Melbourne City Council - holding them to account

2012-01-30T02:06:00.003+11:00

Congratulations to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. That was one of the best tennis matches I have ever seen. There was no loser in that match just a runner up. The Australian open is truly one of the greatest international sporting events. It has been three weeks of great tennis starting with the qualifiers and ending in the finals.Thank you to Channel Seven for what was an excellent coverage.

Shanahan absent due to poor health

2011-12-18T14:09:00.007+11:00

Melbourne City Councillor Brian Shanahan is undergoing treatment for cancer and has applied for an absence of leave from the Council.Whilst we wish Cr. Shanahan all the best at this time we must ask the question should his prolonged absence and state of health impact on the operations of the City Council and should he not in the interest of the Council and representative democracy resign?The City

Air Force one arrives in Canberra

2011-11-16T15:47:00.007+11:00

The 44th US President Barack Obama has arrived in Australia. Welcomed by the Australia's Governor General Quentin Bryce and Prime minister, Julia Gillard.How much Obama has changed the perception of the US Presidency. His "not in your face" attitude and intellect has gone a long way to restoring respect and building friendship between Australia and the United States.In the past I would have

Melbourne's Architecture Exhibit of Disapointment

2011-10-29T16:55:00.006+11:00

Not only is Melbourne inflicted with legacy of poor planning, design and development over the last 15 years or more (no thanks to Bamboo Rob Adams from the City of Melbourne and Victoria's failed State Architects), it's celebration and exploration of Architecture and design is dismal.I attended the Australian Institute of Architects -2011 Victorian Architecture Award Winners Exhibition at

Hansard: Victorian State Parliament Electoral Matters Committee

2011-10-05T20:04:00.001+11:00

Victorian State Parliament - Electoral Matters CommitteeExtract from Hansard dated August 23, 2011The CHAIR — Are you appearing in a private capacity or representing an organisation? If so, which organisation?Mr van der CRAATS — I am a member of the Proportional Representation Society of Australia and of the Australian Labor Party, but the evidence that I give is of personal opinion.The CHAIR — I

Doyle denies running secret service despite keeping council confidential

2011-10-01T19:55:00.003+10:00

Jason Dowling, the AgeOctober 1, 2011 MELBOURNE City Council has become more secretive under lord mayor Robert Doyle, according to a group representing businesses in the city, and this week's council meeting was open to the public for just 12 minutes. Don Parsons, secretary of the Melbourne Business Council, said

Secret agenda: Behind closed doors

2011-09-24T16:07:00.003+10:00

Source The AgeMelbourne City Council is making too many decisions without the glare of public scrutiny, according to a former lord mayor.The agenda for next Tuesday's council meeting lists seven items for discussion as ''confidential'' with only one item disclosed to the public.Former lord mayor Kevin Chamberlin said the council, in charge of an annual budget worth hundreds of millions of dollars

Melbourne's Third Rate English Education Schools Under Review

2011-09-22T21:38:00.005+10:00

The Federal Government has announced that it will be reviewing International Students visa requirements with the aim of treating all students seeking a University education in Australia equally. Under the proposed changes foreign university students will be all assessed as being level one risk factor. This is good move and one that should help bring stability and reassurance to the

Beyond Review: Parliamentary Committee failed to subject the VEC to oversight by the Ombudsman

2011-09-14T13:08:00.012+10:00