There are only two developed countries that do not have maternity leave - the United States of America - and Australia !
The Productivity Commission has introduced a plan to provide eighteen weeks maternity leave for women and two weeks paternity leave for men. The rate of pay would be pegged at $ 544 a week - and the leave would have to be taken within the first six months of the birth on a " use it or lose it " basis.
This maternity leave would replace the existing $ 5,000 " baby bonus ", but stay-at-home mums would not miss out. They would be compensated for the benefits that their working sisters were provided by becoming eligible for a new $ 6,800 bonus.
The big question that bedevils all such schemes is " who pays for it ? "
It is suggested that this be sheeted home to the Federal government out of the huge surplus, but that employers contribute by continuing superannuation payments during the time their employee is on maternity leave.
There seems to be one obvious fly in the ointment. The Productivity Commission plan calls for this scheme to have a vice versa clause, allowing men and women to decide who takes the eighteen weeks leave and who the two weeks. This seems to be a ploy to satisfy the " gender equality " people.
That will fail the " fairness " test in most people's minds. There is no doubt that given a choice some men will insist on their partner returning to work after a brief two weeks - while they enjoy an eighteen week break and play a little golf.
This proviso seems to forget one of the reasons for maternity leave is to allow a woman to repair her body after the trauma of birth. Bonding with the new baby is part of the reason, but during gestation the fetus cannibalises it's mother to gain growth nutrients - and then the mother endures the stress and pain of birthing. This is something the father thankfully avoids.
Whatever scheme finally gets the nod it will not please everyone. Inevitably employers will claim it is too costly and women's advocates will seek more benefits - but at least something better than the status quo will emerge.
Provided that wise heads drop that vice versa idea !
Tuesday 30 September 2008
Monday 29 September 2008
The " idiot " factor !
Wollongong ratepayers struggling with ever increasing rates must despair at the waste of money as council decision makers pursue farcial objectives.
Much of the land along the Illawarra coastline is zoned 7( b ) which forbids building activity. The criteria for zoning approval for a dwelling on 7 (b ) land is a requirement that the building lot not be less than ten hectares.
There are a small number of existing homes on 7 ( b ) land, built ages ago before this zoning took effect. They are perfectly legal and both council and owners have in the past accepted the status quo.
A family at Wombarra wished to extend or replace such a home due to the needs of a growing family - and this development application was promptly knocked back by Wollongong council.
The council took the stance that such dwellings could not be extended, and in the event that they were destroyed by such a calamity as a fire - they could not be rebuilt.
The owner took the case to the Land and Environment court - and lost ! The court ruled that the council had the right to make such an interpretation under it's planning powers.
The council then abruptly changed it's mind - and rescinded this oppressive interpretation - and the owner can now look forward to having extension or replacement plans approved.
This debacle cost the home owner at least $ 10,000 in legal costs - and the council will have a far greater legal bill - and this is a cost to the ratepayers of this city.
The casualty was common sense. The council may have the legal right to implement insane laws, but no right thinking person - apart from the odd hysterical Greenie - would go along with making a family live in fear of homelessness in the event of a bushfire destroying their home - leaving them with a worthless piece of land.
The council employed retrospectivity - reneging on law and custom - to disadvantage a ratepayer - and in the process wasted a large sum of money just to prove a point - and then reversed it's decision.
That sort of thinking is why we have a big financial problem in this city !
Much of the land along the Illawarra coastline is zoned 7( b ) which forbids building activity. The criteria for zoning approval for a dwelling on 7 (b ) land is a requirement that the building lot not be less than ten hectares.
There are a small number of existing homes on 7 ( b ) land, built ages ago before this zoning took effect. They are perfectly legal and both council and owners have in the past accepted the status quo.
A family at Wombarra wished to extend or replace such a home due to the needs of a growing family - and this development application was promptly knocked back by Wollongong council.
The council took the stance that such dwellings could not be extended, and in the event that they were destroyed by such a calamity as a fire - they could not be rebuilt.
The owner took the case to the Land and Environment court - and lost ! The court ruled that the council had the right to make such an interpretation under it's planning powers.
The council then abruptly changed it's mind - and rescinded this oppressive interpretation - and the owner can now look forward to having extension or replacement plans approved.
This debacle cost the home owner at least $ 10,000 in legal costs - and the council will have a far greater legal bill - and this is a cost to the ratepayers of this city.
The casualty was common sense. The council may have the legal right to implement insane laws, but no right thinking person - apart from the odd hysterical Greenie - would go along with making a family live in fear of homelessness in the event of a bushfire destroying their home - leaving them with a worthless piece of land.
The council employed retrospectivity - reneging on law and custom - to disadvantage a ratepayer - and in the process wasted a large sum of money just to prove a point - and then reversed it's decision.
That sort of thinking is why we have a big financial problem in this city !
Sunday 28 September 2008
Food for all !
Global warming seems to be the prime concern of science - but an even greater threat of catastrophe looms - starvation !
By 2030, 8.3 billion people will walk the earth - and to feed them farmers will need to grow thirty percent more grain.
The problem is that the amount of farmland is shrinking annually. The urban sprawl swallows huge portions, great areas are lost to salt rising to the surface - and poor farm practices in much of the remaining land results in top soil being lost to erosion and wind storms.
Soil scientists have long been excited about a phenomenon called " Terra Preta ". Scattered around the world are patches of incredibly fertile soil which we are only just beginning to understand.
For a start, this top soil has a depth of a much as two metres, whereas ordinary top soil is shallow. It absorbs and holds water - and continuously bears far greater than average crops.
Whether by luck or by good management it seems that previous inhabitants replenished the soil nutrients by using discarded food scraps and the ashes from their cooking fires to create a higher Co2 content.
The carbon was trapped by the charcoal and over time evolved into a super soil that was able to provide the needs of crops to create abundant harvests.
It would seem that we may have the guidance of our forebears to solve two of our greatest problems. If we find a way to return the Co2 that is causing global warming to the soil, we can enrich our farmland and create the increase in the food supply we will need in the immediate future.
It seems so simple. We need to add to our soil a medium that will absorb and hold Co2 - and this could be anything from pellets of soft rock such as sandstone, or some industrial waste product that has an absorbent tendency.
Then it would be a matter of capturing Co2 emissions from producers such as power stations and pipe it underground - to be absorbed by the medium we have added to the soil.
Sometimes the answer to complex problems are simple - and staring us in the face. It would certainly be worth creating a test site to examine the theory.
By 2030, 8.3 billion people will walk the earth - and to feed them farmers will need to grow thirty percent more grain.
The problem is that the amount of farmland is shrinking annually. The urban sprawl swallows huge portions, great areas are lost to salt rising to the surface - and poor farm practices in much of the remaining land results in top soil being lost to erosion and wind storms.
Soil scientists have long been excited about a phenomenon called " Terra Preta ". Scattered around the world are patches of incredibly fertile soil which we are only just beginning to understand.
For a start, this top soil has a depth of a much as two metres, whereas ordinary top soil is shallow. It absorbs and holds water - and continuously bears far greater than average crops.
Whether by luck or by good management it seems that previous inhabitants replenished the soil nutrients by using discarded food scraps and the ashes from their cooking fires to create a higher Co2 content.
The carbon was trapped by the charcoal and over time evolved into a super soil that was able to provide the needs of crops to create abundant harvests.
It would seem that we may have the guidance of our forebears to solve two of our greatest problems. If we find a way to return the Co2 that is causing global warming to the soil, we can enrich our farmland and create the increase in the food supply we will need in the immediate future.
It seems so simple. We need to add to our soil a medium that will absorb and hold Co2 - and this could be anything from pellets of soft rock such as sandstone, or some industrial waste product that has an absorbent tendency.
Then it would be a matter of capturing Co2 emissions from producers such as power stations and pipe it underground - to be absorbed by the medium we have added to the soil.
Sometimes the answer to complex problems are simple - and staring us in the face. It would certainly be worth creating a test site to examine the theory.
Saturday 27 September 2008
Educational disaster !
One of the proposals that won Kevin Rudd many votes at last Novembers election was the promise to put every secondary student in the country in front of his or her school computer.
On winning office, Rudd adroitly discounted this offer to one computer shared by every two students.
The second round of computer distribution is proceeding, and to the horror of New South Wales parents the state government has ordered the 628 public secondary schools to decline the offer of Federal computers.
Former Treasurer Michael Costa had asked for an extension of the October 9 deadline for applications and this was declined by the Commonwealth because to agree would have seriously disrupted computer placement for the other states and territories.
New South Wales claims that it has no money to install power points to serve an influx of computers to it's ramshackle school system - and in summer the addition of computers to classrooms would generate extra heat and create a health hazard. It has no funds to air condition schools, despite this state being located in the sub-tropics.
We have the amazing situation that all the other states and territories have no difficulty in providing the power points and wiring infrastructure to bring their secondary schools into the computer age, but the children of this state are to be left lagging and subjected to a chalk and blackboard regime of teaching.
New South Wales has virtually dropped out of computer installation with the demand that it will only reconsider if the Commonwealth picks up the tab for a grant of $ 245 million to cover installation and maintenance.
This is probably the last straw for many people. The sheer incompetence of this state government has been clearly demonstrated in the shambles that describes the health system, railways and roads - and now it seems the chance of a good education for our children has gone out of the window.
There is little wonder that families are opting out of New South Wales !
On winning office, Rudd adroitly discounted this offer to one computer shared by every two students.
The second round of computer distribution is proceeding, and to the horror of New South Wales parents the state government has ordered the 628 public secondary schools to decline the offer of Federal computers.
Former Treasurer Michael Costa had asked for an extension of the October 9 deadline for applications and this was declined by the Commonwealth because to agree would have seriously disrupted computer placement for the other states and territories.
New South Wales claims that it has no money to install power points to serve an influx of computers to it's ramshackle school system - and in summer the addition of computers to classrooms would generate extra heat and create a health hazard. It has no funds to air condition schools, despite this state being located in the sub-tropics.
We have the amazing situation that all the other states and territories have no difficulty in providing the power points and wiring infrastructure to bring their secondary schools into the computer age, but the children of this state are to be left lagging and subjected to a chalk and blackboard regime of teaching.
New South Wales has virtually dropped out of computer installation with the demand that it will only reconsider if the Commonwealth picks up the tab for a grant of $ 245 million to cover installation and maintenance.
This is probably the last straw for many people. The sheer incompetence of this state government has been clearly demonstrated in the shambles that describes the health system, railways and roads - and now it seems the chance of a good education for our children has gone out of the window.
There is little wonder that families are opting out of New South Wales !
Thursday 25 September 2008
Lurks and perks !
It seems that recently resigned Premier Morris Iemma is petitioning the state government to be granted the lurks and perks usually afforded holders of the state's highest political office. The only problem is that his term of service is several months short of the qualifying four year period.
Ex-Premiers usually get a car and driver, an office and the services of a personal assistant - all paid for by the public purse - when they leave office.
Iemma points out that Bob Carr is enjoying these perks - and that Neville Wran still has these facilities available decades after his term of service ended.
This raises a thorny question that rankles many members of the public. It may be reasonable for a recently retired Premier to have a need for such facilities in the months immediately after leaving office. There may be matters to finalise and such a person would hold patronage positions in many charities.
The sticking point is that this largess seems to be bestowed - for life !
One of the problems is the long list of people who claim entitlement to some sort of ongoing public expenditure. They include past Prime Ministers as well as Premiers, a vast array of ministers and of course Governors - and the Governor Generals.
Surely bestowing these facilities should have a time factor involved. Perhaps a five year period would be generous, because any holder of high office retires on a very generous pension - and providing these services in addition to that pension could be seen as double dipping !
But don't hold your breath waiting for change. There is a vast difference between the treatment of politicians and the general public.
While Iemma implores his colleagues to grant him access to the gravy train - single pensioners do it tough and wait until next year to see if they will be granted a miserable thirty extra dollars a pay period to lift them off the bread line.
It makes you wonder who is the master - and who is the servant !
Ex-Premiers usually get a car and driver, an office and the services of a personal assistant - all paid for by the public purse - when they leave office.
Iemma points out that Bob Carr is enjoying these perks - and that Neville Wran still has these facilities available decades after his term of service ended.
This raises a thorny question that rankles many members of the public. It may be reasonable for a recently retired Premier to have a need for such facilities in the months immediately after leaving office. There may be matters to finalise and such a person would hold patronage positions in many charities.
The sticking point is that this largess seems to be bestowed - for life !
One of the problems is the long list of people who claim entitlement to some sort of ongoing public expenditure. They include past Prime Ministers as well as Premiers, a vast array of ministers and of course Governors - and the Governor Generals.
Surely bestowing these facilities should have a time factor involved. Perhaps a five year period would be generous, because any holder of high office retires on a very generous pension - and providing these services in addition to that pension could be seen as double dipping !
But don't hold your breath waiting for change. There is a vast difference between the treatment of politicians and the general public.
While Iemma implores his colleagues to grant him access to the gravy train - single pensioners do it tough and wait until next year to see if they will be granted a miserable thirty extra dollars a pay period to lift them off the bread line.
It makes you wonder who is the master - and who is the servant !
Wednesday 24 September 2008
The " universal " language.
One of the great things about the English language is that is is in a perpetual state of evolution. New words are constantly being added to accommodate new technology - and old words sent to the dust bin.
Many deplore spelling changes, but that is part of the modernising process. We now find manufacturers of car tyres referring to their product as " tires " in advertisements. The dropping of the " y " in favour of " i " makes more sense to those learning the language and seems part of the move towards a form of phonetics.
It is clear that English is fast becoming the universal language. At the conclusion of major sporting events it is now rare to find the winner unable to make an acceptance speech in that language - and South Korea has proposed banning women golfers from international competition if they do not have at least a basic English language skill.
A century ago there was fierce competition between English and French as to which would become the " world language ". The French lost - mainly because they refused to modernise and accept new words, resulting in French being cumbersome and unworkable when tackling new industrial concepts.
There was also the huge advantage to English of the British Empire encompassing such a major portion of the globe. As a result, it got a head start as colonial administrations used English as the official language of government.
English is now the " second language " taught in most of the world countries. In another decade or so we can expect a large proportion of this world to be multi-lingual.
That raises the question of what happens to the residents of those countries who now have English as their primary language ?
Knowledge of a second language is an important tool in social and business advancement, but what language does an English speaker choose ?
In today's climate the obvious answer is - Chinese !
After all, there are more of them than any other race !
Many deplore spelling changes, but that is part of the modernising process. We now find manufacturers of car tyres referring to their product as " tires " in advertisements. The dropping of the " y " in favour of " i " makes more sense to those learning the language and seems part of the move towards a form of phonetics.
It is clear that English is fast becoming the universal language. At the conclusion of major sporting events it is now rare to find the winner unable to make an acceptance speech in that language - and South Korea has proposed banning women golfers from international competition if they do not have at least a basic English language skill.
A century ago there was fierce competition between English and French as to which would become the " world language ". The French lost - mainly because they refused to modernise and accept new words, resulting in French being cumbersome and unworkable when tackling new industrial concepts.
There was also the huge advantage to English of the British Empire encompassing such a major portion of the globe. As a result, it got a head start as colonial administrations used English as the official language of government.
English is now the " second language " taught in most of the world countries. In another decade or so we can expect a large proportion of this world to be multi-lingual.
That raises the question of what happens to the residents of those countries who now have English as their primary language ?
Knowledge of a second language is an important tool in social and business advancement, but what language does an English speaker choose ?
In today's climate the obvious answer is - Chinese !
After all, there are more of them than any other race !
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Dicing with death.
The New South Wales state government is taking risky decisions as it desperately tries to balance it's budget.
The strategy of closing fire stations for the remainder of a shift when a crew member calls in sick is simply a bad idea.
The very reason we have so many fire stations and their location in most suburbs is to be capable of a quick response. Fire is a devious enemy. It can be snuffed out easily in the initial few minutes if prompt action is taken, but it takes so little time for that flickering flame to become a raging inferno.
The government is prepared to grant fire fighters a wage increase to match inflation levels, provided no replacement on overtime is rostered to replace a crew member calling in sick. As a result, the affected fire station will not respond to alarms for the remainder of that shift.
That is dicing with death. There will be a response from a fire station in another suburb, but obviously not in the same time frame as from the local station.
In the event that someone loses their life because of traffic delays the outcome will be unacceptable to the public.
It seems that to equate human lives with money saved is not the best decision and will not be applauded by the public.
The strategy of closing fire stations for the remainder of a shift when a crew member calls in sick is simply a bad idea.
The very reason we have so many fire stations and their location in most suburbs is to be capable of a quick response. Fire is a devious enemy. It can be snuffed out easily in the initial few minutes if prompt action is taken, but it takes so little time for that flickering flame to become a raging inferno.
The government is prepared to grant fire fighters a wage increase to match inflation levels, provided no replacement on overtime is rostered to replace a crew member calling in sick. As a result, the affected fire station will not respond to alarms for the remainder of that shift.
That is dicing with death. There will be a response from a fire station in another suburb, but obviously not in the same time frame as from the local station.
In the event that someone loses their life because of traffic delays the outcome will be unacceptable to the public.
It seems that to equate human lives with money saved is not the best decision and will not be applauded by the public.
Monday 22 September 2008
Rattling skeletons.
Most people have some incident in their past that they would rather forget, but it seems that a skeleton in new Premier Nathan Rees's cupboard is rattling it's bones and causing him grief.
Before he won a seat in parliament Rees was chief of staff for Milton Orkopoulos, the member for Newcastle - now a prisoner serving a long sentence for paedophilia.
At his trial it was revealed that Orkopoulos dealt drugs and abused young boys in his parliamentary office and elsewhere. His conduct was an open secret around state parliament - and now Rees is being pressed to reveal what he knew - and when he knew it ?
Rees agrees that there were rumours and strange goings on, but he also claims that when he raised this matter with senior ALP figures he was told " that if you are seeking a political career that would not be an intelligent question to ask ".
Paedophilia is one of the worst crimes imaginable - and yet it is something that has been swept under the carpet for decades. Doctors, teachers, even serving police officers see signs of this vile crime and choose to turn away and do and say nothing.
The usual human defences are trotted out. " I did not want to get involved ". " It was no business of mine ".
Paedophilia will flourish as long as this attitude prevails. The sad thing is that the few courageous folk who drag it kicking and screaming into the open are let down by people in the higher walks of life who elect to look the other way.
Before he won a seat in parliament Rees was chief of staff for Milton Orkopoulos, the member for Newcastle - now a prisoner serving a long sentence for paedophilia.
At his trial it was revealed that Orkopoulos dealt drugs and abused young boys in his parliamentary office and elsewhere. His conduct was an open secret around state parliament - and now Rees is being pressed to reveal what he knew - and when he knew it ?
Rees agrees that there were rumours and strange goings on, but he also claims that when he raised this matter with senior ALP figures he was told " that if you are seeking a political career that would not be an intelligent question to ask ".
Paedophilia is one of the worst crimes imaginable - and yet it is something that has been swept under the carpet for decades. Doctors, teachers, even serving police officers see signs of this vile crime and choose to turn away and do and say nothing.
The usual human defences are trotted out. " I did not want to get involved ". " It was no business of mine ".
Paedophilia will flourish as long as this attitude prevails. The sad thing is that the few courageous folk who drag it kicking and screaming into the open are let down by people in the higher walks of life who elect to look the other way.
Sunday 21 September 2008
Global meltdown !
The average person probably finds it difficult to understand just what is happening with the turmoil in the money markets. We seem to have shrunk back from disaster with the United States government bailing out financial powerhouses such as Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and IAG.
Unfortunately this is a case of America riding to the rescue with money it does not have !
America is broke ! And it has been for decades ! The United States spends more money each year than it earns - and as a result it runs a trading deficit that has reached an unpayable level.
The present crisis is simply a case of the private sector being too greedy by lending money to unsuitable customers and then bundling the resulting dodgy paper into securities. These securities devalued when mortgage defaults became a torrent because of inflationary house prices coupled with static income levels.
The obvious remedy would have been to let market forces prevail. When the blood bath subsided there would have been immense casualties, but realistic values would have returned and those left standing would pick up the pieces and move on.
The American government could not allow that to happen. It's deficit was being financed by other countries - mainly Japan and China - buying Treasury bonds and other government paper.
Should confidence in the worth of that paper collapse a world depression of huge proportions would be certain because the world would cease to finance the American economy.
The strange thing about government money is that it bears absolutely no relation to the financial system we understand. When we borrow money from a bank or any finance institution we expect to repay according to a known set of rules.
Governments do not repay. They simply " roll it over " into a new agreement when the old one expires.
So - we have a crisis that seems to be well on the way to resolution, barring the unexpected. The American Treasury will shuffle paper to finance the recovery - but nothing will really change.
America will continue to run a trading deficit and the illusion of prosperity will continue.
Let us just hope that somewhere down the track a more hard nosed attitude does not emerge in the minds of countries financing that deficit.
If the chickens ever do come home to roost - the meltdown will be beyond recovery !
Unfortunately this is a case of America riding to the rescue with money it does not have !
America is broke ! And it has been for decades ! The United States spends more money each year than it earns - and as a result it runs a trading deficit that has reached an unpayable level.
The present crisis is simply a case of the private sector being too greedy by lending money to unsuitable customers and then bundling the resulting dodgy paper into securities. These securities devalued when mortgage defaults became a torrent because of inflationary house prices coupled with static income levels.
The obvious remedy would have been to let market forces prevail. When the blood bath subsided there would have been immense casualties, but realistic values would have returned and those left standing would pick up the pieces and move on.
The American government could not allow that to happen. It's deficit was being financed by other countries - mainly Japan and China - buying Treasury bonds and other government paper.
Should confidence in the worth of that paper collapse a world depression of huge proportions would be certain because the world would cease to finance the American economy.
The strange thing about government money is that it bears absolutely no relation to the financial system we understand. When we borrow money from a bank or any finance institution we expect to repay according to a known set of rules.
Governments do not repay. They simply " roll it over " into a new agreement when the old one expires.
So - we have a crisis that seems to be well on the way to resolution, barring the unexpected. The American Treasury will shuffle paper to finance the recovery - but nothing will really change.
America will continue to run a trading deficit and the illusion of prosperity will continue.
Let us just hope that somewhere down the track a more hard nosed attitude does not emerge in the minds of countries financing that deficit.
If the chickens ever do come home to roost - the meltdown will be beyond recovery !
Saturday 20 September 2008
Moving goal posts !
When a smoking ban was proposed for clubs and pubs the state government handled it badly. For months there was procrastination in deciding just what criteria would apply to a ventilated area where smoking would be allowed.
Eventually it was decided that at least one complete side of such an area had to be open - and in effect this seemed a reasonable definition of a verandah.
Clubs and pubs literally spent millions of dollars trying to satisfy both the law and the demand of their smoking patrons. Despite this expenditure the smoking ban has been a financial disaster for the industry. Patronage of bar and dining facilities have dropped sharply - and poker machine players have stayed away in droves.
Now this whole legal smoking area concept has been overturned. This week Justice Peter McClellan ruled in the New South Wales Supreme court that the smoking area provided by the Dubbo RSL club did not meet the legal requirements approved by parliament.
McClellan agreed that it provided a twenty-five percent open area - but contended that in his view there should not be any form of roofing confining the escape of tobacco smoke.
In effect, this ruling condemns all roofed smoking areas. The Dubbo RSL has already spent $ 4 million complying with this law and like most other clubs and pubs may find it impossible for practical reasons to remove the offending roof.
This tends to raise the question of just who is running this state. The elected parliament passed a law that clearly stipulated the parameters for smoking areas and now a court has seen fit to move the goal posts.
The club and pub industries have every right to expect the protection of parliament. They have spent millions of dollars in good faith and it is reasonable to expect that if Justice McClellan's ruling stands many will be unable to make further modifications to remain within the law. As a result, many who are precariously on the edge of economic failure will go to the wall.
The question seems to be whether a judge has the right to impose a health ruling in a matter in which he has no formal medical qualifications - or whether the parliament elected by the people has the right to determine what degree of medical risk it is prepared to countenance.
In these difficult economic times a swift decision is imperative !
Eventually it was decided that at least one complete side of such an area had to be open - and in effect this seemed a reasonable definition of a verandah.
Clubs and pubs literally spent millions of dollars trying to satisfy both the law and the demand of their smoking patrons. Despite this expenditure the smoking ban has been a financial disaster for the industry. Patronage of bar and dining facilities have dropped sharply - and poker machine players have stayed away in droves.
Now this whole legal smoking area concept has been overturned. This week Justice Peter McClellan ruled in the New South Wales Supreme court that the smoking area provided by the Dubbo RSL club did not meet the legal requirements approved by parliament.
McClellan agreed that it provided a twenty-five percent open area - but contended that in his view there should not be any form of roofing confining the escape of tobacco smoke.
In effect, this ruling condemns all roofed smoking areas. The Dubbo RSL has already spent $ 4 million complying with this law and like most other clubs and pubs may find it impossible for practical reasons to remove the offending roof.
This tends to raise the question of just who is running this state. The elected parliament passed a law that clearly stipulated the parameters for smoking areas and now a court has seen fit to move the goal posts.
The club and pub industries have every right to expect the protection of parliament. They have spent millions of dollars in good faith and it is reasonable to expect that if Justice McClellan's ruling stands many will be unable to make further modifications to remain within the law. As a result, many who are precariously on the edge of economic failure will go to the wall.
The question seems to be whether a judge has the right to impose a health ruling in a matter in which he has no formal medical qualifications - or whether the parliament elected by the people has the right to determine what degree of medical risk it is prepared to countenance.
In these difficult economic times a swift decision is imperative !
The big con !
One of the most visited tourist attractions in Wollongong is Belmore Basin, the picturesque little harbour featuring Brighton beach - with it's grassy lawns and backdrop light houses.
It is home to the fishing fleet and boasts the fish market, recreational boating, careening facilities and a host of interesting stores, including a fine seafood restaurant.
Recently the state government became interested in this local jewel - and now there are plans for it's redevelopment, including extensions to create a vast marina for the rich boating fraternity.
We are told that the government is considering six development plans submitted by developers. To the consternation of citizens, these plans are to be kept under wraps and will not be revealed to the public.
The government alone will decide what is best for Wollongong - and the citizens will take no part in that decision.
The arrogance of that diktat is overwhelming - and produced a huge tsunami of opposition. In particular, this state government is tainted with corruption and there is a perception that the only interest in making a decision will hinge on which developer offers the highest bribe to Labor coffers.
New Premier Nathan Rees rushed to offer appeasement. The government will appoint a local committee of leading citizens to liaise and inform on the wishes of the local community - but they will not be allowed to view these six plans under consideration - nor will their views have influence on whatever decision is finally taken.
What odds that this committee will be a hand picked group of people with Labor interests who can be relied upon to faithfully nod their heads and support whatever plan this government finally favours ?
At least it resolves one question. The state government is involved in a gigantic con to convince the electors that it is listening to the people - and that the days of cash for approval of shonky deals is over.
It's performance on the redevelopment of Belmore Basin puts the lie to conjecture !
It is home to the fishing fleet and boasts the fish market, recreational boating, careening facilities and a host of interesting stores, including a fine seafood restaurant.
Recently the state government became interested in this local jewel - and now there are plans for it's redevelopment, including extensions to create a vast marina for the rich boating fraternity.
We are told that the government is considering six development plans submitted by developers. To the consternation of citizens, these plans are to be kept under wraps and will not be revealed to the public.
The government alone will decide what is best for Wollongong - and the citizens will take no part in that decision.
The arrogance of that diktat is overwhelming - and produced a huge tsunami of opposition. In particular, this state government is tainted with corruption and there is a perception that the only interest in making a decision will hinge on which developer offers the highest bribe to Labor coffers.
New Premier Nathan Rees rushed to offer appeasement. The government will appoint a local committee of leading citizens to liaise and inform on the wishes of the local community - but they will not be allowed to view these six plans under consideration - nor will their views have influence on whatever decision is finally taken.
What odds that this committee will be a hand picked group of people with Labor interests who can be relied upon to faithfully nod their heads and support whatever plan this government finally favours ?
At least it resolves one question. The state government is involved in a gigantic con to convince the electors that it is listening to the people - and that the days of cash for approval of shonky deals is over.
It's performance on the redevelopment of Belmore Basin puts the lie to conjecture !
Thursday 18 September 2008
Meltdown !
Many people wonder why the troubles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in far away America are creating havoc with their mortgages here in Australia. They are even more alarmed to hear of the downfall of prestigious pillars of commerce - Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and IAG - and the effect that is having on their superannuation returns.
This financial meltdown can be traced back to trends that developed in recent decades. It started with the practice of paying CEO's absolutely obscene amounts of money that was not in any way connected to the performance of the companies they managed. In many instances they were awarded multi-million dollar bonuses and a golden parachute out of firms that were reporting abysmal losses.
Another factor was the amount of time CEO's were at the helm. Five years was considered a long stewardship. In that time they were expected to make their mark and most chose the course of expansion. It was a time of big takeovers involving huge amounts of money - and to get bigger these firms found themselves saddled with massive debts.
That adage from the film " Wall Street " ruled. " Greed is good " prevailed in the minds of both CEO's and the people trusting them with their money - and it worked just so long as the supply of new money to service that debt continued.
And that is where this present meltdown started. The quest for expansion saw money lent to people who couldn't service their loans - and the consequent increase in mortgage defaults sent house prices spinning in a downward spiral.
A glance into that awful abyss frightened the banks and the money supply tightened - with the result that those institutions that relied on a constant injection of fresh money imploded.
Where we go from here is anyone's guess ! There will certainly be more casualties amongst big name corporations and a lot of " little people " will be hurt financially - but it is unlikely that lessons will be learned in the long term.
When the dust finally settles the green eyed monster called greed will again be on the rampage - and human memory will hit the " delete " button on what caused this period of intense grief !
This financial meltdown can be traced back to trends that developed in recent decades. It started with the practice of paying CEO's absolutely obscene amounts of money that was not in any way connected to the performance of the companies they managed. In many instances they were awarded multi-million dollar bonuses and a golden parachute out of firms that were reporting abysmal losses.
Another factor was the amount of time CEO's were at the helm. Five years was considered a long stewardship. In that time they were expected to make their mark and most chose the course of expansion. It was a time of big takeovers involving huge amounts of money - and to get bigger these firms found themselves saddled with massive debts.
That adage from the film " Wall Street " ruled. " Greed is good " prevailed in the minds of both CEO's and the people trusting them with their money - and it worked just so long as the supply of new money to service that debt continued.
And that is where this present meltdown started. The quest for expansion saw money lent to people who couldn't service their loans - and the consequent increase in mortgage defaults sent house prices spinning in a downward spiral.
A glance into that awful abyss frightened the banks and the money supply tightened - with the result that those institutions that relied on a constant injection of fresh money imploded.
Where we go from here is anyone's guess ! There will certainly be more casualties amongst big name corporations and a lot of " little people " will be hurt financially - but it is unlikely that lessons will be learned in the long term.
When the dust finally settles the green eyed monster called greed will again be on the rampage - and human memory will hit the " delete " button on what caused this period of intense grief !
Wednesday 17 September 2008
Wollongong disaster !
The announcement by GPT that the $ 311 million shopping centre extension west of the Mall will be postponed for at least two years has all the implications of disaster for Wollongong.
Work was expected to commence in the next few weeks and Bing Lee - the last tenant - is in the process of moving out.
It will be unlikely that new tenants will be interested in vacant shops given that there is a chance the project will be resurrected - and the current world financial crisis is not encouraging an increase in retail spending.
It is likely that this vast area of empty shops will attract graffiti, the homeless and quickly become an eyesore. It will do nothing to increase patronage of the already dated and tired Mall.
There are other aspects that will worry business owners. At the other end of Crown street Belmorgan is waiting to finalise a court case before proceeding with the $ 350 million " Gravity " project.
If this proceeds it is almost certain that the GPT project will be further delayed - or cancelled. There does not seem to be room for two projects of shopping centre extensions to coexist in central Wollongong.
There is also the chance that the same constraints that are delaying GPT may have "Gravity" put on hold, and if that happens then the Mall will come under pressure from expansions in the northern suburbs.
Belmorgan's " Ambience " in Fairy Meadow is nearing completion and there are plans for a $ 95 million major shopping precinct on vacant land in Corrimal. Both of these will have the attraction of free parking - and will draw custom away from the existing Wollongong Central with it's tired image and accessibility problems.
The GPT delay will deliver the worst possible outcome for Wollongong. Not only will a rejuvenation of the central shopping area not happen, but the city will be stuck with a whole block of abandoned shops falling into disrepair - and this was to be the pivot point for bringing the decaying western area of Crown street back to life.
The delay will provide the incentive for expansion plans at Shellharbour, Fairy Meadow and Corrimal to proceed, further sucking the life out of Wollongong Central as a place to shop.
For Wollongong council - another giant headache because the developer contribution to civic amenities will not happen - and with it the finance necessary to bring this city up to date.
Perhaps the harbinger of further bad tidings for the citizens of this city !
Work was expected to commence in the next few weeks and Bing Lee - the last tenant - is in the process of moving out.
It will be unlikely that new tenants will be interested in vacant shops given that there is a chance the project will be resurrected - and the current world financial crisis is not encouraging an increase in retail spending.
It is likely that this vast area of empty shops will attract graffiti, the homeless and quickly become an eyesore. It will do nothing to increase patronage of the already dated and tired Mall.
There are other aspects that will worry business owners. At the other end of Crown street Belmorgan is waiting to finalise a court case before proceeding with the $ 350 million " Gravity " project.
If this proceeds it is almost certain that the GPT project will be further delayed - or cancelled. There does not seem to be room for two projects of shopping centre extensions to coexist in central Wollongong.
There is also the chance that the same constraints that are delaying GPT may have "Gravity" put on hold, and if that happens then the Mall will come under pressure from expansions in the northern suburbs.
Belmorgan's " Ambience " in Fairy Meadow is nearing completion and there are plans for a $ 95 million major shopping precinct on vacant land in Corrimal. Both of these will have the attraction of free parking - and will draw custom away from the existing Wollongong Central with it's tired image and accessibility problems.
The GPT delay will deliver the worst possible outcome for Wollongong. Not only will a rejuvenation of the central shopping area not happen, but the city will be stuck with a whole block of abandoned shops falling into disrepair - and this was to be the pivot point for bringing the decaying western area of Crown street back to life.
The delay will provide the incentive for expansion plans at Shellharbour, Fairy Meadow and Corrimal to proceed, further sucking the life out of Wollongong Central as a place to shop.
For Wollongong council - another giant headache because the developer contribution to civic amenities will not happen - and with it the finance necessary to bring this city up to date.
Perhaps the harbinger of further bad tidings for the citizens of this city !
Tuesday 16 September 2008
Changing times !
When big business needed money for a new project the traditional source of finance was to either borrow from the banks - or a public float on the stock exchange.
Public sentiment is now a stumbling block - as Tasmanian timber company - Gunns - is finding.
Gunns proposed building a pulp mill on the banks of the Tamar river and in the early stages the ANZ bank was only too happy to be the financier. ANZ has since backed away from the project and the reason seems to be a surge in public sentiment.
The " little people " who invest their savings and superannuation money with the banks and other financial institutions are starting to demand a say in where those funds are invested.
They demand a good rate of return, but they are leery about investing in tobacco interests - and more recently anything that draws flak as detrimental to the health of the planet.
There is considerable opposition in Tasmania to the Gunns proposal. The Tamar river is flanked by farms and has developed a large wine industry. Pulp mills pollute both air and water and one of the attractions of this site is the availability of a deep water shipping port nearby.
Investors fear two things - lack of support and therefore profits where investment firms offend the public by getting involved in polluting projects - and heavy handed government regulations that might leave them exposed to loss.
It is a double edged sword. If money is hard to come by it forces the developers to offer bigger rewards to those willing to take the risk. As a result, new projects in the future are likely to attract those hard nosed wealthy people who put profit far ahead of any concern for the planet.
As a new direction develops - the fate of the Tamar river remains undecided !
Public sentiment is now a stumbling block - as Tasmanian timber company - Gunns - is finding.
Gunns proposed building a pulp mill on the banks of the Tamar river and in the early stages the ANZ bank was only too happy to be the financier. ANZ has since backed away from the project and the reason seems to be a surge in public sentiment.
The " little people " who invest their savings and superannuation money with the banks and other financial institutions are starting to demand a say in where those funds are invested.
They demand a good rate of return, but they are leery about investing in tobacco interests - and more recently anything that draws flak as detrimental to the health of the planet.
There is considerable opposition in Tasmania to the Gunns proposal. The Tamar river is flanked by farms and has developed a large wine industry. Pulp mills pollute both air and water and one of the attractions of this site is the availability of a deep water shipping port nearby.
Investors fear two things - lack of support and therefore profits where investment firms offend the public by getting involved in polluting projects - and heavy handed government regulations that might leave them exposed to loss.
It is a double edged sword. If money is hard to come by it forces the developers to offer bigger rewards to those willing to take the risk. As a result, new projects in the future are likely to attract those hard nosed wealthy people who put profit far ahead of any concern for the planet.
As a new direction develops - the fate of the Tamar river remains undecided !
Monday 15 September 2008
The political cycle.
" Today a strutting rooster - tomorrow a feather duster ! " An apt comment on political life which seems relevant to today's world.
Political life in Australia seems to run in circles - and at the moment we have state and Federal circles running in opposite directions.
The long run of Labor dominating state politics is fast coming to an end. Labor barely retained office in the Northern Territory and is hanging on with a single seat majority. It has been cast from office in Western Australia - and yesterday the wrath of New South Wales voters fell on Labor councillors who were massacred in local government elections.
In the Federal sphere Labor has returned from a long spell in the wilderness, and the Coalition is embarking on a search for a leader. At present none of the contenders seem to possess that magic spark that unites both the voters and the party to win office.
That is normal following defeat after a long term in office. Kevin Rudd is expected to last at least two terms and probably longer and if the political cycle runs true to form it will take most of this cycle for a charismatic opposition leader to rise from the ranks.
Politics is all about the cycle of life. New governments win office with a mandate for change. The old order is swept away and new directions dominate - until reality bites.
Unfortunately the longer the term in office the more disenchanted the voters become until a mood for change emerges - and the cycle repeats itself !
It is probably healthy that we have opposite cycles running in tandem in state and Federal circles. Such configurations tend to curtail extremism and act as a brake on radical change.
Nomatter which party is in office - the cycle of politics makes it certain that there will be future change - and that voters will eventually heed the cry of " throw the bums out ! "
Political life in Australia seems to run in circles - and at the moment we have state and Federal circles running in opposite directions.
The long run of Labor dominating state politics is fast coming to an end. Labor barely retained office in the Northern Territory and is hanging on with a single seat majority. It has been cast from office in Western Australia - and yesterday the wrath of New South Wales voters fell on Labor councillors who were massacred in local government elections.
In the Federal sphere Labor has returned from a long spell in the wilderness, and the Coalition is embarking on a search for a leader. At present none of the contenders seem to possess that magic spark that unites both the voters and the party to win office.
That is normal following defeat after a long term in office. Kevin Rudd is expected to last at least two terms and probably longer and if the political cycle runs true to form it will take most of this cycle for a charismatic opposition leader to rise from the ranks.
Politics is all about the cycle of life. New governments win office with a mandate for change. The old order is swept away and new directions dominate - until reality bites.
Unfortunately the longer the term in office the more disenchanted the voters become until a mood for change emerges - and the cycle repeats itself !
It is probably healthy that we have opposite cycles running in tandem in state and Federal circles. Such configurations tend to curtail extremism and act as a brake on radical change.
Nomatter which party is in office - the cycle of politics makes it certain that there will be future change - and that voters will eventually heed the cry of " throw the bums out ! "
Sunday 14 September 2008
Self imposed prison.
What a strange people we are ! What a strange place this city of Sydney has become !
From before six o'clock in the morning hundreds of thousands of people commence a ritual. They crowd into train carriages or get behind the wheel of their cars and begin a journey from the suburbs to their place of work in the city.
Each year these numbers increase and each year progress becomes slower, despite the government spending huge amounts of money to improve the rail service and build new roads and tunnels to accommodate cars.
Then at the end of each day we reverse the procedure and head home again !
There simply has to be a better way !
Perhaps the answer is to enact a law that freezes the city centre and prevents any further office space from being built. This would redirect natural growth to the outer fringes. Instead of bringing people into the city to work it would take work out of the city to where people live.
Unfortunately it is not likely to happen. It would be too radical an experiment for the movers and shakers of this country - and it would probably be counter productive.
One of the laws of commerce ensures that any commodity in short supply increases in price. Therefore a shortage of office space in this city would mean a huge rise in rents.
There is also the matter of prestige. An address in the Sydney CBD has snob appeal far greater than a similar address in the outer suburbs. Individual streets acquire a cachet as the home of certain professions.
It seems that Sydney - like other great cities of the world - is destined to remain within the " rat race " mentality with an ever increasing access problem. We will hear talk of " decentralization " that will never bear meaningful fruit - and each year the proportion of our lives wasted getting from home to work and back again will get longer !
From before six o'clock in the morning hundreds of thousands of people commence a ritual. They crowd into train carriages or get behind the wheel of their cars and begin a journey from the suburbs to their place of work in the city.
Each year these numbers increase and each year progress becomes slower, despite the government spending huge amounts of money to improve the rail service and build new roads and tunnels to accommodate cars.
Then at the end of each day we reverse the procedure and head home again !
There simply has to be a better way !
Perhaps the answer is to enact a law that freezes the city centre and prevents any further office space from being built. This would redirect natural growth to the outer fringes. Instead of bringing people into the city to work it would take work out of the city to where people live.
Unfortunately it is not likely to happen. It would be too radical an experiment for the movers and shakers of this country - and it would probably be counter productive.
One of the laws of commerce ensures that any commodity in short supply increases in price. Therefore a shortage of office space in this city would mean a huge rise in rents.
There is also the matter of prestige. An address in the Sydney CBD has snob appeal far greater than a similar address in the outer suburbs. Individual streets acquire a cachet as the home of certain professions.
It seems that Sydney - like other great cities of the world - is destined to remain within the " rat race " mentality with an ever increasing access problem. We will hear talk of " decentralization " that will never bear meaningful fruit - and each year the proportion of our lives wasted getting from home to work and back again will get longer !
Saturday 13 September 2008
A new war threat !
For half a century the world lived with the threat of a nuclear exchange. The US led western alliance faced off against the Russian led Warsaw Pact countries and both trained nuclear tipped missiles at one another.
Russia collapsed and for a time it looked like the world had entered a more peaceful stage - but recent events have revived a return of " the cold war ".
Russia has regained prosperity thanks to it's immense quantities of oil and gas and it's undisputed leader - Prime Minister Putin - seems determined not only to regain control of it's former allies but to take a dominant stance in Europe.
The mini war in Georgia sent an ominous signal. Georgia made a bad miscalculation when it sent troops into the breakaway provinces. It expected western help to stop a Russian invasion, and when this did no eventuate it was forced to concede territory and sue for peace.
One of the outcomes from this is a nervous France and Germany who are now backing away from expanding NATO into former Warsaw Pact countries. Obviously they fear Russian aggression putting them into a treaty obligation to resist Russian expansion - and resulting in war with Russia.
This sends a clear signal to the Russian president that the way is clear for his country to bully and intimidate it's neighbours - and an outright threat of invasion is not out of the question !
The huge sums available to Russia to renew it's armaments is daunting, and with the United States bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan a renewed huge US military presence in Europe seems unlikely.
What happens next depends on a lot of things. If Russia is content to simply gobble up it's old neighbours the world will probably protest vigorously - and do nothing.
If Russia signals it's intention to expand beyond the Warsaw Pact countries and dominate Europe then we are probably destined to enter another arms race with missiles from both sides made ready and targeted across the Atlantic ocean.
Whether the world exists in peace or engages in a new cold war depends on what ambitions Prime Minister Putin puts into play.
On present indications - the future looks doubtful !
Russia collapsed and for a time it looked like the world had entered a more peaceful stage - but recent events have revived a return of " the cold war ".
Russia has regained prosperity thanks to it's immense quantities of oil and gas and it's undisputed leader - Prime Minister Putin - seems determined not only to regain control of it's former allies but to take a dominant stance in Europe.
The mini war in Georgia sent an ominous signal. Georgia made a bad miscalculation when it sent troops into the breakaway provinces. It expected western help to stop a Russian invasion, and when this did no eventuate it was forced to concede territory and sue for peace.
One of the outcomes from this is a nervous France and Germany who are now backing away from expanding NATO into former Warsaw Pact countries. Obviously they fear Russian aggression putting them into a treaty obligation to resist Russian expansion - and resulting in war with Russia.
This sends a clear signal to the Russian president that the way is clear for his country to bully and intimidate it's neighbours - and an outright threat of invasion is not out of the question !
The huge sums available to Russia to renew it's armaments is daunting, and with the United States bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan a renewed huge US military presence in Europe seems unlikely.
What happens next depends on a lot of things. If Russia is content to simply gobble up it's old neighbours the world will probably protest vigorously - and do nothing.
If Russia signals it's intention to expand beyond the Warsaw Pact countries and dominate Europe then we are probably destined to enter another arms race with missiles from both sides made ready and targeted across the Atlantic ocean.
Whether the world exists in peace or engages in a new cold war depends on what ambitions Prime Minister Putin puts into play.
On present indications - the future looks doubtful !
Friday 12 September 2008
Glassing !
Not so long ago a pub fight that resulted in someone having a broken glass or bottle rammed into their face brought headlines in the next day's paper. Not any more ! Last weekend there were eleven such incidents in a single night.
We have become a more violent society. The old Aussie custom of settling an argument by way of a fist fight has given way to knives and any form of lethal weapon that comes to hand.
There are now laws that ban people carrying knives and it seems that new laws will be required to remove the humble drinking glass from the club and pub scene.
Unfortunately the alternatives to glass result in a lowering of one of life's pleasures. It is possible to serve beer in a cup or a plastic container, but the ability of glass to keep a beer cool - and it's appearance with rising bubbles and a nice head can not be compared.
Hopefully the politicians will not over react and ban glass entirely in all venues. Anti social activity seems concentrated on night spots that open for extended hours and " glassings " as this form of attack is titled - rarely occur until very late.
If there is to be a law change it will hopefully have a cut off time. Glass may need to be replaced by plastic from the old closing time of ten PM - but most people would prefer their beer in a glass during normal " civilized " drinking hours.
There is also the chance that the club and pub industry may see this as an opportunity to improve their bottom line. Some may be enthusiastic about replacing glasses entirely in favour of throw away plastic cups. Not only would this reduce the cost of normal glass attrition, but it would remove washing costs - and probably result in a price increase - in the name of safety.
It is the usual problem. The majority suffer for the actions of the few who refuse to conform to accepted social standards !
We have become a more violent society. The old Aussie custom of settling an argument by way of a fist fight has given way to knives and any form of lethal weapon that comes to hand.
There are now laws that ban people carrying knives and it seems that new laws will be required to remove the humble drinking glass from the club and pub scene.
Unfortunately the alternatives to glass result in a lowering of one of life's pleasures. It is possible to serve beer in a cup or a plastic container, but the ability of glass to keep a beer cool - and it's appearance with rising bubbles and a nice head can not be compared.
Hopefully the politicians will not over react and ban glass entirely in all venues. Anti social activity seems concentrated on night spots that open for extended hours and " glassings " as this form of attack is titled - rarely occur until very late.
If there is to be a law change it will hopefully have a cut off time. Glass may need to be replaced by plastic from the old closing time of ten PM - but most people would prefer their beer in a glass during normal " civilized " drinking hours.
There is also the chance that the club and pub industry may see this as an opportunity to improve their bottom line. Some may be enthusiastic about replacing glasses entirely in favour of throw away plastic cups. Not only would this reduce the cost of normal glass attrition, but it would remove washing costs - and probably result in a price increase - in the name of safety.
It is the usual problem. The majority suffer for the actions of the few who refuse to conform to accepted social standards !
Thursday 11 September 2008
Smoke and mirrors.
There is an interesting rumour doing the rounds that might just strike a chord with some people.
Scuttlebutt has it that the amazing events taking place in the New South Wales parliament are a last throw of the dice by the ALP right wing machine to save the party from oblivion.
According to this scenario the ruling faction saw the situation as beyond retrieval under Morris Iemma and heaved a sigh of relief when his recall of parliament - and subsequent retreat with his tail between his legs - left him no option other than resignation.
They devised a recovery plan that centred around new premier Nathan Rees. A financial crisis was quickly manufactured. We were all on our way to " the poor house ". Our triple AAA credit rating was threatened. Doom and gloom was the order of the day.
Nathan Rees was ordered to abandon the denial and spin policies of the past. It was now " mea culpa " and apologies for the mess the government had created under it's former leadership - and a promise that things would be different under his new regime.
Under this plan we will shortly see a horror min budget with plenty of pain for the average voter. The ALP will be deliberately made unpopular because of the action taken - but Rees will be portrayed as a heroic figure - taking punishment to save New South Wales despite the battering his policies are taking.
At the same time money will be squirrelled away to pay for " the recovery ".
2009 will be the year of great discontent - but miraculously towards the middle of 2010 Rees will trumpet that New South Wales has " turned the corner " - and from then until the state election in March 2011 money will flow, new rail carriages will come on line to ease overcrowding - and the dire austerity measures will be rolled back - just in time for an ALP victory for Nathan Rees - the hero who saved this state !
Improbable ? Unlikely ? No more so than the story that this state dived from a June budget surplus to a billion dollar deficit - and nobody sitting around the budget table saw it coming !
Just an example of what is known as " reverse psychology " - turning bad news into an asset - and convincing people that they have been saved from an imaginary peril.
Such is the " art " of politics !
Scuttlebutt has it that the amazing events taking place in the New South Wales parliament are a last throw of the dice by the ALP right wing machine to save the party from oblivion.
According to this scenario the ruling faction saw the situation as beyond retrieval under Morris Iemma and heaved a sigh of relief when his recall of parliament - and subsequent retreat with his tail between his legs - left him no option other than resignation.
They devised a recovery plan that centred around new premier Nathan Rees. A financial crisis was quickly manufactured. We were all on our way to " the poor house ". Our triple AAA credit rating was threatened. Doom and gloom was the order of the day.
Nathan Rees was ordered to abandon the denial and spin policies of the past. It was now " mea culpa " and apologies for the mess the government had created under it's former leadership - and a promise that things would be different under his new regime.
Under this plan we will shortly see a horror min budget with plenty of pain for the average voter. The ALP will be deliberately made unpopular because of the action taken - but Rees will be portrayed as a heroic figure - taking punishment to save New South Wales despite the battering his policies are taking.
At the same time money will be squirrelled away to pay for " the recovery ".
2009 will be the year of great discontent - but miraculously towards the middle of 2010 Rees will trumpet that New South Wales has " turned the corner " - and from then until the state election in March 2011 money will flow, new rail carriages will come on line to ease overcrowding - and the dire austerity measures will be rolled back - just in time for an ALP victory for Nathan Rees - the hero who saved this state !
Improbable ? Unlikely ? No more so than the story that this state dived from a June budget surplus to a billion dollar deficit - and nobody sitting around the budget table saw it coming !
Just an example of what is known as " reverse psychology " - turning bad news into an asset - and convincing people that they have been saved from an imaginary peril.
Such is the " art " of politics !
Wednesday 10 September 2008
A bad law !
There should be no argument that a person should not be punished for obeying a law when that law conflicts with another law.
Exactly that happened when a motorist did what is required by pulling over and giving way to an emergency vehicle sounding it's sirens and flashing it's lights.
Unfortunately this happened at a light controlled intersection equipped with a red light camera. A " disobeying a red light " infringement followed.
The motorist went to court - and the magistrate agreed that the fine of $ 308 and loss of three demerit points was not warranted. The charge was dismissed without penalty - but the Roads and Traffic Authority persisted in applying those three demerit points.
A RTA spokesman commented " that this happens a lot ".
We pay a whole bunch of politicians good money to oversee the laws of this state. This same stupid conflict of laws gets publicity in the media on a regular basis - and yet our politicians have done nothing to correct the situation.
We have a bad law on the books. Surely the matter should end with the magistrate.
All that is required is a simple law change to instruct the RTA that when a charge is dismissed - both the fine and the demerit points no longer apply.
What odds that a year from now our politicians have still done nothing - and those conflicting laws are still on the books ?
Exactly that happened when a motorist did what is required by pulling over and giving way to an emergency vehicle sounding it's sirens and flashing it's lights.
Unfortunately this happened at a light controlled intersection equipped with a red light camera. A " disobeying a red light " infringement followed.
The motorist went to court - and the magistrate agreed that the fine of $ 308 and loss of three demerit points was not warranted. The charge was dismissed without penalty - but the Roads and Traffic Authority persisted in applying those three demerit points.
A RTA spokesman commented " that this happens a lot ".
We pay a whole bunch of politicians good money to oversee the laws of this state. This same stupid conflict of laws gets publicity in the media on a regular basis - and yet our politicians have done nothing to correct the situation.
We have a bad law on the books. Surely the matter should end with the magistrate.
All that is required is a simple law change to instruct the RTA that when a charge is dismissed - both the fine and the demerit points no longer apply.
What odds that a year from now our politicians have still done nothing - and those conflicting laws are still on the books ?
Tuesday 9 September 2008
The empty Cuckoo's nest !
Once again the Illawarra has drawn the short straw ! This region has faced a long string of resignations from it's psychiatrist work force - and now the director of mental health services has quit.
The reason for the walkout is not hard to find. Control of the service is Sydney/centric and staff complain of inappropriate decision making, endless coverups - and bullying.
Those talented people who have walked out have setup in private practice, and in many cases are now working part time for the government in the capacity of visiting medical officers.
As a result, the Illawarra has just thirteen part time psychiatrists, giving it a ratio of just one for each 25,000 people. The recommended WHO ratio should be one for each 10,000 people, hence there is a serious shortfall.
At the same time millions have been spent on creating two brand new psychiatric units which are not serving their intended purpose - because of staff shortages.
In the present dire economic climate it is unlikely that the Illawarra will be high on the agenda for Sydney's attention when it comes to fixing this problem. The state government will be hard pressed just to survive in the months ahead and those urgently needing psychiatric help will face a long waiting list.
It seems that the sky will be empty over this particular Cuckoo's nest for a long time !
The reason for the walkout is not hard to find. Control of the service is Sydney/centric and staff complain of inappropriate decision making, endless coverups - and bullying.
Those talented people who have walked out have setup in private practice, and in many cases are now working part time for the government in the capacity of visiting medical officers.
As a result, the Illawarra has just thirteen part time psychiatrists, giving it a ratio of just one for each 25,000 people. The recommended WHO ratio should be one for each 10,000 people, hence there is a serious shortfall.
At the same time millions have been spent on creating two brand new psychiatric units which are not serving their intended purpose - because of staff shortages.
In the present dire economic climate it is unlikely that the Illawarra will be high on the agenda for Sydney's attention when it comes to fixing this problem. The state government will be hard pressed just to survive in the months ahead and those urgently needing psychiatric help will face a long waiting list.
It seems that the sky will be empty over this particular Cuckoo's nest for a long time !
Monday 8 September 2008
The pendulum swings !
Australians are canny voters. During the years of John Howard's coalition government in Canberra they had " two bob each way " by installing Labor governments in the states and territories.
Now the pendulum is swinging the other way. Labor is in power in Canberra - and there is a mood of change in the state government scene.
An election in the Northern Territory saw a healthy Labor majority reduced to a perilous one seat knife edge. This weekends West Australian election is balanced on a choice by the Nationals who hold the balance of power. Labor governments in the other states are looking over their shoulders as public sentiment swiftly changes.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in New South Wales. There would have been a change of government here eighteen months ago except for the sheer stupidity of what the opposition offered.
Since then the state government has degenerated further into farce - and now new premier Nathan Rees has the job before him. He seems a competent sort with a no nonsense attitude, but the job of dragging this state back from the abyss will be daunting.
The problem is that this state is broke. There is not enough money being generated to even keep the present level of services running, let alone fund the projects promised.
Rees will need to bite the bullet and introduce some mighty unpopular measures - such as hefty tax and charge increases - if he hopes to turn things around.
At least he is being honest - which is a change from the spin of the last premier and his ministers - and citizens will be inclined to give him a go as long as he maintains transparency.
It's a case of buckle your seatbelts and hold on tight - theres a mile or so of rocky road ahead !
Now the pendulum is swinging the other way. Labor is in power in Canberra - and there is a mood of change in the state government scene.
An election in the Northern Territory saw a healthy Labor majority reduced to a perilous one seat knife edge. This weekends West Australian election is balanced on a choice by the Nationals who hold the balance of power. Labor governments in the other states are looking over their shoulders as public sentiment swiftly changes.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in New South Wales. There would have been a change of government here eighteen months ago except for the sheer stupidity of what the opposition offered.
Since then the state government has degenerated further into farce - and now new premier Nathan Rees has the job before him. He seems a competent sort with a no nonsense attitude, but the job of dragging this state back from the abyss will be daunting.
The problem is that this state is broke. There is not enough money being generated to even keep the present level of services running, let alone fund the projects promised.
Rees will need to bite the bullet and introduce some mighty unpopular measures - such as hefty tax and charge increases - if he hopes to turn things around.
At least he is being honest - which is a change from the spin of the last premier and his ministers - and citizens will be inclined to give him a go as long as he maintains transparency.
It's a case of buckle your seatbelts and hold on tight - theres a mile or so of rocky road ahead !
Sunday 7 September 2008
A wise decision.
Ex-Premier of New South Wales Morris Iemma has been tarred with the brush of incompetence - but at least he made one wise decision when he started to dismantle the troika of rescue services that have long wasted state funds.
There is simply no justification for having independent rescue services controlled by the police, the fire brigades - and the ambulance services.
Each rescue service has a pool of trained personnel and maintains a fleet of special emergency vehicles and a huge array of rescue equipment. This duplication wastes precious funds and means that in any emergency two thirds of the rescue teams sit idle while one third performs the necessary duty.
It is now claimed that each group provides specialist skills not matched by the other groups - hence in an emergency the first response team must evaluate the need - and draw in those who can meet it - with a consequent loss of time which is so vital in an emergency.
The ambulance rescue has been stood down and it's duties allocated to the fire brigade. Common sense dictates that the same fate should visit the police rescue organization.
In most countries the fire service is the provider of rescue facilities - and the only reason we have three competing services here is sheer ego. Rescue is a glamour occupation. The TV cameras roll - and the chiefs of the three services revel in the publicity received - and fight tooth and nail to preserve their little kingdoms.
The finances of this state are parlous and bad times are ahead. Now is the time to cut waste - and reducing to a single, well maintained and well funded rescue organization would be a sound move !
There is simply no justification for having independent rescue services controlled by the police, the fire brigades - and the ambulance services.
Each rescue service has a pool of trained personnel and maintains a fleet of special emergency vehicles and a huge array of rescue equipment. This duplication wastes precious funds and means that in any emergency two thirds of the rescue teams sit idle while one third performs the necessary duty.
It is now claimed that each group provides specialist skills not matched by the other groups - hence in an emergency the first response team must evaluate the need - and draw in those who can meet it - with a consequent loss of time which is so vital in an emergency.
The ambulance rescue has been stood down and it's duties allocated to the fire brigade. Common sense dictates that the same fate should visit the police rescue organization.
In most countries the fire service is the provider of rescue facilities - and the only reason we have three competing services here is sheer ego. Rescue is a glamour occupation. The TV cameras roll - and the chiefs of the three services revel in the publicity received - and fight tooth and nail to preserve their little kingdoms.
The finances of this state are parlous and bad times are ahead. Now is the time to cut waste - and reducing to a single, well maintained and well funded rescue organization would be a sound move !
Saturday 6 September 2008
A fragile future !
Residents of New South Wales have every reason to view the future with alarm. Yesterdays dramatic events - which saw Morris Iemma resign as premier and abandon his future in politics - presents a grim future scenario.
Iemma's fate was sealed when he failed to get the numbers to sell off the state electricity system. He wanted to make a new start by sacking incompetent ministers but the power brokers refused and left him no option than to step aside.
His replacement is an unknown. Nathan Rees is serving his first term in parliament, having won a seat at the last election. More significantly, Rees is from the left faction of Labor politics - and his endorsement as premier came from the powerful right wing. Many will wonder what strings are attached to this unusual move and what future policy directions will be involved.
It is evident that this state is in dire financial stress. The writing is on the wall with the credit agencies reviewing our AAA credit rating. There is simply not enough money to keep health, transport and education on a reasonable level, let alone fund the promises that this government has been making.
Selling electricity was the last roll of the dice. Not only would it rid the government of a utility about to suffer a huge price hike but it would be the only way funds could be injected from it's sale to try and bring other services up to scratch - and restore Labor credibility.
Nathan Rees will have a hard job ahead of him and it looks like he is stuck with the same bunch of incompetent ministers with big ego's who are clinging to their jobs and enjoying the gravy train.
Labor party insiders have been warning that the government - and the state - are heading for a train wreck. Hopefully, Rees has qualities unknown to the public and may be able to pull a rabbit or two out of his hat. If that isn't the case then this state is heading into bad times - with crumbling infrastructure and it's finances in a hole.
The dimensions of possible disaster will be made clear on Monday when the new Premier selects his ministerial cabinet !
Iemma's fate was sealed when he failed to get the numbers to sell off the state electricity system. He wanted to make a new start by sacking incompetent ministers but the power brokers refused and left him no option than to step aside.
His replacement is an unknown. Nathan Rees is serving his first term in parliament, having won a seat at the last election. More significantly, Rees is from the left faction of Labor politics - and his endorsement as premier came from the powerful right wing. Many will wonder what strings are attached to this unusual move and what future policy directions will be involved.
It is evident that this state is in dire financial stress. The writing is on the wall with the credit agencies reviewing our AAA credit rating. There is simply not enough money to keep health, transport and education on a reasonable level, let alone fund the promises that this government has been making.
Selling electricity was the last roll of the dice. Not only would it rid the government of a utility about to suffer a huge price hike but it would be the only way funds could be injected from it's sale to try and bring other services up to scratch - and restore Labor credibility.
Nathan Rees will have a hard job ahead of him and it looks like he is stuck with the same bunch of incompetent ministers with big ego's who are clinging to their jobs and enjoying the gravy train.
Labor party insiders have been warning that the government - and the state - are heading for a train wreck. Hopefully, Rees has qualities unknown to the public and may be able to pull a rabbit or two out of his hat. If that isn't the case then this state is heading into bad times - with crumbling infrastructure and it's finances in a hole.
The dimensions of possible disaster will be made clear on Monday when the new Premier selects his ministerial cabinet !
Friday 5 September 2008
Legal costs.
Illawarra residents have every reason to be concerned at the legal costs being run up by councils in their name.
Shellharbour council decided to pursue independent councillors over a confidential information issue. This was obviously a vendetta by the Labor majority seeking to damage opponents. It quickly degenerated into farce and the outcome was a legal bill for ratepayers in the vicinity of a million dollars - and there may be more to come if the case goes to appeal. It was one of the reasons the council was dismissed and administrators appointed.
Now we learn that Wollongong council took legal action against a farmer for what it termed " illegal land clearing ". The farmer contended that what occurred was normal farm maintenance - and this was accepted by the court. Once again the ratepayers will be faced with legal costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The problem is that when councillors decide to seek legal action they face no personal responsibility for costs. It is therefore an opportunity to play politics and use the courts to pursue a political agenda. There is also the vexing question of personal attitudes to issues taking precedence over legalities.
The law absolves councillors from personal responsibility on the basis that they are acting for the public good. Otherwise there would be few people of substance seeking public office for fear of financial ruin, but we obviously need some sort of filter to stop dubious cases going to court.
The answer may be the appointment of a retired judge to review all proposed council legal action. Hopefully such a person would be above politics and would certainly have the legal experience to know whether a case had the prospect of success.
It would remove the decision to go to court action at the time of heated debate and provide a cooling off period in which facts would need to be collected for presentation to the umpire for decision.
The cost involved would certainly be justified if even a fraction of the court fees presently descending upon ratepayers shoulders could be prevented !
Shellharbour council decided to pursue independent councillors over a confidential information issue. This was obviously a vendetta by the Labor majority seeking to damage opponents. It quickly degenerated into farce and the outcome was a legal bill for ratepayers in the vicinity of a million dollars - and there may be more to come if the case goes to appeal. It was one of the reasons the council was dismissed and administrators appointed.
Now we learn that Wollongong council took legal action against a farmer for what it termed " illegal land clearing ". The farmer contended that what occurred was normal farm maintenance - and this was accepted by the court. Once again the ratepayers will be faced with legal costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The problem is that when councillors decide to seek legal action they face no personal responsibility for costs. It is therefore an opportunity to play politics and use the courts to pursue a political agenda. There is also the vexing question of personal attitudes to issues taking precedence over legalities.
The law absolves councillors from personal responsibility on the basis that they are acting for the public good. Otherwise there would be few people of substance seeking public office for fear of financial ruin, but we obviously need some sort of filter to stop dubious cases going to court.
The answer may be the appointment of a retired judge to review all proposed council legal action. Hopefully such a person would be above politics and would certainly have the legal experience to know whether a case had the prospect of success.
It would remove the decision to go to court action at the time of heated debate and provide a cooling off period in which facts would need to be collected for presentation to the umpire for decision.
The cost involved would certainly be justified if even a fraction of the court fees presently descending upon ratepayers shoulders could be prevented !
Thursday 4 September 2008
Safe - and sure !
During a recent visit to this country the Pope apologised to victims of sexual abuse by priests. It seem that this problem is never ending. We now learn that one hundred and twenty eight charges have been made against a Catholic priest working at a Bathurst college and that a web of paedophiles was involved.
Sooner or later the Catholic church will need to address it's celibacy demand on the priesthood.
It is a simple fact of life that male human beings are not designed or wired to be celibate. Many priests manage to uphold their vows to the church, but sadly others are unable to resist their natural urges - and some are drawn to paedophilia.
A life in the priesthood is a calling that requires sacrifice. Those answering the call forsake many of life's pleasures and embrace a vow of poverty and chastity. Perhaps a further sacrifice may enable the ranks of priests to achieve absolute purity.
Maybe the church should consider the option of asking those ending the long process of training for the priesthood to consider the surgical removal of testicles before ordination.
This would indeed be a huge act of faith, but then again - it would enhance the vow of celibacy to remove body parts that have no further function in that person's life.
It is an option that would remove doubt from the minds of the congregation. A priest would be a person of complete trust. On the other hand - it would certainly reduce the number of young men seeking holy orders - but the church would be the better for quality over quantity.
The other option is to remove the vow of celibacy and embrace the notion of married priests.
The Catholic church will face ongoing sexual misconduct until it bites the bullet and makes a decision !
Sooner or later the Catholic church will need to address it's celibacy demand on the priesthood.
It is a simple fact of life that male human beings are not designed or wired to be celibate. Many priests manage to uphold their vows to the church, but sadly others are unable to resist their natural urges - and some are drawn to paedophilia.
A life in the priesthood is a calling that requires sacrifice. Those answering the call forsake many of life's pleasures and embrace a vow of poverty and chastity. Perhaps a further sacrifice may enable the ranks of priests to achieve absolute purity.
Maybe the church should consider the option of asking those ending the long process of training for the priesthood to consider the surgical removal of testicles before ordination.
This would indeed be a huge act of faith, but then again - it would enhance the vow of celibacy to remove body parts that have no further function in that person's life.
It is an option that would remove doubt from the minds of the congregation. A priest would be a person of complete trust. On the other hand - it would certainly reduce the number of young men seeking holy orders - but the church would be the better for quality over quantity.
The other option is to remove the vow of celibacy and embrace the notion of married priests.
The Catholic church will face ongoing sexual misconduct until it bites the bullet and makes a decision !
Wednesday 3 September 2008
Proof on line !
One of things most people hate is getting notice of a fine in the mail - often weeks or even months after the supposed offence occurred.
Up until now the only recourse was to request a copy of the photographic evidence - and pay a fat fee for that service.
Now drivers can view photographs of vehicles incurring speed or red light camera offences on line - for free.
You will need to have the penalty notice to enable it's identification number to be entered - and match this with the registration number of your car to satisfy privacy concerns - and for some unknown reason you will also be asked to repeat a six digit random code, although what this is supposed to achieve is a moot point !
It will be a boon to families where a car is shared amongst members. Who was driving at the time the offence occurred ? Is the identification of the vehicle correct - or did the public servant responsible for identification from the photograph have a moment on inattention - or a hangover ?
It will certainly prove responsibility - something that may escape a driver's notice at the time because a camera is remorselessly snapping away without warning and with a long time interval before the fine arrives.
It will also cause a drop in contested court cases - freeing up court time and saving both parties money. It is a sensible move - long overdue - for which the Roads and Traffic Authority should be commended.
Up until now the only recourse was to request a copy of the photographic evidence - and pay a fat fee for that service.
Now drivers can view photographs of vehicles incurring speed or red light camera offences on line - for free.
You will need to have the penalty notice to enable it's identification number to be entered - and match this with the registration number of your car to satisfy privacy concerns - and for some unknown reason you will also be asked to repeat a six digit random code, although what this is supposed to achieve is a moot point !
It will be a boon to families where a car is shared amongst members. Who was driving at the time the offence occurred ? Is the identification of the vehicle correct - or did the public servant responsible for identification from the photograph have a moment on inattention - or a hangover ?
It will certainly prove responsibility - something that may escape a driver's notice at the time because a camera is remorselessly snapping away without warning and with a long time interval before the fine arrives.
It will also cause a drop in contested court cases - freeing up court time and saving both parties money. It is a sensible move - long overdue - for which the Roads and Traffic Authority should be commended.
Tuesday 2 September 2008
The churches - and money !
In a gentler, more gracious age clergymen saw their jobs differently. As well as officiating at Sunday services - and giving long and boring sermons - it was part of their duties to marry people, welcome new born's with christenings - and bury the dead. At none of these was it etiquette to mention money !
There was a delightful protocol about delivering a reward. When a wedding ceremony ended the best man discreetly handed over an envelope. It contained money - and the amount depended on circumstances. If it was a rich family the honorarium might be substantial. Lesser budgets produced lesser amounts - and in some cases the very poor may only have included a note of thanks - but no person was refused service because of inability to pay.
How things have changed. Approach a Priest, Minister of Rabbi today and you will very firmly be advised of " the fee " ! In some cases, that will be required " up front " before the ceremony and any form of haggling is looked upon with contempt.
The church has become a " business " and today clergymen are becoming adept at maximising returns. There are now a range of " extras " that can accompany the basic service and all of these carry a premium.
Clergymen will point out the rising cost of living, but it must be remembered that the church is exempt from council rates and charges - and it's activities are tax free. Churches are an enterprise that would have most business people salivating.
Perhaps hiked fees are one of the reasons many people have opted out and engaged the services of a celebrant - although in this commercial age it seems that the fees of both celebrants and the clergy bear a striking similarity.
It seems to illustrate the truth of that adage which proclaims " there is no such thing as a free lunch ! "
There was a delightful protocol about delivering a reward. When a wedding ceremony ended the best man discreetly handed over an envelope. It contained money - and the amount depended on circumstances. If it was a rich family the honorarium might be substantial. Lesser budgets produced lesser amounts - and in some cases the very poor may only have included a note of thanks - but no person was refused service because of inability to pay.
How things have changed. Approach a Priest, Minister of Rabbi today and you will very firmly be advised of " the fee " ! In some cases, that will be required " up front " before the ceremony and any form of haggling is looked upon with contempt.
The church has become a " business " and today clergymen are becoming adept at maximising returns. There are now a range of " extras " that can accompany the basic service and all of these carry a premium.
Clergymen will point out the rising cost of living, but it must be remembered that the church is exempt from council rates and charges - and it's activities are tax free. Churches are an enterprise that would have most business people salivating.
Perhaps hiked fees are one of the reasons many people have opted out and engaged the services of a celebrant - although in this commercial age it seems that the fees of both celebrants and the clergy bear a striking similarity.
It seems to illustrate the truth of that adage which proclaims " there is no such thing as a free lunch ! "
Monday 1 September 2008
An insult to valour !
Decades ago Australia engaged in an unpopular war. Our troops were sent to fight in Vietnam and support at home was less than enthusiastic.
On August 18, 1966 an Australian force was patrolling when it encountered a formation of over 2,500 regular Viet Cong infantry. Vastly outnumbered, a firefight ensued and resulted in eighteen of our soldiers killed and twenty-four wounded. When the Viet Cong withdrew they left behind 245 dead and an unknown number wounded. It was a classical victory of tactics and courage overcoming superior numbers.
For unknown reasons the Australian government chose to downplay this engagement. Despite it being an outstanding victory the army was ordered to release few details - and despite numerous recommendations for valour to be recognised few medals were awarded.
This has been an omission that has rankled the defence forces for decades. Repeated requests for the omissions to be addressed have been ignored - until recently !
The government has finally conceded that the battle of Long Tan was a classical action that belongs alongside similar famous battles from both world wars - and that medals won and not awarded should at last be recognised.
But this change of heart seems to have a grudging aspect - because the government has announced that the men who won those medals will be required to pay twelve dollars each to defray the cost of producing them.
What sort of message does that deliver ? In the long history of the Australian defence forces medals have been bestowed by a grateful nation - in many cases posthumously. Are we now entering an era where the relatives of the dead are to be asked to honour their sons and daughters by paying for their sacrifice ?
This act of bastardry will no doubt be promptly rescinded, but it shows that there are still bean counters who deny history in their attempt to portray the past as the way they would like it to be - rather than the way it is.
On August 18, 1966 an Australian force was patrolling when it encountered a formation of over 2,500 regular Viet Cong infantry. Vastly outnumbered, a firefight ensued and resulted in eighteen of our soldiers killed and twenty-four wounded. When the Viet Cong withdrew they left behind 245 dead and an unknown number wounded. It was a classical victory of tactics and courage overcoming superior numbers.
For unknown reasons the Australian government chose to downplay this engagement. Despite it being an outstanding victory the army was ordered to release few details - and despite numerous recommendations for valour to be recognised few medals were awarded.
This has been an omission that has rankled the defence forces for decades. Repeated requests for the omissions to be addressed have been ignored - until recently !
The government has finally conceded that the battle of Long Tan was a classical action that belongs alongside similar famous battles from both world wars - and that medals won and not awarded should at last be recognised.
But this change of heart seems to have a grudging aspect - because the government has announced that the men who won those medals will be required to pay twelve dollars each to defray the cost of producing them.
What sort of message does that deliver ? In the long history of the Australian defence forces medals have been bestowed by a grateful nation - in many cases posthumously. Are we now entering an era where the relatives of the dead are to be asked to honour their sons and daughters by paying for their sacrifice ?
This act of bastardry will no doubt be promptly rescinded, but it shows that there are still bean counters who deny history in their attempt to portray the past as the way they would like it to be - rather than the way it is.
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