Links, info for Friday December 14 on #Assange #Psychiatry #BigPharma #Disability #NDIS #Australia #Auspol

Disclosure: I am a long time supporter of Wikileaks and the work of Julian Assange and all the others who risk everything to shed light on the ugly truth.

I was a mainstream journalist/radio host for 30 years, but no longer work in a newsroom ( apart from the odd fill-in to help out at 6PR & 96fm ) My work now is not objective, but I do strive for balance and welcome polite opposition.

Audio of Interview with Christine Assange as Mainstream Media focusses again on Julian Assange’s bid for the Senate.

 click here for audio of Christine Assange with Tony Serve Perth’s 6PR Dec. 14 2012 

***Edited audio segments here, grabs of 1-3 minutes on everything from Govt lies to Mainstream Media #FAIL – more to follow

CA on our tweets making us terrorists, and liable to arrest

CA ON Gillard Roxon lies over draconian new laws

CA on MSM not pursuing Govt lies

CA on MSM & citizen journalism

Wikileaks site is here http://wikileaks.org ( including the store  ) and needs/deserves your support , see also http://justice4assange.com

Follow @wikileaks for news, infoz from WL and occasional tweets from JA.

Follow & support Christine Assange on twitter @AssangeC  - cowards and trolls often hassle her so don’t be shy with support

(1) Legal brief to parl-#Assange Extradition by Jen Robinson: http://wlcentral.org/node/1418

Justice4Assange website: http://justice4assange.com

Campaign Site for #Wikileaks &#Assange supporters.. http://bit.ly/UroYTG

Poll suggesting at least 7 in 10 Aussies would vote for Julian. http://www.theage.com.au/polls/assange-for-senate-20121212-2b9rp.html

English: Demonstration in front of Sydney Town Hall in support of Julian Assange, 2010, December 10 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What the Australian Govt can do to end the “Assange stalemate” by Professor Donald Rothwell ANU College Law  http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4408852.html#

Pollbludger’s William Bowe on Assange for the Senate http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/12/14/poll-bludger-win-or-lose-assanges-senate-tilt-will-cause-a-stir/

and his article from March 19 2012 http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/19/poll-bludger-assange-for-canberra-a-new-can-of-worms/?wpmp_tp=1

abc election maestro Antony Green doesn’t rate Julian a chance http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-13/green-what-chance-does-assange-have-for-senate-seat/4425990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long standing Mental Health advocate & former MP Martin Whitely is running for Senate pre-selection in the Australian 2013 Federal Election. See more at MartinWhitely.com

Article on disastrous new diagnosis “guidelines” that will be gospel for Psychiatrists in most of the western world  http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dsm5-in-distress/201212/dsm-5-is-guide-not-bible-ignore-its-ten-worst-changes

Article on Martin Whitely’s highly recommended site. http://speedupsitstill.com/american-psychiatric-association-approval-dsm-5-sad-day-psychiatry

Click here for audio of Martin Whitely A 2012-12-14 at 16.04

Dexamphetamine Sulphate 5 mg tablets (photograph) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Friend and colleague Zel Iscel from EDAC.org.au joined me to chat about the effect of the much vaunted NDIS plans for people with #Disability

click here to hear Zel on the actual impact of the NDIS 

Zel on the right on air for Ethnic Ability Mondays 7.30pm

link for Zel’s radio show -> http://www.mrtawa.org.au/1/ethnicability.php

click here for the Govt NDIS website 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recommend you follow my colleague  Maath Musleh (MaathMusleh) on Twitter @MaathMusleh. Lecturer at Al-Quds-Bard College. Journalist. MA in Political Journalism from City University in London. Jerusalem, Palestine

English: Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Church of all nations Deutsch: Jerusalem, Ölberg, Kirche aller Nationen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3 term #australia PM @MalcolmFraser12 on old politics, new media, shockjocks #ows & how we’re pwnd by #US #UK

I first interviewed Malcolm Fraser more than 30 years ago when I was a full time mainstream media journalist & broadcaster – this interview is not very MSM and not meant to be an objective analysis. It was a delight.

The former PM and member of the World Eminent Persons’ Group remains active as the Founding Chairman of CARE Australia.

English: Malcolm Fraser in 1956.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He’s graciously agreed to talk again before the end of the year. meanwhile please follow him on twitter @MalcolmFraser12 ( and if you can handle a massive stream of alt news – use lists to manage high volume accts – follow me @perthtones )

 

The 20 minute audio is unedited to preserve it’s integrity, sections will be replayed  on Perth radio 6PR Oct 13,14.

 

[audio http://tonyserve.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/malcolm-fraser-on-2012-10-11-at-13-05-output.mp3%5D

Malcolm Fraser on 2012-10-11 at 13.05.output

 

 

 

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• Former PM calls for new war laws
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• Fraser says Libs have lost Menzies’ vision
• Condemnation from all sides for Alan Jones

#Australia #Indigenous Elder speaks of #Nyoongar #Whadjuk Dreaming & culture & his visit to US #Chumash people

Just home in Western Australia after a First People’s meeting in the US, Trevor Walley joined me on radio 6PR in Perth to talk about Nyoongar and Whadjuk culture and Dreaming – you’ll enjot his positivity and vivid description of times when people and place were one )

 

Click the pic to visit Trevor's Facebook page

Perth Skyline from Kings Park in February, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#australia new Attorney General faces job of undoing damage – restoring freedoms. via crikey.com #wikileaks #assange

 

via crikey.com please visit wikileaks.org follow @wikileaks on twitter

 

Nicola Roxon‘s appointment as Australia’s first female Attorney-General presents several opportunities to address issues handled poorly by Robert McClelland.

McClelland’s period as Attorney-General was characterised by an apparent readiness to accede to virtually any demands for greater regulation that emerged from the Commonwealth bureaucracy. ASIO’s powers were extended — in an blatant effort to enable to spy on WikiLeaks — and a bill to enable foreign governments to obtain information about what Australians have been doing online and with mobile phone services remains under parliamentary consideration, despite criticism from the government’s own MPs. McClelland also appeared unable to comprehend the basic requirements of his role as First Law Officer, when he arbitrarily concluded that Julian Assange had acted illegally in relation to WikiLeaks’s US diplomatic cables, before an Australian Federal Police investigation concluded he was wrong.

Roxon, who has a strong legal background, would do well to commence her spell at attorney-general by taking a far more sceptical view of bureaucratic demands for ever-greater powers for law enforcement and intelligence agencies. She could start by reading the bipartisan report of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety’s report on the Cybercrime Bill, which while inadequate, spells out a number of flaws in that bill.

She could also make an unequivocal statement that Julian Assange is, once his legal obligations in Sweden are exhausted one way or another, welcome to return to Australia where he will be afforded the full legal protection to which an Australian citizen is entitled.

Roxon has also inherited privacy from Brendan O’Connor, who was Australia’s first minister for privacy. O’Connor himself was a diligent advocate for privacy and a discussion paper on a statutory right to privacy remains on foot. But the government’s overall willingness to protect privacy must be strongly questioned, courtesy of its willingness to sign up to US-inspired trade treaties that remove basic privacy protections at the behest of the copyright industry, and its ongoing consideration of ISP data retention laws.

Roxon could send a strong signal that privacy is an important issue for the government, and that it is prepared to work to protect Australians’ privacy, including in the face of attempts by other countries to erode it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• Julian Assange Poster Campaign, Victoria, Australia (pdalbury.wordpress.com)
• McClelland wanted to stay as A-G (news.theage.com.au)
• Julian Assange seeks to take extradition fight to supreme court (valorfreedom.wordpress.com)
• Australia did not object to US pursuit of Assange (smh.com.au)

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

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

Click the pic to visit Palmerston Association

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

Image via Wikipedia

Perth Rally for Research

Media Alert ​​​​​​​​12 April 2011

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

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

Where:​Forrest Place,

​​Murray St Mall, Perth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carolyn Monaghan

(WA Institute for MedicalResearch) on cmonaghan

or Elizabeth Chester

(Telethon Institute for Child Health Research) on elizabeth

Related articles

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

Australia – Mining battle has just begun in South-West: Greens

March 22, 2011

Mining battle has just begun in South-West: Greens

The WA Greens have welcomed the EPA’s decision to reject the Vasse Coal project, but warn that continued exploration for coal seam gas in the South-West poses an ongoing threat to the region.

“Coal seam gas is just one of the ‘unconventional gas’ resources in WA being spruiked by the WA Government in its Strategic Energy Initiative: Energy 2031 document,” WA Greens Water Spokesperson, Alison Xamon MLC said.

“Exploration for coal seam gas, as well as shale gas, often involving hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking,’ is already occurring in the South-West and Mid-West regions, according to company sources.

“As yet, there is no clarity from the WA Government about what, if any, chemicals are being used in these processes and what the implications may be for local water tables.

But given the extensive problems we have already seen in the eastern states from fracking, including falling water tables, groundwater contamination and uncontrolled methane leaks, we have every reason to keep an eye on this emerging industry in WA.

“In the South-West, test drilling is underway near the Kaloorup Road near Busselton and possibly other areas.

So Mr Barnett’s claims that he supports the EPA’s decision and cares about the environmental risks don’t seem consistent.

“Sooner or later, we may see proposals to mine coal seam gas or other forms of unconventional gas and the same fight to protect our water sources and private property will start all over again.

“If the media doesn’t report as widely on the next mining proposal, I wonder if Mr Barnett will be so quick to speak up about his environmental concerns,” added Ms Xamon.

For media enquiries, please contact Alison Xamon

Audio – 3 interviews – Ex Navy diver floats real help, eating disorders in 5-13 year olds, new documentary on skin and race

Enjoy the 3 interviews below and please visit the websites listed for each for more info, and for how you can make a difference too.

1.

SKIN DEEP airs on SBS January 2 at 8.30pm

Click the blue link to hear Franco Di Chiera talking about this brilliant documentary

 

Click the Pic to visit the SBS link for SKIN DEEP

Quote: 

“The concept of ancient human ancestry is extremely powerful, as demonstrated by the number of people who ventured out into storms to attend the evening. The formal feedback we received has been overwhelmingly positive, and there have been some wonderful references to how the screening of SKIN DEEP tied the evening together.  Well deserved praise for a film that captures the mystery of the human journey.” Steve Kern, the RiAus Senior Programs Co-ordinator, Science Exchange, Adelaide

Websites:If listeners want to know more they can go to the SBS website for the Secrets of the Human Body series of which Skin Deep is a part at:http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/secretsofthehumanbody/about/page/i/1/show/secretsofthehumanbodyOr they can also go to RiAus site at:http://www.riaus.org.au/events/2010/12/07/skin_deep_exploring_human_ancestry.jspOr for additional interviews, RiaAus “On Demand” including an interview  at:http://riausondemand.org.au/event/exploring-human-ancestry/

Finally, there is a trailer on the RiAus site at:

http://vimeo.com/16518094

2.

Ex Australian Navy Special forces officer doing something special in the developing world.

Click the Pic to visit TheSpark.org.au

Click here to hear Aaron’s inspiring story

1. Spark* identifies inspiring young individuals in countries facing extreme poverty.
2. Over 12 months Spark* develops these individuals as grassroots leaders and change makers.
3. These young individuals, with the support of Spark* re-enter their communities to build projects, turning the tide against extreme poverty.

In 2010 we are focusing on Papua New Guinea, a country where almost 3 million people live on less than $USD1.25 per day.

3

Click the logo to visit the Foundation and make a difference for the “Unknown” child this Christmas

The Butterfly Foundation is working to save lives as we come to grips with eating disorders that are fatal for 10% of children aged 5-13 who report with the illness.

Please visit the site after hearing from Christine Morgan and if you can please donate, you’ll give a Christmas present to the “unknown” child who may be saved.

Click here to hear from Christine Morgan, CEO The Butterfly Foundation

Greens Media Release: Nuclear ‘solution’ a dead end for Labor – WA Senator

Nuclear ‘solution’ a dead end for Labor

Media Release – Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Australian Greens have strongly reminded the Government that nuclear power is not the solution to climate change.

Image via Wikipedia

 

The Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said nuclear power made no economic or environmental sense.

“Nuclear power generation means uranium mining at the start of the process – which involves serious environmental contamination, and it means nuclear waste at the end of the process – a problem to which no one has put forward a credible solution,” said Senator Ludlam. “And the power generation itself raises serious questions.”

“The report from Dr Mark Diesendorf, deputy director of the Institute of Environmental Studies, found that nuclear energy will be more expensive than most forms of renewable energy by 2020,” he said. “Dr Diesendorf’s report, delivered yesterday, found that the cheapest renewable energy sources – including landfill gas, onshore wind, conventional geothermal and hydro – are already cost-competitive with conventional nuclear energy power plants… By 2020, offshore wind farms, solar thermal and solar photovoltaics are all projected to be less expensive than nuclear energy.”

Dr Diesendorf found that the cost of building a nuclear power plant has risen rapidly since 2002, from more than $US2000 per kw of generation capacity installed, to about $US7400 per kw.

Senator Ludlam said Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and two senators from the ALP Right had it “disastrously wrong” on nuclear power as a solution to climate change.

“Ziggy Switkowski, Chair of the Board of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, said in 2006 that nuclear power has no capacity to contribute to emissions reductions in Australia by 2020 and limited capacity to reduce emissions by 2030,” said Senator Ludlam.

The 2006 Switkowski Report also noted that establishing a nuclear power industry “would substantially increase the volume of radioactive waste to be managed in Australia and require management of significant quantities of high level waste.”

Over a 50-year lifespan, 50 reactors would be responsible for 1.8 billion tonnes of low level radioactive tailings waste, assuming the uranium came from Olympic Dam. The reactors would be responsible for 430,000 tonnes of depleted uranium waste, a by-product of the uranium enrichment process. The reactors would directly produce 75,000 tonnes of high level nuclear waste and 750,000 cubic metres of low level and intermediate level waste.

“Those within the Government calling for nuclear power need to think again. It is not safe, it is not affordable and it will not address the challenge of climate change,” said Senator Ludlam.

Media contact – Giovanni Torre

Image via Wikipedia

 

Related articles

• PM, Treasurer say no to nuclear power (news.theage.com.au)
• Most won’t want nuke power near home:Brown (news.theage.com.au)
• Study Assesses Nuclear Power Assumptions (prnewswire.com)

Australia – New Book, Website and Blog – Speed Up and Sit Still – exposes the ADHD Industry

New Book, Website and Blog – Speed Up and Sit Still - exposes the ADHD Industry (www.speedupsitstill.com)

Image via Wikipedia

 

Member of the Western Australian State Parliament Martin Whitely MLA, a former teacher, outlines the controversies surrounding ADHD diagnosis and treatment in Australia, in his book Speed Up and Sit Still published by University of Western Australia Publishing.

While other books have been written about ADHD this is the first to outline the science, marketing and politics of ADHD, written by a politician. Whitely became concerned about ADHD in the1990’s when he was alarmed at the number of boys in his class who were medicated with amphetamines and were unnaturally quiet and compliant.

In Speed Up and Sit Still Whitely examines the reasons for the massive increase in Australian ADHD drug use concluding, “Prescribing rates have exploded because it is in the interests of many stakeholders to accept, without proof, the hypothesis that ADHD is caused by a biochemical imbalance.

Drug companies profit, busy clinicians get a quick, easy, lucrative diagnosis and treatment, struggling teachers get a compliant child, governments get a cheap way of appearing to meet child mental health demands and parents are fooled into an illusory belief that they have helped their child with a quick and apparently effective intervention. The real losers in the ADHD debate are children who are completely powerless to prevent themselves being ‘medicated’.”

Whitely is scathing in his assessment of his fellow politicians claiming most leave the controversial issue in the “too hard basket” or do as the Rudd and Howard Governments did, “delegate the solution to the problem of reckless prescribing to those who had created it in the first place.“

Speed Up and Sit Still follows the money trail and outlines the influence of the American Psychiatric Association and the pharmaceutical companies on Australian psychiatric practice. It also details the history of ADHD in Western Australia and New South Wales.

Image by ADHD CENTER via Flickr

 

 

Perth is the world’s only ADHD child drugging hotspot to have experienced a massive (60%+) decline in child prescribing rates – simultaneous halving in the rates of amphetamine abuse amongst teenagers. Mr Whitely contends Perth’s experience is “unequivocal evidence supporting the commonsense proposition that prescribing amphetamines facilitates their abuse.”

Whitely attributes Perth’s massive decline in ADHD prescribing rates to tighter prescribing accountability measures and a robust local media debate about the validity of the diagnosis and the safety and efficacy of the drugs. He claims “Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart are vying for the title of Australia’s new child drugging capital because they haven’t learned from Perth’s mistakes; they are repeating them.”

Speed Up and Sit Still, covers complex material in an easy-to-read format aimed at parents, teachers, medical professionals, policy setters and the community at large.

To purchase Speed Up and Sit Still visit www.speedupsitstill.com

Forthcoming Blogs Beginning November 15

Monday November 15 – ADHD child prescribing numbers by State: Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart vie for title as Australia’s Child drugging Capital.

Monday November 22 – Patrick McGorry’s plans for early intervention in psychosis – a Stitch in Time or a Stitch Up?

Monday November 29- One year on and what action has the Gillard Government taken on the discredited National ADHD Guidelines ?

Monday December 22- New Research; beating boredom a key to keeping kids ADHD drug free (by guest blogger Dr Nigel Williams).

Note; All authors proceeds from the book are donated to Drug Free Attention difficulties Support Inc. DFADS (www.dfads.org) a not for profit support group for parents wishing to try drug free approaches for children with attentional and behavioural difficulties.

Related articles

• Adderall Alters Brain, Claims a Young Life (abcnews.go.com)

Australia Mental Health funding left wanting as boffins get $24 million to study historical events

CoMHWA News Alert

Dear all,

You may be interested to see à UWA gets mucho dinero for researching the emotions of people from the past who died of the Black death.

This raises many questions. If only such sums of money could be dedicated to assist people today in mental health and the community. To perhaps help people find the inner resilience to keep on going and recover. Sadly too many lose the fight. Let us all support the push to raise such sums for the present day need!!!

Courier Mail: Mental health funding left wanting as boffins get $24 million to study historical events

· Last updated: November 07, 2010

• David Murray
• From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
• November 07, 2010 12:00AM

TAXPAYERS will fork out $24 million for boffins to study emotions from hun

Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry

 

dreds of years ago while mental health research in modern Australia is desperately underfunded.

The Federal Government is promoting the massive humanities grant, which will focus on historical events such as the Black Death, as a solution to the nation’s dire mental health problems.

But Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry has criticised the lack of direct funding for mental health research.

“The Government needs to match this very generous research investment into the history of emotions with investment in the present day,” Prof McGorry said.

“That would fund an incredible transformation in mental health of young people if we were able to get a grant like that.”

The record-breaking Australian Research Council grant over seven years is more than three times the previous highest amount given to a humanities project. Four separate requests for modest funding to establish centres for research excellence in mental health were recently rejected by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

“Only 3 per cent of the National Health and Medical Research Council budget is devoted to mental health research and it’s about 14 per cent of the health burden,” Prof McGorry said yesterday.

The same money would also pay for the annual salaries of 440 new teachers, 320 nurses or 25,600 chemotherapy procedures.

Instead the grant will go to the new Centre of Excellence in the History of Emotions based at the University of Western Australia.

Researchers will focus on emotions in Europe from the years 1100 to 1800, taking in events such as the French revolution, according to the university’s website.

Centre director and historian Philippa Maddern’s key study areas will include the emotional response to the Black Death, which killed about half the population of 14th century Europe. “We know those communities survived that shock . . . I think there’s value to be made out of how did they do it,” Prof Maddern told the Campus Review newspaper.

A related Shakespearean drama production, a Baroque opera and an art exhibition will be produced as part of the research grant.

Federal Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Senator Kim Carr linked the project to statistics showing almost half of Australians aged 16 to 85 years had suffered a mental disorder.

“That is why it is critical that we fund research into the way we deal with everyday problems,” Senator Carr said in a press release last month.

Australian Research Council chief executive Professor Margaret Sheil said the grant was supported by the full committee and had attracted plaudits from around the world.

“It was ranked very near to the top out of 110 bids from across the country across all disciplines,” Prof Sheil said.

“I don’t have any concerns about the size of the grant.”

Researchers from the universities of Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide also will be involved, alongside counterparts from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Britain.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/health/mental-health-funding-left-wanting-as-boffins-get-24-million-to-study-historical-events/story-e6frer7f-1225948828704

Kind Regards
Lyn

Lyn Mahboub: Chairperson CoMHWA
on behalf of Consumers of Mental Health WA (Inc)
(A WA based Mental Health Consumer Organisation)

PO Box 682, Bentley WA 6982, Ph: 9350 8824 (Message)
Email: comhwa_inc Website: www.rfwa.org.au

ABN: 95 581 286 940

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Australia – Media Release: WA Senator urges Government to take stand against nuclear weapons in UN

Australia must take stand against nuclear weapons
MEDIA RELEASE – Thursday 28 October 2010

Click the pic to visit the Greens website

The Australian Greens today urged the Government to support a United Nations draft resolution calling for a ban on the production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons to be voted on tomorrow in New York.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear issues, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the Government should take the opportunity to make a clear statement of support for a nuclear weapons convention.

“It is almost difficult to believe that the Government abstained from voting on the equivalent resolution last year,” said Senator Ludlam. “In 2009 124 countries supported the resolution, with only 31 against and Australia amongst the 21 member states that refused to take a stand on the issue.”

Draft resolution L.50 is a new version of the resolution adopted annually calling on the implementation of the 1996 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion through the negotiation of a nuclear weapons convention prohibiting the development, production, testing, deployment, stockpiling, transfer, threat or use of nuclear weapons and providing for their elimination.

Senator Ludlam said the 2010 version of the resolution also includes statements affirming that International Humanitarian Law applies at all times, calling on the nuclear weapons states to undertake a number of nuclear disarmament steps, stressing that all UN members states need to make efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons and acknowledging the UN Secretary General’s five-point proposal for nuclear disarmament.

“Australia can show leadership on this issue. There have been recent positive signs in that regard such as the work of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties and the report from Gareth Evans. Friday’s vote in the UN is a great opportunity to continue that progress,” said Senator Ludlam.

*With New York 15 hours behind AEDT the result of the vote may not be known in Australia until late tomorrow or early Saturday.

Related articles

• Australia Uranium – Lessons for WA in Territory’s uranium mine rejection (tonyserve.wordpress.com)
• Australia – Only Parliament should have power to declare war – WA Senator Scott Ludlum (tonyserve.wordpress.com)
• You: 17th resolution to ban nukes passed (search.japantimes.co.jp)
• Shan Cretin: A Nuclear-Free World Awaits Action by Obama, Senate (huffingtonpost.com)
• Oops! US Air Force loses 50 nukes (rt.com)
• 

HOW TO: Use Twitter Lists to Promote Nonprofits and Causes You Care About (via Nonprofit Tech 2.0 :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits)

Great ideas – please tweet or email any NGOs & Not for Profits you know of, anywhere in the world.

We have great Mental health and Environment tweeters in US, UK, Australia and a few from elsewhere…but we’d love to connect with activist in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

Twitter’s new Lists are a great way to organize your followers, and with a little intention and a dose of good will, Twitter Lists can also be used to promote your favorite nonprofits and the causes you care about. Here’s how: 1) Create a “Favorite Nonprofits” List Lists can say a lot about your character and what’s important to you. Personally, I am quite saddened by the rapid loss of wildlife around the world, so my “Favorite Nonprofits” list h … Read More

Image via Wikipedia

Image via CrunchBase

via Nonprofit Tech 2.0 :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits

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Tony Abbott reportedly apologises for heartless, dismissive jibe against people with disability

Below is a Media Release from Blind Citizens Australia.

TONY SORRY ABBOTT

The thoughts are echoed by the people I work with at the Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre here in Perth and the national advocacy group NEDA.

Mainstream media have largely ignored the comment ( available in transcript here ) and I’ve seen at least one reporter actually play it down in a comment on twitter.

Meanwhile Respected Canberra Journo Michelle GRATTAN has tweeted to the effect that he’s been let off the hook by media.

What do you think?

Can we believe his promises on Mental Health now we know what he really thinks about disability.

I wonder if he even knows that mental illness is a form of disability.

Image via Wikipedia

ABBOTT ‘OUT OF SIGHT’ ON CINEMA ACCESS

People who are blind have expressed outrage at Tony Abbott’s recent comments diminishing the importance of accessible cinemas for Australians who have a sensory disability.

The comments, made on Sunday to political commentator Laurie Oakes, implied that cinema access for people with sensory impairments was of a low priority.

Condemning Abbott’s comments was Ms Robyn Gaile, Blind Citizens Australia’s Executive Officer who said, “We are frustrated that Tony Abbott is diminishing the inherent dignity of people who are blind or vision impaired and deaf or hearing impaired with regard to one of the most taken for granted recreational pursuits enjoyed by citizens of Australia.

“We have had a long and hard fight for the basic right to enjoy cinema entertainment, just like anybody else. Minister Abbott is not restricted in the choices of entertainment he is able to enjoy and yet makes a disparaging off the cuff comment which could impact the ability of everyday Australians with a disability to enjoy the same freedom.

“We would expect that our leaders would respect the value of such a landmark decision to provide audio description in mainstream cinemas which advances the social inclusion of people who are blind. These comments are extraordinarily disappointing.”

Abbott’s comments referred to the recently reached agreement between disability peak bodies, including Blind Citizens Australia, lobby groups from the blind and deaf sectors, the four major cinema chains and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten giving patrons with a sensory disability access to audio description and captioned content at 132 cinema complexes around Australia. Currently, only 0.3% of screenings are accessible to patrons who are blind or deaf. Audio description is a way to describe what can be seen on screen in a clear and private manner.

According to Screen Australia, Australian cinemas saw 85 million cinema admissions in 2007, with 67,000 people over the age of 14 enjoying a movie at least once in 2007. People with sensory disabilities have been largely left out of this market.

Cinema access is cited in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which states that individuals with a disability should have the same rights to participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. Australia is a signatory to this Convention and to its Optional Protocol.

Greg Madson, who is blind, is looking forward to the introduction of audio description in cinemas irrespective of Abbott’s comments. “I live in WA and can’t wait to get access to audio description. It is the difference of going to the movies with friends who are sighted and being able to watch and fully understand what is happening on the screen in front of me. This is a basic right as part of the UN Convention, but it’s also about me being able to independently enjoy a movie just like other cinemagoers.”

Blind Citizens Australia is the peak consumer representative organisation for Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

Media Contact: Jody Holdback 0407 808 269

Kind regards,

Jessica Zammit
National Policy Officer
Blind Citizens Australia
Ross House, Level 3, 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

Web: www.bca.org.au

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West Australian Youth Awards 2010 winners video and reaction to a protest by a finalist against mining companies

It’s my 10th year as a Judge in the Media and Charmaine Dragun Memorial Commendation categories – what a great night it was for these amazing young west aussies.

The future’s in good hands

Young Person of the Year Announcement and acceptance by Jeremiah Wordsworth.

Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry speaks to Youth Minister Donna Farragher, clearly chuffed at the protest during the environment category.

Winner of the Charmaine Dragun Memorial media prize is Nicholas Sas – Albany Advertiser

Live tweets from the night, last tweet first

perthtones10:58pm via HootSuiteAs protestors exited, MC introd live band called ( I kid you not ) Fools Rush In !!! Guest Prof McGorry clearly enjoyed it Show Conversation

perthtones10:33pm via HootSuiteFiinalist, Kate Arabon was the person who spoke for the protestors who were then led out without further incident #wayouthawards

perthtones10:25pm via HootSuite3 youth protestors unfurled a banner & grabbed mic to say mining sponsors may give prizes but they devastate our environment#wayouthawards

perthtones10:23pm via HootSuite

Show Conversation

perthtones10:17pm via HootSuiteEnvironmenal activists disrupted awards with a banner and mic hijack to protest against mining destruction #wayouthawards

perthtones10:13pm via HootSuiteConservation Award winner is Alexander Craig #wayouthawards highly commended is Jessica Gill & Laura Ryan

perthtones10:09pm via HootSuiteWinner of the Participate Award is Tyson McEwan from Geraldton great young Yamatji man #wayouthawards

perthtones9:57pm via HootSuite@LoneFemaleTog Holly rocked the acceptance speech too Mags! She is magic#wayouthawardsShow Conversation

perthtones9:56pm via HootSuiteWinner of the Charmaine Dragun Memorial media prize is Nicholas Sas – Albany Advertiser clear winner #wayouthawards

perthtones9:52pm via HootSuiteKatanning Muslim youth development officer Juaini Taylor wins most outstanding youth worker #wayouthawards

perthtones9:50pm via HootSuiteCommunity activist & educator Holly Ransom wins the @ECU Educate award#wayouthawards

perthtones9:48pm via HootSuiteRefugee Jeremiah Wordsworth only knew refugee camps in Africa b4 arriving here, tonight his youth work won the Create Award#wayouthawards

perthtones9:45pm via HootSuiteJoshua Yates wins the Woodside Motivate Award – incredible young man#wayouthawards

perthtones9:42pm via HootSuite@youthtree wins BHP Innovate Award , well done Tim & team -Woooot! #wayouthawards

perthtones7:23pm via HootSuiteCongrats Flip Prior from @the_west best metro youth news story – and all listed herehttp://ow.ly/i/2E6v

Mental Health isn’t a prority for Kevin Rudd…is he nuts! Mendoza resignation disappointing but not surprising: Greens

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Mendoza resignation disappointing but not surprising: Greens

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The Australian Greens say John Mendoza’s resignation as the Prime Minister’s main mental health advisor is disappointing but not surprising given the Government’s ongoing failure to adequately invest in mental health services.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for Mental Health understands John Mendoza’s frustration with the Government.

“It is an indictment on the Federal Government that John Mendoza’s expertise has been lost. I share his deep concern about the Government’s continued lack of investment in the area of mental health,” Senator Siewert said today.

“Experts say that $5 billion of new funding is needed to bring our mental health services up to scratch and yet the Government has fallen short of this investment,” said Senator Siewert.

“The Australian Greens have been consistently calling on the Government increase it’s investment in mental health and we’ve put forward a number of key initiatives which would see this occur.

“The Government missed an opportunity in its health reform package by failing to adequate address mental health. They need to go back and fix this as a matter of urgency.

“The Government can no longer ignore the growing mental health crisis in Australian,” Senator Siewert concluded.

<<Mendoza resignation disappointing but not surprising- Greens – MEDIA RELEASE 20062010.doc>>

Chris Redman

Media Officer
Senator Rachel Siewert – Australian Greens Senator for WA

P: (08) 9228 3277 | www.greensmps.org.au

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Important news for activists, advocates and old hippie geeks :) “Camp Obama” coming to Perth via getup.org.au

Via the team at GetUp

Image via Wikipedia

The Obama campaign was one of the most successful on-the-ground campaigns in history. Millions of volunteers took the campaign to their neighbours and friends. Their secret? ‘Camp Obama’.

At ‘Camp Obama’ volunteers around the United States learnt how to integrate powerful stories with strategy and skills. Meeting each other at a million points of hope and energy, these stories transformed a political campaign into a popular movement. Now we’re bringing this powerful training to Perth.

We’ve already seen in the lead-up to the federal election that we’re back to politics as usual: sound bites, spin doctors and media pundits ignoring real people and their stories. This is the opportunity to learn the secret weapon of the Obama campaign so we can work together to make a massive impact this election.

Yes, I’m interested in attending the Community Organising Workshop.

Where: Venue TBA – somewhere in Central Perth
When: 15th and 16th of May
Registration cut off: 10th of May
Cost: $20 (this is to cover costs and includes lunch)
Spaces are limited — don’t miss out!

Click here to read the draft agenda and apply for the Community Organising Workshop

When you arrive on Saturday morning you’ll be greeted by an enthusiastic group of highly caffeinated facilitators. You’ll mingle with members of various organisations, like the Conservation Council of WA and the Union Climate Connectors. You might even be surprised to find one of your neighbours there.

And there will be a moment that day–when the room falls silent and your breath catches in your throat, as a story captures you completely. Often it’s the quiet person in the room that manages to blow everyone away. Last year, in Adelaide it was a story about the struggle to speak out against homophobia from within the church. In Sydney, an engineer who gained the courage, and learnt the skills, to talk with his coal-mining company colleagues about new directions.

With the looming federal election just months away, the skills, strategies and stories you’ll learn to tell will give you a powerful voice on issues from climate change to refugees. Click here if you’re interested in coming along, and we’ll give you a call to talk about the workshop:

Click here to find out more and apply for the Community Organising Workshop

The spin doctors, attack ads and focus group tested sound bites are waiting in the wings. Media pundits have their eyes on the political horse race, ignoring the people affected by the policies they squabble over. In this campaign, we will tell the stories of these people. Together we will provide the passion, humanity and energy so absent in the practiced smiles and hollow lines of our politicians.

Hope to see you,

Sara, for the GetUp team

PS – Can’t make the workshop but still want to be involved in the election campaign? Click here.

Australian Mental Health at a critical stage, you can make a difference today and tomorrow wherever you are – WA: will Premier Barnett stand up for mental health?

Mental ill health is the leading killer of Australians under 45 and the leading cause of disability for all Australians.

Premier Barnettt, PM Rudd

But with the biggest health reforms in decades up for negotiation on Monday, mental ill health may be forgotten – unless we act now.

In just 48 hours, the Prime Minister and the leaders of every Australian state and territory will sit down in Canberra to negotiate a new plan for healthcare across the nation.

In their offices across Australia, our state Premiers and territory Chief Ministers are working all weekend in preparation for Monday’s meeting. They are deciding where to push hard, and where to compromise.

We’ve found the office fax number for WA Premier, Colin Barnett

We all want to see reform of our hospitals. But tackling mental health will require more than increasing the number of beds in our hospitals, or changing the source of health funding. More of the same won’t work.

There are solutions. Here’s just one example: there are 30 Government run Headspace centres across Australia. An extra $100million a year would expand capacity in these centres and build an extra 60 across the nation. This alone would double the number of young Australians receiving treatment for mental ill health.

On Monday, the PM will need every Premier on board, so here in WA, Colin Barnett will have huge influence. These decisions are being made in his office right now – let’s fill it with faxes asking him not to come home without mental health care reform:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/healthreform&id=1033

There must be no health reform without mental health reform. Together we can make sure this silent disease, which half of us will experience in our lifetime, is on the agenda at Monday’s crucial meeting of all levels of Australian Government.

Thanks for all that you do,
TheGetUp team

PS –

We’ve joined forces with Australian of the year, mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry to call for mental health reform.

Already, tens of thousands of GetUp members have petitioned the Prime Minister and raised $85,000 for the campaign to put our message on TV.

Now it is our state Premiers who hold the keys to reform – click here contact yours now.

3 amazing people on twitter joined me on Perth’s 6pr.com.au 882 6pr last weekend – Poet & activist Lesley Dewar, Advocate and #mhsm convenor Amy Kiel and Steve Andrews about his black dog ride this Sunday

Perth Poet & Activist Lesley Dewar uses the net to share and promote creative people and activist causes – and she’s having a ball!

follow Lesley on twitter by clicking here

visit her website by clicking here

Kansas City (Mo) Mental Health Advocate and #mhsm convenor Amy Kiel is amazing – join us 1000pm Eastern US time Tuesday, 1000am West Australian time to share and gather info, resources and inspiration from people around the globe.

click here to follow Amy on twitter

Please visit Amy’s blog by clicking here

From the South West of W. Australia Steve Andrews talks about about his black dog ride this Sunday, he’s even getting the State Health Minister to saddle up on a donated BMW to raise awareness of depression and raise funds for Busselton advocates LAMP

Click here to follow Steve

please visit Steve’s site by clicking here

Amazing Documentary covering; brain function ( Mental Health in old language ), psychology,depression and lots more -

Image via CrunchBase

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

The ABC Australia

Programme aired tonight was called “Stress: Portrait of a Killer”

An extremely powerful documentary.

The research resonated with my personal experience and observations as a long time journalist about stress and how it affects us right down to the end of our little telemeres

So refreshing to see unhyped, in-depth research that’s presented engagingly and totally relevant to all of us TODAY.

For those who missed it, look for it on abc.net.au/iView but I’m not sure it is available outside Australia on that link.

Anyone outside Oz please let me know if you can access the videos on the site.

It should be compulsory viewing for lawmakers and medical professionals, and is compelling viewing for the 50% of us directly affected by brain function irregularities.

There is a growing understanding that brain function goes wonky for everyone at sometime and one day the term “mental health” will be ditched and ideas of behaviour will not be exclusively linked to our spirt or soul. Rather they’ll be recognised as variations with complex causes but, thankfully, means of identification, prevention and recovery.

I was interested to see various sections of serious and rigorous research confirming what all we advocates know – that helping others can change your brain function.

It’s often draining, but it’s such a buzz having walked and crawled a dark and deadly path, to light the way for those who follow.

I’d love to hear what others think, and see what resonated for you.

Meanwhile – please help with resources, media and info

By the way I am still collecting survival tips from those who’ve survived and coped with depression; post-natal, PTSD, bipolar or any other variant, or panic and anxiety.

From this weekend I will  have set up a recorder at the following number in australia +61 8 94679885  or you can Skype Perthtones to record about  5 minutes of help for others trying to cope with their day or minute.

Image via Wikipedia

I am focussing solely on tools or treatments that are totally free or are or provided by NGOs selfhelpers etc -

There will be time for professionals and service providers another time – this is for those of us coping with it by those of us coping with it.

• Part 1 getting through this dark moment – the now
• Part 2 getting through the next few days with all their challenges – medium term
• Part 3  recovery and building resilience – long term

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Join the Australian of the year, GetUp and scores of Mental Health Activists and Advocates to move from apathy to action

Image via Wikipedia

Everyone has Mental Health, some are crazy enough to think it’s not important.

The following is being circulated and acted on by many of us who’ve worked for decades for little or no improvement in Mental Health.

“This affects all of us: half of all Australians will experience mental ill health in our lifetimes; but most won’t discuss it, and most won’t receive treatment.

We need a national discussion about mental health — please forward Professor McGorry’s message to your friends, family and colleagues today.

— message to forward —

The Australian of the Year has broken ranks to record this video message to you about a topic we rarely discuss. Click hereto view his message.

Dear Friend,

Half of us will experience mental ill health in our lifetime. Of your friends, family and colleagues, about 1 in 5 will suffer in this year alone – but most won’t discuss it, and most won’t receive treatment.

The largest healthcare reform in decades is on the cards this year – but without our support, mental health may be forgotten. This week Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott debated healthcare for over an hour; neither mentioned mental health once.

Solutions are within our grasp. Hundreds of thousands of young Australians who desperately need help could receive it, if existing programs are expanded. Today, the Australian of the Year, Patrick McGorry, launches a campaign in partnership with GetUp. Click below to watch his message, share it with friends, and add your voice to his call:

www.getup.org.au/health

Take the number of young Australians killed in road accidents and double it: still more lives are ended prematurely by mental ill health. It is the leading killer of Australians under 45, and the leading cause of disability in Australia.

But two thirds of those who suffer never receive treatment; and for young men that figure is 90%. We wouldn’t let this happen for cancer, or heart disease – or even for elective surgery. Our mental health system is in desperate need of reform.

To their credit recent governments have supported innovation and investment in early intervention services for young people. However, there are many overdue investments in mental health reform which are ready to go. We need a much stronger community mental health system. We need to set a target of reducing suicide to zero in a decade, and invest heavily in a national education campaign to match the campaign on road deaths.

With health reform on the agenda, this year is our chance to achieve real mental healthcare reform – but as Patrick says, “if it’s going to happen, politicians need to hear from you.”

Watch his video message to GetUp members and take action here:

www.getup.org.au/health

GetUp members expose the truth, begin conversations and campaign for real change where others duck for cover. But there’s one crisis in this country we’ve never spoken about: mental ill health. Now’s the time to put it on the national agenda.

With hope,
The GetUp Team.

P.S. A senior official in Government told us just weeks ago that they are under little pressure for progressive change on healthcare – yet this will be one of the biggest issues in this election. In a year when massive changes to our healthcare system are on the table, we can’t let that be the case. “

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Those abused in state care abandoned by the W.A. and Federal Governments as the UK apologises

The Peak Child Abuse group ASCA today tweeted the news of  British PM Gordon Brown’s apology to Australian child migrants acknoweldging it’s crucial to healing

~

please click the blue link for the UK angle

“ http://bit.ly/aoM64h via @ASCAORG > urgent action needed 4 #redress 2 “

~

Labor and Liberal have failed at federal and state levels to discover a modicum of compassion.

~

Kevin Rudd was on twitter today congratulating the aussie girl who won olympic gold in the ski aerials, saying gee we’ll have to set up a new ski facility won’t we.

~

I had the temerity to reply on twitter

” @KevinRuddPM So if I win Gold at the Olympics, you cold fund some community mental health facilities – I’m starting training now Kevin! ”

~

Taxpayer’s money is used to stage boxing matches (btw I MC martial arts and support boxing ) build footy stadia, freshen up our dullsville foreshore and there’s always lots of taxcash when it comes to self promoting “government” commercials.

For WA’s Barnett/Buswell and the previous Labor wombats to halve compensation for victims of abuse in state care is disgusting.

~

Meanwhile, mainstream media is so tabloid and dollar driven that these issues are skimmed over or ignored, but gee my colleagues like to have a mass debate over daylight saving or shopping hours – day and night!

~

Nevertheless I am an eternal optimist ( sometimes a bit jaded ) and have high hopes for activism and advocacy on the net through media like this blog and on twitter.

~

So please join in, add a comment, ask a few questions of your local “member” and raise your voice for those who’ve already died as well as those currently in dire need.

~

The state government, meanwhile has announced that victims who are expected to die before christmas will get their meagre share of the halved compo package earlier than the others – really, it’s in the letter

Letter from Redress – click the image to visit the Govt website

It IS life or death – and for far too many of us.

tony

Dr Rubin Hurricane Carter brings hope to new Perth legal team working to free wrongly jailed people

John Button Dr Rubin Carter Andrew Mallard - pic from Paul Kane -Getty Images

JUSTICEwa has been energised by the HURRICANE during his visit to Perth and official pics and video will be posted soon, as well as some opportunities for YOU to make a difference.

We had some of the State’s leading figures at the Gala Dinner, Justin Langer, Fmr Senator Jo Valentine, Silk of the ilk of John McCusker QC who was honoured with a video from those he’d won freedom for.

The speeches by Andrew Mallard, John Button and Dr Rubin Carter were backed by support from the UK via video, with members of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four Paddy Hill and Gerry Conlon backing JUSTICEwa’s efforts

Please click the image below for their video message and short intro from @perthtones

Please click this blue link for Video coverage of Dr Carter’s visit ahead of the Gala Dinner from thewest.com.au westTV

Kudos to colleagues –  Estelle Backburne (world’s best investigative dancer! ) the West’s Colleen Egan and Brett Christian for their ongoing work of balanced reporting in the difficult area of wrongful imprisonment and corruption.

Japanese Whaling Ships intercepted by Seashepherd vessel, Captain Paul Watson calls for action by Australia and New Zealand

The Steve Irwin and Bob Barker have succeeded again in stopping illegal Japanese whaling in Australian waters off Antarctica.

Please click the pic to visit & support Sea Shepherd work to protect whales

Steve Irwin’s skipper Paul Watson spoke with Tony Serve at 2300 w.s.t Feb 8

2 More here on the shameful Japanese prosecution of activists who revealed a blackmarket in whale meat, showing flesh from the Nisshin Maru to media in Tokyo last year – the United Nations  has now condemned the arrests

follow 6PR on twitter – Perth talkback radio

3 Earlier audio from the Steve Irwin broadcast on 6PR and online here

4 Greens call for an end to Japanese spy planes flying out of Perth to help whalers

Greens Challenge Government over plans for Northern Australia

Greens Challenge Government over Northern Australia

The Australian Greens have challenged the Government to commit to implementing the vision outlined in the Sustainable development in northern Australia report released today.

The Australian Greens congratulate the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce on their Sustainable Development in Northern Australia report, saying it provides a vision for sustainable development of northern Australia based on mutual respect, respect for indigenous peoples of the north and the environment.

“This report clearly demonstrates that there are significant constraints to development of Northern Australia,” said Greens Water Spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert.

“It clearly isn’t the magic food bowl claimed by some, and water and land aren’t unlimited. It’s also clear that we need a lot more information before we even think of the sort of extensive development we’ve heard proposed over the years.

“It’s time the ‘develop the north brigade’ took note of reality and understood the constraints and possibilities in Australia’s north. Hopefully the report will put paid to the belief there is unlimited water in the north – there simply isn’t.

“We have a chance to get ‘development’ of the north right, especially by learning from the lessons of southern Australia, which has seen massive loss of biodiversity and land degradation, overuse of water resources and dispossession of Aboriginal people.

“The Taskforce points the way for a sustainable future for the north of Australia – one that must include Aboriginal people at the heart of it.

“It sets the Government a clear agenda and we call on the Commonwealth to honour the huge amount of work undertaken by this Taskforce,” Senator Siewert concluded.

Fernando de Freitas

Media Advisor

Office of Scott Ludlam & Rachel Siewert

Australian Greens Senators for Western Australia

Suite S1.36 Parliament House, Canberra ACT
P: 02 6277 3467 |

Fernando.defreitas
www.GreensMPs.org.au

Greens call for end to Aussie spy planes aiding Japanese whaling

Click the pic to visit and support the Sea Shepherd team

Greens call for end to Aussie spy planes aiding Japanese whaling

(click here for radio interview with 2nd officer of the Steve Irwin as she sailed south of australia on sunday )

The Australian Greens today introduced a private Senators Bill to ban any form of Australian assistance to Japanese whaling, such as the use of spy planes.

“My Bill creates a new offence making it unlawful to provide services, support or resources to an organisation engaged in whaling so the Australian government and local companies can no longer assist Japan’s brutal whaling regime,” said Australian Greens whaling spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert.

“Many Australians were appalled when it was revealed that Australian air services were used by a company with connections to the whalers to assist in this summer’s slaughter.

“The assistance provided to the whalers was to track the main protest vessel of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society so that a ship from the whaling fleet could hinder the Sea Shepherd’s pursuit of the main fleet.

“Without the Sea Shepherd on its tail, the main whaling fleet could undertake its mission of killing whales more easily.

“In response to the information that the Japanese whaling fleet had hired Australian planes from Hobart and Albany to track the Sea Shepherd ships’ movements, Senator Bob Brown committed the Greens to act to ensure no such assistance could be provided in the future.

“Over 3500 people have signed an on-line petition supporting our position and we urge the Government to listen to the depth of public feeling and support the Bill.

“We want to go beyond the empty anti-whaling rhetoric of this federal government and ensure we don’t actually assist the illegal slaughter of whales in Australian waters,” Senator Siewert concluded.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Prohibition of Support for Whaling) Bill 2010 (the Bill) amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to create a new offence related to providing assistance for whaling.

Fernando de Freitas
Media Advisor

Australian Greens

Suite S1.36 Parliament House, Canberra ACT
P: 02 6277 3467

Fernando.defreitas
www.GreensMPs.org.au

audio – New tactics from anti whaling ship MV Steve Irwin as she sails into the Southern Ocean

After replenishing in Fremantle (the port city of Perth, West Australia) the Seashepherd.org vessel MV Steve Irwin is making good headway south to again protect whales being hunted by a Japanese “research” fleet.

The crew face increasingly violent opposition from the Japanese “research” ships illegally slaughtering whales.

They are there because the Australian Government has refused to do the right thing and force the whale killing to stop.

Click the blue link to hear the 8 minute interview on 6pr.com.au with

Pedro Montero on Jan 31st 0430 Perth time

pedro-montero-mv-steve-irwin.m4a

Australian charity rescues girls from #trafficking

Australian charity rescues girls from #trafficking – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) http://ow.ly/10w4i

There are many effective child advocates online – on twitter use the #trafficking hashtag and you’ll find other groups and other keywords to network for an even more effective global network… tony

other tags and links – #StopSlaveryNow #Humantrafficking #slave#trafficking info-link http://bit.ly/5CbiUW españolhttp://bit.ly/6gq0aC english via @cheli_c

Brilliant Australian Documentary for National Geographic on what killed the Megafauna – Interview with Director Franco Di Chiera

DEATH OF THE MEGABEASTS

- Tony Serve Interviews Director Franco Di Chiera

audio and slideshow below  - screened on SBS Australia 7.30 pm Sunday Jan 10

Franco Di Chiera’s upcoming project is ” Skin Deep ” not “Under the Skin” as I described in the audio – that was his AFI Award winning drama of 1994 – my bad

order DVD via mail@prospero.com.au

Death of the Megabeasts – Awesome Documentary

►

A team of scientific detectives from around the world attempt to crack one of science’s most enduring mysteries – what killed Australia’s megafauna? Long after the extinction of the dinosaurs, extraordinary species of giant beasts roamed the earth, ruling the animal kingdom for hundreds of thousands of years. But suddenly, inexplicably, they vanished.

As scientists re-open this prehistoric cold case, could the answer to their quest offer clues to our own survival and prevent a future mass extinction on an unfathomable scale?

Format: 1x 90 min; 1x 85 min; 1x 52 minBroadcaster: SBS, National Geographic US, France5Distributor: National Geographic Distribution

Greens to support the BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto production joint venture project in relation to Western Australian iron ore assets

MEDIA RELEASE

7 December 2009

Greens to support the BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto production joint venture project in relation to Western Australian iron ore assets

“Such an amalgamation of assets and liabilities in the Pilbara will have many sustainable benefits that the Greens endorse”, Greens (WA) MLC Robin Chapple said today in relation to the announcement of the joint venture project.

“It will lead to lower production costs and place Australia at an advantage in the international market place” Mr Chapple said.

“Combining adjacent mines into single operations will have two environmental benefits; first, cumulative impacts should now be more readily assessed and dealt with; and second, end of life mine planning and pit infill can be approached in a more regionally strategic manner”, said Mr Chapple.

Joint use of rail infrastructure will mean more energy efficient line use and curtail the development of standalone rail systems that were required in the previous competitive environment.

“With JV planning, the future rail footprint will be smaller than would otherwise have been necessary”, said Mr Chapple.

As far back as 1964, the National Bulk carriers mining company had called for an integrated plan for the railing and shipment of iron ore out of the Pilbara (referred to as the Ludwig Plan). In June 1992, the then Government endorsed the Pilbara 21 Final Strategy Report in which the need for an integrated rail network was again highlighted.

However the Greens’ support for the infrastructure JV proposed by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto is conditional on the fact that there will be no job losses caused by the joint venture.

“Mr Barnett’s push for a more equitable return on royalties derived from the now commercial iron ore fines market is to be supported, but not by way of a threat of blocking this amalgamation”, said Mr Chapple.

All the best

Robin Chapple MLC

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region

PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872

41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005

Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple | Freecall: 1800 138 610

This message and its attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information. It is intended solely for the named addressee. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to the addressee), you may not copy or deliver this message or its attachments to anyone. Rather, you should permanently delete this message and its attachments and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Any content of this message and its attachments which does not relate to the official business of the above mentioned organisations or person must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by any of them. No warranty is made that the e-mail or attachment(s) are free from computer virus or other defect.

from @perthtones’ iPhone

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