Introducing Deloitte,a poster child for the cringe era

There’s cringeworthy content,and then there’s Deloittian dross. Big four accountants Deloitte has shaken off barbs from Labor senatorDeborah O’Neill that unethical consultants are a “threat to the nation” by sharing some posters.

“Curiosity may kill cats,but it’s great for Deloittians,” says one. “Be the best you,you can be,” says another.

And finally:“Well done everyone! Take the rest of the day off. (That’s a joke,obvs)” .

The posters have copped a roasting on The Aussie Corporate Instagram account,which posts Australian business memes.

Responses included “this triggers my Deloitte PTSD”,“must be a clean up every morning with Deloittians barfing in the foyer” and “Deloitte is in their cringe era”.

We asked Deloitte about the promotion,but they declined to provide further inspiration.

The Abbott knees-up

On Monday night,the ABC’sNemesisdocumentary premiered,detailing the Machiavellian scheming and clashing egos that characterised the Coalition’s nine years in power.

But there was a notable absence –Tony Abbott declined to be interviewed,the first ex-PM to dodge the ABC’s warts and all documentaries since they started making them after the fall of the Keating government.

A shame really,because Australian public life has so badly missed hearing from Tony,plus it would’ve been nice to see him hit back at all the stinging character assassinations he copped from a rogues’ gallery of former comrades.

When Monday night rolled around,Abbott found a way to occupy himself,hosting “back to work” drinks at his office in Sydney’s MLC Centre. Back to what work you may ask!

The event,which Abbott puts on every year,drew a crowd of conservative personalities,chief among themJohn Howard who has an office a few floors down from Tony.

Leading “No” campaigner and serial failed preselection hopefulWarren Mundine gave a speech,while ex-senator turned monarchist campaignerEric Abetz,the only Liberal to wholeheartedly defend Abbott on-air,was also around.

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Other Liberal party personalities included former federal directorBrian Loughnane (who’s married to Abbott’s pugnacious old chief of staffPeta Credlin),state MP James Griffin (the token moderate) and ex-finance ministerDamien Tudehope.

Civilian types included News Corp columnistPiers Akerman (sporting a bow tie) and barristerMargaret Cunneen.

While Abbott maintained he wouldn’t be tuning into the ABC documentary,the event finished in time for those interested to get home and fire up the popcorn.

Penman’s problems

Colourful franchising veteran,celibacy advocate,and self-declared sovereign citizenJim Penmancontinues to fight Victoria,the state from which he tried to secede last year.

Penman now says he would be willing to spend half a million dollars to continue his legal battle against the Victorian government over the old COVID lockdowns,but he’s received legal advice not to bother.

Penman could be on the hook for the state government’s legal costs after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected his quest for confidential government advice that led to bans on certain people – including his dog washers and cleaners – working during lockdowns.

The tribunal dismissed his case. Penman said he’s spent tens of thousands so far,and would spend half million if he thought an appeal would succeed. “I got the best advice I could,” he told CBD. “Not good enough,I suppose.”

So,what’s next for Penman? Will he appeal the VCAT ruling?

“We’re considering our options. If we get good advice that we can appeal to a higher court,we’ll do it. At the moment,the actual comment from our lawyer is the case is hopeless.”

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