The opposition has shown everything but opposition to Labor’s new IR legislation. But the lack of leadership seems for the best. When Geoff Dixon CEO of Qantas was asked whether the record $905 million profit was a result of the Howard Government’s IR reforms, Dixon replied, that of Qantas and Jetstar’s combined 38,000 employees only 500 were on AWAs. If one of Australia’s iconic brands, in one of the most competitive and specialised industries cannot see the benefit of AWAs, what use are they?
After Joe Hockey stated that members of cabinet had no idea that AWAs could leave people worse off, I can only say, Good Riddance.
Your Opinion Counts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nine Point Nelson
With more stunts coming from parliament than the Crusty Demons Unleash Hell tour, the Liberal Party has left itself in political no man’s land. Nelson has shown little of any promise, in fact he showed more passion denying ever voting for the Liberal Party than actually leading it. This coupled with a recent poll suggesting Nelson is the worst opposition leader ever … you can hear the political knives sharpening.
Your Opinion Counts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>> World Cup more than just cents
The Liberals weren’t the only ones using political stunts over the week. Kevin Rudd’s announcement of Australia’s bid for the World Cup does have political poll booster written all over it. But it’s a good dream and a positive step for Australian Football. While many may suggest the financial cost too great I believe the timing would be perfect.
The resources boom would be over and with conservatives forecasting doom and gloom with the Rudd government’s plan for climate change, it is obvious that the Australian economy will need a significant stimulus package. What a perfect way to kickstart an economy than by hosting the biggest Sporting Event in the World. Look what the Olympics has done to the Chinese economy.
But on a more serious note, how can we possibly regard ourselves the greatest sporting nation on earth without hosting the biggest sporting tournament on earth?
There are a few hurdles to overcome first. There would have to be a huge investment into transport and sporting infrastructure, likely to rival Sydney 2000. The organisers would have to convince Asia to back us. Realistically we would have only one rival. China. It could be up to how well this year’s Olympics are run as to whether Australia will get that support.
By 2018 the World Cup would have spent three tournaments away from Europe, a hard pill for UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) to swallow.
It may be 2022 before we see the Football World Cup down under, but you have to be in it to win it.
Your Opinion Counts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Compliance Lethal
Last week police in West Australia fired a taser gun at a 12-year-old boy wielding a knife. Fortunately the taser missed the boy and he put down the knife. The incident sparked much debate on whether tasers should be used on children but the debate should be focused on what circumstances justify the use of tasers, not who they should be used on. If there were only two options for the police, shoot the boy with a gun or shoot the boy with a taser, then obviously the later would be a far better alternative. But was it the only alternative?
The use of tasers has been marred by death and tragedy recently. What disturbs me about the fatal incidents coming out of North America was that police were seeking compliance not a resolution to a lethal situation. In some cases the officers were under no physical threat. One allegation was that a man handcuffed in a jail cell was tasered three times because he was verbally protesting the arrest of his sister. Last November, CCTV footage showed a pregnant woman was pushed on to her stomach, held and tasered in the neck, and in October at Vancouver airport an agitated Polish speaking immigrant was tasered, handcuffed and tasered again while screaming and convulsing on the floor. Within hours he was dead.
The question has to be asked, would police have used their pistols in these situations?
These incidents highlight that firstly tasers can be misused and, most importantly, that they can be lethal. Tasers offer a powerful alternative that show little to no signs of physical injury after they are used and so are politically ‘clean.’ The fear is that a NSW government looking for good news stories will rush through the use of tasers and not offer proper training for the officers using them.
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