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Behind the files, beneath the air conditioner and beside the water cooler lurk the real news stories of the Public Service and PS News editor Frank Cassidy has had his nose in the air, back to the wall, shoulder to the wheel and ear to the ground to dig them out. So, fresh from his physiotherapist here’s what he’s found out: PSsssst...!Cursed acronym The inspired art of creating Public Service acronyms could have met its match in the proposed carbon trading scheme as journalists and the public alike seem to prefer one set of acronymous letters to those the PS policymakers are trying their hardest to impose. The mismatch centres around the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) which has at its heart the much-mooted carbon trading scheme which is very likely to force up the running costs of the Australian home. While CPRS may be the official abbreviation, the scheme is being referred to as the Carbon Emission Reduction scheme or CERS, which introduces an unflattering element when read out loud. If it looks like a CERS, sounds like a CERS and when in place will be felt like a CERS, maybe the label is well…. cursed! Speaking nonsense The Parliamentary equivalent of letting the inmates take over the asylum looks to have struck in the national capital with the newly-elected Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly declaring he intended joining in debates on a range of policy issues as well as running the chamber. The Speaker’s defence - that with a Deputy Speaker and three Assistant Speakers there would be no shortage of stand-ins - looks good until it’s realised there are only five Ministers in the 17-Member Parliament, the same number as there are possible Speakers. Now that’s an Odd number! Showing interest The Victorian Cabinet could hardly be accused of imbalance, particularly when we note who it’s chosen to keep a grip on the States’ purse strings. On one hand is the generously and helpfully named State Treasurer John LENDERS who obviously likes to give credit where it’s due and on the other – in case anyone thought the Government a soft touch for an easy loan – is a Finance Minister much more pragmatically named for a time of financial restraint: Tim HOLDING! Appropriate names or not, the result for program managers is business as usual in the never-ending struggle for funds. Tired for a place At least the sentiment was right when Queensland Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts urged the good people of his State to show their support for Emergency Services Week last week. If only the Minister had read his press release more carefully ……. “A number of award ceremonies will be held around the State,” the PR said, “to honour volunteers and units for their tiresome work in the community.” It must have been a long day! A fine result Congratulations are well in order for Consumer Affairs Victoria, cracking down on a private business improperly ‘fining’ its customers for straying outside the terms of their probably one-sided, purchaser/provider agreement. CAV Director, Claire Noone made the point that fines and penalties should be the left to the Courts to impose and private companies had no business acting as complainant, judge, jury and executioner against their hapless clients. Now if only Dr Noone could sharpen her watchdog fangs and bare them at the giant banks, phone companies and other ruthless money-grabbers who routinely penalise and fine their (un)valued customers for being a day or two late meeting already-overinflated monthly payments it would be an even better good news story. |
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