The French Lesson

Our Region - Be Proud

31/01/2012 12:47:25 PM

This article was originally published as 'The Region' in The Morning Bulletin in January 2012

There are frustrating aspects to our region. Accepting mediocrity is a cultural norm. Such attitudes prevailed when I went to school and date back more than 100 years. This reflects in customer service, creativity and in solving problems. The incidence of real decision makers in our region is low. Most senior positions in our region are about managing budgets set by others, not driving strategy. Creativity and education can be greeted with suspicion and putting barriers in the way of (even humble) progress is often treated as a sport. Talented younger people move away, reducing the chance of changing the status quo. Tough call? Maybe, but I see no harm in listing things that are readily verifiable to those who care to do the research.

QANTAS An Airline Grounded

8/11/2011 2:54:33 PM

This article was first publihed in The Morning Bulletin dated 05th November 2011. Titled 'QANTAS'

Regardless of variants, Qantas’ domestic operations have always been the driver of Qantas’ profit and that history provides a sound basis against which to test the views of Alan Joyce. Consider now the very strong $A, high fuel prices and vastly increased international competition. Then add a rebranded Virgin, which is showing signs of having all of the quality of the old Ansett, without the inflexible work practices and cost base. Sound like an environment for unrestrained pay increases?

Music 'Embrace the change'

10/10/2011 10:28:06 AM

This article was originally published as 'Music Industry is embracing the change like never before' in The Morning Bulletin on 08th October, 2011.

Queensland is known for its resource and tourism industries, but if you were invited to attend conferences on financial planning and music, would you think of Brisbane as a natural location? And would you expect the financial or the musical people to have a better grip on their industry? Which would you think of as the most professional?

Theories

12/09/2011 11:09:55 AM

This article was originally published as ‘Theories’ in The Morning Bulletin in September 2011.

The Chinese do know what they are doing. Once fragmented, four or five companies now control much of the commodity market, making prices much less volatile. High prices are not evoking the supply response of times past, and therefore prices are remaining “stronger for longer”. Such an outcome is consistent with microeconomic theory - big consumers will want to bypass the problem by owning the resources directly. Not keen on economics? Watch the movie “Dune”.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

22/08/2011 10:21:54 AM

This article was first published in The Morning Bulletin under the heading Disability on 20 August 2011.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s Balmain basket weavers argued for the dismantling of institutionalised care for the disabled. If you don’t remember, rent out “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Once you have seen it, tell me what happens after McMurphy escapes the institution?

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