Australia attracted international media attention recently. It wasn’t due to a research break-through by one of our leading scientists, or the success of one of our outstanding sports men or women. It wasn’t even about Tony Abbott’s blue ties.
Rather, the enormous round of international publicity was about Johnny Depp’s dogs! Some no doubt found it amusing but incidents like this do our international reputation harm and it didn’t need to be.
Depp appears to have easily avoided the scrutiny of Customs and Department of Agriculture officials. It was a very serious breach of our quarantine although given Depp’s dogs live better than most of us the threat in this case was probably small.
The key point is the publicity was completely unnecessary. The matter should have been handled internally – dogs quarantined, deported first chance, fine imposed, remedial policy developed and implemented to stop it happening again. End of story.
But rather than take responsibility for the breach, Barnaby Joyce launched a personal attack on one of Hollywood’s stars, a bit of theatre he knew would attract international attention. Particularly given his threat to put the dogs down.
Could he argue it had deterrence affect? Yeah, to all those in the US and the UK who were thinking about smuggling their dogs in the next time they visit!
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A media release from Member for Paterson Bob Baldwin caught my eye last week. My old sparring partner wants residents to be happy that Hunter Councils have received funding thanks to the latest round of Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs). These are standard annual allocations and it would certainly be a big story if our Councils didn’t receive an allocation.
What Bob Baldwin didn’t say is that due to a Budget decision to freeze the indexation of the grants, Council’s in the Paterson and Hunter electorates will receive $14 million less over four years than should have been the case. This is a big hit on our cash-strapped Councils and will mean less money for much needed local projects.
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It was great to meet residents of Denman, Merriwa, Kandos and Rylstone last week at the mobile offices held in their towns.
My mobile offices are a great opportunity for people around my electorate to see me or my staff to raise issues that are of concern to them.
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I am always keen to assist with issues or questions relating to Federal Government departments or put you in contact with someone who can, so please ring, write, visit the website or call in.
Why not go the extra step by following me on my Facebook page “Joel Fitzgibbon” or on Twitter and type in the search bar “fitzhunter”. Or by regularly checking my website at www.joelfitzgibbon.com or you can even sign up to my E-Newsletter.
To contact the office, phone 1300 301 753, visit www.joelfitzgibbon.com or by post 3 Edward Street, (PO Box 526) Cessnock, 2325.
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