IRDigest

While Switkowski thinks that Australian's will accept this power source, I am still worried that these guys are not living in the same reality as me. The basic fundamental block to greater production of nuclear power stations is still the small number of factories that produce key components of these stations, and more so, the significant time that is required to setup the required infrastructure (most state 10-15years start to finish). So while I have no moral objection to this power source, even if we went down that path I think we would be too late to take advantage of it. I would think the cost benefit of investing in new tech is significantly higher than anything nuclear could offer. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While it is not surprising that Japan would look offshore for investments at a time when the purchasing power of the yen us so high, I am worried that those with the money to invest abroad should instead be focusing on domestic job creation. With the continuing education challenges, and downturn of major companies such as Toyota and Sony, I worry that the powers that be are searching for profit over domestic stability. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

A follow up article on WA uranium - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While it comes as no surprise (being that t was one of the key policies of the Liberal platform in the last State election), the change has now begun. Now we will get to see if the State or Federal govts try to regulate in other ways who can invest in uranium mining, export and potentially processing. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

FINALLY! It really is about time that the NSW govt understood that the need to increase the efficiencies in the train system simply can not be done using these late running double story train cars. Having lived in Japan for 3 years I can attest to the benefits of the single-deck trains. The only step that they will have to make after this is to paint cue lines on the platform so that people can get off the train as easy as they can get on the train. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

And so the music has stopped but what is the result. Well like most govt policies of any type, they spend up on pushing forward an idea (which in this case I think was actually pretty good) and all we are left with in the end is a heap of advertising material that has not been used and needs to get pulped. Given that the problem of wide ranging petrol prices has certainly not been fixed in any way, I now look forward to seeing what will be the make up of FuelWatch take 2. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While some would think the timing on this is not the best, I would suggest that this is a good preemptive move by the NSW govt before the ETS scheme comes in. It might even prepare that NSW consumer market for the pain that is yet to come (and better yet, save the NSW govt money, which it has so little of..). - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

With most of this 4 trillion yaun plan going into infrastructure, you can expect that iron ore and other material based companies will be breathing a sigh of relief. While the emergency is not over by any stretch, this is certainly a good sign. Really worth a read!! - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

I admit it, I am a news junkie, and that is why I am overjoyed. This morning I watched the first episode of the ABC News Breakfast. Up til now I have watched Channel10 for morning news until 7am and then switched to Channel7 for background noise, but now I have news!!! I can even watch the feed on my VLC player online. ABC has just set a new standard in what media delivery should be. Worth checking out!!!! - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

If the economic crisis is becoming too much for you, and you have had enough of this world, maybe you too will start thinking about living in a 2-d world.... (though seriously, if you are depressed have a look here http://www.beyondblue.org.au ) - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While it might been seen as a "dramatic shift" in the outlook, I doubt that many will be surprised by these findings. I would still say that Australia is in a much better place than most economies that are facing this crisis, and the "recession" will be short lived once the adjustments in the resources sectors have been made. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

This move by Kevin Rudd has really made me smile this morning. Criticised by the opposition for going to far on the guarantee, and by the investment banks for not going far enough, last night's speech by Kevin Rudd showed him maintain a strong grip on the direction he is going with this policy, while providing an opportunity for investment organisations get on board. I am smiling as the is a double whammy. Not only will it provide an opportunity for investment organisations to be covered by the guarantee, it will mean that they would have to transform into more highly regulated organisations. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While the pages of history turn, and the world moans the losses from the continuing crisis, these unusual days are proving to provide lot of motivation to change the status-quo. In another 6-8 months looking back on this period, I will enjoy seeing what reforms to the system have finally been able to pushed through. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

Brilliant to see things like this moving forward, but I am worried that the infrastructure issue will not be so easily solved. I hope it only takes the fours years but I wont be holding my breath. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

This is a worrying trend if does play out. Already there is pressure to tighten up visas and do what we can to prevent the knowledge base leave the country in droves, but with predictions like this, things could get a whole lot worse. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

Is this a global financial crisis, or a stock take sale of banks, investment companies and big business. While I am sure this will not be the last merger of competitive smaller banks in Australia, the news of other companies, like Frucour Beverages for close to $1.2 billion, highlight the opportunity within the current environment. While the volatility within the markets is certainly putting pressure on traders, it give them huge potential to make quick daily profits if they play their cards right. When the music stops in this crisis, I wonder who will be left holding all of the cards.... - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

I always find it interesting when studies like this come out. They are often followed by separate studies either saying the complete opposite, or more likely listing a heap of positive benefits. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While there certainly have been many stories of late suggesting that the still to be implemented ETS would kill off investment, it certainly seems that as long as energy companies can project profits in Australia, the investment, like the LNG, will continue to flow. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

As someone who has spent a great portion of his life learning about Asia, I can only hope that this commitment by Kevin Rudd is given the follow through it requires...."Only 5.8 per cent of Year 12 students currently study an Asian language and close to 80 per cent of students studying Mandarin come from Chinese backgrounds. A 2006 study found the majority of children surveyed in one Australian state believed all Muslims were terrorists, with most saying they had learned little or nothing about Islam in school. We live in a complex region yet currently only half of Australian schools teach anything about Asia." - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

You really need to wonder about the sanity of some people (esp those who should know better about what happens when they open their mouth......"The US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said there may be further interest rate cuts but that the credit markets pose a significant threat." - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

"Today's cut is the first official one-percentage point move since 1994, when rates increased. The last time rates were cut by one percentage point was 16 years ago in May 1992." - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

The question is, while price rises are a given, will the service finally be improved? Most likely not. Having lived in Japan for many years I am in an unfortunate position that I know and have experienced what an efficient transport system should be like. For Australia this means that focus needs to be place on getting people on and off trains as quick as possible to ensure that more services can quickly transport workers who are being forced to live further away from the CBD. Key features our trains require? #1 - Needs 4 doors/carriage, #2 - trains need to be the same length/design for every train (this enables better control of traffic flow on and off the trains, #3 - station stairs need better control of up and down flows of ppl, and #4 - need express trains on all lines (like the Northern line, need trains that stop at max of 4 stations). While I have many more ideas, this would be a great start. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

Below is a bit of a rant..............but hell, I have always been opinionated... Social networking - great evil or just the new reality?? - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

This is always a tough topic to have at a dinner table. While I certainly do not object to having a prison that upholds human rights principles, I do not see how this form of facility can do a better a job than current ones in its tasks of reprimanding criminals and (one hopes) re-educating them so that they will not commit future offenses. As a parent I understand that having either just a carrot or just a stick will make motivation difficult. It is only through a good balance of both that the system will work. That said, as long as the education system and the socialisation process produce people who, for whatever reason, choose to commit offenses, just sending someone to prison will, in the long term, not solve the underlying problem. Through motivation and inclusion I hope that society will find a better way of ensuring the safety of the population. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

In the aftermath of the Georgian conflict, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has laid down five principles that he says will guide Russian foreign policy. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

"South East Asian nations have concluded talks with Australia and New Zealand on a comprehensive free trade deal, they said in a statement." - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

"JAPANESE oil conglomerate Inpex has for the second time in a month emerged as a pivotal player in an election brawl that could damage a Labor government." - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

I really don't think the WA Premier has any flexibility in this matter, and Uranium will continue to be a major divide between party politics. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

The price to pay for politics one would guess. There is always going to be some give and take, but it seems that for some, there is more give than take. Poor Peter, the things that he is forced to do to stay in the party lines..... - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

I really hate it when I have to agree with the opposition but, in this case at least, I do. I think that the detail on the govt website is lacking, and thus either needs more information, or to go away. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

For anyone interested in US military pressence worldwide, this is a great site that makes the big picture much easier to understand. Worth a look - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

And now the bigger questions start to come through. As Australia is a huge coal exporter, how committed are we to the global future of climate change. "This (ETS) is likely to make the project (400MW Coal powerplant) uncompetitive against renewable energy and gas-fired electricity generation." If it is uncompetitive, then it is likely evidence that it is not part of the direction that Australia should be pushing for the future. Potentially it is chance to look hard and long at coal and figure out what else can be made of it rather than just burning it. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

I one sense blocking shale oil now means that it will still be there once the price goes back up. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While I will keep my fingers xed I will not be holding my breath. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

I am going to need to do more reading on this as the price of oil heads back up... - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While I agree that the luxury car tax will make it difficult to get the high end cars into Australia, unless the "green" cars are cheaper than the $57,180 limit before this tax is imposed, I can not imagine that the ppl who need to start driving around the new technology will be able to afford to pay for the car to start with. What is needed is affordable green tech that ppl car use to adapt their current lifestyles into the new Australian model. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While there certainly are some arguments against FuelWatch, I don't think that "some motorists" who "already shop smart and take advantage of the weekly discount cycle" holds enough water to be believed. I am skeptical about how informed the "smart shoppers" can be if the only way they can find out a price is down to the chance that they find it, and that it is the same price by the time they go back and take advantage of it. That said, the one agreement that I have heard that has made me think is the potential cost of running this system. Information for the consumer will certainly help, but the service will not be without its cost to keep going. Thus is the watch system going to have enough benefit to make the cost worthwhile. Well I for one certainly hope so... - James Fridley via Bookmarklet

While this site NEEDS to be taken with a pinch of salt given the McCain 100% Recycled Bush icon on the side, this site does give a really good overview of who Biden is. I must say that my understanding of the US political scene is more limited than I wish it was, however, this election is certainly a world event that everyone should keep an eye on. - James Fridley via Bookmarklet