The money or our sovereignty: China leaves us no choice

Posted to The Age (1/5/2020) on 1/5/2020 at 8:47 PM
Commenting on "A virus cluster at an Auckland school has Australian parents worried. Should they be?"
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-money-or-our-sovereignty-china-leaves-us-no-choice-20200501-p54p57.html

The world is getting more and more dangerous to live in, and is facing complete destruction caused by aggressive, undiplomatic, self-centred, power hungry politicians.

Australia, with reasonably low fatalities in this pandemic, unless the second wave strikes hard, can become the world leader of peace and humanity, but its government chooses to be the Deputy Sheriff and know-tow not to China but to the US.

Printing money or keep borrowing are not the ways to get Australia out of financial wows after the pandemic. Australia is not the Gilligan’s Island, and needs injection of foreign investment and having other countries to buy its coal, iron ore, wine, education and tourism.

India has more coal than Australia and Russia holds the second largest reserve. As for iron ore, Brazil is still a very large exporter despite its production has fallen to 4th place in the last quarter.

After-school care crisis hits working parents

Posted to The Age (2/7/2013) on 2/7/2013 at 11:48 AM
Commenting on "After-school care crisis hits working parents"
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/afterschool-care-crisis-hits-working-parents-20130701-2p7m6.html

How amazing that the people's life-style and social behaviour have changed so dramatically that modern societies are fast becoming "she's right mate, someone will take care of them, mate!"

Life, including that of family life, is a compromise and sacrifice. Duties of parents are not just work to earn money and let others look after the offsprings, be it at a childcare centre or by nanny. At the other end of the spectrum, Granny dumping is fast becoming the norm, having put their aged parents to nursing homes and never to visit them again, or may be once in a blue moon.

Looking at a bigger picture, a person is unemployed because another person is occupying that position. There was a time, only one parent went to work and another stayed home to look after the children. Homes were not furnished excessively, no expensive private tuitions or overseas trips, because the wellbeing of the children was not centred on private schooling, luxurious items or entertainment toys.

Change of mindset can definitely help to overcome the lack of childcare facilities, and help to reduce some of the societal ills, such as intoxication and use of hard drugs. It does not matter who is staying at home to look after the children, whether the father or mother. The reward can outstrip the sacrifice.

Plans for the future (Post 2 of 2)

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (25/2/2012) on 1/3/2012 at 12:31 PM
Commenting on "Plans for the future"
http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/plans-for-the-future-20120224-1trbw.html

Many apartment owners are wasting their money paying owners' corporation fees to subsidise other owners' / tenants' life style e.g. maintenance of swimming pool, gym, library, etc. if they don't use such facilities.

Plans for the future (Post 1 of 2)

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (25/2/2012) on 1/3/2012 at 12:21 PM
Commenting on "Plans for the future"
http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/plans-for-the-future-20120224-1trbw.html

"It's so light and bright ... on the plans," No one can tell from a 2-dimensional plan whether the finished apartment will be light and bright. The buildings on the sides, front and back can affect the amount of sunlight shone inside the building. Furthermore, the design of corridors and interior colour can have an effect on the intensity of brightness.

There are always risks associated with buying off the plan. Such practice is very common in Asian countries. The developer may go under if GFC hits Australia harder than expected, and that the development cannot attract enough early birds to place orders. Overseas inestors can buy up to 50% of a new development, and the remainder must be sold to locals.

Far too often buyers are over eager to rush into placing their orders and pay the asking price. Good negotiators should always ask for special discount for being the first to help kick start the business.

It is most unfortunate that Australia with large land mass has to resort to high rise, high density living, turning many CBD's in Australia into concrete jungles, causing many City dwellers lack Vitamin D sourced from sunlight.

While many people want to live in clean and green environment, high density living is not the solution. Most buildings are artificially lit, and require expensive air conditioning for heating and cooling, including the wasted common areas. Energy is also wasted on filtering and recycling the air within the building.

Hybrid fender benders save people and the planet

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (19/11/2011) on 19/11/2011 at 5:58 AM
Commenting on "Hybrid fender benders save people and the planet"
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/hybrid-fender-benders-save-people--and-the-planet-20111118-1nmhb.html

A heavier car means more materials used, and therefore bigger carbon footprint. While the number of hybrid cars is still small, disposal of batteries is not a major concern as yet. However, the day will come when this will present a big challenge and the impact will negate any "green" quality, making such technology environmentally unfriendly. So, can anyone come out with a recyclable green battery design?

Hybrid fender benders save people and the planet

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (19/11/2011) on 19/11/2011 at 5:58 AM
Commenting on "Hybrid fender benders save people and the planet"
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/hybrid-fender-benders-save-people--and-the-planet-20111118-1nmhb.html

A heavier car means more materials used, and therefore bigger carbon footprint. While the number of hybrid cars is still small, disposal of batteries is not a major concern as yet. However, the day will come when this will present a big challenge and the impact will negate any "green" quality, making such technology environmentally unfriendly. So, can anyone come out with a recyclable green battery design?

Impulse gadget buying - a recipe for disaster

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (2/11/2011) on 3/11/2011 at 1:15 AM
Commenting on "Impulse gadget buying - a recipe for disaster"
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/impulse-gadget-buying--a-recipe-for-disaster-20111102-1murw.html

There's no difference when come to buying or selling property. I am often asked by "friends" what I think of certain properties after they have signed the sale contracts. Unfortunately, many people just want an endorsement rather than an opinion or advice. For the humble ones, I can help them to save or sell for an extra $20,000 to $50,000.

Rate cut to spark modest price rises

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (2/11/2011) on 2/11/2011 at 10:22 PM
Commenting on "Rate cut to spark modest price rises"
http:// http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/rate-cut-to-spark-modest-price-rises-20111102-1mun4.html

Unfortunately some real estate agents do not submit unsuccessful auction results, and therefore the clearance rate can be a bit rubbery. The main intention is not to distort the clearance rate, but to hide any embarrassment from vendors and potential vendors that the agency does not achieve the desire results as they have been bragging about. As a reader of the auction result, would you engage an real estate agency that does not perform well, showing PI or VB in many of their auctions?

Home prices continue downward trend

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (31/10/2011) on 1/1/2011 at 9:42 PM (Not yet published)
Commenting on “Home prices continue downward trend”
http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/home-prices-continue-downward-trend-20111031-1mr9p.html

When you buy an investment property, you pay say 20% and borrow the rest. If the property is worth $250000, the total rental receipts breakeven after 7 years, and the property has increased by 10% in value, that is $125000, what is the return on investment? 50%? No, it is 250%. OK, even after deducting the opportunity loss for not putting the $50000 to receive compound interest, the net return is still far more substantial than most investment.

What most people forget is that when investing in property, they only pay a small proportion of the total initial cost, but reap all the capital gain before tax in the end. No bank deposit can give you this kind of return.

RBA rate cut sparks commercial response

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (1/1/2011) on 1/1/2011 at 5:12 PM
Commenting on "RBA rate cut sparks commercial response"
http://www.smh.com.au/business/rba-rate-cut-sparks-commercial-response-20111101-1mte4.html

The benefits of FHOG should be tested by the Myth Buster team. The concept is nobly good, but in the real world where sellers of properties are out there to maximise profit or minimise loss, the amount of FHOG is normally costed it, that is, sold at inflated price. This is a double whammy for the buyers. Higher house price means higher stamp duty (in Victoria) and bigger loan.

Let say a property is $200000, FHOG $7500, and average stamp duty in Victoria 5% approximately. If the buyer requires borrowing 80% for the property value, and FHOG is not costed in, he needs a loan of $168000 (excluding other fees and charges). However, many house prices have already included the FHOG component since its introduction, the house price is in effect $207500, plus $10375 stamp duty. A loan of 80% of the total amount $217875 comes to $174300, or $6300 more than pre-FHOG day.

If FHOG is to increase, we can only see the house prices rising again, instead of coming down.

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.

Melbourne's most expensive view

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (28/8/2011) on 30/8/2011 at 5:56 PM
Commenting on “Melbourne's most expensive view”
http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/melbournes-most-expensive-view-20110830-1jjba.html

Looking down from any million dollar penthouse (or apartment of lesser value), the sight of Melbourne is untidy, unpleasant and uninviting. The dirty rusty roof tops, surrounding run down warehouses and old factories just downgrade the value of these expensive properties. If one has a few spare million, is good to spend it on an ego ride.

The myth of the buyers market

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (8/6/2011) on 8/6/2011 at 11:06 PM
Commenting on "The Myth of the Buyers Market"
http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/blogs/domain-investor-centre-blog/the-myth-of-the-buyers-market-20110607-1fqpa.html

Real estate market in general is cyclical, and by my calculations, the real estate market will continue to slide until reaching the bottom in April 2013.

If there is a shot-in-the-arm in median price, it is largely due to higher price range property owners can no longer hang on to their properties and have to let go of them. That is a sign of further market deterioration.

RBA which increases interest rate is no longer the culprit causing mortgage stress. The real culprits are the banks or correctly speaking the lending institutions. They are all alike, and they increase the rates higher than what the RBA has determined. The banks are no longer playing by the rule.

Many new entrants to property investment are naive and ignorant, and rather lazy to learn the basic mathematics. They are also driven by greed and expect high return in short space of time.

Many buyers think that they are good negotiators, smarter than many real estate agents. Just think about this, the number of properties sold by an average real estate agent is lot more than most people's property transactions in many life times.

For the next year or so, the return on capital will decrease, and the rental income will be well below interest rate. For those who wish to benefit from negative gearing, now their wish has come true - a lot worse than expected.

Given the present situations, with the Labor Government making one mistake after another, plus the recent banning of live cow export to Indonesia, the coming quarter will definitely hit another negative GDP growth, resulting in the recession Australia can never get out of - compliments of Julia Gillard and her incompetent team!

Kate goes down the aisle again

Posted to Daily Mail (6/5/2011) on 6/5/2011 at 10:27 AM
Commenting on “Waitrose-y Katie goes down the aisle again - at the supermarket: Proves she has the common touch as she pushes her own trolley
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383965/Kate-Middleton-goes-shopping”-Waitrose-Anglesey-pushes-trolley.html

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (6/5/2011) on 6/5/2011 at 11:31 AM
Commenting on “Kate goes down the aisle again ... pushing a trolley”
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/kate-goes-down-the-aisle-again--pushing-a-trolley-20110506-1easw.html?

Posted to Adelaide Now (7/5/2011) on 7/5/2011 at 2:08 AM
Commenting on “Down-to-earth Duchess goes shopping”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/down-to-earth-duchess-goes-shopping/story-e6frea6u-1226051479534

Posted to Herald Sun (7/5/2011) on 7/5/2011 at 2:33 AM
Commenting on “Royal Kate's doing her homely bit”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/princess-kates-doing-her-homely-bit/story-fn7x8me2-1226051492637

Kate, your title might have changed to Princess Catherine, but your inner self should never. Respect others, and they'll do likewise. People around the world desire to look up to sincere and genuine people, and you have the quality to be one. Unfortunately, there are so many people experiencing pain and suffering physically and emotionally, the world turns topsy-turvy, you'll be the hope! My sincere wish that you'll live happily ever after with your prince charming, Prince William!

PS the photographers also need food on the table to feed hungry stomach, give them your best shot!

Princess Catherine goes down the aisle again

Posted to Daily Mail (6/5/2011) on 6/5/2011 at 10:27 AM
Commenting on “Waitrose-y Katie goes down the aisle again - at the supermarket: Proves she has the common touch as she pushes her own trolley
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383965/Kate-Middleton-goes-shopping”-Waitrose-Anglesey-pushes-trolley.html

Posted to Sydney Morning Herald (6/5/2011) on 6/5/2011 at 11:31 AM
Commenting on “Kate goes down the aisle again ... pushing a trolley”
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/kate-goes-down-the-aisle-again--pushing-a-trolley-20110506-1easw.html?

Posted to Adelaide Now (7/5/2011) on 7/5/2011 at 2:08 AM
Commenting on “Down-to-earth Duchess goes shopping”
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/down-to-earth-duchess-goes-shopping/story-e6frea6u-1226051479534

Posted to Herald Sun (7/5/2011) on 7/5/2011 at 2:33 AM
Commenting on “Royal Kate's doing her homely bit”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/princess-kates-doing-her-homely-bit/story-fn7x8me2-1226051492637

Kate, your title might have changed to Princess Catherine, but your inner self should never. Respect others, and they'll do likewise. People around the world desire to look up to sincere and genuine people, and you have the quality to be one. Unfortunately, there are so many people experiencing pain and suffering physically and emotionally, the world turns topsy-turvy, you'll be the hope! My sincere wish that you'll live happily ever after with your prince charming, Prince William!

PS the photographers also need food on the table to feed hungry stomach, give them your best shot!

Jobs surge stokes rate rise fears

Posted to The Sydney Morning Herald (7/10/2010) on 7/10/2010 at 12:18 AM

Commenting on “Jobs surge stokes rate rise fears”

http://www.smh.com.au/business/jobs-surge-stokes-rate-rise-fears-20101007-168lu.html

Seasonally adjusted figures are the quick fix for employment rates. What about the job losses during the month, particularly those part time teaching jobs from colleges resulting from drastic fall in international students coming to study? These employment figures always seem rubbery.

One in 10 would vote differently in election

Posted to The Sydney Morning Herald (31/8/2010) on 31/8/2010 at 11:58 AM

Commenting on “One in 10 would vote differently in election”

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/one-in-10-would-vote-differently-in-election-20100830-147eq.html?comments=124

Independents are more concerned about local issues, and therefore it is more appropriate for them to contest in State or Local Council elections.

Election 2010 will go down in Australia history as the joke of the century, with the independents holding the balance of power, thus holding the future governing party and Australia to ransom. The Fathers of Democracy must be rolling in their graves as they are witnessing the current showdown.

If the independents are given a chance to announce their policies relevant to the national interests, I believe their speeches will be delivered in entirety just in seconds and highly inaudible!