The recently returned Stanhope ACT Government has already announced it will take the lead nationally in developing sustainable solar energy power generators. Given Labor had little choice but to jump into bed with the Greens to retain power, it is not surprising they have wasted no time in making their first announcement in what will undoubtedly be a grand plan to make Canberra even greener. However, when the euphoria inevitably gets overtaken by reality, one can only wonder how the concept will actually be delivered. Plans for a gas fired power plant appear to have vaporised, with the potential investors threatening to leave town over government bungling and bureacratic delays. The ACT currently imports all of its power from NSW and therefore has no experience in power generation.

If the USA can run an election, count the votes and declare a winner by nightfall — why is NRMA Motoring and services not announcing the result of its board elections? Voting closed Wed 5 November. Computershare were electronically counting the votes as received so what’s the story?

There is a degree of internal cynicism regarding the current wave of redundancies in the Premium Business Services area of the CBA. It appears that the bank is taking advantage of the “Global Financial Crisis” by eliminating positions held by individuals that they consider “dead wood”. I wonder if Ralph Norris will be considering the dearly departed when he announces ridiculous profits (as usual) after the next financial year? I’m sure there will be much back slapping on operational cost reductions.

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria is concealing private rental vacancy rates. Normally, at the end of every month, the REIV publishes the vacancy rate for private rental for the previous month. But now we’re well into November, but still no September Vacancy rate? For the last few years, the vacancy rate has demonstrated very tight rental condition. Are the REIV holding it back to prop up the market in what’s left of the 2008 selling season?