Talk:Tanya Plibersek

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[edit] Coming out of nowhere

I'm just wondering what a certain part of this text has to do with the statement:

Tanya Plibersek was criticised by some LGBT groups over Labor's bipartisan actions against the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Despite being married herself, Plibersek told The Sydney Morning Herald...[etc., emphasis is mine]

Her own marital status would only have relevance if she was herself involved in a same-sex relationship. Thus the use of a "despite" clause is incorrectly applied. Cyril Washbrook 10:06, 2 November 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Haneef comment

Additionally, I'd question the relevance of this statement: In a July 2007 interview on Meet The Press, Plibersek refused to criticise the Howard government's detention of Mohamed Haneef. Plibersek said the Labor Party "supported the (Howard) Government's actions." The fact is that this matter is outside her portfolio and consequently, she would merely have repeated the party's stance at the time. This shouldn't be a specific personal criticism of her. I'm also removing this, although relevant discussion in reply is welcome. Cyril Washbrook 10:11, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

Hello Cyril. (Link to diff of removed content.) I just read the Gerard Henderson reference provided. It seems Plibersek was interviewed and asked about Haneef. She could have just said "no comment" or "ask the relevant minister", but instead she made a comment about Haneef, despite it being outside her portfolio. Plibersek's comment, as quoted in the reference, seems to support the Howard government's actions on Haneef. Gerard Henderson then points the finger at Plibersek, whom he accuses of being a member of the left, and says it is "historic" for agreeing with Howard. I think that if the words come out of Plibersek's mouth, then it's fair game to quote them, and also any commentary on them. She seems to be taking a high-profile position on a lot of issues, with interviews on Meet The Press, and also her Sydney Morning Herald column. She seems to be turning into a commentator, so should she only be responsible for comments about her own portfolio? I think the previous content on this subject in the article should stand. --Lester 22:50, 2 November 2007 (UTC)
Ministers and shadow ministers have the right to articulate party policy without needing to refer it to "the relevant minister". The fact is that at the time, the Dr Haneef case was highly publicised and dominated the public agenda. Labor had made its stance very clear, and Plibersek made her comment based upon that. There's no indication that she arrived at her response through an informed personal opinion - rather, it was an opinion informed by party policy and party considerations. I feel that the edits should still stand. On another part of your reply, the fact is that ideological commentary regarding "left" and "right" does not necessarily align an issue to a person. Gerard Henderson is a well-known conservative and to accuse Plibersek of being of the left does not increase the direct personal relevance of the Haneef case to her. Cyril Washbrook 02:07, 8 November 2007 (UTC)
I've examined Prester John's subsequent edit after your own restoration of the Dr Haneef comments, and I think it probably strikes the right balance between our differing interpretations of its relevance. Cyril Washbrook 02:09, 8 November 2007 (UTC)