We left last month on the Economy. This month we have had the Federal budget. Next month the South Australian, so interesting financial times for us in OZ. Thankfully, the budget didn't really affect Kim and I. The tax changes mooted last year still apply, therefore, from July 1st we will pay less tax which is always nice. Most of the budget concerned itself with the world economic downturn and how to avoid a recession in Australia (which really isn't possible!) Lots of money to the States and Commonwealth for Capital works, we are in for a large deficit to the order of, depending who you listen to, $300 billion-$215 billion not small sums.

Amazingly when discussing the deficit both Kevin07 and Mr Swan (Treasurer) could not say Billion. It was "Oh in the region of 300" or "The figure 215 is about the region"! It was fascinating watching both on news broadcasts and current affairs programmes watching both twist and turn, not to mention squirm trying to avoid the 'Word'!!! Sometimes they were let off the hook but just occassionally they had to let it slip.Much it must be said to their chagrin!!! The stimulus $900 for taxpayers hit the headlines again also. It was meant to go to all who provided a tax return the previous year. The idea being we would spend it in Australia and thus stimulate the economy. Kept simple so most could benefit. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out quite that way.

Millionaires got it, in some cases due to the way they did their tax more than once! Low income earners in many cases missed out. The biggest headlines revolved around the fact that $40 million or so went to people who had died some 16000, or to people overseas some 27000! The overseas people in many cases were backpackers or people who had been in Australia on working holidays with no intention of returning to spend anything never mind the $900. Some of course were Australians living overseas who filed tax returns here. In the cases of those who had died the money would have gone into their estates. Rightly or wrongly the Government was castigated by many. I hold to what I said last month, I would much rather have forgone the money and had it used to stimulate the economy through Capital works and infrastructure.

In Victoria the Commission investigating the Black Saturday bushfires is sitting. The accounts of mistakes and errors both of ommission and commission by the authorities are distressing. Warnings not given promptly. Information not utilised timely enough. The right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing. It still has a long way to go. For my part the worst thimg has been the attempts on the part of some senior officials to basically blame the victims. Obviously much more to come out of the hearings.

Our weather has been quite damp during May. We have had just a smidgeon over the average rainfall for the month which means we are just under the average for the year. We do however need quite a bit over the average to get us to good levels of storage. The Federal Government has spent over $300 buying water rights in New South Wales to try and ensure adequate supplies reach Southern Australia. Unfortunately, the water isn't actually there. It may not ever be unless they get strong rainfall in next few years!

You may have seen the stories of the deluges that affected South Eastern Queensland and Northern New South Wales. In some cases over 400mls in a few hours!!! Unfortunately for the Murray Darling Basin and South Australia it fell on the wrong side of the Great Dividing Ranges. Put simply the sea got the runoff!!
Lake Eyre in Southern Australia's mid north continues to fill and is a haven for myriad bird and wildlife.

In local politics the Opposition had the Government on the run with further revelations about the Transport Minister's driving records. Unfortunately it diverged. The Leader, Martin Hamilton-Smith had documents which proved major chicanery on behalf of the Premier and senior cabinet ministers. Not only did he raise this in the Parliament but also outside. The documents turned out to be forged! from where or whom is the interesting question! Despite major apologies by Mr Hamilton- Smith he is being sued by the Premier for defamation and it would appear his party indicated "We won't be paying the bills!" The lesson (among many) make sure of your facts before repeating them outside of Parliamentary Privilege!.

Back to Kevin07 for the moment. Recent polls have shown a slight downturn in his popularity although he still holds a commanding lead. However, what is evident from them that although seen as a strong leader he is seen as having a very nasty streak. There have ben authenticated stories of his abuse of junior Air Force stewards because he didn't like the food provided. Juniors of course do not decide the meals and foodstuffs carried by the Air Force. Some stories of his intemperate anger directed to soldiers while in Afghanistan, mainly revolving around the unavailability of a hairdryer! He is also having great difficulty in appointing a senior public servant as head of the Prime Minister's Department. Apparently no one will take up the appointment temporarily or wishes to fill it full time! Problems indeed for our Leader!

On the sporting field I have seen two Australian Football League games this month. Watched the Power be thrashed by St Kilda. The up side of that was that we were in a corporate box, the hospitality fine. Just last weekend Scott and I saw the Crows beat Hawthorn who are the reigning Champions. Comfortable in the end but a few nervous moments. Crows and Power now stand at 5 wins and 5 losses for the season. A long way to go both St. Kilda and Geelong are undefeated.

Attended a special 65th Birtday this month. No not mine! It was a man I went to the W.M. Ramsay Tech with back in Edinburgh. Does anyone remember it? It provided both fulltime and 'day release' training and education in the trades and engineering. Now of course no longer open. Bobby (the Birthday 'boy' and I spent a year together there. Many years later he became a friend of my father in law, a small world!!! It was a good day.

It has been a reasonably quiet month socially for us. We celebrated Mother's day at a special lunch. Just Kim and I. Lauren-Jane had an appointment with some horses, as I suppose all 13 year olds have. Kim and I had a lovely afternoon despite this OR was that because? There was time during lunch for quiet reflection about our Mums' who are no longer with us.

The three of us, along with two friends, are off to Bali on the 5th (Friday) for two weeks. We will, I am sure, have a wonderful time. Lauren-Jane has time off school then is back for two weeks before she has to go on school holidays. A hard life but someone has to do it!!

More on the trip next time, Until then, Take care.

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Adelaide, Australia)