The World needs only one reason to celebrate - PEACE

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 20/12/2010
Title: The World needs only one reason to celebrate - PEACE

Barack Obama wrote on Facebook dated 31/12/2009:
As we head into 2010, our Facebook community has grown to over 7 million. That's over 7 million reasons to celebrate as we enter the new year. Thank you for your support.

Sin Fong commented:
Mr President, don't worry about the 6,999,999 reasons to celebrate, the world needs only one - PEACE!

Casualty statistics are not just numbers; they also represent sadness, misery and scarred memory. Wars create barrier, resentment, hatred and revenge. They destroy buildings, dwellings, lives, humanity and meaningful history.

It's not a matter of "Yes we CAN"; it should be "Yes we WILL" - to live in harmony with other human beings as well as with the environment.

Decline Frontrunner Greg Male coy on Monash mayoral prospects

Posted to Monash Weekly (13/12/2010) on 15/12/2010 at 10:45 AM

Commenting on “Decline Frontrunner Greg Male coy on Monash mayoral prospects”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/frontrunner-greg-male-coy-on-monash-mayoral-prospects/2023979.aspx

I hardly hear about the councillors - they don't appear in or write to the local papers, talk to the traders, or meet the residents.

What do they actually do for the City of Monash, except asking more and more for their pockets? Do they know about the city budgets and the wellbeing of their wards?

Real Estate Forecast

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 14/12/2010
Title: Real Estate Forecast

Economy is not as robust as what ABS reckoned, and the real unemployment rate is much higher than reported. Many people face financial trouble in meeting mortgage payment, and more mortgagee auctions will take place;

1. Closing the loophole of allowing the foreign investors to invest in secondhand properties without FIRB approval results in the collapse in sale price in many suburbs due to lack of competition;
2. Change of government policies in international education results in drastic drop in international students coming to Australia, thus kills off student accommodation rental demand. Many properties used for such purpose will be forced to sell;
3. Change of policies also results in closure of international colleges, which normally lease commercial buildings used as classrooms. Many of such buildings will be vacant;
4. 2010 Christmas retail sales will be below previous years', threatening the survival of some small businesses. Unemployment will shoot up beyond many economists' forecast in Jan and Feb 2011. Businesses for sale will be increased;
5. The median price across the board in Melbourne will decline to around $550,000 by June 2011;
6. In general, there will more listings than sales from December onwards;
7. 2011 is not a year for the real estate rookies - only the experienced survive.
8. ASX index will be below 5000 points for another few more months, likely up till March.

Decline in International Students

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 4/12/2010
Title: Decline in International Students

The change of government policies during mid-2010, and tightening the granting of PR to international students resulted in drastic drop of international students coming to Australia, so much so that the international education and student accommodation industries may face extinction.

The international education generated over $18b "export" income, and created unprecedented demand of sessional teachers, commercial building for classrooms, student accommodation, public transport usage, ethnic groceries, etc.

The spin-off of having these international students is that they provide lowly paid workforce doing all the menial tasks, and long unpalatable hours of work. While this may sound unethical, it does help many businesses to cut cost and increase productivity.

It seems many policy makers had neither consulted the industry players nor paid any attention to possible negative impact which might realise.

If the unfortunate predictions were to come true, we can see, first, a definite rise in unemployment - from teaching profession to many service providers. Second, many CBD's will experience population drop, and decline in vibrance. Third, the student accommodation market will be annihilated. Fourth, the number of passengers using public transport system will also decrease.

Chinese International Students

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 4/12/2010
Title: Chinese International Students

The Chinese Government should request the colleges and universities to let them look at the submissions of the Chinese students' assessment tasks.

Students (or students of other levels) don't have the English language competency of a Year 6 Australian student. Not only the Australian colleges and universities should be under scrutiny, but also authorities in China that certify the qualification and competency of the students coming to study.

I have never 'kowtau' to colleges, private or government funded, that pressure me to pass any student who does not deserve it, especially those who only attain 10% class attendance. I believe in honesty, integrity and trustworthiness!

Why are there shortages of hospital beds?

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 3/12/2010
Title: Why are there shortages of hospital beds?

Ted Baillieu has a tough job ahead, not only on health reform, but also on hospital culture reform.

There are wards in some hospitals not open, tying up many beds. There are no doctors and nursing staff to service them due to lack of funding. If remains at status quo, these wards will never be opened.

When Brumby opened "additional" new beds in hospitals, old beds were shut down, and the staff were reshuffled. In fact, there were hardly additional beds opened during election time.

New wings or buildings of hospitals were not well thought out and lack accommodation. In addition, some hospitals placed unnecessary emphasis on certain racial needs, wasting valuable funding resource.

Like many public services, unused monies before end of financial years are spent on unnecessary renovation or replacement of furniture.

China banning lobster import from Australia

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 1/12/2010
Title: China banning lobster import from Australia

Australia's economy is over dependent on China, the largest trading partner of Australia - China relies on our iron ore and coal.

Australia is holding a trump card at present, but probably until China owns enough mines in other offshore countries. The decline in students coming from China is a huge blow to our economy, but has been swept under the carpet.

Now, out of blue, Chinese are banning the lobsters. What's next?

Heat on candidates to tackle some big issues

Posted to Monash Weekly (23/11/2010) on 25/11/2010 at 9:41 PM
Commenting on “Heat on candidates to tackle some big issues"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/heat-on-candidates-to-tackle-some-big-issues/1684907.aspx

Whether one is a believer or sceptic, all the discussion about global warming, climate change, ETS are nothing more than just talk fests, trying to prevent or slow down further deterioration of the climatic conditions.

In concurrence to all these debates and discussions, researches on global cooling should be funded to help reverse the trend. We must think outside the square, and release the trapped warm air to higher layers of the atmosphere, or improve air exchanges. Greedy opportunists and hoaxers on climate change are no different from the Y2K vultures, making millions and billions on human fallacy and frailty. Why pay other countries to grow trees, to green the earth, while we, the hypocrites keep polluting the environment? It is too much to ask the candidates to tackle big issues; the only big issue they all have in common is to the win the election by saying things that the voters like to hear. Unfortunately, they have no concept of looking at "big pictures". By the way, ETS may be aptly represents "Environmental Trickery Scam"!

Vote wisely

Posted to Letters to Editor, Monash Weekly on 16/11/2010
Title: Vote wisely

It is always easier said than done. Promises are made by Party leaders and candidates during election time to lure votes, but once elected they seem to suffer from memory loss. They might as well come clean from the start and be honest to say that they are not miracle workers.

As consumers, we can complain or voice our dissatisfaction to statutory authority or customer service departments, and in many cases, actions are taken to rectify the problems. Unfortunately, we can't do likewise to a Government. We can't turn to anyone, including the Governor General, to reprimand or punish them for not keeping or delivering their promises.

We should not let these people get away with their false promises and lies. However, there is no way we can hold them accountable. We have to wait for 4 miserable years to "sack" them, and in many occasions, the alternative is no better.

Please don't just vote for a Party; instead vote for the person who is going to represent you in the Parliament. This person should be a people person, a good marketer who understands your needs and wants, your circumstances, and earns his money for a good day's work.

Segregation spells the downfall of Equality!

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 20/10/2010
Title: Segregation spells the downfall of Equality!

Monash Council last week moved towards having women-only swimming and exercise sessions at the Clayton Community Centre once a fortnight.

I strongly oppose gender segregation whether it is religious base or otherwise.
This is a bad precedence for future argument about separate workplace offices, classrooms, buses, train carriages, taxis, restaurants, cinemas, hospitals and the list just goes on.

Imagine in a crowded train or bus, aren't women in closer contact with men? Will there be enough female gynaecologists to help pregnant women or deliver babies?

I'm a Chinese by descent, and there are a lot of differences between my beliefs, values and the Australian way of life. I choose to be an Australian, and therefore I can't be dogmatic expecting the country / fellow citizens to change for me. I have to adapt or compromise to some extent. In the worst case scenario, I avoid!

Some women chose to walk 10km each week to swim at Kingston Council's Don Tatnell Leisure Centre instead of using the Clayton pool, that's their prerogative. There are different modes of transport, or they can carpool with friends. On the positive side, walking is a good form of exercise.

It will cost City of Monash $45,080 to restrict views from outside the centre into the Clayton pool and exercise room during the program.

Who pays for the $45,080? All ratepayers including myself do. I don't expect the Mayor or the City to waste my money in such proposal.

Segregation spells the downfall of Equality!

Safety of the Leaders comes first

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 6/10/2010
Title: Safety of the Leaders comes first

It was wise for opposition leader Tony Abbott not to be present at the same time with the Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the dangerous war-torn Afghanistan. Should an attack take place on the leaders, the damage / loss to Australia will be immense.

Labor pitch got lost, says Crean

Posted to Monash Weekly (27/8/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 3:57 AM

Commenting on “Labor pitch got lost, says Crean”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/labor-pitch-got-lost-says-crean/1920984.aspx?storypage=2

There are many arm-chair candidates in every election. Most voters have no idea who are standing for the seats. The candidates cannot be bothered or too lazy door-knocking to introduce themselves, despite their being preselected by their respective political parties months ago.

Unlike Wyatt Roy, the 20 year old, youngest MP of Longman, many candidates do not make any genuine effort to change voter's voting pattern or intention, but to rely on preferences stated on the "how to vote" card.

Who were Michael Kabos of Bruce and John Nguyen of Chisholm? They hardly made a dent in the last count to displace the Labor candidates.

Unfortunately, in Election 2010 a vote for Green was a vote for Labor, and a vote for the Family First was a vote for the Liberal. So in future, unless you really believe in the candidate's chance of success, or he / she has proven having walked the distance, you might as well cut off the middle-person and cast a vote to the candidate from one of the major parties.

Footpath for pedestrians only

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 19/8/2010
Title: Footpath for pedestrians only

Footpath is for the foot, not for the bum. On a sunny day, the problem caused by blocked footpath may not be as severe, because pedestrians have the option to meander out of the footpath and walk on the street. However, on a rainy day, a blocked footpath becomes hazardous and presents a safety issue.

The Workplace Safety Act 2004 stipulates that all stakeholders - shopkeepers, employees, Council, diners have a duty of care to the safety of the public. To avoid potential accidents, it is only wise to keep footpath to be used as it has been designed for. It only takes one casualty, for example, a pedestrian walking out of the footpath being knocked down by a car in the process of parking at the marked bay, to cost the shopkeepers / ratepayers heaps for insurance compensation.

According to Food Standard 3.2.3, Div 2, Para 3(d), "The design and construction of food premises must to the extent that is practicable – exclude dirt, dust, fumes, smoke and other contaminants." All cafes and restaurants that offer Alfresco dining experience essentially fail the test of the Food Standards Code. Diners breathe in exhaust fumes from motor vehicles, dirt and dust blown in from the street.

Pay volunteers: Charity chief

Posted to Monash Weekly (2/8/2010) on 6/8/2010 at 1:13am
Commenting on “Pay volunteers: Charity chief”
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/pay-volunteers-charity-chief/1901590.aspx

It is absolutely nonsensical to pay volunteers. The most a volunteer should be reimbursed with would be the transportation / travelling expense.

As quoted in Wikipedia, volunteering is "the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services".

Some may do it on a casual or serve on an as-needed basis, but many commit to this as an altruistic activity. The commitment of many volunteers is unassuming, but unfortunately, many organisations fail to value the contribution of the volunteers.

I have been a volunteer attached to MonashLink Health Services since 1996. I am a Community Visitor, and enjoy my role tremendously. Each week when I get out of the front entrance, after visiting the residents at Wahroonga Aged Care Home, I feel like on top of the world, because I have spent the most previous thing in my life – time, to help improve the quality of life of some people who can do with a little bit more!

Why not offer some of your valuable time to make other people's life more meaningful and worthwhile? Don't hesitate, do it now!

Pauline’s paradise lost needs the right touch

Posted to Sun City News (16/2/2010) on 16/2/2010 at 10:26am

Commenting on “Pauline’s paradise lost needs the right touch”

http://www.suncitynews.com.au/news/national/national/general/paulines-paradise-lost-needs-the-right-touch/1751809.aspx

Won't it be nice if Pauline Hanson and her devotees are shipped in a "boat" to England? Over two centuries ago, the snakeheads in England sent a load of "human cargo" to Australia, and it is time Australia returns England the principal plus interest. I wonder which British Parliamentarian will make a statement such as "England will be swamped by Aussies"!

My Rational Economic Analysis

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 5/2/2010
Title: My Rational Economic Analysis

The RBA Governor, statisticians, economies and bankers alike should go back to school to learn critical thinking and mathematical analysis. The December 09 retail sales are indeed better than forecast, and NOT as bad as these ignorant people try to make us believe.

Many departmental stores and non-food outlets were concerned about the economic downturn, and attempted to have sales before Christmas. As a result, the item unit prices were lowered, and therefore more sales volumes must be generated to compensate the eventual sales value.
For example, if a $100-item is sold at 20% discount, it is required to sell 1.25 (i.e. $100/$80) items to achieve $100, or an increase of 25% sales volume. With only 0.7% drop in sales value, or $99.93, the number of units sold is 1.2496 (i.e. $99.93/$80), or close to 25% increase in volume.

In general, cafes, and food outlets don't drop prices, and that explains the increase in sales revenue. If the retailers in question were game enough not to drop their pries during the peak season, they would have made hefty profits.

In short, these gurus' interpretations are just nonsensical!