Another body has been discovered in the notorious Belanglo state forest - the killing ground for Ivan Milat who is credited with the torture/murder of seven backpackers there decades ago.
Unfortunately the wide publicity the Milat case received over the years has made Belanglo a choice dumping ground for those wishing to dispose of a body. It is a huge area serviced by a busy highway and if the body is ever discovered it will most likely be blamed on Milat.
Considering the number of people who go missing each year there is every expectation that many of these lay undiscovered in various bushland settings. The discovery in Belanglo was pure chance. Belanglo could hold dozens more - or none !
Advances in forensics - particularly DNA - increase the hope that no matter how degraded a body has become because of the elements - and the attentions of wild animals, there is a chance that recognition of identity may be achieved.
Once again the relatives of the missing will hold their breath - in the hope that a mystery may be solved !
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Monday, 30 August 2010
Another bad decision !
Dementia is a disease feared by those of us growing old. It robs the mind of both reason and memory and is classed as a terminal illness. Most people afflicted with dementia live out the remainder of their lives in nursing homes, where they are cared for by trained and compassionate staff.
Unfortunately this disease results in extreme anti social behaviour in some sufferers, and in many cases a relapse into violence against others that can not be accommodated in a normal nursing home environment.
Treating such people requires special facilities - and these have been provided at Garrawarra, near Helensburgh - but now the state government is intending to sell off this facility - and withdraw from specialist treatment of dementia sufferers.
Garrawarra is over a hundred years old and originally was the treatment centre for Tuberculosis. It is a big old hospital, set in pleasant park like grounds and is the only facility treating those with behavioural problems caused by dementia.
The state government wants to opt out of the cost of providing special care facilities and intends to hand it to the private sector. Obviously there is more money to be made treating non violent dementia sufferers, hence it is unreasonable to expect private enterprise to pickup the tab the government is shedding.
If this move proceeds there will be nowhere for problem people to be housed, hence they will either make life uncomfortable for others in conventional nursing homes - or be flick passed to the care of their relatives.
It seems that in the last months of this terminally ill government decisions will be made that will inflict lasting damage on those least able to care for themselves - those suffering acute dementia - and their loved ones !
Unfortunately this disease results in extreme anti social behaviour in some sufferers, and in many cases a relapse into violence against others that can not be accommodated in a normal nursing home environment.
Treating such people requires special facilities - and these have been provided at Garrawarra, near Helensburgh - but now the state government is intending to sell off this facility - and withdraw from specialist treatment of dementia sufferers.
Garrawarra is over a hundred years old and originally was the treatment centre for Tuberculosis. It is a big old hospital, set in pleasant park like grounds and is the only facility treating those with behavioural problems caused by dementia.
The state government wants to opt out of the cost of providing special care facilities and intends to hand it to the private sector. Obviously there is more money to be made treating non violent dementia sufferers, hence it is unreasonable to expect private enterprise to pickup the tab the government is shedding.
If this move proceeds there will be nowhere for problem people to be housed, hence they will either make life uncomfortable for others in conventional nursing homes - or be flick passed to the care of their relatives.
It seems that in the last months of this terminally ill government decisions will be made that will inflict lasting damage on those least able to care for themselves - those suffering acute dementia - and their loved ones !
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Dangerous police work.
Getting the evidence to procure a conviction is the cornerstone of police work, and in many cases this involves a police officer working " under cover " .
The revelation that leaks have occurred from within the police force must send a shiver down the back of those involved in this dangerous activity. In particular, the mix of bikie gangs and big money drug transactions are so rewarding for the criminal fraternity that murder to plug a leak would not be unusual.
No doubt that identity of those working under cover is protected by using codes, but once certain information leaches back to a gang it's very nature can at least pinpoint the likely source - and in some cases can lead to an innocent meeting a gruesome fate.
In this instance the " rat in the ranks " was an analyst processing information gained.
The danger is that police work will be compromised by a reluctance of serving officers to undertake the dangerous task of working undercover - and without that the information flow will be sharply reduced.
Time to sharpen up the " need to know " pipeline and put the information flow in the hands of a single officer that the undercover cop implicitly trusts.
The old adage that " loose lips sinks ships " is very applicable to undercover police work !
The revelation that leaks have occurred from within the police force must send a shiver down the back of those involved in this dangerous activity. In particular, the mix of bikie gangs and big money drug transactions are so rewarding for the criminal fraternity that murder to plug a leak would not be unusual.
No doubt that identity of those working under cover is protected by using codes, but once certain information leaches back to a gang it's very nature can at least pinpoint the likely source - and in some cases can lead to an innocent meeting a gruesome fate.
In this instance the " rat in the ranks " was an analyst processing information gained.
The danger is that police work will be compromised by a reluctance of serving officers to undertake the dangerous task of working undercover - and without that the information flow will be sharply reduced.
Time to sharpen up the " need to know " pipeline and put the information flow in the hands of a single officer that the undercover cop implicitly trusts.
The old adage that " loose lips sinks ships " is very applicable to undercover police work !
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Punishment without trial !
The Australian tax office claims that actor Paul Hogan owes it money. Paul Hogan denies this - and the matter has been unresolved over many years. At no stage has the tax office sought to prove it's claim by issuing a summons and putting Hogan before a court.
Now - in what can only be described as " an act of bastardy " the tax office has issued a detention order preventing Hogan leaving Australia and returning to his wife and family in America.
Hogan has been a constant visitor between the two countries and on this occasion his reason for travelling here was to attend the funeral of his mother. It seems that the tax office is now using it's powers to implement a virtual prison sentence - without bothering to get the permission of a judge.
The aim seems to be turning Hogan into a hostage in the hope that he may be forced to accept their terms in return for freedom. There is no time limit on their travel ban - and as this case has been in progress for years there seems no reason why it might continue on for further years.
Hogan is a well respected actor and film maker. This ban on movement can cause him financial loss and prevent him making further films - and all of this without the tax office proving it's case or even taking the matter to court.
The tax office has been given wide powers to detain those it expects to flee the country owing them money. Hogan is not such a person. Unfortunately the tax office may eventually concede that Hogan is right and owes no taxes - and may then simply withdraw the travel ban - without paying compensation for hurt caused or financial loss.
It seems that the days of the " Gestapo " have not fully ended !
Now - in what can only be described as " an act of bastardy " the tax office has issued a detention order preventing Hogan leaving Australia and returning to his wife and family in America.
Hogan has been a constant visitor between the two countries and on this occasion his reason for travelling here was to attend the funeral of his mother. It seems that the tax office is now using it's powers to implement a virtual prison sentence - without bothering to get the permission of a judge.
The aim seems to be turning Hogan into a hostage in the hope that he may be forced to accept their terms in return for freedom. There is no time limit on their travel ban - and as this case has been in progress for years there seems no reason why it might continue on for further years.
Hogan is a well respected actor and film maker. This ban on movement can cause him financial loss and prevent him making further films - and all of this without the tax office proving it's case or even taking the matter to court.
The tax office has been given wide powers to detain those it expects to flee the country owing them money. Hogan is not such a person. Unfortunately the tax office may eventually concede that Hogan is right and owes no taxes - and may then simply withdraw the travel ban - without paying compensation for hurt caused or financial loss.
It seems that the days of the " Gestapo " have not fully ended !
Friday, 27 August 2010
The development levy question.
The state government has got itself into a right royal quandary over it's imposition of a $ 20,000 cap on development levies for new housing estates.
Older people will remember the days following the end of the second world war when returning soldiers created a huge new housing demand - and this resulted in new estates with unsealed roads, a total lack of even the most rudimentary basic facilities or transport - and a wait years long for the installation of a telephone.
Development levies were supposed to remedy a repeat of that situation.
Unfortunately human avarice enters the equation. A $ 40,000 levy is simply peanuts when it is levied on land in a high value - high demand subdivision, but levied on a low cost " Greenfield " project like West Dapto is simply prices land way out of reach of the average battler.
Then there is the " thimble and pea " approach by many councils. They don't actually spend those levies to provide the facilities. The money is squirrelled away earning interest - and that interest is later spent on more fashionable suburbs.
It seems that the only answer is compromise. In exchange for building land being affordable for the battlers they may have to accept a lower standard of surrounding amenities - but where land will command premium prices and generate high demand higher levies would be appropriate.
At the moment the government has blinkers on it's eyes - and only sees a " one size fits all " approach !
Older people will remember the days following the end of the second world war when returning soldiers created a huge new housing demand - and this resulted in new estates with unsealed roads, a total lack of even the most rudimentary basic facilities or transport - and a wait years long for the installation of a telephone.
Development levies were supposed to remedy a repeat of that situation.
Unfortunately human avarice enters the equation. A $ 40,000 levy is simply peanuts when it is levied on land in a high value - high demand subdivision, but levied on a low cost " Greenfield " project like West Dapto is simply prices land way out of reach of the average battler.
Then there is the " thimble and pea " approach by many councils. They don't actually spend those levies to provide the facilities. The money is squirrelled away earning interest - and that interest is later spent on more fashionable suburbs.
It seems that the only answer is compromise. In exchange for building land being affordable for the battlers they may have to accept a lower standard of surrounding amenities - but where land will command premium prices and generate high demand higher levies would be appropriate.
At the moment the government has blinkers on it's eyes - and only sees a " one size fits all " approach !
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Illogical thinking !
What a strange way of viewing things ! Heaps of abuse levelled at Pacific Brands - makers of iconic " Bonds " products - because this past year they made a profit instead of a loss.
The unions - and even the local newspaper - suggest that by moving production offshore to China they were somehow " disloyal " to their former employees !
Time for a reality check ! An unprofitable company is absolutely no use to anyone - it's employees - it's shareholders - or the country in which it exists. Pacific Brands made a loss of $234.5 million in the year before it's move to China - and turned this around to a profit of $ 52.7 million in the year to June 30.
Obviously those people with their head in the clouds have absolutely zero commercial acumen. Your product has to compete in price with the product of competitors. Unless you can do this - sales drop to unprofitable levels and the company starts down the gurgle hole !
Making garments is labour intensive - and lets face it - Australian workers cost heaps more than those in a low wage country like China. To continue to manufacture here was to face inevitable oblivion.
Nobody likes to see jobs lost, but in labour intensive industries it is better to see the factory gate close as a result of a rational decision - than to soldier on and await bankruptcy - when a broken company may not be able to find the money for employee entitlements.
The present criticism is a case of illogical thinking !
The unions - and even the local newspaper - suggest that by moving production offshore to China they were somehow " disloyal " to their former employees !
Time for a reality check ! An unprofitable company is absolutely no use to anyone - it's employees - it's shareholders - or the country in which it exists. Pacific Brands made a loss of $234.5 million in the year before it's move to China - and turned this around to a profit of $ 52.7 million in the year to June 30.
Obviously those people with their head in the clouds have absolutely zero commercial acumen. Your product has to compete in price with the product of competitors. Unless you can do this - sales drop to unprofitable levels and the company starts down the gurgle hole !
Making garments is labour intensive - and lets face it - Australian workers cost heaps more than those in a low wage country like China. To continue to manufacture here was to face inevitable oblivion.
Nobody likes to see jobs lost, but in labour intensive industries it is better to see the factory gate close as a result of a rational decision - than to soldier on and await bankruptcy - when a broken company may not be able to find the money for employee entitlements.
The present criticism is a case of illogical thinking !
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Religious freedom.
Controversy over the wearing of the burqua bubbles on. On the one hand there are people who demand the " right " to indulge in religious practice even when it conflicts with the law - and yet the law in Australia supersedes religious custom.
For instance, those whose religion insist that they wear a turban are not allowed to use this as a reason for not wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle - or even a humble push bike.
In many eastern countries saffron robed monks walk the streets begging for their daily food. Would this be permitted in Australia - or would the police crack down ?
The law here requires anyone entering a bank to remove items that cover their face - and this includes motorbike helmets. In fact, we have laws that make it a crime to cover the face to avoid detection in a criminal sense. Once again, religious custom and the law come into conflict.
One matter concerning the burqua has just been resolved. A woman giving evidence in court must remove the burqua because the jury is entitled to observe her facial expression to decide if she is telling the truth.
Unfortunately logic will not please everyone. There are those who will insist that religion must take precedence over the law - and others that the law is paramount.
The logical outcome would be compromise. Leave the burqua as legal in most circumstances, but demand that it be removed in instances where the law specifically so requires - such as entering a bank - being identified in respect of the photo license the wearer is proffering - or giving evidence in court.
Unfortunately the law and religion are as easily mixed as oil and water !
For instance, those whose religion insist that they wear a turban are not allowed to use this as a reason for not wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle - or even a humble push bike.
In many eastern countries saffron robed monks walk the streets begging for their daily food. Would this be permitted in Australia - or would the police crack down ?
The law here requires anyone entering a bank to remove items that cover their face - and this includes motorbike helmets. In fact, we have laws that make it a crime to cover the face to avoid detection in a criminal sense. Once again, religious custom and the law come into conflict.
One matter concerning the burqua has just been resolved. A woman giving evidence in court must remove the burqua because the jury is entitled to observe her facial expression to decide if she is telling the truth.
Unfortunately logic will not please everyone. There are those who will insist that religion must take precedence over the law - and others that the law is paramount.
The logical outcome would be compromise. Leave the burqua as legal in most circumstances, but demand that it be removed in instances where the law specifically so requires - such as entering a bank - being identified in respect of the photo license the wearer is proffering - or giving evidence in court.
Unfortunately the law and religion are as easily mixed as oil and water !
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