had my subsequent complaints concerning the ongoing victimisation been made against a junior member of staff, the wheels of justice would have squashed all asunder on the way to my desk. My complaints were levelled at the very top of the tree. These senior people were protected all the way to the lolly shop!

Why does South Australia need an ICAC? Well, check out the ladder.

In thinking about the inactions of my employer during those years, it was incredulous to see how quickly management pounced on me when I appeared on the Today Tonight current affairs show last year. Within a couple of weeks I received a letter stating I may be in breach of the Act and that an investigation in to my actions had commenced.

I think that says it all.

As fas as any vindication goes, yep...the bully finally copped a punishment, a Parliamentary Inquiry is still current, and I don't have a bloody job.

Whistleblowing, a career without reward!


Saturday, May 9, 2009

Denver Holiday Pics





Pics around Denver. Twenty bucks for the basketball seats. The 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown's pad. And Denver's Parlie House. Immaculate and breathtaking inside. Makes ours look like the Pie Cart! Been in our Parlie House lately? It's disgusting.
Strange though. On the day we did the Denver Parlie tour, McDonald's was in one of the main rooms dishing out free meals to the polies and to the staff.

Buffalo Bill's Grave


Last month holidayed in the USA and stayed in Denver Colorado for a week. What a beautiful place, from the Rocky Mountains to the Irish Pub next door to our hotel. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza located just off the longest Mall I have ever seen. With no-fare 'trolleys' constantly rolling both directions every few minutes, seeing the lot is a breeze. One of my favourites is called Johnny Rockets. It's like stepping onto the set of Arnolds in Happy Days. Burgers were great and the hot dancing chicks doin it to Stayin' Alive were a fixer-upper for the hangover. Went to the basketball one night to watch the Denver Nuggets play the New York something or others. It was out of control....that's a phrase I picked up from the kids. I think it means brilliant.

Here's a pic of Buffalo Bill's Grave.

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT - TRAVEL REPORTS

Ever wondered what our elected members get up to when away on an overseas junket? Look no further than the Parliamentary website.

http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Members/HouseofAssembly/TravelReports/

Travel reports dating back to 2002. From Tom Koutsantonis's epic 2-page report detailing his month in Greece, to the Attorney-General's tome weighing in at a hefty 50Mb.

To whet your appetite.

April of 2008, our Attorney-General visited the United Kingdom, Poland and Turkey. And he wasn't on his lonesome. Included in the 'Delegation ' were the Honourable Dennis Hood MLC, the Member for Bright Miss Chloe Fox, and the Member for Norwood Miss Vini Ciccarello. Also tagging along was the AG's Chief of Staff, Mr Peter Louca.

Here's a couple of eyeball-opening gems from that report:

''....Charlton Athletic ( a football club in England ) marked its 100th birthday on 9 June, 2005 with the unveiling of the Sam Bartram statue. Charlton is set to start a new campaign with 17,500 season-ticket holders behind them as they attempt to bounce back to the Premier League....'

'...the key aim of the counter-terrorism strategy is to reduce the risk we face from international terrorism so that people can go about their business freely and safely...'

Mick, I could have told you that one for nuffin!

And from Tom Koutsantonis:

'...Thanked the Greek Government for the honour of awarding Premier Mike Rann with
the Order of the Phoenix, the highest civilian award that can be bestowed on any
civilian Greek or Foreigner...'


I'm a bit short of words for that revelation!

Friday, May 8, 2009

ICAC FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Again The Advertiser, in its Editorial this morning, has echoed the call for an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for the state of South Australia. And it appears there is only one person who does not agree......The Premier, Mr Mike Rann. As he puts it, it would lead to '....a lawyer's picnic...'
Well, picnic or no picnic, we better crank out the hampers as it will happen, and sooner than later. Why? One word springs to mind. Overwhelming.
The past 12 months has seen a flurry of events that would be perfect for a picnic by the river. Apart from the various Parliamentary Inquiries currently swamping staff at Parliament House, one in particular with its roots firmly implanted in workplace bullying and corruption allegations, the Office of the Public Trustee Inquiry, there now is the constantly unfolding South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) drama.
As reported by the media this week, there will be two Inquiries into the SAJC. One conducted behind closed doors (in secret) by the Independent Gambling Authority as it invokes its Royal Commission-like powers. The other, in Parliament House on North Terrace courtesy of the Upper House. At least the Parliamentary Inquiry will be out there in the public spotlight.
But, like the mess I found myself in, these unfolding dramas, sometimes spread across months or even years, scream out for what is missing. A more direct route to addressing the issues.
In my case, it took me years to work my way through a labyrinth of bureaucracy. Had there been an ICAC, I doubt I would have lost nine years of my life.
I mentioned the Upper House. Our illustrious leader has inferred many times that he would like to see the Upper House go floating down some creek. Maybe past the growing numbers of picnickers. Wonder why!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Workplace Bullying

Welcome to my first post. Will be a short one whilst I get my head around Blogging.

Back in March of 2000 I reported something I didn't like about my workplace. Nine years ago. Since then, I have been to hell and almost back. Sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and corruption. Nine years of my life in constant conflict, but surviving. Equal Opportunities Commission, Ombudsman, Police, Internal Hearings, and now a Parliamentary Inquiry into the department where I used to work. Then there was and still is the toll on my health. Today ? No job, no career, but now helping others in distress. In Posts to come maybe by me sharing my experiences will help you sail through the stormy waters of whistleblowing, harassment, and corrupt people.