Dear reader,
Funding grants can get you into hot water. Something about ‘process’ and ‘accountability’.
Another fascinating extract from our scribe from the distant north-west in which he has a touch of the ‘plus la changes’. Sadly it seems that in spite of the best efforts of bureaucrats to find worthwhile initiatives when the rest of the economy is shut down they’ve failed once again, (in the tradition of secondary and tertiary education) to grasp the meaning of ‘imagination’
This is a source of some reassurance to us at pcbycp as we lie awake at night worried that there may be a Federal ICAC. If there were, in any shape manner or form more robust than ‘insipid’, our recent grant of $2000.00 dollars received for a pie warmer might put us in hot water. The urn which the federal government paid for, ( a handsome 40 litre stainless steel device with a special built in milk warmer), produces a reliable and efficient stream of hot water, for which we are truly grateful. Particularly as Ms Culthorpe has been unwell since returning from her stint as a parliamentary intern. We are also exceedingly grateful for our allocation of two car-parking spaces in the soon to be constructed multi level car park at our local railway station. Though we don’t possess a car, we are hoping to lease the spaces out to an enterprising man representing one of the big global firms who will build this vital piece of infrastructure. Thus demonstrating with vertical integration and tax benefits the little man will reap great reward from the ” trickle down effect”.
That’s why the P.M likes to keep a lid on accountability. Ask no questions and he’ll tell no lies.
We think that’s what Frank is talking about in this missive, the trickle down effect of funding to indigenous Australians going into the pockets of white and well-meaning bureaucrats so that they may afford a third, fourth or fifth investment property. Thus providing jobs and growth.
We live in hope,
Frank writes…..
Tovarishchi,
Many years ago, Jack Waterford wrote a brilliant article in the Canberra Times in which he discussed ‘Engagement’.
From memory the article started by reminding the readers of the meaning of ‘engagement’ he’d grown up with: Either a military encounter, or a prelude to marriage.
The article then went on to discuss how the word had come to be used as a euphemistic replacement of Government ‘consultation’ with Aboriginal Australia.
In a Dispatch the difference was defined:
Consultation is when you ask (sitting in the dirt)
Engagement is when you tell (pointing the finger)
Michaelia is also working on an ” insipid” federal anti-corruption authority’.
In My Yuendumu Story (yes folks it is still available) I devoted five pages (203-208) to the evolution of the Training Allowance to CDEP, then RJCP and finally and alarmingly CDP. So, imagine my indescribable joy when a ten-page discussion paper for the ‘Indigenous skills, engagement and employment Program’ with its mandatory acronym (ISEP) landed on my desk. Why has the word ‘insipid’ popped into my head?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as8K3H7Rros (Joy to the World- Three Dog Night)
If I’d find some spare time, I was going to study this exciting proposed new program, but I don’t have to. Under the heading:
‘The short and troubled life and sudden death of the Community Development Program’,
the good folk at CAEPR are holding a forum:
Wednesday, 6 October at 12pm to 1.30pm (presumably AEST) Via Zoom: https://anu.zoom.us/j/86720124052?pwd=VjM3ajRldWx4QXc3T0h6TjhoUi96Zz09
Apologies for the very short notice
And now the latest from Robert Zimmerman:
Michaelia’s anti corruption authority is promised to have as much bite as a ‘plate of marshmellow’s’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRrlFYg2QkI
So few words, so much said.
See ya’s
Frank