Silly snark from Senator Helen Coonan

The rise in the pension age is interesting, but that does not even begin until 2017 and takes full effect in 2023 when Mr Rudd will be 67 and will have safely attained his pension age prior to the measure catching him! [Helen Coonan at the CPA Budget Breakfast on 13 May 2009]

I wonder who will tell the seriously silly Ms. Coonan that, leaving aside the staggered introduction of the new retirement age (which sees the age go up in six monthly increments), Kevin Rudd will only be 66 years of age in 2023, having been born in September 1957.

Pollies and top public servants feel the pain (at least for another four months)

This week the Remuneration Tribunal announced it has deferred its annual pay review for federal politicians and government agency heads.
Before everyone goes "Oh, that's a shame!" remember that the Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority - which is never happier than when it is censoring the Internet - is still comfortably off on an annual salary package of $408,560 ("Mr Christopher Chapman will receive a personal loading .... while he occupies the office") as well as getting Tier 1 travel.
Christopher Robin was until January 2006 a director of Babcock & Brown Investor Services Limited.
ACMA's Deputy Chair gets $296,260 and an Member gets $272,690, with the same travel allowance.
Of course they are not among the highest salaries paid from government coffers as the Chair of APRA comes in at a cool $603,130 each year, with a specified superannuation loading.

Joe Hockey's version of teh troof

Transcript of Opposition Treasury Spokesperson Joe Hockey's truly convoluted performance on the ABC TV 7.30 Report, 19 May 2009.

Puzzled from Ballina writes.....

Why is Joe Hockey crowing about delivering "budgets with less debt, less deficit and more jobs" when the bookies are still backing Labor to win at the next federal election and the latest Newspoll looks like this?
Even if all the uncommitted suddenly went to Turnbull, more voters would still think that he'd wouldn't make a good prime minister and probably wouldn't throw their vote in with the Libs. Perhaps Joe is hoping he'll replace Malcolm before too long and lead the party to glory.

PUZZLED
Ballina

* Guest Speak is a North Coast Voices segment allowing serious or satirical comment from NSW Northern Rivers residents. Email ncvguestpeak at live dot com dot au to submit comment for consideration.

A question for the NSW Government and Planning Minister Keneally concerning West Yamba

If Clarence Valley Council accepted a report which stated that the effects of ocean storm tides (predicted to increase due to climate change) might be felt around 16kms inland from the coast as the crow flies, why would anyone seriously consider placing another 2,000 - 2,500 people within 2kms of the coast on flood storage land at West Yamba?

Flooding in the Lower Valley is subject to influence from the ocean. Ocean storm tide consists of three components: normal astronomic tide, storm surge and wave set-up.....
This will have greatest impact on the coastal communities at Yamba and Iluka, and may also have a secondary influence on flood behaviour up to about Maclean, especially for more frequent events such as the 5 year flood.
[GRAFTON AND LOWER CLARENCE FLOODPLAIN RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN, June 2007]

Mid-North Coast producer wins gold medal in 2009 Vogue Entertaining + Travel Produce Awards

News Space reported this month on the 2009 Vogue Entertaining + Travel Produce Awards:

The complete list of winners and medallists were:

• WINNER: FROM THE DAIRY - HOLY GOAT LA LUNA, VIC
• MEDALLISTS: Woodside Cheese Wrights (SA), Ballycroft Barossa Artisan Cheese (SA), Bruny Island Cheese Co (Tas), John Bignall Tasmanian Highland Cheese (Tas), Meredith Dairy (Vic).
• WINNER: FROM THE EARTH - DAYLESFORD ORGANICS HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES, VIC
• MEDALLISTS: Cuttaway Creek raspberry vinegar (NSW), Darling Mills Farm herbs and salad leaves (NSW), Bunnyconnellen olive products (Qld), Bauer's Organic Farm sweetcorn (Qld), The Australian Caper Company (SA), Joseph olive oil (SA), Ashbolt olive oil and elderberry products (Tas), Frogmore Creek garlic (Tas), Lentara Grove olive oil (Tas), Murray River Salt (Vic), Thorogoods Cider (SA).
  
• JOINT WINNERS: FROM THE SEA - PRISTINE OYSTER FARM, SA AND SPANNER CRABS NOOSA, QLD
• MEDALLISTS: Ferguson Australia lobster products (SA), Woodbridge Smokehouse Smoked Ocean Trout (Tas), Spring Bay Mussels (Tas).
  
• WINNER: FROM THE PADDOCK - WHITE ROCKS VEAL, WA
• MEDALLISTS: Papanui eggs (NSW), Redgate Farm Jurassic Quail (NSW), Macleay Valley Rabbits (NSW), Mayura Station wagyu (SA), Pure Suffolk Lamb (SA), Daylesford Organics eggs (Vic), Sher Wagyu (Vic), Blackmore Wagyu (Vic), Glenloth Free Range squab (Vic), Castricum Brothers lamb (Vic), Green Eggs (Vic).
• WINNER: PRODUCER OF THE YEAR - HOLY GOAT, VIC
• JOINT WINNERS: THE REGIONAL AWARD - DAYLESFORD MACEDON, VIC, AND ORANGE, NSW
• WINNER: FOODHERITAGE/SUSTAINABILITY AWARD - SPRING BAY MUSSELS, TAS
• WINNER: BEST NEW PRODUCT - REDGATE FARM JURASSIC QUAIL, NSW
• WINNER: CONSISTENTLY EXCELLENT PRODUCT - BLACKMORE WAGYU, VIC
• WINNER: OUTSTANDING SUPPLIER - AUSTRALIA ON A PLATE, NSW
• WINNER: OUTSTANDING USE OF REGIONAL PRODUCE BY A CHEF - DAN HUNTER, ROYAL MAIL HOTEL, VIC
• WINNER: OUTSTANDING FARMERS' MARKET - WILLUNGA, SA
• WINNER: THE MAGGIE BEER AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN FOOD - STEPHANIE ALEXANDER

Congratulations to Macleay Valley Rabbits on the NSW Mid-North Coast for coming away with a well-deserved gold medal this year.

Severe weather expected in NSW North Coast and SE Queensland, Wednesday 20 May 2009

Top Priority for Immediate Broadcast
NSW SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
Flash Flooding, Damaging Winds
For people in Northern Rivers
Issued at 12:55 pm on Tuesday 19 May 2009
Synoptic Situation: 12:00 noon EST Tuesday

HEAVY RAIN DEVELOPING OVER THE NORTHEAST OF NSW FROM WEDNESDAY.

A strong upper low will move across southern Queensland during the next few days. As it moves eastwards, this system will generate a strong surface trough off the southern Queensland and northern NSW coast.

Heavy rain and damaging winds are expected to develop over the Northern Rivers late on Wednesday. Flash flooding is likely and wind gusts in excess of 90 km/hr may occur.

A separate Flood Watch has been issued for coastal rivers from the Queensland border to Nambucca.

Heavy rain and high winds are then expected to extend southwards into the Mid North Coast and westwards into the Northern Tablelands during Thursday.
Waves will also increase with dangerous surf conditions likely.
Maintain a close watch on forecasts and warnings for these districts.
Emergency services advise you to keep clear of fallen power lines, stay indoors away from windows and keep children indoors.

Emergency services advise do not enter flood water. Stay well clear of creeks, storm drains and causeways.

Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES [NSW and ACT] on telephone number 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:00 pm Tuesday

This warning is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts; the Bureau's website at http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.