Politics is a dirty word

  Regime change in Syria with help from the United States may result in another ISIS or terror group such as Al Queada. Turkish officials regard the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed affiliate People’s Protection Units (YPG),  as terrorists  similar to the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite Turkey being an ally,the United States supported the YPG because it thought it was capable of retaking territory from the ISIS. This may be yet another blunder by the US which could encourage further growth in Middle East terrorism.

  Attempts to prevent the spread of false information are long overdue. However the Australian Government’s Bill should only be supported if if it covers all the deceptive propaganda spewed out by Government. We all remember the nonsense peddled by Ministers and bureaucrats over Covid 19 and The Voice referendum – all designed to panic the community and force compliance with the official line. The Government says that its Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024  aims  to reduce the spread of seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation on digital communications platforms. However, it is unclear if the Bill will operate in a manner compatible with Australia’s international human rights obligations related to freedom of expression. The definitions of misinformation and disinformation are not clear and create uncertainty. The Bill introduces transparency requirements for certain digital...

 The truth is at last starting to be revealed about the extent of the deception practised by politicians and bureaucrats to panic Australians into accepting draconian measures dreamed up under the pretext of tackling the Covid 19 pandemic. The damning Government report reveals that   there were no plans for the execution of key measures, such as closing our international borders and enforced quarantine. As a result, the pandemic response was not effective. The official response enquiry details many of the deceptive tactics used by politicians and bureaucrats in efforts to force the population into submission. One of the main culprits was Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews who revelled in a daily morning television rant telling all who questioned the Government line and refused to be vaccinated that the virus would “seek them out and kill them” Non believers were accused of being a danger to the community. He was often enthusiastically supported by the Chief Health Officer, Br...

 With King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Australia, it's time for some to take a reality check.It is tiresome of the ratbags in the Republican movement to persevere with their flawed campain.   In 1999, Australians went to the polls to decide in a referendum whether to become a republic or to retain the monarchy. The result was clear, On the question of being a republic Australia said NO. Here's a post I put on this blog onSeptember 28 2022 Rabid members of the Australian Rupublic Movement and some politicians keep trying to revive the flawed concept of dumping the monarchy and turning Australia into a republic. The Australian Government talks about holding a referendum to gauge popular support, but before that happens, proponents need to explain what type of republic and how this country will benefit – will it cut the waste of taxpayers dollars? Will it be more democratic? Unless the answer to both those questions in “YES” why spend money on a system that offers no be...

 Governments and banks seem to be aiming to stop everyone’s access to cash. banks are moving away from cash and closing branches to reduce their costs and maximise profits, not help users. Without cash, many small traders and charity groups such as op shops and other fundraising bodies will grind to a halt. We find it staggering there are plans to ban ‘legal tender’. What will the bureaucrats and politicians ban next! IF WE LET THEM.

  Over 4 billion tonnes of sand is being dug up around the world each year. In a bid to curb environmental and community damage,work is being undertaken to find alternate materials for use by the concrete industry. Graphene has been found to offer an alternative as a replacement for sand in concrete as well as a reinforcing additive. .Geneva University says that Sand resource governance is one of the greatest sustainability challenges of the 21st century. The University helped establish The Global Sand Observatory aimed at developing knowledge and providing decision making support on the sustainability issue of sand extraction and use. Meanwhile, researchers at Rice University in the US discovered that graphene could be used in place of sand due to sand mining rates outstripping natural replenishment. As sand comprises 30% of concrete, it represents a significant part, according to Satish Nagarajaiah, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at R...

  The ‘re-declaration’ of Bass Coast as a Distinctive Area Landscape (DAL)was announced on Thursday, October 26 last year by the Victorian Government. It was first declared in 2019 and a Draft Statement of Planning Policy was issued. The legislation required t hat a Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) be prepared, endorsed and approved within one year of the declaration commencing, As the Government failed to meet that deadline it has contrived to re-start the clock by again declaring the Bass Coast Distinctive area Landscape. The draft Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) was prepared by the former Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in collaboration with Traditional Owners – the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Bass Coast Shire Council, other agencies and authorities, and with local communities. 747 Public submission s were received by a standing committee between March and April 2023. The Committee lodged its recommendations with the Ministe...

  Its hard to understand why the State Government has chosen to forgo revenue worth tens of millions of dollars annually by not properly identifying the volume of sand resources extracted by major businesses. A brief forensic audit would reveal the extent of lost revenue. Details currently displayed on the DEECA website demonstrate that records are not kept showing the volume of resources exploited. To quote some specific details: 2.4.3 Extractive production statistics Production figures as part of annual production return reporting to the Department can be used to provide insight into the importance of the WAs in the study area. An analysis of the data has been completed using de-identified data. Production figures are available digitally (from the Resources Right Allocation Management (RRAM) system), but only for returns post-financial year (FY) 2014-15. All sand production reported between FY2015-16 and FY2017-18 from the South Gippsland LGA was derived from the study area. Pr...