ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
When are Australians going to stand up and say enough is enough?
We may vote our governments into power whoever they may be. It is doesn't matter what party that is because they are all the bloody same, with their election promises and offers of better things to come. But when things go wrong and they make stupid choices what are we Aussies going to do about it?
It's not enough that we send each other "chain" emails to tell one another about the millions spent on refugees whilst our own homeless and sick look for somewhere to sleep or for their next meal and our elderly or under-privileged die because they can't get medical attention.
It's not enough that we all bitch amongst ourselves and the news topic everyday is how the price of fuel is going up whilst we as tax payers continue to fork out for an organisation formed to control that sort of thing.
It's not enough that we stay at home because our streets are unsafe with gangs of ethnics wanting to exercise their beliefs and force them upon our way of life.
It's not enough that we sell up our homes and stop shopping in suburbs because it has been taken over by other races who rename streets and shops in their own language. Even clothes labels are in a foreign language and 'This is Australia?'
It's not enough that we struggle each week to pay our bills and buy our food and our pensioners who fought for this country have to go without whilst government officials give themselves pay increases.
It's not enough that we SEEK employment for jobs that are not here whilst Australian companies staff their departments with people IN another Country and we can't even understand them when we need some help.
It's not enough when Australians try to speak up and never heard and it's not enough that we do nothing about it except bitch about the same thing day in and day out.
Wake Up Australia. We have the power to stop this now!
I wasn't a racist last time I looked but the Australian Government is certainly driving us that way and it's time we took a stand! WE NEED TO REMIND THEM CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME! And ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Sue and Len 16/5/2010

Road Laws for Probabtionary Drivers in Australia
In Australia, there are different road rules for L- plate and P- plate Drivers in each state. This is really confusing for Learners and Probationary Drivers in Australia, specially the people living on the boarder of two states, because the rules differ in different states. The issue is that no one has made it clear to what law we need to abide by; is it what is stated on your licences or do drivers obey rules that occur to that particular state? Such as in Victoria, P1 drivers have passenger restrictions all the time and no speed restrictions, however in New South Wales, they have a set 90km/h speed limit and passenger restrictions between 11pm ? 5am. So when New South Wales drivers' drives over the boarder to Victoria, what rules do they obey. Do they still need to travel at 90km/h and have restrictions in particular times?
Please answer this question as I'm very confused. S. Skehan 12/5/2010

Cigarette tax hike by "exited" Sounds fair
There is no doubt that this tax will help KRudd pay for the mess he has made.
But it does not go far enough & smokers should not be left to pay for this alone.
Fat people are also a massive drain on our health system and I dont see why ba smoker should pay for a fat guy to get a new heart.
We could tax them by the kilo perhaps. Or work it out on Body mass index. or maybee we just tax cream buns.
You now its true.

Sydney's most popular shlock-jock, Alan Jones, "has no idea"... He regales his red-neck audience every morning with an anti-government tirade, huffing and puffing about the problem of illegal immigrants. The "Rudd-Government" (as he calls the Federal Labor Party) is pulling refugees from across the seas with their lenient treatment. It has nothing to do with the war in their home countries, he claims. So, now that the Government has chosen to suspend the processing of Sri Lankans and Afghans, and offer fewer refugee positions at the end of the period, is Mr Jones happy? Oh, no.
Alan Jones says that the Government is unfair, and that sending those people back to war-ravaged homes is inhumane. He quotes from the Foreign Affairs' Smart Traveller web site, pointing out that the gorvenment thinks Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are dangerous places... So he pounces on two words used by Stephen Smith (Minister for Foreign Affairs) when explaining the new policy: "changed circumstances". Before it was very bad and we needed to accept refugees, but now, with changed circumstances they can survive, and we can send them back. What's the problem, Alan? SteveParent East Sydney 12/4/2010

Back door people
The goody two shoes in this country, should pull there heads out of the sand. These so called boat people come into our country illegaly by the back door have no rights they lost that when they paid these people smugglers.
And why should the tax payers pay for them when we have people here that could be helped.
These people push back the ones that are going through the proper channel to come into out country, these people that are court should be shipped right back to where they come from, they have no rights and the government should stand on there feet and say no and send them back.
All boats should be burned and sunk at sea, If they cannot a ford to go through the right channels but have the money to pay these people smuggler then they have the money to go through the right channel.
All these one that we have here now should all be put on a military plane and shipped straight out back to where they come from no if or butts. brenhanena

Aussie all over
i totally agree all boat people should be turned back and not take to xmass island, if they want to come here go through the proper channels like everyone else as for the navy well instead of fireing over the with a pissy little styer pull out the 50 cal and sink it the messahe with soon get to them that we do not like you ,

Bored and away, stupid neighbours

When oh When will both of these poxy shows cease to exists, i mean enough is enough.Take alf stuart ,what a silly old fart he has past his expiry date surely, and now they have brought back marylyn ,next they will be bringing bobby back from the dead.And now little dopey leah is dating a priest sh*t man what a load of crap. And colleen dumb needs to have her mouth sown up. Please scrap both these show's and replace them with a anything that makes sense. Boring,boring, bloody boring!!!!

Electricity Daylight Saving Garbage Collection Penrith
Why are we all having no say in what goes on in this country.
The criminal electricity increases.
The extended daylight saving is running till April and will end up running continuously.
A collection of household rubbish once a fortnight by Penrith Council unless you pay $50.00 extra a year and an increase in July because some dickhead running it signed a seven year contract which they can’t get out if. jdp Penrith 9/3/2010

Bullying and harrasment in Public Hospital
I would like to get any feedback for those who has been bullied and harrassed while working in the public hospital. Tell about your experienced and maybe we can have a discussions here. I'm sure some are scared to be identified for the fear of payback but, you can remain annonymous. It is a major problem
but most victims are frightened. Have your say. bully 8/2/2010

Lets stop looking for excuses!
Is it just me, or do other people wonder what has happened to Australians. More and more I find people who blame their current situations on their childhood, their friends and family... Basically blame things on others and take no responsibility.

And now what I see are more and more people hunting for mental health diagnoses and physical illnesses therefore allowing them to blame their situation on a disorder or illness.

I know plenty of people with back problems who continue to work, make a living and enjoy life (some who have learnt all new skills for a new job suitable), with mental illnesses who continue to strive and make positive changes in life, people in wheelchairs or with HIV that still take responsibility and want to create a better life and world...

So why is it now that more and more able bodied healthly people are looking for excuses to to be able to hate the world, feel misterble and blame everyone else!

I think Aussies need a wake up call, just look outside of Australia for one minute and see how good we do have it here! And stop whinging that your dole or pension isn't enough, and blaming others - get off your butt and make your life better for yourself! Frustrated 4/2/2010

Shame on Rann!
How many mistakes are you going to make before the public wake up to you! enough is enough! it is time for a woman to run this state. come on everybody vote for isobel redmond at the next state election!
nathan mason 23/1/2010

Supposedly
· God created all in 6 days and on the 7th took rest.
· He made man and said, “We will make man in our own image.” [Why did he use the plural?] So was Satan there at the time, was he good then, and turned bad?
· After seeing Mankind was a failure he then chose Noah and his kinfolk to build an ark and take aboard one of each species [male/female] then caused it to rain for 40 days and 40 nights? All was lost.
· However Noah’s kinfolk were not perfect resulting in the greed, corruption, cheating, killing…… to all begin again.
· Jesus, the son of God, had to be born of an earthling. Had he not, he would feel no pain. So a pure woman [Mary] was chosen to give birth to Jesus. [Would you want your son to be born of a prostitute?]
· He tried to teach the people the errors of their ways and had 12 disciples to help him, but alas they often questioned his credibility as did many others when he created miracles during his short life span.
· Just like our soldiers who defend us are killed, Jesus had to be sacrificed to show us the way, but do we ever learn? Seemingly we never do and find it too difficult to believe there is a second life and a heaven……………..same old story….seeing is believing…………………..tell people the truth and they never believe you. Tell them lies and they will swallow it ever so easily.
· NOW……permit me to mention……”Why do we question God when tragedy happens….the death of a little child…..a loved one……cancer victims….why do we ask “Why did God do that?” Why is Satan, the Devil never accused of doing this??????? God is compassionate, kind, loving, understanding who gave his son, that we may follow what he expects of us by accept 10 simple commandments.
Satan is cruel, evil, gloating, a liar and a murderer. He has been like that since the beginning of time.
JESUS said to his Disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust also in me. [John 14:1] In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you…………………..
The children of the Devil. [John 8:42- 47] “If God was your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. [43] Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. [44] You belong to your Father, the Devil and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] Yet, because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! [46] Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? [47] He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
· Satan causes all the pain, suffering, lies, the tragic death of loved ones; he inflicts the cancer, the murder committed by his flock and tries to destroy, your faith, ….so why do we in churches never mention him.
· We do say however he, she, they are now in God’s care. Trust in the Lord and the son of man, Jesus.
· S0 simple and yet we continue in darkness…………………how long will you continue to disbelieve?
RTL 23 .12.2009

If fresh water is heavier than salt water, which it is seemingly is. Does it dilute the salt water? No, it sinks to the lowest level and forms into rivers and streams making its way to the polar caps along the bottom of the ocean? It is filtered of impurities as it passes along the way. On reaching a certain point it freezes and becomes Icebergs.

Job 38:16. God asks Job has he seen the springs at the bottom of the ocean, then [29] who is the mother of ice and the frost, [30] which turns the water to stone and freezes the face of the sea?

Are we doing the right thing by damming up rivers when really we should not be messing with water ways, but recycling that which we have used? Should we be sinking bores instead and tapping into the subterranean water table?

If global warming “as it is claimed” is occurring is it for that reason that the flow is reduced to a trickle and icebergs are becoming less or melting?

Carbon trading will profit those who wish to continue abusing the law by buying the “Brownie Points” scored from those who create power from Solar, wind or whatever. It is a conspiracy between those participating. There should be no Carbon Trading what-so-ever.

Power plants and those who are asked to have clean coal will hike up the price on the consumer and it will cost us dearly. Australia is less than 3% of the contributors emitting pollution…………….why should we conform to the idealistic morons seeking change when the major players…India, China and America have made no commitment at all.

Fact of the matter is:- those simple souls who voted Labor into power will one day realize the great error they made in change from a government which was heading in the right direction to a power of ignorance. Kevin 007, me too, we will do that…..etc….etc at what cost to the taxpayer. Yes, another deficit for the Coalition to resolve. How stupid you people are! You are getting what you created, so blame yourself not those you voted out.

But the fact of the matter is...................It is all to do with cost and who's palm can we greaze to help our buddies while we are in power. Politicians are untruthful and think of their own political position first and foremost/

R.T.L. 18th Dec 2009

Motel Beds
I have travelled between Melbourne and Sydney a fair bit over the last 3 years, and I have been unable to get a good night sleep whilst doing it.
Have you noticed that the so called "Industry Standard" beds that are now used in 90% of all Motels and Accomodations are actually the old "display beds". Hard as rocks. They were actually built this way in the past to show off bedding because it makes it sit nice and flat. I get a sore back whenever I have to sleep on them, and it's not like I have much of a choice at times. I have been telling the Motels that I have stayed at, that their beds are way too hard. The respone I get is that they are "Industry Standard" beds and everyone uses them. (As if that makes it acceptable.) They are usually rather miffed that I would dare to say something. We have started to B&B our way now, where possible, But the B&B's usually require some notice before arrival. This can be a bit tricky to do at times, as with travelling you usually drive untill you can no more before stopping for the night.

The cost of quite a few B&B's are now quite similar to Motels, if you include breakfast in the tariff. But OH!!!!! the beds are GREAT!!! I can't recommend it enough. And NO I do not work for or own a B&B. I know the "Industry Standard" beds last longer, but who wants to sleep in them. There are of course those amongst us who do prefer a hard bed (usually a slim type), but since most of us are now more cuddly (and/or retired) I would have thought the industry would cater for the majority. These "Industry Standard" beds put the spinal alignment out of wack if you have a more cuddly figure or suffer from aches and pains etc- hence the sore back in the morning. I have actually stayed at places that have had the padded top beds, but they have been turned upside down, so you have to sleep on the underside which was not built to be slept on.

Being a retired person now, we would like to travel more, but we are relctant to do that because of the beds. Being on the road for weeks at a time with the current beds to look forward to - NO THANKS. I would rather stay home and stick close to my comfy bed. We do mid week breaks to B&B's now. But we sure could do with a few more in the $120.00-$160.00 price range!!

I would like more people to start saying something to these proprietors, then perhaps they will start to change their beds back to the ones that people actually want to sleep in. They can claim depreciation anyway on thier tax. And don't bother to cry poor about having to buy them in the first place. I have yet to find many Motels not booked out by 6pm at night. I have worked with Accountants for most of my life so I know the figures!!! Having said that, I don't mind paying extra for a good bed. NOW PEOPLE, GET OUT THERE AND DEMAND A GOOD BED. Dunlop20/11/09Add your comment

Look after our own
its about time the govement realise thay work for the australian people .we pay there wages.the govement is live a boat thats leaking,the buckets to bale it out are its assetts like power,water,communications.what gives them the right to sell our assetts.these things should be no profit organisations so that the cost are kept to the lowest for us.I dont think most australians realise that if the power and water were turned off for three days there would be a world greif believe me (no power to pump petrol,fridges,cold food)so when our boat sinks very soon i leave god help us. Jacko 18/11/09 Add your comment

JOCKEY GLENN LYNCH STILL NOT BACK IN THE SADDLE

Over Five weeks ago Qld Racing cleared Jockey Glenn Lynch after a
A well-publicised dispute between Australian betting agency Betchoice and former Group 1 champion jockey Glenn Lynch was resolved. Betchoice had pursued Lynch for a large unpaid debt on his betting account. Lynch stated that the debt arose due to known associates placing bets using his account and security details without his knowledge. Lynch new nothing of the debt until he read it in the newspapers. Under Betchoice's accountholders' rules Betchoice was within its rights to hold Lynch responsible for the debt and to pursue him for the full amount. After detailed investigations and discussions the dispute was finalised. There was no evidence that Mr Lynch was betting while he was a licensed jockey.

Mark Morrissey of Betchoice said that he was glad to have matters with Lynch resolved so that both parties could move on. Lynch would now of course be able to get back in the saddle.

Lynch now cleared has applied to Racing Nsw for his Jockeys license as he now resides here with his partner on their stud farm, where there are over fifty thoroughbred horses including brood mares foals yearlings inclusive of a dozen race horses chomping at the bit to get on the track and prove their form. Lynch states that he and his partner who has had her trainer?s license approved in Nsw are in this industry for the long haul and are both looking forward to getting back racing. Lynch says he is ready to get back in the saddle weighing in at a fit and healthy 55 kilos on any given day.

Lynch in the past was best known for his rides on champion horses such as Gold Edition and Ice Chariot. Lynch says that was just the tip of the iceberg and there are a lot more of those wins still to come. Reader 14/11/09 Add your comment

Phil Halse for PM, OI, OI, OI
Phil Halse I would like you to run for MP
PLEASE...lol nojaffa 6/11/09 Add your comment

Earthquakes
I am putting the idea out there that the increasing number of earth quakes is a direct result of global warming.as the ice melts and the water expands as it warms, the added weight is causing the earths crust to resettle.
comments to spuff at pissoff@live.com.au Add your comment

Everyone Relax, I mean everyone!!!
As far as everything is concerned, Australia is not exempt from cultural sensitivites. Also, just having fun in this skit was obvious, but it doesnt excuse hey hey from disrespecting it's guests from all nations. the act did resemble racism but it was the same lack of common sense and ignorance that allows this type of behaviour to be ok.comedians are excused for their controversies, so should the act, but if ever there was one thing obvious, is that peoples responses to this issue prove more racially insensitive than the act itself.as for the guy of indian descent who claims it's ok because of his skin tone, thats crap man, you were not of the culture this type of black shoe polish was intended to ridicule although your culture has had similar persecution. i think you should be careful not to seem racist aswell.i am not of a dark colour but i encounter the same stupid ignorance in the form of so called "non racism".and i was born here.i am 32. B H 10/09 Add your comment

Too sensitive about STUPID things!!
I am an 18 year old that is absolutely outraged that people can get up set about 6 people impersonating the Jackson 5! they dressed up black because they are black. GET OVER IT!! i dont know what all the fuss is about, they definitely were not being racist, they were having fun, and celebrating a life of a perfomer. People should get over themselves. . . live your life, so we can get on with ours. i do not want to be asked to do a poll to see if i was offended by the red faces act, i didnt think anything of it. Aussies are NOT a disgrace, Hey Hey its Saturday did not disgrace us...i love this country, and its sense of humor, wouldnt change it for the world. absolutely, utterly, ridiculous and pathetic. jb 8/9/09 Add your comment

Reply:
Hey, JB you have every right to be annoyed, but you should also be sympathetic...
I don't think the issue is whether WE WHITE AUSSIES were offended or not... its the subject of the joke who should be asked. What does a black American think of this "Minstrals' makeup?

Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia about the last time performers were blacking their faces for laughs:

The Black and White Minstrel Show: Controversy: The (The Black and White Minstral Show)'s premise began to be seen as offensive on account of its portrayal of blacked-up characters behaving in a stereotypical manner. A petition against it was received by the BBC in 1967 ,and since cancellation it has come to be seen more widely as an embarrassment, despite its popularity at the time.
Sannpet 8/9/09 Add your comment

APHORISMS
SECRECY THE MASK OF DECEPTION.
AN AMERICAN IS PREDICTABLY HEARD LONG BEFORE ACTUALLY BEING SIGHTED.
WTC 7 NYC 9/11-ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO SMELL A RAT.
John Cameron Blackheath NSW 7/9/09 Add your comment

Stop all immigration
Hey Jose, stop whinging ,,,Australians do not want you here, go back where you came from...While you are at it, take all middle easterners, black africans, pakis, indians and asians..Like Britain and continental Europe ,THE FACE OF AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN DESTROYED FOREVER,by allowing the dregs of the worldinto the country..The government does not have the guts to put the issue of immigration to a referendum .ALLOW AUSTRALIANS to say who enters this country..By the way, an AUSTRALIAN is an indigenous Aboriginal or a white Anglo European, the people who built this country. .Bill 7/9/09 Add your comment

Freedom of speech/rights for single white heterosexual males? Forget it!
Rights for females, rights for blacks, rights for gays, green fanatacism, financial discrimintation against single people.
Reverse discrimination is rampant in Australia and most of the western world! And it's fuelled by the feminist left wing green media and governments.
How about a fair go for all? When will media and governments have the guts to do things in a balanced and fair way? WinWin 2/9/09 Add your comment

Essential immigration rule change
Dear all, I am Jose Mamman and am writing this letter so as to express my concern regarding one of the visa rules which puts a travel limitation on all applicants who are on bridging visa with the Australian Immigration department. What concerns me is the fact that there are lot of candidates who have applied for permanent residency and are waiting for a decision from the department, current law with the onshore (885) permanent residency visa does not allow applicants to go back to their country for more than three months. With the current economic crisis and increase in the number of applications, immigration department is taking more than an years time in the processing of some applications. Another problem is that almost all of the employers in Australia ask for a permanent residency when you apply for a job. So during the period when you have applied for permanent residency, you are in a kind of no mans land where you cannot apply for any jobs here relevant to your qualification or neither can you go back to any other country and work during the time period and gain some work experience till the time a decision has been made on your application for residency.
This limitation on the travel rule virtually harms the productivity of future youth in Australia. Immigration department have also made strict rules regarding the issue of Bridging visa B which restricted one of my friend?s travel decisions for compassionate reason. More over it allows the candidates to travel only for three months. If security is the reason behind this law, department could enable re-entry conditions like criminal clearance and medical checks for those who are returning to Australia, similar conditions are already in place for offshore visa applicants, department could easily extend this rule for onshore applicants as well.
I personally and also in the name of International students appeal all beneficiaries like student communities, immigration lawyers, academics, universities, working community, media and human right activists to come forward and address this issue on behalf of all students who are staying back in Australia living unemployed just because of this rule. Australia being responsible to outside world, must reconsider the rule.
Thanking you for your attention.
Jose Mamman. 30/8/09 Add your comment

Health insurance

Why should someone who pays private health insurance have to pay the medicare levy? Totally unfair system! One or the other! Winwin 25/8/09 Add your comment

Woolworths do not care about hold up victim
In January 2007 I was a vicitm of an armed hold up by a man with a knife. This I thought was the end of my life, I survived physically, however my psychological state is in a palce I cannot comprehend.
Woolworths own this BWS bottle shop that I was working in and to date, which is 2 years 7 months and 18 days or 961 days, have done very little to help me rebuild my life.

I was so close to being evicted from my home by Bluestone Mortgages that have my home loan. They were kept up to date with my situation, I used all my Super to make my repayments. I had my story published in the Sunshine Coast Daily Caloundra QLD. Bluestone Mortgages did not care at all.

I decided at the last minute to email A Current Affair, they came the next day to do my story and if not for them I was 16 hours from being tossed out of my home. At no point was I asking for handouts or to be released from my obligations. I just wanted some compassion, empathy and help.

I have been a sole parent for 14 years and worked to pay my mortgage and bills on my own. Did Woolworths care? No, they were furious because I went to the media, which only can show that they do not care if I lose my home.

The evidence against Woolworths is undeniable, however they are still dragging this out so that they do not have to pay me one cent for the near loss of my life, my children to lose their mother, my health issues that I now have and the whole of my life which is now just an existence.

I would hope that my story gets out there so that this does not happen to any other person and Woolworths assume their responsibilty and help me to rebuild my life.
J M Dolan 25/8/09 Add your comment

RE: teachers payrise... Maybe the Teachers do deserve a better wage?
I am a teacher I am not University Trained. but LIFE TRAINED as I am a MOTHER! Teaching my children to survive in a crazy world is my major role.... to which I am so PROUD OF! however, I am forced to hand over my children to people that I have only met once or twice....and for maybe only an hour each time...they only know my children from the way that they act away from me......I get no money for my teachings however I have always been extremely happy with my method of payment which is the rewards that are given in LOVE and proof of understanding through the trials and errors made by us all!!!!!!

On to the teachers of society......Our School Teachers and our Governments......

I believe that many teachers to whom I have become friends with so that I can keep an upper hand on how my children act away from me lol, deserve even more money than that of the politician!

Many of these teachers take home with them a heavy load of emotions brought on by a corrupt society to which the majority of jurisdiction has been removed from them they and they can really do nothing other than hand troubled children on to other authorities who definitely don't know our children! This I believe is brought on by our society being so out of whack or as I like to call it AMERICANIZED (to which I look at as a terminal illness!!) ....

I was once walking past a classroom, the teacher was yelling and the students were being SO RUDE! I could not help myself I entered the room and in an very authoritative voice reprimanded the class "How dare you children come to school and act this way for Miss........" I said, "Do you think this Miss..... gets up every up every morning in the hope she can yell at you children or do you think she gets up every morning in the hope to teach someone younger than her the things that will help you carry on and live in a very confusing world? ...and all she gets is extremely rude children" shame on you all" and with that I left.

I know for a fact that this particular teacher is a teacher because she believes she could help others not because she had a good S.A.T. score and it was good pay......

This is why believe That teachers like her deserve a better wage than even the politicians who demand that we send our children to fight and unfortunately sometimes die in a war brought on by their stupidity and arrogance!!!!!

These are the people that we entrust to be able to bring our children up to live in a world that we have no choice over because of ridiculous LAWS/TRADITION.

My children have been extremely lucky and had some fantastic teachers....to which I applaud them. Don't get me wrong there are also teachers out their that don't deserve all what I say but I think the majority are good..... ROCK ON TEACHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! go for BROKE Donna Such/Luscombe 20/8/09 Add your comment

More money for students!
We all know that in today?s work force, it has become a necessary requirement, to gain successful employment ? to have a piece of paper that states we are intelligent enough to work in our desired field. If you don?t have that piece of paper, you need the experience, but then you can not gain the experience because no one hires you without the paper. It?s a vicious circle.
So people either: Do nothing at home because they find it all too hard to bother and they only ?pretend? to look for work - and when they do look for work, they don?t have enough experience; spend years working in a dead end job that eventually runs them down so much they get depressed and feel bad about themselves; or, they get out there and study to get that ?piece of paper?.
However, it has become that studying is more difficult than just being a unemployed.
I find it appalling that those trying to get an education are forced to struggle with the low payments offered to them by the government. Knowing that I could resort to becoming unemployed and receive higher payments for doing so, would result in me being less likely go out and study and would be much easier. I believe that people will be more inclined to choose the option that will get them the most money.
So why not offer them an incentive to study? By making Austudy the higher payment and Newstart the lower payment (unless incapacitated), then the unemployed may be more likely to study and get a job.
If the government is serious about helping the people less motivated to get out there and start work or study - to gain the necessary requirements for a suitable job - then wouldn?t it be logical to offer a more suitable payment for them to do so?
As I stated before, it is easier to sit back and do nothing, and receive more money for doing so, than it is to study and gain a higher level of education to gain greater success in the career or your choice.
Is the government looking at improving this situation for students? If not, why? And if so, when will it be implemented?
We need more students to speak up in regard to this matter. Only then can we try and start to make a change.
AJ 14/8/09 Add your comment

Pieces of paper ?
Great stuff for wiping your ass . Try getting off your ass and go get a job , earn some money , save it and buy all the paper you want .
Some of the greatest achievers in this country have no education and cant even read , but they know how to work . Shame there are not a lot more of them . Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

Nuclear Power
We need nuclear power plants, its as simple as that! People say its too pollutant, but lets face it - they all are. Coal (which i believe is our main source of energy) pollutes the air; nuclear doesnt. It makes shit loads of waste, but if properly contained its no harm. And eventually we should be able to figure out how to safely destroy all that waste.
As all efficient forms of energy creation are somewhat pollutant, then why not go with the one that is MOST efficient?
People often cite chernobyl as a reason not to use it, but come on! That was the soviet union near the end of the cold war... They were lucky it didnt happen more often. I think we'd be much more careful then they ever were - we have standards.
Others say there's no place to put it, well im pretty sure there's an entirely empty desert out there. "But that's a sacred place to the Aboriginies..." I say lets be like the US and give special 'reservations' to our indigenous cousins, cause we cant practically give them the entire country back, nor mark it all as sacred ground. We are here, theres no going back, we have to learn to share this great land.

A nuclear plant could help save the environment, maybe cheaper electricity rates, and most importantly of all - its the lesser of two evils. Baron Add your comment

Free Speech my arse!
I'm getting really sick of hearing in the news about the latest "Holocaust denier", and the controversy it apparently creates. Personally, I believe it happened, but I dont see why we have to make such a big deal about it when someone believes otherwise. Let's face it, we have been given a great gift - free choice, and what people dont seem to understand is that when free choice is given, people sometimes make the wrong decision. THAT's LIFE!
Now I could sit here all day writing about how "stupid" people are in believing in a God figure when there is no clear evidence it exists; or about that crazy-arse group who believe that the world is in fact flat... But I don't, because even though we may believe in different things, they have the same right to believe what they want as I do.
Okay, the Holocaust was a HUGE tragedy, but I think people telling us what we have to believe is just as bad.
Fortunately we dont live in Germany where it's actually a crime to deny said event... What's with that? We really punishing people for their beliefs? Sounds kind of like we've sort of regressed a bit doesnt it? I can understand that the German government has been trying to distance themselves from Hitler's actions, but they're kind of over-compensating. Sure, support Israel, be buddy-buddy with them, but just dont force people to conform to your standard of thought (even if it may be the truth)!
Freedom of thought was originally concieved to challenge those injustices which plagued the governments of old. And sure it worked out well in the end, but now we're in a sort of rut where we believe our system is perfect, even as our freedoms are taken from us, we still wont accept the facts. And when someone stands up and says "no, this is wrong", we quickly shoot them down and call them "unpatriotic" or such, because we see out world as it used to be (in its golden age), instead of as it is now...
We need to wake up and accept the facts as they are - our system is flawed (we can only fix it if we acknowledge it's broken), free speech means FREE SPEECH (not: you can believe whatever you want as long as its okay with us). Because in the end, it's not our thoughts which make us good or bad, it's our actions. Everyone has bad thoughts now and then, but most are good enough to not take action based on said thoughts. Baron Add your comment

The price we pay
All of us yelp and whine about free speech and rights , but few of us remember or care that people died , paid massive personal prices and suffered greatly to bring those concepts into being .
We dont have the morals or the principals to know the value of those things anymore . So we have lost them , and in there place we have the media and a puppet government of crooked little people who give us our daily rights. Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

Unfair justice
Can someone please tell what is wrong with our law? my 3yr old son was seriously beaten up last year by a 35yr old man, the police let this guy walk free due to "lack of evidence". but 5mths ago this jerk gets thrown in jail for stealing $23,000 from his long time friend's wife. (they didnt know what had happened). my son had some very serious injuries- severe head injury, 2 black eyes, broken arm and leg, internal bleeding, nosebleed, bite mark to his chest,injury to his pancreas and spleen,this jerk even sat on my little boy's face and tried to suffocate him. i left my 3 sons with this guy for only 45mins whilst i went to the shops to get dinner, ive known the guy for over 6yrs he has 3 sons himself. but what shocks me the most that he always said my 3yr old was his favorite cos he was so well-behaved. so y would he bash him so badly? my boy was in hospital for over a week, the first 3 days in critical condition. i still cant believe that the cops didnt arrest him for hurting my baby. but yet they charged him for stealing $23,000. whats more important- a child's life or money? kevin rudd pull ur finger out and do some serious re-vamp to our law. cos it sucks. this happened last year 13th september 2008. now all 3 of my sons have been taken from me by the child protection department here in perth. i gave this guy a place to stay for a couple of days and this is the thanks i got-he nearly killed my son. please to all you single mums out there dont trust anyone with your kids. cos you will never know what they will do your kids. i seriously regret that day i left my boys with him. he did all that damage to my son in 45mins, imagine what he couldve done if i was any longer at the shops. dont risk your child's life. if you want someone over at your place and its a guy. get a your family to babysit for you. people these days can just snap so easily. my child protection case worker was supposed to do a background check on him and she didnt. she met him the day b4 that horrible day, i later found out (due to the idiot leaving some paperwork at my house) that he had 6 assult charges and 14 drug, armed robbery, and break & entering charges against him. if i knew this b4 hand he wouldve been out on the street so quick. so yeah i kinda blame the case worker for not doing her job properly. if she wouldve done that check the day she met him, my son wouldnt have been seriously hurt. come on department of child protection, do your work properly. my son's lives were put at risk cos one of your workers couldnt be bothered doing a background check. if anyone out there wants to help me start a petition to get some laws changed let me know. our kids come first. let these mongrels who hurt our kids rot in jail. nella Add your comment

There is no LAW
Simple , there is no law . We let the lawless , the corrupt and the criminals take our law and order away from us . Perhaps we will get the courage to take it back . Do we have the courage to do what is necessary to get our rights back and punish those who disregard the law and what it is meant to be there for . To protect our children and our society ? Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

Petrol Vouchers are Discrimination and should be banned
Petrol vouchers of Coles, Safeway ... are discriminating people who have no car like poor, old or disabled people, those unable to drive and children. Owners of petrol guzzling cars profit more than drivers of economic cars, which is contra productive to environment friendly politics.

These schemes - especially the new schemes which promise 40c reduction per litre if you buy goods for more than $300 are a tool of big corporations to push small business out of the market. Only if everyone would be able to participate it should be allowed.

Coles, Woolworth and Co could for example reduce the price of their goods in your basket by 5% if your bill is $100+, 7.5% at $200+ and 10% at $300+. That would be a fairer and transparent scheme.

The government should make these schemes illegal on the bases that they are not compatible with human rights, that they are discrimination the poor, young and disabled, that they distort free market and give not all Australians a fair go.

Chris Hostettler 15/7/09 Add your comment

Okay Chris, I get where you're coming from, but let's face it, food costs lots of money, petrol costs lots of money. Buying your normal amount of food with the prospect of cheap petrol is great. I hate to say it (cause id rather support the little guys), but thats a great deal. And in the system we live in there is no regulation on how big or powerful a company can get. To impose such a rule would go against another human right - freedom of choice (if i want my company to own everything in the world, that should be my right. Who is the government to restrict my growth? How can they say, "You're big enough now, that's enough!"?).
At the moment with their "scheme", they've most likely got some deal with those petrol station companies, to get something from the deal. But with what you're suggesting they'd be loosing money the more you buy - and we know they just aint gonna do that. Its business, they need monatary incentives to do things.
Oh, and as for the economic cars, electricity or gas or whatever they run on is heaps cheaper than petrol, so those people are already saving in that area. This is only for those unfortunates who still have to fork out hundreds on petrol every week.
As for the poor, let me get this straight. You think everything that is too expensive for the POOR to afford should be illegal because they cant buy it...? Well in that case i guess we're pretty stuffed then cause im sure they cant afford a lot of things. Same goes with the young (who get pain less than adults) and the disabled(as they probably have to live off the gov).
The young mostly still live with their parents, so they dont really have to pay to live. Most of what they spend their money on is non-essentials.
Certain disabilities still allow people to work, and if they cant drive they're saving money there.

In conclusion, my point is that you're NEVER going to be able to satisfy everyone with a single rule or law. Sure you could make this illegal, but then it'll hurt other side instead... Baron Add your comment

Weekly Dump Bucket

• Stern Who - Seems to me that he has done something wrong by not only China but by Australia as well. Anyone notice how much Rio Tinto shares have dropped since this fiasco started? Either the Chinese Govt formally charge him and our Govt wash our hands of him or otherwise get K Rudd to 'Cantonese' or ' Mandarin' Sterns' release and drop all his allegations.
• Rozelle Developments - I can find a simple solution to this, the work that is being done takes place from 9-5, simple. No-one gets woken up, 8 hours a day gets done, easy.
• Climate Change - I can't believe that after learning in primary school (Year 6 in '95) that solar power is a clean, renewable energy source, that the Govt's from then and since then has kept thier head in the sand sbout having solar power stations across the country. They will create thousands of jobs to build, run and maintain, lower our carbon footprint and set a trend for other sun loving nations around the globe. But no, our Govt's are so far up the coal miners/power station operators highly revered back passage. I'm sure that we can sell all our coal and our coal-burning power station ideas to 3rd world countries, so that we can utilise the 1 thing Australia has got plenty of, THE SUN!!!
• Greedy Supermarkets - What a way to make a duopoly, more of a duopoly Coles and Woolworths. It's a shame to see that 2 of Australia's major supermarket chains are using schoolboys tactics in the inevitable game of, 'mine is bigger'. In the end, no-one wins except you 2, admit it, you bastards. After all is said and done after a typical family's expenditure of groceries and fuel, the bill (by today's standards) is higher than a "Cheech and Chong" session. Freeze and cut executives salaries, cut prices and stop thinking about ya bottom line you bunch of saps, you control a whole bunch of other companies in Australia that you make good money off.
• New Speed Cameras - Interesting that in the Today Tonight episode on Monday the 13th, Victoria and Queensland revealed the location of thier new speed cameras, NSW would not reveal where they are putting thier new cameras. Please explain? NSW has double the speed cameras than anywhere in the country and they can't reveal the next bunch of 'money grabbers' for an inept Govt. It's a good thing I am a good citizen and flash my lights to oncoming traffic and warn them of a cop with a camera/booze bus or otherwise the Govt will just get fatter, more alcoholic and sloppier with the fine generation.
• Mark Webber - Good onya Mark, what a way to show the cream of open wheel racers how its done. PLeanty of more victories to come.
• Poms - Damn procrastinators, your side cannot win so you employed the worst form of unsportsmanlike behaviour to the hallowed series that is The Ashes. The Aussies has you whipped beyond recognition. The Poms could not even dismiss us in 1 inning let alone 2 (whenever that may be). Draw won't get you The Ashes you bunch of no-hoping wannabes.
  WoodDuck 15/7/09 Add your comment

Michael Jackson and the truth
To all Michael Jackson fans and Christians, Michael is the second coming of the lord Christian human being superstar, but most of all a very, very, very loving and lovely man. Those bastards crucified him, he died from heartache and just wanted to lie down and die. A poor and unhappy human being, a man. King of pop, who is now at peace and sits on the left of our lord, opposite Jesus, who was also crucified by mean, unjust and unfounded words. Michael is innocent acquitted of all and every charge, those rich rock spiders, kid fucking bastards, get them now, not later, get them. Those filthy, lying, cheating rock spider bastards, get them for we are one. All good Christians, get them now not later. You have been conned, by these filthy rock spiders. ?Fucked up the ass.? For Michael is a decent, loving, giving, Christian and passionate human being. Get them all, right now, those bastards. We need a revolution. Those filthy rock spiders crucified him to keep the heat off themselves. Tonga knows there is more to come. TTonga 9/7/09Add your comment

WTF?
In all due respect Tonga, to say the MJ was the next major disicple if you will, after our supreme being is down and out blasphomy not to mention bordering on absurd.
I respect him for his supreme musical and dancing skill and potential, the fact that he brought entertainment to the majority of the world, but to think of MJ of 'Him', as Gus would say, "No, No, No, No, No".
I thought it was well documented that Jesus lives on in all men. WoodDuck 10/7/09

Sick Truth
How sick are you and the rest of the crazies that think sicko and whacko is OK . Shit the world is full of crazies ,Time to Nuke it for sure . Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

TIT(les)......
Serena Williams sported a 'are you looking at my TIT'les' T-shirt after winning Wimbledon. So my question is, if she is allowed to joke about her breasts - who else is? Can I as a male adnmit that I like looking at her TIT'les. Does it offend femminists who have no breasts or titles? And if so, why?
Females (non-femminist); that T-shirt, joking about her breasts is funny
Femminists: Serena joking about her breasts degrades us (pleae expalin how?)
Males: Hey, that is funny and true (I would also stare at her tits - not titles) DrT 6/7/09 Add your comment

DrT has missed Serena's point (so to speak). It is: What does it take to get to be number one in women's tennis? Serena has more titles than any other woman, but has to be No 2 to a Russian player who was bundled out in straight sets by her sister!!! So she tries to make a visual point, and the men talk about tits.. aaarrrggghhhh. sanpet

WAKE UP
The councils and government need to be serious about motorbikes and quads. the council claims they are cracking down on HOONS and motorbike riders in genral. if you think about cheap motorbikes from china cost about from 1K to 2K Police are impounding people caught on motorbikes and are asking for parents not to buy motorbikes for the kids as long as there cheap and kids can learn to ride, THERE NOT GOING TO WIN. retrieving a bike is $500 plus fines. proof of the so called crackdown.
http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Newsroom/2006/December/Council_To_Crack_Down_On_Motorbike_Hoons/indexdl_4204.aspx
http://www.porthedland.wa.gov.au/NewsfromTownofPortHedland/mediareleases/mediareleasesjointoperationclampsdownonirresponsiblequadtrailbikeriders260309
aso black duck valley in Gatton QLD has been shut down because they can not get insurance. 3 deaths in 3 years is not bad. a lady had sued the park on the fact someone close to her died. now 3 people in a SAFE controlled environment compared to the hundreds of riders who have been given no where to ride now ride in illegal places. how about from all the money the government makes from the fines and bikes being retrieved they build places for motorbikes and quads. if they want help I'm sure if they advertised they were making it motorbike bike riders would come from everywhere to help give out free cans of coke a sausage sizzle get the COMMUNITY involved for a change. if the police and government haven't figured this out and i as a 14 year old boy can figure out ways to make this work they must be idiotically stupid. instead of giving john Howard a Mercedes give him a Volvo theres 50 grand right there 50 grand worth of dirt will make a few tracks. all i ask is for a place to ride motorbikes even if its in the sticks so the old geezers don't complain i don't care. R.Johnstone Add your comment

It seems to me you are a bit peeved cause some (prob the Govt) has taken your playtoy (illegal bike or illegal track, or both) away from you. I will forgive you for your youth and naivety, but you must understand that, certain makes of motorbikes/quads are deemed illegal for public use because of public liability reasons. Sure owning a motorbike or quad on a farm is quite legal cause you are not registrating it for public road use. Yet if you are taking an unregistrated vehicle, riden by an unlicensed rider onto public property, no one is to blame but themselves for whatever fine, suspension or even injury they recieve but themselves.
So if you got yourself a little Pee-Wee 50, just ride it around ya farm or backyard as the case may be, wait til ya old enough to get a license and get a trailbike that is registered and ride it in approved areas. Woodduck

Here's some advice for in-experienced pollies (ieTurnbull):

1. Check your facts
2. Check your sources
3. Make the 'punishment' fit the crime – if you are going to demand resignation for the crime of "looking after a mate with a few phone calls", what will you want for genuine corruption... a public be-heading?
4. Count to ten before acting, and say... will this benefit the country? or just myself.
Edward 25/6/09 Add your comment

Edward, it is the lowering of standards and values that gives us our wonderful society of low lifes today , People who think that its fine to bend the rules for their mates have been the root cause of our social decay today , grow a spine and if its wrong , deal with it . Have the fortitude to make punishment a very real and daunting thing . Maybe all the bad people will go hide elsewhere if they keep getting caught and have to pay a big penalty . Wake up you foolish person and grow some values. Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

WAKE UP AUSTRALIANS
I really can't believe Australia is sitting by and letting this stupid Goverment get away with such stupid actions that effect us all.
Rudd needs to kicked out and Liberals brought back in.
Why? mmm let me remenber the deficit figure and perhaps that's enough to sit up and take notice.
Then there's the banks !! We all know what they charge and get away with but we all sit on our hands and do nothing. The Gov once again says," oh , this is not right" but does nothing.
Let's stop these banks doing what they are to all of us and making how much profit? theres just to many zeros in that figure to fit on the computer.
Australia, let unite, stop the banks from ripping us all off and lets tell Rudd to either ship up or ship out.
I'm a born and bred Australian but I'm ready to move out at the drop of a hat because this country is going to the dogs.
Let's wake up !!
IT 15/6/09 Add your comment

Its way to late to call for us Aussies to wake up , we have all sold out to the dumber and dumber parties in all aspects of our lives . The button has been pushed and the great flush is on .
We allowed the education system to fail our children , we allowed the legal system to fail us and we elected idiots to try to lead us . Why ??
God only knows , are we all drunk on credit cards and free handouts of our Nations Wealth ? Do we really think there is never a time to pay back what we take ?
So its time to Nuke a few nations and give nature a chance to recover , maybe the next species is worth saving . Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

WHY help?
In response to Fee 13/05/09... They don't have two cents to rub together???.... how much money did they pay for a spot on the boat then hey, and where are all the women and children????????
And no, this issue doesn't affect my life right now, you are right, but will it affect the next generation or the generation after that??
As for my "ignorant" views on terrorism, the majority of assylum seekers coming to our shores are from muslim countries! No I don't know these people personally but one can't help to think the worst. This is my opinion and I hear your side too, but time WILL tell with this issue. Jess 7/6/09 Add your comment

I agree with all of what you say , But I do ask the question . Who are the real terrorists ???
History tells me it is the French , the English ,the Dutch , the Mongols , the Germans and many other nations and now it is the Americans and the Australians of which I am a part.
All these nations have invaded and occupied other countries for many so called justifiable reasons , what has there legacy been ?
To rape the country of all its natural and national assets , to enslave , to kill , to maim , to take their women , to leave them with crime corruption and all the worst aspects of our society ?
So perhaps it really is only self defense and they have no recourse but to fight with limited weapons and skills , they cannot afford to bomb us out of existence because we stole all their assets , so they fight us in the only way they can ?
Lets win the war and make FRIENDS all over the world , if our leaders want to fight , lets give them a knife or a gun and they can fight each other . LEAVE the people alone , they are sick of your bullshit politics and your WARS !! Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

A Lost Cause
When will the politicians in this country shut their mouths and realise that no one really trusts them any longer. If they don't shoot themselves in the foot with undeclared shares, misbehavior, and stupidity, they spend the rest of their time striking fear into their constituents with "possibilities" about the opposing party's ideas. The voting public has stopped all political interest because two thirds of the country's political activity is clearly NOT helping the country. We vote in the party with the better PR - marketing, advertising, selling (i.e. best at stretching the truth). We already know the politicians, local & foreign business magnates and banks will steer us into another resession soon after this one. Self interest is the agenda; the only agenda in the minds of the people actually running this country. We used to elect our politicians to help develop the country, not just argue how it might be better if they were doing it. And most voters only have interests in the politicians that will directly help them; stuff the country! JA 5/6/09Add your comment

The Politicians we have are the result of our own stupidity and laziness in not wanting to vote , not caring who , how or why some idiot was in a political pary and because we were so busy living the high life on drugs , booze and the freedom we so blatantly use as our right to be irresponsible , WE GOT WHAT WE DESERVE .
Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

All Ombudsman
State, Commonwealth and Industry Ombudsman have no legislative power and can only make a request or suggestion to companies and Government departments or authorities.
They serve no real purpose and give false hope to many people looking for a fair outcome to a dispute or problem.
Approach your local MP for assistance and don't waste time with them.
Pryor 3/6/09 Add your comment

eBay is a global yard sale. 99% junk!
BN Adelaide Add your comment

Which part of STOP don't you understand?
James Abbot 17/5/09 Add your comment

Rugby league
I think Steve Clark should be sacked & points taken from St. George & given to rightful winners, Bulldogs.
Andrew Johns should be sacked as well as his brother for all his drug discretions, he cheated all those years & didn't get punished, what does that show our young players? Bulldog supporter. Shellharbour. Add your comment

Why Not Help????
This is in reply to Jess who feels so hardly done by in helping others. It always gets me people who complain that they are taxpayers and are paying for this and that. Sorry Jess but you personally are not paying and if you were you wouldnt notice. Why dont these so-called desperate people do it the right way? Probably because they donot have two cents to rub together, they have suffered from oppression, war, famine, something which you and I probably know nothing about as we chomp down our food in front of the tele in our comfy house in our peaceful street.
Does it make you feel better to condemn people who are destitute because of where they come from? Dont forget Jess these people are women and children too, do they also deserve to be condemned by the likes of you and how does it hurt you so much to help? It doesn't personally affect you or your quality of life does it? As for your ignorant views on terrorists, how do you tell a terrorist from a non-terrorist it could be the bloody person down the street, people may even think its you!!! So come on dont be so hard and think about what others go through who havent had a priveldged life like most Australians.
Fee 13/5/09 Add your comment

I agree with all of what you say , But I do ask the question . Who are the real terrorists ???
History tells me it is the French , the English ,the Dutch , the Mongols , the Germans and many other nations and now it is the Americans and the Australians of which I am a part.
All these nations have invaded and occupied other countries for many so called justifiable reasons , what has there legacy been ?
To rape the country of all its natural and national assets , to enslave , to kill , to maim , to take their women , to leave them with crime corruption and all the worst aspects of our society ?
So perhaps it really is only self defense and they have no recourse but to fight with limited weapons and skills , they cannot afford to bomb us out of existence because we stole all their assets , so they fight us in the only way they can ?
Lets win the war and make FRIENDS all over the world , if our leaders want to fight , lets give them a knife or a gun and they can fight each other . LEAVE the people alone , they are sick of your bullshit politics and your WARS !! Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

N.R.L Players Who Rape Should Pay
I was distugsted but not suprised to view the program on Four Corners last night relating to N.R.L players who rape and abuse women and get away with it. I commend the faceless women who made her ordeal public by appearing on the show, what bravery she has shown in doing so. These men who are supposedly considred as professionals in their feild should not be allowed to drink in excess for starters, we are talking about highly overpaid, dare I even call them sports people who are able to go out and get blind every chance they get, they should be made to completley abstain from excessive drinking because it is obvious they cannot handle it.
As for the rape incident/s these players should share a jail sentence for what they have done, however it is evident that their equally overpaid and corrupt lawyers will cover up the disgrace. As a women I feel alot of saddness for the attitudes portrayed by the players in general against women, these are sexist attitudes which should not be tolerated in our modern society. How can we allow our children to idolise and look up to men who have this lack of respect, how can we as a society protect such barbarism when the lay person would be incarcerated.
Its time to clean up the N.R.L and its going to take more than a few video sesions to do it. Women such as myself will not support or allow our children to support a sport which inlcudes the rape of women.I propose these men should spend sometime with the victims of rape to eveb begin to understand the damage it causes.
Fee 13/5/09 Add your comment

Banks
Why are banks allowed to 'disappear' our money when it is transferred from one institution to another? I have $14,000 that I am transferring. It has gone from my account, an won't turn up in the target account until tomorrow or the day after. Obviously the bank has placed it in the short tern money market. I should be earning this interest, not my bank! When will the Bank Ombudsman look into this behaviour? RGP NSW 11.5.09 Add your comment

Asylum Seeker
These asylum seekers are refugees - not immigrants. When will people "get it". The media is so clever at blurring the lines.
One day Aussies may become Climate Refugees and be looking for new homes themselves. I am willing to donate a few dollars towards these poor buggars health care......
Kwizikl 21/4/09 Add your comment

Asylum seekers should rot!
Why are we helping these injured asylum seekers?? Thats right, we as taxpayers are paying for their treatment. It's discusting! How do we know these people aren't making their way to our shores to start plotting the next terrorist attack?? These 'Refugess' are breaking the law! If they are so desperate for a better life why can't they go about it the right way?? Australia is a great place but if we can't stop these illegal boat people, we'll end up just like Britain... Jess 21/4/09 Add your comment

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL
OMG at last someone who agrees with me. I too think Australian Rules Football is a joke. There are many of my friends that do too. Soccer is becoming huge in Australia and more young boys are enrolling in soccer at schools. There is a diehard older middle age generation of men who insist upon AFL and they are also the ones promoting it and lining their pockets. The good news is that they'll die off soon and the younger generation of boys who are enrolling in soccer will eventually lead this country into its rightful place as world soccer contenders. Where is AFL ever going to take a young boy-not very far, not even out of Australia-what a joke-it promotes small-mindedness. Look at Ben Cousins-what a disgrace that he's even playing again. What message does that send to the young boys-"drugs is ok if you don't get caught" - what a farce, what a fiasco. AFL is embarrasing. AFL is promoting violence in sport. AFL is not helping Australia's image. The migrants cringe. This game is nothing more than prehistoric bloodletting. Its bad for the male psyche (all this legendary status is crap), its bad for boys and it does nothing for the image of sport in Australia. Its embarrasing. Its violent & its just plain crap! observant 17.4.09 Add your comment

Hear hear.
Sann 18/4/09 Add your comment

Weekly Rant
Asylum Seekers
Who is gonna pay for the hospitalition of these illegal boat immigrants on Australian soil? It should not be the taxpayer. What should of been done is to evacuate the injured defence personnel, put the boat in sights and have target practice. That should be for any illegal boatpeople, works out a lot cheaper too.
000 'Debacle'-
To be fair on the emergency services over the so called debacle over the death of a teenager stranded bushwalker. Questions arise, why was he treking alone? If he was not, what about those who he was travelling with? Where can I get the model of phone that he had? I'd love to have that type of reception in the Blue Mountain NP.
Increase Of Drinking Age
Top idea. Refer to post a few months ago by me on alcohol.
Organised Gangs
These new laws need to be tough. So tough that being involved in organised gangs/crimes carry a lifetime jail term. Besides I always thought the 'Bikie' gangs were made up of Vietnam Vets, misfits and loners which I would be not as afraid of than the current makeup of these gangs by Middle Eastern deadbeats.
Greedy Banks-
The Govt has gotta stop being 'servants' and 'yes men' for the big banks and pass legislation forcing banks to follow the Reserve Bank's movements, cut out these stupid ATM fees and cut the salaries of executives.
Woodduck 16/4/09 Add your comment

huh???
Ignoramus, you have no idea how many silly incorrect assumptions you just made in that boring old tirade...
AJ 4/5/09 Add your comment

Whatever
Wake up and smell the coffee! My feelings would be concurrently felt my the majority of decent, law-obiding, patriotic citizens of this great country. How can you be so blind to see what's happening here, or does the feeling of sand around your entire head satisfy you as you remain ignorant to national events?
Get a decent haircut! Woodduck 6/5/09 Add your comment

Woodduck is not an IGNORAMUS and shows a good percentile of additional brain cells above and beyond the average ignoramus ,that at least function .
In a lot of areas he promotes the concept of being responsible for your own stupidity and your own financial situation , but being ignorant is a good exscuse to not take the heat for your own actions ??? Phil Halse 27/8/09 Add your comment

NSW Ombudsman
Can anyone out there tell me what roll the Ombudsma 's Office plays in regards to investigating police. But I have been told by their office that they do not investigate police. So therefore that clearly makes NSW a Police State. The police officer is able to get away with anything even giving false evidence to obtain a conviction. And the one government body which makes claim to look into these matters. In no way will do that.
Come on what are they getting paid for ....
Nothing from where I am sitting. kaz 11/4/09 Add your comment

Nick D'Arcy
I don't understand how Magistrates so called 'Experts in law' continuously take a persons level of intoxication into account when there is clear cut 'Black and white' legislation which states that a persons level of intoxication/stupification is no excuse unless it can be proven that it was caused without their knowledge or against their will. I believe he is nothing but a silly spoilt little boy who just got spanked for his actions and has daddy do his speaking for him. Hopefully the leopard doesn't change his spots and assaults again. Fingers crossed that next time he picks the wrong bloke and cops a hiding himself, eventually ending up where he belongs, in jail. Buddy 77 11/4 Add your comment

I think that Nick Darcy should be allowed to go to the world games. He has already been punished enough. Sann 12/4/09 Add your comment

Sydney bashings
How much longer are we all going to ignore the fact that Sydney has become a scary and violent city? The bashings that are occuring on a nightly basis in the city, north sydney, etc are increasing. I am so sick of hearing the stories, but more so I am sick of being a witness to this violence every time I go out on a Friday or Saturday night.
Are there any solution to this problem?
It always seems to be the same old people doing this also, and a lot of the time (although not always!) an innocent victim... AJ 31/3/09 Add your comment

Welcome to the world you and your parents have created in pandering to your wishes and desire. The money many of you are being paid in sport,industry etc makes it easy for you to drink in excess in your stupidity to get blind, doped up and dangerous mostly of a weekend when you cannot recall anything. Everybody is responsible for their own behaviour and actions. When will fools who have also taken to heavy tattooing realize they are irresponsible and deserving of stronger punishment.
You are products of your parents who have given into you and are now unable to cope with you since you claim it is your body, your life and I can do as I please............well you poor simple fools wake up 'cos parents who then lose a son or a daughter suffer for the rest of their life because a sibling has departed before they did. Wake up fools take a look in the mirror and get the next tattoo on your skull "DICK HEAD" R.T.L 8/4/09 Add your comment

Nick D'Arcy
Here we have another sporting person in NSW escaping a jail sentence. Yes he pleaded guilty and is sorry for his actions. But blames the alcohol he consumed for his actions. His victim Simon had to endure a long surgery because of this man's action. And I am sure a long rehabilitation will follow.
Why are the courts allowing people who assault causing grievous bodily harm walk free from court.
Is this because they are well known to the Australian community. Wonder if the courts would be as lenient for others who are not in the spotlight so to speak.I would guess not.
One law for some One law for others. Kaz 30/3/09 Add your comment

What next?
I can't believe how ridiculous our society can be and what we are prepared to put up with. Pacific Brands propped up by tax payers and marketing themselves as Aussie. We the consumer get hounded with "Buy Australian". Then Pacific Brands basically say F#*(& Australia, thanks for the dough we're off.
I now see our Customs department want to change their name at the cost of $10,000,000 to change uniforms and other things. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Pacific Brands get the contract for the new uniforms. KW 23/3/09 Add your comment

This Week In News
Alcopop Tax GONE!-
Thank God the law obiding, responsible drinkers of this country got their wish back. Prices of RTDs going back to what they should be. However, the distillers need to also go back to producing the same products BEFORE the tax hike. They and a lot of other people know what you mean; increasing the alcohol content back to the original strength, such as JD & Cola cans from 1.5 drinks a can to 1.8 a can (5% to 6%), most main stream RTDs (Beam, Bundy, Johhnie) from 1.4 to 1.5 and so forth.
NRL Fracas-
As per Brad Fittler said during an interview today, "After the rehab/video session, the players have a day off, what they do with that is up to them, if they want to watch the footy at the pub is up to them, THEY are responsible for THIER actions." So as a message to those haters of the sport/alcohol culture out there, get off these players backs. They need thier 'own' time too. I am sure that these haters or I say 'hypocrites' also over indulge on the singing syrup like the bulk of normal Australians do. Hey what about players like Beetson, Radonikus, Price, etc back in the days, they were in a less professional era and they probably drank the same if not more than current players and you never heard of 'off-field drama' with those players of from that era. Woodduck 19/3/09 Add your comment

Swans membership answered
I have been a paying member of the Sydney Swans since 1998 and the most disturbing fact about the decline in the number of Sydney Swans members in 2009 that has not been mentioned is the price hike.

The price of season tickets, and the increase in matches played at ANZ Stadium is enough to deter any member that has suffered in the financial crunch . In the eleven years that I have been a member, ticket prices have never risen by such a dramatic amount as they have this year. I am the youngest in a family of four, and from what I can understand, ticket prices for a family with two students have virtually doubled in the past two years. Since becoming a member, it now costs more for a student season ticket, than it did eleven years ago for an Adult ticket, when all matches were played at the SCG.

People are not willing to travel to ANZ Stadium, under any incentive.

What I ask the Sydney Swans is why?
And why complain? Whose fault is it? Are the Sydney Swans not receiving money from the Federal Government under the stimulus plan? Why are members being blamed for not continuing their membership in 2009? How many question marks do I have to include before these facts are noted, let alone answered?
Jude. 16th March Add your comment

Freedom of Information
I have noticed that the Ombudsman's Office is looking into trying to change some of the Act in order to make information more accessable.
Hopefully they will look into Court Transcripts as this area is that well protected. You should be able to go listen to a court transcript if it involves you. Especially when you believe facts you heard in a court room do not appear on a transcript. At the moment it is protect court staff at all cost. Even if that means a person has to sit in jail because of it. kaz 5/3/09 Add your comment

Traffic Fine
I received a fine yesterday for not stopping at a stop sign. The police officer took my licence and immediately went to his car and issued me a $243 fine. He did not give me a chance to defend myself. However in my defence I must say that I was completing a left hand turn at a time when there was absolutely no danger and no visible oncoming traffic from either side. To prove my point, he was able to turn around immediately after I passed him, without having to wait for any oncoming traffic to pass. I would like to write a letter to have this considered as it is a first offence and I feel that it is very unjust, particularly as I am a law abiding citizen who contributes to the good of society. What do others think? Can I ask for a review of the penalty without any form of documentation? Beth 4/3/09 Add your comment

Ban Bonds
I have had enough of companies like Pacific / Bonds using the failing economy as an excuse to go off shore while the executives pay themselves huge bonuses. It's time we all stopped buying products from these supposedly Australian companies. If we the consumers don't make a stand there won't be anything Australian made left on the shelves and certainly there won't be the jobs we used to have. Let's make a stand and ban Bonds and all other companies that that are cheating consumers and the great Australian workforce. clewer 28/2/09 Add your comment

What The?
What is wrong with you people that think that some people in prison can be rehabilitated,
I work with these animals every week and i'm telling you your opinion would soon change if you deal with some of them or they commit any sort of offence to your home, family or valuables. As for medication, they should have to pay for it like anyone else would. The prisons these days are run just like a holiday retreat, and they keep reoffending cause they don't have a reason to fear prison anymore, they have more rights if they rape, murder, injure, etc than any of the victims ever will, wake up Australia, there is some serious discipline needed in todays society and especially the younger generation. If you do the crime you get a slap on the wrist. We need to stand together and help each other against crime, if you see someone in trouble don't stand there and turn a blind eye or run away like a girl, if you make an effort and try to save a life that is the biggest gift you could ever give someone, knowing that you may have saved that persons life.
Trip 26/2/09 Add your comment

Brain dead
I agree with you, these young men (which you dont call human) should be treated the same as they treated that poor young man. how dare they say what they did was for fun.i beleive an eye for an eye these young men should be put to death .so should anybody that goes out of their way to bash or burn with the intent to kill them.i do not know what is wrong with our criminal system.i think they should bring in a law where the poeple of australia vote for what is to be done to these kind of freaks. what do think? Old Aussie 9/3/ 09 Add your comment

Lenient sentencing in NSW Courts.
Here we have another prominent person (Dr Rummery ) facing court in New South Wales. The courts felt it was inappropriate to send her to Jail. Drink driving .32 , young child in back seat. Smashes into a parked car. um suspended from driving not disqualified. This in itself is strange. As if she is caught driving whilst suspended the penalty is far less then if your caught driving while disqualified. Drive whilst disqalified 2 years jail.
Special priveledges for some.
Or might I say one law for the prominent and one law for the less fortunate.
Why do the courts in NSW assume just because you have not been lucky in life your more appropriate for jail. Then those well off. Double standards apply in the courts of NSW. This case clearly shows this.

Also Dawn Fraser faced Gosford Court this week. She had been charged with failing to stop at a weigh in station and other offences. She got off completely did not even have to pay court costs. Wow how good is it to be well known in NSW.
kaz 26/2/09 Add your comment

(Reply to) Woodduck
I feel you need reminding that not all prisoners are murderers or armed robbers. There is many a person sitting in jail just because they have driven too fast down the same road that many other motorist have driven doing speeds dangerous to the public but they have not been caught.
Prisoners have the legal right to have medical attention if needed. They are not allowed to be taken to a normal hospital so therefore they must have nurses etc to look after them.
Yes I underdstand how many people feel in regards to this matter. Especially when we are talking murderers, paedophiles etc.
But it is a human right to be able to access medical and dental if needed. And all I can say on this matter is that the prison system in Australia is not as good as you may think, So they might have a TV but what else do they have nothing but a cell.
I am talking about the person sitting in prison on what they call non serious crimes. There is many of these. Yes they committed a crime and you might say they get what they deserve.
Do you wish to turn our country into a third world country in relation to our prisons. Our prisoners are in prisons to be rehabilitated. Take away everything and you will just end up with a lot of animals. This relates to juvenile detention centres as well as adult prisons. Kaz 20/2/09 Add your comment

Another Stab In The Heart Of Public Hospitals
I was shocked and dismayed reading an article in the Sunday Telegraph (15/2) about how a maximum sercurity prison/hospital complex has facilities such as widescreen plasmas, ping-pong tables and other perks that our struggling public hospitals can only dream about.
Why should the likes of "Neddy" Smith and "Dolly" Dunn, Australia's most notorious murderer and pedophile respectively be given this 'luxury' treatment when decent law-abiding citizens can't even have thier diabetes checked, thier pregnancy looked at all without the hours and hours of waiting.
As far as I am concerned (which will be the opinion of the rest of us), why spend 150 million on prisons when those funds can be used to better our hospitals. Prisoners do not deserve tv, recreation, round the clock doctors. They need to be isolated, unentertained and not have any contact with forms of life. The only money to go into prisons is for the staff and just a trickle into the slops that these scum eat. Woodduck 15/2/09 Add your comment

Poor Alfie - my **s (see Below)
I'm not at all surprised, trailer trash having yet another generation of trailer trash...they just keep breeding. Probably thought they could make a buck by calling the tv stations...then they'll be trailer trash with money. But you know what, trailer trash with money is still trailer trash - just look at the Spears family! Roz 15/2/09 Add your comment

Teenager charged with making false complant Tuggerah (see below)
It is quite interesting that a 19 year old has been charged. After formally complaining about a police car which he alledged to have been speeding and crossing onto the incorrect side of the wrong towards the complaintants car. This was Christmas Day last year.

The police claim they checked with the police car involved using the ( In Car Video.) After viewing the tape they claim the alledged incident did not happen.

I haved looked up many things about police cars previously. And yes the I.C.V is running in police cars at all times but the images taken are not saved to the hard drive unless the sirens are initiated.

So if this police car had no sirens going at the time of the alledged offence. The image for that time of day would not have been recorded. And therefore the offence could not be proven wrong.

It would be intersting to know if the sirens were initiated at the time of the event. Because if they were not this person should in no way be charged for making a complaint.
But he must understand when going to court in NSW. Usually the magistrate/judge will believe any thing a police officer states.Even if it is beyond belief.
I wish him good luck. kaz 15/2/09 Add your comment

Victorian Bushfires
Not only those found guilty of deliberately lighting fires should be charged as murderers, they should also be burned at the stake. Capital punishment may be extreme but we should have a punishment to suit the crime. Gaz 10/2/09 Add your comment

Why do we have no fire shelters?
In the USA it is common to have a small underground tornado shelter.
Does Australia not know fire shelters?
It would not need much money to build kind of a wombat hole for the family with a fireproof cover to hide from the bush fire. Community shelters could be added in village centres and schools. I think this would be feasible without astronomic costs involved. Chris Hostettler 10/2/09 Add your comment

Sport,sport sport
Why does it seem that we have greater enernest of our children with sport. When it will be the last thing to better or provide them with a secure job for the future. Even with the government /department of education having sports personalities attending schools. On a recent trip to asia I was amazed to see parents proud of there childrens acidemic and art skills not there sport ability.10 year old children that can play at least 1 musical instrument ,speak up to 4 launguages ,and masters of computer skills I wish i could master. All of children will have a bright future I beleive and good jobs. Where we rather tell our mates how many tries Billy got on the weekend . I can feel that all our children will all work for an asian Boss in the future as no way aussie children can compete with the childrens education standards overseas not just asia.
Good luck to the one in a million sport star but a shame for the others that never make it and wasted there time trying. Lucifer 9/2/9 Add your comment

What The...?
It seems obvious that here is an individual that does not believe or respect this country's great strengths among all nations... Sport and the large succeses we have had.
Another thing, exercise, in most cases in the form of sport has had to become a major subject at schools to combat the nations youth obesity problems.
Look, I don't deny that education for children is vital to the future of our nation. Sport/Health/PE, English (well Australian anyway), Maths, Science, Geography, History and Science are the areas with the most focus. However obscure areas like, Music, Art, Drama and Languages should have little focus or even complete obseletion from our schools' ciriculums. Woodduck 9/2/09
Add your comment

Graffiti argument misses the point. Its SEXISM!!
This week a young woman was jailed for three months for writing on a cafe wall with a felt tip pen. It was her first offence. A young man was charged with graffiti, reprimanded and given a good behaviour bond. He walked free.
Our media has gone into meltdown over the ills of graffiti in the city, but few have noticed the real problem here. It is sexism. Still alive and well in 2009.
SP 6/2/09 Add your comment

How a father could throw his little girl off a bridge??
As I sat watching the news last night, tears poured down my face in disbelief how a supposedly loving father could stop his car on a busy highway, get out and throw his daughter off a bridge with a 60 meter drop, plunging into dirty, icy cold water. No words can describe the sickening, distressing feelings I have had all night, the amount of tears I have shed in the last 12hrs. How absolutely terrified that poor little girl felt while her father, her protector, someone she looked up to with loving, innocent eyes could do something like this. Yesturday was suppose to be a milestone, her first day of school, the excitement she must have been feeling that morning, yet it was short lived and she never made it . What the hell possesses people to do the things they do? This man shouldn’t be able to shed a tear for his child he just murdered, he threw her away like a piece of rubbish. He doesn’t deserve to take another breath of air in this world we live in, what gives him the right to take someones life, his own flesh and blood. I have two children of my own, a three year old and a baby and they are just so, so innocent. We as parents are suppose to protect our children, guide them thru life the best possible way we know how. Keep them from harms way, teach them right from wrong, and it sickens and upsets me, makes me feel physically ill that this man could do this to his little girl Darcy. What about his other two children who watched this horrific act. Why, because she was being too loud in the car, because she was annoying her other brother or sister, because she was talking too much? It doesn’t make sense at all to me. I have been so deeply affected by this incident, it has had such a huge impact on me I cant describe it. My heart goes out to this poor little, innocent girl who if she had survived, I can guarantee her first three words she would of said when she woke up would have been ‘I’m sorry daddy’.
The so called justice system needs to change. We need to make people pay for commiting heinous crimes on children. I wish we still had capital punishment as it should be a life for a life.
Remember this, children do not ask to be born.
Rest in peace beautiful angel xx

Nicola Dodunski
Perth 6027
Western Australia

30/1/09 Add your comment

Throw Him Off The Bridge:
The only comment I have for this sick, twisted individual. He should be thrown off the same bridge, with concrete shoes. Woodduck 30/1/09

LOST FOR WORDS
I am so shocked and disgusted by this event all I can do is agree wholeheartedly with your comments and wonder what sort of an animal would do such a thing. Norm East 30/1/09

Photography in Public Places
As I'm finding out, photography is becoming less and less welcome in many places. In the national parks in the US, if you plan to sell images commercially, they are expecting you to pay a special fee even though it's a "public" place for everyone.

Here's an example of what I mean.

http://www.nps.gov/saan/parkmgmt/photography.htm

Just wondering if things are the heading that way Down Under.
Peter Phun 30/1/09 Add your comment

Driving Occassioning Death Lismore NSW
It is certainly a sad day for the family of the four young men who died in this crash.
You have this boy stand in court today to say how sorry he is for causing death to his 4 mates.
It is quite easy to be sorry for your actions after the event. These 4 young men will never get there lives back.

Yet the LIsmore police chose to take this person to Childrens court originally for a driving offence which entailed 4 deaths.
His name is supressed due to this fact. Yet he was 17 at the time of the event. This matter should have been sent before the Local Court Lismore like all other less serious driving offences in the Lismore Local Command area.
This is the second such matter which has gone before the Childrens Court Lismore for dangerous driving causing death.

Why is this so. All other juveniles committing driving offences are taken before the Local Court.
You must receive special attention if you occassion death whilst driving.
No name otherside the court room. No Local Court.
I am not sure if this is the only Local Area Command who does this. But it is totally wrong. If driving offences are classified as Adult offences then why are driving offences causing death not included in category.
I can not understand why 17 year old who are taken before the local courts have there name posted outside a court house and on the internet for speeding offences.

Yet if you cause death of your passengers by the manner of your driving your name is supressed due to the fact the police take that person before a childrens court.
kaz 28/1/09 Add your comment

Another Teenage Driver Rant
Well, well, well, here is another example of how teenage drivers need to have tighter and more enforced restricitons placed upon them. For those law obiding citizens of the road, it's high time we use what we have to put them in your place. If you are followed close by a p-plater, so down. If you have one behind you on a 2 laned road, stay alongside the car next to you for km's. Take your time accelerating from stops, lights.
Now as for this blithering idiot who needlessly wasted these young lives, he should be tried as an adult, he should be named and shamed, and furthermore, all over serious offences made by youths can't hide under the supression of thier names and have thier identities shown so that we all can laugh and ridicule them for the rest of thier lives. WoodDuck 30/1/09

dole to be increased $30
I heard on the news tonught that the Fed Govt may increase the dole to the unemployed. Is this for people that have just been made redundent? long term dole people or what, if its for people who have been laid off because of the economic downturn yes they need a hand, if the long term beach bums get it then I am totally against it, if they cant get off the a#$@e they shouldn't get it, the pensioners get a handout, the dole people look like getting one but what about the people who have saved all their lives doing what the Govt encouraged them to do save for their retirement, then see it getting eaten away each week because of greed and Govt policies, what do you do to help them Ruddy, they have done the right thing, what about you. JS 28/1/09 Add your comment

Well, I am all for help for those that need it, but $30 for long term dole bludgers is just not cricket. If you have recently become redundant, fair enough. Pensioners could do with a hand if need be. Hang on though, students ARE the LOWEST paid on welfare, I have been a full-time student for several years now and it disgusts me that when handouts are given, we are given the lowest amount and the last to recieve it. WTF? WoodDuck 30/1/09

Israel and Palestine
Its quite sad how the media is making the Israelis look like murders. Israelis and Jews are not a terrorist organisation. They are very civilized people who want peace.

Its unfortunate that civillians, children and women are being killed - but this is how the Hamas get world wide media attention is that they use women and children as human shields and fire rockets from there. They have no valuen on human life...not even theirs as the more 'martyrs' or muslims die in the name of god for the purpose of killing non muslims/jews/westerners they will go to heaven.

Hamas is a sick, terrorist organisation who train young kids to die and fight. They brain wash them.

If the Hamas/Palestinians wouldnt fire rockets..Isreali would not have to fight back.

You can see what Muslims (not all of them) are doing to our own Country all the way in Australia - making it seem ok to beat your wife and forceful sex - we've had riots, we've got a police who have a middle eastern crime squad, middle eastern bikie gangs, that are shooting up parts of sydney, atm robberies, drug dealing, firearm smuggling, the rape of young australian women, car hoons, terrorist groups who wanted to blow up certain parts of Sydney - this is our Australia - thanks to labour govt for allowing such people to come into our country back in the 70s/80s - Australia was never meant to be like the way it is...its a shame - and what does it cost us taxpayers to fight all this?
Anthony 23/1/09 Add your comment

Too Right
I could not agree with you more mate. How dare they! The Jewish community have had enough to deal with this millenium without thier bad next door neighbour shooting rockets into thier backyard. The ideal of Islam being forced into our society makes me want to vomit. Let Australians be Australians, if you dont want to, GO HOME and bomb the hell out of your own bretheren. Woodduck 24/01/09 Add your comment

I Agree
Nearly every news broadcast shows people marching to support the poor palestinians (hamas) but not many reports about the thousands of rockets being fired into Israel. If you have been taunted as long as the Israelies have enough is enough, so the smacked arse hard to stop it. now there should be peace and both sides should abide if one steps out of line smack them harder. Jono 27/1/09 Add your comment

Gaza
You're so right, i am not of jewish decent,i also can not understand why our australian goverment would in any way give the hamas or the palastinian people any funding. the palastinian people need to stand up to the hamas and not support everything they seem to do.stop giving our tax payers money to countrys that hate the western world.it is like biting the hand that feeds you. Old Aussie 30/3/09 Add your comment

Teachers pay rise
How Greedy and selfish, is that, 12% pay rise, and the next news item was 1000 being laid off here and there are more each day, stores closing, companies going out of business, the NSW Govt has a deficit, people all around the country are worried about their job and security, self funded retiries are loosing there hard earned super by the month due to the economic downturn...

But Hey teachers deserve a pay rise...... come on is 11 weeks holiday enough and still only work less than normal people do in offices, the old cry we take work home and mark papers...crap,,,I know many teachers who mark papers and homework whilst in class they just set the class an assignment and they mark papers, no outside work. also why do we pay for pupil free days, also why do we pay for teachers after the year 10 exams and year 11, 12 exams there are no kids at school, but they are there doing what? curriculum changes,, rubbish, more like unofficial holidays it's only because if they go on strike, it puts parents who work at a disadvantage and the Govt could not stand that backlash.

Give them the pay rise but get them to offer up some of their holidays and go back to what normal people get 4 weeks a year and then we will all be on a normal playing field, they don't even have to take the consequences if students fail or cannot read or write when they get to high school

Come on Teachers where is your compassion for those who don't get 11 plus weeks off and every public holiday, less than 8 hours a day work with morning tea and ahour for lunch.....

Really P off at this pay rise at these downturn times. Jono 21/1/09 Add your comment

I agree with you here. The pay-rise does not coincide with more work being performed. In fact, the standard of intelligence of children in the lower socio-economic areas is falling below its already low standard. They are on a decent wicket and no need for them to accept a pay-rise in the period of economic decline. Woodduck 24/1/09

In a nut shell.
"Right-wing governments do not care," would be politician Eddie Izzard says. "Care is not their first port of call. The economy is. It's trying to incentivise people, the trickle-down theory. The Conservatives. The Republicans. I believe it should flow down, gush down. Why does it have to trickle down? Why do some people earn millions and some people earn pennies? I want more people to earn a better living. And I believe in care and common sense and people trying for a better world." 21/1/09 Add your comment