The release of Royal Commissioner Haynes final report into the Financial Services industry has been instructive in many ways.
One that will not get much media coverage is the manner in which the various political and interest bodies respond and reflect on their own part in the mess. By contrast, every person watching the various commentary will immediately come to a conclusion about the trustworthiness of those in whose hands is the commentary on the report, and the formulation and implementation of the means by which the eggs will be unscrambled.
The refusal of Royal Commissioner Hayne to be a part of the governments spin job by refusing the treasurer a handshake for the cameras is instructive. It could be passed off as a bit rude, the reflection of a personal relationship that needs some repair, or simply a reflection of Justice Haynes absolute lack of faith in the goodwill of the Treasurer and the Government.
It would be surprising if it was not the last one.
On being interviewed on the ABC later that night, the Treasurer refused to answer the simple question ‘Was the Government wrong in voting against the establishment of the Royal Commission 26 times? Followed with the equally simple ‘was it the threat of a backbench revolt that finally led the Government to agree to conduct the Royal Commission?’
We live in a complex world, ruled by a voracious appetite for the product of an ‘always on’ media, which has responded not by reporting facts, but by supplying more shallow, opinionated, uninformed and juicy grist for the mill.
Added to which politicians of all shades pick and choose selectively the numbers and quotes that reflect their established positions, ignoring anything else that might get in the way of a press release.
It is not the media’s fault, it is ours.
We no longer value truth, facts, and a contrary fact based opinion, although we crave them all.
The outcome is that we assume when a public figures lips are moving, they are either lying or blaming someone else.
The only solution is the implementation of what Ray Dalio would call ‘radical transparency’.
Photo credit: ABC news
Heavens above…… President Trump makes the current crop of spin masters and sycophants in Canberra look positively credible!
I skimmed a transcript of the Sate of the Union last night, just for some light entertainment, and even from this distance, know some of the things he presented as facts are no more than half facts, distortions, with a few outright lies thrown in.At least he is entertaining, but I am not so sure that should be a requirement for the biggest job in the world.
The American public needs simple messages. Things like Build a Wall to keep illegal immigrants out fits the common sense thinking of many in Trump Country (Midwest, South). The bit about stopping a war with North Korea was a bit over the top. Eventually Australia will get a populist politician who will cut across party lines and somehow gain power. It won’t be Clive Palmer – that I know 🙂 Scott
Scott, I had a rant about Clive, and his cohort of political “Give me power or its own and my sake’ a week or so ago. https://wp.me/p5fjXq-2fw
Trump is the leader of the pack, which is inhabited by some pretty vile and often very smart people. Clive is doing nothing but annoying many and keeping a few media owners happy.
There is another solution. Get a Donald Trump.