Rarely do we run a post here simply linking to other people’s work – but this article at Larvatus Prodeo by JohnL is exceptional. It completely demolishes the claims made by alleged BER “whistleblower” Craig Mayne – claims that have been bootstrapped into major media reporting of the BER that – and let’s be blunt – is mostly not true, and has been generally incompetent. Something we’ve been banging on about since the programs inception.
Much of the erroneous reporting of the BER comes back to the very same problem that we’ve witnessed in other areas (statistics, risk management, mildly complicated economic policy etc) – a lack of professional knowledge by the reporters themselves (especially those undertaking “analysis” pieces) on the actual topic at hand, in this case, the economics of the construction industry and the public policy mechanics surrounding public capital expenditure.
We’ve seen all sorts of nonsense reported such as journalists describing how some yahoo builder could construct a school hall at a far less cost than the company that won the tender – even though the builder’s quote isn’t compliant with school building standards (standards that are much higher than residential construction standards – something a great many people just do not know). Or how some school building cost X times more than an identical building up the road, while ignoring that one required a couple of hundred thousand extra on earthworks and utility infrastructure.
So please, read the piece – it’s good. There’s also an introductory piece attached to it that’s worth a squiz as well.
While we’re throwing links around, there’s another good piece over at Inside Story by Peter Browne – putting a counter-orthodox view of public opinion dynamics leading into the 2001 election where September 11, Tampa and Howard’s Treasury-as-ATM machine were all getting tied up into the one big public opinion ball.
7 Comments
Thanks Possum, I thoroughly enjoyed the Peter Browne article.
I exchanged some emails with Anthony Klan about Mayne [Moderator: this comment has been edited] and even sent him the link to an article Justine Ferrari wrote in June last year when he said he should get a share of the profits with only the QLD state government being embarrassed.
The next day Klan still called Mayne a whistle blower so I read those same transcripts.
The other interesting yarn is the debate about that canteen that went from being 26.4 feet x 10 feet down to the size of a one car garage of 19 feet x 10 feet and then down to the size of a cubby house.
The costings shown were quickly demolished by Senator Marshall because there was nothing to indicate what they were for so I looked on the NSW education department website.
All canteens are solid double brick with stainless steel sinks and ovens, counters that open onto the COLA’s so kids can get their food under cover and they where possible they link to the new halls so they can be used for functions.
There are now ample photos of finished buildings all over the country to see how gorgeous they are.
Another thing I pointed out to Klan is that I watched a local catholic school build a COLA and all they did was build an unlit, unwired carport sort of structure where as the state government structures are very solid steel with a concrete slab base and are the size of basketball courts with rebound ace surfaces, lighting and sound for outdoor night time activities where the schools are local community hubs.
My own little school in the SA Mallee is thrilled to bits with their beautifully surfaced new sports courts, out door covers, fridges in each room and other bits and bobs.
I think the OZ got themselves caught in a big lie last year when they claimed that $7 billion had been wasted at a time when only $2 billion had been allocated over all and don’t know how to simply back down and say they wuz wrong.
The Peter Browne story is also amazing, but I still won’t vote for either major party while they pander to racism and nastiness towards innocent human beings.
I have of course removed all email addresses for privacy reasons.
I see this Klan has as much association with the truth as that other Klan of the white hood variety.
Fair enough, but what ‘s the point.
The LP story just reinforces my belief that the term Australian News Media is totally and completely a misnomer.
They have become The Australia Gossip media.
I worked in schools many years and still have a lot of friends who do. Everyone, to a man (or woman) are delighted with the BER. As I have said on a number of occasions, a hall, library or cola can bring schools a great deal of extra income in hire-out fees.
I can’t wait for the reports from the independent overseer — it will have the coalition and the media with egg on their faces.
Jen, pictures of buildings are now available on all state government websites and the federal government website.
The buildings are brilliant. This and the social and defence housing are a great success I reckon and so is the work being done by local councils from their grants.
One thing not known much is the bike paths Bob Brown had included.
There is one between my town in the Barossa and the next one 6 km away, it is partly built on the defunct railway line. It is sealed, with two lanes and ambles through forests, fields, hills and shallow valleys with magnificent views on all sides and in one spot a hill of 2 billion year old gneiss, schist, shale and other rocks that were exposed in 1850 when the train was built.
The benefit to the whole community is to be seen every day with kids riding, people walking on the track, exercise and so on and the added benefit of the historic railway yard to be restored at last.
I wasn’t sure what Brown had in mind but it gets my vote.
http://www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au/pages/default.aspx
See here. Perhaps Pollytics you could show some of the gorgeous things here.