‘Dopiest thing in years. Leftist, woke and full of pixie dust’
Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Simon Benson was scathing about Jim Chalmers’s much-awaited great Australian happiness index, calling it a tale of outdated data and obsolete assumption, and largely an exercise in pointless futility. Uhy tended to agree:
“Hey Jim, my holidays finished this week so my happy meter is low. Any chance you can fix that? Dopiest thing I have read in years. Leftist, woke and full of pixie dust. What an utter waste of taxpayer dollars.”
Michael Cunningham said:
“Bhutan’s GNH index rather than Gross National Product index ignores the fact that, in country after country, almost all indicators of well-being are positively related to growth in GDP. Focusing on a more productive, competitive Australia (rather than, say, costly and useless emissions reduction programs) would be the best way to promote well-being.
(In passing, I am in regular contact with friends in Bhutan.)”
Martin’s theory:
“The purpose of this document … was/is to give Chalmers a personal/political remit to talk on just about ANY aspect of Australian life. It’s all about enlarging his political profile.”
Ian’s solution:
“Rather than spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars (likely trending millions) on public servants sipping tea to create this tosh, I pose a simple rhetorical question (cost free): Does anyone seriously believe that they are better off now than when (Albanese) was elected.
“If Labor thought this rubbish had traction it would have been revealed on a Monday and they could have tied up the airwaves all week bashing their gums on the rehearsed talking points. Friday morning, dead by Monday.”
Augustus Von G was unimpressed:
“Endless bulldust and spin.”
David wondered:
“It was a great idea, with the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong?”
Brad broke it down:
“One could reasonably further assume, based on the averaged sum of its conclusions, that people were happy enough under the previous government.”
From John:
“This index exemplifies the problem with a Canberra centric public service and professional politicians with little or no real world employment experience. These people live in a coddled bubble making decisions reflecting their own subsidised existence and spending other people’s money. Is it any wonder Chalmers and his like waste more taxpayer money to produce such outdated, subjective and utterly useless indices.”
Les agreed:
“Measurements of wellness, happiness etc, by definition are riddled with assumptions and are subjective.”
Silver lining for Mic:
“I had never heard of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness index until this morning.”
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Big W had a rough week, pulling its public address announcements about the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Indigenous voice to parliament from all its stores, citing feedback from customers and staff, while facing a backlash but also great sales of a controversial sex education book for children by Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang. Matthew feared Big Brother:
“You will shop in Aisle 4 for specials on underwear. You will listen to our platitudes. You will vote Yes for the voice.”
Frank Ernest reckoned:
“This is the sort of stuff you do when you don’t own the company.”
Gary said:
“We’ll be shopping elsewhere whenever we get the choice.”
MargM said:
“I heard this message in my local store two weeks ago and it stopped me in my tracks. But to whom do I complain? The local staff aren’t responsible and possibly don’t approve anyway. So I purchased nothing and walked out.”
David doubled down:
“I’ll stick to my IGA.”
Freespeech frowned:
“I cannot understand why these idiots get involved in politics in the knowledge that at least 50pc of their customers will have an opposing view. The directors must be so arrogant that they believe their political views are important and that the battlers will be influenced. Actually probably the opposite.”
Wendy wondered:
“Does the board of Woolworths support the broader aspirations of the Uluru statement, including a truth telling commission, a treaty and reparations? If so, does it consider that costs arising from this will improve the position of its shareholders and has it asked whether they agree?”
Anthony G said:
“I guess all the big companies are looking for very cheap ways to improve their ESG scores? The problem is that bringing politics into your shopping experience is inherently divisive as evidenced by the fact that less than half of all people will vote yes to the Voice according to current polls.
“ASIC has been reprehensible in this regard by advocating ESG rather than rejecting it to the corporate world and as the chief regulator what they say matters. It’s a shame people don’t realise that we are rapidly becoming a saturated propaganda society like China.”
John D said:
“Woolworths Group was criticised for not listening to Indigenous communities over its push to establish a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin within a short distance of three dry Indigenous communities. After a five-year legal and political battle, the company abandoned its plan in 2021. It has since established a First Nations Advisory Board ‘to improve engagement with Indigenous communities and continue to make a meaningful contribution towards Closing the Gap and Reconciliation within Australia’. I remain cynical of the motives behind corporate virtue signalling.”
On the Welcome to Sex furore, Geoffrey reckoned:
“Out of stock simply suggests they never had many copies in the first place. I’ve read similar captions on other titles. One also shouldn’t assume that it’s out of stock because parents are buying it for their children. Curiosity perhaps.”
Grace wasn’t worked up:
“The angertainment in the media (on cable TV) creates a permissive environment whereby viewers get riled up and feel licensed to abuse others.”
John said:
“More ridiculous censorship. This time from the non-woke crowd, forcing a boycott too. Luckily free market Amazon forces have stepped in.”
Michelle had doubts:
“Not sure the kids should be being instructed about this sort of stuff if they are still reading comics.”
lantony said:
“Meanwhile, any kid can hop onto the www and search for anything they like. I suspect this book will be far more realistic and honest than the porn that kids can access 24/7.”
L suggested:
“A parent who allows 24/7 access to the internet for their kids or relies on a book to teach them about sex is not a great parent.”
Donna was disgusted:
“Why can’t children be left alone to their own way. Where is this all going, I’m so happy my children are grown up.”
Michael’s wife agreed:
“Childhood is a fleeting precious time of carefree innocence for most, let them enjoy it.”
Woody’s theory:
“They realise as with climate change, if you get the kids early, the parents go along and any crazy notion can get traction.”
AMR was unimpressed:
“This book is so explicit I am concerned for many children who might be attacked by other young people who have viewed the book. It is a sadly overlooked fact how many children are preyed upon by other children not just adults. It’s ironic that older students are being given ‘consent’ skilling yet a book like this can easily find its way to 8- 12 year olds without such consent skilling. This book would have once only be found inside an ‘adult’ bookstore.”
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The Fourth Test in The Ashes started disastrously for Australia. Gideon Haigh reckoned it felt less like Australia was chasing the game than being dragged behind a chariot with knives on its wheels. My Truth took a bat to Pat:
“On several occasions, here and in Pakistan, Cummins has seemed to be clueless. It is evident that he is not up to the job and it’s starting to impact his key contribution, his bowling. The increasingly frenetic interventions from Smith indicate the team’s desperation for a leader to tell them what to do. Smith no longer pretends to be just another advisory voice adding his two bobs’ worth.”
Tony said:
“The pitch is becoming a road. Short boundaries and no Goat give England the edge. More full balls pitched on or outside off stump with an offside field setting might be an idea.”
Simon said:
“Pat Cummings may be a top class bowler, but he is not a captain. Time to make a change of captain and Khawaja is the man.”
No happy medium for Robert:
“What is it with the West Australian all rounders? Why do they insist on those medium paced meat pie offerings. I gave up watching when I threw the TV remote in anger!”
Another Robert predicted:
“It will be over midday 4th day. Australia have run out of gas (Alinta) so England will smash a quickfire 150 before lunch third day and declare. Shortly after the 2nd innings starts, Warner will be on the balcony watching on as his team mates try to hang around for a while but sadly as always, they will capitulate in short order!”
James was irate:
“No belief, no grit and yesterday no clue. It looked like they were still on holiday, the players went their separate ways after the third Test.”
Philbo’s fears:
“After two tests I commented that I worried the hubris we were exhibiting meant a karma bus may be coming our way. Now, as Gideon says, this was the day we were warned about yet we had no plan. Nothing. Unprepared and bereft of ideas.”
Last word to Poor Yorick:
“Scintillating prose! A treat to read with my coffee this morning.”
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