Life, Down Under. The digital diary of Vera & Alex Olah: October 2023

Gentlefolk,

We returned from our overseas trip on 16 October. This post covers the period 17 - 31 October 2023.

The contents of this post are in the following sequence:

Photos of our activities during 17 - 31 October 2023.

News items which caught my eye in September & Ocotber 2023.

Examples of reports I worked on in Austrade and Parliament House.

Results of the Referendum on an Indigenous Voice.

Rugby World Cup France, Sept/October 2023.

International Trade.

Herewith photos of our activities.

Dinner with close family to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary (Yes, half a centure of wedded bliss), from left: Angie, Britt, Aniko, me, Peter, and Vera.

We said goodbye to our dear friends Maria Helena and Paul - they are off to Rio de Janeiro for 6 months (their second home).

Lunch with Linda and Terry.

Penny Lockwood celebrated her birthday in the garden of Manning Clark House in Forrest.

I found this photo taken in 1986 in Beijing: Gihane & Willi Meier (Swiss Embassy) and Maria & Wilfried Losem (German Embassy). We visited Maria & Wilfried in Germany last month.

Caught up with good friends Sue & Frank, who returned recently from Portugal.

Who said changing carpet is easy??? Luckily it was done in two stages: half on Monday and the 3 bedrooms on Tuesday. We had to empty cupboards and drawers to move furniture around.

Cobie and Gary did an excellent job laying the new carpet.

The new carpet looks great. Our living room is back to normal, after a disruption of 3 years!

Brunch at the National Museum. From left: John, Donna, Geoff, Nadia, Michael, Vera, me, Helen, Neil, Dianne, Marlene, and Paul.

The 6th hole at RMC Duntroon Golf Course. My best-ever drive got up over the rise, around 220m. Yipee!!! But it took me another 4 shots to sink the ball (150m).

We attended the inauguration of the Ian Loiterton Walk. Ian was passionate about the environment and spent many hours as a volunteer with the Aranda Bushland Group. We met at the ANU many moons ago. What a marvellous tribute to a very special person.

The Ian Loiterton Walk is about 2 km, created by volunteers and rangers.

The Ian Loiterton Walk was officially opened by Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for the Environment. Many of Ian's friends and colleagues attended. We were blessed with a perfect Spring day - Ian was looking after us from above!

The Minister chatting with Sharon Loiterton, Ian's widow.

My former boss, Liu Li Na from the International Section of the China University of patroleum, Qingdao, sent this photo of her growing family.

Birthday celebration with Tieke & Robin.

My sister Angie's birthday today. Have a great day and year ahead, and safe travels to Nepal.

......

Examples of reports I worked on at Austrade and at Parliament House.

Changing the carpet was an opportunity to cull personal papers, including reports from my days as a Trade Commissioner and afterwards working for the Committee Offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate at the Australian Parliament House.

It was a bit traumatic, but, realistically, who is ever going to read this stuff? It's all ancient history now. But I have to, at least, keep a photographic record of some of the more important reports I compiled during my 30 years with Trade and then 5 years at Parliament House. Here goes .....

Herewith some examples of reports compiled during my Austrade postings in Jakarta (1988 - 91) and Singapore (1994-6). At that time Austrade had a policy of "cost sharing" ie we would raise revenue by charging clients for our work/advice (still highly subsidised). I fully supported that approach in the belief that charging for our services was a practical way of evaluating our worth to Australian business and industry. So I was delighted when my section in Jakarta raised the most revenue in Austrade each year for the 4 years I was there. We must have been doing something right.

As well as doing market research to help Australian companies understand and enter foreign markets, another major activity for the Trade Office was organising trade displays. Participation in specialised trade displays was an effeective way for companies to quickly assess the potential for their products in an overseas market.

In that role, I managed the Australian Pavilion in dozens of trade displays during my 30 year career, particularly in Indonesia and Singapore. Most specialised displays featured between 30 - 50 Australian companies. The largest display I managed comprised 105 companies in the Australia - Indonesia Today Country Promotion in 1994. Roger Bayliss was the Senior Trade Commissioner and he gave me a free hand. Organising so many companies from different industries was a huge effort, but it all worked out very well, and was a great success.

One of my areas of responsibility in the Trade Section of the Australian Embassy, Jakarta was to promote Australian products and services to the Indonesian mining industry. My team sought advertising from relevant companies and published this bi-lingual Directory which was widely distributed around Indonesia. Over 120 companies participated and the Directory helped to introduce their products to this burgeoning market.

We compiled the first-ever comprehensive Review of the Indonesian Mining Industry (179 pages), which greatly assisted Australian suppliers of equipment and services to understand developments in the sector. A bargain at $100 each!

Another bilingual Directory to promote Australian products.

Another report (110 pages) which was sought after by Australian companies interested in the Singapore market for food and beverages.

Inquiries / Reports I worked on at Parliament House, Canberra 2001 - 5.

I left Austrade in May 2001 after 30 years of service. I count myself incredibly lucky to have had such a great job, but it was time to move on.

But 55 was too young to retire. My next job was as a Research Officer in the Committee Office of Parliament House where I spent the next 5 years. I worked on many different Enquiries - some shown below - it was interesting work and fascinating to see Parliament from the inside.

I contributed 3 chapters (about 70 pages) to this report.

......

News items which caught my eye 14 September to 31 October 2023.

($ are US dollars unless otherwise shown)

Global

Israel: The most significant news story of recent weeks started on 7 October when an estimated 1,500 Hamas fighters attacked Israel from Gaza. Israel suffered 1,400 dead plus 220 hostages (135 with foreign passports, including 54 Thai agricultural workers). Israel retaliated by cutting all food, water and power in Gaza, and daily intensive bombings. Estimates are that over 8,000 Gazans have been killed (including 3,000+ children). Israel has started a land invasion to finally crush Hamas. Biden visited Israel but meetings with Arabs cancelled after hospital bombing.

UN: Sec Gen Antonio Guterres criticized Hamas but said the attack “did not occur in a vacuum”. He said Israel’s strong response involved clear violations of international law. He said there is a major humanitarian crisis developing in Gaza and called for a ceasefire.

Vietnam: Fire in apartment block in Hanoi, 56+ dead.

Colombia: UNODC estimates coca production has increased 24% since 2021.

France: Banned iPhone 12 for emitting excess radiation.

Indonesia: Tik Tok influencer Lutfiawati jailed for blasphemy for eating pork; 2 year sentence. High Speed (“Whoosh” ) train from Jakarta to Bandung (142 km) inaugurated. Cost $7B. Can reach speed of 350km/h.

UK: Govt postponed ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035. Sir Bobby Charlton died aged 86. He played 106 games for England and scored 49 international goals (was in the 1966 team which won the World Cup). He was with Manchester Untied for 17 years.

Azerbaijan: Fighting in disputed Nagorno-Karabak region; Armenians flee.

Canada – India: Bilateral tensions after Canada accused India of being involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Vancouver. India ordered Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff.

Iran: Penalty for “inappropriate dress” increased to 10 years jail.

Berlin Marathon: Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge (38) won Mens in 2h2m42s. Ethiopian Tigist Assefa won the Womens in 2h11m53s.

Chicago Marathon: Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum (23) won Mens in 2h35s, new World Record; Dutch Sifan Hassan won Womens in 2h13m44s.

Japan F1: The win by Max Verstappen meant that Red Bull won the 2023 Constructors Championship. Aussie Oscar Piastri came third.

Rugby World Cup in France. Following defeats by Fiji and Wales - first time Australia will not progress past the pool stage.

Nissan: all cars sold in Europe by 2030 will be electric.

Slovakia: Pro-Putin SMER party (Robert Fico) won the election, but will need coalition to govern.

Turkey: Terrorist attack by PKK in Ankara; strong retaliation.

Golf: Ryder Cup: Europe beat USA in Rome.

Nobel Prize for Medicine awarded to Katalina Kariko and Drew Wesserman for development of mRNA vaccine.

Nuclear Warheads: Estimate by Stockholm Peace Institute: Russia has 5,889; USA has 5,244; China has about 500.

EV Charging stations: estimated one for every 500 people in EU, one or every 600 in USA, one for every 1,800 in China, one for every 4,000 in Japan.

Hurricane Otis devastated Acapulco region in Mexico.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

President Zelensky addressed the UNGA in New York.

US Congress has approved aid to Ukraine: $50B military aid $29B economic aid, $13B humanitarian aid (and $18B to boost US defence capability). But growing resistance to ‘open chequebook’ from Republicans.

Poland stopped supplying arms to Ukraine because of grain dispute.

Ukrainian Storm Shadow missiles (supplied by UK) hit the HQ of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.

USA will give Ukraine long range (300km) ATACMS missiles, with cluster bomb warheads.

Russian interest rates raised to 15% (inflation 6% in September).

Malta hosted a conference to consider Pres Zelensky’s 10 point Peace Plan; 65 countries represented (Russia not invited).

USA

Kevin McCarthy ousted as Speaker of the HoR. Steve Scalise nominated but failed, similarly Jim Jordan and Tom Emmer. Finally Mike Johnson (Louisiana, Trump supporter) was elected Speaker by 220 votes (to 207 for Democrat Hakeen Jeffries). The HoR now operational again after 3 weeks.

Last minute agreement reached to fund the Govt until 17 November (but more funds for Ukraine not authorized).

Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to commence hearings into a possible impeachment of President Biden.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (Dem, California) died aged 90.

Second debate by Republican hopefuls was held in California; Trump boycotted again. Former VP Mike Pence pulled out of 2024 Presidential campaign.

Hunter Biden indicted on 3 federal gun charges.

Mitt Romney (76) said that he will not run for the Senate again.

Musk’s Neurolink seeking people for trial of brain implant.

Rupert Murdoch (92) announced that he was passing the reins for Fox & Newscorp to his son Lachlan.

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez (NJ) was indicted on bribery charges.

USA established formal diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands and Niue.

After a strike of 5 months, Screenwriters agreed deal with Studios, but actors still out. Stellantis (Chrysler) reached agreement with UAW to end strike.

JP Morgan Chase bank reported profit of $13B for Q3 2023.

A “Super Fog” near New Orleans caused a 158 car pile-up with 7 deaths and 25 injured.

Woman was awarded $3M for burns caused by spilled coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts in 2020.

Mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine by gunman Robert Card, 18 killed and 13 injured. There have been 560 mass shootings in the US this year.

USA GDP estimated to have increased by an annual rate of 4.9% in Q3 2023.

In 2017 China represented 22% of US imports; only 14% in August 2023.

Australia

Referendum on an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution. The Govt set the date for 14 October 2023. AEC said 17.7M were registered on the electoral roll (an estimated 98% of eligible Australians). Nationally, the result was No 61%, Yes 39%. All six States recorded No majorities (Vic was closest with 55-45%). ACT was the only jurisdiction with majority Yes (61%).

Victoria introduced a special levy of 7.5% on short term accommodation.

A Parliamentary delegation visited Washington DC in support of Assange.

Govt announced an inquiry into Covid; what policies were good, bad.

The final payment to former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce of $7M plus $14M bonus questioned.

AFL: Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions) won the Brownlow Medal. In the Grand Final Collingwood 12.18 (90) beat Brisbane 13.8 (86). Magpies’ 16^th Flag.

NRL: Penrith 26 beat Brisbane 24 in Grand Final.

Dan Andrews resigned as Premier of Victoria; replaced by Jacinta Allan.

Cheng Lai released after 3 years detention in China, reunited with family in Melbourne.

Glencore said that its Mt Isa copper mine will close in 2025.

The Sydney Opera House celebrated its 50^th birthday.

Labor politician Bill Hayden, former Foreign Minister and GG, died aged 90.

PM Albanese made State Visit to USA, feted in Washington DC. He opened new Australian Embassy.

60 wildfires in Queensland, 16 houses destroyed on Western Downs; 62 wildfires in NSW.

Eddie Jones (63) resigned as Wallabies coach, after Australia’s poor Rugby World Cup campaign where, for the first time, we did not make the Quarterfinals.

Women’s Soccer team Matildas beat the Philippines 8 - 0, to qualify for next Olympics; Sam Kerr and Cailtin Foord both scored hat tricks.

Leading the way, Canberra decrimialised the possession of small quantities of drugs (soft and hard) for personal use.

China

Former Chair of China Life Insurance, Wang Bin, jailed for corruption.

EU: initiated an inquiry into Chinese subsidies for Electric Vehicles.

19^th Asian Games were held in Hangzhou; 45 countries participated.

China put export controls on big drones – should not be for military use.

Defence Minister Li Shang Fu dismissed.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Washington DC, met with Sec of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Former Premier Li Ke Qiang died aged 68 (heart attack).

Referendum on including an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution, held throughout Australia on 14 October 2023.

Results shown are for 81% of votes counted, but these figures are not expected to change much. On the night, Antony Green, the ABC’s election analyst, called the result for No at about 7.30pm AEST. His projections showed that the required majority of States (at least 4 of 6) would not happen for Yes, so the Referendum would not succeed (in the end, all 6 States recorded No majorities).

Figures have been rounded.

State	Yes	No

NSW	40	60
Victoria	45	55
Queensland	31	69
Western Australia	36	64
South Australia	35	65
Tasmania	41	59
National	39	61

Territories

Northern Territory	39	61
ACT	61	39

In NSW and Victoria electorates close to the City voted Yes, but all others voted No.

Highest No vote: Maranoa, Qld, David Littleproud’s (leader of the Nationals) electorate.	20	80
Highest Yes vote: Melbourne, Vic. Adam Bandt’s (leader of the Greens) electorate.	80	20

Rugby World Cup, France Sept/Oct 2023

(For the first time Australia's Wallabies did not advance from the "pool stage", where we were beaten by Fiji and Wales)

Quarter Finals
England 30 (2 tries)	Fiji 24 (3 tries)

France 28 (3 tries)	South Africa 29 (4 tries)

Wales 17 (2 tries)	Argentina 29 (2 tries)

Ireland 24 (3 tries)	New Zealand 28 (3 tries)

Semi Finals

New Zealand 44 (7 tries)	Argentina 6 (no tries)

South Africa 16 (1 try)	England 15 (no tries)

Finals

For 3^rd place (played 28/10)	England 26 beat Argentina 23 (2 tries each).

For 1^st place (played 29/10)	South Africa 12 beat NZ 11 (one try to NZ).
	South Africa’s 4^th Rugby World Cup!

......

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

My 30 year career as an Australian Trade Commissioner gave me an interest in matters related to international trade. I subscribe to Bloomberg's excellent daily newsletter "Supply Lines - tracking Covid-19's impact on trade" (former title 'Trade Matters').

Here are some of the more interesting graphs in the Bloomberg newsletter during the second half of October 2023; they are largely self-explanatory.