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?