Media – ROBIN CHAPPLE – GREENS WELCOME INDIGENOUS ANTI-NUCLEAR STATEMENT AT COPENHAGEN

MEDIA 16 December 2009

GREENS WELCOME INDIGENOUS ANTI-NUCLEAR STATEMENT AT COPENHAGEN

The Greens today welcomed a statement from US Indigenous communities condemning the nuclear industry as neither ‘clean’ nor ‘green’ and outlining the horrific impacts of uranium mining on indigenous peoples in the US.

Robin Chapple, Greens MLC for the Mining and Pastoral Region, said that the statement could not be more timely for his electorate and Western Australia at large.

“This authoritative and heartbreaking document sets out in stark terms the legacy of the nuclear cycle – radioactive hotspots, cancer clusters, failing nuclear waste facilities and an unaccountable industry – on already vulnerable communities across the United States.”

“This is the legacy the Barnett Government and the uranium miners want to leave the Western Australian community, most of all to the Indigenous communities upon whose land the uranium lies.”

“Moreover, this document sets out in no uncertain terms why embracing the dying nuclear industry as a climate change fix is the stuff of fantasy.”

The statement entitled ‘Ruling out the Nuclear Option – Not Clean or Green: The Legacy of Nuclear Energy, Nuclear and Chemical Weapons Upon US Indigenous & Communities of Color’ was released by BASE (Building Action for Sustainable Environments Initiative) at Copenhagen yesterday.

2009 Copenhagen Position_Paper_complete.doc

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• Reporter’s Notebook: In Copenhagen, ‘To Be Elaborated’ Means a Stalemate (nytimes.com)
• You: Nuclear strategy threatens Kalahari (guardian.co.uk)

West Australian Govt lies about cutting scrutiny of Uranium & other projects – Greens WA’s MLC elect Robin Chapple speaks out – we all need to speak out or suffer the consequences

Robin Chapple Greens MLC elect speaks on uranium & other projects by stealth

Click the above link for short interview. Phone numbers, SMS and email for talkback to follow.

Premier Colin Barnett hijacks mining approvals – now confirmed a

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From Perth’s Sunday Times ( supporting documents to be posted soon.)

More leaked documents add to drama

Article from:
Narelle Towie, environment reporter

March 28, 2009 04:28pm

MORE leaked documents have cast doubt on statements made this week by the State Government about proposed changes to mining approvals.

Last weekend The Sunday Times reported that a government-appointed industry working group (IWG) – tasked with devising a plan to streamline and speed-up mining approvals – favoured moves to dilute the power and role of the Environment Minister among other far-reaching changes.
The next day the Minister for Mines and Petroleum Norman Moore stated that a leaked document referred to in the newspaper report was not produced by the IWG.

He said the document, marked confidential, was a submission to the IWG by industry associations.

He said it had not yet been properly considered by the IWG or the government.

The Sunday Times has ascertained that the document was the end product of a workshop involving key members of the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).

The workshop, which also included at least one IWG member, took place in January and the document has been the focus of much attention by the IWG.

Moreover, further leaked documents show recommendations in the confidential report have been adopted by the IWG – in some parts, word-for-word – and are at odds with the Minister’s statement.

- See both group’s recommendations
- See more recommendations
- See the lead agency model submitted to the industry working group

Up until yesterday Mr Moore and his media advisor were insisting there was “no draft report or draft recommendations.”

The Sunday Times has obtained a copy of the IWG’s “working draft report” dated March 6, which includes an executive summary and eight key recommendations.

The incomplete report proposes similar sweeping changes to how mining applications are processed, though no specific mention is made about the role of the Environment Minister.

Parts of the document’s recommendations appear to be copied almost verbatim from the workshop report the Minister insisted on Friday had not yet been “properly considered or endorsed” by the IGW.

A spokesman for Mr Moore yesterday confirmed the existence of the draft – after a week of denials. He said the Minister was relying on advice from the IWG.

IWG chairman Peter Jones said there are working drafts within the group but the Minister doesn’t know anything about them.

Shadow Environment Minister Sally Talbot last night hit-out: “Last week Minister Moore denied that this report existed and now we have had it confirmed.

“We have a real fear that there is going to be a watering down of the authority for the Minister for the Environment,” she said.

Ms Talbot is calling on the government to come clean on what plans are being put together by the industry working group.

Mr Moore, who is due to receive the IWG’s recommendations in May, said there were several hurdles to be surmounted before any recommendations were implemented.

They would first be considered by him and a cabinet sub-committee before full Cabinet. And any legislative amendments would need the approval of parliament.

Mr Moore said he was aware IWG were considering transferring large parts of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s role to the independent Environment Protection Agency, which is currently an advisory body.

“I’m not sure that that is a good thing if you want the approvals process to move quickly,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Moore said he could not guarantee that the powers and the responsibilities of the Minister of Environment, when dealing with approvals processes, will not be diminished at all by the reforms being considered.

“It is not within my power to provide cast-iron guarantees about issues of this nature. The granting or relinquishing of Ministerial power is a matter for Cabinet and Parliament. That said, the aim of this exercise is not to diminish the level of scrutiny applying to the environmental conditions related to mining approvals,” he said.

MLC member for mining and pastoral region Robin Chapple said the IWG’s intentions were quite clear.

“The community at large must be very seriously concerned that the environmental controls and parameters that have been established over the years are going to done away with,” he said.

Robin Chapple Greens WA MLC elect warns on hijack of approvals

Amy & Tony talking about thriving after surviving major clinical depression

Image via CrunchBase

Here’s two people talking.

Amy Kiel @Abeeliever

Amy and Tony

22 min 22 sec  download,share,digg us,

we’re you yours !    =D

I’ll post details and links soon, including info on how anyone can record & produce quality interviews with anyone anywhere on things close to their heart.

If anyone has input on providing some visuals, slideshow,etc…we’ll youtube it.

We spoke live, Skype to phone, and the only editing I did was cutting a few seconds where we lost the link and adding a few little things for you.

To life…and the cool fools in the twitterverse =D @perthtones

My Twitter is @perthtones follow me for links to amazing folk and info

© 2009 Amy Kiel & Tony Serve    This audio is free to copy and share as long as it’s not for commercial advantage.

Colin Barnett turns tyrant on project assessment – including nukepower & uranium

from: nouranium.wordpress.com

Dracula in charge of the blood bank: WA Greens expose horror plan for the State Government’s assessment processes

Premier Colin Barnett hijacks mining approvals – now confirmed a

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A confidential document viewed by the WA Greens (attached here  -> pdf ) has revealed radical plans to overhaul legislation so that the Premier would have sole power to decide which projects are allowed to go ahead in WA.

The proposal, developed by the Government’s hand-picked Industry Working Group committee, indicates that the Premier should become the decision-maker on every major project in the State.

Under the plan, the Premier would only be obliged to merely consult with the Environment Minister.

“If the recommendations of this report are accepted, then every mega-project Colin Barnett ever recklessly dreams up – be it a Kimberly Canal or a nuclear waste dump, or anything else – could go ahead,” Greens Upper House MP-elect Robin Chapple has warned.

“This document is truly horrific,” Mr Chapple continued.

“It is proposing that mining and petroleum activities be exempted from planning approval by local government.

“Now, I wonder how local government will feel about being dictated to by the Premier?

“Quite clearly, these recommendations mean massive legislative changes and the Government must be salivating as they wait to take control of the parliamentary Upper House on 22 May so they can ram through amendments to legislation.

“This Liberal minority government, aided by the National Party, seems intent on orchestrating the death of what remains of our state regulatory authorities.

“This proposal will enable the Premier to push through the Kimberly gas hub, the Gorgon development on Barrow Island, the Oakajee Port and ship lead out of any port of his choosing without a second thought.

“This will lead to unbridled excesses in climate change impacts from a government that just doesn’t get it.

“No wonder they have kept this secret until now, this plan is just like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.”

ends.

Robins Contact Details: Mobile 040 9379263, Work 08 93712615

Key points:

- [page 3] “review mining tenement conditions for conservation reserves”. Do they mean they will review and possibly change the conditions that apply to mining in existing conservation reserves? If so that would seem to be an extraordinary legal situation; it would effectively gift to those mining companies an increase in the value of their privately owned property rights.

- [page 3] It’s alright to talk about EPA timelines but often the delays in the process are because of industry failures to properly address EPA questions / requests for more information. Also, any talk of timelines must make adequate allowance for the need for proper consideration if the matters are technically complex. Sometimes it will be hard for the EPA to have enough staff with expertise in the relevant area. Presumably this will be a real issue for uranium mining, at least in the short term.

‘Minor’ legislative changes [better described as major changes!]

- Removing an appeal right if the EPA decides something could be managed under the clearing provisions sounds good in theory, as the clearing decision will of course be subject to a separate appeal. But the first appeal right is about the EPA’s decision not to formally assess under Part IV, not about the issues that will later be dealt with under Part V. Removing an appeal right would effectively create a massive loophole in the EP Act; if the EPA wanted a project to sail through it could say that the clearing rules would manage it even if the project had impacts on say water quality or something else not related to the proposed clearing. Such a decision would have the effect of quarantining those non-clearing issues from any further public scrutiny, save the possibility of judicial review, and we know how hard that road is!

- Removing appeal rights against the setting of a level of assessment would be an outrage and a fundamental shift in the EIA regime that has served the State for over 20 years. There are few things more important than the level of assessment, as that scoping decision determines the process from then on.

- [page 5] new approvals framework for [ESE] could of course be good in theory but not if it means economics winning out in a Premier-led process that involves no appeal rights!

- [page 6] one decision maker; well, not if the decision relates to issues beyond the expertise of the decision-maker.

- [page 6] proportionality based on… importance to the State. This could be very dangerous; are they saying bigger projects should attract less environmental scrutiny? This would be an unprecedented and very dangerous move.

- [page 6] special consideration for major projects – ditto.

- [page 8] melding works approvals and clearing permits into mining approvals; currently two quite separate technical issues for different departments!!

- [page 8] exempting mining and petroleum activities from planning approval; It will be interesting to see what WALGA and the local govts think about this!!

- [page 8] appeals to SAT; not necessarily a problem with Part V decisions but this takes Part IV appeals out of the hands of the Env Min and into the rarefied apolitical air of a Tribunal. Do they propose to resource the SAT with environmental specialists who aren’t all just former industry representatives?!

- [page 9] Premier obliged only to consult with the Minister for Environment on major projects!!

- [page 10] Applicants can appeal against the conditions of approval but what about the decision to approve? I.e. can the SAT only ever change the conditions of approval but not say no to something? If so that would be an absolutely fundamental negative change!!

- [page 11] appeals to SAT only for “significant activities”; this could mean a significant constraint on appeal rights!!

- [page 11] timelines; do these factor in SAT appeals? We hope not!!

- [page 12] approvals reform group; notice no community representation!

Industry Working Group Committee (Hansard Wednesday, 26 November 2008)

· Peter Jones (chair) (Water Corp Chair 2002) (former resources Minister for Mines, Fuel and Energy for Western Australia to the Sir Charles Court government) (Peter Vernon Jones elected 30/03/1974 Narrogin for NCP became a Liberal in 1985)

· John Bowler (deputy chair) (Kalgoorlie member and former Labor mines minister)

· Derek Carew Hopkins (Department of Environment director general) (former Appeals Convenor) (adviser, Office of the Minister for Regional Development)

· Mark Gregory (Special Counsel to Minter Ellison, his practice has focused on the land access needs of his clients. This includes advising clients on complex government approvals processes; assisting clients to obtain necessary land tenure and mining tenements and dealing with compulsory acquisition matters.)

· David Parker (former Chamber of Minerals and Energy director) (government and public affairs manager, Apache Energy)

· Richard Ellis (Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association’s WA director) (also in 2004 Colin Barnett’s former chief of staff was called Richard Ellis, may or may not be the same)

· Ian Wight-Pickin (former or current Secretary of the Dawesville Branch of the Liberal Party) (chief of staff, office of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Indigenous Affairs)

· Ian Fletcher (former adviser to the Pangea Nuclear Waste Dump company), (former CEO of the Kalgoorlie/Boulder Town Council), (Premier Richard Court’s principal advisor), (Vice-president of government relations in WA for BHP Billiton)

· Tim Shanahan (Minerals Initiative director and former Chamber of Minerals and Energy) (director, Energy and Minerals Initiative, University of Western Australia)

· Chris Clegg (principal consultant, Statewide Tenement and Advisory Services)

· Doug Koontz (was on the DME Minerals Environment Liaison Committee in 2000 representing the Minerals Industry) (currently chair of the Environment & Water Policy Committee for AMEC and a councillor on the AMEC executive council) (principal environmental consultant Aquaterra Consulting an international water and environment consultancy, operating with offices in Australia, UK, Ireland and Mongolia)

· Noel Ashcroft (former Executive Director, Major Projects, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, heavily involved in the development of the Burrup as an industrial hub) (chief executive of government relations and market development for the Griffin Group)

· Tony van Merwyk, (partner in Freehills)

Robin Chapple

Greens Member Elect

for the Mining & Pastoral Region

Approvals process for WA – READ IT AND WEEP pdf file

West Australian Mining Town says NO to URANIUM – go figure! Maybe it ISN’T safe!!!!!

Thanks to eco warrior Robin Chapple for the newstip.

Thanks to WIN television for covering it – this is a good yarn, and I’m not sure mainstream media will cover it or understand it’s significance

West Australian Mining Town says NO to URANIUM – go figure! Kudo

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Please share this news as a wake up call that BigNuke is on the move, thrashing around like a dying dinosaur.

Ziggy Switkowski says you want Nuclear Power Plants – did he ask? thanks to ABC for covering it.

Aussies will accept nuclear power, conference told – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

not even Barry Obama has a plan for nuclear waste,where's Ziggy's

Is he TELLING us we will accept nuclear power?

Who is he talking to?

He admits a new Nuke plant would take 15 years – by then the cost of clean renewables will be less than dirty atom splitting.

Notice how various professors and community ” leaders” are suddenly speaking up, almost spookily singing the same words.

It’s also scary that some of my colleagues in mainstream media leave some crazy claims unchallenged and out of context. Question everything!

IF WE DON’T RAISE OUR VOICES the only ones heard will be the heavily backed and resourced Uranium and Mining complex.

contact me for info on using talkback and new media to have YOUR voice heard ( even if you disagree with me – it’s a hippie thing )

West Aussie voters please see copy and use the letter in the right column to send a message to Colin Barnett, but cc ALL MP’s – their ears are full of slick-helled lobbyist noise and they need yours for balance

Meanwhile

This article may be from 2007 but it’s so relevant for us in WA right now

The Barnett Government plans to give miners the “green” light to dig up, process and transport uranium.

Politically there is clear evidence the mighty nuclear industry is taking advantage of the fear of global warming and the global recession.

See the Greenpeace UK story & video by clicking

uranium | Greenpeace UK.

See how a Greenpeace co-founder has been drafted in to push for nuke power here, is he right, if not who’s speaking up?

http://tinyurl.com/co7k38

20+ More videos here
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=648207BCB5C42D37

Murder in Nairobi: Wikileaks related human rights lawyers assassinated – Wikileaks

Murder in Nairobi: Wikileaks related human rights lawyers assassinated – Wikileaks.

President Barack Obama blogs too! And America please remember he didn’t promise “he” can, he said “we” can – so don’t leave it all up to him.

Shepard Fairey/Obey, Barack Obama campaign posters, 2008

THE BLOG:  TUE, JANUARY 27, 9:48 AM EST

President to Muslim World: “Americans are not your enemy”

“My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives,” President Obama told Al Arabiya, an Arabic-language news channel based out of Dubai. “My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy.”

Click here to go to the first EVER blog of a US President

Ben Cousins’ Dad on radio 6WF – great work as usual by our ABC

If you’d like to hear Ben Cousins’ dad Bryan talking to abc local radio’s Russel Wolfe click here.

The interview reveals a great deal about a parent’s battle to support a child through almost unprecedented levels of pressure and scrutiny.

Please pass the link on to others, particularly those standing on soapboxes or flinging rocks from glazed domiciles, and to those whose mouths seem unconnected to any human brain let alone their own.

Congratulations to Ben and family, Kevin Sheedy, the mighty Tigers and kudos to Perth’s abc radio.

visit Richmond’s website here, and don’t be shy about joining the club or at least sending a message of support.

oh, one last thing… watch out for vultures! There are media people already drafting stories about Ben’s future failure – certain that it will come and that they will profit from his failure.

The best way to dreal with these flying vermin is to ignore them – so choose your media wisely

Australia the Internet “King Canute” – censor this

Save the Net

 

Well-meaning official moves to filter the internet as it’s received in Australia are set to cause major problems without achieving very much at all.

The Social Activism site GetUp is leading a push to get the regulators to do what is effective and not what may seem politically expedient.

click here to visit GetUp’s campaign page

Meanwhile Greens Senator Scott Ludlum is trying tol get some sense from the Government on the Broadband Fiasco after Telstra only threw half a hat in the ring and Optus cried foul.

Broadband tenders must put public interest first

The Australian Greens are concerned the public may be the real losers  under the new National Broadband Network and are calling on the federal government to explain how it will protect end-users from price hikes, as tenders for the project close today.

“Privatisation of essential public services is not the answer when you want the public interest to take precedence over shareholders. Broadband is an essential service that should be run for the public, by the public and it is a key plank in delivering Green collar jobs and the green economy.” said Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Ludlam.

“Telstra is demanding an eighteen per cent return on investment to operate a natural monopoly – consequently some analysts are saying there’s potential for broadband prices to increase by 50%.”

“That would be a slap in the face to consumers who were promised an accessible and affordable broadband network at last year’s election,” said Senator Scott Ludlam.

“During the course of Senate hearings into the NBN tender process, we heard from virtually the entire telecommunications industry that Telstra has behaved aggressively and litigiously in its incumbent position, and the NBN process must not entrench this behaviour.”

Senator Ludlam raised the issues with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in Senate Question Time today. He asked how consumers would be protected from price gouging and whether the new Communications Consumer Action Network had been involved in the tender process.

Minister Conroy declined to answer the question directly.

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0417 174 302

Australian Federal Police forced to get real re David Hicks

The Australian Federal Police have apparently reacted to public/media pressure and stepped back from their standing orders to monitor every move and motive of illegally detained australian David Hicks

This may clear the way for the Guantanamo Bay survivor to speak publicly about his experience.

Well Done to the Australian Greens, Liberal Petro Giorgiou, the community network GetUp and others who spoke up for justice.

As you’ll see from the AFP media release on their website and pasted below – the Feds won’t comment further.

This is the agency under a huge dark cloud over the Haneef debacle and other  politically tainted events under John Howard’s “leadership”

David Hicks’ Control Order not to be renewed

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Media Statement

On the 21 December 2008, the current control order in respect of Mr David Hicks expires.

Following extensive consultation with a number of agencies, the AFP has decided it will not be seeking a further control order in respect of Mr Hicks.

The AFP has today advised the Attorney-General and Mr Hicks’ legal representative of its position.

The AFP will not be making any further comment in relation to this control order process.

I noticed on CNN Asia’s website that one blogger said he wouldn’t lose any sleep over Hicks’ plight, totally missing the point that it’s not about David, it’s about all of us.

Perhaps his snoring may disrupted if he read and had the wit to understand that great piece of writing that begins ” First they came for the communists, and I said nothing…:” ( full text via Wikipedia here )

 

Greens push for change over David Hicks’ muzzling post-Gitmo

Greens Senator Scott Ludlum has renewed calls for changes to our Jackboot Justice system, much as Human Rights Doyen Geoffrey Robertson QC did in his recent ABC Lateline  interview.

There is reason to pursue the Australian lawmakers from the discredited Howard regime who legitimized the US shame of “Gitmo” just as moves are underway in America to pursue the legal attack dogs who set up Guantanamo and sanctioned torture and “rendition”

The Human Rights Judge also pointed out that Australia’s lack of a Bill of Rights means this sort of travesty is possible in the future if another morally bereft PM feels so inclined. ( see link to his interview on lateline on this blog or just click “Geoffrey Robertson QC” in the tag cloud on the left )

Today Senator Ludlum released the statement pasted below;

Thursday, 20 November 2008
Hicks case shows need for anti-terrorism review

The public gagging of David Hicks should be ended and Howard’s heavy-handed anti-terrorism laws reviewed, according to Australian Greens Attorney General Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks today told members of online lobby group, Get Up that he is fearful a new control order will be imposed on him by the Australian Federal Police, and this will prevent him from being able to move forward in his life.

“Control orders are infringement of basic human rights and incompatible with Australia’s broader democratic culture,” Senator Ludlam said.

“Control orders are just one example of some of the draconian and extreme aspects of the anti-terrorism laws the Howard government rammed through the Senate after 2001 – and are yet to be reviewed by the Rudd Government.”

“The laws were passed without any safety net or mechanism for review. Unfortunately, David Hicks is feeling the consequences of that flawed process today. The Rudd government needs to support an independent review so that we can be assured that the rights and freedoms of Australians are not being eroded.”

Last week the Greens supported a Bill initiated by Liberal backbencher Petro Georgio to review the forty pieces of anti-terrorism legislation. The government voted against the measure.

Senator Ludlam has also questioned the legitimacy of David Hicks’ initial sentence.

“David Hicks was subject to an illegal and illegitimate military tribunal process on foreign soil. He was held for five years without charge, the principles of natural justice and rule of law were disregarded and the Geneva conventions were not complied with. The legitimacy of his conviction is therefore in doubt, even more so as the US President-elect Obama has indicated his intention to close Guantanamo Bay. David Hicks has a right to closure and should be allowed to move forward in his life.”

“The control order should not be extended and David Hicks should be afforded the same rights as any other Australia,” said Senator Ludlam.

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0417 174 302
senator.ludlam@aph.gov.au  |  http://www.scottludlam.org.au  |  http://www.greensmps.org.au

Australian Guantanamo prisoner speaks out on GetUp

Illegally detained aussie David HICKS has broken his silence as he tries to recover from his years of suffering in Gitmo.

See the video here and get involved so abominations like George W Bush’s Guantanamo Bay “prison” won’t happen again.

This is not anti-US, but pro justice and the morally bankrupt John Howard regime is as much to blame for his treatment as Dubya’s was.

Click the link to hear what’s going on.

https://www.getup.org.au/campaign/WereAfraidNot&id=435

QC expects action on human rights from Barack Obama

Respected Human Rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC  ( see story below on his visit to Perth for UN HR anniversary ) has told Australian ABC’s Lateline that he expects a change in the US approach to human rights when Barack OBAMA takes over as US President next January.

He has also predicted sanctions and possibly charges against US lawyers who advised the BUSH ( dubya that is ) regime on issues such as torture and the shameful goings on at Gitmo.

In a 15 minute interview with Tony Jones he also lamented the lack of a Bill of Rights in Australia and foreshadowed challenges to the US occupation of Mauritian territory known as Diego Garcia and the displacement of its Indigenous people.

The Rhodes Scholar and celebrated Silk also highlighted the stupidity we spoke of here recently of martyring people like Hambali and the other Bali Bombers.

see it in full here
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2422192.htm

I wasn’t aware ’til tonight that the island of Diego Garcia was held back from the Independence granted to Mauritius by Britain and then given to the US to use as a strategic base during the cold war. The locals, who are a distinct race apparently now live mainly in poverty on other parts of the Indian Ocean Archipelago

It’s a shame that Geoffrey’s dinner speech in Perth is so expensive, but I figure that the top end of town could probably do with his wisdom and experience, and the big bucks will aid Amnesty’s ongoing battle against abuse.

I hope to speak to the good QC in the next day or so to bring you more

Geoffrey Robertson QC in Perth for Human Rights, Amnesty International.

This is no “hypothetical”- Geoffrey Robertson QC is coming to Perth on behalf of Amnesty International- see the media release below.  

Indigenous peoples, displaced people, immigrants, gays, political and other prisoners, those dealing with mental illness and many other groups of people have yet to enjoy rights most of us take for granted – and females in all groups are struggling even more than the males. 

This is just one event, so check the Amnesty website for how you can make a difference by thinking globally and acting locally.

Geoffrey Robertson QC

Join Amnesty International and the United Nations Association of Australia at Perth Town Hall on 8 December to celebrate the 60thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

 

 

Speaking at the dinner is renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC, who is a distinguished jurist member of the UN’s Internal Justice Council, author, and creator of television show Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals. Mr Robertson has been counsel in many landmark cases in constitutional, criminal and media law in the courts of Britain and the commonwealth. 

The event will be hosted by media personality Mary Kostakidis. Ms Kostakidis was a member of the management team that developed SBS Television in 1980 and was the first woman appointed to present a national prime time television news bulletin in Australia – SBS flagship World News, which she presented for two decades. 

2008 is a landmark year in the global campaign to make human rights a reality for all people. It marks 60 years since the birth of its guiding document – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

On 10 December 1948, countries around the globe joined together to recognise that ensuring every person’s rights was the key to founding freedom, justice and peace in the world. The Declaration confirms the acceptance of these 30 rights and is the driving force behind all of today’s human rights standards. It is described as the most translated document in the world. 

Human rights are yours to enjoy, yours to protect.  Celebrate with us! 

Date: Monday, 8 December, 2008 

Time: 7.00pm for a 7.30 pm start. 

Venue: Perth Town Hall (corner of Hay and Barrack Streets) 

Tickets: $175 per person or $1,700 per table of 10 (includes dinner and drinks) 
To book, visit www.bocsticketing.com.au or call 08 9484 1133. 
Regards, 
Caroline Shepherd
Media and Public Affairs Coordinator
Amnesty International Australia
Ph:  (+612) 8396 7611
Mobile: (+61) 403 650 226
Fax:  (+612) 8396 7677
Locked bag 23, 
Broadway NSW 2007
Visit 
http://www.amnesty.org.au/
 

Australian Greens urge Grass Roots action for Local Governments

It was encouraging to hear Kevin Rudd in the US pledging to take Local Governments “seriously” ahead of today’s meeting of Mayors et al in Canberra.

This is a unique opportunity to create a better future through common sense change in all 3 tiers of Government.

The scope of the Environmental and Economic catastrophes facing us may well counterbalance vested interests and inertia.

 

And as WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlum ( see today’s media release below ) has made clear there is good evidence to suggest that both crises can be effectively addressed by focussing on truly sustainable industry.

Monday 17^th November, 2008

Green agenda for Mayors’ Summit

The Australian Greens say infrastructure, broadband and constitutional reform must be on the agenda today, when the first Mayors’ Summit kicks off in Canberra. 

“Today’s summit presents a rare opportunity to develop a shared response to the environmental challenges we face,” said the Greens Spokesperson for Local Government, Senator Scott Ludlam.

“A national approach to green infrastructure is well over due. It’s not enough for government to just pump money into building more roads. Public transport needs a helping hand. With petrol prices continuing to soar, providing a more affordable transport alternative would give both the environment and consumers welcome relief.”

“There’s a need for coordination across all levels of government to link this public transport to energy efficient housing infrastructure. This would create clean and green housing nodes for the sustainable cities of tomorrow.”

“There are also black-spots in terms of access to broadband and in some regional communities in particular, this leads to exclusion from employment and a range of other opportunities. Discussing how these gaps can be filled, should be high on the agenda for today’s meeting,” Senator Ludlam said.

Senator Ludlam also said constitutional amendment is important to ensure that local government is guaranteed a direct revenue source, independent of the states.

 

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0401 843 851

 

Robert Simms

Media Adviser to

Senator Scott Ludlam

Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia

Sitting weeks: Tel: 02 6277 3467 | Fax: 02 6277 5821
S1.36, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Non-Sitting weeks: Tel: 02 6277 3566 | Fax: 02 6277 3185
SG111, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Mobile: 0417 174 302 

www.scottludlam.org.au

 

 

Wikileaks reports on Mormons Vs Gay rights ( human rights that is )

I am and always have been heterosexual, but I can’t believe some people still don’t recognise that homosexuality is NOT a “life choice” or “lifestyle.”

The science is indisputable; gays, lesbians and transgender people are that way because they are born with physiological and brain function differences that are real, as real as the differences between heterosexual men and heterosexual women.

To deny people the right to marry and be “normal” legally is outrageous.

If the reports ( see wikileaks link below ) are right about the Mormon Church’s role in turning back the clock, then God’s punishment is awaiting them.

Anyone from any religion will tell you that the creator made ALL of us, not just the nice appearing young men in white shirts who disturb our peace by visiting our homes uninvited.

Surely the historic experience of Mormons should inform their views on minority groups who are marginalised, villified and ostracized.

see the story below on the link between Mormons and the anti gay rights lobby in the US

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormons_tipped_scale_in_ban_on_gay_marriage

WIKILEAKS also has stories other media won’t or can’t print and is well worth a look and possibly your support as a haven for whistle-blowers who risk their lives for truth.

Australia’s “Pyramids” still under threat – time to Stand Up for the Burrup

The First Australians came to this continent from Africa tens of thousands of years ago and left a legacy of carved stones and rocks on the Burrup peninsula that pre-date the pyramids.

The Australian and West Australian Governments have allowed mining companies to smash and move these absolutely irreplacable heritage items.

Visit www.standupfortheburrup.com and join the global movement to protect and research one of humanity’s oldest inscribed legacies. Below are the Latest 10 ”Stand Up for the Burrup” events

MUST BE
WORLD HERITAGE LISTED

Mob 0190 Greece 10/11/2008 Acropolis of Athens One of the most famous World Heritage listed sites in the world is The Acropolis of Athens, a limestone outcrop upon which are the remains of historical temples and sanctuaries, one of which is the Parthenon, a temple sacred to the goddess Athena, Protector of the City. Although there are many acropoleis (acron-edge, polis-city) in Greece, this one in Athens, because of its dominating position and its commanding beauty, is simply known and recognized as The Acropolis.  Oh, that West Australia’s Burrup Peninsula Rock Art was as well known and internationally recognized – here is a site of extraordinary cultural and historical significance – and our Stand Up crew at the Acropolis is helping bring it to world attention.  Mob 0189 Turkey 10/10/2008 Göreme – Cappadocia Rock When travelling to Turkey, one must not miss the Fairy Chimneys and other magical cave structures of Cappadocia, originally homelands of the Hittites in the late Bronze Age.  The site is evidently on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  But did you know that they are pre-dated by the powerful rock engravings of the Aboriginal people of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia by at least 20,000 years? – and so desperately in need of World Heritage listing too… Mob 0188 England (Norfolk) 12/10/2008 Hanworth Common The villagers of Hanworth Common fought for the rights to their common when these were threatened by a developer. After a lengthy and expensive fight through the courts, the commoners won their case. The grazing of cattle on the Common now continues as it has done for hundreds of years. In the Domesday Book it was recorded that there were 24 cattle in Hanworth.  Those who stood up to save Hanworth Common are in full support for the fight to save the Burrup.  Mob 0187 USA (NY) 25/8/2008 New York City – Times Square, Blue King Brown – Touring USA Blue King Brown is a Melbourne based blues/roots award winning band who loves the big sound and is not afraid to jam and improvise. With its solid following it is no surprise that it has a high rotation on Triple J. The band members like to travel to as many places as they can and their grassroots politics travel with them. Their support for human rights and ethical issues gains them even more of a following.  There is overseas interest in Blue King Brown now, which means that the players ethical interests can be aired worldwide. Hence this Stand Up in Times Square, New York City, which the band displayed while on their recent USA tour. Blue King Brown is bringing the plight of our Rock Art site, the Burrup Peninsula, WA, to a new larger audience.  Mob 0186 Saint Lucia 28/4/2008 Saint Lucia A lesser visited West Indian island is the astonishingly beautiful St Lucia, a lush tropical delight which is 27 miles long and features twin peaks of over 2000ft, and fascinating Sourfriere drive-in volcanic crater!  St Lucia has an interesting history a component of it being that it is also called “Helen of the West Indies” because, like Helen of Troy its control by nations was switched so many times, in this case England and France.  It is of course a tourist’s paradise and our Stand Up here is conducted by passengers on a visiting cruise ship. They are fully aware of the damage done to and impending desecration of the premiere Australian Rock Art site, the Burrup Peninsula, a national treasure which truly deserves World Heritage listing. Mob 0185 Turkey 15/9/2008 Istanbul – The Sultan Ahmed Mosque Europe is geographically linked to Asia by Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul which straddles the Bosphorus Strait. With such a strategic location it has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than 2000 years.  Remnants of settlements from 6000 years BC have been discovered. Its rich history is marked by numerous surviving buildings and remnants of ancient sites and some of these are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Istanbul is a fitting place to see the 100th International Stand Up for the Burrup demonstration urging the addition of the Rock Art of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Mob 0184 Bulgaria 8/9/2008 Nesebar The city of Nesebar in Bulgaria is sometimes called the Pearl of the Black Sea, its geographical position being ideal for a tourist destination. It is also rich in 3 millennia of history. The ancient part of the city is located on an isthmus (cape), the Old Town as it is known has been restored and has been World Heritage Listed by the UNESCO for its abundance of historic buildings.  The Rock Art at Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia represents a remarkable historic and cultural heritage and our Stand Up here in Nesebar helps raise awareness that The Burrup must also become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Mob 0183 France (27) 30/8/2008 Corneuil near Evreux – World Music Festival On the 30th of August 2008, the MUSIK DU MONDE festival took place at Corneuil in Normandy. This festival of contemporary and traditional music offers a wide range of styles (hip-hop, metal, rock, folk…) and involves local groups.  The association A.A.I.S. 27, which is supported by the association “Ensemble a Corneuil”, gives amateur, emerging and veteran artists the opportunity of exhibiting or performing on the stage while laying the stress on global conservation. Every participant, whether volunteer, artist, exhibitor or visitor, wished to show his or her support to the ancient Burrup land by proudly wearing the tee-shirts.  The public was particularly interested in the information display about FARA’s struggle and in the petition which FARA had made available to participants and visitors alike. Mob 0182 Australia (WA) 22/8/2008 Fitzroy Crossing (Kimberley) Three generations of Wagners and friends did a Stand Up for the Burrup at Fitzroy Crossing while exploring the amazing area of the Kimberley in northern Western Australia.  Professor Hermann Wagner and his family from Bavaria, Germany were overwhelmed by the majesty of the landscape and by the beauty and deep spirituality of the ancient rock art they saw there.  What a tragedy it is that the West Australian Government has failed to acknowledge that the rock art of the Burrup is of inestimable value to human kind and worthy of protection from the ravages of industrial development. Mob 0181 Romania 27/8/2008 Tulcea Tulcea in Romania is the town of the Danube Delta, the largest and best preserved delta in Europe.  It covers more than 5000 square kms. As well as the flow of the Danube into the Black Sea there are countless lagoons, channels, small lakes and marshes – giving refuge to and supporting the 1200 species of plants and trees, and a rich diversity of fauna including 300 species of birds and 45 species of fresh water fish. For these ecological reasons some areas of the Danube Delta are under the protection of UNESCO’s World Heritage listing.  We urgently need protection of our Rock Art at the Burrup Peninsula in NW Australia. This sensitive area must be also World Heritage listed to ensure the proper care of our outstanding historical and cultural site. www.standupfortheburrup.com

The WORLD IS WATCHING and LISTENING

Friends of Australian Rock Art Inc.
City West Lotteries House – 2 Delhi Street – West Perth WA 6005 – AUSTRALIA

Australia – Health Professionals needed, but leave your Down Syndrome child at home – an exclusive by Perthnow’s Paul LAMPATHAKIS

Disability sucks,but some politicians and bureaucrats suck even more.

The denial of a woman’s right to stay here in Perth is based on open and official discrimination and cannot stand.

That she is a much needed professional and that her child will not be the only down syndrome child in the state are actually beside the point.

The Point for the Immigration Minister is that the point is now media and community pressure – so PLEASE register your complaint at his website’s contact email http://labor.com.au/people/email/evans_chris.php – and pass this on to your friends and colleagues at home and abroad to do the same.

I’m sure he’s a nice man and has nice people working for hium, but what’s being done is NOT nice.

Thanks to award winning journalist from the Sunday Times and PerthNow Paul LAMPATHAKIS for the story 

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24622247-2761,00.html
 ( also pasted below )

( congratulations to the Sunday Times team for last night’s journalism awards, Colleen EGAN and Joe SPAGNOLO joined Paul in being recognised for outstanding work that has seen them subject to incredible pressure from the powers that be  - though I can’t remember any of them ever complaining about the cost to them and their families )

Click the audio below for my interview with Journalists spokesman David COHEN earlier this year on the unprecedented police raid that followed one of Paul LAMPATHAKIS’ other stories.

Police raid on the Sunday Times – hear from David Cohen – Media & Entertainment Alliance-on-2008-06-09-at-2121

 

Paul Lampathakis

 

November 08, 2008 06:00pm

 

EXCLUSIVE: A HIGHLY regarded British midwife working in WA is being forced out of Australia because her Down syndrome child is considered a financial burden.

The woman, who works at Joondalup Hospital and is described by fellow staff as “one of the hospital’s best” , has waged a legal battle with the Federal Government since 2002.  

Her application for permanent residency was rejected that year because the Government viewed her child as needing health or community services that would result in a “significant cost to the Australian community”. 

After unsuccessful appeals and court hearings, the family has applied to Immigration Minister Chris Evans to intervene. 

But a spokesman for Senator Evans could not say if this would happen - even though The Sunday Times understands the mother has only weeks left. 

The woman did not wish to be named or interviewed, fearing retribution by the Government. 

But one outraged supporter said: “This country recruited her to come here and work due to an acute shortage of midwives. She is one of the best nurses in the unit, she has contributed widely to the hospital and the general public. 

“(She has) wasted thousands of dollars on court cases to try to overturn the Government’s stupidity.” 

Family support group Down Syndrome WA labelled the Government’s stance “discriminatory and disgraceful”, calling on Senator Evans to grant the family residency. 

Group spokeswoman Jan Gothard said the Immigration Department should examine cases individually, rather than just assume those with Down syndrome would be a burden, when many led independent lives. 

Dr Gothard said the WA case and another recently - where German doctor Bernhard Moeller was to leave the Victorian town of Horsham after the department classified his 13-year-old Down syndrome son a burden on taxpayers - were the “tip of the iceberg”. 

As well as those already in Australia, many potential skilled migrants were also being denied entry for the same reason. 

“Nobody, whether they’ve got Down syndrome or not, can guarantee they’re not going to be a cost to the system,” Dr Gothard said. 

“Nobody can guarantee they’re not going to get lung cancer, or liver disease, or need a heart transplant. 

“Is there not a potential cost for somebody who smokes all their life? Is there not a potential cost for someone who’s overweight?”

She said the Disability Discrimination Act protected people with disabilities living in Australia, but not during migration. 

Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton called on the Rudd Government to show “compassion” and allow the WA family to have permanent residency. 

“In this country we’re desperate for good health professionals,” he said. “It would be a tragedy to lose the skill and expertise that this person has brought to the local community.”

Barack Obama – just found this link to a collage of newspaper front pages

thanks to crikey.com.au for the following link

http://obama2008.s3.amazonaws.com/headlines.html?source=cmailer

it’s a massive collage of frontpage stories in the wake of the historic US. Presidential vote

the cynic in me is just waiting for the media to turn from adoring to damning – let’s hope the new President doesn’t get swamped by disillusioned folk who find out he CAN’T actually walk on water…but hang on – has anyone actually seen him NOT walk on water :*)

abc radio story on the abilities of “disabled” people

Thanks to all the 6PR listeners ( 6pr.com.au ) who’ve visited after sharing the night with me – you are an awesome group of people.

Those advocating for people with a disability may be interested in a great piece from the abc’s “the world today” programme today http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2413311.htm

It echoes the amazing work done by Perth’s own Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC)

in providing training and opportuinities to make short films ( some of which have garnered awards! )

see http://www.edac.org.au/vicinityfc.html

Also, I was lucky enough to work with EDAC Systemic Advocate ( and friend) Zeliha Iscel, who has just taken up a new post with the National Advocacy group, on a programme to teach radio presentation skills to disabled people from an Culturally or Ethnically Diverse background.

see http://www.edac.org.au/pdf/Empowerment08.pdf

By the way, having dealt with PTSD/Depression these p[ast 8 years and being the son of a refugee, I am actually in the same cohort as those I’ve been teaching and advocating for – if not me then who?

And let’s remember that mental health issues are part of the disability spectrum, so that includes the many new australians left traumatised by their life experience before coming downunder, and they need our help.

Please  feel free to leave a comment or share stories info and contacts to aid the growing advocacy push for some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

I welcome all input and links/subscriptions and look forward to making a difference in the post-Bush era.

 

cheers

tony

talkback radio – a story on Australia’s ABC

Listener and friend Eric Carwardine was good enough to share this article on talkback radio, enjoy

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2410940.htm#transcript

You’re welcome to check out this list of web/news articles I’ve enjoyed learning from and noted over the past year or 2

There are about 402 entries in the notebook page below, many are likely to be of interest to people interested enough to visit this blog.

http://www.google.com/notebook/html?nbid=BDQO8IgoQ96-lyKsi

Obama offers hope

No matter what your politics, nationality, ethnicity or faith – you had to be impressed by that acceptance speech.

I remember JFK’s speech when I was a little boy and have revisited it often as an adult, and I believe Barack Obama’s words will echo longer and louder.

My fear is that cynicism, racism and just plain inertia from the established powers could snuff out the flame of hope lit today in a second, or starve it of oxygen over time.

Now is not the time to hang back and see how he goes in the US, but to get involved in positive change in our own countries and own ways because this is, as he said, is just a chance to make a change for those who follow us.

If you’re viewing this amazing event through the jaundiced eyes of liberal versus conservative, left versus right, it may take you some time to readjust your vision, but don’t be afraid, it’ll get better.

I don’t know about you – but the call and answer “yes we can” didn’t feel cheesy or reek of pop psychology at the acceptance rally – it just reminded me of the old adage for the sign on the gates of hell ” abandon hope all ye who enter here “

So if it’s alright with cynics and the partisan, I’m rapt we took door number 2.