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

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.

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

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

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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.

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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)

Four men arrested over terror plan to attack Australian army base, links to Somalia investigated

Four men in their 20s have been arrested after raids across Victoria and more arrests are possible.

Police say the suicide squad had links to Somalia and Lebanon and those arested are all australian citizens.

The ABC reports the group sought to legitimize their plans by seeking a fatwah from Islamic extremist clerics in Somalia.  
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/04/2645314.htm

Authorities have stressed that the vast majority of Australian Muslims want nothing to do with these extremists and urge us to be tolerant but vigilant.

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Great info for Western Australia on Social Services – WACOSS Update – 24th July

social policy | organisation development | membership | training

Please distribute through your networks WACOSS Update Friday 24th July 2009 News items listed in this bulletin include… WACOSS Membership Survey – Last Chance to WIN! WACOSS Social Service Organisation or Individual Member: Important Reminder! Power Assist Scheme – 2009/10 Launch of the Emergency Relief Agencies Directory 2009 Western Australian Council on Homelessness call for Nominations $135million Plan to Combat Homelessness Announced Today The National Dental Foundation Dental Rescue Day Free Job ads for WACOSS Members at EthicalJobs.com.au Risk Management: The ABC of IAC, Wednesday 29th July OSH for Community Organisations, Wednesday 12th August Time and Stress Management in the Workplace, Tuesday 18th August WACOSS Membership Survey – Last Chance to WIN! WACOSS Membership Survey You have only one day remaining for your opportunity to win $500 worth of WACOSS Training, or $500 cash! Complete the WACOSS Membership survey before close of business Friday 24th July to be in the draw! top WACOSS Social Service Organisation or Individual Member: Important Reminder! In order to secure your right to vote on important WACOSS decisions which can significantly IMPACT the community services sector…. Please ensure your Membership is renewed before 1 August! The changes to WACOSS Membership for the 2009/10 financial year can be viewed here: WACOSS Membership Fees As you will have noted Associate Members will have a completely separate fee schedule from 2009-10 onwards. For further information on fees for 2009-10 please check: the WACOSS Website REMEMBER! If your Membership is not renewed before August 1st you will not be eligible to vote in 2009/10! top Power Assist Scheme – 2009/10 WACOSS is pleased to announce Synergy’s annual contribution of $75,000 towards the Power Assist Scheme and Horizon’s $27,500 annual contribution. Horizon’s contribution is particularly pleasing as it is a 10% increase on last year’s funding. Horizon has also committed to a further two year’s funding with a 10% increase each year. As a result of these contributions the Power Assist Scheme will continue to operate during 2009/10 under the present guidelines and procedures. The funding contributions from both Utilities is in addition to the Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme and Hardship Efficiency Program presently operating throughout the WA. To find out more and download forms and guidelines please click on the link below: Utility Assistance Schemes top Launch of the Emergency Relief Agencies Directory 2009 Emergency Relief Agencies Directory 2009 The long awaited Emergency Relief Directory 09 is now out. An official launch will be held at the regular ER Forum to be held on the 5th August. We invite you to come along to the official launch. Date: Wednesday 5th August Time: 10.30 am Location: Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street in West Perth Lotterywest has provided funding for the production of the Directory and Jan Stewart, the CEO of Lotteywest, will be presenting a cheque to WACOSS as part of the official launch. Please RSVP to bernie@wacoss.org.au or phone 9420 7222 by 31st July. The purpose of this Directory is to assist emergency relief agencies, community service organisations, Government departments, hospitals, businesses and members of the community in making appropriate and timely referrals when coming into contact with those needing material or financial assistance. All Emergency Relief organisations are listed by name in alphabetical order, along with their contact details, mailing and business addresses, operating hours and services provided. Agencies are also indexed by town/suburb. Every agency listed in the Directory has been sent a free copy. Further copies are available from WACOSS at $5.00 for community service organizations and $10.00 for Government Departments. To order copies of the ER Directory please: A) Call WACOSS on 9420 9222 OR B) Download the order form HERE and fax it to WACOSS on 9486 7966. top Western Australian Council on Homelessness call for Nominations A new Western Australian Council on Homelessness is currently being established to provide the Minister for Child Protection, the Hon Robin McSweeney MLC, with information and advice on homelessness related areas. Nominations for community representatives are currently being sought from across the homelessness sector, including; CEO’s/Senior Executives of homelessness service providers; and CEO’s/Senior Executives of non government community service agencies, especially housing, mental health, drug and alcohol, corrections and employment, that interact with homelessness service providers. The below documents provide more detailed information and the nomination form: Information Sheet Call for Nominations Nomination Form top $135million Plan to Combat Homelessness Announced Today The Federal and Western Australian governments today announced a four-year, $135.1million plan to help combat and prevent homelessness in Western Australia. To read the Media Statement please click HERE. The Fact Sheet can be read HERE top The National Dental Foundation Dental Rescue Day The National Dental Foundation Dental Rescue Day is scheduled for Saturday August 15th and will be held at a clinic in Cottesloe. This is free, one-off dental treatment. Appointments must be made prior to 1st August. Click on the link below for the types of treatments that are possible and not possible on this day: Prioritising Clients for National Dental Foundation Treatment To make an appointment email admin@ndfwa.org.au top Free Job ads for WACOSS Members at EthicalJobs.com.au EthicalJobs.com.au is a new website which promotes “work for a better world” – we connect people looking for an ethical job or career with employers who see their organisations as contributing to a more equitable, more just or more sustainable world. If you’re looking for a great you job, please visit us at www.EthicalJobs.com.au and subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter, access a how-to guide for finding an ethical job, and check out our Ethical Jobs Blog. We’re also really keen to work with community organisations around Australia to help them find employees who are truly committed to their values and organisations. So as a special offer to WACOSS member organisations, we’re offering to post any and all of your job ads free until August 1st! Please call us on (03) 9419 7322 or email us at info@ethicaljobs.com.au if you’d like to to post some job ads for you. top Risk Management: The ABC of IAC, Wednesday 29th July Control risks within community sector organisations TRAINER: Dee Roche Identify, assess and develop strategies to control risks within community sector organisations. Identifying, assessing and managing risk within day-to-day and strategic operations is the responsibility of all levels of staff, management and Board membership. This workshop will examine the linkage between governance, risk management and control. Participants of this workshop will come away with the skills and knowledge to improve structures, procedures, systems and feedback within their own organisations. What previous participants have said… “Want to bottle this course and take it back to the board. Very practical.” Anonymous participant. Further Information For the full details and to register CLICK HERE or visit the new WACOSS Organisation Development Services website at www.wacosstraining.org.au. top OSH for Community Organisations, Wednesday 12th August Do you wish that you had a system for identifying health and safety risks before they turned into accidents? Do you believe that it is essential for your staff, managers, and board members to know what the law expects of them, and the potential fines, if they do not keep the workplace free from physical and psychological harm? If you answered Yes! to either of these questions, then this training will benefit your organisation. WHAT DOES IT COVER? >A presentation by Worksafe on the Occupational Safety and Health legislation applying WA. This workshop is not an accredited training course for elected Occupational Health and Safety Officers as defined by the Act. But if you are wondering what all this means then you should attend! > Responsibilities of Employees/Employers under the OSH act; > Including what is required when electing an occupational health and safety representative > What are your responsibilities to volunteers > Defining areas of risk for community based not for profit groups > What is the workplace? > Who does the Act apply to? > Starting the Risk Management system > OSH committees- Who to consult and who to consult with > Implementing a culture of safety in your workplace Further Information For the full details and to register CLICK HERE or visit the new WACOSS Organisation Development Services website at www.wacosstraining.org.au. top Time and Stress Management in the Workplace, Tuesday 18th August YOUR TIME WONT BE WASTED IF YOU ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP FULL OF PRACTICAL TIPS AND TOOLS Learn how to IMPROVE your work performance and REDUCE stress to achieve your work-life BALANCE. - Most of us spend 3 hours each day dealing with interruptions - 3 hours each week looking for things on our desk and - 11 hours a week in meetings - while managing 600% more information than we managed 20 years ago. Time Management training is ideal for anyone who has countless tasks demanding their attention and who needs to juggle conflicting priorities. In this Workshop you will learn to improve planning, set goals and feel more in control of your work load. What previous participants have said… “The Time Management seminar has been very valuable and has motivated me to make changes which will benefit myself, my clients and my organisation.“ Further Information For the full details and to register CLICK HERE or visit the new WACOSS Organisation Development Services website at www.wacosstraining.org.au. top

Perth man killed in Djakarta bombings, OPED & ABC News Article link.

Sincere condolences for the family of Perth man Nathan Verity and prayers for the others, local & foreign, struck down by the cowardly bombers.

Nathan Verity - family man from Perth - vale mate

Nathan leaves a wife and 5 year old child here in Perth.

His father and wife now face the heartbreak of formal identification and repatriation of their loved son and husband.

There are indications that the outrage has been perpetrated by a splinter group of Jemaa Islamiyeh.

Intelligence indicates those responsible may well be formerly jailed terrorists ( these are NOT freedom fighters ) who had been released after “rehabilitation” programmes.

I am against the death penalty even in this case, but these mongrel dogs must be locked up for the term of their natural life and made to do useful labor. The “religious” leaders who inspire and incite them deserve the same.

the latest from ABC news follows…

Australians feared dead in Jakarta blasts

Friday, July 17, 2009

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has expressed grave concerns for three Australians following today’s attacks on two hotels in central Jakarta.

Mr Rudd says one of the Australians is a senior Austrade official and another is believed to be a businessman from Perth.

To view on a PC/Mac please use this link

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/17/2629427.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2629427&cat=Top_Stories



from @perthtones’ iPhone

Iran conflict dominates twitter – tweeters send advice and warnings to protestors

The coverage of the Iran conflict has been dominating twitter overnight in some amazing ways.

The symbolic help to the opposition comes in a green tinge appearing in avatars/icons to focus attention on Iran.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

There are tweets that show a range of coverage from east and west, warnings from the west on activities of Iran’s secret police, the Basij and more…  a sample of those is posted below. Tweeters are also sharing information on how to avoid exposing people inside Iran as they support and inform them.

See also the “related stories” list below.

Show support for democracy in Iran add green overlay to your Twitter avatar with 1-click – http://helpiranelection.com/

RT : FIRST AID INFO IN FARSI : مشکل پزشکي http://gr88.tumblr.com/ #IranElection #GR88 #iranelections #iranelection #tehran

Basij are marking doors to attack later. Use petrol to remove marks. RT! #IranElection #tehran #gr88

CNN’s Don Lemon showing video of helicopters dropping “liquids” on HUMANS in Iran. #iranelctions @iran9 #gr88

iran police beating woman (and car). why does their gear say ‘police’ in english??? http://bit.ly/XZTuZ

MANY RT The Iran army has put their Tanks into Azadi Square!! Please share the news!! #Tehran #iranelection #IranFreedom

Mashable: Iran Election Crisis: 10 Incredible YouTube Videos http://twurl.nl/sk0b5d #IranElection

I wish freedom for the people of Iran and support free and fair elections.

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• Latest Tweets on Fallout from Iran’s Election (time.com)
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• Iran Is All a-Twitter: How #iranelection May Save a Nation’s People (svmoms.com)
• Iran council offers partial recount, police deploy (calgaryherald.com)

ABC News; Australian state examines Cancer rates of Firefighters

Image via Wikipedia

The Queensland firefighters union says more research is needed into the rate of cancer among its workers.

A national study has been launched into cancer rates among Australia‘s firefighters.

Queensland Health commissioned the report after environmental testing failed to explain a cancer cluster among staff at the Atherton fire station in far north Queensland.

There have been five reported cases of cancer among current and former staff.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/04/2590141.htm

To view on a mobile please use this link

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2590141&cat=Justin

United Firefighters Union of Australia - Queensland branch

Meanwhile the Aussie – US connection from 9/11 grows stronger, see link below

Melbourne MFB Firefighter and UFU member Paul Ritchie is organising a charity run from Los Angeles to New York, finishing at the World Trade Centre site on 11 September 2010. We are calling for expressions of interest from Union members in Queensland to participate.

from @perthtones’ iPhone

Australian Government Fails to protect ancient cultural heritage on the Burrup

Image via Wikipedia

Garrett must take seriously allegations of damage on the Burrup: Greens

click here for info on the campaign to save these global icons

Greens Senator for WA Rachel Siewert has urged the Minister for Heritage, Peter Garrett to take seriously potential damage to a national heritage-listed site on Western Australia‘s Burrup Peninsular.

“We hear that the Heritage Minister’s Department has gone to the trouble of seeking expert archaeological and legal advice about whether multinational Cemex has damaged artefacts of national heritage significance on the Burrup,” Senator Siewert said.

“We now need to know the outcome of this advice and what Minister Garrett plans to do about it.

“The public has reason to be concerned about whether a serious breach of national heritage has occurred.

“Cemex, a  cement company, has admitted to operating within the boundary of the Burrup national heritage site but denies doing any harm to rock art.

“On the other hand, the location is known to be densely covered in rock art estimated to be thousands of years old.

“The WA Government is taking this issue seriously and is reportedly prosecuting Cemex for breaching the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act.

“Maximum fines under the WA Act for a corporation committing a first-time offence of damage to an Indigenous heritage site are $50,000 or $100,000 for a second offence.

“This compares to fines of up to $5 million for a corporation and up to seven years’ jail for individuals who damage national heritage listed sites.”

“The Minister must have information about this damage to the Burrup’s national heritage, but appears to have failed to act.  Now he has a chance to rectify this Ministerial oversight by prosecuting this act of destruction, and taking steps to ensure no more irreplaceable rock art is lost for no good cause,” concluded Senator Siewert.

Uranium Mining in Western Australia, 2010 start

NoUraniumMininingInWA

The Liberal Premier of Western Australia is a decent bloke, but here he reveals some hard realities about his poorly informed decision to overturn a 30year ban on mining uranium.

Ground will be broken next year at Toro Energy’s peggings at Wiluna, and serious questions about safety, water and indigenous issues have yet to be addressed.

Watch this space for news of how you can help stop a mistake that could haunt us…

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