Global Warming Melts Liberals

Warning, warning!! - there's a Liberal iceberg breaking out near you. Following the marathon  meetings earlier this week to try and shove the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme down some very reluctant dinosaur throats, the climate change party skeptics have melted down into open revolt. Tony Abbott et al have resigned their posts in the front bench and senate, leaving Malcolm's Ice Sheet cracking open.
A pity after all those negotiations with Ian McFarlane and Penny Wong.
Is it the taxation aspect that the pollies don't like or is it the climate change theory thats causing the meltdown. Whatever happens to the Liberals, they are handing Labour an election win on a plate (so long as it happens before the next big thing!). (update: except for the incompetence of Labour!)
By the way, my patio is covered in mud from a small flood engendered by the short, sharp, shower that dumped 36mm of rain on my place within 30 mins this afternoon. A veritable flood of mud and leaves came rushing under the fence from next door, overloading the drains and spreading into the house. Great excitment and some work for the family in mopping and cleaning up. Climate change or just weather - your choice!

Equal Pay for Equal Work

This "feminist" topic (as this article discussed on Crikey.com) has made it back to the news recently.  I have worked throughout the period where the "equal pay for work of equal value" has been in force, legally. As a worker in the Government sector, this has been applied fairly throughout my time. The profession is largely made up of women with many libraries being managed all the way up through the hierarchy, by women. However, being part of government our pay has been kept within strict guidelines.
The ability for the majority of workers to improve their pay is based on a few jobs where increased responsibility and workload is taken for granted, and unpaid for. As it is in the private sector.
Many of my colleagues have taken on the extra responsibilities and work far more hours than the Union negotiated hours. The effect has been obvious - family work, life balance and other obligations take a back seat.
The discussion of how to manage this expectation and its reality  has occurred with many of my friends, from scientists, town planners, doctors, library staff, IT professionals, pharmacists and others.
Three main approaches have been apparent:
1. To have a family, work part-time so one can care for the family and household. Consequences include lower pay, less superannuation, less fulfilling jobs and less commitment to workplaces.
2. Take on the higher positions, work like mad and hope like hell your health, family and relationships survive. Some have managed, some have suffered and some are still climbing the tree upwards.
3. Take on higher responsibilities for a while then downsize later in life in a variety of ways to reduce stress, increase life balance and look at other ways to use skills in a different arena. Again the net result is less pay, smaller super and generally less satisfaction. But also an awareness of choice.

To those youngsters who says there is no difference between the sexes and the statistics lie - think again. Just wait until things get really tough or you have a family, and see what the effects will be. The prejudice about the work women do is alive and well, with individual contracts and difficult financial times just waiting to cut them down.
Wait and see!

Relief at last - rain!

I don't know about the rest of Melbourne but I found the last 2 weeks trying. The heat was welcomed initially, then quickly became oppressive and continual. Thank goodness for the air-conditioning. At least we all have been able to sleep reasonably well.
Hopefully the electricity used by the air-conditioning  has been offset by our old solar hot water system, where we have turned off the electric booster for about 3 weeks. Showers have been piping hot all day. We shall see how we manage the next couple of days now that it is cooler.

And still no sign of my solar power-

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Today the dried off plants in my flower and vegie garden look much better. Our makeshift rain gauge shows 59mm of rain fell through the evening til 6:30am this morning. What a wonderful total. I haven't been down to the nearby wetlands to see how the creeks and pools are faring, but so far no flooding around me. The rainwater tanks are now overflowing - all 12,000 litres. They were down to half full on Friday and I was getting worried that we would not have enough for the summer. Our friends tell me their 200,000 litre tank was less than half full yesterday - I'll bet its nearly full today.
I must look at the weather forecast for the next month and see if the November record heat is forecast to return for December.
Perhaps I'll get time to read about the ETS soon - I haven't had the fortitude to do more than read part of the summary of the draft report. The Liberals antics have provided much more fun- even if it is the nature of black comedy!

Solar panels in my neighbourhood

On my morning or evening walks I have been trying to spot Solar Panels (Photovoltaic) and as a result of the Federal Government rebate they are springing up all over the place. So far I have counted 11 houses with my house yet to be installed.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006 Census) indicates there are approx 7,700 occupied private dwellings in my suburb, with a median weekly family income (2006)approximately $1100.

So 11 solar panels installations spotted + 1 to be installed = 0.1558 % of dwellings that will get their $8000 from the government. Not a large take-up here but enough throughout Australia to cause the government to drop the scheme and develop a less generous one. Now there are probably more installations I haven't yet seen, or like myself with applications waiting (due to the demand).
Imagine the ramp up in jobs that would be created if even 1% of households took up the offer. The panels themselves are probably made in China (like everything else) but the installers, sales, company staff are all jobs for Australians.

The Electricity companies are also hard pushed to keep up with the demand in feedback meters I'm told. Imagine what it is like in areas north of Melbourne where the solar gain is much higher. Is the take-up of panels better for NSW, SA, WA and Queensland areas? I would love to know - some stats are available from http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/history.html.

But with only 1% take-up there will be a negligible reduction in CO2 usage - we need much more if you are a Climate Change believer. The REC's will go to the polluters unless we buy them back from the installers. Unlike the poor Liberal and National Party politicians who are so stuck over the issue. Their day of reckoning is fast approaching!

Spring heat wave in Melbourne

Melbourne has done it again - a heatwave in November. The last week we have had above 30 degrees C weather. The change has been lightning fast - almost wintry one day and heatwave the next. The forecast for the next few days shows no real relief in sight - Friday 31, Saturday 34, Sunday 31, a cool Monday 27 (wait this will change upwards), Tuesday 28 and Wed 33.
So it was fortuitous that the air conditioning was put in. With a guest staying upstairs, the house has now absorbed the outside heat and is lovely and warm in the early morning, and hot as hell by 6pm. At least the heat dissipates later in the evening unlike during January/February when its still >30 after midnight and sleep is almost impossible.
My water bill arrived yesterday - higher than last year - not entirely certain why but probably more showers particularly as we had to put one of our old shower heads back on (instead of the water saving one) as the kids were complaining of not getting enough flow or cold water only. This would almost be acceptable now but not during September.
And I am still waiting, impatiently, for my Solar Power panels to be installed!! Frustrating to have the delay when there are new installations sprouting on roofs all around me. I went for a walk last Friday and spotted another 6 houses in a small area with the panels.When am I going to get satisfied?? I don't know says the company, they're really, really busy. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Shocking Melbourne Cup

Yes its Shocking!!! Just as I was trying out a sweet Alcopop, it fizzed and was flat. The multicultural Irish/Sheikh connection at the Crime Scene almost overwhelmed, but the locals romped ahead. My Cup Sweep was dismal as usual with Warringah at last place payng for my bet. Harris Tweed of Essendon colours also ran behind.

Its amazing how Shocking the language on radio and TV has been since 3.10 pm yesterday. Even the Viewed stocks and Shares reports were in shock.

Better Luck next year and here's hoping one day I'll be able to attend

Oil Rig on Fire

Like many people, I too am concerned about the Oil Rig on fire in the Timor Sea. I have sympathy for the company trying to plug the oil and gas leak. After all it is a remote area and they probably have only "budgeted" for events that are more likely. Extreme events which are very unlikely are hard to effectively plan for.
The response by both the Company and Federal Government should come as no surprise to anyone. After all Australia's "culture" has been one of development no matter the cost later. Wildlife and the Envronment has been low on this list largely because the $$$ are hard to calculate (bean counters are everywhere in government and companies) and the possible consequences are incalculable and largely in the future. Something companies and governments have great difficulty with.
Good luck to all the environment groups who are trying to clean up the mess. Lets hope the future for the area is not that similar to the environment around the Alaskan Sound where the Exxon Valdez spill occurred.
Call me a cynic but we will be hearing about the effects for the next 25 years and living with the economic consequences of these actions for longer.,