Articles
Budget Crunch. Power Aid. Four school terms
ABC Online
17.05.12 6:12 am
Image: J
• Power Aid The public sector union’s expecting more pain today. However, the government’s revealed it will spend $48 million to reduce power bills and increase concessions.
• Four School Terms The way has been cleared for Tasmanian public schools to switch to four terms next year.
• Keep up-to-date with the range of breaking stories and opinions on Budget Day by using the Tasmanian Times’ NEWS Dropdown (top nav bar). NEWS gives you the Australian and World Google news-wrap. Breaking News in the Dropdown the latest in your area’s browser. And use the Dropdown to keep abreast of the daily breaking stories from around the world …
• And, Watch the Pollies deliver the Budget here
• Barry Prismall, The Examiner: Challen tells of state cash drain He said the Tasmanian government fiscal strategy did not include a specific target for funding its $5.3 billion unfunded superannuation liabilities. In the past it has done so.
• Tasmanian Times’ forensic finance analyst John Lawrence warned of the parlous state of Tasmanian finances in this critique, State of the State: What your mother didn’t tell you, graph by graph; an article based on his address to The Tasmanian Branch of the Economic Society of Australia, in Challen’s former HQ, the Treasury building. And in earlier analyses, here. He particularly highighted the problem of unfunded superannuation ... and for a pithy take on the state of the state, how about Jarvis Cocker’s report this time last year: Not the GFC: 12 years of Labor neglect, Stupid
• Leonard Colquhoun, in Comments: Re four-term school years, in general, knowledgeable, well-trained & committed teachers can do four terms just as well as three, and ignorant and/or untrained clock-watchers will do just as badly. It’s just a minor administrative adjustment, which needs a bit of synching with the timing of other State’s terms. What our school-children (and their parents) do need is that our schools are 95% staffed by the above-mentioned “knowledgeable, well-trained & committed teachers” - now that would be nice. What about that, Minister McKim?
Politics | Local | State | Economy | SocietyFree Captain Watson Hobart protest
Sea Shepherd, via Jon Sumby
17.05.12 5:36 am
Free Captain Watson Hobart protest: Friday 18th 10.00am. German Consulate - 143 Hampden Road, Battery Point TAS. “In our efforts to defend the lives of whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and fish we have made some powerful enemies, most notably the government of Japan. It is no coincidence that the extradition request by Costa Rica was issued the same month (October 2011) as the Japanese whaling (ICR) lawsuit against Sea Shepherd was initiated. The extradition request was in reference to a complaint from Costa Rican fishermen who I caught poaching in Guatemalan waters. The fishermen were not injured and their boat was not damaged. The incident was fully documented for the film Sharkwater. Interpol originally denied this extradition order and deemed it as politically motivated. Therefore the question must be asked why Germany is now taking into account accusations made by illegal poachers.”- Captain Paul Watson
Politics | International | Environment | Legal | SocietyFeathering nests or furthering Tassie ... ?
John Lawrence
16.05.12 4:44 am
There can be little doubt that pokie revenue has enabled FH to run high profile marketing promotional campaigns that have had spin-off benefits for the Tasmanian tourism industry. Apart from the obvious questions about the equity of gambling taxes and the social harm inflicted, has the implicit subsidy which I suspect to be roughly $10 million per annum by virtue of its monopoly licenses, produced an optimal return for the Tasmanian tourism industry, rather than merely feathering the nests of a few interstate shareholders? It would indeed be interesting to compare the levels of assistance including implicit assistance given to say Saffire, Barnbougle and MONA (all added as tourist drawcards at roughly the same time) with the outcomes produced by those businesses?
• Pat Caplice, in Comments: Mr Lawrence your knowledge of facts, dates and the money trail is superb. 2018, not, as my memory allowed me 2023, must be getting uncomfortably close for the Farrell family and their banker, ANZ. For these, nothing positive can happen while The Greens are in shared power.
• Mercury, Thursday: ‘Pokie reforms slash jobs’
Writers | John Lawrence | Politics | Local | National | State | Economy | Editor's Choice | Health | Legal | Personal | SocietyGreens the only movers as Labor and Liberal vote stagnates
EMRS
15.05.12 5:00 am
Image: J
New polling figures released today reveal the primary votes for the Australian Labor Party and the Greens are on level footing (both at 17 per cent) across the State, with the Liberal Party primary vote at 38 per cent; however, it is the undecided vote of 25 per cent that will be a major concern to all parties.
• Mary Massina ...
• Nick McKim ...
Politics | Local | State | Economy | Environment | SocietyJohn Hawkins, Chudleigh
15.05.12 4:17 am
Toad hunting ... how John Hawkins saw his joust with Greg Hall ...
People do not “whistle-blow” as per Nigel Burch’s story, because to do so means loss of a job, and worse. People I suspect can be “bought” so as to be silenced, or alternatively – like Nigel Burch – pilloried. It is the person, not the system who is attacked, with a vengeance that can be scary. Tasmanians are easily “heavied” into silence unless one is prepared to be a public figure which most are not. Maintaining the silence supports the current system, think literacy, think logging, and think corruption.
Writers | John Hawkins | Politics | State | Economy | Environment | Editor's Choice | Opinion | SocietyAlderman Philip Cocker Hobart City Council
15.05.12 4:12 am
Do we really think that Tasmania can afford to send an extra $600 million dollars out of the State every year in a decade’s time?
Politics | Local | State | Economy | Environment | Society | TransportPower: this vital decision ...
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader Tuesday, 15 May 2012
15.05.12 4:10 am
The status quo is not an option, reform is needed, and the Greens will be assessing the two options now released publicly against a clear-cut set of principles.
• What the Premier, Deputy Prmier say ...
• Meanwhile, in Germany ...
Politics | State | Economy | SocietyWalker Corp still shirking debt
Tim Morris MP Greens Planning Spokesperson Tuesday, 15 May 2012 MR
15.05.12 4:05 am
Pic: Thomas Moore
It’s about time the Minister set the example for other developers who put forward inappropriate development proposals by making Walker Corp pay their outstanding debt to the Tasmanian taxpayers.
Politics | Local | State | Economy | Environment | SocietyDavid O'Byrne, MP Minister for Economic Development
15.05.12 4:03 am
I was advised last Friday by DEDTA that an anomaly had been identified by the TCCI during an internal review of this grant funding and its expenditure - specifically, that some $130,000 from this grant funding may not have been used for the purposes stated in the grant deed,” Mr O’Byrne said. “Those indications have since been established as fact. Accordingly, the TCCI has now reimbursed the grant trust account to the full amount of $130,000.
• What the TCCI says ... it’s all change…
Politics | State | EconomyDr Kevin Bonham. Pic: of Rob Valentine
14.05.12 5:00 am
… this is perhaps Labor’s fault. In their glory days the party formally held five of the fifteen seats, and informally held a sixth. Probably only two votes shy of the power to radically reform the Upper House, Labor missed the opportunity to at least give it a big enough shake to ensure that those who had obstructed reform would be accountable for so doing at their next elections. It will be a very long time indeed before the party again threatens to hold a majority in the Upper House, so it will have plenty of time to reflect on what might have been.
Politics | State | The Psephologist | Kevin Bonham | Economy | Editor's Choice | SocietyNewExaminer, Shock: Public servant collapses ...
Martin Gaylord Editor-in-chief New Examiner
14.05.12 4:59 am
A RIVERSIDE public servant who collapsed at her desk last week is expected to make a full recovery. 23-year-old Laura Pinnington was rushed to St Lukes hospital last Tuesday, where she was diagnosed with acute anxiety following an extended session on social media site Facebook.
Media | SatireTasmania the Organic Isle: Ideas for a lasting future
Pete Godfrey
14.05.12 4:56 am
A response to Go back to the days of Electric Eric and The Emperor ... and Is Tasmania a failed state ... ?
Self-trained woodworker Pete Godfrey’s kitchen table
This is meant to be a discussion forum and there are many writers on the Times who have great ideas, so how about pooling them. With a lot of luck the right people can be found to move us from a Colonial Mining mentality to a vibrant place to live and work. It is up to you folk to join in the discussion and see what ideas come up. These are just a few ideas for starters ...
Get over it Mr Brooks, it’s called the Tarkine
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Member for Braddon Monday, 14 May 2012
14.05.12 4:55 am
Pic: Nicole Anderson
Liberals Threatening Tourism Investment Confidence
• Minister flags partial protection for Tarkine
• Christine Milne: Burke’s furphy misleads on Tarkine heritage values
• Paul O’Halloran: Minister must rule out taxpayer funding for mine road
• Paul O’Halloran: Brooks has a serious conflict of interest
Politics | National | State | Economy | Environment | SocietyFarmers hail Midlands Water Scheme start
Jan Davis, TFGA CEO MR
14.05.12 4:55 am
“We know that what has been achieved in the Coal River valley is also possible here.”
Politics | Local | State | Economy | Environment | SocietyDavid Cameron, Rebekah Brooks and the hazards of political friendships
Patrick Wintour, political editor, guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 15 May 2012
14.05.12 4:55 am
Meanwhile, Avaaz: There is evidence that Lachlan Murdoch might be breaking our laws and endangering our democracy. If tens of thousands of us add our names to a formal Avaaz complaint to be submitted to our media regulator today, we can build an unstoppable call for a full investigation of the Murdoch’s media monopolisation. Sign now ...
Politics | International | Media | SocietyGM Canola buffer lifted from 5 metres to 1.1 km
Scott Kinnear, Director, The Safe Food Foundation
14.05.12 4:54 am
Farmers considering whether to risk their independence for a long-term relationship with a patent holder will be further discouraged by this huge and significant increase in the informal buffer zone. Steve Marsh – like any farmer – has the right to make a living from his farm. And he has a right to control what happens on his property.
Politics | Local | National | State | Economy | Environment | Health | SocietyBring It On – the Australian Greens Build Credibility?
Kate Crowley. Pic: of Christine Milne
14.05.12 4:54 am
Of Milne’s many pressing tasks, one of the most crucial and requiring all her negotiating acumen and skill at consensus politics will be to tend to the many shades of Green now jostling within the party. But for outgoing Senator Bob Brown, Whish-Wilson, the merchant banker, is no contradiction; he is an embodiment of ‘clean, green and clever’ that has inspired Greens for many decades. Brown is confident that, just like his family’s wines, Whish-Wilson will be a gold medal Greens Senator for Tasmania.
Politics | National | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment | Opinion | SocietyOur beloved green rectangle: New York’s (fraught) romance with Central Park
New York Times
14.05.12 4:21 am
Donald Knowler from “The Falconer of Central Park”: (Our very own Don Knowler of Tassie Times The Chronicle fame) “The hard-core Central Park birding fraternity [includes]...a man who talks loudly because he spent his working life in the railroad switching yard, a viola player with the New York Philharmonic who has an ear for bird songs, and a used-car salesman who frequently warned me about ‘lemons,’ which I did not know grew in the park. Another birder is a retired policeman, and another, I am told, was a bank robber, now deceased.”
Writers | Don Knowler | Environment | Media | SocietyThe disinfectant aroma of burns-tainted wine
Clive Stott http://www.cleanairtas.com
14.05.12 4:18 am
Wines made from grapes exposed to smoke exhibit various aroma characters with some smoke tainted wines containing ‘burnt’, ‘smoked meat’, ‘leather’, ‘disinfectant’, ‘charred’, ‘ashtray’ and ‘salami’ aromas.
Politics | International | Local | National | State | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment | Health | Society | Wine‘Next month’ ... and ‘APRIL’ ...
The Hag
14.05.12 4:15 am
Sumatra: This land was once rainforest, but has now been cleared, burned, planted, harvested and burned again
What was that all about ... ? Hag was sitting in a downtown Hobart cafe in recovery from far too much Green Fairy absinthe, natch, when she overheard two middle-aged gentlemen discussing that ghastly proposition, a pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. She didn’t hear much ... other than refs to ‘next month’ and APRIL. Surely, god no, not this mob ...
• Richard Colbeck: Even Prof. West says forestry deal set to fail ...
• Gunns’ latest announcement: The Company requests that its suspension from trading continues until ...
Regulars | The Hag | Politics | International | Local | National | State | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment | Health | SocietyWhite Australian Policy Affecting our Jobs!
Jack LeRoux
14.05.12 4:06 am
I can imagine the fuss that would be made, if the government announced it would be bringing in 150,000 Africans, Indians, Asians or people from the Middle East to do work. We claim that we can’t possibly accommodate a few thousand asylum-seekers and then the government goes and makes a move like this. Something doesn’t add up.
Politics | International | National | Economy | Opinion | Media | SocietyJean Drake
14.05.12 3:50 am
Barnaby Drake (a long-time TT reader, writer and commenter) passed away on the 11th of May at the Claude Bernard clinic in Albi, France, after a short illness with cancer.
TributeMandy Jackson-Beverly
14.05.12 3:42 am
My mind was repeating over and over to itself, non-fat latte, non-fat latte, non-fat latte, but the minute I arrived at the counter I spat out the words, “a non-fat latte and an apple cinnamon muffin, please.” Right then, that familiar conversation between Mandy the health fairy and her evil sister Mandy the ‘oh for God’s sake, you only live once – live a little’ degenerate erupted in my head.
• redneck ecologist, in Comments: nice work Mandy… makes for a refreshing read amid the on-going forest debate, dying devils, frog deaths, platypus leisons, undrinkable water, moronic politicians, a failed government, the Tarkine, the imminent recession, high unemployment, a failed public health system and the failed attempt to revamp our planning system… maybe we just need to move all meetings to a bakery and sensibility will prevail… Think I’m in need of a bigger set of blinkers or a shot of optimism…
Writers | Mandy Jackson-Beverly | Opinion | PersonalThe vanishing bee ... and economic catastrophe
Washington Times, via Dr Alison Bleaney
14.05.12 3:34 am
A major loss of bees would be an economic catastrophe. And experts say that’s where we’re headed.
Politics | International | Local | National | State | Economy | Environment | Health | SocietyExtinction’s toll could rival climate change
Futurity
14.05.12 3:18 am
Picture: SB
A new study published in the journal Nature directly compares the effects of biological diversity loss to the anticipated effects of a host of other human-caused environmental changes—and highlights the need for stronger local, national, and international efforts to protect biodiversity and the benefits it provides.
Environment | SocietyUrban Design Forum. Picture: of Peter Poulet
14.05.12 2:38 am
In January, Peter Poulet resigned after three years in that position in Tasmania, and has been appointed as the NSW State Architect. Peter says, “The Tasmanian Government should consider employing a Tasmanian this time, because there are many good local people who can do the job. In many ways my job was really to establish the position, establish its credentials, and a local person who understands the nuances of doing business in Tasmania could hit the ground running and not have to spend that time as I did understanding the place.”
Politics | State | Economy | Environment | Planning/Heritage | MediaGreens pan Libs’ plan to cut 10 Days’ funding
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Arts spokesperson
14.05.12 1:02 am
Greens Arts spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said the Liberals clearly have no idea of the enormous value of the arts sector and the Ten Days festival to the Tasmanian economy.
Politics | Local | State | Arts | SocietyAndrew Nikolic and The New Examiner. 48,000 visit New Examiner ...
Martin Gaylord Editor-in-chief New Examiner
14.05.12 12:57 am
But what did concern us was Nikolic’s next action, informing us that `if we didn’t remove the offending story by 5pm Sunday, he would write to the employers of all the individuals who had ‘‘liked’’ the story.’ He continued to list the names, and employers of some 17 people who had dared tick the `like’ button on Facebook. He’s also used Facebook to endorse a program of contacting public sector employers to inform of which employees were involved in such a `pathetic and disrespectful farce.’ Is there a precedent for this? We can’t recall a single instance of a would-be politician using his perceived position of authority to harass individuals and threaten to risk their employment, simply because of a disagreement of what constitutes satire.
• Cameron, in Comments: Text of my letter to the editor of the Examiner, emailed today 7/5/2012: Recently, my name was included in a post on Andrew Nikolic’s Facebook page in response to a satirical story, also posted on Facebook, at which Mr Nikolic has taken offence. Mr Nikolic’s actions in “naming and shaming” those who ‘liked’ the ‘offensive’ story are reprehensible. His threat to write to my employer is simply juvenile. I am surprised to learn that the concept of free speech is apparently so foreign to someone seeking elected office. His attempt to score cheap points for political gain will win him no fans outside of the rusted-on Liberal Party support base. I invite him to write to my employer, who at least has a sense of humour. C Hindrum, Launceston
• SMH, Wednesday: Liberal candidate threatens Facebook users over satirical article
• YouTube: CurtisLeMaysNose ...
• And it’s popped up in the UK, but no mention in The Examiner or The Advocate
• … But Mercury wakes up, Lib candidate in Facebook spat
• As, finally, does The Examiner: Nikolic branded an online bully ...
• Cameron, in Comments; Gaylord, Cocker, none of these people are the story here. A political candidate losing his shit bigtime and threatening to endanger the livelihoods of some members of his potential electorate—that is the story. And I would think, come the federal election campaign, Mr Nikolic will be reminded of it. People have a right to know who they are voting for.
• Martin Gaylord, in Comments: Since the Sydney Morning Heard published a story about Nikolic’s outburst, some 48,000 people have read the original New Examiner post. Not bad for a harmless little blog. Of the 1,600 emails received, most recognised the satirical nature of the story. About 20 constituted barely literate abuse. The news here, if there is any, is the fact a candidate for public office used threats in response to his misinterpretation of a satirical comment. More damaging, as has been mentioned by others in this thread, is the suggestion Nikolic tried to cover his tracks, and then lied about his actions. I understand others with genuine political motivation are considering legal action against the individual involved, and I have cooperated by providing full transcripts of every comment made on the New Examiner in respect of these matters. The identity of the individual who plagiarised a story and published it on a Facebook page visited by around 10 people on a good week is not news. I note there hasn’t been a single call for the identity of the person who wrote the original Onion story. I know who that person is. They emailed us pointing out the New Examiner had a far better response than they ever did, even though they lampooned a major US public figure. Who, as an aside, saw the humour in the story. I guess some politicians overseas are made of sterner stuff than some of ours.
• Ben Quin, in Comments: We know from past articles that Nikolic monitors TT and has been willing to participate in on-line debate here. What is different this time? Could it be disinterest, bloody-mindedness, cowardice, orders from higher ups? Perhaps he thinks the matter will just subside with time and be forgotten. Whatever reason, it is a shame that we have not heard from him. He is clearly a good prospect at the election and a possible lead player in an Abbott government. Here was the perfect chance for him to present his credentials to a much wider audience than just his facebook friends. There are several topics he may have picked up, most of which have been introduced in comments on this thread. As tough as the discussion would have been, the perspective of the Liberal candidate for Bass would have been welcome.
Politics | National | State | Editor's Choice | Media | SatireIsland may be devil’s last chance
Andrew Darby. Age
14.05.12 12:56 am
A government plan to turn Tasmania’s Maria Island national park into a last refuge for the disease-plagued Tasmanian devil has sparked strong opposition from wildlife advocates.
Politics | National | State | Environment | MediaIs Tasmania a failed state ... ?
Lindsay Tuffin
13.05.12 7:01 am
You have to wonder how much worse it can get ...
• Kim Booth MP: Secrecy around Hydro’s Malaysian dam consultancy, Tasmanian Power Users Left Exposed: The Tasmanian Greens today expressed concern over the lack of transparency around Hydro Tasmania’s risky hydroelectric dam building venture in Malaysia, which had potentially exposed the Tasmanian public to further power price rises. Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP said his Right to Information request regarding Hydro subsidiary Entura Energy’s consultancy work for the Bakun Dam project in Sarawak had been refused on questionable commercial in-confidence grounds. … First raised on TT here (with not a hint of mainstream media interest)
• Anne Cadwallader. in Comments: Yay to Estelle and Scarlett, this is a FANTASTIC state, just a few dead dinosaurs stinking it up a bit. The west winds will soon blow that all away. Composting works miracles. Perspective is very important ... maybe Tasmanian Times needs a parallel column, the beautiful and brave side of Tasmanian living.
• ABC Online: Power price relief ‘overdue’
• Marta Lenton, in Comments Lindsay’s analogy about the canary in the mineshaft resonates with me. To anybody that has lived interstate and overseas, it may be obvious that many of the same industry-government idiosyncrasies we see here in Tasmania are not unique, indeed they are rife in other places too, but because we are a smaller community, it is simply easier to see them here. A couple of Australian examples recently would be the whole mining tax kerfuffle, or the way that fraccing has menaced even highly populated areas of Sydney around Marrickville. When we ask whether Tasmania is a failed state, it depends on what metric we want to measure it by
Writers | Lindsay Tuffin | Politics | Local | National | State | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment | Editor's Choice | Health | Opinion | Society
