Not the real thing !

The Federal government is trying to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and to this end has set up a " GP Helpline " which has been operating in NSW, ACT, Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania since July.

The purpose of this GP Helpline is to act as a filter to reduce unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments. The caller is connected to a doctor who will assess the patient's condition and make appropriate recommendations for treatment.

This Helpline has fielded 74,567 calls so far, and of these thirty-five percent have been directed to either a hospital emergency department or an after hours medical clinic. It is estimated that twenty thousand presentations to emergency departments have been saved because the Helpline has deemed them unnecessary.

Some medical people have reservations about the danger this involves. The biggest factor seems to be the lack of face to face consultation. In a hospital emergency room the patient is attended by a highly trained triage nurse. In a Helpline situation, it is merely a voice on the phone, and in some cases - that of a friend of the unwell relaying a message.

There are numerous complications that can arise. Some people are embarrassed at talking about sensitive areas of their body and it's functions, while others are merely making the call to allay the concern of loved ones - and have no intention of following the directions given.

It seems inevitable that we will eventually read of what will be described as a " failed diagnosis " that leads to a patient's death. Unfortunately, this Helpline is " not the real thing " as happens when the patient is face to face with a doctor - and that doctor see's as well as hears when making a diagnosis.

It is all a matter of stretching the dollar budget ever further - and ever thinner - to meet the needs of an ever expanding population. That brings with it the inevitability that some people will slip between the cracks !

A dangerous New Year !

World events are slipping into a dangerous alignment that may bring strange new alliances in the coming New Year. Some scientists think that Iran is very near the first test of a nuclear bomb - and many countries in that part of the world fear this despotic theocracy joining the nuclear club.

There is a move to impose sanctions on Iran in the hope of heading off a nuclear test and if this proceeds it will probably include a boycott of Iranian oil, sharply cutting the money flow to the Islamic Republic and crippling it's military programmes.

Iran has stated that if any attempt is made to disrupt it's oil sales it will close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, thus locking in at least a third of the world's oil supply from the other oil producing countries of the Middle East. Iran claims that it's naval forces are quite capable of running such a blockade.

Legally, the Strait of Hormuz is not Iranian property. It is one of many international waterways - including the Malacca strait in East Asia and Gilbralta in the Mediterranean - which are classed as international waters open to all International shipping.

Iran is choosing a dangerous time to indulge in sabre rattling. America has just moved it's troops from Iraq and is about to start the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It is aware that a hostile Iran will try and cause trouble to prevent democratic governments emerging in these countries.

The oil producing countries of the Middle East will not welcome a nuclear armed Iran throwing it's weight around and trying to impose it's hard line of Islam on it's neighbours. Shi-ite Iran would be particularly unwelcome in those countries practising the Sunni branch of Islam - and there is now a convergence of interests between those countries and the United States.

The United States would certainly not want to be involved in another land war in that part of the world, but an interesting set of circumstances was recently played out in Libya. That was a war where the great powers were not involved by way of boots on the ground, but played a critical part by using air power to decimate enemy defences - leading to victory.

If Iran declares what is essentialy " economic war " by closing the Strait of Hormuz we could see a situation where American air power decimates their defences - and takes out their nuclear facilities - while the " boots on the ground " aspect is provided by the neighbouring Islamic countries.

Necessity makes strange bedfellows - and events in the Middle East are falling into such an alignment !

That old Arab adage - " The enemy of my enemy is my friend " comes to mind !

Unacceptable public risk !

It seems incredible that a high rise building in the middle of the Brisbane CBD is still delivering a risk of death to the public - eleven years after construction ended.

Since 1990, over two hundred of it's windows has parted from the building and crashed onto the street below. It seems that this is caused by a manufacturing fault which has introduced an impurity into the glass.

This week, another window came loose from the 23'rd floor - and by sheer good luck nobody died or was seriously injured. What seems even more amazing is the nonchalance with which the government of Queensland and the Brisbane city council is treating this menace.

In 2007 the council issued a safety order, demanding that the building be made safe. In 2008 the owners constructed a footpath canopy to give protection from glass falling from above.

This seems to rely on the assumption that glass will only fall on days without wind - and that on every occasion it will drop directly onto the ground below. Any sheet material is unpredictable. It is quite likely to " glide " long distances - and act as a guillotine if it hits cars or people on the opposite side of the street.

This building houses Commonwealth government offices and is a major construction in the Brisbane CBD. It is unforgiveable that faulty building material is still being tolerated eleven years later - and the entire area of windows has not been ordered to be replaced to remove the danger.

Whoever has the insurance risks on that building is playing Russian roulette with their bottom line !

Our " Migrant " Army !

The ever expanding minerals boom in Queensland and Western Australia has made heavy inroads into the skills of our Defence Force personnel. The need for pilots, engineers, heavy equipment drivers - and all faculties of science - has driven salaries to levels that are drawing our " best and brightest " away from more meagre government pay.

Now there is a clever plan to replace those losses !

We are about to raid the British army, navy and air force with an offer to jump ship and come to Australia - when their enlistment obligations end.

This really makes sense. We would be getting people who speak the same language and come from a similar cultural background, understand an almost identical discipline code - and are familiar with the same weapons used by both armies.

The fact that Britain is doing it tough financially, and about to implement a drastic code of spending cuts would be a big inducement. Servicemen and women would avoid the long immigration queues, be helped into Defence housing - and would be granted immediate Australian citizenship after just a twelve week probationery period.

It would be a quick way to replenish our dwindling defence numbers with trained people who would fit neatly into Australian life.

This idea also introduces another interesting thought. From next year we will see United States Marines progressing through the training facilities in northern Australia as part of the new defence pact with the USA.

America has similar financial problems to Britain - and financial cuts are looming. Perhaps some of these Marines will take a liking to our way of life and consider jumping ship and becoming members of the Australian Defence Force. Some will wonder if they will receive similar offers ?

It seems that we are well on the way to having a " Migrant " Army !

Safety - and our responsibilities !

The tragic death of an air ambulance paramedic on Christmas eve must shine the spotlight on the risks we take when we go into dangerous situations - and our expectation that others will come and rescue us.

We often ignore the pleadings and directions from the police and other safety authorities to avoid danger. At the moment, a cyclone off the Queensland coast is causing epic swells on Sydney's beaches and they are closed for safety reasons - but a lot of people simply disregard this warning and go for a swim anyway.

Emergency beacons are available free of charge for those proposing to go hiking in the Blue mountains national parks. These are dangerous places - subject to rock falls, sudden flooding and the always possible risk of snake bite - but people so often decline to pickup a beacon, get lost and put rescuers at risk when a search is organised.

Is it fair for the many public spirited men and women who donate their time to emergency services to be put at risk by the stupidity of others ?

The sensible answer would be in the negative, but thats not the way the system works. There always will be people who put others before themselves. This includes the volunteers of the State Emergency Service ( SES ) who spend countless hours trekking through the bush looking for lost hikers - and the people who man our beaches to provide safety for those lacking water skills.

Risk comes into collision with the freedom we Australians hold so dear when it comes to making our own decisions and avoiding the stifling hold of officialdom - but when the sign says that the beach is closed for safety reasons - should we face a penalty if we then go into the water ?

If an act of our own stupidity results in remedial action such as a helicopter response or an army of people performing a search, would it not be reasonable to demand that the culprit contributes to the cost ?

Perhaps that is the only way we are going to make people accept some responsibility for their own safety. Appeals for safety consideration seem to fall on deaf ears. Perhaps a good, solid whack on the hip pocket nerve for an act of stupidity may bring a change of thinking.

One thing is certain. Help will always be there for those in trouble. It is not in the Australian psyche for those who volunteer for rescue work to simply shrug their shoulders and walk away when a life is in danger.

Unfortunately, occasionally the lost life happens to be their own !

No easy way !

It seems that events in Russia simply mirror what is happening in dozens of little tin pot dictatorships that exist around the world. The difference is that Russia is the source of most of Europe's energy because of it's huge gas deposits - and it has one of the world's biggest deployment of nuclear weapons - and the means to deliver them.

Russia claims to be a democracy these days. It's leader and it's parliament are elected by popular vote, but to most of it's citizens this past election was anything but fair.

Political parties that posed a real threat to Vladimir Putin's United Russia party were refused the right to appear on the ballot paper - and their leaders were sent to gaol on trumped up charges. Then - when the votes were counted - support for United Russia was often greater than the number of citizens registered to vote. It was glaringly obvious that the ballot box had been stuffed with bogus votes to ensure victory for the sitting government.

In the distant past, this was the usual way for the Communist party to hold a " pretend " election and proclaim popular support to the world - but times have changed. There is a new mood that is sweeping through society and citizens in many countries are no longer afraid to voice their opinions - and demand that rigged elections be overturned - and held again.

It looks like Putin is going to tough it out, dismiss these protests and use his security forces to break heads and disperse the crowds, but he does so at his peril.     That was exactly what the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Syria tried - and it didn't work.

Killing innocent people only enraged the citizenry further.  Crowds turning out in their hundreds increased to thousands - and then to hundreds of thousands.    The bodies of the dead were carried through the streets as martyrs - and the protests surged to even bigger volumes.

The mood for change is not confined to countries with oppressive regimes.  The people of the democratic world are rebelling against unjust laws and the machinations of " crony capitalism " - where a privileged few control a huge proportion of the wealth.

Back in the 1950's a British prime minister noted " the winds of change " that were blowing away the old system of colonial suppression. Today's " winds of change" are demanding governments that truly represent the people - and not just those in power who benefit from the laws that are passed.

It seems that using force to kill innocent people no longer cowes the masses into submission.

An ever growing problem !

It is flattering that Australia is fast becoming the prime destination for the oppressed of this world.  They are prepared to put their lives on the line in leaky boats to reach our shores - and partake in " the good life " that Australians are reputed to lead.

It was not always so.  When the first fleet arrived in 1788 the desired destination for those escaping the serfdom of Europe - was America.   It was rumoured that the streets were paved with gold - and those who were prepared to travel west into Indian country were offered the incentive of free land on which to establish their family farm.

By contrast, Australia was a penal colony a full six months sail from Europe's shores.  Conditions were unknown, but reputed to be harsh - and a less risky transit across the Atlantic ocean was the better option.

How things have changed.   We now number seven billion people and both Europe and America are busting at the seams.   Both still offer an escape from the wars and religious intolerance of Africa and the Middle East, but Australia - with it's casual way of life - is the new " Eldorado ".

Many people have fears for the future.  It is predicted that planet earth will hold ten billion people long before the middle of this century - and beyond that the population explosion could lead to " standing room only ".

Science is probing the heavens and we are discovering other worlds with conditions similar to earth.   It is possible that we could one day establish colonies there - and solve the problem of over population.
Once again distance will be a limiting factor.    According to Einstein nothing can travel faster than the speed of light - and these distant new worlds are more than a hundred light years away.  Time travellers would need to live and die over many generations before they even land at their new home.

There have been recent rumours that Einstein got it wrong.  Travel beyond the speed of light may be possible, and there are exciting theories that space contains things like " worm holes " that may facilitate travel faster than the blink of an eye - just as steam ships eclipsed sail in providing faster travel times, only to further give way to jet aircraft.

All that is in the future.  Right now the troubles of the world we live in is creating an ever growing number of people heading for our shores.    Just as a trickle becomes a creek - and a creek becomes a river - we could be facing a future flood far beyond our capacity to cope.

Let us hope science dusts off those plans for future space travel and solves the time problem involved.

Our present twenty-two million may just be the tip of a future iceberg !

It's a weird - weird - world !

Ninety six years ago the first world war was raging.   In 1915 Turkey felt that the nation of Kurds living within it's borders was siding with the enemy, and orders were given for a brutal and systemic genocide. Well in excess of a million Kurds were marched away to their doom.

There is absolutely no doubt that this happened.  This genocide was captured on film and survivors have recounted the horrors they witnessed over the decades that followed - but Turkey has chosen to claim that all this is a lie.  They insist that this did not happen.

Now the event is taking on new life.   France is passing a law to make it a criminal offence to claim that the 1915 genocide of the Kurds did not happen.  This will be similar to the German legislation that prohibits neo-Nazis from claiming that the Holocaust is a Jewish concoction - an event that did not happen.

Turkey is outraged.  Ambassadors are being withdrawn.  Military cooperation will end.  Relations between the two countries are frosty -  and the aims of a more united Europe are fading - and this at a time when the EU is battling to stay alive and save the Euro.

The question that will baffle most people is - Why ?

Since the dawn of time there have been genocides that shame most countries of the world.  In it's heyday, the British Empire was ruthless in putting down revolts.    Here in Australia - there were instances of Aboriginal people being given poisoned flour by greedy white settlers.   History is rife with examples of genocide - and in recent times, Rwanda comes to mind.

It seems that the resurrection of this ancient event involves the intertwining of religion and politics - the twin nemesis of civilisation.    The Kurds are a homeless race that inhabit Turkey, Iraq and have members in many other near countries - including France.   The French are pandering to their Kurdish population in the hope of receiving political support - and the Turks are frightened to admit that genocide because it would strengthen Kurdish demands for their own homeland.    At the same time, the usual mix of religions adds to the furore.

We seem to be heading for a " Mexican standoff " between Turkey and France.  The only winners will be the religious fanatics - like al Qaeda - who will claim that this is an attack on Islam by the Christian side of the world.

In this supposedly " enlightened age " - it seems that nothing has really changed.   We are still stuck with the negative thinking of " the dark ages ! "

Saving the Post Office !

Things looked grim for the suburban post office in recent times.   There was talk of closures as the reason for their existence - handling the delivery of letters - continued to decline.

It was all because of gains by computers and the move to pay bills on-line.  At the same time, delivering bills became electronic, rather than shoved in the letterbox by the mailman, and as the letter volume dropped - the cost of postage stamps rose in proportion.

In other countries, next day delivery of mail was being dropped as a required standard, and there was a trend for post offices to consolidate.  Instead of individual post offices in each suburb, the trend was towards one central post office to service the entire region.

It seems that the death of post offices has been greatly exaggerated.   Instead of death by the rise of e-commerce, they are being saved by e-commerce.

Our embrace of shopping on the internet has switched services from delivering letters - to delivering items purchased on the e-commerce network.    Parcel delivery here on the south coast of NSW has increased 19% - from 158,000 items to a whopping 188,000 in the past financial year.  Surveys reveal that 70% of this can be attributed to e-commerce, worth about $ 30 billion.

So- while retail stores lament the surge of past customers to buying off the internet, the preferred delivery of goods bought seems to be through the post office network - and that may save it from extinction.

In this twenty-first century we are buffeted constantly by the winds of change.   In this instance, they are keeping the men and women on those noisy little motorbikes busy bringing our purchases to our doors.

A very Un-Merry Christmas !

They are so seductive, specially for those with a long list of presents yet to be bought - and a dwindling supply of ready cash.   In the days leading up to Christmas the big traders boost their advertising with offers such as  "  Buy now - Pay later " ,  " No Deposit - four years to Pay " - and "  Interest Free ".

It seems too good to be true - and it is !

Like all such tempting deals, it pays to read the fine print at the bottom of the contract, and it certainly helps to get someone else to explain the details if you have problems understanding exactly what it all means.

Entering into these type of deals can work for you - provided you understand your obligations and comply with them precisely, but that old saying - "  There is no such thing as a free lunch " - still applies.    There will still be hidden charges that will boost the final price much higher than if you paid for that item with cash.

Many deals insist that the balance owing be recorded on a store charge card - and most store charge cards impose a hefty annual fee, just like the fees that banks gouge from customers using their credit cards.

Then there is the interest rate that applies - when the interest free period ends and the balance is still owing.  It is just so - so easy to make that purchase and not finish paying by the nominated end date.

Christmas is said to be the time of giving.   January is the time of paying - when those credit card bills come due.  Dodging the evil hour by using one of these " pay later " schemes has a price - and usually the item bought ends up costing a lot more than the ticket price - when all the extras are added on.

And these are the " danger days ".   Just two more shopping days - until the big day arrives.

That's when desperate people make desperate - and unwise - decisions !

Beating the law !

A wise man once observed " that those who represent themselves in court - have a fool for a client ! "

It is indeed a good idea to engage the best lawyer you can afford if you are accused of a crime.  He or she will examine all the nuances of the law - as it applies to the charges levelled against us, and seek out any exploitation of that law which can be used to set us free.

So it is in Victoria, where a person accused of serious crimes has applied to change his plea from " Guilty " to " Not Guilty ", because a very clever lawyer has discovered that the charges brought by the police may not have met the standards required by the law.

Police evidence submitted to the court needs to have been " sworn " to be the truth.  This " swearing " is similar to the procedure that awaits all those about to enter the witness box at a trial.  A bible or a Koran is produced and they are required to take this in their hand and swear on it that they will tell the truth in the evidence they are about to give.

When police produce an affidavit of what they observed or learned at a crime scene they are required to do precisely the same.   It seems that in at least Victoria, custom has replaced this actual procedure with just signing the affidavit - and this fails the test of the law.

The ramifications are staggering.  Lawyers will be examining legions of past cases in which the withdrawal of affidavits on the grounds of failed legality may see convicted felons walk free from prison.   In many cases, the key to conviction rested on those same affidavits.

If nothing else, this failure could be a financial disaster.   If the challenges to convictions are upheld, it may be possible to apply for a retrial, but not only will this clog the courts, the cost to the police and the state prosecutors office will be huge - not to mention the cost to the prisoners - who will need to brief counsel for a new round of defence hearings.

At this stage, the fiasco is limited to Victoria, but you can be certain that lawyers in all states will now be carefully examining the affadavit procedure that applies in their  courts.

A very good reason for procuring the best lawyer that money can buy !

Scary times !

The death of Kim Jong Il, the leader of the reclusive nation of North Korea, has sent it's neighbours into military alert as they wait for the reaction from the fourth biggest standing army in the world.
Kim Jong Il was venerated - almost as a deity - and it seems clear that he was grooming his youngest son - Kim Jong Un as his successor, but that had not progressed to the stage where the younger man was well known to the masses.

North Korea is perhaps the most unpredictable nation on this planet.  In 1950 it launched an invasion of South Korea and brought the United Nations into that war for South Korea's defence.   Three years later the war ceased by way of an armistice - but technically the two sides are still at war.

North Korea is a repressive regime.  This Communist nation rules by fear and millions of it's citizens have starved to death as successive " Great Leap forwards " have failed agriculture, and it even now barely exists, depending on food grants from other nations to feed it's people.

Attempts to coax it away from a nuclear arms race failed, and it now has an arsenal of nuclear weapons - and the means of delivering them by ICBM to a wide range of surrounding countries.   The leader's death will certainly make many people nervous, wondering just who now has a finger on the firing button.

The North Korean military history is ominous.  In a desperate search for income it has sold weapons to despotic regimes, dabbled in the drug trade - and been involved in counterfeiting the currency of other nations.   There have been other military excursions, including the blatant sinking of a South Korean naval vessel by use of a torpedo, leading to loss of life.

The danger facing the world today revolves around who emerges as the new leader.   A bevy of top generals will be a possible alternative to  Kim Jong Un, and if North Korea follows past precedent - it will generate a crisis with surrounding countries to focus public attention on a threat to the nation - and hide the power struggle.

There is great danger - and a great opportunity riding on this change of leadership.

If a wiser head emerges and sees that North Korea's problems are it's reclusive nature and inability to join with the community of nations - then there is the hope for change.   A less belligerent North Korea could deliver a better lifestyle for it's citizens - and come in from the cold.

On the other hand, a " no holds barred " struggle for power within it's closed society could create a nuclear holocaust.    It just depends whose finger eventually hovers above that button on the leader's desk !

An " Open door " immigration policy ?

It will seem strange to many people that on the one hand we are strenuously trying to stop people smugglers putting people on leaky boats in their quest to become citizens of this country - and on the other hand we are actually paying citizens of the Pacific islands to our north to come here to pick fruit !

In mid 2012 a $ 21.7 million scheme will get under way to bring in " guest workers " from the north - including those from East Timor - to alleviate the chronic shortage of people prepared to work on the task of bringing in our fruit and vegetable crops.   As things stand, each year a proportion of the harvest either rots on the trees because of lack of pickers - or is ploughed in to substitute for fertiliser.

At the same time, we have 5.2% of our population unemployed and receiving dole benefits - because they simply can not find a job !

What is unforgivable is that some unemployed actually live right in the heart of districts that have a desperate need of pickers - and they will still be picking dole cheques out of their letterboxes when foreign workers arrive to do the jobs they clearly reject.

There are many excuses for avoiding farm work.  "  The job is too hard ".   "  I have to work in the sun - and it is too hot. "    "  It doesn't pay well enough . "

Fruit picking is paid by the weight picked by each worker, and in the past overseas students on their semester break and whole families of Australians have made a nice living moving from district to district as each crop matures.     The problem seems to be that some of the unemployed consider W-O-R-K to be a four letter word - to be avoided at all costs.

It seems inevitable that some of our " guest workers " from the islands will see this as an oportunity to gain entry to this country - and continue to remain here when their contract expires.   They will then end up being pursued by immigration authorities, and when caught will probably share the same detention centres occupied by the boat people.

It seems to be a matter of priorities - and many will wonder why Centrelink does not get tough with those unemployed who are fit and healthy enough to solve our harvest problem - but refuse to take the jobs offering.

Perhaps if these jobs were offered to the boat people - two problems would be solved instantly !

" Consorting law " revival !

The " Depression era " brought troubled times to Australia - and the rest of the world.  Channel Nine ran a very successful " Underbelly " series depicting the time when two matriarchs of the criminal world reigned supreme in Sydney.   Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh controlled brothels, gambling and street gangs - and the standover boys of the " Sydney Push ".

Revolvers were the weapon of choice - until the law cracked down and even getting caught in possession of a gun meant certain gaol time.   The ever resourceful criminals changed to a new weapon - the old style cut-throat razor - because they could claim it's innocence as a necessary item of their personal hygiene.    And so began the era of the Sydney " Razor gangs " !

It seems that the police have revived use of that old 1929 " Consorting " law to breakup criminal activity in the Manly district of Sydney.   This law makes it an offence for those with criminal convictions to be in association with one another - and at the time it was enacted it delivered a term of six month gaol to the guilty.

Manly is plagued by a group of minor criminals who specialise in shoplifting, stealing from unattended handbags and breaking into motor vehicles.  In an effort to breakup group activities the police have resorted to " Consorting " laws still on the books - with startling effect.

This old law makes it an offence for a person with criminal convictions to be in any form of association with a person having similar convictions.     There is no need to prove that a new crime is being committed or even planned.    The fact that such two people are in company is in itself a crime !

The problem for the police is the likelihood that this old law will eventually come under challenge in the courts.   It became the basis for legislation to try and breakup criminal bikie gangs with crime histories - only to be overturned  in the High court.

This " Consorting " law may well be challenged as contrary to modern practise and placing an unwarranted restriction on the right of association with others.  It could be argued that in instances where all the members of the one family have criminal convictions, such a law would prohibit it's members meeting together as a family.   The parameters of society have certainly changed since 1929.

The story writers and film people of Channel Nine must be chuckling at how their entertaining series is playing out in the real world.     It is said that being copied is the ultimate form of flattery !

Prison " Lockdowns " !

The twenty-seven " Correctional Facilities " in the state of New South Wales have an enviable record for peace and tranquillity.   We are not seeing news headlines of rioting prisoners taking hostages, torching gaols - and standoffs between inmates and their warders.

That seems more the scene at the detention centres - where " Boat people " are held while their immigration status is decided.

Now there are warnings that all is not well within our criminal correctional facilities as the number of " lockdowns " increase in numbers.    To those not versed in our gaol systems, a lockdown occurs when the usual routine is interrupted and the prisoner is forced to remain in his or her cell indefinitely - perhaps for days in some circumstances -  until normal routine is restored.

That means no showers.   No phone calls to relatives.  No visits from loved ones. No exercise - and very basic food such as sandwiches delivered to and eaten in a confined space.

This lockdown increase seems to be related to cut backs in public service numbers.   Five thousand public service redundancies are working through the system and three hundred and fifty will come from the prison staffing roster.    When not enough crew are available to run the prison in the regulation manner - the institution goes into lockdown for safety reasons.

Lockdowns are a prime cause of tension within the prison system.   Most prisoners share a cell with others, and in some cases this can be an unfortunate mix of personalities.  At best, a lockdown sharply increases boredom - and it disrupts education classes and work within the prison which is a classic tool of rehabilitation.

Another important interruption is the visits by loved ones.   Constant contact with home for those serving time is an important part of the rehabilitation process because it keeps hope alive.  Many friends and relatives travel long distances for visits - and to be told with no prior notice that visits are cancelled indefinitely can sometimes force them to abandon further attempts.

Prisons are a place of tension, and if that tension is allowed to reach unbearable levels there will be repercussions in prisoner behaviour.   Lowering the staffing levels in the gaol system may not be a wise move - if it results in a sharp lockdown incidence.

The warnings are coming - loud and clear.   If they continue to be ignored, they will probably be newspaper headlines further down the track !

Hidden agendas ?

The Federal government is considering changes to the media ownership rules.  It may dump the present Australian Communications and Media authority and replace it with an independent regulator - to operate at arm's length from government and industry.

No appointee by a government can be said to be truly independent.   Such an authority consists of people - and those picked usually have previously showed some form of affinity to the aims of the government that appoints them.   Such is " the nature of the beast " !

Under the old rules media ownership can only encompass two of the three forms previously available - television - radio - and print media.   Presumably that was to limit a single owner dictating his or her take on politics, religion or any other subject in the editorial of all three media presentations.

This media mix is undergoing rapid change.   In the television segment more free to air stations have come on air and the mix of programmes offered has expanded.   The traditional " daily newspapers " seem to have shrunk in reach - and increased in cost - and now compete with various " free " papers in most areas.   Radio has undergone change from just AM to FM - and now digital has been added to the mix.

The biggest change of all has occurred in the segment competing with traditional media - the internet. Facebook and Twitter have been a phenomenon that just seems to expand indefinitely - and person to person communication is no longer restricted by the borders between countries.
This era of personal communications strikes fear into many forms of government because it has demonstrated it's power to topple dictators and bring change.

For that reason this move to re-establish a new form of media control needs to be viewed with caution. If the real reason is to apply censorship - then there is every reason to oppose such a move.  An " open " society is a " free " society, and one of the first freedoms to go when any oppressive government takes power is the exchange of ideas.

Now is the time to examine this proposal in detail - and to read the fine print and make sure that we dot the i's and cross the t's when it's powers are spelt out.   As citizens of many other world countries would attest -  freedom of speech and ideas is the corner stone of democracy !

Too many Prime Ministers ?

Our northern neighbour - Papua New Guinea - suffered two convulsions this week.    The northern city of Lae was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake - and the capital, Port Moresby - is suffering a surplus of prime ministers !

It all started when long standing prime minister - Sir Michael Somare - took extended leave to have urgent medical attention in Malaysia.   His absence lingered on and the nation's parliament began to chafe and talk of appointing a replacement.   Legal advice was sought - and on that advice Peter O'Neill was selected by the parliament to replace Sir Michael.

It seemed to be a matter of game, set and rubber, but Sir Michael suddenly returned and the nation's highest legal figure - the Attorney General - ruled that appointing Peter O'Neill was in breach of the constitution - and that legally Sir Michael still held the prime ministers position.

This has certainly tossed the cat amongst the pigeons.   The Papua New Guinea parliament has tried to rectify legalities by passing new laws to validate Peter O'Neils hold on the job and the parliament has split, with factions backing both claimants to the position.

The problem seems to be - who has the final say when a dispute of this nature occurs in a legally independent nation ?

We elect parliaments to run a country and we have a constitution to govern how it is run.  When they conflict , who wins and which has the final say ?

In many other parts of the world we see the outcome of elections when neither side will concede that the other has won a plurality.  Often the only way that gets settled - is by civil war.   Let us hope that Papua New Guinea settles this mess without resorting to guns !

Australia has had the odd constitutional crisis in it's past.   We too managed to find a solution without violence - and right now there is tension in our parliament between two people who each believe that they have the right to sit in the prime minister's chair.

Perhaps - somewhere down the track - we may see a re-play of the New Guinea  scenario in Canberra !

New Year's Eve " Grog " ban !

It is a sad fact of life that the thousands of responsible people who welcome in the new year with a glass of champagne or a beer are to be denied this pleasure because of the actions of a few - who abuse alcohol.

Whole families congregate at viewing points to watch the fireworks - but this year it will be an offence to have any alcoholic drink in your possession.  This may be confiscated by the police - and you may face court, charged with breaking the law - even if that drink is low alcohol in strength.

What odds that the newspapers on New Year's day still report ugly scenes and arrests caused by too much alcohol consumption, despite responsible people being denied the picnic atmosphere they have enjoyed in family groups for years.

People are prevented from taking any alcohol to the parks and headlands from which the fireworks can be viewed,  but the clubs and pubs adjacent to them will still be trading - and when that magic hour approaches and the sky lights up - many will rush from licensed premises to watch - and their fill of alcohol will have already been consumed.

It seems to be a natural Australian trait that many people do not like to be told what they can - and what they can not do.   We are a rebellious lot, and this ban will encourage some to simply shun the large and bulky slabs of beer - and resort to spirits, which are easier to hide.

The hard part about this alcohol ban decision is that it delivers a win to the bad guys !

The good guys - who drink responsibly and do absolutely no harm sipping the odd beer within a family group - have their pleasure banned while the irresponsible mob will do what it pleases anyway.

Year after year - decision after decision - it is always the good people who suffer - rather than the offenders being brought into line.

The uncertainty of a political life !

Politicians wield the sword - and they die by the sword !    Politics is often described as similar to a game of "Snakes and Ladders ".   Some people step on a ladder - and gain instant elevation.  Others tread on a snake - and slide to oblivion.

So it was - in both Federal and state politics !

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister are engaged in a tactical war for the top job.  Both have their supporters, and this week the Prime Minister used her hold on power to banish those behind Kevin Rudd - and bolster her firepower by elevating  Bill Shorten, Tanya Plibersek and Mark Butler to cabinet positions.

Firm, positive action will probably still rumblings from the backbench, but her real problem is the coalition with the Greens.    To maintain their voting support she has to go along with policies that do not have the support of the general public -  and what she really needs is policy changes to get the voting public onside.

This uncertainty is like a time bomb ticking away.   Unless she can improve her approval rating with the public fairly quickly the backbench panic will become a stampede.  Some political observers seem to think that the middle of next year will be make or break time.

This cabinet reshuffle is a bold move, but unless it results in a better public image for both the Prime Minister and her party, it will do little more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic !

At the same time there is drama in state politics.   The March change of government in New South Wales has brought the sword of Damocles hanging over the head of former Lands minister, Tony Kelly.  He may face corruption charges over a land deal made in the dying days of the old Labor regime.

It is hard not to find sympathy for a politician in his position at that time.

There was a plan to buy a waterfront property owned by the Labor party's bedmate - the unions - and the then state Premier suddenly called an election and took the government into caretaker mode - before the deal was legally sealed.

All the polls showed Labor heading for a crushing defeat.   If the Liberals won office, this $ 12,2 million "Currawong " deal would not proceed - and it might be many decades before Labor again won office.

Kelly is accused of back dating a letter to before caretaker mode to legitimise the transaction - and if proved - this could be his undoing.

The present Labor leader in this state is obviously keen to distance himself and the party from this matter - and Tony Kelly looks likely to have his party membership withdrawn.

It seems that this is the way of life when we select politics as a career !

Odd man out !

The decision to break step with the other twenty-six members of the EU and decline to sign an accord surrendering financial policy to the EU bureaucrats in Brussels brings with it great dangers for the British nation.

There is clear hostility from the leaders of both France and Germany.  Not only is Britain not a country using the Euro, it will now not sit in the inner councils of the EU alliance and it can expect national jealousies to openly act against it.

The main stumbling block was the EU intention to slap a transactions tax on all commercial dealings.  Britain's London is clearly the centre of world finance in the European sphere and Britain feared that such an impost would cause world finance to gravitate to either the US or Asia - where such a tax does not apply.

There is a danger that the EU may seek to break Britain's hold on finance by using it's group market strength to insist that those seeking to trade in Europe establish their presence in a European capital.  In particular, Germany has long had the ambition to make Dusseldorf the financial capital of Europe.

It remains to be seen whether British EU membership - while on a restricted basis because of this decision - will still deliver the benefits of free trade between member countries, or if enmity from France and Germany will reduce it to a pariah state.

From the British point of view, it is still an open question as to whether the Euro is worth saving - and whether the Common Market's dissolution is now inevitable.

The EU was a strange consortium of countries.   Unlike the United Nations, where five nuclear armed nations held the power of veto, no such arrangement existed and a majority vote prevailed.   As a result - the " big " countries -  France, Germany and Britain - were outvoted by the larger number of smaller countries, leading to the disastrous " Common Agricultural Policy "  - CAP - which saw mountains of unsaleable dairy products and lakes of unsold wine churned out by huge numbers of uncompetitive little family farms.

A vast bureaucracy seemed ever growing in Brussels and the " socialist " nature of the EU required expanding levies to be imposed on countries like Britain, causing the rise of Euro-sceptics - and a call for a referendum on continued EU membership in that country.

The past performance of the EU gives no confidence that it has the ability to use greater financial powers wisely.   Britain is taking a huge chance by going alone - but then this new financial arrangement will not come into force until three months into the new year.

In the present circumstances - that seems to be light years away.   All it would take is just one default - and the game would be over !

Return to " the bad old days! "

In Charles Dicken's " Merry olde England " the serfs were virtually owned by their employer.  Now it seems that similar conditions are to be imposed on some Federal government employees.

Tanya Plibersek's Department of Human Resources - which includes the 37,000 people who work in Medicare, Centrelink and child support services have been told that if they want to engage in unpaid volunteer work - in their own free time - they will first need to get the approval of their boss.

Not only that, but they will need to renew their application each year and provide their boss with information about any change in the style of activities that the charitable institution may take from time to time.

This instruction stresses that it will have no application on personal religious activities, and there will be " exemptions " from the rule - bit it fails to accurately list what these may be.

It seems we are entering an era when government employees must present - cap in hand  - tug their forelock - and humbly ask permission to join a Lion's Club or Rotary, spend weekend time as a lifesaver on our beaches, or pick up a bag and help on Ian Kiernan's " Clean up Australia " day !

Obviously, there must be some limitations where a conflict arises between employment and leisure activities.   For instance, it would be unseemly for a person who works as a police officer to also be a colours wearing, official member of a  motorcycle club - given that the police are trying to have such clubs legally outlawed and shut down.

Most people will see this directive as an unwarranted intrusion on employees choice of what they do with their personal time off.   It can obviously include notification of an employees membership of a political party - and details if that person intends to hand out political literature at voting booths on election day.

Political beliefs are a very personal matter - and disclosure to the boss could - in some circumstances - be used to retard work advancement.   It is the first step on a very slippery slope.

By all means list organisations that an employee must not actively pursue - if there is a legal reason for such a ban, but the way this decree is heading we will see people needing permission to be a blood donor for the Red Cross or give their time on door-knock day for the Salvation Army.

It sounds like the result of a rush of blood by some individual - because it certainly has no place in the twenty-first century !

" Bounty Hunters " in Australia ?

The hunt for Malcolm Naden has certainly got the attention of most Australians.  Some compare him to " Bear " Grylls, the TV personality who seems to have solutions to all the dangers of the wild - but Naden is wanted for murder, the disappearance of another woman - and a serious sexual assault.

Living off the land is no problem to him.  He has successfully evaded capture for six years, roaming inaccessible bush north of Newcastle and occasionally breaking into remote farm houses to steal food, firearms - and his most desired items - torches and spare batteries.

Earlier this week the police nearly got him.   They were closing in on his bush camp when he shot an officer in the shoulder - and made his escape.   Searching police have been joined by units of the Australian army, including special forces with advanced skills in setting up ambushes and stalking terrorists - and the government has increased the reward for Naden's capture from $ 100,000 to $ 250,000 dollars.

Not since the hunt for legendary bushranger Ned Kelly has the government offered such a generous reward - and while it has not been stated - there is the implication that Naden's presentation to authorities is on a " Dead or Alive " basis.

It seems possible that such a reward for a criminal will for the first time create the formation of " bounty hunter " groups or individuals in this country - and that could cause problems.

There is the risk of confusion - and accident - if a mixture of police, army and private individuals are all seeking the same fugitive in dense bushland - far from emergency services.   There are many with bush skills in this country, but such a big reward can also attract those with lesser skills but big ego's who will quickly find that they have bitten off much more than they can chew.   

Naden is a desperate man - and he has clearly shown that he will use deadly force to avoid capture.  It could easily lead to a reversal - where the hunters become the hunted !

Then there is the legal aspect.  In the event that a bounty hunter bags his man - and in the process the fugitive loses his life - there is no clear indication of legal vindication.   All such deaths result in a police enquiry, and the individual circumstances could result in the bounty hunter facing charges.

Perhaps this search should have been left to the one group of people trained and skilled to hunt an enemy in difficult terrain - and to avoid detection while setting up ambushes.    Our special forces have skills beyond those of the police - and Naden fits the role of the terrorists they hunt in overseas wars.

Unfortunately, that big reward is likely to make a difficult situation worse !

Money - Money - Money !

Abba once entertained us with a song titled " Money - Money - Money - In a rich man's world ".   It certainly is a fact of life that money dictates the decisions that rule our lives - and yesterday delivered several examples.

There was a deathly silence from the four major banks after the Reserve bank lowered interest rates.  Every day that passes with the old rates in place delivers a treasure trove of riches to the bank's bottom line - and on past performance interest rate decisions were slow to be announced.
It seems that the whisper of the words " Super profits tax " from the Treasurer was sufficient inducement to persuade all four banks to deliver immediate rate relief to their customers.

Motorists have been having a tax holiday from traffic fines.   The police are unhappy at legislative changes that reduce compensation for injuries sustained on the job in favour of enhanced rehabilitation efforts - and they have been issuing warnings in place of fines.

It is often said that the most dangerous place on the planet - is to be standing between a politician and a big bag of money !

It seems that the police got a message.  Stop interfering with our cash flow - or we will block your pay claim.   Suddenly the police are saying that " industrial action is a last resort " - and that they will now move to " political action ".   As a result, they are again handing out fines !

The third step of this troika comes from councils.     They seem to think that the coal seam gas issue is a lost battle - and they want a share of the money !

There is talk of " Gas royalties " to be applied as compensation for the costs councils will face when these gas wells are installed in their areas.   Council rates are pegged and most councils are desperate for money - and here is a brand new source of commercial activity - just ripe for the plucking.

When it comes to money - the words " ethics " and " opportunity " come into collision.    There is no prize for guessing which one wins !

Win some - lose some !

Australia prides itself that education for all is free in primary and secondary schools - but the crunch comes financially for those who go on to get a university education.

The University of Wollongong has introduced an innovative scheme to provide free education for those who study via their computers - rather than attend and clog up lecture halls and facilities.

The university is developing full courses separated into modules that contain teaching material and e-text books - which can be accessed free.    Student's unable to enrol in a university course in the usual manner because of the cost will be able to expand their university education at home.

What is marvellously innovative is the idea of experiencing the benefits of a course without first having committed to the cost.   Once the student is certain that this is what they want, they can apply to have their work assessed and entered into the records to count towards eventual graduation - at just twenty percent of usual tuition fees.

This is likely to result in a sharp decrease in the student drop-out rate.   Entering university is a big step in the lives of young people, and many find that either the course they have selected is a mistake - or that they are not motivated to the years of hard work that lay ahead.   What the university is offering could well be described as a " try before you buy " scheme.

It looks good - but as those with a cynical mind will note - " there is a catch ! "

Those dreaded " Student Union " fees abolished by John Howard are back.    They were made voluntary - and students rejected them in droves, but a change of Federal government saw them return under a new name.   They are now  a " Student's Amenities fee " - and that is an up-front cost of  $ 263 per year.

Part time students get a fifty percent discount - and presumably when those taking up this free e-course option decide to ask for work assessment and record keeping - they will find themselves presented with a bill.

At least the university is heading in the right direction.   All strata's of society will now have the option of gaining a qualification - and doing that at a pace that suits their lifestyle and circumstances.

And cost is no longer the determining factor to self improvement !

Ducking and dodging !

It is often said that " nothing is certain when it comes to the law ".   All it takes is a judge in an appeal case to have a change of opinion, and what previously seemed certain has a vastly changed application.

So it is with the bankruptcy laws.   These were enacted to bring relief to people who got hopelessly into debt and who would otherwise  spend their entire lives in grinding poverty.  Bankruptcy was supposed to deliver a new start.   What money that could be recovered was distributed to those owed - and then a line was drawn across the accounts ledger - and the bankrupt was offered a fresh start.

There is another law on the books that applies to debt - and that is the statute of limitations.   If you can dodge paying a debt long enough, the person owed loses the right to take you to court and seek recovery.

Both of these laws were enacted to be merciful, but unfortunately they are sometimes manipulated. A case presently before the courts comes to mind.

Some years ago two champion swimmers had a difference of opinion - and this led to one swinging a punch that broke the others jaw.   As a form of punishment, the swimming federation banned the offender from competing in his sport for a period of time.

Fixing that broken jaw required extensive medical intervention and the assaulted sought compensation from the court - and received a judgement to the tune of $ 180,000.   This has not been paid - and the loser in the court case is now seeking bankruptcy protection.

The unusual circumstances in this case is the fact that the person seeking bankruptcy is resuming his swimming career - and will most likely be a star Australian athlete at the London Olympics next year.  If he wins gold, he will also win instant fame and fortune - and be sought after for lucrative sponsorship deals.

So - we have that line in the ledgers if bankruptcy is granted - providing  insulation from future money earned - and denying the compensation granted by the courts from ever reaching the victim of a crime.

It seems to add legitimacy to that comment that "  The law is an ass ! "

Hospital parking enigma !

There are plans to build a much needed new theatre wing at Wollongong hospital.  Some question the wisdom of further expansion of this near saturation site and think we should opt for a completely new hospital on a greenfield site with plenty of further expansion room - and just about everybody thinks that the existing hospital is a parking nightmare !

The problem is that the people of Wollongong have yet to shed their " country town " thinking.  We still expect to drive our cars to wherever we intend to visit - the hospital, the Mall in the city - the entire CBD - and park at the kerb outside the front door of our place of destination.

That doesn't happen in Sydney - and it has long ceased to happen here since Wollongong became one of the big cities of Australia.

There are endless grizzles that those seeking treatment or visiting a friend in hospital find it difficult to park - and usually end up walking up to three blocks to access the hospital.   That has been unnecessary since the installation of the Shuttle bus system.   The Shuttle runs at frequent intervals, seven days a week, providing service from early morning until late in the evening - and it is free !

Simply park the car where there is ample parking along the Shuttle route - hop on the bus - and it will drop you right at the hospital door.   After the visit, the Shuttle will return you to where your car is waiting to take you home.

The parking problem is that simple !

Unfortunately the staff who work at Wollongong hospital don't always fit into this solution.   Shift changes occur at very inconvenient times - often after the Shuttle service has ceased - and walking blocks on deserted streets to reach a car parked far away is not a safe option for women in these troubled times.

The government should consider establishing a car park reserved for hospital staff somewhere along the Shuttle route.  This should have a full security fence, and be attended by a security officer at all times. 
Staff would be relieved to know that their vehicle is safe and under care, and for those whose shift ends after the Shuttle has ceased, hospital security should have the task of driving them to their car in a hospital provided mini-bus.

There is plenty of room to find a home for an employee's car park along the Shuttle bus route.  The only place this is not available - is within the few blocks immediately surrounding the hospital.

The objective should be to rid Wollongong residents of their " country town " thinking when it comes to parking - and to be innovative in providing an answer to the problems confronting the wonderful people that man our hospital.

And the existing Shuttle bus is the key to both problems !

The " Freedom " myth !

The two opposing concepts of " Remand " and " Innocent until proved guilty "  are seeing more and more people locked behind bars waiting for trial - and this has jumped 11% since 1994.

There are two basic reasons for applying remand to a person accused of a crime.   One is that the person is considered dangerous to others - and the other is that he or she is a flight risk.  It seems that the police generally ask for remand as a matter of choice.  It is their description of the supposed crime that the magistrate is asked to consider, and at no stage is the wait for justice taken into consideration.

It is not unusual for remanded prisoners to remain in gaol for well over a year, waiting to go to trial.
Trial preparations include the prosecutor preparing a brief of evidence and often this waits on laboratory reports from forensic evidence collected from the crime scene - and this could face very long delays.

The prisoner on remand is virtually serving a sentence, despite there being no conviction - nor the prisoner having had his or her day in court.   The prisoner is under lock and key - is served gaol food - is strip searched every time they return from seeing a visitor or a solicitor -  and freedom to exercise is strictly limited

In about thirty percent of cases, when the prisoner finally faces court - the decision is acquittal - but there is no apology for this time served, not any form of financial compensation.   In other cases, the person may be convicted and the matter settled by way of a fine.

No consideration is given that this person has probably lost a job in an age when jobs are scarce - and time spent in prison can hardly help on a resume when a new job search begins.   Prisons are grim places and apart from the danger of physical harm from others,  the degradation of being behind bars can cause mental problems that persist for years.

There are calls for the remand laws to be overhauled.  As the present system stands, the prisoner awaits the day when the prosecution indicates it is ready to proceed.    This puts no pressure on either the police or the prosecutor to hurry the matter - or makes no demand on forensic laboratories to act within a time frame.

There are some cases where remand is essential, but in most others it should be a matter of remand having a very strict time limitation.  People should not languish in gaol indefinitely.   Once a remand time limit has been imposed the pressure is then on the police and the prosecutor to bring their case to trial - or see the remand prisoner walk free.

Justice delayed - is justice denied !

Your right to disagree !

It seems that big business and politics have two objectives in common.    When they hold public meetings any hint of disagreement must be instantly curtailed.

The issue of gay marriage was an emotional issue at this weekends ALP conference at Darling Harbour.  Some official speakers opposed extending traditional marriage  to same sex couples and these were tolerated.  What was not tolerated was heckling from the floor of the conference.

When Penny Wong claimed that " equality would not undermine conventional marriage ", a man who stated that he was a Labor party member shouted  " You are wrong ! ".    He was promptly grabbed by site security and " invited to discuss the matter outside ! "

There are similar scenes when big business holds annual general meetings.   These days there are often angry shareholders at these AGM's who wish to protest and vote down moves to vastly increase the pay of CEO's - and to increase the rewards paid to company directors.

In many cases this largess is despite the company declining to pay a dividend because of losses.  It is galling to those who have invested their money and who disagree with the course the CEO has followed, to be prevented from using the meeting to demand a change of course and a better use of resources.

It is all a matter of accountability.   Traditionally, in both business and politics items such as the AGM or an annual conference were the time when those running the organisation were held accountable and had to endure criticism.   They were " servants " -  subject to the directions of those who held voting power.

That no longer seems to be the case.   In politics, the " factions " totally ignore the masses.  Power is an ever changing exchange of favours with others to advance the " factional credos " that govern their lives. Big business is no different.

It seems that the right to disagree has been curtailed - and if you dare express an opposing view at such meetings - expect a tap on the shoulder from the security people, and an enforced exit from the auditorium.

The law may grant you free speech - getting it is an entirely different matter !

The " Gay marriage " issue !

There is something almost inevitable about the machinations underway at the Australian Labor party's three day conference at Darling Harbour to neuter gay marriage as an issue.

Damned if you do - and damned if you don't !

The one thing all the party " heavies " are desperate to avoid  is a platform change that requires a caucus decision vote to be imposed on all ALP parliamentarians.   That would be a moral issue that would result in a few people crossing the floor - and under ALP rules - being expelled from the party.

That could be the final straw that caused Labor to simply disintegrate.   The party is already the choice of just three out of every ten Australians - and dangerously close to becoming irrelevant.   If Julia Gillard can navigate her way to a " conscience vote " - then the issue of gay marriage will not become law - and the Labor party will survive to fight another day.

What is so obvious to most people is the inevitability of this issue - which has widespread support across all political factions and every strata of society.   State after state has approved gay marriage and yet it remains illegal in the Federal parliament.   A glance at history tells an interesting story.

Fifty years ago homosexuality was a crime in every Australian state.  Prosecution was rare, and when it happened the " family newspapers " of that time were uncomfortable reporting court cases.  It was the " unspoken " crime, referred to by " nod and wink ", but otherwise studiously ignored.

It came to prominence in June 1978 when Sydney's gay community held the first Mardi-Gras.   The Conservative state government refused to issue a license, and it degenerated into a running fight.  Some police tried to drag people off floats.  Other police stood aside and did nothing.   Huge crowds watched and applauded - and government realised that further refusal would be politically dangerous.  The Gay Mardi-Gras became an annual event.

Ever since both civil custom and the courts have been chipping away at the obstacles to the gay scene and it's civil rights protection.   Gay couples can adopt children in most states.   It is against the law to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation.    The list goes on - and on !

Gay marriage will not become law at this ALP conference - but it will happen somewhere further down the track - and when it does - the world will not end.

Many religious people will still oppose gay marriage long after it becomes the norm, but when we compare gay rights now to what existed in the 1950's - who would have believed that this country could have made that sort of change - and that the vast majority of people approve ?

Seems to be a case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object !

But then - wasn't the Gay Mardi-Gras such an earlier collision ?

Them - and us !

If ever there was an inappropriate time for increasing the pay of our Federal politicians - it is surely now.     The world is teetering on the brink of slipping back into recession.  Whole nations in Europe are cutting wages and pensions to try and avert default on their debts - and here in Australia our citizens are being told to tighten their belts - and do more with less.

We face austerity across the board.  In this state the police have been told that they will have to make do with less money when they are injured doing a dangerous job.   Nurses and most other civil servants are being ordered to take a virtual pay cut - receiving pay increases that are less than the rate of inflation, and most people have not seen a pay increase since at least 2008 - when the GFC commenced.

Of course the politicians will  see it differently.   They will bleat that they are not directly responsible for determining their own pay.   That is decided by the " Renumeration Tribunal ", a separate body that operates at arm's length and is completely independent.

Which raises the question of just who is this " Renumeration Tribunal " ?   

Surprise !   Surprise !     It is a body of people - appointed by those very same politicians whose salaries it determines !

It holds reviews at regular intervals - and it's findings also apply to Federal judges and the top tiers of the public service - and it's present largess will take our prime minister's take home pay  far in excess of both the president of the United states or the prime minister of Great Britain.

Julia Gillard looks set to be granted an extra $ 90,000 a year, taking her salary to $ 473,000.   Tony Abbott will get $ 74,000 extra, taking him to $ 333,000, and the ordinary backbenchers will gain $ 40,000 extra, taking them to $ 180,000 a year.

A big percentage of the Australian work force would be delighted if they could manage to earn just that $ 40,000 a year as their annual salary.

The one thing you will not hear is parliamentarians of disparate persuasions objecting to their salary review - or refusing to accept it.

It is a fact of life that ministers of the government are paid a minuscule salary in comparison with the CEO's of major corporations, but it is pure greed that has allowed those people to inflate their earnings to ridiculous levels.    Put plainly - they are not worth the money they are gouging from their companies.

It will not happen - but it would surely be a test on conscience if the entire parliament refused to accept any salary increase - until unemployment was below five percent,  the Australian economy had delivered a surplus - and immigration had stabilised at a sustainable level.

That would prove that those we elect to run this country were at least prepared to share the burden of belt tightening with ordinary Australians.

Becoming " the meat in the sandwich " !

The Internet delivered a whole new world of personal communications - and with it the ability to download music and movies at the click of a mouse.    Unfortunately it also took us into a dark, gray world of legal uncertainty.

A consortium of film producers is seeking damages from Internet provider iinet because they claim that this provider did not warn those downloading movies that they " may breach copyright ".   They cite the lack of such a warning as a form of complicity in encouraging a breach of the law.

An earlier Federal court case on this same subject failed, and if this suffers a similar fate then there is the prospect of the film people resorting to " plan B " -  and that should worry all those people who have been enjoying downloaded films.

The music industry adopted a similar " Plan B " some time ago - and this had disastrous results for those who had the misfortune to be randomly picked by a computer for prosecution.    The industry went after a handful of ordinary people who had downloaded music without either paying a fee or obtaining permission from the recording studio - and prosecuted them to the max to obtain the ultimate in damages.

Individuals had findings against them to the tune of millions of dollars.   Of course there was no hope of the copyright holders collecting even a fraction of this - because the victims were ordinary people with very ordinary assets.   

The whole idea was not to collect money, but to create panic in the community and make people too afraid to take the risk - and therefore stop downloading and go back to buying their music from the legitimate music shop.

The problem  is that ordinary people have no idea what is legitimate and what is illegal when it comes to obtaining films and music on the internet.    Legally much of the trade in intellectual rights - covered by copyright - is yet to be legally explored in the courts, hence what we do today may be subjected to what some distant court decrees tomorrow !

That is a sobering thought when you next sit at your computer - and decide your entertainment needs !