From the Sydney Sun Herald Sunday 23rd Feb

The Australian government has asked Cambodia to accept refugees seeking asylum in a move similar to the former Labor government’s so-called ‘‘Malaysian solution’’.

   Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong said the request was made on Saturday morning during a meeting between his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop and the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

   ‘‘In the past, there have been Cambodians going out as refugees to different countries. Now perhaps it is time for Cambodia to receive refugees back to Cambodia,’’ Mr Hor Nam Hong told journalists after a press briefing, adding the number of refugees had not been decided but this would depend on Australia.

  

‘‘There are now thousands of refugees seeking asylum in Australia. And Australia would like to see Cambodia accept some refugees to be settled in Cambodia,’’ he said. (Mr Hun Sen is a  former cadre of the murderous Khmer Rouge).

  

 

"You'll just love it there! I was there on holiday last year. What a place! The temples...."

Cambodia is one of Asia’s poorest countries and is dependent on hundreds of millions of dollars of foreign aid. Australia sent $244 million to Cambodia over the past three years. A further $85 million has been pledged for 2013 to 2014.

   Human rights groups say Cambodia has one of the worst human rights records in Asia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice to be here on a lazy Sunday

 

One of the favourite spots in Sydney..and in December...can't complain. Water temp must have been about 25C . Life wasn't meant to be easy but take heed it can be delightful.

'

Oi,Oi,Oi!

                                                                     GOD'S NEW BANKER

Don't judge on looks alone

Seen in country New South Wales. Newly purchased alpacas being transported to their new home, a sheep farm
Apparently they are excellent protection against wild dogs and dingoes.
Appearances can be deceiving.

Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be curious

                                                                          Image 1

Image 2

Chinese New Year... top image little  girl hurries into temple to have a look-see.

Unfortunately just as she enters the hallowed sanctum,  all hell breaks loose with drums symbols and all other wailing at maximum decibels.

Image 2 is the end result.

QANTAS LOGO

Voila! The new logo for shareholders

Boats and Camps



•  
• s
• Thepoke

 



A Spokesperson Dept of Immigration and Border Security

The government will be driving for efficiency and productivity increase. They therefore decided to amalgamate the three wise monkeys into one unit.



 



 

The feds drop in at Channel 7

Further developments in the Corby case,

It's a crime for a convicted criminal to earn from his or her misdeeds. Channel 7 have stated they have "worked hard" to get themselves into a opposition whereby they'll be the first cab off the rank to speak to Corby when appropriate. By 'working hard" they mean a few phone calls and funding of Corby's accommodation described in the Australian press as "luxurious". Hard work indeed. Sweaty.  Tabloid epithets should really be taken with a pinch of salt. .

" Executive suite  "indicates there's an electric kettle in the room while "European Style" means that an item is expensive.
Yesterday , Tuesday 18th, Channel seven found themselves besieged by , it is reported. 30 or so federal police looking for evidence or documentation that would confirm Corby will be receiving payment for an interview.
Outrage ! Head honcho a-trembling, shaking with supressed anger 7's  boss called the Minister for Communications while big Mike bemoaned the fact that Australia would be missing out on a fine story! Obviously Channel seven do not approve of foot in the door tactics,
However common sense prevails. A well respected journo announced that she had not one jot of interest in the whole sorry business affair while another wished channel seven zero rating in return for their big bucks policy.

Psst!..want some Iraqi dinars?

Despite warnings from authorities, the craze to buy Iraqi Dinars continues. A report in the Iraq Business News files on Jan 1 2014 stated that  "a federal grand indicted three men from the Toledo area for their roles in the operation of a $23 million fraud scheme involving the sale of Iraqi dinar currency".
What is it with these guys? They keep on coming and posting zealous articles in the social media
,Reuter reports, there are limited avenues where you can buy Iraqi dinars and should you change your mind dealers will only buy back dinars at a 30% discount.
This is not a liquid market.
CNBC columnist Kelley Holland says the dinar is the subject of a variety of scams, and regulators and watchdogs are sounding alarms:

“If someone has been telling you about the rosy prospects for the dinar, please, please, be careful. It’s almost certainly too good a story to be true.”

And still they continue to swirl around ..heated exchanges 
take place on social websites intimating that the negative naysayers will be proved wrong and they'll be "laughing on the other side of their face"' whatever that expression means.
There's even a website in Australia promising delivery of dinars to your doorstep!
This craze and fervour appeals as much as an outdoor café in a hurricane.
Oh, boy!



Investors waiting patiently

Chinese Navel Exercises

Of recent concern in the press has been the news about Chinese Navel exercises. Seems to be causing much concern.

Cheesed off

What's this got to do with the price of fish? Nothing, really, however.............

the price of cheese. particularly "foreign " stuff is really an enigma. Innit? If this goes unnoticed it is probably overlooked by those who require wheelbarrows to trundle their salaries to the bank  or  the supermarket managers.
Now, in France and in Europe generally, the price of a reasonable brie or camembert ranges from E10 ( A$ 13/14) to E15 (A$ 22/23) pkg. These are supermarket prices. In Oz the minimum seems to start at round about $38.00 pkg to the average of $55.00 pkg.
What's up cheese makers?

Stiff Cheddar

Qantas

Assistance for Qantas?

It is reported that Alan Joyce is considering cutting another 1000 Qantas positions shortly.

It will be interesting to see how he will fare when he pushes his trolley to Canberra for some ready cash.

Will he get it?

On the face of it probably not .

Recently SPC, Holden (GM) ,Ford and Toyota have crashed but Cadbury escaped with a pat on the back.

However , Alan Joyce has done a great job in terms of the current government’s philosophy. He’s been slashing and chopping wilder than a Stephen King villain. Brownie points there.

 Mechanics, baggage handlers and pilots could well be advised by the coalition that there are plenty of waiting jobs available in Canberra .Relocation grants might be considered.

Joyce will also reveal his plans for the new Qantas. See picture below.  The cost savings are good... reduction of fuel costs, maintenance and staff The new terminal will be far smaller and will be adapted to conditions in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Fewer passengers of course will also increase the efficiency of the airline.

 (Photo from Queensland State Archives)

 

 

Easing our guilt on THE BOATS

The Boat people....

It's gratifying to see that the boat people are being considered  humanely.
The current buzz around is that the government is saving lived by preventing people from taking risks with their lives.
It's a good argument , isn't it?
There is however a faint whiff about this argument...something a little self satisfied? Until however this can be demolished thoroughly....... 

  ........  ( comparison of  statistics with European disasters and sinkings for example) it;s a comfortable argument and helps ease the pangs .It'll have to do for the moment.

Big Mike steps in....

Big Mike has tried to pour some troubled waters on oil....

Re the previous entry for Channel 7, the doyen of the reporter's community, claims the amounts quoted in the press are "silly". Now does that mean $2million is too small? In the world of ratings what is a "normal"amount?
No doubt all will be revealed!
Whatever. Because Mike said so, it's true. from now on  it will be referred to as "silly".

Free board and lodging to boot!

How would you feel if you earned $220000,00 pa for going to jail?

Pretty good,huh?

see the best of chequebook journalism on Channel 7 Sunday!

Shanghai style Health & Safety

Shanghai 2013
Local Council...eat your heart out! Or is this the future of our NBN?