Darryl Passmore of the Courier Mail wrties that Premier Campbell Newman's public servant gag orders a return to bad old days.
THE Newman Government has been accused of trying to silence dissent by "intimidating" critics in the community sector. Senior staff of state-funded organisations have received phone calls telling them their presence at rallies protesting against Government spending cuts has been noted.
It has drawn comparisons to the Joh Bjelke-Petersen era and his goon squad of Special Branch police.
Other groups who have been quoted publicly on the impacts of cost-cutting measures have received "please explain" calls.
Youth Affairs Network of Queensland, which will lose its $270,000 annual funding from December after 20 years as the state's peak body for youth services, claims it was punished for making a public call to other groups to unite against cutbacks.
In a newsletter article, executive director Siyavash Doostkhah had criticised the Government over cutbacks affecting the disadvantaged and attacked other non-profits as traitors for "remaining silent during these critical times".
Read more...
THE Newman Government has been accused of trying to silence dissent by "intimidating" critics in the community sector. Senior staff of state-funded organisations have received phone calls telling them their presence at rallies protesting against Government spending cuts has been noted.
It has drawn comparisons to the Joh Bjelke-Petersen era and his goon squad of Special Branch police.
Other groups who have been quoted publicly on the impacts of cost-cutting measures have received "please explain" calls.
Youth Affairs Network of Queensland, which will lose its $270,000 annual funding from December after 20 years as the state's peak body for youth services, claims it was punished for making a public call to other groups to unite against cutbacks.
In a newsletter article, executive director Siyavash Doostkhah had criticised the Government over cutbacks affecting the disadvantaged and attacked other non-profits as traitors for "remaining silent during these critical times".
Read more...
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