Opinion Domestic Politics BF style

[bomberclifford]

That's what it looks like. As to the authenticity of the video, the Advertiser used a pretty highly regarded forensic analyst (Dr Mathew Sorrell, 'an internationally recognised expert in the field of digital evidence who is regularly used by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for high profile cases of murder and organised crime') who seems to confirm it as real:

'Dr Sorell broke the pictures down into a series of numbers using a 'hexadecimal file viewer and found no anomalies'. He found consistent lighting and reflections and says the image resolution and metadata of the photos and video are 'mutually consistent with their content' even when viewed at the hexadecimal level.'

"I have checked multiple points of reference including the digital file structures of each photo and video, the embedded metadata and the content of each graph/video", he says and "It is in my opinion that each file is internally consistent and shows no indication of alteration of content or metadata". I am unable to identify any of the characteristics of photograph manipulation that would be consistent with photograph alteration and video synthesis- so-called 'deepfake' video.

Regardless of the authenticity of the video, the leaking of it to the Advertiser is clearly politically motivated to deeply embarrass Speirs and destroy any chance of him reviving his political career either within the Liberal Party or as a rogue independent or even turncoat Minister in a Labor Government as happened with former Liberal leader Martin Hamilton Smith.

Probably stating the obvious but my guess is that the only people who feel so violently opposed to David Speirs to do this are his opponents within his own Liberal Party as he poses no threat to the Labor Govt now he has resigned.

As someone who has snorted drugs off a plate in someone's kitchen, I too can vouch for the authenticity of the photos.

Also, his eyes. Mofo is ****ing flying.

 

[Grave Danger]

lol

"The Advertiser is not suggesting any wrongdoing on Mr Speirs’ behalf, nor is it asserting the substance was illicit."

 

[edgie]

Am I the only one who doesn't give a shit what people put up their nose in their own time?

If your 'in someone else's time', ie a taxpayer, involves preaching stuff like law and order and crime and punishment, there's some sort of expectation to not be a total hypocrite breaking the same laws you champion and avoiding the punishment you encourage and being a part of the chain of organised crime (the consumer).

Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using Tapatalk

 

[Festerz]

As someone who has snorted drugs off a plate in someone's kitchen, I too can vouch for the authenticity of the photos.

Also, his eyes. Mofo is ****ing flying.

You're a deep fake yourself aren't you?

 

[Festerz]

lol

"The Advertiser is not suggesting any wrongdoing on Mr Speirs’ behalf, nor is it asserting the substance was illicit."

That line always cracks me up.

Well yeah, you ARE suggesting exactly that.

A bit like the 'white powder' comment. As if it might be just baking soda- you know, that nasal cleaning product that's all the rage these days.

 

[bomberclifford]

You're a deep fake yourself aren't you?

I've been accused of lot of things.
Deep is not one of them.

 

[JimmyBC]

You can't tell me Vincent Tarzia has never hoovered up some nice gear with that giant hooter of his.

 

[Festerz]

If your 'in someone else's time', ie a taxpayer, involves preaching stuff like law and order and crime and punishment, there's some sort of expectation to not be a total hypocrite breaking the same laws you champion and avoiding the punishment you encourage and being a part of the chain of organised crime (the consumer).

Hope you're not implying David Speirs is a hypocrite edgie?

I mean Speirs biggest achievement as Environment Minister in the Marshall Government was banning single use plastic straws in SA.

And that video clearly shows him using a $5 note for his coke snorting. So bravo David for being an environmentally friendly user.

 

[KrispyKremeMullanikka]

Hope you're not implying David Speirs is a hypocrite edgie?

I mean Speirs biggest achievement as Environment Minister in the Marshall Government was banning single use plastic straws in SA.

And that video clearly shows him using a $5 note for his coke snorting. So bravo David for being an environmentally friendly user.

View attachment 2108254

David Spiers bio should be:

David Spiers, Member for Black, Former leader of the opposition, and an environmentally friendly drug user.

 

[Grave Danger]

Perhaps like Woolies home deliveries, his coke dealer has to have photographic evidence of the delivery.

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

ACCC takes Woolworths and Coles to court over alleged misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ claims

The ACCC has commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths Group Limited (ASX:WOW) and Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Coles Group Limited - ASX: COL) for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers through discount...

www.accc.gov.au

 

[TazD]

ACCC takes Woolworths and Coles to court over alleged misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ claims

The ACCC has commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths Group Limited (ASX:WOW) and Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Coles Group Limited - ASX: COL) for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers through discount...

www.accc.gov.au

Gather round, Woolies and Coles are going to get another $30000 fine. That'll teach em!

 

[It Just Is]

ACCC takes Woolworths and Coles to court over alleged misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ claims

The ACCC has commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths Group Limited (ASX:WOW) and Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Coles Group Limited - ASX: COL) for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers through discount...

www.accc.gov.au

I get the pile on but feel banks and in particular card transactions fees are far bigger ripoffs to consumers currently than the supermarket

 

[edgie]

I get the pile on but feel banks and in particular card transactions fees are far bigger ripoffs to consumers currently than the supermarket

And insurance

Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using Tapatalk

 

[Grave Danger]

Embattled steelworks behind in payments, with SA government acknowledging possibility of administration

The SA government says it has sought advice from insolvency experts about the situation at the Whyalla steelworks, with the premier acknowledging contingency plans are being made for every possible "eventuality", including "something going wrong".

www.abc.net.au

 

[Festerz]

Embattled steelworks behind in payments, with SA government acknowledging possibility of administration

The SA government says it has sought advice from insolvency experts about the situation at the Whyalla steelworks, with the premier acknowledging contingency plans are being made for every possible "eventuality", including "something going wrong".

www.abc.net.au

The fact that royalty payments to government on a big taxpayer funded loan are behind and that workers and sub contractors to the Whyalla steelworks have not been paid is of huge concern. As is the fact that the blast furnace is yet again out of action and seems to be in danger of failing completely.

But I just wish the local media would put their big boy journalism pants on and go beyond the simple blame game politicking and personal attacks on Sanjeev Gupta. How about investigating the bigger issues at play here that explain WHY Gupta, who was once welcomed as a hero and a saviour of the city of Whyalla when he financially invested to rescue the business from the withdrawal of BHP and the financial collapse of Arrium, is now struggling to make his investment work.

The Whyalla steelworks have been in some sort of economic crisis for decades but the biggest danger of all for the steelworks and the people of Whyalla is the fact that, due mainly to economic conditions in China, global steel prices have fallen sharply over the course of this year (down by 14%) and almost 50% below what they were in September 2021. Falling demand and global prices for steel means that a relatively small (in global terms) and ageing plant like Whyalla that was always marginal in terms of viability is now at huge risk of total failure/closure which would be devastating for a regional city like Whyalla.

Yes, a billionaire missing royalty payments and underpaying workers is worthy of investigation and damning criticism.

But by focussing their attacks solely on the owner for the past year the local media seem to have been ignoring the elephant in the room. And that ABC story is the first one that comes close to getting the balance right.

The SA Govt is in talks with Australia’s largest steel maker BlueScope as a potential rescuer of the Whyalla steelworks and has also spoken with Nippon Steel Corporation, POSCO (South Korea), Thyssenkrupp (Germany) and Tata Steel (India). But, as it was for the original owner of the steelworks (BHP) and has been for GFG, the location, size and scale of the Whyalla plant makes it a marginal commercial proposition at best (let alone find close to a billion dollars for a new environmentally friendly furnace).

As for Gupta, I fear his financial investment in SA - including as a sponsor of the PAFC - is drawing to a close.

 

[Festerz]

A jury has unanimously found South Australian MP Troy Bell guilty of theft and dishonesty charges for stealing more than $436,000 from an educational not-for-profit.

The former Liberal Party and now Independent member for the seat of Mount Gambier now faces the prospect of a gaol sentence and losing his position in Parliament, forcing a by election

SA MP Troy Bell found guilty on 20 counts of theft - InDaily

www.indaily.com.au

A reminder that the criminal charges against Bell stemmed from a 2017 SA ICAC investigation - under powers which have now been substantially whittled down by a unanimous decision of South Australian MPs and upper house members.

 

[_VXV]

A jury has unanimously found South Australian MP Troy Bell guilty of theft and dishonesty charges for stealing more than $436,000 from an educational not-for-profit.

The former Liberal Party and now Independent member for the seat of Mount Gambier now faces the prospect of a gaol sentence and losing his position in Parliament, forcing a by election

SA MP Troy Bell found guilty on 20 counts of theft - InDaily

www.indaily.com.au

A reminder that the criminal charges against Bell stemmed from a 2017 SA ICAC investigation - under powers which have now been substantially whittled down by a unanimous decision of South Australian MPs and upper house members.

I’m sure that’s just a coincidence

 

[Festerz]

I’m sure that’s just a coincidence

Yep. No need for an ICAC with special powers to keep tabs on our pollies and senior bureaucrats. They're all fine upstanding citizens...

Err, hang on



And these are just the ones who got caught. None of them admitting they did anything wrong of course.

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

Former SA Liberal leader to face court charged with drug offences, police confirm

Former SA opposition leader David Speirs has been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance and will face court, police have confirmed.

www.abc.net.au

 

[TazD]

Big tech and their AI got him

 

[Festerz]

Big tech and their AI got him

If Speirs does have a substance abuse problem then his addiction is a health issue and not a criminal problem and most people would wish him well in his recovery for a problem that pervades modern society.

But SAPOL have arrested and charged Speirs with two counts of supplying a controlled substance. The first is on the 2nd August of this year (the date of the SA Parliament MidWinter Ball) and the 2nd charge relates to an incident of the 9th August (the day after he announced his shock resignation as Liberal Party leader). Unlike a use offence, a supply offence for anything other than marijuana is a crime that carries a maximum $50,000 fine and 10-year prison term.

As shown in the video below, Speirs himself vehemently denies he has taken any illicit substance, let alone being involved with the supply offences of which he has been arrested. And I have no doubt he will have the very best legal defence money can buy, as serving and former high profile MPs almost always seem to be able to access and afford.

But serving politicians, and a former political leader in this case, using a carefully curated and rehearsed video to tell their own version of events on Facebook and blaming unnamed others rather than facing up to the media scrutiny and interview on the police criminal charges laid against them is cowardly BS imho - but I'm biased.

 

[raptalia]

I get the pile on but feel banks and in particular card transactions fees are far bigger ripoffs to consumers currently than the supermarket

Yeah, tell me about it. It isn't just the banks, I just bought a couple of domestic airline tickets and paid $18.45 for the privilege of using my VISA Card to complete an online transaction. I wouldn't moan if I had any alternative but airlines want us to pay by card then charge us the surcharge and a handling fee.

I have noticed that more and more businesses are applying card handling fees to their transactions. The move to a cashless society will be a windfall for many large enterprises.

 

[It Just Is]

Yeah, tell me about it. It isn't just the banks, I just bought a couple of domestic airline tickets and paid $18.45 for the privilege of using my VISA Card to complete an online transaction. I wouldn't moan if I had any alternative but airlines want us to pay by card then charge us the surcharge and a handling fee.

I have noticed that more and more businesses are applying card handling fees to their transactions. The move to a cashless society will be a windfall for many large enterprises.

That’s a fair clip of the ticket. There’s no way it costs over $18 to facilitate a single electric transaction.

 

[raptalia]

That’s a fair clip of the ticket. There’s no way it costs over $18 to facilitate a single electric transaction.

Businesses charge on a percentage of sale basis but it should cost no more to process a 1k sale than it does to process a 10K sale. Of course they will say they are only passing on the EFT charges etc. I recently discovered that at my local pub they apply a surcharge for card sales. Buy a beer with cash and you pay the asking price use a card and you pay a surcharge. It also applies to TAB, Keno and lottery sales. Of course they do not publicise this fact.

A cashless society will come at a cost to us the consumers.