One Is Not Amused
The statue of Queen Victoria in Brisbane's Queens Park under mysterious scaffolding
Breast Cancer And Corporate Secrets
From Terri Mitchell's essay 'Chemicals Are Killing You' in 'You Are Still Being Lied To: The REMIXED Disinformation Guide to Media Distortion, Historical Whitewashes and Cultural Myths', edited by Russ Kick [2009]:
...If it weren't for a couple of researchers at Tufts University, the endocrine-destroying effects of manmade chemicals might still be a "corporate secret." Drs. Carlos Sonnenschein and Ana Soto were working with breast cancer cells, looking for a cancer inhibitor. One morning Dr. Soto was stunned to discover the cells multiplying. Normally, only estrogen would cause such a thing. She did the experiements over. And over. No estrogen was present - why were the cells growing? Four months later, the two researchers narrowed it down to the test tubes they were using. Something in the plastic tubes was fueling breast cancer. They contacted the manufacturer (Corning), and a meeting was set up. At the meeting, Corning representatives refused to disclose what's in the company's test tubs that fuels cancer growth. That - they told Soto, Sonnenschein, and representatives from Tufts - is a corporate secret.
It was impossible to simply ignore something that makes cancer cells multiply. So the two researchers abandoned their research and devoted all their time to uncovering the identity of the breast-cancer promoter that Corning didn't want anybody to know about. Two years later, they found it. Nonylphenol is a manmade chemical used in the manufacture of pesticides, laundry detergent, and plastic. It's banned in the European Union. In the US, women use a version of it as a contraceptive cream (Nonoxynol-9). They also ingest it. It migrates into food encased in plastic wrap and styrofoam.
American women also wash clothes in it. Although what's in Tide laundry detergent is also a "corporate secret," the product reportedly contains a version of nonylphenol. Tide was a gift to mankind from Chevron Oil. In the late 1940s, this chemical wonder replaced natural soaps. It's made from coal tar derivatives. There was no oversight to stop toxic products like Tide from coming onto the market and polluting America's water. There still isn't. Tide originally contained benzene, which is a gasoline additive. Products like Tide end up in sewage sludge that is being spread all over American crops as "fertilizer." Food crops soak up chemicals like nonylphenol.
Researchers claim they can't figure out what causes breast cancer. Some say it's "genes" or refusing to have kids at a young age. They advise women at high risk to take a cancer-causing chemical to prevent it. It's called tamoxifen (brand name: Nolvadex), and it causes endometrial cancer. Mainstream medicine never tells women about fake-estrogen chemicals in plastic that make cancer cells grow. Maybe that's because Western medicine is based on chemicals. They're called "drugs." ...
Your Daily Dose of Chemicals - Take it and Shut Up
... Chemicals eaten as "food additives," "flavorings," "colorings," and "coatings" do not magically disappear. The body does not ignore PFOA [perfluorooctanoic acid] and diacetyl heated to 375° and served up with pesticides. The chemicals are not in such tiny amounts that they're "nothing." One of the scariest findings about petroleum-based chemicals is that they have some of their worst effects at low levels.
Organic. Vegan. Vegetarian. Bottled water. No, no, no, and no. They will not save you from chemicals. America's water, soil, air, food, atmosphere - everything you eat, everything you touch, every breath you take - is contaminated with petroleum-based chemicals. The earth is enclosed in a plastic Baggie full of pollution and tied securely with a twist-tie. Thirty-five years ago, FDA's [Food and Drug Administration] Lloyd B. Tepper commented that certain bodies of water in America had levels of phthalates approaching the entire amount ever manufactured. Petroleum chemicals do not go away. The billions of pounds of chemicals manufactured in America every year are in you, your kids, your animals, food, air, water, house, yard - you name it. And will continue until people put a stop to it. ...
Say Bye-Bye to the Petroleum People
... By the 1960s, the dangers of WWII-era chemicals became so alarming that for a brief time environmental degradation over-shadowed almost everything else in America. Legislation was passed under Nixon that forced the petroleum industry to submit to some oversight. Regulatory agencies were created. It seemed the masses would gain some control over the profiteers. What hadn't been destroyed would be protected.
It lasted a mere 20 years. In 1980, Americans voted to have oversight dismantled. Embracing the philosophy that greed is good, and profits over people, they relinquished control of their government to the profiteers. A corporate-looking white daddy, former lifeguard, and talking head for General Electric became President. He began dismantling the regulatory agencies by "Executive Order," staffing them with industry, and cutting off funding. Americans put him in office to get the lowlifes of welfare, and get the regulatory agencies off the backs of corporate America so everyone could get rich. Americans didn't get rich: They got poisoned. ...
Public comment closes 14 June 2010
We are seeking your feedback on the proposed changes to our healthcare standards.
Queensland hospitals have reported against our existing healthcare standards since July 2007. In that time, significant improvement in process and patient safety measures has been demonstrated. We committed to reviewing our standards two years after their implementation.
The updated standards will be launched on 1 July 2010.
View or download the proposed changes and impact assessment statements, then download the feedback form and have your say.
When You Have An Accident, It's No Accident
The Queensland Police Service have eradicated all car accidents.
Eradicated them from their lingo that is!
During his presentation on the investigation techniques of fatal and serious injury road crashes and road incidents at the Police Museum today [30/5/10], Crash Investigator Senior Constable Wade Frazer explained that the Police Service have phased out the term "accident".
According to Senior Constable Frazer, there are road crashes and traffic and road incidents, which are caused by negligence, failure to exercise due care and attention, ignoring road rules and stupidity. But there are no "accidents", someone is always at fault.
The top four causes of road fatalities are speed, alcohol, failing to wear a seatbelt and fatigue.
Senior Constable Frazer outlined how the Forensic Crash Unit analyse road scars, vehicle positions and tyre marks to assign fault.
Crash investigation also involves the interpretation of data and images, and the application of complex, mathematical calculations.
Senior Constable Frazer pointed out that crash investigation was an important aspect in prevention programs, in that recommendations for changes to traffic light sequencing and signalling, road signs and road design can be made to the coroner.
One of the more eerie crashes described by Senior Constable Frazer involved a female taxi passenger who wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Her nose was broken and teeth smashed after the taxi was t-boned at an intersection and rolled. A full colour impression of her made up face was left on the ceiling of the taxi - not unlike the Shroud of Turin!
It was obvious that at least one 'Courier-Mail' reader was in the audience when a lady piped up to complain about the delays experienced by other motorists around fatal road crash scenes. The Senior Constable showed remarkable diplomacy by not tasering her on the spot.
Apart from the tiny-minded minority mentioned above, most of the audience appreciated the presentation. When you attend a talk like this, you really get a sense that the majority of the "pigs" actually do a great and thankless job.
Who Needs The Chelsea Flower Show?
Hibiscus Garden, Albert Street end, Roma Street Parkland [30/5/10]:
The nearby Orchid Trees are also in flower - their tropical perfume strangely out of place with such wintry weather upon us!
If.... by Rudyard Kipling [1895]
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;
If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And which is more; you'll be a Man, my son!
Coombabah Wetlands [29/5/10]
What a difference half an hour makes
Ever get the feeling you're being watched?
From a distance?
Paperbarks mirrored in the inky swamp
Mother Duck said: "Come on kids, this way, past the plastic bottle some fuckhead left behind."
News From Queensland Conservation Council [28/5/10]
The grounding of the bulk coal carrier Shen Neng 1 on Douglas Shoal is of great concern to all who care about the Great Barrier Reef - especially as this vessel was outside of designated shipping channels. Thankfully major pollution was avoided, although a 3km scar was cut through the reef. Maritime Safety Queensland, after securing the vessel, decided to unload its cargo so the ship could be safely returned to China. The decision to move the ship for unloading was taken because the ship was 'letting in water' - not 'sinking'. Apparently there's a difference…
On a related note our colleagues at Sustainable Jamboree have set up a Queensland Parliament e-petition calling for sustainable transport to lessen the congestion on the Centenary Highway. If you're a regular commuter on the highway - or just want to see some decent public transport options - please consider signing the petition.
Good Governance Has Nothing To Do With Me: Minister
The Minister for Exporting Carbon to Distant Lands and Screwing The Citizens, says it shouldn't come as any surprise to Queenslanders that he not responsible for governing.
"What are you looking at me for?" he asked.
After declaring his disappointment at not being able to govern, the Minister said his ministerial colleagues had also expressed regret at their inability to do what they have been elected to do.
"Why are you so surprised? It's no secret that acting in the interests of our constituents is not our priority," he said.
"We might proclaim that we are doing all we can about nurses not getting paid, coal carriers crashing into the Great Barrier Reef and container ships spilling oil into Moreton Bay, but we can pull out all stops to shut all the pubs down and taser your ass."
The Minister then went on to deflect any concerns about privatisation and its impact on the community.
"We can't intervene in the free market unless it benefits developers, mining companies, large multinational corporations or financial institutions," he said.
"Look over there! Daylight saving! Tourism! and Job Job Jobs!"
The Opposition Knight Rider said the only way to change the Government would be to vote for the opposition.
When asked what would be different if he were in government, he said:
"We would be different of course. We have completely different names, and one of our mob would be responsible for exporting carbon - and you can't get any more different than that!"
Lent, Spent And Guaranteed
From 'The Automatic Earth' [28/5/10]:
Ilargi: No, I'm by no means the only one who thinks this thing will not end well.
Let's start with Gerald Celente of Trend Forecasters:
"It did collapse. It collapsed in March of 2009. The world equity markets collapsed. What they did was they propped them up. And they propped them up with stimulus packages worldwide. The United States has lent, spent and guaranteed $11 trillion, to prop up this economy.
So the collapse happened. But it hasn't crashed. And we are looking for the crash to come.[..]
I want to make this clear: capitalism is dead in America. And it’s not socialism, like all these people are yelling about. The merger of state and corporate powers, by definition, according to someone who knew the definition really well, is called fascism. That's what Mussolini called it. Fascism has come to America."Hedge funder Hugh Hendry needs less words:
'I would recommend you panic'. ...
Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day Or You'll Have A Heart Attack!
The War of the Worlds was an episode of the American radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air. It was performed as a Halloween episode of the series on October 30, 1938 and aired over the Columbia Broadcasting System radio network. Directed and narrated by Orson Welles, the episode was an adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds.
The first two thirds of the 60-minute broadcast was presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested to many listeners that an actual Martian invasion was in progress. ...
From 'The Culture Of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid Of The Wrong Things: Crime, Drugs, Minorities, Teen Moms, Killer Kids, Mutant Microbes, Plane Crashes, Road Rage, & So Much More' by Barry Glassner [1999]:
... In the first half otf the 1990s U.S. cities spent at least $10 billion to purge asbestos from public schools, even though removing asbestos from buildings posed a greater health hazard than leaving it in place. At a time when about one-third of the nation's schools were in need of extensive repairs the money might have been spent to renovate dilapidated buildings. But hazards posed by seeping asbestos are morally repugnant. A product that was supposed to protect children from fires might be giving them cancer. By directing our worries and dollars at asbestos we express outrage at technology and industry run afoul.
From a psychological point of view extreme fear and outrage are often projections. Consider, for example, the panic over violence against children. By failing to provide adequate education, nutrition, housing, parenting, medical services, and child care over the past couple of decades we have done the nation's children immense harm. Yet we project our guilt onto a cavalcade of bogeypeople-pedophile preschool teachers, preteen mass murderers, and homicidal au pairs, to name only a few. ...
Major Parties Announce Fake Election Campaigns
... When we had, imaginings
And we had, all kind of things
And we laughed
And needed love
Yes I do … Oh, and I remember you ...
(Remember
The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard
International man of mystery
The Government and Opposition have launched their election campaigns, which will be just like real election campaigns except they will be fake.
In the last week, both parties have set up @Fake_Government and @Fake_Opposition accounts on the anti-social networking site Frottager, which every Australian "journalist" (even the fake lefty ones) say are best accessed on an i-Pad.
This morning @Fake_Opposition were calling for fake passports and fake coverage in the fake media of the fake great big new tax.
The @Fake_Government's fake campaign will involve unlimited marketing and spin said the Chef's Special Minister.
The Minister for Delivering Taxpayer Dollars to Super Stadiums and Corporate Sport needed something to take to the election, so she's implementing a learning framework and guidelines for children playing outdoors, which is somewhat similar to her fake approach to the problem of negative body image.
"The Minister for Midnight Oil needed something to take the focus off the fake home insulation scheme, so he's going to fakely pursue Japanese whalers," said a fake Government spokesperson.
Australia's only anti-social media commentator says he wouldn't be Australia's only anti-social media commentator if he didn't say that Australia's satirists sometimes take things too far.
"Studies have proven that you're better off having no satire than satire that falls flat," he said.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Islam couldn't have asked for better PR from one of Australia's fake politicians in the fake media.
Latest News From The Yungaba Action Group [27/5/10]
Dear Yungaba supporters and friends,
Over the last few months we seem to have come full circle in our efforts find a decision-maker with enough courage and foresight to save Yungaba.
In December over 30 prominent Queenslanders wrote to Australand asking them to consider options for the preservation of the historic Yungaba building such as an Immigration Museum and Multicultural Centre housed within the existing building. And also, to further consider this as a unique opportunity for Australand to contribute to the social fabric of Queensland. Australand replied that they are obliged to comply with the conditions of their Development Approval which has specific conditions for the redevelopment of what they refer to as "Yungaba House".
In late February we received a response from the Lord Mayor to our proposal for him to deal directly with Australand to acquire Yungaba for a Multicultural Centre for Brisbane. The Lord Mayor advised that, although he is "mindful of the cultural and historical significance of this wonderful building", any requests about use or ownership of Yungaba be directed to the Honourable Robert Schwarten.
Then, on 6 May we received a letter from the Honourable Robert Schwarten himself, telling us that the Queensland Government recognizes the significance of Yungaba but that "any enquiries regarding the redevelopment of Yungaba should be directed to Australand for its consideration".
There you have it, the perfect circle - from Australand - to the Lord Mayor - to the Minister for Works - to Australand - and all that is achieved is another circle - zero.
But there are winds of change blowing through the community - many people are unhappy about how the fate of their city (and their culture and way of life) is being placed in the hands of get rich quick developers and carpet baggers by our elected representatives. ...
Across the State communities are aflame with indignation at the rampant development and loss of cultural identity.
There may be no-where else to go to try to save Yungaba - as there is no upper House of Review in Queensland and we have no Human Rights legislation to appeal to - but Yungaba Action Group will continue to tell the story of the loss of our cultural heritage that has occurred with the sale and gutting of Yungaba. And we will join in solidarity with other community groups working to retain our quality of life.
We will never cease to tell the shameful story of Yungaba - the only completely intact Immigration Depot from the 1880s in Australia, the first building on the State-listed heritage register in 1988, voted No.1 State-shaper Icon in the Q150 Poll - sold to a developer to be gutted and converted to luxury units for the privileged few inside a gated community.
Shame Queensland, shame.
Aussies Hit The Goon As Government Fails To, Well, Govern
Government policy really works
Official figures show Australia's consumption of Chateau de Cardboard increased by 30 per cent during the 2008-09 financial year.
In lieu of a establishing a Bill of Rights, action on climate change and improving workers rights, the Federal Government has relied on the free market, backward-facing policies and voluntary codes of conduct and national standards for corporations, in a vain attempt to please its neo-liberal handlers and traditional supporters.
Needless to say, traditional supporters have been given the dictatorial finger, and as a result, have hit the goon.
The Government say that their U-Beaut "alco-holic-pops" tax has been a huge success. They say this because it's not true. They also say this because it's a handy little brainless talking-point for people who were sucked in by the "alco-pops" meme in the first place.
'Spring Hill Voice' conducted an apocryphal survey of bottle shop customers throughout the country and found that there has been a huge increase in people seen either lugging 4 or 5 litre boxes of goon out of bottleshops, or just wandering the streets of the Gold Coast.
Once again the fossil fuel industry has brought crisis to the Gulf Coast. Devastation of untold proportions spews non-stop from BP’s oil well as politicians try to save face with empty promises, and oil companies preserve their profits with PR campaigns. This catastrophic spill comes on the heels of Obama’s plan to expand offshore drilling. ...Resistance Is Not Futile
From Raewyn Connell's essay in the Autumn edition in 'Overland' magazine:
... This is pretty much the vision of Australian society on which Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott agree. People within the broad population are more or less equal, and more or less content. Social problems only concern a minority who fall by the wayside. With the help of tough love and the Salvation Army, they can be fixed through social inclusion, doubtless including the occasional Intervention. Politics is not about basic social change. It’s about how to fuel and steer the neoliberal development machine that now delivers prosperity to Australia. ...
A democratised economy doesn’t just involve changes in daily work, it also involves equality and security. A basic feature of neoliberal society is manufactured insecurity – the dark underside of competition and the cult of the entrepreneur. Until there is secure employment and secure entitlement to services, specifically health, education and housing, we don’t have much chance of shifting the culture of long hours, the unequal gender division of labour, or racism. We don’t suffer from any lack of resources in Australia to make secure and healthy lives but we do need a different design of institutions. ...
EFA Launches "Time To Tell Mum" Campaign Against Internet Censorship: EFA Media Release [27/5/10]
Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) today announced its new campaign to inform Australians about the Rudd Government's flawed internet censorship plan, called "Time to Tell Mum". The campaign encourages Australians to tell their friends and families - especially their mums - about why the Government's plan won't help protect families.
"All the evidence suggests that the more people know about this policy, the less likely they are to support it," said EFA's Chair Colin Jacobs.
"That's why we think it's crucial that people who understand what's going on reach out and inform those close to them." The campaign, which features a 4-minute video by comedian Akmal Saleh, is also designed to highlight the misconception fostered by the government that the filter will somehow help families.
"The Government took this policy to the last election as a 'cyber-safety' tool to help parents, but it's since changed into something completely different. Not only will the filter not protect children, it might give parents a false sense of security and actually lessen the supervision kids get online," said Jacobs.
"Australian parents need help and information about real ways to keep their families safe - how to best supervise their children, and tools that can work inside their homes. The filter is a political stunt that distracts from that. Once people understand the cynicism of the policy, they go pretty cold on it. Even my mum thinks it's a lousy idea," said Jacobs.
The campaign's video and website can be viewed at http://timetotellmum.com from today.
Why Won't Our ABC Give Peace A Chance?
From Environment, Communication and the Arts Legislation Senate Estimates Committee Hansard [24/5/10]:
... Senator LUDLAM-Thank you. My last question relates to a documentary called Hope in a Slingshot which was accepted by the ABC for broadcast some time ago now. Then a couple of months later, a decision was taken not to put it to air. What is the process for reviewing ABC content against your editorial policies? What happened in the instance of this particular documentary?
Mr Scott-I am not aware of the specifics of that, Senator. Let me take that on notice. The last documentary that was raised at these hearings, with a suggestion that we were not going to show it, did in fact go to air last month.
Senator LUDLAM-Okay. I remember some discussion about that. Hope in a Slingshot, just so you know, is a documentary that was prepared taking testimony from Israelis and Palestinians, essentially with their hopes and aspirations for peace in the region. The reason that the producers were given that the ABC would not broadcast it was that they needed to provide content of a similar type and weight. The producers and I are wondering whether that means you would need to screen a pro-war documentary before you would be able to screen something that was advocating for peace because that is the message that seems to have been sent.
Mr Scott-Let me take that on notice and let me find out more details on that.
Senator LUDLAM-You are not aware at all of the background to this?
Mr Scott-I have no details on it. I am not really across the details of it at all. The only thing I would say is that we talk with a lot of people about making and purchasing television programs and I would draw a distinction between when we are having preliminary discussions and when a decision has been made to purchase that documentary and to put it to air. I am not aware in that circumstance whether in fact a documentary had been purchased and then we decided subsequently, taking your advice on it, not to air it, or whether in fact when we had reviewed the documentary there was simply a feeling that we would not go ahead with the acquisition of it. I just draw that distinction, which I think is an important distinction.
Senator LUDLAM-That may be the case in this instance, but you have told the producers-I have got a letter here signed by Kim Dalton, your director of television-that because it expressed a certain point of view you needed to seek an alternate point of view. To me that sets an uncomfortable precedent: that you will not be able to screen a piece that was not taking one particular side in that conflict apart from people's-
Mr Scott-Have you seen the documentary, Senator?
Senator LUDLAM-No, I have not; you have not broadcast it yet.
Mr Scott-Our platforms talk about over time covering principal relevant viewpoints. Without having seen the documentary, I would not want to narrowly judge what viewpoints the ABC felt that it may have been expressing. You have depicted it as being pro-peace and so therefore the alternative side is war. In my experience around covering issues on the Middle East, it is often more complex than that, and the perspectives that people draw from it are sometimes distinct from that. We will find out more details on that specific one.
Senator LUDLAM-I would appreciate that. I have no other questions. ...
Help Save What Remains Of Brisbane's Regent Theatre!
Brisbane's Regent Theatre prior to demolition and reconfiguration into separate cinemas [1979-1980]
[From The National Trust of Queensland Journal: Annual Report Issue 1977]
The Queensland Heritage Council say salvaged elements from the original theatre are not worth saving, but they are WRONG.
An email from Harvest Rain Theatre Company [26/5/10]:
Line up for the Regent this Saturday! The Regent Theatre in Brisbane, currently a cinema, is one of Australia's last remaining theatres of its kind and is under threat of demolition to make way for the city's newest office tower. Since so many of Brisbane's historical theatres have already been turned into commercial and business structures, knocking down the Regent puts our cultural and architectural heritage in jeopardy.
With the date of closure looming closer and closer, theatre lovers are urged to do their part to save this 80 year old historical landmark on Saturday 29th May from 11am at Reddacliffe Place in the Queen St Mall (between the Casino and BCC tower). Organisers must get at least 1,000 people to this event for the council to acknowledge "that the Regent must stay as an entertainment venue, open and able to be properly used by the people of Brisbane".
If you can't make it on Saturday, you can still help by emailing Premier Anna Bligh at premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au and voicing your concern. You can also see as many movies as you can at the theatre before it closes and tell your friends and family about this cause and ask them to do the same! Saving the theatre is the first step to restoring the site to it's original use as a theatre venue, increasing the likelihood of touring shows coming to Brisbane not just playing in Sydney and Melbourne.
We at Harvest Rain feel passionate about this issue, and we hope you do too. Don't sit around thinking about it, do your part - every little bit counts!
For more information on the LINE UP FOR THE REGENT event, click here....
Gold Coast Spit [26/5/10]
Sailing past the Caspian Tern, and a golden sunset
Green Army up to something
Road closed for filming [26, 27 May]
Should be closed ALL the time to allow the vegetation to re-establish
An old car
State Government Announces "Believe It Or Not" Satellite Cities
Run for the sun,
Little one,
You're an outlaw once again,
Time to change,
Superman,
Will be with us while he can,
In the land of make believe
'The Land Of Make Believe', Bucks Fizz [1981]
Believe it or not, all those Queenslanders currently living in areas with a lack of public services such as public transport and hospitals can go fuck themselves
Although there is an imaginary lack of empty apartment blocks in South-East Queensland, three new satellite cities will be built to meet the non-existant demand for affordable housing.
The State Government says 250,000 pretend individuals will live in these "Believe it or Not" cities where make-believe children will walk to fantasy schools and their parents will take illusory public transport to their job job jobs.
They will also have fairies in the bottom of their gardens, which will replace the decimated native bushland and wildlife.
Poll: Do you have any capacity whatsoever for independent thought?
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Leading the world in threatened species! Oi! Oi! Oi!
Mervyn Trousers | Lutwyche - May 26, 2010, 8.45AM
Wow! What a co-incidence, and on the same day the State Government have announced they are buying up arable land at Jacobs Well, and the local Murdoch Press have dutifully attacked them for being greenies!
One Nation Voter | Gold Coast - May 26, 2010, 8.55AM
Gee! I wonder why the non-Murdoch media have dropped Jessica Watson like a hot potato?
Elissi Umfields | Bowen Hills - May 26, 2010, 9.03AM
I reckon if Malcom Fraser were in the ALP, he would have quit that party too.
Get Real | Parliament House - May 26, 2010, 9.15AM
Mervyn, Mervyn, Mervyn surely you jest?
Mr Koala | Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - May 26, 2010, 9.35AM
I am deadly serious - I fucking hate koalas - horrible creatures, just like the rest of Australia's native wildlife - good riddance Mr Koala!
Mervyn Trousers | Luywyche - May 26, 2010, 9.45AM
How much are Brisbane ratepayers paying for BCC to rent 157 Ann Street?
There is no good reason why the City Hall refurbishments couldn't have been undertaken progressively, so that it could have remained open to the people.
Mr Pigeon | Heaven - May 26, 2010, 9.55AM
I forgot to say I hate pigeons too - especially hopeless, left-wing pigeons like you Mr Pigeon - I'm glad you and your ilk have been eradicated from King George Square - horrible, lice-ridden pestilence!
Mervyn Trousers | Lutwyche - May 26, 2010, 10.05AM
Forgot to take your medicine today Mervyn?
Mr Koala | Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - May 26, 2010, 10.15AM
Queenslanders Who Care About The Environment Are Wrong: Survey
Australia's looming talcum powder shortage: This is what happens when PR runs the news cycle
Queenslanders who care about the environment are wrong, according to a new survey from the Ponds Institute's Hell In A Handbasket division.
Professor Panic conducted the Some Like It Hot Survey of almost 3,500 people throughout the state, which showed that Queenslanders who didn't have an air-conditioner were very very wrong indeed.
"Vot ve vound vas zat ze media, government and energy corporationz have played a cruczial role in greenvashing and trivializing conzern about climate change and ze environment," he said.
"Zis has rezulted in z very healzey zituation vere Qveenzlanderz vill belive it ven zey hear zat zey don't give a fuck about climate change and ze environmental impactz of zere rampant conzumption."
The survey also revealed that the best way for wrong Queenslanders to remedy their erroneous ways, was for them to go out and purchase as many inefficient electrical appliances as they could afford.
Somebody from an environmental organisation said something about Queenslanders being a bunch of pussies and inadequate building regulation, but everyone yawned.
In related news, starving university students can go fuck themselves and cancer is always caused by passive smoking and the sun - never by exposure to fossil fuel, pesticide residue or mining pollution.
Gogole Slams 'Creepy' Minister
The Minister launches Australia's new, faster internet
Giant internet search engine Gogole has responded to accusations by the Minister for Optus Dei that they are 'creepy'.
"We may be creepy, but he's downright Orwellian," said a spokesman.
In recent weeks Gogole has been criticised for driving around the suburbs, taking photos up people's skirts, peering through their windows and stealing their underwear.
"The free market will fix it," said the Minister.
"And can I just say that frankly, unlawful surveillance of citizens should only ever be undertaken by government," he said.
"Or by trusted companies like Raytheon or Halliburton."
As parliamentary representatives, Ministers of the Crown can enact regulatory legislation to protect Australian citizens, but as with every other corporate transgression - such as when aged care providers won't pay their staff properly or the banks raise interest rates - they prefer to respond with empty rhetoric.
"Regulation is only appropriate when it involves things like internet censorship and the anti-terrorism legislation," said the Minister.
What Would Alex Griffith Have Wanted For Clarke's Corner?
For sale. Clarke's Corner is part of the land bequeathed to the National Trust of Queensland by Alex Griffiths. It is across the road from the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary and adjacent to Alex Griffith Park.
A black swan glides across the lake while another big bird flies over Alex Griffith Park
From 'The National Trust Of Queensland Journal', Annual Report Issue 1977:
The Currumbin Bird Sanctuary Report
Prepared pursuant to Section 11 of the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary Act 1976:
The acquisition of the Sanctuary by the Trust became fully effective in November, 1976, when the Supreme Court proceedings between the Trust and the State Government were resolved and the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary Act of 1976 was passed by State Parliament.
One of the first actions of the Trust Council when the acquisition became effective was to instruct the Directory to develop a 'Master Plan' as a basic document to guide the future management and development of the Sanctuary. Pursuant to this, a first report was presented by the Director to the Trust Council in February, 1977. The document was accepted by the Council as containing the appropriate policies and recommendations for the strategic management and development of the property. The Trust's fundamental concept for the Sanctuary is "that the Sanctuary should be an area managed for the benefit of the public to conserve, enhance, and present selected wildlife populations and habitats typical of the humid, tropical, and sub-tropical east coast of Australia, and in particular to demonstrate the ecological principle of dependence of wildlife on habitat."
The recommended objectives of the Sanctuary were:
(a) To educate and inform the public about wildlife, ecological principles and the conservation of nature.
(b) To introduce large numbers of people to the beauty and interest of wildlife, and to the ecological principles of the dependence of wildlife on habitat as an example of the inter-dependency of ecological systems.
(c) To provide recreational opportunities in a local, regional, and national context.
(d) To protect and enhance the natural characteristics of the Sanctuary and its local environment.
(e) To be financially self-sufficient.
Pursuant to the concept and and objectives so developed, steps were taken to develop in detail plans for the future improvement of the Sanctuary, particularly in respect of landscape management and the kiosk operations. A firm administrative base for the management of the Sanctuary has been established with the appointment of Mr. Peter Jones as Site Manager. Mr. Jones is responsible to the Executive Committee and Council of the Trust through the Director.
The year with respect to the Sanctuary has been essentially one of consolidation, planning, and review, and in the very near future the results of this work will become evident to members. Certainly, the Sanctuary will be consolidated and strengthened as an area of National importance. ...
In the early 1940s Alex Griffiths established himself as a bee-keeper and flower grower at Currumbin Beach. The area was a haven for native birds due to the abundance of surrounding natural bushland, and the birds became attracted to Mr. Griffiths' flowers, to the detriment of the flowers. Mr. Griffiths decided that the solution to the problem was to provide the birds with an alternate source of nectar away from his flowers. There was a gradual build-up of interest in the bird feeding by people stopping to buy Mr. Griffiths' honey and flowers, and the number of visitors steadily increased. From these early days the Sanctuary has developed to a stage where about 600,000 visitors a year, from all parts of the globe, come to see and participate in the daily feeding of the birds and to enjoy the Sanctuary's natural setting within the densely developed Gold Coast. In 1976 Alex Griffiths donated the Sanctuary to the National Trust so that it would be preserved for the benefit of the Nation in perpetuity.
The Minus Children
From 'Breaking News: The Golden Age Of Graham Perkin', Ben Hills [2010]:
... It was to be his last, as well as his most successful, campaign. Three months later, Perkin would be dead - long before the first sod was turned on the sparkling new wing at Kew Cottages [founded in 1887 as the Kew Idiot Asylum] that would bear his name. It would be two years before Hamer [the then Premier of Victoria] would officially open the Perkin, Smorgon, and Hamer centres (Trescowthick [millionaire businessman and philanthropist] jokes that they had exhausted the naming rights before they got to him, so he had to be content with having his name-plate affixed to the toilets). The brightly painted, airy, light-filled three-level complex, built in a semi-circle with a tower in the centre, would usher in a new life for Kew's long-neglected residents, offering opportunities for recreation, education, and vocational training. 'This, I think, would be one of the most heart-warming and fulfilling projects this state has seen,' said the premier. 'Certainly it's the greatest one I've been involved in.' He said he wished that Perkin could have lived to see the culmination of his last campaign, and he paid him this tribute: 'Graham had the right mixture of aggression, humility, and editorial brilliance to make the whole idea exciting to the public.'
It would be nice to say that the centre remained as a monument to Perkin, that the sound of children's laughter still paid daily tribute to his passion and his compassion. He would have like that. But, sadly, when I visited Kew in late 2008, it had been turned into a construction site, with bulldozers about to raze the last remaining buildings. A greedy developer - who, by the most astonishing coincidence, happened to be a major donor to the Labor Party - had persuaded the state government to part with the 27 hectares of public land which had housed Kew Cottages for more than a century. A $400-million development, brokered by the colourful former ALP identity Graham Richardson, would see the site transformed into an enclave of luxury apartments and McMansions. As you look around, you can almost hear Perkin sooling his Insight team onto that controversial deal, but, equally sadly, The Age is not that kind of paper any more. To be fair, thanks in no small part to Perkin's efforts, community attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities have changed radically since the 1970s. Nowardays, the emphasis around the world is on integrating them with the wider community, rather than isolating them in 19th-century institutional barracks like Kew. Not long after my visit, amid some public disquiet, Kew's last remaining residents - most of them by now middle-aged and institutionalised - were being dispersed to shared households in the suburbs, or to new 'community residential units' to be built on the site. But at least, for a while, Perkin brought a little brightness and hope into their lives. That is no small legacy. ...
Who Is Going To Fix This Before Someone Really Hurts Themself?
This badly removed sign post with protruding hazard has been left on the footpath outside Labrador State School, Imperial Parade for ages.
How hard would it be for whoever is responsible to grind it off at ground level to make it safer?
So much for our personal injuries insurance crisis!
Copenhagen Metaphor II
Cigarette butts left in a tidy, little pile - carpark, Runaway Bay Shopping Centre [23/5/10]:
There is a bin less than 10 metres from this car park
As we pointed out last year, if our world leaders don't care about trashing the planet, is it any surprise that our fellow citizens don't care either?
Greens Reveal Hidden Cost Of Westlink:
Greens Media Release [21/5/10]
"The figures speak for themselves, public money is better spent on public transport," said Colleen Hartland MLC pointing to figures in a confidential submission obtained by the Greens under Freedom of Information.
"More trains, and less roads and tunnels is the way of the future for Melbourne and the Western Region."
"The government's own studies reveal that every $3 spent on roads will return only around $1. This is based on figures analysed before the cost of the West Gate Freeway blew out from $3.5 to $5billion."
"How much more will the Westlink budget blow out? Roads create pollution and offer no encouragement for people to walk to bus stops and train stations. This begs me to also ask, what are the health costs for the West?"
"The government is simply out of touch with the people of Victoria and outdated in its approach. The uptake on roads projects is far less than the government thought, the Eastlink is attracting 40 percent less cars than expected," she said.
"With car use going down and the cost of living going up we need accessible and affordable public transport, and we need it now."
"Why do we need another costly road that simply makes getting around even more expensive for people in the West due to petrol costs and road tolls?"
"It's a tax on where you live."
"The people in the Western suburbs need long term clean public transport solutions, not congested car-park corridors. The government doesn't want people to know that their plans are flawed and have tried to keep it to themselves. Greg Barber, Greens MLC has fought for a year to get this information to the public where it belongs. After all it is community money being spent."
"The Federal Government can't support Westlink, nor can private investors. The people speaking to me in the West are against it. They don't want to be forced to rely on the heavy costs of private car use, or for their communities to be sliced into portions between tunnels and freeways."
"The fact that the government wants to go it alone
just shows how arrogant they can be."
Dobbing Is Un-Australian
It won't solve the graffiti "problem" and will probably make it worse.
Vancouver's 'Straight.com' reports [20/5/10]:
... Now 28 years old, Dumoulin has been working with the City of Vancouver for the past seven years. When anti-Olympic graffiti appeared around sports venues just weeks before the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics, city hall called Dumoulin. And despite the fact that the city had just painted over a large mural that the artist admired, he quickly agreed to lend a hand.
Dumoulin buffed out the illegally painted message, “With glowing hearts we kill the arts,” and replaced it with “Beatty Street mural coming soon”—words that Vancouver’s taggers have heeded. (The wall has remained graffiti-free ever since.)
“Pissing off graffiti writers is always dangerous because you never know how they are going to retaliate,” Dumoulin remarked on the incident, laughing. “If you are going to start pissing off the artists, then you’re making every wall out there a sitting duck for vandalism.”
And so in the coming weeks (dates depend on weather and funding), it’s Dumoulin you’ll find overseeing a small team of artists painting a mural that stretches an entire city block.
He said that the plan is for a festive atmosphere with local artists hard at work, photographers such as Vancouver’s ubiquitous Kris Krug documenting the mural’s creation, and what Dumoulin hopes will be hundreds of people coming by to see what’s going on and just hang out.So how did a man once seemingly dead set on going nowhere end up as the city’s go-to guy for public murals and graffiti crisis management? ...
A Letter To A Politician About South Tweed
Super Brothel
22 May, 2010
Dear Councillor Holdom,
I am writing in response to your recent statements in the press regarding the proposed “Super Brothel” at South Tweed Heads.
Although I am not a resident of the Tweed Shire, we visit regularly for recreation and business. My interest in this issue derives from a concern about the escalating exploitation and objectification of women and girls in our communities, coupled with disappointment that this unhealthy state of affairs continues to be justified and unchallenged by Australia’s politicians.
I understand that throughout Australia, business interests and developers hold such power and influence over our democratic institutions that government at all levels often find it easier to take a pragmatic approach to approval processes in order to avoid expensive legal costs.
However, to publicly articulate that this is why a politician should dismiss the interests of their constituents and vote in favour of an unwelcome development is extremely arrogant.
And to say that sex workers would be “sullied as deviants” ['Tweed Shire Echo' 20/5/10] by a community simply because there are citizens who object to a brothel in their suburb, and that no-one in this country “worries about the hundreds of illegal brothels” in Australia is an offensive and flawed argument.
As is the repugnant and redundant suggestion that the “sex industry provides a legitimate service to parts of the community”.
Do you care about equality and/or the future of women and girls in this country? Or is it easier for you to represent the interests of the sex industry, rather than show some leadership and develop some economic and social policies that actually benefit our society?
Regards,
http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/laws/000234.html
http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/catwaust/web/myfiles/resources.htm
World First Synthetic Life Form Discovered In Australia
Do you reckon any of them care what the union moomin have said today [22/5/10] about working Australians' artificial work/life balance?
Scientists in the United States may have announced they have developed the world's first synthetic living cell, but researchers at the Ponds Institute claim that Australia has already developed synthetic forms of life.
"Ve have been experimenting vith zis technology for yearz," said Professor Panic, the chief researcher at the Ponds Institute's Species Deceases Unit.
"Ve have zese fabricated organizms all around uz, but most of ze people don't notice and can't tell ze real from ze fake."
The Ponds Institute took the most basic organisms, politicians, and inserted highly complex DNA from amoeba to create today's highly resilient strains. Although the US scientists are taking all the credit and publicity, the Ponds Institute prefers to maintain its low profile and quietly expand the technology into other fields.
For example, they have just released their synthetic meat.
Pies have used meat substitutes for years, such as lips, faces, assholes, ears and blood plasma, but the new synthetic meat pies contain no real meat whatsoever. The pies are grown from scratch in petri dishes using the unique pie DNA patented by the Ponds Institute.
The new pies are available in supermarket freezers but can't be discerned from their labels thanks to Australia's spooky and backward labelling rules.
... The trees that whisper in the evening,
Carried away by a moonlight shadow.
Sing a song of sorrow and grieving,
Carried away by a moonlight shadow.
All she saw was a silhouette of a gun,
Far away on the other side.
He was shot six times by a man on the run
And she couldn't find how to push through. ...
'Moonlight Shadow', Mike Oldfield [1983]
The Return Of Choice
From John Ralston Saul's 2009 epilogue to his 2005 book:
'The Collapse of Globalism And The Reinvention Of The World'
... At the centre of the argument in the original 2005 edition of this book was a simple idea. Economic ideologies run out of steam several years before the elites they produce can bring themselves to admit there is a problem. Globalization was effectively over by somewhere around the year 2000. We then slipped into a vacuum - a period of disorder in which the bus had, to all intents and purposes, stopped moving, but the elites were pretending to themselves that this wasn't the case. These vacuums tend to last up to ten years. They are actually periods of opportunity. The old idea is, in effect, dead. There is no dominant new idea. The crisis has not yet struck. The ideologues are still nominally in charge, but their ideologies are virtually powerless. These are the moments when it is relatively easy for interesting leaders to set new directions without having to devote themselves to fighting off disaster. But if they wait too long, the disaster strikes, and they are then reduced to largely reactive behaviour. And that is precisely what they have done.
Why do elites ignore danger signs and wait too long? Because they are the third or fourth generation to hold power in the era of their particular ideology. Nothing in their education has suggested that there could be other possibilities. They have no real memory of other possible choices. They believe themselves to be the product of inevitability. They have no practical experience with other approaches. And so, while the official discourse of leadership in the latter years of Globalization was all about risk and individualism, the reality was one of passive, soft leadership, with no experience of a world unchained in its anger.
In classic social analysis this is often described as degeneracy.
And, so, hard though it may be for many among us to say the words, it does need to be stated clearly, for everyone's sake, that the economic collapse of 2008 represents the failure of Globalism. It is a mistake to treat this crisis as something provoked by a financial crisis. A burst boil is a sympton, not a cause; lance it fast and move on in search of the real problems.
If we draw back, we can see a much more profound collapse. Empires, reichs, imperial armies, economic theories, ideologies of all sorts, come and go. Inevitable and eternal, they parade before us, grand and self-confident for a quarter centure, a half, periodically a century, rarely two. What was subscribed to so seriously suddenly seems always to have been light and flimsy and dubious. How could those in charge not have seen? They did not wish to. To be blind to reality was to be loyal to your class, whatever form that class might take. And loyalty always trumps reality among the servants of ideology. ...
Could Killer Eco-Cars Kill You?
... You ask about my conscience
And I offer you my soul
You ask if I'll grow to be a wise man
Well I ask if I'll grow old
You ask me if I've known love
And what it's like to sing songs in the rain
Well I've seen love come, I've seen it shot down
I've seen it die in vain ...
'Blaze Of Glory', Jon Bon Jovi [1990]
Are
killer greenies trying to kill us with their killer greenie cars?
The Ponds Institute's Enhancing Road Use And Vehicle Insurance Unit has embarked on a new study to hopefully determine that hybrid and electric cars pose more of a danger to the community than anthropogenic climate change.
The study, which is being undertaken by Professor Panic, has absolutely nothing to do with PR deriving from the powerful fossil-fuels/car/finance lobby.
"I am qvite zure zat ve vill find zat zese zo called eco-cars driven by greenie gay heroin varmist greeniez are far more dangerous zan speeding honky mommas in zere suvs, high speed police chazes, dangerous road verks and aggressive driving," he said.
"And it goes vithout saying zat pedestrians are alvays to blame ven motorists are driving vithout due care and attention."
Professor Panic said he was confident the outcome of his study would influence legislation.
"Vot are you, stoopid? Look at who runs our unicameral parliament!"
"In any caze, my assiztant, Gork, is currently verking on a side project if it iz not pozzible to get ze growing numbers of zese killer vehicles of ze road," he said.
Gork is developing a simulated engine sound, which goes "brumm brumm brumm" that Professor Panic hopes to make mandatory if killer eco-cars are not taken off the roads.
Tetchy Tourists Consider Industrial Action
Western tourists ... not just their sense of entitlement that's inflated!
Middle class folk from western countries who travel the world broadening their horizons and boosting local economies with their tourist dollars, are weighing up strike action.
In the face of protests around the world - especially in Greece and Thailand - along with environmental issues such as the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano and the Louisiana oil spill, many tourists say enough is enough.
"Pint 'o lager pack of crisps," said British tourist Harold Whinge.
"Not too spicy luv," said his wife Dot Whinge.
"Oh, sod it, just a chip buttie, ta muchly."
The Whinges say that as western tourists they feel increasingly marginalised and disenfranchised by recent world events.
American tourists Randy Camerastrap-Volume Jnr. III and his wife Betty agree with the Whinges.
"Hey ya'll, where's tha closest Mickeydees?" they hollered in unison.
"Whhaaat? Well, what about Starrbucks?"
The Camerastrap-Volumes and the Whinges have the sympathy of various Tourism Commissions and Associations who say the recent world wide protests and environmental difficulties have been a public relations nightmare.
"We want people to feel at home when they travel half way around the world. Foreigners and all their funny smells and sights and sounds can be a real turn off for tourists, so it's important in these markets that people are conscious of that," said a Tourism Organisation spokesman Mr Brian Globalchain.
"These protesters are being very selfish with their demands for democracy - and fancy demonstrating just because you are getting screwed over by your government and the unaccountable IMF!" he said.
"As for the environment - well it should know better than to be so unpredictable and susceptible to pollution."
Mind Control Theories and Techniques used by Mass Media
From 'The Vigilant Citizen' [28/4/10]:
... Desensitization
In the past, when changes were imposed on populations, they would take to the streets, protest and even riot. The main reason for this clash was due to the fact that the change was clearly announced by the rulers and understood by the population. It was sudden and its effects could clearly be analyzed and evaluated. Today, when the elite needs a part of its agenda to be accepted by the public, it is done through desensitization. The agenda, which might go against the public best interests, is slowly, gradually and repetitively introduced to the world through movies (by involving it within the plot), music videos (who make it cool and sexy) or the news (who present it as a solution to today’s problems). After several years of exposing the masses to a particular agenda, the elite openly presents the concept the world and, due to mental programming, it is greeted with general indifference and is passively accepted. This technique originates from psychotherapy.
“The techniques of psychotherapy, widely practiced and accepted as a means of curing psychological disorders, are also methods of controlling people. They can be used systematically to influence attitudes and behavior. Systematic desensitization is a method used to dissolve anxiety so the the patient (public) is no longer troubled by a specific fear, a fear of violence for example. [...] People adapt to frightening situations if they are exposed to them enough”.
– Steven Jacobson, Mind Control in the United StatesPredictive programming is often found in the science fiction genre. It presents a specific image of the future – the one that is desired by the elite – and ultimately becomes in the minds of men an inevitability. A decade ago, the public was being desensitized to war against the Arab world. Today, the population is gradually being exposed to the existence of mind control, of transhumanism and of an Illuminati elite. Emerging from the shadows, those concepts are now everywhere in popular culture. This is what Alice Bailey describes as the “externalization of the hierarchy”: the hidden rulers slowly revealing themselves. ...
... As we will see later, the symbolism of the video is based on initiation and on the creation of an alter personality, which is expressed lyrically The old me is gone, I feel brand new. The theme of being a crazier/wilder/sexier self is often portrayed in recent videos and is almost always coupled with scenes of restraint, dehumanization and/or torture. This is an obvious case of cognitive dissonance, where the portrayal of torture is a part of one’s “liberation.” In Not Myself Tonight, Christina is seen hog-tied with her eyes forced opened, which is reminiscent of mind control victims being forced to watch videos to reinforce their programming. ...
Gold Coast Rapid Transit: Do The Numbers Stack Up?
Queensland Parliament Hansard [18/5/10]:
Mr CRANDON (Coomera-LNP) (8.02 pm): I rise to speak to the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2010 with regard to light rail. I was quite taken by the claims that we are going to take 75,000 cars each day off Gold Coast roads by 2016, as stated by the member for Burleigh here earlier today. I would like to see that. How is a 13-kilometre stretch of light rail going to take 75,000 cars off Gold Coast roads? How is that measured? Where are the people coming from and where are they going to, for goodness sake? Where are the 75,000 cars going to be parked, or are the people going to walk to the area to use the light rail? Maybe all of those things are possible. But where do the figures come from? That is what I would like to know. I would like to hear an explanation from the minister, if she could possibly dig all of those figures out for me.
I did a little bit of research. First of all, I went to the Australian Financial Review. I read in the Australian Financial Review that the light rail project is 'expected to take about 75,000 cars off the coastal strip by 2016'. That sounds similar to the figure that was mentioned here earlier tonight. I then went to the Gold Coast Bulletin, which says-
"These major tenders confirm the project will be delivered and we will build a transport network that will take 75,000 cars off Gold Coast roads when it is completed in 2014,"
So we have 2016 on the one hand and 2014 on the other hand. That was a direct quote of the Premier in the Gold Coast Bulletin of 13 May 2010. Then we have the Australian Financial Review again stating-
The project, which is expected to take about 75,000 cars off the coastal strip by 2016, is due for completion in 2014.
That is all wonderful, but where do the figures come from? Where do these quotes come from?
So I go to the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan and do a search for '75,000' to see how many times that might come up. The 'Background' chapter states-
For the Gold Coast, the aim is to increase the mode share to 6.5 percent by 2011-
so this cannot possibly be anything to do with this 2016 figure we have been hearing, but let me read
on-which would require patronage of 130,000 trips per day, compared with the present 75,000 trips per day.
No, that is not the 75,000 that we are looking for. Let us dig a little bit deeper. We go along and find a figure of 75,000 mentioned in one of the tables. Table 8-38 refers to Surfers Paradise and mentions a 75,000 figure in the detail, but that 75,000 figure relates to 2026. So obviously that is not where we are expecting to get these accurate figures from. So we go along and we find table 8-55. There is that 75,000 figure again but the year is 2026. Let us go back to 2016 in table 8-55, 'Private vehicle trips to/from key Gold Coast activity centres with and without the GCRT system'. This must be the source. Let us have a look at these figures.Without the GCRT, for Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Griffith Knowledge Precinct we have 116,000, 66,000, 131,000 and 37,000 respectively. With the GCRT, the figures are 105,000, 59,000, 124,000 and 33,000 respectively. By simply subtracting those figures, we do not come up with the 75,000 figure that has been touted all over the news. What we come up with is 29,000 for 2016. But everything that we read in the news, as quoted by the Premier, talks about 75,000 vehicles off the road on the Gold Coast strip in 2016.
It is an absolute load of rubbish.
So we go a little bit further to see whether there is something else in this document. Here we have table 8-56. Guess what? Table 8-56 confirms the table above it. It lists the 'Change in daily PV trips', private vehicle trips, as a percentage change and numerical-for Southport, minus 10,850; for Surfers Paradise, minus 7,150; for Broadbeach, minus 6,700; and for the Griffith Knowledge Precinct, minus 4,200. The total is 28,900 fewer trips-near enough to 29,000 for 2016, the year that all the articles quoted as the year in which there would be 75,000 vehicles off the roads.
Let us go back to 2026 and where we originally saw that 75,000 figure. Let us have a look at those numbers. Let us add those figures up and see whether they come to 75,000. It is nothing like it. It is something in the order of 35,000 trips. So somewhere between 2026, I would suggest, and 2200 we might have 75,000 vehicles coming off the road on the Gold Coast strip but certainly not 75,000 by 2016 as recorded in the media as direct quotes from the Premier of this state.
Ms Grace: So it's media research.
Mr CRANDON: No, not media research. I thank the member for Brisbane Central for that interjection. I went to where the 75,000 was quoted. It was quoted directly from the lips of this Premier in local newspapers. But there is absolutely nothing in the data that supports those figures. So they are just an absolute concoction. I have to tell you that I will be pleased-
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Wendt): Order! Member for Coomera, please address your comments through the chair and do not use that other word.
Mr CRANDON: I would be very pleased to say I am wrong. I would be very pleased if someone could produce this 75,000 figure by the 2016 date from somewhere in the detail.
Now let us talk about the transport infrastructure that is being ignored on the Gold Coast. I have spoken many times in this House about the Gold Coast rail line. The bottom line is that we have no solution until 2017 according to this government and this minister. This minister admits that the Gold Coast line is the most overcrowded line on the network. Yet there will be no solution for a minimum of seven years. We have been talking about putting tunnels under the Brisbane River. That is assuming that all the ducks line up. That is assuming that we get all of the money-the $8.4 billion-to do the job. I point out to the minister that the reality is that the Gold Coast line is already the most overcrowded line on the network. We cannot wait seven years. We need to start thinking outside the box. We need to stop going around in circles. We need to find some solutions for the Gold Coast rail line to resolve this problem. We are talking about the fastest growing urban area in this country. We need to resolve this problem. Acknowledging it is a problem and doing nothing about it is just not on and not good enough.
Having buses that run on time is another good one. Let us get the system working as it should be working. Instead of telling people that we have not got the budget to review the bus system in the northern Gold Coast area let us get it working. Let us not have it that people in Hope Island who want to catch the bus to get to the station to get down to Robina or up to Brisbane have to take a two-hour bus trip just to get to the train station. We need buses that go to areas that people live in. That is another good one. What about Boykambil? Where is Boykambil? It is right in the middle of the sticks, one would think. No, absolutely not. It is right in the middle of the fastest growing region in this country and yet people have to walk a minimum of five kilometres to get to a bus stop. So why do we not do something about getting a bus down Sickle Avenue to pick up elderly people, young people who want to use the public transport network as has been touted as the way that we want people to go. Let us get them to the railway station a little bit quicker.
Let us look at Fryar Road, Eagleby, which is at the other end of my electorate and where we have an expanding elderly population as a result of a retirement village development and so forth in the area. We have 500 metre-long hills that people have to traverse. I am talking about people from the retirement village who are in the age range 67 to 80 years. They have to walk up these hills to get to a bus. It is not just 500 metres away-that is just the hill-then they have to go over the hill and down the other side another 400 metres. They have to walk almost a kilometre to get to a bus stop so they can go shopping. Let us get some real, genuine, fair dinkum infrastructure happening at a local level in the Gold Coast area.
Having said all that, I commend the bill to the House. ...
See If You Can Spot The Menacing Threats In This Media Release
Biggest ever Australian Health Survey announced today
Australian Bureau of Statistics Media Release [12/5/10]
The health of Australians will be getting its most comprehensive check-up ever, with the announcement today of the Australian Health Survey.
To be conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, the survey will build on ABS’s long running health survey program.
The survey is being planned in close consultation with the Department of Health and Ageing and the National Heart Foundation of Australia, who have provided supporting funding for new components of the collection.
“This is an important survey for all Australians,” the Australian Statistician, Mr Brian Pink said, “it will be the most comprehensive health survey ever undertaken by the ABS and will be an important benchmark to help determine future health strategies.”
The survey will include new and better measures of what Australians are eating and how physically active they are. It will also collect other health information, such as whether people have been diagnosed with arthritis or heart disease.
In another first, the survey will also measure chronic disease risk factors such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
In support of the survey, the Heart Foundation's CEO, Dr Lyn Roberts said, “Information from this survey will help improve our understanding of cardiovascular disease, which is currently responsible for one-third of all deaths in Australia. This research has never been more important, so this survey is an investment in the future health of all Australians."
The survey will also ask people to consider a visit to a pathology centre so that information on health risks factors can be derived from blood and urine samples. This will give a more accurate picture of the number of Australians with health issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes risk or poor nutritional status.
Around 50,000 people across Australia will be asked to take part in the survey, which will start in April 2011.
If you read something in the Murdoch press, it usually bears no relation to reality.
Maybe that explains why the listeners to ABC's Coast FM have been having such trouble getting the answer to Stacey Milner's "NewsBeat" segments lately. FFS, if you say something has "been all over the news" today [19/5/10], you might pick a vaguely credible news organisation and a vaguely factual news story.
This, however, is fascinating:
On 20 May 2010 at 03:41:10 AM (Canberra time), the resident population of Australia is projected to be:
22,351,842
This projection is based on the estimated resident population at 30 September 2009 and assumes growth since then of:
one birth every 1 minute and 46 seconds,
one death every 3 minutes and 42 seconds,
a net gain of one international migrant every 1 minute and 46 seconds leading to
an overall total population increase of one person every 1 minute and 10 seconds.These assumptions are consistent with figures released in Australian Demographic Statistics, September Quarter 2009 (cat. no. 3101.0).
Go Between Bridge Toll Slashed
Brisbane set to get another tollway no-one wanted
Ex-indie icon artists completely sell out.
'The Independent' reported on 1 November, 2006:
A respected town planner and political commentator says the latest dire warnings on climate change have made the Hale Street bridge project untenable.
And he argues that the Labor majority in City Hall could sell politically a change of mind and a vote to axe the multi-million dollar project.
"It seems to me that climate change is the gorilla in the room," Mr Doug Tucker told The Independent yesterday.
Governments had to face up to their responsibilities to focus more on public transport and try to ensure that the worst-case scenarios painted in a United Kingdom report released this week did not come true.
And that should mean an end to a cross-river traffic bridge that would only bring more and more cars into South Brisbane and the city.
"On balance, it is tenable to say no to this project, and in the long term the Stern report (released this week by Sir Nicolas Stern, former Word Bank chief economist) requires that these big projects should be dumped."
He said Labor majority leader and Deputy Mayor David Hinchliffe had much to weigh up over the next two weeks before a vote was taken.
Mr Tucker said he had started out being fairly neutral about the project but would now like to see it abandoned.
"I'm afraid I would," he said. "It's time for us to make an about-turn. (Global warming) changes the equation for me."
Mr Tucker said that the Hale Street Bridge was one of those projects that seemed rational in its own way to solve a local road traffic flow problem.
But individual projects that seemed rational added up to an irrational whole "that makes nonsense".
He said the recent closure of the Riverside Expressway had shown that public transport was the way forward for big cities such as Brisbane.
"These days I'm using public transport more and more. The buses are air-conditioned, they're like lightning and with a fleet of 800 you see them more and more."
Mr Tucker said the proposed siting of the bridge had pitted against each other groups with varying levels of passion and fight.
"You've got a mobilised West End community that's very concerned and they have rights to a lifestyle choice they've chosen over time and made for themselves.
"On the other hand, you've got an unorganised group of motorists interested in getting to their destination and (the bridge) represents a significant saving not just to people heading to West End but to others going to North Brisbane or to the city or just going south via the Captin Cook Bridge."
Mr Tucker said the project would represent, especially along Cordelia and Merivale Streets, a serious traffic accident problem, given the number of kids in the area. Increased traffic would flow past "where the State High students play".
Mr Tucker said the ALP in council would cop a lot of stick from the Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and The Courier-Mail, which had thrown its weight behind the project, but "there is a lot of support in West End and other people in the community".
"There are a lot of people who don't come into contact with the particular traffic problems in that area as they're going to and from work.
"I think they would have a fair chance of selling it to the community."
The ALP also faced major internal divisions if its council members gave the green light to the project.
"Helen Abrahams in Dutton Park ward has announced her opposition. She's a dedicated conservationist but (her stand) is, given the strong green vote locally, a case of political survival."
Mr Tucker said the Lord Mayor made capital out of the argument that Labor had pledged to support his election promises, and the Hale Street Bridge, even though it was not part of the original Trans Apex plans for city tunnels, was "technically" part of that.
"For substantive reasons, it is part of the Trans Apex projects," Mr Tucker said.
But Labor could equally claim that the Lord Mayor had not delivered on his promises.
"He promised a $2 fee for tunnels and that's panned out to be over $4." The life of tolls also had now spread out to 45 years.
"In those circumstances, Labor's promise to respect the Newman mandate could be considered "null and void".
What Lies Beneath
From Mark Rowe's report in 'Geographical' Magazine' [August 2009]:
In April, the Cook Islands submitted a claim for an area of seabed some 2,500 times its total land area. The claim was one of 51 made to the UN's commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf before the May deadline. At stake is potentially billions of pounds in mineral resources, but the question of who owns what is far from clear....
Some claims are more straightforward than others. One of the biggest areas approved so far belongs to Australia, an area about the size of Western Australia - around 2.5 million square kilometres - while Brazil secured the right to control a large area of Atlantic seabed and hopes to discover offshore oil deposits. ...
Action On Pollution Leads To More Jobs For Australia
ACF Media Release [19/5/10]
Servicing a wind generator. Image: Pacific
Hydro
A new national report shows if governments act now to shift Australia from a pollution dependent economy to a cleaner economy it will create 3.7 million new jobs across the country by 2030.
Creating Jobs - Cutting Pollution: the roadmap for a cleaner, stronger economy, released today by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), is based on the most extensive economic modelling to date of costs and benefits across all Australian regions of taking strong action to cut greenhouse pollution by 25 per cent.
The report shows households will be 10 per cent better off by 2030 with strong policies (a price on pollution plus measures including energy efficiency, renewable energy investment and cleaner transport) but our economy and living standards will suffer if government action is weak.
ACTU President Sharan Burrow said the extra jobs that would be created with strong action were not just ‘green collar’ jobs, but new jobs in traditional industries such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the services sector.
“This report shows regional areas, even those which produce coal and generate electricity, will have more jobs if we take strong action to cut pollution, but only if we act now,” Ms Burrow said.
Among the states Queensland leads the way with 45 per cent jobs growth, followed by Victoria (44 per cent), WA (34 per cent), NSW (28 per cent), Tasmania (25 per cent) and South Australia (20 per cent).
“Australia’s government and business leaders face a simple choice: invest and innovate now to secure our long-term future or pay the price in extra economic costs, job losses and an increasingly damaged environment if we don’t act.”
ACF Executive Director Don Henry said government policies were holding back Australia’s transition to a cleaner economy.
“In this election year Australians want our leaders to show they have got a serious plan to shift to us a cleaner economy with new industries and better jobs.”
More Unanswered Questions On NAPLAN
Greens Media Release [18/5/10]
Fresh allegations of teachers falsifying NAPLAN results have raised more questions about the validity and effectiveness of the test, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
The Greens Education Spokesperson won support for a Senate Inquiry into NAPLAN last week and said its terms of reference will be broad ranging:
"Reports over the last week of teachers manipulating test results andstudents being discouraged from coming to school, cast real doubt on the effectiveness of NAPLAN. Why is it that teachers feel they have to do this? Is the potential for the misleading reporting of NAPLAN data creating a culture of fear within the education sector? For instance,are teachers afraid of losing funding and support for their schools? These are the kind of questions I hope to have answered through my inquiry," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"Education experts have questioned the effectiveness of NAPLAN in assessing the quality of education of our students. It's clear the validity of the test is in doubt and its rapidly losing the confidenceof both parents and teachers. I look forward to seeing how can provide more meaningful information to parents, through my Senate Inquiry."
Senator Hanson-Young reiterated her call to have the results of this year's NAPLAN testing suppressed until these matters are resolved:
"In light of reports of bungling and manipulation of results, releasing data from this year's test will only muddy the waters and potentially lead to poor policy outcomes. I'm calling on the Deputy Prime Minister to sit on these results until the inquiry has concluded," Senator Hanson-Young said.
The Senate inquiry is now receiving submissions and will report on the13th
of August. Further information is available online at:http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eet_ctte/naplan/index.htm
Boss Complete Bastard: Shock! Outrage! Horror! Fury!
... Well pick up your feet
We've go a deadline to meet
I'm gonna see you make it on time
Don't relax
I want elbows and backs
I wanna see everybody from behind ...
'Working For The Man', Roy Orbison [1962]
Josiah
Bounderby is a character in the Charles Dickens novel 'Hard
Times'
It seems like every week an Australian business is sued for failing to pay workers their entitlements or for breaches of workplace health and safety rules.
Today, it's been revealed that a prominent chain of small businesses, "Bastard Boss Overpriced Crappucines Cafe and Snacks", hasn't been paying its workers.
"That's how the free market works," said 'Bastard Boss' PR representatives in a scripted statement.
"Look, productivity and minimum wages and the free market and wage inflation, OK?"
Charges were brought against 'Bastard Boss' by the anonymous invisible wages watchdog, 'Window Dressing Australia'.
Window Dressing Ombudsman CEO Mr Clip Board said the provisions of the Window Dressing Act allowed for the corporate media and Radio Rupert to publish positive and reassuring stories at regular intervals.
Window Dressing inspectors sometimes pop up years after the event and prosecute companies. Sometimes they even get a tiny amount of money for the workers who have been screwed over by free marketeers.
Yay!
In related news, young people aren't joining unions because the unions are in bed with the boss and the government and have nothing to offer them - outrage! shock! fury! and horror!
Amazingly, The 'Courier-Mail' Stoops To New Low
17 May, 2010
Mr Geoff Wilson, Minister for Education and Training
Dr Bruce Flegg, Shadow Minister for Education and Training
Aidan McLindon MP
Rob Messenger MPDear Sirs,
I am writing to express my disgust at the 'Courier-Mail's' stated intention to publish a truancy table (see today's 'Courier-Mail' on-line article 'Worst attended schools revealed in Queensland').
The article is ideologically driven, racist, dog whistling and class vilification.
This media organisation has a virtual monopoly on print media in this state. Their antagonism toward important social issues - from the environment to public services - has a corrosive and dangerous influence on democratic discourse.
Specifically, their track record reporting on education is noticeably skewed to vilifying the teaching profession and public education.
This sensationalism is not in the public interest. It creates distrust and fear and conflict within communities, and does not contribute to the resolution of problems.
Over the last year or so, I have written on several occasions on several issues to politicians. With one or two notable exceptions, I have received no response, and I have never received a response from a government member either state or federal.
On this important issue I would like to see a bipartisan response to this kind of divisive, destructive use of disproportionate media power.
Thankyou for your consideration,
Queensland Museum Releases New Website For International Museums Day:
QM Media Release [17/5/10]
The Queensland Museum will bring some museum collections out from the storage vaults for the first time to showcase more than 40,000 collection objects and specimens online on its new website (www.qm.qld.gov.au) that will go live for International Museums Day on 18 May.
The website has been designed to share the Museum's vast knowledge of Queensland's natural and cultural history with everyone who has an interest in Queensland.
For the first time the Museum can provide virtual access to the significant 'type' specimens from its biodiversity collections. These are the ones that define the name of a particular species, whether it be a bird, mammal, spider, insect, reptile, fish, sponge or any other creature.
As well as showcasing collections online, the website's new 'Find out about' section lets you browse or search for information about all things Queensland including animals, insects, spiders, snakes, dinosaurs, rocks, transport, clothing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and more.
Queensland Museum scientists and historians have created this section to help answer many of the questions the Museum receives from people every day.
So whether you want to know how many species of spiders there are in Queensland, where a meteorite comes from, what the first coaches and trains looked like, or how many historic shipwrecks have been recorded off the Queensland coast, you can find out all the answers in one place: Find out about at www.qm.qld.gov.au. This section was created with support form The Thyne Reid Charitable Trust and the Tim Fairfax Foundation.
Other useful features of the new website include:
§ Information about visiting each of the Queensland Museum's public museums - Queensland Museum South Bank in Brisbane including the Sciencentre, The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich, Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba and the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville - as well as a link to the Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying that is operated in partnership with the Department of Environment and Resource Management.
§ Online shop retailing Queensland Museum's quality publications for adults and children, including the best-selling wild guide and pocket guide series.
§ Online search facility for schools and community groups who can borrow museum items from Queensland Museum Loans.
§ Curriculum-linked learning resources for schools.
§ Opportunities to support the Museum's programs of adding new items to the State Collection and completing ground-breaking research projects like digging for dinosaur fossils and discovering species new to science.
Victory: Nestlé Gives Orang-Utans A Break
Greenpeace Media Release [17/5/10]
It took just eight weeks for Nestlé to answer our demands.
Over 23,000 Australians recently contacted global food and beverage giant, Nestlé, asking them to stop using palm oil linked to rainforest destruction.
Today, we have fantastic news. Nestlé announced it would stop using all products that come from rainforest destruction.
The move follows a two-month Greenpeace campaign that exposed Nestlé’s use of palm oil in products like KitKat. The expansion of palm oil and pulp plantations is driving the destruction of Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands, and pushing orang-utans to the brink of extinction.
Thousands of Australians joined people around the world in asking Nestlé to stop buying palm oil from suppliers that destroy rainforests.
To each and every one of you who took action: thank you. This is very much your victory.
So, what exactly is Nestlé committing to?
Under its new policy, Nestlé commits to identify and exclude companies from its supply chain that own or manage ‘high-risk plantations or farms linked to deforestation’. This exclusion would apply to companies such as Sinar Mas, Indonesia’s most notorious palm oil and pulp and paper supplier, if it fails to meet the criteria set out in the policy.
It also applies to Nestlé’s business with palm oil traders such as Cargill, which continues to buy from Sinar Mas.
Greenpeace will closely monitor and push for the rapid implementation of Nestlé’s plan.
Consumers creating positive change for our environment
We launched the campaign on 17 March 2010, kicking off with a parody video that became a viral hit on YouTube.
People around the world embraced the campaign across social media sites Twitter and Facebook, where consumers posted their concerns on Nestlé’s fan page.
Greenpeace activists dropped in on the company’s global AGM in Lausanne, Switzerland with a message to shareholders, while other activists took the message to regional offices, including their Sydney office in Rhodes.
No place for rainforest destruction in marketplace
Nestlé’s move sends a clear message to Sinar Mas, as well as the rest of the palm oil and paper industries: rainforest destruction is not acceptable in the global marketplace. They need to clean up their act and move to implement full peatland protection and a moratorium on rainforest destruction.
Global demand for both palm oil and paper is increasing, as companies like Sinar Mas expand into Indonesia’s forests and peatlands.
The result? Indonesia has one of the fastest rates of forest destruction on the planet, and is the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China and the United States.
Palm oil is used in a huge range of products – from chocolate, toothpaste and cosmetics, to so-called ‘climate-friendly’ biofuels.
Law And The Commons
From 'The End Of The Line: How Overfishing Is Changing The World And What We Eat' by Charles Clover [2004]:
... There is always somebody prepared to accept money in return for allowing a vessel freedom to fish. A change of registration can be carried out by fax, over a satellite phone, while at sea. At the bottom of the cascade of money and responsibility there are many flag states that either do not enforce the treaties they have ratified, or never signed up to them. A basic principle of international law is that if a country does not adhere to a treaty, it is not bound by its provisions. A vessel flying the flag of Belize, for example, may fish perfectly legally for tuna in the Atlantic without paying any attention to conservation measures laid down by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This amounts to a gaping loophole in the law, which appeals to those who want to fish on the high seas with impunity, and to those who wish to fish illegally in other countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZs) under the appearance of fishing on the high seas. The popularity of particular flags changes as international pressure is brought to bear on certain countries to remove miscreants from their registers - as ICCAT has made certain central American states do through trade sanctions. But there remains a handful of flags that appeal to companies that gear up to fish illegally for high-value species because they calculate that the risks of being caught are outweighed by the profits if they get away with it.
Pirate fishing of this kind can be every bit as cruel as the 2003 film fantasy Pirates of the Caribbean. Hélène Bours of Greenpeace International was sailing off the coast of Sierra Leone in the MV Greenpeace on 11 September 2001. She had already seen several vessels in a very dilapidated state, apparently lacking the most basic safety equipment and with the crew living in deplorable conditions. That morning the MV Greenpeace picked up a mayday call from a ship in distress: the Estemar 5, a Korean-owned vessel, registered to the Tikonko fishing Company of Sierra Leone. The Greenpeace vessel headed immediately to its aid. Hélène Bourse recalls:
Shortly before we reached the location given in the distress call, about 2 ½ hours later, we saw a large slick of oil in the water, as well as some mooring ropes, plastic boxes and many other types of debris - presumably from the ship in distress.
We set up look-out groups on the bridge and in the crow's nest and steamed about looking for survivors. A few hours later, a small boat with an officer of Sierra Leone's navy informed us that nine crew members of the fishing boat were missing. Only the captain and one deckhand had so far been found alive. We launched two of our inflatable boats to expand the search and to have a better chance of seeing any survivors. After another hour, without having seen any survivors or bodies, we terminated the search operation. Astoundingly, most of the other fishing vessels in the area had not even stopped fishing to help.
The Estemar 5 was a serial offender. It had been sighted five times in a year in prohibited areas of the Sierra Leone 200-mile limit during flights carried out by the Surveillance Operations Coordination Unit in The Gambia.
Very slowly the grey areas of the law of the sea are turning to black and white. The 1995 UN fish stocks agreement, which only came into force in 2003, requires flag states actively to comply with fishing agreements on the high seas, rather than merely not to undermine them. It also confers considerable powers on regional fisheries organisations to inspect and carry out surveillance of vessels fishing in their area, which includes allowing them to insist that satellite transponders be fitted. A voluntary plan of action agreed by the international community in 2001 provides support for flag states by tightening up scrutiny of the vessels on their registers and of port states - countries where the vessels dock - that collect information on fishing and deny access to flag-of-convenience vessels. As yet, however, the law of the sea still lacks the power to allow anyone but the flag state to impose measures on vessels on the high seas. Nor is there a way of forcing countries with open registers to observe the requirement, repeatedly stated in international law, that there should be a 'genuine link' between fishing company and flag state. That would mean that offenders could be easily prosecuted ...
Enrol To Vote Week Underway In Over 1,600 Schools:
AEC Media Release [17/5/10]
Enrol to Vote Week 2010 (ETVW) which begins today in secondary schools around the country, will see thousands of young Australians actively participating in our democracy for the first time by enrolling to vote.
A total of 1,664 schools are registered to participate in ETVW, which is running from 17-23 May 2010, and involves the AEC working in partnership with Australian secondary schools to encourage 17- and 18-year-old students to enrol to vote.
Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn said that the high participation rate of Australian schools in ETVW this year would help to boost enrolment figures of young Australians, and also boost the health of our Australian democracy.
“We’re pleased to have the support of so many schools and I would like to personally thank principals and teachers for getting their schools involved in the event,” Mr Killesteyn said.
This year the ETVW theme is ‘you never know when an election might be called’ which is particularly relevant considering a federal election could be called this year.
The AEC is supporting Enrol to Vote Week by providing enrolment forms, educational resources, promotional materials and other information to schools and on the ETVW website.
AEC officers will also be visiting schools in their local area during the week to help students to complete their enrolment forms at school.
For more information about the initiative, or to see which schools in your local community are participating in ETVW visit www.enroltovoteweek.aec.gov.au
Mobil "Not Even Trying" On Emergency Incident:
Greens Media Release [17/5/10]
Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has described Mobil's response to last night's incident at the Altona refinery as "not even trying".
"I started getting calls from community members soon after 9pm last night. They could see the flaring for miles around, and they could see the cloud of gas or smoke. But they couldn't find out what was going on."
"The Altona Refinery Hotline was a recorded message, without any information on the incident."
"The Hobsons Bay emergency after hours info line had a real person operator, but they had no information."
"Only one of the two Altona Refinery Community Liaison Committee contact numbers was answering his phone, and he hadn't been told what was going on."
"The police emergency information line had a recorded message that 'this line is not currently active'. Meanwhile residents could see a police helicopter overhead."
"There really is no excuse for Mobil not to have told the Community Liaison Committee members and the Hobsons Bay after hours contact what was going on."
"Meanwhile, the next morning, we still don't have any attempt at an explanation for the huge plume of smoke, steam or gas seen coming out of the site last night. Nobody at Mobil appears willing to admit that there was such a plume, let alone what was in it. But the plume is as clear as day in the photos."
"If Mobil wants to have an oil refinery close a residential area and important wetlands, they have to realise that they have responsibilities, like fast community information when there's an incident. If last night is anything to go by, they're not even trying," said Ms Hartland.
Meanwhile:
The announcement was made at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association's conference in Brisbane today. ...
Australians Encouraged To Tell Malevolent Pricks Who Run The World To "Fuck Off" For A Week
Australians are being asked to tell any powerful undemocratic organisation or unaccountable individuals that impose their will upon them to "fuck off" for a week in order to help raise awareness.
The week's celebrations, which involve notifiying sports stars, celebrities, politicians, media partners, corporations and business people they should "fuck off", will culminate in a special commemorative "Raise Awareness Day" this Friday.
"We have no dress code, no gimmicks, no stickers, pens, coloured ribbons, badges, tattoos, wrist bands, morning teas, noses or bandannas," a spokesman for raising awareness said.
One in every 100 Australians suffer from a lack of awareness, particularly awareness of how cynical, nasty and exploitative some corporate charity awareness campaigns really are.
This year's awareness campaign is hoping to raise $1 million.
The spokesman for Raise Awareness has guaranteed that every dollar raised will be spent on awareness.
All Australians are encouraged to take part in the Raise Awareness campaign by registering online at:
www.tellmalevolentprickstofuckoff.com
Debt and Dämmerung: Welcome to the Wasteland
Ilargi on 'The Automatic Earth' writes [14/5/10]:
As the US and the world at large are -very- slowly waking up to the reality of the biggest single man made environmental disaster in history (by Three Miles and a half), and in all likelihood the biggest one in the history of the planet, we can see a striking similarity between the way news of the Deepwater Horizon destruction reaches us and how we've been and still are (not!) being force-fed the true scope and impact of the single biggest financial crisis in time immemorial.
Modus operandi: Extend and pretend, lie and deny, cheat, rinse and repeat. We're caught in a self-hand-made trap of never-ending attempts to bend what's real into what's non-offensive to palates shaped by processed food and minds formed by advertisement campaigns aimed exclusively at the sub-conscious. And we can blame all the politicians, spin doctors and marketeers for all we want, but in the end they're just showing us who we really are. If that wasn't true, they'd try another tack to sell us the detergents, trinkets and presidents they have on offer. ...
Major Parties Claim Underdog Status In Leadup To Federal Election
I'm an underdog, no really, I am!
… This one's for the freaks
the beaten down and crushed
The shy and withdrawn
Or just out of touch …
'Underdogs', Manic Street Preachers [2007]
In an unusual breach of protocol, Australia's major political parties have both claimed underdog status as the federal election approaches.
Usually mainstream politicians wait until fairly late into an election campaign before declaring themselves underdogs, but their pronouncements might not be that surprising after all, given Christmas decorations appear in the shops earlier and earlier every year - and your vote is viewed by the major political parties as something to be bought and sold.
The Government and big unions furiously agree that: Boo! Budgie Smugglers! Greenie Gay Heroin will ruin the economy! The Opposition Leader says climate change is crap and his industrial relations policies threaten working families and their jobs jobs jobs - not like the A.B.C.C. - look over there - it's a baby rabbit!
The Opposition Leader said that if he managed to overcome his underdog status and won the election, he would work within the Gillard Framework, which has wrought massive, sweeping cosmetic changes to Australia's industrial relations landscape.
"We will bring back all the shredded mousepads, stickers and brochures," he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister for I'm Seein' Robots said that a recent poll showing that 350,000 Australians were turning their backs on the government because of broken promises, hypocrisy and inaction on important issues, proved he was an underdog too.
"It is not at all arrogant and dangerous of me not to justify why we have to break all these promises and do nothing about climate change," he said.
"We intend overcoming our underdog status by sticking to our talking point that a protest vote equals waking up with Tony Abbott in your bed. Not only that, we can rely on the corporate media to play along instead of highlighting the Greens and Independents as real alternatives. So there!"
Australia does have political parties who could genuinely claim underdog status, but that's not the point. The point is to maintain the illusion that two-party system is the backbone of our thriving democracy.
HOW DRUNK ARE YOU?: MOBILE APP
When Are Our Governments Going To Be Responsible To Their Citizens And Stop Building Expensive Stuff We Don't Need?
Public Transport is the real congestion buster, as 'BrisUrbane' writes [15/5/10]:
... One of the problems with conventional trains is that they can’t jump off the tracks and pick passengers up from a street stop. Dual mode light rail, pioneered in Karlsruhe, Germany, changes this by running light rail on the street in ‘tram mode’ with light rail then entering the conventional railway network to run at high-speed to the next town in ‘train mode’. The benefits include:
Passenger increase
Stimulated development along the route
A seamless transfer-free journey from outer regional and country areas
Direct access to city streets and city stops
High-speed by using the rail network (up to 100 km/hr)
Avoids the need to build large lengths of track by using existing railway linesCurrently dual-mode light rail has found application in connecting smaller towns, on regional rail lines, or where distances are large with low density in between. Over 470+ km of track now forms part of the Karlsruhe dual-mode light rail network, demonstrating that light rail can serve significant distances; far more than just inner city suburbs. ...
Feature Story In Weekend Newspaper Reveals Deplorable State Of Queensland Journalism
A modern, liberated, sister paying her way through university and revelling in her equality
… They just stare and whisper, now everyone knows
That the dream I thought I had found
Has come tumblin' down …
'Stares
And Whispers', Renee Geyer [1976]
'The State of Your State', with Percy Personable the People's Scribe
She goes out of her way to please Bowen Hills, the fossil fuel and other mining industries - not to mention the god botherers. She's produced the obligatory 2.4 offspring, extolled the virtues of botox and played happy families for the 'Australian Women's Weekly'.
Yet back in the bad old days - when Brisbane had more than one daily newspaper - we can once again reveal that Queensland's Premier concerned herself with frivolous issues such as womens rights.
Why ARE the corporate media suddenly so keen on anti-social networking sites in the lead up to the federal election?: Read all about it in Tip-E Tap's Technology Blog
Minutes of student union meetings attended by the Queensland Premier have emerged, allowing this publication to trivialize and poke fun at any notion that she once had principles - even if it was long, long ago, in the dark days of her mispent youth.
Of course in the post-feminist shang-ri-la that is Queensland, female politicians are so emancipated they willingly accept being handed a poison chalice.
And the Premier's rhetoric remains unsubdued by the patriarchy now she has reached such lofty heights - just ask the state's liberated sex workers and women seeking to decriminalise abortion.
"It's important for young people to believe in silly little quaint things like principles, as it is for older, grown up people to believe in nothing but free market fundamentalism," laughed the Premier and Deputy Premier in unison.
Meanwhile, 'Spring Hill Voice' can exclusively reveal that the Premier and Deputy Premier have absolutely zippo, zilch, nada and nothing to say about the findings of the death in custody inquest, and the specific findings about the police officers involved.
They will also have absolutely zippo, zilch, nada and nothing to say about the findings of the death in custody inquest, and the specific findings about the police officers involved, when they appear in their construction helmets and fluorescent vests at tomorrow's exciting Second Gateway Bridge opening.
Community Push For Local Train: Six Years Since Last Train Ran
TOOT! Media Release [12/5/10]
This Sunday, 16 May 2010 marks six years since a train has run on the Casino-Murwillumbah line.
"For six years the train line has been a political football to gain votes," said Karin Kolbe from TOOT (Trains on our tracks)
"Yet nothing concrete has happened."
A proposal for a local light rail service between Casino and Murwillumbah, making frequent runs and stops along the way, has gained widespread support from business, young people and regional leaders.
"Now more than ever we need to seriously look at re-opening the Casino to Murwillumbah rain line, this is a precious piece of infrastructure that must not be abandoned," said Martin Brook, founder and Director of Brookfarm.
"I fail to see why our politicians cannot see the real benefits of rail. It’s the solution to so many of our urban pressures. The whole world is putting in rail systems yet we, in this region of villages who most need connectivity, have a track we don’t use. Many of our workforce make the daily commute from the inland areas including Lismore. Opening a station near the new sports fields next to the industrial estate would be a huge plus for the businesses in our area and in turn create more job opportunities."
On Tuesday 29 June a Rail Forum involving government representatives and community leaders is being held to address the realities of such a service.
Trains in Bairnsdale Victoria stopped for eleven years, now they have six services daily. Queensland’s railway line from Brisbane to Tweed Heads was pulled up and now, forty years later, is being relayed at a cost of tens of millions.
"Six years is long enough," said Paul Spooner, General Manager Byron Community and Cultural Centre.
"For the safety and future of our young people and
the Northern Rivers economy, let alone our carbon footprint, we need to
bring our train home."
Politician Lies: Nation In Deep Shock
Some politicians prefer to answer to a higher power over their constituents ... and you know what eventually happens to them!
The Premier of New South Wales has responded on Frottager to accusations she used the anti-social media site to cover up her belief in the Divine Right of Kings.
It was only Frottagers who questioned why the Premier was not present for this week's parliamentary vote allowing same-sex couples to register their relationships.
The shocking revelations come on the back of a series of outrages involving mainstream columnists Frottaging their opinions.
When asked if the same outrage would have been evident if the Premier had misrepresented her beliefs in a media release or in a radio interview, Australia's only anti-social media commentator said:
"I would jeopardise my position as Australia's only anti-social media commentator if I didn't attribute the blame to Frottager, while deflecting any concerns that our supposedly secular government is anything but."
It is understood that the Internet is nearly full anyway, so the difficulties with Frottager shouldn't be a problem for much longer.
In related news, the dire shortage of right-wing think tanks in Australia has finally been addressed with today's announcement that a Lying Rodent Institute is to be established.
"We don't need to go back to the 1970s, we need to go back to the 1950s," said the Opposition Leader.
Why Is Some Graffiti Painted Over Quickly, Whereas Other Graffiti Stays For Months - Untouched?
Dixon Street, Coolangatta
Gallery: Brisbane Did Have Landmarks
Following the Paddington Tram Depot Fire in 1962 (mysterious and unsolved, unlike the established conspiracy between GM, Firestone and the oil industry to destroy trams and streetcars in the US) the State Government commissioned Wilbur Smith & Associates to analyse the existing and future travel needs of Brisbane. Their Brisbane Transportation Study released in 1965 recommended 5 new bridges, 130 kms of freeways and 25 kms express ways.
The Bellevue Hotel (demolished in 1979) and Cloudland (demolished in 1982)
[Photos from 'Brisbane: Our Town' by Helen Dash, UQP 1988]
Festival Hall (demolished in 2004)
The SGIO Fountain and SGIO Theatre (demolished in 2007)
The MLC Weather Beacon (switched off in 2007)
The fit-out of the original Shingle Inn was removed in 2002 and put in storage pending being reassembled on completion of the Queens Plaza. Despite assurances from Council and the Developers...
It never was.
If only Brisbane had some iconic landmark icons to make it a really unique city in the world. If only people had said something at the time these things were being destroyed, then our leaders and media would have been able to DO something to protect these wonderful parts of our heritage and they could have become attractive attractions which would earn our city a well-deserved reputation as a great tourist destination! Well hang your heads in shame all you people who didn't do enough to stop their destruction.
You thought that protests, petitions, arrests, blockades, withstanding police brutality and media vilification was enough? Fools!
We hold you entirely responsible for allowing us to make this city a souless shit-hole. We can forgive you for being arrested and bashed trying to stop us fucking up your home town, but we can never forgive you for allowing us to fuck up this city to such an extent that nobody in their right mind would visit it or invest money here. We will make you pay for this.
Mill Point Heritage Walk: The Archaeology Of A Noosa Landscape
Mill Point
In the late 1800s Mill Point on Lake Cootharaba was a thriving sawmill employing up to 150 men at times. The men and their families lived in the settlement associated with the sawmill and which included a variety of shops, a school and library, community hall and a hotel. The boom years did not last and the mill closed in 1892. Attempts at dairy farming in the area met with limited success. Join Steve Nichols and Karen Murphy (University of Queensland), coordinators of the Mill Point Archaeological Project, for a free guided walking tour of the late nineteenth century sawmill, cemetery and domestic areas as well as remains of the early twentieth century dairying industry. The walk lasts around 2-3 hours and is a very popular National Archaeology Week event.
Where: Meet at Elanda Point Queensland Parks and Wildlife Office, Cooloola Section - Great Sandy National Park, approx 5km north of Boreen Point
When: Sunday 16 May at 1pm
Cost: Free
New Books Uncover The Wild Side Of Queensland's Scenic Rim:
Queensland Museum Media Release [12/5/10]
Witches Falls on Mt Tamborine was declared Queensland's first national park in 1908.
The Queensland Museum has focused its magnifying glass on the unique heritage, history, people, plants, animals and landscape of Queensland's Scenic Rim region to produce two new publications in partnership with the Scenic Rim Regional Council.
Wild Guide to the Scenic Rim and Heritage Guide to the Scenic Rim will be officially launched by Scenic Rim Councillor Dave Cockburn on Saturday 15 May at The Centre, Beaudesert.
Author of the two new pocket guides, Queensland Museum Senior Information Officer Greg Czechura describes the Scenic Rim as a 'storehouse' of unique plants and animals, distinctive vegetation types and a landscape of outstanding beauty.
"The two new books are pocket-sized guides that take the reader on a journey of discovery from lush forests and high peaks between Mt Tamborine, the Lamington Plateau and Main Range to the rolling landscape and waterways at the foot of the mountains," Mr Czechura said.
"The books will give visitors and residents alike a taste of what makes this region of Queensland such an extraordinary place.
"Queensland's first national park was declared in the Scenic Rim region and the area is home to one of Australia's two species of lyrebird and many other rare and restricted plants and animals. You can even find places that are remnants of Australia's ancient, wet and temperate past," he said.
The rich cultural landscape of the region unfolds in the Heritage Guide to the Scenic Rim, which weaves a path through the stories of the original inhabitants, the first European explorers and settlers to the changing face of the region's industries and towns. The book also includes incidents like the Stinson plane crash in 1937 and the amazing rescue of the two survivors.
"Many prominent identities are associated with the region: film-makers, war heroes, artists, naturalists and the first person to coin the phrase 'Scenic Rim', Arthur Groom," Mr Czechura said.
"A noted photographer, writer and naturalist, Arthur Groom was also one of the Scenic Rim's early tourism pioneers who helped form Queensland Holiday Resorts in 1933 and subsequently managed Binna Burra Mountain Lodge."
A feature of the guides is the stunning photography of the region captured by Queensland Museum photographers Gary Cranitch and Jeff Wright.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Deputy Mayor, Dave Cockburn said the guides would arm residents and visitors of the Scenic Rim with information to explore and get to know more about the history of the region.
"The Scenic Rim region is a playground for history buffs and environmental enthusiasts alike and these guides will act as a supplement to these activities," Cr Cockburn said.
"It is important to know where we have come from to know where we are going and I encourage more people to learn more about the great history and environment of our region with the help of these guides.
"Council is proud to have been a part of the creation of these guides and looks forward to future partnerships on projects like this for our region."
Wild Guide to the Scenic Rim and Heritage Guide to the Scenic Rim were published by the Queensland Museum in partnership with the Scenic Rim Regional Council. The guides retail for $9.95 each and will be available after the launch from the Queensland Museum Explorer Shop, Queensland Museum Publishing on 07 3840 7645 and Scenic Rim Regional Council Visitor Information Centres at Beaudesert, Tamborine Mountain, Canungra, Rathdowney and Boonah.
Has The Tide Turned For Brisbane's T.O.D.s?
An artist's impression of trendy, inner-city teachers, nurses and emergency service workers of the future clamouring to live in Brisbane's latest T.O.D.
Brisbane will soon have a housing development unlike all other housing developments built around the city over the past few decades, with a new proposal for Tennyson launched yesterday.
The project, known as a Thoroughly Opportunistic Deception (T.O.D.), will appeal to thousands of middle-class type people who are crying out to live in slap-dash monstrosities built on swampy, once government-owned land in an industrial area.
Despite Brisbane's reputation as the city with the worst public transport system in the world, the development will be marketed as a Tide Turning Thoroughly Opportunistic Deception at Tennyson (T.T.T.O.D.T), because it is adjacent to the Yeerongpilly train station and will have a pedestrian bridge leading to nowhere, upon which you can promenade your Pouffeney whilst wearing your i-Pod and chatting on your Arse Face.
The Lord Mayor and the Minister for Fluorescent Vests, Hard Hats and Jobs Jobs Jobs Going Forward both furiously agreed yesterday that developments such as the T.T.T.O.D.T. were essential because T.I.N.A.
"For some inexplicable reason, the Tennyson development will be different to all the others which have been built around Brisbane over the past few decades, in that it won't clash with iconic, character and reeking with history tin and timber housing in the area," said the Lord Mayor.
"We don't just want Brisbane to be a 'New World City', we want Brisbane to be a 'Third World City', he said.
What a great idea! Where do I sign? I'm going to buy 10 of these and rent them out at exorbitant prices. I'll make a killing - thanks Government!
Richard Head | Albion - May 13, 2010, 7.12AM
I'm not so sure about this story - it seems a little bit bullshit. ....
Sheriff of Nottingham | Sherwood - May 13, 2010, 7.45AM
Blow it out your *rse "Sheriff of Nottingham" you cynical kill joy.
CITY HALL ISP | Ann Street - May 13, 2010, 9.00AM
I resent that this publication continues to present pretentious little poodle dogs as if we were some kind of pretentious accessory for pretentious people.
Pouffeney | Spring Hill - May 13, 2010, 9.15AM
Yeah "Sheriff of Nottingham" - you and your ilk never congratulate our leaders for taking initiatives in terms of outcomes going forward.
GEORGE STREET ISP | Executive Annexe - May 13, 2010, 10.12AM
I am utterly shocked by the tone of this discussion.
Major-General Ramrod-Straight (ret.) | Graceville - May 13, 2010, 11.00AM
NSW Upper House Slams Execution Of Iranian Unionist
Greens Media Release [12/5/10]
The Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament this morning unanimously condemned the execution of Iranian teacher and trade unionist Farzad Kamangar, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: "Mr Kamangar was executed on 9th May after a trial that failed to meet international or even Iranian standards for fairness.
"Mr Kamangar offended a regime that is determined to repress free trade unions
"His only 'crime' was standing up for the rights of Iranian teachers. "Harassment, imprisonment and execution of trade union officials and the ill-treatment of their families are becoming increasingly common.
"The NSW Upper House unanimously passed the Greens motion calling on the Iranian Government to immediately free all trade unionists and other political prisoners held in Iranian gaols and to end the campaign of harassment against their families.
"The motion which the President of the Legislative Council has been asked to send to the Iranian ambassador and the Supreme Leader in Tehran also demanded the restoration of the internationally accepted right of Iranian workers to organise in trade unions.
"On behalf of The Greens I extend sympathy to Mr Kamangar's
family and colleagues and all those who grieve for the loss of a hero of
the struggle for a free and democratic Iran ," Dr Kaye said.
Watch The Real Alternative Budget Speech
Dear friend,
They say that a government's budget is a direct view into its heart.
What a disappointment that the Rudd Government's third budget has so blatantly ignored our vulnerable environment and our most vulnerable citizens.
You can watch Bob Brown's speech in reply to the Budget online tomorrow night.
After turning his back on the carbon tax option we Greens presented, Prime Minister Rudd has failed to use this last budget before the election to take effective action on climate change.
This was a chance for the government to invest in the future of Australia - a clean and green economy, opportunities for young people through investments in tertiary education and support for students, a strong dental and mental health care program, maintaining a safety net for parents that are nurturing the next generation of Australians.
Instead the government has chosen to cut large sums from programs from rainwater tanks to green cars, and caved to the cynical attacks of the opposition by effectively cutting foreign aid and boosting anti-asylum seeker programs.
All Australians were given the opportunity to see the Treasurer's budget speech on Tuesday, and everyone can also see Tony Abbott's reply. The only alternative vision for Australia's future - Bob Brown's budget reply - will not be broadcast on TV.
But you can watch it online this Thursday evening at 8pm.
The Greens will be working in the Senate to improve the Budget outcomes for vulnerable Australians and for the environment which nurtures us and is increasingly vulnerable.
Come to our website and watch the short message Bob has recorded and you can click through to where his speech will be broadcast.
Many thanks,
The Greens Senate team
News From The 'Democratic Underground' [11/5/10]
Demonstrators stand with a 50-foot banner in front of the White House Tuesday, May 11, 2010, in Washington. The 50-foot banner was signed by Gulf residents and marched from the Department of Interior to the White House.
United Nations Food And Agriculture Organisation Launches Anti-Hunger Petition
FAO Media Release [11/5/10]
FAO unfurled megabanners on its Rome headquarters inviting people to sign the petition against hunger.
FAO today unveiled a major online petition calling on people to get angry at the fact that around a billion people suffer from hunger.
"The 1billionhungry project" uses strong images to illustrate hunger at its worst. Bold language and typography grab attention saying that enough is enough.
A yellow whistle works as an icon encouraging people to blow the whistle against hunger.
The online petition calls upon governments to make the elimination of hunger their top priority.
"We should be extremely angry for the outrageous fact that that our fellow human beings continue to suffer from hunger," said FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf.
"If you feel the same way, I want you to voice that anger. All of you, rich and poor, young and old, in developing and developed countries, express your anger about world hunger by adding your names to the global 1billion hungry petition at http://www.1billionhungry.org," he said.
FAO hopes the petition will spread through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
One of the features of the campaign is a promotional video made by British actor Jeremy Irons in which he plays a character based on a famous scene from the film "Network" where Peter Finch, who won an Oscar for his performance, says he is "as mad as hell".
International support
US Olympic athlete Carl Lewis, and French soccer player Patrick Vieira are among the sporting and arts personalities to take part in the launch.
The Association of European Professional Football Leagues presents a video with football players voicing their anger. The EPFL will also sponsor a "Match Day against Hunger" later in the year.
Recording artists Anggun, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dionne Warwick, Fanny Lu, Mory Kanté Noa, and Chucho Valdés have donated music for the campaign.
The "1billionhungry project" is fully supported by a number of civil society organisations including the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and a growing list of NGOs who will promote the campaign through their own networks.
"It is a huge injustice that more than one billion people go to sleep hungry every night and we welcome FAO's focus and commitment on this issue," said Katia Maia, Head of Oxfam's Food and Agriculture Campaign.
Hunger off target
If the world continues at the current pace of hunger reduction, the Millennium Development Goal of halving the percentage of hungry people by 2015 will not be met.
Of the around one billion hungry people, 642 million live in Asia and the Pacific, 265 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, 53 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, 42 in the Near East and North Africa and 15 million people in developed countries.
FAO estimates that global agricultural production needs to grow by 70 percent if the estimated 9 billion people that will inhabit the planet in 2050 are to be fed.
Support to agriculture in developing countries is set to be on the agenda at next month's Group of Eight leaders' summit in Canada.
Events to support the launch of the 1billionhungry campaign
were organized in cities around the world. In Yokohama, for example, home
of the UN food agencies in Japan, banners have been erected over major landmarks.
In Paris, students and NGO supporters of the campaign gathered in front
of the Eiffel Tower wearing t-shirts and blowing whistles.
Qld Budget Will Be 'Anything But Boring' Like Swan's
Neoliberals stand for nothing and deliver nothing - they like people to think they're boring, nerdy and "conservative".
In fact they're anything but - they're downright dangerous
I get high on a buzz
Then a rush when I'm plugged in you
I connect
When I'm flush
You get love when told what to do ...
'Strict Machine', Goldfrapp [2003]
The Queensland Treasurer says the Federal Budget was a real show stopper and next month's state budget will be equally as entertaining.
Mr Fraser says his Queensland budget will take a similar approach to that of the Federal Treasurer - a miserly appearance disguising selective generosity.
"The audience will experience mystery, romance and intrigue. It's all about the roar of the crowd, the smell of the greasepaint, treading the boards, breaking a leg, and razzle dazzle 'em ... every industry lobby group wins a prize," he said.
"Caught in the spotlight - I'll laugh and you'll cry."
Mr Fraser received widespread critical acclaim for last year's budget.
"It went down well with audiences all around the state, but they really loved it up in the stalls and private boxes," he said.
"This year's going to be bigger and better."
In the meantime, the free market will fix things like mental health, public transport, the environment, education, third world poverty and world peace.
Wake up Australia and take some personal responsibility.
... The source of the term is a quotation in an October 17, 2004, New York Times Magazine article by writer Ron Suskind, quoting an unnamed aide to George W. Bush:
The aide said that guys like me were "in what we call the reality-based community," which he defined as people who "believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality." ... "That's not the way the world really works anymore," he continued. "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do." ...
Filipino Triumph Workers Violently Evicted from Picket
Melona Daclan and Isabelita dela Cruz
News from 'Clean Clothes Campaign':
On the 4th of May, the Triumph workers in the Philippines were violently evicted from their picket line. More than 200 security forces invaded the former factory grounds, removed the protesting workers and destroyed their action camp.
The workers have set up another picket line further down the street, continuing their protest against their dismissals since summer 2009.
An eyewitness account by: Isabelita dela Cruz
May 8, 2010Dear everyone,
From the workers of Triumph Philippines our solidarity greetings to all. I would like to make a quick update on the workers situation in the picket line. To date there is an intense operation to totally smashed down our makeshift tent and give up our call for humane livelihood and social justice, by the combined forces of the Taguig PNP, Barangay Security Forces of Western Bicutan, FTI maintenance personnel, Nationwide Security Agency, this is by the directive of Pasig Regional Trial Court sheriff Mario Silvestre and hands of Triumph management. ...
Why Not Do Something Meaningful On This Anniversary And Reinstate Our Upper House You Pricks
In May 2010, Queensland Parliament celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Title: 21 May: P150 Commemorative Dinner
What: A celebration of 150 years of Queensland Parliament
When: 21 May 2010 5:30pm Start time 5.45 Finish time 10pm
Where: Premiers' and Speakers' Halls, Parliamentary Annexe, Cnr. George and Alice Streets
Cost: $150
RSVP: 17 May 2010 12:00amOn behalf of Queensland Parliament, The Brisbane Institute would like to invite you to attend this special commemorative dinner. Enjoy a wonderful evening of food, wine and entertainment.
The $150 ticket price includes a tax deductibe donation to be shared equally between the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Qld.) and Foodbank Queensland.
Please click here for more details and booking information.
** Note: All bookings to be made directly to Catering at Queensland Parliament.
Copenhagen Bike Lanes: Separating Traffic And Cyclists
'BrisUrbane'
reports [11/5/10]:
More and more people are taking to bicycles. In fact, bicycle sales have outstripped car sales for the last decade, with just over 1.2 million bicycles sold in 2008 alone. Cycling is also a great way for people who want the health benefits of regular exercise. It’s cheaper than owning a car and almost as convenient. A commuter paying a two zone fare with their GoCard would end up paying about $1,404 a year in fares. A good bicycle costs around half much- paying itself off in 6 months. With good maintenance bicycles can last up to a decade and longer.
With more people on the road conflicts with pedestrian and car traffic are inevitable. Copenhagen bike lanes are an improvement on the “green painted lane” or “stenciled yellow cyclist” on roads which suffer from cars driving over the lane area or cars parking in it. The challenge is to expand these from isolated installations into a linked network across Brisbane for high-volume daily commuting just like any other transport system. ...
Budget Does Not Deliver Scale Of Action Needed For Climate And Environment
ACF Media Release [11/5/10]
The Australian Conservation Foundation welcomed the Renewable Energy Future Fund and money for water buy back but said the budget did not deliver the scale of action needed on climate and the environment.
ON CLIMATE ACTION
“The $652 million Renewable Energy Future Fund is welcome and will
support investment in the clean energy economy, but doesn’t deliver
at anywhere near the scale that a price on pollution would,” said ACF
executive director Don Henry.
“This budget has not changed the fact that Australia’s big miners
and big polluters are not paying for their pollution – which is destroying
our climate – and they are not paying a fair price for fuel.
“The budget still gives away billions of taxpayers’ dollars to
promote pollution.
“The Government has failed to act on the recommendation of the Henry
Review to restructure Fringe Benefits Tax concessions for company cars so
they no longer encourage excessive driving.”
ON OVERALL SPENDING ON THE ENVIRONMENT
“Cutting back the major national environmental protection program,
Caring for our Country, by $80 million over four year is the wrong way to
go, particularly when the UN’s Global Biodiversity Outlook has warned
of ‘rapid degradation and collapse’.
“We welcome the $100 million brought forward to purchase water entitlement
for the Murray-Darling, but cutting $250 million from urban water initiatives
undermines efforts to make our cities and towns more water efficient.”
SUMMARY
“While the renewable energy fund is welcome, both major parties are lacking leadership on climate change and the environment, and the Australian public have to give them a wake up call in this election year.”
Latest News From The Ethical Consumer Guide
Labelling - Take action!
What are you eating? How do you know? ...
The review of Australia's food labeling laws is underway with submissions due this Friday, 14th May.
Labelling of genetically modified food is just one issue of many that can be addressed. Others include palm oil, country of origin labelling, trans-fats, and seafood labelling.We've put together a survey to assess what are the important issues for you in making an informed choice about your food purchases. This will form part of our submission.
If you want more meaningful labelling to assist in making informed purchasing choices, take a minute to fill in our survey and visit www.ethical.org.au/foodlabelling to find out more about making your own submission.Limit your exposure...
How to lower your pesticide exposure by almost 80 percent, simply by avoiding certain types of fruits and vegetables? The Environmental Working Group's 'Shopper's Guide to Pesticides' tells you exactly which foods are most important to buy organic to limit your family's exposure to pesticides.
View a full list of all 47 fruit and vegetables tested at www.foodnews.org. Download a wallet guide.
Do you need a break? A Fairtrade Coffee Break...With 20% of our world's population living on less than $1 per day, there is a vast global inequality in the lives of people around the world. Some of this is connected to global commodities, such as coffee.
Hundreds of Australians will be holdling a Fairtrade Coffee Break in their workplaces, schools, community groups and homes during Fairtrade Fortnight (1-16 May). This is a really easy way of supporting some of the world's poorest farmers
Organising a Coffee Break doesn't have to be complex or time consuming. In fact it can be as simple as getting a group together to watch the short Coffee Break DVD and enjoying a great brew while you do it!Register your Coffee Break event to receive an information pack.
What's in season in May?
almonds
apples
brussel sprouts
cauliflowers
celery
chestnuts
eggplants
fennel
grapefruits
imperial mandarins
Eat seasonally to reduce food miles, support local growers and get back in touch with the cycles of nature. It's usually also fresher and cheaper! The items above are specific for Victoria and will vary from state to state. See more at Friends of the Earth 'Real Food Seasonal Pocket Guide' at http://www.melbourne.foe.org.au/?q=seasonal.Another general guide can be found at http://www.vnv.org.au/site/files/seasonalfoodcalendar.pdf
Fathers Of Federation's Big Bushy Beards Hereditary: Study
Pass
the smelling salts ... this young man has just been informed of his
political and hirsute genetic heritage
A groundbreaking new research project has revealed that as well as fathering Australia's Federation, the nation's founding fathers' big bushy beards are hereditary.
Professor Panic from the Ponds Institute's DNA PR Spin & Rinse Unit says his seminal Big Bushy Beard study involved looking at photos of old politicians with big bushy beards in old, musty libraries.
"Vot ve vound iz zat some of zese men had very bushy beards, and ve all know vot zey zey about men vith ze bushy beards - don't ve? Ha! Ha! Ha!" he said.
"By casting my eye over zeez pictures, I voz able to azcertain zat zeze men vould have most certainly sired many children around ze nation."
Professor Panic said in some of the historical photos, the men were observed to be smoking pipes.
"Vot this clearly indicatez is zat zey vere spreading zere seed furzer zan ve originzally thought," he said.
Professor Panic says his project was definitely not undertaken as a cynical exercise in PR, spin or affirming stereotypical representations of historical figures.
"I had idea how eazy it iz to get into the newz. After all ziz publizity I have received for my Big Bushy Beard study, I am now zeeking funding for my ztudy on ze correlation between vearing fob vatches, vaist coatz and evveminate behaviour," he said.
According to Professor Panic, this photo of the Fathers of Australia's Federation proves his "Big Bushy Beard" hypothesis
Do You Know Your Health Care Rights?
From the Health Quality and Complaints Commission's latest email newsletter [10/5/10]:
We have launched information material to promote discussions about health rights between patients, consumers, families, carers and healthcare providers.
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights was adopted by the Australian Health Ministers in 2008 and we committed to supporting the roll out of the charter in Queensland and promoting it to both healthcare providers and consumers.
"We know that a shared understanding of the rights of patients can improve the safety and quality of healthcare, in both clinical outcomes and patient experience, so it is important for us to be championing this charter," Manager Community Engagement, Liz Kearins, said.
"We have posted information in 17 community languages for download from our website and we're letting consumers know they can call us if they feel their healthcare rights have not been protected. We will also be developing a presentation for community groups."
The charter applies to all healthcare providers and is an initiative of the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare.
These are your rights as listed in the charter:
* You have a fundamental right to adequate and timely health care
* A right to safe and high quality care
* A right to be shown respect, dignity and consideration
* A right to be informed about services, treatment, options and costs in a clear and open way
* A right to be included in decisions and choices about care
* A right to privacy and confidentiality of provided information
* A right to comment on care and having concerns addressed
If you have concerns about your healthcare, talk with your provider as soon as possible. This is often the quickest and most effective way to resolve concerns.
If you're unhappy with your provider's response, or feel uncomfortable about approaching the provider directly, contact Queensland's independent Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC).
NAPLAN Test Results Will Be Abused
Greens Media Release [11/5/10]
As students across NSW sit down to the NAPLAN tests, schools still face the inevitability of unfair comparisons and damaging league tables, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said:
"Before the ink was barely dry on her agreement with the Australian Education Union, Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard was telling the media she would continue to publish average test results.
"Newspapers and other outlets will still be able to harvest the results and publish school league tables, regardless of what other information is put on the 'my school' website.
"Schools and students will be stigmatised and the teachers will be forced to teach to the test.
"While Julia Gillard and her NSW colleague Verity Firth continue to tout their opposition to simplistic comparisons, they are providing the data that makes their publication inevitable.
"Unless average scores on the 'my school' website are replaced with more meaningful information about the spread of school performance, league tables and other misleading and dangerous comparisons will be produced.
"It doesn't matter what other material is published on the site, media outlets will still be able to harvest the average results and use them to construct league tables.
"Publishing graphs of the spread of outcomes within each school instead of the average figures would make it very difficult to produce league tables. It would also provide much richer information for parents and the community.
"Julia Gillard and Verity Firth are ignoring the obvious solutions and pushing ahead with their war on teachers," Dr Kaye said.
Greens Join Campaigners Calling For Ban On Sun Beds:
Greens Media Release [11/5/10]
NSW Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Keneally to protect the health of young people in NSW by banning sunbeds in NSW because of the unacceptable risk of melanoma and the failure of operators to meet existing standards.
A Greens motion will be debated in Parliament today ('Greens push to outlaw unsafe solariums', SMH, page 4 today: http://tiny.cc/y7hl9).
Ms Rhiannon today joined with melanoma survivor, no sunbeds campaigner and young father Jay Allen and the CEO of Melanoma Patients Aust Lisa McFadyen to seek the ban. Mr Allen and Ms McFadyen are meeting with Minister for Health (Cancer) Frank Sartor's office to discuss the issue later today.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said:
"It makes no sense for the NSW government to continue to allow this industry to ply its trade, considering the unacceptably high risk of skin cancer and melanoma it presents.
"It's clear that the bid to clean up solarium businesses has failed. A recent audit by the Department of Environment and Climate Change found high rates of non-compliance, with at least 1 in 3 operators or nearly 40 percent of businesses, acting illegally.
"Cancer Council research shows around 43 deaths in Australia a year from melanoma can be attributed to sun beds.
"Asking an industry to abide by regulations and act in a way that will ultimately reduce its profits is always going to be problematic," Ms Rhiannon said.
Lisa McFadyen CEO Melanoma Patients Australia said, "Some may argue that it is people's choice to use solariums, but when you develop metastatic melanoma your choice is taken away.
"Skin cancer is not just skin deep or an old person's disease. Young people are big users of sun beds and skin cancer is the most common cancer of 15 to 44 year olds.
"Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence in the world and the World Health Organisation has elevated sunbeds to the highest cancer risk category. This in itself justifies a ban," Ms McFadyen said.
Jay Allen, melanoma survivor, no sunbeds campaigner and father of three said, "Premier Kristina Keneally needs to do the right thing and get behind this ban.
"I have been on a scary journey and I do not want anyone else to suffer what my family and I have to endure every time my three monthly check ups come around.
"Clare Oliver died seeking an end to sun bed use.
Never Read The Fine Print!
One litre Golden Circle Pine Coconut Drink purchased from Woolworths, Runaway Bay for 99 cents
... So I waited with high hopes, then
she walked in the place.
I knew her smile in an instant, I knew the curve of her face.
It was my own lovely lady, and she said, "Oh, it's you."
And we laughed for a moment, and I said, "I never knew"..
"That you liked Pina Coladas, and getting caught
in the rain.
And the feel of the ocean, and the taste of champagne.
If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
You're the love that I've looked for, come with me, and escape."
...
'Escape
(The Piña Colada Song)', Rupert Holmes [1979]
'Australian Food News' reported back in March this year:
More than 800,000 cans of Golden Circle fruit and vegetables are on their way to Australian welfare agencies that feed the hungry as part of a response to concerns raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about misleading country ownership claims.
The ACCC has also accepted a court enforceable undertaking from H.J. Heinz Company Australia Limited after it admitted that it engaged in misleading conduct by representing that Golden Circle was ‘Proudly Australian owned’. ...
The court enforceable undertaking Heinz has offered in response to the ACCC’s concerns requires Heinz to:
* cease supplying Golden Circle branded products with Australian-owned representations
* use its best endeavours to ensure that in store corrective signage continues to appear next to Golden Circle products on supermarket shelves, and
* publish corrective advertisements in major newspapers throughout Australia.
Side and top of the Pine Coconut Drink (with the miniscule "no longer" obviously a recent addition)
You see? Even though you have agreed to a Court Order,
if you are a huge multi-national corporation you don't need to do what you
have agreed to do. You can do whatever you like! Luckily for you Australia
is a very backward place, completely controlled by your neoliberal mates.
Government Backs Down In Battle For R Souls
I don't care what they say, as long as it's all about little ol' me!
Whoever wrote that Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Murdoch Empire, might also want to add another entity, the nation's soul.
Just days after the Federal Government pretended that it actually runs this country by pretending to leak an announcement to the pretend press, it was revealed that the Murdoch Empire's publishing arm - R Souls R Us - owns Australia's soul.
The Federal Government had thought it was the caretaker of the nation's soul, but has since been forced to acknowledge that they aren't.
"To say the Government is beholden to the Murdoch Empire is a conspiracy theory," said a spokesperson for the Trade Minister.
R Souls R Us run the independent citizen organisation, the Emporer Has No Clothes Foundation, which is not at all creepy and fascist in its promotion of all the things Mr Murdoch likes.
Politicians of all colours (other than green) have lined up to participate in conferences and events run by the Emporer Has No Clothes Foundation, which has among its stated aims the empowerment of the nation's soul.
Households Paying Big Miners $190 A Year To Pollute
ACF Media Release [9/5/10]
Australian households could save $190 a year if the Federal Government made mining companies pay the same amount of tax on their fuel that other Australian motorists do, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today.
“Taxpayers currently blow $1.7 billion a year subsidising
the fuel bills of big mining companies through the Fuel Tax Credit scheme,”
said ACF executive director Don Henry.
“This billion dollar handout encourages pollution and discourages the
industry from using energy more efficiently.
“The big miners are getting a free ride from taxpayers on more than
just their super profits – every Australian household currently forks
out $190 a year so big polluters like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto can access
cheap diesel.
“While Australian motorists pay 38 cents per litre in tax when they
fill up at the bowser, the world’s wealthiest mining companies do not
pay a single cent in tax for the diesel they use for their off-road mining
operations.
“At present these big miners are not paying for their pollution –
which is destroying our climate – they are not paying for Australians’
mineral wealth and they are not paying their fair price for fuel.
“Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should be looking for new ways to cut greenhouse
emissions, especially as his abandonment of emissions trading has seen his
government’s popularity take a dive in the opinion polls.
“It’s time the Government made good on its commitment at the Pittsburgh
G20 meeting last year when Australia joined other world leaders and agreed
to begin phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.
“Next week’s budget gives the Federal Government an opportunity
to reform subsidies that promote pollution and wasteful consumption and
re-invest this revenue in protecting our environment and building a cleaner
economy,” he said.
Isn't It The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge?
Half page advertisement for the upcoming "community day"(that you have to register for if you want to attend) in last week's [6/5/10] 'City News'
Budget Spending Targets Religious Radicals In Bid To Boost National Sanity
Through the power of magical thinking, 'Spring Hill Voice' understands budget spending will also tackle the war-mongering capitalist press
Millions of dollars will be spent in an attempt to curtail the damaging influence of fundamentalist happy clappies as part of the Federal Government's 2010 Budget package, to be announced by the Federal Government this Tuesday.
Although we have no authoritative sources, 'Spring Hill Voice' can reveal that gazillions of dollars will be spent on national sanity as Labor tackles the threat of rampant happy clapping in the community. We do have the entire budget paper but we can't tell you what's really in it because that would be journalism, and nobody does that anymore. It's just all spin and 'leaks' these days. But, wow, if you could see some of the stuff in there you'd be amazed.
We also have no quotes to establish that the Government will announce "preventative" measures to counter the growing number of religious signs, brochures in the post, unwanted doorknockers, religious leaders who attack atheists for no good reason, christian rock bands and the proliferation of warehouse-style churches across Australia.
While there are no restrictions on 'Spring Hill Voice' manipulating as much fear and hatred as we possibly can, the Government will be careful not to demonise happy clappies with its policies.
It is understood that even though Governments usually aren't interested in prisoner wellbeing, as part of this year's Budget, new programs will target prisoners, because, well, frankly, they're one of society's easy targets.
Because I make this shit up, I can reliably report that this year's Budget will also address the undue influence of happy clappies upon the Government. It will further entrench it, and both sides will support that measure.
Southport's Loss Eagleby's Gain!
Since moving from their Southport premises early last year, the popular Pandoro Bakery has recently re-opened on River Hills Road, Eagleby.
Rural vista, Eagleby
Wall Street Plummets As Mining Big Wig Fat Cat Mogul Billionaires Threaten Strike Action
Queensland's largest mining magnate (and very large donor) is from Queensland, and although he's not in the collective, he sure knows how to throw his weight around
A collective of Australia's wealthy mining executives say they will not hesitate taking industrial action to improve their working condition and rates of pay.
In a full-page advertisements in yesterday's wide range of daily newspapers, the collective warned they will walk off the job if their demands are not met.
The Ministor for Tourism said he was unfazed by the threats.
"These militant billionaires are the backbone of our great country and without them we would have no iron ore, no coal and no economy. They like to throw their weight around and engage in argy bargy but I'm unfazed by their recent campaign," he said.
"We have the lowest rates of corporate tax and regulation anywhere in the world, they can get away with anything they like and I'm determined to find out what they want and to give it to them. They know this and they should act like billionaire grown-ups and just tell me what to give them without all this posturing."
Queensland's largest mining magnate says the nation's workplace relations reputation overseas is significantly diminished as a result of this tax.
"Just ask Sharon Osbourne," he said.
Meanwhile, a computer glitch in a program called "Boy Crying Wolf" has caused Wall Street stocks to plummet leading to markets faltering all around the world. But experts across the wide range of Murdoch owned media have attributed the fall in the markets to PM Rudd's Great Big New Tax.
Of course, nobody mentioned who owns the Dow Jones - that'd make everyone's head explode.
Deglobalization - 11 Prongs Of An Alternative
From Filipino MP Walden Bello's article on deglobalization in the March edition of 'New Internationalist' magazine:
The times would seem to be especially propitious for alternative strategies for development. One is 'deglobalisation', which my colleagues and I at Focus on the Global South have been developing for over a decade.
The key aspects, which we elaborated mainly for developing countries, are as follows:
1. Production for the domestic market must again become the centre of gravity of the economy, rather than production for export markets.
2. The principle of 'subsidiarity'* should be enshrined in economic life by encouraging production of goods at the community and national level, if this can be done at reasonabile cost, in order to preserve community.
3. Trade policy - quotas and tariffs - should be used to protect the local economy from destruction by corporate-subsidized commodities with artificially low prices.
4. Industrial policy - including subsidies, tariffs and trade - should be used to revitalize and strengthen the manufacturing sector.
5. Long-measures of income and land redistribution (including urban land reform) can create a vibrant internal market that would serve as the anchor of the economy and produce local financial resources for investment.
6. De-emphasizing growth, emphasizing the quality of life and maximizing equity will reduce environmental disequilibrium.
7. The development and diffusion of environmentally congenial technology in both agriculture and industry should be encouraged. This would include the trasformation of energy systems from centralized fossil-fuel-based systems into decentralized systems based on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal.
8. Strategic economic decisions cannot be left to the market or technocrats. Instead, the scope of democratic decision-making in the economy should be expanded so that all vital questions - such as which industries to develop or phase out, or what proportion of the government budget to devote to agriculture - become subject to democratic discussion and choice.
9. Civil society must constantly monitor and supervise the private sector and the state, a process that should be institutionalized.
10. The property complex should be transformed into a 'mixed economy' that includes community co-operatives, private enterprises and state enterprises, and excludes transnational corporations.
11. Centralized global institutions, like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, should be replaced with regional institutions built not on free trade and capital mobility but on principles of co-operation that, to use the words of Hugo Chávez in describing the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, 'transcend the logic of capitalism'.
* 'Subsidiarity' simply suggests that nothing is done centrally that can be done as well, or better, at a less central level. For more information visit www.focusweb.org.
Shouldn't Brisbane City Council Be Concerning Themselves With More Important Things Than Who Drank A Few Bottles Of Wine?
For example, where's Hazel?
Hazel, as she appeared on the 'Graham Kennedy Coast To Coast' show [10/4/1989]
Back when the Brisbane Water Police had their headquarters at the Howard Smith Wharves in the city, their cockatoo mascot - Hazel - made news after escaping one day in April 1989. After 20 hours, and with the help of the fire brigade, she was recaptured.
Given that cockatoos can live to be over 50 years of age, it's likely Hazel is somewhere ...
The Brisbane Water Police occupied this building at the Howard Smith Wharves
Gutless Gillard Won't Stop Murdoch Publishing League Tables
Would it be so hard to put restrictions on who holds the My School data? i.e. School Principals and Education Department officials?
If parents want to access the My School data, they could make an appointment with the Principal of their child's school.
(Been brainwashed by the Murdoch Press and think League Tables are a good idea? Just wait until the government applies its extreme neoliberal philosophy to your occupation.)
You can join the campaign to stop the publication of league tables on the AEU website.
DECISION OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AEU FEDERAL EXECUTIVE: [6/5/10]
The Federal Executive of the AEU acknowledges with admiration and respect the profound commitment and dedication of members in the campaign to protect students, schools and school communities from the misuse of student data and the damaging effects of league tables.
Acting with integrity, AEU members have demonstrated their professional and ethical commitment to their students and Federal Executive congratulates members on achieving an outcome that enables the profession's concerns to be addressed.
In contrast, this dispute has seen governments and their departments take extraordinarily deplorable and unwarranted actions, ignoring the professional and educational concerns at the heart of this dispute. The AEU Federal Executive condemns the intimidation and threats of disciplinary action, the recourse to punitive legal action raising the prospect of penalties and thousands of dollars in fines against individual teachers and principals as well as the employment of unqualified people, including tourists, to supervise tests.
The Federal Executive welcomes the proposal by the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard to form a working party of educational experts including literacy and numeracy specialists, principal organisations and representatives of the AEU and IEUA to provide further professional advice on the use of student performance data and other indicators of school effectiveness as ACARA continues to develop the My School website.
The working party's advice and the work of ACARA in further developing the My School website will be in line with the clear commitments of the Federal Government, as stated in the Deputy Prime Minister's letter of 5 May 2010, which include "an opposition to the misuse of student performance data including simplistic league tables". This proposal from the Deputy Prime Minister will provide a process to advance and address the profession's educational concerns as they relate to the misuse of student performance data including league tables. It will also provide a way for the profession as a whole to engage in a genuine dialogue with the government on a sound approach to school accountability and improvement.
Accordingly, the Federal Executive of the AEU lifts the moratorium on the administration of NAPLAN 2010 and will advise members of this decision.
It is of concern and regrettable that the Federal Government has refused to entertain the option of delaying the NAPLAN in order to allow a smooth administration of the test. In light of the disruption to preparation over the last three weeks, the opportunity exists for state / territory governments and their departments to delay the tests as per the NAPLAN guidelines developed by ACARA.
The AEU remains resolute in its opposition to the publication of damaging league tables and other inappropriate, invalid, inaccurate and misleading school rankings and will continue to campaign against the misuse of student performance data and the creation and publication of league tables.
Great! But When Is The Government Going To Do Something About The Rubbish And Four-Wheel-Drive Problem At Marine Stadium On The Spit?
Councillors
Help To Clean Up The Pin: GCCC Media Release [5/5/10]
Three divisional councillors will be lending a hand in the annual “Clean Up the Pin” community day on Sunday 16 May.
Organised by the Sunfish Club South Moreton Branch, a recreational fishing lobby group, the event usually sees an average of 10 tonnes of rubbish collected by about 50 to 60 enthusiasts from the waterways around Jumpinpin.
Councillors Donna Gates, Grant Pforr and John Wayne will all be assisting in the clean up, as well as providing monetary donations. Cr Gates has also arranged bins, gloves and tools for the day.
Sunfish South Moreton secretary John Johnson said his club
instigated the clean up day 16 years ago in the interests of cleaning up
the northern Gold Coast waterways for recreational fishermen.
“We rely on assistance from EPA Marine Parks, the Port of Brisbane
Authority, other fishing clubs, local residents and the Council to ensure
the day is a success,” Mr Johnson said.
The day begins at 7am with a breakfast at Jacob’s Well, with participants then spending the morning collecting rubbish from the waterways and the local islands. It finishes around lunchtime with a free barbecue in the park.
Division 1 Councillor Donna Gates said it was important for waterway users to take responsibility for their environment.
“Considering the amount of rubbish collected each year at this event, it is clear the message is still not getting through to some people,” she said.
“I hope days like this really make the community more aware of the alarming amount of rubbish choking up our waterways.”
Cr Wayne said he will be bringing his oyster barge to assist with running participants around the islands.
“While it’s disappointing there is a need for this kind of operation on our waterways, it’s also evident the ongoing efforts of this clean-up day are making a real difference,” he said.
Cr Pforr encouraged more boat owners to get involved.
“It would be great to see the local boaties spreading the word among their colleagues so we can get the clean up done more quickly,” he said.
For more information, please phone the Sunfish South Moreton Club on 07 3489 3223 or 0428745652.
Volunteers can just turn up on the day but must register on arrival.
Tell
Your MP: Put People Before Politics
Last month, Amnesty International launched a campaign to encourage Australians to let their federal representatives know they are disappointed by the Government's decision to suspend processing new asylum claims from Afghan and Sri Lankan nationals.
We contacted the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Citizenship along with the Member for Fadden and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Stuart Robert:
... I'm a voting Australian living in Labrador, in your electorate. I am appalled at the Rudd Government's recent freeze on asylum applications from Sri Lankan and Afghan nationals, and at the fearmongering about "illegal" arrivals from the Coalition. I feel that the Government's recent targeting of Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers is discriminatory and violates the Australian values of tolerance and fairness. I feel that people fleeing war, torture and persecution deserve to be treated with compassion, not locked up. Australians are not people who turn their backs on men, women and children in need. Fearmongering is the most cynical and appalling political tactic - especially at the expense of desperate people such as asylum seekers. It reflects a complete lack of integrity, and I had hoped our politicians had moved on from this. I look forward to receiving confirmation of your receipt of my email, and to hearing how you will take this matter forward within your party. Yours sincerely,
Only Mr Robert has replied thus far [4/5/10]:
Thanks for your Email,
The Coalition agrees that the government's suspension of processing for periods of up to six months represents an intolerable delay in dealing with claims of asylum seekers. Kevin Rudd's announcement to suspend the assessment of asylum claims has been denounced by refugee advocates and people smugglers alike, as being both ineffective and inhumane.
The Coalition accepts that refugee situations change constantly and also accepts the UNHCR's fundamental proposition that refugees are not necessarily refugees forever. The cessation clauses in the Convention are an explicit recognition of this. For these reasons, the Coalition believes that a Temporary Protection Visa is an appropriate, decent and humane response to the provision of protection to asylum seekers.
The UNHCR figures show that in 2009, Australia experienced a 29% increase in asylum applications compared to a global average of 0%. Australia's rate of growth in asylum applications was greater than in Germany, France, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Norway and the UK, where in many cases asylum applications declined. Australia and the UK share seven of the top ten source countries for asylum applications, namely Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and China. Yet in 2009 the UK had a 5% decline, while Australia had a 29% increase. The Rudd Government has also made much of push factors from Sri Lanka. Yet in 2009 there was only a 4% increase globally in asylum applications from Sri Lankans.
While the UNHCR figures show that globally there has been an increase in applications from Afghans, this has been offset by even larger declines, in volume terms, in applications by Iraqis. In Australia's case we experienced an increase in applications from both Iraqis and Afghans, despite the fact that neither source country is in our region. In the UK, applications from Afghans declined during 2009. The number of air-arrivals that subsequently apply for asylum on-shore is much less than 1% of the millions of movements into Australia. These people arrive with valid documents and visas and are therefore easy to identify and process. The vast majority are from China and are refused protection and returned to their country of origin.
However, quite aside from these facts, the difficulty with boat arrivals is not only in the number that arrive, but the concern that they are violating Australia's sovereignty, taking the place of others and are usually undocumented. Failing to take strong measures to deter these kind of arrivals only sends a message that our borders are open and encourages vulnerable people to make a dangerous journey. Our system of accepting refugees must be sustainable, orderly and fair to those in desperate situations waiting in refugee camps around the world for asylum in Australia. By providing special deals and opportunities for those who come by boat - as Mr Rudd did during the recent Oceanic Viking fiasco - we disadvantage those who have applied via the regular channels.
The Coalition is further developing its election policy on immigration and asylum seekers. This policy will be based upon four key principles. Firstly, we must have a strong and effective relationship with both the source and stage countries involved; secondly, we must have a system of offshore processing; thirdly, there must be visas for unauthorised arrivals which do not give them the guaranteed prize of permanent residency in Australia for them and for their extended families; and lastly we need to be prepared under the right circumstances to turn boats around.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me on this important issue.
Stuart Robert MP
Federal Member for Fadden
Who Are Transocean Ltd.?
From Wikipedia:
Transocean LTD. NYSE: RIG is the world's largest offshore drilling contractor. The company rents floating mobile drill rigs, along with the equipment and personnel for operations, to oil and gas companies at an average daily rate of $142,000 (2006). Transocean's day rates extend as high as $650,000 for its deepwater drillships, which house dual activity derricks and can drill in ultra-deep ocean depths of 10,000 ft (3,000 m).
The company was spun-off from its parent, Birmingham, Alabama-based Sonat, Inc. in 1993 and was originally called Sonat Offshore Drilling, Inc. Sonat Offshore acquired the Norwegian group Transocean ASA in 1996 and adopted its name. In 2000 the company merged with Sedco Forex, and was renamed Transocean Sedco Forex. In 2001 the company bought Reading & Bates Falcon. The name of the company was simplified to Transocean in 2003. Sedco Forex was part of Schlumberger until 2000 when it was spun off. Sedco Forex was formed from the merger of two drilling companies, the Southeast Drilling Company (Sedco) and French drilling company Forex. ...
Cash Flow: Donated Water Revives Unique Murray Wetland:
ACF Media Release [4/5/10]
The 400 million litres of water purchased by the Australian Conservation Foundation with donations from people from all over the country has started to flow into the Hattah Lakes wetlands in northern Victoria.
ACF’s Just Add Water initiative, launched on 15 March, aimed to raise enough money to purchase 200 million litres of water for Hattah. But the response from the public was so big that within two weeks ACF doubled its target. The 400 million litres was purchased on the water market and now it is flowing into the wetlands.
“It’s a thrill to see the water flowing back into this wetland which has not had a major flood since 1996,” said ACF’s Dr Paul Sinclair.
“Wetlands filter our water and provide feeding and breeding sites for many fish and bird species.
“Environmental watering like this is necessary because too much water has been taken out of the Murray-Darling over too many decades, mostly for irrigated agriculture.
“In fact, 90 per cent of wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin have already been lost.
“Today’s event shows how people power can help revive a thirsty wetland.
“It also sends a powerful message to the Water Minister, Senator Penny Wong, that she should expand the Federal Government’s program of buying water and return it to the desperately dry rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin.”
The water is being delivered to Hattah Lakes through the Victorian Government’s environmental watering program in partnership with Parks Victoria and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority.
Remote cameras have been installed to film the lakes filling over the next three months. Footage can be viewed at: www.justaddwater.org.au.
Under 16s Netball Team Gains Gentlemen's Club Support
Typical News Limited staff meeting
The Gold Coast Moles of Molendiner under 16s netball team slipped down the greasy pole of community outrage, shock and fury over the weekend, when they debuted their new mascots from local Gentlemen's Club, Dribble in Your Pants.
Enthusiastic girls from Dribble in Your Pants - who love their chosen occupation so dearly, some of them admitted they would pretend to like losers and sleazy creeps for free - cheered and pole danced as the Moles thrashed the Southport Sluts.
A few netball Dads missed some of the best goals by Moles Goal Attack Skan Ke Ho as they were distracted by the sample lap dances they received as part of the sponsorship deal.
Your say: There isn't enough objectification of womens bodies in our society. Perpetuating sexist stereotypes is very healthy and the younger you can do this, the better. Anyone who disagrees is just jealous because they don't have mouthwatering boobies like mine.
Tits Du Pont
'Spring Hill Voice' asked a sports reporter from the local press whether he had partaken of any of the free samples, but he said it would be improper for a journalist to accept gifts from a sponsor.
"Besides, everybody at the Murdoch Press is constantly self administering hand relief," he said.
The local ABC reporter agreed.
"Our policy guidelines are remarkably similar to theirs," she said.
Mr Pin Dick, whose daughter is Wing Defence for the Moles, said he came up with the sponsorship idea after Adultworld withdrew its sponsorship from a local corporate football team following media reports that they were already wankers.
"The only negative comments about our new sponsors have come from bitter, twisted, frigid, bitch, hairy-armpitted lezzos," he said.
Saved It For A Rainy Day
From 'Uncorrected Proof: The True History of the Australian Book Scene', Melbourne University Press [2005]:
The Blue News
Keeping the Australian Book Trade On Its Toes [Autumn - Winter 2002]
Book With Young Woman In Panties On The Cover Wins IMPAC Award
'Atomised' by Michel Houellebecq
Atomised, Michel Houellebecq's novel about the breakdown of society as seen through the tale of two brothers, featuring a young woman in panties on the cover, has won this year's prestigious Dublin IMPAC Award.
According to the judging panel, the novel was a powerful and disturbing look at the 'atomisation' of society into individual units, resulting in the alienation of individuals, such as, for instance, young women in panties.
'When I first picked up this novel with a picture of a young woman in panties on the front cover, I knew immediately that I was holding a work of great social import', said judge Patrick Shannessy. 'The young woman, the panties. These bespeak great literature to me.'
'There is a young woman in panties on the cover', added Shannessy.
Barry Fream, who designed the book, said he was pleased that a young woman in panties had been on the cover.
'The French version had a picture of Houellebecq smoking a cigarette on the cover', said Fream. 'But given the current sensitivity to smoking, we felt we should come up with something less provocative. I toyed with the idea of putting something to do with molecular biology on the cover, given that it is one of the central themes of the book, but in the end we settled for a young woman in panties. and I'm glad we did.'
Spokesperson for Random House, Mark Wilson, said the publisher was considering putting a young woman in panties on all its covers from now on.
'A young woman in panties, a young woman in panties, a young woman in panties', said Wilson. 'A young woman in panties.'
The young woman in panties was unavailable for comment as they had forgotten to ask her name.
Government Targets Reality In Tax Review
... watch me try justify my verbal diarrheaic diatribe
in a vain attempt to coincide with a beat to which brains get tenderised
lightly battered and deep fried on high
once again son come get some beats on the one loops on repeats done ...
'I Like Repetitive Music', regurgitator [1999]
Smoke and mirrors: All our resources still are belong to China
The Federal Treasurer says his new tax measures are designed to target reality.
"I am furious," said a very, very large donor.
"Have I convinced you that I am furious, or should I toss in a few random and nonsensical phrases about communism and the third world?"
A mining spokesman said the tax measures were a disgraceful tax grab.
"I am so outraged. Do I look outraged enough?" he asked.
"Me and my minerly colleagues and I are so outraged we are considering moving the mining of Australia's resources offshore."
While an industry spokesperson said:
"I am a teensy bit peeved, but not as much as the others, because I was on on the committee that wrote the review."
The bloke from Arsehat Economics said there was a limit to what he could say, but now Australia's political class and commentariat can bang on about "grandfathering" rather than "squib".
A wanker from the financial services industry said:
"Boo!"
"Market!"
"Uncertainty!"
Of course the Government could use a pithy resources rent tax for services like education, health and moving to a low carbon economy rather than creating a new pot of money for financiers to get their grubby little hands on.
But the Treasurer has targeted reality, so will also forgo the implemention of a congestion tax and the elimination of some of the biggest tax breaks for big polluters.
"A Great Big New Tax, jiggery pokery about killing
the goose that laid the golden egg-laying goose," said the Opposition
Leader.
The Opposition Hockey Stick said something about tying chains around Ian Thorpe's balls.
Speaking at the "The Free Market Rules OK" march in Brisbane today, the Prime Minister said:
"You know something, mate? Look at these people marching behind me, mate. Workchoices, can I just say, for these working families. Seriously. Frankly, they clean toilets and hospitals and hospital toilets and our targeting of reality is specially targeted at them."
"They don't want better wages or working conditions, they want superannuation and negative gearing on their investment properties, or on their landlord's properties because it results in 'trickle-down' prosperity to them. Oh yes, remind me not to shake their hands."
In related news, Australia's big unions are useless because they have been infiltrated by the CIA and are too close to big business and the ALP.
No environmentalists or actual working families or ordinary Australians were consulted for their opinion in the writing of this story.
SEQ Kiwi Fruit Is In Season!
Luscious, Spray Free Kiwi Fruit, Echo Valley Farm, Springbrook ... where the air is fresh and clear, and the panoramic views are "best of all":
Overlooking Tweed Caldera
Spot The Birds On Sovereign Islands [2/5/10]
"Sold!" says Mr Butcherbird
"As you can see, the government urgently needs to release more land for beautiful houses," Mr Crested Pigeon
"This is the perfect place to raise a family," Mrs Rainbow Lorikeet
Making Democracy Work
From 'The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society & Redefine Democracy' by Raj Patel [2009]:
... Discussion, regulation, trust, generosity and forbearance are ways to reclaim what the market has taken from us psychologically. If we exercise those faculties, as Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel suggests, they'll grow stronger. Which begs the question about how to body-build our political selves. Every activist in this book has said that there's no guarantee, that we make the road only by walking. And that's what we'll need to do, to confront inequalities in power, especially those spawned by the artificial people, corporations and government, that surround us. This will undoubtedly mean direct action to make the world fairer. If the prospect seems unnerving, it should - it is anathema to the politics of patience and passivity that we've been encouraged to believe in. The shattering of illusions is never easy, but to see beyond the limitations of the market we will need to experiment with ways of sharing the world, and of figuring out the boundaries of how we pool resources. That mean nationalization, in cases like health care of the banking system. In other cases, it means developing new ways of sharing, and stinting. In all cases, it involves building collectivities that respect human rights, while helping us to value the world differently. ...
