This morning I have been sitting in my sun filled patio enjoying the serene view of my spring garden. The White Irises are just coming out. The watsonia's and daisies are flowering and the carpet roses just showing, with the mass flowering due in a few days. The birds are singing their hearts out and the Wattlebird is nesting in my magnolia tree. All is quiet and serene.
Yet a few kilometres down the road the city is in a state of excitement with Queen Elizabeth visiting Melbourne city for a few hours today. The Occupy Melbourne protesters, who were violently removed from the City Square last week have promised not to disrupt the Queens visit, but have published a photo of a police officer they allege has been violent.
The Occupy movement is interesting. I have some sympathy with some of their views but how do they think to make the changes they are protesting for? How do we move some money and power from the extremely powerful & privileged to the poor and needy? How do we maintain a modicum of equality, freedom, civil society and reasonable opportunity for all? Australian statistics show the National Wealth and Household Economic Wellbeing. Growth has slowed but the Credit Suisse Global wealth report (Oct 2011) shows Australians are incredibly lucky.
So has this wealth flowed to you?
Is Australia like the US - 1% hold 50% of the wealth? Are baby boomers the problem- holding all the nations wealth?
Is the use of social media changing the way we view law, order, free speech etc?
Is the speed of the internet and its use by various media & companies - twitter, facebook, stockmarkets, banking systems undermining our ability to control volatility and build good communities?
Are we fracturing the community or are we building a more inclusive society?
Looks like more reading is in order, if I can stay awake whilst sitting in the sun getting my Vitamin D, naturally.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Carbon Tax passed step 1
Yesterday the Carbon Tax passed the Australian Government House of Representatives.
Step one completed.
Now we have to wait until the Australian Senate does the same.
Then it will be L. A. W.
Once the Bills have been passed, gazetted etc they needs to be enacted and that may be even harder!
Hold on for the ride. The Opposition vows it will continue the fight, so I expect more strident, negative, sky-is-falling down statements!
Outside the sun is shining, my solar array is humming away generating some power, but not yet enough to run my washing machine, fridge & freezer, radio & laptop. Hopefully my teenager hasn't left the heater on overnight!
The nesting Red Wattlebird is flying close to my windows looking for insects trapped in the spiderwebs (that I cleaned away last week but have grown back!). I can see the red wattles clearly but the bird is very canny and it is hard to move fast enough to photograph it. Quite often I can see both parents visiting the nest which is now hidden in my Magnolia tree close to the house.
In other words, my life continues as it did yesterday!
Time to hang out the washing!
Step one completed.
Now we have to wait until the Australian Senate does the same.
Then it will be L. A. W.
Once the Bills have been passed, gazetted etc they needs to be enacted and that may be even harder!
Hold on for the ride. The Opposition vows it will continue the fight, so I expect more strident, negative, sky-is-falling down statements!
Outside the sun is shining, my solar array is humming away generating some power, but not yet enough to run my washing machine, fridge & freezer, radio & laptop. Hopefully my teenager hasn't left the heater on overnight!
The nesting Red Wattlebird is flying close to my windows looking for insects trapped in the spiderwebs (that I cleaned away last week but have grown back!). I can see the red wattles clearly but the bird is very canny and it is hard to move fast enough to photograph it. Quite often I can see both parents visiting the nest which is now hidden in my Magnolia tree close to the house.
In other words, my life continues as it did yesterday!
Time to hang out the washing!
Monday, October 10, 2011
More reports on Carbon Tax
The last few days have seen a couple of new reports on the Carbon Tax.
The "Clean Energy Future" legislation (18 Bills!) is due to be submitted for discussion in the Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday.
One report is by the Joint Select Committee on the proposed legislation.
A dissenting report has been produced by the Coalition indicating "Labor have denied Australians a proper voice throughout the carbon tax debate". Surely a debate has been had, ad infinitum, ad nauseam and any other latin addages.
What we are sick of is the inaction!
"Most importantly, we will give Australians a choice at the next election" says the coalition. Yes that will be the time to have a continuing debate, after more than 5 years of debate, by then hopefully, implemented legislation. Lets see if the sky has fallen in!
Roll on Wednesday for the media hysteria.
Manufacturing
Today ABC Radio AM program reported on a manufacturing group criticizing the Carbon Tax. Supposedly made up of companies such as Amcor, BlueScope Steel and Boral (are you surprised?).
Supposedly the tax will be a disaster for manufacturing. But what about the last >10 years? High Australian dollar, cheap Chinese and Asian imports, automation, an ageing & less tech savvy workforce, & reduced tariffs have led to reduced number of jobs in manufacturing industries. The latest ABS Year Book indicates 9% of jobs are in this industry. The ABS publication 100 Years of Change in Australian Industries shows how the percentage of GDP has risen and fallen.
Have a read of this book "The Failure of Free-Market Economics" by Martin Fiel, to hear more about manufacturing and tarrifs from the perspective of an old-timer!
I know my partner is struggling with the high Aussie dollar, low economic growth overseas and productivity. But he still supports needed carbon reforms.
The "Clean Energy Future" legislation (18 Bills!) is due to be submitted for discussion in the Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday.
One report is by the Joint Select Committee on the proposed legislation.
A dissenting report has been produced by the Coalition indicating "Labor have denied Australians a proper voice throughout the carbon tax debate". Surely a debate has been had, ad infinitum, ad nauseam and any other latin addages.
What we are sick of is the inaction!
"Most importantly, we will give Australians a choice at the next election" says the coalition. Yes that will be the time to have a continuing debate, after more than 5 years of debate, by then hopefully, implemented legislation. Lets see if the sky has fallen in!
Roll on Wednesday for the media hysteria.
Manufacturing
Today ABC Radio AM program reported on a manufacturing group criticizing the Carbon Tax. Supposedly made up of companies such as Amcor, BlueScope Steel and Boral (are you surprised?).
Supposedly the tax will be a disaster for manufacturing. But what about the last >10 years? High Australian dollar, cheap Chinese and Asian imports, automation, an ageing & less tech savvy workforce, & reduced tariffs have led to reduced number of jobs in manufacturing industries. The latest ABS Year Book indicates 9% of jobs are in this industry. The ABS publication 100 Years of Change in Australian Industries shows how the percentage of GDP has risen and fallen.
 |
| 1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2005 |
Have a read of this book "The Failure of Free-Market Economics" by Martin Fiel, to hear more about manufacturing and tarrifs from the perspective of an old-timer!
I know my partner is struggling with the high Aussie dollar, low economic growth overseas and productivity. But he still supports needed carbon reforms.
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