The biggest charade in Australian sporting history

[morgoth]

Anyone remember the staged australia day riots? And people think they are above using a report to get off the front page?

It's time to name names.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

Anyone remember the staged australia day riots? And people think they are above using a report to get off the front page?

It's time to name names.

Not if it interferes with ongoing criminal investigations, nor inhibits the potential for successful prosecution.

Life does not adhere to the short news cycle. But I guess everyday they don't is a day you can make posts aimed at cheap political points scoring.

 

[GOAUS!]

Everyone just needs to calm down a bit here, there are ongoing investigations and the names will come out as soon as they have finished. It's really that simple, the AFL can't reveal the names because their bound by confidentiality to the ACC.

 

[morgoth]

Not if it interferes with ongoing criminal investigations, nor inhibits the potential for successful prosecution.

Life does not adhere to the short news cycle. But I guess everyday they don't is a day you can make posts aimed at cheap political points scoring.

You forget they sent the guy behind it overseas and how did obeid and co get away with it for so long?

I hope it is bullshit and the report is real but indent trust politicians from either side when they are trying to cling to power. They all use stunts.

 

[griminisivic]

If they do raids and prosecutions quickly, people will move on. If nothing is made public, ever injury or break out season will be suss. It won't be pretty.

As the minister said in the press conference the other day, they have handed over the information gathered in their 12 month long investigation to state government authoraties to do the crime fighting and charging........ We are at least months and most likely years away from prosecution and convictions.

What was the point of the presser really then? If it wasn't to get her nice new glasses and bright orange blouse onto prime time TV, what was it? Surely not to make all the CEO of the countries professionall sporting codes look like naughty little school boys?

 

[DivideandMultiply]

You forget they sent the guy behind it overseas and how did obeid and co get away with it for so long?

I hope it is bullshit and the report is real but indent trust politicians from either side when they are trying to cling to power. They all use stunts.

They do indeed.

But to publicly announce the general findings of a multi agency twelve month investigation, that would have cost millions and probably still will is beyond a stunt.

What has happened so far, is also fairly standard practice in this sort of situation (large inquiry).

No doubt there will be leaks, some deliberate, some inadvertent, but as law enforcement and legal processes begin to take their course, names will be named.

The article no doubt has a political agenda, expecting instant resolution or gratification is also a product of the short news cycle.

 

[Donakebab]

Kate Lundy reminds me of Sarah Palin

Because she's a female politician who wears glasses? About as far as the similarities go. Bob Katter is a closer match to Palin.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

As the minister said in the press conference the other day, they have handed over the information gathered in their 12 month long investigation to state government authoraties to do the crime fighting and charging........ We are at least months and most likely years away from prosecution and convictions.

What was the point of the presser really then? If it wasn't to get her nice new glasses and bright orange blouse onto prime time TV, what was it? Surely not to make all the CEO of the countries professionall sporting codes look like naughty little school boys?

No.

Part law enforcement tactic, part strategised public announcement. What if the media leaked the story? What happens when questions are raised about a secret 12 month investigation and news media demands comments and an explanation about what has happened to vast sums of public funds?

They are trying to control the situation, so my guess is the announcement was carefully and strategically timed in a way that most benefits the investigation.

 

[B4Bear]

As the minister said in the press conference the other day, they have handed over the information gathered in their 12 month long investigation to state government authoraties to do the crime fighting and charging........ We are at least months and most likely years away from prosecution and convictions.

What was the point of the presser really then? If it wasn't to get her nice new glasses and bright orange blouse onto prime time TV, what was it? Surely not to make all the CEO of the countries professionall sporting codes look like naughty little school boys?

Because some corrupt fool in a State Government would have leaked the investigtion to the press in a flash.

Those that are guilty should be crapping themselves, those that have done nothing wrong will have nothing to worry about.

As soon as the ACC got involved it was always going to get ugly.

 

[JeffDunne]

About as far as the similarities go. Bob Katter is a closer match to Palin.

Maybe on politics . . . on intellectual capacity, half of Federal Parliament would fit that description.

 

[lihei]

a Murdoch paper having a crack at the Labor government?

well i never...

Ever read that left wing loony rag The Age??

 

[carnthemlions]

Maybe on politics . . . on intellectual capacity, half of Federal Parliament would fit that description.

Not quite. There are some idiots in parliament, but comparing half the federal mps to sarah palin is just . Ok, cory bernardi and barnaby joyce might come close too

 

[carnthemlions]

I blames the guvmint!!

 

[JeffDunne]

Not quite. There are some idiots in parliament, but comparing half the federal mps to sarah palin is just . Ok, cory bernardi and barnaby joyce might come close too

Have you ever worked in Canberra? I'm guessing no.

 

[liam_13]

"Olympic athletes are subject to regular and relentless testing"

Sorry, how many times did Marion Jones test positive?
How many cyclists such as Armstrong have rode in the Olympics and passed through without a worry?

Big bad football codes....

The ACC's talk of organised crime relates to peptides etc surely, not recreational, illicit drugs? Or does Wilson not understand the difference between ped/recreational drugs?

But article wasn't completely bad, she was bang on especially regarding the "get the cheats, free the rest"

 

[CF]

I have to agree with Wilson that making this big announcement without actually naming names has caused so much sensationalism in the media that we have begun to question everyone and everything in Australian sport. People's confidence in athletes has been so shaken so much that they're questioning any individual or team success, and jumping to ridiculous conclusions without any evidence whatsoever.

That's unfair really on those athletes/teams who are clean. Especially in the press conference the guy from the ACC said there is only a minority of athletes involved.

Yet by releasing this in the manner which they have all they've managed to do is incriminate all athletes.

I'm all for getting the drug cheaters but the way this whole thing has been handled is the real disgrace to Australian Sports Governance. Then add the fact that Lundy engineered this press conference to try and get some political currency just makes it worse. Any wonder those CEO's present looked glum at the press conference.

 

[FredLeDeux]

The article is a farrago of lies, half-truths, unsubstantiated rumours, unsourced quotes, ludicrous self-contradictions and gratuitous anti-Labour political attacks.
It displays complete and wilful ignorance about almost every single aspect of the subject matter.
It is almost totally fact-free, an incredible achievement in an article of that length.
It is written by a person whose professional reputation was long ago trashed by her own acts.
Just another day on the Murdoch election campaign trail, really.

 

[STFU Donnie]

"Olympic athletes are subject to regular and relentless testing"

Sorry, how many times did Marion Jones test positive?
How many cyclists such as Armstrong have rode in the Olympics and passed through without a worry?

Big bad football codes....

The ACC's talk of organised crime relates to peptides etc surely, not recreational, illicit drugs? Or does Wilson not understand the difference between ped/recreational drugs?

But article wasn't completely bad, she was bang on especially regarding the "get the cheats, free the rest"

I've always tried to avoid ad hominem attacks, but in the case of this "journalist" I can't help myself. This is the person who was the life partner of John Hartigan, of News Ltd. and yet never disclosed this for years even though she was writing daily about the NRL. In fact they must have gone to some effort to keep it quiet: in his position, he would have attended many social functions of the NRL - functions to which he would be expected to take his wife/partner. The fact that they didn't is clear evidence to me that they knew it was an outrageous conflict of interest. When she appeared on Offsiders after the Melbourne Storm scandal hit the news, she was made to look a right fool. I don't think she's been back since?

To put it as succinctly as I can - I wouldn't wipe my arse with her articles.

 

[griminisivic]

No.

Part law enforcement tactic, part strategised public announcement. What if the media leaked the story? What happens when questions are raised about a secret 12 month investigation and news media demands comments and an explanation about what has happened to vast sums of public funds?

They are trying to control the situation, so my guess is the announcement was carefully and strategically timed in a way that most benefits the investigation.

Yes exactly

There have been enough insinuations and rumours put up by the the media in the last six months to know, that they know, something has been up, the journo's just haven't been able to put their fingers on it. How many people can the Crime Commission speak to/interview/grill before someone leaks they have been grilled to a journo?

Again, the press conference the other day doesn't help anyone involved in Australian professional sports, as everyone is cast in the same die until proven otherwise.

Was it purely a political spin doctoring exercise to appear they are on the front foot before a Caroline Wilson or Robbo or Damian Barrett had it splashed on the front and back pages? How would they have looked then?

 

[JeffDunne]

The one question I'd ask of the government given what was said in the press conference . . . why not a call a Royal Commission and force people to speak under oath?

If they don't do that then one has to question what the PC was meant to achieve?

 

[STFU Donnie]

The one question I'd ask of the government given what was said in the press conference . . . why not a call a Royal Commission and force people to speak under oath?

If they don't do that then one has to question what the PC was meant to achieve?

The ACC has the powers of a standing royal commission, ie. they can compel witnesses to appear, and can apply sanctions for non-compliance.

 

[JeffDunne]

The ACC has the powers of a standing royal commission, ie. they can compel witnesses to appear, and can apply sanctions for non-compliance.

There are some important differences.

A RC can force people to publicly answer questions under oath.

In this case (& given the comments of the PC) that alone is a critical difference.

 

[Chewy]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...sporting-history/story-e6frexnr-1226573881154

I'm not a big supporter of Rebecca Wilsons rants most of the time, but occasionally she comes up with a good one, point in case this one.

No names, no dates, no clubs, no charges, no specific cases- just 'come forward and spill your guts or we might get you when someone else does before you' mentality from a couple of ministers looking to get their mugs on the TV screen for good press, regardless of the price every sporting code, club,sportsmen or sports fan in the country will pay.

Total hit job orchestrated by some spin doctor sitting in a pollies office in Canberra, and we pay the price?

It's a pretty big call to label this as the biggest charade in Australian sporting history

What about James Hird's speech at the Essendon best and fairest dinner last October? I reckon that was probably a bigger charade. Either he knew or he has no idea. A charade either way.

Merv Neagle was naughty and he was swashbuckling, but you know what? If you're a little bit naughty and you have the desire that he had, you'll be okay.

Our players, in my opinion, are our most important asset and we must do whatever we create a successful environment for them to prosper and perform… We will continue to train our players to the maximum and teach them how to get the most of out of their bodies, whilst they must continue to embrace the work and the pressure that comes with AFL football.

My message to the players is this: football teams are built over years and years of hard work. This club, as david Evans said, will continue to provide you with the best support it can. But you and I must repay the club by re-committing and embracing the work with the same attitude that you did last pre-season. Do not listen to the noise that comes from outside - the knockers, the critics. Believe in where we are going.

To every Essendon supporter out there, please understand, we are doing WHATEVER IT TAKES and we will be a very good football club, very very soon.

 

[carnthemlions]

Have you ever worked in Canberra? I'm guessing no.

Don't make assumptions.
I was simply objecting to your comparison of sarah palin and federal mps.
I think you underestimate how little palin knows about.... well, anything.

 

[FredLeDeux]

The ACC has the powers of a standing royal commission, ie. they can compel witnesses to appear, and can apply sanctions for non-compliance.

There are some important differences.

A RC can force people to publicly answer questions under oath.

In this case (& given the comments of the PC) that alone is a critical difference.

The ACC has, as part of its investigation, conducted more than 30 coerced interviews.
The secrecy of these interviews is a crucial weapon in tracing this sort of wide-ranging criminality.