Less than a week till the conference starts

It is less than a week now till the conference starts in Melbourne. My impressions of Australia's housing situation are deepening. The complexity of Federal Government adds a new dimension. Currently the Federal (or Commonwealth as it is also known) government is in dispute with New South Wales. The federal govt stepped up money to pensioners in benefits - worth about 30 dollars a week. NSW are about to put the rents in govt properties up by 7.50 a week. Hence the people the FG were trying to help... NSW argue it is the only way they can raise funds to maintain homes and build new ones. You get the picture? Sound familiar?Next week I will want to share my first impressions of the World Social Enterprise Forum where I will be joined by a dozen other Scots. Watch this space.."