Frequency of National Disasters

It seems to me that the frequency of natural disasters is increasing. The last two years we have had bushfires in Victoria and flooding in both Victoria and Queensland. All of these have been reported as up there as the worst.
Today Queensland is facing what looks like the worst cyclone 'Yasi' in history.

I've no doubt that these events have always occurred in history. My concern is the frequency. That if frequency is any indication of climate change, it only going to get worse.

I put a tweet out to the opposition leader Tony Abbot and opposition environment minister if the frequency of natural disaster can be linked to climate change.

@GregHuntMP @TonyAbbottMHR do you think the frequency of natural disasters occurring at the moment can be linked to climate change?

I wonder if I get an answer?

Related articles

• Cyclone Yasi Churns Toward Flood-Ravaged Queensland (ecoworld.com)

Arbib the Rat

Urban Monk has done a Cartoon in reference to my last post 'Arbib the Rat'.


Now what other names has Arbib been called lately...'Arbib 007' 'Arbib from the CIA' etc etc

Related articles

• Mark Arbib, aka CIA Agent 007 (theage.com.au)
• Wikileaks a powerful blow to Arbib's low-profile tactic (thepunch.com.au)
• Arbib revealed as US embassy informant (news.theage.com.au)

Bass, Victoria election 2010

Ken Smith easily won the seat of Bass for the liberals. Results from the Victorian Electoral commission::

LONERGAN, Gerry ALP  29.07% SMITH, Ken Liberal  56.96% RANKINE, Neil Greens  10.61%

It was a big win to Ken Smith. It was also worth noting that the Greens actually increased there vote from the last Victorian Election. The big looser was Labour.

Victorian election :: Bass Greens Launch

So far the most political action down in Bass has in my opinion has come from the Greens. I've spotted a few of these posters around Cowes for the Bass Greens Launch, good to see it as a local event::

It's also good to see that the Greens are really pushing the Desalination plant as an election issue down here. A lot of locals that I talk to arn't happy with it.

So far I've spotted a few posters from the libs with Ken Smith's face, nothing (which is typical) from labour.

Related articles

• Water bills 'to double' (theage.com.au)
• Labor woos unions back (theage.com.au)

Victoiran Election:: Bass a political backwater

I've never lived in an area where services and infrastructure are so poor. I've written about the health issues on Phillip Island before::

It would be the largest town in the state without a proper medial coverage.
(Phillip Island has a population 7000,  in 2001, Wanthaggi has a hospital 6500 in 2001, Koorumbura a population 4500 has a hospital. In summer the population can be 50000 with all the tourists).

It makes me wonder why this is the case and one of the answers that seems to come up is that we live in a liberal strong hold. The liberals are the only one who make any promises of any infrastructure because labour has given up on these sort of seats.  I don't blame labour either. Why would you set aside any money for a region if you don't get any return.
When I lived in Bendigo,  a swinging seat, there where always new things on the go. A new police station, a new hospital. Money was promised everywhere from both sides of politics.

The other odd thing about Phillip Island is that the population estimates are 40,000 to 60,000 in Summer. Been conservative the council rates would be for 30,000 people. Yet the infrastructure is on barely for 10,000 people.

So In many ways I see the only way to get out of the rut that the electorates of Bass and Flinders is in is to get an independent or at least for the Labour vote to get to a whisker of winning.

Here is my short list of infurstucture which needs to take place::

Better medical system::
Hospital with at least a medical/surgical emergency ward
A bulk billing GP clinic that is opened at least 5 days a week
Secondary College
Gass on the island
Swimming pool. (We have the Ocean but no where to teach kids to swim)

Related articles

• Vic opposition outbids govt on hospital (news.theage.com.au)

Victorian Election 2010 , Bass

I'm in the seat of Bass, I think the main issue is health. Considering it has the largest population in the electorate it is strange their is no adequate hospital or 24hr medial coverage.  It would be the largest town in the state without a proper medial coverage.
(Phillip Island has a polutaltion 7000,  in 2001, Wanthaggi has a hospital 6500 in 2001, Koorumbura a population 4500 has a hospital. In summer the population can be 50000 with all the tourists).
The only other issues is a swimming pool for kids to at least learn to swim and also a secondary college which is been talked about in Anderson.
Otherwise for me their is no other aspects that are a strong concern.

I suspect that the labour party has conceded the seat already so wont be making any promises in the area. Yet Metropolitan creep is occurring in Pakenham which might alter the results.

Here are some of my thoughts on the candidates and some information from the ABC's website::

:: Liberals Ken Smith

Aged 65, Smith worked for two decades as a self-employed plumbing contractor, and later served as Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association. Smith also served on Hastings Shire Council 1982-88. He was elected MLC for South Eastern province in 1988, and re-elected in 1996. At the 2002 election, he chose to contest the lower house seat of Bass, winning the seat for the Liberal Party from former Independent MP Susan Davies. A former Government then Opposition whip in the Legislative Council, Smith served on the Liberal Party frontbench from 2002 to 2008, but was not included on the formation of a new Coalition Shadow Ministry.

Some thoughts::


Ken appears to be a hard worker. His sign-age is all over the place. He is often advising to be meet down the main street or other important community gathering. Has replyed to my letters regarding the health care on the island, and appears to realise this is a real community concern.
Have meet him at Churchill island when he set up his tent. But he seemed to be talking more to tourists concerned about not allowing their dogs off the lead when at the beach. (So what I'm sick of avoiding dog shit all over the beach, keep them well and truly on the lead I say)
Aged 65, I'd be thinking about my trip around Australia rather than my whining electorate.

Also interesting Smith put up a private members bill on Euthanasia.

n 2008 Smith put forward a Private Member's Bill that would allow euthanasia in Victoria. The bill was similar to the Dying With Dignity Act in Oregon in the United States, and generated considerable controversy. The bill was defeated in the Victorian Legislative Council. ^[1]
 
I would have expected this legislation from the Greens!

Greens :: Neil Rankin

Rankine has lived in Wonthaggi for 25 years and has spent much of his career in science education and running a small engineering firm. These days he is a stay at home parent while his wife works as a local GP.

Some thoughts::


Has been at a few things around the traps. The aboriginal flag raising for one, which I was at. Signs have been around. Seems to be putting in a good effort.


Labor :: Gerry Longergan

Lonergan was born and bred in Korumburra and first joined the Labor Party in 1996 to support a colleague. He is a retired teacher, lives in Inverloch, and has been President of the Labor Party's Wonthaggi-Bass branch for ten years. This is his first election.

Haven't seen him or his sign-age. At least we have a local as opposed to the candidate from the Federal election.

desal disaster

Bit of action down our way with the 'desal' according to the ABC::

A small group of protesters parked a caravan across a road this morning, preventing construction workers from entering part of the site.
The protesters are calling on the Government to release the full cost of desalination project.

I've got to say I think there where better ways than the desal route which the government took.
Coming off tank water you forget and don't monitor your water the same way. I'm actually surprised at the difference in connection costs rather than actual consumption cost. If it was the other way around I'm sure you would find a difference in how people consumed water.
Also had a friend who has resigned from the 'desal' he said Victorians are in for a big suprise because everything is running behind time and their have been lots of resignations.

It will be interesting the 'Libs' policy on the desal as the election looms. Water policy will be an important issue.

Related articles

• Money Pours Into Desalination Projects Despite Concerns (environment.change.org)
• Vic desal plant to cost $18 billion: AG (news.theage.com.au)
• Massive cost for desal plant revealed (news.theage.com.au)
• Desal plant a $570m-a-year drain (theage.com.au)

Get the Afghanistan out...

I think we should get our troops out. Enough is enough this war is primarily George Bushes' when he decided on the vengeance option after the twin towers of 9/11.
As a Christian I don't think the 'just war' theory adds up. Maybe in defence but not for offence.
Australia is just tagging along with what George Bush started.
If you look at the military deaths in Iraq they are 4744, in Afghanistan they are 2166. The casualties for the 9/11 are 2977. Something is not adding up here!
For me I'm convinced there would have been a better way. Vengeance has not worked.

Thus for me I'm disappointed that both major parties in Australia are for keeping the troops in Afghanistan. I'm also saddened that there are not so few Christian voices speaking up about pacifism as an option.
Not surprising the Greens are walking the line that Jesus would have taken...

Related articles

• Security strategy: The age of uncertainty | Editorial (guardian.co.uk)

Election 2010:: leaflets

It seems that labor has forgoten us in Flinders::

no leaflets at all from labor in Cowes
1 leaflets from 'The other' Bob Brown, Greens
4 leaflets from Liberal Greg Hunt

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• Bob Brown is feeling lucky (thepunch.com.au)

election 2010:: Things that matter

Living in Phillip Island their are certain things which I belive the are important and should be addressed by the political powers that be.

Greg Hunt sitting liberal member is off and running. He has sent through some stuff in the mail
Adrian Schonfelder for Labour, heard nothing
Robert Brown for the Greens, heard nothing

Here is my selfish list for the election

Health:: Phillip Island. A population that fluctuate between 7-60k people. It needs some sort of 24hr medical emergency centre. Good health care for all.
Telecomunication:: Only one way to get fixed broad band, Telstra. This is not good enough.
Education:: Closest public secondary school is Wonthagi rumours of somthing at Anderson.
Environment:: As a person who is interested in getting Solar it will be interesting what the policys will be. It ranks pretty highly for me. Protecting our environment for generations to come. I also believe that Australian reliance on foreign domestic oil should be curbed for of a more green alternative.
Roads:: The Car ferry is a big issue here. I don't think the majority object to the idea. Just the current location it is planned for.
Foreign affairs :: Need to get out of Afghanistan.
Good financial management:: enough said, keep interest rates low, I've got a mortgage.

Closer to the election I'll see how the candidates line up with me election wish list.

Flinders Labour Candidate makes the news...

One of our local candidates in Flinders made the National News! 

Adrian Schonfelder is running for Labor in the safe Liberal-held Victorian seat of Flinders.
He has told a local newspaper that Mr Abbott's conservative religious views are "influencing people to take their own lives".
He singled out the Opposition Leader's religious views on sex before marriage and abortion.
Mr Schonfelder has since been forced to issue a retraction, saying he regrets any offence caused by the remarks.

Bit of a worry really...

Election 2010

"Game On", as Julia whispered to Tony Abbot, in the last sitting parliament

Well I'll go with the polls and predict this one early and give it to Julia. There have been few good political poles which have not predicted the outcome of elections in the last decade.

But I'll follow along closely. My source like '07 Antony Green on the ABC::

Now what I've found interesting is the electorate which I'm in Flinders and the canditidates. Again from the ABC

The sitting member is Liberal, Mr Greg Hunt

He has been the Opposition spokesman on Climate Change since 2007, a position he is well qualified for, having completed a thesis on whether greenhouse gases are best reduced by taxes, trading rights or regulation.

It would be interesting what he really thought about the 'Carbon Tax' would he have voted for the the tax under the liberal last leader Mr Turnbull.... At this stage I think he would just say the party line. Politician talk.

Adrian Schonfelder for Labour

He was a member of the Liberal Party before joining Labor in 2003.

Interesting!

And the Greens, Robert Brown

...his credits include co-writing 'Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees' with John Williamson.

 What more credentials do you need, perfect.

No Deal, Rudd.

Interestingly their was a deal on the table on the 23rd of June, with Mr Rudd, Ms Gillard and the others in the Labor leadership group. From the 'Crickey' blog::

Oakes’s question revolved around a claim that Kevin Rudd offered to Gillard to stand aside closer to an October election if polling indicated, and senior party figures agreed, that Rudd was an impediment to Labor’s re-election, an offer Gillard rejected after being told by factional leaders that she had the numbers to topple Rudd.

So what does it all mean?

Julia was hungry, hungry for power.
Kevien was trying to get more time. Rally the troops.

Either way, I think Rudd should have been given another go. While Julia should have taken the reins second term. This in itself would have extended Labours time in power. An agreement like that seems fair. But then again these agreements have happened both sides of politics and usually backfire in someone's direction.

Watch out for the Factional Power Brokers

I can remember a few years into my nursing talking to nursing union representative about unions and the ALP. I can distinctly remember him telling me about that the factional element within the Labour party. He said that that it was rough, the people who aligned to the left or right where rough; if need be and they would "eat their own mothers", for their own objectives.

Today we witnessed how ruthless the factional power brokers can be. Rudd gone in a flash and Julie standing proud.