7 Day Trading - Left or Right

The recent 7 day trading discussion reminds me of the typical Left or Right of politics discussion.  The Right want little Government control and more market forces to set the agenda and find the correct economic level, little, if any, tariffs on goods and small taxation on business but high on consumers and business will determine what is needed and how much. Their mantra is 'competition is good for everyone'. 

However the Left are wanting Government intervention and control to temper the excesses that some businesses may engage, and to level the playing field in a world economy and high taxes on business and low on the consumer, if a business is successful then lets tax them and spread the wealth. 

But sometimes things don't go according to our political beliefs at the time.  With the Right not wanting Government intervention, except when it might hit their bottom line then they expect Government to intervene and protect them, then its ok!   Then there is Left wanting Government intervention to dampen the excesses of the Right unless it interferes with an individuals right to have 7 days access to shopping, as long as there is appropriate rates for those working on the weekend, then the Government should let market forces work it out.

So with the 7 days trading issue, is it a choice of Right or Left?  Me thinks that most have already made their choice with the fact that both major national stores and local small businesses are already open on a Sunday. 

You only have to drive down Bourbong Street late on a Sunday morning and look for yourself that both business and the consumers have made their choice.

That's my Personal View and I look forward to your comments.

Mal

Timor Solution - Good Idea, but not why you think!

Irrespective of the political, moral or philosophical values of Julie Gillards, Refugee Timor Solution to establish a Regional Refugee Processing Centre in East Timor.   There are four good reasons why it is a good idea. 

 

It just makes good economic and social sense for East Timor, just ask Naru who is frantically putting their hand up to once again have such a centre on their soil.  The development of a major processing centre infrastructure will be both long term economically and socially positive for our developing neighbour.  Through its establishment, ongoing maintenance, the ongoing sourcing of local produce and products, allied support services (eg: cooking, cleaning, laundry) and the training and employment of the Timorese to manage the centre, will create a range of long term positive economic and social outcomes for the Timorese.

 

Australia leads the region's international response to assist the Timorese to become an independent country and we have spent, and continue to spend, billions of dollars in military, government and NGO agencies ongoing support for their small nation.  An East Timorese Processing Centre will reduce the Australian Taxpayers support in helping East Timor from being a 'failed nation state' (we just have to look at Fiji), as our timetable to remove itself from East Timor will hasten.  

 

Remember that if East Timor 'fails' then there is an increased risk of terrorist bases on our regional neighbours shores.  However in them becoming more stable with a strong economy, social stability and sound rule of law the risk of it 'failing' is dramatically reduced. 

 

These four reasons sounds like a Win/Win/Win/Win to me.

Mal

Community - Seniors Short Changed

The recent announcements by Bundaberg Regional Council that they intend to remove grassroots support for Community Services such as Rural Fire, Marine Rescue and other volunteer essential services, as well as taking away the Seniors subsidy for caravan parks is nothing but short changing the community and seniors of the region. 

Council's efforts in these areas is nothing but scant disregard for the both the ongoing commitment by Volunteers to their communities and for the contribution that Seniors have made during their working lives.

With the Seniors issue, there are two issues, one is that surely there needs to be some recognition that most have worked all their lives and deserve some, albeit small, recompense for this.  Further, there seems to be the lack of understanding by Council of sheer basic economics of the value of a dollar that is spent in a community by our visiting seniors.  It is spent many times around before it eventually moves on.  This measly act by Councillors will negate the positive economic multiplying effect for the communities of the region.  The negative knock on will affect small and medium size businesses of all areas as news travels fast that it is cheaper to set up camp in some other more senior friendly community.

The withdrawal of support of Community Services eg: Rural Fire, Marine Rescue , completely disregards these services ongoing commitment to the safety and security of our communities and smacks each volunteer in the face.  Each service will now to try and compete against each other for already scarce funds.

I welcome individual Councillors to put their hands up and let us all know if you fought against the damaging moves during deliberations, and for those that didn't fight against them, to identify what part of your election commitments was it that you promised to undertake these senseless acts.

 

That's my Personal View and I look forward to your comments.

Mal