By The Editor
As Melbourne’s growth rate continues to climb, with the city’s population expected to reach 7 million by 2050, the demand on our two major airports, Tullamarine and Avalon, will only continue to grow.
In order to manage this growth, VECCI believes the State Government should consider identifying a site for the long-term construction of a third airport to Melbourne’s south east, to serve the rapidly expanding region.
6 Comments | 
Uncategorized | Tagged: airport, Chris James, Gippsland, Melbourne, Melbourne Airport, south east Melbourne, VECCI | 
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Posted by The Editor
By Chris James and Darin Ritchie
School vouchers have been popularised in the United States as a means to empower parents and help get children out of failing schools.
A concept first articulated in the 1950s, vouchers have since been implemented in a number of countries, including the US, Ireland, Chile, Columbia, Netherlands, Sweden, and others.
1 Comment | Education | Tagged: Australia, Chris James, Darin Ritchie, Education, school vouchers | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Chris James
The ‘old Australia’ is disappearing fast.
This was the Australia of the ‘fair go’ and ‘she’ll be right mate’, where a bit of leeway was always given to citizens by those in authority.
This change has upsides, but also many downsides.
2 Comments | Politics | Tagged: car parking, Chris James, City of Melbourne, fines | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Chris James
History is full of unsung heroes, including those who help others achieve their full measure of greatness.
Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), Australian speech therapist to Britain’s wartime King George VI (Colin Firth), is a recently discovered example, and his work is chronicled, with some poetic license I suspect, in the highly uplifting movie The King’s Speech. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | The Lighter Side | Tagged: Chris James, Discussions, The Lighter Side, Victoria | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Chris James
The Age has thrown another curve ball into the debate about the future of Victoria’s commercial ports.
Leave a Comment » | Economy, Environment | Tagged: Channel Deepening Project, Chris James, Port of Melbourne, Victoria, victorian election | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Chris James
A new safety campaign aimed at international students studying in Australia is designed to ensure cities like Melbourne continue to be an attractive destination for people seeking to further their studies.
1 Comment | Education | Tagged: Australia, Chris James, Indian students, international students, Melbourne | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Chris James and Darin Ritchie
The current Federal Election campaign is turning into a very uninspiring display indeed, and the so-called ‘debate’ between the parties on population is verging on ugly.
5 Comments | Politics, Skills | Tagged: Chris James, Darin Ritchie, Infrastructure, population, skills shortage | Permalink
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By Chris James
A new inquiry by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission into streamlining the regulatory framework was announced by Treasurer John Lenders this week.
Leave a Comment » | Red Tape Watch | Tagged: Chris James, red tape | Permalink
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By Chris James
The release yesterday of details of the proposed routes for the Regional Rail Link, WestLink, Truck Action Plan and the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel is good for business.
Leave a Comment » | Infrastructure | Tagged: Chris James, Infrastructure, Melbourne | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Chris James and Alexandra Marriott
As recently reported in The Age , the NSW Greens are heading to the State Election with an unusual plan for workplace relations reform – the introduction (and enforcement) of a four-day working week. The Greens propose that legislation be introduced to legislate for a compressed working week.
The enforcement of reduced working hours by legislative instrument is both a contentious and flawed proposal. This view has been expressed by both employee and employer representatives.
6 Comments | Workplace | Tagged: Alexandra Marriott, Chris James, Workplace | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
