As a community, we are shattered by the recent act of terror in Christchurch.
For years, we have warned against the use of racist and discriminatory language in media and politics. We warned that this creates a culture of fear and hysteria that would inevitably result in exactly this type of attack.
We also acknowledge our brothers and sisters in the Indigenous community who have resisted white supremacist violence on this continent for over two centuries.
We owe it to the victims of this massacre to bear witness to the truth of why they died. Their deaths cannot be used to whitewash the reality of how this occurred.
While our political leaders have expressed sympathy over the deaths of our brothers and sisters, there has been little responsibility taken for their own role in creating a political climate that has demonised the Muslim community for decades.
Sadly, we remember the numerous times the Coalition have used the Muslim community as targets in vicious debates around immigration, multiculturalism and national security.
We remember when Liberal Party Senators lined up to kiss, hug and shake hands with Pauline Hanson – a woman who has referred to Islam as a ‘disease’ – following her openly Islamophobic return speech to Parliament.
We remember when Liberal Party Senators openly congratulated Fraser Anning after his explicit reference to a ‘final solution’ when discussing Muslim immigration.
We remember when Peter Dutton suggested that sections of our community should never have been allowed into this country in the first place.
We remember when elected Liberal Party representatives campaigned to remove Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act under the guise of protecting ‘free speech.’
We remember when Liberal Party Senators joined One Nation to vote in favour of the white nationalist slogan ‘It’s OK to be white.’
This climate of hostility breeds discrimination, harassment and ultimately violence.
A truly safe society is one where no community should fear that they will be made scapegoats or demonised for the sake of cheap political point-scoring.
Willie Apiata VC has dedicated his post-army life to honouring the service of others.
This is his story.
“I just did what I was trained to do. It’s what mates do for each other”
Corporal Willie Apiata, VC
Corporal Bill Henry APIATA (M181550) - Citation
"Lance Corporal (later Corporal) Apiata was, in 2004, part of a New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) Troop on patrol in Afghanistan, which laid up in defensive formation for the night.
At approximately 0315 hours, the Troop was attacked by a group of about twenty enemy fighters, who had approached by stealth using the cover of undulating ground in pitch darkness. Rocket-propelled grenades struck two of the Troop's vehicles, destroying one and immobilising the other.
The opening strike was followed by dense and persistent machine gun and automatic rifle fire from close range.
The attack then continued using further rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun and rifle fire. The initial attack was directed at the vehicle where Lance Corporal Apiata was stationed.
He was blown off the bonnet by the impact of rocket propelled grenades striking the vehicle. He was dazed, but was not physically injured.
The two other vehicle crew members had been wounded by shrapnel; one of them, Corporal D, was in a serious condition.
Illuminated by the burning vehicle, and under sustained and accurate enemy fire directed at and around their position, the three soldiers immediately took what little cover was available. Corporal D was discovered to have sustained lifethreatening wounds. The other two soldiers immediately began applying basic first aid.
Lance Corporal Apiata assumed command of the situation, as he could see that his superior's condition was deteriorating rapidly.
By this time, however, Lance Corporal Apiata's exposed position, some seventy metres in front of the rest of the Troop, was coming under increasingly intense enemy fire. Corporal D was now suffering serious arterial bleeding and was lapsing in and out of consciousness.
Lance Corporal Apiata concluded that his comrade urgently required medical attention,or he would likely die. Pinned down by the enemy, in the direct line of fire between friend and foe, he also judged that there was almost no chance of such help reaching their position.
As the enemy pressed its attack towards Lance Corporal Apiata's position, and without thought of abandoning his colleague to save himself, he took a decision in the highest order of personal courage under fire. Knowing the risks involved in moving to open ground, Lance Corporal Apiata decided to carry Corporal D singlehandedly to the relative safety of the main Troop position, which afforded better cover and where medical treatment could be given.
He ordered his other colleague, Trooper E, to make his own way back to the rear.
In total disregard of his own safety, Lance Corporal Apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. He then carried him across the seventy metres of broken, rocky and fire swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy enemy fire and into the face of returning fire from the main Troop position. That neither he nor his colleague were hit is scarcely possible. Having delivered his wounded companion to relative shelter with the remainder of the patrol, Lance Corporal Apiata re-armed himself and rejoined the fight in counter-attack.
By his actions, he removed the tactical complications of Corporal D's predicament from considerations of rescue.
The Troop could now concentrate entirely on prevailing in the battle itself. After an engagement lasting approximately twenty minutes, the assault was broken up and the numerically superior attackers were routed with significant casualties, with the Troop in pursuit.
Lance Corporal Apiata had thereby contributed materially to the operational success of the engagement. A subsequent medical assessment confirmed that Corporal D would probably have died of blood loss and shock, had it not been for Lance Corporal Apiata's selflessly courageous act in carrying him back to the main Troop lines, to receive the immediate treatment that he needed."
Below is the letter from the US Attorney General summarising Mueller's investigation and report regarding President Trump and allegations he colluded with Russians in the course of the presidential election.
Special Counsel Mueller found no evidence that President Trump or anyone connected with him colluded or coordinated with Russia.
And Hadley has a shocking history of damaging people at work.
His IT producer Richard Palmer recorded one of Hadley's many abusive and threatening tirades - here. Hadley later settled a personal damages claim in favour of Mr Palmer.
Macquarie Radio Network executive chairman Russell Tate admitted in emails tendered to the court that Hadley is a "psychotic bully" - here.
Now the man who should have been Hadley's closest confidant, the man who produced Hadley's program for 15 years has spoken publicly about Hadley's behaviour.
That's Chris Bowen on your left.
He parted ways with 2GB in 2017 after 15 years producing for Hadley.
Bowen has suffered terribly because of what Hadley did to him.
Here is his account.
This is a tough status update to write. But in order for me to process life going forward I thought I’d let you all know.
Mostly for family, I can’t ring everyone and at the moment please don’t ring me. Others already know what I’m about to state or have seen what I’m about to say.
For a number of years I’ve suffered mental health problems. I won’t bore you with the resulting ill effects. But they’ve been very serious.
After seeking intensive treatment I’m getting much better, as you’d hope. What I’ve learnt about my condition from all the psychiatric advice I’ve been given points towards two things.
Trauma, the death of my parents, a real obvious one. Nothing could prevent this and I know we have all suffered losses. That’s just life, sadly.
But also 16 years of intense bullying by a work colleague at Radio 2GB. I can’t bring myself to name the person, because even with my new found clarity and insight I fear their unpredictability. This person is incredibly intelligent, a pure genius at getting out of a sticky spot. Plus is backed by much more coin then me!
But then again you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to work it out.
Working in the media, straight out of school was literally a dream come true. But gradually as time passed I was subjected to vile and inexcusable behaviour. I know many of you have witnessed what I’m talking about.
I also took part to an extent in this behaviour. When you’re dealing with someone you’ve put on a pedestal since the age of 8, someone who can pick up the phone and ring the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader or Police Commissioner on a whim, someone that an entire company relies on for a significant part of its profit - well you tend to just do what they say.
I’ll admit that I was well remunerated eventually and I got to do and see some amazing things. Attending Olympic Games for example.
But I was bullied. Not the kind of “harden up” or “tough leadership” style treatment but out of control sheer rage. It was directed at me at least weekly. Yet I was constantly told I was the best at my role by this person. A role that’s relatively rare in radio.
I’ve heard this person blame their behaviour on a culture that was around in the 80’s. Which is just a load of crap. There’s plenty of decent media people from that era.
At one point I think we went several months without talking to each other. This is a person that sat 5 metres away from me, 6 or 7 days a week in a soundproof studio. Thank god there was double glazed glass between us.
But it also meant a covert form of bullying could take place, far removed from a management that could barley contain this person themselves.
It’s been two years since I resigned from that role, after calling the person out for it. Obviously I was a slow learner.
I moved to another program, but a pattern of being marginalised, given the silent treatment and the removal of roles I’d been told I was excelling at started to occur. This person once hated a former employee so much he carried a copy of an old footy card featuring the ex league player in his wallet. Kind of like a voodoo doll, I dunno it was a tad weird. So an expert at holding a grudge.
Did I ever complain? Yes. As far back as 2008 I was removed from the show for a short period after sending an email about my concerns. But complaining was about as effective as setting yourself on fire.
Basically I was holding onto a dream, while one of the most powerful broadcasters had me firmly in their grasp. Why did I not leave earlier? I think coming from a simple upbringing with no university education I feared there was nowhere else to go.
So where to from here. Well, I’m felling much better. A stint in a clinic will do that! Much, much better in fact. It has taken me two years to reveal this, but my health issues go back well over a decade. Thank god I met my wife and have my beautiful son in my life.
I don’t expect this revelation will go down that well. I’m ready for some nasty blowback and the opening of a Pandora’s box.
There’s a good chance the shit will hit the fan to be frank. Working for a lunatic doesn’t make you a model citizen, that I will concede. I’m sure some dirt will be found on me.
But I don’t want sympathy, even attention. I mean who wants all of this out there!
But I want bullying to stop. The soul destroying type, the imbalance of power type the unchecked and unhinged type. Bullying doesn’t just occur in the schoolyard. It’s all around us. If I can stop this person from screaming and swearing like a maniac at just one more person, I’d consider that a win.
Thanks for listening.
ENDS
I wish Chris all the best. He is a committed professional who didn't find sufficient support from 2GB's owners and managers. And he's doing the right thing in outing Hadley, if belatedly.
Want more proof of Hadley's atrocious behaviour?
Ask the man who "lost Hadley's support" in Athens.
Kirralie Smith holds degrees in theology and teaching. She's worked as a teacher, small business owner and federal political candidate. I'd characterise Kirralie's opinions as well researched and factually based - and well within the mainstream of our society.
Facebook apparently disagrees.
Facebook tell us it represents our "community" and the broad range of views within it.
Kirralie posted this to her Facebook page a short while ago - as a result she's now banned from posting anything for 7 days. It's hard to see how the Australian community's standards have been breached - what do you reckon?
