I’m having NBN flashbacks… Labor has a good plan that’s getting implemented, Liberals propose a terrible plan that has the potential to undo all of the good that’s underway… And next minute we’re on FTTN / implementing nuclear.
How is it nonsense? You have a certain earning potential. If you choose to have 7 children, you both limit your earning potential due to the time investment of breeding and the need to spread your available income over more dependants. This isn’t some class warfare shit. Rich people can afford to have more children because they’re rich. We don’t start on a level playing field. There are exceptions of course but they are exactly that - exceptions.
Why doesn’t Shorten just use ChatGPT to write his speeches?
While there’s no direct evidence that Bill Shorten uses ChatGPT to write his speeches, it’s an intriguing thought! 😄
However, let’s delve into the reality. Bill Shorten, the Australian politician and former leader of the Australian Labor Party, has faced scrutiny over the use of a high-priced speechwriter. Here are some key points:
Speechwriter Contract: A speechwriter named Julianne Stewart was contracted to provide speeches for Bill Shorten. The contract amounted to more than $620,000 over two years. Quite the hefty sum!
External Contractor: The interesting twist is that Julianne Stewart was an external contractor, engaged outside of the agency and beyond the Australian Public Service. This decision raised eyebrows, especially since the agency already had internal resources for speechwriting.
Minister’s Denial: Bill Shorten has denied any involvement in setting the salary or negotiating the contract. He stated that the hiring of a speechwriter was done by Services Australia, and he had no idea about the payment details. So, no ChatGPT conspiracy here!
Role and Responsibilities: Julianne Stewart’s role extended beyond just writing speeches for Shorten. She also writes for Services Australia and mentors and trains internal communications officers. Perhaps she’s a multitasking wordsmith!
Senate Scrutiny: Liberal senators questioned why an internal candidate wasn’t chosen for the job, especially given the existing capacity within the agency. The issue became a point of contention during Senate Estimates.
In summary, while ChatGPT might not be directly involved, the world of political speechwriting remains fascinating and occasionally controversial. Maybe one day, AI will lend its creative prowess to crafting political rhetoric! 🤖🎙️
Why isn’t public transport free? That’s the sort of thing I want my taxes going towards.
From memory the cost of implementing Go cards and enforcing fares cost more than the income generated anyway. At 50c a pop I’m sure it is now.
Rather than paying private companies to implement ticketing on public transport, then expecting the public to put more money towards a private company’s profit margin why not just cut out the middle man and make it free?
Pretty sure it’s +10%/-0%… i.e. it can read up to 10% faster than reality, but can never read slower than reality. That’s why most cars speedos tend to be out by around +5% to +8% from factory - making sure they are right in the middle, with a slight bias towards reading faster.
I watched this on ABC and it just felt grotesque from start to finish.
I especially enjoyed the Ava(?) kid who’s mum is going on about how it’s totally cool, her kid loves it, it doesn’t affect her negatively… but also she cant go out in public by herself as they’re worried one of her “fans” might do something to her.
Broader adoption of keeping cats safe at home would have large benefits for cat welfare, human health, local wildlife and even the economy. So, should cat owners be required to keep their pets contained to their property?...
That’s a whole heap of words to say “maybe”. On the other side of the world.
If you’re happy being a selfish piece of shit, feel free to leave your cat roam. When Mittens gets hit by a car / contracts feline aids / otherwise meets a premature death, you can rest easy knowing that akshually it was probably pesticides.
“There’s a possibility that some other factor may play a part in offsetting one of the negative impacts of free-range cats… therefore, all other positives of containing pets may be completely ignored”
Foxes are also introduced, so I’d say cats everywhere are “better” because there’s half a chance their numbers can be reduced through requirements for owners to contain them.
Also, cats can be baited too if required. And, IMO, it is at the point where it’s required.
Federal Coalition commits to dumping 2030 climate target as it pursues nuclear power (www.abc.net.au)
In short: The Coalition says Labor will fail to meet the Paris Agreement emissions reductions target but will damage Australian industry in trying....
Pay Day with demographer Liz Allen: 'Poverty grants perspective that can never be bought' (www.abc.net.au)
This bit resonated....
Temperatures drop below freezing in parts of Queensland as cold snap arrives (www.abc.net.au)
I thought is was a bit chilly this morning, had to get the beanie out to keep my ears warm
Taxpayers forking out $600,000 for Bill Shorten's speechwriter over two years (www.abc.net.au)
Um… $300,000 a year. Do sparkles explode from the page as you read her writing?
Eat City - Browns Plains (2023) (music.youtube.com)
An ode to the greatest suburb in Brisbane
Well, maybe not so much on Lemmy... but I reckon I know whats going on in /r/brisbane right meow (aussie.zone)
This Brisbane CBD lift is so unreliable, it’s been out of service almost half the days in 2024 (www.brisbanetimes.com.au)
Archive/non-paywall link.
More emergencies than heroin, more arrests than cocaine. Why haven't you heard of this drug? (www.abc.net.au)
Queensland slashes public transport fares to 50c in six-month trial (www.theguardian.com)
Roadside cameras to make $94 million less than Queensland government expectations (www.abc.net.au)
In short: Queensland has a range of roadside cameras to detect offences such as speeding, mobile phone use, and not wearing a seatbelt....
ALAT. (lemmy.world)
Inside the world of 'kidfluencers' where children make thousands from social media — at a cost (www.abc.net.au)
Keeping pet cats indoors would save millions of native animals and billions of dollars. So what's stopping us? (www.abc.net.au)
Broader adoption of keeping cats safe at home would have large benefits for cat welfare, human health, local wildlife and even the economy. So, should cat owners be required to keep their pets contained to their property?...
What is cake day called on Lemmy?