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Government Departments wasting our money

Willo

Tiger Legend
Oct 13, 2007
18,712
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Aldinga Beach
Just on a different note


It's a bit rich, Sir Bob Geldof

Michael Warner

November 15, 2008 12:00am

ANTI-poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof charged $100,000 to come to Melbourne and give a speech about world suffering.

Geldof, 54, spoke about the tragedy of Third World poverty and the failure of governments to combat the crisis, at a Crown casino function on Thursday night.

But the Herald Sun can reveal the outspoken human rights activist charged about $100,000 for his trouble -- a speaker's fee that included the cost of luxury hotel rooms and first-class airfares. Fellow activist the Rev Tim Costello, World Vision's CEO, spoke for free. An event insider said the Geldof payments included the costs of a minder.

"It was an inspiring speech. But when you think he got paid $100,000 to talk about poverty, it seems like a bit of a contradiction," the insider said.

"That's $100,000 that could have made a difference to poverty right there. Everyone in the audience would have walked away in awe. If only they knew the full story."

The payment is believed to have been funded by event sponsors including the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Geldof's speech was the highlight of Thursday night's eighth annual Diversity@Work business awards at Crown Palladium.

Diversity@Work is a private company providing workplace consulting and training.

Its CEO, Mark Heaysman, last night refused to say how much was spent to lure Geldof, who was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1986 for his Live Aid campaign.

"The aim of the Diversity@Work awards is to bring the very important issue of providing better opportunities for people with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds to the public spotlight," Mr Heaysman said.

"It is important to have high-profile supporters of the awards, to help spread this important message. It is a great shame if this issue is overshadowed."

Geldof appears on various websites spruiking the lucrative international speakers' circuit. Mr Costello confirmed yesterday that he was not paid to speak. "I know nothing of any fees," he said.

link
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24653685-662,00.html


Bloody joke!!
Akin to Al Gore flying around the world spruiking about "global warning". Flying countless kilometres and still living in 3 or 4 mansions all fully lit up. But right, he pays "carbon credits". That means he doesn't put out any greenhouse gasses, right?
Thick as a brick for all those falling for these type of self-serving clowns
 

Tiger74

In deedily doodily neighbourino!
Jul 2, 2004
11,601
5
Melbourne
It will be interesting to see how this set up works. Smells a bit like the one Ms. Blair did a couple of years ago, when the charity (she did the event for) unwittingly ended up only getting a few crumbs while Blair and Markson got the bulk of the cash.

Also I would like to get more on what the Dept contributed, and to what end. JFYI I often attend a lot of events sponsored by a Govt dept, but that sponsorship is often just a minor one, or a contra deal (main one is they provide use of the event space for free).
 

Tiger74

In deedily doodily neighbourino!
Jul 2, 2004
11,601
5
Melbourne
mb64 said:
Who invited him?

I assume it was Diversity@Work:

Geldof's speech was the highlight of Thursday night's eighth annual Diversity@Work business awards at Crown Palladium.

Diversity@Work is a private company providing workplace consulting and training.
 

Willo

Tiger Legend
Oct 13, 2007
18,712
6,661
Aldinga Beach
NSW government warned of keeping costs/over-runs down
The recent "Youth Day" was budgeted for $20m, ran a bit over costs, to the tune of $89m. :mad:
 

Ripplestick

Tiger Champion
Jan 18, 2007
2,598
1,671
willo said:
Bloody joke!!
Akin to Al Gore flying around the world spruiking about "global warning". Flying countless kilometres and still living in 3 or 4 mansions all fully lit up. But right, he pays "carbon credits". That means he doesn't put out any greenhouse gasses, right?
Thick as a brick for all those falling for these type of self-serving clowns

I couldnt disagree more.

Al Gore?
The same Al Gore that just won the Nobel Peace Prize for trying to edify the world on climate change?

For his efforts I am all for him flying around the world trying to make a difference, its the most effective way to get his message across. I dont know of any other equally effective means by which he could spread his message which actually wouldnt emit some greenhouse gas.

I'm all for one man travelling the world in a plane doing what he is doing, the fuel he burns isnt even a sparrow's fart on the filth which is spewed forth every second from the industrialised world.

and for all we know, big Al might use solar power at home...

Other than that, I agree with the uproar over the cash spent on Bobby G.
 

Willo

Tiger Legend
Oct 13, 2007
18,712
6,661
Aldinga Beach
Ripplestick said:
I couldnt disagree more.

Al Gore?
The same Al Gore that just won the Nobel Peace Prize for trying to edify the world on climate change?

For his efforts I am all for him flying around the world trying to make a difference, its the most effective way to get his message across. I dont know of any other equally effective means by which he could spread his message which actually wouldnt emit some greenhouse gas.

I'm all for one man travelling the world in a plane doing what he is doing, the fuel he burns isnt even a sparrow's fart on the filth which is spewed forth every second from the industrialised world.

and for all we know, big Al might use solar power at home...

Other than that, I agree with the uproar over the cash spent on Bobby G.
Disagree with your disagree Ripples. ;)
Practices what you preach I believe. I think people were aware of greenhouse gasses and global warming before Al got on board.
He doesn't use solar, he admitted in a 60 minutes interview when they showed several of his houses, fully lit that he compensates by buying carbon credits. What a load of guff.
It means you use what you like but offset them. Doesn't Al know that he's still contributing greenhouse gasses to global warming, even though he's paying carbon credits. :rofl

I believe its more ego for Al after missing out on being POTUS. He needed another high profile cause to "champion". Plenty of money and attention about for that cause. ;)
Of course I'm a cynic, but its just my opinion. (not that it counts for much)
 

Disco08

Tiger Legend
Sep 23, 2003
21,757
3
Not arguing with the rest of your argument willo, but practice what you preach? Really? Are you saying Gore should somehow try and get his message about global warming to as many people as possible without using fossil fuels? Sounds like the old criticism of musicians like John Butler who campaign for conservation - 'your guitar's made out of wood!'.
 

Tiger74

In deedily doodily neighbourino!
Jul 2, 2004
11,601
5
Melbourne
Disco08 said:
Sounds like the old criticism of musicians like John Butler who campaign for conservation - 'your guitar's made out of wood!'.

Actually there is a way around that now. Try to find instruments made from FSC certified woods.

These products are sourced from woods that have had their entire supply chain certified as complying with the FSC provisions. These are that the product come from managed forests, which are harvested in a manner sustainable for the forest and the inhabitants of the forest. Its been around for some time in the EU and USA, and is in its early stages in Australia.

Mostly its paper and lumber items covered, but I did a quick check and there are a number of providers of musical instruments sourcing under FSC guidelines.
 

Willo

Tiger Legend
Oct 13, 2007
18,712
6,661
Aldinga Beach
Disco08 said:
Not arguing with the rest of your argument willo, but practice what you preach? Really? Are you saying Gore should somehow try and get his message about global warming to as many people as possible without using fossil fuels? Sounds like the old criticism of musicians like John Butler who campaign for conservation - 'your guitar's made out of wood!'.
Tell Al to get on Facebook or Youtube or Myspace. good enough for our Kev.
No scratch that, too many people mightn't have a pc.
Then again, why is it "his" message, people were warning of greenhouse gases and global warming before he came on the scene. Tell to tell his story via tv. Why the need to jet all around the world.
 

evo

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2003
22,192
52
My favourite instance of a hypocritical condescending n00b lecturing people on poverty was when Bono used to pay $10,000 next to him in first class for his Trilby (hat) to travel in confort ;D

Seriously, one would have to be a complete gimp to waste a few hours of their life listening to Bob Geldorf or Bono lecture on the causes of poverty and its possible solutions anyhow.

There are actually economists,philosophers social and political scientist who've studied it all their life and understand this stuff.Why listen to a bloody rock star blather?
 

Tiger74

In deedily doodily neighbourino!
Jul 2, 2004
11,601
5
Melbourne
evo said:
My favourite instance of a hypocritical condescending n00b lecturing people on poverty was when Bono used to pay $10,000 next to him in first class for his Trilby (hat) to travel in confort ;D

I lurve Bono ;D
 

Disco08

Tiger Legend
Sep 23, 2003
21,757
3
Love the Gervais skit with them both in it. Sums it up perfectly.

willo said:
Tell Al to get on Facebook or Youtube or Myspace. good enough for our Kev.
No scratch that, too many people mightn't have a pc.
Then again, why is it "his" message, people were warning of greenhouse gases and global warming before he came on the scene. Tell to tell his story via tv. Why the need to jet all around the world.

It's his message because he chose to campaign for it. You don't have to come up with an entire idea yourself to be allowed to try and raise awareness of the issue. Live shows are a part of any campaign. Saying he's a hypocrite for using fossil fuel burning transport to enable him to raise awareness with the intent of lowering this fuel use makes little sense IMO.
 

frickenel

Tiger Champion
Jul 30, 2003
2,639
1,900
Hidden Valley
Ripplestick said:
I'm all for one man travelling the world in a plane doing what he is doing, the fuel he burns isnt even a sparrow's fart on the filth which is spewed forth every second from the industrialised world.

If reindeer are good enough for Santa..............
 

Liverpool

How did that Julia and Kevin thing work out? :)
Jan 24, 2005
9,054
1
Melbourne
For this thread you could go crazy but here's a simple one.

Surely, having had the Sydney Olympics only 9 years ago then the gap between Sydney (2000) and Melbourne (2024/2028) is far too early and a waste of money:


Melbourne considers Olympic bid
Melbourne may bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024 or 2028.
Chairman of the Victorian Major Events Company (VMEC) Sir Rod Eddington expressed interest in the bid to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) in November, Fairfax newspapers reported on Sunday.
Victorian Premier John Brumby is said to support an investigation into the viability and cost of hosting the event.
If Melbourne were to bid to host the Games in 2024 or 2028 it could set the stage for a showdown with Brisbane, with that city also indicating interest in holding the event.
AOC chief John Coates reportedly said he had spoken to both Sir Rod and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh about bids to host the Games.
Olympic rules mean national associations choose which city can bid.
Melbourne hosted the Olympics in 1956 and had an unsuccessful bid to host the event in 1996.
A Victorian government spokesman told AAP it was up to VMEC to canvas all major international events and consider them on their merits.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,24928039-2862,00.html
 

RemoteTiger

Woof!
Jul 29, 2004
4,646
98
Liverpool said:
For this thread you could go crazy but here's a simple one.

Surely, having had the Sydney Olympics only 9 years ago then the gap between Sydney (2000) and Melbourne (2024/2028) is far too early and a waste of money:


Melbourne considers Olympic bid
Melbourne may bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024 or 2028.
Chairman of the Victorian Major Events Company (VMEC) Sir Rod Eddington expressed interest in the bid to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) in November, Fairfax newspapers reported on Sunday.
Victorian Premier John Brumby is said to support an investigation into the viability and cost of hosting the event.
If Melbourne were to bid to host the Games in 2024 or 2028 it could set the stage for a showdown with Brisbane, with that city also indicating interest in holding the event.
AOC chief John Coates reportedly said he had spoken to both Sir Rod and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh about bids to host the Games.
Olympic rules mean national associations choose which city can bid.
Melbourne hosted the Olympics in 1956 and had an unsuccessful bid to host the event in 1996.
A Victorian government spokesman told AAP it was up to VMEC to canvas all major international events and consider them on their merits.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,24928039-2862,00.html

Agree - sheer waste of public and private money.

Have not been following Victorian Politics of late - but this smells of a smoke screen for something else that is unpalatable that has happened or is soon to happen....any ideas on what that maybe?