How'd you like your koala - braised or stewed at a restaurant in China

Posted to Herald Son (31/10/2011) on 31/10/2011 at 8:32 PM
Commenting on "How'd you like your koala - braised or stewed at a restaurant in China"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/chinese-restaurant-offers-braised-or-stewed-koala-on-the-menu/story-fn7x8me2-1226181833803

Do Australians give any thought when they eat beef? Hindus do. Cow is a Holy animal.

Who are Australian soldiers dying for?

Posted to Herald Sun (31/10/2011) on 31/10/2011 at 3:06 AM
Commenting on "Who are Australian soldiers dying for?"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/what-are-australian-soldiers-dying-for/story-e6frfhqf-1226180901325

"We are in Afghanistan to rid them of the Taliban” – how, to capture them and brainwash them in captivity or kill them? If it is alright to kill them, then why can't they exercise “their right” to kill the intruders or foreign soldiers, no matter what their intension is?

In the Western's eyes, democracy is the go and they want to "introduce locals to the idea of democracy." Do Afghanis and Taliban want or choose democracy? China chooses Communism instead of Democracy. Is Communism far less superior to Democracy, and who is the judge? Is instilling the idea of democracy a form of indoctrination? If so, this is very wrong; because believers of democracy suppose to understand human rights.

End Part 1 of 2


Posted to Herald Sun (31/10/2011) on 31/10/2011 at 3:10 AM

Are the Western countries including Australia too hasty and impulsive to change Afghanistan? It took decades to change British Australia to become Australia the nation with the Queen of England as the constitutional monarch, and another few more to get rid of the post war White Australian policies. Australia then tossed between Socialistic Labor and Capitalistic Coalition, and now the direction Australia takes is in the hands of a few independents. Australians are still unsure of turning this country into a republic.

Democracy can be a pain in the rear – multiculturalism is divisive to say the least. Soon, in the name of multiculturalism, a Tower of Babel will be founded. Conflicts emerge as differences in religious beliefs, cultural practices, social behaviour, power struggle, etc divide Australia into "tribes"; no difference from Afghanistan.

US and its allies are not gods, and should not play gods. They must not "modify" other nations to their own image. If the do-gooders go to Afghanistan with the intention to kill the Taliban or terrorists, they will return fire because as far as they are concerned, the foreigners are the enemies.

End of Part of 2

Jetstar rejects pilots' claim an email proves Qantas was planning freeze

Posted to Herald Sun (30/10/2011) on 30/10/2011 at 11:59 PM
Commenting on "Jetstar rejects pilots' claim an email proves Qantas was planning freeze"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/jetstar-rejects-pilots-claim-an-email-proves-qantas-was-planning-freeze/story-fn7x8me2-1226180809935

Emails are chronologically dated. It can easily be proved whether the date is correct or otherwise by looking at the subsequent incoming emails. It is as simple as KFC - Kangaroo Flight Cancelled.

ANZ predicts house prices to keep dropping

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (29/10/2011) on 30/10/2011 at 11:25 PM
Commenting on "Sydney up for auction: market faces litmus test"
http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/sydney-up-for-auction-market-faces-litmus-test-20111028-1mmm5.html

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (29/10/2011) on 30/10/2011 at 11:36 PM
Commenting on "ANZ predicts house prices to keep dropping"
http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/anz-predicts-house-prices-to-keep-dropping-20111026-1mizi.html

It is unlikely buyers are rushing to real estate agencies or weekend auctions to buy properties. High interest rate seems to be coming down, but then this is no longer the determining factor to entice property buyers and investors. The fear factor is uncertainty in employment, due to international financial crisis and Australian governmental mismanagement.

Many organisations have been cutting staff numbers in hundreds and thousands recently, and Qantas will add over 1000. According to the latest ABS data, out of the 5.2% unemployed, 40% are in part time or contract employment. This excludes many who cannot get a job and are forced into operating their own businesses but making losses.

Even though there is more than enough cash floating around in the banks, many people are not qualified to obtain loans or obtain enough to buy a property. The banks treat the PAYG summaries as the holy-grail in determining the loan amount, despite some applicants may be asset rich.

While I hate to be branded as a doomsday prophet, I believe that we have not seen the worst of the financial tsunami hitting Australia yet, caused by more EU crisis, China’s soft landing, Australian industrial disputations, changing of guards in Canberra and more social uprising.

The property prices will continue to fall and may hit hard around the Christmas / New Year period. The next wave change will come round in March / April 2013.

Online threat brings high street prices down

Posted to Adelaide Now (29/10/2011) on 29/10/2011 at 5:15 AM
Commenting on “Online threat brings high street prices down”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/online-threat-brings-high-street-prices-down/story-e6frede3-1226180035831

Just less than 5 decades ago, footwear and clothing industry could not compete with cheap imports; the industry is now almost vanished. The early oil crisis caused the tumble of demand of large cars produced in Australia. Japanese gained strong foothold in Australian car market with less fuel hungry and much cheaper small cars. The Korean followed. The Holden-Ford's domination started to decline.

These and many other manufacturing industries employed a lot of workers, and those were the days no one had any trouble getting a job or two. The continual growth of online shopping will kill off the retail shops; the consequence is a total destruction of Australian shopping centres and cities. The ghosts of unemployment will rise from Hell, creating massive job losses and building ghost towns. If business people don't make money, less people will be employed. Cynically speaking, the one that loses the job could be the one buying all their goodies from online overseas stores.

Qantas executive pay wins shareholder support

Posted to Herald Sun (28/10/2011) on 28/10/2011 at 8:48 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on “Qantas executive pay wins shareholder support”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/qantas-executive-pay-wins-shareholder-support/story-fn7j19iv-1226179659268

Posted to Adelaide Now (29/10/2011) on 29/10/2011 at 4:42 AM (Not published by Newspaper), 31/10/2011 at 2:33 PM
Commenting on “Alan Joyce issues a dire warning on Qantas future” ”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/alan-joyce-issues-a-dire-warning-on-qantas-future/comments-e6frea6u-1226180044388

Most whingers are apathetic. The laws have changed, and shareholders could have blocked the obscene 71% increase of chief executive Alan Joyce's remuneration. The additional hand out for all the executives in the past years could have been distributed as dividend to the shareholders who have not received any cent any since 2009. Yep, that is why they are the smart executives, because they know they can get money from those whinge-only care-not-much shareholders.

They're spending money, Jim, but not as we know it

Posted to The Age (28/10/2011) on 28/10/2011 at 12:36 PM
Commenting on “They're spending money, Jim, but not as we know it”
http://www.theage.com.au/business/theyre-spending-money-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it-20111028-1mmy5.html

@Michael Pascoe, when was the last time you applied for a job advertised in seek.com, mycareer.com, newspapers, local papers, etc? I used to think that with years of working experience and several certificates/degrees from colleges and universities would have no problems for me to find a job, not necessary a full time one. I was very wrong. I start to doubt some of the jobs advertised are just promotions for some companies or employment agencies. If I did not save and spend my money wisely during my working life, I'll be dead like a dodo.

Incomes are growing nicely for those who are in employment. What you have written are valid, but I can ensure you, without employment, spending just stops - no credit card, Foxtel, coffee, international travel, home repayment, rent payment, etc.

If official unemployment rate is at 5.2%, 40% of the employed are casual/part time, what is the real unemployment rate even if 50% of the 40% want to have full employment? ABS data can be rubbery and must not be taken at face value.

How many durable items like fridges, cars, houses, TV's, etc does one family need? How many pieces of clothing can one wear even the prices have come down or available in recycled clothing outlets? An Amway founder once said, "The best thing about selling detergent is that it can only be used once, and you have to keep buying." Can you see why people keep drinking and eating repeatedly?

Stocks hit by trading glitch

Posted to The Age (27/10/2011) on 27/10/2011 at 12:10 PM
Commenting on “Stocks hit by trading glitch”
http://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/stocks-hit-by-trading-glitch-20111027-1mkuj.html

The only way EU problems can be resolved is to allow those countries in financial crisis to default, or the whole world’s economy will be dragged down to the state no return! Let these troubled countries start out with a blank sheet – correction, let the filthy rich starts from scratch again. Greece is in a diabolical situation. Whether a country is governed by democratic system, dictatorship regime or communist ideology makes no difference to the people if equality and full stomach prevail. There are enough examples in the past as well as lately where people power has proved to be mightier than big guns and trained soldiers. I hope peaceful countries like Australia are vigilant about the ways public monies and taxes are spent, and that the wealth gaps between the haves and have-nots do not get bigger than the Earth’s fault lines.

Low inflation raises case for RBA rate cut

Posted on The Australian (27/10/2011) on 27/10/2011 at 3:23 AM (Cannot post as non-subscriber)
Commenting on “Low inflation raises case for RBA rate cut”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/low-inflation-raises-case-for-rba-rate-cut/story-e6frg926-1226177799948

The table headings are incorrect - Quarterly change should be Annual change, and vice versa. Please refer to http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6401.0

The problem with inflation calculation tied with CPI is that they are not totally correlated. Basing on inflation rate to adjust interest rate by RBA is unrealistic and to some extent nonsensical.

Most services are labour related and provided locally. In almost all cases, services increase in absolute dollars each quarter, and are based on our own currency. The utility prices have been on the increase to the point where many cannot afford such basic needs in everyday living.

Product supply / provision are influenced by currency exchanges, parity, and supply / demand of the products. For the example, the rise of fall of petrol prices are not caused by local supply and demand but parity prices and import prices beyond our control.

I have written often on the issue that increase in utility prices is NOT inflation. Users of utility do not push up the price due to additional demand, and it is through no fault of theirs that they copped double whammy - one from price rise, and two increases in interest rate to curb "inflation".

Watchdog has his day

Posted to The Age (27/10/2011) on 27/10/2011 at 2:17 AM
Commenting on “Watchdog has his day”
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/watchdog-has-his-day-20111026-1mim1.html

There are three reasons why 7.30 Report failed with the new hosts and format:

1. The background colours are too strong and bold - very distracting. They are in fact confronting and "angry" colours.
2. The hosts' voice lacks maturity - not deep enough. A serious program requires serious voice.
3. There isn't a need for two hosts unless this is a show that requires a side-kick.

I used to watch 7.30 Report when Kerry O'Brian was hosting the program, and commented very often on the 7.30 Report website. I seldom watch the program now.

I love to see George Negus host the 7.30 Report. The rating will soar!

Scientists shed new light on sleepless nights and groggy mornings

Posted to Herald Sun (27/10/2011) on 27/10/2011 at 1:19 AM
Commenting on "Scientists shed new light on sleepless nights and groggy mornings"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/scientists-shed-new-light-on-sleepness-nights-and-groggy-mornings/story-fn7x8me2-1226177641856

It sounds totally illogical that any light emitted from Cecylia Kee's iPad under her pillow could disturb her sleep because it would be completely absorbed and blocked by the pillow.

There is no surprise too that she started to get bags under her eyes because of she "often uses it to read in bed or check emails." She could be reading it or checking emails throughout the night, or sleep reading?

Super Saturday results just so-so

Posted to The Age (24/10/2011) on 24/10/2011 at 10:53 AM
Commenting on “Super Saturday results just so-so”
http://www.theage.com.au/business/super-saturday-results-just-soso-20111023-1mebh.html

A real estate agent is playing the devil's advocate - he has to sell the property on the behalf of the owner in order to get his commission. In theory he is trying to get as much as possible for the owner (principal). If he is looking after the owner's interest, how can he look after the interest of the buyer at the same time? At best, he achieves a compromise for both parties.

A buyer advocate may have a qualification as a real estate agent, but his role is quite different. A buyer advocate buys on behalf of someone who is interested in a property. Unfortunately, unlike a normal real estate agent who generally works in restricted territory or locality bound, a buyer advocate is free to operate across “boundaries”. As a result, he may not have as much local knowledge as a real estate agent, and therefore there is no guarantee that a buyer advocate can get the best price for their client. Not unlike a real estate agent in this instance, if a buyer advocate cannot make a deal on the property the interested buyer requested, he does not get his fee.

There is time to buy, and time to sell. It’s your blood, sweat and tears hard earned savings. Invest wisely and don’t be gung-ho in making that expensive decision! You spend time shopping for cheap petrol and grocery prices, and yet you probably have not spent enough time when come to researching for house prices.

Paul Keating: How I told the Queen we did not need her anymore

Posted to Letters to Editor, The Australian (21/10/2011) at 10:28 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on "Paul Keating: How I told the Queen we did not need her anymore"

I really find what Paul Keating said to the Queen, as quoted in the article "How I told the Queen we did not need her anymore" (Australian, 21/10/2011), rather naïve, disturbing and insulting to our national pride and independence.

He said, "I reminded her that on our doorstep stood 200 million Indonesians - the largest Islamic country in the world. Australia had to be relevant in these places." I wonder whether any Indonesian President would ever make a statement that Indonesia had to be made relevant to China, which has the world’s largest population of 1.3 billion. It is unthinkable that Indonesia would kowtow to China’s communist regime and put aside their Islamic belief in order to gain favouritism from China.

Paul Keating further remarked, "With a monarch whom a great number of Australians, especially of non-Anglo descent, feel no association with, nor any affection for." Did he really believe that non-Anglo descent migrants could associate with or have any affection for the Australian Prime Minister whose ethnicity and beliefs are so different from theirs?

As long as boundaries of nations are drawn and shown on maps, citizens of those nations are unlikely to form one tight unit. In addition to this problem "individualism and human rights" is the catch phrase of the day.

Australia appears to be racially tolerant, and a promoter of multiculturalism, and yet Paul Keating and many Prime Ministers of Australia forget that we can co-exist as Australians without any pretence with other Asian neighbours. We MUST trade as Australians, live and identify ourselves as Australians.

This is not about soul searching or being arrogant. This is our dignity!

Tax boss wants $300,000 pay rise

Posted to The Age (20/10/2011) on 20/10/2011 at 12:56 PM
Commenting on “Tax boss wants $300,000 pay rise”
http://www.theage.com.au/national/tax-boss-wants-300000-pay-rise-20111020-1mang.html

Tolerance has a limit! Every day we read or listen to the news that many bureaucrats, CEO's & sports players are earning mega bucks and yet ordinary Australians are tightening their belts and even losing their jobs.

Some top earners are hopeless, useless and heartless to say the least, making losses or cutting staff year after year. Are Australians too naive and too apathetic to allow this to go on unchecked?

We may not have any experience about revolution, except the Eureka Stockade; but many migrants had lived through and even participated in revolutions before they came to Australia. If wealth gaps get bigger and inequality continues to propagate, street marches and noisy demonstrations will become daily activities.

I hope I never see the day when Australia goes down that path. However, the world is getting too “small” and information can be disseminated at lightning speed. What we have been witnessing in many countries recently are precursor of what can happen in Australia if nothing is done to correct imbalance sooner.

Tax boss wants $300,000 pay rise

Posted to The Age (20/10/2011) on 20/10/2011 at 12:56 PM
Commenting on "Tax boss wants $300,000 pay rise"
http://www.theage.com.au/national/tax-boss-wants-300000-pay-rise-20111020-1mang.html

Tolerance has a limit! Every day we read or listen to the news that many bureaucrats, CEO's & sports players are earning mega bucks and yet ordinary Australians are tightening their belts and even losing their jobs.

Some top earners are hopeless, useless and heartless to say the least, making losses or cutting staff year after year. Are Australians too naive and too apathetic to allow this to go on unchecked?

We may not have any experience about revolution, except the Eureka Stockade; but many migrants had lived through and even participated in revolutions before they came to Australia. If wealth gaps get bigger and inequality continues to propagate, street marches and noisy demonstrations will become daily activities.

I hope I never see the day when Australia goes down that path. However, the world is getting too “small” and information can be disseminated at lightning speed. What we have been witnessing in many countries recently are precursor of what can happen in Australia if nothing is done to correct imbalance sooner.

The Block hammered by Coles proposal

Posted to The Age (19/10/2011) on 19/10/2011 at 1.00 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on “The Block hammered by Coles proposal”
http://theage.domain.com.au/the-block-hammered-by-coles-proposal-20111018-1lyqo.html

The purchasers had probably failed to recognise the following critical golden rules:

1. Street appeal – a badly run down property is unlikely to be surrounded by well maintained, good looking properties.
2. Cheapest house in the best street – the expensive property pushes up the prices of the cheaper properties; but cheaper ones have a negative impact on the expensive one.
3. Chattels – many properties look good because of decorative items put in to jazz up before the sale. Once removed, the properties are no more than just empty shells. Many people have a lot junks or incompatible furniture, memorabilia which just wreck the wow effect completely.
4. Open rooms – how “green” are properties with rooms all open up without internal partition walls or doors? The extra money spent on energy bills can contribute towards the mortgage.
5. Gardens – no garden is maintenance free. Even plants grown in pots and vegetables in veggie plots need attention. Many people are winners of “almost anything goes” in gardening.
6. Life style – many people move from their previous suburbs totally different from the “new” one, like inner city. Change of life style can be stressful and destructive to marriage relationships, children behaviour, ways to get around, etc.
7. Building style – the outside should look as good as and last as long as the inside. Does the external match the internal in terms of design and feel?
8. Neighbourhood – One buys not a property, but also the neighbourhood!

House values mostly flat or falling

Posted to The Age (15/10/2011) on 15/10/2011 at 11:35 AM
Commenting on “House values mostly flat or falling”
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/house-values-mostly-flat-or-falling-20111014-1lpc9.html

A phrase in the lyrics of Sound of Silence says, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls". I am no prophet, but I have been writing on my blog walls, presenting very frank and critical analyses about the real estate market, and predicting the possible trend direction.

Last year, I wrote that the median house price would fall to $550,000 around June 2011 (off-target by about 3 months), stock market index would fall below 5000 points, etc. I wrote about real estate 12-year cycle and the continual decline until March/April 2013.

Back in early 2009, after the peak in December 2008, I was warning people that the some property prices could fall as much as 25% or more in the coming years. However, most people were in state of denial and not to take heed.

There is time to buy, and time to sell. It’s your blood, sweat and tears hard earned savings. Invest wisely and don’t be gungho in making that expensive decision!

Things could get bloody if Abbott abandoned carbon oath

Posted to The Age (14/10/2011) on 14/10/2011 at 2:33 PM
Commenting on “Things could get bloody if Abbott abandoned carbon oath”
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/things-could-get-bloody-if-abbott-abandoned-carbon-oath-20111013-1lmzx.html

If there is no carbon tax, there won't be any extra work for rebates or financial assistance, which means no additional bungle, new departments and fat cats, less government spending on stationary, furniture, ombudsman, just plain boring.

With carbon tax, there will be more discussions and complaints on radio, ABC 7.30 Report or QandA, newspapers, letters to newspaper editors; cost more to produce goods and services, less competitive, less export income, less jobs, less disposal income, less overall tax revenue, less funds for services, less affordable to live in Australia, but we may lead the next global financial crisis!

This is not a good way to show the world that we are the leading twits!

Deaf groups angry at comment by disabled children's educator

Posted to The Age (14/10/2011) on 14/10/2011 at 10:49 AM
Commenting on “Deaf groups angry at comment by disabled children's educator”
http://www.theage.com.au/national/deaf-groups-angry-at-comment-by-disabled-childrens-educator-20111013-1ln1j.html

The reason why such a storm has been created is likely due to incorrect translation of the word scourge in sign language. If deafness can be cured or eradicated like polio, sign language instructors will be out of a job; hearing aid and related product industries collapsed. Get a life, can't you hear!

Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd embrace after House of Representatives passes carbon tax

Posted to Adelaide Now (14/10/2011) on 14/10/2011 at 2:18 AM
Commenting on “Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd embrace after House of Representatives passes carbon tax”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/final-vote-begins-on-carbon-tax-bills/story-e6frea8c-1226164569687

Without the rest of the goons voting alongside with Juliar Galah, the carbon tax bill would never have been passed. It was a collective idiotic decision made by the PM & all the MPs in the Labor Party, the Greens and the Independents. This is only in the Lower House; those in the Upper House supported the bill were just as gutless.

What is happening in Europe is a good example about being over complacent; Australia will suffer if the Labor Government continues to spend beyond our means and sucks up to the Greens.

Superior but expensive products do not bring home the bacon in this competitive and fast moving world. Carbon tax adds additional cost but not value to the end product or service.

Keep up the momentum now, and make sure none of these faces appear in the Parliament again after the next election. We must not spare anyone, the Greens & the Independents, who do not listen to the public outcry.

All former loyal Labor supporters, vote with your heart & conscience in the next election, because you have the responsibility & obligation to ensure Australian economy remains strong. Your & next generations' employment depends on how affordable our products are in the world market!

Vitamins do more harm than good

Posted to Adelaide Now (12/10/2011) on 12/10/2011 at 1:29 AM, 1:43 PM
Commenting on “Vitamins do more harm than good”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/new-study-sees-little-need-for-vitamins/story-e6frea83-1226163590095

The best thing about living in a free country is that one is free to be gullible and waste money on supplements, quacks, shrinks, dingbats, etc. Pill popping is easier than going to shop for ingredients required for the laborious cooking; not to mention washing up. Even picking up the phone to ring for take away food and going to the restaurants are chores and a half!

Victorian MP Anna Burke sent carbon tax death threats

Posted to Herald Sun (11/12/2011) on 12/10/2011 at 12:37 AM
Commenting on “Victorian MP Anna Burke sent carbon tax death threats”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victorian-mp-anna-burke-sent-carbon-tax-death-threats/story-e6frf7jo-1226164146224

I'm shocked, not because of the death threat, but having her 12-year-old daughter opening mum's email.

Email sent to a MP should be treated with respect and in confidence. Was the email sent to her private email address or government address? If this is an email communication using government address and the content is read by someone other than Anna Burke, she would have breached the Privacy Act.

How can she guarantee that sender's email content is always kept confidential? Who else are allowed to read the email other than the 12-year-old daughter? Has anyone’s private information been compromised?

This matter is just as serious as the death threat, and should be raised in the Parliament. Anna Burke should come clean whether anyone's private information has been leaked or compromised.

3000 vitamins in five months: what does that do?

Posted to The Age (10/10/2011) on 10/10/2011 at 5:50 PM
Commenting on “3000 vitamins in five months: what does that do?”
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/3000-vitamins-in-five-months-what-does-that-do-20111010-1lgnh.html

These are the foods I take instead of popping vitamin or supplement pills: carrot, red pepper, broccoli, asparagus, cantaloupe, watermelon – vitamin A; green pea, sunflower seed – vitamin B1; mushroom, salmon, cow milk, soybean milk – vitamin B2/B3; spinach, banana, roast chicken breast – vitamin B6; orange, real lemon juice – vitamin C; salmon, prawn, cow milk – vitamin D; almond, olive, spinach – vitamin E; beef, offal, apple, egg plant, chocolate, curry – iron; soup boiled with bone, soft prawn shell, cow milk – calcium; pumpkin seeds, melon seeds – zinc; walnut, tofu, salmon belly - Omega 3. Foods taste better than pills.

Tram conductors could return under new trial plan

Posted to Herald Sun (10/10/2011) on 10/10/2011 at 2:45 PM
Commenting on “Tram conductors could return under new trial plan”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/tram-conductors-to-return-under-new-plan/story-fn7x8me2-1226163037163

Only fools did not realise the importance of tram conductors. Tram travel is a service industry, and without tram conductors, there is no service provision for the needy - very young, frail, pregnant and physically "disabled" passengers. Conductors are more than just ticket sellers; they also function as crowd controllers, rule (not law) enforcers, and safety officers. Efficiency of an operation cannot depend on just expense minimisation. Healthy bottom line benefits CEO on bonuses, but creates misery to those who have lost their employment. Please bring conductors back, the sooner the better!

Uncertain week as Gillard awaits Rudd's next move

Posted to The Age (10/10/2011) on 10/10/2011 at 10:20 AM
Commenting on “Uncertain week as Gillard awaits Rudd's next move”
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/uncertain-week-as-gillard-awaits-rudds-next-move-20111009-1lfy1.html

We, ordinary Australians, are just no body in the eyes of these clowns. If they can knife each other, what can't they do to us? Even if the Malaysia people swap legislation is passed, it is not the solution to settle the Gillardic Battle with Killer Rudd.

First arcades put the rest in the shade

Posted to The Age (10/10/2011) on 10/10/2011 at 10:00 AM
Commenting on “First arcades put the rest in the shade”
http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/first-arcades-put-the-rest-in-the-shade-20111007-1lc3d.html

I hope of these magnificent buildings and their verandahs can be enlisted under the National Trust, if they are not at present. I used to live in Carlton during my University days and was glad that it was saved from being declared as a slump. Getting to North Melbourne was a treat, because as a struggling student, we walked to Victorian Market to do our weekly marketing.

Home owners' $300m blow 2

Posted to Herald Sun (9/10/2011) on 9/10/2011 at 12:56 PM
Commenting on “Home owners' $300m blow”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/home-owners-300-blow/story-fn7x8me2-1226162101573

Where have all the overseas students, mainly Chinese and Indians, gone to? Melbourne CBD is no longer the same on weekdays and weekends.

Most apartment investors are not owner occupiers. In fact, many of the high rise apartments are refurbished or built for special purpose – student accommodation! The change of Federal Government policies on visas and international education kill off at least 50% of the lucrative $18.8b international education industry, and even Ted Baillieu is feeling the pinch for the state revenue!

End Part 1 of 2

The demand of accommodation was not generated from local students, but those from overseas coming to study in private colleges, TAFEs and universities. Many of the apartments were sold off-the–plan to buyers overseas through exhibitions or seminars conducted in their country of origin. Investors, local and overseas, were attracted to rental guarantee, which unfortunately translates to inflated purchase price. However, due to lower interest rates couple of years ago, the rental return was far too attractive to walk away from.

Local investors can also offset their loan repayment by negative gearing. However, if rental demand decline due to shortage of student tenants, negative gearing becomes a big financial loss. Compounding the problem is that parents of overseas students are allowed to purchase properties when their children are studying here, on condition that the properties have to be sold after their completion of study. With hardly any new students coming, the demand of second-hand properties has dwindled, and therefore sold at a loss.

End Part 2 of 2

Read related comment by clicking here

Home owners' $300m blow

Posted to Herald Sun (9/10/2011) on 9/10/2011 at 11:59 AM, 12:15 PM
Commenting on “Home owners' $300m blow”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/home-owners-300-blow/story-fn7x8me2-1226162101573

Real estate cycle is about 10 years, but the recent one has been distorted to about 12 years, by government policies enticing buyers to commit excessive loans, RBA's far-from-accurate interest rate modelling and banks' / financial institutions' greed to skin off extra from heavily debt burden borrowers.

Investing in high rise apartments even in the CBD always carry a lot more risks because Australia is not ready for it. For those with employment, they have enough being "imprisoned" at their workplaces few hours a day, and would rather spend the rest of non-working hours in more spacious dwellings.

Our population is still far too small to call for high rise apartments which look like one-finger salute. Despite all the bad publicity, properties near water will have their days of glory returned sooner than the other similar investments, say around 30 to 40 years away. Beware of owners' corporation fees, they are like daylight robbery – why spend money on pool or gym for other people’s enjoyment!

Prices are not just due to supply and demand, but the ultimate reason is scarcity of land. It may be cold comfort for some, but the upswing of the cycle is likely to be in March / April 2013.

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Data quells double-dip recession fears

Posted to Herald Sun (9/10/2011) on 9/10/2011 at 4:38 AM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on “Data quells double-dip recession fears”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/data-quells-double-dip-recession-fears/story-fn7j19iv-1226162061336

It's a load of mumbo-jumbo when ABS provides two sets of data, one actual and the other seasonally adjusted. The latter is used by RBA and for other reporting purposes. This contradicts the argument about climate change - if such man-made phenomenon does take place, the seasonal pattern cannot be relied on, and the mathematical model will be inaccurate.

There is another flaw using seasonally adjusted data; the real disastrous impact of financial crises resulting from external environment may be diluted which thus leads to incorrect formulation of corrective policies.

Melbourne home buyers paying $90,000 too much – report

Posted to Herald Sun (8/10/2011) on 8/10/2011 at 1:57 AM, 9:38 PM
Commenting on “Melbourne home buyers paying $90,000 too much – report”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/melbourne-home-buyers-paying-90000-too-much-report/story-fn7x8me2-1226161600542

Many buyers do pay at least 10 to 15% more than they should. They have little or no negotiation skill and are far too eager to offer higher than worth when they see the property that suits their need. Unfortunately, they really think that they become experts in the real estate field after a few months of house hunting, or after a few buying or selling experiences. They forget that an average real estate agent (representative) has to sell/list a property a week to break-even, or about 40 over the year. In good times the number can triple or quadruple.

Just remember, a real estate agent is playing the devil's advocate - he has to sell the property on the behalf of the owner in order to get his commission. In theory he is trying to get as much as possible for the owner (principal). If he is looking after the owner's interest, how can he look after the interest of the buyer at the same time? At best, he achieves a compromise for both parties.

I am neither a buyer advocate nor seller advocate. I guide my "client" at every step of the buying or selling process, including price negotiation. It is more than just naming a price; it is a chess game and requires a lot of crystal ball gazing.

Australian share market best week of gains in more than a year

Posted to Herald Sun (7/10/2011) on 7/10/2011 at 10:07 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on "Australian share market best week of gains in more than a year"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/australian-share-market-takes-another-step-forward/story-fn7j19iv-1226161012216

Do the share market "players" really know what they are doing or talking about? The share market is getting more and more like Crown Casino or Flemington Racecourse during spring racing festival. Share market "punters" in recent days relied more on guts feel instead of fundamentals or trends - how can oil demand changes overnight or Greece turn over a new leaf and become more capable in paying off their debt? Even Qantas workers' calling off the latest strike does not mean that there are no forthcoming stop works or all conflicts between the workers and the Company have been resolved miraculously.

As Christmas approaches and winter sets in the northern hemisphere, more unhappy news will be released by nations of the north about how the increasing number of unemployed suffers the cold miserable season. In addition, countries in northern Africa and Middle East are also in the state of political turmoil.

With uncertain time like now, I cannot see the share market players are rational in their buying and selling decisions. To this end, any negative news will send the market tumble again. I still believe that the ASX ordinary index will be around 3500 in the next week or so.

Meat Loaf at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Posted to Brisbane Times (7/10/2011) on 7/10/2011 at 10:39 AM
Commenting on "Overcooked Meatloaf leaves sour taste"
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/music/overcooked-meatloaf-leaves-sour-taste-20111007-1lc73.html

Posted to The Age (7/10/2011) on 7/10/2011 at 10:39 AM
Commenting on "Meat Loaf at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre"
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/review/gig/meat-loaf-at-the-brisbane-entertainment-centre-20111007-1lcaf.html

A (rotten) tomato seller would have done fantastic business if he was allowed to set up a store outside the Entertainment Centre. Since Meatloaf was paid for the event, he should not deserve any credit even for his appearance. All the concert goers, as consumers, have the right to demand a refund for goods not delivered in the conditions expected within reason.

Australian consumers starting to spend again

Posted to Adelaide Now (5/10/2011) on 5/10/2011 at 9:51 PM
Commenting on “Australian consumers starting to spend again”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/australian-consumers-starting-to-spend-again/story-e6frede3-1226159410714

With closer examination, ABS figures show that many household items including carpets, furniture, goods for renovation etc increased the most while departmental stores suffered. This can be explained easily - many houses had to refinish and repair after severe storms and floods during the same period.

The departmental store spending decline is due to online purchases, much of the money went overseas. For argument sake, even if only 25% of the $22b spent on online were overseas purchases and if the government had collected GST, it would have a windfall instead of a shortfall of $550m.

While many items are subject to currency fluctuations, it is not the case for cafe/restaurant prices. Commonsense tells us that no matter what happens to foreign exchange, cafe/dine-out meal prices can only go up but never down. If the patronage remains unchanged, the total spending will still increase, theoretically by the same percentage as the price.

I have written often about the state of Australian economy, and tempest is yet to come. I believe the China's forward orders for our iron ore and coal will be less, coupled with lower price offered, the next quarter export income will NOT be rosy

Dads missing out on important family time

Posted to Herald Sun (4/10/2011) to 4/10/2011 at 2:03 PM, 10:33 PM
Commenting on “Dads missing out on important family time”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/dads-missing-out-on-important-family-time/story-fn7x8me2-1226157571857

Hahaha, how many families these days really have dinners with family member at the table together, whether it's weeknight or weekend? Given that the dads can't have meals with the children at the dining table; do dads spend any other time with their children discussing their daily activities? Quality time is NOT just meal time; it can be any available time!

Older mums are 'selfish and self-centred

Posted to Adelaide Now (4/10/2011) to 4/10/2011 at 1:39 PM
Commenting on “Older mums are 'selfish and self-centred'”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/older-mums-are-selfish-and-self-centred/comments-e6frea8c-1226157838279

Many middle-age and younger people today have too much expectation and insufficient sacrifice. They started off with expensive wedding celebration, honeymoon follow by carefree life-style - dining out, expensive alcohol, merry-making parties, more than budget-permit rental apartments, branded goods, multiple home-entertaining systems, etc. They want a career, new car, credit card, holidays and new home! They spoilt their health, not because of genetic reason, but due to their indifferent attitude towards what real life is about.

Life is about sharing and compromise. Me-ism preachers have been giving the wrong messages, and forgetting the duty and responsibility as humans on this planet are not just to live for themselves but also leave behind offspring to ensure a continual existence of human race - healthy humans to be precise.

How are the kids with older parents going to tell their friends - parents or grandparents? Will this damage their mental development? Generation gap, I argue very often is created by older generation. Another 10 or more years’ gap can mean greater difficulty in relating to them and guide them. There are always exceptions to the rules – good luck!

Shares lose $20b as sell-off continues

Posted to The Age (3/10/2011) on 3/10/2011 at 1:14 PM
Commenting on "Shares lose $20b as sell-off continues"
http://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/shares-lose-20b-as-selloff-continues-20111003-1l4ai.html

We have not seen the last of the fall yet. ASX ordinary index will fall to 3500 within the next few days. While we need to live more optimistically, or else life is not worth living, we also need to be realistic and live within our means. Everything, in the universe, is always in a state of equilibrium. When something goes negative, another goes positive. The share market fall results in larger amount of money in the bank deposit; share market players lose but bank account holders win. In fact, this is the fundamental principle of accounting rule.

Borrowers cannot keep on borrowing, because the lenders cannot even get their interests from the borrowers let alone the principal. Germans cannot just handout money to the Greeks who work shorter hours, and many live on social welfare enjoying the Mediterranean sun. Young Greeks of today suffer because the romantic, casual and relaxed life style enjoyed by forebears of yesteryears did not create solid foundation for employment.

European financial crisis is analogous to a fast descending hot air balloon. It has reached a stage that almost everything, except the balloonists, in the balloon basket has to be thrown overboard to keep the balloon afloat. If the rest of European countries go down with Greece, no one is wiser, and even if with the best intention, Greece will not survive, because the rest also become exhausted in energy and fund.

As what the former Singapore Prime Minister Mr Lee Kwan Yew once said, “give a beggar a gold coin, he will ask for a second one.”

AFL defends Meat Loaf

Posted to The Age (3/10/2011) on 3/10/2011 at 12:03 PM
Commenting on “Blame weather, not Meat Loaf: AFL boss”
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/blame-weather-not-meat-loaf-afl-boss-20111003-1l4gp.html

Posted to Herald Sun (3/10/2011) on 3/10/2011 at 12:24 PM, 3:14 PM
Commenting on “AFL defends Meat Loaf after widely criticised pre-game show”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/afl-defends-meat-loaf-after-widely-criticised-pre-game-show/story-e6frf96x-1226155745062

When goods are not delivered in a condition expected within reason, the consumer has the right to return the item or ask for a refund. If Australia wants to be in the world's league, then Australia should behave like a world leader and neither accept second grade "things" dumped to this country nor pay performers not up to scratch! Andrew Demetriou, don't defend; be a man to stand up for your country and speak the truth that the performance was NOT good enough for the $500000 cheque. Alternatively, demand the performer to give a free live-telecast concert as a form of apology!


Posted to The Age (3/10/2011) on 3/10/2011 at 12:20 PM
Posted to Herald Sun (3/10/2011) on 3/10/2011 at 12:26 PM, 3:15 PM

Andrew Demetriou should hand in his resignation. If he can't distinguish between good and poor performance - even the public has delivered a verdict, how can he distinguish what's good or bad for AFL?

Get tough on China: unions

Posted to The Age (3/10/2011) on 3/10/2011 at 11:42 AM
Commenting on “Get tough on China: unions”
http://www.theage.com.au/national/get-tough-on-china-unions-20111002-1l3zp.html

@Alexander, why no one stops China stealing copyright for so long? In fact, the stupid "smart" countries hand over their decades of designs and blueprints to China via "technology transfer", utilising Chinese factories to produce their goods - idiotic by true. Why? China offers the world cheap labour! Is it China’s fault? No, comfortable life-style comes with a price!

Australia was classified as a developed country, while China was still "under-developed". Australia was so much richer, and China miserably poor. Australia was technologically advanced, and China relied on recycled, rusty metal scraps during early Mao's time. Now China is producing the latest generation computers, telecommunication electronics, electric cars, satellites, rockets, fastest train, etc. It can complete projects in short period well beyond other country’s dream.

Deregulate labour market without sacrificing OHS, revamp unemployment welfare system, and in the meantime curb obscene salaries and remunerations of top executives will likely to propel us in competing more vigorously in the world market, and cope with any future GFC.

Who wrecked this country? Ask the unions, and the big-mouth, loud-mouth leaders who know nothing about innovation or how to adapt to changes. Australia still lives in the past, and like dinosaurs, it will perish. I bet all these people will blame the negligible carbon emission as the cause of Australian economic extinction.

Should cafés be able to ban kids?

Posted to Body+Soul at (30/9/2011) on 1/10/2011 at 10:27 PM
Commenting on “Should cafés be able to ban kids?”
http://blogs.bodyandsoul.com.au/what-body-soul-thinks/article/should-cafes-be-able-to-ban-kids/

Some kids’ behaviour is no difference from any drunkards who scream and mess up the place for relaxation and enjoyment. In accordance to EPA, even a siren or burglar alarm cannot be continuously sounded for more than 7 minutes. So, why should kids be tolerated and allowed to scream on top of their voice for over 7 minutes?

Food premises are governed by Food Acts, and mess made by some kids is unacceptable and unsightly. The owner has the obligation and responsibility to keep the premises clean and hygienic in according to the Acts.

The owners can be fined for lacking a duty of care. If owners do not stop kids running around and jumping on furniture, they are in breached of OHS laws. Any incident resulting in injury can be fined substantially or may even end up with big compensation. So cafe owners, laws are on your side to ban screaming, misbehaving kids who may cost your cancellation of licence and insurance pay out.

Cafes / restaurants are neither child care centres nor kindergartens. It is not unreasonable to ban the kids from the premises for peace of mind on owners’ part and their clients’. If the parents insist, ban them, too. For goodness sake cafe / restaurant owners, don’t be bullied by irresponsible and uncivilised humans if they tell you that you are discriminating them.