14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

14 Collins Street EDITORIAL , 3000 , Our new government settling in. P 03 9654 1300 Architects are planners. They bring together many issues. F 03 9654 1165 Modern issues. And some history. The architect premier [email protected] of the newish Victorian government has the professional, www.letterfrommelbourne.com.au business, personal, and political and government experiences to design good things.

Editor Alistair Urquhart 27 February. One hundred days of the new government. Associate Editor Gabriel Phipps Reviews continue for transport ticketing systems, the Sub-Editor RJ Stove Subscription Manager Camilla Orr-Thomson Healthsmart project and other spending projects of the Advertising Manager Eddie Mior former government, the latter will be more fully explained Editorial Consultant Rick Brown to us all in the Budget on 3 May. Design Richard Hamilton Several ministers are being kept busy in the budget Letter From Melbourne is a monthly public affairs kitchen, slicing and dicing their way through departmental bulletin, a simple précis, distilling and interpreting demands and dreams, and the government’s own public policy and government decisions, which affect business opportunities in Victoria and Australia. election promises. An important distraction from their own specific portfolios. Written for the regular traveller, or people with meeting-filled days, you only have to miss reading The budgetary process is bringing strong focus on industrial relations. Teachers, police, community or The Herald Sun twice a week to need workers, other civil servants, to date, are perhaps looking towards less pay than the (newish) Letter from Melbourne. It’s more about business opportunities (or lack of them) than politics. It’s not government promised before the election. Watch this space. (continued next page) Crikey.com. We keep words to a minimum.

Letter from Melbourne is independent. It’s not party ABOUT THE EDITOR political or any other political. It does not have the ALISTAIR URQUHART imprimatur of government at any level.

For context. It includes events and people and society, Alistair Urquhart graduated from the Australian National University and the weather if that is important. in Canberra, in Law, History and Politics, was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and remains a (non- Increasingly, Letter from Melbourne is developing a practicing) member of the Law Institute of Victoria. Before that, he federal and national coverage and also an increasing graduated from high school in Bethesda, Maryland, and had many synopsis of national business isues. opportunities to become aware of the workings of Washington DC.

The only communication tool of its type, Letter from For 30 years, he listened every Sunday evening to the late Alistair Melbourne keeps subscribers abreast of recent Cooke and his Letter From America. His early career was mostly developments in the policy arena on a local, state and in the coal industry, where he became involved with energy, federal level. environmental and water issues, and later in the SME finance sector. You can read it on a flight from Melbourne once a month, or with a good cup of coffee. His public affairs firm works with many engineering and information technology firms, other professional association and industry groups, on a wide range of issues, in Victoria, Canberra and overseas. Urquhart visits Canberra regularly. He may hold the record for miles rowed on ADVERTISE WITH US Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The perfect platform to attract the attention of the who’s who of Melbourne’s public INDEX and private sector. IN APPROxIMATE ORDER OF INTEREST OVER THE PAST MONTH

for a copy of our media kit or information regarding STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS 3 ARTS 10 advertising with LETTER FROM MELBOURNE EDUCATION EVENTS please contact Alistair Urquhart 4 10 [email protected] +61 3 9654 1300 ENVIRONMENT. CONSERVATION 4 THE HIGH COUNTRY 15 WEATHER 6 PLANNING & BUILDING 16 Published by A.B Urquhart & Company Pty Ltd trading as Affairs of State. Disclaimer: Material in this publication is general ENERGY 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 17 comment and not intended as advice on any particular matter. WATER 7 SPORT 18 Professional advice should to be sought before action is taken. Material is complied from various sources including newspaper GAMING 7 TRANSPORT. RAIL 18 articles, press releases, government publications, Hansard, trade HEALTH ROAD journals, etc. © This newsletter is copyright. No part may be 7 19 reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or INVESTMENT. BUSINESS 8 AIR 19 transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written AGRICULTURE 8 PORTS 20 permission from the publisher. Affairs of State respects your JUSTICE 9 THE WORKPLACE. JOBS 20 privacy. While we do believe that the informastion contained in Letter from Melbourne will be useful to you, please advise us if TALES OF BUREAUCRACY 10 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 20 you do not wish to receive any further communications from us. MELBOURNE 10 COMMUNITY 21

2 2 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

seems acute. And to make matters worse, STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Ryan is a study in smug. He smiles smugly, EDITORIAL (cont) swings his chair smugly, he even manages to Just last week, a new chief of staff arrived at First 100 days cross his arms smugly… Labor is grumbling the Office of the Minister for Health, a deputy Looking back on his first 100 days in office, about Smith, who has an impressive record for secretary from a Commonwealth department Victorian Premier says he is being evicted from the chamber by previous in Canberra, all part of a wider gene pool for proud of his performance and confident that speakers. They say, rather predictably, that he choosing ministerial staffers than the former the government is ‘moving in an appropriate is partisan… Which leads us to the quality of debate. It hasn’t improved at all.’ government. This edition includes a draft manner’. Commentators at The Age had list of senior staffers. Still some important described Baillieu as looking relaxed. Perhaps Promises evaporate staffers to arrive. A fuller hard copy Victorian that’s because at the 100-day mark the new The state government has been criticised by the government has not changed a single law. He Government 2011 Chart will be sent out to Herald Sun for abandoning a commitment to has, however, promised numerous reviews. subscribers in about three weeks. And will transparency after all its policy promises were As one Liberal MP put it, Baillieu is extremely removed from the Liberal Party’s website. The also be available for a few dollars to others. cautious about making decisions, and he likes 98 press releases spelling out the ’s to go into detail. election pledges were nowhere to be found Acts of parliament are starting to flow Parliament floor online. Affairs of State has the full policy through the system, with many first and State politics reporter for The Age wrote a good guide, which includes much more detail than second readings of bills, which in due wrap on the mood of the floor in Parliament was on the website originally. Call us on 9654 course will become acts of parliament. Not House: ‘The opposition is trying to work out 1300. The second change to a costly election flood gate stuff, but activity. how to be an opposition government and the promise, announced in The Age, was a warning government is getting its head around… well, of possible job cuts and reduced services if The ‘high country’ features on our cover, governing. Rob Hulls presently sits across the the government had to fund a large pay rise in the main text and also in a piece from table from in State Parliament… as part of a landmark women’s pay case for Hansard. Cattle in the High Country provides After 11 years of bully-boy dominance over community workers. Before the state election, the Coalition had committed to funding the a clear focus for those closely involved, on the former opposition, Hulls’ loss of power both sides of the fence so to speak, including the editor who spent much his early years BAILLIEU GOVERNMENT ADVISERS Based on our currrent information. Corrections welcome. on farms in Gippsland. Another federal/state Name Minister Portfolio stoush on the way. The editor took the photo, Peter Poggioli Asher CoS inset here, on 9 June, 2005 for our 104th Brett Hogan Asher Innovation, Services and Small Business edition. The main cover photo was taken by Julie Baird Asher Major Events and Tourism a friend in 2005, when the cattle were being Michael Kapel Baillieu CoS driven into the High Country for the last time, Tony Nutt Baillieu Director-General, Cabinet Office last time. Zoe McKenzie Baillieu Arts, Education and Skills Douglas Campbell Baillieu Health, Tourism Paul Price Baillieu Media Prince William flew in from north of the David Vorchimier Baillieu Planning Murray into Kerang in central Victoria to visit, Richard Clancy Clark CoS and cheer up the local community, and then James Copsey Clark Political Adviser onto Tullamarine for the trip home. No calling Rosemary Calder Davis CoS Bretty Barton Davis Adviser in to M for Melbourne. This old editor reckons Nathan Robinson Davis Adviser that we need more reminders of the history Katherine Walsh Davis Adviser of our country, of reasons for it’s stability -- Delahunty CoS of government and society. Naturally, this Tony Parkinson Dalla-Riva CoS includes the emotional republican debate. Duncan McGauchie Dixon Adviser Lucy Toovey Dixon Acting Adviser Meg Bartel Guy CoS The fourth estate, the media, sometimes get Damien Farrell Hall CoS emotional when reporting financial matters Con Allimonos Kotsiras CoS outside of the financial pages, so as to place Anthony Moate Kotsiras Adviser Nitin Gupta Kotsiras Adviser less emphasis on accounting reality. Such -- Lovell CoS as a recent item in The Age on Victorian Matthew Malone Lovell Housing government agency VicForests, details John Pesutto McIntosh CoS herein. We are bringing together the news Peter Greenwood Mulder CoS from many sources and try to rely on the Edmund Carew Mulder Adviser Patrick Clancy Napthine Senior adviser, all portfolios accuracy of others! -- O’Brien CoS -- Powell CoS , Liberal MP for Tullamarine Brian Fitzpatrick Rich-Phillips Adviser and Richmond football tragic launches the Clay Manners Ryan Adviser Letter from Melbourne MP Footy chart on Ben Hindmarsh Ryan CoS John Deela Smith CoS Thursday as the AFL season starts. Footy Luke O’Sullivan Walsh CoS charts are on the way to subscribers and are Simon Price Walsh Water also available to the rest of the world for a Michael Brennan Wells CoS small fee. Have a good season. Terry Barnes (acting) Wooldridge CoS

3 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

pay even if it cost more than the $200 million over four years for which they had budgeted. But according to The Age, in a submission to Fair Work Australia, the government said if the Coffee, Minister? case cost more than $50 million a year and it was not funded by the federal government, A guide to Melbourne’s political scene featuring there might be a ‘gap’ between the pay rise ministerial offices, government offices and nearby awarded by the tribunal and ‘funding of the coffee shops. sector’. Whether you’re a visitor or a veteran, it’s your Knight of the round table The Herald Sun notes that Premier Ted Baillieu handy guide to Melbourne’s laneways. has pledged to put families at the centre of every decision the Coalition Government Order online at www.affairs.com.au makes in the next four years. The centrepiece of this commitment is the plan to set up a ‘Families Round Table’. According to the accessed the LEAP database while considering Moving the apostrophe Baillieu, community groups, non-governmental buying a property to check out on would-be The Premier’s Reading Challenge, which has organisations, church leaders and ministers neighbours. Dalla-Riva denies he did so, and seen students from prep to Year 10 read more would have seats at such a table. has threatened legal action if the claims are than 18 million books since 2005 under Steve repeated outside of State Parliament, where Bracks, is getting a new name. The Age New governor chosen defamation laws do not apply. reported that, at his own request, Premier Ted Premier Ted Baillieu has appointed 72-year- Baillieu will be joined by all five living former old Lithuanian-born to replace Labor calls hypocrisy Premiers in the support of the program now David de Krester as the 28th Governor of In a move that Victorian Labor has labelled known as ‘The Premiers’ Reading Challenge’. Victoria. Chernov, who attended Melbourne hypocritical, a Baillieu government department High School, is currently chancellor of is tendering for a media-monitoring contract, Fares fair Melbourne University and is a former Supreme despite heavily criticising such contracts when Hundreds of Melbourne University students Court judge. Chernov will only serve a three- in opposition. The Age said that the Department are ineligible for concession fares on public year term, whereas previous governors have of Treasury and Finance has requested a transport because of the new ‘Melbourne had a five-year mandate. The Herald Sun tender for monitoring that would provide Model’. According to an article in The Age, described him as neither a monarchist nor a media clippings to 1,500 staff by 7.30am on technically, students undertaking the second republican and won’t participate in any debate the morning of publication. A similar 2008 part of the model are defined as postgraduates. on the issue. Treasury contract was worth $474,000. However students at other universities undertaking similar qualifications in such as Awaiting new rules State conference dates a law degree, are considered undergraduates, The Age reported that a $1,500-a-head Liberal The Victorian Nationals will hold their State and are therefore eligible for concession cards, Party fundraiser was being sponsored by the Conference on May 13 and 14 in Shepparton, unlike their Melbourne peers. company reviewing the Myki ticket system for and the Liberals on May 28 and 29 at the the government. Also, the meeting was to be Melbourne Convention Centre. Labor and the headlined by Transport Minister Greens have not yet set dates. and Planning Minister , both of ENVIRONMENT Baillieu pushes defamation case whom the paper accused of bad judgement During last year’s Victorian state election, the over the matter. The Age pointed out that Labor party ran advertisements targeting Ted while in opposition, now Premier Ted Baillieu CONSERVATION Baillieu’s former real estate firm. Baillieu has and senior shadow ministers slammed what now brought his defamation case, launched in they called the Labor government’s culture of VicForests. Correction. And some facts. December, to the Supreme Court. corruption over its dealings with big business In the last issue, we quoted The Age as saying and promised the highest standards of ‘probity, that VicForests lost lots of money, but it seems transparency and integrity’. The event was that the journalist cannot read a balance sheet. cancelled. In response to the fallout, Baillieu EDUCATION The ‘loss’ referred to by The Age represents announced that no Minister would attend fund simply an increase in overdraft financing raising events until a code of conduct had granted to the company to deal with the Funding Gap been drawn up and released. As a result, many aftermath of the 2009 bushfires. VicForests Independent schools in Victoria are the best- events were cancelled or postponed, including made $5,266,000 in earnings before interest resourced schools in Australia, according to functions for the Liberal Party-oriented 500 and taxes in the 09-10 financial year. We data from the re-launched My Schools Website Club. Letter from Melbourne waits with apologise for any confusion we may have published in The Age. The independent schools anticipation for the arrival of the new code of inadvertently perpetuated. operate on an average of $15,201 per student, conduct. The Labor Party continues to operate compared to $10,178 for government schools. its fundraises as normal. More recently, The Age wrote that a Treasury Regional allowance back down report found VicForests twice breached Opposition tactics Federal Tertiary Education Minister Chris Department of Sustainability and Environment The Age says that is investigating Evans will end eligibility distinctions between rules by logging too much, and its backlog allegations that Baillieu government minister inner city outer regions from January 1 next of forest that needed replanting had nearly Richard Dalla-Riva improperly checked police year. The move represented a back-down by tripled. records of his neighbours while serving as a the Gillard government on a fight to extend police officer. The Age revealed Dalla-Riva was youth allowance to up to 40,000 extra rural State Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh under investigation after the state opposition students. blamed VicForests’ problems on bushfires made the claim in Parliament that he had and the former Labor government’s logging

4 4 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

chosen to focus on the recommendations Cows in Burke’s backyard for improvement contained within the review, Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke rather than present a balanced picture of the attacked Victoria’s cattle WANTED overall report. There are two very different grazing trial, setting federal Labor on a collision perspectives on this issue, one is the actual course with the state Coalition. The Age said A young dreamer to join a content of the review itself, and the second is Burke questioned the legitimacy of the research the incorrect manner in which this content has and accused the Baillieu government of treating luncheon discussion on High been interpreted by outlets such as The Age’. public land like a farm. The Age later reported Speed Rail in Melbourne in that cattle farmers had raised the money for the Dr. Pollard acknowledged the need for scientists leading the experiment. A few weeks April. VicForests to continually improve practices, but after voicing his concerns, Burke ‘ordered’ the disagrees with some of the reviews findings Victorian government to remove the cattle by and recommendations. VicForests rejects the April 8, saying the Baillieu government needed Email [email protected] assertion by The Age that it is ‘running out of to seek his approval before launching the trial. or phone 03 9654 1300. timber’ as well as the claim by The Age that VicForests has failed to keep track of how According to The Age, this effectively restores much forest is left to log. VicForests also does a 2005 Bracks government ban, which was restrictions. He said the government would not agree with The Age’s interpretation of the based on advice that grazing harmed the work with the company to implement the review’s assessment that VicForests cannot environment and was not a significant factor report’s recommendations. manage its costs, because the review did not in reducing bushfires. However, Victorian say that. Environment Minister Ryan Smith accused VicForests provides some more realistic Burke of grandstanding, pointing out that the details and perspectives. VicForests is the Oddly, the recent State election was the first deadline coincides with the end of the grazing government business enterprise responsible for some time in which native forestry did not season anyway and that he would consider for the sustainable harvest, regeneration figure as a key issue. Despite the fact that his options going forward. Soon afterwards, and sale of timber from Victoria’s State VicForests’ take of timber is less than 6000 774 ABC Melbourne reported that a protest forests. VicForests harvests and regenerates hectares per year (versus, for example the 1 calling for a complete end to the grazing trial approximately 5,500 hectares, or less than 0.1 million hectares lost in the most recent fires) the was staged on the steps of Parliament. It was per cent of Victoria’s native forest, each year. issue of sustainable harvesting is still a rallying organised by the National Parks Association According to the company’s own press release, point for committed Greens. Labor spent its 11 and featured participants dressed as cows. a detailed external review commissioned by years in office systematically reducing the area Spokesman Matt Ruchel said that the door the Department of Treasury and Finance has available to its commercial forestry agency was still open for cattle to return to the high endorsed VicForests’ operations and business and pushing the costs of production through country next season, and ‘to keep in mind that model. An assessment of VicForests’ first the roof through new regulatory imposts. In this is a six year trial’. five years of operations by consultancy firm the six years since it was hived off from DSE, High country blackmail URS recognised the company’s ‘significant VicForests has been quietly and efficiently The Baillieu government reportedly sought to achievements’ since its rationalising the industry to blackmail the into inception’. a size and efficiency more overseeing its controversial Alpine grazing trial consistent with the shrinking by threatening to withdraw millions of dollars VicForests’ CEO David amount of wood that the in research funding. The Age obtained emails Pollard said he, quote, government has made available. between executive director of the Department ‘strongly believes the In all this, it managed to make a of Sustainability and Environment, Peter interpretation of the review profit in all but two years - and Appleford, and acting head of the School of included in a recent article this in a globally competitive Land and Environment, associate professor in The Age is incorrect and commodities sector: no mean Gerd Bossinger. Appleford implied the misleading. The review by feat. government would withdraw contracts ‘worth URS actually revealed the millions of dollars’ annually to the faculty, if it VicForests has achieved VicForests’ CEO, (pictured) is did not co-operate. many of the objectives the former Commissioner of State Revenue and has held set out by government a number of top management The University originally responded to the when our organisation positions in both the request to work on the trial, designed to was founded in 2004. Commonwealth and state measure if cattle grazing would reduce fire Some media outlets have government.

5 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

risk in the Alpine National Park, with ‘an reported that little Yamacoona, whos name whether states should be forced to take out expression of concern,’ as ‘much of the work means water spirit in Wurundjeri, weighed commercial insurance for natural disasters. that is being proposed has already been done’. only 335 grams when she arrived in critical Infrastructure down the drain Bossinger said previous studies had found that condition at Healesville Sanctuary. Large parts of inner Melbourne are expected incidences of fire in the high country were not Cash-for-cans to flood every 10 years unless there are urgent cut by cattle grazing. State Greens MP Colleen Hartland was upgrades to the city’s drainage, a Melbourne EPA internal report reported by The Age to be re-introducing her City Council report has found. The report into Last year Victorian EPA chief executive John bill for a 10c bottle and can deposit scheme. flood mitigation for existing flood-prone sites Merritt ordered an internal investigation after She introduced a similar bill in 2009 that was analysed by The Age, and identified 10 damning external reviews by the Victorian passed the Upper House with the support of ‘’very high-risk’’ locations for flooding and Ombudsman and Auditor-General. The the Coalition but was defeated in the Lower another seven ‘’high-risk’’ areas and called investigation was headed by former WorkSafe House by the Labor government. This time her for an urgent $5 million upgrade of drainage Victoria investigations director Stan Krpan. In chances look much better, as Victoria’s new capacity. The Age said that very high-risk areas his latest report he said: ‘A reactive strategy, Environment Minister Ryan Smith promised to included locations on Spencer and Flinders limited procedures and lack of accredited support the scheme during the last election. streets, Wellington Parade, and Flemington training meant that the EPA had not adequately Road. Locations at high risk include sections of Busy lake supported authorised officers to consistently Flinders Lane, Collins and Queen streets. Coalition Against Duck Shooting campaign and effectively apply and explain the law.’ The director Laurie Levy told The Age a 43 year old report is in line with The Age’s understanding of female volunteer was struck by shotgun pellets Merritt’s public position since joining the EPA: in the face at about 9am on the first day of the ENERGY that the authority had stopped prosecuting season, after pellets ricocheted off the water. A at the level it should and faced a perception team of 130 Department of Sustainability and Electricity price shock that it was toothless. According to The Age, Environment, Parks Victoria and Victoria Police The Australian Industry Group reports that Environment Minister Ryan Smith expressed patrolled the wetlands across Victoria to ensure power prices will double from their 2008 levels confidence in the authority. the start to the season was orderly. by 2015. The details published in the Herald Platypus rescue Hunters were issued with 23 infringements and Sun also claim the Federal Government’s small- A baby platypus was washed at least 50 protestors were issued with 54 infringements scale renewable energy scheme is expected to kilometres down the Mitchell River into sea for illegally entering wetlands during prohibited add a further $1.2 billion to electricity costs water by the Victorian floods. The Herald Sun periods the The Age said. Seven hunters will be for consumers this year alone. The Herald Sun charged on summons to appear in court. Levy calculates that the forecasted rises will entirely said between 1,500 and 2,000 shooters and negate the Baillieu Government’s extended 150 volunteers were at Lake Buloke. Rod Drew, help for low-income Victorians. chief executive of shooting association Field and Game, said the incident was terrible.

WEATHER

Wet summer Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Harvey Stern said in The Age that Victoria’s summer rainfall, averaged throughout the state, had already exceeded the 1910-11 record of 237 millimetres. He said the La Niña ocean/ atmosphere, the cause of Queensland’s massive flooding, had also been responsible for Victoria’s recent soaking. The story ran with Adjunct Professor Bjorn Lomborg of the graphics illustrating that the 2011 summer Copenhagen Business School addresses was by far the coldest and wettest in recent the Australian Institute of International Affairs at the RACV Club, 7 March. years. There has been a lot of noise up this end of town as helicopters have done State of insurance In an interview on Channel Ten, The Age felt Coal won’t get burnt their security practice by hovering over State Treasurer has promised to buildings near Spring St. that federal Treasurer Wayne Swan hinted that an enquiry may be established to examine protect Victoria’s brown coal competitive advantage ‘come hell or high water’. The Age quoted Wells as saying he would not put at risk hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on cheap power.

He also said that the government has not yet decided whether Victoria would sign up to the federal government’s carbon tax, but would honour a commitment to cut state greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent over the next decade.

6 6 LETTERLETTER FROM FROM MELBOURNE MELBOURNE

Watch these spaces housethree betweenmetropolitan 2002-06, water forcing retailers. them to enterThey The Herald Sun reportedWATER that transport, crime dealsprovide with water, either sewerage, the Greens and or therecycled Coalition water to and health chiefs have a nervous wait as the getservices legislation to residential,passed. business, industrial Coalition’sOfficials inelection hot water victory could mean big and institutional customers in the south east departmentalBoard members changes. at Goulburn-Murray Meanwhile, Water Chiefhave Campaignof Melbourne. privacy Their coverage: focus Yes/Nois on meeting Commissionerbeen told that Simon they haveoverland lost themay confidence become a Thetheir Age customers’ reported thatchanging the ALP water secretly and recorded waste victimof Victoria’s of the newchange Water of Ministergovernment, Peter although Walsh . thedisposal personal needs details and promotingof tens of efficientthousands water of Thehe has Age beenreported publicly the officialssupported have by beenboth askedmajor Victoriansresource management– including acrosssensitive their health customer and politicalto either parties. resign Theor explain Australian why reported they should that financialbase. The informationadvertisement – onin The a databaseAge called being for thenot newbe sacked. Baillieu Thegovernment dramatic wants ultimatum Overland came to accesseda managing by campaigndirector with workers executive ahead experienceof the state playamid less fears politics of insolvency and to refocus at one onof thethe state’sbasics election.in regulated A follow-up utilities report or services in the same environments. paper had ofmost running important the police water force. authorities. The paper expected Premier and Opposition Leader OverlandWithout toa paddlesurvive in his job despite a perception ted baillieu taking up contrasting positions big thinkers in Coalition ranks that he became too close to the on constituent privacy, with the Labor leader A host of urban waterways, including the Yarra GAMING (think tanks, BrumbyRiver, Maribyrnong government, whichRiver, appointed Merri Creek, him. and effectively confirming he would deny access to knowledge bro- Moonee Ponds Creek, were subjected to the files kept on voters and the Liberal chief vowing idumpingn the upper of rawhouse sewage during Melbourne’s toCommunity release files fights wherever pokies possible. The Liberals kers, networks & Thefloods. Herald Melbourne Sun reported Water that sought preliminary to prevent counts haveWhittlesea software Council capable has ofgone similar to theprofiling. VCAT suggestedsewage backing the Liberal up into and privateNational homes parties as were the Brumbyin a bid dismissed to reverse the a suggestiondecision bythat the MPs state’s held opinion shapers) oncity’s track waste to gainnetwork four failedseats into thecope Legislative with the ‘secret’gambling files. regulator. When Tattersallsasked if he waswould granted therefore a Councildeluge. (upper house). With about 30 per cent releaselicence suchto install files 40 requested machines by in constituents,a venue at the he The 2009 edition of Affairs of State’s of the vote counted, the Coalition was on target avoidednew housing the question, estate inthus Laurimar, confirming a community he would latest publication Big Thinkers toTarget win 21155 seats. The Age reported that the final not.that Butwas Baillieu devastated said he hadby theno problem Black Saturdayreleasing (thing tanks, knowledge brokers, resultVictorians was willknown no onlonger 13 December,live with personal16 days informationbushfires. to constituents where requests were networks & opinion shapers) has afterwater the consumption election, when targets, the Victorian as The Electoral Age made. Commissionreported that fed allthe 3.2 Coalition million votesgovernment into its Carlton hits pokies jackpot just been launched by historian The Age reports that Carlton Football Club is set Geoffrey Blainey. computerscraped theto ‘Targetallocate 155’preferences. policy and The campaign. Liberals What shade of green? squeezedWater Minister home Peterin all Walshthree of said the theclose strategy races Oppositionto make millions leader of tdollarsed baillieu over the defended next decade the inhad the been new little Legislative more thanCouncil, a ‘political giving themslogan’ a movefrom thenot purchaseto preference of 30 the poker Greens machines at the statefrom Big Thinkers is the only compre- majorityand would of 21 be seats discontinued. in the 40 member Water authoritieschamber – election,the North saying Melbourne it was Giants a party Basketball decision Club. he hensive and accurate guide to think aspent gain fromclose the to 17 $9 it heldmillion in the last old financialCouncil. Labor year supported.Because the But Giants’ he denied status the Coalitionas a club was is givingunder tanks, thinking/ideas organisations endedon promotional up with just campaigns 16 seats, to down influence from water19 in theinvestigation, Brumby government Carlton was four able inner-city to snap upseats the and opinion shapers in Australia. theconsumption old chamber. in TheMelbourne, Greens retained of which their Target three byoperating preferencing rights Labor at a thirdahead of of the the marketGreens rate.and seats155 was in the most Council prominent. but lost Walsh the balance said the of power. target Thepotentially deal to allowing transfer two the Laborentitlements ministers to toCarlton keep is being helped by poker machine company It assembles a list of more than 300 Thehad Democraticnot played Labora major Party role lost in itsreducing one seat, water that their jobs, The Australian reported. ‘We are going Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group. think tanks, think/ideas organisa- ofconsumption. its leader, Peter However, Kavanagh ‘people. The Liberals understand Craig to make them (Labor) sweat… we’re actually tions and opinion shapers from a otheyndarchie need endedto be upcareful with thewith final water seat, use,’ held he by going to do them ourselves,’ Baillieu said. On cross section of disciplines to help retiredsaid. The Labor move minister is meant theo to tbeheophanous part of the. TedSex the opinion pages of the same paper, Peter van you understand the new financial PartyBaillieu’s leader ‘ no-spin’ promise fell shortmade of whensneaking he onselen wrote thatHEALTH unless you’re a member of took office. However, water retailers are at and policy environment. an upset win in the same race. A late surge to the Liberal Party living in Melbourne, it is hard for theodds Greens with thesaw new their governments’ Member of the position, Legislative with most people elsewhere to understand the sense Council,City West Colleen Water hreleasingartland, wina report her battle crediting with ofFederal frustration health many deal Liberals feel about the party’s With easy-to-read summaries, Big thethe Presidentcampaign of with the Council,saving eightLabor’s weeks’ bob Smith worth, preferencesVictoria has helping agreed the Greens to theirJulia first Gillard House Thinkers provides up-to-date infor- forof thewater final supplies seat in forWestern the city.Metro. SomeThe closest 155 ofgovernment’s Representatives national MP in healththe federal reform election. deal. mation including: raceadvertising of all was currently in a vast remains electorate in place, of Northern such as TheUnderstanding new agreement that angst goesrequires someway the towardsfederal Academic think tanks Victoria,under the where Swan Liberal Street bridge.MLC d onna Petrovich understandinggovernment tothe provideparty hierarchy’s its current decision base to Government think tanks narrowly rolled back a strong challenge by Steve preferenceamount of Laborfunding, ahead now of theabout Greens 38 perat the cent state of Desal here to stay threlfall of the Country Alliance. And in Southern election.the total, The plus conservatives 50 per cent federally of growth got fundingnothing Contract research think tanks Premier Ted Baillieu was quoted in The Age Metro, the Liberals unseated forfrom helping 2018. theThe Greens Age reportedto their thatbest Federalfederal Policy advocacy think tanks as saying Victorians areGeorge ‘stuck’ Crozier with Australia’s Labor MLC . electionHealth Ministerresult. The Nicola Roxon said thatreported the No-for-profit policy centres largest desalination Jennifer hplant,uppert despite an eventual Financial Review thatstates federal would Greens remain leader responsible for investingsaid that University public policy and price tag of $24 billion that is expected to bob brown What it all means Liberals’in capital preferencing projects, toincluding Labor means new insteadhospitals of research centres double household water bills over the next and expansions to existing ones. Ted Baillieu, The Age reported the Premier baillieu will be able three Greens in the new state Parliament (lower Opinion editors, columnists five years. He criticised the former Brumby house,however, Legislative said more Assembly), work needed there won’t to be be done any. togovernment push his legislative for initiating agenda throughthe project, Parliament but and writers Thewith poorthe Commonwealthelection result foron this.the Greens raised unopposedwould not breakas a resultcontracts of the because Coalition of costsecuring and doubts about the momentum of the party as the athe majority fear of in discouraging the upper house. future It allinvestment but assured in The myki of health third force in the Australian electoral landscape. Only $110 inc. GST theVictoria. passage of controversial proposals such as Health Minister David Davis said in The Age minimum jail sentencing guidelines, abolition of Theirthat hebest was resultconsidering was abandoningin Brunswick Victoria’s where To order your copy contact: suspendedWater challenge sentences and new restrictions on candidates$360 million Cyndi HealthSMART dawes received health 43.6 technology per cent Affairs of State Thewindfarm Board developments. of the Wimmera The result Catchmentwill leave ofprogram. the two-party The project preferred was vote, originally losing supposedto Labor’s Level 2, 14 Collins Street, theManagement Opposition Authorityand the Greens is seeking powerless a dynamic in the Janeto link Garrett computer. systems in all major Victorian upperleader house, to continue which to has nurture traditionally a highly beenresponsive a site Melbourne VIC 3000 hospitals and give medical staff immediate forperformance amendments based and culture robust focusedlegislative on debate.natural Same team, etc. Telephone: +61 3 9654 1300 access to patient records and test results. The Paulresource Austin management wrote that outcomes. the Coalition’s seizing Beforefeatures the have election, only beenthe Greens introduced were insaying two Facsimilie: +61 3 9654 1165 of the upper house is especially surprising. The they would consider teaming with Labor if they Directing the flow hospitals – Box Hill and the Royal Victorian Email: [email protected] reported that the long serving Labor held the balance of power in the lower house. HeraldSouth SunEast Water is owned by the Victorian Eye and Ear, with two more due to come online government only had a majority in the upper Greens candidates said they were a good chance Government and is one of Melbourne’s soon. Davis was quoted as describing the

7 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

program as ‘the myki of the health system’, also become the chair of cancer medicine at ICT support but also that he had not yet made a decision Melbourne University. In a press releases, the Victorian government to scrap it. Australian Medical Association has affirmed its strong commitment to support Board position president Harry Hemley was also quoted the development of the local ICT industry. The The State Minister for Health is seeking by the paper, saying that Victorian health release on the Multimedia Victoria website applications for part-time board member technology bordered on embarrassing, and said the government was currently developing positions to Health Purchasing Victoria. that ‘patients would be appalled at the lack a new ICT plan to be release some time this of IT, computers and connectivity between year. Part of that project is a survey of the different areas of the health system.’ Victorian ICT industry, which businesses can INVESTMENT participate in via the website. Bishop to Victoria The federal governments top medical advisor More competitive grants Jim Bishop decided to leave his position BUSINESS The Competitive Business Fund is a Victorian to head up Victoria’s new billion dollar Government initiative to assist businesses to Comprehensive Cancer Centre and spend take maximum advantage of new opportunities Bookstore bankruptcy and BHP more time with his family. that are emerging in the global economy. The Borders and 125-year-old chain Angus Fund supports growing and competitive & Robertson were placed into voluntary According to The Age, Professor Bishop will businesses with the potential to move into new receivership. They have 26 and 103 stores become director of the centre in May, brining markets, to develop processes and solutions, respectively, that will be affected by the together seven institutions involved in cancer or to invest further in their business in order financial situation. The Age cited the growing research, treatment and education to develop to enhance competitiveness and capitalise on popularity of the internet as a place to purchase what will be the largest concentration of cancer emerging opportunities. Funding in the order books, fuelled by the strong Australian dollar, specialists in the southern hemisphere. He will of $3 million is available in the second round as well as the advent of e-books and e-readers, of grants on a competitive basis. The Fund as making it harder for bricks-and –mortar provides two streams of financial assistance shops to compete. The Age speculated that the on a co-contribution basis: Affairs of State, Letter from world’s biggest mining company, BHP, is fast Enterprise; up to $250,000 for a project becoming one of the world’s most profitable Melbourne and Letter from involving one company, to be matched by a after it posted record profits. The last interim minimum of $3 for every $1 grantedSupply, profit was $US10.5 billion, a 72 per cent Canberra conduct regular, and Chain; up to $500,000 for a collaborative increase from last year, putting the company project involving multiple companies, to be (usually) informal luncheons in posting a June-year profit of $US23 billion. matched by a minimum of $2 for every $1 and other events for clients Death funds kill portfolio granted. Apply through the Business Victoria and subscribers at our Collins An investigation by The Age detailed how the website by April 8. Victorian Funds Management Corporation Vague Westpac communication St offices and elsewhere. lost $500 million through investing in an In a letter to its business customers, Westpac unsound new financial product known as seemed to be saying it is refreshing the Bank of a Death Fund. The basic premise of Death Melbourne. This letter to the editors office did Funds is to buy out life insurance policies from not clearly explain how things would change. Express your interest individuals who want the money now, and pay them out a lump sum smaller then what - High speed rail, quarterly their insurance would pay if they were to die. AGRICULTURE Then one pays premiums on the policy until - Emergency services, bi- the original owner dies, at which point one claims the insurance and theoretically makes Flooded with assistance monthly a profit. Such an undertaking requires a very State Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh is large pool of liquidity, which the VFMC had, urging the federal government to continue - Major government contract seeing as they manage three-quarters of the paying drought assistance payments to difficulties, regularly state government’s assets. Unfortunately, this affected Victorian farmers, despite many being product relies on actuarial tables to estimate inundated with rain to the point of flooding. life expectancy, tables that are not entirely The Age article says regular payments are due - eHealth, occasionally accurate, and premiums eat into returns on to stop around April and a decision on whether investment the longer a policyholder lives. The they can continue is expected soon. investigation gives more details as to how it - Lobbying 101 and 102, Where your food comes from all unravelled, and points to flaws in the way A Weekly Times investigation found few small regularly and as requested the Victorian Funds Management Corporation greengrocers comply with regulation requiring does business. Be careful in reading some them to identify clearly the country of origin of newspaper articles from the non-finance all unpacked fresh produce. Unlike their smaller papers as they can become quite emotive on cousins, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi were all AFFAIRS OF STATE financial matters. found to be abiding by the regulations. A PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRM Coles roadside assist Young farmers The Herald Sun reported that supermarket e: [email protected] A Parliamentary rural and regional committee giant Coles is moving in on the RACV’s territory, will investigate strategies to encourage more p: 03 9654 1300 offering roadside assistance for drivers at $75 young people to be farmers. The Age writes w: www.affairs.com.au per year. The program links those offered that the one-year inquiry is expected to with bonus fuel discounts or FlyBuys loyalty examine profitability of farms, career paths for program points.

8 8 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

inCoalition action, establisheswhere opposition the Independent parties outside Broad- an “Installation of the most powerful technology, “Invisible Miracle!” electionBased Anti-Corruption cycle receive only Commission a few minutes (IBAC). in every without the implementation of the most sound hour of coverage, but have their voices heard with ELPedium™ Powers to sting methodology; leads to mind-boggling apoplexy!” Speech Recognition far more regularity in the lead up to an election. Andrew McInthosh told the Herald Sun that The Liberal Party’s decision to direct preferences ® Victoria’s first independent broad-based anti- WordScribe /Dataworxs and ELPedium “Auto Updating” Speech Recognition to Labor ahead of the Greens changed the integrations installed by the soundest methods, produce incredible increases in corruption commission was on track to be campaign and boosted the Coalition’s prospects. productivities. operating by July. He said it would be up to It consolidated the Liberal’s focus, sharpened the IBAC how and when it used its powers but Clients for our digital voice technologies include the legal and medical professions up the party’s attempts to appear resolute, and as well as government agencies including the Victorian Government Solicitor’s promised to ensure it had an ‘armoury that Office and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. made the contest a much starker choice between would be greater than a royal commission’. Labor and the Coalition. Undercover sting operations are likely to be launched against suspected corrupt politicians,

1 2 3 the bush fights back Nearing 50 years of “Supplying Choices; Delivering Solutions!” with practical advice “Supplying Choices; Delivering Solutions!” REW / RECORD PLAY PLAY judges, local government officials and public 4 5 6 As part of The Age’s post-election analysis, SEND FOR SPEECH RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA PTY LTD PAUSE T YPING PRIORITY servants as a result. Victoria’s new anti- Inc with: 7 8 9 it was noted that Baillieu ran a traditional

GRUNDIG DICTATION MACHINES PTY LTD REWIND FF FF/PL AY corruption body is also expected to use secret * 0 # campaign, pushing the message that it was 656 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia CANCEL PAUSE END JOB integrity tests to tempt shonky public sector T +61 3 9347 5555 F: +61 3 9347 7706 [email protected] time for a change after more than a decade of workers into committing crimes. The Age later Labor. Meanwhile, Nationals leader Peter ryan reported that the commission’s formation has atyoung the election.people andSenior pay, ALP farm figures, business angry models, at the ofCorruption any holiday pay and other benefits they are and his party defeated the Independent, Craig been pushed back by at least 10 weeks by Greens’recruitment attempts strategies for seats and in businessthe city heartland, acumen eligibleState for.Crime Prevention Minister Andrew ingram, to reclaim East Gippsland. This boosted legal complications. Canberra may need to wantof farm Labor’s enterprises. election review panel to look at McIntosh told The Australian it would be the Nationals’ numbers in the 88-member lower unacceptable for head of the Office of Police introduce legislation in order to provide the waysMilk warsto destroy the minor party’s prospects of that last week house from 9 to 10 and cements Ryan’s position Integrity Michael Strong to have a role in sweeping powers desired. winningRival supermarket seats in the giants lower Coleshouse. and Woolworths On the morning of the election, The Age had all as a leader of substance in the rural and regional Victoria’s new anti-corruption commission. have been undercutting one another in a price late polls showing ted baillieu’s Coalition surging party.Speeders court McIntosh said that other staff from the OPI owarnward over Christian generic soldiersbranded milk, forcing the into the lead in the final days of the campaign. Of A special court has been set up to deal and Victoria Police might have rolls when the Theprice Age down reported to just that $1 perveteran litre. TheLiberal Herald MP SunKen interest also, were the changing approval ratings. Moreexclusively green withdetail the large volume of speeding Smithreported will that become Nationals lower MP house Bruce speaker, Scott withtold Premier John brumby dipped 7 per cent to 46 Thefines worse being than contested expected by result EastLink for the motorists. Greens colleague Christine Fyffe as deputy speaker. per cent, while Baillieu rose three points to 48 Thewill beHerald taken Sunby Baillieu reported as vindicationthat Dandenong for his federal parliament that the low prices could 2011 Melbourne Awards Liberal will be president of the per cent. In the same paper tim Colebatch mid-campaignMagistrates’ Courtdecision will to have preference two sessions the minor a ‘destroy dairy farmers’. There has been much upper house. Of the 22 ministers, all but one wrote that the poll implies a two-party swing to partyweek lastdedicated in all seats, to hearing even ifthe it cases.meant a couple speculation as to the consequences for the The 2011 Melbourne Awards are open for entry. swore oaths on the Bible. Only Attorney-General the Coalition of about 6.5 per cent. Technically, of Labor members, namely bronwyn Pike and dairy industry and smaller retail chains, as well Who’s your daddy robert Clark made an affirmation. the Coalition required a uniform swing of 6.6 per richard Wynne, retained their inner-city seats as the long-term price effects of what some The Melbourne Awards honour the individuals A donor-conceived woman who asked a cent to win, but swings are never uniform. The because of it. Meanwhile, a swag of new Liberal have described as anti-competitive behaviour. and organisations who have made a significant tribunal to review a decision not to write to her Watch CoAG Coalition received a swing of over 6 per cent and Party members claimed the heartland eastern More recently, the price wars seem to have contribution to Melbourne’s sustainability, biological father and inform him of a donors’ After being sworn in as Premier, ted baillieu said took government, 45 seats to 43. On the same suburbs of Melbourne from Labor for the first time spread first to eggs, and then beer. community and profile. voluntary register has been knocked back. The that he would pursue an approach of competitive day, the Herald Sun had Newspoll showing the since 1999. Paul Austin noted that something Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal said federalism, the Financial Review reported. Baillieu Coalition with 51.1 per cent of the two-party dramatic happened in the last days of the election The City of Melbourne wants to hear from anybody it did not have jurisdiction to review a decision was very critical of the Council of Australian preferred vote ahead of Labor with 48.9 per cent. campaign. Undecided voters, especially in the who has worked hard to make a difference, or made by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Governments agendaJUSTICE in recent years. He has It was the first time that the Coalition had been mortgage belts across Melbourne’s eastern and who knows someone who has. Marriages. The Age said the ruling could affect already flagged concerns with federal health ahead in the campaign. The Australian had the southern suburbs, decided they had had enough Jails full challenges to decisions made about various and water reforms and criticised some COAG CoalitionWinners aheadwill benefit by 52 from per increased cent to 48 mediaper cent. of Labor and were prepared to give the Coalition Figures made available to the Herald Sun show sensitive personal and family issues. agreements for producing a race to the average. exposure for their business or cause. All entrants another go, 11 years after they had evicted Jeff that Victoria’s jails are operating at capacity Baillieu flagged a determination to take on the owillther have polls the opportunity to establish relationships KennettCop recruitment from the Premier’s pay office. and are unable to support an expected powerful construction union stranglehold on Fivewith days senior out business from the leaders election, and gain the valuable Herald Sun The Age reported that Premier Ted Baillieu’s surge in incarceration under the new state commercial scale residential construction. reportedfeedback that from a industryGalaxy Pollexperts. showed Premier John Apromise long speech to recruit a record number of police government’s ‘tough on crime’ approach. The b rumby would cling to power, but only with Onis underelection threat. night, The former powerful Premier police John union brumby has Packagesprison population tied up atwith the string start of February was theEntries help for of theGreens 2011 preferences.Melbourne Awards On a close two-party on waswarned convinced that the that Coalition’s the election new result pay would offer maybe a Two4488, suspicious despite therepackages being found only in aboutgovernment 4230 preferredMonday 2 basis, May and Labor finalists was aheadand winners, of the Coalitionincluding hungsink theParliament, governments and said pledge in his to non-concession acquire more buildings,permanent hours prison before beds John in the b rumbystate. Police conceded and 51-49Melburnian per cent, of the but Year, the will polling be announced showed that at a up to speechofficers. that Labor had provided stable minority defeat,prison authoritieswere more saythan police a hoax, station police cells said. are 18prestigious government gala seatsceremony were on in Saturday play ahead 27 August. of the government before, the Herald Sun reported. Detectivesroutinely overflowing will investigate with whether prisoners the unablepackages to election. History shows that they lost 13 of them. City violence Victoria police crime figures published in deliveredbe assigned to 1 a Treasury proper prison Place, bed.which houses the democratic deficit Visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourneawards The Age show street assaults and domestic office of the Premier and the Exhibition Street Goodto download summary an entry form or call 9658 9348 for The close election result showed both major Police brutality violence increased by 3.7 per cent across the offices of the Departments of Transport and Followingmore information. the election, Shaun Carney wrote in parties were lacking in authority, had too Figures obtained by The Age under Freedom of CBD last year. Crime is also up in outer growth Justice, had any political links, The Age reported. The Age that Labor’s support during this election many apparatchiks, and were suffering from a Information laws revealed that in 2010 police corridors, where assaults and robberies have The Herald Sun reported that the packages were campaign followed a similar downward course ‘democratic deficit’, former Premier John Cain were set to record more than 20,000 incidents risen up to 30 per cent in some cases. The laterwhere declared force wassafe. used against them. That is to the ALP governments in Western Australia in said. Cain, Labor Premier from 1982 to 1990, 2008 and South Australia in March this year. At saidcities both of Casey, major Humeparties and face Wyndham similar issues recorded but 2.5 times for every operational member over the highest increases in assaults, while First brushes of new broom the beginning of the Victorian campaign, only the Labor Party needed to fix the problem to the course of the year, the highest it has been Hume, Greater Dandenong and Geelong had The Herald Sun reported that at least 160 staff a few short weeks before the election, Labor ensure policy and ideas are being generated by since 2005 and an increase of 15 per cent the highest increase in robberies. Deputy members,over the pastincluding 3 years. public The relations Police Association employees appeared to be ahead with a small margin of the broader parties as well as its MPs. Cain said and advisers left government offices in a matter comfort and Brumby looked in command, just as theCommissioner policy vacuum Sir is Ken being Jones filled told by 3AWprofessional some has blamed the rise in violence against its of the figures were disappointing, and that ofofficers days once on chronically the result was under-resourced called. Any who police. have his interstate counterparts had. political advisers, the bureaucracy and interest spent a bare minimum of 12 months in government groupspolice wouldwho back have it withto step political up their donations. efforts Cainover According to The Age, Victoria has the smallest the next 12 months. willforce walk population away with per-capita 12 weeks in redundancy Australia, andpay Gradually, the campaign turned sour for Labor praised the campaign of John brumby and said plusliberal a liquorthree-week licensing notification laws. payment on top and Brumby, especially in the final week. It the major parties are no longer the crucible for wasJim Stynes,perhaps 2010 Melburnian an example of the Year, of and the Lord media Mayor Robert clocked Doyle ideas and policies, The Age reported.

6 9 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

Illegal brothels clubs, to night markets and engaging inner city There are an estimated 300 to 400 illegal activities like mid-night basketball. ‘These are EVENTS brothels in Victoria, according to an Age just some of the activities that, along with our investigation. The illegal sex industry has established festivals like the Comedy Festival, Royal visit enjoyed a decade of unparalleled growth, due Fringe Festival and Melbourne Festival, will Prince William arrived in Kerang, Victoria, by to a systemic failure by police, Consumer transform this great city’, he wrote. helicopter north of the Murray, with the Herald Affairs, the Immigration Department and local Safety street Sun claiming he reportedly flew some of the councils, which are variously hamstrung due to Melbourne City council’s newest plan for way himself. He was warmly received as he inadequate powers, legal loopholes and under- Swanston Street includes four new tram visited sites in the flood-affected area such as resourcing. super-stops, with a bike trail running between St Joseph’s and Kerang South Primary Schools, Not so fine the tram tracks and the footpath. But The Age and a farm at Appin about 30 kilometres Tens of thousands of parking ‘fines’ issued by revealed that Transport Safety Victoria wrote south of the town. The Herald Sun says about private operators of carparks may be invalid. to Yarra Trams in November outlining concerns 1,500 people turned up to greet the prince, a The Age claims that if the request for penalty about the ‘management of passenger safety’ fair chunk of Kerang’s 3,700 population. The payments resembles official fines, then they at the planned upgrade to Tram Stop 8 on the prince then left for home via Tullamarine contravene new Fair Trading Act legislation. corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets. airport without coming to Melbourne, allowing Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Consumer greater focus on the bush and its recent woes. Liveable city Action Law Centre are urging customers who Premier Ted Baillieu was there with the prince Melbourne has come in at number two on have received such notices since the law came to announce the government’s latest flood the Global Liveability Survey list, behind only into effect, on January 1, to challenge them if assistance package, worth over $12 million. Vancouver, Canada. The Herald Sun quoted they look like official local government fines. Lord Mayor as welcoming the Grand Prix has Mayor driving in circles Law Institute news. As the Melbourne Grand Prix has edged closer, Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark the debate rages on as to the future of the event. Great jobs graced the cover of the March edition of the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who has been a The Minister for Environment and Climate Law Institute Journal entitled ‘Stepping Out of fierce critic of the race, backed up his rhetoric, Change is seeking expressions of interest for the Shadow’. confirming to the Herald Sun that he would five positions, including the deputy chairperson, not attend the race despite the Melbourne City on the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board Council being an official sponsor… That is, until from July 30. The Board oversees Zoos Victoria, he pulled a U-turn on March 18, saying he had TALES OF BUREAUCRACY responsible for the management for the zoos been convinced by members of the ‘business at Melbourne, Healesville and Werribee. community’ that ‘regardless of my personal Good circulation opinion about the cost, the race is still an event Reel issues The Sunday Herald Sun has been Victoria’s in our city’. The Herald Sun later released racy Yarra City Council has shut down the screenings biggest selling newspaper over the past three photos of Doyle at an F1 promotional event of art-house movies at a Collingwood site for months. New Audit Bureau figures almost posing with ‘grid girls’. the second time, this time in part because the 580,000 copies sold per week. operator did not have a $572 building permit The premise of Doyle’s argument against to install four light fittings. The Age reported the race is that the event loses the city $70 that the Speakeasy Cinema has been bogged million per year. However, this is disputed by down in the planning system for almost a year. ARTS Grand Prix Corporate chairman Ron Walker, Cinema director Ghita Loebenstein said, ‘if you who claims the event brings $180 million in were to make a comedy about planning issues Director required economic benefits into the state. A confirmed you would only have to follow us around.’ Melbourne Recital Centre, Australia’s newest no-show at the race is Formula One boss producer and cultural centre, is committed to Superficial Bruising Bernie Ecclestone, who is scheduled to be creating, exploring and presenting great music. The federal government has allowed the in New York when the checked flag falls, to Based in the heart of Melbourne’s Southbank banana industry to sell fruit damaged by hear Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s bold plan to arts precinct, it is fast becoming internationally cyclone Yasi. Regulation specifying that fallen poach the event. acclaimed as the nation’s landmark centre for bananas, rather than harvested, cannot be sold. music. Challenging decision According to The Age, such an exemption was A small controversy was caused when not allowed after Cyclone Larry in 2006, which The MRC is looking for two driven professionals Victorian RSL boss David McLachlan said his caused a shortage of bananas that lasted 9 to fill the rolls of Director of Marketing organisation would not review its decision to months and drove prices up five-fold. and Customer Relations and Director of ban relatives from walking with veterans in the Development. day’s parade. WWII veteran Geoff Wisby called on the RSL to scrap the ban in The Herald Sun, MELBOURNE Performing arts appreciation but Premier Ted Baillieu and Opposition Leader The Melbourne Recital Centre and Opera defended the changes, saying Australia at the Arts Centre released their Good night that the safety of old diggers was paramount Autumn 2011 schedule, giving dates for Last month Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert and that critics should keep in mind that the upcoming performances in April, May and Doyle was on a crusade for more civil behaviour, RSL had to strike a difficult balance. June. Music Viva also released its international such as keeping to the left on the sidewalk. concert tour dates. Funny money Now he is looking for a cultural change in the Melbourne Comedy Festival chairman Bill city’s nightlife, expressed in an open letter Laugh it up Shannon spoke at the inaugural Funny for the Herald Sun. He wants to change the The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Business fundraising dinner. The Herald Sun dynamic of Melbourne at night by taking the begins at the end of March. Tickets on sale for covered that event held at the Plaza Ballroom focus off alcohol consumption and aggressive a wide variety of show throughout April. on February 23.

10 10 continued p16... special high country article p15... LETTER FROM MELBOURNE LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

Measuring Public Opinion for over 65 Years - The Roy Morgan Research Centre Ltd. A.B.N. 92 004 433 265 - Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001 & ISO 20252 Measuring Public Opinion for over 65 Years - The Roy Morgan Research Centre Ltd. A.B.N. 92 004 433 265 - Quality SystemFinding Certified No. to AS/NZS4648 ISO 9001 & ISO 20252 Available on Website: www.roymorgan.com FindingOn March No. 4648 18, 2011 Available on Website: www.roymorgan.com Clear majority of AustraliansOn March (61%) 18, 2011don’t want Nuclear Power Plants, Clearbut majority do want of Australians to export Uran (61%)ium don’t for ‘Peacefulwant Nuclear purposes’ Power Plants,(59%) In the firstbut Morgan do wantPoll taken to afterexport the devastating Uranium Japanese for ‘Peaceful earthquake purposes’and tsunami a nd(59%) subsequent problems at the Fukushima nuclear power plant a clear majority of Australians (61%) do not want nuclear power plants Inin the Australia first Morgan – up 26% Poll takensince Septemberafter the devastating 1979. However, Japanese a majority earthquake of Australiansand tsunami (59%) and subsequent say Australia problems ‘should at the Fukushima nuclear power plant a clear majority of Australians (61%) do not want nuclear power plants export Uranium to other countries for peaceful purposes’ according to a special telephone Morgan Poll taken in Australia – up 26% since September 1979. However, a majority of Australians (59%) say Australia ‘should over the last two nights this week, March 16/17, 2011. export Uranium to other countries for peaceful purposes’ according to a special telephone Morgan Poll taken overThe themajority last two of Australiansnights this week,(59%, March down 3%16/17, since 2011. June 1991) support exporting Uranium to other countries for The‘peaceful majority purposes of Australians’ compared (59%, to down 34% 3%(up since3%) thatJune don’t 1991) want support to export. exporting However Uranium only to 44%other supportcountries exporting for ‘peacefulUranium purposes to other’ countries compared for to 34%their (up‘nuclear 3%) that power don’t needs want’ whileto export. 50% However of Australians only 44% don’ supportt want exportingto export for their Uranium‘nuclear to power other needscountries.’ for their ‘nuclear power needs’ while 50% of Australians don’t want to export for their ‘nuclearThe majority power ofneeds Australians.’ 61% (up 26% since September 1979) believe Australia should not develop nuclear power Theplants majority to supply of Australians electricity, 61% while (up only 26% 34% since (down September 18%) 1979) of Australians believe Australia believe shouldAustralia not should develop develop nuclear nuclear power power plantsplants to to supply supply electricity, electricity while and 5%only can’t 34% say.(down 18%) of Australians believe Australia should develop nuclear power plantsIf Australia to supply were electricity to develop and nu5%clear can’t power say. plants, a large majority (73%, up 23% since September 1979) of Australians Ifwould Australia oppose were a tonuclear develop power nuclear plant power being plants, built ain large their majority area compared (73%, up to 23% just since12% (downSeptember 6%) 1979) that would of Australians agree to a wouldnuclear oppose power a nuclearplant being power built plant in beingtheir area built while in their a furtherarea compared 13% (down to just 8%) 12% would (down be 6%) anxious that wouldbut not agree oppose to a it – nuclearmeaning power a total plant 25% being (down built 14%) in their would area notwhile oppose a further a nuclear 13% (down power 8%) plant would being be built anxious in their but notarea. oppose it – meaning a total 25% (down 14%) would not oppose a nuclear power plant being built in their area. A plurality of Australians (49%) object to other countries building nuclear power plants compared to only 37% that say Aother plurality countries of Australians should build (49%) nuclear object power to other plants. countries building nuclear power plants compared to only 37% that say other countries should build nuclear power plants. Gary Morgan says: Gary Morgan says: “Australian opinions on nuclear power have changed significantly over the last 30 years with 61% (up 26% “Australiansince September opinions 1979) on nuclearof Australians power have now changedsaying they significantly don’t want over nuclear the last power 30 years plants with in 61% Australia (up 26% while just since34% September (down 18%) 1979) support of Australians the development now saying of nuclear they don’t power want plants. nuclear power plants in Australia while just 34% (down 18%) support the development of nuclear power plants. “Despite not wanting nuclear power in Australia a majority of Australians (59%, down 3% since June 1991) “Despitesupport notthe wantingexport of nuclear Uranium power for in‘peaceful Australia purposes a majority’ although of Australians only 44% (59%, support down the3% export since June of Uranium 1991) for supportnuclear the power export needs of Uranium and more for Australians‘peaceful purposes (49%) ’don’t although want only other 44% countries support to the build export nuclear of Uranium power for plants than nuclear power needs and more Australians (49%) don’t want other countries to build nuclear power plants than those that do (37%). those that do (37%). “Following on from the recent disaster in Japan at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, these results show that “Following on from the recent disaster in Japan at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, these results show that therethere is is no no likelihood likelihood of ofAustralians Australians supporting supporting nuclear nuclear power power as part as part of Australia’s of Australia’s energy energy mix to mix reduce to reduce carboncarbon emissions emissions in inthe the next next few few years.” years.” ThisThis special special telephone telephone Morgan Morgan Poll Poll was was conducted conducted over over the thelast lasttwo two nights, nights, March March 16/17, 16/17, 2011 2011 with withan Australia- an Australia- widewide cross-section cross-section of of 635 635 Australians Australians aged aged 14+. 14+.

“Do“Do you you believe believe Australia Australia should should develop develop nuclear nuclear power power plants plants to supply to supply electricity electricity to Australia? to Australia?” ” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SepSep MarMar 16/17, 16/17, FederalFederal Voting Voting Intention Intention 19791979 20112011 14+14+ 14+14+ ElectorsElectors ALP ALP L-NP L-NP Greens Greens Others Others Can’t Can’t say say % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % Yes,Yes, develop develop nuclear nuclear power power plants plants 52 52 34 34 34 34 29 29 39 39 29 29 36 36 18 18 No,No, don’t don’t develop develop nuclear nuclear power power plants plants 35 35 61 61 61 61 66 66 54 54 66 66 64 64 65 65 Can’tCan’t say say 13 13 5 5 5 5 5 5 7 7 5 5 - - 17 17 TOTALTOTAL 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

401 401 Collins Collins Street, Street, Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria Victoria 3000, 3000, G.P.O. G.P.O. Box Box2282U, 2282U, Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria Victoria 3001, 3001,Australia Australia Tel: (03) 9629 6888 Fax: (03) 9629 1250 (03) 9622 8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.roymorgan.com Tel: (03) 9629 6888 Fax: (03) 9629 1250 (03) 9622 8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.roymorgan.com Offices also in: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, London, Auckland, and USA Offices also in: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, London, Auckland, and USA 11 11 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

Measuring Public Opinion for over 65 Years - The Roy Morgan Research Centre Ltd. Measuring Public Opinion for over 65 Years - The Roy Morgan Research Centre Ltd. A.B.N. 92 004 433 265 - Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001 & ISO 20252 A.B.N. 92 004 433 265 - Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001 & ISO 20252

Finding No. 4647 Available on Website: www.roymorgan.com On March 18, 2011 L-NP (50.5%) just in front of ALP (49.5%) The latest telephone Morgan Poll conducted over the last two nights, March 16/17, 2011, shows the L-NP The latest telephone Morgan Poll conducted over the last two nights, March 16/17, 2011, shows the L-NP (50.5%, down 5% in a week) now has only a slight lead over the ALP (49.5%, up 5%) on a Two-Party (50.5%, down 5% in a week) now has only a slight lead over the ALP (49.5%, up 5%) on a Two-Party preferred basis. preferred basis. • A reduced majority of electors (54%, down 3%) oppose the Gillard Government’s proposed legislation to • A reduced majority of electors (54%, down 3%) oppose the Gillard Government’s proposed legislation to ‘place a price on carbon’ but support for the carbon tax is now at 38% (up 5%). ‘place a price on carbon’ but support for the carbon tax is now at 38% (up 5%). • A large, but falling, majority of electors (68%, down 4%) agree that Prime Minister Gillard lied about the • A large, but falling, majority of electors (68%, down 4%) agree that Prime Minister Gillard lied about the proposed carbon tax before the Federal election when she stated ‘There will be no carbon tax under the proposed carbon tax before the Federal election when she stated ‘There will be no carbon tax under the Government I lead.’ Government I lead.’ • Opinion is still divided on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s promise ‘to rescind’ the Government’s • Opinion is still divided on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s promise ‘to rescind’ the Government’s proposed ‘carbon tax’ legislation if the Liberal Party is elected: 44% support rescinding the legislation cf. proposed ‘carbon tax’ legislation if the Liberal Party is elected: 44% support rescinding the legislation cf. 46% oppose rescinding the legislation. 46% oppose rescinding the legislation. Voting Intention Voting Intention The latest telephone Morgan Poll conducted over the last two nights, March 16/17, 2011, shows on a Two-Party The latest telephone Morgan Poll conducted over the last two nights, March 16/17, 2011, shows on a Two-Party preferred basis the L-NP (50.5%, down 5%) now has only a slight lead over the ALP (49.5%, up 5%). The L-NP preferred basis the L-NP (50.5%, down 5%) now has only a slight lead over the ALP (49.5%, up 5%). The L-NP primary vote is 42.5%, ahead of the ALP 35.5%. Support for the minor parties shows the Greens 12%, (up 2%) primary vote is 42.5%, ahead of the ALP 35.5%. Support for the minor parties shows the Greens 12%, (up 2%) and Others/ Independents 10%, (down 1%). and Others/ Independents 10%, (down 1%). Also released today is last weekend’s Face-to-Face Morgan Poll (conducted March 12/13, 2011) which also Also released today is last weekend’s Face-to-Face Morgan Poll (conducted March 12/13, 2011) which also showed a swing back to the ALP away from the L-NP three days before the telephone Morgan Poll: L-NP showed a swing back to the ALP away from the L-NP three days before the telephone Morgan Poll: L-NP (51.5%, down 2.5% in a week) ahead of the ALP (48.5%, up 2.5%) on a Two-Party preferred basis. (51.5%, down 2.5% in a week) ahead of the ALP (48.5%, up 2.5%) on a Two-Party preferred basis. The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is down 2 points to 118 – 52.5% of Australians say Australia The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is down 2 points to 118 – 52.5% of Australians say Australia is ‘heading in the right direction,’ while 34.5% say Australia is ‘heading in the wrong direction. The latest is ‘heading in the right direction,’ while 34.5% say Australia is ‘heading in the wrong direction. The latest weekly Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Rating for the weekend of March 12/13, 2011, was 118.8 up weekly Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Rating for the weekend of March 12/13, 2011, was 118.8 up 3.3pts from March 5/6, 2011. 3.3pts from March 5/6, 2011. Gary Morgan says: Gary Morgan says: “Both Morgan Polls (face to face and telephone) show the ALP gaining much of the ground lost after a “Both Morgan Polls (face to face and telephone) show the ALP gaining much of the ground lost after a terrible couple of weeks. Prime Minister Gillard and the Government have begun to explain their proposed terrible couple of weeks. Prime Minister Gillard and the Government have begun to explain their proposed carbon tax and also potential compensatory measures for lower income households and although a clear carbon tax and also potential compensatory measures for lower income households and although a clear majority of Australians (54%, down 3%) still oppose the carbon tax, a rising number of Australians (38%, up majority of Australians (54%, down 3%) still oppose the carbon tax, a rising number of Australians (38%, up 5%) are now supporting Gillard’s proposal. If the measure is enacted into law Australia is still split as to 5%) are now supporting Gillard’s proposal. If the measure is enacted into law Australia is still split as to whether Tony Abbott should rescind the legislation if he wins the next election: 46% say Abbott should not whether Tony Abbott should rescind the legislation if he wins the next election: 46% say Abbott should not rescind the carbon tax if he’s elected while 44% say he should. rescind the carbon tax if he’s elected while 44% say he should. “The improved standing for the Gillard Government also comes after Prime Minister received the rare FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “The improved standing for the Gillard Government also comes after Prime Minister received the rare FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE honour of addressing a joint sitting of US Congress and also the devastating news from Japan of last week’s honour of addressing a joint sitting of US Congress and also the devastating news from Japan of last week’s major earthquake and resulting tsunami and subsequent issues with the Fukushima nuclear power plant. major earthquake and resulting tsunami and subsequent issues with the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Polling experience covering more than 70 years shows in times of crisis like during the last week the Polling experience covering more than 70 years shows in times of crisis like during the last week the incumbent political party usually experiences a jump in their support.” incumbent political party usually experiences a jump in their support.” Electors were asked: “If a Federal Election for the House of Representatives were held today — which party Electors were asked: “If a Federal Election for the House of Representatives were held today — which party would receive your first preference?” would receive your first preference?” For further information: For further information: Gary Morgan: Office +61 3 9224 5213 Mobile +61 411 129 094 Gary Morgan: Office +61 3 9224 5213 Mobile +61 411 129 094 Michele Levine: Office +61 3 9224 5215 Mobile +61 411 129 093 Michele Levine: Office +61 3 9224 5215 Mobile +61 411 129 093

401 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, G.P.O. Box 2282U, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia 401 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, G.P.O. Box 2282U, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia Tel: (03) 9629 6888 Fax: (03) 9629 1250 (03) 9622 8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.roymorgan.com 12 12 Tel: (03) 9629 6888 Fax:Offices (03) also 9629 in: 1250 Sydney, (03) Brisbane,9622 8387 Ad Email:elaide, [email protected] Perth, London, Auckland, and USAWebsite: www.roymorgan.com 12 12 Offices also in: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, London, Auckland, and USA LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

Carbon Tax Questions A majority of electors (54%) oppose the Gillard Government’s proposed legislation to ‘place a price on carbon’ – including a clear majority of L-NP supporters (83%), however only 27% of ALP supporters and just 15% of Greens supporters oppose the proposed legislation. Although only 38% of electors support the proposed legislation, a majority of ALP supporters (62%) and Greens supporters (72%) agree with the proposal but only 12% of L-NP supporters want this legislation. Question 1: “In recent weeks Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced the Gillard Government will seek to ‘place a price on carbon.’ Do you support or oppose the Gillard Government’s proposed legislation?”

Electors Federal Voting Intention March March ALP L-NP Greens Others Can’t say 8-10, 2011 16/17, 2011 % % % % % % % Support 33 38 62 12 72 23 25 Oppose 57 54 27 83 15 73 59 Can’t say 10 8 11 5 13 4 16 TOTAL 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

The Morgan Poll also asked electors whether they believe Prime Minister Julia Gillard lied about the proposed carbon tax. A large majority of electors (68%) agree that Gillard lied including 86% of L-NP supporters, 48% of ALP supporters and 49% of Greens supporters. Although only 9% of L-NP supporters say that Gillard didn’t lie, sizeable minorities of ALP supporters (39%) and Greens supporters (29%) also say that Gillard didn’t lie. Question 2: “Prime Minister Gillard has claimed that she has not broken an election promise in which she stated – ‘There will be no carbon tax under the Government I lead.’ Do you think Prime Minister Gillard lied about this promise?”

Electors Federal Voting Intention March March ALP L-NP Greens Others Can’t say 8-10, 2011 16/17, 2011 % % % % % % % Gillard lied 72 68 48 86 49 73 84 Gillard didn’t 19 23 39 9 29 23 16 Can’t say 9 9 13 5 22 4 - TOTAL 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 The final question related to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s promise ‘to rescind’ the Gillard Government’s legislation if elected. Marginally more electors (46%) oppose Tony Abbott’s promise ‘to rescind’ the Gillard Government’s proposed ‘carbon tax’ legislation if elected than support (44%). However, a large majority of L-NP supporters (75%) support Abbott’s promise compared to only 18% of ALP supporters and 15% of Greens supporters. A clear majority of ALP supporters (71%) and Greens supporters (80%) do not want Abbott to rescind the ‘carbon tax’ if elected compared to only 16% of L-NP supporters. Question 3: “Do you support or oppose Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s promise ‘to rescind’ the Government’s proposed ‘carbon tax’ legislation if elected?”

Electors Federal Voting Intention March March ALP L-NP Greens Others Can’t say 8-10, 2011 16/17, 2011 % % % % % % % Support Abbott rescinding tax 44 44 18 75 15 47 19 Oppose Abbott rescinding tax 45 46 71 16 80 43 32 Can’t say 11 10 11 9 5 10 49 TOTAL 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 13 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

Roy Morgan Research Ltd. A.B.N. 91 007 092 944 – Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001 Article No. 1302 Available on Website: www.roymorgan.com On March 23, 2011 Roy Morgan Online Store Australian State of the Nation Report

Australians Losing Battle of the Bulge – 6 in 10 now overweight or obese The number of Australian adults classified within an acceptable weight range continues to decrease, according to the Roy Morgan State of the Nation report – a major study of Australians spanning well over a decade with almost a million interviews. In December 2010, only 36% of Australians had a Body Mass Index (BMI) indicating an acceptable weight, down from 40% in September 2001. The shift towards a larger body mass is supported by figures showing 27% of the population were obese in December 2010, up from 23% in September 2001. Over the same period, those considered overweight rose from 34% to 35%. Body Mass Index of Australians

Base: Australian population 18+ 60%

40% 40% Acceptable weight 36%

34% Overweight 35%

` ` Obese 27% 20% 23% FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2% Underweight 2% 0% 1 4 7 0 1 01 02 04 05 07 08 10 -0 -01 -02 -03 -0 -05 -06 -0 -08 -09 c 1 p c c c c c c e S Dec Dec De De Dec De De Dec De De Source: Roy Morgan Single Source, Australians 18+, average 12 monthly moving average Sept 01 – Dec 2010, n =51,851. Similar shifts are reflected in attitudes to weight loss. As of December 2010, 64% of the population reported they would like to be able to lose weight, compared to 62% in March 2001. Despite this, those who considered a low fat diet a way of life declined from 36% to 33% between March 2001 and December 2010, and the number of Australians constantly watching their weight was down from 42% to 40% over the same period. Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan Research, says: “Our rising weight is likely an indication of our changing lifestyles. But despite more Australians becoming overweight and obese, we seem to becoming less interested in dieting and weight watching.

Please visit the Roy Morgan Online Store for more information: www.roymorganonlinestore.com 14 14 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

in exactly the spot where Dr Wahren knelt. So I did I thought I was going to cramp his style, so I went THE HIGH COUNTRY my research. and found a comfortable rock on the hill and ob- served the minister and his entourage going On Tuesday, March 2, a motion was put before An honourable member interjected. through their paces. I had the best free show in the Victorian Legislative Council by the Opposition town; you had to have seen it to believe it. Let me that: Mr DAVIS – Absolutely. But when I measured it describe it to you: five bloody great big four-wheel what I found was that those everlastings were not drives steaming through wetlands and ploughing The House should expresses its dismay at the gov- on the trial site. They were 3 kilometres from the them up. It was like the ads promoting four-wheel ernment’s decision to reintroduce cattle grazing to trial site and there was a fence between them and drives on TV that show them mudrunning; they the Alpine National Park... the trial site. So Dr Wahren has fabricated evidence try to spray as much mud as possible around the for the purpose of getting a political campaign go- place. The minister and his convoy would have out- Letter from Melbourne’s editor, Alistair Urquhart, ing — lining up and being associated with the Vic- done a four-wheel drive television advertisement. in the chamber at the time, listened to the long torian National Parks Association and other cam- There was mud going every which way. and animated response to the proposed motion by paigners — on an issue which has absolutely no Member, and farmer, Philip Davis. Davis made a credibility at all.‘ Mr FINN [Bernie Finn, Liberal number of arguments in favour of the return of cat- MLC] – What did that do to the tle to the region, including a theory that it lowered Most interesting was Davis’s anecdote of the feder- frogs? fire risks in the area by clearing particular types of al Environment Minister’s February odyssey to the flora. His words are as follows: Alpine National Park in search of a frog pond. Mr DAVIS – What it did was make the track into the trial site ‘My take is that there is a bit of ‘I was told by some local people in that area — unpassable. If Mr Finn wants to go there, I suggest fraud going on here. I thought which was formerly a grazing-licensed area held he take a Caterpillar D9 tractor, because he will not that there was some evidence by the Treasure family and which in simple terms get in with a reasonable four-wheel drive. Worse being fabricated about damage is to the north of Dargo and to the south of Mount than that was the fact that as the minister’s entou- that cattle are doing because Hotham — that, interestingly, Dr Wahren’s claims rage was leaving, they were going so hard in one of claims were made. One of the about this site so excited everybody that the federal the boggy wetland spots that they hit a rock in the features in the Age story was that cattle were mov- minister thought he must come and intervene. The bog and ripped the rubber off the wheel rim. The ing along a track in front of a vehicle, which was federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, minister then had to sit on the side of the track for part of the video. Clearly those cattle had been Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke, an hour while the tyre was changed. mustered together for that vision, so somebody jumped into an aeroplane and flew to the Dinner had disturbed the cattle that otherwise would have Plain airport on Mount Hotham. An honourable member – Like Burke’s Back- been dispersed and grazing. There were wheel yard! tracks on Shepherds Plain, where clearly the mus- He picked up a convoy of vehicles for his entou- tering activity had been going on. So we know that rage, including advisers, bureaucrats and media Mr DAVIS – As the interjector said, it was like there has been some fabrication. representatives — a great circus. He picked up five Burke’s Backyard. They did not even know how of the biggest and shiniest four-wheel drives. Is the to drive a four-wheel drive in the bush. They did The real tell about this was that on the way out of federal government not concerned about green- not need five four-wheel drives to inspect the frog the site I found the spot where a photo which is house gas? They flew to Mount Hotham, and then pond, yet they took five. The worst thing about this on the Age website was taken. It shows Dr Wahren they got into five of the biggest four-wheel drives whole saga was that if they had been bushmen, crouching down and taking a photograph — in you could find, and they drove from Mount Hotham and if they had had any clue about what they were other words, a set-up — of the golden everlasting to Shepherds Plain. That was fine; they were going doing, they would have driven quietly, they would daisy, which is a very common high country plant for a look. have had the vehicles engaged in the proper gear, that cattle do not eat because it is a coarse plant. they would have made their way through the wet There were claims in that article, repeated by Dr The only problem with that — apart from being spots without causing disturbances to the wetland Wahren, that cattle are eating these plants. I found what I view as an incredible waste of resources and, most importantly, they would have observed the exact site, which was easy. and the fact that the minister was on site at the frog that there was a bypass around this boggy section pond for less than an hour — was that it cramped of track. As I did in the vehicle that I went in with, If you do a bit of map reading, as I do, you can ac- my style. There is probably no-one in this house they could have bypassed the wetland. They did tually work out reference points. I found the refer- who does not know that I spend a lot of time up in not need to create the disturbance. Minister Burke ence points and coordinated all of them and found the rarefied air of the alpine region because I hap- and his party did more damage in a visit to the frog exactly the clump that was used for the purposes of pen to have a certain passion for high country, and pond than the cattle could do in six summers. That the Age article. In fact I now have a photograph of it happened to be that I had scheduled a visit to that is a disgrace. me kneeling down and taking a photo of the daisies site and was there when the minister arrived.

15 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

quite open, and a minister who wants to see those issues solved,’ he said. Guy scrapped Melbourne 2030, Labor’s 30-year plan to manage population growth, and has begun “Let’s do lunch ... work on a new planning strategy, although this at Morgans at 401” won’t be delivered for two years.

Planning laws that allowed high-density development along transport nodes have been scrapped, two-kilometre buffers have Enjoy consistently been created around homes near wind farms, fabulous food in a and under-utilised inner city sites - such as Fishermans Bend in Port Melbourne, the E-Gate friendly, charming site on Footscray Road in West Melbourne, or atmosphere and discover the Richmond train station precinct - have why Melbournians who know are singing the praises been earmarked for large-scale development. But, writes The Age, already the government of Morgans at 401. Call to arrange an inspection of has walked away from one election pledge: our extensive function rooms. to scrap the Growth Areas Authority. Instead, it boosted its powers to help with housing supply. For bookings and enquiries call 9223 2413 401 Collins Street (Bet. Queen & Market Streets) or 0423 022 014 (after hours) Another inner-city suburb The Age was the first paper to scoop a Baillieu The second thing is that I was fascinated that on Air superiority government plan for a new suburb around the way out, while they were changing the tyre, The first weekend of March saw the Avalon Fishermans Bend near the Westgate Bridge. they decided the call of nature was inspiring. As I Air show come alive, with exotic fighter Planning Minister Matthew Guy exclusively left that afternoon what did I find on the side of the jets tearing up the skies over Melbourne. told The Age that he will establish an Urban track? There was toilet tissue just left there. Any- Unfortunately event organisers were unable Renewal Authority in the next four months body who has any empathy for the bush knows to open a third lane in time for the post-show to oversee a 20-to-30 year plan for the 200 what you do about the necessities of life. I do not rush, resulting in near standstill traffic along hectare light industrial area. think I need to give a picture of that here in the the Princess Freeway, which our assistant- Parliament of Victoria. It was disgusting and it was editor experienced first-hand. He said it would be ‘a suburb of high density a disgrace. accommodation that is unlike anywhere we’ve seen in Australia,’ also claiming it would be Mr ELSBURY [Andrew PLANNING & BUILDING the countries ‘first inner-city growth corridor’. Elsbury, Liberal MLC] – Is he The project fits in with the government’s stated the Minister for the Environ- policy of refocusing some urban growth from ment? So what’s the plan, boss? Melbourne’s fringes to its heart. State owned What is Victorian Planning Minister Matthew developer VicUrban is to be heavily involved in Mr DAVIS – He is apparently Guy’s vision for his department? ‘In my view, implementing the government’s plans. See the the Minister for the Environment. the key thing about the planning system that inset map opposite. The next thing I thought was that I really needed was missing over the past four years was to know about what actually happened on the site certainty and confidence,’ Guy said in an Age E-Gate plan swings open on the day. Sitting and observing what was going ‘meet the minister’ special. ‘I’m committed The Age said that the Baillieu government is on, I felt that I could not intervene, push all the to being quite active, quite interventionist, considering plans for a carbon-neutral, high- pack aside and say, ‘Minister, what the hell are density suburb of 12,000 on Footscray Road, you doing?’, so I just sat back and let it go and in West Melbourne. It would become Victoria’s observed.‘ largest urban development since Docklands. Reportedly, work to turn old rail yards into a $6 Eventually Davis concluded, billion-plus residential area known as E-Gate could begin as early as 2014. Major Projects ‘In summary, I argue that the motion before the Minister said work would house has no substantive merit. To the opposi- begin on the 20-hectare E-Gate site before a tion’s claim that the house should express its dis- bigger project on land zoned light industrial at may [at the return of cattle], I suggest it should Fishermans Bend near the Westgate Bridge. state that the house should applaud the govern- Richmond station renovation ment’s initiative to do something the Labor Party A Herald Sun exclusive announced that a multi- has been terrified of doing — which is to look at million-dollar revamp of Richmond station will alternative land management regimes to improve be one of the first projects for the new Urban the management of our public land and reduce Renewal Authority. Preliminary plans for a the impact of high-temperature bushfires on our 20-storey residential and office tower above the landscape. station have been drawn up. Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the station was “run down” There are many more things I would like to con- and ripe for regeneration. He said the project tribute today, but I suspect that, as I have now been speaking for one hour and 32 minutes, I would be a godsend for both football fans and should probably sit down.‘ locals fed up with the difficulty of crossing Planning Minister Matthew Guy Punt Rd and Brunton Ave. The Melbourne

16 16 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

Wooden high-rise The old Carlton & United Breweries site in Swanston Street will be converted into a $100 million, 10-storey high-rise development. The Age reports that the building will be constructed from soft-wood panels imported from Europe and fitted together in weeks to create 50 apartments. An environmentally friendly development, the tower will be carbon- neutral and have its own gas-fired generator powered by waste woodchips, and a rainwater and grey-water recycling system. FISHERMANS BEND Dimmeys development The Melbourne Times Weekly wrote that the developers planning a 10-story apartment building on the historic Dimmeys site in Richmond have lodged an appeal with VCAT. Yarra Council rejected their plan in February, arguing it would not suit the mostly low- rise area and could cause traffic issues. The © Google - Imagery ©2011 DigitalGlobe, Cnes/Spot Image, GeoEye, Sinclair Knight Merz & Fugro, Map matter has been listed on VCAT’s major cases data ©2011 Google, Whereis®, Sensis Pty Ltd list, created to speed up decision-making on projects worth more than $5 million. Times Weekly ran a follow up story, saying Student sardines many had criticised the state government for New Victorian Housing Minister announcing the development plan without spoke to The Age, declaring the student housing LOCAL GOVERNMENT consulting transport operators, council staff or system in crisis. She used an example of traders to judge its impact. Opposition planning unscrupulous landlords cramming 12 students Council cash spokesman Brian Tee described the proposal into two-bedroom city apartments as indicative Hobsons Bay City Council voted to review the as ‘a thought bubble dressed as policy’ in the of the serious problems the state faced. salaries payed to its CEOs, sparking wider article. Windsor lessons scrutiny of remuneration packages across Phantom planner Former Victorian Premier John Cain said in The multiple districts. The Herald Sun published Planning Minister Matthew Guy revealed that Age that the explosion in numbers of personal a list of the 10 highest-paying councils with he is unable to determine who made the final ministerial staff posed a particular risk for Melbourne topping the list with a CEO salary of decision on last year’s contentious expansion inexperienced ministers or those lacking in $380,000 in 09-10. of Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary. He political skills. He cited the Ombudsman’s FCUK also promised to institute a new transparent report into the Hotel Windsor controversy as The Herald Sun reported Lord Mayor Robert biennial review system. highlighting the dangers in relying too much Doyle would ‘act’ on a confrontational billboard on personal staff. near City Link in North Melbourne advertising According to The Age, the review would look Docklands soul the fashion brand French Connection UK or not just at expansion, but would consider Docklands has been promised more ‘soul’, fcuk. Doyle described the bold white-on-black arguments to contract the boundary, quoting with a plan to build a $350 million apartment acronym as ‘visual pollution’ that demeans the the minister as saying: ‘Councils, and even and retail complex at NewQuay. The Herald city. individuals, can also make applications to Sun spoke to Kevin Hunt, general residential also go inward should they so choose. It’s not Suburban reunification manager for the developer MAB, who said the a one-way street.’ The Age’s story included The Age reported that Carlton Residents Quays would rejuvenate the area. ‘It will put a graphic, plotting the ‘Shrinking Australian Association had launched a ‘reunification’ soul back into Docklands, it will be a landmark,’ Dream,’ that illustrated the declining average campaign to have North Carlton annexed into he said. residential block size. In the early 1970s the the City of Melbourne from the City of Yarra. average home sat on 1000 square metres of The suburbs were split under then Premier Jeff land, which is roughly twice as large a plot compared to those today. Incentive to move on The Committee for Melbourne has proposed stamp duty relief as an incentive for ‘grandmas and grandpas’ in established suburbs to downsize. According to the Herald Sun, the group’s CEO Andrew MacLeod appealed to ‘empty-nesters’ to free up prime space so that younger generations can be closer to schools and other services. The call came amid community concern about a move by an eastern suburbs council to earmark 48 sites for apartment blocks of up to six stories.

17 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010 Kennett’s council reforms in 1993. However, footballers being used to promote worthy for Essendon, was Demetriou’s first official The Age hypothesised that the ‘northern causes. Kevin Sheedy was quoted in The Age session with the new minister for sport and loyalistshotter than are Mulhouse actually economic refugees’. It dismissingA tram summit? Costello as out of his depth and not followedalmost 1,000 his recent trucks first going official down meeting their streets with wasA month noted after that Premier the City John of Mebournebrumby announced recorded understandingThe campaign theto rescuegood work Melbourne’s the players classic did federalevery hour. Opposition The Maribyrnong Leader TonyTruck AbbottAction Group. The theVictoria lowest would rate buy rise the in five Victoria distinctive this yearbumblebee at1.9 forW-class the community. trams scored a victory with the pairand Footscray’sdiscussed Lessscalping, Trucks legislation for Moore protestedcovering pertrams cent, from while France, the itrates has emergedin Yarra hundredsjumped 4.5 of government agreeing to a tram summit to ambushon the steps marketing of the parliamentfor major with events toy trucks and perthousands cent, bringof dollars the twomust municipalities’ be spent fixing rates air- Federalconsider Minister options foron Sport,the future Mark of Arbibthe vehicles,, wrote Delahunty,to demand whoassistance will today from launchwhoever the won 2011 the closeconditioning to parity on for the residences. vehicles, soSpeaking they can against cope anThe opinion Age reported. piece in The Age similarly criticising Auskickelection season at Taylors Lakes, congratulated thewith proposed Australian reunification, summers. Yarra The mayor government Alison Costello’s comments, calling him ‘a decent Demetriou for the AFL’s recent support of Clarkewill not saidreveal the how loss muchof North the Carlton public wouldhas paid be man,Who’s but in? he should know better than that.’ bushfireFine tuning and flood relief across the country. The ato financialkeep the blowfive tobright her council.yellow trams, Moonee which Valley the SpeakingThe Regional on Railthe Linkcharitable project undertakingsis a new $4.3b of meetingMyki is overcharging went well but passengers Demetriou on knows a handful there of CityDepartment Council of lost Transport $2,570,609 rented fromin annual the French rate footballrail line playersthat will Arbib provide said capacity ‘Their philanthropy for enough isMelbourne some work bus to routes do with because this government. of faults with the revenuetown of Mulhouse when Kensington in 2008. was reunified within isextra genuine, train servicesand should for beup applauded.’to 9,000 passengers Costello GPS system that the $1.35b smartcard system Melbourne municipal boundaries in 2008. lateracross responded the network to in thepeak media hour bystorm separating with Delahunty,uses to locate like bus Ted stops. Baillieu The Transport, is a strong Ticketing AFL high and myki anotherout the regionalcomment from in the The metropolitan Age. He services.claimed supporterAuthority, thebut governmentmany of the department advisers who in charge work As part of the myki smartcard rollout, Met card will theIt isbacklash jointly againstfunded hisby viewsthe Australian was because and beneathof the ticket those system, men identified have long the memories problem in and July be turned off next year,SPORT The Age reported. Myki peopleVictorian within governments, the entire with football the Commonwealth industry were resentbut still the has fact several their partylocations was around not treated Melbourne fairly is a reusable smartcard for public transport, but protectingcontributing their $3.2b. interests The andRegional their ‘access’Rail Link – inwhere opposition, bus passengers rarely fully can briefed be wrongly and often charged shut the new system includes short-term disposable ‘theAuthority administrators, is now releasingthe players, the the Request journalists, for outusing of myki,debate.’ The Age reported. Rebel with a cause tickets. They will be available in Melbourne andProposals all those for whothe earnAlliance an incomeWorks Packagesone way orC The Rebels are Melbourne’s newest rugby union when the Metcard ends. Former Premier John anotherand G for from the Regionalprofessional Rail football’.Link project, ‘There www. is Good focus team. Interestingly, the team’s management brumby did not say when Metcard would go, atenders.vic.gov.au. disconnect between how the industry sees The Municipal Association of Victoria is confirmed to The Age that more than half TRANSPORT but indicated that it was likely to be next year. itself and how the public sees it,’ he said. After convening a working group to meet with the utility the 7,000-strong membership comes from Each short-term myki ticket has a computer chip this, the Nixon media fun team continued to sector in an endeavour to improve the operation the Weary Dunlop Club, essentially a club for and costs the government about 35c. Metcard, deploy. road of the Road ManagementRAIL Act, which has ongoing affluentwith its cheaperrugby fans. magnetic On a relatedstrip, costs note, 3c. Premier When issues relating to communications and process, Tedthe formerBaillieu governments was a keen signedrugby playerthe $1.35b in his myki day, Boysinto reverse behaving badly where utilities interface with roads in particular. captainingcontract, it expectedthe 1973 10 Colts per centpremiership to 20 per team cent ChloePremier Saltau ted bataillieu The wasAge expectedfeels that to beginmen RegionalThe MAV’s Rail weekly Link ‘Local Government’ bulletin on andof trips representing would use Victoria.disposable tickets. But in the behavingwinding back badly clearway only seemstimes introducedto enhance across the Theline Age’sprovides city a goodeditor focus Jason on this Dowling sector. wrote football brand. She compared this controversy a piece calling for the embattled Regional Girlssix regional on film towns with myki, 60 per cent of inner Melbourne in the past two years by the riddled preseason attendance rates with that Rail Link to go ahead. The link includes 47 AFLpassengers player manager used short-term Ricky Nixon tickets. was caught in former Brumby government, The Age reported dear nanny… of other seasons, finding it 13 per cent higher km of new track from Werribee to Southern the glare of the media spotlight after becoming in early December. Road user group the RACV County Court Judge James Montgomery, than that of the last four NAB cups. Cross Station and new stations at Tarreit and embroileden garde in the ongoing ‘St Kilda schoolgirl’ has warned the government against making a (aged ?), said that there is a lot to be said for Wyndham Vale. Most importantly, says Dowling, scandal.The Age Thereported 17-year-old that in releaseda resolution a video passed that AFLknee-jerk takes reaction right turn by winding back the extended compulsory licence retesting for people 65 years the project will separate regional trains from sheby ticket alleged inspectors, showed herand and followed a partially by a clothedvote of Anclearway interesting times, sayingstory fromthey areThe crucial Age toanalysed keeping of age or over, The Age reported. metropolitan trains for the first time, giving 47metropolitan year-old Nixon railway in astation Hotel room.staff, Shemembers claimed of politicaltraffic flowing.climateb aillieu change altered within a clearwaythe AFL. sign It Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat trains their own the pairRail, had Tram a sexual and Bus relationship, Union opposed a claim the Nixon new wasat midday, published December following 9, on league High Street, chief AndrewPrahran, dedicated tracks through the metropolitan stronglyGovernment’s denied. armed AFL bossguards Andrew promise Demetriou for trains Demetriou’sto mark the first visit step with in reversing the new the laws.Baillieu The air system to Southern Cross Station. In the five saidand stations.Nixon may be finished as an AFL player government’sHerald Sun reported Sports replacing Minister clearway signs will. years to 2010, patronage on the Bendigo manager after he was suspended by the Fromcost taxpayers The Age :$2m. ‘Demetriou It is believed was flankedmost of theby hisold World wide service has jumped by 138.6 per cent, on the PlayersYes Association following an investigation long-servingclearway signs left-leaning were turned government to scrap metal. relations Qantas passengers suffered another mid air Ballarat service by 108.9 per cent and on the ofThe his Age case. reported Disclaimer: that a strawThis publication, poll it conducted apart staffer Phil Martin and Martin’s new offsider scare on 15 November – taking the number of Geelong line by 88.6 per cent. fromfound largeour MPsupport Footy for theChart, idea ofdoes quiet not carriages. much JudeA challenge Donnelly for. tTheed appointment of Donnelly, Qantas mid-air incidents to five in ten days – followMonash the University’s antics of Chairthe AFL/footballers/player of Public Transport, aJust former over Howarda week beforeGovernment the election, staffer, Premierwas a when a Boeing 747 flying to Argentina was forced The new rail tracks will also increase capacity managers.Professor Graham Currie, and dr Simon blatantJohn b rumbyadmission flagged by thethe AFLpossibility that it of needed tolls on to return to Sydney amid reports of smoke in the on overcrowded suburban lines to Werribee, Smith, a historian, author and lawyer, both want tothe improve Western itsFreeway political – a relationship$5b, six-lane with road right-to go cockpit. A worthy cause Sunbury and Craigieburn, where some peak- Melbourne to begin a quiet carriage trial. wingunder Australia.Footscray andThe through meeting Sunshine with Delahunty, West, The Former Federal Treasurer hour trains have recently carried in excess whoAge reported.enjoyed Nearby,a brief residentscareer as of a Melbourne’s ruck-rover Flying kangaroos go with Virgin created controversy with his derision of inner west say they are having to cope with ofThe 1,000 AFL passengershas ended –a 800nine-year is considered partnership full. Dowlingwith Qantas argues as itsthat official the Regional carrier, Rail a moveLink theis preciselyairline claims the kindis because of integrated it would transport not agree and to urbanan exclusive planning contract Melbourne with theshould league. be doing. The deal Dog-earedis now worth trams $6m annually for Virgin Blue, The DuringAge reported. his four years as Yarra Trams boss, Canadian Dennis Cliche increased the number of super stops from 10 to over 400. TramTRACKER,ports the mobile and internet application was a hit, and he is spoken of in anthe article Port inof ThePortland Age as ‘a true champion of the ‘Charles Kovess is Australia's Passion Provocateur.’ city’sThe Highhumble Court tram’. has Hefound now that heads the Connect-Port of www.kovess.com He has helped many large corporations and many East,Portland the owneris entitled of the to EastLinka substantial toll way.tax rebate, p 03 9562 2248 m 0412 317 404 Government Departments to saying the Government was obliged to stick to tax concessions granted when the port was PO Box 1412 improve leadership behaviours build better teams The Age wrote that Cliche loves his dogs Central Park andprivatised. has, unbeknownThe High Court to mostruled Melbournians,that when the East Malvern, Vic 3145 unleash passion and build world-class performance. immortalisedassets and business them in theof city’sthe Port public of transportPortland Mention this ad when you contact us and we'll send you a FREE one-hour audio CD valued at $25.00" network.authority Mocha,was sold a poodle, in 1996 has beenby the depicted Kennett in thegovernment, artwork on there the was No.5 a clauseBumblebee on the tram, liability and of thethe buyerspublic toface pay of land tramTRACKER tax on the site. is modelled

18 18 22 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

Bright lights, bridge city iPad, iPhone, TwiTTer, Facebook, blogging; Ted Baillieu’s government has pulled the plug on do They change anyThing? Labor’s $21-million fairy These communication tools can be applied to all sorts of business lights that were planned to practices. adorn the Westgate Bridge A talented team of Affairs of State staffers and Alistair Urquhart as part of its revamp. The will demonstrate functional uses for your business and social life. Herald Sun reported that the decision was driven by Light refreshments. the discovery of an $86.5 million cost blowout on Your invitation to the The Melbourne Twitter Club. Next meeting Monday 2 May. the bridge-strengthening project. 5.30pm to 7.00pm, Monday 2 May L2 / 14 Collins St, Melbourne Parking Cameras AFFAIRS OF STATE Youth worker Les For more information or to RSVP A PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRM [email protected] / 03 9654 1300 Twentyman was one of many opponents of the hi- tech cameras that upset on Cliche’s beagle, Jake. His consortium of built operational smartcard systems for Perth traders and residents in French and Australian companies lost the and Brisbane, and is currently building one for central Footscray. He spoke to the Herald Sun multi-billion dollar trams contract to Keolis, Sydney. about the City of Maribyrnong’s introduction of a French company, in 2009. The Victorian the cameras in April 2009, to deal with ‘a high Revenue off the rails government is negotiating to buy five bright level of illegal and unsafe parking practices’. ‘It Fare revenue across Melbourne’s public yellow Bumblebee trams which where rented just enraged the whole community’. transport network was $60 million less than for about $10 million from the French town of forecast during myki’s first year of operation, Mulhouse in 2008. Twentyman said the cameras sparked a people The Age has reported. power movement against the council, with Engine troubles Police commute local traders storming the council offices at Metro’s chief executive has admitted in the The Herald Sun ran an exclusive announcing one stage. Maribyrnong Mayor Sarah Carter Herald Sun that overcrowded train carriages the introduction of a 25 man armed police switched off the cameras at the beginning of are putting strains on the company’s engines task-force to ride metropolitan trains, in a March. and playing havoc with schedules. ‘They just bid to battle violence. The officers will be can’t do it,’ Andrew Lezala said. ‘Physically, supported by 900 protective services officers they don’t have enough grunt in accelerating promised by Premier Ted Bailieu to lower AIR or breaking.’ The problems seem to lie with the assault numbers on trains, which have been Comeng trains, introduced in the 1980s. This rising in recent months. compounds the already publicised breaking Parking prices issues with the Siemens trains. Good job The Australian Competition and Consumer The Minister for Public Transport is seeking Commission has determined that Sydney and The times are a-changing suitably qualified and experienced people to Melbourne airports are possibly extracting New timetables to be introduced on May 22 will be appointer to the Public Transport Access monopoly rents in their car parks. The price see a radical shake up to the way Melbournian’s Committee. PTAC is a Ministerial Advisory of short-term parking at Melbourne has gone travel by train. The biggest overhaul since the Committee that has been established to up 50 per cent in just five years. All major mid1990s will bring an extra 127 services a provide strategic advice to the Minister for media outlets have been reporting on the issue, day, added to the schedule. More services are Public Transport on issues concerning public revealing emotive anecdotes on the state of just part of the changes, however. According to transport access for older people and people airport parking. In a further blow to airport Metro, the new timetables will greatly simplify with a disability. Advertised in The Age. commuters, VicRoads is set to erect wire and streamline the entire network, preventing barriers along the Tullamarine Freeway that will one trains performance affecting another’s. prevent drivers from waiting at the side of the Myki to the future road to collect people from the terminal. The It was reported by The Age that Vix Technology, ROAD newspapers seem to have picked up the scent owner of Metcard, briefed the state government of a good conspiracy, pointing out that the on a new dual metcard and smartcard ticketing ‘Smart Bus’ route 901 to the airport, which was Human traffic system called Metsmart. The new system is added by the state government in September An international study has rated Melbourne’s claimed to save the government $100 million, last year, has recently been forced to drop morning commuter traffic as being worse than compared with the cost of continuing with miki. passengers at the distant outer extremities of that of Los Angeles and New York. The Herald The Age article pointed out, however, that Vix Terminal Four. This forces passengers to drag Sun says 8 out of 10 Melburnians report they Technology owns ERG, the company behind the their luggage a great distance to reach their are stressed out by the roads and frustrated by abandoned Tcard smartcard system in Sydney. check in area. Airport spokeswoman Carly stop-start and slow-moving traffic. Dixon spoke to The Age and claimed that it Another company positioning itself as a was the state government who ordered that The average Melbourne worker spends 32 potential replacement to the embattled myki, the bus stop be moved, and that ‘We made minutes travelling to their job by car or public is Cubic Transportation Systems. Cubic is one no request to move the bus service down to transport, which is better than the international of the two phoenix companies that emerged Terminal Four.’ However, a senior transport average. The IBM Commuter Pain survey also from ERG limited, the remaining interests of source contacted by The Age insisted that the found that Melbournians were the least reliant which are in litigation with the New South airport had requested the move. Who could one on cars in Australia as the main way of going Wales government over the termination of that believe? to and from work or school. state’s smartcard, Tcard. Cubic has already 19 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011

New views PORTS The City of Port Phillip is well known for its dynamic activity centres, a foreshore Bike ahoy which stretches for nearly ten kilometres, A spokesman for Public Transport Minister cutural diversity and magnificent heritage Terry Mulder told The Age that the government buildings. The council is seeking to appoint an is drawing up plans to return the Westgate experienced and passionate Urban Design and punt service to weekday operation and provide Heritage Advisor. a new city transit link for Melbourne’s surging number of cyclists. The service is a small boat Up there that ferried cyclists from the Scienceworks Jetty The North East region of Victoria is one of in Spotswood across the Yarra to Fishermans Australia’s most important tourism destinations. Bend. However, the service currently only And the Noth Eastern Tourism Board is seeking operates on weekends, as the weekday service a dynamic strategic leader as CEO to drive the was cancelled in 2006. The owner and operator tourism industry to new levels. of the ferry, Rob Horner, has also proposed CEO, Ararat Rural City changing to a more direct route, which would The advertisement in The Age refers readers to make the journey ‘a 10-minute round trip… the Early General News for more information. we would like to see [the price] get down to $3 one way or $5 return’ he said. Bicycle Victoria Emergency Services Commissioner spokesman Garry Brennan said a quicker punt The Department of Justice advertised in crossing time would be welcomed by riders. The Age for the position of an Emergency Services Commissioner to provide leadership Next container port in emergency management for the State of Expert costing documents published in The Victoria. Age put a price tag on the controversial port redevelopment at Hastings for the first time. It was revealed that it would cost $9.4 billion INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS to do the job in within 10 years, and $12.5 billion in 20 years. The Coalition government has pledged to transform Hastings within eight Baillieu test to 10 years, saying the redevelopment was A Victorian Government drive to keep down possible and necessary, given the massive wage costs emerged as what the Australian increase in Port of Melbourne container traffic. Financial Review called the first test of Premier Ted Baillieu’s willingness to take on the With $5.5 billion of the 10-year build option to powerful union movement. Finance Minister be spent on rail alone, the June 2010 costing by Robert Clark confirmed that the Coalition the Transport Department and Major Projects government intended to stick with the previous Victoria revealed the difficulty the government administration’s 2.5 per cent target for annual will have in finding funding to pay for the increases in negotiating public sector wage development. The costing was prepared for the deals. Over the next year the government will former Labor Ports Minister Tim Pallas, with negotiate agreements covering more than a second document by consultants Deloitte 160,000 employees including police, public Touche Tohmatsu, validating the departmental servants, nurses and teachers – workers numbers. The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s who could cause major disruptions to state biggest container port, handling more than a infrastructure. third of the nation’s trade. Container traffic is Unions may compromise promises expected to quadruple by 2035. Premier Ted Baillieu’s election commitments are under threat, claims The Age, by the workers needed to implement them. The THE WORKPLACE union representing thousands of staff in state departments has warned that the Coalition’s first-term agenda is at risk because of its JOBS wages policy which provides for annual 2.5 per cent wage increases – far short of what Wanted government employees are likely to accept Major Projects Victoria was established in 1988 as they negotiate new individual agreements. to provide high-level, expert project delivery Community and Public Sector secretary Karen services to Victorian government entities Batt said in The Age that the policy denoted undertaking large scale ‘one-off’ projects a real wage cut, which could mean cash- outside their ‘normal’ capital works programs. strapped agencies cutting jobs or services to Its mission is to deliver major projects and survive. programs that achieve exceptional outcomes for the Victorian community. Telstra closes call centre The Age announced that Telstra would close Its advertisement in The Age called for an its Moe call centre on April 13, leaving its 114 Executive Direcetor. staff out of a job. Company spokeswoman Karina Keisler said that a new call centre in

20 20 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE the Docklands employing 1100 people would invitation mailing list and numerous important Vale take most Telstra customers’ calls, and that any public figures who had attended. According to Harry (Bill) AM OBE, aged 84, veteran, overflow would be dealt with by call centres in him, ‘not one of them had any concerns’. honorary treasurer of the Victorian Division of the Philippines. the returned Serviceman’s League from 1956 Stealing from the Salvos until 1994. Child safety worker retention The Salvation Army area manager Judy Victoria’s child protection system is having Buchanan said her organisation would Ian Wayne Abdulla, regarded as Australia’s a hard time retaining staff. According to The prosecute anyone caught stealing from their greatest native artist, died aged 63 only weeks Age, 302 workers were recruited last financial donation bins. The Herald Sun said the Salvos after being diagnosed with liver cancer. year, but 247 were lost over the same period, were installing new $500,000 state-of-the-art forcing the government to run a campaign to CCTV cameras to catch thieves after recent George Marvyn Willis, Chemical Metallurgist, fill at least 60 vacancies. perpetrators were unable to be identified due died at home aged 94. William Gran Doig, to poor-quality surveillance footage. orthopaedic surgeon. Community Services Minister Mary Wooldrige Red back boom commented that low retention rates were Victorian Poisons Hotline manager Jeff Agnes Milowka, underwater cave diver, died degrading quality of service. ‘They’re always Robinson said there had been a 16 per cent aged 29 after becoming separated from he going to be inexperienced, they’re not going to increase in redback spider bite calls from 2009 companion in Tank Cave near Mount Gambier, have continuity with the families and children’, to 2010, with even more calls occurring this South Australia and subsequently becoming she said. year. trapped in the labyrinth like system and running out of air. Her body was recovered. The article in the Herald Sun attributed the COMMUNITY rise in bites to a spider population boom Peter Clarkson, abalone diver - shark attack occurring around Melbourne’s suburbs, due off South Australia’s coast. Right to discriminate largely to the weather creating many small The Age reported that Ted Baillieu’s insects. Exterminators have apparently been Paul Simpson, maths and science teacher at government has begun the process of restoring exceptionally busy this season in suburbs Caulfield’s Shelford Girls Grammar, died aged unlimited rights to religious organisations stretching from Essendon to Rowville. 40 when he was caught by a rip tide with four to discriminate against gays and lesbians, school girls while on a snorkelling tour off Bells What’s the difference? single mothers, and people who hold different beach and suffered a heart attack. The Age reviewed a new magazine, titled The spiritual beliefs. Attorney General Robert Clark Difference, aimed at persuading Australia’s drew up the amendments to curb Victoria’s (Sapper) Jamie Larcombe, Australian combat reluctant rich to give to the poor. Australian of anti-discrimination laws, which are to be engineer in Afghanistan in a Taliban ambush, the Year Simon McKeon, investment banker introduced to Parliament shortly March. The aged 21. and philanthropist, launched the magazine at move fulfils a Coalition election promise to city art gallery Utopian Slumps. conservative religious groups. A baby died of whooping cough at the Royal Children’s Hospital, the first to die since an The high production values of the publication The Brotherhood outbreak 2 years ago. An Ombudsman’s report was tabled in state are immediately obvious, with McKeon saying ‘’It’s almost a coffee table magazine’. Editor parliament on ‘The Brotherhood’, after the 5 Victorian children have died in driveway Nick Bolto revealed to that the first 200 copies lunchtime gathering of important figures in accidents, with Kidsafe Victoria estimating that would be sent to ‘the top 200 companies on policing, justice, business and politics, fell such accidents injure one Australian child each the stock exchange’. under the media spotlight this month. week and kill one child each month. The Age claimed a study released by the According to The Age, the report condemns The An Australian died along with 11 others in Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Brotherhood as an exclusive and secretive group Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay tourist boat tragedy. that fosters a culture allowing for ‘inappropriate Nonprofit Studies showed that many of Australia’s millionaires weren’t giving money networking and improper exchanging of Gilbery Brian Tucker, renowned atmospheric to charity for several reasons, including favours and information’ and potentially, illegal scientist with the Bureau of Meteorology and insecurity over finances, a belief it was the activity. The group’s founder John Moncrieff CSIRO, died at Mornington, aged 80. Federal government’s responsibility, and a culture defended the organisation, saying that it was Labor backbencher, Member for McEwan where philanthropists did not discuss their not as secretive and exclusive as was being Rob Mitchell was involved in a fatal head-on made out in the press, pointing to the huge donations for fear of ‘big noting’.

To all our subscribers not for profit Preview the workshop at the next 101 drinks businesses Monday 4 April. 4.30pm to 5.30pm. RSVP 25 March individuals Presented by Alistair Urquhart Affairs of State |14 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 interest groups 03 9654 1300 | [email protected] | www.affairs.com.au

21 14 FEBRUARY to 23 MARCH 2011 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE Letter from Melbourne is a monthly newsletter distilling public policy and governmentLETTER decisions FROM that CANBERRA effect business opportunities in Victoria and beyond. You only need to be on a trip to miss out on important context. In a world of wall-to-wall information overload, we have been summarizing the media and coffee-shop gossip for 18 years now, along with Letter from Canberra. !"#$%$#"&'()$*($+,-./01#,2)$'")(/1"3$'/(,-!!"#4)/1 Eighteen)56789:6;$6;<=9;$>?$/8@=6;9$%A?A$BCD$E=$:C@=$@F;$D9BG$@=$G:C$%$C:EF@7H$:C8I5D:CE$69;BJR$UVQW$?>AAH$=9$;SB:I$X5I:;@@;YB<)))))) ?4,&0)))))) 28 APRIL 2010 to 31 MAY 2010 ISSUE 154: BUDGET/EARLY CAMPAIGN EDITION INSIDE come and go. Solid state budget starts the campaign 3 Branch stacking remains big issue 3 Plague of locusts in north-west Victoria affecting crops 15 Bushfire Commission: Strong conclusions soon 5 Local wind farm planning options 9 PaymentH2E0.+),F.)2'G$ Details Pokie king Mathieson 10 Victorian government IT spend down 15 p14-17: Special Morgan Poll Victorian Election Metro rail difficulties continue 21 edition: ALP (52.5%) cf. L-NP (47.5%) Anti-corruption commission on way 5 Planning. Planning. Planning 2 INSIDE Issue 159 19 October to 17 November The Big Election Edition Who do you prefer? Preference deals dominate. Tight finish looming D+'E"')F,--,$+'/G)*.%)H) )&!)'3$0.!'/)5,7,#0')-.)(**,&%!).*)A-,-'6).%))) Liberals prefer Labor. Greens in trouble for lower house Our child protection woes roy Morgan estimate of unemployment in each Federal electorate – page 11 Money everywhere for everything, promises too Gay friendly schools and not As governments change, you need: Health, education, law and order, Locusts make it to the city transport, energy dominate debate Any port in a container storm $+,%1')H))))))))))))))))))))-.))!)I&!,))!)C,!-'%$,%/))!)(4'> • Strategic advice D,%/)9"4#'% • Letter from Canberra AFFAIRS OF STATE • Letter from Melbourne Subscriptions!"#$%&'()'*+$,)*,-.)).&,/&*0,12+#.&&2,3*&,456,7689,:;<,=$$".$>,3*&,?@ABC to Letter from Melbourne for ONE YEAR (10 Issues) for $275. D,%/)J.0/'%)))))))))))) • Our government charts O*,2GG,+.P,$"#$%&'#.&$,#.3*&.,J<,!.().0#.&Q,@<;< A&13,-"%')))))))?>5&%7)))))))))))))))<)))))))))))))) A PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRM All new subscribers will additionally receive one of: • Lobbying 101/102 ()*%'')#%&'*&31)@&-+)7."%)!-,**).3)&!!"'!)-+'%'&36),-)7."%).**&$').%)2&,)AB75' ;0',!')*,>)-+&!).%/'%)*.%4)-.)PO)QRSM)LLRS)*.%)$%'/&-)$,%/)5"%5.!'! [email protected] | www.affairs.com.au ()*%'')$+,%-).*),00)*'/'%,0)C;!),3/)!'3,-.%!),3/)-+')*..-#,00)-',4)',$+)!"55.%-! PhoneHI*+., ,, ,

19 22 22 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE LETTER FROM MELBOURNE Letter from Melbourne is a monthly newsletter distilling public policy and governmentLETTER decisions FROM that CANBERRA effect business opportunities in Victoria and beyond. You only need to be on a trip to miss out on important context. In a world of wall-to-wall information overload, we have been summarizing the media and coffee-shop gossip for 18 years now, along with Letter from Canberra. !"#$%$#"&'()$*($+,-./01#,2)$'")(/1"3$'/(,-!!"#4)/1 Eighteen)56789:6;$6;<=9;$>?$/8@=6;9$%A?A$BCD$E=$:C@=$@F;$D9BG$@=$G:C$%$C:EF@7H$:C8I5D:CE$69;BJ

An annual subscription to3=C@B8@$*<R$UVQW$?>AAH$=9$;SB:I$X5I:;@@;YB<)))))) ?4,&0)))))) 28 APRIL 2010 to 31 MAY 2010 ISSUE 154: BUDGET/EARLY CAMPAIGN EDITION INSIDE Solid state budget starts the campaign 3 Branch stacking remains big issue 3 Plague of locusts in north-west Victoria affecting crops 15 Bushfire Commission: Strong conclusions soon 5 Local wind farm planning options 9 PaymentH2E0.+),F.)2'G$ Details Pokie king Mathieson 10 Victorian government IT spend down 15 p14-17: Special Morgan Poll Victorian Election Metro rail difficulties continue 21 edition: ALP (52.5%) cf. L-NP (47.5%) Anti-corruption commission on way 5 Planning. Planning. Planning 2 INSIDE Issue 159 19 October to 17 November The Big Election Edition Who do you prefer? Preference deals dominate. Tight finish looming D+'E"')F,--,$+'/G)*.%)H) )&!)'3$0.!'/)5,7,#0')-.)(**,&%!).*)A-,-'6).%))) Liberals prefer Labor. Greens in trouble for lower house Our child protection woes roy Morgan estimate of unemployment in each Federal electorate – page 11 Money everywhere for everything, promises too Gay friendly schools and not Health, education, law and order, Locusts make it to the city transport, energy dominate debate Any port in a container storm $+,%1')H))))))))))))))))))))-.))!)I&!,))!)C,!-'%$,%/))!)(4'> D,%/)9"4#'%

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