In the early days of Australia childbirth killed many women. Those were the days of big families and medical knowledge was extremely limited. The attendance of a doctor was rare and the birthing process was generally in the hands of " midwives ".
It was not unusual for a woman giving birth to find that she was unable to generate sufficient breast milk to satisfy her baby. The solution to that problem was to find another young mother with an adequate supply of breast milk and make an arrangement for her to serve as a " wet nurse " !
This " wet nurse " vocation was widespread and some higher income households engaged a local girl as a matter of course to allow the mistress to quickly regain her figure and engage in the social scene. It was a honourable arrangement and usually involved some form of compensation which was very welcome in those early days.
It seems that the concept of the " wet nurse " has reemerged in this twenty-first century. Many women are deeply convinced that rearing a child on " formulae " is inferior to the natural nourishment of breast milk, but breast feeding is now becoming a barrier to women who wish to also have a business career. Even those who take a long maternity leave sometimes find that their production of breast milk is inadequate.
Somewhere along the way a conduit has formed where women with a breast milk surplus are expressing this and supplying a ready market suffering a breast milk shortage. It seems to be totally unofficial with the word spread on social media and the hookup between receiver and supplier being arranged between friends.
The medical people have issued a warning. There is a definite risk that blood borne viruses may be transmitted to baby's who have no natural defences in that pre vaccination period of their lives. There is also the issue of safety storage. In some cases private arrangements mean that unpasteurised frozen breastmilk is passing between donor and user without any form of control.
Obviously, this very bright idea is in its early stage. In many cases, the exchange is between women who are known to each other, but it certainly has the potential to gain a life of its own and become an underground industry if it falls into the hands of " fanatics " who refuse to accept that dangers exist.
The risk factor will increase exponentially if an underground network supplying breast milk as a commodity establishes as a means of compensating donors for supplying what is otherwise an impossible to obtain product. It could end up like the situation with blood donations in the United States. The down and out can generate a few dollars by donating their own blood because that is a sought item.
The last thing we need is drug affected women selling their breast milk for a profit to feed their drug addiction. It all depends if a screening process is possible so that legitimate breast milk donations can be cleared of risk and deliver a known safety factor.
It seems that a very old idea is getting fresh attention because it is the answer to a need. Whether it develops along legal and legitimate lines may depend on whether adequate screening is possible - and if the method of collection and supply follows commercial practice.
Sunday, 7 August 2016
Saturday, 6 August 2016
The Obvious Solution !
The problem with the banks is that they have formed a monolithic block of four which march in lockstep and they fully dictate the terms of trade they offer the public. They seem to have got away with whacking immense " fines " on customers a day late in settling their Visa or Mastercard payments and now they are ignoring the government's demand that they fully pass on this latest interest rate reduction.
It was not always this way. Older folks remember when there was a different bank branch on just about every city street corner and many of these originated from the United Kingdom. Those were the days when banks valued their customers and the entire banking system ran on a series of stratas. Customers had the choice of banking with one of the big International banks, or perhaps with the state bank branches present in each state. Those that were served by what were called " Saving bank accounts " in that era usually banked with the mighty Commonwealth Bank which seemed to have a branch in every town and village - and handed out money boxes to school children to expand the " saving " ethic.
Credit Unions and Building Societies existed in that era, but the biggest competitor to the Commonwealth Savings bank was the friendly St George Building society branch that was more relaxed at granting a home loan than the bigger institutions.
That all went wrong when the banks engaged in a takeover fury. Bigger banks absorbed the little guy and then this greed passed to the building societies. So many people kept a few dollars in a " rainy day " account were horrified to find monthly charges applied. Instead of accumulating a little interest, many neglected accounts soon ran a negative balance.
It all came crashing down in 1995 when the government decided it had no business in banking - and sold the Commonwealth Bank. Up to that time it was the edicts of the mighty Commonwealth bank that dictated the terms that applied to the entire banking industry - but when the Commonwealth became a private bank owned by its shareholders it sold out and joined the " Big Four " in exploiting its power to make billion dollar profits.
Just look at the situation today. The " Big Four " banks thumb their noses at the government and rake in billions by bashing their customers. There is talk of a Royal Commission but this has been watered down to an " annual enquiry " which will lack the teeth to bring the banks under control.
The answer to this banking dilemma is - competition ! Some of the building societies and credit unions have morphed into banks, but they lack the fire power to take on the big four. What we need is a new government bank that can deliver serious opposition to this banking cartel and rule the roost when it comes to setting charge limits and banking rules.
The obvious answer is to convert the rapidly failing postal service into a bank. The spread of post offices across the country are ideally suited to deliver the savings bank component and the power of the Commonwealth government of Australia to engineer the electronic banking would deliver a real choice to the customers being ripped off by the cartel.
As is usually the case, all sorts of weird and wonderful solutions to the banking problem are being considered - when the obvious solution in staring the government in the face.
It was not always this way. Older folks remember when there was a different bank branch on just about every city street corner and many of these originated from the United Kingdom. Those were the days when banks valued their customers and the entire banking system ran on a series of stratas. Customers had the choice of banking with one of the big International banks, or perhaps with the state bank branches present in each state. Those that were served by what were called " Saving bank accounts " in that era usually banked with the mighty Commonwealth Bank which seemed to have a branch in every town and village - and handed out money boxes to school children to expand the " saving " ethic.
Credit Unions and Building Societies existed in that era, but the biggest competitor to the Commonwealth Savings bank was the friendly St George Building society branch that was more relaxed at granting a home loan than the bigger institutions.
That all went wrong when the banks engaged in a takeover fury. Bigger banks absorbed the little guy and then this greed passed to the building societies. So many people kept a few dollars in a " rainy day " account were horrified to find monthly charges applied. Instead of accumulating a little interest, many neglected accounts soon ran a negative balance.
It all came crashing down in 1995 when the government decided it had no business in banking - and sold the Commonwealth Bank. Up to that time it was the edicts of the mighty Commonwealth bank that dictated the terms that applied to the entire banking industry - but when the Commonwealth became a private bank owned by its shareholders it sold out and joined the " Big Four " in exploiting its power to make billion dollar profits.
Just look at the situation today. The " Big Four " banks thumb their noses at the government and rake in billions by bashing their customers. There is talk of a Royal Commission but this has been watered down to an " annual enquiry " which will lack the teeth to bring the banks under control.
The answer to this banking dilemma is - competition ! Some of the building societies and credit unions have morphed into banks, but they lack the fire power to take on the big four. What we need is a new government bank that can deliver serious opposition to this banking cartel and rule the roost when it comes to setting charge limits and banking rules.
The obvious answer is to convert the rapidly failing postal service into a bank. The spread of post offices across the country are ideally suited to deliver the savings bank component and the power of the Commonwealth government of Australia to engineer the electronic banking would deliver a real choice to the customers being ripped off by the cartel.
As is usually the case, all sorts of weird and wonderful solutions to the banking problem are being considered - when the obvious solution in staring the government in the face.
Friday, 5 August 2016
The Hero - And Fan Fury !
Jarryd Hayne is a name well recognised in sporting circles. Initially, he was a star Parramatta Eels full back until he was lured away with a chance to star in the much bigger American NFL football franchise. Suddenly copies of his number 38 jersey were selling like hot cakes in Australia and every time he entered the field of play his moves got air time on Australian television.
Sadly, it didn't work out and Hayne was considering many offers to continue his playing career. His old club Parramatta was going through hard times because of salary cap violations and it had been stripped of the twelve points won this season. There was talk of renewal and when Hayne had left to join the American NFL some considered he had an obligation to return to his old club because of their leniency in cancelling his contract to allow the American move.
Hayne returned to Australia - and kept the fans guessing. It seems that the Parramatta Eels were devastated when it was announced that he had signed with the Gold Coast Titans - for a $ 2.4 million contract spread over two years.
The reaction was swift - and furious. Anything to do with Hayne's was promptly discounted, including the famous 38 jersey he wore in NFL games. There are cat calls of " Traitor " and threats of crowd violence whenever he runs on the field in a Titans jersey to play Parramatta. The fact that Parramatta fell short of the Titans bid is no consolation to fan fury.
Unfortunately, the expectations fans make of their favourite players are not realistic. Fame and glory are usually short lived and a wise player milks that opportunity to the full to gain the comfortable lifestyle that sport has placed within his grasp.
Australian footballers - both Rugby League and Aussie Rules - are well paid but their rewards pale into insignificance in comparison to the salaries of the American NFL. It stands to reason that Australia with a total population of twenty-four million people have a much smaller sporting audience than the three hundred million Americans.
A similar comparison exists with Soccer. A top player with a big name club draws an absolute fortune and is part of the national culture. Their rewards are legendary and many retire to fabulous country estates more suited to the British aristocracy.
In comparison, any Australian footballer of either code who has the good fortune to achieve fame knows that he lives just a hairs breadth from misfortune. A very ordinary knock on the field may take time to heal and fame only is retained while the star and his team are still winning matches. The fans are fickle - and the hero of yesteryear is soon forgotten.
Unfortunately, not all sporting stars are wise. Some waste their money on the high life and end up pathetic drunks - and broke. It seems that Hayne's has been granted the wisdom to reach for the stars and he is determined to make the most of his earning ability while good health allows that to continue.
A decade or so from now, it will probably be a Jarryd Haynes who sits in the commentary box and opines on the games being played. The skill on the field is finite. The clever ones are those who use their time in the spotlight to safeguard their future lifestyle.
Sadly, it didn't work out and Hayne was considering many offers to continue his playing career. His old club Parramatta was going through hard times because of salary cap violations and it had been stripped of the twelve points won this season. There was talk of renewal and when Hayne had left to join the American NFL some considered he had an obligation to return to his old club because of their leniency in cancelling his contract to allow the American move.
Hayne returned to Australia - and kept the fans guessing. It seems that the Parramatta Eels were devastated when it was announced that he had signed with the Gold Coast Titans - for a $ 2.4 million contract spread over two years.
The reaction was swift - and furious. Anything to do with Hayne's was promptly discounted, including the famous 38 jersey he wore in NFL games. There are cat calls of " Traitor " and threats of crowd violence whenever he runs on the field in a Titans jersey to play Parramatta. The fact that Parramatta fell short of the Titans bid is no consolation to fan fury.
Unfortunately, the expectations fans make of their favourite players are not realistic. Fame and glory are usually short lived and a wise player milks that opportunity to the full to gain the comfortable lifestyle that sport has placed within his grasp.
Australian footballers - both Rugby League and Aussie Rules - are well paid but their rewards pale into insignificance in comparison to the salaries of the American NFL. It stands to reason that Australia with a total population of twenty-four million people have a much smaller sporting audience than the three hundred million Americans.
A similar comparison exists with Soccer. A top player with a big name club draws an absolute fortune and is part of the national culture. Their rewards are legendary and many retire to fabulous country estates more suited to the British aristocracy.
In comparison, any Australian footballer of either code who has the good fortune to achieve fame knows that he lives just a hairs breadth from misfortune. A very ordinary knock on the field may take time to heal and fame only is retained while the star and his team are still winning matches. The fans are fickle - and the hero of yesteryear is soon forgotten.
Unfortunately, not all sporting stars are wise. Some waste their money on the high life and end up pathetic drunks - and broke. It seems that Hayne's has been granted the wisdom to reach for the stars and he is determined to make the most of his earning ability while good health allows that to continue.
A decade or so from now, it will probably be a Jarryd Haynes who sits in the commentary box and opines on the games being played. The skill on the field is finite. The clever ones are those who use their time in the spotlight to safeguard their future lifestyle.
Thursday, 4 August 2016
Probing The Limits !
Australian IVF Clinics apply a " responsible " limit of 53 years of age beyond which they will not attempt to produce a pregnancy. They were therefore shocked to learn that an Australian Mum has just given birth at age 65 and whose partner is aged 78.
A closer examination reveals that this is not all it seems at first glance. This was a donor assisted pregnancy that was conceived overseas and the woman returned to Australia to receive an emergency Cesarian birth at a private hospital. She successfully gave birth to a baby girl.
The Gynaecology people have very clear ideas on age and childbirth. The human body " wears out " as it ages and there is a natural limit beyond which pregnancy is pushing the limits. The ideal ages for women to have children is between 18 and 25. While it is possible to give birth later in life this enters the argumentative divide between what is " possible " and what is " desirable " !
In today's world, a lot of couples consciously decide not to have children. In many cases this is because they are not prepared to have their offspring face the risks and dangers that a grossly unfair world has in store for its future citizens. We live on the threshold of a nuclear apocalypse and there is a very real doubt as to whether planet Earth is capable of feeding the numbers anticipated by mid century.
There is also the issue of parental responsibility. If we produce a child we are legally responsible for providing adequate shelter, clothing, food and care. If we fail to meet that obligation the state may intervene and take the child into care and even declare it a ward of the state and hand it to another family to legally adopt. Bringing a child into the world entails a degree of responsibility until that person achieves the age of eighteen, whereupon they are deemed to achieve an adult responsibility for their own welfare.
Having children later in life extends the natural life cycle where parents and their children enjoy a degree of interaction with others of similar age group to achieve a similar lifestyle, but that only applies within limitations. We all adopt a generational change as we age and it becomes less likely that juvenile tolerance will prevail the longer that age cycle is stretched.
The problem is that while IVF facilities in Australia are firmly within the grasp of Federal government regulation, that is not the case with facilities provided by our near neighbouring countries. Now that an older mother has been successful in producing a child many of the " for profit " laboratories may use social media to tap into the latent demand that career advancement is inflicting on modern women.
What worries many concerned with child care is the age demographics the birth of this little girl will impose on her childhood. When she reaches the age of eighteen, her mother will be be 81 - if she is still alive, and her mothers partner will be 96. Even given the advancing life expectancy of the twenty-first century, it is unlikely that the teenage years will be harmonious.
That seems a very good reason that Australian IVF clinics will not extend their deadline beyond the present 53 year limit !
A closer examination reveals that this is not all it seems at first glance. This was a donor assisted pregnancy that was conceived overseas and the woman returned to Australia to receive an emergency Cesarian birth at a private hospital. She successfully gave birth to a baby girl.
The Gynaecology people have very clear ideas on age and childbirth. The human body " wears out " as it ages and there is a natural limit beyond which pregnancy is pushing the limits. The ideal ages for women to have children is between 18 and 25. While it is possible to give birth later in life this enters the argumentative divide between what is " possible " and what is " desirable " !
In today's world, a lot of couples consciously decide not to have children. In many cases this is because they are not prepared to have their offspring face the risks and dangers that a grossly unfair world has in store for its future citizens. We live on the threshold of a nuclear apocalypse and there is a very real doubt as to whether planet Earth is capable of feeding the numbers anticipated by mid century.
There is also the issue of parental responsibility. If we produce a child we are legally responsible for providing adequate shelter, clothing, food and care. If we fail to meet that obligation the state may intervene and take the child into care and even declare it a ward of the state and hand it to another family to legally adopt. Bringing a child into the world entails a degree of responsibility until that person achieves the age of eighteen, whereupon they are deemed to achieve an adult responsibility for their own welfare.
Having children later in life extends the natural life cycle where parents and their children enjoy a degree of interaction with others of similar age group to achieve a similar lifestyle, but that only applies within limitations. We all adopt a generational change as we age and it becomes less likely that juvenile tolerance will prevail the longer that age cycle is stretched.
The problem is that while IVF facilities in Australia are firmly within the grasp of Federal government regulation, that is not the case with facilities provided by our near neighbouring countries. Now that an older mother has been successful in producing a child many of the " for profit " laboratories may use social media to tap into the latent demand that career advancement is inflicting on modern women.
What worries many concerned with child care is the age demographics the birth of this little girl will impose on her childhood. When she reaches the age of eighteen, her mother will be be 81 - if she is still alive, and her mothers partner will be 96. Even given the advancing life expectancy of the twenty-first century, it is unlikely that the teenage years will be harmonious.
That seems a very good reason that Australian IVF clinics will not extend their deadline beyond the present 53 year limit !
Wednesday, 3 August 2016
Not Their Finest Hour !
Nineteen months ago the Lindt Cafe siege brought terror to the streets of Sydney. An inquest into that event has been slowly and methodically examining how the response was put in place by the New South Wales Police who were tasked with bringing it to an end.
It is now clear that the snipers and the assault team carried out their duties in difficult circumstances bravely and to the best of their abilities, but that the Police command structure was little more than a shambles, lacking clear lines of authority and were totally unprepared for such an event. It must be clear to all who have closely followed this inquest that this was " not their finest hour " !
The very purpose of an inquest is to identify weaknesses and bring improvements so that we are better prepared should a similar event strike this city. Judging by the spread of terror across the western world that seems to be more a matter of " when " rather than " if " and one striking need seems to be sitting in limbo and receiving scant attention.
Early in this inquest it was noted that New South Wales was the only state lacking a police mobile command centre. Because of this, the first three hours of the siege saw the response tasked from a four wheel drive utility vehicle before being moved into a small room with a single working phone connection in a Leagues club. As a result, hostages were often unable to communicate vital intelligence to the police on their mobile phones and general communications were at best - patchy.
The Federal government had donated a fully equipped mobile command centre to each of the states and each of these contained multiple communications and whiteboards and similar equipment to enable response planning. It seems that the New South Wales vehicle suffered a lightning strike in 2011 and spent until 2014 sitting in a garage unrepaired. Eventually, it was sent to auction - and not replaced.
The early days of the inquest highlighted how the lack of a dedicated command centre adversely affected police siege planning and it was expected that this would be immediately remedied. It seems that it took until March 2015 for a new mobile command vehicle to be even ordered and today its chassis is awaiting fitting out sitting on the wharf at Port Kembla.
Even if replacing this essential vehicle gets top priority it is going to take many more months for the fitting out to be completed and this state again have a mobile command vehicle ready to roll into position the moment terrorists strike. Considering how this lack affected the Lindt siege it seems the height of absurdity that the police command structure took so long to rectify what was a glaring omission in police readiness.
What is clearly emerging from this inquest is dysfunction in the upper echelon of the police command structure. The Police Commissioner has delayed his retirement and there seems to be heated contention amongst those who have reason to be considered for elevation to the top post. Manoeuvring for position seems to be pitting senior officers against one another rather than delivering the certainty we expect from the Police.
The delay in replacing that essential mobile command vehicle is symptomatic of the inertia affecting police morale !
It is now clear that the snipers and the assault team carried out their duties in difficult circumstances bravely and to the best of their abilities, but that the Police command structure was little more than a shambles, lacking clear lines of authority and were totally unprepared for such an event. It must be clear to all who have closely followed this inquest that this was " not their finest hour " !
The very purpose of an inquest is to identify weaknesses and bring improvements so that we are better prepared should a similar event strike this city. Judging by the spread of terror across the western world that seems to be more a matter of " when " rather than " if " and one striking need seems to be sitting in limbo and receiving scant attention.
Early in this inquest it was noted that New South Wales was the only state lacking a police mobile command centre. Because of this, the first three hours of the siege saw the response tasked from a four wheel drive utility vehicle before being moved into a small room with a single working phone connection in a Leagues club. As a result, hostages were often unable to communicate vital intelligence to the police on their mobile phones and general communications were at best - patchy.
The Federal government had donated a fully equipped mobile command centre to each of the states and each of these contained multiple communications and whiteboards and similar equipment to enable response planning. It seems that the New South Wales vehicle suffered a lightning strike in 2011 and spent until 2014 sitting in a garage unrepaired. Eventually, it was sent to auction - and not replaced.
The early days of the inquest highlighted how the lack of a dedicated command centre adversely affected police siege planning and it was expected that this would be immediately remedied. It seems that it took until March 2015 for a new mobile command vehicle to be even ordered and today its chassis is awaiting fitting out sitting on the wharf at Port Kembla.
Even if replacing this essential vehicle gets top priority it is going to take many more months for the fitting out to be completed and this state again have a mobile command vehicle ready to roll into position the moment terrorists strike. Considering how this lack affected the Lindt siege it seems the height of absurdity that the police command structure took so long to rectify what was a glaring omission in police readiness.
What is clearly emerging from this inquest is dysfunction in the upper echelon of the police command structure. The Police Commissioner has delayed his retirement and there seems to be heated contention amongst those who have reason to be considered for elevation to the top post. Manoeuvring for position seems to be pitting senior officers against one another rather than delivering the certainty we expect from the Police.
The delay in replacing that essential mobile command vehicle is symptomatic of the inertia affecting police morale !
Tuesday, 2 August 2016
The Principle - Or the Money ?
Medical authorities were becoming alarmed because diseases that had long been vanquished by vaccination were starting to reappear. Decades earlier the benefits of vaccination seemed clear to most people. There seemed no hesitation in presenting at the child health centres scattered about this country and we were achieving the ratio of cover that gives protection to " the herd " !
It is marvellous how a simple rumour can achieve a life of its own. It began as a whisper in the magazine world when a claim surfaced that child vaccinations spread autism in children. One of the problems with autism is that it often only becomes recognised several years into the life of a child and this seemed to authenticate the link between the disease and vaccination.
Several books were written on this subject and the case was taken up by some prominent women who had the admiration of their peers. Very quickly an association was formed and we had an active body advocating the refusal of any form of vaccination because this rumour was now including all sorts of diseases which it claimed was spread by vaccination.
There is no medical intervention that is entirely risk free and the medical professionals who publicly claimed that no link existed between autism and vaccinations were disbelieved. In fact, some vaccination denier fanatics claimed that it was a medical coverup and there were sinister undertones. It was sufficiently believable to throw a doubt in the mind of many very intelligent mothers - and cause them to at least delay vaccination as a safety precaution.
We were facing down a very real health danger. To cover the entire population and that includes new born babies too young to be vaccinated we need 98% cover - and the statistics showed that we were falling far short. The health authorities launched a publicity campaign to try and improve the vaccination rate and this caused the anti vaccination brigade to actively collect money and put together a paid opposition with spurious claims of the danger vaccination presented.
It looked like an unwinnable battle. A doubt had been planted in the mind of many mothers and the instinct to protect their children was paramount. The hard core anti vaccination people had convinced themselves that they were right and the entire medical profession was wrong, and this looked like developing into a fight to the death.
In an attempt to improve the vaccination rate, the government made it necessary for parents to present an up to date vaccination ticket when booking their children into day care centres. No vaccination ticket ? No admission possible. The vaccination rate quickly improved.
Australia welcomes our growing population of children and we encourage families by providing incentives to share the load of the costs involved. To the average parent, this can deliver a benefit of around fourteen thousand dollars a year. As a last resort, the government began withholding this benefit from those with un-vaccinated children.
It quickly became a test between the principle - or the money. When put to the test, the authenticity of the anti-vaxxers fell far short of the claims by the entire medical profession and wise decisions were made. We have now reached 95% cover and that magical 98% is in sight.
There is still a hard core refusing vaccinations, but in many instances these are people who earn in a professional field and to who the child benefits provided by the government are not significant.
It is marvellous how a simple rumour can achieve a life of its own. It began as a whisper in the magazine world when a claim surfaced that child vaccinations spread autism in children. One of the problems with autism is that it often only becomes recognised several years into the life of a child and this seemed to authenticate the link between the disease and vaccination.
Several books were written on this subject and the case was taken up by some prominent women who had the admiration of their peers. Very quickly an association was formed and we had an active body advocating the refusal of any form of vaccination because this rumour was now including all sorts of diseases which it claimed was spread by vaccination.
There is no medical intervention that is entirely risk free and the medical professionals who publicly claimed that no link existed between autism and vaccinations were disbelieved. In fact, some vaccination denier fanatics claimed that it was a medical coverup and there were sinister undertones. It was sufficiently believable to throw a doubt in the mind of many very intelligent mothers - and cause them to at least delay vaccination as a safety precaution.
We were facing down a very real health danger. To cover the entire population and that includes new born babies too young to be vaccinated we need 98% cover - and the statistics showed that we were falling far short. The health authorities launched a publicity campaign to try and improve the vaccination rate and this caused the anti vaccination brigade to actively collect money and put together a paid opposition with spurious claims of the danger vaccination presented.
It looked like an unwinnable battle. A doubt had been planted in the mind of many mothers and the instinct to protect their children was paramount. The hard core anti vaccination people had convinced themselves that they were right and the entire medical profession was wrong, and this looked like developing into a fight to the death.
In an attempt to improve the vaccination rate, the government made it necessary for parents to present an up to date vaccination ticket when booking their children into day care centres. No vaccination ticket ? No admission possible. The vaccination rate quickly improved.
Australia welcomes our growing population of children and we encourage families by providing incentives to share the load of the costs involved. To the average parent, this can deliver a benefit of around fourteen thousand dollars a year. As a last resort, the government began withholding this benefit from those with un-vaccinated children.
It quickly became a test between the principle - or the money. When put to the test, the authenticity of the anti-vaxxers fell far short of the claims by the entire medical profession and wise decisions were made. We have now reached 95% cover and that magical 98% is in sight.
There is still a hard core refusing vaccinations, but in many instances these are people who earn in a professional field and to who the child benefits provided by the government are not significant.
Monday, 1 August 2016
A " Hissy Fit " !
Kevin Rudd clearly demonstrated why the Australian government decided not to put his name forward as a possible Secretary General for the United Nations. The reversal sent him into a blistering rage attack in which he released confidential papers and began apportioning the blame for his defeat. The problem is - Kevin Rudd is a politician and the United Nations job calls for an ambassador.
Ban Ki-moon was an inconspicuous little Korean who took countless rejections in silence. Over the years of his tenure he had many successes - and many failures. He was adept at dealing with people who exercised great power - and who were motivated by great ego. He was a master at compromise and this required the ability to walk away from savage confrontations without burning bridges. He endured insults with a ready smile - and always left the door open for another later round of new negotiations.
Even the Australian Labor party could not stand the micro managing Kevin Rudd in office and promptly dumped him. He burned through advisory staff at a rapid rate and many found his decision making mercurial. Insiders frequently learned of new decisions taken when they read the morning newspapers.
There is no doubt that Rudd was good at selling himself to the general public. That boyish, friendly smile went over well but his extrovert personality called for the spotlight to be shining on him - and him alone. The United Nations Secretary General job called for very different skills and both sides of politics had doubts that Rudd was the right person for that job.
Rudd is now seeking to exploit differences of opinion from those who initially gave tacit support to his putting his hand up for the UN job. This is where the politician diverges from the ambassador. Worse, Rudd is now admitting to openly coercing losing past politicians to jump ship by way of offering access to plum administrative posts overseas. This will certainly open an area of conjecture ranging back over his term in office.
Asking the Australian government to put forward a name as a possible contender for the office of United Nations Secretary General is to fix it with a seal of approval. The Commonwealth of Australia is virtually certifying that in its opinion this person is not only suitable for the job but enjoys the confidence that he would serve with distinction. If either is lacking, such a proposal puts the good name of this country at risk.
Of course, the very nature of politics now comes into play. Despite the histrionics of Rudd's two terms in office and his inglorious defeat his old political party has no option other than to close ranks behind him. Those who detested him in office must now bestow the laurels of a conquering hero and applaud his claim to a post on the world stage.
The " Hissy fit " with which Rudd greeted his rejection probably cemented in many minds his unsuitability for the job. Had he accepted rejection with silence and aplomb many may have wondered whether the passage of time had tempered the man and improved his skill set.
Ban Ki-moon was an inconspicuous little Korean who took countless rejections in silence. Over the years of his tenure he had many successes - and many failures. He was adept at dealing with people who exercised great power - and who were motivated by great ego. He was a master at compromise and this required the ability to walk away from savage confrontations without burning bridges. He endured insults with a ready smile - and always left the door open for another later round of new negotiations.
Even the Australian Labor party could not stand the micro managing Kevin Rudd in office and promptly dumped him. He burned through advisory staff at a rapid rate and many found his decision making mercurial. Insiders frequently learned of new decisions taken when they read the morning newspapers.
There is no doubt that Rudd was good at selling himself to the general public. That boyish, friendly smile went over well but his extrovert personality called for the spotlight to be shining on him - and him alone. The United Nations Secretary General job called for very different skills and both sides of politics had doubts that Rudd was the right person for that job.
Rudd is now seeking to exploit differences of opinion from those who initially gave tacit support to his putting his hand up for the UN job. This is where the politician diverges from the ambassador. Worse, Rudd is now admitting to openly coercing losing past politicians to jump ship by way of offering access to plum administrative posts overseas. This will certainly open an area of conjecture ranging back over his term in office.
Asking the Australian government to put forward a name as a possible contender for the office of United Nations Secretary General is to fix it with a seal of approval. The Commonwealth of Australia is virtually certifying that in its opinion this person is not only suitable for the job but enjoys the confidence that he would serve with distinction. If either is lacking, such a proposal puts the good name of this country at risk.
Of course, the very nature of politics now comes into play. Despite the histrionics of Rudd's two terms in office and his inglorious defeat his old political party has no option other than to close ranks behind him. Those who detested him in office must now bestow the laurels of a conquering hero and applaud his claim to a post on the world stage.
The " Hissy fit " with which Rudd greeted his rejection probably cemented in many minds his unsuitability for the job. Had he accepted rejection with silence and aplomb many may have wondered whether the passage of time had tempered the man and improved his skill set.
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