Few would disagree that rape is an atrocious crime and unfortunately standing in the witness box and having that crime discussed in detail must be a harrowing experience for any woman. There are moves to restrict the right of the accused to question the victim's story, particularly if that cross examination goes into minute detail of every aspect of the crime.
It may become the practice for the woman not to have to enter court to give her evidence but instead have it conveyed to the court by way of a television monitor from a secure room within the courthouse.
Unfortunately it is not unknown for an accused to be put to trial on a rape charge for malicious reasons. There is a danger in moves to protect the victim that removal of the right to confront the accuser may result in less than a fair trial.
Now there are moves to codify exactly what is meant by consent to sex. In most rape cases a key aspect is the plea by the accused that it was consensual sex, a fact usually denied by the victim.
In recent times, it has become part of our court process that a woman has the right to withdraw consent while sexual relations are taking place. In such cases, if intercourse does not stop immediately then the court considers that rape has occurred.
Lawyers and politicians are musing as to what should be the circumstances of consent. They argue that the woman should not be under pressure and have a clear opportunity to indicate that she is not willing - and have the opportunity to remove herself from that person's company.
There have even been suggestions that both parties should sign a written agreement consenting to sex.
This is probably an area where the law should tread carefully - because it could well be defined as " where angels fear to tread ". If the day ever comes where some written manifesto requires signing before a justice of the peace before couples can safely and lawfully engage in sex then George Orwell's 1980 has well and truly arrived. Big Brother is in control - and every aspect of our lives is now regulated.
The law has never been perfect - but we can not probably do better than the present arrangement where both parties plead their cases before a judge and a jury of twelve of their peers - and that unbiased group gives the evidence due consideration - and arrives at a verdict.
That old adage applies ! " If it aint broke - don't fix it ! "
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
A dream becomes a nightmare !
Thousands of people must be reeling this morning after learning that yet another investment company has gone to the wall. Australian Capital Reserve ( ACR ) yesterday joined two similar big investment firms in appointing receivers.
The people hardest hit are self funded retirees.
Those who save and invest and provide their own retirement free from the need for the pension have faced tough times of late. Petrol prices have gone through the roof. Fruit and vegetables prices - and many other foods - have sky rocketed because of the drought. Councils are demanding rate rises and the state government has been steadily hiking the prices of electricity and gas well above the rate of inflation.
No wonder self funded retirees have found a shortfall between income and expenditure - and looked for a better return on their investments to make up the difference.
ACR and similar companies were basically the finance arm of building groups profiting from the huge surge in home prices that occurred several years ago. At that time people were buying off the plan and finished homes and apartments were bringing much higher prices than at commencement.
To compete with traditional investment houses such as banks people like ACR offered annual interest of above nine percent for minimum deposits of $ 20,000 - as opposed to bank offerings of about six percent.
This was very attractive to retirees - and in the early stages other investors inspired confidence because the booming market covered higher rates and interest was paid promptly when due.
Now those high rates are unsustainable. Housing has become out of reach of many and bank foreclosure sales are increasing - further depressing the market. As a result, high flying investment companies offering above average interest rates are being driven to the wall - and nest eggs - and dreams - are being lost.
There will be consequences for the economy. In dire cases despair will drive some to suicide. Others will abandon self funding retirement - have a world holiday to spend funds excess to achieving the pension - and join the queue at Centrelink.
The sad thing is that for many the dream of a comfortable and independent old age has become a nightmare !
The people hardest hit are self funded retirees.
Those who save and invest and provide their own retirement free from the need for the pension have faced tough times of late. Petrol prices have gone through the roof. Fruit and vegetables prices - and many other foods - have sky rocketed because of the drought. Councils are demanding rate rises and the state government has been steadily hiking the prices of electricity and gas well above the rate of inflation.
No wonder self funded retirees have found a shortfall between income and expenditure - and looked for a better return on their investments to make up the difference.
ACR and similar companies were basically the finance arm of building groups profiting from the huge surge in home prices that occurred several years ago. At that time people were buying off the plan and finished homes and apartments were bringing much higher prices than at commencement.
To compete with traditional investment houses such as banks people like ACR offered annual interest of above nine percent for minimum deposits of $ 20,000 - as opposed to bank offerings of about six percent.
This was very attractive to retirees - and in the early stages other investors inspired confidence because the booming market covered higher rates and interest was paid promptly when due.
Now those high rates are unsustainable. Housing has become out of reach of many and bank foreclosure sales are increasing - further depressing the market. As a result, high flying investment companies offering above average interest rates are being driven to the wall - and nest eggs - and dreams - are being lost.
There will be consequences for the economy. In dire cases despair will drive some to suicide. Others will abandon self funding retirement - have a world holiday to spend funds excess to achieving the pension - and join the queue at Centrelink.
The sad thing is that for many the dream of a comfortable and independent old age has become a nightmare !
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
The gilded cage.
Not all prisoners in our prison system are equal - and that poses a problem for the prison authorities. Ray Williams was once the chairman of HIH Insurance which crashed spectacularly leaving debts of hundreds of millions of dollars. Williams and some other executives were put before a court and convicted of various irregularities and are now serving the latter part of their sentences.
At the trial it became obvious that Williams was a canny executive who had guarded against just such a calamity by making sure his family assets were not in his name. As a result, the palatial family home and it's surrounding acres and many other investments were beyond the reach of the court - and Williams could look forward to resuming a comfortable lifestyle when his sentence was served.
Now it has been revealed that Williams is the victim of an extortion plot by three other prisoners. He has been threatened with personal harm of a severe nature unless he arranges for half a million dollars to be transferred to his attackers.
Williams wisely took the matter to prison authorities and he has been moved from Cessnock gaol to an undisclosed location.
This new situation poses a major problem for the people running the prison system. Now the idea of shaking Williams down for protection has surfaced he will be a marked man wherever he is housed, and that will mean special protection and all the extra man hours that will impose on prison staff.
The most likely outcome is that his case will get precedence with the parole board and - because he has been a model prisoner - the system will get rid of him by way of an early release.
Unfortunately there will be a precedent. The prison population will obviously speculate on who else has the capacity to pay for protection within the system - and the vicious cycle of greed will take one more turn !
At the trial it became obvious that Williams was a canny executive who had guarded against just such a calamity by making sure his family assets were not in his name. As a result, the palatial family home and it's surrounding acres and many other investments were beyond the reach of the court - and Williams could look forward to resuming a comfortable lifestyle when his sentence was served.
Now it has been revealed that Williams is the victim of an extortion plot by three other prisoners. He has been threatened with personal harm of a severe nature unless he arranges for half a million dollars to be transferred to his attackers.
Williams wisely took the matter to prison authorities and he has been moved from Cessnock gaol to an undisclosed location.
This new situation poses a major problem for the people running the prison system. Now the idea of shaking Williams down for protection has surfaced he will be a marked man wherever he is housed, and that will mean special protection and all the extra man hours that will impose on prison staff.
The most likely outcome is that his case will get precedence with the parole board and - because he has been a model prisoner - the system will get rid of him by way of an early release.
Unfortunately there will be a precedent. The prison population will obviously speculate on who else has the capacity to pay for protection within the system - and the vicious cycle of greed will take one more turn !
Monday, 28 May 2007
A time to get tough !
Petrol prices are again soaring despite a fall in the price of crude overseas. This time the excuse is that refineries in the US are doing annual maintenance at the same time as the summer " driving season " is putting Americans on the road and driving up demand.
The real reason is price gouging by the oil companies. There have been repeated calls for the ACCC to be given real teeth to go toe to toe with these bandits, but those requests have fallen on deaf ears. Both sides of politics seem afraid of the oil companies.
Another burr under the saddle cloth is the feet dragging by the oil companies in introducing E10 - a ten percent blend of ethanol added to petrol. E10 is available at an independent franchise chain and a very few selected Caltex sites, but it is a fact that two giant food retailers - Coles and Woolworths - have cornered over eighty percent of petrol sales by offering fuel discounts to those making grocery purchases in their stores.
It does not take Einstein to calaculate that if Coles and Woolworths offered E10 to their customers then a ten percent decrease in the amount of petrol needed to eighty percent of the Australian market would be a significant drop in Australian crude oil comsumption.
It is time that the Australian government got tough with the oil companies - and put pressure on both Coles and Woolworths - which are Australian owned and operated companies - to ensure that E10 is available at all outlets selling petrol.
A ten percent drop in the consumption of crude is possible without modifying car engines or reducing the number of cars on the road. It could be achieved by the simplicity of a law change. The pen to achieve that needs to be put to paper - promptly !
The real reason is price gouging by the oil companies. There have been repeated calls for the ACCC to be given real teeth to go toe to toe with these bandits, but those requests have fallen on deaf ears. Both sides of politics seem afraid of the oil companies.
Another burr under the saddle cloth is the feet dragging by the oil companies in introducing E10 - a ten percent blend of ethanol added to petrol. E10 is available at an independent franchise chain and a very few selected Caltex sites, but it is a fact that two giant food retailers - Coles and Woolworths - have cornered over eighty percent of petrol sales by offering fuel discounts to those making grocery purchases in their stores.
It does not take Einstein to calaculate that if Coles and Woolworths offered E10 to their customers then a ten percent decrease in the amount of petrol needed to eighty percent of the Australian market would be a significant drop in Australian crude oil comsumption.
It is time that the Australian government got tough with the oil companies - and put pressure on both Coles and Woolworths - which are Australian owned and operated companies - to ensure that E10 is available at all outlets selling petrol.
A ten percent drop in the consumption of crude is possible without modifying car engines or reducing the number of cars on the road. It could be achieved by the simplicity of a law change. The pen to achieve that needs to be put to paper - promptly !
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Nuclear waste.
The subject of what to do with nuclear waste has long been a thorny problem. We have a small amount of nuclear waste generated by our nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights - and for want of a permanent repository this has been accumulating on site.
The suggestion of going nuclear for power generation has ramped up the issue. Larger amounts of waste would be created - and then there is the matter of world nuclear waste. The United Nations would welcome a solution to this problem - should a country volunteer to accept it in return for an incredible storage fee.
The Australian government has been looking at several sites in the Northern Territory to establish a storage site for this country's nuclear waste - and now the Aboriginal community has jumped into the fray with a suggestion that it would welcome such a facility on it's land - acquired under native title - for a consideration of about twelve million dollars.
Before acceptance the site will need considerable testing to ensure it is geologically stable and that the waste can be prevented from entering the water table or contaminating native fauna life - but it is a reasonable answer to an otherwise intractable problem.
Australia is blessed with a huge continent and a small population which chooses to live near the surrounding sea. There simply is unlimited unused space in the middle of the country that could accommodate a nuclear waste dump with safety. A decision has been avoided for years on the basis of an unreasonable dread of all things nuclear promoted by the anti-nuclear lobby - and the disposition of politicians to avoid any subject that may bring a political backlash.
Now is the time for a decision to be made. The Aboriginal people are happy to make a buck and there is now a place that would welcome such a facility. It is time to stop procrastination - and bite the bullet !
The suggestion of going nuclear for power generation has ramped up the issue. Larger amounts of waste would be created - and then there is the matter of world nuclear waste. The United Nations would welcome a solution to this problem - should a country volunteer to accept it in return for an incredible storage fee.
The Australian government has been looking at several sites in the Northern Territory to establish a storage site for this country's nuclear waste - and now the Aboriginal community has jumped into the fray with a suggestion that it would welcome such a facility on it's land - acquired under native title - for a consideration of about twelve million dollars.
Before acceptance the site will need considerable testing to ensure it is geologically stable and that the waste can be prevented from entering the water table or contaminating native fauna life - but it is a reasonable answer to an otherwise intractable problem.
Australia is blessed with a huge continent and a small population which chooses to live near the surrounding sea. There simply is unlimited unused space in the middle of the country that could accommodate a nuclear waste dump with safety. A decision has been avoided for years on the basis of an unreasonable dread of all things nuclear promoted by the anti-nuclear lobby - and the disposition of politicians to avoid any subject that may bring a political backlash.
Now is the time for a decision to be made. The Aboriginal people are happy to make a buck and there is now a place that would welcome such a facility. It is time to stop procrastination - and bite the bullet !
Saturday, 26 May 2007
Hit by the boomerang !
Kevin Rudd must be wondering what he did to offend the Gods of politics ! The Federal leader of the opposition and aspiring prime minister has been working hand in hand with his masters - the unions - to demonise Australian Workplace Agreements ( AWA's ) and convince the workforce that they will suffer decreased pay packets and lose hard won benefits if they sign on the dotted line.
Now it has been revealed that his wife - Millionaire Therese Rein - who owns job placement firms has disadvantaged sixty of her staff by moving them onto AWA's and stripping away award conditions in exchange for a paltry 45 c an hour. To compound the embarrassment - these staff people have been underpaid according to the prevailing law.
The Rudd's claim this is a simple " mistake " and have taken steps to fix it, but that does not relate well to the merciless condemnation of other business owners who have found themselves in a similar situation.
The revelation also raises another matter. Job placement firms are under contract to the Federal government to find jobs for the unemployed. There would be a definite conflict of interests if Kevin Rudd became prime minister and his wife was proprietor of a business engaged in tendering for such government contracts.
This is an unwelcome quagmire for a politician with an election looming and seriously damages his campaign against AWA's. Several solutions are available. Either the business would need to be sold - or put into a blind trust to be run at arms length by a disinterested party. Anything less would not satisfy the integrity of those elected to the parliament of this country !
Now it has been revealed that his wife - Millionaire Therese Rein - who owns job placement firms has disadvantaged sixty of her staff by moving them onto AWA's and stripping away award conditions in exchange for a paltry 45 c an hour. To compound the embarrassment - these staff people have been underpaid according to the prevailing law.
The Rudd's claim this is a simple " mistake " and have taken steps to fix it, but that does not relate well to the merciless condemnation of other business owners who have found themselves in a similar situation.
The revelation also raises another matter. Job placement firms are under contract to the Federal government to find jobs for the unemployed. There would be a definite conflict of interests if Kevin Rudd became prime minister and his wife was proprietor of a business engaged in tendering for such government contracts.
This is an unwelcome quagmire for a politician with an election looming and seriously damages his campaign against AWA's. Several solutions are available. Either the business would need to be sold - or put into a blind trust to be run at arms length by a disinterested party. Anything less would not satisfy the integrity of those elected to the parliament of this country !
Friday, 25 May 2007
The " fourth " tier of government.
Starting a major new project in Australia normally entails scrutiny by the Federal government. Provided that the concept does not run foul of the national guidelines the next hurdle is the state government and it's intricate maize of political hurdles and quicksand. Having survived that, the last obstacle should be getting a development application approved by the local council - but it seems that there is another hurdle now in place.
This is evidenced by a plan for the New South Wales government to approve a lease of land in Killalea reserve for the construction of tourist accommodation and facilities.
The idea is soundly condemned by many local people who want this famous area preserved in it's natural state and by surfers who regard it's two beaches as iconic.
The state government steam rolled it's approval and the plan is now proceeding to get the nod from the local council - but a " fourth tier of government " has emerged with a plan by unions to impose a black ban on the project.
The NSW Fire Brigade, The Australian Worker's Union, and the giant Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union have threatened to stop this project in it's tracks.
That raises an interesting principle. If the elected tiers of government agree on a project, does an unelected body of people whose job is to earn a living by carrying out the wishes of an employer have the right to dictate whether or not that project will proceed ?
It is doubtful if the law provides recognition for that to happen, and members of a union should be aware that by becoming a member of a union they accept responsibility for the actions of that body. Should they impose an illegal ban that prevents a project proceeding - and therefore cause financial loss to the proprietors of that project - then the union can be sued for that loss - and as individuals they can become liable for any damages imposed.
So often it is union bosses who dictate policy and the members simply follow like sheep. They would be wise to insist on having their say on any proposed black bans - and be aware of the possible legal and financial consequences. Failure to do that could have catastrophic consequences for unionists and their families.
This is evidenced by a plan for the New South Wales government to approve a lease of land in Killalea reserve for the construction of tourist accommodation and facilities.
The idea is soundly condemned by many local people who want this famous area preserved in it's natural state and by surfers who regard it's two beaches as iconic.
The state government steam rolled it's approval and the plan is now proceeding to get the nod from the local council - but a " fourth tier of government " has emerged with a plan by unions to impose a black ban on the project.
The NSW Fire Brigade, The Australian Worker's Union, and the giant Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union have threatened to stop this project in it's tracks.
That raises an interesting principle. If the elected tiers of government agree on a project, does an unelected body of people whose job is to earn a living by carrying out the wishes of an employer have the right to dictate whether or not that project will proceed ?
It is doubtful if the law provides recognition for that to happen, and members of a union should be aware that by becoming a member of a union they accept responsibility for the actions of that body. Should they impose an illegal ban that prevents a project proceeding - and therefore cause financial loss to the proprietors of that project - then the union can be sued for that loss - and as individuals they can become liable for any damages imposed.
So often it is union bosses who dictate policy and the members simply follow like sheep. They would be wise to insist on having their say on any proposed black bans - and be aware of the possible legal and financial consequences. Failure to do that could have catastrophic consequences for unionists and their families.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Plea bargaining !
The American system of " plea bargaining " is fast becoming a staple of the Australian justice system. Basically it is what has long been termed " a deal " between the prosecution and the accused.
In exchange for a guilty plea the prosecution drops some charges or down grades others and both agree on the term of punishment which will be recommended for the judge to impose.
It has advantages for both parties. The court system is speeded up with a reduced number of criminal trials, saving both time and money. The prison system - which is over crowded - gets relief from shorter sentences imposes - and both the prosecution and the defence are spared the huge costs associated with a jury trial over days or in some cases weeks.
The only loser is the victim. In so many instances the aggrieved party waits patiently for his or her day in court to see justice served and the person who has transgressed against them suitably punished. When plea bargaining is involved, that punishment is usually far less than the public expect and it also falls far short of the sentence imposed where similar cases go to trial.
In essence, it is justice on the basis of " take a plea ", save the state money - and you get a discounted sentence for your compliance !
But - is it justice ? It certainly dilutes the certainty of a likely sentence which would be the norm for most crimes - and given the strains on the prison system and the pressure on magistrates to speed up the creaky litigation process there is every chance that plea bargaining will be the criteria of every prosecution within the next decade !
In exchange for a guilty plea the prosecution drops some charges or down grades others and both agree on the term of punishment which will be recommended for the judge to impose.
It has advantages for both parties. The court system is speeded up with a reduced number of criminal trials, saving both time and money. The prison system - which is over crowded - gets relief from shorter sentences imposes - and both the prosecution and the defence are spared the huge costs associated with a jury trial over days or in some cases weeks.
The only loser is the victim. In so many instances the aggrieved party waits patiently for his or her day in court to see justice served and the person who has transgressed against them suitably punished. When plea bargaining is involved, that punishment is usually far less than the public expect and it also falls far short of the sentence imposed where similar cases go to trial.
In essence, it is justice on the basis of " take a plea ", save the state money - and you get a discounted sentence for your compliance !
But - is it justice ? It certainly dilutes the certainty of a likely sentence which would be the norm for most crimes - and given the strains on the prison system and the pressure on magistrates to speed up the creaky litigation process there is every chance that plea bargaining will be the criteria of every prosecution within the next decade !
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Punishment !
David Hicks is back in Australia and enjoying the relative comforts of South Australia's Yalata prison. He will spend twenty-three hours of each day in a solitary cell and have one hour to exercise in a private prison yard.
Immediate comforts are use of a radio, but it is expected that a TV will follow shortly and he will be allowed the daily newspapers as he earns privileges by good behavior - and he has just nine months sentence to serve before becoming a free man.
This raises the question of punishment and the changes that have occurred over many decades. Hicks is lucky that this country discontinued the death penalty. Had it still been in force he could have faced the hangman's noose - and he would have been buried in an unmarked grave somewhere within the prison walls.
Such treatment would be considered a modern improvement on the old British punishment for the most serious of crimes. Such offenders were sentenced to " be hung, drawn and quartered ". The dead body was dismembered and the four portions carried to each of the extremities of the country before being buried in unmarked graves - although it is difficult to understand just what that barbaric ritual achieved by way of retribution !
These days most murderers expect to walk free during the remainder of their lifetime. A sentence of "life " rarely means until life is extinguished by natural causes - and refers to a yet to be determined period of time before release.
Hicks may consider he had it tough at Gitmo - but his future is looking bright and he should thank his lucky stars that he managed to be born - and offend - in a more benevolent century !
Immediate comforts are use of a radio, but it is expected that a TV will follow shortly and he will be allowed the daily newspapers as he earns privileges by good behavior - and he has just nine months sentence to serve before becoming a free man.
This raises the question of punishment and the changes that have occurred over many decades. Hicks is lucky that this country discontinued the death penalty. Had it still been in force he could have faced the hangman's noose - and he would have been buried in an unmarked grave somewhere within the prison walls.
Such treatment would be considered a modern improvement on the old British punishment for the most serious of crimes. Such offenders were sentenced to " be hung, drawn and quartered ". The dead body was dismembered and the four portions carried to each of the extremities of the country before being buried in unmarked graves - although it is difficult to understand just what that barbaric ritual achieved by way of retribution !
These days most murderers expect to walk free during the remainder of their lifetime. A sentence of "life " rarely means until life is extinguished by natural causes - and refers to a yet to be determined period of time before release.
Hicks may consider he had it tough at Gitmo - but his future is looking bright and he should thank his lucky stars that he managed to be born - and offend - in a more benevolent century !
Monday, 21 May 2007
The great savings rort !
Lets take a trip down memory lane ! Do you remember during your school days when the nice people from the Commonwealth bank used to visit and urge you to save your pocket money - not spend it ? They used slogans such as " put some aside for a rainy day " and " Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves " - and then they handed out nice, shiny tin money boxes that looked like a Commonwealth bank building !
Of course they didn't give you much interest when you put money in the bank - but years later when you grew up and wanted a house loan they soaked you with a heap of establishment fees and a high interest rate.
It seems the days of money boxes are long gone. If you happen to have an old one and you take it to a bank, credit union or a building society you will find most refuse to accept it. They don't count money anymore and require that you roll each denomination in paper envelopes to be acceptable.
Strangely, there are places where your loose change will be welcome. Go into any club or pub with poker machines and - provided you have sorted the coin into each denomination - they will gladly toss it on the scales and exchange it for banknotes - and hope you will use it for poker machine fodder !
One thing that hasn't changed is the abysmal amount of interest offered by money institutions. Many simply give no interest for savings from 0 to $ 499, whilst others grudgingly offer a return of half of one percent.
But it's a different matter if you go and ask for a loan. Most likely they will issue you with a credit card - and hit you with an interest rate of about seventeen percent - and impose a raft of penalties for missing repayment day or exceeding your limit.
We live in a changing world - and the days of teaching kids good money habits have long gone !
Of course they didn't give you much interest when you put money in the bank - but years later when you grew up and wanted a house loan they soaked you with a heap of establishment fees and a high interest rate.
It seems the days of money boxes are long gone. If you happen to have an old one and you take it to a bank, credit union or a building society you will find most refuse to accept it. They don't count money anymore and require that you roll each denomination in paper envelopes to be acceptable.
Strangely, there are places where your loose change will be welcome. Go into any club or pub with poker machines and - provided you have sorted the coin into each denomination - they will gladly toss it on the scales and exchange it for banknotes - and hope you will use it for poker machine fodder !
One thing that hasn't changed is the abysmal amount of interest offered by money institutions. Many simply give no interest for savings from 0 to $ 499, whilst others grudgingly offer a return of half of one percent.
But it's a different matter if you go and ask for a loan. Most likely they will issue you with a credit card - and hit you with an interest rate of about seventeen percent - and impose a raft of penalties for missing repayment day or exceeding your limit.
We live in a changing world - and the days of teaching kids good money habits have long gone !
Sunday, 20 May 2007
The end of discipline - the start of anarchy !
Our Kiwi cousins across the Tasman have passed a new law forbidding the smacking of a child to correct bad behaviour. Not even a light smack on the hand or a whack on the bum is now legal. Do that and you will end up in court and face a fine - but not a criminal conviction. At least the framers of that law had the common sense not to carry the penalty to that extreme.
The do gooders and bleeding hearts will be rejoicing - and there will be pressure to enact such legislation here in Australia. Hopefully, that will not happen. The law as it stands permits reasonable punishment by way of a light smack with a hand. Few people would approve of more severe punishment that is already outlawed but there must be a balance between correcting bad behaviour and allowing children to become little outlaws free from any form of restraint.
We already have some stupid laws on the books. According to NSW law children under ten do not know the difference between right and wrong - and therefore can not be put before a court or punished in any way for a crime. As a result older children encourage their younger brethren to run into shops, grab handfuls of candy and make off with the full knowledge that neither the law or the shopkeeper can do anything about it.
In rougher areas, such children can break windows, commit arson and do whatever they please blissfully aware that they are immune from any consequences.
Maybe it is time the people who suggest insane laws took a long, hard look at nature. Controlling young offspring and their behaviour is part of upbringing by every species on this earth. The mother of a litter of pups will administer a sharp nip if one misbehaves. A troublesome bear cub will receive a swipe of a paw to bring him or her into line.
Children have been spanked since the days when the pyramids were being built - and probably centuries before that. We already have uncontrolled young people roaming the streets and causing havoc, and much of that is caused by parents who failed to control bad behaviour in younger years. This crazy New Zealand law can only add to those problems in coming years !
The do gooders and bleeding hearts will be rejoicing - and there will be pressure to enact such legislation here in Australia. Hopefully, that will not happen. The law as it stands permits reasonable punishment by way of a light smack with a hand. Few people would approve of more severe punishment that is already outlawed but there must be a balance between correcting bad behaviour and allowing children to become little outlaws free from any form of restraint.
We already have some stupid laws on the books. According to NSW law children under ten do not know the difference between right and wrong - and therefore can not be put before a court or punished in any way for a crime. As a result older children encourage their younger brethren to run into shops, grab handfuls of candy and make off with the full knowledge that neither the law or the shopkeeper can do anything about it.
In rougher areas, such children can break windows, commit arson and do whatever they please blissfully aware that they are immune from any consequences.
Maybe it is time the people who suggest insane laws took a long, hard look at nature. Controlling young offspring and their behaviour is part of upbringing by every species on this earth. The mother of a litter of pups will administer a sharp nip if one misbehaves. A troublesome bear cub will receive a swipe of a paw to bring him or her into line.
Children have been spanked since the days when the pyramids were being built - and probably centuries before that. We already have uncontrolled young people roaming the streets and causing havoc, and much of that is caused by parents who failed to control bad behaviour in younger years. This crazy New Zealand law can only add to those problems in coming years !
Saturday, 19 May 2007
The Pendulum's swing.
It is amazing to view the changing battle lines in the battle for hearts and minds over Australian Workplace Agreements ( AWA's ). The Labor party and the unions have been successful in running an intense media campaign to demonise contracts between employer and employee. It was a powerful scare campaign - and as a result Labor polls are running in favour of an ALP victory.
The government countered this by introducing a safety net. Legislation will ensure that those earning less than $ 75,000 a year will be protected from bargaining away overtime, public holidays or any of the entitlements under the old order without comparable compensation pay.
Now it is the turn of Labor to give ground. The mining industry and it's employees love AWA's. The work crew get more money in their pockets and without the restrictions of union imposed job specifications multi-skilling is allowing the industry to go ahead in leaps and bounds. Without AWA's the boom could not continue.
Julia Gillard has back tracked. She now says that if employees in mining want AWA's an elected Labor government would allow them to remain - " For the present time ". This is a thinly veiled threat that Labor has not backed away from it's promise of return to union backed collective bargaining.
In all fairness it is probable that the Liberal pendulum swung a little too far to the right, but the Labor response is to swing that pendulum too far to the left.
Industrial relations badly needed reform - but that reform simply had to remove the dead hand of the unions from the levers of power. The unions and Labor are synonymous and it is difficult to envisage a Labor party without it's union base - but that is the way the world is heading.
Unions were important when the labour force was mostly uneducated people who could be manipulated by well educated bosses. Today the work force can make up it's own mind on issues and over the past few decades union membership has been dropping. The present battle is one of survival for the unions. For that reason they are firing every gun and spending every dollar they own. We will not know who wins the war until the election later this year !
The government countered this by introducing a safety net. Legislation will ensure that those earning less than $ 75,000 a year will be protected from bargaining away overtime, public holidays or any of the entitlements under the old order without comparable compensation pay.
Now it is the turn of Labor to give ground. The mining industry and it's employees love AWA's. The work crew get more money in their pockets and without the restrictions of union imposed job specifications multi-skilling is allowing the industry to go ahead in leaps and bounds. Without AWA's the boom could not continue.
Julia Gillard has back tracked. She now says that if employees in mining want AWA's an elected Labor government would allow them to remain - " For the present time ". This is a thinly veiled threat that Labor has not backed away from it's promise of return to union backed collective bargaining.
In all fairness it is probable that the Liberal pendulum swung a little too far to the right, but the Labor response is to swing that pendulum too far to the left.
Industrial relations badly needed reform - but that reform simply had to remove the dead hand of the unions from the levers of power. The unions and Labor are synonymous and it is difficult to envisage a Labor party without it's union base - but that is the way the world is heading.
Unions were important when the labour force was mostly uneducated people who could be manipulated by well educated bosses. Today the work force can make up it's own mind on issues and over the past few decades union membership has been dropping. The present battle is one of survival for the unions. For that reason they are firing every gun and spending every dollar they own. We will not know who wins the war until the election later this year !
Friday, 18 May 2007
City in lockdown.
Sydney residents are dreading three days commencing on September 2. That's when world leaders - including President George Bush - will descend on this city for the APEC conference, and make Sydney the number one target for world terrorism.
The city will go into lockdown and special police powers will be in force to regulate the area between Macquarie, King and George streets and Circular Quay. Citizens within those boundaries can expect to be stopped and searched and there is every likelihood that crack troops will be on hand to supply the heavy firepower necessary should a major terrorist strike develop.
Citizens will find normal life almost impossible. With Circular Quay sealed off the movement of ferries will be curtailed. Three stations on the city circle line will be sealed and no trains will stop at those destinations.
Many firms are wisely considering closing their doors and encouraging staff to take several days annual leave rather than undergo trauma trying to get to work for what would be unproductive days anyway because of lack of customers. The government is planning to encourage this thinking by declaring one day of the APEC conference a public holiday.
It is hard to see what Sydney will gain - except inconvenience. We are a world city - but the world knows us well because of such icons as the Opera house and the harbour bridge - and recent exposure by way of the 2000 Olympics.
Perhaps it is time to stop and have a long, hard think before the next major world event. The nation's capital is Canberra - and while that city can not hold a candle to Sydney for beauty or prestige - the capital is usually where world events are held in other countries.
The city will go into lockdown and special police powers will be in force to regulate the area between Macquarie, King and George streets and Circular Quay. Citizens within those boundaries can expect to be stopped and searched and there is every likelihood that crack troops will be on hand to supply the heavy firepower necessary should a major terrorist strike develop.
Citizens will find normal life almost impossible. With Circular Quay sealed off the movement of ferries will be curtailed. Three stations on the city circle line will be sealed and no trains will stop at those destinations.
Many firms are wisely considering closing their doors and encouraging staff to take several days annual leave rather than undergo trauma trying to get to work for what would be unproductive days anyway because of lack of customers. The government is planning to encourage this thinking by declaring one day of the APEC conference a public holiday.
It is hard to see what Sydney will gain - except inconvenience. We are a world city - but the world knows us well because of such icons as the Opera house and the harbour bridge - and recent exposure by way of the 2000 Olympics.
Perhaps it is time to stop and have a long, hard think before the next major world event. The nation's capital is Canberra - and while that city can not hold a candle to Sydney for beauty or prestige - the capital is usually where world events are held in other countries.
City in lockdown.
Sydney residents are dreading three days commencing on September 2. That's when world leaders - including President George Bush - will descend on this city for the APEC conference, and make Sydney the number one target for world terrorism.
The city will go into lockdown and special police powers will be in force to regulate the area between Macquarie, King and George streets and Circular Quay. Citizens within those boundaries can expect to be stopped and searched and there is every likelihood that crack troops will be on hand to supply the heavy firepower necessary should a major terrorist strike develop.
Citizens will find normal life almost impossible. With Circular Quay sealed off the movement of ferries will be curtailed. Three stations on the city circle line will be sealed and no trains will stop at those destinations.
Many firms are wisely considering closing their doors and encouraging staff to take several days annual leave rather than undergo trauma trying to get to work for what would be unproductive days anyway because of lack of customers. The government is planning to encourage this thinking by declaring one day of the APEC conference a public holiday.
It is hard to see what Sydney will gain - except inconvenience. We are a world city - but the world knows us well because of such icons as the Opera house and the harbour bridge - and recent exposure by way of the 2000 Olympics.
Perhaps it is time to stop and have a long, hard think before the next major world event. The nation's capital is Canberra - and while that city can not hold a candle to Sydney for beauty or prestige - the capital is usually where world events are held in other countries.
The city will go into lockdown and special police powers will be in force to regulate the area between Macquarie, King and George streets and Circular Quay. Citizens within those boundaries can expect to be stopped and searched and there is every likelihood that crack troops will be on hand to supply the heavy firepower necessary should a major terrorist strike develop.
Citizens will find normal life almost impossible. With Circular Quay sealed off the movement of ferries will be curtailed. Three stations on the city circle line will be sealed and no trains will stop at those destinations.
Many firms are wisely considering closing their doors and encouraging staff to take several days annual leave rather than undergo trauma trying to get to work for what would be unproductive days anyway because of lack of customers. The government is planning to encourage this thinking by declaring one day of the APEC conference a public holiday.
It is hard to see what Sydney will gain - except inconvenience. We are a world city - but the world knows us well because of such icons as the Opera house and the harbour bridge - and recent exposure by way of the 2000 Olympics.
Perhaps it is time to stop and have a long, hard think before the next major world event. The nation's capital is Canberra - and while that city can not hold a candle to Sydney for beauty or prestige - the capital is usually where world events are held in other countries.
Thursday, 17 May 2007
The price of progress.
A long and bitter fight is developing over plans to develop an iconic beach area from that of an abandoned dairy farm to an elite tourist area equipped with upmarket accommodation and facilities.
To surfers this is known as " the Farm ". To the government it is " Killalea State Park ", on the south coast near Shellharbour. What is an undisputed fact is that this beach has some of the best surfing waves in the state.
For many years it was a closely guarded secret amongst the surfing fraternity. To reach the beach required a trek across farmland and a small fee of a few coins to compensate the farmer for disturbing his cattle. Then the government acquired the area as a park - and it has been undisturbed ever since.
Now there is a plan to allow a developer a fifty-two year lease on three parcels of land which represents a small portion of " The Farm ". This will allow an access road and tourist accommodation and facilities - and earn the government millions of dollars and bring vast numbers of tourists to what has been the surf communities " private beach ".
Conservationists are appalled. They want development banned and the area left in an undeveloped state. Surfers are aghast at the idea of sharing their " secret spot " with the great unwashed - and now the Aboriginal community is trying to set up an Aboriginal land claim on the basis that in past centuries Aboriginal people considered it " sacred ground ".
The scene is set for an epic battle - and as in most such cases the war will involve many battles - and the lawyers will get rich.
It is hard to predict a winner at this stage, but there is an old adage that no wise man should stand between a politician and a source of money - and " The Farm " is a potential honey pot !
To surfers this is known as " the Farm ". To the government it is " Killalea State Park ", on the south coast near Shellharbour. What is an undisputed fact is that this beach has some of the best surfing waves in the state.
For many years it was a closely guarded secret amongst the surfing fraternity. To reach the beach required a trek across farmland and a small fee of a few coins to compensate the farmer for disturbing his cattle. Then the government acquired the area as a park - and it has been undisturbed ever since.
Now there is a plan to allow a developer a fifty-two year lease on three parcels of land which represents a small portion of " The Farm ". This will allow an access road and tourist accommodation and facilities - and earn the government millions of dollars and bring vast numbers of tourists to what has been the surf communities " private beach ".
Conservationists are appalled. They want development banned and the area left in an undeveloped state. Surfers are aghast at the idea of sharing their " secret spot " with the great unwashed - and now the Aboriginal community is trying to set up an Aboriginal land claim on the basis that in past centuries Aboriginal people considered it " sacred ground ".
The scene is set for an epic battle - and as in most such cases the war will involve many battles - and the lawyers will get rich.
It is hard to predict a winner at this stage, but there is an old adage that no wise man should stand between a politician and a source of money - and " The Farm " is a potential honey pot !
The price of progress.
A long and bitter fight is developing over plans to develop an iconic beach area from that of an abandoned dairy farm to an elite tourist area equipped with upmarket accommodation and facilities.
To surfers this is known as " the Farm ". To the government it is " Killalea State Park ", on the south coast near Shellharbour. What is an undisputed fact is that this beach has some of the best surfing waves in the state.
For many years it was a closely guarded secret amongst the surfing fraternity. To reach the beach required a trek across farmland and a small fee of a few coins to compensate the farmer for disturbing his cattle. Then the government acquired the area as a park - and it has been undisturbed ever since.
Now there is a plan to allow a developer a fifty-two year lease on three parcels of land which represents a small portion of " The Farm ". This will allow an access road and tourist accommodation and facilities - and earn the government millions of dollars and bring vast numbers of tourists to what has been the surf communities " private beach ".
Conservationists are appalled. They want development banned and the area left in an undeveloped state. Surfers are aghast at the idea of sharing their " secret spot " with the great unwashed - and now the Aboriginal community is trying to set up an Aboriginal land claim on the basis that in past centuries Aboriginal people considered it " sacred ground ".
The scene is set for an epic battle - and as in most such cases the war will involve many battles - and the lawyers will get rich.
It is hard to predict a winner at this stage, but there is an old adage that no wise man should stand between a politician and a source of money - and " The Farm " is a potential honey pot !
To surfers this is known as " the Farm ". To the government it is " Killalea State Park ", on the south coast near Shellharbour. What is an undisputed fact is that this beach has some of the best surfing waves in the state.
For many years it was a closely guarded secret amongst the surfing fraternity. To reach the beach required a trek across farmland and a small fee of a few coins to compensate the farmer for disturbing his cattle. Then the government acquired the area as a park - and it has been undisturbed ever since.
Now there is a plan to allow a developer a fifty-two year lease on three parcels of land which represents a small portion of " The Farm ". This will allow an access road and tourist accommodation and facilities - and earn the government millions of dollars and bring vast numbers of tourists to what has been the surf communities " private beach ".
Conservationists are appalled. They want development banned and the area left in an undeveloped state. Surfers are aghast at the idea of sharing their " secret spot " with the great unwashed - and now the Aboriginal community is trying to set up an Aboriginal land claim on the basis that in past centuries Aboriginal people considered it " sacred ground ".
The scene is set for an epic battle - and as in most such cases the war will involve many battles - and the lawyers will get rich.
It is hard to predict a winner at this stage, but there is an old adage that no wise man should stand between a politician and a source of money - and " The Farm " is a potential honey pot !
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Our changing lifestyle.
This unrelenting drought is bringing unwanted lifestyle changes - and there are more to come. The government has announced that if substantial relief rain does not fall before the end of June then category four water restrictions will be enforced in all those cities and towns fronting onto the Murray/Darling basin and the Murrumbidgee river.
Category four restrictions are draconian. Virtually all use of water - for industry , agriculture and farming is denied and what little is left is reserved for use within households - and ever there restrictions apply.
The Murray/Darling supplies the food growing areas of this country and without water agriculture will cease. Industry - including a major paper mill - may be forced to shut down and across all sectors there will be a rise in unemployment.
Lifestyle changes are already apparent. Visit any country town in that region and you find a clean car a rarity. Visit the local pub and you will probably be offered bottled or canned beer in place of the traditional schooner glass. The glass washing machines have been turned off to save water.
The days of leisurely showers are also long gone, particularly for families with several children. Now it is the communal bath - and the frequency is no longer daily.
The only good news is that this is a drought - not the installation of a new climate in which rain will never fall. We have had droughts before - and our knowledge of weather patterns in Australia is just under two hundred and twenty years old - so maybe this sort of drought happens with some regularity.
What is certain is that it will eventually end - and then we had better make sure we have learned a lesson and put in place the conservation measures to store water for the future !
Category four restrictions are draconian. Virtually all use of water - for industry , agriculture and farming is denied and what little is left is reserved for use within households - and ever there restrictions apply.
The Murray/Darling supplies the food growing areas of this country and without water agriculture will cease. Industry - including a major paper mill - may be forced to shut down and across all sectors there will be a rise in unemployment.
Lifestyle changes are already apparent. Visit any country town in that region and you find a clean car a rarity. Visit the local pub and you will probably be offered bottled or canned beer in place of the traditional schooner glass. The glass washing machines have been turned off to save water.
The days of leisurely showers are also long gone, particularly for families with several children. Now it is the communal bath - and the frequency is no longer daily.
The only good news is that this is a drought - not the installation of a new climate in which rain will never fall. We have had droughts before - and our knowledge of weather patterns in Australia is just under two hundred and twenty years old - so maybe this sort of drought happens with some regularity.
What is certain is that it will eventually end - and then we had better make sure we have learned a lesson and put in place the conservation measures to store water for the future !
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Evil regime rejected.
Australia will not play cricket in Zimbabwe. The Australian government has issued a ban preventing our world champion team from being used as a propaganda pawn by Robert Mugabe's evil administration.
Decades ago this country was a jewel in the crown of Africa with productive farms exporting huge quantities of food and bringing prosperity to it's citizens. Then came independence - and a change of name to Zimbabwe - and from there it was all down hill.
Robert Mugabe won leadership and surrounded himself with a pack of thugs. In an ever widening grab for power he played the race card to incite black citizens to invade white owned farms and stake claims to the land. Murder and rape became common - and the black farm workers with the knowledge to run modern agriculture were put to the sword. The productive, broad acre farms became small plots of subsistence farming - and in due course Zimbabwe became a land of famine.
To retain power Mugabe resorted to coordinated violence. Any opposition to his regime met orchestrated violence from his storm troopers and any gathering that earned his wrath could expect broken bones and extreme violent assault from clubs and metal bars.
Australian cricket authorities faced a dilemma when it came to cricket scheduled for this country. To refuse to play could involve the Australian team in a fine of $ 2 million - which would surely go to lining Mugabe's pockets. The answer was for the Australian government to declare a ban, thus avoiding this fine.
There will be criticism from some other cricket playing countries. Those countries were enthusiastic supporters of the sporting ban imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era - but then that was a white government suppressing a black majority.
Those same countries are not so enthusiastic when it comes to a black government oppressing black citizens. Maybe many have an uncomfortable feeling that their own activities would not pass well if subjected to an impartial scrutiny !
Decades ago this country was a jewel in the crown of Africa with productive farms exporting huge quantities of food and bringing prosperity to it's citizens. Then came independence - and a change of name to Zimbabwe - and from there it was all down hill.
Robert Mugabe won leadership and surrounded himself with a pack of thugs. In an ever widening grab for power he played the race card to incite black citizens to invade white owned farms and stake claims to the land. Murder and rape became common - and the black farm workers with the knowledge to run modern agriculture were put to the sword. The productive, broad acre farms became small plots of subsistence farming - and in due course Zimbabwe became a land of famine.
To retain power Mugabe resorted to coordinated violence. Any opposition to his regime met orchestrated violence from his storm troopers and any gathering that earned his wrath could expect broken bones and extreme violent assault from clubs and metal bars.
Australian cricket authorities faced a dilemma when it came to cricket scheduled for this country. To refuse to play could involve the Australian team in a fine of $ 2 million - which would surely go to lining Mugabe's pockets. The answer was for the Australian government to declare a ban, thus avoiding this fine.
There will be criticism from some other cricket playing countries. Those countries were enthusiastic supporters of the sporting ban imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era - but then that was a white government suppressing a black majority.
Those same countries are not so enthusiastic when it comes to a black government oppressing black citizens. Maybe many have an uncomfortable feeling that their own activities would not pass well if subjected to an impartial scrutiny !
Evil regime rejected.
Australia will not play cricket in Zimbabwe. The Australian government has issued a ban preventing our world champion team from being used as a propaganda pawn by Robert Mugabe's evil administration.
Decades ago this country was a jewel in the crown of Africa with productive farms exporting huge quantities of food and bringing prosperity to it's citizens. Then came independence - and a change of name to Zimbabwe - and from there it was all down hill.
Robert Mugabe won leadership and surrounded himself with a pack of thugs. In an ever widening grab for power he played the race card to incite black citizens to invade white owned farms and stake claims to the land. Murder and rape became common - and the black farm workers with the knowledge to run modern agriculture were put to the sword. The productive, broad acre farms became small plots of subsistence farming - and in due course Zimbabwe became a land of famine.
To retain power Mugabe resorted to coordinated violence. Any opposition to his regime met orchestrated violence from his storm troopers and any gathering that earned his wrath could expect broken bones and extreme violent assault from clubs and metal bars.
Australian cricket authorities faced a dilemma when it came to cricket scheduled for this country. To refuse to play could involve the Australian team in a fine of $ 2 million - which would surely go to lining Mugabe's pockets. The answer was for the Australian government to declare a ban, thus avoiding this fine.
There will be criticism from some other cricket playing countries. Those countries were enthusiastic supporters of the sporting ban imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era - but then that was a white government suppressing a black majority.
Those same countries are not so enthusiastic when it comes to a black government oppressing black citizens. Maybe many have an uncomfortable feeling that their own activities would not pass well if subjected to an impartial scrutiny !
Decades ago this country was a jewel in the crown of Africa with productive farms exporting huge quantities of food and bringing prosperity to it's citizens. Then came independence - and a change of name to Zimbabwe - and from there it was all down hill.
Robert Mugabe won leadership and surrounded himself with a pack of thugs. In an ever widening grab for power he played the race card to incite black citizens to invade white owned farms and stake claims to the land. Murder and rape became common - and the black farm workers with the knowledge to run modern agriculture were put to the sword. The productive, broad acre farms became small plots of subsistence farming - and in due course Zimbabwe became a land of famine.
To retain power Mugabe resorted to coordinated violence. Any opposition to his regime met orchestrated violence from his storm troopers and any gathering that earned his wrath could expect broken bones and extreme violent assault from clubs and metal bars.
Australian cricket authorities faced a dilemma when it came to cricket scheduled for this country. To refuse to play could involve the Australian team in a fine of $ 2 million - which would surely go to lining Mugabe's pockets. The answer was for the Australian government to declare a ban, thus avoiding this fine.
There will be criticism from some other cricket playing countries. Those countries were enthusiastic supporters of the sporting ban imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era - but then that was a white government suppressing a black majority.
Those same countries are not so enthusiastic when it comes to a black government oppressing black citizens. Maybe many have an uncomfortable feeling that their own activities would not pass well if subjected to an impartial scrutiny !
Monday, 14 May 2007
A losing situation.
Sydney, Australia's largest city and New South Wales, this country's most populous state is losing citizens to other parts of the country - because we are no longer affordable to many !
This loss is reflected in housing. Last year NSW saw 2447 new homes built in contrast to 2914 in Victoria and 2978 in Queensland. The situation is even worse in comparison with Western Australia which built two and half times more homes than NSW last year.
When the Goods and Services Tax ( GST ) was implemented the states agreed to wind down certain taxes - predominantly land tax and stamp duty. They were given a few years relief before implementation - but when the time crunch came most reneged and claimed they could not afford to lose the revenue, despite receiving a huge supplement from the GST.
Now the smaller states are modifying their taxes and as a result those on low to average incomes are finding housing more affordable, shorter commuting time to work and less hassle in their lifestyles.
The end result is that Sydney in particular is being starved of workers who do the mundane things like driving taxis, collecting garbage and flipping burgers. We have priced them out of earning a living because of inflated house prices and rents and the general costs of living in a high tax state.
The price we will pay is higher wages for those who persevere and remain in this state to man those low wage jobs. This is becoming apparent with taxi drivers demanding increases in booking fees, use of the car boot for luggage and mileage because as congestion slows traffic on our roads their overall reward is lower because of time stalled in traffic.
Politicians are not good at keeping promises - but in this case it is a matter of survival. If we do not cut property taxes we will become one of the most expensive cities in the world - but with the lowest living standards when it comes to services.
Not even our beautiful harbour and sub-tropical climate could compensate for that !
This loss is reflected in housing. Last year NSW saw 2447 new homes built in contrast to 2914 in Victoria and 2978 in Queensland. The situation is even worse in comparison with Western Australia which built two and half times more homes than NSW last year.
When the Goods and Services Tax ( GST ) was implemented the states agreed to wind down certain taxes - predominantly land tax and stamp duty. They were given a few years relief before implementation - but when the time crunch came most reneged and claimed they could not afford to lose the revenue, despite receiving a huge supplement from the GST.
Now the smaller states are modifying their taxes and as a result those on low to average incomes are finding housing more affordable, shorter commuting time to work and less hassle in their lifestyles.
The end result is that Sydney in particular is being starved of workers who do the mundane things like driving taxis, collecting garbage and flipping burgers. We have priced them out of earning a living because of inflated house prices and rents and the general costs of living in a high tax state.
The price we will pay is higher wages for those who persevere and remain in this state to man those low wage jobs. This is becoming apparent with taxi drivers demanding increases in booking fees, use of the car boot for luggage and mileage because as congestion slows traffic on our roads their overall reward is lower because of time stalled in traffic.
Politicians are not good at keeping promises - but in this case it is a matter of survival. If we do not cut property taxes we will become one of the most expensive cities in the world - but with the lowest living standards when it comes to services.
Not even our beautiful harbour and sub-tropical climate could compensate for that !
Sunday, 13 May 2007
The evil scanner !
Recently a public aware programme on TV tested the accuracy of scanners in supermarkets - with woe some results. It seems that discrepancy between the shelf price and the scanned price is common - and usually against the pocket of the customer.
The two biggest sellers of groceries in this country - Coles and Woolworths - have a fair trading policy that states that when there is such a discrepancy the first item is free - and all subsequent numbers of that same item are at the correct price.
Unfortunately, that is not the way it always works. In many cases the checkout chick simply punches in the correct advertised price - and fails to offer the " freebie ".
This is probably not store policy, but it does happen - and the customer misses out on his or her rights.
Customers would do well to take note of items which have a " special offer " price tag over the shelf price. In many cases these have been a legitimate special but the store has not bothered to remove the tag when the special period is over.
For instance, items on special at " Two for $ 3 " may be scanned at the correct shelf price of $ 1.75 each for weeks unless an alert customer makes a claim.
It must be a titanic task to correlate the shelf price of the hundreds of items on special each week with the scanner, but that is what supermarkets are in the business of doing. The problem is that some are not doing it well - and that is costing customers money !
The two biggest sellers of groceries in this country - Coles and Woolworths - have a fair trading policy that states that when there is such a discrepancy the first item is free - and all subsequent numbers of that same item are at the correct price.
Unfortunately, that is not the way it always works. In many cases the checkout chick simply punches in the correct advertised price - and fails to offer the " freebie ".
This is probably not store policy, but it does happen - and the customer misses out on his or her rights.
Customers would do well to take note of items which have a " special offer " price tag over the shelf price. In many cases these have been a legitimate special but the store has not bothered to remove the tag when the special period is over.
For instance, items on special at " Two for $ 3 " may be scanned at the correct shelf price of $ 1.75 each for weeks unless an alert customer makes a claim.
It must be a titanic task to correlate the shelf price of the hundreds of items on special each week with the scanner, but that is what supermarkets are in the business of doing. The problem is that some are not doing it well - and that is costing customers money !
The evil scanner !
Recently a public aware programme on TV tested the accuracy of scanners in supermarkets - with woe some results. It seems that discrepancy between the shelf price and the scanned price is common - and usually against the pocket of the customer.
The two biggest sellers of groceries in this country - Coles and Woolworths - have a fair trading policy that states that when there is such a discrepancy the first item is free - and all subsequent numbers of that same item are at the correct price.
Unfortunately, that is not the way it always works. In many cases the checkout chick simply punches in the correct advertised price - and fails to offer the " freebie ".
This is probably not store policy, but it does happen - and the customer misses out on his or her rights.
Customers would do well to take note of items which have a " special offer " price tag over the shelf price. In many cases these have been a legitimate special but the store has not bothered to remove the tag when the special period is over.
For instance, items on special at " Two for $ 3 " may be scanned at the correct shelf price of $ 1.75 each for weeks unless an alert customer makes a claim.
It must be a titanic task to correlate the shelf price of the hundreds of items on special each week with the scanner, but that is what supermarkets are in the business of doing. The problem is that some are not doing it well - and that is costing customers money !
The two biggest sellers of groceries in this country - Coles and Woolworths - have a fair trading policy that states that when there is such a discrepancy the first item is free - and all subsequent numbers of that same item are at the correct price.
Unfortunately, that is not the way it always works. In many cases the checkout chick simply punches in the correct advertised price - and fails to offer the " freebie ".
This is probably not store policy, but it does happen - and the customer misses out on his or her rights.
Customers would do well to take note of items which have a " special offer " price tag over the shelf price. In many cases these have been a legitimate special but the store has not bothered to remove the tag when the special period is over.
For instance, items on special at " Two for $ 3 " may be scanned at the correct shelf price of $ 1.75 each for weeks unless an alert customer makes a claim.
It must be a titanic task to correlate the shelf price of the hundreds of items on special each week with the scanner, but that is what supermarkets are in the business of doing. The problem is that some are not doing it well - and that is costing customers money !
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Personal security.
The Wollongong suburb of Towradgi has just expelled a released prisoner relocated to the community. That ex-prisoner was a sex offender who viciously murdered a young child - and who spent the past twenty-five years in prison. The release was controversial as the prison people who observe and know prisoners were certain that he would promptly re-offend. Within weeks, he was back in prison, having been observed sunbathing naked in the company of homosexual men on a Sydney beach.
A second release followed and in that instance the offender was required to wear an electronic anklet 24/7 - and observe rules that precluded using alcohol or being in proximity to any school or place where children gather.
Unfortunately for the ex-prisoner his face has been in every newspaper and on every TV channel for weeks - and hence it was not long before the citizens of Towradgi realised that a notorious sex offender was now a member of the community. Their reaction prompted Corrective Services to remove him.
This raises an unanswered question. Is it fair to inflict a person likely to cause a sex crime on any community, anywhere in Australia ? There are some crimes for which a prisoner should never be released. The courts have the option of decreeing that an inmate must die in gaol, but if it decides not to implement that option who has the responsibility to see that no harm comes to the public on release ?
Those that have the view that a released prisoner has served his time and should be a free man usually don't happen to live in the suburb where he will live when released.
In this instance, the problem has rebounded onto Corrective Services. The people of Towradgi are free of him - but somewhere else the unsuspecting citizens of a suburb or a country town are about to get an unwelcome visitor.
A second release followed and in that instance the offender was required to wear an electronic anklet 24/7 - and observe rules that precluded using alcohol or being in proximity to any school or place where children gather.
Unfortunately for the ex-prisoner his face has been in every newspaper and on every TV channel for weeks - and hence it was not long before the citizens of Towradgi realised that a notorious sex offender was now a member of the community. Their reaction prompted Corrective Services to remove him.
This raises an unanswered question. Is it fair to inflict a person likely to cause a sex crime on any community, anywhere in Australia ? There are some crimes for which a prisoner should never be released. The courts have the option of decreeing that an inmate must die in gaol, but if it decides not to implement that option who has the responsibility to see that no harm comes to the public on release ?
Those that have the view that a released prisoner has served his time and should be a free man usually don't happen to live in the suburb where he will live when released.
In this instance, the problem has rebounded onto Corrective Services. The people of Towradgi are free of him - but somewhere else the unsuspecting citizens of a suburb or a country town are about to get an unwelcome visitor.
Friday, 11 May 2007
Education promises.
Yesterday the leader of the opposition, Kevin Rudd delivered his reply to this week's budget. One of the main promises is a plan to fund every high school in Australia with a $ 1.5 million grant to turn it into a source of practical training for students to learn a trade. This contrasts with the government's promise to establish three new super-technical college campuses in this country to achieve the same results.
Both ideas are impractical.
We desperately need to train young people to resolve the skills shortage that is pushing up wages and restraining business expansion, but that training should be available on a short commute from home, not as a resident in some huge university like complex which could be in another state.
The idea of turning every high school into a trade school runs the risk of short circuiting the existing curriculum which trains students to achieve the higher school certificate and go on to university.
The idea of introducing motor engineering, carpentry and other trades which involve welding, grinding, sheet metal work - and similar noise producing activities into existing high schools is simply impractical. The idea of setting up such trades in existing buildings is sheer lunacy, and few schools have sufficient space to accommodate specialist buildings.
Both sides of politics have the right idea - that we need to provide in schooling more than just a qualification to go to university. Not all students are suited to an academic career - and the country is crying out for skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen to advance our economic progress.
All it needs is for the two sides of politics to combine their ideas. Yes - we need high schools to teach trades. Yes - we need speciality units away from existing academic teaching institutions to avoid noise and hazard contamination.
So - why not a bit of both ? More specialist high schools - separate from existing high schools - with a trade motif ?
Both ideas are impractical.
We desperately need to train young people to resolve the skills shortage that is pushing up wages and restraining business expansion, but that training should be available on a short commute from home, not as a resident in some huge university like complex which could be in another state.
The idea of turning every high school into a trade school runs the risk of short circuiting the existing curriculum which trains students to achieve the higher school certificate and go on to university.
The idea of introducing motor engineering, carpentry and other trades which involve welding, grinding, sheet metal work - and similar noise producing activities into existing high schools is simply impractical. The idea of setting up such trades in existing buildings is sheer lunacy, and few schools have sufficient space to accommodate specialist buildings.
Both sides of politics have the right idea - that we need to provide in schooling more than just a qualification to go to university. Not all students are suited to an academic career - and the country is crying out for skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen to advance our economic progress.
All it needs is for the two sides of politics to combine their ideas. Yes - we need high schools to teach trades. Yes - we need speciality units away from existing academic teaching institutions to avoid noise and hazard contamination.
So - why not a bit of both ? More specialist high schools - separate from existing high schools - with a trade motif ?
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Justice denied.
Yesterday Magistrate Paul Johnson expressed exasperation at the slowness of the legal system. The case before him involved a particularly brutal murder - and once again the prosecution was unable to proceed because of the unavailability of evidence.
He was told that DNA evidence collected from the crime scene was still awaiting analysis - and telephone intercepts allegedly proving guilt were awaiting transcribing.
What enraged the magistrate was the fact that the accused had been awaiting his day in court in a remand prison for the past twelve months - and the prosecution could give no clear answer as to when this case could proceed.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Nobody should serve punishment before guilt is proved, and yet waiting in remand is in fact prison time amongst criminals. The law takes no account of the hardship that may be involved.
If the prisoner had a job before arrest - that job would now be long gone. Without an income items such as mortgage payments and credit card debts would go unpaid. It would not be unusual for a relationship to founder in such circumstances.
Eventually this case will go to trial when the prosecution finally gets it's evidence together - but if that evidence fails and the accused walks from the court a free man what damage has been done to him ?
At that point the legal system simply shrugs it's shoulders and walks away - whistling Dixie. The accused was not wrongly convicted. He simply suffered a delay before being brought to trial - and for that there is no compensation.
No wonder many consider the law a farce !
He was told that DNA evidence collected from the crime scene was still awaiting analysis - and telephone intercepts allegedly proving guilt were awaiting transcribing.
What enraged the magistrate was the fact that the accused had been awaiting his day in court in a remand prison for the past twelve months - and the prosecution could give no clear answer as to when this case could proceed.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Nobody should serve punishment before guilt is proved, and yet waiting in remand is in fact prison time amongst criminals. The law takes no account of the hardship that may be involved.
If the prisoner had a job before arrest - that job would now be long gone. Without an income items such as mortgage payments and credit card debts would go unpaid. It would not be unusual for a relationship to founder in such circumstances.
Eventually this case will go to trial when the prosecution finally gets it's evidence together - but if that evidence fails and the accused walks from the court a free man what damage has been done to him ?
At that point the legal system simply shrugs it's shoulders and walks away - whistling Dixie. The accused was not wrongly convicted. He simply suffered a delay before being brought to trial - and for that there is no compensation.
No wonder many consider the law a farce !
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
The QANTAS enigma !
Australians are very proud of Qantas - their airline with the flying Kangaroo on the tail - although many foreigners are mystified by the name. QANTAS stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services, where it originated - and it holds the distinction of being the safest airline in the world. It has never had a crash that killed a passenger.
Many people were overjoyed this week when an $ 11 billion dollar takeover by a consortium of Macquarie bank and a Texas investment group failed.
There were fears that in foreign hands the airline's international and domestic roles would be separated, servicing of aircraft would be sent overseas with the loss of skilled jobs here - and the name and that flying Kangaroo on the tail may even have changed.
It all hinged on a fifty percent acceptance by shareholders prior to 7 PM on Friday night, and when that time came acceptance fell short - and the deal lapsed.
But now a new problem has arisen. Under Australian law Qantas must be Australian owned and foreigners can not hold more that 49% of the shareholding. During the hectic buying and selling of shares during the takeover bid the Qantas board lost sight of the ratio - and it is now possible that more than 49% is in foreign hands.
The Qantas board will face draconian punishment and has no option than to comply with that law - which would also apply to the new owners had they been successful - and reduce the foreign ownership to the required level. There will be headaches - and cost problems - when the board meets to resolve that problem !
Many people were overjoyed this week when an $ 11 billion dollar takeover by a consortium of Macquarie bank and a Texas investment group failed.
There were fears that in foreign hands the airline's international and domestic roles would be separated, servicing of aircraft would be sent overseas with the loss of skilled jobs here - and the name and that flying Kangaroo on the tail may even have changed.
It all hinged on a fifty percent acceptance by shareholders prior to 7 PM on Friday night, and when that time came acceptance fell short - and the deal lapsed.
But now a new problem has arisen. Under Australian law Qantas must be Australian owned and foreigners can not hold more that 49% of the shareholding. During the hectic buying and selling of shares during the takeover bid the Qantas board lost sight of the ratio - and it is now possible that more than 49% is in foreign hands.
The Qantas board will face draconian punishment and has no option than to comply with that law - which would also apply to the new owners had they been successful - and reduce the foreign ownership to the required level. There will be headaches - and cost problems - when the board meets to resolve that problem !
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Smokeless !
New South Wales is awash with building activity as clubs and pubs prepare to go " smokeless " on July 1 of this year. The late flurry of construction was the result of indecision about exactly what the new act means when it applies to " enclosed areas ".
Basically, the law bans smoking inside clubs and pubs but there is a loophole when an area is not entirely enclosed. Unfortunately the state government dithered and failed to spell out precisely what that means.
Some premises with a verandah considered it complied with the act because one side was open while others opted for " beer gardens " - which had a roof and no side walls.
There is still no clear cut definition and the industry has opted to make it's own arrangements - and hope they comply with the law.
It is a complex matter. At present, the law allows smoking in one designated area within the building and most establishments have chosen the poker machine, Keno and TAB facilities for that purpose. Most bars are smoke free and patrons are required to move to the designated area should they choose to light up.
This arrangement seems to have been accepted by most people, but pub and club management are wondering what will be expected when the new law comes into force. Will people demand drink service in the new, enclosed area - and will gamblers expect those facilities to be available there ?
Some are spending very little money on the gamble that smokers will take the new laws in their stride while others are spending big in expectation of a huge change in consumer habits.
Time is now short - and in just a few weeks it will become apparent who will be the winners - and who will be the losers !
Basically, the law bans smoking inside clubs and pubs but there is a loophole when an area is not entirely enclosed. Unfortunately the state government dithered and failed to spell out precisely what that means.
Some premises with a verandah considered it complied with the act because one side was open while others opted for " beer gardens " - which had a roof and no side walls.
There is still no clear cut definition and the industry has opted to make it's own arrangements - and hope they comply with the law.
It is a complex matter. At present, the law allows smoking in one designated area within the building and most establishments have chosen the poker machine, Keno and TAB facilities for that purpose. Most bars are smoke free and patrons are required to move to the designated area should they choose to light up.
This arrangement seems to have been accepted by most people, but pub and club management are wondering what will be expected when the new law comes into force. Will people demand drink service in the new, enclosed area - and will gamblers expect those facilities to be available there ?
Some are spending very little money on the gamble that smokers will take the new laws in their stride while others are spending big in expectation of a huge change in consumer habits.
Time is now short - and in just a few weeks it will become apparent who will be the winners - and who will be the losers !
Smokeless !
New South Wales is awash with building activity as clubs and pubs prepare to go " smokeless " on July 1 of this year. The late flurry of construction was the result of indecision about exactly what the new act means when it applies to " enclosed areas ".
Basically, the law bans smoking inside clubs and pubs but there is a loophole when an area is not entirely enclosed. Unfortunately the state government dithered and failed to spell out precisely what that means.
Some premises with a verandah considered it complied with the act because one side was open while others opted for " beer gardens " - which had a roof and no side walls.
There is still no clear cut definition and the industry has opted to make it's own arrangements - and hope they comply with the law.
It is a complex matter. At present, the law allows smoking in one designated area within the building and most establishments have chosen the poker machine, Keno and TAB facilities for that purpose. Most bars are smoke free and patrons are required to move to the designated area should they choose to light up.
This arrangement seems to have been accepted by most people, but pub and club management are wondering what will be expected when the new law comes into force. Will people demand drink service in the new, enclosed area - and will gamblers expect those facilities to be available there ?
Some are spending very little money on the gamble that smokers will take the new laws in their stride while others are spending big in expectation of a huge change in consumer habits.
Time is now short - and in just a few weeks it will become apparent who will be the winners - and who will be the losers !
Basically, the law bans smoking inside clubs and pubs but there is a loophole when an area is not entirely enclosed. Unfortunately the state government dithered and failed to spell out precisely what that means.
Some premises with a verandah considered it complied with the act because one side was open while others opted for " beer gardens " - which had a roof and no side walls.
There is still no clear cut definition and the industry has opted to make it's own arrangements - and hope they comply with the law.
It is a complex matter. At present, the law allows smoking in one designated area within the building and most establishments have chosen the poker machine, Keno and TAB facilities for that purpose. Most bars are smoke free and patrons are required to move to the designated area should they choose to light up.
This arrangement seems to have been accepted by most people, but pub and club management are wondering what will be expected when the new law comes into force. Will people demand drink service in the new, enclosed area - and will gamblers expect those facilities to be available there ?
Some are spending very little money on the gamble that smokers will take the new laws in their stride while others are spending big in expectation of a huge change in consumer habits.
Time is now short - and in just a few weeks it will become apparent who will be the winners - and who will be the losers !
Monday, 7 May 2007
Integrity limits ?
Many promises are made prior to an election. Not all of them are kept - but surely the voters have a right to expect some degree of integrity to prevail.
In the run up to the March 24 state election in New South Wales one of the promises made by the Labor government was to widen " The Spit " bridge in northern Sydney.
This bridge creates a bottleneck even at off-peak periods because arterial roads must merge to a lesser number of lanes. The problem is compounded because " The Spit " is also an opening bridge - and at least twice a day all road traffic stops to allow the passage of water craft.
A mere month after the election the state government abandoned plans to widen the bridge, claiming the cost was prohibitive.
Nobody was really surprised. Promises are part of politics - and we all know politicians lie - and the two seats north of the bridge returned Liberal members - to the annoyance of the Labor government.
But - a new factor emerges. The government's promise was for expenditure of $ 50 million to widen that bridge and it now emerges that Roads minister Eric Rozendaal knew in January - months before the election - that the cost blowout would be in excess of $ 130 million.
Rosendaal now claims he was bound by confidentiality because tenders were due to close on April 26 - hence his silence on the cost blowout !
Fair enough - except that during the election campaign the government continued to trumpet the promise of a widened bridge, knowing full well that it would have to be abandoned on cost grounds.
And that is what is called a deliberate lie !
Nobody expects truth to be paramount in politics - but if a businessman lied to that extent when promoting his company he would end up behind bars.
Isn't running a government a form of business ?
In the run up to the March 24 state election in New South Wales one of the promises made by the Labor government was to widen " The Spit " bridge in northern Sydney.
This bridge creates a bottleneck even at off-peak periods because arterial roads must merge to a lesser number of lanes. The problem is compounded because " The Spit " is also an opening bridge - and at least twice a day all road traffic stops to allow the passage of water craft.
A mere month after the election the state government abandoned plans to widen the bridge, claiming the cost was prohibitive.
Nobody was really surprised. Promises are part of politics - and we all know politicians lie - and the two seats north of the bridge returned Liberal members - to the annoyance of the Labor government.
But - a new factor emerges. The government's promise was for expenditure of $ 50 million to widen that bridge and it now emerges that Roads minister Eric Rozendaal knew in January - months before the election - that the cost blowout would be in excess of $ 130 million.
Rosendaal now claims he was bound by confidentiality because tenders were due to close on April 26 - hence his silence on the cost blowout !
Fair enough - except that during the election campaign the government continued to trumpet the promise of a widened bridge, knowing full well that it would have to be abandoned on cost grounds.
And that is what is called a deliberate lie !
Nobody expects truth to be paramount in politics - but if a businessman lied to that extent when promoting his company he would end up behind bars.
Isn't running a government a form of business ?
Integrity limits ?
Many promises are made prior to an election. Not all of them are kept - but surely the voters have a right to expect some degree of integrity to prevail.
In the run up to the March 24 state election in New South Wales one of the promises made by the Labor government was to widen " The Spit " bridge in northern Sydney.
This bridge creates a bottleneck even at off-peak periods because arterial roads must merge to a lesser number of lanes. The problem is compounded because " The Spit " is also an opening bridge - and at least twice a day all road traffic stops to allow the passage of water craft.
A mere month after the election the state government abandoned plans to widen the bridge, claiming the cost was prohibitive.
Nobody was really surprised. Promises are part of politics - and we all know politicians lie - and the two seats north of the bridge returned Liberal members - to the annoyance of the Labor government.
But - a new factor emerges. The government's promise was for expenditure of $ 50 million to widen that bridge and it now emerges that Roads minister Eric Rozendaal knew in January - months before the election - that the cost blowout would be in excess of $ 130 million.
Rosendaal now claims he was bound by confidentiality because tenders were due to close on April 26 - hence his silence on the cost blowout !
Fair enough - except that during the election campaign the government continued to trumpet the promise of a widened bridge, knowing full well that it would have to be abandoned on cost grounds.
And that is what is called a deliberate lie !
Nobody expects truth to be paramount in politics - but if a businessman lied to that extent when promoting his company he would end up behind bars.
Isn't running a government a form of business ?
In the run up to the March 24 state election in New South Wales one of the promises made by the Labor government was to widen " The Spit " bridge in northern Sydney.
This bridge creates a bottleneck even at off-peak periods because arterial roads must merge to a lesser number of lanes. The problem is compounded because " The Spit " is also an opening bridge - and at least twice a day all road traffic stops to allow the passage of water craft.
A mere month after the election the state government abandoned plans to widen the bridge, claiming the cost was prohibitive.
Nobody was really surprised. Promises are part of politics - and we all know politicians lie - and the two seats north of the bridge returned Liberal members - to the annoyance of the Labor government.
But - a new factor emerges. The government's promise was for expenditure of $ 50 million to widen that bridge and it now emerges that Roads minister Eric Rozendaal knew in January - months before the election - that the cost blowout would be in excess of $ 130 million.
Rosendaal now claims he was bound by confidentiality because tenders were due to close on April 26 - hence his silence on the cost blowout !
Fair enough - except that during the election campaign the government continued to trumpet the promise of a widened bridge, knowing full well that it would have to be abandoned on cost grounds.
And that is what is called a deliberate lie !
Nobody expects truth to be paramount in politics - but if a businessman lied to that extent when promoting his company he would end up behind bars.
Isn't running a government a form of business ?
Sunday, 6 May 2007
Uncertain " Golden Years ".
The aged people of this country lack certainty of tenure in their retirement living. Here are three examples of the problem.
A national company which for decades established retirement villages was taken over by an investment corporation. The new owners saw profits by redeveloping these villages and advised that the residents would face eviction. Happily - and probably as a result of the unfavourable publicity - there was a change of heart.
Shortly after the end of WW11 a returned servicemen and women's league established a retirement village for veterans. The managing committee - swamped by applications from aged veterans - considered demolishing the existing village and redeveloping it on a much larger scale - but to do this the existing veterans would need to be dispersed to other accommodation scattered across the entire state. Those living in the village were devastated at the thought of " their close family " being broken up and relationships shattered. Again, publicity brought a rethink - and this village will remain intact.
A church organization had established a nursing home for the aged decades ago on a prime piece of land which has become " millionaires row ". This is now surrounded by high rise with apartments selling for huge sums.
The church sold the land to a developer and re-established a nursing home in an industrial suburb with no views. The aged residents were transferred to the new site but missed the halcyon days of having a beach and a small yacht harbour outside their windows.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that aged people investing in accommodation for their twilight years have tenure of occupancy. The best they can hope for is that the provider will continue to honour the intention under which it was founded, but if a change of ownership occurs - then all bets are off.
Residents of aged accommodation are the most vulnerable in our community. Those that have made provision for their aged care are not in a position to negotiate new arrangements because many are suffering dementia and others have limited physical capacity.
What is needed is for government to have a long, hard look at this situation and pass legislation enshrining the rights of the aged to tenure. There should be restrictions making it difficult - if not impossible - for a change of ownership to dispossess the aged of their accommodation !
A national company which for decades established retirement villages was taken over by an investment corporation. The new owners saw profits by redeveloping these villages and advised that the residents would face eviction. Happily - and probably as a result of the unfavourable publicity - there was a change of heart.
Shortly after the end of WW11 a returned servicemen and women's league established a retirement village for veterans. The managing committee - swamped by applications from aged veterans - considered demolishing the existing village and redeveloping it on a much larger scale - but to do this the existing veterans would need to be dispersed to other accommodation scattered across the entire state. Those living in the village were devastated at the thought of " their close family " being broken up and relationships shattered. Again, publicity brought a rethink - and this village will remain intact.
A church organization had established a nursing home for the aged decades ago on a prime piece of land which has become " millionaires row ". This is now surrounded by high rise with apartments selling for huge sums.
The church sold the land to a developer and re-established a nursing home in an industrial suburb with no views. The aged residents were transferred to the new site but missed the halcyon days of having a beach and a small yacht harbour outside their windows.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that aged people investing in accommodation for their twilight years have tenure of occupancy. The best they can hope for is that the provider will continue to honour the intention under which it was founded, but if a change of ownership occurs - then all bets are off.
Residents of aged accommodation are the most vulnerable in our community. Those that have made provision for their aged care are not in a position to negotiate new arrangements because many are suffering dementia and others have limited physical capacity.
What is needed is for government to have a long, hard look at this situation and pass legislation enshrining the rights of the aged to tenure. There should be restrictions making it difficult - if not impossible - for a change of ownership to dispossess the aged of their accommodation !
Uncertain " Golden Years ".
The aged people of this country lack certainty of tenure in their retirement living. Here are three examples of the problem.
A national company which for decades established retirement villages was taken over by an investment corporation. The new owners saw profits by redeveloping these villages and advised that the residents would face eviction. Happily - and probably as a result of the unfavourable publicity - there was a change of heart.
Shortly after the end of WW11 a returned servicemen and women's league established a retirement village for veterans. The managing committee - swamped by applications from aged veterans - considered demolishing the existing village and redeveloping it on a much larger scale - but to do this the existing veterans would need to be dispersed to other accommodation scattered across the entire state. Those living in the village were devastated at the thought of " their close family " being broken up and relationships shattered. Again, publicity brought a rethink - and this village will remain intact.
A church organization had established a nursing home for the aged decades ago on a prime piece of land which has become " millionaires row ". This is now surrounded by high rise with apartments selling for huge sums.
The church sold the land to a developer and re-established a nursing home in an industrial suburb with no views. The aged residents were transferred to the new site but missed the halcyon days of having a beach and a small yacht harbour outside their windows.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that aged people investing in accommodation for their twilight years have tenure of occupancy. The best they can hope for is that the provider will continue to honour the intention under which it was founded, but if a change of ownership occurs - then all bets are off.
Residents of aged accommodation are the most vulnerable in our community. Those that have made provision for their aged care are not in a position to negotiate new arrangements because many are suffering dementia and others have limited physical capacity.
What is needed is for government to have a long, hard look at this situation and pass legislation enshrining the rights of the aged to tenure. There should be restrictions making it difficult - if not impossible - for a change of ownership to dispossess the aged of their accommodation !
A national company which for decades established retirement villages was taken over by an investment corporation. The new owners saw profits by redeveloping these villages and advised that the residents would face eviction. Happily - and probably as a result of the unfavourable publicity - there was a change of heart.
Shortly after the end of WW11 a returned servicemen and women's league established a retirement village for veterans. The managing committee - swamped by applications from aged veterans - considered demolishing the existing village and redeveloping it on a much larger scale - but to do this the existing veterans would need to be dispersed to other accommodation scattered across the entire state. Those living in the village were devastated at the thought of " their close family " being broken up and relationships shattered. Again, publicity brought a rethink - and this village will remain intact.
A church organization had established a nursing home for the aged decades ago on a prime piece of land which has become " millionaires row ". This is now surrounded by high rise with apartments selling for huge sums.
The church sold the land to a developer and re-established a nursing home in an industrial suburb with no views. The aged residents were transferred to the new site but missed the halcyon days of having a beach and a small yacht harbour outside their windows.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that aged people investing in accommodation for their twilight years have tenure of occupancy. The best they can hope for is that the provider will continue to honour the intention under which it was founded, but if a change of ownership occurs - then all bets are off.
Residents of aged accommodation are the most vulnerable in our community. Those that have made provision for their aged care are not in a position to negotiate new arrangements because many are suffering dementia and others have limited physical capacity.
What is needed is for government to have a long, hard look at this situation and pass legislation enshrining the rights of the aged to tenure. There should be restrictions making it difficult - if not impossible - for a change of ownership to dispossess the aged of their accommodation !
Saturday, 5 May 2007
The " Union First " party !
Not everyone who votes for the Australian Labor Party is a union supporter, but it seems that the ALP is fast becoming the party controlled by the unions.
The ALP is supposed to be a democratic institution, but increasingly the rank and file party members are being denied the opportunity to select their candidate to contest a seat in parliament.
In a past election union boss Jennie George - a citizen of Melbourne - was parachuted into the NSW seat of Throsby by way of the notorious N-40 rule - and against the wishes of the local branches. For this coming election she will not face a rank and file vote. By sheer thuggery the ALP has intimidated any competitor from throwing his or her hat into the ring.
Now it seems the same force is to be used in the northern NSW seat of Charlton. Sitting member Kelly Hoare is to be disendorsed to make way for ACTU secretary Greg Combet. Combet - also a citizen of Melbourne - has no connection with the city of Newcastle - and when asked could not even name the main street of that city - and yet he is to be imposed as the member for this safe Labor seat without reference or approval of the local branches. Kelly Hoare's past service is to be thrown on the rubbish heap to make way for another union heavyweight.
No doubt Combet will join ex-union bosses Simon Crean, Martin Ferguson and Jennie George on the front bench - which is already seventy percent composed of ex-union people.
This says a lot about the thinking of the ALP. It has become the " Union First " party and if it wins office we can expect a return to the bad old days when unions ruled the roost. Many people remember union control of this country's ports right after WW11 - when union members blatantly broke open slings of cargo to pilfer cigarettes and alcohol - and if the owners dared complain there was an immediate strike. Those in NSW will also remember union control of the power industry leading to frequent blackouts as union leaders used strikes to blackmail the government.
Many will think long and hard as to whether they want to see the unions back in control !
The ALP is supposed to be a democratic institution, but increasingly the rank and file party members are being denied the opportunity to select their candidate to contest a seat in parliament.
In a past election union boss Jennie George - a citizen of Melbourne - was parachuted into the NSW seat of Throsby by way of the notorious N-40 rule - and against the wishes of the local branches. For this coming election she will not face a rank and file vote. By sheer thuggery the ALP has intimidated any competitor from throwing his or her hat into the ring.
Now it seems the same force is to be used in the northern NSW seat of Charlton. Sitting member Kelly Hoare is to be disendorsed to make way for ACTU secretary Greg Combet. Combet - also a citizen of Melbourne - has no connection with the city of Newcastle - and when asked could not even name the main street of that city - and yet he is to be imposed as the member for this safe Labor seat without reference or approval of the local branches. Kelly Hoare's past service is to be thrown on the rubbish heap to make way for another union heavyweight.
No doubt Combet will join ex-union bosses Simon Crean, Martin Ferguson and Jennie George on the front bench - which is already seventy percent composed of ex-union people.
This says a lot about the thinking of the ALP. It has become the " Union First " party and if it wins office we can expect a return to the bad old days when unions ruled the roost. Many people remember union control of this country's ports right after WW11 - when union members blatantly broke open slings of cargo to pilfer cigarettes and alcohol - and if the owners dared complain there was an immediate strike. Those in NSW will also remember union control of the power industry leading to frequent blackouts as union leaders used strikes to blackmail the government.
Many will think long and hard as to whether they want to see the unions back in control !
Friday, 4 May 2007
The Telemarketer menace !
Those with a telephone have long protested that inevitable call during the meal hour from a telemarketer trying to flog mobile phones, financial advice or an overseas holiday. At long last the Federal government has moved to do something about it !
A piece of legislation has established a " no call " regimen where subscribers apply to have their name and number added to the list telemarketers are forbidden to call. The first infringement results in a warning and added breaches result in a fine.
It sounds wonderful, until you read the small print and see just who is excluded from the calling embargo.
You will still receive calls from educational bodies, religious organizations, charities, government agencies - both Federal and state - and members of parliament - and even those hopefulls who are trying to be elected to parliament.
And that's not all. The Australian Direct Marketing Association ( ADMA ) has five hundred members who will adhere to this code, but the ban will have no effect on callers from other countries - and as telephone subscribers know - the majority of nuisance calls originate from call centres in India. Our government can not pass laws that apply to citizens of other countries.
It seems that the only casualties of this law will be legitimate Australian companies who will lose the right to present their product and will therefore be at a disadvantage to their overseas rivals.
Many people will adopt a defence that screens out nuisance calls. They invest in a speaker phone with an answering machine function and record a message advising that they can not take the call immediately - and advise the caller to record a message.
Telemarketers immediately hangup - but friends quickly learn to wait for the " beep ", then identify themselves - and the householder - on hearing that identity on the speaker phone - cuts in and takes the call.
Telemarketers are clever people - but do not underestimate the Australian public. There are ways and means of eliminating that nuisance call at meal time !
A piece of legislation has established a " no call " regimen where subscribers apply to have their name and number added to the list telemarketers are forbidden to call. The first infringement results in a warning and added breaches result in a fine.
It sounds wonderful, until you read the small print and see just who is excluded from the calling embargo.
You will still receive calls from educational bodies, religious organizations, charities, government agencies - both Federal and state - and members of parliament - and even those hopefulls who are trying to be elected to parliament.
And that's not all. The Australian Direct Marketing Association ( ADMA ) has five hundred members who will adhere to this code, but the ban will have no effect on callers from other countries - and as telephone subscribers know - the majority of nuisance calls originate from call centres in India. Our government can not pass laws that apply to citizens of other countries.
It seems that the only casualties of this law will be legitimate Australian companies who will lose the right to present their product and will therefore be at a disadvantage to their overseas rivals.
Many people will adopt a defence that screens out nuisance calls. They invest in a speaker phone with an answering machine function and record a message advising that they can not take the call immediately - and advise the caller to record a message.
Telemarketers immediately hangup - but friends quickly learn to wait for the " beep ", then identify themselves - and the householder - on hearing that identity on the speaker phone - cuts in and takes the call.
Telemarketers are clever people - but do not underestimate the Australian public. There are ways and means of eliminating that nuisance call at meal time !
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Global positioning devices.
Last year's novelty - global positioning devices " to provide directions for drivers have dropped dramatically in price and are now standard fitting in many upmarket cars.
They are becoming " a must have " for the socially mobile, and yet like so many " fad " products they will sit unused in most vehicles.
Common sense dictates that the vast majority of travel journeys are to places which we know well. Unless the occupation of the driver is cabbie or courier the need for directions during a journey would be a very rare event.
The directional aid can be compared to the rear window wiper. These are standard fitting to a vast number of makes and models - and yet how often do you see them in use - even in wet weather ?
Perhaps the proliferation of GPS devices will avoid the scrutiny of the road safety people only because of their lack of use. It would be reasonable to assume that a driver taking directions - either by looking at a map or following the directions of an electronic voice - would have a similar distraction factor to a driver using a mobile phone - and use of mobile phones while driving are banned and attract a heavy fine and loss of demerit points.
The danger period is immediately after sale and installation. The urge to try out " the new toy " is almost overwhelming. Fortunately it soon fades - but beware of the driver whose attention is concentrated on this device rather than on the surrounding traffic !
They are becoming " a must have " for the socially mobile, and yet like so many " fad " products they will sit unused in most vehicles.
Common sense dictates that the vast majority of travel journeys are to places which we know well. Unless the occupation of the driver is cabbie or courier the need for directions during a journey would be a very rare event.
The directional aid can be compared to the rear window wiper. These are standard fitting to a vast number of makes and models - and yet how often do you see them in use - even in wet weather ?
Perhaps the proliferation of GPS devices will avoid the scrutiny of the road safety people only because of their lack of use. It would be reasonable to assume that a driver taking directions - either by looking at a map or following the directions of an electronic voice - would have a similar distraction factor to a driver using a mobile phone - and use of mobile phones while driving are banned and attract a heavy fine and loss of demerit points.
The danger period is immediately after sale and installation. The urge to try out " the new toy " is almost overwhelming. Fortunately it soon fades - but beware of the driver whose attention is concentrated on this device rather than on the surrounding traffic !
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
Car-jack bandits !
It's official. Drivers are urged to keep their car doors locked when driving in Sydney.
We have entered a new age of car theft. No longer do thieves break into cars in the dead of night, hot wire the ignition and make off with the vehicle. Car manufacturers have made them extremely difficult to steal and so thieves have started taking the easy way to acquire a car - simply require the driver to vacate and drive it away !
The whole car stealing racket has changed. Cars of choice are now at the high end of the price range and head of the lists are Porsche, Mercedes, BMW's, Audi's, - and the famous WRX used by ram raiders as an escape vehicle.
At the other end of the theft scale locked doors also make sense. Thieves have noticed that women driving alone usually have their handbag - containing their purse - on the passenger seat beside them. When the car is stopped at traffic lights a thief can easily open an unlocked door, grab the bag and be away in seconds.
Car-jacking is mainly concentrated on the high priced end of the market and it seems that these vehicles are destined to re-birthing gangs for disposal in other states or for shipment overseas to countries with no interest in the previous history of the vehicle or the fact that it is on an international stolen list.
Unfortunately car-jack gangs are ruthless in their methods and lack of provocation by the victim is no guarantee of safety. Attackers are usually armed with some sort of weapon, ranging from guns or knives to baseball bats. We live in a changing world - and evidence of material success such as owning a luxury vehicle makes us conspicuous targets of crime !
We have entered a new age of car theft. No longer do thieves break into cars in the dead of night, hot wire the ignition and make off with the vehicle. Car manufacturers have made them extremely difficult to steal and so thieves have started taking the easy way to acquire a car - simply require the driver to vacate and drive it away !
The whole car stealing racket has changed. Cars of choice are now at the high end of the price range and head of the lists are Porsche, Mercedes, BMW's, Audi's, - and the famous WRX used by ram raiders as an escape vehicle.
At the other end of the theft scale locked doors also make sense. Thieves have noticed that women driving alone usually have their handbag - containing their purse - on the passenger seat beside them. When the car is stopped at traffic lights a thief can easily open an unlocked door, grab the bag and be away in seconds.
Car-jacking is mainly concentrated on the high priced end of the market and it seems that these vehicles are destined to re-birthing gangs for disposal in other states or for shipment overseas to countries with no interest in the previous history of the vehicle or the fact that it is on an international stolen list.
Unfortunately car-jack gangs are ruthless in their methods and lack of provocation by the victim is no guarantee of safety. Attackers are usually armed with some sort of weapon, ranging from guns or knives to baseball bats. We live in a changing world - and evidence of material success such as owning a luxury vehicle makes us conspicuous targets of crime !
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
Sporting heroes !
In days long past the public looked up to sporting heroes and encouraged their children to emulate them. That is a lot harder to do now - because the sporting pages seem to consist of a litany of accounts of bad behavior on and off the field.
It is said that money is the root of all evil - and the behaviour of our sports people changed when money entered sport. Decades ago sport was for amateurs and the only reward for winning was glory. Today, glory comes a long second to a huge wad of money !
Unfortunately riches have encouraged our sports people to copy the odious behavior of movie stars. Those in the film industry who have the luck to star in a highly successful movie demand obscene sums of money for future appearances - and seem to lap up bad publicity. The more their actions are reported in the tabloids the more the public hungers for details - and the bigger the returns at the box office wherever they appear.
Today our so called sporting heroes think nothing of bashing their girl friends, taking drugs, driving drunk, using offensive sledging to unsettle other players - and having sexual affairs with any of the horde of female followers who dote on their celebrity status.
The courts seem to indulge them with lenient penalties and their sporting associations are quick to front spin doctors to play down the offences. No wonder school playgrounds are deteriorating into the law of the jungle with behaviour to match. With such examples on every television sporting programme what else can we expect ?
It is said that money is the root of all evil - and the behaviour of our sports people changed when money entered sport. Decades ago sport was for amateurs and the only reward for winning was glory. Today, glory comes a long second to a huge wad of money !
Unfortunately riches have encouraged our sports people to copy the odious behavior of movie stars. Those in the film industry who have the luck to star in a highly successful movie demand obscene sums of money for future appearances - and seem to lap up bad publicity. The more their actions are reported in the tabloids the more the public hungers for details - and the bigger the returns at the box office wherever they appear.
Today our so called sporting heroes think nothing of bashing their girl friends, taking drugs, driving drunk, using offensive sledging to unsettle other players - and having sexual affairs with any of the horde of female followers who dote on their celebrity status.
The courts seem to indulge them with lenient penalties and their sporting associations are quick to front spin doctors to play down the offences. No wonder school playgrounds are deteriorating into the law of the jungle with behaviour to match. With such examples on every television sporting programme what else can we expect ?
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