Happy Mothers Day! Application for the role "Mother" We are currently seeking applicants for a divine role in the work force. Very little experience is needed, as you will have complete "on-the-job" training. Must be willing to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Patience is a must. We will start you out doing some heavy lifting and carrying for about 9 months after which you will be asked to suffer extreme pain for a few hours. You will then move on to the "parent" part of our program, where you will teach, nurture, and care for little children. After they have become independent, you will be on call for the rest of your life to rescue burning chickens, save loads of laundry, lend a listening ear, etc. Pay is minimal, but the eternal rewards are priceless!!! By David Sanders WISHING ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE A FABULOUS MOTHERS DAY! 1. OCR steady at 3.0 As was widely predicted, the Reserve Bank decided to leave the Official Cash Rate unchanged this week. In his statement announcing the Bank's decision, Governor Glenn Stevens said that while conditions in global financial markets remain generally on a path of gradual improvement, confidence remains fragile and balance sheets are under pressure. As was widely predicted, the Reserve Bank decided to leave the Official Cash Rate unchanged this week. In his statement announcing the Bank's decision, Governor Glenn Stevens said that while conditions in global financial markets remain generally on a path of gradual improvement, confidence remains fragile and balance sheets are under pressure. He observed that borrowing for housing in Australia is picking up, particularly among first-home buyers and that market and mortgage rates are at very low levels by historical standards. Business loan rates are also below average, reducing debt-servicing burdens considerably. "Much of the effect of these changes is yet to be observed", Governor Stevens said. "The stance of monetary policy, together with the substantial fiscal initiatives, will provide significant support to domestic demand over the period ahead." The RBA has cut 425 basis points from the cash rate since September 2008, effectively reducing repayments on an average $400,000 mortgage by about $1000 a month. 2. New home grant boosts jobs  New home sales rose for a third straight month in March according to the latest survey by the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said this week that it is clear that in the first quarter of 2009, the project home building market was buoyed by the combination of the First Home
Owner Boost and very low variable mortgage rates.
New home sales rose for a third straight month in March according to the latest survey by the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said this week that it is clear that in the first quarter of 2009, the project home building market was buoyed by the combination of the First Home
Owner Boost and very low variable mortgage rates. "The First Home Owner Boost for new dwellings is clearly lifting residential building activity and securing jobs within the Australian economy", he added. Total new home sales increased by 4.2 per cent in the month of March 2009. Detached home sales increased by 4.1 per cent in the month and were up by a healthy 17 per
cent over the quarter. "Detached new home sales rose in the March quarter in all five mainland states, the first time we have seen an across the board lift in sales since the beginning of 2007", Dr Dale observed. Sales of apartments and units increased by 4.7 per cent in March but this rise was insufficient to arrest a clear trend decline in activity in this market. Sales over the March quarter fell by 14 per cent. For the month of March detached New Home Sales increased by 15.2 per cent in New South Wales, 14.6 per cent in Victoria, and 7.3 per cent in Western Australia. Sales fell by 4.6 per cent in South Australia and were down by 16.9 per cent in Queensland, although this followed a 26.2 per cent surge in February. 3. House prices down Australian house prices fell in the March quarter, according to figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The preliminary figures show the weighted average price index for established detached houses for Australia's capital cities fell by 2.2 per cent in the March quarter. Australian house prices fell in the March quarter, according to figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The preliminary figures show the weighted average price index for established detached houses for Australia's capital cities fell by 2.2 per cent in the March quarter. In the year to March, the house-price index fell 6.7 per cent. The capital city established house price index rose in the March 2009 quarter by 2.2 per cent in Darwin, 0.5 per cent in Canberra and 0.1 per cent in Hobart. The index fell by 2.9 per cent in Sydney, 2.3 per cent in Melbourne, 1.1 per cent in Melbourne, 0.8 per cent in Adelaide and 3.6 per cent in Perth. The capital city project home price index fell in the March 2009 quarter by 0.5 per cent. The index rose by 0.1 per cent in Adelaide and 1.5 per cent in Darwin, but fell by 1.2 per
cent in Melbourne, 0.8 per cent in Brisbane and 0.4 per cent in Perth. It was flat in Canberra, Hobart and Sydney. 4. New green standards welcomed  The announcement by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) of a move to higher energy efficiency standards for houses and commercial buildings has been welcomed by industry bodies.
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) said this week that the move to six star standards is a positive step in the right direction. The announcement by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) of a move to higher energy efficiency standards for houses and commercial buildings has been welcomed by industry bodies. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) said this week that the move to six star standards is a positive step in the right direction. "COAG's commitment to a minimum standard of six stars will improve the environmental sustainability of Australia's homes and reduce our national carbon emissions," said Chief Executive, Romilly Madew. "Australia's commercial and residential buildings are responsible for 23 per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. "This is why energy efficiency measures in new and existing buildings are vital if we are to reduce Australia's carbon footprint", Ms Madew concluded. The Residential Development Council (RDC) warned that while the decision to move to 6-star residential by 2010 was positive, it will require significant work between the industry and the government to achieve in the given timeframe. "Attention needs to be turned to the road map for delivering on the transition to 6-star development, with financial incentives needed to achieve this aim", RDC executive director Caryn Kakas said. "Clearly the First Home Owner's Boost for new homes can be used to offset the significant cost burden on the industry, especially for multi-unit residential", she suggested. Ms Kakas emphasised the importance of setting national standards in order to reduce red tape, confusion and delays. Master Builders Australia commented that the decision to incorporate energy saving hot water systems and lighting into the star ratings system will also allow overall energy targets to be achieved more efficiently and in a more flexible way. 5. Nicked in time by webcam watcher Modern home security systems will see you resting easier, though sometimes there's nothing better than keeping an eye on things yourself. A US woman recently tuned into a home webcam from her work computer to see strangers rummaging through her home. Local news reported the 43-year-old Florida woman called the police as she watched burglars help themselves to food from her fridge, steal computer games and scare her pets. Due to her watchful eye and swift response, police arrived before the burglars had caused any real damage. 6. Barely lit room  Stuffed toys are prone to losing limbs. So what do you do once teddy it loses its head for good?
Taking the `bright idea light bulb' a bizarre step further, designer Matthew Kinealy has left the head off and replaced it with a lamp and shade. A plump and cuddly body means ted can slouch on the table, shelf or nightstand without falling over, and the warm glow means you can add `comfort lighting' to any room. | |
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