Friday, 19 September 2008

Battered retirees resort to pension - GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS, The Australian, 19 September, 2008.



Battered retirees resort to pension - GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 19 Sep 2008: 2.
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"I'm looking at this with considerable concern," Mr O'[Flaherty] said. "With the super funds, everything is going down."
"Self-funded retirees have been saving the government a tremendous amount of money by not claiming pensions," Mr O'Flaherty said. "Now, because their superannuation will be affected, they will have to look at going for a government pension. The Government is obsessed with the wealthy self-funded retirees -- they should look more favourably on them. They're saving them a great deal."
"They ask, `If we forgo during our working career, why do we have to forgo during our retirement?"' she said. "Concern over superannuation is exacerbating these fears and resentments."

NO other group of people watched yesterday's stock market turmoil and the decimation of the local superannuation funds with more interest and concern than self-funded retirees.
Superannuation statements are now being greeted with fear by the nation's 1.5 million retirees who do not receive a government pension, according to theAssociation of Independent Retirees.
Retired engineer Coleman O'Flaherty, in his mid-70s, said he had been living on his savings and the proceeds from two super schemes since he retired at 60.
"I'm looking at this with considerable concern," Mr O'Flaherty said. "With the super funds, everything is going down."
Self-funded retirees are at pains to point out that the vast majority of them are not wealthy.
"Self-funded retirees have been saving the government a tremendous amount of money by not claiming pensions," Mr O'Flaherty said. "Now, because their superannuation will be affected, they will have to look at going for a government pension. The Government is obsessed with the wealthy self-funded retirees -- they should look more favourably on them. They're saving them a great deal."
The association's president, Theresa Kot, said many people were receiving their super statements and "reacting with fear and shock".
"Many people were encouraged to take up superannuation rather than other investment options by the Howard government," Ms Kot said. "Up to $1million was allowed to be put into super with special tax concessions. Today, those people are not happy. They have no opportunity to go out and replenish that money through employment or business, so they are responding with fear."
She said many might not be able to wait until the market recovered, and would be forced to go to Centrelink to apply for a part-pension.
"While you planned for your retirement, you used financial advisers; you are now in the situation where the marketplace has brought you to the point where you are going to Centrelink," she said.
Ms Kot said her members wanted the Rudd Government to recognise their plight and take action. Many were concerned the Government was contemplating removing their commonwealth Seniors Card, the only taxpayer-funded benefit they received.
She said there was considerable resentment that despite their hard work and diligence in saving for their retirement, they did not qualify for reduced council rates, water rates, car registration and fishing licences.
"They ask, `If we forgo during our working career, why do we have to forgo during our retirement?"' she said. "Concern over superannuation is exacerbating these fears and resentments."
Credit: John Stapleton
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Monday, 15 September 2008

Emissions trading 'worse than drought', The Australian, 15 September, 2008.




Emissions trading `worse than drought'

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 15 Sep 2008: 4.
"Even if they don't include agriculture before 2015, we're still going to have to pay the higher input costs, with no relief on the credit side," the cattle and sheep farmer said. "Our ability to sequester carbon won't be counted because native pastures and native forests aren't counted under Kyoto.
"We have young earnest bureaucrats from [Penny Wong]'s office saying all we have to do is adjust the prices of our products. How? There is no capacity for us to increase our prices to adjust to the huge losses we would suffer."
"We will be less competitive on world markets from 2010," Mr [John Cherry] said. "With 70 per cent of agricultural produce exported, there is no opportunity to pass these costs on. It's going to cost a fortune. It is an insanity."

Full Text


THE Rudd Government's attempts to combat climate change through an emissions trading scheme will do more damage to the farming sector than the drought, senior industry figures warned yesterday.
The claims were made as new economic modelling showed farm profitability under the proposed trading scheme could drop to zero. The research by the Australian Farm Institute suggests that under an ETS, the $100 billion sector could be forced into debt, with livestock farms and smaller holdings worst affected.
Using 10 model farm businesses and three future emissions price scenarios, the research showed far-reaching changes for the farm sector.
Institute head Mick Keogh said that even if agriculture were not included in the scheme until 2015, as recommended in the green paper from Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, the impact would hit the sector from 2010 because of the increased prices farmers will have to pay for inputs such as fuel, freight, electricity, fertilisers and chemicals.
"Reductions in farm profitability of between 5 per cent and 10per cent are projected even with quite modest emission prices," Mr Keogh said.
"Under scenarios where farmers are required to pay the full cost of estimated farm emissions, the modelling projects farm profit reductions of more than 100 per cent, especially for farms running sheep and cattle," he said.
"The sector, which is fully trade-exposed, is going to be significantly impacted."
The institute's findings mirror recent modelling from New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture, which showed profitability across all farm types plummeting under an ETS.
Farmer Howard Crozier, 72, is sceptical of global warming, and says the ETS is a waste of time. Speaking from his 1000ha farm at Bungendore, near Canberra, he said it would mean high input costs and lower profitability.
"Even if they don't include agriculture before 2015, we're still going to have to pay the higher input costs, with no relief on the credit side," the cattle and sheep farmer said. "Our ability to sequester carbon won't be counted because native pastures and native forests aren't counted under Kyoto.
"We have young earnest bureaucrats from Penny Wong's office saying all we have to do is adjust the prices of our products. How? There is no capacity for us to increase our prices to adjust to the huge losses we would suffer."
Queensland Farmers Federation chief executive John Cherry said the concerns of the rural sector were being ignored by the Government, even though the costs associated with an ETS will start to hit within 18 months.
"We will be less competitive on world markets from 2010," Mr Cherry said. "With 70 per cent of agricultural produce exported, there is no opportunity to pass these costs on. It's going to cost a fortune. It is an insanity."
Credit: John Stapleton
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Saturday, 13 September 2008

'Priests' held on sex offences, Weekend Australian, 13 September, 2008.

`Priests' held on sex offences

Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 13 Sep 2008: 9.
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Tony Golossian and Arthur Psichogios, who allegedly passed themselves off as lay priests toSydney's Greek community, were already on bail over similarallegations concerning another woman.
Fairfield local area commander Gary Bailey praised the courage of the women who had come forward. Acting Superintendent Bailey said the older man, after telling the women they had been cursed, charged them between $500 and $1000 for numerous prayer sessions to remove the evil, held in hotel rooms between 2001 and 2005. The women were allegedly blindfolded and sexually abused.
TWO men, who allegedly claimed they could speak to angels and remove curses, were arrested yesterday in relation to more than 220 sexual offences against a young woman.
Tony Golossian and Arthur Psichogios, who allegedly passed themselves off as lay priests toSydney's Greek community, were already on bail over similarallegations concerning another woman.
They allegedly claimed the curses could only be removed by sexual acts, and charged the women up to $1000 a session. Police allege both victims may have been drugged during the incidents.
The victim whose evidence led to yesterday's arrests believed she and her family had been cursed by a member of the Greek community practising black magic and that they would all suffer terrible consequences, including death and illness, unless the curse was removed. Police, who arrested the men at their inner west homes yesterday morning, believe there may be more victims and have called for them to come forward.
Mr Golossian, 61, was taken to hospital after he arrived at Burwood police station suffering from chest pains. He was under guard in hospital last night, and will be charged with 151 offences when he is released.
He is alleged to have claimed to be a spiritual mentor who was able to speak to angels to remove curses and banish evil spirits, including the evil eye.
Mr Psichogios, a 38-year-old father of three, was refused bail after being charged with 79 offences, including 68 sexual assaults. Both men allegedly passed themselves off as high-ranking members of the Greek Orthodox and Coptic communities, but police say there is no evidence linking them to the communities or to any church.
In refusing bail in Burwood Local Court, magistrate Jane Mottley said the number of charges and the likely length of a custodial sentence provided a strong motivation to flee.
She said the alleged behaviour showed a "sophisticated scheme of activity" and she must have consideration for the welfare of the community. "There has been a high degree of planning and premeditation," she said.
Fairfield local area commander Gary Bailey praised the courage of the women who had come forward. Acting Superintendent Bailey said the older man, after telling the women they had been cursed, charged them between $500 and $1000 for numerous prayer sessions to remove the evil, held in hotel rooms between 2001 and 2005. The women were allegedly blindfolded and sexually abused.
The women were reportedly convinced the sexual activity was a necessary part of removing the curse. Hotel receipts form part of the evidence.
Credit: John Stapleton
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Friday, 12 September 2008

Great bloke: garbos' throwaway line on Premier, The Australian, 12 September, 2008.

Great bloke: garbos' throwaway line on Premier

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 12 Sep 2008: 4.
Mr [Nathan Rees] was later a union delegate and became a garbage collector at night while putting himself through university. "He was one of the most fair dinkum Aussie blokes you could come across," Mr [Rod Irwin] said. "He was one very nice fellow, a character. There was no bullshit with him.
He said Mr Rees had also performed well as a union delegate. "He was one of the rare people who did care," he said. "He did the best he could by everybody. He was one of the better delegates. He listens to people, he actually listens. He is not in it just for the perks."
"It is excellent to have someone who has been out there and done it all, he can relate to people," he said. "Most of them have never had a real job."

Full Text

THE council workers at Parramatta, in Sydney's west, know one thing for certain: politics would be a damn sight better if a few more decent, hard-working blokes got to the top.
That one of their own, Nathan Rees, has just become Premier of NSW is cause for great delight.
"I was shocked when I saw him on television," said Rod Irwin, 45, who worked as a park attendant with the Premier in the late 1980s.
"He hasn't changed at all. He was exactly like he is now when he was working here in his 20s.
"Unless he's had a brain transplant, he will be a great Premier. It is good to see someone like that in politics for once."
The two men began life the same way, graduating from the local Northmead High School and heading straight to the council, a traditional career path for young working-class men.
Mr Irwin, who joined Parramatta Council in 1980, is five years older than Mr Rees and had already been at the council for several years when Mr Rees turned up in 1986 as a horticultural apprentice.
At one point they worked together on mowing gangs before the younger man began to focus on greenkeeping.
Mr Rees was later a union delegate and became a garbage collector at night while putting himself through university. "He was one of the most fair dinkum Aussie blokes you could come across," Mr Irwin said. "He was one very nice fellow, a character. There was no bullshit with him.
"He got on with everybody. I haven't got a bad word to say about him."
Mr Irwin said he thought it was great someone who knew something about the real world had become Premier, but his success didn't surprise anyone. "He's one of those guys, whatever he does, he does well," he said.
"He was always very knowledgeable about politics. He will be very good at it."
He said Mr Rees had also performed well as a union delegate. "He was one of the rare people who did care," he said. "He did the best he could by everybody. He was one of the better delegates. He listens to people, he actually listens. He is not in it just for the perks."
Even council workers who had never met Mr Rees were delighted by their former colleague's rise. Garbage collector Sean Ellis, 34, said the fact the Premier had got his hands dirty would appeal to voters.
"It is excellent to have someone who has been out there and done it all, he can relate to people," he said. "Most of them have never had a real job."
Since last March when he became the local member for Toongabbie, which encompasses Parramatta, Mr Rees has continued to have a close relationship with Parramatta Council. A lord mayoral minute at Monday night's council meeting congratulated the new Premier for his achievements. He lives at nearby Wentworthville.
Credit: John Stapleton
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Thursday, 11 September 2008

Multiple charges for Bega surgeon, The Australian, 11 September, 2008.

























































Multiple charges for Bega surgeon

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 11 Sep 2008: 5.
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Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, commander of the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad, said 113 women had been interviewed during the extremely complex investigation.
Superintendent Kerlatec commended "the strength of the victims involved in what has been a very traumatic experience."
Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rick Thompson told the court it was "a disturbing case" and that Mr [Graeme Reeves] was a flight risk.

A FORMER doctor was yesterday charged with genital mutilation and sexual assault for a string of offences allegedly committed against women when he worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in the NSW town of Bega.
Graeme Reeves, 58, was arrested at his home in Baulkham Hills, Sydney, yesterday morning and later charged with 17 sexual and indecent assault charges, including genital mutilation.
He was refused bail in Parramatta Local Court.
The offences involved 10 former patients, but police have interviewed more than 100 women and witnesses since the formation of Strike Force Tarella in February.
The failure of authorities to act on numerous complaints about his alleged conduct has sparked calls for the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission to be scrapped.
The charges include excising a woman's clitoris in August 2002.
Several other charges accused Mr Reeves of having sexual intercourse with a number of female patients, knowing that the women were not consenting, and while he was their doctor.
He was also accused of touching and fondling female patients.
Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, commander of the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad, said 113 women had been interviewed during the extremely complex investigation.
Superintendent Kerlatec said a large number of medical records had been seized and a medical expert had been hired to assist.
He said one of the difficulties investigators had faced was determining the difference between medical malpractice and alleged criminal conduct.
Superintendent Kerlatec commended "the strength of the victims involved in what has been a very traumatic experience."
Alleged victims yesterday said they felt relief and vindication at news of the arrest. One woman, who claimed she received an unnecessary hysterectomy, said the hardest part of her ordeal was coming forward. She alleged her vagina was reshaped and sewn up so tightly she couldn't have sex.
At a post-op consultation Mr Reeves is alleged to have told her not to undress so he could take off her underpants himself.
She said she was inspired to speak out by the courage of other victims who took their concerns to NSW Parliament House.
"I was worried that he could get away with it and do it to other women in the future."
After spending several hours at Parramatta police station yesterday, Mr Reeves was transferred to the cells at Sydney West Trial Courts. His wife sat silently in a corner of the court room.
Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rick Thompson told the court it was "a disturbing case" and that Mr Reeves was a flight risk.
Lawyer Greg Murray, representing Mr Reeves, argued the offences had occurred some years ago, in the context of his client's medical practice, which he had ceased in 2004.
Magistrate James Garbett described the prosecution case as strong and the allegations very serious. He said if convicted Mr Reeves would suffer a certain custodial sentence. He said he had to take into account the welfare of the community.
He refused bail and Mr Reeves is to appear in Sydney's Central Local Court on November 5 via video link from jail.
Medical Error Action Group spokeswoman Lorraine Long called for the Health Care Complaints Commission to be axed.
Credit: John Stapleton, Angus Hohenboken, Additional reporting: Joe Kelly
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Thursday, 4 September 2008

Traders, shoppers feel pinch, The Australian, 4 September, 2008.




Traders, shoppers feel pinch

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 04 Sep 2008: 2.
"You've just got to look at the statistics, it's been a very, very hard year. Business has been down. People are worrying about their money, they're much fussier. Electricity, water, phone, petrol, interest rates, they've all gone up.
"If you add all that up, when someone is on a fixed income, they can't keep spending. There's not a lot of cash around. A lot of people are paying by credit card."
"There has been a quite drastic change," she said. "In the old days, if you had a good job you had a good life. Now you're just working to survive.

Full Text


THE Borsellino Brothers, who run a fruit shop in Sydney's inner west, don't need complicated economic modelling to tell them people are spending less.
For three decades, their shop has been been known for its cheerful atmosphere and good quality cheap fruit and vegetables, attracting a large and loyal clientele. But this year, times have changed.
"It has been the hardest winter I've seen in 34 years," owner Steve Borsellino said.
"You've just got to look at the statistics, it's been a very, very hard year. Business has been down. People are worrying about their money, they're much fussier. Electricity, water, phone, petrol, interest rates, they've all gone up.
"If you add all that up, when someone is on a fixed income, they can't keep spending. There's not a lot of cash around. A lot of people are paying by credit card."
Mr Borsellino said that people used to travel from neighbouring suburbs to come to his store, but the price of petrol was having an impact.
"The reverse of that is local people are using us more than ever, because they don't have to worry about petrol," he said.
Alala Chiara, 34, who was shopping yesterday with her daughter Lulu and niece Jasmin, said everything was costing more and, like many other families, she had cut things back to basics and was living an essentially simple life.
"There has been a quite drastic change," she said. "In the old days, if you had a good job you had a good life. Now you're just working to survive.
"Everything costs more, but your wages don't go up. You are making the same amount go even further." Ms Chiara, who works at a childcare centre, said it was obvious how hard parents using the centre were working just to pay the mortgage.
Home ownership was no longer possible except for couples with two incomes, she added.
"Every family is in the same situation, particularly around here," she said.
Credit: John Stapleton
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