In the 2010 election voters became aware that the Australian population may double in the next 40-50 years. It became evident that they did not want population to increase because they feared loss of their precious liveability. The subject of population increase virtually vanished from public comment. Voters’ concerns did not disappear. If population doubles […]
Raise the Spirit of Australia
The Spirit of Australia needs revitalising. It started at Gallipoli and in France in WW1 with outstanding courage and sacrifice, and the innovation by Monash and the Australians who broke through the European trench warfare stalemate and led to victory. It established respect for Australian soldiers and consolidated protection of the major power- Britain. In […]
Letter to Premier of Victoria
15.2.2016 The Premier of Victoria Parliament House Melbourne, Vic 3000 Dear Premier The Federal Government has asked for expression of the level of interest in High Speed Rail (HSR) and definition of the corridor it should follow from the States of Victoria, ACT, NSW and Queensland. May I make two points about this? When the […]
Letter to Chairman IA
22.1.16 Mr M Birrell Chairman Infrastructure Australia GPO Box 5417 Sydney, NSW 2000 Dear Mr Birrell Further to my letter of 28.10.15 lodging a Submission to Infrastructure Australia on the HSR/FFR Project, I append a detailed addendum on HSR/FFR. In addition, a copy of two letters to the Prime Minister dated 15.10.15 and 21.1.16, a […]
Further letter to PM Turnbull
21.1.16 The Prime Minister of Australia Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Mr Turnbull Greater growth is the aim of the Government, but there are few new means to achieve it. May I alert you to a major new source of growth that would have a positive effect on the next election? With great respect, […]
Brunel and the Great Western Railway
Brunel was an innovative engineer and a man of business acumen. He designed and built the Great Western Railway which opened in 1842, only 12 years after the first steam railway in the world from Liverpool to Manchester in 1830. The GWR connected London to Bristol, what was then regarded as the second city in […]
Extracts from recent letters to Ministers and senior people
General With respect, may I add another serious issue, one that has come before Mr Turnbull already. He approved a study by the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, on a key aspect, established on 1 December. The issue is High Speed Rail in Australia. You should understand, as few do, that it is […]
Submission to Infrastructure Australia
Introduction There are two serious issues facing Australia at present that need to be brought to the foreground: population increase and high cost of transport. There is a subsidiary issue of how to fund the cost of resolution. The solution lies with railways. These are viable means to an end, not the end in themselves. […]
Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Value Capture
Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry: The role of transport connectivity on stimulating development and economic activity Value Capture Introduction Value capture has a powerful fundamental role shaping the future economic growth, transport and liveability of Australia. It requires strategic policy development and effective management of implementation to ensure beneficial outcomes for continuing Australian prosperity. Value capture […]
Open Letter to PM Turnbull
15.10.15 The Prime Minister of Australia Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Mr. Turnbull Lack of economic growth is the major issue facing Australia. Above average growth is needed to restore government revenues, ease the pain of necessary budget repair and drive prosperity. The main problem is risk aversion. The many company decision-makers are being […]