Latest posts
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BANANA IMPORTS INTO AUSTRALIA
Once again the problem of quarantine protection, not only for our primary producers but also for the whole of the Nation, has come to the forefront of the daily news. This time it relates to the proposed importation of bananas from the Philippines, a known reservoir of banana diseases that are currently not present in…
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THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE AWB CASE THAT DOESN’T RING TRUE
The Cole Inquiry into the Iraqi wheat dealing practices of the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) Group of companies is now concluded and the report has been duly handed to the Prime Minister who has in turn had those findings published. It is now out there for all to see and for those people with any interest in agriculture…
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AUSTRALIAN WHEAT BOARD ~‘COLE’ COMFORT
IT COULD BE ‘COLE’ COMFORT FOR THE AWB International Trade has always been the most difficult of all human activities. Because it is such an “open market” situation every seller is trying to convince the buyer with regards to quality, price and conditions and each purchaser is trying to extract the best deal possible. Given…
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AUSTRALIAN WHEAT BOARD ~ARE THEY OVER YET?
THE FOOD FOR OIL DEALS… ARE THEY OVER YET? While the Cole Inquiry is dealing with the local aspects of the Iraqi ‘Food for Oil’ dealings by AWB Limited and others, there is a field of associated activities not necessarily directly connected with that Inquiry! These activities, which engulf the whole trading scene, also…
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AGE PENSION ENTITEMENTS
Arrogant politicians should be ready for a pArrogant politicians should be ready for a pensioners’ revolt THE stigma of charity should be removed from the age pension. It should be an entitlement earned by the person’s personal contribution to the fund,” said a very famous Australian long ago. Who? Former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies.…
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AUSTRALIAN VOTERS DILEMMA
A recent survey of Australians as to their attitude to the United States was undertaken and the results of the survey were interesting to say the least. The survey was undertaken by the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and generally showed that the Australian public has lost confidence in George Bush and…
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AN AUSTRALIAN… PEOPLE’S BANK
In early July (2009) a group of Australian economists published a proposal for the establishment of an Australian “peoples bank”. This proposal deserves both consideration and publicity but unfortunately received little of either. Canberra barely recognised it. The proposal however did serve to remind the people that there was a time in Australia’s history when…
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AUSTRALIA’S ‘UNBIASED’ MEDIA
If ever it was suspected that Australia’s media suffers from chronic institutional bias then the Cairns Weekend Post, Saturday 18 August 2007, proved the matter beyond any doubt. In a functioning democracy the media has certain responsibilities and to see those responsibilities so blatantly disregarded is a great disappointment. Whether it was a blatant disregard…
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AGED CARE – Australia
Aged Care – A National Disgrace The contempt in which successive governments have treated our Senior Citizens (Older Australians) can at best be described as a National disgrace. These men and women fought and survived world wars, depressions, droughts, floods and numerous other adversities known to man… and then some. It was their blood, sweat…
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Exploring the Impact of the Countryman Newspaper on Local Communities
Introduction to the Countryman Newspaper The Countryman Newspaper has long been a cornerstone of rural journalism. Established to serve local communities, this publication offers a glimpse into the lives of country folk, covering everything from agricultural advancements to neighborhood events. Readers of the Countryman have come to trust its unbiased coverage and insightful commentary, making…