Why do I endorse Liberal party and Tony Abbott for the Australian election 2010

On the outset of Australian elections, I endorse Liberal party and Tony Abbott for this election and encourage all my friends to vote for them when you go to the polling booth tomorrow.

Why do I endorse Tony and reject Julia Gillard? This is because:

There's a fundamental dishonesty in Julia Gillard in the way in which she annihilated her leader and came to power, which sets a wrong precedent and role model of young generations and Australian (and world) politics. Such tactics should not be endorsed by any responsible society.

There is a fundamental dishonestly in Julia Gillard when she says that she stands for "working families" and does not believe in family and openly in a de-facto relationship.

There's a fundamental dishonesty in Julia Gillard (and Labor) saying that they stand for "working class" and still the Resources Tax proposed by Labor is a "world tax" on resources and is going to exploit the poorest and the marginalized "working class" in developing and under-developed nations. Labor and Gillard don't stand for the principles of equity they preach as Labor core principle but promote exploitation of poor people in international levels through Resources Tax.

Tony Abbot rejects Resources Tax, supports family and ran a disciplined, positive and honourable campaign compared to Gillard. So, it is Tony this time!

Australia's new world tax!

I feel morally responsible to respond to the newly announced "super tax" on miner by Australian govt (total tax to raise to 64%, accoding to some reports). This tax will defenitly put upward pressure on commodities arond the globe. So, this is going to be a "world tax" on commodities for just the benefit of 21 million ...Australians. I cann't justify such a tax grab just for the luxury of few millions ($100,000 will be added to super annuation of all Aussies by just sitting on their couches as result of this tax) at the cost of billions in developing world including China & India. These kinds of tax grabs are the seeds of great conflict in the future which will put world peace at peril. RUDD & AUS will be responsible for that, sadly.

Use unique ID of international students for a just cause (Letter to Editor: Canberra Times)

As an Indian student in Australia, I welcome the Baird recommendations to revamp the international education system in Australia. The most important suggestion is to give a unique identifier number to every international student coming to this country. The primary intention is seems to protect students from scrupulous agents by tracking their movements between institutions. This ID could also be used to a greater cause which will ensure more transparency, credibility and justice to Australian education sector.

Australian government awards 5 points towards Australian permanent residency (PR) for 2 or more years of study in Australia. Those 5 points are so critical that an average students who does a course in skills demand list (MODL, CSL, etc) will be eligible for PR, if they get those last 5 points. That's their last mile. Many students choose those courses (which are in skills demand list) for 2 or more years with the intention of applying for PR after their studies. This is good for Australia too, for Australia gets right skills trained in Australia itself.

In order to make this arrangement more transparent and just, Australia could link the proposed unique ID for international students with the skills demand list of the time students get admission to Australian educational institutions. This will be consistent with the practise of linking 5 points towards PR for 2 years of study in Australia at the very first time they join courses in Australia.

If we do not do this, we will be allowing the system to "change the goal posts" for international students during their 2 years of study in Australia. No one would argue that Australia has a right to change the skills demand list as the demand changes in the society. At the same time, we do have an obligation to protect the interests of international students who come here to study and fill in the needs of Australia, as we advertise. Linking the unique ID for international students with that of the demand list of the time students get admission to Australian educational institutions will be the best way to implement it. This will ensure credibility and reinstate confidence in "Australia brand" in international circles.


Fr Jaison Mulerikkal CMI
47 Lowe st
Queanbeyan, 2620
Mob: 0433893593

jmulerik@cs.anu.edu.au

Climate Change/Global Warming politics

Climate Change/Global Warming politics is simple.. if the highest emitters (per capita & of historic footprint) dont act and compensate (mostly developed nations), the lowest emitters (mostly developing nations) have the right to raise the living standards of their people cheaply, as most of the highest emitters did in the past.

Then highest emitters have to keep quite (no preaching) and lowest emitters (per capita and historic footprint) of populous countries of China and India will get the license to emit more.

In the past we could have "told" China or India to "stop" emitting. But not any more.

Only incentive for China or India to focus on global warming could be the "green" economy that may develop in the developed nations. China and India wont like to "miss that bus" (They already missed industrial revolution). If that's to happen, developed nations (who are indeed biggest emitters) should turn to "green" economies. That is, we need ETS or something similar.

Attacks on Indians have had a profound effect on Australia's image

This was reported in THE AGE. Good on them. http://bit.ly/w1FGC

It is the Australian media (and Police) who are primarily responsible for this situation. Here is my response to one of the comments to this article.

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@ Kevin of Melb who commented: "Some balance needs to be bought into this one-way view. May I suggest that we start showing, on our tv channels, the assults on Australians and other foreigners that occur in Indian on any given day."

Yes, I think there's a need for balance. Let the Australian media pick up the cause of racial bashing of Indians in Australia. As an Indian I am very much sure that Australian media underreport any violence on Indians in Aus. There seems to be strong bias - to cover up things from the Aus media - to the benefit of white Australians. This is condemnable, if not racial! (Having said that, The Age and Fairfax media are bit of an exception here. This very article is a sign of that, But the rest are hopeless and divisive).

Australia put break on Catholic Church!

Here is the Breaking News!

Australian government has updated the immigration rules to bring priests to Australia. Now the process to get a religious visa to take up to 36 weeks or sometimes more before the Department of Immigration advises them of their decision (this is after launching the whole documents, which usually takes an year's work!). And also all temporary visa applicants must participate in an English test and attain a certain level of competency in English. (Religious workers were exempted in the past)


Let me put my reflections.

It seems that there were some serious issues brewing between Aust govt and Catholic Church migration agency (I sensed it earlier, because I am in Canberra). Basically now the govt has stripped Catholic agency of its right to bring priest in its own right. They are introducing new barriers - IELTS (English Test) and a wait period of up to 36 weeks!

There are people who do not support the very idea of bringing priests from outside Australia. Their intention is to push Catholic Church to married clergy/female clergy by starving Church of celibate/male priests. I think, the push by the left (present federal govt who are supported by greens) and the atheists are bearing fruits and changing the clergy immigration landscape of Australia. Personally I am open to the question of married/female clergy. But I cannot accept anybody to starve Church to make decisions in their favor. God help Australia.

China-India hotline soon

China-India hotline soon.. A welcoming news.. The two emerging powers in the region should have it.. I can sense that it is a very positive news. At the moment China has it only with US and India has it only with Russia http://bit.ly/iUtH1

Only improved relations between India and China can bring bargaining power and just deals for these countries with other "Developed nations". I can reflect on India, China, Aus relationships. India wants Uranium from Aus, China wants Iron ore from Aus. But Aus plays a double game with India and China and split them apart and always make sure that their resources and over priced. If this has to end, both India and China should stand together, at least for economic issues like this, setting apart their political differences. Then only India and China will get reasonably priced resources from Australia.

Where is Krishna? Australia is punching above its weight!

I watched in a side story of ABC lateline yesterday that Indian foreign minister S M Krishna is in Australia. I saw him on tele coming to Melbourne and received by Victorian premier. Its humiliating in itself! its just like Stephen Smith is been received by CM of Kerala! Moreover Krishna is seen nowhere in today's Australian media - print and online. I am surprised!

What kind of politics is this?

Is Australia is punching above its weight? ..delebarately ignoring Indian FM, who came here in the wake of alleged racial attacks on Indian students? It was Krishna who acted decisively in those events - directing his ambassador to convene a press meet in Vic. I think, Aus is giving back to him. But this is bad politics.. arrogant as always Aus is portrayed internationally.. Aus is confirming its stereotypical status by being so arrogant.. no much difference between Aus and China in this regard, I think (remembering the Hu case).

Austalian Government should honor their promises!

This is the comment I sent to "The Australian" about their article "Education debacle to cost us badly" . As usual, I do not know whether it will get published! But here it is in my blog:

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What International students going through (in Australia) is really horrible. First they were shown Permanent Residency carrot when abroad. It was Australian govt that linked certain courses to PR points, not migration agents. Students are lured into join those programs by paying huge fees and there by assuring huge tax revenue to Australian govt. When they came here, they got substandard education and was beaten up in the streets. Then they protested. Now, the govt is going to de-link PR points from those courses. Students spent 40000 AUD over two years, they got no quality education and now no PR. It's going to be state supported cheating scam. There should be a policy whereby Aust govt honor their liking of PR points to certain courses for the whole tenure of those courses. I mean, if there is a link between a course and PR points when a student join a course, it should stay there for that student till he/she finishes the course. Otherwise, it is cheating and rip off. What we will be doing is to lure international students to certain courses by showing PR carrot and when they pass the course, revoke it and send them back home with nothing. Otherwise govt shouldn't link any course with PR points at all.

"..great things england did for india"!

It was an online discussion on at http://bit.ly/17kgPQ. I wrote this comment to the forum. But I will be lucky, if it gets published. There's a misconception in the minds of white men (and women), especially if they got some connection to England - England made India! That's rubbish. That does not reflect facts. Only problem with India was it was foolish in front of some colonial traders with gun powder in the past. Hope she wont make the same mistakes in the future. That's my prayer (and yesterday India launched its first nuclear submarine, I am really happy. It's a deterrent). This was my reply to an "r of Gold Coast".
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I am an Indian, still a student but resident of Aus.. I thought I wouldnt comment in the forum.. But this remark by "r of gold coast 12:13pm today" compels me to put my two cents into it: "Look at the great things england did for india.." Yes we know what England did for India. When the first colonial traders came to India, India controlled 26-27% world economy. When they left in 1947, India's share in world economy was reduced to less than 2%. Great things indeed, what England had done to India. You must be proud of it (if you claim to be of English descent)! And hope you will give back to India what you have taken from her ?! (I would be lucky, if this gets published :)

Australians Greens turning Red (rather yellow)!

Australian Greens prove to be a BIG joke. Not a single serious word, against the proposed new U mine in South Australia. Moreover Peter Garret champions it (he sang passionate songs against N Energy in the past)! It's economy. economy of 1st world.. When that comes Greens of 1st world will shut their mouth conveniently. I've been told bfore 10yrs :) That is coming true.

I posted the above comment (similar one) on twitter few minutes ago. I was browsing "The Australian". Got this amazing poll result. Australia wants to go nuclear! Just couple of months back, I remember a similar poll. The Australians were dead against Nuclear reactors. My supervisor is a Green. May be an year ago I told him that the opposition of Greens to Nuclear power is just bad/baseless/opportunistic. He was defending Green position with an impregnated silence. That was the mood of Australia. Now all on a sudden, Australia wants to go Nuclear! What a joke!



Its not just joke. Its the trait, that disturbs me. These people/culture/countries can change color at the glimmer of a time. All what they preach (whether it is democracy, economy, ecology, international relations) is valid for the period that "benefit" them. After that they can change color at any time - just like in Hollywood movies.

I never saw that kind of attitude in the East.

Since they cannot change color like that, they can easily be fooled. Hope Indian Greens ("the Third World Greens.. haha") will not be fooled to be instruments in the hands of "Developed World Greens" who could really use them for their benefit. Is there a consistent policy about Nuclear Energy for Greens though out the world.. I mean through out different countries in the world? I'm pretty sure there wont be. That's handy, isn't it!

India marches in Paris, for what?

Indian soldiers marched during the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris. It's good to see friends flock together. I am just thinking about China. What will they be getting out of it? There was a recent report by an Indian defense journalist that China may attack India in as early as 2012 to divert its attention from internal discomfort. The signs are already seen here in Australia. A Rio Tinto staff is held in China for spying. Growing discomfort of China towards Aus, since Aus did not allow the Chinalco deal to go through. Kevin Rudd played smart. Now he is getting back.

But what about India and China? India should be very very careful and diplomatic. We got a Dalai Lama to be protected. Btw, Australia send a delegation to Dharmasala, India to visit Lama. That's cunning. Even when Lama comes to Aus, they wouldnt meet him. But send a delegation to INDIA to meet Lama! wow.. some nasty game of diplomacy it must be. That was during the delegation's visit to quell discontent about Indian student attack in Aus! Aus seems playing nasty to put India on the back foot.

In nutshell, it's all about INDIA. India has to tread on a narrow rope - very cautiously, especially when people like KRudd is here. God help Man Mohan Singh!

Being Indian in Australia!

A wonderful report by Nathasha Jog about "Being Indian in Australia!".

Being Indian in Australia!

A wonderful report by Nathasha Jog about "Being Indian in Australia!".

Julia Gillard, Dyp PM, AUS on recent attacks on Indian Students

A creative suggestion to improve safety of Indian students in Australia

This is the suggestion I send today to the High Commission of India in Australia as a response to the recent violent attacks on Indian students.
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To

Mrs. Sujatha Singh
High Commissioner of India
Canberra, Australia

Sub: A creative suggestion to improve safety of Indian students in Australia - Student Settlement Services by Australian Universities.

Madam,

I represent prestigious Rajagiri group of educational institutions Kochi, Kerala, India in Australia and heads it Australian operations as the Director of “Rajagiri Australia” (www.rajagiri.com.au). Rajagiri Australia has initiated twinning programs between Rajagiri, Kochi and major Australian universities and also serves as student agent for those Australian universities in India and Australia. In the wake the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia, I got the following suggestions to make to improve safety of Indian students in Australia.

1. Insist Australian Universities to provide Student Settlement and safety-net service.

The major problem of students coming to Australia is that they don’t get any other help from universities than the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) even after paying heavy fees. They just arrive in airport and don’t know where to go, where to settle and practically no contacts/references. In such desperation, they end up in unsafe suburbs/homes and pushed to take unsafe works and work habits, which eventually make them vulnerable targets.

The solution is to give them hospitality, settlement and reference services as they arrive to Australia. In theory the universities claim that they got these services. But in practice they just don’t have this for many reasons, like – they don’t set apart enough funds and plans for these services, they don’t have the expertise in settlement services, they simply cannot give reference services.

Agencies those have got expertise in these areas can easily provide these services. “Rajagiri Australia” is experimenting this kind of services to students coming through us in our own way. That is to provide students with airport pickup, shared accommodation facilities, availability of ongoing support through an office (presently our Melbourne office) and reference services (provide a network of people who can contact and trust).

Being a student myself, I have gone through all the troubles of student life in Australia. That is why I initiated this service. We can do it because we don’t have much monetary considerations as we are Catholic priests’ group and plan to set apart a big chunk of commission amount we get from Aus Universities(in recruiting students as an agent) to these services. But in general (for all other agencies), this is not possible. Because the commission amount is meant only for recruitment services and not enough/not meant for other additional services.

So, the suggestion is to encourage universities to provide these settlement services – for their students - which include airport pickup, accommodation services, agent office support, reference services - though their “authorized agents”. Universities should set apart a fixed amount (say 5% of first year fee) towards these services on the top of the commission to those agents. This will enable those agents to provide the above services to students.


2. Rate Australian universities and Settlement agencies to enforce higher safely for Indian students.

The Indian government should introduce separate rating/accreditation system for Australian universities and the proposed student settlement agents. Universities who provide this “Settlement services” should be given higher safely ratings by India government. It will provide better advice to prospective students to Australia. India government also shall accredit “Settlement” agencies after scrutiny.

This will give ample impetus to Australian Universities to adopt Settlement services as part of their student recruitment process and their Settlement agencies to perform well to give effective services to their student customers.

I live in Canberra. I will be very happy to give any further inputs regarding this suggestion by coming to your office. Please feel free to contact me.

With regards,

Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
RAJAGIRI AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
ABN: 85 128 322 761
Web: www.rajagiri.com.au

I love these cuties..

I love these cuties.. The child actors of Slumdog Millionaire.. Who would believe that they are from Slums!!?

I love India, because it happens only in India! It was very confronting to watch that movie, as an Indian.. But in India, you can produce that movie, may not be in China! India can accept that there's poverty in India and still we are on the right track of progress - not even Australia (I've seen 'slums' terrible than Indian ones in Australian aboriginal communities in Tennant Creek. But Aussies wont accept it).

I pity you Symonds...

Andrew Symonds' sad saga continues in Australia.. I find it very disturbing.. Here is the news:
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"ANDREW Symonds will have two months of intense reflection to decide whether he will become the first Australian star to choose Indian Premier League riches over a baggy green cap.
The troubled cricketer, banned from touring South Africa after his latest disciplinary dramas, will be available for Australian selection again at the time the IPL is about to start in April."
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Poor Symo is screwed by CA and Aussies in general.. What's the difference between "obnoxious weed" and "lump of shit". Only difference is who speaks it out.. If it's white man against brown, he can get away with it.. The whole Aus will be behind him. But if it is brown against white, they will screw him up.. Sad to see this drama.. Symonds, I pity you.. and shame on Australia.

I pity you Symonds...

Andrew Symonds' sad saga continues in Australia.. I find it very disturbing.. Here is the news:
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"ANDREW Symonds will have two months of intense reflection to decide whether he will become the first Australian star to choose Indian Premier League riches over a baggy green cap.
The troubled cricketer, banned from touring South Africa after his latest disciplinary dramas, will be available for Australian selection again at the time the IPL is about to start in April."
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Poor Symo is screwed by CA and Aussies in general.. What's the difference between "obnoxious weed" and "lump of shit". Only difference is who speaks it out.. If it's white man against brown, he can get away with it.. The whole Aus will be behind him. But if it is brown against white, they will screw him up.. Sad to see this drama.. Symonds, I pity you.. and shame on Australia.

Balance of power shifts to India!

That was the heading of "The Canberra Times" today. Very well said. India ends the Australian dominance in Cricket with a 2-0 series victory and retaining Boarder-Gavaskar Trophy. India outplayed Aus in every department. Congrats to Dhoni as the winning captain. The tactics were brutal and merciless. The same old medicine of Aus, but this time to them! Well deserved win.

The most gracious moment was when Dhoni asked Sourav Ganguly to take the captaincy after the 9th wicket fall. What a tribute to retiring Dada! Truely Indian attitude by Dhoni - respect the elders. Well done.

As I commented in an online newspaper, it's an Obama era. The black and brown and even the yellow will take the lead. What matters is only skills and just (not equal) opportunities.. Let's make sure that these things are taken care of.. and let the rest - the power swing according to it..