Talk:Al Grassby

Misc

So Grassby was born Grassby and then changed his name to emphasize his Irish heritage. What did he change it to? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.103.114.71 (talk) 21:52, 9 August 2012 (UTC)

The article says that Grassby "banned racially selected sporting teams from playing in Australia and repealed the law that required indigenous Australians to seek permission before going overseas." Could we see some sources for these claims? Adam 07:10, 23 Apr 2005 (UTC)

This obituary in the Sunday Times restates the claim about the exclusion of racially selected sporting teams from Australia. Racismnoway dot com dot au - fact sheet on Grassby includes both assertions. This "Author CV" from upstatrs dot net dot au - whoever they might be also includes the claims.

The Whitlam institute - summary of claims from the first year includes mention of the sporting teams. The National Archives site on Cabinet papers of 1973 indexes the repeal of section 64. --AYArktos 07:37, 25 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Thanks. I'm amazed that the law was still on the books. Adam 13:53, 25 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I had a look at it. The law said that permission was needed for an Aboriginal person "subject to control" under state law (i.e. was a ward of the state) to leave the country. The Cabinet papers ALSO say that all such control laws had been repealed in every state and territory (i.e. no aboriginals in the country were subject to them: hence no aboriginals needed official permission to leave the country) and hence the law as obsolete, as it actually affected no one! Given Grassby's notability on things which actually DID change things that were real, why make such a fuss about a law which didn't apply to anyone at all at the time? It was of no more than symbolic significance, and very few people, including the aboriginal population, would likely have even been aware of it. Plenty of amendments, repeals etc take place in Parliament all the time. Why make such a great deal about this one? It is an insignificant part of Grassby's career. It would be like the US Congress passing a law saying that Slaves have human rights, when slavery no longer legally exists.

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In light of the recent allegations about Grassby that have been aired in most major newspapers, it would probably be a good idea to update this. Ambi 11:16, 9 May 2005 (UTC)

Grassby and the Mafia

As Grassby was cleared of all allegations, and there was no evidence that he was anything more than naive when it came to local ALP members, I don't think the last section is particularly appropriate. Can it be changed to a more balanced round-up? 61.68.41.61 12:49, 26 April 2006 (UTC)

These allegations were made in a major newspaper and can't just be ignored. What is your source for saying he was cleared of all allegations? I agree the last bit about his personal life should be deleted, but the mafia stuff relates to his his public life and is on the public record and I think will have to stay. Adam 13:29, 26 April 2006 (UTC)

Wayne Sievers

I removed this edit, which appears to be a continuation of that editor's self-promotion activities. His entire edit history is devoted to Wayne Sievers. Whatever the merits of Sievers' article, his name certainly doesn't belong in Grassby's article. -- JackofOz (talk) 22:23, 5 October 2008 (UTC)