The True Meaning of Christmas - Augusta Margaret River style

Did you see the Augusta-Margaret River Mail last week?
They have made the decision that they will move away from that old fashioned idea that Christmas has something to do with Christianity and the birth of Jesus. This year was a recognition that ALL our leaders are under government control. Previously we had church and community leaders who would send a message at Christmas, today we have government regulated and paid leaders only.
A small change to reflect a secular society?
Perhaps, but doesn't Augusta-Margaret River have any community organisations that are not government paid, controlled by government legislation?
And remember that it's the small changes that are felt less - we are in a 'frog in the pot' situation.

Happy New Year.

Just go to the beach (as John Ralston Saul would say) and enjoy life - the government is in control. 

Trust them.

International Anti-Corruption Day, 9th December 2015

Did you know it was International Anti-Corruption Day, 9^th December 2015

In time for International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December 2015, the Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commissioner, John McKechnie QC, speaks about the main corruption themes and the risks corruption presents for social orderliness in the public and private sectors.

https://youtu.be/XvpJe6mSrcs

Was that $30 million a good buy?

Back in 1992 a Royal Commission report was published giving details of exactly how easily the premier of WA, Brian Burke and his cronies had pocketed $600+ million from the public purse.
The Royal Commission cost the public $30 million and made recommendations as to what could be done to stop such corruption in the future, such as this one;

Does your local government appear on the Watch List?

An interesting list of local governments that the Department of Local Government would be watching if they ever undertook any scrutiny. 

Although scrutiny appears to be a rather pointless exercise unless some action occurs if there are problems identified. Currently any action is so pedestrian as to be disrespectful to the public. Consider the case of James Trail.

Abuse - what do we accept as reasonable?

Those of you who know me understand how keenly I support democracy. I believe in the sentiments expressed by the late Paddy O'Brien, that democracy is a precious thing we must nurture and care for. We have travelled a long way as a society since the days when psychological abuse went unrecognised. If a person was not bloodied, bruised, and physically broken then society would not accept that they had suffered harm. 

Today we understand much more about ourselves. 

But do we recognise how abuse can be perpetrated against communities and society?

Scrutiny?

While most of us were at Remembrance Day services Ben and Colin were having a knock-about in parliament.

Congratulations to Graham Edwards

Former WA and Federal politician Graham Edwards has been honoured as Seniors Australian of the Year. Very well deserved award for a man who brought democracy a step closer to Western Australia back in 1984.

Graham Edwards brought democracy to those people living in Western Australia who did not own any land or property. 

A Letter from Eric

As the book writing is taking too much time, leaving no time for blogging, I thought I'd offer readers an opportunity to ponder on a few re-cycled posts - it's our history and some younger readers might have forgotten how we got to be where we are now.

Our culture and values were finally laid to rest a decade ago, at the May 2005 elections. Although the actual plan for this cultural genocide was hatched during a period of banishment that resulted in Burke spending time in Siberia. 

That's more than you need to know for now. 

Discussion behind closed doors
Posted by Eric Noakes
Wednesday, 10 January 2007

Mushrooms or chumps?

In August 2015 our former shire CEO was given a spent conviction, the legal equivalent of a slap on the wrist. James Trail had been a naughty boy and accepted a few treats from supplier in return for signing contracts that had not been approved by our elected councillors.

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

“I was once told that Brian Burke boasted that if the Liberals were to ever gain power, it would take them 20 years to root out the people that he had placed in the public service.”

Hon Rob Johnson, WA Legislative Assembly, 27^th February 2007

A Systems Approach

Now we know that the shire had a systems failure that allowed James Trail to spend $170,000 without authorisation. We know Gary Evershed did not notice the $170,000 back in 2008 when he was paid to undertake his well publicised due diligence.

The Most Precious Flower - Lest We Forget

As the value of our local economy is being removed by a group of wealthy cronies the grassroots working citizens are paying more for a local government that our Premier, Colin Barnett, believes to be corrupt. We are sinking fast towards a Greek tragedy, where the public sector costs more than the private individuals can comfortably pay.

Spent Rates, Spent Conviction

James Trail had moved on before he faced the magistrates to answer the charges brought against him as a result of his behaviour when he was CEO of Augusta-Margaret River and Kalamunda . After Kalamunda dismissed him he created JT Professional Services and shifted from being directly involved in local government, as a CEO, to being a local government consultant.

Strange times in the Wild West

Not since we read of Richard Lewis having his car tampered with and Julien Grill and Brian Burke’s brother Terry killing people with their motor cars and avoiding any legal redress have events in government taken such a strange turn.