Chisholm MP Anna Burke is new Speaker

Posted to Waverley Leader (10/10/2012) on 10/10/2012 at 12:52 PM
Commenting on "Chisholm MP Anna Burke is new Speaker"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/chisholm-mp-becomes-new-speaker/

It has nothing to do with whether Anna Burke MP is a female or a Labor Party member; I am indeed very excited to see her occupying the seat as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I have watched her performance on television parliamentary broadcast, and she has been doing a very good job. She has the firmness of Peter Slipper (politically speaking) and the gentile side of Harry Jenkins ("quietly" speaking).

PS I am not a member of any political party.

Target 155 down the drain

Posted to Waverley Leader (25/2/11) on 26/2/2011 at 11:07 PM
Commenting on "Target 155 down the drain"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/target-155-down-the-drain/

Liberal Government definitely made the wrong decision in ditching the Target 155 campaign,. In business and in life, we set targets and goals not that we will achieve them definitely, but they are something to aim for, to better ourselves in many aspects of performance.

Whether or not it was introduced by the former Labor government or anyone, Target 155 "was" a fantastic idea. Saving water should not be viewed as a policy; it should be a way of life. The best part of Target 155 was that no additional tax was imposed on people using water above the target. The public made conscious and unconscious decisions to conserve this valuable "resource".

By axing the campaign, or more correctly removing this magical target, many will revert back to bad habit using more water, causing increase in household spending, which can either increase household debt, or cannibalise spending on other services.

Target 155 should be synonymous to Keep Australia Beautiful, Cleanup Australia, Planet Ark, Greening Australia, Earth Hour, etc. The program should be expanded instead of being axed.

Why are there shortages of beds?

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leader on 1/12/2010 at 2:11 PM
Title: Why are there shortages of beds?
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/why-are-there-shortages-of-bedsr/

Ted Baillieu has a tough job ahead, not only on health reform, but also on hospital culture reform.

There are wards in some hospitals not open, tying up many beds. There are no doctors and nursing staff to service them due to lack of funding. If remains at status quo, these wards will never be opened.

When Brumby opened "additional" new beds in hospitals, old beds were shut down, and the staff were reshuffled. In fact, there were hardly additional beds opened during election time.

New wings or buildings of hospitals were not well thought out and lack accommodation. In addition, some hospitals placed unnecessary emphasis on certain racial needs, wasting valuable funding resource.

Like many public services, unused monies before end of financial years are spent on unnecessary renovation or replacement of furniture.

Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/1/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 2:10am
Commenting on "Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-councillor-banerji-to-contest-safe-liberal-seat/

It was a good attempt by Joy in Election 2010, but she needed to work harder! Kevin Andrews was a popular choice, and to win the seat from him, Joy should not just bank her resume for being the past role as Monash Mayor.

There are many arm-chair candidates in every election. Most voters have no idea who are running for the seats. The candidates cannot be bordered or too lazy to door knock to introduce themselves, despite their being preselected by their respective political parties months ago. Unlike Wyatt Roy, the 20 year old, youngest MP of Longman, many candidates do not make any genuine effort to change voter's voting pattern or intention, but to rely on preferences stated on the "how to vote" card.

Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/1/2010) on 31/1/2010 at 11:14am
Commenting on "Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-councillor-banerji-to-contest-safe-liberal-seat/

Should Liberal win the next election, will Joy Banerji "assist the government in achieving some success" and "further their cause"?

A good politician should represent the people at large, not just to serve the Party. Will she be a good politician from her statement? You'll be the judge!

Melbourne’s $1.5 million party to bring in New Year

Posted to Melbourne Leader on 17/12/2009 at 12:18 AM

Commenting on “Melbourne’s $1.5 million party to bring in New Year”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/melbournes-15m-party-to-bring-in-new-year/

Heartless, inhumane, spendthrift, selfish and stupid are the words I can think of to describe Robert Doyle and his fellow Councillors who will spend $643,000 on the New Year's Eve "street party", out of which $224,000 spent for fireworks alone - more aptly up in smoke!

Only senseless idiots would spend a total of $1.5 million, another $500,000 more than last year’s budget on the New Year’s celebration which probably benefits the fireworks factories in China, imported explosive experts, and underpaid overseas students to clean up the mess. This is no difference from the Rudd’s Government mismanaging the money of the people.

I'm absolutely disgusted that the Councillors do not spare some thought for the homeless and unemployed, who could share the money to buy some decent food or clothing to welcome the New Year.

Robert Doyle and fellow Councillors, do you understand homeless and unemployment rates are not numbers but real human’s suffering? Before you spend that money, check up the words “hunger”, “human dignity”, “self-esteem”, “cardboard boxes” from a dictionary.

(Robert Doyle is the Mayor of City of Melbourne)

Federally funded insulation sparks 13 house fires in Melbourne

Posted to Waverley Leader on 16/12/2009 at 10:28 PM
Commenting on "Federally funded insulation sparks 13 house fires in Melbourne"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/federally-funded-insulation-sparks-13-house-fires-in-melbourne/

I can't agree more that the Rudd Government has no concept of money management. The insulation grant benefits the insulation material producers, installation companies which employ large team of inexperienced cowboys; many are overseas students and people who don't quite understand English.

Roof insulation is a totally biased grant. A lot of heat gain or heat loss is through glass windows. The grant should have included all drapes, curtains, internal or external window blinds, door seals, window films, and any glass insulation etc.

I really wonder any member of the Government has substantial financial interests in the insulation business. The opposition, Liberal Party, should seriously look into this matter. I smell rats!