From the Crikey grapevine, the latest tips and rumours …
Stone slams cabinet on SPC. As federal Liberal MP Sharman Stone said of the federal government’s decision not to bail out Shepparton fruit cannery SPC Ardmona on 7.30 last night: “We’re looking at massive unemployment. We’re looking at environmental devastation, too, because we’ve got more orchards to be bulldozed.” And earlier on Twitter the backbencher — and she should probably get used to that view in the chamber — got a little personal in regards to her colleagues in cabinet …
A “catastrophic” cabinet decision? That’s what her constituents want to hear, but how much rope will Tony Abbott give her?
The no-nonsense radio knob. Fun in commercial radio circles. This from a station insider; the names have been removed to protect the innocent/guilty …
“There’s been a massive blow up at [redacted] today after the general manager [redacted] was caught shit caning another executive in front of staff. In a stroke of ‘brilliance’, [redacted] decided to knock down all the walls and dividers between offices but he forgot that sound travels and was bagging out sales chief [redacted]. About a dozen of us, including people who work for [redacted], heard this happen and it’s been wildfire through the place. [Redacted] has turned out to be a knob and is renowned for getting people’s names wrong and having an eye for the girls around the place. He’s made some crazy choices about the station and since he started ratings have dived.”
East Timor graffiti. Seems like Australia’s role in sensitive negotiations with East Timor (also called Timor-Leste) over oil and gas — cue claims of spying and ASIO raids — is not playing out well in Dili. We were intrigued to see these pics from the Timorese capital …
It must be said, this is of a much higher artistic standard than most graffiti. If you’ve got some interesting / thought-provoking street art near you, be sure to take a photo and send it to us.
Taxpayers revolt over ABC? “The ABC is out of control.” So says the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, which dispatched a letter to supporters calling for a “wholesale root and branch review of the ABC and its future in Australia” …
The body’s executive director, Tim Andrews, has had it with the “disgraceful and unsubstantiated smears” — from the ABC, that is, not the Abbott government. It’s unclear whether Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull will seek the guidance of Andrews in his efficiency review …
Turnbul faces letter cuts. Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull’s efficiency drive has already kicked in, as ABC journo Cameron Best noted — even on his own name …
Happy Friday, readers. Finally, this just in from an anonymous tipster: “You’re a bunch of dopes.” It’s hard to disagree.
*Heard anything that might interest Crikey? Send your tips to boss@crikey.com.au or use our guaranteed anonymous form
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