Ron Burgundy is back.

Will Ferrell who played Ron Burgundy back in 2004, has announced the sequel to an audience on the Conan O’Brien show.

Will Ferrell was in character as the legend Ron Burgundy and that he had struck a deal with Paramount that a sequel to Anchorman was coming.

In typical Ron Burgundy style, he appears playing the flute! only as he does! and following this he insults Conan by telling him to get some work done as he looks terrible. haha!

Conan goes on to ask Burgundy if the insult is the only reason for his visit, and that is when Burgundy makes the announcement….

“I actually have an announcement. I want to announce this here to everyone in the Americas. To our friends in Spain, Turkey and the UK, including England, that as of 0900 mountain time, Paramount Pictures and myself, Ronald Joseph Erin Burgundy, have come to terms on a sequel to Anchorman,” he said.

“There will be a sequel to Anchorman.”

I assume that all the cast will re unite, such as Christina Applegate as Veronica COringstone, Steve Carrell as Brick Tamland and the list goes on.

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be posting a few articles over the next week or two regarding a number of topics.
I will update the whole Lyoness explosion about to hit Australia.

Recent events in my life such as the filming of “House Huntets Internationsl” with Ben Southall and Sophie McPhee.
Along with other events that I think might be worth reading.
Till the next post

At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 per cent, effective 7 December 2011.
Growth in the global economy has moderated this year after a strong performance in 2010. Some of the slowing reflected temporary factors, and as these passed, the pace of expansion in the United States and much of Asia began to pick up around mid year. China’s growth has been slowing, as policymakers there had intended. Trade in Asia is now, however, seeing some effects of a significant slowing in economic activity in Europe.
The sovereign credit and banking problems in Europe, to which European governments are still seeking to craft a full response, are likely to weigh on economic activity there over the period ahead. Financial markets have experienced considerable turbulence, and financing conditions have become much more difficult, especially in Europe. This, together with precautionary behaviour by firms and households, means that the likelihood of a further material slowing in global growth has increased. Commodity prices have reflected this, declining further over recent months and taking pressure off CPI inflation rates. This has increased the scope for some easing in monetary policy in a number of countries.
Information about the Australian economy suggests output growth has been close to trend, with demand growth stronger than that. The terms of trade have now peaked and will decline somewhat in the near term, but they remain very high. In response, investment in the resources sector is picking up very strongly, with much more to come. Some related service sectors are enjoying better-than-average conditions. In other sectors, changed behaviour by households and the high exchange rate have had a noticeable dampening effect. The unemployment rate has increased a little since mid year, though it remains close to 5 per cent.
CPI inflation on a year-ended basis remained above the target at the latest reading, due to the effects of weather events last summer, but is now starting to decline as production of key crops recovers. Moreover, with labour market conditions now softer, the likelihood of a significant acceleration in labour costs outside the resources and related sectors in the near term has lessened. Accordingly, the Bank’s current judgement is that inflation is likely to be consistent with the 2–3 per cent target in 2012 and 2013, abstracting from the impact of the carbon pricing scheme.
The reduction in the cash rate as a result of the Board’s previous decision flowed through to lending rates, which are now around their average level of the past 15 years. Short-term market interest rates have tended to decline a little further in recent weeks, though term funding conditions for financial institutions have become more difficult. Credit growth remains subdued and asset prices have declined further over recent months. The exchange rate has been quite variable over the past few months, but remains at an historically high level.
Overall, the Board concluded, on the basis of all the available information, that the inflation outlook afforded scope for a modest reduction in the cash rate. The Board will continue to set policy as needed to foster sustainable growth and low inflation over time.

www.finanster.com
www.lyoness1.com

What does the recent Qld Government $10,000 Building Boost Grant mean for you?

The recent State Budget announced some changes to transfer stamp duty and grants which I thought you might like to know about – this could save you $$$$s if you are looking to purchase a property in the near future.

Transfer Stamp Duty:

Currently there is a Home Concession for transfer duty available to people who are not first home buyers when buying a home to live in as their principal place of residence – this concession will cease from 31st July 2011*.

So if you are considering looking to buy a new home to live in it would be worth trying to do this before the end of July! (*there will still be some concession on stamp duty for First home buyers though).

From 1 August 2011 both owner-occupiers and investors will pay the same rate of stamp duty. Details of the actual stamp duty rate changes are attached.

First Home Owners Grant:

The existing $7,000 First Home Owners Grant is continuing and is available now – this was created to help people buy or build their first ever home. The grant applies to first home buyers purchasing a home with a value less than $750,000.

For more information or to see if you are eligible click here – First home owner grant—Office of State Revenue, Qld

New!! $10,000 Queensland Building Boost Grant:

Now for the really good news!!! …
This new grant is available to any person or corporation buying or building a new home to live in, or to rent out for investment purposes, for homes less than $600,000. This Building Boost Grant is designed to re-ignite Queensland’s housing construction sector following a combination of falling property transfers and the economic impact of a summer of natural disasters. That’s right … it’s for investors too!

This grant is available for a limited time only – from 1 August 2011 to 31 January 2012

The sad news became public yesterday when Senior Constable Damian Leeding, 35, died in hospital yesterday after being shot in the face during an armed robbery on Sunday.

Yesterday afternoon, Senior Constable Leeding’s family turned off his life support and he died soon after.

Donna McAvoy, 37, and Benjamin Power, also 37, appeared briefly in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning. McAvoy and Power appeared in Court this morning, shackled, and wearing prison khakis.

They will remain in custody with the case to be mentioned later this month.

It is said that flags on south-east Queensland police stations will fly at half mast until the funeral service for Senior Constable Leeding is held next Tuesday, with full police honours.

So sad that ths has happened but he is survived by his widow Sonya, who is also police officer,3 month old baby Grace and 2 year old son Hudson.

Queensland Police Union (QPU) president Ian Leavers says everyone is welcome to the public memorial that will be held at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre.

“It has touched everyone and we all feel for Damian, Sonya and those two little kids,” he said.

He also said that there has been an outpouring of emotion and that it is important for the community to grieve.

“I’ve said to people ‘go home, hug your children, be with your family and remember what life’s all about’,” he said.

“It is very important for people to grieve and understand that we’re only human and will cry and will shed a tear,” he said.

He is encouraging the community to purchase a blue police ribbon from the front counter of any station or Police Beat as I have done so today as the proceeds will help support the families like Constable Damian Leeding.

Donations for Damian Leeding’s family can also be made at any Westpac or Police Union branch.

It is so sad, I know I keep saying this but to hear of Constable Damian Leeding passing away, as so many of us know family, friends or partners that are in the Service, and it only brings home the reality of just how dangerous the work they do to keep the community safe.

Get to a station or Police beat and buy a ribbon to show your support and hopefully they put the responsible parties away for a long time to prove a point.

Ok so Aussies are looking like putting any renovations on their homes on hold, well that is what the latest government data is showing us a fall in home building approvals.

Obviously high interest rates are not helping the whole situation, plus the fear of the RBA pushing rates higher again, though it seems now that that could all be put on hold till at least November if all goes as planned.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data released yesterday showed the number of permits granted to build or renovate houses and apartments fell by 1.3 per cent in April.

The Official interest rate has remained at 4.75 per cent since November.

Its pretty clear that if the RBA decide to up the rates again, then this figure of 1.3 per cent will only grow, forcing the market to slow even more (construction market) last stats showed some growth but that was probably because of the floods, so alot of builders have had some work to keep them going in renovations etc.

I personally have noticed that approving clients for constructions have come to a massive halt, yes we are getting some constructions through the door but not getting the numbers we got two years ago. What I am finding at Focas Finance is clients requesting to refinance, some for renovation, some to clear debts such as credit cards… Small percentage is also coming through for first home buyers.

All I can say is that the RBA should hold on rates, find another way to bring down inflation… NOT everyone has a home loan, most people that dont have a home loan would not care on keeping a budget, instead prefer to spend.

There has to be another way, well we know of other ways of bringing down inlflation but pushing rates up and up is only going to cause problems.

Regardless, as we know they do what they want… I think rates should/will remain untouched, obviously before xmas they like to lift rates so we have less money, but to me that just means higher credit card debt, which again will only push inflation up again..
hmmm never ending story really, vicious cycle that goes round and round.

Ok this whole DEF talk going on in the banking industry is stupid!

How is getting rid of exit fees going to help create competition? think about it a bit more! I know i have touched base on the fact that us brokers do have to pay back the comms if the loan is paid out within a certain period of time, normally withing 2 years…. Well how many people would do that? I would say a heap, now what about the brokers hard work (anyway that is another story) ok if people jump from bank to bank, then there actually going to get bitten in other areas, such as fees to do business or conduct normal transactions… The banks will always make there money, trust me.
I think that if you have a bank that you like stick with them, support them! if they are stuffing you around then go back to that broker you have and change, that way when that broker pays back the commissions, he then picks up a new one to make up for it, after all its the brokers hard work that can support and help you through the tough times and show you how to resolve issues with a bank.

What I think I am trying to say is, support your people (broker, banker, bank) if your happy, if you feel your not getting any help then leave them, but let them know first.
We can always help too, www.focasfinance.com

I just got a text from my girl friend telling me a Police officer was shot in the head after responding to a call at the Gold Coast tavern where an armed bandit took hostages.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson told a 4am press conference that Senior Constable Damian Leeding, from Coomera CIB, was in a critical condition after being hit by a shotgun blast when he and another officer responded to the call at the Pacific Pines Tavern about 10.30pm.

He also went on to confirm the tosser I mean the gunman who shot the detective had taken hostages.

Atkinson then said the robbery occurred around closing time and there were hostages taken, but did not confirm if the triple O call came from one of the hostages.

Sen Const Leeding is married to a police officer as well, Sonya, and the couple have two young children.

Mr Atkinson said Sen Const Leeding, whom he described as a “fine officer”, had acted with “great courage”.

“Police, when they’re called to an armed robbery in progress, have no choice but to go and attend,” Mr Atkinson said.

“They have no idea at all what they’re going to confront when they arrive.

“Last night the worst situation that you could possibly imagine for us has occurred.”

Please know that a major incident room has been established at Coomera Police District Headquarters.

Three people were assisting police with their inquiries, but it was possible there were still other people of interest, some of whom may have been armed.

Police were also seeking two sedans, one dark-coloured and the other blue.

Mr Atkinson would not confirm how many other individuals may have been involved, but earlier reports suggested there may be up to seven.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the next 24 hours would be critical to Sen Const Leeding’s recovery considering what has happened.

He said now was not the time to play the blame game with the Queensland Government.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sonya and the family at this time,” he said.

Mr Atkinson arrived at Gold Coast Hospital about 2.45am and met with the officer’s family.

Meanwhile updates are continuing to come through on Queensland Police Twitter and Facebook pages.

“An officer from South Eastern Region suffered a gunshot wound after responding to a 000 call at a business earlier tonight,” Queensland Police Service said on its Facebook page.

“He was taken to Gold Coast Hospital.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer and his family at this terrible time.”

This is something I just found online that might be of interest!
Coast crimewave

The Gold Coast is in the grip of a gun crime epidemic, with nearly 50 armed robberies so far this year, leading to calls for the establishment of a specialist police armed robbery squad.

A leading Queensland academic says the economic downturn is largely responsible for the increase in violent crime.

Griffith University’s Professor Paul Mazerolle, director of the university’s violence research program, said existing problems with organised crime and drugs on the coast were exacerbated by economic downturn.

He said the increase in crimes using illegal firearms was cause for concerns.

“The extent to which guns is being used it is a disturbing trend,” he said on morning radio.

He said there could also be an increase in illegal firearms with people looking to arm themselves for protection.

This is very disturbing to me to know that a robbery has taken place and Police have attended the scene to only do there job, and in doing so have been shot! This is a reality that the Police have to face every day, and it is sad that they are treated like crap from some of the public, also really under paid.
Those of us who know or are with some one in the Qld Police Service know how long and hard there hours are, know how haed they work and the stress that they take on and it is JUST so SAD that a Police Officer from the Gold Coast has been shot for this.

I feel for his family and especially the poor kids.