There is something very illogical about the hours that our beaches are patrolled.
We enthusiastically embrace summer daylight saving so that we have glorious sunlight until eight in the evening and then we withdraw a service that saves lives just as the shops and offices are opening out and people are looking for relief in the
water on a hot day.
Of course, it is all a matter of money. If we extend the hours of our Lifeguards they will expect to be paid for that extra time.
As usual, the answer is some sort of compromise. To extend Lifeguard hours on every Illawarra beach would impose a huge cost on the council - and that at a time when budgets are under stress.
It would make more sense to offer swimmers the choice of attending a small number of beaches with a Lifeguard in attendance until sundown - probably eight o'clock would be a reasonable time span.
To keep costs under control, such a service would need to be restricted to one central beach - such as city beach - and one other beach each to the north and south.
At least that would give a choice to mothers with small children - and those with limited surf skills - to make a conscious choice to attend a beach with a safety factor present.
Monday 31 January 2011
Sunday 30 January 2011
Obligations - versus morality !
There are few problems accessing contraceptives these days. Any Coles or Woolworths supermarket has them on sale in plain view. There are no questions asked - no proof of age required or other restrictions on the buyer.
The situation is not so clear when it comes to the " Morning After " pill. This enables a woman who has had unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy, provided it is taken within a reasonable time after the event.
Some pharmacists refuse to provide this over the counter product on moral grounds. They claim that it contravenes their religious beliefs and therefore they are justified in neither stocking the product or supplying it on request.
This is a stance with which many would beg to differ. Chemists are a profession protected by a host of laws. They have the exclusive right to stock certain types of goods - and with that comes an obligation to provide a service.
It is not unusual for there to be just one single pharmacy in a small town, and in larger areas chemists work to a roster system during quiet periods - such as Sunday evenings. Pharmacists claim that they always refer their client to another supplier when refusing supply on moral grounds, but in many cases this is meaningless if it involves a critical time delay.
The answer is firmly in the hands of the government. The pharmacy has an obligation to provide medical supplies to the public - and has no right to decide what will and what will not be made available as a result of religious beliefs.
Failure to so supply would be a valid reason for removing the license necessary to run a pharmacy - making way for new owners who would be willing to meet their obligations without placing religious bans on items that offend them.
The situation is not so clear when it comes to the " Morning After " pill. This enables a woman who has had unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy, provided it is taken within a reasonable time after the event.
Some pharmacists refuse to provide this over the counter product on moral grounds. They claim that it contravenes their religious beliefs and therefore they are justified in neither stocking the product or supplying it on request.
This is a stance with which many would beg to differ. Chemists are a profession protected by a host of laws. They have the exclusive right to stock certain types of goods - and with that comes an obligation to provide a service.
It is not unusual for there to be just one single pharmacy in a small town, and in larger areas chemists work to a roster system during quiet periods - such as Sunday evenings. Pharmacists claim that they always refer their client to another supplier when refusing supply on moral grounds, but in many cases this is meaningless if it involves a critical time delay.
The answer is firmly in the hands of the government. The pharmacy has an obligation to provide medical supplies to the public - and has no right to decide what will and what will not be made available as a result of religious beliefs.
Failure to so supply would be a valid reason for removing the license necessary to run a pharmacy - making way for new owners who would be willing to meet their obligations without placing religious bans on items that offend them.
Saturday 29 January 2011
Revolution in the Middle-East.
Events in the Middle-East are signs of a fast changing world. Revolutionary action is fast spreading through Muslim north Africa and there is every chance that Egypt's strongman - Hosni Mubarak - may be deposed.
Mubarak has ruled as a virtual dictator for thirty years. He is despotic, but his reign has kept the lid on violent Islamist revolutionaries who are now behind the unrest. There is every chance that this wave of unrest may extend to surrounding countries - and what emerges could be very unfriendly to the western powers.
What is most unlikely to be bestowed on ordinary citizens - is democracy and the right to vote for their choice of government. Revolutionaries always claim to be democratic, but the moment they gain power the vote gets rejected and they put in place an authoritarian regime not unlike the one they replaced.
The Islamic world suffers from grinding poverty and lack of jobs for the emerging hordes of young, educated people with aspirations. If the Muslim Brotherhood comes to power in Egypt then that country may join al Qaeda is seeking to force Islam onto the rest of the world by force of arms.
Fortunately, a moderate has returned to Egypt and may be able to lead that country to a more peaceful stance in world affairs. Mohamed ElBaradi had a distinguished career in the United Nations and has a good grasp on nation building. He will need a lot of luck if he is to prevail.
The west has reason to be concerned because there is every chance that this Islamic unrest may sweep away existing forms of government in the Middle-East and bring in a hostile consensus of states governed by militant Islam.
We may be about to see the formation of a new, world power - and the beginning of a hostile group of nations with a religious agenda.
Mubarak has ruled as a virtual dictator for thirty years. He is despotic, but his reign has kept the lid on violent Islamist revolutionaries who are now behind the unrest. There is every chance that this wave of unrest may extend to surrounding countries - and what emerges could be very unfriendly to the western powers.
What is most unlikely to be bestowed on ordinary citizens - is democracy and the right to vote for their choice of government. Revolutionaries always claim to be democratic, but the moment they gain power the vote gets rejected and they put in place an authoritarian regime not unlike the one they replaced.
The Islamic world suffers from grinding poverty and lack of jobs for the emerging hordes of young, educated people with aspirations. If the Muslim Brotherhood comes to power in Egypt then that country may join al Qaeda is seeking to force Islam onto the rest of the world by force of arms.
Fortunately, a moderate has returned to Egypt and may be able to lead that country to a more peaceful stance in world affairs. Mohamed ElBaradi had a distinguished career in the United Nations and has a good grasp on nation building. He will need a lot of luck if he is to prevail.
The west has reason to be concerned because there is every chance that this Islamic unrest may sweep away existing forms of government in the Middle-East and bring in a hostile consensus of states governed by militant Islam.
We may be about to see the formation of a new, world power - and the beginning of a hostile group of nations with a religious agenda.
Friday 28 January 2011
A total smoking ban !
There is still a grey area when it comes to the rules on smoking in outdoor dining areas. The law is sufficiently vague to allow a range of interpretations by individual proprietors. There are calls for a complete ban wherever food is served.
Only the old remember the days half a century ago when people wandered the aisles of supermarkets while smoking - and there were ash trays in banks, shops - and even doctor's waiting rooms.
There is no question that smoking is the cause of premature death - and that passive smoke is dangerous to others. The laws have been remorselessly tightened and it seems that the day is fast approaching when the only place a person can legally smoke will be on their own property.
Even that may have restrictions. We can no longer smoke while driving in our car if children are present. That law may be extended to a smoking ban within any dwelling that also contains children.
The creeping ban on places where we can not smoke is a huge incentive for people to quit. The percentage of people who smoke is constantly declining and now nicotine patches are being heavily subsidised to help those making a decision to quit to succeed.
Public opinion has definitely turned against the smoker, despite protests by the civil liberties people. A total ban on the sale or possession of tobacco may be a long way into the future, but if restrictions follow the present relentless path that can not be ruled out of the question.
Buying shares in tobacco companies may not be a good long term investment !
Only the old remember the days half a century ago when people wandered the aisles of supermarkets while smoking - and there were ash trays in banks, shops - and even doctor's waiting rooms.
There is no question that smoking is the cause of premature death - and that passive smoke is dangerous to others. The laws have been remorselessly tightened and it seems that the day is fast approaching when the only place a person can legally smoke will be on their own property.
Even that may have restrictions. We can no longer smoke while driving in our car if children are present. That law may be extended to a smoking ban within any dwelling that also contains children.
The creeping ban on places where we can not smoke is a huge incentive for people to quit. The percentage of people who smoke is constantly declining and now nicotine patches are being heavily subsidised to help those making a decision to quit to succeed.
Public opinion has definitely turned against the smoker, despite protests by the civil liberties people. A total ban on the sale or possession of tobacco may be a long way into the future, but if restrictions follow the present relentless path that can not be ruled out of the question.
Buying shares in tobacco companies may not be a good long term investment !
Thursday 27 January 2011
Change our flag ?
Yesterday was Australia day - and it was impossible to ignore the Australian flag. It was everywhere - on beach towels, sun shades, flying from the roof of almost every car - and even adorning the bikinis worn on our beaches.
Half a century ago it was a different story. Visitors lamented that we tended to ignore flying our flag. On days of public events the flagpoles atop public buildings were bare. Many compared this with America - where the stars and stripes flew from private homes and featured on commercial buildings.
A few decades ago Australians suddenly discovered their flag. Each year the enthusiasm grew and yesterday that embrace was so obvious that those wanting to drop it's iconic design seem to be a voice in the wilderness.
The objection seems to be having the Union Jack in one corner, representing the place from which this country originated. To some, this seems a constant irritant, but then much of the world originated from the British Empire - and consequently the Union Jack appears on the flag of many other countries.
Eventually there will be a referendum on our flag and with the present mood of enthusiastic acceptance it is hard to see a majority opting for change, but if that does happen a design as similar as possible to the one we know would be preferable.
One idea that might solve the dilemma would be to drop the Union Jack in favour of it's replacement by the Aboriginal flag.
Our flag would then recognise the Aboriginal people who were here before 1788, and the Southern Cross and Federation star on that lovely blue background would recognise the people who came after 1788.
With a little careful thought about what our flag is supposed to say, that might just win a referendum !
Half a century ago it was a different story. Visitors lamented that we tended to ignore flying our flag. On days of public events the flagpoles atop public buildings were bare. Many compared this with America - where the stars and stripes flew from private homes and featured on commercial buildings.
A few decades ago Australians suddenly discovered their flag. Each year the enthusiasm grew and yesterday that embrace was so obvious that those wanting to drop it's iconic design seem to be a voice in the wilderness.
The objection seems to be having the Union Jack in one corner, representing the place from which this country originated. To some, this seems a constant irritant, but then much of the world originated from the British Empire - and consequently the Union Jack appears on the flag of many other countries.
Eventually there will be a referendum on our flag and with the present mood of enthusiastic acceptance it is hard to see a majority opting for change, but if that does happen a design as similar as possible to the one we know would be preferable.
One idea that might solve the dilemma would be to drop the Union Jack in favour of it's replacement by the Aboriginal flag.
Our flag would then recognise the Aboriginal people who were here before 1788, and the Southern Cross and Federation star on that lovely blue background would recognise the people who came after 1788.
With a little careful thought about what our flag is supposed to say, that might just win a referendum !
Wednesday 26 January 2011
The " risk factor " !
There is always a degree of tension between builders and the sub-contractors who provide essential building services. The " subbies " take contracts on trust that they will be paid for their work - but there is always the risk of an insolvency leaving them stranded and out of pocket.
Just this situation has occurred at two Housing Commission sites in Tarrawanna and Towradgi. The Construction, Mining and Energy union ( CFME) estimates that the subbies on these jobs are owed about $ 1.4 million.
That is enough to send several sub-contracting firms to the wall. They have provided the base materials and paid their workers for the work done and a loss of that nature will either send them broke - or at least cripple their business for years.
Had these jobs been private homes for ordinary members of the public the insolvency would be just " bad luck ". The subbies would have had no recourse other than to accept the loss. They would have had to accept whatever recovery the receiver could manage, even if this was just a few cents in each dollar owed.
But these cases are different. The work has been a contract by the Housing Commission - a government department, and the sites have been declared " black " until someone - presumably the deep pockets of the state government - cough up the missing money.
No remedial work will be permitted by another builder to finish the jobs. It will become a classical standoff between grieving subbies, a militant union - and a hapless government department which is subjected to all the pressures of politics to make everyone happy.
Nobody wishes to see good, honest subbies suffer - but the only way this mess can be resolved requires an ex-gratia payment from the public purse.
Such is the way of politics !
Just this situation has occurred at two Housing Commission sites in Tarrawanna and Towradgi. The Construction, Mining and Energy union ( CFME) estimates that the subbies on these jobs are owed about $ 1.4 million.
That is enough to send several sub-contracting firms to the wall. They have provided the base materials and paid their workers for the work done and a loss of that nature will either send them broke - or at least cripple their business for years.
Had these jobs been private homes for ordinary members of the public the insolvency would be just " bad luck ". The subbies would have had no recourse other than to accept the loss. They would have had to accept whatever recovery the receiver could manage, even if this was just a few cents in each dollar owed.
But these cases are different. The work has been a contract by the Housing Commission - a government department, and the sites have been declared " black " until someone - presumably the deep pockets of the state government - cough up the missing money.
No remedial work will be permitted by another builder to finish the jobs. It will become a classical standoff between grieving subbies, a militant union - and a hapless government department which is subjected to all the pressures of politics to make everyone happy.
Nobody wishes to see good, honest subbies suffer - but the only way this mess can be resolved requires an ex-gratia payment from the public purse.
Such is the way of politics !
Tuesday 25 January 2011
" Waratah " train fiasco !
Once again New South Wales train travellers will be stuck with out of date rail stock, lacking air conditioning in our sweltering summer - and with no relief in sight.
It's the same sad old story. The state government promised a new train deal and signed a contract worth $ 3.6 billion for 626 new era " Waratah " carriages with air conditioning and modern design. These were due to be in service by the end of 2010.
It didn't happen. There were delays - and cost over runs and then a new promise that " some " would be delivered by April 2011 - after this years state election.
Now even that is not going to happen. The train builder - Downer EDI - has entered a " trading halt " - and the future is uncertain. In all probability some sort of deal will be worked out - and they may get around to producing trains - but it seems inevitable that the poor old taxpayers will be stuck with a bigger bill.
Perhaps this fiasco is not the fault of the state government, but in saying that it would be true to say that this government does not have a good track record when it comes to devising transport plans - and specially when it comes to ordering new trains.
Remember the " Millennium train " ? That actually got built - and delivered. The only problem was that it didn't work on our track and signalling system - and it used far too much power for our electricity grid.
And so - it disappeared without trace !
It's the same sad old story. The state government promised a new train deal and signed a contract worth $ 3.6 billion for 626 new era " Waratah " carriages with air conditioning and modern design. These were due to be in service by the end of 2010.
It didn't happen. There were delays - and cost over runs and then a new promise that " some " would be delivered by April 2011 - after this years state election.
Now even that is not going to happen. The train builder - Downer EDI - has entered a " trading halt " - and the future is uncertain. In all probability some sort of deal will be worked out - and they may get around to producing trains - but it seems inevitable that the poor old taxpayers will be stuck with a bigger bill.
Perhaps this fiasco is not the fault of the state government, but in saying that it would be true to say that this government does not have a good track record when it comes to devising transport plans - and specially when it comes to ordering new trains.
Remember the " Millennium train " ? That actually got built - and delivered. The only problem was that it didn't work on our track and signalling system - and it used far too much power for our electricity grid.
And so - it disappeared without trace !
Monday 24 January 2011
Flood relief grants !
The Queensland government has announced that flood relief grants of $ 5000 for the uninsured will be means tested - and that $ 48,000 will be the income point where joint income ceases to qualify.
That means people earning just $ 460 a week will be deemed " too rich " to be offered help.
The problem is that giving public money to the uninsured gets up the noses of people who scrimp and save to pay their insurance premiums. It is a perennial problem after any disaster - whether it be fire or flood that affects communities.
In the case of the Queensland floods it is double trouble - because many victims would gladly have insurance - except this was denied them by the insurance industry. At the same time, there were certainly other people who made a conscious decision not to insure - because they preferred to spend their money on other pleasures.
There is a solution to this dilemma. The governments of the states could demand that all homes be covered by a universal fire and flood insurance policy taken in bulk - and that the premium be added to council rates.
Individual householders would then have the option of " topping up " their cover to include burglary and other risks, and the premium cost would be shared over the entire community because those renting would have that premium taken into account when rents were set.
The principle was established when " Green slip " insurance was made a condition of registration for our cars - and it would seem to be the only solution if we are ever to avoid the future repeats of uninsured people claiming on the public purse after disasters.
That means people earning just $ 460 a week will be deemed " too rich " to be offered help.
The problem is that giving public money to the uninsured gets up the noses of people who scrimp and save to pay their insurance premiums. It is a perennial problem after any disaster - whether it be fire or flood that affects communities.
In the case of the Queensland floods it is double trouble - because many victims would gladly have insurance - except this was denied them by the insurance industry. At the same time, there were certainly other people who made a conscious decision not to insure - because they preferred to spend their money on other pleasures.
There is a solution to this dilemma. The governments of the states could demand that all homes be covered by a universal fire and flood insurance policy taken in bulk - and that the premium be added to council rates.
Individual householders would then have the option of " topping up " their cover to include burglary and other risks, and the premium cost would be shared over the entire community because those renting would have that premium taken into account when rents were set.
The principle was established when " Green slip " insurance was made a condition of registration for our cars - and it would seem to be the only solution if we are ever to avoid the future repeats of uninsured people claiming on the public purse after disasters.
Sunday 23 January 2011
Privacy - and your phone !
A new Federal law is in the works, designed to allow the police to access the phone records of those designated a " missing person ".
The civil liberties people claim this will be a gross invasion of privacy, but there are valid arguments from opposing points of view.
There is no doubt that scrutiny of phone records give a more intimate view of a missing persons lifestyle. It records who they phoned - and who phoned them and this can be very useful for determining a motive for a disappearance.
A police investigation of a missing person involves the use of public money - and it can be very expensive. Anything that swiftly - and economically - brings such an investigation to a successful close should be welcomed.
The problem arises when the " missing person " simply does not want to be found. Some people " disappear " because of a fear factor and being discovered can actually put them in physical danger. We all have a right to privacy and in some cases a person making a " missing person " call may have an ulterior motive for so doing. Starting a police search may not have an altruistic motive.
The bill will probably pass - and that will be just one more advance in lack of personal privacy in this electronic age. If anyone doubts that they do not appear on the radar available to public access - simply Google your name on the Internet and see what is already in the public domain.
And compare that with what we cheerfully post on Facebook !
The civil liberties people claim this will be a gross invasion of privacy, but there are valid arguments from opposing points of view.
There is no doubt that scrutiny of phone records give a more intimate view of a missing persons lifestyle. It records who they phoned - and who phoned them and this can be very useful for determining a motive for a disappearance.
A police investigation of a missing person involves the use of public money - and it can be very expensive. Anything that swiftly - and economically - brings such an investigation to a successful close should be welcomed.
The problem arises when the " missing person " simply does not want to be found. Some people " disappear " because of a fear factor and being discovered can actually put them in physical danger. We all have a right to privacy and in some cases a person making a " missing person " call may have an ulterior motive for so doing. Starting a police search may not have an altruistic motive.
The bill will probably pass - and that will be just one more advance in lack of personal privacy in this electronic age. If anyone doubts that they do not appear on the radar available to public access - simply Google your name on the Internet and see what is already in the public domain.
And compare that with what we cheerfully post on Facebook !
Saturday 22 January 2011
The tax man cometh !
There is no doubt that an age care crisis is fast approaching. Those over 65 presently constitute 16% of the population - by 2031 that will rise to 26%.
There are ominous moves to remove the cap on fees charged - and remove the limit on the number of beds available from care providers. Both are a necessity if future demand is to be met - but they will come at a cost !
The family home has long been a protected shibboleth. It is not subjected to capital gains tax ( GST ) and it receives preferential treatment by way of rebates when owned by the elderly. Now there are suggestions that it should be sold to fund retirement care.
The mantra emanating about aged care suggests that " the wealthy " take major responsibility for their care costs in old age. Anybody who owns their own home can these days be described as " wealthy " !
Many will see moves to include the family home as an aged care asset as the thin edge of the wedge when it comes to separating home inheritance from the aged and their children. It has long been the dream of most people to leave behind a nest egg for their children when they leave this life. Perhaps the reality of age care costs is about to see that dream shattered !
Moves on the family home were probably inevitable. They have become huge financial assets - and as everyone knows there is always danger lurking when politicians find themselves stranded between custom - and a big bag of money !
Get ready for the " hard sell " ! It will all sound just so reasonable, but when push comes to shove it simply means that the family home has to go - if you want a nice, comfortable bed in a nursing home with full care.
Pity the people who rent - and don't have a home to sell !
There are ominous moves to remove the cap on fees charged - and remove the limit on the number of beds available from care providers. Both are a necessity if future demand is to be met - but they will come at a cost !
The family home has long been a protected shibboleth. It is not subjected to capital gains tax ( GST ) and it receives preferential treatment by way of rebates when owned by the elderly. Now there are suggestions that it should be sold to fund retirement care.
The mantra emanating about aged care suggests that " the wealthy " take major responsibility for their care costs in old age. Anybody who owns their own home can these days be described as " wealthy " !
Many will see moves to include the family home as an aged care asset as the thin edge of the wedge when it comes to separating home inheritance from the aged and their children. It has long been the dream of most people to leave behind a nest egg for their children when they leave this life. Perhaps the reality of age care costs is about to see that dream shattered !
Moves on the family home were probably inevitable. They have become huge financial assets - and as everyone knows there is always danger lurking when politicians find themselves stranded between custom - and a big bag of money !
Get ready for the " hard sell " ! It will all sound just so reasonable, but when push comes to shove it simply means that the family home has to go - if you want a nice, comfortable bed in a nursing home with full care.
Pity the people who rent - and don't have a home to sell !
Friday 21 January 2011
The accommodation lottery !
When you buy a ticket in a lottery you hope to win - and expect to lose. It seems that the same odds apply to accommodation at Wollongong University.
At least the chance of securing a prize are better there than in most lotteries. The university has 1430 furnished rooms with full facilities - and these are sought by 2300 students - so 870 are certain to miss out.
The only point of contention is the price of the ticket. Those seeking university accommodation must pony up an $ 80 fee - or $ 50 if it is a returning student - and this is non refundable.
The university claims it needs this money to run the scheme, but surely the whole thing could be handled by a real estate company or a strata manager at no cost to the university ! This would also involve collecting the weekly rent and managing the project for a small commission.
It seems that the university is insisting on doing a function in-house that would be better served by employing a professional - and in the real world competition is the key to getting the best service at the lowest price !
At least the chance of securing a prize are better there than in most lotteries. The university has 1430 furnished rooms with full facilities - and these are sought by 2300 students - so 870 are certain to miss out.
The only point of contention is the price of the ticket. Those seeking university accommodation must pony up an $ 80 fee - or $ 50 if it is a returning student - and this is non refundable.
The university claims it needs this money to run the scheme, but surely the whole thing could be handled by a real estate company or a strata manager at no cost to the university ! This would also involve collecting the weekly rent and managing the project for a small commission.
It seems that the university is insisting on doing a function in-house that would be better served by employing a professional - and in the real world competition is the key to getting the best service at the lowest price !
Thursday 20 January 2011
The buck stops - where ?
The State government has given the nod to the Calderwood land release - and the first 250 lots will probably be offered for sale before the end of this year.
We have just seen how much loss and misery exceptional rainfall can cause in Queensland and Victoria. Surely the time to put flooding plans in place is when a new subdivision is in the planning stage.
Just what are the flood predictions for Calderwood and the other southern Illawarra building areas ? What is the worst case scenario - and shouldn't we be advising prospective buyers just what conditions will apply to what they can build on those blocks ?
These land releases are supposed to assist low income people put a roof over their heads and today the cheapest way to build is to put a house on a concrete slab. The only problem with that method is height. The floor has zero protection against even a modest flood.
If these new estates are going to be flood prone it should be made clear from the start that councils will only approve flood free designs - and that probably means elevated housing. Elevated housing is more expensive to build than a simple slab based construction - but it will save lives and sanity in the long run.
What is missing is a clear statement on the rules that will apply to house design right from the start - even before these building blocks go on sale. Potential buyers have a right to know what is in store for them when they start to plan a new home - and in some cases they may come to the conclusion that building what is required in a flood area is simply beyond their resources.
That needs to be clear - before they sign on the dotted line !
We have just seen how much loss and misery exceptional rainfall can cause in Queensland and Victoria. Surely the time to put flooding plans in place is when a new subdivision is in the planning stage.
Just what are the flood predictions for Calderwood and the other southern Illawarra building areas ? What is the worst case scenario - and shouldn't we be advising prospective buyers just what conditions will apply to what they can build on those blocks ?
These land releases are supposed to assist low income people put a roof over their heads and today the cheapest way to build is to put a house on a concrete slab. The only problem with that method is height. The floor has zero protection against even a modest flood.
If these new estates are going to be flood prone it should be made clear from the start that councils will only approve flood free designs - and that probably means elevated housing. Elevated housing is more expensive to build than a simple slab based construction - but it will save lives and sanity in the long run.
What is missing is a clear statement on the rules that will apply to house design right from the start - even before these building blocks go on sale. Potential buyers have a right to know what is in store for them when they start to plan a new home - and in some cases they may come to the conclusion that building what is required in a flood area is simply beyond their resources.
That needs to be clear - before they sign on the dotted line !
Wednesday 19 January 2011
The money vanishes !
" Oh what a tangled web we weave .... "
The enquiry into the fire sale of electricity assets is starting to reveal a very different picture. When the need to create a new coal mine and provide subsidies for it's output - and to retire the existing debt owing by Eraring and Delta are taken into account - that $ 5.3 billion shrinks to a mere $ 400 million.
Way back into the Bob Carr days the state government was desperate to shed it's ownership of electricity production and distribution. This publicly owned asset was run down and incapable of keeping the lights burning without a massive injection that the government would need to borrow to provide - and that would mean big hikes in the cost of power.
The problem was that increased electricity charges would be blamed on the government - so the obvious answer was to sell it off to private enterprise - and let them take the blame when the chickens come home to roost !
Typically, this is bad government walking away from it's responsibilities.
The purpose of a state government is to provide the citizens with affordable electricity, a reliable water supply, roads and a transport system - and to maintain both education and public hospitals.
Selling off electricity was an act of sliding out from under that responsibility - and doing it under a smoke and mirrors regime of pretended benefits for the public.
Once electricity passes into the private sector - it is gone forever.
What remains is the faint hope that out of this enquiry may come salvation. The sale may be stopped in it's tracks - and what the public now has will remain in the hands of whoever governs the state after the March election.
The enquiry into the fire sale of electricity assets is starting to reveal a very different picture. When the need to create a new coal mine and provide subsidies for it's output - and to retire the existing debt owing by Eraring and Delta are taken into account - that $ 5.3 billion shrinks to a mere $ 400 million.
Way back into the Bob Carr days the state government was desperate to shed it's ownership of electricity production and distribution. This publicly owned asset was run down and incapable of keeping the lights burning without a massive injection that the government would need to borrow to provide - and that would mean big hikes in the cost of power.
The problem was that increased electricity charges would be blamed on the government - so the obvious answer was to sell it off to private enterprise - and let them take the blame when the chickens come home to roost !
Typically, this is bad government walking away from it's responsibilities.
The purpose of a state government is to provide the citizens with affordable electricity, a reliable water supply, roads and a transport system - and to maintain both education and public hospitals.
Selling off electricity was an act of sliding out from under that responsibility - and doing it under a smoke and mirrors regime of pretended benefits for the public.
Once electricity passes into the private sector - it is gone forever.
What remains is the faint hope that out of this enquiry may come salvation. The sale may be stopped in it's tracks - and what the public now has will remain in the hands of whoever governs the state after the March election.
Tuesday 18 January 2011
Property values !
What a difference a week makes !
A week ago the residents of Queensland, northern New South Wales and parts of Victoria thought that floods were something that happened to other people - until the opening month of 2011 delivered a deluge of almost biblical proportions.
Now they must live with two massive problems. The need to restore the damage done to their homes - and the probable reduction in the capital value of their greatest asset.
It follows that buyers will be wary of property that has suffered flooding and will be more likely to make a purchase above this years flood line.
A lot will depend on how the cause of this flood is viewed. Many believe that it was caused by global warming and that unless the Co2 in the air is reduced we can expect more similar events. Others cite a change from an " El Nino " to a " La Nina " weather pattern in the Pacific ocean - and if that is right it is simply a " once in a hundred years " event.
There will certainly be consequences in the way this flood is treated by the building industry. We can expect a surge in companies offering to elevate existing homes to make them flood free - particularly those that suffered damage from a mere metre of water - or less.
And we can say goodbye to a lot of unemployed people as labour demand peaks as the recovery gets under way - but that also means a shortage of trades in other flood free cities and towns - as the skilled work force responds to the coming work bonanza.
As that old saying goes - One man's feast is another mans famine !
A week ago the residents of Queensland, northern New South Wales and parts of Victoria thought that floods were something that happened to other people - until the opening month of 2011 delivered a deluge of almost biblical proportions.
Now they must live with two massive problems. The need to restore the damage done to their homes - and the probable reduction in the capital value of their greatest asset.
It follows that buyers will be wary of property that has suffered flooding and will be more likely to make a purchase above this years flood line.
A lot will depend on how the cause of this flood is viewed. Many believe that it was caused by global warming and that unless the Co2 in the air is reduced we can expect more similar events. Others cite a change from an " El Nino " to a " La Nina " weather pattern in the Pacific ocean - and if that is right it is simply a " once in a hundred years " event.
There will certainly be consequences in the way this flood is treated by the building industry. We can expect a surge in companies offering to elevate existing homes to make them flood free - particularly those that suffered damage from a mere metre of water - or less.
And we can say goodbye to a lot of unemployed people as labour demand peaks as the recovery gets under way - but that also means a shortage of trades in other flood free cities and towns - as the skilled work force responds to the coming work bonanza.
As that old saying goes - One man's feast is another mans famine !
Monday 17 January 2011
The blame game !
We are having damaging floods in both Queensland and Victoria - and Green's leader Bob Brown claims that the coal mining companies should fund the recovery - because they caused the damage.
This politician is very selective in distributing the blame. He is silent on other forms of production that increase greenhouse gases and prefers to point the finger at an industry he wants to destroy - with no regard to the consequences that would deliver to our way of life.
If Bob Brown were to consult the history books he would find records of great floods that have afflicted mankind since the start of time. If he had a look in the Bible he would find mention of a guy named Noar - who built an Ark as a means of flood defence It would be interesting to know who Bob Brown would blame for that flood !
Increases in greenhouse gases probably did exacerbate storm events, but we all equally share in the good life that stems from reliable electricity and the freedom that cars confer on citizens. We have come a long way from the days when we lit our homes with candles and used horses for transport.
And just maybe people like Bob Brown and their green way of thinking could take some of the blame for these floods - because they opposed the construction of dams that would have retained much of the flood water - and reduced the damage.
Playing the blame game is dangerous. Like the proverbial boomerang - it can come back and hit you behind the ear !
This politician is very selective in distributing the blame. He is silent on other forms of production that increase greenhouse gases and prefers to point the finger at an industry he wants to destroy - with no regard to the consequences that would deliver to our way of life.
If Bob Brown were to consult the history books he would find records of great floods that have afflicted mankind since the start of time. If he had a look in the Bible he would find mention of a guy named Noar - who built an Ark as a means of flood defence It would be interesting to know who Bob Brown would blame for that flood !
Increases in greenhouse gases probably did exacerbate storm events, but we all equally share in the good life that stems from reliable electricity and the freedom that cars confer on citizens. We have come a long way from the days when we lit our homes with candles and used horses for transport.
And just maybe people like Bob Brown and their green way of thinking could take some of the blame for these floods - because they opposed the construction of dams that would have retained much of the flood water - and reduced the damage.
Playing the blame game is dangerous. Like the proverbial boomerang - it can come back and hit you behind the ear !
Sunday 16 January 2011
The " personal information " trap !
We are all required to provide personal information when we undertake business arrangements - such as obtaining a mobile phone or setting up a new bank account. The security of that information is now questioned after a mobile phone company was accused of lax security, allowing hackers access to what could result in " identity theft ".
This demand for information takes many forms. In some cases it involves not only date of birth, bank account branch and account number - but intrusive matter - such as " mother's maiden name ". The intent is good. That is something no stranger could be expected to know.
There is also a huge number of cases of what could be termed " soft security ". The public faces a demand that their photo driving license be presented - and photographed and this can be for such events as entry into a venue - or to be accepted as a customer of a video hiring shop.
Years later, that person may receive a letter of demand from a debt collection agency claiming non return of a video. The " proof of debt " is the fact that this video is said to have been booked out using photo license ID. It may be a typical computer error - or it may simply be a scam by a retired video shop owner who has sold his " debtors list " to a questionable collection agency.
As the list of people demanding security information increases we are becoming vulnerable to false claims as well as identity theft. Often these claims are for amounts under a hundred dollars - something that can not be legally challenged without costs running into a much larger loss. It is cheaper to just grudgingly pay up - rather than face the hassle of a court case and possible loss of a good credit rating.
Unfortunately, the need for security leads directly to a huge increase in security risk as we part with information that may come full circle to cause us loss !
This demand for information takes many forms. In some cases it involves not only date of birth, bank account branch and account number - but intrusive matter - such as " mother's maiden name ". The intent is good. That is something no stranger could be expected to know.
There is also a huge number of cases of what could be termed " soft security ". The public faces a demand that their photo driving license be presented - and photographed and this can be for such events as entry into a venue - or to be accepted as a customer of a video hiring shop.
Years later, that person may receive a letter of demand from a debt collection agency claiming non return of a video. The " proof of debt " is the fact that this video is said to have been booked out using photo license ID. It may be a typical computer error - or it may simply be a scam by a retired video shop owner who has sold his " debtors list " to a questionable collection agency.
As the list of people demanding security information increases we are becoming vulnerable to false claims as well as identity theft. Often these claims are for amounts under a hundred dollars - something that can not be legally challenged without costs running into a much larger loss. It is cheaper to just grudgingly pay up - rather than face the hassle of a court case and possible loss of a good credit rating.
Unfortunately, the need for security leads directly to a huge increase in security risk as we part with information that may come full circle to cause us loss !
Saturday 15 January 2011
Our flood revisited !
It was inevitable that recent events in Queensland would prompt a review of what progress has been achieved here after the 1998 storm that devastated parts of the city.
Twelve years on we have had a review of the destruction caused and what needs to be done to mitigate a repeat. It seems that not one of the proposals has been implemented - but our council administrators are now giving thought to how funds can be accessed to get work under way.
Such is the glacial pace of essential work threading it's way through the labyrinth of the public service.
Any decent engineer could have devised an action plan within days of that 1998 event. The plans that finally emerged from this exhaustive and slow moving enquiry are just sheer common sense. Construction of retention basins to retard the water flow. Widening and clearing of creeks and channels - and communication sensors to give earlier warning of a coming flood.
Perhaps the most obvious safety measures would be to keep existing flood waterways clear of rubbish and excessive plant growth - but that seems to have been kept very low on the priorities list. Most natural water courses are in a disgraceful condition.
What odds that another twelve years down the track very little will have changed - and we will still be examining ways of financing those improvements to save the city from a future flood ?
Twelve years on we have had a review of the destruction caused and what needs to be done to mitigate a repeat. It seems that not one of the proposals has been implemented - but our council administrators are now giving thought to how funds can be accessed to get work under way.
Such is the glacial pace of essential work threading it's way through the labyrinth of the public service.
Any decent engineer could have devised an action plan within days of that 1998 event. The plans that finally emerged from this exhaustive and slow moving enquiry are just sheer common sense. Construction of retention basins to retard the water flow. Widening and clearing of creeks and channels - and communication sensors to give earlier warning of a coming flood.
Perhaps the most obvious safety measures would be to keep existing flood waterways clear of rubbish and excessive plant growth - but that seems to have been kept very low on the priorities list. Most natural water courses are in a disgraceful condition.
What odds that another twelve years down the track very little will have changed - and we will still be examining ways of financing those improvements to save the city from a future flood ?
Friday 14 January 2011
Floods - and insurance !
The Queensland floods will slowly subside - and then the hassles between householders and insurance companies will begin !
On past experience it is likely that about a third of householders will not have home and contents insurance policies. Most will claim that they could not afford the premiums - but insurance tends to be an optional decision and usually misses out when it has to compete against an overseas holiday, a new car or one of those expensive, wide screen televisions. That becomes a contest between an instant worldly pleasure - and protection against a possible future event.
Those with valid insurance policies are not out of the woods. Some mortgage companies insisted on flood insurance after the 1974 immersion and they should hold up legally, but other insurance companies may insist that their policies do not cover areas previously flooded in that earlier event.
Historians would do well to cite the example of the Wollongong deluge of 1998. Three insurance companies declined to pay - closed their offices and walked away from the city, leaving their customers destitute. A similar situation could arise in Queensland.
Car insurance has a happier outcome. Cars are mobile, hence the flood question does not arise, but there will still be many people who are not insured. These will be mainly older cars of less value. The risk of driving an uninsured modern day car is just too extreme for most owners.
So - there will be winners - and there will be losers. The government and the public will give generously to those in financial trouble, but unfortunately the more public donations flow to the uninsured - the less incentive that provides for people to make the sacrifice and take out home and contents insurance in preference to spending the money on pleasures.
And with absolute certainty, we can be sure that somewhere down the track Australia will face other disasters stemming from fire or flood.
On past experience it is likely that about a third of householders will not have home and contents insurance policies. Most will claim that they could not afford the premiums - but insurance tends to be an optional decision and usually misses out when it has to compete against an overseas holiday, a new car or one of those expensive, wide screen televisions. That becomes a contest between an instant worldly pleasure - and protection against a possible future event.
Those with valid insurance policies are not out of the woods. Some mortgage companies insisted on flood insurance after the 1974 immersion and they should hold up legally, but other insurance companies may insist that their policies do not cover areas previously flooded in that earlier event.
Historians would do well to cite the example of the Wollongong deluge of 1998. Three insurance companies declined to pay - closed their offices and walked away from the city, leaving their customers destitute. A similar situation could arise in Queensland.
Car insurance has a happier outcome. Cars are mobile, hence the flood question does not arise, but there will still be many people who are not insured. These will be mainly older cars of less value. The risk of driving an uninsured modern day car is just too extreme for most owners.
So - there will be winners - and there will be losers. The government and the public will give generously to those in financial trouble, but unfortunately the more public donations flow to the uninsured - the less incentive that provides for people to make the sacrifice and take out home and contents insurance in preference to spending the money on pleasures.
And with absolute certainty, we can be sure that somewhere down the track Australia will face other disasters stemming from fire or flood.
Wednesday 12 January 2011
" Immigration Nation ".
On Sunday night SBS will screen a many part programme titled " Immigration Nation ". The pre-release publicity indicates that it will deal harshly with our policy of only allowing white immigration for the first century and a half of the Australian identity.
This seems to be once again falling into the trap of judging the past by the standards that exist today.
In 1788 when the first fleet arrived world focus was on Europe. The white races of Europe considered that they had the right to send explorers to other parts of the world, and when they discovered a new land they could plant their sovereign's flag and claim that land for their country. No consideration was given to the people who happened to live there, and they were made subject to new laws without their consent.
At that time, much of the world still practised slavery. Men, women and children could be forced onto slave ships, transported to slave markets where they were sold to the highest bidder - and spent the rest of their lives labouring for their new owner. It was not until the 1860's that America fought a civil war to end that practice.
For political expediency, Australia was considered to be an " empty continent. " The Aboriginal people were ignored - not counted in the census - not entitled to either a passport or any form of social security. Australia's leaders at that time considered that there was a risk that migration from the surrounding lands of Asia - and the islands of the Pacific - would overwhelm the small, white enclave - and so they limited migration - primarily to white settlers from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
A study of most emerging countries of that time will reveal similar events which by today's standards would be labelled " atrocities ". In particular, this was a time when many people suffered because of their religious beliefs and religious persecution became a way of life for many.
Unfortunately the events of the past have left some people with a chip on their shoulder and a belief that they should be compensated for past hurts. In some cases, this has led to a refusal to engage in modern society. We have families that refuse to send their children to school or enhance their own skills. They risk being left further behind - and becoming the dregs of an affluent nation.
Just as Australia has no option other than to interact with the rest of the world, so it's citizens can only grasp the opportunities that have evolved as this nation grew from a small white enclave into a multi-ethnic nation.
There is a risk that " Immigration Nation " may be seen by some as a reason to do nothing and await some sort of handout. That is not going to happen - and hopefully the more enlightened will treat it as an interesting history lesson - but one detailing another world that no longer exists.
That was then ! This is now !
This seems to be once again falling into the trap of judging the past by the standards that exist today.
In 1788 when the first fleet arrived world focus was on Europe. The white races of Europe considered that they had the right to send explorers to other parts of the world, and when they discovered a new land they could plant their sovereign's flag and claim that land for their country. No consideration was given to the people who happened to live there, and they were made subject to new laws without their consent.
At that time, much of the world still practised slavery. Men, women and children could be forced onto slave ships, transported to slave markets where they were sold to the highest bidder - and spent the rest of their lives labouring for their new owner. It was not until the 1860's that America fought a civil war to end that practice.
For political expediency, Australia was considered to be an " empty continent. " The Aboriginal people were ignored - not counted in the census - not entitled to either a passport or any form of social security. Australia's leaders at that time considered that there was a risk that migration from the surrounding lands of Asia - and the islands of the Pacific - would overwhelm the small, white enclave - and so they limited migration - primarily to white settlers from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
A study of most emerging countries of that time will reveal similar events which by today's standards would be labelled " atrocities ". In particular, this was a time when many people suffered because of their religious beliefs and religious persecution became a way of life for many.
Unfortunately the events of the past have left some people with a chip on their shoulder and a belief that they should be compensated for past hurts. In some cases, this has led to a refusal to engage in modern society. We have families that refuse to send their children to school or enhance their own skills. They risk being left further behind - and becoming the dregs of an affluent nation.
Just as Australia has no option other than to interact with the rest of the world, so it's citizens can only grasp the opportunities that have evolved as this nation grew from a small white enclave into a multi-ethnic nation.
There is a risk that " Immigration Nation " may be seen by some as a reason to do nothing and await some sort of handout. That is not going to happen - and hopefully the more enlightened will treat it as an interesting history lesson - but one detailing another world that no longer exists.
That was then ! This is now !
The " Doctor " shortage !
Two items in today's Illawarra Mercury tell conflicting stories. One celebrates the fact that fifty newly minted intern doctors will commence walking the wards of Wollongong hospital, lauding the success of our new school of nursing.
The other announces that patients accessing the emergency facilities at Bulli hospital will be seen by a nurse - and directed to Wollongong hospital emergency department. The closure is blamed on the " doctor shortage ".
So the health authorities expect us to believe that Bulli - a functioning hospital with wards full of patients - has no doctor that can be spared to see people needing emergency treatment.
This goes with the direction imposed on our ambulance paramedics that all admissions will be taken to Wollongong hospital - no matter how minor the injury - where they will join the growing queue and be forced to wait hours for treatment.
Common sense should prevail. If minor matters are diverted to Bulli hospital it relieves the pressure on Wollongong and decreases the incidence of " ambulance block " - and the " Ambos " are people trained to make that sort of decision.
It seems that the government is hell bent in closing Bulli - just as it closed Port Kembla hospital - and eventually intends to create a secondary " medical clinic " that will treat minor ambulance presentation somewhere on " hospital hill " - in central Wollongong.
The facilities exist and are in place to deliver graded emergency treatment if Bulli emergency department is allowed to function as the base for minor problems, ranging from sprained ankles to cuts and bruises. All it would take is for hospital administration to take a reasonable overview - restore decision making to ambulance crews - and make sure there is a doctor rostered for duty at Bulli emergency department.
It seems that this is low on the priority list !
The other announces that patients accessing the emergency facilities at Bulli hospital will be seen by a nurse - and directed to Wollongong hospital emergency department. The closure is blamed on the " doctor shortage ".
So the health authorities expect us to believe that Bulli - a functioning hospital with wards full of patients - has no doctor that can be spared to see people needing emergency treatment.
This goes with the direction imposed on our ambulance paramedics that all admissions will be taken to Wollongong hospital - no matter how minor the injury - where they will join the growing queue and be forced to wait hours for treatment.
Common sense should prevail. If minor matters are diverted to Bulli hospital it relieves the pressure on Wollongong and decreases the incidence of " ambulance block " - and the " Ambos " are people trained to make that sort of decision.
It seems that the government is hell bent in closing Bulli - just as it closed Port Kembla hospital - and eventually intends to create a secondary " medical clinic " that will treat minor ambulance presentation somewhere on " hospital hill " - in central Wollongong.
The facilities exist and are in place to deliver graded emergency treatment if Bulli emergency department is allowed to function as the base for minor problems, ranging from sprained ankles to cuts and bruises. All it would take is for hospital administration to take a reasonable overview - restore decision making to ambulance crews - and make sure there is a doctor rostered for duty at Bulli emergency department.
It seems that this is low on the priority list !
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Nature's fury !
Last night we watched with horror as the television news delivered pictures of a raging flood destroying cars in the main streets of Toowoomba. People were swept away and there were deaths from this instance of nature on the rampage.
No doubt proponents of global warming will claim that this was an event caused by our abuse of the air we breathe and the pollution we cause, but an examination of the records will show that nature freaks are part and parcel of the storm cycle we have always lived with.
We live - and we learn, as evidenced by a similar storm that hit Wollongong in 1998. That produced pictures of children being rescued from roof tops and cars washed away and destroyed - but fortunately no loss of life. In the aftermath, a number of properties at high risk were resumed, demolished and the land they occupied is now parkland.
Sometime in the future the risk lottery will again deliver Wollongong's escarpment a rain storm of unprecedented volume and we will have to deal with flooding of homes and the destruction of cars and other vehicles. It may be less than 1998 - but there is also a chance that it may be double the volume of water that particular storm delivered.
We tend to forget our history - but a glance through the records of yesteryear will produce the evidence that nature delivers super storms on a regular basis. It always has - and it always will !
Those with an agenda will try and tag such events to prove whatever pet theory is in vogue at the time !
No doubt proponents of global warming will claim that this was an event caused by our abuse of the air we breathe and the pollution we cause, but an examination of the records will show that nature freaks are part and parcel of the storm cycle we have always lived with.
We live - and we learn, as evidenced by a similar storm that hit Wollongong in 1998. That produced pictures of children being rescued from roof tops and cars washed away and destroyed - but fortunately no loss of life. In the aftermath, a number of properties at high risk were resumed, demolished and the land they occupied is now parkland.
Sometime in the future the risk lottery will again deliver Wollongong's escarpment a rain storm of unprecedented volume and we will have to deal with flooding of homes and the destruction of cars and other vehicles. It may be less than 1998 - but there is also a chance that it may be double the volume of water that particular storm delivered.
We tend to forget our history - but a glance through the records of yesteryear will produce the evidence that nature delivers super storms on a regular basis. It always has - and it always will !
Those with an agenda will try and tag such events to prove whatever pet theory is in vogue at the time !
Monday 10 January 2011
Another new country !
Planet Earth is seemingly about to gain it's 193'rd self governing new country. The people of southern Sudan are voting to decide whether to break away from the regime governing them from Khartoum.
This vote will almost certainly be positive. The north/south differences are immense !
The north is Arab/Muslim. The South is African/Christian/Animist. The north has waged a murderous war against the south - and it's leader has a World Court arrest warrant in force on charges of genocide.
This country is huge - and it is not poor. It has valuable oil fields - and these are in the south. To get that oil to market, it must travel through pipelines - than transect what will be a new northern regime.
It is possible that oil may be the factor that provides the glue to cause these two opposing countries to cease fighting and cooperate with one another. Oil is the single biggest source of income in Sudan and sharing the wealth is only possible if both work together.
Whatever the outcome of the vote, it seems that United Nations forces will be required in Sudan indefinitely, to protect the new country during the initial set-up period - and to deter aggression from neighbours who are eyeing that oil wealth jealously.
A new nation in Africa will have a difficult birth. Whether it succeeds or fails will depend on whether the great powers exclude it from their rivalry - or whether it is drawn into an eastern or western orbit.
Pity the United Nations troops trying to achieve a neutral balance !
This vote will almost certainly be positive. The north/south differences are immense !
The north is Arab/Muslim. The South is African/Christian/Animist. The north has waged a murderous war against the south - and it's leader has a World Court arrest warrant in force on charges of genocide.
This country is huge - and it is not poor. It has valuable oil fields - and these are in the south. To get that oil to market, it must travel through pipelines - than transect what will be a new northern regime.
It is possible that oil may be the factor that provides the glue to cause these two opposing countries to cease fighting and cooperate with one another. Oil is the single biggest source of income in Sudan and sharing the wealth is only possible if both work together.
Whatever the outcome of the vote, it seems that United Nations forces will be required in Sudan indefinitely, to protect the new country during the initial set-up period - and to deter aggression from neighbours who are eyeing that oil wealth jealously.
A new nation in Africa will have a difficult birth. Whether it succeeds or fails will depend on whether the great powers exclude it from their rivalry - or whether it is drawn into an eastern or western orbit.
Pity the United Nations troops trying to achieve a neutral balance !
Sunday 9 January 2011
Dodgy car deals coming !
The floods afflicting Queensland and the Murray/Darling system will leave in their wake huge numbers of immersed vehicles. This will constitute a trap for bargain hunters who fail to do their homework.
Conventional wisdom insists that it is not economic to try and repair the modern automobile after it is immersed in water because of the number of components that will be adversely affected. The insurance industry will therefore " write off " most late model vehicles - and they will then go to auction to the highest bidder.
It is inevitable that shonky dealers - and probably the outlaw motorcycle gangs - will develop methods to hide this water damage, deodorise the interior - and present the restored vehicle, much as has happened with car wrecks sold for a pittance.
Knowing this in going to happen presents government's with an opportunity to step in and create new laws to regulate the trade in restored vehicles. If the damage is such that the only legal use would be for spare parts - then the compliance plate that must be fixed on all registered cars should be removed - and destroyed.
To be effective, a uniform law would need to apply across all states. What odds that our politicians discuss such a law - and then do nothing ?
What odds that six months from now our newspapers will be screaming headlines about buyers being duped with unsafe - and over priced - flood danaged cars ?
Will we ever learn ?
Conventional wisdom insists that it is not economic to try and repair the modern automobile after it is immersed in water because of the number of components that will be adversely affected. The insurance industry will therefore " write off " most late model vehicles - and they will then go to auction to the highest bidder.
It is inevitable that shonky dealers - and probably the outlaw motorcycle gangs - will develop methods to hide this water damage, deodorise the interior - and present the restored vehicle, much as has happened with car wrecks sold for a pittance.
Knowing this in going to happen presents government's with an opportunity to step in and create new laws to regulate the trade in restored vehicles. If the damage is such that the only legal use would be for spare parts - then the compliance plate that must be fixed on all registered cars should be removed - and destroyed.
To be effective, a uniform law would need to apply across all states. What odds that our politicians discuss such a law - and then do nothing ?
What odds that six months from now our newspapers will be screaming headlines about buyers being duped with unsafe - and over priced - flood danaged cars ?
Will we ever learn ?
Saturday 8 January 2011
Life expectancy !
The good news is that we are living longer. The bad news is that things will have to change to finance those additional years.
In 1910 the male life expectancy was 57 years. A hundred years on it is now 80 - and women live even longer. Somehow we are expecting that those twenty-three extra years of life can be fitted within the previous financial arrangements.
Superannuation is a case in point. In 1910 the average male was expected to die before he became eligible for the pension. Today he may live a whopping fifteen years beyond that pension age. The pension age is under pressure to be extended to 67 to relieve that pressure.
It is all part of a complex mix that sends a shudder through economists. As people live longer, so the need for nursing homes and hospital facilities increases. If the retirement age is increased, it decreases job opportunities for school leavers because the old guys are still working and slowing the job chain.
The medical people are making encouraging noises about human years extending even further. It is suggested that a greater number of people will live for a century in the near term - and optimists believe that by mid century such an age may be attainable for most people.
The frightening aspect is the inevitability that eventually this longevity will extend to those parts of the world still stuck with 1910 life expectancy levels - or less. If the whole planet reaches the life expectancy of the developed nations - will the food supply be adequate ?
And as the food supply is in question at this moment in time - that is a very sobering thought for all !
In 1910 the male life expectancy was 57 years. A hundred years on it is now 80 - and women live even longer. Somehow we are expecting that those twenty-three extra years of life can be fitted within the previous financial arrangements.
Superannuation is a case in point. In 1910 the average male was expected to die before he became eligible for the pension. Today he may live a whopping fifteen years beyond that pension age. The pension age is under pressure to be extended to 67 to relieve that pressure.
It is all part of a complex mix that sends a shudder through economists. As people live longer, so the need for nursing homes and hospital facilities increases. If the retirement age is increased, it decreases job opportunities for school leavers because the old guys are still working and slowing the job chain.
The medical people are making encouraging noises about human years extending even further. It is suggested that a greater number of people will live for a century in the near term - and optimists believe that by mid century such an age may be attainable for most people.
The frightening aspect is the inevitability that eventually this longevity will extend to those parts of the world still stuck with 1910 life expectancy levels - or less. If the whole planet reaches the life expectancy of the developed nations - will the food supply be adequate ?
And as the food supply is in question at this moment in time - that is a very sobering thought for all !
Friday 7 January 2011
Our changing standards !
In 1884 that Mark Twain classic " The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn " was published for the first time. It contained the vernacular of the day - and as a result the word " Nigger " appeared over two hundred times.
For the following hundred years that was accepted as being a normal description of coloured folk - and the book was read and enjoyed by millions from most countries of this planet.
Now we have reached the twenty-first century and a reprint of that book will see the word " Nigger " replaced by " Slave ". It is said that to be politically correct offensive words must be banished from the dictionary - despite the fact that changing history distorts a great piece of writing.
How strange that we seek to tidy up the language of the past - and at the same time our films, newspapers and television are peppered with words that would have been considered utterly offensive just a few decades ago.
Even the F-word is freely used on television after 8-30 on most evenings.
What a pity the censors see fit to decimate the raw appeal of this entertaining story in the guise of mitigating offence. History censored is history rewritten !
For the following hundred years that was accepted as being a normal description of coloured folk - and the book was read and enjoyed by millions from most countries of this planet.
Now we have reached the twenty-first century and a reprint of that book will see the word " Nigger " replaced by " Slave ". It is said that to be politically correct offensive words must be banished from the dictionary - despite the fact that changing history distorts a great piece of writing.
How strange that we seek to tidy up the language of the past - and at the same time our films, newspapers and television are peppered with words that would have been considered utterly offensive just a few decades ago.
Even the F-word is freely used on television after 8-30 on most evenings.
What a pity the censors see fit to decimate the raw appeal of this entertaining story in the guise of mitigating offence. History censored is history rewritten !
Thursday 6 January 2011
Nursing safety !
This morning there are thirty-one fewer operational beds at Wollongong hospital. The beds are still there. No patients are in them because the nurses have declared them " out of service " until the government agrees to a ratio of four patients for each nursing position.
This ratio has been achieved in some other states and the only thing delaying it here - is cost ! The government is fighting a delaying action to prevent a blowout in hospital costs - and as a result patient safety is being compromised because of unreasonable staff workloads.
Few of the people who fully understand medicine and nursing would disagree that more than four patients under the care of each nurse decreases the standard of care - and in many cases leads to mistakes that affect safety.
From a tactical point of view this action by nurses is brilliant. The refusal to allocate beds deemed " out of service " achieves the four to one ratio they demand and at the same time it keeps the hospital running normally without the debilitating chaos of normal strike action.
Should a critical accident put sudden pressure on the hospital admission system, the beds are there and waiting - and the decision to keep beds closed can be reversed in an instant.
Perhaps a rational nurse/patient ratio can not be met immediately, but at least the present situation will lead to talks - and some sort of compromise. Without such action the government would continue to stall indefinitely.
The timing could not be better. On the eve of a critical state election, nursing safety standards are at the forefront of the issues considered by the voters.
This ratio has been achieved in some other states and the only thing delaying it here - is cost ! The government is fighting a delaying action to prevent a blowout in hospital costs - and as a result patient safety is being compromised because of unreasonable staff workloads.
Few of the people who fully understand medicine and nursing would disagree that more than four patients under the care of each nurse decreases the standard of care - and in many cases leads to mistakes that affect safety.
From a tactical point of view this action by nurses is brilliant. The refusal to allocate beds deemed " out of service " achieves the four to one ratio they demand and at the same time it keeps the hospital running normally without the debilitating chaos of normal strike action.
Should a critical accident put sudden pressure on the hospital admission system, the beds are there and waiting - and the decision to keep beds closed can be reversed in an instant.
Perhaps a rational nurse/patient ratio can not be met immediately, but at least the present situation will lead to talks - and some sort of compromise. Without such action the government would continue to stall indefinitely.
The timing could not be better. On the eve of a critical state election, nursing safety standards are at the forefront of the issues considered by the voters.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
The " empty shop " disease !
There is no doubt that the western end of Crown street is a shopping district in terminal decline. It contains 230 shops - and 54 of them stand empty.
There is nothing like an empty shop with it's image of business failure to turn away shoppers. An empty shop quickly spells failure - and inevitably it becomes covered in graffiti. It is a disease that quickly spreads to it's neighbours.
This happened to the Newcastle CBD. Corrective action was taken and that shopping centre has been restored to health. The same can be done in west Crown street - and the only question is why this has taken so long ?
It just takes a little imagination to put those empty shops to use. Make them available to charitable enterprises to breathe new life into the street. Offer them free - or at peppercorn rent for those trying to start a new business - and as a last resort - allow other traders to fill them with display goods to drive shoppers to their own stores.
A clean window and a lick of new paint can work wonders. All it takes is for shop owners to bite the bullet and be innovative. An empty shop attracts no rent. It is better to revive a shopping centre to health - and reap a future reward than to leave it empty - and to spread the " empty shop " disease.
All this could have been done years ago, when the decline started. It remains to be seen if the business community has the acumen to seize the moment and restore west Crown street - or if apathy will continue to allow this important part of Wollongong to further stagnate.
It only takes a little spark to create a successful restoration !
There is nothing like an empty shop with it's image of business failure to turn away shoppers. An empty shop quickly spells failure - and inevitably it becomes covered in graffiti. It is a disease that quickly spreads to it's neighbours.
This happened to the Newcastle CBD. Corrective action was taken and that shopping centre has been restored to health. The same can be done in west Crown street - and the only question is why this has taken so long ?
It just takes a little imagination to put those empty shops to use. Make them available to charitable enterprises to breathe new life into the street. Offer them free - or at peppercorn rent for those trying to start a new business - and as a last resort - allow other traders to fill them with display goods to drive shoppers to their own stores.
A clean window and a lick of new paint can work wonders. All it takes is for shop owners to bite the bullet and be innovative. An empty shop attracts no rent. It is better to revive a shopping centre to health - and reap a future reward than to leave it empty - and to spread the " empty shop " disease.
All this could have been done years ago, when the decline started. It remains to be seen if the business community has the acumen to seize the moment and restore west Crown street - or if apathy will continue to allow this important part of Wollongong to further stagnate.
It only takes a little spark to create a successful restoration !
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Smoke - and fire !
" If it walks like a duck - and quacks like a duck - then it probably is a duck ! "
That adage can be applied to the furore enmeshing the sale of this state's electricity retailers. An unpleasant aroma surrounds it - and the state government is desperate to prevent an enquiry - and has even taken the drastic step of proroguing parliament to head off facts being presented to the public.
Eight directors of the companies involved resigned to protest what they believe to be negative aspects of this $ 5.3 billion sale. They were quickly replaced by government stooges - and without an enquiry their objections will not be aired.
If this sale is finalised, the price of electricity will pass from government hands to the private sector. Sharp and ruthless price increases are predicted as a result. Once the sale goes through - there is no way back !
It seems certain that this electricity sale will eventually receive the scrutiny of an enquiry. The only point in doubt is whether that will happen before - or after - the state election scheduled for March.
The present battle to keep the lid on seems to have intent to keep the facts from the public before they go to the polls.
There is another adage about smoke - and fire ! The electricity sale is generating lots of smoke. The enquiry will eventually reveal the extent of the fire !
That adage can be applied to the furore enmeshing the sale of this state's electricity retailers. An unpleasant aroma surrounds it - and the state government is desperate to prevent an enquiry - and has even taken the drastic step of proroguing parliament to head off facts being presented to the public.
Eight directors of the companies involved resigned to protest what they believe to be negative aspects of this $ 5.3 billion sale. They were quickly replaced by government stooges - and without an enquiry their objections will not be aired.
If this sale is finalised, the price of electricity will pass from government hands to the private sector. Sharp and ruthless price increases are predicted as a result. Once the sale goes through - there is no way back !
It seems certain that this electricity sale will eventually receive the scrutiny of an enquiry. The only point in doubt is whether that will happen before - or after - the state election scheduled for March.
The present battle to keep the lid on seems to have intent to keep the facts from the public before they go to the polls.
There is another adage about smoke - and fire ! The electricity sale is generating lots of smoke. The enquiry will eventually reveal the extent of the fire !
Monday 3 January 2011
Organ donations !
To our shame - Australia is amongst the lowest when organ donor donations are counted. Body parts that could save the lines of others are being interred in the earth and left to rot - or burned to ashes in crematoriums.
Surprisingly, when the question is raised the majority of people indicate that they would be perfectly willing to donate organs when they die. They just never get around to placing their name on the donor list - or telling their loved ones of their wishes.
What doesn't help is the timidity with which government handles this issue. Even when a person has clearly indicated their wish to be a donor, we second guess that decision by demanding agreement from relatives.
The ideal solution would be to make organ donations compulsory - unless an individual opts out and takes the trouble to make that decision clear. Unfortunately, to do that would spark outrage from some religious groups and claims that the government was infringing human rights and acting in a ghoulish manner.
A middle way would be to legislate to uphold the wishes of the donor. Those who sign on to donate organs should not have that decision second guessed and referred to relatives.
Hospitals would need to have the identity of all donors on their computer records - and to proceed with retrieval automatically once that person was deceased.
In the absence of timid government moving to solve this problem, the only remaining option is to crank up publicity to create an understanding of lives lost because of donor inertia. At least donor figures are slowly moving in the right direction.
Maybe we need to shift the emphasis from potential donors talking to their loved ones to make their wishes known, to the entire family discussing the matter and reaching common agreement.
Maybe in such circumstances, the whole family may join the donor register !
Surprisingly, when the question is raised the majority of people indicate that they would be perfectly willing to donate organs when they die. They just never get around to placing their name on the donor list - or telling their loved ones of their wishes.
What doesn't help is the timidity with which government handles this issue. Even when a person has clearly indicated their wish to be a donor, we second guess that decision by demanding agreement from relatives.
The ideal solution would be to make organ donations compulsory - unless an individual opts out and takes the trouble to make that decision clear. Unfortunately, to do that would spark outrage from some religious groups and claims that the government was infringing human rights and acting in a ghoulish manner.
A middle way would be to legislate to uphold the wishes of the donor. Those who sign on to donate organs should not have that decision second guessed and referred to relatives.
Hospitals would need to have the identity of all donors on their computer records - and to proceed with retrieval automatically once that person was deceased.
In the absence of timid government moving to solve this problem, the only remaining option is to crank up publicity to create an understanding of lives lost because of donor inertia. At least donor figures are slowly moving in the right direction.
Maybe we need to shift the emphasis from potential donors talking to their loved ones to make their wishes known, to the entire family discussing the matter and reaching common agreement.
Maybe in such circumstances, the whole family may join the donor register !
Sunday 2 January 2011
New minimum bet rule !
From Tuesday, the fifty cent bet beloved by pensioners and the less affluent in our society becomes a thing of the past - if we front up to the betting machine in our local club or pub after the noon cut off time. The minimum bet allowable from noon onwards increases to three dollars.
The TAB is quick to point out that it has not entirely disappeared. A 50 c bet can still be placed if we use certain phone betting facilities - or make use of the " Easy Bet " self service terminals. It has just disappeared from the club or pub counter machines.
It seems that the TAB is anxious to remove these doddering, slow, old punters from cluttering up their machines to make way for the big spending elite who traditionally place their bets after the noonday gun has been fired. And of course hiking the minimum bet to three dollars raises the TAB profits six fold !
So the fifty cent punter has been shafted to either front the machines before the noon deadline - or get used to learning how to place a bet on a computerised self service terminal, much like those ATM's so despised by the elderly.
This new innovation seems to be a marvel of timing. It arrives as opponents of poker machines are trying to reduce the amount punters can put through those machines - and even be required to obtain a license to gamble on that form of winning or losing money.
In contrast, the TAB is spurning the old timers with their humble fifty-cent bets and demanding that they raise the pot to three dollars.
This may be a risky gamble on the TAB's part. They should remember that adage about demand being met by inevitable supply. We could see the reappearance of SP bookmakers from a past age, setting up shop in clubs and pubs to cheerfully service old people's desire for fifty cent bets.
The TAB is quick to point out that it has not entirely disappeared. A 50 c bet can still be placed if we use certain phone betting facilities - or make use of the " Easy Bet " self service terminals. It has just disappeared from the club or pub counter machines.
It seems that the TAB is anxious to remove these doddering, slow, old punters from cluttering up their machines to make way for the big spending elite who traditionally place their bets after the noonday gun has been fired. And of course hiking the minimum bet to three dollars raises the TAB profits six fold !
So the fifty cent punter has been shafted to either front the machines before the noon deadline - or get used to learning how to place a bet on a computerised self service terminal, much like those ATM's so despised by the elderly.
This new innovation seems to be a marvel of timing. It arrives as opponents of poker machines are trying to reduce the amount punters can put through those machines - and even be required to obtain a license to gamble on that form of winning or losing money.
In contrast, the TAB is spurning the old timers with their humble fifty-cent bets and demanding that they raise the pot to three dollars.
This may be a risky gamble on the TAB's part. They should remember that adage about demand being met by inevitable supply. We could see the reappearance of SP bookmakers from a past age, setting up shop in clubs and pubs to cheerfully service old people's desire for fifty cent bets.
Saturday 1 January 2011
A dark - troubled place !
Richard Tognetti has dismayed many people by describing Wollongong as a " dark - troubled place " - and suggesting that it has " nothing to beautify ". He comments that his time at Wollongong High were the most miserable of his life.
It is a familiar refrain from those who are gifted. Those that stand out from the crowd tread a lonely path, and as a boy playing violin in High school Tognetti would be as unusual as a boy learning ballet, or any other activity far removed from " footy and Meatloaf ".
He asserts that his time at school in Sydney was different because he was surrounded by " people that understand me." Undoubtedly he had the good luck to be placed in a school in an upmarket Sydney suburb. Had that school been at Mount Druit or any other Sydney western suburb he might have had a very different reception.
Change is taking place within the whole school system, but unfortunately those gifted people with rare talent are never likely to completely homogenise with their peers. They stand out as being " different " because their interests are not those of the common herd.
They can take comfort from the fact that those left handed people are no longer terrorised by teachers who insist that they must change to right handedness - and corporal punishment is no longer a weapon wielded by misfits who took up teaching when they would have been better suited as gaol warders.
For the gifted, the difficulty of being accepted seems to be a right of passage that makes their early years difficult. Tognetti must be congratulated because he stuck to his guns and weathered the hard times to become one of Australia's most successful musicians.
It says a lot that - despite his criticism - he remains a citizen of this city !
It is a familiar refrain from those who are gifted. Those that stand out from the crowd tread a lonely path, and as a boy playing violin in High school Tognetti would be as unusual as a boy learning ballet, or any other activity far removed from " footy and Meatloaf ".
He asserts that his time at school in Sydney was different because he was surrounded by " people that understand me." Undoubtedly he had the good luck to be placed in a school in an upmarket Sydney suburb. Had that school been at Mount Druit or any other Sydney western suburb he might have had a very different reception.
Change is taking place within the whole school system, but unfortunately those gifted people with rare talent are never likely to completely homogenise with their peers. They stand out as being " different " because their interests are not those of the common herd.
They can take comfort from the fact that those left handed people are no longer terrorised by teachers who insist that they must change to right handedness - and corporal punishment is no longer a weapon wielded by misfits who took up teaching when they would have been better suited as gaol warders.
For the gifted, the difficulty of being accepted seems to be a right of passage that makes their early years difficult. Tognetti must be congratulated because he stuck to his guns and weathered the hard times to become one of Australia's most successful musicians.
It says a lot that - despite his criticism - he remains a citizen of this city !
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