Author Archives: Michael Wyres

The Biggest Insult With The New V/Line Timetable

The other day I wrote about how once again travel times on the Geelong V/Line service had been increased with the preparation of a new timetable, which goes into effect later this month. This is not the first time travel times have been increased under the auspices of a new timetable. After writing my previous […]

Why Must Oracle Treat Us Like Idiots?

With yet another round of Java security updates – (this time to address 42 new security issues) – reaching our computers today, I find myself once again getting agro with Oracle with the nonchalant way they treat people when their updates roll. Why on earth should/would a security patch be asking us to install a […]

Turnbull Admits His NBN Could Cost The Same As Existing Plan

Despite continuing high levels of public support for the existing FTTP National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout plan, and his claims that his alternative FTTN approach will be “cheaper”, Malcolm Turnbull admitted yesterday that his plan could end up costing just as much in the long run. Turnbull’s NBN Could ‘Cost The Same’ In The Long-run […]

V/Line Extends Geelong Travel Times Again

Well, once again is seems Geelong rail commuters are having their peak journey times lengthened by V/Line, with the release of new timetables to take effect from April 28th. Looking at just the two so-called “flagship” services from Geelong to Melbourne each weekday morning, each leaves the various stations in the Geelong area two minutes […]

Coalition Gaffe: Turnbull And Abbott Wrong On Geelong NBN Claim

In an embarrassing gaffe, just two days after the launch of their alternate NBN policy, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, and his communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull have been caught out lying about the status of the proposed fibre rollout in the Geelong region. TWEET: “@TonyAbbottMHR: With press + @TurnbullMalcolm at Marcus Oldham College Geelong. Under Labor […]

Credibility And The Alternate NBN

Today has seen the release of the long awaited, often touted Coalition alternative broadband policy to the current National Broadband Network (NBN) scheme. In a press conference that became heated during questions, Malcolm Turnbull announced a $29.4 billion plan to provide FTTP for 22% of Australia, FTTN to 71%, LTE Wireless to 4% and Ka-band […]

When Abbreviations Backfire

The V8 Supercars Championship returns to Pukekohe Park Raceway in New Zealand this weekend, with the Kiwi round having been run on the Hamilton Street Circuit for a number of years. V8 Supercars fronted a large amount of money to revamp the Pukekohe – (pronounced “Pucka-co-ee”) – circuit, affectionately known as “Puke” – (pronounced “Pucka”), […]

Regional Rail Link Continues To Form

As a train buff, I’ve been watching daily the progress on the construction of the Regional Rail Link (RRL) – or at least as much of it as I can see on a Geelong line train – and the works are impressive in many locations. Here’s the latest flyover video produced by the Department of […]

Turnbull Suggests Eighteen Billion Dollars Is Not Material

In an interview on the ABC program Inside Business this morning, National Broadband Network (NBN) CEO Mike Quigley reiterated what many observers of the NBN have been saying for years. That the alternative Coalition policy would be far more expensive for Australia in the long run. Said Quigley of the costs of FTTP compared to […]

Bernardi Manages To Miss His Own Point

Driving home from the station last night, I caught what I felt was an extraordinary speech in the Senate from the self-proclaimed bastion of all that is good, Cory Bernardi. It was a speech which appeared on the surface to be primarily about free speech – (I think so anyway, as you can never be […]