Vicki Chapman MP and the Galapagos Duck!

Member for Bragg.

Pray tell Vic, what is the connection between Burnside, or Greenhill Road, or Skye with an archipelago of volcanic islands stuck out in the middle of nowhere?

Politicians. How the hell do they justify these taxpayer funded overseas jaunts!

I have reported on these jaunts before. Here is a couple to whet the appetite:

Jack Snelling’s tour of the UK, France, and the Czech Republic:

http://adelcomp.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-parliamentary-travel-report.html

At least Jack seemed to do full days, unlike our mate Karaoke Kevin:

http://adelcomp.blogspot.com/2009/05/deputy-premier-hon-kevin-foley-london_21.html

And, Lyn Breuer certainly has a penchant for everything UK. I previously reported on her 2008/2009 Christmas/New Year jaunt, with her daughter in tow, reportedly assisting:

http://adelcomp.blogspot.com/2009/05/south-australian-politicians-zero.html

Poor old Lynn obviously ran out of time as she returned again the following year, only this time to also see how the Welsh Parliament works. Bit of a worry that, Politicians not knowning how Parliaments hang it all together.

Now, as much as I have a soft spot for Vicki Chapman, I am not surprised she waited nearly one year to lodge her Travel Report. Wait for it folks. The GALAPAGOS ISLANDS!

‘...My attraction to these islands was stimulated by the discovery that they had undertaken pest control and management programs that remain a shining example to the world...’

‘...I was astonished to learn that no other Members of Parliament from South Australia, or, from the Australian Parliament, have travelled to the Galapagos Islands and reported to their constituency...’

Sorry my little Galapagos Vic, but I am not astonished in the slightest. How did you manage to get this one through? However, you really do not need approval, do you?

Moreover, what could there possibly be to report to your Constituents? Got me stuffed!

These Travel Reports are nothing but travelogues.

This was Galapavic’s justification for the trip as reported to Parliament on 28 September 2010:

‘...I had the pleasure of visiting the Galapagos Islands just over a month ago, a visit which was not only memorable but also certainly informed and educated me about aspects that could assist our own state, in particular the development of precious parts of South Australia, including Kangaroo Island, some of which it already shares with the Galapagos Islands...’

Well, I have read your report and your travelogue to Parliament and I must say, I can only give you a tin star.

The Galapagos Travel Report Link

Here, take an electronic visit to these web sites:

http://www.galapagos.org/2008/

http://www.galapagosislands.com/

Everything you need, and more, is right there. You could have saved yourself a lot of time, and us a lot of money.

Well, that really depends on why you went!

Another Parliamentary Travel Report

Hon Jack Snelling MP
Speaker of the House of Assembly
Member for Playford
United Kingdom, Scotland, France, and the Czech Republic
18 May - 2 June 2009
Accompanied by his Personal Assistant Mr Corey Harris


Well, here we go again. It appears our elected members cannot resist the titillation of diplomatic passports, Qantas free socks, and frequent flyer points.



We, the taxpayers of South Australia had a huge return on investment as evidenced by Jacko’s Travel Report:
　
ENGLAND
……The Tour of Westminster, although brief, provided a fascinating insight into the Government of the United Kingdom…….The route of the speaker’s procession begins from the speaker’s office….Greg Knight is also drummer and founding member of the parliamentary rock group MP4.…’
　
Well, I do not know about you, but I was riveted to the floor with these revelations. I can just see bully boys Rann, Foley, Conlon, and Atkinson goin the old headbangin’ as The Enforcers, or Major Tom and his Ground Control Men.

And of course, the obligatory Barossa-lubricated lunch with good old Billy Maitland our ‘Man in Havana’ over there telling pale faced Poms all about the Barossa and Magic Mountain…..BILLY, IT’S GONE!!!!
And the rivets keep coming:


SCOTLAND‘…the Scottish parliament complex is several interconnecting buildings…the Scottish parliament also promotes the use of petitions…’
　
FRANCE‘…the buildings of the school were confiscated from the Church in 1905...’
　
And what do we have for our money? Jack Crap from Jack Snelling. Another beautifully crafted travelogue that belongs in the Advertiser‘s Travel Section.

Enjoy your flyer points, enjoy your free onboard toothpaste, and sleep well tonight knowing what a huge contribution you have made to the wellbeing of the people of South Australia…the people that pay ya!!!!
Polies.....everything you need to know about Westminster and WITHOUT GETTING OFF YER BUM:
http://adelcomp.blogspot.com/2009/05/south-australian-politicians-zero.html