New government, new rules, lower productivity or fiscal lunacy.

In recent times we have been hearing about one thing in Australia CHANGE - a theme that seems to also predominate in the US Election scene.

At present in Australia there is a nationwide shortage of skilled workers in a variety of sectors and of course there is an outbreak of the obesity epidemic that seems to have found its way here, most likely from the USA, via their many variations on the "fast food" franchises and lifestyle as well as their current obsession with reality TV that features a number of shows dealing with unbelievably fat people who are labelled (appropriately as it happens) as the "Biggest Loser"(s).

In Parliament, the current Opposition has been hammering the new government about it's plans to ensure that there are policies and practices in place to ensure that there is not a rise in inflation and of course a wages break out.

The new government, still in it's "honeymoon" period, has been responding with exactly what you would expect, namely, that it inherited the current horrific fiscal situation from the previous government and the five rounds of interest rises during its term in office, its complete lack of planned investment in everything from infrastructure to education and of course its horrific industrial legislation.

All of which the current government is set to change, of course.

Whether for the better or worse still remains to be seen.

The new Rudd government has pinned its hopes on wages restraint in part, by setting an example, announcing a freeze on wage rises for politicians.

They also exhorted CEOs around the country to follow their example. To which, in more diplomatic language of course, the CEOs are likely to respond "fat chance!"

Another message from government has been that it will do its best to increase productivity and so off-set any possible wage increases that are likely to be sought by unions for their members.

Unfortunately for the government one group of people closely associated with the work of government, Australia Post, or the people who deliver the mail, has announced that it is looking for fatter "posties."

This of course will deal with the labour shortage and the reality that there are more obese people in the country.

It may however have some unintended and possibly far reaching consequences.

A weight limit of 90 kgs (198 pounds) has been in place for "posties" for some time because the 110cc motorcycles which are used to deliver the mail to individual letter boxes were thought to have a safe working limit of 130kg (286 pounds) -- that's 40kg (88 pounds) for letters and up to 90 kgs for mail men and women fully clothed.

Apparently, after talks with motorcycle manufacturer Honda, it was agreed the bikes could safely carry a "postie" weighing 105 kgs (231 pounds)

Of course this will mean a lowering of productivity, because each "postie" will only be able to carry 25 kgs of mail if he or she is at the higher weight limit, or worse, it will mean more work for those with lower weight issues - surely an unfair workplace practice.

The union representing mail men and women said the 90 kg limit had caused recruitment headaches for Australia Post, but the company denied it had staffing problems.

"Testing found a rise in rider weight up to a maximum of 105 kgs would not have any significant effect on the stability, handling or safety of their 110 cc motorcycle," an Australia Post spokesman told the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.

"By raising it from 90 to 105 kilograms means there will be other people that can now apply," he said.

You, dear reader, being smarter than our politicians, will already be starting to appreciate the number of unfortunate outcomes may arise from this news:

1. existing "posties" are likely to increase their consumption of fast foods, as they are no longer in fear of losing their jobs;
2. as they increase their weight, their productivity will decline as will their health;
3. while there will be no "wages break out" per se, the costs of delivering mail will increase substantially, as more obese mail persons are employed;
4. this will mean an increase in the rate of postage (that will be blamed on the rising cost of fuel etc so as to protect the jobs and bonuses of the people who made this decision in the first place);
5. it may of course also mean an increase in the number of people who make demands on an already stretched health services area;
   
6. this of course would increase the cost of living for "working families";
7. increase the odds of inflation;
8. increase the chances of the Reserve Bank raising interest rates yet again;
9. etcetera

Indeed the only good thing to emerge from all of this is that investors, aka "fat cats," who have been on a fiscal diet recently, losing money in the USA and elsewhere in the world thanks to some unwise notions about lending money to people who can't pay it back - with interest of course, will get on their bikes (no doubt motorized and possibly from Honda) and push their money into Australia where it can earn a decent rate of return.

This, in combination with the purchasing power of the Aussie dollar is likely to create the necessary climate where investment opportunities for people living off shore will increase while raising the cost of living for those who live here.

I don't know about you - but I am making preparations for a worst case scenario! Invest locally and migrate for the duration to the south of France where they don't need 'le fast food' as they have an abundance of healthy, nutritious and well cooked food.

With winter coming on in Canberra, it sounds like a plan to me!