SavingLETTER you time. A monthly newsletter distilling FROM public policy and government decisionsMELBOURNE which affect business opportunities in Australia and beyond. Saving you time. A monthly newsletter distilling public policy and government decisions which affect business opportunities in Australia and beyond.

p11-14: Special Melbourne Opera insert

Issue 161 Our New Year Edition 16 December 2010 to 13 January 2011 INSIDE Auditing the state’s affairs Auditor (VAGO) also busy Child care and mental health focus Human rights changes Labor leader no socialist. Myki musings. Decision imminent. Comrie leads Victorian floods Federal health challenge/changes And other big (regional) rail inquiry HealthSmart also in the news challenge Baillieu team appointments New water minister busy Windsor still in the news 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

14 Collins Street editoriAL Melbourne, 3000 Victoria, Australia Our government warming up. P 03 9654 1300 Even some supporters of the Baillieu government have commented that it is getting off to a slow F 03 9654 1165 start. The fact is that all ministers need a chief of staff and specialist and other advisers in order to [email protected] properly interface with the civil service, as they apply their new policies and different administration www.letterfromcanberra.com.au emphases. These folk have to come from somewhere and the better they are, the longer it can take for them to leave their current employment wherever that might be and settle down into a government office in Melbourne. Editor Alistair Urquhart Some stakeholders in various industries are becoming frustrated, finding it difficult to get the Associate Editor Gabriel Phipps Subscription Manager Camilla Orr-Thomson interaction they need with a relevant minister. Just give them another week or two to get settled Advertising Manager Eddie Mior in, by the end of February. Also, keep in mind that the new government is auditing some of the Editorial Consultant Rick Brown activities of its predecessor, and this can take a month or three. And doing some research and Design Richard Hamilton reflection on the past and the future. With assistance from products such as the new Affairs of Steph Dang State Victorian Government Chart 2011, and our new chart Coffee with the Minister, your dealings with government ministers will be even more satisfactory. Letter From Melbourne is a monthly public affairs bulletin, a simple précis, distilling and interpreting Mother nature. public policy and government decisions, which affect Many of us have become entranced by the capabilities of modern technology. Coupled with the business opportunities in Victoria and Australia. plethora of rules and regulations laid down by various/many authorities, we have felt guided and Written for the regular traveller, or people with safe within a fantastic nanny state. Yet we collectively sat back with wonder, and worse, as Mother meeting-filled days, you only have to miss reading Nature flooded large parts of our state, and generally reeked havoc nationwide. A tough few months. The Age or The Herald Sun twice a week to need Floods, cyclones, bushfires - even metropolitan Melbourne copped its fair share of fury. We should Letter from Melbourne. It’s more about business not forget Mother Nature as we can never be sure when she will put on a turn. opportunities (or lack of them) than politics. It’s not Continued on page 3... 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 federal level. in the coal industry, where he became involved with energy, 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 MELBOURNE 16 advertising with LETTER FROM MELBOURNE BUSHFIRES 5 PLANNING & BUILDING 17 please contact Alistair Urquhart [email protected] +61 3 9654 1300 EDUCATION 6 DOCKLANDS 18 ENVIRONMENT. CONSERVATION 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 18 Published by A.B Urquhart & Company Pty Ltd trading as Affairs of State. Disclaimer: Material in this publication is general ENERGY 7 SPORT 18 comment and not intended as advice on any particular matter. WATER 7 TOURISM 19 Professional advice should to be sought before action is taken. Material is complied from various sources including newspaper GAMING 8 TRANSPORT. RAIL 19 articles, press releases, government publications, Hansard, trade HEALTH 8 ROAD 20 journals, etc. © This newsletter is copyright. No part may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or INVESTMENT. BUSINESS 9 AIR 20 transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written ICT 10 PORTS 20 permission from the publisher. Affairs of State respects your AGRICULTURE 10 JOBS 21 privacy. While we do believe that the informastion contained in Letter from Melbourne will be useful to you, please advise us if JUSTICE 15 COMMUNITY 21 you do not wish to receive any further communications from us. EVENTS 16

2 2 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

A chance for a landslide victory party fought McGuire’s selection as a candidate. STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Melbourne public affairs commentator Des Moore feels that Labor’s ‘deeply flawed’ Government was Life goes on Adapting to the prize ripe for a ballot box trashing and that the Coalition Parliament, both houses, sat on February 8 for three The new premier has not made big changes quickly missed an opportunity. He wrote in The Age that days. With its members adapting to their new roles. as did Kennett when he became premier in 1992. the Coalition failed to present itself as having the Different smirks from different folks. Kennett had plenty of warning of his coming success. main aim of lifting the role of the private sector, He was elected in completely different financial and demanding the public sector be subjected to Brumby pension circumstances. The top level of the civil service increased competitive forces. Baillieu has also been The day after announcing his retirement, the Herald management remains, explains The Age. The thrust shown as risk adverse on climate change policies. Sun pointed out that after 17 years as a state MP, of the first 100 days will be in doing the groundwork Minister and Premier, John Brumby will receive to implement the promises of their election campaign. Brumby set to quit politics about $165,500 a year in super payments, topped The transition to government had been made more On 21 December, The Age correctly predicted that up by other payments from his seven-year stint hectic by the two floods to hit Victoria, in December John Brumby would break his promise to complete as a Federal MP. But despite recanting on his pre- and in January. The new Ministers continue to be a full term and announce an end to his 17-year career election ‘intention’ to continue in Parliament, the amazed by the large rooms that their ministries have, in Victorian politics, forcing Labor into a potentially 57 year old said he had not misled voters. Brumby with not a lot of advisers and other staff to fill them. damaging by-election just months after losing power said that after a break he would look forward to to the coalition. Brumby previously held the safe doing some work with voluntary non-government State Audit Considers Privatisation Labor seat of Broadmeadows by a margin of 21 per organisations, but had not considered a new job. He The State’s finances will be independently reviewed cent, but he suffered a swing of 10.9 per cent against also claimed he had no regrets about retiring from for the first time since 1993 to ensure greater him at the recent election, far greater than the State politics and made the decision to quit Parliament transparency, competition and more accountability wide swing against the Brumby government of 6 per only days before announcing his intentions. He hopes for public sector organisations, The independent cent. to be remembered for building a strong state that review of the state’s finances will be chaired by weathered the global financial crisis. Dr Michael Vertigan, a former secretary of the Broadmeadows by-election Department of Treasury and Finance in Victoria. The John Brumby’s retirement will cause a by-election Black book terms of reference for the review include reports in the safe Labor seat of Broadmeadows, which was A black notebook left in a desk draw in the Premier’s into Victorian finances, debt management, service held by 71 per cent of the vote, despite a 10 per office has reignited the row over Labor’s tactics in delivery, infrastructure and public sector governance. cent swing against the incumbent. Frank McGuire, last month’s election, and looks set to call a formal brother of TV personality Eddie, a Broadmeadows enquiry into the possibility the Brumby government Positive human rights native though not a resident, won the pre-selection inappropriately accessed Coalition e-mails. During Emily Howie and Phil Lynch of The Human Rights after some court proceedings by ALP party factions, the campaign John Brumby denied running a dirt Law Resource Centre writes in The Age that the new and is likely to be a party fixture for some time, the unit but defended the right of his government to government is in danger of taking a regressive step Financial Review pointed out. McGuire was not a party scrutinize the opposition. Former Attorney-General in relation to the Victorian Charter of Human Rights. member at the time of his pre-selection. His most Rob Hulls repeatedly attacked Ted Baillieu and his Attorney-General Robert Clark, while stopping short obvious formal political connection was as a chief colleagues as ‘sooks’ for complaining about Labor’s of saying he will repeal it, described the charter as strategist to the Australian Democrats many moons tactics. ‘riddled with flaws’, saying that it ‘could not continue ago. The by-election will be held on 19 February, in its current form’. It will be reviewed in 2011. costing about $350, 000. The unions within the Labor Consultation sham It has come to light that former Victorian Planning Election review Minister Justin Madden attended a meeting where a The Age writes that Federal Labor MP Alan Griffin is EDITORIAL (CONT) plan to run a phoney public consultation on the Hotel one of the team reviewing the ALP’s loss in Victoria’s November State election. News of the Victorian review comes as the panel investigating Labor’s points We need more (outdoor) education and training on how to live with our environment. What is victory at the August federal election is drafting its also needed, however, is an appreciation and reflection on how we have lived in the past. findings, a panel of prominent Labor figures – former Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon, who died 30 years before Australia morphed into a State Premier Steve Bracks, Senator John Faulkner and ex-New South Wales Premier Bob Carr. nation, was unspoiled by a modern techno/regulatory/bureaucratic state. He embodied how people could keep their wits about them. How one could have compassion for his fellow man Flood enquiry and prepared to help those in trouble, be it too much rain or a lack thereof. We, all, have to Premier Ted Baillieu has announced an enquiry keep our wits about us. into the summer floods. The review will be headed Adam Lindsay Gordon’s statue shares Gordon Park, just near Parliament House, with a statue by Neil Comrie who is a former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. The enquiries findings are due in of General Gordon of Khartoum. He arrived in Australia in 1853. He led an interesting and active December with an interim report to be released in life as a horse breaker, mounted policeman, steeple chaser, member of the South Australian June. Parliament and poet. Sadly he took his own life at 37 years of age. In 1934, his bust became the only Australian poet ever placed in Poets Corner, Westminster Abby. Monuments to his Election closer in seats than votes memory are dotted throughout the continent, including his grave at Brighton General Cemetery The Age revealed that the Coalition harvested more and the statue which made this edition’s front cover. than 1.4 million primary votes, 270,000 more than At the base of the statue, Labor, but in most of the close seats Labor got votes ‘Two things stand like stone, where it mattered. After preferences, 1.633 million Kindness in another’s trouble, Victorians, or 51.6 per cent, voted for the Coalition, Courage in ones own’ while 1.533 million, or 48.4 per cent voted to re-elect the Brumby government. Cover photo by professional photographer John Tozer, www.imaginsight.com.au, of Adam Lindsay Gordon’s statue in Gordon Park, Melbourne.

3 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

Windsor redevelopment was raised. Madden was award winner’s experience and her 30 year record in Tales of bureaucracy implicated in the plan in the report by Ombudsman journalism. The former host of the ABC’s State Loan Premier Ted Baillieu swam into hot water by ignoring George Brouwer, severely undermining his claims program, Cafagna interviewed Baillieu as recently safety rules at a coastal beach and swimming in an that he was not aware of the plan to use a fake as December 3, less than a week after the election. area signposted as dangerous. He was promoting consultation as a pre-text to reject the $260 project. She has previously worked for the 7.30 Report and an anti-violence initiative at Jan Juc beach when Foreign Correspondent programs. She began the job he plunged into the ocean for photographers about Get out of the house as head of strategic communications in January. 400m from the flagged area. The following day In what he describes as a ‘familiarisation programme’, Baillieu encouraged Victorians to swim between the incoming President of the upper house (the Managing the message spins out of control the flags. Despite the controversy, surfing Victoria Legislative Council), Bruce Atkinson, wants MPs Melissa Fyfe, State politics reporter for The Sunday executive director Max Wells backed the Premier’s to visit places such as the University of Melbourne, Age writes: ‘The new Premier made two main points swim as safe, because he was doing so with ‘highly VicRoads, the Port of Melbourne, the desalination about how his government would communicate: no professional surfers’. plant and perhaps jails. Atkinson said some MPs’ spin and a decentralized media unit. This, in itself, is contributions to parliamentary debate are based on spin. For Baillieu, the lesson is to rebuild Victoria’s Team Baillieu information gleaned from media reports, rather than trust in government by resisting the seduction of The Australian Financial Review revealed that a ‘first-hand’ look at what Parliament is debating. In total control. Make no mistake: this temptation – to Michael Brennan, a director at the accountancy 2007, Atkinson, a Liberal representing the region of minimize bad stories, maximize good – is almost firm PWC, would take on the role of chief of staff to eastern metropolitan, was praised by senior Labor overwhelming for governments. But Baillieu must Treasurer Kim Wells. Brennan worked as an adviser Government members when he told Parliament he find that line between the political and public duties to Federal Assistant Treasurer Rod Kemp in the had visited a gay sex beat following his concerns over of taxpayer funded media advisers.’ Howard government for two years before spending rising HIV rates and sexually transmitted diseases. five years as a senior adviser to Finance Minister Baillieu limits staff Nick Minchin. Former Liberal party state director Premier orders MPs to curb their drinking Premier Baillieu has authorised the hiring of only 150 Peter Poggioli will be chief of staff to the Minister The Herald Sun revealed that in a mid-December advisers – despite expanding the Cabinet with the for Business, Innovation, Tourism and Major Events parliamentary party meeting, Ted Baillieu warned appointment of 22 ministers. In contrast, the Brumby Louise Asher. Poggioli was chief of staff to David new Coalition MPs to moderate their drinking in government had 200 advisers covering 20 Cabinet Kemp – now president of the Victorian Liberal party – Parliament and to treat the location with respect. ministers. Baillieu said the changes were important during his time as Federal Education Minister, before He also urged them to keep fit and try to maintain because Victorians wanted less spin and more shifting to Prime Minister John Howard’s office to work a healthy work-life balance despite the pressure of resources put into fixing problems. with the Cabinet policy unit. government. The newly elected Premier banned alcohol from the traditional party to mark the rising Baillieu fights health reform Peter Greenwood will be chief of staff to Transport of Parliament on December 21. Australian Drug According to the Herald Sun, Premier Baillieu will Minister Terry Moulder. Baillieu has recruited the Foundation CEO John Rogerson commented: ‘The fight Julia Gillard over her health reform plan if president of the Victorian branch of the Planning Premier is not saying don’t drink, he is saying drink Victorians oppose it. Health Minister David Davis Institute of Australia, David Vorchheimer, as responsibly, and that’s the sort of genuine leadership said the public had so far been ignored and the state senior planning adviser. Tony Nutt, who was John we need on this issue.’ This emphasis on alcohol government would open the issue for debate. Maps Howard’s chief of staff, has quit his roll as head of comes after a series of allegations during the past of the 46 primary care networks – down from former the Liberal Party Victorian office and state campaign four years against MPs, from both sides of Parliament, PM Kevin Rudd’s original 150 – would be released, director to become director of the Premier’s private being drunk in Parliament and even in the chamber, and Davies said Victorians should examine them. office. The Party is advertising to fill Nutt’s old position particularly during late sittings. Baillieu, who doesn’t Davis said that ‘valuable Victorian health services of State Director, applications by February 21. drink alcohol, tea or coffee, said that MPs must set an need to be protected in any change, and my job is to example for others in the community. stand up and make sure that happens.’ The changes Former Howard staffer Perry Sterling has been would allow providers of primary, GP and community appointed as a key adviser. Baillieu intends to keep Labor boss unsure over loss health care to be administered locally and paid his election promise and cut the number of advisers The campaign director of Labor’s State election said correctly from Canberra for services. All other from 200 under the Brumby Labor government to he would ‘go to his grave’ wondering if the loss was states, except for Western Australia, have agreed to 150. Over 400 applications had arrived at Treasury inevitable. ALP state secretary Nick Reece put the boundaries. Former Premier Brumby signed a deal Place for these 150 ministerial adviser positions by loss down to the ‘it’s time factor’ and a successful for the Commonwealth to provide up to 60 per cent the end of January. Coalition campaign that turned the election into a of financing for the State’s health system, in return referendum on a decade of Labor rule. ‘We knew that for 30 per cent of Victoria’s GST revenue. Victoria’s Labor pains if the election became a referendum on the previous deadline was extended until the end of January due Victorian Opposition leader Daniel Andrews might 11 years we were toast,’ he told the Melbourne Press the state election. have hailed from Labor’s Left, but weeks into the job Club on the 15 December. He also agreed with the of leading a party derided for standing for nothing, analysis of Opposition leader Daniel Andrews that Busy team he’s been quick to insist that he is no socialist. Yet the election turned on the failure of services in the The Victorian Auditor General’s Office, VAGO, with the campaign post-mortem perhaps months suburbs. completed nine reports tabled in parliament last away, the nation’s youngest serving Labor Party October, for a total of 18 reports since July 2010. leader at 38, and first member of the Socialist Left Electoral wilderness for Victorian Labor VAGO also tabled their Annual report during that busy faction to head the Victorian branch in almost two State political editor for The Age, Paul Austin, wrote period. One of its most significant interactions with decades, has a big sales job ahead. He claims the that not only had the ALP suffered a bad defeat but parliament last year was through its involvement in socialist label means less today than in the 1990s. that the worst might be yet to come, ‘…in Victoria, the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee review ‘We are not an ideologically tribal party, nor an we don’t really do one term governments.’ of the Audit Act 1994. The committee put forward ideologically tribal community the way that we were 53 recommendations which address the Auditor- 20, 30, 40 years ago,’ Andrews said in an interview Baillieu’s new media advisor General’s relationship with parliament, the conduct with the Australian Financial Review. The Age announced that ABC journalist Josephine of audits of administrative functions within Victoria’s Cafagna had been appointed to run Premier Courts and avenues available to strengthen numerous ‘We proudly believe and will always defend the role Baillieu’s media strategy. Baillieu praised the Walkley operational audit powers and responsibilities. the government has to play… not in a nanny state

4 4 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE way, not in an interfering way but in the empowering Victoria’s ‘first serious fire threat of the summer,’ university seeks to offset an expected decline in and properly supportive way,’ he said. ‘This notion with strong winds, and the mercury rising above overseas student income. Vice Chancellor Ed Byrne of letting people stand on their own two feet, the 40C by late afternoon. The highest temperature was said 356 full-time equivalent staff had accepted individual above all else, government that doesn’t recorded at Hopetoun Airport in the Mallee where it voluntary redundancy packages. Monash has just interfere, and I would say in many respects that this was a blistering 43.3C. Fire Services Commissioner fewer than 8000 staff. More than 800 staff had applied is government that doesn’t actually govern.’ Andrews, Craig Lapsley said the fires over New Year’s were for redundancy after Professor Byrne’s announcement who plays golf off a handicap, draws a distinction, too, mostly minor spot fires in the west and were quickly that Monash had to find $45 million in savings. between ideology and values. ‘The values that guide controlled. me are not from the seminal writings of some Soviet,’ Body of work he said. Burn-offs on back burner The Herald Sun covered a story about the decline The Australian says that one of the wettest springs on in the use of human cadavers in medical education. Full disclosure record has left Victoria under prepared for the coming University of Sydney’s Professor of surgical anatomy, The lack of information in the latest Australian fire season, with less land preventatively burnt than George Ramsey Stewart, claims that there had been Electoral Commission funding documents has been the previous year, despite a near doubling of fuel a significant drop off in the teaching of anatomy by criticised in The Age as an attack on democracy by reduction targets following the Black Saturday Royal dissection over the decades. ‘This has led to a wide leading governance expert Ken Coghill of Monash Commission. variation in the amount of anatomy taught.’ His paper University. He claims that millions of dollars in political was published in the Medical Journal of Australia. donations are veiled behind obscure fund raising Former fire chief quits rally role bodies, trusts, and disclosure laws that mean only Former fire chief Graham Fountain, having quit the Familiar names top the VCE table donations of more than $11,200 must be revealed. Metropolitan Fire Brigade in December following Students at private and selective government schools By donating in small amounts, businesses are able to allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving dramatically outperformed those at public schools in avoid public scrutiny and disguise how much they are a young lady at the MFB, has also resigned as the this year’s VCE. VCE subjects are marked out of 50, actually contributing. chairman of Rally Australia. The former chief executive with a study score of 30 the average, and more then of the Confederation of Australian motor sport also 40 considered an exceptional result. Below are the Broken promises quit as a director of Rally Australia. His work at CAMS, state’s top schools by percentage of VCE scores of The Victorian opposition has pointed out that Ted included the overseeing of the Australian Grand Prix. 40 and over. Baillieu is breaking election promises just three months into his term as Premier. The $45 million he Private: Beth Rivkah Ladies College, St Kilda East promised Catholic and independent schools by the EDUCATION 35, Bialik College, Hawthorn East 35, Mount Scopus beginning of the first semester has failed to materialise Memorial College, Burwood 35, Leibler Yavneh and his electricity concessions for 800,000 Victorians College, Elsternwick, 33, Huntingtower School, Mount would come six months latter then expected. Victoria the slowest in school building Waverley 30, Loreto Mandeville Hall, 29, Melbourne According to The Age, Victoria’s construction of halls, Grammar School, 29, St Kevin’s Collage, 29. Busy job libraries and classrooms under the federal school The Victorian Governor David De Kretzer’s 5-year building program is the slowest in the country, with Government: Mac.Robertson Girls High School, 44, term finishes at the end of March. The Premier will be just a quarter of projects completed. A report released John Monash Science School, Clayton (very small announcing the new governor soon. by an independent task force set up to investigate sample size) 40, Melbourne High School, 38 complaints about the $16 billion program, said 14 per cent of projects in Victorian government schools Regional/Rural: Ballarat Clarendon College, 27, The BUSHFIRES were yet to start construction and only 59 per cent of Peninsula High School, Mount Eliza, 21, The Geelong funding allocated to it under the scheme, designed College, 20. 2 years on to stimulate the economy during the global financial For two years, now we have had regular monthly crisis, had been spent. The report states that delays Rural scores headlines on bushfires, particularly the Royal in Victoria had generated ‘frustration’ at schools but Students in rural and regional Victoria are achieving Commission and its findings, and the redevelopment had allowed the government to re-tender projects in lower scores than students in Melbourne. Analysis of the affected areas. The new government focus order to achieve lower cost. It says program fees and by the Herald Sun showed that 19 regional schools will include ‘bush fire mastery’ and how best to use overall costs in Victoria appeared reasonable, but the made the list of the state’s 50 worst performing government and private resources at times of high taskforce would continue to monitor results as more schools, compared with only 3 in Melbourne’s eastern bushfire risk, which in some areas is all the time. See projects were completed. suburbs. the editorial. Monash cut staff as enrolment falls Call to overhaul VCE Extreme fire danger According to The Australian, almost 400 staff at In the Herald Sun, a top education expert has branded New Year’s Eve was, according to the Herald Sun, Monash will take redundancy as Australia’s biggest the VCE a ‘battleground’ and called for its overhaul

5 16 18 DECEMBERNOVEMBER 2010 to 15 to DECEMBER 13 JANUARY 2010 2011

bunniesin action, more where than theyopposition used to, parties which meansoutside more an “Installation of the most powerful technology, “Invisible Miracle!” peopleelection are cycle reporting receive their only deaths a few orminutes taking inthem every to without the implementation of the most sound ELPedium™ thehour vet of whencoverage, they butare haveill than their would voices have heard bothered with methodology; leads to mind-boggling apoplexy!” Speech Recognition 10far years more ago, regularity when the in diseasethe lead flourished. up to an Drelection. Walter advisesThe Liberal owners Party’s to keepdecision their to bunniesdirect preferences indoors, if WordScribe®/Dataworxs and ELPedium “Auto Updating” Speech Recognition possible,to Labor especially ahead ofat dawnthe Greensand sunset. changed Outside, the a integrations installed by the soundest methods, produce incredible increases in productivities. mosquitocampaign net and over boosted the rabbit the hutch Coalition’s and run prospects. can make aIt difference.consolidated Dr Tristanthe Liberal’s Rich, at focus,Lort Smith sharpened Animal Clients for our digital voice technologies include the legal and medical professions as well as government agencies including the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Hospital,up the party’s suggests attempts lighting ato citronella appear candleresolute, nearby. and Office and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. made the contest a much starker choice between VaccinesLabor and for the myxomatosisCoalition. exist in Britain and elsewhere, but are banned in Australia. The concern

1 2 3 ist hethat bush a live fights vaccine back could accidentally be released Nearing 50 years of “Supplying Choices; Delivering Solutions!” with practical advice “Supplying Choices; Delivering Solutions!” REW / RECORD PLAY PLAY

4 5 6 intoAs thepart wild of population, The Age’s thus post-election neutralising the analysis, disease SEND FOR SPEECH RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA PTY LTD PAUSE T YPING PRIORITY Inc with: 7 8 9 asit wasa pest noted control that weapon. Baillieu Dr ranPeter a Coetraditional at the

GRUNDIG DICTATION MACHINES PTY LTD REWIND FF FF/PL AY * 0 # CSIROcampaign, estimates pushing that 90the per messagecent of adult that rabbits it was are 656 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia CANCEL PAUSE END JOB T +61 3 9347 5555 F: +61 3 9347 7706 [email protected] infectedtime for with a change myxomatosis after more but show than noa decadesymptoms. of

‘It’sLabor. nothing Meanwhile, like 1950, Nationals when nearly leader 100 Peter per cent ryan of atas the50,000 election. anxious Senior students ALP figures, got their angry results at theon languageof any holiday compulsory pay and in otherevery benefitsVictorian theyprimary are affectedand his rabbitsparty defeateddied. But itthe probably Independent, still kills 40-50Craig Greens’December attempts 13. Professor for seats Richard in the Teesecity heartland, said that school.eligible Whilefor. Victoria already has some specialist peringram cent ,of to those reclaim infected,’ East Gippsland.he says. This boosted wantstudents Labor’s were putelection under review too much panel stress to lookand theat schools, including the John Monash Science School the Nationals’ numbers in the 88-member lower wayseducational to destroy outcome the was minor questionable. party’s prospects of andthat the last Victorian week College of the Arts, Dixon said this Populationhouse from growth 9 to 10 threatens and cements parks Ryan’s position winning seats in the lower house. wasOn the just morningscratching of the the surface. election, The Age had all Theas a Victorianleader of substanceEnvironmental in theAssessment rural and regionalCouncil Refund adverts late polls showing ted baillieu’s Coalition surging reportparty. – virtually buried in the lead up to last month’s Theonward Australian Christian government soldiers is running a multi-platform/ into the lead in the final days of the campaign. Of State election – argues for an increase of open Themulti Age media reported advertising that campaignveteran Liberalfor the educationMP Ken interest also, were the changing approval ratings. space,More greengiven the detail millions of extra people expected in Smithtax refund, will which become provides lower up houseto 50 per speaker, cent back with on Premier John ENVIRONMENTbrumby dipped 7 per cent to 46 theThe coming worse years.than expectedThe report resultsaid that for Metropolitanthe Greens colleaguea range of children’sChristine education Fyffe as expenses. deputy Accordingspeaker. per cent, while Baillieu rose three points to 48 municipalitieswill be taken suchby Baillieu as Borrandara,as vindication Glen for Eira,his Liberalto the ads bruce refunds Atkinson may be aswill much be presidentas $397 for of every the per cent. In the same paper tim Colebatch Stoningtonmid-campaign and Morelanddecision tohad preference low levels the of minorpublic upperchild at house.primary Ofschool, the and22 upministers, to $794 forall every but childone wrote that theCONSERVATION poll implies a two-party swing to openparty space last in and all thatseats, other even recreational if it meant areas a couple would sworeat secondary oaths school.on the Bible. Only Attorney-General the Coalition of about 6.5 per cent. Technically, getof Laborharder members,to find over namely the next b 16ronwyn years. PikeVEAC andis a robert Clark made an affirmation. the Coalition required a uniform swing of 6.6 per publicrichard body Wynne set up, byretained the former their Labor inner-city government seats State fumbles federal funds Highcent tideto win, but swings are never uniform. The tobecause advise onof it.the Meanwhile, protection and a swag management of new Liberal of the WatchIn The Age Co, AGit was revealed that Victorian government InCoalition the first received detailed aattempt swing ofto overstudy 6 theper impactcent and of environmentParty members and naturalclaimed resources the heartland on public easternland. Afterschools being have sworn been inhit as with Premier, protracted ted b delaysaillieu under said seatook level government, rises on low-lying 45 seats coastal to 43. areas, On thethe Federal same suburbs of Melbourne from Labor for the first time thatthe federal he would building pursue project an approach scheme, ofwith competitive only 7 per governmentday, the Herald has Sunreleased had Newspollhigh resolution showing maps the VicForestssince 1999. focus Paul Austin noted that something federalism,cent of science the Financiallaboratories Review and reported.language Baillieulearning showingCoalition whichwith 51.1areas perwould cent be ofinundated the two-party across Setdramatic up by happenedLabor six yearsin the ago, last VicForestsdays of the lost election more wascentres very completed critical atof high the schools. Council Nationally, of Australian 61 per partspreferred of the vote Victorian ahead coast, of Labor in an with effort 48.9 to helpper cent.local thancampaign. $16 million Undecided over the voters, 09-10 especiallyfinancial year in andthe Governmentscent of the centres agenda have inbeen recent completed, years. accordingHe has governmentIt was the firstplanning. time A numberthat the of MelbourneCoalition had bay sidebeen hasmortgage required belts a acrosstaxpayer Melbourne’s funded bailout, eastern in Theand alreadyto figures flagged from the concernsFederal education with federal Department, health suburbsahead in are the shown campaign. to be under The threatAustralian even byhad limited the Agesouthern. Agriculture suburbs, Minister decided Peter they Walshhad had, and enough also andindicating water Victoria reforms is andseriously criticised lagging some behind COAG the seaCoalition level rises,ahead including by 52 per Altona cent and to Altona48 per Meadows, cent. theof LaborNational and Party were member prepared for to Swan give theHill, Coalitionsaid the agreementsother states. for producing a race to the average. St Kilda, Elwood, Aspendale and Chelsea. Popular governmentanother go, was11 years‘committed after theyto providing had evicted long-term Jeff Baillieu flagged a determination to take on the summerother polls holiday towns such as Point Lonsdale and securityKennett to from the thetimber Premier’s industry office. within a framework powerfulCareful Catholics construction union stranglehold on BarwonFive days Heads out fromwill suffer the election, regular inundation,the Herald evenSun of world standard forest management practices’. He commercialCatholic clergy scale have residential been bannedconstruction. from giving underreported limited that rises! a Galaxy Poll showed Premier John saidA long the speech Coalition would carry out its pre-election children piggyback rides under child protection brumby would cling to power, but only with promiseOn election to reduce night, from former three Premier to one Johnthe number brumby of Packagespolicies introduced tied up bywith an string outer Melbourne parish. Talesthe help of bureaucracy of Greens preferences. On a two-party governmentwas convinced departments that the electionto which resultVicForests would reports. be a TheTwo new suspicious policies, aimedpackages at preventing found in abuse, government include Thepreferred Age covered basis, theLabor Yarra was Council’s ahead rulingof the thatCoalition Judy Thehung former Parliament, Labor government and said inhad his promised non-concession to abolish buildings,bans on inappropriatehours before Johnembracing, brumby or concededcontacting and51-49 Bryce per cent,Inglis but’ Dandenong the polling Ranges showed rabbit that shelter up to thespeech company that andLabor replace had itprovided with a new stable entity. minority defeat,children werethrough more Facebook than a hoax,or SMS. police Conduct said. must18 government close, permitting seats themwere toin keepplay noahead more of thanthe government before, the Herald Sun reported. Detectivesdeemed acceptable will investigate includes whether ‘high fives’, the pats packages on the twoelection. pet rabbits History on shows their thatproperty. they Thelost couple,13 of them. who Wood for the trees deliveredshoulder or to back, 1 Treasury holding Place,hands whichwith small houses children, the have 16 rabbits in their care, six of which are pets, Accordingdemocratic to deficitThe Age, Victoria’s new Forestry/ officehandshakes, of the and Premier verbal praise. and the Exhibition Street fearGood they summary will be forced to send the animals to other AgricultureThe close Ministerelection Peterresult Walsh showed has bothchallenged major offices of the Departments of Transport and shelters,Following where the election,they are likelyShaun to Carneybe destroyed. wrote The in scientificparties warningswere lacking that the intimber authority, industry hadis putting too Justice,High school had skillsany political links, The Age reported. Inglis’sThe Age say that their Labor’s neighbours support have during fed this the election council endangeredmany apparatchiks, species at andrisk ofwere extinction, suffering arguing from that a TheHigh Heraldschools Sun in reported Victoria thatwill thebe packagesencouraged were to misinformation.campaign followed a similar downward course only‘democratic a fraction deficit’, of the state’s former forest Premier habitat John is logged. Cain laterspecialise declared in areas safe. where there is a skills shortage, to the ALP governments in Western Australia in Walsh,said. Cain,whose Labor portfolio Premier includes from responsibility1982 to 1990, for including information technology, maths and Myxomatosis2008 and South Australia in March this year. At statesaid bothforests, major denied parties claims face that similarthe forest issues industry but Firstscience, brushes under anyof new Coalition broom push to expand choice Atthe the beginning Melbourne of rabbit the clinicVictorian in leafy, campaign, burrow-friendly only wasthe Laborin crisis, Party but saidneeded it was to fixailing the after problem years ofto Thefor students.Herald Sun According reported tothat The at leastAge, 160the staffState Ferntreea few short Gully, weeksDr Narelle before Walter the says election, she is Labortaking gradualensure cutspolicy to theand allocation ideas are from being state generated forests which by members,Government including is also pushing public for relations business involvementemployees 15appeared to 20 calls to bea dayahead from with worried a small pet owners margin who of hasthe stymiedbroader investment.parties as wellThe Coalitionas its MPs. has Cainpromised said andin specialist advisers schools, left government along the offices lines of in Brisbane’s a matter arecomfort concerned and Brumby about the looked myxomatosis in command, epidemic just that as tothe restorepolicy vacuumindustry isconfidence being filled by byguaranteeing professional ofaviation days oncehigh, runthe inresult partnership was called. with Boeing Any who Australia, have seemshis interstate to be hittingcounterparts Melbourne. had. In Victoria rabbits accesspolitical to advisers,current levels the ofbureaucracy state forest timberand interest for up spentto create a bare pathways minimum for ofstudents 12 months into inthe government aerospace are the third favourite pets after cats and dogs. togroups 20 years. who The back commitment it with political comes donations. amid warnings Cain willindustries. walk awayEducation with Minister12 weeks Martin redundancy Dixon saidpay Increasingly,Gradually, the Dr Waltercampaign says, turned they are sour kept for by Laboradults frompraised scientists, the campaign led by of David John bLindenmayerrumby and ,said an plushe would a three-week like to see notificationmore bilingual paymentschools, ason part top ratherand Brumby, than children, especially hopping in about the whilefinal the week.owners It Australianthe major Nationalparties areUniversity no longer ecologist the crucible who hasfor of the coalition’s election pledge to make a second arewas at perhaps work. Some an examplesuspect thatof thepeople media dote clocked on their workedideas and in Victorian policies, forests The Age since reported. the 1980s, that the

6 66 LETTERLETTER FROM FROM MELBOURNE MELBOURNE

Watchcombination these of spaces bushfires and aggressive logging in housereview betweenof the potential 2002-06, improvements, forcing them and whether to enter it Thethe CentralHerald HighlandsSun reported is putting that threatened transport, species crime dealsis worth with dumping either thethe scheme Greens for or an the alternative, Coalition will to andsuch healthas Leadbeater’s chiefs have possum, a nervous the state’swait asfaunal the getbe commissionedlegislation passed. amid concerns that the consumer Coalition’semblem, at risk.election victory could mean big benefits have been overstated. departmental changes. Meanwhile, Chief Campaign privacy coverage: Yes/No CommissionerOn a wing and aSimon prayer overland may become a TheClean-coal Age reported blackout that the ALP secretly recorded victimA report of titled: the ‘Thechange State of ofgovernment, Australia’s Birds although 2010, theThe Financialpersonal Review details claims of tens the approval of thousands process forof heIslands has andbeen Birds’ publicly was releasedsupported as aby supplementary both major Victoriansa $750 million – coal-fuelledincluding sensitivepower station health in Victoria and politicalto the December parties. issue The of Wingspan,Australian Vol.reported 20, no. 4,that the financialis temporarily information on ice while – the on State’s a database environmental being thenational new magazineBaillieu government of birds. It contains wants Overland52 pages toof accessedregulator awaits by campaign clarification workers on key ahead elements of the ofstate the playfascinating less politics stories andand photos to refocus of birds on in theand aroundbasics election.plant’s design. A follow-up Victoria’s report EPA hasin the asked same the paper company had ofthe running Australian the continent. police force. Join BirdsThe paperAustralia, expected www. Premierbehind the John proposed brumby 600 MWand plant,Opposition HRL, to Leaderprovide Overlandbirdsaustralia.com.au to survive in his job despite a perception tadditionaled baillieu information taking beforeup contrasting it will continue positions its big thinkers in Coalition ranks that he became too close to the onassessment constituent for aprivacy, permit. Thewith plant the is Laborbeing pitchedleader (think tanks, Brumby government, which appointed him. effectivelyas a clean-coal confirming project because he would it dries deny and access ‘gasifies’ to ENERGY filesthe coal kept before on votersit is burned. and the Liberal chief vowing knowledge bro- in the upper house to release files wherever possible. The Liberals kers, networks & TheElectricity Herald for Sun water reported that preliminary counts have software capable of similar profiling. suggestedDr Peter Fisher the Liberalworks on and climate National change parties adaptation were Brumby dismissed theWATER suggestion that MPs held opinion shapers) onand track water to management.gain four seats He inwrote the anLegislative opinion ‘secret’ files. When asked if he would therefore Councilpiece for (upper The Age house). arguing With for theabout merging 30 per of watercent releaseToxic campaign such files requested by constituents, he The 2009 edition of Affairs of State’s ofutilities the vote and counted,power companies. the Coalition He writes: was on‘Only target two avoidedAccording the to question,The Age, thustoxic confirmingwaste producers he would are latest publication Big Thinkers togovernment win 21 seats. agencies The inAge this reported country that – ACTEW the final in not.fighting But toBaillieu ensure said that hetheir had discharges no problem into releasing Victoria’s (thing tanks, knowledge brokers, resultthe ACT was and knownthe Power on &13 Water December, Corporation 16 ofdays the informationsewers are notto constituents exposed to greaterwhere requestspublic scrutiny. were networks & opinion shapers) has afterNorthern the Territoryelection, – whencombine the waterVictorian and Electoralelectricity, made.Industrial customers and water business are waging just been launched by historian Commissionthus allowing fedan allin-house 3.2 millionexchange votes of ideas.into itsA a campaign to counter a call fro Victoria’s Department Geoffrey Blainey. computerrecent report to allocateby Britain’s preferences. environment The agency Liberals has Whatof Sustainability shade of for green? greater transparency in the trade squeezedsuggested homethat water in allcompanies three of merge the close with energyraces Oppositionwaste sector. leader ted baillieu defended the inproducers the new to Legislative create more Council, efficient giving partnerships them a move not to preference the Greens at the state Big Thinkers is the only compre- majorityfor tackling of 21 emissions. seats in theThe 40 local member challenge chamber is the – election,Tasmania sayingto the Murray it was a party decision he hensive and accurate guide to think amismatch gain from betweenthe 17 it heldan inelectricity the old Council.supply Laborsector, Thesupported. Age senior But columnist he denied Kenneth the Coalition Davidson was givingwrites: tanks, thinking/ideas organisations endedwhich isup deregulated with just 16and seats, operates down nationally from 19often in ‘Thethe BrumbyMurray Darlinggovernment plan cannot four work,inner-city so it’s seats time and opinion shapers in Australia. thewith old offshore chamber. ownership, The Greens and the retained water industry their three that byto lookpreferencing at alternatives’. Labor Davidsonahead of claims the Greens that recent and seatsremains in thein government Council but hands lost the with balance a local focus.of power. Still, potentiallydevelopments allowing in technology two Labor now ministers mean it tois morekeep It assembles a list of more than 300 Theprivate Democratic public partnerships Labor Party have lost proven its one that seat, this that is theirexpensive jobs, toThe operate Australian the desalination reported. ‘Weplant are than going pipe think tanks, think/ideas organisa- ofnot its necessarily leader, Peter a barrier.’ Kavanagh. The Liberals Craig totwice make the guaranteedthem (Labor) volume sweat… of water we’re from Tasmania.actually tions and opinion shapers from a ondarchie ended up with the final seat, held by goingHe also to suggests do them that ourselves,’ the new piping Baillieu technology said. canOn cross section of disciplines to help retiredPower companiesLabor minister on notice theo theophanous. Sex thebe fullyopinion financed pages by of private the same investment, paper, Peterand it vancan you understand the new financial PartyThe Herald leader Sun Fiona reported Patten that fell energyshort of companies sneaking ogeneratenselen additionalwrote that income unless for you’re Tasmania a member by selling of and policy environment. anare upsetbeing wininvestigated in the same over race.a surge A late in customersurge to thewater Liberal that now Party runs living into in Bass Melbourne, Strait. it is hard for thedisconnections Greens saw as their electricity Member and of thegas Legislativecosts sky most people elsewhere to understand the sense Council,rocket. EssentialColleen Serviceshartland Commission, win her battle Chairman with ofRoad frustration map slows many to Liberalsa trickle feel about the party’s With easy-to-read summaries, Big theDr. PresidentRon Ben-David of the hasCouncil, warned Labor’s that switchingbob Smith off, preferencesVictoria’s new helping Coalition the government Greens their has first conceded House Thinkers provides up-to-date infor- forsupply the becausefinal seat of unpaid in Western bills should Metro. be aThe last closest resort, ofit willRepresentatives struggle to deliver MP ain ‘roadmap’ the federal for theelection. state’s mation including: raceand onlyof all after was serious in a vastattempts electorate to help of consumers Northern Understandingwater and sustainability that angst futuregoes somewaywithin 100 towards days Academic think tanks Victoria,reduce debt. where Power Liberal companies MLC dpulledonna thePetrovich plug on understandingof winning office, the in partywhat loomshierarchy’s as its decisionfirst broken to Government think tanks narrowly13,486 households rolled back last a financialstrong challenge year, up 40 by per Steve cent. preferencepromise. The Labor roadmap ahead will of guide the Greens reforms at to the planning, state Contract research think tanks tGashrelfall disconnections of the Country increased Alliance. 54 per And cent in toSouthern 15,473. election.regulation, The pricing conservatives and management federally of got water nothing and Policy advocacy think tanks Metro, the Liberals George Crozier unseated forurban helping sustainability the Greens issues, andto ittheir was promisedbest federal under No-for-profit policy centres LaborPower MLC to the Jennifer people huppert. electionthe coalition’s result. ‘living The inFinancial Melbourne, Review living reported Victoria’ University public policy and Minister Michael O’Brien told the Herald Sun that thatpolicy. federal Under Greens the 100 leader day promise,bob brown the saidroadmap that research centres Whatdistribution it all meansbusinesses had no justification for Liberals’should be preferencing delivered no tolater Labor than means the first instead week of Thechallenging Age reported any recent the Premier price decisions baillieu in their will attemptbe able threeMarch Greens by a ‘task in theforce new and state external Parliament advisory (lower panel’ Opinion editors, columnists toto pushgrab hismore legislative money fromagenda customers through Parliamentto upgrade house,but new Legislative water minister Assembly), Peter Walsh there conceded won’t be there any. and writers unopposedand expand asthe aelectricity result of network. the Coalition In a letter securing to the Thewas significantpoor election doubt result the deadline for the would Greens be met: raised ‘the aAustralian majority Competition in the upper Tribunal, house. the It Governmentall but assured has doubts100 days about was verythe momentumambitious and of will the be party challenging as the Only $110 inc. GST theconfirmed passage it will of intervenecontroversial if the proposals companies such get theas -third we willforce have in [thethe Australiantask force andelectoral panel] landscape. set up, but minimumgo-ahead tojail appeal sentencing the ruling guidelines, on their chargesabolition over of Theirto have best a report result in 100 was days inis goingBrunswick to be extremely where To order your copy contact: suspendedthe next five sentencesyears. and new restrictions on candidateschallenging.’ Cyndi He also dawes said receivedthe coalition’s 43.6 hopesper cent of Affairs of State windfarm developments. The result will leave ofminimising the two-party the costs preferred of the desalinationvote, losing plant to Labor’s would Level 2, 14 Collins Street, theSmart Opposition meters to and get the IQ testGreens powerless in the Janeinitially Garrett focus on. a ‘statement of obligations’ created upper house, which has traditionally been a site Melbourne VIC 3000 According to the Herald Sun, the State Government by former minister Tim Holding, which suggests formay amendments suspend the andinstallation robust oflegislative electricity debate. smart Samethe plant team, should etc. run at full capacity so long as the Telephone: +61 3 9654 1300 Paulmeters Austin while wroteit reviews that thethis Coalition’sembattled seizingproject. BeforeState’s damthe levelselection, are below the 65%Greens full. Later,were Thesaying Age Facsimilie: +61 3 9654 1165 ofEnergy the upperMinister house Michael is especially O’Brien will surprising. seek details The on theyreported would that consider despite Walsh’s teaming statement, with Labor the Coalition if they Email: [email protected] Heraldthe cost Sun and reported legal implications that the longof delaying serving the Labor roll- heldre-affirmed the balance its commitment of power toin meetthe lower the 100-day house. governmentout ahead of anonly audit had of thea majority $2 billion in system. the upper A full Greensdeadline. candidates ‘The government said they will were be delivering a good chance on its

77 commitment.’ limits. The Melbourne-based manufacturer said Davies said he would consider funding the AMA’s the digital technology would help tackle problem proposal as part of its next budget and recognized Push ahead with basin plan gambling by reducing spur of the moment losses. ‘the importance of tackling obesity as a significant The Age reported that calls for Murray Darling Basin public health issue’. Plan to be postponed have been rejected by the man Pushbuttons blow $2.7 billion left to run the controversial process. Murray Darling Poker machine gamblers are on track to squander Dangerous times Basin Authority chief executive Robert Freeman a near record $2.7 billion this year. According to New figures released in The Sunday Age show a expressed disappointment at his chairman Mike the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation, spike in workplace deaths in January over the past Taylor’s departure and declared his intention to see punters lost almost $1 billion in the first four months decade. It included a map of regional Victoria and the process through. Taylor quit the post after the of 2010 - more than $7.5 million a day. The Herald Melbourne pinpointing the location of fatalities with Government rejected his authority’s advice that it was Sun included a graphic illustrating the losses in 25 deaths shared roughly equally between the two. necessary to prioritise the environment over social districts around Victoria. and economic needs when allocating water volumes. Christmas hospital blues He has now been replaced by former New South In The Age, Dr Pauline Chapman, an emergency Wales Labor MP Craig Knowles. Water Minister HEALTH physician who has worked in several Victorian Peter Walsh said that he looked forward to working hospitals, said the ‘granny dumping seasons’ were with him. The Australian Conservation Foundation well known to doctors, who often dealt with families said in The Age that Knowles had previously shown Ambos hurt as backup fails spinning stories about their relatives’ health and he could rise above partisan politics. Knowles The Herald Sun reported that two paramedics were simply showing up to say they couldn’t cope. Dr rejected his predecessor’s views and believes the injured trying to move a 200 kg patient because a Chapman said she had also seen lonely elderly people authority’s role is to balance social, economic and specialist vehicle was unavailable. When the stretcher come in on Christmas Day with minor complaints so environmental factors equally. collapsed under the morbidly obese woman, one they could be with people and share a Christmas paramedic suffered a rotary calf injury and the other a lunch. Dr Simon Jenkins, an emergency physician Summer of ‘83 back injury. The ambulance union says the specialist at the Austin Hospital, said hospitals also tended to The lowest levels of water usage in nearly 30 years vehicles were being used for non-obese patients be magnets for distressed people suffering from helped push Melbourne’s water storages above 50 and were unavailable to respond to paramedics who mental illness or other social problems at Christmas. per cent last year, the State government says. Yarra needed them. Ambulance Employees Australia state Valley Water managing director Tony Kelly said secretary Steve McGie said that of the five specialist Safety helmet? households, business and industry used 346 billion vehicles in Victoria, three were in rural areas and An article in The Age said that three Australian litres of water in 2010 – the lowest consumption were staffed by Ambulance Victoria employees. children had died after being strangled by their since 1983. ‘Melbournians are to be congratulated helmets between 2003 and 2009. All three deaths for their water saving efforts,’ he said in The Age. New Ministers occurred while the children were engaged in activities Premier Ted Baillieu has appointed David Davis as other than bike or skateboard riding. The claim was Lakeside fun Minister for Health and Ageing, Mary Wooldridge as attributed to four Australian pathologists who had Floods in September have transformed Lake Eildon Minister for Mental Health, and Nick Wakeling as conducted a review of forensic science records. from a dusty paddock into a haven for water skiers, Parliamentary Secretary for Health. Davis said the manager of Eildon Caravan Park Don Hewitt, said in key priority was the development of a 12-year plan Jeff’s Shed the Herald Sun. According to locals, the last time Lake for the Victorian health system: the Health Services The Australian Men’s Shed Association, Beyond Blue Eildon was full was 1996. Plan 2022, which includes a new metropolitan health and the Movember Foundation have joined forces to plan to be delivered within 150 days of taking office; launch a new community networking site, The Shed a rural and regional health plan; and a 12-year Online, where blokes can connect. On the site, Beyond GAMING capitol works plan. Minister Wooldridge is married to Blue chairman Jeff Kennett shows off his shed, and Andrew Barling, a surgeon and her older brother is Australia’s first man, Tim Mathieson, displays his in Michael Wooldridge, a former Federal Minister for the salubrious grounds of Kirribilli house. Mathieson Bringing down the house Health. Wooldridge has chaired the Commonwealth says he seeks refuge in his shed to ‘escape’ from Victoria will be hit with tough new federal taxes to Advisory Committee on Homelessness, been a the house. rein in problem gambling if the Coalition Government director of the Breast Cancer Australia Network and refuses to sign up to new technology forcing poker is a current director at the Otis Foundation, providing Call an ambulance machine players to set binding limits on their losses. rural retreats for women with breast cancer. There The state’s ambulance crisis is set to worsen with Victoria’s new Gambling Minister, Michael O’Brien, are currently three nurses in Parliament and the Head Ambulance Victoria slashing its graduate program, told The Sunday Age the pre-commitment system Minister is a former chiropractor. despite a desperate shortage of paramedics. The 10 should be voluntary. But in an interview with The per cent graduate recruitment cut, which will mean Sunday Age, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she Internet Health 25 fewer paramedics in service, is caused by a lack was determined to introduce a mandatory system, The Better Health Channel was named the top health of funding. Ambulance Victoria’s acting manager of honouring a deal with Tasmanian Independent and medical information website in Australia for the regional services, Gary Cook, said in the Herald Sun Andrew Wilkie signed in September. second consecutive year – https://www.health .vic. that the organization didn’t have the money to take on gov.au/healthvictoria/apr10/anniv.htm more graduates. Victoria’s new health minister David Fingerprint coding control Davis was given a list of urgent priorities needed to Playing the pokies in the future could look very The fear of fat fix the State’s ambulance service by the ambulance different, with the Federal Government considering In a submission to the State Government seen by The union in early January. mandatory digital fingerprint recognition technology Sunday Age, the AMA described obesity as ‘Victoria’s for gamblers. The government has promised to most pressing public health issue’, and called for a DIY dangers introduce a ‘full pre-commitment scheme’ forcing $25 million advertising blitz to help tackle the crisis. Homeowners planning DIY projects this summer are poker machine players to set binding limits on their They want a campaign modeled on recent New York reminded to stick to tasks within their skill level and losses. The Sunday Age was given an inside look at City Health Department ads, which showed a man wear appropriate protective gear. Consumer Affairs one tool under consideration: a USB memory stick drinking a beaker full of body fat, and shoveling Minister Michael O’Brien says statistics showing that matches players’ fingerprints to preset spending down 16 sachets of sugar. Health Minister David DIY tasks killed 15 people each year, and seriously LETTER FROM MELBOURNE injured more than 2000, were alarming. is facing ‘a genuine dilemma’ with what he called management system now in place at Eastern the ‘myki of the health system.’ The HealthSMART Health, which includes the Box Hill and Maroondah Dog day afternoon program – five years late and $35 million over hospitals. Alfred Hospital’s psychology department is bringing budget – is supposed to link computer systems in in a Labrador named Boags once a week as ‘pet hospitals and introduce processes such as electronic Another Rule therapy’ for patients. Occupational therapist Caitlin prescribing. But clinical applications are only partially Personal video cameras are being banned in Orr said there was evidence pet therapy had positive running in just four hospitals, and doctors say patient birthing suites by Victorian hospitals worried about effects on mental health and general well-being. safety is compromised by inadequate procedures legal repercussions, staff privacy and unnecessary that cause them to duplicate paperwork, chase distractions. Pink Lady test results and compete for access to computer The breast cancer lobby’s ‘pink steam roller’ is terminals. In a state budget submission the Australian Mental health delay diverting public awareness and funding from ovarian Medical Association called for a further $328 million A planned overhaul of Victoria’s mental health laws cancer and contributing to the disease’s lower survival to be invested on health technology over the next may be delayed up to a year and key reforms – rates, a leading specialist has claimed in The Age. Dr four years, with a focus on providing ready access to including a movement to involve families and Orla McNally, director of gynecological oncology at patient records, test results and medication details. carers in making treatment decisions – are being the Royal Women’s Hospital, said recent figures in the reconsidered by Mental Health Minister Mary medical journal The Lancet showed Victorian women AMA Victoria president Harry Hemley said health Wooldridge. Wooldridge said Victoria’s mental health with ovarian cancer were less likely to survive than technology in Victoria bordered on embarrassing, laws needed to be overhauled, but the former Labor those in other Australian states and countries. ‘We and ‘patients would be appalled at the lack of IT, government had not allowed sufficient time for have a massive breast cancer charity lobby in this computers and activity between different areas of the feedback and a number of areas of contention had country, which acts as a bit of a ‘pink steam roller’ health system’. Davis said the HealthSMART program, emerged from submissions on its draft bill received to the other cancer sites, and that is something that launched by the former labour government in 2003, in December. She said she would extend the date for impacts on our ability to increase awareness about had been ‘botched in its introduction’ and was tens submissions until the end of February. ovarian cancer and to get more women the treatment of millions of dollars over budget without achieving they need for this disease,’ McNally told The Sunday its stated aims. Dr Hemley said many promises Age. had been made about HealthSMART’s ability to INVESTMENT revolutionise technology in hospitals, but the project Charlton hospital flooded had been bitterly disappointing despite the hundreds There were fears that the flooded town of Charlton of millions of dollars invested. BUSINESS in Victoria’s northwest would lose its local hospital. Uncertainty about the future of the hospital had taken West Gippsland Healthcare group chief executive a toll on the staff, 90 per cent of whom had flood Ormond Pearson said: “We’ve really replaced The Department of Business and Innovation’s Invest damage in their own homes. The chief executive of business systems, and HealthSMART hasn’t proven Victoria magazine headlines IBM to build global the East Wimmera Health Service, Kathy Huett, told to be the most efficient system and has caused us R&D lab at the University of Melbourne, Foreign The Age: ‘It has been really, really, heart-wrenching. some grief.” Victorian Healthcare Association chief investors choose Melbourne for R&D, and ABS A number of the staff are distressed, so we’re executive Trevor Carr called for an honest dialogue survey Melbourne – US partnership to bring stem providing counseling services.’ The Department of about the program and ‘transparency around the real cell therapy to market. Health deployed a mobile clinic to the town in the cost of implementation’. absence of a functional GP clinic and hospital. A Unemployment rises in State’s regions written statement from Victorian Health Minister Sunk cost Victoria’s regions are suffering from a rise in David Davis said Charlton Hospital would be either The State Government should stick with Victoria’s unemployment, despite the overall improvement in re-opened or re-built. bungled $360 million health technology program the state’s labour market and economy. The towns because it was finally starting to deliver some benefits, and regional centres outside Melbourne recorded Nurse deadline a health expert has argued in The Age. Mukesh unemployment of 6 per cent at the end of September, Thousands of Victorian nurses and midwives are at Haikerwal, the Federal government’s clinical up from 5.5 per cent a year earlier, according to risk of being unable to work at the start of February adviser on health, said the HealthSMART program figures released by the Federal Department of because they have not registered with the new had ‘a long and tortuous history,’ but savings would Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. In national registration and accreditation scheme not be made by ditching it, only to start again from Melbourne, where three quarters of Victoria’s labour for health professionals. A spokeswoman for the scratch to build an electronic system to share patient force lives, unemployment fell for the same period regulation agency, Nicole Newton, said about information in hospitals. HealthSMART, originally due from 5.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent. In Southbank and 5,000 of the States 84,400 nurses had not had their to be completed in 2007, replaced existing financial Docklands, unemployment was just 1.5 per cent. applications processed on time, despite being told management systems in hospitals. It was also last year the deadline was December 31. She said supposed to introduce clinical systems for electronic Sotheby’s auctioned off a grace period of one month meant any nurse or prescribing, ordering tests and reporting results in Sotheby’s Australia has changed hands after the midwife not registered by the end of January would Victorian hospitals, but those programs are now only chairman and principal shareholder Tim Goodman not be able to practice, and would have to start the partially running in just four hospitals. sold out of the business just over a year after registration process again rather than transferring founding it. His vice-chairman and national head of from the Victorian register to the national one. Acting Dr Haikerwal said part of the problem with art, Geoffrey Smith, succeeds him. Ports and rail Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation Paul HealthSMART was that it was not designed in operator Asciano has removed controversial chief Gilbert said that, although nurses were responsible conjunction with clinicians, who say patient safety is executive Mark Rowsthorn after his holding the for their own registration, his office had received compromised by existing procedures that lead them position for four years. He has been replaced by more than 400 calls from members reporting to duplicate paperwork and chase test results. He former DHL Express boss, John Mullen. difficulties registering with the new Australian Health said Geelong Hospital had successfully created its Practitioner Regulation Agency in recent weeks. own system to share patient histories, test results Next and medication details across its network and Since winning the Miss Universe competition in E-Health program faces axe with GPs in the community. He said one of the few 2004, Jennifer Hawkins has become the face of Health Minister David Davis admitted in The Age he clinical benefits of HealthSMART is a medication retail giant Myer, amongst other brands, and has her

9 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011 January 2011

own swimwear range called Cozi. But, according to have signed up for the scheme more than a month quarter of a million chickens killed, 4,100 km of farm the Herald Sun, a rift has developed between her and after consent forms were due back. The deadline for fencing lost, along with many hundreds of farm- Myer management, resulting in her exclusion from the return of the forms was indefinitely extended at related structures. At the time of the audit, 133,150 the company’s ‘G’day Australia’ show in Los Angeles. the end of November after a poor response rate from hectares of grazing pastures and 76,909 hectares of the inner-city suburb, but NBN Co said the extension crops were unusable, on top of 123,200 tonnes of hey Cutting through tender red tape would not interrupt construction. The high proportion and 5245 tonnes of stored grain that were ruined. John MacPherson wrote in The Age that navigating of renters in Brunswick is being blamed for the slow your way though the tender process of government take-up, as landlords need to give their permission for Murray plan ‘bias’ can be a real challenge. He recommends that, to the cables to be run into the properties. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has warned get your name and business recognized, organise a ‘inequalities’ will occur between farmers and rural meeting with the relevant internal contacts in which NBN Co wants to install fibre optic cable into homes towns on either side of the same river because you can provide information about your goods and and businesses in Brunswick to test their network Victoria will implement plans to save the river system services, and let the department know how you can design and construction methods, ahead of the later than other basin states. A letter sent to Federal be of benefit to them. The Local Industry Capability nationwide rollout planned for later this year. The Water Minister Tony Burke on September 14 reveals Network and the Victorian Employers Chamber of cable does not provide properties with broadband, that the authority has been negotiating with state Commerce and Industry could provide information but ensures they will be ‘broadband ready’ when the governments, particularly Victoria, to try to line up a about upcoming events where suppliers can meet network goes live. new plan ‘to ensure equity between states’. government buyers. iPhone owners’ sleep in Irrigators fear man-made flood Anti-competition On the 1st and 2nd of January, unsuspecting iPhone In a bid to regenerate the river’s red-gum forests, According to The Age, national laws to curb anti- owners were left to slumber as their alarms failed. the Murray-Darling Basin Authority wants to unleash competitive behaviour by banks are likely to be This most recent problem was a glitch only for alarms seven-day environmental flows averaging 60,000 expanded to crack down on grocery and petrol set specifically for January 1 and 2, and did not affect megalitres a day. The ‘environmental watering’ retailers – including making the private exchange settings for recurring alarms. As a result, the editor of proposal is a part of the Authority’s eventual plan of any pricing information a crime. Treasury and the Letter from Melbourne was late for an early-morning to rescue the long-suffering Murray Darling River Australian Competition and Consumer Commission appointment (with bagpipes) at a golf club to wake up system. But the National Irrigators Council says the have urged Treasurer Wayne Swan to press ahead some of the next generation. Authority has failed to properly consider the risks of with an overhaul of consumer protection laws, flushing huge volumes of water down the Goulburn – building on measures to stamp out ‘price signalling’ E-purchasing panel especially in relation to vulnerable farms, homes and by banks as announced in December. The e-Services panel, a three year old scheme run businesses. In a formal submission, the NIC is highly by the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance, critical of science and data used by the Authority. Open on Sundays issued a request for tender to industry in January New laws have been introduced to allow businesses before the expiry of its existing arrangements in June. Different viewpoints to trade on Easter Sunday. Where as previously, only However, the government is yet to give the green light The flood crisis has plunged the Murray Darling rescue those with less than 20 employees could operate on for a central purchasing mechanism to continue. This plan into a fresh row over whether the government the public holiday, now any business can open. Labor is leading to industry fears that the cost of tendering should delay its controversial reforms, given the made Sunday trading legal in 1987, but the Easter for government business could skyrocket if technology enormous volume of water flowing into the system Lee Abrahmsen – Winner of the Herald Sun Aria 2010 Award holiday had still forced shops to close. services procurement is devolved back to individual from the Queensland deluge. National Farmers’ agencies. ‘The release of the RFT is currently on hold Federation president Jock Laurie told The Australian Lee Abrahmsen has been one of Melbourne Opera’s own for a number of years, performing principal roles which include Michaela Online shopping whilst the new State government is briefed on the that six months of strong flows into the Murray Darling in Carmen, Mimi in La Boheme, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly Online shoppers are increasingly looking overseas for project,’ a Department of Treasury and Finance notice ‘biased the government time to sit back and make and the Nursing Sister in Suor Angelica, and most recently, Cio Cio San in Madame Butterfly which has just concluded a most bargains. Spurred on by a strong currency, this trend said. The e-Services panel has proved popular with sure they get this right.’ The Australian Conservation successful season. Add to this the excitement of a month ago, when Lee was announced 2010 winner of the 86th Herald Sun Aria, is a serious challenge for Australian business, wrote agencies and industry because it greatly reduced Foundation called on the Gillard Government to honour one of the most prestigious awards in opera. Isabelle Oderberg in the Herald Sun. the cost and administrative burden associated with its commitment to timetables. tenders for smaller projects. Licence fee relief Locusts lasted longer Monash University Partnership Subscription Season Liquor licence renewal bills have been halved for iCan’t The Age reported in December that Victorian farmers’ 10,500 small businesses and community clubs. The Staff at Victorian hospitals will continue to queue for hopes of the locust plague easing following recent Earlier this year it was announced that Monash is to become Melbourne The Board of Melbourne Opera is delighted to announce the company’s discounts, which will save some clubs more than computers with internet access for some time, after cool weather had been dashed with the discovery of Opera’s University Performing Arts Partner. inaugural subscription season. $800 a year, are the first step in a liquor licensing the Coalition government decided to ditch the trial of second generation locust hatchings in Katunga, north revamp which will include automatic suspension of 500 Apple iPads. A Heath minister spokesman said of Shepparton. The company will perform regularly at Monash campuses thus greatly As part of our commitment to producing quality opera at affordable licences at problem venues and discounts for pubs in The Age ‘core wire-less infrastructure’ that the enhancing the cultural life not only of the University, but also of local prices, the company has scheduled three productions that are sure to and clubs with good records. Consumer Affairs tablet computers required was lacking from the plan. High-country coalition communities. This is an important part of Monash’s mission. please our patrons – The Merry Widow (Lehar), Faust (Gounod) and a Minister Michael O’Brien told the Herald Sun local President of the Australian Medical Association Dr. In The Age, environmentalists who drove the cattle new production of Carmen (Bizet). service and sports clubs were a low risk when it Harry Hemley, warned the government that dumping drovers out of the high-country were concerned Additionally, in conjunction with the School of Music at Monash came to alcohol linked violence and deserved to be the trial would ‘set hospital information technology that the Coalition’s victory would mean a return University, Melbourne Opera will offer performance experience to both The subscription season will offer our patrons the opportunity to reserve supported. ‘These sorts of clubs are the glue that improvements back significantly.’ to alpine grazing and destroy the progress seen undergraduate and post-graduate students.The staging of The Tell-Tale the best seats at discounted prices. holds the community together, and the Government there so far. Grazing was banned two years after Heart in 2011 will be the first of these collaborations. All performances are at the recently refurbished Athenaeum Theatre, should the making it easier to get together and enjoy AGRICULTURE the 2003 bushfires, with a parliamentary task force sport or do good work for the community,’ he said. recommending at least a 10 year hiatus to allow native Melbourne Opera is thrilled to be taking this important step forward and those who have been to a recent production there will be well aware flora to regenerate. There is no timetable in place, but with one of the world’s leading universities. The partnership will greatly of the vastly superior seating now installed, new carpet and of course – a Floods hit hard in north the Environment and Climate Change Minister, Ryan enhance our ability to offer professional performance opportunities to fabulous orchestra pit. ICT A Department of Primary Industries audit of the Smith, says the government remains committed to artists at the start of their careers, as well as broadening the geographic damage from Victoria’s summer floods reveal that bringing cattle back to the Alpine National Park. reach of our performances. We will write to all our patrons under separate cover to alert them to Brunswick slow in rollout test nearly 30,000 sheep were killed or injured as a the initial subscription offer – so watch your mailbox in December and The Age reported that fewer than half of the properties direct result of the torrential rain. More details of the Just one week after this story was run, cattle began to We are particularly pleased to be able to offer performances of all our January. The Merry Widow opens on March 10 so you will need to act productions in the Alexander Theatre at the Clayton campus.With 508 quickly. in the Brunswick national broadband network test site devastation were published in The Age, with over a trickle back into the park under the banner or a ‘6 year seats, the theatre boasts a fine acoustic for opera, as well as an orchestra continued p15... pit. 10 10 LETTER FROMJanuary MELBOURNE 2011

Lee Abrahmsen – Winner of the Herald Sun Aria 2010 Award Lee Abrahmsen has been one of Melbourne Opera’s own for a number of years, performing principal roles which include Michaela in Carmen, Mimi in La Boheme, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and the Nursing Sister in Suor Angelica, and most recently, Cio Cio San in Madame Butterfly which has just concluded a most successful season. Add to this the excitement of a month ago, when Lee was announced 2010 winner of the 86th Herald Sun Aria, one of the most prestigious awards in opera.

Monash University Partnership Subscription Season

Earlier this year it was announced that Monash is to become Melbourne The Board of Melbourne Opera is delighted to announce the company’s Opera’s University Performing Arts Partner. inaugural subscription season.

The company will perform regularly at Monash campuses thus greatly As part of our commitment to producing quality opera at affordable enhancing the cultural life not only of the University, but also of local prices, the company has scheduled three productions that are sure to communities. This is an important part of Monash’s mission. please our patrons – The Merry Widow (Lehar), Faust (Gounod) and a new production of Carmen (Bizet). Additionally, in conjunction with the School of Music at Monash University, Melbourne Opera will offer performance experience to both The subscription season will offer our patrons the opportunity to reserve undergraduate and post-graduate students.The staging of The Tell-Tale the best seats at discounted prices. Heart in 2011 will be the first of these collaborations. All performances are at the recently refurbished Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Opera is thrilled to be taking this important step forward and those who have been to a recent production there will be well aware with one of the world’s leading universities. The partnership will greatly of the vastly superior seating now installed, new carpet and of course – a enhance our ability to offer professional performance opportunities to fabulous orchestra pit. artists at the start of their careers, as well as broadening the geographic reach of our performances. We will write to all our patrons under separate cover to alert them to the initial subscription offer – so watch your mailbox in December and We are particularly pleased to be able to offer performances of all our January. The Merry Widow opens on March 10 so you will need to act productions in the Alexander Theatre at the Clayton campus.With 508 quickly. seats, the theatre boasts a fine acoustic for opera, as well as an orchestra pit. 11 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011 Matthew Toogood New Board members for Endowment Fund The key challenge we face over the next decade is to build a sustainable business model for Melbourne Opera Melbourne Opera. By doing this we will be able to concentrate on raising our production values and improving the conditions for our Mrs Jennie Mr Peter Francis singers, orchestra and stage crews. Cameron OAM We have two broad income streams – Jennie is the immediate past Peter has been a practising ticket sales and donations. By introducing Chair of the National SIDS lawyer for many years and a subscription season and active, clever Council of Australia and is a Partner in the law firms, marketing, we will endeavour to boost our has worked at Board, CEO Maddocks. He is Chairman ticket sales – and we will encourage increased and National Marketing of the Board of Baptcare Ltd, donations by establishing an Endowment management level in such a large aged care and family Fund. Matthew Toogood was our resident organisations at St John Chorusmaster until he succumbed to service provider in Victoria Ambulance Australia, The Great institutions the world over have the call of Europe, Berlin in particular. and Tasmania, and is a Board Spastic Society of Victoria, been started, and have prospered, through In early 2009 Matthew decided to try member of Whitelion which and is Past President endowment funds. Stanford University, for his luck in obtaining a position at a Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) 2010 | Vanessa West as Nedda | Gary Rowley as Tonio works with young people at of Women Chiefs of example, was established by a $5,000,000 german opera house. After exhaustive Photo: Robin Halls risk in the community. Peter Enterprises ACT Division endowment from Leland and Jane Stanford interviews he managed to be offered not is also President of the Elgar and member of the ACT in 1891. Today it is one of the world’s leading one, but four opportunities to work in meantime Barry has let us use the space while we Society in Melbourne. Commissioning Patron Philanthropy round table. universities. Germany and chose to go to Komische find new accommodation for our sets, props and Jennie also runs her own Oper Berlin, which has developed into costumes. These were housed in a warehouse in In 2011, all three of our main productions will business importing clothes We have similar grand plans and aim to have one of the highest-profile opera houses Abbotsford but we have been forced to move be newly commissioned operas. and textiles of India and our $5,000,000 endowment fund by 2015, in the German-speaking world. In following a recent change in ownership. Asia working with fair and $10,000,000 by 2020. An endowment 2007 it was voted “opera house of the Commissioning a new production is not trade organisations. fund is invested wisely, and as part of the year”, and its choir soloists received This support is worth thousands of dollars and undertaken lightly by the Board, but it is required income is used and part is reinvested – the title of “opera choir of the year”. more than offsets the cost of moving – which to keep our repertoire fresh and appealing. We the fund continues to grow in perpetuity. Matthew joined the music staff as involved about 11 trips with a 13 tonne truck, Mr Charles (Sandy) Mr David Pitt have attempted to minimise costs by hiring This provides us with the certainty and a solo repetiteur. Previously he was three huge skips for rubbish and the tireless the sets and productions from other opera Clark independence to create and stage great operas, based at Oper Frankfurt undertaking a efforts of Greg Carroll, Tony Rive and their companies, but either costs or, in one case – the David is currently Vice and to nurture promising young careers. Praktikum as chorus repetiteur. Life is liquidators, have meant this is not to be. crew. This is the unglamorous side of opera that Sandy is Chairman of Brown President (Finance) and very busy, as evidenced by a note from fades in to the background on opening nights. Brothers Millawa, having CFO of Monash University. Our endowment fund is open to all and is tax him received this week – The cost of a new production is about $35- recently retired as Chairman He oversees the financial deductible. Obviously donations are welcome 50,000 more than staging a remount of an of Aviva Australia Holdings management, funding and at any time, and we can create a sub-fund for “I had a stage orchestral rehearsal for Needed items existing opera – and we have an opportunity Limited and Melbourne capital works programs gifts of a significant size. These may be to “Im Weissen Rössl” this morning, for in 2011 for those donors who wish to become Grammar School Council. of Monash world-wide. support a particular activity of the company which I had to conduct the onstage High on the shopping list for 2011 is a set a Commissioning Patrons to invest in three He is director of the Myer David is a Fellow of the in perpetuity – such as the orchestra, young band-S, and then a run through of of timpani. At present we hire a set for each productions. The commissioned opera will, Family Company Limited, Australian Institute of singers, conductors or musicians. Prokofiev “Love of Three Oranges” - for as long as it remains in our repertoire, be performance at, as they say, great expense to a trustee of the William Company Directors and a and I’m about to head back in for a long the Management. By buying a set (cost approx. acknowledged as being commissioned by the Buckland Foundation, member of the Association Be sure to remember Melbourne Opera stage orchestral rehearsal playing piano $3,000) we will save this rental and will recoup said patron. The productions available for 2011 a director of the Myer of Superannuation Funds when you make or modify your will – in the pit for “Rössl” this time” are Merry Widow, Faust & Carmen. Contact our investment after 4 productions. We would Foundation, governor of the of Australia and has a First be delighted to mount a brass plate with your bequeathing a percentage of your estate is a Greg Romanes for more information (9224 Arts Centre Foundation, Class Honours Science very effective way to support the endowment This is just one day in Matthew’s life! name on these timpani if you wish to donate 5283). Chairman of St Paul’s Degree majoring in pure fund. Contact Greg Romanes for any further During the European summer he $1,000 or more towards their acquisition. Cathedral restoration, and mathematics and statistics, information—9224 5283. managed to return to Melbourne to New warehouse premises a director of a number of a Bachelor of Arts from the guest conduct a number of operas, such Sponsor Profile private companies. University of Melbourne and as Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci an MBA from RMIT. Many of our supporters would be aware of with Melbourne Opera and Verdi’s the tremendous assistance we receive from the Melbourne Opera enjoys a fine and prestigious Macbeth with Heidelberg Choral Athenaeum Theatre and its friendly staff. This address in Collins St. We are based on the Society. Now based in Berlin, he has includes greatly reduced theatre rental, and mezzanine level at 401 Collins, near the corner already participated in a conducting the use of their facilities for our rehearsals and of Queen St. It is a beautiful old building masterclass with Colin Metters, and New CEO The Tell-Tale Heart functions. (used by General Douglas MacArthur as with the Komische Oper he conducts his Melbourne headquarters during WWII) backstage Die Meistersingers von Greg Romanes joined the company on July 1 as Chief Executive At the 2005 Castlemaine State Festival, Melbourne Opera presented This support is provided through the auspices and boasts outstanding conference and event Nürnberg, and works on numerous Officer. Greg has many years’ experience in the not-for-profit the world premiere of Melbourne composer Dennis Vaughan’s The of the theatre’s directors, Glenn Elston, Barry facilities. operas including: Die Schneekönigen, area, having headed up development for the Australian Red Cross, Tell-Tale Heart, from the story by Edgar Allan Poe, a one-man opera Janes and Greg Hocking. Recently however, the RSPCA and the Australian Ballet School. More recently starring James Egglestone, directed by Hugh Halliday, and conducted La Traviata, Rusalka, Im Weissen Rössl, This office space is provided to us – free of one of the directors, Barry Janes, has elevated he introduced structured philanthropic activities to Melbourne by the composer. Salome, Rigoletto, Le Nozze di Figaro, charge – by our very good friends at Roy Morgan this backing to new levels by providing us Football Club and was involved in the successful debt demolition and Dialogue of the Carmelites. Research. Chairman Gary Morgan and CEO with free warehouse facilities at his premises at campaign that has put the club back on track, and will see them win This devastatingly theatrical piece, innovatively staged in a mine Michele Levine never miss a performance and Kingsville, a delightful suburb that lies between a premiership in 2012. building, was the smash hit of the Festival. In (mid) 2011 we We hope Matthew will be back mid are vocal and invaluable supporters – they also Yarraville and Footscray. will be remounting this production in conjunction with Monash 2011 to do more print all our programmes, posters, newsletters with Melbourne Greg has been a regular patron of Melbourne Opera for many years University - as part of our new partnership. The orchestra will consist The disused supermarket will be developed and stationery – many thanks to Gary and Opera, if his and has a deep love of classical music. He has two teenage daughters of handpicked students from the Music Faculty and will again be in to six townhouses in due course but in the Michele. schedule permits. who are yet to share this love. performed under the baton of Dennis Vaughan. 12 12 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE Matthew Toogood New Board members for Endowment Fund The key challenge we face over the next decade is to build a sustainable business model for Melbourne Opera Melbourne Opera. By doing this we will be able to concentrate on raising our production values and improving the conditions for our Mrs Jennie Mr Peter Francis singers, orchestra and stage crews. Cameron OAM We have two broad income streams – Jennie is the immediate past Peter has been a practising ticket sales and donations. By introducing Chair of the National SIDS lawyer for many years and a subscription season and active, clever Council of Australia and is a Partner in the law firms, marketing, we will endeavour to boost our has worked at Board, CEO Maddocks. He is Chairman ticket sales – and we will encourage increased and National Marketing of the Board of Baptcare Ltd, donations by establishing an Endowment management level in such a large aged care and family Fund. Matthew Toogood was our resident organisations at St John Chorusmaster until he succumbed to service provider in Victoria Ambulance Australia, The Great institutions the world over have the call of Europe, Berlin in particular. and Tasmania, and is a Board Spastic Society of Victoria, been started, and have prospered, through In early 2009 Matthew decided to try member of Whitelion which and is Past President endowment funds. Stanford University, for his luck in obtaining a position at a Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) 2010 | Vanessa West as Nedda | Gary Rowley as Tonio works with young people at of Women Chiefs of example, was established by a $5,000,000 german opera house. After exhaustive Photo: Robin Halls risk in the community. Peter Enterprises ACT Division endowment from Leland and Jane Stanford interviews he managed to be offered not is also President of the Elgar and member of the ACT in 1891. Today it is one of the world’s leading one, but four opportunities to work in meantime Barry has let us use the space while we Society in Melbourne. Commissioning Patron Philanthropy round table. universities. Germany and chose to go to Komische find new accommodation for our sets, props and Jennie also runs her own Oper Berlin, which has developed into costumes. These were housed in a warehouse in In 2011, all three of our main productions will business importing clothes We have similar grand plans and aim to have one of the highest-profile opera houses Abbotsford but we have been forced to move be newly commissioned operas. and textiles of India and our $5,000,000 endowment fund by 2015, in the German-speaking world. In following a recent change in ownership. Asia working with fair and $10,000,000 by 2020. An endowment 2007 it was voted “opera house of the Commissioning a new production is not trade organisations. fund is invested wisely, and as part of the year”, and its choir soloists received This support is worth thousands of dollars and undertaken lightly by the Board, but it is required income is used and part is reinvested – the title of “opera choir of the year”. more than offsets the cost of moving – which to keep our repertoire fresh and appealing. We the fund continues to grow in perpetuity. Matthew joined the music staff as involved about 11 trips with a 13 tonne truck, Mr Charles (Sandy) Mr David Pitt have attempted to minimise costs by hiring This provides us with the certainty and a solo repetiteur. Previously he was three huge skips for rubbish and the tireless the sets and productions from other opera Clark independence to create and stage great operas, based at Oper Frankfurt undertaking a efforts of Greg Carroll, Tony Rive and their companies, but either costs or, in one case – the David is currently Vice and to nurture promising young careers. Praktikum as chorus repetiteur. Life is liquidators, have meant this is not to be. crew. This is the unglamorous side of opera that Sandy is Chairman of Brown President (Finance) and very busy, as evidenced by a note from fades in to the background on opening nights. Brothers Millawa, having CFO of Monash University. Our endowment fund is open to all and is tax him received this week – The cost of a new production is about $35- recently retired as Chairman He oversees the financial deductible. Obviously donations are welcome 50,000 more than staging a remount of an of Aviva Australia Holdings management, funding and at any time, and we can create a sub-fund for “I had a stage orchestral rehearsal for Needed items existing opera – and we have an opportunity Limited and Melbourne capital works programs gifts of a significant size. These may be to “Im Weissen Rössl” this morning, for in 2011 for those donors who wish to become Grammar School Council. of Monash world-wide. support a particular activity of the company which I had to conduct the onstage High on the shopping list for 2011 is a set a Commissioning Patrons to invest in three He is director of the Myer David is a Fellow of the in perpetuity – such as the orchestra, young band-S, and then a run through of of timpani. At present we hire a set for each productions. The commissioned opera will, Family Company Limited, Australian Institute of singers, conductors or musicians. Prokofiev “Love of Three Oranges” - for as long as it remains in our repertoire, be performance at, as they say, great expense to a trustee of the William Company Directors and a and I’m about to head back in for a long the Management. By buying a set (cost approx. acknowledged as being commissioned by the Buckland Foundation, member of the Association Be sure to remember Melbourne Opera stage orchestral rehearsal playing piano $3,000) we will save this rental and will recoup said patron. The productions available for 2011 a director of the Myer of Superannuation Funds when you make or modify your will – in the pit for “Rössl” this time” are Merry Widow, Faust & Carmen. Contact our investment after 4 productions. We would Foundation, governor of the of Australia and has a First be delighted to mount a brass plate with your bequeathing a percentage of your estate is a Greg Romanes for more information (9224 Arts Centre Foundation, Class Honours Science very effective way to support the endowment This is just one day in Matthew’s life! name on these timpani if you wish to donate 5283). Chairman of St Paul’s Degree majoring in pure fund. Contact Greg Romanes for any further During the European summer he $1,000 or more towards their acquisition. Cathedral restoration, and mathematics and statistics, information—9224 5283. managed to return to Melbourne to New warehouse premises a director of a number of a Bachelor of Arts from the guest conduct a number of operas, such Sponsor Profile private companies. University of Melbourne and as Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci an MBA from RMIT. Many of our supporters would be aware of with Melbourne Opera and Verdi’s the tremendous assistance we receive from the Melbourne Opera enjoys a fine and prestigious Macbeth with Heidelberg Choral Athenaeum Theatre and its friendly staff. This address in Collins St. We are based on the Society. Now based in Berlin, he has includes greatly reduced theatre rental, and mezzanine level at 401 Collins, near the corner already participated in a conducting the use of their facilities for our rehearsals and of Queen St. It is a beautiful old building masterclass with Colin Metters, and New CEO The Tell-Tale Heart functions. (used by General Douglas MacArthur as with the Komische Oper he conducts his Melbourne headquarters during WWII) backstage Die Meistersingers von Greg Romanes joined the company on July 1 as Chief Executive At the 2005 Castlemaine State Festival, Melbourne Opera presented This support is provided through the auspices and boasts outstanding conference and event Nürnberg, and works on numerous Officer. Greg has many years’ experience in the not-for-profit the world premiere of Melbourne composer Dennis Vaughan’s The of the theatre’s directors, Glenn Elston, Barry facilities. operas including: Die Schneekönigen, area, having headed up development for the Australian Red Cross, Tell-Tale Heart, from the story by Edgar Allan Poe, a one-man opera Janes and Greg Hocking. Recently however, the RSPCA and the Australian Ballet School. More recently starring James Egglestone, directed by Hugh Halliday, and conducted La Traviata, Rusalka, Im Weissen Rössl, This office space is provided to us – free of one of the directors, Barry Janes, has elevated he introduced structured philanthropic activities to Melbourne by the composer. Salome, Rigoletto, Le Nozze di Figaro, charge – by our very good friends at Roy Morgan this backing to new levels by providing us Football Club and was involved in the successful debt demolition and Dialogue of the Carmelites. Research. Chairman Gary Morgan and CEO with free warehouse facilities at his premises at campaign that has put the club back on track, and will see them win This devastatingly theatrical piece, innovatively staged in a mine Michele Levine never miss a performance and Kingsville, a delightful suburb that lies between a premiership in 2012. building, was the smash hit of the Festival. In (mid) 2011 we We hope Matthew will be back mid are vocal and invaluable supporters – they also Yarraville and Footscray. will be remounting this production in conjunction with Monash 2011 to do more print all our programmes, posters, newsletters with Melbourne Greg has been a regular patron of Melbourne Opera for many years University - as part of our new partnership. The orchestra will consist The disused supermarket will be developed and stationery – many thanks to Gary and Opera, if his and has a deep love of classical music. He has two teenage daughters of handpicked students from the Music Faculty and will again be in to six townhouses in due course but in the Michele. schedule permits. who are yet to share this love. performed under the baton of Dennis Vaughan. 13 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE

It was with great sadness that the world learned of Dame Joan Sutherland’s death on 10th October 2010. Along with her husband Richard Bonynge Dame Joan was a founding Patron of Melbourne Opera, and we pay tribute to an outstanding artist and proud Australian who generously gave encouragement and friendship to many young Australian singers starting their careers. Melbourne Opera pays tribute to her outstanding contribution to opera singers the world over, and we will remember her with affection and respect.

The Barber of Seville Madame Butterfly (Puccini) (Rossini) 2010 production 2010 production Photo: David Wyatt Photo: Robin Halls

Principal Sponsors: Dr Alastair Jackson • Roy Morgan Research • Ian Potter Foundation • Robert Salzer Foundation Angior Family Foundation • Henkell Brothers • Maureen Wheeler, Co-founder Lonely Planet Publications Dr Douglas Mitchell • Dingle Partners University Performing Arts Partner: Monash University

401 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 | PO Box 174, Collins St West, Victoria 8007 Tel +61 3 9614 4188 | Fax +61 3 9620 3831 info@ melbourneopera.com | www.melbourneopera.com 14 14 South East Regional Touring Opera Company Ltd trading as Melbourne Opera ABN 20103803774 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

scientific study into the effectiveness of grazing on had been placed in charge of a series of sensitive week in an unprecedented pursuit of criminal assets. reducing bushfire risks in Victoria,’ according to The investigations. The blitz on traffickers has resulted in property worth Age. About 400 head of cattle have been introduced up to $43 million being frozen over 18 months. In that to six sites over 25,600 ha (3.6% of the park) until Review of child abuse allegations time courts have issued 90 restraining orders relating the end of grazing season on April 30. The National The Age reported that new Community Services to properties, on the application of Victoria police. At Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE Parks Association is outraged by the return of the Minister Mary Wooldridge has ordered Commissioner least 80 per cent of those involved were people who cattle, and the potential for full-blown grazing. The Tony Geary to probe whether the Department of had used houses to grow marijuana hydroponically. Gunaikurnai people, traditional aboriginal owners Human Services falsely told a complainant that it had Clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories and of the area have added their voice to the chorus of conducted several independent investigations into the houses where illicit drugs were found made up the condemnation claiming the Baillieu Government of allegations of child abuse though such investigation rest. “stepping over the mark.” had never taken place. Wooldridge’s role in the case – her first investigation in a child protection matter as Leadfoot GM crops Minister – signals the new Government’s desire to Victorian drivers were nabbed for more than 1.6 An opinion piece in the business section of the Herald inject independence into the handling of complaints million road offences last financial year. Almost 1.3 Sun by Alan Moran supported the use of genetically against the DHS. Victoria’s child safety commissioner million speeding fines were distributed, despite modified crops in Australia. He points out that GM will investigate whether authorities mishandled campaigns to educate people about the dangers crops have been adopted by farmers around the allegations that two young children were abused of speeding. About 150 people a day were sprung world and now represent 70 per cent of US corn or neglected in what is the first intervention by the using mobile phones while driving and 380 day were and 80 per cent of its soy production. ‘Australia’s Baillieu Government in a child protection case. caught doing more than 15km/h over the speed limit. regime of regulatory overkill in GM seeds is denying Despite 40,000 fewer fines being handed out than productivity gains to our farmers,’ he said. Gas Leak Compensation in the 2008-2009 financial year, errant drivers still The Herald Sun reported that residents affected by the paid out about $330 million in fines. Police Minister Cranbourne landfill methane gas debacle may have to Peter Ryan said in the Herald Sun that drivers often JUSTICE wait years for compensation. A Supreme Court judge forgot their licence was a privilege with obligations, set down a trial date for a class action on the part of not a right. the residence of 800 affected properties at Brookland Solicitor-General Greens. Justice Robert Osborne said the trial would Blitz on the Fritz The Attorney-General has advertised for the start in July 2011 but it could extend well into 2012, In Victoria, more than 12,500 speeding motorists senior role of Solicitor-General, to be the Victorian or four years after the leak was detected, before the and 1,560 drink drivers were taken off the road government’s primary legal advocate and adviser legal action is finalised. The lawyers for the residents during a blitz between December 17 and January 9 to appear as Senior Counsel for Victoria in legal said they were angry at the delays and the refusal that nabbed 1,623 drivers every day. Another 3,175 proceedings particularly in the appellate jurisdiction of the council, the Environmental Protection Authority, drivers were detected using mobile phones and of the Supreme Court and the High Court, and or any other defendants to accept responsibility. 2,241 not wearing seatbelts, while 753 disqualified It was with great sadness that the world learned of Dame Joan Sutherland’s death on 10th October 2010. Along with her husband Richard represent Victoria at various forums, www.ewki. Manisha Blencowe, of the law firm Slater and drivers and 1,463 unlicensed drivers were caught Bonynge Dame Joan was a founding Patron of Melbourne Opera, and we pay tribute to an outstanding artist and proud Australian who Asia. Nearby, and not to be mistaken, the Attorney- Gordon, said the delays had put a huge financial and during the operation. generously gave encouragement and friendship to many young Australian singers starting their careers. Melbourne Opera pays tribute to General of Victoria is seeking to recruit a senior and emotional strain on residents. Lawyers are pursuing her outstanding contribution to opera singers the world over, and we will remember her with affection and respect. highly skilled lawyer to become the next Victorian damages for diminished property values and loss of You can run but you can’t hide Government Solicitor. use and enjoyment. Thai police charged two men with the Melbourne murder of ‘good Samaritan’ Luke Mitchell, sparking Better tracking required Fault in child sex retrials a clampdown on a growing knife culture in Melbourne. Victoria Police is unsure how many injuries its Judges’ mistakes in instructing juries in child sex The Sanctuary Lakes chef, 29, was stabbed five times members inflicted or how many times they had used cases have caused almost two thirds of retrials and kicked as he lay on the ground outside a 7Eleven force as recently as five years ago, casting doubt over ordered in Victoria this year. An Age analysis of store in Sydney Road, Brunswick. He had earlier its ability to compare current trends of violence with criminal appeals this calendar year has found that 7 stepped in to break up a brawl outside a nightclub historic figures. These are just some of the inaccurate of 11 retrials ordered by the Court of Appeal involved two blocks away. violence-related statistics kept by the force despite allegations of sexual offences against children under a damning report by the police watchdog last year 16 and incest. Mistakes made by the county court Bail justice quits that found the police had repeatedly ignored calls to judges causing miscarriages of justice in child sex A Victorian bail justice who is a close associate of an fix the inaccurate reporting and under-reporting of cases included incorrect instructions and omitted alleged organised crime figure has resigned from his violence. information. judicial role. The resignation of Melbourne property developer and boxing promoter Brian Amatruda as Better tracking Police drag-net a bail justice comes after revelations in The Age in The Herald Sun wrote that Victoria Police’s DNA Three men will be charged with illegally netting October, about his links to an alleged drug trafficker The Barber of Seville Madame Butterfly (Puccini) database has matched criminals to unsolved crimes a huge haul of fish from Port Phillip Bay. Fisheries Fedele ‘Freddie the Bear’ D’Amico. (Rossini) 2010 production 2010 production they weren’t even suspects for. In the past decade officers found 832 fish in two vehicles intercepted Photo: David Wyatt Photo: Robin Halls the forces database has linked possible offenders to on the Nepean Highway in Carrum and Edithvale in Law attacks the homeless more than 100 murders and rapes, and thousands of Melbourne’s southeast. Senior Fisheries officer Dave The Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic has written to the less serious crimes. Green said in The Age: ‘to have such a large quantity Yarra Ranges Shire urging it to repudiate a by law of undersized fish killed can be devastating to the proposal prohibiting the ‘placing’ of vehicles on a road Police suspended senior officer sustainability of any ecosystem.’ The trio had their or public space without a permit. The rule imposes A senior policeman in charge of a key crime squad catch, nets, and one of their vehicles seized, and face penalties of up to $2,389 for a breach, which would Principal Sponsors: Dr Alastair Jackson • Roy Morgan Research • Ian Potter Foundation • Robert Salzer Foundation has been stood down after he was implicated in an a maximum penalty of $10,000 and six months in effectively ‘criminalise’ vulnerable people forced Angior Family Foundation • Henkell Brothers • Maureen Wheeler, Co-founder Lonely Planet Publications Office of Police Integrity investigation. The head of prison. to resort to their cars or vans for shelter, according Dr Douglas Mitchell • Dingle Partners University Performing Arts Partner: Monash University the sexual crime squad, Detective Inspector Glenn to James Farrell, the principal lawyer at the clinic. Davies, was yesterday suspended on full pay on Dirty Money Farrell has warned the use of the terminology ‘placing’ the instruction of the chief commissioner. Davies The Herald Sun says Victoria Police are locking a may also be problematic for residents and visitors to 401 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 | PO Box 174, Collins St West, Victoria 8007 had a reputation in police circles as a rising star and legal clamp on drug dealers’ homes at a rate of one a the area. In a letter to the shire – co-signed by the Tel +61 3 9614 4188 | Fax +61 3 9620 3831 info@ melbourneopera.com | www.melbourneopera.com South East Regional Touring Opera Company Ltd trading as Melbourne Opera ABN 20103803774 15 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

Nylex clock’s time may come Melbourne’s Nylex clock may tell time again, after the state government promised to discuss switching it back on with its owners. Planning Minister Matthew “Let’s do lunch ... Guy told the Herald Sun he would try to meet the at Morgans at 401” site administrators to discuss the cost of switching it back on, nearly 2 years after it was shut down because it was too expensive to operate. ‘It is an icon for Melbourne and it would be good to see it working and working well,’ Guy said. The sign was turned Enjoy consistently off in March 2009 when Nylex went into voluntary fabulous food in a administration. friendly, charming Art celebration atmosphere and discover The National Gallery of Victoria celebrated its 150th why Melbournians who know are singing the praises birthday on February 3. The actual birthday of the gallery is May 24, the same as Queen Victoria. of Morgans at 401. Call to arrange an inspection of our extensive function rooms. Mayor’s map Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has mapped out a five- point plan for Melbourne in the Sunday Herald Sun. For bookings and enquiries call 9223 2413 401 Collins Street (Bet. Queen & Market Streets) or 0423 022 014 (after hours) The Lord Mayor said much of his strategy was based on simple solutions to erase unsociable behaviour and provide a better experience for the millions of Council to Homeless Persons – Farrell has alerted people who visit the city each day. Topping the Lord council members to their obligations under the MELBOURNE Mayor’s list of gripes was graffiti and litter, especially Victorian Charter of Human Rights. However, Kerry cigarette butts and the acrid smell of burning butt Avery of the Yarra Ranges Shire defended the law Rained out bins. He also issued a call for more common courtesy and told The Age he was upset by the suggestion that Following storm havoc across the state, the front cover on the streets. The Lord Mayor’s final comment was the shire was attacking the homeless! of The Age was dominated in early February by the reserved for the MCC’s own Christmas decorations: headline: ‘Victoria Swamped’ and an announcement ‘I’m the first to admit that they look tired,’ he said. These things happen of emergency grants accompanied by the promise of In a mid-November story in The Age it was reported more wild weather to come. Garden City that Roger Prescott, the recently bankrupted Lord Mayor Robert Doyle wrote an opinion piece in former Victorian state Liberal minister, had been hit Police, VicRoads and the State Emergency Services the Herald Sun on the state of foliage in and around by a second lawsuit from the liquidator of the failed warned Victorians to be patient and prepare for long Melbourne. According to him, there are roughly Environinvest group of tree plantation schemes. traffic delays. The authorities said that flood damaged 65,003 trees in Melbourne. The Mayor said that and closed roads would make commutes difficult. the trees of Alexandra Avenue, planted in 1901, are coming to the end of their lives and this has been EVENTS A bone to pick accelerated by drought. The trees in the Carlton South The skeleton of Phar Lap has been on loan to the Gardens are more than 100 years old and failing. The Melbourne Museum to coincide with the 150th elms in Fitzroy Garden in Victoria Parade were planted Couta Classic Melbourne Cup. But now the bones must be returned in the 1880s and are old for urban trees. The trees On January 4, the annual KPMG Couta Boat Classic to the Te Papa Museum in New Zealand where Phar on St Kilda Road are in a terrible condition and have was held at Sorrento. Business leaders and politicians Lap was foaled in 1926. The Victorian government reached replacement time. He summarised by saying raced in 59 Couta boats, the usual faces in the has spent about $90,000 shipping the skeleton that ‘we have to continue adapting and protecting but photos. across the Tasman. also to plan for our next urban forest… I wouldn’t mind betting that many people will want to go back to Grand Prix 15 cut out Oliver the future: the Garden State’. Efforts will be made to cut the cost of the Australian The restaurant Fifteen in Melbourne is getting a new Grand Prix at Albert Park, race chairman Ron Walker identity after splitting with celebrity chef Jamie Fine by me said. The Age quoted him as saying it was ‘business Oliver and his London based parent company. The The Melbourne City Council will install electronic as usual’ after meeting Premier Baillieu, who has not chef, Tobie Puttock, and property developer Adam sensors under 4,500 parking spots in the CBD and ruled out dumping the race, a day after Lord Mayor Garrison say it will be renamed The Kitchen Cat, Southbank to alert parking inspectors to the location Robert Doyle called for Melbourne cut its losses and and that its role as a commercial restaurant that of cars that stay too long. The system replaces the ditch the event when the contract expires in 2015. trains disadvantaged youths will remain. The newly technique of marking car tires with chalk and will named Steppingstone Foundation – formerly Fifteen make 20 council employees redundant, a side effect Former Premier Jeff Kennett gave his two cents Foundation (Australia) – will involve other Melbourne The Age claim will likely result in industrial action. The on the issue in a two page spread opinion piece for restaurants. system will cost $3 million but is expected to increase the Herald Sun, arguing Victoria should try to retain fine revenues by almost $8 million over the next four the prestigious event. However, in another blow to Rosati to go years. the embattled event, the Defence Department has The Zagame family, owners of Rosati Restaurant in announced that cost-cutting had put a stop to aerial Flinders Lane, have applied to have the iconic building Scientology HQ displays by the Roulettes aerobatics team and RAAF demolished and replaced with a nine-story tower. The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has admitted on radio F/A-18 fighter jets at the Grand Prix, offering to send National Trust, however, is objecting to the proposal that he made a mistake accepting an invitation from a hot air balloon instead. on the grounds that the building and surrounding area singer Kate Ceberano to open a new Scientology may be worthy of heritage protection. headquarters. Premier Baillieu refused an invitation.

16 16 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

housing across Melbourne, the Baillieu government Streets meant the future of the project was now PLANNING & BUILDING would look at massive strategic developments uncertain, he said. in specific sites close to the CBD, including at Opening moves Fisherman’s Bend, the 20 hectare E-Gate site just Coalition eyes Crown land The Baillieu government has made its first planning off Footscray Road, and the area around Richmond The Coalition will scour government-owned land intervention, with planning minister Mathew Guy station. around Melbourne for potential new residential restricting high-rise developments near the Shrine development sites, in a bid to ease the city’s problem of of Remembrance to 60 meters. The Age has labelled Regaining clout on big projects increasingly unaffordable housing. Planning Minister the decision as a ‘victory’ for Melbourne’s most State government says it will restore the city of Matthew Guy said the stocktake of government- influential businessmen and the most active Liberal Melbourne’s influence of major developers in the owned land was likely to start this financial year, and party supporters who are among the beneficiaries. central business district, despite its move to axe would examine all state land holdings within the The first development to be affected by the change a committee that gave the council clout over big urban growth boundary. is a proposed 88-meter apartment tower at 35 Albert planning decisions. Planning Minister Matthew Road. Guy said his decision to dump the six-month old Toorak tower defeat Central City Standing Advisory Committee, whose Victoria’s planning appeals Tribunal has rejected a The Age noted that the powerful individuals who members included council and State Government controversial bid by media personality John Rothfield objected to the proposed tower, own stakes in the representatives under an independent chair, was to build a 12-story South Yarra apartment tower that neighbouring apartment building ‘Domain’. Had made for ‘structural, not personality’ reasons. backs on to a heritage street. The decision followed construction gone ahead, Domain’s views of Port arguments from Stonington Council and nearby Oxford Phillip Bay would have been obstructed. A Planning In the docks Lane and Cunningham Street residents who claimed Department spokesman, however, said that individual With the northern side of Docklands and industrial the development would ruin their quiet neighbourhood objectors had nothing to do with the 60-meter limit, parts of Footscray, West and North Melbourne the and set a dangerous planning precedent. and that the policy had been formed 12 months next to be developed, heritage advocates are hoping before the application for the tower at 35 Albert Road that some of the old biscuit and butter factories, goods Sign of the times was submitted. stores, rail lines, cargo sheds, stencilled signage and Motorists are seeing red after approval was given manufacturing plants can be protected. ‘They are for nine speed limits on a 7 km stretch of road. Property chiefs warn of unit’s glut developing Docklands as though it is a Greenfield Confused drivers say it is ‘bureaucracy gone mad’ The Age writes that two major property players site… not as the earliest and prime heritage place after VicRoads made 14 speed limit changes in a little have broken industry ranks to warn buyers about in our city,’ David Maloney of the National trust told over 11 km. Duncan Elliott, Metro South East regional an oversupply of poorly located apartments in the The Age. director for VicRoads, said: ‘VicRoads is undertaking development pipeline. Rob Pradolin, general manager a speed zone and signage review along this section of developer Australand, which has $400 million in Financial hitch for Windsor revamp of road. Speed limit signs and speed advisory signs projects underway in Victoria, predicts that 30 to 40 The Age reports that the development decision that before corners and bends are being investigated.’ per cent of apartment projects currently advertised caused the most damage to the former Brumby for Melbourne would not go ahead. He predicted Government and its Planning Minister, Justin Madden, Stamp duty cuts banks would control the market by confining lending may have been for nothing. Doubt is clouding the According to the Financial Review, home buyers and for construction work to less risky developments in financial viability of the $260 million Windsor Hotel campaigning politicians love a cut in stamp duty. prime locations. project. The owner and developer of the Windsor, Victorian buyers will enjoy one in 2011, courtesy of the Halim Group, yesterday admitted it had proved Ted Baillieu’s electoral win. The stamp duty for first His comments came less than a fortnight after difficult to secure bank finance to start building and home buyers on the purchase of a principal place of Melbourne property stalwart Max Beck warned the redevelopment was undergoing another redesign residence priced at $600,000 will be halved. It will in the Australian Financial Review of a potential to make it profitable. Mike Smith said the project’s be phased in over four years with the first cut, of 20 slump in apartment values if the banks funded all starting date had already been pushed back two per cent, due on July 1. The incentives will provide three ‘mega–projects’ proposed. Proposals for 33,451 years until late 2012 because of planning issues and $13,000 to eligible buyers in Melbourne and $19,500 new apartments in 293 Melbourne building sites are it could be delayed further because of tough financial in regional Victoria over and above the $7000 Federal now being advertised to buyers. The figure has leapt conditions. Government first-time grant. It is not clear whether from 18,585 apartments in June 2008, according to the Baillieu Government will extend the current research by property agency Oliver Hume. Permits for further redevelopment were finalised in payouts to first-time buyers beyond the planned July November, but a heritage requirement to cut 5.6m, 1 cut off. Victorian buyers and sellers will also have, Density destiny the equivalent of two floors, from a proposed new on or before September 1, tighter rules on cooling off Dick Gross, former mayor of the City of Port Phillip adjoining building on the corner of Bourke and Spring periods. and a past president of the Municipal Association of Victoria, writes in The Age: ‘Planning is the one area where all governments fail equally. All tiers of Government have failed to bring the community on board.’

Changing density Planning laws that made building high density apartments near train and tram lines in Melbourne easier have been dumped. In one of his first official acts as Victoria’s new Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, overturned the former Brumby Government planning laws facilitating high-density residential developments near public transport, and began an overhaul of the State planning system. The Minister told The Age that instead of sprinkling high-density

17 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010 Pipe dream Age reports. He cited the controversial desalination Council debts The Age reports that Melbourne Council’s planning plant as an example of a very expensive project that The heavy floods throughout Victoria have left rural chairmanhotter than Peter Mulhouse Clarke has proposed underground wouldA tram cost summit? the taxpayer for decades to come. councilsalmost 1,000heavily trucks in debt. going Fourteen down mayorstheir streets from garbageA month pipes after couldPremier be installedJohn b rumbythroughout announced the CBD The campaign to rescue Melbourne’s classic flood-ravagedevery hour. The communities Maribyrnong in western Truck ActionVictoria Group have andVictoria Docklands. would buy the five distinctive bumblebee W-class trams scored a victory with the appealedand Footscray’s to the stateLess Trucksgovernment for Moore for emergency protested trams from France, it has emerged hundreds of government agreeingDOCKLANDS to a tram summit to fundingon the stepsto fix ofthousands the parliament of damaged with toyroads trucks and Crthousands Clarke, who of sawdollars the systemmust be at workspent in fixing Barcelona air- consider options on the future of the vehicles, bridges.to demand assistance from whoever won the andconditioning London on on a therecent vehicles, trip, said so thethey pipes can wouldcope The Age reported. election removewith Australian the need forsummers. noisy garbage The trucks government clogging New broom upwill streets not reveal and get how rid ofmuch open binsthe publicin the city’shas lanes.paid DocklandersWho’s in? can expect to see VicUrban possibly Fine tuning SPORT ‘Installationto keep the requires five brightdigging yellow up the trams, street towhich lay theits mergedThe Regional into a new Rail urban Link renewalproject authority.is a new Also, $4.3b the Myki is overcharging passengers on a handful of 500mmDepartment pipes. of We Transport could start rented with fromSwanston the French Street authorityrail line maythat rapidly will provideexpand thecapacity precinct for to theenough north, Melbourne bus routes because of faults with the duringtown of the Mulhouse works next in 2008.year (2011) and roll out from withextra the train E-Gate services project forgaining up to increased 9,000 passengerssignificance. StifledGPS system aggression that limitsthe $1.35b Australian smartcard performance system there.’ A report is expected to be considered by VicUrbanacross the assumed network development in peak hourresponsibility by separating for the Theuses Age to locatereported bus Cricket stops. Australia’sThe Transport Players Ticketing Union councillorshigh and mykiby March. Docklands,out the regional following from the the merger metropolitan of the Docklands services. claimsAuthority, that theforcing government players todepartment tone down in sledging charge As part of the myki smartcard rollout, Met card will AuthorityIt is jointly and the funded Urban and by Regional the LandAustralian Corporation and hasof the resulted ticket system,in poor teamidentified performance. the problem Australian in July Schoolbe turned or grassoff next year, The Age reported. Myki inVictorian 2003. VicUrban governments, has been with without the Commonwealth a chairperson Cricketersbut still has Association several locationschief executive around Paul Melbourne Marsh Theis a reusableAbbotsford smartcard Convent Foundationfor public transport,has given but in- sincecontributing former chairman $3.2b. TonyThe DarvallRegional left theRail post Link last saidwhere ‘I think bus there passengers is no doubt can the be team’s wrongly performance charged principlethe new supportsystem toincludes plans by short-term one of its 130disposable tenants, July.Authority In December, is now its CEOreleasing Pru Sanderson the Request resigned. for hasusing been myki, affected’. The Age reported. thetickets. Sophia They Mundi will Steinerbe available School, into Melbourneerect new Proposals for the Alliance Works Packages C classroomswhen the Metcardon Covenant ends. land Former known Premier as the Goats’John Planningand G for minister the Regional Mathew Rail Guy Link says project, that thewww. 20 AmbitionGood focus for 2011-02-14 Paddock,brumby betweendid not saythe schoolwhen Metcardand the Collingwoodwould go, hectarestenders.vic.gov.au. of railway yards to the north of the docklands/ TheThe Victorian-based Municipal AssociationAFL teams aim of to Victoriadouble their is Children’sbut indicated Farm. that The it wasprivate likely school, to be nexthoused year. in Docklands, known as E-Gate, would become a priority membershipsconvening a workingaccording group to a recentto meet Herald with theSun utility item. StEach Mary’s short-term Covenant myki building, ticket has would a computer pay for chipthe for urban renewal under the new government. Includingsector in Hawthorn an endeavour with 29,239 to improve is targeting the operation 60,000; constructionand costs the of governmentthe single storey about classrooms35c. Metcard, and road Northof the MelbourneRoad Management with 10,138 Act, whichtargeting has ongoing32,000; rentwith theits cheaperland back magnetic from the strip, Covenant costs Foundation.3c. When Westernissues relatingBulldogs to withcommunications 15,309 targeting and process,35,000; However,the former the governments plans have createdsigned athe public $1.35b backlash, myki into reverseLOCAL GOVERNMENT Geelongwhere utilities with 10,000 interface targeting with roads42,000; in particular.Richmond accordingcontract, itto expectedThe Age, 10as perthe buildingscent to 20 will per occupy cent Premier ted baillieu was expected to begin withThe MAV’s18,000 weeklytargeting ‘Local 46,000; Government’ St Kilda with bulletin 15,218 on grassyof trips open would space use overlooking disposable the tickets. Yarra River. But in the winding back clearway times introduced across targetingline provides 45,000; a good Melbourne focus on withthis sector.18,851 target six regional towns with myki, 60 per cent of Twoinner socialists Melbourne in the past two years by the 35,000; Carlton with 11,434 targeting 50,000; Housingpassengers bubble used short-term tickets. Yarraformer Council’s Brumby former government, mayor Jane The GarrettAge reported left the Collingwooddear nanny… with 32,710 targeting 60,000 and Melbourne has scored near the bottom of a global councilin early in December.November after Road she user was electedgroup theas a RACVLabor EssendonCounty withCourt 24,570 Judge targeting James 47,000...! Montgomery, rankingen garde of housing affordability, raising fears that memberhas warned for the the State government seat of Brunswick. against makingNow, after a (aged ?), said that there is a lot to be said for runawayThe Age housereported price that increases in a resolution in recent passed years aknee-jerk recent recount reaction of votesby winding cast in back the council’s the extended 2008 Bomberscompulsory on thelicence move retesting for people 65 years haveby ticket made inspectors, Australia a andless followedequitable bycountry. a vote The of election,clearway Socialist times, sayingParty candidate they are Anthonycrucial to Main keeping will Theof age sport or section over, The of the Age Herald reported. Sun on December 17 Demographiametropolitan railwayInternational station Housing staff, membersAffordability of taketraffic her flowing.place. Theb aillieu Victorian altered Electoral a clearway Commission sign had an informative piece on Essendon Football Club’s Survey,the Rail, which Tram ranked and Bus 325 Union markets opposed by affordability, the new foundat midday, that DecemberMain had easily9, on Highoutpolled Street, the Prahran, Greens new home at Melbourne Airport. It will include training listedGovernment’s Melbourne armed as the world’sguards 321st promise most foraffordable trains candidate.to mark the The first council step already in reversing has one theSocialist laws. Party The grounds with dimensionsair matching the MCG and city,and morestations. reasonably priced than only Sydney and a member,Herald Sun Stephen reported Jolly replacing. clearway signs will Etihad Stadium. The Bombers confirmed they were handful of other locations. Some of the more eyebrow- cost taxpayers $2m. It is believed most of the old vacatingWorld wide Windy Hill for a new state-of-the-art facility raisingYes statistics published in The Age claimed that Abuseclearway of powersigns were turned to scrap metal. onQantas Melrose passengers Drive, 18 kmsuffered from the another CBD. Chairmanmid air LondonThe Age is reportedmore affordable that a thanstraw Geelong. poll it conducted A Hume councillor has been found by Ombudsman Davidscare Evanson 15 saidNovember the club – wastaking forced the tonumber act after of found large support for the idea of quiet carriages. GeorgeA challenge Brouwer for ttoed have abused his position and fallingQantas behind mid-air in footy’sincidents ‘arms to fiverace’. inThe ten move days is – AnMonash architect’s University’s approach Chair of Public Transport, councilJust over resources a week tobefore benefit the hiselection, own businessPremier expectedwhen a Boeing to cost 747 $25 flying million to andArgentina be completed was forced by TheProfessor new Premier Graham wants Currie a national, and review dr Simonon the interestsJohn brumby and mislead flagged the Departmentthe possibility of Immigration. of tolls on theto return2013 toseason. Sydney Evans amid said reports the ofBombers smoke wouldin the soaringSmith, costsa historian, of construction, author and saying lawyer, it is bothone ofwant the Ademthe Western Atmaca Freeway was initially – a $5b, investigated six-lane road following to go maintaincockpit. a presence at Windy Hill, the club’s home keyMelbourne issues he to will begin champion a quiet at carriage his first COAGtrial. (Council alligationsunder Footscray he received and through a $5000 Sunshine bribe to West, modify The a since 1922, including the continuation of its hall of of Australian Governments) meeting in February, The planningAge reported. permit. Nearby, residents of Melbourne’s fame,Flying merchandise kangaroos shop go andwith poker Virgin machine venue. inner west say they are having to cope with The AFL has ended a nine-year partnership Evanswith Qantassaid the asBombers its official might carrier,have left a Windy move Hill the evenairline if theyclaims had issuccessfully because itresolved would anot dispute agree with to thean exclusiveneighbouring contract bowling with club, the which league. had The refused deal tois vacatenow worth its prized $6m parcel annually of the for precinct Virgin toBlue, provide The roomAge reported.for the bombers to upgrade their facilities. The Melbourne Airport training base will be built in partnership with the Australian Paralympic Committee, guaranteeing $6 millionports in federal funding. Further funding will be sought from the AFL and the state government.the Port of BrucePortland Haymanson was confirmed ‘Charles Kovess is Australia's Passion Provocateur.’ asThe the High new number-oneCourt has ticketfound holderthat andthe replacesPort of www.kovess.com He has helped many large corporations and many formerPortland Federal is entitled Finance to aMinister substantial Lindsay tax Tannerrebate,, p 03 9562 2248 m 0412 317 404 Government Departments to whomsaying the the club Government said had played was aobliged role in securing to stick the to airporttax concessions contract! granted when the port was PO Box 1412 improve leadership behaviours build better teams Central Park privatised. The High Court ruled that when the East Malvern, Vic 3145 unleash passion and build world-class performance. Floodingassets and takes business its toll of the Port of Portland Mention this ad when you contact us and we'll send you a FREE one-hour audio CD valued at $25.00" Theauthority $100 millionwas Easternsold in Golf 1996 Club’s by plan the to relocateKennett fromgovernment, Doncaster there to Yering was ina theclause Yarra on Valley the liability has been of blockedthe buyers by a toplanning pay land tribunal tax on as thea result site. of fears that

18 18 22 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE the course would eventually be inundated because State Emergency Services official had admitted ‘Black slow. A (new) rail link to Melbourne Airport from the it was on a flood plain. Environmental activists had Saturday syndrome’ had caused the warnings. CBD has been mentioned in the context of excessive opposed the move due to fears that sediment and car parking fees at the airport. chemical fertilizer would run off the golf course and Oprah effect contaminate the Yarra River and nearby Sugarloaf Tourism Victoria’s website has doubled its number Transport price hike Reservoir, part of Melbourne’s water supply. of hits since the screening of Oprah Winfrey’s TV Premier Ted Baillieu’s Government is poised to order specials. Almost 90,000 page views were recorded Melbourne’s first public transport fare rise in two Player privacy in January, a tourism Victoria spokeswoman told the years. Commuters can expect to pay 20c more for a In late December the AFL Players’ Association, AFLPA, Herald Sun. zone 1 daily ticket, bringing the cost to seven dollars. ‘demanded’ laws be changed to better protect The change of government means commuters have footballers privacy. AFLPA chief executive Matt Island paradise a reprieve from the usual January 1 increases. It Finnis told the Herald Sun ‘I’d like to see a greater A Mornington Peninsula group has submitted is believed that the Government will introduce the understanding among the community of what damage preliminary costings for two islands at Spoil Ground, increase in either March or mid-year. The previous can be done when people don’t respect the privacy about 15 km from Williamstown to boost Victoria’s government had gone into caretaker mode before a of high-profile people’...... The call came as the girl tourism arsenal. One of the islands, of roughly 6 decision could be made on fare changes. Industry at the centre of the AFL photo storm threatened that ha, would be modeled on Perth’s car free Rottnest sources said fare increases took about six weeks to she would not be silenced and vowed to post more Island. It would have restaurants, a harbour, five- implement. scandalous pictures on the Internet. She told the star and backpacker accommodation. The second paper that the next lot of photos to be released would island would be a marine park, similar to the naturally Next stop: under construction be of Carlton and Sydney players. She pledged to occurring mud Island in the bay’s south, with visitors Two new stations will be built at Lynbrook and continue taking revenge on St Kilda, a club she says allowed but not encouraged to view resident bird and Cardinia with the Department of Transport calling mistreated her... fish life. for expressions of interest for art at the new railway stops. Cable AFL Pay television will be able to bid directly for the TRANSPORT More money for Myki exclusive rights to four weekly AFL matches under a When the Metcard system is turned off in 2011, further Federal Government move to ease the rules for pay costs are expected as the government exercise of television to bid directly for TV rights. According to the RAIL supplying ‘short-term’ Myki tickets has turned out Financial Review, Communications Minister Stephen to be far more expensive than predicted. Myki is a Conroy is close to finalizing a deal with the AFL which reusable smartcard for public transport, but the will ensure that Friday and Saturday night games can ‘Warts and all’ review of Myki new system includes short-term disposable tickets. still be purchased by free-to-air television networks Premier Ted Baillieu has not ruled out scrapping the They will be available in Melbourne went Metcard and include the best two games of each round. Such Myki ticket system as the government awaits the ends. Each short term Myki ticket has a computer a deal could inject billions into the AFL and NRL as findings of an independent audit of the beleaguered chip and cost the Government about $.35. Metcard, the rights to more quality games are made available smartcard by Deloittes. ‘It has been unsuccessful with its cheaper magnetic strip, cost $.03. When the for pay-TV to buy. and we need to now make a judgement, based on government signed the $1.35 billion Myki contract, it facts and based on information we will elicit from this expected 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the trips would review. This is in the best interest of all Victorians.’ use a disposable ticket. TOURISM The private operators of the state’s public transport system, including Metro Trains and Yarra Trams, have Out with the old made submissions to the Government review of Myki. Victoria’s beleaguered Myki ticketing system has hit Wheel of Fortune The smartcard system began operating on Melbourne more difficulties, with 20,000 smart cards not giving It has been almost two years since the Southern Star trains on December 29, 2009, and on trams and senior customers the travel benefits they are entitled Observation Wheel was closed due to structural faults, buses on July 25, 2010. to, including free weekend travel and discounted possibly caused by a string of hot Melbourne days! weekday fares. At least 300 seniors card holders have Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle announced that The expansion of Myki to V/Line services had been been over charged as a result of the mistake. Tellingly, he was pleased to see the beginning of the wheel’s deferred and plans to switch off the Metcard system the remaining 19,700 are yet to use their card. reconstruction. The first of seven spokes to fit the new by Easter had been pushed back. John Ferguson, Ferris wheel left its manufacturer, BMC, in the Latrobe a spokesman for Kamco, the company that runs Underclass underpass Valley on January 10. Myki, said the company had made a submission to Dirty, smelly, wet, dark, crowded and dangerous. the review. The news came as Transport Ticketing According to the Herald Sun, that is how visitors to High dollar’s cost Authority research found only 75,000 of the 800,000 the city centre have summed up the Elizabeth Street Tourism operators told The Age that the number of Myki cards in circulation are used on a typical weekday. underpass at Flinders Street Station. New transport visitors from Britain and the rest of Europe could On (the week of) Monday February 13, Baillieu is Minister Terry Mulder also criticised the underpass, decline as much as 15 per cent this year because expected to announce a decision to somehow modify which is the gateway to Southbank for visitors to the of the higher Australian dollar and weak Northern the Myki system. Dumping the system outright city. Daniel Bowen, of the Public Transport Users Hemisphere economies and currencies. has been deemed unlikely, as it would result in a Association, said the dank subway was in need of protracted and costly legal battle as a result of the a revamp, especially with the growing number of Flood warnings swamp Murray tourism governments breaking contract. people using it. In response to the calls, the underpass Murray River tourism operators told the Herald Sun was pressure cleaned for the first time in 5 years on that they have lost thousands of dollars in cancelled Off the rails January 2, and Metro Trains has ordered new light bookings because of alarmist government flood The biggest rail project in Australia’s history, the fittings which should be installed by the time Letter warnings. Government departments issued warnings Regional Rail Link comprising a 47 kilometre rail from Melbourne goes to print. after heavy rains in November caused concern line from Melbourne to Werribee, may be abandoned. among thousands of campers who normally spend According to the Baillieu government, Brumby hid the Ticket inspectors get violent the summer on the banks of the river. Torrumbarry true cost of the $4.3 billion plan and says a revised A report by the Victorian Ombudsman George Hotel owner Allen Bolden said the lack of business estimate predicts a blowout of about $880 million. Brouwer, tabled in Parliament on December 21, was destroying his livelihood. He claimed a senior A federal money commitment has also been put on included CCTV footage showing passengers being

19 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

thrown to the ground, grabbed by the throat and installed and are working, but are not being used Melbourne has gone up 50 per cent in just five years. tackled by gangs of aggressive ticket inspectors. The to issue fines. This explains why some speeding All major media outlets have been reporting on the highly critical report also found that even when the motorists can see a camera flash but never receive a issue, revealing emotive anecdotes on the state of incidents were referred to the Department of Transport penalty. A spokesman for Police Minister Peter Ryan airport parking. In a further blow to airport commuters, no action was taken against the inspectors. told the Herald Sun: ‘As a first measure, the Coalition VicRoads is set to erect wire barriers along the has committed to publishing the location of mobile Tullamarine Freeway that will prevent drivers from The little engine that couldn’t speed cameras in Victoria.’ While in opposition, the waiting at the side of the road to collect people from For only the second time since taking control of Liberals criticised Victoria’s low tolerance levels, which the terminal. The newspapers seem to have picked Melbourne’s train network, Metro has met its monthly gave little leeway to motorists who inadvertently drive up the scent of a good conspiracy, pointing out that performance targets. During December 88.3 per slightly over the limit. Premier Baillieu promised to the ‘Smart Bus’ route 901 to the airport, which was cent of trains ran on time, only just earning Metro a locate the new cameras ‘where they are needed, not added by the state government in September last year, pass mark, with the minimum government imposed just for revenue’. has recently been forced to drop passengers at the target being 88 per cent. According to the Herald Sun, distant outer extremities of terminal four. This forces the only other month in which Metro achieved this Fine fight passengers to drag their luggage a great distance to minimum standard was September – nine months Leading Senior Constable Trevor Bergman has reach their check in area. after taking over the suburban network. succeeded in his 8 year battle to have his $250 traffic camera penalty overturned. The decision has exposed Airport spokeswoman Carly Dixon spoke to The Age Conflict of interest a loop hole in the traffic laws and calls into question and claimed that it was the state government who The Age ran a story on Ross Alexander, a senior the way speed zones are sign posted at hundreds of ordered that the bus stop be moved, and that ‘We Department of Transport civil servant who in junctions. made no request to move the bus service down to 2005 oversaw the Myki tender for the Victorian terminal four.’ However, a senior transport source government, and was then placed in charge of multi- Petrol Price Rise contacted by The Age insisted that the airport had billion-dollar tenders for Melbourne’s train and tram The Herald Sun ran a front page story before Christmas requested the move. systems. Alexander is now joining construction giant pointing out a price spike of 18c to $1.45 in the lead John Holland, a 20 per cent shareholder in Metro up to the holiday. Commsec economist Savanth An inconvenient security Trains. Alexander has been executive director of the Sebastinan said the wholesale price of petrol had Electronic tickets and automatic baggage check- Department of Transport projects division, which is not been this high for two years. ins could be banned and non-passengers barred responsible for overseeing and awarding work to from entering terminals under an airport security the construction industry. John Holland, in addition to Electric feel crackdown. Federal Parliamentary Committee its 20 per cent stake in Metro also last year led the This year Ford will release an all electric version of the Chairman Senator Steve Hutchins said there was winning consortium for a 370 million dollar contract Ford Focus which was demonstrated at the Consumer concern over the growth of e-ticketing and the lack of with the Department of Transport to extend the Epping Electronics show in Las Vegas. It is the automaker’s scrutiny once tickets were issued. ‘We were surprised line to South Moran. first zero emissions car. The company said it was an at the rapid development of this innovation in air improvement on rival models. travel and the misuse of it by organised crime figures,’ John Holland was also named this month as one of Senator Hutchins said. On the issue of introducing three construction companies shortlisted to build Road out a national ID card, Senator Hutchens said it was a large section of the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Stretches of the great Ocean Road were closed for important to know the identity of each passenger – Link, a new track from near Werribee to Southern days at a time in mid-January as a result of landslips which currently was largely not happening: ‘There Cross station. Before working at the Department of and boulders on the iconic route, caused by the high will be no national identity system without the full Transport, Alexander was director of business strategy rainfall experienced across the state. A VicRoads support of the Coalition, and on every occasion when at National Express, the rail operator that abandoned spokeswoman said the scenic Highway was closed that has been presented to them they have refused Melbourne’s trains in 2002. Ken Coghill, from Monash between Lorne and Skenes Creek. to cooperate.’ University’s governance research unit, said that any public servant who had been in a position to affect a Great ocean rebuild company’s financial fortunes should not accept work In The Age, general manager of the Victorian Tourism PORTS from that company for some time. Industry Council Todd Blake called for the State Government to spend $500 million on the Great Ocean Road. He said that fortifying the road’s rock cliffs was Port for Hastings back on the agenda ROAD vital, as climate change forecasts predicted more Transforming the Port of Hastings into Victoria’s severe weather would lash the southern coast more newest container port within a decade is the priority often, leading to more frequent road closures. During of Victoria’s Ports Minister, Denis Napthine. Dr New speed cameras January’s storms, heavy rain caused a dozen major Napthine said Australia’s busiest port, Port Melbourne The Herald Sun reported that the State government is land slips along the iconic road, and Blake claimed and Melbourne’s congested streets would struggle set to rake in tens of millions of dollars a year from 32 each of these cost between $50,000 and $100,000 to to cope with the quadrupling of shipping containers new speed cameras switched on in December. After clear. Roads Minister Terry Mulder’s office responded expected to be processed through Melbourne in the a decade attacking Labor for revenue raising, the new by pointing out that many roads across the state next four decades. Three reports will be commissioned Baillieu administration is about to widen the speed needed funding following this summer’s floods, and in early 2011 to assess the economic, environmental, camera nets. The Department of Justice published a that such a large project would have to wait. and social impact of transforming Hastings to a list of the 32 new camera sites after the appointment container port. Dr Napthine said a container port at of the new government. Most of the sites are at major Hastings within 8-10 years was not only possible ‘but Melbourne intersections and will combine speed AIR necessary’. The cost of redeveloping Hastings could and red light cameras. These include St Kilda Rd, run into the billions of dollars when the expense of Kingsway, Nicholson and Princess Streets, and City new transport links is added. Rd - Montague St. No free parking The ACCC has determined that Sydney and Melbourne New docks owner The list also reveals that Warrnambool is about to airports are possibly extracting monopoly rents in Australia’s biggest container port in Melbourne get its first camera. Cameras on the list have been their car parks. The price of short term parking at has new owners after debt troubled Middle East

20 20 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

conglomerate, DP World, sold a 75 per cent stake in engineer, having graduated from James Cook results showing both sexes 16 per cent more likely its local stevedoring assets for $1.15 billion. The sale University. to be looking for love than those in other parts of the also includes DP’s port facilities in Brisbane, Sydney, country. Adelaide and Fremantle, which ship 50 per cent of the Mark Stone was appointed chief executive of Tourism nation’s ocean cargoes. DP World, majority owned by Victoria in October, after many years as CEO of Parks Anti-Lycra Brigade the Dubai government, entered the Australian market Victoria. Stone is also a member of the Tourism Secondary school teacher Sue Tyrie believes that if after taking over P&O’s global operations in March Australia board. she cannot sing while she cycles to and from work, 2006. The collapse of the Dubai property market in she is riding too fast. It’s a philosophy led by a growing late 2007 suddenly put DP’s parent company, Dubai The Victorian Department for Health, is open for tribe of slow-cycling enthusiasts in Melbourne. They World, under severe financial pressure. applications for part time board chair and director are the anti-Lycra brigade; cyclists who ride for the positions of public health services, Ambulance Victoria, sheer enjoyment of it. 20 years on and rural public hospitals. About 60 Patrick stevedores in Geelong walked off the Door-to-door ban job for two days as the wharfies’ union ramped up The Herald Sun reported that door-to-door sales its push for wage increases and job reclassification, COMMUNITY people are to be barred from interrupting family demands the company reckons will render its bulk dinners under tough new legislation. The national freight business essentially unprofitable. According to consumer laws ban doorknockers from visiting The Australian, it was the third strike at Patrick ports GP calling it quits – at 91 households after 6pm on weekdays from January 1. on either side of the continent in the past two weeks, The Herald Sun has a story on Dr Alan Rosenhain who New research shows 86 per cent of households find as the Maritime Union of Australia moved to ratchet has spent the past 13 years driving up to four hours a salespeople intrusive, aggressive or pushy. up pressure on Patrick’s listed owner, Asciano, to day, three days a week, to this Sunbury Practice. He indulge a 40 point log of claims. said the secret to being a good GP was the ability to Doorknockers are banned completely on Sundays, listen. Dr Rosenhain, who began studying medicine but are still able to visit homes from 9am-5pm on Hard to port in 1937, said he had seen enormous changes over Saturdays. Rules for telemarketers will remain the The Federal Government has unveiled plans to the years. His long career also included a three-year same – they are able to call from 9am-8pm on implement a national port strategy to clear bottlenecks stint in New Guinea with the Army during the Second weekdays, and 9am-5pm on Saturdays. They can’t and ensure open development doesn’t affect its ability World War. After leaving the Army, he went into call on public holidays. Households can join the Do to expand facilities and cater to an expected tripling in general practice in 1947 conducting up to 30 home Not Call register to block telemarketers. demand at major wharves. visits each morning. No vacancy Melways mApp The Herald Sun reported that an unexpected influx of JOBS Merv Godfrey, who trained as a survey draughtsman strays has flooded the Lost Dogs’ Home leaving little with the Victorian Lands Department and later as an room for the scores of dogs that are rounded up by RAAF radio operator during World War II, painstakingly ambulance crews over New Year’s Eve, or handed CenITex. Good job hand-created the first Melway - Melbourne’s first full- in by the public the day after the fireworks. So far it The Victorian government agency which provides colour street directory - in his Mount Waverley garage has been a bad summer for our canines, with rolling computer services to about eight Victorian in 1966. Fourty five years on, Melway has survived thunder, lighting, rain, hail and howling wind, driving government departments and agencies is looking for the advent of the Internet, personal navigation devices dogs to despair. Leading animal behaviorist Robert a CEO to replace Peter Blades, who gave notice mid- and Google maps, and has now entered the iPhone Holmes has warned that New Years celebrations November, ‘to drive the vision to provide integrated age with a new digital application. Godfrey, now 86, could drive many dogs to a ‘deadly reaction to escape and reliable ICT infrastructure and desktop shared was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia in the bedlam’. services to the whole of Victorian government. 2006, and only retired from his full-time job a year Integral to this is efficient delivery and exceptional ago. Transparent glass volumes customer service providing value-add to over 35,000 Australia’s peak body for measurement has proposed customers across the client base’. Single Suburbs that wine glasses in pubs and clubs should show The Herald Sun reports that Greater Dandenong in their volume in millilitres, with a marked line on every Congratulations Victoria, Mount Isa and Cloncurry recorded the biggest glass. The National Measurement Institute want to Professor Ian Young has been appointed vice- numbers of single men. They made up to 64 per cent help patrons work out how many standard drinks chancellor at the Australian National University, to of people looking for love. The Docklands and St Kilda they are consuming and is seeking public comment replace Ian Chubb. He is currently vice-chancellor at had the most singles in Victoria. And Queenslanders on its proposal to regulate wine servings. Swinburne University. He is a civil and oceanographic across the board are largely unhitched, with the

not for profit Become the expert on lobbying and communication. Designed specifically for you and your team, this one day fully interactive workshop businesses will help you get what you want from government and/or your stakeholders. 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 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

Royal Twins Foundation Homes overseas and in Australia, aged Xavier Social Justice Network. Rev. David Ryrie Princess Mary has given birth to twins, a boy and 90. ‘Judy’ Beverley Vickerly Major OAM, aged 92. Simon Bernard, employee at the Royal Melbourne a girl. The names of the new Danish royals will not John Bennett, Australia’s first professor of computer Hospital. Dr. Margaret Sabine, former Associate be known until their mother announces them at their science, aged 89. Bishop Joseph Gretch, of the Professor of Veterinary Virology at the University of christening which is expected in March. Sandhurst diocese in northern Victoria, aged 62 of Sydney, aged 82. David Andrew Sidebottom, killed a recurring blood disorder. He was ordained in 1975 in an accident while riding a bicycle on the Bellarine Young power couple? and appointed a bishop in 1998 making him one of Peninsula. The Herald Sun ran a story speculating that Australia’s the youngest bishops in the Catholic Church. youngest-ever Federal MP, 20 year old Wyatt Roy, Leon Massoni, a legendary host long associated and round-the-world sailor and Young Australian of Maurice Rioli, football legend died of a suspected with renowned restaurants such as the Café the Year Jessica Watson, 17, had formed a close heart attack, will be given a state funeral, aged 53. Florentino, Café Balzac, Tolarno Bistro and Massoni, relationship, and were possibly romantically involved. Jack Marchesin, died in the arms of his father on aged 85. Richard Paul Harbig, aged 77. Margaret December 23 after his bike collided with a prime Klen, former headmistress of Penleigh Presbyterian Parliament to pub mover near Ivanhoe railway station. The Kew High Ladies College from 1969 to 1976. Barbara Gay. Dr Victorian Premier Baillieu participated in this year’s school student had been out riding with his dad, H Vincent Nursey. Bishop John Warwick Wilson, Pier to Pub at Lorne, completing the 1200m swim in aged 13. Ralph McLean, former mayor of the now Bishop of the Southerbn Region. Peter Edward 18 minutes 29 seconds. defunct Fitzroy Council in 1984, also a broadcaster Andy, recording executive for EMI, aged 83. Phillip and producer of the channel 31 program Yartz, Gregory Molyneux AM. Harvey William James, I am Australian aged 53. Alonzo Pearse ‘Lon’ Wymond OAM, led Guitarist, aged 58. Geoffrey William Ainsworth, Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has proposed the volunteers who took Puffing Billy from a non- former Captain of the Geelong Football Club and ditching our national anthem for a song that touches operational railway facing permanent closure to a Geelong lawyer. David C. Christensen, treasurer of our souls, suggesting ‘I am Australian’ by Bruce much loved international tourist attraction. An RAAF the Victorian Racing Club Committee until 2003. Dr. Woodley. He said that many Australians did not relate pilot during WWII, he was shot down during a night John O’Brian. to ‘Advance Australia Fair’ which replaced ‘God Save bombing raid on the Japanese stronghold of Rabul, the Queen’ in 1984. aged 91. Joseph Anthony Peter Welch, died after two weeks in intensive care in Bangkok following a drowning Vale John Edward Begley (SJ). Jack Cain, RAAF 12678. accident in Koh Pangyang, aged 19. Archibald John James Dibble, the ABC’s first news reader. Dibble Fr Peter Tsang, Chaplin of the Melbourne Chinese McKellar, businessman. Professor Roger Wales, presented ABC TV’s first news bulletin on November 5, Community based at Our Lady’s Wattle Park for many former LaTrobe University Dean. Dr. Robert Marshall. 1956, and went on to present the TV news in Sydney for years. Donald Russell Currie, Industrial chemist with Angus Logan Haygarth. John Dohrmann. 27 years. His last news bulletin was on June 10, 1983. Imperial Chemical Industries, director of industrial Gus Mercurio, actor, boxer, chiropractor, aged 87. development for the South Australian Government, An unknown 41-year-old Mount Isa woman died after Professor Keith David Cole, aged 81. Harry James aged 95. Lt. Col. John Raymond Grant RAAMC, her vehicle was swept into a river at Floraville, 70 Wright, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam 1970- aged 89. kilomotres east of Burktown during heavy flooding in 1971, aged 86. Muriel Grace Crabtree, lecturer of the area. There have been more than 35 such flood bio-chemistry at the University of Melbounre and Maurice Monk, a 1950’s founder of the Confederation related deaths in Queensland and Victoria since the heavily involved in University College, an artist who of Australian Motor Sport, the peak motor racing end of November, including an 11 year old Victorian swam regularly up to her 100th birthday, aged 102. administrative body, and a keen amateur competitor. boy who disappeared in a swollen river. Douglas Malcolm Sheen, teacher, scholar, craftsman, Edward Warren Owen Perry MBE, aged 101, gardener, survived by wife of 38 years – Mary. historian, archivist at the Australian War Memorial, In February 2011, Flight Lieutenant Henry ‘Lacy’ and author of several books. Dorothy Merle Cole, Smith’s entombed body was recovered after his Margaret Florence Darling, AM, Navy Signals doctor and significant social advocate, aged 91. Spitfire disappeared into the River Orne, France on Intelligence, community worker, just months before June 11, 1944, to be buried at the Commonwealth her death British PM David Cameron sent a letter Denis Beverley Brownbill. Heather Gross. Audrey War Graves Cemetery at Ranville, in Normandy. His of commendation and a medal for her work with Mavis Hampshire. Mary Kathleen Hauser. Norman plane will come to Melbourne’s Point Cook RAAF the Bletchley Park unit, aged 87. Caroline Walford, William Leahy. Patricia Margaret Roirdan (Herman). Museum. recent president of the Lyceum Club. Bill Robertson, Geoffrey Wyndham Richardson. Gillies Norman MC. Helen Margaret McKendrick AM, humanitarian, Howard. Joseph Angelo Grech, Bishop of Sandhurst. Elizabeth Beresford, London, children’s author helped raise millions for the Ryder-Cheshire Judith Marianne Davey. Margaret Littledale Tutton, and creator of ‘the Wombles’ was made an MBE in

22 22 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

The Governor’s Speech, December 2010. 1998 remarking ‘The Queen is a mad Womble fan.’ The Wombles books, popular in the 1970’s, were inspired by her daughter during a walk on Wimbledon Common, aged 84.

Dennis Dutton, American philosopher and critic, aged 66, in New Zealand battling prostate cancer, PhD from the University of California, moved to the University of Canterbury in 1984 and soon launched the renowned Arts & Letters Daily website. Richard Charles Albert Holbrooke, aged 69, U.S. diplomat. Carlos Andres Perez, former Venezuelan President, aged 88. Blake Edwards, U.S. filmmaker, most notably the director of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Pink Panther, aged 88. Barry Zorthian, U.S. spokesman in Saigon during the Vietnam War, aged 90.

Dick King-Smith, British children’s author who’s works included the 1983 book The Sheep-Pig which spawned the iconic 1995 Australian film Babe, aged 88. Robert Sargent Shriver, U.S. politician and public servant who started the Peace Corps and worked with presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, aged 95. John Barry, five-time Oscar winning composer for scores including Born Free, Out of Africa, Dances with Wolves, and the enduring music from the James Bond films, died of a heart attack in New York, aged 77. The Honourable Matthew Guy, MLC, Minister for Planning, and part of a busy team. LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

almost certain defeat at the election in four months show that these new guys are up to the task.23 time. It appears to erode some of the goodwill Also, the Liberals… and the Nationals... are the built up during Keneally’s stand against federal party of business. workplace relations reforms and the introduction of a new Easter Sunday public holiday. It comes In this longer than usual editorial, one must note as the New South Wales government struggles that both metropolitan and regional water in the to complete the troubled sale of its electricity state have been combined under one minister, assets. In a further blow to the government, as have both public transport (including rail ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s has warned and trams and buses) and roads. Interesting any abandonment of its electricity privatisation challenges. could affect its much prized AAA credit rating. There is speculation the government may opt to This publication is not a history of an era written go ahead with the sale of its energy retailers but five years after the event. Each day, we scan drop the sale of its generation assets if potential and read The Age, the Herald Sun, the Financial buyers don’t increase their initial bids, the Review and The Australian, as well as press and Financial Review reported. industry releases, hence we have taken items as we headed into the election and came out of it. Nearby The momentum of change is documented. The Australian reported that Sartor became the 18th party member from the New South Wales What a surprising year. And then the upper house government to signal their retirement ahead of (the Legislative Council) went to the government state election. Sartor is one of the government’s as well. highest profile ministers, but his resignation hAMiSh brooKS came as no surprise. He entered Parliament Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. in 2003 after an 11-year stint as lord mayor Hamish has been the sub-editor for three years, of Sydney and used his valedictory speech to thirty editions of Letter from Melbourne and thirty NEXT EDITIONS/THE NEW YEAR trumpet his achievements and to settle a few old editions of Letter From Canberra, 15,000 words We will bring you detailed updates across the scores. Meanwhile, the Financial Review reported each edition, in total 900,000 words. Hamish has spectrum of the new Victorian government, just that New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally used voice recognition as we did with the new Kennett government and has sacked Angela d’Amore from her job as equipment, inspired by dictation specialist then with the Bracks and Brumby governments. parliamentary secretary for police after she Howard Hutchins of Melbourne. So do not doubt was found to have acted corruptly by the state’s how well this technology can work! Independent Commission Against Corruption. ThE buShfirES Keneally has had to sack three ministers and two Hamish has also contributed to a number of other parliamentary secretaries over personal scandal publications including an Australian Institute of Moving along or corruption allegations since becoming premier Company Directors quarterly bulletin, acted as New premier ted baillieu has vowed to a year ago. After ICAC’s announcement, D’Amore, agenda secretary for a monthly infrastructure implement all recommendations of the Black member for Drummoyne, became the 19th Labor think tank, which includes some very senior Saturday Bushfires Royal Commission, including MP to say she won’t be contesting the March industry leaders, and finished writing his first a government buyout of homeowners who election. novel. Few people would have this particular want to abandon high-risk bushfire zones, The expertise and experience. An excellent reference Age reported. Departing Emergency Services Kennett! is available. Hamish studied Arts at the University Commissioner bruce esplin (see below) warned Speaking on 3AW, former Premier Jeff Kennett of Melbourne, and Professional Writing and any buyback of properties would need to be said Kool Mints were ideal for disguising booze Editing at RMIT. compulsory and include all those in the designated because ‘they absorbed the alcohol’. This is area. He said a buyback policy would work obviously not true. The Herald Sun reported that Editorial continued... overtime, but must not end up with a situation police criticised Kennett after his comments. It would be wrong to say ‘relax’ in regard to this where some people sell up and others stay. Inspector Martin boorman, of the road police later impression. However, a summary of the and drug and alcohol section, dismissed the individual education, professional relationships, tough job claims as an urban myth. range of business experience, worldly experience bruce esplin, who has been Emergency Services and energy plus a quick guess at IQ levels will Commissioner for a decade, will quit at the end

9 16 DECEMBER 2010 to 13 JANUARY 2011

EXCLUSIVELY $100K+ JOBS AND TALENT www.sixfigures.com.au

subscribe My Details Title Name Organisation Address Postcode Phone/Fax Email Payment Details Cheque (attached) for $ is enclosed payable to Affairs of State, or charge $ to  Visa  Mastercard  Amex Card Number

Subscriptions to Letter From Melbourne for ONE YEAR (10 Issues) for $275 Card Holder Signature Expiry /

A free briefing with your staff on issues therein, at your office or via Skype Please fax this order form to 03 9654 1165 for credit card purposes A free chart of all federal MPs and senators and the football team each supports Phone 03 9654 1300 see also letterfrommelbourne.com.au A free chart of the federal government departments, ministers and senior civil Cheques payable to Affairs of State, 14 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 servants and delivery agencies

24 24