Topline
As a regular reader of your on-line publication, I try to read most of your articles.
Since Michael Seaborn joined your team, I've made a point of reading his column as I find his views refreshing, succinct, disarmingly open and free from ambiguity.
Michael also has the ability to apply just the right amount of humour.
I particularly like his phrase "While Rudd’s speech was pro-Indigenous, Nelson’s was disingenuous".
I share Michael's view that Prime Minister Rudd's 'sorry speech' was inspirational and an eloquent first step in bridging the spiritual gap between Australia's aboriginal communities and the relatively recent Caucasian settlers. Rudd's approach will be in consultation with aboriginal communities and elders and has set realistic targets for improving their health and education opportunities.
In an ideal world, all Australians would respect and cherish aboriginal spirituality and culture; mindful of the old saying that "a journey of a thousand leagues starts with a small step".
ABC TV recently broadcast a documentary on Captain James Cook. So many aspects of this great explorer were highlighted in the series. But one that remains in my mind is an extract from one of Cook's letters to British Admiralty.
After being a guest at an aboriginal ceremony when Cook was on Australian soil in 1770 in what is now North East Queensland, he documented his belief that the natives of this new found land had a better lifestyle than most Europeans at that time.
After two hundred and thirty-eight years, are we returning to the empathy expressed by Captain James Cook?
Noel Parkhill
El Nino
Hi Andrew,
In relation to the drought and the outpouring of rain we’ve had in the past 4 months, well it’s not about El Nino, but the fact that many Australian Christians have been faithfully praying for rain. Last year in October, just before the election, hundreds of Christians met in the Great Hall in Canberra to pray for rain and the farmers, whilst thousands prayed elsewhere, in their homes. Since then we1ve had an abundance of blessed rain.
For those who don’t believe, or are sceptical, I’d be happy to forward statistical meteorological proof that’s been gathered, showing rain fall measurements before and after the day of prayer, in October, 2007.
S. Cousins
Deputy Mayor Kiril Jonovski has publicly said that he doesn’t answer to everyone. He can now answer to ICAC.
Alan Bond
Perhaps the ALP is thinking it should have nominated Brendan Nelson [then a member of the ALP, in practice with Crean's doctor brother] when he wanted to represent the ALP in Tasmanian politics.
Since he changed sides, and the Libs gave him an opportunity, he has been a thorn in the side.
It is easy to be wise in hindsight.
Fergie
Tuckey and Mirabella are like the apologists who believe that Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler had some redeeming qualities … yeah, sure, and there goes another flying pig. Is it ‘Iron-bar’ or “Iron-head” ???
Henry Collier
Fowlers Rd Bridge
As called for many times before - why not extend or focus the ICAC (the Dept Local Govt seems toothless and disinterested viz the Shellharbour court case fiasco!) on the missed opportunities down at Dapto; the Council should not be allowed to continue development of Horsley without vital (as in minimal) infrastructure.
The CEO or whatever he's called this week should realise that the beach area around Wollongong has been derelict for years - but at least the basics are there - it would be different of course if for some reason they could not "get into" Wollongong owing to flooded or blocked roads!
And has anyone thought where does the Fire Brigade or Ambulance stand in the event of floods or blockages owing to the level crossings?
Think again Senor Farmer!
Ian
ICAC
The very curious outburst by lawyer, Mark MacDonald, is certainly interesting. I would have thought who ICAC didn’t mention was more interesting but I obviously can’t go into that here. Though at our February Local Area Meeting 1, one of our Councillors, Alice Cartan, said that she and Councillor Dave Martin, have not been called.
This is a public inquiry. It is not a secret meeting behind closed doors. This is why ICAC is there. If I was doing some business with a person who is called before an inquiry like this I would certainly want to know about, because there is a moral obligation to, especially if the person concerned has not told me.
Afterall, who said they were guilty? These people will have a chance to clear their name. This is what it is all about. You’ll even be able to read the exact transcripts of the proceedings on the ICAC website. Like you could for the Tasich Inquiry.
But why didn’t Mark MacDonald say anything about the ICAC Tasich Inquiry that involved ex general manager Rod Oxley, amongst, others? Except for Tasich, all were cleared.
Yes, this was a very curious, interesting outburst by lawyer Mark MacDonald.
Alan Bond
At an extremely well attended February Local Area Meeting 1, a developer exhibited plans for a 3-storey building to replace the Helensburgh Workers Club.
It was not greeted with enthusiasm by the majority. It is not keeping within the historical context of the 120-year old town.
It’s basically transplanting one of the high rises from Sutherland and dropping it into Helensburgh. This developer has already done Helensburgh a great favour by building an equal piece of monstrosity behind this new proposal. From these developments, all vehicles enter onto Club Lane which is being widen to accommodate one line of parked cars and one lane for traffic. When finished there wil be at least a minimum of 500 vehicle movements a day, in a one way lane.
The developer when asked about mine subsidence because the old Workers Club had received damage due to the mines underneath, said there were no mines underneath.
Hilariously, the majority of bedrooms are all lined up together. This should prove entertaining for owners if they can hear over the noise of the latest home cinemas in all the lined up living rooms. No awards here for design.
Like locusts that come into an area to devastate, most developers descend, take the profit, move on, and don’t care about what they leave behind.
Alan Bond
The ratepayers of Wollongong have waited a long time for this. So many planners have come and gone at Wollongong under the former senior management regime. The new senior management is now bringing more confidence to the Council and the Planning Section.
During the previous management regime, a lot of controversial developments, not just large ones but smaller, throughout the Illawarra, have had various amendments to take these developments away from what the supposed friendly developers have told their neighbours, even whole suburbs, that they were going to build.
The allegations coming out even in the first day of the inquiry make me wonder what lawyer Mark McDonald would say now after his previous outburst.
It is hoped that this inquiry will bring about the unravelling of all the threads that will eventually lead to the principals involved who think they have covered their tracks well, but didn’t count on people brought before ICAC being mortal.
Alan Bond | 
