Hi Cats,
As you can see I have created a copy of the Cat for you to continue to bicker, argue and occasionally make a reasonable point.
I do hope a solution is found with the original Cat but just in case Sinc doesn’t want to transfer the site to a new generation I have built a replica before the closure so we can migrate as many of the community across as possible.
Programming Note: I rushed out the site so there will be bugs. I can get them fixed but did not want perfection to get in the way for progress.
Community Note: Please let as many cats know of the new blog as soon as possible so we can capture the magic of the original. In particular would love for the original posters to continue their great work here.
Ideological Note: I am an infrequent poster but long time reader of the Cat. The discussions there have been a huge part of my own ideological growth on many issues. In particular free speech is key for me so will have a very similar light touch to the original Cat, potentially adopting my one policy on an earlier forum I built: “No D***heads” which is subjective but surprisingly easy to implement.
Website Note: I will run the Cat as close to possible as the original because I don’t believe in re-inventing the wheel. However if the community so wants I am happy to make changes to improve the experience so if you have any ideas let me know. For anything specific hit me up at the contact form, else go nuts in the comments.
Pandemic fat cats dining out on the taxpayer dollar
EXCLUSIVE
JOHN FERGUSON
Millions of dollars were splurged on pot plants, morning and afternoon teas, psychologists, work from-home allowances and overtime in the pandemic response across Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The government also provided some bureaucrats with “staff recognition” Visa cards, UberEats vouchers and gift cards as part of publicly funded incentive programs.
New figures show nearly $3.4m was pumped into the department for such expenses as a brass quartet and jazz trio and to hire pot plants and keep them alive during 2020.
The government spent nearly $1m on the work-from-home allowance over 10 months and $600,00 on overtime as it struggled to contain the killer coronavirus wave.
The figures highlight the extent to which professional development is emerging as a booming industry for consultants, with coaches and facilitators – some with psychology qualifications – netting more than $1.2m.
Entities under DPC’s umbrella or supported by it include the private office of the Premier, the Victorian Electoral Commission, the office of the Governor and the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner.
The DPC documents show nearly $160,000 was spent on lining the stomachs of bureaucrats and ministers.
The staff spending comes as thousands of businesses in Victoria are struggling to survive after five lockdowns forced by the pandemic.
On one occasion in January 2020, the office of the Premier spent $2811 for catering but the figures also include largesse by the Victorian opposition.
This included more than $1000 at the Tallangatta Football and Netball Club, in northeast Victoria, on March 20 last year for morning and afternoon tea.
There also was catering and zoom reimbursement for the Opposition of $750 on December 18 last year.
A government spokesman said spending on catering should be proportionate and in context with the circumstances. “Guests and stakeholders invited to events and meetings are occasionally provided the courtesy of food and drink,” he said.
On the cost of the working from-home allowance and overtime, the government said the pandemic had thrown up unprecedented challenges. “Tackling the pandemic has understandably generated increased workloads in many areas across the public sector. Employees are entitled to overtime in line with their industrial agreements.
“The Remote Working Allowance was provided to Victorian Public Service employees to cover additional employee costs while they were being directed to work from home in compliance with Victorian chief health officer directions,” he said.
DPC staff are given special coaching lessons on managing parental leave and there is a reliance on qualified psychologists to help with corporate development.
Staff recognition accounted for a $12,779 and work meetings cost $38,109 in food and drink. The work-from-home allowances spiked as Victoria tried to stave off the crushing impact of the coronavirus. In April last year, allowances totalling $195,900 were paid out and in August $122,836 was paid out.
The total from April to January this year was just under $1m, with more than $80,000 being paid out in nine of 10 months reported so far.
It comes as some of the worst affected industries are still battling with the impact of ongoing restrictions.
Oz
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I’m inclined to go for a drive just for the fun of it!
Granny killer!
Don’t you know the Delta Miasma hides in wheel wells, waiting to pounce?
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mh –
Leunig is insidious.
Even when he gets it right, he always, always twists it to attack the right side of politics. Even in the middle of making a point about pushing the narrative, he’s pushing the narrative.
If anything, it’s worse than just following along, because it takes the vital point and redefines it. Leftists will take that cartoon to be about Morrison not rolling our vaccines fast enough.
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Grigsy, how’s Terry?
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Eek! A naked foot.
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Has anyone seen my cardigan? I think I may have left in on the old site. It’s a sort of dark green colour with a small tomato sauce stain near the left pocket. I’ve had it a while and would hate to lose it so let me know if you accidentally picked it up. Thanks.
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Test.
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It’s just like the good old days.
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What a time to be Australian, we are getting mocked by posters on Gateway Pundit.
Thanks you political toerags.
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OMG! My comment hasn’t appeared.
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Of course there will be a little sadness for Sinc . I compare it to leaving a home of 21 years that I planned from the start to even buying the land , overseeing design, building establishing a beautiful garden to move into a retirement apartment . Life changes so we adapt and if you focus on the new challenge and the positives of your choices , there are many new experiences to enjoy . Sinc hasn’t lost the friends he made on Catallaxy and I’m sure he will visit .
I see many who have to move away from their homes as they are not coping , often not wanting to go and become very miserable .
A friend here , 93 ,whose son has cared full time for her for the past 18 months has just had to go into a nursing home and she is miserable . Her history does not help , a Viennese war child whose family fled to Shanghai , caught up in war there but eventually arrived here . A very traumatic life for a child and this move has brought back memories so her son tells me .
Some neighbours here have been encouraged by family to downsize and have help on hand , often take while to settle after 50 years in their home . However like general population some deal with change better than others , adaptability in their personality.
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‘Peeled or unpeeled KD?’
God.
If the question even needs to be asked……
Can’t even deal.
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Thanks Tom and Mark. What happens when this thread expires.
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All good.
However I changed my Gravatar pic and the old one still shows.
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A warning to America from Europe –
https://gab.com/BeachMilk/posts/106680121096056867
Only about a minute long and he does not hold back!
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Diogenes says:
August 2, 2021 at 7:43 am
“You do know that the US doesn’t recognise the AZ at all for travel, and the EU is won’t recognise any AZ manufactured in Australia?”
———–
Have you seen any update on that in recent days? It was definitely the case but I ‘heard’ the government were making representations to the EU (at least) for acceptance. I don’t have an update on progress and this would be another bombshell if AZ remains unacceptable to the US and EU.
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Looking out of my quarantine hotel window in the CBD there has barely been a car on the road since 5am.
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At least they are not blaming NSW for this one
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As for the archiving of the old Cat, forget it. I had bookmarked a number of threads; all gone.
Interestingly the old Bolta links I had to some of his posts, which were excellent, I’m thinking for instance of those about waleed aly, all gone. On balance though, as references the old Cat threads are a bigger loss.
As an ex librarian this sucks. So much for the internet being for ever.
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Thank you Sinc.. The Crown of Doomlord is passing to the Top Cat. Long may he/she/they/ze reign..
And thank you Adam for bringing this site up so fast. And of course to Tom, without whom most of us cannot start the day without a smile. (bloody triple negative :))
Now all we need is some birdy pix from BON and Arky with his jalopy..and the Thorium redux.. Feels like home again 🙂
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Arky bangs on about professional sports.
“Get a real job, losers”
Arky’s sporting career didn’t progress much past the fourth form thirds.
You may as well ask a fish about running shoes.
https://rumble.com/vkmd1s-sport-is-recreation-not-entertainment.html
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Not getting the impression the Australian astrazeneca thing is a big deal
ps://www.traveller.com.au/astrazeneca-vaccine-and-international-travel-will-europe-and-us-allow-australians-to-enter-h1xavq
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Looking out of my quarantine hotel window in the CBD there has barely been a car on the road since 5am.
Feel the North Korea.
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min – yes people’s’ adaptation to institutional life does vary dramatically. There are residents here who push back a lot and for whom nothing is ever good enough. I have found you get much further by acknowledging most people are genuinely doing their best and going with the flow. It is tricky with brain injuries because some can affect personality and sometimes you cannot separate one from the other.
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Have you seen any update on that in recent days? It was definitely the case but I ‘heard’ the government were making representations to the EU (at least) for acceptance. I don’t have an update on progress and this would be another bombshell if AZ remains unacceptable to the US and EU.
Yet more breathtaking government incompetence. If you’re doing vax, then at least do it properly. Nope, fucked that up as well…
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“As for the archiving of the old Cat, forget it. I had bookmarked a number of threads; all gone.”
Adam said, I think further up in this thread, that he had mirrored/downloaded the whole site. He mentioned how huge it was. Perhaps all is not lost.
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https://www.traveller.com.au/astrazeneca-vaccine-and-international-travel-will-europe-and-us-allow-australians-to-enter-h1xavq
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However I changed my Gravatar pic and the old one still shows.
How?
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Millions of dollars were splurged on pot plants, morning and afternoon teas, psychologists, work from-home allowances and overtime in the pandemic response across Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The opposite of what every business had to do? No pot plants, no pay rise, no compensation and plenty of redundancies.
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TBF, the feds went with the only vax they could get supply of at the time.
I also suspect the usual French shenanigans with respect to their companies’ products going on here too.
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Well, hello, there, everyone!
min, up thread, moves can be traumatic and being an adaptable person helps in a big way. But also planning for it and always being aware psychologically that you just may have to walk away from something one day can make it easier.
When people leave their moves too late – when there is real upheaval in their lives and others may have to take over – it can be hard. In that case real helpers and loved ones can assist to make it a bit better.
In the case of The Cat, because this is almost exactly at this stage as it was “over there,” and because we’ve found each other “here.” Well, how good is that!
Thanks to everyone and especially to Adam.
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Trove apparently has saved the old Cat at the behest of the National Library of Australia.
Go see.
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mh says:
August 2, 2021 at 9:30 am
Will Leunig twig that “the narrative” comes from the fascists on his own side of the aisle?
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And here it is, in all it’s glory:
Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said the situation offered a “magnificent opportunity” to ramp up vaccination efforts.
“But … there is national agreement that short, sharp lockdowns are necessary whilst our vaccination rates are increasing.”
This is a national political strategy, lockdowns until you capitulate.
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Its just a few snapshots Bruce
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Here’s a couple of young parents who say getting Covid is the pits:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/medical/sydney-couple-who-contracted-covid-19-warn-others-to-take-the-virus-seriously-after-both-were-hospitalised/ar-AAMOKfc?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
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cohenite, I’m sure Adam said he got the lot.
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Gravatar ✅
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The situation can change at any time but, at the moment, Australians can enter the UK and (some) EU countries, without quarantine, on the strength of a recent negative PCR test.
Once in Europe (including the UK) travelling around becomes a bit of a mission. It largely depends on which border you need to cross and what passport you travel on, but it’s a mix of PCR tests, various lengths of self-isolation, and potentially quarantine.
All a bit of a fustercluck.
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“Adam said, I think further up in this thread, that he had mirrored/downloaded the whole site. He mentioned how huge it was. Perhaps all is not lost.”
Outstanding, but it depends whether the comments are caught as well.
The Trove collection is very hit and miss and this comes up a lot:
“Webpage snapshot not found
It looks like we don’t have this webpage snapshot. The following links may be of assistance:
View the live site, if it still exists”
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Rickw, just go to Gravatar.com
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Anyone else in Melbourne getting flies in the house? It’s winter, ffs, what are they doing here?!!
Where’s Calli when you need advice?!
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Here’s a classic case where my experience with the media means I wouldn’t trust that story for a second Lizzie..
It’s the MSM……why even post it?
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Article from the Daily Mail
“Read the texts from Ben Roberts-Smith’s ex demanding accusers ‘prove’ war crime claims against her then husband – before she spectacularly turned on him – as she prepares to give evidence AGAINST him
Australia’s most decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith is suing Nine newspapers
Afghanistan veteran and VC recipient claims he was portrayed as a war criminal
Federal Court has heard he was a victim of jealous and bitter former comrades
Mr Roberts-Smith’s ex-wife Emma is set to give evidence for Nine at the hearing
In 2018 she sent a text to her friend Danielle Scott supporting her then husband”
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Which Australians can do that Dr F?
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Who are all these terrified year 12 students for whom the Central Coast and other area vaccines have been diverted? Like last weekend’s protesters they don’t exist, but their teachers do and they are very, very peeved. More listening and less bullshitting please Gladys.
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If a lock down doesn’t go for an incubation period then what is it for
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Grigory M says:
August 2, 2021 at 10:26 am
Trolls are now staking their ground at the new Cat.
That’s why it needs a steady hand like CL at the helm. It wouldn’t require 24/7 attendance — moderators can be delegated in small shifts to spread the load with policy guidance from CL HQ, the way it operates in professional media and in other internet spaces (I’ve done it for a living).
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Gravatar test
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If a lock down doesn’t go for an incubation period then what is it for
They just announce things things week by week, nobody sane believes it was only going for ‘four days’.
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Have you seen any update on that in recent days? It was definitely the case but I
I have no idea if my information is out of date, will be happy to be proved wrong, but as a way of shutting up the “I want to travel so get the fucking jab” it was priceless.
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Any Australian who can negotiate their way out of Big ScoMo’s HappyPrison.
Not up to posting links, but Goggle ‘green list’ and you’ll get the idea.
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Knuckle Dragger says:
August 2, 2021 at 10:21 am
The NT News:
‘ALICE Springs police are reminding residents to lock up their belongings after they received six reports of break-ins over the last 24 hours.
Southern Watch Commander, Acting Senior Sergeant, Jared Porch, said three break-ins occurred from 10pm on Saturday through to 6am Sunday, at local caravan parks.’
Items stolen reportedly had a combined value of $1.80.
‘He said all were opportunistic break-ins related to vehicles or caravans being unlocked.’
Their owners must be disappointed. They were probably hoping that they’d be driven away.
Nephew driving north just above Feralton WA. Car breaks down calls garage they tow car away leaving caravan on side of road. Nephew wakes up to find couple of blokes hitching it up to take it away.
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“It’s the MSM……why even post it?”
Because of this Struth: From Ann Barnhardt:
The reason why so many DeathJabbed people are pushy and adamant about you getting the DeathJab too, is because deep-down they fear that they made a stupid mistake and don’t want to be alone with their freely-chosen error. If they go down, you have to go down with them. It’s inconceivable and enraging to them that you made the right choice and they did not. They followed “the scientism”. You HAVE to be wrong. Even if you are right, you MUST be DeathJabbed too so that everyone suffers equally.
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It is to give contact tracers time to identify the list of ‘naughty’ pl