The Hubbub—The Folau Follies

The Hubbub—The Folau Follies
Image: Pride March 2009 (Source: Southern Star; Star Observer archives)

Hello, welcome, nice to meet you.

Welcome to the new Hubbub. We hope to be a bit larrikin, a bit serious, and always supportive of the everyday, and critical of those in power. We also take the view that the media has a responsibility to ensure that power is held to account. So, we’ll be looking at media as well.

Wow! That’s pretty heavy, for what is intended to be a light-hearted column. Hubbub is afraid though we live in dark times, and any column that even touches on politics must be prepared to put on a pair of stout Wellingtons and go wading in some pretty stinky, slimy and unpleasant stuff.

Let’s get to it!

What’s the go with Bondi Pavilion? 

Hubbub has been talking with some of our well-placed friends. We don’t wish to drop names – Hubbub’s modesty and regard for our friend’s modesty prevents that. But there are concerns that Bondi Pavilion is going to be closed for two years. Now Bondi Pavilion is, as we all know, one of the landmarks on the world-famous Bondi Beach. What does such a closure achieve?

Now, there is some good news; the pavilion is not going to be torn down and redeveloped. The bad news is that what will be happening is an extensive refurbishment. Still, current tenants are worried; they might not have access to the beloved institution for years.

The manager of Waverley Council argues that it’s better to close it down for two years and fix it all at once. The mayor, though, thinks there’s a better way – and in a city with a decreasing amount of truly public spaces, Hubbub thinks the mayor might be onto something. The mayor thinks that a staged development, which takes a bit longer but costs more, works better. Hubbub is usually no fan of local councils, but hypocritically also thinks that many decisions that affect a local community should be decided by the local community.

Bondi is host to many important cultural events. One institution that will be impacted is Flickerfest, purveyors of Australia’s best short films for nearly forty years. One of Australia’s most important film festivals, its presence at Bondi Pavilion is that rare thing: it enhances both parties. It would be a travesty for Flickerfest to have to find a new home. It is understood that the organizers are quite worried about the future of Flickerfest without its home. It may well be more expensive in the short term to renovate the Pavilion in stages. But in cultural terms, in community terms, in tourism terms, and even in financial terms, it makes sense. Hubbub has our ear to the ground, and will report further developments.

NSW sizzles, PM fiddles

Mr Morrison’s absence has been noticed. Usually first in front of a camera, the prime minister is apparently in London, though why is anyone’s guess. The British Parliament, having called an election, is in caretaker mode, so any meetings Mr Morrison has won’t count for much.

But not counting for much is the order of the day.

The dialogue goes like this:

Now is not the time to speak of climate change. People’ houses are burning.

Yes, but shouldn’t we ask why they are burning?

There have been bushfires in Australia since forever. 1925, 1967, 1994, and more.

Yes, but not as many so early in the season, and not really as many at once

But who will think of the children? We don’t want to scare them.

No. Perhaps they may become environmentally aware they’ll go to hell.

The debate is eerily similar to the one we hear from the NRA forces in the US. After a massacre is not the time to talk of gun reform. But neither is when massacres aren’t happening.

This latter argument is needed less and less given the frequency of mass shootings there.

The powers that be obfuscate, deflect, play on emotions and attack. They say, ‘We shouldn’t politicise the debate’ – and then blame Greenie policies. Since the greens haven’t held high office, this makes the brain in our head run out our ear.

Folau’s Folly

 Everyone’s favourite football bigot, Israel Folau, was back in the news this week blaming the bush fires ravaging NSW and Queensland as being the fault of gay marriage and the long-overdue relaxation of NSW’s abortion laws.

So despicable were these nonsensical comments that the prime minister and even outspoken Israelites like Alan Jones were quoted in the SMH distancing themselves from them.

But Hubbub noticed something curious about those comments. See if you can spot it.

Said Jones: “Someone’s got to say hang on, look, these are difficult times for people in bushfires and drought and so on and we’re not going to be in the business of making those sorts of comments which really are quite simply silly. ”

Said the prime minister: “He’s a free citizen, he can say whatever he likes, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have regard to the grievous offence this would have caused to people whose homes have been burnt down. ”

Continued the SMH:

Mr Morrison said Folau’s comments would have also offended “many Christians in Australia for whom that is not their view at all, and whose thoughts and prayers … are very much with those who are suffering under the terrible burden of fire.”

Did you notice what we noticed?

Neither party recognized the offense given to homosexuals. No one would want to offend the victims of the bush fires, and God forbid anyone offend a Christian.

But not a word for the people hated by name by the hateful Folau.

The Public Has a Right To Know!

Hubbub loves secrets. Loves them. Hubbub also loves public events, unsung heroes, launches, interesting productions by local artists, movies, books by local authors, music, art installations, school fetes, worthy charitable causes and much more besides. Don’t keep us out of the loop – let us know what is happening. Our email is hubbubsydney@gmail.com. Secrets will remain anonymous.

Hubbub, a resident of the Sydney area, has a background in politics, history, music, literature, art and other such refined acts. Hubbub loves the city, though the relationship has been getting strained recently.

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