The totally off-topic thread

[Hvr]

Have the boot full of food and drink and eye off the weakest in the group for just in case you have a Andes plane crash/rugby team survivors event.

Mental note to self. Never travel with Denali, I'd keep him alive for a couple of months of frugal surviving.

 

[Pushka]

I believe she was asked to name her new CoS and his background, given the last one departed after tipping off the media to an imminent AFP raid at the AWU, and has been followed by a few more since.

She replied that one staff member had left and that was it. Dougie wanted the name of her new staff. That is a question not asked nor required. Which is how she responded but he didn’t stop. So Cash replied she would give other people’s names if he continued. For the record, when someone tells me to take a chill pill as Cameron did to her I would let fly.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes Casho let loose. I would too - the followup from Dougie was uncalled for. 2 wrongs dont make a right, but Dougie needs to apologise too.

Stange isnt it. Casho is not considered as one of the "sisterhood". If Bernardi told Wong to take a chill pill, you know what the media would be saying now.

 

[love_the_life]

Totally disagree with Cash’s outburst. Questioning was no more intrusive than normal for Senate estimates and she went bonkers. The reply from Cameron to take a chill pill was no different from what I have seen in the past. She could easily have calmly answered that staffing was not the role of this committee if she didn’t want to provide the information. She does have a high staff turnover. Anyway that’s my view but sure most/many will disagree so won’t get into a discussion. Not worth it.

 

[Quickstatus]

Though she should get rid of that bouffant.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Right had a call back and they have approved the loan in principle, subject to building contract and valuations. Huge sigh of relief and can stop stressing about evil banks. I do think the banks have got to get up to speed with retirees and SMSFs. We are a growing demographic and while we don’t have much need for borrowings it really shouldn’t be this hard

 

[Quickstatus]

Whats a property valuation cost these days?

 

[Cossie]

Walking around Luang Prabang this morning we were offered a flyer for a Mexican restaurant, two words which in my opinion shouldn't be used together, but I digress.

Why would anyone want to eat mexican when there is so much other good food on offer.

We are a little earlier than last year, many more Chinese than last year. I wonder what it will be like once the high speed rail is complete.

Here you can just see the tunnel and new pylons and temporary bridge over the Mekong on approach into the airport from the north.

 

[GarrettM]

She replied that one staff member had left and that was it. Dougie wanted the name of her new staff. That is a question not asked nor required. Which is how she responded but he didn’t stop. So Cash replied she would give other people’s names if he continued. For the record, when someone tells me to take a chill pill as Cameron did to her I would let fly.

Totally disagree with Cash’s outburst. Questioning was no more intrusive than normal for Senate estimates and she went bonkers. The reply from Cameron to take a chill pill was no different from what I have seen in the past. She could easily have calmly answered that staffing was not the role of this committee if she didn’t want to provide the information. She does have a high staff turnover. Anyway that’s my view but sure most/many will disagree so won’t get into a discussion. Not worth it.

Questions about staff are off-limits as a general convention I believe, although I can't see anyone suggesting anything improper either.

Given she lost a CoS after the AFP debacle, and has recently appointed a new one, you can argue there's some relevance.
As for the questions themselves: do you have a new chief of staff, who are they, why won’t you tell us who they are, have they come from your department, have they come from another party-aligned organisation.

Hardly a smear attempt.

Federal politics has become an absolute mess, and people on both sides are at fault. The ridiculous innuendo about Abbott and Credlin, Burke and his travel rorts, Barnaby, Pauline, Shorten the Hollow-Man. If only we could wipe out ALL of them and start a fresh.

But it would only end the same way again.

 

[Pushka]

Totally disagree with Cash’s outburst. Questioning was no more intrusive than normal for Senate estimates and she went bonkers. The reply from Cameron to take a chill pill was no different from what I have seen in the past. She could easily have calmly answered that staffing was not the role of this committee if she didn’t want to provide the information. She does have a high staff turnover. Anyway that’s my view but sure most/many will disagree so won’t get into a discussion. Not worth it.

But she did say that.
Agree re Parliament being a mess. Guess it’s always been like that but now it’s all spilling out. Clearly some festering wounds. A pox on all of them. Actually, maybe....

 

[Flying mermaid]

Whats a property valuation cost these days?

No idea - will let you know when Ms FM gets the bill. I have to get a valuation each year for the superfund for a property we have but I get a Valuer to do a “desk valuation”. That costs about $60. Last time I did a proper valuation it was around $700.

 

[Cossie]

Whats a property valuation cost these days?

When we sold my mum's house in Canberra, I had a valuation done and it was $350. I didn't realise, nor was told that as part of the sale the agent would get a valuation done, that came back at just under $1000, which of course we paid for.
Interestingly enough, both valuations were the same and was also what we got for the house.

 

[Quickstatus]

Walking around Luang Prabang this morning we were offered a flyer for a Mexican restaurant, two words which in my opinion shouldn't be used together, but I digress.

Why would anyone want to eat mexican when there is so much other good food on offer.

Wondering if Mexican fare in these parts have MSG?

 

[Quickstatus]

When we sold my mum's house in Canberra, I had a valuation done and it was $350. I didn't realise, nor was told that as part of the sale the agent would get a valuation done, that came back at just under $1000.
Interestingly enough, both valuations were the same and was also what we got for the house.

Hmm ok...
Last time I was a purchaser my paid valuation was more than the banks valuation (essentially a drive by valuation), I I was able to renegotiate the purchase by saying the bank wont lend me more than their valuation less the deposit. They werent happy but I was the only buyer at the time.

 

[GarrettM]

But she did say that.
Agree re Parliament being a mess. Guess it’s always been like that but now it’s all spilling out. Clearly some festering wounds. A pox on all of them. Actually, maybe....

But the screening thing is just ridiculous. The room is full of cameras and proceedings are broadcast live. Why bother.
And for Malcolm to say she was bullied?

Give me a spell.

 

[Cossie]

GM, you forgot to mention the rumours regarding the alleged dalliance between JH and a former ABC radio presenter that is now in NSW Parliament, everyone in Canberra was aware of that one...............

 

[Pushka]

But the screening thing is just ridiculous. The room is full of cameras and proceedings are broadcast live. Why bother.
And for Malcolm to say she was bullied?

Give me a spell.

Well, this bullying thing is interesting. It’s gets over used these days. But again it’s thrown around on both sides.

Would this be very differently reported if Mikaela was a Michael? Would Michael have been told to take a chill pill? Could Michael have made the same statement but be called a misogynist? Would Michael have been asked the same questions by Dougie?

Yeah. Johnnie is rumored to have been naughty too. Hilarious.

 

[Cossie]

Wondering if Mexican fare in these parts have MSG?

I made a post a few days ago in another thread, I'd love to have my own cooking arrangements here, the cooking class we did last year didn't have msg and I'll ask again when we do it again on Sunday. The food we cooked was yummy!, although I could very happily be a vego here, apart from fish!

Too much msg, drink more BeerLao!

 

[love_the_life]

But she did say that.
Agree re Parliament being a mess. Guess it’s always been like that but now it’s all spilling out. Clearly some festering wounds. A pox on all of them. Actually, maybe....

I think it was more her outburst I found totally unbecoming for any member of parliament. Part of the problem is the adversarial nature of Australian government and I agree that it seems to have become worse over the last few governments. No one (of either party) has been able to get on and govern the place. Guess should be used to it by now and not be bothered by it.

 

[TomVexille]

Oh I am the first to agree that SA motorists are the rudest and worst drivers in Australia.

Well in my limited experience they certainly are't the rudest. I'm inclined to agree with @Denali.