The Iemma government can, and should be, sacked.
An administration whose whose ministerial portfolios are in place as result of branch stacking, is by definition, corrupt.

(1) I followed your link Fester, and what did I find? That there is a rental crisis in the "city, inner-west, eastern suburbs and the lower North Shore". No mention of this issue in north-west or south-west Sydney (though to be fair, the Herald rarely reports anything except murders further west than Annandale). Seems to me this simply proves my point, ie that Sydney's property market is much more complex than your analysis would suggest. More urban release in the outer-west will have a negligible effect on prices closer in, because of the fragmentation of the market. More intensive apartment development in inner-Sydney might stabilise prices for apartments, but I suspect units represent a second-best option for a large proportion of buyers (again having little effect on prices for detached housing). Unless someone can manufacture more land close to the city, or we reduce "high immigration" (I'm inclined to agree with you on this) prices of well-located property will continue to rise.

(2) Guess we'll have to disagree on property investment. Paul Sheehan blames "casino capitalism" http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/mostly-losers-in-casino-capitalism/2008/03/09/1204998280861.html

(3) I'm certainly in favour of greater transparency. According to Transparency International, transparency is the idea that "those affected by administrative decisions, business transactions or charitable work to know not only the basic facts and figures but also the mechanisms and processes. It is the duty of civil servants, managers and trustees to act visibly, predictably and understandably." What Frank Sartor is doing to the planning system is exactly the opposite. Developments are "called in" willy-nilly, decisions made without consultation, documents kept secret etc etc. and local councils are merely following his lead. "Reform of the system" is generally code for reducing transparency.

(4) I believe in the merits of harm minimisation for drugs. But changing the law so drug dealers don't have to bribe cops doesn't really qualify as harm minimisation, does it?

JohnJ

Thanks for the reply.

(1)The cause of the housing crisis is simple enough (a lack of housing). The solution is also simple (increase the supply). The complexity is in the task of managing an increasing population.

Could you elaborate on your point, please. For example, would you say that rentals in Western Sydney have not risen or that vacancy rates in Western Sydney have not fallen? Interestingly I'm finding it hard to get supporting statistics. The best I can do is to note 6 rental vacancies in Macquarie Fields at an average rental of just over $300 (range $225-$385).

You might have read this Ross Gittins piece in the SMH. Immigration is at least one point of difference that I have with many property developers.

http://business.smh.com.au/an-inconvenient-truth-about-rising-immigration/20080302-1way.html?page=2

(2)Would you see such behaviour were supply and demand balanced? I doubt that you would. I believe such things to be consequential, not causative.

(3)Yes, it is amazing how much double speak there is. Freedom of Information legislation comes to mind.

(4)I would suggest that removing drug dealers from the scene would reduce harm greatly, but surely this discussion isn't relevant here?

ALP ALERT: The Cook Shire Election is over. As a women standing I came nowhere. Bad-luck-yes.

For Cook Shire-Cape York, this story is deeper. If "collaboration" is the key, it is those, whom might have had a jolly chance, had no chance. No resources at all. No cohesiveness over distance, no place to meet, no real media outlet, no way to be visible, as a region half-connected.

My concern is the bigger picture. The forces working behind the scenes were party influenced. Ms Anna Bligh must research this power structure carefully.

The Mayor (National Party) chosen is a good choice given he is a genuine person with Hope and Vision. However, what has he got to go with? I fear what is next.

With so much riding on Cape York, I see History repeating itself. I believe all the focus on Land Developments and the Indigenous people is ever more divided. On top of the "reforms", it is potentially chaos. The climate is wet, green and extremely narrow. With no civic inputs there is a small thread for this Mayor to build, to overcome the barriers, where there is little representation on anything other than individual erratic interest. The problem that was to be avoided is the one it has attracted.

As well, historical players turned-up in the count-room that suggest there was the core culture cookin'. A culture not to be under-estimated, one with interests that goes above my grasp from the ground.

Be it the National Media, the State or Federal Governments... it is that your attentive concern needs to become more grounded in Cook Shire. My concern is the residents, no matter the party. It is a changing economy and there is no room to experiment. Contact has to be made in a way that creates solid pathways not more neglect directed by the blind leading the blind. Not more administrative staff with no experience with this soil type.

I got what I wanted when Federal ALP won. If I had managed to make Council, it would have been a challenge I was ready for.

http://www.miacat.com/
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