One step forward two steps back

When taking the helm of our great national airline, Alan Joyce is noted as saying the future of QANTAS is the JETSTAR model, was he right, poll taken 23 Jun 2012 – oh Dear such poor judgment (poll attached below)?

Then another ‘brilliant’ strategist, the Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce (no relation to Alan Joyce) says he is backing Qantas. Barnaby is quoted by the Herald as saying “it’s a case of recognizing reality.”

From the Herald comes a reader comment, 23 Jun 2012:

“This is just my view but I wouldn’t be surprised if QF’s real aim to build up Jetstar, … 

Sydneysider”

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/we-could-go-under-qantas-tells-mps-20120621-20r1y.html#ixzz1yZQKENAu

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/we-could-go-under-qantas-tells-mps-20120621-20r1y.html#ixzz1yZP48rOy

 

Poll: Which airline would you rather fly?

Qantas 53%

Virgin 39%

Jetstar 3%

Tiger 5%

Total votes: 16763.

Poll closed 23 Jun, 2012

Disclaimer: These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

 Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/we-could-go-under-qantas-tells-mps-20120621-20r1y.html#ixzz1yZL16UqG

And the QANTAS chief asks for competition to be restricted or else.  The ‘or else’ is we could go under? But, fear not that might be the plan – a JETSTAR revival, long live and re-Joyce.

Why do we care? QANTAS is committed to helping our environment. They have established codes of such and we support that position. Polls suggest readers agree.

Australian Land Use – Why change?

 

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences predicts that global demand for food will increase by 77% in the next 40 years but Australia’s share of global food exports will fall from 4% to 3%. Source AFR 040612.

 

The Australian Farm Institute has found that Australia’s agricultural production is among the most volatile in the world – and agriculture is almost the most volatile sector of our economy – to capture the benefits of increased food demand, farmers and processors need to invest in productivity improvements and the development of under-utilised land – but these investments must be made as farmers face climate variability, reduced public investment in R&D, and in commodity markets that are volatile. Source AFR 040612.

For the shock jocks to think about: You should feel good to pay taxes!

Research in Italy – says “People pay taxes because it feels good”. The study included thousands of Italians, the researchers discovered that a greater willingness to pay taxes is associated with greater levels of personal happiness – this finding that dovetails with research showing that tax cheating has psychological costs such as guilt and a diminished self-image – of Italians surveyed, 79% said they strongly felt that paying taxes is one of the duties of citizenship. Sourced HBR 120512. So what is wrong Australia, why do you feel so miserable?

Are we alone on Carbon Tax (or is it price in Australia)?

Carbon taxes around the world: China is planning a carbon tax on big energy consumers by 2015 – some provinces have already introduced a carbon tax – in the US there is no nationwide tax although a few states have introduced the tax – Canada does not have a federal carbon tax, but some Canadian provinces and states do have carbon taxes – India has introduced a nationwide carbon tax of 50 rupees per tonne ($1.07) on coal both produced and imported – South Korea introduced a national carbon tax in 2008 – Japan does not have a carbon tax but is planning to implement one – the European Union enacted an emissions trading scheme in 2005 – several European countries have enacted a carbon tax, including Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Sourced: SBS World News 160512. We are not alone, so good!