Is the Suspense almost over?
Watching the Estimates session, carefully, in company with BRB, after the third watch through; there was a profound silence. Now I know many just don't even bother to watch Estimates (why would you). Many of those that do may pay attention to a 'bit' that is of interest, attention slipping away before and after that item of interest (fair enough too). But if you have a crew who do pay attention and have the fortitude to sit through the session three times; you come away with some insights worth discussing. It is bloody tedious and time consuming and tedious and mind numbing and tedious; however, the results after thirsts have been slaked are often well worth the effort.
I admit, the first 'take away' notions expressed are usually funny and often ribald; but then its down to business. Big ticket items, like 'is Spence in control' and has 'Spence thrown in the towel'. 'No and Yes' consensus in that order, no objections noted.
First reaction to that will be 'Bollocks' – but compare the first Spence session with the last and note the changes. Pay attention to the 'whole' – language, (spoken and body) . Tired, lack lustre answers to questions and rapid almost sycophantic deferment to the Real Estate sales agent type at the end of the row, for smoothing spin and soothing words. Anyway; the upshot was a call for the Tote to be opened on the Spence tenure. The 'book' offers 4/1 for a departure date before Easter. Even money for the end of the financial year and 5 will get you two (5/2 odds on) before Christmas. Tote open....
Item next is the time allocated to, the time of day and the pathetic questions the Senators ask. It is no wonder that the 'take that on notice' answer is so very often used. Even less of a wonder that those carefully prepared, cleverly crafted answers are hardly ever re examined in depth at the next short, late session. The system suits all; it is a wasteful, cynical game. Although it is 'handy'; and can be (and often is) used to demonstrate that indeed there were questions asked and answers given; the sum total of that expense, in real terms is 'no return' no further informed questions and nothing changed in any meaningful way. Shames them all, particularly those who should be asking the difficult questions. Short attention spans and no real interest perhaps?
In short; Estimates need to either piss or get off the pot. We've watched countless hours of this stuff; high blown questions which miss the point; platitudes and clever words in answer; all at great expense while an entire industry is slowly shrinking and sinking; this while the rest of the first world is forging ahead, generating revenue and creating an industry which provides futures and employment.
For myself, my 'disappointment' with the Senate committee system is, along with many others, at a point where 'they' have become irrelevant. ASA, ATSB and CASA simply take the Mickey and the money, knowing full well that no Senate committee has ever laid a glove on 'em, not in any significant way. Advance Australia? – fair dinkum?? I call BOLLOCKS.........
Toot – toot.
Watching the Estimates session, carefully, in company with BRB, after the third watch through; there was a profound silence. Now I know many just don't even bother to watch Estimates (why would you). Many of those that do may pay attention to a 'bit' that is of interest, attention slipping away before and after that item of interest (fair enough too). But if you have a crew who do pay attention and have the fortitude to sit through the session three times; you come away with some insights worth discussing. It is bloody tedious and time consuming and tedious and mind numbing and tedious; however, the results after thirsts have been slaked are often well worth the effort.
I admit, the first 'take away' notions expressed are usually funny and often ribald; but then its down to business. Big ticket items, like 'is Spence in control' and has 'Spence thrown in the towel'. 'No and Yes' consensus in that order, no objections noted.
First reaction to that will be 'Bollocks' – but compare the first Spence session with the last and note the changes. Pay attention to the 'whole' – language, (spoken and body) . Tired, lack lustre answers to questions and rapid almost sycophantic deferment to the Real Estate sales agent type at the end of the row, for smoothing spin and soothing words. Anyway; the upshot was a call for the Tote to be opened on the Spence tenure. The 'book' offers 4/1 for a departure date before Easter. Even money for the end of the financial year and 5 will get you two (5/2 odds on) before Christmas. Tote open....
Item next is the time allocated to, the time of day and the pathetic questions the Senators ask. It is no wonder that the 'take that on notice' answer is so very often used. Even less of a wonder that those carefully prepared, cleverly crafted answers are hardly ever re examined in depth at the next short, late session. The system suits all; it is a wasteful, cynical game. Although it is 'handy'; and can be (and often is) used to demonstrate that indeed there were questions asked and answers given; the sum total of that expense, in real terms is 'no return' no further informed questions and nothing changed in any meaningful way. Shames them all, particularly those who should be asking the difficult questions. Short attention spans and no real interest perhaps?
In short; Estimates need to either piss or get off the pot. We've watched countless hours of this stuff; high blown questions which miss the point; platitudes and clever words in answer; all at great expense while an entire industry is slowly shrinking and sinking; this while the rest of the first world is forging ahead, generating revenue and creating an industry which provides futures and employment.
For myself, my 'disappointment' with the Senate committee system is, along with many others, at a point where 'they' have become irrelevant. ASA, ATSB and CASA simply take the Mickey and the money, knowing full well that no Senate committee has ever laid a glove on 'em, not in any significant way. Advance Australia? – fair dinkum?? I call BOLLOCKS.........
Toot – toot.