Fairfax redefines what’s right, CFMEU dabbles in Nazi nastiness

And stay tuned for fireworks as the ABC finally falls out with Clive Palmer.

And stay tuned for fireworks as the ABC finally falls out with Clive Palmer.

What do they call Liberal leaders? Tom Allard, Fairfax, Friday:

Bill Shorten, the ruthless right-wing political operator.

An unfortunate line to re-tweet. The CFMEU’s John Setka, Saturday:

“We must close union offices, confi­scate their money and put their ­leaders in prison. We must reduce workers’ salaries and take away their right to strike.” Adolf Hitler.

Particularly given last week’s unpleasantness. Jared Owens, The Australian, Wednesday:

Former Commonwealth Bank chief David Murray has apologised after he compared the actions of the nation’s corporate watchdog to those of Nazi Germany.

Others have offered swifter retractions. Owens again, this time from February 12:

Tony Abbott has apologised to parliament for using the word “holocaust” to describe defence industry job losses under Labor during question time today ... Mr Abbott quickly recognised the potential offence and withdrew it. “I’m sorry ... I’m sorry and I withdraw ...” At the end of question time, Mr Abbott added: “Madam Speaker, in answering one of the numerous questions about submarines I should not have used the term holocaust. I shouldn’t have used it, I did withdraw it, I do apologise for it.”

But wearing loincloths in solidarity with the Third World would surely be cultural appropriation? Fairfax’s Stephanie Peatling, Twitter:

Is there any greater proof of male ­entitlement than swanning about in Lycra cycling gear?

Fresh economic thinking from ­Jessica Irvine. The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday:

High body mass has overtaken smoking as a risk factor for ill health and premature death, according to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare … Economists are turning their mind to the battle. Economics is, after all, the study of optimal ­decision-making ... The simplest solution is to raise the price … to lower the cost of good health behaviours and fresh foods.

Thanks, Jessica. That was done when the GST legislation — ­exempting fresh food — passed parliament on:

June 28, 1999.

The romance ends. ABC TV media release, Thursday:

On Monday night, Four Corners charts the rise and fall of the mercurial Clive Palmer, examining how he made his money, friends and bitter enemies along the way. With ­Palmer’s political influence plummeting and serious questions hanging over his companies, reporter Hayden Cooper talks to political players, ­former colleagues and the workers left sacked at the now closed Queensland Nickel refinery in Townsville.

The finger pointing begins. Clive Palmer media release, yesterday:

The ABC … broadcast … is clearly ­designed to cause serious damage to Mr Palmer for an improper purpose ... The absence of similar coverage of the shareholders of the operations at Whyalla ... raises the question of whether the ABC is running this story for political purposes. Considering the closeness of the current election and the lack of coverage by the ABC of the Palmer United Party’s political achievements, there appears to be ­serious issue of bias.

So different from whom he blamed in the olden days. Palmer, Lateline, ABC Television, June 25, 2014:

It’s just The Australian.