MEDIA ALERT: (change of venue) Libyan communities of Australia to hold rallies across the nation

MEDIA ALERT – Change of Venue

29 April 2011

Libyan communities of Australia to hold rallies across the nation

This Saturday, 30 April, the Australian-Libyan community in five different states have organised a day of Action for Australia with rallies taking place in each state. They will be joined by families and community members who are all outraged by the Gaddafi regime.

W.A. – Perth

Location: WESLEY CHURCH – Corner of William and Hay streets.

Time: 12:00 PM

Date: 30 – 04 – 2011

The Australian government needs to join the list of other countries that have formally recognised the Libyan National Transitional Council as the only legitimate governing body in Libya. This recognition also needs to be reflected in actions of support to help the council protect the Libyan civilians still at the mercy of the current situation.

The Libyan assets that are still frozen in various countries around the world need to be released to the National Transitional Council and greater coordination is required to equip the Libyan people with the support required to end this horrific situation that has been ongoing for the last three months. There is no room for Gaddafi and his family in the New Democratic Libya.

The rallies are united in their call for:

· Recognition of the National Transitional Council.

· An end to the Gaddafi genocide currently taking place.

· Greater humanitarian assistance for Libyans and Libyan refugees in various countries such as Tunisia and Italy.

Media Alert: Libyan communities of Australia to hold rallies across the nation #Libya

MEDIA ALERT

29 April 2011

Libyan communities of Australia to hold rallies across the nation

This Saturday, 30 April, the Australian-Libyan community in five different states have organised a day of Action for Australia with rallies taking place in each state. They will be joined by families and community members who are all outraged by the Gaddafi regime.

W.A. – Perth

Location: Rally starts from Forrest

Chase, marches to Murray Street – William St -

Hay St – Barrack St – Murray St, then

ends in Forrest Chase

Time: 12:00 PM

Date: 30 – 04 – 2011

The Australian government needs to join the list of other countries that have formally recognised the Libyan National Transitional Council as the only legitimate governing body in Libya. This recognition also needs to be reflected in actions of support to help the council protect the Libyan civilians still at the mercy of the current situation.

The Libyan assets that are still frozen in various countries around the world need to be released to the National Transitional Council and greater coordination is required to equip the Libyan people with the support required to end this horrific situation that has been ongoing for the last three months. There is no room for Gaddafi and his family in the New Democratic Libya.

The rallies are united in their call for:

• Recognition of the National Transnational Council.
• A stop to the current Gaddafi genocide currently taking place.
• Greater humanitarian assistance for Libyans and Libyan refugees in various countries such as Tunisia and Italy.

For further information and interview requests please contact:

Nuri Salem ( DM @perthtones for Nuri’s mobile contact )

Corner-cutting governments leave Australia unprepared for oil price spike – WA Senator

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Corner-cutting governments leave Australia unprepared for oil price spike – WA Senator

Media release – Thursday April 28th, 2011

Decades of under-investment by governments across Australia have left the country extremely vulnerable to rising oil prices, the Australian Greens warned today.

The Greens transport spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said governments had been pouring money into roads and fuel subsidies while neglecting public rail.

“Over the past decade in this country, the amount of money spent by all levels of government on building public roads and bridges has been 4.3 times that spent on public railway construction,” he said. “At a time when it is clear the days of cheap oil are over, and with Australia set to import 70% of its oil by 2015, this is a recipe for disaster.”

Senator Ludlam said the Public Transport Report published by the Australian Conservation Foundation yesterday made for troubling reading.

“Following $5.1 billion given away as subsidies in the Fuel Tax Credits program in 2007-08, $11.3 billion was spent on road construction and more than $1 billion in Federal funding was surrendered for the Fringe Benefits Tax for private use of company cars in 2008/2009. Those figures contrast starkly with the $3.3 billion spent that year on rail construction nationally,” he said.

“The price of oil is rising and so is our dependence on imported fuel, without decisive action this will put enormous financial pressure on the vast majority of Australians,” said Senator Ludlam.

“All levels of governments need to work together to implement a national strategy for breaking our reliance on oil by developing world class public transport systems in every city and regional centre.”

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

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Australia – Nuclear industry over-taken by renewable energy – WA Senator

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Nuclear industry over-taken by renewable energy – WA Senator

Media release Wednesday April 27th, 2011

Nuclear power has been out-performed and over-taken by the renewable energy sector and Australian governments must embrace the rise of clean power, say the Australian Greens.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the report published this week by major think-tank Worldwatch found that in 2010 world-wide cumulative installed capacity from wind turbines, biomass, waste-to-energy and solar power surpassed installed nuclear capacity for the first time in history.

“The Rubicon has been crossed for nuclear power – it is a dying industry and there is no turning back,” said Senator Ludlam. “Renewable capacity additions per annum have been outpacing nuclear start-ups for 15 years. In the United States of America – the world’s largest economy – the share of renewables in new capacity additions boomed from two percent in 2004 to 55 percent in 2009, with no new nuclear capacity added in that time.”

“With nuclear power in decline, ambitious projections about the future of uranium mining are either delusional or disingenuous. Uranium mining makes no environmental sense and it has become clear that it makes no economic sense, given that it already contributes just 0.3 percent of Australia’s export revenue and just 0.03 percent of Australian jobs.”

Senator Ludlam said total investment in renewable energy technologies around the world in 2010 was estimated at $243 billion.

“While investment in renewable power flourishes, the nuclear industry is on life-support. Without massive government support, funded by tax-payers, it would not survive in an open energy market. Nuclear power plants can’t even get insurance,” he said. “Looking at the human, environmental and economic bottom lines – nuclear power is a dead end.”

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2010-2011: Nuclear Power in a Post-Fukushima World was published by Worldwatch this week. The Institute’s State of the World report is published annually in more than 20 languages. For more information, visit www.worldwatch.org. The report’s lead author Mycle Schneider is an independent international consultant on energy and nuclear policy based in Paris. He founded the Energy Information Agency WISE-Paris in 1983 and directed it until 2003. Since 1997 he has provided consulting services to the French and German Environment Ministries, USAID

• Chernobyl anniversary sparks renewed US energy debate (rt.com)
• Chernobyl 25 years later: Do major nuclear accidents stop countries from building new nuclear reactors? (slate.com)
• Dr. Helen Caldicott: The dangers of nuclear power (theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com)

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Australia – An incredible week for our mental health campaign

I hope this finds you enjoying a lovely Easter break. It has been an incredible few days for our mental health campaign, so I want to share a quick update.

It started on Wednesday. Our full page newspaper ad, featuring thousands of photos submitted by GetUp members, called on the Government to deliver more funding for mental health. The evening news ran images of our ad, and reporters directly asked Julia Gillard to respond.

Then on Thursday Professor Patrick McGorry and I met with Treasurer Wayne Swan and presented him with GetUp’s 100,000 strong petition. For the second day in a row, our campaign made national news. At the same time, Tony Abbott announced an increase in the Opposition’s commitments to mental health funding.

Now, it looks like our campaign is about to translate into real results. Channel 10 reported that mental health funding may be the centrepiece spending initiative in the upcoming Federal Budget. Click below to watch the story:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/healthreform&id=1671

The catalyst for this campaign was an email from a GetUp member about year ago, pointing out that in an hour-long leaders debate about healthcare, neither Kevin Rudd nor Tony Abbott mentioned mental health once. At that time, none of the major parties had a serious mental health policy. Now we’re on the verge of a tri-partisan approach to this issue. That’s a testament to mental health advocates from around the country, and to every single person who has taken action over the last year.

Before the meeting with Wayne Swan, Pat McGorry and I went to pick up the GetUp mental health petition from the printers in Cairns. Printed out on A4, it was four feet tall. The petition we were struggling to carry represented 104,064 people: more than could fit in the MCG!

Together, we have called, faxed, email and visited politicians; we’ve run a people-powered TV and newspaper campaign; held candlelight vigils across the country; and created the biggest petition the Treasurer has ever received. That makes me so proud to be involved in GetUp. I hope you are too.

With thanks,
Simon, for the GetUp team.

PS – If your friends and family haven’t joined this campaign yet, it’s not too late to make an impact. There are still three weeks until the Federal Budget: still time to grow our petition and keep the pressure up.
Invite friends and family to join the campaign at: www.getup.org.au/health_reform.

Australia – Greens media release – Light rail: The Opposition agree, but will the Government see the light?

The Opposition agree, but will the Government see the light?

Media Release – Tuesday April 19th, 2011

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam has called on the Barnett Government to release its long over-due public transport plan, while welcoming the State Opposition’s support for light rail in Perth.

“Light rail should be a component of the State Government’s 20-year public transport plan – but where is it?” said Senator Ludlam. “The 20-year plan is six months overdue, and apparently went to State Cabinet over a month ago.”

The Opposition has suggested a light rail line between West and East Perth, with six kilometres of light rail from the Causeway to Thomas Street. The Greens have produced a detailed whole-city plan including services across the metro area. Senator Ludlam spoke at a national conference on light rail in Sydney last week.

“Light rail will ease congestion, transform our city and cut carbon emissions.”

“It is time for the Western Australian Government to catch up to the rest of the country and make a substantial investment in public transport.”

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

Perth Saturday May 7 – Bringing Families and Professionals together – Mental Health, Drugs, Alcohol

A chance for family and health professionals to talk - click pic to visit Palmerston.org

Click the pic to visit Palmerston Association

Bahrain: Release Alkhawaja and Other Peaceful Protestors

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Bahraini pro-democracy activist Zainab Alkhawaja tweeted, “THEY JUST CAME! They took my dad, my dads blood is still on the stairs! They hit my dad so much! They beat him and he couldn’t breath.” She wrote the above just minutes after three members of her family were beaten and taken away by masked police officers. Stand with Ms. Alkhawaja and demand the release of her father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja » Mr. Alkhawaja, a prominent human rights activist, was taken along with her daughter’s husband, and brother-in-law. They are among an estimated 600 detainees in custody following weeks of protest. In the past two months, Bahraini authorities have been brutally cracking down on pro-democracy protesters. Hundreds have been arrested and dozens killed by security forces and troops from neighboring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Call on Bahrain to release Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and other peaceful protesters » Thanks for taking action! Katie ThePetitionSite Call on Bahrain to Release Abdulhadi Alkhawaja Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AgEYB/zlEu/bUVFi

Australia – Your photo in the newspaper – #mentalhealth

Australia – Share Your Story: Help End Indigenous Disparity

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Share Your Story: Help End Indigenous Disparity It can be surprising what challenges can stand between you and success. For Indigenous Australian Jenna Owen, she discovered a major roadblock to success when she turned 16 and went to get her driver’s licence. During the eye exam, he examiner asked her to read the letters on the chart. "What chart?" Jenna replied. » After failing her own eye exam, Jenna became fascinated with optometry. Indigenous communities face a tremendous lack of education and opportunity; up to 70% of children in some communities regularly do not attend school. Learn more about the struggles of indigenous Australians and how you can help with the struggle for change. Jenna took her newfound passion and defied statistics, though, recently completing a five-year double degree in Optometry and Science. She hopes one day to go help bring eye care and health education to her home and other indigenous communities. We’ve all faced roadblocks to success, challenges that can keep us from reaching our true potential. Indigenous Australians struggle with steep and seemingly insurmountable challenges every day, leading to staggering unemployment and tragically high school drop out rates. But things are changing, and we can help make sure all indigenous Australians have every opportunity for success. Please, stand in support of indigenous Australians share your stories about overcoming life’s obstacles and helping others do the same. » Thanks for taking action! Ellen B. Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AgEMG/zlet/bUVFi

Uranium Australia Mining -Greens say Ranger’s time is up

Ranger’s time is up

Media Release – Wednesday April 13th, 2011

The Australian Greens have called for the phased closure of Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu National Park as a report released today shows the impact of planned expansions has been under-estimated by the mine’s operators.

Greens nuclear affairs spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the January suspension of the mine’s operations, triggered by near-record rains and originally planned for 12 weeks, had been extended into July but a permanent shut-down was the only measure that could reduce the chance of further environmental damage from the mine.

“Energy Resources of Australia has flagged a 2011 first-half loss of between $30 million and $50 million because of the shut-down caused by heavy rainfall, but heavy rains aren’t just a threat to the company’s bottom line, they can lead to radioactive material escaping from containment sumps into underlying groundwater,” said Senator Ludlam.

“In 2009 a government-appointed scientist confirmed Ranger was leaking 100,000 litres of contaminated water into the ground beneath the park on a daily basis. In total, there have been more than 150 leaks, spills, and license breaches at the mine since it opened in 1981.”

Senator Ludlam said “it may be that the most economic option is for the company to bring forward its closure plan and explain how it plans to remediate the site”.

“An Australian Conservation Foundation report released today shows ERA has under-estimated the size, complexity, cost and impact of a proposed expansion of operations at Ranger.”

“The company’s intended use of acid heap leach processing in the high-rainfall Kakadu region poses serious risks to the environment and local Traditional Owners culture of the World Heritage-listed national park.”

“The expansion would complicate ERA’s closure timeline for the mine, and increase pressure for an extension to the lease. ERA should abandon this plan and close the mine,” said Senator Ludlam.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

Greens MEDIA RELEASE: RADIOACTIVE SHIPMENTS TO MALAYSIA COULD BE ANOTHER MAGELLAN: GREENS

Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 13 April 2011

RADIOACTIVE SHIPMENTS TO MALAYSIA COULD BE ANOTHER MAGELLAN: GREENS

Greens MLC Robin Chapple today expressed grave concerns over the proposed shipment of material containing radioactive thorium through Kwinana for processing in Malaysia.

“I am deeply worried that the proposed Lynas Mount Weld operation plans to remove only the bare minimum of thorium from its rare earth product, apparently so as not to trigger special export license requirements for hazardous material,” Mr. Chapple said.

“The current intent is to ship the material in sealed bags which is similar to how Magellan bags its lead when exporting through Fremantle. Western Australians have seen what can occur when this method is used.”

“I would think that people living along the transport route and the Kwinana community would have something to say about a radioactive substance being shipped through their communities in this manner.”

Mr. Chapple has also condemned plans by Lynas to strip out and dump the radioactive material near fishing communities in the Malaysian state of Kuantan, citing widespread community and political opposition in that country to the refine-and-dump proposal.

“I have been in touch with community groups in Malaysia and that country’s press and there is no desire there to see Western Australia’s toxic by-products dumped on local villages. The Member of Parliament for Kuantan has called for any Thorium refined from the exported material to be returned to Australia.”

“Perhaps because of this, the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing has yet to receive a pre-operation licence application from Lynas Corporation.”

“I believe that Lynas needs to look at a process where the thorium does not leave the Mount Weld mine site in the first place.”

“The Greens are seeking clarification from Lynas as to its intentions in this regard and hope to meet with the company shortly do discuss our concerns.”

“The people of Kuantan are watching Western Australia very closely on this. The Malaysian media and the international media are watching to see if the State and Commonwealth governments make a responsible decision as to how this mine is operated and how its product will be exported.”

“The Barnett Government surely does not want to be complicit in the transport of radioactive materials through Kwinana, having stated repeatedly that he does not wish to see uranium exported from Western Australian ports.”

“I would hope that he does not want to also be complicit in the dumping of radioactive waste in another country.”

“The Premier must take action to compel Lynas to ensure that no thorium leaves the Mt. Weld mine site.”

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 9486 8255

#australia research funding cuts – Medical researchers face funding loss as big business awaits tax cuts

13 April 2011

Medical researchers face funding loss as big business awaits tax cuts

The Australian Greens says the Federal Government should reconsider delivering tax cuts to big business as rumours persist that funding will be taken from important medical research programs in the upcoming Federal Budget.

“Cutting research funding to the National Health and Medical Research Council has the potential to significantly impact medical research in WA and around the country,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Health Spokesperson said today.

“WA has a strong reputation for leading medical research and development. The Australian Greens stand with patients, researchers and the community in calling on the Federal Government to protect medical research funding.

“These research programs improve the lives of Australians and also provide enormous benefits to our economy and society. The Federal Government should be looking to maintain and increase research funding to build our capacity and our competitive advantage. It is good social and economic policy to support this sector.

“The government cannot justify delivering corporate tax cuts of around $2.4 billion to big business, while at the same time taking critical funding away from health and medical research programs.

“We would like to see these rumoured cuts to health and medical research ruled out before the budget is delivered in May.

“This matter has been raised with the Treasurer and the Prime Minister, and we are seeking an urgent briefing from Treasury on the Government’s intentions.

“With the Government claiming a shortfall in revenue, these proposed tax cuts are not warranted and certainly should not be made in favour of cuts to health and medical research,” Senator Siewert concluded.

Media Enquiries – Chris Redman

Research facing huge cuts in Australia – Perth protest Thursday April 14

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Perth Rally for Research

Media Alert ​​​​​​​​12 April 2011

Western Australians are joining a national campaign against Australian Government plans to cut medical research funding, with a Perth–based ‘Rally for Research’ in Forrest Place, at lunchtime on Thursday.

When:​Thursday 14 April, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Where:​Forrest Place,

​​Murray St Mall, Perth

Speakers will include Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall, Former Australians of the Year Professor Fiona Wood and Professor Fiona Stanley (who is also Founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research) and Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) Director, Peter Klinken.

Rick Parish, whose four year old son Elliot died from a brain tumour in February, will talk about the need for continuing medical research in Australia.

Other speakers will include people who have survived serious diseases due to medical research.

Scientists will be dressed in lab coats and patients will wear white, as a sign of support.

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants supported more than 8,000 jobs in Australia in 2010.

Significant budget cuts will force our best scientists overseas and deprive West Australian families of hope.

For details on speakers or more information about the rally, please contact:

Carolyn Monaghan

(WA Institute for MedicalResearch) on cmonaghan

or Elizabeth Chester

(Telethon Institute for Child Health Research) on elizabeth

Related articles

• Australian medical researchers on the march (nature.com)

Gas energy only 45% better than coal but Woodside claims 900% – Greens call BS Woodside commercially-in-confidence reports put the lie to “clean gas” myth

Woodside commercially-in-confidence reports put the lie to “clean gas” myth

Media Release – Monday, April 11th, 2011

The Australian Greens say Woodside-commissioned confidential reports into the carbon footprint of Australian gas have revealed industry claims that gas is a clean fuel are greatly overstated.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the gas industry had significantly exaggerated the benefit of LNG production as a substitute for coal-fired power generation.

“Woodside, Inpex, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association and others in the gas industry have made a great play of claiming that for every tonne of greenhouse gases emitted in Australia in LNG production, four to nine million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided globally, thanks to avoiding the need to build coal-fired stations,” said Senator Ludlam. “This oft-repeated mantra was always suspect, and now has been exposed as totally disingenuous by the release of the Woodside commercially-in-confidence reports on which it is often referenced.”

“The reports, by CSIRO in 1996 and WorleyParsons in 2008, show that at best gas’s overall cycle greenhouse gas footprint is around 45 per cent cleaner than coal – not nine times.

“The industry’s claim of a one to four or nine emission ratio compares only the emissions in LNG production versus the total life cycle emissions of coal, including extraction, processing, shipping and combustion in the destination country. It ignores the emissions caused in extracting and shipping the gas and then burning it as a fuel.

“I am appalled that the Australian gas industry would present the data in such a misleading way. Other independent studies, including a 2007 study by Carnegie Mellon University, show that gas is overall only about seven per cent cleaner than coal.

“Quite apart from the real facts shown up in the Woodside reports, most of the proposed new gas fields in Australia are going to involve higher emissions per unit of energy produced than in the past, because the industry is now looking at deeper and harder-to-extract fields, many of which, such as Browse, have particularly high amounts of reservoir CO2 which the proponents appear to intend to simply vent straight to the atmosphere.

“This revelation has made it clear once again that gas is not the answer. Renewable energies are the answer. Australia is abundantly blessed with renewable energy sources but lags embarrassingly behind the rest of the world in development – this must change,” said Senator Ludlam.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre

Australia – Mental Health – Light a candle for mental health

On Monday night our message will be impossible to miss. Thousands of candles on the lawns of Parliament House spelling out "fund hope for mental health."

Attached to every candle will be a personal note: a dedication, a demand for action, a story of hope. Click here to add your candle.

Monday is our chance to bring this issue out of the dark — and with our message writ large and glowing, ensure mental health is top of the agenda for crucial budget decisions this week.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/HopeForMentalHealth

Thanks for all the you do,

The GetUp Team.

++++++Original Email++++++++

"Mr Cologne, who suffered from depression, had gone to the hospital’s emergency department twice previously… each time he was sent home after being refused admission to the hospital’s inpatient mental health facility… On his last visit on Thursday, he begged to be committed, he begged for help."

Media release – Australia Mining – Slater & Gordon backs Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in fight against FMG

April 8, 2011
Slater & Gordon backs Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in fight against FMG
National law firm Slater & Gordon today called on Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to deliver fair and just compensation to the Yindjibarndi community in Western Australia, as negotiations over native title access rights breakdown.

FMG has been accused of supporting a splinter group to divide the local Yindjibarndi community during negotiations for access to traditional Yinjibarndi land for the planned $8.5 billion Solomon Hub project, in the Pilbara region.

Slater & Gordon is representing the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in its negotiations with FMG. Those negotiations have so far been unsuccessful.

In addition, legal proceedings are being pursued in the Federal Court challenging the validity of the mining leases granted to FMG by the WA Government in December 2010.

Slater & Gordon lawyer, Simon Millman, said the group was seeking a fair and just amount of compensation for access to their land.

“While FMG has put money on the table for compensation, this pales into comparison to the profits that will be made from this mine on our client’s traditional land, and it pales into comparison to royalty amounts that have been paid to non-Aboriginal people.”

“Our clients are not being unreasonable in their claim with FMG,” he said.

“Together with our clients, Slater & Gordon are in this for the long fight. It’s about time that Australia hears about what’s happening in the Pilbara. Attempts to try and wedge the local community will not deliver a good result for anyone involved.”

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, CEO Michael Woodley said he believed FMG’s interference began when the Federal Court legal action was launched.

"Before the Federal Court case started we were negotiating with FMG. Those negotiations were tough, and robust but that is what you would expect," Mr Woodley said.

"Since the Federal Court case we’ve now seen a new tactic. We believe that FMG is using hostile tactics in an attempt to divide and conquer our community.

“Questions have to be asked about FMG’s role in supporting a break-away group.

“If we don’t fight, we are not honouring our past or our future. Yinjibarndi have been in this land for a lot longer than Andrew Forrest, and we’ll still be here long after he’s gone.”

Media contacts: Angela Bell, Slater & Gordon Lawyers, mobile 0430 355 554
Michael Woodley, CEO, Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, 0419 097 130

Established 76 years ago, Slater & Gordon has built a powerful reputation as a law firm which fights for the best outcomes for everyday Australians. Today, Slater & Gordon offers its broad range of legal services at more locations than any other law firm in the country, delivering affordable legal advice and justice to more Australians.

Angela Bell
Senior Media Advisor
SLATER & GORDON LAWYERS
485 La Trobe Street Melbourne Victoria 3001
T (03) 9602 6845 | F (03) 9600 0290

angela.bell | www.slatergordon.com.au

________________________________
Slater & Gordon Lawyers – http://www.slatergordon.com.au

110408 CPL FMG Negotiations.pdf

Western Australia – Government and Opposition should check their facts over Yaragadee-Media release

MEDIA RELEASE – 7 April 2011

Government and Opposition should check their facts over Yarragadee

WA Greens Water Spokesperson Alison Xamon has dismissed suggestions by the Government and Opposition that water from the South-West Yarragadee Aquifer could be used to supply Perth, given the fact that Department of Water documents show the water is already allocated.

“Members of the Government and Opposition who have adopted the recent thought bubble that we can supplement Perth’s water supply from the South-West Yarragadee Aquifer do not seem to have done much research,” Ms Xamon said.

“The facts are, as the Department of Water’s publicly available South West Groundwater Allocation Plan shows, there is virtually no water left in the south-west Yarragadee available to be allocated.

“At the very most, if you add up all of the unallocated water left in the different sub-areas of south-west Yarragadee aquifer, you get 4.1 gigalitres of water – but that would have to be drawn from different sites right across the entire South-West, which is unlikely to be practical as a water supply option for Perth.

“The only way you could free up additional water from the south-west Yarragadee to supply Perth would be to reduce the existing water entitlements of the people in the South-West or to dig into the relatively modest amounts of water reserved for their future drinking water supply.

“When you take into account the Department’s warnings that reduced rainfall from climate change and existing abstraction have already contributed to falls in the level of the Yarragadee Aquifer of two metres over the past 10 years, then talking about taking water from the Yarragadee to supply Perth’s shortfall is ludicrous.

“In the meantime the people dreaming up these thought bubbles are ignoring the overwhelming need for stronger water conservation measures in this State.

“This includes households, horticulturalists and small business who need better incentives and support to save water as well as large mining companies in our regional areas who are being handed vast amounts of high quality fresh groundwater to wash rocks.”

To view the Department of Water’s South West Groundwater Allocation Plan go to http://www.water.wa.gov.au/PublicationStore/first/86107.pdf

Available water allocations are shown on pages 47-48.

For further comment please phone Alison Xamon

Hon Alison Xamon MLC

Member for the East Metropolitan Region

Office: 62 Eighth Ave Maylands WA 6051

Postal Address: PO Box 104 Maylands WA 6931

Phone: (08) 9272 1718

Fax: (08) 9272 1719

Portfolios: Water, Urban Bushland, Mental Health, Education, Training, Industrial Relations, Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, Disabilities, Women, Children & Youth, Public Service, Community Services,Electoral Affairs, Consumer Protection, Vet Affairs, Volunteering

2011_04_07YarragadeeMediarelease.doc

Western Australia – MEDIA RELEASE: Barnett’s Kimberley Water Fantasy to Slug Taxpayers Again

Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

MEDIA RELEASE

BARNETT’S KIMBERLEY WATER FANTASY TO SLUG TAXPAYERS AGAIN

Greens MLC Robin Chapple has dismissed the Premier’s plans to commission yet another study into bringing water south from the Kimberley as an unjustified slug for taxpayers.

He said that two studies had already found the concept to be economically unfeasible.

“An Independent Review commissioned by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in 2006 found that the cost would be $6.70 per kilolitre – which would at least double the average annual household water bill.”

“The report also noted that the Indigenous Kimberley communities that would be affected did not support taking water from the region. I believe that this is still the case”

“The 2006 report is backed up by an earlier study by GHD in 2004 which identified similar unacceptable costs, as well as a very significant greenhouse gas impact.”

“Why is the Premier slugging taxpayers for yet another report into a clearly unworkable idea?”

Mr. Chapple expressed concern that the Kimberley water supply would eventually be threatened by demand from the south.

“One good wet season in the Kimberley does not mean that a constant drain on the Fitzroy or other water bodies will be sustainable in the long term. We do not want to see another Yarragadee situation in the North.”

Mr. Chapple said that he acknowledged the South West’s water supply problem but said that conservation, recycling and smarter allocation were more effective tools than drawing from the Kimberley’s water supply.

“Enforcing water conservation measures, incentives for greywater recycling, and ending the ludicrous situation whereby drinking water is used for dust suppression and concrete mixers on building sites – these are solutions that would go a long way towards reducing the demand on the South West’s water supply.”

“If the Premier tries to go down this path again, he will be breaking an election promise from 2008 in which he said that the canal proposal was dead.”

“It is unreasonable, unfair and unbelievable that the Premier still wants to drain the Kimberley to slake Perth’s thirst.”

“To quote a Greens election slogan from 2005…Far Canal!”

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 9486 8255

West Australian Parliament to debate introduction of offence of Industrial Manslaughter #HR #OHS Greens Media release

MEDIA RELEASE

7 April 2011

Parliament to debate introduction of offence of Industrial Manslaughter

Parliament will finally commence debate on a bill designed to, amongst other things, introduce the offence of Industrial Manslaughter into the criminal code. The Bill was originally introduced in 2010 by Greens MLC Alison Xamon to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the Criminal Code which could see senior managers face manslaughter charges if an employee dies as a result of their negligence or recklessness.

“If a company tries to cut corners with safety, knew that there were serious risks in doing so and that results in a person dying, managers directly responsible for these decisions could face manslaughter charges under this Bill. It sends a very clear message that pursuing a profit at the expense of workers lives will not be accepted,” Alison Xamon, WA Greens Spokesperson for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Amendment Bill 2010 introduces the offence of Industrial Manslaughter which would see individuals convicted of an offence imprisoned for up to 20 years and corporations fined up to $3m. Courts would also have the right to order corporations to publicise the death or deaths. Currently in WA, if an employer negligently causes the death of a worker, at the most individuals are penalised with a fine and imprisoned for 2 years, and corporations only have to pay a fine.

“We know that legislation works. Since the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 came into effect, we have seen fatality rates fall consistently. The Greens’ Bill and amendments would help this downward trend to continue,” Ms Xamon said.

“In the 2010-2011 period so far, there have been 15 work-related fatalities. That’s a huge increase from the previous year, which saw 9 fatalities. If we can prevent just one death with tougher legislation, then we have an obligation to do that. Every worker has the right to go home at the end of the day.”

The Bill also introduces a series of other changes including the offence of Reckless Exposure which penalises employers who expose employees to substantial risks of death or serious bodily harm, and a requirement to preserve the site of an incident until an inspector arrives or directs otherwise. It also increases penalties across the board to bring them in line with other states.

“The vast majority of companies do the right thing and I believe will welcome these changes. The Bill hasn’t been designed to catch the average employer out, or to make life difficult for small or large businesses. However, if a company is willingly cutting corners with safety, their senior officers will no doubt lose sleep over this Bill and I have little sympathy for them,” added Ms Xamon.

For further comment contact Alison Xamon

Hon Alison Xamon MLC

Member for the East Metropolitan Region

Office: 62 Eighth Ave Maylands WA 6051

Postal Address: PO Box 104 Maylands WA 6931

Phone: (08) 9272 1718

Fax: (08) 9272 1719

Portfolios: Water, Urban Bushland, Mental Health, Education, Training, Industrial Relations, Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, Disabilities, Women, Children & Youth, Public Service, Community Services,Electoral Affairs, Consumer Protection, Vet Affairs, Volunteering

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Mental Health events for Western Australia – Upcoming Events at RFWA

The Richmond Fellowship of WA Training and Professional Development Programs Upcoming Events. CURRENT EVENTS: Recovery Training: A 3-day course for managers with Ron Coleman and Karen Taylor 18th, 19th and 20th April 2011 This program is designed for CEOs and Senior Level Management This course will explore the concept of recovery and what it means in a management context, explore the self and motivation for change, use person centred planning tools to explore and plan services, design a 12 month PATH for their service, discuss organisational barriers in changing services to be recovery orientated and design the perfect recovery service. For more information and to register, click here. If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact Melissa on (08) 9350 8845. Person Centred Planning Workshop: 2-day course with Karen Taylor 11/12 April or 14/15 April 2011 Do you feel frustrated with goal settings? Do you feel that working with a consumer’s problems and needs doesn’t always help the consumer move forward into recovery? Person centred planning is a way of engaging and working with consumers in a recovery focused way. Using P.A.T.H and M.A.P’s enables the consumer to set goals based on their aspirations and skills and making the care planning process a positive experience for workers and consumers. For more information and to register, click here. Hearing Voices Awareness Training: Part 1 and Part 2 7 April 2011 – Part 1 21 April 2011 – Part 2 What is it like to hear voices or experience beliefs that others consider to be unusual or unreal? Does hearing voices or having unusual experiences mean one is mentally ill? These questions, plus others you may have will be answered. Part 2 is only available after completion of Part 1 For more information or to register, click here for part 1 and here for part 2. Working and Talking with Voices 13 – 16 June 2011 This innovative 4-day course looks both at the theory and the practice of working and talking to voices, using the techniques developed by pioneers Ron Coleman and Professor Marius Romme, and further developed Dr Rufus May, Eleanor Longden and Dr Dirk Corstens. For more information and to register, click here Recovery Seminar Series Click on each of the courses below to view the information and download a registration form. APRIL Discover Recovery – 19 April 2011 from 9am – 12noon Snapshot on Hearing Voices – 19 April 2011 from 1pm – 4pm For more details on any of of our upcoming trainings, please go online to www.rfwa.org.au