The Ferguson amendment

So the ever-reactive NSW Labor government is taking to the Residential Tenancy Act with a shovel at the behest of the mob, who'd cut off their collective legislative nose to spite their neighbour's face.

That said, who wants to have a paedophile, or any crim, for that matter living next door?

Why not some innovative legislation for a change, pairing every crim discovered in public housing, with a crim from the North Shore? Let's demand that a suitable punishment for billionaires who commit tax fraud, money laundering, property theft, or big-time is to be required to billet a low-rent . Maybe even chain 'em together with ankle-braces for public appearances? Maybe one day, if justice is done, we cd even see a former Housing Minister 'tripp'ing along with a small-time stand-over man hobbled to his ankle.

Meanwhile, perhaps a room could be found for Ferguson at the Goanna* mansion?

*Aka the Packer paterfamilias, as described by the Costigan commission into organised crime. The Packer family being DH's favorite candidate for a good mobbing.

Iemma hires Pope, Randwick Racecourse, to hear Houso Confessions

So now we know why Iemma and da Boys had to hire Randwick Racecourse and bring in the Pope!

It was the only way to fit in the 350,000 housos lining up to confess their sins in this month of the Tenant Fraud Confessional and Amnesty.

For whomsoever amongst us hath not salted away a bit of moonlighting income to pay the electricity bills or fix the kids' teeth, let them cast the first stone.

Criminal entrapment? D'oHLink forcing mothers into black economy

DH is hearing increasing evidence that D'ohLink, (the unholy alliance of NSW Labor's Housing policies and the remnant of the dog's breakfast that was the Howard Government's welfare policy), is forcing sole parents into the underground economy.

One story DH has heard is of the sole parent of two disabled children who spent 4 years acquiring a tertiary teaching qualification. She was very excited to get her first job which was ideal in every way. Including having child friendly hours, being close to home and a great place to work.

There was only one flaw. She found she was financially better off working 2 days than the 5 days required. Not being able to reach agreement with her employers, she was forced to resign.

She now works as a house cleaner. Last time DH saw her, she looked a wreck. Why? She had found herself a good job, but was required to work the 3am shift, and then come home to her demanding children.

What a waste for the whole nation!
A waste of energy, a waste of hard work, a waste of education, a waste of training.

And if this good woman, who is the salt of the earth, gets found out, she will be tainted with the crime of fraud, for nothing more than wanting to provide for her children so that they can participate in society.

It's all a bit reminiscent of Britain in the 18th century, where the poor were criminalised and exported to the colonies. It's just as well there are no places left up for colonisation. (Don't mention Christmas Island or Nauru, lest some eager beaver politician gets another bright idea!)

What on EARTH are the governments of this nation thinking? Who on earth benefits from the criminalisation? Nobody!