|
|
Post by lennie on May 1, 2006 20:45:14 GMT -5
The Howard Govt needs a massive tune up. It has been running on free will for quite sometime and Beazley is sitting back and letting it happen. We need someone like Julia Gillard to take his place NOW and get the ALP running effectively. She is a very capable woman who can appreciate the needs and problems of the average working family in Australia. John Howard simply doesn't care. To him it's all about showing a surplus.
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 5, 2006 7:10:57 GMT -5
Treasurer Costello claimed things should quieten down this week yet it is still $1.46.9 per litre on the border. Business owners including supermarkets are reporting a sharp decline in trading as many peoples budgets have had to be resurrected to pay for fuel, a necessity in regional Australia. My own petrol costs have risen by $30 per week. In our house that means:
1. No DVD's to watch ( and there's damned all on TV)
2. Less luxury items purchased.
Just think how many Millions of dollars are presently being lost by business. This has become no joke at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 13, 2006 7:40:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 14, 2006 0:35:56 GMT -5
ABC Online reports;
The Royal Automobile Association (RAA) says it will hold the Federal Government to it's promise that eliminating the GST rebate on petrol in regional areas will not affect prices.
The rebate of one to three cents a litre has been cut out of this years Budget and the $265 million has been put into road infrastructure.
A senior analyst with the RAA, Hamilton Calder, has welcomed the change, saying the rebate did not work, but the Government needs to ensure it does not make prices go up.
The then transport minister and former deputy prime minister 'John Anderson' actually came out and said that there was no proof that the scheme had worked and that also, in removing the scheme, that he believed there'd be no significant or noticeable changes in Fuel prices. He said, Now we're going to hold the Government to that to ensure there are no increases in country fuel prices.
|
|
|
|
Post by phill on May 15, 2006 23:16:41 GMT -5
Barnaby Joyce has threatened to cross the floor putting pressure on the Liberal Govt plans to reform the petrol retail industry.
The Petroleum Retail Legislation Repeal Bill 2006 introduces a new regulatory scheme for the petrol market, known as Oilcode.
senator Joyce believes aspects of the proposed legislation overhaul threatens to drive more independant service station owners out of business.
The Govt says the Bill will give the smaller operators greater protection through a fairer disputes resolution system. Oilcode is also designed to standardize contracts and conditions for re-selling between wholesale suppliers and retailers, as well as introduce a National approach to pricing at the refinery level. But Senator Joyce, a staunch defender of small business believes the laws will help only the big end of the market.
He said it is the sort of change that would have PM John Howard's parents, who ran a Sydney filling station, out of business. Senator Joyce said he would also be pushing for the Govt to amend section 46 of the Trade Practices Act, which regulates market power by corporations, to prevent the laws from squeezing out independant retailers.
But he said if he was unsuccessful he would cross the floor in the hope other Senators would follow suit. Senator Joyce said Coles and Woolworths now controlled 52% of retail petrol sales.
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 18, 2006 6:46:02 GMT -5
Petrol Prices were increased by 5 cents a litre in Albury/Wodonga today.  |
|
|
|
Post by buzz on May 19, 2006 4:16:48 GMT -5
When I try to fathom just why it is that so many people in Australia’s major cities continue to drive their cars to work each day, I am left truly wondering. It didn’t make a lot of sense before the price of fuel went up so dramatically, it makes far less sense now. When a reasonable proportion of these cars are larger type fuel guzzling machines I wonder even more. When it seems the vast majority of commuters in these large vehicles are still single occupants, I am absolutely flummoxed at the folly of the whole thing and in despair of their behaviour. Surely reason and common sense must prevail at some stage.
|
|
|
|
Post by andrew on May 19, 2006 4:20:09 GMT -5
I use to catch the bus but with all the traffic in peak hour it was just to slow. now i skate in about the same time the bus would take, but i can stop for coffee, talk to girls, try to do some tricks and play around a bit on the way to work. Its really good i get to work on time, happy and full of energy as apposed to late, grumpy and sleepy when i catch the bus.
Every one always says that thing (my skateboard) is dangerous, but its bullshit, cars are dangerous! my skatie is healthy! their car is a far greater threat to me and them either by squishing me or choking me or giving me a heart attack. Just ask google for the effects of pollution on your health.
I know every one is not going to skate to work, and thats why we need a really classy public transport system. As horrible as sitting in a car in traffic is, catching public transport in sydney is very uncomfortable, very expensive, and insanley unreliable. We really need to have an attractive alternative to the car, sydney siders are stinking rich and can easily afford to drive their fat ass to town. Only a really good public transport system will coax the commuters out of their cars, and only debt and fedral funds can build it.
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 19, 2006 4:53:46 GMT -5
When I try to fathom just why it is that so many people in Australia’s major cities continue to drive their cars to work each day, I am left truly wondering. It didn’t make a lot of sense before the price of fuel went up so dramatically, it makes far less sense now. When a reasonable proportion of these cars are larger type fuel guzzling machines I wonder even more. When it seems the vast majority of commuters in these large vehicles are still single occupants, I am absolutely flummoxed at the folly of the whole thing and in despair of their behaviour. Surely reason and common sense must prevail at some stage. Dead right Buzz, When I lived in Sydney I used to catch a train from Sutherland to Martin Place every week day. The trip took around half an hour, was always cramped but it ended up cheaper, quicker and I arrived at work alot fresher than if I was in a car. |
|
|
|
Post by cardigan2 on May 22, 2006 0:02:29 GMT -5
from ABC Online 18-5-06 MP warns of looming higher fuel prices A Labor backbencher has warned motorists in remote Western Australia will be forced to pay higher petrol prices once the Federal Government's fuel grant to retailers is abolished in July. The Member for Mining and Pastoral, Vince Catania, says the Fuel Sales Grant Scheme offered retailers a grant of up to two cents per litre in some regional and remote areas. But from July 1, the grant will be terminated. Mr Catania says in a time of record fuel prices, motorists will be further hit in the hip pocket. "Consumers will see the change in prices when it comes to buying food off the shelf and for regional WA there's certain areas that rely on tourism will also suffer because tourists are choosing not to drive because of the fuel price," he said. The federal Member for Kalgoorlie, Barry Haase, says the abolition of the grant was revealed two years ago. He says the scheme has not been effective. "This was a grant to retailers, it wasn't a grant to consumers, and therefore there was always the question as to whether or not the price of the pump was reflecting the one or two cent credit per litre from the Federal Government, or simply whether it was reflecting the retailers' profit, or whether it was reflecting the price of the fuel on the day," he said. Mr Haase says the scheme cost more than $800 million and that will now be diverted to the AusLink road plan. Stealing stories out of the Paper again Lennie? I bet you dont have permission for that. So what if we can only use one car now. |
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 23, 2006 4:47:48 GMT -5
Thats enough Jerkface!!!
get off the hooch.
|
|
|
|
Post by cardigan on May 23, 2006 19:57:03 GMT -5
Thats enough Jerkface!!! get off the hooch. If that makes you feel better to call me a Jerkface!!! then thats fine Lennie. But I do not know what a hooch is I would also like to apologise to you the ex Aussieseek-Matilda Moderator called Lennie for the rough treatment ( Deleted by Keith) I deal out to you as a reaction to my worries about the valid argument of the risk of alcaholics and guns. I did admit when you started defending that dreadful situation I gave you a right royal serve. I also felt " How could a person who is so gun friendly be a Unbiased Moderator. Are you sure you dont hate me because I have an opposite opinion to you avout Guns and I made a complaint to you. Remember when I said '' Stealing stories out of the Paper again Lennie? I bet you dont have permission for that !" Laughing at you may have been unpleasent but I also think (as keith has told me) Me being now not allowed to discuss the dangers of grog and guns on this board because it might upset you to be incredible censorship. Would you ring up any other media and try that on or get away with it.? The expediat Gun posters leapt to your defence (wasnt one of them also an alcaholic?) because they do not want me to expose this horror. I wasnt unhappy that one left though. I even said it on the web. You mean to say information about this serious subject is denied to all our readers here because it upsets you? One person can switch on or switch off discussion on any topic? I will apologise but surely you have put the small amount of credibility Keith has left into tatters.. I feel sorry for him.All the Gun Owners hate him and you obviously more. Thats sad. Its not good to hate. I see Lennie also from your signature you hate me. Why do you hate ? You are made in the image of God. Every person is something very special - and you are, too! Of course You must defend yourself as I do as well. The Gun Posters made me like that long before you came. But in defending yourself what is the cost to others? Or is that not to be considered? |
|
|
|
Post by johninmelb on May 23, 2006 20:11:40 GMT -5
Cardigan claims he has been
"SHOT by JOHN MELB and CENSORED by LENNIE"
I find your assertion that I would shoot someone on the basis of a difference of opinion offensive in the extreme.
Is it any wonder that some other anti-gun posters on this site and Matilda have publicly stated they don't want to be associated with you.
|
|
|
|
Post by smartip on May 24, 2006 17:27:03 GMT -5
There's been plenty of talk about the high price of oil and what it's meaning to consumers who are being hit with petrol prices that may never return to what we once thought was a reasonable price.
The public have responded.
There is more consideration being given to whether we should even get in the car.
What kind of car it should be.
Do we need a petrol guzzling four wheel drive?
Or do we change from petrol to something else.
Do we use more public transport?
Only this week, yet again the American President Bush raised the issue of ethanol as part of a plan to make sure consumers and taxpayers have a greater understanding of fuel efficiency and a lesser dependence on oil.
So if there's a big push in America for alternatives to gasoline as they call it, why are we so far behind the eight ball?
Bill Gates has put US 84 million dollars into an ethanol plant, signalling to investors that ethanol is now big time.
Except here, where we drag the chain yet again.
In the United States a new ethanol plant is being opened every ten days.
Over the next 12 to 18 months, as Bob Gordon from the Canberra-based Renewable Fuels Australia said recently, "We'll see an additional seven to eight billion litres of new ethanol produced and entering the US transport fuel market.
Seven to eight billion litres.
Additional.
Our target here is to produce 350 million, million, litres by 2010.
That's not even one per cent of our transport needs.
It's nowhere near what any other nation is aiming at.
Any vehicle on the road can run on a fuel blend that includes 10 per cent ethanol.
40 per cent of America's petrol now contains some amount of ethanol.
And of course, it's good for farmers because it provides a new market for their products.
And of course, it's cleaner than petrol.
As well, every time we use home grown ethanol we are supporting Australian farmers and Australian refiners, not foreign oil producers.
Last year America used a record 4 billion gallons of ethanol.
There are 97 ethanol refineries in America.
35 more under construction.
What are we doing?
Aiming to produce 350 million litres by 2010 do you mind?
As Bob Gordon from Renewable Fuels Australia said, we'd have to be amongst the slowest in the world.
China, India, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand are moving to reduce their exposure to imported oil.
What are we doing?
It's now with the price of oil and petrol where they are that the investment in new ethanol plants should be shouted from the rooftops.
The Macquarie Banks of this world should be prevailed upon.
Instead we're locked in some grubby piece of privatisation stupidity to get rid of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.
One hectare of land in Brazil will produce 7,000 litres of ethanol from sugar cane.
Two thirds of the vehicles in Brazil are flex-fuel cars, they can run on any mix of conventional fuel and ethanol.
Brazil produces 430 million tonnes of sugar cane a year.
Half of it goes into ethanol production.
We've got 35 million tonnes of sugar cane, and the Federal Government wants the sugar cane farmer to walk off his land, and is prepared to pay the farmer to do that when the ethanol industry beckons.
Indeed, of the nation's leaders, only Peter Beattie is doing anything to promote a change to ethanol and an understanding of its importance.
You have to wonder how we could be so far out of the loop.
Who is advising the Federal Government and what are their motives?
aj
|
|
|
|
Post by culpam on May 24, 2006 21:22:12 GMT -5
I have used my mountain bike for years. Matter of fact I just brought a new one. My biggest pleasure is speading down a bike path after work past all the grid-locked cars. It's even funnier when you see the looks on the members of the "herd" as you fly by unencumbered. My biggest peeve would really have to be the smell. The mornings are not so bad on the ride but after a full day of cars burning up our breathing air its quite obvious that what I ride through in the afternoon is toxic. Its anoying to think that smoking was banned in workplaces but cars dumping toxins into the air is acceptable. Yet cigarette packs now carry pictures of the effects of smoking wonder if picures of a Dying African outside an oil refinery could be used ion petrol pumps? Nothing has been done on the state or federal levels to educate people about the harm they are causing themselves and other with the over usage of cars. Nothing has been done to inform people of ways they can break the cycle of dependance on fossil fuel burnning cars. Why hasn't the governments made it easier for people to access help to convert engines EG: LPG, Electric, Hydrogen. The technology is here now, its backward and is counteractive to ignore the facts that petrolium based motoring is a bygone technology. This is the 21st century not the 19th. The real proof that our polliticians are out of touch with reality is the fact that still beleave more is better, there's certanly no enlightenment on any of our government MP's or departments matters of fact it seems they frown on people that wish to make it know to the "herd" that there are alternative ways of powering a vehical. Its seems that a we are stuck with a group of leaders with no vision, no ethics and no moral fiber. There ability to spin a tale to defend there plump asses could be better spent selling the mega-corps the idea that the savings that will be made with alternatives. I read today that the Liberal Party (I'm not going to call its Howards Government cause he'll be gone soon and alot of the blame will go with him leaving these creatues to continue there massacer of civil-liberties) will be spending $250 millions dollars of tax payer money to propergandise that they are our better leaders and to brainwash people into beliving their axioms or "Security is Freedom" and any other catchy little lines the Advertising (Propargander) executive will come up with. I guess while we're still in the "Oil" wars in the middle-east and Afganistan nothing will change excpect the ever inflating salery of the executive, minister, the shareholder and the price of living
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on May 25, 2006 3:10:52 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by ppyenews on May 30, 2006 4:00:47 GMT -5
A pure indication that the Government is realising that the last Budget did not excite Mr & Mrs Average Australian. What they gave in Tax changes they had already taken it back in Petrol costs. abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1651203.htm |
|
|
|
Post by ppyenews on Jun 2, 2006 19:42:38 GMT -5
According to reports, high petrol prices have increased petrol theft in Australia. It is not like the old days when someone would poossibly siphon a gallon or two out of your tank, they are these days driving into service stations with false number plates and driving off without paying. This is apparently adding a huge financial burden to some petrol station operators. www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1653256.htm |
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jun 10, 2006 20:28:21 GMT -5
As if the price of petrol isn't a big enough burden on the motorist. There are now reports of Petrol Station owners also charging extra for credit card use. READ THIS: - www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1660274.htmThe fact is though that Petrol Station owners are only getting paid a levy per litre they sell. As the price goes up they sell less so in turn, get paid less. The big winner is the Govts through excise. They are the ones who have to start being responsible and lowering the excise. The cost of petrol is beginning to have devastating effects on small business in particular. One tourist operator on the Riverina Highway has told me that her turnover has decreased by 39.4% in the last two months which she attributes to people not travelling as a result of petrol prices. The culminative effect has been that two staff are not being given any shifts.  |
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jun 13, 2006 5:54:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by culpam on Jun 14, 2006 8:09:09 GMT -5
Want to own a car that achieves the equivalent of 273 miles per gallon ;-) Does not rely on the petroleum and oil industries ;-) Is cheap to maintain and run ;-) No fuel excise to pay because you can't tax electricity ;-) Is friendly to the Environment ;-) then read on. For a start I wish to state from the outset that I do not have any affiliations or financial interests with the Solar Shop of Adelaide. I found about their plight to import and market a fully Electric Vehicle in Australia from an article that appeared in Apr-Jun “Renew” Magazine. Personally I have had an interest in this technology for a long time and have learnt a lot about it through the Internet and not by the main media which is to be expected since the main media is biased and usually shies away from anything which conflicts with their own advertising sponsors. According to the article in Renew Magazine, the “Solar Shop” in Adelaide ( www.revaustralia.com.au ) has attempted to import and market a small Electric Vehicle called the REVA, which is made in India. This car has been around for 5 years and is very popular in Europe and in particular has received a lot of attention in England. Although the REVA has a top speed of 65km/hr and a range of 80 km, it, and similar small electric vehicles are suitable for a great many of the regular trips we take with our petrol guzzlers, such as a trip to the shops, to take the kids to school, or even the daily commute. Unfortunately for desperate motorists our so called visionary Government has slapped its bureaucratic "red tape" on it saying that because there is no official category for the REVA it can't be registered and driven here in Australia even though it is already being driven in Europe and England. This is the real reason why we don't see EV's in Australia and not the baloney that many motoring journalists keep feeding the gullible public. To quote from this article:- “Indeed, the REVA has so many advantages over the average car, it makes you wonder why we haven’t seen cars like this in Australia long before now. For instance, fully charging the REVA (enough charge to drive 80 km) costs less than $1 on night-rate electricity. Equated to the current cost of petrol at around $1.20 a litre, that’s 96 kilometers per litre, or 1.04 litres per 100 kilometres, (273 miles per gallon).” For those of you who are not familiar with Electric Vehicle technology (Thanks to the piss weak subjective media) I have outlined below the pros and cons of this technology in layman’s terms so that even the non-technical will be able to comprehend the benefits of this technology. THE PROS · Not getting ripped off at the bowser by Oil and Petroleum industries and Governments alike. · Not harmful to the Environment. · No expensive service regimen. No expensive oil, filters and spark plugs to replace !!! · Not having to listen to honest John Howard insulting your intelligence whilst he rips fuel excise off you and then tells you that he “feels” for motorists when they fill up at the bowser even though he doesn’t own a car, doesn’t drive a car and doesn’t pay a cent for the petrol that goes into it. · Electric Vehicle technology means a much simpler design and a large reduction in the components necessary to build this type of vehicle. This means minimal down time due to enhanced reliability. As a result of this there is much less opportunity for some grease monkey troll motor mechanic to rip you off. · Not getting ripped off by automotive companies who make a killing on selling spare parts for their over complicated gas guzzling pieces of rubbish. · Not having to listen to authorities from majoring motoring bodies insult peoples intelligence by using the media and paying lip service to the rip off petrol price rises, even though these motoring bodies and the like indirectly profit from the petroleum industries. · Not having to worry about the lies told by Motoring Journalists who protect their own interests in exchange for cash(junkets) for comments in order to protect their mates in the conventional gas guzzling automobile industries. · Creating new Australian home grown industries in EV technology as well as renewable energies. · More advantages can be found at www.revaaustralia.com.au/revaabout.htm THE CONS · You can’t drive it here cause the Australian Authorities won’t let you. Some interesting reading : Who killed the electric car  www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/electric.html www.revaaustralia.com.au/revamedia.htm www.darelldd.com/ev/ www.darelldd.com/ev/fuel_cell.htm www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3210/01.html www.ev1.org www.dontcrush.com www.revaaustralia.com.au/index.htmJust waiting for buyers if the Government bureaucracy can get out of the way !! |
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jun 19, 2006 6:08:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by ppyenews on Jun 21, 2006 0:41:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jun 22, 2006 6:13:23 GMT -5
The Federal Government has agreed to support a Senate inquiry into petrol pricing. Petrol prices in Australia have reached a record high and some of the motoring bodies are accusing oil companies of price gouging. The ALP proposed the investigation and won the support of Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce. Senator Nick Minchin, says there have already been 44 different inquiries into fuel prices. He says that if the Opposition parties believe there is some merit in another inquiry, they are happy to cooperate Senator Minchin says that the Govt would be surprised if it found anything other than what the previous inquiries have all found, but they're happy to have such an inquiry to see if anything new can come of it. Obviously the Liberal Govt isn't too excited of the prospect of an inquiry and one wonders if any bias could determine the outcome. An independent body needs to head such an inquiry.  |
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jun 22, 2006 19:19:16 GMT -5
ABC reports: -
Joyce, Democrats fail to alter fuel tax laws
Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has again defied the Federal Government line, backing the Australian Democracts in a move to support the biodiesel industry.
But their push to amend the Fuel Tax Bill failed, with the Coalition and Labor voting together to pass the legislation untouched.
Senator Joyce says the legislation disadvantages small biodiesel producers.
However, he missed his opportunity to cross the floor over the issue because of a poorly timed toilet-break.
His support for the Democrats amendment was officially recorded and he attacked the Opposition for not voting with them.
"Apparently we were closing a loophole, a loophole that if it existed before, it exists now, it's still there," he said.
"It's just that the people who were going to be the benefactors of a biorenewable fuel industry are not going to be regional Australians, they're going to be the major oil companies.
"For those people in the poorest electorates in our nation, the issue's just started for them, maybe you should have a think about that in your next [Labor] Caucus meeting."
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jun 24, 2006 18:12:09 GMT -5
Howard's fuel price monitoring questioned[/b] The New South Wales Government has accused Prime Minister John Howard of breaching a promise over fuel price monitoring. This is one area where the Howard Govt is just being out and out arrogant. They know only too well they are capitalising just as much as the Oil Companies are. John Howard will continue to attempt to sweep this one under the carpet.more here: -  www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1671153.htm
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jul 1, 2006 22:46:30 GMT -5
Tourism operators feel impact of higher petrol pricesThere is more confirmation of the impact that escalating petrol prices are having on the south-east tourist industry. read more here: -abc.net.au/news/australia/nsw/bega/200606/s1675398.htmWonders never cease - the price of petrol in Albury went down 2 cents a litre on Friday.
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jul 8, 2006 21:06:00 GMT -5
Fuel tax changes 'threaten biodiesel industry'There are concerns from biodiesel producers that changes to the fuel tax system will threaten the viability of the industry. The changes come into effect this month and mean that farmers and miners can no longer receive rebates on biodiesel. read more here: -www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1681982.htmTypical of the Govts desire to keep anything that is a necessity as nothing more than a "Milch Cow" 
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jul 10, 2006 1:59:25 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Expert says, Oil production limit reached[/glow]
An international oil industry expert says the limit of global oil production has been reached.
Academic and former National Iranian Oil Company executive Dr Ali Samsam Bakhtiari has told the Financial Services Institute in Sydney the world's oil fields are producing as much oil as they can.
He says giant fields in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are struggling to meet production targets.
Dr Bakhtiari says the massive output declines in the North Sea oil fields and Mexican oil fields will have a major economic impact.
"Crude oil is the master domino," he said. "When you tumble crude oil, all the other dominos tumble."
Dr Bakhtiari says for the first time in 150 years, the world is entering an era in which it cannot have all the oil it wants.
He says there are five years left to plan priorities for the use of crude oil.
"Some countries don't even know what is happening," he said.
"Some huge companies don't even know what is happening and they are going to be ambushed and trapped and they are going to panic.
|
|
|
|
Post by lennie on Jul 10, 2006 7:09:07 GMT -5
|
|
