Is climate change talk fest on again?

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Is climate change talk fest on again?

Visit Time: 6/12/2010 2:17 PM

Remark:

Global warming is real from day one. Each year 4 one quintillion Joules (4 x 10 to the power of 18 Joules) of Solar energy reaches the Earth, but only 300 trillion Joules (3 x 10 to the power of 14 Joules) are consumed by the world's population. There is plenty of energy left to warm the Earth.

Why Australia failed in the World Cup 2022 bid

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Why Australia failed in the World Cup 2022 bid

Visit Time: 6/12/2010 2:14 PM

Remark:

Australia is really a bad loser for hosting FIFA World Cup 2022.

The AUD45 million is a complete waste of money. OK over 200 years ago this was a country filled with convicts transported from POME land, but history just repeats itself telling the world that even an Australian kangaroo can commit a crime like stealing the World Cup from FIFA.

The presentation does not depict logo of FIFA, excitement of a soccer game, venues, support of the game by the people of Australia. Instead, yesterday's heroes who are not soccer fans endorsing the bid. Using Julia Gillard is such a bad idea, who needs a lot of training on her voice and acting.

No, such presentation does not deserve a tick of approval!

China banning lobster import from Australia

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     China banning lobster import from Australia

Visit Time: 1/12/2010 12:42 AM

Remark:

Australia's economy is over dependent on China. China is the largest trading partner of Australia - China relies on our iron ore and coal.

Australia is holding a trump card at present, probably until China owns enough mines in other offshore countries. The decline in students coming from China is a huge blow to our economy, but has been swept under the carpet.

Now, out of blue, Chinese are banning the lobsters. What's next?

Will Australia's good fortune last?

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Will Australia's good fortune last?

Visit Time: 6/10/2010 2:18 AM

Remark:
The wealth and hence the prosperity of Australia depend on mining, which unfortunately is not evenly distributed in every state. The non-mining states at present benefited from the flow-on effect of their good neighbours. Manufacturing in Australia was once the largest employer has now become a non-issue in terms of employment. Excessive reliance on just one major client, China, for our coal and iron ore export, can be seen as a big marketing and business risk.

China has been paving her ways to acquire fuel and resources from various parts of the globe, and this will enable China to hold the trump card in future price negotiation with Australia for coal and iron ore.

Closer examination of China mineral reserves, one will realise that she is using cheap supplies from other countries until their depletion, and by which time, it will be more economical for China to start digging her “backyard”.

Unlike China, progress of India is hindered by the entrenchment of religious believes, and non-centralised governmental system. While India has an advantage at present to be an English-speaking nation, and thus taking the lead in call-centres, IT consulting; such good time will not last long, as the speed of training the Chinese to learn English is progressing fast - mainly due to economy of scale.

To take advantage of Chinese low labour cost, many countries stupidly dig their own graves by helping China to develop at lightning speed as a result of transferring technologies, which cost millions and billions of dollars and many years of research and development.

China will be more than just the factory of the world; she will also be the “office” of the world when white collar or office works are outsourced off-shore to China.

Should the mineral prices go down, office employment outsourced, the Australian economy will decline. The non-mining states will experience the biggest negative impact. The scenario will not be very different from the current situation in America.

Tony Abbott not visiting Afghanistan

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Tony Abbott not visiting Afghanistan

Visit Time: 6/10/2010 1:04 AM

Remark:

It was wise for Tony Abbott not to be present at the same time with Julia Gillard in the dangerous war-torn Afghanistan. Should an attack take place on the leaders, the damage / loss to Australia will be immense.

Decline in International Education industry

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Decline in International Education industry

Visit Time: 30/09/2010 12:11 AM

Remark:

The change of government policies during mid-2010, and tightening the granting of PR to international students resulted in drastic drop of international students coming to Australia, so much so that the international education and student accommodation industries may face extinction.

The international education generated over $17b "export" income, and created unprecedented demand of sessional teachers, commercial building for classrooms, student accommodation, public transport usage, ethnic groceries, etc.

The spin-off of having these international students is that they provide lowly paid workforce doing all the menial tasks, and long unpalatable hours of work. While this may sound unethical, it does help many businesses to cut cost and increase productivity.

It seems many policy makers neither consult the industry players nor pay any attention to possible negative impact which may realise.

If the unfortunate predictions were to come true, we can see, first, a definite rise in unemployment - from teaching profession to many service providers. Second, many CBD's will experience population drop, and decline in vibrance. Third, the number of passengers using public transport system will also increase.

Real estate reality check

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Real estate reality check

Visit Time: 29/09/2010 11:31 PM

Remark:

The Age quoted "an estimated 60 per cent of Australian banks’ loan books is secured by residential property, ...". With the reversing of foreign investment policy, the demand of residential properties has definitely softened, and the resale values of the over-valued properties will face reality check. There is a good chance the real estate bubble will burst sooner than many expected, not dissimilar to what had happened in the USA.

In total, all small / medium businesses provide over 50% of employment, and many of them at present are not doing well. This can only translate to shaky employment future for many, and uncertain mortgage repayment. If these people were to default, the final selling price may not cover the original loan.

For the past 4-5 years, many people borrowed well beyond their repayment ability in order to secure their dream homes. Unfortunately, further upward movement in interest rates will turn their dreams into nightmares.

Should the soldiers be charged?

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Should the soldiers be charged?

Visit Time: 29/09/2010 12:21 AM

Remark:

If our soldiers are charged for shooting civilians (unintentionally), then George Bush should be charged for War Crime for starting the Iraq war in the belief that there were weapons of mass destruction.

Wholesale prices of electricity by various fuel / power

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Wholesale prices of electricity by various fuel / power

Visit Time: 18/08/2010 1:38 PM

Remark:

I have been reliably informed that the wholesale prices per megawatt / hr of electricity generated by coal and by gas are about $4 and $40 respectively. Wind-power generated electricity takes the lead, and is about $100.

Anyone still wants different form of fuel / source to generate electricity, please put up your hand?

Selling Australia to foreigners

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Selling Australia to Foreigners

Visit Time: 13/08/2010 1:45 AM

Remark:Forget about the air force, navy or army. Selling real estate, rural farming land and industrial sites recklessly to foreigners is occupation of Australia without bloodshed or declaration of war!

Dick Smith on population growth

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Dick Smith on population growth

Visit Time: 13/08/2010 12:57 AM

Remark:
Dick Smith is a scaremonger. In July 2009, population of USA was 307,006,550, 13.3 times of Australia. At the same time, New York city population was 8.1 million, and New York metropolitan 19.1 million. Dick should compare our population with major developed countries, and not with Bangladesh!

NBN High Speed Internet

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     NBN High Speed Internet

Visit Time: 13/08/2010 12:55 AM

Remark:

Australia is so big, and the cost of laying the optic fibre or cable is phenomenal, and therefore we can never compare with the successful rollout of fast broadband Internet with Singapore, Japan or South Korea, until and unless Australia has the spare cash to toss around.

Unemployment rate

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Unemployment Rate

Visit Time: 13/08/2010 12:52 AM

Remark:

Statistics records job number increase, but no job loss during the same time. Further, one is considered employed if he / she received payment for 1 hour of work during the survey period.

5.4% unemployment is a myth! ABS should release underemployment rate simultaneously each month instead of once a year!