Russia has finally had the courage to invade Ukraine but not by committing it's massive army which would quickly brush aside the Ukrainian military. It plans to gobble up it's neigbour a mouthfull at a time. Firstly it seized and annexed Crimea. Now it has committed just enough troops and their advanced weapons in the restive east to stave off the defeat of the separatists. The likely plan is to create a Russian enclave which will continually threaten the government in Kiev - and install permanent instability in that country.
In Syria and Iraq a new form of warfare is threatening world peace. A "citizen army " of religious zealots has seized vast stretches of both countries and is waging Jihad. It shows no mercy to those who come under it's control. Either they convert to it's religion - or they die. It is utter barbarity. Cutting off heads and selling the women of the captured into sexual slavery terrifies their enemies and they totally ignore the rules of war that apply in civilized nations. Surrendering troops are simply murdered in cold blood - and these Jihadists delight in recording the slaughter and showing it on world media.
What a difference from just a few decades ago. In the days of the Cold War America had a standing army in Europe to prevent Russian tanks rolling through the Fulda gap and invading Europe. America led a consortium of nations to go to war to liberate Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion, and later it became necessary to topple a dictator by way of the Iraq war. At the same time, military force removed al Qaeda from it's hold in Afghanistan.
America has now withdrawn from it's role of the " world's policeman ". That was apparent to most people when Barak Obama threatened a " red line " on the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war - and then simply walked away when they were used. He has made it clear that there will be no use of military force to stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine and - despite the slaughter being inflicted daily by the Jihadists in the Middle East - America has " no policy " on interfering militarily.
The American people are weary of the blood and treasure that has been sacrificed to try and keep order in an unappreciative world. Much of it may have been ham fisted, but the burden has rested heavily on American shoulders and many of the world's nations have opted for a " free ride " under the American nuclear umbrella. That cover has now come to an end.
There are consequences - and there will be many more. Japan is reviving it's military and seems ready to be more forceful. China will be encouraged to press harden in it's disputes with neighbors over islands and islets in the South China sea - and then there is the inevitable destabilising issue of Taiwan. In all corners of the globe, greed and jealousy will flourish now that the risk of an American response has become unlikely.
It is said that nature abhors a vacuum. This American withdrawal creates a vacuum and it seems inevitable that a new order will emerge - but what that new order will look like is hard to imagine. It seems to be a case of tighten your seat belts - and get ready for a few miles of rocky road ahead.
We are heading into unknown territory !
Sunday 31 August 2014
Saturday 30 August 2014
Telling it like it is !
The principal of Calare Public school in Orange is taking flak from both the Education department and enraged parents over a satirical staff newsletter he wrote. In it he vents against the impossible tasks teachers face trying to educate kids who lack the faintest notion of civility or who have experienced any form of discipline in their home upbringing. For many, there is no such thing as " bed time " nor do the family eat meals together. In many homes the kids rule the roost to the point that their parents are actually scared to issue even a mild caution - and regular school attendance is little more than a joke !
This newsletter also takes aim at the restrictive policies of the education authorities. He terms the mental health programme forced on schools as " Operation Nut Case " and suggests that many parents should ask themselves " Have you bred a moron ? " He is certainly scathing on the worst qualities of the kids he is forced to try and give a good education - referring to some as " two headed and web footed " and others as " Morons - Nut cases - and Village Idiots ".
He was - perhaps - a little extreme, but his tirade certainly had repercussions. Some enraged parents withdrew their children from the school and the Education department forced him to apologise. Many who deplore the bedlam that exists in the public school system will be delighted that at least one principal has had the courage to " tell it like it is " - and cop the flak for being " politically incorrect " !
Public education varies wildly on the basis of where each school is located. A school in a suburb where few are unemployed and salary levels are at least average will probably have a majority of civilized kids with reasonable manners. That will attract better quality teaching staff and as a result it will deliver high educational standards.
A school in a " skid row " district will have exactly the opposite effect. Any kid that really wants an education will face disruption from the type of students this Calare principal describes. Insolence and disruptive behavior will make quality teaching impossible, and that level of school will face difficulty recruiting staff. In many cases, parent support will be indifferent and this level of school turns out uneducated young people who are virtually unemployable - and who go on to breed the next generation to continue this cycle.
Unfortunately, nothing is likely to change anytime soon. We have parents that refuse to impose standards on their kids and kids who are so out of control that they barely live in the same home, let alone obey any form of rules. They are not interested in gaining an education - and they will actively sabotage any attempt to force one on them. It seems that our education system is complicit in trying to corral disruptive types into " bad " schools - to free the other schools to deliver at least a basic education across the broad spectrum.
Housing selection is fast becoming the big issue when it comes to family planning. Those planning a family would do well to carefully research school standards before choosing where to live, and it may be better to forego home ownership and stick with renting if educating children tops the priority list.
"
This newsletter also takes aim at the restrictive policies of the education authorities. He terms the mental health programme forced on schools as " Operation Nut Case " and suggests that many parents should ask themselves " Have you bred a moron ? " He is certainly scathing on the worst qualities of the kids he is forced to try and give a good education - referring to some as " two headed and web footed " and others as " Morons - Nut cases - and Village Idiots ".
He was - perhaps - a little extreme, but his tirade certainly had repercussions. Some enraged parents withdrew their children from the school and the Education department forced him to apologise. Many who deplore the bedlam that exists in the public school system will be delighted that at least one principal has had the courage to " tell it like it is " - and cop the flak for being " politically incorrect " !
Public education varies wildly on the basis of where each school is located. A school in a suburb where few are unemployed and salary levels are at least average will probably have a majority of civilized kids with reasonable manners. That will attract better quality teaching staff and as a result it will deliver high educational standards.
A school in a " skid row " district will have exactly the opposite effect. Any kid that really wants an education will face disruption from the type of students this Calare principal describes. Insolence and disruptive behavior will make quality teaching impossible, and that level of school will face difficulty recruiting staff. In many cases, parent support will be indifferent and this level of school turns out uneducated young people who are virtually unemployable - and who go on to breed the next generation to continue this cycle.
Unfortunately, nothing is likely to change anytime soon. We have parents that refuse to impose standards on their kids and kids who are so out of control that they barely live in the same home, let alone obey any form of rules. They are not interested in gaining an education - and they will actively sabotage any attempt to force one on them. It seems that our education system is complicit in trying to corral disruptive types into " bad " schools - to free the other schools to deliver at least a basic education across the broad spectrum.
Housing selection is fast becoming the big issue when it comes to family planning. Those planning a family would do well to carefully research school standards before choosing where to live, and it may be better to forego home ownership and stick with renting if educating children tops the priority list.
"
Friday 29 August 2014
Home " Time Bombs " !
Forty thousand Australian home owners have good reason to be having sleepless nights with the news that seriously sub standard electrical wiring was imported from China and sold through two major hardware chains. Anyone living in a home built since 2010 or who has had renovations or additions done in that time may have "Infinity " brand wiring carrying the electricity capable of causing a fire or electrocution if it's insulation fails.
The importing firm has since gone into liquidation, and the product was sold in every Australian state and Territory, except the Northern Territory. It is expected that homeowners will be desperate to contact the electrician that carried out the wiring work on their homes - to ascertain exactly what brand and grade of electrical cable was used on their job.
This wiring does not meet the appropriate Australian standard and may seriously deteriorate in as little as five years, specially if it is disturbed in any way. The insulation could then break down, leading to house fires or the safety of residents exposed to electric shock. The cost of stripping it out and replacing the entire house wiring opens a Pandoras box of litigation - and a very unpleasant rectification bill for homeowners.
It also turns the spotlight on the standards required of electrical cable in this country - and what safeguards are in place to see that they are maintained. It seems that the insulation standard requires it to have a life expectancy of forty years - and that should be a wake up call to owners of older housing. Do the authorities seriously expect that all homes will be demolished and rebuilt after a forty year life cycle ?
A drive through a typical Australian suburb will reveal a mix of housing ranging from nearly two centuries old to representation of every decade in between. It would not be a pleasing thought that the wiring in every home more than forty years old has passed it's use by date. No wonder we have a steady spate of house fires which the fire brigades sheet home as caused by " electrical faults ".
Forty years is not an adequate standard in this day and age. The ability exists to achieve a better standard and that extra cost is sustainable considering that many of the homes we are building today will be still standing a century from now. That same risk factor applies to the high rise towers dotting the CBD's of our major cities. There are hundreds - perhaps thousands - of miles of electrical cable throughout these office blocks and it would be a tragedy if a wiring fault led to a " Towering Inferno " incident. We can - and we should - do better !
The importing firm has since gone into liquidation, and the product was sold in every Australian state and Territory, except the Northern Territory. It is expected that homeowners will be desperate to contact the electrician that carried out the wiring work on their homes - to ascertain exactly what brand and grade of electrical cable was used on their job.
This wiring does not meet the appropriate Australian standard and may seriously deteriorate in as little as five years, specially if it is disturbed in any way. The insulation could then break down, leading to house fires or the safety of residents exposed to electric shock. The cost of stripping it out and replacing the entire house wiring opens a Pandoras box of litigation - and a very unpleasant rectification bill for homeowners.
It also turns the spotlight on the standards required of electrical cable in this country - and what safeguards are in place to see that they are maintained. It seems that the insulation standard requires it to have a life expectancy of forty years - and that should be a wake up call to owners of older housing. Do the authorities seriously expect that all homes will be demolished and rebuilt after a forty year life cycle ?
A drive through a typical Australian suburb will reveal a mix of housing ranging from nearly two centuries old to representation of every decade in between. It would not be a pleasing thought that the wiring in every home more than forty years old has passed it's use by date. No wonder we have a steady spate of house fires which the fire brigades sheet home as caused by " electrical faults ".
Forty years is not an adequate standard in this day and age. The ability exists to achieve a better standard and that extra cost is sustainable considering that many of the homes we are building today will be still standing a century from now. That same risk factor applies to the high rise towers dotting the CBD's of our major cities. There are hundreds - perhaps thousands - of miles of electrical cable throughout these office blocks and it would be a tragedy if a wiring fault led to a " Towering Inferno " incident. We can - and we should - do better !
Thursday 28 August 2014
The " Black " Economy !
Australian taxpayers pay about $ 250 billion in income tax and the tax office estimates that a further ten percent is lost because of the " Black " economy which siphons off a whopping $ 25 billion. That is enough to fill many of the gaping holes that the Treasury is struggling to fill.
As usual at this time of year, the tax office is making threatening noises about a blitz on tax evaders. Each year is selects a number of industries that will be subjected to extensive tax audits because they have the capacity to attract a high volume of cash payments - some of which may not be processed through the cash register. This early warning usually improves compliance.
No country in the world has successfully closed down it's black economy. It is a basic fact of life that there will always be tradies who will offer an attractive discount if the buyer pays in cash, and trading companies which have the sort of business that does not leave financial " footprints ". This is compounded by the vast number of people who pull out their wallet and pay cash for most services.
It is in the interests of the tax man to assist the banks and other financial services as they develop electronic ways of paying for goods and services, and in this respect the " Tap and Go " debit card looks promising. It allows customers making purchases below a hundred dollars value to simply tap their card on the terminal - and the sale is instantly transferred from one bank account to the other. No need to enter a PIN or sign and the machine provides a sales receipt. From the tax man's point of view, this sale is impossible to be ignored at tax time - because it is electronically recorded and appears on bank statements.
The more that " Tap and Go " can be encouraged, the less likely that items such as paying for a haircut, buying a cup of coffee, taking a cab ride - or the thousands of minor transactions that we normally pay in cash - can escape the tax net. Obviously the big incentive for the service provider is increased security. The less money in the till, the lower the risk of robbery by holdup - or while transferring this cash to the bank.
The wisdom of this sort of thinking was evident when the Goods and Services tax ( GST ) was introduced. Instead of concentrating on the " earning end " of the money supply, direction changed to the " spending end ". Money earned by tax evasion did not escape tax free, because the moment it was spent the GST took it's cut. Even the proceeds of crime was not immune to this form of taxation, and the more money spent the bigger the amount netted by the tax office.
We will always have a degree of the Black economy but netting a bigger tax take will require a change of thinking by the tax office. The use of incentives to promote systems like " Tap and Go " would be more rewarding than a draconian increase in tax audits to change the money culture - and it is probably more a case of nickel and dime tax evasion adding to the tax loss than larger items.
The more citizens can be persuaded to carry less cash in their wallets and pay more electronically, the more this problem will be resolved !
As usual at this time of year, the tax office is making threatening noises about a blitz on tax evaders. Each year is selects a number of industries that will be subjected to extensive tax audits because they have the capacity to attract a high volume of cash payments - some of which may not be processed through the cash register. This early warning usually improves compliance.
No country in the world has successfully closed down it's black economy. It is a basic fact of life that there will always be tradies who will offer an attractive discount if the buyer pays in cash, and trading companies which have the sort of business that does not leave financial " footprints ". This is compounded by the vast number of people who pull out their wallet and pay cash for most services.
It is in the interests of the tax man to assist the banks and other financial services as they develop electronic ways of paying for goods and services, and in this respect the " Tap and Go " debit card looks promising. It allows customers making purchases below a hundred dollars value to simply tap their card on the terminal - and the sale is instantly transferred from one bank account to the other. No need to enter a PIN or sign and the machine provides a sales receipt. From the tax man's point of view, this sale is impossible to be ignored at tax time - because it is electronically recorded and appears on bank statements.
The more that " Tap and Go " can be encouraged, the less likely that items such as paying for a haircut, buying a cup of coffee, taking a cab ride - or the thousands of minor transactions that we normally pay in cash - can escape the tax net. Obviously the big incentive for the service provider is increased security. The less money in the till, the lower the risk of robbery by holdup - or while transferring this cash to the bank.
The wisdom of this sort of thinking was evident when the Goods and Services tax ( GST ) was introduced. Instead of concentrating on the " earning end " of the money supply, direction changed to the " spending end ". Money earned by tax evasion did not escape tax free, because the moment it was spent the GST took it's cut. Even the proceeds of crime was not immune to this form of taxation, and the more money spent the bigger the amount netted by the tax office.
We will always have a degree of the Black economy but netting a bigger tax take will require a change of thinking by the tax office. The use of incentives to promote systems like " Tap and Go " would be more rewarding than a draconian increase in tax audits to change the money culture - and it is probably more a case of nickel and dime tax evasion adding to the tax loss than larger items.
The more citizens can be persuaded to carry less cash in their wallets and pay more electronically, the more this problem will be resolved !
Wednesday 27 August 2014
The fight against " Democracy " !
The city of Sydney is unusual and different from other Australian cities because there are impediments to allowing the business owners who contribute the major portion of the rates from exercising their right to vote. Those on the electoral role are tipped out before each election - and required to go through the process of reapplying for their vote. In contrast, other residents simply stay on the roll indefinitely.
A bill is progressing through the state parliament to correct this imbalance, and Sydney council is going to fight it tooth and nail - using council funds to prevent the democratic process applying to what many see as a gerrymander that has kept Mayor Clover Moore in office for the past ten years. It will be ratepayers funds that will be used to buy newspaper and other media publicity, fund flyers and generally promote opposition to the bill by holding a vast public meeting.
The fact that eight out of the ten councillors approved this misuse of ratepayers funds illustrates the imbalance in representation - and explains why this is seen by many as an anti business council, more interested in pursuing multi coloured road painting and bike paths that clog traffic lanes than serving the interests that make this city the business capital of Australia.
There is even disagreement about what percentage business owners contribute to the rates total. One side of the debate claims 78.5% and the other 32%. Surely the council's books are subjected to normal accounting practice - and that issue should be settled by reference to published official accounts. It is also claimed that the number of business owners currently on the electoral roll is a low 2.13% of the vote, and if this is correct it hardly supports the principle of democracy that we hold so dear.
The other impediment is the practice of restricting the opportunity to lodge a vote to just a few polling stations in the inner city centre - and denying Sydney city voters the right to an absentee or a postal vote. Those are standard practice at state and Federal elections, and there seems no valid reason why they should be denied in a city poll - except to artificially impose a reason for voters to abandon what is really a civic duty.
By law, citizens are required to cast a vote in Federal, state and council elections and face a fine for an omission. Stopping business owners from registering to vote is a way of disenfranchising a portion of the population that has that right being disallowed. This law change will make it mandatory for business owners to register - and vote at each council election.
The most likely outcome will be a council that has new horizons. The cosy coterie presently running the show desperately wants to preserve the status quo - and will dip into council funds to keep democracy at bay !
A bill is progressing through the state parliament to correct this imbalance, and Sydney council is going to fight it tooth and nail - using council funds to prevent the democratic process applying to what many see as a gerrymander that has kept Mayor Clover Moore in office for the past ten years. It will be ratepayers funds that will be used to buy newspaper and other media publicity, fund flyers and generally promote opposition to the bill by holding a vast public meeting.
The fact that eight out of the ten councillors approved this misuse of ratepayers funds illustrates the imbalance in representation - and explains why this is seen by many as an anti business council, more interested in pursuing multi coloured road painting and bike paths that clog traffic lanes than serving the interests that make this city the business capital of Australia.
There is even disagreement about what percentage business owners contribute to the rates total. One side of the debate claims 78.5% and the other 32%. Surely the council's books are subjected to normal accounting practice - and that issue should be settled by reference to published official accounts. It is also claimed that the number of business owners currently on the electoral roll is a low 2.13% of the vote, and if this is correct it hardly supports the principle of democracy that we hold so dear.
The other impediment is the practice of restricting the opportunity to lodge a vote to just a few polling stations in the inner city centre - and denying Sydney city voters the right to an absentee or a postal vote. Those are standard practice at state and Federal elections, and there seems no valid reason why they should be denied in a city poll - except to artificially impose a reason for voters to abandon what is really a civic duty.
By law, citizens are required to cast a vote in Federal, state and council elections and face a fine for an omission. Stopping business owners from registering to vote is a way of disenfranchising a portion of the population that has that right being disallowed. This law change will make it mandatory for business owners to register - and vote at each council election.
The most likely outcome will be a council that has new horizons. The cosy coterie presently running the show desperately wants to preserve the status quo - and will dip into council funds to keep democracy at bay !
Tuesday 26 August 2014
The " Apps " risk !
The average person has become very security conscious in this electronic age. We carefully screen our finger movement when putting a PIN into an ATM and are very aware of the scams used to introduce malware onto our computers. We are constantly warned against very sophisticated " phishing " expeditions by criminal gangs in various far reaches of the world.
The newest " must have " is the Smartphone - and with that comes the offer of " apps " to make life easier and provide a range of helpful services, and in many cases these are completely free. We can cheerfully spend hours examining the merchandise in the Apps store - and we download what takes our fancy without a care in the world.
It seems that the criminal world has discovered a new way of accessing our Smartphone and collecting data by embedding spyware in appealing Apps. Once installed, it can quietly mine personal and private data and download this information. If you are using your Smartphone to handle banking matters, there is a very real risk that account numbers and access passwords and Pins may he compromised.
This opens up a new security field for those offering data protection. We put firewalls on our computers and pay a fee for security screening, but it seems that there is a need for similar protection on our Smartphones. When we consider installing an App, there is a need to run it through a security screening before installation to determine that it is free of hidden software designed to mine data from our phone use.
We will probably find that many have what could be called " benign information gathering functions " installed to gather information on our shopping habits so that tempting advertising can be directed at individuals. Unfortunately, exactly this same type of information gathering installed in an App can serve a more sinister purpose.
With each advance in technology we face a further risk escalation. What makes our life more agreeable also provides an opportunity for harm from the same genius types who use science as a weapon of economic war. We need to assess that risk each time we consider doing a download !
The newest " must have " is the Smartphone - and with that comes the offer of " apps " to make life easier and provide a range of helpful services, and in many cases these are completely free. We can cheerfully spend hours examining the merchandise in the Apps store - and we download what takes our fancy without a care in the world.
It seems that the criminal world has discovered a new way of accessing our Smartphone and collecting data by embedding spyware in appealing Apps. Once installed, it can quietly mine personal and private data and download this information. If you are using your Smartphone to handle banking matters, there is a very real risk that account numbers and access passwords and Pins may he compromised.
This opens up a new security field for those offering data protection. We put firewalls on our computers and pay a fee for security screening, but it seems that there is a need for similar protection on our Smartphones. When we consider installing an App, there is a need to run it through a security screening before installation to determine that it is free of hidden software designed to mine data from our phone use.
We will probably find that many have what could be called " benign information gathering functions " installed to gather information on our shopping habits so that tempting advertising can be directed at individuals. Unfortunately, exactly this same type of information gathering installed in an App can serve a more sinister purpose.
With each advance in technology we face a further risk escalation. What makes our life more agreeable also provides an opportunity for harm from the same genius types who use science as a weapon of economic war. We need to assess that risk each time we consider doing a download !
Monday 25 August 2014
Water Insurance !
In 2007 the level of Sydney's Warragamba dam fell to 32.5% and stringent water restrictions were applied. It was illegal to wash a car or hose down pavement and garden watering was allowed only for a brief period each day. Drought was a common occurrence in Australia and Sydney was an ever growing city. It seemed quite possible that the city water supply could completely fail - and that was a catastrophe beyond calculation.
The obvious solution was some form of desalination. We did not lack water. We were actually surrounded by the stuff, but it was the salty variety and the type we needed required that salt to be removed. That was technically feasible and a contract was let to build a desalination plant that would forever extend the life of the supply from Warragamba and provide Sydney's minimum needs. Just about the time this plant came on line, the heavens opened and we experienced record breaking rain - that restored the water level in Warragamba dam to 100 %. Some then labelled this desalination plant a " White Elephant " !
Since then luck has been on our side and the desalination plant has remained in moth balls, awaiting the next drought - which the weather bureau assures us is inevitable. It was decided to spread the cost of the desalination plant by offering it to the money market as a lease proposition - and this was quickly taken up by both a Canadian Pension fund and an Australian Fund Management group. They get a guaranteed return on their investment and this costs taxpayers $ 195 million a year.
That money is similar to insuring your house against a fire. Right now Warragamba is at 84.3% capacity and heavy rail in the past few days will raise the level even higher, but the desalination plant will remain dormant until the level falls to 70%, and then in will come on line to slow the decline and wait out the period before the next heavy rain event.
There is absolutely no doubt that this desalination plant will be needed because rain is an unpredictable occurrence - and every year thousands more people elect to make Sydney their home. What is predictable is the number of people likely to be drawing off the Warragamba water supply twenty or thirty years from now, hence we have a static source and an ever increasing draw down. The desalination plant is the only way to fill that gap.
The only remaining question is to determine the level at which the desalination plant will be switched on. Many pundits claim that 70% is too high and that it should remain offline until Warragamba falls to about 40%, but it must be remembered that this plant can only supplement - not fully provide the water Sydney needs. If global warming increases the length of droughts, it would be in our interests to insulate the Sydney water needs by topping up Warragamba early - rather than waiting and taking the risk of an exceptionally long drought.
Water is one of life's necessities - and even the thought of the taps running dry would be the ultimate disaster !
The obvious solution was some form of desalination. We did not lack water. We were actually surrounded by the stuff, but it was the salty variety and the type we needed required that salt to be removed. That was technically feasible and a contract was let to build a desalination plant that would forever extend the life of the supply from Warragamba and provide Sydney's minimum needs. Just about the time this plant came on line, the heavens opened and we experienced record breaking rain - that restored the water level in Warragamba dam to 100 %. Some then labelled this desalination plant a " White Elephant " !
Since then luck has been on our side and the desalination plant has remained in moth balls, awaiting the next drought - which the weather bureau assures us is inevitable. It was decided to spread the cost of the desalination plant by offering it to the money market as a lease proposition - and this was quickly taken up by both a Canadian Pension fund and an Australian Fund Management group. They get a guaranteed return on their investment and this costs taxpayers $ 195 million a year.
That money is similar to insuring your house against a fire. Right now Warragamba is at 84.3% capacity and heavy rail in the past few days will raise the level even higher, but the desalination plant will remain dormant until the level falls to 70%, and then in will come on line to slow the decline and wait out the period before the next heavy rain event.
There is absolutely no doubt that this desalination plant will be needed because rain is an unpredictable occurrence - and every year thousands more people elect to make Sydney their home. What is predictable is the number of people likely to be drawing off the Warragamba water supply twenty or thirty years from now, hence we have a static source and an ever increasing draw down. The desalination plant is the only way to fill that gap.
The only remaining question is to determine the level at which the desalination plant will be switched on. Many pundits claim that 70% is too high and that it should remain offline until Warragamba falls to about 40%, but it must be remembered that this plant can only supplement - not fully provide the water Sydney needs. If global warming increases the length of droughts, it would be in our interests to insulate the Sydney water needs by topping up Warragamba early - rather than waiting and taking the risk of an exceptionally long drought.
Water is one of life's necessities - and even the thought of the taps running dry would be the ultimate disaster !
Sunday 24 August 2014
A " Retrial " decision !
For the past nineteen years David Eastman has been incarcerated in an ACT prison cell. He had been convicted of the shooting murder in 1989 of senior ACT Police chief Colin Winchester and at his 1995 trial sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite a litany of appeals, until now that conviction has been upheld.
The ACT Supreme court this week quashed that conviction. The court found that " the central feature of the circumstantial case against him has been demonstrated to be baseless ". It seems that this revolved around gunpowder residue allegedly taken from the boot of Eastman's car which was linked to the shooting by a scientific procedure and the opinion of an expert - that has now been disproved.
Eastman is free on bail and the court has recommended a retrial - but that will be at the discretion of the ACT's Director of Public Prosecutions. It seems that many conflicting pressures will come into play, not the least of which will be the fact that some witnesses who gave evidence at that 1995 trial are now dead. It is hard to see how a new trial can possibly link events that are decades old to enable a jury to come to a safe decision.
The original murder investigation singled out Eastman because he was a loner with a paranoid personality. He was a former Treasury official who had been dismissed and was obsessive in trying to regain his old job and had been harassing Winchester over evidence presented in an earlier court action. The fact that the shooting victim was a senior police officer made the investigating police determined to achieve a satisfactory conviction to end the matter. This was despite rumours that Winchester's murder may have been a Mafia hit because Police actions were closing down Marijuana farming that was delivering profits to that closed society.
Of course another matter that will loom large in the thinking of those tasked with making the retrial decision - will be the compensation issue. If Eastman is retried and convicted, that matter will not be an issue, but if the retrial is abandoned - or worse - he is found not guilty then he will be entitled to a degree of compensation that will put a significant dent in the public purse. It is likely that this will have a great deal of impact on whatever decision is finally made.
Eastman had served nineteen years of his sentence, and in this world of twenty-first century justice the maximum sentence for murder is usually twenty years. Under normal circumstances, he would be just a year away from being considered for parole. The sticking point would have been the fact that the murder victim was a police officer - and Eastman had neither admitted guilt nor shown remorse for the crime. Those are both the required requirements for parole to be considered.
Whatever that decision, it also raises another disturbing issue. If Eastman is innocent, then the murderer of Colin Winchester is unpunished - and no doubt enjoying a free life. If so, the case needs to be moved into the " cold case " orbit and actively re-investigated. Considering that this conviction apparently revolved around a scientific interpretation of gun powder residue, it it possible that the miracles of modern technology can bridge the chasm of years - and shed new light on the matter.
But first, the police need to be convinced that they got things wrong !
The ACT Supreme court this week quashed that conviction. The court found that " the central feature of the circumstantial case against him has been demonstrated to be baseless ". It seems that this revolved around gunpowder residue allegedly taken from the boot of Eastman's car which was linked to the shooting by a scientific procedure and the opinion of an expert - that has now been disproved.
Eastman is free on bail and the court has recommended a retrial - but that will be at the discretion of the ACT's Director of Public Prosecutions. It seems that many conflicting pressures will come into play, not the least of which will be the fact that some witnesses who gave evidence at that 1995 trial are now dead. It is hard to see how a new trial can possibly link events that are decades old to enable a jury to come to a safe decision.
The original murder investigation singled out Eastman because he was a loner with a paranoid personality. He was a former Treasury official who had been dismissed and was obsessive in trying to regain his old job and had been harassing Winchester over evidence presented in an earlier court action. The fact that the shooting victim was a senior police officer made the investigating police determined to achieve a satisfactory conviction to end the matter. This was despite rumours that Winchester's murder may have been a Mafia hit because Police actions were closing down Marijuana farming that was delivering profits to that closed society.
Of course another matter that will loom large in the thinking of those tasked with making the retrial decision - will be the compensation issue. If Eastman is retried and convicted, that matter will not be an issue, but if the retrial is abandoned - or worse - he is found not guilty then he will be entitled to a degree of compensation that will put a significant dent in the public purse. It is likely that this will have a great deal of impact on whatever decision is finally made.
Eastman had served nineteen years of his sentence, and in this world of twenty-first century justice the maximum sentence for murder is usually twenty years. Under normal circumstances, he would be just a year away from being considered for parole. The sticking point would have been the fact that the murder victim was a police officer - and Eastman had neither admitted guilt nor shown remorse for the crime. Those are both the required requirements for parole to be considered.
Whatever that decision, it also raises another disturbing issue. If Eastman is innocent, then the murderer of Colin Winchester is unpunished - and no doubt enjoying a free life. If so, the case needs to be moved into the " cold case " orbit and actively re-investigated. Considering that this conviction apparently revolved around a scientific interpretation of gun powder residue, it it possible that the miracles of modern technology can bridge the chasm of years - and shed new light on the matter.
But first, the police need to be convinced that they got things wrong !
Saturday 23 August 2014
The " Tall Poppy " Syndrome !
A finding of " No reasonable chance of a conviction " is certainly lesser than a " Not Guilty " reason for the Victorian police to drop a rape investigation, but at least it removes a danger that has been hanging over the head of Opposition leader Bill Shorten since he was elected to that position in October of last year.
A woman claimed that Shorten raped her at a Labor party youth camp at Geelong in 1986 - when she was sixteen and Bill Shorten was nineteen. The claim emerged on social media and the police became involved when it progressed to a formal complaint. Shorten admits that the complainant was " someone I knew briefly " but dismisses the sexual assault claim as " untrue and abhorrent ".
He bravely named himself as the person being investigated. That was a wise move because it might otherwise have emerged as " breaking news " in the run up to the next election. Better to have it sliced and diced in the media now and fully resolved than leave it to hang like the " Sword of Damocles " over his head.
Unfortunately, like all our political leaders the " Tall Poppy Syndrome " applies. There is every chance that other complainants may see this as their chance to get their fifteen minutes of fame - and it is very hard to put together a defence when it involves events from nearly thirty years ago. Should a woman emerge with a similar rape claim the media would be certain to swarm all over her. She would become an instant celebrity - featured on television news shows and probably offered big money for interviews. The lure of " fame " is simply irresistible to some people.
Considering people for high office now entails a ruthless scrutinising process. It is necessary to delve deeply into their lives, almost from the time they first started in pre-school. Even a misdemeanour that may have earned a mild reprove from a juvenile court may be trotted out to blacken the character - and the worst outcome is to deny something that later becomes proven fact. We have seen that apply when a state premier was adamant about not receiving a bottle of wine - until his " thank you " note appeared.
Bill Shorten will certainly be holding his breath and waiting to see what eventuates from the publicity this matter has generated. Such is the hazard of accepting high office in a divisive element such as politics.
It is a price that goes with the job. The past and the present are subjected to the public spotlight - and it is like living one's life in a goldfish bowl.
The only compensation - is that the rewards are magnificent !
A woman claimed that Shorten raped her at a Labor party youth camp at Geelong in 1986 - when she was sixteen and Bill Shorten was nineteen. The claim emerged on social media and the police became involved when it progressed to a formal complaint. Shorten admits that the complainant was " someone I knew briefly " but dismisses the sexual assault claim as " untrue and abhorrent ".
He bravely named himself as the person being investigated. That was a wise move because it might otherwise have emerged as " breaking news " in the run up to the next election. Better to have it sliced and diced in the media now and fully resolved than leave it to hang like the " Sword of Damocles " over his head.
Unfortunately, like all our political leaders the " Tall Poppy Syndrome " applies. There is every chance that other complainants may see this as their chance to get their fifteen minutes of fame - and it is very hard to put together a defence when it involves events from nearly thirty years ago. Should a woman emerge with a similar rape claim the media would be certain to swarm all over her. She would become an instant celebrity - featured on television news shows and probably offered big money for interviews. The lure of " fame " is simply irresistible to some people.
Considering people for high office now entails a ruthless scrutinising process. It is necessary to delve deeply into their lives, almost from the time they first started in pre-school. Even a misdemeanour that may have earned a mild reprove from a juvenile court may be trotted out to blacken the character - and the worst outcome is to deny something that later becomes proven fact. We have seen that apply when a state premier was adamant about not receiving a bottle of wine - until his " thank you " note appeared.
Bill Shorten will certainly be holding his breath and waiting to see what eventuates from the publicity this matter has generated. Such is the hazard of accepting high office in a divisive element such as politics.
It is a price that goes with the job. The past and the present are subjected to the public spotlight - and it is like living one's life in a goldfish bowl.
The only compensation - is that the rewards are magnificent !
Friday 22 August 2014
Prison smoking ban !
The New South Wales government has announced that from next year there will be a total ban on smoking in this state's prisons. Pity the prison staff who have to keep order because eighty percent of those incarcerated smoke, many times the rate in the general population. The expectation is for a rise in tensions and tobacco joining the long list of prohibited items that serve as prison " currency ".
A ban on tobacco is already in place in the Queensland, Northern Territory and New Zealand prison systems and some civil liberties people will see this as a basic extension of the law that applies to every person's " right of choice ". We all face restrictions on " where " we are able to smoke, but the right to do so remains a matter for each individual. In the case of prisoners, that right is about to be withdrawn.
It would be surprising if civil rights lawyers did not compile a compelling case for allowing prison smoking in designated " smoking only " exercise areas, to avoid nonsmokers becoming exposed to sidestream smoke. A prison is the " home " of those incarcerated, even if being a resident is on an involuntary basis.
It is proposed that items such as nicotine patches will be available to help prisoners quit the habit. The problem is that most will resent the compulsion of this smoking ban and there seems little chance of choking off the supply of tobacco completely. All manner of drugs are freely available in the prison system and even items such as mobile phones are regularly found during contraband searches. If the " need " remains, " supply " will inevitably follow.
The smoking ban is being sold to the public as a " health issue ". Incarceration is an opportunity for inmates to develop a healthy lifestyle that will be to their advantage when they are released. Unfortunately, it will do little to curb the tensions that ebb and flow within such institutions, and often result in riots or attacks on prison officers. The meat in the sandwich will be those tasked with guarding prisoners.
Smoking rates are steadily decreasing in the general population and one of the reasons is the ever increasing tax being imposed on tobacco,together with relentless health advertising. All forms of contraband within prisons serve an entirely different purpose. They become the currency to pay for favours and the more illegal their nature, the higher their value. There is a real danger that banning tobacco will simply elevate this product as desperate smokers crave their addiction.
Perhaps a more realistic aligning of outcomes and expectations might have produced a different decision !
A ban on tobacco is already in place in the Queensland, Northern Territory and New Zealand prison systems and some civil liberties people will see this as a basic extension of the law that applies to every person's " right of choice ". We all face restrictions on " where " we are able to smoke, but the right to do so remains a matter for each individual. In the case of prisoners, that right is about to be withdrawn.
It would be surprising if civil rights lawyers did not compile a compelling case for allowing prison smoking in designated " smoking only " exercise areas, to avoid nonsmokers becoming exposed to sidestream smoke. A prison is the " home " of those incarcerated, even if being a resident is on an involuntary basis.
It is proposed that items such as nicotine patches will be available to help prisoners quit the habit. The problem is that most will resent the compulsion of this smoking ban and there seems little chance of choking off the supply of tobacco completely. All manner of drugs are freely available in the prison system and even items such as mobile phones are regularly found during contraband searches. If the " need " remains, " supply " will inevitably follow.
The smoking ban is being sold to the public as a " health issue ". Incarceration is an opportunity for inmates to develop a healthy lifestyle that will be to their advantage when they are released. Unfortunately, it will do little to curb the tensions that ebb and flow within such institutions, and often result in riots or attacks on prison officers. The meat in the sandwich will be those tasked with guarding prisoners.
Smoking rates are steadily decreasing in the general population and one of the reasons is the ever increasing tax being imposed on tobacco,together with relentless health advertising. All forms of contraband within prisons serve an entirely different purpose. They become the currency to pay for favours and the more illegal their nature, the higher their value. There is a real danger that banning tobacco will simply elevate this product as desperate smokers crave their addiction.
Perhaps a more realistic aligning of outcomes and expectations might have produced a different decision !
Thursday 21 August 2014
The Rant !
It seems strange that politicians in New South Wales are falling like ninepins for the sin of accepting illegal funding donations from developers and yet a billionaire whose business interests will be critically affected by the laws passed in Federal parliament is quite free to be not only a member of that parliament, but head a political party that holds the balance of power in the Senate.
At a time long ago it was the custom for those elevated to the ministry to stand aside from business interests which might come into conflict with the portfolio they were destined to lead. That was the normal sacrifice required of those who chose to enter public life as a servant of the people. They were also required to observe a degree of decorum and choose their words carefully when making public comment.
This weeks rant by Clive Palmer on the ABC show Q&A broke all the rules and he managed to alienate our biggest trading partner. He accused China of " shooting their own people ", lacking a justice system, seeking to take over Australia " - and referred to them as " Mongrels " and " bastards " !
It just so happens that Palmer is in conflict with his Chinese trading partner over $ 12 million that CITIC Pacific claims that the billionaire used to finance the successful launch of the Palmer United Party ( PUP ) which he heads. This will be settled in the courts and it would normally be expected that a dispute of this nature would be quarantined away from public office held by one of the adversaries. In many minds, Palmer's tirade seemed to tar the Communist Chinese government and the dispute with the same brush.
There is no doubt that this stoush will colour the thinking of other nations developing trade links with Australia. The PUP Senate balance of power issue will certainly be noted when they asses the chances of enabling legislation passing through the parliament - and Palmer's personal attitudes will be taken into account when making such decisions. It is unlikely that this rant will deliver in our favour.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie added to the discord by going on talkback radio and demanding that Australia arm itself with missiles to prevent our grandchildren becoming " slaves " from a Chinese Communist invasion. Few would take this suggestion seriously, but it will certainly get an airing on Chinese media.
The Senator seems to have applied what is often called the " Hollywood Syndrome " to her sudden elevation in status. That requires each mornings newspaper to be eagerly scanned - and if no mention of the person can be found - it is deemed an absolute " disaster ". Fame requires the holder to be the centre of attention - and it doesn't matter what reason is involved. This same syndrome applies to sporting figures, and often there is a very thin line between fame - and infamy.
Years ago Pauline Hanson used the same tactic to hog the headlines. Make an outrageous statement - and sit back and watch the talk shows and bloggers devour the " meat " provided. When all else fails, the celebrity usually falls back on some sort of nude romp.
Hopefully, we may be spared that !
At a time long ago it was the custom for those elevated to the ministry to stand aside from business interests which might come into conflict with the portfolio they were destined to lead. That was the normal sacrifice required of those who chose to enter public life as a servant of the people. They were also required to observe a degree of decorum and choose their words carefully when making public comment.
This weeks rant by Clive Palmer on the ABC show Q&A broke all the rules and he managed to alienate our biggest trading partner. He accused China of " shooting their own people ", lacking a justice system, seeking to take over Australia " - and referred to them as " Mongrels " and " bastards " !
It just so happens that Palmer is in conflict with his Chinese trading partner over $ 12 million that CITIC Pacific claims that the billionaire used to finance the successful launch of the Palmer United Party ( PUP ) which he heads. This will be settled in the courts and it would normally be expected that a dispute of this nature would be quarantined away from public office held by one of the adversaries. In many minds, Palmer's tirade seemed to tar the Communist Chinese government and the dispute with the same brush.
There is no doubt that this stoush will colour the thinking of other nations developing trade links with Australia. The PUP Senate balance of power issue will certainly be noted when they asses the chances of enabling legislation passing through the parliament - and Palmer's personal attitudes will be taken into account when making such decisions. It is unlikely that this rant will deliver in our favour.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie added to the discord by going on talkback radio and demanding that Australia arm itself with missiles to prevent our grandchildren becoming " slaves " from a Chinese Communist invasion. Few would take this suggestion seriously, but it will certainly get an airing on Chinese media.
The Senator seems to have applied what is often called the " Hollywood Syndrome " to her sudden elevation in status. That requires each mornings newspaper to be eagerly scanned - and if no mention of the person can be found - it is deemed an absolute " disaster ". Fame requires the holder to be the centre of attention - and it doesn't matter what reason is involved. This same syndrome applies to sporting figures, and often there is a very thin line between fame - and infamy.
Years ago Pauline Hanson used the same tactic to hog the headlines. Make an outrageous statement - and sit back and watch the talk shows and bloggers devour the " meat " provided. When all else fails, the celebrity usually falls back on some sort of nude romp.
Hopefully, we may be spared that !
Wednesday 20 August 2014
A change of prison !
The curious case of charges against Australian Julian Assange is about to take a new twist. In a public statement he has indicated that he will shortly emerge from London's Ecuadorian embassy where he has sheltered under political asylum for the past two years.
Assange was the brain behind Wikileaks. Western governments were embarrassed when Wikileaks released confidential cables and dialogue that it had hacked - and which was often labelled " top secret ". In particular, the United States seemed determined to drag Assange before an American court on espionage charges and if convicted he would serve a life sentence in a US prison.
The Swedish government joined in the fray when a judge demanded Assange appear personally before his court to answer questions related to a sexual liaison he had with two Swedish women. Assange feared that this was an attempt to get him onto Swedish soil, where he would be served with an American warrant and extradited to the United States. When he ignored this demand Interpol issued an International arrest warrant and a long legal fight ensured in British courts. Assange lost this battle - and sought sanctuary in the Ecuadorian embassy.
Britain appears to be bending it's rules that apply to diplomatic immunity in it's dealings with Ecuador. A solid wall of British " Bobbies " surrounds the embassy and it has been made clear that Assange will be instantly arrested the moment he stands clear of the premises. The Ecuadorians have sought permission to transfer him to their country - and this has been refused.
It has long been the contention that embassy cars and embassy aircraft enjoy the same diplomatic status as the land on which an embassy stands - and many will hark back to 1984 when a similar situation occurred at the Libyan London embassy. Someone inside the embassy fired a shot which killed British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher who was acting as a crowd marshal to contain protesters outside the embassy.
The British government refused to allow the Libyans to leave until they surrendered the shooter - and this led to a siege. Eventually, protocol allowed the entire number of people within the embassy at that time to travel by embassy cars to the airport and board an embassy plane - and leave the country. That is exactly the protocol which has been refused in the Assange Ecuadorian case.
If Assange leaves the embassy and is arrested it will make world headlines. Another revealer of state secrets is being sheltered in Moscow and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since Wikileaks went public with confidential American secrets. Public sentiment has changed - and spying by western governments has been revealed in all it's glory.
Assange is taking a big risk, but obviously he can not remain locked within a London embassy forever. If he is arrested, taken to Sweden and then deported to America he may attract a huge surge of worldwide sympathy - and that may make the Americans hold their hand and do nothing. If that is not the case - he is simply exchanging one prison for another !
Assange was the brain behind Wikileaks. Western governments were embarrassed when Wikileaks released confidential cables and dialogue that it had hacked - and which was often labelled " top secret ". In particular, the United States seemed determined to drag Assange before an American court on espionage charges and if convicted he would serve a life sentence in a US prison.
The Swedish government joined in the fray when a judge demanded Assange appear personally before his court to answer questions related to a sexual liaison he had with two Swedish women. Assange feared that this was an attempt to get him onto Swedish soil, where he would be served with an American warrant and extradited to the United States. When he ignored this demand Interpol issued an International arrest warrant and a long legal fight ensured in British courts. Assange lost this battle - and sought sanctuary in the Ecuadorian embassy.
Britain appears to be bending it's rules that apply to diplomatic immunity in it's dealings with Ecuador. A solid wall of British " Bobbies " surrounds the embassy and it has been made clear that Assange will be instantly arrested the moment he stands clear of the premises. The Ecuadorians have sought permission to transfer him to their country - and this has been refused.
It has long been the contention that embassy cars and embassy aircraft enjoy the same diplomatic status as the land on which an embassy stands - and many will hark back to 1984 when a similar situation occurred at the Libyan London embassy. Someone inside the embassy fired a shot which killed British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher who was acting as a crowd marshal to contain protesters outside the embassy.
The British government refused to allow the Libyans to leave until they surrendered the shooter - and this led to a siege. Eventually, protocol allowed the entire number of people within the embassy at that time to travel by embassy cars to the airport and board an embassy plane - and leave the country. That is exactly the protocol which has been refused in the Assange Ecuadorian case.
If Assange leaves the embassy and is arrested it will make world headlines. Another revealer of state secrets is being sheltered in Moscow and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since Wikileaks went public with confidential American secrets. Public sentiment has changed - and spying by western governments has been revealed in all it's glory.
Assange is taking a big risk, but obviously he can not remain locked within a London embassy forever. If he is arrested, taken to Sweden and then deported to America he may attract a huge surge of worldwide sympathy - and that may make the Americans hold their hand and do nothing. If that is not the case - he is simply exchanging one prison for another !
Tuesday 19 August 2014
That elusive " Nuclear Dump :" !
It is absolutely ridiculous that successive Australian governments have spent decades trying to negotiate a depository for this nation's nuclear waste - to no avail. We have a continent the equivalent size of North America - minus Alaska - and a population of just twenty-three million people. This must be the most under populated land mass on planet earth.
The expression " a pimple on a pumpkin " applies to the actual quantity of waste involved. We are talking about storing the equivalent of twenty-eight shipping containers holding spent fuel rods from the reactor at Lucas Heights, plus assorted medical waste and isotopes from research. Over the coming centuries the quantities involved can be judged by the time elapsed to generate what is now awaiting permanent storage.
It looked like the search was over when a deal was pending to build a permanent facility at Muckaty Station in the remote part of the Northern Territory. At the last minute, the deal fell through and is seems that we are back at square one. This is despite the Commonwealth being prepared to spend millions of dollars in compensation to build a permanent site and many more millions providing jobs to make sure it remains secure.
The phrase " Storing nuclear waste " seems to generate unreasonable fear in many peoples minds. It is certainly dangerous material and it will remain active for hundreds and in some cases - thousands of years. It is important that the chosen site safeguards contact with ground water and is geologically stable. For some reason, most people think of burying it below the surface but there is no reason it could not be contained in an above ground structure - on the lines of Fort Knox which holds the US gold reserves.
We will probably never get a site decision which will not generate opposition from some people. The time has come for the government to bite the bullet and make a firm decision - and probably the best location would be the Woomera proving ground in South Australia, where the British atomic bomb tests were held. The test area remains radioactive and entry restrictions still apply. A properly constructed fortress dump would become the responsibility of our armed forces to provide security protection.
Siting a nuclear dumping facility will never be a popular decision. Enough time and money has been spent without result and a decision is becoming urgent. This nuclear problem is not going to go away - and a final decision will not only clear the air - but introduce a long awaited safety factor !
The expression " a pimple on a pumpkin " applies to the actual quantity of waste involved. We are talking about storing the equivalent of twenty-eight shipping containers holding spent fuel rods from the reactor at Lucas Heights, plus assorted medical waste and isotopes from research. Over the coming centuries the quantities involved can be judged by the time elapsed to generate what is now awaiting permanent storage.
It looked like the search was over when a deal was pending to build a permanent facility at Muckaty Station in the remote part of the Northern Territory. At the last minute, the deal fell through and is seems that we are back at square one. This is despite the Commonwealth being prepared to spend millions of dollars in compensation to build a permanent site and many more millions providing jobs to make sure it remains secure.
The phrase " Storing nuclear waste " seems to generate unreasonable fear in many peoples minds. It is certainly dangerous material and it will remain active for hundreds and in some cases - thousands of years. It is important that the chosen site safeguards contact with ground water and is geologically stable. For some reason, most people think of burying it below the surface but there is no reason it could not be contained in an above ground structure - on the lines of Fort Knox which holds the US gold reserves.
We will probably never get a site decision which will not generate opposition from some people. The time has come for the government to bite the bullet and make a firm decision - and probably the best location would be the Woomera proving ground in South Australia, where the British atomic bomb tests were held. The test area remains radioactive and entry restrictions still apply. A properly constructed fortress dump would become the responsibility of our armed forces to provide security protection.
Siting a nuclear dumping facility will never be a popular decision. Enough time and money has been spent without result and a decision is becoming urgent. This nuclear problem is not going to go away - and a final decision will not only clear the air - but introduce a long awaited safety factor !
Monday 18 August 2014
Coming full circle !
Next year work will start on the massive " West Connex " road programme which is expected to finally free up Sydney's traffic gridlock. It will cost thirteen billion dollars and be completed by 2023, but it seems that a curious anomaly is affecting it's costing.
The magnitude of this road building project involves thirteen kilometre of tunnels and giant boring machines will chew their way through soil and rock to create divided roadways for trucks and cars, and this will result in the excavation of 9.5 million tonnes of overburden. The disposal of this overburden is now in question.
The last major tunnelling project in Sydney was the harbour tunnel crossing constructed in the 1980's and early 1990's and this was a dwarf compared to the thirty-three kilometres of new roads planned in the West Connex. The overburden from this harbour crossing was dumped at sea. In contrast, that from the West Connex is scheduled to go to landfills.
The government is concerned about the Co2 landfills generate and has moved to promote recycling by slapping an $ 80 a tonne tax to discourage dumping at landfills. At the same time, it is concerned that Sydney's landfills are filling fast and it will be near impossible to create new sites because of public protests. Many will question the wisdom of sending 9.5 million tonnes of perfectly good fill to further reduce the life of this city's existing landfill facilities.
Surely the creation of this overburden presents an opportunity to create something useful rather than just adding to the cost of a new project. Western Sydney is desperate for more sporting facilities. An unsuitable site could be levelled and restored using this fill to create a sporting complex at low cost to the public purse. Many of the states rivers are in urgent need of flood levees - and once again it seems that we are sending valuable material to the dump - rather than using it to create an asset.
Many scholars of economics would find this project costing interesting. The contractor who wins the job of constructing the West Connex will need to factor that $ 80 a tonne tax on sending the overburden to a landfill in the job costings. In due course, the council landfills will be called upon to remit the taxes they have collected - right back to the government. This is simply money - that travels full circle.
More intelligent thinking could deliver a better result !
The magnitude of this road building project involves thirteen kilometre of tunnels and giant boring machines will chew their way through soil and rock to create divided roadways for trucks and cars, and this will result in the excavation of 9.5 million tonnes of overburden. The disposal of this overburden is now in question.
The last major tunnelling project in Sydney was the harbour tunnel crossing constructed in the 1980's and early 1990's and this was a dwarf compared to the thirty-three kilometres of new roads planned in the West Connex. The overburden from this harbour crossing was dumped at sea. In contrast, that from the West Connex is scheduled to go to landfills.
The government is concerned about the Co2 landfills generate and has moved to promote recycling by slapping an $ 80 a tonne tax to discourage dumping at landfills. At the same time, it is concerned that Sydney's landfills are filling fast and it will be near impossible to create new sites because of public protests. Many will question the wisdom of sending 9.5 million tonnes of perfectly good fill to further reduce the life of this city's existing landfill facilities.
Surely the creation of this overburden presents an opportunity to create something useful rather than just adding to the cost of a new project. Western Sydney is desperate for more sporting facilities. An unsuitable site could be levelled and restored using this fill to create a sporting complex at low cost to the public purse. Many of the states rivers are in urgent need of flood levees - and once again it seems that we are sending valuable material to the dump - rather than using it to create an asset.
Many scholars of economics would find this project costing interesting. The contractor who wins the job of constructing the West Connex will need to factor that $ 80 a tonne tax on sending the overburden to a landfill in the job costings. In due course, the council landfills will be called upon to remit the taxes they have collected - right back to the government. This is simply money - that travels full circle.
More intelligent thinking could deliver a better result !
Sunday 17 August 2014
The " Surrogacy " mess !
When the baby Gammy story broke on the international news circuit it threw a spanner in the works of a well oiled surrogacy arrangement based in Thailand. It could be said that the laws covering " wombs for hire " were at least opaque in that country, but now they have been stiffened to make that practice illegal - and at least two hundred Australian couples are stranded somewhere in the process of using surrogacy to obtain a baby.
There is panic as those who have received their child try and get it out of the country and it seems that the airport exit is no longer an option. Surrogacy children lack a passport and the Thai authorities have clamped down on immigration checks. It seems certain that getting over the border into a surrounding country will also present problems as the news story creates ever widening ripples.
The biggest source of despair is where the surrogacy is mid term. In many cases a child with the biological genes of Australian parents will come into this world in coming months - and go immediately into legal limbo. If Thai law is unyielding, there is the prospect of Australian children being marooned in an Asian country - and possibly ending up in it's under resourced orphan facilities. The only legal way to gain adoption involves the permission of a Thai judge and that could take at least a six month process to wend it's way through the courts. The " Catch 22 " is that this also requires the adoptive parents to live in Thailand for the entire court application - and that is something many would find financially impossible.
Thailand is just one of many Asian countries offering surrogacy facilities to the world, and in most the laws covering it are unclear. It seems inevitable that the baby Gammy story will have repercussions and the least of those will be a tightening of whatever laws apply to taking babies out of the country of birth. It is quite possible that there may be a clash between judicial law and religious practice in some countries to further complicate the surrogacy question.
For many childless couples this is an unmitigated disaster. The thought of their child being born and then snatched away into legal limbo - and possibly abandoned by the birth mother if circumstances and poverty make maintaining the child impossible - is beyond comprehension. Hopefully, the Thai authorities will be merciful and apply special circumstances to pregnancies entered into in good faith.
What is becoming crystal clear is the need for both the Federal government and the states to adopt a national set of surrogacy laws to apply to those who seek surrogacy here in Australia. The fact that Australian couples are being forced to seek help in foreign countries is because this need has not been addressed within our framework of laws. Huge strides have been made with IVF - and yet the issue of surrogacy has been virtually swept under the mat.
The citizens have a right to have this this omission corrected to prevent future disasters similar to what is now happening in Thailand !
There is panic as those who have received their child try and get it out of the country and it seems that the airport exit is no longer an option. Surrogacy children lack a passport and the Thai authorities have clamped down on immigration checks. It seems certain that getting over the border into a surrounding country will also present problems as the news story creates ever widening ripples.
The biggest source of despair is where the surrogacy is mid term. In many cases a child with the biological genes of Australian parents will come into this world in coming months - and go immediately into legal limbo. If Thai law is unyielding, there is the prospect of Australian children being marooned in an Asian country - and possibly ending up in it's under resourced orphan facilities. The only legal way to gain adoption involves the permission of a Thai judge and that could take at least a six month process to wend it's way through the courts. The " Catch 22 " is that this also requires the adoptive parents to live in Thailand for the entire court application - and that is something many would find financially impossible.
Thailand is just one of many Asian countries offering surrogacy facilities to the world, and in most the laws covering it are unclear. It seems inevitable that the baby Gammy story will have repercussions and the least of those will be a tightening of whatever laws apply to taking babies out of the country of birth. It is quite possible that there may be a clash between judicial law and religious practice in some countries to further complicate the surrogacy question.
For many childless couples this is an unmitigated disaster. The thought of their child being born and then snatched away into legal limbo - and possibly abandoned by the birth mother if circumstances and poverty make maintaining the child impossible - is beyond comprehension. Hopefully, the Thai authorities will be merciful and apply special circumstances to pregnancies entered into in good faith.
What is becoming crystal clear is the need for both the Federal government and the states to adopt a national set of surrogacy laws to apply to those who seek surrogacy here in Australia. The fact that Australian couples are being forced to seek help in foreign countries is because this need has not been addressed within our framework of laws. Huge strides have been made with IVF - and yet the issue of surrogacy has been virtually swept under the mat.
The citizens have a right to have this this omission corrected to prevent future disasters similar to what is now happening in Thailand !
Saturday 16 August 2014
The " Ice " Pandemic !
The news that the daughter of a former state premier is in a prison cell charged with an alleged murder illustrates how the menace of the drug known as " Ice " moves across all levels of society. Obtaining supply involves contact between user and supplier and this is fraught with danger. Big money is involved and the crime fraternity jealously guard their ability to get a share of the profits.
Ice is a drug which falls into the category of a Methamphetamine and it is a " cheap " drug that delivers the biggest " bang for a buck ". The price of a " hit " on the streets of Sydney is usually about fifty dollars, but in dealer's parlance the " wholesale " price ranges from $ 400 to $ 800 a gram. It is also the most addictive of the range of drugs offered in Australia's crack dens.
Ice use is now pandemic in Sydney. A " high " used to involve alcohol but in today's world the herd instinct is attracted to the use of synthetic drugs and peer pressure to at least give it a try is overwhelming. The " social user " is soon hooked - and high doses or frequent use quickly leads to " Ice psychosis ". The user is mentally out of control, leading to family strife, poor job performance - and often descent into crime to financially support this new " habit " !
This is not a drug like Heroin which is totally imported. It is often produced locally by " cooking " fairly easily obtained ingredients in thinly disguised " drug kitchens ", which are often located in suburban housing or even high rise flats. A small error can lead to an explosion and subsequent fire, but the rewards from a successful batch are huge.
We are fast losing this drug war. Police and sniffer drug dogs patrol many social events but if the public are determined they will find ways to evade detection - and only a fraction of the drugs being supplied result in an arrest - and few actual " users " serve a prison term. The main impetus is directed at the manufacturers and the supply chain - and the profits involved make arrest an acceptable risk to the criminals involved.
Sadly, each individuals reaction to " Ice " can vary widely. Some are able to maintain a casual balance between it's use on social occasions without becoming addicted, whilst others may find their first use sends them spinning out of control. To the consternation of health professionals, the availability of Ice seems ever widening.
This is a war we will never win, and this drug will continue to ruin the lives of those whose biological balance dooms them to chronic addiction - and the degradation that entails. That seems to be the price of a ticket in life's lottery - when we first consider an experience offered !
Ice is a drug which falls into the category of a Methamphetamine and it is a " cheap " drug that delivers the biggest " bang for a buck ". The price of a " hit " on the streets of Sydney is usually about fifty dollars, but in dealer's parlance the " wholesale " price ranges from $ 400 to $ 800 a gram. It is also the most addictive of the range of drugs offered in Australia's crack dens.
Ice use is now pandemic in Sydney. A " high " used to involve alcohol but in today's world the herd instinct is attracted to the use of synthetic drugs and peer pressure to at least give it a try is overwhelming. The " social user " is soon hooked - and high doses or frequent use quickly leads to " Ice psychosis ". The user is mentally out of control, leading to family strife, poor job performance - and often descent into crime to financially support this new " habit " !
This is not a drug like Heroin which is totally imported. It is often produced locally by " cooking " fairly easily obtained ingredients in thinly disguised " drug kitchens ", which are often located in suburban housing or even high rise flats. A small error can lead to an explosion and subsequent fire, but the rewards from a successful batch are huge.
We are fast losing this drug war. Police and sniffer drug dogs patrol many social events but if the public are determined they will find ways to evade detection - and only a fraction of the drugs being supplied result in an arrest - and few actual " users " serve a prison term. The main impetus is directed at the manufacturers and the supply chain - and the profits involved make arrest an acceptable risk to the criminals involved.
Sadly, each individuals reaction to " Ice " can vary widely. Some are able to maintain a casual balance between it's use on social occasions without becoming addicted, whilst others may find their first use sends them spinning out of control. To the consternation of health professionals, the availability of Ice seems ever widening.
This is a war we will never win, and this drug will continue to ruin the lives of those whose biological balance dooms them to chronic addiction - and the degradation that entails. That seems to be the price of a ticket in life's lottery - when we first consider an experience offered !
Friday 15 August 2014
Crossroads !
Time is fast running out for Australia's Muslim community to openly state where they stand when it comes to the murderous actions of what is now termed the IS - the Islamic State - that is forming a Caliphate on captured lands in Syria and Iraq. There is no escaping the intentions of the self proclaimed Caliph, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi who has stated that the forty thousand Yazidi trapped on Sinjar mountain will not be allowed to convert to his form of Sunni Islam. Many have already been slaughtered and the IS intends to kill the remainder if the west can not manage to mount a rescue.
Choosing sides is an agonising choice when it concerns religion. The Jihadists claim that Islam is under attack and the ongoing struggle between Israel and the surrounding Palestinian territories lends credence to that claim, but it has to be measured against the all out war being inflicted on innocent people for the crime of simply not willingly adhering to the extreme view of Islam held by the Jihadists. They gleefully run pictures on social media showing captured soldiers being beheaded - and their women distributed as sexual pawns or sold into slavery. All who come under their control either convert to their form of Islam - or are brutally killed.
In the past, Australian Muslims have mainly refused to make a choice. Younger radicals join noisy street parades protesting events they claim dishonours Islam and Islamic leaders try to claim neutrality. The rank and file are discomforted and avoid comment, which colours the thinking of many ordinary Australians who think that they secretly approve of the Jihadist minority. When religion is deeply ingrained into a persons faith, it is very difficult to openly voice disapproval.
We have seen this contrast in our own society, where all manner of supposedly honest people have held their silence when it comes to paedophiles molesting children. Protecting the good name of their church has been deemed more important than the ruined lives that have resulted from the sexual predations of servants of that church. Such protection was carried to the highest levels.
It is highly likely that the war within Islam is about to increase to a higher notch. Already the siren call of Jihad is attracting young Australian Islamic men to travel to the Middle East to join the fighting and people like Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi openly schemes to train and return these volunteers to western countries to deliver death and destruction to the home populations by way of bombings. This holy war will no longer be an event viewed on television, but just drama from a far away land.
The safety of neutrality will no longer be available to Australia's Muslims. The vast majority of Muslim people living in Australia simply want to live their lives peacefully, earn a living and bring up their children in peace - and practice their religion without harassment. That is not possible if others within that same religion are inflicting death and destruction on the wider community - and other Muslims are remaining silent.
The sheer brutality of what is occurring to the victims of IS is sparking change. The tone of Islamic leaders here is no longer tinged with " acceptable reasons " for why these crimes are committed and the mood has changed. Islam in Australia has finally found it's voice and this will do much to dispell the suspicion that has riven a deep gulf between our two communities.
The atrocities of the Jihad movement seems to have been the catalyst that is melding diverse religions in Australia more closely together !
Choosing sides is an agonising choice when it concerns religion. The Jihadists claim that Islam is under attack and the ongoing struggle between Israel and the surrounding Palestinian territories lends credence to that claim, but it has to be measured against the all out war being inflicted on innocent people for the crime of simply not willingly adhering to the extreme view of Islam held by the Jihadists. They gleefully run pictures on social media showing captured soldiers being beheaded - and their women distributed as sexual pawns or sold into slavery. All who come under their control either convert to their form of Islam - or are brutally killed.
In the past, Australian Muslims have mainly refused to make a choice. Younger radicals join noisy street parades protesting events they claim dishonours Islam and Islamic leaders try to claim neutrality. The rank and file are discomforted and avoid comment, which colours the thinking of many ordinary Australians who think that they secretly approve of the Jihadist minority. When religion is deeply ingrained into a persons faith, it is very difficult to openly voice disapproval.
We have seen this contrast in our own society, where all manner of supposedly honest people have held their silence when it comes to paedophiles molesting children. Protecting the good name of their church has been deemed more important than the ruined lives that have resulted from the sexual predations of servants of that church. Such protection was carried to the highest levels.
It is highly likely that the war within Islam is about to increase to a higher notch. Already the siren call of Jihad is attracting young Australian Islamic men to travel to the Middle East to join the fighting and people like Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi openly schemes to train and return these volunteers to western countries to deliver death and destruction to the home populations by way of bombings. This holy war will no longer be an event viewed on television, but just drama from a far away land.
The safety of neutrality will no longer be available to Australia's Muslims. The vast majority of Muslim people living in Australia simply want to live their lives peacefully, earn a living and bring up their children in peace - and practice their religion without harassment. That is not possible if others within that same religion are inflicting death and destruction on the wider community - and other Muslims are remaining silent.
The sheer brutality of what is occurring to the victims of IS is sparking change. The tone of Islamic leaders here is no longer tinged with " acceptable reasons " for why these crimes are committed and the mood has changed. Islam in Australia has finally found it's voice and this will do much to dispell the suspicion that has riven a deep gulf between our two communities.
The atrocities of the Jihad movement seems to have been the catalyst that is melding diverse religions in Australia more closely together !
Thursday 14 August 2014
A tale of two cities !
Australia's two biggest cities - Sydney and Melbourne - have a very different way of electing their Lord Mayor who sets the pace for the direction the city takes and manages it's finances. The business community in Sydney is disenfranchised while in Melbourne it takes part in the polls that elect the Lord Mayor to office.
Sydney's residents are enrolled to vote in council elections but the business owners are required t apply for the vote at each council term of office - and they are tipped off the roll prior to each new election, requiring them to reapply to regain their voting franchise. As a result, few bother. The selection of Lord Mayor is therefore in the hands of the limited number of people who actually reside in the fashionable inner city suburbs - and whose outlook is often disdainful of business interests.
As a consequence, Sydney has seen diminishing street parking as kerbside space has been converted to bicycle lanes and there is a proposal to spend nine million dollars on art work throughout the city centre.
That could change as a private members bill sponsored by the fringe Shooters and Fisher's party moves through state parliament, which seeks to automatically list the 80,000 business owners on the electoral roll.
One of the issues that this bill needs to tackle is the matter of absentee voting. In the past, voting has been restricted to a handfull of venues in the inner city. The vast number of business owners live in distant suburbs and few will welcome the necessity to come int the city on a Saturday to place their vote. Postal voting is common in Federal and state elections, and there seems no reason why this should not be extended to the city vote.
It has long been an anomaly that the major portion of rates finance comes from Sydney's business owners and yet they are barely represented when it comes to choosing who will run the city. Many people think Sydney has been concentrating on social issues rather than tackling the major problems that confront the city. In particular, city traffic is being impeded by little used bike lanes as attempts are made to impose a culture that may work in some European cities, but which has failed miserably to attract adherents here.
Some may question why there are vagaries in the selection of local government in Australian cities. The rules that apply to both Federal and State elections are perfectly clear, and there is no reason why a common set of standards should not cover local government. The aim should be to spread the voting franchise as widely as possible !
Sydney's residents are enrolled to vote in council elections but the business owners are required t apply for the vote at each council term of office - and they are tipped off the roll prior to each new election, requiring them to reapply to regain their voting franchise. As a result, few bother. The selection of Lord Mayor is therefore in the hands of the limited number of people who actually reside in the fashionable inner city suburbs - and whose outlook is often disdainful of business interests.
As a consequence, Sydney has seen diminishing street parking as kerbside space has been converted to bicycle lanes and there is a proposal to spend nine million dollars on art work throughout the city centre.
That could change as a private members bill sponsored by the fringe Shooters and Fisher's party moves through state parliament, which seeks to automatically list the 80,000 business owners on the electoral roll.
One of the issues that this bill needs to tackle is the matter of absentee voting. In the past, voting has been restricted to a handfull of venues in the inner city. The vast number of business owners live in distant suburbs and few will welcome the necessity to come int the city on a Saturday to place their vote. Postal voting is common in Federal and state elections, and there seems no reason why this should not be extended to the city vote.
It has long been an anomaly that the major portion of rates finance comes from Sydney's business owners and yet they are barely represented when it comes to choosing who will run the city. Many people think Sydney has been concentrating on social issues rather than tackling the major problems that confront the city. In particular, city traffic is being impeded by little used bike lanes as attempts are made to impose a culture that may work in some European cities, but which has failed miserably to attract adherents here.
Some may question why there are vagaries in the selection of local government in Australian cities. The rules that apply to both Federal and State elections are perfectly clear, and there is no reason why a common set of standards should not cover local government. The aim should be to spread the voting franchise as widely as possible !
Wednesday 13 August 2014
A new " 100 Years War " !
Religious differences have always been a reason for humans to kill one another. Back in the years of spears and stone throwing one tribe would cheerfully kill another because of claims that their " God " was better than the one the other tribe worshipped. The history books recount the epic battles of the Crusades when Christian armies clashed with Muslims for the " Holy Land " and it's capital of Jerusalem. There were six Crusades from 1095 to 1291 - and then things settled down for a few centuries.
Holy war did not end in the Middle Ages. Many of the wars of Europe were instigated by the Roman Catholic Church trying to roll back the " Reformation " and reimpose it's mandate across that part of the globe. Eventually, Christianity settled into a semi peaceful coexistence and Islam went through an age of culture, science and philosophy. The wars that erupted were no longer religion inspired, but concerned with spreading empire and dominion - and the modern quest for wealth.
Once again religion has raised the banner of war - and this time it seems a clash that brooks no quarter. The Wahhabi doctrine that was first espoused by Osama bin Laden erupted out of Saudi Arabia and has now been refined by it's adherents to call for the extermination of all who do not immediately conform to it's standard of conduct. This doctrine calls for Islamic purity and bestows draconian punishment on those who fail to meet standards. Beheading and stoning to death are the punishment for infringement that we in the west see as minor matters.
What is strange is the spread of this new Islamic ferocity. It is popping up under a plethora of names in many parts of the world. Boko Haram. ISIS. Wherever Sunni Islam has adherents it seems that young men are calling for Jihad and spreading death and destruction against anyone not scrupulously following the teachings they follow. This " terror " is widening in Africa, the Middle East - and fast spreading to the countries which are referred to as " the West ".
It seems that a new era of religious intensity is opening and the world is about to experience ever widening Jihad. The fact that this new religious fervour has managed to establish a Caliphate encompassing parts of Syria and Iraq gives it substance from which to organise and provide a base. Idealistic young men from many parts of the world are travelling to this war centre with the intention of launching Jihad on the rest of the world.
There is the threatening prospect that we may be entering a new " Hundred years war " and that moderate Islam may be confronted with a choice that many will be loath to reject. The Jihadists preach that Islam is under attack and many with strong religious feelings may feel compelled to answer that call. A pattern is emerging. This Jihadist army remains underground and delivers bombings and acts of terror to enhance their cause. It seems likely that this will be a scenario that will be inflicted on the great cities of western civilization.
Once more the issue of religion splits the world. There is something about the issue of religious faith that condones the worst excesses when religions come into conflict. What is being inflicted on those conquered by the ISIS caliphate seems beyond comprehension. Captured soldiers are being beheaded and their wives sold into slavery. Even young children are being tortured - and buried alive. The mantra of converting to Islam - or being prepared to die is the only choice offered. Religion trumps humanity !
Sadly, there seems little prospect of sanity prevailing. Just when it seemed that religion was fast fading into the background as the dominant force in people's lives, it has made a resurgence - and with an intensity that belies belief. Just as during the last great world war, the citizens of many countries learned to live with the nightly bombing raid on their cities, it seems that we of the twenty-first century are going to learn to live with acts of Jihad terror in our communities.
Such is the draw of intensity of religion on the human mind, that this new religious war may last for a century !
Holy war did not end in the Middle Ages. Many of the wars of Europe were instigated by the Roman Catholic Church trying to roll back the " Reformation " and reimpose it's mandate across that part of the globe. Eventually, Christianity settled into a semi peaceful coexistence and Islam went through an age of culture, science and philosophy. The wars that erupted were no longer religion inspired, but concerned with spreading empire and dominion - and the modern quest for wealth.
Once again religion has raised the banner of war - and this time it seems a clash that brooks no quarter. The Wahhabi doctrine that was first espoused by Osama bin Laden erupted out of Saudi Arabia and has now been refined by it's adherents to call for the extermination of all who do not immediately conform to it's standard of conduct. This doctrine calls for Islamic purity and bestows draconian punishment on those who fail to meet standards. Beheading and stoning to death are the punishment for infringement that we in the west see as minor matters.
What is strange is the spread of this new Islamic ferocity. It is popping up under a plethora of names in many parts of the world. Boko Haram. ISIS. Wherever Sunni Islam has adherents it seems that young men are calling for Jihad and spreading death and destruction against anyone not scrupulously following the teachings they follow. This " terror " is widening in Africa, the Middle East - and fast spreading to the countries which are referred to as " the West ".
It seems that a new era of religious intensity is opening and the world is about to experience ever widening Jihad. The fact that this new religious fervour has managed to establish a Caliphate encompassing parts of Syria and Iraq gives it substance from which to organise and provide a base. Idealistic young men from many parts of the world are travelling to this war centre with the intention of launching Jihad on the rest of the world.
There is the threatening prospect that we may be entering a new " Hundred years war " and that moderate Islam may be confronted with a choice that many will be loath to reject. The Jihadists preach that Islam is under attack and many with strong religious feelings may feel compelled to answer that call. A pattern is emerging. This Jihadist army remains underground and delivers bombings and acts of terror to enhance their cause. It seems likely that this will be a scenario that will be inflicted on the great cities of western civilization.
Once more the issue of religion splits the world. There is something about the issue of religious faith that condones the worst excesses when religions come into conflict. What is being inflicted on those conquered by the ISIS caliphate seems beyond comprehension. Captured soldiers are being beheaded and their wives sold into slavery. Even young children are being tortured - and buried alive. The mantra of converting to Islam - or being prepared to die is the only choice offered. Religion trumps humanity !
Sadly, there seems little prospect of sanity prevailing. Just when it seemed that religion was fast fading into the background as the dominant force in people's lives, it has made a resurgence - and with an intensity that belies belief. Just as during the last great world war, the citizens of many countries learned to live with the nightly bombing raid on their cities, it seems that we of the twenty-first century are going to learn to live with acts of Jihad terror in our communities.
Such is the draw of intensity of religion on the human mind, that this new religious war may last for a century !
Tuesday 12 August 2014
Third Party Care !
This twenty-first century is producing an ever expanding problem of sons and daughters living a vast distance from ageing Mums and Dads. In many cases, distance makes regular visits difficult and there is the worry that increasing frailty is putting lives at risk.
The government is trying to provide services to keep the aged in their own homes rather than face the increasing costs of providing more nursing homes and this aim is being met more readily within the cities than in country areas. Home Care Services provide both a house cleaning and a shopping facility, but many elderly people slip through the net - and this facility is totally missing in most small centres.
The age of technology offers an opportunity to correct this imbalance - and combine family members with care of the aged. The Internet provides the link and the " Tablet " is the instrument to connect those living alone with distant loved ones on a daily basis - and bring into play all the services that can make it possible for the elderly to maintain an independent lifestyle.
It would be possible to expand the Tele-Health system that was supposed to connnect the aged with their GP's - and prompt three way consultations with medical specialists - to include distant family members who would provide that vital daily link to check the welfare of their loved ones. Tele-Health failed to catch on because it proved incompatible with many medical communication systems and adequate software was not forthcoming. An integrated provision of a cheap tablet, Internet connection and Skype hookup could solve these communication problems - and bring in a new age of caring for old people.
One of the basic requirements would be a reliable Internet connection, but the NBN should solve that problem - when it eventually arrives. It would be required to train the elderly on how to use a tablet, but it's camera function would allow the carer to actually see any household or health problem first hand, and summon whatever help was required. With this in place, appropriate government agencies could trim their services accordingly.
There are those who lack family support to maintain regular contact and these gaps could be filled by volunteers. It is a concept that needs to be put in place and made known to families with the worry of distant aged parents - and with coordination it could quickly become a vital part of the health services system.
Both carers and the aged would have peace of mind from a daily contact call - and the knowledge that help was just a video call away !
The government is trying to provide services to keep the aged in their own homes rather than face the increasing costs of providing more nursing homes and this aim is being met more readily within the cities than in country areas. Home Care Services provide both a house cleaning and a shopping facility, but many elderly people slip through the net - and this facility is totally missing in most small centres.
The age of technology offers an opportunity to correct this imbalance - and combine family members with care of the aged. The Internet provides the link and the " Tablet " is the instrument to connect those living alone with distant loved ones on a daily basis - and bring into play all the services that can make it possible for the elderly to maintain an independent lifestyle.
It would be possible to expand the Tele-Health system that was supposed to connnect the aged with their GP's - and prompt three way consultations with medical specialists - to include distant family members who would provide that vital daily link to check the welfare of their loved ones. Tele-Health failed to catch on because it proved incompatible with many medical communication systems and adequate software was not forthcoming. An integrated provision of a cheap tablet, Internet connection and Skype hookup could solve these communication problems - and bring in a new age of caring for old people.
One of the basic requirements would be a reliable Internet connection, but the NBN should solve that problem - when it eventually arrives. It would be required to train the elderly on how to use a tablet, but it's camera function would allow the carer to actually see any household or health problem first hand, and summon whatever help was required. With this in place, appropriate government agencies could trim their services accordingly.
There are those who lack family support to maintain regular contact and these gaps could be filled by volunteers. It is a concept that needs to be put in place and made known to families with the worry of distant aged parents - and with coordination it could quickly become a vital part of the health services system.
Both carers and the aged would have peace of mind from a daily contact call - and the knowledge that help was just a video call away !
Monday 11 August 2014
The ever shrinking " Backyard " !
The old " quarter acre block " is now a distant memory in New South Wales. This week a new State Environmental Planning Policy ( SEPP ) comes into force and the legal size of land for building shrinks even smaller. It seems that Australia faces a strange building conundrum. The size of the homes we live in get bigger each decade - and the land on which they are built gets smaller - and the end result is the almost total disappearance of what used to be called " the backyard ".
Todays new home tends to encroach to all four boundaries and there is little room left for a Hills hoist clothesline or kid's play area. Whatever land is left usually contains a swimming pool and this new SEPP allows what are termed " Fonzie " flats, studio apartments under separate land title to be built above garages. Basically, land sizes have retreated to just 125 square metres in growth areas and from 350 square metres to 250 in low density areas.
With the median house price in Sydney hovering about the $ 800,000 mark a lot of people are being locked out of home ownership. This SEPP is expected to ease new building prices by about $ 50,000 for a $ 500,000 property - and height restrictions in inner Sydney are under review. If Sydney is to continue it's growth pattern it is inevitable that more people will have to embrace apartment living and taller domestic towers make better use of existing facilities. The biggest problem is that apartments are an efficient way to house masses of people - provided they can do without cars. Finding room for both people and cars in an inner city has defied the best schemes of city planners.
Obviously, one solution to city overcrowding is to encourage rural living with high speed public transport linking housing to job opportunities, but rural building land seems to be keeping pace with city prices, even when it is abundantly available. Plans to link country living with public transport usually lag decades behind and consequently the ever expanding city relies on the car for individual transport - with all the problems that brings.
When we see the massive tower blocks housing people in Asia's overcrowded cities we are probably viewing the future fate of Sydney and Melbourne. The " vertical village " is probably the only way to cope with the concentration of opportunity that draws people to the big cities and their proliferation of good paying jobs.
Somehow nature's example of the " ant hill " comes to mind !
Todays new home tends to encroach to all four boundaries and there is little room left for a Hills hoist clothesline or kid's play area. Whatever land is left usually contains a swimming pool and this new SEPP allows what are termed " Fonzie " flats, studio apartments under separate land title to be built above garages. Basically, land sizes have retreated to just 125 square metres in growth areas and from 350 square metres to 250 in low density areas.
With the median house price in Sydney hovering about the $ 800,000 mark a lot of people are being locked out of home ownership. This SEPP is expected to ease new building prices by about $ 50,000 for a $ 500,000 property - and height restrictions in inner Sydney are under review. If Sydney is to continue it's growth pattern it is inevitable that more people will have to embrace apartment living and taller domestic towers make better use of existing facilities. The biggest problem is that apartments are an efficient way to house masses of people - provided they can do without cars. Finding room for both people and cars in an inner city has defied the best schemes of city planners.
Obviously, one solution to city overcrowding is to encourage rural living with high speed public transport linking housing to job opportunities, but rural building land seems to be keeping pace with city prices, even when it is abundantly available. Plans to link country living with public transport usually lag decades behind and consequently the ever expanding city relies on the car for individual transport - with all the problems that brings.
When we see the massive tower blocks housing people in Asia's overcrowded cities we are probably viewing the future fate of Sydney and Melbourne. The " vertical village " is probably the only way to cope with the concentration of opportunity that draws people to the big cities and their proliferation of good paying jobs.
Somehow nature's example of the " ant hill " comes to mind !
Sunday 10 August 2014
Saving the Post Office !
There is no doubt that out post office system is under threat. We have just seen the cost of posting a letter jump ten cents to seventy cents and there is every chance that the daily delivery to suburban letterboxes will soon retreat from five days a week - to just three. The flow of mail through the postal system is declining in the electronic age and a once " cash cow " is becoming a drain on the public purse.
The postal service is a remarkable institution. It is nation wide and provides the only identity that has a presence in every suburb, town and even village across the entire length of Australia. The obvious way to save the post office is to expand the services it provides - and one obvious answer is to make it the claims office for settling Medicare and Pharmaceutical benefit claims.
Eighty percent of GP visits are bulk billed but non bulk billed claims amount to 344 million transactions each year and there are 211 million pharmaceutical refunds processed through the system. Surely that is enough work to rejuvenate the tired old post office system and provide a better, faster service to the public.
There are reservations about privacy issues. Obtaining a Medicare card involves revealing personal details and that is handled either through Centrelink or specialised Medicare offices. The function of allowing the post offices to process claims is merely a clerical process without access to anything other than money disbursement. The main gain is the accessibility of post offices in contrast to the few Medicare offices still remaining.
If the post office system is to be saved in it's present form it will need a change of thinking on the part of both state and the Federal governments. It is unique in that post offices are the only nation wide institution to which every citizen has access. It should be the focal point of doing business with every arm of government and serve as the representative of every government service. Everything from registering a car to applying for a passport should be possible at that one localised distribution point, rather than scattered widely across the city - and without any representation in lesser population centres.
Making the post office the representative for Medicare and Pharmaceutical benefits would be the first step in widening the range of services. The fact that it alone has the capacity to reach the broadest scope of the Australian population should attract the attention of private industry. What the post office system is offering is the opportunity to present services or products Australia wide by utilising a network that is already in place - and has unused capacity. To the far sighted - that spells " Opportunity " !
The postal service is a remarkable institution. It is nation wide and provides the only identity that has a presence in every suburb, town and even village across the entire length of Australia. The obvious way to save the post office is to expand the services it provides - and one obvious answer is to make it the claims office for settling Medicare and Pharmaceutical benefit claims.
Eighty percent of GP visits are bulk billed but non bulk billed claims amount to 344 million transactions each year and there are 211 million pharmaceutical refunds processed through the system. Surely that is enough work to rejuvenate the tired old post office system and provide a better, faster service to the public.
There are reservations about privacy issues. Obtaining a Medicare card involves revealing personal details and that is handled either through Centrelink or specialised Medicare offices. The function of allowing the post offices to process claims is merely a clerical process without access to anything other than money disbursement. The main gain is the accessibility of post offices in contrast to the few Medicare offices still remaining.
If the post office system is to be saved in it's present form it will need a change of thinking on the part of both state and the Federal governments. It is unique in that post offices are the only nation wide institution to which every citizen has access. It should be the focal point of doing business with every arm of government and serve as the representative of every government service. Everything from registering a car to applying for a passport should be possible at that one localised distribution point, rather than scattered widely across the city - and without any representation in lesser population centres.
Making the post office the representative for Medicare and Pharmaceutical benefits would be the first step in widening the range of services. The fact that it alone has the capacity to reach the broadest scope of the Australian population should attract the attention of private industry. What the post office system is offering is the opportunity to present services or products Australia wide by utilising a network that is already in place - and has unused capacity. To the far sighted - that spells " Opportunity " !
Saturday 9 August 2014
" P " Plate Citizenship !
A matter before the courts brings a compelling case for Citizenship to be awarded on a provisional basis. That " piece of paper " is sought after by so many people and it really needs to be " earned " by the applicant rather than being bestowed in exchange for what is fast becoming a " meaningless " promise on the applicant's behalf.
An Iranian migrant aged thirty-five arrived four years ago on a people smuggler's boat. He immediately committed violent offences and chalked up a list of convictions which culminated in an alleged murder before horrified bystanders in a busy shopping centre. It is alleged that this man bought a knife at the shopping centre and concealed it on his person when he confronted his lovers former partner. To his credit, he made no attempt to escape and calmly awaited the arrival of the police.
The granting of citizenship removes the possibility of deportation. Should a visitor or other non citizen commit a violent crime that results in a gaol term, upon release Australia can deport them to their country of birth by way of a court order. That is the very reason that most immigrants are so keen to claim citizenship. It makes them immune to deportation, nomatter what crime they may subsequently commit.
It seems that the granting of citizenship is governed by a number of United Nations protocols and these seem to forbid any form of restrictions or time clauses. This is a heavy handed approach weighed in the applicants favour - and now would be a very goof time for it's revision.
The terms under which any country will accept new citizens must surely rest with the laws of that country, and those laws are what the citizens decide. If that decision does not meet the prevailing United Nations protocol, then it is quite reasonable for the country to withdraw and set it's own rules for citizenship. It would be quite reasonable to grant citizenship on a provisional basis, to become absolute only after a nominated period of acceptable behaviour.
Citizenship is a two way deal. The accepting country is offering an applicant the protection of it's laws and the right to earn a living in exchange for accepting the legal system on this country and meeting the standards expected of a citizen. The present situation is very much a one way commitment. The applicant can break every aspect of the oath of citizenship taken - with no recourse.
The vast number of new people becoming Australians scrupulously meet their obligations of citizenship, but a small minority use it to break the law with impunity. Introducing probationary citizenship would merely restore the balance - and make full citizenship an " earned " reward " !
An Iranian migrant aged thirty-five arrived four years ago on a people smuggler's boat. He immediately committed violent offences and chalked up a list of convictions which culminated in an alleged murder before horrified bystanders in a busy shopping centre. It is alleged that this man bought a knife at the shopping centre and concealed it on his person when he confronted his lovers former partner. To his credit, he made no attempt to escape and calmly awaited the arrival of the police.
The granting of citizenship removes the possibility of deportation. Should a visitor or other non citizen commit a violent crime that results in a gaol term, upon release Australia can deport them to their country of birth by way of a court order. That is the very reason that most immigrants are so keen to claim citizenship. It makes them immune to deportation, nomatter what crime they may subsequently commit.
It seems that the granting of citizenship is governed by a number of United Nations protocols and these seem to forbid any form of restrictions or time clauses. This is a heavy handed approach weighed in the applicants favour - and now would be a very goof time for it's revision.
The terms under which any country will accept new citizens must surely rest with the laws of that country, and those laws are what the citizens decide. If that decision does not meet the prevailing United Nations protocol, then it is quite reasonable for the country to withdraw and set it's own rules for citizenship. It would be quite reasonable to grant citizenship on a provisional basis, to become absolute only after a nominated period of acceptable behaviour.
Citizenship is a two way deal. The accepting country is offering an applicant the protection of it's laws and the right to earn a living in exchange for accepting the legal system on this country and meeting the standards expected of a citizen. The present situation is very much a one way commitment. The applicant can break every aspect of the oath of citizenship taken - with no recourse.
The vast number of new people becoming Australians scrupulously meet their obligations of citizenship, but a small minority use it to break the law with impunity. Introducing probationary citizenship would merely restore the balance - and make full citizenship an " earned " reward " !
Friday 8 August 2014
Compensation !
Just suppose you and a group of friends have planned to attend the Aussie Rules grand final in Melbourne. You have secured those hard to get tickets for the best seats at the ground and booked overnight accommodation at one of that city's best hotels. Work commitments dictate that you will fly in on an early morning flight - watch the game at the MCG - and " party - party - party " the night away if your favourite team wins.
You arrive at the airport the required two hours prior to boarding to book in, and to your dismay there seems to be a problem. That ominous word " Delayed " appears on the flight schedule board. You can see an aircraft standing at the gate nominated for your flight but it is surrounded by maintenance trucks. Enquiries are bringing little information - and finally that dreaded word " Cancelled " appears on the notice board. Your cherished weekend away to watch a major sporting event just evaporated - and you are starting to calculate the financial cost.
Of course the airline will refund the fares for the cancelled flight, but what about those very expensive - and now useless - tickets to the MCG ? The hotel is not prepared to waive that confirmed room booking as this was a booked out weekend in Melbourne - and they regard your absence as a " no show ". You find that you are seriously out of pocket - and you want compensation from the airline !
In Australia the matter of compensation is entirely at the discretion of the airlines. They usually pick up the tab for putting passengers into hotel rooms if a flight delay strands people overnight, but " missed connections " and other expenses are a matter for " negotiation ". Passengers can seek help from the Airlines Customer Advocate ( ACA ) but compensation is a legal void.
In European Union countries this is covered by legislation. Passengers are able to claim up to $ 864 compensation unless the airline has given two weeks notice of a cancellation, or there are exceptional circumstances, usually involving extreme weather or the presence of volcanic ash delaying flights. It is suggested that we need similar legislation here.
The problem is that once delay becomes a legislated cost to the airlines it will quickly find it's way onto ticket prices, and in most cases delay only causes minor inconvenience, not financial loss. The obvious answer is to be protected by travel insurance. Those flying to attend a nominated event or to join a cruise ship at another port would do well to cover that travel with the very few dollars needed to get full insurance protection. The airlines would be well advised to offer such protection at the point of ticket sales. Blanket cover to selected compensation levels would bring peace of mind at very low cost.
Hundreds of thousands of people fly incident free each day. Those whose flight time is critical to mesh with other connections would be wise to insure the journey - and not leave the issue of compensation to chance !
You arrive at the airport the required two hours prior to boarding to book in, and to your dismay there seems to be a problem. That ominous word " Delayed " appears on the flight schedule board. You can see an aircraft standing at the gate nominated for your flight but it is surrounded by maintenance trucks. Enquiries are bringing little information - and finally that dreaded word " Cancelled " appears on the notice board. Your cherished weekend away to watch a major sporting event just evaporated - and you are starting to calculate the financial cost.
Of course the airline will refund the fares for the cancelled flight, but what about those very expensive - and now useless - tickets to the MCG ? The hotel is not prepared to waive that confirmed room booking as this was a booked out weekend in Melbourne - and they regard your absence as a " no show ". You find that you are seriously out of pocket - and you want compensation from the airline !
In Australia the matter of compensation is entirely at the discretion of the airlines. They usually pick up the tab for putting passengers into hotel rooms if a flight delay strands people overnight, but " missed connections " and other expenses are a matter for " negotiation ". Passengers can seek help from the Airlines Customer Advocate ( ACA ) but compensation is a legal void.
In European Union countries this is covered by legislation. Passengers are able to claim up to $ 864 compensation unless the airline has given two weeks notice of a cancellation, or there are exceptional circumstances, usually involving extreme weather or the presence of volcanic ash delaying flights. It is suggested that we need similar legislation here.
The problem is that once delay becomes a legislated cost to the airlines it will quickly find it's way onto ticket prices, and in most cases delay only causes minor inconvenience, not financial loss. The obvious answer is to be protected by travel insurance. Those flying to attend a nominated event or to join a cruise ship at another port would do well to cover that travel with the very few dollars needed to get full insurance protection. The airlines would be well advised to offer such protection at the point of ticket sales. Blanket cover to selected compensation levels would bring peace of mind at very low cost.
Hundreds of thousands of people fly incident free each day. Those whose flight time is critical to mesh with other connections would be wise to insure the journey - and not leave the issue of compensation to chance !
Thursday 7 August 2014
Litigation - and Free Speech !
Making it a crime to " Offend - Insult someone on the grounds of their race " is a broad brush assault on the free speech principle that we hold so dearly. It invites a definition of precisely where the line is crossed between words in common use - and those that the most thin skinned in our community find offensive.
Are we going to see people arrested if they refer to others from certain parts of the world as " Wogs " or describe those of Aboriginal ancestry as " Boongs " ? When Prince Charles attended school here in Australia he recounts that he was referred to by other students as a " Pommie Bastard ". He regarded that as a term of affection, but once legislation comes into force a completely new set of standards applies.
If the recipient of a remark takes offense at something another person says, is that sufficient to lay a charge ? Or does it need to be assessed by a third person ? Will the degree of " offense " be decided by a police officer - or perhaps a magistrate ? We open a Pandora's box of litigation when we use the terms " Offend " and " Insult " as the term of outcome - without proper definition as to exactly what those terms mean in law.
The legal system seems to be suggesting that somehow we can tip the entire population of Australian into a blender, turn on the power - and pour out a homogeneous tribe of people who have dispensed with their former prejudices and dislikes. Somehow all forms of religious differences will disappear, we will be united politically - and in the heat of argument nobody will use an epithet that others may find distasteful !
This seems more of an attempt to impose " political correctness " on public figures rather than blanket the entire population with a new speech code. It is noticeable that politicians, sporting figures, television personalities all have to very carefully avoid using terms that are common amongst the masses when they speak publicly. The slightest aberration will bring down the wrath of the pundits - as when a sporting commentator recently referred to a player as a " Poofter " - and was quickly taken off air and made to publicly apologise.
Enacting legislature to codify comment as a crime is probably drawing a very long bow. Prevailing custom has installed political correctness in the public domain and we would be wise to leave it at that level. What the masses think - and what they say - is not the business of government !
Are we going to see people arrested if they refer to others from certain parts of the world as " Wogs " or describe those of Aboriginal ancestry as " Boongs " ? When Prince Charles attended school here in Australia he recounts that he was referred to by other students as a " Pommie Bastard ". He regarded that as a term of affection, but once legislation comes into force a completely new set of standards applies.
If the recipient of a remark takes offense at something another person says, is that sufficient to lay a charge ? Or does it need to be assessed by a third person ? Will the degree of " offense " be decided by a police officer - or perhaps a magistrate ? We open a Pandora's box of litigation when we use the terms " Offend " and " Insult " as the term of outcome - without proper definition as to exactly what those terms mean in law.
The legal system seems to be suggesting that somehow we can tip the entire population of Australian into a blender, turn on the power - and pour out a homogeneous tribe of people who have dispensed with their former prejudices and dislikes. Somehow all forms of religious differences will disappear, we will be united politically - and in the heat of argument nobody will use an epithet that others may find distasteful !
This seems more of an attempt to impose " political correctness " on public figures rather than blanket the entire population with a new speech code. It is noticeable that politicians, sporting figures, television personalities all have to very carefully avoid using terms that are common amongst the masses when they speak publicly. The slightest aberration will bring down the wrath of the pundits - as when a sporting commentator recently referred to a player as a " Poofter " - and was quickly taken off air and made to publicly apologise.
Enacting legislature to codify comment as a crime is probably drawing a very long bow. Prevailing custom has installed political correctness in the public domain and we would be wise to leave it at that level. What the masses think - and what they say - is not the business of government !
Wednesday 6 August 2014
Backlash !
The urgings of Family Minister Kevin Anderson for de-facto couples to " tie the knot " will be met with derision by many people. The slavish need for a " Marriage Certificate " that existed in the past no longer rules the lives of society. In many ways, the freedom of association that we take for granted today is a form of backlash against the tyranny imposed by both the churches and so called " respectable " society that hobbled any chance of a happy relationship many decades ago.
It seems strange that once courting couples were so rigidly separated that they had absolutely no chance of getting to know one another. Those were the days of the " chaperone " and etiquette required that one on one dalliance was kept to an absolute minimum. The procedure led to an " engagement ", usually quickly followed by a trip down the aisle - and then they were allowed the joy of really finding out if they were a compatible couple.
Those were the days when divorce required the intimate details of the marriage to be aired in open court - and firmly opposed by both the churches and the lawmakers. Either one party had to be judged the " guilty " partner who had destroyed the marriage, or both had to endure seven long years of separation before the knot could be untied - and the " divorced " were considered social pariahs.
The winds of change began blowing through the social order after the end of the second world war. Many began to question the restrictions that society imposed on job opportunities, travel, expanded education - and personal relationships. Mass production was bringing the car into the price range of the average person and with mobility came the opportunity to expand personal horizons. This brought the empowerment of women - and sharply reduced the authority of churches to dictate the terms of how we would live our lives.
The world around us changed. The dictum of a job for life faded away. The average person will need to retrain several times over their lifetime - and we became more selective in choosing a partner. The concept of one becoming the breadwinner and the other a homemaker quickly morphed into the double income family - and children fitted into these changing relationships with the nonchalance suited to young minds.
Asking society to turn back the clock on personal relationships is like swimming against the tide. Marriage suits some people - and doesn't suit others. The trend is running in the opposite direction and it seems that the laws are being changed to suit the conditions that prevail. Inheritance and taxation laws are being changed to accommodate de-facto arrangements. Strangely, same sex couples are free to live together, but are agitating for that very " marriage certificate " that de-facto couples shun - and that old concept of a " lifetime union " between two people of the opposite sex is no longer the valid objective of many couples.
It is far too late to even try and reimpose the draconian laws that applied to personal relationships. The cork has been popped - and the Genie is well and truly out of the bottle !
It seems strange that once courting couples were so rigidly separated that they had absolutely no chance of getting to know one another. Those were the days of the " chaperone " and etiquette required that one on one dalliance was kept to an absolute minimum. The procedure led to an " engagement ", usually quickly followed by a trip down the aisle - and then they were allowed the joy of really finding out if they were a compatible couple.
Those were the days when divorce required the intimate details of the marriage to be aired in open court - and firmly opposed by both the churches and the lawmakers. Either one party had to be judged the " guilty " partner who had destroyed the marriage, or both had to endure seven long years of separation before the knot could be untied - and the " divorced " were considered social pariahs.
The winds of change began blowing through the social order after the end of the second world war. Many began to question the restrictions that society imposed on job opportunities, travel, expanded education - and personal relationships. Mass production was bringing the car into the price range of the average person and with mobility came the opportunity to expand personal horizons. This brought the empowerment of women - and sharply reduced the authority of churches to dictate the terms of how we would live our lives.
The world around us changed. The dictum of a job for life faded away. The average person will need to retrain several times over their lifetime - and we became more selective in choosing a partner. The concept of one becoming the breadwinner and the other a homemaker quickly morphed into the double income family - and children fitted into these changing relationships with the nonchalance suited to young minds.
Asking society to turn back the clock on personal relationships is like swimming against the tide. Marriage suits some people - and doesn't suit others. The trend is running in the opposite direction and it seems that the laws are being changed to suit the conditions that prevail. Inheritance and taxation laws are being changed to accommodate de-facto arrangements. Strangely, same sex couples are free to live together, but are agitating for that very " marriage certificate " that de-facto couples shun - and that old concept of a " lifetime union " between two people of the opposite sex is no longer the valid objective of many couples.
It is far too late to even try and reimpose the draconian laws that applied to personal relationships. The cork has been popped - and the Genie is well and truly out of the bottle !
Tuesday 5 August 2014
Rejected !
Ordinary Australians were quick to put their hands in their pockets when news broke about a surrogacy gone wrong in Thailand. A childless Australian couple paid a young Thai mother sixteen thousand dollars to have their child and this pregnancy resulted in twins. One twin was a perfectly healthy baby girl - but the other was a boy affected by Down Syndrome and with a hole in the heart that needed expensive surgery. The Australian couple brought the baby girl back to Australia with them, but rejected the boy - who his birth mother has called " Gammy ".
So far over $ 190,000 has rolled in by way of donations to secure the medical intervention that would be otherwise unaffordable. Medically this little boy will receive the treatment he needs, but the rejection leaves both an ethical and a moral question to be answered.
The legal profession may probably argue over nationality. The fact that this child was born in Thailand seems to confer Thai nationality, but conception was by way of the procreation of two Australian citizens - and presumably this boys sister is now a legal resident of this country. In technical terms, this was an Australian child residing in a hired womb for the term of the pregnancy. Had he been born with perfect health, he would now be resident in Australia.
It raises the moral question that arises with the concept of surrogacy. Had the childless Australian woman been able to conceive without the need for a surrogacy, there is no question of rejection of a child born with medical problems. The Australian health system would provide any rectification that was possible and the parents would be expected to cope with whatever limitations the condition imposed.
The laws that apply to surrogacy are varied and disjointed, and differ greatly between the Australian states. In some instances they are approved - provided no money changes hands. It is common for a sister or other relative to share a womb with a childless couple as an act of love, but paid surrogacy is a booming business throughout Asia - and the motive is usually profit.
Many people will deplore the rejection of Gammy because of his disability. It will be seen as a heartless decision. The money is now available for the best medical treatment but it also means that a little Australian boy will live his life in an Asian city - because he has been rejected by his biological parents. His birth mother has other children, but they have bonded and she accepts the need to give him the love and protection he will need to deal with his infirmity.
What we obviously need is firm and clear Australian law - covering this entire country - to make it unnecessary to conduct clandestine pregnancy arrangements in other parts of the world. The IVF programme has come a long way in banishing the anguish of childless couples and there is no reason that surrogacy here could not fill any remaining gaps - provided reasonable laws were in place. It would be sensible to concede reasonable compensation for the time and effort involved in a surrogacy - and in this twenty-first century it should take it's place amongst the medical services that we take for granted.
So far over $ 190,000 has rolled in by way of donations to secure the medical intervention that would be otherwise unaffordable. Medically this little boy will receive the treatment he needs, but the rejection leaves both an ethical and a moral question to be answered.
The legal profession may probably argue over nationality. The fact that this child was born in Thailand seems to confer Thai nationality, but conception was by way of the procreation of two Australian citizens - and presumably this boys sister is now a legal resident of this country. In technical terms, this was an Australian child residing in a hired womb for the term of the pregnancy. Had he been born with perfect health, he would now be resident in Australia.
It raises the moral question that arises with the concept of surrogacy. Had the childless Australian woman been able to conceive without the need for a surrogacy, there is no question of rejection of a child born with medical problems. The Australian health system would provide any rectification that was possible and the parents would be expected to cope with whatever limitations the condition imposed.
The laws that apply to surrogacy are varied and disjointed, and differ greatly between the Australian states. In some instances they are approved - provided no money changes hands. It is common for a sister or other relative to share a womb with a childless couple as an act of love, but paid surrogacy is a booming business throughout Asia - and the motive is usually profit.
Many people will deplore the rejection of Gammy because of his disability. It will be seen as a heartless decision. The money is now available for the best medical treatment but it also means that a little Australian boy will live his life in an Asian city - because he has been rejected by his biological parents. His birth mother has other children, but they have bonded and she accepts the need to give him the love and protection he will need to deal with his infirmity.
What we obviously need is firm and clear Australian law - covering this entire country - to make it unnecessary to conduct clandestine pregnancy arrangements in other parts of the world. The IVF programme has come a long way in banishing the anguish of childless couples and there is no reason that surrogacy here could not fill any remaining gaps - provided reasonable laws were in place. It would be sensible to concede reasonable compensation for the time and effort involved in a surrogacy - and in this twenty-first century it should take it's place amongst the medical services that we take for granted.
Monday 4 August 2014
A lost skill !
About the end of the second world war the BIC ball point pen burst upon the world. This was the " wonder pen " that was said to be able to write under water and initially they were very expensive. Traditionalists howled with rage and claimed that the demise of pens with nibs and ink wells would doom calligraphy to meaningless scrawl - and initially the banks refused to accept cheques written with ball point pens. They claimed that the lasting quality of the ink was unknown and feared it could fade away over time.
Of course this new innovation quickly found a ready market and the price dropped sharply. Today a single dollar buys a clutch of ball point pens at the markets and the better class shops offer premium models. They are very much a " throw away " item, but they are also responsible for the major portion of all writing on paper that occurs in every country on this planet. If anything could be said to be " ubiquitous " - it would be the ball point pen.
It seems that the wheel turns full circle. The development of the computer put a new tool in busy hands - and that was the keyboard. The ball point pen has been reduced to jotting down short notes. Any meaningful length of communication can be handled faster on a keyboard - and that keyboard has shrunk in size to fit on Smartphones - and the world has learned to communicate at really high speed.
We are now finding that this ever present change is intruding on the tasks that remain static. Today's kids have a personal computer in their hands in the classroom and the Smartphone has become as ubiquitous as the ball point pen used to be. Note taking is by keyboard - and yet when we sit for the Higher School Certificate, these three hour tests are required to be taken using pen and paper.
The end result is very distressed students, suffering wrist strain from this long past communication method. Many are finding it impossible to match the speed possible on a keyboard by using a pen, and consequently their test scores fall short because of this speed difficulty. It is hard to present the best results if constant fatigue and wrist cramps impede progress. It is very much a case of the past failing to meet the needs of the present. A new approach is very necessary.
The world has gone online. When we apply for a driving license the test regimen is on screen and an increasing volume of applications have devolved from the old pen and paper routine. The practice of herding great numbers of students into a big hall, sitting them at desks far apart to deter cheating - and requiring a laborious pen and paper answer to a questionnaire no longer fits the bill. Lengthy writing with a pen is becoming a lost skill.
Opposition to change to meet the present circumstances is almost as amusing as the rejections that the ball point pen once faced !
Of course this new innovation quickly found a ready market and the price dropped sharply. Today a single dollar buys a clutch of ball point pens at the markets and the better class shops offer premium models. They are very much a " throw away " item, but they are also responsible for the major portion of all writing on paper that occurs in every country on this planet. If anything could be said to be " ubiquitous " - it would be the ball point pen.
It seems that the wheel turns full circle. The development of the computer put a new tool in busy hands - and that was the keyboard. The ball point pen has been reduced to jotting down short notes. Any meaningful length of communication can be handled faster on a keyboard - and that keyboard has shrunk in size to fit on Smartphones - and the world has learned to communicate at really high speed.
We are now finding that this ever present change is intruding on the tasks that remain static. Today's kids have a personal computer in their hands in the classroom and the Smartphone has become as ubiquitous as the ball point pen used to be. Note taking is by keyboard - and yet when we sit for the Higher School Certificate, these three hour tests are required to be taken using pen and paper.
The end result is very distressed students, suffering wrist strain from this long past communication method. Many are finding it impossible to match the speed possible on a keyboard by using a pen, and consequently their test scores fall short because of this speed difficulty. It is hard to present the best results if constant fatigue and wrist cramps impede progress. It is very much a case of the past failing to meet the needs of the present. A new approach is very necessary.
The world has gone online. When we apply for a driving license the test regimen is on screen and an increasing volume of applications have devolved from the old pen and paper routine. The practice of herding great numbers of students into a big hall, sitting them at desks far apart to deter cheating - and requiring a laborious pen and paper answer to a questionnaire no longer fits the bill. Lengthy writing with a pen is becoming a lost skill.
Opposition to change to meet the present circumstances is almost as amusing as the rejections that the ball point pen once faced !
Sunday 3 August 2014
The " Profit " Incentive !
It must be the ultimate nightmare for any person driving a car at the legal speed on a divided interstate highway. The image of a massive B-Double travelling faster than it's 100 kph limiter should allow, crashing through the dividing space onto the wrong side of the road - and annihilating the car and it's occupants with instant death. The following inquest disclosed that the speed limiter had been tampered with - and the driver was overly fatigued by ignoring mandatory rest stops - and had a concentration of Methadone in his blood.
The trucking company that owned that rig has been fined a record $ 1,316,469 because it made no effort to stop it's vehicles from continuing to speed. This raises the question of exactly what measures must we take to bring under control the mayhem that is taking place within the trucking industry. Despite a massive police presence on the roads and strict legislation to force heavy vehicles to stay within the speed limit range, every day trucks are being caught driving at high speed, with mechanical faults and in many cases dangerously overloaded. Drivers complain that they either achieve almost impossible delivery schedules - or lose their jobs.
The trucking companies complain that their customers demand delivery times that can only be achieved by breaking the law. This seems part of the "Just in time " strategy that many industries adopt to lower the cost of running their business. Instead of having sufficient stock on hand to meet demand, they require replacement to coincide with the flow of orders going out the door. By eliminating the cost of holding excess stock and it's consequent warehousing costs, their profit margin is enhanced.
It has been suggested that such firms be penalised for demanding delivery schedules that are legally impossible, but proving that in court is almost impossible. Tackled from every angle, the obligation to meet standards comes right back to the trucking industry, and in a highly competitive business - it is the urge to make money and get work that forces the compliance of both owners and drivers to break the law.
It seems that the only way to achieve a squeaky clean trucking industry is to drive old, poorly maintained vehicles off the road by an inspection regimen that is regular - and relentless. This will certainly increase costs, and coupled with draconian licence loss for driving infringements it will make the " cowboy " element elevate driving standards.
Perhaps the measure that will bring road transport completely into line is a penalty regime that hits the trucking industry where it hurts most - by taking it's vehicles off the road for infringements. These big rigs cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and should the penalty for speed limiter tampering, serious mechanical faults and serious overloading lead to the entire rig and it's cargo being confiscated for three months - for a first offence - trucking companies would need to do some serious thinking about operating standards.
There is no doubt that running dangerous and overloaded vehicles has lowered freight rates by way of competition, and raising standards of both vehicles and the manner in which they are driven will increase costs across the board - but whether road safety is worth imposing that cost increases comes down to sheer politics.
It will take a draconian policing of the freight corridors to impose the standards required and that will have political costs. Ideally, it should apply on a nationwide basis, but given the nature of politics - that is unlikely.
It is something to think about - the next time you are sharing the highway with big rigs that are in unknown mechanical condition - and seem to be travelling at excess speed !
The trucking company that owned that rig has been fined a record $ 1,316,469 because it made no effort to stop it's vehicles from continuing to speed. This raises the question of exactly what measures must we take to bring under control the mayhem that is taking place within the trucking industry. Despite a massive police presence on the roads and strict legislation to force heavy vehicles to stay within the speed limit range, every day trucks are being caught driving at high speed, with mechanical faults and in many cases dangerously overloaded. Drivers complain that they either achieve almost impossible delivery schedules - or lose their jobs.
The trucking companies complain that their customers demand delivery times that can only be achieved by breaking the law. This seems part of the "Just in time " strategy that many industries adopt to lower the cost of running their business. Instead of having sufficient stock on hand to meet demand, they require replacement to coincide with the flow of orders going out the door. By eliminating the cost of holding excess stock and it's consequent warehousing costs, their profit margin is enhanced.
It has been suggested that such firms be penalised for demanding delivery schedules that are legally impossible, but proving that in court is almost impossible. Tackled from every angle, the obligation to meet standards comes right back to the trucking industry, and in a highly competitive business - it is the urge to make money and get work that forces the compliance of both owners and drivers to break the law.
It seems that the only way to achieve a squeaky clean trucking industry is to drive old, poorly maintained vehicles off the road by an inspection regimen that is regular - and relentless. This will certainly increase costs, and coupled with draconian licence loss for driving infringements it will make the " cowboy " element elevate driving standards.
Perhaps the measure that will bring road transport completely into line is a penalty regime that hits the trucking industry where it hurts most - by taking it's vehicles off the road for infringements. These big rigs cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and should the penalty for speed limiter tampering, serious mechanical faults and serious overloading lead to the entire rig and it's cargo being confiscated for three months - for a first offence - trucking companies would need to do some serious thinking about operating standards.
There is no doubt that running dangerous and overloaded vehicles has lowered freight rates by way of competition, and raising standards of both vehicles and the manner in which they are driven will increase costs across the board - but whether road safety is worth imposing that cost increases comes down to sheer politics.
It will take a draconian policing of the freight corridors to impose the standards required and that will have political costs. Ideally, it should apply on a nationwide basis, but given the nature of politics - that is unlikely.
It is something to think about - the next time you are sharing the highway with big rigs that are in unknown mechanical condition - and seem to be travelling at excess speed !
Saturday 2 August 2014
Argentine " De-fault " !
Argentina has a sad history of de-faulting on it's national debt, but on this latest case it seems that the actions of what are termed " Vulture Funds " and the decision of a minor court judge are throwing this entire country's financial system into absolute chaos.
Argentina could not pay it's bills back in 2001 and the world's credit rating agencies listed it as a country in de-fault. Consequently, money markets were closed to it and to attract cash it had to offer high interest rates to interest lenders who were prepared to take a big risk. This money flow was way below needs and as a consequence the Argentine internal economy was crippled.
Meetings with creditor nations over the years resulted in the Argentine debt entering new arrangements in which the lenders took a 93% " Haircut " on what they were owed. Basically, a major portion of the principal was " written off " and a new repayment schedule established. It seemed that Argentina was about to emerge from de-fault.
Back in 2001 when the original de-fault occurred, a small number of opportunist consortiums snapped up Argentine debt for mere pennies on what was owed. The holders of this debt seemed certain that there was no chance of repayment at face value and took what was offered by what were termed " Vulture Companies. "
Now it seems, the " chickens are coming home to roost " ! These Vulture Companies applied to a New York District court and demanded that they receive the full face value of their holdings if the first tranche of repayments under the revised " Haircut " terms were to proceed. Amazingly, this low level judge agreed - and the Argentine's were presented with a bill for billions - beyond their capacity to pay. Their only real option - another de-fault.
It was expected that this would be quickly rectified on appeal, but to the consternation of the money markets, the US Supreme court has declined to hear that appeal. It looks like the decision of a lower court judge will stick - and Argentina will be returned to the company of rogue nations that must operate on the far side of international law when it comes to finance.
It is a complex web of worms with various injunctions in place with time clauses, but a deadline has been missed and technically Argentina is again in de-fault. It seems to be a matter of brinksmanship. The Vulture Companies have a strong position with law on their side and eventually some sort of arrangement must emerge - but for now the matter is frozen - and nobody is being paid any money.
It seems that the higher the legality of international tribunals, the greater the complexity that defies a sane solution !
Argentina could not pay it's bills back in 2001 and the world's credit rating agencies listed it as a country in de-fault. Consequently, money markets were closed to it and to attract cash it had to offer high interest rates to interest lenders who were prepared to take a big risk. This money flow was way below needs and as a consequence the Argentine internal economy was crippled.
Meetings with creditor nations over the years resulted in the Argentine debt entering new arrangements in which the lenders took a 93% " Haircut " on what they were owed. Basically, a major portion of the principal was " written off " and a new repayment schedule established. It seemed that Argentina was about to emerge from de-fault.
Back in 2001 when the original de-fault occurred, a small number of opportunist consortiums snapped up Argentine debt for mere pennies on what was owed. The holders of this debt seemed certain that there was no chance of repayment at face value and took what was offered by what were termed " Vulture Companies. "
Now it seems, the " chickens are coming home to roost " ! These Vulture Companies applied to a New York District court and demanded that they receive the full face value of their holdings if the first tranche of repayments under the revised " Haircut " terms were to proceed. Amazingly, this low level judge agreed - and the Argentine's were presented with a bill for billions - beyond their capacity to pay. Their only real option - another de-fault.
It was expected that this would be quickly rectified on appeal, but to the consternation of the money markets, the US Supreme court has declined to hear that appeal. It looks like the decision of a lower court judge will stick - and Argentina will be returned to the company of rogue nations that must operate on the far side of international law when it comes to finance.
It is a complex web of worms with various injunctions in place with time clauses, but a deadline has been missed and technically Argentina is again in de-fault. It seems to be a matter of brinksmanship. The Vulture Companies have a strong position with law on their side and eventually some sort of arrangement must emerge - but for now the matter is frozen - and nobody is being paid any money.
It seems that the higher the legality of international tribunals, the greater the complexity that defies a sane solution !
Friday 1 August 2014
Ebola.
Ebola is one of the world's most feared diseases, and it is running rampant through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia in Africa, so far killing over seven hundred people and infecting many of the aid workers trying to stem the disease. There is a distinct danger that an infected person may spread Ebola in western society if the speed of air travel allows it to gain a hold in a big metropolitan city.
Unfortunately, it's early symptoms are no different to those of the common cold or flu. It's incubation period can vary between three days and three weeks, and during that time it can be passed to others who come in contact with body fluids from the infected person. It is a Haemorrhagic disease and when it passes from passive to active it results in massive bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, internal organs - and has a 90% mortality rate.
Several films and a number of books depicted Ebola used as a weapon of war, and it is a chilling thought that it could be deliberately spread by terror groups. Where death by immolation is considered " martyrdom " and attracts the bestowing of a reward there seems little difference between strapping a suicide vest to one's body - and deliberately infecting with Ebola to cause multiple deaths of perceived enemies.
Ebola is not spreadable by air contact, but should an infected person rub their eyes or put a hand to their mouth, contact with coins in making a purchase would contaminate those coins and spread the disease as the coins make further circulation. Should a person deliberately contaminate hand rails, door openings or other multiple contact points within a cityscape - mass contagion would be quickly possible.
The origin of Ebola is not fully known but it is thought to present in the DNA of bats and monkeys, and as " bush meat " is often human fare in Africa it is presumed that the crossover has occurred in this context. World health bodies are in a race to not only shut down the disease in Africa, but to prevent it's escape to other parts of the world. The danger is that terrorist groups may see an opportunity to use it as a weapon.
As so often happens with weapons of war. The world is in a race to develop a vaccination or at least a means of treating Ebola and at the same time contain the disease from breaking out of a small section of the world.
Unfortunately, it's early symptoms are no different to those of the common cold or flu. It's incubation period can vary between three days and three weeks, and during that time it can be passed to others who come in contact with body fluids from the infected person. It is a Haemorrhagic disease and when it passes from passive to active it results in massive bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, internal organs - and has a 90% mortality rate.
Several films and a number of books depicted Ebola used as a weapon of war, and it is a chilling thought that it could be deliberately spread by terror groups. Where death by immolation is considered " martyrdom " and attracts the bestowing of a reward there seems little difference between strapping a suicide vest to one's body - and deliberately infecting with Ebola to cause multiple deaths of perceived enemies.
Ebola is not spreadable by air contact, but should an infected person rub their eyes or put a hand to their mouth, contact with coins in making a purchase would contaminate those coins and spread the disease as the coins make further circulation. Should a person deliberately contaminate hand rails, door openings or other multiple contact points within a cityscape - mass contagion would be quickly possible.
The origin of Ebola is not fully known but it is thought to present in the DNA of bats and monkeys, and as " bush meat " is often human fare in Africa it is presumed that the crossover has occurred in this context. World health bodies are in a race to not only shut down the disease in Africa, but to prevent it's escape to other parts of the world. The danger is that terrorist groups may see an opportunity to use it as a weapon.
As so often happens with weapons of war. The world is in a race to develop a vaccination or at least a means of treating Ebola and at the same time contain the disease from breaking out of a small section of the world.
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