In the Know, You Got the Dough from Scotty from Marketing.

Over my time involved in the Not For Profit (NFP) organisation’s I am well aware of the pains and hoops the members and supporters have to do to get support from either Federal or State governments and no doubt it helps to have support from your elected member but once that process is completed we all expect each and every application to be judged on equal merit because politics and sport should not be mixed.

That was the case until of late when Scotty from Marketing come on the scene with his slogans, but unfortunately like all things they have a expiry date.

You know “Have a Go the Get a Go” now has morphed in this case to “If you in the Know you get the Dough” and I could go on but really my issue is about all the little clubs who need basics like sprinklers, disability handrails, general repairs small ticket items to help the little organisations who are struggling to survive overlooked and funds given to organisations with massive turnovers or high end exclusive paying memberships taking 6 figure sums out of the pool.

I have no doubt those funds will be used legally but those exact funds spread lightly across the entire spectrum would have a better impact.

Sorry if that sounds to some like a Socialist point of view but if I was a elected member I would rather all my constituents had a bit that only the selected got all, but like all political landscapes there are winners and looses, and its always the little people who loose.

To me if their was ever a case for a Federal ICAC this is it. Australians love sport and fair play, and this is not within our code of sporting ethics and to those who repeat consistently the Sandpit Response of “They All Do It” is a cop out if we want our kids regardless of demographic be given a fair go regardless of who is in government.

Let’s Pause and Think for Ourselves.

Blame is important and strategic, and that is now the norm in today’s political narrative across the nation and it all depends on who’s team you choose to align yourself with is only the view you will hold.

This is a dangerous climate for truth. Whoops did I say Climate?

Be it Climate change, fossil fuels, renewable energy or migration across the board each and every subject is either funded or supported by some big corporations who’s basic existence is profit, money and we the parrots of policy are their mouthpieces following their set narrative and some of us just do it blindly once we are indoctrinated.

This is not fertile ground for objective and lateral thinking.

Every one of us has a opinion but that should never stop us from questioning that opinion when presented with a alternative, something the manipulators do not want us to do.

This “With me or your Against me” spin is the divide and rule strategy played out since mankind evolved and has been recognised as a cancer for open democracy and the media should be the circuit breaker delivering unbiased truth and accountabilities regardless of who is in ownership.

That information source is a a factor and a player we the consumer has to judge weather it has its own agenda. Big responsibility I know and for some just too hard so they go along like cattle to the slaughter rather think before I speak or more importantly vote.

Chemello’s Legacy leaves Our City in Good Stead.

I spent the time, I read the line, all 44 pages. (See Below)

Greg Chemello’s report was extensive but not surprising by those who had genuine concerns over many years of getting feedback which many regarded as just sour grapes or politically motivated.

I feel genuine remorse for those newer councillors who were tainted by the dismissal, and I could accept that incorrect and illegal processes they were introduced to on appointment were accepted unknowingly.

The positive thing is all the network divisional brotherhoods developed over years wheeling and dealing are gone. Transparency will be restored to all ratepayers and employees without the fear of repercussions and the fact that it’s a totally new ballgame will make it very interesting observations to those former councillors who thought they were untouchable if they decide to renter the game on a equal footing with the new bloods on a brand new playing field.

Regardless I feel it’s important to spend the time and read the report yourself and judge what were the mistakes then we owe it to our great city never to become complacent in holding our elected representatives to account every day not just polling day.

Thanks Greg, and his team.

https://ipswich-qld-gov-au.cld.bz/Ipswich-City-Council-Administrators-Update-Vision-2020-January-2020

Female Leaders needed to Bolster World Wide Intellectual Capacity.

As our nation has been battling for survival with extreme weather in the past months we need to be aware their are other factors that are just as important happening around the world we and our media need to be watching.

Last Friday night after Trump not America decided to assonate the Iranian military leader I watched the world reaction on as many news outlets I could to judge if WW3 was commencing. It may have already but my immediate concern is as in Iraq we will go Gung Ho as Howard did on the belief America had credible intelligence, something Trump lacks in many forms.

Looking at all the leaders in the world today I’m very sceptical of the ones who have the ability of analysis and comprehension in times of conflict and conflict management I troubled times.

I have voiced my opinion on Americas decision to elect Trump but that is their decision, but when that election effects my nation’s security I will call out his total lack of intellectual capability to pass the Wiggles test let alone run a world power. He is a laughing stock on the world stage, and retreats to his bunker tweeting things to keep away from the media reality scrutiny.

I appreciate Morrison is under the pump internally but his silence on this issue is more than concerning, and the media has dropped the ball on this issue to date.

England’s Johnson, Morrison and Trump as the Coalition of the Willing is not a good sleeping potion to any level headed observer and again I will state for world stability we need female leaders like Merkel, Adern, something the boys club just can’t or has the capacity to rise to.

Troy Wright Article FYI. Via Facebook.

This is the post I had hoped I would never have to make, but in the face of blatantly untrue commentary in the media, I feel we have to correct the record.

The current fire emergency on the NSW South Coast is unprecedented in both its scale and its severity. At the time of writing almost 400 homes have been lost in the last few days and worse still, seven lives. Entire towns have been leveled and communities are being evacuated. Fauna and flora has been wiped out at levels never previously imaginable and potentially rendering some species extinct. And it is nowhere close to ending.

There has been a lot of arguably premature and distasteful finger pointing about the causes and prevention of this crisis. Those with a right wing agenda to prosecute have blamed “green tape” and without foundation, some sort of conspiracy by environmental groups to ban hazard reduction, notwithstanding they hold no political power to actually do so.

Hazard reduction in NSW over the last year has been close to normal levels but clearly has been insufficient.
there are two reasons why. The first is the conditions in the field, where faced with warmer and drier weather as part of an ongoing drought, hazard reduction is not always possible. Those that call for an unregulated approach for private land owners to burn their properties as they see fit ignore one inconvenient fact – 87% of fires are man-made…being 40% by deliberate arson and the other 47% by accident. An attempt by a land owner to mitigate a risk on their own property can often result in a threat to many others if not properly managed.

The second reason hazard reduction may have not been carried out is one entirely within the Berejiklian Government’s control – resourcing. In 2017 the then Office of Environment and Heritage restructured the NPWS from 37 areas across the State to 8 regions. In doing so they removed $121 million from the NPWS budget and redesigned or cut more than 700 positions. Included in these were Rangers and Fire Management Officers (FMOs) – the very staff responsible for both hazard reduction and fire management and fighting in national parks.

The Public Service Association as the union for workers in NPWS held a rally in Bega on 24 November 2017 to air the concerns that these cuts would make local parks unmanageable. Below is a link to local media covering the rally. Our calls to reverse the cuts were ignored by the local member Andrew Constance MP and the then responsible Minister, Gabrielle Upton MP. On the day I recall meeting the local FMO who with twenty years experience and local knowledge, had been told he was no longer required.

The reversal of these cuts may or may not have improved the current situation. The fires are of such ferocity now that it appears nothing short of divine intervention would stop them. But we know these petty and ill considered job cuts have not assisted. The roles that were lost may have had a preventative effect in being able to snuff out fires earlier deep in national parks through strategically planned intervention based on detailed local knowledge before they became the raging infernos they are now. The question also should be asked not why cuts were made but why, when facing some of the driest conditions ever experienced in the State’s history over the last few years, that increases to relevant agencies such as NPWS, Fire and Rescue NSW, RFS and the Forestry Corporation were not made.

As part of a civil society we pay taxes first and foremost to be kept safe. There is no greater or more fundamental responsibility of government. If a government cannot be trusted to carry out this role then it must be indicative of not just misplaced priorities but a total lack of sense of duty to its citizens.

Our thoughts and efforts at this time must be with those on the front line and those facing what are for many of us unimaginable terror. But when the imminent dangers subside we must remember these dark days and hold those responsible by their neglect to account.

https://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/5084327/national-parks-and-wildlife-service-staff-in-utter-despair-says-veteran/?cs=509&fbclid=IwAR3pTV83Rm_wsapWnoFBQwO8RM-YPJt5vyJ0_gvDShsoQtWM2y39sSNCOW8

Trust and Truth are Targets of the Skeptics.

Regardless of what the skeptics would have you believe our nation is is experiencing a apoplectic event never seen in this countries lifetime, that is ever since white mans presence.

For those of us that are exposed to social media we have seen photoshopped newspapers, photos, data that was impossible to collate at the time due to uninvented technology trotted out as fact designed to influence the unsuspecting public not attuned or caring to partake in public debate period.

It’s said Truth is the first casualty in any war or dispute, and might I add trust to that casualty list.

Taking away trust in areas such as science, medicine, technological gathered data is the task set by those who feel that information will have a monetary effect on their support base only not humanity as a whole.

We as a human race have advanced with the help of evolving technology, from the stone axe head to a iPhone some good some bad, but in laymen’s terms, we embraced the transitions although some chose to remain in the past.

Their choice, but trying to discredit fact via fabrication puts trust and all those who have dedicated their lives challenging theories, scientific outcomes, medical tests as part of proof testing before public release in a position of some sort of blame if the data doesn’t suit your ideology.

The simple fact is now we are experiencing the science we chose to ignore and are paying the price not only here but world wide.

Who are the Adults?

Part of our fire strategy in our little community we take stock of not only our immediate surroundings but look at other areas where we could be impacted. Taking little excursions around outside your area makes you appreciate what impact the drought is really having on families outside the bitumen and gutters.

This week took us to Mulgowie and areas backing on to the Great Divide a former food bowl and the distinction between who had water access to water and who didn’t was shockingly stark.

For those who’s life revolves around coffee shops, offices, the day to day drag of work in a highly populated environment have no idea what the reality of life is only about a hour’s journey away from your McDonalds.

I know, you don’t have the time do you?

Well when the shelves are bare and the tap doesn’t run that when many will realise what state our country is in at present. and it needs help. Too late then.

Mark my words in times to come wars will not be fought over territory, minerals, or arms race, the prize will be fresh water.

At present we are witnessing politicians and their power bases twist and turn, manipulate and do their best to discredit trust in anything that challenges their ideology right down to children, sad as we are forgetting our planet not just our island is under the pump and anything we can do to help anywhere is a positive to our kids future.

Little steps count, and kids see past the politics, something us adults struggle and procrastinate and sometime I wonder who really are the adults.

My 2020 wish is Send her Down Huey.

Morrison’s Plastic Empathy Exposed.

It’s pretty obvious that Scott Morrison and his government has lost the plot on the severity of what our country is experiencing in not only the fire emergency, but also the economy, aged care, NDIS, New Start, or any help service for the our disadvantaged.

Of late I am hearing the latest narrative of “getting government out of our lives” the same narrative used in America only there they rely on philanthropy for social support which fails their society coupled with the religious references to give the impression they care.

The simple fact is this government has a empathy deficit beyond any government I can recall in my lifetime.

Our PM’s actions and failure to come to grips on actually what a leader does has been displayed then his petulant behaviour when questioned on anything he feels he doesn’t have to answer shows a arrogance which he feels can be counterbalanced and justified by his religious beliefs.

This government is blurring the separation of church and state as a political tactic to excuse itself when a social conscience is required but goes against its ideology.

This tactic has been well tried by authoritarian leaders must be exposed and challenged by those who feel accountability in democracy is paramount regardless of what position you hold.

In 2020 there will be some legislative decisions that has the potential to divide our nation and this PM is displaying the Trump divide and rule strategy and really does not care about our nation it poor or disadvantaged it’s all about keeping in power and ensuring its donors are appeased something it accuses its opposition of daily.

Pathetic Planning destroyed Ipswich Retail

When the shoe is on the other foot how quick do we forget the sins of the past.

After seen a once thriving business sector turned into a ghost town by diabolical decisions of incompetence beyond comprehension, I cringe in agony the bleating of the Riverstink owners in regard to the city revamp.

How this company got the go ahead to build where it is on a flood plain, destroy historic heritage still I feel needs to be investigated and the damage those decisions made to existing retailers, many long standing icons of Ipswich business history is clear evidence of why administrators and planners should make valued judgments based on data not councillors.

We saw a thriving city of three major retail outlets with the centre being ipswich city hub fully leased by retailers from the top of town to Queens Park be destroyed in one foul swoop by a stroke of genius equaling that of Frank Spencer.

Then let’s not forget how Riverlink was not to open until the footbridge was completed. Another deal done to accomodate a Developer at the detriment of existing retailers in the mall, and let’s also not forget the effect it had on retail traffic to other lease holders in other centres who saw traffic counts crash as rents went up.

Don’t get me wrong here I bleed for those mum and dad retailers who are paying exorbitant rents trying to make ends meet in a city of ever decreasing disposable income and I sincerely hope when the new centre opens rents will make it more than competitive to entice those type of businesses away from the conglomerates who fleece the small businesses and reward the multi national tenants rent wise.

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑