There is one certain rule of commerce. If there is demand - it is inevitable that supply will follow.
The party scene has created demand for stimulants. Good music - good company - alcohol - are not enough for many people and a whole range of mood enhancers ranging from cocaine to ecstasy are being illegally offered on the drug scene.
These are illegal and the police spend much of their time trying to contain trafficking. These drugs pose a health risk to users, but deliver big profits to those willing to do serious gaol time if they are caught.
Some smart people are now offering " legal " party drugs !
" Giggle " tablets are made in New Zealand from the perfectly legal ingredients guarana geranium and magnesium, packaged in units of three tablets - and sell for about $ 10 a tablet.
The effect can vary depending on the weight and age of the drug taker, but broadly speaking a single tablet equates to the equivalent of thirty cups of strong coffee.
Heart rates accelerate - usually to double the normal beat and this could mean big trouble for anyone with an undiagnosed heart defect or someone who is combining the tablet with the overuse of alcohol or other drugs.
So - what are the options for the government ?
The usual knee jerk reaction would be to proscribe the ingredients in " Giggle " tablets and add them to the list of prohibited items, but this could go on indefinitely and develop into a battle between chemists, the police and the government.
There would be no winners !
A new saying could be coined. " A fool and his health are soon parted ! "
If people are so stupid that they willingly put their life at risk by taking drugs - then maybe it is time the government stepped out of the way and left them to their own destruction.
One of the incentives for some people is the bravado of doing something that is illegal.
Remove the illegality - and much of the attraction vanishes.
It is worth a try !
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Tuesday 29 September 2009
No free lunch !
It didn't take long for the state government to pounce - and grab a slice of that pension increase granted to single pensioners living in public housing.
Technically this is correct. People in public housing pay a percentage of their income in rent, and that $ 30 a week was by way of public announcement. This contrasts with the rorts that are common by way of undeclared inc0me, cash in hand payments and additional employed family living on the same premises.
When the Rudd government granted that $ 30 a week pension increase they were not being kind and benevolent. Single pensioners were way below the poverty line - and sinking fast.
Savage price increases had been signalled in electricity and gas, food prices were rising much faster than the rate of inflation - and we still have an unknown outcome when the Emissions Trading Scheme ( ETS ) becomes reality.
That $ 30 a week to single pensioners was supposed to bring them back to survival level. Price increases already in the system will erode it's value and in reality the actual buying power of pensioners will be unchanged.
At least pensioners are not going backwards, but that is not the case with the unemployed and many other categories of pensioners - who were totally ignored when that pension review took place.
It seems that past and present governments relied on poverty as the whip incentive to get people actively looking for work, and to discourage others from embracing a lifestyle that relied on welfare as a means of support.
Aged pensioners fall into a different category. Reaching a certain age is not an optional thing. It happens to all of us - politicians included - but what is happening now with a pension increase being given by one level of government - and taken away by another - simply reinforces the cynical view held by many.
As some wit observed many years ago. " There's no such thing as a free lunch ! "
Technically this is correct. People in public housing pay a percentage of their income in rent, and that $ 30 a week was by way of public announcement. This contrasts with the rorts that are common by way of undeclared inc0me, cash in hand payments and additional employed family living on the same premises.
When the Rudd government granted that $ 30 a week pension increase they were not being kind and benevolent. Single pensioners were way below the poverty line - and sinking fast.
Savage price increases had been signalled in electricity and gas, food prices were rising much faster than the rate of inflation - and we still have an unknown outcome when the Emissions Trading Scheme ( ETS ) becomes reality.
That $ 30 a week to single pensioners was supposed to bring them back to survival level. Price increases already in the system will erode it's value and in reality the actual buying power of pensioners will be unchanged.
At least pensioners are not going backwards, but that is not the case with the unemployed and many other categories of pensioners - who were totally ignored when that pension review took place.
It seems that past and present governments relied on poverty as the whip incentive to get people actively looking for work, and to discourage others from embracing a lifestyle that relied on welfare as a means of support.
Aged pensioners fall into a different category. Reaching a certain age is not an optional thing. It happens to all of us - politicians included - but what is happening now with a pension increase being given by one level of government - and taken away by another - simply reinforces the cynical view held by many.
As some wit observed many years ago. " There's no such thing as a free lunch ! "
Monday 28 September 2009
Fairness abandoned !
When allied armies reclaimed Europe in the closing days of the second world war the horror of the Holocaust was revealed for all to see. Concentration camps, poison gas and vast ovens used in an attempt to exterminate an entire race of people !
Sympathy had a lot to do with the creation of the state of Israel by the newly formed United Nations. Unfortunately, this created ongoing hostility because giving a home to one race of people displaced another from land they claimed as their own.
The world held it's breath as Arab states combined to wage war on the new nation. Despite the odds, the Jewish people were victorious - and in their victories the borders of Israel expanded with the addition of conquered territory.
As a result this area of the middle east is in a constant struggle between Israel and the Palestinians and the only hope of peace seems to be the creation of an Arab state - and this would require Israel to relinquish land captured in earlier battles.
It now seems that the roles of oppressor and oppressed are reversed.
Israel had every right to invade an area from which rocket attacks were being waged against it's citizens, but the ferocity of that invasion seems to have been mounted with the sole aim of creating civilian casualties.
Famine and hardship are being imposed on the Palestinian people as the deliberate policy of the Jewish state.
The building of settlements on land claimed to be part of a Palestinian state is in defiance of the United Nations and the rest of the world. It seems that Israel has no intention of handing back this captured territory - and it is now a race to install a permanent presence and make it's inclusion in Israel an accomplished fact.
Sympathy for Israel is fading in the minds of many people. The image of brave pioneers struggling to establish a Jewish state in the face of implacable foes is slowly morphing into a ruthless and predatory country imposing it's own version of a holocaust on a conquered neighbour.
It seems that hate replaces hope and aggression replaces sympathy when the soil of a homeland becomes the issue !
Sympathy had a lot to do with the creation of the state of Israel by the newly formed United Nations. Unfortunately, this created ongoing hostility because giving a home to one race of people displaced another from land they claimed as their own.
The world held it's breath as Arab states combined to wage war on the new nation. Despite the odds, the Jewish people were victorious - and in their victories the borders of Israel expanded with the addition of conquered territory.
As a result this area of the middle east is in a constant struggle between Israel and the Palestinians and the only hope of peace seems to be the creation of an Arab state - and this would require Israel to relinquish land captured in earlier battles.
It now seems that the roles of oppressor and oppressed are reversed.
Israel had every right to invade an area from which rocket attacks were being waged against it's citizens, but the ferocity of that invasion seems to have been mounted with the sole aim of creating civilian casualties.
Famine and hardship are being imposed on the Palestinian people as the deliberate policy of the Jewish state.
The building of settlements on land claimed to be part of a Palestinian state is in defiance of the United Nations and the rest of the world. It seems that Israel has no intention of handing back this captured territory - and it is now a race to install a permanent presence and make it's inclusion in Israel an accomplished fact.
Sympathy for Israel is fading in the minds of many people. The image of brave pioneers struggling to establish a Jewish state in the face of implacable foes is slowly morphing into a ruthless and predatory country imposing it's own version of a holocaust on a conquered neighbour.
It seems that hate replaces hope and aggression replaces sympathy when the soil of a homeland becomes the issue !
Sunday 27 September 2009
Curbing police powers.
Once of the most useful tools in the police arsenal has been the power to order people to " move on " and not remain in a nominated area for a given period of time.
Now the New South Wales Attorney General, John Hatzistergos has approved restrictions that will limit this power. Police will have to consider the availability of public transport and the time such an order can be enforced will be limited to just twenty-four hours.
This seems totally illogical. It is aimed at drug users and drug pushers, but surely it will also apply to drunks exiting clubs and pubs in the wee small hours of the morning, and prostitutes soliciting in tourist areas.
The " move on " law has enabled police to prevent trouble before it starts. Before punches start to be thrown and before acrimony gets out of hand the belligerents are separated and tempers cool.
If this law is neutered there will be an increase in " incidents " leading to arrests, more injuries to police, and our streets will not be a safer place for ordinary law abiding citizens.
The amazing thing is that there is no suggestion of police abusing this power. In fact, the Attorney General refuses to comment on the reason for the law change, not what he hopes it to achieve.
Strange are the ways of the bureaucracy - and even stranger the reasons for their decisions !
Now the New South Wales Attorney General, John Hatzistergos has approved restrictions that will limit this power. Police will have to consider the availability of public transport and the time such an order can be enforced will be limited to just twenty-four hours.
This seems totally illogical. It is aimed at drug users and drug pushers, but surely it will also apply to drunks exiting clubs and pubs in the wee small hours of the morning, and prostitutes soliciting in tourist areas.
The " move on " law has enabled police to prevent trouble before it starts. Before punches start to be thrown and before acrimony gets out of hand the belligerents are separated and tempers cool.
If this law is neutered there will be an increase in " incidents " leading to arrests, more injuries to police, and our streets will not be a safer place for ordinary law abiding citizens.
The amazing thing is that there is no suggestion of police abusing this power. In fact, the Attorney General refuses to comment on the reason for the law change, not what he hopes it to achieve.
Strange are the ways of the bureaucracy - and even stranger the reasons for their decisions !
Saturday 26 September 2009
Our changing world !
One good thing that came out of the economic meltdown and world recession is the reappraisal of what makes the world economy tick !
The self appointed G-8 group of nations - comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the USA - was little more than an arrogant declaration that they were the only economies that mattered.
They wanted to call the tune. They exercised undue influence on the policies of the IMF and the world bank - and the rest of the world was reduced to mere observer status.
The G-8 is now history, replaced by the G-20 - which includes emerging giants China, India , Brazil - and Australia. This recession has shown that it takes a compendium of the world economies to work and act together to achieve results. But there are more lessons to be learned.
This same concentration of just a few powerful countries is what is wrong with the United Nations !
The UN is supposed to be a world body where every nation has an equal say, but the permanent seats on the security council are held by countries with the right of veto - the power to stop any discussion and prevent any action - and those nation's are the ones who are nuclear armed.
It is probably the incentive that caused India and Pakistan to secretly become nuclear powers. If you want to sit with the big boys, you need to have an atom bomb or two to rattle at the same table.
A similar thought is probably behind the tactics used by Iran and North Korea.
The G-20 is a step in the right direction, but it is also time the same thinking was applied to the structure of the United Nations.
It is time the vote of veto passed into history. With global warming and world famine threatening the existence of the human race the answers to the problems will only be found by consensus.
That quote from "Animal Farm " comes to mind.
" We are all equal - but some are more equal than others ! "
The self appointed G-8 group of nations - comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the USA - was little more than an arrogant declaration that they were the only economies that mattered.
They wanted to call the tune. They exercised undue influence on the policies of the IMF and the world bank - and the rest of the world was reduced to mere observer status.
The G-8 is now history, replaced by the G-20 - which includes emerging giants China, India , Brazil - and Australia. This recession has shown that it takes a compendium of the world economies to work and act together to achieve results. But there are more lessons to be learned.
This same concentration of just a few powerful countries is what is wrong with the United Nations !
The UN is supposed to be a world body where every nation has an equal say, but the permanent seats on the security council are held by countries with the right of veto - the power to stop any discussion and prevent any action - and those nation's are the ones who are nuclear armed.
It is probably the incentive that caused India and Pakistan to secretly become nuclear powers. If you want to sit with the big boys, you need to have an atom bomb or two to rattle at the same table.
A similar thought is probably behind the tactics used by Iran and North Korea.
The G-20 is a step in the right direction, but it is also time the same thinking was applied to the structure of the United Nations.
It is time the vote of veto passed into history. With global warming and world famine threatening the existence of the human race the answers to the problems will only be found by consensus.
That quote from "Animal Farm " comes to mind.
" We are all equal - but some are more equal than others ! "
Friday 25 September 2009
Red sky aftermath !
The dust storm that hit the entire east coast on Wednesday will bring work for some people - and be an added expense for others. Legions of workers are pushing brooms or waving hoses as homes and businesses cleanup the residue.
Unfortunately this phenomenon is likely to have an ongoing effect on power supplies, depending on which comes first - high wind or rain.
The ochre red colour of the dust storm was an indication that it had a high iron ore content and this dust is now thickly encrusted on power cable insulators and the thousands of transformers that reduce voltage to our homes. It would be impossible to manually remove it within a reasonable time scale.
Hopefully nature may provide high winds - which will dislodge some of this dust and reduce the hazards.
If we are unlucky, and we get rain before a wind storm that dust will become a conductor of electricity when wet - and we will see some interesting arcing and sparking in the electrical distribution system.
Unlike ordinary dust, the iron ore content gives it special properties.
The aftermath of this storm will depend on which hand of cards nature deals us next !
Unfortunately this phenomenon is likely to have an ongoing effect on power supplies, depending on which comes first - high wind or rain.
The ochre red colour of the dust storm was an indication that it had a high iron ore content and this dust is now thickly encrusted on power cable insulators and the thousands of transformers that reduce voltage to our homes. It would be impossible to manually remove it within a reasonable time scale.
Hopefully nature may provide high winds - which will dislodge some of this dust and reduce the hazards.
If we are unlucky, and we get rain before a wind storm that dust will become a conductor of electricity when wet - and we will see some interesting arcing and sparking in the electrical distribution system.
Unlike ordinary dust, the iron ore content gives it special properties.
The aftermath of this storm will depend on which hand of cards nature deals us next !
Thursday 24 September 2009
Heads - they win. Tails - you lose !
The state government has just stacked the deck against any hope of a win by council ratepayers !
Approval for developments has been steadily taken away from councils and put firmly in the hands of the planning minister, Kristina Keneally. In a bid to damp down criticism, the minister setup Joint Regional Planning Panels ( JRPP )to inject a supposedly local content into decisions.
JRPP are far from impartial. They consist of three members who are state government appointees - and two members appointed by the council. The deck is stacked to ensure the wishes of the government are upheld.
Now a new factor has been introduced. When dissenting parties take these decisions to court by way of appeal, the council will be financially responsible for defending the decisions of the JRPP - despite that decision being the result of it's representatives being out voted by government stooges !
In many development cases politics are involved. The government has one objective and this runs contrary to the wishes of the council and it's ratepayers. The decisions of the JRPP become involved where the development costs are between $ 10 million and $ 100 million - and court action in such appeals can run to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This is a very efficient way to silence councils - and cower them into a quick surrender.
It seems that the government is using a two headed penny in this game of two-up !
Approval for developments has been steadily taken away from councils and put firmly in the hands of the planning minister, Kristina Keneally. In a bid to damp down criticism, the minister setup Joint Regional Planning Panels ( JRPP )to inject a supposedly local content into decisions.
JRPP are far from impartial. They consist of three members who are state government appointees - and two members appointed by the council. The deck is stacked to ensure the wishes of the government are upheld.
Now a new factor has been introduced. When dissenting parties take these decisions to court by way of appeal, the council will be financially responsible for defending the decisions of the JRPP - despite that decision being the result of it's representatives being out voted by government stooges !
In many development cases politics are involved. The government has one objective and this runs contrary to the wishes of the council and it's ratepayers. The decisions of the JRPP become involved where the development costs are between $ 10 million and $ 100 million - and court action in such appeals can run to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This is a very efficient way to silence councils - and cower them into a quick surrender.
It seems that the government is using a two headed penny in this game of two-up !
Wednesday 23 September 2009
Population crisis !
Just what is the " right " number of people to call Australia home ? The suggestion that Australia will have a population of thirty five million by 2049 has caused a divisive debate.
There is a school of thought that suggests we are already overpopulated in relation to the capacity of this country to cope. Lack of water and what some consider a " wasteful lifestyle " is creating a unsustainable " carbon footprint ".
We are certainly seeing an increase in arriving immigrants. So far this year we have accommodated 97,000 new people and boats containing illegals are arriving off our northern coastline at the rate of several a week.
What is an undeniable fact is that the world population is relentlessly increasing, but this is not uniform. Australia, Saudi Arabia, India and the US are increasing countries - while Japan and Russia face a shrinking number of citizens. The world will shortly exceed seven billion people.
The statistics tell a different story. Where the surge in population is greatest is in the developing world, and that is where we are heading into a new danger - a shortage of food !
The scientific world has been warning us for years that we are moving beyond the capacity to feed this world population, and that survival will see an increase in wars, invasions and migration surges as the starving strive to survive.
We have the means to avert this peril, but not the will. Genetically modified crops can increase output and reduce pest wastage, but this is rejected by many countries - including the European block - on disputed safety grounds - and resistance to change. As a result, progress in food production increases are limited.
Whatever we decide on a balanced population will probably not be under our control. If the scientists are right - and we enter a period of world famine that armada of migrant boats entering our waters will become an avalanche.
We are a civilized people. The prospect of our navy sinking boats and leaving desperate people to drown would be abhorrent. We simply have to make the changes that are needed to accommodate more people - and that probably means nuclear as well as solar, wind and wave power generation to drive the conversion of salt water to fresh,the adoption of GM crops to give greater yields - and more use of the " vertical village " methods to house people.
Half a century ago the slogan for this country was " populate or perish ". Half a century from now we need to be a clever country to survive in a world that is heading for a " standing room only " world population !
There is a school of thought that suggests we are already overpopulated in relation to the capacity of this country to cope. Lack of water and what some consider a " wasteful lifestyle " is creating a unsustainable " carbon footprint ".
We are certainly seeing an increase in arriving immigrants. So far this year we have accommodated 97,000 new people and boats containing illegals are arriving off our northern coastline at the rate of several a week.
What is an undeniable fact is that the world population is relentlessly increasing, but this is not uniform. Australia, Saudi Arabia, India and the US are increasing countries - while Japan and Russia face a shrinking number of citizens. The world will shortly exceed seven billion people.
The statistics tell a different story. Where the surge in population is greatest is in the developing world, and that is where we are heading into a new danger - a shortage of food !
The scientific world has been warning us for years that we are moving beyond the capacity to feed this world population, and that survival will see an increase in wars, invasions and migration surges as the starving strive to survive.
We have the means to avert this peril, but not the will. Genetically modified crops can increase output and reduce pest wastage, but this is rejected by many countries - including the European block - on disputed safety grounds - and resistance to change. As a result, progress in food production increases are limited.
Whatever we decide on a balanced population will probably not be under our control. If the scientists are right - and we enter a period of world famine that armada of migrant boats entering our waters will become an avalanche.
We are a civilized people. The prospect of our navy sinking boats and leaving desperate people to drown would be abhorrent. We simply have to make the changes that are needed to accommodate more people - and that probably means nuclear as well as solar, wind and wave power generation to drive the conversion of salt water to fresh,the adoption of GM crops to give greater yields - and more use of the " vertical village " methods to house people.
Half a century ago the slogan for this country was " populate or perish ". Half a century from now we need to be a clever country to survive in a world that is heading for a " standing room only " world population !
Tuesday 22 September 2009
Third world standards.
There can be fewer worse humiliations than to lose control of bodily functions when deprived of the availability of a toilet - and yet that is a chance commuters take daily when they commute from Wollongong to Sydney by rail.
Years ago we were served by the infamous " red rattlers ", but at least these had crude toilets !
The shambles that masquerades as a railway in this state has had some incredible planning bungles but we were assured that better times were just around the corner. The first of the new OSCAR carriages began to appear - and to our blessing - they contained both toilets and the provision of drinking water.
It was simply too much to think that nirvana had finally arrived - and of course it was too much. The OSCARS have become as scarce as hen's teeth - and we are again served by those suburban Tangara carriages that were designed for short journeys - and lack toilets. As a result, we are back to the dark ages with " toilet stops " at Helensburgh - for those that can hold on until that station is reached !
Why is this so ? Because of another bungle ! This time it is the newly completed, twelve kilometre Epping to Chatswood link.
It seems that the planners got it wrong and the grade on this section is too steep for other than OSCAR units with their more powerful engines. As a result, the OSCARS have been " pulled " from the south coast line - and replaced with those aged, toiletless Tangara carriages.
And just to make life more interesting for travellers on the Epping to Chatswood section, the safety lighting in the tunnel was also botched. It produces a " strobe light effect " on drivers and passengers, and may induce epileptic fits on those prone to that medical condition.
To counter this, the gods who govern our railway suggest drivers pull down their window shades when on this section of track. It will no doubt cause surprise to some people to know that their train is running " blind " with nobody watching the track ahead !
Once again we are assured that the return of the Tangara carriages is only " temporary ".
More OSCARS are on order - and one day - somewhere in the golden future - there will be enough of them that passengers on the south coast rail line will be treated as human beings and not transported in what some refer to as " cattle trucks ".
Until that happens, just hope and pray you are spared the ultimate humiliation - on a train that lacks toilets !
Years ago we were served by the infamous " red rattlers ", but at least these had crude toilets !
The shambles that masquerades as a railway in this state has had some incredible planning bungles but we were assured that better times were just around the corner. The first of the new OSCAR carriages began to appear - and to our blessing - they contained both toilets and the provision of drinking water.
It was simply too much to think that nirvana had finally arrived - and of course it was too much. The OSCARS have become as scarce as hen's teeth - and we are again served by those suburban Tangara carriages that were designed for short journeys - and lack toilets. As a result, we are back to the dark ages with " toilet stops " at Helensburgh - for those that can hold on until that station is reached !
Why is this so ? Because of another bungle ! This time it is the newly completed, twelve kilometre Epping to Chatswood link.
It seems that the planners got it wrong and the grade on this section is too steep for other than OSCAR units with their more powerful engines. As a result, the OSCARS have been " pulled " from the south coast line - and replaced with those aged, toiletless Tangara carriages.
And just to make life more interesting for travellers on the Epping to Chatswood section, the safety lighting in the tunnel was also botched. It produces a " strobe light effect " on drivers and passengers, and may induce epileptic fits on those prone to that medical condition.
To counter this, the gods who govern our railway suggest drivers pull down their window shades when on this section of track. It will no doubt cause surprise to some people to know that their train is running " blind " with nobody watching the track ahead !
Once again we are assured that the return of the Tangara carriages is only " temporary ".
More OSCARS are on order - and one day - somewhere in the golden future - there will be enough of them that passengers on the south coast rail line will be treated as human beings and not transported in what some refer to as " cattle trucks ".
Until that happens, just hope and pray you are spared the ultimate humiliation - on a train that lacks toilets !
Monday 21 September 2009
Scare tactics !
The suggestion that Wollongong council was thinking about selling this city's crematorium brought a negative reaction from many residents.
Many will take with a grain of salt the latest statement that the crematorium " might " need to have the furnace replaced " in about ten years time " - at a cost of $ 500,000.
It's the oldest trick in the world. If you want to get people thinking about a big bill hanging over their head - use scare tactics and suggest a way of making that problem go away !
What is more interesting is what wasn't said. The statement ducked and dodged and declined to give details of how profitable the crematorium is at supplementing council funds. Like drawing teeth, the council only admits to a " modest profit " - and claims that any more details would be " commercially sensitive " - and give competitors an edge. Whatever that means !
It seems the crematorium has been kept up to date. Funds have been used to convert the furnace from diesel to gas and there is every reason to think that it's need will expand rather than contract.
This is a growing area and space for ground burial is limited. With conservation in mind more people are now opting for cremation rather than burial and a well run crematorium should be a money spinner for council finances.
It is hard to reason why there is this move to get rid of such a prime asset.
" Commercially sensitive " seems to be a great big whopping myth to hide the true state of it's finances.
The people of this city have a right to know all the facts before this idea goes any further !
Many will take with a grain of salt the latest statement that the crematorium " might " need to have the furnace replaced " in about ten years time " - at a cost of $ 500,000.
It's the oldest trick in the world. If you want to get people thinking about a big bill hanging over their head - use scare tactics and suggest a way of making that problem go away !
What is more interesting is what wasn't said. The statement ducked and dodged and declined to give details of how profitable the crematorium is at supplementing council funds. Like drawing teeth, the council only admits to a " modest profit " - and claims that any more details would be " commercially sensitive " - and give competitors an edge. Whatever that means !
It seems the crematorium has been kept up to date. Funds have been used to convert the furnace from diesel to gas and there is every reason to think that it's need will expand rather than contract.
This is a growing area and space for ground burial is limited. With conservation in mind more people are now opting for cremation rather than burial and a well run crematorium should be a money spinner for council finances.
It is hard to reason why there is this move to get rid of such a prime asset.
" Commercially sensitive " seems to be a great big whopping myth to hide the true state of it's finances.
The people of this city have a right to know all the facts before this idea goes any further !
Sunday 20 September 2009
Air fare rip-offs !
The air fare war is a cut throat business. We have come a long way since the days of TAA and Ansett offering a duopoly of flights at identical seat prices. Not all entrants into discount airlines succeeded. We remember the demise of Compass and Impulse - but now we have Jetstar, Virgin and Tiger - with more to come very soon.
Selling seats on airplanes is a matter of smoke and mirrors. The advertised price is not what you actually pay. There are government taxes that get tacked onto the deal, and then various surcharges, including the elevated price of jet fuel.
Then there are the sneaky little price additions that the hard pressed discount airlines resort to so that they can pad out their seat prices in the hope of making a modest profit.
Way back in 2003 the law changed to allow traders to recover the cost of credit card transactions imposed by the banks to be passed on to customers. The costs were fairly moderate and the imposition on most transactions amounted to a few cents - and some traders didn't bother to impose them at all.
The profit strapped discount airlines saw a chance for a few more dollars - and started charging credit card costs on a per person - per flight basis.
So - if a family of four booked a holiday flight with the cost covered by a single credit card payment, the airline quadrupled it's fees. The cost to the airline remained that of a single transaction.
This transaction fee seems to be at the discretion of the airline concerned, and bears no relation to what the bank chooses to charge.
So - we have a situation where Jetstar demands $ 3 and Tiger $ 6 , per seat per flight to cover bank fees !
Multiply that by the number of family members travelling on the one booking, paid for by that single credit card payment - and the extra dollars add up !
The banks have recently had second thoughts about those " fines " they have been imposing for late payment and minor infringements of their " rules ".
About time the regulators lowered the boom on multiple charges for single transactions in the airline industry to remove this rip-off !
Selling seats on airplanes is a matter of smoke and mirrors. The advertised price is not what you actually pay. There are government taxes that get tacked onto the deal, and then various surcharges, including the elevated price of jet fuel.
Then there are the sneaky little price additions that the hard pressed discount airlines resort to so that they can pad out their seat prices in the hope of making a modest profit.
Way back in 2003 the law changed to allow traders to recover the cost of credit card transactions imposed by the banks to be passed on to customers. The costs were fairly moderate and the imposition on most transactions amounted to a few cents - and some traders didn't bother to impose them at all.
The profit strapped discount airlines saw a chance for a few more dollars - and started charging credit card costs on a per person - per flight basis.
So - if a family of four booked a holiday flight with the cost covered by a single credit card payment, the airline quadrupled it's fees. The cost to the airline remained that of a single transaction.
This transaction fee seems to be at the discretion of the airline concerned, and bears no relation to what the bank chooses to charge.
So - we have a situation where Jetstar demands $ 3 and Tiger $ 6 , per seat per flight to cover bank fees !
Multiply that by the number of family members travelling on the one booking, paid for by that single credit card payment - and the extra dollars add up !
The banks have recently had second thoughts about those " fines " they have been imposing for late payment and minor infringements of their " rules ".
About time the regulators lowered the boom on multiple charges for single transactions in the airline industry to remove this rip-off !
Saturday 19 September 2009
An uneven playing field.
When a new shopping centre is being negotiated the owners are keen to attract a large supermarket as the head tenant. This underpins the host of small shops that surround it and is the star attraction to draw the crowds.
In the past, the two giants of the supermarket species have used their clout to demand protection. In recognition of their agreement to sign a lease the centre owners will not allow any other supermarket to establish a presence in the complex.
This limits the choice of shoppers - and more importantly - limits the opportunity of those who regularly shop there to compare prices.
Agreement has now been reached between the Australian Competition and Consumers Association ( ACCC ) and Woolworths and Coles to abandon this restriction. As of now, there will be no reason why smaller supermarket chains Aldi, Franklins and the host of independents can not book space and set up trading in major centres.
The reason that this has happened is that the practice contravenes the Trade Practices act.
There is just one jarring item in the small print of the announcement that should worry those who seek a level playing field.
The new arrangement will apply to eighty percent of existing exclusion agreements - but the other twenty percent will be given a further five year life span.
If something breaches the law - and we are told this does not comply with the Trade Practices Act - how can a new agreement countenance that same law being willfully broken for a nominated period of time.
Do we have a " Clayton's Law " - the law we have when we are not having a law ?
It would be interesting to hear the legal eagles explain that one away !
In the past, the two giants of the supermarket species have used their clout to demand protection. In recognition of their agreement to sign a lease the centre owners will not allow any other supermarket to establish a presence in the complex.
This limits the choice of shoppers - and more importantly - limits the opportunity of those who regularly shop there to compare prices.
Agreement has now been reached between the Australian Competition and Consumers Association ( ACCC ) and Woolworths and Coles to abandon this restriction. As of now, there will be no reason why smaller supermarket chains Aldi, Franklins and the host of independents can not book space and set up trading in major centres.
The reason that this has happened is that the practice contravenes the Trade Practices act.
There is just one jarring item in the small print of the announcement that should worry those who seek a level playing field.
The new arrangement will apply to eighty percent of existing exclusion agreements - but the other twenty percent will be given a further five year life span.
If something breaches the law - and we are told this does not comply with the Trade Practices Act - how can a new agreement countenance that same law being willfully broken for a nominated period of time.
Do we have a " Clayton's Law " - the law we have when we are not having a law ?
It would be interesting to hear the legal eagles explain that one away !
Friday 18 September 2009
Subsidence - and your home !
A case heading to court in Queensland should be of interest to home owners in Wollongong.
Residents of Collingwood Park, a suburb of Ipswich discovered in April,2008 that the land under their homes was subsiding because of past mining activity. Cracks were appearing in walls. The base slabs were becoming uneven and it is possible that some homes may become unliveable.
As is usual in such cases, all those involved duck for cover.
The questions the court will be asked to decide are : Who is financially responsible ? Who will pay compensation ? What can be done about the problem ?
Since the approval for mining was granted there has been a change of government in Queensland. At the time of that mining approval the land at Collingwood Park was earmarked for residential development.
The finger pointing has a range of targets.
A Queensland government - and it is of no legal consequence whether past or present - granted mining approval under land it knew would be used for housing. The areas council approved building plans - and had a responsibility to ensure land stability before granting that approval. A developer built homes on that land - and in doing so accepted some form of responsibility - and a mining company has caused the problem by it's activity.
There will be a flurry of high priced lawyers arguing that their client is blameless and it will be up to some unfortunate judge to sort out this can of worms.
What should interest Wollongong people considering a new home in this area is the chance of a similar thing happening in the numerous new housing estates being considered at west Dapto and surrounding areas.
Wollongong is a coal mining city. The land beneath is criss crossed with old mines and there are plans for extensions and the use of longwall mining equipment. Longwall mining creates a much bigger chance of subsidence than the old fashioned methods.
A house is usually the biggest financial purchase a family makes in a lifetime. They have every right to expect that it can be done with safety.
In the Queensland matter it seems that all those concerned have dug their toes in and denied responsibility. Justice is an uncertain thing and nothing can be considered cut and dried when it comes to the law.
Home owners in every mining area of Australia will be watching this court case with intense interest.
That old adage applies : " There - but for the grace of God - goes I. "
Residents of Collingwood Park, a suburb of Ipswich discovered in April,2008 that the land under their homes was subsiding because of past mining activity. Cracks were appearing in walls. The base slabs were becoming uneven and it is possible that some homes may become unliveable.
As is usual in such cases, all those involved duck for cover.
The questions the court will be asked to decide are : Who is financially responsible ? Who will pay compensation ? What can be done about the problem ?
Since the approval for mining was granted there has been a change of government in Queensland. At the time of that mining approval the land at Collingwood Park was earmarked for residential development.
The finger pointing has a range of targets.
A Queensland government - and it is of no legal consequence whether past or present - granted mining approval under land it knew would be used for housing. The areas council approved building plans - and had a responsibility to ensure land stability before granting that approval. A developer built homes on that land - and in doing so accepted some form of responsibility - and a mining company has caused the problem by it's activity.
There will be a flurry of high priced lawyers arguing that their client is blameless and it will be up to some unfortunate judge to sort out this can of worms.
What should interest Wollongong people considering a new home in this area is the chance of a similar thing happening in the numerous new housing estates being considered at west Dapto and surrounding areas.
Wollongong is a coal mining city. The land beneath is criss crossed with old mines and there are plans for extensions and the use of longwall mining equipment. Longwall mining creates a much bigger chance of subsidence than the old fashioned methods.
A house is usually the biggest financial purchase a family makes in a lifetime. They have every right to expect that it can be done with safety.
In the Queensland matter it seems that all those concerned have dug their toes in and denied responsibility. Justice is an uncertain thing and nothing can be considered cut and dried when it comes to the law.
Home owners in every mining area of Australia will be watching this court case with intense interest.
That old adage applies : " There - but for the grace of God - goes I. "
Thursday 17 September 2009
Dennis the menace !
A problem with no clear solution is playing out in Sydney. A notorious Paedophile has served his sentence, been released - and is now the subject of a community guerrilla campaign to remove him from the suburb where he is living.
Dennis Ferguson was sentenced to fourteen years gaol in 1988 for kidnapping three children and sexually molesting them in a motel. Upon release he faced community action that hounded him out of several towns in Queensland, and now he has been granted a lease in a Department of Housing unit block in Sydney.
Two factors collide violently in this confrontation. A convicted person is entitled to return to society once the sentence imposed by a court has been served - and families are entitled to protect their children from a known predator living in their midst.
The Housing Commission says it has no legal right to ask this man to move on. He has a legal lease for his unit - and if he did move it would simply restart the whole process of rejection as has happened at his previous addresses.
There are cases on record where released paedophiles have reformed and caused no further problems, and there are cases where the urge to molest children has been too strong and this has led to tragedy.
It comes down to who has the greater right ? The released prisoner to rejoin society at a place of his or her choosing - or the right of parent's to not live with a source of danger to their children openly living nearby.
The ideal solution would be to house released paedophiles in a place where there there were no children, but such places simply do not exist.
Perhaps we need a law change to make integration part of the sentencing option. It might be necessary to create a small cluster of housing in an industrial suburb with no general housing, and make living there for a set period on release a condition of sentence.
At least this would serve the purpose of separating offenders and children, and during that period there would be a chance to keep the subject under observation and detect any wayward behaviour.
There is no perfect answer to the problem, but some solution must be found otherwise this situation could descend into open suburban warfare !
Dennis Ferguson was sentenced to fourteen years gaol in 1988 for kidnapping three children and sexually molesting them in a motel. Upon release he faced community action that hounded him out of several towns in Queensland, and now he has been granted a lease in a Department of Housing unit block in Sydney.
Two factors collide violently in this confrontation. A convicted person is entitled to return to society once the sentence imposed by a court has been served - and families are entitled to protect their children from a known predator living in their midst.
The Housing Commission says it has no legal right to ask this man to move on. He has a legal lease for his unit - and if he did move it would simply restart the whole process of rejection as has happened at his previous addresses.
There are cases on record where released paedophiles have reformed and caused no further problems, and there are cases where the urge to molest children has been too strong and this has led to tragedy.
It comes down to who has the greater right ? The released prisoner to rejoin society at a place of his or her choosing - or the right of parent's to not live with a source of danger to their children openly living nearby.
The ideal solution would be to house released paedophiles in a place where there there were no children, but such places simply do not exist.
Perhaps we need a law change to make integration part of the sentencing option. It might be necessary to create a small cluster of housing in an industrial suburb with no general housing, and make living there for a set period on release a condition of sentence.
At least this would serve the purpose of separating offenders and children, and during that period there would be a chance to keep the subject under observation and detect any wayward behaviour.
There is no perfect answer to the problem, but some solution must be found otherwise this situation could descend into open suburban warfare !
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Telstra decapitated !
For decades Telstra has been the bully boy trying to dominate the Australian communication industry. Yesterday the Federal government took a very sharp axe - and applied it to the Telco's neck !
Telstra has been ordered to separate it's wholesale and retail functions, and divest it's interests in cable television - and it's fifty percent stake in Foxtel.
Telstra thought it held all the cards by way of it's ownership of the copper wire connections linking homes and businesses with the nation's telephone exchanges.
It used this leverage to disadvantage competitors. If a rival company signed up a new phone user Telstra would deliberately delay installing the connection - sometimes by a matter of days, but on occasion extending this for weeks and even months. By contrast, a Telstra customer was connected in hours.
Push came to shove when the Federal government called tenders for a high speed broadband system to bring Australia into the internet age. Telstra arrogantly ignored the guidelines and in place submitted a plan of it's own that would leave the Telco with control over access and prices.
The government acted swiftly. It dismayed Telstra shareholders when it announced that it would reform it's options to extend the plan. Originally it sought to cable high speed broadband to the node - to the various telephone exchanges and channel them from there to homes and businesses by way of Telstra's copper cable system. Now the plan would take broadband all the way to the end customer.
Suddenly Telstra's prime asset turned into a liability. The arrogant management people departed with their tails between their legs and Telstra found it had no other options other than to grovel - and hope that the government might relent and share a few crumbs from the broadband pie.
That is probably what will now happen. A more reasonable management is in charge and compromise is likely.
The government may again bring broadband to the node - and take it from there by Telstra's copper cable network - but not with Telstra dictating the terms.
The separation of Telstra's wholesale and retail networks will mean rival telephone companies will at last be operating on equal terms - and subscribers will get better service.
All that depends of how Telstra reacts. Yesterdays announcement wiped two billion dollars off the Telco's worth and that hit Mum and Dad shareholders in the pocket.
If Telstra decides to fight this order in the courts then all bets are off. The government would most likely revert to it's plan to by-pass Telstra and implement it's threat to cut the Telco off at the knees.
Litigation could sap the financial strength of even a big company and it would be a fight between a loser and a giant with deep pockets - and the power to pass laws.
An interesting lesson to the shareholders of any company with a tendency of management arrogance.
That's a sure way to send the share price on a long journey south !
Telstra has been ordered to separate it's wholesale and retail functions, and divest it's interests in cable television - and it's fifty percent stake in Foxtel.
Telstra thought it held all the cards by way of it's ownership of the copper wire connections linking homes and businesses with the nation's telephone exchanges.
It used this leverage to disadvantage competitors. If a rival company signed up a new phone user Telstra would deliberately delay installing the connection - sometimes by a matter of days, but on occasion extending this for weeks and even months. By contrast, a Telstra customer was connected in hours.
Push came to shove when the Federal government called tenders for a high speed broadband system to bring Australia into the internet age. Telstra arrogantly ignored the guidelines and in place submitted a plan of it's own that would leave the Telco with control over access and prices.
The government acted swiftly. It dismayed Telstra shareholders when it announced that it would reform it's options to extend the plan. Originally it sought to cable high speed broadband to the node - to the various telephone exchanges and channel them from there to homes and businesses by way of Telstra's copper cable system. Now the plan would take broadband all the way to the end customer.
Suddenly Telstra's prime asset turned into a liability. The arrogant management people departed with their tails between their legs and Telstra found it had no other options other than to grovel - and hope that the government might relent and share a few crumbs from the broadband pie.
That is probably what will now happen. A more reasonable management is in charge and compromise is likely.
The government may again bring broadband to the node - and take it from there by Telstra's copper cable network - but not with Telstra dictating the terms.
The separation of Telstra's wholesale and retail networks will mean rival telephone companies will at last be operating on equal terms - and subscribers will get better service.
All that depends of how Telstra reacts. Yesterdays announcement wiped two billion dollars off the Telco's worth and that hit Mum and Dad shareholders in the pocket.
If Telstra decides to fight this order in the courts then all bets are off. The government would most likely revert to it's plan to by-pass Telstra and implement it's threat to cut the Telco off at the knees.
Litigation could sap the financial strength of even a big company and it would be a fight between a loser and a giant with deep pockets - and the power to pass laws.
An interesting lesson to the shareholders of any company with a tendency of management arrogance.
That's a sure way to send the share price on a long journey south !
Tuesday 15 September 2009
Our health system - and debt !
We have a totally unsustainable attitude to debt within the state health system. Our hospitals owe suppliers of goods and services a staggering $ 69 million and repayment is long outside the normal terms of trade.
What the government is trading on is the fact that suppliers know that eventually they will get paid - simply because the debtor is the government.
There is no possibility this tolerance would be extended to any other private debtor. It would be simply too risky. That private debtor could close their doors, file for bankruptcy and have debts that far exceed assets - something that is not a problem when the debtor is the government.
So we have a cat and mouse situation. The supplier denies supply to a hospital until the debt is reduced. The hospital system scrambled and scratches and manages to come up with a part payment. The goods are released - but the debt owing to someone else blows out because that money has gone elsewhere.
From the suppliers point of view there is no option other than to jack up the profit margin to try and recover profit lost by slow payment. It costs money to keep stock on the shelves and run a business. The whole concept of business revolves around the turnover of goods and their subsequent cash flow. When this is disrupted interest rates and bank charges start to destroy the viability of a business.
This level of debt by the health system is not a new phenomenon. It has been with us for years - and it is getting worse. We have had endless promises of relief from the government, but somehow the money never materialises - and the debts are getting bigger.
It is quite possible that this situation is costing lives. If operations are postponed because equipment and supplies are unavailable and if drugs to treat patients are in short supply - then there must be consequences.
What is becoming obvious is that running a health system is beyond the reach of state governments when it comes to finance.
Now is the time to bite the bullet and make the change that is overwhelmingly necessary. Hand health to the Federal government - the one with the deepest pockets - and end the duplication of state and territory health administrations that are sapping the money flow.
Time the states and the Feds faced reality - and ended this farce !
What the government is trading on is the fact that suppliers know that eventually they will get paid - simply because the debtor is the government.
There is no possibility this tolerance would be extended to any other private debtor. It would be simply too risky. That private debtor could close their doors, file for bankruptcy and have debts that far exceed assets - something that is not a problem when the debtor is the government.
So we have a cat and mouse situation. The supplier denies supply to a hospital until the debt is reduced. The hospital system scrambled and scratches and manages to come up with a part payment. The goods are released - but the debt owing to someone else blows out because that money has gone elsewhere.
From the suppliers point of view there is no option other than to jack up the profit margin to try and recover profit lost by slow payment. It costs money to keep stock on the shelves and run a business. The whole concept of business revolves around the turnover of goods and their subsequent cash flow. When this is disrupted interest rates and bank charges start to destroy the viability of a business.
This level of debt by the health system is not a new phenomenon. It has been with us for years - and it is getting worse. We have had endless promises of relief from the government, but somehow the money never materialises - and the debts are getting bigger.
It is quite possible that this situation is costing lives. If operations are postponed because equipment and supplies are unavailable and if drugs to treat patients are in short supply - then there must be consequences.
What is becoming obvious is that running a health system is beyond the reach of state governments when it comes to finance.
Now is the time to bite the bullet and make the change that is overwhelmingly necessary. Hand health to the Federal government - the one with the deepest pockets - and end the duplication of state and territory health administrations that are sapping the money flow.
Time the states and the Feds faced reality - and ended this farce !
Monday 14 September 2009
Safety belts - and school buses.
A recent school bus crash has again raised the age old question of safety belts !
We are obliged by law to wear a fastened safety belt when we drive or are a passenger in any car or van, and yet there is no such provision if we or our children ride in a bus.
Many tourist coaches have included passenger safety belts in recent years, probably as a result of several horror bus crashes which attracted headline media attention. The difference is that these coaches travel main highways at expressway speed and " safety " is a selling point when attracting custom.
Most see it differently when considering school buses and the ordinary bus system that takes us to work and back. It would be a huge cost to insist on installing safety belts and obviously if we insist on this sort of safety upgrade it would be inconsistent not to ban all forms of standing passengers.
That leads to two other sticking points. The requirement to insist that all passengers secure their belt - and the problem of vandalism. For some people, vandalising public transport is almost an art form.
Past and present governments have steered clear of this issue because to insist on seat belts in school buses would mean a huge jump in the cost of this service. In a collision a bus is safer than a car because of it's size, and buses are generally travelling at much lower speeds within the city road system.
Statistics support this point of view. There is no comparison between the rate of deaths and injuries to bus passengers compared to those who ride in private cars.
Obviously it would be preferable from a safety point of view to have every passenger in all forms of transport - including trains - secured by a seat belt, but that form of ultimate safety is neither practical or possible.
It is a subject that will be removed to the back burner - until another minor incident with a school bus returns it to the fore !
We are obliged by law to wear a fastened safety belt when we drive or are a passenger in any car or van, and yet there is no such provision if we or our children ride in a bus.
Many tourist coaches have included passenger safety belts in recent years, probably as a result of several horror bus crashes which attracted headline media attention. The difference is that these coaches travel main highways at expressway speed and " safety " is a selling point when attracting custom.
Most see it differently when considering school buses and the ordinary bus system that takes us to work and back. It would be a huge cost to insist on installing safety belts and obviously if we insist on this sort of safety upgrade it would be inconsistent not to ban all forms of standing passengers.
That leads to two other sticking points. The requirement to insist that all passengers secure their belt - and the problem of vandalism. For some people, vandalising public transport is almost an art form.
Past and present governments have steered clear of this issue because to insist on seat belts in school buses would mean a huge jump in the cost of this service. In a collision a bus is safer than a car because of it's size, and buses are generally travelling at much lower speeds within the city road system.
Statistics support this point of view. There is no comparison between the rate of deaths and injuries to bus passengers compared to those who ride in private cars.
Obviously it would be preferable from a safety point of view to have every passenger in all forms of transport - including trains - secured by a seat belt, but that form of ultimate safety is neither practical or possible.
It is a subject that will be removed to the back burner - until another minor incident with a school bus returns it to the fore !
Sunday 13 September 2009
Holidays - and religion !
For decades there was no question about the traditional holidays - Christmas day, Boxing day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday - and of course Anzac day. The shops were closed and they were public holidays.
In recent times pressure mounted for trading to be allowed on Boxing day and Easter Sunday, and sport crept into the afternoon of Anzac day. The government procrastinated, but eventually compromised. The shops remained shut in the major centres, but were allowed to open in what were termed " tourist " areas.
This led to the ridiculous situation where Myers shut in Wollongong - and remained open in Shellharbour.
Now the government is toying with the idea of passing legislation to close all shops - except petrol stations and corner stores - on those days to ensure shop staff get appropriate leisure time.
In doing so, the government is opening a can of religious worms !
These are essentially Christian holidays - although why we have a holiday celebrating the putting down of a civil war in China well over a century ago is something of a mystery.
Already there are calls from Muslims for the two major Islamic holy days to get identical treatment.
We also have a large Buddhist congregation in this country following the exodus from Asia at the end of the Vietnam war. This is a quiet, gentle religion and we only notice it because of the small shrines in Buddhist owned businesses, complete with incense and food offerings.
In a multicultural society, surely everyone is entitled to identical treatment.
In trying to pass this legislation the state government will not be able to please everybody. We are a predominantly Christian society and we pride ourselves in being even handed, and there is no question that these main traditional Christian holidays - Christmas day, Good Friday and Anzac day morning - will remain free of commercial trade.
What happens to Boxing day and Easter Sunday is another question. In all fairness, a case could be made for replacing them with holy days applicable to other major religions practised by Australian citizens.
In recent times pressure mounted for trading to be allowed on Boxing day and Easter Sunday, and sport crept into the afternoon of Anzac day. The government procrastinated, but eventually compromised. The shops remained shut in the major centres, but were allowed to open in what were termed " tourist " areas.
This led to the ridiculous situation where Myers shut in Wollongong - and remained open in Shellharbour.
Now the government is toying with the idea of passing legislation to close all shops - except petrol stations and corner stores - on those days to ensure shop staff get appropriate leisure time.
In doing so, the government is opening a can of religious worms !
These are essentially Christian holidays - although why we have a holiday celebrating the putting down of a civil war in China well over a century ago is something of a mystery.
Already there are calls from Muslims for the two major Islamic holy days to get identical treatment.
We also have a large Buddhist congregation in this country following the exodus from Asia at the end of the Vietnam war. This is a quiet, gentle religion and we only notice it because of the small shrines in Buddhist owned businesses, complete with incense and food offerings.
In a multicultural society, surely everyone is entitled to identical treatment.
In trying to pass this legislation the state government will not be able to please everybody. We are a predominantly Christian society and we pride ourselves in being even handed, and there is no question that these main traditional Christian holidays - Christmas day, Good Friday and Anzac day morning - will remain free of commercial trade.
What happens to Boxing day and Easter Sunday is another question. In all fairness, a case could be made for replacing them with holy days applicable to other major religions practised by Australian citizens.
Saturday 12 September 2009
The Fiji problem.
What promises to be a long term problem is emerging on Australia's Pacific ocean doorstep. A military dictator has seized control of the islands of Fiji, and despite numerous promises to return that country to democracy it seems like he has acquired a liking for the rewards of supreme power.
Theoretically this should be a problem for the United Nations, but the power struggle between capitalism and socialism, between east and west - and the vested interests encompassed by both have neutered that organization.
The Commonwealth has tossed Fiji out on it's ear and will not readmit them until democracy is restored, but this is obviously of little consequence to the strongman who now calls the shots, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
The Commodore is head of the Fijian army, and the army are the ones with the guns.Because the Commodore is wise enough to treat his soldiers well and give them a sense of purpose no change in the power structure is likely.
Basically, Bainimarama has the upper hand. The United Nations can not muster the vote to allow it to act. The Commonwealth is a toothless tiger. Australia and New Zealand - as the most developed and strongest countries in the region - have a policy of not interfering in the affairs of other countries.
Probably little will change unless the Fiji military become more aggressive and this stops the tourist trade. The Fiji economy relies on tourists and if this source of income were to cease they would be in dire financial trouble.
The danger would come from financial desperation. Military strongmen will do almost anything to survive, and if that involves Fiji becoming a narco state - or playing host to extremist regimes - then anything is possible.
Unfortunately there are other micro states in the region with similar problems. It is possible that ambitious police of army commanders are watching Bainimarama with admiration - and Fiji may not be the last to suffer a power coup.
Theoretically this should be a problem for the United Nations, but the power struggle between capitalism and socialism, between east and west - and the vested interests encompassed by both have neutered that organization.
The Commonwealth has tossed Fiji out on it's ear and will not readmit them until democracy is restored, but this is obviously of little consequence to the strongman who now calls the shots, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
The Commodore is head of the Fijian army, and the army are the ones with the guns.Because the Commodore is wise enough to treat his soldiers well and give them a sense of purpose no change in the power structure is likely.
Basically, Bainimarama has the upper hand. The United Nations can not muster the vote to allow it to act. The Commonwealth is a toothless tiger. Australia and New Zealand - as the most developed and strongest countries in the region - have a policy of not interfering in the affairs of other countries.
Probably little will change unless the Fiji military become more aggressive and this stops the tourist trade. The Fiji economy relies on tourists and if this source of income were to cease they would be in dire financial trouble.
The danger would come from financial desperation. Military strongmen will do almost anything to survive, and if that involves Fiji becoming a narco state - or playing host to extremist regimes - then anything is possible.
Unfortunately there are other micro states in the region with similar problems. It is possible that ambitious police of army commanders are watching Bainimarama with admiration - and Fiji may not be the last to suffer a power coup.
Friday 11 September 2009
The Balibo incident !
Many people will wonder what is hoped to be achieved by conducting an investigation into the killing of five Australian journalists in the East Timor town of Balibo in 1975.
A lot of recrimination can be laid on the heads of a lot of people by events at that time.
Indonesia brutally invaded a neighbouring country with the covert blessing of the then Australian government. Portugal - in political disarray - walked away from it's former colony and dissent within was fast leading to civil war.
There was a wide opinion in many countries that East Timor was too small and too poor to have any hope of establishing itself as an independent nation. Integration with Indonesia was probably a reasonable idea - except that the ruling Indonesian military saw it as a means to subject it's new citizens to brutality, seize their commercial interests and enrich themselves at their expense.
The five Australian journalists were after a news scoop. They were aware of the dangers, and yet they persisted in putting themselves in the way of harm, believing that Indonesia would respect their safety because of their nationality.
There seems no doubt that they were deliberately executed because they witnessed an invasion that Indonesia tried to cover up. Some of the people who made that decision are now high status retirees and there is no possibility that Indonesia will allow them to be extradited to face trial.
So - what will this enquiry achieve ?
It will be an irritant to Australian/Indonesian relations, but probably only a minor one because Indonesia has emerged from it's military dominated dictatorship as a more reasonable democratic country.
The best that we can hope for is a finding that the Balibo five were murdered in the heat of an invasion by known people - who should - but won't be put on trial for murder.
That might satisfy the purists - but in reality it will have achieved nothing !
A lot of recrimination can be laid on the heads of a lot of people by events at that time.
Indonesia brutally invaded a neighbouring country with the covert blessing of the then Australian government. Portugal - in political disarray - walked away from it's former colony and dissent within was fast leading to civil war.
There was a wide opinion in many countries that East Timor was too small and too poor to have any hope of establishing itself as an independent nation. Integration with Indonesia was probably a reasonable idea - except that the ruling Indonesian military saw it as a means to subject it's new citizens to brutality, seize their commercial interests and enrich themselves at their expense.
The five Australian journalists were after a news scoop. They were aware of the dangers, and yet they persisted in putting themselves in the way of harm, believing that Indonesia would respect their safety because of their nationality.
There seems no doubt that they were deliberately executed because they witnessed an invasion that Indonesia tried to cover up. Some of the people who made that decision are now high status retirees and there is no possibility that Indonesia will allow them to be extradited to face trial.
So - what will this enquiry achieve ?
It will be an irritant to Australian/Indonesian relations, but probably only a minor one because Indonesia has emerged from it's military dominated dictatorship as a more reasonable democratic country.
The best that we can hope for is a finding that the Balibo five were murdered in the heat of an invasion by known people - who should - but won't be put on trial for murder.
That might satisfy the purists - but in reality it will have achieved nothing !
Thursday 10 September 2009
Security clearances.
Most people will be shocked to learn that we have people working on the nation's docks and at airports who have valid security clearances - and also have a long criminal history.
Transport hubs are where we are most vulnerable to terrorists slipping into the country, the import of weapons and explosives - and the distribution of drugs. Surely this is the one area where those with access should be squeaky clean !
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that security requirements will be upgraded. At present applications are rejected for those who have convictions for treason, espionage and crimes associated with weapons of mass destruction.
It seems that conspiracy and fraud will be added to this list - and the amazing thing is that an actual conviction is required to support such bans.
The Maritime union of Australia has reservations about this upgrade. It is concerned that many union members working in border protection have a criminal history that may cause them loss of a job.
It is a matter of concern that the rules governing work on the docks became so relaxed in the first place - surely a throw back to the bad old days when " wharfies " were little better than a bunch of thieves, ransacking cargo and holding the economy to ransom.
Convicted criminals face exclusion from many job prospects in this country. They are barred from the armed services - can not serve in many government positions, ranging from teaching in schools to delivering mail - and yet we seem to disregard security when it comes to border protection and the clearance of cargo.
About time we got serious about who we allow to serve at this country's first line of defence !
Transport hubs are where we are most vulnerable to terrorists slipping into the country, the import of weapons and explosives - and the distribution of drugs. Surely this is the one area where those with access should be squeaky clean !
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that security requirements will be upgraded. At present applications are rejected for those who have convictions for treason, espionage and crimes associated with weapons of mass destruction.
It seems that conspiracy and fraud will be added to this list - and the amazing thing is that an actual conviction is required to support such bans.
The Maritime union of Australia has reservations about this upgrade. It is concerned that many union members working in border protection have a criminal history that may cause them loss of a job.
It is a matter of concern that the rules governing work on the docks became so relaxed in the first place - surely a throw back to the bad old days when " wharfies " were little better than a bunch of thieves, ransacking cargo and holding the economy to ransom.
Convicted criminals face exclusion from many job prospects in this country. They are barred from the armed services - can not serve in many government positions, ranging from teaching in schools to delivering mail - and yet we seem to disregard security when it comes to border protection and the clearance of cargo.
About time we got serious about who we allow to serve at this country's first line of defence !
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Parking in Wollongong.
The plan to install parking meters in the Wollongong CBD is not a popular decision. It seems to be a case of inflicting punishment when an opportunity exists to bestow a reward.
One fact stands out as the reason that we have a parking problem. The people who work in the Wollongong CBD drive cars - and they seek to park as close as legally possible to their place of work. As a result, the CBD fringe - beyond the restricted parking zones - is filled with all day parked worker's cars, limiting parking for the shopping public.
We already have in place a big part of the parking solution.
The free shuttle buses ferry people around the fringe of the CBD and all that is needed is secure mass parking to allow city workers to park and ride the shuttle to their jobs in the city - and return to their cars in the same way when work ceases.
At the same time, extend parking limits on the present unrestricted all day parking streets surrounding the CBD so that driving to work and all day parking means a very inconvenient walk for those who persist in driving.
The hard decisions have already been made - and implemented. The shuttle buses exist and are being supported. The money has been spent to acquire the buses and the running times mean nobody has a long wait for transport.
The only thing lacking is fringe parking facilities to allow city workers to park and ride - and there are opportunities begging to solve this problem. On the Princes Highway in Fairy Meadow we have the appalling mess of the old indoor cricket centre and the abandoned Campbell's warehouse with huge vacant ground areas attached.
Instead of spending a fortune on parking meters, that money would be better spent in acquiring these and similar sites and turning them into satellite car parks to better service the city centre.
We are already half way there in solving our parking problems. Now all it takes is a little imaginative thinking to finish the job !
One fact stands out as the reason that we have a parking problem. The people who work in the Wollongong CBD drive cars - and they seek to park as close as legally possible to their place of work. As a result, the CBD fringe - beyond the restricted parking zones - is filled with all day parked worker's cars, limiting parking for the shopping public.
We already have in place a big part of the parking solution.
The free shuttle buses ferry people around the fringe of the CBD and all that is needed is secure mass parking to allow city workers to park and ride the shuttle to their jobs in the city - and return to their cars in the same way when work ceases.
At the same time, extend parking limits on the present unrestricted all day parking streets surrounding the CBD so that driving to work and all day parking means a very inconvenient walk for those who persist in driving.
The hard decisions have already been made - and implemented. The shuttle buses exist and are being supported. The money has been spent to acquire the buses and the running times mean nobody has a long wait for transport.
The only thing lacking is fringe parking facilities to allow city workers to park and ride - and there are opportunities begging to solve this problem. On the Princes Highway in Fairy Meadow we have the appalling mess of the old indoor cricket centre and the abandoned Campbell's warehouse with huge vacant ground areas attached.
Instead of spending a fortune on parking meters, that money would be better spent in acquiring these and similar sites and turning them into satellite car parks to better service the city centre.
We are already half way there in solving our parking problems. Now all it takes is a little imaginative thinking to finish the job !
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Selling the family silver !
Many Wollongong people were disturbed by an advertisement placed in the business section of a Sydney newspaper last Saturday. It seems that Wollongong council is " testing the market " by offering it's crematorium for public sale !
One of the functions of councils that is rarely thought about is the provision of a cemetery. In the case of Wollongong, it is one of just five of the one hundred and fifty two councils in this state that own and provide a crematorium service.
What is not clear is the extent of this sale offer. The council states that it will retain the land at Unanderra, but what happens to the existing arrangements as regards memorial gardens where the ashes of those cremated are located, or the memorial walls and other facilities.
If these become administered by a private owner the cost will most certainly rise, and this leaves a question mark over plot reservations and future facilities.
Is Wollongong council so desperate for money that they are prepared to relinquish a public asset and impose added costs of death to ratepayers ? It would make sense if council came clean and issued a balance sheet and profit and loss statement on crematorium operations.
Is it running at a loss ? Is it making a financial return to council ? Will council be better or worse off if it passes into private hands ?
There will be a suspicion that this sale is a bit like pawning the family silver to raise money for continuing projects like the " Blue Mile ".
At the moment, the ratepayers of Wollongong own that crematorium by the nature of past rates paid to establish and maintain it. Before this sale goes any further they have a right to all the facts and figures. Put them on the table - and allow the ratepayers to decide !
That is also a decision that should not be made by administrators. A decision of that magnitude should wait until an elected council is again deciding this city's affairs !
One of the functions of councils that is rarely thought about is the provision of a cemetery. In the case of Wollongong, it is one of just five of the one hundred and fifty two councils in this state that own and provide a crematorium service.
What is not clear is the extent of this sale offer. The council states that it will retain the land at Unanderra, but what happens to the existing arrangements as regards memorial gardens where the ashes of those cremated are located, or the memorial walls and other facilities.
If these become administered by a private owner the cost will most certainly rise, and this leaves a question mark over plot reservations and future facilities.
Is Wollongong council so desperate for money that they are prepared to relinquish a public asset and impose added costs of death to ratepayers ? It would make sense if council came clean and issued a balance sheet and profit and loss statement on crematorium operations.
Is it running at a loss ? Is it making a financial return to council ? Will council be better or worse off if it passes into private hands ?
There will be a suspicion that this sale is a bit like pawning the family silver to raise money for continuing projects like the " Blue Mile ".
At the moment, the ratepayers of Wollongong own that crematorium by the nature of past rates paid to establish and maintain it. Before this sale goes any further they have a right to all the facts and figures. Put them on the table - and allow the ratepayers to decide !
That is also a decision that should not be made by administrators. A decision of that magnitude should wait until an elected council is again deciding this city's affairs !
Monday 7 September 2009
The - very - lucky country.
Australia has long been described as "the lucky country " and because of this it is the destination of choice for those seeking escape from other parts of the world.
Not only do we have a temperate climate but this land simply exudes opportunity. We are food producers and exporters, and that is important in a world rapidly becoming over populated - and heading into a world food crisis.
Australia is a huge land mass, and because of that our natural recourse's are helping to power the world economy. We export coal, iron ore and now huge quantities of natural gas from abundant reserves measured in centuries.
Once again luck has smiled upon us as change sweeps aside the internal combustion engine as the means of powering the automobile. Oil reserves are depleting - and we are about to enter the age of the electric car.
The one big stumbling block to electric cars has been the limitations on battery efficiency, but this has improved sharply with the development of the lithium battery.
All many people seem to know about the lithium battery is that it lasts six times longer in our digital cameras and music players - and costs several times more than the old conventional batteries.
What is important for Australia is the source of it's driving component - lithium !
The two most important sources of this raw material are - Chile and Australia. Chile mines about 12,000 tonnes a year - and the fast growing Australian industry is catching up at 8,000 tons.
Once again luck has provided us with a new raw material that is likely to be the base component of the electric car age, and that means jobs - profit - and a recourse that seems to be lacking in many
other countries.
Australia once " rode on the sheep's back ", changed course to become a vast energy supplier - and now is about to take a position supplying one of the most important components of this twenty-first century.
How much luck do we need ?
Not only do we have a temperate climate but this land simply exudes opportunity. We are food producers and exporters, and that is important in a world rapidly becoming over populated - and heading into a world food crisis.
Australia is a huge land mass, and because of that our natural recourse's are helping to power the world economy. We export coal, iron ore and now huge quantities of natural gas from abundant reserves measured in centuries.
Once again luck has smiled upon us as change sweeps aside the internal combustion engine as the means of powering the automobile. Oil reserves are depleting - and we are about to enter the age of the electric car.
The one big stumbling block to electric cars has been the limitations on battery efficiency, but this has improved sharply with the development of the lithium battery.
All many people seem to know about the lithium battery is that it lasts six times longer in our digital cameras and music players - and costs several times more than the old conventional batteries.
What is important for Australia is the source of it's driving component - lithium !
The two most important sources of this raw material are - Chile and Australia. Chile mines about 12,000 tonnes a year - and the fast growing Australian industry is catching up at 8,000 tons.
Once again luck has provided us with a new raw material that is likely to be the base component of the electric car age, and that means jobs - profit - and a recourse that seems to be lacking in many
other countries.
Australia once " rode on the sheep's back ", changed course to become a vast energy supplier - and now is about to take a position supplying one of the most important components of this twenty-first century.
How much luck do we need ?
Sunday 6 September 2009
Protest limitations !
When we disagree with something we have the right to express our objection. That is called " freedom of speech ". We also have the right to go beyond mere words. Some forms of civil disobedience are usually ignored by the police - or treated lightly if they go to court. But there are limits - and over this weekend those limits were breached at the World Rally Championship ( WRC ) at Murwillunbah.
Opponents of this car rally had a point when they claimed that the roads were unsuitable for cars at high speed, and that the route took drivers through sections of a national park, where native animals could be in danger.
Many people turned out to display signs objecting to the rally, and some cheeky girls lifted their skirts and displayed rude messages on their knickers, and all of that was both legal and reasonable.
What was not reasonable was the action of some protesters who threw rocks at the cars, put boulders on the roadway - and in some instances - cut fences to encourage livestock to stray onto the road.
This rally involved cars travelling at very high speeds and any of these actions could have caused a crash involving loss of life. The right to protest does not extend to attempted murder !
There seems to be a reluctance to lay such charges when perpetrators are caught. The police seem to prefer lesser charges such as " trespass " and in many cases the offenders are released with a warning.
The rights and wrongs of allowing these racing events on roads that are closed to the public may be a moot point - but attempting to stop them happening by guerrilla criminal activity is simply an extension of terrorism - and that is unacceptable for whatever reason !
Opponents of this car rally had a point when they claimed that the roads were unsuitable for cars at high speed, and that the route took drivers through sections of a national park, where native animals could be in danger.
Many people turned out to display signs objecting to the rally, and some cheeky girls lifted their skirts and displayed rude messages on their knickers, and all of that was both legal and reasonable.
What was not reasonable was the action of some protesters who threw rocks at the cars, put boulders on the roadway - and in some instances - cut fences to encourage livestock to stray onto the road.
This rally involved cars travelling at very high speeds and any of these actions could have caused a crash involving loss of life. The right to protest does not extend to attempted murder !
There seems to be a reluctance to lay such charges when perpetrators are caught. The police seem to prefer lesser charges such as " trespass " and in many cases the offenders are released with a warning.
The rights and wrongs of allowing these racing events on roads that are closed to the public may be a moot point - but attempting to stop them happening by guerrilla criminal activity is simply an extension of terrorism - and that is unacceptable for whatever reason !
Saturday 5 September 2009
A public execution !
A man and his young son return from the shops with a family takeaway meal. He gets out of his luxury car - and a waiting assassin delivers a single fatal gunshot to his head. The man dies instantly on the roadway.
Welcome to the murky world of property development - where big money is to be made seizing the opportunities offered by buying property and turning it into something that wealthy people will clamour to buy.
Of course this is not all straightforward ! There are competitors who will fight you for that same opportunity, and then there is the problem of overcoming public opposition, getting plans through council, warding off politicians looking for donations - and finding a source of funds to make all this possible.
It seems that somewhere in this mix a serious enemy was made - and that enemy hired a professional hit man to take care of the problem !
Now we learn that there is a rumour that an audio tape exists which contains an incriminating conversation with a politician - or possibly a group of politicians - engaged in corruption in relation to a lucrative property deal.
The inference is that this is so damaging that it's release would bring down the state government.
Those are dangerous waters. Enter at your own risk ! A combination of big money - and that elusive element that underplays the motives of many - extreme power - are capable of turning people to dangerous measures - and that includes murder.
We are about to enter a turbulent time. The police will investigate this murder and at the same time shadowy elements will bend over backwards to sanitise any hint of corruption. Powerful politicians will seek to hose down any connections between their political party and crime - and there is every chance this could lead to another lengthy Royal Commission enquiry.
The only thing unlikely to eventually emerge - is the truth !
Welcome to the murky world of property development - where big money is to be made seizing the opportunities offered by buying property and turning it into something that wealthy people will clamour to buy.
Of course this is not all straightforward ! There are competitors who will fight you for that same opportunity, and then there is the problem of overcoming public opposition, getting plans through council, warding off politicians looking for donations - and finding a source of funds to make all this possible.
It seems that somewhere in this mix a serious enemy was made - and that enemy hired a professional hit man to take care of the problem !
Now we learn that there is a rumour that an audio tape exists which contains an incriminating conversation with a politician - or possibly a group of politicians - engaged in corruption in relation to a lucrative property deal.
The inference is that this is so damaging that it's release would bring down the state government.
Those are dangerous waters. Enter at your own risk ! A combination of big money - and that elusive element that underplays the motives of many - extreme power - are capable of turning people to dangerous measures - and that includes murder.
We are about to enter a turbulent time. The police will investigate this murder and at the same time shadowy elements will bend over backwards to sanitise any hint of corruption. Powerful politicians will seek to hose down any connections between their political party and crime - and there is every chance this could lead to another lengthy Royal Commission enquiry.
The only thing unlikely to eventually emerge - is the truth !
Friday 4 September 2009
Sin - and the modern world !
Health Minister John Della Bosca was outed when his lover went to a daily newspaper and confessed their affair. Following convention, he fell on his sword and resigned his portfolio.
It seems strange that in this modern world we have vastly different standards to apply to people, depending on what they do for a living.
Politicians get the worst of both worlds. They get blamed for the nation's ills, and at the same time their personal life must be above blemish. That same public - many of whom have either had an affair sometime in their past - or are in the middle of one at the moment - are the first to beat their breast and point the finger of scorn.
There seems to be little consistency in attitudes to affairs. If it concerns a prominent sports person the public do not cease to attend matches and boycott that person. If anything, the media glorify the tryst and make money exploiting both sides of the story.
Captains of industry seem to avoid tarnish. One of the richest men in Australia openly supported a mistress and this was common knowledge, but he was still on the A list whenever invitations were concerned.
Then there are the ordinary men and women who yield to temptation. In some instances that leads to a one night stand after a few social drinks - and in others it leads to affairs that go on for years.
Sometimes this leads to marital disaster. Sometimes to a confrontation, followed by forgiveness !
The sad thing about the John Della Bosca affair is that he was one of the few competent performers in this state government, and now one of the critical portfolios beset with terminal trouble is vacant - and likely to be awarded to a far lesser minister.
Perhaps it is time that our definition of sin got a makeover !
It seems strange that in this modern world we have vastly different standards to apply to people, depending on what they do for a living.
Politicians get the worst of both worlds. They get blamed for the nation's ills, and at the same time their personal life must be above blemish. That same public - many of whom have either had an affair sometime in their past - or are in the middle of one at the moment - are the first to beat their breast and point the finger of scorn.
There seems to be little consistency in attitudes to affairs. If it concerns a prominent sports person the public do not cease to attend matches and boycott that person. If anything, the media glorify the tryst and make money exploiting both sides of the story.
Captains of industry seem to avoid tarnish. One of the richest men in Australia openly supported a mistress and this was common knowledge, but he was still on the A list whenever invitations were concerned.
Then there are the ordinary men and women who yield to temptation. In some instances that leads to a one night stand after a few social drinks - and in others it leads to affairs that go on for years.
Sometimes this leads to marital disaster. Sometimes to a confrontation, followed by forgiveness !
The sad thing about the John Della Bosca affair is that he was one of the few competent performers in this state government, and now one of the critical portfolios beset with terminal trouble is vacant - and likely to be awarded to a far lesser minister.
Perhaps it is time that our definition of sin got a makeover !
Thursday 3 September 2009
But is it legal ?
We are used to seeing signs limiting the time we may park in shopping centre carparks - but have we ever heard of anyone being fined for overstaying ?
It seems to be a big bluff aimed at discouraging those who park - and hop on a train for a days visit to Sydney or any activity other than actually shopping at that centre.
Now we have a new system gradually being adopted by those businesses whose customer car parks are very attractive to drivers wishing to attend nearby sporting events, cinemas or functions for which street parking is limited.
All users are now required to obtain a ticket from a machine placed near the entrance - and display it on the car's dashboard.
This ticket records the time parking commenced and allows a free parking period - which varies according to the type of business involved. For instance, parking is free at McDonalds for forty-five minutes, the maximum it would take to consume a " Big Mac ", fries and a coke.
People intending to stay longer are required to insert a coin and gain a ticket as a receipt for payment of the extended parking time. This too must be displayed on the vehicles dashboard.
Presumably some sort of parking inspector will be involved, circulating in the car park and seeing that there is no illegal parking - and issuing fines to those who ignore or break these regulations.
It raises some interesting questions on the legal aspect of these arrangements. The owner of a car park has the right to make a charge for parking, but there are rules that must be met as far as signage is concerned.
This system has had a bad press in other cities - with claims that fines have been issued to legally parked cars as a means of revenue raising, with the onus of proof shifted back to the car owner.
Drivers are urged to treat this system with caution - and seek legal advice if faced with a fine claim they feel is not warranted !
It seems to be a big bluff aimed at discouraging those who park - and hop on a train for a days visit to Sydney or any activity other than actually shopping at that centre.
Now we have a new system gradually being adopted by those businesses whose customer car parks are very attractive to drivers wishing to attend nearby sporting events, cinemas or functions for which street parking is limited.
All users are now required to obtain a ticket from a machine placed near the entrance - and display it on the car's dashboard.
This ticket records the time parking commenced and allows a free parking period - which varies according to the type of business involved. For instance, parking is free at McDonalds for forty-five minutes, the maximum it would take to consume a " Big Mac ", fries and a coke.
People intending to stay longer are required to insert a coin and gain a ticket as a receipt for payment of the extended parking time. This too must be displayed on the vehicles dashboard.
Presumably some sort of parking inspector will be involved, circulating in the car park and seeing that there is no illegal parking - and issuing fines to those who ignore or break these regulations.
It raises some interesting questions on the legal aspect of these arrangements. The owner of a car park has the right to make a charge for parking, but there are rules that must be met as far as signage is concerned.
This system has had a bad press in other cities - with claims that fines have been issued to legally parked cars as a means of revenue raising, with the onus of proof shifted back to the car owner.
Drivers are urged to treat this system with caution - and seek legal advice if faced with a fine claim they feel is not warranted !
Wednesday 2 September 2009
Musical chairs !
Yesterday Premier Nathan Rees must have heaved a huge sigh of relief. The man most likely to replace him in the state's top job self destructed ! Health Minister John Della Bosca's lover spread lurid details of their affair across the front page of a daily newspaper - and later in the day the minister fell on his sword and resigned as health minister.
This seems to be par for the course in the murky world of New South Wales Labor party politics, but it also opens an interesting can of worms - and one or two salient questions.
Who in their right mind would be plotting to take the job of captain of the Titanic ? The date of the collision with that iceberg is even well known ! March 2011 - when this state next goes to an election !
Usually any politician would run miles rather than be leader of a party facing an election massacre. That is the kiss of death for his or her political career - and yet we have plots bubbling away in the party room - numbers are being counted - and at least three contenders are fighting for the top place on the ship's bridge.
It seems that these are people with long term ambitions requiring short term success to be realised.
There is every expectation that life in opposition will be the pits - and given the incompetence of the Labor party in this state that period in the wilderness may last a long time. Whoever is premier on the day the votes are counted can look forward to some amazing perks, thanks to the rewards bestowed on former premiers.
The benefits are similar to those afforded ex-prime ministers. A ministerial car and driver for life. An office and secretary paid for by the taxpayer. Golden travel passes - and induction into a fabled club who get invited to A list events.
That's enough goodies to make any politician cheerfully hand in a resignation rather than face a bleak life in opposition - but it only becomes available if he or she has achieved that exulted status of State Premier.
It seems that what all the fuss is about is the expectation of a place in one of the Titanic's life boats for the captain - and a life of privilege thereafter !
This seems to be par for the course in the murky world of New South Wales Labor party politics, but it also opens an interesting can of worms - and one or two salient questions.
Who in their right mind would be plotting to take the job of captain of the Titanic ? The date of the collision with that iceberg is even well known ! March 2011 - when this state next goes to an election !
Usually any politician would run miles rather than be leader of a party facing an election massacre. That is the kiss of death for his or her political career - and yet we have plots bubbling away in the party room - numbers are being counted - and at least three contenders are fighting for the top place on the ship's bridge.
It seems that these are people with long term ambitions requiring short term success to be realised.
There is every expectation that life in opposition will be the pits - and given the incompetence of the Labor party in this state that period in the wilderness may last a long time. Whoever is premier on the day the votes are counted can look forward to some amazing perks, thanks to the rewards bestowed on former premiers.
The benefits are similar to those afforded ex-prime ministers. A ministerial car and driver for life. An office and secretary paid for by the taxpayer. Golden travel passes - and induction into a fabled club who get invited to A list events.
That's enough goodies to make any politician cheerfully hand in a resignation rather than face a bleak life in opposition - but it only becomes available if he or she has achieved that exulted status of State Premier.
It seems that what all the fuss is about is the expectation of a place in one of the Titanic's life boats for the captain - and a life of privilege thereafter !
Tuesday 1 September 2009
A change of direction.
This weeks election in Japan delivered a startling result. The deeply conservative voters finally pushed the Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP ) from power - after almost a half century of unbroken rule.
The world has changed in fifty years, but it seems that those clinging to power became incapable of moving with the times. Japan was a world leader several decades ago, wowing us with electronics and all manner of consumer goods - including a domination of the world car industry.
We remember the days when plane loads of Japanese tourists could be seen gathering outside the best hotels, preparing for a days sight seeing. Japan was wealthy - and it's prosperous citizens wanted to see the world.
It was all downhill from there. The birth rate has dropped and Japan faces an ageing future with a sagging economy. The day of vibrant, new start ups has passed and it seems that this recession has been the final straw. The impetus has gone - and many people blame that on the lack of government direction.
The Democratic Party of Japan ( DPJ ) promises to inject new life and new directions to turn things around. They will need to act quickly and be decisive, because once the voters have found the courage to make political change they are unlikely to start another round of conservative thinking. The mood is likely to demand performance - or " throw the bums out ! "
A renewed Japan is just what the world needs. This recession seems to be fading, but there are still uncertainties and a Japanese economy languishing in the doldrums is not helping.
It is also a hint to other countries to review the tenure of government before the sloth sets in !
The world has changed in fifty years, but it seems that those clinging to power became incapable of moving with the times. Japan was a world leader several decades ago, wowing us with electronics and all manner of consumer goods - including a domination of the world car industry.
We remember the days when plane loads of Japanese tourists could be seen gathering outside the best hotels, preparing for a days sight seeing. Japan was wealthy - and it's prosperous citizens wanted to see the world.
It was all downhill from there. The birth rate has dropped and Japan faces an ageing future with a sagging economy. The day of vibrant, new start ups has passed and it seems that this recession has been the final straw. The impetus has gone - and many people blame that on the lack of government direction.
The Democratic Party of Japan ( DPJ ) promises to inject new life and new directions to turn things around. They will need to act quickly and be decisive, because once the voters have found the courage to make political change they are unlikely to start another round of conservative thinking. The mood is likely to demand performance - or " throw the bums out ! "
A renewed Japan is just what the world needs. This recession seems to be fading, but there are still uncertainties and a Japanese economy languishing in the doldrums is not helping.
It is also a hint to other countries to review the tenure of government before the sloth sets in !
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