The " Pet's battle " war !

More and more people are living in apartment style accommodation and the rules that Owner's Corporations can apply are ever tightening.   One of the " rules " that causes anguish concerns the keeping of pets.  Intending owners now often find that the covenant of tenancy strictly forbids the presence of dogs or cats.

Unfortunately, this can be applied  in retrospect.  If the majority of owners decide to change the rules, someone who has had a pet and lived in the building for years can face an order for their cherished pet to be evicted.   In some cases, anti-pet fanatics ban the keeping of a love bird - or even gold fish.

Pet owners will be pleased to hear that one family used ingenuity to save their Jack Russel terrier from such a fate.    The owner had a hearing defect and he had the dog trained to be a " hearing dog ".   As part of the service rendered, the dog would softly bark to alert him when someone knocked on the door, rang the doorbell - or he had an incoming phone call.  It was also trained to raise the alarm if the smoke detector sounded in the night.

This owner applied to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal, who conferred on it the title of " Hearing Dog " to make it legal for the animal to be taken on public transport, ride in Taxis and be taken into shops and restaurants - in a similar manner to the rights of " Seeing Eye " dogs - excluding them  from any form of tenancy ban.

In this case, the owners corporation has lodged appeals - and spent more than $ 50,000 trying to achieve victory.  It brings into perspective the angst that these pet laws can generate.

It is also a solution that may appeal to those desperate to get around such a pet ban - and it is open to interpretation.    The hearing aid people usually conduct free hearing tests and these involve asking the applicant to listen for sounds and press a buzzer to indicate hearing levels.   A failed test confirms that the person is " hearing impaired " to some extent - and opens the door for the need for a " hearing dog ".

Now that success presents a new problem for the owners of cats with tenancy problems.   Exactly what service can cats provide to bring them in under this legal umbrella ?

A dangerous " Distraction " !

One of the first rules of politics is to create a crisis somewhere else to distract the voter's attention when you have problems on the home front.    Spain is battling desperately to remain afloat economically.  It has the worst unemployment figures in the Euro zone - and it's citizens are becoming increasingly angry

Back in 1982 a similar situation was developing in Argentina.   The Junta running that country created an unwise distraction when they invaded the British ruled Falkland Islands.    That was a miscalculation that resulted in war between the two countries - which cost billions in treasure and the loss of 699 Argentine lives and the death of 255 Britons.

Britain rules Gibraltar, at the mouth of the Mediterranean and this was won from Spain in a long past war.  This occupation does not sit well with the Spanish and there have been attempts in the world court to reclaim this lost territory - to no avail.    Now it seems that " muscle " is supplanting the legal approach.

Spain considers Gibraltar Spanish territory and the waters around it as part of Spain.   The British claim sovereignty in what they regard as home waters extending to the international acclaimed twelve mile limit.  This is now the scene of dangerous friction.

In recent days, Spanish police vessels have intruded into these waters and on one occasion chased and fired shots at a British water skier.   The number of these " intrusions " is increasing and there is a risk of armed  confrontation between each countries patrol boats.

The danger is that Spain may seize on the issue and provoke the media as a way of distracting the citizens from it's economic woes.   This is precisely the same situation that seems to be developing again in Argentina.  The " Falklands issue " is being fomented as a grievance that needs resolution.

Stoking the fires of " Nationalism " is a dangerous way of playing politics.  A similar scenario is under way between China and Japan - and several other countries - over tiny islands in the South China sea.

If push comes to shove, it is easy to miscalculate - and bring on a shooting war.
What happened in the Falklands in 1982 should be a sobering thought to all those considering using this political strategy !

Police investigating Police !

What does it take to finally get the system changed so that police no longer carry out the investigation when police misconduct is suggested !   Such investigations need to be carried out by an independent body to prevent police conspiring together to rig the evidence and hide police guilt.

We are now presented with a report from the Police Integrity Commission ( PIC ) which calls for " sackings and disciplinary action " in a case where a mentally disturbed man trying to harm himself was shot dead by a police officer.    This happened in the presence of paramedic witnesses, but the PIC contends that other police deliberately gave false evidence to cover up a true appraisal of how this event occurred.    It seems to be another case of police closing ranks and lying to protect one of their own.

The police were embarrassed when evidence was presented in court that clearly showed that a police prosecutor was withholding evidence that would clear two men charged with a murder.   To their shame, this evidence was stolen from a police vehicle - and when the criminal examined it and realised it's content he handed it to the defence attorney - who gleefully brought it to the courts attention and was able to prove that it had been known to police while they continued to prosecute the case.

Then there is the retribution being delivered to Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, who disclosed that a " Catholic Mafia " within senior police ranks was sabotaging investigations into paedophile priests to preserve the reputation of the church.   A senior crime manager has been trying to discredit him - by laying accusations that he is a " lying zealot ".

It is a fact of life that police are ordinary human beings - and that under pressure they will distort the truth and conspire together to avoid being held responsible for their mistakes - and in doing so - innocent people suffer and sometimes do jail time for crimes for which they are innocent.

Obviously, the police will resist a move to an independent investigator, but the evidence is now unmistakable that the present system is not working !

Not a home for " Life " !

There is a long wait to reach the top of the list for the allocation of a public housing home in New South Wales.   Those starting this journey expect the waiting time to be measured in years.

Unfortunately, public housing has developed an expectation that when a tenant gets accommodation where the rent is pegged to a proportion of income earned, that will be their home for " life " !

It was not intended that way. The Housing Commission builds a wide variety of accommodation types and sizes and tries to match these to the needs of individuals.   Those needs are constantly changing.   A young couple's needs expand when they start a family, and eventually revert to a much smaller need when they enter old age.   In theory, they would be moved to more suitable accommodation several times during their lifetime.

Sadly, that does not happen and we now have many three bedroom homes still occupied by a single tenant.   There is resistance to moving and the government is considering a heavy handed approach to free up the public housing stock and apply wisdom to it's allocation.

The income percentage rentals will still apply, but those with homes containing bedrooms beyond their needs will need to move to smaller accommodation - or face a punative tax.   It is proposed to levy an extra $ 20 per week rent for each unused bedroom on single home occupiers - and $ 30 when that home is occupied by a couple.

That is likely to face fierce resistance.   Usually an accommodation change involves relocation to a different suburb - and that means ending associations with the local shopping centre, favoured amenities - and the former close association with friends and neighbours.   Rarely is suitable alternate accommodation available nearby.

This suggestion throws the spotlight on the very core of public housing thinking.   It was a socialist objective to have the public purse provide rental housing for the underprivileged.    This rental was tied to income and it was presumed that when tenants got onto their financial feet they would move on into the private rental market - or join the list of home owners.

It didn't turn out that way.  Once some people gain Housing Commission tenancy they intend to remain tenants for life, and often there are rorts involved.   Sometimes rising income is understated, and in some instances there are undeclared tenants living in a building officially housing a single pensioner.

Logic and reason suggest that the public housing stock should be managed to bring the utmost benefit to the many, but this is being sabotaged by selfish refusal to accept placement at a level commensurate with each tenants needs.

A more pragmatic approach will shorten the public housing queues !

The man nobody wants !

Edward Snowden is a man with a trove of secrets - and it seems that few world countries are prepared to grant him refuge.      When he disclosed details of the American NSA's data mining programme he knew that the full forces of the American intelligence network would seek to make an arrest - and he would probably end up in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

He flew from Hawaii - and his first stop was Hong Kong.   That must have alarmed the owner of Hong Kong because the last thing China needs is a spy drama with the United States.   The issue was flick passed when an arrest and deportation order was ignored - and Snowden started the next leg of his journey - to Moscow.

Russia would not welcome a diplomatic row souring the already testy relations with Washington and it seems that Snowden had a hasty interview with the Ecuadorian ambassador before taking to the air again - and this time his destination was Cuba.

Washington/Havana relations have been steadily improving and the Communist regime would think twice before offering him sanctuary, but it is likely that they will allow a whistle-stop change of aircraft if his final destination is Ecuador.

It seems that tiny Ecuador is fast becoming the bolt hole of choice for those who have managed to offend the great powers.  Julian Assange is holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London - and it seems that Ecuador is punching well above it's weight in world affairs.

The big question is what Snowden will do next.   The damage is done with the revelation of the NSA data mining, but it is rumoured that he has many more secrets that he will start to reveal once his home status has been settled - and that must be a worry to any country thinking of offering him sanctuary.

The long arm of the US has many ways of dealing with enemies of the state, and that pays little attention to national borders - as Pakistan, Afghanistan and surrounding countries have learned.

If Snowden find a a home in Ecuador, he may be wise to keep a very low profile because the option of taking out a fugitive with a Hellfire missile fired from a drone would be a very real danger.

He is certainly not the man the average citizen would welcome as a neighbour !

Asbestos " Cowboys " !

The removal of asbestos waste is proving a financial hazard for those renovating older homes.  Because of the deadly danger of inhaling the fine particles that lodge in the lungs it is subjected to strict disposal laws, and that involves tip fees of $ 395 a tonne, four times the cost of disposing of normal building waste.

It seems that some " Cowboys " working in the waste industry have devised schemes to turn this to their advantage.   They charge exaggerated prices to cover the legal dumping of asbestos, but simply dump the load in suburban streets and pocket the windfall profit.

One perpetrator has been caught and fined for four such offences and these fines amounting to $ 130,000 have not stopped the practice.   We are seeing constant news reports of asbestos dumped in the dead of night outside schools and day care centres and this is costing councils serious cleanup money.

It is becoming obvious that these are well planned raids on the public purse.  The " drop zone " selected is usually free of cctv camera coverage and the truck is suitably disguised.   Number plates are either removed, or carefully covered  and in most cases a tip truck is used to allow the flick of a switch to dump the load in mere seconds.

In this way, a single operation can net many hundreds of dollars of profit.  A few unscrupulous traders are beginning to specialise in this method of deception and as a result we are facing a law change to add jail time as well as hefty fines to the consequences of getting caught.

Councils have always had problems with people dodging tip fees by dumping rubbish on vacant land or in country areas but the very nature of asbestos poses a serious health risk.    There is no safe level to asbestos exposure.   When it is dumped in a street there is a risk that fibres will drift in the wind and contaminate the lungs of pedestrians and those living in nearby houses.

It seems that the only way to curb the practice is to take it out of the realm of a " commercial crime "  and treat it in similar manner to a " crime against the life of others " -  under which " attempted murder " would be a definition.

That seems to be the option that our law makers are considering !

Diplomatic Immunity !

An interesting row has broken out in Canberra testing the limits of " Diplomatic Immunity ".   China is enlarging it's mission in Australia and this involves extensions to the existing Chinese embassy.  Embassies are sensitive places these days and China has been granted permission to bring in a team of Chinese workers to carry out the work - as a " security " measure !

What that really means is that the Chinese want to keep the fitting out of the embassy in safe hands - to prevent the installation of " bugs " being hidden away behind new walls and fittings and providing a security nightmare for future embassy staff.

The thirty workers involved have been observed ignoring Australian Occupational Health and Safety laws  ( OH&S ) by not wearing the required safety helmets and fluorescent vests - and in particular - digging trenches without shoring up to prevent cave-ins.    OH&S requires any trench more than 1.5 metres in depth to be reinforced to protect workers.

The etiquette of " Diplomatic Immunity " prevents safety officers or union officials from entering the site, and this is like waving a red flag in front of a bull to the union movement.    When a country is granted land on which to site an embassy, that land becomes in the eyes of the law identical to that of the soil of the country granted occupation.   Essentially, it is  not subjected to the laws of the country in which it is located.

A fugitive granted asylum in that embassy is safe from the police as they can not enter onto embassy property without permission, and embassy staff granted " political immunity " can not be arrested or made to pay fines for breaching the laws of the host country.

Such is the situation of Julian Assange in London.  He is safe while ever he remains within that foreign embassy, but would face immediate arrest should he step outside it's boundary.   During the " Cold war ",   some defectors spent years secreted away in foreign embassies, safely out of reach of those who wished to do
them harm.

This is a storm in a tea cup.    The laws are quite clear.   These Chinese workers are free to abide by the work laws of their own country and have no obligation to apply the laws of Australia to the work they are doing here - because it is deemed that they are working on their own country's soil.

What is unclear is how these workers would fare if they broke Australian laws off site and in their own time.   Diplomatic Immunity is usually only conferred on ambassadors and their staff.  Lesser staff do not have this protection.  This usually produces a litany of argumentative duels as authorities try and enforce parking and traffic fines and the culprits hide behind the immunity of the embassy walls.

Long after the embassy work is complete, there will probably be a few matters on the books relating to these " guest " workers !

The " Officer " culture !

A long time ago the Australian Defence Forces Academy ( ADFA ) was known by another name - Duntroon Military College.   It was infamous for a culture of hazing and bastardisation inflicted on incoming cadets as part of the " initiation " process of turning civilians into military " officers ".

Officially, it was banned, but many senior officers believed that to achieve the discipline and  perspective needed to lead men into battle, it was necessary to drive compassion, decency and human feelings from the minds of the officers who would make life or death decisions on the  battlefield.

Victims suffered in silence.  Some broke under the constant strain and this vindicated the thinking of senior staff.  To their minds, this was a " weeding out " of those who lacked the qualities to hold the power of command.  At that time our military was a "men only " occupation, reserved for those who could exhibit the " right attitude " to belong.

Today's ADFA has opened it's doors to women but that " initiation process " is still hiding in the shadows.   It seems that a group of cadets went on a weekend pub crawl in which the junior members were subjected to initiation rituals which included getting some of them seriously drunk.   It involved humiliation and bastardisation - which they were obliged to submit to or face being ostracised.

It is obvious that all is not well in ADFA.   We have just finished an initial investigation of a sex scandal, to find that there are more reports of sexual photographs circulating in the academy.  What is concerning, is that participation extends to the higher levels of rank.

Half a century ago, this culture of " initiation " extended to many trades of industry.   It was common for apprentices entering a trade to suffer humiliation at the hands of senior tradesmen and this was regarded as the " right of passage ".   It now exists in only the rarest of cases.   Perhaps the fact that women have entered trades that were formerly " men only " has diluted the practice.

It seems that the initiation culture that afflicts ADFA will live on as long as it remains not only tolerated - but enthusiastically supported by veterans in senior levels of command.   The military structure is making " the right noises " about making change, but this has been happening for many years - and the scandals just keep happening.

We have entered a new era in the way wars are fought.  Brain power has become more important that sheer brawn and our future warriors will come from both genders.   The time is fast coming that those who are unable to bring their thinking into the twenty-first century must bow gracefully from the scene -  because the are no longer compatible with the needs of the armed forces.

Seniority of rank no longer insulates them from that requirement  !

A timely warning !

This autumn has been unseasonably warm and the first days of winter have been mild.   When the first cold day strikes we automatically seek ways to keep warm - and both electricity and gas are a more expensive option this year.

Many people have turned to what is described as " the Wheat bag " as an inexpensive item both to buy and to run on cold days - and specially cold nights.
It comprises a cloth bag containing grains of wheat - and in some instances, wheat is replaced by rice - which can be heated in the microwave and will hold that heat for a long period of time.

Ideal to cuddle against while you watch television, but a firm favourite for warming the bed.  Many people consider it a vast improvement on the old " hot water bottle " of past years - but misused, it can be deadly dangerous !

Commercially produced Wheat bags come with printed instructions and these determine the length of time they should spend in the microwave - and that also depends on the variety of power settings of each individual Microwave unit.

Leaving the Wheat bag to heat for excess time can cause it to overheat and when it is placed in the bed there is a danger that it can smoulder - or even self combust.   We are seeing a spate of house fires in recent weeks and many of these are caused by misuse of Wheat bags.

They are safe - if used properly !    The problem is that some people simply ignore the instructions and their use by children requires very strict supervision.  The fire prevention people are worried that cost hikes for both gas and electricity will force many households to cut energy costs - and Wheat bags seem a very reasonable way of getting heat relief at low cost.

They are inexpensive to buy, and a short time in the Microwave costs a lot less than running a conventional heater to gain warmth.

Users would be wise to do the sums and establish a strict time limit on their heating time in the Microwave, depending on a correlation of the instructions and the power of the individual household Microwave appliance.

It would probably be a good idea to ink that time factor on the exterior of the Wheat bag - and caution all users to strictly observe that limitation !

Poles and Wires !

It seems to be a case of " virtual reality " that if we want the facilities of New South Wales to be upgraded to the standards of the twenty-first century, it will only happen if we are prepared to sell state assets to make the money available.

This is already underway with our ports moving from public to private ownership - and now the Treasury is salivating at the expected thirty billion dollars which could be gained from selling off the " poles and wires " that deliver electricity to the electricity consumers of this state

Tantalising rewards are being dangled in front of the public.  It is suggested that the Princes Highway could become a divided road all the way to the Victorian border.   The " Connex " project would deliver western motorists quickly to the Sydney CBD.  The long awaited F-6 extension to St Peters could become a reality - and  at long last the log jam on the rail projects we so desperately need could be broken.

Considering this proposal involves a little bit of navel gazing.   The vast poles and wires network is something that we already own and which has been created with public funds over countless decades.   It costs a lot of money to be maintained, but it also delivers a steady dividend to state government coffers.   Once it is sold, that dividend vanishes !

Whoever ponies up that $ 30 billion to become the new owner of poles and wires will not be doing it from the goodness of their hearts.   They will see it as an opportunity to make a profit and we can reasonably expect that the charges for it's use will increase to make that happen.

The financial whiz kids can create a compelling case for selling assets to create the facilities that we desire, but it is also like pawning the family silver.   Every time we relinquish a family treasure we become just a little poorer - and we have seen some families end up on " skid row " that way !

It is also wise not to become mesmerised by the size of that thirty billion dollars injection of funds.   In today's world, it is not a fortune.   It will only provide " some " - and not " all " of the rewards promised - and then only if it is spent wisely.

Fortunately, we have a firm government promise that the poles and wires are safe for the duration of the present parliamentary term.   It is likely that the government will seek a mandate for the sale if it decides to bring the proposal forward as a policy item prior to the next election.

Before we make that decision, we need to know just what dividends the poles and wires are now delivering to state finances.

That old adage about killing a goose that lays golden eggs comes to mind !

" Torment " !

It is painful to feel the torment that must run through parents minds when the person responsible for the senseless killing of their son is allowed to plead guilty to a lesser crime than "Murder" !

Thomas Kelly ( 18 ) was walking through King's Cross with his girlfriend when for no reason Kieran Loveridge ( 19 ) walked up and " king hit " him, causing him to fall to the pavement and inflict brain damage when his head hit the concrete.  This was a completely unprovoked attack.

The court was told that on this night in question, Loveridge committed four similar attacks - one prior to the blow to Kelly's head - and two afterwards to  totally innocent people.   There is no explanation of why this happened.  It seems that Loveridge simply felt like assaulting people at random - and did so.  It is likely that alcohol was involved.

Thomas Kelly was taken to hospital and efforts were made to save his life, but the damage was beyond help and his life support was finally turned off. His attacker was identified days later, arrested and has now had a charge of murder downgraded to " manslaughter " - to which he has pleaded " guilty ".

Unfortunately, the prosecution's definition of the crime as " manslaughter " is correct.   In the eyes of the law, " murder " involves the intention to cause a victim's death. The fact that Loveridge delivered four such blows during his rampage indicates a desire to cause pain, but three of the victims survived and the death of Thomas Kelly was not directly caused by the blow, but as a result of the fall that followed.   It would be hard to convince a court that Loveridge intended to kill his victim when he delivered that blow.

The fact that someone died because of an unprovoked assault is clear definition that a serious crime occurred.   In reality. there will probably be little difference in the custodial outcome between " murder " and " manslaughter " when it comes  to " time served " !

Theoretically, murder could bring a " life " sentence - and the maximum term for manslaughter is twenty-five years.   These days it seems that only exceptionally brutal and premeditated murders get more than a twenty year sentence, and few actually serve that full term.

If this sentence follows the usual pattern, whatever the judge hands down will be appealed.   The legal profession has made appeals an art form and in many cases they result in the sentence being substantially reduced.  Such a successful outcome usually depends on the quality of counsel  retained to present the appeal - and that depends on the depth of defence funds that can be applied to the case.

The sad thing is that the victims family have no part in these areas of decision making.   That is all decided in the arcane world of the people who practice law and the judiciary which presides over the court system.   At best, the bereaved may be allowed to read a statement outlining the extent of their loss to the court.

Such is the law in this modern age.   We have renounced the " an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth " concept, and replaced it with supposed compassion for the rehabilitation of the offender.    The onus of interest has passed from the fate of the victim to the hopeful rehabilitation of the offender.   The victim's loved ones have little inclusion in the workings of this process.

Many would argue that the pendulum of justice has swung too far in the wrong direction.   When this country was founded, a convicted person could be transported for life for stealing a loaf of bread to appease starvation.   Capital punishment was the option for a broad listing of crimes.

Today, we bend over backwards to dispense mercy and we are more likely to serve time for a financial offence than for ending someones life.   It is disheartening for the victims families - and poses no real deterrent to the type of behaviour that can lead to the death of others.

That " Drinking Age " question !

Pressure is building to raise the legal drinking age in Australia from the present eighteen - to twenty-one !  TV viewers are sick and tired of the relentless images of drunken young patrons brawling in the streets outside nightclubs, and sporting events ruined by hooligan behaviour.

Few seem to remember that for three quarters of the last century the legal drinking age in this country was twenty-one.    That all changed in 1974 when we became involved in an Asian war and young men were subjected to conscription under the terms of what was called   " National Service ".

It seemed incongruous that at age eighteen, citizens were deemed too immature to cast a vote to select the government and not permitted to buy or drink alcohol, but could be forcibly taken into the army, issued a gun and sent overseas to fight a war.   Consequently, the " Age of Majority " was lowered from twenty-one to eighteen.

Australia was a very different place back in 1974.   The pubs opened at ten in the morning and closed at ten in the evening.  There was no Sunday trading in most states, and night clubs were a phenomenon of the entertainment cluster in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Today, every country town has late trading and at least one venue calls itself a " night club " and provides what is dubiously called " entertainment " until the wee small hours.   It seems that the prime function of these places is to make the proprietors rich by serving as much alcohol as the patrons can possibly ingest - and turfing them loose on an unsuspecting public when the doors finally close.

It may be possible to legally turn back the clock on the drinking age, but an act of parliament does not automatically ensure that such a law will be obeyed.  This is a more rebellious age and the alcohol industry is both rich and powerful, and politicians curb it at their peril.   There seems a certain timidity in applying the measures that have brought results in Newcastle to implementation in the rest of the state - and clearly any move to restrict access to alcohol will meet stiff resistance from the alcohol lobby.

Most reasonable people would agree that the old " ten am to ten pm " opening hours were probably a little too restrictive, but do we really need what are nothing more than " alcohol swills " serving patrons until three in the morning - and some not closing at all ?    Would it be unreasonable if the serving of alcohol stopped  at an earlier hour - statewide ?

We are never going to eliminate the damage does by excess drinking of alcohol.  The best we can achieve is to moderate the outcome by imposing reasonable restrictions on supply, hours of service - and strict policing on under age access.  It is a fact of life that much of the problem we are facing comes from young people under the present legal age of eighteen getting their hands on alcohol and drinking to excess.

The other factor exacerbating the problem, is the examples set by the various sporting codes.   Sporting hero's paid big money set a terrible example and while the clubs profess to clamp down, a " nudge and wink " approach seems to condone the drinking problem.    Only when offending players are " out " for the rest of the season and lose the huge money they earn will we see a change of attitude come into effect.

This is not a problem that needs a sledge hammer approach.    Careful fine tuning can chip away at the problem and bring results - but that will require the politicians to have the stamina to stand up to the attack they will endure from the powerful alcohol lobby.   So far, they seem to lack that courage !

A looming tax trap !

About four hundred thousand Australian taxpayers are likely to get a very unpleasant surprise when they file their tax return this financial year.   Last July, changes to the Health Insurance rebate came into effect and it seems that a lot of people are still claiming a thirty percent rebate to which they are no longer entitled.  In many cases, this will result in a $ 1,700 tax bill !

This rebate was originally legislated to drive more people into taking out private health insurance and ease the load on the public hospital system.  Under financial stress, the government changed the eligibility rules to have the rebate cease for singles earning $ 84,000 and families with combined incomes of $ 168,000.

Now it has been revealed that there has been confusion on who needs to do what to bring this change into line with the new law.   It seems that the health insurance companies have continued to apply the rebate to the premiums of their customers - unless those customers have specifically advised them that they are no longer eligible.

Unfortunately, the tax maize is a mystery that many people leave to their taxation accountant and only present their paperwork when the need to prepare a tax return arrives each year.   If they have received the benefit of a rebate for which they are not entitled for this tax year, any chance of a refund will morph into the certainty of a big bill instead !

There will be finger pointing and accusations of neglect, but the health insurance companies were obviously concerned that these tax changes would have an unknown effect on their viability and left the onus on their customers to make the first move.

It also seems that this tax revelation is coming at the worst possible time.  There is a likely premium hike coming through the system and many taxpayers are about to get a double shock.   Not only do they lose that valuable thirty percent rebate, but the basic price of their insurance will also face an upward jump - and on top of that, there will be this unpaid tax bill for the claim made over the past year.

The big mystery is how all this will affect the viability of our hospital system.  The idea of the rebate was to pressure people to lower their compulsory tax bill by using insurance premiums as a tax lowering claim.   There is a real chance that some people may abandon their insurance cover and rely on the public health system because the rebate no longer applies - and our hospitals are already groaning under the load.

Making this change stick is certainly something that could have been handled in a much better way !

An " Emotional " response !

When pictures of Australian cattle being ill treated in Indonesian abattoirs were shown on television  it sparked anger across this nation.  In a knee jerk reaction, the government closed down shipments and brought the northern cattle industry to it's knees.   Exports have resumed, but this market has been permanently damaged - and export numbers are in decline.

Stopping exports was a major blunder.  We would have been better served by pressuring the Indonesian government to improve abattoir conditions.  It is unlikely that a third world country  could achieve the standard of meat processing that is practised here, but it is equally clear that insisting that cattle be killed, processed and chilled here in Australia and then exported to Indonesia will not work.

The lack of refrigeration in a tropical country means that meat must be processed locally - and usually in primitive conditions.   Small villages often slaughter one or two animals and immediately sell the meat for immediate consumption.   What is slaughtered must be consumed within a very reasonable period  because of this lack of refrigeration.

The bigger abattoirs in major centres process more cattle and the Indonesian government responds to Australian pressure to improve standards.  Unfortunately, anti cattle export groups tend to highlight isolated incidents and this plays on the emotions of viewers with  compassion for animals.

Now we have another " humanity " problem here in Australia.  Horses are an introduced species to this country.  They were brought here by the early settlers and some escaped to create " Brumby " herds that are now increasing in number and damaging the Kosciuszko national park in the Snowy Mountains.

A decade ago numbers were as low as two thousand.  Today, there are seven thousand wild horses and unless they are culled they will do massive damage to this sensitive environment.

The only practical culling method is shooting from the air, but this will produce harrowing scenes that will disturb many viewers, and you can be sure the anti-culling people will take measures to present the cull in a bad light.

We have just had a European scandal where horse meat was presented as beef, but horse meat is acceptable in many parts of the world and if these wild horses have to be culled, why not turn a problem into a marketing opportunity and offer this product on the world market ?

By licensing meat exporters to do their work in the Snowy Mountains national parks we would solve the Brumby problem and create a new industry.  Trapping wild horses to be processed in mobile abattoirs would be far more humane than shooting from the air and leaving the carcases to rot in the field.

The treatment of animals evokes a highly emotional response from many people, but it is important to keep the subject in focus.   The damage done to the cattle trade with Indonesia has seen a new surplus in the Northern Territory seeking inadequate pasture and water - and some have been euthanized.   It is simply not possible to ignore the fast growing herd of Brumbies decimating the Snowy Mountains.   From a practical point of view, it is simply a decision to select the most humane solution.

We need to think long and hard - and examine the entire question - before we stampede our politicians into knee jerk reactions !

The " Petrol " Bandits !

Desperate people are driven to taking desperate measures to survive, and tough times in Australia have seen a sharp increase in " drive off " theft from petrol stations.   The figures are alarming.   People who drive away and fail to pay for the petrol they put in their vehicles tank average forty-seven incidents a day.  The monthly tally reached 1462 a month - and over a year this reached a total of 15,000 " drive offs ".

Usually, a degree of " deception " is involved and the favourite ruse is to cover the vehicles number plates with plates stolen from another vehicle.  People who park in railway station car parks or on club premises often return to find number plates missing from their car.  Tamper resistant screws have been developed to provide plate security but this has a long way to go to be effective.

This is fast developing into major crime.   Car fuel prices and the size of the tanks of many big vehicles deliver significant loss to petrol traders.  If left unchecked, it is capable of driving the smaller operators out of business.  It seems inevitable that this age of technology will respond to the problem by making petrol sales a " pre-pay " way of doing business.

It will probably see the end of the " fill her up " philosophy that has applied to petrol.   In the past, we insert the hose, fill the tank and then go to the cashier and pay what is owing.    We are heading into an age when we will need to approach the cashier, select the amount of petrol we wish to purchase and pay for it - and have the operator authorise the pump to deliver precisely the amount of that sale.

Computer technology can make this possible, but it will require a change of thinking on the part of car owners.   Those about to undertake a long trip and who are unsure how much their vehicle will hold - but desire a full tank will probably have to leave a substantial deposit with the cashier.   The limit will then be removed from the pumps memory instruction, but the customer will have to return to the cashier to collect the overpayment between deposit and what the pump delivered.

Pre-Pay is really the term of trade that applies in the entire retail industry.  When we visit the supermarket, chemist shop or a clothing store we select the goods we require - and pay for them before walking out the door.   The only difference with petrol is that it is in our possession on the other side of that door before we have paid the bill.    Pre-Pay takes us into the realm of shops which deliver our purchases rather than the " self serve " method of sales.   We pay for the fuel - and the seller then " delivers " it to our vehicle.

Perhaps the past was a " more honest " age.  Certainly petrol was cheap by today's standards and the " drive off " phenomenon illustrates how much we rely on the vehicle in our present way of life.    In many families it is the only way to get to work and earn a paycheck - and the only way that the kids get to school.

Sadly, desperation causes otherwise honest people to risk a criminal record and perhaps a stint in prison by committing what is a serious crime.   The increasing losses will make it imperative for the petrol industry to  move to new marketing methods and soon the " drive off " will be an impossibility.

When that happens, expect that desperate need for fuel to head in a new direction. We will probably see an increase in the prevalence of milking fuel from the tanks of parked cars.  Instead of stealing number plates, a drum and a piece of plastic tubing will be the new method of convenience to solve the problem for those lacking the ability to pay.

Solving one problem will merely create another !

The " Greedy " versus the " Needy " !

A lot of ordinary Australian people are doing it tough.  Single mothers have been dumped onto the dole queue and are expected to live on $ 35 a day.  Asylum seekers have been released into the community, but denied the right to seek work to support themselves - and  hordes of young people are finding it near impossible to get their first job.

" Doing it tough " does not apply to our politicians.   They have just landed pay increases that range from 2.4% on base salaries to delivering the Prime Minister an additional $ 11,908 to take her salary to $ 507,338.

Base salaries are just the start of the " money trail ".   Electoral allowances shower more revenue on those holding political office, plus all the perks of allowances for " sitting days " of parliament - and then there is the " study tour " travel to overseas honey pots, and when they finally retire - or get kicked out of office - a dream superannuation scheme kicks in to see them in clover for the rest of their lives.

Of course they hide behind the " Remunerations Tribunal " decisions when pay rises are awarded.   This tribunal is tasked with setting the pay for politicians, judges and the senior bureaucracy of the public service, and in comparison with what the captains of industry earn, the public sector salaries are quite modest.

Unfortunately, human nature has a " greed " factor.   We have seen how the rules are flouted to raid the public purse.  Everything seems to be fair game, from using cab vouchers for private travel to having a spouse own accommodation which is then rented to the politician as a tax deduction, and claimed as a legitimate expense.

The question many will ask is " are we getting value for money ? "

That is the question that gets answered every time a parliamentary term ends and we go to the ballot boxes to deliver a verdict.   If we are satisfied, we usually cull a few non-performers, but send in the same team to do another term in office.  If we are far from satisfied, we boot them out and give someone else a go.

Looking around the world, we see places where a dictator has grabbed power and rules by force.  There are countries steeped in civil war as the citizens try and bring about change.   At least this country still has a veneer of civility - even if the political language gets a bit testy at times.

So far, nobody has devised a better way to make the decisions that affect us all. We are one of the few countries in the world that demands that every citizen of voting age presents front and centre on election day - and does his or her civic duty of selecting a parliamentary representative - or faces a fine !

It seems to be a case of allowing the " needy " to make a choice between the candidates offering their services - in the sure knowledge that " greed " will be a factor during their term in office !

" Franchising " !

The first job for many young people is " burger flipping " at one of the big fast food  companies that display their logo across the world.   Often, this starts while they are still at school and if they show promise, it can lead to permanent work.

There is a feeling of safety to be employed by a company that has a good name and reputation on the world stage.   It gives great job satisfaction to see your employers logo constantly advertised on television and know that you are working for a " world company ".

Unfortunately, that is only a part truth   Welcome to the wonderful world - of " Franchising " !

It all started many years ago when someone established a successful company which gained media attention.    Lacking the funds to expand into a multi outlet chain, a savvy proprietor offered to " franchise " the business name to others in exchange for a " rental " fee for the use of that name.

Today, that has become big business and  the familiar fast food outlets scattered across the globe are individual stores operating under a common name, but owned by traders who have a signed agreement to cover presentation and policy as dictated by the owner of the trading name.

Not all businesses are successful.  Sometimes some of these branches encounter financial difficulties - and close.  Employees are then dismayed to find that the owners of that brand name have no obligation to reimburse lost wages or unpaid taxation or superannuation entitlements.   It is a myth that they are employees of that hallowed brand.   They were employees of the person who held the franchise for the brand - and accountability ends with that person.

Franchising is a rapidly advancing business technique that has invaded many avenues of service provision.   From lawn mowing and gardening, to mechanical work on car engines, national brand names appear under common advertising to direct business to franchise holders in cities and towns.   It is wise for customers to remember that they are actually dealing with the individual who holds a contract with the national company - not directly with that company itself.

This came to public attention when such a franchise closed it's doors and employees found that many of it's statuary obligations had not been met.  In particular, their work agreements had included training to facilitate advancement , and this had been totally lacking.

Usually, when a business closes there is a lack of money and everyone concerned faces a degree of loss.   So it is with employees.   Young people working in the franchise field are warned that they are in the same situation as merchants who supply goods to a franchised store.   There is a risk that if the business fails, they will lose any money owed to them.

The fact that the Logo on the store is recognised world wide is no guarantee of solvency in a franchise operation !

The " Rape " solution !

The rape and murder of Melbourne woman Jill Meagher shocked the nation.  The perpetrator has pleaded guilty and now faces a sentencing court which is taking into account his long history of sexual attacks on women.   It is not an encouraging story.   This man was on bail at the time of the murder and his rap sheet contains a sad tale of repeated rapes of multiple victims going back over the years. It would not be unreasonable to predict that if he ever regains his freedom, he will rape again.

The judge in this case faces competing demands.   The public expects a heavy sentence due to the magnitude of the crime and the media attention that it attracted.   The government is well aware of the cost of keeping people in prison for very long periods.   Humanitarian bodies preach the " rehabilitation " doctrine and insist that offenders can be reformed - and deserve the chance of a better life. Relatives of the victims deplore what they see as leniency that has allowed a person with anti-social habits to walk the streets - and offend again.

Whatever this judge hands down by way of sentence will be subject to appeal and at some later stage, will be subjected to reinterpretation by parole boards.  They will be influenced by the reports of psychiatrists and medical people who will evaluate the prisoners rehabilitation progress - and recommend accordingly.

The problem is that it is impossible to predict with certainty that a released felon will not re-offend in precisely the same way as his previous history suggested, and if that happens - the public will be enraged at the failure of the justice system.

Unfortunately, society is threatened with a small number of offenders who suffer some sort of brain irregularity that compels them to rape - again and again.   Our court system is charged with the task of finding a solution and that involves a form of punishment.   Mostly, this is loss of civil liberty by way of a prison sentence, but there should also be a medical solution available - at the judges discretion.

Castration would remove the stimulus for rape and it would provide a reasonable exchange for a lesser time in prison.   It should only be available in cases where persistent rapes show an offence pattern that needs to be curbed.  It could form part of a plea bargain if the offender agrees to the procedure in exchange for a stipulated term in prison.   It should be an option - available to both the prosecution and the defence for bargaining.

It stands to reason that an offenders pleas of remorse would carry more weight if he had volunteered to submit to the surgeon's knife.   The threat of future rapes would have been permanently removed - and society would be a safer place.

It might even be an option preferable to some convicted offenders.  Behavioural scientists contend that brain abnormalities cause loss of control which brings
genuine regret to some offenders.    Sufferers may welcome a surgical removal that brings the prospect of eventual return to a normal life - with the guarantee they will not give further offence.

It is certainly one of the options that should be on the table when the pre-sentencing arguments are exchanged between the defence, prosecution and the presiding judge.

The main objective of every prosecution is to ensure that the convicted  person does not commit a repeat crime !

Traitor - or Hero ?

Edward Snowden is a twenty-nine year old American citizen who has worked as a CIA technician.   He revealed to the Guardian newspaper details of a secret American security operation codenamed PRISM in which telephone conversations and emails are intercepted.  According to his testimony, private communications between American citizens and between residents of overseas countries are intercepted and subjected to random searches to locate " key " words or phrases which might cause security concern.   Should a citizen later come under security suspicion, it is possible to recall every conversation, financial transaction and job history in that persons past life.    Until Snowden made this revelation, this project was carefully hidden from the American public.

Snowden is a whistleblower.  In the course of his duties he became aware of events taking place with which he did not agree.   He says he revealed this information because he " Didn't want to live in a society which does these things ".    He now joins the ranks of two other people who are hailed by some as hero's - and by others as traitors.

Bradley Manning is facing trial and possible execution for releasing secret government documents.   Julian Assange - to who the documents were passed - is holed up in London, protected by a friendly diplomatic embassy.  Snowden is in Hong Kong and it remains to be seen whether attempts will be made to have him deported back to United States soil.

This entire Manning/Assange/Snowden issue directs the spotlight on several key questions.   Is it legal for a government agency to eavesdrop on private communications without first obtaining a warrant from a judge ?   If a citizen detects an instance where the government has acted illegally, is that citizen required to bring that breach to the notice of law enforcement ?

There is a notion held by many people that in some circumstances governments are above the law.   They can and do implement emergency measures - which can later be sanctioned by passing laws.  This is a grey area that lacks any sort of legal definition.

It is a legal definition that if a person becomes aware of a major crime - and remains silent, that person may be held accountable as an " accessory after the fact ".

It seems that no law exists to remove the state from the obligation to abide by it's own laws.  Bradley Manning claims that the event that impelled him to release documents was a viewing of an event in which American soldiers laughed and cheered as they machine gunned to death a bunch of journalists mistaken for terrorists.   This crime was known to the military - and no attempt was made to bring the perpetrators to justice.

There are obviously matters that are best not made widely known in the relationships between countries and most people will agree that governments have a need for a degree of secrecy.  This brings into conflict the moral obligations that some citizens consider more compelling than their civic obligations to keep the secrets of the state.

This clash of principles can only widen.  The relentless march of technology will deliver more weapons of war and more opportunities to explore options that were impossible in an earlier age.   At the same time, the people who will direct that technology face bewildering choices.   To remain silent against their better judgement - or to speak openly and risk the wrath of their country - and the end of their life as they knew it !

That fate hangs like the sword of Damocles over the head of Edward Snowden.
He made his moral decision - and now he must pay the price.   What is certain is that in the years ahead there will be more people like Bradley Manning, Julian Assange and Edward Snowden who will decide to make their governments accountable.

The sixty four dollar question - is whether this will result in a new era of openness, or whether it will drive the machinations of government into an ever deeper web of secrecy !

The " Privacy " myth !

When we log onto Facebook or place a tweet on Twitter we are using an open forum that invites the whole world to be our witness.   When we pick up the phone or send an email to a member of our family or a close friend, we have an expectation of privacy - or so we thought !

Declarations of war are very much " last century " stuff these days.   We and most of the rest of the world are in an undeclared war between terrorist elements who are prepared to kill and main to force their religious agenda to supplant our democratic forms of government and systems of justice.

The number one target of this war is the country with the most powerful military force in the world - the United States of America.  As a result of terror attacks, the American National Security Agency ( NSA ) has implemented a system called PRISM to collect and collate electronic data between US citizens - and those citizens in contact with people in other world countries.

The development of the computer has seen an ever expanding integration of communication systems and there are few people on planet Earth who do not use in some form Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo, Skype, AOL, tumblr, or YouTube.    The moment your phone connection or computer server makes a call connection that involves these networks, a US government sponsored  data collection agency scoops up the call and puts it into storage.

What happens next is something of a mystery.   Information gathering is one of the " dark arts " and we know that computers sift through conversations seeking " key " words or phrases, which then lead to a more detailed investigation of the matter discussed.   That is the only way the mountain of calls can be mined for information.   The sheer volume is too great for any other option to be applicable.

So - it all boils down to the fact that personal privacy no longer exists.   Whenever we pick up the phone or sit at the keyboard, whatever we say or type is being scooped up by an electronic sensor - and becomes an item in a vast data bank.

The security people tend to deny that this is so, but then security is usually  secretive about it's operational methods and the computer gurus openly admit that the technology exists to make it happen.    We are also told that a loss of personal privacy is a price we have to pay to keep our society safe from those who wish to do us harm.

Welcome to the world of the twenty-first century.   We now live in an age where our way of living must fit within the bounds of " conformity "with that of our fellow citizens, or we risk being declared  a possible " enemy of the state ". Mysterious things can happen if we innocently cross some hidden boundary and bring ourselves to the attention of the ever watching " security " apparatus.    We may find we can no longer travel on an airplane.   We may find that job opportunities are closed to us.  We may find work colleagues avoiding us and social doors closing.   We may be treading the path to become an " un-person ".!

We are told that no innocent person has cause to fear from such surveillance, but gone is the way of life when we could share our thoughts with others, safe in the knowledge that what we said and do in private - remained that way.

" Big Brother " was supposed to arrive in 1984.    It seems he suffered a delay of a few years !

Certificate of " Sex Proficiency " ?

The subject of 457 Visas has taken a turn into a new direction.   The Australian sex industry is demanding that foreign sex workers be allowed into Australia to meet unfulfilled demand.   So far, the Immigration Department is refusing.

The 457 issue has long been a point of contention.   It originated as a means of finding workers in situations where Australian workers fell short of the numbers required.    At present, there are 624 job categories listed as " acceptable " when applications are made, but there is suspicion that the scheme is being rorted.   Foreign workers invited into the country are gratefull and some employers think they work harder and make fewer demands than local employees.

The Australian Sex Workers Association, known as the " Scarlet Alliance " raises the issue of " skills ".   The present 624 approved job categories include therapists, cooks, gardeners, dog handlers, fashion designers - and many more in which skill levels are " doubtful ".   The Scarlet Alliance claims that providing satisfying sex is a skilled profession.

The sticking point seems to be the lack of a diploma or a degree to grade the proficiency of individual sex workers.   This seems grossly unfair when many of the jobs listed as acceptable for 457 visas would be hard pressed to claim a tertiary level of skill - or prove efficiency of delivery beyond that of an " enthusiastic amateur ".

And so it goes with sex.    Everybody has to start somewhere, and in this country we seem to lack such a course at TAFE or university.

Another objection that will certainly arise - is the matter of worker shortage.   The very nature of 457 visas was to plug the gap where jobs offering went unfulfilled. Are we lacking sufficient sex workers to meet demand ?    Since the sex trade achieved legality, have we ever accurately counted the numbers ?

The decision makers will be uncomfortable with the sex trade decision needed, but the Scarlet Alliance does have a point.   We know that many unsuspecting Asian women are lured into Australia with the promise of ordinary jobs, and then forced into sexual slavery.    The weapon that forces their compliance is usually the fact that they are illegals - and have no rights.

Immigration should look at this question seriously - and perhaps the Education system needs a re-think too !    In this country the level of skill attained is directly linked to salaries earned.

That probably also applies to the sex industry !

New threat rising !

It took the death of a usually studious young man to focus the nation's attention on a new twist in the drug wars.   The drugs being sold on the streets of Australian cities are now not the real thing !    In the past, Heroin and Cocaine slipped past customs and made a lot of money for their importers.   Marijuana was usually a local crop, grown hydroponically or on a patch deep in the woods.   Quality varied, depending on how the drugs were " cut " ,  but the " high " was fairly predictable.

A lot of people from all social strata's have been tempted by the huge profits coming from supplying the market for illicit drugs.   There is certainly a risk of  long term in prison if the supplier gets caught, but balanced against the millions that can quickly flow, many people think the odds are favourable.

Now, new thinking is being applied.   Smart minds have worked out that this risk can be avoided - but the same profits will quickly flow - if the drugs they produce can be tweaked to fall outside the legal definition needed to base a successful prosecution.

We now have synthetic adaptions being offered on the Internet and delivered through the postal system.  Each of these is not technically an illegal substance, because the formulae has been slightly altered from the legal definition used by the justice system.  

It becomes a " cat and mouse " game.   The legal definition moves to outlaw a new drug combination and immediately chemists in the supply chain make a small modification to change the mix and avoid the new offering falling into illegal status.

The danger is that these modifications are untested and even the chemists involved have no idea what side effects may result.   In the case causing headlines, a seventeen year old swallowed what purported to be a " LSD tablet " and this caused a mental distortion that convinced him that he could fly.   The power of this drug mix was so great that he willingly launched from a third floor balcony - and died instantly from the fall.

At this point, the supply seems to be coming from China and New Zealand, but it seems inevitable that local producers will quickly emerge.   A whole new way of thinking has evolved in the drug culture - and if we are to mount a defence we will need to apply a similar new way of thinking to the legal definitions needed to prosecute synthetic drugs that do not meet the present legal definitions.

Unfortunately, countering this new menace will probably involve intrusions into civil liberties and it is essential that whatever plans evolve have the full support of all the states and territories, together with the Commonwealth.

No country has yet succeeded in solving it's drug problems and the " law of supply and demand "  is unequivocal.     As long as strong demand exists, there will be those who for profit take whatever risks are necessary to meet that demand.

The need to at least slow this death trade means that the rule book must have the same degree of innovation !

When " Big " is " Too Big " !

The ACCC has just knocked back Woolworths from opening a new store at Glenmore Ridge, near Penrith.   It has stores completely dominating the surrounding suburban areas and  this new store would simply confer near monopoly status. 

The battle of supremacy between Woolworths and Coles is seeing the duopoly extend it's reach far beyond groceries.   Independent petrol stations are doing it tough with the big end of town using their sales dockets as discount vouchers for petrol sales.  Now hardware is in their sights.   Coles has an edge with it's Bunnings chain and Woolworths is fast building a rival network that will make life very difficult for the independent suburban hardware stores.

Television advertising reveals that Coles has entered the insurance field and is seeking a share of car insurance.  The entire insurance spectrum is highly competitive and is fighting a price war.   " Cheaper " seems to be the catch-cry when it comes to premiums, but " Buyer Beware " is lurking in the small print.

Every time we have a major rain event a lot of very unhappy policy holders find that the fine print in their policy defines any sort of water damage as a " flood " - and excludes this from the cover offered.    There have been several attempts to banish legal " Gobbledegook " from the exclusions and definitions, but the disappointment goes on and on - year after year.

Car insurance also has it's hazards.   Some insurance companies allow a choice of repairers, but others demand the repair be done by their choice of provider, and some jobs are done to a price rather than a standard.   Then there is the time factor, length of guarantee - and whether the customer is entitled to a courtesy car while work is carried out.   The lowest price may not deliver the better deal.

Whenever a company achieves market share that is out of kilter with it's competitors, the buying public tends to suffer.   Not only does a giant firm become unwieldy in the management areas, but the temptation to use it's power to dictate prices is almost overwhelming.     Many years ago such an impending monopoly was brewing in the pharmaceutical field, and the government stepped in and placed a legal limit on the number of stores they could own.    That is the reason we have a vast number of independent chemist shops scattered throughout Australian cities today.

The fact that Coles and Woolworths are a duopoly may have stayed the government's hand from a similar action, but the best interests of the buying public will be served by having a wider choice than just two giant competing chains.

Perhaps now is the time to limit the intrusion into wide spectrum expansion into other fields which must displace lesser competitors and eventually produce monopolies too great for any sort of control.

There must come a point - where "Big " has crossed a line into " Too Big " !

Cataract removal surgery !

Two fairly common medical procedures strike fear into the hearts of most patients. One is the Colonoscopic examination of the bowel to detect early signs of cancer, and the other is the surgical removal of Cataracts and the installation of a replacement lens to deliver clear vision.

Both are carried out without pain or suffering, but what distresses many Cataract patients in the forewarning that they will not be completely sedated with an anaesthetic.   The suggestion that surgery will be carried out on the eye while they are still awake is a frightening prospect.  It may help if this procedure is explained on a step by step basis.

When a patient presents for Cataract surgery a nurse administers three different eye drops to the eye to be treated.  This is done on three separate occasions with a time lapse between, and usually the nurse implants a " dot" with a Pentel pen to the patients forehead as a record that this action has been completed.

These drops are in fact a local anaesthetic that allows the surgeon to carry out the procedure without the patient feeling any sensation from the eye.  When these drops have been given time to take effect the patient is wheeled into the procedure room and the anaesthesist connects a needle to the patients wrist.   Most people wrongly think that this is the anaesthetic that will numb the eye.  In fact, it is a mild anaesthetic to calm the patient  - and the actual lens replacement is done very quickly.

The surgeon usually stands behind the patients head and the only sensation is the surrounding eye area being constantly washed with water.   There is no feeling of contact with the eye, and very quickly the surgeon states " Job complete " and places a bandage patch over the treated eye.   The patient is then wheeled to recovery, and a little later gets dressed and joins the patient  queue for tea, coffee and sandwiches.    This eye surgery is a pre-fasting regime.

The patient usually keeps the eye bandage in place until the next day and is required to administer eye drops for a period of time.  The new lens has restored the ability to read the newspaper without reading glasses, and usually the other eye gets a similar service at a future date.

Like a Colonoscopic bowel examination, Cataract removal is a procedure that does not involve pain and suffering.   The anticipated horror is purely a figment of the imagination.   Both seem very invasive to the average person's mind and without a clear interpretation of what is involved we create mental scenarios - that are very frightening.

In the reality world of modern medicine, most patients are surprised to find that the procedure has been carried out without them being fully aware of anything unusual.   Nothing disturbed the tranquility of their time in the procedure room - and now the problem is solved - and has restored their peace of mind.

The creation of jangled nerves when these procedures are suggested - comes entirely from our very active imagination !

Mission Impossible !

It seems that the expectations of what a school teacher is supposed to do when a fight breaks out in a schoolyard is masked in " political correctness ".   The headmaster of Collarenebri school in western New South Wales will no doubt be relieved  that the education department has announced that he will " not be disciplined " for his actions in breaking up a fight !

Two fourteen year old girls set about each other and the headmaster called to another teacher to " Grab one of them ".   The second girl continued to attack the girl being held and the headmaster crash tackled her to the ground.   All this was recorded on the ever present camera phones - and other students seemed keen to let the fight continue.

The girl the headmaster crash tackled was Aboriginal, and her father complained about the action taken.   He complained that this " was not right " - and referred the matter to the education department for disciplinary action. 

The big question that goes unanswered is -  " Just what action is a teacher supposed to take when a fight breaks out and there is a chance that one of the participants may be injured ? "

Suppose this teacher had not intervened. Suppose he had merely demanded that the girls discontinue the fighting and that the more powerfully built girl had managed to inflict a serious injury on her opponent.   No doubt that headmaster would have been severely criticised for his lack of action to breakup the fight.

We seem to be heading towards an interpretation of the rules that infers that there must be no physical contact of any kind between a teacher and students.  That seems to apply to the sporting field as well as the classroom.   Most teachers in today's world think that giving a distressed student a hug or a pat on the back is to be avoided - because it could be interpreted as some sort of sexual move. Political correctness has introduced the spectre of " suspicion " to loom over any display of human kindness.

It seems that our world of schooling is degenerating into a sterile division of " them and us "  when it comes to relations between teachers and their charges.   This well publicised case from Collarenebri will reinforce the option that when a fight breaks out, stand back and use voice commands - but under no circumstances become physically involved, no matter what injuries are likely to happen as a result of the fight.

A teacher taking that course of action could become the subject of a disciplinary hearing - for failing to keep order in the school yard.     No wonder teaching school is fast becoming " Mission Impossible ! "

The " Minimum Wage " enigma !

Low wage Australian workers have just been granted a raise of 41 c an hour. Predictably, the unions claim that this is not enough and industry claims that it will make manufacturing less competitive - and cause job losses.

They are probably both right.   The enigma of setting a minimum wage - as opposed to letting market forces prevail - is the difference between a civilized country and the law of the jungle.

We are surrounded by many countries where people literally starve to death if they have an infirmity that prevents them from working and earning a living.  There is no welfare safety net and vast millions live in slums - or simply exist on the streets of overcrowded cities.

This minimum wage rise of 2.6% takes the weekly pay packet to $622 and there is no doubt that any person earning wages at that ;level will have problems paying rent, gas and electricity bills - and putting food on the table.   It is a long way short of the $ 1396 that the average wage earner receives - and that increased 4.5% in the past year.

It is a fact of life that Australia has the highest minimum wage in the developed world according to OECD.   Some will claim that this is the reason we are becoming less competitive in the manufacturing sector, but it is not manufacturing that is employing minimum wage people.   The vast majority of manufacturing jobs fall into that average wage segment.

The minimum wage people are those that clean offices, do the unskilled jobs that trained people shun and are usually " on call " casuals who are desperate for more hours of work to bring wages up to survival levels.

Lifting the minimum wage was probably a wise decision.  Allowing the lowly paid to slip further down the poverty scale would have repercussions on crime levels and obvious destitution.   Employers will grumble, but they will manage to accommodate finding a few extra dollars and that 41 c an hour may be the difference between eating or going hungry for some families.

We will always have working poor who earn less than the average person because they lack the skills to get a better job.   We will remain a humane society when we ensure that the unfortunates at the bottom of the earnings ladder do not slip below the poverty line that balances welfare, jobs - and sheer survival.

The measure of a just society - is when it provides the means for those needing skills to access the learning process and gain the means to climb the ladder to escape poverty !

New " Asbestos " Certificate !

A Federal plan to make presentation of an Asbestos appraisal certificate mandatory before an existing home can be sold, leased or renovated  will fill many people with dismay.   The reason for this measure is unclear - and what requirements will be added is unknown.

Most houses built from 1945 to 1987 have at least some asbestos content.  It was a popular external wall cladding and a roofing material.  It was commonly used for bathroom floors, and wherever tiling was needed asbestos was the preferred base for this work.   Outside the home, asbestos was usually used for sheds, garages - and even boundary fences.

There is no doubt that asbestos is a very dangerous threat to health.   If the asbestos fibres are disturbed and enter human lungs they cause life threatening diseases and 40,000 Australians are expected to die from this cause over coming decades.

Most experts agree that it is relatively safe if left undisturbed.   Danger arises if a home containing asbestos is being renovated  -  or demolished.   Strict handling and disposal protocols are in place and tip fees for asbestos disposal carry premiums.

This certificate proposal is a new measure that will require owners to consult  a licensed  assessor and have the house inspected.  The report would indicate where asbestos is present and this preparation is expected to cost between $ 150 and $ 200.    It would be required  whenever a home is offered for sale, becomes rental property - or renovation work is proposed.

It is hard to see what value this proposal will achieve.   The dangers of asbestos are widely known - as is the fact that most older homes are riddled with it.  This merely adds to the bureaucratic demands that presently exist with property searches - and will be added to reach into tenancy laws.     Like all other housing defects, it is a case of " Buyer beware " and do your homework before you commit to signing a purchase or leasehold agreement.

The cynical will wonder what ulterior motives may be lurking in the background.   This will certainly create a new certification industry and the bureaucracy loves shuffling paperwork that creates long time delays in getting official approvals - and costs money !

It is difficult to see what benefit this proposal will achieve !

Fort " Schoolhouse " !

We live in a changing world and it seems that our schools are morphing  into suburban fortresses.   Parents are clamouring for fencing and security checks at entrances.  Having armed guards on the premises is not entirely out of the question.

At regular intervals we hear reports of intruders entering school properties.  There have been instances where children have been sexually assaulted when they have left class to go to the toilets.  There is not even safety in numbers because some brazen deviants are quite open in their actions.

The trip to and from school is fast changing.   The days when kids used to walk home in safety seem behind us.   More parents are insisting in driving their young ones or insisting they take the bus.   Car pooling is gaining traction.  The idea of a roster to ensure that an adult is present on each school journey is becoming a fact of life.

The safety issue is intruding into sport.   Many schools do not have sports fields on their premises and sport is conducted elsewhere - usually on council property. Some parents are becoming wary at allowing even supervised sport because of the danger from perverts, and this is crippling efforts to widen sports activities for health reasons.

Education departments are working to a plan to erect tall safety fencing around all schools.  Priority was given to schools in what was termed " unsafe " areas and schools in " good " suburbs were low on the list.   Tragedies overseas and local incidents here have created pressure for the fencing programme to apply to all unfenced schools immediately - and for schools to be included in the cctv safety network.

Education standards are about to get enhanced by the " Gonski " initiative delivering a lot of new money.   Unfortunately, some of this will be syphoned off from teaching to keeping kids safe within the education system.   We already have road crossing guards supervising car traffic at the start and end of the school day.  It seems inevitable that when the fencing programme is complete, there will be a clamour for a " gatekeeper " to be stationed at school entry and exit points.  This will certainly add to educational costs,

Why all this is becoming necessary continues to elude reason.   Some will sheet the blame home to the use of mind altering drugs.   Others will place the blame on the state of the economy.   Too many people seeking too few jobs, with the result that the unemployed have time on their hands.   Others will blame the incessant spread of pornography.   Most will be unable to even suggest the cause of this epidemic !

Whatever the cause, it seems to be a fact of life that the humble school is fast turning into a fortress.   Fewer future kids will experience the joys of riding their bikes to the local creek for a swim - or to try their hand at fishing.    The care free life of childhood is fast being governed by " risk factors " !

Recipe for future slums !

A trend is emerging to create a new source of income by adding a " Granny flat " to the backyard of an existing house. A number of building companies have swooped on this idea as the solution to lack of new building work and are offering modular units which can be built quickly and cheaply.

This idea gets the nod from both governments and councils.   Government agencies are interested in keeping the elderly in their homes as opposed to the cost of creating new bed numbers in nursing homes.  The " Granny flat " idea seems to mesh with either accommodating a cherished family member in the backyard of an offspring, or the offspring moving into the former family home and creating new accommodation for their loved one in the backyard.   Either option suits government objectives.

Such " Granny flats " may serve that purpose initially, but the mental picture of a demure old lady living peacefully in such accommodation will morph into reality for some when there is a vacant granny flat being sought by desperate tenants trying to escape the rental shortage.   Owners with this type of accommodation available will quickly realise that they can extract a hefty premium because rental scarcity has pushed rental prices through the roof !

The danger is that the combination of dwindling job opportunities and rising living costs may see this trend accelerate and turn pleasant suburbs into crowded slums.  If necessity forces a family to squeeze into accommodation designed for a single person, the standard of living for both the owner family and the tenant family deteriorates.   Both suffer a lack of privacy and there will inevitably be a rise in noise problems, not to mention car parking space problems on the street scene.

We already have a problem with some home owners turning dwellings into de facto boarding houses.  Illegal partitioning has divided bedrooms into " sleeping spaces " and in some instances the number of tenants has resulted in " hot bunking " - where bed allocation is shared on a time basis.

Granny flats are a legitimate anwer to the problem of an aged relative in many cases, but once approved and built they offer a new source of income which may become essential for the owner.  Not all tenants are " good " tenants and tenancy laws make it difficult to evict a " bad " tenant if they continue to pay the rent on time.   Eviction is a long and difficult process, and  when relations between the tenant and landlord deteriorate, a very unpleasant situation usually evolves.

This granny flat trend is in it's infancy and now would be a very good time to give careful thought to how it should be managed.   There is a tendency for these units to be modular and constructed off site.  Perhaps we need new laws to license them specifically for the purpose of housing a nominated person, and when that person becomes deceased the approval lapses.   Modular units can be installed - and removed - using a crane and are therefore suitable for resale and relocation to a different address.

With careful planning this trend need not threaten our present way of life.   It only presents a danger if it is allowed to rampage free of control !

More time and money !

Events of this week make it inevitable that the NBN roll out will suffer more time delays - and the final cost will again increase.   A ham fisted sub-contractor restoring old Telstra " Junction Pits " managed to turn the media spotlight on their asbestos content, and now this work will receive micro attention across the entire continent.

Many of the original underground ducting and junction pits go back to the days when the Australian phone system was owned by the Postmaster General's Department, and that was a time when new homes were usually constructed with a high asbestos content.   The telephone system has undergone several name changes since then, and now Telstra is the owner responsible for bringing the system up to standard and ready to receive the NBN connection.

Any remedial work involving asbestos requires the workers to wear protective gear and the surrounding area must be free of asbestos fibre contamination.  It will probably need a tent like cover to prevent wind gusts scattering fibres - and now the genie is out of the bottle - how this is being done will be under intense scrutiny by not only the media but also the trade union movement.

The unions are already demanding that Telstra set up a James Hardie style compensation fund with a hundred million dollar bankroll to compensate any worker or householder who contracts an asbestos related disease from exposure to the work being done.

The frightening aspect is the huge number of junction pits scattered across Australia and the time delay that dealing with them safely will involve.  The NBN is already way over budget and far beyond the original time estimates.    This latest crisis is happening just weeks away from a Federal election and will lend credence to the suggestion that simply using " to the node " technology will save time delay by removing the need to do this upgrade work and carry the NBN to homes by using the existing copper wire system.

That would certainly give customers NBN access on a faster time frame, and delivering a direct connection could then progress on a " when required " basis, which is yet to be determined.   Some people believe that only a select business segment needs super fast broadband and something far faster than the present offering would suit the needs of most users.  We will not know until we can get a practical comparison of what the two systems actually deliver.

A large question mark now hangs over the entire future direction the NBN will take !