DEPT OF STUPIDITY

It came to light this week on ABC News Radio, according to Senator Heffernan (Lib) that if you wanted to buy any amount of land in the Simpson Desert (or any other non-viable land for agriculture) a foreign investor would need to apply to the Foreign Investment Review Board for approval. However if you wanted to buy good agricultural land no such approval is required. One exception to that rule requires foreign investors sinking more than $250 million into our land must tell us why they want to buy it. Why does it take a lawmaker in Opposition to point out the stupidity of a law he approved while in government.

But its not just the feds that are incompetent. In Victoria after an outcry over the enormous numbers of Apartments being purchased in Melbourne by overseas interests the Labor Government introduced a Register of Foreign Ownership of Private Dwellings. Now it seems the Liberal Govt says it cannot enact the same for rural lands because its too cumbersome. OK for the city f... the country?

Not to leave Councils out of all this stupidity. Dual occupancy is permitted on less than 1/4 acre of land but not on 10 acres. It is legal to rent out rooms in your house but not rent out a separate dwelling on the same property. It seems you can pack 15 Pakistani’s into your Lounge room but not a stand alone Granny Flat. This arose from a recent planning application to Golden Pains for a property in Happy Valley where the owner was not permitted to keep a building that had a separate bathroom in active service. I wander what the law is that now prohibits residents from the pleasure of an outdoor dunny.

Just a few doors away however there appears to be a permanent resident in an on-site caravan despite it being illegal under council laws to do so. Even camping permits don’t allow full time residency. This is inconsistent law-making at every level.

To top it off a $5,000 deposit is required to ensure you complete the building even if it is already finished. When precedents like this occur it means that police can now ask for $500 up front just in case you get a fine, hospitals can charge you a reservation fee for a bed in case you get sick, fees at schools are already paid before they teach students with no refund if you fail their exams, or have a days strike, and maybe even the CFA could ask for a deposit before they unload on your house. Watch out for the new Fire Levy.