Aussie TV news reports found unfair to refugees – ABC News Article link.

TV stations ‘breached code of practice’

Monday, November 30, 2009

Australia’s media watchdog has found three Victorian commercial television news networks broadcast inaccurate stories about violence involving Sudanese refugees two years ago.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/30/2757529.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

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from @perthtones’ iPhone

Aboriginal living conditions ‘fifth world’- ABC News Article link.

Aboriginal living conditions ‘fifth world’

Monday, November 30, 2009

By Anna Henderson

A former government business manager says Aboriginal people in parts of Central Australia are still living in car bodies and humpies.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/30/2757337.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2757337&cat=Justin

from @perthtones’ iPhone

West Australia – social justice news, info resources – WACOSS Update – 27th November – Available Now!

social policy | organisation development | membership | training

Please distribute through your networks WACOSS Update Friday 27th November 2009 News items listed in this bulletin include… MEDIA RELEASE: Government should not race ahead with income management expansion Emergency Relief 2009 – a Resounding Success! ACOSS Community Sector Survey Now Open WACOSS Conference 2010 – Call for Abstracts WA Not for Profit Day – Providing Tools and Skills for a Resource Challenged and Competitive Sector, Thursday 10th December The Project Manager’s Toolbox, Tuesday 1st December MEDIA RELEASE: Government should not race ahead with income management expansion WACOSS has expressed its concern today over the announcement that income management will be expanded nationally to all welfare recipients, beginning in the Northern Territory. The Australian Government will introduce the new scheme in the Northern Territory preceding a national roll-out in disadvantaged regions. The scheme in the Territory is expected to cost $350 million over four years. “By redesigning income management, to remove its current racially discriminative approach, we will now see approximately 20, 000 individuals in the Territory covered by the scheme, said Ms Sue Ash, WACOSS CEO… Click here to read more top Emergency Relief Conference 2009 – a Resounding Success! The 2009 Emergency Relief Conference concluded yesterday, Thursday 27th November. The Conference ran for two days and was an unqualified success! Day one saw the Conference officially opened and attendees were addressed by three prominent keynote speakers; Lin Hattfield Dodds – National Director UnitingCare Australia, Elizabeth Stehr – National Branch Manager, Money Management Program FaHCSIA Business Centre Canberra, and Sue Ash – Chief Executive Officer WACOSS. Following morning tea the conference was addressed by Marie Regan, who delivered a touching personal perspective on accessing ER services. This was followed by a session facilitated by Joel Levin entitled ‘Lets talk about ER’, which encouraged Conference attendees to explore the challenges of, and motivation behind, the work that they do. Attendees then turned their attention to The Concession Maze and Financial Hardship and Essential Services sessions, aimed at providing information and updates on how best to assist clients who present with utility (essential services) debt. The first day concluded with four breakout sessions, on topics ranging from Social Housing to ‘Fun with Music’. Attendees then moved on to the Conference dinner held at Miss Maud Restaurant, with plenty of laughs provided by Noongar Karaoke. The momentum of day one continued into day two, with three thought provoking and innovative rural perspectives on ER delivery. New ideas and innovation in service delivery dominated the remainder of the day’s proceedings. Attendees were informed of several contemporary models of service innovation currently operating within the state, before being captivated and challenged by Jason Clark, who encouraged attendees to question the status quo and identify areas for improvement, engage their minds to think outside the box for solutions, and act on these solutions to make a difference. Thank you to all those who attended over the two days; your enthusiasm, willingness to engage and be challenged, and most of all laugh and have some fun, ensured the Conference was not only enjoyable, but also successful in conveying information and stimulating ideas and innovation that can improve the way Emergency Relief is conceived and administered in Western Australia. Papers and Power Point Presentations delivered at the Conference will be available on the WACOSS website in the coming weeks. top ACOSS Sector Survey Now Open The ACOSS Community Sector Survey has now begun The Community Sector Survey is an important nationwide survey that compiles vital information about the sector. This information is used to inform policy work and to highlight pressures on the sector. To ensure the survey reaches all those in the sector please distribute this email through your networks. Help WACOSS and ACOSS by clicking below to complete the ACOSS Community Sector Survey top WACOSS Conference 2010 – Call for Abstracts The WACOSS biennial Conference provides for the largest gathering of social service practitioners and policy-makers of its kind, with around 300 participants from across Western Australia. Abstract submissions are encouraged from volunteers and workers in community, business and government sectors, academics and other experts. The Conference committee is interested in applications regarding social policy and social sector considerations. The aim of the Conference is to provide a positive, constructive and enjoyable event for people involved with the community sector to network and gain practical information both formally and informally, and we would be delighted if you will submit an abstract to share your experience and expertise of communities at work. The Conference will feature: 90 minute concurrent sessions consisting of either 2 or 3 speakers each presenting for 25 or 40 minutes; All sessions will include 5 minutes per speaker for questions and discussion. Prospective speakers may choose whether they wish to present for 25 or 40 minutes, or indicate if they are flexible in their presentation time. The Conference sessions and activities should focus on achieving positive learning outcomes or enhancing practice and, in particular, should attempt to address current issues challenging the sector. Active discussion and sharing of ideas is encouraged in sessions and we invite you to think laterally and creatively in terms of session delivery. Interactive sessions, film screenings and workshops are encouraged. Examples of achievement, excellence, challenges and future directions will inform the selection of presentations for concurrent sessions. Our social policy interests include: social wellbeing, housing, youth, women, indigenous, disability, alcohol and drugs, child protection, mental health, law and justice, employment and training, culturally and linguistically diverse people, refugees and climate equity. Our social sector interests include: workforce planning, technology, finance, innovation, quality frameworks, collaboration and alliances, media, campaigning and advocacy, civil society, language, framing and future directions. Click here for more information, including the Conference Themes and Guidelines for Abstracts The online abstract submission must be completed by Friday 18 December 2009. Please address any queries to the Conference Secretariat: EECW Pty Ltd T: 08 9389 1488 F: 08 9389 1499 E: info@eecw.com.au top WA Not for Profit Day – Providing Tools and Skills for a Resource Challenged and Competitive Sector, Thursday 10th December This annual conference has become a significant industry event that addresses the unique SPAissues faced by not-for-profit (NFP) organisations. Gain invaluable insights to ensure you are keeping up in this competitive and often restrictive environment. This one-day conference will provide you with the tools to address the latest issues and trends facing NFP organisations while exploring the latest technical, governance and sustainability challenges facing the sector. Key benefits of attending: Receive a comprehensive update on the ever-evolving topics of Western Australian Workplace Law, Superannuation, Accounting Standards and OHS; Discover the impact and future of mergers and acquisitions in the NFP sector Hear from experts on how key industry issues will affect you To claim the member rate, WACOSS members will need to ensure they register using the registration form rather than online registration, as we need to put that special rate through manually. Click here for the event brochure and registration form top The Project Manager’s Toolbox, Tuesday 1st December Identify and explore the practical tools and methods for ensuring your projects achieve the desired outcome, with minimal stress along the way If you are involved in managing a grant program, or your organisation’s regular and special projects, this workshop will give you a working knowledge and the practical tools and methods for ensuring your projects achieve the desired outcome, with minimum stress along the way. WHAT DOES IT COVER? Understanding the terminology, tools and resources used in Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) Developing project ideas and writing workable project plans The different phases of a project and methods for managing each stage Problem solving tools, techniques and templates Managing and assessing risk Developing and tracking a project budget Overview of common software to assist in the tracking and progress of projects and their advantages and disadvantages WACOSS Contact: Gosia Czarnomska – ssso@wacoss.org.au Further Information For the full details and to register CLICK HERE or visit the new WACOSS Organisation Development Services website at www.wacosstraining.org.au. top

Great news on equality in Australia – Federal Govt steps back on opposing Greens move to allow Gay “Civil Partnerships” #GLBTI see below for – ABC News Article link.

Commonwealth to allow gay ceremonies: Corbell

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The ACT Government is claiming a victory in its bid to allow gay couples to have legally binding civil partnership ceremonies.

The ACT Legislative Assembly passed a Greens bill earlier this month allowing same-sex couples to recognise their relationships with a legally binding ceremony.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754283.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2754283&cat=Justin

from @perthtones’ iPhone

Real men don’t hit or threaten women – 1 in 3 Australian women suffer violence from men – we need more help for the survivors, more focus on teaching our boys how to be real men, and more programmes for the cowards – tony serve…please support change – see Greens story below

Image via Wikipedia

Media release

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Greens embrace White Ribbon Day

The Australian Greens welcome the unanimous Senate support for a motion recognising today as the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The White Ribbon Campaign is the first male led campaign to end violence against women in the world.

“I am delighted the Senate has overwhelming accepted the motion calling on all men to actively participate in White Ribbon Day by swearing to end violence against women,” Australians Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

“It is a pledge committing all men to never commit violence against women, to never excuse violence against women, and to never to remain silent about violence against women.

“Violence against women is never ever acceptable and it’s great to see all members of our parliament join together to send this strong message.

“Sadly, one in three Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and we have got to do everything we can to end this.

“I am pleased my male colleagues have added their voice to this global campaign and hope in joining forces like this we can make a difference.

Media contact – Fernando de Freitas on 0415 174 302

Fernando de Freitas
Media Advisor

Australian Greens

Suite S1.36 Parliament House, Canberra ACT
P: 02 6277 3467 | M: 0417 174 302

Fernando.defreitas
www.GreensMPs.org.au

Australia begins to evolve – 1 small step for #GLBTI see this ABC News Article link. Tweet, email Kevin Rudd to demand national laws for equality .

Gay couple ties knot in ceremony

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

By Penny McLintock and Elizabeth Byrne

Australia’s first legally binding civil partnership ceremony has been held in Canberra.To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2753087.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2753087&cat=Justin
from @perthtones’ iPhone

West Australia’s Western Desert communities denied Federal health services

WA’s Western Desert communities denied Federal health services

The Australian Greens have criticised the Rudd Government for failing to ensure that Aboriginal people in WA’s Western Desert may access Commonwealth-funded health facilities across the border in the Northern Territory.

“It is simply not good enough that someone living just on the wrong side of the WA-NT border should be denied access to facilities that are provided by our national government for the good of all Australian citizens,” the Greens Health Spokesperson and Senator for WA Rachel Siewert said today.

“At a time of chronic health crisis, all Australians should be able to gain access to their nearest health service.

“The Commonwealth is providing $5.3 million over five years for additional Aboriginal renal services in the NT, and last week it made a two-port relocatable dialysis facility available in Alice Springs – providing potential places for an extra eight renal patients.

“However, West Australian patients such as Patrick Tjungurrayi (an award-winning artist who together with fellow Papunya Tula artists raised $1 million for dialysis services in the NT) continue to be denied service.”

Yesterday (MON 23/11/09), the Federal Government refused to answer two simple yes/no questions about whether interstate patients were able to access a Commonwealth facility, and whether it had negotiated with the NT Government that additional resources were provided on the basis of access to all.

“The Rudd Government failed to use the obvious mechanism of requiring equal access to Commonwealth facilities,” Senator Siewert said.

“It should have made it clear to the NT Government that additional resources would only be provided if it lifted the ban on interstate renal patients.

“The Greens are calling on the Rudd government to immediately require the NT government to lift the ban.

“It is time the Government demonstrated its commitment to fundamental principle of universal access to healthcare on the basis of need,” Senator Siewert concluded.

For more information or media inquiries, please call Eloise Dortch 0415 507 763

DAY OF ACTION make BHP Billiton accountable :: Thursday 26 November @ 8AM :: 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth

please send through your networks …

JOIN THE DAY OF ACTION make BHP Billiton accountable
PERTH :: BRISBANE :: MELBOURNE :: ADELAIDE

WHEN: Thursday 26 November 2009 @ 8AM
WHERE: 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth

WHY: Come stand in solidarity with Traditional Owners and workers world wide struggling at the hands of the worlds biggest miner, BHP Billiton. Traditional Owners from Western Australia, South Australia, West Papua and a unionist from Colombia are gathering at BHP Billiton’s Annual General Meeting in Brisbane to call on shareholders to make BHP Billiton stop mining uranium and coal and to act on social and environmental policies.

We need you yu to come and support the action at BHP Billiton’s head office in Perth
check out BHP Billiton’s performance in Western Australia

The Day of Action will coincide with the launch of the BHP Billiton Alternative Annual report

http://protestbhpb.wordpress.com
http://bhpbillitonwatch.wordpress.com
http://uraniumfree.wordpress.com

IMAGE: Action outside of BHP Billiton’s head office in Perth calling
for no uranium mining in WA. The first proposed uranium mine
in the state is BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie uranium project in the Mid West.
29 October 2009. Photo: Nat Lowrey

For more info contact: 0421 226 200
uraniumfreewa

Greens pan income management expansion -ABC News Article link.

Greens pan income management expansion

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2753323.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

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from @perthtones’ iPhone

Fresh energy for the lower house and a protest against the failure of Labor & Liberal Govts – vote for Hsien Harper in Willagee -The Greens (WA) TV commercial 3

Short YouTube vid

from @perthtones’ iPhone

Stop violence against women – Alison Xamon Greens WA

Greens MLC Alison Xamon today welcomed the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and called upon the government to participate in and appropriately fund the National Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Their Children.

“The National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children have put forward excellent key strategies that the governments, working together, must now implement”, Ms Xamon said. “These strategies will be useless without sufficient funding to ensure that effective programs are developed and implemented.”

Ireland currently funds its National Plan at the rate of $67,500 per 10,000 people. Australia’s Federal Women’s Safety Strategy currently spends approximately $9,300 per 10,000 people.

“We still have a long way to go,” Ms Xamon said.

95% of assaults against women are committed by men, and 80% of assaults are committed by men the victim knows, either intimately or casually.

“We need to change our culture of accepting a certain level of violence as inevitable and normal,” Ms Xamon said. “Violence is always the responsibility of the perpetrator. They can and should choose otherwise.”

Kirsten Richards

Electorate Officer

Office of Hon Alison Xamon MLC

Member for the East Metropolitan Region

62 Eighth Avenue

Maylands WA 6051

PO Box 104

Maylands WA 6931

Ph: 9272 1718

Fax: 9272 1719

Email: kirsten.richards

The fawning “interview” with Hsien Harper including the original declaration of myself as a supporter and sometimes advisor to the Greens – think of it as the Unauthorized Hsien Harper Fan Club, leave a comment, join the hugfest ;-)

By the way it’s my Blog and I’ll support, even fawn over, whomever I choose.

On air I declare my bias and occasionally cop flak from those opposed to my brand of social justice.

The whistleblower in this case called me a ” tofu muncher ” – that’s it man, beads at 50 paces. ( can’t stomach the stuff  :^p  )

IC’s Daniel Hatch was actually quite fair and almost accurate in giving me a “serve.” Just the misquote ( I always record my end of an interview ) where he asked if I’d mentioned the incident on air over the weekend and I said no.

I often cover politics, as I have for 30 years, but I’m not a working journo now and 6PR’s intelligent and well informed listeners are reglarly reminded of my ageing hippie bias – some occasionally take the time to show their objection with clever use of seldom used words and references to family members.

My Apologies to Alan Carpenter too, I do think he’s a dork but did not mean to scar him with my heartless jibe making the west, which was in fact intended to be a PRIVATE comment. (until I shot myself in the foot with the upload )

IC’s Daniel Hatch is good on the descriptions too, here’s a couple from his PUBLIC twitter feed

• Daniel to @la…….e At least it’s not (Female Federal Minister) That woman is like a pethedine overdose every time she talks. Puts me to sleep without fail. about 7 hours ago from web in reply to la…….e

• Daniel to @m..a Haven’t seen the film. I know it’s Richard Gere but there’s no suggestion (a Premier ) and the barmaid used a gerbil is there? about 8 hours ago from web in reply to m…a

No hard feelings mate – I would have run it too, just not the Carps bit, he’s got kids you know, as do I – you’ll note I protected your correspondents’ IDs

…anyway, below is my fawning adoration of someone who WILL make a difference when she’s elected to serve the people of Willagee ( minus the private chat before and after )

Willagee by-election – a chance for a better way forward with Greens WA candidate Hsien Harper

Hsien Harper brings fresh energy to represent the people of Willagee – in more ways than one

Click here for audio of Hsien Harper with Tony Serve

Alan Carpenter failed the electorate, and Labor is likely to focus their new candidate on issues outside the electorate if he were to win the seat, doing what the factions say.

This by-election is an historic chance for the people of Willagee to shake up the powers that be and vote Greens WA for fresh energy in the community and clean, job creating, sustainable energy for the state.

tony serve – Greens supporter, occasional media consultant

Visit and support Hsien on Facebook

Meet Hsien this Friday at a fundraiser for the Greens WA Willagee campaign, with: Music and entertainment from Mr and Sunbird, Stillfire, Nat Ripepi and Willagee locals Zombie Step

Doors open at 7:30pm, just $5 for entry. Meet Hsien Harper, and talk to her about the issues that affect YOU

It’s time for support a d services – END THE INTERVENTION – ‘Inept’ consultations ignored Indigenous views ABC News Article link.

‘Inept’ consultations ignored Indigenous views

Monday, November 23, 2009

By Samantha Donovan for PM

A new report accuses the Federal Government of deliberately ignoring the views of Aboriginal people on the Northern Territory Intervention.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/23/2751313.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2751313&cat=Justin

from @perthtones’ iPhone

Care2causes latest from the US: Everybody Run that Homosexual Wants a Son…, Sarah Palin Is A Dangerous Person, Will Copenhagen be another Battle in Seattle – newsletter

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Nov 23, 2009 EDITOR’S NOTE: We learned on Sunday that Rhode Island Bishop Thomas Tobin has forbidden the state’s Congressman, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, to take communion because of his work on abortion rights. Jessica Pieklo has written a provocative post – you won’t expect the angle she’s taken. Take a look and let us know what you think. Be sure to let us know what you want to know and aren’t hearing about: write to me at cindys. Hope you’ll stop by over the holiday; we’ll have new posts every day. Cynthia Samuels Managing Editor from Global Warming Will Copenhagen be another “Battle in Seattle”? When the WTO meetings came to Seattle ten years ago, the negotiations inside… by: Dave R. 1 comment from Politics Everybody Run that Homosexual Wants a Son… This past Saturday, November 21st, was National Adoption Day. A day meant to… by: Scott P. add a comment from Civil Rights How Rep. Kennedy, Banned from Communion, Can Bring Catholics and Progressives Together The First Amendment prohibits the excessive entanglement of the state into… by: Jessica Pieklo 2 comments from Politics Sarah Palin Is A Dangerous Person Says Convicted Felon Martha Stewart I don’t know about you, but… by: Tracy Viselli 3 comments Sex Offenses Are Common On The NYC Subway One Child of How Many? Human Trafficking in the U.S. Starbucks: Multinational, multimillion dollar green corporation? Condoms for Climate Change? Kate Moss Says Skinny Is Better Than Healthy End Water Pollution from Mountaintop Removal Mining

Australian issues in the APO Weekly Briefing – audio, video, research 23 November 2009

New commentary

League tables law is simply rank

17 November, 2009 | The NSW ban on the publication of school ‘league tables’ criminalises speech of a kind that the constitution protects, writes George Williams in the Sydney Morning Herald

Little point in postponing greener economy

16 November, 2009 | Improved energy efficiency can contribute close to 60 per cent of the reduction in global emissions, the International Energy Agency’s Nigel Jollands tells Mike Steketee in The Australian

What force should we give to advance health statements?

19 November, 2009 | There are pitfalls in giving advance statements the force of law, writes John Chesterman for APO

Nathan Rees’s gamble

19 November, 2009 | Having asked two ministers for their resignations, Premier Nathan Rees will have to hope that he has not thrown away Labor’s last chance to retain government, writes Tony Smith in Eureka Street

New research

Creative Economy

The Black Saturday bushfires: How the media covered Australia’s worst peace-time disaster

Centre for Advanced Journalism
19 November, 2009 | Coverage of Black Saturday was extensive and in many ways comprehensive. The journalists, photographers and television crews involved in the coverage faced major challenges in doing their work and were deeply affected by what they witnessed.

Making of me

Shelagh Wright, Jen Lexmond | Demos
19 November, 2009 | This paper looks at how families could be better supported to nurture creativity and cultural engagement and how we might get more from our existing investments in this area.

Taking part: the national survey of culture, leisure and sport

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (UK)
19 November, 2009 | This UK survey collects data about engagement and non-engagement of children in culture, leisure and sport, providing a better understanding of those who do, and do not, engage with these sectors.

Social entrepreneurship

Lab for Culture
19 November, 2009 | This paper devoted to the essence and characteristics of social entrepreneurship as a new global phenomenon, the policy objectives behind social entrepreneurship programmes and their impact on long-term policy decisions, including in the cultural sector.

The cultural economy moment

Terry Flew | Cultural Science
19 November, 2009 | This paper explores the rise of cultural economy as a key organising concept over the 2000s.

Economics

National baseline study on warranties and refunds

National Education and Information Advisory Taskforce
18 November, 2009 | Commissioned by consumer protection agencies across Australia, this report examines how consumers, traders and manufacturers respond to defective white goods, electronic goods and mobile phones.

Australia’s foreign investment relationship with partner countries

Karli Sanyal | Information and Research Services, Parliamentary Library
19 November, 2009 | What are the trends in Australia’s share of the global foreign direct investment inflows and its investment relationship with partner countries since 2001?

Apprenticeships in the downturn

Tom Karmel, Josie Misko | National Centre for Vocational Education Research
19 November, 2009 | This paper describes what we know about apprenticeships and traineeships, with a view to assessing how the current economic downturn will affect them.

Toward national workplace safety and workers’ compensation systems: a chronology

Steve O’Neill | Information and Research Services, Parliamentary Library
18 November, 2009 | Responsibility for implementing workers‘ compensation schemes and workplace health and safety in Australia has traditionally resided with state and territory governments. This paper chronicles the growing role of the Commonwealth.

A competent recovery? Economic downturn and Australia’s vocational education and training system

Richard Sweet | National Centre for Vocational Education Research
19 November, 2009 | This paper reflects on the impact of the recent financial crisis on particular groups in Australian society and comments on whether the VET sector is well placed to meet the challenges of the recovery.

Something for nothing – unpaid overtime in Australia

Josh Fear, Richard Denniss | The Australia Institute
23 November, 2009 | This paper reveals that Australian workers are ‘donating’ more than their annual leave entitlement back to their employers in the form of unpaid overtime.

The Australian consumer law: consultation on draft regulation impact statements

Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs
18 November, 2009 | This is a draft consultation regulatory impact statement on reforms based on best practice in state and territory consumer protection laws, and a new national product safety regime.

Education

Introducing Open Classroom 2.0 to teachers through immersive learning

EDEN Seventh Open Classroom Conference
18 November, 2009 | This paper addresses the challenge of engaging teachers in opening up the learning environment through the use of social software and other Web 2.0 tools.

Annual report on emerging technologies: planning for change

Education.au
19 November, 2009 | These reports into collaborative learning, workforce capability, and national software infrastructure provide evidence to support a role for Australian Government to ensure the best return on investments in ICT for education and training.

Learning to teach in Second Life

Lina Morgado, Angelina Macedo | EDEN Seventh Open Classroom Conference
18 November, 2009 | Virtual environment tools and Second Life, in particular, have great potential for teaching and learning as they enhance the development of socialization skills, peer and group work, critical thinking and problem solving.

Environment & Planning

Victorian 2009 bushfire research response: final report

Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre
18 November, 2009 | The devastating February 2009 Victorian bushfires resulted in major loss of life, property, and other assets. This report outline the data collected by this major research project on the fire and its impact, and draws some preliminary conclusions and findings.

Business guide to the low carbon economy: Queensland

The Climate Group
23 November, 2009 | This guide provides practical steps for businesses to get on top of measuring and curbing greenhouse gas emissions from their operations.

Health

How do methamphetamine users respond to changes in methamphetamine price?

Craig Jones, Deborah Bradford, Jenny Chalmers | NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
18 November, 2009 | Methamphetamine and heroin purchases decrease significantly as the price of methamphetamine increase, by as much as 27 per cent on a 10 per cent price rise, according to this report.

Public health expenditure in Australia, 2007-08

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
18 November, 2009 | Public health expenditure in Australia 2007-08 is the eighth in a series of annual reports on public health expenditure in Australia produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Fourth national mental health plan: an agenda for collaborative government action in mental health 2009-2014

Department of Health and Ageing
20 November, 2009 | This plan identifies key actions and priority areas for developing a mental health system that ensures appropriate treatment and community support for all Australians with a mental illness.

Independent sport panel report (Crawford Report)

Independent Sport Panel
23 November, 2009 | The Crawford review was commissioned to investigate the reforms required to ensure that Australia’s sporting system remains prepared for the challenges of the future.

Indigenous

Prospects, protocols, progress

Erana Takuira | Jumbunna: Indigenous House of Learning
20 November, 2009 | This report examines the recent advances of ethical guidelines for filming and working with Indigenous content in film.

Providing support for Indigenous tenancies at risk: Australian policy responses

Paul Flatau | Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
20 November, 2009 | Indigenous clients who receive support through Tenant Support Programs sustain their tenancies, are linked to external support programs to meet their non-housing needs and avoid homelessness.

AMA Indigenous health report card 2009

Australian Medical Association
20 November, 2009 | The AMA has released its eighth Indigenous Health Report Card, this year putting the focus on the tragic state of health of Indigenous males – boys, adolescents and men.

International

Caught in the crossfire: the Pashtun tribes of Southeast Afghanistan

Tom Gregg | Lowy Institute for International Policy
20 November, 2009 | This paper argues the importance of a more effective engagement of Afghanistan’s tribes, particularly in the country’s south east.

Justice

Patterns in bushfire arson

Australian Institute of Criminology
23 November, 2009 | Bushfires arson, like structural arson, is a strongly patterned activity. These patterns seem to be mainly determined by the interplay between socioeconomic and environmental dynamics.

Confidence in the criminal justice system

David Indermaur, Lynne Roberts | Australian Institute of Criminology
23 November, 2009 | Using the results of the latest Australian Survey of Social Attitudes, this paper examines people’s varying attitudes to police, courts and corrections.

Politics

World order and EU regionalism: towards an open approach to new constitutionalism

Gerard Strange | Asia Research Centre
20 November, 2009 | The political project for European Union is defined by its inherent dialectic as both part of and a distinct response to globalisation.

Social Policy

‘Forgotten Australians’ and ‘Lost Innocents’: child migrants and children in institutional care in Australia

Coral Dow, Janet Phillips | Information and Research Services, Parliamentary Library
18 November, 2009 | On 30 August 2009, the anniversaries of the tabling of two landmark parliamentary committee reports, the Australian government announced that it would ‘issue a formal statement of acknowledgement and apology to Forgotten Australians and former child migrants.

Australia’s welfare 2009

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
18 November, 2009 | Annually reporting on the state of children, families; ageing, disability, carers, housing and homelessness, this report is the most comprehensive and authoritative source of national information on welfare services in Australia

Living alone in Australia: trends in sole living and characteristics of those who live alone

David de Vaus, Sue Richardson | Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
18 November, 2009 | Since the 1960s we have experienced major changes in the way people live and the way in which they build their families and households. This paper looks at the characteristics of people who live alone.

Childhood family circumstances and young adult people’s receipt of income support

Tue Gørgens, Deborah A. Cobb-Clark | Youth in Focus Project
18 November, 2009 | This report uses data from the Youth in Focus Project to analyse how young Australians’ receipt of income support is related to their family circumstances, and particularly the role of a family history of income support receipt.

Is Australia losing its religion?

Michael Hogan | Australian Review of Public Affairs
20 November, 2009 | Over the last ten years or so religion has been getting a fairly bad press in Australia although religion is news, as a flood of recent books suggests.

Reform of family payments

Peter Davidson, Jacqueline Phillips | Australian Council of Social Service
19 November, 2009 | Low-paid Australian families do not receive adequate financial support to meet the costs of their children, according to this report.

New audio

Working together for a better health care system

20 November, 2009 | Research findings and government reports indicate Australia’s primary health care workforce is facing significant challenges and is lagging behind in its use of teamwork approaches.

The arts don’t deserve a place here

19 November, 2009 | The question of what makes good art is something that has been debated long before the invention of the crayon.

Somewhere in the murky waters of subjectivity, the differing roles of art continue to challenge the minds of audiences. Does a particular work exist to provoke, to inspire or merely to entertain? In this funny and boisterous panel at The Festival of Dangerous Ideas, the risky nature of all forms of art is explored in all of its beauty.

When art meets science

19 November, 2009 | Science and art might sound like vastly different disciplines, but Dr Tim Wetherell from ANU believes they are both motivated by a desire to make sense of the world in which we live.

Authenticity and the ABC

21 November, 2009 | Six months into the job, the ABC’s director of news, Kate Torney, talks to Peter Clarke about where the national broadcaster is headed and what role social media will play.

Australia’s resources in the world

20 November, 2009 | This lecture discusses the link between Australia’s role as one of the world’s largest resource economies and Australia’s international relationships, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Obesity as a complex problem

19 November, 2009 | Obesity has increased dramatically across the world, and there is currently no solution to its control.

New video

Architects speak on cultural impact of skyscrapers

19 November, 2009 | In this talk some of architecture’s leading thinkers and practitioners discuss: ‘what effect to towers have on urbanism, sustainability, the workplace and historic city centres?’

The arts don’t deserve a place here

19 November, 2009 | The question of what makes good art is something that has been debated long before the invention of the crayon.

Secondary school students and sexual health 2008

20 November, 2009 | Researchers from La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) discuss The Fourth National Survey of Australian Secondary School Students and Sexual Health.

New jobs

Senior Executive – Strategy and Policy

Australian Securities and Investments Commission 19 November, 2009 | As a as a Senior Executive Leader you will have public policy expertise, knowledge of the corporations and financial services legislation and a broad understanding of the financial markets.

Principal Project Officer postions

Queensland Department of Communities 20 November, 2009 | The Queensland Department of Communities is seeking two Principal Project Officers (Full-Time Temporary for 12 months) with expertise in performance reporting and evaluation.

New events

Sociology, the Public Sphere and Modern Government

LOCATION:	SPW 226 Swinburne University of Technology – Hawthorn
ORGANISED BY:	Institute for Social Research

26 November, 2009 | Speaker: Professor Gary Wickham (Murdoch University).

What do Canadians do with broadband networks: applying insights from the Canadian internet use survey to the NBN

LOCATION:	Brown Theatre, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Melbourne
ORGANISED BY:	Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society, University of Melbourne

26 November, 2009 | Using data from Statistics Canada’s Canadian Internet Use Survey, Professor Catherine Middleton will explore Canadians’ patterns of Internet usage.

Parliament of Religions

LOCATION:

03 December, 2009 | The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions was created to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities

Evidence based policy in housing

LOCATION:	Lecture Theatre G001, Ground Floor The Red Centre, Built Environment, University of NSW
ORGANISED BY:	City Futures

10 December, 2009 | Speakers: Professor Hal Pawson, Professorial Fellow at the School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University, EdinburghProfessor Michael E. Stone, Professor of Community Planning and Public Policy, The University of Massachusetts, Boston

New books

State of the eUnion: Government 2.0 and Onwards

19 November, 2009 | 34 global thought-leaders in the field, including Don Tapscott, Tim O’Reilly and Lawrence Lessig, have contributed their views and ideas about the current state of eGovernment and what has come to be known as Government 2.0.

New guide

Indigenous Art and the Law

18 November, 2009 | The project provides a literature review and critically examines existing laws and investigates options for urgently-required developments in the area of arts law as it pertains to Indigenous people and culture.

New websites

Anzarts Institute

20 November, 2009 | The Anzarts Institute is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the cause of the arts and creative industries in our society.

Asia Beyond Conflict

20 November, 2009 | This site examines recent conflicts over history in Northeast Asia, and explores possible paths towards reconciliation.

Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies (ACYS)

19 November, 2009 | ACYS provides information on Australian youth through its scholarly journal, Youth Studies Australia (now in its 28th year); monthly email newsletter, Youth Field Xpress; and through its website.

Now might be a good time to tweet and email the PM if you support equality for all australians to marry GLBTI see the ABC News Article link below

Rudd undecided on same-sex civil unions

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the Federal Government is still waiting on legal advice to decide if it will block an ACT law that provides legal ceremonies for same-sex couples.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/22/2750013.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2750013&cat=Justin

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from @perthtones’ iPhone

A new angle for twitter – What’s happening? Twitter wants to know – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

What’s happening? Twitter wants to know – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

Resources, conferences, news, jobs and events from Western Australia’s peak Social Jusice body – WACOSS eNews 223, Available Now!

General WACOSS News
	WACOSS 2010 Conference – Call for Abstracts
	ACOSS Community Sector Survey Now Open
	Community Employers WA Petition: Increase funding for improved salaries for NFP community sector staff …SIGN NOW!
	Join the Free WACOSS Members Cricket Tipping Competition for plenty of fun and prizes!
Social Policy News
	Opportunity to Comment: National Water Initiative (NWI) pricing principles and the consultation regulation impact statement for the NWI pricing principles
	The Gas Supply (Gas Quality Specifications) Bill 2009 Passed in State Parliament
	Consultation Information – Strategic Energy Initiative
	ACOSS Media Release: How much does it cost to raise a teenager? Family payments don’t add up
	Consultation Period Following Publication of Social Housing Taskforce Report Now Open
	Productivity Commission Releases Draft Report into NFP Sector
Sector Services and Development News
	Tickets to ER Conference Dinner Still Available!!! Wednesday 25th November
	WACOSS Emergency Relief Conference – Conference Registration starts 8.15am, Wednesday 25th November, Perth Town Hall
	NFPN Events: Unfair Dismissal Information Seminar, Tuesday 24th November
	Not-for-Profit Day, Thursday 10th December
	The Project Manager’s Toolbox, Tuesday 1st December
Corporate Services News
	WACOSS Members – Take advantage of free Not For Profit Network Membership now!
	Make a difference and become a WACOSS Member now!
Sector News
	Metropolitan Road Trauma Support Group
	Generation Y Depression Support Group
	The National Child Protection Clearinghouse is changing!
	Nominate Now for the WA Association for Mental Health Caring Employer Award 2010
	Multicultural Advisory Group Membership: Call for Expressions of Interest
	Nominate now for the 2010 Consumer Protection Awards
	2010 Disability Support Worker Awards – nominate your stars!
Community Sector Positions Vacant
	Ruah Aboriginal Tenancy Support seeks Housing & Family Support Worker – Action Research Focus
	Ruah Centre – WA ‘Street to Home’ Program seeks Assertive Outreach Workers
	Communicare seeks Therapeutic Program Officer
Upcoming Sector Events
	Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence and Amnesty International present: 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
	Starick Services Inc. invite you to attend their Children’s Annual Art Exhibition in participation with the 16-Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
	Men of the Trees: Trees and Life Seminar, Perth City Gardens, Monday 23rd November
	Indigenous Mental Health Conference 2009: Our Mob, Our Minds, Our Spirit, 23rd – 25th November 2009
	Homeless Connect, Wednesday 25th November
	16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, 25th November – 10th December
	Green Apple Development – Youth Mental Health Training Opportunities
	Better Boards Conference 23-25th July 2010

Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2009 to be introduced intoWest Australian Parliament today

Greens member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC will introduce the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2009 into Parliament today.

“I am very proud to be introducing a piece of legislation that the majority of Western Australians want and are calling for” Mr Chapple said.

“This legislation will provide piece of mind to terminally ill people in pain and suffering.”

Mr Chapple said the Bill was very limited in terms of who it applied to and very restrictive because of the safeguards it contains.

Summary of the Bill

The Bill will allow a Western Australian who is of sound mind, 21 years or over, can communicate his or her intentions, has a terminal illness that will cause death in 2 years and is experiencing pain, suffering or debilitation that is considerable, to make a request to a medical practitioner for the administration of euthanasia. The request must be witnessed by two independent and unrelated people.

The medical practitioner must ensure the applicant is aware of palliative care options and the availability of counselling and other support services before assessing the request.

The request must be assessed by two independent medical practitioners each with 5 years experience. Among other things, the medical practitioners must determine that the applicant’s request is not wholly referable to a state of clinical depression, is not motivated by a desire to cease to be a burden, and that the applicant has made the request freely, voluntarily and with full knowledge of the consequences.

The applicant must then wait 14 days to make the request a second time, and the medical practitioner must again assess the request, before euthanasia may be administered. A third independent medical practitioner, again with 5 years experience, must be present for the administration of euthanasia.

Differences to draft Bill already circulated

Mr Chapple said that the version of the Bill which he will submit to Parliament is significantly different to the draft version that was circulated for comment in September this year.

“This version contains more safeguards and has more reporting requirements, and has been informed through feedback from other MPs and stakeholders including a Church Group” he said.

Key differences are the presence of a third independent medical practitioner to witness administration of euthanasia, a 14 day waiting period, increased safeguards including that the person not be acting under duress or as the result of external pressure, more detailed reporting obligations and the person’s pain and suffering must be ‘considerable’.

The full text of the Bill is available here: http://www.robinchapple.org.au/node/142. Mr Chapple expects the Government to allow a debate and vote on the Bill next year.

Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872

41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005

Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple | Freecall: 1800 138 610

2009-11-19 VE intro to Parliament.docx

From Mario Vellandi and other Justmeans – Green, CSR, Good Work, Sustainability, and Social Enterprise News and Updates group members on LinkedIn

Linkedin Groups	November 18, 2009
Justmeans – Green, CSR, Good Work, Sustainability, and Social Enterprise News and Updates
Activity: 11 discussions | 3 news discussions | 4 news articles | 1 Job
Discussions Online Sustainability Training in 13 Weeks Add a comment » Started by Mario Vellandi, Digital PR Pro, Word of Mouth Marketing / Social Media Maven, and Sustainability Writer Ask the experts about Carbon Management Strategies and Offsetting at a free webinar in San Francisco on the 30th Nov! Add a comment » Started by Rachel Mountain, Head of Global Marketing at EcoSecurities Net Impact NJ and Philadelphia chapters in collaboration with Rutgers University: December 1st panel event – Promoting Sustainability in all Sectors! Add a comment » Started by Dermot Murray, Program Manager, Employee Engagement at Verizon Foundation Global Entrepreneurship Week Add a comment » Started by Sarah Smith, Justmeans Launching a new Magazine for Wealth / BFSI in India Add a comment » Started by Paresh Sheth, Head Distribution & Project Manager at FirstRand Bank Limited School for Change-makers 1 comment » Started by Sarah Smith, Justmeans Seeking recommendations for charities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Add a comment » Started by Virginia Morris, Managing Partner at Bamboo Difference TrackMyT.com, our new Interactive Site Teaches Visitors about the Life of a T-shirt and its Environmental Impact Add a comment » Started by Caterina Conti, EVP, CAO & GC at Anvil Knitwear, Inc. Build a Successful Nonprofit Compensation Structure Webinar Tues Nov 17 – Last Chance to register Add a comment » Started by Joe Folan, Director, Opportunity Knocks Sarah Palin,Barack Obama, Polar Bears and Green Jobs Now.Org Add a comment » Started by Ron Vogt USA Green Jobs Now.Org, New Industries New Opportunity Would your CEO want to know if up to 117% of profits were at risk from carbon in the supply chain? article: + register for FREE Nov 18 webinar Add a comment » Started by Thera Kalmijn, Corporate Social Responsiblity Professional; Principal at SureGround News Discussions (3) Are Sustainability and Business Growth Compatible?? 1 comment » I do think there is a conflict between growth as defined by increased earnings and profits and sustainability. The latin root of the word creative is "to grow." I think that kind of growth is possible. But the unfettered growth is I think an impediment to sustainability. Maybe if an organization has outlived its usefulness in a certain form it can join another group or cease to be entirely. If you look at the damage in the American financial system, much of it can be laid at the feet of financial institutions looking to perpetuate and grow their profit and their systems. By David Freund Save Trees in the Midst of Handwashing Mania! 1 comment » Love it! Just contacted the folks at PeopleTowels – would love to carry their product on our site http://www.ecoplum.com . Thanks for sharing! Horicon Bank is designated eco-intelligent by SustainLINK | 3BL Media 1 comment » e financial institutions are “doing good by doing well”. By Dan Parker Latest News SustainUS Agents of Change Awarded Grant to Send Youth Delegates to Copenhagen Add a comment » RSS Feed for All Jobs | November 17, 2009 MIDDLEBURY, VT – THE AGENTS OF CHANGE PROGRAM, RUN BY SUSTAINUS , HAS BEEN AWARDED $5,000 FROM THE BRIGHTER PLANET PROJ [...]… Climate Counts 2009 3rd annual score release Add a comment » RSS Feed for All Jobs | November 17, 2009 Contact: info, (603)216-3788 Third Annual Climate Counts Scores Show Economic Downturn Doesn’t Detr [...]… World Vision Launches Kiva-like Microfinance Platform Add a comment » SocialEarth | November 17, 2009 For over 60 years, World Vision has been a pioneer in supporting humanitarian efforts around the world. In 1993 the organization launched a micro lending component… The Zoning Hurdles to Alternative Green Building Add a comment » Justmeans | November 17, 2009 One of the biggest hurdles facing alternative green building techniques is that of building zoning and development regulations. The International Code Council (ICC) which says it ‘serves to protect the health, safety, and welfare of… Job Discussions (1) Advisory Board Positions: Small Business Focused Add a comment » Posted by William A. Bubenicek, Director

The Secretary-General of Amnesty International has criticised the Federal Government for its failure to lift Aboriginal people out of dire poverty -ABC News Article link.

‘Tide of human tragedy’ affecting Aborigines

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Secretary-General of Amnesty International has criticised the Federal Government for its failure to lift Aboriginal people out of dire poverty.

Irene Kahn says she is appalled by conditions in the remote Aboriginal communities she recently visited in the Northern Territory.

She says the human rights of Aboriginal people are being violated.

“[That] these violations occur on a continent of such privilege, it is not merely disheartening, it is deeply disturbing,” she told the National Press Club today.

“And the longstanding failure of Australian governments to turn this tide of human tragedy demands much more than condemnation.

“It demands much more than commitment.”

She says elements of the Northern Territory intervention, like compulsory income management, rob people of their dignity.

She has urged the Government to repeal such elements.

“To be brutally frank, I see here an enormous opportunity for change, but I fear that that opportunity for change may be squandered, unless and until there is a profound shift from consultations to engagement and onto empowerment of Indigenous people.”To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/18/2746678.htm

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from @perthtones’ iPhone

Willagee by-election – a chance for a better way forward with Greens WA candidate Hsien Harper

Hsien Harper brings fresh energy to represent the people of Willagee - in more ways than one

Click here for audio of Hsien Harper with Tony Serve

Alan Carpenter failed the electorate, and Labor is likely to focus their new candidate on issues outside the electorate if he were to win the seat, doing what the factions say.

This by-election is an historic chance for the people of Willagee to shake up the powers that be and vote Greens WA for fresh energy in the community and clean, job creating, sustainable energy for the state.

tony serve – Greens supporter, occasional media consultant

Visit and support Hsien on Facebook

Meet Hsien this Friday at a fundraiser for the Greens WA Willagee campaign, with: Music and entertainment from Mr and Sunbird, Stillfire, Nat Ripepi and Willagee locals Zombie Step

Doors open at 7:30pm, just $5 for entry. Meet Hsien Harper, and talk to her about the issues that affect YOU

Megan Fox: Feminist?, RNC Continues to Fund Elective Abortion, Record High Temperatures Increasing in U.S. — your custom newsletter

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Nov 17, 2009 tony, Keep up to date on the causes you care about most with stories from Care2′s network of bloggers and non-profit partners. from Politics Sarah Palin Is Full of It Cartoon courtesy of the wonderful Peaco Todd.Although Levi Johnston, that… by: Tracy Viselli 2 comments from Politics Hypocrisy?: Republican National Committee Money Will Continue to Help Fund Elective Abortions Through Cigna� Last Thursday, Politico reported that the Republican National Committee (RNC)… by: Scott P. 1 comment from Health Policy Swine Flu November Update The U.S. Government’s top flu monitoring agency, the Centers for Disease… by: Marc Seltzer 3 comments from Politics New York Times Article Misses the Point(s) On Stupak Amendment An article by Kathleen Seelye in today’s New York Times titled “In Congress,… by: Cynthia Samuels 4 comments from Civil Rights Know Your Rights: Genetic Testing in the Workplace In the midst of cries for insurance companies to alter their practices… by: Jessica Pieklo 2 comments from Environment & Wildlife SOS: Save Our Seabirds From Commercial Fishing Boats Many conservationists have been talking about how commercial fishing… by: Beth B. 2 comments from Women’s Rights What Do Women Want?: Megan Fox Has Some Confusing Insights Megan Fox, most recently the star of Transformers and Jennifer’s… by: Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux 1 comment from Global Warming Note to Climate Change Deniers: Record High Temperatures Increased in U.S. A recently released study on temperatures in the continental U.S. showed that… by: GinaMarie Cheeseman 19 comments 9/11 Terror Trials in New York ASPCA Tries to Soften the Blow about Oreo In 38 States: Being Gay is a Terminable Offense Fighting Climate Change With a Bucket Shocking Data: Women Still Missing from the Top Support Plan to End Overfishing!

Living Wills regulations welcomed; introduction of Voluntary Euthanasia Bill this week

Greens member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC has welcomed final confirmation of the Living Wills regulations and says that today therefore marks an important step towards Western Australians being allowed to choose how their life will end.

“This is very important legislation; it allows people to take control over the final stages of their life and have some say in the manner in which they might die.”

“I was very pleased that the conscience vote permitted in both Houses resulted in the passage of this legislation, and I am further pleased that the related Regulations were not disallowed by either house of Parliament by last Thursday’s due date.”

Mr Chapple noted that although the Living Wills legislation allows a person to dictate in advance which treatments will and will not be given to them, and whether nutrition will be provided or not, the legislation does not go so far as to allow people to choose a gentle and peaceful death to end their pain and suffering.

“Western Australian Parliament has come this far in allowing people to have some say in the manner of their death. But the people of Western Australian don’t just want the right to starve to death or die of infection, they want the choice to be able to die in a controlled and gentle manner.”

Mr Chapple says he will introduce a law which gives people this choice into Parliament this week.

“The Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2009 will provide criminal and civil immunity to people who assist a suffering terminally ill patient to end their suffering through death, provided they act strictly in accordance with the numerous safeguards prescribed by the Bill.”

“The Bill will apply only to people aged 21 and over, who live in Western Australia, who are of sound mind and who are in considerable pain and suffering.”

“Two independent medical practitioners with at least 5 years experience will have to assess a patient’s request for the administration of euthanasia. The person’s medical condition, mental state and surrounding environment will all have to be examined.”

“This Bill is about giving choice to a small section of our community who are in the last stages of a terminal illness. Nothing more.” Mr Chapple said.

“The Living Wills legislation already goes some way to giving people this choice. I am hoping that a conscience vote on the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill will have the same result.”

Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872

41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005

Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple | Freecall: 1800 138 610

Tears flow as nation hears apology – ABC News Article link.

Tears flow as nation hears apology

Monday, November 16, 2009

Many tears were shed today as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the historic apology to the hundreds of thousands of Forgotten Australians.

Almost 1,000 men and women travelled from around Australia to hear Mr Rudd and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull apologise for the abuse, neglect and suffering they endured in foster care and orphanages between the 1920s and 1970s.

Mr Rudd also extended the nation’s remorse to the 7,000 child migrants, most of whom travelled to Australia from the UK under the mistaken belief that their parents had died.

Addressing the crowd who gathered in Parliament House’s Great Hall, he says the apology should mark a turning point in the nation’s history to ensure it is never repeated.

Mr Rudd says it is important to acknowledge “great evil has been done”.

Mary Smith says she is glad she made the effort to come from Western Australia to hear the apology.

“It made me cry. I said it wasn’t going to make me cry but it did,” she said.

“Both political parties were exceptionally good with their speeches.

“After listening to the speeches, they were excellent. Got right down to the nitty gritty.

“It takes a bit of the pressure off you, really.”

Ms Smith says she likes the idea of the Government’s pledge to give Forgotten Australians special care in old age and a national service to help people find their families.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea, if it goes ahead,” she said.

But Ms Smith says she is not seeking compensation.

“It’s all too late,” she said.

Healed

Around 500,000 children, including thousands of child migrants, grew up in government-run institutions and foster care and many had been lobbying for for an apology from the Federal Government since it was recommended by a Senate committee in 2004.

Rayleene O’Hehir and her two sisters were forced into an orphanage in Sydney’s south-west in the 1950s when she was nine.

Ms O’Hehir watched the apology from home and said it had a huge impact on her.

“I don’t think I have ever felt such a relief, because now everybody out there knows exactly what happened,” she said.

“I now know my sisters and my family will be so solid with each other because we know we are human and that should not have happened.

“I just thank the Government with all my heart to have let people know this and help us. We certainly need the help because it’s a thing you can’t forget and a thing you can’t put behind you.

“We can now go forward with all our hearts – not half broken – healed.”

Sexual abuse

Melbourne resident Sue Wilson, who was sent to an orphanage near Albury run by the Mercy nuns, was in Canberra to witness the apology.

She says she was more fortunate than most others, including her two brothers.

“A couple of years ago one mentioned something and I brought something up with the other one and I’ve had a lot of problems communicating with him since. He just doesn’t want to know,” she said.

“I can believe it was sexual abuse. In what form I don’t know. I know one was mildly, if you can call it mildly, sexually abused.

“And the other one, I think it might have been a lot more and he was in BoysTown and an orphanage in Goulburn.”

Too little, too late

The British High Commissioner to Australia, Baroness Valerie Amos, says the UK Government will also say sorry early next year for its role in sending children to Australia.

“We’re going to go out for a period of consultation because we think it’s really important that we get the terminology right,” Baroness Amos said.

“We acknowledge that this has been a shocking period in our history and it’s important that we say sorry.”

Like the British children sent to Australia and Canada, many of those who also arrived in New Zealand ended up in orphanages or foster care and were neglected and abused.

Some of New Zealand’s child migrants say a formal apology from the UK government will be a positive step, but it will come too late for many.

A total of 549 British children were sent to New Zealand between 1920 and 1967, often without their parents’ consent.

Malcolm Axcell came to Auckland in 1949 and was treated appallingly. He told Radio New Zealand that he is happy the Australian government has apologised.

“This could be a start for, not a new life, at least a start towards helping them get over the trauma of what happened to them,” he said.To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/16/2744182.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2744182&cat=Justin

from @perthtones’ iPhone

Change.org – Lou Dobbs Done; Avoiding the Death Penalty; The Church vs. the Homeless

November 9 – November 15

Lou Dobbs Done; Avoiding the Death Penalty; The Church vs. the Homeless Hey Changemakers, The U.S. marked Veterans Day this week, and soon a total of more than 1.8 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be back home. Though many of these brave men and women will have returned to eager families and with awards for their service, many of them will also come back bearing the scars of war, including both physical injuries and psychological trauma. Ensuring that these soldiers have a healthy homecoming is a responsibility all of us share. Retired U.S. Army Captain and Iraq War veteran Scott Quilty writes on Change.org this week that, remarkably, there’s been no national effort to fully reintegrate these veterans into our communities. The consequences – veteran unemployment, substance abuse, domestic violence, and higher-than-ever suicide rates – are hurting us all. For many veterans, the homecoming process doesn’t last a day, or even a week. It can sometimes last a lifetime. Captain Quilty should know. Three years ago he stepped on a roadside bomb in Iraq’s "triangle of death," losing an arm and a leg. Today, he’s become a tireless campaigner for the first national plan that details the steps we can take to improve the homecoming process for millions of veterans. To learn more about Captain Quilty’s story and join the good work he and others are doing through The Campaign for Healthy Homecoming, click here. For more news and commentary on the world of change, see this week’s top stories from your favorite causes below.

Health Care is a Human Right by Amnesty International USA Take action » Tell President Obama to Step Up on Climate! by 1SKY Take action » Help Strengthen America’s Toxic Chemicals Standards by Environmental Defense Action Fund Take action » Start a Petition »

Lou Dobbs Done Lou Dobbs shouldn’t let the door hit him on the way out. Dobbs, CNN’s most prominent anti-immigrant voice, resigned from the network this week after the success of an advocacy campaign that called attention to his race-baiting ways. Immigration blogger Prerna Lal writes that Dobbs’ fear-mongering and his continual distortion of facts on almost all stories dealing with immigration won’t be missed from the airwaves. (Read More) Avoiding the Death Penalty If you hire a lawyer, the chances are you won’t be sentenced to death in parts of Texas, which otherwise puts more people to death than any other state. Criminal Justice blogger Matt Kelley reports that a prominent criminologist recently reviewed 504 capital indictments over three decades in Harris County, Texas, and found that defendants who hired lawyers for the entire trial were never sentenced to death. This is a stunning revelation of the inequity of our criminal justice system, where those who can’t afford representation are much more likely to be put to death. (Read more) The Church vs. the Homeless Washington, D.C.’s homeless population has become the latest target of the Catholic Church’s outrage over gay marriage. As D.C. city council members prepare for a vote on gay marriage, the Catholic Church has threatened to stop providing social services in the city if the District chooses to recognize equal rights for gays and lesbians. That includes social services that help more than one-third of D.C.’s homeless population. End Homelessness blogger Shannon Moriarty asks: is the Church using the poorest among us as pawns to advance discrimination against gays and lesbians? (Read more) Republican Abortion Hypocrisy Last week nearly every Republican in Congress voted to make it virtually impossible for private insurance companies that participate in the new health system to offer abortion coverage to women. However, Women’s Rights blogger Jen Nedeau writes that it was also revealed that employees at the Republican National Committee have had abortion covered under their insurance plan since at least 1991. Hypocrisy? Jen thinks so. (Read more) Investing in Women A startling fact: women produce as much as 80 percent of the world’s food but only own two percent of the land. Sustainable Food blogger Katherine Gustafson writes that if we care about sustainable agriculture and food security, we cannot ignore the rights of women who are doing much of the world’s agricultural work. That’s why it’s very good news that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that women would be at the heart of the international agricultural priorities of the Obama administration. (Read more) We hope you had a great weekend, - The Change.org Team

Audio & video and many useful resources on Social Justice, media,indigenous issues, climate, research in the APO Weekly Briefing – 16 November 2009

MAKING LINKS CONFERENCE 2009 – STARTS TOMORROW IN MELBOURNE

The making links conference brings together individuals, organisations and groups working at the intersection of social action and IT.

Tuesday 17 – Wednesday 18 November 2009, University of Melbourne.
For more information and registration visit http://www.makinglinks.org.au/

New commentary

The future of journalism needs journalists

13 November, 2009 | The ABC’s Mark Scott likes describing the media future as a ‘town square’ but is very quiet on how investigative journalism fits in, writes Marni Cordell in New Matilda

Efficiency and equity

09 November, 2009 | Is Australia the new economic and social model for the world, asks Peter Auer in the Australian Review of Public Affairs

One-liners

10 November, 2009 | The reporting of Kevin Rudd’s climate speech demonstrated the failings of the news media, writes Geoffrey Barker in Inside Story

Our lost history of climate change

11 November, 2009 | Twenty years ago federal cabinet began dealing with climate change, writes Joan Staples, but the momentum had been lost by the time Labor left office

What can deliberative processes tell us?

16 November, 2009 | Citizens well informed about climate change make for better polling argue Alison Atherton and Rebecca Short

The next step: a reparations tribunal

13 November, 2009 | For most members of the Stolen Generations, pursuing a civil claim through the courts is technically impossible or simply too painful, writes Robin Banks

The fifth ripple: Australia’s place in the global refugee crisis

12 November, 2009 | Without more resettlement places, interception in Indonesia is pointless, argues Peter Mares in Inside Story

New research

Creative Economy

Getting political on social network sites

First Monday
09 November, 2009 | This study explores use of the social network site Facebook for online political discussion.

Public libraries and the Internet 2008-2009: Issues, implications, and challenges

First Monday
09 November, 2009 | This paper presents an overview of methods, findings, issues, and implications from the 2008 Public Libraries and the Internet survey of US libraries, including comparisons to data from previous studies.

Assessing the business case for standards: an introduction for strategy planning and resourcing committees

JISC Centre for Educational Technology and Interoperability Standards
12 November, 2009 | This UK briefing paper looks at the business case for interoperability and standards in the strategic planning of IT systems in educational institutions.

Economics

Reforming capital gains tax: The myths and reality behind Australia’s most misunderstood tax

Stephen Kirchner | Centre for Independent Studies
12 November, 2009 | Capital gains tax raises little revenue, but at a substantial cost in terms of economic efficiency, says CIS Research Fellow Dr Stephen Kirchner in his new report.

2009 Economic and social outlook conference

Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research
13 November, 2009 | The 2009 Economic and Social Outlook Conference (5-6 November 2009) featured speakers from both sides of politics as well as other government and business leaders.

Education

State of our schools survey 2009

Australian Education Union
12 November, 2009 | This survey of 1,473 Australian public schools reports on class sizes, teaching supply, school fundraising and the priorities for government as judged by teachers and principals.

Understanding global activity in higher education and research

Joint Information Systems Committee
12 November, 2009 | This study has looked at activities and developments in the fields of e-Learning and e-Infrastructure supporting the higher education and research sectors in: Australia; Canada; Denmark; Germany; Korea; Japan; the Netherlands; New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Harnessing openness to improve research, teaching and learning in higher education

Committee for Economic Development
12 November, 2009 | Colleges and universities should embrace the concept of increased openness in the use and sharing of information to improve higher education is the key recommendations of this US report.

Job requirements and lifelong learning for older workers

Chris Ryan, Mathias G. Sinning | National Centre for Vocational Education Research
13 November, 2009 | The relationship between job requirements, individual skills and the participation of workers in further education and training, with an emphasis on older workers, is the focus of this report.

Environment & Planning

Towards a ‘smart grid’ – the roll-out of Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Victorian Auditor-General’s Office
12 November, 2009 | This report assesses whether the advice and recommendations provided to the Victorian Government on the roll-out of AMI have been sound.

It’s time to renew landcare

Andrew Campbell | Triple Helix Consulting
13 November, 2009 | Following the 20th anniversary of Bob Hawke’s launch of the Decade of Landcare, this paper presents an agenda to rejuvenate Landcare, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.

Climate change risks to Australia’s coasts

Department of Climate Change
16 November, 2009 | This report is the first continental scale mapping of residential buildings at risk from climate change. It also details the risks to coastal infrastructure, services and industry in Australia as a result of climate change.

Health

Responding to mental health crises in the community

Victorian Auditor-General’s Office
12 November, 2009 | This report reviews the coordination, preparation and effectiveness of police, ambulance and mental health triage and Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CAT) service responses to mental health crises.

A review of the private sector outreach services legislation

Department of Health and Ageing
13 November, 2009 | Legislation passed in 2001 enabled private health insurers to fund alternative models of health care delivery from their hospital tables, and claim against the reinsurance arrangements for these outreach services. This report reviews the operation of the legislation.

Indigenous

Reconciling Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty and state sovereignty

Paul Chartrand | Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
13 November, 2009 | The concept of ‘shared sovereignty’ is examined as a contribution to the debate on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada and Australia.

Resolving native title issues: travelling on train tracks or roaming the range?

Graeme Neate | National Native Title Tribunal
13 November, 2009 | With most of the apprehension, uncertainty and fear that was associated initially with native title has dissipated, this paper examines the areas in which the legislation and native title processes could be improved.

Cultural dimensions of Indigenous participation in education and training

Alfred Michael Dockery | National Cente for Vocational Education Research
09 November, 2009 | This study provides an important innovation to the existing literature by explicitly attempting to measure ‘cultural attachment’ and its relationship with post-compulsory education and training.

‘You can drop dead’: midwives bullying women

Elaine Dietsch | Science Direct
13 November, 2009 | This paper describes how women experienced what came to be labelled as ‘bullying’ by a small number of midwives when they were evacuated from their rural and remote areas of NSW, Australia to a maternity unit to birth.

Forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands

Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee
13 November, 2009 | This report provides an assessment of the environmental, economic and community impacts of existing and proposed forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands, and reviews governance arrangements relating to existing operations.

International

Problems to partnership: a plan for Australia-India strategic ties

Rory Medcalf | Lowy Institute for International Policy
16 November, 2009 | This paper argues that Australia and India must not squander the chance to build a strategic partnership.

Finding a way forward in Afghanistan

Raspal Khosa | Australian Strategic Policy Institute
12 November, 2009 | This paper discusses the implications of the resulting policy debate in Washington for Australia’s military and civilian commitment in Afghanistan.

Justice

Handle with care: private security companies in Timor-Leste

East Timor Law Journal
16 November, 2009 | The international debate surrounding the engagement of private security providers is becoming increasingly important in Timor-Leste.

Mental health, abuse, drug use and crime: does gender matter?

Kerryn Adams, Lubica Forsythe | Australian Institute of Criminology
12 November, 2009 | Theories on the causal relationship between drug use and crime in Australian literature have often overlooked the influence of gender as a confounding variable.

Politics

Learning to share: Explaining the conditions under which states delegate governance

Center for Global Development
16 November, 2009 | This US paper investigates why and when weak states delegate selected governance functions to others — and why a stronger state, such as Australia, would agree to take on the job.

Democracy’s pre-conditions: And why they are not in place

Pete Hay | Evatt Foundation
16 November, 2009 | Democracy exists when there is meaningful – as opposed to merely formal or symbolic – involvement of ordinary people in the shaping of the decisions to which they are thereafter subject.

Social Policy

Parental investment in children: differential pathways of parental education and mental health

Chikako Yamauchi | Centre for Economics Policy Research
12 November, 2009 | This paper examines pathways through which parental characteristics might affect children’s cognitive and behavioural outcomes.

The availability of child care centers, perceived search costs and parental life satisfaction

Chikako Yamauchi | Centre for Economics Policy Research
12 November, 2009 | This study empirically investigates how perceived search costs and parental life satisfaction change when actual childcare availability is altered.

Children of immigrants in the labour markets of EU and OECD countries: an overview

OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs
09 November, 2009 | This reports contrasts the situation for the children of immigrants compared with the children of natives in European and non-European OECD countries along a number of key outcomes (educational attainment, employment and unemployment rates, occupations and sectors).

New audio

Promises and challenges in developing new vaccines, with a focus on diseases of the developing world

13 November, 2009 | Learning how to harness the power of the immune system to combat infectious killers has been one of the most dramatic developments in the history of medicine.

Does pay for performance improve the quality of primary care?

13 November, 2009 | Governments, internationally and in Australia, are increasingly encouraging team-based care in frontline health systems using various incentives.

Interview with Michael Dockery on ‘Cultural dimensions of Indigenous participation in education and training’

09 November, 2009 | In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Michael Dockery about his report that explicitly attempts to measure ‘cultural attachment’ and its relationship with post-compulsory education and training.

New video

World Wide Views on global warming Australia

16 November, 2009 | The Australian World Wide Views on Global Warming Event, where 105 people from all walks of life came from all over the country to put their views forwards on the issues facing climate change negotiators at UN talks.

Policing our minds

13 November, 2009 | Should we disregard individual rights such as privacy, informed consent and free will, in order to protect the community from serious and organised crime?

How political idealism threatens our civilisation

13 November, 2009 | Professor Kenneth Minogue, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, London School of Economics speaks about the way in which Enlightenment thinkers characterised the world as an imperfect society needing reform by political ideolgy.

Can we support care and gender equality?

13 November, 2009 | The women’s revolution has seen many enter the workforce, invariably enhancing and liberating their lives. But who’s taking care of the kids?

New events

Science and Wireless 2009

LOCATION:	Swinburne University’s Hawthorn campus, AGSE building
ORGANISED BY:	Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR)

17 November, 2009 | SW2009 is a public symposium for raising public awareness of mobile phone research and answering questions about the health effects of mobile phones and Wi-Fi in schools, home and the workplace.

Whose Whiteness? Cultural dislocation between Italy and Australia

LOCATION:	Room SPW226, Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus
ORGANISED BY:	Institute of Social Research

19 November, 2009 | This presentation by Dr. Gaia Giuliani (University of Bologna) will explore some aspects of the idea of whiteness emerging from the influential role played in Australia by the international debate on race from the end of 19th century to the 1930s.

Re-setting Priorities in Health Reform

LOCATION:	National Ballroom, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton,
ORGANISED BY:	Melbourne Institute

23 November, 2009 | Options for substantial reform of the health care system have recently been proposed by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, The National Primary Care Strategy, and the National Preventive Health Taskforce.

SENTENCING CONFERENCE 2010

LOCATION:
ORGANISED BY:	National Judicial College of Australia / ANU College of Law

06 February, 2010 | The Conference will look at sentencing of criminal offenders from several perspectives including informing the public about sentencing, sentencing indigenous offenders, children and sentencing, national consistency in sentencing, sentencing in arson (bushfire) cases and sentencing in sexual assault cases

Performing Policy: The Everyday Experience of Social Policy

LOCATION:

The University of Queensland (St Lucia)

09 February, 2010 | A one-day symposium with Professor Michael Lipsky, author of Street Level Bureaucracy

Sustainable Transport: Varied Contexts – Common Aims

LOCATION:	The University of Melbourne
ORGANISED BY:	Australasian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport

02 June, 2010 | International Conference

New websites

BookServer

09 November, 2009 | The BookServer is a growing open architecture for vending and lending digital books over the Internet.

OpenAustralia

13 November, 2009 | A non-partisan website run by a group of volunteers which aims to make it easy for people to keep tabs on their representatives in Parliament.

Australian Youth Forum

W Australia Govt halves compensation to forgotten australians as PM says sorry – ABC News Article link.

 

WA premier colin barnett and treasurer troy buswell ( caps and honorifics are not deserved ) should both hang their heads, refusing to overturn their halving meagre compensation for victims of state abuse.

This Govt spends 10s of millions on unnecessary and unwanted regional projects, but cuts funds to traumatized state wards.

SHAME barnett and buswell, SHAME

colin barnett - a VERY SMALL man

 

 

 

 

Remember this heartless pair at the next election.

Back to the old voting maxim…ABC – Anyone But Colin!

This Govt could not run a chook raffle.

Meanwhile the victims’ abuse has been acknowledged in Canberra as reported below.

ABC NEWS - Australia says sorry for ‘great evil’

Monday, November 16, 2009

By Online parliamentary correspondent Emma Rodgers

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has given an emotional apology to the country’s Forgotten Australians, many of whom have gathered at Parliament House in Canberra today.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/16/2743742.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2743742&cat=Top_Stories

from @perthtones’ iPhone

Parliament honors Forgotten Australians and former child migrants

Parliament honors Forgotten Australians and former child migrants

Monday, 16 November 2009

The Australian Greens say today’s formal apology to the Forgotten Australians and former child migrants is a watershed moment in healing past wrongs.

“Today’s apology to more than 500,000 Australians will be a powerful event, said Greens Community Services Spokesperson, Rachel Siewert.

“I am proud to have chaired the recent Inquiry (Lost Innocents and Forgotten Australian’s Revisited 2009), which added momentum to the decades long struggle for recognition of the pain and suffering endured by these Australians while in out-of-home care last century.

"It’s important to note that there was unanimous support across all political parties for the recommendations of the committee to see the wrongs of the past addressed and justice done for those who suffered and were mistreated while in the duty of care of Australian governments and institutions.

“We were horrified and touched by so many personal accounts we heard from those who came forward to tell their stories.

“Today is the day to acknowledge their suffering and finally ensure as a nation that these wrongs should never happen again.

“November 16 will go down as a day Australia turned another page. By taking collective responsibility for this chapter in our history, we hope we can assist these fellow-Australians to heal and the nation to move forward.

"A national apology is the first important step, but it needs to be followed (as the committee recommended) with concrete steps – to put right the wrongs, to deliver redress and support, to help families to find each-other and reconnect, and to ensure justice is done and this kind of neglect and abuse can never happen again to children in the care of the state.

“We commend the federal government for taking up the committee’s recommendation for a formal apology, and call on those state and territory governments, churches and institutions which have not yet done so to join with us in sincerely apologising and seeking to right the wrongs of the past,” concluded Senator Siewert.

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will make the formal apology at a special remembrance event in Parliament House at 11 am today.

Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas on 0417 174 302

‘We were scum’: boys’ home horror recalled – ABC News Article link.

‘We were scum’: boys’ home horror recalled

Monday, November 16, 2009

By Brigid Andersen

Graham Rundle was just seven years old when he was molested in an Australian orphanage.

Mr Rundle is one of the 500,000 Forgotten Australians and child migrants who were physically, sexually and emotionally abused while in Australian orphanages, babies homes and foster care.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/16/2743655.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2743655&cat=Justin

from @perthtones’ iPhone