Bracks Cashes up companies who close jobs

THE Bracks Government is under renewed pressure to justify why it spends millions of taxpayers' dollars helping international companies that end up shedding jobs or dumping Victoria as an investment site.

In the wake of the decision by Kraft Foods Australia to close its Melbourne biscuit plant and move to China - despite obtaining a State Government grant five years ago to set up in Victoria - department documents show that about $345 million has been spent helping companies since 2000, some of which have since moved offshore or cut jobs.

The Age has learnt that Japanese food company Saizeriya received an industry grant last year as part of a $54 million government assistance package offered to 60 companies with Victorian-based operations. This came despite the company's earlier announcement that it had dumped plans to expand in Victoria.

Firms such as Kodak, Nestle, Arnott's Biscuits and Austrim Textiles have also been given assistance, only to cut their workforces.

Opposition industry spokeswoman Louise Asher said that while she supported grants and incentives, the Government ought to ensure the money attracted long-term investment and boosted employment. Otherwise the grants ought to be returned, she said. "These grants are for companies who are going to invest in Victoria, not those who are going to withdraw investment," Ms Asher said.

But Acting Premier John Thwaites said asking companies to return grants was unrealistic. "The reality is businesses aren't going to come on the basis that they guarantee to stay there forever," he said. "We're in a competitive market and in order to promote more manufacturing here, the Government provides some support. To think that businesses are going to agree to pay back the money if they change their operations is, I think, unrealistic." The Government announced in 2000 that Saizeriya had chosen Victoria in which to expand and invest. The company operates more than 300 Italian restaurants in Japan and had planned to build a number of food production factories.

However, its investment plans were thrown into disarray amid a bitter union dispute, and in April 2004 the company confirmed it would not proceed with its investment, dumping plans to build seven more factories.

While the Government promised that on coming to office the grants would be more transparent, it now refuses to reveal exactly how much it hands out.

Meanwhile, Australia's largest locally owned biscuit manufacturer, Paradise Foods, yesterday announced plans to offer new jobs to staff made redundant at Kraft. The company, based in Brisbane, needs more experienced staff in Queensland.

Bracks Idiot Driver

Bracks dobbed in as 'idiot driver'

PREMIER Steve Bracks has been dobbed in to a website listing "idiot drivers" for allegedly travelling at more than 20 km/h over the legal limit.

An irate motorist reported Mr Bracks' Government car last month, claiming it had been seen "doing well over 80 km/h over the Swan Street bridge" across the Yarra River. The December 7 complaint was made to the website IdiotDriver.com.au - a forum that allows people to anonymously report unsafe behaviour on the roads. A second complaint alleges Mr Bracks' car, identified by its VIC 1 licence plate, was also seen doing 90 km/h in a 60 km/h zone outside the nearby Rod Laver Arena.

Mr Bracks' spokeswoman, Alison Crosweller, admitted the Premier was driven through the area on December 7. But she rejected suggestions of speeding, saying Mr Bracks' driver had an impeccable record. She said the driver had received no traffic infringement notice.

One must ask are the infringement records - mention by Spin Doctor, Alison Crosweller from her highly paid position servicing the Labor Liars - being issued from a department under Dictator Bracks direction? - or is it department policy to remove any infringement reference to VIC-1 at all times?

Commonwealth Games ads blitz

Shaun Phillips 11jan06 Herald Sun Melbourne

THE Bracks Government will spend millions of dollars to embed pre-election advertising in TV coverage of the Commonwealth Games. The Labor Government revealed yesterday it had signed on as a sponsor of Channel 9's Games broadcast. Estimates of the cost of a Nine Games package range from $2.5 million to $5 million.

The World Class Victoria advertising campaign will form the backbone of the blitz.

The Government denied the Nine deal was conceived with the election in mind.

But while ostensibly aimed at winning investment from outside the state, the ads will run in Victoria only.

The new revelation comes in the wake of Herald Sun reports that the Government is on track to spend upwards of $80 million on self-promotion in the year leading to the November 25 election.

Nine Network documents seen by the Herald Sun show the State Government will get:

A 60-SECOND advertisement in the two hottest rating sessions -- the Wednesday March 15 opening and Sunday March 26 closing ceremonies.

SIXTY 30-second advertisements during the Melbourne Games.

EIGHT guaranteed 30-second spots on the Today program during the Games and 15 pre-event spots.

MORE than 100 five-second on-screen "billboards" attached to station promos and "Games moments" segments.

The Government said money for the Nine campaign would not be counted as part of the Games budget.

The budget officially is $697 million, plus an unconfirmed amount for security -- possibly up to $100 million.

"The Bracks Government has regularly run ads to . . . recruit, new teachers, police and nurses, as well as encourage business investment in Victoria," a spokesman said.

"We'll be doing all we can to promote Victoria as a great place to live and invest to the large number of interstate and international visitors.

"We aim to capitalise on the large viewing audiences to secure continued investment in the state."

Opposition Games spokesman Gordon Rich-Phillips said the ads were "a clear use of taxpayer money to (further) political ends".

"And this will be the most expensive television advertising going around at the time," the Liberal MP said.

The Government contract is a boon for Nine, which industry experts expect to lose as much as $20 million on a $56 million rights deal signed between Kerry Packer and Games chairman Ron Walker eight years ago.

Nine Network chief executive Sam Chisholm reportedly warned Games chiefs mid-year the network would scale back coverage if more advertising could not be found.

Bracks Uses you money for advertising Election

09jan06

AS a state poll looms, the Bracks Government misuses more of our taxes to try to con us into thinking it is doing a top job.

The Herald Sun reveals today that if the Government continues to spend on advertising campaigns at the present rate, it will have totted up an outrageous $80 million by election time in November. That funding would treat 25,000 extra hospital patients, recruit 1226 teachers or 1143 police, or build 15 secondary schools.

Government media campaigns in the year to October 2005 cost $33.6 million, but an extra $11 million was spent in the 51 days to November 27, according to leaked documents. That's a $217,000 daily spree.

Some of this advertising, such as the road, water and workplace safety campaigns, is of true community value. But too much is little more than political propaganda.

Often, brochures are needlessly adorned with photographs of ministers.

The Government is running ads to reassure Victorians about the quality of health and other services.

See what patients on waiting lists, or train commuters wondering where $750 million on the fast rail has gone, think of their content.

Can anyone give a good reason why Premier Steve Bracks personally fronted last summer's Our Water ads?

His department's Go For Your Life campaign seems pointless. Do Victorians want $9 million spent telling us we are "world-class performers"? Tell the export markets.

This abuse of public funds is not unique to any side of politics. It is a corrosive part of all politicians' self-preservation in power.

The Howard Government boosted the federal advertising bill to $120 million before the last poll.

Political parties already get taxpayer funding for election advertising, according to their past vote. That should be enough.

Controls -- possibly an independent council to vet government ads -- are needed.

The public service wind-back in servicing politicians in the caretaker election period could be extended to include much government advertising in an election year.

But don't count on reform, as politicians -- both state and federal -- are great advertisements for cynical self-promotion at our cost.

Its Only Your Money - And Its Your Vote

THE Bracks Government is expected to spend more than $80 million advertising itself this year.

It spent $11 million on TV, radio and newspaper ads in just the 51 days to November 27, documents leaked to the Herald Sun show. This figure means Victorian taxpayers are spending more than $216,000 a day to sell the Government.

With $80 million, the Government could build nine police stations, 15 secondary schools, employ 1226 teachers or nurses or 1143 policemen, or treat 25,205 more people in hospital.

Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said it was a shameful waste of taxpayers' money.

The leaked tally of advertising space bought by the Government was prepared by AC Nielsen for private media buyer Mitchell & Partners, but the total cost of advertising is unknown, with millions spent on other promotional material, including mailouts and printing costs.

A government spokeswoman said the Bracks Government did not have a contract with Mitchell & Partners, so figures could not be checked. The spokeswoman said $80 million was consistent with average spending on advertising since 2003.

About three years ago, the Auditor-General set the cost of all government advertising at $70 million, she said. Up to a quarter of that amount is for recruitment advertisements and the majority is for public education campaigns.

$7.5m Of Your Money for work once done FREE - Green Funding

Victoria's Alpine National Park is to get a state government-funded clean-up, but the evicted cattlemen reckon they took good care of the environment for free. Six months ago, 600 mountain cattlemen and women mustered on horseback outside Victoria's parliament house to protest a ban on alpine grazing in the national park. Generations of high country families said the move would threaten their livelihoods and destroy a 170-year-old tradition. Today, January 5th 2006, acting Premier John Thwaites announced an environmental works program to eradicate pests from the park and revegetate the Alpine bogs. "Cattle grazing will continue outside the park's boundaries, but we will be restoring the environment to its natural state in the Alpine National Park," he said. "With the removal of the cattle, a $7.5 million Bracks government funding package and increased volunteer efforts, environmental works will be stepped up dramatically in the park."Mr Thwaites said Parks Victoria had established partnerships with several community groups and projects would include controlling goat numbers in the Mount Mittamatite region and restoration of historic alpine huts.

"TWITer" has cost the public of Victoria under direction from the Green $7.5 million for a job done FREE by the High Country Cattlemen over 170 years.

It has been established environmentally, outside the concrete minded Radical Greenneck destruction bunker, internationally that cattle grazing contributes to the environment and do not destroy bogs and watering holes as projected from the boutique science graduates presenting tailored finding suited to Greenneck agendas.

Accountable they are not - radical they are - and it's your vote Victoria.

Ask the question just how much funding are the GREEN's getting from the $7.5 million street theatre being presented in the Alpine Park being directed and produced by the Bracks government.

Being granted water rights in Victoria by the Bracks government, the Greenneck recently SOLD irrigation water to farmers - the people they are he'll bent on destroying - for several $millions which will boost their coffers to fund their death squads who are killing off our rural industry by threats and false ecology.

Labor platform is supported by funding the Green Machine - but its your vote !

Trust the Police - Then Cop This

THE police Chief Commissioner has received powers to block the state's new police files watchdog from conducting independent investigations into the force.

 

The Herald Sun has learned Christine Nixon will be able to refuse the Commissioner for Law Enforcement Data Security access to files that have been leaked, accessed inappropriately or involved in privacy breaches.

 

In August, Premier Steve Bracks stripped police of their powers to manage the LEAP file database after more than 7000 pages of sensitive police files were leaked to a prison whistleblower.

 

Mr Bracks said at the time he no longer had confidence in police to protect the files.

 

At the time, Ms Nixon rejected the Premier's statement the force could not be trusted.

 

Under the Commissioner for Law Enforcement Data Security Act, the Chief Commissioner can refuse the LEDS Commissioner access to police files under investigation for serious security breaches.

 

Grounds for refusal listed in the Act include instances in which access to a police file would be reasonably likely to:

 

JEOPARDISE a police investigation into a crime or law enforcement activities.

 

PREJUDICE a court case.

 

DISCLOSE a confidential police source's identity.

 

ENDANGER the life or physical safety of a police officer or police source.

 

Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said the Government had created a toothless tiger whose powers of independent investigation could be severely curtailed by the Chief Commissioner.

 

However a spokesman for Police Minister Tim Holding, Toby Hemming, said the community would disagree. "The documents may be released at a later date after the conclusion of proceedings or the danger has passed," he said.

 

Privacy Commissioner Paul Chadwick is due to release a report soon on the leaking of 450 police files to a woman in country Victoria in May.

 

His investigation into the prison whistleblower's case has been extended after he uncovered evidence that Corrections Victoria employees had been inappropriately gaining access to police LEAP data through an entry point on a Department of Justice database.

 

 

Thank You Mr Bracks- Election Fodder Voters

Victorians will be hit by new taxes and a rise in the cost of public transport tickets as they greet the new year.

 

But there will be savings for some too, with property owners set to save more than $200 million in land tax.

 

Those looking to get into the housing market will be the most keen to wind back the clock to 2005 as the State Government reduces the first home buyers' grant from $5000 to $3000.

 

This will coincide with a new $8000 development tax on blocks of land on Melbourne's fringes.

 

Under changes to land tax on trusts, property owned by trusts will now be taxed when its value exceeds $19,999. That means a $200,000 property that was taxed at $200 will now be taxed at $750, a 275 per cent increase.

 

However, there will be general land tax relief for businesses and investors.

 

Properties valued between $200,000 and $539,999 will now be charged $200 plus 0.2 cents for every dollar over $200,000. Properties valued between $540,000 and $899,999 will incur an $880 charge plus 0.5 cents for every dollar of value over $540,000.

 

City employees who drive to work will have to pay about $40 a month extra to park all day.

 

Under the State Government's congestion levy, car park operators will be taxed $400 for every long-term space, rising to $800 in 2007. The costs are likely to be passed on to motorists.

 

Electricity bills will be cheaper, with a cut of between 3 and 16 per cent. That works out to a saving of between $10 and $53 on the average annual household electricity bill.

 

In other January 1 initiatives by the State Government:

 

¦Drivers who record three years without a demerit point on their licence will receive a $25 discount on its cost.

 

¦Low-income families will be given a boost in the subsidy for kindergarten fees from $255 to $320.

 

¦All employees will be eligible to take an initial period of long service leave after 10 years rather than 15 years' service.

 

The Federal Government has also introduced a range of measures set to cost Victorians more in 2006.

 

The threshold for the Medicare Safety Net will increase after the Government broke an election promise. Concession card holders will have to spend $500 instead of $300 to qualify for the safety net, and general patients $1000 instead of $700.

 

Australians will also have to spend more on medicines before they qualify for the pharmaceutical benefits rebate.

 

The first of four annual increases in the threshold for the PBS safety net came into effect yesterday. It will rise by two scripts every year over the next four years. By 2009, a patient will have to pay for 60 scripts a year, compared to 52 in 2005, before qualifying for the safety net.

 

Patients will also pay slightly higher co-payments for their prescriptions as drug prices increase in line with inflation.

 

The cost of public transport has risen about 3.1 per cent, in line with the consumer price index.

 

A two-hour zone 1 adult ticket is 10 cents dearer at $3.20, while a daily zone 1 adult ticket has risen by 20 cents to $6.10.

 

There is better news for Victorians in Melbourne's outer suburbs, who will notice the price of a weekly zone 1+2+3 adult ticket has fallen by $1.80 to $52.20.

 

Premier Steve Bracks said there would be no change of heart on the decision to reduce the first home buyers' grant by $2000, despite a last-minute rush of people signing up for the grant before the new year.

 

He said the State Government would observe the effect of the combined $10,000 federal and state grants on homebuyers before deciding whether to increase or reduce the state grant in future.

 

State Opposition treasury spokesman Robert Clark said the Government was stuffing its already overflowing coffers at the expense of Victorians.

 

"People will … realise they are paying more than in previous years as (Treasurer) John Brumby dips his hand down further into their pockets to pay for the Bracks Government's waste and mismanagement," he said.