Here's Bob looking like a man of action. A man you'd turn to in a crisis. A man who looks great in a lilac shirt. He's our man... Bob Carr!
Image source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bob-carr-at-odds-with-julia-gillard-on-ministry-bid/story-fn59niix-1226285632288
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This is almost off topic for the "Song of the Day" category, but it is overall something pretty cool. A bloke by the name of Vermin Supreme is a serial US Presidential candidate.
This song by The Gregory Brothers takes some statements of his from a real candidate's forum and turns it into song. It's probably not one of their best ever songs - but the fact that this guy is for real makes it pretty good.
He has a wide variety of policies, relating to things such as dental needs, ponies, zombies... and magic powder to turn you gay! Hope you enjoy.
So here is my response from Luke Hartsuyker relating to a proposed National Container Deposit System. I received this back in September - sorry it took so long to update here.
Dear Cameron
Thanks for your email about container deposits.
Although I can see the attraction of a national deposit scheme, this is a clear State responsibility. I believe the idea has merit and seems to work well in South Australia. You may want to raise the issue with your local State Member Andrew Fraser who can be reached at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.
Kind regards
Luke Hartsuyker
As an aside, the NSW Local Government & Shires Association has thrown it's weight behind a National Container Deposit System. You can read their statement on their website here: http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/4098-9th-december-2011-its-time-for-container-deposit-schemes-councils-say.asp?intSiteID=1
The general gist being that the beverage industry should be responsible for their own waste, not local councils (in terms of bins in public places).
In other news, the NT deposit scheme commenced on 1 January. Well done!
image source:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-16/20110916greens-on-container-deposits/2902210...
Following my last post about a Container Deposit System, I decided to also write to my local Federal MP about the issue. You'll remember my last correspondence with him from this post.
Here's what I wrote in support of a Container Deposit System:
Hi Luke,
Thanks for your reply to my last email regarding your position on the issue of marriage equality. I appreciate you taking the time to give your thought to the issue.
Today, I'm emailing you to ask you to advocate for and support the introduction of a National Container Deposit System. This would be a national version of the system currently in place in South Australia and due to be introduced in the Northern Territory from January, where each container sold (eg can, bottle, etc) can be redeemed for 10c.
This is only a token amount but has been enough to keep the streets, parklands and waterways of South Australia virtually free of this kind of rubbish. I participated in Clean Up Australia Day earlier this year, working in Coffs Creek with some friends on our kayaks (see attached photo) and the majority of what we were finding was drink bottles and cans.
A deposit system like...
I was listening to Background Briefing on Radio National this morning. They had a really interesting program on the container deposit system that is being introduced in the Northern Territory. This is like the one that has operated in South Australia since the 1970s, where each container includes a 10c deposit that is reclaimed when the container is returned. It's a variation on the old "Cash A Can" system that I used to do when I was a kid.
I've always thought that this kind of system was great. It brings market forces in to play by placing a value on what is otherwise considered rubbish. It is a great way for kids to earn a few extra dollars by collecting cans and bottles and helps to keep our streets clean.
You can listen to the radio program here: http://goo.gl/8mk70
In the program, one of the arguments against a scheme was from the beverage industry, who argued that the best way to increase recycling is to put more recycling bins in public places. They also seemed to be concerned with the cost of running the container collection process (even though Coca Cola Amatil make a profit on their part of this process)....
I've often shared my thoughts about private vs Government school choices for parents and this article in The Age reminded me of the debates I've had with friends and colleagues in the past.
While I'm not a parent, I can see the parent's dilemma. I suspect most parents would do whatever they could to give...
I've been pondering what might happen in the upcoming Victorian election... and have come up with a view of electoral matters for Victoria, and as it happens, the country.
Egad, possibly the world.
Brumby vs Baillieu (image source news.com.au link)
I postulate that Victoria is where NSW was (electorally speaking) four years ago.
Push to end donations - National - theage.com.au -snip- Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull is pushing for a ban on corporations and organisations contributing to political campaigns, saying it is high time the matter was addressed. -snip- I'm a bit worried about some of the stuff that is happening in politics in Australia right now. But at the same time,...
This stinks. Like a big fat dead whale that has blown up in the middle of a city street and coated the footpath and buildings in decaying blubber... Oral briefings only for Haermeyer - www.theage.com.au Apparently there was never any written communication about police corruption and gangland killings between Victoria Police and the Police...
The Australian political landscape took a turn for the better today, with Senator Brian Harradine, the independent Senator for Tasmania announced his retirement. Harradine formally retires - Breaking News - http://www.theage.com.au I once described Senator Harradine as a "boil on the neck of Australian democracy", and a quick lesson in Australian...
This is almost off topic for the "Song of the Day" category, but it is overall something pretty cool. A bloke by the name of Vermin Supreme is a serial US Presidential candidate.
