Not so long ago it was almost obligatory to send flowers for the funeral of a deceased friend or colleague. For some it was a status symbol. The size and value of the floral tribute gave an indication of social standing, and the accompanying cards were pored over by relatives of the deceased. The identity of those who didn't send flowers was a source of great conjecture.
Times change ! No doubt the hearse was enhanced by floral tributes, but these were left at the graveside - and in a matter of hours they were starting to wither - and within days they were gone.
A small request began to appear in death notices. " No flowers by request " !
The more practical could see no gain in large amounts of money being spent on flowers, and over time this morphed into directing such money to practical purposes.
This morning's Wollongong newspaper contains eighteen death notices. Eight of these request that instead of flowers, donations be made to life preserving or humanitarian organizations. Three notices signal that funeral details will appear later, and thus the matter of flowers is as yet unknown.
The selection of those to receive benefits from donations in lieu of flowers can either be a subtle hint of the disease that finally claimed the deceased - or an expression of the humanitarian values that person held.
Today's list mentioned the Childrens hospital, Bowel cancer research, The Motor Neurome Disease association, Kiama hospital, The Palliative care unit, Aid to disabled, Legacy - and Alzheimers research.
We live in changing times and this seems to be a more practical approach to death. The fact that donations replacing flowers now approaches the half way mark in death notices is a sign of our maturity.
The only people likely to disagree - are florists !
Monday 31 August 2009
Sunday 30 August 2009
An animal cruelty issue !
It was a long time coming, but the Australian Racing Board ( ARB ) has finally set a code to limit the use of whips on race horses.
Only padded whips will now be allowed and there will be strict limitations on how they may be used. The jockey may not raise his arm above shoulder height when delivering a whip stroke and can not deliver more than twenty strokes per horse in any one race. There are also restrictions on the use of whips in the final, crucial two hundred metres before the winning post.
The new code may appease some animal lovers, but it also brings into question the need to cause an animal pain for a purely selfish motive - to get it to work harder under a punishment.
If no rider was permitted to carry a whip, theoretically all the horses in the race would be running under equal conditions. The use of a whip tends to put a more humane jockey at a disadvantage compared to a less humane rider who has no feeling for the horse.
Maybe its time for the whip to join another cruel item on the scrap heap of history. A century ago it was common for many riders of horses to fit spurs to their footwear - and it was not unusual to see horses return from a ride with blood streaming down their flanks.
That would be completely abhorrent today. Maybe more thought is needed on the use of whips !
Only padded whips will now be allowed and there will be strict limitations on how they may be used. The jockey may not raise his arm above shoulder height when delivering a whip stroke and can not deliver more than twenty strokes per horse in any one race. There are also restrictions on the use of whips in the final, crucial two hundred metres before the winning post.
The new code may appease some animal lovers, but it also brings into question the need to cause an animal pain for a purely selfish motive - to get it to work harder under a punishment.
If no rider was permitted to carry a whip, theoretically all the horses in the race would be running under equal conditions. The use of a whip tends to put a more humane jockey at a disadvantage compared to a less humane rider who has no feeling for the horse.
Maybe its time for the whip to join another cruel item on the scrap heap of history. A century ago it was common for many riders of horses to fit spurs to their footwear - and it was not unusual to see horses return from a ride with blood streaming down their flanks.
That would be completely abhorrent today. Maybe more thought is needed on the use of whips !
Saturday 29 August 2009
Spending other people's money !
There seems to be a certain irony about heritage orders ! The people who call for them to be slapped on existing items are not the owners - nor do they wish to contribute to the cost of their preservation !
The Port Kembla Copper stack falls into this category. It is the remnant of a failed copper smelter to meet environmental standards when it became surrounded by domestic housing. It is riddled with concrete cancer and eventually this will progress to the point of collapse in windy conditions.
Plans are under way for it's demolition, but now there are calls for it to be subjected to a heritage order. This would necessitate a heritage assessment - costing $ 100,000 and introduce a delay of three months - and a first estimate to repair and make the stack safe would cost in the vicinity of $ 20 million.
If the heritage call succeeds - who pays this $ 100,000 liability for an assessment - and who pays $ 20 million to preserve the stack ? It will certainly not be the party suggesting the stack be " saved " !
It seems that anybody can enlist the media and make a case for a heritage order. When the University of Wollongong acquired the old Migrant Hostel site at Fairy Meadow it got into trouble for demolishing some of the decrepit Nissan huts on the site.
Two Nissan huts were still standing and have been refurbished, but many people would wonder why we need a reminder of a past age - and what is so special about these examples of war time construction methods.
Heritage orders are a reason any business thinking of starting manufacturing would need to think long and hard before committing themselves to construction. In the distant future whatever they build can linger and have to be maintained - at their cost - because some public spirited person thinks a heritage order would be a good idea.
But - not with his or her money, of course !
The Port Kembla Copper stack falls into this category. It is the remnant of a failed copper smelter to meet environmental standards when it became surrounded by domestic housing. It is riddled with concrete cancer and eventually this will progress to the point of collapse in windy conditions.
Plans are under way for it's demolition, but now there are calls for it to be subjected to a heritage order. This would necessitate a heritage assessment - costing $ 100,000 and introduce a delay of three months - and a first estimate to repair and make the stack safe would cost in the vicinity of $ 20 million.
If the heritage call succeeds - who pays this $ 100,000 liability for an assessment - and who pays $ 20 million to preserve the stack ? It will certainly not be the party suggesting the stack be " saved " !
It seems that anybody can enlist the media and make a case for a heritage order. When the University of Wollongong acquired the old Migrant Hostel site at Fairy Meadow it got into trouble for demolishing some of the decrepit Nissan huts on the site.
Two Nissan huts were still standing and have been refurbished, but many people would wonder why we need a reminder of a past age - and what is so special about these examples of war time construction methods.
Heritage orders are a reason any business thinking of starting manufacturing would need to think long and hard before committing themselves to construction. In the distant future whatever they build can linger and have to be maintained - at their cost - because some public spirited person thinks a heritage order would be a good idea.
But - not with his or her money, of course !
Friday 28 August 2009
This dangerous society.
The success of the police in breaking a gang offering illicit firearms for sale throws the spotlight on dangers emerging in our society.
There has always been a black market for guns, but in the past these have usually been loot taken in burglaries - and consequently the majority have been " sporting guns ".
It is a totally different situation when guns recovered as a result of a police " sting " include items such as a Heckler and Koch MP5 machine gun - capable of firing 800 rounds a minute - and the preferred weapon of police SWAT teams and similar government agencies.
Put this escalation together with night vision equipment and ballistic vests and we are looking at the equipment for serious crime verging on the creation of a private militia - or a terrorist cell.
Another reason for alarm is the inclusion of a locally manufactured machine gun bearing strong resemblance to the legendary Owen gun developed during the second world war by Wollongong man Evelyn Owen. Obviously someone has the tools and knowhow to create such a weapon - and the number in circulation is unknown.
It seems that Australia is becoming a more dangerous society with a developing appetite for crime to be backed up with heavy firepower. Explosives are now routinely used, as evidenced by the gas attacks on ATM's.
Our police are lightly armed with 9 mm pistols and in the past this has been a sufficient deterrent. Perhaps now it would be appropriate to review police equipment in light of the emerging threat delivered by these weapons seizures !
There has always been a black market for guns, but in the past these have usually been loot taken in burglaries - and consequently the majority have been " sporting guns ".
It is a totally different situation when guns recovered as a result of a police " sting " include items such as a Heckler and Koch MP5 machine gun - capable of firing 800 rounds a minute - and the preferred weapon of police SWAT teams and similar government agencies.
Put this escalation together with night vision equipment and ballistic vests and we are looking at the equipment for serious crime verging on the creation of a private militia - or a terrorist cell.
Another reason for alarm is the inclusion of a locally manufactured machine gun bearing strong resemblance to the legendary Owen gun developed during the second world war by Wollongong man Evelyn Owen. Obviously someone has the tools and knowhow to create such a weapon - and the number in circulation is unknown.
It seems that Australia is becoming a more dangerous society with a developing appetite for crime to be backed up with heavy firepower. Explosives are now routinely used, as evidenced by the gas attacks on ATM's.
Our police are lightly armed with 9 mm pistols and in the past this has been a sufficient deterrent. Perhaps now it would be appropriate to review police equipment in light of the emerging threat delivered by these weapons seizures !
Thursday 27 August 2009
An airport opportunity !
Once again the Illawarra regional airport is to be surveyed to determine what it's future holds.
In the past there have been hopes - raised and dashed - of it becoming a commuter hub and an interstate travel centre.
A factor in it's favour is the distaste most travellers have for Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport at Botany.
Sydney airport is not an inviting place from which to travel. It can be accessed by train, but the fare asked is little short of banditry. Car parking fees are astronomical, and the sheer chaos of driving within the terminus and surrounding area is often described as " a nightmare ! "
Once at the terminal travellers are confronted with too many people concentrated in too small an area - hugely inflated prices for all sorts of services - from a cup of coffee to a forgotten need such as a tube of toothpaste - and the relentless rush to check in on time and check baggage.
One of the causes of this hassle is the mix of domestic and international traffic in a high concentration Sydney suburb.
Travellers would welcome accessing domestic holiday flights from a relaxing smaller airport such as the Illawarra - providing it did not mean relinquishing jet aircraft such as the 737 in favour of small, turbo-prop transport such as the old, unreliable and much maligned Dash-8.
We could have the Illawarra airport as a holiday transport hub - provided we can handle the type of aircraft the holiday crowd expect and demand.
This survey will need to determine what aircraft types the Illawarra can presently handle - and what extensions are possible to bring it's capacity up to those needs.
Having determined that, where the money will come from to make the necessary adjustments, including a decent terminal lounge and facilities.
The fact that the airport is owned by Shellharbour council could be a limitation. To be successful - if the survey delivers the right findings - it may be necessary for the council to sell the airport to a dedicated commercial interest to finance the expanded facilities.
But firstly - let us see what this survey delivers before we head down that track !
In the past there have been hopes - raised and dashed - of it becoming a commuter hub and an interstate travel centre.
A factor in it's favour is the distaste most travellers have for Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport at Botany.
Sydney airport is not an inviting place from which to travel. It can be accessed by train, but the fare asked is little short of banditry. Car parking fees are astronomical, and the sheer chaos of driving within the terminus and surrounding area is often described as " a nightmare ! "
Once at the terminal travellers are confronted with too many people concentrated in too small an area - hugely inflated prices for all sorts of services - from a cup of coffee to a forgotten need such as a tube of toothpaste - and the relentless rush to check in on time and check baggage.
One of the causes of this hassle is the mix of domestic and international traffic in a high concentration Sydney suburb.
Travellers would welcome accessing domestic holiday flights from a relaxing smaller airport such as the Illawarra - providing it did not mean relinquishing jet aircraft such as the 737 in favour of small, turbo-prop transport such as the old, unreliable and much maligned Dash-8.
We could have the Illawarra airport as a holiday transport hub - provided we can handle the type of aircraft the holiday crowd expect and demand.
This survey will need to determine what aircraft types the Illawarra can presently handle - and what extensions are possible to bring it's capacity up to those needs.
Having determined that, where the money will come from to make the necessary adjustments, including a decent terminal lounge and facilities.
The fact that the airport is owned by Shellharbour council could be a limitation. To be successful - if the survey delivers the right findings - it may be necessary for the council to sell the airport to a dedicated commercial interest to finance the expanded facilities.
But firstly - let us see what this survey delivers before we head down that track !
Wednesday 26 August 2009
A tradition challenged !
During a recent court appearance several Muslim men refused to stand as is the tradition at the opening of the court and the entrance of the judge. They attempted to introduce a religious aspect by claiming that " they would only stand before God. "
This seems to be an act of defiance, signalling that they reject the authority of the legal system in Australia and do not feel bound to respect the laws that it makes. In this instance they made no claim of only respecting Sharia law.
Now that this act of defiance has been widely reported it seems certain that we will see it repeated in many other courts. The legal system must decide how it responds to this challenge.
A refusal to stand could be treated as contempt of court and the instigator held in custody for a length of time determined by the judge or magistrate.
This would probably be interpreted as an attack on Islam by radical fundamentalists and become a new way of testing the system.
The legal world may determine that standing as a mark of respect is simply a leftover from a distant age - and discontinue the custom. There is precedent. There was a time when the national anthem was played at the conclusion of films shown in theatres - and the public stood and waited for it's conclusion before leaving.
Many old traditions continue without question - until somebody refuses to comply. This seems to be one of those occasions. Now would be the time to determine a suitable response - and either drop the requirement - or insist that those who refuse face unpleasant consequences.
This seems to be an act of defiance, signalling that they reject the authority of the legal system in Australia and do not feel bound to respect the laws that it makes. In this instance they made no claim of only respecting Sharia law.
Now that this act of defiance has been widely reported it seems certain that we will see it repeated in many other courts. The legal system must decide how it responds to this challenge.
A refusal to stand could be treated as contempt of court and the instigator held in custody for a length of time determined by the judge or magistrate.
This would probably be interpreted as an attack on Islam by radical fundamentalists and become a new way of testing the system.
The legal world may determine that standing as a mark of respect is simply a leftover from a distant age - and discontinue the custom. There is precedent. There was a time when the national anthem was played at the conclusion of films shown in theatres - and the public stood and waited for it's conclusion before leaving.
Many old traditions continue without question - until somebody refuses to comply. This seems to be one of those occasions. Now would be the time to determine a suitable response - and either drop the requirement - or insist that those who refuse face unpleasant consequences.
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Supply - and demand !
There is one inescapable law of commerce that exists under the heading " Supply and demand " !
When demand exceeds the capacity of supply - the price goes up !
In the last fortnight Shellharbour hospital's emergency department has closed for two 10 pm-8 am shifts, leaving Wollongong hospital to take the entire load. The reason for this closure was the inability to obtain a doctor to treat emergency patients.
What is frightening is the permission granted to increase the pay rate to attract a locum for temporary service. An offer to pay $ 1450 for a single ten hour shift simply did not get a response.
Applying " the law of commerce " can result in a byproduct - " the law of unintended returns ".
If this sort of hourly rate is dangled in front of salaried doctors, either in government service or in the private sector - there is a huge incentive to resign or quit private practice and become part of the relief locum network.
The same sort of money - or more - can be had for working much shorter hours, giving access to a much more relaxed life style.
Which brings us back to the reason we have this predicament !
If there is a shortage of doctors - why haven't we expanded our medical schools to overcome the problem ?
When demand exceeds the capacity of supply - the price goes up !
In the last fortnight Shellharbour hospital's emergency department has closed for two 10 pm-8 am shifts, leaving Wollongong hospital to take the entire load. The reason for this closure was the inability to obtain a doctor to treat emergency patients.
What is frightening is the permission granted to increase the pay rate to attract a locum for temporary service. An offer to pay $ 1450 for a single ten hour shift simply did not get a response.
Applying " the law of commerce " can result in a byproduct - " the law of unintended returns ".
If this sort of hourly rate is dangled in front of salaried doctors, either in government service or in the private sector - there is a huge incentive to resign or quit private practice and become part of the relief locum network.
The same sort of money - or more - can be had for working much shorter hours, giving access to a much more relaxed life style.
Which brings us back to the reason we have this predicament !
If there is a shortage of doctors - why haven't we expanded our medical schools to overcome the problem ?
Monday 24 August 2009
The price of petrol !
We seem to be accepting the great con job that the oil companies use to explain the weird gyrations of petrol prices.
It is all governed by " the price cycle " we are assured. This is so complex that it defies rational explanation - and it surely contains an element of smoke and mirrors because no matter whether crude rises or falls - we can be certain that the price at the pump will be higher on pay day, higher over the weekend - and sky high the moment there is a public holiday long weekend or other reason for mass travel.
But we are offered some relief. " Cheap Tuesday " is the day of the week when the price is at it's lowest, but that is also the time when the average person is less likely to have spare cash available to fill the tank.
Any thinking person will realise that there is absolutely no connection between the price of crude today - and the petrol waiting to be sold at the service centre.
The crude gushing out of the ground in some foreign country will be pumped into storage tanks awaiting it's transport in a super tanker to a refinery somewhere else in the world. It will again go into storage tanks - until the refinery is ready to deal with it - and then in refined form it will go back into yet another tank farm.
Eventually, a road tanker will be filled and it will be delivered to another storage tank - at a petrol station near you !
The gap between crude out of the ground and refined petrol at the bowser has a long lead time - too long to reflect an immediate impact on the price demanded.
Obviously the " price cycle " is nothing more than a decision by the oil company bosses to extract the most profit from the poor mug motorists - while at the same time giving the illusion that market forces are in play.
At least that is perfectly clear !
It is all governed by " the price cycle " we are assured. This is so complex that it defies rational explanation - and it surely contains an element of smoke and mirrors because no matter whether crude rises or falls - we can be certain that the price at the pump will be higher on pay day, higher over the weekend - and sky high the moment there is a public holiday long weekend or other reason for mass travel.
But we are offered some relief. " Cheap Tuesday " is the day of the week when the price is at it's lowest, but that is also the time when the average person is less likely to have spare cash available to fill the tank.
Any thinking person will realise that there is absolutely no connection between the price of crude today - and the petrol waiting to be sold at the service centre.
The crude gushing out of the ground in some foreign country will be pumped into storage tanks awaiting it's transport in a super tanker to a refinery somewhere else in the world. It will again go into storage tanks - until the refinery is ready to deal with it - and then in refined form it will go back into yet another tank farm.
Eventually, a road tanker will be filled and it will be delivered to another storage tank - at a petrol station near you !
The gap between crude out of the ground and refined petrol at the bowser has a long lead time - too long to reflect an immediate impact on the price demanded.
Obviously the " price cycle " is nothing more than a decision by the oil company bosses to extract the most profit from the poor mug motorists - while at the same time giving the illusion that market forces are in play.
At least that is perfectly clear !
Sunday 23 August 2009
This changing world !
History is littered with conquerors and despots who have briefly come to power and ruled portions of the planet, but three great empires became the cornerstone of the world as we know it today.
The first of these was the Roman empire. It conquered most of what was the then known world with a military discipline still admired by today's generals. It was a great society that bestowed law and order where it had previously been unknown.
The second was the foray of the Spanish conquistadors - who gained control of all of South America up into areas of Texas, plus Cuba and the Philippines. During their control period in the mid second millennium they enforced two unifying components on their subjects - the Spanish language - and the Catholic religion.
The third great regime was the British empire. This insignificant little European country managed to colonise a greater part of the world - and established English as the language of world commerce, eclipsing French as a competitor.
The British empire began to fray at the end of the second world war, leading to rivalry between the Americans and the Russians. Russia adopted the strategy of " invade and conquer ". The Americans - with their Marshall plan - rebuilt Japan and a ravaged Europe. Towards the end of the twentieth century the power of both waned.
Now a new mix is bubbling away. We have two new super powers - China and India about to break into commerce with their huge populations, and Islam - long dormant - is on the rise and seems intent on holy war.
The one inescapable fact is that change is constant. Nothing remains the same forever and a new order will emerge as we watch - and wait.
What that new order will be is any one's guess - but it will be recorded in the history books as this twenty-first century finally draws to a close.
The first of these was the Roman empire. It conquered most of what was the then known world with a military discipline still admired by today's generals. It was a great society that bestowed law and order where it had previously been unknown.
The second was the foray of the Spanish conquistadors - who gained control of all of South America up into areas of Texas, plus Cuba and the Philippines. During their control period in the mid second millennium they enforced two unifying components on their subjects - the Spanish language - and the Catholic religion.
The third great regime was the British empire. This insignificant little European country managed to colonise a greater part of the world - and established English as the language of world commerce, eclipsing French as a competitor.
The British empire began to fray at the end of the second world war, leading to rivalry between the Americans and the Russians. Russia adopted the strategy of " invade and conquer ". The Americans - with their Marshall plan - rebuilt Japan and a ravaged Europe. Towards the end of the twentieth century the power of both waned.
Now a new mix is bubbling away. We have two new super powers - China and India about to break into commerce with their huge populations, and Islam - long dormant - is on the rise and seems intent on holy war.
The one inescapable fact is that change is constant. Nothing remains the same forever and a new order will emerge as we watch - and wait.
What that new order will be is any one's guess - but it will be recorded in the history books as this twenty-first century finally draws to a close.
Saturday 22 August 2009
Questionable health decision !
The job of a government is to make decisions for the public good, but they also have an obligation to take into consideration health results that may arise from those decisions.
The state government has given the nod to a 360 Megawatt gas fired power station to be located at Appin - in Sydney's south west. It is part of the dynamics of such plants that they will inevitably release particles that aggravate respiratory diseases - such as asthma.
Unfortunately Appin and it's surrounding area has an above average number of asthma sufferers with a survey by New South Wales health reporting a cluster of 2400 sufferers. The area was highlighted in a recent report which specifically recommended that care be taken not to add to asthma causing pollution because the prevailing afternoon winds tended to concentrate air particles from Sydney traffic, Sydney airport and the Port Botany shipping terminal to pool and be retained in this area of the Sydney basin.
Despite it's own report advising against locating a new power station in this area, the Planning minister, Kristina Kenneally used her power to grant approval - despite there being no consultation with resident groups - and with no avenue of appeal.
It seems that money rather than health is the motivating factor. This new power station will cost $ 200 million - and land at Appin is cheap in contrast to more suitable sites.
A similar new gas powered power station is being completed on the coast in Wollongong, where the always present sea breezes will disperse pollution particles safely. It would make sense to double it's capacity by building this new plant alongside - but land near the ocean is many times more expensive than in bucolic Appin.
The attitude seems to be keep costs down - and bad luck about the mugs who have to put up with poor health as a result !
The state government has given the nod to a 360 Megawatt gas fired power station to be located at Appin - in Sydney's south west. It is part of the dynamics of such plants that they will inevitably release particles that aggravate respiratory diseases - such as asthma.
Unfortunately Appin and it's surrounding area has an above average number of asthma sufferers with a survey by New South Wales health reporting a cluster of 2400 sufferers. The area was highlighted in a recent report which specifically recommended that care be taken not to add to asthma causing pollution because the prevailing afternoon winds tended to concentrate air particles from Sydney traffic, Sydney airport and the Port Botany shipping terminal to pool and be retained in this area of the Sydney basin.
Despite it's own report advising against locating a new power station in this area, the Planning minister, Kristina Kenneally used her power to grant approval - despite there being no consultation with resident groups - and with no avenue of appeal.
It seems that money rather than health is the motivating factor. This new power station will cost $ 200 million - and land at Appin is cheap in contrast to more suitable sites.
A similar new gas powered power station is being completed on the coast in Wollongong, where the always present sea breezes will disperse pollution particles safely. It would make sense to double it's capacity by building this new plant alongside - but land near the ocean is many times more expensive than in bucolic Appin.
The attitude seems to be keep costs down - and bad luck about the mugs who have to put up with poor health as a result !
Friday 21 August 2009
Crime - and punishment.
Ten former directors and executives of James Hardie learned their fate yesterday. The former chief executive was banned from managing a company for fifteen years - and fined $ 350,000. The others were given a lesser fine, and banned for a five year period.
The offence for which they were punished was willfully misleading both the public and the stock exchange that a compensation scheme for asbestosis victims was fully funded. In fact, there was a shortfall of over a billion dollars - and they knew about it.
James Hardie made products containing asbestos in the full knowledge that this was a dangerous substance and that exposure would result in fatal illnesses. Despite this, they continued it's use because it contributed to profits.
Company management used every ruse in the book to avoid their obligations, including moving their head office to Holland, where different laws were in place.
The perpetrators have received their punishment, but their victims are still left in no-mans-land. The compensation fund will run dry in about two more years and Hardies is crying poor because the recession has decreased profits - and now they are again on the move - this time to Ireland.
It seems that nothing has really changed. James Hardie has no real compassion for the people they bestowed with a painful death and if they can wriggle out of topping up that compensation fund they will do so.
The legal system has only done half the job. Punishment is one thing. Holding a reluctant company to it's legal obligations seems to be slipping through the cracks !
The offence for which they were punished was willfully misleading both the public and the stock exchange that a compensation scheme for asbestosis victims was fully funded. In fact, there was a shortfall of over a billion dollars - and they knew about it.
James Hardie made products containing asbestos in the full knowledge that this was a dangerous substance and that exposure would result in fatal illnesses. Despite this, they continued it's use because it contributed to profits.
Company management used every ruse in the book to avoid their obligations, including moving their head office to Holland, where different laws were in place.
The perpetrators have received their punishment, but their victims are still left in no-mans-land. The compensation fund will run dry in about two more years and Hardies is crying poor because the recession has decreased profits - and now they are again on the move - this time to Ireland.
It seems that nothing has really changed. James Hardie has no real compassion for the people they bestowed with a painful death and if they can wriggle out of topping up that compensation fund they will do so.
The legal system has only done half the job. Punishment is one thing. Holding a reluctant company to it's legal obligations seems to be slipping through the cracks !
Thursday 20 August 2009
A danger looms.
What a strange contrast in our relations with China. On the one hand we have just signed the biggest supply contract in this nation's history. The " Gorgon " gas field will deliver $ 50 billion to Australia's coffers over the next twenty years - and this will underpin coal and iron ore as exports that will bring us prosperity.
At the same time China is miffed - and seems to be punishing Australia by demanding that we kowtow to their wishes - and gain their approval of whom we can invite here as guests.
China has protested about Australia talking to the Daila Lama - and has withdrawn films from a film festival and snubbed a Pacific area meeting in Cairns because of a visit from a representative of the Uigher people, Rebiya Kadeer.
Such a demand is at best sheer rudeness - and at worst an attempt to subvert the authority of our elected government to make decisions on behalf of our citizens.
China is not a democracy and it seems that it's leaders are exploiting their growing financial power to try and impose their authority on the rest of the world. This is likely to increase as the Chinese economy expands because the profits will allow an increase in military spending - just as the rest of the world contracts because of debt associated with the recession.
When the cold war ended it looked like a new era of peace. Now we have a new military super power emerging. China is pushing hard on many frontiers - including space exploration - and it seems clear that in the decades ahead it will be the richest trading nation.
Unfortunately, this will not be riches shared amongst firms owned by it's citizens. Those riches will be in the hands of a totalitarian government with the habit of imposing an iron rule on it's own people.
Trading with China is a double edged sword. It will bring us prosperity - but at the same time take us into the orbit of a behemoth with no compunction in using it's powers to impose it's authority.
The road ahead will see us negotiate many rocky patches !
At the same time China is miffed - and seems to be punishing Australia by demanding that we kowtow to their wishes - and gain their approval of whom we can invite here as guests.
China has protested about Australia talking to the Daila Lama - and has withdrawn films from a film festival and snubbed a Pacific area meeting in Cairns because of a visit from a representative of the Uigher people, Rebiya Kadeer.
Such a demand is at best sheer rudeness - and at worst an attempt to subvert the authority of our elected government to make decisions on behalf of our citizens.
China is not a democracy and it seems that it's leaders are exploiting their growing financial power to try and impose their authority on the rest of the world. This is likely to increase as the Chinese economy expands because the profits will allow an increase in military spending - just as the rest of the world contracts because of debt associated with the recession.
When the cold war ended it looked like a new era of peace. Now we have a new military super power emerging. China is pushing hard on many frontiers - including space exploration - and it seems clear that in the decades ahead it will be the richest trading nation.
Unfortunately, this will not be riches shared amongst firms owned by it's citizens. Those riches will be in the hands of a totalitarian government with the habit of imposing an iron rule on it's own people.
Trading with China is a double edged sword. It will bring us prosperity - but at the same time take us into the orbit of a behemoth with no compunction in using it's powers to impose it's authority.
The road ahead will see us negotiate many rocky patches !
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Criminal negligence !
We can't say we were not warned ! A dangerous bushfire season is just a few weeks away and we have the example of " Black Saturday " in Victoria to guide us. The Royal Commission into that tragedy spells out what is needed.
Disaster is waiting to happen if a similar intense fire occurs in the heavily populated corridor linking Stanwell Park in the north and the southern suburb of Thirroul.
This string of former fishing villages and coal mining residences has become a continuous suburb serviced by Lawrence Hargreave drive - a tortuous, winding road of just one lane each way - hopelessly incapable of providing an escape route.
The chilling reality is that Lawrence Hargreave drive is the only way into or out of this stretch of the coastline, hemmed in as it is between the ocean and the escarpment.
We are warned to expect more extreme fire conditions because of global warming, and here we have a huge segment of our population trapped - and without any hope of escape.
There should at least be a fire plan - and a means of warning residents of approaching danger. A series of sirens could sound that warning, and the only hope of survival would be the beaches - but which should be the assembly points has not been designated.
This stretch of bushland last burned in the summer of 1968, hence a bushfire is long overdue. It is not a case of " if " this will happen - but a case of " when ".
The lack of an emergency plan is little short of criminal negligence. In the event of an extreme bushfire similar to Victoria's " Black Saturday " even the beaches may not ensure survival, but at least they would be the starting point of a " Dunkirk " style evacuation.
The sad thing is that even considering a disaster strategy seems far from the minds of those who have this responsibility !
Disaster is waiting to happen if a similar intense fire occurs in the heavily populated corridor linking Stanwell Park in the north and the southern suburb of Thirroul.
This string of former fishing villages and coal mining residences has become a continuous suburb serviced by Lawrence Hargreave drive - a tortuous, winding road of just one lane each way - hopelessly incapable of providing an escape route.
The chilling reality is that Lawrence Hargreave drive is the only way into or out of this stretch of the coastline, hemmed in as it is between the ocean and the escarpment.
We are warned to expect more extreme fire conditions because of global warming, and here we have a huge segment of our population trapped - and without any hope of escape.
There should at least be a fire plan - and a means of warning residents of approaching danger. A series of sirens could sound that warning, and the only hope of survival would be the beaches - but which should be the assembly points has not been designated.
This stretch of bushland last burned in the summer of 1968, hence a bushfire is long overdue. It is not a case of " if " this will happen - but a case of " when ".
The lack of an emergency plan is little short of criminal negligence. In the event of an extreme bushfire similar to Victoria's " Black Saturday " even the beaches may not ensure survival, but at least they would be the starting point of a " Dunkirk " style evacuation.
The sad thing is that even considering a disaster strategy seems far from the minds of those who have this responsibility !
Tuesday 18 August 2009
University " Union fees ".
John Howard's previous government scrapped the compulsory " union fee " all students were forced to pay upfront. This financed a variety of " services ", many of which were not of interest to individual students - and many of which had political connections.
Howard merely made paying them " optional " - and as a result the majority chose not to join this union. Various functions financed by these levies were down graded or ceased, but life in general continued unabated in the university world.
Now the Rudd government is proposing to reinstate a compulsory levy, but not under the name " Union Fees ". Instead it will be called an " Administration Fee " - and $ 250 is being touted as the amount to be demanded.
The proposal is for the Administration fee to be used to provide child care facilities, fund the various clubs and sports within university life - and subsidise meals and the Unibar.
This proposal is vague as to who exactly will control these funds - and how they will be administered.
As in all walks of life, there is a tendency for a few strong willed individuals to seize control by using the general apathy, and once in control take that body in directions not popular with all. In the past when Union fees were compulsory this was often in political directions not favoured by many.
It also raises the question of personal choice. Should a childless university student be forced to supply child care for others - and should such compulsory funds be used to promote sports and fund activities of a social nature not of interest to the student ?
The Rudd government should approach this with caution. The university students delivered a strong opinion when these fees became optional - they overwhelmingly stopped paying them.
It is a fact of life that university students tend to have strong ideas on many issues - and often those ideas violently oppose the direction of government - nomatter which political party is in power.
Reintroducing a compulsory fee could invoke an adage that warns against " biting the hand that feeds it ! "
Howard merely made paying them " optional " - and as a result the majority chose not to join this union. Various functions financed by these levies were down graded or ceased, but life in general continued unabated in the university world.
Now the Rudd government is proposing to reinstate a compulsory levy, but not under the name " Union Fees ". Instead it will be called an " Administration Fee " - and $ 250 is being touted as the amount to be demanded.
The proposal is for the Administration fee to be used to provide child care facilities, fund the various clubs and sports within university life - and subsidise meals and the Unibar.
This proposal is vague as to who exactly will control these funds - and how they will be administered.
As in all walks of life, there is a tendency for a few strong willed individuals to seize control by using the general apathy, and once in control take that body in directions not popular with all. In the past when Union fees were compulsory this was often in political directions not favoured by many.
It also raises the question of personal choice. Should a childless university student be forced to supply child care for others - and should such compulsory funds be used to promote sports and fund activities of a social nature not of interest to the student ?
The Rudd government should approach this with caution. The university students delivered a strong opinion when these fees became optional - they overwhelmingly stopped paying them.
It is a fact of life that university students tend to have strong ideas on many issues - and often those ideas violently oppose the direction of government - nomatter which political party is in power.
Reintroducing a compulsory fee could invoke an adage that warns against " biting the hand that feeds it ! "
Monday 17 August 2009
Competition !
Development plans to create new Aldi and Woolworths supermarkets in Wollongong's northern suburbs have brought wails of anguish from existing traders. Many claim that these new stores in Bulli and Woonona will force them to shut their doors and turn the existing shopping centres into ghost towns.
It might be a good idea to turn back the pages of history - and have a look at what happened in Helensburgh several years ago.
A proposal for a new Bi-Lo supermarket in that historic little mining town brought the same predictions of doom. It was claimed that a supermarket - with it's cheap priced groceries - would ruin the " village atmosphere " and send all it's competitors to the wall.
The protests were ignored. The supermarket was built - and absolutely nothing happened to decimate the existing shops in the town.
In fact, the shopping centre has expanded.
All that really happened is that the local grocery purchases changed from supermarkets in Miranda or Wollongong to the local store. They never were being made at the convenience shops.
If anything, the small shops got a bonanza because instead of shopping out of the area many locals used the new supermarket for their grocery purchases - and patronised the smaller stores for their non-grocery needs.
When lack of a supermarket caused them to shop in another area, their non-grocery needs were sourced on that suburbs small shops.
History is a better guide of what happens in similar situations !
It might be a good idea to turn back the pages of history - and have a look at what happened in Helensburgh several years ago.
A proposal for a new Bi-Lo supermarket in that historic little mining town brought the same predictions of doom. It was claimed that a supermarket - with it's cheap priced groceries - would ruin the " village atmosphere " and send all it's competitors to the wall.
The protests were ignored. The supermarket was built - and absolutely nothing happened to decimate the existing shops in the town.
In fact, the shopping centre has expanded.
All that really happened is that the local grocery purchases changed from supermarkets in Miranda or Wollongong to the local store. They never were being made at the convenience shops.
If anything, the small shops got a bonanza because instead of shopping out of the area many locals used the new supermarket for their grocery purchases - and patronised the smaller stores for their non-grocery needs.
When lack of a supermarket caused them to shop in another area, their non-grocery needs were sourced on that suburbs small shops.
History is a better guide of what happens in similar situations !
Sunday 16 August 2009
The tax net widens !
There is no doubt that all forms of government are desperately short of money !
Local government is dismayed by rapidly crumbling infrastructure and new responsibilities dumped on them by state and Federal government.
State governments have devised a plethora of " revenue raisers " which are little short of acts of banditry - and still there is not enough money for a decent health system, road network or the means of getting citizens to and from work on public transport.
The Federal government is about to confront a monster of it's own making. It has borrowed billions to get the country out of recession - and now it has to figure out how to repay that money - and still maintain essential services at the same time.
Ominously, the Federal treasury is " doing exercises " to examine the role the family home could play in the tax system !
The Treasurer has been quick to issue a disclaimer, stating that " he has no intention of changing the tax free status of the family home ", but those are the words of a politician - and one must wonder why Treasury is doing these sums if there is no prospect of them being implemented.
Capital gains tax must loom large in some economist's minds. The recent house price boom saw even a modest suburban home leap to multi digit figures. Surely there must be an upper limit above which a " home " loses tax free status ?
Then there is the " pensioner " option for avoiding tax. A pensioner is means tested on all assets - except the value of the family home. It is possible to trim those assets to the permissible level - and invest the surplus in a mansion and thus preserve the family fortune while still getting the full pension.
The " bean counters " at Treasury are navel gazing a whole lot of " what ifs " and that is bad news for the average citizen. When push comes to shove and the sums do not add up governments have no option other than to embrace harsh measures.
A big hole in the Federal budget looms - most other options have by now been tapped.
The family home seems to be the target of last resort !
Local government is dismayed by rapidly crumbling infrastructure and new responsibilities dumped on them by state and Federal government.
State governments have devised a plethora of " revenue raisers " which are little short of acts of banditry - and still there is not enough money for a decent health system, road network or the means of getting citizens to and from work on public transport.
The Federal government is about to confront a monster of it's own making. It has borrowed billions to get the country out of recession - and now it has to figure out how to repay that money - and still maintain essential services at the same time.
Ominously, the Federal treasury is " doing exercises " to examine the role the family home could play in the tax system !
The Treasurer has been quick to issue a disclaimer, stating that " he has no intention of changing the tax free status of the family home ", but those are the words of a politician - and one must wonder why Treasury is doing these sums if there is no prospect of them being implemented.
Capital gains tax must loom large in some economist's minds. The recent house price boom saw even a modest suburban home leap to multi digit figures. Surely there must be an upper limit above which a " home " loses tax free status ?
Then there is the " pensioner " option for avoiding tax. A pensioner is means tested on all assets - except the value of the family home. It is possible to trim those assets to the permissible level - and invest the surplus in a mansion and thus preserve the family fortune while still getting the full pension.
The " bean counters " at Treasury are navel gazing a whole lot of " what ifs " and that is bad news for the average citizen. When push comes to shove and the sums do not add up governments have no option other than to embrace harsh measures.
A big hole in the Federal budget looms - most other options have by now been tapped.
The family home seems to be the target of last resort !
Saturday 15 August 2009
Death - and the law !
Perth man Christian Rossiter wants to die. He is a quadriplegic and is entirely reliant on carers for his every need. He can not wipe away a tear or scratch an itch - and his sustenance is delivered via a feeding tube directly to his stomach.
This week the Chief Justice of the West Australian court delivered a verdict that will allow him his wish. The Chief Justice set legal precedent when he determined that Mr Rossiter's carers can legally obey his wishes and cease the feeding process.
This case was brought about by the carers, concerned that their legal position was unclear and needing legal clarification to avoid uncertainty.
In one respect, this decision is humane. In another, it inflicts on Mr Rossiter a painful and lingering death, something that he could avoid if he had even a small amount of mobility.
Many will remember events of some decades ago when Bobby Sands and several other prisoners of the Maize prison in Northern Ireland chose to starve themselves to death rather than endure life imprisonment.
The media presented harrowing accounts of their wasted bodies and torment. Death by starvation is neither pleasant nor swift, but it seems to be the only solution available to a quadriplegic in Australia.
Strangely, we offer nothing better - but should a person inflict a similar fate on a dog or other animal we would be almost hysterical in our rage, and that offender would most likely see the inside of a gaol cell. We have a strange sense of priorities.
We claim to be a humanitarian country - but not as merciful as the Swiss or the Dutch. Mr Rossiter is weighing up his options after this verdict, and may instead choose to travel to Switzerland where he can be legally assisted in painlessly ending his life.
Our gutless politicians shy away from putting the question of assisted suicide to a referendum, fearful of the backlash from the churches that may remove their snouts from the gravy train.
That is a decision that rightfully belongs to the people of this country !
This week the Chief Justice of the West Australian court delivered a verdict that will allow him his wish. The Chief Justice set legal precedent when he determined that Mr Rossiter's carers can legally obey his wishes and cease the feeding process.
This case was brought about by the carers, concerned that their legal position was unclear and needing legal clarification to avoid uncertainty.
In one respect, this decision is humane. In another, it inflicts on Mr Rossiter a painful and lingering death, something that he could avoid if he had even a small amount of mobility.
Many will remember events of some decades ago when Bobby Sands and several other prisoners of the Maize prison in Northern Ireland chose to starve themselves to death rather than endure life imprisonment.
The media presented harrowing accounts of their wasted bodies and torment. Death by starvation is neither pleasant nor swift, but it seems to be the only solution available to a quadriplegic in Australia.
Strangely, we offer nothing better - but should a person inflict a similar fate on a dog or other animal we would be almost hysterical in our rage, and that offender would most likely see the inside of a gaol cell. We have a strange sense of priorities.
We claim to be a humanitarian country - but not as merciful as the Swiss or the Dutch. Mr Rossiter is weighing up his options after this verdict, and may instead choose to travel to Switzerland where he can be legally assisted in painlessly ending his life.
Our gutless politicians shy away from putting the question of assisted suicide to a referendum, fearful of the backlash from the churches that may remove their snouts from the gravy train.
That is a decision that rightfully belongs to the people of this country !
Friday 14 August 2009
Brinkmanship !
Yesterdays rejection of the Emissions Trading bill in the Senate has opened a brinkmanship scenario that is far from clear.
The government has said that it will return this bill in three months time - and if it is again rejected it will have the opportunity to dissolve both houses of parliament and call a double dissolution election.
This seems to be a strategic move to capitalise on the divisions in the opposition and the hope that such an election might change the numbers in the Senate in the government's favour.
It is a plan that is not without risk. This bill was rejected 42/30 - and all the non government Senators gave it the thumbs down. It was a bill that badly lacked definition - and it left unanswered more questions than it zeroed in and explained.
Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong seem to be taking a " Hail Mary " stance - saying " Trust me and vote for the bill - and we will fill in the details later ".
As we all know - the Devil is in the details - and there are some very big details attached to this plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below 2000 levels by 2020.
One critical question is whether agriculture will be subject to the tax. Most other countries have not taken that course and a bad decision here could cripple our farm sector.
Just what level of compensation will shield citizens from price hikes caused by the tax ? That is the sort of thing essential to making a rational decision.
Kevin Rudd may find that he has a tiger by the tail if he presses on to a double dissolution election.
This will be a virtual referendum on emission trading - and we have twenty-two million people in this country - and there seems to be twenty-two million different thoughts on the subject.
If it goes to an election we can be sure that this whole subject will get a huge and exhaustive examination by both the media and the scientific people who are qualified to make intelligent comment. Every nuance and possibility will be minutely examined and it will not be possible to cover defects with spin.
It should not be assumed that such an election would be an automatic win for the government. There is certainly a demand from the public for action on global warming, but most people are yet to consider all the ramifications - and how it will affect them as individuals - and that is the devilish detail that will become crystal clear when it goes under the spotlight.
Emission reduction if a critical need in this country and it should not be reduced to mere politics. It's time all sides of politics sat down together and thrashed out a workable plan that achieves a reasonable outcome - but delivers the least disruption to our standards of living.
Anything less is totally unacceptable !
The government has said that it will return this bill in three months time - and if it is again rejected it will have the opportunity to dissolve both houses of parliament and call a double dissolution election.
This seems to be a strategic move to capitalise on the divisions in the opposition and the hope that such an election might change the numbers in the Senate in the government's favour.
It is a plan that is not without risk. This bill was rejected 42/30 - and all the non government Senators gave it the thumbs down. It was a bill that badly lacked definition - and it left unanswered more questions than it zeroed in and explained.
Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong seem to be taking a " Hail Mary " stance - saying " Trust me and vote for the bill - and we will fill in the details later ".
As we all know - the Devil is in the details - and there are some very big details attached to this plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below 2000 levels by 2020.
One critical question is whether agriculture will be subject to the tax. Most other countries have not taken that course and a bad decision here could cripple our farm sector.
Just what level of compensation will shield citizens from price hikes caused by the tax ? That is the sort of thing essential to making a rational decision.
Kevin Rudd may find that he has a tiger by the tail if he presses on to a double dissolution election.
This will be a virtual referendum on emission trading - and we have twenty-two million people in this country - and there seems to be twenty-two million different thoughts on the subject.
If it goes to an election we can be sure that this whole subject will get a huge and exhaustive examination by both the media and the scientific people who are qualified to make intelligent comment. Every nuance and possibility will be minutely examined and it will not be possible to cover defects with spin.
It should not be assumed that such an election would be an automatic win for the government. There is certainly a demand from the public for action on global warming, but most people are yet to consider all the ramifications - and how it will affect them as individuals - and that is the devilish detail that will become crystal clear when it goes under the spotlight.
Emission reduction if a critical need in this country and it should not be reduced to mere politics. It's time all sides of politics sat down together and thrashed out a workable plan that achieves a reasonable outcome - but delivers the least disruption to our standards of living.
Anything less is totally unacceptable !
Thursday 13 August 2009
A dangerous frontier !
News of an air crash in Papua New Guinea in which thirteen people died - nine of them Australians - is a reminder that when it comes to air travel, we are a lucky country !
Stringent safety rules govern the Australian air passenger industry and this country has some of the best equipped airports in the world. Huge amounts of money have been spent on developing safe runways guarded by state of the art communications and tracking networks.
Flying in the remote parts of Papua New Guinea is a very different experience. It is not a land of huge passenger jets. Passengers are delivered to their destination in aircraft designed for the job of getting in and out of airstrips that in many cases are simply a street in a mountain village. There is no bitumen surface. In all probability the " landing area " will be a strip of dirt between native homes, often following the natural curve of the land.
There are no facilities for an " instrument landing " in bad weather. The " bush pilots " have legendary skills in finding their way in fog, dense cloud - and the torrential rain that is part and parcel of the tropics - and the miracle is that they do this consistently year in and year out.
This time something went wrong, and the twin engined Twin Otter aircraft went down in dense jungle.
There will be an enquiry but very little will change. There is no money to develop better airfields - and that would probably be an impossible job even if funds were available because of the terrain involved.
PNG is frontier territory. Those venturing to Kokoda are experiencing the drama and danger Australian troops encountered decades ago when they fought an epic battle against huge odds - and won !
Times have changed - but that danger remains !
Stringent safety rules govern the Australian air passenger industry and this country has some of the best equipped airports in the world. Huge amounts of money have been spent on developing safe runways guarded by state of the art communications and tracking networks.
Flying in the remote parts of Papua New Guinea is a very different experience. It is not a land of huge passenger jets. Passengers are delivered to their destination in aircraft designed for the job of getting in and out of airstrips that in many cases are simply a street in a mountain village. There is no bitumen surface. In all probability the " landing area " will be a strip of dirt between native homes, often following the natural curve of the land.
There are no facilities for an " instrument landing " in bad weather. The " bush pilots " have legendary skills in finding their way in fog, dense cloud - and the torrential rain that is part and parcel of the tropics - and the miracle is that they do this consistently year in and year out.
This time something went wrong, and the twin engined Twin Otter aircraft went down in dense jungle.
There will be an enquiry but very little will change. There is no money to develop better airfields - and that would probably be an impossible job even if funds were available because of the terrain involved.
PNG is frontier territory. Those venturing to Kokoda are experiencing the drama and danger Australian troops encountered decades ago when they fought an epic battle against huge odds - and won !
Times have changed - but that danger remains !
Wednesday 12 August 2009
The security myth !
A lot of people are worried by the plan to reduce staff at railway stations - and to make many stations unattended over weekend periods.
They are assured that stringent security measures will replace humans - and that CCTV cameras will be watching and that help will arrive once a traveller pushes that big red alarm button.
Nothing could be further from the truth. As the number of CCTV cameras increases this is not matched by the number of control staff watching monitors. It is impossible for a human being to watch a vast number of screens at the same time, and in many instances security is served by one person watching a singular screen - which has scenes from dozens of cameras scrolling in a random pattern.
CCTV cameras are not designed to provide immediate help. Their main purpose is to provide after-the-event evidence to enable the authorities to clear up a crime and secure a conviction.
Every hour of every day we are being observed by a huge number of CCTV cameras and once a crime is reported it is an easy matter to consult the cameras covering the crime area, observe the crime being committed, identify the offender - and take it from there.
That has absolutely nothing to do with preventing the crime happening in the first place.
Women - and the elderly - have every reason to fear unattended suburban railway stations. History proves these are very dangerous places, frequented by rapists and drunks - and lots of anti-social people.
Don't be fooled by those pious claims that we do not need on-the-spot security people in this electronic age. It's just one more myth to serve the relentless money saving cut backs !
They are assured that stringent security measures will replace humans - and that CCTV cameras will be watching and that help will arrive once a traveller pushes that big red alarm button.
Nothing could be further from the truth. As the number of CCTV cameras increases this is not matched by the number of control staff watching monitors. It is impossible for a human being to watch a vast number of screens at the same time, and in many instances security is served by one person watching a singular screen - which has scenes from dozens of cameras scrolling in a random pattern.
CCTV cameras are not designed to provide immediate help. Their main purpose is to provide after-the-event evidence to enable the authorities to clear up a crime and secure a conviction.
Every hour of every day we are being observed by a huge number of CCTV cameras and once a crime is reported it is an easy matter to consult the cameras covering the crime area, observe the crime being committed, identify the offender - and take it from there.
That has absolutely nothing to do with preventing the crime happening in the first place.
Women - and the elderly - have every reason to fear unattended suburban railway stations. History proves these are very dangerous places, frequented by rapists and drunks - and lots of anti-social people.
Don't be fooled by those pious claims that we do not need on-the-spot security people in this electronic age. It's just one more myth to serve the relentless money saving cut backs !
Tuesday 11 August 2009
Referendum !
Kevin Rudd's plan to present the states with a health system proposal - and then take it to the people by way of a referendum if they reject it would seem to be the ultimate lesson in democracy.
The people get to decide - but unfortunately history tells another story.
Referendums have never been won where there is conflict between the Federal government and the states.
Our national health system is a shambles and maybe this would be a good time to take the ultimate plunge and ask the people what sort of system they want as this country heads into the future.
Do we need the states ? Is the cost of nine individual governments to rule a small population of twenty-two million people justified ? Can we devise a better plan ?
Many will opt for a Republican system - but what sort of Republican form of government ?
At the last referendum we voted on a Republican system that still embraced the old Westminster model. It was restrictive because the Prime Minister held more power than the President - and the ministries were restricted to those who held a seat in the parliament. We sometimes elect representatives that we would be reluctant to let run a hot dog stand commercially - and from these our ministers are chosen.
Eventually there will have to be a choice between the present parliamentary model and some form of progressive system - and when that choice comes it will inevitably be a fight between the government in power on one side - and the states and the main opposition on the other.
This world recession scare should be a wake up call. The media would be doing a public service if they got a healthy discussion going on the alternatives available - and got a public debate going to allow public opinion to form.
It is a question we will have to face - whether the timing is now - or at some time in the future !
The people get to decide - but unfortunately history tells another story.
Referendums have never been won where there is conflict between the Federal government and the states.
Our national health system is a shambles and maybe this would be a good time to take the ultimate plunge and ask the people what sort of system they want as this country heads into the future.
Do we need the states ? Is the cost of nine individual governments to rule a small population of twenty-two million people justified ? Can we devise a better plan ?
Many will opt for a Republican system - but what sort of Republican form of government ?
At the last referendum we voted on a Republican system that still embraced the old Westminster model. It was restrictive because the Prime Minister held more power than the President - and the ministries were restricted to those who held a seat in the parliament. We sometimes elect representatives that we would be reluctant to let run a hot dog stand commercially - and from these our ministers are chosen.
Eventually there will have to be a choice between the present parliamentary model and some form of progressive system - and when that choice comes it will inevitably be a fight between the government in power on one side - and the states and the main opposition on the other.
This world recession scare should be a wake up call. The media would be doing a public service if they got a healthy discussion going on the alternatives available - and got a public debate going to allow public opinion to form.
It is a question we will have to face - whether the timing is now - or at some time in the future !
Monday 10 August 2009
Political donations !
Once again we are debating that age old question - " How do we fund politics without the intrusion of the sleaze factor ? "
Queensland is suggesting a total ban on political donations. A predictable response, considering that a minister was recently caught with his paw in the cookie jar - and given a seven year gaol sentence.
We have the right to vote for a candidate of our choice - and that can depend on either our admiration for that person - or because that person is endorsed by a favoured political party.
The person and the party have the right to advertise their policies and try to attract our vote - and to do that requires money !
It is suggested that public donations be banned and the public purse provide a set formulae of contributions to election expenses. This is probably unrealistic because it favours the rich and famous over the poor and unknown.
A ban on political donations would also face a tough journey through the courts because it would conflict with certain freedoms guaranteed under the constitution.
When push comes to shove, we would be wise to retain the present system and stiffen up the reporting procedure - with the ultimate deterrent to those who claim " lapse of memory " for reporting failure.
Automatic declaration of that members seat being vacant - and the member not eligible for reelection - would be a certain means of ensuring very strict compliance and reporting of donation records !
Queensland is suggesting a total ban on political donations. A predictable response, considering that a minister was recently caught with his paw in the cookie jar - and given a seven year gaol sentence.
We have the right to vote for a candidate of our choice - and that can depend on either our admiration for that person - or because that person is endorsed by a favoured political party.
The person and the party have the right to advertise their policies and try to attract our vote - and to do that requires money !
It is suggested that public donations be banned and the public purse provide a set formulae of contributions to election expenses. This is probably unrealistic because it favours the rich and famous over the poor and unknown.
A ban on political donations would also face a tough journey through the courts because it would conflict with certain freedoms guaranteed under the constitution.
When push comes to shove, we would be wise to retain the present system and stiffen up the reporting procedure - with the ultimate deterrent to those who claim " lapse of memory " for reporting failure.
Automatic declaration of that members seat being vacant - and the member not eligible for reelection - would be a certain means of ensuring very strict compliance and reporting of donation records !
Sunday 9 August 2009
That cracking wall of silence !
Two events this week must send a chill of fear down the spines of terrorist leaders.
In Pakistan, the chief of the Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud died when a Hellfire missile fired from an American drone demolished the house in which he was sheltering - and also killed several of his companions.
The pivotal point was the break in security that allowed security forces to track him. This man had been successful in fomenting carnage across his country, protected by sympathisers who maintained a wall of silence.
Obviously, that wall of silence crumbled !
In Indonesia the top fugitive responsible for terrorist bombings in Bali and Jakarta - Noordin Mohammad Top - died in a hail of gunfire after the security people tracked and trapped him in a safe house.
Once again, that wall of silence that protected him failed.
Only a dedicated religious fanatic could approve of a bombing campaign that targeted people solely for the crime of not being Muslims - and at the same time included innocent Muslims as a by-product of that carnage.
Obviously, some rank and file people are having second thoughts as time goes by and the list of innocent victims grows longer.
The remaining terrorist leaders must now look over their shoulder - and wonder when the moment of their detection will arrive - and with that the blast of gunfire that will end their lives.
Terrorism will not end anytime soon - but for the perpetrators life has got a lot more dangerous !
In Pakistan, the chief of the Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud died when a Hellfire missile fired from an American drone demolished the house in which he was sheltering - and also killed several of his companions.
The pivotal point was the break in security that allowed security forces to track him. This man had been successful in fomenting carnage across his country, protected by sympathisers who maintained a wall of silence.
Obviously, that wall of silence crumbled !
In Indonesia the top fugitive responsible for terrorist bombings in Bali and Jakarta - Noordin Mohammad Top - died in a hail of gunfire after the security people tracked and trapped him in a safe house.
Once again, that wall of silence that protected him failed.
Only a dedicated religious fanatic could approve of a bombing campaign that targeted people solely for the crime of not being Muslims - and at the same time included innocent Muslims as a by-product of that carnage.
Obviously, some rank and file people are having second thoughts as time goes by and the list of innocent victims grows longer.
The remaining terrorist leaders must now look over their shoulder - and wonder when the moment of their detection will arrive - and with that the blast of gunfire that will end their lives.
Terrorism will not end anytime soon - but for the perpetrators life has got a lot more dangerous !
Saturday 8 August 2009
Statistics !
Some wit once observed " There are lies - damn lies - and then there are statistics ! "
It is possible to seemingly prove - or disprove just about anything by cleverly using statistics.
The latest edict from the scientific community concerns heavy drinking - described as imbibing ten or more drinks a day. It claims that this brings about an 80% increase in the incidence of eosophageal, liver, colon, stomach and prostate cancer and a 60% increase in lung cancer.
Of course it completely ignores the fact that heavy drinkers are more likely to also be smokers - and have an unhealthy lifestyle, be employed in dangerous industries - plus have little interest in a diet as recommended by the health authorities.
Over the years statistics have been used to create some mighty health clangers ! Do you remember the days when all school children were given free milk daily - because it was healthy for them ?
Suddenly milk was a health hazard - and the free milk scheme ceased. Later, when milk was reinstated the politicians ignored resuming free milk because of cost concerns.
Then there was the good old egg. People who enjoyed eggs and bacon - or a poached egg for breakfast were appalled to learn that it was a health hazard. Eggs were definitely off the menu for the health conscious. New research has turned that edict on it's head - and eggs have been rehabilitated.
There is one sure way to deal with health statistics.
Take them with a grain of salt !
It is possible to seemingly prove - or disprove just about anything by cleverly using statistics.
The latest edict from the scientific community concerns heavy drinking - described as imbibing ten or more drinks a day. It claims that this brings about an 80% increase in the incidence of eosophageal, liver, colon, stomach and prostate cancer and a 60% increase in lung cancer.
Of course it completely ignores the fact that heavy drinkers are more likely to also be smokers - and have an unhealthy lifestyle, be employed in dangerous industries - plus have little interest in a diet as recommended by the health authorities.
Over the years statistics have been used to create some mighty health clangers ! Do you remember the days when all school children were given free milk daily - because it was healthy for them ?
Suddenly milk was a health hazard - and the free milk scheme ceased. Later, when milk was reinstated the politicians ignored resuming free milk because of cost concerns.
Then there was the good old egg. People who enjoyed eggs and bacon - or a poached egg for breakfast were appalled to learn that it was a health hazard. Eggs were definitely off the menu for the health conscious. New research has turned that edict on it's head - and eggs have been rehabilitated.
There is one sure way to deal with health statistics.
Take them with a grain of salt !
Friday 7 August 2009
The right to die !
A case will shortly go before the West Australian Supreme court to determine whether we have that most basic of personal decisions - the right to die !
Christian Rossiter, a 49 year old with total paralysis has asked his carers to cease feeding him. He is kept alive by way of a feeding tube and describes each day as a " living hell ".
Any able bodied person has the right to terminate their life. Decades ago this was a crime, but the courts have rescinded that law. The reason this appeal is going to court is the need of his carers to establish the legality of their actions if they cease feeding their patient.
While it is not illegal to terminate ones own life, it is a crime to assist in a suicide - and the carers need to know if agreeing to withhold food could be construed as so acting.
Switzerland permits assisted suicide in certain cases, as does several other countries and Dr Philip Nitschke, a right-to-die advocate has been pleading to have a similar merciful law applied here.
Opinion polls indicate that an overwhelming percentage of the population approve of such an idea, but as usual the opposition comes from the churches.
The politicians quail at the idea of putting that question to a referendum. Such is the power of the various religious bodies that a hysterical campaign could imperil their parliamentary seats - and in such cases self interest comes well before the wishes of their constituents.
We are a secular society. The moralistic attitude of the churches has brought misery and grief in many areas of human relations in past centuries. A much more open approach now prevails - and the right-to-die issue may be the last frontier.
Let us hope that the Supreme court has the courage to make a wise decision !
Christian Rossiter, a 49 year old with total paralysis has asked his carers to cease feeding him. He is kept alive by way of a feeding tube and describes each day as a " living hell ".
Any able bodied person has the right to terminate their life. Decades ago this was a crime, but the courts have rescinded that law. The reason this appeal is going to court is the need of his carers to establish the legality of their actions if they cease feeding their patient.
While it is not illegal to terminate ones own life, it is a crime to assist in a suicide - and the carers need to know if agreeing to withhold food could be construed as so acting.
Switzerland permits assisted suicide in certain cases, as does several other countries and Dr Philip Nitschke, a right-to-die advocate has been pleading to have a similar merciful law applied here.
Opinion polls indicate that an overwhelming percentage of the population approve of such an idea, but as usual the opposition comes from the churches.
The politicians quail at the idea of putting that question to a referendum. Such is the power of the various religious bodies that a hysterical campaign could imperil their parliamentary seats - and in such cases self interest comes well before the wishes of their constituents.
We are a secular society. The moralistic attitude of the churches has brought misery and grief in many areas of human relations in past centuries. A much more open approach now prevails - and the right-to-die issue may be the last frontier.
Let us hope that the Supreme court has the courage to make a wise decision !
Thursday 6 August 2009
Legal loopholes !
Magistrates are often criticised for handing down ridiculously light sentences, but in many instances the fault lays with those framing the charges.
This week brought the case of a twenty year old man, recently out of gaol on another matter - who fell asleep on a late night bus in the Illawarra. Awakening - and realising that he had missed his stop - he demanded the driver act as a taxi and drive him back to his home.
The driver refused - and suffered a vicious attack that had the bus veering onto the wrong side of the road and which required him to have hospital treatment for the injuries received.
The attacker was given a two year gaol sentence, eighteen months to be served before possible parole. This was back dated to the time of the February arrest - and the magistrate commented that in his opinion a much longer sentence would have been appropriate.
The problem was that those laying the charges chose " assault occasioning actual harm " - which mandates a lesser sentence - to " affray " - which has a maximum ten year sentencing option.
Because of this, the magistrate's hands were tied and an appropriate sentence could not be delivered.
This raises the question of responsibility in charge laying.
Getting the charge correct in relation to the seriousness of the crime is just as important when it comes to achieving an outcome.
There is no point in criticising magistrates if the reason for inadequate sentencing is incompetence in the prosecutors office. The charge laid must equate the sentence available under the law to the serious nature of the crime - and for that to happen the person framing the charge must be of high legal calibre.
Time for a long, hard look at the qualifications of those who do this work !
This week brought the case of a twenty year old man, recently out of gaol on another matter - who fell asleep on a late night bus in the Illawarra. Awakening - and realising that he had missed his stop - he demanded the driver act as a taxi and drive him back to his home.
The driver refused - and suffered a vicious attack that had the bus veering onto the wrong side of the road and which required him to have hospital treatment for the injuries received.
The attacker was given a two year gaol sentence, eighteen months to be served before possible parole. This was back dated to the time of the February arrest - and the magistrate commented that in his opinion a much longer sentence would have been appropriate.
The problem was that those laying the charges chose " assault occasioning actual harm " - which mandates a lesser sentence - to " affray " - which has a maximum ten year sentencing option.
Because of this, the magistrate's hands were tied and an appropriate sentence could not be delivered.
This raises the question of responsibility in charge laying.
Getting the charge correct in relation to the seriousness of the crime is just as important when it comes to achieving an outcome.
There is no point in criticising magistrates if the reason for inadequate sentencing is incompetence in the prosecutors office. The charge laid must equate the sentence available under the law to the serious nature of the crime - and for that to happen the person framing the charge must be of high legal calibre.
Time for a long, hard look at the qualifications of those who do this work !
Wednesday 5 August 2009
A wakeup call !
Terrorism uses rapidly evolving new tactics to overcome obstacles. 9/11 was a case in point. Nobody had previously even thought of hijacking passenger aircraft and using them as weapons to destroy buildings and kill thousands of people.
Our security people have just uncovered a plot to storm Holsworthy army barracks in southern Sydney for the purpose of killing as many soldiers as possible before they themselves were killed.
It seems that this is simply a variation on a theme, a different target but similar tactics to the intrusion in Mumbai when ten terrorists managed to hold the centre of the city to ransom and kill over a hundred innocent people, targeted because they were not of the Muslim religion.
The terrorists planning the Sydney attack were from an organization called " Al Shabaab ", located in Somalia. They were Australian citizens recruited by firebrand Islamic clerics fomenting jihad.
For decades we have allowed the creation of a growing " Fifth Column " in this country as we allow access to refugees from the world's trouble spots. It seems that the offspring of these refugees cling to the dark side of their religion and are vulnerable to recruitment by terrorists.
Uncovering this latest plot should serve as a wakeup call. It is amazing just how unprepared our defence facilities have become. They are not guarded by armed military personnel - but by unarmed civilian security guards.
Why is this so ? Because it costs a lot less ! A trained soldier gets a lot more pay than a middle aged civilian standing by a boom gate and controlling access to a base.
We are a peaceful country. Our police force carries light weapons, but on defence force property firearms are locked away in armouries - and only issued during training exercises and deployment. As a consequence, they are defenceless in the face of a determined group of assassins !
The alarm has sounded - and we need urgent change. Defence facilities are the residence of our elite fighting men and they contain billions of dollars worth of high cost equipment - jet fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, field guns, warships.
This attack has been uncovered and foiled, but others are sure to follow. There is no room for complacency - and now we have been warned of what to expect in the future.
Sadly, we need to be prepared - for the enemy within !
Our security people have just uncovered a plot to storm Holsworthy army barracks in southern Sydney for the purpose of killing as many soldiers as possible before they themselves were killed.
It seems that this is simply a variation on a theme, a different target but similar tactics to the intrusion in Mumbai when ten terrorists managed to hold the centre of the city to ransom and kill over a hundred innocent people, targeted because they were not of the Muslim religion.
The terrorists planning the Sydney attack were from an organization called " Al Shabaab ", located in Somalia. They were Australian citizens recruited by firebrand Islamic clerics fomenting jihad.
For decades we have allowed the creation of a growing " Fifth Column " in this country as we allow access to refugees from the world's trouble spots. It seems that the offspring of these refugees cling to the dark side of their religion and are vulnerable to recruitment by terrorists.
Uncovering this latest plot should serve as a wakeup call. It is amazing just how unprepared our defence facilities have become. They are not guarded by armed military personnel - but by unarmed civilian security guards.
Why is this so ? Because it costs a lot less ! A trained soldier gets a lot more pay than a middle aged civilian standing by a boom gate and controlling access to a base.
We are a peaceful country. Our police force carries light weapons, but on defence force property firearms are locked away in armouries - and only issued during training exercises and deployment. As a consequence, they are defenceless in the face of a determined group of assassins !
The alarm has sounded - and we need urgent change. Defence facilities are the residence of our elite fighting men and they contain billions of dollars worth of high cost equipment - jet fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, field guns, warships.
This attack has been uncovered and foiled, but others are sure to follow. There is no room for complacency - and now we have been warned of what to expect in the future.
Sadly, we need to be prepared - for the enemy within !
Tuesday 4 August 2009
User pays !
The thin end of a very wide wedge ! It looks like " User pays " is about to apply to this area's cold water swimming pools.
Heated pools carry an entrance fee and few would object to that. It costs money to have a pleasant water temperature on a cold day and that money comes from the property rates we pay our councils.
Councils are trying to lower costs by a two pronged approach. They are shortening the swimming season and shaving weeks off the opening period - and now they are deliberating on charging a $2 fee for adults and $1 for children and concession holders.
The relentless march of the " User pays " principle is now threatening the very concept of regional councils. Nothing seems immune. Not that long ago one of the responsibilities of a council was to provide a tip for residents rubbish - and it's use was free.
No more ! First, a couple of dollars entry fee. Now an amazing charge that nearly consumes a fifty dollar note to get in with a trailer load of rubbish.
Even the use of council streets will soon attract a charge. Parking meters are on the way - and again the " User pays " principle will see us paying to park where since Federation we have had free use.
Perhaps the last bastion of " something for nothing " is the public library system !
And yet it costs council money to buy those books and lend them - free - to it's ratepayers.
How long before libraries feel the pinch - and the librarian holds out a hand for a fee to borrow a book ?
Any odds on whether free libraries will survive this century ?
Heated pools carry an entrance fee and few would object to that. It costs money to have a pleasant water temperature on a cold day and that money comes from the property rates we pay our councils.
Councils are trying to lower costs by a two pronged approach. They are shortening the swimming season and shaving weeks off the opening period - and now they are deliberating on charging a $2 fee for adults and $1 for children and concession holders.
The relentless march of the " User pays " principle is now threatening the very concept of regional councils. Nothing seems immune. Not that long ago one of the responsibilities of a council was to provide a tip for residents rubbish - and it's use was free.
No more ! First, a couple of dollars entry fee. Now an amazing charge that nearly consumes a fifty dollar note to get in with a trailer load of rubbish.
Even the use of council streets will soon attract a charge. Parking meters are on the way - and again the " User pays " principle will see us paying to park where since Federation we have had free use.
Perhaps the last bastion of " something for nothing " is the public library system !
And yet it costs council money to buy those books and lend them - free - to it's ratepayers.
How long before libraries feel the pinch - and the librarian holds out a hand for a fee to borrow a book ?
Any odds on whether free libraries will survive this century ?
Monday 3 August 2009
Parking fines !
" If it 'aint broke - don't fix it ! "
That seems to apply to the question of on-street parking in the city of Wollongong.
Today's headlines scream of a huge increase in parking fines from 2002-03, when just 2143 parking tickets were issued, to a hefty 13,128 in the year ending June 30 - bringing in $ 1.5 million for city coffers - and increase of half a million on last year.
The city now has eight rangers issuing those fines, and is calling tenders for 840 parking meters, which will represent metered parking in ten percent of available city parking areas.
That all sounds very impressive - until we think back and remember that city parking was then controlled by the police. In that respect, it took a very low priority in their allocation of duty time.
Then came the most amazing bungle of all. Parking management passed from the police to the council, but there was a dispute over who actually got the money from fines - and for several years neither party issued tickets for over staying limits.
Most people remember that as the time when Wollongong did not have a parking problem. People simply parked for as long as they needed to do their shopping - and then moved on.
What we have now - and what we are about to get - is the need of our council to extract more funds from the citizens. It has absolutely nothing to do with regulating parking - and each year when the parking fine figures are released we can expect new records to be set.
So - let us not kid ourselves. We pay Federal taxes and we pay state taxes in many forms - and the cash registers in Burelli street are being tuned to receive an ever increasing city tax.
Why ? Because that is the way of the twenty-first century !
That seems to apply to the question of on-street parking in the city of Wollongong.
Today's headlines scream of a huge increase in parking fines from 2002-03, when just 2143 parking tickets were issued, to a hefty 13,128 in the year ending June 30 - bringing in $ 1.5 million for city coffers - and increase of half a million on last year.
The city now has eight rangers issuing those fines, and is calling tenders for 840 parking meters, which will represent metered parking in ten percent of available city parking areas.
That all sounds very impressive - until we think back and remember that city parking was then controlled by the police. In that respect, it took a very low priority in their allocation of duty time.
Then came the most amazing bungle of all. Parking management passed from the police to the council, but there was a dispute over who actually got the money from fines - and for several years neither party issued tickets for over staying limits.
Most people remember that as the time when Wollongong did not have a parking problem. People simply parked for as long as they needed to do their shopping - and then moved on.
What we have now - and what we are about to get - is the need of our council to extract more funds from the citizens. It has absolutely nothing to do with regulating parking - and each year when the parking fine figures are released we can expect new records to be set.
So - let us not kid ourselves. We pay Federal taxes and we pay state taxes in many forms - and the cash registers in Burelli street are being tuned to receive an ever increasing city tax.
Why ? Because that is the way of the twenty-first century !
Sunday 2 August 2009
Armed force !
The strange situation in Fiji should be a matter of concern for many people in south Pacific countries.
Fiji is a small country comprising two ethnic groups - the original Fijian native people and migrants from India, brought in by the British colonial administration to work the sugar plantations.
The two are roughly equal in size - and there is animosity between them.
Like every other civilized country, Fiji has a police force and a small army. This latter is more a self defence force, although it has taken part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in other parts of the world.
In recent times, civil government in Fiji has been wracked by civilian coups as relations between Fijian and Indian parliamentarians boiled into conflict. A civil settlement has seemed far out of reach.
That prompted the head of the Fijian army to intervene. Reasoning that he controlled the only guys with the guns, he simply took over - sacked the government. Suspended the constitution. Dumped the judges and lawyers.
He soon realised that he liked controlling the levers of power, and despite promises to return Fiji to democratic elections - is now signalling that this will not happen.
So - what happens next ?
Theoretically, that should be the job of the United Nations. Such an illegal regime should see a United Nations peacekeeping force storming the beaches, disarming the Fijian army - and setting the scene for elections, but that is showing no signs of happening.
Military coups have been a feature of life in Africa for decades. Sometimes it has been the national army taking control and sometimes it is a hastily conscripted militia winning power, but now this same disease is making it's presence felt in the Pacific area.
There are a lot of little states spread over a vast number of Pacific islands, and all of them have some sort of armed police force or army.
What is happening in Fiji is sending a seductive signal. He who controls the guns - controls the situation !
Watch out for further coups - taking place on an island near you !
Fiji is a small country comprising two ethnic groups - the original Fijian native people and migrants from India, brought in by the British colonial administration to work the sugar plantations.
The two are roughly equal in size - and there is animosity between them.
Like every other civilized country, Fiji has a police force and a small army. This latter is more a self defence force, although it has taken part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in other parts of the world.
In recent times, civil government in Fiji has been wracked by civilian coups as relations between Fijian and Indian parliamentarians boiled into conflict. A civil settlement has seemed far out of reach.
That prompted the head of the Fijian army to intervene. Reasoning that he controlled the only guys with the guns, he simply took over - sacked the government. Suspended the constitution. Dumped the judges and lawyers.
He soon realised that he liked controlling the levers of power, and despite promises to return Fiji to democratic elections - is now signalling that this will not happen.
So - what happens next ?
Theoretically, that should be the job of the United Nations. Such an illegal regime should see a United Nations peacekeeping force storming the beaches, disarming the Fijian army - and setting the scene for elections, but that is showing no signs of happening.
Military coups have been a feature of life in Africa for decades. Sometimes it has been the national army taking control and sometimes it is a hastily conscripted militia winning power, but now this same disease is making it's presence felt in the Pacific area.
There are a lot of little states spread over a vast number of Pacific islands, and all of them have some sort of armed police force or army.
What is happening in Fiji is sending a seductive signal. He who controls the guns - controls the situation !
Watch out for further coups - taking place on an island near you !
Saturday 1 August 2009
Some resolve - and a lot of spin !
The Labor National Conference at Darling Harbour was supposed to set an example of cohesion and party discipline. Items of contention were kept out of sight - until members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy union marched through the venue waving flags and beating drums - and demanding that John Howard's coercive powers be banished from the law books.
This union is little more than a bunch of thugs. Responsible unionists will applaud the government's resolve in retaining a law that will reign in the excesses that have seen this union inflict property damage, intimidation and totally illegal banditry in it's quest for union control of the industry.
When Kevin Rudd sought government some were concerned that Labor would cave in to union power. Bad and doubtful laws have been reworked - but the worst elements of union power have been constrained - and that does not look like changing anytime soon !
The joke of this conference was Rudd's claim that he was in the process of generating fifty thousand " Green " jobs.
The responsible minister, Mark Arbib, who holds the job of Employment Participation minister simply did not have a clue what this was all about - and stumbled badly. Even Rudd was ruefully forced to admit that " Mark 'didnt have the best of days ".
Just for once Rudd had not done his homework - and set in place the correct structure for a major announcement.
Those fifty thousand " Green " jobs were just spin. A wild mixture of short term training for some and nebulous, previously announced initiatives with little value for others. Actual, full paid jobs fell far short at about six thousand.
At least this annual conference showed more discipline that previous gatherings - and there seems to be at least a chance that negotiations over this nation's health system may be heading towards a sensible solution.
We can learn to live with a little spin. After all - that is politics !
This union is little more than a bunch of thugs. Responsible unionists will applaud the government's resolve in retaining a law that will reign in the excesses that have seen this union inflict property damage, intimidation and totally illegal banditry in it's quest for union control of the industry.
When Kevin Rudd sought government some were concerned that Labor would cave in to union power. Bad and doubtful laws have been reworked - but the worst elements of union power have been constrained - and that does not look like changing anytime soon !
The joke of this conference was Rudd's claim that he was in the process of generating fifty thousand " Green " jobs.
The responsible minister, Mark Arbib, who holds the job of Employment Participation minister simply did not have a clue what this was all about - and stumbled badly. Even Rudd was ruefully forced to admit that " Mark 'didnt have the best of days ".
Just for once Rudd had not done his homework - and set in place the correct structure for a major announcement.
Those fifty thousand " Green " jobs were just spin. A wild mixture of short term training for some and nebulous, previously announced initiatives with little value for others. Actual, full paid jobs fell far short at about six thousand.
At least this annual conference showed more discipline that previous gatherings - and there seems to be at least a chance that negotiations over this nation's health system may be heading towards a sensible solution.
We can learn to live with a little spin. After all - that is politics !
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