Tuesday 27th February 1996

Today's Headlines

an Aussie's viewpoint
Tuesday 27th February 1996

International:

Ansett Australia's shareholders, The News Corporation Ltd and TNT Ltd have put their differences behind them with a joint submission to New Zealand's regulatory authority arguing in favour of an alliance with Air New Zealand. The submission strongly endorses Air NZ's proposed buyout of TNT's half share in Ansett Holdings Ltd.

Political - Federal Election 2nd March 1996:

The ABC are going to cover the Federal Election live

It appears that John Howard played the ace against Prime Minister Paul Keating last week when he said, "If you think Paul Keating is smug and arrogant now, just imagine what he will be like if he wins again."

Well I am now ready to make a prediction on the outcome of the Federal Election. I believe that the Labor party are going to suffer a massive swing against them in all states except for New South Wales. I predict that the Coalition will win by over 10 seats and that the win will be conclusive.

What is the basis for my prediction?

The devious manner in which the Labor Party call on senior bureaucrats in an to attempt to manipulate how we vote.
The threats of the ACTU trade union of industrial revolt if the Liberal party get in. Who are they speaking for - who represents who?
The arrogance and deceit of the Prime Minister in the past few years.
Labor's lies in areas such as no new taxes - which was supposed to be written into LAW.
The unemployment problem amongst Australia's youth.
The draconian unfair dismissal laws which have, through fear by potential employers, stunted employment in small business.

Check out milking the political cow

Business:

Ampolex Ltd managing director, Dr Peter Power, yesterday vigorously defended the group's exploration results and potential and attacked the performance of an unwelcome suitor, US based Mobil Corp. However, the group's poor financial result of Au$18.1 million profit down from Au$25.6 million in the same period the previous year underscored some of the problems that Ampolex are currently facing.

Sport:

It now appears that Super League will be a non-starter unless Murdoch's boys can woo the Australian Rugby League (ARL). This is highly unlikely as Optus Vision (Foxtel's competitor) have covered the costs related to the ARL's challenge and won't give up the asset inherent in rugby league as a pay TV sport that easily.

Social:

About 18% of workers employed in the finance sector have experienced some form of sexual harassment over the past three years. The survey is based on 2000 responses sent to Finance Sector Union members. 22% of women and 11% of men said that they had faced some sort of sexual harrassment in the workforce.

Global Gripe of the day:

The media's manipulation of "racism":
We, supposedly, live in a world where free speech reigns. We, supposedly, live in a world where fairness is paramount. We are mistaken. A National MP, Bob Katter, spoke his mind on radio yesterday and what he said was absolutely true and made absolute sense. Yet, today, he is branded a racist by the media.

What did Bob Katter say? Katter said that if you lived in the bush you could only afford to send your kids to year 11 and year 12 if you were either rich or Aboriginal. Katter lives in the bush and represents people from the far north of isolated Queensland. They all know that Aborigine parents ARE PAID, YES PAID, to send their kids to school. If you are non-Aboriginal you are up for school fees, accommodation and all the other costs of supporting your kids living away from home. Spot on Bob Katter - not racist, but spot on. If anything, the policy is racist.

A few weeks ago, Ms Pauline Hanson, the nominated Liberal representative for Oxley in Queensland, said that SHE BELIEVED that the Aborigines get too many hand-outs. Nothing wrong with that. Those are the facts. Aboriginal youngsters are a major problem in her seat of Ipswich. For example, I personally am aware of a group of Aboriginal 16 year olds who frequent Ms Hanson's local shopping mall as a gang and have been known to beat up whites, often walk into a shop and just "steal" (or remove) what they want without payment, vandalise things and generally run amuck. They have been arrested on several occasions. They immediately call the Aboriginal Legal Service who bail them out and let them loose on the streets again without punishment. The shopowners have been advised to keep a low profile and hope that they will not damage their shop. If they do they have been advised to take no action as they would be called racist and the Aboriginal group would just come back with impunity and create even more damage.

A group of non-Aboriginal kids could never get away with that behaviour.

For speaking her mind Ms Pauline Hanson lost her Liberal Party endorsement and is now standing as an independent.

You be the judge.

Personal trivia:

Lovely cool day yesterday. Overcast with intermittent showers. Looks like much the same today. Got to tell ya, the Brisbane river is looking its magnificent best. We have had no heavy rain in weeks and the water has returned to its sparkling clarity. The river bed can be clearly seen through two metres of water.

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an Aussie's viewpoint Tuesday 27th February 1996