| MONTHLY NEWS - December 2007 |
| THIS IS PAGE 27 OF DECEMBER 2007 MONTHLY NEWS - MonNewsDEC27 |
PM RUDD SHAMES MORRIS IEMMA
Whilst Premier of NSW Morris has been busy cutting back on parliamentary democracy by cancelling sittings of the NSW
parliament, PM Kevin Rudd has been busy increasing the sitting days of the federal parliament - thereby shaming
Morris "work to rule" Iemma.
The federal parliament will sit for 82 days in 2008, 15 more than the average 67 days a year over the last 10 years.
The NSW parliament is scheduled to sit for 62 days in 2008. In 2007 the NSW parliament sat for only 45 days - but was scheduled to sit
more.
It needs to be remembered that federal politicians - despite having to service twice the number of people that a NSW MP does, now having
to be in Canberra to attend parliament 20 more days per year than NSW MPs - receive $500 more per year than a NSW MP.
Anthony Albanese, MP - the member for Grayndler and husband of Carmel Tebbutt, MP - the member for Marrickville who declined a
ministerial post so as to spend more time with her child, is not spinning the new work arrangements as 'family friendly'. Practically all federal
MPs live outside Canberra, and it would be impossible for them to go home at night to tuck their kiddies into bed or read them bed-time
stories.
However, Morris Iemma's spin-meisters have spun the changes to the NSW parliament sitting times as 'family friendly'. Many say the new
NSW hours are not family friendly and it is just a cover-up for a "lazy, lazy, lazy" NSW government.
Of course the majority of NSW MPs live in Sydney and it is only a short train trip from Martin Place - the closest train station to the NSW
parliament - to their homes.
Mr Albanese says the federal parliament will sit Monday to Friday (it has not sat on a Friday for many 'blue moons' ) but the house will rise at
9pm on Monday and Tuesdays, 8pm on Wednesday, 5pm on Thursday and 2.30pm on Fridays.
Mr Albanese says the extended sitting days are designed to enable greater scrutiny and accountability of the executive government to the
parliament. Premier Iemma's new sitting arrangements seem to thwart that.
ALL in all, the federal government's actions show the real face of Premier Iemma.
SOURCE :
Phillip Coorey, Politicians get five-day-a-week job for first time, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 December, 2007. p. 6 [ online ]
Malcolm Farr, Rudd will make MPs work more, Daily Telegraph, 19 December 2007. p. 5 [ online ]
==============================================================================================================
Whilst Premier of NSW Morris has been busy cutting back on parliamentary democracy by cancelling sittings of the NSW
parliament, PM Kevin Rudd has been busy increasing the sitting days of the federal parliament - thereby shaming
Morris "work to rule" Iemma.
The federal parliament will sit for 82 days in 2008, 15 more than the average 67 days a year over the last 10 years.
The NSW parliament is scheduled to sit for 62 days in 2008. In 2007 the NSW parliament sat for only 45 days - but was scheduled to sit
more.
It needs to be remembered that federal politicians - despite having to service twice the number of people that a NSW MP does, now having
to be in Canberra to attend parliament 20 more days per year than NSW MPs - receive $500 more per year than a NSW MP.
Anthony Albanese, MP - the member for Grayndler and husband of Carmel Tebbutt, MP - the member for Marrickville who declined a
ministerial post so as to spend more time with her child, is not spinning the new work arrangements as 'family friendly'. Practically all federal
MPs live outside Canberra, and it would be impossible for them to go home at night to tuck their kiddies into bed or read them bed-time
stories.
However, Morris Iemma's spin-meisters have spun the changes to the NSW parliament sitting times as 'family friendly'. Many say the new
NSW hours are not family friendly and it is just a cover-up for a "lazy, lazy, lazy" NSW government.
Of course the majority of NSW MPs live in Sydney and it is only a short train trip from Martin Place - the closest train station to the NSW
parliament - to their homes.
Mr Albanese says the federal parliament will sit Monday to Friday (it has not sat on a Friday for many 'blue moons' ) but the house will rise at
9pm on Monday and Tuesdays, 8pm on Wednesday, 5pm on Thursday and 2.30pm on Fridays.
Mr Albanese says the extended sitting days are designed to enable greater scrutiny and accountability of the executive government to the
parliament. Premier Iemma's new sitting arrangements seem to thwart that.
ALL in all, the federal government's actions show the real face of Premier Iemma.
SOURCE :
Phillip Coorey, Politicians get five-day-a-week job for first time, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 December, 2007. p. 6 [ online ]
Malcolm Farr, Rudd will make MPs work more, Daily Telegraph, 19 December 2007. p. 5 [ online ]
==============================================================================================================
CHINESE BEATING COSTA's DOORS DOWN TO BUY POWER
In disturbing claims, the Daily Telegraph reveals :
the State Government has had discussions with the Chinese coal giant Shenhua Energy
and that representatives from the Communist-owned corporation personally inspected at
least one power station
Shenhua is a subsidiary of the China Investment Corporation, which is looking for ways to
spend more than $1.5 trillion -- 50 per cent more than Australia's total gross domestic product.
It is believed Energy Minister Ian Macdonald has held meetings with representatives of Shenhua,
which is the largest coal company in China and the second largest in the world.
"The Government has discussions with lots of people," he [ a spokesman for Treasurer Michael Costa ] said.
Mr Costa's office also refused to rule out selling power to a foreign buyer but said it was too early to be in serious talks. A
Shenhua representative could not be reached yesterday.
The Shenhua visit follows a trip by Mr Macdonald and Mr Iemma to their own power stations in China just two months ago and
union forces opposed to privatisation fear the cosy relationship is ominous.
NOW whilst it is impossible to trust anything Micheal Costa might say - just in case he is trying to "set you up" - this news has turned us.
WE had supported the sell-off of the electricity assets. We had assumed that the assets would be sold into a consortium especially set up -
as a vehicle for Australian "mums and dads" shareholders.
News that the assets are likely to be sold to a subsidiary of a foreign government has turned us.
Add another percentage point to the existing 85% that oppose the sell-off.
SOURCE :
Joe Hildebrand, Chinese takeaway - Foreign buyer sizes up power assets, Daily Telegraph, 19 December, 2007. p. 2 [ online ]
In disturbing claims, the Daily Telegraph reveals :
the State Government has had discussions with the Chinese coal giant Shenhua Energy
and that representatives from the Communist-owned corporation personally inspected at
least one power station
Shenhua is a subsidiary of the China Investment Corporation, which is looking for ways to
spend more than $1.5 trillion -- 50 per cent more than Australia's total gross domestic product.
It is believed Energy Minister Ian Macdonald has held meetings with representatives of Shenhua,
which is the largest coal company in China and the second largest in the world.
"The Government has discussions with lots of people," he [ a spokesman for Treasurer Michael Costa ] said.
Mr Costa's office also refused to rule out selling power to a foreign buyer but said it was too early to be in serious talks. A
Shenhua representative could not be reached yesterday.
The Shenhua visit follows a trip by Mr Macdonald and Mr Iemma to their own power stations in China just two months ago and
union forces opposed to privatisation fear the cosy relationship is ominous.
NOW whilst it is impossible to trust anything Micheal Costa might say - just in case he is trying to "set you up" - this news has turned us.
WE had supported the sell-off of the electricity assets. We had assumed that the assets would be sold into a consortium especially set up -
as a vehicle for Australian "mums and dads" shareholders.
News that the assets are likely to be sold to a subsidiary of a foreign government has turned us.
Add another percentage point to the existing 85% that oppose the sell-off.
SOURCE :
Joe Hildebrand, Chinese takeaway - Foreign buyer sizes up power assets, Daily Telegraph, 19 December, 2007. p. 2 [ online ]
| THE STORY THAT TURNED US Daily Telegraph - 19 December 2007 |
COMPUTER PROBLEMS AT FAIRFAX MEDIA
FOR a communications company, there hasn't been much communicating going on at The Sydney Morning Herald's so-called
"newsroom of the future" where staff have had no email access all week.
.........
Even key staff including editors, advertising and marketing heads have been forced to abandon the email system altogether, with
many setting up Hotmail accounts after pleads for priority access were denied.
"It's been a bit embarrassing asking people to email your Hotmail address," one Herald staffer said yesterday.
"You sort of have to convince some people you actually work here."
SOURCE :
Fiona Connolly, No email access for SMH staff, Daily Telegraph , 19 December, 2007. p. 4 [ online ]
AND PREVIOUSLY ......
In the latest hilarious stuff-up at its so-called "newsroom of the future", the Herald has installed massive pillars at its new
Pyrmont office depicting a huge etched image of the News Corporation chief. [ Rupert Murdoch ]
Mr Murdoch, of course, has much better taste in newspapers - he owns this one [ Daily Telegraph ] for starters
And the fractuous Herald staff, whose dislike of Mr Murdoch is eclipsed only by their hostility towards their own bosses, Fairfax
and Rural Press, are furious.
......
The company spent millions on its move from Darling Park to Pyrmont, and one source said outside consultants were paid "a vast
sum" to design the pillars to "make some sort of statement about modern media."
..........
"The new building is a joke. It's got no public transport, there's no mobile reception, none of the staff were asked about any of the
changes, and now we've got these Rupert Murdochs all over the place." [ an unnamed source said ]
As a reciprocal gesture, The Daily Telegraph is considering installing a small etching of Warwick Fairfax in its tea-room.
Rupert Murdoch takes over Sydney Morning Herald , Daily Telegraph, 6 December 2007 [ online ]
AHHHH... competition is healthy, and a great generator of humour
FOR a communications company, there hasn't been much communicating going on at The Sydney Morning Herald's so-called
"newsroom of the future" where staff have had no email access all week.
.........
Even key staff including editors, advertising and marketing heads have been forced to abandon the email system altogether, with
many setting up Hotmail accounts after pleads for priority access were denied.
"It's been a bit embarrassing asking people to email your Hotmail address," one Herald staffer said yesterday.
"You sort of have to convince some people you actually work here."
SOURCE :
Fiona Connolly, No email access for SMH staff, Daily Telegraph , 19 December, 2007. p. 4 [ online ]
AND PREVIOUSLY ......
In the latest hilarious stuff-up at its so-called "newsroom of the future", the Herald has installed massive pillars at its new
Pyrmont office depicting a huge etched image of the News Corporation chief. [ Rupert Murdoch ]
Mr Murdoch, of course, has much better taste in newspapers - he owns this one [ Daily Telegraph ] for starters
And the fractuous Herald staff, whose dislike of Mr Murdoch is eclipsed only by their hostility towards their own bosses, Fairfax
and Rural Press, are furious.
......
The company spent millions on its move from Darling Park to Pyrmont, and one source said outside consultants were paid "a vast
sum" to design the pillars to "make some sort of statement about modern media."
..........
"The new building is a joke. It's got no public transport, there's no mobile reception, none of the staff were asked about any of the
changes, and now we've got these Rupert Murdochs all over the place." [ an unnamed source said ]
As a reciprocal gesture, The Daily Telegraph is considering installing a small etching of Warwick Fairfax in its tea-room.
Rupert Murdoch takes over Sydney Morning Herald , Daily Telegraph, 6 December 2007 [ online ]
AHHHH... competition is healthy, and a great generator of humour
============================================================================================================
ZUMA - 2,329 : MBEKI - 1,505
Jacob Zuma was elected president of the African National Congress (ANC), defeating the incumbent
president Thabo Mbeki by 2,329 to 1,505.
This practically assures that Mr Zuma will become South African President in 2009.
The Zuma ticket won a clean sweep of the other top five positions in the ANC.
The Zuma victory had its origins less in disapproval of Mbeki's record, and more in a sense of unease at his ambitions to extend
his term in office.
However :
"This is a dismal day for the ANC and for South Africa," [Opposition Democratic Alliance ] leader Helen Zille said in a statement made
available after the announcement. "It is an indictment on the ruling party that they could find no better candidate than Jacob Zuma to lead
them."
Zille said the Polokwane conference had exposed many of Zuma's supporters as unruly and ill-disciplined populists who could not
observe the basic norms of decent, democratic behaviour. "These are the people to whom Zuma owes his election as ANC president and
he will have to return the favour. He will be accountable to them."
Zille said the ANC will now be held hostage by populists and left-wingers, leaving a growing vacuum at the centre of South African politics.
SOURCES :
James Myburgh , Jacob Zuma triumphant , 19 December 2007 - politicsweb website [ online ]
Celean Jacobson and Michelle Faul, Jacob Zuma Elected ANC Leader , Associated Press, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
Sapa, Zuma election historic: FW de Klerk , The Times, 18 December 2007 [ online ]
Jonathan Clayton , Profile: Zuma charmed wives and a nation , timesonline, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
Riaan Wolmarans, Matthew Burbidge and Sapa, Zuma is new ANC president , Mail & Guardian, 18 December 2007 [ online ]
===========================================================================================================
ZUMA - 2,329 : MBEKI - 1,505
Jacob Zuma was elected president of the African National Congress (ANC), defeating the incumbent
president Thabo Mbeki by 2,329 to 1,505.
This practically assures that Mr Zuma will become South African President in 2009.
The Zuma ticket won a clean sweep of the other top five positions in the ANC.
The Zuma victory had its origins less in disapproval of Mbeki's record, and more in a sense of unease at his ambitions to extend
his term in office.
However :
"This is a dismal day for the ANC and for South Africa," [Opposition Democratic Alliance ] leader Helen Zille said in a statement made
available after the announcement. "It is an indictment on the ruling party that they could find no better candidate than Jacob Zuma to lead
them."
Zille said the Polokwane conference had exposed many of Zuma's supporters as unruly and ill-disciplined populists who could not
observe the basic norms of decent, democratic behaviour. "These are the people to whom Zuma owes his election as ANC president and
he will have to return the favour. He will be accountable to them."
Zille said the ANC will now be held hostage by populists and left-wingers, leaving a growing vacuum at the centre of South African politics.
SOURCES :
James Myburgh , Jacob Zuma triumphant , 19 December 2007 - politicsweb website [ online ]
Celean Jacobson and Michelle Faul, Jacob Zuma Elected ANC Leader , Associated Press, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
Sapa, Zuma election historic: FW de Klerk , The Times, 18 December 2007 [ online ]
Jonathan Clayton , Profile: Zuma charmed wives and a nation , timesonline, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
Riaan Wolmarans, Matthew Burbidge and Sapa, Zuma is new ANC president , Mail & Guardian, 18 December 2007 [ online ]
===========================================================================================================
P***ING INTO THE WIND
Congratulations to community member Peter Loveday for being
prepared to take up the challenge and campaign against the sacking
of the democratically elected Port Macquarie Council.
All power to him if he can pull it off.
Certainly - if nothing is done, the Council will definitely be sacked.
By doing something - there is a chance that commonsense might prevail,
and the government will recognise that the vital importance of maintaining
democratic institutions - far outweighs any gains (if there are any) of
action designed to destroy democracy.
A cost/benefit balance sheet should be produced to examine where the
real balance lies in the undemocratic action of dismissing an elected
body. Democracy is for grown ups - you smile at your successes and
accept stoically the mistakes - because being right on the one hand,
and making mistakes on the other, are just different sides of the coin
called "democracy".
Without in any way attempting to detract from Mr Loveday's efforts or
to discourage him, we simply say we must look at reality.
The government wants the Port Macquarie Council sacked.
The government wants to run the council for a period of time - through
a puppet who will be given the high sounding title of Administrator.
The Administrator will be used to shroud the government's
political agenda.
The Inquiry is a witch-hunt designed to find something on which the
government can hang it's hat to justify the sacking of the Council.
ALL this because of some political imperative of the government - which is unknown to the community.
NSW is littered with Council sackings over the years.
One has a gut feeling that the score comes out at about 50/50. The government achieves it's political objective about 50% of the time.
The other 50% of the time the sacking comes back and bites the government on the bum (just like the shark attack at Newcastle ).
SOURCES :
Lisa Tisdell , Peter's fighting for our right to vote , Port Macquarie News, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
Dan Proudman, Shark crashes wedding party: best man bitten in surf attack , Newcastle Herald, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Congratulations to community member Peter Loveday for being
prepared to take up the challenge and campaign against the sacking
of the democratically elected Port Macquarie Council.
All power to him if he can pull it off.
Certainly - if nothing is done, the Council will definitely be sacked.
By doing something - there is a chance that commonsense might prevail,
and the government will recognise that the vital importance of maintaining
democratic institutions - far outweighs any gains (if there are any) of
action designed to destroy democracy.
A cost/benefit balance sheet should be produced to examine where the
real balance lies in the undemocratic action of dismissing an elected
body. Democracy is for grown ups - you smile at your successes and
accept stoically the mistakes - because being right on the one hand,
and making mistakes on the other, are just different sides of the coin
called "democracy".
Without in any way attempting to detract from Mr Loveday's efforts or
to discourage him, we simply say we must look at reality.
The government wants the Port Macquarie Council sacked.
The government wants to run the council for a period of time - through
a puppet who will be given the high sounding title of Administrator.
The Administrator will be used to shroud the government's
political agenda.
The Inquiry is a witch-hunt designed to find something on which the
government can hang it's hat to justify the sacking of the Council.
ALL this because of some political imperative of the government - which is unknown to the community.
NSW is littered with Council sackings over the years.
One has a gut feeling that the score comes out at about 50/50. The government achieves it's political objective about 50% of the time.
The other 50% of the time the sacking comes back and bites the government on the bum (just like the shark attack at Newcastle ).
SOURCES :
Lisa Tisdell , Peter's fighting for our right to vote , Port Macquarie News, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
Dan Proudman, Shark crashes wedding party: best man bitten in surf attack , Newcastle Herald, 19 December 2007 [ online ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERESTING REPRESENTATIONS FROM A HOLDER OF AN ECONOMICS DEGREE
Tony Windsor MP is calling on the the federal government to tear up i's election promises.
He wants the government to defer promised tax cuts in favour of government spending because of the threat of inflation.
Where's the proof generally that tax cuts or government spending are more inflationary ? And more specifically - where's the proof that
these tax cuts or these government spending programmes are more inflationary. We suggest a much more detailed argument needs to be
mounted in support of Mr Windsor's thesis.
One would expect more.
HERE in NSW inflation is being fuelled by a rapacious government that increased MP's salaries by 7%, created new jobs and pay rates for
its mates, increased charges for services (e.g. recent bus fare increase of 3% - IPART refused the governments request for a 6%
increase) , whilst at the same restricting the "peasants" to a 2.5% pay rise.
IN NSW - when it comes to inflation, the government is not leading by example. It's up to its hocks in the trough.
SOURCE :
ABC News, Windsor urges tax cuts delay , ABC Radio, 18 December 2007 [ online ]
Tony Windsor MP is calling on the the federal government to tear up i's election promises.
He wants the government to defer promised tax cuts in favour of government spending because of the threat of inflation.
Where's the proof generally that tax cuts or government spending are more inflationary ? And more specifically - where's the proof that
these tax cuts or these government spending programmes are more inflationary. We suggest a much more detailed argument needs to be
mounted in support of Mr Windsor's thesis.
One would expect more.
HERE in NSW inflation is being fuelled by a rapacious government that increased MP's salaries by 7%, created new jobs and pay rates for
its mates, increased charges for services (e.g. recent bus fare increase of 3% - IPART refused the governments request for a 6%
increase) , whilst at the same restricting the "peasants" to a 2.5% pay rise.
IN NSW - when it comes to inflation, the government is not leading by example. It's up to its hocks in the trough.
SOURCE :
ABC News, Windsor urges tax cuts delay , ABC Radio, 18 December 2007 [ online ]