Watch this space. Queensland state election – Saturday 9 September
2006. To be called on Thursday 24 August (last sitting of
parliament for the month and three weeks out from an election).

Another foreign takeover…
it is rumoured that the New Zealand real estate firm Harcourts is
making a bid for the oldest Australian real estate franchise group
Raine & Horne. Max Raine is believed to have come out of
semi-retirement to handle the negotiation personally. This follows the
recent takeover of PRDnationwide by Colliers and a lacklustre NSW
property market.

Last year I began subscribing to BRW,
enticed by the offer of a free briefcase. It eventually arrived and it
was superb: well built, lots of pockets and zipped compartments, etc. I
gave it to my partner as I work from home and she needed it more than
me. Even had BRW embossed onto it. She uses it every day. I
wasn’t going to subscribe this year but changed my mind after it lapsed
and took advantage of their free offer of another slimline briefcase
valued at $155 (about the same as the previous year, I think). Well
there must be cutbacks at head office as it’s only lasted me about
three months. Yep… the little lock is busted already.