By Chris James
Historians and philosophers have disagreed for generations about whether history is linear or cyclical.
The Greeks and Romans favoured the cyclical view, as did Macchiavelli – that civilizations inevitably corrupt, decline and fall.
The Lighter Side – It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll
January 31, 2010
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The Lighter Side, Uncategorized | Tagged: Chris James, Seven Ages of Rock, Television Review | 
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Quick Quotes: fog must be lifted on climate change data
January 29, 2010By The Editor
The Australian has been running some prominent stories about inaccuracies in the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change data.
The most recent article quotes the British Government’s chief scientific adviser, John Beddington, condemning the behaviour of scientists who do not engage with sceptics on key issues or refuse to disclose data sources:
Leave a Comment » | Environment, Quick Quotes | Tagged: carbon reduction, Chris James, CPRS, Environment, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, The Editor | Permalink
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Swanston Street a no-go zone?
January 29, 2010By Anthony McIntosh
Melbourne City Council’s proposal to ban cars on Swanston Street as part of their redevelopment plans will have a significant impact on our city’s tourist operators – in particular bus/coach operators and hotels.
While efforts by the Council to make Melbourne “more livable” should be applauded, it shouldn’t come at the inconvenience of Melbourne’s interstate and international visitors.
5 Comments | Infrastructure, Tourism | Tagged: Anthony McIntosh, Melbourne, Swanston Street, Victoria | Permalink
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Quick Quotes: Death, taxes…and a rate rise
January 28, 2010By The Editor
As the old saying goes, “there’s nothing more certain in life than death and taxes” – but according to the Herald Sun, our Prime Minister believes “another rate rise” is also on the short list of certainties.
VECCI’s Chris James offers his thoughts on the potential impact on Victorian business.
1 Comment | Economy, Quick Quotes | Tagged: Chris James, inflation, Kevin Rudd, Quick Quotes, rate rise, The Editor | Permalink
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Strike action threatens Australia’s reputation
January 28, 2010By Alexandra Marriott
It has been reported that a significant number of construction workers on Woodside’s Pluto LNG project – around 1500 – are continuing strike action. The action is now in its sixth day.
The workers on the project are fly in/fly out workers protesting changes to accommodation arrangements; the strike comes despite considerable efforts by Woodside to address their concerns.
Whilst the industrial action is likely to be unlawful, the greater issue is that of the broader reputational damage for Australian industry.
2 Comments | Workplace | Tagged: Alexandra Marriott, Australia, Fair Work Act, Fair Work Australia, strike | Permalink
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Quick Quotes
January 27, 2010By The Editor
Stories making headlines today covers organised crime infiltrating our education system, outcry over My School’s inaccuracies and the rise of the “gap year”.
VECCI’s Education & Training Advisor, Darin Ritchie gives us some food for thought on these issues…
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Ask Erin: Has WorkSafe Victoria issued a “strange” Improvement Notice to your business?
January 27, 2010By Erin the Employer
The Scenario: Recently, a VECCI member, a retailer, was issued with an improvement notice by a Worksafe Victoria Inspector that required the testing and tagging of a cash register. When the member sought a review of the inspector’s decision, the Victorian WorkCover Authority affirmed the inspector’s view and extended the time required for the employer to comply.
2 Comments | Ask Erin, Erin the Employer, Workplace | Tagged: Ask Erin, Australian Standards, Erin the Employer, Improvement Notices, OHS, VECCI, WorkCover, WorkSafe | Permalink
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Rudd and Abbott both right to raise sensible debate on immigration
January 26, 2010By Darin Ritchie
In the lead up to Australia Day, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has delivered a series of speeches framed around the impact of our ageing population on government services and taxation, with his first speech touching on immigration levels.
It appeared that Australia was finally ready for a mature debate on migration and population policy. However, the knee-jerk response to Tony Abbott’s speech at the Australia Day Council Dinner in Melbourne last Friday night demonstrates that some people are unable to move beyond accusing people of “playing the race card” whenever critical discussion of immigrants or refugees is made.
Leave a Comment » | Community, Economy | Tagged: Australia, Darin Ritchie, Economy, immigration, Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott | Permalink
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A great Aussie tradition? Managing ‘sickies’ around public holidays
January 25, 2010By Alexandra Marriott
For those of you working today – and/or attempting to run your businesses productively and efficiently – we invite you to thank your colleagues and/or employees who have nominated today a special kind of pre-Australia day holiday.
VECCI expects a substantial number of workers to – as the saying goes – ‘chuck a sickie’ today.
Leave a Comment » | Workplace | Tagged: Alexandra Marriott, Australia Day, Fair Work Act, Workplace | Permalink
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Quick Quotes
January 25, 2010By The Editor
Today’s headlines draw our attention to Fair Work Australia flexing its newfound ‘muscles’, unions tipping the scales towards rising labour costs, and the interesting notion that men are now falling on the “wrong side” of the gender divide.
VECCI’s Manager – Workplace Relations Policy, Alexandra Marriott, gives us a few points to consider on these issues…
1 Comment | Quick Quotes, Workplace | Tagged: Alexandra Marriott, Fair Work Act, Fair Work Australia, Melbourne, Quick Quotes, Victoria, Workplace | Permalink
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