Do politicians need a parliamentary councillor to give them ethical advise or is this more spin at tax payers expense? http://thewest.com.au/ (Plan to offer MP's ethical councilling) I found the article to be one of amazement. Some politicians may be held in low esteem, generally as a result of their questionable behaviour and antics. Constituents may believe anything that would improve MPs' standards of conduct as worth while but is there more here than meets the eye,the proposal for such a position should raise many questions?
.Do we need another created government job for someone to help politicians to tell right from wrong. The appointment would imply that the problem is one of ignorance, rather than indifference to proper standards by MP's who are guided by self-interest and the pursuit of political advantage. Is there a case to be made, that if MP's are unaware of their ethical obligations, they're unfit for public office.
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It should be questioned as to what powers this councillor would have. A plan put forward by the Nationals was, the holder of the position would have broad powers to give confidential advise on ethics. He is to move into parliament within weeks for the establishment of the position, the job would entail alleviating pressure on MP's and prevent them from making serious mistakes.
.Here is the best part, the proposal is for the advise from the councillor to be confidential. To the extent that even the Corruption and Crime Commission couldn't have access, it could only be released with the permission of the relevant MP and the clerk of each House. He would end up as the guardian of guilty secrets, and the position of councillor could be ethically compromised.
How would this be in the public interest. The ethical standards of MP's are matters of legitimate public concern. It's definitely time that politicians were held accountable for their actions, if this position were to be passed the public have a right to know of advice being given. The main thing that MP's seem to forget is who pays their salaries.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Drinking water contaminated.
Residents of a Serpentine retirement village were told to boil their drinking water, after it was found to be contaminated with raw sewage. The shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale told residents that tests on their bore water revealed " high bacteriological counts and faecal contamination".
The 14-unit village residents had commented that their water stored in holding tanks, had been smelly and off colour for years.
It was claimed the source of contamination had not been found, the village (Surprise Surprise) is not deep-sewered and sewage is emptied into a settling pond in a paddock 150m from the homes and the bore, which is the maximum depth of 60m. One resident that has resided at the village for eight years blames the contaminated water for a severe bout of gastroenteritis. The local MP had said liberal colleague water minister Graham Jacobs, had ignored his pleas to help the residents.
I find this appalling, it's time people stood together and demanded accountability of the government and the Water Corporation. Just what has been happening to money that has been collected over the years, what has it been spent on? Four different areas have been complaining of being deferred from getting connected to deep sewage. It's about time the Health Department stepped in.
An incident in Kalgoorlie when sewage was coming up through the back lawn, the health dept didn't hesitate stepping in, as it was a health hazard. Until areas that have been waiting years to be connected have been done, there should be no new estates. The state government collects enough in taxes and many other charges, we aren't known as the highest tax paying state for nothing. I'm sure the people would like some accountability, seeing as it's the tax payers that pay the wages of these departments that supposedly work for the people.
Why can't the government run mains water into the Serpentine village from a new subdivision approximately 500m away?I'm sure in Safety Bay, Rockingham and Spearwood as well as the many areas un-sewered, there are to new subdivisions to connect to. It's time for the health minister to come out of hiding, peoples health is being placed at risk and it's time for answers and action.
The 14-unit village residents had commented that their water stored in holding tanks, had been smelly and off colour for years.
It was claimed the source of contamination had not been found, the village (Surprise Surprise) is not deep-sewered and sewage is emptied into a settling pond in a paddock 150m from the homes and the bore, which is the maximum depth of 60m. One resident that has resided at the village for eight years blames the contaminated water for a severe bout of gastroenteritis. The local MP had said liberal colleague water minister Graham Jacobs, had ignored his pleas to help the residents.
I find this appalling, it's time people stood together and demanded accountability of the government and the Water Corporation. Just what has been happening to money that has been collected over the years, what has it been spent on? Four different areas have been complaining of being deferred from getting connected to deep sewage. It's about time the Health Department stepped in.
An incident in Kalgoorlie when sewage was coming up through the back lawn, the health dept didn't hesitate stepping in, as it was a health hazard. Until areas that have been waiting years to be connected have been done, there should be no new estates. The state government collects enough in taxes and many other charges, we aren't known as the highest tax paying state for nothing. I'm sure the people would like some accountability, seeing as it's the tax payers that pay the wages of these departments that supposedly work for the people.
Why can't the government run mains water into the Serpentine village from a new subdivision approximately 500m away?I'm sure in Safety Bay, Rockingham and Spearwood as well as the many areas un-sewered, there are to new subdivisions to connect to. It's time for the health minister to come out of hiding, peoples health is being placed at risk and it's time for answers and action.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Desecration of Old Growth Jarrah Forest
People of this state should be outraged as this state government's logging business are about to log more old growth Jarrah trees. The Forest Product Commission said it intended to resume logging 250 year old growth Jarrahs, many of which pre-dated European settlement in WA.
.It was claimed operations would devastate the region's forest for decades, by harming the ecosystem and ruin another eco-tourism industry. The heavy machinery used to extract the trees would calve irreversible damage or scars into unspoilt areas of forest. Previous logging had left swaths of devastation in parts of the Jarrahdale forest. People should use Google Earth on the Southwest forest's or what's left of them, to see the desecration and scarring of the land.
.It would be interesting to know how much of the wildlife has been moved(if any), or is it treated like most heritage items, the dollar more important? It isn't any wonder that at last count there where 600 species endangered, and still counting. Where is the environment minister amongst all these decisions ?
This is another instance of the WA Government contravening the laws of the forest management guidelines, which call for suitable tree-removable practices that allow forests to recover after logging. It has been openly admitted there is not massive amounts of old growth trees left in the shire. They intend to harvest 3000 cubic metres of saw logs and up to 2000 cubic metres of firewood from the shire. So what is Mr Grylls opinion, his been as quiet as the environment minister?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Species at Risk
We may have had a change of government but nothing has changed. It was reported more than 600 species natural to WA are at risk of extinction, why aren't the DEC unit doing their job and giving adequate protection. It could be explained by the environmental regulator who for some reason only manages to prosecute an average of seven individuals or companies each year, from more than 2000 complaints.
.Prosecutions have related to illegal clearing native vegetation, with single prosecutions relating to emissions, noise, discharging waste, oil and slurry and failing to monitor a site. Something I found amazing is the number of field notices 200, how many field notices before prosecution. The shadow minister asked how often the DEC prosecuted another government department for pollution, a classic was the Water Corporation, hoe did they escaped penalty for a spill over 550,000 litres of sewage into the Southern River.
It seems were relying on a department to protect reserves for the preservation of species, yet the DEC is not achieving its target for reservation of land. Why do they lack internal processes, transparency and accountability of the legislated process. A discrepancy has been highlighted between State and Federal threatened species lists that prevented 190 WA species receiving all available protection.
.Mr Gamblin WWF, warned that hundreds of species including the Carnaby's black cockatoo and western ringtail possum were facing extinction. The government gave $4 million for over 4 years, the question is should that be spent on qualified DEC people or the threatened species. How can this department be writing out licenses for companies, are they qualified for such a task!
.Prosecutions have related to illegal clearing native vegetation, with single prosecutions relating to emissions, noise, discharging waste, oil and slurry and failing to monitor a site. Something I found amazing is the number of field notices 200, how many field notices before prosecution. The shadow minister asked how often the DEC prosecuted another government department for pollution, a classic was the Water Corporation, hoe did they escaped penalty for a spill over 550,000 litres of sewage into the Southern River.
It seems were relying on a department to protect reserves for the preservation of species, yet the DEC is not achieving its target for reservation of land. Why do they lack internal processes, transparency and accountability of the legislated process. A discrepancy has been highlighted between State and Federal threatened species lists that prevented 190 WA species receiving all available protection.
.Mr Gamblin WWF, warned that hundreds of species including the Carnaby's black cockatoo and western ringtail possum were facing extinction. The government gave $4 million for over 4 years, the question is should that be spent on qualified DEC people or the threatened species. How can this department be writing out licenses for companies, are they qualified for such a task!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
What a waste
I find it absolutely amazing the amount of articles on or about Water Corp. Millions of litres of clean drinking water has been used to hose down building site and keep dust at bay this year, though dams are less than 30 per cent full. The Water Corporation revealed 350,000 kl of water from the mains was used by 236 contractors in the past year, including civil and demolition contractors.
.Contractors are allowed to use the water if they can't get groundwater, or if they can prove that commercially it was not viable to sink a groundwater bore. It only stands to reason if they can get out of spending extra and use scheme water they will.
.The Water Corporation denied it had wasted drinking water, claiming contractors were charged twice as much as residents for the privilege of tapping into the mains. Claiming also conditions were tight regarding the hire of standpipes that are used to take water from the reticulation water supply, this included regular on-site auditing of water use. If this were the case why are residential areas accused of using excesive amounts of water, or named as the biggest water guzzlers, when it's not factual at all.
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How do the corporation explain the 19 billion litres of water-nearly half the production of the desalination plant, were wasted after an increase in leaks from Perth's drinking supplies last financial year from new statistics recently released. The Economic Regulation Authority also revealed that the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment to supply the water to Perth homes and businesses, sent more than 55% to 2760 tonnes because a full year of operation of the energy intensive Kwinana desalination plant.
Piers Verstegen commented that statistics were evidence that the State was going backwards in terms of its water policy and management. The amount of water lost in the system, demonstrated that upgrading infrastructure should be made a priority to stem leaks and burst pipes.
.Contractors are allowed to use the water if they can't get groundwater, or if they can prove that commercially it was not viable to sink a groundwater bore. It only stands to reason if they can get out of spending extra and use scheme water they will.
.The Water Corporation denied it had wasted drinking water, claiming contractors were charged twice as much as residents for the privilege of tapping into the mains. Claiming also conditions were tight regarding the hire of standpipes that are used to take water from the reticulation water supply, this included regular on-site auditing of water use. If this were the case why are residential areas accused of using excesive amounts of water, or named as the biggest water guzzlers, when it's not factual at all.
.
How do the corporation explain the 19 billion litres of water-nearly half the production of the desalination plant, were wasted after an increase in leaks from Perth's drinking supplies last financial year from new statistics recently released. The Economic Regulation Authority also revealed that the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment to supply the water to Perth homes and businesses, sent more than 55% to 2760 tonnes because a full year of operation of the energy intensive Kwinana desalination plant.
Piers Verstegen commented that statistics were evidence that the State was going backwards in terms of its water policy and management. The amount of water lost in the system, demonstrated that upgrading infrastructure should be made a priority to stem leaks and burst pipes.
EPA
Previous comments from the State's Environmental Protection Authority watchdog, will streamline the way they assesses the effect of development projects, this has prompted claims it is "watering down" the system. The Authority revealed it would implement a risk-based approach and simplify the process by reducing the level of assessment from 5 to 2.
The chairman believes the changes based on results of a 13 month review, would ensure a greater timeline and certainty in the agency's environmental impact assessment process. Other reforms included approval conditions that focused on environmental outcomes. It was said the changes included improved project management and tracking, so just how much compromising is being carried out when it comes to our environment.
It seems the aim by industries is to fast track their projects, how many mining accidents have happened this year alone. Another excellent point was how many projects has the EPA not approved... which equalled zero. How can West Australians be assured of anything, with a government-appointed industry working group. ( Isn't that a conflict of interests) Tasked with devising a plan to speed up mining approvals and favouring moves to dilute the power and role of the Environment Minister, among other far-reaching changes. Why are taxpayers paying a government if others are calling the shots, just who is protecting our environment for future generations!
The chairman believes the changes based on results of a 13 month review, would ensure a greater timeline and certainty in the agency's environmental impact assessment process. Other reforms included approval conditions that focused on environmental outcomes. It was said the changes included improved project management and tracking, so just how much compromising is being carried out when it comes to our environment.
It seems the aim by industries is to fast track their projects, how many mining accidents have happened this year alone. Another excellent point was how many projects has the EPA not approved... which equalled zero. How can West Australians be assured of anything, with a government-appointed industry working group. ( Isn't that a conflict of interests) Tasked with devising a plan to speed up mining approvals and favouring moves to dilute the power and role of the Environment Minister, among other far-reaching changes. Why are taxpayers paying a government if others are calling the shots, just who is protecting our environment for future generations!
Enviro
Well I'm finally back after the longest month of May ever experienced, to those that have sent emails NO I've definitely not been on holiday worse luck. I'm still trying to work out if I ran over a black cat or what.. ! After the passing of a family member & ill health of another, the Blog was lost like me. Now I'm back and the many things going on haven't slipped my attention.
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