January 2007 Archives

Other states' leaders seem to think that Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie's decision to recycle Brisbane's effluent for drinking is politically foolhardy. On the face of it, they're misguided.

Some people will find the thought of drinking recycled effluent off putting. But opposition to the announcement has been muted so far, and the decision makes sense when considering the facts. Greater than 99% of the billions of litres of effluent that's treated and dumped every year is fresh water.

The level of contamination in effluent is far less that the concentration of salts in sea water, making the impurities easier to remove. Much easier and less energy intensive than sea water desalination.

Even John Howard says its a good idea. How can we ignore that recommendation?

We'll just have to wait to see if other states follow suit. My guess is they eventually will, although I wouldn't bet on NSW's Iemma government changing its mind in the coming four weeks.

Michael Mori, David Hicks' defence lawyer, commenting on recent statements from Hicks' tribunal prosecutor, Colonel Davis ...

MICHAEL MORI: Look, this is a regurgitation of the old charges laid against David in 2004. I haven't received any new charges. These recent comments are just a reaction to the growing concern over the treatment of an Australian citizen.

They're resorting to the old tactic of demonising David before trial, and trying to distract from the real issue, which is will David get a fair trial on valid charges?

MICHAEL ROWLAND: And you maintain that he won't?

MICHAEL MORI: No, of course not. And it's not surprising that Colonel Davis would say this and treat David this way and not really want to try his case in court.

Remember, he's part of the system that believes Australian citizens don't deserve the same rights and protections that Americans deserve, and I think that's intolerable.

Major Mori isn't quite correct on that point. What's really intolerable is that the Australian government thinks an Australian citizen doesn't deserve the same rights and protections that Americans receive.

I've just returned from a Christmas family gathering in Melbourne. The drive was an eye opener. It's not until you get out of Sydney that you realise how devastating the drought's been. Brown land as far as the eye can see, populated by emaciated live stock.

Sydney is in the grip of drought, to the extent we have Stage 2 water restrictions, but the city's had local rain and the place is relatively green. Sydney's problem is the rain isn't falling in the dam catchments.

(How building an extra dam, as put forward by some noisy commentators, would help in this situation is beyond me. But that's another story.)

It's no better in Victoria. Melbourne went on to Stage 3 restrictions on New Years Day.

Phillip Island, which we visited to view the penguins, is on Stage 4 restrictions. Forget washing the car or watering plants. It can't be done.

Melbourne's and Sydney's water reserves are at similar parlous levels. What does the NSW State Government do in this situation?

WHILE other states are tightening water restrictions and considering drinking recycled water, NSW is steadfastly refusing to do the same, preferring to spend $1.3 billion to build a desalination plant.

The big difference between here and Victoria is a state election is immanent in NSW. The decision to delay water restrictions is a tawdry political decision by a timid and tired government.

Similarly motivated is the decision to spend $25 million of tax payers money to delay the road closures associated with the opening of the Lane Cove Tunnel.

Most voters see the sense in restricting water usage during periods of extreme shortage. In fact, most would regard not to do so an act of extreme irresponsibility.

Readers of this blog would know that I tend to vote Labor, but I'm wondering whether I can vote for this rabble.

I believe that governments have a 'use by' date. The present NSW government is giving off a serious pong.

Recent decisions indicate the incumbents don't deserve another term.

Perhaps I could live with a change of government, as long as the miserable conservatives don't control the Legislative Assembly.