Almost entirely unproductive, budget week served merely as a precursor to the upcoming election.
The financial situation will likely be left in the hands of whoever emerges victorious in the next election. Whoever takes the reins will face the daunting task of managing a significant loss. The only silver lining in this dismal budget is the increase for the disabled. This situation starkly highlights the government’s poor financial management, as we grapple with a substantial deficit. A lesson that stands out is to avoid imposing tax increases and then spending the funds before they are actually collected…whether it be from mineral, carbon, or any other type of tax.
A year ago, a warning was issued regarding the Aussie dollar being too strong. This alert was disregarded as the government boasted about our superior performance compared to other nations.
Across the globe, in the UK, often referred to since the Thatcher era as the world’s Scrooge, has spent the past several decades devising methods to extract hard-earned wages from the populace. It’s likely they observed as funds were withdrawn from bank accounts in Cyprus. While such measures would be challenging to implement in the UK, after the Olympic tax, they have now introduced a Bedroom Tax. Yes, possessing more bedrooms than needed incurs a tax on the unused spaces. Couples now resort to sleeping in separate rooms to dodge the tax…suggesting that a divorce tax could be on the horizon.
Fortunately, the United Nations Food Agency remains a beacon of pragmatism in a war-torn world. Their latest initiative is to promote insect farming.
Australia has the potential to take the lead, given that our insect population far exceeds that of humans by billions. The UN aims to advocate for insects as a sustainable food source. Insects are not only nutritious and flavorful but also rich in essential minerals and proteins. Insect farms could supply feed for livestock while being integrated into our diet, leading to innovative recipes. Dishes like baked beetles, grilled termites, and stewed spiders are already enjoyed globally, particularly in South America and Africa. It’s only a matter of time before we find insects on our grocery lists in local supermarkets!
Turning to sports, I must mention the UK FA Cup, where Wigan triumphed over Manchester City (1 – 0). With a population comparable to Kings Cross, Wigan’s victory contrasts with Manchester, which boasts a population akin to Melbourne. This marked the first time they lifted the cup since William the Conqueror’s triumph at Hastings. The city came alive; tears flowed from men, women, children, and even the Mayor. They celebrated for days and erected a monument to commemorate the team’s remarkable achievement. This event will be etched in memory for years, if not centuries. However, just one week later, Wigan was relegated from the Premier League, resulting in no tears and quickly forgotten by tea time. This wasn’t quite a David and Goliath story; it was more like Tasmania besting the USA in both baseball and basketball on the same day…or even a cart horse defeating Black Caviar. What a surprise, and the losing manager faced dismissal. Well done, Wigan!
Meanwhile, the racing scandal appeared and dissipated swiftly. No close finishes, just a photo finish was the outcome. Punters have forgotten it all by the final race.
With the footie season now in full swing…go the Dockers!
by Tommy Taylor
