LETTER FROM Saving you time. Since 1994. A monthly newsletter distilling public policy and government decisions which affect business opportunities in , and beyond.

Post election and Christmas Edition Issue 160 18 November to 15 December 2010

INSIDE Premier Baillieu Shocks all round New opposition team Upper house majority Some big policy changes Federal-state ties change Green policy focus One water minister. One transport minister Lots more rain

Page 11: Morgan Poll most accurate on the Victorian State Election 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

14 Collins Street editoriAL Melbourne, 3000 Victoria, Australia Well! Here we are. Who was not surprised? And prepared? Anyone? It is important to reflect on the extent of this P 03 9654 1300 surprise at various levels of government, let alone various levels of the wider community. F 03 9654 1165 [email protected] First. For the new premier and his fellow ministers and their advisers. And the related party system with its own www.letterfrommelbourne.com.au bureaucracy and large number of lay people. Much thinking/planning, and soon activity, is happening, though the new government is not quite as unprepared as when Labor won in 1999. Secondly, for the senior civil servants and also the less senior, there is probably not too much politics here, though there is quite a bit in the agencies editor Alistair Urquhart Associate editor Hamish Brooks and authorities and also in the judiciary and tribunals. These groups will move fast to get on with life, the life of Subscription Manager Juliette Biegler running Victoria’s government. Advertising Manager Eddie Mior editorial Consultant Rick Brown Then there are other folk. Former premier and his former ministers. And their advisers and other design Steph Dang members of the ministerial teams including the media folk. These folk might not really have felt yet the full effect upon them as a team, as a party and very importantly, as individuals. And the Labor Party, internally, its members Letter From Melbourne is a monthly public affairs and general followers. bulletin, a simple précis, distilling and interpreting public policy and government decisions, which affect The Labor team has had 11 years. The former premier’s concession speech sounded as though he and premier business opportunities in Victoria and Australia. Bracks before him had picked up a basket-case state from Kennett. More importantly, he was perhaps leaving Written for the regular traveller, or people with the impression that these guys who had fallen over the line were not up to the job of looking after Victoria. meeting-filled days, you only have to miss reading Continued on page 9... the or The Herald Sun twice a week to need Letter From Melbourne. It’s more about business Cover photo by professional photographer John Tozer, www.imaginsight.com.au, of in the lobby at opportunities (or lack of them) than politics. It’s not Parliament House in December 2007. Crikey.com. We keep the words to a minimum. Letter From Melbourne is independent. It’s not party political or any other political. It does not have the About the editor imprimatur of government at any level. ALiStAir urQuhArt For context. It includes events and people and society, and the weather if that is important. Alistair Urquhart graduated from the Australian National University in Canberra, in Law, History and Politics, was admitted as a barrister and Increasingly, Letter From Melbourne is developing a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and remains a (non-practicing) federal and national coverage and also an increasing member of the Law Institute of Victoria. Before that, he graduated from synopsis of national business issues. high school in Bethesda, Maryland, and had many opportunities to become The only communications tool of its type, Letter aware of the workings of Washington DC. From Melbourne keeps subscribers abreast of recent developments in the policy arena on a local, state and For 30 years, he listened every Sunday evening to the late Alistair Cooke federal level. and his Letter From America. His early career was mostly in the coal You can read it on a flight from Melbourne once a industry, where he became involved with energy, environmental and water month or with a good cup of coffee. issues, and later in the SME finance sector.

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attract the attention of the iNdeX who’s who of Melbourne’s StAte GoVerNMeNt & PoLitiCS 3 AGRICULTURE 18 public and private sector. the buShFireS 9 JuStiCe 18 ArtS 14 MeLbourNe 19 for a copy of our media kit or information regarding advertising with LETTER FROM MELBOURNE eduCAtioN 14 PLANNiNG & buiLdiNG 20 please contact Alistair Urquhart eNViroNMeNt 14 LoCAL GoVerNMeNt 21 + [email protected] 61 3 9654 1300 CONSERVATION 14 SPort 21 ENERGY 15 trANSPort 21 WATER 15 RAIL 21 Published by A.B Urquhart & Company Pty Ltd trading as Affairs of State. Disclaimer: Material in this publication is general GAMiNG 16 ROAD 22 comment and not intended as advice on any particular matter. Professional advice should be sought before action is taken. heALth 16 AIR 22 Material is complied from various sources including newspaper iNVeStMeNt 17 PORTS 22 articles, press releases, government publications, Hansard, trade journals, etc. © This newsletter is copyright. No part may be BUSINESS 17 the WorKPLACe - INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 23 reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, ICT 18 CoMMuNitY 23 photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission from the publisher. Affairs of State respects your privacy. While we do believe that the information contained in WANTED. SenSible univerSity Student, maybe with a background in politicS or law, with Some Letter from Melbourne will be useful to you, please advise us if you do not wish to receive any further communications from us. free time, part-time, over Summer for a brief but informative internShip. 03 9654 1300

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the first lady of bentleigh Network conditional on improved mobile phone STATE GovErNmENT & PoliTicS elizabeth Miller was the straw that broke Labor’s reception in regional and metropolitan areas. back when she won the seat of Bentleigh for the Surprises all round Liberals. Miller, who lives in South Yarra, is soon A fair comment On the Monday following the election, the papers to shift the 10 kilometres or so needed to live in The Age reported that Team Baillieu will consist had Liberal leader ted baillieu, 57, poised to the electorate she will represent. Miller had the of seven key players – two political mentors, claim victory and form Victoria’s first lucky position at the top of the ballot paper, but three Parliamentary colleagues, a chief of staff government in 11 years, after vote counting gave Liberal Party strategists believe she received a and a party state director. Former Premier Jeff the Liberal’s a commanding lead in the deciding significant boost when the party agreed to one Kennett and former federal MP Petro Georgiou seat of Bentleigh (following a Victorian Electoral of her key policy wishes – the promise to build a have been two of Baillieu’s mentors since the Commission decision to fast track the counting new railway station at nearby Southland shopping 1990s, and will continue to give advice behind of the 3,130 pre-poll votes in the seat). Following centre, The Age reported. An interesting map in the scenes. Around the cabinet table, Baillieu’s the election loss, and his eventual concession the Herald Sun, which coloured Labor seats red closest confidantes will be david davis, Peter of defeat, Premier John brumby resigned his and Coalition seats blue, showed a majority ryan and . leadership and then from Parliament, with The of blue in the eastern and southern suburbs of Davis is one of Baillieu’s closest parliamentary Age reporting that the Socialist Left faction of the Melbourne, and a majority of red in the regional colleagues, a keen strategist, and the unofficial Labor party was preparing to push Health Minister and rural areas. leader of the small ‘l’ liberals; Ryan will be (he was elected unopposed) for Baillieu’s deputy and country springboard; while leader. the law of voting becoming vague Asher is a long-time loyalist who supported The Right’s favoured candidate was Water Minister Interesting to note the different ways that people Baillieu to become Liberal leader after robert . Left-wing Regional and Rural lodge their vote nowadays. Pre-poll voting is people doyle’s resignation in 2006. Finally, there’s tony Affairs Minister was also in the voting before the election within their electorate Nutt, the Liberal state director, who drove the mix for promotion, with some senior party figures at a polling booth or at designated Victorian election winning campaign. suggesting she should replace Attorney General Electoral Commission locations. Absentee voting as deputy leader as the ALP goes into is when one votes outside of one’s electorate on Meanwhile a rebuilding phase. Hulls will serve as Andrews’ election day, while postal voting is people voting The hiring of staff will be co-ordinated by the deputy leader, and former water minister tim from outside their electorate before election day. Premier’s office and others nearby. Some holding will become shadow treasurer. ministerial advisers might be obvious, but there Liberal liberals are many advisers and support staff required. The Coalition expanded the size of the whole The Age reported that former Prime Minister Baillieu has made it clear he will not cut public cabinet, with Baillieu initially planning to make Malcolm Fraser said ted baillieu’s victory service postions. no changes to the existing structure of his front was a very encouraging day for ‘liberal Liberals’. bench, before conducting a bigger than expected Baillieu has a socially progressive record on A busy Christmas and New Year reshuffle and creating a new Department of issues like abortion, stem cell research and The Financial Review carried a good summary Business and Innovation. The new Cabinet physician assisted dying. Meanwhile, an Age of the Baillieu agenda: cut spending by $1.6b will be made up of 22 ministers, including only editorial said that the new government must over five years; introduce a major health plan three MPs who have had experience serving in manage a high level of dissatisfaction with within 150 days of taking office; cut stamp duty government – Nationals leader , and government services. by $790m for new home buyers; examine the former Kennett government ministers Louise process of Victoria’s 12 year wagering licence; Asher and dennis Napthine. Look out Canberra establish an anticorruption commission; review Ryan was appointed deputy premier and retained The Australian reported that ted baillieu will Labor’s $2b food bowl plan for central Victoria; his portfolio of police and emergency services, challenge key planks of Prime Minister Julia take a tougher line on windfarms; develop Avalon and rural and regional development. The new Gillard’s reform agenda, including the broadband airport between Melbourne and Geelong as the Cabinet sat for the first time on Monday, December network, health reform, the mining tax and water. state’s second international airport; release a 6. Even though it was expanded to 22, only four He will also launch an audit of Victorian hospital large amount of land in Melbourne’s outer fringe; members are women. The Brumby cabinet of 20 waiting lists to determine whether the national investigate rail links to Melbourne’s east and had five women. Meanwhile, Governor david de health reform deal signed by outgoing Premier southeast, and back fast rail links to Sydney and Krester’s five year term expires on April 7 and John brumby provides enough for Victoria. other capitals; rewrite the WorkCover laws; look he is not expected to seek an extension. We have Baillieu will also make his support of Canberra’s into a possible independent public inquiry into the had 28 governors in 171 years, but not one of planned rollout of the National Broadband state’s investments; and force banks to mediate them has been a woman. before they foreclose on farms.

3 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

into it kept ports, major projects and employment and he might have been to blame to his government’s The Age reported that ted baillieu recalled industrial relations. election defeat. For all the positive things he Parliament before Christmas to start work on the Of the other (shadow) Cabinet newcomers, did in office, his farewell speech only served to Coalition’s agenda. He wants to quickly introduce Luke donellen has child safety and sport; Jill reinforce the major negative perceptions of the legislation to abolish suspended sentences for hennessy corrections, crime prevention and Premier and some of his ministers: arrogant, serious crimes, and create a new agency to women’s affairs; Steve herbert higher education dismissive of critics and reluctant to admit error. overhaul Melbourne’s public transport system. and skills; seniors, ageing Let’s hope that, in time, the former premier can Parliament will sit on Tuesday 22 December for and youth services; finance and openly acknowledge his mistakes, the worst of one day. WorkCover; and Adam Somyurek technology which included the sham consultations on private Ted should be out of the Epworth Hospital by then, and manufacturing. Candy broad is shadow projects like the Windsor Hotel. having had emergency surgery on 15 December cabinet secretary. Andrews has added veterans’ to remove a kidney stone. Ted evidently does not and multicultural affairs, and the shadow ministry recriminations (1) drink alcohol, tea or coffee. for children and young adults to his duties as The Age reported that George droutsas, who Opposition Leader, The Age reported. was senior campaign officer in Victorian Labor’s Baillieu also plans to move quickly to deploy head office from 2006 until last year, says voters armed police protective services officers on An unexpected tide regarded John brumby as arrogant, dismissive railway stations at night, abolish the Office The Financial Review reported that Labor rode and a poor listener who refused to hear genuine of Police Integrity and set up Victoria’s first the regions to power in 1999 and the Coalition is community concerns, such as dilapidated public anticorruption commission. In a bid to contrast his set to surf in on the suburbs in 2010. Of the 13 transport, alcohol-fuelled street violence and administration with what he called Labor’s secret seats that delivered the Liberals government, 10 rising electricity and water bills. He believes state, the new Premier will also open the books were in suburban Melbourne. the decision to build Labor’s election campaign on public hospital waiting lists and contracts for around Brumby was a mistake. Droutsas is a the $5.7b desalination plant and the $1.4b myki Yes… controversial figure in the ALP. In October, the public transport ticketing system. The new Victorian Premier was on the front cover former Whitehorse mayor was acquitted of of four newspapers in his swimming gear on false document charges after being accused of And then the day following his election victory. The Age, trying to stack a council election with dummy The Age reported that ted baillieu has flagged Herald Sun, The Australian and even the Financial candidates. Meanwhile, senior Labor MP for the dumping or deferring some of his big spending Review. Melbourne seat of Wills, Kelvin thomson, said election promises if an audit of Victoria’s John brumby’s government lost the election finances reveals holes in the budget. He has Conceding defeat because it became too cosy with the big end of vowed to ditch some of the Brumby government’s In his concession speech, former Premier John town and lost touch with the real concerns of most contentious projects and policies, saying brumby said that there is no doubt in his mind ordinary people. the $750m north-south water pipeline will be that the Labor Party leaves Victoria a stronger, shut down, changes to clearway times in inner better and fairer place than it was 11 years ago. He how green? suburban shopping strips will be reversed, and was explicit about what he reckoned had beaten The Australian reported that federal Labor planning laws allowing high-rise residential him, and it wasn’t his performance, it wasn’t his minister and key Victorian powerbroker bill development along suburban train and tram government, and it wasn’t the coalition. It was Shorten blamed the state election result on the problems will be overturned. Baillieu has also time – the unforgiving churn of the electoral cycle party ignoring the suburbs and being distracted vowed to put an end to government spin by cutting and Labor’s turn was up, The Age reported. The by the Greens from fighting its main enemy, the the number of taxpayer funded advertisements Herald Sun took a look at some of the highs and Liberals. Meanwhile, Peter Van onselen wrote and media advisers. lows of Brumby’s three years as premier. Highs that the Labor Party will face more internal included maintaining a strong economy during debate on whether pandering to the Greens is in in the shadows the global financial crisis and helping to deliver the party’s best interests. The Age reported that New Labor leader daniel Andrews’s shadow a national health agreement to provide Victorians Labor relied on Greens preferences to win 20 of cabinet includes three new shadow ministries: more beds and surgery, while lows included the its 43 seats in the new Legislative Assembly – the suburbs and the cost of living (both going bungled myki ticketing system, law and order raising real doubts about whether it could afford to Lily d’Ambrosio), and sustainable growth problems, transport system failures and the child to follow the Coalition in putting the Greens (brian tee). The big winners in the shadow protection crisis. last. Final election results suggest rather that cabinet were newcomer Fiona richardson, who Labor and the Greens may be doomed to live in has been given public transport, and veteran Nearby a love-hate relationship – competing fiercely for minister , who moves from the On the opinion pages of The Age, Kenneth a widening circle of suburban seats, yet teaming environment portfolio to health. After 11 years davidson wrote that those who believe the with the Coalition elsewhere. Meanwhile, one in as attorney-general, rob hulls will take up the Brumby government was a good government three Liberal voters in the four inner-city seats shadow education portfolio, with former transport voted out by an electorate bored after 11 years, that could have fallen to the Greens if the Liberals minister to pick up the attorney simply haven’t been paying attention. The key to had preferenced them defied their how-to-vote role as well as gaming and racing. James understanding why the Brumby government held cards, and directed their preferences to the Merlino retains the police portfolio he was given on in the regional centres but lost badly in the Greens ahead of Labor. Meanwhile, the Greens before last month’s election. will outer suburbs of Melbourne – both to everyone’s also made big gains from Labor in the next ring become shadow environment and climate change surprise – can be largely explained by the fact of seats further out, suggesting the next Labor minister. that they kept their promise to build the Regional versus Greens battle will be over a much wider Former treasurer picks up water, Fast Rail network linking Melbourne to the field. resources, agriculture and Commonwealth-state regional centres but failed to do anything about relations, while will be shadow the abysmal standard of public transport to the recriminations (2) minister for tourism, small business and innovation outer suburbs. The Age reported that Victorian Labor will consider and major events. Former roads minister tim putting the Greens last on its how-to vote cards Pallas lost that portfolio to Jacinta Allen, but A few days later in the same paper, tom ormonde at future elections, as payback for the minor wrote that so far Brumby has barely indicated that parties role in the Brumby government’s defeat

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in action,in action, where where opposition opposition parties parties outside outside an an >!&%%&,,,(, $ %,%-,>!&%%&,,,(, $ %,%-, !    !     electionelection cycle cycle receive receive only only a few a few minutes minutes in every in every $ ,,( %(&,,,(,  ,$ ,,( %(&,,,(,  ,   (  (?,?,hourhour of coverage, of coverage, but buthave have their their voices voices heard heard with with ( %=,%& ,,( /)%,&  %'.8,( %=,%& ,,( /)%,&  %'.8, far farmore more regularity regularity in the in thelead lead up toup anto election.an election.  , ,  * * TheThe Liberal Liberal Party’s Party’s decision decision to direct to direct preferences preferences ( ' ( ' 8-##!%*# * &*;*8-##!%*# * &*;* #5* * * #5* * * to to Labor Labor ahead ahead of ofthe the Greens Greens changed changed the the  #*#"" *'* * *&  +*   *  #*#"" *'* * *&  +*   * '" * # **'" * # ** campaign and boosted the Coalition’s prospects. 18    ,*    ,*NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010 campaign and boosted the Coalition’s prospects. It consolidatedIt consolidated the the Liberal’s Liberal’s focus, focus, sharpened sharpened " *** #"*  * " *" * *" #"*# " *** #"*  * " *" * *" #"*# *& #"*  * *& #"*  * up the party’s attempts to appear resolute, and #*! ""*#* & *#  *" * *$#* & #*! ""*#* & *#  *" * *$#* & *"0**"0* up the party’s attempts to appear resolute, and  *# * *$#* ** *  ,*  *# * *$#* ** *  ,* mademade the thecontest contest a much a much starker starker choice between between 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010 , , LaborinLabor action,and and the where theCoalition. Coalition. opposition parties outside an >!&%%&,,,(, $ %,%-, !     election cycle receive only a few minutes in every $ ,,( %(&,,,(,  , hour of coverage, but have their voices heard with   ?   (3, 3,4, 4,5, 5, , TheThe bush bush fights fights back back          ! !                    , , , , !       *1, *1,  ,  , ,  , ( %=,%& ,,( /)%,&  %'.8,  ,  , far more regularity in the lead up to an election. 6, 6,7, 7,9, 9,  As As part part of ofThe The Age’s Age’s post-election post-election analysis, analysis, ,  , ,,,  ,,, , to win key inner-city seats with federal MP for To Be’ less ,  ,than a week  !   !after taking ! , ! ,power." An" !, !,250,000  ,figure  ,  includes , , full-time,", ", ! , !! ! ,part-time , !! , and * The Liberal Party’s decision to direct preferences    :, :,;, ;,<, <, it wasit was noted noted that that Baillieu Baillieu ran ran a traditional a traditional 8 , , , , Melbourne Adam bandt trumpeting a shift official email from the Department of Premier and contract employees. *! , *! ,, 1 ,, 1 , ( ' -##!%*# * &*;*" !," !,!  ! ! ,  ! , ! , ! ,  #5* * * ,  ,, , to Labor ahead of the Greens changed the +, +,2, 2,0, 0, campaign,campaign, pushing pushing the the message message that that it was it was 646*"#' * +* "' *$*1...*#"#*646*"#' * +* "' *$*1...*#"#* , , , , , ,  #*#"" *'* * *&  +*   * '" * # ** ",  ,#, toward the Greens across the board, the Herald Cabinet was sent to all department bosses asking  ,  ,",  ,#,    ,**)6/*1*9127*4444**:*)6/*1*9127*77.6**  3  ,&,#**)6/*1*9127*4444**:*)6/*1*9127*77.6**  3  ,&,#* timecampaigntime for fora change aand change boosted after after more the more Coalition’s than than a decade a prospects. decade of of Sun reported. The editorial in that paper urged bureaucrats to delete the slogan from, websites, boot camp Labor.ItLabor. consolidated Meanwhile, Meanwhile, theNationals Nationals Liberal’s leader leader focus, Peter Peter sharpened Ryan Ryan readers not to throw their vote away by voting for because " *** #"*  * " *" * *" #"*# of its links with the former Labor According *& #"*  * to the Herald Sun the former State at the election. Senior ALP figures, angry at the of anyof any holiday holiday pay pay and and other other benefits benefits they they are are andupand histhe his party party’s party defeated attempts defeated the to the Independent, appear Independent, resolute, Craig and the Greens. government.at the #*! ""*#* & *#  *" * *$#* & election. The Senior Australian ALP figures,Monarchists angry League at the Government*"0* wrote to the Defence Department Craig Greens’  *# * *$#* ** *  ,* attempts for seats in the city heartland, eligibleeligible for. for. madeIngram, theto ,reclaim contestto reclaim Easta much East Gippsland. starkerGippsland. choiceThis This boosted between boosted welcomedGreens’ attempts the change for seats as a ingood the cityopportunity heartland, to with a proposal to send troubled year 9 boys and Ingram wantwant , Labor’s Labor’s election election review review panel panel to lookto look at at theLabor theNationals’ Nationals’ and the numbers Coalition. numbers in the in the88-member 88-member lower lower Changing tack restore the emblem of the Crown to Victorian girlsThatThat tolast army, last week weeknavy and air force bases for two- waysways to destroyto destroy the theminor minor party’s party’s prospects prospects of of househouse from from 9 to 9 10 to and10 and cements cements Ryan’s Ryan’s position position In the last days of the election campaign, John licence plates. weekTheThe final camps final Morgan whereMorgan Poll they Poll on will theon be theVictorian drilled Victorian by election, defence election,  3, 4, 5, The bush fights back          , , winningwinning  seats seats in  the in  ! thelower lower  house. house.        *1, as aas leader a leader of substance of substance in the in therural rural and and regional regional  ,  , brumby told a Melbourne Press Club lunch that personnel.releasedreleased lunch-time Watch lunch-time this the space. theday day before before the , theelection election 6, 7, 9, As part of The Age’s post-election analysis, ,  ,, , party.party.  ,   ! ! , " !, ,  ", ! , !! , a Liberal-National government, with its uncosted baillieu and doyle teaming up  waswas the thefirst first to showto ,show the theCoalition Coalition surging surging to to   :, ;, <, it was noted that Baillieu ran a traditional , , OnwardOnward Christian Christian soldiers soldiers *! , 1 , policies, it’s invisible shadow treasurer (Kim Billions of dollars for community" !, ! infrastructure  ! , ! ,  ,Consultantsthe , thefront front and and forin anthein election-winningan consultants election-winning, position position - - +, 2, 0, campaign, pushing the message that it was 646*"#' * +* "' *$*1...*#"#* , , , reported that veteran Liberal MP ",  ,#, TheThe Age Age reported that veteran Liberal MP KenKen  , MoreMore green green detail detail Wells) and a terrible history that it cannot escape, projects for schools,*)6/*1*9127*4444**:*)6/*1*9127*77.6**  3  ,&,#* libraries and new rail lines TheL-NP L-NPHerald (51 (51 ) Sun cf. ) cf.ALP reported ALP (49 (49 ). that Subsequent ). LaborSubsequent has polls spent polls SmithSmith will will become become lower lower house house speaker, speaker, with with % % ThetimeThe worse forworse athan change than expected expected after resultmore result thanfor forthe a thedecadeGreens Greens of is a bigger risk to our prosperity and jobs than could be delivered under a municipal, bond morereleasedreleased than on $1.6b electionon election – or day $445,000 day also also supported asupported day – theon theanlate late

colleaguecolleague Christine Christine Fyffe Fyffe as as deputy deputy speaker. speaker. willLabor. will be betaken Meanwhile, taken by byBaillieu BaillieuNationals as asvindication leader vindication Peter for for hisRyan his the fragile global economy. Following this, Labor scheme proposed by Melbourne Lord Mayor armyswing.swing. of Theconsultants The‘ Morgan Morgan sincePoll Poll alsocoming also showed showedto power. a late a late fall fall LiberalatLiberal the Bruce election. Bruce Atkinson AtkinsonSenior willALP willbe figures, presidentbe president angry of at theof the the of any holiday pay and other benefits they are mid-campaignandmid-campaign his party decision defeated decision to thepreferenceto preference Independent, the theminor Craigminor stepped up the assault on the Opposition, with a . Doyle said the infrastructure bond in Brumbysin Brumbyss approval, approval, down down 4 per 4 percent cent to 34to 34 upperGreens’upper house. house.attempts Of theOf for the 22 seats 22 ministers, ministers,in the city all allbutheartland, but one one eligible for. partyIngramparty last last ,in to all inreclaim seats,all seats, East even evenGippsland. if it ifmeant it meant This a couple boosteda couple new prime time TV advertisement reprising the scheme is the ‘number one thing on my agenda to rperedistribution percent cent while while Baillieuon Baillieuthe wayheld held firm firm at 40at 40per percent. cent. sworewantswore oaths Labor’s oaths on theon election theBible. Bible. reviewOnly Only Attorney-General panel Attorney-General to look at of theLaborof LaborNationals’ members, members, numbers namely namely in Bronwynthe Bronwyn 88-member Pike Pike andlower and attack on ted baillieu from the last election for discuss with the new Premier’. He said he would tTimimThatT ColebatchiCom llastCobaltb chweekat wrotechwrotewrote thatin Thethat the Age thelate thatlate polls ofpolls impliedthe implied 88 RobertwaysRobert Clarkto Clarkdestroy made made thean affirmation.anminor affirmation. party’s prospects of RichardhouseRichard fromWynne Wynne 9 ,to retained 10, retained and cementstheir their inner-city Ryan’sinner-city positionseats seats allegedly profiting from the Kennett government’s ask the Premier to join him in a coordinated seatsa swingThea swingin final theto theMorgantoLegislative theCoalition Coalition Poll Assembly, onof abouttheof aboutVictorian 6.528 6.5areper election,pereithercent. cent. winning seats in the lower house. becauseasbecause a leader of it. of of Meanwhile,it. substance Meanwhile, a in swag thea swag rural of new of and new Liberal regional Liberal asset sales, because a real estate firm of which approach to the Federal Government to support moreAlthoughreleasedAlthough than the 10 lunch-time theperswing swingcent to above theto theCoalitionday the Coalition beforeenrolment was the was closer quotaelection closer Watch COAG Partyparty.Party members members claimed claimed the the heartland heartland eastern eastern he had been a director had the contract to sell theWatch scheme. COAG The exact bond funding model would orto morewas6to per 6 the than percent, first cent,10 it perto was itshow centwas enough belowtheenough Coalition for it. forthe the Coalitionsurging Coalition toto to OnwardAfter being Christian sworn in soldiers as Premier, Ted Baillieu said suburbs of Melbourne from Labor for the first time school and hospital sites. The Opposition said the beAfter developed being sworn by the in asFederal Premier, Government’s Ted Baillieu office said takethetake government, front government, and in 45an 45seatselection-winning seats to 43to. 43On. Onthe position thesame same - suburbs of Melbourne from Labor for the first time thatThethat he Age wouldhe would reported pursue pursue thatan approachan veteran approach of Liberal competitive of competitive MP Ken sinceMoresince 1999. green 1999. Paul detailPaul Austin Austin noted noted that that something something attack showed the government was becoming of financial management and projects would be Servingday,L-NPday, the the(51aHerald cold Herald ) cf. dish Sun ALP Sun warmhad (49 had Newspoll ).Newspoll Subsequent showing showing polls the the federalism,Smithfederalism, will the become the lower house reported. reported. speaker, Baillieu Baillieu with dramaticThedramatic worse happened happened than inexpected the in thelast last resultdays days of for the of the theelection Greenselection increasingly shrill. Baillieu threatened to sue first approved Financialby theFinancial federal Review Review body, Infrastructure CraigCoalitionreleasedCoalition Langdon with on with 51.1election, the 51.1 per former dayper cent also cent Labor of supported theof member the two-party two-party the for late wascolleaguewas very very critical Christine critical of theof Fyffe the Council Council as deputy of Australianof Australian speaker. campaign.willcampaign. be taken Undecided Undecided by Baillieu voters, voters, as especially vindication especially in for the in his the the ALP if the ad was not withdrawn, and after Australia, headed by Sir rod eddington. Doyle Ivanhoe,preferredswing.preferred whovoteThe vote ahead quitMorgan ahead Parliament of PollLabor of Laboralso with in showed with disgust48.9 48.9 per a at perlatecent. his cent. fall LiberalGovernments Bruce Atkinson agenda in will recent be president years. Heof the has mortgagemid-campaignmortgage belts belts across decision across Melbourne’s toMelbourne’s preference eastern eastern the andminor and Labor called his bluff, the opposition leader saidGovernments the scheme agenda was in about recent unlocking years. He private has ownIt wasinIt party,Brumbyswas the the first letter-boxed first approval,time time that that down residentsthe theCoalition 4 Coalitionper in cent thehad had to seat,been 34 been alreadyupperalready flagged house. flagged Of concerns the concerns 22 with ministers, with federal federal all health but health one southernpartysouthern last suburbs, insuburbs, all seats,decided decided even they theyif hadit meanthad had had enough a coupleenough made good on his threat to sue ALP campaign money for infrastructure investment, The Age criticisingaheadperahead centin thein the while the campaign. ALP campaign.Baillieu candidate TheThe held The Age/Nielsen Australian whofirm Australian oustedat 40 Poll had per him,had had the cent. the andsworeand water wateroaths reforms reformson the and Bible. and criticised Only criticised Attorney-General some some COAG COAG of ofLaborof LaborLabor and members,and were were prepared preparednamely to Bronwyngive to give the theCoalition Pike Coalition and director Nick reece for defamation, issuing a reported. Nearby, industry groups have called theformerCoalitionTCoalitionim Co senioraheadlb aaheadt ch by governmentwrote 52by per52 that percent centthe adviserto 48late to per48 polls Anthony percent. impliedcent. agreementsRobertagreements Clark for forproducingmade producing an affirmation. a race a race to the to theaverage. average. anotherRichardanother go, go,Wynne11 years11 years, retained after after they theirthey had inner-cityhad evicted evicted Jeff seats Jeff writ in the Supreme Court. Neither party shone for action from the Baillieu government on Carbinesa swing, sayingto the heCoalition was not of up about to it 6.5and per telling cent. BaillieuBaillieu flagged flagged a determination a determination to take to take on onthe the Other polls becauseKennettfrom of from it.the Meanwhile, thePremier’s Premier’s office. a swag office. of new Liberal in its advertising strategy, Jason Murphy wrote infrastructure, stamp duty and planning, with Sir residentsOtherAlthough polls a freewaythe swing through to the theCoalition area proposedwas closer Kennett powerfulWatchpowerful COAG construction construction union union stranglehold stranglehold on on FiveFive days days out outfrom from the theelection, election, the the Herald Sun Party members claimed the heartland eastern in the Financial Review. After promising a positive Rod Eddington saying that while Melbourne faced by tothe 6 governmentper cent, it shouldwas enough not be for built, theHerald TheCoalition AgeSun to Aftercommercial being sworn scale in residential as Premier, construction. Ted Baillieu said reported that a Galaxy Poll showed Premier John suburbsA long ofspeech Melbourne from Labor for the first time campaign, the Labor Party launched an armada challengescommercial withscale existingresidential infrastructure, construction. newer reported.reportedtake government, that a Galaxy 45 Poll seats showed to 43 Premier. On the John same A long speech that he would pursue an approach of competitive Brumby would cling to power, but only with sinceOn election 1999. night,Paul Austinformer notedPremier that John something Brumby of attack ads. areas do not have enough. Brumbyday, the would Herald cling Sun tohad power, Newspoll but showing only with the On election night, former Premier John Brumby federalism,Packages thetied Financial up with Review string reported. Baillieu the thehelp help of Greensof Greens preferences. preferences. On Ona two-party a two-party wasdramaticwas convinced convinced happened that that the in theelection the election last resultdays result of would the would election be abe a Packages tied up with string democracyCoalition withlovers 51.1 say per aye cent of the two-party TwowasTwo suspicious very suspicious critical packages packages of the found Council found in government in of government Australian preferredpreferred basis, basis, Labor Labor was was ahead ahead of the of theCoalition Coalition hungcampaign.hung Parliament, Parliament, Undecided and and said said voters, in his in hisnon-concession especially non-concession in the Looking back Safe as houses Thepreferred Victorian vote e aheadlectoral of Labor Commission with 48.9 invitedper cent. buildings,Governmentsbuildings, hours hours before agenda before John in John recent Brumby Brumby years. conceded conceded He has 51-4951-49 per percent, cent, but butthe thepolling polling showed showed that that up toup to speechmortgagespeech that that Laborbelts Labor acrosshad had provided Melbourne’s provided stable stable eastern minority minority and In the week leading up to the election, Paul Austin The Herald Sun reported that almost one in membersIt was theof the first public time to that attend the the Coalition State Election had been defeat,alreadydefeat, were flagged were more more concerns than than a hoax, awith hoax, federalpolice police said. health said. 18 aheadgovernment18 government in the seatscampaign. seats were were in playin play ahead ahead of had theof the the governmentsoutherngovernment suburbs,before, before, the decided theHerald Herald they Sun Sun hadreported. reported.had enough noted in The Age that the position of Brumby’s 10 Victorians works with the state because tally room at the Victory Room,The AustralianEtihad Stadium andDetectives water reformswill investigate and criticised whether somethe packages COAG election.election. History History shows shows that that they they lost lost 13 of13 them. of them. of Labor and were prepared to give the Coalition Labor government bears an uncanny resemblance ofDetectives unprecedented will investigate growth whether in the publicthe packages sector fromCoalition 6pm on ahead Saturday by 52 27 per November. cent to 48 per cent. agreementsdelivered to for 1 Treasuryproducing Place, a race which to the houses average. the anotherDemocratic go, 11 deficit years after they had evicted Jeff to that of the Coalition that lost by a whisker in underdelivered the toBrumby 1 Treasury government. Place, which The rise houses in staff the Democratic deficit officeBaillieuoffice of the of flagged the Premier Premier a determination and and the the Exhibition Exhibition to take Street on Street the OtherGood pollssummary TheKennettThe close close from election election the Premier’s result result showed office. showed both both major major the 1999 poll. Then the Labor opposition had an numbers means 40c in every dollar spent by uGoodp there summary officespowerfuloffices of theof construction the Departments Departments union of Transportof stranglehold Transport and and on FollowingFiveFollowing days the out theelection, from election, the election,Shaun Carneythe Herald wrote wrote inSun in partiesparties were were lacking lacking in in authority, authority, had had too too extra 13 seats to rob the Kennett government of the government goes on paying staff. The public New South Wales PremierShaun Christine Carney Keneally Justice,commercialJustice, had had any scale any political politicalresidential links, links, construction. reported. reported. reported thatthat aLabor’s Galaxy supportPoll showed during Premier this election John Amany long apparatchiks,speech and were suffering from a its majority and it’s the same numerical situation sector workforce has risen by ThealmostThe Age Age40,000 in wonTheThe Ageher Agebattle that Labor’s with outgoing support state during Labor this president election many apparatchiks, and were suffering from a TheThe reported reported that that the thepackages packages were were campaignBrumbycampaign followed would followed cling a similar a to similar power, downward downward but only course course with ‘democraticOn‘democratic election deficit’, night, deficit’, former former Premier Premier Premier John John Brumby Cain that the Liberals find themselves in now. the pastHerald Heraldfive Sun years Sun but neither side of politics plans bernie riordan but strained relations with the John Cain laterPackageslater declared declared tiedsafe. safe. up with string theto thehelp ALP of Greensgovernments preferences. in Western On a Australiatwo-party in wassaid. convinced Cain, Labor that the Premier election from result 1982 would to 1990,be a to cut jobs. Almost 250,000 people are employed unionsto the ALP at agovernments crucial time in forWestern her government. Australia in said. Cain, Labor Premier from 1982 to 1990, Two suspicious packages found in government 2008preferred2008 and and South basis, South Australia Labor Australia was in Marchaheadin March ofthis the this year. Coalition year. At At saidhungsaid both Parliament,both major major parties andparties saidface facein similar his similar non-concession issues issues but but displaced to be in the Victorian public sector, according to the Riordan, state president since 2006, bowed to Firstbuildings,First brushes brushes hours of new ofbefore new broom Johnbroom Brumby conceded the51-49 the beginning beginning per cent, of but the of thethe Victorian polling Victorian campaign,showed campaign, that only up only to thespeech the Labor Labor that Party PartyLabor needed neededhad toprovided fix to fix the stable the problem problem minority to to The Herald Sun reported that the Baillieu State Services Authority. This is much higher pressure and announced he would resign his Thedefeat,The were reported more reported than that that a at hoax, leastat least police160 160 staff said. staff a few18a government few short short weeks weeks seats before beforewere the in the election,play election, ahead Labor of Labor the ensuregovernmentensure policy policy andbefore, and ideas ideasthe are Herald arebeing being Sun generated reported. generated by by government is searching for a new catchy slogan than HeraldwhenHerald JeffSun SunKennett lost office in 1999. The post. The dispute with unions comes at a difficult Detectivesmembers, will including investigate public whether relations the employeespackages appearedelection.appeared to History be to beahead shows ahead with that with athey small a lost small margin 13 marginof them. of of the thebroader broader parties parties as wellas well as itsas MPs.its MPs. Cain Cain said said for the state after dropping ‘Victoria: The Place members, including public relations employees time for the Keneally government, which is facing anddeliveredand advisers advisers to left 1 leftTreasurygovernment government Place, offices whichoffices in ahouses in matter a matter the comfortcomfort and and Brumby Brumby looked looked in command, in command, just just as as theDemocratic thepolicy policy vacuum vacuum deficit is being is being filled filled by professionalby professional of officedaysof days once of once the the Premiertheresult result was and was called. the called. ExhibitionAny Any who who have Street have hisGood hisinterstate interstate summary counterparts counterparts had. had. politicalThepolitical close advisers, advisers, election the the bureaucracy result bureaucracy showed and bothand interest interest major spentofficesspent a bare a ofbare minimum the minimum Departments of 12 of months 12 months of in Transportgovernment in government and Following the election, Shaun Carney wrote in groupspartiesgroups who who were back back it lacking with it with political inpolitical authority, donations. donations. had Cain Cain too willJustice, willwalk walk away had away any with politicalwith 12 12weeks links,weeks redundancy The redundancy Age reported. pay pay Gradually,TheGradually, Age thethat the campaignLabor’s campaign support turned turned during sour sour this for for Laborelection Labor praisedmanypraised the apparatchiks, thecampaign campaign of and John of wereJohn Brumby sufferingBrumby and and fromsaid said a plusTheplus a Herald three-week a three-week Sun reported notification notification that the payment paymentpackages on ontop were top andcampaignand Brumby, Brumby, followed especially especially a similar in thein thedownward final final week. week. course It It the‘democratic themajor major parties parties deficit’, are areno former longerno longer Premier the thecrucible Johncrucible for Cain for later declared safe. wastowas perhapsthe perhapsALP angovernments anexample example of in theofWestern themedia media Australia clocked clocked in ideassaid.ideas and Cain, and policies, policies, Labor The Premier The Age Age reported. from reported. 1982 to 1990, 2008 and South Australia in March this year. At said both major parties face similar issues but First brushes of new broom the beginning of the Victorian campaign, only the Labor Party needed to fix the problem to 6The6 Herald Sun reported that at least 160 staff a few short weeks before the election, Labor ensure policy and ideas are being generated by members, including public relations employees appeared to be ahead with a small margin of the broader parties as well as its MPs. Cain said and advisers left government offices in a matter comfort and Brumby looked in command, just as the policy vacuum is being filled by professional of days once the result was called. Any who have his interstate counterparts had. political advisers, the bureaucracy and interest spent a bare minimum of 12 months in government groups who back it with political donations. Cain will walk away with 12 weeks redundancy pay Gradually, the campaign turned sour for Labor praised the campaign of John Brumby and said plus a three-week notification payment on top and Brumby, especially in the final week. It the major parties are no longer the crucible for was perhaps an example of the media clocked ideas and policies, The Age reported.

6

8 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

Watch these spaces house between 2002-06, forcing them to enter The Herald Sun reported that transport, crime deals with either the Greens or the Coalition to and health chiefs have a nervous wait as the get legislation passed. Coalition’s election victory could mean big departmental changes. Meanwhile, Chief Campaign privacy coverage: Yes/No Commissioner may become a The Age reported that the ALP secretly recorded victim of the change of government, although the personal details of tens of thousands of he has been publicly supported by both major Victorians – including sensitive health and political parties. The Australian reported that financial information – on a database being the new Baillieu government wants Overland to accessed by campaign workers ahead of the state play less politics and to refocus on the basics election. A follow-up report in the same paper had of running the police force. The paper expected Premier John brumby and Opposition Leader Overland to survive in his job despite a perception ted baillieu taking up contrasting positions big thinkers in Coalition ranks that he became too close to the on constituent privacy, with the Labor leader (think tanks, Brumby government, which appointed him. effectively confirming he would deny access to files kept on voters and the Liberal chief vowing knowledge bro- in the upper house to release files wherever possible. The Liberals kers, networks & The Herald Sun reported that preliminary counts have software capable of similar profiling. suggested the Liberal and National parties were Brumby dismissed the suggestion that MPs held opinion shapers) on track to gain four seats in the Legislative ‘secret’ files. When asked if he would therefore Council (upper house). With about 30 per cent release such files requested by constituents, he The 2009 edition of Affairs of State’s of the vote counted, the Coalition was on target avoided the question, thus confirming he would latest publication Big Thinkers to win 21 seats. The Age reported that the final not. But Baillieu said he had no problem releasing (thing tanks, knowledge brokers, result was known on 13 December, 16 days information to constituents where requests were networks & opinion shapers) has after the election, when the Victorian Electoral made. just been launched by historian Commission fed all 3.2 million votes into its Geoffrey Blainey. computer to allocate preferences. The Liberals What shade of green? squeezed home in all three of the close races Opposition leader ted baillieu defended the in the new Legislative Council, giving them a move not to preference the Greens at the state Big Thinkers is the only compre- majority of 21 seats in the 40 member chamber – election, saying it was a party decision he hensive and accurate guide to think a gain from the 17 it held in the old Council. Labor supported. But he denied the Coalition was giving tanks, thinking/ideas organisations ended up with just 16 seats, down from 19 in the Brumby government four inner-city seats and opinion shapers in Australia. the old chamber. The Greens retained their three by preferencing Labor ahead of the Greens and seats in the Council but lost the balance of power. potentially allowing two Labor ministers to keep It assembles a list of more than 300 The Democratic Labor Party lost its one seat, that their jobs, The Australian reported. ‘We are going think tanks, think/ideas organisa- of its leader, Peter Kavanagh. The Liberals Craig to make them (Labor) sweat… we’re actually tions and opinion shapers from a ondarchie ended up with the final seat, held by going to do them ourselves,’ Baillieu said. On cross section of disciplines to help retired Labor minister . Sex the opinion pages of the same paper, Peter van you understand the new financial Party leader Fiona Patten fell short of sneaking onselen wrote that unless you’re a member of and policy environment. an upset win in the same race. A late surge to the Liberal Party living in Melbourne, it is hard for the Greens saw their Member of the Legislative most people elsewhere to understand the sense Council, Colleen hartland, win her battle with of frustration many Liberals feel about the party’s With easy-to-read summaries, Big the President of the Council, Labor’s bob Smith, preferences helping the Greens their first House Thinkers provides up-to-date infor- for the final seat in Western Metro. The closest of Representatives MP in the federal election. mation including: race of all was in a vast electorate of Northern Understanding that angst goes someway towards Academic think tanks Victoria, where Liberal MLC donna Petrovich understanding the party hierarchy’s decision to Government think tanks narrowly rolled back a strong challenge by Steve preference Labor ahead of the Greens at the state Contract research think tanks threlfall of the Country Alliance. And in Southern election. The conservatives federally got nothing Policy advocacy think tanks Metro, the Liberals George Crozier unseated for helping the Greens to their best federal No-for-profit policy centres Labor MLC Jennifer huppert. election result. The Financial Review reported University public policy and that federal Greens leader bob brown said that research centres What it all means Liberals’ preferencing to Labor means instead of The Age reported the Premier baillieu will be able three Greens in the new state Parliament (lower Opinion editors, columnists to push his legislative agenda through Parliament house, Legislative Assembly), there won’t be any. and writers unopposed as a result of the Coalition securing The poor election result for the Greens raised a majority in the upper house. It all but assured doubts about the momentum of the party as the Only $110 inc. GST the passage of controversial proposals such as third force in the Australian electoral landscape. minimum jail sentencing guidelines, abolition of Their best result was in Brunswick where To order your copy contact: suspended sentences and new restrictions on candidates Cyndi dawes received 43.6 per cent Affairs of State windfarm developments. The result will leave of the two-party preferred vote, losing to Labor’s Level 2, 14 Collins Street, the Opposition and the Greens powerless in the Jane Garrett. upper house, which has traditionally been a site Melbourne VIC 3000 for amendments and robust legislative debate. Same team, etc. Telephone: +61 3 9654 1300 Paul Austin wrote that the Coalition’s seizing Before the election, the Greens were saying Facsimilie: +61 3 9654 1165 of the upper house is especially surprising. The they would consider teaming with Labor if they Email: [email protected] Herald Sun reported that the long serving Labor held the balance of power in the lower house. government only had a majority in the upper Greens candidates said they were a good chance

7 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

to win key inner-city seats with federal MP for To Be’ less than a week after taking power. An 250,000 figure includes full-time, part-time and Melbourne Adam bandt trumpeting a shift official email from the Department of Premier and contract employees. toward the Greens across the board, the Herald Cabinet was sent to all department bosses asking Sun reported. The editorial in that paper urged bureaucrats to delete the slogan from websites boot camp readers not to throw their vote away by voting for because of its links with the former Labor According to the Herald Sun the former State the Greens. government. The Australian Monarchists League Government wrote to the Defence Department welcomed the change as a good opportunity to with a proposal to send troubled year 9 boys and Changing tack restore the emblem of the Crown to Victorian girls to army, navy and air force bases for two- In the last days of the election campaign, John licence plates. week camps where they will be drilled by defence brumby told a Melbourne Press Club lunch that personnel. Watch this space. a Liberal-National government, with its uncosted baillieu and doyle teaming up policies, it’s invisible shadow treasurer (Kim Billions of dollars for community infrastructure Consultants for the consultants Wells) and a terrible history that it cannot escape, projects for schools, libraries and new rail lines The Herald Sun reported that Labor has spent is a bigger risk to our prosperity and jobs than could be delivered under a municipal bond more than $1.6b – or $445,000 a day – on an the fragile global economy. Following this, Labor scheme proposed by Melbourne Lord Mayor army of consultants since coming to power. stepped up the assault on the Opposition, with a robert doyle. Doyle said the infrastructure bond new prime time TV advertisement reprising the scheme is the ‘number one thing on my agenda to redistribution on the way attack on ted baillieu from the last election for discuss with the new Premier’. He said he would tim Colebatch wrote in The Age that of the 88 allegedly profiting from the Kennett government’s ask the Premier to join him in a coordinated seats in the Legislative Assembly, 28 are either asset sales, because a real estate firm of which approach to the Federal Government to support more than 10 per cent above the enrolment quota he had been a director had the contract to sell the scheme. The exact bond funding model would or more than 10 per cent below it. school and hospital sites. The Opposition said the be developed by the Federal Government’s office attack showed the government was becoming of financial management and projects would be Serving a cold dish warm increasingly shrill. Baillieu threatened to sue first approved by the federal body, Infrastructure Craig Langdon, the former Labor member for the ALP if the ad was not withdrawn, and after Australia, headed by Sir rod eddington. Doyle Ivanhoe, who quit Parliament in disgust at his Labor called his bluff, the opposition leader said the scheme was about unlocking private own party, letter-boxed residents in the seat, made good on his threat to sue ALP campaign money for infrastructure investment, The Age criticising the ALP candidate who ousted him, director Nick reece for defamation, issuing a reported. Nearby, industry groups have called former senior government adviser Anthony writ in the Supreme Court. Neither party shone for action from the Baillieu government on Carbines, saying he was not up to it and telling in its advertising strategy, Jason Murphy wrote infrastructure, stamp duty and planning, with Sir residents a freeway through the area proposed in the Financial Review. After promising a positive Rod Eddington saying that while Melbourne faced by the government should not be built, The Age campaign, the Labor Party launched an armada challenges with existing infrastructure, newer reported. of attack ads. areas do not have enough. democracy lovers say aye Looking back Safe as houses The Victorian electoral Commission invited In the week leading up to the election, Paul Austin The Herald Sun reported that almost one in members of the public to attend the State Election noted in The Age that the position of Brumby’s 10 Victorians works with the state because tally room at the Victory Room, Etihad Stadium Labor government bears an uncanny resemblance of unprecedented growth in the public sector from 6pm on Saturday 27 November. to that of the Coalition that lost by a whisker in under the Brumby government. The rise in staff the 1999 poll. Then the Labor opposition had an numbers means 40c in every dollar spent by up there extra 13 seats to rob the Kennett government of the government goes on paying staff. The public New South Wales Premier Christine Keneally its majority and it’s the same numerical situation sector workforce has risen by almost 40,000 in won her battle with outgoing state Labor president that the Liberals find themselves in now. the past five years but neither side of politics plans bernie riordan but strained relations with the to cut jobs. Almost 250,000 people are employed unions at a crucial time for her government. displaced to be in the Victorian public sector, according to the Riordan, state president since 2006, bowed to The Herald Sun reported that the Baillieu State Services Authority. This is much higher pressure and announced he would resign his government is searching for a new catchy slogan than when lost office in 1999. The post. The dispute with unions comes at a difficult for the state after dropping ‘Victoria: The Place time for the Keneally government, which is facing

8 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

almost certain defeat at the election in four months show that these new guys are up to the task. 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 equipment, inspired by as we did with the new Kennett government and has sacked Angela d’Amore from her job as dictation specialist Howard Hutchins of then with the Bracks and Brumby governments. parliamentary secretary for police after she Melbourne. So do not doubt how well this was found to have acted corruptly by the state’s 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 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

of the year. As head of the office of emergency School hall As we rush to press, the top ten schools, VCE services, Esplin led emergency planning, response A new tertiary education and training ombudsman result-wise, in various parts of Victoria, and in and recovery as a senior adviser to government. and the reintroduction of concession fees the public and private system, are been declared, He emerged largely unscathed from the Bushires for vocational study are key changes to including MacRobertson Girls High School and Royal Commission, but its report on the death of be implemented by the incoming Coalition . 173 people did question the inadequate process government. The new government will also scrap of declaring a state disaster and Esplin’s view the Brumby government’s plan to put money into Good jobs that such a call was not necessary, The Age building more student accommodation at rural Swinburne university of technology seeks a reported. university and TAFE campuses. Instead, it will Vice-Chancellor and President, vcswinburne@ create a smaller $20m fund to support the delivery bspes.com. Systems more perfect of higher education through rural TAFEs which it The Country Fire Authority has been heavily believes will make it easier for rural students to advertising New Total Fire Ban districts, that align stay at home and study. New Tertiary Education ENviroNmENT with the nine Victorian Bureau of Meteorology and Training Minister Peter hall said his first weather districts. More importantly, with local priority will be to implement the reintroduction government boundaries. This has, and will cause of vocational education and training concession Conservation cause, some grief for local folk/farmers who fees, The Australian reported. have been fighting fires together for 100 years, Green government focus and are now having to do things differently come More than money In the last week of the election campaign, the fire time. A surge in private school enrolments has been Coalition pledged to plant 2 million trees across linked to parents wanting more disciplined and Melbourne and regional Victoria at a cost of $4m. better social values instilled in their children. Opposition leader ted baillieu said 1.5m trees ArTS Independent school enrolments have risen would be planted in Melbourne and 500,000 by more than 6 per cent and Catholic student would be planted outside the city to regenerate happy birthday numbers by almost 4 per cent in the past three waterways, the Herald Sun reported. Nearby, Meanjin, Australia’s second oldest literary years, Education Department figures reveal. after the election, The Age reported that the magazine, is marking its 70th birthday in Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Baillieu government will face calls to explain December with a special celebratory edition and Michelle Green said more parents are choosing how it will meet the state’s legislated target of a new editor. Sally heath, associate publisher to make a personal financial investment in an a 20 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions at Melbourne University Publishing and a former independent school because it meets the family’s this decade following confusion over its position senior journalist at The Age, was named as the social, cultural and religious values, the Herald during the election campaign. magazine’s ninth editor. She succeeds Sophie Sun reported. Cunningham, who in November said that by Moo! mutual agreement she would not be renewing Federal website challenge The Age reported that early fault lines emerged her contract. At the time there was concern that Victorian private schools are seeking legal advice within the new Coalition government, with the magazine was heading for a solely online to prevent the publication of what they worry is Liberal and National party MPs publicly at odds presence. Heath said she wanted to take the flawed data about their funding. Independent over environmental policy. The government is magazine to more readers. She said Meanjin was schools fear a parent revolt if the data on their divided over aspects of the plan to return cattle committed to a print edition for the foreseeable finances – to be published on a new version of grazing to Victorian National Parks. The Coalition future. Heath will be advised by a new editorial the My School website – appears to contradict has promised to overturn Labor’s ban on cattle board that will include david Malouf, Lindsay information they provide the parents. The grazing in alpine national parks in the belief tanner, Alison Croggon and brian Johns, The website will publish every school’s income from that strategic grazing can reduced bushfire risk Age reported. government, as well as fees, donations and other by reducing fuel loads. But the Liberals and private sources, The Age reported. Nationals are at odds over whether cattle should Serious music be allowed back into the prized red gum forests The Australian Chamber Choir Melbourne urgent action needed on the banks of the Murray River at Barmah and Series 2011, has released its brochure. All Victoria will suffer a $2.6b hit to its economy by Gunbower. Premier ted baillieu and deputy concerts are in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 216 2012 with international student numbers dropping Peter ryan declared that there were no plans to Richardson Street, Middle Park. It is not all about as a result of tighter skilled migration rules return cattle to those forests after Environment religion. As one friend said to the editor, ‘I love impinging the states once booming, residency Minister ryan Smith and Nationals MP Paul the music but I am a card-carrying atheist’, driven market. The numbers come as the Weller contradicted each other on environmental www.auschoir.org. International Education Association of Australia policy in regards to the matter. Weller wants issued an open letter warning that thousands of cattle grazing to return to the forests, which are jobs are at risk, reported. within his electorate of Rodney. EDucATioN The Australian What? humphries, b how good? The Victorian College for the Deaf is fighting to Victoria’s most senior timber industry figure has Victorian teachers will demand a 30 per cent save its primary school. A section of the school declared that an end to native forest logging in pay rise over three years, in the first test of site behind the frontage at 597 St Kilda Road Victoria is inevitable regardless of who won the Baillieu government’s election promise to has been listed in an expressions of interest the election. bob humphries, president of make the state’s teachers the best paid in the campaign for sale or lease. Agent Kliger Wood’s the Victorian Association of Forest Industries nation. The education union will push for the top is marketing it as a multilevel development and owner of a sawmill in Cann River in East classroom teachers to be paid $110,000 a year – opportunity, which it is believed could fetch up to Gippsland, said it was fairyland to be thinking up from $81,806 – in a bid to attract and retain $20m, The Age reported. that companies, unions and environmentalists the most talented, The Age reported. could reach an agreement under Tasmanian best schools in town and country style peace talks proposed by Labor. But he said years of cuts to the amount of native forest

14 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

approved developments. If all farms approved by Justin Madden before the Brumby government Measuring Public Opinion for over 65 Years - The Roy Morgan Research Centre Ltd. Measuring Public Opinion for over 65 Years - The Roy Morgan Researchleft officeCentre go-ahead,Ltd. Victoria will have eight times A.B.N. 92 004 433 265 - Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001 & ISO 20252 MeasuringA.B.N. 92 Public 004 433 Opinion 265 - Qualityfor over System65 Years Certified - The Roy to AS/NZSMorgan ResearchISO 9001its Centre & current ISO Ltd. 20252 generation capacity, from 427 MW A.B.N. 92 004 433 265 - Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001 &to ISO 3619 20252 MW, equivalent to two Latrobe Valley FindingFinding No.No. 46194619 brown coal power stations. In a concession likely AvailableAvailable ononFinding Website:Website: No. www.roymorgan.comwww.roymorgan.com 4619 to disappoint local anti-windfarm groups, new Available onOnOn Website: DecemberDecember www.roymorgan.com 17,17, 20102010 Planning Minister said that although several of the approved farms were contentious, On December 17, 2010 the Coalition would not retrospectively apply its L-NPL-NP (51.5%,(51.5%, upup 4%)4%) surgessurges ahaheadead ofof ALPALPpolicies (48.5%,(48.5%, to the 28 downdown wind farms 4%)4%) already holding L-NP (51.5%, up 4%) surges ahead of ALP (48.5%,planning approvals. down Such a4%) move, he said, would L-NPL-NP inin frontfront onon Face-to-FaceFace-to-Face MorganMorgan PollPoll forfor FirstFirstcreate timetime serious sincesince risks Federal toFederal business in Election Election Victoria. L-NP in front on Face-to-Face Morgan Poll for First timeCoastal Guardianssince Spokesman Federal tim ElectionLe roy, who TheThe latestlatest Face-to-FaceFace-to-Face MorganMorgan PollPoll conductedconducted lastlast wweekend,eekend, DecemberDecember welcomed11/12,11/12, 2010,2010, the election showsshows of Baillieu, thethe L-NPL-NP acknowledged (51.5%,(51.5%, Theupup 4%4% latest fromfrom Face-to-Face thethe Face-to-FaceFace-to-Face Morgan MorganMorgan Poll conducted PollPoll ofof DecemberDecember last weekend, 4/5,4/5, December2010)2010) nownow 11/12, aheadaheadthe government 2010, ofof thethe shows ALPhadALP a problem (48.5%,the(48.5%, L-NP implementing downdown (51.5%, 4%)4%) its uponon 4%aa Two-PartyTwo-Party from the Face-to-Facepreferredpreferred basis.basis. Morgan AA recentrecent Poll telephonetelephoneof December MorganMorgan 4/5, 2010) PollPoll conductednowconducted aheadpolicy fromoffrom retrospectively the December DecemberALP (48.5%, and 8-12,8-12, urged down 20102010 the 4%) industry** onshowedshowed a Two-Party thethe L-NPL-NP preferred (54.5%)(54.5%) basis. wellwell ahead aheadA recent ofof thethetelephone ALPALP (45.5%)(45.5%) Morgan onon Poll aa Two-PartyTwo-Party conductedto preferred preferredfrom embrace December the basis.basis. new government 8-12, 2010 guidelines* on showedThe ALP the primary L-NP (54.5%)vote is 38% well (down ahead 2.5% of the from ALP December (45.5%) on4/5, a 2010),Two-Party behind preferreda the voluntary L-NP basis.basis. 43% There (up 2.5%). are no new Support projects The ALP primary vote is 38% (down 2.5% from December 4/5, 2010), behindwaiting the L-NPfor Guy’s 43% signature. (up 2.5%). Support Theforfor the theALP minorminor primary partiesparties vote showsshows is 38% thethe (down GreensGreens 2.5% 13.5%13.5% from (uncha(uncha Decembernged)nged) 4/5, andand 2010), Others/Others/ behind IndependentsIndependents the L-NP 9.5%9.5% 43% (unchanged).(unchanged).(up 2.5%). Support for the minor parties shows the Greens 13.5% (unchanged) and Others/ Independents 9.5% (unchanged). IfIf aa FederalFederal electionelection werewere heldheld nownow thethe L-NPL-NP wouldwould winwin Government.Government. AtAt thethe Cerebral recentrecent Federal Federalstuff election,election, heldheld onon IfAugust a Federal 21, 2010,election the were ALP held (50.1%) now thewas L-NP just aheadwould of win the Government. L-NP (49.9%). At the recentEnergySafe Federal Victoria election, supports held energy on distribution timberAugust allocated 21, to the2010, industry the ALPmeant (50.1%)it could wasdecision just toahead limit distributionof the L-NP companies (49.9%). price company Jemena Electricity Networks’ two August 21, 2010, the ALP (50.1%) was just ahead of the L-NP (49.9%). not continueAA fallingfalling on its number numbercurrent path ofof and AustraliansAustralians have a viable (49%, (49%,increases downdown to 3%) 3%) about areare $12 confidenconfiden a year. tt Distributionthatthat AustraliaAustralia advertisements isis ‘heading‘heading on inin community thethe rightright safety. direction,’direction,’ Jemana future,Acomparedcompared The falling Age reported. number toto 30.5%30.5% of (unchanged)Australians(unchanged) (49%, thatthatcompanies saysay down AustraliaAustralia 3%) want are more isis confiden‘h ‘h moneyeadingeading fromt inthatin consumers thethe Australia wrongwrong direction.is direction.is one‘heading of ThereforeTherefore the in fivethe right electricitythethe Roydirection,’Roy MorganMorgan distribution and are contesting the decision. The Government companies in Victoria, which owns the poles comparedGovernmentGovernment to 30.5% ConfidenceConfidence (unchanged) RatingRating isthatis downdown say Australia33 pointspoints to tois 118.5. 118.5.‘heading in the wrong direction. Therefore the Roy Morgan NearbyGovernment Confidence Rating is downis taking 3 points legal to advice 118.5. on how to hit back at and wires delivering electricity to homes and TimberTheThe company latestlatest Gunnsweeklyweekly has RoyRoy announced MorganMorgan it is Consumer Consumerdistribution Confidence Confidencecompanies, and Rating Ratingargue for for forthe thecoststhe weekendweekend businesses. ofof December December It is responsible 11/12,11/12, for 2010, the2010, safe waswas and closingThe119.3119.3 the latestlast (down(down of the weekly central 1.61.6 pts ptsVictorianRoy inin Morgan aa community week)week) Consumer–– worryingly,worryingly,to actually Confidence come drivendriven down, byby in Rating aa reversefallfall in infor power thosethose the play, weekendsayingsaying reliable nownow of distributionDecemberisis aa ‘good‘good to 11/12, timetime approximately toto 2010, buy’buy’ was 309,000majormajor of Alexandra’s three sawmills, putting 44 people the Herald Sun reported. customers in Melbourne’s north-west suburbs. 119.3householdhousehold (down itemsitems 1.6 pts(52%,(52%, in a downdown week) 6%).6%). – worryingly, driven by a fall in those saying now is a ‘good time to buy’ major out ofhousehold work. Wilderness items (52%, Society down campaigner 6%). One of its advertisements says that, once again Luke GaryGaryChamberlain MorganMorgan said says:itsays: showed native forest electric shock this summer, we face the possibility of extreme loggingGary was notMorgan commercially says: viable, and a plan On the opinion pages of The Age, tim Colebatch weather. was needed“The“The to move latestlatest to Face-to-Face plantationsFace-to-Face aimed MorganMorgan at wrote PollPoll that showselectricityshows thethe costs L-NPL-NP have (51.5%,shot(51.5%, up. What upup 4%4% sincesince DecemberDecember 4/5,4/5, 2010)2010) nownow the high-quality“Theaheadahead timberlatest ofof thethemarket. Face-to-Face ALPALP But (48.5%)(48.5%) Gunns saidMorgan onon aaprice Two-Party Two-PartyPoll will showsBaillieu preferredpreferred paythe to L-NP bring basis basis households(51.5%,.. ThisThis someup isis 4% thethe In since first firstsuch conditions,timeDecembertime sincesince your 4/5,thethe electricity 201020102010) supplyFederalFederal now cannot the Alexandraaheadelectionelection mill ofclosure thatthatthe wasALPthethe notL-NPL-NP (48.5%) linked hashas to onitsbeenbeen a relief? Two-Partyahead.ahead. In the AA threetelephone telephonepreferred years to MorganMorganSeptember,basis. This Poll Pollthe isprice taken takenthe first beoverover guaranteed time thethe sincefivefive all daysthedays the time. 2010ofof This DecemberDecember Federalmeans you 8- 8-need position onelection12,12, native 20102010 forest that alsoalso logging.the showedshowed L-NP Gunns’ thehasthe headL-NP L-NPbeen (54.5%)ahead.(54.5%)of electricity A clearly clearlytelephone for the aheadahead typical Morgan ofof Melbourne thethe Poll ALPALP taken home (45.5%).(45.5%). overto take the care five of yourselfdays of and December family in the 8- event of of timber products,12, 2010 Chris also Peterson showed, said the itL-NP was (54.5%)rose 54 perclearly cent. The ahead price of of thewater ALP rose (45.5%).62 per a loss of power for a short or an extended period. forced by dual“Both“Both pressures pollspolls – indicatetheindicate ballooning aa recent recentcost of shiftshiftcent, toto the thethe price L-NPL-NP of gas whichwhich rose 28coco permesmes cent. afterafter It was thethe WikileaksWikileaksJemena tells iissuessue us that involvinginvolving things you AustralianAustralian can do now to “Both polls indicate a recent shift to the L-NP which comes after the Wikileaks issue involving Australian native sawlogscitizencitizen under JulianJulian the Victorian Assange,Assange, government’s andand alsoalso onecontinuingcontinuing of the key didireasonsscussionscussion the Brumby aboutabout government bankingbanking competitioncompetitionprepare include inin Australia.Australia. ensuring torches are readily blind auctioncitizen system, Julian and the Assange, soaring Australian and also continuinglost office. Adi decadescussion ago, about Australia banking had a glutcompetition accessible in with Australia. batteries and some things to do dollar making“The“The it harder shift shift to is iscompete explained explained with cheap by by examining examiningof power, so electors electors the prices secondsecond were cheap. preferences preferences Not now. in – – the few few eventerer of Greens Greens a power supporters,outage supporters, include checking and and “The shift is explained by examining electors second preferences – fewer Greens supporters, and timber importedsupporterssupporters illegally of of from Independent/Independent/ the developing Others,Others, Our generation areare nownow prices directingdirecting have risen theirtheir a lot:secondsecond in part, preferencespreferences your neighbour’s toto thethe house ALP,ALP, to seeleadingleading if they tohaveto anan also world, Thesupporters increasingAge reported. of share Independent/ of second Others, preferencesbecause are demandnow flowing directing has caught to their up th withe second L-NP. supply, andpreferences In fact,lost power. if theto the Morgan ALP, leading Poll allocates to an increasingincreasing share share of of second second preferences preferences flowing flowing to to th the e L-NP. L-NP. In In fact, fact, if if the the Morgan Morgan Poll Poll allocates allocates preferencespreferences basedbased onon voter’svoter’s actualactualin part votingvoting because behaviourbehaviour our new plants atat thethe run recentrecenton gas 2010or2010 FederalFederal election,election, thethe ALPALP isis levellevel buzz aboutpreferences based on voter’s actualwind, voting and that behaviour costs more thanat the coal. recent Nearby, 2010 the Federalup there election, the ALP is level onon aa Two-PartyTwo-Party preferredpreferred basisbasis –– aa veryvery similarsimilar resultresult toto thethe recentrecent FederalFederal election.”election.” The Age reportedon a Two-Party that mosquito preferred numbers basiswere – energya very industry similar has result warned to Baillieu the recent that he Federal has Origin election.” Energy and True Energy have purchased key booming in Melbourne and other parts of southern little control over rising power bills and is wrong retail assets in the New South Wales electricity Electors were asked: “If a Federal Election for the House of Representatives were being held today — which VictoriaElectorsElectors in early were Decemberwere asked: asked: following “ “IfIf a thea Federal Federalperfect Election Electionto imply tofor forVictorians the the House House that heof of doesRe Representatives havepresentatives control. wereprivatisation. were being being Hongheld held Kongtoday today owned — —which TRUenergy which has party would receive your first preference?” breedingpartyparty conditions would would ofreceive receive a wet spring your your and first first a balmy preference?” preference?” Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over two bought the biggest retailer, EnergyAustralia, start to summer. University research Andrew of the new government’s policies – a commitment while Origin Energy has purchased both Integral ThisThis Face-to-Face Face-to-Face Morgan Morgan Poll Poll on on Federal Federal voting voting intention intention was was conducted conducted over over the the last last two two weekends, weekends,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WeeksThis said Face-to-Facethe mosquito population Morgan could Poll still on to Federal reducing voting bushfire intention risk from electricity was conducted wires, Energy over and the Country last Energy, two weekends, the Financial Review FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4/5 & 11/12, 2010, with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,757 electors. grow DecemberdramaticallyDecember in4/5 4/5 the & favourable& 11/12, 11/12, 2010,conditions. 2010, with with an anand Australia-wide Australia-wide a better tariff for cross-sectionrooftop cross-section solar panel of owners,of 1,757 1,757 electors.electors.reported. which may push up prices further. Only days *Telephone*Telephone*Telephone Morgan MorganMorgan Polls PollsPolls are areare conducted conductedconducted using usingusing the thethe same samesame methodologies methodologiesmethodologies used usedused by byby other otherother major majormajor telephone telephonetelephone polls pollspolls – –– GoodNielsen, job Newspoll, Galaxy. In analysingafter telephone the change Morgan of government, Poll results, two of theit is worth noting that telephone polls The eNielsen,Nielsen,nvironment Newspoll, Newspoll, Protection Galaxy. Galaxy. Authority In In seeks analysing analysing state’s telephone telephone biggest power Morgan Morgan companies, Poll Poll AGLresults, results, and Origin it isit isworth worth noting noting that that telephoneWater telephone polls polls a chiefareareare information good goodgood at atat capturing capturingcapturing officer, details the thethe response fromresponseresponse daryl to toto currentEnergy, currentcurrent foreshadowed events eventsevents and andand furtherhave havehave typicallybill typicallytypically rises of beenup beenbeen to biased biasedbiased towards towardstowards the thethe L-NP L-NPL-NP and andand Carltonmoremoremore on 9695 ‘responsive’ ‘responsive’‘responsive’ 2908. to toto current currentcurrent events eventsevents$150. .. for gas and electricity next year, prompting one bucket the new Premier to demand an explanation from The Age reported that National’s deputy leader the industry.ForForFor further furtherfurther information informationinformation: :: Peter Walsh was sworn in as a water minister. energy Before the election Ted Baillieu repeatedly GaryGaryGary Morgan: Morgan:Morgan: it’s already Office Office Office blown +61 +61+61 3over 339224 92249224 5213 52135213 Mobile MobileMobile +61 +61+61indicated 411 411411 129 129Louise129 094 094094 Asher and Walsh would share reverse power play MicheleMicheleMichele Levine: Levine:Levine: The Baillieu Office Office Office government +61 +61+61 3 339224 9224 9224has 5215conceded 52155215 Mobile itsMobileMobile wind +61 +61+61the 411 portfolio,411411 129 129129 093 as 093093 they did in opposition. However The Energy Minister in the new government, farm policy is powerless to control the biggest Walsh, the member for Swan Hill and a former Michael o’brien, said he would ensure Victoria expansion of wind energy in Victoria’s history, head of the Victorian Farmers Federation, will 401 401401 Collins CollinsCollins Street, Street,Street, Melbourne, Melbourne,Melbourne, Victoria VictoriaVictoria 3000, 3000,3000, G.P.O. G.P.O.G.P.O. Box BoxBox 2282U, 2282U,2282U, Melbourne, Melbourne,Melbourne, Victoria VictoriaVictoria 3001, 3001,3001, Australia AustraliaAustralia defended the Australian Energy Regulator’s with 1,322 new turbines planned across 28 have the responsibility for shutting down Labor’s Tel:Tel:Tel: (03) (03)(03) 9629 96299629 6888 68886888 Fax: Fax:Fax: (03) (03)(03) 9629 96299629 1250 12501250 (03) (03)(03) 9622 96229622 8387 83878387 Email: Email:Email: [email protected] [email protected]@roymorgan.com.au Website: Website:Website: www.roymorgan.com www.roymorgan.comwww.roymorgan.com OfficesOfficesOffices also alsoalso in: in:in: Sydney, Sydney,Sydney, Brisbane, Brisbane,Brisbane, Ad AdAdelaide,elaide,elaide, Perth, Perth,Perth, London, London,London, Auckland, Auckland,Auckland, and andand USA USAUSA 15 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

of the year. As head of the office Measuringof emergency Public SchoolOpinion hForall Over 65 Years – The Roy Morgan ResearchAs Centre we rush Limited to press, the top ten schools, VCE services, Esplin led emergency planning, responseA.B.N. 91A 004new 433 tertiary 265 –education Quality System and training Certified ombudsman to AS/NZS ISOresult-wise, 9001 in various parts of Victoria, and in and recovery as a senior adviser to government. and the reintroduction of concession fees the public and private system, are been declared, He emerged largely unscathed from the Bushires for vocational study are key changes to including MacRobertson Girls High School and Measuring Public Opinion For OverFinding 65 Years No. – The 4608 Roy Morgan Research Centre Limited Royal Commission, but its report on the deathA.B.N. of 91be 004 implemented 433 265 – Quality by System the incoming Certified to Coalition AS/NZS ISOMelbourne 9001 High School. 173 people did question the inadequate processAvailable government. on Website:The new government www.roymorgan.com will also scrap of declaring a state disaster and Esplin’s view the BrumbyOn government’s December plan 14, to put2010 money into Good jobs Finding No. 4608 that such a call was not necessary, The Age building more student accommodation at rural Swinburne university of technology seeks a reported. Availableuniversity on and Website: TAFE campuses. www.roymorgan.com Instead, it will Vice-Chancellor and President, vcswinburne@ Final Morgan Poll first tocreate show a smallerOn December swing$20m fund to & support20, win 2010 the todelivery Baillieu-led bspes.com. L-NP Opposition Systems more perfect ‘Reactor’ showedof higher why education voters through rural swung TAFEs which away it from Brumby The Country Fire Authority has been heavily believes will make it easier for rural students to advertisingFinal New Total Morgan Fire Ban bydistricts, GaryPoll that firstalignMorgan, tostay showat Michele home and swing study. Levine New & Tertiary andwin Education Julianto Baillieu-led McCrann EL-NPNviro NOppositionmENT with the nine Victorian Bureau‘Reactor’ of Meteorology showed and Training why Minister voters Peter hswungall said his firstaway from Brumby weatherThe districts. Morgan More Poll importantly, was the withfirst local to predicpriorityt the will late be toswing implement to the the Victorian reintroduction L-NP Opposition – and a Liberal-National governmentCoalition boundaries. win – This just has, byenough and Gary will to cause Morgan,dislodge of vocational the Michele Brumby education Levine Government and training and concession andJulian allow McCrann Liberal PartyConservation Leader Ted Baillieu to become the new . cause, The some Morgan grief for Poll local was folk/farmers the first who to predicfees, tThe the Australian late swing reported. to the Victorian L-NP Opposition – and a Liberal-National have ThebeenCoalition finalfighting Morgan winfires – togetherjustPoll enoughon for Victorian 100 to years, dislodge voting theintention Brumby (released Government Friday andNovember allow Liberal26,Green 2010) government Party showed Leader focus the TedL-NP Baillieu (51%, upto 5.4% and are now having to do things differently come More than money In the last week of the election campaign, the sincebecome the 2006 the new Victorian Premier election) of Victoria. holding a narrow, but winning, lead over the ALP (49%, down 5.4%) – virtually the same fire time. A surge in private school enrolments has been Coalition pledged to plant 2 million trees across resultThe asfinal available Morgan today Poll on from Victorian the VEC. votinglinked intentionto parents (releasedwanting more Friday disciplined November and 26,Melbourne 2010) showedand regional the Victoria L-NP at(51%, a cost upof $4m. 5.4% Thesince Morgan the 2006 Poll Victorian predicted election) a narrow holding L-NPbetter victorya socialnarrow, valueson but a Two-Party instilledwinning, in lead theirpreferred over children. the basis ALPOpposition and (49%, was leader downalso the t5.4%)ed closestbaillieu – virtually pollster said 1.5m the to trees samethe primaryresult as vote theAr resultsVictorianTS for electionthe major – L-NPpartiesIndependent (51.3%) – ALP, cf. L-NP school ALP & (48.7%). enrolmentsGreens. Newspoll, have risen which would predicted be planted a similar in Melbourne Two-Party and 500,000 preferred result of L-NP (51.1%) cf. ALP (48.9%),by morehowever than 6wrongly per cent called and Catholic a ‘Hung student Parliament,’ would be and planted wasn’t outside as accuratethe city to forregenerate the happy Thebirthday Morgan Poll predicted a narrow L-NPnumbers victory by almost on a 4 Two-Party per cent in thepreferred past three basis waterways, and was also the theHerald closest Sun pollster reported. to Nearby, the parties primary results – including significantly underestimating the ALP vote (by 3.2%). On the Two-Party preferred Meanjinprimary, Australia’s vote results second for oldest the major literary parties years, – ALP, Education L-NP Department & Greens. figuresNewspoll, reveal. which after predicted the election, a similar The AgeTwo-Party reported preferred that the magazine,resultsresult is theof marking L-NPHerald-Sun (51.1%) its 70th Galaxy cf. birthday ALP poll (48.9%), in wasIndependent out however by 0.9% Schools wrongly and The Victoria called Age/Nielsen chief a ‘Hung executive byParliament,’ 1.1%. Baillieu The and governmentSky wasn’t News as willExit accurate face Poll calls was for to thenot explain as Decemberaccurate,parties with aprimary out special by 3.1%. celebratoryresults – includingedition and significantlyMichelle Green underestimating said more parents the are ALP choosing vote (byhow 3.2%). it will On meet the the Two-Party state’s legislated preferred target of a new resultseditor. Sally The hAge/Nielseneath, associate poll publisher was out byto make0.7% aand personal Herald-Sun financial Galaxy investment poll in by an 1.3%. a 20 The per Skycent Newscut in greenhouseExit Poll was gas notemissions as at Melbourneaccurate, University out by VICTORIANPublishing 2.7%. and a former VOTINGindependent school INTENTION because it meets the – family’sPrimary this decadeVote following Prediction confusion overs its position senior journalist at , was named as the social, cultural and religious values, the during the election campaign. The Age Victorian Nov 22-25 Nov 23-24 HeraldNov 24-25 Nov 23-25 Nov 27 magazine’s ninth editor. VICTORIAN She succeeds Sophie VOTINGSun reported. INTENTION – Primary Vote Predictions Cunningham, who in NovemberElection said that by Telephone Telephone TelephoneMoo! Telephone Exit Poll NovVictorian 27, Nov 22-25 NovGalaxy 23-24 NovThe 24-25 Age Nov 23-25 Nov 27 mutual agreement she would not be renewing FederalMorgan website Poll challenge The Age reportedNewspoll that early faultSky lines News emerged her contract. At the time there was Electionconcern2010 that VictorianTelephone private schoolsHerald-SunTelephone are seeking legal adviceTeleNielsen phonewithin theTelephone new Coalition government,Exit Poll with ActualNov Result 27, * % error %Galaxyerror %The Ageerror % error % error the magazine was heading for a solely online to Morganprevent the Poll publication of what they worry is Liberal andNewspoll National party MPsSky publicly News at odds presence. Heath said she wanted to2010 take the flawed data about theirHerald-Sun funding. IndependentNielsen over environmental policy. The government is magazineSample to more Size readers. She Actualsaid(3,164,731) Meanjin Result was * schools% (990) fearerror a parent revolt%(800) if theerror data on their%(1,533) errordivided over%(1,451) aspectserror of the plan% to(3,000+) returnerror cattle committed to a print edition for the foreseeable finances – to be published on a new version of grazing to Victorian National Parks. The Coalition future. L-NPHeathSample will beSize advised by a(3,164,731) new44.8 editorial the44.5 My (990) School-0.3 website 44– appears(800)-0.8 to contradict45(1,533) has+0.2 promised 45(1,451) to +0.2overturn Labor’s48(3,000+) ban on cattle+3.2 board that will include david Malouf, Lindsay information they provide the parents. The grazing in alpine national parks in the belief tanner,ALP AlisonL-NP Croggon and brian 36.2Johns44.8 , The website35.544.5 will -0.7publish-0.3 every3644 school’s-0.8-0.2 income 45from34 +0.2that-2.2 strategic 4533 grazing+0.2-3.2 can reduced4835 bushfire+3.2-1.2 risk Age reported. government, as well as fees, donations and other by reducing fuel loads. But the Liberals and GreensALP 11.236.2 private35.513 sources,+1.8-0.7 The Age1436 reported.+2.8-0.2 3414 -2.2Nationals+2.8 3315 are at -3.2odds+3.8 over whether3512 cattle should-1.2+0.8 Serious music be allowed back into the prized red gum forests The AustralianGreens Chamber Choir Melbourne11.2 urgent13 action+1.8 needed 14 +2.8 14 +2.8on the banks15 of +3.8the Murray River12 at Barmah+0.8 and Series Ind/Other 2011, has released its brochure.7.8 All Victoria7 will -0.8suffer a $2.6b6 hit to -1.8its economy6 by Gunbower.-1.8 7 Premier-0.8 ted baillieu5 and deputy-2.8 concerts are in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 216 2012 with international student numbers dropping Peter ryan declared that there were no plans to Av.Ind/Other error on 7.8 7 -0.8 6 -1.8 6 -1.8 7 -0.8 5 -2.8 Richardson Street, Middle Park. It is not all about as a result 0.9 of tighter skilled migration1.4 rules return1.75 cattle to those2.0 forests after Environment2.0 religion.all As parties one friend said to the editor, ‘I love impinging the states once booming, residency Minister ryan Smith and Nationals MP Paul Av. error on the musicPREDICTED but I am a card-carrying atheist’, drivenClose market. 0.9 The numbersClose 1.4 come as theClear 1.75Weller contradictedHung2.0 each other on environmentalBig2.0 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE all parties www.auschoir.org.OUTCOME InternationalL-NP win Education AssociationALP win of AustraliaL-NP policywin in Parliament regards to the matter. L-NP Weller win wants PREDICTED Close Close Clear Hung Big

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE issued an open letter warning that thousands of cattle grazing to return to the forests, which are OUTCOME jobsL-NP are at risk,win ALP reported.win L-NP winwithin hisParliament electorate of Rodney. L-NP win EVICTORIANDucATioN VOTING INTENTIONThe Australian – Two Party Preferred Predictions* L-NP VICTORIAN50.9 VOTINGWhat?51 INTENTION+0.1 50 – Two-0.9 Party52 +1.1hPreferredumphries,51.1 b Prediction+0.2 54s* +3.1 how good?L-NP 51.3 The51 Victorian -0.3College for50 the Deaf-1.3 is fighting52 to +0.7Victoria’s51.1 most senior-0.2 timber industry54 figure+2.7 has VictorianALP teachers will demand a 3049.1 per cent save49 its primary-0.1 school. 50A section+0.9 of the school48 declared-1.1 48.9 that an end-0.2 to native forest46 logging-3.1 in pay rise overALP three years, in the first48.7 test of site49 behind the+0.3 frontage 50 at 597 +1.3 St Kilda Road48 -0.7Victoria48.9 is inevitable +0.2 regardless46 of who-2.7 won the BaillieuL-NP government’s Lead election promise1.8 to has2 been listed in an expressions- of interest4 the election.2.2 bob humphries,8 president of make the L-NPstate’s Leadteachers the best paid2.6 in the campaign2 for sale or lease.- Agent Kliger Wood’s4 the Victorian2.2 Association of Forest8 Industries nation. TheAve education error union will push for the top is marketing 0.1 it as a multilevel 0.9 development and1.1 owner of a sawmill0.2 in Cann River in East3.1 classroomVictorianAve teachers Electoralerror to be paidCommission $110,000 (ahttp://www.tallyroom.vic.gov.au/ year – opportunity, which0.3 it is ).believed VEC Election could1.3 fetch results up to at 4pm,0.7Gippsland, Monday said December it 0.2 was fairyland13, 2010. to be thinking2.7 up from*TheVictorian $81,806 Two-Party Electoral– in apreferred bid Commissionto attract vote andis yet(http://www.tallyroom.vic.gov.au/ retain to be released$20m, Theand Age the reported.figure quoted). VEC Electionhere is based results on at past 4pm,that voting Monday companies, trends December at unionsthe 2006 13, and 2010. Victo environmentalists rian election. the most*The talented, Two-Party The Age preferred reported. vote is yet to be released and the figure quoted here is based on past couldvoting reachtrends anat the agreement 2006 Victo underrian election. Tasmanian best schools in town and country style peace talks proposed by Labor. But he 401 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, G.P.O. Box 2282U, Melbourne,said Victoria years 3001, of cuts Australia to the amount of native forest Tel: (03) 9629401 6888 Collins Fax: (03)Street, 9629 Melbourne, 1250 (03) Victoria 9622 8387 3000, Email: G.P.O. [email protected] Box 2282U, Melbourne, Victoria Website: 3001, Australia www.roymorgan.com Tel: (03) 9629 6888 Fax: (03) 9629 1250 (03) 9622 8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.roymorgan.com 14 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

The Morgan Poll is clearly the most accurate on primary voting intention andapproved the Green developments. vote. TheIf all farmsaverage approved by error was 0.9% for the L-NP, ALP, Greens & Independent/Others. Galaxy (1.4%Justin averag Maddene error) before was the the Brumby next government best followed by The Age/Nielsen (1.75% average error – although it must be noted leftthat office the figuresgo-ahead, for Victoria this willpoll have were eight times its current generation capacity, from 427 MW rounded and together add to only 99%), Sky News Exit Poll (2.0% average error)to and 3619 Newspoll MW, equivalent (2.0% to two average Latrobe Valley error). brown coal power stations. In a concession likely The final result for the pollsters for the 2010 Victorian State election once againto showed disappoint the local Morgan anti-windfarm Poll providing groups, new Planning Minister Matthew Guy said that although the most accurate result of all major pollsters – the prediction of a narrow L-NP severalwin (L-NP of the approved 51% cf. farms ALP were 49%). contentious, This follows the successful Morgan Poll prediction of the Federal election – A Hung theParliament Coalition would not retrospectively apply its (http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2010/4572) – once again the first pollsterpolicies to call to thethis 28 result. wind farms already holding planning approvals. Such a move, he said, would create serious risks to business in Victoria. Coastal Guardians Spokesman tim Le roy, who ‘Reactor’ showed why voters swung away fromwelcomed theBrumby election of Baillieu, acknowledged On Friday November 26, when all other polls were predicting a win for Brumby’sthe ALP,government the Morganhad a problem Poll implementing its policy retrospectively and urged the industry showed a swing to the L-NP, (http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2010/4607to) embracefor the thefirst new time government putting guidelines on them in a winning position (+3.5% to 51% L-NP cf. 49% ALP). a voluntary basis. There are no new projects Even at that time, the eve of the Victorian State election, it’s worth pointing out waitingthat 61% for Guy’s of electors signature. expected the Brumby ALP Government to be returned. Cerebral stuff Many will rewrite the history of the dramatic change in elector sentiment that sawEnergySafe the ALP Victoria lose supports what was energy distribution timberthought allocated to be to anthe unloseableindustry meant election it could (ordecision altern atively to limit Ted distribution Baillieu companies win an price unwinnable company election). Jemena Electricity Networks’ two not continue on its current path and have a viable increases to about $12 a year. Distribution advertisements on community safety. Jemana future,However, The Age thereported. evidence from the Roy Morgancompanies Poll want is moreclear. money from consumers is one of the five electricity distribution and are contesting the decision. The Government companies in Victoria, which owns the poles NearbyIn the last week of the campaign, the Royis taking Morgan legal Qualitative advice on how Resear to hitch back and at quantitative and wires deliveringissues data, electricity along to homes and Timberwith companythe Roy GunnsMorgan has ‘Reactor’ announced on it is a seriesdistribution of campaign companies, TV and ads argue, ( http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-for the costs businesses. It is responsible for the safe and closingreleases/2010/1218 the last of the central) Victorianall pointed community in the sameto actually direction come down, – the in ALPa reverse was power in trouble. play, reliable distribution to approximately 309,000 of Alexandra’s three sawmills, putting 44 people the Herald Sun reported. customers in Melbourne’s north-west suburbs. outThe of early work. phase Wilderness of the Society Victorian campaigner State election was dominated by the ‘rise of theOne Greens.’ of its advertisements Even after saysthe that, once again LukeLiberals Chamberlain decided said to it showedpreference native theforest Greens electric last shock(November 15), the Morgan Poll this(conducted summer, we November face the possibility 16/17, of extreme logging2010 was) showed not commercially the Greens viable, had and enough a plan electorOn the opinion support pages to of win The Age3 or, t evenim Colebatch 4 inner Melbourneweather. seats. was needed to move to plantations aimed at wrote that electricity costs have shot up. What theHowever, high-quality it timber was short-livedmarket. But Gunns and bysaid November price will Baillieu24 the pay Morgan to bring Poll households (conducted some NovemberIn such conditions, 22/23 your) reported electricity the supply cannot theGreen Alexandra vote mill had closure dissipated was not linkedand Labor to its lookedrelief? Inset the to three retain years the to September,four inner the Melbourne price be guaranteed seats. all the time. This means you need position on native forest logging. Gunns’ head of electricity for the typical Melbourne home to take care of yourself and family in the event of of Whiletimber products, the focus Chris was Peterson on the, saidbattle it was between rose 54the per ALP cent. and The theprice Greens, of water rosethere 62 wasper littlea loss ‘air-time’ of power for for a short Ted or Baillieuan extended period. forcedwho by ran dual a pressures straight – campaign the ballooning on cost crime, of cent,transport the price and of cutting gas rose State 28 per Government cent. It was costsJemena and tells charges. us that things you can do now to nativeThen, sawlogs the Baillieuunder the VictorianKnight government’s Frank ALP adsone –of ( thehttp://www.onlinereactor.com.au/Player.aspx?jid=23%C2%B6m=party key reasons the Brumby government prepare include ensuring torches are readily) blind auction system, and the soaring Australian lost office. A decade ago, Australia had a glut accessible with batteries and some things to do dollar making• it harderGave to compete Ted Baillieuwith cheap the ‘airof power, time’ so he the desperately prices were cheap.needed; Not and now. in the event of a power outage include checking timber imported illegally from the developing Our generation prices have risen a lot: in part, your neighbour’s house to see if they have also world, The• Age reported.Increased his awareness,because and electors’demand has knowledge caught up with of supply, him; and lost power. in part because our new plants run on gas or buzz about• In a strange twist, by tryingwind, and to that‘paint’ costs Ted more Baillieu than coal. asNearby, dishonest, the u thep there ALP’s advertising was The Age reported that seenmosquito as justnumbers more were spin andenergy ‘dirty industry tricks has ’warned and gave Baillieu Ted that Baillieu he has theOrigin moral Energy high-ground. and True Energy have purchased key booming in Melbourne and other parts of southern little control over rising power bills and is wrong retail assets in the New South Wales electricity Victoria in early December following the perfect to imply to Victorians that he does have control. privatisation. Hong Kong owned TRUenergy has breedingAs Gary conditions Morgan of a wet said spring on and November a balmy 26:Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over two bought the biggest retailer, EnergyAustralia, start to summer. University research Andrew of the new government’s policies – a commitment while Origin Energy has purchased both Integral Weeks said the mosquito population could still to reducing bushfire risk from electricity wires, Energy and Country Energy, the Financial Review grow dramatically“In the in Roy the favourable Morgan conditions. Qualitative Researchand a better tariffdesigned for rooftop to elicit solar panel concerns owners, the reported.electorate might have about a Ted Baillieu led Government – therewhich was may no push mention up prices of further.corruption Only . days The negative advertising clearly Good job did not ‘stick’!” after the change of government, two of the The environment Protection Authority seeks state’s biggest power companies, AGL and Origin Water a chief information officer, details from daryl Energy, foreshadowed further bill rises of up to Carlton on 9695 2908. $150 forFor gas andfurther electricity information next year, prompting: one bucket the new Premier to demand an explanation from The Age reported that National’s deputy leader Gary Morgan:the Office industry. +61 3 9224 5213 Mobile +61 411Peter 129 Walsh 094 was sworn in as a water minister. energy Before the election Ted Baillieu repeatedly Michele Levine:it’s Office already +61blown 3 over9224 5215 Mobile +61 indicated411 129 Louise 093 Asher and Walsh would share reverse power play The Baillieu government has conceded its wind the portfolio, as they did in opposition. However The Energy Minister in the new government, farm policy is powerless to control the biggest Walsh, the member for Swan Hill and a former Michael o’brien, said he would ensure Victoria expansion of wind energy in Victoria’s history, head of the Victorian Farmers Federation, will defended the Australian Energy Regulator’s with 1,322 new turbines planned across 28 have the responsibility for shutting down Labor’s

15 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

of the year. As head of the office of emergency School hall As we rush to press, the top ten schools, VCE services, Esplin led emergency planning, response A new tertiary education and training ombudsman result-wise, in various parts of Victoria, and in and recovery as a senior adviser to government. and the reintroduction of concession fees the public and private system, are been declared, He emerged largely unscathed from the Bushires for vocational Roy study Morgan are Research key changes Ltd. to including MacRobertson Girls High School and Royal Commission, but its report on the deathA.B.N. of be91 007 implemented 092 944 – Quality by the System incoming Certified Coalition to AS/NZS Melbourne ISO 9001 High School. 173 people did question the inadequate process government. The new government will also scrap of declaring a state disaster and Esplin’s view the Brumby government’sArticle plan No. to 1242put money into Good jobs that such a call was not necessary, The Age Availablebuilding more on studentWebsite: accommodation www.roymorgan.com at rural Swinburne university of technology seeks a reported. university andOn TAFE December campuses. 20, Instead, 2010 it will Vice-Chancellor and President, vcswinburne@ create a smaller $20m fund to support the delivery bspes.com. Systems more perfect of higher educationRoy Morgan through ruralOnline TAFEs Store which it The Country Fire Authority has been heavilyRoy Morganbelieves will Hotels make it andeasier Resorts for rural students Satisfaction to Report advertising New Total Fire Ban districts, that align stay at home and study. New Tertiary Education ENviroNmENT with the nine Victorian Bureau of Meteorology and Training Minister Peter hall said his first weather districts. Hotel More importantly, Satisfaction with local priority Highest will be to implement Amongst the reintroduction Crowne Plaza Patrons government boundaries. This has, and will cause of vocational education and training concession Conservation cause, some griefCrowne for local Plaza folk/farmers has edged who ahead fees, of The the Australian competitors reported. in terms of customer satisfaction – 88% of customers have been fightingnow fires satisfied together or for very 100 satisfied,years, according to the latest Roy Morgan ResearchGreen government Hotel Satisfaction focus report. and are now havingHilton to do (87%), things differently Mantra come (86%), MoreMarriot than (85%)money and Quest (84%) are all closeIn the behind. last week of the election campaign, the fire time. A surge in private school enrolments has been Coalition pledged to plant 2 million trees across During most of the last 2 yearslinked the Intercontinentalto parents wanting had more the disciplined highest satisfactionand Melbourne rating and but regional since Victoria February at a cost 2010 of $4m. has declined by 10% points to 81%better and social is now values outside instilled the intop their 5 performers. children. Opposition leader ted baillieu said 1.5m trees ArTS Independent school enrolments have risen would be planted in Melbourne and 500,000 Hotels/Resorts Customer Satisfactionby more than– Top 6 per5 Performers cent and Catholic student would be planted outside the city to regenerate happy birthday numbers by almost 4 per cent in the past three waterways, the reported. Nearby, 94% Herald Sun Meanjin, Australia’s second oldest literary years, Education DepartmentBase: Australians figures 14+ who reveal. have stayedafter at each the hotel election, or resort inThe the last Age 12 reportedmonths that the magazine, is marking its 70th birthday in Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Baillieu government will face calls to explain 92% December with a special celebratory edition and Michelle Green said more parents are choosing how it will meet the state’s legislated target of a new editor. Sally heath89%, associate publisher to make a personal financial investment in an a 20 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions 90% at Melbourne University Publishing and a former independent school because it meets the family’s this decade following confusion over its position senior journalist at The Age, was named as the social, cultural and religious values, the Herald during the election campaign. 88% magazine’s ninth editor. She succeeds Sophie Sun reported. 88% Crowne Plaza Cunningham, who in November said that by Moo! 87% Hilton 86% 86% Mantra mutual agreement she would84% not be renewing Federal website challenge The Age reported that early fault lines emerged 85% Marriott her contract. At the time there84% was concern that Victorian private schools are seeking legal advice within the new Coalition government, with 84% the magazine was heading for a solely online to prevent the publication of what they worry is Liberal and National party86% MPsQuest publicly at odds presence. Heath said she83% wanted to take the flawed data about their funding. Independent over environmental policy. The government is % Satisfied magazine to more readers.82% She said Meanjin was schools fear a parent revolt if the data on their divided over aspects of the plan to return cattle committed to a print edition for the foreseeable finances – to be published on a new version of grazing to Victorian National Parks. The Coalition future. Heath will be80% advised80% by a new editorial the My School website – appears to contradict has promised to overturn Labor’s ban on cattle board that will include david Malouf, Lindsay information they provide the parents. The grazing in alpine national79% parks in the belief Average Satisfaction , 78% and , website will publish every school’s income from that strategic grazing can reduced bushfire risk tanner Alison Croggon 78% brian Johns The for all Hotels and Resorts Age reported. government, as well as fees, donations and other by reducing fuel loads. But the Liberals and 76% private sources, The Age reported. Nationals are at odds over whether cattle should Serious music be allowed back into the prized red gum forests

The AustralianFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chamber74% Choir Melbourne urgent action needed on the banks of the Murray River at Barmah and 8 8 9 9 9 0 0 0 Series 2011, has released-08 its 0 brochure.0 -0 All -0 Victoria-09 -09 will suffer a $2.6b hit-0 to -09its economy-1 -1 by -1 Gunbower.-10 Premier ted baillieu and deputy n b-09 r r n-09 l-09 n-10 r r y n-10 t-10 ep a p ay u Ju ct-09 ec a a p u Jul-10 c concerts are in Our LadyS ofOct-08 MountNov- Dec- Carmel,Ja Fe 216M A 2012M withJ internationalAug-09Sep-09 OstudentNov DnumbersJ Feb droppingM A Ma PeterJ ryanAug-10 declaredSep-10O that there were no plans to Richardson Street, Middle Park. It is not all about as a result 12 of monthly tighter moving skilled average migration rules return cattle to those forests after Environment religion. As one friend said to the editor, ‘I love impinging the states once booming, residency Minister ryan Smith and Nationals MP Paul Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (October 2007 - October 2010). Total stayed at a hotel or resort in the last 12 the music but I am a card-carrying atheist’, driven market. The numbers come as the Weller contradicted each other on environmental months n=24,557, for the latest 12 months (November 2009 – October 2010) n =7,674. “% satisfied” is the www.auschoir.org. International Education Association of Australia policy in regards to the matter. Weller wants proportion of all customers who are “Very” or “Fairly” satisfied with that hotel or resort (on a five point scale). issued an open letter warning that thousands of cattle grazing to return to the forests, which are jobs are at risk, reported. within his electorate of Rodney. JaneEDuc Ianniello,ATioN International Director of TheTourism, Australian Travel & Leisure, Roy Morgan Research, says: “With Crowne Plaza, HiltonWhat? and Marriott improving their customer satisfactionhumphries, ratings b over the past two how good? years, there is now less thanThe a Victorianfour percentage College for point the Deaf gap is between fighting theto topVictoria’s five hotels most seniorindicating timber thatindustry all figureof has Victorian teachers willthem demand are competing a 30 per centfor the savesame its ‘top-end’ primary school. customers. A section of the school declared that an end to native forest logging in pay rise over three years, in the first test of site behind the frontage at 597 St Kilda Road Victoria is inevitable regardless of who won the Baillieu government’s“These election customers promise of luxury to has hotel been chains listed tend in an to expressionsbelieve quality of interest is more importantthe election. than bob price. humphries The internet, president of make the state’s teachersis an efficientthe best paidtool into the reach campaign this market for sale as orthey lease. are Agent heavy Kliger internet Wood’s users the and Victorian are users Association of travel of websites. Forest Industries nation. The educationRoy union Morgan will push Profiles for the topprovide is a marketing detailed itunderstanding as a multilevel of developmentluxury hotel chainand ownercustomers.” of a sawmill in Cann River in East classroom teachers to be paid $110,000 a year – opportunity, which it is believed could fetch up to Gippsland, said it was fairyland to be thinking up from $81,806 – in a bid to attract and retain $20m, The Age reported. that companies, unions and environmentalists the most talented, The Age reported. Available on the Roy Morgan Online Store: could reach an agreement under Tasmanian best schools in town and country style peace talks proposed by Labor. But he http://www.roymorganonlinestore.com/Browse/Australia/Tourism/Hotels-and-Resortsaids/Hotels-and-Resorts-Satisfaction.aspx years of cuts to the amount of native forest

14 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

approved developments. If all farms approved by Justin Madden before the Brumby government left office go-ahead, Victoria will have eight times its current generation capacity, from 427 MW to 3619 MW, equivalent to two Latrobe Valley brown coal power stations. In a concession likely to disappoint local anti-windfarm groups, new Planning Minister Matthew Guy said that although several of the approved farms were contentious, the Coalition would not retrospectively apply its policies to the 28 wind farms already holding planning approvals. Such a move, he said, would create serious risks to business in Victoria. Coastal Guardians Spokesman tim Le roy, who welcomed the election of Baillieu, acknowledged the government had a problem implementing its policy retrospectively and urged the industry to embrace the new government guidelines on a voluntary basis. There are no new projects waiting for Guy’s signature.

Cerebral stuff EnergySafe Victoria supports energy distribution timber allocated to the industry meant it could decision to limit distribution companies price company Jemena Electricity Networks’ two not continue on its current path and have a viable increases to about $12 a year. Distribution advertisements on community safety. Jemana future, The Age reported. companies want more money from consumers is one of the five electricity distribution and are contesting the decision. The Government companies in Victoria, which owns the poles Nearby is taking legal advice on how to hit back at and wires delivering electricity to homes and Timber company Gunns has announced it is distribution companies, and argue for the costs businesses. It is responsible for the safe and closing the last of the central Victorian community to actually come down, in a reverse power play, reliable distribution to approximately 309,000 of Alexandra’s three sawmills, putting 44 people the Herald Sun reported. customers in Melbourne’s north-west suburbs. out of work. Wilderness Society campaigner One of its advertisements says that, once again Luke Chamberlain said it showed native forest electric shock this summer, we face the possibility of extreme logging was not commercially viable, and a plan On the opinion pages of The Age, tim Colebatch weather. was needed to move to plantations aimed at wrote that electricity costs have shot up. What the high-quality timber market. But Gunns said price will Baillieu pay to bring households some In such conditions, your electricity supply cannot the Alexandra mill closure was not linked to its relief? In the three years to September, the price be guaranteed all the time. This means you need position on native forest logging. Gunns’ head of electricity for the typical Melbourne home to take care of yourself and family in the event of of timber products, Chris Peterson, said it was rose 54 per cent. The price of water rose 62 per a loss of power for a short or an extended period. forced by dual pressures – the ballooning cost of cent, the price of gas rose 28 per cent. It was Jemena tells us that things you can do now to native sawlogs under the Victorian government’s one of the key reasons the Brumby government prepare include ensuring torches are readily blind auction system, and the soaring Australian lost office. A decade ago, Australia had a glut accessible with batteries and some things to do dollar making it harder to compete with cheap of power, so the prices were cheap. Not now. in the event of a power outage include checking timber imported illegally from the developing Our generation prices have risen a lot: in part, your neighbour’s house to see if they have also world, The Age reported. because demand has caught up with supply, and lost power. in part because our new plants run on gas or buzz about wind, and that costs more than coal. Nearby, the up there The Age reported that mosquito numbers were energy industry has warned Baillieu that he has Origin Energy and True Energy have purchased key booming in Melbourne and other parts of southern little control over rising power bills and is wrong retail assets in the New South Wales electricity Victoria in early December following the perfect to imply to Victorians that he does have control. privatisation. Hong Kong owned TRUenergy has breeding conditions of a wet spring and a balmy Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over two bought the biggest retailer, EnergyAustralia, start to summer. University research Andrew of the new government’s policies – a commitment while Origin Energy has purchased both Integral Weeks said the mosquito population could still to reducing bushfire risk from electricity wires, Energy and Country Energy, the Financial Review grow dramatically in the favourable conditions. and a better tariff for rooftop solar panel owners, reported. which may push up prices further. Only days Good job after the change of government, two of the The environment Protection Authority seeks state’s biggest power companies, AGL and Origin Water a chief information officer, details from daryl Energy, foreshadowed further bill rises of up to Carlton on 9695 2908. $150 for gas and electricity next year, prompting one bucket the new Premier to demand an explanation from The Age reported that National’s deputy leader the industry. Peter Walsh was sworn in as a water minister. energy Before the election Ted Baillieu repeatedly it’s already blown over indicated Louise Asher and Walsh would share reverse power play The Baillieu government has conceded its wind the portfolio, as they did in opposition. However The Energy Minister in the new government, farm policy is powerless to control the biggest Walsh, the member for Swan Hill and a former Michael o’brien, said he would ensure Victoria expansion of wind energy in Victoria’s history, head of the Victorian Farmers Federation, will defended the Australian Energy Regulator’s with 1,322 new turbines planned across 28 have the responsibility for shutting down Labor’s

15 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

Baillieu announced a Coalition government would not allow a second casino in Victoria, and would accelerate the introduction of pre-commitment “Let’s do lunch ... devices to gaming machines, saying the Labor at Morgans at 401” government had massively expanded gambling in the state without community consultation.

On the eve of the vote itself, Baillieu announced that a Coalition government would commit Enjoy consistently $150m to establish an independent body to reduce Victoria’s problem gambling. The fact is fabulous food in a that a Victorian government of any persuasion is friendly, charming on the gambling drip feed. Baillieu is politically atmosphere and discover boxed in after the Coalition’s campaigning. He has even announced that his government will why Melbournians who know are singing the praises ban lobbyists in the gaming industry: could be a of Morgans at 401. Call to arrange an inspection of tough meeting. our extensive function rooms. Nearby The Baillieu government is set to take on Canberra For bookings and enquiries call 9223 2413 401 Collins Street (Bet. Queen & Market Streets) by rejecting Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s or 0423 022 014 (after hours) planned compulsory limits for poker machine players, The Age reported. Victorian Gaming $750m north-south pipeline and exposing Members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Minister Michael o’brien said that gamblers previously confidential contract details of the Energy Union and the Australian Manufacturing should be able to choose whether or not they $5.7b desalination plant. The appointment of Workers Union rejected a peace deal negotiated pre-commit the amount of money they could lose a rural-based National’s MP as water minister between Thiess and the unions, in which the on a poker machine. A mandatory scheme would could complicate negotiations with the Gillard unions recommended that members return to cost Victoria hundreds of millions of dollars in government and the Queensland, New South work. At a heated meeting, workers aired a range lost tax revenue, the industry claims. Wales and South Australian governments on the of grievances and demanded action on issues future of the Murray-Darling Basin. such as safety, how shop stewards were treated, Star City the failure of Thiess to pay some allowances and An $850m facelift of Sydney’s Star City Casino When it rains the failure of Thiess to abide by dispute panel could result in more major concerts and musicals In a report on the rains of early December, the rulings. Towards the end of November, The Age being held there, with big event organisers Herald Sun showed that Cheshunt recorded the reported that the project appeared to be back on showing interest in the Palladium style venue, most rainfall, 128 mm; Horsham had the most track, with work resuming after Thiess agreed to which is due to be completed next year. (Former) SES calls for help with 96; Melbourne’s water demands by disaffected workers. Major Events Minister tim holding encouraged storages were 52.5 per cent full; 5,500 SES the revamp saying it’s about time Sydney caught volunteers were on standby for the wild weather; the small matter of water up with Melbourne after failing miserably in the 10 mm of rain fell in central Melbourne in just 10 Water Matters, the Victorian Water Industry past. A grand hall in the Star City redevelopment minutes on December 8; Australia is experiencing Association News, Volume 13 Issue Four, reported will hold up to 4,000 people – dwarfing Crown’s the strongest La Nina weather system since the that construction has begun on the Melbourne Palladium, which has a capacity of 1,700 for 1970s, and Victoria had the most rain in 48 hours to Geelong pipeline, which will boost Geelong’s award nights such as the Brownlow, the Herald that it has had in two decades. water supplies by 50 per cent by the end of 2012 Sun reported. and ensure local towns are spared from harsh Spies. union fights. New government water restrictions in the future. The 59 kilometre brother where art though? Thiess confirmed that the project director at pipeline will link Barwon Water’s Lovely Banks Victoria’s top gambling probity official, Peter Wonthaggi desalination plant, Greg Miller, and Basins in Geelong with the Melbourne system Cohen, who has headed Victoria’s gambling human resources manager Marcus Carrol would at Cowies Hill, near Werribee, so the region regulator for eight years, has resigned, denying be stood down while company and external can share in the 150 billion litres of water the his decision to leave was linked to the election lawyers investigated claims the firm was hired to desalination plant can produce each year. The result. spy on workers and unions. Work stopped on the Government has committed $20m towards the project after the report that Thiess had engaged project, with Barwon Water funding the balance Australian Security Investigations, headed by of the $137.9m project. hEAlTh prominent union buster bruce townsend, from March to June this year, The Age reported. A later ted to test report in the same paper had hundreds of workers GAmiNG Following his election victory, ted baillieu at the plant demanding a range of concessions indicated that he might go back on former from Thiess beyond the claims about spying. The You can bet on it Premier John brumby’s deal on hospital reform Australian reported that the deal with Townsend During the election campaign, the Coalition with the federal government, if he felt there was was called the Pluto Project and its aim was pledged to immediately re-examine the financial not enough in it for Victoria. The deal – agreed simple. Infiltrate the unionised workforce at the agreements affecting the state’s racing industries to by all states except at the plant with Townsend’s spies, gather information and to reassess online gambling. Victoria’s $4b Council of Australian Governments meeting in about the activities of employees and union wagering and sports betting industry faces a major April – aims to give additional responsibility tactics, and report back to the management of rethink given the coalition victory, the Financial of health and hospital funding to the federal Thiess. Review reported. In a detailed article in The Age, government. It is due to begin on July 1 next Malcolm Maiden wrote that before the election year. But he nominated the hospital funding

16 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE reforms as a top priority in considering his new and warning people rather than handing out responsibility program. The initiative will establish government’s relationship with Canberra. david fines. a cooperative network of 7,700 corporates davis, who was sworn in as Victorian Health from around the world to share expertise on Minister, insisted that the new administration the sun can get hot community investment in philanthropy. Chairman would seek a collaborative approach with the Paramedics treated eight children taken from of the interim Principles for Social Investment federal government. Nevertheless, significant cars in the first burst of November heat. They secretariat Andrew McLeod said the initiative work remained to properly understand the deal, were rescued in Melbourne and Geelong when had the potential to attach a cultural identity to he said. the temperatures rose to almost 30, The Age Melbourne in the same way the Red Cross had reported. shaped Geneva’s public image. Steering the ambulance A new website that will track daily activity at to good health The new secretariat’s interim board includes St Victoria’s hospital emergency departments will derryn hinch has gone through 24 hours of James Ethics Centre executive director Simon help cut waiting times and free up ambulances, gruelling medical tests but the results have been Longstaff and representatives from Ernst & the new health minister david davis says. He worth it. The 66-year-old broadcaster has been Young, Clayton Utz, ANZ and National Australia said the website, due to go live by June, would told by doctors that he has made the list for a Bank, and is advised by Sid Myer, Gareth encourage hospitals to improve their performance liver transplant, the Herald Sun reported. evans, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, the Herald Sun while also allowing Victorians to make more reported. informed decisions about which hospital they attend, The Age reported. iNvESTmENT it’s a whopper Finesse the detail The biggest superannuation merger in Australian The Age reported that if ted baillieu were to win history has begun with Victoria’s Health Super to the election (and he did), he would cut government Business pair up with the giant New South Wales public spending by more than $1.4b – and build the new sector fund First State Super. The combined fund, Monash children’s and Geelong hospitals more Clear action which will boast $28b in assets, is the first of slowly than Labor. In a bid to trump the Brumby government’s many expected mergers as the sector undergoes economic credentials before the election, the a major restructure, the Herald Sun reported. to get better (1) Coalition released a plan where stamp duty on The director of the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s home purchases would be cut and thousands VeCCi support ‘Hospital in the Home’ program, Michael of small businesses could become exempt from The Victorian employers’ Chamber of Montalto, said a review of the system-wide payroll tax, The Age reported. The $750m pledge Commerce and industry is running a pilot scheme published by the Department of Health to cut stamp duty for first home buyers in half program, called Carbon Down, to show businesses this year indicated hospitals were abusing the over four years has won the backing of the real they can chop an average of $850 a year off their program to generate money. He said the review estate and building industries. The Real Estate electricity bill by shifting to a cheaper power did not ‘point the finger’ at guilty parties – but Institute of Victoria said that while both parties plan with a 25 per cent GreenPower component. insiders knew hospitals were admitting patients had recognised homebuyers were paying too GreenPower is a government accreditation to the program when they were in fact going much stamp duty, the coalition’s policy, which program for renewable energy sources such as home without needing any further care. This applies to homes costing up to $600,000, was sun, wind, water and waste, The Age reported. meant the hospital would continue to be funded more generous. for the patients, The Age reported. Nearby New folk in the tent to get better (2) A report by home lender Bankwest shows Former Geelong mayor, lawyer and federal Labor The Herald Sun reported that more than 5,000 that stamp duty for a median priced house in figure Peter McMullin is the new president of Victorian women may have been caught in a Melbourne was $30,620 in the September quarter the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce botched breast screening program. They now – a 31 per cent increase on 12 months ago. The and Industry, The Age reported. face a wait until Christmas to receive new impost represents 36.8 per cent of average results. breastScreen Victoria is concerned annual household income, The Age reported. mammograms may not have been reviewed by two separate radiologists, as is standard our Melbourne procedure. Chief executive Vicki Pridmore said The United Nations has chosen Melbourne to be the 5,339 women affected had had mammograms the worldwide headquarters of its corporate social examined between September 16 and October 6. our perfect beaches By December, smoking and glass will be banned on the sand at Port Phillip Council’s 11 kilometres of beaches, including St Kilda, Elwood and Port Melbourne. Those caught breaking the rules face $110 fine. The new moves are the latest outdoor smoking bans being rolled out across Victoria. Similar bans have already been introduced at Lorne and Torquay, and an outdoor smoking ban on Frankston’s main shopping strip has been implemented. Port Phillip Mayor Frank o’Connor said the council initially focussed on educating

17 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

will take several months for them to recover, Peter still active itC the Financial Review reported. The Herald Sun In November, Melbourne University’s monthly reported that Australian Crop Forecasters chief Voice lift out in The Age carried an extract from Keeping an eye on things executive ron Storey estimated the loss to the 2010 John Barry Memorial lecture and was CenITex will lose chief executive Peter blades. the wheat harvest because of the rain at $1b presented by Vice-Chancellor’s fellow Peter Around 620 staff were told of his planned and expected up to 30 per cent of new season Norden AO on November 11. The Barry lecture retirement in March next year, just a day before wheat and barley would be rain-damaged and series has been presented by the Barry Family the state went to the polls. Victoria’s technology waterlogged. The Age reported stone fruit prices, and Criminology discipline in the School of industry is carefully watching the incoming especially the price of cherries, are tipped to rise Social Sciences since 1972. Here is a portion Baillieu government’s plan for the shared because of the constant downpours. of the extract published in Voice: ‘Ten years ago services company after its role was expanded I attended a conference conducted by Catholic under the Brumby government. During his time Charities USA in Chicago. At that conference a as opposition technology spokesman, Victorian JuSTicE paper was presented outlining strategy being Liberal Gordon rich-Phillips took issue with the used in the State of Louisiana that used the remuneration of key CenITex staff. The creation of A starting point demographic reading scores of 10-12-year-olds CenITex in 2008 was met with strong opposition The Age reported that ted baillieu’s election in different parts of the State to predict how from private outsourcing providers and hardware pitch for the law and order vote of ‘zero tolerance, many prison cells needed to be constructed suppliers because it allowed the government to tough on crime’ may not be as draconian as in the coming decade. We’re doing precisely cut costs by centralising volume purchasing. people are making out. His statutory minimum the same thing here in Australia. We know the Parts of industry have lobbied strongly for the sentences, for example, are not mandatory strong positive correlations that exist between government enterprise to be disbanded, but sentences at all. Rather, they are a starting point such variables as early school leaving and CenITex secured the support of outgoing Finance from which judges can alter the minimum non- further education and skills training and eventual Minister tim holding amid embarrassing cost parole period up or down from the baseline. In unemployment with the frequency of criminal blowouts for self managed agencies, the Financial other words, judges can still exercise discretion. convictions and eventual imprisonment later in Review reported. life. But throughout Australia we persist with A correlation the misguided view that we can manage such Assessing his options The Age reported that Victoria is leading the problems by extending the interventions of the New premier ted baillieu threw an obstacle in nation in yet another area: it provided virtually criminal justice system rather than addressing the path of the Federal Government’s National the entire growth in Australia’s prison population the problem at its source. The result is that Broadband Network plans, declaring that the in the year to September. As law and order the most disadvantaged communities around connection of all homes to the carbon fibre became a key theme of the election campaign, Australia, both in metropolitan, regional and rural network should be optional. Baillieu stated that the number of Victorians behind bars grew by areas are being more and more deeply mined he does not want all homes to be automatically 169 or 3.8 per cent in the year – while in the rest by the instrumentalities of the criminal justice connected to the NBN, and preferred an opt-in of Australia, the number of prisoners grew by just system… California, once the wealthiest state in model, The Australian reported. four, or .02 per cent. the United States, is threatened by bankruptcy, and is today spending more on the construction Nearby, the Herald Sun reported that a third of and operation of its prison system than it does on agriCulture prisoners in Victoria were back behind bars higher education. within two years of being released. Victoria had a the end times before Christmas re-offending rate of 33.9 per cent in 2008-2009. Shock tactic At the beginning of December, The Age reported But that was actually a reduction on the state’s Before the election, The Age reported that the that millions of locusts forming part of the biggest recidivism four years earlier when it was 38.4 per Opposition will push to arm all front-line Victorian swarm to threaten Victoria in decades was about cent. police with tasers if it wins the election, while to enter the state, placing farmers and motorists at risk. The swarm, 25 kilometre wide and at least one kilometre deep, was in the Hay and Conargo region in New South Wales at the time of the report and travelling southwest. State Controller for Locusts russell McMurray said vegetables and pasture were most at risk. The Herald Sun reported that a locust triangle – a vast farming area between Swan Hill, St Arnaud and Echuca – has been hit hardest by the bugs with residents reporting enormous bands on the move. The Age reported that doubts remain about the value of chemical spraying as wave after wave of locusts threaten Victoria’s agriculture. A locust is a type of grasshopper in plague proportions.

Can’t take a trick The flooding and extreme wet weather that has hit key wheat growing regions in New South Wales will take the shine off expected earnings of eastern Australia’s largest grain storage and handler GrainCorp. Small businesses in flood affected areas of New South Wales have also been hit hard by the extensive flooding and it ted and oprah discussing Melbourne’s attributes

18 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE indicating that the current trial of the weapons will not change its stance. Meanwhile, legal and community groups said a Coalition plan to introduce minimum sentence standards for serious crimes in an effort to increase average jail terms is a backward step which will not reduce the crime rate. The new Coalition government said before the election it would introduce benchmark sentences in the Sentencing Act for serious crimes such as murder and drug trafficking. research on way The Age reported that fresh doubts about the future of Jeremy rapke, QC – Victoria’s Director of Public Prosecutions recently embroiled in a damaging internal brawl – have resurfaced with the change of government. It is believed new Attorney-General robert Clark plans to receive briefings on the matter from the Department of Justice. Clark was Parliamentary Secretary to Treasurer during the government of Jeff Kennett and served on the party’s attorney-general’s committee, among others. In opposition, he served as the shadow treasurer, opposition spokesman for gaming, information the Windsor keeps up to date on public affairs and the neighbouring building across the road and communication technology, energy and resources, industrial relations and WorkCover. He statement, a spokeswoman boom was based on lifestyle, but for Melbourne’s was elected to Parliament in 1988 at the age of described their relationship as robust. west it is fundamentally about affordability. An 31, following a short legal career. Rapke has been editorial in the same paper said that according labelled draconian and punitive by Melbourne under cover (1) to an Age/Nielsen poll taken in early November, lawyers as part of a co-ordinated opposition to A senior homicide squad detective assured tyler only 1 per cent of Victorians think Melbourne his campaign for harsher sentences. Cassidy’s family that they would come to trust is growing too slowly. About 50 per cent think the police investigation of the teenager’s death – it is growing too fast, and 43 per cent think the Nearby while secretly taping conversations at their home present rate of growth is about right. The paper The Herald Sun reported that senior Office of two days after he was shot, the Coroner’s Court asserted that the constant growth is making the Public Prosecutions staffers urged new Attorney- was told, The Age reported. city less liveable. General robert Clark to establish a judicial investigation into the conduct of the Director of under cover (2) Probably as a result of the above… Public Prosecutions, Jeremy rapke, with at least The Age reported a policewoman, Senior The Age reported that Melbourne has closed the 10 current and former OPP lawyers prepared to Constable Lauren Conte, is facing charges gap on Sydney in housing affordability, taking testify about their boss. over allegations she improperly searched the the mantle of Australia’s least affordable city in force’s LEAP database after forming a friendship which to buy a home. Next with the sergeant-at-arms of the Hells Angels’ Before the election, The Age reported that the Nomads bikie club, Paul Peterson. tweet tweet Office of Police Integrity will be abolished and a Melbourne City Council is recruiting a full-time new anticorruption tsar appointed if the Coalition tweeter on a salary of up to $78,000, plus super, won. It will be interesting to look back and see mElbourNE to keep its constituents up-to-date with every which of these promises are kept. machination of lord mayor robert doyle and Planning ahead his office, The Age reported. The tweeter, to be Who’s getting serious? In The Age, tim Colebatch wrote that no city in known as the social media co-ordinator, will be In late November, 650 police raided 65 properties Australia has seen growth on the scale Melbourne expected to keep abreast of computing trends and as part of Operation Entity, resulting in the arrest has experienced in the past five years. In that experiment with social media to give exposure to of 43 suspects and the seizing of almost a dozen time, the city’s population has risen by 400,000 the council’s programs and websites. cannabis plants with a potential wholesale value or more. And Victoria’s population has grown by of more than $30m. The raid was linked to five more than 500,000, or 10 per cent, twice as much Melbourne times interrelated Vietnamese drug syndicates. In each as it did a decade earlier. The state’s population The City of Melbourne’s magazine, Melbourne of the houses, syndicate electricians bypass has expanded by close to 20 per cent, from 4.7 News, carried a number of interesting items power meters to provide free electricity to the million to 5.6 million since Labor was elected in its December 2010-January 2011 edition. crops. Detectives will lay theft of power as well in 1999. The epicentre of Victoria’s population These included news on a business mission to as drug cultivation charges, The Age reported. growth is in Melbourne’s outer western suburbs. Melbourne’s sister city in China, Tianjin (the pair KPMG demographer bernard Salt has declared have shared a bond as sister cities for 30 years); Police leaders it an announcement that the City of Melbourne will The Herald Sun reported that Chief Commissioner the fastest growing region in Australia, out pacing present an international nuclear disarmament Simon overland and Deputy Commissioner even the Gold Coast. In 2008-09, for probably the exhibition, From a Culture of Violence to a Culture Sir Ken Jones were said to be barely speaking first time since the 1800s, most of Melbourne’s of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit, from following a clash of personalities. In an official population growth occurred north and west of mid-January to early February; a plan for all the Yarra. Salt says the Gold Coast population abilities, the Our Melbourne – Disability Action

19 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

Golly gosh moving. An increase in rent has forced the American social commentator and TV star oprah Melbourne institution to walk away from its site (below) visited Melbourne for the day in mid at 211 Elizabeth Street, where it has retailed December, and met the new Victorian premier since two local businessmen launched Bernard’s and the Australian prime minister at Federation in 1937. It has changed hands several times, and Square. is moving to the same side and same block as its A Melbourne doll shop has withdrawn a Golliwog regional location, to Level 1, 187 Elizabeth Street, from its display to avoid offending the Oprah the Herald Sun reported. Winfrey roadshow. But the Dafel Dolls and their shop in Block Arcade – where 110 of Oprah’s What a racket guests will attend the cocktail party – will denis Walter, the deep voiced veteran of 27 Second Decade of Docklands continue to display other golliwogs. Golliwogs Carols by Candlelight, introduced a new Christmas project – get involved are deeply offensive to some Americans because ‘tradition’, Carols by Sunlight, at Federation of their perceived links to slavery and racism, the Square on December 1, with the Deaf Children To mark the start of the second Herald Sun reported. Australia choir, The Age reported. decade of development in Docklands, you’re invited to be part Nearing 2011 of the evolution. Join us as part of The Herald Sun reported that on New Year’s Eve PlANNiNG & builDiNG an engagement process that will 15 rooftop locations will create a rainbow of help identify clear directions and colour across the city skyline as part of a $2.38m Former architect priority actions for delivery of the fireworks display, a spend which is $500,000 Former architect and now Victorian Premier next decade. more than last year celebrations. ted baillieu has promised a big shakeup in the state planning and property sectors. There is Register to attend an event, make Continuing work required good news for greenfield residential developers a comment online, or register to Melbourne has won the Most Admired in the coalition’s promise to release more land receive regular project updates at Knowledge City award over other finalists immediately on Melbourne’s fringe to take in www.docklands.com/seconddecade or phone 03 9658 9658. such as Barcelona and Singapore. The win so-called logical inclusions. Longer term, the was announced at the Knowledge Cities Coalition plans to review the mandated limit to World Summit in Melbourne in November. The Melbourne’s sprawl every two years, potentially ‘Melbourne Charter’ to emerge from the summit delivering more fresh land for greenfield is expected to include recommendations for a developers. At the same time, Baillieu will overturn unique identity and brand for Melbourne as a the Labor policy aimed at fostering high-density knowledge city, free public transport and heavy development along the city’s transport corridors. investment in education. The Coalition will instead target 1,000 defined vice-chancellor Glynn davis said the city had activity centres to increase development. The several world-class educational institutions and rollback of the corridor-based approach – it is education was Victoria’s largest export industry. seen as a watering down of government efforts to managing director Ahmed Fahour promote infill development – has been criticised said Melbourne was an example of the benefits by the property industry. Property Council of of ethnic diversity. Orica chief executive Graeme Australia state president Jennifer Cunich agreed Liebelt said Melbourne had the most diverse it was good, however, to have a mechanism to commercial base in Australia, including scientific review regularly the urban growth boundary, the research, and led the Asia-Pacific region in Financial Review reported. Meanwhile, property business education. Cities vying for the award industry players have been quick to endorse the Plan 2010-2013, which will help guide the City were judged on seven criteria by an international Coalition’s $750m stamp duty relief plan for first of Melbourne to develop a barrier free city. The panel. Six cities made the short list and Singapore home buyers. The Coalition policy is to phase in magazine also had an item where, following was runner-up, The Age reported. the stamp duty cut of 50 per cent over the next two years in office, the Melbourne City Council four years to homes valued up to $600,000. The reported on the highlights of its second year in hello possums cut will be applied to both new and established office. In a trial to begin early next year, nesting boxes housing, beginning with a 20 per cent cut from designed to attract powerful owls will be placed in July 1 next year. Labor, by contrast, had a $115m Not much compromise here Royal Park in Parkville, and Fitzroy and Flagstaff plan for first-time buyers, abolishing stamp duty The Age reported that VicRoads’ figures show gardens in the city. Banned by law from culling on newly built houses in regional Victoria. that Melbourne’s shared bicycle scheme is seeing possums, Lord Mayor robert doyle said he 183 trips a day being made on the 450 blue bikes, wanted to use nature to help banish his pet hate. Windsor Plus, no longer which are costing taxpayers $5.5m over four The latest figures from the City of Melbourne’s Planning Minister Justin Madden and his years. The bike scheme has struggled because of annual possum survey show the Carlton Gardens department have been accused of running a Melbourne’s compulsory helmet laws. In a bid to has the highest estimated population (194), sham planning process that was abandoned encourage use of the bikes, the Government has followed by Fitzroy Gardens (185) and Yarra Park when it appeared the government would not started subsidising the sale of $5 helmets from (111), with the common brush tail possums most get its way on a contentious development. A convenience stores and two vending machines. prevalent. rheya Linden from Animal Active joint Planning Department-City of Melbourne Since the helmets went on sale, bike use has branded the mayor ignorant, the Herald Sun committee, established to give CBD planning increased from an average 136 trips a day to 183. reported. advice to the minister, was shut down when it The Melbourne scheme lags far behind those in appeared the advice may not have been what overseas cities. About 140 cities have introduced reappearing act the government was after, it has been alleged. shared bikes; only Melbourne and Brisbane have After 73 years selling magic from a store in The process has been likened to the Windsor compulsory helmet laws. Elizabeth Street, bernard’s Magic Shop is Hotel planning scandal in which a leaked e-mail

20 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE revealed plans for a sham consultation process, The application by Raywood Nominees, a 2008 would return the scheme to fully funded The Age reported. company owned by the local Rothfield family, status. went before VCAT after the council failed to make Watch this space a decision within the time allowed, the Herald Larger postcard required Melbourne has sprawled 50 per cent further Sun reported. The Age reported that in an attempt to boost its than its official urban growth boundary and is coffers and raise permanent revenue, Bayside over running small country towns, residents Nice holiday home City Council is selling the first of six bathing boxes groups and planning experts say. Developers are Portsea clifftop mansion ilyuka, a 1920s it is controversially developing on Brighton’s building large suburban style estates as close Spanish-mission style residence, has been Dendy Beach, the first such boxes to be built in as three kilometres to the boundary, marketing bought by a Victorian businessman for about about a century. It fetched a record $215,000 to metropolitan commuters while avoiding the $27m, the Herald Sun reported. The buyer will price, beating the previous record of $205,000. infrastructure levy, The Age reported. also have to pay stamp duty to the Government Only local residents are eligible to purchase the of $1.48 million. leasing rights to Dendy’s 83 existing boxes, which Not from Northcote remain the property of the local council. The Country Alliance, a five-year-old political Good job party hoping to become a force in country The department innovation, industry and After hours politics, is raising a few eyebrows in the bush. regional development’s Major Projects A senior Yarra Council officer under investigation But with 29 candidates who ran for the lower Victoria seeks a Commercial Manager, www. for bribery has quit his post after being arrested and upper house in the election, it also raised a careers.vic.gov.au. as part of a blitz on illegal brothels, the Herald considerable block of votes. In 18 lower house Sun reported. seats they preferenced Coalition candidates, but in 11 others they preferenced Labor. The locAl GovErNmENT party chairman, russell bate, is a former board SPorT member of the ABC and is currently the chairman breeding ground for MPs of an organisation that promotes chamber music. The Municipal Association of Victoria newsletter, best before dates Yet some of the party’s strongest supporters the MAV Bulletin, reported that six new members The Financial Review reported that re-elected include shooters and fishermen. Bate says the of Parliament hail from local government. As a Racing Victoria chairman Michael duffy said party represented people who live, work, or take consequence by-elections will be held in the he is cautiously optimistic about working with their recreation in the country. Steve threlfall, municipalities of Casey, Banyule, Kingston and new Racing Minister dennis Napthine. This the Country Alliance candidate for Northern Yarra to replace councillors moving from local was despite a comment by Napthine before the Victoria, says politicians are too influenced by to state representation. Congratulations to coalition won the election that Duffy had reached the green movement. rod drew, CEO of Field Jane Garrett (new MP for Brunswick), Anthony his use by date. and Game Australia, said he had been a member Carbines (new MP for Ivanhoe), donna bauer of the party since it formed five years ago, The (new MP for Carrum), Lorraine Wreford (new MP Age reported. for Mordialloc), Clem Newton-brown (new MP TrANSPorT for Prahran – former Melbourne city councillor), history 101 and Andrew Katos (new MP for South Barwon – Before the election, tim Colebatch predicted in former Geelong councillor). rail The Age that whatever the fate of the Greens in the four inner-Melbourne seats in the lower house Nearby Good research at the election, one thing looks almost certain: The MAV Bulletin also reported that many The Age reported that two decades of successful the Greens will hold the balance of power in the policy commitments made by the new Baillieu reform of the Victorian economy could be undone new upper house, whoever wins government. (He Government during the state election campaign unless Melbourne’s already stressed roads was wrong). responded to and supported matters raised and public transport system allow improved by the MAV and local government, including: travel between the CBD and the city’s urban oh legislation to bring forward municipal elections growth centres, a new research paper warns. A five-star resort project in the Yarra Valley by six weeks to the second Saturday in October; a In Melbourne’s Transformation: rust belt to collapsed on the eve of the election, causing new Victorian Population Strategy; $20m to help renaissance, economists and planners SGS have embarrassment for the Brumby government. councils replace local street lights with energy- analysed how Victoria’s economy has changed Melbourne businessman bernard roux (brother efficient technology; $160m for Country Roads from 1991, the year the Kennett government came of Michael roux), the driving force behind the and Bridges Fund; a $100m Local Government to power, to today. Researchers terry rawnsley proposed Hilton in the Vines luxury resort, near Infrastructure Account; and $6m to provide and Marcus Spiller found the recession of the Yarra Glen, has filed a bankruptcy application, operational grants of up to $20,000 for small early 1990s provided a catalyst for reform that with the 30-hectare property now in the hands rural kindergartens, among a number of other had seen Melbourne move from a manufacturing of receivers. Last year, Premier John brumby promises. hub to a post-industrial knowledge intensive wrote to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister economy. Michael Somare encouraging him to invest in Super hole the project, The Age reported. The Financial Review reported that poor Which airport? performing investments have put a $71m hole Avalon Airport will get a passenger rail link under What size suits all? in the local government superannuation scheme. a plan promised by the Coalition before the Stonnington Council has joined South Yarra The Municipal Association of Victoria has written election. Now Premier ted baillieu pledged to residents fighting a development they say will to the state’s 79 councils saying there was a spend $50m in his first term to invest in design disrupt a peaceful heritage neighbourhood. The need to top up the local authorities super fund, and planning, land acquisition and preliminary Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard Vision Super, because of the damages wrought construction works for a rail link to Victoria’s that the proposal for 114 apartments, shops to investments during the economic crisis. It had second major airport, The Age reported. and restaurants at 300 Toorak Road was an hoped a five-year plan begun after a review in overdevelopment that would set a bad precedent.

21 18 NOVEMBER to 15 DECEMBER 2010

hotter than Mulhouse A tram summit? almost 1,000 trucks going down their streets A month after Premier John brumby announced The campaign to rescue Melbourne’s classic every hour. The Maribyrnong Truck Action Group Victoria would buy the five distinctive bumblebee W-class trams scored a victory with the and Footscray’s Less Trucks for Moore protested trams from France, it has emerged hundreds of government agreeing to a tram summit to on the steps of the parliament with toy trucks thousands of dollars must be spent fixing air- consider options on the future of the vehicles, to demand assistance from whoever won the conditioning on the vehicles, so they can cope The Age reported. election with Australian summers. The government will not reveal how much the public has paid Who’s in? Fine tuning to keep the five bright yellow trams, which the The Regional Rail Link project is a new $4.3b Myki is overcharging passengers on a handful of Department of Transport rented from the French rail line that will provide capacity for enough Melbourne bus routes because of faults with the town of Mulhouse in 2008. extra train services for up to 9,000 passengers GPS system that the $1.35b smartcard system across the network in peak hour by separating uses to locate bus stops. The Transport Ticketing high and myki out the regional from the metropolitan services. Authority, the government department in charge As part of the myki smartcard rollout, Met card will It is jointly funded by the Australian and of the ticket system, identified the problem in July be turned off next year, The Age reported. Myki Victorian governments, with the Commonwealth but still has several locations around Melbourne is a reusable smartcard for public transport, but contributing $3.2b. The Regional Rail Link where bus passengers can be wrongly charged the new system includes short-term disposable Authority is now releasing the Request for using myki, The Age reported. tickets. They will be available in Melbourne Proposals for the Alliance Works Packages C when the Metcard ends. Former Premier John and G for the Regional Rail Link project, www. Good focus brumby did not say when Metcard would go, tenders.vic.gov.au. The Municipal Association of Victoria is but indicated that it was likely to be next year. convening a working group to meet with the utility Each short-term myki ticket has a computer chip sector in an endeavour to improve the operation and costs the government about 35c. Metcard, road of the Road Management Act, which has ongoing with its cheaper magnetic strip, costs 3c. When issues relating to communications and process, the former governments signed the $1.35b myki into reverse where utilities interface with roads in particular. contract, it expected 10 per cent to 20 per cent Premier ted baillieu was expected to begin The MAV’s weekly ‘Local Government’ bulletin on of trips would use disposable tickets. But in the winding back clearway times introduced across line provides a good focus on this sector. six regional towns with myki, 60 per cent of inner Melbourne in the past two years by the passengers used short-term tickets. former Brumby government, The Age reported dear nanny… in early December. Road user group the RACV County Court Judge James Montgomery, en garde has warned the government against making a (aged ?), said that there is a lot to be said for The Age reported that in a resolution passed knee-jerk reaction by winding back the extended compulsory licence retesting for people 65 years by ticket inspectors, and followed by a vote of clearway times, saying they are crucial to keeping of age or over, The Age reported. metropolitan railway station staff, members of traffic flowing. baillieu altered a clearway sign the Rail, Tram and Bus Union opposed the new at midday, December 9, on High Street, Prahran, Government’s armed guards promise for trains to mark the first step in reversing the laws. The air and stations. Herald Sun reported replacing clearway signs will cost taxpayers $2m. It is believed most of the old World wide Yes clearway signs were turned to scrap metal. Qantas passengers suffered another mid air The Age reported that a straw poll it conducted scare on 15 November – taking the number of found large support for the idea of quiet carriages. A challenge for ted Qantas mid-air incidents to five in ten days – ’s Chair of Public Transport, Just over a week before the election, Premier when a Boeing 747 flying to Argentina was forced Professor Graham Currie, and dr Simon John brumby flagged the possibility of tolls on to return to Sydney amid reports of smoke in the Smith, a historian, author and lawyer, both want the Western Freeway – a $5b, six-lane road to go cockpit. Melbourne to begin a quiet carriage trial. under Footscray and through Sunshine West, The Age reported. Nearby, residents of Melbourne’s Flying kangaroos go with Virgin inner west say they are having to cope with The AFL has ended a nine-year partnership with Qantas as its official carrier, a move the airline claims is because it would not agree to an exclusive contract with the league. The deal is now worth $6m annually for Virgin Blue, The Age reported.

ports

the Port of Portland ‘Charles Kovess is Australia's Passion Provocateur.’ The High Court has found that the Port of www.kovess.com He has helped many large corporations and many Portland is entitled to a substantial tax rebate, p 03 9562 2248 m 0412 317 404 Government Departments to saying the Government was obliged to stick to tax concessions granted when the port was PO Box 1412 improve leadership behaviours build better teams Central Park privatised. The High Court ruled that when the East Malvern, Vic 3145 unleash passion and build world-class performance. assets and business 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" authority was sold in 1996 by the Kennett government, there was a clause on the liability of the buyers to pay land tax on the site.

22 LETTER FROM MELBOURNE

The English language: wonderful words used by AC, CMG, MBE, microbiologist regarded as one of ThE WorkPlAcE negotiators can come back to bite! Australia’s greatest scientists, played a key role in combating malaria and other tropical diseases but best known for his work in ridding the world of the industrial relations commuNiTy variola virus that causes smallpox, as well as the myoma virus that helped control Australia’s rabbit Pay claims Quietly populations in the early 1950s, aged 95. Keith The police union will push for a 36-hour week Freemasons Victoria expects to recruit 450 Vincent Garzoli, engineer, respected pioneer in and substantial increases in wages and penalty members this year, boosting numbers to 13,000, greenhouse design, renewable energy, and water rates as the new Baillieu government confronts with the average joining age now 36, the Herald conservation technology with the CSIRO, aged pay claims from key public sector unions, The Sun reported. Freemasons Victoria has been 75. elizabeth Agnes Marshall, humanitarian Australian reported. receiving membership applications from men as who rose to become national vice-chairman of young as 18, keen to follow in their grandfather’s the Red Cross Society from 1981 to 1988, played A few salvos at the Salvos footsteps. a leading role in producing Grassroots, a book The Age reported that the Salvation Army faced still used by emergency organisations to train the unusual prospect of industrial action with more our friends (1) volunteers, see The Age obituaries (18 November), than 100 workers at its Westcare arm in Sunshine Shanghai officials hope to curb the growing aged 96. John thomas hounslow, television voting on a range of work bans, strikes and even popularity of man’s best friend in the city with journalist who delivered daily news from home a ban on submitting reports. Australian Services a one dog policy. A new law would limit each to Australian troops in Vietnam in 1968-69, aged Union organiser Leon Wiegard had said it would household to one canine, citing Shanghai’s almost 64. retired Judge Stanley George hogg be the first time the union had taken industrial population of 20 million people and thew limits QC. Jack Vines oAM. dr brian hoare. Kenneth action against the Salvation Army in Victoria. The on living space, China Daily reported. The RSPCA Alexander Middleton, aged 91. rosalie Nancy union is pushing for the first collective agreement recommends a two-dog household as does the Walton (nee McGarvie), aged 79. dr John at Westcare. Wiegard accused the Salvation Army editor of this publication. (Anyone with a spare henry Stevenson, aged 89. Alwyn L. Shilton, of failing to bargain in good faith by cancelling Vizsla?) MC. William Arthur Akers, actor, production meetings or sending people to negotiations who director with the Australian Ballet for over 30 did not have authority to make decisions. our friends (2) years, aged 81. Norman Fredrik hetherington, The department of Primary industries is now oAM, cartoonist, puppeteer, creator of the Mr Merry Christmas enforcing a rule that each carer or dog rescue Squiggle television cartoon character that first The Age reported that workers at Gippsland’s group be registered as a domestic animal appeared on screens in 1959, aged 89. denise large Maryvale Mills could be fined up to $6,600 business, despite volunteers operating out of ruth (nee Jones) Jenkins, OAM, aged 91. dr each if they do not volunteer to work on Christmas private homes. The blacklisting means councils John Sullivan, oncologist. Augustino eugenio and Boxing Day after a Fair Work Australia order not using dog shelters, which have 28 days to find ‘Gus’ Mercurio, actor, boxer, chiropractor, aged that failure to do so would be an illegal strike. dogs a home, will have to kill healthy dogs after 82. timothy James Maxwell Cockburn Mercer, That was despite the workers and their employer, eight days under the rules of pounds. Pregnant grazier, livestock agent, aged 51. Lady edna Australian Paper, having a collective agreement dogs, puppies, and sick animals in smaller pounds Jungwirth. that stated work on those days shall be on a face immediate death because legally they cannot voluntary basis only. Commissioner Wayne blair be sold. Many animal shelters have their own Norris Church Mailer, artist, writer, aged 61. ordered that employees at the Latrobe Valley site foster carers to return the dogs to health before Leslie William Nielsen, actor famous for his must proceed to work as normal, which included selling them, but smaller pounds had relied on roles in Flying High and The Naked Gun comedies, volunteering to work on those days if it was the volunteer dog rescuers. The volunteers fear new aged 84. Samuel Cohen, the inventor of the custom and practice to do so. Failure to do so would legislation being drawn up will shut them down, neutron bomb which emits tiny particles that pass be unprotected industrial action, which carries said tricia taylor, of the Dog Rescue Association through physical objects but destroy living cells, fines of up to $6,600 for workers. Construction, Victoria, the Herald Sun reported. killing combatants but leaving buildings intact, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union pulp and paper aged 89. secretary Alex Miller said the order came after Vale an Australian Paper application, which he said eric Fullilove, television director, aged 85. claimed a lack of volunteers is a form of industrial roberta Sykes, indigenous rights campaigner action. The union was considering an appeal. and writer, aged 67. Frank John ‘bunny’ Fenner,

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