"[but within the constraints of the ToR and good manners, the message is clear enough.]"
The 'Phil Buster' letter is a classic example of how to get the message though without tipping the baby out with the bathwater. Coming from a sanguine, competent man who may rightly be adjudged every bit qualified to be operating in the 'diplomatic' atmosphere of matters which involve 'government', it qualifies as ordinance. But what calibre, what has it hit, who heard it and who cared? - all valid questions. Not the Iron Ring, that's for certain; like cockroaches the IR will survive the next holocaust and continue to intimidate the new bored and work within the established protocols .
Every fool in the market place knows that that the trough is a Cornucopia; deeply hidden and well protected by layer upon layer of every conceivable device to keep it that way. The many generations of 'public service' families have worked tirelessly, while we paid them, to make absolutely sure that nothing penetrates the fortress curtain wall very deeply. Not even the recent tragic events involving our neighbours to the North, not the fall out, or the blowback from the result of a major accident. Why?, well we do have a world class, publicly funded system for protecting those grazing in the Elysian fields and dining from the comu copiae; that's why.
You need to look no further than McComic or Dolan to see the 'system' working; despite everything that has transpired, evidence by the cartload, condemnation and censure from Senators, the Minister and peers, not even a mild flogging with Creamies wet lettuce leaf. Hundreds of pages, thousands of words, millions of dollars and the return on that investment? a snotty letter from Hawke which infuriated a gentleman like Phil Hurst. Phil's fury finished up where? Oh yes I remember, from the minion sweeping up the post, to the filter which directs traffic, to the Machiavellian in tray before beginning it's long journey to the minuscles's desk, via the property developers filter and steam by-pass valves.
What a wondrous system, shame Phil's little tirade has marked him for future, subtle but non the less lethal attention. For speaking one's mind against the 'system', even mildly carries dire consequences. Welcome to the IOS chapter supporting the 'mutterers and mumblers' Phil. Unfortunately, we cannot offer full IOS status against this one effort, but pull up a chair anyway, you can at least watch the train smash from here.
Is it bloody disgraceful?, you bet.
Ala Sunny - Put it another way - Johnson was fired from the ministry for denigrating the boat building fraternity. Hawke gets a government issue chocolate frog (rum flavoured).
The cornucopia (from Latin cornu copiae) or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers or nuts