Abbott cutting green and red tape creates a diplomatic row

Is there no-one Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is not willing to offend in his ideological descent into political madness?

This time it is one of our largest trading partners, Japan, and our oldest ally, New Zealand. Along with Indonesia, Taiwan,  Republic of Korea, Philippines, South Africa and the European Union – countries which are members of or co-operate with the Commission for Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

The Sydney Morning Herald 9 November 2013:

The Abbott government has been rebuked by Japan and New Zealand for ditching Australia's commitment to monitor closely its catch of the endangered southern bluefin tuna.

Australia had undertaken to bring in a stereo-video monitoring system to measure more accurately its live catch after Japanese claims that Australian fishers were falsely counting their take of the prized fish.

Parliamentary secretary to the Agriculture Minister Richard Colbeck has shelved the proposal, claiming its $600,000 cost was unwarranted in an industry worth $150 million a year in exports.

Australia takes 5151 tonnes of southern bluefin tuna a year, the lion's share of a 12,449 tonne global catch split between nine nations.

The fish is listed as critically endangered by environment group the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Almost all of the Australian quota is taken by purse seine vessels operating in the Great Australian Bight under the control of Port Lincoln's tuna tycoons....

Japan told the controlling Commission for Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna last year it held ''grave concerns'' that the method used to count the fish was inaccurate.

In reply, Australia confirmed its commitment to implement a stereo-video monitoring system by December 1 to measure accurately the size of each fish.

But last month Australia told the commission the Abbott government was concerned the system would impose an ''excessive regulatory and financial burden''.

Senator Colbeck said it would impose ''a significant additional cost that was not warranted''.

He said it would be postponed until an automatic system could be developed.

Japan said it came to a meeting of the commission in Adelaide last month with high hopes that Australia would meet its promise.

''To our great disappointment, our expectations were crushed,'' Japanese commissioner Shigeto Hase said.

New Zealand commissioner Arthur Hore said the commission was dismayed by a further delay to an Australian commitment made in 2006. ''This delay will have a significant impact on the interests of other commission members,'' he said. ''This is disappointing to say the least.''....

NSW State Emergency Service under the ICAC microscope

For many years I have heard female volunteer State Emergency Service workers complain about the blokey administrative culture of this vital agency.

Less often I have heard allegations about behaviour which came close to being unethical at best and at worst something else entirely.

Now The North West Star on 8 November 2013 reveals that these types of complaints may have some basis in fact:

NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Murray Kear will come under the microscope at an ICAC inquiry next month.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption announced on Thursday that it would hold an inquiry from December 3, as part of an investigation into the sacking of former SES deputy commissioner Tara McCarthy.

The inquiry will probe whether Mr Kear dismissed Ms McCarthy in May in reprisal, after she alleged her colleague SES Deputy Commissioner Steven Pearce had acted corruptly.

It is expected to run for up to two weeks. The inquiry will also examine allegations that Mr Kear failed to appropriately investigate Ms McCarthy’s claims regarding Mr Pearce.

Mr Kear is also alleged to have made false statements or attempted to mislead an officer of the commission.

ICAC Assistant Commissioner Theresa Hamilton will preside over the inquiry, while Michael Fordham, SC, and Callan O’Neill will act as counsel assisting....

Australia's 44th Parliament opens today with Tony Abbott leading a Coalition Government

Alan Moir

Where is Australian Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey sourcing his financial advice?

By the end of October 2013 the Abbott Government was borrowing an est. $265 million per day and it continues to borrow at a frenetic pace. 

At the same time it is moving away from the budget measures outlined in its September 2013 costing table and has blown out the 2013 budget deficit by an estimated $10 billion.

ABC News 9 November 2013:

The Budget Monitor from Deloitte Access Economics..... has raised concerns about whether the Government will take unpopular decisions to improve the budget outcome and return to surplus within the promised 2016/17 timeframe.

The assessment has forecast a budget deficit of $39.7 billion for this financial year, almost $10 billion higher than the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook (PEFO) predicted.

The PEFO estimated a deficit of $30 billion, but since then the new Coalition Government has scrapped some tax windfalls and handed $9 billion to the Reserve Bank.

Deloitte's Chris Richardson says those decisions have significantly contributed to the size of the deficit.

"That is a cost to the budget, it's all fallen this year. It's a lot of dollars," he said.

"You might eventually see those dollars head back to the Government but it is a really rotten budget deficit this year."

Death rate on NSW North Coast higher than state and national averages

On 7 November 2013 the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that; the highest life expectancy estimates ever recorded in Australia, reflecting record low death rates....

Australia's life expectancy at birth continues to be amongst the highest in the world. The combined male and female figure of 82.0 years, while a little lower than Japan and Hong Kong, is higher than Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA...

While there were 147,098 deaths registered in Australia, the standardised death rate fell to 5.5 deaths per 1,000 people, the lowest rate ever recorded in Australia.

In 2002, the death rate was 6.8 deaths. This decrease over the last ten years was greater for males (around 2 deaths per 1,000 males) than for females (around 1 death per 1,000 females)...

The standardised death rate (SDR) for Australia decreased to 5.5 deaths per 1,000 standard population in 2012, down from 5.7 in 2011 and 6.8 in 2002

Footnote(s): (a) Deaths per 1,000 standard population. Standardised death rates use the age distribution of total persons in the Australian population at 30 June 2001 as the standard population.

Source(s):Deaths, Australia (3302.0).

The list below shows how the NSW North Coast measures against the 2012 national death rate of 5.5 and the state death rate of 5.4.

Deaths, Summary, Statistical Local Areas-2001 to 2012:

Ballina standardised death rate in 2012 5.7

Kyogle standardised death rate in 2012 5.7

Byron standardised death rate in 2012 5.9

Clarence Valley standardised death rate in 2012 6.0

Tweed standardised death rate in 2012 6.0

Coffs Harbour standardised death rate in 2012 6.1

Bellingen standardised death rate in 2012 6.3

Richmond Valley standardised death rate in 2012 6.4

Lismore standardised death rate in 2012 6.7

Remembering 11 November 1918

This day in 1918 according to The Sydney Morning Herald.....

SUMMARY.

A German official message states that the Kaiser has decided to abdicate.

The Crown Prince has renounced the Throne, and a Regency is to be established.

Public jubilation prevails in London over the official announcement of the Kaiser's abdication.

The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" gives a graphic story of the armistice meeting.

The German delegates met Marshal Foch at a stately chateau nestling in the woods of the Aisne.

After formally requesting an armistice the Germans asked for a temporary suspension of hostilities, which was refused.

Marshal Foch then took from the table a large typewritten sheet, saying quietly: "These are our conditions."

He read the document in a clear voice.

The terms were terribly hard, and the Germans, with set teeth, listened impassively.

Marshal Foch announced the time limit—72 hours—and the interview ended without discussion.

The inclusion of Herr Erzberger at the last hour in the German delegation indicates that Germany is in grave peril.

The German delegation will decide to accept or reject the armistice conditions at Marshal Foch's headquarters.

In Paris it is regarded as certain that Germany is about to capitulate.....

From the AWM Research Centre:

CABLEGRAM FROM LONDON TO GOVERNOR GENERAL ADVISING THAT ARMISTICE HAD BEEN SIGNED.

"Governor General Melbourne Most urgent armistice signed 5 AM this morning Long"