Worst Episode Ever» Glen Milne – is this the daftest article ever?

Glen Milne – is this the daftest article ever?

Rudd wants all to pay for climate except him NEWS.com.au
Rudd wants all to pay for climate except him

By Glenn Milne

July 06, 2008 12:00am

I mean, is this guy for real? Is this guy meant to be a serious political journalist? This is like something written by a 3 year old. WEE are flabbergasted.

What is going on at news.com.au?

Basically, Milne argues that, beyond all convention of PMs in this country, that Rudd should pay his own prime ministerial costs for transport and so forth. This is bizarre. WEE can only hope that this was an article written in jest that mistakenly made it to the website.

If Milne stands by such rubbish is this, then he really is the pathetic excuse for a journalist WEE always suspected he was. Unprofessional and puerile – that man really should be sacked.

And just in case they realise how pathetic this article is and remove it from news.com.au, WEE have pasted the contents here.

Prime Minister won’t pay his power, petrol bills

Carbon trading scheme will drive up costs

Rudd says he understands pressures families face

Last December, after signing the Kyoto Protocol at the Bali Climate Change Summit, Mr Rudd declared: “We must all share the burden.”

KEVIN Rudd wants all Australians to share the pain of increased costs to help save the planet from climate change – except him.

The Prime Minister revealed yesterday he would continue to allow taxpayers to pick up his power and petrol bills.

In the wake of the week’s Garnaut report, Mr Rudd was asked if he would pay for power, lighting and heating bills at The Lodge.

The Sunday Herald Sun also asked whether he would start to pay his petrol bills for his chauffeur-driven car.

Mr Rudd’s office responded: “The Prime Minister will not be changing the long-standing practices of previous prime ministers in relation to these matters.

“The Prime Minister understands the cost-of-living pressures that confront Australia’s working families, carers and seniors.

“He also understands that Australians want the Australian Government to take action on climate change.”

Taxpayers pick up the bill for the car and The Lodge.

The Government is set to introduce a national Emissions Trading System by 2010 that will increase the cost of energy bills and fuel in the name of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Rudd has stressed that for a carbon trading system to work, consumers must be hit with a noticeable price rise in order for them to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Rudd declined to say how much The Lodge and his chauffeur driven car cost taxpayer’s last year, referring the Sunday Herald Sun to Government annual reports.

According to Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio estimates, the cost of running The Lodge and Kirribilli House in Sydney is expected to be $1.8 million this financial year.

Mr Rudd, whose wife, Therese Rein’s companies turned over about $260 million last year, also has a taxpayer-subsidised nanny for his youngest son and a taxpayer-funded butler paid $78,000 a year.

Mr Rudd earns $370,000 a year, including allowances.