In the shadow of piracy claims, ACCC must put FOXTEL’s AUSTAR swoop on ice @SenatorLudlam #Australia

In the shadow of piracy claims, ACCC must put FOXTEL’s AUSTAR swoop on ice

Media Release: Greens communications spokesperson Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, March 28th, 2012

The ACCC should delay its decision on the impacts of the proposed acquisition of AUSTAR by FOXTEL in light of the allegations of commercial piracy levelled against News Corp subsidiary NDS, the Australian Greens said today.

The Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the competition impacts of the takeover were troubling enough, and now made “infinitely more troubling” by the piracy allegations.

“The takeover would exacerbate the one-way trend towards monopoly in Australia’s pay-TV sector, and until these serious allegations against News Corp entities are resolved the ACCC should put any decision on hold.

“This morning I wrote to the ACCC to request a hold on the decision. All relevant material pertaining to the allegations of commercial piracy by News Corp against rival subscription television vendors should be reviewed by the ACCC before coming to a conclusion on the proposed $1.9billion takeover.

“It may be that these matters are referred to the Australian Federal Police, and I do not believe it would be appropriate for the ACCC to make findings on the proposed takeover until these allegations have been settled.”

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

We are not a US naval base – WA Senator #australia #auspol @SenatorLudlam

We are not a US naval base – WA Senator

Media Release: Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, March 28th, 2012

The Federal Government must rule out allowing US military spy drones to be based on the Cocos Islands and conduct a proper public debate on expanding the US military presence in Western Australia, the Greens said today.

The Greens spokesperson assisting on Defence, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the Government needs to respond decisively to reports that the US is considering the use of the islands off the north-west coast for surveillance drones and other spy aircraft, and the proposed upgrade of Stirling Naval Base to undertake maintenance work on US naval vessels.

“Already we are locked in to the deployment of US Marines through Darwin and increased bombardment of air weapons ranges across the top end. All of this is occurring without a whisper of consultation on the dangerous assumption that this will be all benefit and no cost.”

The Greens are calling for parliamentary and public debate on Australia’s position in the US-China relationship before these deals are done.

“The Washington Post refers to the Cocos Islands as an ‘ideal site’. It may be ideal for the Pentagon, but it is not ideal for this country to give up yet another piece of our territory and yet another degree of our independence to the US military.”

“Minister Smith told AM today that the Cocos airstrip would need to be upgraded to be able to launch the drones and that’s ‘very much a long-term prospect’. It may be long term, but it’s still very much a prospect – and that’s not acceptable.”

“The lease on the over-crowded US base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean expires in just four years. We are not a replacement.”

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

Billionaire #australia miner digs deeper hole over #CIA #GREENS link ABC News: Palmer hints CIA claims a poll distraction ploy

Palmer hints CIA claims a poll distraction ploy
Clive Palmer has hinted that his claims the green movement was linked to the CIA were a ploy to keep negative attention away from now-Premier Campbell Newman in the lead up to the Queensland poll.

Mr Palmer suggested critics of coal expansion in Queensland have been bankrolled by the CIA in a bid …

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#australia #broadband #internet – NBN too important to risk security, but answers needed @SenatorLudlam

NBN too important to risk security, but answers needed – WA Senator

Media Release: Australian Greens communications spokesperson – Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, March 26th

The National Broadband Network is too important to be exposed to any security risk but the Government should explain any bans on companies from NBN tenders, the Australian Greens said today.

Responding to the news Chinese technology giant Huawei has been excluded from tenders for the NBN, the Greens communications spokesperson Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said “the Government is right to be cautious, but needs to make the case for the ban public”.

“Huawei has operated in Australia since 2004, but this is no ordinary tender; it is the most significant infrastructure project of our generation. It will be a crucial part of communications in Australia, with a vital role to play in commerce, education, the public health system, and all levels of civil administration.

“The Government is prudent do all it can to protect the integrity of the NBN. While it is unlikely ASIO would issue a security warning for trivial reasons under these circumstances, the Government should explain the decision.

“Huawei is led by a former People’s Liberation Army engineer, and the Chinese government has been accused of intercepting confidential information in cyberspace by the United States Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. China is not alone in this regard; geo-strategically, it stands to reason the governments of nation states will do what they can to learn all they can about other nation states.”

“As Huawei has not been accused of breaking any Australian laws, the Government’s apparent intervention in NBN Co’s tendering processes raises questions that need answering. If the Government has evidence that there is a dangerously close relationship between Huawei and Beijing’s political and military interests – it should make that information public.”

Senator Ludlam said it’s unlikely the decision will have any significant diplomatic impact on Sino-Australian relations.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

Great news, creative commons release of archives – ABC creates #Australia first in content sharing

ABC leads with an Australian first in content sharing with Wikimedia Commons

The ABC has today created an Australian first by releasing video content from the ABC archives directly to Wikimedia Commons. It is the first time that an Australian broadcaster, commercial or public, has donated video footage directly to Wikimedia, making it available to the general public under a Creative Commons license.

This development builds on the ABC Open Archive initiatives that the ABC has previously undertaken to open its archives to the public with the ABC archives Flickr photo-stream, ABC Pool and the ABC Learn initiatives. By doing so, the ABC is supporting the work of creative producers and making some of its unique content available to a broader audience with a license that explicitly allows remix and commercial use.

“The ABC is proud to be the first Australian broadcaster to release content into the Wikimedia Commons. Among the clips we are releasing today is incredible footage of Jean Shrimpton’s visit to the Melbourne Cup, Cathy Freemans win at the Sydney Olympics, the Tampa Affair, the floating of the Australian Dollar, and the Waterfront dispute. Sharing content in this way not only makes more ABC content available to everyone, it also facilitates creativity and the possibility of new audiences for the footage.” – Angela Clark, Director of ABC Innovation.

Content released includes several clips from the recently launched ABC website 80 Days That Changed Our Livesas well as some gems of perhaps otherwise forgotten moments in recent Australian history.

Wikimedia Commons is a media file repository website that makes public domain and freely-licensed educational media content freely available. When users upload a file to Wikimedia Commons, they give anyone the license to use, copy, remix and adapt the content.

Creative Commons is a non-profit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright. By licensing content under one of the Creative Commons licenses, the user allows anyone to use their content in a creative way that still respects their copyright. Creative Commons Australia is hosted by the ARC Centre for Excellence in Creative Industries and Innovation.

View all the ABC material on Wikimedia Commons here or click through to each item below:

- Creation of APEC – 1989

- Tracking Apollo 11 – 1969

- The first ATM – 1969

- The Black Box invented – 1985

- Clarke predicts the internet – 1974

- Daylight Savings adopted – 1970

- Decimal Currency introduced – 1964

- Floating of the Australian Dollar – 1983

- Garnaut Asia Report – 1989

- Jean Shrimpton visits the Melbourne Cup – 1965

- Lindy Chamberlain released – 1986

- ABC mobile studio – 1940

- Penhalluriack action – 1982

- The Petrov Affair – 1970

- Freeman wins at Sydney Olympics – 2000

- The Tampa Affair – 2001

- Waterfront Dispute – 1998

- World Series Cricket started – 1977

- ABC’s first broadcast – 1956

- The end of 6 o’clock closing – 1967

- Smoking banned in pubs – 2007

- 40th anniversary of the Westgate Bridge disaster – 2010

For more information and to arrange an interview with ABC Producer, Astrid Scott, please contact:

	Gemma Gray Marketing and Publicity Coordinator, ABC Innovation
		E gray.gemma W abc.net.au

ABC first to donate content to Wikimedia Commons.pdf

#Indigenous rally this morning 11am @ Parlt House pls read attached pdf

Dear All,

We are having another Rally For Justice following the Walk For Justice from Albany where Rex Bellotti Jr was rundown.

This will be on the steps of the WA Parliament House, starting from 11am through to 1pm on Monday the 26th March 2012.

In light of the changing landscape of all Aborignal issues, we need to stand for what is right. So please do come along, have half the day off, or have a long lunch, but please do come down.

In 1981 Rex Bellotti, Rex Jr’s grandfather stood up to the WA Police when they were bashing his baby brother Barry, at the Sandhurst Tavern in Carnarvon Western Australia. If his grandfather was here he today, he would probably be doing the same thing.

GOD Bless

Rex & Elizabeth Bellotti

Bellotti Support Group : Justice For Rex Jr
www.bellottisupportgroup.org

bellotti family photos 08 08 2011 003

bellotti family photos 08 08 2011 002

Big_Read_ed_321[1].pdf

#Perth, new App for #cycling safety now online – see video w @SenatorLudlam

Perth cycling advocates joined Senator Scott Ludlam to launch an innovative tool for people to provide feedback about WAs cycling network. Download the "bike blackspot" app for iPhone or check out

Perth’s #Indigenous tent Embassy forced off camp by riot/mounted police also abused by”aussie yobbos”

Today WA Police followed up on their Commissioner’s comments yesterday that he was “fed up” with the presence of people at the Indigenous tent Embassy, and followed orders to move in military formation, some with weapons drawn against a small group of men women and children.

At one stage a mounted police officer towered over a young woman and baby who wer already surrounded by foot and bike cops

see the pic here https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150753907849459&set=a.10150167528064459.338249.637639458&type=1&theater

Spokesman for the Embassy, Greg Martin, says the kids especially were traumatised by what was esentially a military assault and moved away from camp to another part of the island.

He says efforts to talk to the police commander in charge were ignored and they just carried out their orders without regard for the people in front of them.

Below I’ll post some audio grabs of my interview with him… the first is in response to a recent confrontation between people at camp and a TV crew where people apparently abused the Journo and obstructed the cameraman.

I don’t know the full details of that incident which was highlighted in mainstream media, but to give it context, mainstream media has been less than fair in reporting events on the island.

For instance, highlighting an incident where rocks were allegedly thrown by Indigenous people at a passing boat.

What wasn’t reported were the many incidents of abuse, theft and throwing of missiles directed at the Embassy people, including kids.

As Greg explains, they have documented and reported to police the daily incidents that media chooses to ignore, and no one wants to know.

So maybe cut them some slack if some react badly to cameras & mics shoved in their face by a seemingly uncaring or biased media. (btw… the journo involved in that incident is an ex colleague and I know him to be a gentleman, unlikely to have deliberately provoked the response he got, but then I wasn’t there and don’t know what led up to it )

Also below the Picture is a statement from respected UpperHouse MLC Robin Chapple on the Embassy.

Click the arrow/triangle just below for a 45 second statement from Greg  Martin on the abuse his people have endured over the past 6 weeks.

Greg Martin describes the “military” style assault on men women and children. He also confirms that all of Heirisson Island is an officially declared Indigenous Embassy.

Greg Martin 

Greg says only about a dozen Nyoongah people survived the European invasion 190 years ago.

#Indigenous Tent Embassy Perth

Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

MEDIA RELEASE

Greens: Tent Embassy activists have right to stay at Heirisson Island

22 March 2012

Greens MLC Robin Chapple today called for calm in the face of demands to have Aboriginal activists cleared from their tent embassy at Heirisson Island.

“I call on the Premier and City of Perth to respect the right of peaceful protest, and allow the tent embassy activists to continue to gather and practice culture on Heirisson Island.
“Heirisson Island is a public park of significant cultural importance, and particularly at this time while the State Government is in negotiation about settlement of Noongar native title, it is important that the government does not silence these voices.

“The tent embassy has been a peaceful gathering, drug and alcohol free by the activists’ insistence.  There is no pressing reason why the tent embassy should be cleared.

“Allegations of rock throwing is a separate matter, and should be dealt with as any other complaint to the police is handled, it doesn’t require the forceful disbanding of the Tent Embassy.”

Related articles

• WA ‘tent embassy’ remains defiant (news.theage.com.au)

Includes #Indigenous #australia -> Urgent international action needed to combat social inequalities and environmental risks

Urgent international action needed to combat social inequalities and environmental risks

Urgent international action needed to combat social inequalities and environmental risks, UN Secretary-General tells Istanbul Forum

UNDP’s first Global Human Development Forum starts today in Istanbul

Istanbul, 22 March 2012—Social justice and environmental protection are equally urgent and intrinsically linked universal goals, with coordinated global action needed on both fronts at the UN’s ‘Rio+20’ Conference on Sustainable Development in June, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message to an audience of development experts, civil society leaders and government officials at the first Global Human Development Forum here today.

“The world stands at a crossroads,” the Secretary-General said in his message to the Istanbul Forum, convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Turkey.

“We need everyone – government ministers and policymakers, business and civil society leaders, and young people – to work together to transform our economies, to place our societies on a more just and equitable footing, and to protect the resources and ecosystems on which our shared future depends.”

UNDP’s 2011 Human Development Report —“Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All,” which argued that social inequalities and environmental hazards must be combated together for the sake of future generations— provided the framework for the two-day Istanbul dialogue. The Global Human Development Forum was organized to examine the critical social, economic and environmental challenges facing the world today, including better approaches to assessing national and global progress.

“The concept of human development originated in well-founded dissatisfaction with using only gross domestic product as a measure of human progress,” the Secretary-General noted in his statement today. “Though this understanding has become something of a benchmark in our thinking about development, there remains a need to dramatically change the way we value and measure progress.”

UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan of Turkey opened the Forum today by stressing the importance of collective global action at the “Rio + 20” conference three months from now. “This Forum is particularly timely and important,” Grynspan said. “It provides a unique opportunity to debate the messages we want to take to Brazil, reflecting on what we have learned since the Stockholm Conference in 1972 and the Earth Summit in 1992.”

More than a hundred heads of state will be leading their national delegations to the June Conference on Sustainable Development, making it one of the largest such high-level gatherings in recent times.

“We must recognize that high-carbon; unequal growth will undermine itself by breeding social unrest and violence, and by destroying natural habitats critical for livelihoods,” added Grynspan. “We need a new paradigm of growth and a new approach to the political economy of sustainable development.”

The Global Human Development Forum will culminate Friday with an “Istanbul Declaration” articulating the participants’ jointly proposed goals and priorities for the “Rio+20” summit.

“Sustainable development recognizes that our economic, social and environmental objectives are not competing goals that must be traded off against each other, but are interconnected objectives that are most effectively pursued together in a holistic manner,” the Secretary-General said in his message today. “We need an outcome from Rio+20 that reflect this understanding and that relates to the concerns of all.”

Deputy Prime Minister Babacan, a member of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability, urged the adoption of new ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ to guide global priorities following the 2015 conclusion of the UN’s 15-year Millennium Development Goals campaign. Cevdet Yilmaz, Turkey’s Minister of Development, who moderated the Forum discussion on the “Social Contract: Building Equity and Sustainability”, said: “The Forum provides a solid platform to share different viewpoints on the universal goal of having resilient people and a resilient planet.”

Tarja Halonen, the former president of Finland and co-chair of the High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability Panel, will speak today in a special Forum session devoted to the Panel’s recommendations. Forum discussion topics today and Friday also include: “A New Deal on Sustainable Development”; “Innovative Financing for Sustainable Future”; “Assessing Human Progress”; and “Building Coalitions for Change”. The Forum will feature the launch Friday of a major new report by the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe: “From Transition to Transformation: Sustainable and Inclusive Development in Europe and Central Asia”.

Other leading government officials and development experts participating in the Istanbul discussions include Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization; Thakur Singh Powdyel, Minister for Education of Bhutan; Brian Atwood, Chair, Development Assistance Committee, the OECD; Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for Development Cooperation, Sweden; Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Minister of Planning, Kenya; and Senator Cristovam Buarque of Brazil.

The Global Human Development Forum was organized jointly by UNDP with support from the Turkish Ministry of Development and the Government of Denmark.

*******

For more information please contact:

In Istanbul, Faik Uyanik, Tel.: +90 312 454 1105, faik.uyanik; Stanislav Saling, +1 917 346 1955, stanislav.saling.

In New York, William Orme, Tel.: +1 212 906 6763, william.orme;

W #Australia Independent inspection powers missing from draft #MentalHealth Bill

Independent inspection powers missing from draft Mental Health bill

22 March 2012

WA Greens Spokesperson for Mental Health Alison Xamon has called for independent inspection powers to be included in the draft Mental Health Bill as a matter of urgency.

“A very concerning omission in this draft Bill is the lack of independent inspection provisions for mental health services,” Ms Xamon said.

“This is a significant departure from the current situation in which there is a well-respected and valuable independent body in the form of the Council of Official Visitors.

“This Council shines a frank and fearless light on the places where we treat our most vulnerable people, such as facilities for involuntary mental health patients, where people are unable to leave at will and has been at the forefront of exposing some of the more serious deficiencies within our mental health system.

“Yet the draft Bill makes no provision for an independent monitoring body reporting to Parliament on the safety and suitability of these facilities.

“The individual complaints system that is proposed in the Bill is welcomed, however it does not go far enough. Inspection systems should not only react to individual complaints, but must be proactive and focus on systemic improvements as the current Council of Official Visitors does.

“Regular independent assessment visits are a critical part of this process, as are formal inspections.

“At the very least, the same independent protections which are afforded to prisoners (in the form of the Office of Custodial Services) should also be afforded to people in secure mental hospitals.

“The benefits of independence are numerous, and include a higher degree of public and Parliamentary accountability, better public understanding, and support for the activities of agencies and staff.

“In addition, Australia has obligations under international agreements, which will shortly be ratified, to establish independent inspection systems for all places of detention, including locked mental health facilities. The proposed model does not meet these requirements.

“Although the draft Bill is in many ways an improvement on the existing legislation, the proposal to diminish the role of independent oversight cannot be allowed to slip through the cracks.

“I call upon the Mental Health Minister to indicate that she will address this shortcoming by amending the draft legislation, as a matter of priority.”

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

#indigenous #occupyperth -> Greens: Tent Embassy activists have right to stay at Heirisson Island

#australia #Greens urge #uranium rethink as anti- #nuclear movement is besieged in #India

Greens urge uranium rethink as anti-nuclear movement is besieged in India

Media Release: Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, Thursday March 22nd, 2012

The anti-nuclear movement in India is facing severe police repression and needs support, the Australian Greens said today.

Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said disturbing reports from Tamil Nadu showed authorities would stop at nothing to break the protests against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant.

"For more than seven months the people of the Koodankulam area have been fighting to defend themselves and their land from an out of control nuclear industry. Now the state is trying to smash their movement.”

Senator Ludlam moved a motion in the Senate today protesting “the Indian government’s unprecedented deployment of police around Koodankulam and the harassment of peaceful protesters as inconsistent with the democratic right to peaceful protest” and cautioning “the Indian government against loading uranium fuel rods into the reactor at Koodankulam without conducting any safety or evacuation drills”. The motion was defeated 34-10, with independent senator Nick Xenophon joining the Greens in supporting the human rights of the Indian people.

"It has been reported that police arrested 18 people at Koodankulam on March 19. 185 people including Parish priest Father Suseelan were arrested at Koottapuli during a peaceful protest. Another nine people were arrested and charged with sedition. Police have enforced a curfew, and now it is reported that 20,000 people are gathering to protest, with several thousand on hunger strike calling for the release of the captured activists.”

Senator Ludlam said the hunger strikers are demanding a complete assessment of the safety issues of the Koodankulam nuclear plant and for the authorities to conduct safety drills and evacuation drills in the 30km radius of the Koodankulam project.

"In their own words, the movement is appealing ‘to the people of the world to keep a watchful eye on the forceful implementation of a mega-nuclear project’ on them without giving them ‘any basic information about the project or conducting any public hearing’. They write that their government ‘is preparing to load uranium fuel rods into the reactor without conducting any safety or evacuation drills. God Save India!’ How can we ignore them?"

"In November Father Xavier Pinto from Goa wrote to Prime Minister Gillard and pleaded in the name of the people’s anti-nuclear movement for the Government to keep the ban on uranium sales to India. The Greens urged her to listen. That same month one of India’s pioneer nuclear scientists, Dr MP Parameswaran, said India should suspend its entire nuclear program. In December the Labor Party abandoned their policy of not selling uranium to India,” said Senator Ludlam.

"The sale of uranium to India while that country refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is illegal under Treaty of Rarotonga, signed by the Australian Government in 1985. The Indian people ask us to stop fuelling their nuclear industry, and instead our government listens to the nuclear shills who offer nothing more than a fist full of dollars in exchange for indulging in a deadly trade. I believe Australia is better than that.”

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

#uranium #nuclear waste #austyralia – Independent expertise needed to deal with radioactive waste, not a shed in the NT

Independent expertise needed to deal with radioactive waste, not a shed in the NT

Media release: Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, March 22nd, 2012

An independent commission of experts should be created to decide how to deal with the nation’s radioactive medical waste, the Australian Greens urged today.

Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the Greens had tried to legislate for an independent commission on radioactive waste but faced “a wall of dogma” from the major parties.

“Wednesday’s report on the ABC’s 7.30 concluded with the suggestion this was an intractable problem – but it doesn’t need to be. We need a body that has the skills and expertise to determine what is the safest and most sustainable way to deal with this waste, rather than banishing it to a shed built on the land of people who don’t want it there, watched by two security guards rather than qualified technicians.”

The Greens have pushed for the establishment of the Independent Commission on the Long Term Safe Storage, Transport and Management of Australia’s Radioactive Waste.

“Through this Commission, Australia could apply world’s best practice to responsibly deal with the 4020m3 of so-called low-level and short-lived intermediate radioactive waste and the approximately 600m3 of long-lived waste in this country, and also to deal with the 32 cubic metres of spent research reactor fuel that is returning to Australia from reprocessing in France and the UK in 2015-16.”

Senator Ludlam led the two-year struggle in the Federal Parliament against the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, legislation which finally passed last week and makes it legal for the Government to force a waste dump on Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory.

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

#Australia Govt & #Indonesia – too many dark secrets – #westpapua #timor ?ABC News: Roxon blocks release of East Timor cables

Roxon blocks release of East Timor cables
Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has blocked the release of cables about East Timor, despite the fact they are up to 37 years old.

Ms Roxon decided to keep the documents secret on the grounds that opening them up would prejudice Australia’s security.

Associate Professor Clinton Fernandes of th…

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Greens Senator – WA Government remain obsessed by Kimberley industrialisation

21 March 2012
WA Government remains obsessed by Kimberley industrialisation
The Australian Greens have criticised the WA Government’s latest attempt to secure the land for the unnecessary development of an LNG hub in the Kimberley.
“To see Premier Colin Barnett take renewed steps to secure the land at James Price Point is very disappointing and will no doubt harden community opposition,” WA Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“Premier Barnett and the joint partners continue to ignore the fact that better options exist for this project, including sending the LNG to the Pilbara to utilise existing infrastructure.
“Last years’ Supreme Court decision that the original notices of intention were invalid gave Mr Barnett the chance to reconsider his options, but clearly he has failed to do so.
“Instead, we se a land grab that will lead to land clearing, drilling and construction in important terrestrial and marine environments.
“The Government remain obsessed by industrialisation of the Kimberley,” Senator Siewert concluded.
Media Enquiries – Chris Redman on 0418 401 180

W #australia Govt continues bully tactics over James price Pt – Greens: Barnett’s land grab won’t work the second time either

ROBIN CHAPPLE MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

MEDIA RELEASE

Greens: Barnett’s land grab won’t work the second time either

21 March 2012

Greens MLC Robin Chapple today condemned Barnett and Grylls’ second attempt at compulsory acquisition of James Price Point.

“Having failed in their first attempt to compulsorily acquire the land, the government was handed the opportunity to do the right thing. The state government should have taken the opportunity to consult and negotiate in good faith, to listen to the community, to support sustainable economic development.

“Instead Barnett and Grylls are attempting to use the ultimate power of the State, to take land, for one of the most unpopular development proposals ever considered in this state.

“In this day and age, it’s not acceptable for a government to forcibly acquire land for development – clearly against the wishes of the local community. Surely our democracy has reached a point where consultation is the key.

“The Broome community showed their view when over 5000 people rallied at Cable Beach against the gas proposal. That’s almost half the population of the town, rallying against the proposal.

“This gas proposal is opposed by the majority of the local community, it’s an environmental nightmare, and there’s growing analysis that it’s not economically viable.

“Premier Barnett and Lands Minister Grylls need to choose a new project to back – I suggest they look at the range of quality renewable energy projects that would benefit from government support.”

For more information please contact Robin Chapple or 9486 8255

Kate Davis

Research Officer

Office of Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872

Direct line kate.davis |

www.robinchapple.com

#Australia secret Govt meetings on #piracy & #copyright must be revealed – says @senatorludlam

WA Senator moves for disclosure on anti-piracy meetings

Media release: Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, Greens communications spokesperson, March 21st, 2012

The Australian Greens will move in the Senate that the Government disclose details of a closed-door anti-piracy meeting held in February between the Attorney General’s Department, internet service providers and the film, TV and music industries.

"The Government refuses to reveal almost any information about the attendees, the substance or the outcomes of the meeting. A Freedom of Information request from a journalist looks like it’s been met with maximum resistance,”1 said the Greens communications spokesperson, WA Senator Scott Ludlam.

"Major ISPs and representatives of the film, television and music industries have held a series of meetings with the Attorney-General’s Department to discuss an industry fix to the issue of online copyright infringement. This would be fine if everyone was at the table. But for some reason, former Attorney General McClelland decided to lock out the people that actually matter – the people who produce the content, and the people who purchase and use the content.”

“Even with the best will in the world, simply inviting the intermediaries to come up with something that suits their collective commercial interests is hardly an encouraging recipe for looking after the public interest. I acknowledge that ISPs have done their best to prevent predatory behaviour by rights holders in the past, but there’s no substitute for a diversity of views in a forum such as this.”

“New Attorney General Roxon has inherited this situation from the former AG, and I call on her to table this material in an act of good faith and open the doors of these meetings so that the public can get a sense of what’s being cooked up.”

Senator Ludlam’s order for the production of documents asks that lists of invitees and attendees, notes and minutes arising from the meeting, any documentation issued to attendees, departmental correspondence regarding the meeting and any documents relating to future meetings be tabled in the Senate, on Thursday 22 March.

1. http://delimiter.com.au/2012/03/19/blackout-govt-piracy-meeting-completely-censored/

Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

W. #Australia #MentalHealth Bill needs more work, say WA Greens

Mental Health Bill needs more work, say WA Greens

21 March 2012

Progress on the draft Mental Health Act must not be rushed and needs to be seriously amended to reflect the concerns of stakeholders, according to WA Greens Spokesperson for Mental Health Alison Xamon who last night spoke on the matter in Parliament.

Ms Xamon, who has made a submission on the draft legislation, said the existing mental health legislation was clearly out-of-date and in need of urgent reform.

“However, despite people’s legitimate concerns about the existing Mental Health Act, the review process must not be rushed, because there is still considerable concern, even with the new draft legislation,” Ms Xamon said.

“This legislation covers some of the most vulnerable members of our community and it is important that we get it right. There must be adequate protections and safeguards.

“The Minister may feel a pressing need to introduce this Bill to Parliament but I believe it would be a mistake to rush.

“It has become clear that there is considerable concern from consumers, carers and professionals working in the field, about several aspects of this Bill.

“There are still some important things we need to change – for example in its current form the draft Bill seriously impedes the ordinary rights of people with mental illness.

“There are also concerns about the loss of independent inspection and monitoring of mental health services.

“A real failing of this Bill is that it has not been drafted in conjunction with the desperately needed reform of the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act.

“The Bill also needs to better recognise the needs of people who also have a disability or other issues such as drug or alcohol use.

“I urge the Minister to take the time needed to address legitimate concerns raised about the Bill, to ensure that critically important safeguards are established and to advise mental health stakeholders as to what the process will be from here in response to the submissions,” Ms Xamon concluded.

Public submissions on the draft Bill closed on March 9.

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

#MentalHealth crisis line underfunded by Govt. Cut waiting times with a jog! RUN FOR A REASON & WIN

Fundraise for Lifeline WA and you could win! Support Lifeline WA in raising vital funds for its suicide prevention services by signing up for the HBF Run for a Reason and then setting up afundraising page for Lifeline WA. Your fundraising efforts could win you an Apple iPad2, an Apple iPhone4 or a $200 voucher to The Athletes Foot. It’s so easy to win! Raise over $150 for Lifeline WA and, thanks to our good friends from iiNet, you will go into the draw to win 1 of 3 iiNet BoB2TM & Wireless Bridge packs. Raise over $300 and you will go into the draw to win 1 of 5 32GB unlocked Apple iPhone 4 handsets. Click here for a full list of the prizes available for individuals and teams. Not keen on running 4.5km or 14kms? Why not volunteer to help out with the event for Lifeline WA instead. For more information email our Fundraising Team or call 08 9261 4414. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress call Lifeline. 13 11 14

#serco #australia flexicuffs validated #refugees WTF!!! – ABC News: Immigration refutes asylum seeker ‘handcuff’ claims

Immigration refutes asylum seeker ‘handcuff’ claims
Refugee advocates say some asylum seekers are being moved between Australian Immigration detention centres in handcuffs.

The Refugee Action Coalition says two Afghan men were moved from the Curtin detention centre in Western Australia to Christmas Island, via Darwin, last week.Coalition spokesman …

To read the full story on your mobile please use this link
http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=3901548&cat=Just+In

To read the full story on a PC or Mac please use this link
http://www.abc.net.au/news/3901548

#bigpharma – don’t drug them! 900,000 #Canada Children confirm #ADHD is a Birthday Lottery

900,000 Canadian Children confirm ADHD is a Birthday Lottery

http://speedupsitstill.com/900000-canadian-children-confirm-adhd-birthday-lottery

A review of the medical records of 937,943 Canadian children showed that children born in December, the last month of their school year intake, were much more likely to be diagnosed and medicated for ADHD than their classmates born in January.

The eleven year study of British Canadian children aged six to twelve, titled Influence of relative age on diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children1, confirms the ADHD late birthdate effect found in two recent smaller US studies described in my previous blog http://speedupsitstill.com/adhd-birthdate-lottery.

The late birthday effect in the massive new Canadian study was very significant. Boys who were born in December were 30% more likely to have a diagnosis and 41% more likely to have a prescription for ADHD than their peers born in January.

The effect was even stronger for girls. Girls born in December were 70% more likely to have a diagnosis and 77% more likely, to have a prescription for ADHD than their peers born in January.

British Columbia children exhibited the general worldwide trend that ADHD diagnosis and prescribing rates for boys are approximately three times greater than for girls.2 This is consistent with the traditional wisdom that girls grow up faster than boys.

Drugging boys to make them behave more like girls in class demonstrates just how empty modern educational ‘philosophies of inclusion’ are. But many girls are also chemically punished for their childishness when compared to their older classmates.

Obviously younger children are more likely to be immature with the youngest kindergarten children having 20% less life experience than their oldest classmates. However, it should not be lost that children develop at different rates.

If a child is less mature than other children their own age, or even younger, they are not diseased, they are different. Classing relative immaturity as a disease to be treated with amphetamines, is a barbaric abuse of a child’s right to grow at their own pace.

If, as the ADHD Industry frequently claims, ADHD is a neurobiological disease, a child’s birth date should have no bearing on their chances of being diagnosed and ‘medicated’. Yet the ADHD Industry will respond as it always does and ignore or spin yet another inconvenient truth revealed in this study.

Related Media: Sue Dunlevy, Immature Children prone to ADHD Tag, The Australian, 20 March 2012 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/immature-children-prone-to-adhd-tag/story-e6frg8y6-1226304525855

For more related information see Pseudoscience supporting ADHD and How is ADHD Diagnosed?

1. Richard L. Morrow MA (et al), ‘Influence of relative age on diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children’ CMAJ, March 5, 2012, http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2012/03/05/cmaj.111619.full.pdf+html ↩
2. Boyles, S. ‘Study confirms ADHD is more common in boys’, WebMD Health News, 15 September 2004 <http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20040915/study-confirms-adhd-is-more-common-in-boys> (accessed 10 March 2011) ↩

dear #Australia Forests… Congratulations, a huge win in the last few minutes v @GetUp

Congratulations! Minutes ago Parliament voted down a native forest industry proposal to classify the burning of native forests for power as renewable energy. As Rob Oakeshott said in Parliament today, GetUp ran "a pretty stinging campaign". This is an important victory for native forests and genuine renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal.

This comes on the back of a massive few weeks for GetUp members who have been creating national headlines. The year is still young but here’s just three ways, best enjoyed alongside a cuppa, that you’ve already made an impact.

1 – Today: A big win for forests!

Just half an hour ago, the Parliament voted down a motion that would have seen taxpayer dollars pay for ancient native forests to be burned for power generation. The vote was so close that the Speaker had to use his deciding vote – meaning every vote counted!

In our annual survey, GetUp members voted protecting Australia’s native forests and securing investments in renewable energy as our top 2 priority issues. As the Parliament prepared last year’s clean energy package, the Greens and forestry campaigners convinced the Government and the Independents that the burning of native forests shouldn’t be counted as ‘renewable energy’. But then the logging industry pressured Rob Oakeshott into proposing a motion that would overrule this, and see the Government’s renewable energy budget used to fund the burning of native forests for power! Immediately, GetUp members along with our partners at The Wilderness Society, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and others, sprung into action.

• 33,465 of us petitioned Rob Oakeshott to drop his motion.
• Hundreds of GetUp members chipped in to run a newspaper ad in Rob Oakeshott’s electorate about the issue and thousands chipped into a TV ad that ran nationally, focused particularly in the electorates of key independents.
• Thousands of members phoned and wrote to their local MP in key independent electorates urging them not so support Rob Oakeshott’s proposal and many thousands more placed phone calls to Government MP’s to ensure their support on this issue.
• Andrew Wilkie, responding to the requests of GetUp members, gave a commitment not to support the motion, telling members: "I was inherently suspicious of this proposal out of concern it would become the reason for continuing broad scale native forest logging as happened with woodchips. Having now consulted with stakeholders I’m pleased to be able to confirm I will not support the motion."
• Tony Windsor, with a key vote on the motion, also responded to GetUp members’ requests, promising to do substantial research into what the logging industry were proposing. Today he voted against it, joining with the Government and the Greens, who’ve been crucial in securing this outcome.

Thanks to everyone who took action!

2 – Standing up to homophobic attack ads.

Last week we featured in TV news bulletins nationwide with our campaign to hold Bob Katter accountable for his new homophobic attack ads. Our response ad, featuring a heart-warming message from Bob’s half-brother Carl, a gay rights advocate, has spearheaded a national backlash against Mr. Katter’s comments. Gaining public attention to the voices of those supporting love and equality was crucial in drowning out the voices of those spreading hate.

• Our response ad made news bulletins on Channels 10, 7, ABC, and SBS.
• Carl Katter made appearances on The Today Show, The Circle, and The Project to discuss the campaign.
• It was covered in The Australian, The Courier Mail, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Brisbane Times and more.
• GetUp members’ donations allowed us to book every available ad spot possible before the Queensland election, doing our best to ensure every young gay and lesbian Australian who saw Bob Katter’s bigoted ad sees our counter-message of equality and hope.
• Here’s one of the amazing responses online: "I’m 21 and when I saw ‘that’ ad by Bob Katter, I was so devastated. I felt so ashamed of myself for being myself. That was the first time in years I felt that way. This response by Carl made me feel no longer ashamed. Thanks for speaking up Carl!"

3 – Front page action against the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef.

GetUp members took urgent action when media reports revealed the damage a massive sea floor dredging operation (to make way for coal and coal seam gas export facilities) is having on the Great Barrier Reef. UNESCO, the UN body in charge of protecting world heritage sites, was so outraged that they decided to send an investigative team to Australia. In December, GetUp member Lincoln delivered a petition to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on behalf of over 75,000 of us. Since then:

• The petition has continued to grow as GetUp members shared it with their friends, family and colleagues and has now been signed by an incredible 100,740 people!
• Last Sunday over 400 GetUp members stood in pouring rain in Cairns, as a massive show of support for the Great Barrier Reef, to send a clear message to UNESCO and the state and federal governments – "Save Our Reef".
• Then in Brisbane on Monday GetUp members packed the Brisbane Convention Centre for a joint forum with the ‘Lock the Gate Alliance’ and then marched on the state government Executive Building to put the issue of coal seam gas mining and its impact on agricultural land on the Queensland state election agenda.
• 9,523 GetUp members wrote submissions and sent in photos to explain to UNESCO why the Great Barrier Reef is an integral part of what makes Australia great and why governments are not doing enough to protect it. When we handed the submission to UNESCO they were blown away by scale of responses and said that GetUp members had made this a global issue.
• Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke then delayed his decision on the massive Abbot Point coal export facility (part of the area in North Queensland we are fighting to protect) until later this year which is a fantastic step in the right direction but we need to keep the pressure on to ensure no further industrial developments are granted in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area until the full strategic assessment, which is currently underway, is complete.

We’ll know whether our efforts to lobby UNESCO have been successful when the Annual World Heritage Committee meets this June, in Russia, to decide what action they’ll take to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

As Louise, a GetUp member, wrote to us last week: "I feel very strongly about the environment and the Great Barrier Reef is an icon not to be touched. I feel very strongly about GetUp as well and I bless the day when it was formed. Congratulations and keep up the good works. This is one occasion when I wish I were younger and could do more physically. At nearly 75 I have to be content with my "war of words"."

GetUp is more than any one campaign or single success. Your actions breathe life into our shared progressive principles of social justice, economic fairness and environmental sustainability.

Everything we achieve together is funded by those who chip in small, weekly donations to keep our movement going. Their contributions cover the production of our ads, the legal advice, website expenses, and overheads for our small team of staff, interns and volunteers. $4 a week can make a huge difference — together, our small change is changing Australia. If you’d like to be part of that, please help out at:

https://www.getup.org.au/contribution

Thank you for being a part of this movement and congratulations on your success so far this year.

Simon Sheikh, for the team at GetUp!

Hey @bobgcarr #egypt still holds #australian journo @austingmackell – change.org – A parent’s worst nightmare

"It’s a terrible nightmare for my daughter and me — our son and brother arrested and locked up on the other side of the world, no resolution in sight and we’re utterly powerless to help him."

#Australia ancient #indigenous rock art at risk FARA: Open Meeting – Tuesday, 27 March at 7pm

OPEN MEETING Tuesday, 27 MARCH at 7pm Hi All, On Tuesday 27 March FARA will be holding its first open meeting for 2012 to bring you up-to-date with the latest activity. And there has been a lot! Most importantly we want you to know about the latest plans for an ammonium nitrate production facility to be developed alongside Burrup Fertilisers and the threat this poses to some of the most remarkable rock art in Deep Valley. FARA has been working very hard to ensure government understands the gravity of its decision to let this go ahead. We will also present the revised Strategic Plan to all the Friends and encourage you to stay active in the fight for this unique cultural heritage site. If you have been on a Burrup Tour, or are thinking about joining the Tour for 2012 (bookings happening now!) this will be a great chance to catch up with fellow travellers. Where: Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street, West Perth When: Tuesday 27 March at 7pm Please bring a small plate to share. We will provide tea, coffee, etc Your RSVP to contact would be appreciated so we know how many to expect. Looking forward to catching up with most of you again – and for those not in WA we will be following up soon with a newsletter reporting on these developments. Judith Hugo Co-convenor, Friends of Australian Rock Art jhugo 0439 090 321 Friends of Australian Rock Art Inc.

ppl aided by @witnessorg crucial to historic 1st ICC conviction for Lubanga – Video Helps Convict DRC Warlord Of Using Child Solidiers

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We’re celebrating & hope you will join us

On March 14th, the International Criminal Court found Thomas Lubanga, a former rebel leader in the eastern Congo, guilty of using children in armed conflict – a war crime. This is a major milestone for international justice, for the communities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for video for change. It was the tireless work of our Program Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Bukeni Waruzi, that first brought this issue to WITNESS’ door some nine years ago.

Public Google+ Hangout Discussing The Lubanga Trial Guilty Verdict Announced By The ICC. Watch » Bukeni speaks to a former child soldier of the eastern DRC about the Lubanga verdict. Watch » Excerpt from original video was used by the Prosecution to help build their case against Lubanga. Watch »

In partnership with his organization, AJEDI-Ka, WITNESS co-produced several videos on the abuses that child soldiers experienced, including sexual violence against girls. Bukeni and WITNESS took those videos to the ICC to advocate for charges to be brought against Lubanga for his recruitment of children to fight on the frontlines. Thank you for sharing in our success! Yvette Alberdingk Thijm Executive Director

#westpapua ABC News: Papuans jailed for treason

Papuans jailed for treason
An Indonesian court has sentenced five men to three years in jail in the restive Papua region for raising an outlawed separatist flag and declaring the region’s independence.

The men had led a pro-independence celebration attended by 5,000 Papuans on October 19.”All five defendants are found guilt…

To read the full story on your mobile please use this link
http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=3895216&cat=Just+In

To read the full story on a PC or Mac please use this link
http://www.abc.net.au/news/3895216

#law Important call to action from #Justice WA in the wake of the ‘boycott’ of #Perth conference by key justice & police officials

Important call to action from Justice WA in the wake of the ‘boycott’ of Perth conference by key justice & police officials

Hello all

Please read Paul Murray’s article in The West today (attached).

If you agree with some or all of the comments he has made, then please write a letter to the editor ASAP (details below).

This quote says it all in a nutshell:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing”

- Edmund Burke

I’m doing something………….

Thanks J.

Paul Montani B.Bus FCA CFP

JUSTICEwa

Founder and CEO

PO Box 8455

PERTH BC WA 6849

Contact your MP and ask them to support calls for a Criminal Cases Investigation Commission. Ask them if they support the ‘closed shop’ of

Write to the editor at the West LETTER TO THE EDITOR – West Australian

All letters must be SIGNED with the writer’s full name and address (not postal) and, if applicable telephone number. Send them to: Letters to the Editor, WA Newspapers, GPO Box N1027 Perth WA 6843. Fax 9482 3830. Email to: letters (include full address and telephone number). Keep them short and keep copies. They may be edited for legal issues, space or clarity.

Murray SArticle on JusticeWA.pdf

#Australia #Greens move debate on #Afghanistan

Greens back #indigenous community to fight #nuclear waste sumpFwd: Fight to stop Muckaty nuclear waste dump “just getting started” – Greens

From @antloewenstein : Latest newsletter on resource exploitation, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan

Monday 12, March 2012 Papua New Guinea exploitation and war against Iran Dear all, The resource curse is a cliche but rings true in many developing countries. I’m currently researching a book on disaster capitalism (and shooting a documentary) and recently spent time in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where issues of local exploitation and Western multinationals causing profound ecological destruction are highly problematic. Here’s one dispatch from Bougainville, site of one of the world’s formerly largest mines. It’s a province still recovering from a brutal war fought over the minerals there. And another investigation from PNG that reveals a real risk of civil strife due to Western multinationals exploiting both local communities and natural resources. Yet another dispatch details the dangerous lure of mining money in PNG. My photos of Bougainville, Madang and Port Moresby/Papa Lea-Lea. - Appearance on ABCTV News24′s The Drum discussing ongoing Israeli and American threats to attack Iran and civil war in Syria. - Review in the Sydney Morning Herald of the stunning new book by American journalist Michael Hastings on the failed war in Afghanistan, The Operators. - Festival of Dangerous Ideas at Sydney Opera House in late 2010, "Anyone can make a revolution", with Amnesty International head Salil Shetty, Egyptian/American writer Mona Eltahawy, Get Up! head Simon Sheikh and yours truly, discussing the Arab revolutions. - As part of a global series defending Wikileaks alongside people like Noam Chomsky and John Pilger, my reasons why Julian Assange’s crusading must be supported. Part two is here. - Interview on ABC Radio National’s Common Knowledge on beards, ciders and extreme retro (yes, I don’t always discuss politics!). - Interview with The Power Index on Australian billionaire Frank Lowy and his role in backing occupying Israel. For a daily dose, see my website, Twitter and Facebook. Until next time, Antony

Antony Loewenstein Independent Freelance Journalist and Author Sydney, Australia http://antonyloewenstein.com/ http://twitter.com/#!/antloewenstein