For some years now, in fact whenever my sister pays a visit to Australia she has made derogatory comments about the increasing cost of groceries in the land down-under.
Coming from the notoriously expensive UK, it has been a bit of a contentious issue. However a few days ago her claims were verified by a survey, reported on by a local TV station, which had compared the cost of a trolley load of similar groceries from two of Aussies largest supermarket chains, i.e. Coles and Woolworths (no connection with the defunct UK company) against a similar chain in the UK.
The findings were certainly eye opening. The Australian supermarkets were significantly more expensive for everyday goods. Even worse was the fact that some products actually made in Australia retailed for less overseas than here. ' Vegemite', an Aussie icon and a favourite morning spread, was among those outed along with a number of other well-known products.
Shame on the Australian supermarket monopolies that take us all for an expensive ride whenever they have a mind to.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Update Oil Spill
The powers that be have been congratulating themselves at speed they responded to the oil spewing into the Timor Sea. The chemical sprayed onto the surface has apparently been successful in breaking up the oil slick which was last reported to be 14 kms long and 30 mtrs wide.
Hm....but what about the oil that is still leaking. It will be 7 to 8 weeks before the damaged well is plugged. How much oil will the ocean have been asked to absorb by then?
Hm....but what about the oil that is still leaking. It will be 7 to 8 weeks before the damaged well is plugged. How much oil will the ocean have been asked to absorb by then?
Friday, August 21, 2009
Oil Spill off the North West Coast of Australia
Yes, it is a long way off the WA coast, but that does not mean it is any less destructive than spills that make landfall. Initial reports from PTTEP Australasia, owners of the offshore rig, indicated a small spill, this has been negated by later reports of an oil slick some 8kms long.
No doubt the truth lies somewhere in between. What it does do is raise the question about the protection of fragile environments that surround other such ventures. Barrow Island, the site chosen to house the infrastructure for the new Gorgon Project, being one that is currently in the spotlight.
Peter Garrett , the Federal Environment Minister, is expected to give that project the go ahead sometime next week.
It reminds me of the line in the old song......
"when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?"
No doubt the truth lies somewhere in between. What it does do is raise the question about the protection of fragile environments that surround other such ventures. Barrow Island, the site chosen to house the infrastructure for the new Gorgon Project, being one that is currently in the spotlight.
Peter Garrett , the Federal Environment Minister, is expected to give that project the go ahead sometime next week.
It reminds me of the line in the old song......
"when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?"
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Gorgon Project
Once again I tread where Angels fear to and tackle a topic I really know very little about.
However even I know that a 50 billion dollar injection into the Australian economy is certainly welcome, though as usual I wonder at the eventual long term cost.
I would not be Peter Garrett, the Federal Minister for the Environment, (an ex Greenie Activist as well as the ex lead singer of, "Midnight Oil") for quids. Even if he knew the project was going to wipe out a number of marine species, he would be a very brave man to go against his own leader and refuse to give the green light to this major project.
Mind you I have to agree with comments I heard earlier today on a local radio station, which commented on the Yes/No condition of WA. NO to extended shopping hours and an immediate Yes, Yes to a huge project that has some areas still clouded in doubt, such as the successful containment of the carbon residue.
No doubt time will reveal all, but if this, 'Boom' is anything like the mining booms of recent years, I and many like me will not directly benefit from the wealth generated. In fact it will probably cost those of us living in WA more money in the long run as higher priced local gas prices might well eventuate.
However even I know that a 50 billion dollar injection into the Australian economy is certainly welcome, though as usual I wonder at the eventual long term cost.
I would not be Peter Garrett, the Federal Minister for the Environment, (an ex Greenie Activist as well as the ex lead singer of, "Midnight Oil") for quids. Even if he knew the project was going to wipe out a number of marine species, he would be a very brave man to go against his own leader and refuse to give the green light to this major project.
Mind you I have to agree with comments I heard earlier today on a local radio station, which commented on the Yes/No condition of WA. NO to extended shopping hours and an immediate Yes, Yes to a huge project that has some areas still clouded in doubt, such as the successful containment of the carbon residue.
No doubt time will reveal all, but if this, 'Boom' is anything like the mining booms of recent years, I and many like me will not directly benefit from the wealth generated. In fact it will probably cost those of us living in WA more money in the long run as higher priced local gas prices might well eventuate.
COLD FEET
Mr Barnett, W A's illustrious Premier, has developed cold feet and rather than have his proposal to extend WA'S shopping hours defeated he has decided to postpone its introduction.
Perhaps a wise move, because once defeated it would be difficult to resurrect.
Perhaps a wise move, because once defeated it would be difficult to resurrect.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
No Extended Shopping Hours
WA caught in a timewarp.
Once again WA has elected to remain in the 1950s and rejected extended weekday trading hours for shops in the metropolitan area.
Personally, now I am working closer to home, it isn't really an issue, but when I worked over 30 kms away and my travelling time was anywhere between 35 and 50 minutes, I really did notice the lack of flexible shopping hours. There were many evenings when I was simply too late to make the locals shops and would have to make do with whatever was at home.
So having been there I feel very sorry for those who work later than 6pm because for them there are limited options when it comes to shopping. It's either buy Thursday evening (designated late night shopping) or Saturday.
Once again WA has elected to remain in the 1950s and rejected extended weekday trading hours for shops in the metropolitan area.
Personally, now I am working closer to home, it isn't really an issue, but when I worked over 30 kms away and my travelling time was anywhere between 35 and 50 minutes, I really did notice the lack of flexible shopping hours. There were many evenings when I was simply too late to make the locals shops and would have to make do with whatever was at home.
So having been there I feel very sorry for those who work later than 6pm because for them there are limited options when it comes to shopping. It's either buy Thursday evening (designated late night shopping) or Saturday.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Lead through Fremantle
Yes before too long the West Australian Government, in its wisdom, has agreed to allow lead to be exported out of Fremantle.
Why Fremantle? Well early in 2007 there was an outbreak of lead poisoning in Esperance traced back to the lead shipments that went from that Port.
Perhaps I am a bit slow, but I would have thought that after ensuring there was absolutely no risk of such a thing happening again, that taking it to a purpose built port away from large populated areas would be the ultimate solution.
No doubt the economic bottom line has once again been the winner. I mean how important is human and animal life compared to that of a large mining company's viability.
Oh and by the way this is the same Government that recently gave the nod to uranium mining in WA. I wonder how long before that volatile mineral will be trundling its way through populated areas to the WA Coast.
Why Fremantle? Well early in 2007 there was an outbreak of lead poisoning in Esperance traced back to the lead shipments that went from that Port.
Perhaps I am a bit slow, but I would have thought that after ensuring there was absolutely no risk of such a thing happening again, that taking it to a purpose built port away from large populated areas would be the ultimate solution.
No doubt the economic bottom line has once again been the winner. I mean how important is human and animal life compared to that of a large mining company's viability.
Oh and by the way this is the same Government that recently gave the nod to uranium mining in WA. I wonder how long before that volatile mineral will be trundling its way through populated areas to the WA Coast.
Coal!!
"Dig it up and ship it out."
What an attitude, but listening to an ABC National program this week, I couldn't help but think what a total hypocrite the Australian government is.
According to the report I heard, Australia is the largest exporter of coal in the world. Therefore it follows that we are, albeit in disguise, one of its greatest polluters. A number of current workers in the industry were critical of past and present practices, stating that they worried about their own children's future in this over polluted world. I noted that one worker preferred not to be named because he feared employer retribution.
It seems to me, that huge devastation will have to occur before the people who can change things will actually take action and DO SOMETHING.
I think the large mining companies should take responsibility for cleaning up the mess they have and are continuing to make.
It would have been great if Australia had taken advantage of the amazing opportunity that presented itself thirty years ago and had become a world leader in Renewal Resources instead of taking the easy way out and simply digging its way to economic wealth.
What an attitude, but listening to an ABC National program this week, I couldn't help but think what a total hypocrite the Australian government is.
According to the report I heard, Australia is the largest exporter of coal in the world. Therefore it follows that we are, albeit in disguise, one of its greatest polluters. A number of current workers in the industry were critical of past and present practices, stating that they worried about their own children's future in this over polluted world. I noted that one worker preferred not to be named because he feared employer retribution.
It seems to me, that huge devastation will have to occur before the people who can change things will actually take action and DO SOMETHING.
I think the large mining companies should take responsibility for cleaning up the mess they have and are continuing to make.
It would have been great if Australia had taken advantage of the amazing opportunity that presented itself thirty years ago and had become a world leader in Renewal Resources instead of taking the easy way out and simply digging its way to economic wealth.
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