QANTAS IN CLOVER

Qantas must be overwhelmed with all the overtures it is receiving as a company. It seems that every capital city in Australia, sponsored by every state government is viing for the airline to headquarter within its boundaries. The invitations are becoming quite cutthroat and could lead to dizziness.

It may well be that Qantas accepts the bid of the contender offering the most to the company by way of regulated grants. This financial offering would be into perpetuity, meaning that all facilities and infrastructure everything by the airline company would be free of cost.

So the government that is willing to pick up the total tab and then some for the operational costs of Qantas will be the winner.

Countless shareholders will be celebrating all the way to their biannual portfolio statements and dividends celebrations.

And a company that until recently was crying “poor” will be rolling in dollars like Walter Disney’s “Uncle Scrooge” in his money bin.

This is all so wonderful! I am wondering what company or group will next be on the relocation invitation list being offered by state governments.

POINTS TO PONDER

Stories in the NT News (3/9, p.7) report crimes perpetrated by seven youth, aged 13 – 15. Crimes were well planned and carried out with precision. The perpetrators also caused significant damage to property and premises. For specialists in the field of youthful offending, wanting to mitigate punishment because those under 14 (some want it at 16) do not understand what they are doing and have an insufficient understanding between right and wrong is total garbage.

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Victoria’s CHO Brett Sutton has suggested that the coronavirus is on its “last gasp” and Victoria is without question on “the winning stretch” against COVID-19 (Sunday Territorian 6/9). With so many people breaching quarantine restrictions, including taking to the streets in their hundreds to protest lockdowns, this might be a statement in hope rather than actuality. Without doubt, people breaching the requirements, will prolong the virus through community transmission.

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Hats off to Daniel Andrews for his steadfastness in trying to lead Victoria out from under the COVID-19 blanket smothering that state. His task is the more difficult because he is countering an army of critics, many who are focussed on political point scoring. It seems these people want Victoria opened up so the virus can again explode, causing the state to again be locked down. That approach is short sighted and lacks sense. Critics need to back off,stop bullying and give Andrews a chance.

Those apprehended and found guilty of arson during this bushfire season, must feel the full force of the law. Arson is surely one of the most reprehensible of all crimes. We should thank the NT citizen whose alertness and vigilance brought the recent arson committed near Adelaide River to the attention of authorities. It is pleasing that the alleged perpetrator was apprehended. May all people, their livestock, homes and property be preserved during the fire season.

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The deteriorating trade and economic relationship between Australia and China, with cuts to key export commodities, should be a wake-up

call to Australia that we need diversification in the market place. Alternative export markets will need to be sourced and quickly, in order to avoid our country being saddled with product that will sit in warehouses, going nowhere. We need to focus on reinstating and producing manufactured products we have been more than happy to buy from China, for right now this country is becoming caught on the horns of a trading dilemma.

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Northern Territorians continue to wait with bated breath to discover the make-up of the NT Legislative Assembly. It looks as if the Gunner Government will have a comfortable working majority but the opposition will offer sharper focus on issues than was possible in the la Ii st parliament. Government should be smarter because when elected in 2016, most were parliamentary newbies and four years of experience should mean a more mature approach to managing the agenda. The Assembly should also sit more frequently and consider regional parliamentary sessions. (Now the waiting is over.)

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Stories in the NT News (3/9, p.7) report crimes perpetrated by seven youth, aged 13 – 15. Crimes were well planned and carried out with precision. The perpetrators also caused significant damage to property and premises. For specialists in the field of youthful offending, wanting to mitigate punishment because those under 14 (some want it at 16) do not understand what they are doing and have an insufficient understanding between right and wrong is total garbage.

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An airfare from Gove to Darwin, for a flight of one hour’s duration and booked a fortnight ago, cost $200. An airfare from Darwin to Gove, flying with the same airline, if booked today for tomorrow, would cost just over $900. I need help in trying to understand this huge discrepancy.

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Daniel Andrews daily press conferences on COVID-19 in Victoria would be helped if a moderator was present to nominate those wanting to ask questions. The moderator might disallow questions already asked, in order to avoid reduplicated responses. Journalists ought also listen to and comprehend answers before asking what amount to repeat questions.

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Territorians owe a debt of gratitude to the NT News/Sunday Territorian, Sky News, the ABC and Mix 104.9 for the ‘front and centre’ focus that was provided in the weeks leading up to our election. Reporting on outcomes and the analysis of results offered have been of a similar high standard. Without doubt, the election cover offered has been the best and most analytical provided in the years since self government. Thank you for keeping us all informed and in the loop.

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The reduction in COVID-19 cases in Victoria in the past few days is encouraging. But there is a long way to go and the process of recovery could be frustrated and stalled by those already agitating for a loosening of restrictions. The qualities of impatience and non-cooperation have been key contributors to the Victorian malaise. A sense of community has to prevail over individual wants and needs.

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The oversight and development of the Kakadu National Park continues to be an increasingly complex issue. Future consideration about this iconic environmental area is being wracked by argument and ijostling for management position in a way that is totally unhelpful. The issue is not helped by the fact that park facilities have been poorly maintained and allowed to deteriorate to a point of where upgrade and replacement, costing tens of millions of dollars, is the only way forward. What should be a key Territory asset has become a major burden.

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The idea of youthful offenders mowing lawns, removing graffiti and looking after community facilities, will give them a chance to case property and premises with an eye to future offences. Their presence in cleaning and maintaining may well upset people who have been trespassed against during the commitment of crime. These recompense activities would need to be well supervised because trusting youth to carry out work independently would be a step too far.

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Why is it that in cross cultural situations involving mixed parenting, the contribution to thinking of the indigenous parent is acknowledged while the contribution to development of the non-indigenous parent is discounted and rarely mentioned? There seems to be a lack of balance and appreciation of both parents in one sided recognition.

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Business councils, tourist associations and airline companies are offering a continuing stream of advice about the need to open state/territory borders and to restore our flagging economy. I believe this is prioritising money making and profit over the need to preserve health and look after the personal welfare needs of people. Thank goodness for the resoluteness on this issue of state/territory chief medical officers and leaders.

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The idea of youthful offenders mowing lawns, removing graffiti and looking after community facilities, will give them a chance to case property and premises with an eye to future offences. Their presence in cleaning and maintaining may well upset people who have been trespassed against during the commitment of crime. These recompense activities would need to be well supervised because trusting youth to carry out work independently would be a step too far.

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Why is it that in cross cultural situations involving mixed parenting, the contribution to thinking of the indigenous parent is acknowledged while the contribution to development of the non-indigenous parent is discounted and rarely mentioned? There seems to be a lack of balance and appreciation of both parents in one sided recognition.

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Thank you to Mix 104.9 for organising the major political party leader’s debate on August 10. The second debate organised by the ABC on August 17 also provided a ‘not to be missed’ listening experience. People in key political positions reveal a lot about themselves and their party aspirations during these exchanges. They largely re-proffer promises made in the past that have never been realised. One thing I do know is that promises of openness and transparency (that will prevail if parties are elected to government) tend to collapse post election. On, on to August 22.

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The Rural Doctors Association wants strict visitor bans reintroduced to protect remote communities from the possibility of COVID-19 inroads. Strict quarantining of communities is absolutely necessary.

If this wicked virus was to infiltrate our indigenous population, could well be catastrophic outcomes and decimation of many who are aged, infirm and living in overcrowded housing.

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REINT CEO Graham Killian is rejoicing in the lift of house sales, particularly in Darwin’s northern suburbs. The sales seem to be in the older suburbs. It would be interesting to know the percentage of sales forced by mortgage default. It would also be interesting to know how many sales are being motivated by the fact that these older neighbourhoods have become run down.

There has also been a change in the status of older suburbs because of public housing tenanting policies, which has changed the character of these areas.

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So government generated invoices for hotel quarantine reimbursement are largely going unpaid! Is that REALLY a surprise. The other notices that will not be paid are those detailing fines due from people who have breached quarantine restrictions and border protocols. In real terms, financial punishments for irresponsible behaviours that endanger the lives of others are little more than a joke.

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Hats off to the Traditional owners for blockading the entrance to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and protecting it and nearby indigenous people from bring entered by a plane load of ex-Brisbane tourists. I believe the attempt by Jetstar and Parks Australia to allow people from a hotspot location into the park was very underhand. And well done to our police for their part on quarantine insistence for 3 passengers. The rest should be/were bundled back into the plane and returned to sender.

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Interviewed on radio (4/8) about the lack of physical distancing among patrons at the Fannie Bay Racecourse Picnic Day meeting on August 3, our Chief Minister replied that a COVID-19 safety plan had to be submitted and approved before any gathering of more than 500 people. This had been done. As part of this approval it seems the 1.5 metre separation rule is waived for large crowds. And I wonder why many people are apprehensive about not ‘if’ but ‘when’ the virus embeds within our Territory.

Thank you to Mix 104.9 for organising the major political party leader’s debate on August 10. The second debate being organised by the ABC for next week will also provide a ‘not to be missed’ listening experience.

People in key political positions reveal a lot about themselves and their party aspirations during these exchanges. They largely re-proffer promises made in the past that have never been realised. One thing I do know is that promises of openness and transparency (that will prevail if parties are elected to government) tend to collapse post election. On, on to August 22.

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The Rural Doctors Association wants strict visitor bans reintroduced to protect remote communities from the possibility of COVID-19 inroads.

Strict quarantining of communities is absolutely necessary. If this wicked virus was to infiltrate our indigenous population, could well be catastrophic outcomes and decimation of many who are aged, infirm and living in overcrowded housing.

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REINT CEO Graham Killian is rejoicing in the lift of house sales, particularly in Darwin’s northern suburbs. The sales seem to be in the older suburbs. It would be interesting to know the percentage of sales forced by mortgage default.

It would also be interesting to know how many sales are being motivated by the fact that these older neighbourhoods have become run down. There has also been a change in the status of older suburbs because of public housing tenanting policies, which has changed the character of these areas.

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