not for the reason you think, christian lander

He's always calling me correctly, but I get out of this one, because even though I am technically a white person who loves Bob Marley, I am also Bajan and quite rightfully love most West Indian music. And Marley did make some amazing music.

In other news, I must really love the Dancer Boy, because I've just spent way too much money to buy a Beyonce ticket so he doesn't have to go to the concert by himself (his friends don't have the money). It's not like I hate her music or anything ~ and she's the kind of artist who pulls out all the bells and whistles for an arena concert ~ but it's unlikely I would have seen her in concert if there were no obsessed 14-year-old desperate to be there (tragically he knows the entire dance in the 'Single Ladies' music video).

What I DO get out of it is a fun roadtrip to Sydney with a kid I like and to be there when he gets to do something that he's thrilled about. It's almost a tradition ~ I've been on similar roadtrips with his brother and sister. And in the end it's only money.

Now that I come to think of it, this month the government is giving me $900 free in K-Rudd's stimulus package. I guess I'm already spreading the wealth. You're welcome, Economy!

wage restraint...from pollies?

Wow, this really might be a new government after all...

Interviewed by ABC Radio about what she would want to do if the independent Remuneration Tribunal recommended paid increases for federal politicians in spite of the current inflation concerns casting a shadow over Australian families, Deputy PM Julia Gillard said she'd be happy to knock back a pay rise. She said she agreed with the PM's sentiment that wage restraint had to be shared by all Australians.

No promises yet, but Kevin Rudd has said, "I have a really open mind on that. It depends how this year starts to unfold but restraint is restraint and we'll have something further to say about that."

High five, Rudd government! Liking you more and more.

nice one, kevin!

Kevin Rudd (our Prime Minister) has decided to hold a super talkfest to find answers to what he describes as the 10 critical problems facing the nation:

1. the economy
2. economic infrastructure
3. sustainability
4. rural industry
5. health
6. social inclusion
7. indigenous people and services
8. the arts
9. governance, and
10. national security

One thousand of our best and brightest will be invited to Parliament House for a weekend in late April, with no businesses, unions or lobby groups represented. Rudd described the summit as a chance to "shake the tree" and see what suggestions fall to the ground. Cute.

I do think it's a bit of a wank to have 'the arts' in there. That's an industry that is quite capable of coming up with its own ideas, given a little funding. I'd much rather have seen him include education. We only have six states and two territories - it can't be that hard to plan for standardised education across the nation. And they could have tried to fix some of the damage that the Howard government inflicted on schools and universities. I'm hoping that 'sustainability' includes the water shortage. People might slot that in as a 'rural' problem, but there are a few capital cities under water restrictions that would beg to differ.

One aspect of the plan that I really like is that the focus in on long-term plans. So often governments only look as far ahead as the next election, and issues that require long-term solutions get left on the back-burner. Let's hope the Rudd government doesn't lose sight of that goal down the track. I think the public can support long-term goals where no solution will be evident until after the next election. It all depends on how it's explained to them.

Each area will be tackled by a group of 100 delegates. The delegates will be chosen by a summit steering committee of 10 people co-chaired by Mr Rudd and Melbourne University vice-chancellor Glyn Davis. I'm not sure how he got the job, as I've never heard his name come up before, but I'm curious to see who ends up with an invite.

bennelong time coming

So yes, we have a new government. Little Johnny not only lost the election, he also lost his own seat of Bennelong, so he wouldn't be in the new shadow government, even if he was planning to stay. After two elections watching in horror and wondering how Australia could be voting this government in again, I finally get to say goodbye to John Howard and his band of unmerry men (steal from the poor to give to the rich) and their terrible decisions on education, industrial relations, immigration and pretty much any other portfolio you could mention.

The Howard government is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace. If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it'd be pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes are now history. It's off the twig...it's kicked the bucket, it's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!!
THIS...IS AN EX-GOVERNMENT!!

As for our new prime minister, Kevin Rudd (pictured here with Australia's first female deputy prime minister, Julia Gillard), we'll see. I like him so far, but I need to see some commitment to the promises they've made before I properly embrace him as the new leader.