RSS Feed http://www.geoffedelsten.com.au Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:34:39 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.geoffedelsten.com.au/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.geoffedelsten.com.au RSS Feed http://www.geoffedelsten.com.au/blog/edelsten-blog-unsatisfactory-airline-services.html There are two matters associated with commercial aviation, and particularly, involving Australia's national carrier, Qantas. Government regulation permits only Qantas and United Airlines to fly directly to the United State's West Coast. Whilst Qantas flies Melbourne to Los Angeles directly, United conducts its flights via Sydney. The lack of competition from other carriers willing to provide this service, results in obscenely high ticket prices, particularly when compared to flights to Europe, where there is significantly more competition. Qantas has admitted that the flights to the U.S.A. result in large profits, compared with other routes. It is bewildering that the Government has not taken action in the interests of the travelling public. This brings me to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program. This widely promoted program, with a very large member base, continues to allow members to accumulate points, not only from flying, but from other diverse sources such as credit cards. Despite some newspaper reports at the time of the farcical failure of the Qantas sale, that the Frequent Flyer Program would be revamped to make it fairer, and user-friendly, nothing further has been heard. This program perpetrates a blatant fraud on its members. Flights are most often unavailable, or classes are unavailable. Unless these elements are addressed, we, the travelling public should boycott this program. Blog - Blog Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:47:33 +0100 http://www.geoffedelsten.com.au/blog/edelsten-blog-$400-million-to-duplicate-services.html The federal government yesterday announced $400 million to be spent for Superclinics with at least half providing 24 hour care. The Labor party has already announced a similar policy. Superclincs already exist. Superclinic(s) is the registered trademark of the Allied Medical Group Ltd who conduct 24 hour Superclinics at Casey (Berwick) and Mill Park which are both in close proximity to public hospitals. The Casey Superclinic being approximately 100 metres from the Casey Hospital and the Mill Park Superclinic being approximately 1.5 km from the Northern Hospital. Allied Medical Group Ltd (http://www.alliedmgp.com.au) operates other Superclinics that are open 7 days a week - extended hours. All their Superclinics bulk bill. Other groups such as Primary Health provide similar extended hours care throughout Australia. Instead of wasting taxpayers money duplicating existing facilities both political parties should engage GPs in all locations where they believe facilities and services should be expanded. In Melbourne the Allied Medical Group with its 24 hour Superclinics and extended hours 7 day bulk billing medical centres in most outer metropolitan areas already provide the services that both parties envisage. Private general practice is already in a position to provide these services at a fraction of the cost the politicians are willing to expend but are hindered by restrictions placed on qualified GPs being granted access to Medicare benefits in many suburbs. The government of the day needs to review these arbitrary and highly restrictive regulations to allow those GPs willing to provide 24 hour services to be able to do so. Blog - Blog Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:41:41 +0100 http://www.geoffedelsten.com.au/blog/edelsten-blog-welcome.html Welcome to the Official Prof Dr Geoffrey Edelsten Website. Here you can find the truth about Prof Dr Geoffrey Edelsten. A true Australian business entrepreneur and innovator. Blog - Blog Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:41:41 +0100