Hello young lovers...

Australian journalists have twigged by now that if they ever need a wacky, ratbag quote on a popular custom or festivity, they need only phone the lef...I mean, independent think tank The Australia Institute. This growth-phobic institute makes much of "happiness" studies, but its recommendations usually seem to involve the avoidance and discouragement of things people actually enjoy doing. When last we saw them, they were trying to stop us feasting and giving presents at Christmas.

Faced with the tragic spectacle of yet another growing market - red roses for Valentine's Day - they had this to offer:

"For those concerned about the cost, Andrew Macintosh, of public policy research centre the Australia Institute, says: "Given the exorbitant prices that are charged for roses on Valentine's Day, a suggestion is to pour more energy into your anniversaries. You'll get the same outcome at half the price."