Yes, having an upper house in the State government of Queensland would be a definite plus. To my knowledge, we have had a unicameral government (single house) for decades.

When I went with school children to Parliament House, State Minister for Education and Training and Member for Ferny Grove, Geoff Wilson, told us the upper house was removed because of deadlocks constantly occurring in the parliament preventing passage of legislation.

I'm sure he also said that decades ago, someone/s bought the upper house, which was interesting.

To my knowledge, only communists would support the removal of an upper house of review.

I would also like to know why Kevin Rudd et al want to import potentially suspect meat at all. We have more than enough good meat that is home grown, which the constituents are more than happy to eat.

Senator Joyce, can you please ask them not to import the meat at all?

Hi Barnaby,
Lorikeet,maybe the "timing" of the decision to import is more the issue.
Kev might have thought it would get him "brownie points" ahead of Obama's visit to Oz ?
This govn is so "fickled and stupid" nothing would surprise me, that it could be as simple as Ive mentioned.
I see now EU farmers are revolting against regulations and bypassing the "middleman" to provide "fresh" straight to the consumer in many countries in Europe..Australian farmers need to "standup and really crack the whip".
The population will stand behind them.......they know we are already paying through the nose for "fresh food".
More Farmers markets and Co-operatives are the answer...
Bugger this WTO...the US is threatening to pull out anyway.
Protect Aussie farmers and their families ....

What about Abbot's new great big tax on business for the outrageous maternity proposal??

How can Joe say thats going to stimulate the economy whilst the paltry labour scheme was going to wreck the economy??

please advise!!

shannon:

I think it might be working this way. Since former governments have signed treaties and declarations to sell our nation out, maybe we are buying the meat we don't need at high prices, while giving our own prime meat away for a song to China, Indonesia and Japan.

That would certainly fit in with the "Crush Australia" agenda.

I think there are quite a few farmers selling their produce at country markets and flea markets etc. This is not a bad idea if you want a fair price for your goods.

But no doubt whoever lets out the train station car park on Sundays could easily push up the cost of a space. I think this would be the State government. They certainly are in cahoots with communists.

Today I heard that the President of the ACTU is going to join the ICTU (International Council of Trade Unions). This sounds like another communist move to me.

Rob:

Yes, you have raised a good question. I think the Labor plan will see the government (taxpayers) paying an 18 week Parental Leave at the minimum wage. I think this would be okay if they slapped on an income and assets test to cut out wealthy people.

As for Abbott's costly plan for the employer to pay for 26 weeks of Paid Parental Leave at their normal wage, some would consider it discriminatory, and some might consider it outrageously expensive.

The State government was offering women paid Maternity Leave for 13 weeks in the mid 1970s at the normal rate of pay. Of course the taxpayer footed the bill, but I don't think too many women took it up back then.

When the employees of large government departments take Paid Parental Leave, there are plenty of other employees to pick up the shortfall e.g. no more people are employed. The position is just left vacant.

But if we're looking at a small business operator, let us say he employs 3 women. What is he going to do if they all become pregnant at the same time? He will end up paying 6 women for 6 months, instead of 3!

I also think there should be provisos put in place so that women don't just take the money, return to work for a short time while Grandma looks after the baby, and then her job and stay home.

That's one of the reasons we need an Income and Assets Test so that the access to money is not misused.