• Attorney-General Michael Atkinson quits front bench
    42 replies, posted
[quote] TROUBLE-plagued Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has fallen on his sword to make way for fresh blood in a new Labor ministry. He will remain in Parliament until the next election in 2014. Mr Atkinson said that it would be irresponsible, given the Government's majority of one, to create a by-election in those circumstances. Mr Atkinson also praised Premier Mike Rann, saying he "prevailed against all the odds and he can stay as Premier for as long as he likes". "I believe there should be renewal," he said. " I have had 20 years in Parliament. "I think there ought to be renewal in the ministry. I think there are talented people on the Labor backbench who deserve a go. "I don't think we want all the ministry leaving in a bunch about 2014 and so it's important that renewal be staged." Mr Atkinson said one of the factors in the decision had been wanting to watch his son Johnno play soccer for Woodville-Belgrade. "He was supposed to play his first game last night at 7pm and like so many times in my time in Parliament I wasn't there," he said. " I am pretty disappointed about that. "So I resolved that every time Johnno walks on the pitch this year his dad is going to be there even if it embarrasses the hell out of him." Mr Atkinson said no one had suggested he stand aside. He had started phoning people about it yesterday and had confirmed the decision this morning. He left at a time when the crime rate was down 33 per cent or 38 per cent depending which measure you use. "Over eight years we have brought the criminal justice system in SA much closer to society's values," Mr Atkinson said. Mr Atkinson, who was first elected to Parliament in 1989, made the shock announcement outside a Prospect church just after 10.45am today. The 51-year-old has been a lightning rod for most of the major problems to have hit Labor in the past two terms. He has been dogged by a string of controversies - think internet censorship, stashed cash, Ashbourne-Clarke and the senior magistrate defamation case. He also has attracted national criticism over his refusal to allow an R18+ rating for video games. His humiliating backflip over internet censorship laws on the night of Februrary 2 came after a furious reaction on AdelaideNow to The Advertiser's exclusive report on the new law. Earlier that day, Mr Atkinson tried to defend the new law on radio. He said the new law was necessary because people such as Aaron Fornarino, who regularly posts comments on AdelaideNow, were Liberal Party plants. But embarrassingly for Mr Atkinson, Mr Fornarino does exist. He lives in a flat on Port Rd, 500m from Mr Atkinson's electorate office. After the backdown was revealed on AdelaideNow, Premier Mike Rann posted three Twitter messages: "AG has listened. So no debate will be stifled. No political censorship of blogs or online comments whether named or anon." "All MPs and all parties voted for Electoral law. Hope Libs, Greens, Family First, Independents etc will join us to support repeal." The attorney-general also took a leading role in the formulation of the Rann Government's controversial anti-bikie laws. [/quote] [url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/attorney-general-michael-atkinson-to-quit-front-bench/story-fn2sdwup-1225843341005]Source[/url] Never saw this coming.
I'm assuming this is good?
So... if what I'm understand is correct... Mike Atkinson quit Parliament to go watch his son play soccer and baseball? Fine by the Australians I suppose. Good luck to ya now Australia, hopefully yer better off.
Remember, Michael Atkinson molests dogs and Bioware games have good writing.
A pleasant surprise.
He had a good run, and did his job with distinction. Farewell, Mr Atkinson.
I fucking jizzed ALL down my legs and on to my keyboard and even on my monitor a bit. This is the guy who was vetoing the R18+ rating for video games and thus forcing them to be censored.
I think i just creamed when I saw the thread title. [editline]01:09PM[/editline] This calls for a celebration, Australians.
And the lucky fuck still gets paid by the government evern when retired.
Australia bans Michael Atkinson!
Wait, was Michael Atkinson the guy who banned small tits as well as still holding the ban for R18+ games? or was that someone else? Cause i remember we still have Stephen Conroy that wants to censor internet.
Isn't he the one responsible for censoring video games?
Thank god
[QUOTE=Dr_Funk;20864751]He had a good run, and did his job with distinction. Farewell, Mr Atkinson.[/QUOTE] No he didn't. He's using his "veto" power to hold back any development of an updated ratings system, he introduced legislation that required bloggers and people who comment on blogs to post using their name, and generally was out of touch. At least he did one thing right, take responsibility for his actions.
I'm from America and when I read this I was like "Fuck Yeah! Finally this guy is out of office!".
You're placing way too much importance on the internet.
[QUOTE=Dr_Funk;20866114]You're placing way too much importance on the internet.[/QUOTE] Oh? A vastly important tool of commerce, socialization, education, expression, and first and foremost, freedom isn't important enough to warrant attention, or discredit a bad politicians career? Ignorance. Nothing new from you.
I shed a tear of happiness.
FUCK YEAH! Football (soccer) saves the world once again.
i guess you could say.... australia is no longer on the [i]atkinson[/i] diet when it comes to censorship in video games! xD
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;20866719]Oh? A vastly important tool of commerce, socialization, education, expression, and first and foremost, freedom isn't important enough to warrant attention, or discredit a bad politicians career? Ignorance. Nothing new from you.[/QUOTE] Of course - How will we cope without our R18 games? Not to mention bloggers naming themselves, good heavens? How about you look at what else he did, instead of flogging the same, long-dead horse.
^ He's a hick from the most backward state in the country. He's an idiot, good riddence. Now to get rid of Conroy somehow.
[QUOTE=Rambo_9;20868538]i guess you could say.... australia is no longer on the [i]atkinson[/i] diet when it comes to censorship in video games! xD[/QUOTE] Nobody likes you and you aren't funny at all. Just fuck off.
[QUOTE=Dr_Funk;20868550]Of course - How will we cope without our R18 games? Not to mention bloggers naming themselves, good heavens? How about you look at what else he did, instead of flogging the same, long-dead horse.[/QUOTE] Yeah, why don't you just appear to be even stupider than before? R18 games, while not a big deal, is still an issue when [b]you're in a motherfucking democracy, and you don't give the people something the majority are either asking for, or are ok with.[/b] Forcing the loss of anonymity on the internet is a big deal you moron. It's a massive deal. Losing the guise of anonymity, and having to "register" and become a public poster susceptible to whatever happens when you let your name out. "HURR DURR WHY DUN'T YOU JUST NOT POST!" Well, that's a little thing called, bullshit. What else did he do that was good? What did he do that mattered at all really? Not a whole lot. And don't start something about ad hominid arguments, I'm not using an ad hominid argument, i'm just insulting you on top of my arguments. That doesn't mean ad hominid at all.
Facepunchers of Australia, we have finally entered a new age! A new beginning! A new future! A future with a lesser Michael Atkinson! One that we shall cherish for all our lives, a landmark that shall forever be known by the next generations as one, for a new step towards freedom! And we shall then celebrate with parties, forever marking this date, the 21st of March, 2010, as the day, of which, our lives... ... God damnit I can't think of a phrase.
Fucking finally.
:rudebox:
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;20868835] and you don't give the people something the majority are either asking for. [/QUOTE] Therefore, lynch mobs should always be acceptable, and condoned - it's what the majority wants, right? Quiet frankly, if you don't like him, don't vote for him. Funnily enough, he didn't lose his seat - in fact, he stepped down. Evidently not as unpopular as you would make out. And don't start throwing insults, please. It's highly immature.
[QUOTE=Dr_Funk;20869980]Therefore, lynch mobs should always be acceptable, and condoned - it's what the majority wants, right? Quiet frankly, if you don't like him, don't vote for him. Funnily enough, he didn't lose his seat - in fact, he stepped down. Evidently not as unpopular as you would make out. And don't start throwing insults, please. It's highly immature.[/QUOTE] Where the fuck did Lynch Mobs suddenly come from?
From the concept that the majority is always right.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.