27th May 2009 - Secret recording sanctioned.

Most would know that it's illegal to record telephone conversations unless the other person has been made aware of the fact, and consents. Telecommunications laws protect privacy. Periodic beeps are usually sounded when a conversation is being recorded, alerting both parties, and it's why many organizations warn that the conversation will be recorded when they first answer a call.

However what most Queenslanders would probably be unaware of is that it's quite legal under the State's legislation to covertly record a face-to-face conversation. Section 43 ( 2 )( a ) of the Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 states that it is NOT illegal to record the conversation " where the person using the listening device is a party to the private conversation ". There is absolutely NO legal requirement to reveal the fact of recording a conversation which one or more parties mistakenly believe to be private.

Increasingly businesses and bureaucracies are resorting to this procedure. My friend wondered why a bureaucrat he was debating a problem with made several statements such as " don't wave your finger at me ", when my friend was in fact doing no such thing. Only after a few similar comments had been made did the bureaucrat, when queried, confirm the conversation was being taped. This bureaucrat had managed to memorialize fiction as fact, recording untrue and damaging comments onto the tape which misrepresented the actual situation. Any subsequent interpretation of that tape would paint a picture that would be impossible to challenge. And whilst immoral, it was all quite legal.

Despite the title of the Act, this right to secret recording in fact facilitates invasion of privacy, and is nothing more than a travesty of justice. It must be repealed immediately.

11th March 2009 - Rate and taxpayers fund millions in facilities for private organizations.

First the Gold Coast City Council commited $20 million of ratepayer funds to upgrade the Carrara stadium for a new privately-owned AFL football team. And you can guarantee that won't be the end of the commitment.

Now the Premier has pledged an additional $60 million of State government funds towards the project. Additionally she has indicated that it is expected that the Federal government will also contribute an additional $50 million.

When will these privately-owned sports teams be told in no uncertain terms that if they want to set up, then they have to put up the money themselves and not rely on ratepayer and taxpayer funds to support them?

If I tried to start up a new company, you can bet that I wouldn't receive a cent from either Council or State or Federal governments. Then why should private citizens be providing finance to get these organizations going?

The council and government agencies try to justify their contributions on the basis of jobs creation. However to fund these new jobs, they are increasing rates and taxes on citizens, many of whom are already suffering massive losses in both income and assets due to the financial crisis. Self funded retirees and those on pensions or other benefits in particular have no capacity to pay the increased rates and taxes demanded so that others may have a relatively short-term highly-paid job created for them.

So you elected representatives, try showing some financial responsibility, especially in these trying times, and withdraw your commitments. The AFL has plenty of money, so let it stump up the required funds, rather than saddle rate and tax payers with the bill. After all, the AFL will be a recipient of any income generated.

28th November 2008 - Queensland government scraps annual property revaluation as prices plummet.

Question: When is an Annual Valuation not an Annual Valuation?

Answer: When the Premier sees her ripoff revenue declining sharply.

Once a year for many years now, every property owner has had the shock of opening a letter from the State government's Department of Natural Resources and Water boldly displaying the dreaded title " Annual Valuation ".

The smart ones were seated when they opened this letter, the rest risked a coronary stuggling to regain their feet after collapsing on the floor in shock. But their cries of anguish were drowned by the joyous partying from the government and Council as they celebrated this annual massive boost to their coffers from valuation based land tax or rates. This bonanza poured in regardless of how it was spent or wasted.

But suddenly, property prices and sales are in a steep decline, putting a big hole in the State's income. So in order to stem the reduced flow of bounty, the State has decided not to revalue property this year. This allows them to unfairly collect taxes at a value higher than would normally be the case. And likewise the Council can levy rates at a higher level.

To rub salt into the wound, the government is attempting to charge the Gold Coast Council $790,000 for a valuation it isn't even performing!

We have put up with your extortion for long enough Premier. It's time to play by the rules that government itself set.

Have you forgotten there's an election coming up soon?

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