Lord Mayor's Busted Balls To Be Fixed
A couple of the balls in Reddacliff Place have been fenced off.
According to the Brisbane City Council, the two "spheres"
were vandalised by members of the public on Saturday 20 January,
and have since been cordoned off to the public to prevent further
damage. Council intends to repair these structures, and the spheres
will remain in Reddacliff Place.
Donna Marcus is the artist with the brains behind these balls. She
answered an initial call for expressions of interest from artists
nationwide in late 2003 and was one of three artists invited to
present their work to the Brisbane Square public art committee.
She won the commission on the basis of her broader practice and
was invited to develop a concept for the public spaces of Brisbane
Square.
Marcus’ 'Steam' is comprised of 15 geodesic spheres ranging
in size from 1.3m to 2.6m in diameter. Spread randomly throughout
the main piazza, the scattered spheres wittily describe the space
as a place for interaction and contemplation.
Each sphere is illuminated with as many as 16 coloured fluorescent
lights so that at night the work takes on a dynamic dimension.
To donate to the Lord Mayor, just go to his website. Sorry, no link, just google it - you know the drill!
Funnelwebs Invade Inner Brisbane
Queensland Museum spider expert, Dr Robert Raven, has urged inner-Brisbane residents to be on the look out for Funnelweb spiders (Hadronyche infensa) following the hospitalisation of a bite victim.
For the first time, the venomous spiders have been found close to the City, in Newmarket, which borders Kedron Brook.
"Previously the only records of Funnelwebs were known from outer western and south-eastern suburbs near areas of rainforest or bushland such as Kenmore, Brookfield, The Gap, Rochedale and Mt Cotton," Dr Raven said.
"On investigation of the bite site, it seems that this spider was not isolated, with more than 20 burrows and many spiders discovered in the area.
"This is most unusual as Funnelwebs typically survive only in cool, moist rainforest areas.
"I suspect that Brisbane's reduced rain means that the spiders have moved closer to areas of higher humidity generated by the small amount watering that is being done around houses. The vicinity to Kedron Brook is also a factor because of the persistence of the native vegetation along its banks."
Dr Raven said that the local Funnelwebs (Hadronyche formidabilis, Hadronyche infensa and Hadronyche valida) are to be considered every bit as dangerous as the Sydney Funnelweb. When warm summer temperatures combine with heavy rainfall, such as stormy evenings, male Funnelwebs leave their burrows in search of female spiders.
"People should be aware of large black spiders walking at night or during or after rain," Dr Raven said.
"Male Funnelwebs actively search for females and wander at night, often during rain. They are large ground-dwelling spiders which are jet black, long legged and quickly rise into the attack position: front legs raised, fangs open with venom."
He said that any bite from a large black spider at these times should be treated with utmost care.
"If the victim has been envenomed, severe systemic distress, which includes laboured breathing, vomiting, and pupils fixed and dilated, is soon evident," Dr Raven said.
The Queensland Museum is the only authoritative source of Funnelweb identifications. The Museum operates a 7day/24hour emergency telephone identification service which you can call on 0412 848 467.
EYE ON THE SPIT
A piss poor photo of the Sea World Eye (and Development Application) taken from Sea World Drive on the Spit at Main Beach [30/01/07]
The 60 metre high Sea World Eye is now open although its approval appears to be pending, as the Development Application is still being processed.
According to a media release from Sea World, the Sea World Eye has 42 air-conditioned gondolas (each hold up to 6 people) and offers views of the scenic Gold Coast area and the Broadwater. It's the first time an attraction of this size will appear in Australia. Similar wheels exist in London, Manchester, Seville and Niagara Falls.
The Sea World Eye was manufactured by Swiss company, Ronald Bussink Professional Rides and is the largest transportable observation wheel in the world.
"We are thrilled to offer Australia's first giant observation wheel for the exclusive enjoyment of guests visiting Sea World over the Christmas holiday season. It will prove a fantastic and unique experience to complement the many other wonderful attractions, exhibits and events for all ages to explore and enjoy" said John Menzies, CEO of Warner Village Theme Parks.
A Place For The People?
The Brisbane City Council recently held opening celebrations for the Brisbane Square Library and Customer Centre. The events included a variety of concerts in Reddacliff Place, which is adjacent to the Brisbane Square building and opposite the Treasury Casino. On the Friday evening, a number of people gathered in the area at sunset to watch Brisbane bred muso legends 'The Boat People'.
That's all very groovy, but can a group of people gather to protest against the Howard government's policies regarding David Hicks or boat people in Reddacliff Place? A group of seasoned Brisbane activists exercised their right to demonstrate in this new public space when they held a peaceful protest against the detention of David Hicks in Guantanamo Bay earlier this month.
About 50 people were present for the rally - a large banner was held out and leaflets were distributed. Speakers included Sam Watson, Senator Andrew Bartlett and a representative from Amnesty International. Prior to the commencement of the rally, a group of burly Council employees (and a squad of police on mountain bikes) appeared, who according to Brisbane activist Mr Mark Gillespie, tried to lay down the law and said the protest was not allowed.
"At one stage a police van was driven into the square to try and intimidate us," he said. "People stood their ground however and eventually the word came down from the council hierarchy that we were to be left alone. The police and council officers disappeared and our protest went ahead without any further hitches."
Council have since advised that rallies and protests are not permitted in Reddacliff Place but it seems that under the 1992 Peaceful Assembly Act, a group of citizens have the right to hold a protest in any public space, as long as the rights and freedoms of other citizens are not affected.
Usually the organiser of a rally or protest to be held in a Brisbane park or public space must give 5 days notice, but this can mean the right to hold the protest can be challenged. The current King George Square redevelopment and the recent decimation of the Roma Street Forum to make way for the Inner Northern Busway has meant that Queens Park and the newly opened Reddacliff Place are the only public spaces in Brisbane's CBD where citizens can hold a public rally or protest.
Senator Andrew Bartlett said, "I definitely believe people should be able to hold protests and forums in Brisbane Square. It is a good location for it, and would not disrupt people doing other things. Prior to the new building adjoining this area being built there was a park which people could use which caused no problems for anyone. There are too few places where people can just give out public information, let alone hold forums and rallies, especially with the current construction around King George Square and Roma St Forum."
Reddacliff Place was named in honour of the architect and urban planner Trevor Reddacliff, who passed away just over a year ago. From his role in the construction of the Riverside Centre to the Chairmanship of the Urban Renewal Taskforce and his influence on the CBD master plan, Reddacliff certainly left his mark on Brisbane - and not just on the built environment. He also helped take Brisbane's burgeoning cultural life to its current dizzy heights with his involvement in Warana, the Brisbane Festival and the River Festival.
Referring to Reddacliff's passing in the Brisbane City Council minutes of 7 February, 2006, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said, "He was a great friend of this city." While Deputy Mayor David Hinchcliffe said, "I remember that he always said, in relation to urban renewal, that it is not about bricks and mortar, it's about people."
With that in mind, surely Reddacliffe Place should be a place for everyone in the community - even citizens who wish to exercise their democratic right to hold peaceful protests and rallies?
Pomp And Pageantry in the Parklands
About 200 happy, and patriotic Australians attended the flag raising ceremony and 21-cannon salute in the Roma Street Parklands to celebrate Australia Day.
Some onlookers from the Parklands residential development, which overlooks the celebration lawn, displayed Australian flags from their balconies, while many in the crowd carried mini flags. Despite the recent media beatup, only one young boy was spied dressed in an Australian flag.
The Governor, Quentin Bryce, Premier Peter Beattie, and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman all gave speeches which gave the impression they think Australia has the best democracy in the world. I suppose you would think that if you were an elected representative, or part of the Brisbane aristocracy. They, and the other dignitaries sat beneath a white marquee, which was quite a distance from the hoi polloi - who weren't really hoi polloi - just obedient, middle class folk.
The flag raising ceremony included a Australian Defence Force 100-man honour guard, which became 99 when one young officer collapsed in the searing heat. The military band were resplendent in pristine white, and stole the show as they played those swinging all time favourites including 'Road To Gundagai' and 'Australians Sunset Ostriches'. A bloke in a suit accompanied the band for a rather stirring musical rendition of Dorothea Mackellar's 'My Country'.
An F-111 (I think) flew over and the 21-cannon salute was a loud and smoky climax to the event - but kind of spooky - given that kind of sound means death and destruction in some parts of the world.
It was all over quickly and life goes on. A group of engrossed emergency services personnel were called out halfway through proceedings to attend to an emergency in Red Hill, while everyone else toddled off to barbeques or the shops.
Happy Australia Day!
From 'The Dead Heart', from the album '20,000 Watt R.S.L.', Midnight Oil
We don't serve your country
Don't serve your king
White man listen to the songs we sing
White man came took everything
We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken
We don't need protection
Don't need your land
Keep your promise on where we stand
We will listen we'll understand
Mining companies, pastoral companies
Uranium companies
Collected companies
Got more right than people
Got more say than people
Forty thousand years can make a difference to the state of things
The dead heart lives here
An Act of "Integrity"?
Prior to Christmas last year, nineteen minor political parties throughout Australia were de-registered under a provision of the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2006, which requires political parties to have a member in Parliament.
The parties may re-register, but will have to demonstrate that their name cannot be misconstrued as representing that of another political party, prove that they have at least 500 members, and have a constitution.
One of the de-registered parties, the Queensland Greens, have stated on their website that this will not impact on them because they contest federal elections under the "Australian Greens" banner. However, they are critical of the government for its "cynical abuse of democratic practice":
"There are many political parties that have wide memberships, clear places in the Australian political fabric and constituencies that would like to see their names on the ballot paper."
Indeed the legislation could be read as favouring the major parties and reinforcing the democratic duopoly, by imposing impossible conditions upon minor parties.
A spokesperson for the Socialist Alliance, who have applied for re-registration but are unsure if they will be allowed to participate in the 2007 election said, "People have to realise how difficult it has become to establish an alternative political party outside the major players...Regardless of what common platform a group of candidates may share, each of them are being forced, in effect, to stand as independents."
Far from strengthening the "integrity" of the electoral system, the new guidelines for political parties protect the major parties from what the spokesperson calls "electoral breakouts" such as "the rise of the Greens and the electoral successes of One Nation."
"The formal recognition of competing political positions is contained and debate is more easily manipulated. For instance, the phenomenon of the Nuclear Disarmament Party in 1984 which kick started Peter Garrett's political career and was the foothold for the Greens in federal parliament would be impossible today, as the electoral process is constrained by so many regulations." he said.
In their recent book 'Limiting Democracy: The Erosion of Electoral Rights In Australia', Professors Colin A Hughes and Brian Costar argue that for the "major" minor parties, the numbers of representatives they have elected can translate into cold cash as well as parliamentary clout.
But not all of the minor parties are worried about their de-registration or the implications for Australia's democracy. Founder of the Shooters Party, Mr John Tingle said, "Our re-registration is in process, and should be complete soon. I understand that at least the Christian Democratic Party and the Fishing Party have also applied. We have been advised informally by the AEC that there will be no problem with our re-registration, since we had already been re-registered after the 2004 election."
Yet they also acknowledge the Government's motives behind the "de-registration" component of the Legislation. Mr Tingle went on to say, "It's my understanding that this is a clean-out process, and that many of the smaller parties mentioned in the release will not meet whatever criteria they are setting for re-registration. A sort of political "ethnic cleansing!" While Mr Phil Lamb, State Director of the Christian Democrat Party said, "This legislation was introduced to weed out the phoney parties, for example, Liberals for Forests."
The founder of Liberals for Forests, Dr Keith Woollard, was recently quoted in 'The Age' as saying that the de-registration laws were introduced after the Coalition claimed that Liberals for Forests was responsible for former children and youth affairs minister Larry Anthony losing the seat of Richmond in the last federal election.
When debating the the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill Act in the House of Representatives last year, Shadow Special Minister of State Mr Alan Griffin MP, stated that it was one of the "most outrageous attacks on Australian democracy since 1901."
In an interview last week, Mr Griffin said the Labor Party opposes substantial sections of the Act such as provisions relating to control over political donations, the early closure of the electoral roll and the new proof of identity requirements. As for the amendment that excludes approximately 20,000 prisoners from voting, Mr Griffin said that the Labor Party believes prisoners who have been convicted for three years or less should have the right to vote.
Mr Griffin said that once in government, the Labor Party would "reverse the changes", but that there are aspects of the legislation they have "no problem" with. "Political parties should be able to prove they have support in the broader community," he said, referring to the Act's new requirements for party registration.
What's That Bloody Racket?
