Suburban Scrawl

Time in Malta Guest Blog Series

2008-05-18T19:14:00.000+10:00

I have recently completed a guest blog stint at Wired Malta. A big thankyou to Robert Micallef of Wired Malta for encouraging me to write about my visit to Malta earlier in the year. The writing ended up being a worthwhile personal memoir of my visit to the island.

01. Introduction
02. In the Mediterranean
03. On an Island
04. Discovery
05. History to Politics
06. Family Politics
07. Religion
08. Maltese Road Trip
09. Music
10. Return to Żejtun
11. Living in Malta
12. A Flicker of Time

Europe Accommodation

2008-04-12T19:27:00.000+10:00

For our recent Europe trip, we used the Internet site HostelWorld to arrange all of our accommodation. This site was excellent and allowed us to make bookings that were very cheap and in central locations in nine major European cities. To keep improving the quality of the site, I have submitted feedback on each accommodation venues that we used throughout Europe. With one exception, we were very pleased with everywhere that we stayed.

Rome, Italy, Locanda Otello Rossi

$52.12/person/night

86%

Good, clean, cheap, very basic accommodation venue very close to Rome's Termini station. The location is a section of a floor in an old building. Our poor Italian was taken in good humour and we had a good stay. Avoid accidentally walking into the living quarters, and you may wish to avoid if you have animal allergies (there was a friendly dog asleep most of the time on the couch, his eyes indicated he had seen it all, ha ha ha).

Venice, Italy, Hotel Ai Tolentini

$60.07/person/night

83%

This was a very good cheap accommodation venue located close to Venice's main train station. The staff member we dealt with was friendly and helpful. We were sent to a second location, very close to the first location, but this was not such a bad thing, as the venue was recently refurbished and in great condition. Toilets and showers were clean. We could not work out the air conditioner.

Zurich, Switzerland, ZicZac Rock-Hotel

$72.98/person/night

90%

This was the highest end of our 'budget accommodation' in Europe. Staff were friendly and helpful with good advice on the local area. A bit of a walk from the main train station but entirely achievable and well located with many restaurants, bars and so forth located nearby. The room, showers and toilets were all good and clean, though there was a slight cigarette smoke smell in the room. Overall, recommended.

Munich, Germany, Easy Palace Station Hotel

$57.42/person/night

96%

This venue was a highlight of our accommodation experiences through Europe. The location here is superb, being very close to the main Munich train station and on the way to the centre of Munich. The staff were friendly and helpful, the facilities clean and the complimentary small beers in the down stairs bar well enjoyed. The included buffet breakfast was good and welcome.

Frankfurt, Germany, Hotel Europa

$48.58/person/night

96%

This was the best cheap accommodation enjoyed of the nine locations we picked across Europe. We dealt with at least three separate hosts, who were all exceptionally friendly. I had the flu, and they even divvied up a peppermint tea when I stumbled downstairs. Good television with decent cable helped at this time, as well. The food and drinks in the room were good and cheap. The simple buffet breakfast was superb. Very close to Frankfurt's main rail station and highly recommended.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rembrandt Square Hotel

$53.00/person/night

83%

Amusingly located above one of Amsterdam's many "coffee shops", this was a good budget venue. The facilities were all well kept and very clean, though, due to minor allergies, I experienced some discomfort with the strong cigarette smoke through the room. The staff members were quite helpful and the buffet breakfast good. The location was a bit of a walk from Amsterdam's main train station, but in a great location for access to restaurants, bars and the centre of Amsterdam. Make sure to stock up on the discount cards and all near the entrance. Also, the fire alarm works :)

Brussels, Belgium, Residence les Ecrins

$53.00/person/night

83%

A recommended budget accommodation location in Brussels. The location is some distance from the central rail station, but in a seemingly good area with a number of local eateries and conviences. Toilets, showers, towels and the room generally were clean and in good condition. The staff were friendly and kept supplying us with cans of the enjoyable Jupiler Belgian beer for only one Euro each.

Paris, France, Hotel Du Commerce

$43.28/person/night

56%

We were shuffled off to another location for the first night due to a "technical problem" that would be "resolved this evening". The other venue referred to this "technical problem" as double booking. We were told breakfast would be included for the same price, but the second venue tried to add 10 Euro for breakfast, and still charged us 1 Euro more after knocking off the breakfast.

It is the principle of these matters that annoy me. There is also the practice of charging for showers, which appears to be a local budget accommodation farce. Notably, the second venue charged more for showers than where we had booked. Also, when having to move our bags and materials for the second night, we could not check in until around 3pm, leaving our bags in an area that I was not convinced was secure.

The reason I have not given this place a complete rating thrashing is that (1) the final staff member we dealt with was friendly and helpful (2) we were, at least, provided with alternative accommodation on the first night, and (3) given our mediocre experiences generally in Paris, I am confident there is a lot worse than the clean, comfortable accommodation at this place.

London, United Kingdom, Marble Arch Inn

$49.24/person/night

80%

This was a friendly, clean accommodation venue located within walking distance of most of London's main attractions, including the Oxford Street shopping domain. A basic complimentary breakfast was included, though it was milk based. The hosts may offer a taxi like service to Heathrow airport, but I note that the (relatively slow) Tube is far, far cheaper.

Sorry, Pete

2008-03-12T21:00:00.001+10:00

From the campaign trail. Midnight in Eagleby. All of a sudden, out the front of a modest suburban house, a woman appears wearing only her underwear. She runs up to the Peter Eather sign on the front lawn and starts trying to knock over or rip out the sign. "Oi! What are you doing!?", the resident called out. At this question, the woman gets down on her hands and knees and starts kissing the sign. "Sorry, Pete, I'm so sorry."

Missing Signs

An incredible number of signs have been stolen or destroyed in the Logan City Council election campaigns. Lonnie Nielsen has lost over 60 signs, and he is merely running in a local division. Credit must be given to the political operatives in Beenleigh, though, as this area has been relatively unscathed. Kudos to candidates Peter Eather, Ray Hackwood and Jennie Breene for their fair play with signage.

Vicious Politics

The politics of the Logan City Council election has been the most unpleasant I have dealt with during my political involvement. I can confidently say that this is the first election I have not enjoyed. If it was not for a couple of mates running, Peter Eather and Lonnie Nielsen, I would have happily had nothing to do with this election.

I have paid a personal price for involvement in these elections. The token neglect of family has been eclipsed by the vicious lies distributed about myself and friends from a number of different sources. At its lowest moments, I privately had concerns for the safety of my property and family. There are certain archaic political elements out there, adherents to threats, lies and bullying, that must to be consigned to history books.

Beer

I do not know about you, but the image the Australian Labor Party website is using to advertise their response to binge drinking leaves me feeling rather like a beer. Kids may never listen, but they never fail to emulate. The drinking culture in Australia extends well beyond those that today we call youth.

I have drunk too much perhaps five times over the last ten years, so I am not claiming to be a saint. Before the end of the year, I too will inevitably end up once again at the Holy Grail. I remember the pub from a moderate couple of beers there back in 2005.

My simplistic personal view is:
(1) If you become violent or aggressive when you drink, you should never drink.
(2) If you have one drink and can not stop, you should never drink.
(3) Never drink to escape your personal issues and demons.
(4) Do not drink every day, more so if alcoholism is in your family.
(5) Otherwise, it is all about moderation and not drinking to get drunk.

The Australian Cares Not

The Australian newspaper pulled an incredible stunt last Friday when it claimed the Rudd Government was going to scrap bonuses to carers and pensioners. Absolutely no decision had been made on the Howard Government one off payments, which had never been budgeted for in the future and were purely desperate scrambles to buy votes. The Rudd Government was also going to provide bonuses, while the Australian continues to perpetuate the lie that the bonuses were going to be scrapped.

Welfare

It has come to my attention that my view of welfare differs noticeably from common views in the society. I support most forms of welfare, but I see welfare as assistance or help, not to provide a lavish lifestyle. Many people see it as their right and believe that the Government owes them welfare. If I am ever in a position in life where I require welfare to survive, I will be thankful for every cent I get, because someone, somewhere has to pay for it. Money does not grow on trees.

Interest Rates

My family has been slugged by about five interest rates since we bought our home one year ago. Suffice to say, it is all rather unwelcome, but has not meant significant strain. Politicians are still talking like they have influence over interest rates. Yet they only have moderate medium to long term influence through mechanisms such as investment in skills and removing infrastructure bottlenecks.

Rosie

My daughter Rosie is almost six months old now, and is the most adorable little creature. When not screaming, she is a happy baby, smiling, giggling, chattering and attentive. Rosie gets bored easily and likes different people, situations and experiences. At times, she is incredibly focused on particular items. For some reason, she has taken to simulating coughing noises lately.

Rosie is enjoying being able to grab items and wants to eat everything. She gets upset when not in on what is happening and does her best to take playing cards out of your hands. At my parents place for dinner, the best may to placate her is to give her a large piece of lamb or similar to suck on, which looks ridiculous.

Rosie sleeps in a little sleeping bag like piece of clothing, as she kicks off all sheets. Rosie fights sleep, particularly during the day, but sleeps through the night once she finally falls asleep. My only contact with her on many days is a kiss in her cot when I get home late at night. Such is our society that career success is usually at the expense of family.

At the worst of Logan City Council politics, I came home to be informed that my baby had used the potty three times today. I always find it strange that, in the real world, people strive to hurt people for their own ends. The beautiful innocence of my daughter contrasts with the horror of what becomes of many people as they age. Does it have to be this way?

Overseas

On Friday evening I will be departing Australia, with three relatives, for Malta. I will be apart from my wife and baby as my wife was disinterested. Inevitably, I am going to find the separation from my daughter hard. Little Rosie will be completely different by the time I return in four weeks time. I hope she remembers me.

I am nervous about the impending 24 hour flight. There are two legs, Brisbane to Dubai and Dubai to Valletta in Malta. I do not enjoy flying at the best of times, so I am trying to suppress anxiety at being in the air for that long. I hope the Emirates seats are comfortable, because I am also hoping to be able to sleep on the flight (something which I could not achieve on a midnight flight from Perth).

Accommodation has been locked in overseas. Before arriving back in Australia, I will be staying in Valletta, Rome, Venice, Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London. Most of the trip will be with my father and transportation mainly by rail. I have not packed yet.

Blogging

As much as I enjoy entering some text into a computer when I have the time, this blog is gradually being neutered. I am finding that the more involved I am in politics, the less I can say. Recent events have demonstrated to me that many people can not separate my personal views from the views of my employer, Brett Raguse MP, Federal Member for Forde.

I have for some time accepted the personal costs of blogging, such as threats and slander. I have also accepted that this blog will harm me if I was to ever seriously consider running for a seat in a Parliament. The situation has changed recently, as I am now often seen as a "Brett Raguse staffer" rather than a community member in my own right outside of work hours.

At the moment, I am being decidedly reserved on my views about Logan City Council local division and Mayoral candidates. To spill the beans would, I believe, make the operation of politics locally more open and transparent. Unfortunately, it would inevitably cause more political problems and difficulties than it is worth.

Cheers

Well, I will not be present for the Local Government elections on Saturday. I am confident on a couple of outcomes, but have no idea how most of the divisions will eventuate. I suspect that most people in the general population are jaded with elections and not paying attention. I anticipate high levels of people not voting at all, donkey votes and informal votes.

Beenleigh Showgrounds Road

2008-03-06T21:13:00.001+10:00

One of the most contentious issues in Beenleigh surrounds proposals for a road to be placed through the Beenleigh Showgrounds. With Local Government elections around the corner, the fever on this issue is as hot as ever. I am, and have been for some time, a supporter of the road going ahead.

Beenleigh has traffic problems. During peak hours, the five way roundabout in the centre of town clogs up, particularly either side of George Street. With a continually growing population in surrounding suburbs, Beenleigh's traffic challenges are only going to get worse. The proposed road is part of a larger ring road to take pressure off the inner centre of Beenleigh.

Talk about a ring road through the Beenleigh showgrounds dates back to around 15 years ago, when Beenleigh was part of the old Albert Shire. The Beenleigh Show Society, responsible for the Beenleigh showgrounds, in more recent years has not had a problem with the road, but had a preferred route. In late 2006 or early 2007, with the assistance of Evan Moorhead MP, the Gold Coast City Council and the Beenleigh Show Society found an agreeable solution. The key change was using traffic lights rather than a roundabout, allowing better angles on the road and better safety for Beenleigh State School students. The road then became a done deal from the Gold Coast City Council perspective.

Enter the Save Our Showground group, which have been around for years and are a separate entity to the Beenleigh Show Society. The Save Our Showground group oppose any road through the showgrounds, under the argument that the road will, in effect, destroy the showgrounds. Holding a regular peaceful protest out the front of the Beenleigh markets, the Save Our Showground crew has many local friends and has thousands of petition signatories.

I believe that I understand where the Save Our Showground group are coming from, but disagree with their view. I am saddened by the thought of a road going through the old showgrounds, but I also recognise that change is inevitable and that this change will not be the end of the world. The road will be closed for major events, which is hardly different to the Nerang Markets or a number of other events. I also believe that we have gone beyond the point of no return.

As part of Queensland's Local Government reform, Beenleigh has moved from Gold Coast City Council to Logan City Council. With elections on the boil, candidates have been keen to not be seen taking sides in this long running quarrel. Instead of the road being a done deal, as appeared to be the case with Gold Coast City Council, the word is now that Logan City Council will review the plans. The deliberations have, incredibly, been strung out even further than they have been already.

I believe it is time the Beenleigh Show Society got certainty. The many years of deliberations have made it impossible to make the necessary investments, leaving the showgrounds depressingly dilapidated. Following the recent Gold Coast City Council agreement, the Beenleigh Show Society spent many thousands of dollars preparing for the road to go through the grounds. The new uncertainty is causing unnecessary grief to the Beenleigh Show Society and not helping the showgrounds.

The core disputes about the Beenleigh showgrounds have resulting in a number of side disputes. A great variety of heat surrounds the Save Our Showgrounds weekly Sunday morning protest out the front of the showgrounds. As far as I am concerned, while I am not in agreement with the Save Our Showgrounds group, I support the right of all people to peacefully assemble. While I believe that many local laws need to be changed, the Save Our Showgrounds group must in turn adhere to local and electoral laws.

Patronage at the Sunday markets has also been a bit down. The Beenleigh Show Society sees this as a result of the Save Our Showground crew giving people the impression that the markets and showgrounds are to be no longer. The Save Our Showground crew believe the attendance has more to do with Gold Coast City Council slogging locals with fines of over $300 for parking on the grass (where we previously parked for years unhindered). I suspect the reality involves elements of both of these interpretations.

I think that this situation would be better if some people had a nice big cup of calm the hell down. Most of the rumours and rubbish doing the rounds in relation to the showgrounds are easily resolved by some common sense and asking questions. It's so revolutionary, you know, checking the facts and all.

To return this back to roads, I believe that the road through the showgrounds will be of a moderate benefit to Beenleigh. It is only a relatively small part of a much broader solution to our traffic challenges. That given, it is a road that, if in place now, I would use daily. The long term goal, as I see it, is to keep as much unnecessary traffic out of inner Beenleigh as possible.

I would like to see a serious network of main roads circling Beenleigh. I would like to see the now four lane Logan River Road split to two four lanes at the first Beenleigh roundabout (approaching Beenleigh from the Waterford direction). Boundary Road and Logan Street leading to the Beenleigh North M1 exit as a four lane road. Hammel Street and Milne Street to the Beenleigh South M1 exit as a four lane road.

However, here and now, the road through the Beenleigh showgrounds must go ahead. The debate and deliberation has already been occurring for a generation and the main stakeholders have already reached agreement. Let the Beenleigh Show Society have the road so that they can make the investments that our showgrounds need.

Local Government Recommendations

2008-03-04T21:27:00.002+10:00

For curious friends and family - my personal recommendations for the 2008 Local Government elections.

A general recommendation. If you choose to vote formally, use your preferences by numbering every box. Put your most preferred candidate first, your least preferred candidate last, and fill out the numbers in between. This makes sure your vote counts for one of the final two candidates in each count. If you want change, make sure to put sitting councillors last.

I have recommended a number of people who are members of the Labor Party. I have also, by chance, recommended a few reputable members of the Nationals. Recommendations are not purely along any party line, as all candidates (except the Liberals on the Gold Coast) are running as Independents.

No hard feelings to people that I have not listed with a recommendation. In a few specific divisions, I know that there are capable, decent people that I have not listed as recommended.

Please note that, with further information, I would probably make some changes to these listings and fill in the blanks.

Logan City Council Mayor --- NO RECOMMENDATION
FREEMAN, John
BARTON, Tom
SHOARD, Steve
PARKER, Pam
NOAH, Lesley Alexandra
RIMINGTON, Andrew Richard

Logan City Council Division 1
BRADLEY, Lisa
BYRON, Andrew
TYSON, Warren
LEEMING, Geoff --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 2
LAMBERT, Nancy
GRESHAM, Steve
NIELSEN, Lonnie --- RECOMMENDED
LUTTON, Russell

Logan City Council Division 3 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
McLINDON, Aidan
GRANT, John

Logan City Council Division 4 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

A note about Division 4. This Division has an incredible array of high quality candidates. I highly recommend carefully evaluating the pros and cons of each candidate. I honestly believe that you can not go wrong with most of the candidates that are running. Don Petersen has a few controversies but is an decent Councillor. Tom Childs, best known for his Presidency at the Beenleigh RSL, is a respected community leader. Sean Black, putting aside the rent bidding controvery, did a fantastic job selling us a house last year and would do a good job. I also hear generally positive feedback about Geoff Flannery and Vince Sawyer.

CHILDS, Thomas
FLANNERY, Geoff
COPLEY, Greg
BLACK, Sean
PETERSEN, Don
STARK, Rob
SAWYER, Vince

Logan City Council Division 5
ABLE, Graham
LOURIGAN, Annette --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 6
SMITH, Luke --- RECOMMENDED
PRICE, Sue

Logan City Council Division 7 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
CLARKE, Lynne

Logan City Council Division 8
TACON, Russell
DALLEY, Cherie --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 9
TOPP, Jason
BRICKNELL, Bob --- RECOMMENDED
PIDGEON, Phil

Logan City Council Division 10 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
POWER, Darren
MILLEN, Jed
BEARD, Dave

Logan City Council Division 11
SOMERS, Richard
BAN, Hajnal
FRONIS, John --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 12
BREENE, Jennie
HACKWOOD, Ray
EATHER, Peter --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Mayor

SCHEARER, Ray
CLARKE, Ron
BRADFORD, John
TATE, Tom (Liberal Party)
MOLHOEK, Rob --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 1

WOOLARD, Leanne --- RECOMMENDED
COAD, Cher (Liberal Party)
MEHLERT, John
GATES, Donna
WAYNE, Elizabeth --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 2

TOWSON, Richard
WAYNE, John --- RECOMMENDED
ROYLE, Cheryle (Liberal Party)

Gold Coast City Council Division 3 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

DOUGLAS, Keith (Liberal Party)
BOULTON, Kristyn
PFORR, Grant J

Gold Coast City Council Division 4 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

CARROLL, Maurie
FRAME, George (Liberal Party)
GRUMMITT, Margaret
WHEELDON, Chris

Gold Coast City Council Division 5

RILEY, Daren (Liberal Party)
YOUNG, Peter --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 6

THOMPSON, Grant (Liberal Party)
CRAWFORD, Glen
CRICHLOW, Dawn --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 7

MAGIN, Don
DOUGLAS, Susie --- RECOMMENDED
MAC ANALLY, Jim (Liberal Party)

Gold Coast City Council Division 8

TOOMA, Anna (Liberal Party)
TAYLER, James
RIGAUD, Jacques --- RECOMMENDED
LA CASTRA, Bob

Gold Coast City Council Division 9

WOOD, Dan (Liberal Party)
POOLE, Andy --- RECOMMENDED
SHEPHERD, Ted

Gold Coast City Council Division 10

SARROFF, Eddy --- RECOMMENDED
TAYLOR, Paul (Liberal Party)
SIMS, Andy

Gold Coast City Council Division 11 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

HUGHES, Wayne
CRANE, Shannon (Liberal Party)
GREW, Jan

Gold Coast City Council Division 12

WAREING, Irene --- RECOMMENDED
BETTS, Greg
TAYLOR, John
IMRIE, Terry (Liberal Party)

Gold Coast City Council Division 13

COOK, Georgia (Liberal Party)
McDONALD, Daphne
WYATT, Paul --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 14

VANZINO, John (Liberal Party)
ROBBINS, Chris --- RECOMMENDED

Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor
STEINDL, Mike --- RECOMMENDED
BRENT, John --- RECOMMENDED
DRESCHER, Joy
YOUNGMAN, John

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 1 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
SWANBOROUGH, Derek

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 2
ADAMS, Richard
O'CARROLL, Nadia --- RECOMMENDED

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 3
SANDERS, Jennifer
WEST, Virginia --- RECOMMENDED
DUNN, John

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 4 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
BRENNAN-LOVE, Julie
COCKBURN, Dave

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 5 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
BENSTED, Kathy
WEBSTER, Don
STANFIELD, Richard

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 6
CREIGHTON, Wendy
WEHL, Heather --- RECOMMENDED

Local Representatives

2008-03-04T20:27:00.000+10:00

The rot surrounding these elections has led me to think about nature of Local Government representatives. What is it that we really want to see in a person who will be paid $100,000 a year to fight over footpaths and where you can place a sign? I come back to notions such as:

1) A moderate level of services for a moderate cost. There is always this unfeasible demand for services but anger at rising rates. I prefer a low to moderate level of services and low rates. I accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Where does the candidate sit?

2) A lack of corruption. Will strange and wonderful favours result from campaign donations to the candidate? Will developments with glaring drainage, erosion or similar problems from the right people be supported by the candidate? Will the candidate represent constituents or developers?

3) Rising above the filth. The Local Government elections are proving to be a disgusting cesspit of rumours, lies and innuendo. Does the candidate have the moral fibre to avoid the muck, play a straight bat, and rise above the filth?

4) Dignity and respect. Will the candidate treat their constituents, community workers and business leaders with respect and dignity? Has the candidate done so in the past? Has the candidate done so during this campaign?

5) Caring about their community. Does the candidate have a genuine love and affection for their community and the people in it? Have they been active outside of the election campaign? The candidate should be open, accessible and interested in your community.

Local Government authorities deal with relatively small biscuits. Party ideology has at best a minor influence on the actions of elected Local Government representatives. Dare I say, I am leaning towards thinking that the quality of the candidate may be more important than party colours on the Local Government front.

Logan Party Time

2008-02-21T22:16:00.003+10:00

Political leanings of candidates in the 2008 Logan City Council elections.

Thankyou to those who made this possible, who shall go unnamed with the exception of Lin at Cedar Grove View.

This information comes with the following precautions:

1. This is not going to be completely accurate. Please e-mail corrections to stuart.fenech@gmail.com

2. I have consciously decided to not post certain information. Information on when a person has handed out for a party is omitted, as it is patchy at best. There are a couple of cases where I know people are friends of people, but again, this information is patchy. I have also removed the "nut" label from a couple of deserving candidates (the best individual I know of is running in Division 4).

3. Logan City Council candidates, irrespective of political affiliation, will be elected as independents and not constrained by party platforms. Political affiliations are only useful as an indication of where the political ideology of a candidate is positioned. For the most part, the personal characteristics of the candidates are more important than the colours.

The goods:

Mayor
FREEMAN, John --- Independent
BARTON, Tom --- Labor
SHOARD, Steve --- Independent
PARKER, Pam --- Independent
NOAH, Lesley Alexandra --- Independent (wife of Andrew)
RIMINGTON, Andrew Richard --- Independent (husband of Lesley)

Division 1
BRADLEY, Lisa --- Independent
BYRON, Andrew --- National; ex-Liberal
TYSON, Warren --- Liberal
LEEMING, Geoff --- Independent

Division 2
LAMBERT, Nancy --- Lutton
GRESHAM, Steve --- Independent
NIELSEN, Lonnie --- Labor
LUTTON, Russell --- ex-Labor

Division 3
McLINDON, Aidan --- National; ex-Liberal
GRANT, John --- Independent; Christian Conservative

Division 4
CHILDS, Thomas --- Independent; Beenleigh RSL
FLANNERY, Geoff --- Unknown
COPLEY, Greg --- Independent
BLACK, Sean --- ex-Labor
PETERSEN, Don --- ex-Labor
STARK, Rob --- National?
SAWYER, Vince --- Independent

Division 5
ABLE, Graham --- Ex-Labor?; Ex-National?
LOURIGAN, Annette --- Independent

Division 6
SMITH, Luke --- Independent; Christian Conservative
PRICE, Sue --- Independent; Men's Rights Activist

Division 7
CLARKE, Lynne --- Independent; Conservative

Division 8
TACON, Russell --- National
DALLEY, Cherie --- Labor

Division 9
TOPP, Jason --- Independent
BRICKNELL, Bob --- Labor
PIDGEON, Phil --- Independent; Conservative

Division 10
POWER, Darren --- ex-Labor; ex-Democrat; ex-National?
MILLEN, Jed --- Unknown
BEARD, Dave --- Unknown

Division 11
SOMERS, Richard --- ex-Liberal
BAN, Hajnal --- National
FRONIS, John --- Labor

Division 12
BREENE, Jennie --- Independent
HACKWOOD, Ray --- ex-Liberal
EATHER, Peter --- Labor

Reminder - corrections to stuart.fenech@gmail.com

Parties in Local Government

2008-02-20T23:07:00.000+10:00

I am going to make an embarrassing admission. Younger and more naive than now, in early 2004 I casually walked into the Logan Village polling booth and helped elect Joy Drescher as Mayor of Beaudesert Shire. Sure, I put Ms Drescher 7th out of 8, but I put her main competition 8th. Now, I have met Ms Drescher, and she was nice enough, but our politics are rather different. I would not have chosen to help elect a member of the Nationals as Mayor.

Realising my crime, I became annoyed by the lack of honesty and transparency in the whole local government election process. All of the candidates claimed to be "independent" but rarely were they genuine independents. I was not bothered if people had party political affiliations, but believed that they should be honest and upfront about those links.

Here in 2008, a number of things are apparent that were not so in 2004. I am going to write about these matters from the perspective of a rank and file member of the Labor Party. That given, the situation is likely to be similar in the Liberal and National Parties. I am hoping to give some insight into the operation of party politics of 'independents' in Local Government.

The topic of upfront party politics in local government is controversial in the Labor Party. Some people believe that voters do not want to see parties in Local Government. Some people believe that party politics would bring discipline and accountability to Local Government. There are a number of arguments for and against it that result in continuation of the status quo.

The Labor Party has traditionally only endorsed Labor Party candidates in the Brisbane, Townsville and Duaringa councils. Duaringa, in a stunning demonstration that Local Government reform lynched Labor friends and foes alike, has now been annexed into the Central Highlands (Emerald) Regional Council. So currently, Labor Party members are not allowed to run as Labor candidates outside of Brisbane and Townsville.

Because candidates run as independents rather than as members of the Labor Party, they are not committed to any Labor Party policies. This leaves elected local representatives who are members of the Labor Party in a sort of limbo where they are, but are not, Labor. While they believe and support the objectives of the Labor Party, they can and do act as independents in terms of council policy.

Let's face it. Most items dealt with by a local council are not ideological. The foundations of our major political parties were not on who would place the most ideologically sound footpaths in front of your house. So while party politics gives an indication of the leanings and values of candidates, it is not as critical as in State or Federal elections.

In the end, the political affiliation of an independent candidate is only useful for giving an indication of the way the candidate sees the world. It has relatively little influence on the actions of the candidate should they be elected. For the average voter, the quality of the candidate will be more practically important than the political leanings of the candidate.

I hope the above helped to explain the politics of Local Government in our area.

Signs of the Times

2008-02-20T20:50:00.000+10:00

"854AA No jurisdiction to make local laws and subordinate local laws prohibiting placement of election signs or posters
(1) A local government has no jurisdiction to make a local law or subordinate local law prohibiting, in its area, the placement of election signs or posters for an election under this Act, the City of Brisbane Act 1924, the Electoral Act 1992 or the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cwlth).
(2) A local law or subordinate local law, to the extent it is contrary to subsection (1), is of no effect.
(3) In this section—election signs or posters means signs or posters that are able, or are intended—
(a) to influence a person about voting at an election; or
(b) to affect the result of an election."
- Local Government Act 1993

Once again, an election is happening, and I find myself in irritation at the issue of election signage.

Today, my irritation is directed at Cr Ray Hackwood, no longer an official Gold Coast City Councillor but running now for Division 12 in Logan City Council. A number of signs for Cr Hackwood have been erected on public land in the last few days, including at the intersection of Brigade Drive and River Hills Road in Eagleby, and in Main Street in Beenleigh. Cr Hackwood knows as well as I do that these signs are illegal by his own Gold Coast City Council laws.

The Queensland Local Government Act states the Local Governments do not have jurisdiction to mess with election signage. Gold Coast City Council has fudged this area for some time by insisting that they do not have "laws" in relation to election signage, but "regulations". The standard advice is that the Gold Coast City Council argument would not stand up in court, but everyone circles around the flame and it has not gone to court.

Under the existing Gold Coast City Council arrangements, practically all election signage is illegal. From my discussions, the placement of signage on public land is clearly illegal and this is not an issue with which I have a problem. The contention is over private land, which I and most people contend should be free for private citizens to display signs as they please. In the case of Cr Hackwood, while his council staff harass people over signage on private land, he brazenly breaks the laws on public land.

Signage laws, in effect, primarily entrench the position of those in power. Signage restrictions advantage incumbents, who start with name and face recognition advantages from the start. Yet come election time, the people who make the laws happily break their own laws, while at the same time wielding the laws against dissenters.

In Cr Hackwood's case, a group of dissenters being quite effectively punished are his foes in the Save Our Showground (SOS) activist group. The weekly SOS protest on Sunday mornings out the front of the Beenleigh Showground has been severely neutered by friends of Cr Hackwood enforcing Gold Coast City Council bylaws to the letter. I am neither here nor there on the activities of SOS, but the hypocrisy of Cr Hackwood is astounding.

I will make this clear. Council laws in relation to signage need to be fair, simple and equitably enforced. At the moment they are a poor game of chess, played most skilfully by those that know the rules and choose to break them. If council does not want a free for all, signage on public property should be banned, while no attempt should be made to touch signage on private property. Simple, effective and clear.

In the mean time, I will not be reporting Cr Hackwood's signage to the (decidedly friendly, it turns out) enforcement chap. While annoyed, I am resisting personally the pathetic signage games that dominate elections. I have never stolen a piece of signage or reported any signage to the authorities. I would prefer to keep it this way - clean and honest - and it would dearly help if Councillors put in place simple, fair laws and followed them.

The final word on my local Councillor belongs to a friend of mine, who dispassionately comments:

"For him, the law itself isn't a limiting structure, it's simply a tool that can be wielded. Which is the common view of the corrupt, really, which is why it's so hard for liberals to oppose them."

How Low Can Local Government Go?

2008-02-16T11:56:00.000+10:00

Local Government elections are to be held on the 15th of March 2008 and I have made little secret that I am pleased to be out of the country on this date. I have few personal grievances with anyone standing and quite like a handful of candidates yet overall, Local Government is a cesspit. Compared to State and Federal politics, local politics is a nightmare.

My teeth have been cut on Gold Coast City Council politics. The threats over innocuous political signage on people's private property. The fining of locals for parking in harmless places that we have parked on for 25 years without harassment. The professional cash for favours system that is virtually impossible to prove, as the decent Cr Peter Young discovered. When Cr David Power resigned and was employed by property developers, who he was representing did not change. Gold Coast City Council is a perverse world.

I am in the part of the world that is moving from Gold Coast City Council to Logan City Council. It is a completely different beast to Gold Coast City Council, but every bit as ugly. All that is different in this part of the world is that no one would choose to be seen as Liberal Party and the vile nastiness is brutal and upfront rather than smooth and professional.

Here are some characteristics of the current Logan City Council election battles:

- Innuendo and attacks about the health of all three mayoral candidates in the local Albert and Logan News.

- Significant amounts of signs being knocked over and or cut in half. These are characteristics normally more suited to nastier by-elections.

- Candidates, particularly Mayoral Candidate Pam Parker, doorknocking every house with good road visibility, to get signs in their front yard.

- Mayoral candidate John Freeman purchasing www.pamparker4mayor.com and www.pamparkerformayor.com.

- Logan City Council employees launching heavy fines for political signage of candidates on motor vehicles, while ignoring that of existing councillors rerunning.

- Harassment of political activists via scurrilous complaints to the Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council and Queensland law enforcement authorities.

- Rumours, innuendo and outright lies circulating about any candidate that stands a chance, circulated through well established gossip channels. Proving that sitting councillors and many candidates really have too much time on their hands.

- In an impressive new low, the posting of the home phone numbers of elderly political activists in Beenleigh public toilets with "call this number for a good time".

Why is it, that when the fight is over such seemingly minor, non ideological issues like footpaths and rubbish bins, that there is so much viciousness? Perhaps elected Local Government positions are the best paying low level management jobs around? I am not sure, but I am confident that I have never, ever seen, at any level of government, the volume of filth that I have been observing in the battles for Logan City Council.

While realising the selfishness of this view, watching the fights has left me wondering if we even need local government. Do we really need it? Services like wheelie bins, footpaths, parks, gutters, planning regulations and what not could be stripped back to some formula. Why is the local government gravy train regarded as sacrosanct? Sometimes I wonder if the true error made during Queensland Local Goverment reform was to retain Local Government.

It's approaching midday on Saturday, and I probably should be out there trying to help a couple of mates who are candidates for the upcoming election. Then again, I just work up, breakfast is cooking and there is light rain outside. Despite working so hard that I have only seen my baby girl awake on one weeknight in two weeks, and resenting Local Government behaviours to the core, most weekends I am still helping candidates.

Suffice to say, my heart is not in it.

Apology to Indigenous Australians

2008-02-12T21:30:00.000+10:00

"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
- Apology to Indigenous Australians, to be spoken in Parliament 13 February 2008.

Tomorrow, the Rudd Labor Government will be making a formal apology to Indigenous Australians in respect to the stolen generations. This symbolic action is intended to establish a relationship of mutual respect between Australia's Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. It is to be a basis from which a united Australia can work together on our collective challenges.

I believe that the apology to Indigenous Australians is the correct action. From the removal of Indigenous Australians from their land to the race specific stolen generation policies, the treatment of Indigenous Australians here has been dreadful. The stolen generation era policies devastated the intricate social and family structures of Indigenous communities. The pain and suffering unnecessary inflicted on Indigenous Australians haunts the present.

I lean against financial compensation for the stolen generations. I believe that substantial investment in decent services would yield better results. Remote communities face ongoing challenges in the provision of health, education, child safety, police and other government services. At this moment in time, I perceive improvements to these services as more beneficial than upfront compensation.

While strongly supportive of the apology, I admit that I am politically nervous. I think that if there was a ballot, people would vote against the apology in the Beenleigh area. However, I do believe that, with a little information, most people would support the apology. Three common misunderstandings are all that stand in the way:

(1) A lot of people believe that the Rudd Government is apologising on behalf of individuals, therefore placing guilt and shame on individuals. I started off with concerns along these lines myself a number of years ago. However, the apology is about the current government apologising for the policies of previous governments. It is about acknowledging the past to embrace the future.

(2) A number of people believe that the treatment of Indigenous Australians was no different to non-Indigenous Australians at the time. This is not correct. Briefly, Indigenous Australians were regarded as a dieing race, and policies were put in place to effectively destroy the remaining culture via "merging" and other abhorrent concepts. I recommend perusing the "Bringing Them Home" report for more information on this sad part of our history.

(3) A few people believe that Indigenous Australians were all removed from their parents due to neglect or abuse. While some children were fairly removed for welfare reasons, most were removed for the ideological reasons previously noted. Again, the "Bringing Them Home" report is the best place to go for a full understanding.

The apology to Indigenous Australians has brought the uglier side of Australia out into the open. A chain e-mail has ripped through the country with the title of "Australian Apology to the Aboriginal Population." The e-mail features grand cultural ignorance, stereotypes and outright lies to present Indigenous Australians as being drunk, violent cannibals who had an incredible stroke of luck to be invaded by Europeans.

I am convinced that the disrespect and mockery of Indigenous Australians occurring in some quarters would not be accepted if directed at any other race. Even in this day and age, it appears that many people would treat their dog better than an Indigenous Australian. We still have a long way to go before people are judged on their actions rather than the colour of their skin.

The way I see it, most Indigenous people merely want what most people want. Most Indigenous Australians seek respect, understanding, dialog and a touch of kindness. It is a barrier to progress when a certain proportion of your co-workers, customers and people on the street judge you on the colour of your skin. We deal with people, not races.

The symbolic apology must be supported by practical improvements in services, which has already started was a $261 million investment in improving the health and early development of Indigenous children. I also believe that the Indigenous Intervention in the Northern Territory should be re-evaluated to focus on results rather than cynical politics.

Government for Private Profit

2008-02-11T21:12:00.000+10:00

The portfolio is Queensland's State Development, the venue is the Southbank Convention Centre and the topic is public-private partnerships (PPP's). "Some people," our former Premier Peter Beattie notes, "think that PPP's mean the Government pays to make you lots of money." This was back in 2004, and not one PPP had got off the ground to date. Our Premier was leaving little uncertainty as to why this was the case.

Yet while the Queensland Government was not willing to give an inch, the same could not be said of policy at all levels of Government. Over the last decade or so, Governments have taken a particular favour to policies that, I believe, primarily benefit private enterprise. Such policies have proven to be popular, expensive and politically untouchable. I believe that this state of play is fascinating, disappointing, and a worrying indication of the future of Australian Government policy.

My concerns relate to policies that involve rebates or other government support for private enterprises that supply relatively essential services. These are services where the demand is relatively inelastic, in that usage varies little depending on cost. Three obvious examples are health, child care and housing, with Government private support through mechanisms including private health insurance rebates, child care rebates and rent assistance, respectively.

Private subsidies in areas of essential services changes the market to a different equilibrium of more services and higher prices. Businesses charge more for the services than they could without subsidies. More services are provided overall, often leading to additional market players, dependent on the Government for survival.

The dependence on taxpayer money results in powerful lobby groups. No Government dares mess with forces like the Australian Health Insurance Association. It is always reassuring to know that our taxpayer money means that private lobby groups are not only extraordinarily powerful, but well funded.

Consumers lose out of these cosy little arrangements. The price for Government subsidised services, when public and private contributions are combined, will always exceed the natural private enterprise price. Taxpayer money is delivered to private enterprise as additional profit.

Yet consumers generally think that private subsidies are fantastic. There is a perception that private subsidies mean that you are getting something for nothing. People are generally oblivious to the fact that you end up paying more for services overall due to taxation contributions. Again, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Policies for private enterprise are thriving as they are political winners. Business groups support the gravy train, which means a lack of bad publicity and cosy political campaign donations. People think they are getting something for nothing, which means votes. The politicians smile and wave and keep getting elected.

The main big solution is unpalatable. Dropping the private enterprise perks for tax cuts along with big boosts to strengthen public services would result in political oblivion. The affected private enterprises would launch a fear campaign of mammoth proportions, which people would mostly accept. While remaining the ideal solution, this limits the big fixes.

Perhaps a practical step is to completely decouple private subsidies from the private enterprises. Make all subsidies, payments and so forth paid only from the Government directly to consumers. Do not allow private enterprises to advertise, promote or report post subsidy prices. People should be made to pay the full price, and only at a later date have access to Government subsidies. Hopefully people will think twice if they have to, at least initially, pay full prices.

Perhaps Government subsidies could be arranged along the lines of our more successful interventions of the past, like bulk billing (in effect, free General Practitioner visits). Tie subsidies to the provision of services at a certain cost, cutting down the private enterprise free for all. As with bulk billing, such systems are likely to be unpopular with businesses but, over time, popular with the people and effective.

While hopeful of change, I see policies that primarily benefit private enterprise continuing for some time. Such policies get campaign donations, keep people happy and win elections. I see no political force keen on kneecapping themselves by taking the unpopular steps necessary to benefit the Australian people on this front.

As always, hope springs eternal.

Nutcases #04: Recycled Drinking Water

2008-01-27T20:30:00.000+10:00

Is there something special about drinking water that draws out nutcases? Perhaps, like air, water is a necessity for our survival. Maybe this pulls some deep, emotional, primitive heartstring deep inside the average nutcase. Whatever the explanation, recycled water is the second water nutcase issue out of only four nutcase issues I have commented on to date.

Recycled drinking water attracts powerful emotional responses because it sounds terribly bad. This is because it involves treating effluent to become drinking water, a process taking water from the toilet to the tap. Drinking recycled water was always going to have a bad name before it even started due to massive psychological impediments.

When considering recycled water, it is crucial to take into account the method that will be used to treat the effluent. Here in Queensland, where there was significant debate on this issue around 2006, the proposed method was reverse osmosis. The viability of recycled drinking water locally was therefore dependent on the effectiveness of reverse osmosis.

Wikipedia describes reverse osmosis:

"Reverse osmosis (RO) Is a separation process that uses pressure to force a solvent through a membrane that retains the solute on one side and allows the pure solvent to pass to the other side. More formally, it is the process of forcing a solvent from a region of high solute concentration through a membrane to a region of low solute concentration by applying a pressure in excess of the osmotic pressure. This is the reverse of the normal osmosis process, which is the natural movement of solvent from an area of low solute concentration, through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration when no external pressure is applied. The membrane here is semipermeable, meaning it allows the passage of solvent but not of solute."

Reverse osmosis is currently already used for a variety of applications, including:
- Drinking water purification
- Water and wastewater purification
- Dialysis
- Food industry
- Car Washing
- Maple syrup production
- Hydrogen production
- Reef aquariums
- Desalination

A concept often left out of recycled water discussions is that the reverse osmosis process results in potable water suitable for drinking. Many current uses of recycled water, such as for watering, are not potable and definitely not intended for drinking. Potable and non-potable water have significantly different characteristics and uses.

The nutcase movement has had particular success with convincing people that recycled drinking water will have high levels of pharmaceutical chemicals, such as the hormone from the female hormonal contraception. Yet reverse osmosis removes very simple chemical compounds like salt, let alone large, complex chemicals like ethinylestradiol, from female contraceptives.

While the theory was clear that reverse osmosis would remove the great hormone concern, the University of New South Wales also tested these concerns. Reverse osmosis was applied to water with 1000 times the normal waste water concentration of ethanol estradiol from the female contraceptive pill and paracetamol. The resulting water had less of a concentration of these chemicals than normal drinking water. In other words, the reverse osmosis process created a purer form of water than we currently drink through our taps.

However, opposition to drink recycled water continues, mainly from the uninformed and obsessed nutcases. However, the facts are clear. If you use the right process, and put in a few sensible safeguards, recycled water is even safer than normal drinking water. End of story.

Nutcases #03: Climate Change Denial

2008-01-27T18:10:00.000+10:00

"It's all a load of crap."
- Industry advice received about human involvement in climate change, 2004.

While climate change is a relatively recent topic of barbecue conversation, the issue has lingered around for many years now. It was an occasional topic of conversation when I worked with energy industry economics consultants from 2003 until very early 2005. Perhaps unpredictably, my acceptance of human influence on climate change was out of synchronisation with the industry views.

The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth and retained by the Earth's gravity. Certain gases contained in the atmosphere, including water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone, are referred to as greenhouse gases. These gases play a central role in the greenhouse effect.

The greenhouse effect maintains the Earth's warm surface temperatures by not letting letting large amounts of heat and energy escape the Earth's atmosphere. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would be uninhabitable. Whereas the present mean surface temperature on Earth is about 15 degree Celsius, this would fall to -19 degrees Celsius without the greenhouse effect.

The human influence on global warming is due to human activities leading to changes in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning and deforestation, have created a 31% increase in carbon dioxide and 149% increase in methane in the atmosphere. Ice cores indicate that the current levels of these chemicals are higher that at any time in the last 650,000 years. Increased greenhouse gases from human activities are amplifying the greenhouse effect, thus heating the Earth.

Scientific work in this field is far more exhaustive and convincing that my simply reflections here can provide. The consensus of the scientific experts clearly falls in support of the notion that human activities are strongly influencing global warming. It has now got to the point where no remaining scientific body of national or international standing is known to reject the basic findings of human influence on recent climate change.

I find the scientific consensus on human global warming influence hardly surprising. The chemicals released from activities like burning fossil fuels are matters of high school chemistry. We can easily measure chemical levels at the Earth's surface and in the atmosphere. We can tell which chemicals cause the non disputed greenhouse effect. This is an area where it is a little hard to fudge the evidence.

I came to personally accept human influence in global warming when I was a student at Griffith University. The two main factors that influenced this call at the time were that it made scientific sense and hanging around environmental modellers taught me that climate systems are remarkably sensitive and complicated. It was clear that the world was heating and that we had some involvement in it.

Working in the energy industry taught me a lot about the way in which people think. I met people who were, for most intents and purposes, likable, kind people. Yet they convinced themselves that global warming had nothing to do with humans, so that they could do their job. How would these people sleep at night if they knew their job was contributing towards serious global problems? People will generally convince themselves of what is in their perceived interests.

Most of the climate change deniers today fall into the self interest category. They are people who are otherwise reasonable but convince themselves of what they need to, to work in the energy industry, or to sleep easier at night, or to snipe political foes. The remainder are the traditional nutcases that jump on any old bandwagon.

Due to the financial interests involved, climate change denial is one of the best funded and powerful nutcase movements. Only a couple of weeks ago, Queensland Members of Parliament received unlabelled packages from the United States of America with a climate change denial book inside. There are books, lobby groups, think tanks and other conglomerates our there manufacturing doubt, suspicion and uncertainty. It is not a bad formula, but not one that is working in Australia.

The commercial and political interests behind climate change denial probably need to diversify. The outright doubt and denial movement will always have it's fans, so that is probably worth retaining. They could establish a separate load of pseudo scientists, experts and think tanks to argue that climate change is cool by focusing on a couple of perks, like perhaps more farming land in a couple of locations (Siberia?). Who care about the future of your children when you can earn big bucks denying the obvious?

The real problem we face is that even those that accept global warming face difficulties in acting upon it. Our economies are completely and absolutely dependent on fossil fuels, with alternatives either hideously dangerous or relatively expensive. The significant changes needed from politicians will not be taking place any time soon, because people will not accept a significant drop in their standard of living. Hence we walk towards almost certain catastrophe.

Following the Geography

2008-01-26T21:30:00.000+10:00

In just a few short weeks, I will be leaving Australia for the first time. Departing on Friday the 14th of March, I will reappear on Thursday the 10th of April 2008. All that is fixed right now is the initial flight to Valletta, Malta, a flight to Rome, Italy, eight days later, and the flight home from London, United Kingdom.

The travel companion arrangements are rather strange for someone of my age. The time in Malta will be with my father, and his older brother and sister. The time through Europe will be with my father. Both my wife and mother were completely disinterested, which will present challenges for me, as I particularly miss my baby daughter already when away from home.

Malta is a small island in the Mediterranean that happens to be where one half of my family originates. Malta has two relatively small islands, with an area of 316km^2, which is 5.25% of the area of my home city of Brisbane, Australia, at 5904.8km^2. The state of Australia I live in, Queensland, has an area of 1,852,642km^2, which slightly exceeds the combined area of Malta, France, Italy, Monaco, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

I am curious about Malta. I have grown up with a Maltese name but with limited exposure to the people and the culture. A cousin tells me that when she was in Malta, every second person looked like a relative and that she discovered that a lot of the unusual behaviour of relatives was linked to being Maltese. I generally enjoy dealing with Maltese-Australian constituents in my job. I wonder if my eccentric behaviour is mainstream in Malta?

I am not sure what to expect or what I may find in Malta. I expect a higher level of social conservatism, linked with Catholicism, than in Australia. I am hoping to gain some view into the music in Malta, though it appears that a lot of Maltese music, as with Australian music, is mostly similar to general modern popular music. The politics is of interest and I note that I may be in town during an election campaign.

Whatever I find, I consider Malta a once in a lifetime opportunity. The chances are I will meet my fathers cousins, though sadly all of my biological great-aunts and great-uncles have passed away. I hope to have the time to soak in some of the local atmosphere. While in town, I hope to have the chance to meet up with Maltese bloggers.

Throughout Europe, I expect to find the architecture interesting. In Australia, because the European settlement/invasion only occurred from 1788, a seriously old building is one around 150 years old. I anticipate many old buildings and different designs from Europe's complicated history.

Languages might be a slight impediment to my holiday. I am truly shocking at languages, with pronunciation particularly tripping me up. A Europe phrasebook is sitting next to me, but I am suspect that I will still have substantial difficulties. I have little trouble understanding heavy European accents, as long as they are speaking in English!

I am curious about how travel will affect my already warped body clock. When I travelled to Perth, which is two hours behind here, I found myself happily getting up earlier in the morning. Part of this may have been simply from the joy of being on holidays. I look forward to experiencing the often talking about phenomena called jetlag.

At the moment, mainland Europe is relatively unplanned. We will make our way from Rome to London over about two weeks. We plan to use the rail network rather than hire a car. Major destinations are currently listed as Rome, Venice, Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris and London. This is yet to be finalised, however, and subject to influence. My father and I have diverse interests, from architecture to history to wine to music to anything plain strange or unusual.

I will be locking down details over the coming few days. If anyone has any particular pointers, would like to meet up overseas and so forth, please e-mail me at stuart.fenech@gmail.com .

Nutcases #02: Fluoride in Drinking Water

2008-01-26T18:27:00.000+10:00

The issue of fluoride in drinking water is one that has sunk far too much of my time over the last year. The anti-fluoride cause is one that even, sadly, draws to it some people who are dear to me whom normally have little in common with the nutcase genre. So fluoride makes a suitable offensive subject for the second piece in my nutcase series.

The Bligh Government in Queensland is about to add a small amount of fluoride to drinking water. Since this time, the nutcases have been attracted like bogans to a AC/DC concert to the anti-fluoride cause. Basically, the argument is that fluoride will negatively affect your health in a grand variety of ways.

I first came across the concept of fluoride in drinking water a couple of years ago. My initial reaction was not too dissimilar to that which powers the anti-fluoride movement. I did not, in principle, like the idea of dumping anything in our drinking water and had some concerns about reported risks. As recently as July 2007, I wrote:

"There was a push to make our [Labor Party] platform neutral rather than in support of fluoride, which had no legs. I am slightly disappointed about this, because I figure it is a lot harder to remove rubbish from our water supplies than to dump things into our water supplies in the first place."

However, I also recognised that I knew practically nothing about the subject at the time. I was not afraid to admit this fact and I was open to further ideas, concepts and information. Well before Premier Anna Bligh announced fluoride was to be introduced to our water supplies, I had moved from the initial emotional reaction to firm support for fluoride in our drinking water.

The problem I see with the anti-fluoride mob is that they never moved beyond the initial emotional response. They are engaged in a business of self justification, desperately collating dribs and drabs of doubt, combining them with dubiously interpreted research and presenting it as indisputable fact that fluoride is horrible. It is clear that these works, such as the Fluoride Action Network, are the products of people with a prior emotional decision trying to prove this emotional decision.

The two clearest problems I see with the anti-fluoride movement are:

1. Many places in Australia already have fluoride in their water supplies. These people are not dropping off like flies.

2. Scientific source problems. Put simply, the sources reported by the anti-fluoride mob are poor. Every neutral organisation of any credibility that has done the research, supports fluoride.

Examples of organisations that support fluoridation of water include:
American Dental Organisation
Australian Dental Association
Australian Medical Association
British Dental Association
British Medical Association
Canadian Dental Association
International Association for Dental Research
National Academy of Sciences
World Health Organisation

The anti-fluoride mob can and will waste massive amounts of your time with detailed arguments. Each and every one of these arguments, once you waste an hour or two researching them, will prove to be dubious, misleading, or an outright fabrication. I have wasted approximate 40 hours of my life engaged in this sort of research, which is time of my life that I will never get back.

As an example of the sort of arguments regularly put forward, I will look at the claim that fluoride causes osteoporosis. This is a common claim, and one that has appeared in the letters to the editor of the Albert and Logan News, providing that another local newspaper will publish just about anything.

One of the best documents that I found in the later stages of my research was "Fluoridation Facts", published by the American Dental Association. This exhaustive 71 page report is impeccable well researched and referenced. It reviews scientific method and the scientific review system, in doing so demonstrating that the anti-fluoride movement is, indeed, pseudo science. The report responds in great scientific detail to the anti-fluoride myths perpetuated by anti-fluoride sources.

Question 23 asks "will the ingestion of optimally fluoridated water over a lifetime adversely affect bone health?". The brief answer is "No, the ingestion of optimally fluoridated water does not have an adverse effect on bone health," with eight references listed. The full response is subject to copyright, so I recommend reading it from the source. I summarise the explanation as:

* No adequate scientific basis for concern.
* 1991 workshop reviewed research at the time, found no basis for concern.
* Two 1993 studies demonstrated fluoridated water does not increase hip fracture risk.
* Optimal fluoride levels appear to have no significant impact on bone mineral density or bone fracture.
* Systematic review of all studies shows no clear association between water fluoridation and hip fracture.
* No established association between fluoride and bone cancer.
* Various studies and their findings reported, noting more rigorous analysis.

However, I determined a long time ago that the facts do not matter to the anti-fluoride mob. It is not so much a matter of opinion but a matter of belief. Many that oppose fluoride in drinking water have the equivalent of a religious belief that fluoride is stunningly bad. There is no rationality to debate, but there sure is a lot of time to be wasted.

Have fun!

Queensland Conservative Abyss

2008-01-21T10:17:00.000+10:00

The Queensland Liberal-National Coalition continues to work hard for the Labor Party with two significant announcements in the last two days.

1. The United Conservative Party

Plans are again afoot to merge the Queensland Liberal Party and Queensland Nationals into a United Conservative Party. Did the conservatives not learn their lesson last time the failed merger in 2006? There are fundamental ideological differences between the conservative parties. The members of the respective parties do not want a merger. Not to mention the fact that many voters will not identify the new political party. Will the Queensland conservatives have the smarts to realise a merger is not going to happen?

2. New National Leader

Hot on the heels of the recent election of the new Liberal Leader Mark McArdle, we now have a new but not so new Nationals leader in Lawrence Springborg. Current Nationals and Coalition leader Jeff Seeney got little over a year in the job before being ousted. Mr Springborg was leader during the Coalition's 2004 and 2006 election losses. Yet Mr Springborg remains the Coalition's best bet, as someone who is at least nice enough and somewhat capable. Mr Seeney has noted that he "will forever despise" some of his Nationals colleagues.

With these two events, avoiding arrogance remains one of the Bligh Labor Government's biggest challenges. The inward destruction of Queensland's conservative forces continues. Queensland Labor should take this opportunity to further focus on good government, as the opposition is doing a fantastic job of managing itself.

Nutcases #01: 9/11 Conspiracy Theories

2008-01-20T18:57:00.000+10:00

Earlier in the month, I presented some concepts on nutcases, learned the hard way through involvement in politics. Today, I present the first in what may become a series on subjects that appear to nutcases.

The world changed on the 11th of September 2001. In the United States of America, four planes were hijacked by terrorist organisation al-Qaeda. Two were crashed into the World Trade Centres in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Virginia and the final ended up in a field in Pennsylvania after a struggle with passengers. A horrific and senseless tragedy, the events of September the 11th to this day attract conspiracy theories like moths to a burning flame.

Locally, this week the Jimboomba Times proved that, for better or for worse, it will publish pretty well anything. Page 42 contains a full page advertisement promoting September the 11th conspiracy theories. Now, as I have noted before, nutcases can and will waste infinite amounts of your time. Hence, I am going to quickly browse over just one claim for further investigation:

"A third large building (World Trade Centre 7), collapsed at free-fall speed that afternoon. It contained only minor fires, and was not hit by a plane. Over 6 years later, there is still no official scientific explanation..."

Really?

Wikipedia reports:

"As the North Tower collapsed on September 11, 2001, debris hit 7 World Trade Center, causing heavy damage to the south face of the building. The bottom portion of the building's south face was heavily damaged from debris, including: damage to the southwest corner from the 8th to 18th floor, a large vertical gash on the center-bottom extending at least ten floors, and other damage as high as the 18th floor. The building was equipped with a sprinkler system, but had many single-point vulnerabilities for failure. The sprinkler system required manual initiation of the electrical fire pumps, rather than being a fully automatic system. The sprinkler floor level controls had just a single connection to the sprinkler water riser, and the sprinkler system required some power for the fire pump to deliver water. Loss of power to the fire pump or other damage to the structure would have meant no functioning sprinklers. Also, water pressure was low, with little or no water to feed sprinklers.

After the North Tower collapsed, some firefighters entered 7 World Trade Center to search the building. They attempted to extinguish small pockets of fire, but low water pressure hindered their efforts. A massive fire burned into the afternoon on the 11th and 12th floors of 7 World Trade Center, the flames visible on the east side of the building During the afternoon, fire was also seen on floors 6–10, 13–14, 19–22, and 29–30. At approximately 2:00 p.m., firefighters noticed a bulge in the southwest corner of 7 World Trade Center between the 10th and 13th floors which was a sign that the building was unstable and might collapse. During the afternoon, firefighters also heard creaking sounds coming from the building. Around 3:30 pm, given that 7 World Trade Center was unstable and would possibly collapse, FDNY Chief Daniel Nigro decided to halt rescue operations, surface removal and searches along the surface of the debris near 7 World Trade Center and evacuate the area due to concerns for the safety of personnel. At 5:20 p.m. EDT on September 11, 2001, 7 World Trade Center collapsed. The building had been evacuated and there were no casualties associated with the collapse."

The basics outlined here are fixed and backed up by witnesses and independent authorities. World Trade Centre 7 was damaged by debris and had a number of out of control fires on different levels. In some combination, this caused the collapse of the building. There is no debate surrounding these facts.

Wikipedia continues:

"In May 2002, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a report on the collapse based on a preliminary investigation conducted jointly with the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers under leadership of Dr. W. Gene Corley, P.E. FEMA made preliminary findings that the collapse was not primarily caused by actual impact damage from the collapse of 1 WTC and 2 WTC but by fires on multiple stories ignited by debris from the other two towers that continued unabated due to lack of water for sprinklers or manual firefighting. Structural elements were exposed to high temperatures for a sufficient period of time to reduce their strength to the point of collapse.

The report did not reach final conclusions about the cause of the collapse, but listed several issues requiring further investigation...

In response to FEMA's concerns, the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was authorized to lead a three-year, $16 million investigation into the structural failure and collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers and 7 World Trade Center. The investigation, led by Dr S. Shyam Sunder, drew not only upon in-house technical expertise, but also upon the knowledge of several outside private institutions, including the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (SEI/ASCE), the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)...

NIST has released a video and still-photo analysis of 7 World Trade Center before its collapse that appears to indicate a greater degree of structural damage from falling debris than originally assumed by FEMA. Specifically, NIST's interim report on 7 World Trade Center displays photographs of the southwest façade of the building that show it to have significant damage. The report also highlights a 10-story gash in the center of the south façade, toward the bottom, extending approximately a quarter of the way into the interior. A unique aspect of the design of 7 World Trade Center was that each outer structural column was responsible for supporting 2,000 sq ft (186 m²) of floor space, suggesting that the simultaneous removal of a number of columns severely compromised the structure's integrity. Consistent with this theory, news footage shows cracking and bowing of the building's east wall immediately before the collapse, which began at the penthouse floors. In video of the collapse, taken from the north by CBS News and other news media, the first visible sign of collapse is movement in the east penthouse 8.2 seconds before the north wall began to collapse, which took at least another 7 seconds.

A progress report was released in June 2004, outlining NIST's working hypothesis. The hypothesis, which was reiterated in a June 2007 status update, is that an initial failure in a critical column occurred below the 13th floor, caused by damage from fire and/or debris from the collapse of the two main towers. The collapse progressed vertically up to the east mechanical penthouse. The interior structure was unable to handle the redistributed load, resulting in horizontal progression of the failure across lower floors, particularly the 5th to 7th floors. This resulted in "a disproportionate collapse of the entire structure."

NIST anticipates the release of a draft report of 7 World Trade Center in 2008..."

To reiterate, the investigation and reporting is in respect to the details of how the building collapsed, not the causes of the collapse. Yet why stop there? How about some further reading?

- 7 World Trade Center from Debunk 9/11 Myths.
- Collapse of 7 World Trade Center from Debunk 9/11 Myths.
- US National Institute of Standards and Technology World Trade Centre investigations.
- World Trade Centre 7 from Debunking 911 Conspiracy Theories.
- World Trade Centre 7 Pull from Debunking 911 Conspiracy Theories.

Now, do you feel violated having wasted your time looking into this conspiracy theory? I sure do. I will never get back the time I wasted looking into this conspiracy theory and neither will you. I am confident that most September the 11th conspiracy theories can be dispatched through wasting time researching, while the remainder simply ask questions that, if answered, will have benign answers.

The irony in all of this is that I loath the Bush Administration. I have no doubt that the attacks were preventable and that the Bush Administration was and is incompetent. Yet to come up with the sort of rubbish conspiracy theories doing the rounds, you really have to leave logic at the door.

In The Woodlands

2008-01-19T21:46:00.000+10:00

"Woodlands is a truly special place where traditional values live in harmony with beautiful natural surrounds. At Woodlands you’ll have every opportunity to get out and about and discover community groups and regular activities such as Pilates in the Park and Woodlands Walkers – there’s something for everyone."
- Delfin Woodlands Promotion

Woodlands is a residential development taking place in the existing Gold Coast City Council at Waterford. Bordering Buccan in the current Beaudesert Shire Council, and surrounding Canterbury College, most of Woodlands was, until recently, semi rural properties. Nostalgia of the way things were aside, the development is to be welcomed, as without it house prices would be even higher than they are currently.

There are three minor observations that I would like to make.

The first is the closing of certain local connecting roads for long periods of time. Gardiner Road was closed to traffic for around half a year. Jarvis Road has now been closed for about one month and will be closed for months to come. My wife and I use, or use when we can use, both of these local roads on a regular basis. The length of time involved in these closures is irritating.

Secondly, in a true salute to "harmony" with nature, Woodlands let of fireworks every so often. These loud noises and bright lights terrify the wits out of every natural beast for kilometres, particularly creating problems for horse owners in the neighbouring Buccan area. If you happen to see any animals sleeping with one eye open in Woodlands, we know why and it is not due to natural causes.

My last main note is amusement at the trend of developers to market housing developments as ready made communities. The developers organise the community functions and so forth. Yet a successful community, in the long term, requires volunteers and hard work from the people who live in that community. Do the customers recognise this fact?

The issue of local road closures is, by far, the issue that most annoys locals like myself.

This week, along with many other residents, I paid a good proportion of my after tax income on rates to the Gold Coast City Council. Yet we can not even use certain local roads because of stunning perks handed to property developers. Perhaps there is some great unknown justification for these closures, but it sure is not being presented to residents. The Gold Coast City Council should drop it's farcical claims to represent people and charge the developers it represents instead of hitting us up for rates.

Local council election day, the 15th of March 2008, is the date that people in this area become residents of Logan City Council. Will there be less rot or will the rot merely be of a different colour? Who will the elected representatives represent, exactly?

Fools Versus Fools

2008-01-16T21:54:00.000+10:00

A young chap in Narre Warren South, a suburb of Melbourne, throws a large open house party while his parents are away. The story makes the national media, then the international media, and appears in every dark corner of modern society, from blogs through to Current Affairs programmes. What the?

Corey Delaney, a sixteen year old teenager from Melbourne, has become an overnight legend among his contemporaries. He will receive only fifteen seconds of fame, yet his fame is now three days old and running strong. This media frenzy must already qualify as one of the silliest events of 2008.

Teenagers throwing drunken parties is hardly anything new. Occasionally people are silly enough to operate open house parties and sometimes they run out of control. Most of us have been to such parties over the years, though I have never faced a 500 person party. Perhaps the Victorian Police sending in 30 officers, a helicopter and the dog squad is what makes this notable.

A Google News search for "Corey Delaney" currently offers 395 articles and counting. Mr Delaney is unrepentant and clearly enjoying the attention that he and his sunglasses are receiving. Every little movement he makes and word he says to the media has been reported far and wide.

The most ridiculous of all has to be this interview on A Current Affair with Mr Delaney. Despite being a fool, Mr Delaney outwits the interviewer Leila McKinnon. Ms McKinnon even picks a disagreement about the fact Mr Delaney is wearing sunglasses. It is like watching two schoolchildren having an infantile disagreement. Finally, the corker:

Ms McKinnon: What would you say to other kids who were thinking of partying when their parents are out of tonw?
Mr Delaney: Get me to do it for you.

New.com.au has been running a poll on what should be done to Mr Delaney. Taken by the joy of the public lynching of a pissant, I naturally chose "life in jail". Even then I was chosen to be soft, with the results reporting:

- Ground him for six months 1%
- Community service 23%
- Life in jail 3%
- No internet connection for six months 3%
- Forced application of Clearasil 5%
- Smash his yellow sunnies 10%
- All of the above 52%

What is an appropriate punishment anyway? The people who committed criminal acts should be personally punished for their criminal acts. As for holding an open house party, there are no laws against gross stupidity. Some community service would probably do the lad well, but the public lynching is crazy talk.

What is a certainty is that the media has successfully converted mediocrity into celebrity. Mr Delaney is a legend among his friends far and wide and it is the media scrum that has made it for him. Our society has given Mr Delaney every bit of the attention, exposure and popularity that any extroverted sixteen year old could ever desire. A lot of Melbourne teenagers would be kicking themselves for not being at the party.

If anyone seriously wanted Mr Delaney to suffer for his actions, he and his party should have been completely ignored. However, this sort of media exposure is not about results. It is about entertainment and giving people the opportunity to feel good about themselves by mocking a silly kid. The media, media consumers and Mr Delaney have all been beneficiaries of the media attention.

Will Mr Delaney learn a lesson? Will the media learn a lesson? I doubt it. Mr Delaney is planning another party and the media is hard at work promoting it. Both fools compliment each other, it is a perfect match. Fools for fools and fools versus fools.

Working for the People

2008-01-15T21:23:00.000+10:00

Somewhere in the metropolis of Beantown…

Most offices of Members of Parliament know better than to answer the phone once the clock ticks past 5pm. Not I. Three calls in, and three calls that I would have been better off not receiving.

This phone call one is particularly good. Fancy ranting on about immigrants and ‘wogs’ to a Fenech. That, incredibly, is the most coherent part of the message. About ten minutes into this phone call, someone thumps a window to the office. I can just see a group of teenagers sitting at the front of the office. The phone call eventually times it at over 32 minutes.

My gift for enduring the rants was vandalism outside of the office. Mostly black permanent marker on tiles, but some graffiti on a window for good measure. As I had done once previously done in Nerang, I found myself scrubbing graffiti. Turps worked.

One of the friendly messages on a tile was “Labor is [sic] shiit.” For a moment, I wondered how these nitwits knew we were Labor, when they would be unlikely to even know who won the Federal election. Then I realised that a large internal Labor sign would have been clearly visible from outside of the office.

Scrubbing graffiti gives you time to think and reflect. Is the fact that this scum have the materials to commit graffiti a consequence of the compassionate Labor Governments they mock? Maybe, but without the compassion, the crimes would probably be of a more vicious and desperate nature than the merely pathetic graffiti.

Graffiti and all forms of vandalism bother me in a fundamental way. When I see a building, construction, paint work or windows, I see the fruits of labour. People spend their lives building, painting, and making the structures that we use and enjoy. Beyond the shocking economic cost of the senseless destruction, vandalism is a grand act of disrespect to labour.

If I was not stuck on the phone listening to racist bunk about every non white as milk group of immigrants, I may have been able to identify this scum. Unfortunately, all I got was a brief look through blinds from my office. I can merely confidently report that the perpetrators were as white as snow.