It is officially here in South Australia, the first day of winter, as I write it is a glorious bright sunny day, as have the last three been. It is odd that here the first day of winter always seems to be much nicer than the first day of summer (seems to rain a lot on 1st December). It must be said however, that it is only 0800 hours and it is quite crisp. I have just deposited Laura-Jane at the stables for the day. She is fast becoming a mainstay of the place. Apparently the owner fell off her horse yesterday and is in hospital. Not too seriously I hasten to add. Laura-Jane will get home about 1730 — reluctantly. If only she was as keen on keeping her room tidy!

Politically this month has been dominated by the Budget and would you believe, the price of petrol (sound familiar?). Kevin's 2007 election spiel was all about how he would keep petrol and grocery item prices down, for the “working families” of Australia. Hinting (well much more than hinting) that the coalition could not. He never actually said that he would keep them down of course. Well, he is a politician (and an ex beaurocrat). As petrol prices soar (now about $1.60 litre) he has admitted that "We have done as much as we physically can to control prices”. What has he done? Established a ‘Price watch Commision’ This will monitor prices and means that petrol stations will need to “Post” their prices for 24 hours in advance and keep to them or be fined large amounts (even if they reduce the price). West Australia has had one for quite some years, but recently their petrol has been highest price. Just to complicate the matter. Four Federal government departments told Cabinet that this was the wrong way. One said it was right! Dissension in Cabinet. The honeymoon is over. The Opposition (whose leader Brendan Nelson averages 10% in polls against Kevin’ 60+%) simply suggested cut 5 cents off excise, still not much but better than Government. Our system has Excise and GST (VAT) added to price, the GST is added to the excise also — a tax on a tax! Our petrol, although we produce most from fields in Bass Strait or timor is fixed at world parity (set I believe against Singapore). It could be a lot cheaper. The envorinmentalists also have their thoughts. They think it should be much more expensive and that we should all walk or cycle or take the bus. In South Australia unfortunately, despite our new trams the public transport system is to say the least woeful.

The Budget didn’t give much away, didn’t take anything much away either. It however, did not mention pensioners at all, this caused another furore for the Government. There is of course another 2 Budgets at least to fix that. I might add that the Treasurer budgeted for a $21.7 billion surplus! Tax cuts promised in election campaign were honoured. The tax on “alcopops” was increased markedly to try and prevent teens binge drinking. Don’t think it worked. The sale of them has gone down 30%. However, the sale of straight spirits has gone up 20%. With Alcopops at least you knew how much alcohol you were getting. Kids mixing their own? Who knows how much with each drink.

Here in South Australia we have a political scandal of a different kind, albeit interesting. It involves a former Premier, adultery, illegitimate children and duels. Sounds like fiction? Well it took place about a century ago.

Charles Kingston, who was Premier of South Australia from 1893 to 1899 (a record for the time) established a state bank and gave women the vote (only New Zealand women had vote before S.A) and made it possible for women to be elected. As an adjunct a Scot, Catherine Anne Spencer was very involved in these decisions and an avid women’s rights advocate. She is also on Australian Banknotes. Back to Charles. His remains were exhumed recently to check DNA. A businessman believes he is descended from an illegitimate offspring of Charles and wants proof of this. Charles had no children with his wife but was reputed to have at least six from adulterous affairs, one of whom he and his wife adopted. This child unfortunately died as a child. Other families have now come forward to add their voices to claims that they might be descendants. The Attorney General gave permission for the exhumation, but did not ask or notify actual descendants (from his wife's side). So a political hot potato here. Kingsford was also one of the Commissioners who negotiated Federation for Australia in 1901 and was a member of the first Australian Parliament. The Duel? Well a political rival called him 'a Coward', 'a bully' and 'a disgrace' to the legal profession. Kingston sent him one of a pair of matched pistols and a time and place. He was reported to the police and arrested with a loaded pistol! When he became Premier in June 1893 he was still on a suspended sentence, a busy man indeed. It wil take some months before the results of DNA tests are known. Not quite sure why the businessman asked for this except to “set history straight”. I also wonder if I asked for something like this, would it occur! I am not of course well connected or rich.

Today Australia play Iraq in World Cup Qualifier in Brisbane. That means my late afternoon viewing is covered. Adelaide United progressed to the quarter finals of Asian Champions league – the first Australian team to do so. Their next game is in September, by which time the 'A' league will be on, so match fitness should not be problem. The 'Crows' sit fourth on the ladder, mind you they were whipped last week in Perth and the 'Power' having only won three games are 12th. A long way to go yet. Cricket wise we have just won first test in West Indies and are very handily placed in second. Back to football and South Auatralia thrashed Victoria in Interstate game yesterday. Always nice to do that!

Socially we have been quiet this month. We were at SANFL football last weekend in “hospitality suite” to see Port Magpies against Centrals (my team). Had a very nice afternoon and we won going away as they say. We had a few friends over for dinner the night of Scottish Cup Final then watched the game.

The weather has been kind to us in May. For the first time this year (and quite a while longer) we got our average monthly rainfall. We are still in trouble but things are a bit better. Talking of weather have you heard of Elvis? No not Mr. Presley! Elvis is a giant firefighting helicopter. South Australia has just acquired one for the next three years (at least) to help fight bushfires. Not before time it must be said.

Think that is it for this month.

Until next time

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)