The insulation fiasco has shaken the Federal government to the core. Sloppy management has left four people dead, nearly a hundred house fires - and many insulated homes treated with inferior grade products.
Waiting in the wings is a new scandal - and once again the cause is poor management of a huge project.
As part of the stimulus package the government allocated $ 16.2 billion to it's " Education Revolution " to provide school facilities such as libraries, additional classrooms, shade areas, etc.
At present, only seven percent of these projects are complete and it is suggested that waste will reduce the value on completion to a mere $ 7 billion.
There is a vast difference in results between private and government schools. The private schools have been permitted to manage their own improvements and as a result they have achieved value for money.
The government schools have been saddled with management by the bureaucracy - and as much as a quarter of the allocated funds has been siphoned off in " management fees ".
The extent of the bungle will become evident when the scheme reaches finality - and a comparison can be made as to exactly what has been achieved.
It will not be a pretty picture !
Sunday 28 February 2010
Saturday 27 February 2010
The price of failure !
Kevin Rudd has finally responded to the panic amongst his backbenchers and demoted - but not sacked - environment minister Peter Garrett.
The job will pass to Greg Combet and Garrett will remain a junior minister, taking care of minor matters from his past portfolio such as art and heritage.
The removal of Garrett had to come. The sheer scale of the insulation disaster was enough to bring down the government. Not only were billions of taxpayer dollars wasted but sheer negligence led to four deaths and nearly a hundred house fires.
It would be a good time to ask how this happened !
Our system of democracy sends us to the polls to elect those we wish to represent us in parliament. Unfortunately being a politician does not mean that the candidate for our vote necessarily has the skills to carry out the job allocated.
Peter Garrett was well known in the music scene because he was the lead singer of a very popular band. That band employed agents and managers to take care of the business end of making money, and as a result Garrett was not exactly a paragon of business acumen.
Couple that with the tendency of socialists to be starry eyed people with a rather naive approach to business - and you have all the ingredients of a minister who failed to see the dangers of rapidly expanding a service - and who failed to even read the warnings received by his department.
Another casualty has been prime minister Kevin Rudd. The start of this fiasco escaped Rudd's notice, and as a result his pre election image of " Kevin-07. The wonder boy " has been seriously damaged.
Perhaps the blame for the insulation debacle should really be delivered to the door of the bureaucracy. Politicians are supported by a huge and costly array of Mandarins who are supposed to advise them and make sure disasters do not happen.
In this case, both the minister and the Mandarins were asleep at the wheel !
The job will pass to Greg Combet and Garrett will remain a junior minister, taking care of minor matters from his past portfolio such as art and heritage.
The removal of Garrett had to come. The sheer scale of the insulation disaster was enough to bring down the government. Not only were billions of taxpayer dollars wasted but sheer negligence led to four deaths and nearly a hundred house fires.
It would be a good time to ask how this happened !
Our system of democracy sends us to the polls to elect those we wish to represent us in parliament. Unfortunately being a politician does not mean that the candidate for our vote necessarily has the skills to carry out the job allocated.
Peter Garrett was well known in the music scene because he was the lead singer of a very popular band. That band employed agents and managers to take care of the business end of making money, and as a result Garrett was not exactly a paragon of business acumen.
Couple that with the tendency of socialists to be starry eyed people with a rather naive approach to business - and you have all the ingredients of a minister who failed to see the dangers of rapidly expanding a service - and who failed to even read the warnings received by his department.
Another casualty has been prime minister Kevin Rudd. The start of this fiasco escaped Rudd's notice, and as a result his pre election image of " Kevin-07. The wonder boy " has been seriously damaged.
Perhaps the blame for the insulation debacle should really be delivered to the door of the bureaucracy. Politicians are supported by a huge and costly array of Mandarins who are supposed to advise them and make sure disasters do not happen.
In this case, both the minister and the Mandarins were asleep at the wheel !
Friday 26 February 2010
Car safety !
Toyota is experiencing a huge loss of owner confidence as a result of various safety glitches that have led to massive car recalls. The very idea that a car may accelerate out of control is a buyer turnoff.
One of the problems facing the car industry is the continuous list of " improvements " that are added to the basic vehicle. Most modern vehicles now have " cruise control " and in recent years rear vision cameras and satellite navigation instruments have become standard on the higher priced models.
All of these add to the things that can develop faults and which should receive regular servicing, and in some cases they can affect vehicle safety.
Today's cars are better built and more reliable than cars of yesteryear - and a whole lot cheaper when we take into account what we now get for the money, but with that progress comes a lot more gadgetry with the capacity to develop faults.
Toyota is paying the price for becoming the market leader. No doubt these present problems will be quickly overcome, but it is hard to imagine what the automobile of future decades will contain in the way of " driver aids ".
And what problems they will eventually reveal !
One of the problems facing the car industry is the continuous list of " improvements " that are added to the basic vehicle. Most modern vehicles now have " cruise control " and in recent years rear vision cameras and satellite navigation instruments have become standard on the higher priced models.
All of these add to the things that can develop faults and which should receive regular servicing, and in some cases they can affect vehicle safety.
Today's cars are better built and more reliable than cars of yesteryear - and a whole lot cheaper when we take into account what we now get for the money, but with that progress comes a lot more gadgetry with the capacity to develop faults.
Toyota is paying the price for becoming the market leader. No doubt these present problems will be quickly overcome, but it is hard to imagine what the automobile of future decades will contain in the way of " driver aids ".
And what problems they will eventually reveal !
Thursday 25 February 2010
The numbers game !
Apprehension by some people to the suggestion from Federal Education minister Julia Gillard that every school child will be allocated a personal identification number to track their progress on the " My School " website.
Years ago the idea of an " Australia card " form of ID was rejected as too authoritarian and " Big Brother ", and yet we seem to have no problems with an existing form of numerical identification which we must produce to do all sorts of transactions - from opening a bank account to purchasing shares or bonds.
The day we start work we become attached to a tax file number, and that number accompanies us through all the years until we finally end up in the grave.
That " TFN " allows every form of government, both state and Federal - to track our progress in the commercial world and through social security channels. A tap on a computer - and all our details are instantly available.
Julia Gillard claims that giving each child a number will ensure privacy, and in the event of a change of school - all the necessary background information will be helpful.
In this age of the computer - identification by number is simply a fact of life.
Years ago the idea of an " Australia card " form of ID was rejected as too authoritarian and " Big Brother ", and yet we seem to have no problems with an existing form of numerical identification which we must produce to do all sorts of transactions - from opening a bank account to purchasing shares or bonds.
The day we start work we become attached to a tax file number, and that number accompanies us through all the years until we finally end up in the grave.
That " TFN " allows every form of government, both state and Federal - to track our progress in the commercial world and through social security channels. A tap on a computer - and all our details are instantly available.
Julia Gillard claims that giving each child a number will ensure privacy, and in the event of a change of school - all the necessary background information will be helpful.
In this age of the computer - identification by number is simply a fact of life.
Wednesday 24 February 2010
A curious sex enquiry !
Life in the navy in peace time could be a little boring and it seems that the crew of HMAS Success devised a game to ease the monotony.
It was called " The Ledger " and created a money pool competition. The objective of this competition was to score points by having sex with female crew members, and each female crew member was " handicapped " by age, rank - and perceived beauty.
A complex scaling of points was awarded from each conquest, and presumably the winner walked away with the money pot.
Somehow the navy heard about this - and was not amused. This led to an enquiry which produced a negative finding, and now a fresh enquiry is underway - headed by no less than a Federal Court QC.
The interesting point is whether this charade actually broke any laws.
It would certainly enrage feminists - and it was undoubtedly in poor taste - but is there actually any law on the books that forbids betting on sexual success ?
It was called " The Ledger " and created a money pool competition. The objective of this competition was to score points by having sex with female crew members, and each female crew member was " handicapped " by age, rank - and perceived beauty.
A complex scaling of points was awarded from each conquest, and presumably the winner walked away with the money pot.
Somehow the navy heard about this - and was not amused. This led to an enquiry which produced a negative finding, and now a fresh enquiry is underway - headed by no less than a Federal Court QC.
The interesting point is whether this charade actually broke any laws.
It would certainly enrage feminists - and it was undoubtedly in poor taste - but is there actually any law on the books that forbids betting on sexual success ?
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Car weight tax.
Kristina Keneallys fifty billion dollar transport plan for Sydney makes no mention of just where the finance will come from to bring it to fruition - except for a new tax that will provide a $ 500 million dividend.
The transport plan will benefit the residents of Sydney, but this new tax will be levied on every car owner in this state. People who live in the most distant village and never visit Sydney will still be lumbered with the tax man's hand in their pocket every year at car registration time.
A tax of between $ 5 and $ 30 per car will apply - on a weight basis. Cars below 975 kilos will be exempt. Obviously this has been carefully selected because vehicles below that weight are scarcer than hen's teeth !
There is just one glaring little worry that must occupy the mind's of this state's car owners.
Given the track record of the present government in making transport arrangements that conclude with cancellation - and the statistics are fourteen such announcements in fifteen years in office - what odds that this one will also fall by the wayside ?
And what odds that when that cancellation occurs - the cancellation does not include removal of the weight tax ?
The transport plan will benefit the residents of Sydney, but this new tax will be levied on every car owner in this state. People who live in the most distant village and never visit Sydney will still be lumbered with the tax man's hand in their pocket every year at car registration time.
A tax of between $ 5 and $ 30 per car will apply - on a weight basis. Cars below 975 kilos will be exempt. Obviously this has been carefully selected because vehicles below that weight are scarcer than hen's teeth !
There is just one glaring little worry that must occupy the mind's of this state's car owners.
Given the track record of the present government in making transport arrangements that conclude with cancellation - and the statistics are fourteen such announcements in fifteen years in office - what odds that this one will also fall by the wayside ?
And what odds that when that cancellation occurs - the cancellation does not include removal of the weight tax ?
Monday 22 February 2010
Transport Fairytales !
The people of this state can not be blamed if they take this latest transport plan with a grain of salt.
The present government has been in office for fifteen years and in that time it has announced fourteen widely different transport plans, all of which were subsequently cancelled - as is the case with the proposed $ 5 billion Metro.
Each announcement - and cancellation - has been at great cost to the taxpayer. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on drawing up these plans, acquiring property and letting contracts for preliminary work. This waste of public money has not improved our outdated rail system and left Sydney a car reliant city.
This time around the plan intends to finally extend rail to Sydney's west, extend the light rail system, buy six new ferries - and provide a thousand new buses. The details on finding the money to create this are vague, but it has been suggested that car registrations will take a hit.
Surely it is no coincidence that this bright idea is trotted out with an election just over a year away - and that even if the plan is implemented we are talking about an event that will occur decades into the future.
There is an old adage about leopards not being able to change their spots.
On past history, this particular leopard is indeed a very spotty beast !
The present government has been in office for fifteen years and in that time it has announced fourteen widely different transport plans, all of which were subsequently cancelled - as is the case with the proposed $ 5 billion Metro.
Each announcement - and cancellation - has been at great cost to the taxpayer. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on drawing up these plans, acquiring property and letting contracts for preliminary work. This waste of public money has not improved our outdated rail system and left Sydney a car reliant city.
This time around the plan intends to finally extend rail to Sydney's west, extend the light rail system, buy six new ferries - and provide a thousand new buses. The details on finding the money to create this are vague, but it has been suggested that car registrations will take a hit.
Surely it is no coincidence that this bright idea is trotted out with an election just over a year away - and that even if the plan is implemented we are talking about an event that will occur decades into the future.
There is an old adage about leopards not being able to change their spots.
On past history, this particular leopard is indeed a very spotty beast !
Sunday 21 February 2010
New speed cameras.
We live in an electronic age and it seems that whiz-bang wizardry has now enhanced the revenue raising capacity of this states speed cameras. The new equipment being installed is capable of fining you for multiple offences - and in a single instance that could result in a suspended driving license.
The new cameras can detect both speed offences and red light runners, and if that error of judgement happened in a school zone - on a double demerit point day - your license would be gone in a camera flash.
Of course the obvious answer is to drive within the law and make sure you never speed through a light controlled intersection - and never ever if it happens to be in a school zone during double demerit point times.
But then, we all suffer from the occasional rush of blood and the government would be wise to stop and think just what this new technology might produce.
We are seeing a huge increase in unlicensed drivers on our roads because the demerit points system is taking the licenses of people who have no option other than to break the law and keep on driving.
Lack of public transport makes us car reliant - and that is a simple fact of life !
Obviously we need laws and penalties to regulate road safety. The trick is to arrive at a balance that achieves that aim without creating a new problem.
Multiple offence cameras are great in theory - as long as we recognise that they also have a downside !
The new cameras can detect both speed offences and red light runners, and if that error of judgement happened in a school zone - on a double demerit point day - your license would be gone in a camera flash.
Of course the obvious answer is to drive within the law and make sure you never speed through a light controlled intersection - and never ever if it happens to be in a school zone during double demerit point times.
But then, we all suffer from the occasional rush of blood and the government would be wise to stop and think just what this new technology might produce.
We are seeing a huge increase in unlicensed drivers on our roads because the demerit points system is taking the licenses of people who have no option other than to break the law and keep on driving.
Lack of public transport makes us car reliant - and that is a simple fact of life !
Obviously we need laws and penalties to regulate road safety. The trick is to arrive at a balance that achieves that aim without creating a new problem.
Multiple offence cameras are great in theory - as long as we recognise that they also have a downside !
Saturday 20 February 2010
Unintended victims.
Cancellation of the botched home insulation scheme was probably the only way to stop the rorts that have left four people dead and house fire numbers nearing a hundred - but it will be at a cost to unintended victims.
Before this scheme was introduced there was an existing home insulation industry. It employed people who were well trained in doing a safe and efficient job in that field - and now they face unemployment.
The cancelled home insulation scheme will be replaced with a new edition which reduces the grant from $ 1200 to $ 1000 - but this will not commence until June, to give time to establish the checks and balances.
Nobody is going to proceed with home insulation in the knowledge that if they wait until June they will save a thousand dollars - and as a consequence the existing home insulation industry has a bleak immediate future.
People who have done nothing wrong are going to be made redundant and those existing home insulation firms will face a loss of trade.
If this debacle is an example of government efficiency, then it will certainly make some people have second thoughts about the wisdom of a Federal takeover of the hospital system.
Or any other national initiative that requires good planning !
Before this scheme was introduced there was an existing home insulation industry. It employed people who were well trained in doing a safe and efficient job in that field - and now they face unemployment.
The cancelled home insulation scheme will be replaced with a new edition which reduces the grant from $ 1200 to $ 1000 - but this will not commence until June, to give time to establish the checks and balances.
Nobody is going to proceed with home insulation in the knowledge that if they wait until June they will save a thousand dollars - and as a consequence the existing home insulation industry has a bleak immediate future.
People who have done nothing wrong are going to be made redundant and those existing home insulation firms will face a loss of trade.
If this debacle is an example of government efficiency, then it will certainly make some people have second thoughts about the wisdom of a Federal takeover of the hospital system.
Or any other national initiative that requires good planning !
Friday 19 February 2010
Warranty evasion !
Some merchants seek to avoid their obligations under the warranty of the goods they sell by referring complainants to the warranty instructions accompanying the goods.
In many cases the manufacturer instructs that the goods be returned - at the customers expense - to their factory for repair.
That is not the law for goods sold in the state of New South Wales.
Manufactured goods are usually sold in every state in Australia, plus the island states of the south Pacific - and probably a lot of other overseas countries. The manufacturers instructions on warranty claims merely offers a fall back position in places where no customer protection laws apply.
In New South Wales faulty goods should be returned to the point of sale and the customer has the choice of three options to settle the claim. Those options are refund - repair - or replacement.
Unfortunately, many people are not aware of these consumer protection laws and are fobbed off with the excuse that the written instructions accompanying the goods applies.
In many cases the manufacturer instructs that the goods be returned - at the customers expense - to their factory for repair.
That is not the law for goods sold in the state of New South Wales.
Manufactured goods are usually sold in every state in Australia, plus the island states of the south Pacific - and probably a lot of other overseas countries. The manufacturers instructions on warranty claims merely offers a fall back position in places where no customer protection laws apply.
In New South Wales faulty goods should be returned to the point of sale and the customer has the choice of three options to settle the claim. Those options are refund - repair - or replacement.
Unfortunately, many people are not aware of these consumer protection laws and are fobbed off with the excuse that the written instructions accompanying the goods applies.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Rise of the knife culture.
Many parents are alarmed at news of the death of a twelve year old Queensland boy, knifed by a fellow student in a school yard - and a knife threat between two students of similar age in New South Wales.
It is a fact of life that many young people in Australia customarily carry a knife with them when they mix socially - and in some cases carry one for protection when travelling to and from school.
In previous times knives were not part of the Australian culture. But then - neither were drugs or ethnic gangs or the tendency for extreme violence in settling arguments.
The emergence of a knife culture seems driven by concern for personal safety. Going out in a group for a day or night of entertainment carries the real threat that there may be a confrontation with others - and those others will have the advantage of some form of weapon.
Unlike most other lethal weapons, knives are the most readily available. The kitchen of every home contains a plethora of knives - and they are easy to conceal.
There simply is no answer to this problem. We have become a violent society and the kids of today fall into two categories.
Those with the bully boy culture who wish to exercise dominance over others - and those who seek personal protection.
To both - the knife is an option for offence - and for defence !
It is a fact of life that many young people in Australia customarily carry a knife with them when they mix socially - and in some cases carry one for protection when travelling to and from school.
In previous times knives were not part of the Australian culture. But then - neither were drugs or ethnic gangs or the tendency for extreme violence in settling arguments.
The emergence of a knife culture seems driven by concern for personal safety. Going out in a group for a day or night of entertainment carries the real threat that there may be a confrontation with others - and those others will have the advantage of some form of weapon.
Unlike most other lethal weapons, knives are the most readily available. The kitchen of every home contains a plethora of knives - and they are easy to conceal.
There simply is no answer to this problem. We have become a violent society and the kids of today fall into two categories.
Those with the bully boy culture who wish to exercise dominance over others - and those who seek personal protection.
To both - the knife is an option for offence - and for defence !
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Internet " Graffiti ".
The development of the computer led to the greatest communication age for the world via the Internet.
For the first time communications advanced beyond the postage stamp and the telephone to connect citizens in every world country by way of electronic impulses bringing words and pictures to a monitor screen.
But - there is also a dark side !
Just as mindless people seek to deface buildings and scrawl offensive messages on walls, this same graffiti is polluting the world wide web.
Facebook pages paying tribute to those killed in car crashes - and a recent knifing tragedy in Queensland - have been attacked by hackers scrawling derogatory comments and accusations - and in some cases pornographic images.
In most cases the offenders are unknown to the grieving families and may even be from a far country. It seems that there are some people who get a perverse pleasure in causing shock and outrage.
Unfortunately this seems to be part of modern living. Something invented to deliver good must also expect to be subverted to evil.
The only answer is precisely the same as the best treatment given graffiti which appears in public places.
Remove it as soon as it appears !
For the first time communications advanced beyond the postage stamp and the telephone to connect citizens in every world country by way of electronic impulses bringing words and pictures to a monitor screen.
But - there is also a dark side !
Just as mindless people seek to deface buildings and scrawl offensive messages on walls, this same graffiti is polluting the world wide web.
Facebook pages paying tribute to those killed in car crashes - and a recent knifing tragedy in Queensland - have been attacked by hackers scrawling derogatory comments and accusations - and in some cases pornographic images.
In most cases the offenders are unknown to the grieving families and may even be from a far country. It seems that there are some people who get a perverse pleasure in causing shock and outrage.
Unfortunately this seems to be part of modern living. Something invented to deliver good must also expect to be subverted to evil.
The only answer is precisely the same as the best treatment given graffiti which appears in public places.
Remove it as soon as it appears !
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Coin - unwanted money !
Many people are in the habit of emptying out the coins in their pocket at bedtime - and the next morning placing a lesser amount back in their pockets. As a result, they soon accumulate containers of surplus coin.
The problem is - this is becoming hard to dispose of !
The banks will not accept coin unless it is wrapped correctly in paper foils, and increasingly we are seeing notices in shops limiting the amount of payments they will accept by way of coins.
It seems the only places that welcome coin and will willingly exchange it for banknotes are pubs and clubs. This is obviously a ploy to get customers to use their poker machines.
There must be untold wealth spread over the nation's households by way of containers of coin sitting in wardrobes and on dressing tables, resulting in the mint requiring constant production of new coin to meet shortfalls.
What an interesting opportunity for a deserving charity to suggest donations of unwanted coin.
That could spark an interesting response from those wondering what to do with this ever increasing volume, and at the same time provide work for volunteers to count and wrap the coin into bank acceptable quantities.
The amount sitting unused in containers must run to billions !
The problem is - this is becoming hard to dispose of !
The banks will not accept coin unless it is wrapped correctly in paper foils, and increasingly we are seeing notices in shops limiting the amount of payments they will accept by way of coins.
It seems the only places that welcome coin and will willingly exchange it for banknotes are pubs and clubs. This is obviously a ploy to get customers to use their poker machines.
There must be untold wealth spread over the nation's households by way of containers of coin sitting in wardrobes and on dressing tables, resulting in the mint requiring constant production of new coin to meet shortfalls.
What an interesting opportunity for a deserving charity to suggest donations of unwanted coin.
That could spark an interesting response from those wondering what to do with this ever increasing volume, and at the same time provide work for volunteers to count and wrap the coin into bank acceptable quantities.
The amount sitting unused in containers must run to billions !
Monday 15 February 2010
The sex industry.
From time to time the media explodes with lurid headlines suggesting that brothels are opening in the suburbs.
It is a fact of life that brothels have existed during all the centuries that humans have existed on this planet, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. Ask any cab driver and you will quickly be notified of a local address.
The thing about brothels is that they are discreet. There are no neon signs or flashing lights to indicate their trade and in many cases local home owners are unaware of their presence.
Some brothels could best be described as a " home industry ". The case of a single person who " entertains " for money in her home and usually also provides outreach services.
Councils usually promise to enforce the regulations and move to combat illegally operating premises, but then reality cuts in and the matter is quietly shelved.
Public morality is less offended by the odd discrete brothel - than working girls standing on street corners offering their services.
It's all a matter of perception !
It is a fact of life that brothels have existed during all the centuries that humans have existed on this planet, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. Ask any cab driver and you will quickly be notified of a local address.
The thing about brothels is that they are discreet. There are no neon signs or flashing lights to indicate their trade and in many cases local home owners are unaware of their presence.
Some brothels could best be described as a " home industry ". The case of a single person who " entertains " for money in her home and usually also provides outreach services.
Councils usually promise to enforce the regulations and move to combat illegally operating premises, but then reality cuts in and the matter is quietly shelved.
Public morality is less offended by the odd discrete brothel - than working girls standing on street corners offering their services.
It's all a matter of perception !
Sunday 14 February 2010
Copyright law tightens !
A recent court ruling will have sent a shiver down the spine of those who illegally download films or music from the internet.
Queenslander James Burt ( 24 ) was hit with a $ 1.5 million penalty because he downloaded a Nintendo game, put it on the net - and allowed others free access before it was officially released in Australia.
It seems that computer technology has advanced to the point that individuals who illegally download can be identified, and the owners of movies and music are now going to court to reclaim their stolen intellectual property.
To many people downloading entertainment seems to be a victimless crime. It was all about the freedom of the internet in the first flush of enthusiasm, but now the loss factor is so huge that intellectual property owners are striking back.
The likely factor would be to randomly select a number of people who have infringed the copyright law - and go after them in court. The likely penalty would be huge and would probably strip that individual of their home, car and bank account.
That sort of penalty - and the prospect of being randomly selected for prosecution - would make most people hesitate before tapping the download button !
Queenslander James Burt ( 24 ) was hit with a $ 1.5 million penalty because he downloaded a Nintendo game, put it on the net - and allowed others free access before it was officially released in Australia.
It seems that computer technology has advanced to the point that individuals who illegally download can be identified, and the owners of movies and music are now going to court to reclaim their stolen intellectual property.
To many people downloading entertainment seems to be a victimless crime. It was all about the freedom of the internet in the first flush of enthusiasm, but now the loss factor is so huge that intellectual property owners are striking back.
The likely factor would be to randomly select a number of people who have infringed the copyright law - and go after them in court. The likely penalty would be huge and would probably strip that individual of their home, car and bank account.
That sort of penalty - and the prospect of being randomly selected for prosecution - would make most people hesitate before tapping the download button !
Saturday 13 February 2010
An " illegal " parking station !
What a weird world we live in !
Wollongong council is having a hissy fit because the owner of a vacant block of land in Atchison street is charging motorists to park there. It seems the objection is because no council approval was obtained - and this at a time when Wollongong streets are just days away from the installation of parking meters to extract money from car owners.
Of course it's all about money ! There is supposedly a parking crisis in this city and you would think council would be overjoyed that private land was helping to solve the problem - but not without all the fees and red tape necessary to get the nod from council.
Another thing that has yet to see the light of day is the fate of those disability parking spots in the CBD, reserved for motorists who have been granted a disability sticker for their car.
Will they remain ? Or will they be swallowed up when the parking meters are installed ?
And how legal will that be, considering that the parking meters are a council initiative, while those disability parking spots were a state government initiative !
An interesting thought ! Did the council get permission from the government to do away with free disability parking in this city ?
Maybe it's time for the government to have a hissy fit over unauthorised actions !
Wollongong council is having a hissy fit because the owner of a vacant block of land in Atchison street is charging motorists to park there. It seems the objection is because no council approval was obtained - and this at a time when Wollongong streets are just days away from the installation of parking meters to extract money from car owners.
Of course it's all about money ! There is supposedly a parking crisis in this city and you would think council would be overjoyed that private land was helping to solve the problem - but not without all the fees and red tape necessary to get the nod from council.
Another thing that has yet to see the light of day is the fate of those disability parking spots in the CBD, reserved for motorists who have been granted a disability sticker for their car.
Will they remain ? Or will they be swallowed up when the parking meters are installed ?
And how legal will that be, considering that the parking meters are a council initiative, while those disability parking spots were a state government initiative !
An interesting thought ! Did the council get permission from the government to do away with free disability parking in this city ?
Maybe it's time for the government to have a hissy fit over unauthorised actions !
Friday 12 February 2010
Back to the future !
The dispute at Xstrata's Tahmoor Colliery seems to be developing into the classical confrontation between a mine and a union that was part of the ongoing " class war " of earlier decades.
It has all the ingredients of conflict. Xstrata is a huge, international company.
The CFMEU is the most aggressive and " strike happy " of the Australian unions.
What seems to be at stake here is a pay rise being conditional on restrictive work place practices being brought into line with current industry standards.
The CFMEU wants the money - but will not budge an inch on standards reform.
Xstrata has instigated a lock-out and no coal will be mined this week, and as a consequence the mine workers will lose a weeks pay.
The consequences of no pay packet this week will manifest itself in many ways. Some kids will miss out on a school excursion. Some household bills will not be paid on time. Some miner's families will be buying cheaper cuts of meat - and reducing items in the supermarket shopping cart.
The union bosses will not suffer a loss of pay cheques, and the Xstrata executives will see renumeration as usual. The only losers will be the rank and file who actually do the work " at the coal face ".
This is exactly the sort of dispute that should be a thing of the past. It could so easily be resolved by people of goodwill - prepared to sit down an negotiate in a spirit of give and take.
Unfortunately - that seems to be a bridge too far !
It has all the ingredients of conflict. Xstrata is a huge, international company.
The CFMEU is the most aggressive and " strike happy " of the Australian unions.
What seems to be at stake here is a pay rise being conditional on restrictive work place practices being brought into line with current industry standards.
The CFMEU wants the money - but will not budge an inch on standards reform.
Xstrata has instigated a lock-out and no coal will be mined this week, and as a consequence the mine workers will lose a weeks pay.
The consequences of no pay packet this week will manifest itself in many ways. Some kids will miss out on a school excursion. Some household bills will not be paid on time. Some miner's families will be buying cheaper cuts of meat - and reducing items in the supermarket shopping cart.
The union bosses will not suffer a loss of pay cheques, and the Xstrata executives will see renumeration as usual. The only losers will be the rank and file who actually do the work " at the coal face ".
This is exactly the sort of dispute that should be a thing of the past. It could so easily be resolved by people of goodwill - prepared to sit down an negotiate in a spirit of give and take.
Unfortunately - that seems to be a bridge too far !
Thursday 11 February 2010
Insulation debacle !
It would be an under statement to say that the government's roof insulation initiative has been badly handled.
Fifty thousand homes have been fitted with aluminium foil insulation and many of these have had it fixed in place with staples, despite this method of fixing being specifically banned because staples can connect to electrical wiring and result in the entire roof becoming " live ".
So far, four people have been electrocuted because of this and there have been numerous house fire. Now it will be necessary for special inspection teams to monitor all fifty thousand homes to check the safety aspect - and that will cost the taxpayer $ 19 million.
The government was fore warned by electrical authorities, and ignored the warning - with the resultant debacle !
Now there is a new problem. It will take months for inspection teams to check every one of the fifty thousand homes affected, and until this happens householders will have to live with the danger that they may be living in a house that is likely to catch fire without warning - and that their roof space may be deadly to anyone coming into contact with the foil insulation.
This is a situation that can not be described as an example of good government !
Fifty thousand homes have been fitted with aluminium foil insulation and many of these have had it fixed in place with staples, despite this method of fixing being specifically banned because staples can connect to electrical wiring and result in the entire roof becoming " live ".
So far, four people have been electrocuted because of this and there have been numerous house fire. Now it will be necessary for special inspection teams to monitor all fifty thousand homes to check the safety aspect - and that will cost the taxpayer $ 19 million.
The government was fore warned by electrical authorities, and ignored the warning - with the resultant debacle !
Now there is a new problem. It will take months for inspection teams to check every one of the fifty thousand homes affected, and until this happens householders will have to live with the danger that they may be living in a house that is likely to catch fire without warning - and that their roof space may be deadly to anyone coming into contact with the foil insulation.
This is a situation that can not be described as an example of good government !
Wednesday 10 February 2010
The gift of sight !
Every few years the average person needs new spectacles because as we age our eyesight changes. When we get these new glasses the old pair of spectacles gets shoved in a drawer or wardrobe - and forgotten !
The Lions Club of Australia has been collecting unwanted spectacles for years and turning them into a humanitarian project.
Your old glasses end up in a developing country where the prospect of an eye examination and corrective spectacles for the poor is only a dream. Those with sight problems try from the heap of discarded spectacles until they find a pair that corrects their vision problem.
As a result, a new world opens up for many. For the first time they are able to work at jobs where good sight is essential, while for others the gift of sight allows them to get an education - and enter the wonderful world of being able to read.
Here in Wollongong the Lions Club movement has enlisted Hansen and Cole as the drop-off point for unwanted spectacles. Over two thousand pairs have been donated in this city alone, joining half a million collected so far Australia wide.
It makes more sense to put spectacles that have been replaced to better use in the third world then to allow them to sit unused and unloved - gathering dust.
Somewhere - in another part of the world - there is surely somebody with the same sight problem that your old glasses corrected.
This is a Lions Club project that deserves support.
The Lions Club of Australia has been collecting unwanted spectacles for years and turning them into a humanitarian project.
Your old glasses end up in a developing country where the prospect of an eye examination and corrective spectacles for the poor is only a dream. Those with sight problems try from the heap of discarded spectacles until they find a pair that corrects their vision problem.
As a result, a new world opens up for many. For the first time they are able to work at jobs where good sight is essential, while for others the gift of sight allows them to get an education - and enter the wonderful world of being able to read.
Here in Wollongong the Lions Club movement has enlisted Hansen and Cole as the drop-off point for unwanted spectacles. Over two thousand pairs have been donated in this city alone, joining half a million collected so far Australia wide.
It makes more sense to put spectacles that have been replaced to better use in the third world then to allow them to sit unused and unloved - gathering dust.
Somewhere - in another part of the world - there is surely somebody with the same sight problem that your old glasses corrected.
This is a Lions Club project that deserves support.
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Education - and residency !
Australia is revising the list of skills under which those applying for residency here will be assessed, and it seems that this will adversely affect many overseas students studying at our universities.
The original idea of opening our universities to overseas students was to help developing countries by enhancing their pool of talent. Somehow this has morphed into a back door method of gaining permanent residence in this country.
It seems that some students deliberately study to gain accreditation in a category in short supply here with the intention of applying for permanent residency once they graduate. They have no intention of returning to their home country and applying the knowledge gained for improving that country's skills.
This presents a double whammy ! We are robbing under developed countries of their brightest and best - and at the same time we are reducing the job opportunities of our own young people.
Obviously it is preferable if incoming migrants have the skills to immediately enter the workforce - but the system needs balance.
Perhaps a good time to reflect on education - and migration - as a tandem subject !
The original idea of opening our universities to overseas students was to help developing countries by enhancing their pool of talent. Somehow this has morphed into a back door method of gaining permanent residence in this country.
It seems that some students deliberately study to gain accreditation in a category in short supply here with the intention of applying for permanent residency once they graduate. They have no intention of returning to their home country and applying the knowledge gained for improving that country's skills.
This presents a double whammy ! We are robbing under developed countries of their brightest and best - and at the same time we are reducing the job opportunities of our own young people.
Obviously it is preferable if incoming migrants have the skills to immediately enter the workforce - but the system needs balance.
Perhaps a good time to reflect on education - and migration - as a tandem subject !
Monday 8 February 2010
Money guarantees.
In the great depression of the 1930's many banks - including state savings banks - closed their doors and declared bankruptcy. As a result, many of today's older citizens still mistrust banks and prefer to keep their savings " under the mattress ".
When this latest recession threw the financial world into panic the Australian government was quick to offer a guarantee that it would stand by depositors. Money held on behalf of Australian citizens had a government promise that it would be repaid in the event of a bank failure.
The recession is said to be over and the Federal government is now recalling that guarantee. It will no longer apply to deposits in excess of one million dollars, but deposits of less than that amount will still be protected - until 2011.
There is just one small fly in the ointment ! When the deposit guarantee was first announced it was also extended to money held in building societies and credit unions because to restrict it to banks would have seen a panic flight to these bigger and safer institutions.
Few would think that our " big four " banks are in any present danger of insolvency, but that may not be the case with the plethora of much smaller savings and lending institutions that are now losing this guarantee protection.
It is a very good reason for any prudent customer to take a long, hard look at the balance sheet of any lesser money market operators to ensure they measure up before making an investment choice.
Certainly a valid reason to stop and think before the money guarantee ends in 2011.
When this latest recession threw the financial world into panic the Australian government was quick to offer a guarantee that it would stand by depositors. Money held on behalf of Australian citizens had a government promise that it would be repaid in the event of a bank failure.
The recession is said to be over and the Federal government is now recalling that guarantee. It will no longer apply to deposits in excess of one million dollars, but deposits of less than that amount will still be protected - until 2011.
There is just one small fly in the ointment ! When the deposit guarantee was first announced it was also extended to money held in building societies and credit unions because to restrict it to banks would have seen a panic flight to these bigger and safer institutions.
Few would think that our " big four " banks are in any present danger of insolvency, but that may not be the case with the plethora of much smaller savings and lending institutions that are now losing this guarantee protection.
It is a very good reason for any prudent customer to take a long, hard look at the balance sheet of any lesser money market operators to ensure they measure up before making an investment choice.
Certainly a valid reason to stop and think before the money guarantee ends in 2011.
Sunday 7 February 2010
The money managers !
A lot has been written about " Big Brother " intruding in our affairs but managing our own money has remained a personal matter.
That principle was tossed aside in the Northern Territory when the government declared that many Aboriginal families were wasting their welfare payments on grog and failing to feed and protect their children.
Welfare payments were partly quarantined and suddenly Centrelink became the " money managers ", making decisions on what a family could and could not buy.
Now the government is proposing to extend that supervision to all those who receive welfare funds - in every part of Australia.
It sounds like a scene from " I984 " - that famous book about life under the " Big Brother " regime.
Will we see the day that pensioners have to lineup at Centrelink on pension day, bills in hand and with a plan of proposed meals - to get approval for a portion of their pension to be released so they can spend this money ?
Obviously this is an unlikely scenario - but control over how others spend their money is a powerful tool in the hands of bureaucrats.
A prospect that must tempt the Mandarins of the public service !
That principle was tossed aside in the Northern Territory when the government declared that many Aboriginal families were wasting their welfare payments on grog and failing to feed and protect their children.
Welfare payments were partly quarantined and suddenly Centrelink became the " money managers ", making decisions on what a family could and could not buy.
Now the government is proposing to extend that supervision to all those who receive welfare funds - in every part of Australia.
It sounds like a scene from " I984 " - that famous book about life under the " Big Brother " regime.
Will we see the day that pensioners have to lineup at Centrelink on pension day, bills in hand and with a plan of proposed meals - to get approval for a portion of their pension to be released so they can spend this money ?
Obviously this is an unlikely scenario - but control over how others spend their money is a powerful tool in the hands of bureaucrats.
A prospect that must tempt the Mandarins of the public service !
Saturday 6 February 2010
The agony of decision.
Sometimes advances in science bring good news, but the latest finding will cause mixed emotions.
Research has revealed that as many as one in five patients who have relapsed into a Persistent Vegtative State ( PVS ) can actually hear events surrounding them and are not as previously supposed - brain dead.
The brain is still ticking away, but the body is unable to give any sign of life, and now science is predicting that brain scans may be used to allow access to that brain to create some sort of primitive communication.
Where does that leave relatives who have agreed to shut down life support for the supposedly brain dead - or those who will face that decision in the future ?
It can only mean more court cases where someone demands that life support be continued in the hope of a further medical break through - and opposition from hospitals who see indefinite artificial life as a drain on their resources and an exercise in futility.
Many will feel that this would have been better left undiscovered !
Research has revealed that as many as one in five patients who have relapsed into a Persistent Vegtative State ( PVS ) can actually hear events surrounding them and are not as previously supposed - brain dead.
The brain is still ticking away, but the body is unable to give any sign of life, and now science is predicting that brain scans may be used to allow access to that brain to create some sort of primitive communication.
Where does that leave relatives who have agreed to shut down life support for the supposedly brain dead - or those who will face that decision in the future ?
It can only mean more court cases where someone demands that life support be continued in the hope of a further medical break through - and opposition from hospitals who see indefinite artificial life as a drain on their resources and an exercise in futility.
Many will feel that this would have been better left undiscovered !
Thursday 4 February 2010
A dynasty changes.
Through the centuries the fortunes of various nations have waxed and waned as history records. The Egyptians built pyramids. The Romans created all conquering armies. Ghengis Khan ruled Asia. The Spanish ruled South America - and in more recent times the British Empire ruled the world.
The twentieth century was the turn of America to be the dominant world force - but now even that might is shrinking and a new player is emerging.
It seems that the twenty-first century may be the time of Chinese dominance and yesterday an announcement heralded the change of baton.
The United States abandoned it's plan for NASA to " return to the moon by 2020 ".
During the past century the United States was at the centre of space research, medical science, military advancement and just about every avenue of science - but the money is no longer available to maintain that leadership.
The one essential to be the foremost nation in the world - is to be the richest nation in the world, and that will clearly be in China's grasp in the years ahead.
It is a sign of the times that just when America is retreating from the space race, China is launching it's own bid to reach for the stars.
We are watching history evolve !
The twentieth century was the turn of America to be the dominant world force - but now even that might is shrinking and a new player is emerging.
It seems that the twenty-first century may be the time of Chinese dominance and yesterday an announcement heralded the change of baton.
The United States abandoned it's plan for NASA to " return to the moon by 2020 ".
During the past century the United States was at the centre of space research, medical science, military advancement and just about every avenue of science - but the money is no longer available to maintain that leadership.
The one essential to be the foremost nation in the world - is to be the richest nation in the world, and that will clearly be in China's grasp in the years ahead.
It is a sign of the times that just when America is retreating from the space race, China is launching it's own bid to reach for the stars.
We are watching history evolve !
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Police pursuit plan !
Once again we experience the combination of knee jerk reaction and politics when it comes to problem solving.
There is no doubt that police pursuing fugitives trying to escape in cars is a prime source of danger to other road users - and recently a child tragically died when one of these chases went wrong.
From the politicians comes a predictable solution - increase the penalty for this offence and make it subject to a five year gaol term.
It looks good in the paper and no doubt a lot of readers will give a sigh of relief, but actually seeing someone put behind bars will be another matter.
We already have maximum penalties for a huge number of crimes, but rarely - if ever - do we see this maximum penalty applied, and once again it is that combination of knee jerk reaction and politics that comes into play.
Our prisons are full to overflowing and magistrates are under pressure to ease this by moderating sentences - and it angers voters if the courts are seen to be too authoritarian.
No doubt some hoon will be made an example of to satisfy the public that the new law is working, but in reality judicial discretion will apply and running from the cops will not automatically mean a spell behind bars.
And once again " harsh sentencing " will disappear in that opaque realm of " smoke and mirrors ! "
There is no doubt that police pursuing fugitives trying to escape in cars is a prime source of danger to other road users - and recently a child tragically died when one of these chases went wrong.
From the politicians comes a predictable solution - increase the penalty for this offence and make it subject to a five year gaol term.
It looks good in the paper and no doubt a lot of readers will give a sigh of relief, but actually seeing someone put behind bars will be another matter.
We already have maximum penalties for a huge number of crimes, but rarely - if ever - do we see this maximum penalty applied, and once again it is that combination of knee jerk reaction and politics that comes into play.
Our prisons are full to overflowing and magistrates are under pressure to ease this by moderating sentences - and it angers voters if the courts are seen to be too authoritarian.
No doubt some hoon will be made an example of to satisfy the public that the new law is working, but in reality judicial discretion will apply and running from the cops will not automatically mean a spell behind bars.
And once again " harsh sentencing " will disappear in that opaque realm of " smoke and mirrors ! "
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Price hike at the tip !
Humble lawn clippings are causing an odour problem at the tip - and so city residents face another price hike.
We are set to face a double whammy ! Not only will an extra $ 1.60 be added to the rates bill of every household, but the tip fee for all manner of greenwaste will increase by $ 6.30 - to a whopping $ 77 per tonne.
It seems that the cause of this odour is the decomposing nature of grass clippings when they are stored in the black bins for fortnightly pickup. Grass contains a high moisture content, and sitting in an enclosed bin on a hot day speeds the decomposition process, resulting in the grass becoming very hot - and emitting that foul smell.
The problem is that tip fees have risen to levels where they are rapidly becoming out of reach for many people - and that applies to every type of rubbish.
Residents living near vacant land and national parks are getting a real incentive to dump their rubbish rather than pay at the tip because of price shock when they take a trailer load to the local dump.
We are already seeing problems for charities with residents using their donation bins as a dumping ground for their unwanted goods - including household rubbish.
Simply hiking the price every time there is a problem is not the answer.
We may already have passed " the point of no return " - and created a whole new problem of civil disobedience !
We are set to face a double whammy ! Not only will an extra $ 1.60 be added to the rates bill of every household, but the tip fee for all manner of greenwaste will increase by $ 6.30 - to a whopping $ 77 per tonne.
It seems that the cause of this odour is the decomposing nature of grass clippings when they are stored in the black bins for fortnightly pickup. Grass contains a high moisture content, and sitting in an enclosed bin on a hot day speeds the decomposition process, resulting in the grass becoming very hot - and emitting that foul smell.
The problem is that tip fees have risen to levels where they are rapidly becoming out of reach for many people - and that applies to every type of rubbish.
Residents living near vacant land and national parks are getting a real incentive to dump their rubbish rather than pay at the tip because of price shock when they take a trailer load to the local dump.
We are already seeing problems for charities with residents using their donation bins as a dumping ground for their unwanted goods - including household rubbish.
Simply hiking the price every time there is a problem is not the answer.
We may already have passed " the point of no return " - and created a whole new problem of civil disobedience !
Monday 1 February 2010
Organ donor fiasco !
It is amazing that Australia has one of the worst organ transplant availability records in the world - and yet there seems no shortage of willing donors.
The problem is a timid government which insists on " second guessing " the wishes of those who have indicated this choice - and have added their name to donor lists.
The government blames the donor willing people for not discussing the matter with their families, and yet in many cases it seems that the families knowingly go against their loved ones wishes because this decision comes at a time of great emotional stress.
It is also unclear just who within the donor's family has the right of veto, but in practice it seems that even if the rejection comes from a distant relative the donation will not proceed.
It is about time the government bit the bullet and decided to honour the wishes of those who have chosen to become organ donors. Surely the donation of an organ that may save another's life should be at the discretion of that organ's owner - not a decision made by another person !
The logical way to end this fiasco is to include a referendum at the next general election - and if the majority agree - an organ donor's wish would be the deciding factor !
The problem is a timid government which insists on " second guessing " the wishes of those who have indicated this choice - and have added their name to donor lists.
The government blames the donor willing people for not discussing the matter with their families, and yet in many cases it seems that the families knowingly go against their loved ones wishes because this decision comes at a time of great emotional stress.
It is also unclear just who within the donor's family has the right of veto, but in practice it seems that even if the rejection comes from a distant relative the donation will not proceed.
It is about time the government bit the bullet and decided to honour the wishes of those who have chosen to become organ donors. Surely the donation of an organ that may save another's life should be at the discretion of that organ's owner - not a decision made by another person !
The logical way to end this fiasco is to include a referendum at the next general election - and if the majority agree - an organ donor's wish would be the deciding factor !
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