We are assured that if Australia adopts the proposed " cap and trade " plan to curb Co2 emissions it will cost each family just one dollar a day !
Pigs might fly - and have you noticed all those lovely fairies at the bottom of our gardens ?
Someone once said : " There are lies - damn lies - and there are statistics ! "
You can prove - or disprove just about anything by quoting the appropriate statistics.
Let us look at this city of Wollongong as an example.
We have a steel works which employs about six thousand people. It is well run and quite profitable - and it exports much of it's product to overseas countries.
The emission tax will increase the cost of it's product at a time when the world is heading into recession and demand is falling. It's two main competitors - China snd India - will not be adopting a similar tax, hence their product will have a distinct price advantage.
This is called an " unfair playing field " and the obvious end result is either the cessation of steel making in Australia - or the plant being rescourced to a country that is ignoring a cap and trade regime - and also has a much lower wage structure.
The end result is absolutely no reduction of Co2 emissions on a global scale, but a big loss of jobs and lowering of living standards in Wollongong.
Apply this scenario across Australia and we look like being the bunnies. The " politically correct " people who are making sacrifices to save the world - and reducing our once mighty economy to third world status on a matter of principle.
Despite the hope of the " Green minded " that the rest of the world will be named and shamed into following suit there is a certain inevitability about global warming.
We live in a selfish, over populated world. Perhaps this is " Mother Nature's " way of thinning our ranks to sustainable levels.
We would be better advised to plan to live with rising sea levels and a different climate - rather than lead the charge of the Lemmings !
Friday 31 October 2008
Thursday 30 October 2008
Parking meters.
Parking meters ? Or free parking ? That's the question Wollongong has to ponder !
There was never a worse time to introduce a parking tax - for that is what parking meters represent.
Citizens are used to free parking and it is a certainty that some will avoid the city in favour of the free parking facilities of perimeter shopping centres if the plan goes ahead.
There is also the present financial meltdown. We are entering hard times with consumer spending under stress. That is hardly conducive to introducing a charge that customers can avoid by shopping elsewhere - where parking is free.
It is also worth considering that parking meters will actually decrease the number of cars that can park in city streets.
Each designated metered space must be capable of accommodating the biggest sedan or station wagon on our roads - and this is at a time when most new buyers are deciding on smaller cars because of petrol prices.
Unrestricted kerbside parking allows a bigger number of smaller cars to park in comparison with metered spaces - and then there is the trend to motorcycles and scooters.
Short of legislation to prohibit the practice, a two wheeler rider has every right to park in a metered space - provided he or she pays the metered fee. It is less clear whether several two wheelers could use that same space legally.
Those proposing parking meters suggest they will be needed to head off a future parking shortage. They will cost two million dollars to buy and install - and it will take seven years to recoup those outlays.
The damage they will do to shopping patronage will be immediate, hence this is a decision that could safely be left for the future.
One of the great attractions of this city of Wollongong is that it is not Sydney - with all the hassles of too many people, too many cars, too fast a pace of life.
Lets keep it that way !
There was never a worse time to introduce a parking tax - for that is what parking meters represent.
Citizens are used to free parking and it is a certainty that some will avoid the city in favour of the free parking facilities of perimeter shopping centres if the plan goes ahead.
There is also the present financial meltdown. We are entering hard times with consumer spending under stress. That is hardly conducive to introducing a charge that customers can avoid by shopping elsewhere - where parking is free.
It is also worth considering that parking meters will actually decrease the number of cars that can park in city streets.
Each designated metered space must be capable of accommodating the biggest sedan or station wagon on our roads - and this is at a time when most new buyers are deciding on smaller cars because of petrol prices.
Unrestricted kerbside parking allows a bigger number of smaller cars to park in comparison with metered spaces - and then there is the trend to motorcycles and scooters.
Short of legislation to prohibit the practice, a two wheeler rider has every right to park in a metered space - provided he or she pays the metered fee. It is less clear whether several two wheelers could use that same space legally.
Those proposing parking meters suggest they will be needed to head off a future parking shortage. They will cost two million dollars to buy and install - and it will take seven years to recoup those outlays.
The damage they will do to shopping patronage will be immediate, hence this is a decision that could safely be left for the future.
One of the great attractions of this city of Wollongong is that it is not Sydney - with all the hassles of too many people, too many cars, too fast a pace of life.
Lets keep it that way !
Wednesday 29 October 2008
A new banking order !
It is said that every dark cloud has a silver lining. That silver lining for Australia may be deliverance from a cartel of just four banks imposing usurious trading conditions on their unfortunate customers.
When other countries guaranteed bank deposits, Australia had little option than to follow suit. This prevented a run on the banks here, but transferred that calamity to the big investment firms managing superannuation and savings funds.
Investors rushed to withdraw to relocate their money to the banks where their money would be safe under the government's guarantee umbrella.
The result was inevitable. These trading houses applied a freeze on withdrawals, leaving citizens bereft of funds - and many facing abject poverty.
The government has reacted by funding the Australian Financial Regulator ( AFR ) with $ 83 million to expedite applications from these firms to meet Australian Prudential Regulatory requirements - to become authorised deposit taking institutions - or in other words - banks !
We are about to see a surge of new banks in this country - and that is extremely bad news indeed for the four vultures that have used every possible device to extract fees and charges from their customers to make obscene profits.
The four big banks are about to be hoisted with their own petard. They convinced their customers that bank branches were not necessary - and closed thousands, forcing people to use ATM's and EFTPOS.
The new banks will not need to open a network of branches, merely to form liaisons with the existing network of " for profit " ATM's in every petrol station, club and shopping centre - and to get a share of the market they will offer terms of trading that will make the four big banks blanch.
We are about to see the reappearance of a word long missing from the banking scene - competition !
Happy days are here again ! Until the new banks start adopting the creed of " bigger is better " - and start merging.
About then the " greed is good " mantra will reappear !
When other countries guaranteed bank deposits, Australia had little option than to follow suit. This prevented a run on the banks here, but transferred that calamity to the big investment firms managing superannuation and savings funds.
Investors rushed to withdraw to relocate their money to the banks where their money would be safe under the government's guarantee umbrella.
The result was inevitable. These trading houses applied a freeze on withdrawals, leaving citizens bereft of funds - and many facing abject poverty.
The government has reacted by funding the Australian Financial Regulator ( AFR ) with $ 83 million to expedite applications from these firms to meet Australian Prudential Regulatory requirements - to become authorised deposit taking institutions - or in other words - banks !
We are about to see a surge of new banks in this country - and that is extremely bad news indeed for the four vultures that have used every possible device to extract fees and charges from their customers to make obscene profits.
The four big banks are about to be hoisted with their own petard. They convinced their customers that bank branches were not necessary - and closed thousands, forcing people to use ATM's and EFTPOS.
The new banks will not need to open a network of branches, merely to form liaisons with the existing network of " for profit " ATM's in every petrol station, club and shopping centre - and to get a share of the market they will offer terms of trading that will make the four big banks blanch.
We are about to see the reappearance of a word long missing from the banking scene - competition !
Happy days are here again ! Until the new banks start adopting the creed of " bigger is better " - and start merging.
About then the " greed is good " mantra will reappear !
Tuesday 28 October 2008
Council rates.
For decades private home owners have been protected from huge council rate increases by a government edict which capped rises annually to on or near the rate of inflation.
The New South Wales government is considering scrapping that restraint.
This could not come at a worse time. It is inevitable that we will soon see a sharp rise in job losses and the last thing unemployed home owners need is a surge in council rates as they try to cope with mortgage payments and living expenses on the dole.
To add to their misery, this same government is thinking of abolishing payroll tax exemptions for councils.
Payroll tax was a " temporary " war time tax that has never been rescinded. It works on the principle that anyone running a business is rich - and essentially is a penalty for employing people. It's removal would cost councils a huge operating cost increase - and put added pressure on rates.
At least these suggestions provide a valid reason for having a long, hard look at the sustainability of the third tier of government.
All the councils in this state are funded below sustainability to service existing infrastructure, let alone provide additional services. Both the Federal and state government's have offloaded previous responsibilities onto local government - without providing any financial support. As a result, councils are in crisis.
There is a huge list of property owners who are exempt from paying council rates. Federal and state departments such as schools and hospitals get a free ride - and all the churches are rate exempt.
The time has come for a restructure of the financing of local government. There is no reason why all occupied land should not pay rates and if that happened the rate burden would be evened out for individual home owners.
Local government should also get a share of Goods and Services Tax (GST ) because this is the fairest of all the taxes levied.
The GST is not levied in proportion to income level - as is income tax - but is paid by everyone - local citizen or tourist. It is not concerned with the source of income. If money is obtained illegally tax is still collected by GST the moment that money is spent - hence it is a universally applied form of tax.
The suggestion of uncapped rates and councils paying payroll tax will only further impoverish citizens - and drive many out of home ownership.
There simply has to be a better way - but unfortunately progressive, forward thinking seems beyond the capacity of the politicians we have voted into office !
The New South Wales government is considering scrapping that restraint.
This could not come at a worse time. It is inevitable that we will soon see a sharp rise in job losses and the last thing unemployed home owners need is a surge in council rates as they try to cope with mortgage payments and living expenses on the dole.
To add to their misery, this same government is thinking of abolishing payroll tax exemptions for councils.
Payroll tax was a " temporary " war time tax that has never been rescinded. It works on the principle that anyone running a business is rich - and essentially is a penalty for employing people. It's removal would cost councils a huge operating cost increase - and put added pressure on rates.
At least these suggestions provide a valid reason for having a long, hard look at the sustainability of the third tier of government.
All the councils in this state are funded below sustainability to service existing infrastructure, let alone provide additional services. Both the Federal and state government's have offloaded previous responsibilities onto local government - without providing any financial support. As a result, councils are in crisis.
There is a huge list of property owners who are exempt from paying council rates. Federal and state departments such as schools and hospitals get a free ride - and all the churches are rate exempt.
The time has come for a restructure of the financing of local government. There is no reason why all occupied land should not pay rates and if that happened the rate burden would be evened out for individual home owners.
Local government should also get a share of Goods and Services Tax (GST ) because this is the fairest of all the taxes levied.
The GST is not levied in proportion to income level - as is income tax - but is paid by everyone - local citizen or tourist. It is not concerned with the source of income. If money is obtained illegally tax is still collected by GST the moment that money is spent - hence it is a universally applied form of tax.
The suggestion of uncapped rates and councils paying payroll tax will only further impoverish citizens - and drive many out of home ownership.
There simply has to be a better way - but unfortunately progressive, forward thinking seems beyond the capacity of the politicians we have voted into office !
Monday 27 October 2008
Jury duty !
Most people react with horror when they receive a letter from the Sheriff giving notice of jury duty. For five thousand Sydney people there will be the added chance of being one of the fifteen selected for the trial of six alleged terrorists - which is expected to run for at least nine months - and more probably a full year.
The Sheriff has cast his net wide in the hope of selecting fifteen impartial people. This case has been widely reported in the media and many people have strong feelings about the war on terror.
Each day a panel of one thousand potential jurors will be examined - and over a five day period the defence and prosecution will agree on the fifteen to serve.
Only twelve jurors will deliberate on a verdict, but there will be three following the proceedings in case illness or other circumstances cause a juror to withdraw - thus aborting the trial.
The fifteen selected will face enormous problems. For a start there is the prospect of the jury being sequestered - put in a secure motel for the length of the trial and denied contact with family or friends.
Then there are work and family obligations. By law, an employer must release an employee for jury duty and can face big penalties if that person is sacked or misses promotion because of the absence. Jurors are also paid for their attendance, but in many cases this pay is less than their usual renumeration.
There is also an element of risk. The trial accuses these six men of " conspiring to do acts in preparation for a terrorist attack ".
The jurors names are supposedly secret, but leaks do occur and there is always the prospect of terrorist sympathisers trying to influence a favourable verdict by threatening either the juror or his or her family.
Serving on that jury would be a nightmare for most people, but obviously it has to be done - and fifteen people are going to be stuck with the job !
The only plus is that when the trial is finished a grateful judge will most likely excuse them from further jury duty for the rest of their lives !
The Sheriff has cast his net wide in the hope of selecting fifteen impartial people. This case has been widely reported in the media and many people have strong feelings about the war on terror.
Each day a panel of one thousand potential jurors will be examined - and over a five day period the defence and prosecution will agree on the fifteen to serve.
Only twelve jurors will deliberate on a verdict, but there will be three following the proceedings in case illness or other circumstances cause a juror to withdraw - thus aborting the trial.
The fifteen selected will face enormous problems. For a start there is the prospect of the jury being sequestered - put in a secure motel for the length of the trial and denied contact with family or friends.
Then there are work and family obligations. By law, an employer must release an employee for jury duty and can face big penalties if that person is sacked or misses promotion because of the absence. Jurors are also paid for their attendance, but in many cases this pay is less than their usual renumeration.
There is also an element of risk. The trial accuses these six men of " conspiring to do acts in preparation for a terrorist attack ".
The jurors names are supposedly secret, but leaks do occur and there is always the prospect of terrorist sympathisers trying to influence a favourable verdict by threatening either the juror or his or her family.
Serving on that jury would be a nightmare for most people, but obviously it has to be done - and fifteen people are going to be stuck with the job !
The only plus is that when the trial is finished a grateful judge will most likely excuse them from further jury duty for the rest of their lives !
Sunday 26 October 2008
The new poor !
In an attempt to head off a run on the banks the government guaranteed depositor's funds, but this caused a new problem.
There are a small number of investment firms which specialise in serving self funded retirees. The government guarantee covers banks, credit unions and building societies - but not this section of the finance industry - and as a result depositors have withdrawn funds for transfer to the safety of a bank deposit.
As a result, these firms have had to put an embargo on withdrawals and depositors funds are now frozen for at least six months. Those in the process of buying a home or funding a business proposition are unable to access their money - and the dreaded run on the banks has simply been transferred to other sections of the finance industry.
Interest will continue to be paid and any annuities in place will be honoured, but those simply withdrawing funds to pay living expenses now find themselves impoverished.
Turning to Centrelink will be futile. As far as this government department is concerned the fact that they have money - even though it is frozen - bars them from accessing the pension or any other form of relief.
Obviously the government must move quickly to rectify this problem of it's own making. Either the deposit guarantee must be extended to the investment firms involved - or Centrelink must be tasked with disregarding frozen money for the period of the ban on withdrawals.
Otherwise the government has reduced law abiding citizens to poverty !
There are a small number of investment firms which specialise in serving self funded retirees. The government guarantee covers banks, credit unions and building societies - but not this section of the finance industry - and as a result depositors have withdrawn funds for transfer to the safety of a bank deposit.
As a result, these firms have had to put an embargo on withdrawals and depositors funds are now frozen for at least six months. Those in the process of buying a home or funding a business proposition are unable to access their money - and the dreaded run on the banks has simply been transferred to other sections of the finance industry.
Interest will continue to be paid and any annuities in place will be honoured, but those simply withdrawing funds to pay living expenses now find themselves impoverished.
Turning to Centrelink will be futile. As far as this government department is concerned the fact that they have money - even though it is frozen - bars them from accessing the pension or any other form of relief.
Obviously the government must move quickly to rectify this problem of it's own making. Either the deposit guarantee must be extended to the investment firms involved - or Centrelink must be tasked with disregarding frozen money for the period of the ban on withdrawals.
Otherwise the government has reduced law abiding citizens to poverty !
Saturday 25 October 2008
The last nail in the coffin.
The New South Wales government is Hell bent on making Wollongong a one major hospital city.
It is using incremental tactics to close Bulli hospital - and salivating at the prospect of selling the multi hectare site - with magnificent sea views - to developer mates who would enrich the Labor party with political donations in return for this benevolence.
First off the rank was the closure of Bulli's emergency department. Ambulances were forbidden to present patients to Bulli and local residents presenting were turned away with the excuse that " there are no doctors " - despite duty doctors clearly attending to ward patients.
Now the operating theatres are to be permanently closed - and what is a hospital that lacks emergency care and does not perform operations ?
A doctor who has a twelve month waiting list at Bulli hospital for minor operations - and a similar waiting list at Wollongong hospital for similar procedures - points out that if Bulli closes his waiting list at Wollongong hospital will automatically blow out to two years.
The state government is short of money. There is no doubt about that, but health care should be the primary call on funds.
The problem is this government knows it has no hope of being re-elected, but it's term of office does not expire until March, 2011.
The damage is can do through sheer incompetence in that time is beyond belief - and there could be an element of malice in it's actions.
Knowing it will be handing the keys of office to it's enemy is not conducive to leaving the ship of state in good working order.
Once Bulli hospital is closed - the chances of it reopening is negligible !
It is using incremental tactics to close Bulli hospital - and salivating at the prospect of selling the multi hectare site - with magnificent sea views - to developer mates who would enrich the Labor party with political donations in return for this benevolence.
First off the rank was the closure of Bulli's emergency department. Ambulances were forbidden to present patients to Bulli and local residents presenting were turned away with the excuse that " there are no doctors " - despite duty doctors clearly attending to ward patients.
Now the operating theatres are to be permanently closed - and what is a hospital that lacks emergency care and does not perform operations ?
A doctor who has a twelve month waiting list at Bulli hospital for minor operations - and a similar waiting list at Wollongong hospital for similar procedures - points out that if Bulli closes his waiting list at Wollongong hospital will automatically blow out to two years.
The state government is short of money. There is no doubt about that, but health care should be the primary call on funds.
The problem is this government knows it has no hope of being re-elected, but it's term of office does not expire until March, 2011.
The damage is can do through sheer incompetence in that time is beyond belief - and there could be an element of malice in it's actions.
Knowing it will be handing the keys of office to it's enemy is not conducive to leaving the ship of state in good working order.
Once Bulli hospital is closed - the chances of it reopening is negligible !
Friday 24 October 2008
The voting system.
On November 4 Americans will vote to elect a new president. They will have to choose between John McCain and Barack Obama - and as a consequence of their choice they will also elect either Joe Biden or Sarah Palin as vice president.
Elections in America were not always that way. Before the year 1800 it was much simpler. Whoever polled the most votes got the job of president - and whoever came next got the vice presidents job.
All that changed after the 1800 election when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr got an equal number of votes in the Electoral College - resulting in a messy row about who would get the top job.
That resulted in the Twelfth Amendment to the US Constitution, becoming law on December 9, 1803 - and creating separate indications on the voting paper for a president and a vice president.
There was a lot of wisdom in the old way.
John McCain and Barack Obama are both good men - and depending upon political leanings - either would do a good job in the presidency.
When the voters decide, nearly half of American citizens will be disappointed because their choice failed to get the job. Whoever wins or loses - a huge number of Americans will see a president in office who was not their choice.
Before 1800 both contenders served in the top rank of government. The president had the ultimate power, but the vice president - of a different political persuasion - was there as a voice to explain alternatives and offer a different view on policy directions.
In many ways this mimics the Westminster system in use in the UK, Canada and Australia. There the prime minister calls the shots, but the leader of the opposition is on hand to suggest other ways and to try and change the prime minister's mind.
In the US the winner gains the oval office - and the loser departs into political oblivion.
A return of the old system could work well, provided there was another amendment to the Constitution. The death of a sitting president should not mean an automatic change of the governing political party - as would happen if such a vice president was the successor.
In such a case, the power of office would need to shift to the president of the Senate - on a temporary basis until a new election made a voter's choice for the top job.
Pondering a McCain/Obama - or an Obama/McCain presidency raises some interesting speculation !
Elections in America were not always that way. Before the year 1800 it was much simpler. Whoever polled the most votes got the job of president - and whoever came next got the vice presidents job.
All that changed after the 1800 election when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr got an equal number of votes in the Electoral College - resulting in a messy row about who would get the top job.
That resulted in the Twelfth Amendment to the US Constitution, becoming law on December 9, 1803 - and creating separate indications on the voting paper for a president and a vice president.
There was a lot of wisdom in the old way.
John McCain and Barack Obama are both good men - and depending upon political leanings - either would do a good job in the presidency.
When the voters decide, nearly half of American citizens will be disappointed because their choice failed to get the job. Whoever wins or loses - a huge number of Americans will see a president in office who was not their choice.
Before 1800 both contenders served in the top rank of government. The president had the ultimate power, but the vice president - of a different political persuasion - was there as a voice to explain alternatives and offer a different view on policy directions.
In many ways this mimics the Westminster system in use in the UK, Canada and Australia. There the prime minister calls the shots, but the leader of the opposition is on hand to suggest other ways and to try and change the prime minister's mind.
In the US the winner gains the oval office - and the loser departs into political oblivion.
A return of the old system could work well, provided there was another amendment to the Constitution. The death of a sitting president should not mean an automatic change of the governing political party - as would happen if such a vice president was the successor.
In such a case, the power of office would need to shift to the president of the Senate - on a temporary basis until a new election made a voter's choice for the top job.
Pondering a McCain/Obama - or an Obama/McCain presidency raises some interesting speculation !
Thursday 23 October 2008
An essential service.
ABC Learning Centres are the single biggest company providing child facilities for working families. Rumours that they are in a parlous financial position must strike fear into the hearts of many working mothers.
The fallout from even the possibility of them closing their doors would be immense, particularly in tandem with the present meltdown and the prospect of a huge rise in unemployment.
The Federal government claims it has " contingency plans " in the event of such a calamity, but it would be essential that such plans swing into action immediately, ensuring that there was no break in continuity.
Child care day centres could be classed as an " essential service " in similar manner to the police, fire brigade and ambulance service. Without it, many people would be forced out of the work force and families denied the means of financial survival.
Some stay-at-home mums might have a feeling of schadenfreude if child minding facilities collapsed. There has been long debate on the merits of child care and working mothers, but in today's world the ability to buy a home and raise a family of a single income can not be achieved without serious loss to the standard of living.
If the worst happens with ABC Learning the government would be wise to immediately invoke the essential services act and take over running these centres.
The delay of even a few weeks in passing enacting legislation - or engaging in negotiations with other political parties for support - would amount to disaster for an already stressed population !
The fallout from even the possibility of them closing their doors would be immense, particularly in tandem with the present meltdown and the prospect of a huge rise in unemployment.
The Federal government claims it has " contingency plans " in the event of such a calamity, but it would be essential that such plans swing into action immediately, ensuring that there was no break in continuity.
Child care day centres could be classed as an " essential service " in similar manner to the police, fire brigade and ambulance service. Without it, many people would be forced out of the work force and families denied the means of financial survival.
Some stay-at-home mums might have a feeling of schadenfreude if child minding facilities collapsed. There has been long debate on the merits of child care and working mothers, but in today's world the ability to buy a home and raise a family of a single income can not be achieved without serious loss to the standard of living.
If the worst happens with ABC Learning the government would be wise to immediately invoke the essential services act and take over running these centres.
The delay of even a few weeks in passing enacting legislation - or engaging in negotiations with other political parties for support - would amount to disaster for an already stressed population !
Wednesday 22 October 2008
The welfare umbrella.
There is no doubt that we are about to see more people doing it tough in the months ahead. Unemployment will rise and the meltdown will mean that people with investments will see their income shrink. For many, sheer survival will mean looking to the various charities for help.
It is vitally important that the government ensures that those charities have the capacity to meet demand. The problem will be to achieve that without creating a bureaucratic nightmare and miles of endless red tape.
When a government grants money it has a duty to ensure that those funds are protected by rules and regulations - and a reporting regime. What should be simple immediately becomes complex - and attitudes change !
The best charities are funded by good people making donations. In most cases this is money, but there are also charitable minded people in business who donate day old bread from bakeries and left over food from restaurants. This enables soup kitchens to operate on a shoe string compared to anything else run on a commercial basis. The staff are usually volunteers.
The Federal government would be advised to think long and hard about how it helps these regimes. It would be a smart move to by-pass it's own welfare agencies, by-pass giving money to the state governments for distribution - and go direct to the third tier of government - local councils.
Councils are closer to the action. They know who does the best job in helping in their communities - and they are able to keep a close watch on how that money is spent - without the need to be too obtrusive and demand too much red tape.
A fraction of the money needed through usual channels can pay big dividends if allocated through councils - but there is one colossal drawback to this approach.
Government is about politics - and if money is handled by local councils the kudos does not go to the political party originating the scheme. For that reason, governments tend to prefer the direct approach - with an army of PR consultants trumpeting the benefits and a blaze of publicity applauding the generosity of the donor.
Nomatter how bad things get as a result of this meltdown - nothing will be more important to a politician than the measures necessary to be re-elected !
It is vitally important that the government ensures that those charities have the capacity to meet demand. The problem will be to achieve that without creating a bureaucratic nightmare and miles of endless red tape.
When a government grants money it has a duty to ensure that those funds are protected by rules and regulations - and a reporting regime. What should be simple immediately becomes complex - and attitudes change !
The best charities are funded by good people making donations. In most cases this is money, but there are also charitable minded people in business who donate day old bread from bakeries and left over food from restaurants. This enables soup kitchens to operate on a shoe string compared to anything else run on a commercial basis. The staff are usually volunteers.
The Federal government would be advised to think long and hard about how it helps these regimes. It would be a smart move to by-pass it's own welfare agencies, by-pass giving money to the state governments for distribution - and go direct to the third tier of government - local councils.
Councils are closer to the action. They know who does the best job in helping in their communities - and they are able to keep a close watch on how that money is spent - without the need to be too obtrusive and demand too much red tape.
A fraction of the money needed through usual channels can pay big dividends if allocated through councils - but there is one colossal drawback to this approach.
Government is about politics - and if money is handled by local councils the kudos does not go to the political party originating the scheme. For that reason, governments tend to prefer the direct approach - with an army of PR consultants trumpeting the benefits and a blaze of publicity applauding the generosity of the donor.
Nomatter how bad things get as a result of this meltdown - nothing will be more important to a politician than the measures necessary to be re-elected !
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Abortion !
The Victorian state government has finally grasped the nettle - and made abortion legal !
No woman in any Australian state has trouble obtaining an abortion, but the legality under which it is supplied is decidedly dodgy.
Early in the last century abortion was illegal in every part of this country - for any reason. Halfway through that century exceptions started to creep in. It became legal if necessary to save the life of the woman - and later pregnancies caused by rape or incest also got the nod.
Today the interpretation of those permissible conditions are wide enough to drive a truck through - and as a consequence abortion is legal in practice - if not exactly so in law.
Victoria has now cleaned up that foggy area with a clear law.
Most people on either side of the abortion debate would prefer for the procedure to be unnecessary - and with the availability and reliability of contraception there is no excuse for any unwanted pregnancies.
The problem is that sex is not always predictable in it's timing - and we are a lazy lot who rarely plan ahead. There are condom machines in nearly every club and pub and they are sold in supermarkets and corner stores - and yet unprotected sex is rampant.
On the one hand, abortion is a procedure many find repugnant - but necessary. On the other hand, we live on a planet which is rapidly becoming over populated.
We are in danger of over stripping the world's food supply - and that could lead to an unpleasant death for millions of people.
The abortion problem could be peacefully resolved - with a bit of common sense - and forward planning to ensure unwanted pregnancies do not occur !
No woman in any Australian state has trouble obtaining an abortion, but the legality under which it is supplied is decidedly dodgy.
Early in the last century abortion was illegal in every part of this country - for any reason. Halfway through that century exceptions started to creep in. It became legal if necessary to save the life of the woman - and later pregnancies caused by rape or incest also got the nod.
Today the interpretation of those permissible conditions are wide enough to drive a truck through - and as a consequence abortion is legal in practice - if not exactly so in law.
Victoria has now cleaned up that foggy area with a clear law.
Most people on either side of the abortion debate would prefer for the procedure to be unnecessary - and with the availability and reliability of contraception there is no excuse for any unwanted pregnancies.
The problem is that sex is not always predictable in it's timing - and we are a lazy lot who rarely plan ahead. There are condom machines in nearly every club and pub and they are sold in supermarkets and corner stores - and yet unprotected sex is rampant.
On the one hand, abortion is a procedure many find repugnant - but necessary. On the other hand, we live on a planet which is rapidly becoming over populated.
We are in danger of over stripping the world's food supply - and that could lead to an unpleasant death for millions of people.
The abortion problem could be peacefully resolved - with a bit of common sense - and forward planning to ensure unwanted pregnancies do not occur !
Monday 20 October 2008
Betting blunder !
Saturday was Caulfield cup day - and that is one of the biggest race days in Australia. What a pity that eager punters were forced to wait until ten thirty in the morning before they could place a bet.
The TAB has seen massive changes in recent years. Fully TAB owned outlets have been systematically closed and replaced with a franchise arrangement whereby betting facilities have been relocated to pubs and clubs.
Some clubs and pubs open at ten o'clock in the morning - and many bowling and similar clubs open much earlier, but last Saturday none of them could process a bet until after ten thirty - because the TAB had decided to use the computer system to download that days racing information.
Queues of frustrated punters waited - and waited - and waited while the interminable stream of paper gushed out of the printer. It was impossible to get a bet on the first race of the day - and in some cases frustrated punters failed to even place a bet on the Caulfield cup because of work commitments.
All that could have been prevented - and the TAB could have had an increased betting turnover - and consequently more profit - if it had used commonsense and started it's office procedure earlier.
Ten o'clock in the morning on a major race day is not the time to start downloading the race fields.
TAB shareholders have every right to demand that this company improve it's performance - and the fact that it has a monopoly on off-course betting is no excuse for arrogance !
The TAB has seen massive changes in recent years. Fully TAB owned outlets have been systematically closed and replaced with a franchise arrangement whereby betting facilities have been relocated to pubs and clubs.
Some clubs and pubs open at ten o'clock in the morning - and many bowling and similar clubs open much earlier, but last Saturday none of them could process a bet until after ten thirty - because the TAB had decided to use the computer system to download that days racing information.
Queues of frustrated punters waited - and waited - and waited while the interminable stream of paper gushed out of the printer. It was impossible to get a bet on the first race of the day - and in some cases frustrated punters failed to even place a bet on the Caulfield cup because of work commitments.
All that could have been prevented - and the TAB could have had an increased betting turnover - and consequently more profit - if it had used commonsense and started it's office procedure earlier.
Ten o'clock in the morning on a major race day is not the time to start downloading the race fields.
TAB shareholders have every right to demand that this company improve it's performance - and the fact that it has a monopoly on off-course betting is no excuse for arrogance !
Sunday 19 October 2008
Street racing !
Three deaths in a single week from crashes blamed on street racing should be enough to get the government moving on a solution.
The legislation is already in place to provide a strong deterrent. Cars seized for a variety of unsafe offences can have a date with a metal crusher - and be delivered back to the front lawn of the owner as a cube of scrap metal.
So far - despite a holding yard full of such cars - not a single one has met this fate !
It will not totally solve the problem of street racing, but the realisation that this punishment is real - and that it is happening to the owners of some valuable cars - will have a sobering effect on many young drivers.
It is interesting to note that the cars involved in recent fatalities were all of recent vintage - very powerful - and of high value. Part of the punishment should be a requirement that the erring driver attend the crushing.
Street racing is an increasing fad. All it takes is the challenge to young minds when a driver makes eye contact with an engine revving opponent - and the lights turn to green.
At least the prospect of such a race ending in the destruction of a much loved icon will have some deterrent. From the public point of view - it will be one less street racer with which to share the roads.
No car - No problem !
The legislation is already in place to provide a strong deterrent. Cars seized for a variety of unsafe offences can have a date with a metal crusher - and be delivered back to the front lawn of the owner as a cube of scrap metal.
So far - despite a holding yard full of such cars - not a single one has met this fate !
It will not totally solve the problem of street racing, but the realisation that this punishment is real - and that it is happening to the owners of some valuable cars - will have a sobering effect on many young drivers.
It is interesting to note that the cars involved in recent fatalities were all of recent vintage - very powerful - and of high value. Part of the punishment should be a requirement that the erring driver attend the crushing.
Street racing is an increasing fad. All it takes is the challenge to young minds when a driver makes eye contact with an engine revving opponent - and the lights turn to green.
At least the prospect of such a race ending in the destruction of a much loved icon will have some deterrent. From the public point of view - it will be one less street racer with which to share the roads.
No car - No problem !
Saturday 18 October 2008
World charity !
This meltdown will certainly reduce living standards in Australia, but that will be nothing compared to the disaster facing countries depending on charity to survive.
Food aid is the difference between life and death for millions of people scattered throughout countries in Africa and the Middle East. Many are plagued by civil war and for others it is a case of bad management by corrupt and inept government that has reduced them to begging at the international forums.
In Australia many people have adopted the welfare of a child in such countries. For regular donations of about forty dollars a month that child gets fed, sheltered and given the opportunity to have regular health checks and access to a school.
If the coming recession turns to a full depression those donations will no longer be possible for some people. Charity begins at home - and that money will be required to put food on the family table in hard times.
Governments will also cut their donations to food aid - and what they can afford to give will not go as far because the cost of food looks set to continue rising as more cropland is given over to ethanol production - and soil degradation reduces crop yields.
There are hard times ahead for the developed countries, but absolute disaster faces those who lack the ability to feed themselves.
For the first time in the recent history of the world we may be heading into a period of reduced global population !
Food aid is the difference between life and death for millions of people scattered throughout countries in Africa and the Middle East. Many are plagued by civil war and for others it is a case of bad management by corrupt and inept government that has reduced them to begging at the international forums.
In Australia many people have adopted the welfare of a child in such countries. For regular donations of about forty dollars a month that child gets fed, sheltered and given the opportunity to have regular health checks and access to a school.
If the coming recession turns to a full depression those donations will no longer be possible for some people. Charity begins at home - and that money will be required to put food on the family table in hard times.
Governments will also cut their donations to food aid - and what they can afford to give will not go as far because the cost of food looks set to continue rising as more cropland is given over to ethanol production - and soil degradation reduces crop yields.
There are hard times ahead for the developed countries, but absolute disaster faces those who lack the ability to feed themselves.
For the first time in the recent history of the world we may be heading into a period of reduced global population !
Friday 17 October 2008
Priorities !
Ask what is the most important function to be provided by the state government and you will probably get a whole range of answers.
A reliable and functioning hospital system will surely be very high on that list.
We have a crippled hospital system serving the residents of this state - because the supply of essential items such as bandages is often on stopped credit - because the health system is not paying it's bills.
The problem goes even deeper. Unpaid bills mean suppliers refuse to release vital items such as stents - required in heart surgery - because they are owed millions of dollars for long periods.
Lesser suppliers of services - the people who mow hospital lawns - the baker who supplies bread and rolls to the hospital kitchen - the cleaning material that keeps wards clean and germ free - wait months and months before the trickle of overdue cheques reaches them.
This is simply unforgivable ! Doctors and nurses have been reduced to buying bandages and similar equipment out of their own pockets - because without it the hospital system would grind to a halt.
The state government must put a stop to this dereliction of duty. As every household knows - there are priorities in managing money. The hospital and medical system must have first priority in accessing state funds - even if that means those at the bottom of the list have to be deleted.
It may means reducing the public service. It may means that money being allocated to sport has to be redirected. Worthy and important public facilities may have to be abandoned, but none of these come even close to the life and death importance of our hospital system.
The problem is that our state government is tending to spread it's responsibilities too widely. It seeks public approval by spreading it's money on popular causes across the bottom of the list - and as a result the hospital system at the top of the list is being starved of funds.
A rethink is necessary - to get priorities in the right order !
A reliable and functioning hospital system will surely be very high on that list.
We have a crippled hospital system serving the residents of this state - because the supply of essential items such as bandages is often on stopped credit - because the health system is not paying it's bills.
The problem goes even deeper. Unpaid bills mean suppliers refuse to release vital items such as stents - required in heart surgery - because they are owed millions of dollars for long periods.
Lesser suppliers of services - the people who mow hospital lawns - the baker who supplies bread and rolls to the hospital kitchen - the cleaning material that keeps wards clean and germ free - wait months and months before the trickle of overdue cheques reaches them.
This is simply unforgivable ! Doctors and nurses have been reduced to buying bandages and similar equipment out of their own pockets - because without it the hospital system would grind to a halt.
The state government must put a stop to this dereliction of duty. As every household knows - there are priorities in managing money. The hospital and medical system must have first priority in accessing state funds - even if that means those at the bottom of the list have to be deleted.
It may means reducing the public service. It may means that money being allocated to sport has to be redirected. Worthy and important public facilities may have to be abandoned, but none of these come even close to the life and death importance of our hospital system.
The problem is that our state government is tending to spread it's responsibilities too widely. It seeks public approval by spreading it's money on popular causes across the bottom of the list - and as a result the hospital system at the top of the list is being starved of funds.
A rethink is necessary - to get priorities in the right order !
Thursday 16 October 2008
How much is too much ?
The global meltdown has thrown the spotlight on executive salaries - and there is pressure to implement some type of restraint. The problem is - what is a reasonable upper level for executive talent ?
The highest job in the western world is president of the United States of America - and yet the holder of that position gets a pittance when compared with the CEO's of public companies.
The heads of banking corporations take home more money than the presidents or prime ministers of England, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Australia.
It would be an impossible job for government's to legislate to cap the salaries - and the bonus incentives - paid to the CEO's of listed companies traded on the stock exchanges of the world.
The Australian banks are resisting such an idea and maintain that such salaries are warranted to attract the best business brains in the world, but the question remains - is any human being on this planet worth a multi million dollar salary ?
In all probability the end of obscene CEO salaries will not come from government legislation - but from the actions of stock holders who have been burnt by this financial meltdown.
Directors of companies which approve such salaries beware. The public has had enough - and should they persist in approving such huge sums they will certainly face a revolt from shareholders.
That revolt could well take the form of a forced general meeting - as which time the erring directors are forced from office.
There is past evidence that the lucrative world of company directors form a congenial club. They are well rewarded for their services by way of director's fees and their job is to bring expertise to the running of the company. In too many instances they approve obscene salaries on the basis that such largess will be duplicated in their own honorarium.
We are about to see a change from the days when shareholders meekly attended the AGM and voted along the lines directed by the board. The former angry voices lost in the crowd are now more likely to be heard - and acted upon.
What will tame huge CEO salaries is the judgement of " little people " who just happen to make up the majority of those who own the company - and pity help those directors who misjudge the public mood.
A new era of accountability has arrived !
The highest job in the western world is president of the United States of America - and yet the holder of that position gets a pittance when compared with the CEO's of public companies.
The heads of banking corporations take home more money than the presidents or prime ministers of England, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Australia.
It would be an impossible job for government's to legislate to cap the salaries - and the bonus incentives - paid to the CEO's of listed companies traded on the stock exchanges of the world.
The Australian banks are resisting such an idea and maintain that such salaries are warranted to attract the best business brains in the world, but the question remains - is any human being on this planet worth a multi million dollar salary ?
In all probability the end of obscene CEO salaries will not come from government legislation - but from the actions of stock holders who have been burnt by this financial meltdown.
Directors of companies which approve such salaries beware. The public has had enough - and should they persist in approving such huge sums they will certainly face a revolt from shareholders.
That revolt could well take the form of a forced general meeting - as which time the erring directors are forced from office.
There is past evidence that the lucrative world of company directors form a congenial club. They are well rewarded for their services by way of director's fees and their job is to bring expertise to the running of the company. In too many instances they approve obscene salaries on the basis that such largess will be duplicated in their own honorarium.
We are about to see a change from the days when shareholders meekly attended the AGM and voted along the lines directed by the board. The former angry voices lost in the crowd are now more likely to be heard - and acted upon.
What will tame huge CEO salaries is the judgement of " little people " who just happen to make up the majority of those who own the company - and pity help those directors who misjudge the public mood.
A new era of accountability has arrived !
Wednesday 15 October 2008
A spending recovery !
Kevin Rudd's government shocked the nation yesterday when it revealed an ambitious plan to drag Australia back from the brink of recession.
The idea is to spend our way out of trouble. Just over ten billion dollars of the budget surplus will be distributed to pensioners, first home buyers - and families with children on the basis that this injection of cash will jump start the economy.
Single pensioners will get a lump sum payment of $ 1,400, couples $ 2,100 and families with children will get a payment of $ 1,000 per child - and this will be in their bank accounts before Christmas.
There is an incentive to get first home buyers moving again. The first home buyers grant has been doubled - from $ 7,000 to $ 14,000 - and for those buying a newly built home it will increase to $ 21,000.
The strategy is simple - and it will probably work ! Put money in the hands of the people - and they will spend. The spending cycle keeps people in jobs and keeps shops and manufacturing busy - and profitable business reflects the standing of share prices.
The first home buyers grant should re-energise the home market - and the bonus for those buying a newly built home will spur building activity and it's flow-on effect to the component industry.
This is a bold and imaginative plan and it deserves applause. Hopefully it may be copied by other countries - but the fate of the Australian economy will not be decided by events in this country.
We are facing a world wide meltdown - and the prospect of a depression similar to the 1930's is real. What transpires in the United States - and in the major countries of Europe will be the deciding factor of whether the world economy sinks - or swims.
The Australian government deserves praise for a bold plan to get the local economy moving. It can only be hoped that world leaders show similar imagination - and have the courage to implement strategies far outside the orbit of usual government thinking !
The idea is to spend our way out of trouble. Just over ten billion dollars of the budget surplus will be distributed to pensioners, first home buyers - and families with children on the basis that this injection of cash will jump start the economy.
Single pensioners will get a lump sum payment of $ 1,400, couples $ 2,100 and families with children will get a payment of $ 1,000 per child - and this will be in their bank accounts before Christmas.
There is an incentive to get first home buyers moving again. The first home buyers grant has been doubled - from $ 7,000 to $ 14,000 - and for those buying a newly built home it will increase to $ 21,000.
The strategy is simple - and it will probably work ! Put money in the hands of the people - and they will spend. The spending cycle keeps people in jobs and keeps shops and manufacturing busy - and profitable business reflects the standing of share prices.
The first home buyers grant should re-energise the home market - and the bonus for those buying a newly built home will spur building activity and it's flow-on effect to the component industry.
This is a bold and imaginative plan and it deserves applause. Hopefully it may be copied by other countries - but the fate of the Australian economy will not be decided by events in this country.
We are facing a world wide meltdown - and the prospect of a depression similar to the 1930's is real. What transpires in the United States - and in the major countries of Europe will be the deciding factor of whether the world economy sinks - or swims.
The Australian government deserves praise for a bold plan to get the local economy moving. It can only be hoped that world leaders show similar imagination - and have the courage to implement strategies far outside the orbit of usual government thinking !
Tuesday 14 October 2008
Pensioner's needs !
The government is in a bind trying to decide how to compensate pensioners for rising inflation. It does not take Einstein to figure out what the decision will be !
The Federal government will shortly announce a one-off bonus - probably $ 500 - to be paid in early December.
This would be the best of all worlds. It would depict the government as a caring Santa Claus, providing much needed money to put Christmas fare on pensioner's tables - and helping with the expenses of the festive season.
It avoids the ramifications of giving a thirty dollar a week pension increase - which once given can not be taken back without huge ructions.
A one-off bonus has the precedent of a similar measure given towards the end of the last financial year - and $500 equates to a whisker over sixteen weeks increment of $ 30 a week - taking it well into the new year and into the time when the present pension enquiry is expected to finish.
It therefore solves the short term crisis - makes the government look good - and is assured of enthusiastic approval from pensioner groups.
That is an outcome that would be nice if applicable to all our other problems !
The Federal government will shortly announce a one-off bonus - probably $ 500 - to be paid in early December.
This would be the best of all worlds. It would depict the government as a caring Santa Claus, providing much needed money to put Christmas fare on pensioner's tables - and helping with the expenses of the festive season.
It avoids the ramifications of giving a thirty dollar a week pension increase - which once given can not be taken back without huge ructions.
A one-off bonus has the precedent of a similar measure given towards the end of the last financial year - and $500 equates to a whisker over sixteen weeks increment of $ 30 a week - taking it well into the new year and into the time when the present pension enquiry is expected to finish.
It therefore solves the short term crisis - makes the government look good - and is assured of enthusiastic approval from pensioner groups.
That is an outcome that would be nice if applicable to all our other problems !
Monday 13 October 2008
Curbing the drunks !
Change is in the air ! For the past fifty years restrictions on the serving of alcohol have been remorselessly relaxed. We now have pubs, clubs and so called night clubs open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
In the eyes of some people this is simply doing away with oppressive restrictions imposed by a " Nanny " society - and letting people make their own decisions.
Others point to what happens on our streets in the wee small hours of the morning when hopeless drunks smash shop windows, deface property, damage cars - and assault other citizens as they stagger away from protracted drinking sessions.
Drinking alcohol produces a " Jekyl and Hyde " situation. People who are normally reasonable human beings sober morph into unrecognisable creatures when alcohol impaired. In some instances this leads to attacks on others for no logical reason - with the end result the death of the victim.
There is a move to end this madness. The vast majority of people do not frequent all night drinking venues and do not get hopelessly drunk and cause problems.
The minority who do claim this as a right - but we are a democratic society and the time is approaching when the wishes of the majority should prevail.
There is every chance that the laws will change and we will have restricted drinking hours. What those hours will be are yet to be determined, but midnight closing would appeal to many.
Those wishing to drink beyond those hours would still have every right to do so - provided they purchased their alcohol in advance - and did their drinking in their own premises !
In the eyes of some people this is simply doing away with oppressive restrictions imposed by a " Nanny " society - and letting people make their own decisions.
Others point to what happens on our streets in the wee small hours of the morning when hopeless drunks smash shop windows, deface property, damage cars - and assault other citizens as they stagger away from protracted drinking sessions.
Drinking alcohol produces a " Jekyl and Hyde " situation. People who are normally reasonable human beings sober morph into unrecognisable creatures when alcohol impaired. In some instances this leads to attacks on others for no logical reason - with the end result the death of the victim.
There is a move to end this madness. The vast majority of people do not frequent all night drinking venues and do not get hopelessly drunk and cause problems.
The minority who do claim this as a right - but we are a democratic society and the time is approaching when the wishes of the majority should prevail.
There is every chance that the laws will change and we will have restricted drinking hours. What those hours will be are yet to be determined, but midnight closing would appeal to many.
Those wishing to drink beyond those hours would still have every right to do so - provided they purchased their alcohol in advance - and did their drinking in their own premises !
Sunday 12 October 2008
Another enquiry !
Before the Federal election last December Kevin Rudd presented himself as " action man ". Kevin 07 promised to get the price of petrol down, bring grocery prices into line - and make home mortgages affordable.
Nearly twelve months on our prime minister can be described as " enquiry man ".
He hasn't actually done anything to honour these promises, but we have a swathe of enquiries costing millions of dollars.
Pensioners have been fobbed off with an enquiry that will not be finished until next year - and then there will no doubt be a lengthy appraisal of it's findings. In the interim, inflation and rising food prices are forcing single pensioners into a life of poverty.
The prime minister's action programmes are laughable. We have the toothless tiger called " Fuel Watch " - which is supposed to name and shame the oil majors into setting reasonable prices.
It doesn't - and despite crude now selling at less than $ 100 a barrel, the declining Australian dollar has been the excuse for petrol prices remaining virtually unchanged.
Then there is the " Grocery Watch " programme. This compares the prices of a bundle of groceries by geographical areas. Interesting - but useless to shoppers because it fails to nominate which brand stores are cheapest - and it's weeks out of date when released.
Now we are about to have " Bank Watch ". This will compare the interest rate, terms and conditions - and " exit fees " pertaining to the offerings of all financial institutions to allow customers to make a fair comparison.
The only problem is that with the present meltdown the chance of finding a lender has retreated sharply and that finding will only be of academic interest.
Kevin Rudd and Labor came to power with great promise in the Federal arena. At the same time the fortunes of state Labor were decidedly on the nose - and we now have a Liberal premier in Western Australia - and the party in decline in all the other states.
Australia is well known for having " two bob each way " when it comes to politics. It is usual for the party in power in Canberra to be balanced by it's opposition holding office in most of the states - and that seems to be where we are heading at present.
Rudd will be judged by what he actually does - rather than what these enquiries are supposed to reveal. With the world economy in chaos the voters will be anxious to see the prime minister bringing home the bacon on the promises that won him office !
Nearly twelve months on our prime minister can be described as " enquiry man ".
He hasn't actually done anything to honour these promises, but we have a swathe of enquiries costing millions of dollars.
Pensioners have been fobbed off with an enquiry that will not be finished until next year - and then there will no doubt be a lengthy appraisal of it's findings. In the interim, inflation and rising food prices are forcing single pensioners into a life of poverty.
The prime minister's action programmes are laughable. We have the toothless tiger called " Fuel Watch " - which is supposed to name and shame the oil majors into setting reasonable prices.
It doesn't - and despite crude now selling at less than $ 100 a barrel, the declining Australian dollar has been the excuse for petrol prices remaining virtually unchanged.
Then there is the " Grocery Watch " programme. This compares the prices of a bundle of groceries by geographical areas. Interesting - but useless to shoppers because it fails to nominate which brand stores are cheapest - and it's weeks out of date when released.
Now we are about to have " Bank Watch ". This will compare the interest rate, terms and conditions - and " exit fees " pertaining to the offerings of all financial institutions to allow customers to make a fair comparison.
The only problem is that with the present meltdown the chance of finding a lender has retreated sharply and that finding will only be of academic interest.
Kevin Rudd and Labor came to power with great promise in the Federal arena. At the same time the fortunes of state Labor were decidedly on the nose - and we now have a Liberal premier in Western Australia - and the party in decline in all the other states.
Australia is well known for having " two bob each way " when it comes to politics. It is usual for the party in power in Canberra to be balanced by it's opposition holding office in most of the states - and that seems to be where we are heading at present.
Rudd will be judged by what he actually does - rather than what these enquiries are supposed to reveal. With the world economy in chaos the voters will be anxious to see the prime minister bringing home the bacon on the promises that won him office !
Saturday 11 October 2008
The horse business.
This time last year the horse racing industry was in turmoil. Race tracks in New South Wales and Queensland were deserted. Equine Influenza (EI) had broken out from the quarantine station at Eastern Creek and horse movements were at a state of siege. The industry lost millions !
There are some very strange laws and protocols pertaining to the breeding of thoroughbred horses.
The industry bans the use of artificial insemination. To be legal, a stallion has to physically mate with a mare - and for this to happen horses have to be transported to where that mating takes place - and in many instances that involves overseas travel - and consequently quarantine.
As a result, the industry takes the risk of diseases such as EI being spread if quarantine arrangements fail - and greatly increases breeding costs.
The reason for this law is to limit numbers and protect the wealth of those who breed horses.
The yearling sales produce astronomical prices and to some extent this is governed by the stud fees demanded by the owners of champion horses. These owners limit the number of mares accepted for service and the breeding life of the sire is within natures time frame.
If AI were allowed it could lead to a proliferation of progeny - and a champion sire could be fathering offspring for decades - long after his normal breeding life was over, thus decreasing the market - and stud fees - for younger and up and coming stallions.
Perhaps it is time the industry gave thought to options. AI can be controlled if the industry passes a law that limits the AI services of any sire to a given number of pregnancies.
Horse breeding is an event with strict registration. There should be no difference in either number of matings or stud fees if this were allowed on a controlled basis.
As things stand, the industry is at risk of contracted disease - as evidenced by events of last year - by clinging to the practice of the nineteenth century and disregarding the advances of even the twentieth century !
There are some very strange laws and protocols pertaining to the breeding of thoroughbred horses.
The industry bans the use of artificial insemination. To be legal, a stallion has to physically mate with a mare - and for this to happen horses have to be transported to where that mating takes place - and in many instances that involves overseas travel - and consequently quarantine.
As a result, the industry takes the risk of diseases such as EI being spread if quarantine arrangements fail - and greatly increases breeding costs.
The reason for this law is to limit numbers and protect the wealth of those who breed horses.
The yearling sales produce astronomical prices and to some extent this is governed by the stud fees demanded by the owners of champion horses. These owners limit the number of mares accepted for service and the breeding life of the sire is within natures time frame.
If AI were allowed it could lead to a proliferation of progeny - and a champion sire could be fathering offspring for decades - long after his normal breeding life was over, thus decreasing the market - and stud fees - for younger and up and coming stallions.
Perhaps it is time the industry gave thought to options. AI can be controlled if the industry passes a law that limits the AI services of any sire to a given number of pregnancies.
Horse breeding is an event with strict registration. There should be no difference in either number of matings or stud fees if this were allowed on a controlled basis.
As things stand, the industry is at risk of contracted disease - as evidenced by events of last year - by clinging to the practice of the nineteenth century and disregarding the advances of even the twentieth century !
Friday 10 October 2008
Decision time.
The ICAC report has been handed down - the villains have been named and shamed -and now it is up to the DPP to decide if and when prosecutions will be launched.
This sordid affair has cast doubts over Wollongong council's decision making process in approving or rejecting development proposals. It should be remembered that deciding development proposals always has been - and always will be - a battle between the developers need to make money from the proposal - and the rules that councils impose and to which designs need to conform.
And that is where the whole process needs fine tuning.
There are a number of influential people in this city who are opposed to almost any form of development. They abhor high rise and their aim is to preserve Wollongong as a big country town with houses on quarter acre blocks and nothing arising more than one or two levels.
Opposing them are realists who know that a modern city needs to concentrate living on the " vertical village " concept to utilise services such as power and sewage - and accommodate a new breed of citizens who have no interest in gardening - and simply want a place to live while they pursue time consuming business interests.
Both concepts have their place. A city needs a high rise centre, and traditional housing to accommodate backyards where children can play usually exists on the city perimeter.
The squabbles that lead to corruption usually arise from interpretation of the rules - and yet any fair minded person would not consider one of the properties at the centre of this fiasco to be anything but a desirable block of units.
Victoria Square did not meet the rules governing such buildings - but the shortfalls seem arcane - and it is complete and has people living in it.
Could it be that the battle between developers and " the no development people " have resulted in a too strict formulae on what is permissible ?
If we want a clean council free of corruption it would make sense to have a long, hard look at the rules governing the type of buildings we would welcome in this city.
A concept free of nit picking and restrictions that make little sense would go a long way to really making Wollongong the " city of innovation ".
This sordid affair has cast doubts over Wollongong council's decision making process in approving or rejecting development proposals. It should be remembered that deciding development proposals always has been - and always will be - a battle between the developers need to make money from the proposal - and the rules that councils impose and to which designs need to conform.
And that is where the whole process needs fine tuning.
There are a number of influential people in this city who are opposed to almost any form of development. They abhor high rise and their aim is to preserve Wollongong as a big country town with houses on quarter acre blocks and nothing arising more than one or two levels.
Opposing them are realists who know that a modern city needs to concentrate living on the " vertical village " concept to utilise services such as power and sewage - and accommodate a new breed of citizens who have no interest in gardening - and simply want a place to live while they pursue time consuming business interests.
Both concepts have their place. A city needs a high rise centre, and traditional housing to accommodate backyards where children can play usually exists on the city perimeter.
The squabbles that lead to corruption usually arise from interpretation of the rules - and yet any fair minded person would not consider one of the properties at the centre of this fiasco to be anything but a desirable block of units.
Victoria Square did not meet the rules governing such buildings - but the shortfalls seem arcane - and it is complete and has people living in it.
Could it be that the battle between developers and " the no development people " have resulted in a too strict formulae on what is permissible ?
If we want a clean council free of corruption it would make sense to have a long, hard look at the rules governing the type of buildings we would welcome in this city.
A concept free of nit picking and restrictions that make little sense would go a long way to really making Wollongong the " city of innovation ".
Thursday 9 October 2008
Cane Toads !
One of the mistakes Australia made in good faith was the introduction of Cane Toads. It sounded like a good idea at the time - bring in these creatures to eat a pest that was harming one of our crops.
It was a case of the cure being worse than the disease. Cane Toads have no natural predators in this country - and in a short time they had become a pest in their own right, remorselessly extending their territory. In time, it is inevitable that they will reach Sydney.
The Northern Territory is waging a battle to create barriers to stop them invading Kakadu. It is feared that such an invasion would devastate much of the natural wild life in this prime tourist area and cause plant degradation.
Maybe now is the time for a scientific approach to be directed at Cane Toads.
The world has come a long way in the area of genetic modification of food crops and the discovery of the double helix opened a bright new world of understanding - and as a consequence - the changing of genetics of living creatures.
The Cane Toad has a poisonous element in it's skin which can be fatal to those creatures that devour it. It would be worthwhile to attempt a genetic modification to remove this - and make something that is a distinct liability into a natural asset.
In Europe frog's legs are a delicacy which bring a high price in shops and restaurants. With a bit of luck and a successful genetic modification this pest could rival chicken on the tables of Australia - and the world !
The world population is well past six billion and there are forecasts of food shortages ahead. The time has come to use science to create more food, and one of the ways to do that is to have a second look at opportunities - particularly where something that is a pest in big numbers could be converted into a desirable food item - and a new source of export income !
It was a case of the cure being worse than the disease. Cane Toads have no natural predators in this country - and in a short time they had become a pest in their own right, remorselessly extending their territory. In time, it is inevitable that they will reach Sydney.
The Northern Territory is waging a battle to create barriers to stop them invading Kakadu. It is feared that such an invasion would devastate much of the natural wild life in this prime tourist area and cause plant degradation.
Maybe now is the time for a scientific approach to be directed at Cane Toads.
The world has come a long way in the area of genetic modification of food crops and the discovery of the double helix opened a bright new world of understanding - and as a consequence - the changing of genetics of living creatures.
The Cane Toad has a poisonous element in it's skin which can be fatal to those creatures that devour it. It would be worthwhile to attempt a genetic modification to remove this - and make something that is a distinct liability into a natural asset.
In Europe frog's legs are a delicacy which bring a high price in shops and restaurants. With a bit of luck and a successful genetic modification this pest could rival chicken on the tables of Australia - and the world !
The world population is well past six billion and there are forecasts of food shortages ahead. The time has come to use science to create more food, and one of the ways to do that is to have a second look at opportunities - particularly where something that is a pest in big numbers could be converted into a desirable food item - and a new source of export income !
Wednesday 8 October 2008
Up ? or down ?
The building blocks for a world economic recovery are in place. The United States government has saddled American taxpayers with a huge debt to take on board those dud sub-prime housing loans, and the Reserve Bank of Australia has dropped interest rates one whole percent - something other world Reserve banks are sure to follow - and there is the prospect of further interest falls to come.
The interest rate cut will put money in the pockets of those who have mortgages and the rate of foreclosures should now drop sharply. What happens next will be the decider between returning to near normal - and falling into the abyss of depression.
The worst thing that could happen would be for people to finally follow the urgings of the economists who for years have demanded that they cut up their credit cards, stop spending - and squirrel money away for their retirement years.
If people do that we will see a surge in bankruptcies as shops close, massive layoffs in the manufacturing sector and all the classical signals of an economy that ran out of confidence.
There is nothing wrong with the economy that a cool head and judicious spending will not fix.
Those people who find that the value of their home is less than the amount owing on the mortgage would be well advised to wait out this panic. Inflation is still running about five percent and hence the cost of building new homes is steadily increasing.
We may not be heading into another housing price boom, but there are indications that prices will creep up steadily as the economy recovers.
There have been - and will be - casualties on the share market, but once again the wise will wait out the present panic. It may take time for share prices to edge up but those firms which make a profit will still declare dividends - and those that fail were probably due for a cull anyway.
The biggest priority should be to put in place a sane regulatory system to ensure good ethics in both the banking and trading sections of the economy - and to generate confidence that greed will never again rampage out of control.
The interest rate cut will put money in the pockets of those who have mortgages and the rate of foreclosures should now drop sharply. What happens next will be the decider between returning to near normal - and falling into the abyss of depression.
The worst thing that could happen would be for people to finally follow the urgings of the economists who for years have demanded that they cut up their credit cards, stop spending - and squirrel money away for their retirement years.
If people do that we will see a surge in bankruptcies as shops close, massive layoffs in the manufacturing sector and all the classical signals of an economy that ran out of confidence.
There is nothing wrong with the economy that a cool head and judicious spending will not fix.
Those people who find that the value of their home is less than the amount owing on the mortgage would be well advised to wait out this panic. Inflation is still running about five percent and hence the cost of building new homes is steadily increasing.
We may not be heading into another housing price boom, but there are indications that prices will creep up steadily as the economy recovers.
There have been - and will be - casualties on the share market, but once again the wise will wait out the present panic. It may take time for share prices to edge up but those firms which make a profit will still declare dividends - and those that fail were probably due for a cull anyway.
The biggest priority should be to put in place a sane regulatory system to ensure good ethics in both the banking and trading sections of the economy - and to generate confidence that greed will never again rampage out of control.
Tuesday 7 October 2008
Bank robbery !
Later today there is a good chance that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates by a full half percent. In anticipation, the four big banks in this country have been crying poor - and claiming that they can not afford to pass on this interest drop to those with home mortgages.
This might be a good time to examine precisely what banks do !
A bank is an institution that borrows money from one party, adds a profit margin for it's services - and then lends that same money to someone else !
Because we have just gone through a crazy decade when money was lent to people who shouldn't have been given a loan - and as a result house prices soared to lunatic levels - everyone with money to lend is a bit leery about lending - and is looking for a higher interest rate because of the risk factor.
As a result, the banks are afraid that there will be a money shortage to service new loans to both home mortgage holders - and business and industry planning extensions.
They want to hold back on interest relief to existing mortgage borrowers to help maintain that money supply - and of course - maintain their profit levels.
There is just one little fly in the ointment ! The moment that the Reserve bank drops interest rates - watch the banks drop the interest they pay you on your money deposited with them in interest bearing securities.
The banks want it both ways. They want to hang onto their high lender's interest rates - which support their profit levels - and at the same time decrease the interest they offer to those who invest their life savings and superannuation money with them.
It seems that the Federal Treasurer is going along with this scenario - on the basis that unless there is a stable loan market those who want to buy a house will have difficulty finding a loan source - and if industry can not expand we will face a recession because of the unavailability of funds.
What the average person has every right to demand is that his or her savings - deposited with a bank - be treated in precisely the same way as money the banks borrow from other banks or overseas sources.
If money is more expensive to borrow, then the Mums and Dads should not be short changed on what they get for their savings - and it is quite unacceptable if those with a mortgage do not get relief - but at the same time the kid's savings invested with a bank see an interest fall - because of the Reserve bank's rate cut.
That would be the worst case of - double dipping !
This might be a good time to examine precisely what banks do !
A bank is an institution that borrows money from one party, adds a profit margin for it's services - and then lends that same money to someone else !
Because we have just gone through a crazy decade when money was lent to people who shouldn't have been given a loan - and as a result house prices soared to lunatic levels - everyone with money to lend is a bit leery about lending - and is looking for a higher interest rate because of the risk factor.
As a result, the banks are afraid that there will be a money shortage to service new loans to both home mortgage holders - and business and industry planning extensions.
They want to hold back on interest relief to existing mortgage borrowers to help maintain that money supply - and of course - maintain their profit levels.
There is just one little fly in the ointment ! The moment that the Reserve bank drops interest rates - watch the banks drop the interest they pay you on your money deposited with them in interest bearing securities.
The banks want it both ways. They want to hang onto their high lender's interest rates - which support their profit levels - and at the same time decrease the interest they offer to those who invest their life savings and superannuation money with them.
It seems that the Federal Treasurer is going along with this scenario - on the basis that unless there is a stable loan market those who want to buy a house will have difficulty finding a loan source - and if industry can not expand we will face a recession because of the unavailability of funds.
What the average person has every right to demand is that his or her savings - deposited with a bank - be treated in precisely the same way as money the banks borrow from other banks or overseas sources.
If money is more expensive to borrow, then the Mums and Dads should not be short changed on what they get for their savings - and it is quite unacceptable if those with a mortgage do not get relief - but at the same time the kid's savings invested with a bank see an interest fall - because of the Reserve bank's rate cut.
That would be the worst case of - double dipping !
Monday 6 October 2008
Guest workers !
The proposal to bring in people from the Pacific Island countries to pick fruit and help with agricultural crops may have made sense twelve months ago - but it is not appropriate in the present economic climate.
The global meltdown may be partially averted by that recently approved injection of funds in the United States, but there is no doubt that our economy will take a hit - and we will see a sharp rise in unemployment.
It makes no sense to bring in guest workers when we have a pool of Australian citizens on the dole and looking for work.
We already have a shortage of rental accommodation. Guest workers need somewhere to live and such an influx will only exacerbate a difficult situation. There is also the problem of those who will use the programme as a stepping stone to permanent residence - and melt into the existing army of illegal migrants.
In the past the agricultural labour shortage has been caused by the reluctance of the unemployed to travel to where work is available, and in some cases to undertake that kind of work.
Getting crops picked and to market is essential to maintain the national food supply and the government must insist that our unemployed abide by the rules governing the dole.
Perhaps the rules need to be changed to provide an additional supplement to those who travel away from home for seasonal jobs. They face stress trying to maintain their existing family - and at the same time maintain themselves in an unfamiliar location.
A supplementary allowance could ease this situation and make country jobs more attractive. It would certainly be cheaper than the cost of bringing in and maintaining guest workers - and the additional cost of enforcing departure of those who overstay their visas !
The global meltdown may be partially averted by that recently approved injection of funds in the United States, but there is no doubt that our economy will take a hit - and we will see a sharp rise in unemployment.
It makes no sense to bring in guest workers when we have a pool of Australian citizens on the dole and looking for work.
We already have a shortage of rental accommodation. Guest workers need somewhere to live and such an influx will only exacerbate a difficult situation. There is also the problem of those who will use the programme as a stepping stone to permanent residence - and melt into the existing army of illegal migrants.
In the past the agricultural labour shortage has been caused by the reluctance of the unemployed to travel to where work is available, and in some cases to undertake that kind of work.
Getting crops picked and to market is essential to maintain the national food supply and the government must insist that our unemployed abide by the rules governing the dole.
Perhaps the rules need to be changed to provide an additional supplement to those who travel away from home for seasonal jobs. They face stress trying to maintain their existing family - and at the same time maintain themselves in an unfamiliar location.
A supplementary allowance could ease this situation and make country jobs more attractive. It would certainly be cheaper than the cost of bringing in and maintaining guest workers - and the additional cost of enforcing departure of those who overstay their visas !
Sunday 5 October 2008
The " scorched earth " policy.
The club industry in this state is in trouble !
The vast majority of clubs are either trading at a loss, or making marginalised profit - and a recent decision by Justice Peter McClellan in the New South Wales Supreme court means that their facilities to accommodate smokers have been struck down - and will need further costly building work to become legal.
The state government has chosen this climate to suggest that those clubs on peppercorn rents on state land will face an increase to " market value " - meaning some rents will increase from $ 2,500 a year to levels approaching $ 37,000 or higher.
Few could stand that sort of increase without going under - and it seems that the state government simply couldn't care less.
This government is so on the nose with voters that even the " true believers " know that it will be thrown out of office at the next election. The problem is that election is still two and a half years away - hence with nothing to lose there is a vindictive streak emerging to adopt a " scorched earth " policy to leave a barren landscape for the victor of that election.
Many bowling clubs came into existence over half a century ago - when land was cheap and governments of that day gladly bestowed land at peppercorn rents to allow civic groups to provide amenities.
Today a cynical government would welcome their demise because it would freeup valuable sites - which could be sold to developers for huge profits - and would attract welcome donations to the political party making the decisions.
The days of working for the public good seem to be over. Self interest is the driving force of political parties today - and it seems that when defeat is inevitable the worst forms of avarice rise to the surface.
The vast majority of clubs are either trading at a loss, or making marginalised profit - and a recent decision by Justice Peter McClellan in the New South Wales Supreme court means that their facilities to accommodate smokers have been struck down - and will need further costly building work to become legal.
The state government has chosen this climate to suggest that those clubs on peppercorn rents on state land will face an increase to " market value " - meaning some rents will increase from $ 2,500 a year to levels approaching $ 37,000 or higher.
Few could stand that sort of increase without going under - and it seems that the state government simply couldn't care less.
This government is so on the nose with voters that even the " true believers " know that it will be thrown out of office at the next election. The problem is that election is still two and a half years away - hence with nothing to lose there is a vindictive streak emerging to adopt a " scorched earth " policy to leave a barren landscape for the victor of that election.
Many bowling clubs came into existence over half a century ago - when land was cheap and governments of that day gladly bestowed land at peppercorn rents to allow civic groups to provide amenities.
Today a cynical government would welcome their demise because it would freeup valuable sites - which could be sold to developers for huge profits - and would attract welcome donations to the political party making the decisions.
The days of working for the public good seem to be over. Self interest is the driving force of political parties today - and it seems that when defeat is inevitable the worst forms of avarice rise to the surface.
Saturday 4 October 2008
The chicken - or the egg ?
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal ( IPART ) has recommended that rail fares be hiked twenty five percent over the next four years.
IPART has taken a hard nosed approach to rail funding and claims that rail travellers should be contributing thirty percent to the actual costs of running the system. Usually whenever an independent body suggests a price increase the state government grabs the money.
There will be a sharp increase in rail fares from January 1 - and as a result the Wollongong to Central commuters will face an increase of $ 9 on their weekly ticket, bringing the weekly fare to $ 63.
Many rail users will reflect on just what they are getting for their money. Comparison with the rail system in the other states leaves the New South Wales system wanting badly.
There have been savage cutbacks in off-peak services, crime is rampant in trains and on station property - and commuters are jammed in like sardines with many services operating at one hundred and eighty percent of their designated capacity.
To add insult to injury, not only do the majority of commuters have to stand for long journeys, but there are still some trains that do not have toilets or access to drinking water.
The last straw is that the system fails to run to time. Being consistently late for work has made commuters on the perimeter of the rail system unattractive to employers.
All of that does not add up to a glowing performance analysis to support a major hike in the price of fares !
If the state government accepts the IPART proposal - and it probably will - this new price structure will ensure a lot of commuters return to car travel.
Many left the car in the garage and embraced public transport when the price of crude topped $ 150 a barrel, but the world economic meltdown has driven crude below $ 100 a barrel - and even if the proposed rescue package averts outright calamity there is every chance world trade will slow - and oil prices may retreat further.
We will then have all the reasons to give rail the flick - and get back in our cars.
Convenience. Lack of oppressive, hot and cramped travelling conditions with slow trains not running to time - and an uncompetitive price structure to discourage rail use.
Most people would pay more if in return they got fast, reliable, comfortable trains - but there is no prospect of that in the short term - and IPART has the cheek to demand that they pay up front for a service that will probably not arrive until they have long retired !
It begs the old age question. What came first ? The chicken - or the egg ?
IPART has taken a hard nosed approach to rail funding and claims that rail travellers should be contributing thirty percent to the actual costs of running the system. Usually whenever an independent body suggests a price increase the state government grabs the money.
There will be a sharp increase in rail fares from January 1 - and as a result the Wollongong to Central commuters will face an increase of $ 9 on their weekly ticket, bringing the weekly fare to $ 63.
Many rail users will reflect on just what they are getting for their money. Comparison with the rail system in the other states leaves the New South Wales system wanting badly.
There have been savage cutbacks in off-peak services, crime is rampant in trains and on station property - and commuters are jammed in like sardines with many services operating at one hundred and eighty percent of their designated capacity.
To add insult to injury, not only do the majority of commuters have to stand for long journeys, but there are still some trains that do not have toilets or access to drinking water.
The last straw is that the system fails to run to time. Being consistently late for work has made commuters on the perimeter of the rail system unattractive to employers.
All of that does not add up to a glowing performance analysis to support a major hike in the price of fares !
If the state government accepts the IPART proposal - and it probably will - this new price structure will ensure a lot of commuters return to car travel.
Many left the car in the garage and embraced public transport when the price of crude topped $ 150 a barrel, but the world economic meltdown has driven crude below $ 100 a barrel - and even if the proposed rescue package averts outright calamity there is every chance world trade will slow - and oil prices may retreat further.
We will then have all the reasons to give rail the flick - and get back in our cars.
Convenience. Lack of oppressive, hot and cramped travelling conditions with slow trains not running to time - and an uncompetitive price structure to discourage rail use.
Most people would pay more if in return they got fast, reliable, comfortable trains - but there is no prospect of that in the short term - and IPART has the cheek to demand that they pay up front for a service that will probably not arrive until they have long retired !
It begs the old age question. What came first ? The chicken - or the egg ?
Friday 3 October 2008
Taser - an opportunity missed !
It should be the twin aim of the authorities to defuse dangerous situations without harm to either offenders or police officers. The development of the Taser gun - which delivers a non lethal electrical charge - met this criteria.
As seems usual with the New South Wales government a bureaucratic decision has sharply reduced the effectiveness of this weapon. Two Taser guns will be issued to each police command - to be kept locked away and only used by nominated senior officers who will be trained in their use.
The whole concept of safely taking down a dangerous offender has been negated. The first on the scene are usually police officers armed with nine millimetre Glock pistols.
Confronted with an out of control person who attacks them with a knife their first line of defence is Capsicum spray - and if this fails there is a high chance of a fatality if they are forced to use their hand guns.
The weapon that could subdue a violent person safely is locked away in the regional police command post. There would be an obvious delay in calling out a senior officer, obtaining the Taser and then proceeding to the scene of the confrontation.
This could be useful at the time of a siege - or some sort of protracted encounter, but mostly violence erupts suddenly - and in the great majority of cases it is the first arriving police officers who have to deal with it.
The police union is calling for a Taser to be standard equipment in every patrol car, with all officers trained in their use.
That is simply plain common sense. Which seems to be something that is sadly lacking when government's make decisions !
As seems usual with the New South Wales government a bureaucratic decision has sharply reduced the effectiveness of this weapon. Two Taser guns will be issued to each police command - to be kept locked away and only used by nominated senior officers who will be trained in their use.
The whole concept of safely taking down a dangerous offender has been negated. The first on the scene are usually police officers armed with nine millimetre Glock pistols.
Confronted with an out of control person who attacks them with a knife their first line of defence is Capsicum spray - and if this fails there is a high chance of a fatality if they are forced to use their hand guns.
The weapon that could subdue a violent person safely is locked away in the regional police command post. There would be an obvious delay in calling out a senior officer, obtaining the Taser and then proceeding to the scene of the confrontation.
This could be useful at the time of a siege - or some sort of protracted encounter, but mostly violence erupts suddenly - and in the great majority of cases it is the first arriving police officers who have to deal with it.
The police union is calling for a Taser to be standard equipment in every patrol car, with all officers trained in their use.
That is simply plain common sense. Which seems to be something that is sadly lacking when government's make decisions !
Thursday 2 October 2008
The end of credit !
An era just ended ! That was the era where the average Joe could walk into a store, sign a piece of paper - and become the owner of expensive merchandise - without offering any sort of deposit and with years of interest free months to finally pay the bill.
The financial meltdown will see credit tighten. That word " deposit " will have new meaning and once again a person's " credit rating " will mean the difference between a transaction being approved or denied.
Economists will heave a sigh of relief. The lists of over committed people will shorten - and perhaps the days of multiple, maxed out credit cards are over. We are about to be forced to reign in our spending ways and out of control personal debt will be forcibly curbed.
But - there will be a price beyond the personal indignity of not being able to indulge our heart's desire by way of instant gratification.
Tight credit will mean a huge drop in retail sales, and there will be casualties amongst the plethora of shops competing for our custom. Many of these are based on high turnover - small profit, and when sales drop so does the bottom line.
As their ranks thin, expect to see a new school of thought on operating margins. Price rises seem inevitable as the survivors adjust to slower sales in comparison to fixed costs - and the benefit to consumers could be increased sales service.
To win custom retailers will need to offer more. We may see a return of free delivery - and items such as plasma TV sets may in future be both delivered and installed as part of the retail price.
It will be a new era and those without at least a small deposit and a good credit rating will be the losers.
The winner will be the national economy, long suffering under the credit binge and finally about to see a drop in the level of personal debt.
The financial meltdown will see credit tighten. That word " deposit " will have new meaning and once again a person's " credit rating " will mean the difference between a transaction being approved or denied.
Economists will heave a sigh of relief. The lists of over committed people will shorten - and perhaps the days of multiple, maxed out credit cards are over. We are about to be forced to reign in our spending ways and out of control personal debt will be forcibly curbed.
But - there will be a price beyond the personal indignity of not being able to indulge our heart's desire by way of instant gratification.
Tight credit will mean a huge drop in retail sales, and there will be casualties amongst the plethora of shops competing for our custom. Many of these are based on high turnover - small profit, and when sales drop so does the bottom line.
As their ranks thin, expect to see a new school of thought on operating margins. Price rises seem inevitable as the survivors adjust to slower sales in comparison to fixed costs - and the benefit to consumers could be increased sales service.
To win custom retailers will need to offer more. We may see a return of free delivery - and items such as plasma TV sets may in future be both delivered and installed as part of the retail price.
It will be a new era and those without at least a small deposit and a good credit rating will be the losers.
The winner will be the national economy, long suffering under the credit binge and finally about to see a drop in the level of personal debt.
Wednesday 1 October 2008
Waiting for Godot !
Getting the timing right is the difference between success and failure in most ventures. Hesitation has been the cause of wars lost and in the commercial world bold action at the right time has often resulted in great fortunes.
We seem to be at one of life's great crossroads with the world economy. This crisis has come at the worst possible time - with an American election just weeks away the people who make decisions are refusing to do so.
The danger is that without a decision on a financial bailout the economy may pass the " point of no return " - that critical time when unfolding events take over and their momentum dictates the future.
That is precisely what happened in 1929 and there is a real danger of a rehappening now. It is said that those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it.
The Socialist left are baying for the introduction of harsh controls to regulate the economy. That is a seductive thought - but it should be tempered with reflections on the " command economy " of the former Communist countries and the misery that caused.
We would be wise to remember the difference between the two Germany's. Everybody in the east had a job - at wages dictated by the state. There was no choice in products offered and few goods available in the shops - and they had to build a wall and shoot people to stop the citizens from escaping this " worker's paradise ".
The capitalist system certainly has it's faults, but it has delivered the good life to those who want to work and use initiative. That initiative crossed a line with the sub-prime mortgage fiasco and we are paying a price in lost treasure for those excesses - but with a little common sense and good direction the economy will survive and continue to offer personal expansion.
All that is needed is for politicians to forget politics in an election year in the United States and create a rescue package that is credible - and to do is now !
Tomorrow might just be - a day too late !
We seem to be at one of life's great crossroads with the world economy. This crisis has come at the worst possible time - with an American election just weeks away the people who make decisions are refusing to do so.
The danger is that without a decision on a financial bailout the economy may pass the " point of no return " - that critical time when unfolding events take over and their momentum dictates the future.
That is precisely what happened in 1929 and there is a real danger of a rehappening now. It is said that those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it.
The Socialist left are baying for the introduction of harsh controls to regulate the economy. That is a seductive thought - but it should be tempered with reflections on the " command economy " of the former Communist countries and the misery that caused.
We would be wise to remember the difference between the two Germany's. Everybody in the east had a job - at wages dictated by the state. There was no choice in products offered and few goods available in the shops - and they had to build a wall and shoot people to stop the citizens from escaping this " worker's paradise ".
The capitalist system certainly has it's faults, but it has delivered the good life to those who want to work and use initiative. That initiative crossed a line with the sub-prime mortgage fiasco and we are paying a price in lost treasure for those excesses - but with a little common sense and good direction the economy will survive and continue to offer personal expansion.
All that is needed is for politicians to forget politics in an election year in the United States and create a rescue package that is credible - and to do is now !
Tomorrow might just be - a day too late !
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