Manningham councillor Jennifer Yang to run for state seat on Labor ticket

Posted to Monash Weekly (15/5/2014) on 15/5/2014 at 3:14 AM
Commenting on "Manningham councillor Jennifer Yang to run for state seat on Labor ticket"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1802178/manningham-councillor-jennifer-yang-to-run-for-state-seat-on-labor-ticket

Am I cynical or just being naïve? During election time, ordinary candidates can turn into super heroes, looking after the interest of people in more than one city. Those MP's who stand for re-election can suddenly promise things that could not be done during their time in office be accomplished the next time round. Out of the blue, party leaders are able to find millions or billions of dollars to lure voters to put them in government. Come to think of it, is this a form of bribery that ICAC may be called upon to investigate?

Unfortunately, I have not come across a candidate that either has vision or specific enough to tell the voters what his / her real skill sets are and how these can be utilised and benefit the people in the council, state or Australia.

Once elected, many are promoted to their incompetence. They are just apprentices or rookies, learning on the job. Owing to such, many make mistakes and incorrect decisions that affect the lives and livelihood of ordinary people like me and millions of Australians. Many also lack people skill, which is in fact more than just hugging and kissing babies.

Monash could become first metro council to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas

Posted to Herald Sun (Waverley Leader) 1/5/2014 on 6/5/2014 2:00 AM
Commenting on "Monash could become first metro council to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/monash-could-become-first-metro-council-to-ban-smoking-in-outdoor-dining-areas/story-fngnvlxu-1226902189470

So you think it is ok to dine outside cafe after smoking ban? Think again.

Many of the eating places, including those at Eaton Mall are close to roads for motor vehicles. The exhaust for these vehicles contains microscopic dangerous chemical particles harmful to the body. In addition to these is the filth and dust present in the air stirred up by the movement of vehicles and their frequent braking.

Many people suffer from various forms of illnesses without any known cause. They may be eating the so called healthy food, but may not be breathing in "healthy" air. I do not enjoy Alfresco dining as long as the surrounding is not enclosed. In fact, I choose not to dine at cafes or restaurants that leave their doors and external glass panel walls wide open.

Smoking ban will NOT kill businesses, but help prevent people from early death.

State VCE students punished for cheating

Posted to Monash Weekly (11/4/2014) on 14/4/2014 at 8:05 PM
Commenting on "State VCE students punished for cheating"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1799881/state-vce-students-punished-for-cheating/

The front page of the examination booklet / papers should be written in bold the consequence of cheating - "Any student found cheating will have examination papers removed, and no score will be awarded for the subject."

Students should be alerted to read the warning before other instructions.

One hi-tech approach of cheating is to transmit images of the questions to someone remotely, and the answers / solutions returned to the student.

iPhone, Google specs, eat your heat out!

Susie Wolff, fastest woman in F1

Posted to Monash Weekly (17/2/2014) on 18/2/2014 at 2:24 PM
Commenting on "Susie Wolff, fastest woman in F1"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1796545/profile-susie-wolff-fastest-woman-in-f1/

This is a living proof that if one is good in a specific field, gender is not the issue to success. In fact, success never comes easy, whether one is a male or female, weak or strong.

We always strive to have gender equality but most people create the mental divide psychologically. Even medical experts and scientists join the band wagon and said that the genders have different physiological make up, and therefore certain things just can't be done effectively by certain gender. So what if it does? Advancement in medical, science and technology can help remove most physiological and physical barriers. Mental barrier, however, lies within the individual.

Not everyone goes for the same goal or position, and there are many other things in life which are just as satisfying and fulfilling. In fact, with the right mindset and training, anyone can reach for the star.

Shepparton SPC - Future secured with $22m

Posted to Monash Weekly (13/2/2014) on 13/2/2014 at 9:42 PM
Commenting on "Shepparton SPC. Future secured with $22m?"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1796247/shepparton-spc-future-secured-with-22m/

What's the worth of SPC if its door is closed tomorrow? Very likely it will worth as much as the the scrap of the dated machinery, building and land site. So how much is this worth - $50 million, $100 million or more than the Government assistance the company is asking for?

I find it amusing that Government is handing out packages to rescue private companies when they become uncompetitive due the company management lack of forward planning, unrealistic forecast, and perhaps their inaptness or incompetence to recognise market threats.

With public companies, it is unfortunate that profits are normally distributed as dividends to shareholders, and when bad times come, there is not enough in the coffers to support losses. Lack of fund can delay or stop major maintenance, upgrades or purchase of equipment critical to ride out difficult moments. The reverse of the adage "short term pain, long term gain" is valid too, that is "short term gain, long term pain".

Australia is not only a welfare country giving handouts for many Australians, rightly or wrongly, but also for inefficient public companies. Time and again we witness Government's bandaid financial assistance fail to resolve problems in a long run. Like former Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kwan Yew, once said, "give a beggar a gold coin, he will ask for a second one".

Is there a better way to tackle this problem? I do believe so. However, I shall leave this to those highly paid parliamentarians, advisers and experts to do some hard thinking. Think outside the box, or else Australia will live in one soon.

Home-schooling on the rise across Victoria

Posted to Monash Weekly (31/1/2014) on 2/2/2014 at 2:47 PM
Commenting on "Home-schooling on the rise across Victoria"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1795304/home-schooling-on-the-rise-across-victoria/

Traditional schools either spoon-feed the students or emphasize mainly on literacy an numeracy. There is not enough emphasis on two important disciplines for character building and prepare them to be successful in life. These areas of interest are respect and confidence, and these two must be impregnated in a child's mind at an early age.

Many parents blame schools for not teaching their children the right way, or for their misbehavior. Sometimes they confront the teachers and principals aggressively, and abusively - definite bad examples for their children to follow. Most unfortunately, many parents do not contribute constructively to the "running" of the school, because they are far too busy doing other things, and have no time for the wellbeing of their children's education.

As an educator, I understand that different students or "trainees" learn differently, at least in theory, but what I believe is that this is very expensive and the ends normally do not justify the means. The available budget for education is insufficient to provide teaching / coaching in small groups and better way must be found to achieve optimal throughput.

Home schooling is a the extreme case of small group teaching and training methodology. It is not cost effective, and may not achieve the desirable results. Are parents equipped to teach their children multiple subjects? Do they undertake continuous improvement program to update their skills and competencies? In future, do home schooling providers expect funding from government? As the number of home schooling cases increase, the administration costs for such funding program would be enormous.

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.