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)

Interviews, audio: #Egypt w @AustinGMackell & #Palestine #Nabi Saleh w @MaathMusleh Oct13 & Jenna Tamimi

It was my pleasure to interview colleagues Austin Mackell & Maath Musleh on Perth Radio 6PR (Australia ) Saturday October 13 2012

 

 

 

Austin Mackell-  click to play (October 13 2012)

 

Austin Mackell

 

 

Before you listen to Maath’s interview below, please click on the pic to watch this short video of the

amazing young Palestinian girl Jenna Tamimi facing down and shaming Israeli troops at the edge of her village of Nabi Saleh

Maath Musleh audio – click to play 

Maath Musleh

 

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

 

 

 

Related articles

• Fraser calls US Tea Party ‘dangerous’
• Former PM calls for new war laws
• Fraser says it’s time for Australian independence
• Fraser says Libs have lost Menzies’ vision
• Condemnation from all sides for Alan Jones

#ows message to Mainstream #Media #MSM – #wikileaks #assange

First they came for Wikileaks

and I didn’t speak out because I trust my Govt

Then they came for the Egyptians,

and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t Egyptian.

Then they came for the Syrians,

and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Syrian.

Then they came for the Occupiers,

and I didn’t speak out because I thought they were hippies.

Then they came for mainstream journalists

and there was no one left to speak out for me.

 

…no-one except the rapidly growing number of citizen journalists & activists online

expect us…

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• How Citizen Journalism Is Reshaping Media and Democracy (mashable.com)
• Gaps in local news coverage a golden opportunity for lawyer blogs (kevin.lexblog.com)
• Mainstream media making viewers more uninformed? (tipggita32.wordpress.com)
• The MSM’s latest sensational scandal: itself (rt.com)
• Wikileaks’ Julian Assange Slams U.K. Media as ‘Backstabbing’ (ibtimes.com)
• PPPA Change: Media still not free from Clutches of Government (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
• The Latest from #Anonymous
• Senator Scott Ludlam calls on Govt to bring Julian Assange home

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)
• 

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

Image via Wikipedia

Mendoza resignation disappointing but not surprising: Greens

Image via Wikipedia

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

image.jpg

Related articles by Zemanta

• MentalHealthSocial : Social Network for Mental Health Discussions (socialmedia.globalthoughtz.com)

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.

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

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 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

Great news on equality in Australia – Federal Govt steps back on opposing Greens move to allow Gay “Civil Partnerships” #GLBTI see below for – ABC News Article link.

Commonwealth to allow gay ceremonies: Corbell

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The ACT Government is claiming a victory in its bid to allow gay couples to have legally binding civil partnership ceremonies.

The ACT Legislative Assembly passed a Greens bill earlier this month allowing same-sex couples to recognise their relationships with a legally binding ceremony.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754283.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2754283&cat=Justin

from @perthtones’ iPhone

The fawning “interview” with Hsien Harper including the original declaration of myself as a supporter and sometimes advisor to the Greens – think of it as the Unauthorized Hsien Harper Fan Club, leave a comment, join the hugfest ;-)

By the way it’s my Blog and I’ll support, even fawn over, whomever I choose.

On air I declare my bias and occasionally cop flak from those opposed to my brand of social justice.

The whistleblower in this case called me a ” tofu muncher ” – that’s it man, beads at 50 paces. ( can’t stomach the stuff  :^p  )

IC’s Daniel Hatch was actually quite fair and almost accurate in giving me a “serve.” Just the misquote ( I always record my end of an interview ) where he asked if I’d mentioned the incident on air over the weekend and I said no.

I often cover politics, as I have for 30 years, but I’m not a working journo now and 6PR’s intelligent and well informed listeners are reglarly reminded of my ageing hippie bias – some occasionally take the time to show their objection with clever use of seldom used words and references to family members.

My Apologies to Alan Carpenter too, I do think he’s a dork but did not mean to scar him with my heartless jibe making the west, which was in fact intended to be a PRIVATE comment. (until I shot myself in the foot with the upload )

IC’s Daniel Hatch is good on the descriptions too, here’s a couple from his PUBLIC twitter feed

• Daniel to @la…….e At least it’s not (Female Federal Minister) That woman is like a pethedine overdose every time she talks. Puts me to sleep without fail. about 7 hours ago from web in reply to la…….e

• Daniel to @m..a Haven’t seen the film. I know it’s Richard Gere but there’s no suggestion (a Premier ) and the barmaid used a gerbil is there? about 8 hours ago from web in reply to m…a

No hard feelings mate – I would have run it too, just not the Carps bit, he’s got kids you know, as do I – you’ll note I protected your correspondents’ IDs

…anyway, below is my fawning adoration of someone who WILL make a difference when she’s elected to serve the people of Willagee ( minus the private chat before and after )

Willagee by-election – a chance for a better way forward with Greens WA candidate Hsien Harper

Hsien Harper brings fresh energy to represent the people of Willagee – in more ways than one

Click here for audio of Hsien Harper with Tony Serve

Alan Carpenter failed the electorate, and Labor is likely to focus their new candidate on issues outside the electorate if he were to win the seat, doing what the factions say.

This by-election is an historic chance for the people of Willagee to shake up the powers that be and vote Greens WA for fresh energy in the community and clean, job creating, sustainable energy for the state.

tony serve – Greens supporter, occasional media consultant

Visit and support Hsien on Facebook

Meet Hsien this Friday at a fundraiser for the Greens WA Willagee campaign, with: Music and entertainment from Mr and Sunbird, Stillfire, Nat Ripepi and Willagee locals Zombie Step

Doors open at 7:30pm, just $5 for entry. Meet Hsien Harper, and talk to her about the issues that affect YOU

Willagee by-election – a chance for a better way forward with Greens WA candidate Hsien Harper

Hsien Harper brings fresh energy to represent the people of Willagee - in more ways than one

Click here for audio of Hsien Harper with Tony Serve

Alan Carpenter failed the electorate, and Labor is likely to focus their new candidate on issues outside the electorate if he were to win the seat, doing what the factions say.

This by-election is an historic chance for the people of Willagee to shake up the powers that be and vote Greens WA for fresh energy in the community and clean, job creating, sustainable energy for the state.

tony serve – Greens supporter, occasional media consultant

Visit and support Hsien on Facebook

Meet Hsien this Friday at a fundraiser for the Greens WA Willagee campaign, with: Music and entertainment from Mr and Sunbird, Stillfire, Nat Ripepi and Willagee locals Zombie Step

Doors open at 7:30pm, just $5 for entry. Meet Hsien Harper, and talk to her about the issues that affect YOU

West Australia gets ready to DUCK & COVER to dance away the Uranium blues – Special Events Notice – You Don’t Want to Miss the Event of the Year!!!

*Please share this

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT THE DUCK & COVER HOP
A fancy dress fundraiser for the campaign to stop uranium mining in WA
http://duckcoverhop.wordpress.com

WHEN: Friday 6 November 2009
WHERE: Fremantle Town Hall
TIME: 7.30pm-midnight
Fully licenced bar & supper available

Travel back in time, dust off your cool threads and get crazy for a cause at the Duck and Cover Hop – Fremantle’s first and finest retro radioactive ball.

Dance the night away to Harry Deluxe and DJ Atomic ‘Burn’, with special appearances by the radioactive ladies of Sugar Blue Burlesque and the Swing Academy.

TIckets: $30 unwaged / $40 waged / $60 solidarity *all tickets include supper
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL! Book here

For more information:
Email: duckcoverhop
Web: http://duckcoverhop.wordpress.com

All money raised goes to the Anti-NuclearAlliance of Western Australia, Conservation Council of Western Australia & Fremantle Anti-Nuclear Group

Sponsors: Fremantle City Council, Fremantle Festival & Little Creatures

image0062

image0072

Kate Vallentine

ANAWA Campaigner

5 King William Street, Bayswater WA 6053

Ph/Fax: (08) 9271 8786

Email: kate

Website: www.anawa.org.au

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ANAWA

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/ANAWA/147771085564

Myspace: www.myspace.com/473370523

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AntiNuclearWA

Being tough on refugees is pretty weak – article from “the Age”

Being tough on refugees is pretty weak – from “the Age”

Image via Wikipedia

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/being-tough-on-refugees-is-pretty-weak-20091017-h22b.html

“According to some, there are 10,000 refugees massing on foreign shores, just waiting for the right moment to sneak across the ocean. Putting aside the dubious evidence for that figure, yes: 10,000 people would be a lot to squeeze into a living room. But the Australian continent is quite large. The settler arrival figures increased by nearly that amount just this year – from 149,000 in 2007-08 to 158,000 in 2008-09 – and we hardly heard a peep from anybody.”

Chris Berg is a research fellow with the Institute of Public Affairs and editor of the IPA Review. His column appears in The Sunday Age every fortnight.

Mental Health Minister to address noon rally, can’t say what staff cuts have & will be made – Alison Xamon MLC Media Release

Alison Xamon MLC

MEMBER FOR THE EAST METROPOLITAN REGION

P.O. BOX 104, MAYLANDS, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6931
PHONE (08) 9275 7474 – FAX (08) 9275 7574

The W.A. Mental Health Minister has told Parliament he doesn’t know what cuts to staff and services have been made in his portfolio as those behind the cuts of at last 13%,Troy Buswell and Colin Barnett, talk shopping hours.
mp3 audio cut 3 lays out the spin and distraction being put out by the Premier & Treasurer and runs 20 secs

Greens MLC Alison Xamon last night asked the Minister what cuts to staff and resources had been made and what cuts are coming. The reply was to the effect that it would take “some time” to provide answers.
mp3 audio Alison on his reaction and runs 25 secs

Ms Xamon also moved an Urgency Motion, supported by the Opposition, calling on the Government to spell out its plans for the sector.
mp3 Audio Ms Xamon explaining that the Mental Health Minister has little Idea what his Premier and Treasurer have done and have planned – runs 23 secs

Organisers of the midday rally to overturn the dedly cuts say they’ve been approached by the Minister, asking if he can speak to them as they deliver a petition to the Lower House.
mp3 Audio Alison on people in the public and private sector being fed up with spin and lack of answers to urgent questions – runs 22 secs

It will be worthwhile sending reporters and cameras to the midday rally to see what happens, and to interview the Auditor General who’s due to issue a report on the prformance of the Mental Health Sector around 1pm.

mp3 audio  Alison lashing the rush to make cuts before the AG’s report is handed down, and the lack of consultation with stakeholders, staff, service providers and those who use mental health services – runs 13 secs

There will be people from public and private groups like, the HSU, WAAMH, MHC, COMIC, RUAH etc, as well as the Minister, Shadow Minister, Alison Xamon, Many of my dear 6PR listeners and Twitter friends will be there too because this is life or death for many west australians and the damage will be almost impossible to undo.

IF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE NOON RALLY

please call talkback radio TODAY ( 6PR 922 11 882 )   You can also email Colin Barnett at wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au or  Treasurer Troy Buswell at Minister.Buswell@dpc.wa.gov.au or call the Premier’s office today on 9222 9475, Troy Buswell’s office is 9222 9111  ( contact details are from the public WA Government website )

In W. Australia – Some die waiting for a meagre measure of justice after being abused in State Care – a small vigil at Parliament today- Media Alison Xamon

Alison Xamon –

MLC for East Metropolitan

News release  (Tuesday October 13 )

Alison Xamon MLC for East Metropolitan ( Greens )

Alison Xamon has been working closely with victims of state abuse for some time and laments the dwindling number of victims able to keep a monthly vigil at State Parliament.

The MLC for East Metropolitan says the halving of a meagre ex-gratia payment, and ongoing delays in paying even that have caused hardship and heartache that add more insult to awful injury.

“At midday today  a small group of our most vulnerable people will gather as they do each month to ask the Government for a small measure of justice that has been denied for decades and then cut in half.”

They are the last few members of the Redress activists keeping a monthly vigil, those West Australians who were officially acknowledged to have been abused while in State care, and many more who were removed from families her and abroad against their will or without consent of parents.

They will gather outside state Parliament at Midday in the faint hope that the Barnett Government will re-instate the full amount of compensation awarded to them, and ensure no more victims die waiting for the mostly inadequate funds

Only a few months ago a 50 year old woman eligible for Redress, but still waiting for its meagre justice, died ( click here for the ABC story of one victim who died just 2 months ago…still waiting )The money would have helped pay for her funeral, but even that late comfort was denied to her.

The Greens MLC asks “How many more people will die waiting – waiting for the full amount of Redress funds to be re-instated – waiting again once money’s been allocated for it to actually be paid.”

Alison is asking media to speak to the bravehearts at parliament today and hear how the Government’s funding cut and payment dlay are affecting people in our community.

Audio -

Cut 1   The Greens Alison Xamon says some of those waiting for payment were hoping to use it to travel to the family they were taken from al those years ago, and they are tiring of waiting for justice.      AlisonXamonRedress1-17secs-click blue link for short mp3 audio

Cut 2  Alison Xamon, who’s worked fro some tim with victims to get some measure of justic says those still waiting include a host of people originally from the UK as well as Indigenous Australians.    click this link for mp3 audio

Cut 3 The MLC for east metropolitan Alison Xamon says these people have been through enough, and the heartless State Government must overturn the funding cuts and remove ongoing delays to payments.    Click for mp3 audio AlisonXamonRedress3-17secs

Perth Mental Health Rally midday Wednesday 14th Oct at State Parliament, please copy and sign petition below – hear Greens MH spokesperson Alison Xamon on a tragic MH Week in WA

Email from Ingrid Bentsen Background to the issue

The State Government is proposing budget to Mental Health of between 10-15%

Where people can find a petition to sign

Copy of petition attached, When completed, they need to be returned to PO box  3167 Carlisle South WA 6101on or before 12th October OR BRING THEM TO THE RALLY

3. And about the Parliament house action

ALL interested parties Consumers carers providers encouraged to attend the official hand over of the petition at

Parliament house MIDDAY 14th October.

No permits for a march have been applied for however the gathering of a large number of people at Parliament house along with media coverage should send the message loud and clear.

The intention is to show the state government we are not invisible we will not be treated like the poor cousin regarding adequate funding and we will be a strong voice for those who have none!

The media will be there and some placards available hopefully making it easier to get our message out:

• INCREASE FUNDING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

• REJECT PROPOSED CUTS

Click blue link for mp3 audio of Greens MLC Alison Xamon on a tragic Mental Health week in Perth

PETITION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED.

We, the undersigned, are concerned about the effect that any proposed funding cuts will have on consumers of the mental health services, their carers, families, members of the community, as well as the providers of mental health services in Western Australia

Of major concern are any cuts in relation to the much needed recovery programs, which are known to prevent re hospitalisation.

We are also concerned of the affect any proposed cuts would have on service providers, many of whom are already under funded and understaffed

We urge the State Government to oppose any such proposal and ensure that those involved in mental health will not have their health and lifestyles compromised

Secondly, we strongly urge the Legislative Assembly propose an increase in funding to raise staffing levels to a safe and effective standard

We now ask that the Legislative Assembly take every appropriate action to ensure the above.

NAME	ADDRESS	SIGNATURE

Please clearly mark envelope petition and return to Sound Psychiatric Information Network C/O

P/O Box 3167 Carlisle SOUTH WA 6101

West Australian Government “celebrates” Mental Health week with demands for spending cuts totalling 13%

Mental Health services told to cut budgets by a total of 13 %

Media Release Tuesday October 6th – Day 2 of Mental Health Week

The Barnett Government calls on Mental Health Services to cut spending by 13 per cent.

Mental Health Week

Greens Mental Health Spokesperson Alison Xamon ( MLC for East Metro http://alisonxamon.org.au ) has exposed a tragic travesty on day two of “Mental Health Week” in W.A. where Treasurer Troy Buswell is not just applying the 3% spending cut imposed across all sectors, but cutting even more deeply into MH services.

Mental Health Week

Private and public service providers as well as NGOs and consumer groups say the extra 10 per cent is due to an overspend by the “General” Health Department.

Mental Health Week

They are reluctant to speak to the media because history shows time and again that Government employees who blow the whistle are punished ,while overstretched community groups stand to lose the meagre funding they receive while delivering life and death, front-line services.

Mental Health Week

It appears the Mental Health sector is being punished for the alleged “sins” of General Health, but so far there’s no word from Colin Barnett’s Government explaining why the demandss are being made and why it’s being done without the community being informed.

Mental Health Week WEAK

One of WA’s leading advocates, Margaret Cook had this to say about the shameful revelations;

” This is a travesty!!! We have for too long put up with this kind of cut backs and treatment of the mental health services while the community has no idea what is really happening.

Mental Health Week WEAK

Due to people with mental illness remaining the shameful silent voices. It is time we remain silent no more it is not only we who are experiencing these cutbacks but the whole community.

Mental Health Week WEAK

Staff also they have jobs and family to support also and love their jobs some whom have been in them many years and dedicated their lives to them.

There are many others our children services mental health services have had drastic cuts, and don’t believe that will not impact future generations it will.

Mental Health Week WEAK

We see this daily our children being exposed to troubled parents who are traumatised by serving overseas in wars created by Zealots who our governments think they can end  century old persuasion.

Mental Health Week WEAK

This is but just one example of a government policy that ends up as a useless costly long term problem that Governments on both sides of politics have created.

Cheers Margaret Margaret Cook Mental Health Consumer Advocate/Educator

To Know The Road Ahead Ask Those Coming Back

COMIC WA Convenor Children of Mentally Ill Consumers   “

Listen to some of the news grabs from Greens MLC Alison XAMON

Alison Xamon MH frontline services mp3

Alison Xamon MH reconsider mp3

Alison Xamon MH kicking the needymp3

Alison Xamon MH no fat to cutmp3

Alison Xamon MH critical servicemp3

Alison Xamon MH call to actionmp3

Australia NW Oil Spill, company links to Burma’s military dictatorship? Are we financing the Generals as we pick up the bill for their mess? OP/ED

Atlas West Oil Rig – we know where the oil-spill is going,

West Atlas Oil Spill 1

what about where the profits are going.

Are we helping finance repression in Burma - Myanmar?

The 2007 AP, SMH & Rigzone articles below pose some very disturbing questions about where the profits go from the badly leaking West Atlas Oil Rig.

<<|>>

Is it possible that our Governments are indirectly financing the illegal Military Junta in Burma/Myanmar and it’s brutal repression.

<<|>>

Aren’t we meant to be backing UN sanctions against the Generals’ brutal repression and imprisonment of elected leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi?

<<|>>

Meanwhile we can only wonder at the standards of corporate governance of the operators as “their” oil covers our NW waters, threatening island, reef and mainland ecosystems.

<<|>>

Excerpts and links to media exposing Burma links are below, including related interview & video from Senator Rachel Siewert.

Click the blue text to see the full story on each

A search of the website Rigzone shows these recent links between the WA Rig’s operator PTTEP and the Generals

PTTEP & CNOOC Ink Asset Swap Deal
NEWS ARTICLE: … of the Union of Myanmar. Under the agreement, the partners comprise PTTEP Myanmar
Limited, a subsidiary of PTTEP with 20% interest. CNOOC Ltd. as the operator …

PTTEP, CNOOC May Discuss Myanmar Gas Block Stake Swap
NEWS ARTICLE: … 24 hours with China National Offshore Oil Corp. about closer business ties that could
include swapping assets in Myanmar, PTTEP’s top executive said Thursday. …

PTTEP May Invest $25 Million in Myanmar Gas Fields
NEWS ARTICLE: Title: PTTEP May Invest $25 Million in Myanmar Gas Fields Date: 8/3/2004 Body: Thailand’s
PTT Exploration and Production PCL may invest $25 million to explore …

<<|>>

This  2007 AP article from the Star Via AP spells out the economic and political significance of the links

RANGOON’S CORPORATE FRIENDS

TheStar.com | Business | Oil companies fuelling Burma’s junta

Oil companies fuelling Burma’s junta

Foreign firms are fighting for access to untapped energy reserves that some say fund a repressive regime Oct 02, 2007 04:30 AM Thomas Hogue ASSOCIATED PRESS

<<|>>

From the Sydney Morning Herald, also in 2007 ( how has the structure changed we wonder )

While Burma’s military junta cracks down on pro-democracy protests, oil companies are busy jostling for access to the country’s largely untapped natural gas and oil fields.

Just last Sunday – as marches led by Buddhist monks drew thousands in the country’s biggest cities – Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora was in Burma’s capital Rangoon for the signing of contracts between state-controlled ONGC Videsh Ltd and Burma’s military rulers to explore three offshore blocks.

<<|>>

Meanwhile, the Governments of Kevin Rudd and Colin Barnett are yet to answer key questions on the lamentable response to the oil disaster by it’s operators, let alone address the issue of profits possibly going to the Generals.

See the link below for the 6PR interview, pictures of the spill taken by the Greens and an interview with Senator Rachel Siewert

Youtube slideshow of the oil slick – also, Kevin Rudd doesn’t even use the word “environment”in his brief spin on air at 6PR with Simon Beaumont (6pr.com.au )

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• New Myanmar Clashes Leave 1 Dead, Dozens Injured (abcnews.go.com)

• CNOOC First-Half Profit Down 55% on Lower Prices (nytimes.com)

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ignores NW environment as he spins a major oil slick threatening offshore and manland ecosystems :(

Kevin Rudd escaped a grilling when interviewed on 6pr.com.au about the giant oil spill off our NW coast.

Clicke here for 3 minutes of shameful spin (what about the whales & turtles Kev, they don’t vote, but we do!)  PM Kevin Rudd

There is a major threat to our offshore and mainland ecosystems, whales, turtles, sensitive reefs, and no word on why the company involved has rejected offers of clean-up help from Woodside.  see interview with Greens (WA) Sen. Rachel Siewert who’s just back from overflying the huge slick.

call your local talkback to have your say +61 8 922 11882 is 6pr.com.au

visit Senator Siewert’s site to keep track, this oil will keep spilling for the next 2 months!

Sacred Indigenous Art still under threat in Western Australia, join FARA to help save sacred Aboriginal Rock Carvings on the Burrup Peninsula

Latest news

Hi everyone, After a very successful 3rd Heritage Tour to the Burrup in July this year, we are pleased to announce that the waiting list is now open for the 4th Tour in July 2010 (dates tbc) – so if you know of anyone who might be interested, please email Judith Hugo on tour@fara.com.au. We already have many interested! In the meantime we have these forthcoming events – Zig-Zag Walk, Gooseberry Hill – Sunday 4 October 2009 Walking the Zig Zag in the Shire of Kalamunda is a lovely community event when all the world and his wife, children, grandchildren and others are transported to the top of the zig zag by shuttle bus. They then walk down enjoying the spectacular views while being entertained by music and various community groups, sausage sizzles etc. At the bottom of the Scenic Drive, more buses will take people back up to the top again. This year FARA has been invited to attend and will have a stand to inform the public about Burrup issues. We are looking for volunteers to help us spread the word – another opportunity to wear your Burrup t-shirt and do a fun Stand Up for the Burrup! If you are interested, please contact Ginie Bristowe at 9271 7263 or 0422 487 419 or sweetginie@hotmail.com with heading Zig Zag. See website for more information. Event location: Zig Zag Scenic Drive, Gooseberry Hill, FARA AGM – Tuesday 27 October 2009. 6.30pm 41 Havelock Street, West Perth We have a great new bunch of members from our last Burrup trip, but this is a reminder that old memberships are now due for renewal… This may be done by sending a cheque or money order to Jennifer Laker at 5710 Phillips Rd, Mundaring WA 6072 or by direct deposit to our bank account – Bendigo Bank, Mundaring – BSB 633 000, A/c No. 1297 11149 > Friends of Australian Rock Art. (Don’t forget to add your own name!) Membership fees: $20 – waged, $10 – low waged, $5 – unwaged, or there’s always the option of $200 – life membership! Please attend the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 27th October 2009 at 6.30pm. Come along (to Robin Chapple’s new parliamentary offices 41 Havelock Street, West Perth) to meet old and new friends – and hear the latest low-down on the Burrup! (Robert Bednarik’s book “Australian Apocalypse’ will also be available @$25) Lynne Tinley’s exhibition closing – Sunday 8 November, 3-5 pm Kingfisher Gallery, 49 Colin Street, West Perth Lynne Tinley, well known WA artist and staunch supporter of our Burrup cause, has kindly offered part proceeds from her exhibition to FARA. Her stunning works combine images from her South African roots with those from her adopted Australian homeland. This will be a wine & cheese event @$20 – bookings to Judith Hugo at jhugo@iinet.net.au And did you know? - We are always keen to hear your ideas about possible fundraising events or Stand Ups – contact@fara.com.au - FARA meets every second Tuesday Friends of Australian Rock Art meets every second Tuesday from 5.45pm to 8pm at 41 Havelock Street, West Perth. The committee welcomes anyone to attend the meeting and bring forward their ideas and/or contributions. Here is the list of scheduled meetings for the next 2 months: Tuesday 1st September Committee meeting Tuesday 15th September Committee meeting Tuesday 29th September Committee meeting Tuesday 13th October Committee meeting Tuesday 27th October Annual General Meeting FARA would be grateful if you could circulate this email to your network. 29/08/2009 Kind regards Judith, Remi For Friends of Australian Rock Art

Friends of Australian Rock Art Inc.

Major Oil Spill off NW Australia – pics and interview with Senator Rachel Siewert on her overflight of the West Atlas disaster

The Australian Greens today released pictures taken yesterday of the West Atlas Oil Spill indicating the extent to which the oil had spread from the oil rig, and called on the Government to intervene in a situation that is clearly worse than originally reported.

«««

“This spill is far more serious than both the company and the Government are saying. We were not prepared for the extent of what we saw,” said Senator Rachel Siewert, marine spokesperson for the Australian Greens.

«««

“The Government must urgently intervene, to stand up to the oil company and start immediate action to protect these precious waters and the whale, turtle, fish and other species that call them home.”

«««

The ABC is reporting here that Minister Ferguson says everything’s fine!!!

Well, if you stand on one leg and face NNE it DOES look smaller, but for the marine life it’s very very big and very very close

The Senator’s site will be updated with video and pecise co-ordinates of the oveflight soon, please visit and bookmark, share

Mental Health Forum in Perth Tuesday September 29 on plans for the coming decade – be part of the change in Western Australia September

Thank you to all the West Australians who took part in recent workshops hosted by Price Waterhouse Cooper to inform the powers that be about the urgent need for change in practice and process.

Join those steering the information process on Tuesday September 29 to hear about what happens from here. Please see the brochure below this post for details of the forum and share with your contacts.

The recent confirmation of Australia‘s suicide rate as not falling in ten years clearly shows that Governments and Service Providers have failed tragically.

No group has been failed more miserably than the First Australians, city or regional, who are suffering and dying at rates that higher than many third world countries ( don’t get me started on how little impact the Government and resource industry’s meagre efforts have had on their welfare despite making Billions from sacred land )

The deadly toll of stigma, misdiagnosis, over-drugging, ignorance,vested interests and plain inertia can’t even be measured because of the failed unwritten media rule of not reporting on suicide ( except if it’s a ratings boosting celebrity suicide )

The silence is deadly, and even offensive, as the media still gives oxygen to suicide kits and tragically wrong advice from the man known as Dr Death – under the guise of “covering” the Euthenasia debate.

A Perth woman with mental illness died horribly in Mexico after following his advice on “dignified death”, leaving her young children orphaned and a hole in the hearts of her family and community, including her since departed sister who was a dear friend of mine and the 6PR Perth radio talkback family.

Click Pic for Perthnow.com.au story

Greens call for environmental repair fund in wake of West Australian oil spill

Senator Rachel Siewert

Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia

Sunday 23rd August 2009

Greens call for environmental repair fund in wake of WA oil spill

The Australian Greens today called for more information to be made available about the oil spill off the coast of Western Australia, and for the company responsible to set up an environmental fund to monitor and repair any environmental impacts the spill may have caused.

“The company needs to be more forthcoming with information,” Australian Greens marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“We have limited information on what is currently occurring out there, what actually happened out there, how did it happen, or when they expect to get it under control.”

“This area has been dubbed a ‘marine superhighway’. There are populations of baby turtles this time of year, and the area also serves as a migratory route for whales and other marine life. It’s also close to Ashmore Reef, so we need to be certain the spill is contained before any further damage is done.”

“We are deeply concerned that it has taken so long for clean-up operations to begin and we don’t know what the long-term impacts are going to be. We believe a fund needs to be set up by the company to fund ongoing monitoring and any further repair needed in the future.”

“Before any further development is undertaken closer to the Kimberley coast, we need to ensure that emergency response teams are situated closer than Victoria or the WA wheatbelt, as this instance has shown that the increased response time could potentially result in further environmental damage,” said Senator Siewert.

“I am also concerned by comments from Resources Minister Martin Ferguson over this spill where he is playing down the potential environmental impacts – we do not yet know if the environment is at risk. He is clearly demonstrating that resources come before the environment.”

The Greens are calling on PTTEP Australasia to set up a fund to monitor damage and repair the environment.

“We also need better processes than this, to ensure quick response times and adequate safeguards to protect the environment,” she concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418 401 180

Tim Norton
Communications and Campaigns
Office of Rachel Siewert | Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia
Suite SG-113 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3741 | F: 02 6277 5762

Tim.Norton@aph.gov.au |
www.RachelSiewert.org.au | www.GreensMPs.org.au

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posted by tony serve in support of those working to save our environment

Skype: perthtones Google Talk: serve.tony@gmail.com
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tony serve blogs Big Pharma’s huge profits from human suffering features in brilliant doco and awesome new novel, listen to Producer Kevin Miller and author Pamela Glasner

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Pamela Glasner & Kevin Miller talking with Tony Serve

Pamela Glasner author "Finding Emaus"

Kevin P Miller Producer of "Generation Rx "

Pamela’s Novel “Finding Emmaus” Out Oct 1 Pre-order now

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Australian anti terror campaign increasingly anti freedom – Senator Scott Ludlum Greens WA

Untangling the laws of terror Opinion Editorial | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam Wednesday 19th August 2009, 1:36pm in Peace & Security Terrorism Laws It’s rare to hear the phrase “war on terror” these days — it has been seemingly purged from the official lexicon as the superficial certainty of the Bush/Howard years gives way to darker and more ambiguous terrain.

“war on  freedom terror”

Image via Wikipedia

Australia is still a nation at war: one and a half thousand troops on the ground in Afghanistan, backing NATO’s installation of a brittle democracy in a violent failed state where the distinctions between friend and terrorist change by the day.

“war on  freedom terror”

But something is going on at home as well: a determined, coordinated expansion of the internal security estate that is permanently blurring the boundaries between institutions of defence, intelligence and policing.

“war on  freedom terror”

Some of the thinking is laid bare in the most recent defence white paper: a highly militarised Australia stepping up to meet the threats of nameless Asian aggressors, while an expanded web of domestic security agencies wage an unseen war against the enemy within.

“war on  freedom terror”

The forthcoming counter-terrorism white paper will no doubt provide a discrete glimpse into the workings of this secret war on terror that no longer has a name.

“war on  freedom terror”

But we have some flesh on the bones already.

We know that spy agency ASIO will have doubled in size over four years and has a half-billion dollar headquarters under construction next to the defence complex in Canberra.

“war on  freedom terror”

We know that Australians are, per capita, 23 times more likely to have their phone calls intercepted than United States citizens.

“war on  freedom terror”

We know that a tight feedback loop of mutual self interest binds Ministers, law enforcement agencies and favoured media outlets who somehow manage to have photographers and journalists in place as raids are occurring, or in a recent celebrated example have the story rolling off the presses before the doors have even been kicked in.

The most telling sign of the Rudd Government’s intentions are that every word of the Howard Government’s complex and unwieldy terror laws are still in place, nearly four years after they were forced through the Senate in one fevered afternoon.

“war on  freedom terror”

It has taken two years to get a look at the Governments’ proposed “reforms”, which arrived last week in the form of a 400 page discussion paper that looks very much as though it was rushed out the door in time to catch the aftershocks of the raids in Melbourne.

The debate since then has had a peculiarly unfocused character. The Australian editorialised that the Attorney General was softening the laws. The Fairfax media reported that the laws were being toughened up.

The Coalition accuses the Government of being “soft on terror” and “draconian” at the same time. In reality, the laws are being refined, tuned, the sharp edges knocked off and the subtle underpinnings embedded more deeply in the legal architecture that guides the work of the intelligence and law enforcement communities.

The Australian Federal Police will be able to declare an emergency and then enter premises without a warrant and conduct searches essentially free of judicial oversight. Terror offences will quietly expand to encompass racial violence and “psychological harm”.

The provisions in the Crimes Act that were used to detain Dr Mohammed Haneef for 11 days while the Government frantically worked out whether to prosecute or deport him will remain, although suspects will only be allowed to be held and interrogated without charge for an eight day week. The Government has said that this is about “achieving the right balance between strong laws that protect our safety whilst preserving the democratic rights that protect our freedoms.”

“war on  freedom terror“

It is here that the argument rests most uneasily. If these “strong laws” really were protecting our safety, they would be hard to argue with.

“war on  freedom terror“

The Australian Greens is a party founded on nonviolence. We condemn acts and threats of politically motivated violence without reservation.

“war on  freedom terror“

Image via Wikipedia

The question is whether the continued ratcheting up of the security state actually makes us safer, or whether we should be looking elsewhere for the kind of “security” that seems so fragile in this complicated age.

“war on  freedom terror“

Because they operate behind a firewall of operational secrecy, the Australian public has very little idea to what degree the rapidly proliferating acronym soup of intelligence, defence and law enforcement agencies are actually making us safer.

“war on  freedom terror“

When mistakes do spill into the public domain — as they did with Dr Haneef, Izhar Ul-Haque or Jack Thomas, they shake public confidence not just in the agencies concerned but in the whole assumption that larger and better resourced secret police are the key to a secure Australia.

“war on  your rights terror“

No doubt these agencies are staffed with talented and motivated individuals, some of them doing dangerous work to pre-empt violent crimes, their only reward the absence of some half-formed horror.

“war on  your rights terror“

But this is no reason for centuries of hard-fought legal protections drawn up to protect each of us from abuse of state power to be so casually eroded.

“war on  your rights terror“

The long-awaited reviewer of the terror laws looks like it will be a well qualified part-timer supported by two staffers in the PM’s office. I wish them well — they will barely have time to come to grips with the tangled legacy of Prime Minister Howard‘s war on terror before the next tranche from Prime Minister Rudd hits the table.

Who or what we’re at war with now is an open question.

your rights and freedom are at stake support the GREENS in lobbying for a balance between fear and freedom

First published in Crikey.

West Australian mining deal with China exposes Ex-Rocker’s KOW-TOW- Gorgon announcement relegates Garrett to ‘rubber stamp’ status

Senator Rachel Siewert Australian Greens Senator  WA

Image via Wikipedia

Gorgon announcement relegates Peter Garrett to ‘rubber stamp’ status

The Australian Greens today called on the Rudd Government to explain how it can announce its endorsement of a $50 Billion gas deal with China before the Gorgon project had received Commonwealth environmental approval.

“The message to us seems clear – threatened species will not be allowed to get in the way of development under Rudd, and environmental conditions are nothing more than a means of green-washing projects destined to go ahead regardless of their environmental impacts,” said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

“Today, the role of the Environment Minister has been relegated to the status of a rubber stamp of approval.”

“Barrow Island has been dubbed ‘Australia‘s Ark’ for its unique range of endangered species, with 24 species and sub-species preserved on the island, many of who are extinct or endangered on mainland Australia.”

Image via Wikipedia

“Endemic species such as the Barrow Island spectacled hare-wallaby, Barrow Island golden bandicoot, Barrow Island mouse and the Barrow Island burrowing bettong will face possible extinction if proper environmental restrictions and controls are not put in place,” said Senator Siewert.

“There is also the carbon footprint of this plant to consider. Gorgon’s gas has a high CO2 content, meaning its emissions will be at least 5.45 million tonnes-a-year if carbon geo-sequestration can be achieved (and 8.81 million tonnes-a-year without it).”

“This is a time when we should be actively reducing emissions,” concluded Senator Siewert.

The Greens are calling on the Prime Minister to explain whether he still considers that the Gorgon plant will only be able to proceed subject to environmental approval, or whether he now believes his Government should not be bound by the provisions of the Environmental Protection and Biodiver

Image via Wikipedia

sity Conservation Act to reject the project if it fails to secure approval.

Tim Norton
Communications and Campaigns
Office of Rachel Siewert | Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia
Suite SG-113 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3741 | F: 02 6277 5762

Tim.Norton@aph.gov.au |
www.RachelSiewert.org.au | www.GreensMPs.org.au

posted here by tony serve in support of the Greens’ ongoing efforts to hold Govt & Big Business accountable

Skype: perthtones Google Talk: serve.tony@gmail.com
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