Saturday, November 29, 2003
Drug companies will continue to be allowed to sponsor doctors' travel and accommodation and give them other benefits, without having to make this information public, after the ACCC dropped the idea of full disclosure from their proposed code of conduct for the industry.
The commission initially recommended that companies should have to disclose planned sponsorship of events and travel for doctors, "to ensure that benefits are not provided which might affect doctors' prescribing habits."
Both doctors and the pharamaceutical industry claimed that this would lead to their being criticised by "people with unfounded prejudices and no real understanding of the complex educational framework and benefits involved in such educational meetings". The industry organisation Medicines Australia also complained that public disclosure would encourage interference from "overzealous critics of the pharmaceutical industry" such as "media or consumer groups".
The ACCC abandoned their idea and instead adopted a proposal written by Medicines Australia, that allows a committee to gather information about corporate sponsorship of medical events and publish a summary, once a year.
Martyn Goddard, senior policy officer with the Australian Consumers Association, said that "the ACCC have rolled over on their backs and had their tummies tickled by the drug companies...Medicines Australia still has total control. They decide what is going to be publicised and what isn't. They make the judgment about what falls outside the code and what doesn't."
(Source: British Medical Journal website)
The commission initially recommended that companies should have to disclose planned sponsorship of events and travel for doctors, "to ensure that benefits are not provided which might affect doctors' prescribing habits."
Both doctors and the pharamaceutical industry claimed that this would lead to their being criticised by "people with unfounded prejudices and no real understanding of the complex educational framework and benefits involved in such educational meetings". The industry organisation Medicines Australia also complained that public disclosure would encourage interference from "overzealous critics of the pharmaceutical industry" such as "media or consumer groups".
The ACCC abandoned their idea and instead adopted a proposal written by Medicines Australia, that allows a committee to gather information about corporate sponsorship of medical events and publish a summary, once a year.
Martyn Goddard, senior policy officer with the Australian Consumers Association, said that "the ACCC have rolled over on their backs and had their tummies tickled by the drug companies...Medicines Australia still has total control. They decide what is going to be publicised and what isn't. They make the judgment about what falls outside the code and what doesn't."
(Source: British Medical Journal website)
Australia's health ministers have rejected calls by doctors for an end to junk food advertising aimed at children being broadcast on TV, saying there is no evidence that promoting fatty, sugary foods to children makes them overweight.
Participants at yesterday's health ministers conference in Sydney agreed obesity was a big cause of preventable health problems and poor eating habits were creating a huge health and financial burden. However, the push from doctors was not discussed.
The Australian Medical Association has endorsed a report, 'Children's Health or Corporate Wealth', compiled by the Coalition on Food Advertising to Children, which found the vast majority of ads during peak children's TV viewing periods were for foods high in fat, sugar or salt, and of low nutritional value, and which cited studies showing these ads influenced children's diets.
New South Wales Health Minister Morris Iemma said that he doubted the financial interest of broadcasters would be a consideration when any decision on the future of food advertising was made.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Participants at yesterday's health ministers conference in Sydney agreed obesity was a big cause of preventable health problems and poor eating habits were creating a huge health and financial burden. However, the push from doctors was not discussed.
The Australian Medical Association has endorsed a report, 'Children's Health or Corporate Wealth', compiled by the Coalition on Food Advertising to Children, which found the vast majority of ads during peak children's TV viewing periods were for foods high in fat, sugar or salt, and of low nutritional value, and which cited studies showing these ads influenced children's diets.
New South Wales Health Minister Morris Iemma said that he doubted the financial interest of broadcasters would be a consideration when any decision on the future of food advertising was made.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Thursday, November 27, 2003
The United States military press office issued a series of letters, which falsely appeared to have been written by American soldiers in Iraq. The letters, which were written without their supposed authors' knowledge or consent, gave support to the United States government's policy of declaring war and occupying Iraq. The letters appeared in several newspapers across the United States.
The White House has also attempted to stop pictures of the funerals of United States military personnel killed in Iraq from appearing in the American media.
(Source: The Big Issue - Australian edition)
The White House has also attempted to stop pictures of the funerals of United States military personnel killed in Iraq from appearing in the American media.
(Source: The Big Issue - Australian edition)
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
A surgeon who wants to start a medical practice in a country town with no doctor, is more likely to forcibly sent back to Afghanistan.
Abdul Nasiry was an ear and nose surgeon in Kabul. He is staying in Australia on a Temporary Protection Visa, which will run out soon.
He said that he wanted to start a medical practice in the town of Tooleybuc, which has no doctor. There is a severe shortage of doctors in many rural areas.
As of early this month, of 349 appeals for people on TPV's to be allowed to stay in Australia, only seven were in favour of permanent protection.
The situation in Afghanistan has been described as a one of total chaos, with rival warlords controlling most of the country.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Abdul Nasiry was an ear and nose surgeon in Kabul. He is staying in Australia on a Temporary Protection Visa, which will run out soon.
He said that he wanted to start a medical practice in the town of Tooleybuc, which has no doctor. There is a severe shortage of doctors in many rural areas.
As of early this month, of 349 appeals for people on TPV's to be allowed to stay in Australia, only seven were in favour of permanent protection.
The situation in Afghanistan has been described as a one of total chaos, with rival warlords controlling most of the country.
(Source: Herald Sun)
The Federal government paid law firms nearly $1 million of public money a week over the last year, to fight claims by refugees.
The government spent over $40 million trying to prevent refugees from being released from detention centres. The lawyers were also paid to advise the Howard Government on excising Australian islands from the 'migration zone'.
Unlike every other taxpayer-funded body, the Immigration Department did not include the cost of its consultancies in its annual report or website.
The government's expenses included attempts to keep five children in detention after the Family Court ruled they be released.
The government spent $151 million for the Christmas Island Reception and Processing Centre, which was not used for part of the year, and another $22 million on a contract to revise the Christmas Island plan.
(Source: Herald Sun)
The government spent over $40 million trying to prevent refugees from being released from detention centres. The lawyers were also paid to advise the Howard Government on excising Australian islands from the 'migration zone'.
Unlike every other taxpayer-funded body, the Immigration Department did not include the cost of its consultancies in its annual report or website.
The government's expenses included attempts to keep five children in detention after the Family Court ruled they be released.
The government spent $151 million for the Christmas Island Reception and Processing Centre, which was not used for part of the year, and another $22 million on a contract to revise the Christmas Island plan.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Monday, November 24, 2003
Australia is facing a crisis in child health, according to doctors.
Frank Oberkaid, from the Centre for Community Health at Royal Childrens Hospital, said that many problems are increasing including depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, child abuse, extreme anxiety, behavioural problems, learning difficulties, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Professor Fiona Stanley from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth said that the reasons included the breakdown of family and community structures, as well as parents facing longer hours and greater stress at work.
(Source: The Age)
Frank Oberkaid, from the Centre for Community Health at Royal Childrens Hospital, said that many problems are increasing including depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, child abuse, extreme anxiety, behavioural problems, learning difficulties, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Professor Fiona Stanley from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth said that the reasons included the breakdown of family and community structures, as well as parents facing longer hours and greater stress at work.
(Source: The Age)
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Child abuse costs Australians about $5 billion per year, according to a new study.
The study by the Kids First Foundation and the Abused Child Trust found about 387,000 children were abused and neglected in the 2001-2 financial year. This resulted in 62 child deaths, 15 child suicides, 68 children permanently injured and 12,900 children injured and needing medical attention.
Dr David Wood from the Kids First Foundation said that abuse rates were estimated to have increased about 10 percent per year since 2001-2.
Dr Wood also said that child abuse could not be fought effectively until it "become[s] a priority for people who are in a position to make a difference".
The figure of $5 billion takes into account medical and psychological treatment, and costs associated with suicide and crime by abused children, among others.
(Source: The Age)
The study by the Kids First Foundation and the Abused Child Trust found about 387,000 children were abused and neglected in the 2001-2 financial year. This resulted in 62 child deaths, 15 child suicides, 68 children permanently injured and 12,900 children injured and needing medical attention.
Dr David Wood from the Kids First Foundation said that abuse rates were estimated to have increased about 10 percent per year since 2001-2.
Dr Wood also said that child abuse could not be fought effectively until it "become[s] a priority for people who are in a position to make a difference".
The figure of $5 billion takes into account medical and psychological treatment, and costs associated with suicide and crime by abused children, among others.
(Source: The Age)
Senior managers of the Victorian public service spent over $125,000 of public money on conferences at luxury resorts, in only three months.
Between March and May, managers in five government departments arranged 10 'overnight planning meetings' at resorts such as Lindenwarrah, directly opposite Brown Brothers Winery.
A spokesperson for the Premiers Department claimed that the department, unlike others, had staff pay back the costs of their alcohol. However an email from the department specifically asked Lindenderry to "to please ensure that all meals and drinks aren't itemised on the bill and are all called meals".
The Victorian Labor government was very critical of public service credit bills under the former Liberal government of Jeff Kennett.
The expenses were all within existing spending guidelines. The State government says that it has now tightened up these guidelines.
(Source: The Age)
Between March and May, managers in five government departments arranged 10 'overnight planning meetings' at resorts such as Lindenwarrah, directly opposite Brown Brothers Winery.
A spokesperson for the Premiers Department claimed that the department, unlike others, had staff pay back the costs of their alcohol. However an email from the department specifically asked Lindenderry to "to please ensure that all meals and drinks aren't itemised on the bill and are all called meals".
The Victorian Labor government was very critical of public service credit bills under the former Liberal government of Jeff Kennett.
The expenses were all within existing spending guidelines. The State government says that it has now tightened up these guidelines.
(Source: The Age)
Friday, November 21, 2003
The real unemployment rate is about double the rate shown on the official figures, according to a new report.
The report by the Australian Council of Social Services said that people were not counted as unemployed if they worked as little as one hour a week.
This means that there are many people who are not working enough to earn a basic income, but are still not counted on the official unemployment figures.
People who have given up looking for work are also not counted in the official figures.
(Source: Australian Council of Social Services)
The report by the Australian Council of Social Services said that people were not counted as unemployed if they worked as little as one hour a week.
This means that there are many people who are not working enough to earn a basic income, but are still not counted on the official unemployment figures.
People who have given up looking for work are also not counted in the official figures.
(Source: Australian Council of Social Services)
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Quote of the moment:
"low-paying and dead-end work".
(The latest edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines 'McJobs').
"low-paying and dead-end work".
(The latest edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines 'McJobs').
The housing affordability crisis is caused by generous tax breaks for property investors, according to the Reserve Bank.
The Reserve Bank said that the main reason for the huge increase in housing costs was a existing home owners buying more property, rather than first home buyers.
They said that a key lure was the government's generous tax breaks. The tax breaks allow someone with a $400,000 property to cut their expenses from $331 a week to $81 a week.
(Source: The Age)
The Reserve Bank said that the main reason for the huge increase in housing costs was a existing home owners buying more property, rather than first home buyers.
They said that a key lure was the government's generous tax breaks. The tax breaks allow someone with a $400,000 property to cut their expenses from $331 a week to $81 a week.
(Source: The Age)
The Antarctic ice is in long-term decline, possibly because of industry, according to Australian scientists.
A study by the Environment Department's Antarctic division found that on one stretch of Antarctic coastline, more than 500,000 square kilometres of ice had been lost in the last 50 years.
(Source: The Age)
A study by the Environment Department's Antarctic division found that on one stretch of Antarctic coastline, more than 500,000 square kilometres of ice had been lost in the last 50 years.
(Source: The Age)
Bulk billing has fallen to a 14 year low, and the number of visits to general practitioners has also dropped, prompting fears that patients are stopping going to the doctor because of the cost.
Health Department figures show that the number of visits to GPs in the September quarter which were bulk-billed fell by more than a million, compared to the same quarter last year.
John Howard's electorate of Bennelong was one of the few electorates where bulk-billing had increased.
There were 468,000 fewer GP visits in the September quarter compared to last year.
Tim Woodruff from the Doctors' Reform Society said that "almost certainly this reflects that more and more people in Australia are simply missing out on health care".
Private health insurers gained an extra 16,000 members in the same period. Russell Schneider from the Australian Health Insurance Association said that this confirmed the importance of the government's private health insurance rebate, which is funded by public money but is only available to people who take out private health insurance.
(Source: The Age)
Health Department figures show that the number of visits to GPs in the September quarter which were bulk-billed fell by more than a million, compared to the same quarter last year.
John Howard's electorate of Bennelong was one of the few electorates where bulk-billing had increased.
There were 468,000 fewer GP visits in the September quarter compared to last year.
Tim Woodruff from the Doctors' Reform Society said that "almost certainly this reflects that more and more people in Australia are simply missing out on health care".
Private health insurers gained an extra 16,000 members in the same period. Russell Schneider from the Australian Health Insurance Association said that this confirmed the importance of the government's private health insurance rebate, which is funded by public money but is only available to people who take out private health insurance.
(Source: The Age)
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Victoria's energy watchdog received a record 12,194 complaints in 2002-03, seemingly because of the introduction of more 'free market' policies.
Complaints received by the Victorian Energy and Water Ombudsman rose 37 per cent. This followed a 33 per cent increase in complaints the previous year.
Electricity complaints rose by 39 per cent, gas complaints increased 55 per cent while water complaints dropped by 2 per cent.
Origin Energy was the source of many complaints after a system error resulted in 27,000 customers not receiving bills for extended periods last year.
Consumers have been able to choose their gas retailer since October last year and their electricity retailer since January 2002.
Market conduct practices - including aggressive sales techniques, customers being transferred between retailers without their consent and long transfer delays - was the second highest cause of complaints.
Energy Action Group spokeswoman Andrea Sharam said that the high levels of complaints related to disconnections showed that self-regulation had failed.
Ms Sharam said that as companies had had eight years to develop hardship policies and that "these people don't know how to be good corporate citizens".
Consumers had experienced substantial price rises in gas and electricity over two years, which had contributed to the rate of disconnections, she said.
"But by January 2005, there won't be an obligation to supply for these companies".
(Source: The Age)
Complaints received by the Victorian Energy and Water Ombudsman rose 37 per cent. This followed a 33 per cent increase in complaints the previous year.
Electricity complaints rose by 39 per cent, gas complaints increased 55 per cent while water complaints dropped by 2 per cent.
Origin Energy was the source of many complaints after a system error resulted in 27,000 customers not receiving bills for extended periods last year.
Consumers have been able to choose their gas retailer since October last year and their electricity retailer since January 2002.
Market conduct practices - including aggressive sales techniques, customers being transferred between retailers without their consent and long transfer delays - was the second highest cause of complaints.
Energy Action Group spokeswoman Andrea Sharam said that the high levels of complaints related to disconnections showed that self-regulation had failed.
Ms Sharam said that as companies had had eight years to develop hardship policies and that "these people don't know how to be good corporate citizens".
Consumers had experienced substantial price rises in gas and electricity over two years, which had contributed to the rate of disconnections, she said.
"But by January 2005, there won't be an obligation to supply for these companies".
(Source: The Age)
Victorian schools with large numbers of senior teachers say they are being pressured to replace them with younger, more "cost-effective" staff in order to meet budget shortfalls.
Dozens of schools that have been told how much State Government funding to expect next year have found shortfalls compared with previous years.
Some schools feel they are being short-changed under the present funding system because they have many older, experienced teachers, who earn more.
Under the current funding system, schools receive a set amount of extra funding for each teacher they have, even though more experienced teachers are paid more.
The system means that schools with many young or beginning teachers will have more money to put into other programs or staff.
Drouin Secondary College principal Rod Dunlop said that "I'd have to get rid of 13 high-cost [senior] teachers and employ 13 beginning teachers to solve the [school's funding] problem. There is an implied pressure to do that, yet it conflicts with the idea of having the best teachers in front of the kids," Mr Dunlop said.
An Education Department spokesman said the department would talk to schools needing help with staff funding and ask them to look at ways to "rejuvenate" their staffing profile.
(Source: The Age)
Dozens of schools that have been told how much State Government funding to expect next year have found shortfalls compared with previous years.
Some schools feel they are being short-changed under the present funding system because they have many older, experienced teachers, who earn more.
Under the current funding system, schools receive a set amount of extra funding for each teacher they have, even though more experienced teachers are paid more.
The system means that schools with many young or beginning teachers will have more money to put into other programs or staff.
Drouin Secondary College principal Rod Dunlop said that "I'd have to get rid of 13 high-cost [senior] teachers and employ 13 beginning teachers to solve the [school's funding] problem. There is an implied pressure to do that, yet it conflicts with the idea of having the best teachers in front of the kids," Mr Dunlop said.
An Education Department spokesman said the department would talk to schools needing help with staff funding and ask them to look at ways to "rejuvenate" their staffing profile.
(Source: The Age)
One in every 200 Australians is homeless and in Victoria the numbers of homeless jumped 14 per cent in the five years to 2001, a study of census data has found.
The study, by Melbourne social scientists Chris Chamberlain, of RMIT University, and David MacKenzie, of Swinburne, found homelessness has kept rising despite economic growth.
Mr MacKenzie said that while Commonwealth and state governments were running very good programs to help the homeless get back into the mainstream, they needed more funding and better co-ordination.
Mr MacKenzie said part of the rise in homelessness was due to state governments closing psychiatric care centres. "We allowed deinstitutionalisation to proceed without providing alternative services and supports to replace them," he said.
The official definition of homelessness requires that a person not have secure housing - most people who are classed as homeless do not live on the streets.
(Source: The Age)
The study, by Melbourne social scientists Chris Chamberlain, of RMIT University, and David MacKenzie, of Swinburne, found homelessness has kept rising despite economic growth.
Mr MacKenzie said that while Commonwealth and state governments were running very good programs to help the homeless get back into the mainstream, they needed more funding and better co-ordination.
Mr MacKenzie said part of the rise in homelessness was due to state governments closing psychiatric care centres. "We allowed deinstitutionalisation to proceed without providing alternative services and supports to replace them," he said.
The official definition of homelessness requires that a person not have secure housing - most people who are classed as homeless do not live on the streets.
(Source: The Age)
Shadow Treasurer Mark Latham has confirmed that the Labor Party intended to lower taxes for people in the top tax bracket.
Mr Latham said that the system was biased against hard workers, presumably referring to people in the top tax bracket, and that Labor would "put incentive back in the system".
Labor's welfare spokesman Wayne Swan has disagreed with Mr Latham.
(Source: The Age)
Mr Latham said that the system was biased against hard workers, presumably referring to people in the top tax bracket, and that Labor would "put incentive back in the system".
Labor's welfare spokesman Wayne Swan has disagreed with Mr Latham.
(Source: The Age)
A senior scientist with the federal Health Department advised against testing tobacco additives because it may have forced the Government to ban cigarettes, a leaked memo reveals.
Instead, he recommended sticking to "the departmental line", that additives posed no risk above that posed by the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in the tobacco.
The internal document was written in mid-1995, when the Government was under pressure from anti-smoking groups to commission studies into the dangers of tobacco additives.
(Source: The Age)
Instead, he recommended sticking to "the departmental line", that additives posed no risk above that posed by the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in the tobacco.
The internal document was written in mid-1995, when the Government was under pressure from anti-smoking groups to commission studies into the dangers of tobacco additives.
(Source: The Age)
Sunday, November 16, 2003
United States troops will not be withdrawing from Iraq starting next June under a faster timetable for self-rule in the country, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters on Sunday.
Jalal Talabani, current president of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council, announced that the Unites States government would stop directly ruling Iraq by the end of June 2004.
He said that the transitional government would discuss the presence of United States troops, and may ask them to stay or "respectfully ask them to leave".
(Source: Reuters)
Jalal Talabani, current president of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council, announced that the Unites States government would stop directly ruling Iraq by the end of June 2004.
He said that the transitional government would discuss the presence of United States troops, and may ask them to stay or "respectfully ask them to leave".
(Source: Reuters)
Friday, November 14, 2003
A new report on casual workers has found that they often have substandard conditions, including that -
55% did not know their correct rate of pay.
61% had worked while sick.
33% were working unpaid overtime.
Greg Combet from the ACTU said that employers' claims that people preferred casual work, were wrong. Mr Combet said that 600,000 casual workers wanted more hours of work per week, and 70% of casual workers say they want more security and predictability.
(Source: CPSU)
55% did not know their correct rate of pay.
61% had worked while sick.
33% were working unpaid overtime.
Greg Combet from the ACTU said that employers' claims that people preferred casual work, were wrong. Mr Combet said that 600,000 casual workers wanted more hours of work per week, and 70% of casual workers say they want more security and predictability.
(Source: CPSU)
Between the 1995-6 financial year and 2001 the enrolment share of government schools fell 1.9 percent. In the same period, government school's share of funding fell from 42.2 to 34.7 percent.
Spending on non-government schools increased from $3.36 billion last year, to an estimated $4.74 billion in 2004-5.
When Catholic schools are excluded, the government gives private schools between $5500 and $7500 more funding per student than public schools.
(Source: The Age)
Spending on non-government schools increased from $3.36 billion last year, to an estimated $4.74 billion in 2004-5.
When Catholic schools are excluded, the government gives private schools between $5500 and $7500 more funding per student than public schools.
(Source: The Age)
Union members earn an average of roughly $5200 per year more than non-unionised workers, according to new statistics.
Figures released by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations showed that the gap between union and non-union workplace agreements had slightly widened.
(Source: CPSU)
Figures released by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations showed that the gap between union and non-union workplace agreements had slightly widened.
(Source: CPSU)
The government has admitted that a boatload of Turkish refugees did ask for asylum in Australia, despite earlier claims that they did not.
Both Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had previously denied the men had made any claim for asylum when they arrived by fishing boat at Melville Island, north of Darwin, last week.
The government says it received new information from its People Smuggling Task Force.
The People Smuggling Task Force was also involved in the government's earlier claim that another group of asylum seekers threw their children overboard. This claim was raised close to the 2001 election, but was later proved wrong.
Mr Downer said that he believed the Task Force had "done a simply fantastic job".
(Source: The Age)
Both Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had previously denied the men had made any claim for asylum when they arrived by fishing boat at Melville Island, north of Darwin, last week.
The government says it received new information from its People Smuggling Task Force.
The People Smuggling Task Force was also involved in the government's earlier claim that another group of asylum seekers threw their children overboard. This claim was raised close to the 2001 election, but was later proved wrong.
Mr Downer said that he believed the Task Force had "done a simply fantastic job".
(Source: The Age)
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Defence Minister Robert Hill has said that the Australian Defence Force "needs time" to grow out of its homophobic culture.
Same-sex partners of Australian Defence Force personnel are not eligible for pensions, housing loans and other benefits given to heterosexual partners.
Senator Brian Greig said that the Defence Force had had enough time, given that the ban on gays and lesbians in the Australian military was lifted eleven years ago.
(Source: MCV newspaper)
Same-sex partners of Australian Defence Force personnel are not eligible for pensions, housing loans and other benefits given to heterosexual partners.
Senator Brian Greig said that the Defence Force had had enough time, given that the ban on gays and lesbians in the Australian military was lifted eleven years ago.
(Source: MCV newspaper)
Bosses believe that employee morale is important in theory, but don't treat it as important in practice, according to a new survey.
The survey of over 400 executives found 90 per cent claiming that managing and monitoring employee morale was important for business and profitability, with 74 per cent rating it as a "core business concern".
However two out of three executives (64 per cent) said they had not invested more time and resources in dealing with such matters as stress, morale and other psychological issues over the past 12 months.
68 per cent said they had not changed workplace policies and practices in light of the recent public airing of family-friendly workplace issues.
(Source: The Age)
The survey of over 400 executives found 90 per cent claiming that managing and monitoring employee morale was important for business and profitability, with 74 per cent rating it as a "core business concern".
However two out of three executives (64 per cent) said they had not invested more time and resources in dealing with such matters as stress, morale and other psychological issues over the past 12 months.
68 per cent said they had not changed workplace policies and practices in light of the recent public airing of family-friendly workplace issues.
(Source: The Age)
A German man who survived five days in the Alps in freezing temperatures by eating snow has been fired because he missed work. The company said "we hired him as a consultant for a one-year project and he is already behind deadline."
(Source: The Age)
(Source: The Age)
First-home buyers are becoming an 'endangered species', according to an industry body.
Housing Industry Association (HIA) chief economist Simon Tennant said that in the 12 months to June this year, the price of house and land packages in Sydney had jumped by 31 per cent.
Mr Tennant said the average Sydney wage-earner would need to put away 40 per cent of their income to be able to afford an average priced home.
A smaller proportion of home loans are going to first-home buyers than ever before. The latest figures from the Bureau of Statistics show that first-home buyers accounted for just 13.3 per cent of all new loans for owner-occupied homes in September.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Housing Industry Association (HIA) chief economist Simon Tennant said that in the 12 months to June this year, the price of house and land packages in Sydney had jumped by 31 per cent.
Mr Tennant said the average Sydney wage-earner would need to put away 40 per cent of their income to be able to afford an average priced home.
A smaller proportion of home loans are going to first-home buyers than ever before. The latest figures from the Bureau of Statistics show that first-home buyers accounted for just 13.3 per cent of all new loans for owner-occupied homes in September.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Quote of the moment:
"Peace is very important, especially after this disastrous war we just had".
104 year old World War One veteran Marcel Caux, speaking at Sydney's Remembrance Day service.
"Peace is very important, especially after this disastrous war we just had".
104 year old World War One veteran Marcel Caux, speaking at Sydney's Remembrance Day service.
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Shell Australia faces prosecution over repeated oil spills into Corio Bay, the latest in hundreds of environmental breaches at its Geelong refinery in the past two years.
The Environment Protection Authority says that there have been three spills in the past five months.
If the action goes ahead it would be only the second time in recent years of monitoring the refinery that the EPA has gone to court, even though the refinery breached its licence conditions 225 times in 2002, and roughly 100 times so far this year. Shell has been fined 11 times since July last year for discharging oil into Corio Bay. However, without going to court, the maximum amount that the company can be fined is $5000. Since 2000 the refinery has been given 28 $5000 fines and three $800 fines. It was also fined $225,000 by WorkCover for breaching workplace health and safety laws.
Geelong residents say that the EPA has been too slow in taking Shell to court. Local environmentalist Sue McLean said that "there is still a huge level of distrust about the EPA because people think they have been in bed with Shell".
Environment Minister John Thwaites said that there were better ways to improve Shell's performance "than simply going off to court".
(Source: The Age)
The Environment Protection Authority says that there have been three spills in the past five months.
If the action goes ahead it would be only the second time in recent years of monitoring the refinery that the EPA has gone to court, even though the refinery breached its licence conditions 225 times in 2002, and roughly 100 times so far this year. Shell has been fined 11 times since July last year for discharging oil into Corio Bay. However, without going to court, the maximum amount that the company can be fined is $5000. Since 2000 the refinery has been given 28 $5000 fines and three $800 fines. It was also fined $225,000 by WorkCover for breaching workplace health and safety laws.
Geelong residents say that the EPA has been too slow in taking Shell to court. Local environmentalist Sue McLean said that "there is still a huge level of distrust about the EPA because people think they have been in bed with Shell".
Environment Minister John Thwaites said that there were better ways to improve Shell's performance "than simply going off to court".
(Source: The Age)
Quote of the moment:
"..The Snowtown murderers were being sentenced. Twelve people had disappeared over a period of 10 years, and no one had noticed. Twelve people had died in the most horrific circumstances, and yet there was no great public outpouring of grief for the victims (as there had been for the Milat backpacker victims) because, apparently, these uneducated fringe-dwellers were more worthy of ridicule than sympathy".
(The Age. The Snowtown murders were committed in a very poor area of Adelaide)
"..The Snowtown murderers were being sentenced. Twelve people had disappeared over a period of 10 years, and no one had noticed. Twelve people had died in the most horrific circumstances, and yet there was no great public outpouring of grief for the victims (as there had been for the Milat backpacker victims) because, apparently, these uneducated fringe-dwellers were more worthy of ridicule than sympathy".
(The Age. The Snowtown murders were committed in a very poor area of Adelaide)
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Australian troops have been accused of using torture during the 1999 intervention in East Timor.
Former members of an Indonesian militia told the ABC they were beaten, kicked, and had their heads forced down excrement-filled toilet bowls during interrogation.
Two of the men also say they were forced into cubicles where wasps' nests were present, with their Australian interrogators stirring up the nests so the detainees would be stung.
The group further claims that one of their number, Yani Ndun, is missing, having last been seen alive in the custody of InterFET, the Australian intervention force in East Timor.
(Source: The Age)
Former members of an Indonesian militia told the ABC they were beaten, kicked, and had their heads forced down excrement-filled toilet bowls during interrogation.
Two of the men also say they were forced into cubicles where wasps' nests were present, with their Australian interrogators stirring up the nests so the detainees would be stung.
The group further claims that one of their number, Yani Ndun, is missing, having last been seen alive in the custody of InterFET, the Australian intervention force in East Timor.
(Source: The Age)
The Australian public's attitude to refugees may be softening and moving away from government policy, according to a new poll.
A recent Saulwick opinion poll of 1000 Australian workers found that 61 percent think refugees pose little or no threat to national security. 71 percent thought refugees should have access to government funded employment services.
Only 30 percent though that terms such as "queue jumpers" were acceptable, with 78 percent preferring the term "asylum seeker".
While 54 percent thought that refugees on temporary protection visas should return home if safe do so, only 37 percent thought that the government should be responsible for deciding whether it was safe to return. Fifty five percent thought that decision should be made by the United Nations.
(Source: Socialist Worker newspaper)
A recent Saulwick opinion poll of 1000 Australian workers found that 61 percent think refugees pose little or no threat to national security. 71 percent thought refugees should have access to government funded employment services.
Only 30 percent though that terms such as "queue jumpers" were acceptable, with 78 percent preferring the term "asylum seeker".
While 54 percent thought that refugees on temporary protection visas should return home if safe do so, only 37 percent thought that the government should be responsible for deciding whether it was safe to return. Fifty five percent thought that decision should be made by the United Nations.
(Source: Socialist Worker newspaper)
The United States government and that of its ally Israel are among the greatest threats to world peace, according to a new survey.
A survey conducted by the European Union found that Israel's government was seen as the greatest threat to world peace of any country in the world. 59 percent of people surveyed believed its government was a threat to world peace. The United States government was ranked similarly to that of Iran and North Korea; all scored 53 percent.
(Source: SBS website)
A survey conducted by the European Union found that Israel's government was seen as the greatest threat to world peace of any country in the world. 59 percent of people surveyed believed its government was a threat to world peace. The United States government was ranked similarly to that of Iran and North Korea; all scored 53 percent.
(Source: SBS website)
Monday, November 03, 2003
Far from acheiving equality, women's status in relation to men is actually going backwards, according to a new book.
Anne Summers writes in her book 'The End of Equality' that the proportion of Australian women in full time work has not increased in the past 30 years, while more women work part time than ever before. Dr Summers writes that often these women would prefer full time jobs, but can't take them because of the lack of childcare and other support for working mothers. Dr Summers writes that there is a childcare crisis in Australia, with an estimated shortfall of up to a million places.
As a result, most women don't earn enough money to support themselves - and women are earning less relative to men than they did a decade ago. Dr Summers also writes that women's dependence on welfare is increasing.
In 2001, 13,500 women reported sexual assaults to police. Using standard formulas for under-reporting, the actual number could be as high as 90,500, or roughly 250 a day.
Dr Summers says that the government has abolished or starved of funding al the agencies that once monitored women's progress or agitated on women's issues. There has not been an enquiry into any aspect of women's equality for the past 10 years, and the last government survey on women's safety was in 1991.
Dr Summers also says that government and business have a deliberate policy of trying to coerce women into becoming full time mothers. She says that this is not so merely social conservatism, but is based on economic reasons. The Australian birthrate is falling, leading to a slowing or halting of population growth. The free market economic system is generally believed to need to 'grow or die'.
(Source: The Age)
Anne Summers writes in her book 'The End of Equality' that the proportion of Australian women in full time work has not increased in the past 30 years, while more women work part time than ever before. Dr Summers writes that often these women would prefer full time jobs, but can't take them because of the lack of childcare and other support for working mothers. Dr Summers writes that there is a childcare crisis in Australia, with an estimated shortfall of up to a million places.
As a result, most women don't earn enough money to support themselves - and women are earning less relative to men than they did a decade ago. Dr Summers also writes that women's dependence on welfare is increasing.
In 2001, 13,500 women reported sexual assaults to police. Using standard formulas for under-reporting, the actual number could be as high as 90,500, or roughly 250 a day.
Dr Summers says that the government has abolished or starved of funding al the agencies that once monitored women's progress or agitated on women's issues. There has not been an enquiry into any aspect of women's equality for the past 10 years, and the last government survey on women's safety was in 1991.
Dr Summers also says that government and business have a deliberate policy of trying to coerce women into becoming full time mothers. She says that this is not so merely social conservatism, but is based on economic reasons. The Australian birthrate is falling, leading to a slowing or halting of population growth. The free market economic system is generally believed to need to 'grow or die'.
(Source: The Age)
Employers are abusing government traineeship programs, often treating them as nothing more than a source of cheap labour.
An audit by the Victorian government has found that up to 2000 employers who have received federal and state incentives to provide computer software training have failed to comply with guidelines set up to administer the program.
One company which was found not to comply, Broadscope, had received $18 million of public money.
Leigh Hubbard from Trades Hall Council said that many trainee programs were essentially used as labour subsidies. He said that some call centres employed more than 500 'trainees' and only a handful of permanent staff. Some companies used 'trainees' over the Christmas holidays instead of casuals.
As well as the government subsidy, trainees have even less rights than casual workers, with no right to claim unfair dismissal and no requirement for companies to pay WorkCover levies for them.
49 year old Derek Brownley said that he was hired without being told he was a trainee. He said that he essentially learned nothing during his 'traineeship'. His supervisor "knew I was going to be sacked because my traineeship was up", which he was. He did not receive a certificate despite completing his traineeship.
(Source: The Age)
An audit by the Victorian government has found that up to 2000 employers who have received federal and state incentives to provide computer software training have failed to comply with guidelines set up to administer the program.
One company which was found not to comply, Broadscope, had received $18 million of public money.
Leigh Hubbard from Trades Hall Council said that many trainee programs were essentially used as labour subsidies. He said that some call centres employed more than 500 'trainees' and only a handful of permanent staff. Some companies used 'trainees' over the Christmas holidays instead of casuals.
As well as the government subsidy, trainees have even less rights than casual workers, with no right to claim unfair dismissal and no requirement for companies to pay WorkCover levies for them.
49 year old Derek Brownley said that he was hired without being told he was a trainee. He said that he essentially learned nothing during his 'traineeship'. His supervisor "knew I was going to be sacked because my traineeship was up", which he was. He did not receive a certificate despite completing his traineeship.
(Source: The Age)
United States government contracts in Iraq are being awarded to companies who donate heavily to the Republican Party, or who have military or political leaders on their boards, according to a new report.
The Centre for Public Integrity report said that most of the 70 firms and individuals awarded government contracts in Iraq of up to $US8 billion ($11.3 billion Australian), donated more to President Bush's campaign than to any other candidate in the past decade.
60 percent of the firms with contracts had employees or board members who worked in previous administrations, for members of Congress, or at senior levels of the military.
One of the biggest contracts in Iraq went to Halliburton, an oil company once run by Vice-President Dick Cheney. Engineering firm Bechtel, which has received more than $1 billion in US government contracts in Iraq, has former Secretary of State George Schultz as a member of its board.
Charles Lewis from the centre said that "there is a stench of political favouritism and cronyism surrounding the contracting process".
(Source: The Age)
The Centre for Public Integrity report said that most of the 70 firms and individuals awarded government contracts in Iraq of up to $US8 billion ($11.3 billion Australian), donated more to President Bush's campaign than to any other candidate in the past decade.
60 percent of the firms with contracts had employees or board members who worked in previous administrations, for members of Congress, or at senior levels of the military.
One of the biggest contracts in Iraq went to Halliburton, an oil company once run by Vice-President Dick Cheney. Engineering firm Bechtel, which has received more than $1 billion in US government contracts in Iraq, has former Secretary of State George Schultz as a member of its board.
Charles Lewis from the centre said that "there is a stench of political favouritism and cronyism surrounding the contracting process".
(Source: The Age)
The housing crisis is in the worst state for more than a decade, according to a welfare worker.
Chris Middendorp from Hanover Welfare Services said that "in 12 years, I haven't seen a worse situation".
This year 30,000 adults and 18,000 accompanying children sought assistance from services for the homeless in Victoria alone. There are close to 35,000 people on the public housing waiting list. Less than one family in three who seek crisis accomodation can be helped.
(Source: The Age)
Chris Middendorp from Hanover Welfare Services said that "in 12 years, I haven't seen a worse situation".
This year 30,000 adults and 18,000 accompanying children sought assistance from services for the homeless in Victoria alone. There are close to 35,000 people on the public housing waiting list. Less than one family in three who seek crisis accomodation can be helped.
(Source: The Age)
