Back in the 1970s Vaclav Havel made me to discover that the world should be divided not into good and bad people but into cowards and non-cowards…
There used to be a NSW samizdat Parliamentary publication entitled “The Assembly Lines” and I had the privilege to read the courageous stories which between the lines illustrated what was really happening behind the scenes of the good, bad and sometimes corrupt Bear Pit …
I had the pleasure of working with David in the early ‘90s at what Johnno Johnson labelled as the peasant side of legislative - “the Lower House”
And back then we were both keen readers of that insightful newsletter 😇
Our families would also spy each other at environmentally sensitive demonstrations such as the democratic protest to stop the building of the Toaster at the priceless Circular Quay …
I understand that David is retiring in 2025 after over 30 years serving diligently at the NSW Parliament as the Crown Employee… And without any doubt it will be very hard for any one to fit into brave David's-true and trusty shoes- as he is that rare kind of character as Vaclav Havel used to be - a moral role model in our complex world filled with too many shades of grey…
Both David and Vaclav had a knack for speaking truth to power in brave yet gentle ways … and politicians of all colours eventually accepted their messages
Man is in fact nailed down — like Christ on the Cross — to a grid of paradoxes . . . he balances between the torment of not knowing his mission and the joy of carrying it out, between nothingness and meaningfulness. And like Christ, he is in fact victorious by virtue of his defeats.
As quoted in "Václav Havel: Heir to a Spiritual Legacy" by Richard L. Stanger in Christian Century (11 April 1990).
Unlike many of us David practices what he preaches and walks the talk - … and like Dr Cope and Les Jeckeln, he would share his thoughtful observations not just with King Charles as he did last year in October, but also with low ranking attendants, cleaners and waiters … For Gary, the former barista at the Strangers Dining Room, to say that he thought the world of David … meant more to most than even AOs etc …
David Blunt AM was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the King's Birthday Honours
Last week we celebrated the launch of ‘Parliamentary Democracy at Work: Essays on the NSW Legislative Council’ — a volume that reflects on 200 years of democratic evolution in our state. 🏛️📖
From its beginnings in 1824, the Legislative Council has transformed into a dynamic, independent chamber committed to scrutiny, accountability, and good governance. This book captures that journey, exploring the Council’s vital role in upholding transparency, parliamentary privilege, and ethical governance.⚖️
A massive thanks to Dr. David Clune OAM and Clerk of the Parliaments, David Blunt AM, for their invaluable contributions.👏
This week, I also (reluctantly) accepted the resignation of David Blunt after 35 years of service to the Parliament. David has been a steadfast guardian of the Legislative Council, providing expert advice and wisdom that has been instrumental in upholding the strength of our institution.
It has been an honour to work alongside him - his kindness, quick wit and generosity of spirit will be deeply missed.
In 2024, the Legislative Council of NSW celebrated its Bicentenary. As part of the commemoration, it was felt appropriate to publish a select compilation of articles, written mainly by Council staff, to enhance understanding of the institution and its vital role in the functioning of our democracy.
Parliamentary Democracy at Work is the result. Specific themes covered include: the history of the Upper House, the Council’s quest for governmental transparency, parliamentary privilege, the wide-ranging work of Council committees, the use of orders for the production of state papers, and procedural, ethical and leadership issues.
This book will be of interest to students and practitioners of parliament in general and those of upper houses in particular.
The long history of political corruption in NSW — and the downfall of MPs, ministers and premiers
As they say, the worse thing then being talked about is not being talked about …
~ Seaside Fotos by talented DJ
"We all know that funny feeling of filthiness, of contagious ickiness. It's a feeling we call the prick of conscience when we make a compromise that we have doubts about. So we think about it again and again, and... we even worry about it somewhat, even though the compromise may have made life easier, compared to what would have happened had we not made it. But for myself...I see that my bravery comes out of cowardice, because I am afraid of feeling that ickiness of feeling that I've done something wrong, that I've made an undesirable compromise, that I've side-stepped; and conversely when I do something that I know is right, I can even have a feeling of euphoria."
