Why Gillard should quit

Posted to The Age (30/4/2012) on 30/4/2012 at 11:13 AM
Commenting on "Michelle Grattan - Why Gillard should quit"
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/michelle-grattan--why-gillard-should-quit-20120430-1xts3.html

Julia Gillard lacks all the traits of a good leader, and in fact, this is lacking in most political parties. Many of the so called party leaders depend so much on advisers’ opinions, and I just wonder who the voters really have voted as their representatives in the Parliament.

All the evidence whether empirical or real, had been pointing to inexcusable and unacceptable behaviour of any these members of parliament, and Julia Gillard should have nipped these matters on the butt decisively from the beginning.

Trust is earned and Julia Gillard has never in a single day as the Prime Minister worked on it let alone lost it. Not only Julia Gillard could not recognise or realise the importance of trust which can make or break people holding the highest position, but also all the advisers, and all the good-for-nothing people around her.

There is no need for any elders to give Julia Gillard the nudge to step down; in fact any nudge from anyone will only topple her completely due to her inability to make rational decisions.

Make room: state population set to soar

Posted to The Age (24/4/2012) on 25/4/2012 at 10:33 AM
Commenting on "Make room: state population set to soar"
http://news.domain.com.au/domain/real-estate-news/make-room-state-population-set-to-soar-20120424-1xi6l.html

A properly run aged care home provides not only a room-accommodation, but also medical and other auxiliary and ancillary care, regular nutritious meals, exercises and activities under supervision. I have close relatives in aged care home, and have been volunteering in several for more than a decade. In comparison with some aged who choose to stay at home, my relatives have better quality of life and probably cost a lot less to the community at large.

Feeling weak (Post 3 of 3 Posts)

Posted to The Age (15/4/2012) on 18/4/2012 at 2:45 PM
Commenting on "Feeling weak"
http://watoday.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/feeling-weak-20120414-1x0g2.html


@Andrew Smith, you're quite correct to point out about international students market. In fact, I've written many articles about this AUD18.8 billion industry (when at its peak), second largest "export income" after the mining industry.

When the government policies brought in so abruptly, billions of dollars were wiped out, even if a third to quarter is gone, that will equate to AUD6.1b to AUD4.7b, good enough to achieve budget surplus without hurting the taxpaying public.

Will the students swamp the colleges again? I doubt so. UK, USA and Canada have been attracting the students with more favourable Visa and after-graduation-stay conditions than Australia.

Many private colleges and TAFE could not survive such disastrous downturn, and became history. Dragged down by this collapse are many teaching staff, mainly sessional teachers, who are the baby boomers. Reduced income implies reduced investment in property or stock market.

Australia is not an isolated island in the global market. Our success attracted many vultures who wanted a slice of the action. Our government should learn a lesson not to introduce policies on the run!

Stocks dip after RBA minutes

Posted to The Age (17/4/2012) on 17/4/2012 at 10:49 AM
Commenting on "Markets Live: Stocks dip after RBA minutes"
http://www.theage.com.au/business/markets-live/markets-live-stocks-dip-after-rba-minutes-20120417-1x4gg.html

The graph looks spectacular, doesn't it? It is just the scale of the graph that plays the trick.

There's nothing to celebrate these days - the PIIGS are still getting leaner, China has to dig into her own pocket because lean PIIGS are not good for Chinese export, and lean China means less mineral export from Australia to China or same volume at lower prices.

If banks keep increasing interest, more money will be deposited and not go out, that means less profit eventually. If borrowing becomes more and unaffordable, the real estate will continue to decline. Collapse in real estate industry means more defaults, and bank write-off.

Am I too pessimistic? No way, I think I have my brain at the right place and think like a common citizen, while those gurus sitting in the ivory tower having been throwing darts to the future outlook dart board.

Feeling weak (Post 2 of 3 Posts)

Posted to The Age (14/4/2012) on 17/4/2012 at 5:46 PM
Commenting on "Feeling weak"
http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/feeling-weak-20120414-1x0g2.html


@Garry, I'm glad that all the young people you know are sensible and save a lot. Very likely they can save more, because one cannot have a cake and eat it too. You see, how can they really save a lot if "They are saving, and living their lives."

Although the duration of the loan may last for 30 years, good sensible people with reasonable income should pay off the primary residence between 7 and 10 years. There is plenty of time left even after 10 years of financial burden.

If people don't start saving as much as possible when they are young, don't expect to have spare cash left after they get settled, or start a family. Job hopping will become a thing of the past as time catches on.

My views may not apply to many, but I still like to share with people who can see value in them. For the first 25 years, it's time for study and pursue of knowledge to establish a career launching pad; 25 years of career ladder climbing, financial building and investment, solid work with some travelling; 25 years of active relaxation, travelling and volunteering.

After which, I can't guarantee my body can still cope with active life style, and my bones won't need a grease change.

I am in my third phase of the cycle; otherwise I don't have the time to comment on this news article.

Feeling weak (Post 1 of 3 Posts)

Posted to The Age (15/4/2012) on 17/4/2012 at 3:16 AM
Commenting on "Feeling weak"

http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/feeling-weak-20120414-1x0g2.html

I have written on many occasions, and still believe firmly that the real estate market will not see an upswing until March/April 2013.

The Labor Federal Government, especially Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan are still far too indulged in budget surplus. This is an absolute nonsensical strategy, which basically means collect more money from the people of Australia and cut spending on the people. They cannot have the cake and eat it at the same time. If the surplus money does go back to the people, the budget should be a neutral one - no surplus or deficit.

It is no point to squeeze blood out of rock, the already heavily debt-laden Australians who are facing employment uncertainty. What Australia needs is trade surplus, getting more money to fill the coffers from external sources.

All these create enormous uncertainty for business and property investors, which can lead to further economic downturn especially those states that are not involved in the mining industry.

Australians must also take the blame too by spending more and more on online purchasing from overseas, and swamp the every corner of the Earth creating an outflow of money to other countries. This adds to the burden of trade deficit.

Do not ignore Harvey Norman, David Jones, Myers and the car industry complaining about poor performance in sales. These are the siren warning about disastrous staff sacking, which in turn sets out a chain reaction affecting all other service industries.

Downturn in real estate industry affects a lot of related industries, and the negative effect feedbacks to the real estate loop. Many young people are living like there is no tomorrow; true if they keep sipping coffee the travelling overseas, their hope of owning a house is just pie in the sky.

Safe vehicles are driving the drop in road deaths

Posted to The Age (116/4/2012) on 16/4/2012 at 11:34 AM
Commenting on "Safe vehicles are driving the drop in road deaths"
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/safe-vehicles-are-driving-the-drop-in-road-deaths-20120415-1x1q4.html

Safe vehicles are driving the drop in road deaths. Safe drivers will eliminate road deaths.

What's the choice?

Safe vehicles are driving the drop in road deaths

Posted to The Age (116/4/2012) on 16/4/2012 at 11:34 AM
Commenting on "Safe vehicles are driving the drop in road deaths"
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/safe-vehicles-are-driving-the-drop-in-road-deaths-20120415-1x1q4.html

Safe vehicles are driving the drop in road deaths. Safe drivers will eliminate road deaths.

What's the choice?

Wanted: a visionary to plug the leadership

Posted to The Age(14/4/2012) on 14/4/2012 at 2:15 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on "Wanted: a visionary to plug the leadership"
http://www.theage.com.au/national/wanted-a-visionary-to-plug-the-leadership-hole-20120413-1wz3p.html

I called 4 real estate agents to appraise a house, and only young representative impressed me very much. The house was a rental property, dated with telltale sign of mission brown door frame and skirting. However, he did not see all these as the downside. He was very enthusiastic, saw the potential, talked about the positives and explained how he would market the house.

Whether he could sell the house eventually is secondary, but he excited me by giving me hope that the house could be sold at the current depressive market. He never put any other real estate agents down; in fact throughout the whole appraisal process he concentrated his energy in the house only.

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are worse than lack lustre and lack vision; they lack the enthusiasm and salesmanship to put ideas across. They lack the important rapport called honesty and trust. Their views are superficial and mainly party line driven.

Julia Gillard is like a little spoilt brat; she wants her way to get the carbon tax bill passed, miscalculates the Malaysian solution and refuses to impose GST on online imports less than AUD1000; despite the public outcry, the risk of wiping out most of the small businesses which employed bulk of the working population and torment the already heavily debt-ridden farmers who are the guardians of the Australian food bowls.

Tony Abbott has to work on his body language. However, body language is a reflection of what he is within. It would be better if Tony Abbott could come up with something more positive in revitalising the manufacturing industries or any industry for that matter.

On many occasions, political parties use negative campaign to scare voters on their choice, but time and again the tactic failed. Polls after polls people of Australia have spoken that they want a strong a leader, a leader that leads and not to kowtow to foreign powers; a leader to give us hope, create job opportunity for present and younger generation and drive Australia economy further.

China was a third world country perceived to have nothing to live for during early Mao’s time. Australia was a lucky country according to Donald Horne then. Now China has the largest airport, fastest train, tallest building, rocket, space station, factories that building hi-tech computers and electronic, factory of the world, etc. What do we have in Australia – primary producing industries that cannot absorb all the so called smart Australians having university degrees? Can Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott do anything to move Australia forward?

The ugly side of online shopping (Part 2 of 2 Parts)

Posted to The Age (11/4/2012) on 11/4/2012 at 9:06 PM
Commenting on "The ugly side of online shopping"
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/the-ugly-side-of-online-shopping-20120411-1wq5q.html

The new Australian Consumer Laws are not helping the small business operators, especially on refund and return of items. Many unscrupulous "purchasers" have been misusing such loophole which is a better option than hiring the item. Items are “purchased” but returned to the retailers after the intended uses are satisfied, e.g. a HD TV for football final, expensive gown or hat for a special occasion, an expensive camera to take the wedding photos, etc.

The Federal Labor Government is stupid to the highest degree by not taxing many overseas online purchases. These should incur not only the GST, but also an additional tax called the loss revenue tax. When a retail shop closes its door, not only there is directly loss of employment for the staff, but also loss of rental for the premises owner, utility usage, vibrancy of the surrounding business precinct, unemployed staff’s ability to spend which sets another chain reaction, etc.

End of Part 2 of 2

The ugly side of online shopping (Part 1 of 2 Parts)

Posted to The Age (11/4/2012) on 11/4/2012 at 9:00 PM
Commenting on "The ugly side of online shopping"
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/the-ugly-side-of-online-shopping-20120411-1wq5q.html

Time has changed and so must the retailers. Yes, I’m on the side of the retailers, because I can see that their livelihood is seriously being jeopardised. The price of an item sold includes many costs, and besides the brick-and-mortar cost, the running costs, and a large component is the service cost and the related on-cost for the staff. It is not unreasonable that if service is rendered, even though the item is not purchased, the business operator should have every reason to recoup the service cost incurred.

While Canberra Business Council’s intention may be good, their advice on adjusting to the business cycle is far from satisfactory. Many small business operators do not have the purchasing power and hence the bargaining power. Due to the size of our country, and low population density, cost of product distribution is very high. While the concept of jut-in-time may be appropriate for component usage in large manufacturing companies, this may not work for small ticket items in most retail outlets. The opportunity cost for losing sales will also have negative impact on business good will.

End of Part 1 of 2

Tall and thin the new fashion for Melbourne developers

Posted to The Age (9/4/2012) on 9/4/2012 at 5:01 PM
Commenting on "Tall and thin the new fashion for Melbourne developers"
http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/tall-and-thin-the-new-fashion-for-melbourne-developers-20120409-1wk86.html

Several Melbourne skyscrapers and architecture have ruined the skyscape, and can only be described as eye sore. This proposed design resembles a one-finger salute, arrogant, not complimentary to the surround, looks very much like a drill bit, and a symbol of instability for those who believe in Fengshui. Every time I go up to a tall building in Melbourne, I can see the ugly and rusty roof tops of the nearby old buildings. I believe this building is not an exception.