It doesn’t matter one tiny bit if Albanese and Dutton are not in SE Queensland for the cyclone. But it does excite the small minds of the Canberra press gallery.
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It actually makes sense for Albo to avoid the area, he can do more good from a distance. Mr Potato Head, on the other hand, should aim to be at ground zero and do us all a favour
Meanwhile back in seat of Dickson Ali France (Labor candidate) and supporters were filling and carting sandbags - and she's only got one leg! The Independent Ellie Smith's team was out there getting stuck into it too.
BUT Dutton's own electorate Dickson is in the affected area and he was nowhere to be seen! While the Labor and Independent candidates have got stuck in making sandbags etc. So many people pitching in. Reminds people of Scummo in Hawaii, totally tin eared.That stuck with him. Voters care.
Mike, Albo maybe, but Peter Dutton's electorate of Dickson is directly in the firing line of cyclone Alfred. Ali France is there helping fill sandbags and ministering to very worried voters in Dickson. Pete's off guzzling Chateauneuf du Pape with a rare Wagyu steak in Sydney with mates. Priorities!
And Scummo, who secretly flew off to Hawaii to meet QAnon mates, and when caught out lied that he'd "promised the girls"! yet they were being babysat by the hotel kids program .
Pretty sure councils would rather they weren't there, it's not so much them that would be in the way, but the media jackals crashing around looking for a beat up story to suit their own agenda.
It does actually, considering the last time we had a disaster in #Dickson it flooded and Dutton was in government the best he could offer was a #gofund again while he was in another state
It does matter if Dutton is in his electorate during a natural disaster. If he is unwilling to stand with the people of Dickson in their time of need, he will be unwilling to help Australians in their time of need.
Actually Mike, it DOES matter Dutton left his electorate, which is in the firing line of the cyclone, to go party at a billionaire's mansion interstate. It absolutely DOES matter that Dutton is incapable of showing up for 1 electorate during a crisis. It's a sign he's incapable to be a PM
#Auspol
100%. He's completely unfit and would be a ghastly PM - Abbot mixed with trumpism. A puppet of Gina Rinehart and the Murdochs. Has nothing to offer voters so I hope they wake up to what he's really up to .
No one would expect a leader to fly into a potential disaster zone before the event. Bit different in Dutton’s case because his own electorate is in the firing line. Personally I hope MSM crucify Dutton over this. They certainly would if Albanese had behaved similarly. But I’m not holding my breath.
That’s a different situation. Cyclone Alfred is a potential natural disaster. The outcome remains unpredictable. It could fizzle. If it does cause major damage then and only then would you expect a national leader to attend. But Dutton could be helping with preparations like Ali France is.
I’ve gotta say as a generation Xer, millennial journalists are the worst just the worst. People give baby boomers a hard time, but I’ll tell you, the journalism that came out in the 70s 80s and 90s far excels the crap that we read these days.
I'd normally agree. Except Dutton was once in the police force. He'd actually know a little bit about what to do. Practical actions they teach as you enter in the force. Valuable stuff that could have helped people in his own electorate. He should be taken to task for abandoning his electorate.
Dutton’s speech on Trumpism the other day made me proud to be Australian. How lucky we are to have the leaders of both of our major parties agree on the abhorrent nature of the new US foreign policy.
Agree..painful to suffer our current political class leveraging every crisis for personal appearances to maximise photo ops+political point scoring. Rather they stay right out of it; allow the experts, service/community groups (who stand quietly behind) to lead...the politicians add no value.
I am no lover of Premier Chrisafoolish, but credit where it is due. His performance both in FNQ and Brisbane has been outstanding, giving reassurance to those who need to see support from their leaders.
Having spent many years in and around various emergency services, politicians in a disaster zone are a pain in the arse and create issues for those trying to do their work.
That's not why Dutton sneaked off to Sydney. Plus if politicians are genuine, people do appreciate them showing up, even if they're a nuisance to you guys. Besides so far it's preparation, not right in the middle of a disaster .
Really, you don't think the people on the ground preparing aren't absolutely flat out?
Also I never mentioned Dutton slinking off to a fundraiser. However since you brought it up, why isn't he supporting his constituents as the local member?
Bob Carr, when NSW Premier, ignored the usual calls to 'inspect' a disaster area ... saying it was better for him to stay out of the way and let the experts do their jobs.
I know what you’re saying but personally I think it’s a good thing that our elected representatives can see what people are experiencing and talk to them about it. It just shows their humanity.
I understand Dutton’s political opponents in his electorate got in shovelling and distributing sandbags. I missed any MSM coverage / photos of them. Dutton attended Hemmes (the multi millionaire) harbourside mansion fund raiser. Sandbag work seems practical help. Do you reckon that gets in the way?
You have clearly never "held a hose". Every politician with their advisers and head nodders need to be babysat because they have no real world experience, so are a danger to themselves and others. This takes effort away from dealing with the disaster.
We in the Nthn Rivers will never forget Morrison arriving in Lismore after the 2022 floods, sneaking in & out of the Town Hall through the back door & speaking to only one local… a farmer who was a LNP supporter.
@mikecarlton01.bsky.social As per the below graphic, Dutton's electorate of Dickson is directly in the path of the cyclone.
The other two notable candidates - one ALP, one Independent - spent yesterday shovelling sandbags instead of fundraising from billionaires.
#auspol
I totally agree.
At the same time, if the office of PM wishes to be respected it must be respectful to those it represents, esp. in times of trouble.
A good part of the position of PM is providing calm, reassurance and that we're seen?
Dutton’s electorate was in the direct line of the cyclone. Greens/ALP/at least one Independent were shovelling/distributing sandbags. Surely he had a role to help his community prepare. Preferred to attend multi-millionaire’s harbourside mansion for LNP fundraiser. Mixing with the Elite once again.
In an election where a lot more people are asking the question: what is my MP doing for us when it counts, I think in Dutton’s case this matters a lot. You’ve far more experience at this than I, though.
Politics has become a spectacle of performative optics, fueled by social media and clickbait-oriented media, resulting in a diminished focus on policy among voters.
The community are being told to evacuate in certain areas right?
Why would anyone stick around if they don’t have to, including Dutton?
It is not news…
And I am NOT a Dutton supporter.
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'Outrage has been expressed'.
'People are saying'.
'The mood on the street'.
'The pub test.'
Dutton's electorate is right in the path of TC Alfred.
And the Premiers are doing fine in their respective states with the local mayors, state and federal reps.
(Except Dutton.
Who grandstanded outside the QLD SES on Tuesday, then buggered off to a fundraiser in Sydney.)
Maybe "thoughts and prayers" will suffice.
#Auspol
Zelenskyy does.
It applies in all cases, Shiv.
He's off at a $25K per head fundraiser.
He needs to be available for his constituents during the crisis.
He needs to stand with them, not ditch them to make money.
Also I never mentioned Dutton slinking off to a fundraiser. However since you brought it up, why isn't he supporting his constituents as the local member?
If they are there as an emergency responder, then they aren't there as a politician.
When they divert resources and generally get in the way, just for a photo op or sound grab, then that is a big problem.
All it does is tie up resources and is simply a cynical photo op ploy.
A local member may have that connection and empathy - federal and state party leaders are simply there because the news cameras are there.
If they are there as an emergency responder, then they aren't there as a politician.
It was more than good PR that Kevin Rudd got dirty & helped clean out in the mud during past floods. Cooked bbq for volunteers
People remember.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oimmPTcJf8
https://bsky.app/profile/rowecartoon.bsky.social/post/3ljohszevyc2x
The other two notable candidates - one ALP, one Independent - spent yesterday shovelling sandbags instead of fundraising from billionaires.
#auspol
At the same time, if the office of PM wishes to be respected it must be respectful to those it represents, esp. in times of trouble.
A good part of the position of PM is providing calm, reassurance and that we're seen?
Why would anyone stick around if they don’t have to, including Dutton?
It is not news…
And I am NOT a Dutton supporter.