Straight from the ‘Well, derr’ department comes the latest research from the boffins at Deakin University.
‘Study shows alcohol and drugs play significant role in domestic violence’, was the headline on its latest press release.
The uni went on to proudly reveal that this stunning revelation required a “three-year research project” with over 5000 survey respondents and analysis of police data from across the country.
Needless to say, the results would come as no surprise to anyone with the slightest familiarity of family violence, or any other kind for that matter.
Maybe Deakin can turn up the challenge and ask its researchers to study links between violence and the dietary habits of seabirds or something.
Double Take was amused to read a “surprised” editorial last week reacting to the state opposition dissing Geelong’s Citizens’ Jury apparently for the first time.
“But until today no-one has said outrightly that the process was a sham with a predetermined outcome … fixed by the state Labor government,” the wide-eyed writer opined.
Err, the same coalition MP called the “convoluted” jury process a “wank” in the Indy more than a week earlier.
“There was no majority against a directly elected mayor. It was a manufactured majority from high-paid consultants,” said shadow local government minister David Davis.
A couple of weeks earlier he told the Indy consultants running the jury had “tight riding instructions from Labor’s ruling cabal” to kill Geelong’s public mayoral vote.
Even as far back as 18 July South Barwon MP Andrew Katos told the Indy he was concerned the jury would be a front to deliver the Government’s preferred council model.
Maybe our editorialist follows the declared philosophy of supermodel Elle Macpherson: “I never read anything I haven’t written myself.”
Meanwhile, greater insight might be provided by a forthcoming interview with Geelong personality Darryn Lyons.
And it looks like his surgically-enhanced six-pack might take the lead, according to a post on his Twitter account this week.
“Hoping to interview you for a story I’m writing for @WeAreMel about abdominal etching,” enquired C Brian Smith on the ex-mayor’s account.
“Happy to,” replied Lyons.
At least he’ll know what he’s talking about, unlike some others.
And finally, a pat on the back of State Government and Wintringham Housing for their redevelopment of an historic site in Geelong’s Park St.
The pair have joined forces to renovate and upgrade 10 historic units for homeless accommodation. Honouring philanthropist Alexander Miller’s original 1800s purpose for the units, they will again house “vulnerable older residents”.
The units had fallen into disrepair but the Government and Wintringham, a registered housing agency for the elderly homeless, will spend millions bringing them back to life.
Surely money well spent on a sadly oft-forgotten segment of our community.
