tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136624962024-03-13T12:38:56.524+11:00Peter Campbell's blogThese are my comments and thoughts on issues associated with our collective journey towards a sustainable future.Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.comBlogger382125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-60710400728556514052024-02-20T12:20:00.010+11:002024-02-27T14:28:41.111+11:00Owning and using an MG ZS EV electric car <p>We have recently purchased our first electric car - a second-hand <a href="https://mgmotor.com.au/models/mg-zsev/" target="_blank">MG ZS EV</a> 2022 Essence model. I have been keen to drive and EV for over a decade. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwCKoeR3kfjHzAoJADevLCDynF9L_pJ4hCHwu3mSiyi97LkloDFhPaNJ9s7W0xDrOu_aiVaw6JgUnMyB0YD-bqHvcNiIblpIDcXXrjFajQYu1nQKjSzrlglzCsF0wy2MWyhLxqXMCwbSADC5-0_NvwEGIyXuVUBSKu2cwyWo5ZdW-0E0laz0d/s4000/20240218_120105.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MG ZS EV Essence" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwCKoeR3kfjHzAoJADevLCDynF9L_pJ4hCHwu3mSiyi97LkloDFhPaNJ9s7W0xDrOu_aiVaw6JgUnMyB0YD-bqHvcNiIblpIDcXXrjFajQYu1nQKjSzrlglzCsF0wy2MWyhLxqXMCwbSADC5-0_NvwEGIyXuVUBSKu2cwyWo5ZdW-0E0laz0d/w320-h240/20240218_120105.jpg" title="MG ZS EV Essence" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MG ZS EV Essence</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnZIrsxm5vHVM_6giSHSq15Nz8UZqB8M1f4crstEnuy06KmyZdb7LMZhl5AW_xQqGRQU3184j5D07xtMG8t88g0JDzmJI2PQVJyjCxi5G3xzyugN2Vhe1ccGfEmhMucGtBoAQYDFsePiy2LeNhMCpsUBLkTjwgS1nWPWhg8pYNQJH036Bnm9S/s4000/20240218_120144.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MG ZS EV Essence" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnZIrsxm5vHVM_6giSHSq15Nz8UZqB8M1f4crstEnuy06KmyZdb7LMZhl5AW_xQqGRQU3184j5D07xtMG8t88g0JDzmJI2PQVJyjCxi5G3xzyugN2Vhe1ccGfEmhMucGtBoAQYDFsePiy2LeNhMCpsUBLkTjwgS1nWPWhg8pYNQJH036Bnm9S/w320-h240/20240218_120144.jpg" title="MG ZS EV Essence" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MG ZS EV Essence</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We plan to use the EV for mostly city trips, replacing a 10 year old diesel Opel Astra.</p><p>A wider variety of EVs are now available in 2024 (even in Australia!). </p><p>Reasonably priced vehicles are available and there are numerous charging locations.</p><p>What I really like about the MG EV:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Its quiet and has good performance and handling</li><li>Regenerative braking saves energy</li><li>No carbon emissions pollution at tailpipe</li><li>Self folding mirrors when locking car</li><li>Type 2 charge connection (the most common)</li><li>320km range is acceptable</li><li>Good design - speed and other information are on the dash in front of the driver like conventional cars</li><li>SUV style - good ground clearance and seating position. Good size rear seating.</li><li>The information display screen in the centre of the dash is well positioned and a good size (not too big!)</li><li>20,000km service intervals! Services cost around $200.</li><li>Air-conditioning works well</li><li>Camera shows rear of car when reversing and front when going forward during parking</li><li>Its reasonably priced and some good second-hand vehicles are available.</li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><p></p><div><b>Excellent tech features:</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>360 degree camera</b>, and <b>blind spot assistance</b> (Essence model only)</li><li><b>Built in GPS navigatio</b>n easy to use (without Android auto)</li><li><b>Android Auto support </b>(to get wireless you need a wireless dongle such as <a href="https://www.aawireless.io/" target="_blank">AAWireless</a>)</li><li><a href="https://www.cleanenergyreviews.info/blog/vehicle-to-load-v2l-explained" target="_blank"><b>Vehicle to Load (VTL)</b></a> support can provide a connection from the car battery to 240V sockets for running 240V appliances up to 2.2 kW(separate connecter cable is required for this).</li></ul><div><b>Some things I have discovered:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The <b>supplied 240V charger</b> takes up to 40 hours to fully charge a flat battery</li><li><b>A domestic AC wall charger </b>can be installed for around $2500. Single phase provides 7-9kW, three phase unit provides up to 22kw. The MG allows a maximum AC charge of 11kw so we will install the single phase - either a <a href="https://ev-nrg.com/products/zappi-charger" target="_blank">Zappi 2.1</a> or a <a href="https://wallbox.com/en_au/pulsar-max-ev-charger" target="_blank">Wallbox Pulsar Max</a> with solar integration</li><li>To fast charge the car at an Ampol service station I installed the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.ampol.ampcharge&hl=en&gl=US" target="_blank">AmpCharge app</a>. In 35 minutes 18.3 kWh charged about 40% of the battery for $12.91</li><li>Some Tesla chargers have been made available to other car brands, but not many.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/" target="_blank">PlugShare </a>app and website is great for locating charging points and seeing if they are available.</li><li>Chargers are either <b>tethered </b>(with lead and plug) or <b>untethered </b>(no lead or plug). You need to carry a Type 2 charge cable to use untethered chargers. <a href="https://evse.com.au/product-category/ev-charging-cables/" target="_blank">EVSE </a>have reasonably priced cables.</li><li>The 2022 MG ZS EV model has a better lithium ion battery than earlier models and better range</li></ul><div><b>Problem with binding car to app/account</b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saicmotor.iov.au&hl=en&gl=US" target="_blank">MG iSMART app</a> can be used to access car features, including its location.</li><li><b>However </b>the vehicle can only be "bound" to one account.</li><li>The previous owner <b>deleted his account before unbinding the car</b>. I cannot bind to it.</li><li>The car has to go to an MG dealer to unbind it so I can access it via the app (quoted cost $120 but they did it for free).</li></ul><div><b>MG iSMART mobile app functions </b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Remotely turn on the aircon</li><li>Lock/unlock the car</li><li>Check the battery and see charging status</li><li>Set a geofence with alerts and see the car's location. </li></ul></div><div><b>Service intervals</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Service intervals are every 20,000km! However, when visiting the dealer to get the unbinding done they said they need the car all day for a major software update, so I have booked that in.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Features missing from Australian model</b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Car voice commands (but note that Android Auto voice commends work)</li><li>Electric tailgate</li><li>Rear seat centre armrests and cup holders</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvtmvoKWu1cV58Dpsh-GFTZ1y_o6SOF_Xahy0DS50K1i0JbDZ_cx5Dd6zpotr_-_kn1Un4ayfsH6YlhdQYGvhbS0h2qVPRbX3vmmZIDaX2NtHXeRyX41ZetAzUS0oMwZsLyZhYnM7OwxSaa_WuAKNblM58eFCFin_WKZp4Yc58M3g2UEo7PL3/s4000/20240218_103532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Under the bonnet" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvtmvoKWu1cV58Dpsh-GFTZ1y_o6SOF_Xahy0DS50K1i0JbDZ_cx5Dd6zpotr_-_kn1Un4ayfsH6YlhdQYGvhbS0h2qVPRbX3vmmZIDaX2NtHXeRyX41ZetAzUS0oMwZsLyZhYnM7OwxSaa_WuAKNblM58eFCFin_WKZp4Yc58M3g2UEo7PL3/w320-h240/20240218_103532.jpg" title="Under the bonnet" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the bonnet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKqGTujlUnNVR8HOfgPtCiS6yTUhjbGPAYnWrCtV7ASqhpx7FxGLEdcEfcDT4PmO8TX68K0UBk3sqyDhsF3teYa7kIAexjIKPfzD3KMV9Xlv9KENR51jd5R4Vqc5VVva8ipLtQyPk0CbcLq-inUs_qOnE2jSz-UThgaMG8mh8TPeG69vgOQeo/s4000/20240218_090324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Charging the MG ZS EV" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKqGTujlUnNVR8HOfgPtCiS6yTUhjbGPAYnWrCtV7ASqhpx7FxGLEdcEfcDT4PmO8TX68K0UBk3sqyDhsF3teYa7kIAexjIKPfzD3KMV9Xlv9KENR51jd5R4Vqc5VVva8ipLtQyPk0CbcLq-inUs_qOnE2jSz-UThgaMG8mh8TPeG69vgOQeo/w320-h240/20240218_090324.jpg" title="Charging the MG ZS EV" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charging the MG ZS EV</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4zNitUrkkoLKq__fhINh2hJeHCFlrwCJYMoOjKGSm2ZFKq0olnwSIh2G9VLDn69IGEidejCt4uB5Klgrw4CahVh9AyLN9EzWPU4EFmNHTGWXnwYV2fwNiDgubiQVmWI1_WhwL9kgOpx0mrtHs_v3OuqTMVpTr17aWzqn9qOhKmJFPFuYv8I9/s2340/Screenshot_20240218_090501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ampcharge app information while charging" border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4zNitUrkkoLKq__fhINh2hJeHCFlrwCJYMoOjKGSm2ZFKq0olnwSIh2G9VLDn69IGEidejCt4uB5Klgrw4CahVh9AyLN9EzWPU4EFmNHTGWXnwYV2fwNiDgubiQVmWI1_WhwL9kgOpx0mrtHs_v3OuqTMVpTr17aWzqn9qOhKmJFPFuYv8I9/w201-h385/Screenshot_20240218_090501.jpg" title="Ampcharge app information while charging" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ampcharge app information while charging</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Misinformation about EVs is rife at the moment </b>- </div><div><br /></div><div>This is presumably originating from 20C car makers and some fossil fuel companies worried about losing their markets for polluting fossil fuel vehicles and fuel. Some examples include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Embodied energy" - all vehicles have "embodied energy" - the energy consumed to produce them</li><li>"Battery life"- EVs have advanced battery management with the battery designed for 10+ years use</li><li>"Not suitable for long trips" - charging stops do need to be factored in, especially on busy routes (e.g. Melbourne to Sydney). Its recommended to stop every 2 hours on long trips.</li></ul>"Hydrogen powered cars will be better"</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Rolling out hydrogen refuelling infrastructure will be very expensive and slow</li><li><i>Brown hydrogen</i> is extracted from fossil fuels including coai, the process produces large quantities of carbon emissions </li><li><i>Blue hydrogen</i> uses steam to separate hydrogen from natural gas</li><li><i>Green hydrogen</i> is produced through electrolysis, requiring significant amounts of electricity from renewable energy </li><li>See <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2021/may/green-blue-brown-hydrogen-explained" target="_blank">Green, blue, brown: the colours of hydrogen explained</a>, CSIRO and <a href="https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2022/05/the-colours-of-hydrogen-explained/" target="_blank">The colours of hydrogen explained</a>, Swinburne </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-64553216850236766802023-08-11T14:41:00.003+10:002023-08-11T14:41:58.803+10:00NO to Seismic Blasting in the Otway Basin<p>I am providing Public Comment regarding the Otway Basin 3D Multi-client Marine Seismic Survey proposal.</p><p>I am writing to you as a relevant person who is concerned about the impacts of the proposed seismic blasting.</p><p>The impacts from the proposed project have not been reduced to Acceptable Levels. The Environment Plan (EP) submitted to NOPSEMA to conduct seismic blasting in the Otway Basin is lacking in sufficient detail on the impacts and measures to mitigate these impacts.</p><p>This seismic blasting will cause direct harm to the ocean ecosystem. It is lethal for marine life, impacting all levels of the food chain from zooplankton (1) to whales (2). Krill and zooplankton are cornerstone species that are the main source of food for many larger animals. Their eradication would cause a catastrophic chain reaction that would affect the entire marine ecosystem.</p><p>Seismic blasts impact the breeding, feeding, and migration of whales, making them vulnerable to errors in navigation and to predation. They can cause whales to experience temporary or permanent hearing loss, which impacts their navigation, communication, and search for food since they rely on echolocation.</p><p>Impacts to our ocean environment and marine life have not been adequately considered, and the measures to mitigate these impacts are not sufficient. The use of a marine fauna spotter to spot whales and reduce the scale of seismic blasting frequency if they are spotted is ineffective as many of the affected species can dive for prolonged periods of time, and will not be sighted if in the area below water. This does not stop the impact of causing mortality in small fish and zooplankton.</p><p>This EP will not protect local fishing industries. Seismic blasting is deadly for marine life and decimates seafood populations, causing mortality in small fish and reducing catch size (3). These stocks may take many years to recover. Seafood and fish stocks may take many years to recover, as has been the case in commercial scallop fisheries in Bass Strait (4).</p><p>There is an unacceptable level of risk to the local tourism industry. Local seafood and wildlife and recreational activities such as fishing are a massive part of the local marine tourism industries that will be affected by this seismic blasting.</p><p>The OA extends through whale Songline Country. Traditional owners, keepers of whale songlines, have stated that this and any other gas and oil projects within their traditional waters have no permission to proceed. The Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective’s Citizens Protection Declaration condemns all new and existing seismic testing and gas mining exploration approvals across the south west Victorian coastal waters covering Gunditjmara Sea Country.</p><p>The proposed project contravenes the OPGGS Act, as it interferes with fishing, marine conservation, and activities of other marine based industry. It also contravenes the EPBC Act* protecting threatened and migratory species, natural ecosystems and marine areas, as well as Article 32, Item 2 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. </p><p>The proposal to conduct seismic blasting using Special Prospecting Authority (SPA) permits sidesteps the usual government bidding and decision-making process, facilitating hasty and highly damaging oil and gas exploration proposals to progress rapidly through the regulatory approvals process.</p><p>A Senate Inquiry into the use of seismic blasting to locate and drill for oil and gas under the seabed found opposition from coastal communities, weak regulation, and outdated science. No more seismic blasting should be done until there is an understanding of the broader impacts of seismic testing on marine ecosystems. </p><p>This seismic blasting proposal should be refused due to the unacceptable impacts noted above. </p><p>I am a frequent visitor to the Surf Coast and the Great Ocean Road. I consider the environmental, cultural and social impacts of seismic blasting in the Otway Basin unacceptable.</p><p>(1) McCauley, R, Day, R, Swadling, K, Fitzgibbon, Q, Watson, R and Semmens, J, 2017, ‘Widely used marine seismic survey air gun operations negatively impact zooplankton’, Nature Ecology & Evolution, vol. 1(7), (accessed June 2021).</p><p>(2) Weilgart, L. (2013). “A review of the impacts of seismic airgun surveys on marine life.” Submitted to the CBD Expert Workshop on Underwater Noise and its Impacts on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity, 25-27 February 2014, London, UK. Available at: <a href="http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=MCBEM-2014-01">http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=MCBEM-2014-01</a> </p><p>(3) ‘Seismic surveying reduces whiting catch rate by 99.5 per cent, research finds’, Rio Davis, <a href="https://amp.abc.net.au/article/12502930">https://amp.abc.net.au/article/12502930</a></p><p>(4) Submission to the senate inquiry: Impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment. 2019. IMAS Submission 34. Hobart: IMAS [online], <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/SeismicTesting/Public_Hearings">https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/SeismicTesting/Public_Hearings</a> (accessed June 2021)</p><p>*Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999</p><p><br /></p><p>Yours sincerely,</p><p>Peter Campbell</p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-55562980192871131172023-06-18T20:00:00.001+10:002023-06-18T20:04:00.634+10:00The City of Boroondara should not open meetings with Christian prayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://engage.boroondara.vic.gov.au/governance-rule-18A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="1282" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6foovoJx_39-vaUXfWHOTWZiuCdswlhpMRIOCdC-j47t8mknWie9jAKPPcn5kWFdmtEu5OeUQkqANIqNuE6x6zHP4XnkDksKGPXsqkBoovtY_FXOzyle2bTaw_jF6V36PoKvK-WoWBXzwAuZfY7CUqW_Q1EdykuETbP3To08HD4gNA853tA/w487-h217/2023-06%20Boroondare%20Rule%2019A.JPG" width="487" /></a></div><br /><p>Local government is secular. There should be separation between the institutions of religion and the state.</p><p>The Boroondara community is diverse and includes people of many different religions and non-religious people.</p><p>A Christian prayer may alienate some elected councillors, staff members, and members of the public who do not belong to the officially favoured religion and make some feel unwelcome and excluded.</p><p>Freedom of belief in our democracy does not extend to imposing specific beliefs on those they do not subscribe to them. </p><p>Religious and non-religious worldviews should be treated equally.</p><p>I do not support the Rule 18A cause that meetings “may commence” with prayer “at the discretion of the chairperson”.</p><p>An increasing number of councils across Victoria and Australia have removed prayer rituals from their meetings and the Victorian state government has pledged to remove prayers from the parliament.</p><p>I call on Boroondara Council to abolish prayers in Council meetings.</p><h3>Links</h3><p>You can submit feedback on this issue<a href="https://engage.boroondara.vic.gov.au/governance-rule-18A" target="_blank"> here</a> - closing date is 20 June 2023</p><p><a href="https://rationalist.com.au/public-consultation-gives-councillor-franco-hope-of-ending-long-running-prayer-battle/" target="_blank">Public consultation gives Councillor Franco hope of ending long-running prayer battle</a> | Rationalist Society of Australia </p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0Camberwell VIC 3124, Australia-37.8326655 145.0681032-66.142899336178843 109.9118532 -9.5224316638211519 -179.7756468tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-76404873264023571572023-04-21T20:51:00.011+10:002023-09-21T00:46:51.645+10:00Rider Report Peter Campbell Paris Brest Paris 1999<b>Peter Campbell, </b>19 November 1999<div><br /></div><div>I did the <a href="https://www.paris-brest-paris.org/" target="_blank">Paris Brest Paris Audax ride</a> held 23-26 August 1999</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is my report of the ride.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Ride</h3></div><div>The longest of rides starts with a click of the pedals. I set off at 8pm on the 1999 Paris Brest Paris audax ride with approximately 800 riders and cycled warily into the night. The first night was to be hell on wheels. I didn't get much sleep the night before.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOE1pzMZdrwDQTJUubb5sbgYPJEpZ7U_JVnAqfEgvhWhPN5OwPnT4jySY01_ksthiXphmcIF3C48Ox6jzanA3BlO7RxqoDVm7-KnbSswI9Dlt0r095j1KZCe5EsfHClOd6hLE0DQFMJllhGf4siKD2S137cK0U-PP040xr0yewcSrFikxwg/s2228/vPbp3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="1508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOE1pzMZdrwDQTJUubb5sbgYPJEpZ7U_JVnAqfEgvhWhPN5OwPnT4jySY01_ksthiXphmcIF3C48Ox6jzanA3BlO7RxqoDVm7-KnbSswI9Dlt0r095j1KZCe5EsfHClOd6hLE0DQFMJllhGf4siKD2S137cK0U-PP040xr0yewcSrFikxwg/w271-h400/vPbp3.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Campbell. 1999 Paris Brest Paris</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The motorcycle escort we had for some distance slowed down the peloton, causing much variation of speed. I found the constant braking quite nerve-racking with so many riders around. The fear of an accident was ever present. Unhappily, my fears were confirmed when Oliver Portway fell just behind me after somebody took his front wheel out! Luckily, he was back on his bike immediately without suffering injury or significant damage.</div><div><br /> Not long after this, the peloton came to a screeching halt. Initially I thought there had been a huge crash. However, the lead riders had missed one of the "fleches" (arrows) marking a turn-off. The pace slowed briefly, but soon wound up again. Riders spread across the entire width of the road, with many seeking to push through to the front. </div><div><br /></div><div> Occasionally, an escort motorcycle would force a clear path on the left of the road, causing more bunching up and braking along the huge group. Immediately after this, cyclists would again cover the road width. The occasional car coming the other way had the same effect.
<br /><br />After a cracking hill climb through the streets of Montagne au Perche, I stopped for food and to regain my composure. This was a feed stop on the way out, but it was nice to have a short rest, and let the mad hordes diminish. Back on the bike, a small group formed which gradually grew in size and speed. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first checkpoint at Villaines la Juhel (220km) took an eternity to reach. After this, we cycled into the "death zone" (3am to 6am), a period I always hate. After nearly dozing off on the bike I trailed off the group in a village, found an open garage, and had a lovely nap for 1 hour (<b>sleep one</b>).</div><div><br /></div><div>I awoke refreshed, and rode in welcome daylight, feeling good. I passed many riders, then eventually teamed up with a Frenchman to arrive at Fougeres, the second checkpoint. After Fougeres, a peleton formed which travelled at a reasonable speed. I was enjoying the international flavour of the ride by now, as there were no other English speakers in our group, but I was able to converse a little with my limited French.
<br /><br />After Tinteniac, a smaller group consisting of Bernard (French), Harry (Rumanian), Paul (English) and myself teamed up. We worked well together and chatted a lot. Paul was as strong as an ox. As the day progressed, the temperature increased. Our road speed decreased a little, as overheating became a real possibility. A secret control provided a quick rest. The endless aggregations of locals of all ages yelling encouragement along the route kept our spirits up.</div><div><br />Arriving at Loudeac later in the afternoon, I was greeting by the Audax Australia contingent who were rendering excellent assistance and moral support. After getting the brevet signed and eating, I lay back on the grass and shut my eyes for a moment. I woke an hour later <b>(sleep 2)</b>. My companions had departed; I felt a bit miffed, but much better after the nap. I teamed up with Phillip - a fellow Australian now resident in Germany. As we rode into the night we passed Paul who had punctured, so my nap did not end up costing me much time. <br /><br />At Carhaix-Plouguer, the welcome was quite overwhelming; the whole town seemed to be out clapping and cheering. After another good meal, Phillip and I got back on our bikes and rode off into the darkness. At one point I stopped with Phillip for a quick break to overcome a bout of his drowsiness. I noticed a glimmer in the bushes. I shone my headlamp and saw numerous cyclists snoozing in the forest; their reflective vests glittered in my beam. <br /><br />A sadist must have mapped out the route to Brest; we kept turning away from the Brest signposts, down long gullies and up more climbs. At one point, some local lads had changed the direction of the route marking arrows. We duelled with two Norwegians on a small climb. At last we were rewarded by the glittering lights of Brest and a welcome 3-hour sleep (<b>sleep 3</b>). It was a great psychological boost to reach halfway. <br /><br />Paul, Phillip & I left Brest cycling into light drizzle early in the morning. The route climbed slowly, thankfully avoiding the heinous gullies of the previous night. Small peletons formed around our nucleus, but we tended to drop most riders on the hills. </div><div><br /></div><div>We chose a pretty town and stopped at a nice café for coffee and ice-cream. The locals were lunching en masse and relaxing nearby and asked if we would be back in 4 years. I replied "probably not, I prefer a holiday at the beach".</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1U79VpxeRw2zUfDApXnZQ2KKuljpm9-tjS0zJ4z_AcuV0NWW7-Yp3I-nYqFYPJpNUY10z4tXvnQ6jtu1gBpvNy24qmNd1-xVLbXT7NQQxwwZ2r2y_w78VLqT5u5gUvpIxc-SllM6ENzvtbPkykZ-s8y3ByRMj6xzeJfnJQDa62nGbuy34A/s2277/Pbp1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="2277" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1U79VpxeRw2zUfDApXnZQ2KKuljpm9-tjS0zJ4z_AcuV0NWW7-Yp3I-nYqFYPJpNUY10z4tXvnQ6jtu1gBpvNy24qmNd1-xVLbXT7NQQxwwZ2r2y_w78VLqT5u5gUvpIxc-SllM6ENzvtbPkykZ-s8y3ByRMj6xzeJfnJQDa62nGbuy34A/w400-h256/Pbp1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernard Bobillier-Kennot, Peter Campbell & Paul Crib, 1999 Paris Brest Paris</td></tr></tbody></table><div> <br />It was a long day, but a pleasurable one, as we chatted to riders en route, and kept up a good pace. At one point we careered along with a tandem that was really moving. We were hoping to get to Villaines la Juhel for the next sleep, but as the night dragged on fatigue and soreness set in, so we elected to stop at Fougeres for another 3-hour sleep (<b>sleep 4</b>). <br /><br />This time, Paul & awoke in the dark, but there were no sign of Phillip, and we couldn't locate him among the masses of slumbering bodies. We found out later that the helpers did not wake him. Refreshed after the sleep, Paul and I slotted in with a predominantly French peleton. I chatted amiably with the riders. They were keen to stop and avail themselves of free coffee on offer by friendly locals, so eventually we left them. <br /><br />Daylight again, then through Villaines la Juhel and Mortagne au Perche checkpoints, with the scenery now forming a blur. I was amazed by some of the descents, as I had no recollection of climbing them on the way out. </div><div><br /></div><div>At one stage we chased down a large peleton in the distance, hoping for a good sit with them, but Paul rocketed past the group like they were standing still, with me hanging on his wheel. We then teamed up with Jardi, a colourful Spaniard, for a fast run across the plateau leading to Nogent le Roi, with the end of the ride fast becoming a reality. <br /><br />The final leg had a few sharp climbs, but the scenery was nice. We cranked up the speed a couple of notches when some cyclists coming the other way said (in French) "quick, quick, you might get under 70 hours". Passing the San Quentin en Yvelines sign gave us false hope, as the 70-hour mark ticked over while we continued on what seemed like interminable circuits of the district.</div><div> </div><div>Near the end, we met a motorcycle escort, who led us the final distance through the traffic in fine style. Arriving at the roundabout was a sensational feeling. Paul & I dismounted and shook hands warmly. </div><div><br /></div><div>After handing in our brevets, we sat on the grass outside for an unforgettable rest. It was a great to tear off the gloves and rub my hands, knowing I was not going to get on the bike again in a hurry. The grass was wonderful. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had taken 70.5 hours, 45 hours on the bike, 8 hours sleeping and the rest eating.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafgutUCCb1qmNZizmNfExETqyWo1VRANSs3d1-r6K3V3Cpf03eTGYpnYvp2NeF8Kzo_DYjFVYdqLPcnklyXrotiJYvklteXY_IqnwQI26KUiFre8rshcKAc0DE0ZUA9GeIaqnxHc0wrHm9CtYg7TRz6LWKbmBaZAP5WP4MkJA3usHltM7Xg/s2228/vPbp2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="1508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafgutUCCb1qmNZizmNfExETqyWo1VRANSs3d1-r6K3V3Cpf03eTGYpnYvp2NeF8Kzo_DYjFVYdqLPcnklyXrotiJYvklteXY_IqnwQI26KUiFre8rshcKAc0DE0ZUA9GeIaqnxHc0wrHm9CtYg7TRz6LWKbmBaZAP5WP4MkJA3usHltM7Xg/w271-h400/vPbp2.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Campbell & Paul Crib, 1999 Paris Brest Paris</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />Three years of preparation and a solid year of training had culminated in a great ride with great companions. The support, encouragement and advice of numerous fellow Audax riders, family and friends made it all possible. Memories of the adventure, camaraderie, and scenery will stay with me for the rest of my life.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ride stats</h3><div><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZvEHX4pMcCbM4wK8eGjoh_LXP0oSOruUtTOsdXXV8htvOSkbClB_aDVMpAjffhSjgPX2xxLmJV1SHWBSbeys6s4f1ie-0aAopdBAyBtd1pnaDKALa6XZyJIwzai6vWiRC2GfpesNHkq1bKWR0lnZch71rhj0v9FgttBBrgd13z53dN4E2NA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="236" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZvEHX4pMcCbM4wK8eGjoh_LXP0oSOruUtTOsdXXV8htvOSkbClB_aDVMpAjffhSjgPX2xxLmJV1SHWBSbeys6s4f1ie-0aAopdBAyBtd1pnaDKALa6XZyJIwzai6vWiRC2GfpesNHkq1bKWR0lnZch71rhj0v9FgttBBrgd13z53dN4E2NA" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">The first riders in were </span>Christophe BOCQUET & Philippe DEPLAIX with a ride time 44:22</div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsB036ppznYfwjfoKqeJXIhsPSqxjK7pcZ3lcTfpEz5m9RSuMFcUD7LBV0GoX3-dicdrA6SOWH2sPQ1a7p1JwwaESUM0qOXPqAC61fm0j_PVS2O03SyXkc9NkcY6IxnpQgltg-SGFwgZGv7ztOfZ305sqA1TBAG9TpENhsA60yp6aMlDI7g/s829/1999%20Paris%20Brest%20Paris%20Peter%20Campbell%20ride%20stats.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="829" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsB036ppznYfwjfoKqeJXIhsPSqxjK7pcZ3lcTfpEz5m9RSuMFcUD7LBV0GoX3-dicdrA6SOWH2sPQ1a7p1JwwaESUM0qOXPqAC61fm0j_PVS2O03SyXkc9NkcY6IxnpQgltg-SGFwgZGv7ztOfZ305sqA1TBAG9TpENhsA60yp6aMlDI7g/w597-h222/1999%20Paris%20Brest%20Paris%20Peter%20Campbell%20ride%20stats.JPG" width="597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Campbell 1999 Paris Brest Paris ranking. Source: <a href="https://www.pbpresults.com/1999">https://www.pbpresults.com/1999</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Post script </h3><div>2 weeks after the PBP, Lena & I started our official honeymoon, and cycle toured through Burgundy, the Dauphine and Provence. We covered 1300km in 4 weeks, but that is another story.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Gear & Clothing</h3>I took a full set of clothing, but no spares or changes. I used my lightweight Gamex Audax top once and leg warmers twice. I did not use my long gloves, my rain jacket or my warm headband. <br /><br />I saved 500g by taking a compact Ultimate bladder/backpack, over a pack rack and rack bag. This gave me the option of carrying water on my back and reserving my two water bottles for Coke, Orangina, sports drink and the like. The backpack was very comfortable and did not bother me during the ride. It also had the advantage of keeping my stuff with me at checkpoints. <br /><br />I chose to avoid the added logistics of arranging a bag drop for additional clothing and/or equipment.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Repairs </h3>I was assisted with a couple of minor running repairs and adjustments at checkpoints; the workshops were well equipped and staffed for all hours. I left a small tip. I did not end up using my small kit of tyre levers, patches and Allen keys. If your bike is in good shape, you should have no problems.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lights</h3>After seemingly endless consideration and discussion of options and calculation of battery life, I elected to take 2 Cateye Micros and a homemade battery pack of 4C and 4D cells (hot swappable via plugs). While this weighed a lot, it did guarantee me getting through the night. I also used a 10W Niterider Headlamp with a lightweight NiMh cell which proved to invaluable for fast descents and spotting route markers. Its 2.5 hour burn time got me through both nights as I used it sparingly. I carried spare AAs for the Cateye lights.</div><div><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB">Food</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tasty and nutritious food with good energy
value was available at all checkpoints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soup, pasta, salads, meat dishes, fruit and deserts were all
available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I carried 20 Leppins and
finished the ride with 2 left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
really only need to carry food and drink to get you between checkpoints and
avoid "cracking".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food bars
were sparingly available, but bananas were common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sports drink was hard to get, and tasted
foul.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Hygiene & Health</h3><p class="MsoNormal">I adopted the "irrigation by constant application" technique, as advocated by Malcolm Rogers, to maintain comfort for the nether region. I kept applying small quantities of anti fungal and silicon creams to chafing and pressure points. This worked well for me; I did not suffer much discomfort. Mind you, Avocet O2 saddles are wonderful. I also used silicone cream on my hands to prevent softening due to sweat. <br /><br />If you feel the need for a rear end overhaul, there are chemist shops and supermarkets en route and the Red Cross can assist at checkpoints with ointments such as nappy cream. Some fellow riders bought lignocaine cream to deaden the pain, but this should be a last resort as more damage to numb areas is likely. <br /><br />I had blocked sweat glands (red spots) on my feet, armpits and chamois region; these cleared up quickly after the ride. <br /><br />The biggest problem I had was numbness in some toes of my left foot, which 3 months after the ride has not completely gone yet. This was a new problem, and
there was little I could do to prevent it.
My Time pedals and shoes were high quality.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Some Do's</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Take your own energy food supplements</b> (e.g. Leppins), there are limited options available in France.</li><li><b>Use a good headlamp;</b> they are excellent for descents. The brighter the better.</li><li><b>Aim for redundancy with your lights</b> so you can swap parts if something fails.</li><li><b>Sleep or stop when you are really tired;</b> falling asleep and crashing might be the end of your ride, or you.</li><li><b>Aim to build up a time buffer</b> so that you have some contingency if things go wrong.</li><li><b>Do your own ride, </b>if you ride faster than you are comfortable with you risk blowing up. Riding slower than your optimum can be frustrating. There are plenty of people to ride with.</li><li><b>Stand out of the saddle frequently</b> to relieve pressure points and vary muscle groups.</li><li><b>Use a light rain jacket</b> (rather than a heavier Goretex one); they are good for both shower proofing and for added warmth at night.</li><li><b>A layer of foam under the handlebar cork wrap</b> helps prevent pressure points (or use double cork).</li></ul><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Some Don'ts</h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Don't use SPD pedals;</b> use a flatter road pedal/shoe combination such as the Look or Time systems. The flatter pressure surface is less likely to cause nerve problems with the soles of your feet.</li><li><b>Don't do the 80 hour</b> start unless you are either brave or foolish.</li><li><b>Don't carry nappy wipes</b>. I read somewhere they were recommended, but they are bulky, heavy and unnecessary. If you really need some (you probably won't) then buy them en route.</li><li><b>Don't carry too many heavy batteries;</b> you can buy them at checkpoints.</li><li><b>Don't avoid the Red Cross and medical assistance </b>on the ride if you have a serious medical problem, you risk permanent injury if you do so.</li><li><b>Don’t carry a full medical or tool kit or too much clothing</b>; too much stuff will weigh you down and make injuries and/or mechanical problems more likely, and make the ride much harder.</li></ul><p></p></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0Melbourne VIC, Australia-37.8136276 144.9630576-66.123861436178842 109.80680760000001 -9.5033937638211512 -179.8806924tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-43035462070278304362023-04-10T14:14:00.010+10:002023-04-21T22:37:56.615+10:00The Voice to Parliament will help Australia's First Nations People<p>The Voice to Parliament will help Australia's First Nations People.</p><p>I and many others attended the Voice to Parliament information night in Kooyong to learn more about why it is so important. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEq9FU7PxZ6oGJ4ziz-ZuMezVlpKAOfqILA-csnlFou-dkgkTf0N9sVw70Yj2lwYwlTuPxCWGZxW5-eSdbSUVRCHcVApQJ8BUqlxXUYJlr6NT25L-R32BZfhoh-pyjkQM_8zEWPjPn_qxRjyx8jtWtWNwq6TBTZUsOVtKAfZZyA0RrKrfJQ/s1885/2023-03-02%20Voice%20to%20Parliament%20Kooyong%20001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1885" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEq9FU7PxZ6oGJ4ziz-ZuMezVlpKAOfqILA-csnlFou-dkgkTf0N9sVw70Yj2lwYwlTuPxCWGZxW5-eSdbSUVRCHcVApQJ8BUqlxXUYJlr6NT25L-R32BZfhoh-pyjkQM_8zEWPjPn_qxRjyx8jtWtWNwq6TBTZUsOVtKAfZZyA0RrKrfJQ/w467-h231/2023-03-02%20Voice%20to%20Parliament%20Kooyong%20001.JPG" width="467" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBiDhs3AYi7yh97l4lvO4e8D9MU6LTQbLVhhseVit700ECE0fUMiFqDnn9QOHIwTEQMlcwPkzJuKZEg0hfm6cFU7Cknja7dH4sf5YSki_6y-11YKboQzWd6GT4jGVAuCaljwyBKO6e_e3e1tKpGj48OoKPawzqxOCsfHWhS7cfK1QU-x3Nw/s3264/PXL_20230302_073051684.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBiDhs3AYi7yh97l4lvO4e8D9MU6LTQbLVhhseVit700ECE0fUMiFqDnn9QOHIwTEQMlcwPkzJuKZEg0hfm6cFU7Cknja7dH4sf5YSki_6y-11YKboQzWd6GT4jGVAuCaljwyBKO6e_e3e1tKpGj48OoKPawzqxOCsfHWhS7cfK1QU-x3Nw/w400-h300/PXL_20230302_073051684.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZDe6Z9li3XPQl3X2KSF9t0yc1oz_vfl1vnsgGgzEp5dTKZDXW56sO1wCwVcSPQT3lUZxqJHeqFfvZQnfBNpSKma_Xg3t9ll7-fOTQ0OQZhWMNJlghidPaI0GwNeY4FBmTpGRlOz1Y-ZlIyWzcMRa-J5T4bozP950jviB_daFk4AfVXXoiA/s4032/PXL_20230302_073229574.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZDe6Z9li3XPQl3X2KSF9t0yc1oz_vfl1vnsgGgzEp5dTKZDXW56sO1wCwVcSPQT3lUZxqJHeqFfvZQnfBNpSKma_Xg3t9ll7-fOTQ0OQZhWMNJlghidPaI0GwNeY4FBmTpGRlOz1Y-ZlIyWzcMRa-J5T4bozP950jviB_daFk4AfVXXoiA/w400-h300/PXL_20230302_073229574.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Willoughby" target="_blank">Bart Willoughby</a>, A Pitjantjatjara man of the Mirning dreaming played didgeridoo and acknowledged the Wurundjeri people to open the event . </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p>The speakers were: </p><p><a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Dr Monique Ryan</a>, independent MP for Kooyong</p><p><a href="https://www.thomasmayo.com.au/" target="_blank">Thomas Mayo</a>, Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. </p><p><a href="https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/members/marcus-stewart/" target="_blank">Marcus Stewart</a>, Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>You can watch the event here:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l08b9kPc9U4" width="488" youtube-src-id="l08b9kPc9U4"></iframe></div><br /><p>Some key points were made by the speakers.</p><p><b>Thomas Mayo: </b> "The Voice will provide recognition to and consultation with First Nations people. Have conversations with your family and friends about this."</p><p>Many decades of struggle, heartbreak and hard work have led up to the Voice. The Voice is logical, its strategic for closing the gap, and its key for hearing indigenous people. The dialogues that led to the Voice considered lessons learnt. </p><p>Voices have been established many times before. Anytime they made the parliament uncomfortable they have been silenced. Petitions and statements have been ignored. A treaty was promised by Bob Hawke, but its failed to date.</p><p>Howard destroyed ATSIC. Governments have failed. The NT Intervention then happened.</p><p>The Voice To Parliament can advise the Australian government to take action on black deaths in custody and closing the gap.</p><p>Consensus was reached on Uluru Statement give it great power, dialogues across Australia were heard in safe places. The outcome was Voice, Treaty, Truth. The priority now is the Voice.</p><p>Australia is one of the very few like nations that don't have a Treaty or constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples.</p><p>Without a Voice, First Nations People go backwards.</p><p>The Voice To Parliament can provide advice to the parliament about any future attempts to suspend the Racial Discrimination Act (as Howard did during the racist NT Intervention).</p><p>The Voice to Parliament must be in the Constitution to stop future governments destroying it when they don't like what they hear and don't want to listen.</p><p>Its up to the Parliament to determine how the Voice will function and how it will be formed. This may change over time as lessons are learned - this detail must NOT be in the Constitution as then it cannot be altered when needed. </p><p><b>Marcus Stewart:</b> "the Voice (now) is essential for getting to Treaty, which could take 20+ years."</p><p>Sovereignty has not been ceded and will never be ceded. </p><p>We are We are a strong people, but in this nation we don't have a political agency to make decisions that affect our lives. We watch other people decide whether our rights are respected and our voices heard.</p><p>Voice, Treaty and Truth will benefit the soul of this nation.</p><p>We are all lucky to walk on Aboriginal Land. We came to this place through different paths. </p><p>We have a once in a generation opportunity ahead of us at referendum.</p><p>What is on offer is over 60,000 years of history and culture, wisdom and knowledge, traditions and celebrations, strength and resilience, something we can all celebrate.</p><p>We will lose nothing but stand to gain so much. We love our culture and want to share it and have it respected and everyone able to celebrate it. All we ask in return is for the freedom and power to make decisions that impact our communities, our culture and our lands.</p><p>We want the freedom to choose our own paths in life. For too long Aboriginal people have had policies made to us, for us, but never by us. </p><p>Every aspects of our lives have been controlled by policies ... made by politicians who didn't understand us and didn't respect us.</p><p>Having a Voice is the first step in having a meaningful say in the decisions that affect our lives. Its not about assigning blame or guilt. </p><p>The alternative is waking up to a country post referendum that told our people and our communities that we don't belong and that our voice should be silent.</p><p>I urge everyone to not let the perfect get in the way of the good. Don't let the search for detail leave us without a seat at the table.</p><p>A Yes Vote is confirmation that you want all First Nations communities to thrive again, for our unique connection to this place to be recognised, respected and celebrated. </p><h2><b>Opponents</b></h2><p>The Liberal, National and One Nation parties all oppose the Voice to Parliament. Their reasons are unclear. There is no logic, evidence or facts supporting their positions. They are telling lies about the Voice.</p><p>Their political tactic is to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt to kill the Voice. They tried this during the unnecessary marriage plebiscite but it didn't work.</p><p>It also appears there is some racism behind this, which is very disappointing.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Some answers to questions</h2><p>I can't understand how we would be able to progress Treaty without a Voice. One risk that a Treaty might be signed then torn up by government.</p><p>A good agreement never comes before you form a representative body. We have federal government. Its really important to setup a national body.</p><p>Treaty will take decades and will be an ongoing struggle, so a national body is going to be so important to ensure outcomes are achieved.</p><p>We can work towards a Treaty and have a Voice, work can proceed in tandem.</p><p>The Voice is just recognition and consultation. Have conversations with friends and colleagues about the Voice. </p><p>The Voice will be one mechanism to improve lives of First Nations People, better policies will result.</p><p>The Voice has an advisory to it can be ignored by government, but it would a brave government to do that. Parliament will remains responsible for making decisions. They should listen to what we have to say.</p><p>The Voice will not have a power of veto.</p><p>The parliament and the government will seek advice from First Nations people. For example, the lifting of alcohol bans. </p><p>Local, regional and national layers of representation will represent all groups across Australia.</p><p>The Voice will represent the community it serves. Out people will have a democratic say in who their representative are.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Why I will vote Yes</b></h2><p>I will vote yes to the Voice To Parliament referendum. I respect the <a href="https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement/" target="_blank">Uluru Statemen</a>t and the wishes of First Nations people.</p><p><b>Australia's First Nation's people deserve to have a voice to parliament and government about policies and legislation that affect them.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Solicitor-general Stephen Donaghue advice on the Voice</h2>On 21 April 2023 the government’s top lawyer stated the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament would "enhance" Australia's system of government, and does not believe it would "pose any threat" to the nation's parliamentary democracy.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AZSZe75u8MhlwMUg3Bn5HR7daB_6CO3SOTRu46zewPBnmoURwUOVvkX636eIDYXZ2c9IX4Hh2ozjgJLo_zbhHRYljPOl0JKsmYJwSLCCwvOkLHOGATeuQJ2Eg8Exbj1dv9swtrDAvYtpS3NNKBO9gt-QgPI2jXz1VcO8zf0N6aqsYx4v8Q/s680/2023-04-21%20Solicitor%20General%20advice%20on%20the%20Voice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AZSZe75u8MhlwMUg3Bn5HR7daB_6CO3SOTRu46zewPBnmoURwUOVvkX636eIDYXZ2c9IX4Hh2ozjgJLo_zbhHRYljPOl0JKsmYJwSLCCwvOkLHOGATeuQJ2Eg8Exbj1dv9swtrDAvYtpS3NNKBO9gt-QgPI2jXz1VcO8zf0N6aqsYx4v8Q/s320/2023-04-21%20Solicitor%20General%20advice%20on%20the%20Voice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-21/voice-to-parliament-legally-sound-says-solicitor-general/102250768" target="_blank">Voice to Parliament would be an 'enhancement' to constitution, according to solicitor-general</a> - ABC News </li></ul><div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Links</h1><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement/" target="_blank">The Uluru Statement</a></li><li><a href="https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/referendum-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voice" target="_blank">Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice</a> - referendum question and constitutional amendment.</li><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-23/voice-to-parliament-referendum-question-constitutional-announced/102133674" target="_blank">Voice to Parliament referendum question and constitutional amendment announced</a> - ABC News</li><li><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2023/02/27/1385518/voice-to-parliament-debunking-10-myths-and-misconceptions" target="_blank">Voice to Parliament: Debunking 10 myths and misconceptions</a> – Monash Lens</li></ul></div></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-36388261994115906742023-01-17T09:40:00.005+11:002023-01-17T09:48:45.127+11:00Minister Stitt: Its time to end native forest logging now OPEN LETTER<p>Letter to Minister Stitt, Victorian Minister for the Environment. You can send a similar letter to Minister Stitt <a href="https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/end_logging_now" target="_blank">here</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3qNoslKXtqYxuErPQZwX9sjmTkEC8_yWnwV5rVC0k_kxmASTDsZHnCoq2Yc4ZDlO3VMFDCUqusrWyfD38hg21zetBYN9PSw8Dcv2m-o6_2pBX_6_dYpk5fL8Y-wbSyZCIErvPrZyJ7sG_zMtFfXEjmkPrFhzY4Cf-qKbiGBza0APZFeydw/s6519/20191221_195015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="6519" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3qNoslKXtqYxuErPQZwX9sjmTkEC8_yWnwV5rVC0k_kxmASTDsZHnCoq2Yc4ZDlO3VMFDCUqusrWyfD38hg21zetBYN9PSw8Dcv2m-o6_2pBX_6_dYpk5fL8Y-wbSyZCIErvPrZyJ7sG_zMtFfXEjmkPrFhzY4Cf-qKbiGBza0APZFeydw/w565-h212/20191221_195015.jpg" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Dear Minister Stitt,</p><p>Please accept our congratulations on your appointment as the Victorian Minister for the Environment. </p><p>As you will be aware, protection of forests and wildlife is a growing concern among Victorians, both in urban and regional areas.</p><p>Logs from native forests account for about 10% of the entire Victorian pulp and timber industry resource. The remainder is now plantation based. We urge you to announce a rapid exit out of all native forest logging as one of your first achievements as minister.</p><p>Current native forest logging practises are increasingly untenable and unsustainable for many reasons:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>VicForests is not a competent or trusted manager of public forests. Several attempts to attain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification have failed.</li><li>Since 2004 it has relied heavily on millions of dollars of government hand-outs annually, rarely returning a dividend to the state.</li><li>Multiple court cases have proven that VicForests has been operating in breach of Victorian legislation. Appealing court decisions compounds the cost to the tax-payer.</li><li>After 18 years of operation, VicForests has demonstrated it can’t manage publicly-owned native forests, economically or legally. Logging native forests is unviable and VicForests should be wound up at the earliest opportunity.</li><li>Winding up VicForests now will save the public money, protect forest biodiversity and water supplies, reduce fire risk and substantially contribute to meeting our climate change targets. Please refer to Victoria’s Carbon Report released recently by the Victorian Forest Alliance for further details. </li><li>With the transition funds that are already available, many workers could transfer their skills to areas of growing demand including emergency response workers, transport and land restoration.</li><li>As demonstrated through the recent Victorian election, the community increasingly understands that eight more years of logging will further destroy remaining intact forests and the wildlife which is struggling to recover after horrific bushfires. </li><li>The native forest logging issue must be resolved. As the new environment minister, I urge you to make the bold decision to protect public forests and guide the industry in a new direction that is secure, economically viable, socially acceptable, lawful, helps slow the biodiversity crisis and meets the state’s climate targets. Ending all native forest logging across the state will also demonstrate that the government is listening to the concerns of the broader community.</li><li>Such a move will be welcomed by the majority of Victorians. It will become an important legacy for the Andrews government and will allow the development of a new economy based on the state’s outstanding natural values. </li></ul><p></p><p>I greatly value our native forests and request they be protected from logging immediately.</p><p>Yours sincerely,</p><p>Peter Campbell</p><p><address and contact details supplied></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-7474791426046896842022-09-14T14:32:00.003+10:002022-09-14T14:33:41.521+10:00Save Falls Creek cross country skiing area<p>The proposal to clear the road during winter from Windy Corner to the ANARE shed at Rocky Valley will destroy cross country skiing access and amenity. The existing snow-covered road provides access to cross country skiers and snow shoe users free of wheeled vehicles. </p><p>This access route provides a quiet, scenic and sheltered route for cross country skiers and snow shoe users to access and use the XC trail network including the Nordic Bowl. The route is wide enough to accommodate many skiers.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE6EFFU85b988mq5uXi9L4PSVQzr26feMVyQzn9gOEivDxByjeyiD10JWg4I1hsgMyCf13RCDHwJ4u5FhfK81hNRp_XSMskPQAdSd-lCpwIxPlR68uwj3n5hq5-Luem_6i1tzJOx4UtE9OvKA2uol3VRCxyFyhGdLb7sVvdf34p74SLN8lw/s1420/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1420" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE6EFFU85b988mq5uXi9L4PSVQzr26feMVyQzn9gOEivDxByjeyiD10JWg4I1hsgMyCf13RCDHwJ4u5FhfK81hNRp_XSMskPQAdSd-lCpwIxPlR68uwj3n5hq5-Luem_6i1tzJOx4UtE9OvKA2uol3VRCxyFyhGdLb7sVvdf34p74SLN8lw/w640-h288/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road that Falls Creek resort wants to keep cleared all Winter.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Current users of this area are cross country skiers of all ages and abilities, snow shoe users and XC racers who train there regularly and compete in events such as the Kangaroo Hoppet.</p><p>Clearing the road to create additional carparks will prevent current users from skiing on it and put spoil down the slopes above and below it. Road traffic would destroy the serenity of the current XC ski area including the Nordic bowl. This will ruin the cross country ski experience and amenity at Falls Creek, which is the main reason our family visits the resort. </p><p>On our last visit our daughter skied on the lifts for 4 days, I skied on the lifts for one day and cross country for 4 days. We used the Windy Corner shelter and cafe every day.</p><p>The proposal to provide new XC facilities close to or next to Rocky Valley dam is ill-considered. This area gets significantly more adverse weather than the sheltered Nordic Bowl, XC trails and currently uncleared road. Frequent adverse weather at or close to the dam includes very strong winds, a much higher chill factor and poor visibility.</p><p>If this proposal proceeds we will be unlikely to visit Falls Creek again in winter. Windy Corner and the existing XC trails are the main reason our family visits Falls Creek.</p><p>I recommend improving bus services to Falls Creek as an alternative to providing more parking for private cars. This would provide increased access for more visitors without further damaging the alpine environment and experience that people come to Falls Creek for.</p><p><b>You can provide your feedback on this proposal (closing Sunday 18 Sep 2022) <a href="https://bit.ly/falls-ck-xc" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmrbZ8x5QCl_SGyWHs6PI9bASbnCNcqjq_t6gaRR2tOGgXUxksEa7_YTiGTz4rHwQv4fgtUrDRCIzsByHxcAKklSyDiCDTB0DU8BeLhS2gHrja2Yo4p0zACg1qe6AxVhlJNGNE8pVVSJ8ln9kP6uhBIBOaDSnmHbTXS3pJODkI7APphDouA/s2048/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2048" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmrbZ8x5QCl_SGyWHs6PI9bASbnCNcqjq_t6gaRR2tOGgXUxksEa7_YTiGTz4rHwQv4fgtUrDRCIzsByHxcAKklSyDiCDTB0DU8BeLhS2gHrja2Yo4p0zACg1qe6AxVhlJNGNE8pVVSJ8ln9kP6uhBIBOaDSnmHbTXS3pJODkI7APphDouA/w400-h190/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The section of road they want to keep cleared in Winter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_3sBJOGK8dhk4zLrjNbENBRUzsLjMx4dcrl-iikcVTNa4ko2CKbSipjDqmt7rWcD3fx16Vk7Ztw-3nqkmZVYtIFN2579Vx_Rbk7rxKvIEyI_5pLGfruJUxO5YGPJ0P8jlpAhIG-GjkQsFEMW-CukyGM89IsyLqOCFwdgonyKCn1MIzpgnQ/s1420/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1420" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_3sBJOGK8dhk4zLrjNbENBRUzsLjMx4dcrl-iikcVTNa4ko2CKbSipjDqmt7rWcD3fx16Vk7Ztw-3nqkmZVYtIFN2579Vx_Rbk7rxKvIEyI_5pLGfruJUxO5YGPJ0P8jlpAhIG-GjkQsFEMW-CukyGM89IsyLqOCFwdgonyKCn1MIzpgnQ/w400-h180/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sking down to Nordic Bowl</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15tV67tehv80Fv_49TT116CxTgkT3FlzIEMniwtKcdxrlLdFSqf7RhaHHu9EsBPOVm7RmNzZd7H2OewAVr1Z9y0j6wOKs1BGkjof3N2_7S65i3Be7rV603T1vVky6HD39-6PaiALHaWH4E5jzzYq_LQ93dtY4eWa7AxGSEPGuaoR3NjKHSg/s2048/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15tV67tehv80Fv_49TT116CxTgkT3FlzIEMniwtKcdxrlLdFSqf7RhaHHu9EsBPOVm7RmNzZd7H2OewAVr1Z9y0j6wOKs1BGkjof3N2_7S65i3Be7rV603T1vVky6HD39-6PaiALHaWH4E5jzzYq_LQ93dtY4eWa7AxGSEPGuaoR3NjKHSg/w400-h225/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordic Bowl</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmGPhd-A-f4e_wXxViFnOEN4QaOB4ff8wmpycmzpxVmrMVZaDVl7f2HrhpaImJGQ17Y0VxUE1BaoHzFF-mkUf5NnQDBupUye9Hiaf4ZI54-TZCyCFRQGz6H6JUY0FQ1Ms4UV2mz1p3V6PVAsTGd_L-oGW0JbBxSfFK94pJM57zb4ai4nZ7g/s2048/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmGPhd-A-f4e_wXxViFnOEN4QaOB4ff8wmpycmzpxVmrMVZaDVl7f2HrhpaImJGQ17Y0VxUE1BaoHzFF-mkUf5NnQDBupUye9Hiaf4ZI54-TZCyCFRQGz6H6JUY0FQ1Ms4UV2mz1p3V6PVAsTGd_L-oGW0JbBxSfFK94pJM57zb4ai4nZ7g/w400-h300/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANARE shed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhy6liG1Nl4ayalklVDzdj0lVl4Vgfckez2PAH48h8FXT9Km1ND4j0QKQpOhGoVuXE1nLtRE37ZbuHE_PSSoijUnE1jlTjYGvVBiGI0mZSZbX2U9JIwRKU4M7PCvNX0QQIhBf9iMWRYDob48OK8G5pnC9te9JxT65h1bUIZG8E2vYAxCz5A/s800/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhy6liG1Nl4ayalklVDzdj0lVl4Vgfckez2PAH48h8FXT9Km1ND4j0QKQpOhGoVuXE1nLtRE37ZbuHE_PSSoijUnE1jlTjYGvVBiGI0mZSZbX2U9JIwRKU4M7PCvNX0QQIhBf9iMWRYDob48OK8G5pnC9te9JxT65h1bUIZG8E2vYAxCz5A/w400-h300/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0IpX7Ehll4FThgRBhhhU36NVXb72E1ADYl2mJOMKf_c49qnpdGJobdQpdfBTzhtFZ8i7Z5HiZgTe0XFKq5F-zYouuFo30ATkriRGEE4T-v9VMsJO_WTk5THUHn0Ur7cIILqjMBOoq282gXGLiCX0m9wCQLTZb356S2_96pZL67skGGBdkA/s1428/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1079" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0IpX7Ehll4FThgRBhhhU36NVXb72E1ADYl2mJOMKf_c49qnpdGJobdQpdfBTzhtFZ8i7Z5HiZgTe0XFKq5F-zYouuFo30ATkriRGEE4T-v9VMsJO_WTk5THUHn0Ur7cIILqjMBOoq282gXGLiCX0m9wCQLTZb356S2_96pZL67skGGBdkA/w303-h400/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2002.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLZ1efF_67ae3ATYOYlVzc7wowdPyttt0efWVURviohbmX7RRYUjwj4FO823XabGK-13X_NVstxPbd1z7LMoSiLHXZwNCqS7s5xBVcbAS3lJLpS2KjzVFdviF7l4YaXTXsYP5vT7e-xl_p5tiNez6-s9FrdxymsGfTkoi4JLumy5HtKAZug/s2048/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2048" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLZ1efF_67ae3ATYOYlVzc7wowdPyttt0efWVURviohbmX7RRYUjwj4FO823XabGK-13X_NVstxPbd1z7LMoSiLHXZwNCqS7s5xBVcbAS3lJLpS2KjzVFdviF7l4YaXTXsYP5vT7e-xl_p5tiNez6-s9FrdxymsGfTkoi4JLumy5HtKAZug/w400-h190/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJnb8LaAJqWoc3RORwALWvjEQNeYsy7abz5QGLXAfDuaO266ofgzXfynpVukyze52sMxi1eQe061cwbA87pSI427Gy9b8rpAPrM6chT5BnWsla6T1CJ4uDgR69RzLDnkAVHUkXVt24HyEAp-zOMmzW_S_Od_-5cIC4ApqW7wbUvyUUqwvoQ/s2048/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJnb8LaAJqWoc3RORwALWvjEQNeYsy7abz5QGLXAfDuaO266ofgzXfynpVukyze52sMxi1eQe061cwbA87pSI427Gy9b8rpAPrM6chT5BnWsla6T1CJ4uDgR69RzLDnkAVHUkXVt24HyEAp-zOMmzW_S_Od_-5cIC4ApqW7wbUvyUUqwvoQ/w400-h300/Save%20Falls%20Ck%20XC%2007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windy Corner car park, the road stops here in Winter</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">Additional information</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://savefallscreekxc.org/" target="_blank">Save Falls Creek xc </a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/553170379880458" target="_blank">Save Falls Creek XC</a>, Facebook</li><li><a href="https://themountainjournal.com/2022/07/17/plans-revealed-for-falls-creek-lakeside-development-project/" target="_blank">Plans revealed for Falls Creek Lakeside Development project</a>, Mountain Journal </li><li><a href="https://www.birkebeiner.org.au/information/development-proposal-for-the-lakeside-precinct-at-falls-creek-implications-for-cross-country-skiing/" target="_blank">Development Proposal for the Lakeside Precinct at Falls Creek – Implications for Cross Country Skiing</a>, Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club Inc. </li></ul></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0Windy Corner Car Park, Falls Creek VIC 3699, Australia-36.864601 147.2860335-65.174834836178846 112.1297835 -8.5543671638211549 -177.55771649999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-20184884904911992352022-05-29T14:04:00.009+10:002022-05-29T21:13:29.947+10:00Peter Dutton's track record<p>Peter Dutton MP has the front running to become the Liberal National opposition leader in the federal government. </p><p>It is worth remembering some of his recent political history, Peter Dutton:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Refused to commit to aiming for a 1.5% limit on climate warming</b> at the Pacific Island Form in PNG, where he was heard to joke about island nations with "waves lapping at your door"</li><li><b>Boycotted the Apology to the Stolen Generations</b></li><li>Claimed Victorians were s<b>cared to go out because of African Gangs</b></li><li><b>Blamed Laa Chol's death on "Sudanese Gangs"</b>, contrary to Victoria Police advice</li><li>Accused Ali France, who is an amputee, of <b>leveraging her disability for political gain</b></li><li>Referred to <b>Murugappan children as "Anchor Babies"</b></li><li>Claimed refugees [medivac'd from detention] will cause locals to be "displaced from those services"</li><li><b>Referred Bruce Pascoe to AFP</b> claiming he lied about indigenous identity</li><li><b>Called journalist Samantha Maiden a "mad f***ing witch"</b> in a text message</li><li>Described <b>Brittany Higgins rape allegation</b> as "She said, He said"</li><li>Claimed women are using <b>rape and abortion claims as a ploy to get to Australia</b></li><li><b>Used SLAPP suits</b> to silence critics (Shane Bazzi)</li><li>Marked Anzac Day 2022 by <b>invoking the spectre of Nazi Germany</b> and declaring that Australia <b>can only preserve peace by preparing for war</b>.</li></ul><div><i>*Credit to Helen Smart for this list.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>There are now media attempts to portray him as a nice family guy to soften is reputation as a hard right political warrior, a hard-line border protection minister and, more recently, a China hawk beating the drums of war.</div><div><br /></div><div>It will be interesting to see how he goes as opposition leader.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">See also</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/odds-against-remade-dutton-as-coalition-faces-three-difficult-years-20220526-p5aous.html" target="_blank">Election 2022 results: Peter Dutton battles to reform image as Coalition faces three difficult years</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-25/peter-dutton-anzac-day-china-russia-nazi-germany/101013116" target="_blank">Peter Dutton marks Anzac Day by again comparing China and Russia to Nazi Germany before World War II</a> - ABC News</li><li><a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/dictator-duttons-disdain-for-democracy-part-1-building-the-surveillance-state/" target="_blank">Dictator Dutton’s Disdain for Democracy: Part 1, Building the Surveillance State</a></li></ul></div><p></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-22311823604509883932022-05-28T16:31:00.009+10:002022-05-30T11:28:53.776+10:00Independent candidates partly funded by Climate 200 reset representational democracy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.climate200.com.au/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Climate 200" border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWiCuPJxd9TQyurnQ-BH3mT1iDYVU68i2DbY8noOHm1oL54LKYCcl2N-7VfyDOD1iVB6zDXjJuF4H9jDE187qxhdTbfmD9xVcKO4YOmtsi_IVCzsOmNiXUfdsSODeb9G5DdXzLOQzeKWQzi2b2mCvLGsli8CWvBdmSr9O_clUhyX_deETkw/w500-h263/Climate%20200.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Climate 200 is a community crowdfunded initiative established in 2019 to support pro-climate, pro-integrity, and pro-gender equity candidates.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Climate 200 is not a party. It does not start campaigns, select candidates, speak for candidates, dictate policies, or have members.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Climate did not prelect any of the above candidates, control them, or dictate any policy matters.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>They simply give strong community campaigns a leg up with funding and support.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The following candidates were <b>partly funded by <a href="https://www.climate200.com.au/" target="_blank">Climate 200</a></b> during the 2022 Australian Federal election:</div><p><b><a href="https://www.dyson4wannon.com/" target="_blank"> Alex Dyson</a></b>, Independent candidate for Wannon</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>VIC, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p></p><p><b><a href="https://www.allegraspender.com.au/" target="_blank">Allegra Spender</a>,</b> Independent candidate for Wentworth - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>NSW, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p></p><p><b><a href="https://andrewwilkie.org/" target="_blank">Andrew Wilkie</a></b>. Independent MP for Clark - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>TAS, Independent seeking re-election</li></ul><p></p><p><b><a href="https://caz4cowper.com.au/" target="_blank">Caz Heise</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Cowper</p><ul><li>NSW, National incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://claireferresmiles.com.au/" target="_blank">Claire Ferres Miles</a></b>, Independent candidate for Casey</p><ul><li>VIC, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.davidpocock.com.au/" target="_blank">David Pocock</a>.</b> Independent candidate for ACT Senate - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>ACT Senate</li></ul><p></p><p><b><a href="https://teamdespi.com.au/" target="_blank">Despi O’Connor</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Flinders</p><ul><li>VIC, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Dr Monique Ryan</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Kooyong - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>VIC, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.sophiescamps.com.au/" target="_blank">Dr Sophie Scamps</a>,</b> Independent candidate for Mackellar - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>NSW, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://georgiasteele.com.au/" target="_blank">Georgia Steele</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Hughes</p><ul><li>NSW, UAP incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.hanabethluke.com.au/" target="_blank">Dr Hanabeth Luke</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Page</p><ul><li>NSW, National incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.helenhaines.org/" target="_blank">Helen Haines</a></b>, Independent member for Indi - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>VIC, Independent seeking re-election</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.dyerforboothby.com/" target="_blank">Jo Dyer</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Boothby</p><ul><li>SA, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.katechaney.com.au/" target="_blank">Kate Chaney</a>,</b> Independent candidate for Curtin - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>WA, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://voteforkate.com.au/" target="_blank">Kate Hook</a>, </b>Independent candidate for Calare</p><ul><li>NSW, National incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.kim4canberra.com.au/" target="_blank">Kim Rubenstein,</a></b> Independent candidate for ACT Senate</p><ul><li>ACT Senate</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.kyleatink.com.au/" target="_blank">Kylea Tink</a>,</b> Independent candidate for North Sydney - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>NSW, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.leanneminshull.com.au/" target="_blank">Leanne Minshull</a>l,</b> Independent candidate for TAS Senate</p><ul><li>TAS, Senate</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.nicoletteboele.com.au/">Nicolette Boele</a>,</b> Independent candidate for Bradfield</p><ul><li>NSW, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/" target="_blank">Rebekha Sharkie</a></b>, Independent member for Mayo - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>SA, Independent seeking re-election</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.zalisteggall.com.au/" target="_blank">Zali Steggall</a></b>, Independent MP for Warringah - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>NSW, Independent seeking re-election</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://www.zoedaniel.com.au/" target="_blank">Zoe Daniel</a></b>, Independent candidate for Goldstein - <span style="color: #2b00fe;">ELECTED</span></p><ul><li>VIC, Liberal incumbent</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">See also </h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_200" target="_blank">Climate 200</a> - Wikipedia </li></ul></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-29965021810271439192022-05-15T23:36:00.002+10:002022-05-31T13:30:54.073+10:00Dr Monique Ryan will be a strong independent voice for Kooyong if she is elected<p>I got involved in politics are working on campaigns to protect Victoria's native forests. Elections presented an opportunity to get change for the better. However, we were not able to "make Australia woodchip free in 1993"...</p><p>I joined the Greens and was the <a href="https://kooyong.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Greens candidate for Kooyong</a> in 2001, 2004 and 2007 running against Petro Georgiou, a decent and friendly man who showed great compassion to refugees.</p><p>I resigned from the Greens in 2011. All political parties carry baggage and pollute democracy. MPs mostly represent their party as their first priority rather than their constituents.</p><p>I ran as an independent (unsuccessfully) for the state seat of <a href="http://burwood-melbourne.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Burwood in the 2014 Victorian election</a>.</p><p>People mostly join political parties because the believe in something and want to effect change. I was focussed on protecting forests, the environment, climate change and transitioning to renewable energy. </p><p>However, I found myself diverted into lengthy often toxic state and national council meetings. My energy was diverted into internal battles over policy, priorities and pre-selection. All political parties also engage in branch stacking.</p><p>When I send emails to Josh Frydenberg asking him to represent my views in the federal parliament he refuses to do so. Instead I get a spiel from him on what "their policy" is. He has also <a href="https://twitter.com/peterc_150" target="_blank">blocked me on Twitter</a> without any explanation. He's just not a good representative for me and many others.</p><p><b>I am volunteering for <a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Monique Ryan's campaign</a> for Kooyong because I believe she will be the best person to represent Kooyong in the federal parliament.</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtm1qvxscM2kFb-umo2Kylezlv1lJ_ha7MQ8IW9DHD5pyQna8I8BSCxtCqctFlgyz82KHSneCW1pNa26mHovN6Dyh1fNzLoEDqKgh6dVmvnluEQsLroA-pG-3wkiecI0sPhveogpybLsN1fGzExF__qUi5Q1U9Pwt_GzLzczl51FhXM4Fuw/s1200/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20HTV.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="856" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtm1qvxscM2kFb-umo2Kylezlv1lJ_ha7MQ8IW9DHD5pyQna8I8BSCxtCqctFlgyz82KHSneCW1pNa26mHovN6Dyh1fNzLoEDqKgh6dVmvnluEQsLroA-pG-3wkiecI0sPhveogpybLsN1fGzExF__qUi5Q1U9Pwt_GzLzczl51FhXM4Fuw/w285-h400/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20HTV.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vote 1 Monique Ryan. <b>Remember to number EVERY square.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We want a Federal representative who takes the time to listen, and act and represent us on the important issues - including climate change, an anti-corruption commission, decent treatment of refugees and protection of our environment.</p><p>The campaigns such as <a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Monique Ryan in Kooyong</a>, <a href="https://www.zoedaniel.com.au/" target="_blank">Zoe Daniel in Goldstein</a>, <a href="https://www.allegraspender.com.au/" target="_blank">Allegra Spender in Wentworth</a> and other "teal" seats are fantastic and inspiring. </p><p>Thousands of people are engaged and active.</p><p>Democracy has been restored to citizens, breaking the shackles of party politics.</p><p>Simon Holmes a Court has provided funding for many of these campaigns via the <a href="https://www.climate200.com.au/" target="_blank">Climate 200</a> with no strings attached. This has enabled local independent campaigns to compete against well-funded political party campaigns.</p><p>One of the great things about Dr Monique Ryan's campaign is meeting new people from all walks of life and getting out and about door knocking, riding bikes and visiting cafes.</p><p>Over 2,000 volunteers are united in a common goal - to get Dr Ryan elected in Kooyong.</p><p>This is the first time in Kooyong's history that there has been a real contest for the seat. </p><p>This might be the only chance we get, let's make it happen!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9ccvtBr4U-xbk3JDpvbK9Yzmz9aRl49f7dawDc1Z4hgYjpqmEJZxTXWc9t29ptqO2J3bB16NigBfKOcCgyf9-Vxhcc2ejHkOhUHaOPvO-PhN10PTTI7d95jhC1jUrLy3n-stKt7PwDaTY2iQURO3GDZ18OJkmRNwdyGl41NXHZ3QiwpARA/s4032/PXL_20220430_231136627.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9ccvtBr4U-xbk3JDpvbK9Yzmz9aRl49f7dawDc1Z4hgYjpqmEJZxTXWc9t29ptqO2J3bB16NigBfKOcCgyf9-Vxhcc2ejHkOhUHaOPvO-PhN10PTTI7d95jhC1jUrLy3n-stKt7PwDaTY2iQURO3GDZ18OJkmRNwdyGl41NXHZ3QiwpARA/w400-h300/PXL_20220430_231136627.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNG4eziqy4Os4tiy9IHB9S_bZu7OKnjDOChQQkJvKkVxqOy3V4tIMLCBawjDFlS_Z2l46JzyQWB8Tz_DjPZ4m7qcbkUzt2Fbj8j0n_7MQ6Nq7HLtQSbpQNnUf3mSiJJDVSBK4eBlJYQYqvXTjCftEyuZ0Wryu5i9hjk6SeY6etm-yXktkeA/s2048/2022-03%20Monique%20Ryan,%20Glenferrie%20Road%20festival.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNG4eziqy4Os4tiy9IHB9S_bZu7OKnjDOChQQkJvKkVxqOy3V4tIMLCBawjDFlS_Z2l46JzyQWB8Tz_DjPZ4m7qcbkUzt2Fbj8j0n_7MQ6Nq7HLtQSbpQNnUf3mSiJJDVSBK4eBlJYQYqvXTjCftEyuZ0Wryu5i9hjk6SeY6etm-yXktkeA/w400-h268/2022-03%20Monique%20Ryan,%20Glenferrie%20Road%20festival.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpMm2T3Q_-yqHc_74vUtk88v1C3wKSf8Qe3RY9IPWkM6pJkwqipxaKC8nVWHf2RuDqFuMLG75LMVlraThpKrKEm1ndxeNYXqw5RGnkSBJfP-eztZvTH5C5ReU66Tm_-HhdkzVnJ55qwSmpon3T0pTwXLyckTccJ216wQYIfcRmKZeOtO3Hg/s4032/PXL_20220509_054455163.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpMm2T3Q_-yqHc_74vUtk88v1C3wKSf8Qe3RY9IPWkM6pJkwqipxaKC8nVWHf2RuDqFuMLG75LMVlraThpKrKEm1ndxeNYXqw5RGnkSBJfP-eztZvTH5C5ReU66Tm_-HhdkzVnJ55qwSmpon3T0pTwXLyckTccJ216wQYIfcRmKZeOtO3Hg/w400-h300/PXL_20220509_054455163.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8U3hmgRbJrj3C_EAImctdr_5gmUbJNksu24iYs_wSNc-viX8aXoCciHCY8XrVOeuzu0yjAGpfTy3e9KYMMOjzHR4LSSlVPx613IScnPZcYhesPsFicwIfFq3EQ1WESNf4SOthnQ2JhEyWmua1uTAYRbc_HtYHMvcsghWoREK32szETUPeA/s1280/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20campaign%20launch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8U3hmgRbJrj3C_EAImctdr_5gmUbJNksu24iYs_wSNc-viX8aXoCciHCY8XrVOeuzu0yjAGpfTy3e9KYMMOjzHR4LSSlVPx613IScnPZcYhesPsFicwIfFq3EQ1WESNf4SOthnQ2JhEyWmua1uTAYRbc_HtYHMvcsghWoREK32szETUPeA/w400-h225/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20campaign%20launch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">See also</h3><div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://petercampbell.blogspot.com/2022/05/climate-200-candidates-reset.html" target="_blank">Independent candidates funded by Climate 200 reset representational democracy </a></li><li><a href="https://petercampbell.blogspot.com/2022/05/monique-ryan-will-be-great-member-of.html" target="_blank">Monique Ryan will be a great member of parliament for Kooyong. Ignore Liberal dirty tricks!</a> </li></ul></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-61840300857800441172022-05-14T08:43:00.008+10:002022-05-14T11:38:19.511+10:00Monique Ryan will be a great member of parliament for Kooyong. Ignore Liberal dirty tricks!<p>With the long 6 week election campaign drawing to a close there is a buzz in the air in Kooyong.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFv2epXro3JKrmmYud6GNrJCOdkS0hJqHCgPw763zDwqjamFvKlOOcLu987Kw7jGQ89WOg1v9vbR3TnRQct5zoV4Oc26V9fBbiipK8VkgnhPqye1uB3HbXaiTZfHfm61scceeOSLy__EpE89Om3UCmavG7HhJkOY5B4ys8nZ6OkCqR_GSnQ/s4032/PXL_20220509_054455163.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFv2epXro3JKrmmYud6GNrJCOdkS0hJqHCgPw763zDwqjamFvKlOOcLu987Kw7jGQ89WOg1v9vbR3TnRQct5zoV4Oc26V9fBbiipK8VkgnhPqye1uB3HbXaiTZfHfm61scceeOSLy__EpE89Om3UCmavG7HhJkOY5B4ys8nZ6OkCqR_GSnQ/w400-h300/PXL_20220509_054455163.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholUgiUcm8vDeB-otEiJJrpzuNH75mrOcI3ZuvBfA0M7PQ0NVa8MvJvIuRZ96zCbuSsA_NPnVrpTaMQsra413dN8TKFyN2B8hFCbnjam_cyKYK1g7gMnEAPLKWIHzrU4lUqBjtlEhEHB3z-QGZERwirD4N7XkmHyWGJAj5VI86un_Dw0PtVg/s1280/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20campaign%20launch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholUgiUcm8vDeB-otEiJJrpzuNH75mrOcI3ZuvBfA0M7PQ0NVa8MvJvIuRZ96zCbuSsA_NPnVrpTaMQsra413dN8TKFyN2B8hFCbnjam_cyKYK1g7gMnEAPLKWIHzrU4lUqBjtlEhEHB3z-QGZERwirD4N7XkmHyWGJAj5VI86un_Dw0PtVg/w400-h225/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20campaign%20launch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Monique Ryan</a>, the genuine independent for Kooyong, now has a team of over 2000 volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life. </p><p>Josh Frydenberg covets the seat of Kooyong and is desperate to cling to office.</p><p>While Frydenberg still has his nose in front (don't believe the polls) he has ramped up familiar dirty tricks.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">If the Liberals polling tells them this isn't working they go dirty</h3><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Liberal Dirt Unit trawls for something they think discredits the other candidate.</li><li>Ramp up attacks via media</li><li>Distribute attack leaflets to all letterboxes (at taxpayers expense!)</li><li>Other Liberal MPs amplify attacks</li></ul><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">If they feel REALLY threatened they escalate</h3><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52nnLB5wWo8OQt8M1n-j7gzzl-a5dI6jBmOo3aay9MjyZliyyMLex9e39p4mNUN8P4S8sawlWd4t9C9LpBptE-SFYIw5vg4NcYTkKM3NyzFquVB4ivLolu6_qkgeYtDCUskyMazjsBl08cwnNBb_NiMUg1asqi98b6hnCD34D-PKlFi8FnQ/s2048/Monique%20Ryan%20poster%20on%20fence.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52nnLB5wWo8OQt8M1n-j7gzzl-a5dI6jBmOo3aay9MjyZliyyMLex9e39p4mNUN8P4S8sawlWd4t9C9LpBptE-SFYIw5vg4NcYTkKM3NyzFquVB4ivLolu6_qkgeYtDCUskyMazjsBl08cwnNBb_NiMUg1asqi98b6hnCD34D-PKlFi8FnQ/s320/Monique%20Ryan%20poster%20on%20fence.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Deface or pull down opponent corflute posters (several hundred of Monique Ryan's have been stolen or damaged)</li><li>Put up anonymous "attack corflutes" attempting to discredit all independents (new!)</li><li>Ramp up personal attacks via friendly media and social media (ads)</li><li>Prime Minister Morrison and ministers amplify attacks</li><li>Attempt get corflute poster banned on residents property (Tim Wilson in Goldstein, )</li><li>Attempt to restrict number of volunteers at polling booths (Kooyong, unsuccessful)</li><li>Lean on the local council to restrict permits for A frames while distributing flyers</li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">They might even get REALLY dirty</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Try to insert someone into opponent's campaign (or try to bribe someone to defect)</li><li>Abuse other candidates and their supporters in public</li><li>Attempt to provoke a confrontation to discredit their opponent and amplify it via media</li><li>Paint over of <a href="https://twitter.com/Mon4Kooyong/status/1525280399353860096?s=20&t=8cFo3cDW8nJSohp2j-Fl2A" target="_blank">Monique Ryan's murals</a>! </li></ul></div><div><h3>Dr Ryan's campaign is positive</h3></div><div>Dr Monique Ryan and all her supporters are committed to an honest and positive campaign that includes:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Community engagement via forums, street walks, bike rides etc</li><li>Door knocking - the entire electorate of Kooyong has now been visited!</li><li>Transparent declared funding </li><li>Over 2,000 local volunteers</li><li>No dirty tricks</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-HwNIEBlGK_WKVGY3fA7-AbYmaGKjZqdBuD2r8jgKWatKPBjyB4HNOPABhD0LjyQsdaXOcrGlhTcwXo6wae3tsnS5CL0onjVDs_MLH_nSro5bp1WCOel6Db9psensm-72YB2bTlEbW6Fc6f85n6Ec8_E_GGztdJbtIr_oKAtPczOryXpqQ/s4032/PXL_20220509_054512491.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-HwNIEBlGK_WKVGY3fA7-AbYmaGKjZqdBuD2r8jgKWatKPBjyB4HNOPABhD0LjyQsdaXOcrGlhTcwXo6wae3tsnS5CL0onjVDs_MLH_nSro5bp1WCOel6Db9psensm-72YB2bTlEbW6Fc6f85n6Ec8_E_GGztdJbtIr_oKAtPczOryXpqQ/w400-h300/PXL_20220509_054512491.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKbArogm-qbHD4EZch65w1lmRRd9db7rkjkn3Ab-DDl7IgKf9jdHu3HexS64ePISWngdK5oqT7FpKWn4FpphzPghjrh0EyUwHBjsbU-4kZJY2hmtEHdd60DzU-8Llg2sHBEXWauCLRoPOaekvrfLVVP06W3q-cWzu_CYsWrQ_pVpxgT4LvQ/s4032/PXL_20220512_085647958.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKbArogm-qbHD4EZch65w1lmRRd9db7rkjkn3Ab-DDl7IgKf9jdHu3HexS64ePISWngdK5oqT7FpKWn4FpphzPghjrh0EyUwHBjsbU-4kZJY2hmtEHdd60DzU-8Llg2sHBEXWauCLRoPOaekvrfLVVP06W3q-cWzu_CYsWrQ_pVpxgT4LvQ/w400-h300/PXL_20220512_085647958.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers pizza night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NcF5OueEh82D73jcTcC8RNJLhwmGl0lOLs7j8ca2f7hkVQ7hTAeJRmlj0keDXC0JsTnWaRalC1G2U6J2N38ns9EjL9HDLj1rS2h0psnLe5N5evWPyfbgClMFzxxFH4Dw56hn8oK68nPXJ9qz5fpl1-cQUr8W1mW4Vp2K_KD0vswayPmtcQ/s4032/PXL_20220512_050848219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NcF5OueEh82D73jcTcC8RNJLhwmGl0lOLs7j8ca2f7hkVQ7hTAeJRmlj0keDXC0JsTnWaRalC1G2U6J2N38ns9EjL9HDLj1rS2h0psnLe5N5evWPyfbgClMFzxxFH4Dw56hn8oK68nPXJ9qz5fpl1-cQUr8W1mW4Vp2K_KD0vswayPmtcQ/w400-h300/PXL_20220512_050848219.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door knocking team</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLZwChocvmQL4N2d4nqADi7fwa1IQrt2GjSpwEOfea8z6X9jjQQIwvkIp29WUaetdVAUEOXLlsgMFuLfPr7RT90vUVJZseTJqvxpImhfXsqcmT4xpm3V8pJlPlDaYAqEQoux8Xqf0Y8vrS0FkrQcUNSjG2i0F6xrWuBAQuJ8Id4nuM63wwg/s4032/PXL_20220509_054938017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLZwChocvmQL4N2d4nqADi7fwa1IQrt2GjSpwEOfea8z6X9jjQQIwvkIp29WUaetdVAUEOXLlsgMFuLfPr7RT90vUVJZseTJqvxpImhfXsqcmT4xpm3V8pJlPlDaYAqEQoux8Xqf0Y8vrS0FkrQcUNSjG2i0F6xrWuBAQuJ8Id4nuM63wwg/w400-h300/PXL_20220509_054938017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Monique Ryan also debated Frydenberg and proved she will be a great representative for Kooyong if she is elected. Here is the debate in full.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="325" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AnqNbn3S0sA" width="463" youtube-src-id="AnqNbn3S0sA"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-46446280667927414562022-05-04T09:06:00.004+10:002022-05-14T09:11:35.620+10:00Monique Ryan vs Josh Frydenberg's how to vote cards in Kooyong<p>How to vote cards are a window into candidate leanings and possible political deals.</p><p><a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Monique Ryan</a>, the community independent candidate for Kooyong, has published the How to Vote instructions below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/vote4mon" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="856" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD64sqGP4dji-Wzkq7lM-Hv7n8W8MW_wcZ5HvZa3Axz6ZLTDsGsOHsq0YPAMBvSO0q4lp3iweF7SeT_VcoPztVjj1zsiuJq7AyUJ_vgIWT1EWTtBIpR6eVWaIwbvaDBP4h3IJeS248dofAozIYb56Y6AEjB7wEfVuJEyBYP1P-gc8ZYrX13g/w285-h400/2022%20Monique%20Ryan%20HTV.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The order of candidates shown is the order on the ballot that voters will use</li><li>Monique Ryan asks people to vote 1 for her</li><li>Then voters select other candidates according to THEIR choice (values alignment, policies etc.)</li><li>This is the best for democracy.</li></ul><div>Josh Frydenberg is the incumbent Liberal member of parliament for Kooyong.</div><div><br /></div><div>His How to Vote is below, with annotations.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-lnwzzrDF4pZyjq4O0ozJ2h1TgZ73LTya0OA8blCl0UQYZJ4cDEGdFiMOaUuv6FjVlZCDGAUKknX16b6DKxzXpf2xGIUzrvuRkv8ufb9upGaj-u2PQzxXJC8QbLxfoROjBBfz2y9KBX7dqWagYdvqAlnvBh56v4mUvJqSE6y1IWlddtqBA/s790/2022%20Frydenberg%20HTV%20HoR%20with%20parties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="790" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-lnwzzrDF4pZyjq4O0ozJ2h1TgZ73LTya0OA8blCl0UQYZJ4cDEGdFiMOaUuv6FjVlZCDGAUKknX16b6DKxzXpf2xGIUzrvuRkv8ufb9upGaj-u2PQzxXJC8QbLxfoROjBBfz2y9KBX7dqWagYdvqAlnvBh56v4mUvJqSE6y1IWlddtqBA/w432-h405/2022%20Frydenberg%20HTV%20HoR%20with%20parties.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Frydenberg has directed preferences to the following candidates:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2. Liberal Democrats (right wing)</li><li>3. Derryn Hinch (Justice) - centrist</li><li>4. UAP (Clive Palmer, right wing)</li><li>5. Australian Values Party (right wing)</li><li>6. Dummy candidate for Frydenberg (fake independent)</li><li>7. Animal justice</li><li>8. One Nation (Pauline Hanson, right wing)</li></ul><div>Ahead of the following progressive candidate and community independent Monique Ryan:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>9. Peter Lynch (Labor, progressive)</li><li>10. Piers Mitcham (Greens, progressive)</li><li>11 Monique Ryan (Independent)</li></ul></div><div>This indicates possible preference deals between the Liberals, Justice, Liberal Democrats, UAP, AVP and possibly One Nation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Frydenberg's preferences will not be distributed but they do indicate his political leanings to the right.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">When voting:</h3><div><b>Make sure you number EVERY square 1 to 11 to ensure your vote is valid.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>There will be two ballot papers - House of Reps (green, 11 candidates) and Senate (big, white).</div><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-26240804301815925362022-05-03T21:41:00.005+10:002022-05-03T22:04:16.958+10:00Patricia Karvelas interview with Josh Frydenberg on Radio National 29 Apr 2022<div class="separator">Text <a href="https://twitter.com/peterc_150/status/1520399105503416328?s=20&t=hpYMm-Ae1kmpBj0ej7A8ig" target="_blank">[from Twitter thread here]</a></div><p>Recording: <a href="http://ab.co/3F2CH1Q">http://ab.co/3F2CH1Q</a> Kooyong content starts at 1:10:15</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCanZyrOwEBGHHfGj4IBH5shmgZ86Mdu62uEi1UEEEPDNooiIXZUsGLGh3x16w26jdeLtPv58eBJJqMNSVHsO_DxchFuFPIRfPinaBdBoqoWOv95V4MduzFsAktIhKH0tMI3nLUdb9AVZjMN7_CMhHJpCwEWYDL0wk--BZAe967Cdd3tRHDg/s4032/PXL_20220422_061052253.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCanZyrOwEBGHHfGj4IBH5shmgZ86Mdu62uEi1UEEEPDNooiIXZUsGLGh3x16w26jdeLtPv58eBJJqMNSVHsO_DxchFuFPIRfPinaBdBoqoWOv95V4MduzFsAktIhKH0tMI3nLUdb9AVZjMN7_CMhHJpCwEWYDL0wk--BZAe967Cdd3tRHDg/w320-h240/PXL_20220422_061052253.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poster of Frydenberg in Brunswick</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDbZDZO6gDd49rsXfBccYq6vJwHlsagXrwu8fZXAeu97_6amKf2PKp5jTM9NvRK1H8EhTTxPHc0BT0bX7vYCf0NK7ml-EyrbxxXkqRc9oe7aWwVElr8SbLL3wOYO0fNMrwvEunFz-7hQxVxjFsxmp1T1dTwnqlNy_jkD42tWLcQAqqmaAwg/s960/Coal%20-%20frydenberg%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDbZDZO6gDd49rsXfBccYq6vJwHlsagXrwu8fZXAeu97_6amKf2PKp5jTM9NvRK1H8EhTTxPHc0BT0bX7vYCf0NK7ml-EyrbxxXkqRc9oe7aWwVElr8SbLL3wOYO0fNMrwvEunFz-7hQxVxjFsxmp1T1dTwnqlNy_jkD42tWLcQAqqmaAwg/s320/Coal%20-%20frydenberg%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frydenberg with coal in parliament</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Notes on his dubious statements and some outright lies follow.</p><p><b>JF:</b> "I am facing .. somebody who is no more than a slogan, or a board or a banner."</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>derogatory, dismissive, disrespectful</li><li><a href="https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/" target="_blank">Dr Monique Ryan</a> ran the neurology department at the Royal Children’s Hospital until recently.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>PK: </b>"Why undermine her and use this kind of language?"</p><p><b>JF: </b> "just because you may have had a professional occupation doesn't mean you will bring to the table detailed policies that will enhance the parliament or the local seat"</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Non answer</li></ul><p></p><p><b>PK: </b>"Monique Ryan said the party with the most ambitious climate change policy and the toughest integrity commission she would make a deal with [if minority govt]. Isn't the onus on you to create those conditions?"</p><p><b>JF:</b> Non answer, diversion </p><p><b>PK: </b>"Do you see yourself as as moderate?" </p><p><b>JF:</b> "I see myself as having progressive views, moderate views on number of issues ..."</p><p>"I supported Same Sex Marriage." </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lie = he voted against it <a href="http://bit.ly/3vsLOpe">theyvoteforyou.org.au </a> </li><li>Josh Frydenberg voted consistently against same-sex marriage equality</li></ul><p><b>JF: </b>"I was one of the strongest advocates for net zero by 2050 ... We have a detailed costed plan to get there"</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lie. Morrison's "plan" is a pamphlet with no details and many questionable assumptions. </li></ul><p></p><p><b>PK: </b>"Why are you preferencing One Nation over this independent if you are a moderate?"</p><p><b>JK: </b>'Well because firstly my preferences aren't going to make any difference in the seat because .." [interrupted]</p><p><b>PK: </b>"But the symbolism matters"</p><p><b>JF: </b>"Well no, it doesn't. Because in my seat its going to come down to me and the independent because the Labor party and the Greens, you can barely find a sign for them, are in bed with the so-called independent."</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lie. There is no conspiracy.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>PK: </b>"So if you are progressive/moderate what do you make of embattled Liberal candidate Katherine Deves?"</p><p><b>JF:</b> "Historical analogies with the Holocaust are largely inappropriate. Her [Deves'] comments are inappropriate and unacceptable."</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Morrison endorses her</li></ul><p></p><p><b>In summary,</b> Frydenberg: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Won't use Monique Ryan's name (disrespectful) </li><li>Says Dr Ryan is a "fake independent" (a lie)</li><li>Alleges conspiracy between others against him</li><li>Doesn't provide any compelling example of being an effective "moderate"</li></ul>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-79625632226913475102022-04-02T10:46:00.016+11:002022-05-03T21:21:14.832+10:00I have caught COVID-19, its not "mild"<p>I recently caught COVID-19, here is a log of how this has unfolded. I am triplex vaxxed - 2 Astrazeneca and one Pfizer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny97VGqNyM56kHapI-Q05JQCt_gtu-JxM0XfYsynRcSPvN3SzwG56NVfyE0rj0UaipTjSyScE9388637dOpmioVyTyZzjtko64OZ0vki3DxXD6OOZT8Sohqa9q0FmxDbDNcfL_liJMuN4JRDLfjZ732VPD4av0NE68JI9W3_gbc_VWEkDvw/s810/COVID-19.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="810" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny97VGqNyM56kHapI-Q05JQCt_gtu-JxM0XfYsynRcSPvN3SzwG56NVfyE0rj0UaipTjSyScE9388637dOpmioVyTyZzjtko64OZ0vki3DxXD6OOZT8Sohqa9q0FmxDbDNcfL_liJMuN4JRDLfjZ732VPD4av0NE68JI9W3_gbc_VWEkDvw/s320/COVID-19.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><b>Sun 27 March 2022: Midnight Oil concert</b></p><p>I attended Midnight Oil's last ever concert in Melbourne. I am a long term fan. I wore a cloth mask some of the time. Lots of people were there, very few were wearing masks. Three other friends who attended have not caught COVID.</p><p><b>Mon 28 March 2022: Slight throat tickle</b></p><p>I noticed a slight tickle in my throat but thought it was due to my singing at the concert</p><p><b>Tue 29 March 2022: Cough developed</b></p><p>The slight tickle became a dry cough, sneezing and some mucus discharge (like a cold)</p><p><b>Wed 30 March 2022: Negative RAT</b></p><p>Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) have a negative test. I was thinking it was likely I just have a cold. Cough, sneezing persisting. <b>RAT results are NOT reliable.</b></p><p><b>Thu 31 March 2022: PCR test (day 1 iso)</b></p><p>I got a drive through PCR test with my daughter . Cough, sneezing persisting, throat getting a bit sore and a slight headache. No fever, aches or pains.</p><p><b>Fri 1 April 2022: COVID-19 positive (day 2 iso)</b></p><p>PCR positive test result notified by SMS, but my daughter was negative. 7 day isolation at home commenced</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cough, sneezing persisting</li><li>Throat getting very sore</li><li>Headache persisting. </li><li>Coughing up some grey and yellow phlegm, its in my lungs but I don't have shortness of breath. </li><li>No fever, aches or pains (other than throat). Haven't checked sense of smell. </li><li>Temperature and breathing normal.</li></ul><p></p><p>Downloaded the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.edu.unimelb.covidcare&hl=en_AU&gl=US" target="_blank">Melbourne Uni CovidCare app </a>to track my symptoms and condition.</p><p>Staying in the master bedroom alone, isolated from my partner and daughter. Wearing an N95 mask when I occasionally leave the bedroom.</p><p><b>Sat 2 April 2022: Very sore throat, still coughing phlegm (day 3 iso)</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Got up during the night with a very sore throat to take some Disprin. Have also been taking some Nurofen occasionally to reduce symptoms.</li><li>Nose still very runny, it hurts to cough. Throat very sore. Lots of phlegm in lungs</li><li>Feeling cold, I normally sleep warm to hot.</li><li>Temperature and breathing normal.</li></ul><p></p><p>Still no fever, aches or pains (other than throat), loss of sense of smell or shortness of breath.</p><p><b>This disease it NOT mild. Its worse than a common cold. </b></p><p><b>Sun 3 April 2022: Feeling groggy, throat feeling better, still coughing some phlegm (day 4 iso)</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Felt groggy yesterday. It's hard being restricted to some rooms in the house. I can't imagine what 10 years incarceration that refugees in Australia must be like.</li><li>Took some Disprin and Nurofen during the day.</li><li>Sore throat has improved, less coughing, but still some phlegm in my lungs.</li><li>Feel cold in bed, usually I get too hot. Still no fever.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Mon 4 April 2022: Still feeling groggy in the morning, feeling better (day 5 iso)</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Throat no longer sore</li><li>Runny nose gone</li><li>Some mucus phlegm but its reduced</li><li>Reduced coughing, lungs feel OK</li><li>Feeling warm now (after feeling colder than usual)</li><li>Still no fever</li><li>Temperature and breathing normal.</li></ul><p></p><p>My partner and daughter are now have symptoms and have gone for a PCR test today.</p><p><b>Tue 5 April 2022: Feeling better (day 6 iso) but partner and daughter positive</b></p><p></p><ul><li>Reduced coughing, lungs feel OK, very little phlegm now</li><li>Temperature and breathing normal</li></ul><p></p><p>However, my partner and daughter both tested positive today.</p><p>My partner has a sore throat.</p><p>My daughter is lethargic, has lost her sense of taste and has a fever.</p><p><b>Wed 6 April 2022: Feeling OK (day 7 iso, last day)</b></p><p></p><ul><li>Still a slight tickle in my throat but otherwise good.</li><li>Temperature and breathing normal</li></ul><p></p><p>My partner had a very sore throat last night (similar to what I experienced)</p><p>My daughter is still feeling quite ill.</p><p><b>Thu 7 April 2022: Out of iso, feeling OK</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Still a slight tickle in my throat. Occasional cough.</li><li>Temperature and breathing normal</li></ul><p></p><p>Partner improving, isolating</p><p>Daughter still in the grip of it, isolating</p><p>Did some shopping, wore a mask.</p><p><b>Fri 8 April 2022: Bike ride, feeling OK</b></p><p></p><ul><li>Still a slight tickle in my throat. Very occasional cough.</li><li>Bike ride into the city went well. Lungs a bit sore when making an effort.</li></ul><p></p><p>Partner improving, isolating</p><p>Daughter still in the grip of it, isolating</p><p><b>Tue 3 May 2022: Still some side effects.</b></p><p>I have felt almost back to normal, but there as some lingering issues:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If I exercise hard and breath fast my lungs hurt - must be still some inflammation</li><li>I get fatigued and need 2-3 hours sleep after exercise (stand up paddle board, bike rides etc.)</li><li>I still get a dry cough some mornings for a short period.</li></ul><div><b>Prevention is better than cure - its sensible to take steps to avoid catching COVID.</b></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p><b>Links</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Advice on managing COVID from home visit <a href="http://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidcare">www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidcare</a> </li><li>For children, visit <a href="http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Coronavirus_COVID-19/">www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Coronavirus_COVID-19/</a></li><li>Call 000 if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain. </li><li>Call 000 if your child is struggling to breathe, looks very sick and becomes pale and drowsy or lips are blue in colour.</li><li>For more languages: <a href="http://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations">www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations</a> or call 1300 651 160 for an interpreter</li></ul><div><p><br /></p></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0Surrey Hills VIC 3127, Australia-37.825938099999988 145.0972417-66.13617193617884 109.94099170000001 -9.5157042638211422 -179.74650829999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-50193146900350915092022-03-03T22:06:00.005+11:002022-04-02T11:16:11.735+11:00Build bike paths in Kooyong not car parks<p>The recent announcement by Josh Frydenberg <a href="https://bit.ly/3hBBWlm" target="_blank">(Age 3/3/22)</a> to abandon his ill-considered $65 million funding for railway station car parks in Kooyong is welcome. </p><p>These very expensive "car parks for votes" would have increased traffic congestion and pollution in local streets.</p><p>This allocation of funds, which has become known as <a href="https://bit.ly/3rCPClG" target="_blank">Carpark Rorts</a>, has been criticised by the <a href="https://bit.ly/3rDkWRi" target="_blank">Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)</a> for not being effective or merit-based,</p><p>Many local residents oppose these car parks for the following reasons:</p><p></p><ul><li>Increased traffic congestion to and around the carparks - up to 800 additional cars per day - with increased pollution from carbon emissions</li><li>Reduced safety due to increased traffic in suburban streets</li><li>Limited parking spaces for locals - most spaces would be occupied all day</li><li>No provision in draft plans for bicycle parking - one car parking space can provide parking for ten bicycles</li><li>Use of council land some distance from the railway stations, instead of using existing railway station carparks</li></ul><p></p><p>To date, no federal funds have been allocated for building safe cycling infrastructure.</p><p>The $65 million would be much better spent building the <a href="https://bit.ly/Hawthorn-to-BoxHill" target="_blank">Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail strategic cycling corridor </a>to provide safe, healthy, car-free, climate-friendly pedestrian and bike transport through the Kooyong electorate. </p><p>Every trip on a bike is one less car on the roads.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCYV_g5osBC1YchlkvZauf2OeEo2IgaxpVzOffF75FhqZ8AttDmD1iqkCEO2UoOz54E5hGJO5euN1O6agET6QKzHklSRU6-XZkwg69qeolGrYY49oPENTMLYEh3jOY6h0VOp3GJ4IYJTqmh2ZteMoBHfBONkgI-u_hFsJy4MWbR57luPKXdA=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Liddiard St car park (proposed)" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCYV_g5osBC1YchlkvZauf2OeEo2IgaxpVzOffF75FhqZ8AttDmD1iqkCEO2UoOz54E5hGJO5euN1O6agET6QKzHklSRU6-XZkwg69qeolGrYY49oPENTMLYEh3jOY6h0VOp3GJ4IYJTqmh2ZteMoBHfBONkgI-u_hFsJy4MWbR57luPKXdA=w400-h225" title="Liddiard St car park (proposed)" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liddiard St car park (proposed)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJZsamlatJr9tAPQE92_hl_KsSmEqROem9Z-uXQ-KsNCtbUc5qEiK58AIm5q55fWKc1v8XwQ8NWqGao3YB8FK_vCnIG6Wb2STt3S7W7I5tROgXFyL-fO_qEXQoEmDboKhD1VgJgTLK_ancuCglVfIECNLBNcF1Tri7nYDSFPibZgcZPpz0cQ=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wattle Valley Road car park (proposed)" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJZsamlatJr9tAPQE92_hl_KsSmEqROem9Z-uXQ-KsNCtbUc5qEiK58AIm5q55fWKc1v8XwQ8NWqGao3YB8FK_vCnIG6Wb2STt3S7W7I5tROgXFyL-fO_qEXQoEmDboKhD1VgJgTLK_ancuCglVfIECNLBNcF1Tri7nYDSFPibZgcZPpz0cQ=w400-h225" title="Wattle Valley Road car park (proposed)" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattle Valley Road car park (proposed)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEielUSGPHOonQ1UKOyA97OgP-DtVR5oQ_wgM_POmKyIso1_c3Nc0s7Hp0ptyj3Z2aeZu7rNZjclk9UumgxyM5rp5XTxdq5OJFvuPhm_YfsFOJPEVcRtKlKbfitR8BsQ662xJzQJvXTzae0Xt-45CkcSdZn-fPGwob6i3g45TA2VrYNj6vLxng=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Protest signs in Liddiard St" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEielUSGPHOonQ1UKOyA97OgP-DtVR5oQ_wgM_POmKyIso1_c3Nc0s7Hp0ptyj3Z2aeZu7rNZjclk9UumgxyM5rp5XTxdq5OJFvuPhm_YfsFOJPEVcRtKlKbfitR8BsQ662xJzQJvXTzae0Xt-45CkcSdZn-fPGwob6i3g45TA2VrYNj6vLxng=w400-h300" title="Protest signs in Liddiard St" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest signs in Liddiard St</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5gxO0lu9PPwkkTM3Bh55bgW6_tJ1x_Lzy5UvfG65AzwTMCLRKRQqx6PR4C8C3asin22lBSQ04rYiutqHPX_BqAwbUn_Llu6lwrA9BA3-WfZAWv0kitrjRSlVxX3au91TU-A5YwkYBNoDMgF-oIM9IGxCGMdR5iwCd9jb25ERWM5ev7-fang=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Protest sign in Liddiard St" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5gxO0lu9PPwkkTM3Bh55bgW6_tJ1x_Lzy5UvfG65AzwTMCLRKRQqx6PR4C8C3asin22lBSQ04rYiutqHPX_BqAwbUn_Llu6lwrA9BA3-WfZAWv0kitrjRSlVxX3au91TU-A5YwkYBNoDMgF-oIM9IGxCGMdR5iwCd9jb25ERWM5ev7-fang=w400-h300" title="Protest sign in Liddiard St" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest sign in Liddiard St</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI00WnK4urkqP5eiuiGxvSkheLR0Ouh6AafvmMkfuAAeUzlCV3bBvhm7zll2LJd5rFUkKglBTxgrrcPR-fkq6s0HzRS_v_yccmVXdjGv3hcUE_06PKphdPSpIautBcqRi48Wifxx-b5Br9oSE4C6HHdWVcvtHAcRY9v37V-tgX6cUg68GE9g=s3379" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Protest flyer" border="0" data-original-height="3379" data-original-width="2748" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI00WnK4urkqP5eiuiGxvSkheLR0Ouh6AafvmMkfuAAeUzlCV3bBvhm7zll2LJd5rFUkKglBTxgrrcPR-fkq6s0HzRS_v_yccmVXdjGv3hcUE_06PKphdPSpIautBcqRi48Wifxx-b5Br9oSE4C6HHdWVcvtHAcRY9v37V-tgX6cUg68GE9g=w325-h400" title="Protest flyer" width="325" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest flyer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM0CKD9u9SF5FMXI9oDgwfHYvhlYjcQCOzDK9yOQPiXmYir7QKxPqk9JC9wLX9kcGk_XfGnOI7DUUZvpFnAm70rUqzWFLIiP8NftW-LPo6Oa9LgwUwXnTmUTBlZG9gRRxzwFtcS5R2-tFa9bgse4CSb6pred688M4ZxzmxN5I_mghyj8zSTg=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Site of proposed car park in Liddiard St" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM0CKD9u9SF5FMXI9oDgwfHYvhlYjcQCOzDK9yOQPiXmYir7QKxPqk9JC9wLX9kcGk_XfGnOI7DUUZvpFnAm70rUqzWFLIiP8NftW-LPo6Oa9LgwUwXnTmUTBlZG9gRRxzwFtcS5R2-tFa9bgse4CSb6pred688M4ZxzmxN5I_mghyj8zSTg=w400-h300" title="Site of proposed car park in Liddiard St" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site of proposed car park in Liddiard St</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvCO0vRx5K_wIAXXKgsITS3PU7vWvxsV5XVFDe7u0OfRtjjNVVeA_noEDaiW8pt8CxN5lJtkp6DB7hxykekLZAuA-wqPM3G5YV_bjHtZGQldPCttp6GdR_yosZ5JEyAcfFMeoSXKTHaKlB1xj5kzHWmQf8dIa3oPx29kjD0AfejQZNgQlzkA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Protest sign in Wattle Valley Road" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvCO0vRx5K_wIAXXKgsITS3PU7vWvxsV5XVFDe7u0OfRtjjNVVeA_noEDaiW8pt8CxN5lJtkp6DB7hxykekLZAuA-wqPM3G5YV_bjHtZGQldPCttp6GdR_yosZ5JEyAcfFMeoSXKTHaKlB1xj5kzHWmQf8dIa3oPx29kjD0AfejQZNgQlzkA=w400-h300" title="Protest sign in Wattle Valley Road" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest sign in Wattle Valley Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIhNIdKZ8lw_IxgGCIi_zqi7kE6cbaXD40-g0Juk4OYgNLUVm9Sg8S0hY0jTds47G4nvAnZ81No3ETMFe3d-eUCRkoY54lOijrkQP3r5UoFNdsypO91ZCWRrUR5j_WRKlAjvSaTT36RrdOMGBFMHSvf3Tb8p8XWe7SmLJYxSasvxupW5gH9Q=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Existing car park off Wattle Valley Road" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIhNIdKZ8lw_IxgGCIi_zqi7kE6cbaXD40-g0Juk4OYgNLUVm9Sg8S0hY0jTds47G4nvAnZ81No3ETMFe3d-eUCRkoY54lOijrkQP3r5UoFNdsypO91ZCWRrUR5j_WRKlAjvSaTT36RrdOMGBFMHSvf3Tb8p8XWe7SmLJYxSasvxupW5gH9Q=w400-h300" title="Existing car park off Wattle Valley Road" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Existing car park off Wattle Valley Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAelyDc2RrZDbWucqkY_LN84VF1ydRksavkp7MOY15Y59e_7D-vZCa0fzjidRRp4ZsBdAJbjS52wz6IM3iX9eO3oy8kN6n3yqHrVgjAa4znRa6pEstNlcodASP6g_1SZjohBvx_hZoK3RclWMTcfhbDo1vKxEC_YX1jLB0A9LO8vU-LhN5Kw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Existing Canterbury Station car park" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAelyDc2RrZDbWucqkY_LN84VF1ydRksavkp7MOY15Y59e_7D-vZCa0fzjidRRp4ZsBdAJbjS52wz6IM3iX9eO3oy8kN6n3yqHrVgjAa4znRa6pEstNlcodASP6g_1SZjohBvx_hZoK3RclWMTcfhbDo1vKxEC_YX1jLB0A9LO8vU-LhN5Kw=w400-h300" title="Existing Canterbury Station car park" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Existing Canterbury Station car park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMbp0EhjzNSZvano-nkHj1j_2HvMycWxXrpoEVtE48p5Heo19Sc5AWpaeXW8BryHoM6XCW96h-qKTDDpLYNRNGwCJHREpw9PWInw-5jJxN3iq6CBqGRE_kppNdVAgJFHZTwbmiArKcKAaDwg1A5TPZsvhSiMEgK38Qn7gaxaR8YbLmmivzJQ=s965" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Location of proposed Liddiard St car park" border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="965" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMbp0EhjzNSZvano-nkHj1j_2HvMycWxXrpoEVtE48p5Heo19Sc5AWpaeXW8BryHoM6XCW96h-qKTDDpLYNRNGwCJHREpw9PWInw-5jJxN3iq6CBqGRE_kppNdVAgJFHZTwbmiArKcKAaDwg1A5TPZsvhSiMEgK38Qn7gaxaR8YbLmmivzJQ=w400-h349" title="Location of proposed Liddiard St car park" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of proposed Liddiard St car park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdaEEEkkCA4mi_2bBXD3Vt7nVDi9fQ8Qu1pZLPBjtRDUga9x5ZmvtEfWWlZqgaYCk9pzZjgx_teanIqmKImVeMw9_AG9vgqek49yYqgPwG5i-T3eY06tnS3DeNyvDTaHOps-EH8rBDFfputHmg4gCa799Inw0X2JlaPtRcQYADZzv427CNqA=s1116" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Location of proposed Wattle Valley Rd car park" border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1116" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdaEEEkkCA4mi_2bBXD3Vt7nVDi9fQ8Qu1pZLPBjtRDUga9x5ZmvtEfWWlZqgaYCk9pzZjgx_teanIqmKImVeMw9_AG9vgqek49yYqgPwG5i-T3eY06tnS3DeNyvDTaHOps-EH8rBDFfputHmg4gCa799Inw0X2JlaPtRcQYADZzv427CNqA=w400-h253" title="Location of proposed Wattle Valley Rd car park" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of proposed Wattle Valley Rd car park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-78141994213146746842021-10-14T22:01:00.006+11:002021-10-17T13:28:42.882+11:00COVID vaccine saves lives - maybe yours<p> On 14 April 2021 in Victoria the COVID-19 update reported:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>11 people died yesterday</li><li>706 people are in hospital</li><li>147 people in ICU</li><li>100 people are on a ventilator</li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>98% of people with #COVID19 in ICU in Victoria are not vaccinated </b></li><li><b>90% of people with #COVID19 in hospital in Victoria are not fully vaccinated</b></li><li><b>90 % of people with new positive COVD-19 cases were not vaccinated</b></li></ul><div>COVID-19 is ten times more deadly than the flu</div><p></p><div>If you haven't been vaccinated yet please consider doing so - it may save your life </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pfiz4YhDP4w" width="320" youtube-src-id="pfiz4YhDP4w"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-73434526340283015482021-09-16T12:51:00.179+10:002021-10-11T14:28:02.837+11:00Bike crash Wattle Park - dangerous holes dug in pathI went for a local ride through Wattle Park with my daughter on Wednesday afternoon 15 Sep 21 at 4pm. A hole was dug out of the track and sticks placed in it, I slowed down as I went around it. <div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97qYNxtCMwpJP3X2prZe7-nPjgiAUpttUnOvi0UP-y24uO7dmGmvi6utuLhMJWtWFLsyXZqeLX3FB0_rFCS-kzJ7jqtP9hRIDUmra61YVbop_wbowPoXcYd9_ZE0MwRnQ7Cum/s4032/IMG_0345.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97qYNxtCMwpJP3X2prZe7-nPjgiAUpttUnOvi0UP-y24uO7dmGmvi6utuLhMJWtWFLsyXZqeLX3FB0_rFCS-kzJ7jqtP9hRIDUmra61YVbop_wbowPoXcYd9_ZE0MwRnQ7Cum/w300-h400/IMG_0345.HEIC" title="Hole on approach" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hole on approach with sticks in it.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Then I came to a small log jump that I have gone over many times. The location is <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/obNUnYakbhPUgiHEA" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWnxarp4FKYRbToNWLFAgkasLAgiRogHA0O_1xXQlUup1PwjU6SiYHyoaDauy2p7xPlR8wV9y43Yus8nHxMhCvRKMByrMUENn358Bp6Vq0rVN0coAY9Fj70fyzMWTgLkoVpzA/s4032/IMG_0344.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWnxarp4FKYRbToNWLFAgkasLAgiRogHA0O_1xXQlUup1PwjU6SiYHyoaDauy2p7xPlR8wV9y43Yus8nHxMhCvRKMByrMUENn358Bp6Vq0rVN0coAY9Fj70fyzMWTgLkoVpzA/w300-h400/IMG_0344.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Approach to log jump</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I went over the log at about 10km/h ready for the flat landing but a 1m wide deep hole had been dug behind the log. This hole was not visible on the approach.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TJV3wIbouUdgv-fFMZMVC26n8t4AfIIOJCniOip86qGo0AS2xX6Pp3UGCHTSh2EEQmVZGuR2AJ9EHeVdIBvLsRhSQSqcu3jqc43xVAmZsc4a6qxkrkDrdtohIZ2G1Y0XLKvk/s4032/IMG_0341.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TJV3wIbouUdgv-fFMZMVC26n8t4AfIIOJCniOip86qGo0AS2xX6Pp3UGCHTSh2EEQmVZGuR2AJ9EHeVdIBvLsRhSQSqcu3jqc43xVAmZsc4a6qxkrkDrdtohIZ2G1Y0XLKvk/w300-h400/IMG_0341.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hole dug behind the log<br /></i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjbnlLS1qVHvw2VMapWnzNhcHZYARDNLPSuix8z54kNyPtDDWqX8F2TZ1weCTE8GmJzd0XLuG-gOHtIN8ZMlWEKY6ndcm9Ep3Gpj5tLt918_yFztTHa27d1wbqbdtR7PbN4a5/s4032/IMG_0342.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjbnlLS1qVHvw2VMapWnzNhcHZYARDNLPSuix8z54kNyPtDDWqX8F2TZ1weCTE8GmJzd0XLuG-gOHtIN8ZMlWEKY6ndcm9Ep3Gpj5tLt918_yFztTHa27d1wbqbdtR7PbN4a5/w400-h300/IMG_0342.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hole dug behind the log</i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>After going over the log my front wheel dropped into the hole and I went over the handlebars, I landed on my head and right wrist and was injured.</div><div><br /></div><div>I walked up to the carpark where my wife picked me up and drove to hospital. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKo_4jsTntE4yIfzZA2nEtPrpU1IIeUzBYlfhSDwwMLonmIjue_-AvxOPvrJBb8LXFtgxhFgofompsB3B-FtIxjKGaY2ASCgimo3dIM0WXniWiVzfUucas_TcxE5VNulUJqMz/s3264/PXL_20210915_083526715.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKo_4jsTntE4yIfzZA2nEtPrpU1IIeUzBYlfhSDwwMLonmIjue_-AvxOPvrJBb8LXFtgxhFgofompsB3B-FtIxjKGaY2ASCgimo3dIM0WXniWiVzfUucas_TcxE5VNulUJqMz/w300-h400/PXL_20210915_083526715.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In hospital emergency</i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>A cat scan showed I have a fracture in my T3 vertebrae luckily not near the spinal cord.</div><div><br /></div><div>An x-ray showed a serious fracture of my right metacarpal bone that required surgery and a wire to stabilise.</div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvdfKO0L3k7NQFlSAL753KV6VhEm3c2PxthiEv8ylt7Hdyv6Oko7_6Nu1gWRvcRFfRwV3kpF02DiPUcNibsiznIGHHKi15vvEOV8ZiVxj22HpZYgcJZtgX_nd9nM6PiF4W90v/s4032/PXL_20210918_011218006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvdfKO0L3k7NQFlSAL753KV6VhEm3c2PxthiEv8ylt7Hdyv6Oko7_6Nu1gWRvcRFfRwV3kpF02DiPUcNibsiznIGHHKi15vvEOV8ZiVxj22HpZYgcJZtgX_nd9nM6PiF4W90v/w400-h300/PXL_20210918_011218006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClxQz_aHeDbYW2iJdaVOoH9T0Eoizm-L18Tk5iacGw_tS_G0opzjk00oLh4vd3Ohyphenhyphenv-A_BMUDI621x4exg-cef9fnZ-yLw0pi6AoSTs1m9Q3iFLWuExJf-Syn60lwq7-pD9sf/s4032/PXL_20210927_000330816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClxQz_aHeDbYW2iJdaVOoH9T0Eoizm-L18Tk5iacGw_tS_G0opzjk00oLh4vd3Ohyphenhyphenv-A_BMUDI621x4exg-cef9fnZ-yLw0pi6AoSTs1m9Q3iFLWuExJf-Syn60lwq7-pD9sf/w400-h300/PXL_20210927_000330816.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>I was lucky - landing on my head could have damaged my spinal chord resulting in death or quadriplegia</div><div><br /></div><div>This extremely dangerous track modification could have resulted in death or permanent injury. There has been at least one other crash there. It has been reported to police and Parks Victoria who will remove the hazards. Last time I checked it was still there.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Be careful during lockdown, watch out for obstacles and dangerous behaviour. Don't do things that endanger others.</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyigCPAbJ73yXxXkiJvqsnx1doi8_t8BT2xZrcHQG5gGpphAE-aokODyc-2lXwvJRTgbDkrKE_zPXmW-6QHNFT33AGqzbeYGImK5UMld3mSut6dFiWufrDK5IemrMW7jUCGXy/s4032/IMG_0340.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyigCPAbJ73yXxXkiJvqsnx1doi8_t8BT2xZrcHQG5gGpphAE-aokODyc-2lXwvJRTgbDkrKE_zPXmW-6QHNFT33AGqzbeYGImK5UMld3mSut6dFiWufrDK5IemrMW7jUCGXy/w300-h400/IMG_0340.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com01083 State Route 20, Burwood VIC 3125, Australia-37.837205 145.1081548-37.838899598015345 145.10600903278808 -37.835510401984649 145.11030056721191tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-38150121873237039982021-09-10T09:32:00.033+10:002022-01-11T11:42:01.293+11:00Australian federal election 2022 - consider who you vote for<p>The next federal election in Australia is approaching. The date is not set - it will be called at the discretion of Scott Morrison, the incumbent Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal - National Party Coalition government. He will do this when he thinks he has the best chance of winning.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">When will the election be held?</h2><p>The first date for a normal house and half-Senate election was <b>7 August 2021</b> but that date has passed.</p><p>The last date for a normal house and half-Senate election is <b>21 May 2022</b>. This date gives six weeks to complete the complex Senate count and allows Senators to be declared elected and start their terms on 1 July 2022. A mid-May election would be announced in early April 2022.</p><p>See: <a href="https://antonygreen.com.au/when-can-the-next-federal-election-be-held/" target="_blank">When can the Next Federal Election be Held?</a> – Antony Green's Election Blog</p><p>Possible election dates are:</p><p><b>2022: </b>February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26 (with SA election moved), April 2, 9, May 21 as earlier dates overlap Easter and Anzac day</p><p>It is now likely the election will be in either <b>March, April or May 2022</b></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Morrison Government election campaign strategy</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">Strengths - <span style="font-weight: normal;">issues they will attempt to campaign on.</span></h3><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>"Morrison the saviour" - </b>leading Australia out of COVID-19 lockdowns, chastising the Labor states (VIC, QLD, WA) for "causing harm by draconian lockdowns". See <a href="Thread by @AaronDodd on Thread Reader App – Thread Reader App https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1458237207337005058.html" target="_blank">this thread </a>from <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronDodd" target="_blank">@aarondodd</a> for more information.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>"Sound economic management" </b>- providing financial measures to get Australia through the finanicial impacts of lockdown.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Coal votes - </b>keep promoting coal for "baseload power" and the importance of jobs associated with coal mining and profits from coal exports</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Border security - </b>keep refugees detained in offshore gulags to "deter refugees arriving by boats"</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Defence and national security - </b>publicly criticise China about the origins of COVID, human rights, occupation of islands in South China Sea. Keep speculating about possible war with China. Strengthen alliance and "military cooperation" with the United States, Indonesia and India.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MTCqXlDjx18" width="320" youtube-src-id="MTCqXlDjx18"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Also read <a href=" https://theshot.net.au/general-news/great-scott-the-grand-narrative-of-scott-morrison/?s=09" target="_blank">Great Scott: the grand narrative of Scott Morrison</a></div><p></p><h3>Attacks - <span style="font-weight: normal;">on other parties and candidates.</span></h3><div><ul><li><b>"Labor are incompetent" - </b>Labor is held hostage by Unions and will wreck the economy</li><li><b>"Independents are stooges" - </b>for other political parties</li><li><b>"Greens are dangerous radicals" - </b>with extreme left policies that will ruin Australia</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Weaknesses - <span style="font-weight: normal;">they will attempt to protect against</span></h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Climate change - </b>The Morrison government has set no long term or short term targets for reducing carbon emissions. They claim that "technology solutions" will be effective but there is no evidence that they will. They are still spending money on implausible "carbon capture and storage" projects.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Great Barrier Reef </b>- in peril from climate change, but the LNP successfully lobbied to stop the reef being listed as "endangered" by UNESCO</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>COVID-19 responses </b></li><ul><li><b>Vaccine delays:</b> Failure to get enough appropriate vaccines in time and severe delays in getting the population vaccinated. Orders for Pfizer vaccines delayed for 6 months</li><li><b>Vaccine politics:</b> Reallocating Pfizer from Labor states to Sydney</li><li><b>Vaccination campaign: </b>Very poor public campaigns to encourage vaccination</li><li><b>No quarantines:</b> No provision of safe quarantine facilities - a Federal government responsibility</li><li><b>Aged care deaths: </b>700+ deaths in federally regulated aged care homes from COVID-19, and no COVID-19 management plan for them</li><li><b>Stranded Aussies: </b>Morrison's failure to get home 40,000+ Australians stranded overseas for 18+ months</li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Corruption</b> - sport rorts, car park rorts, Great Barrier Reef foundation donation, electoral donations from fossil fuel companies <a href="https://bit.ly/3BSQaq3" target="_blank">[link]</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5Kzlc_TjfN_uw9w1vXCX3xs36UWgdEcGKCJyGWsyt3G9JkSyeXnH2nmnr7vgJjZG0HxvxPj3irY0vs6Af19mgUeksRlNiiIwwkBKnKRJOPU1maaAgnQMY36EtC33Vcyu3Hqf/s1058/Liberal+Party+corruption.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1058" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5Kzlc_TjfN_uw9w1vXCX3xs36UWgdEcGKCJyGWsyt3G9JkSyeXnH2nmnr7vgJjZG0HxvxPj3irY0vs6Af19mgUeksRlNiiIwwkBKnKRJOPU1maaAgnQMY36EtC33Vcyu3Hqf/w400-h225/Liberal+Party+corruption.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Treatment of women and sexual violence</b></li><ul><li>no action taken on alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in parliament building on 22 March 2019</li><li>Morrison says he was not informed of the alleged rape until 15 February 2021. The Gaetjens inquiry about who in the Prime Minister's Office knew what and when has not been completed and will not be releases (its a cover up).</li><li>Morrison Govt voted against 49 of the 55 recommendations made in the landmark Respect@Work report</li><li>Morrison Govt held "Women's Safety Summit" in early September 2021 which was a talkfest to "hear from women" - but not enact any new legislation.</li></ul></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">Murdoch's Newscorp</h2><div> The Murdoch press provide propaganda to support the Morrison government.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/32T7lXgENAc" width="320" youtube-src-id="32T7lXgENAc"></iframe></div><div><h2>Independents are making a stand</h2></div><div>Several independent community-based grass roots candidates are running on platform of climate action, integrity and better treatment of women. Candidates include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://twitter.com/Mon4Kooyong" target="_blank">Dr Monique Ryan</a>, Kooyong </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/zdaniel" target="_blank">Zoe Daniel</a>, Goldstein</li><li><a href="@spenderallegra" target="_blank">Aleggra Spender</a>, Wentworth</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/SophieScamps" target="_blank">Dr Sophie Scamps</a>, Mackeller</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/KyleaTink" target="_blank">Kylea Tink</a>, North Sydney</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/zalisteggall" target="_blank">Zali Steggall</a>, Warringah (re-contesting, won seat from Tony Abbott)</li></ul><div><p lang="en" style="text-align: left;">For a video see: The Project (@theprojecttv) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1472845241573003268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2021</a></p> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Some things to consider when voting</h2></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How has your local MP voted in parliament? Find out here: <a href="https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/" target="_blank">They Vote For You — How does your MP vote? </a></li><li>How do candidate's policies and statements align with your values?</li><li>For candidates in political parties - how does their party's policies and statements align with your values</li><li>What are candidate policies and statements on climate change, social justice, peace and environment, health, education and other things that matter to you?</li><li>How have candidates contributed to public health response measures for COVID-19?</li><li>The honesty, integrity, accountability and competence of each candidate.</li></ul></div><div>This upcoming election will have a huge impact on Australia's and the world's future. Use your vote wisely.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Links</h2><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/labor-needs-to-swing-into-gear-as-prime-minister-feels-the-heat-20211103-p595kd.html">As Scott Morrison feels the heat, Labor and Anthony Albanese must swing into gear</a> </li><li><a href="https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1458237207337005058.html" target="_blank">Morrison is gearing up for an election based on "freedom"</a>. Thread by @AaronDodd </li><li><a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/09/too-late-now-but-let-it-rip-might-prove-tricky-for-scott-morrison-come-election-time?s=09" target="_blank">Too late now, but ‘let it rip’ might prove tricky for Scott Morrison come election time</a>, Hugh Riminton, The Guardian</li></ul></div><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-12744304238626162832021-09-09T14:53:00.001+10:002021-09-10T09:35:07.097+10:00COVID-19 Delta, vaccination and children<p>Some links on COVID-19 Delta and children<span> </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.channel4.com/news/indonesias-covid-disaster-delta-variant-killing-150-children-a-week" target="_blank">Indonesia’s Covid disaster: Delta variant killing 150 children a week</a> – Channel 4 News </li><li><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/delta-variant-more-dangerous-children-growing-number-kids-are-very-n1276035" target="_blank">Is the delta variant more dangerous for children? A growing number of kids are very sick</a> - NBC News </li><li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-15/covid-delta-strain-shows-government-poor-planning-why-so-slow/100293840" target="_blank">Australia should have seen the Delta COVID variant coming, but it has exposed our serious weakness</a> - ABC News </li><li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/08/04/pediatrician-covid-children-delta/" target="_blank">Children with covid can get very ill, as I have seen in my hospital</a> - The Washington Post </li><li><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-outbreak-and-kids" target="_blank">Coronavirus outbreak and kids</a> - Harvard Health </li><li><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/06/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html" target="_blank">How to protect children under 12 from Covid-19, according to Fauci</a> - CNN </li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-72039094691796848122020-11-26T22:40:00.003+11:002020-11-26T22:40:27.877+11:00Submission to Climate Change Bill 2020<p>To the House Standing Committee on the Energy and Environment regarding the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 and Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2020<br /><br />Via email: Environment.Reps@aph.gov.au. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"> </p>Dear Committee Secretariat,<br /><br />I am a resident of Surrey Hills in Melbourne. We renovated our house in 2001 to improve its energy efficiency and we added solar panels and a battery system. I feel very strongly that climate change must be tackled as the primary threat confronting our country and a safe climate across Earth.<br /><br />The Climate Change 2020 Bill put forward by Zali Steggall is a genuine attempt to break the political deadlock that has thwarted meaningful action to tackle climate change in Australia across 3 decades.<br /><br />The Bill is an authentic proposal to build a legal and policy framework for national action on climate and energy policy.<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"> </p>The bill proposes to legislate a national net zero emissions target by 2050 and set five yearly emissions budgets and emissions reduction plans, consistent with limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.<br /><br />I consider this to be bare minimum policy settings for establishing a safe climate. I consider that a target for net zero emissions by 2030 would be more likely to secure a safe climate.<br /><br />The guiding principles for decision makers in the Bill will ensure decisions are efficient, effective and equitable, informed, risk-based and integrated and fiscally responsible.<br /><br />In addition, provision is made in the Bill for fair employment transition for workers, industries or regions affected, community engagement and self-determination, and national and international cooperation.<br /><br />I support this Bill for the following reasons:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Reducing carbon emissions is vital for restoring a safe climate. Setting a target for net zero emissions and progressive targets to achieve this is essential.</li><li>The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events including bushfires, floods, cyclones and droughts, is having a major negative impact on Australia and elsewhere.</li><li>There are opportunities to develop new technologies in energy efficient, electric vehicles and renewable energy and to provide employment opportunities in a new clean energy economy.</li><li>Informed decision-making based on science will provide the best policy and programs for achieving a safe climate.</li><li>Community consultation and engagement is essential for involving all Australians in the roadmap and actions towards net zero emissions.</li><li>International cooperation is necessary to ensure there is consistent and effective global action on climate change.</li><li>Development and implementation of emission reduction plans is essential.</li><li>The Climate Change Commission in the Bill will provide appropriate oversight and information and advice on climate action and emission reductions.</li><li>Establishment of a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Climate Adaptation and Mitigation will provide oversight and information on adaptation and mitigation measures.</li></ul><br />I respectfully request that the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 be endorsed by the Australian Parliament. <br /><br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br /><br /> <br /><br />Peter Campbell<br /><br /><Name and address supplied><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Links</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Environment_and_Energy/ClimateBills2020" target="_blank">Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 and Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2020</a> – Parliament of Australia </li><li><a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Making_a_submission" target="_blank">Making a submission to a Committee inquiry</a> – Parliament of Australia </li></ul></div></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-84904403031246339162020-11-23T10:38:00.005+11:002020-11-23T10:38:46.923+11:00Swiss referendums in 2009 make for healthy democracy and some action on climate change<p>In Switzerland, they are holding referendums right now. These have been mostly initiated by citizens.</p><p>Two are federal, 6 are canton level, and in Geneva there are two commune ones, bringing the total to ten.</p><p>One Canton referendum caught my attention. The proposal is to offer rebates to people who buy new cars with better than 120 g CO2/km, no effect on those in the range 120 to 250, and an extra levy to those that produce greater than 250.</p><p>How refreshing it would be to vote for a referendum such as this - that has potential to provide real incentives for people to reduce their carbon emissions.</p><p>Currently in Australia, such a referendum is impossible. For healthy democracy I think we need the ability to hold referendums like this now.</p><p>So we need a referendum to change the Australian Constitution to make citizen-initiated referendums possible.</p><p>Some photos of billboards for the referendums</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_SG2eJfOjdVR1TYqlEzDuRxHIP-TIjcMqs5VxJ7iQMtvPgUuKudpnVMUhUMrdPZyRMS4M854Fqy1nkP3614hLK8kjMuBpKsgjxQtKhj2aoBSf7UIz7rQtaM7liuDS396ElPH/s640/DSC_4135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_SG2eJfOjdVR1TYqlEzDuRxHIP-TIjcMqs5VxJ7iQMtvPgUuKudpnVMUhUMrdPZyRMS4M854Fqy1nkP3614hLK8kjMuBpKsgjxQtKhj2aoBSf7UIz7rQtaM7liuDS396ElPH/s320/DSC_4135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1rac3TrKlam1vCnj4M-6-83Af5ulZ8v32fKsecbQV99_QVDtkao5dOri7mvDyPDouS5sNWm_PqxSTN5csNw__ychfLnulkw4PJ9SW9F-sLUDqH_4iVBFPuiU8NFNqZI98YQV/s640/DSC_4136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1rac3TrKlam1vCnj4M-6-83Af5ulZ8v32fKsecbQV99_QVDtkao5dOri7mvDyPDouS5sNWm_PqxSTN5csNw__ychfLnulkw4PJ9SW9F-sLUDqH_4iVBFPuiU8NFNqZI98YQV/s320/DSC_4136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_-WODT90i3-BdXjihQkvrPJ5OyeV_KgY-Wbq1rIxIzHAwVkHb1diT5EItAzht5CT3XsbLCBH23HUS9g56vCdhLWBGEPhGD-tx-KpoiSKttOyvXNyVRuVP3L5F4qSDUtTDo3X/s640/DSC_4137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_-WODT90i3-BdXjihQkvrPJ5OyeV_KgY-Wbq1rIxIzHAwVkHb1diT5EItAzht5CT3XsbLCBH23HUS9g56vCdhLWBGEPhGD-tx-KpoiSKttOyvXNyVRuVP3L5F4qSDUtTDo3X/s320/DSC_4137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdmmtEpfypAgdeXic6qcX8V-6gkCVTuAFP7mIMUlMDFQujPcnI0FuAXjyRaf7a2mpjIRn8hYMaz_xqVXogC2Ibv8prlIEui4HrBIMICvxmpeIN5YW7y9Ws97GXSajpaKts7SH/s640/DSC_4138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdmmtEpfypAgdeXic6qcX8V-6gkCVTuAFP7mIMUlMDFQujPcnI0FuAXjyRaf7a2mpjIRn8hYMaz_xqVXogC2Ibv8prlIEui4HrBIMICvxmpeIN5YW7y9Ws97GXSajpaKts7SH/s320/DSC_4138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQQBmCR5pgjibjhTWWkpzEPiOBP6LgFInGPy-0Nio8Q_IAMJPPUJxfpVJIQx0VNWT6HBd_hfnP2410vMrdBsDrpgVKADE2ofIyFp3n7ZFhJC3uWef5QB1wNRRRQyFQeH6ngZO/s640/DSC_4139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQQBmCR5pgjibjhTWWkpzEPiOBP6LgFInGPy-0Nio8Q_IAMJPPUJxfpVJIQx0VNWT6HBd_hfnP2410vMrdBsDrpgVKADE2ofIyFp3n7ZFhJC3uWef5QB1wNRRRQyFQeH6ngZO/s320/DSC_4139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8NXmdNehm7JNbaKvM0RdIgONPzgmhCbFSE2XFSBEnOu3vKHye7pYE0lI2OIQm9gkl01kC4NLMAJ3YiDucsoucyV0oeQ-XBBFfLdNUISwnrdhMj9ul01AjdrF6f4S3lP9ISK1/s4288/DSC_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8NXmdNehm7JNbaKvM0RdIgONPzgmhCbFSE2XFSBEnOu3vKHye7pYE0lI2OIQm9gkl01kC4NLMAJ3YiDucsoucyV0oeQ-XBBFfLdNUISwnrdhMj9ul01AjdrF6f4S3lP9ISK1/s320/DSC_4140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdFDIGRQdZXVlTjBEgOzEifgmvGx-6Q6lS-GY3-iWCThm_HIT6MF7MqrJaSedoxcoz3ARTe18CXiPQhucHJ4DjyjZlFFpquxuRur28zjAaAf0jrQjSnKAbayXV0v8yEWvtKH/s4288/DSC_4141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdFDIGRQdZXVlTjBEgOzEifgmvGx-6Q6lS-GY3-iWCThm_HIT6MF7MqrJaSedoxcoz3ARTe18CXiPQhucHJ4DjyjZlFFpquxuRur28zjAaAf0jrQjSnKAbayXV0v8yEWvtKH/s320/DSC_4141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mOjtEpORBqyyLf8omOA8SYX3t5jG3bN-VELJfNpuQA98Mryxlkhf_bavCytG3IRh0fAGFtOQp9s72b414DLmU05TqPrtcmGkkv3TR2R0-klHojNH0ERnCM6LbJJn8efYMMYb/s425/2009+EV+in+London.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mOjtEpORBqyyLf8omOA8SYX3t5jG3bN-VELJfNpuQA98Mryxlkhf_bavCytG3IRh0fAGFtOQp9s72b414DLmU05TqPrtcmGkkv3TR2R0-klHojNH0ERnCM6LbJJn8efYMMYb/s320/2009+EV+in+London.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EV in London<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0Geneva, Switzerland46.2043907 6.143157717.894156863821152 -29.0130923 74.514624536178843 41.2994077tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-4680681322654478062020-09-29T15:28:00.001+10:002020-09-29T15:28:05.541+10:00Josh Frydenberg please strengthen Australia's environment laws that protect our wildlife and precious places<p>Dear Josh,</p><p>The current independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) released its interim report in July 2020, with the final report due in October. </p><p>The interim report found that Australia’s environment is in an unsustainable state of decline and recommends a full suite of reforms to turn this around, including national environmental standards to protect wildlife and ecosystems, an independent watchdog to enforce the law and proper community participation in and oversight of the decisions governments make.</p><p>But the Morrison Government is this week rushing a bill before Parliament that would hand environmental protections over to the states before the independent review is finished and without strong assurance safeguards in place. </p><p>The Morrison Government has also rejected calls for an independent watchdog, despite a recent Auditor-General report outlining ongoing, systemic failures by the Environment Department to enforce the laws and manage conflicts of interest.</p><p>Any amendments to the EPBC Act brought to Parliament to facilitate bilateral approval agreements with State Governments should be treated with scepticism. Without vital safeguards in place, the Government’s bill represents a hasty and thoughtless devolvement of Commonwealth powers and responsibilities to states and local governments that are often the proponents of regulated projects. </p><p>Right now, there's been no consideration of its contents and implications, and the process is rushed and hasty - it’s time to slow down and get it right.</p><p>I ask you and your Senate colleagues to: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Oppose attempts to rush through amendments to the EPBC Act that could make our environment laws even weaker;</li><li>Ensure the Morrison Gov’ts bill is given the full and proper scrutiny it requires, including whether it contains sufficient safeguards to ensure environment laws will be transparently and rigorously enforced; and </li><li>Support important reforms to fix our failed environment laws including strong national environmental standards to protect wildlife and ecosystems, an independent watchdog to enforce the law and proper community participation in and oversight of the decisions governments make.</li></ul><p></p><p>In a country still reeling from the ecological catastrophe of the 2019-20 bushfires, we need national leadership to safeguard the ecosystems that support us, build resilience in the face of climate change, support communities to recover and protect our globally important wildlife.</p><p>You have the power to ensure our precious wildlife and forests don’t go the way of the Tasmanian Tiger. We need your leadership now.</p><p><br /></p><p>Yours sincerely, </p>Peter Campbell<br /><br />(address supplied)Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-89856878763532129172020-09-10T10:19:00.003+10:002020-09-10T11:02:30.363+10:00Coronavirus is extremely infectious - a cautionary tale<p>This is an example of how incredibly infections the coranavirus that causes COVID-19 disease is.</p><p>A worker in a Dandenong factory contracted the disease at work, he commuted to a medium size town in Gippsland daily. The infection spread to his teenage children before any symptoms were visible.</p><p>The children travelled to school on a school bus shared by three secondary schools in or near the town.</p><p>Students and teachers at all schools subequently tested positive for COVID-19 - the schools were then closed and deep cleaned, along with the buses. </p><p>Contract tracing and isolation contained this outbreak that started from one person.</p><p>The virus can spread easily in a confined space with people - such as a bus, classroom, dinner party, family meal or church service - without anybody showing symptoms. It can spread by aerosol (tiny droplets suspended in the air) and people just breathing that air. Coughs and sneezes are not required to spread it (unlike the flu).</p><p>Lockdowns are vitally important to drive large case numbers and resultant deaths down.</p><p>Social distance and masks are vitally important to stop it spreading.</p><p><b><a href="https://petercampbell.blogspot.com/2020/08/political-attacks-are-compromising.html" target="_blank">State and federal Liberal MPs continually attacking Dan Andrews</a> and the public health response measures in Victoria are compromising efforts to contain the pandemic and putting lives at risk. </b></p><p><b>This is not the time for petty politics.</b></p><p>Politically motivated attacks on the considerable efforts by contact tracing teams and health care workers in Victoria is causing them distress and also angering the Victorian community.</p><p>If Australia had similar public health response measures to the United States, United Kingdom and Sweden we would have over 12,500 more deaths.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahWEdhPGWeGCDadi0iTnaMk9N2Agd9-kTFPSwXff5D0-qo96KYps4Jf1ioKWoEluajCgAjBKGV3mzCIjfuupLS3uj2UE3ez3Zp_WKWJSxIiYLTlqwPVtfaIg6LAmIroY46WL3/s615/2020-09-07+COVID-19+deaths+per+million+comparison+table.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="615" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahWEdhPGWeGCDadi0iTnaMk9N2Agd9-kTFPSwXff5D0-qo96KYps4Jf1ioKWoEluajCgAjBKGV3mzCIjfuupLS3uj2UE3ez3Zp_WKWJSxIiYLTlqwPVtfaIg6LAmIroY46WL3/w400-h133/2020-09-07+COVID-19+deaths+per+million+comparison+table.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See also</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/has-scott-morrison-forgotten-that-he-s-victoria-s-prime-minister-too-20200909-p55tvh.html " target="_blank">Has Scott Morrison forgotten that he's Victoria's Prime Minister, too?</a> Sean Carney, The Age </li></ul></div><p><br /></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-5668135395885435312020-08-09T00:00:00.005+10:002020-08-09T00:00:58.570+10:00Wattle Park fountain in a sad state of disrepair<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_Park,_Melbourne">Wattle Park</a> in Burwood is a large park which has some lovely native bush and forest areas in addition to a sport oval and a playground.</p><p>Over the years I have visited the derelict fountain which is located to the west of the Monsborough Drive, the narrow rode inside the park.</p><p>The fountain is in a state of disrepair. The main fountain was impressive but lies in fragments today.</p><p>I cannot find any significant historical records about the fountain, its creation and demise remain a mystery.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxZLGmlwEfyHd0NCjrkxu8J75vFrHs-YSTQvjM1onwTW7k6OKlt7TiXZeBokdMnFthP4-_-oCtbZHkauxVUY2C7DVD-_F02cyYmDkWmjN81urDbUaoQKL6aUc9GMqnvxfMjiz/s795/Wattle+Park+fountain+-+circa+1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxZLGmlwEfyHd0NCjrkxu8J75vFrHs-YSTQvjM1onwTW7k6OKlt7TiXZeBokdMnFthP4-_-oCtbZHkauxVUY2C7DVD-_F02cyYmDkWmjN81urDbUaoQKL6aUc9GMqnvxfMjiz/w302-h400/Wattle+Park+fountain+-+circa+1900.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fountain in its heyday, circa 1900. <a href="https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC10VZG_fish-out-of-water?guid=7a37aa90-fe1c-4726-a59f-42491720acb9">Source</a> <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZMlFH-LvcYBiGcVoKLyQaaYyXxZ7-SbfEhADEU-5oXYSkhLsnM33JbG87gxPPNhEeIBR9NakR1eMM6D3PztZUssbqgZxk7tDi8DfiHGcsv42lUpkhgabkrtePaxsg1sKSFOu/s600/Wattle+Park+fountain+-+circa+1950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="386" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZMlFH-LvcYBiGcVoKLyQaaYyXxZ7-SbfEhADEU-5oXYSkhLsnM33JbG87gxPPNhEeIBR9NakR1eMM6D3PztZUssbqgZxk7tDi8DfiHGcsv42lUpkhgabkrtePaxsg1sKSFOu/w257-h400/Wattle+Park+fountain+-+circa+1950.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattle Park fountain, circa 1950. <a href="http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/mobile/detail_picture/186">Source</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8gbUJj9ytkA-c1XWokO2jWze3MwmYtEnh1KqM3XtvEXt0XQKqK_WhPh91z_vm4p6VOK6el2JDarhHu0rGBGxhuKAxRdv2N9b_OahmCaK3gWmAWA8A0CJBDSGfn366jf36Oaw/s1600/Wattle+Park+fountain+-+circa+1980+IMG_5918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8gbUJj9ytkA-c1XWokO2jWze3MwmYtEnh1KqM3XtvEXt0XQKqK_WhPh91z_vm4p6VOK6el2JDarhHu0rGBGxhuKAxRdv2N9b_OahmCaK3gWmAWA8A0CJBDSGfn366jf36Oaw/w400-h300/Wattle+Park+fountain+-+circa+1980+IMG_5918.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattle Park fountain, circa 1980. <a href="http://Source." id="http://zmkc.blogspot.com/2013/07/scone-with-wind.html" name="http://zmkc.blogspot.com/2013/07/scone-with-wind.html">Source.</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpoEZLtxYJr6gCFrIEPWeft4MZpmlxZF-ZoLi-sAw1u5HvJp_uILUmzXvaaOyW_wtf5ucfWecWRFmctgXweyKJ8NI-mCn2J9T38WuuEB32hc-iC0utcGK1TgHX0mSn8bmOvW0/s800/Wattle+Park+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="800" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpoEZLtxYJr6gCFrIEPWeft4MZpmlxZF-ZoLi-sAw1u5HvJp_uILUmzXvaaOyW_wtf5ucfWecWRFmctgXweyKJ8NI-mCn2J9T38WuuEB32hc-iC0utcGK1TgHX0mSn8bmOvW0/w400-h283/Wattle+Park+plan.jpg" width="400" /></a>In August 2020, the fountain is in ruins, only fragments remain.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J0y3QuIRkT5qDxoze2eJvzvmlGf_IntDDgwIXlNgpy7eytIYDUYc8YB1PJIZYdDhqRoqR6aAwPJMZ9HUTx9BVtq9zCLjH9JYhoLCzQwx0zMb8NRfQNG04nIQ2XqJyY2kXJTE/s4032/20200808_154129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J0y3QuIRkT5qDxoze2eJvzvmlGf_IntDDgwIXlNgpy7eytIYDUYc8YB1PJIZYdDhqRoqR6aAwPJMZ9HUTx9BVtq9zCLjH9JYhoLCzQwx0zMb8NRfQNG04nIQ2XqJyY2kXJTE/w400-h300/20200808_154129.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhip7NXE_roxisN9DlktSOn5nDzbSlV3U7yjSMhaNU6FVeZErI8IZzudkOpHYai-vdGoIL7WIsa-1B3gAE9f494zEx6NiQeri959rSd1IdeOlQJkyM4zszVqHv1Xqa2bQ6fxR2Q/s4032/20200808_153948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhip7NXE_roxisN9DlktSOn5nDzbSlV3U7yjSMhaNU6FVeZErI8IZzudkOpHYai-vdGoIL7WIsa-1B3gAE9f494zEx6NiQeri959rSd1IdeOlQJkyM4zszVqHv1Xqa2bQ6fxR2Q/w400-h300/20200808_153948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYWpzBh1-Tgy4rd58CP57RCC7YLZpvDGILQBr9Y4Tb_Plb5y_yVXzmDDX-fin0qjbHMUYfZRmPDX1q-34f0zOM1juoQtzgx9CMLBXKew-QbJA6PyZe5RzDsFh1bcgaKzTboqy/s4032/20200808_153850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYWpzBh1-Tgy4rd58CP57RCC7YLZpvDGILQBr9Y4Tb_Plb5y_yVXzmDDX-fin0qjbHMUYfZRmPDX1q-34f0zOM1juoQtzgx9CMLBXKew-QbJA6PyZe5RzDsFh1bcgaKzTboqy/w400-h300/20200808_153850.jpg" width="400" /></a><h2 style="text-align: left;">Links</h2><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/186">Wattle Park</a>, Victorian Heritage Database </li><li><a href=" http://www.hawthorntramdepot.org.au/papers/wattlepk.htm">Wattle Park - a tramway tradition</a>, Melbourne Tram Museum</li><li><a href="https://friendsofwattlepark.com.au/history-of-wattle-park/ ">Wattle Park History</a> - Friends of Wattle Park</li><li><a href="https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/wattle-park">Wattle Park</a> - Victorian Places </li></ul></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYWpzBh1-Tgy4rd58CP57RCC7YLZpvDGILQBr9Y4Tb_Plb5y_yVXzmDDX-fin0qjbHMUYfZRmPDX1q-34f0zOM1juoQtzgx9CMLBXKew-QbJA6PyZe5RzDsFh1bcgaKzTboqy/s4032/20200808_153850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYWpzBh1-Tgy4rd58CP57RCC7YLZpvDGILQBr9Y4Tb_Plb5y_yVXzmDDX-fin0qjbHMUYfZRmPDX1q-34f0zOM1juoQtzgx9CMLBXKew-QbJA6PyZe5RzDsFh1bcgaKzTboqy/s4032/20200808_153850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13662496.post-10979325500636516912020-08-08T19:36:00.029+10:002021-09-04T10:54:15.861+10:00Political attacks are compromising COVID-19 public health response measures in Victoria<p><b></b></p>Australia has been relatively successful so far in minimising COVID-19 infections and deaths compared with many other countries. Here are comparative stats to date: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7TWTrKBxc5ekN37FglPHEdBGChthVrkrG8Q_2ejFo4OZ4SQmQzdAJdxT27yk-AiBsAOaNU_hILIKghkgwKy0FiT0LSojbUAZCLUffNab2M7gsPuT6bSLc_a0L_jWNe4sHget/s422/2020-08-08+COVID-19+deaths+per+million+comparison+table.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7TWTrKBxc5ekN37FglPHEdBGChthVrkrG8Q_2ejFo4OZ4SQmQzdAJdxT27yk-AiBsAOaNU_hILIKghkgwKy0FiT0LSojbUAZCLUffNab2M7gsPuT6bSLc_a0L_jWNe4sHget/s0/2020-08-08+COVID-19+deaths+per+million+comparison+table.JPG" /></a></div><p>Source: <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Owge2F7zmA-96csgtVf9bo9yEHRRycqttuWVylvQBJfyxrMdHApxrQkkfihVVVMNfb6KO6T8GBlue5t9K-n7YUvFUZbI0sJXKbUTnbFbVpf2EHzJkLK7cgDfUnyNQBX9pQ2/s925/2020-08-08+COVID-19+deaths+per+million+comparison.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="925" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Owge2F7zmA-96csgtVf9bo9yEHRRycqttuWVylvQBJfyxrMdHApxrQkkfihVVVMNfb6KO6T8GBlue5t9K-n7YUvFUZbI0sJXKbUTnbFbVpf2EHzJkLK7cgDfUnyNQBX9pQ2/w640-h426/2020-08-08+COVID-19+deaths+per+million+comparison.JPG" title="Source: https://ourworldindata.org/" width="640" /></a></p><p>Source: <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/">https://ourworldindata.org/</a></p><p>New Zealand has succeeded in eliminating COVID-19 community transmission at this point in time.</p><p>Australia was initially successful in suppressing, but not eliminating, the virus. However, a significant outbreak occurred in Victoria around 24 June 2020, with daily cases still over 400 as at 8 July 2020. </p><p>Reasons for this second outbreak include:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Private security guards spreading COVID-19 from quarantined returned travellers to the community (an Inquiry is in place to investigate this)</li><li>Outbreaks in some meat processing facilities.</li><li>Outbreaks in aged care facilities - apparently partly due to lowly paid casual workers getting infected and moving between facilities. Aged care is a federal government responsibility.</li></ul><p></p><p>Significant interventions to reduce community transitions include:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lockdown of several suburbs with high community transmission</li><li>Lockdown some community housing hotspots for 2 weeks</li><li>Stage 3 Lockdown of Greater Melbourne and Mitchell council areas</li><li>Stage 4 Lockdown of Greater Melbourne and Geelong Council areas and Stage 3 Lockdown of the rest of Victoria (current situation)</li></ul><div>See <a href="https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19">Victoria's restriction levels</a> for more information </div><p></p><p>Premier Dan Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, along with selected government ministers and other senior public servants, provide daily updates on cases, deaths and public health measures.</p><p>Questions are asked by media representatives at these updates. Some choose to abuse this privilege by repeatedly asking the same question (e.g. about the failure to contain the virus in hotel quarantine) and they do this in an aggressive manner. The main offender is Rachel Baxendale of the Murdoch owned Australian newspaper.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wall of shame</h3><p>These questions align with ongoing criticism of public health response measures (including lockdowns) and personal attacks on both Dan Andrews and Brett Sutton by current and former Liberal MPs. Here are the offenders:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Scott Morrison (Prime Minister)</li><li>Tim Smith (State MP, Kew)</li><li>Georgie Crozer (State, Southern Metropolitan Region)</li><li>Michael O'Brien (State, Opposition leader)</li><li>Jeff Kennett (Former Premier)</li><li>Tim Wilson (Federal, Goldstein)</li><li>Josh Frydenberg (Federal Treasurer, Kooyong)</li><li>Peter Dutton (Federal, QLD)</li><li>Gladys Berejiklian (NSW Premier)</li><li>David Davis (State, Southern Metropolitan Region)</li><li>Katie Allen (Federal, Prahran)</li><li>Sarah Henderson (Federal, Victorian Senator)</li><li>Tony Abbott (ex Prime Minister)</li><li>Greg Hunt (Federal, Flinders)</li><li>Allan Tudge (Federal, Aston)</li><li>Bridget Mackenzie (Federal, Victorian Senator)</li><li>David Southwick (State, Caulfield)</li><li>David Sharma (Federal, Wentworth)</li><li>Edward O'Donohue (State, Eastern Victoria)</li><li>David Van (Senator, Victoria)</li></ul><div>Reactionary commentators also attacking Dan Andrews and public health response measures include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Andrew Bolt (Heraldsun, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Ray Hadley (2GB radio in Sydney. owned by Nine Entertainment Co.)</li><li>Alan Jones (Skynews, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Rachel Baxendale (Heraldsun, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Sophie Elsworth (Newscorp, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Adam Creighton (Economics editor, The Australian, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Rita Panahi (Opinion writer, Heraldsun, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Alex White (news.com.au, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Sophie Smith (independent sports journalist)</li><li>Philip Coorey (Australian Financial Review)</li><li>Chris Uhlmann (Nine News)</li><li>Peta Credlin (Sky news, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Joe Hildebrand (Daily Telegraph, Murdoch owned)</li><li>Leigh Sales (7:30 Report, ABC). </li></ul><div><b>I am an emergency services volunteer. We don't start reviewing mistakes halfway through a job, we don't challenge the leadership, we get on with the job. Afterwards there is a formal debrief. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>This "holding to account" nonsense by some journalists and self-serving members of parliament is a coordinated campaign to attack Dan Andrew's leadership for political gain.</div><div><br /></div><div>In doing so they give out mixed messages that undermine public health response measures and the leadership required to deal with the incredibly infectious and sometimes lethal COVID-19 pandemic.</div><div><br /></div><div>I call on the people named above to stop their coordinated campaign to tear down Dan Andrews that is putting Australians in harm's way. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also call on Scott Morrison to put a stop to this too.</div><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Peter Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11193189968913129464noreply@blogger.com0