Stop builders turning dream homes into nightmares

Posted to The Age (4/6/2015) on 4/6/2015 at 3:18 PM
Commenting on "Stop builders turning dream homes into nightmares"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/stop-builders-turning-dream-homes-into-nightmares-20150603-ghfkht.html

I am no friend of any unscrupulous operator or organisation. It is time for consumers to take legal action against the authority cum consumer protection regulator, the industry bodies that hinder good practices, and the shonky tradespeople or builders. They all owe the consumers a duty of care. As a person of zero tolerance, I would like to see the people concerned to be put out of "business" or behind bars.

Australia is no longer the "lucky" and innocent country like it used to be. Many tradespeople or professionals do not do their jobs with pride, but instead pray on honest ordinary consumers.

The present and past few governments have been encouraging young people to pursue academic rather than trade qualification. With ageing population, there are not enough young skilled tradespeople, at least 100,000 of them short, to fill the gap of the retired ones.

Shortage of skilled tradespeople also creates a pool of unqualified migrants working in the construction industry, normally not on the large building project. They do not have the protection of work over, and work safety is generally a non-issue.

Many tradespeople purchase goods from large hardware stores with cash, so that they can avoid detection of earning an income. Furthermore, by doing so, there is no paper trail to prove the existence of such business or materials being used. In general, these tradespeople offer the clients a lower price without charging GST, and if they do, the GST is just another 10% that lines their pockets.

Overwhelming response to story about homeless schoolgirl Alicia living under a bridge

Posted to The Age (4/6/2015) on 4/6/2015 at 10:02 AM
Commenting on "Overwhelming response to story about homeless schoolgirl Alicia living under a bridge"
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/overwhelming-response-to-story-about-homeless-schoolgirl-alicia-living-under-a-bridge-20150603-ghg6ov.html

It takes a story like Alicia's to wake up the social consciousness of many in the community. Just like taking a Panadol for cold and flu symptom, the patch work approach in solving homelessness is not really tackling the cause.

Even if 1 in a 1,000 have a similar reason to become homeless, with 100,000 of them experiencing such dilemma means there are 100 reasons require ways to overcome.

Over the years, umpteen millions of dollars have been spent digging up Swanston Street in the name of traffic control, beautification of Melbourne CBD, renovation the old city square, the erection and demolition of the pick-up-stick city arch at the entrance to St Kilda Road, or for some idiotic reasons. The city landscape has not changed because the city keeps returning to its original state. Such good money could help relieve some of the pain of the homeless desperation.

On occasions, I walk along the footpath of the Yarra River bank opposite Southgate, just close to the bridge. I take photos and post on Facebook the ugly sight of Melbourne. The ugliness reflects the state of despair of the homeless people's plight, and the lack of awareness and indifference of the governments of all levels and people in the community to find ways to tackle the people.

Once in a blue moon, celebrities have their adrenaline shot by camping out at some open fields, but when the "show" is over, the homeless people's wellbeing remains unchanged.

We have flu shots to prevent flu and drugs to help fix the flu, on top of the flu symptom reliever. Are there ways to prevent or cure homelessness in addition to to once in awhile generosity?

Homelessness is a societal disease and a cure is needed!