Yes. I am a climate change sceptic. When The Australian recently announced that the Antarctic ice was growing and not shrinking, it reinforced my doubt that the environmental lobby was not entirely accurate. Having said that, it has always been in our long term self interest to ensure that we have a planet earth that is viable and liveable.

Let’s be honest. No one likes using parking meters. Metal machines that take your money for the temporary use of what was once free public space on our public roads. And when Parramatta introduced parking meters, it opened up a Pandora’s Box of new problems like being addicted to the money it generates, and consequently pushing many customers away from Parramatta to other neighbouring shops and businesses that have free parking.

Australians broadly agree that families are the backbone of our society. Yet due to housing prices, young families are relying on higher density dwellings that were normally not designed for young children in mind. Family support services are also being challenged due to rising costs especially from real estate related expenses. And what about making child care more affordable? And could there be more employer-based child care?

It is so flattering when the Lord Mayor and the other Councillors want to join in on the action. I had previously reported of the very successful 12 month campaign which I initiated to combat car hoons in our CBD.

Parramatta has one of the most enjoyable outdoor dining experiences in Australia. But nothing spoils an evening than hotted up cars and inconsiderate drivers drive past only centimetres away from excessive and obnoxious noise blasted onto diners, not to mention tyre smoke from revved wheels.

“When America sneezes, Australia catches a cold.” Well, with the American financial crisis the way it is, Australia’s “drug addicted like” credit system is experiencing its own withdrawal symptoms! What’s worse, the Labor NSW State Government is of no help, and the Federal Labor Government can’t even deliver all of its own stratospheric promises because of their careless and haphazard decisions.