The latest piece by Vince (AKA Drunk Guy)

Queensland’s government debt bill is said to be costing over $10 million a day in interest payments ever since this state Labor government lost its AAA rating. So far, all of the other states have managed to retain theirs even though some are in dire financial predicaments. It seems that no money is safe from the clutches of Bligh.

In a recent move, Bligh has raided $10 million from the coffers of a community benefit fund to support its floundering solar rebate scheme, depriving many charities of much-needed grant money. The move mandates that $3.3 million each year be diverted into the solar rebate scheme.

Mary Philip, who has been on the Community Benefit Committee for 10 years, has resigned in protest at this interference. The Community Benefit Committee manages the fund, which delivered over $35 million from gambling revenue to charities and not-for-profit community organisations last year.

It is also reported that other members of the committee are intending to resign when their time for renewal comes up in August. There are concerns that this approach by the state government could set a precedent for future similar interventions, with more money being diverted away from not for profit community groups like , surf life saving clubs, environmental groups, shelters, kindergartens, scouting groups, churches and disability groups.

Community Benefit Committee member Richard Bowley said the committee was “very unhappy” with the government interference and lack of consultation.” We feel this is an intrusion, getting a directive from the Premier’s Department and then the Minister to redirect funds,” Mr Bowley said.
Bligh has accepted Ms Philip’s resignation and attempted to excuse the interference by claiming that community groups will benefit from solar.

While it’s commendable to add the solar hot water and /or power to the list of items that can be allowable as items that can be applied for funding for, and Anna Bligh has said that any money not applied for solar will still be available for other purposes that fit the criteria, some groups will be at a disadvantage. Although Bligh claims the $10 million over 3 years will have very little impact on community groups across Queensland, the groups that are incorporated and also own property will be able to make claims at the expense of smaller groups who cannot as they own no property.

The government expects that up to $3.3 million a year will be directed to solar applications and would save Queensland charities up to $245,000 collectively in electricity costs.

Bligh also said “Asking the committee to give priority to particular applications is consistent with the Act and not unusual,” she said. “Indeed, it was done in relation to Cyclone Larry, the introduction of Prep year, equine influenza and projects in rural and regional Queensland.”

There is a big difference between asking for funds to be directed to assist those in need due to hardship, and simply diverting much needed funds to prop up a government initiative which may be at risk of falling short. I’m sure this is not the purpose of the Gambling community benefit fund.

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This is a story that should never have been. Channel 7, in all of their tabloid glory, have taken to following State Labor ministers in their time off.  With complete insensitivity towards David Campbell’s family, and his mental well-being, Channel 7’s “investigative reporting” has single-handedly destroyed this man’s career and seen him publicly humiliated nationwide.

He committed no crime. He didn’t break any parliamentary rules. There are no restrictions on personal use of government cars. His “crime”, in the eyes of Channel 7 was to visit a gay sex club. As this rather sympathetic Herald article notes, “Campbell did not pay men for sex; he was in a club which does not admit minors and whose sole purpose is to provide a venue at which willingly consenting adult men have sex with each other.”

The fact that he also happens to have a wife and two children should not be cause for exposing this other facet of his personal life to the world. It is not for us to pass moral judgements on such actions; it is simply none of our bloody business. The mainstream media should be ashamed for plastering this story all over the headlines, and for including ridiculous details like the club’s website description as ”the spacious, clean and safe place to meet sexy guys”. Really, one would expect better from the Herald.

As for News Limited, they never miss an opportunity to stick the knife into NSW state Labor (not that it needs much help). “The final nail in NSW Labor’s coffin” is the editorial line penned by Simon Benson. On Campbell he writes:

Now this. Another minister forced to resign because of questions about his personal ethics.

David Campbell’s resignation raises questions about the man’s integrity. Of that there is no doubt.

Campbell didn’t resign over questions about his personal ethics. This is a man who has had the most intimate details of his personal life broadcast to the nation. He resigned to deal with the inevitable fallout within his own family. His resignation reveals nothing about his political integrity whatsoever. Honestly, Simon Benson’s role as the Daily Telegraph’s chief political reporter is laughable considering its lack of coherence and clumsy language. Furthermore he’s completely daft if he thinks the state election “can’t come soon enough for most voters” – as if we have a credible opposition in the state of New South Wales.

I suspect we will never know if David Campbell was honest with his wife and children, or if he kept his “other life” a secret from them. Either way, it’s absolutely nothing to do with his role as a politician and therefore should be out of bounds for the media. One wonders if the same fate would have befallen him if he merely had been visiting a mistress in Sydney, as I’m sure many of his colleagues do.

Update: Looks like Keneally has done the right thing and left open the possibility of David Campbell returning to a ministry position. She attacked the media for its invasive reporting but nevertheless attacked Campbell for leading a double life and betraying the trust of his family. A politically motivated hedge if ever I saw one.

“I think it is appalling that he kept this secret, particularly from his family and his colleagues.

“I also think it is appalling that we live in a society that he had to keep this secret.”

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