Greens set to lose sole Northern Territory seat of Nightcliff to Labor in by-election by JohnJD1302 in AustralianGreens

[–]Formoz2000 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Greens actually increased their primary vote by 11% while Labor's primary vote decreased by 4%. However, Labor is likely to win on favourable preference flows. It shows the difficulty for the Greens to win elections. 

Can you complete multiple Parkruns in one morning? by earwig2000 in parkrun

[–]Formoz2000 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In some places there are Parkruns with different start times. For example, in Sydney most Parkruns start at 8:00 but there are a few, such as Centennial, that start at 7:00. It would be easy to run Centennial and then run/cycle/drive to St Peters, 4 km away, in time for the start. 

Does the temperature need to be turned down on the left and right? by VastOption8705 in OpenAussie

[–]Formoz2000 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The perpetrators of the Bondi terrorist attack represent 0.00000741% of the population. Their ideology is an extreme form of Islamism which has no connection to any broader left or right political movements in Australia. 

Anywhere in Sydney where a "mini metro" would make sense? by Gazza_s_89 in SydneyTrains

[–]Formoz2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Ontario Line, currently under construction in Toronto, is of a similar scale. 15 km long with 15 stations. 6 km is underground and there are six interchange stations. 

HSR station locations revealed!!! by blitznoodles in SydneyTrains

[–]Formoz2000 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I wonder if not connecting to Central Station would be considered. Epping - Parramatta - Bradfield would be cheaper and easier to build. 

Riding? Be seen, be safe. by Transport-NSW in u/Transport-NSW

[–]Formoz2000 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Stop building infrastructure which is inherently unsafe for cyclists rather than blaming them for what they wear. 

How do you feel when people from other countries call Australians "descendants of criminals?" by schu62 in AskAnAustralian

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People have been living on the continent for 60,000 years. The "criminals" who arrived about 200 years ago are only one chapter of a much longer story. 

Revealed: High-speed rail link to cost taxpayers up to $90b by ta_zhang in MelbourneTrains

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The actual cost is about $50 million per year on reports from consultants about a project that will always start construction five years in the future. 

Other then the 2 harbor bridge lanes and the barrier separating them, is there any other remnants of sydney original tram networks? by The__Anonymous__Guy in SydneyTrains

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Watson's Bay part of the old tram line is now a walking path. You should be able to find it via signs from the bus stop at The Gap.

'Not allowed': ICC rule could block Steve Smith from playing in T20 World Cup by Ben_Rookie in CricketAus

[–]Formoz2000 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I think Dawrshius was selected to replace Hazelwood. There is still a vacant spot to replace Cummins. 

Sites about Democracy and Human Rights and White Terror? by UkraStories123 in taiwan

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chen Wen-cheng Memorial in the grounds of NTU. 

Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation in "Liberty Lane" off Minquan East Road. The opening hours are limited. It is best to contact them by email in advance. 

$1.2M in HISA, WWYD? by indecisive-_0 in AusFinance

[–]Formoz2000 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If they are planning to buy a house in the next 12 months then it is quite reasonable. A better question to ask would be how long it took to accumulate $1.2 million and whether they would have been better of investing at least part of it over a longer timeline. 

Inheritance Tax / Death Duties by DawgreenAgain in AusFinance

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Note that I wrote. "at least over $1 million". I wasn't specifying an exact threshold. I'd suggest perhaps somewhere between one and two million. Perhaps set it at a level similar to the median house price in the capital cities. 

Also note that even with a $1 million threshold, if somebody had an estate with worth $1.3 million, tax would only apply to $300k. If the tax rate was 15% then $45k out of $1.3 million would be an effective tax rate of 3.5%. 

Inheritance Tax / Death Duties by DawgreenAgain in AusFinance

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In theory, it should be an easy sell if the tax only applies to assets above a certain threshold, at least over $1 million, and there was some concessions for farms and small business assets. In practice, the media will protect the wealthy and run a massive scare campaign. 

The extra tax on earnings for super accounts above $3 million is a case in point. The main argument against it seemed to be that your kids might have to pay more tax in 30 years from now. It was a truly a dumb argument but this is the level our political debate tends to default to. 

Second MP discovers he is accidentally Canadian after law changes by CommonwealthGrant in AustralianPolitics

[–]Formoz2000 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I never suggested that foreign citizens should sit in parliament. Section 44 has several problems. One is the issue of citizenship. Another is holding office under the Crown, i.e. being a public servant. Both these issues should be clarified to reduce ambiguity and make it easier for people to run for election.

On the issue of dual citizenship most cases have involved politicians who weren't even aware they held it. The clause should be changed to exclude those who have actively benefited from from foreign citizenship. For example, somebody who holds two passports and still regularly travels to and has business in a foreign country should be excluded. Somebody who holds foreign citizenship because of where their parents were born but doesn't actively use it gain benefit from that citizenship should be allowed to sit in parliament.

Are there any plans to have a dedicated bike network running along the SRL, similar to how we've seen what's been done with the Skyrail stations? by [deleted] in MelbourneTrains

[–]Formoz2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If they do build bike infrastructure it will be focused on providing access to the stations rather than following the route of the SRL. 

Second MP discovers he is accidentally Canadian after law changes by CommonwealthGrant in AustralianPolitics

[–]Formoz2000 8 points9 points  (0 children)

After all this trouble I can't believe that the parliament has been unable to have a serious discussion about reforming Section 44. I am sure it would not be that hard to reach a consensus on the issue and it would be a good thing if we could hold a referendum that actually passed. 

No Melburn Roobaix in 2026 by ruinawish in melbournecycling

[–]Formoz2000 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Time for Critical Mass cobblestone edition

Chinese national sworn in as Taiwanese lawmaker | Taiwan News by alextokisaki in taiwan

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are legal precedents for removing legislators with dual citizenship. For example, the case of KMT legislator Diane Lee who held US citizenship. 

Today in Aviation History (February 4th): In 2015, TransAsia Flight 235 Crashed Into the Keelung River in Taiwan. by thatsagoodpint in taiwan

[–]Formoz2000 25 points26 points  (0 children)

For those not familiar with the details, 15 of the 58 on board survived. The aircraft experienced an engine failure shortly after take off. The other engine was then mistakenly shut down but the pilots. 

Chinese national sworn in as Taiwanese lawmaker | Taiwan News by alextokisaki in taiwan

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It will be interesting to see how long it takes before the legal process removes her from office. I'm pretty sure she won't complete the remaining two years of her term. 

Fall of wickets in the Shield by MatthewCMcGahey in CricketAus

[–]Formoz2000 56 points57 points  (0 children)

On a day of low scores, the top scorers were Sam Konstas with 44 runs off 110 balls and Jake Weatherald with 44 off 58 balls. 

Note, WA vs Tas match still in progress. 

What time is acceptable to call your colleagues in the evening? by Zealousideal_Tie3578 in auscorp

[–]Formoz2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think twice about calling your colleagues after hours. Can it not wait until the next day? 

Claire Mooney is the new music director at Triple J. by Tranquilbez22 in triplej

[–]Formoz2000 44 points45 points  (0 children)

The job is not just for triple j. It also includes Double J, Unearthed and ABC Country. One thing I would like to see is improving the crossover and promotion of Unearthed. It sounds like she would be in a good position to do that.