Israelis Rally Against Racism – PeaceNow

Rally Against Racism and Other Activities

Rally Against Racism Last night Peace Now along with many other organizations took part in a rally in Jerusalem to protest the recent wave of racism in this country. The rally spoke out against the increased incidents of racism as well as the government’s racist and discriminatory policies. There was a large represntation from various youth groups, including Peace Now’s new Youth movement, Will and Deed. This is especially important as it shows that the youth and the future of Israael will not stand for such racist policies. There were over 1000 people at the rally and it received extensive media coverage. You can read more about it here.

RT @israelnatnews: Expert: Arab Revoluti

RT @israelnatnews: Expert: Arab Revolutions May Yet Yield Positive Results http://dlvr.it/HXsVb

Mental Health crisis Western Australia – a tiny bit of good news – Greens commend fast-tracking of aid for Kimberley suicide crisis

25 February 2011

Greens commend fast-tracking of aid for Kimberley suicide crisis

The Australian Greens are pleased with the Government’s decision to fast track mental health funding to assist communities being affected by a spate of suicides among young Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.

In response to Senate Estimates questions today from Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal Issues, the Department of Health confirmed that some of the $274 million Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package would be fast tracked to address urgent needs in the region.

“I commend the Government for this action, it makes absolute sense to make some of this package available for the Kimberley,” Senator Siewert said today.

“We hope that this action will allow for the further, timely provision of the resources necessary to assist communities in immediate need.

“We understand that services in the region are working incredibly hard and doing all they can to support their communities. We have nothing but praise for their efforts and it is positive to learn that further support will now be provided” Senator Siewert concluded.

Media Enquiries – Chris Redman

Photography – Event Alert: Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) – ‘Untangle the Knot’ photo competition Australia

MEDIA RELEASE

CALLING ALL CREATIVES:

Win a $2000 cash prize by entering

ASCA’s ‘Untangle the Knot’ photographic Competition

Entries open until – 13th May 2011

25 February 2011: Artists and creative thinkers are invited to submit innovative interpretations of the theme ‘Untangling the knot of child abuse’ to ASCA’s 2011 ASCA art competition to raise awareness for adult survivors of child abuse.

Participants are required to submit photographs of any object tied in a knot of any material, which symbolises the tangled threads and lasting impact created by child abuse. Entries for the competition close at 5pm on Friday 13th May and submissions can be made online at www.asca.org.au/competition.

Entrants will have the chance to win a cash prize of $2,000 and have their work on display at an exhibition in Sydney in June. Finalists’ artwork will be sold with fee to artist and proceeds of commission to raise funds for ASCA.

A part of the prestigious Head On Photo Festival, the competition will be judged by well-known contemporary Australian photographer, Mark Tedeschi and curator of photography State Library of NSW, Alan Davies.

The inaugural Head On Photo Festival will launch again in May this year. It features a wide range of photography across all genres with over 80 events at almost 70 venues. The Head On Photo Festival is an innovation of the Head On Foundation, which is a non for profit organisation that aims at raising awareness of important issues through photography.

The winner of the ‘Untangle the Knot’ Competition will be announced at the Frances Keevil Gallery in Double Bay, Thursday 9th June from 6pm, where the finalists’ artwork will be displayed from the 9th-11 June.

ASCA CEO Dr Cathy Kezelman said “We chose a public art competition to encourage thinking, discussion and debate about a challenge faced by more than two million Australian adult survivors and their family, friends and communities. We chose the knot to help explain the struggle or ‘tangle’ survivors encounter as they live with and attempt to overcome the damage inflicted by childhood abuse.

“Our inaugural competition delivered many unique artistic expressions and we had fantastic feedback from survivors and other viewers of the work about its healing impact. We hope 2011 will be bigger and better. We look forward to seeing the results.”

The ‘Untangle the Knot’ Competition’ is an extension of ASCA’s annual ‘Forget me Knot’ Day annual campaign in November when Australians are encouraged to show their support for more than two million adult Australian survivors of childhood abuse.

All Australians are encouraged to take part in The ‘Untangle the Knot’ Competition to help these survivors find their way through the ‘tangle’ of abuse one step at a time.

For more information please visit: www.asca.org.au/competition

-ends-

Media Contact: Clementine Stuart-Russell: ph: 02 9492 1034

Lara Kamenos: ph: 02 9492 1004

About ASCA: (www.asca.org.au)

ASCA is a charity which focuses exclusively on advancing the needs of the more than 2 million Australian adults surviving child abuse. ASCA was formed in 1995 and its current activities encompass: a 1300 information/support line – 1300 657 380, website, newsletters for survivors and health professionals, workshops for survivors and their supporters, education and training programs for health care professionals and frontline workers. ASCA is currently developing a national network of services and practitioners with the experience and expertise to specifically address survivors’ needs. ASCA is the key national Australian organization to support adults who have experienced all forms of child abuse and neglect, and receives no ongoing government funding.

launch management group

Lara Kamenos

Events & Social Media
e: lara

p: +61 2 9492 1004

a: 169 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point, NSW, 2060

w: www.launchgroup.com.au

ABN 89 105 317 137

Media Release: Telecommunications complaints increase 9 per cent, TIO reports

www.tio.com.au Friday, February 25, 2011 Telecommunications complaints increase 9 per cent, TIO reports There has been a disappointing 9 per cent increase in new complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), as reported in the latest issue of TIO Talks, released today. The rise in complaints had mostly been driven by a 20% increase in mobile phone service issues. The Ombudsman’s office received 87,264 new complaints between 1 July and December 31 2010, up 6,957 on the first half of 2010. Ombudsman Simon Cohen said: “The increase, entirely reversing the positive trend seen in the first half of 2010, is extremely disappointing.” New complaints about Vodafone were up 5,370 in the second half of 2010 – an increase of 96 per cent. Apart from mobile telephone coverage issues, Vodafone customers complained about long wait times, failing to act on promises and not being able to contact Vodafone at all. “Customer frustration with Vodafone is understandable,” Mr Cohen said. ‘It is one thing to have a service problem. But what is particularly concerning is when consumers cannot contact someone to have their problems sorted out.” TIO Talks also reports on the intricacies of international roaming for mobile phones. These charges are one of the causes of telephone bill shock. “Using a mobile telephone overseas can be very expensive. Consumers can be liable for not only for calls they make, but also for calls they receive, and for data downloads from using a GPS,” Mr Cohen said. TIO Talks includes questions consumers should ask their telephone company if they don’t understand the possible costs of international roaming. In addition TIO Talks also includes: • advice on contacting the TIO’s dedicated hotline – 1800 046 686 – for consumers affected by natural disasters • an update on revised laws and codes to better protect consumers of telephone and internet services • information about TIO outreach to regional and indigenous consumers. TIO Talks is available online at www.tio.com.au For further information please contact the TIO’s Communications Manager, Mirjana Jovetic, on 03 8600 8378.

This email was sent by Communications, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to serve.tony

Open internet , NBN – Freedom of Information laws will apply to Australia’s National Broadband Network – Greens

Freedom of information laws will apply to NBN – Greens

Media Release – Thursday February 24th, 2011

The Australian Greens have secured an agreement with the Government to subject the NBN Co to freedom of information laws.

Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, negotiated amendments to NBN Co’s governance arrangements after raising concerns about the multi-billion dollar public company being exempt from the transparency rules.

“The NBN Co should be held to the same standards of transparency as any other government company,” said Senator Ludlam. “We have negotiated with the Government and they have agreed NBN Co will be listed as a prescribed authority under the Freedom of Information Act.”

Senator Ludlam said that while activities carried out by the NBN Co on a commercial basis would be subject to FOI, they could be exempted if the NBN Co successfully argued the material was commercial in confidence.

“Effectively this means NBN Co will be subject to the same level of transparency as Medibank and Australia Post and also provided the same level of protection for material that is genuinely commercially sensitive,” he said.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

Greens warn of extreme police powers in Western Australia – time to support freedom at home!

Greens warn of extreme police powers in WA

Media Release – Thursday February 24th, 2011

The WA and federal Greens have warned that a Barnett Government proposal to radically increase police powers for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting could lead to abuses of power, and the changes being made permanent.

Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the CHOGM (Special Powers) Bill 2011 now in WA’s state parliament was “extreme and draconian”.

“This law would give the Police Commissioner the power to publish a hit list of ‘excluded persons’ considered a threat to the meeting, and once on the list, you would be banned from areas designated by the Commissioner. Who decides the composition of this list? Will it be restricted to people charged with conspiracy to threaten the meeting? Will it be restricted to known criminals?” said Senator Ludlam. “It is a bizarre power and just the tip of the iceberg.”

The bill introduced yesterday also allows police to use special powers normally reserved for high-level investigations into organised crime bosses.

“This proposed law states that areas in which citizens can be searched by police and forced to hand over identification could be kept secret,” said Senator Ludlam. “These are the Barnett Government’s failed Stop and Search powers back from the dead but made worse by applying in secret areas.”

Greens WA spokesperson on justice, Giz Watson MLC, said the proposed laws exposed the dishonesty of the Barnett Government during the Stop and Search debate last year.

“The State Government gave very clear assurances that those powers were intended only for use in trouble-spots like Northbridge and never to be used to interfere with the democratic right to protest. Now, that is precisely what these powers will be used to do,” she said.

Senator Ludlam said the penalties incurred for vaguely defined offences were severe.

“Police will be given the right to access powers held by the Corruption and Crime Commission. People who enter a security zone illegally, disrupt an event, fail to identify themselves or give false identification papers face 12 months jail. How is ‘disrupt an event’ defined? We are talking about one year in prison for ‘disrupting an event’.”

“One report said ‘most’ of the powers would expire on November 5. Which ones will not expire?”

Ms Watson said the laws would need to be subjected to intense scrutiny.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

**pls RT “@unwebcast: www.un.org/webcas

**pls RT “@unwebcast: http://www.un.org/webcast – programme of all events covered live; http://bit.ly/dKyhH5 UN journal for daily events @ the UN”

pls follow @UNwebcast They r getting the

pls follow @UNwebcast They r getting their geek on & setting up a w’cast for when the Security Council finishes talks on #libya #UN #UNSC

Important Perth Mental Health Event, via dear friend and fellow advocate Lyn Mahboub – Upcoming at RFWA: Visiting Trainers – Ron Coleman and Karen Taylor

Melissa Young

Administration Assistant

32 Burton Street, Cannington 6107

Ph: (08) 9350 8845|Fax: (08) 9258 3090|Email: melissa.young

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بخصوص Hudna – reviving cultural practice in a high tech campaign to end killing in the middle east, and allow Palestinians & Israelis to live side by side in peace.

I’ve been asked to manage online media for hudna.org and have gladly accepted, formalising peace work I began to do with Eyal Ehrlich years ago – please contact me if you can help with geeky goodness or other practical support.

Our twitter, YouTube  accounts and website will be up & running soon – plase follow my personal acct @perthtones for new developments with Hudna.

More details of the revitalized campaign.. to come – middle ground rising…

Below are some screen caps from the website under construction – we’ll also be blogging and linking with peace groups, activists  and individuals across the Middle east and globally.

 

 

Message for Farsi folk via Swakker!

http://services.swakker.com/swakkerutils/rest/yourMessage/m/skywrite/2ab7827265b07e564e7eb0eba01cdd1895342fe5/1298232808.jpg?messageId=13766

Street music video #HieroHipHop YouTube

Street music video #HieroHipHop YouTube – #Jan25 #Egypt #tahrir – (Prod. by Sami Matar) http://ht.ly/3ZNh7 u may wish to RT this bad boogie

Amazing Illusion – best ever – YouTube 1

Amazing Illusion – best ever – YouTube 1m 20s – Waterfall http://ht.ly/3ZMJ6 ht @Colvinius

4min 40s YouTube – Online #media in #Egy

4min 40s YouTube – Online #media in #Egypt revolution http://ht.ly/3ZwZd “tweeps Vs creeps” follow also @liberationtech @ajelive #journalism

very cool! #arabic words learned on #twi

very cool! #arabic words learned on #twitter” I am Tallulah http://ht.ly/3ZuFh ” follow @TallieBear & tell the tyrants “A7A” ( WTF! )

#BREAKING RT @ap: State media – #Egypt a

#BREAKING RT @ap: State media – #Egypt agrees to let #Iran ships transit #Suez despite warning from #Israel http://apne.ws/haVQKj -RAS

Western Australia Horizon House set to open its doors in Broome – great outreach programme from St John’s Health – you may like Follow @woodcolin on twitter :)

180211 Horizon House Broome.PDF

Music Video #Iran – RW United For #Neda

Music Video #Iran – RW United For #Neda – from ’09 Mams Taylor & Friends http://ht.ly/3Y5rP*contains some violence, but mostly..hope plsRT

AustralianGreens just uploaded a video Bob Brown on ABC news Mining Tax, Bank Fees, whaling

AustralianGreens just uploaded a video: Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown was interviewed on ABC news breakfast, where he discussed whaling, bank fees and the mining tax

Australian Greens unite with housing and welfare groups to save rental affordability scheme

Greens unite with housing and welfare groups to save rental affordability scheme

17 February 2011

The Australian Greens are pleased to have secured the restoration of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

As part of a package negotiated with the Greens to enable passage of the flood levy, the Government has restored $264 million to the National Rental Affordability Scheme, deferring the spending until after 2015 as proposed by national affordable housing peak bodies.

“NRAS was a billion dollar project providing 50,000 incentive packages for the construction of more affordable rental homes, for the first time encouraging large investors to work with community housing providers", Australian Greens housing spokesperson Senator Ludlam said.

"Housing advocates had urged the Government to delay spending the final $264 million to allow the sector to catch up, rather than cutting the fund altogether. The proposed cut would have seen 15,000 homes cut from the program,” he said.

Senator Ludlam noted that leading economist Saul Eslake had referred to the proposed cut as “unequivocally bad policy”.

“NRAS is by no means perfect, but it’s an essential part of the housing affordability landscape. I acknowledge and thank the Government for negotiating constructively, and congratulate the nation’s housing affordability peak bodies for their strong advocacy," Senator Ludlam said.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre -

Marion Rae
Director of Media/Senior Media Adviser
Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens
Suite SG-112 Parliament House, Canberra ACT

P: 02 6277 3577 | F: 02 6277 3185

http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/

Protege of Burma’s Than Shwe quits http

Protege of Burma’s Than Shwe quits http://bbc.in/hUdamp from @bbcworld on twitter #burma

ABC News Australia: New policy to continue ‘genius’ multiculturalism

New policy to continue ‘genius’ multiculturalism
The Federal Government has announced it will develop a new multicultural policy to combat racism and religious extremism, in order to continue “the genius of Australian multiculturalism”.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has announced a Multicultural Advisory Council will be set up as an independe…

To read the full story on your mobile please use this link
http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=3140912&cat=Justin

To read the full story on a PC or Mac please use this link
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3140912.htm

Canberra an empty vessel on Container deposit legislation – Greens ask for a cap on waiting ( lame headline is mine not Gio’s ;) )

Container deposit legislation cannot be delayed further – Greens

Media Release – Wednesday February 16th, 2011

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said today that the long and painful delay in introducing a national container deposit scheme was having a significant impact on the environment.

“The Northern Territory government is pursuing a Container Deposit Scheme, the South Australian government has had one for over 30 years and has reaped great benefits. The Commonwealth must follow this lead,” Senator Ludlam said. “This week a report found that Western Australia has the nation’s most litter-plagued beaches – a container deposit scheme would help address this.”

“A national container deposit scheme would create hundreds of jobs, decrease litter by 12 to 15 per cent and increase the national recycling rate of drink containers from 50 to 80 per cent."

Australians use more than 11 billion drink containers every year. South Australia has achieved a recovery rate for such containers of more than 80 per cent by using a deposit scheme but the Commonwealth has not followed their example.

"Every day the Commonwealth delays the introduction of a national CDS means an extra nine million recyclable containers – each day – going into landfill,” said Senator Ludlam.

“On November 4th last year the Environment Protection and Heritage Council said we should expect a consultation regulatory impact statement on how to deal with packaging waste by the end of 2011, and that a container deposit scheme will be just one of the approaches considered,” said Senator Ludlam. “After a Senate inquiry and numerous government reports showing great support for a CDS, do we really need another 11 months to think about this?"

Senator Ludlam said the Greens have legislation in the Senate to introduce a national container deposit scheme and will take action if the Government does not.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

Seashepherd makes big waves – Times could be changing for Japanese Whalers – Greens Australia

Image via Wikipedia

16 February 2011

Times could be changing for Japanese whaling efforts

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Marine Spokesperson has joined leader Senator Bob Brown in welcoming reports of a possible early end to Japan’s annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean.

“Today’s news may well signal the beginning of the end of Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean,” Senator Siewert said in Canberra today.

“There are indications that the activities of Sea Shepherd have been effective in significantly reducing this year’s catch. The combination of difficult times in the Japanese economy, the recent exposure of corruption in the whale meat industry by Greenpeace and the changing tide of domestic opinion are also attributable causes.

“It is time for the Australian and Japanese governments to re-examine this issue and bring about a permanent end to whaling.

“The Greens realise that a lot of hard work needs to be done to permanently end whaling,” concluded Senator Siewert.

Media Enquiries – Chris Redman

Zemanta helped me add links & pictures to this email. It can do it for you too.

One of australia’s most valuable resources – not coal – but Australian Policy OnlineFwd: APO Weekly Briefing – 16 February 2011

Media Release: Government must reject Minister’s uranium obsession – WA Senator

Government must reject Minister’s uranium obsession – WA Senator

Media Release – Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

The Australian Greens have urged the Federal Government to reject the push by resources minister Martin Ferguson to sell uranium to India.

Greens nuclear affairs spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the notion that nuclear fuel should be sold to a nuclear weapons state that refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was “extreme”.

“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the cornerstone of international disarmament negotiations. India has refused to sign it, and for this reason Australia has refused to sell uranium to that country,” he said.

Senator Ludlam said Minister Ferguson publicly rejected a request from the Indian government to sell uranium to that country less than one month ago but had been compelled to show his real hand by WikiLeaks revelations.

“On February 10th leaked documents revealed that Minister Ferguson told US officials he was in favour of selling uranium to India – and now he has been forced to declare his true position,” said Senator Ludlam. “We have seen double-dealing on this important issue and it is up to the rest of the Labor Party to decisively put an end to this ill-conceived and ill-fated scheme.”

Senator Ludlam urged the Australian Labor Party to take a strong stand against Minister Ferguson’s position.

ABC News: Reporter sexually assaulted by mob in Egypt

Reporter sexually assaulted by mob in Egypt
CBS foreign correspondent Lara Logan suffered a “brutal” sexual assault at the hands of a mob in Egypt while covering the downfall of president Hosni Mubarak, the US network said this morning.

“She and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration. It wa…

To read the full story on your mobile please use this link
http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=3139988&cat=Justin

To read the full story on a PC or Mac please use this link
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3139988.htm

Perth, Wesern Australia Mental Health programme: Allies in Change – please forward this and/or the flyer to your networks (appologies for cross postings)

Hello colleagues (and friends)

Perth Home Care Services is proud to announce an up-coming Leadership Development program designed to enable people who use mental health services, carers and staff in voluntary and statutory settings to work together for better mental health services in Australia.

The ‘Allies in Change’ program will be held over a 6-month period beginning in April 2011. The workshops will be delivered all day Friday, Friday night and all day Saturday with all expenses including transport, accommodation, meals and workshop costs paid for hence it is expected that all participants will attend the residential aspect of the program. One 2-day session will be held each month (April – Sept inclusive).

Please find a flyer attached to this email that provides a brief outline of the program. Additional details, such as confirmed dates and venue will be available as of next week. I can also provide additional information about the content and structure of the program and am available to answer any queries. My contact kyliet

If you could please forward this email and/or the flyer to your networks (work and personal) that may be directly interested and/or know others that may be interested in this program (including consumers of mental health services, carers and staff working or volunteering in mental health services) that would be fantastic thank you.

This email will be followed with an application form in the coming days for anyone interested in applying to participate in ‘Allies in Change’. People living in regional and remote areas are encouraged to apply and all expenses to attend will be covered.

This project has been part funded by FaHCSIA.

Thanks and regards

Kylie Thompson

Project Officer – Allies in Change

Perth Home Care Services

Zemanta helped me add links & pictures to this email. It can do it for you too.

AIC2011 – FLYER.pdf

Good wrap of updated reports from #Iran

Good wrap of updated reports from #Iran #25Bahman EA WorldView – The Latest from Iran (14 February): It is 25 Bahman http://ht.ly/3Wcpr