Tecoma's McDonald's: Big crowd for 'no-fry zone' rally

Posted to Monash Weekly (29/7/2013) on 29/7/2013 at 10:50 PM
Commenting on "Tecoma's McDonald's: Big crowd for 'no-fry zone' rally"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1668169/tecomas-mcdonalds-big-crowd-for-no-fry-zone-rally

McDonald outlet at Tacoma is a legal entity, running a legal business, nothing immoral like a brothel, or a club that sucks the gamblers' pockets dry with the poker machines.

It also creates employment, not only for the young people, but also for any businesses that associate with the McDonald - tradespeople, cleaning, maintenance, some local suppliers, etc.

Unlike many local shops that look so tired and uninviting for tourists, the outlet will provide a new lease of life.

If the locals object so strongly against it, they do not have to deal with the outlet after it has been built. Any business without customers will doom to close. However, I doubt many will stay away from it; definitely not the kids who want to have their birthday parties held there, with loads of fun.

The big guy Clive Palmer

Posted to Monash Weekly (26/7/2014) on 28/7/2013 at 12:23 PM
Commenting on "The big guy Clive Palmer"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1649409/the-big-guy-clive-palmer/

I really don't care whether the next prime minister is a female or male; young or old; red, yellow, black or white; left or right; from the Labor, Liberal or Palmer Party.

My preferred prime minister is one who understands and helps create real and sustainable employment by businesses of all sizes, lowers the cost of living, uses taxes efficiently on health care and aged care, revamps the education systems from primary to tertiary levels, taps the potential of the Australian citizens to rebuild this country to her former glory, encourages R & D on cooling the planet instead of follow blindly the theory of carbon emission reduction, improves international relationship, overhauls the judiciary/law and order systems to ensure equitable and justifiable punishment for criminals committing white collar, blue collar or violent crimes, and provides secure border protection from unwelcome intrusion.

My Prime Minister is the leader of Australia, who does not clown around, shows great empathy and connects with the people. By the way, I have my resume ready to apply for a position as a key adviser to the Prime Minister.

Hotham election fate in ALP members' hands

Posted to Monash Weekly (16/7/2013) on 16/7/2013 at 2:05 PM
Commenting on "Hotham election fate in ALP members' hands"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1640969/hotham-election-fate-in-alp-members-hands/

I don't care whether a candidate is a female or male; young or old; red, yellow, black or white; left or right; supporter or Kevin Rudd or Julia Gillard; Labor or Liberal. Why can't the candidates tell us what they will and can do for the electorate rather than all those nonsense about relying on the members deciding their fate in preselection?

What are their views on carbon tax, ETS, employment, social welfare, infrastructure, water supply, energy, education, health, law and order, judiciary, immigration, large and small businesses, international relationship, etc?

We have enough of those fish and chip operator, rock and roll singer, red-light district patron and clown running this country. We need politicians that we can look up to, and can trust and support.


Edited by Monash Weekly

Don't care whether a candidate is a female or male; young or old; red, yellow, black or white; left or right; supporter or Kevin Rudd or Julia Gillard; Labor or Liberal. Why can't the candidates tell us what they will and can do for the electorate rather than all those nonsense about relying on the members deciding their fate in preselection?

What are their views on carbon tax, ETS, employment, social welfare, infrastructure, water supply, energy, education, health, law and order, judiciary, immigration, large and small businesses, international relationship, etc?

We need politicians that we can look up to, and can trust and support.

Gay support groups say MP's not sticker worthy

Posted to Monash Weekly (18/6/2013) on 18/6/2013 at 9:20 AM
Commenting on "Gay support groups say MP's not sticker worthy"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1579705/gay-support-groups-say-mps-not-sticker-worthy/

I believe same gender marriage is NOT about equality or the right of individuals. Change of definition of the word marriage is not just a political matter, or legal matter. It affects the moral fibre, cultural, societal and family structures, which can be damaged beyond repair.

The argument to the nth degree will be marriage between siblings from the same biological parents, father with daughter or mother with son. To continue further with the argument, father with son, and mother with daughter. If a parent marries a child and the female bears a child, is the child the grandchild or the child of the senior partner?

Rules are human-made (just for political correctness) and morality is human-defined. Obviously, these can all be changed if so desire. The questions need to be asked are "should this be changed", "what can this lead to", and "where is the boundary".

Steady rates in Monash, with a catch

Posted to Monash Weekly (11/6/2013) on 11/6/2013 at 12:15 PM
Commenting on "Steady rates in Monash, with a catch"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1557660/steady-rates-in-monash-with-a-catch/

Many senior people in City of Monash are asset rich but income poor. They live in properties with high rateable value due to high site value, and as a result, the Council rate, water rate and land tax (if property is an investment) are high accordingly. Unless the properties are sold, these people will have to bear the burden of unreasonable increases in utility charges and rates.

The way the Council calculates the rate increase is based on simple arithmetic. Someone pulls out a magical number and applies to the last year budget rate income. If the budget was high and incorrect, the following years’ budgets will become unrealistically rubbery and the impact is compounded.

If City of Monash could survive with the lowest average rate for so long, it does not mean that the Council needs to play catch up by increasing the rate by more than double the inflation rate of the last five years.

It is important to keep in mind that provision of services is important, but at what cost. Efficient and effective use of resources in providing services is the ultimate reflection of liveability of the City. More libraries, swimming pools, carparks and administrative staff doing paper shuffling are luxuries the ratepayers can do without.

High noon as sheriff nabs fine dodgers

Posted to Monash Weekly (11/6/2013) on 11/6/2013 at 11:14 AM
Commenting on "High noon as sheriff nabs fine dodgers"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1557662/high-noon-as-sheriff-nabs-fine-dodgers/

Human rights laws are man-made and can and must be changed to deal with people who do not respect and infringe upon the rights of the masses.

It is nonsensical for judiciary and law enforcer to say that their hands are tied, or go lenient on repeat offenders or criminals. Everyone, when their titles are stripped off when not on duty, can exercise their rights to raise their voice and opinion as an individual citizen seeking changes to the incorrectness or unfairness of the laws.

I have said many times that I am a no nonsense person. I would like to see regions free from industrial laws and employment laws and with restrictive human rights, where these irresponsible culprits are punished to work as the Chain Gang, similar to those portrayed in the Wild West movies.

What will Mr Facey do with the fine-evaders after they are caught?

Monash dog fight: Kerser gets reprieve, bomb threat made (Post 3 of 3)

Posted to Monash Weekly (4/6/2013) on 4/6/2013 at 10:01 PM
Commenting on "Monash dog fight: Kerser gets reprieve, bomb threat made"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1546386/monash-dog-fight-kerser-gets-reprieve-bomb-threat-made

Sin Fong Chan, people are responsible for animals - they are defenceless and it is up to us to look after them as a community. People, well, clearly there are a lot of idiots out there

I Love Amstaffs, not all animals are defenceless, otherwise there is not the need for any law to put away pit bulls, which have track records of attacking and killing people without being provoked.

Monash dog fight: Kerser gets reprieve, bomb threat made (Post 2 of 3)

Posted to Monash Weekly (4/6/2013) on 4/6/2013 at 4:20 PM
Commenting on "Monash dog fight: Kerser gets reprieve, bomb threat made"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1546386/monash-dog-fight-kerser-gets-reprieve-bomb-threat-made

City of Monash will be the greatest and most humane City on planet Earth if the ratepayers care about the wellbeing of their fellow humans as much as they do with Kerser.

Monash dog fight: Kerser gets reprieve, bomb threat made (Post 1 of 3)

Posted to Monash Weekly (4/6/2013) on 4/6/2013 at 11:17 AM
Commenting on "Monash dog fight: Kerser gets reprieve, bomb threat made"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1546386/monash-dog-fight-kerser-gets-reprieve-bomb-threat-made

The dog was unregistered because the owner just moved to the neighbourhood. Was the dog registered when the owner was residing in other suburb prior to moving to City of Monash? If so, the owner should have known better and took all necessary precaution NOT to let the dog roam into the neighbour's backyard. Did the owner show or wrote to the Council officer about the previous registration?

We don't like many laws, but we can't be bothered to have the laws changed until things happen to us. If you are a blackberry lover and like to grow blackberry in your backyard, here is news for you. "Blackberry bushes are recognised noxious weeds in the City of Monash. Residents are required to ensure that they eradicate any such growth."

The Council Chamber is often empty during Council Meetings, an indication of ratepayers' apathy! Speak out before things get to the repair damage mode.

Middle age dreaming

Posted to Monash Weekly (27/5/2013) on 30/5/2013 at 10:21 PM
Commenting on "Middle age dreaming"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1525014/middle-age-dreaming/

Don't change for the sake of change. If you need your present job to bring home the bacon, make sure you secure a new one first before resigning. The more senior you are in position or in age, the more difficult for you to find another one. The job market is diminishing rapidly recently.

You may have years of experience and a string of degrees, but so have many people. There is no guarantee that after leaving an unhappy workplace and those workmates you can't get along with, you will land in Xanadu. Every workplace has its own culture and does things differently. You may still turn out to be a square peg for a round hole.

If you are unemployed or thinking of taking that great leap, do not just enrol in a course and hope that the piece of paper you get at the end can fulfil your dream. You may be disappointed, disillusioned and regretted to have wasted days of useless training.

When choosing a course, make sure the skill and qualification gained WILL BE useful and relevant to the job you WILL BE seeking. Scoring top marks are not prerequisites for suitability of a job. Australia is very short of tradespeople, and a vocational qualification may be worth more than a degree at present.

Forward step on domestic violence

Posted to Monash Weekly (20/5/2013) on 20/5/2013 at 12:22 PM
Commenting on "Forward step on domestic violence"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1508854/forward-step-on-domestic-violence/

Cr Drieberg, why are showing your face in this report? it does not convey any useful message except that you are showing off again.

I was at the launch of the GEAR program, sitting at the last row at the auditorium. A lady was trying to calm down a happy, playful young boy, hopping up and down the chair in the second last row. Later I realised that the lady was Kristine.

I listened attentively to the brave lady Kristine addressing the audience. On one hand, I felt for her torturous experience, but one the other, I was very pleased to see that she was no longer living in fear but with a happy child, presumably hers.

Many program tackle the damage. Repeat offenders seldom get the punishments they deserve. However, in my opinion, the biggest culprits are not the physical offenders, but the providers of items that cause such evils and sometimes irreparable damages.


Edited by Monash Weekly

I was at the launch of the GEAR program. I listened attentively to the brave lady Kristine addressing the audience. I felt for her torturous experience and was very pleased to see that she was no longer living in fear.

Klisaris rips into Zographos

Posted to Monash Weekly (6/5/2013) on 12/5/2013 at 11:32 AM
Comment on "Monash Council: Klisaris rips into Zographos"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1476470/monash-council-klisaris-rips-into-zographos/

Grow up Paul and stop using such flowery language! Whether it is the Council chamber or the Parliament House, we have witnessed the behavioural and character degradation of the members, here and overseas.

Guttenberg was revoked of his doctoral thesis due to plagiarism and led to his resignation as the Minister of Defence in Germany on 1 March 2011.

Annette Schavan offered to resign and was accepted as the Minister of Education in Germany on 9 February 2013 after a university stripped her of her doctorate for plagiarism.

Is this a case of public plagiarism?


Edited by Monash Weekly

Whether it is in council chambers in general or Parliament House, we have witnessed a lessening in the behaviour standards of representatives here and overseas.

German defence minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was revoked of his doctoral thesis due to plagiarism and this led to his resignation on March 1, 2011.

German education minister Annette Schavan offered to resign and was accepted on February 9, 2013 after a university stripped her of her doctorate for plagiarism.

Turning point on drink-drive culture

Posted to Monash Weekly (10/5/2013) AT 17/5/2013 AT 12:41 pm
Commenting on "Turning point on drink-drive culture"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1492934/turning-point-on-drink-drive-culture/

Whoever turns up to the meeting are likely to be "converts". The messages delivered are just reaffirmation of what they believe in already.

To educate the societal offenders, such as hoons, bullies, drunk drivers, rapists, burglars, etc. not to reoffend is a waste of public money, time and effort. In short, the soft approach is inefficient and ineffective. Most of these offenders build mental blockages to receive external messages; may be with a slight chance that they will listen to their reformed mates, if any. They need to be sent to boot camps to receive very harsh training and disciplines. They need to work on useful and productive community projects to repay their wrongs.

It is extremely difficult to deprogram or change one’s behaviour once it is fully entrenched. The individuals have to change themselves willingly. At the end of the day, the individuals will ask the question, "What's in it for me?"

Education on societal obligations and responsibilities should start from early childhood. The children's minds are like a blank piece of paper; the writing will influence their future behaviour and development. I do not mean that Australia should start another campaign of stolen generation or forced adoption, but I do evocate certain rights may have to be taken away from some parents when childhood education and development are concerned. Concepts of reward and punishment must be introduced at this point in time so that they can distinguish between the good and bad or right and wrong.


Edited by Monash Weekly

To educate societal offenders, such as hoons, bullies, drunk drivers, rapists, burglars and others not to re-offend is a waste of public money, time and effort. In short, the soft approach is inefficient and ineffective. Most of these offenders build mental blockages to external messages; maybe there is a slight chance that they will listen to their reformed mates, if any. They need to be sent to boot camps to receive very harsh training and disciplines. They need to work on useful and productive community projects to repay their wrongs.

It is extremely difficult to de-program or change one’s behaviour once it is fully entrenched. The individuals have to change themselves willingly. At the end of the day, the individuals will ask the question: ‘‘What's in it for me?’’

Education on societal obligations and responsibilities should start from early childhood. The children’s minds are like a blank piece of paper; the writing will influence their future behaviour and development. I do not mean that Australia should start another campaign of stolen generation or forced adoption, but I do advocate that certain rights may have to be taken away from some parents when childhood education and development are concerned. Concepts of reward and punishment must be introduced at this point so that they can distinguish between the good and bad or right and wrong

Dandenong Hospital security staff call to use 'reasonable force'

Posted to Monash Weekly (7/5/2013) on 7/5/2013 at 12:27 PM
Commenting on "Dandenong Hospital security staff call to use 'reasonable force'"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1475877/dandenong-hospital-security-staff-call-to-use-reasonable-force/

It is understood that the role of any security guard carries risks higher than many other employees, but their safety must NOT be compromised due to the indifferent attitude of the employer.

Under Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, section 20(1)(b) "if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks to health and safety, to reduce those risks so far as is reasonably practicable", and under section 21(1) "An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable, provide and maintain for employees of the employer a working environment that is safe and without risks to health."

As a reader of this article and an outsider, the requests of the security guards are not unreasonable, as handcuffs, batons and capsicum spray can hardly be considered as lethal or life threatening items. The cost of providing these may be far less than future court case or compensation should a security guard is injured seriously or dies of unprovoked attack by people under the influence of hard drugs.


Edited by Monash Weekly

It is understood that the role of any security guard carries risks higher than many other employees, but their safety must not be compromised due to the indifferent attitude of the employer.

As a reader of this article and an outsider, the requests of the security guards are not unreasonable, as handcuffs, batons and capsicum spray can hardly be considered as lethal or life-threatening items. The cost of providing these may be far less than future court case or compensation should a security guard be injured seriously or dies of an unprovoked attack by people under the influence of hard drugs.

Monash dogfight: Legal fees bite in protracted battle

Posted to Monash Weekly (27/4/2013) on 30/4/2013 at 10:45 AM
Commenting on "Monash dogfight: Legal fees bite in protracted battle"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1460000/monash-dogfight-legal-fees-bite-in-protracted-battle/

It is a matter of "damned if they do, or damned if they don't".

We can argue that random breath or drug test, breast screening, and child vaccination, etc are waste of public money. Many drivers will not be found exceeding .05 alcohol level in blood or tested positive under the influence of drugs. Many women will live happily without the stress of carrying the life threatening time bombs in their bodies. As for child vaccination, only a infinitesimal small number will limp with polio or die of measles.

It is not an easy task for Council officers to identify dogs with 100% certainty as dangerous dogs. They are not experts in this field, and if are, they will not be working with the Council, but earning mega bucks in such specialised area.

I find it difficult to understand the psyche of many people keeping animals including dogs that attack people viciously without being provoked. People learn self defence is not that they intend to kill and seriously injure others. People owning weapons are meant to protect themselves in time of danger, not to use them on their foes.

Owners of dangerous dogs have an obligation towards the well being of fellow humans to surrender the dogs. Obviously, the best prevention is not to own one. Should an owner have any suspicion about the breed of the dog, or the dog's appearance resembles a dangerous dog, check out with the breeder with written certification or with a specialist. They do take their dogs to a vet, don't they?


Edited by Monash Weekly

I find it difficult to understand the psyche of many people keeping animals including dogs that attack people viciously without being provoked. People learn self defence is not that they intend to kill and seriously injure others. People owning weapons are meant to protect themselves in time of danger, not to use them on their foes.

Owners of dangerous dogs have an obligation towards the well being of fellow humans to surrender the dogs. Obviously, the best prevention is not to own one. Should an owner have any suspicion about the breed of the dog, or the dog's appearance resembles a dangerous dog, check out with the breeder with written certification or with a specialist.

Same sex marriage the culture war is over

Posted to Monash Weekly (26/4/2014) on 26/4/2013 at 11:03PM
Commenting on "same sex marriage the culture war is over"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1459246/same-sex-marriage-the-culture-war-is-over/

Same gender marriage is the start of something horrific in human history and continuing civilisation. The redefinition of marriage, in the name of rights and equality, has very serious implication and will lead to the legalisation of father marrying a his daughter, mother and son, father and son, mother and daughter, and between siblings of either gender from same parents. In these examples, the concern applies only to same biological parents or offsprings.

New Zealand can make all the money they want if all those "couples" decide to go there and get married. Hopefully, they take up New Zealand citizenship and never to return to Australia. Australia does not follow many other countries' practices and culture; what so big deal about then not follow this New Zealand's unpalatable law?

Monash council's hands tied on pokie venue rates

Posted to Monash Weekly (22/4/2013) on 24/4/2013 at 3:14 PM
Commenting on "Monash council's hands tied on pokie venue rates"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1444135/monash-councils-hands-tied-on-pokie-venue-rates/

Whether it is pressing buttons on a real poker machine or just on a virtual one on a computer, or whether it is betting on horses or footy teams, these are all categorised under gambling.

Unfortunately, gambling places, cigarette sale outlets, pubs / bottle shops / vineyards, and brothels are conducting businesses providing LEGAL services or products, no different from restaurants or supermarkets. It is unfair to treat them differently from all other business premises.

Problem gamblers are like alcoholics and hard drug users. The current methods of supporting these "sufferers" are costly and far from effective. I go further to say that these are medical conditions and need to be treated in a more revolutionary way, namely medically. By comparison, these addicts are no different from sufferers of Asperger's Disorder - one track mind and anti-social.

Prohibition of such services or products may not work for every addict, but it sure helps a lot of people related to them and in the community to avoid serious psychological pain and suffering, not to mention the hip pockets.

Tough Mount Waverley crowd greets Tony Abbott

Posted to Monash Weekly (9/2/2013) on 10/2/2013 at 7:59 PM
Commenting on "Tough Mount Waverley crowd greets Tony Abbott"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1412219/tough-mount-waverley-crowd-greets-tony-abbott/

John Nguyen had tried once to challenge Anna Burke and lost by around 10,000 votes in Chisholm. Since then, what has he done to show the people of Chisholm electorate that he is a genuine, suitable alternative?

There is nothing wrong to run as an Asian candidate as well as a Liberal candidate. In fact this will give him a greater competitive edge against Anna Burke. I am always proud to call myself an Australian of Chinese descent, still use my Chinese name in full. When President Obama won the presidential election, he declared that he was the first black President in the White House.

One must not forget that the American dream is NOT the same as the Australian dream, and working five years would not make John Nguyen a know-all of what Australians want. Based on his experience of only five years can help people achieve their dreams, Anna Burke would have known better for she has lived much longer in Australia.

Tell us more, John, who you are and what you can do for the people of Chisholm and Australia at large; typically an Australian who is not a asylum seeker or refugee!