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sherrife 
Victorian Socialists - people before profit
Joined: 18 Apr 2003
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| Post subject: Everything that Rudd touches... barely changes |  |
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| Quote: | newmatilda.com spoke to Immigration Minister, Senator Chris Evans, who confirmed that a major departure from past policy is not in fact on the table under the Rudd leadership.
While it's true that the so-called Offshore Processing centres on Nauru and Manus Island will be closed and the practice of settling refugees in other countries will come to an end, the other aspects of the "Solution" - the excision of some 4000 islands, including Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Ashmore Reef, from the migration zone; and strict border protection - will continue.
The Rudd Government will also maintain a policy of mandatory detenion for unauthorised arrivals and continue with the construction of a new detention centre on Christmas Island. |
http://www.newmatilda.com/2008/02/11/specific-solution
| Quote: | The ALP has always called the GST a bastard. But it will nevertheless take full account - and advantage - of it in the budget that the new Treasurer Wayne Swan will table in Parliament in May.
The GST is levied, for example, on every pair of nylon socks that a family in Campbelltown buys at their local chain store.
But the silk stockings that a Vaucluse lawyer might buy his lady love while on an expensive holiday in Paris, effectively won't be taxed.
Those sheer delights would, of course attract the European equivalent of the GST. But, as a foreign visitor, the lucky lady would be entitled to claim that tax back, under the European Union's de-tax system as she leaves the country.
That's how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in the 21st Century. |
http://www.newmatilda.com/2008/02/08/bastard-no-one-would-claim
| Quote: | We don't promote good doctors out of medicine into clerical work. Yet, we "promote" teachers into administration. The most competent teachers are left to teach in perpetuity, while monetary rewards and career development opportunities go to teachers who are less comfortable and less capable in the classroom. Thus, management systems actively invert and downgrade the status and value of teaching even as parliamentary committees beaver to supposedly raise the grade.
Under the banner of accountability, teachers spend countless hours every week filling in forms and keeping copious records. Yet there is little accountability for the way teachers are managed. Administrators have few barriers to acting out their personal biases, irrespective of teachers' work performance, qualifications and capability.
Why would intelligent, creative professionals enter teaching knowing they will be involuntarily shaped to fit a rigid bureaucracy apparently more preoccupied with on-paper, statistical outcomes than the actual learning needs of fertile, creative minds; and knowing that they may well not be supported to grow to their own potential as teachers? |
http://www.newmatilda.com/2008/02/12/smarter-teachers-not-answer
Just some things for the VPT to chew on while I'm away. 
_________________
I would be ashamed to admit that I had risen from the ranks. When I rise it will be with the ranks... - Eugene Debs |
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Zakal
One Game, One Club, One Jumper
Joined: 04 Nov 2005
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haha love the title Omar.
And i must say i expected nothing less from Rudd with regards certain policies. It was pretty clear to anyone who cared to pay attention to what he was actually saying during the debate (obviously the people operating the worm wern't) that his Iraq troops policy in particular just seemed to be a matter of renaming the force Howard had sent to a more "peaceful sounding" title, removing a few troops and sending over some different ones.
We're not retreating, we're advancing in the opposite direction.
Although one comment on the sales tax thing, its a bit of a deliberate oversimplification of the system.
- GST is charged on items bought in Australia.
- SOME items you bring back into Australia for PERSONAL USE from overseas are exempt from Tax purely because you are likely to have paid tax in the country of origin and its a bit much to try and double tax what is, in most cases, presents or souveniers from abroad. However this is not an infinte concession and you are only allowed a certain amount of goods under this scheme, and its not very much. A designer suit for example, or nice watch wouldnt even come close to fitting under the limit.
Lastly, and most importantly, the entire thrust of the argument seems to be centered around the European Unions policy of tax exemption...how exactly is Rudd (or any foreign government) supposed to exercise control over the taxation policy of the EU? Most countries dont have such a policy. Buy anything in the US and you pay tax depending on the state (Oregon and the like are exceptions). So whats the proposal? Abolish the measly tax free exemption and double tax everything coming in from overseas?
With the whopping AUD$900 limit you're allowed, the government would stand to recoup an incredible $90 per passenger who actually brings back that much stuff. That'll fix up those wealthy bastards whove already paid 10x that in airport tax.
Couldnt agree more with regard Teachers though. |
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HAL
Please don't shout at me - I can't help it.
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
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| Other people say they like vacuum cleaning robots, humanoid robots and chat robots. |
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Zakal
One Game, One Club, One Jumper
Joined: 04 Nov 2005
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oops almost forgot....have a good trip Omar!
Can we expect some quality photojournalism while your at it? (or even some mediocre work would be nice hehe  ). |
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Dave The Man
Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Location: Someville, Victoria, Australia
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Bit Early Yet To See Changes
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I am Da Man |
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