Talking Politics

[lukeanddad]

I understand the arguement in relation to the cost of upgrading the system but the problem is the longer we wait the more expensive it gets. It is inevitable that a city this size will have to tackle this eventually so the time is always now. Grade separation (turning level crossings into flyovers) is a massive task but would improve everyones journey and allow for more trains on the current infrastructure.

Grade separation is not sexy. And costs $500m/crossing (x 160)... I understand that Labor has promised ~5/year, which is better than the Libs have promised. Even at 5/year we have a long way to go. I always thought doble decker trains (like Sydney has) would be the way to go, but evidently many probs with tunnels, stations etc...

I don't understand the economics of tunnels Vs above ground light rail Vs buses enough to add anything intelligent to the debate. However, if I were king, I'd send strong pricing signals to keep cars out of the city and build more cycling infrastructure. The Danes and Dutch ride in far worse weather than we consider cold/wet.

 

[This Is Anfield]

Grade separation is not sexy. And costs $500m/crossing (x 160)... I understand that Labor has promised ~5/year, which is better than the Libs have promised. Even at 5/year we have a long way to go. I always thought doble decker trains (like Sydney has) would be the way to go, but evidently many probs with tunnels, stations etc...

I don't understand the economics of tunnels Vs above ground light rail Vs buses enough to add anything intelligent to the debate. However, if I were king, I'd send strong pricing signals to keep cars out of the city and build more cycling infrastructure. The Danes and Dutch ride in far worse weather than we consider cold/wet.

I have spoken to a couple of the drivers who tested the double decker trains l&d, they loved them and the project, in their opinion, was feasible. The reason it didn't go ahead, as I understood, was a change of Govt, the incoming Govt binned them because they could.
This was also the reason why we have the ridiculous situation of Siemens & X'Trapolis rolling stock being bought & neither being suitable for Australian conditions - cheap & nasty is the term used to describe them. They can't even run on half the network!
Metro also have no interest in improving the infrastructure - profits back OS & they are happy!

 

[Sintiger]

I think we need to separate the issues. I quite understand why people believe that Knight should never be released and personally feel that way as well.

However, there are very good reasons why judiciary and the state are separated. Governments making individual decisions about individual cases is a slippery slope. I think people are comfortable with this one because they agree with it. What if Craig Thompson gets sentenced and the Liberal NSW Govt decides his sentence is too lenient, as an example? Are we comfortable with that interference ?

The judiciary is not perfect and it makes mistakes but the system is the right one. Governments make laws and the judiciary and the courts enforce them without fear or favour. It's not perfect but it is better than the alternative.

I don't trust any Government of any persuasion enough for them to have any judicial power more than that.

 

[KnightersRevenge]

I think we need to separate the issues. I quite understand why people believe that Knight should never be released and personally feel that way as well.

However, there are very good reasons why judiciary and the state are separated. Governments making individual decisions about individual cases is a slippery slope. I think people are comfortable with this one because they agree with it. What if Craig Thompson gets sentenced and the Liberal NSW Govt decides his sentence is too lenient, as an example? Are we comfortable with that interference ?

The judiciary is not perfect and it makes mistakes but the system is the right one. Governments make laws and the judiciary and the courts enforce them without fear or favour. It's not perfect but it is better than the alternative.

I don't trust any Government of any persuasion enough for them to have any judicial power more than that.

Yup. This is a political stunt with no risk factor. Who is going to oppose keeping Knight in gaol (even if with no intervention the outcome is likely the same?) Lucky we don't have an ACLU equivalent here.

 

[KnightersRevenge]

I think we need to separate the issues. I quite understand why people believe that Knight should never be released and personally feel that way as well.

However, there are very good reasons why judiciary and the state are separated. Governments making individual decisions about individual cases is a slippery slope. I think people are comfortable with this one because they agree with it. What if Craig Thompson gets sentenced and the Liberal NSW Govt decides his sentence is too lenient, as an example? Are we comfortable with that interference ?

The judiciary is not perfect and it makes mistakes but the system is the right one. Governments make laws and the judiciary and the courts enforce them without fear or favour. It's not perfect but it is better than the alternative.

I don't trust any Government of any persuasion enough for them to have any judicial power more than that.

Yup. This is a political stunt with no risk factor. Who is going to oppose keeping Knight in gaol (even if with no intervention the outcome is likely the same?) Lucky we don't have an ACLU equivalent here.

 

[KnightersRevenge]

I think we need to separate the issues. I quite understand why people believe that Knight should never be released and personally feel that way as well.

However, there are very good reasons why judiciary and the state are separated. Governments making individual decisions about individual cases is a slippery slope. I think people are comfortable with this one because they agree with it. What if Craig Thompson gets sentenced and the Liberal NSW Govt decides his sentence is too lenient, as an example? Are we comfortable with that interference ?

The judiciary is not perfect and it makes mistakes but the system is the right one. Governments make laws and the judiciary and the courts enforce them without fear or favour. It's not perfect but it is better than the alternative.

I don't trust any Government of any persuasion enough for them to have any judicial power more than that.

Yup. This is a political stunt with no risk factor. Who is going to oppose keeping Knight in gaol (even if with no intervention the outcome is likely the same?) Lucky we don't have an ACLU equivalent here.

 

[Rosy]

.... What if Craig Thompson gets sentenced and the Liberal NSW Govt decides his sentence is too lenient, as an example? Are we comfortable with that interference ?

....

I don't know the facts in regard to recent actions to keep Knight in jail, why they were needed or what was required to get them through, but there's a massive difference with Thompson's situation. If there's the slightest doubt about Knight killing again I support any steps to keep him behind bars. Thompson hitting the brothels isn't quite the same risk to the public as a potential Knight massacre. I wonder if the opposition oppose the action or were involved in the process in any way.

 

[Sintiger]

I don't know the facts in regard to recent actions to keep Knight in jail, why they were needed or what was required to get them through, but there's a massive difference with Thompson's situation. If there's the slightest doubt about Knight killing again I support any steps to keep him behind bars. Thompson hitting the brothels isn't quite the same risk to the public as a potential Knight massacre. I wonder if the opposition oppose the action or were involved in the process in any way.

Its irrelevant whether the opposition agrees or not that's the point. It is also irrelevant that there is a difference between the cases because either we allow Governments to overrule the judiciary in individual cases or we don't because otherwise where is the line ? If we allow a Government to interfere in one case then why not another one, or another one etc etc. If the test is risk to the public then we already have processes to deal with making that judgement, it is not a Government role.

I don't want Julian Knight to be let out either but that decision on his sentence was made under a system that means Courts, juries and judges make these decisions, not Governments. If a judicial body makes a determination that's fine with me. Whilst we may dislike some decisions the system is the right one imo

 

[Rosy]

Its irrelevant whether the opposition agrees or not that's the point. ......

Yeah I realise your point wasn't about the oppositions stance but I am still interested to know if they support it in Knight's instance or not. Normally their role is to nay-say. They'd be better informed about the need for this than I would so I just wondered if they supported it...or had any say in it in any way. I won't lose a second of sleep over any action deemed necessary to keep Knight in jail. I don't know why this action had to be taken or the legal implications of the situation but I have no issues with what has happened. It's obviously something that can be done in extreme circumstances. It's hardly common practice. I'd be surprised if this situation leads to Govt interference in cases that don't have serious concerns about community safety in mind.

 

[Brodders17]

Yeah I realise your point wasn't about the oppositions stance but I am still interested to know if they support it in Knight's instance or not. Normally their role is to nay-say. They'd be better informed about the need for this than I would so I just wondered if they supported it...or had any say in it in any way. I won't lose a second of sleep over any action deemed necessary to keep Knight in jail. I don't know why this action had to be taken or the legal implications of the situation but I have no issues with what has happened. It's obviously something that can be done in extreme circumstances. It's hardly common practice. I'd be surprised if this situation leads to Govt interference in cases that don't have serious concerns about community safety in mind.

i think i heard Labor will vote in favour. they cant really lose by backing the populist move.

 

[Rosy]

i think i heard Labor will vote in favour. they cant really lose by backing the populist move.

No they can't. I suspect they'd actually support it regardless though. Guess that's something we're never going to know.

 

[Ian4]

IThis was also the reason why we have the ridiculous situation of Siemens & X'Trapolis rolling stock being bought & neither being suitable for Australian conditions - cheap & nasty is the term used to describe them. They can't even run on half the network!

cheap and nasty is an understatement. those Siemens trains are just plain awful and those new X'Trapolis trains are deliberately being placed on the network with less seats to fit more cattle on. if thats not a hint to expand the network asap, i don' know what is.

I quite understand why people believe that Knight should never be released and personally feel that way as well.

However, there are very good reasons why judiciary and the state are separated. Governments making individual decisions about individual cases is a slippery slope.

yep. i said the same thing on the 'justice' thread. we all acknowledge knight should never be released, but the state govt should not create special legislation to ensure this happens. absolute political stunt and the type of thing a totalitarian dictator would do. slippery slope indeed.

 

[Brodders17]

i am sure i am missing something here, but this story suggests:
the Ass Health Minister's (now former) chief of staff was a junk food/alcohol industry lobbyist, owns a company that still lobbys for the junk food industry and his wife is a lobbyist for the junk food industry.
the same (former) chief of staff had a 'healthy food' website removed, and funding removed for a major alcohol and other drugs council.
he was also a lobbyist for cadbury, which will receive $16m from the Abbott gov.

yet the Ass. Minister says : ''There is no conflict of interest,''

http://www.watoday.com.au/national/senator-fiona-nash-accused-over-advisers-junk-food-lobbying-20140221-337k1.html

 

[Baloo]

i am sure i am missing something here, but this story suggests:
the Ass Health Minister's (now former) chief of staff was a junk food/alcohol industry lobbyist, owns a company that still lobbys for the junk food industry and his wife is a lobbyist for the junk food industry.
the same (former) chief of staff had a 'healthy food' website removed, and funding removed for a major alcohol and other drugs council.
he was also a lobbyist for cadbury, which will receive $16m from the Abbott gov.

yet the Ass. Minister says : ''There is no conflict of interest,''

http://www.watoday.com.au/national/senator-fiona-nash-accused-over-advisers-junk-food-lobbying-20140221-337k1.html

Yeah, but can you be sure that never happened under the Juliar government ? Look at what happened under their regime before you start asking questions of the Libs.

 

[K3]

Yeah, but can you be sure that never happened under the Juliar government ? Look at what happened under their regime before you start asking questions of the Libs.

Surely what happened under the past government doesn't detract from asking questions on what is happening under this one Baloo.

 

[KnightersRevenge]

Yeah, but can you be sure that never happened under the Juliar government ? Look at what happened under their regime before you start asking questions of the Libs.

Yeah. Like "gifting" Barrie Cassidy with the cushie (unpaid) chair of a the Old Parliament House advisory council...

 

[Sintiger]

This whole Manus Island issue just gets worse and worse. The stupidity of having a former Sri Lankan army commander running a centre which includes people who are fleeing the Sri Lankan military is mind boggling

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-24/former-sri-lanka-military-officer-has-role-at-manus-centre/5280412


Former Sri Lankan military officer Dinesh Perera now acting operations manager of Manus Island detention centre
By Jeff Waters Updated 8 hr 50 min ago

Human rights and asylum seeker advocates are condemning a decision to employ a former Sri Lankan military officer as the acting operations manager of the Manus Island detention centre.

The ABC has confirmed that Dinesh Perera has been running the offshore processing centre (OPC) for the G4S security company.

When approached by the ABC, G4S issued a statement saying:

"Mr Dinesh Perera is an Operations Manager at the Manus Island Centre; he is not in charge of the Centre. He is an Australian citizen who has worked for G4S for a number of years in other contracts before taking on a role with the Manus Island contract. He is appropriately qualified for his role. It is our policy not to comment on the ethnicity or race of our employees."

A spokesperson for the Minister for Immigration earlier confirmed that Mr Perera was the acting G4S centre operations manager at Manus Island.

"Contracts with G4S, and other service providers at OPCs, contain clauses requiring that all personnel employed are, and remain, of good character, demonstrate good conduct, have all relevant Australian Federal Police clearance and are suitably trained to undertake roles," the spokesperson said.

"Any questions regarding Mr Perera's employment should be referred to his company."

Sri Lanka's bitter civil war between the government and the separatist Tamil Tigers raged for more than two-and-a-half decades before ending in 2009.

The director of advocacy and research at the Human Rights Law centre, Emily Howie, says Mr Perera should be removed.

"It's completely inappropriate for anyone with links to the Sri Lankan military to be in charge of the welfare and well-being of vulnerable asylum seekers, including Tamils," Ms Howie said.

"There's a high likelihood that the Tamils being held there are fleeing persecution at the hands of the Sri Lankan military.

"This isn't about the activities of this one man. It's about [the] way that Australia takes care of the asylum seekers who are in its custody.

"The placing of an ex-military commander from a source country for refugees like Sri Lanka highlights Australia's complete insensitivity to the very real risks and suffering that those asylum seekers are fleeing."

Activists say there are now about 30 ethnic Tamil Sri Lankan asylum seekers being detained at the camp, out of a total of about 1,300.

Following a tip-off from information activist Asher Wolf, the ABC contacted Mr Perera, who confirmed that he was currently the acting manager of the Manus facility.

He also confirmed that he had served as an officer in the Sri Lankan military.

Mr Perera refused to comment any further.

His page on the LinkedIn website says he has "proven track records of operational command experience during employment of offshore detention services and security environment as a Company Commander in the Sri Lankan Army".

The page also says Mr Perera has experience in correctional services facilities in Victoria and New South Wales.

The Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul says there are international concerns about the role the Sri Lankan army played in the recent civil war in the country.

"I don't really think having a former Sri Lankan army commander running the detention camp where you've got Sri Lankan asylum seekers is appropriate," he said.

"It's not to say he's done anything inappropriate, but he would have access to all those records. He would have access to their details and those details could be so easily passed on with terrible consequences for other people left behind in Sri Lanka."

The contract to provide garrison and welfare services for another 20 months has just been formally awarded to Transfield Services, which has been providing garrison services to the Nauru detention facility for the past year.

Transfield will subcontract security services on Manus Island to Wilson Security.

Transfield Services says Mr Perera is not employed by them or by Wilson Security, and that he is not on their list of people who have applied for new positions.

 

[tigergollywog]

This whole Manus Island issue just gets worse and worse. The stupidity of having a former Sri Lankan army commander running a centre which includes people who are fleeing the Sri Lankan military is mind boggling

extraordinary. Surprising the KKK didnt win the management tender over the Salvos.

 

[Baloo]

Stupid is as stupid does

 

[Tigers of Old]

Qantas announce 5000 job losses today. Gee it's going well.