The mistake Labor made.......

The mistake Federal Labor has made in framing its policies (as it approaches this year's national election) is in thinking that Australians voted Kevin Rudd in as Prime Minister rather than voting John Howard out, that support for Labor in 2007 was only hinged on how Rudd was perceived by the electorate and voters' love affair with Rudd was a solid given.
Chickens are coming home to roost with a vengeance now as Rudd's popularity plunges in the polls and two-party preferred figures turn neck and neck after Labor ditched or deferred key policies it took to the last election.
Labor has boo-booed big time and with the mainstream media stirring the pot with the help of the Opposition Leader, who has the policy attention span of your average gerbil, this is going to be an interesting albeit confusing time for voters.

Both pics are from The Sydney Morning Herald 7a.m. on 10th May 2010

Flying under false colours in the Australian Hamburger Wars: bullied orphan and financial beggar stagger forward

Any Google search will uncover the ongoing Australian Hamburger Wars, as town after town resists the idea of multinational fast food giant McDonald's in their midst and suburb after suburb complains about the litter and anti-social behaviour associated with McDonald's stores.

There is a subtext to the fight between residents of one small Australian town and the McDonald's Corporation over its development application for a 24hr drive through store in Treelands Drive, Yamba on a commercial property currently valued at $2.7 million.

In the face of strong opposition from the townfolk McDonald's Australia is trying to paint itself as not receiving a fair go. Additionally it is rumoured that connections of the corporate landowner are 'confiding' that this commercial development is needed to help that company meet its own financial obligations to investors because it is currently experiencing difficulties in some vague unstated fashion.

Now McDonald's Australia was reported to have doubled its profits in the last financial year to $364 million and dominates the fast food hamburger industry globally with an estimated 90% of market share. It would scarcely miss removing Yamba from its current global expansion plans as it seeks to capitalise on fluctuating land prices.

While in 2009 the landowner released an annual report and fund update which indicate a reasonably healthy financial status, with a predominately commercial, retail and investment property portfolio valued at $312.6 million, $13,392,541 in non-direct property assets, an 8% vacancy rate on par with the rest of the country and, on-going monthly distributions to investors despite what the global financial crisis did to other Australian property trusts (fund members received or were entitled to receive distributions of $11,519,064 for the period ended 30 June 2009).

So in fact what we have here is a large multinational playing the bullied orphan child for public consumption and a successful investment corporation alleged to be privately donning beggar's rags in an apparent effort to sway local opinion and presumably the votes of Clarence valley shire councillors.

ROFL comments made by Oz public figures

Some weeks it seems that the meeja is littered with comments made by Australian public figures which are inane, hypocritical, absurd or offensive (sometimes all at the same time). So out there that you have to laugh when they catch your eye. Here's just a few.......

Liberal Party Senator Corey Bernardi; "For Australia's sake, we need to ban the burqa...In my mind, the burqa has no place in Australian society. I would go as far as to say it is un-Australian." May 6th 2010

Andrew Forrest, mining magnate; "...the Federal Government has misled Australians with its so called tax on miners' super profits when it's in fact a nationalisation of 40 per cent of the mining industry." May 6 2010

Australian Leader of the Coalition Opposition Tony Abbott; "OK, so the climate has changed over the eons and we know from history, at the time of Julius Caesar and Jesus of Nazareth the climate was considerably warmer than it is now," May 8th 2010

Professor Ian Plimer; "....carbon dioxide is plant food. The more we get in the atmosphere the better it is for agriculture and the better it is for forests growing. I think it's wonderful." May 3rd 2010

David Oldfield , One Nation co-founder and radio jock; "....complained that electric fences surrounding the Christmas Island detention centre were not active and called on the Coalition to immediately switch them on if elected. "We don't want them to get out ... and if they do try it, they will be fried," May 7th 2010

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce; "Death duties and land taxes are both recommended by Henry as needing investigation, so don't be surprised if Kevin Rudd starts taking the opportunity to use them to prop up his Government," May 6th 2010

Andrew Bolt, right-wing journalist: "What did the Prime Minister know and when did he know it?" May 8th 2010

Senator Eric Abetz, new Senate Liberal leader: "I have very large shoes to fill,...The opposition will continue to ensure that all legislation is appropriately scrutinised and considered. As before, all issues will be treated on a case-by-case basis with one simple test: is it in Australia's best interests?" May 4 2010

Catherine Deveny, sacked Age journalist & comedian: They have lined their pockets with gold through my bravery and off-colour remarks." May 6th 2010

The Daily Examiner takes a narrow view on McDonald's vs Yamba

This is the editorial from The Daily Examiner on Saturday 8 May 2010 selectively reports:

THE good people of Yamba might need to get used to having a McDonald's fast-food outlet in their town.

Council officers, in business papers to be presented to Clarence Valley councillors on Tuesday, say there are two options for the development.

Their preferred option is to approve the application, but have suggested it could be refused on 'good grounds'.

It is hard to see what those 'good grounds' might be.

Since McDonald's lodged its development application in March, many in Yamba, including the chamber of commerce, have raised concerns about the impact it could have on existing businesses.

Others have raised concerns that a multinational fast food outlet does not fit with the village feel of Yamba.

As council staff correctly pointed out in their assessment of the application, these are not grounds for the council to knock back the DA.

"Council has generally never considered a perceived competition between businesses as valid grounds for objection," the council report says.

It also points out that 'decisions about brands or other ethical issues associated with the type of businesses within a community' was not a role for local government.

Much as some community members might object, that is the right approach.

We have seen with applications in Wooloweyah and James Creek the huge cost council can face when councillors vote against their officers' recommendations.

They should vote in support of the DA, much as it might go against the grain.

What the editorial did not point out was that the planner's report is sufficiently concerned about the anti-social behaviour that McDonald's 24hr fast food outlets attract that its recommendation to Clarence Valley Council is worded thus:

It is likely that the proposed 24 hour operating hours could result in an adverse impact to the locality by an increase in noise to adjoining properties from traffic, patrons and operation of plant equipment. With regard to acoustic amenity and given the proposed new use of the site adjoins a residential zone, a reduction in operating hours from 24 hours would reduce the potential for adverse amenity impacts to nearby noise receivers, and in particular the residential allotments along the western boundary of the allotment. Negotiation with the applicant has sought a reduction in the proposed 24 hour operation to 6am – 12am, seven (7) days a week. This will help mitigate any problems associated with noise and anti social behaviour that may occur from a 24 hour license.......

OPTIONS

Council may:

1. Approve Development Application DA2010/0203 subject to the conditions

outlined in Schedule 1 including:

- A reduction in the 24 operation hours to 6am to 12am; and

- A reduction in height of the pole sign from 10 metres to 9 metres (the maximum

building height permitted by the DCP for business zones).

2. Refuse Development Application DA2010/0009 for good reasons

Option 1 is the preferred option.

The report also noted that:

Of the individual submissions received 25 supported the application and 455 were opposed.....

the primary issues raised by the submissions include:

- Competition and loss of revenue to existing businesses

- 24 Hour operating times and associated noise and potential increase in anti

social behaviour

- Increase in Litter/waste

- Increased traffic impacts, road and pedestrian safety

- Public Health Issues and Social Impacts

- Impact on Character and Amenity

- Devaluation of Adjoining Properties

Elsewhere in the newspaper that day an article did mention the recommended reduction in trading hours and signage height. However, like the editorial it was silent on the fact that the report stated local government could consider the effects of competition on existing local businesses if such competition were to be:

...accompanied by a prospect of a resultant overall adverse effect upon the extent and adequacy of facilities available to the local community if the development be proceeded with..

In other words, reduction in consumer choice can be an issue Clarence Valley shire councillors may properly consider in their deliberations.

Yet one wouldn't be aware of that if going to The Daily Examiner for information.

The art of water in the Northern Rivers

Narelle Urquhart
Fish in traps

Alle Scott Rock Pool 2

Aaron Aubrey Cora
Waterholes














Works by these artists can be viewed at Bim Bam, Byron Bay and artsConnect online.

Australian Federal Election 2010: linguistically it's a bad, bad thing

Finally Opposition Leader Tony Abbott appears to have let go (at least temporarily) of that phrase "great big new tax".

But don't vent a sigh of relief just yet because he's discovered the adjective "bad" under his bed.

BAD bad Bad bad b-a-d BAD bad.............times about one trillion.

There's a very, very bad tax, bad things, bad news, a really bad result, bad bosses, fathers & husbands, a bad lot, a bad plan, a very bad situation, and a just for a change a few adverbs based on degrees of badness.

I'd like to suggest that he throw in the odd "criminal", "corrupt", "depraved", "dangerous", "evil", "rotten", "sinful", "villainous", or wicked" to leaven the loaf, but I'm worried about letting him loose further into the alphabet.

I don't care what it costs - my pets are like family

APN online survey results in The Daily Examiner - early morning of 6 May 2010 in response to the question How much do you spend on your pooch each year?

Who said bankers aren't in touch with real life? BankWest is obviously putting a little toe in water with its Social Indicator Series which covers everything from retirement, stay-at-home kids and state of the nation's piggy banks.

It even has a Family Pooch Index, with a national report also differentiated by states:

The latest in Bankwest's on-going Social Indicator Series has revealed that a dog's life certainly isn't cheap anymore, with Australian families spending more than $25,000 on their pet dog over its life-time.

The latest Bankwest Social Indicator Survey, the 'Family Pooch Index', revealed the average Australian family outlays $2,452 per year for the care of their canine, on top of their initial purchase of the pup of $585. Over the average life span of a dog, ten years, this equates to more than $25,000.

Not surprisingly, pet food and other gourmet doggy treats gobble up the bulk of the annual cost - $1200. This was followed by veterinary costs, at $450 per year, and additional dog care, such as grooming, dog walking, dog dietician and a dog trainer at $405 each per year.

The research also revealed what many of us have suspected for a long time, namely that half of Aussie pet owners consider their pet to be equally important as their kids. An overwhelming 96 per cent of respondents consider their pet as a member of their family.

Here are some of the findings in the 2010 NSW report Pets NSW:

* The research has revealed that pet owners think the cost of a pet dog is a small price to pay in return for what a dog provides its family. Survey respondents noted their love for dogs, the companionship provided by a 'man's best friend' and the peace of mind and security a pet canine creates as the main reasons for owning a dog.

*.....the average New South Wales family outlays $2,600 per year for the care of their canine, on top of their initial purchase of the pup of $580. Over the average life span of adog, ten years, this equates close to $27,000.

 NSW is the state that spends the most on pets. WA spends the least.
 25 per cent of Aussie dog owners pay a dog groomer to maintain their dogs appearance.
 50 per cent of Aussie dog owners buy their dog gifts for special occasions
e.g. birthday, Christmas etc.
 80 per cent of Aussie dog owners have a dog for companionship
 Over 30 per cent of dog owners have a dog to encourage them to exercise. 5 per cent of people have their pets in their will.
 11 per cent of respondents said they regret having a pet.
 8 per cent of people take their pet with them on holiday.

* Not surprisingly, spend-thrift Generation Y pay out the most when it comes to the upkeep of their pet dog. Interestingly though, over 10% of Gen Ys surveyed said that their parents fork out the cash to cover all these incurred costs.

Internet censorship - here's laffin' at you Stevo

Fair dinkum, it can't get better than this - proof positive that Stevo is a 24 carat dill.

Australian Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy according to ITNews on the 4th May 2010: "ISPs will not be required to block circumvention attempts by their customers or end users," he said.

While he said it would be "irresponsible" of the Government to publish circumvention techniques, the Government took no measures to prevent other organisations from doing so."

The Australian Office of Privacy Commissioner on the same day giving Internet security tips highlighting circumnavigation techniques:

Anonymous Web Browsing

Use anonymous web surfing services such as:

• Anonym.OS LiveCD
  
• Tor (Anonymous Internet system, Opensource)
  
• Torpark (Tor Anonymous Internet system for portable USB drives)
  
• Anonymity 4 Proxy
  
• Annonymizer
  
• Freedom
  
• IDzap
  
• Norton Internet Security
  
• Ponoi
  
• Proxy Switcher
  
• Proxy4free
  
• The Cloak
  
• TheFreeSite.com: Anonymous Freebies
  
• httproxy (Firefox proxy switching tool, Opensource)

Further tips are available in Thomas C Greene's anonymity tips article published by The Register.

The 'Pros' & Cons Of Macca's 24 hour service

A version of this post was recently published in The Daily Examiner, apparently with the reference to sex services removed.

In the interests of allowing this Yamba resident to fully have her say:

Regarding Robert Earle's letter (Examiner 15th April) I say, beware of the marketing men. These were the same people who, in times past, sold snake oil as a cure all. All you have to do is watch ABC's The Gruen Transfer to understand that marketing is about selling people what they don't want or need and convincing people they can't do without it. Children pester their parents to go to MacDonalds because of the good, no, excellent marketing - it is a well known marketing ploy. These marketing people are the same people who market Easter in our stores just days after Christmas is over. Our best interests is not what they have in their minds.

As far as the No Campaign and attacks on the Chamber of Commerce - like they are the only people in Yamba to take part in the No Campaign - you must realise the Chamber of Commerce is only a small part of it. When you are open about it and discuss this invasion by MacDonalds more people are against it than for. These are the everyday people of Yamba. This brings me to another point - one of your letter writers (the few who are in the Yes camp) claimed that they didn't see the point of the petition against MacDonalds as many out of towners were signing it. Would these people also be called 'tourist's'? These are the people we want here, right? So we think we are pandering to the tourists with a Macdonald's but when they are so obviously telling us they don't want one here and come to the town because they like it as it is - we now ignore them? The Yes campaign can't have it both ways.

Can you imagine, if there is a Macdonald's and with the proposed changes to the Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan which effectively allows prostitution in residential areas - Yamba will be the "Macca" of two 24 hour 'services'. Perhaps we will be voted number one town again - this time for all the wrong reasons and by the wrong people!

Celeste Warren
Yamba

* GuestSpeak is a feature of North Coast Voices allowing Northern Rivers residents to make satirical or serious comment on issues that concern them. Posts of 250-300 words or less can be submitted to ncvguestspeak at live.com.au for consideration.