NOTE: Numbers represent search interest relative to the highest point on the chart for the given region and time. A value of 100 is the peak popularity for the term. A value of 50 means that the term is half as popular. A score of 0 means there was not enough data for this term.
Thursday 12 October 2023
So has Australia been 'googling' for information about the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Voice to Parliament.
Wednesday 11 October 2023
Productivity State of Play September Quarter 2023: Australia has been running hard just to stand still this year - but the fault doesn't lie with the workforce
“Australia experienced a large decrease in labour productivity for the whole economy (-2.0%) and the market sector (-1.7%) in the June 2023 quarter, resulting in an expected 3.2% fall in annual productivity from 2021-22 to 2022-23. This is largely because hours worked increased more than output.” [PC productivity insights: Quarterly productivity bulletin — September 2023]
There’s been a decrease in labour productivity reported in the Productivity Commission’s Bulletin of September Quarter 2023, but the villains of the piece are not workers per se.
The June quarter covering 1 April to 30 June 2023 saw a convergence of factors influencing productivity which were outside the influence of the Australian workforce.
Generally, a tighter labour market reaching an historically high employment level in that quarter meant that more hours were being worked. However hiring practices do not necessarily mean businesses were taking on highly skilled labour or that there was always a large pool of highly skilled workers available to particular businesses - which when combined with a weakening retail demand for certain goods due to high cost of living pressures continuing to limit household purchasing choices - meant that productivity slowed.
At industry level the Productivity Commission made no mention of wages or days lost to industrial action as being factors in June Quarter 2023 productivity decline.
Adverse weather combined with planned maintenance were the principal reasons leading to a decrease in iron ore mining and oil and gas extraction which saw that sector report 15.3% of the overall Australian productivity decline.
The mining industry reportedly began to stagnant during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2021-2022 & 2022-2023 saw heavy rain and floods disrupted mining operations as well as the transportation network for coal movement and mining workers.
Productivity declines in electricity, gas, water and waste water services sector, combined with declines in the information, media and telecommunications sector, accounted for another 30.6% of the total productivity loss recorded in the June quarter.
Electricity, gas, water and waste water services sector apparently continuing an average negative annual productivity growth established in 2020-21 and, Information, media and telecommunications seemingly heading towards falling short of the productivity level recorded in 2021-22.
One has to suspect one of these three sectors – electricity, gas, water & waste water services – may be suffering less from environmental factors and more from boardrooms in that sector displaying both an overattachment to legacy infrastructure and a lack of appetite for genuine innovation.
Australian Government Productivity Commission, Quarterly Production Bulletin – September 2023, released 10:30pm AEST, 10 October 2023:
Productivity decreased by 2% in the June 2023 quarter, as record-high growth in hours worked outpaced output growth, according to the Productivity Commission’s latest Productivity Bulletin.
“Our unemployment rate remains low. Australians worked more in the June quarter as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite. But even though hours worked rose, the rise in output was more modest, and that shows up as a reduction in labour productivity,” Acting Chair Alex Robson said.
The report finds that while output was up 0.4%, hours worked for the whole economy and the market sector increased by 2.4% and 2.2% respectively – the largest quarterly increase on record outside the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Productivity growth is about working smarter, not working longer or working harder. Negative productive growth means that on average, Australians worked more hours just to produce and buy the same amount of goods and services. In other words, Australians have been running to stand still.”
The report suggests that while demand for labour may taper off as interest rates rise and the economy slows, we can’t rely on short term fluctuations in hours worked as a source of long-term productivity growth.
“Our productivity challenge has been urgent for many years. We will only see sustainable, long-term productivity growth if we increase investment and innovation,” Dr Robson said.
The research finds that 15 out of 19 industries experienced a decline in labour productivity over the 2023 June quarter.
The arts and recreation services industry saw the largest decline in productivity (-7.6%), as hours worked increased by 9.3% while output rose only 0.9%.
However, three industries drove about 46% of the overall labour productivity decline: mining; electricity, gas, water and waste services; and information, media and telecommunications.
The mining industry alone made up around one-third of the total labour productivity decline, as hours worked increased while output significantly declined. The decline in mining output was mainly driven by a decrease in iron ore mining and oil and gas extraction, as adverse weather and planned maintenance reduced production capacity.
[END]
Tuesday 10 October 2023
Five days out from the Australian 2023 national referendum *WARNING this post contains examples of offensive language*
As Australia reaches five days out from the 2023 national referendum on including in its foundational Constitution the provision for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Voice to Parliament - for the record and in no particular order a window on the public debate via X/Twitter.
In which those supporting the "No" position chose to repeat political lies, untruths, deliberate errors of fact, conspiracy theories and debunked urban myths, while Indigenous voices are speaking their truth sometimes with an edge of humour and "Yes" supporters struggling to be polite, on occasion failing but also displaying quirky humour, made their point:
PSA warning for mob: the polls are absolutely feral… vote but be prepared.
— Larissa Baldwin-Roberts (@Riss_Bundjalung) October 6, 2023
Just run the gauntlet to absentee vote
— Gomeroi (@AmyCreighton123) October 5, 2023
Redneck racist to the right and YT saviours to the left
And 1% of us FN voters stuck in the middle with you #Referendum2023
Newsflash paddy, NO voters couldn’t give a stuff what Dutton or Clive or ANY ‘celebrity ‘ thinks or does on The Voice. we made up our minds to vote NO as soon as the referendum was announced . this ISNT left vs right or labor vs liberal you clueless moron #VoteNo
— Paddo π¦πΊ πππ£⛳️πππππ¦π (@padders001) October 7, 2023
“As public debate on the voice referendum fuels hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric, non-Indigenous Australians hold a responsibility to show empathy, respect and care” https://t.co/7Cv5av8rKo
— First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria (@firstpeoplesvic) September 29, 2023
Noel Pearson schools Liberal Dan Tehan on why legislation for #TheVoice is supposed to be drafted after the referendum, as with former referendums, accusing him of “conflating the creation of legislation with the adoption of a constitutional referendum”π₯#QandA #Yes23 pic.twitter.com/19nUvy8g0c
— stranger (@strangerous10) October 2, 2023
Katherine Murphy calls out Dutton & the No campaign’s “deliberate” strategy for “conflict” & hits the nail on the head on the struggle for reconciliation through a Voice
— stranger (@strangerous10) October 7, 2023
“If racism sets the standard for what we can & cannot do in this country, we’re in a bad place” #Insiders pic.twitter.com/fNLzhiJDhS
The Voice itself is not divisive.
— Peter Wicks (@madwixxy) October 8, 2023
Divisive people have ensured that the debate to achieve one is divisive.#auspol https://t.co/CIfnJ47ARW
Question. Is there any evidence of bare-faced, damaging and outrageous lies coming from anyone in the #VoteYES camp?
— MFW (@MFWitches) October 6, 2023
We don’t mean info which may be inadvertently misrepresented, but something like the (now deleted) tweet below which is an outright and deliberate lie and is… pic.twitter.com/HQwBuFQAhJ
Almost all woketard elites hiding behind locked replies.
— Aborigine supremacy is racist. (@Tobaccotime) September 19, 2023
Woketard elites hiding their Yes signs up high.
25 days until we destroy their plan to make aborigines the constitutional master race.
Looks like the woketards have never been more on the ropes. https://t.co/ClNwgCEzWp
Senator Michaelia Cash at the Liberals for No event against the Indigenous voice to parliament in Perth @australian pic.twitter.com/tTkuL1WwQ4
— Paige Taylor (@paigeataylor) August 20, 2023
Vote NO and demand the details - A bit of perspective
— Frank DAY (@FrankDA28404970) October 8, 2023
We already have the Voice: • 3,278 Aboriginal corporations • 243 Native title bodies • 48 Land councils • 35 Regional councils • 122+ Aboriginal agencies • 3 Advisory bodies • 145 Health Organisations • 11 Ind Fed MPs
To the Australian people, young and old.
— Patrick Dodson (@SenatorDodson) September 3, 2023
I have lived through many of these extraordinary moments in this country.
The Voice is now our moment.
Vote Yes.#VoteYes23 #VoteYesAustralia
pic.twitter.com/OxrzS7r1EP
First colonisers of Australia were Macassans not Aboriginals. Dutch were amongst the first Europeans to discover Western Australia, French discovered Southern Australia & Tasmania,& English Eastern Australia. So do contemporary Aussies have to pay rent & reparations to them? https://t.co/uE2nkWmDqw
— Jacked Off (@Jack53596930) March 11, 2023
Like most migrants who came to Australia worked their asses off to give themselves and their family a better life.
— Roller (@roller2426) August 4, 2023
So when the inner city globalist puppet aboriginals want us to pay the rent, can we charge a service fee with interest on improvements made to "their" land?
The progressive No vote has been a key part of the broader No Campaign, and Tarneen Onus Brown of the Blak Sovereignty movement, who is now an advocate for Yes, tells us how much damage they think has already been done by the No camp. pic.twitter.com/SnEVlyTyRl
— The Project (@theprojecttv) October 3, 2023
Wow π³ doubling down.
— ValGlassπ¦πΊ (@AussieVal10) October 5, 2023
Ray says “if you don’t know, vote no” is an ignorant statement. He said to go find out…but find out from whom?
The details are being kept secret. No one knows what they are agreeing to until it passes.
I DON’T TRUST POLITICIANS!#VoteNO23Australia pic.twitter.com/31TGtY5hoY
“Despite being one of this country's shortest-serving Prime Ministers, Tony Abbott inflicted more damage to Indigenous affairs and to our communities than most others.
— Dr Tracy Westerman AM (@TracyWesterman) October 8, 2023
“It is an insult to all Australian people that someone who failed so drastically continues to be given media… https://t.co/XbNpC8lLEh
Noel Pearson believes all people of European origin are white cunts, in contrast I do not feel the same about all Aborigines, however I do single him out as a black cunt. #VoteNO
— Vote No to the racist TREATY. (@ABiologicalMale) October 4, 2023
There are none so blind as those who will not see. Albanese is using the plight of Aboriginal people as a tool, nothing more, to divide our nation with the false belief that those who want a united country with the same rights for all people are racist. That is a hideous lie.!!
— Ron Jones (@RoJone252) October 8, 2023
Once again I would like to thank the Cook government for their contribution to the NO campaign.
— Despicable Meme (@pugnamstulti) October 8, 2023
It was a great working model of how the voice would operate in real world terms.
Showing us all the greed and extortion demonstrated by aboriginal activists as soon as they smelt power
They are line all of us - migrants to this land or born of migrants. We all have a voice - some louder than others - a yes vote will not change Aboriginal lives - they like all of us have to choose a better version of ourselves. Take responsibility. #VoteNo
— Filepe Lagos (@filepel) October 8, 2023
immutable land title is a fundamental right in Aussie. Under aboriginal land claims freehold title cannot be breached. However under the VOICE the attached map shows the break up of the country and the aboriginals owners of every inch. Aboriginal elite want you to pay rent pic.twitter.com/NV1ssCGwzV
— Baron of Burleigh (@burrosavic) April 10, 2023
When it matters most, Australians show up for each other. Vote Yes! Let’s do this Australia! ✌πΎ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zQrUUl959W
— Professor Dr Megan Davis (@mdavisqlder) October 6, 2023
Yes Yes Yes it's a UN plot, so vote NO.https://t.co/BkbT1InBc8
— Bill Koutalianos (@NoDirectAction) October 4, 2023
Thomas Mayor is a fake Aboriginal, now worth millions thanks to NTG ALP CM Gunner , Fyles & Maritime Union colluding with ALBO for 6 years - Australia’s Aboriginal Money Laundering Unit is alive & well as Australia is no longer a democracy. #voteno https://t.co/16bMCQwa0v
— Jane Davies (@JaneDav97215588) October 7, 2023
i don’t want anyone’s pity, money, backyards, regrets or apologies.
— Sana Nakata (@DrSanaNakata) October 6, 2023
we know what we are doing. we have always done it.
we know the place where the stars meet the seas. it is where we are free. it is where we once lived & it is there we are determined to live again. pic.twitter.com/TJl2BYu80s
Today we find out that Ray Martin is an Aboriginal , because of Bertha four generations ago.
— steven (@nogulagsagain) October 7, 2023
This means Ray’s kids , a multi millionaire, will not have to pay HECS, get free dental, will get into Uni easier and get housing loans at 1.5%.
Your kids will get none of the above. pic.twitter.com/tvc4wbS8Sh
Newsflash paddy, NO voters couldn’t give a stuff what Dutton or Clive or ANY ‘celebrity ‘ thinks or does on The Voice. we made up our minds to vote NO as soon as the referendum was announced . this ISNT left vs right or labor vs liberal you clueless moron #VoteNo
— Paddo π¦πΊ πππ£⛳️πππππ¦π (@padders001) October 7, 2023
If we had all these backyards we supposed to be after then geez we wouldn't need a voice π€£
— Gomeroi (@AmyCreighton123) October 6, 2023
If Australians are stupid enough to vote in the Voice , they deserve to pay reparations, rent on the land they own , pay for access to beaches and parks ,have an unelected panel of Aboriginals dictating public policy.
— Dragon Heart (@nichols_ge41345) October 5, 2023
It's all in the Uluru statement that this is the future.
This PM is planning to divide Australia, same as Democratic Israel n facist Palestine...vote NO TO DIVIDING AUSTRALIA INTO FACIST VS DEMOCRACY..WE WILL END UP LIKE ISRAEL. PALESTINEIS BACKED BY IRAN AND RUSSIA. VOTE NO TO DIVISION BY FACIST VOICE N PM
— Carmie (@Powell4Carmel) October 8, 2023
Albo Voice-Treaty
— bill/sparow (@BillSparow1) September 16, 2023
Do you want to pay Aboriginals rent on your property? pic.twitter.com/ewZ4S9zgaI
When I voting #Yes23 in Ballina, some old, middle class white bloke who looked like he was doing just fine on franking credits sidled up to me outside the polling booth and tried to thrust a Vote No pamphlet in my face. It took all my self control not to knee him in the balls. π€¬
— π§ Johny Miller (@jmil400) October 7, 2023
Babbling of more lies dribbling from the mouth of a snake-oil salesman on a crusade to divide Our Nation. His legacy will be that of a PM striving to insert Apartheid into Our Constitution. His greater concern is how Australia will be viewed on the world platform. π¦πΊ pic.twitter.com/gGnlaD2w1q
— Al Swearengen (@LarryWa01884739) October 8, 2023
It is racist, you are racist , we all want a united Australia, this is the most divisive disgusting referendum in our history. By all means vote how you like, it is called living in a democratic society, but you are racist if you vote to divide our country by race
— Equerry123456 (@equerry123456) October 8, 2023
My heart aches tonight for my dear family and friends in the Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr nations as charlatan @KevinHoganMP actively fights against your desire to be heard, to be seen, to be recognised. This letterbox drop is horrific. What a deceitful, divisive fiend. pic.twitter.com/Uj5IoeqKxZ
— Mason Hell-Cat (@masonhellcat) September 12, 2023
Reparations, separate state/parliament, reparations, rent, land back.
— Prisoner DJ Trump (@dedputinsociety) October 7, 2023
Who do you think pays that rent, reparations? Whose land do they want to take back
That is radical, it is divisive and because of that this evil referendum will fail
I love Aussie TikTok calling BS on the Sunday Tele and their No campaign front page exclusive of "polling with no source and admission of minuscule sample so it's not legit anyway" (cough, cough) Love it! #VoteYes
— Professor Dr Megan Davis (@mdavisqlder) October 8, 2023
Get serious
— zabsteroz (@Zabsteroz) July 26, 2023
For a start two of the key Voice promoters are more non Aboriginal or not at all Aboriginal
And the Voice will usher in Reparations, rent, tax breaks you name it
Why should non aboriginals pay rent to other non aboriginals? Tick a boxers claiming money meant for ATSI
You have to be kidding there has been so much animosity from the yes camp to those who are going to vote no
— adriana (@moonlightami) October 5, 2023
starting from the Prime Minister who called the No voters chicken little Pearson. Calling as white cunts, including others and let’s not forget mayo and what he said on…
If you are confused or don’t understand “the voice” vote this week, Google it! Vote informed ya legends xox pic.twitter.com/d8InIoOgJP
— Tom Cardy (@Tomycardy) October 7, 2023
On prepoll today lots of good vibes, #YES voters and some very strange NO voters.
— Ben Davison (@Ben_Davison1) October 6, 2023
Including one woman who didn’t take a flyer from my colleague, Dale, and when I said “Fair enough, have a nice day.” Turned around to yell “And I’m not a racist!”
So we were like.. pic.twitter.com/dRBaE66HJ9
“It’s called a fair go mate… yeah” It’s that simple. Vote Yes for a fair go on October 14! #VoteYes #VoiceToParliament #auspol #UluruStatement #VoteNo #Yes23 pic.twitter.com/xkk8hxLuYX
— eddie synot (@EddieSynot) September 30, 2023
This is what yes looks like in 95 languages. Yes in English and in 94 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander living languages.
— Dr Liz Allen (@DrDemography) October 4, 2023
The colours reflect the Torres Strait Islander flag. #Yes23 #VoiceToParliament (image credit: Paul Girrawah House) pic.twitter.com/Z4mmc4qbP2
Hi from Hobart! Why does a tiny state like Tasmania get an equal number of Senators as bigger states like Vic & NSW? Cos our Constituion guarantees the historic political communities, the former colonies, a fair & equal Voice in the system - even the very small ones! This… pic.twitter.com/XvbVwYlFGj
— Shireen Morris (@ShireenMorrisMs) October 7, 2023
Monday 9 October 2023
Sunday 8 October 2023
Surf's Up on NSW North Coast - but so are drownings
So Winter has turned to a warmer than usual Spring and a hotter than normal Summer is expected.
Here on the NSW North Coast it means that the number of people - locals and visitors - on the beaches and in the surf or swimming in quieter waters of river mouths and estuaries, is likely to be high this year.
However, it does well to remember that Australian Summer drowning deaths for 2022/23 were the highest for the last 3 years and we all need to take care that we don't become part of those statistics in 2023/24
In the three months between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023, 50 per cent of all drowning deaths that occurred across Australia were in coastal waterways (beaches, oceans, harbours and rocks) and 55 per cent of all drowning deaths occurred on weekends and public holidays.
The majority of drowning deaths from all causes in that three months were people aged between 0 to 64 years of age, with the average age for drowning deaths during the heatwave period being est. 52 years.
And it seems in New South Wales we need to take notice of every water safety rule we were ever taught.
A worrying 40 per cent of all drowning happened in New South Wales as well as 31 per cent of all drowning deaths over the 9 day Christmas-New Year period 25 Dec 2022-2 Jan 2023.
A total of 55 coastal drowning deaths occurred in the state, with 45 per cent at the beach and 13 per cent off shore.
The Echo, 4 October 2023:
With the Surf Life Saving (SLSC) NSW season now underway (September 23, 2023 – April 25, 2024), the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club are urging the community to be safety aware on beaches and waterways.
And both the Byron and Bruns Surf Lifesaving clubs are appealing for recruits to help make the beaches safe this summer.
‘Choosing a patrolled beach and swimming between the flags is the safest way to enjoy the ocean, and can save a life’, says Byron Club President, Paul Pattison. ‘Don’t forget to raise your hand if you’re in difficulty, so you can be seen.’
High drowning stats
‘In summer of 2022/23, there were 54 coastal drowning deaths, all of which occurred at unpatrolled locations. This equates to six drowning deaths every ten days of summer.
‘Byron Shire has recorded one of the highest numbers of coastal drowning deaths since 2013–23, and is now considered a blackspot (an area with a high probability/risk of ongoing reoccurrence).
‘Our coastline is a popular destination for tourists, and it’s essential to improve community awareness of our patrolled beaches.
‘We are hoping to recruit a further 20 patrol members to keep our beaches safe this summer. Members of the community who are interested in, or have previously held their bronze medallion are being encouraged to connect with their local surf club’, Pattison said.
To get involved, visit byronbaysurfclub.org and www.brunswickslsc.org.
BACKGROUND
ROYAL LIFE SAVING SUMMER DROWNING REPORT 2022/23
Every day one person died from drowning across summer, with a surge of deaths during the heat wave in February and a tragic Christmas – New Year holiday week pushing numbers up, the Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll has revealed.
Last year flood-related drowning deaths caused a spike in deaths in February, but this year’s February death toll was even higher – with 31 deaths – despite there not being large-scale flooding in urban areas in 2023.
In total, 90 people lost their lives in Australian waterways and swimming pools between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023.
Tragically, 10 per cent of all drowning deaths this year were rescues gone wrong.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Chief Executive Officer Justin Scarr said the trends this year were deeply concerning.
“Last year was the worst year on record for summer drowning and we had hoped there would be a significant drop given there was fewer intense flood events this year, but drowning numbers are still too high,” Mr Scarr said.
“It’s supposed to be the happiest time of year, but between Christmas Day and January 2, when people gathered together across Australia 22 people drowned. That’s 22 families, friends and communities whose summer became a period of mourning.
“The heatwave in February also caused a spike in drowning, with 17 per cent of all drowning deaths over summer attributable to that six-day period.
“So many communities were affected by drowning this year, with significant increases in drowning in all states except for Queensland and Tasmania.
“Royal Life Saving continues to promote the need for local drowning prevention and water safety plans, targeting known drowning blackspots.
“We know that this is the tip of the iceberg. Many more non-fatal drowning incidents are likely to have occurred that aren’t recorded in publicly accessible data and so remain invisible.
“We need to get more people in our community getting back into their local pools brushing up on their skills, doing their Bronze Medallion if they’re planning to be at unpatrolled locations including rivers and lakes, and getting their children into learn to swim classes.”
For a full breakdown of NSW drownings in 2022, see:
Saturday 7 October 2023
Nickname of the Week
TuberfΓΌhrer Dutton
IMAGE: The Guardian, 14.01.23 |