Do we need mandatory sentencing for glassing?

Another night out in Perth and another glassing attack, people are so concerned about shark attacks in the West, but your chances of being glassed at Perth's popular nightlife venues are far greater than being bitten by a shark.

The Broome police officer, still in uniform at the hospital required 18 stitches to his face after a bottle was thrown at him while making an arrest in 2011. 

We need serious action by the government, most likely in the form of mandatory sentencing of no less than three years (with no parole) for anyone involved in a glassing attack with the magistrate having the power to impose a harsher penalty when required. There has been so much press regarding shark attacks, the real danger though happens to be nowhere near the water.

Christmas is over - Boxing day to recover

Christmas is behind us, a relief to many, I would imagine the time for life to start to normalise again before New Year's eve and the Perth Cup on New Year's day next week. Ok, then after new year, back to normal life.

Boxing day is a day of recovery, boy did I need recovering after sampling an amazing 2005 Upper Reach reserve chardonnay, 2010 Upper Reach reserve shiraz, a handful of other excellent wines finishing off with a Wise Tokay. A day spent inside slouched on the lounge flicking between the Sydney to Hobart race start and Boxing Day test match at the MCG was always on the cards.

The traditional Boxing day test between Australia and England drew a record crowd of 90,831 people to the ground beating the record set in 1961 between Australia and the West Indies. With the Ashes returned to Australia, England are now 0-3 in a 5 test series are looking to return some pride to their performance although it didn't look that way early on with slow scoring and a general lack of intent.

The Australians named an unchanged team for the MCG test, England in apparent disarray made a number of changes due to retirements and poor form. The day was, as expected a great spectacle and I enjoyed very much getting over the ill effects of another successful family Christmas day.

The start of the Sydney to Hobart race, Australia's premier blue water event is on way too early for me, still, as a yachting enthusiast, I have to drag myself out of bed to witness the start of the great race.

I just couldn't imagine myself hanging off the railings of a maxi yacht headed to Hobart after over indulging on the big day, maybe it is time to get involved in more blue water races on the West Australian coast, that means showing a little more self restraint. All in all, Boxing day turned out just as I expected - pretty happy with that.

Tulumbem in the afternoon

Bali is not universally known for its diving, however, there are some great dives in Bali, none more so than the Liberty wreck at Tulumben. The afternoons at Tulumben can be magnificent with the still water, reflective cloud cover and beautiful contrasts looking towards the horizon. Sure beats the hell out of being left in Kuta for any amount of time too, Bali is such a beautiful island once you venture past the main population areas.

After a number of dives at the Liberty wreck in the morning followed by the Tulumben wall later that day, I look forward to Bali diving coupled with a relaxing afternoon. Still in study mode, I need to be a little selective with my afternoon post dive activities. I reckon this is a pretty productive and relaxing  way to spend my afternoons.

Incompetence isn't illegal

I was meeting with a representative of the Small Business Development Corporation relating to an issue where a contractor acted improperly in my business causing me severe financial distress.

His advice was "Incompetence isn't illegal, otherwise a large portion of Australia would end up in jail." Immediately I thought of Wayne Swan, the hapless and disorientated treasurer of Australia from 2007 until 2013. 

Despite six years of claims to post a budget surplus, Swan failed to a surplus even on a single occasion. Wayne Swan is a dickhead, it is hard to explain it any other way. Joe Hockey, then shadow treasurer described Swan as the gift that just keeps on giving - a great joke.

That's a funny and ultimately true sledge as Swan claimed to post a budget surplus each year before retracting the statement at the last moment. What isn't funny is Swan's legacy of debt, mismanagement and incompetence.

Accused of economic vandalism by former Reserve Bank of Australia board of director Warrick McKibbin, withdrawing money from the reserve fund to bolster the budget surplus was poor judgement - ironically the budget surplus never eventuated but the bank was left extremely exposed.

Calling Swan a vandal is a little harsh, to become a vandal, one has to deliberately undertake an action, Swan, of course had no idea what he was doing so couldn't possibly be undertaking a deliberate act.

To keep the budget surplus in context, Peter Costello, the previous treasurer delivered twelve budgets from 1996 to 2007 with ten budgets in surplus. During that time frame was the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 with the dot.com bubble collapsing in 2000.

The global recession of 2001 affectied the United States, European Union and other advanced economies, but avoided by the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia with Indonesia escaping unthscathed.

Australia avoided recession during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, that much is true. In its simplest terms, the GFC was a debt crisis. As can be seen by the graph, Australian Commonwealth debt was climbing steadily when Peter Costello became treasurer and reduced debt to almost nothing.

Costello actually sought to totally pay off all Commonwealth debt but was persuaded to hold a small amount of Commonwealth debt so as to maintain debt markets (bonds and treasury notes) to establish a base for future pricing.

Costello instead poured excess revenue into the Future Fund meeting the future liabilities of civil servant superannuation. Australia had been insulated predominantly from the GFC by low government debt and demand from China seeking Australia's natural resources.

It is hard to explain Wayne Swan's logic, blaming taxation revenues as the reason behind being unable to balance the budget, reducing spending is easier when you change government and hence direction. 

Despite Swan's claims that a revenue decline will wipe out the budget surplus, Australian Treasury clearly indicates revenue increasing making his claims ludicrous.

The 49er

I just love watching the 49er in action; when we are out on the water sitting on the side of a cruiser, seeing these fast two person performance dinghies roar past with their asymmetrical spinnaker set, skipper and forward hand perched on the solid wings supported by the trapeze wire is pure joy, reminding me of my dingy days of so long ago.

The ISAF World Sailing Championships held in Perth during December of 2011 saw mostly light winds for the whole regatta, this was a shame as these yachts can really get up and go in a bit of a breeze. I do get to see 49ers, 14 foot skiffs, moths and a whole host of other performance yachts close up on a pretty regular basis in 25 knot winds - I love it.

Organisational change - who needs a classroom?

During the week I was preparing research for my essay on organisational development and change, I had to head to Whiteman Park anyway and decided this is the perfect place to study and prepare. With the mercury working towards the mid to high 30s, time spent in the shade was at a premium. You sweat a bit, but who cares - still beats being cold.

Seated out in the park under the pergola, my study area consisted of a number of texts, supporting study notes and a portable tablet computer. The major advantage of online based university study is the ability to study where ever and when ever I choose. I still have to maintain their trimester schedule, but don't have to race to lectures when I am able to watch them online at my leisure. This is of great benefit to a person working full time - I see no value in a mature worker taking time off paid employment to study full time and work part time.    

Christmas is summer, with the trimester timetable I am able to study over the Christmas break of the traditional semester holidays. Feeling better with the trimester system; fast tracking university and college certainly whilst still enjoying the summer weather, maybe this has been the best change project I have been involved in - breaking the shackles of the classroom.

Harvey Norman - better value online

I was seeking to purchase a small refrigerator to replace an older unit; so whilst browsing local retailers, I decided Harvey Norman had the model I desired in stock, I could take a unit immediately home with me. 

Wandering through the Harvey Norman showroom, I decided to look at inverter split system air conditioners as October was warming up and summer was a mere two months away. Man, do I regret that decision. It took two months of phone calls, discussions and organising to finally receive my purchase - their attitude was appalling.

I support local businesses, I understand costs are higher as showrooms, salaries and supply chains all need to be paid for. But a bricks and mortar business competing with online sales must develop a competitive advantage, superior customer service is paramount, my experience is anything but good customer service. 

It is a shame really, I have been willing to pay higher prices as they employ Australian workers, but at what point do I cut my losses? Now is a good time to draw a line in the sand and no longer accept second rate customer service. 

From now on, the Harvey Norman showrooms will be the place to view the products in the flesh, gather technical specifications and measure sizes. Unfortunately, all future purchases will be online from their competitors as I am no longer willing to accept such shoddy treatment.

Exploiting Typhoon Haiyan for political gain

Greens Senator Adam Bandt's shameless politicisation of Typhoon Haiyan linking typhoons to global warming to the devastation of the Philippines is disgraceful. Just as he blamed the Sydney bush fires of last season on global warming, he is incorrect again. Despite the fact they were lit by arsonists, the fires burned out of control due to the fact that the area had not been burnt off in years, aided by strong winds and soaring temperatures.

Lets get this right, is he blaming soaring summer temperatures on global warming, ok, what about the cold snap of Europe a couple of years back - explain that? People have died, they have been left homeless and their lives devastated - he is using this as an exercise to justify his political leanings, that is, the carbon tax - this is an outrage.

Starting to feel a lot like Christmas

Summer is here, after a spluttering start with thunderstorms and rain during the first week, the warm weather is finally upon us - yippee. Local legend has it that Santa travels around the antipodean continent with a sleigh pulled by boomers, that is, large male kangaroos. He can forget the large coat and swap the trousers for a pair of board shorts.

It's December with Christmas now two and a half weeks away - the Jacaranda trees are in full purple bloom, always warming the heart of a Fremantle Football Club supporter. The WA Christmas tree is also in full flight with its distinctive gold flower blooming only in December, the Eucalyptus Erythrocorys Illyarrie is a local Mallee tree known locally as the Christmas tree.

Christmas is, of course, sun, hot summer weather and time spent outdoors. The notion of a white Christmas is totally foreign to me unless you spend the day at the beach; the white sand, brilliant blue hues of the ocean and contrasting dune cover makes a fantastic Christmas scene. I wouldn't have it any other way.

The reincarnation of Mitchell Johnson

The greatest sporting rivalry between nations is the Ashes, keenly contested since 1882 after Australia's first victory at The Oval in London, a mock obituary was placed in the newspaper decrying the death of English cricket.

Upon the following tour of Australia, with the English winning the contest, the bail from the wicket was burnt by a group of Melbourne women, placed in a small urn and presented as the death of Australian cricket - the legend was born.

In a previous Ashes contest in England, Mitchell Johnson was not selected due to injury and poor form in his two previous Ashes encounters - he was not even considered actually. However, due to injuries to Australian fast bowlers, Johnson was recalled to the Australian test team after some mediocre form in the one day series in England and India.

Despite the score showing the English winning the last series comfortably, the contest was close with English batsman Ian Bell the difference between the two teams. The return series, Mitchell Johnson is the difference with his match winning credentials on full display, if Mitchell isn't bowling, we are waiting for Mitch to bowl.

Mitchell the destroyer is in form, fast, mean aggressive form. Mitch is devastating the confidence of the English team with batsmen placing an emergency order for enhanced protective equipment with an Australian supplier for the rest of the series, he has already won the battle of the mind - he is intimidating.

Mitchell is either brilliant or terrible, there is no in between with this guy, we all wonder which Mitch will turn up on any given day. His first spell in the first test in Brisbane was wayward and expensive, then after a break the beast was unleashed.

Mitchell bowled the most inspiring spell of express pace short pitched bowling in an Ashes series since the legendary Dennis Lillee/Jeff Thompson combination terrorised batsmen in the 1970s. On a wicket build for pace and seam, Johnson was almost unplayable with the fear in the batman's eyes clearly evident.

In an era of fast medium paced bowling placing the ball outside off stump, Mitchell's aggressive short pitched bowling directed at the body of the English batsmen has rattled both English confidence and reputations.

Adelaide is universally known as a flat track tailor made for large scores before spinning on days four and five. This ground has been traditionally been the destroyer of fast bowlers and we were expecting a high score draw. England selected dual spinners of and Monty Panesar in anticipation of a slow spinning wicket while Australia maintained an unchanged quick line up.

Imagine everyone's surprise when Johnson ripped through the English batting bagging an unheralded 7/40, was he more devastating than Brisbane? James Anderson, a world class sledger decided to get a little lippy with Johnson after having his stumps smashed with a 150 kph lightning bolt, Johnson never utters a word - but that stare could freeze steam...

Sporting a handlebar mustache for Movember, the month of November is used to grow a mo to highlight men's health issues adds to his menace. Mentor Dennis Lillee recommended Mitch wear a gold chain to further add to his on-field presence reminding the English of the fast bowling heyday of the 70s.

We had expected Adelaide to be a dour affair on a placid pitch before Mitch and the rest of the pace attack head to Perth to further intimidate the English on the fastest ground in the world - the WACA. Roll on Friday.

The Perth Cup - a big day out

New Year's day in Perth is characterised by the top social event of the year; up to 35,000 people descent on Ascot Racecourse for a day of eating, drinking and celebrating at the Perth Cup. Perth's premier thoroughbred racing event is usually hot - really hot, with the mercury usually exceeding 40 degrees Celsius throughout the day, keeping liquid refreshments up is paramount to staying hydrated.

First run in 1887 over a distance of 3200 metres (2 miles); the race is now run over 2400 metres, the fun starts before midday with racing starting mid morning and afternoon usually living up to expectations. Prize money for the Perth Cup is now $500,000; sponsored by BMW, the first major social event of the year is universally loved by all.

Some choose to dress in a glamorous manner, others just plain funny, the social event of the year features fashion shows watched by fashion wannabes and by the fashion tragic. I have friends living in the northern hemisphere who inform me the Christmas/new year break is about winter and snow, for me, I enjoy summer and Christmas and new year on a hot summer day can't be replaced.      

Talent Show, partly owned by Fremantle Docker star foward Hayden Ballantyne and Nick Suban, took out the 2013 Perth Cup in a thrilling win, listed as an emergency earlier in the week and starting as a rank outsider Talent Show stormed home. 

Horse racing is a fun activity for a day out, it all comes undone though when a horse is injured, a damaged or broken leg is normally resolved with a bullet to the head. I suppose I still support the industry with my attendance at such functions, however, there is no rehabilitation for the horse.

As we are now heading into December, the summer racing carnival will soon be in full swing with the 2014 Perth Cup a little over a month away - looking forward to another big New Year's day out in the sun.

Greed is good according to 80s mantra

My favourite movie of the 1980s is Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone - this movie pretty much sums up the 80s - the decade of excess. The contrasting moral values of Martin Sheen's character versus Michael Douglas' character - the age of materialism.

I first saw Fitzgerald's The Great Gatbsy as a primary school student watching the late movie on a Friday night, the black and white version portrayed the roaring twenties as not only the age of jazz but also decadence and misplaced idealism leading to the great 1929 stockmarket crash and ensuring depression.

Jay Gatsby, a bootlegger isn't much different to Douglas' Gordon Gekko, both characters ethics are questioned leading to the demise of capitalism in their era. Douglas' Gekko is loosely based on Michael Milken, the junk bond financier, leveraged buyout practitioner, inside trader and racketeer.

While undertaking business education, most students now require units in business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Since Milken, corporate fraud led by Enron, WorldCom, HIH Insurance, One.Tel, Bond Corporation, Lehman Bros and Bear Stearns have lead to tightening of regulations. 

  The film was released in 1987, just months after the Black Monday stockmarket crash, (Black Tuesday in Australia due to timezone differences) of October 19 where markets declined 22% in the US, 41% in Australia and a whopping 60% in New Zealand.

"Greed, for lack of a better word is good, greed is right, greed works, greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit."

I had been interested in financial markets and took a night class to learn the basics of share investment in 1988 gaining an introductory knowledge to the workings of equity markets. I also invested my own funds as both a trader and now as an investor. 

An individual is able to engage financial markets in an ethical and professional manner without undertaking fraudulent and unethical behaviour without having to rely on the government pension system. I only hope the ethics of the era are relegated to the history books and a new era of sustainability is upon us.