The big government mess in Victoria

Today saw over 300 reports filed in State Parliament, which must be some kind of record. The opposition are describing it as a joke. The reports cover all kinds of issues, from ambulances, to police corruption, to water usage.

Let me start by gloating - this is what you get with big government. If you think government can manage, regulate and improve things better than the individuals could do it, just remember that governments have to make decisions for the entire population.

If you think government is generally sound and sober, is responsible and well informed, in its decision making, then just look at all the reports that are generated by the institutionalised departments and bureaucracies ! Ask yourself - how can any human analyse this information and make a decision for the entire 'public system' (i.e the whole population) ??

If you think elections determine what kind of government and policies you get, then you better check your premises. Look at all these things that are done by the state government, and ask yourself - were these all clearly presented as part of the election promises or are they now permanently built in to our system of growing bureaucracy, always adding new regulations but never getting rid of old regulations, more public servants and more departmental mess ?

Under free markets, all the individuals analyse the information to the best of their abilities and make a snap decision based on their preferences. This applies from what you eat for breakfast, to the house you live in and the car you drive, and the job you work in.

Under central planning (Kevin Rudd's favorite word), the government starts taking away your responsibility and freedom to make many decisions that it considers too important - like whether you use plastic bags for groceries, whether you should not install expensive solar cells on your roof, how the entire medical system has to run, how to run a grand prix once a year, what should be taught in schools etc etc.

Warning - this is going to be a long post, I'm going to list all of the "etc,etc" that the government decides and regulates for us - and this is just at the state level !! Enjoy:
---------------------

• Accident Compensation Conciliation Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Adult Community and Further Education Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Adult Parole Board of Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Alexandra District Ambulance Service - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Alexandra District Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (three papers).
• Alpine Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Altona Memorial Park Trustees - Report, 2007-08.
• Ambulance Service Victoria - Metropolitan Region - Report, 2007-08.
• Architects Registration Board - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Austin Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Australian Grand Prix Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Bairnsdale Regional Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Ballarat Health Services - Report, 2007-08.
• Barwon Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Barwon Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Bass Coast Regional Health - Report, 2007-08 (three papers).
• Bayside Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Beaufort and Skipton Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (three papers).
• Beechworth Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Benalla and District Memorial Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Bendigo Cemeteries Trust - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Bendigo Health Care Group - Report, 2007-08.
• Boort District Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Casterton Memorial Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Central Gippsland Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Central Highlands Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Trust - Report, 2007-08.
• Child Safety Commissioner - Report, 2007-08.
• Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• City West Water Limited - Report, 2007-08.
• Cobram District Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Cohuna District Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Colac Area Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Coliban Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Commissioner for Law Enforcement Data Security - Report, 2007-08.
• Community Visitors - Report, 2007-08.
• Confiscation Act 1997 - Asset Confiscation Operations, Report to the Attorney-General, 2007-08.
• Consumer Affairs - Report, 2007-08.
• Corangamite Catchment Management Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Country Fire Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Dandenong Development Board - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Dental Health Services Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Dental Practice Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Disability Services Commissioner - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Djerriwah Health Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Dunmunkle Health Services - Report, 2007-08.
• East Gippsland Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• East Grampians Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• East Wimmera Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Eastern Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Echuca Regional Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Education and Early Childhood Development Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Emerald Tourist Railway Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Emergency Services Superannuation Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Environment Protection Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Essential Services Commission - Report, 2007-08.
• Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park Trust - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Fed Square Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• Geelong Cemeteries Trust - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Gippsland and Southern Rural Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Gippsland Southern Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Goulburn Valley Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Goulburn Valley Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Health Purchasing Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Health Services Commissioner - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Hepburn Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Heritage Council - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Hesse Rural Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Heywood Rural Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Human Services Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Infertility Treatment Authority - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Inglewood and Districts Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Judicial College of Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Justice Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Keilor Cemetery Trust - Report, 2007-08.
• Kerang District Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Kilmore and District Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Kooweerup Regional Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Kyabram and District Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Kyneton District Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Latrobe Regional Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Legal Practitioners Liability Committee - Report, 2007-08.
• Legal Services Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Legal Services Commissioner - Report, 2007-08.
• Lorne Community Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Lower Murray Urban and Rural Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Maldon Hospital - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Mallee Catchment Management Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Mallee Track Health and Community Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Manangatang and District Hospital - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Mansfield District Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Maryborough District Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• McIvor Health and Community Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Medical Radiation Practitioners Board - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust - Report, 2007-08.
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust - Report, 2007-08.
• Melbourne Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Melbourne Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act 1978 - Cumulative Summary of Returns, 30 September 2008.
• Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Metropolitan Waste Management Group - Report, 2007-08.
• Mildura Cemetery Trust - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Moyne Health Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Mt Alexander Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Nathalia District Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Necropolis Springvale Trustees - Report, 2007-08.
• North Central Catchment Management Authority - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• North East Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Northeast Health Wangaratta - Report, 2007-08.
• Northern Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Numurkah District Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Nurses Board of Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Office of Police Integrity -
• Report on the Armed Offenders Squad a case study.
• Report under section 30L of the Surveillance Devices Act 1999, 2007-08.
• Omeo District Health - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Orbost Regional Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Optometrists Registration Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Osteopaths Registration Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report
• Otway Health and Community Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Parks Victoria - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund - Report, 2007-08.
• Peninsula Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre - Report, 2007-08.
• Pharmacy Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Planning and Community Development Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Podiatrists Registration Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Police Appeals Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Police - Office of the Chief Commissioner - Report, 2007-08.
• Port of Melbourne Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Portland District Health - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Premier and Cabinet Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Preston Cemetery Trust - Report, 2007-08.
• Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Public Prosecutions Office - Report, 2007-08.
• Public Transport Ticketing Body - Report, 2007-08.
• Queen Elizabeth Centre - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust - Report, 2007-08.
• Radiation Advisory Committee - Report, 2007-08.
• Regional Development Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Roads Corporation (VicRoads) - Report, 2007-08.
• Robinvale District Health Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Rochester and Elmore District Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Rolling Stock (VL-1) Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• Rolling Stock (VL-2) Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• Rolling Stock (VL-3) Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• Rolling Stock Holdings (Victoria) Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• Rolling Stock Holdings (Victoria-VL) Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
  
• Royal Botanic Gardens Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Royal Children's Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Royal Women's Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Rural Ambulance Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Rural Northwest Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Seymour District Memorial Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Shrine of Remembrance Trustees - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Small Business Commissioner's Office - Report, 2007-08.
• South East Water Limited - Report, 2007-08.
• South Gippsland Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• South Gippsland Region Water Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• South West Healthcare - Report, 2007-08.
• Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Southern Cross Station Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Southern Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Special Investigations Monitor's Office - Report, 2007-08.
• St Vincent's Health [incorporating the financial statements of Caritas Christi Hospice Limited, St. George's Health Service Limited and St. Vincent's Hospital (Melbourne) Limited] - Report, 2007-08 (four papers).
• State Electricity Commission of Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• State Owned Enterprise for Irrigation Modernisation in Northern Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• State Services Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• State Sport Centres Trust - Report 2007-08.
• State Trustees Limited - Report, 2007-08.
• Stawell Regional Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Sustainability and Environment Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Swan Hill District Hospital - Report, 2007-08.
• Tallangatta Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Templestowe Cemetery Trust - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.
• Terang and Mortlake Health Service - Report, 2007-08.
• Timboon and District Healthcare Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Tourism Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Transport Accident Commission - Report, 2007-08.
• Transport Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Treasury and Finance Department - Report, 2007-08.
• Treasury Corporation of Victoria - Report, 2007-08.
• Tweddle Child and Family Health Service - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Upper Murray Health and Community Services - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• V/Line Passenger Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• V/Line Passenger Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• VicForests - Report, 2007-08.
• Victoria Law Foundation - Report, 2007-08.
• Victoria Legal Aid - Report, 2007-08.
• Victoria State Emergency Service Authority - Report, 2007-08.
• Victoria Trade and Investment Office Pty Ltd - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Electoral Commission - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Funds Management Corporation - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Government Purchasing Board - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Health Promotion Foundation - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Institute of Sport Trust - Report, 2007-08 (two papers).
• Victorian Institute of Teaching Council - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Managed Insurance Authority - Report, 2007-08, together with 2007-08 Financial Statements for Housing Guarantee Claims Fund and Domestic Buildings (HIH) Indemnity Fund.
• Victorian Rail Heritage operations Pty. Limited - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Rail Track - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Skills Commission - Report, 2007-08.
• Victorian Veterans Council - Minister's report of receipt of 2007-08 report.

UPDATE (3/11): There seems to be confusion (from The Age writers) whether it is 300 or 200 reports that were released.