Once again that venerable institution - the local library - is in the news. There is a suggestion that " the user pays " principle apply - and that some time in the near future borrowers may be asked to put their hand in their pocket.
Libraries are really a product of a by-gone age. They came at a time when books were expensive and way beyond the means of the masses. Paperbacks had yet to be invented and the idea of providing free access to books seemed a great way of extending education to those with limited schooling.
In particular, libraries were a source of information for school children working on projects. Today, those children get their information from the Internet.
Originally the government was heavily involved in the funding of libraries - but that has shrunk over the years. In 1980 the government picked up the tab for 23% of operating costs, but today that figure is just 7%.
This past week black clad Librarians converged on state parliament to protest twenty-five years of funding cuts. Arts minister Frank Sartor was " not available " to meet with them and hear their grievance.
The state government has dumped libraries onto local councils and is withdrawing from the contribution of funding. Councils either have to pick up the tab - or pass on some of the costs to borrowers. This will not be popular - but in reality the imposition of a small fee to borrow an expensive book is not unreasonable.
In considering this question the public should reflect on the encroaching fee for service that is now part of the twenty-first century. Not that long ago taking rubbish to the tip was free. Today a trailer load costs over twenty dollars to dump.
Remember when buying items from a department store came with free delivery ? And when every day bread vans and milko's visited every street with their wares ?
It seems that the free library is destined to join those services of yesteryear which have succumbed to rising costs. The day of " the freebie " is over !
Friday, 30 November 2007
Thursday, 29 November 2007
The protest turns ugly !
Protests against the plan to create an Islamic school catering for 1200 students in Camden turned ugly when someone staked two pig's heads bracketing the Australian flag on the site.
The Community Relations Commission ( CRC ) labelled it " a display of hatred ".
Camden is a peaceful, rural village and the plan to establish a major school in Cawdor road has inflamed residents. Most cherish it's peaceful isolation and fear that if the school goes ahead their little piece of heaven will never again be the same.
For some, the objection is the Islamic nature of the school. They fear that a school with that many pupils will need a faculty staff and other crew running into the hundreds - and there is a certainty that many will seek to live in close proximity. That raises the prospect of Camden eventually becoming an Islamic community - similar to the Islamic enclaves at Punchbowl and Greenacre in Sydney.
Then there is the fear by some uninformed people that this school will simply devolve into a " madrassah " - the Islamic schools run by militants in Indonesia, Pakistan and many other Muslim countries.
These " schools " are not seats of learning. Pupils are subjected to nothing else but the endless reciting of the Koran and instruction in hatred for all not of their faith. Their sole purpose is to recruit and train " holy warriors " for the conquest of the world.
There would certainly be objections from some if the proposed school was linked to the Catholic or Anglican churches, but the Islamic " label " intensifies opposition. One of the problems is that Muslims look different from other Australians. Their code of dress - and in some cases the burqua - set them apart and even moderate Muslims women can be identified by the head scarf.
Other nationalities have blended into the Australian scene after a period but in almost every case they have adopted the Australian mode of attire and way of life. The exception would be Indian women - some of whom still favour the Sari. Other religions do not stand out in public like the followers of Islam.
Having schools associated with religion is an established Australian way - and those schools attract financial help from the government. There is no question that Muslims are entitled to establish similar schools - the only sticking point is - where !
Eventually the Camden question will be resolved, but not everyone will be happy.
If the school is not located there - it will be somewhere else - and that will provoke a whole new protest movement.
Pity the person or department that has to make that decision !
The Community Relations Commission ( CRC ) labelled it " a display of hatred ".
Camden is a peaceful, rural village and the plan to establish a major school in Cawdor road has inflamed residents. Most cherish it's peaceful isolation and fear that if the school goes ahead their little piece of heaven will never again be the same.
For some, the objection is the Islamic nature of the school. They fear that a school with that many pupils will need a faculty staff and other crew running into the hundreds - and there is a certainty that many will seek to live in close proximity. That raises the prospect of Camden eventually becoming an Islamic community - similar to the Islamic enclaves at Punchbowl and Greenacre in Sydney.
Then there is the fear by some uninformed people that this school will simply devolve into a " madrassah " - the Islamic schools run by militants in Indonesia, Pakistan and many other Muslim countries.
These " schools " are not seats of learning. Pupils are subjected to nothing else but the endless reciting of the Koran and instruction in hatred for all not of their faith. Their sole purpose is to recruit and train " holy warriors " for the conquest of the world.
There would certainly be objections from some if the proposed school was linked to the Catholic or Anglican churches, but the Islamic " label " intensifies opposition. One of the problems is that Muslims look different from other Australians. Their code of dress - and in some cases the burqua - set them apart and even moderate Muslims women can be identified by the head scarf.
Other nationalities have blended into the Australian scene after a period but in almost every case they have adopted the Australian mode of attire and way of life. The exception would be Indian women - some of whom still favour the Sari. Other religions do not stand out in public like the followers of Islam.
Having schools associated with religion is an established Australian way - and those schools attract financial help from the government. There is no question that Muslims are entitled to establish similar schools - the only sticking point is - where !
Eventually the Camden question will be resolved, but not everyone will be happy.
If the school is not located there - it will be somewhere else - and that will provoke a whole new protest movement.
Pity the person or department that has to make that decision !
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Builder beware !
A decision by Justice Peter Biscoe in the Land and Environment court has overturned a century of thinking when it comes to approving development proposals.
The court has rejected Planning Minister Frank Sartor's decision to approve a development by Stockland and the Anglican Retirement Villages on land at Sandon Point.
In the past development approvals have been a constant battle between local councils and the authority of the Land and Environment court. Councils have been under pressure from resident groups and in many cases have heaved a sigh of relief when the responsibility for approval has passed from their shoulders to the court. This has removed them from blame if the decision went against local feeling.
Flood prevention has long been an issue in development proposals. Councils have had the responsibility for considering whether a new development would suffer damage from rain causing creeks and rivers to swell and cause flooding - but consideration of issues such as global warming and a rise in sea levels has not been something that councils have had to take into account.
Following this ruling - they now have to !
Justice Biscoe has served notice that new developments must be assessed on their vulnerability to rising sea levels - and this will not only affect Sandon Point - but also the huge proposed major development at West Dapto.
It has opened up a can of worms that will be widely felt. In fact, the whole subject of housing near the coast is now in doubt and as this new line of thinking takes shape nothing in the way of past assumptions can be considered set in stone !
It's a whole new ball game. Councils will now have to consider the projections on rising sea levels - and they vary widely from less than a metre to a towering height - when considering housing approvals.
Obviously, with such variances coming from so many quarters not all of them can be correct, hence the councils - and the Land and Environment court - will face an impossible situation.
Justice Biscoe has set in motion a monster that is going to make rational planning on siting a home impossible - and cost councils, government, the courts - and individual land owners - an incredible amount of money !
The court has rejected Planning Minister Frank Sartor's decision to approve a development by Stockland and the Anglican Retirement Villages on land at Sandon Point.
In the past development approvals have been a constant battle between local councils and the authority of the Land and Environment court. Councils have been under pressure from resident groups and in many cases have heaved a sigh of relief when the responsibility for approval has passed from their shoulders to the court. This has removed them from blame if the decision went against local feeling.
Flood prevention has long been an issue in development proposals. Councils have had the responsibility for considering whether a new development would suffer damage from rain causing creeks and rivers to swell and cause flooding - but consideration of issues such as global warming and a rise in sea levels has not been something that councils have had to take into account.
Following this ruling - they now have to !
Justice Biscoe has served notice that new developments must be assessed on their vulnerability to rising sea levels - and this will not only affect Sandon Point - but also the huge proposed major development at West Dapto.
It has opened up a can of worms that will be widely felt. In fact, the whole subject of housing near the coast is now in doubt and as this new line of thinking takes shape nothing in the way of past assumptions can be considered set in stone !
It's a whole new ball game. Councils will now have to consider the projections on rising sea levels - and they vary widely from less than a metre to a towering height - when considering housing approvals.
Obviously, with such variances coming from so many quarters not all of them can be correct, hence the councils - and the Land and Environment court - will face an impossible situation.
Justice Biscoe has set in motion a monster that is going to make rational planning on siting a home impossible - and cost councils, government, the courts - and individual land owners - an incredible amount of money !
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
A new beginning !
Saturdays electoral defeat of the Conservative parties is heralding a new approach in politics. The presumed new leader of the Liberals - Peter Costello - and the leader of the Nationals - Mark Vaile - have both announced that they will not be standing for the leadership. It is a time for new blood !
Who can blame them ? Traditionally the Australian voters give any new government at least two - and sometimes three - terms to establish their credentials. Being in opposition is a soul destroying drag. Costello and Vaile are both entitled to hefty superannuation payouts - and both will be welcomed by business in their new capacity as crystal ball readers.
The Conservative parties will need to do a little navel gazing. They ran a successful economy, but their focus did not include " the little people ". Just as Labor moved from being a left wing champion of " the Comrades " to a political party heavily engaged with the business world - so the Conservatives need to move in the opposite direction and embrace the needs and values of the ordinary citizen.
The future direction of the Conservatives will largely depend on who emerges as leader. If the choice is Turnbull, Nelson or Abbot then there is little chance of change in the near future. They are " old ideology " people caught in a time warp far removed from the way Australia thinks today !
This renaissance needs to swiftly trickle down to the state Conservative parties. The Australian voters are prone to " have two bob each way " and rarely allow a single party to hold sway in both the Federal and state arenas. The only reason Labor is in office across the board is the inability of the state Conservative branches to present a credible alternative to government. The recent New South Wales election was a case of a clearly incompetent government being returned because the alternative was worse !
We are in a period of change. The only question is how soon the Conservative side of politics can regroup - adopt new ideas and a fresh approach - and begin the job of convincing the voters that what they offer is the way ahead.
Who can blame them ? Traditionally the Australian voters give any new government at least two - and sometimes three - terms to establish their credentials. Being in opposition is a soul destroying drag. Costello and Vaile are both entitled to hefty superannuation payouts - and both will be welcomed by business in their new capacity as crystal ball readers.
The Conservative parties will need to do a little navel gazing. They ran a successful economy, but their focus did not include " the little people ". Just as Labor moved from being a left wing champion of " the Comrades " to a political party heavily engaged with the business world - so the Conservatives need to move in the opposite direction and embrace the needs and values of the ordinary citizen.
The future direction of the Conservatives will largely depend on who emerges as leader. If the choice is Turnbull, Nelson or Abbot then there is little chance of change in the near future. They are " old ideology " people caught in a time warp far removed from the way Australia thinks today !
This renaissance needs to swiftly trickle down to the state Conservative parties. The Australian voters are prone to " have two bob each way " and rarely allow a single party to hold sway in both the Federal and state arenas. The only reason Labor is in office across the board is the inability of the state Conservative branches to present a credible alternative to government. The recent New South Wales election was a case of a clearly incompetent government being returned because the alternative was worse !
We are in a period of change. The only question is how soon the Conservative side of politics can regroup - adopt new ideas and a fresh approach - and begin the job of convincing the voters that what they offer is the way ahead.
Monday, 26 November 2007
The price of silence !
This past Saturday night a man paid with his life for simply requesting that a neighbour turn down loud music that was preventing his small children from getting to sleep.
The enraged neighbour produced a gun and shot him in the chest. Two of his children witnessed his death on his own front lawn.
It was a senseless killing and when the facts become known it is likely that alcohol or drugs will play a part. The other factor will certainly be the presence of a firearm in this quiet, suburban neighbourhood.
Firearms were once a normal part of many households. During the great depression some families only survived because the out of work breadwinner was able to shoot rabbits and hares in the surrounding bush to supplement the food supply.
Today, there must be thousands of unregistered firearms stashed away because the process for legally registering as a shooter has been made progressively more difficult. For a city shooter, the requirement is written consent from a farmer to be able to shoot on a country property.
Apart from the civil liberties types who refuse to give up their guns there are also many souvenirs - usually pistols - brought back by troops returning from the second world war.
Huge efforts have been made to cull these prohibited weapons. These included a " no questions asked " buy-back amnesty - which netted a large trove of guns of various types to appeals accompanied by short term amnesties.
Now we are seeing the " get tough " approach. Any person caught in possession of an unregistered firearm faces a gaol term - but even this does not seem to have got through to many people.
The pity of it is that on Saturday night one firearm in the community robbed a decent, family man of his life and left four children fatherless. When will we ever learn ?
The enraged neighbour produced a gun and shot him in the chest. Two of his children witnessed his death on his own front lawn.
It was a senseless killing and when the facts become known it is likely that alcohol or drugs will play a part. The other factor will certainly be the presence of a firearm in this quiet, suburban neighbourhood.
Firearms were once a normal part of many households. During the great depression some families only survived because the out of work breadwinner was able to shoot rabbits and hares in the surrounding bush to supplement the food supply.
Today, there must be thousands of unregistered firearms stashed away because the process for legally registering as a shooter has been made progressively more difficult. For a city shooter, the requirement is written consent from a farmer to be able to shoot on a country property.
Apart from the civil liberties types who refuse to give up their guns there are also many souvenirs - usually pistols - brought back by troops returning from the second world war.
Huge efforts have been made to cull these prohibited weapons. These included a " no questions asked " buy-back amnesty - which netted a large trove of guns of various types to appeals accompanied by short term amnesties.
Now we are seeing the " get tough " approach. Any person caught in possession of an unregistered firearm faces a gaol term - but even this does not seem to have got through to many people.
The pity of it is that on Saturday night one firearm in the community robbed a decent, family man of his life and left four children fatherless. When will we ever learn ?
Sunday, 25 November 2007
A new era dawns !
Yesterday Australia voted overwhelmingly for a new Federal government. The people rejected the Liberal Coalition with a swing of 7%, the same margin that installed the Whitlam Labor government back in 1972.
Government casualties included prime minister John Howard, whose seat of Bennelong fell to newcomer Maxine McKew - and it was noticeable that the Green vote expanded solidly from the level of the last election. Despite this, not a single Green won a seat in the lower house. Green preferences flowed to Labor and made the difference in many knife edge electorates.
Kevin Rudd will form a government and the electorate has served notice that they want action on climate change, improvements in the areas of health and education - and restoration of worker's rights in employment.
This latter poses something of an enigma. Rudd has been careful to avoid promising restoration of the " unfair dismissal " laws because they removed the right to " hire and fire " essential to a healthy economy - and were the cause of high unemployment.
Despite anathema from the unions, AWA's are welcomed by many workers and there will be no immediate cancellation. Most will run their course and be dealt with at a later stage.
The big question is whether Rudd can maintain discipline in the faction ridden Labor party. Will his government be able to control the inevitable cluster of trade union figures who will serve as ministers or will events swing out of control as happened to Whitlam, leading to his dismissal three years later ?
A change of government is an opportunity for this country to take a fresh stance on many issues. Rudd is charismatic and we can expect a sharp change of direction in everything from our foreign affairs policy to internal management of services and facilities.
Changes will not please everyone - but that is the whole purpose of our democratic system. The majority have spoken - and when the term of this new government has run it's course they will speak again. On such occasions the signal of a thumbs up - or a thumbs down - will depend on how that government's performance is perceived !
Government casualties included prime minister John Howard, whose seat of Bennelong fell to newcomer Maxine McKew - and it was noticeable that the Green vote expanded solidly from the level of the last election. Despite this, not a single Green won a seat in the lower house. Green preferences flowed to Labor and made the difference in many knife edge electorates.
Kevin Rudd will form a government and the electorate has served notice that they want action on climate change, improvements in the areas of health and education - and restoration of worker's rights in employment.
This latter poses something of an enigma. Rudd has been careful to avoid promising restoration of the " unfair dismissal " laws because they removed the right to " hire and fire " essential to a healthy economy - and were the cause of high unemployment.
Despite anathema from the unions, AWA's are welcomed by many workers and there will be no immediate cancellation. Most will run their course and be dealt with at a later stage.
The big question is whether Rudd can maintain discipline in the faction ridden Labor party. Will his government be able to control the inevitable cluster of trade union figures who will serve as ministers or will events swing out of control as happened to Whitlam, leading to his dismissal three years later ?
A change of government is an opportunity for this country to take a fresh stance on many issues. Rudd is charismatic and we can expect a sharp change of direction in everything from our foreign affairs policy to internal management of services and facilities.
Changes will not please everyone - but that is the whole purpose of our democratic system. The majority have spoken - and when the term of this new government has run it's course they will speak again. On such occasions the signal of a thumbs up - or a thumbs down - will depend on how that government's performance is perceived !
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Voting day !
Today all Australians over eighteen years of age will stream into voting booths and elect the next Federal government. The choice will be between a sitting Conservative government - which is seeking a fifth term - and a Socialist government which has been out of office for twelve years.
By tradition each side of politics is usually afforded several terms in office. Opinion polls indicate a likely change as the Socialists have a charismatic new leader.
Conservative governments are usually big of fiscal management and create a strong economy, but they are slow to implement social change. By contrast Socialist governments tend to adopt a " tax and spend " philosophy. They implement social benefits, but usually amass debt and create economic obstacles.
One unusual factor of this election is the preponderance of ex-union leaders in the makeup of the Socialist candidates. Union endorsement has increased slowly over many years and now non-union sitting members are being disendorsed to make way for union heavyweights.
This will be a crucial factor in voter's minds. The Conservative government has implemented an industrial relations policy that has removed the draconian " unfair dismissal " laws that made employers reluctant to enlarge the workforce. This restored the right to " hire and fire " as market conditions changed.
The new law also allowed workers to " cash in " award conditions such as holidays and penalty payments for a fatter pay cheque - but at the same time these decreased the bargaining power of the young and powerless.
By late evening any shift should become evident as the figures are put on the board in the tally room. Whatever the outcome in the lower house all eyes will be on the results in the Senate. At present, the sitting Conservative government has a Senate majority - but there is a strong chance that the balance of power may be held by the Greens or other minor parties when all the votes are counted.
It will be a historic day for the Australian voters. Their decision will colour the type of government that will set the agenda during the difficult times ahead !
By tradition each side of politics is usually afforded several terms in office. Opinion polls indicate a likely change as the Socialists have a charismatic new leader.
Conservative governments are usually big of fiscal management and create a strong economy, but they are slow to implement social change. By contrast Socialist governments tend to adopt a " tax and spend " philosophy. They implement social benefits, but usually amass debt and create economic obstacles.
One unusual factor of this election is the preponderance of ex-union leaders in the makeup of the Socialist candidates. Union endorsement has increased slowly over many years and now non-union sitting members are being disendorsed to make way for union heavyweights.
This will be a crucial factor in voter's minds. The Conservative government has implemented an industrial relations policy that has removed the draconian " unfair dismissal " laws that made employers reluctant to enlarge the workforce. This restored the right to " hire and fire " as market conditions changed.
The new law also allowed workers to " cash in " award conditions such as holidays and penalty payments for a fatter pay cheque - but at the same time these decreased the bargaining power of the young and powerless.
By late evening any shift should become evident as the figures are put on the board in the tally room. Whatever the outcome in the lower house all eyes will be on the results in the Senate. At present, the sitting Conservative government has a Senate majority - but there is a strong chance that the balance of power may be held by the Greens or other minor parties when all the votes are counted.
It will be a historic day for the Australian voters. Their decision will colour the type of government that will set the agenda during the difficult times ahead !
Friday, 23 November 2007
The new medical frontier !
During the past century the centre of medical research and excellence was indisputably America and Europe. That is about to change.
China is offering opportunities that the old regime is unable to match. It has a population of 2.8 billion people - living under the most rudimentary system of medical health. The GDP of the country is a mere $ 7600 per head - making access to advanced medicine out of reach of most people.
Restrictions on drug research are not measured by the stance of the church or those with ethical viewpoints. A Communist government is not restricted by the need of maintaining consensus or being voted out of power. The brakes are off when it comes to advancing science.
In this atmosphere the big western drug companies are seeing opportunities denied them in their home bases. Not only does China offer trained technicians at a fraction of the cost in the western world but there is an unlimited supply of eager patients willing to undergo testing of new drugs - in the hope of a cure for their own ailments.
The one drawback has been the Chinese unwillingness to accept the legality of intellectual property rights - but even that is now changing. In the past, Chinese entrepreneur's have been eager to knockoff western innovations for quick profits, but the boot will be on the other foot when those innovations have been created in China - and they need protection from the producers in other low cost countries !
The benefit to the world will be accelerated progress in the area of new drugs and new medical breakthroughs. The moral restrictions of the west do not apply in China - and in coming decades we will see that country leading medical advances !
China is offering opportunities that the old regime is unable to match. It has a population of 2.8 billion people - living under the most rudimentary system of medical health. The GDP of the country is a mere $ 7600 per head - making access to advanced medicine out of reach of most people.
Restrictions on drug research are not measured by the stance of the church or those with ethical viewpoints. A Communist government is not restricted by the need of maintaining consensus or being voted out of power. The brakes are off when it comes to advancing science.
In this atmosphere the big western drug companies are seeing opportunities denied them in their home bases. Not only does China offer trained technicians at a fraction of the cost in the western world but there is an unlimited supply of eager patients willing to undergo testing of new drugs - in the hope of a cure for their own ailments.
The one drawback has been the Chinese unwillingness to accept the legality of intellectual property rights - but even that is now changing. In the past, Chinese entrepreneur's have been eager to knockoff western innovations for quick profits, but the boot will be on the other foot when those innovations have been created in China - and they need protection from the producers in other low cost countries !
The benefit to the world will be accelerated progress in the area of new drugs and new medical breakthroughs. The moral restrictions of the west do not apply in China - and in coming decades we will see that country leading medical advances !
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Double dip disaster.
Most Australians have the utmost respect for Bernie Banton, the sixty-one year old afflicted with Peritonal Mesothelioma who led the fight for compensation from the James Hardie company and it's asbestos contaminated products.
The fight was long and hard, and at one stage many suspeced that Hardie's were about to abandon this country when they moved their headquarters overseas. Eventually, a deal was thrashed out whereby Hardies would pay a significant portion of their profits into an ongoing compensation fund. This fund is now up and running, and Bernie Banton has received an $ 800,000 payout.
Bernie is now living the last few weeks - and more probably - days of his life as his disease reaches it's inevitable conclusion - but he is also in the courts seeking extra " exemplary damages " - money over and above the money received as a result of the settlement.
The case is pure theatre. If Bernie dies before a decision is reached - the case dies with him - but there is also the prospect of financial disaster for thousands if he succeeds.
If Bernie Banton receives an award - which could run into the millions of dollars - for " exemplary damages " then thousands of other sufferers will follow suit.
Hardie's shareholders thought long and hard before agreeing to the scheme already in place. It is most unlikely that the firm could survive financially if a new, open ended series of claims were to enter the courts.
Few would disagree that victims of asbestos deserve compensation. The question is whether moves to seek further money beyond the scheme in place will see Hardie's throw in the towel - and close it's doors in this country.
If that happens, the money tap will be turned off for thousands of deserving victims !
The fight was long and hard, and at one stage many suspeced that Hardie's were about to abandon this country when they moved their headquarters overseas. Eventually, a deal was thrashed out whereby Hardies would pay a significant portion of their profits into an ongoing compensation fund. This fund is now up and running, and Bernie Banton has received an $ 800,000 payout.
Bernie is now living the last few weeks - and more probably - days of his life as his disease reaches it's inevitable conclusion - but he is also in the courts seeking extra " exemplary damages " - money over and above the money received as a result of the settlement.
The case is pure theatre. If Bernie dies before a decision is reached - the case dies with him - but there is also the prospect of financial disaster for thousands if he succeeds.
If Bernie Banton receives an award - which could run into the millions of dollars - for " exemplary damages " then thousands of other sufferers will follow suit.
Hardie's shareholders thought long and hard before agreeing to the scheme already in place. It is most unlikely that the firm could survive financially if a new, open ended series of claims were to enter the courts.
Few would disagree that victims of asbestos deserve compensation. The question is whether moves to seek further money beyond the scheme in place will see Hardie's throw in the towel - and close it's doors in this country.
If that happens, the money tap will be turned off for thousands of deserving victims !
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Japanese whale piracy !
Four Japanese whaling ships have left their home port and are sailing to the great southern ocean - where they intend to kill over a thousand whales - including Humpbacks this year - for " scientific purposes ".
What an epic case of hypocrisy ! There is no " science " involved in this slaughter and the whale meat will be offered in the butcher shops of Japan for human consumption.
It is not even popular. Vast amounts of unsold whale meat from previous expeditions are stored in warehouses - and now there are moves to include it in school lunch menus to try and restore it's appeal - and remove an embarrassment to the government.
This whale hunt is nothing short of Japanese arrogance. If they destroy enough whales to dilute the migration to and from warmer waters and the great southern ocean they will also destroy a fast developing tourist sport - whale watching.
Thousands of people spend big money to be transported offshore to watch these majestic creatures breach and play for their amusement. The last thing they wish is to cause them harm - and the very idea of Japanese crews firing explosive headed harpoons into their bodies - and then watching their agonising death throes before hauling them aboard and slicing them up is totally repugnant.
We abhor terrorism and the slaughter of innocents by car bombs and suicide bombers, but if these whaling ships happened to hit an iceberg or otherwise meet a sticky end - few would mourn their demise !
What an epic case of hypocrisy ! There is no " science " involved in this slaughter and the whale meat will be offered in the butcher shops of Japan for human consumption.
It is not even popular. Vast amounts of unsold whale meat from previous expeditions are stored in warehouses - and now there are moves to include it in school lunch menus to try and restore it's appeal - and remove an embarrassment to the government.
This whale hunt is nothing short of Japanese arrogance. If they destroy enough whales to dilute the migration to and from warmer waters and the great southern ocean they will also destroy a fast developing tourist sport - whale watching.
Thousands of people spend big money to be transported offshore to watch these majestic creatures breach and play for their amusement. The last thing they wish is to cause them harm - and the very idea of Japanese crews firing explosive headed harpoons into their bodies - and then watching their agonising death throes before hauling them aboard and slicing them up is totally repugnant.
We abhor terrorism and the slaughter of innocents by car bombs and suicide bombers, but if these whaling ships happened to hit an iceberg or otherwise meet a sticky end - few would mourn their demise !
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
The road to the ballot box !
There can be very few weary and shell shocked citizens who are not heartily sick of the never ending litany of political advertisements spewing forth from TV and radio !
With just a few days before we make that trip to the ballot box the flow has increased to frenetic proportions. At each commercial break it is now unusual to view and hear an advertisement for other than a political message. It seems that commerce is on hold - until the election is decided.
The amount of advertising money involved is staggering. Television advertisements are not cheap - and apart from the propaganda from the two major parties there is a constant flow from special interest groups on both sides of politics.
Then there are the opinion polls. On past performance, these should be taken with a grain of salt. When asked on their voting intentions many are influenced by those surrounding them - and " go with the flow ".
When it comes to making contact between pen and ballot paper in the privacy of the voting booth that choice can be very different, and the intelligence of voters is something that politicians constantly under rate !
This is probably the most advertising intensive election in Australian history. The voters will make a choice on two widely diverging political philosophies and put in place a Senate which will act as a brake on any form of excess.
Saturday will be decision day. The future direction is in the hands of the people !
With just a few days before we make that trip to the ballot box the flow has increased to frenetic proportions. At each commercial break it is now unusual to view and hear an advertisement for other than a political message. It seems that commerce is on hold - until the election is decided.
The amount of advertising money involved is staggering. Television advertisements are not cheap - and apart from the propaganda from the two major parties there is a constant flow from special interest groups on both sides of politics.
Then there are the opinion polls. On past performance, these should be taken with a grain of salt. When asked on their voting intentions many are influenced by those surrounding them - and " go with the flow ".
When it comes to making contact between pen and ballot paper in the privacy of the voting booth that choice can be very different, and the intelligence of voters is something that politicians constantly under rate !
This is probably the most advertising intensive election in Australian history. The voters will make a choice on two widely diverging political philosophies and put in place a Senate which will act as a brake on any form of excess.
Saturday will be decision day. The future direction is in the hands of the people !
Monday, 19 November 2007
Wet paint !
Watch where you sit or stand ! The whitewash brushes are being vigorously applied at the Parliamentary Enquiry into Patient Care at Royal North Shore Hospital.
This enquiry - presided over by the " independent " Reverend Fred Nile has just one more day to run - and yet it will not hear evidence from two nurses who are too frightened of retribution to take the stand unless they are served with a subpoena !
They have good reason to fear for their careers. In 2004 there was a similar enquiry into ghastly mistakes and patient deaths at Camden/Campbelltown hospital.
Five courageous whistleblower nurses gave evidence - and were promptly sacked !
The enquiry corroborated their evidence - but when the enquiry was over the government took no action to reinstate them. They remain pariahs - locked out of their profession for having the courage to tell the truth and unveil injustice.
Supposedly there is legislation to protect whistleblowers who reveal government coverups but in the case of the sacked five there was resentment from many of their colleagues. It seems that when medical disaster strikes the profession closes ranks and tries to sweep the blame under the carpet.
No doubt this enquiry will suggest remedies, but the hearing will only be presented with the spin from the government and the profession. The most likely outcome is that it will disappear into some dusty pigeon hole - never again to see the light of day !
So much for truth and justice - and the desire to provide the people of this state with a safe hospital system !
This enquiry - presided over by the " independent " Reverend Fred Nile has just one more day to run - and yet it will not hear evidence from two nurses who are too frightened of retribution to take the stand unless they are served with a subpoena !
They have good reason to fear for their careers. In 2004 there was a similar enquiry into ghastly mistakes and patient deaths at Camden/Campbelltown hospital.
Five courageous whistleblower nurses gave evidence - and were promptly sacked !
The enquiry corroborated their evidence - but when the enquiry was over the government took no action to reinstate them. They remain pariahs - locked out of their profession for having the courage to tell the truth and unveil injustice.
Supposedly there is legislation to protect whistleblowers who reveal government coverups but in the case of the sacked five there was resentment from many of their colleagues. It seems that when medical disaster strikes the profession closes ranks and tries to sweep the blame under the carpet.
No doubt this enquiry will suggest remedies, but the hearing will only be presented with the spin from the government and the profession. The most likely outcome is that it will disappear into some dusty pigeon hole - never again to see the light of day !
So much for truth and justice - and the desire to provide the people of this state with a safe hospital system !
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Paternity testing !
Startling claims from the company offering paternity testing. There has been a huge jump in the " not biological father " result - which has risen from one in every ten tests ten years ago - to 4.5 in every ten tests today - revealing that the parent tested is not the biological father of the child.
It has been suggested by medical people that such testing should be mandatory at the time of birth because genetic technology will play an increasingly important part in health treatment now and into the future.
Horror from those associated with marriage preservation. Automatically revealing the mystery of paternity at the birthing unit would result in many non-fathers walking away from the marriage. The damage done to any relationship would be more that the purely clinical benefits of future health treatment.
It is a bag of worms from every angle of view. There would certainly be a benefit from requiring a paternity test before the Child Support Agency ( CSA ) ordered maintenance from a parent.
The history of this arm of the Taxation Department is tarnished with instances of the CSA demanding years of payment when they were aware that the persecuted " father " was not liable to pay support - and in one instance when the mother had dumped the child as a ward of the state - and continued using child support payments as her personal piggy bank.
But - even here there are difficulties. Once a person is outed as " not the biological father " that person loses all rights to maintain contact with the child. A person who loves the child and would willingly maintain fatherhood is stripped of all further forms of contact.
A demand for a paternity test before the CSA could take any action would be reasonable - provided the law was changed to allow such a person who willingly continued to support such a child the same rights as a biological father.
When child support is sought - the marriage is over anyway !
Whatever outcome eventuates from this increase in technology you can be certain that the dead hand of both politics and the churches will muddy the waters. Common sense will fly out the window and the likely result will satisfy nobody !
It was once said that a camel is a horse designed by a committee. Expect a very strange sort of animal to emerge from the deliberations on this subject !
It has been suggested by medical people that such testing should be mandatory at the time of birth because genetic technology will play an increasingly important part in health treatment now and into the future.
Horror from those associated with marriage preservation. Automatically revealing the mystery of paternity at the birthing unit would result in many non-fathers walking away from the marriage. The damage done to any relationship would be more that the purely clinical benefits of future health treatment.
It is a bag of worms from every angle of view. There would certainly be a benefit from requiring a paternity test before the Child Support Agency ( CSA ) ordered maintenance from a parent.
The history of this arm of the Taxation Department is tarnished with instances of the CSA demanding years of payment when they were aware that the persecuted " father " was not liable to pay support - and in one instance when the mother had dumped the child as a ward of the state - and continued using child support payments as her personal piggy bank.
But - even here there are difficulties. Once a person is outed as " not the biological father " that person loses all rights to maintain contact with the child. A person who loves the child and would willingly maintain fatherhood is stripped of all further forms of contact.
A demand for a paternity test before the CSA could take any action would be reasonable - provided the law was changed to allow such a person who willingly continued to support such a child the same rights as a biological father.
When child support is sought - the marriage is over anyway !
Whatever outcome eventuates from this increase in technology you can be certain that the dead hand of both politics and the churches will muddy the waters. Common sense will fly out the window and the likely result will satisfy nobody !
It was once said that a camel is a horse designed by a committee. Expect a very strange sort of animal to emerge from the deliberations on this subject !
Saturday, 17 November 2007
End of the " cheap " holiday !
Decades ago the typical " Aussie battler " took his wife and kids on a summer holiday and managed to keep the cost within his budget.
That typical holiday involved packing camping gear into a trailer and heading off to one of the numerous camping grounds along the coastline.
These camp sites cost just a few dollars a week - and they were primitive. There was usually a shower and toilet block, but cooking was either on a spirit stove or on a fire at a communal BBQ - and after dark lighting was by way of a Hurricane lamp.
Things changed - and some councils decreased camping sites in favour of caravan facilities. These cost more, but power was supplied and water available - and they had the added attraction of privacy.
Now there is further change. Camping sites have almost disappeared - and caravan facilities are fading as councils - with dollar signs in their eyes - replace cheap holiday facilities with cabins.
Sure - these are more luxurious. They have their own refrigerators and the rooms have bunk beds - but in peak season - such as Christmas and Easter - the rental asked can run to well over a thousand dollars a week.
The days of a cheap, family holiday by the sea are a relic of a past age. The councils claim that holiday makers are more sophisticated now - and they demand a level of luxury that is far in excess of the camping days.
Maybe - and then again - maybe not ! Many will fondly remember those camping grounds where fellow travellers reunited year after year - and often watched each other's kids grow up. Friendships blossomed and a few beers around the campfire while the kids played was a relaxing way of life.
Unfortunately, there is no way back. In a few years a camping ground will be entirely a thing of the past - and on present indications - a place to park a caravan will follow not long after.
Holidays are destined to be a luxury only the wealthy can afford. The typical Aussie battler can look forward to spending his holiday break at home - with a beer in hand watching the world on TV ! Pity about the kids !
That typical holiday involved packing camping gear into a trailer and heading off to one of the numerous camping grounds along the coastline.
These camp sites cost just a few dollars a week - and they were primitive. There was usually a shower and toilet block, but cooking was either on a spirit stove or on a fire at a communal BBQ - and after dark lighting was by way of a Hurricane lamp.
Things changed - and some councils decreased camping sites in favour of caravan facilities. These cost more, but power was supplied and water available - and they had the added attraction of privacy.
Now there is further change. Camping sites have almost disappeared - and caravan facilities are fading as councils - with dollar signs in their eyes - replace cheap holiday facilities with cabins.
Sure - these are more luxurious. They have their own refrigerators and the rooms have bunk beds - but in peak season - such as Christmas and Easter - the rental asked can run to well over a thousand dollars a week.
The days of a cheap, family holiday by the sea are a relic of a past age. The councils claim that holiday makers are more sophisticated now - and they demand a level of luxury that is far in excess of the camping days.
Maybe - and then again - maybe not ! Many will fondly remember those camping grounds where fellow travellers reunited year after year - and often watched each other's kids grow up. Friendships blossomed and a few beers around the campfire while the kids played was a relaxing way of life.
Unfortunately, there is no way back. In a few years a camping ground will be entirely a thing of the past - and on present indications - a place to park a caravan will follow not long after.
Holidays are destined to be a luxury only the wealthy can afford. The typical Aussie battler can look forward to spending his holiday break at home - with a beer in hand watching the world on TV ! Pity about the kids !
Friday, 16 November 2007
The library question.
Howls of protest in some quarters from Wollongong Council's suggestion that it may consider closing two of it's regional libraries. The move would be a response to state government reductions in the grants council's receive to run their library services.
Perhaps this may be a good time to have a long, hard look at the whole question of libraries. Who uses them ? And are they necessary in this day and age ?
The most common stereotype is of school children filing into the library under the stern gaze of the librarian and silently looking through books to research homework questions.
That is as outdated as button up boots and buggy whips ! Today's kids download information from their computers using Google or Yahoo.
The greatest user of libraries seems to be the elderly - and those who are not computer literate. This is a shrinking pool which will ultimately reach the point where libraries are no longer viable.
Science and innovation are also steadily invading the library province. There is now a machine that holds the contents of hundreds of thousands of titles in it's memory - and can download and print a book in minutes - for a cost of just three dollars.
Given the number of people using libraries, it would probably be cheaper to install such machines and issue books free of charge rather than maintain library buildings, their huge stock of books and the personnel necessary to run them.
The public will resist library closures at this stage, but the winds of change are blowing and we would be wise to plan for the future - and that means keeping a close watch on customer numbers and the alternatives that become available !
Perhaps this may be a good time to have a long, hard look at the whole question of libraries. Who uses them ? And are they necessary in this day and age ?
The most common stereotype is of school children filing into the library under the stern gaze of the librarian and silently looking through books to research homework questions.
That is as outdated as button up boots and buggy whips ! Today's kids download information from their computers using Google or Yahoo.
The greatest user of libraries seems to be the elderly - and those who are not computer literate. This is a shrinking pool which will ultimately reach the point where libraries are no longer viable.
Science and innovation are also steadily invading the library province. There is now a machine that holds the contents of hundreds of thousands of titles in it's memory - and can download and print a book in minutes - for a cost of just three dollars.
Given the number of people using libraries, it would probably be cheaper to install such machines and issue books free of charge rather than maintain library buildings, their huge stock of books and the personnel necessary to run them.
The public will resist library closures at this stage, but the winds of change are blowing and we would be wise to plan for the future - and that means keeping a close watch on customer numbers and the alternatives that become available !
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Dicing with death !
The citizens of New South Wales have every reason to be worried. All is not well within this state's ambulance service and we are losing trained personnel faster than recruits can replace them.
" The Ambos " - as they are affectionately called - are the first - and sometimes the last - line of assistance when medical disaster strikes.
Theoretically they give first aid and provide speedy transport to the nearest emergency room, where a Triage nurse takes over and emergency room doctors and specialists give expert and immediate attention.
Unfortunately it doesn't often happen that way. The hospital emergency rooms are under staffed and lacking backup beds and as a result declare " Situation Red " - accepting only life threatening patients. As a result a patient with serious medical problems can spend hours in an ambulance in the hospital car park - waiting for the backlog to clear - and relying solely on the skills of those marvellous Ambos to treat their condition.
The Ambos are overworked and under paid. They have demanded an enquiry into the facilities available and this was promised by Health Minister Reba Meagher. What was delivered - by the Performance Review Unit - was something inferior designed to fob off their grievances but look good to the public.
The government has offered a meagre pay offer of 4% - refusing to recognise that these are highly skilled medical professionals. This has angered the Health Services Union ( HSU ) who have setup a blog site which has attracted over a thousand contributions detailing the skill required and the frustrations encountered by the Ambos simply doing their jobs.
There are a lot of things that governments are responsible for. Keeping the traffic flowing. Running a decent train service. Providing an adequate education system, Funding public libraries - and many, many more.
But surely the most important government function is to deliver first rate health care to the citizens of this state. All others pale into significance beside keeping the citizenry alive and in good health.
The hospitals are a disgraceful mess. The least the government can do is to maintain troop numbers and morale within the ambulance service. At present this is the only facility delivering immediate medical help. Without it - we are literally dicing with death !
" The Ambos " - as they are affectionately called - are the first - and sometimes the last - line of assistance when medical disaster strikes.
Theoretically they give first aid and provide speedy transport to the nearest emergency room, where a Triage nurse takes over and emergency room doctors and specialists give expert and immediate attention.
Unfortunately it doesn't often happen that way. The hospital emergency rooms are under staffed and lacking backup beds and as a result declare " Situation Red " - accepting only life threatening patients. As a result a patient with serious medical problems can spend hours in an ambulance in the hospital car park - waiting for the backlog to clear - and relying solely on the skills of those marvellous Ambos to treat their condition.
The Ambos are overworked and under paid. They have demanded an enquiry into the facilities available and this was promised by Health Minister Reba Meagher. What was delivered - by the Performance Review Unit - was something inferior designed to fob off their grievances but look good to the public.
The government has offered a meagre pay offer of 4% - refusing to recognise that these are highly skilled medical professionals. This has angered the Health Services Union ( HSU ) who have setup a blog site which has attracted over a thousand contributions detailing the skill required and the frustrations encountered by the Ambos simply doing their jobs.
There are a lot of things that governments are responsible for. Keeping the traffic flowing. Running a decent train service. Providing an adequate education system, Funding public libraries - and many, many more.
But surely the most important government function is to deliver first rate health care to the citizens of this state. All others pale into significance beside keeping the citizenry alive and in good health.
The hospitals are a disgraceful mess. The least the government can do is to maintain troop numbers and morale within the ambulance service. At present this is the only facility delivering immediate medical help. Without it - we are literally dicing with death !
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
A police state ?
A police state does not happen overnight. It comes in tiny steps as the safeguards to civil liberties are abandoned - one by one - for what seems to be good and valid reasons at that time !
Many were concerned when restrictions on the planting of listening and tracking devices allowed police unrestricted action for five days without a warrant.
Previously, each application had to be made before a judge or a magistrate with the reasons for the application given - and approved.
We now learn that the emergency measures put in place following the Cronulla race riots are to become a permanent police power. Police will have discretion to summarily order a pub, club or a bar to cease trading and close it's doors, set up roadblocks and halt traffic - and stop and search any person or vehicle without giving a reason.
No police jurisdiction in the world is entirely free of corruption. The very reason there are safeguards to limit police excesses is because of the enormous opportunity for individual police to use the power invested in them for personal gain - or to influence the outcome of events they are overseeing.
The freedom to place listening devices at will can lead to police " fishing expeditions " and the right to stop and search a vehicle or an individual for no stated reason can lead to persecution at the whim of a police officer.
The erosion of civil liberties has accelerated since the advent of terrorism - but the danger is that these new powers will simply be widely used to create a police state in which individuals no longer have the protection of the rule of law - but will be subject to the whim of police who have the power to interpret the law according to their own view and advantage.
A government who abandons public protection is the enemy of the people it governs !
Many were concerned when restrictions on the planting of listening and tracking devices allowed police unrestricted action for five days without a warrant.
Previously, each application had to be made before a judge or a magistrate with the reasons for the application given - and approved.
We now learn that the emergency measures put in place following the Cronulla race riots are to become a permanent police power. Police will have discretion to summarily order a pub, club or a bar to cease trading and close it's doors, set up roadblocks and halt traffic - and stop and search any person or vehicle without giving a reason.
No police jurisdiction in the world is entirely free of corruption. The very reason there are safeguards to limit police excesses is because of the enormous opportunity for individual police to use the power invested in them for personal gain - or to influence the outcome of events they are overseeing.
The freedom to place listening devices at will can lead to police " fishing expeditions " and the right to stop and search a vehicle or an individual for no stated reason can lead to persecution at the whim of a police officer.
The erosion of civil liberties has accelerated since the advent of terrorism - but the danger is that these new powers will simply be widely used to create a police state in which individuals no longer have the protection of the rule of law - but will be subject to the whim of police who have the power to interpret the law according to their own view and advantage.
A government who abandons public protection is the enemy of the people it governs !
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Street racing hoons !
One strange phenomenon is the fad ! A course of action suddenly appeals to a wide range of people - and suddenly a fad is formed. From that point onward the only way to be " cool " is to be a follower of that fad !
Racing cars on public streets has achieved that status in the past year. Young men - and now some young women - pit their cars against their rivals without the slightest concern for their own safety - and even less for the safety of the general public.
This achieves the accolade of their peers - who consider it a " sport " and bestow hero status on the winners.
The public has expressed concern at the mounting death toll of participants and citizens mown down by these juggernauts. It seemed like the answer when the government announced that hoons street racing would have their cars confiscated - and crushed !
Now it seems that this was just another of those political statements designed to look good and appease the voters - and would bear absolutely no relation to reality.
It is now revealed that last year two hundred and ninety cars were confiscated for dangerous behavior - and almost all were handed back to their owners after a short spell in the pound.
The government now admits than under present legislation - only ten cars - at the most - will suffer destruction in the crusher. To become eligible for that fate these cars will have to be detected committing a second offence.
As usual, the devil is in the detail. It seems that the onus is on the car - not the driver. After the first offence a driver can simply change cars and once again become a first offence statistic.
If the government is serious about stopping street racing in it's tracks it needs to enact tough legislation - and have the will to carry it through. When a hoon's pride and joy is certain to meet it's fate in the crusher there will be the incentive to abandon racing on public streets and redirect it to public raceways where competition is welcome - and legal !
Racing cars on public streets has achieved that status in the past year. Young men - and now some young women - pit their cars against their rivals without the slightest concern for their own safety - and even less for the safety of the general public.
This achieves the accolade of their peers - who consider it a " sport " and bestow hero status on the winners.
The public has expressed concern at the mounting death toll of participants and citizens mown down by these juggernauts. It seemed like the answer when the government announced that hoons street racing would have their cars confiscated - and crushed !
Now it seems that this was just another of those political statements designed to look good and appease the voters - and would bear absolutely no relation to reality.
It is now revealed that last year two hundred and ninety cars were confiscated for dangerous behavior - and almost all were handed back to their owners after a short spell in the pound.
The government now admits than under present legislation - only ten cars - at the most - will suffer destruction in the crusher. To become eligible for that fate these cars will have to be detected committing a second offence.
As usual, the devil is in the detail. It seems that the onus is on the car - not the driver. After the first offence a driver can simply change cars and once again become a first offence statistic.
If the government is serious about stopping street racing in it's tracks it needs to enact tough legislation - and have the will to carry it through. When a hoon's pride and joy is certain to meet it's fate in the crusher there will be the incentive to abandon racing on public streets and redirect it to public raceways where competition is welcome - and legal !
Monday, 12 November 2007
Combat sport !
Ugly scenes at the soccer yesterday when rival Sydney and Melbourne supporters seemed more interested in supporter combat than watching the teams on the field.
Soccer in Australia has seemed an enigma. Before the second world war soccer didn't exist in this country. There was no organised competition - and the newspapers virtually ignored it.
The flood of new arrivals from England showed little interest in a local competition. They still followed their clubs in the old country - and still put a wager on the Pools - but most turned to Rugby or Australian Rules.
All that changed when the huge post war migration of settlers from Europe got under way. They were Soccer mad - and they quickly established teams and got a competition under way.
Soccer was still ignored by the media, and this was not helped by the new clubs adopting names reminiscent of their original homeland. Clubs like Croatia and Marconi tended to draw concentrated supporters from Yugoslavia and Italy - and for that reason were labelled " Wog " clubs by many Australians.
Time was the great healer. As the original migrants aged it was their sons and daughters - now integrated into Australian society - that took to the sport and with new interest and money behind Soccer it reached the stage when the media could no longer ignore it - and then came entry into the World Cup.
This was the catalyst that drew Soccer into the spotlight in Australia - and now it is a sport getting equal attention to the other two football codes.
Hopefully it will not degenerate into the " warring tribes " code of anti-social behaviour that has diminished Soccer as a spectator sport in matches between the United Kingdom and Europe.
Soccer in Australia has seemed an enigma. Before the second world war soccer didn't exist in this country. There was no organised competition - and the newspapers virtually ignored it.
The flood of new arrivals from England showed little interest in a local competition. They still followed their clubs in the old country - and still put a wager on the Pools - but most turned to Rugby or Australian Rules.
All that changed when the huge post war migration of settlers from Europe got under way. They were Soccer mad - and they quickly established teams and got a competition under way.
Soccer was still ignored by the media, and this was not helped by the new clubs adopting names reminiscent of their original homeland. Clubs like Croatia and Marconi tended to draw concentrated supporters from Yugoslavia and Italy - and for that reason were labelled " Wog " clubs by many Australians.
Time was the great healer. As the original migrants aged it was their sons and daughters - now integrated into Australian society - that took to the sport and with new interest and money behind Soccer it reached the stage when the media could no longer ignore it - and then came entry into the World Cup.
This was the catalyst that drew Soccer into the spotlight in Australia - and now it is a sport getting equal attention to the other two football codes.
Hopefully it will not degenerate into the " warring tribes " code of anti-social behaviour that has diminished Soccer as a spectator sport in matches between the United Kingdom and Europe.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
The coming electricity crisis.
The government has finally taken steps to head off the coming crisis in electricity peak loadings by implementing plans to decrease usage.
Householders have been invited to take advantage of an offer to replace all old incandescent light globs with the new, fluorescent globes. A work crew will call on all homes taking up the offer and replace every globe in the house - and at the same time replace old water wasting shower heads with new, improved models that use less water - and this is at no cost to the householder. The added benefit is that this will reduce running costs for the recipient.
Unfortunately, despite this plan electricity use per household continues to increase. The popularity of wide screen HD television sets use more power - and most of these models have a stand-by mode that is less efficient than turning them off at the power point. The increasing incidence of computers in homes is also an added drain on power.
Perhaps the biggest new power user is the attraction of household air conditioning. Cheaper models from China combined with hotter summers is seeing more homes air conditioned.
There is a rumour that the government is considering a plan to require all new air conditioning to be connected to a separate metering arrangement - similar to the off-peak controls that apply to hot water systems. These offer power at a reduced rate in exchange to water heating being timed to periods of lesser demand.
The advantage would be putting control in the hands of the electricity suppliers. In times of an excessive hot day when power is peaking at critical levels the supplier would be able to shut down domestic air conditioning on a rotating basis - suburb by suburb - to ease the chance of blackouts.
It seems to be an admission that power demand will exceed manufacturing capacity until decisions are made on additional power supply - and whether this will be by way of new power stations or the introduction of such renewable measures such as wind, wave or solar.
The only thing that is absolutely certain is that in the short term the cost of electricity will be subject to regular and substantial cost increases !
Householders have been invited to take advantage of an offer to replace all old incandescent light globs with the new, fluorescent globes. A work crew will call on all homes taking up the offer and replace every globe in the house - and at the same time replace old water wasting shower heads with new, improved models that use less water - and this is at no cost to the householder. The added benefit is that this will reduce running costs for the recipient.
Unfortunately, despite this plan electricity use per household continues to increase. The popularity of wide screen HD television sets use more power - and most of these models have a stand-by mode that is less efficient than turning them off at the power point. The increasing incidence of computers in homes is also an added drain on power.
Perhaps the biggest new power user is the attraction of household air conditioning. Cheaper models from China combined with hotter summers is seeing more homes air conditioned.
There is a rumour that the government is considering a plan to require all new air conditioning to be connected to a separate metering arrangement - similar to the off-peak controls that apply to hot water systems. These offer power at a reduced rate in exchange to water heating being timed to periods of lesser demand.
The advantage would be putting control in the hands of the electricity suppliers. In times of an excessive hot day when power is peaking at critical levels the supplier would be able to shut down domestic air conditioning on a rotating basis - suburb by suburb - to ease the chance of blackouts.
It seems to be an admission that power demand will exceed manufacturing capacity until decisions are made on additional power supply - and whether this will be by way of new power stations or the introduction of such renewable measures such as wind, wave or solar.
The only thing that is absolutely certain is that in the short term the cost of electricity will be subject to regular and substantial cost increases !
Saturday, 10 November 2007
The scales of justice ?
What strange laws find their way onto the statute books ! Few would disagree that we have a right to privacy - but it seems that the law has stretched that right to include the right to privacy when committing a crime.
Consider this scenario. You are sitting in a cafe with friends when a car reversing into a parking spot misjudges - hits and damages your car. Your have a clear view of the driver - and you record the registration number. The offending driver hastily leaves the scene.
Not a problem, you would think ! You go to the nearest police station with your witnesses and make a report of the incident. You expect that the police will check that registration number in their computer and give you the name and address of the car owner.
Wrong ! Wrong ! Wrong ! The police tell you that it is against the law for them to divulge that information - because to do so would infringe the privacy of the driver - who damaged your car and fled the scene.
That raises some interesting legalities. The driver who hit your car is obliged under the accident laws to exchange driver license particulars because damage to a vehicle is considered an " accident ". The fact that this did not happen - and the driver fled the scene - involves criminality.
The police - now in possession of facts pertaining to the crime - are shielding the criminal. This could be construed as " aiding and abetting " the crime - or it could be considered " obstruction of justice ".
The crazy thing is that is required of them - by the same law they are sworn to obey !
Now let us look at a reverse scenario.
You are in that same cafe with friends when a masked bandit rushes in, points a gun at the cashier and robs the till. You recognise the voice, note a familiar tattoo on the bandit's forearm - and realise that the crook is someone you know.
The police arrive and you refuse to divulge the bandit's name - even though you admit that you made recognition.
You will very quickly find yourself before a magistrate charged with " concealing a crime " and a whole host of other charges. You will be lucky if you don't end up doing time in the slammer - and yet the privacy laws that extend to the criminal and the police don't extend to you should you choose not to cooperate.
It is evident that many laws on the statute books lack balance - and it is about time that the whole system got a close examination to weed out some of the ridiculous anomalies that make the law a farce !
Consider this scenario. You are sitting in a cafe with friends when a car reversing into a parking spot misjudges - hits and damages your car. Your have a clear view of the driver - and you record the registration number. The offending driver hastily leaves the scene.
Not a problem, you would think ! You go to the nearest police station with your witnesses and make a report of the incident. You expect that the police will check that registration number in their computer and give you the name and address of the car owner.
Wrong ! Wrong ! Wrong ! The police tell you that it is against the law for them to divulge that information - because to do so would infringe the privacy of the driver - who damaged your car and fled the scene.
That raises some interesting legalities. The driver who hit your car is obliged under the accident laws to exchange driver license particulars because damage to a vehicle is considered an " accident ". The fact that this did not happen - and the driver fled the scene - involves criminality.
The police - now in possession of facts pertaining to the crime - are shielding the criminal. This could be construed as " aiding and abetting " the crime - or it could be considered " obstruction of justice ".
The crazy thing is that is required of them - by the same law they are sworn to obey !
Now let us look at a reverse scenario.
You are in that same cafe with friends when a masked bandit rushes in, points a gun at the cashier and robs the till. You recognise the voice, note a familiar tattoo on the bandit's forearm - and realise that the crook is someone you know.
The police arrive and you refuse to divulge the bandit's name - even though you admit that you made recognition.
You will very quickly find yourself before a magistrate charged with " concealing a crime " and a whole host of other charges. You will be lucky if you don't end up doing time in the slammer - and yet the privacy laws that extend to the criminal and the police don't extend to you should you choose not to cooperate.
It is evident that many laws on the statute books lack balance - and it is about time that the whole system got a close examination to weed out some of the ridiculous anomalies that make the law a farce !
Friday, 9 November 2007
Union busting !
The Federal government terminated the practice of requiring all university students to become members of the student union.
This was probably reflecting it's political philosophy which rejected the " No ticket - no start " - closed shop union stance which applied to the workplace.
University students have previously been slugged union dues in excess of $ 300 per student, resulting in funds of $ 1.5 million applying to the University of Wollongong. These monies served a variety of purposes, including funding a variety of small sporting clubs, subsidising meals and library content - and in some cases finding their way into political activities.
The change from Compulsory Student Union ( CSU ) membership to Voluntary Student Membership ( VSU ) has resulted in three of the fourteen sporting clubs at the university ceasing operations. The clubs that have folded include touch football, netball and basketball. None of these had a big membership - and are duplicated by existing similar clubs outside the university orbit.
The aftermath of the change from CSU to VSU seems to vindicate that change. Students are free to join - but have elected not to. They are free to spend their money on options of their choice, rather than having those options dictated by a small clique running the union. At the same time, union funds can not support a political party that may not be each individuals choice.
Not all agree with making membership of the student union voluntary, but few could argue that the withdrawal from activities not supported by the majority is anything but freedom of choice.
If an individual wished to join the student union - and some did - then there was no impediment to paying the membership fee and joining. The fact that the vast majority chose not to is called freedom of choice - and in our society there is another word for that. It's called democracy !
This was probably reflecting it's political philosophy which rejected the " No ticket - no start " - closed shop union stance which applied to the workplace.
University students have previously been slugged union dues in excess of $ 300 per student, resulting in funds of $ 1.5 million applying to the University of Wollongong. These monies served a variety of purposes, including funding a variety of small sporting clubs, subsidising meals and library content - and in some cases finding their way into political activities.
The change from Compulsory Student Union ( CSU ) membership to Voluntary Student Membership ( VSU ) has resulted in three of the fourteen sporting clubs at the university ceasing operations. The clubs that have folded include touch football, netball and basketball. None of these had a big membership - and are duplicated by existing similar clubs outside the university orbit.
The aftermath of the change from CSU to VSU seems to vindicate that change. Students are free to join - but have elected not to. They are free to spend their money on options of their choice, rather than having those options dictated by a small clique running the union. At the same time, union funds can not support a political party that may not be each individuals choice.
Not all agree with making membership of the student union voluntary, but few could argue that the withdrawal from activities not supported by the majority is anything but freedom of choice.
If an individual wished to join the student union - and some did - then there was no impediment to paying the membership fee and joining. The fact that the vast majority chose not to is called freedom of choice - and in our society there is another word for that. It's called democracy !
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Unpaid heroes !
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service Association has issued a timely warning ahead of the looming summer fire season. There will be financial pressures affecting that army of volunteer fire fighters who have served us so well over past decades.
The ranks of volunteers have long been a source of pride in country towns with employers gladly releasing them to fight fires - and handing over their pay packets on pay day as their contribution to the community spirit.
Now we have the worst drought in living memory - and businesses in country towns are doing it tough. The men and women who are members of the Rural Fire Service are usually key employees and their absence in the present circumstances will be crippling to small business barely making ends meet.
According to the experts on global warming we can expect more and bigger fires - and that means fire fighters will be required in greater numbers - and the time taken to control a blaze can be a matter of days - and sometimes weeks.
That could be an impossible impost on employers - and the government needs to consider easing the burden.
The Association is not suggesting that volunteers be paid, but there is scope for relief in several forms. Employers could be offered tax relief by way of a hefty credit to compensate for time taken fighting fires - and obviously payroll tax should cease when an employee is on fire duty.
The Federal and state governments contribute to providing fire tenders and equipment - and in return they get a huge saving in costs because the fire crews fight fires in their own - and their employers - time.
It would not be unreasonable for both levels of government to open their purse strings and return something to keep this valuable service viable.
Without relief there is a chance that an iconic institution could slip beyond the reach of the men and women who contribute their time - and their employers who continue to pay them !
The ranks of volunteers have long been a source of pride in country towns with employers gladly releasing them to fight fires - and handing over their pay packets on pay day as their contribution to the community spirit.
Now we have the worst drought in living memory - and businesses in country towns are doing it tough. The men and women who are members of the Rural Fire Service are usually key employees and their absence in the present circumstances will be crippling to small business barely making ends meet.
According to the experts on global warming we can expect more and bigger fires - and that means fire fighters will be required in greater numbers - and the time taken to control a blaze can be a matter of days - and sometimes weeks.
That could be an impossible impost on employers - and the government needs to consider easing the burden.
The Association is not suggesting that volunteers be paid, but there is scope for relief in several forms. Employers could be offered tax relief by way of a hefty credit to compensate for time taken fighting fires - and obviously payroll tax should cease when an employee is on fire duty.
The Federal and state governments contribute to providing fire tenders and equipment - and in return they get a huge saving in costs because the fire crews fight fires in their own - and their employers - time.
It would not be unreasonable for both levels of government to open their purse strings and return something to keep this valuable service viable.
Without relief there is a chance that an iconic institution could slip beyond the reach of the men and women who contribute their time - and their employers who continue to pay them !
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
A new era dawns !
There has long been a certain inconsistency in the approach to liquor licensing in New South Wales. For years the citizens were treated to the indignities of " the six o'clock swill " - the era when pubs slammed their doors shut at six o'clock and prohibition reigned until the ten o'clock opening the next day.
Strangely, this prohibition didn't extend to clubs, and hence we had the situation where club drinkers could imbibe at any hour, provided that the drinker was a club member. With this came the weird restriction that drinkers on a Sunday could access as much liquor as the wanted - provided it was consumed on the club premises - but buying take away liquor was totalled banned.
Slowly - civilization crept into our corner of the world. The six o'clock swill gave way to ten o'clock closing - and over the years extended trading entered the domain - and then that was swept away with some clubs and pubs trading 24/7.
But the lawmakers stubbornly resisted the call for liquor to be available in restaurants, cafes and kiosks. Liquor licenses for such places carried a licensing fee of $ 15,000 and there were draconian restrictions - in most cases liquor could only be served if the patron also ordered a meal. As a result, licensed places were few and far between.
Now we are finally seeing sanity prevail. That $ 15,000 licensing fee will shrink to an affordable $ 500 - and liquor will be available without the need for it to accompany a meal.
It will be possible to enjoy a glass of beer or a glass of wine in congenial surroundings without going to a noisy club or pub - and be affronted with the ubiquitous array of poker machines enticing you to play.
There will be some problems - controlling under age drinking being one of them - but hopefully this state will embrace the European experience where liquor is a natural beverage to be enjoyed in moderation - in congenial surroundings.
The dark ages of the finger wagging prohibitionist seems to be fading !
Strangely, this prohibition didn't extend to clubs, and hence we had the situation where club drinkers could imbibe at any hour, provided that the drinker was a club member. With this came the weird restriction that drinkers on a Sunday could access as much liquor as the wanted - provided it was consumed on the club premises - but buying take away liquor was totalled banned.
Slowly - civilization crept into our corner of the world. The six o'clock swill gave way to ten o'clock closing - and over the years extended trading entered the domain - and then that was swept away with some clubs and pubs trading 24/7.
But the lawmakers stubbornly resisted the call for liquor to be available in restaurants, cafes and kiosks. Liquor licenses for such places carried a licensing fee of $ 15,000 and there were draconian restrictions - in most cases liquor could only be served if the patron also ordered a meal. As a result, licensed places were few and far between.
Now we are finally seeing sanity prevail. That $ 15,000 licensing fee will shrink to an affordable $ 500 - and liquor will be available without the need for it to accompany a meal.
It will be possible to enjoy a glass of beer or a glass of wine in congenial surroundings without going to a noisy club or pub - and be affronted with the ubiquitous array of poker machines enticing you to play.
There will be some problems - controlling under age drinking being one of them - but hopefully this state will embrace the European experience where liquor is a natural beverage to be enjoyed in moderation - in congenial surroundings.
The dark ages of the finger wagging prohibitionist seems to be fading !
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
The Melbourne cup !
Today, an extraordinary thing will happen right across Australia. Approaching three o'clock this afternoon shopping crowds will suddenly thin - and then disappear.
The streets will be deserted in cities like Perth, Brisbane and Sydney - and that phenomenon will carry through to minor cities and towns like Launceston, Moree, Batemans Bay and Cobar.
Those deserted streets will have disgorged the population into clubs and pubs - and in some cases the interior of shops selling electrical goods that include television sets. The one common factor is that huge numbers of people will have congregated with one thought in mind - to watch the running of the Melbourne cup.
What makes this one horse race so special ? That is a good question that has no definitive answer - but to Australians the Melbourne cup can be described as " that one race of the year ". Astronomical sums of money will be placed in bets, in many cases by people who only place a bet once each year - and that bet is on the Melbourne cup.
This year will be something of an anti-climax. Someone was careless at the quarantine station at Eastern Creek in Sydney - and equinine flu entered the country, resulting in horses in New South Wales and Queensland being quarantined - and missing a chance to run in this years cup.
Despite this - rain, hail or shine - huge crowds will line the rails at Flemington and the nation will come to a complete stop while the cup field delivers gain or pain to the punters. There doesnt need to be a reason. As long as there is a country called Australia - there will be the Melbourne cup on the first Tuesday in November !
The streets will be deserted in cities like Perth, Brisbane and Sydney - and that phenomenon will carry through to minor cities and towns like Launceston, Moree, Batemans Bay and Cobar.
Those deserted streets will have disgorged the population into clubs and pubs - and in some cases the interior of shops selling electrical goods that include television sets. The one common factor is that huge numbers of people will have congregated with one thought in mind - to watch the running of the Melbourne cup.
What makes this one horse race so special ? That is a good question that has no definitive answer - but to Australians the Melbourne cup can be described as " that one race of the year ". Astronomical sums of money will be placed in bets, in many cases by people who only place a bet once each year - and that bet is on the Melbourne cup.
This year will be something of an anti-climax. Someone was careless at the quarantine station at Eastern Creek in Sydney - and equinine flu entered the country, resulting in horses in New South Wales and Queensland being quarantined - and missing a chance to run in this years cup.
Despite this - rain, hail or shine - huge crowds will line the rails at Flemington and the nation will come to a complete stop while the cup field delivers gain or pain to the punters. There doesnt need to be a reason. As long as there is a country called Australia - there will be the Melbourne cup on the first Tuesday in November !
Monday, 5 November 2007
The doctor shortage mystery.
The hospital system reports that since there was a problem with an overseas trained doctor being accused of assisting terrorism the number of applicants for a visa to work in Australia has dropped precipitously - crippling our health system !
This raises an important question. Why are we importing doctors - particularly from emerging economies like India - which badly needs ever doctor it trains to support it's own third world health system ?
Australia is a rich, first world country. Surely we should have sufficient medical training schools to more than satisfy our own needs. Doctors here earn high incomes and there should be no shortage of young people prepared to train as doctors and enjoy that gravy train !
It seems that the problem is a doctor conspiracy. Doctors have political clout - and they use it to make sure that the supply of locally trained doctors does not threaten their income aspirations. Fees are high to deter the sons and daughters of average wage earners from seeking entry and the numbers are tightly controlled to maintain an artificial shortage.
This is particularly prevalent when it comes to specialists. Each category of specialization dictates the numbers it will allow to train annually - and selects the individuals to be certain that they are the types that will conform to the status quo - and will not become mavericks and make waves.
Doctors understand the laws of commerce. If a commodity becomes scarce - the price rises. If a commodity is over supplied the price drops. This principle is rigorously applied to make sure that the medical income levels are maintained.
The loser in this case - is the patient. Long waits to see a doctor. High fees for a short consultation.
It is time the government bit the bullet and increased spending on doctor training and made this country self sufficient for it's medical needs. Not only are we presently robbing third world countries of their valuable assets - we are also short changing our own young people of jobs that are rightfully theirs !
This raises an important question. Why are we importing doctors - particularly from emerging economies like India - which badly needs ever doctor it trains to support it's own third world health system ?
Australia is a rich, first world country. Surely we should have sufficient medical training schools to more than satisfy our own needs. Doctors here earn high incomes and there should be no shortage of young people prepared to train as doctors and enjoy that gravy train !
It seems that the problem is a doctor conspiracy. Doctors have political clout - and they use it to make sure that the supply of locally trained doctors does not threaten their income aspirations. Fees are high to deter the sons and daughters of average wage earners from seeking entry and the numbers are tightly controlled to maintain an artificial shortage.
This is particularly prevalent when it comes to specialists. Each category of specialization dictates the numbers it will allow to train annually - and selects the individuals to be certain that they are the types that will conform to the status quo - and will not become mavericks and make waves.
Doctors understand the laws of commerce. If a commodity becomes scarce - the price rises. If a commodity is over supplied the price drops. This principle is rigorously applied to make sure that the medical income levels are maintained.
The loser in this case - is the patient. Long waits to see a doctor. High fees for a short consultation.
It is time the government bit the bullet and increased spending on doctor training and made this country self sufficient for it's medical needs. Not only are we presently robbing third world countries of their valuable assets - we are also short changing our own young people of jobs that are rightfully theirs !
Sunday, 4 November 2007
A problem in a far away place !
The Kokoda Trail has an iconic place in Australian military history. The Trail is a muddy walking track ninety-four kilometres in length stretching across the Owen Stanley mountain range and connecting the western and eastern shores of Papua New Guinea.
During the second world war the Japanese invasion forces used it to try and capture the New Guinea capital, Port Moresby. Heavily outnumbered, Australian troops fought them to a standstill and untimately inflicted the first ground war defeat on the seemingly invincible Japanese Imperial army.
Today, there is a new battle brewing. An Australian company has discovered a huge deposit of copper, silver and gold adjacent to part of the Kokoda Trail. To establish a mine will result in about a mile of the trail having to be rerouted - and this has provoked strong opposition from both sides of politics.
It seems irrational to demand that an impoverished third world country like Papua New Guinea should forego the rewards that would flow from such a mine simply because it was part of the site of a battle over half a century ago. There is no particular battle event remembered at the spot where the trail would be rerouted and hence the opposition would seem specious.
The fact that the debate is occurring prior to a general election in this country would seem to have political overtones. Both sides of politics are desperate for votes and both hope that opposition to the project might swing veteran votes their way.
There has not been an outcry from the Returned Servicemens League ( RSL ) and in all probability once this election is over the whole thing will subside, the reroute will take place - and Papua New Guinea will receive a welcome flow of tax money that will enable them to improve the living conditions of their people !
During the second world war the Japanese invasion forces used it to try and capture the New Guinea capital, Port Moresby. Heavily outnumbered, Australian troops fought them to a standstill and untimately inflicted the first ground war defeat on the seemingly invincible Japanese Imperial army.
Today, there is a new battle brewing. An Australian company has discovered a huge deposit of copper, silver and gold adjacent to part of the Kokoda Trail. To establish a mine will result in about a mile of the trail having to be rerouted - and this has provoked strong opposition from both sides of politics.
It seems irrational to demand that an impoverished third world country like Papua New Guinea should forego the rewards that would flow from such a mine simply because it was part of the site of a battle over half a century ago. There is no particular battle event remembered at the spot where the trail would be rerouted and hence the opposition would seem specious.
The fact that the debate is occurring prior to a general election in this country would seem to have political overtones. Both sides of politics are desperate for votes and both hope that opposition to the project might swing veteran votes their way.
There has not been an outcry from the Returned Servicemens League ( RSL ) and in all probability once this election is over the whole thing will subside, the reroute will take place - and Papua New Guinea will receive a welcome flow of tax money that will enable them to improve the living conditions of their people !
Saturday, 3 November 2007
Warm beer !
We are becoming a more dangerous society ! This week a man died simply because he was watering his lawn - and he was doing it legally, within the time frame and on the correct day stipulated by the water restrictions legislation.
A passing stranger accused him of wasting water. Words were exchanged and finally he hosed his accuser. That led to punches - and the householder was knocked to the ground and kicked. He died of a massive heart attack and could not be revived.
Street assaults are increasing in severity and pubs and nightclubs are dangerous places to be in the wee small hours of the morning. Aggression is fuelled by alcohol, but increasingly drugs are also a factor in the unprovoked assaults.
What alarms police is the frequency of victims being " glassed " - stabbed with a broken beer glass or beer bottle. The damage is horrendous - and in recent times this seems to be becoming the chosen weapon of street thugs and bar brawlers.
The suggestion has been raised that glass be phased out in favour of plastic beer glasses. The idea will be greeted with horror by drinkers because plastic fails to hold the chill of glass - and nothing offends the palate of Australian drinkers more than the thought of a warm beer !
At this stage the idea is only a suggestion, but it seems the market is moving that way. The German Oktoberfest has already moved to plastic beer steins following a " glassing " last year, beer at the cricket is only sold in low alcohol grade - and in plastic in recent years - and many private wedding and birthday functions have adopted the practice.
The most likely immediate outcome is for late night venues to change from glass to plastic from midnight and pubs that have a history of brawling to adopt plastic as their beverage containers. It is almost certain that big crowd events such as rock concerts will abandon glass as a safety precaution.
Now all that is required is for some genius to invent a way for plastic to maintain the chill - and we will all live in a safer world !
A passing stranger accused him of wasting water. Words were exchanged and finally he hosed his accuser. That led to punches - and the householder was knocked to the ground and kicked. He died of a massive heart attack and could not be revived.
Street assaults are increasing in severity and pubs and nightclubs are dangerous places to be in the wee small hours of the morning. Aggression is fuelled by alcohol, but increasingly drugs are also a factor in the unprovoked assaults.
What alarms police is the frequency of victims being " glassed " - stabbed with a broken beer glass or beer bottle. The damage is horrendous - and in recent times this seems to be becoming the chosen weapon of street thugs and bar brawlers.
The suggestion has been raised that glass be phased out in favour of plastic beer glasses. The idea will be greeted with horror by drinkers because plastic fails to hold the chill of glass - and nothing offends the palate of Australian drinkers more than the thought of a warm beer !
At this stage the idea is only a suggestion, but it seems the market is moving that way. The German Oktoberfest has already moved to plastic beer steins following a " glassing " last year, beer at the cricket is only sold in low alcohol grade - and in plastic in recent years - and many private wedding and birthday functions have adopted the practice.
The most likely immediate outcome is for late night venues to change from glass to plastic from midnight and pubs that have a history of brawling to adopt plastic as their beverage containers. It is almost certain that big crowd events such as rock concerts will abandon glass as a safety precaution.
Now all that is required is for some genius to invent a way for plastic to maintain the chill - and we will all live in a safer world !
Friday, 2 November 2007
Troubled waters !
Sydney has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and it would be logical to expect it to embrace harbour ferries as a preferred mode of transport.
Unfortunately the state government owned and run ferry service leaves much to be desired. It has had an unfortunate run of accidents, two with pleasure craft resulting in loss of life and then there have been the regular instances of ferries losing power, veering off course - and ramming wharves.
An enquiry into these incidents has suggested that running the service be transferred to either private enterprise - or a public/private consortium. The government has agreed to have a look at this suggestion - but insists that ferry routes and timetables - and the fare structure - would remain entirely under government control.
That sounds like a familiar recipe for disaster. Already the unions are up in arms, fearful that any move towards the private sector would mean job losses. The enquiry suggests that both the Harbourcat and Rivercat services be discontinued as the vessels are too expensive to maintain.
Many people will compare this with the response to getting the trains to run on time - by reverting to a slower, steam age timetable. The " Cat " series twin hulls were popular simply because they delivered a quicker way of getting to and from work.
Many people will dread the prospect of the government trying to stitch up another deal with private enterprise. The " Cross city tunnel " fiasco is still fresh in people's minds - with a heavy handed series of road closures trying to funnel traffic into an overpriced tunnel. The result was a driver revolt, total chaos and finally the bankruptcy of the tunnel operator.
There is a feeling in some quarters that this government would be hard pressed to successfully raffle a duck !
The best - and probably the only option - will be to get out of the ferry business and let private enterprise do the sums and make the decisions. A ferry has to compete with the car, the bus and the train. The service and timetable has to suit the user - and the price has to be right or the customers will not come and use it.
Unfortunately such finesse is usually beyond the grasp of governments. The enquiry is a breath of fresh air - and a chance to make use of this magnificent harbour and get the ferry equation right !
Unfortunately the state government owned and run ferry service leaves much to be desired. It has had an unfortunate run of accidents, two with pleasure craft resulting in loss of life and then there have been the regular instances of ferries losing power, veering off course - and ramming wharves.
An enquiry into these incidents has suggested that running the service be transferred to either private enterprise - or a public/private consortium. The government has agreed to have a look at this suggestion - but insists that ferry routes and timetables - and the fare structure - would remain entirely under government control.
That sounds like a familiar recipe for disaster. Already the unions are up in arms, fearful that any move towards the private sector would mean job losses. The enquiry suggests that both the Harbourcat and Rivercat services be discontinued as the vessels are too expensive to maintain.
Many people will compare this with the response to getting the trains to run on time - by reverting to a slower, steam age timetable. The " Cat " series twin hulls were popular simply because they delivered a quicker way of getting to and from work.
Many people will dread the prospect of the government trying to stitch up another deal with private enterprise. The " Cross city tunnel " fiasco is still fresh in people's minds - with a heavy handed series of road closures trying to funnel traffic into an overpriced tunnel. The result was a driver revolt, total chaos and finally the bankruptcy of the tunnel operator.
There is a feeling in some quarters that this government would be hard pressed to successfully raffle a duck !
The best - and probably the only option - will be to get out of the ferry business and let private enterprise do the sums and make the decisions. A ferry has to compete with the car, the bus and the train. The service and timetable has to suit the user - and the price has to be right or the customers will not come and use it.
Unfortunately such finesse is usually beyond the grasp of governments. The enquiry is a breath of fresh air - and a chance to make use of this magnificent harbour and get the ferry equation right !
Thursday, 1 November 2007
A bad smell at the town hall !
There was a hint of trouble in the air some months ago when the Independent Commission against Corruption ( ICAC ) raided the Wollongong town hall and seized documents and the hard drives of corporate computers. An uneasy silence followed.
Yesterday that silence was broken when it was revealed that an investigation is under way into allegations that a thirty thousand dollar bribe was offered to a corporate officer - or a corporate officer tried to solicit a thirty thousand dollar bribe - depending upon which side of the story is offered.
There is an old saying " that there is no smoke without fire " - and whatever the truth of the matter - sleaze will stick and the once pristine reputation of local government in Wollongong will be tainted.
Unfortunately such a suggestion was inevitable sooner or later, given the fabulous wealth to be gained by getting approval for developments in a fast growing city. There are many parts of the world where graft and corruption are a way of life and a sleaze factor has to be fitted into any business deal.
Corruption has a way of ascending from the level of a counter clerk who is slipped a few dollars to rubber stamp a document all the way to the houses of parliament where politicians obtain a " consideration " for voting in a certain way.
That is where ICAC comes in. It is beyond political sway - and in the past has pushed ahead with investigations that led to the resignation from office of a state premier - so if there has been wrongdoing in this city those involved have every reason to be shivering in their boots.
The best defence against corruption remains an independent investigative body - and a free press to report the outcome !
Yesterday that silence was broken when it was revealed that an investigation is under way into allegations that a thirty thousand dollar bribe was offered to a corporate officer - or a corporate officer tried to solicit a thirty thousand dollar bribe - depending upon which side of the story is offered.
There is an old saying " that there is no smoke without fire " - and whatever the truth of the matter - sleaze will stick and the once pristine reputation of local government in Wollongong will be tainted.
Unfortunately such a suggestion was inevitable sooner or later, given the fabulous wealth to be gained by getting approval for developments in a fast growing city. There are many parts of the world where graft and corruption are a way of life and a sleaze factor has to be fitted into any business deal.
Corruption has a way of ascending from the level of a counter clerk who is slipped a few dollars to rubber stamp a document all the way to the houses of parliament where politicians obtain a " consideration " for voting in a certain way.
That is where ICAC comes in. It is beyond political sway - and in the past has pushed ahead with investigations that led to the resignation from office of a state premier - so if there has been wrongdoing in this city those involved have every reason to be shivering in their boots.
The best defence against corruption remains an independent investigative body - and a free press to report the outcome !
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