The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

Freezing my bum off in Toronto - I want to see the sun again

Haven't been able to get to an internet cafe but found on here on Dundas not far from Spadina in Chinatown. Great value but the computer is all in Chinese (well except for the browser) - got it working with the help of one of the blokes here.

The rioting was widely reported here in Toronto - people were a bit stunned by it. You can include me in the ranks of the stunned - and the sad and the embarrassed.....and the jealous because everyone was wearing shorts and tank tops and I just bought another pair of gloves today because my other ones just couldn't deal with the cold.

Having said that I'm hoping for a White Christmas And it's never too cold to refuse a beer :wink:

Wow! Wotcha doing over there, if it be not too impertinent to ask?

Methinks you may have a friend secreted over there...

I missed you too!


When are you back?

Yep - staying with a close friend. She's getting her hair done so I'm skiving off at the internet cafe

Been here for a couple of weeks and back home early February so I get Christmas and New Year here.

I haven't been able to get on A2K due to a lack of computer time and surprisingly few internet cafes where I'm staying (which is in downtown TO but everyone must have computers at home).

It was a lovely surprise to see I'm missed - I have been going through dreadful A2K withdrawals. I needed A2K help the other night when I was watching tv and Howard came on, droning away as usual. I was forced to seek refuge in beer (thankfully the local drops are good - and in case anyone asks, no, I wasn't drinking 'Canadian' )

Nice to know you didn't vanish completely, gf! And I'm relieved you're OK. Your departure was so sudden & has lasted so long, I was bit worried....
Anyway enjoy your Christmas & have a really good holiday.

Howard has continued to be Howard while you've been gone. As you've noticed from the TV coverage. Different events but the same script. Very disappointing, that man. <sigh>

What a surprise! But how consistent of this government! Apparently the new head of the Fair Pay Commission was a director of a company that went broke &, at the time, did not treat it's employees at all fairly! Gives you a real feeling of confidence, doesn't it? Mr Long, whose spoken to the press since AM broke this story this morning, says the government knew all when they chose him as the Commission boss. Now why doesn't that surprise me, either? A similar story to the Reserve Bank appointee with the huge unpaid tax bill. Good grief!:

Last Update: Wednesday, December 21, 2005. 8:00am (AEDT)

Wage chief's business dealings questioned
By Stephen Long for AM

The Federal Opposition has called for a full investigation into the business dealings of Ian Harper, the new chairman of the Fair Pay Commission.

The AM program reports that Professor Harper was the director of a company that went into administration owing more than $700,000 to its workers.

The company went broke after allegedly trading while insolvent.

The administrators found there was an arguable case that the directors had breached criminal offences under company law.

Professor Harper will play a major role in determining wage rises under the Federal Government's new industrial relations system. ... <cont>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1535398.htm

.. & more on IR:

Last Update: Wednesday, December 21, 2005. 2:47pm (AEDT)

NSW launches High Court challenge to IR laws

The News South Wales Government is lodging a High Court challenge against the Federal Government's industrial relations (IR) changes - becoming the first state to do so.

The Western Australian Government says it is in the final stages of preparing its challenge and the Queensland Government says it is likely to launch its own early in the new year.

Victoria will also file a claim early next year supporting the New South Wales challenge. ... <cont>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1535720.htm

Question: Why all this anti-Costello stuff recently? (Not that I'm a fan! ) But seriously, any theories on where it's coming from & why? I always look to whose got something to gain in these situations. In this case there are many, many possibilities!:

Finally, that huge budget surplus.: What can you say to that? : We're sorely in need of more $$$ for health, education, care of the elderly & helpless, you name it - anything to do with fair & decent services for ordinary people. But Peter Costello announces a huge surplus, right at the time that his lagging reputation badly needs a boost. I don't know about you, but me, I'm so sick of everything being geared to opinion polls. I want responsible government & I want it NOW! :

Surprised? :
Last Update: Wednesday, January 4, 2006. 0:18am (AEDT)

Exports plummet in post-FTA trade

Government figures show Australian exports to the US have fallen since the US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force a year ago.

In the 12 months to October last year, Australian exports to the United States fell by 4.7 per cent while US imports rose by 5.7 per cent.

Dr Patricia Ranald from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre says it has been a bad deal.

"We expected there to be poor terms of trade, but we didn't expect them to be as dramatic as this in the first year," she said.

She says the deal will not get any better if the Government bows to pressure from US drug companies.

The Federal Government has said it is considering removing a Labor amendment to the FTA, which was aimed at protecting access to cheaper generic drugs.

"We're not even getting ordinary economic benefits from this agreement," said Dr Ranald.

"And yet we've traded off the rights to determine our medicines policies and other social policies in return for a trade agreement which is very lop-sided, where the benefits are going mostly to the US and not to Australia."

The Government says it is not troubled by the trade figures. .... <cont>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1541388.htm

Interesting: Apparently only 13% of employers understand the ramifications of the proposed IR changes, despite the federal government's $55 million media (propaganda) campaign. However, I'm certain most employees fully understand what's in store, despite the deceitful media blitz.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1542411.htm

Survey finds knowledge gap among employers over IR changes:
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1542134.htm

Will those Latham amendments to the FTA be wiped out?:

Free trade free-for-all
By SHAUN CARNEY
January 7, 2006/the AGE

A year on, the United States trade agreement is proving to be neither free nor fair.

Aargh.

Yep!





<sigh>

What an insult! No US ambassador for a whole year! :wink: Surely there are any number of Republican mates looking for a cosy little placement in the sun? .... A yesterday's person needing a bit of a break from the ugly turn in political events in the US ....?
BTW, the last one had no problems at all in sticking his nose into Oz politics around the time of the election. Charming, that was! But I'd love to know what the "difficulties" are in making the decision!:

Last Update: Tuesday, January 10, 2006. 10:23am (AEDT)

US 'no closer' to appointing Aust ambassador
By Washington correspondent Kim Landers

The United States appears no closer to appointing a new ambassador to Australia, even though the post has been vacant for almost a year.

America's last ambassador to Australia, Tom Schieffer, left almost a year ago.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has held talks in Washington with the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, but says there was no indication of when Mr Schieffer would be replaced.

Mr Downer says the US is having some difficulties with the appointment, but will not discuss the reasons for the hold up.

"That's a matter for them," he said.

"That would be very undiplomatic for me to start to canvass the issues.

"That's a matter for the Americans."

He says Australia would like the US to send a new ambassador as soon as possible.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1544559.htm

Now fair go Olga - obviously, as we're the 51st state, they just organising a fading movie star to be our governor. Maybe Mel?