Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

[...] In this age of public service managerialism and workplace reform, why not include some performance-oriented criteria in the Australian workplace agreements between agency heads and their ministers? Say, control orders terminated if charges are not brought within six months and agency heads dismissed if an agreed proportion of control orders does not result in sustainable court cases.

Ross Chippendale, here's my quick and dirty assessment of that Today Tonight story you linked to. It’s a beat-up for sure.

Grocery prices on the rise REPORTER: Jackie Quist We compared the price of a basket of grocery items with the equivalent cost two years ago, finding a huge increase. Why are we paying so much?

Who says we are paying “so much” this language is pure sensationalism. Groceries here are way cheaper than many other Western countries.

These days it seems $100 buys you next to nothing in the supermarket. Clare Hughes of the Australian Consumer Association has been tracking supermarket prices, finding they are out of control.

Next to nothing? Actually no, you could at a stretch feed a family of 4 for a week on $100. Interesting use of the term “out of control” – it paints a strong mental picture that will resonate, and implies chaos. Is that the case? Do we see people tearing their hair out and running out of the aisles screaming? Again – this is pure sensationalism. Also interesting to note that the Choice data referred to hear is well over 2 years old – the survey was carried out in March 2003.

"The ones that we saw the biggest price rise were bacon, rashers of bacon for example, yoghurt and also white rice," Ms Hughes said. "We saw there some price increases of up to 30 per cent of what we paid three years earlier."

So, among the top three items in a basket of goods there is a price increase of around 30% for one of them - I wonder what the other two were? And note it’s 30% over three years, where the headline of the story says “We compared the price of a basket of grocery items with the equivalent cost two years ago…” – so they have stoked up the sensationalist angle again by glossing over the time disconnect.

"Joanne Blanch, a sole parent supporting four hungry children, said she was not surprised. "I've noticed my shopping bill increase in the last 12 months by at least $70", she said. And Joanne is not buying luxuries. Families like hers usually buy the necessities and very few treats, but still they are doing it tough. Clare Hughes hinted at the reason.

At the risk of sounding like Liz Jackson, “So Joanne, is that a weekly or a monthly bill you’re talking about?” Naturally, viewers will apply that $70 figure to whatever bill they think Joanne is talking about, my bet is weekly. Have we any evidence to suggest that is what she’s talking about? No. Fudging again. And by the way, is Joanne an average Australian? No, she's an unfortunate member of a struggling minority group that is particularly hard hit by short term price rises. Beatup detector activated...

"I guess what we found when we did our most recent supermarket survey was that there's actually very little competition between the big two supermarkets," Ms Hughes said. "And if there's very little competition between the big two, and the small supermarkets aren't playing such a role in keeping prices down, then consumers really are at the mercy of what the supermarkets will charge them."

At last – some insight! Of course there is little competition – there is little competition in most major industries in Australia as there are usually a small number of players controlling the market. I look forward to the Today Tonight expose on how big business is ripping the consumer off day in and day out…but I’m not holding my breath.

When Choice last looked at food prices in March 2003, it found food costs had risen by 13 per cent in just over two years. Those findings were based on a basket of 34 groceries the average shopper might buy each week. We decided to do our own Today Tonight survey, buying those very same groceries from 36 major supermarkets, across a range of suburbs around the nation. We found that very same basket of groceries has become substantially more expensive, wherever you shop. The state-by-state results, compared with the 2003 findings, were as follows: Adelaide: 13 per cent increase, Perth: 12 per cent increase, Brisbane: 7.2 per cent increase, Sydney: 12.7 per cent increase, Melbourne: 9.9 per cent increase, Hobart: 8 per cent increase

I did a weighted average on these numbers based on the populations of the cities concerned. Across these cities, the average increase in grocery prices was just under 11%. So what that means is (assuming the 2003 Choice number they quoted is a national average) then growth in supermarket prices has actually slowed down in the 2 years since the Choice survey! So, this story is spinning a funny yarn, isn’t it? It’s a beat-up!!! Here’s Choice’s own blurb about how their survey was carried out:

The survey: We sent our undercover shoppers — armed with a shopping list of 34 common grocery items — into more than 130 supermarkets in 24 cities across the country in early March this year. We gave the supermarkets no warning we were coming so they couldn’t artificially lower their prices. And, as usual, we chose them in ‘clusters’ so that each store had local competition. Our shopping list was based on the one used in our last supermarket price survey but, to keep the supermarkets guessing, more than one-third of the goods were changed. We also changed the mix of supermarket locations visited. See the tables for details. Most items in the survey were familiar quality brands, but for bread, bacon, butter, milk, light sour cream and canola cooking oil, we priced the cheapest products we could find. Fresh meat, fruit and vegetables were excluded, as we’d need to compare quality too for a fair price comparison.

Apples and apples? Nowhere near it! The TT sample is a quarter the size of the Choice sample, and they have said nothing about how it was carried out.

Hobart was home to the most expensive grocery basket. At Coles in Newtown it cost $117.12. Compare that to Coles Chermside in Brisbane, where the basket was nearly $10 cheaper at $107.54. "When we last surveyed, there really was only about a 3 per cent difference between the big two in the basket of goods that we bought [averaged across stores in each state]," Ms Hughes said. The big two, of course, were Coles and Woolworths/Safeway and the market has not changed today. We found the price differences between the two were negligible across the nation, except for Sydney, where prices were more competitive, possibly because of competition from discount chain Aldi. But Sydney recorded the biggest price rise for our basket of goodies. In 2003 at Coles Neutral Bay, our basket cost $98.88. Nowadays, that same lot of groceries will set you back $115.73, a price rise of $16.85.

That’s around 16%, and it sounds steep, but we’re talking about one store in one area of a city where by their own admission prices went up by 12.7% on average. So what? Sensationalism again! Beat-up detector activated…

"The reasons given for this by the supermarkets were things like the local competition," Ms Hughes explained. "Any changes in local competition may impact on the prices that we see at supermarkets as well." "For example, if a smaller supermarket goes out of business, it's no longer a competitor and prices may rise in the bigger supermarkets as a result."

D’oh! Correct – and the ACCC should be monitoring their behaviour, and as I understand things it does.

According to our survey, Hobart remained the most expensive city to shop in, followed by Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, with Brisbane being the cheapest. Chairman of the prestigious Ibis group, Phil Ruthven, is a renowned expert on economic and global trends. He said our increases were far greater than inflation and the figures provided by the Bureau of Statistics. "They were saying that food prices have risen just less than 5 per cent over two years, whereas your own survey found it had gone up considerably more than that," Mr Ruthven said. "Over perhaps more than 10 per cent, which is very, very surprising to me."

“Food Prices” means a lot more than supermarket prices. It means C-stores, Greengrocers, corner shops, markets and then some. And also, note also that Ruthven – who is reputable as far as I am aware, expressed the surprise at the difference in the surveys, and didn’t for a second suggest that the ABS data might be wrong. We are supposed to assume that he has looked at the Today Tonight survey and assessed its balance and comparability to the other measures quoted. Did he? We don’t know, but I bet most viewers missed the subtlety of what he said there…there’s nothing in what he said that validates the TT survey at all!

With petrol prices on the rise, it is expected supermarket prices will only continue to rise. The advice is shop around and - if you're prepared to try alternative brands - give Aldi a go. "When we did our supermarket basket purchases, we found that the basket of Aldi products was 43 per cent less than the average of all the other supermarkets," Ms Hughes said.

Now, what’s the bet that Aldi was in some way complicit in this story… do we know? No, of course we don’t, no reference to sponsorship, but how about a friendly marketing person calling up the story researchers on TT? Here’s a quote from that 2003 Choice Supermarket price survey (I’m a subscriber):

One feature of shopping at ALDI is that its grocery range isn’t as wide as the major supermarkets’. You may need to go to other shops to get all the things you need — which could be good for small local businesses. In this respect ALDI differs greatly from WOOLWORTHS/SAFEWAY and COLES, where just about everything is available.

I guess not all of Choice’s conclusions get a run on TT! ABS is pretty transparent in its methods. There’s no end of detail on the whys and wherefores of CPI measurement for the masochists on the ABS website. There are links through to the sub categories including food. Behind the “Food” link there’s some detail on how it’s done. Note that Food only makes up around 18% of the overall CPI calculation based on what households spend their money on. A complete list of the weightings used is on the site – if you think the increases you see in food seem large then think about how prices across those other areas might have moved to counterbalance! Here are the notes from the most recent release:

OVERVIEW OF CPI MOVEMENTS Contributing most to the overall increase this quarter were automotive fuel (+11.6%), house purchase (+1.2%), domestic holiday travel and accommodation (+3.4%), property rates and charges (+5.0%), beer (+1.8%), overseas holiday travel and accommodation (+2.0%), fruit (+3.0%), restaurant meals (+1.4%), rents (+0.6%), electricity (+1.7%) and water and sewerage (+3.0%). Partially offsetting these increases were falls in pharmaceuticals (-4.8%), deposit and loan facilities (-0.7%), audio, visual and computing equipment (-1.7%) and telecommunication (-0.7%). Using the points contribution data presented in table 7, the All groups CPI would have risen 0.5% in the September quarter 2005 if the effect of automotive fuel was excluded.

The actual rise reported for all "groups" (categories of goods and services measured) in the last quarter was 0.9%, so what ABS is saying is that almost half of that rise was fuel costs alone! The bottom line on supermarkets and food is that logistics costs are a major, major part of the overall product cost, so a tripling in the price of oil in the last handful of years has to have had an effect on this particular category of goods. It’s also important to note that any 2-3 year period is a "blip" in statistical and real-life terms. Changes in economic and other policy play out in much longer time frames. To me it makes sense to look at longer time horizons to see if things are getting better or worse. Of course we all feel the pain of these blips here and now - I certainly do. Ross, this beat up is a pretty normal example of how the media can seize and twist facts and data to suit a particular agenda. People want to be told things are bad, because in the short term they don't feel comfortable. Scary thing is that the media does have credibility, millions of people watch media like Today Tonight and believe what they see because it resonates. Statistics from reputable sources that don't suppoort the populist intent get twisted or ignored. I also think that what this example does is in-part support your point about the fallibility of statistics. But, the real devil is in the detail of where they come from, and how they are used and portrayed. The TT "survey" looks like a back of the envelope exercise and Ruthven's comment demonstrates how far out of line these "statistics" may be. Responsible media shouldn't be doing this.

Is it true that the ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, was threatened with legal action if he released the latest draft of Howard's Terror Laws? If it is true it is disgusting and should have been the lead in all forms of media. If people wanted to see why these vile laws should be given short shrift then this would be as good a reason as any. ed Kerri: I have just visited Jon Stanhope's website - www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/ to check it for updates and it has been hacked.

For Webdiarists in Darwin:

Are we crossing the line? Darwin forum on national security laws and human rights. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, in conjunction with the Law Society NT, is holding a free public forum in Darwin on Thursday, 3 November 2005 to discuss national security laws and human rights. FORUM DETAILS: TIME: 12.30pm VENUE: Law Society NT, Level 1, Paspalis Centrepoint, 48-50 Smith St Mall, Darwin Chair: Allison Robertson, President, NT Law Society Speaker: John von Doussa QC, President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Admission is free and open to the general public, however bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Phone: (08) 8981 5104 or email

Here is Justin Raimondo's latest Earth to Bush: Ditch Cheney:

We now know that Plame-Wilson's highly sensitive CIA work was confirmed to Libby by Cheney, and that after a discussion aboard Air Force Two, the vice president's consigliere went out and did a job on her and her husband. As I said before the indictment came out: "All roads lead directly to Dick Cheney," and, as we can see, the distancing of the White House from the Office of the Vice President has already begun. This split can only deepen as the days go by and Fitzgerald closes in on his quarry. All Saturday Matt Drudge was running a big headline about how Bush wants a "fresh start." He can have one – if only he'll ditch Cheney. Then, as the Clintonistas would say, we can all "move on." He's coming for Cheney. Will Bush get smart, follow through on his pledge to cooperate with what he described as Fitzgerald's "very dignified" investigation – and throw the vice president overboard? And what, I wonder, is Karl Rove telling him to do? As I have been saying for two years: get out the chips-and-dip, start popping that popcorn, and pull up a chair. This is going to be more fun than even I had anticipated…

Indeed it will be, courtesy of the quiet, modest and determined Patrick Fitzgerald, described in the article thus:

... our Lech Walesa, our cautious yet implacable liberator who, the more he denies his role, the more he affirms it.

I got this on Wednesday afternoon from a colleague of mine in the Australian nonviolence network. I’ve been too busy planning tomorrow’s action to reformat it for Webdiary, so here it is now. URGENT ACTION ALERT: UPDATE Wed 14 Sept 2005 *** please send widely *** The rapid and widespread response to the detention of US peace and global justice activist, Scott Parkin, has been heartening and effective on many levels. Actions have taken place in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and outside several Australian Consulates in the United States. Actions yesterday in Melbourne successfully shut down even more ANZ bank branches in protest of ANZ's Iraq war-profiteering. Rory Gutterson, Melbourne activist and friend of Scott Parkin said, “This action demonstrates that activists will continue to target corporations involved in the occupation. The treatment that Scott has received is indicative of the kind of powers the government is trying to exercise against those who oppose the occupation under the guise of the ‘war on terror’." Other acts of political defiance have included dozens of activists 'handing themselves in' for immediate deportation at AFP headquaters and DIMA offices in solidarity with Scott. Maureen, one of Scott's closest friends and colleagues in the US writes: "The concern and overwhelming support from Australia for Scott Parkin has been amazing. I have known Scott for years and am privileged to count him among one of my best friends, to have lived with him and to have organized many an action both big and small. Nothing comforts me more than knowing there is such a strong support system for him in Australia while he endures this violation." The media response overall has been largely critical of the detention and deportation of a peace activist and has ensured that the Attorney General Phillip Ruddock has been forced to minimise, deny or justify the actions of ASIO and the Australian Federal Police. Editorials in the Australian and The Age newspapers today have also been largely critical of the threatened deportation. Radio talk back and online feedback sites have been busy and largely supportive of Scott's case. The issue has received extensive international coverage as well. The combined effect of our protests so far has been to: 1) raise the political cost of ASIO's actions; 2) clearly expose the dangers inherent in the new AFP and ASIO control orders and preventative detention measures to the wider community; and increase public dissent to widening anti terrorism measures in general; 3) create a public focus on the role of Halibuton in the occupation of Iraq, nonviolence and peace activism in general; 3) maintain solidarity and support for Scott - he knows what we are doing; 4) demonstrate how networks of activists, NGO'S, progressive lawyers and politicians can (and will) operate quickly in defence of an imprisoned activist. All this aims to undermine the government's position against Scott and hopefully, may deter the Australian security forces and government from doing something simillar in the near future. (This is yet to be seen! ). WHERE TO NOW?: It remains important to continue the strong community protest at this hideous act of political suppression. As we are aware, Scott is an articulate white, peace activist and he is being targeted because of his nonviolent political activities. Any solidarity with Scott needs to also enhance the safety of more marginalised and threatened activists and communities who are even more targeted in today's Australia. Scott's campaigning approach follows the People Power Strategy which is gaining much currency within the US anti-war movement. He works for Houston Global Awareness which is waging a highly effective strategic campaign against Halliburton's role as a key pillar in the US occupation of Iraq. We actually believe that it is the growing political effectiveness of this grassroots nonviolent strategy and the fear Scott was 'exporting' it to Australia which has so concerned the US and Australian intelligence services and that has led to Scott's arrest. The tactic of demonising and marginalising activists by smears and claiming violence is common. Australia's Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock, has been claiming that Scott Parkin has been engaged in "inciting political violence" in his trainings. It is vital that we continue to strongly rebuke this. As background: Scott Parkin is high profile peace and global justice activist. He has spoken at numerous large public forums and events whilst in Australia including the Brisbane Social Forum and the Sydney Social Forum in August. He was contacted by ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) last week and had been asked to 'come in for an interview' which Scott rightfully declined. Scott participated in a nonviolent street theatre action outside US corporation Halliburton's headquarters in Sydney during protests against the Forbes meeting on August 31st. He has written widely for numerous magazines and spoken publicly about corporate globalisation and Halliburton's role in Iraq over many years. More background is available at here. ACTION YOU CAN TAKE: It is important that we maintain strong protests and continue to rebut government attempts to demonise Scott and his politics by claims that Scott is involved in "inciting politically motivated violence". We need to continualy assert Scott's humanity and nonviolent political activism. Some major points that can be made to media, radio talk back, online and to your local senator or member of parliment are: Scott Parkin has not been charged with any offense nor has he committed any crimes whilst in Australia. Nor has he breached any conditions on his visa; He has not been paid for any trainings or presentations whilst here; Scott is committed to nonviolence and has a long history of such activism; besides that he is a nice guy! Scott has a basic right to organise and participate in protest; As do we all! Neither "spirited protest" and "encouraging spirited protest" is illegal Claims that he incites political violence as utterly without foundation. This ultimately effects us all. If you have not already, please contact you local member of Parliament and/or Federal Senator to express your concerns about this action as soon as possible. Any organisational, union and high-level protests is particularly important. To make things more bearable for Scott while he is inside, please, please send him an e-mail of support We will print and hand deliver as many as we can to Scott or send them to him when he arrives back in the States. MEDIA: For media questions or comment, contact Paul Sheridan 0410 516 656 (for Thursday 15th) Dan Cass on 0408 468 488 or Andrea Buffa in the United Sates. PROTEST and DIRECT ACTIONS: Some are still being planned and there may be actions if and when Scott is taken for deportation. Contact your local activists groups and monitor your state's indymedia site for updates , announcements and reports . from: Anthony Kelly Pt'chang Nonviolent Community Safety Group