A virgin birth?

Have organisers of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day 2008 achieved a small miracle with their selection of Sydney man Alfio Stuto to play the leading role in a performance of the Stations of the Cross?

Google reveals that before it was announced that Stuto, 27, was one of the four finalists in the running for the leading role he had no prior history in Googleland.

What? A 27 year old who doesn't have a Google track record?

Perhaps the Catholic church has pulled off the best long shot of the year. Then again, it could be that forces have been at work to ensure the church's selection has the appearance of a clean skin.

'Water poverty' - a case of back to the future

With Australian government at all levels looking to cost increases to the consumer as a way to off-set increasing demand for essential services, this scenario out of Britain does not reassure.

Nothing I have heard from our own politicians has truly come to grips with how increasing costs for water, electricity, gas and petrol will affect low-income families over the long-term or explained how limited and periodic government handouts to compensate for increases will actually avoid this type of Third World poverty trap.

 

According to BBC News last Saturday.

 

The number of people in "water poverty" will rise, says the water consumer watchdog for England and Wales.

The Consumer Council for Water uses the term for people whose water bills cost more than 3% of their income after tax.

It estimates a third of people living in the South West will fit this criteria by 2010.

If you had ever wondered if Brendan Nelson might be a fool, wonder no more...

Aunty's The Insiders on Sunday featured an interview with Coalition Leader of the Opposition Brendan Nelson.

 

Nelson as usual was all about the big picture and vital national issues.

That is if you delved deep enough under the half-truths and fairy floss.

It seems Little Brennie just knows that all's well with The Alliance even if Queenslanders are about to declare war on Texas, it's really O.K. for a prime minister to travel overseas if he has Liberal Party permission, an Opposition Leader will miraculously regain relevance by going walkabout or pretending to work at Coles, voters will believe this leader is genuine if he doesn't make a fuss about political donation rules, and whatever whoppers he tells will go down easily if he repeats them often enough.

Yeah mate - and the crows will fly backwards to Bourke on the day you show some political nous.

 

Here are the trite bits I liked the best.

 

"And I think what we've seen from President Bush and Kevin Rudd is a reassurance I think to Australians and the rest of the world that the alliance is strong, that the fundamentals of that alliance will continue, and at a personal level it would appear at least outwardly that Kevin Rudd and George Bush have hit it off, and that's in Australia's interest, and I think no one should be critical of that.

Although, I do sympathise with the Queenslanders who are a bit cranky about the idea of Mr Rudd conferring honorary Queensland membership to the President, but they'll debate that in Queensland."

 

"Well look the first thing Barrie is I think it is important that the Prime Minister, and a new Prime Minister, actually travel, we've got no problems with that at all."

 

"Yeah, a lot of it will. Obviously we've got some structure, in terms of places that we are going to, and functions that I will be attending and addressing, but you'll see me in servos and bagging groceries in supermarkets, and all of those sort of things that just, you know, connections with people in day-to-day life."

 

"but I don't think the average Australian wants to get too hung up in us spending too much time on issue [political donations]."

 

"You see you have got to remember, Barrie, we're the real deal."

 

"Again, I go back to our Liberal roots. We are men and women committed to building a better society based on small business, families, reward for hard work and sacrifice in every day life, and one of the key things for us is we need to broaden our base, we need to be a party that's attractive and resonates with every Australian, does matter where they live or whatever their circumstances, and when I'm sticking the groceries in the bags at Woollies and Coles, mate, that's what I'll be talking about."

Mob associated with Hillsong do a lot more harm than good

Surely, recent revelations about the activities of the Hillsong-associated Mercy Ministries requires a response from an Australian government department.

That Mercy Ministries avails itself of government funding for highly questionable motives is in itself a disgrace, but that no government department, and especially a cabinet member of the Rudd Government, has as yet stepped up to the plate and put this matter on the public record suggests this mob of bible-bashers continues to wield power that they ought not have.

Mercy Ministries' Peter Irvine initially reckoned "only (that's Irvine's wording, not mine!) three" women had negative experiences with Mercy Ministries. Irvine subsequently revised the number and said it was six. Come on Mr Irvine, spare us the crap. One is one too many!

US 08: Hillary replies to critics

Simply because I found myself on one of Barack Obama's mailing lists, I have from time to time posted his emails on North Coast Voices.

In a spirit of equal time, here is a piece from Hillary Clinton's team on her official website.

 

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose New Hampshire and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins New Hampshire, defying the predictions and the polls

 

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose the big states on Super Tuesday and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins the big states on Super Tuesday – and wins them by double digits

 

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose Texas and possibly Ohio on March 4^th and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins both Texas and Ohio on March 4^th – and she wins Ohio by double digits

 

THE PUNDITS
Despite Hillary Clinton's big victories on March 4th, "the math" works decisively against her

and the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The math is simple: neither candidate has reached the number of delegates required to
secure the nomination and either candidate can win

 

THE PUNDITS
Barack Obama is substantially ahead in the pledged delegate count; pledged delegates are the

only measure of success; therefore the race is essentially over
THE REALITY 
The candidates are within fractions of one another on delegates; Barack Obama needs super

delegates to win; and a marginal pledged delegate lead does not determine the outcome

 

Full version of Pundits vs Reality here.

Sometimes it's just not worth getting out of bed for an unsuccessful Nationals candidate and mayoral hopeful

Sometimes local politics brings a broad smile to the face when suddenly the biter gets bit.

In this case Chris Gulaptis, Clarence Nationals chairman (his sexist word not mine), unsuccessful candidate at the last federal election and frequently unsuccessful candidate for Clarence Valley mayor, must wish he had never opened his mouth in The Daily Examiner letters to the editor.

Chris managed to get himself exposed as one of those people who may have looked to a federal political career not out of conviction but because it pays well with good superannuation.

 

Here is a reply to Gulaptis' foray into the letters column which turned up in yesterday's issue of that paper.

 

Chris cross

 

THERE is an old Turkish saying that goes something like this: "If you don't tell the truth make sure you have one foot in the stirrups."

The level of fiction in the Chris Gulaptis letter (DE March 22) almost guarantees he'll shortly be in the market for a good horse.

Probably about the time Janelle Saffin, and not Steve Cansdell, delivers on Grafton Base Hospital.

But it's the last paragraph of his letter that really should have Chris Gulaptis galloping off into the sunset.

He's on pretty shaky ground when he starts accusing people of being something they are not.

I've been around the Labor Party a long time and I wouldn't know Craig Howe if I fell over him.

The Gulaptis story, however, is a little different. His claim to be National Party first, last and foremost is a road to Damascus conversion and came after he couldn't get what he wanted from the ALP.

He shed plenty of sweat chasing a position with Labor, right down to travelling to Sydney to meet with the then NSW general secretary, Mark Arbib, former minister Harry Woods and Harry's chief of staff Mike Fleming.

His comment that Steve Cansdell won seven primary votes to every one of Craig Howe's only proves he knows how to use a calculator.

The fact that Janelle Saffin is now in Federal Parliament proves that what the ALP thought of Chris Gulaptis was spot on.

 

Terry Flanagan

Orara Way

Who's being a little too clever on Antarctic whaling - The Oz, Asahi or Kevin Rudd?

Sometimes the media raises more questions than it answers in a hunt for the next day's story.
The difference between The Australian's take on what Kevin Rudd told Asahi Shimbun and what appears in that Japanese newspaper on the issue of Antarctic whaling appears to be more than a matter of nuance.
The Australian has Kevin Rudd willing to develop a whaling issue "scheme" and abandoning "legal action" but Asahi Shimbun remains completely silent on the former aspect and does not specifically address the latter.
So is Kevin Rudd starting to back down on Labor's support of the international moratorium on whaling or is someone being rather mischievous here?
Given that there seems to have been only one interview with the Japanese newspaper and knowing the rather unfortunate reputation of The Oz, one has to suspect that the Australian newspaper may have expanded what was said.

Last Thursday The Australian ran this article under the banner "Whaling olive branch to Japan"

Peter Alford, Tokyo correspondent March 27, 2008

AUSTRALIA is optimistic of getting a diplomatic settlement of the Antarctic whaling controversy "with our Japanese friends", a conciliatory Kevin Rudd has told a top Japanese newspaper.

"I have an optimistic view that the issue can be settled diplomatically," the Prime Minister told Asahi Shimbun editor-in-chief Yoichi Funabashi, Japan's top foreign policy journalist, during a Canberra interview.
"I know that it is not easy to have a solution and I understand that there exist very strong views about it in Japan," Mr Rudd is quoted as saying in the front-page article. "On the other hand, there also exist very strong views in Australia and in international society as well."
Rather than pursuing any legal action against the Japanese government-sponsored whaling, Mr Rudd wants to settle the matter diplomatically, Asahi told its readers yesterday.
The Japanese fleet is returning to port after killing an estimated 500-600 whales during the recent Southern Ocean hunt, partly in waters claimed by Australia.
The catch, less than two-thirds of the "research" quota Japan granted itself for this summer, reflects disruption by the harassing tactics of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Greenpeace vessels and a diplomatic row that forced the Japanese to abandon plans to kill 50 humpback whales for the first time in 20 years.
Canberra officials are examining evidence, including images of whale killings gathered by the Customs vessel Oceanic Viking, to decide whether to take action in an international court against Kyodo Senpaku whaling company.
"Our activities are to find out what's going on in the area, to find out if it is for scientific purposes, or is it commercial whaling?" Mr Rudd told Asahi. "When we (have) gathered (the) facts, we would like to co-operate with our Japanese friends to establish a scheme for the solution of the issue."
The interview came amid growing concern in Japan about the Australia relationship, and in particular with a Government led by a Prime Minister who once was a China specialist.

On the same day Asahi Simbun online ran this piece in Tokyo under the title "Rudd: Whale talks very, very difficult"

BY AKIHITO SUGII AND YUZURU TAKANO
CANBERRA--The feud between Japan and Australia over whaling can be resolved through diplomacy, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said, but he reiterated Canberra's criticism against Japan's research whaling.
"I'm optimistic that we can resolve these matters diplomatically," Rudd said Tuesday in an interview with Yoichi Funabashi, editor in chief of The Asahi Shimbun. "I am fully appreciative of the fact that it would be very, very difficult."
Rudd pledged to oppose whaling during his campaign in November last year that led his Labor Party to win control of the government for the first time in 11 years.
The Australian government under Rudd has dispatched a customs ship to conduct surveillance of Japanese whaling vessels and other steps to strengthen restrictions on whaling.
Rudd reiterated the Australian government's position that has been critical of what Japan has described as scientific whaling.
"The reason we have undertaken the actions we have is to establish in our own mind the facts of what's transpiring down there, vis-a-vis scientific or commercial whaling," Rudd said.
Despite the differences over whaling, Rudd stressed the importance of bilateral relations with Japan for Australia, especially in the area of national security.
"The relationship with Japan is an absolutely core relationship for the Australian government," Rudd said.
Rudd indicated his government would maintain the same course in the cooperative relationship on national security between Australia, Japan and the United States established by his predecessor, John Howard.
"We have reaffirmed the importance of our trilateral discussions between ourselves, the United States and the government of Japan," Rudd said.
At the same time, Rudd took a more pessimistic view toward a proposal made by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to create a four-party cooperative relationship that would include India.
Rudd will visit the United States, Europe and China from Thursday on his first major trip abroad since becoming prime minister.
When asked about concerns that Rudd's government was skipping Japan, the prime minister indicated that the fundamental relationship would not be affected because he described the relationship between Australia and Japan as "good, strong, mature, robust."
Rudd also expressed expectations that Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda would demonstrate leadership during the Group of Eight summit to be held in July at Lake Toyako, Hokkaido. Rudd has been invited to represent Australia at that summit as an observer.
"It depends on how Prime Minister Fukuda wishes to conduct the summit, and I understand that obviously climate change will figure prominently at the summit," Rudd said.
Rudd also indicated that he would bring up the issue of clashes in Tibet during his talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on his trip to Beijing.
"I will raise the human rights concerns with the Chinese government," Rudd said.
The interview Tuesday was Rudd's first with a Japanese media organization since he became prime minister.(IHT/Asahi: March 27,2008)

Federal Opposition requires suicide watch

There can be no mistaking the symptoms. These fairly screamed at us all yesterday, on the day Australian Workplace Agreements were legally laid to rest, when Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson told reporters that individual statutory work agreements are not dead.

The Liberal Party of Australia needs to be placed on a suicide watch as it is definitely a political danger to itself and others.

Soup kitchens for GPs

Struggling to make ends meet? Well, it seems you are in good company. Many GPs are also battling to put square meals on their dinner tables, thus forcing them to resort to welfare-like handouts from pharmaceutical companies. Some handouts take the form of work-day food and drink events that are disguised as "educational events" sponsored by drug companies.

Next time readers sit down to one of their gastronomical extravaganzas featuring such delicacies as baked beans (salt-reduced, of course) they should spare a thought, or two, for the poor GPs who suffer the enormous indignity of having to rely on drug company handouts for their very survival.

Yes, readers, "every working day, more than 200 health professionals, mostly doctors, attend an "educational event" garnished with food and drink supplied by a pharmaceutical company." (SMH, March 29)

The Herald reports that "in just six months last year these get-togethers attracted attendances totalling 385,221."

But, there's more, ...

A "review by consulting firm Deloitte found drug companies paid out $43 a head in hospitality. It has identified 52 events which will be investigated for breaches against the industry's code of conduct, which was designed to end lavish dinners and entertainment for doctors."

And, even more, ...

In addition to the largess described above there's "routine schmoozing that the $17 billion-a-year pharmaceutical industry undertakes with individual doctors."

"Not covered by the seemingly exhaustive list of 14,633 events reported are even more frequent sessions drug company representatives hold with individual doctors and staff at morning teas or light lunches that a rep brings to the surgery. Many practices are called on more than once a week by reps, who, while they cannot sell drugs to a doctor, promote their company's products."

Read the Herald's report here.

Bless 'em - the all singing and dancing 2020 Summit partygoers list

Here is the full Australia 2020 Summit invitees list.

 

Just for laughs have a close look at those attending this workshop.

It's so reassuring to see that the wealthy, ivory tower denizens, pollies and the fourth estate will again be informing federal government.

I will sleep well at night knowing that Miranda Devine, Gerard Henderson, Kerry Stokes and George Brandis all managed a seat at the table. 

Plus ça change.....

 

Future of Australian Governance

Mr Martin James Bailey, Male WA

Mr Joseph Martin Fernandez, Male WA

Ms Pia-Angela Francini, Female WA

Ms Alison Lesley Gaines, Female WA

Professor Janette Hartz-Karp, Female WA

Ms Holly Elizabeth Ransom, Female WA

Mr Wayne Francis Scheggia, Male WA

Dr Christine (Chrissy) Sharp, Female WA

Mr Peter Ajak, Male VIC

Professor Judith Margaret Brett, Female VIC

Mr Julian William Kennedy Burnside, Male VIC

Mr Paul Chadwick, Male VIC

Professor Allan Fels, Male VIC

Ms Iresha Herath, Female VIC

Ms Kristen Anna Isobel Hilton, Female VIC

Professor Sarah Louise Joseph, Female VIC

Ms Janice Winearls Keynton, Female VIC

Dr Terry MacDonald, Female VIC

Professor Robert Manne, Male VIC

Ms Katherine Dawn Sampson, Female VIC

Professor Cheryl Anne Saunders, Female VIC

Ms Sally Warhaft, Female VIC

Mr Alan Wu Male, VIC

Dr Sally Young, Female VIC

Mr Benedict Bartl, Male TAS

Ms Lyn Mason, Female TAS

Rev Professor Michael Tate, Male TAS

Ms Olivia Guarna, Female SA

Ms Elizabeth Francesca Ho, Female SA

Ms Tanya Louise Smith, Female SA

Mr Sean Barrett, Male QLD

Senator the Hon George Brandis, Male QLD

Dr Alexander Jonathon Brown, Male QLD

The Honourable Matthew (Matt) Joseph Foley, Male QLD

Mr Paul Formosa, Male QLD

Ms Bridie Kathleen Jabour, Female QLD

Ms Joanne Kelly, Female QLD

Professor the Honourable Michael Lavarch, Male QLD

Mr Michael McKinnon, Male QLD

Mr Alexander McLaughlin, Male QLD

Mr Stewart Mcrae, Male QLD

Dr David Solomon, Male QLD

Dr Anne Tiernan, Female QLD

Ms Danielle Vujovich, Female QLD

Professor Patrick Weller, AO Male QLD

Ms Sarah Jane O'Rourke, Female NT

Mr Mauri Japarta Ryan, Male NT

Ms Erin Adams, Female NSW

Mr Phillip Adams, Male NSW

Ms Robin Banks, Female NSW

Associate Professor Lyn Carson, Female NSW

Professor Greg Craven, Male NSW

Associate Professor Kate Jane Crawford, Female NSW

Ms Miranda Devine, Female NSW

Mr Macgregor Duncan, Male NSW

Professor Geoffrey Ian Gallop, Male NSW

Ms Kate Gauthier, Female NSW

Mr Gerard Henderson, Male NSW

Dr Helen Irving, Female NSW

Dr Paul Kelly, Male NSW

Ms Miriam Lyons, Female NSW

Mr David Marr, Male NSW

Mr Simon Rice, Male NSW

The Honourable Helen Sham-Ho, Female NSW

Professor Christopher Dominic Sidoti, Male NSW

Mr Brett Solomon, Male NSW

Associate Professor Anne Frances Twomey, Female NSW

Professor Hillary Charlesworth, Female ACT

Mr Harry Evans, Male ACT

The Honourable Justice Mary Gaudron, Female ACT

Ms Susan Gail Harris Rimmer, Female ACT

Mr Michael James Harvey, Male ACT

Ms Janet Eileen Hunt, Female ACT

Sir Anthony Mason, Male ACT

Mr Ian McPhee, Male ACT

Ms Jamila Helen Rizvi, Female ACT

Professor Marian Sawer, Female ACT

Ms Amelia Mary Simpson, Female ACT

Professor George John Williams, Male ACT

Sir William Deane, Male ACT

Ms Janet Giles, Female SA

Ms Amy Sarah King, Female

Prof Julianne Schultz, Female

Mr Kerry Stokes, Male NSW

Mr Howard Whitton, Male

Families Minister and Member for Jagajaga channels Mal Brough and throws compassion out the window

ABC1 AM:
TONY EASTLEY: The Federal Government will quarantine the $5,000 Baby Bonus from parents who neglect or abuse their children. Families Minister Jenny Macklin says parents will instead receive the bonus in the form of vouchers to buy items like prams and nappies.

Leaving aside the fact that Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is merely parroting the former Howard Government and the previous ministerial incumbent; the Welfare Rights Centre pointed out in 2006 that such a move was not going to solve the problem of bad parenting and would be unlikely to stop individual abuse of welfare payments by recipients with an established alcohol, drug or gambling addiction.

Since then Ms. Macklin has moved from endorsing a straight voucher system to talking of implementing a debit card or store cards which would be useable at approved stores and for approved purchases.

The aim still appears to be to progress that old neo-con agenda. Starting with the Baby Bonus and other family payments as a trial of the electorate's gullibility, before moving onto the unemployed, disabled and finally introducing universal income management for all pension, benefit and allowance recipients from groups which are not seen as politically powerful.

Such income management would eventually stop 50% of the fortnightly welfare payment from going directly into a recipient's own personal bank or building society account, and 100% of all advance or lump sum payments would also no longer be given as cash payments into accounts.

Now here's the rub for any rural or regional parent receiving one of these debit/store cards (who even lives within commutable distance of one of the government-favoured big three, Coles, Woolworths and K-Mart) covering the Baby Bonus or other family allowance. These future guinea pigs who are already being identified as 'bad' by both the media and the Minister.

Rural and regional towns and villages are by definition reasonably small - if you don't actually socialise with the person standing next to you, you frequently know a friend of theirs or their children go to school or weekend sports with yours.

Store clerks and cashiers have no training and often no tact when it comes to welfare recipients as it is. They sometimes have no compunction in identifying store gift vouchers, being presented for payment of purchases, as having come from a non-government welfare agency.
In one instance I witnessed a cashier confiscating a packet of sweets from a very average pile of groceries a developmentally challenged adult (whom she only knew as a regular store customer) wanted to purchase with his gift voucher, on the stated grounds that lollies are not good for you.

When under any income management scheme almost inevitably one of these cashiers loudly and publicly tells a parent accompanied by a child that an item the parent wishes to purchase is not on the Centrelink/Community Services/Government list, everyone within earshot will be able to identify that family as 'dysfunctional' and the child as possibly considered to be neglected or abused.

Just how long do you think that child's privacy will last and his/her dignity remain intact when the local rumour mill will have that checkout incident across town and in the schoolyard within days?

One of the saddest aspects of Labor's rush to create its own form of Big Brother has been the sight of Ms. Macklin rising to her feet in Parliament last week and relying on a caller to the Alan Jones radio show for evidence of a need for Baby Bonus income management. A show notorious for setting up straw men to further its namesake's own biased arguments.

Ms. Macklin and the rest of the Rudd Government need to slow down here and develop a little political humility and compassion.
They are displaying nothing less than an arrogant paternalism. At the same time ignoring the fact that the Baby Bonus is currently not being handed out as a lump sum to identified dysfunctional families, but rather is being successfully and discretely delivered in instalments - without placing any child's right to privacy at risk or exposing a family to malicious gossip.