That happened in the South Australian Legislative Assembly recently.

I’m planning to write a newspaper article on the rare event, and will publish more here later.

Meanwhile, I’d be pleased to know of any precedents.

Opera Unite allows users to share data such as photos, music, notes and other files.

It puts the power of a web server in a browser, supposedly giving greater privacy and flexibility than other online services.

Admittedly, I’m yet to test it, but I don’t like the idea of opening up my desktop to the world, even with appropriate security controls.

And I wonder about the feasibility of sharing files when my PC is turned off, as it is for more than 16 hours a day.

I do like however, the idea of being able to access my own files from remote locations.

A proper review will follow when I’ve tested Opera Unite. Meanwhile, feedback from people who have tried it is welcome.

News Ltd papers in Australia have a diversified revenue base that isn’t dependent on classifieds.

While online subscription news has merit in theory, it’s harder to envisage it working in practice.

People may pay for specialised services, but they expect general news to be freely available on the web.

Trying to change that culture is like trying to stop a runaway train with a piece of string.

Perhaps Murdoch is talking up the digital option to subtly pressure Fairfax into heading that way? Fairfax has a greater need to generate online revenue at this stage.

Online subscriptions may work for archives, but it’s hard to see the idea succeeding for current general news.

After 10 years, newspapers are no closer to finding a sustainable business model on the web.

The truth of whether Rudd used his influence to help a supporter gain finance seems to hinge on a non-existent email.

And even if he did, what’s the problem?

I can’t find the section in the Constitution that says Prime Ministers aren’t allowed to represent their constituents.

If a Prime Minister abused that influence I think the voters are smart enough to see it and turf them out at the next poll.

Public servants have the right to disagree with ministerial requests and should exercise that right if they believe it’s appropriate.

If a bureaucrat felt the Prime Minister’s intervention was out of order they should report it to their superior and seek written instructions.

And it would have honored an earlier commitment to give Victoria the next super rugby franchise if it could deliver the goods financially.

Instead, Victoria must now bid against western Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Melbourne is big enough to support a super rugby team. There is a small core of Victorians who like and follow rugby.

More significantly, there are thousands of expat Kiwis, Poms and South Africans who will embrace a Victorian club.

After winning the war on WorkChoices it seemed the ACTU had gone to ground, or possibly to bed with the Rudd Government.

If a conservative government had proposed raising the pension age to 67 there would have been riots.

Finally the left wing has awoken from its slumber and spoken out through the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.

The unions say they can’t comprehend how a Labor government would demand that people who had spent decades in arduous manual labour extend their working lives.

While some people want to work past 65 and many are physically capable, it is not the case for everyone.

What we are likely to see in 2023 and beyond is more people going onto disability pensions or unemployment benefits when they reach 60 because the lure of an age pension at 67 is just too far away.

Indeed, after Norway lifted its pension age there was a spike in disability payments, raising the issue of whether the change was cost-effective.

Treasury bean counters have probably taken that into account and figure the country will still be ahead financially.

However, I’m concerned about the wellbeing and self esteem of men (possibly including me) and women who can’t work for whatever reason.

Those who have worked in hard physical jobs may simply be unable to continue when they reach 65.

The system may or may not take care of the unemployed elderly, but I don’t think it will be very edifying to hold out your hand for interim assistance after 45 years of paying taxes.

Competition is usually is a good thing, but is it in this case.

Most country towns are well served by commercial content providers, bloggers and niche community sites covering sport, music, etc.

Not to mention Facebook, Twitter and other social media that are built on communities, often geographical.

No doubt the cost of developing ABC websites is much higher than what a smart community-minded individual would pay to start up a portal.

The ABC should focus on its core business, continue doing a good job with regional radio, and forget about soaking up public funds to compete online with commercial services and community activists.

With Timbercorp struggling and the future of Great Southern in doubt, the schemes must be reviewed.

Australia’s timber industry is under enough pressure without having to worry about government tax incentives, which should be the cream, rather than the cake.

According to ABARE, throughout 2008 Australia’s forest sector continued to perform strongly, however current economic conditions suggest difficult times ahead, with uncertainty regarding investment and employment in many regions.

The biannual report, Australian Forest and Wood Products Statistics, describes an industry exhibiting strong investment in new timber plantations and benefiting from continued housing sector and international demand.

“So far, the global financial crisis has not severely affected areas critical to the Australian forest sector, such as domestic housing and woodchip demand. Nevertheless, the effect of the crisis on these variables over the next few months will be critical for Australia’s forest industry,” ABARE executive director Phillip Glyde said.

He was commenting on figures from several months ago when making that statement.

The fact is conditions have deteriorated and many jobs have been lost. There is no sunshine on the immediate horizon for forestry.

Kevin Rudd promised to retain private health insurance rebates, but has withdrawn that promise.

It was about the only significant concession he made to the global economic downturn in the budget.

If the government’s response had been more drastic this one failed pledge might have been forgiven. However, it’s business as usual, apart from raising the pension age to 67 in 2023.

Access to superannuation is likely to follow the pension age upwards.

Earlier governments, Labor and Liberal, wanted us to save for our retirement. Now that our retirement has been delayed fewer people will be inclined to save as much.

A good quality of life can be expected between 60 and 70 for most people. Upwards of 67 it’s problematic.

John Howard had core promises and non-core. Kevin Rudd has kept promises and broken promises. What’s next?

Geelong, in particular, is so far ahead of the rest of the competition it’s not funny.

St Kilda fills a gap in the lower rung, then it’s a scramble for the next six positions in the eight.

Melbourne, Richmond, Collingwood, Adelaide and West Coast may as well start preparing now for next year.

Of course, the season will go ahead as it should. It’s just unusual to have such a dominant side so early.