At last some good news on suicide – Mental Health programs save lives.

There is new hope for people in poor mental health as Australia’s suicide rate falls by almost half in ten years. see abc.net.au/lateline story below.

The good news is tempered by serious problems in dispensing opiates recently revealed in W.A. and the lingering, deadly stigma of being mentally unwell.

But isn’t it great and encouraging that the death toll is finally falling.

And please check this link for a preview of some amazing stories and useful first hand advice from those who are unwell and hear the voices of their children.
http://mentalmedia.wordpress.com/

the very welcome abc item follows…

Reaching out for help as Australian suicides fall

By John Stewart for Lateline

Posted 3 hours 28 minutes ago
Updated 3 hours 15 minutes ago

Despair: But Australian youth suicide rates have tumbled in the past decade (ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo)

//

• Related Link: Reach Out website

During the past decade the suicide rate among young Australians has almost halved.

It is an extraordinary public health achievement, but one which has received little publicity.

Experts say a massive public education campaign and improvement in the treatment of depression are the key reasons for the success.

But with bad economic times upon us, psychologists are warning the suicide rate may begin to rise.

Doug Millen, a 20-year-old university student based in Melbourne, is studying hard and his life is back on track.

But during his final years at high school he suffered from depression and did not know who to turn to.

“I did what young people do and I jumped on the internet and Google for some kind of help,” he said.

He found a website called Reach Out, which had been set up to prevent youth suicide and help young people suffering from depression.

“When I was feeling like I wouldn’t achieve in year 12 and trying to figure out my sexuality, Reach Out was great because it was there when I needed it,” he said.

“It’s completely anonymous and I didn’t have to talk to anyone.”

The online advantage

The Reach Out website now gets 130,000 visits per month from young people.

The website’s managers say being online is a big advantage.

“For a young person who suspects things are not OK, they might not know who to turn to or be afraid to talk to someone about it because they are afraid they will be judged,” project manager Anna McKenzie said.

“So to be able to simply go online, Google something and have a look without anyone needing to know, that’s really invaluable and that’s what a lot of young people are doing at Reachout.”

The Reach Out website was set up 10 years ago when Australia had one of the highest rates of youth suicide in the western world.

But that rate has seen a massive decline in the decade since 1997.

Professor Ian Hickie from Sydney University says suicide rates have fallen internationally, but Australia has benefited from one of the best public health campaigns in recent times.

“In general, a period of strong economic growth and a period of increased awareness around mental health problems and a need to focus on suicide reduction has contributed in most developed countries throughout that time,” he said.

“Additionally in Australia there have been extra efforts in the medical world to treat depression, identify problems and respond appropriately, but also, in Australia, a tremendous community response.”

The Howard government‘s tightening of gun laws after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre also contributed to the decline in suicides, especially among young men.

“After the new gun laws were introduced, the rate of gun suicide dropped twice as fast,” Sydney University’s associate professor Philip Alpers said.

“If you reduce the availability of firearms, especially to impulsive young men, then the number of people dying by gunshot reduces.”

But suicide rates in many Aboriginal communities are still high and despite the overall drop in the suicide rate, reports of depression and anxiety are on the rise.

More than 12 million prescriptions for anti-depressants are filled in Australia each year.

“We’ve just had a national survey of mental health in Australia, rates of illness are as high as they ever were,” Professor Hickie said.

“The good thing is that rates of suicide have gone down so we haven’t yet dealt with the underlying problem, but we have got better at dealing with one of the worst outcomes.

“The greater availability of anti-depressants is also believed to have played a role in lowering the suicide rate, but prescribing the drugs to young people is controversial.”

Experts are concerned that if more jobs are lost, the suicide rate may begin to rise.

It is a trend that has already started overseas and workers at Reachout fear that stressful times may be ahead, especially for young Australians trying to find their first job.

For more information, head to the Reach Out website.

Tags: community-and-society, suicide, youth-issues, australia

Spook scandal: the hidden face of the nuclear industry | Greenpeace International

Image via Wikipedia

International — Twenty-four years after the attack by the French secret services against our ship the Rainbow Warrior – which cost the life of a Greenpeace photographer – the nuclear industry is once again at the heart a major spy scandal involving Greenpeace.

Related articles by Zemanta

• French energy company executive charged with spying on Greenpeace (guardian.co.uk)
• France to Pay Nuclear Test Victims (nytimes.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Google shows alternative energy firms the way- Solar Thermal needed in Western Australia!

Image via CrunchBase

This is a great tool.

It levels the playing field a bit between conservationists and the explorers who had this mapping capability for a long time.

The key has got to be the values put in for exclusion.

What do you think?

Any big Solar like Ausra or Solel have a few minutes to look for sites in Western Australia – we need some renewable base load Power  facilities or the Premier is going to build Nuclear Plants!

click here for the story ; Google shows alternative energy firms the way.

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

►

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

Stigma and shame leads to tragedy for mentally ill people “sane” people need to “get over it” :*)

An important event in Perth W.A. to discuss ways to reduce shame & stigma

shame kills - help reduce stigma & visit http://www.comicwa.org/

I interviewed Dr Alun Jones using Skype & Call Recorder on  a MacBook.   ( see above for related local forum info)

You are welcome to listen to, download, or better still, link to the audio below. ( click the blue link and the blue link it goes to )

Dr Alun Jones speaks to Tony Serve on the stigma of Mental Illness          *Recorded March 24 2009 for COMIC.org    23 mins 44 secs

Comments, feedback and guest posts on mental health are very welcome –

{ especially you ” Abeeliever”   and all the twitter folk }

Phone or Skype calls are welcome to my auto-recorder which has up to 10 minutes time for your comments, stories, questions.

Skype perthtones or phone +61 8 94672264

Meanwhile…think of the Children

It’s common sense that an ill parent will have an affect on the entire family, but all too often around the world, the children of people being treated are left out in several ways.

There are further complications because it is often the case that genes determining aspects of mental health are shared by some family members

Follow this link to coverage of new research on affected families and suggestions for professionals on more effective, holistic treatments.

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

►

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

►

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

Uranium waste to be dumped in Western Australia? say it ain’t so!

IT APPEARS SO – see
http://nouranium.wordpress.com/
for the gory details. and Speak out radio 6PR talkback 24/7 922 11 882 ( producer )

For excellent videos on yuranium and nuclear waste – visit
http://www.youtube.com/user/SocialJusticePerth

YouTube post on Pangea’s plans to store nuclear waste in Australia

The safety dealbreaker for uranium mining has again been highlighted  with the news of new radioactive leaks in the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

Then there’s what to do with the long lasting toxic waste ( see post on US nuclear waste plans in disarray earlier in this blog )

This accidentally released video shows Pangea spending good money to promote storing nuclear waste in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Please subscribe to this blog ( above right ) and keep in touch with the no-uranium movement ( google ANAWA and hang in for new website, blogs and activism ) that has been stung back into action by Colin Barnett’s mad plans to ship yellowcake on our roads and through our ports when we can’t even transport lead ore safely!

Uranium mine water leaking into Kakadu – ABC News

Uranium mine water leaking into Kakadu – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

Please let Colin Barnett know his plans have sprung a leak – see post and video below

Pregnant woman throws up on youth who refused to give up his bus seat

Barfed-upon boofhead gets his comeuppance / throwuppance

pregnant woman unleashes projectile karma on Perth radio 6PR

Please click the link above to download the 30 second audio file to your iTunes and listen in as Kellie, who’s 5.5 months pregnant describes her “contact” with a private schoolboy ( iPod attached ) on a Transperth bus ( hat tips to thewest.com.au for the story and and 6pr.com.au  for the audio )Click here for more great interviews by Simon Beaumont on Perth’s radio 6PR

Nuclear Waste – would you like some from West Australia too?

Click below for A sobering item from the US on waste as West Australia considers allowing uranium mining against the wishes of voters.

We need also to remember that in the years it will take to build any sparkling new nuclear power stations, the world economic dynamic will have changed so that truly clean and renewable alternatives are a lot more competitive and practical.

Please comment on whether we in W.A. should mine Uranium and send it overseas, sometimes to nuclear armed countries with unstable governments and with no clear direction on how to deal with waste that will still be deadly in thousands of years.

For other info on our “friend” uranium Google “depleted uranium Iraq” – be careful if you’re a sensitive soul – it’s not pretty and it’s very real for the children and families affected.

People in WA are now gearing up to remind the Barnett Govenrment why this state has been free from Uranium mining and nuclear power all these years – watch this space! You may also like to visit this youtube link

Nuclear waste dogs US energy policy

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0306/p02s01-usgn.html

Yucca Mountain was supposed to be where the highly toxic material was sent. But Obama’s energy budget leaves it out.

By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor  from the March 6, 2009 edition

Wife of ex W.A. Premier passes away – vale Bev Gallop

Just after 7pm Perth time ABC news reported that Bev Gallop has passed away in Sydney this afternoon after her battle with cancer.

Bev had husband Geoff and sons Tom and Leo with her at the end of a harrowing battle with the disease.

Dr Geoff Gallop resigned as Premier a couple of years ago due to depression and we’ve talked of ways to overcome the “black dog” that’s gnawed at both of us these many years.

I hope and pray the mongrel will stay on the leash to allow Geoff to mourn his dear lady.

Bev was always positive and helpful, even when Journalists like me called before 6 am or after 11 pm during Geoff’s long career.

The abc story says the family takes some small comfort from knowing Bev is at rest after her ordeal.

God bless and vale.

No news yet on a memorial or funeral service, but with ties in Sydney, Perth and Geraldton there may be some chances for us to pay our respects and remember a wonderful woman.

UPDATE  Thursday March 12 - Labor’s WA office has confirmed the funeral for Bev Gallop is tomorrow morning at 10.30 starting at the main gate at Karrakatta.( it’s not private so respectful folk from the general public will be welcome )

Geoff, Tom and Leo as well as the extended family will of course be doing it tough. Let’s be there for them well after paying our respects to their wife and mother.

BETTER DAYS: Professor Geoff Gallop and wife Beverley before she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Picture: Jackson Flindell

The abc story is at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/04/2507640.htm

6PR Late Night Links – websites & videos on 6pr.com.au

Midnight to dawn radio lsteners in Perth ( 882 am )and  those listening online around the world                 ( at 6pr.com.au ) might find these links useful over the next 3 weeks as I fill in at the Farifax radio station.

I’ll add to the links and welcome your input – simply click on the comments link after the tags at the bottom of a story. I have yet to set up email in the studio but you can text me your number anywhere in the world and I’ll call back, SMS/text your name , country,area and phone number to +61 403 339 290

Hours related to this material are midnight to 0530 local time, 1500GMT/UTC to 2030 GMT/UTC weeknights from Dec 22 to Jan 11.

The call in number is +61 8 922 11 882  and in a pale imitation of the great NPR network ” all things are considered,” so join in and talk about anything at all, because as long as we’re respectful we can tackle anything.

Special shout outs to Paul in Alicante Spain, Gina in Phoenix, Byron in Oregon, my friends in Israel and Palestine and anyone who’s been listening but has yet to make a call.

 

Listen in in over the next night or two for a chat with Robin Chapple from FARA a global network of people concerned about the destruction of ancient rock art that preadtes the Pyramids – click here for info on the shameful neglect and corporate vandalism of the Spirit Rocks on West Australia’s Burrup Peninsula.

Now some food for our brains

fMRI – functional magnetic resonance imaging has revealed amazing brain facts

One of the greats of brain science explains the principles and amazing applications of brain plasticity – covering ageing issues, strole, mood disorders and a lot more. This video runs an hour and twenty minutes, so grab a cuppa and prepare to be inspired

 

This  Discovery Channel video is an amazing story about how our new understanding of how the brain can rebuild itself.

Meet a little girl whose illness meant half her brain had to be removed.

 

INFO on the book that has amazed, informed and inspired me more than any other in decades   *  This link will take you to info on the book ”  The BRAIN That CHANGES ITSELF “

 

Watch here as Alvaro Fernandez describes some new brain science that promises breakthroughs in treating a range of illnesses and injuries that had ’til now thought to have been something we just had to live with or die from.

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

Ben Cousins saved by Tigers after abuse by Weasels

Ben Cousins has been selected to play for the Richmond AFL club.

 

Story and Video here from my colleagues at WA Today ( Fairfax Digital/Radio )

 

I’m not a joiner, but I will become a member at the Victorian club to show both; support for their bold action, and  send a message to the Eagles and AFL that they should not expect a Christmas card.

 

Listen in to sports tonight on local radio 6PR from 1700hrs local

 

( 1000 UTC/Greenwich ) to hear the full story.

 

click here for the link and then click on “listen live.”

 

Remember, Ben has been battling an illness, has not been convicted of anything and yet has been villified and isolated by big sections of the Media, AFL and various Club administrators.

 

I trust these big tough aussie men who run these shows will abandon their own children if they get hooked on drugs and make sure they can’t continue their careers. They may also realise their institutionalised booze drinking is a drug addiction and sack themselves.

 

Many of them will be waiting for Ben to fail so they can crack a tinnie and say ” told you so!”

Ben Cousins abandoned by the AFL and gutless administrators

There is a growing number of people who see the AFL’s abandonment of  ill champion Ben Cousins as a tragic mistake.

Even among media colleagues, people are stepping back and asking some crucial questions after the feeding frenzy of the last 2 years where logic, compassion, and often, the truth were missing.

I am not alone in being concerned about the demonstrably sick AFL community as much as Ben.

Fairfax Digital’s Tim Lane makes some key points in the article posted here – please read it and pass it on. If you are so motivated, contact your MP, media, footy club or friends and ask a few questions yourself.

click here for Tim Lane’s excellent article

So, what hope is there in australia for more ordinary mortals who admit drug use but are not convicted – do we ban them from their job forever and expose them to unwarranted ridicule, do we keep pretending people with mental health issues are dangerous madmen? – please read the article below for more on that.

click here for my earlier piece on Ben’s case being a major blow for social justice and the aussie fair go.

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

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

What has Ben Cousins got to do with Social Justice?

Here in Australia there are many serious Social Justice issues, especially for Indigenous people and migrants, but what has one of our “fallen” heroes got to do with SJ?

It’s about mental health – here we have a young man who’s acknowledged having an addictive personality and having used illegal substances – and he’s been widely villified by booze swilling, pill popping people in “authority” and the commentariat.

Yesterday he had draconian drug testing requirments put on him to allow his return to australia’s most popular sport and has been shamefully rejected by his old club.

The guts of it is this – drug abuse ( including the big killers, alcohol & nicotene ) is a mental health problem and Ben has worked harder to recover his “sobriety”  than he ever did while captaining his team, winning a grand final or the game’s highest honour.

To treat him like a criminal, when no conviction has ever been recorded and when he’s had the courage to disclose his illness, is simply unjust. That’s especially true in a sport where alcohol sponsorship and a culture of booze and womanizing remain endemic.

How about breathlyizing and drug testing the administators and club officials who’ve put this extra and disproportionate weight on this young man’s shoulders, basically to cover their own butts in the face of pressure from a media that’s also riven with boozers, misogynists and drug takers.

Now, Ben’s a big boy and can speak for himself, but my concern is this, if Ben can be treated like this, how can an “ordinary” person hope for social justice if they have mental health/susbstance issues.

Who is going to disclose a problem and seek much needed help when it’s clear that doing so is likely to cost them their job and the esteem of their community.

So if you care about social justice – spread the word that substance abuse is a mental health issue – NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND jeapordises their life and career by abusing substances, legal or illegal

If we can’t give genuine heroes like Ben the much vaunted australian “fair go” –  what hope is there for the rest of us.

 ( by the way, in the “war” on drugs, how many drugs have we killed?  It’s a %^$*ing health problem, not a criminal issue ) 

Our society is like a bad doctor, we bury our mistakes.

New Online Conference & File Collaberation tool from Perth

Perth has some great internet/comms companies ( the recent success of “Buzzbox” cheap VoIP from a normal phone line for example see http://WWW.thebuzzcorp.com/  ) and now Vistime has something cool and productive to offer global business – see below for a basic idea and weblink to 21 day free trial.

I hope to interview the team from Firmware Technologies and will post the audio ( possibly video as well) in the near future

 

Vistime is a software product that allows a licenced user anywhere in the world to invite colleagues, clients or any number of nominated participants into a secure interactive online conference.

The application allows all involved to simultaneously view and interact with documents and images through a simple and common interface whilst maintaining control and security.

Vistime enables all users to share and interact with more than 50 industry standard file formats including 3D models, images and PDF documents.

http://www.vistime.com/product.html

If you have products or services that are really useful – please contact me if you’d like an interview. I’m not interested in being a PR conduit, but if your work is of general interest or helps bring people together, let’s talk.   ( email, voicemail & Skype contact details in sidebar bottom left ) 

 

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

 

 

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