Democracy in action: a reader drew our attention to the behaviour of Bill Heffernan as chair of the Senate Select Committee’s inquiry into the Australian and global fertiliser market. Representatives of fertiliser giant Incitec Pivot fronted the committee in Melbourne on 23 July and were treated to a savage spray from Heffernan, who as a farmer has a very direct interest in the soaring price of fertiliser. Apart from swearing at and mocking the Incitec Pivot executives (including the vintage phrase “pig’s arse”), Heffernan concluded with the following comment, unlikely to be matched in Hansard for a while:
“You realise that we who have an interest to declare, like your shareholders, think that you are well and truly giving us one up the back passage? We really feel aggrieved about this. You have treated us like shit. That is how we feel in the bush, and your agents are so angry you wouldn’t believe it. There is no question that, like consolidated retailing, you have consolidated the market to the point where you can be very arrogant… But we are very grateful that you turned up. You have been well groomed; whoever exercised you — that bloke down the back there — has done a good job to get your words right.”
Heffernan allegedly concluded by flipping the bird at them as they left, although Hansard does not record this.
Thank goodness he’s the Committee Chair otherwise someone might have had to chip him.
I’m a little worried about his continued preoccupation with the back passage.
Every Party seems to accommodate them….they’re foul, offensive and unfettered. The Bill Heffernans are a dime a dozen these days. The most ordinary Australians whose careers would flounder in mainstream workplaces, but couresy of indiscriminate agenda-driven groups they get oxygen to run our economies and lives, for which I personally believe we’re all the poorer. Even democracy has its perversions.
What a gem!
I just searched the Hansard transcript for the word ‘sh*t’.
It appears six times throughout the document (three times in one paragraph) and all from Big Bill.
Also dropped ar*s a few times.
Is it possible to view this committee hearing? Wouldn’t mind seeing how those on the receiving end handled each outburst.
This individual continues to act like the slob he is. It appears noone in the Opposition has the guts to do anything about his behaviour. Frankly his language and intimidation of witnesses is out of order and he should be taken to task and disciplined. Obviously when Howard allowed his boorish bullying activities he has taken that as the go ahead to continue when and wherever it suits his purpose. He is reason enough to not be a part of this inspid Opposition.
Just out of curiosity, did any of my fellow commentors actually read the Hansard transcript? Or for that matter, spoken with any of our rural brethren? Colourful language isn’t confined to Tarantino flicks and Irvine Welsh novels.
Before anybody chokes on their coffee, let me state that I do not condone Heffernan’s parliamentary behaviour.
However, after reading a fair chunk of the transcript this article refers to, I must begrudgingly acknowledge his efforts to ‘represent’ for his constituents (pretty much the country’s rural sector).
While his combative and inquisitorial manner is completely inappropriate for general parliamentary activities, I would think it an asset when dealing with recalcitrant, unwilling or uncooperative individuals who are often called to represent larger bodies (AWB, anyone??).
There are many ways to skin a cat, so why not have a big angry farmer lose his sh*t at agriculture industry representatives? Senators Nash et al seemed capable of cloaking the iron fist in a velvet glove when necessary.