The SA Politics Thread

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rhino
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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#76 Post by rhino » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:43 am

stumpjumper wrote: Farrell instructed Malinauskas to get rid of Rann in October 2011 and replace him with Jay Weatherill.
Do you have any proof of this? Or is it hearsay? Or is it your opinion?

You seem to like to point out that people were former checkout chicks, trolley boys, supermarket shelf-fillers, as if these people were pulled from these menial jobs and installed in parliament by the SDA. Do you have any idea how many people, from company CEOs down to rank-and-file workers, were at some stage check-out chicks, trolley boys, or supermarket shelf fillers? I would say most of them, or, if not those rolls, then some other menial job. That's what high school kids do to earn money when they're not at school. It's good, because it gives them a degree of responsibility for their own immediate future, in a fiscal sense. Personally, I stacked supermarket shelves and cleaned butcher shops. And I was never a member of the SDA. It makes no sense to point out that our current politicians once held these jobs, because nealy all of us did.
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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#77 Post by stumpjumper » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:21 am

Most people, politicians included, do start with menial jobs. I stacked shelves at night and cooked chook at KFC, and literally shovelled sh*t at a mushroom farm.

Here's Brad Crouch of the Advertiser on Malinauskas' rise. It suggests that the SDA do take an interest in their young talent, and groom the ones they want. I can think of quite a few local politicians who were spotted by the SDA as junior workers then mentored for years by the SDA. Kate Ellis is a perfect example. She came to Don Farrell's attention when she was 15, then she was carefully groomed in the ways of the SDA to create a federal parliamentarian who will always and only take the SDA line on any issue.

The SDA faction (Labor Unity) is easily the most disciplined group in the SA parliament. It's powerful in federal parliament too. Foer example, John Hogg, the President of the Senate, is an SDA man among many others.
While still in school Mr Malinauskas started work at the bottom, getting a casual job aged 15 at Mitcham Woolies where SDA organisers quickly signed him to the union. Intelligent and articulate, he came to the attention of union organisers and volunteered to be a shop floor representative.

"I loved my job at Woolies; it was a great place to work and I made some great mates in the seven years I worked there," he said.

"While at Woolies, I put my hand up to be the night delegate, a role I enjoyed. That led to me meeting (SDA boss) Don Farrell (now a senator), who offered me a job visiting night workers as an SDA rep."

Mr Farrell - referred to in the ALP as "the godfather" - took a shine to him and Mr Malinauskas rose through the ranks to become assistant secretary while earning a degree in commerce at Adelaide University.

In an email to the Sunday Mail, Senator Farrell wrote: "While studying at university, Peter was working as a night filler at Woolworths in Mitcham, where he became a SDA delegate.

"Showing obvious talents, a good work ethic and a strong commitment to speaking up for workers' rights and conditions, Peter was offered a job with the SDA as a union rep.

"It was always clear that he understood the concerns of retail workers. Now SDA secretary, Peter continues to display his dedication to standing up for the wages and conditions of retail workers."

Mr Malinauskas was equally as effusive about his boss.

"Don worked at the union for 32 years and was extremely generous in showing me the ropes," he said.

"He mentored me when I worked at the SDA."

In 2008, aged 27, Mr Malinauskas became state secretary when Mr Farrell left to become a senator - taking then-senator Linda Kirk's spot when she flouted the SDA's Catholic roots by being sympathetic to the morning-after abortion pill.

Asked about issues such as gay marriage, stem-cell research, euthanasia and abortion, Mr Malinauskas said his personal views would be "considered socially conservative".

"I didn't get involved in the Labor movement because of any of these issues," he said. "I believe in the fair go but I get frustrated with left-wing ideology that focuses more on imposing equality than providing for equality of opportunity. This is why I'm passionate about education - universal access to quality schooling gives everyone the chance to succeed.*"

Despite being tagged as a "faceless man" in the state's political cauldron, Mr Malinauskas was elected SA's youngest ALP president, is on the WorkCover board and was tagged by gossip columns as one of SA's most eligible bachelors before he started dating lawyer Annabel West.
As for
Farrell instructed Malinauskas to get rid of Rann in October 2011 and replace him with Jay Weatherill.
The only part in dispute is 'Farrell instructed'. I have no proof that he did but I have two solid opinions. Furthermore, Manilauskas is Farrell's man in Adelaide.

Remember too that Rann wanted to go in March 2012 and had anointed John Rau as his successor. Everyone was happy with that except - the SDA.

* I suggest that Manilauskas' mantra about education was learned from his mentor Don Farrell. If you look back through Catholic history in Australia, you'll find Archbishop Mannix and Father William Hackett SJ. Both believed fervently in education of workers. Farrell is close to Cardinal George Pell and othert conservative Catholics, who believe in education as the best weapon against the great foe, godless Communism. If you think this is all dated rubbish, try reading some labour history.:

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/201 ... bor-in-sa/

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The SA Politics Thread

#78 Post by Matt » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:51 pm

stumpjumper wrote:I can think of quite a few local politicians who were spotted by the SDA as junior workers then mentored for years by the SDA. Kate Ellis is a perfect example. She came to Don Farrell's attention when she was 15, then she was carefully groomed in the ways of the SDA to create a federal parliamentarian who will always and only take the SDA line on any issue.
Kate Ellis and Chloe Fox are both on the record as being pro-gay marriage?

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#79 Post by stumpjumper » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:18 pm

That's an interesting point.

The SDA has something called 'union policy' which its MPs are expected to adhere to, even in a conscience vote.

The reason the union gave for removing Senator Linda Kirk from her federal senate seat was that she voted against SDA policy when she supported the 'morning after pill' RU486 in a conscience vote in the Upper House.

While the SDA has its policies - which are very conservative - it has never polled members on those policies.

I asked Kate Ellis her position on abortion at a street corner meeting last year. She said that the purpose of the meeting was not to discuss Labor policy but to help local people with local issues. I persisted and was eventually ushered away from the meeting by two young women - Kate's minders - who accused me of troublemaking. I have to say they were right.

It's not a question SDA MPs like being asked, but it produces some excellent entertainment as they evade the issue.

Cracks are appearing, however. This is from SDA boss Joe De Bruyn's Wikipedia entry:
De Bruyn has come under scrutiny for voicing his conservative views while being secretary of a trade union and holding a position on the National Executive of the centre-left Australian Labor Party. He has repeatedly voiced opposition to abortion, and to legalising same sex marriage. At a quarterly SDA members meeting in February 2011, de Bruyn moved a resolution against gay marriage, without giving any members a chance to speak or vote on the issue. This led to the first instance of members of the SDA speaking out and challenging de Bruyn on his stance on gay marriage. 83 SDA member signatures in support of gay marriage were presented to the SDA Queensland branch quarterly meeting, shop steward Duncan Hart said SDA national secretary de Bruyn’s staunch opposition to gay marriage did not reflect the feelings of its members. Former ALP Prime Minister Gough Whitlam once said "Joe de Bruyn is a Dutchman who hates dykes."
Nevertheless, SDA policy remains anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage.

And as suggested, if like me you enjoy the fine sport of baiting SDA MPs, then ring Kate or Chloe's office and ask for their position on such matters. You'll be told all sorts of things (once you've identified yourself with a phone number, blood group and so on) but you won't get an answer.

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#80 Post by metro » Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:47 pm

looks like a leadership challenge against Isy Redmond might happen soon.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6444786136

I laughed at the poll on AdelaideNow, Alexander Downer is preferred premier with Jay Weatherill coming 2nd :lol:

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#81 Post by claybro » Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:23 pm

stumpjumper wrote:Nevertheless, SDA policy remains anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage
This is alarming. And I thought unions existed only to represent the rights ,pay and conditions of it's members. I wonder if any young gay worker is advised of this stance when they are asked by a rep to sign up to the union? "we will take your membership fee, but by the way this organisation does not approve of your lifestyle"

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#82 Post by Matt » Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:23 pm

As alarming as it is completely ridiculous.
Terrifying how much influence one person (JDB) has, not only on the supposed view of his union, but on goings on far higher up the ladder.

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#83 Post by Goya's Line » Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:35 am

If the SDA opposes gay marriage and has control over our state government (as claimed) how is it Jay Weathaerill was able to announce Labor would legislate for same-sex marriage at state level?

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#84 Post by [Shuz] » Mon Aug 20, 2012 8:12 am

Goya's Line wrote:If the SDA opposes gay marriage and has control over our state government (as claimed) how is it Jay Weathaerill was able to announce Labor would legislate for same-sex marriage at state level?
Jay has said that he would allow a conscience vote on the issue. Also, the legislation in question is being proposed by the Greens, not by Labor.
Any views and opinions expressed are of my own, and do not reflect the views or opinions of any organisation of which I have an affiliation with.

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#85 Post by claybro » Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:50 pm

Goya's Line wrote:If the SDA opposes gay marriage and has control over our state government (as claimed) how is it Jay Weathaerill was able to announce Labor would legislate for same-sex marriage at state level?
It is not a matter of "IF" the SDA opposes same sex marriage, it is apparently on public record that it does! Regardless of anyones opinion of this matter, I think we should all be alarmed these issues are even being discussed in the union forum. Unions need to stick to wages, conditions safety issues etc. for it's memebers, not social policies.

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#86 Post by Goya's Line » Mon Aug 20, 2012 8:50 pm

'Apparently' is not very convincing; De Bruyn's opinions are those of an aging misogynist homophobe and it reflects poorly on the SDA that he has held his position but could you please provide links which show these opinions are officially endorsed? And yeah, the Greens proposed the bill but they require at least one of the major parties to legislate.

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#87 Post by claybro » Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:28 pm

Goya's Line wrote:'Apparently' is not very convincing; De Bruyn's opinions are those of an aging misogynist homophobe and it reflects poorly on the SDA that he has held his position but could you please provide links which show these opinions are officially endorsed? And yeah, the Greens proposed the bill but they require at least one of the major parties to legislate.
my concern is that the personal opinions of any union official is evn being discussed in an official union capacity at a union meeting.There should be rules against such things. As for moving for a resolution against gay marriage? Just what is it that about this organisation that would even allow it'self to be a platform for such matters?

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#88 Post by Goya's Line » Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:17 am

Are there minutes for this official discussion? I agree personal preferences are not for unions to debate but the support of anyone with a political profile - whether it's De Bruyn's AWU counterpart Paul Howes, Penny Wong or Christine Forster - would be welcomed by equal rights and gay activists. If Abbott were to allow a conscience vote a number of his ministers would likely do the evolved thing.

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#89 Post by metro » Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:41 pm

There was in interesting report on 7:30SA on the SA Liberal Party's failings. In short, instability is hurting them, they change leaders every couple of years which Mike Rann used to always point out, and they always fail at elections.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-17/a ... section=sa

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Re: The SA Politics Thread

#90 Post by monotonehell » Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:12 pm

metro wrote:There was in interesting report on 7:30SA on the SA Liberal Party's failings. In short, instability is hurting them, they change leaders every couple of years which Mike Rann used to always point out, and they always fail at elections.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-17/a ... section=sa
Love the bit where Dean pretty much quotes "Yes Minister".
Exit on the right in the direction of travel.

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