tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post2953034139376618631..comments2024-02-11T19:28:27.997+11:00Comments on Personal Reflections: Returning to ArmidaleJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-76757576551815977962019-08-11T20:03:36.628+10:002019-08-11T20:03:36.628+10:00Evening, chaps. The Opinions on High blog has a ve...Evening, chaps. The Opinions on High blog has a very good summary of the Banerji matter - https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/opinionsonhigh/2019/08/09/banerji-case-page/#more-8539. I must admit to being a bit old fashioned here, and I speak as someone who was involved in party politics while a public servant. <br /><br />A minister has to be able to trust his advisers not to reveal confidential discussions or to use or be perceived to use information obtained through the job to attack the minister or government policy. This imposes limitations on freedom. The issue then becomes where to draw a dividing line between those principles and other principles. Particular issues arise where the public servant is commenting on policy and programs that fall within their portfolio, especially where those comments attack policies. The policies or programs may be worthy of attack. If that is your view and you cannot serve honestly, then you should consider resignation or seek to leave the area in question. <br /><br />I think that Ms Banerji's conduct was especially problematic because she was relying on anonymity in making her comments. That, it seems to me, is dishonest. Am I too much a purist?<br /><br />Really laughed at you comment, marcllous on Henderson/Murnane. <br /> <br /><br /><br /> Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-9685095183407678732019-08-11T05:49:36.560+10:002019-08-11T05:49:36.560+10:00Ha! Perhaps reading it as Harry Potter and Invisib...Ha! Perhaps reading it as <i>Harry Potter and Invisible Yet Enduring Lilacs</i> might give it the gravitas you seek marcellous :)<br /><br />Meanwhile, back to any thoughts on the false anonymity of social media...<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-58064620848714494192019-08-10T17:11:13.187+10:002019-08-10T17:11:13.187+10:00Meanwhile, kvd, just thought I'd mention I pic...Meanwhile, kvd, just thought I'd mention I picked up Murnane's short fiction. $3 at Vinnies.<br /><br />In the spirit of Chesterbelloc, with a touch of Jeckyll and Hyde, I've decided to float the hypothesis that there is one person called Gerald Henderson or Gerard Murnane. The same accumulation of detail which starts off being interesting and ends up being more than one can bear.<br /><br />marcelloushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06209648151753428540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-67410508085238778152019-08-10T15:29:39.658+10:002019-08-10T15:29:39.658+10:00Providing the fencing goes right round, I see lots...Providing the fencing goes right round, I see lotsa room for some chooks out back?<br /><br />@marcellous yes, a more than interesting decision - particularly the dismissal of the anonymity defence for social media comments. I see far wider ramifications than just this specific circumstance - and would be very interested in your further (anonymous of course :) thoughts.<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-74752738600581607422019-08-07T10:48:32.686+10:002019-08-07T10:48:32.686+10:00New place looks good. You can always keep an eye o...New place looks good. You can always keep an eye out for something closer in further down the track - maybe after you've downsized your possessions a bit more. (Do as I say; not as I do!)<br /><br />Meanwhile on another topic, there is a decision on the Banerji case: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/07/high-court-rules-public-servants-can-be-sacked-for-political-social-media-posts.marcelloushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06209648151753428540noreply@blogger.com