Zedlines: 14 April 2009

The Northern Territory Government says it wants to trial the hunting of 25 animals over the next five years, acting on its proposed five-year saltwater crocodile management program.

Environment Minister Alison Anderson said to The Australian that the plan was not intended as a measure to control crocodile numbers, but to foster indigenous employment and enterprise.

Although animal welfare groups have condemned the plan, some Aborigines, professional hunting groups and pastoralists strongly support it.

Out of the groups that support it, some have criticized the quota of 25 animals over five years, saying it’s much too low to generate any genuine business for anyone.


Prime Minister Rudd opened the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute in Canberra this morning.

The Rudd Government has begun a $100 bn research effort to prove that 'clean-coal' technology works in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

80 per cent of Australia's energy is conducted using coal, so the interest in proving clean coal technology is environmentally and economically viable is huge.


Simultaneous press conferences have been held across seven African countries to warn that millions of people in Darfur face death and disease, if aid agencies remain frozen out of Sudan.

African NGOs and Amnesty International joined forces to call on the Sudanese Government to allow agencies to work freely in the country.

13 international and three national aid agencies were shut down on March 4 by the government of Sudan, in retaliation to the arrest warrant out on President Omar Al Beshir.


A $1 billion deal to allow a gas mine to set up at James Price Point north of Broome was settled yesterday, by Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett.

Mr Barnett says the deal with traditional land owners will provide unprecedented opportunities in housing, health and education, while providing thousands of jobs to Australians.

Opposition group Save the Kimberley has been fighting to save the pristine environment from the heavy industrialisation they say will occur when the gas plant goes ahead.

They say the area is the last remaining untouched wilderness areas and are fighting to let it remain that way.


An inquiry into the Federal government's greenhouse emissions targets has found them “weak and inadequate”.

The Australian Greens and Opposition established the Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy, which has received over 13,000 submissions from a deeply concerned public demanding stronger action on climate change.

Scientists told the inquiry panel yesterday Australia's emissions need to be 25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 to prevent climate catastrophes.


Fines will be introduced to prevent developers and others from damaging Aboriginal artefacts who claim they were unaware they were committing an offence.

The Government will introduce fines of up to $1.1 million and a "strict liability" offence due to a decision made in cabinet this week.

The proposals were made by the Environment Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, after the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this month revealed a lack of action under laws which were supposed to protect items and places of Aboriginal heritage.


49 Afghani asylum seekers are headed for Christmas Island, after their boat was intercepted off the north-western Australian coast yesterday.

The boat arrived as Federal Ministers for Immigration, Foreign and Home Affairs, attended a forum in Bali to discuss ways of combating human trafficking and people smuggling in the region.

In the past year, 428 asylum seekers have reached Australia's northern waters.


A Qantas flight was forced to ground this week when four baby pythons went missing from the cargo.

When the staff who were flying from Alice Springs to Melbourne on Tuesday realised the snakes had escaped from their cage, the aircraft was taken out of service and fumigated, causing delays for passengers.

At this point, two days later, the snakes remain missing.

Reported by Sophie, Isabel, Danielle and Ez
Blogged by Ellie

Zedlines 9 April 2009

Prominent Indigenous leader Noel Pearson held a press conference today in Cape York to fight against the Bligh Governments proposed land changes.

Last Friday, the Government announced that there were now 13 Rivers that would be labeled Wild Rivers, whereas originally there was only one.

The Wilderness Society’s Wild Rivers campaign said protecting wild rivers is significant in protecting the environment, and will encourage sustainable fishing.

Development can interfere with irrigation systems, fish migration and plant habitats.

Bligh also announced to create 100 new jobs for the local Indigenous community to act as rangers to protect the rivers.

But the proposal has outraged several members of the community. Traditional owner Richie Ah Mat said the decision would stop economic development in Cape York and entrench welfare dependence for another generation of indigenous residents.

He said the decision will impact prospective farmers and it will restrict employment, business and economic development for Aboriginal people.

Mr Pearson has accused Bligh of appealing to the Greens Party.


There could be further outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae along the Murray River.

NSW Water Minister Philip Costa said the 800km stretch of land, between Albury and west of Swan Hill, had been classified as a "red alert" area and was potentially toxic.

He said the river is currently at a very low flow rate and the temperatures are high, which is perfect conditions for the algal bloom to grow.

The initial outbreak of algae occurred at the end of March when the main channel of the river dropped below 5% and blue-green algae stretched across nearly 600 kilometres of the waterway.

The minister has advised visitors not to swim in the river over the Easter break. The algae can cause skin irritation and consumption can cause illness.


A new camera has been developed to give instant images of sun-damaged skin.

The only one in Australia at present, the camera provides images of the lower layers of skin, showing damaged areas that will turn into wrinkles, spots and blemishes.

14-year-old students who had their faces photographed for sun damage at Queensland University of Technology‘s new health centre will think twice about staying out in the sun unprotected in future.

Associate Professor Michael Kimlin of QUT's AusSun Research Laboratory said he was surprised to see that some of the students already had the skin age of a 25-year-old, highlighting the importance of sun protection.


Brisbane market goers are horrified at the Brisbane City Council’s decision to hand over the running of the much-loved West End markets to Sydney-based company Blue Sky Events.

Peta Hackworth, who has run the Green Flea markets in West End for 6 years, is concerned the new organizers will treat it like a business and not as the community hub that it is.

Ms Hackworth said Blue Sky Events has already proposed to tidy up the markets making them more compact.

In January 5000 people signed a petition to keep the sprawling market as it is, with local councilor Helen Abrahams agreeing that it was the total chaos that made the West End markets so wonderful.


China has reopened Tibet to tourists again, now that a month of highly sensitive anniversaries is over.

Chinese authorities had sealed off Tibet to tourists and journalists at the beginning of March in the lead up to the 50th year anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule that led to the exile of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Protests by Tibetan communities last year ended in violent clashes with Chinese authorities, killing around 200 Tibetans.

However, after a number of more peaceful demonstrations this year, the Chinese government is allowing tourists to apply for permission to visit the area again.

Reported by Ez and Danielle
Blogged by Ellie

08/ 04/ 2009
ZEDLINES

Federal parliament is conducting an inquiry into grocery stores accused of selling rotting groceries at exorbitant prices in towns across northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, largely in Indigenous communities.

A nurse in the Northern Territory says she paid $11 for off fruit and vegetables and out of date sour cream. While the Best Price Directory website shows on average tomatoes cost under a dollar and lettuce a maximum of $5.

Lockhart River community in Cape York says the high prices are due to transport costs.

The Federal Government’s National Broadband Network contract was going to a private company but now the majority of the share will be held by the Government itself and only part privately owned.

A sex education website aimed at 12-year-olds is getting a mixed reaction.

The Hormone Factory teaches students about sex, birth control and the perils of puberty.

The website has been not surprisingly, talked about on call-back radio, with many parents saying it isn’t age appropriate and is in bad taste.

Some claim the site is pro-abortion, as it says “termination can be very sad… but also a relief.”

But Family Planning Queensland are praising the Hormone Factory, saying it will help young people to talk about sex with parents.

Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba to be restored.

Used for church services, all-ages live music gigs and drama productions, management from Aisle 6 productions are keen to renovate the aging concert hall and realise its full potential as a major Brisbane venue.

Aisle 6 productions want to repair the interior and revamp the architectural features, making the Princess into a traditional-yet-new venue like The Tivoli or The Powerhouse.

The Princess features antique artwork, a high ceiling, plaster pillars and old red velvet curtains.

The Starlight Foundation is officially a victim of the global financial crisis, saying it won’t be able to grant as many wishes to sick children this year.

The Starlight Foundation is anticipating a $2 million drop in donations, after noting a drop in donating Australia-wide.

The foundation is hoping to not cancel granting wishes altogether, but rather delay them until a more financially viable time.

They’re also forced to cut back the opening hours in Starlight Express Rooms in paediatric hospitals and the Starlight Escapes program.

Donations can still be made to the Starlight Foundation through their website.

Reported by Ellie
Blogged by Emma

Zedlines: 2 April 2009

The recent floods in New South Wales and Queensland prove Carbon Dioxide is not responsible for climate change, according to The Climate Sceptics of Australia.

Earlier we spoke with spokesperson Leon Ashby who said climate change is best explained by fluctuating distances between the Earth and Sun.

The Climate Sceptics of Australia believe the correlation between global temperature and length of sunspot cycles suggest we are due for a cooling. They predict future floods in the Murray-Darling system.

Plans for a gas hub in the Kimberely region have stalled as government, business and traditional owners fail to reach an agreement on the James Price Point site.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett said the agreement needs to be secured in next few days.

However, traditional Aboriginal owners will not meet to discuss the hub until the 14th and 15th of this month.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has accused Premier Barnett for laying the groundwork so Aboriginals will be blamed if the project does not go ahead.

Premier Barnett has made repeated threats of acquiring the land himself if no agreement is made.

The Wilderness Society have expressed their concerns about the impact of the proposed gas hub, which they say will pollute the air and could harm native wildlife.



Migrant workers will earn the same wage as local workers, under new changes to the 457 visa program.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the measures are aimed at protecting overseas workers and ensuring local wages and conditions are not undercut.

Senator Evans also said the changes will lift the standard of English required for 457 visa holders.

Employers seeking to bring in foreign workers will have to meet tougher benchmarks to prove they are committed to training and recruiting local workers.

Under the current 457 visa scheme, all temporary skilled migrants are entitled to a minimum wage of $43,440, regardless of their profession. That salary will be increased by 4.1 per cent to $45,221 from July 1st.


Nurses around Australia have called for the Rudd government to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act in the Northern Territory on today’s national Close the Gap Day.

The Howard government suspended the Racial Discrimination Act which allowed the Commonwealth to roll out the more controversial aspects of the intervention into remote Aboriginal communities.

The Australian Nursing Federation said it should be reinstated immediately.

“There is no apparent benefit to the health of Indigenous communities in maintaining the suspension of the RDA,” their website says.

The Rudd government is facing increased pressure over how they deal with Indigenous affairs after criticism from the United Nations.

ZEDLINES 30/03/2009

Almost 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries around the world turned out their lights for Earth Hour on Saturday night in an effort to raise awareness of climate change.

Brisbane's participation was just above 50%, while Canberra had the highest rate in Australia with 62%. All Australian capital cities switched their lights off and about 55% of local councils participated.
CEO of conservation group WWF Australia, Greg Bourne, says he was amazed at the jump in participation from 370 cities last year to almost 4000 this year.


The launch of National Youth Week was celebrated on Saturday in Brisbane's City Area, kicking off a week of youth awareness forums and activities that will run till the fifth of April.
During this week, young people are encouraged to speak out about issues important to them, showcase talents and share ideas.
Young Australians have also been encouraged to enrol to vote, and are being reminded by the Australian Electoral Commission that they need to update details when moving.
Details of the events held this week can be found at www.youthweek.com.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have contributed to an international study which has come closer to finding a prevention for breast cancer.

The study has identified two regions of the genome that can alter a woman's risk of cancer. Scientists scanned the complete genetic code of over 400 patients and identified variations that occurred more regularly in cancer patients than healthy women.

Professor John Hopper says the discovery is exciting because once researchers have an understanding of where to look, they can focus on genetic causes of breast cancer.

Queensland hearing centres Hear and Say, are launching their annual Butterfly Appeal today in Queen Street Mall.

The appeal aims to raise funds for twelve hearing impaired babies on a waiting list for the Hear and Say Centres where they can develop their speech and communication.
The launch will take place at the top of Queen Street Mall from 10am this morning.

The Trade Union Council is still pushing for a minimum wage rise, following the Prime Minister's refusal to support it.
Still asking for a twenty-one dollar a week rise, the council's secretary Jeff Lawrence says it would not result in unemployment, as suggested by business lobby groups.

Mr Lawrence says the minimum wage increase would still see employees getting paid under fifteen dollars an hour.

Scientist and CEO of eWater Professor Gary Jones has announced that the nation's bickering over water management is preventing reforms.

Professor Jones says a National Accord on Water Use should be introduced to enforce efficient and uniform water management.

Such an agreement in regards to water would, according to Professor Jones, empower regional communities in the debate over water control.

Queensland Rail says services on the CLEVELAND line have returned to normal... after the BURANDA station was gutted by fire...

The station building was demolished yesterday after suffering extensive damage in the blaze...

But passengers who usually get on and off at BURANDA are being encouraged to make different plans...

Earth Hour, held on Saturday, was accompanied by a protest in Victoria's Latrobe Valley at the Hazelwood Power Station.

The protest group, “Switch off Coal and Switch on Renewables”, targeted the power station, with spokesperson Louise Morris saying renewable energy should be used to really tackle climate change.

The group is lobbying for the powerstation to shut down, saying it would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent.

Australian farmer confidence has dropped to a two-year low according to the latest Rural Confidence Survey released today.

The results show the fourth successive quarter declining in farmer sentiment, and almost half the nation's primary producers expecting the rural economy to worsen.

A biopic surrounding the notorious ponzi scammer Bernard Madoff is in production, titled “Madoff, Made off with America”.

The show's producer, Edmund Druilhet, says the film will portray Madoff's numerous betrayals and he has sympathy for those who lost their life savings in the Ponzi scam.Mr Druilhet also suggests that the Madoff ponzi scheme ilustrated the failure of world financial systems.

The legal challenge of Kevin Rudd's $900 tax bonus starts today in the High Court.
Legal academic Bryan Pape disagrees with the handouts... saying they're not within the federal government's taxation powers, but according to the Commonwealth, the plan is amply supported by the constitutional heads of power.
The hearing will run for two days.

New research shows it won't be just “battler” suburbs at risk of high unemployment and mortgage defaults... during the current economic downturn...

The Griffith University study shows suburbs like Goodna, Inala, Greenbank and Browns Plains are among those on “red alert” for unemployment vulnerability...

But the data also shows affluent areas like Chandler, Belmont and Carindale are also at risk.... because higher unemployment and falling investments will put million-dollar mortgages at risk...

Overcrowding in New South Wales' Juvenile Justice System has reached crisis point.

The Public Service Association says the system has also been thwarted by mismanagement and lack of funding.

The problem highlights the government's lack of commitment to helping youth overcome problems, says the PSA.

A 78 million dollar scheme to pipe water to drought-affected areas of Tasmania is now approved for development.
Premier David Bartlett says the plan will be complete by late 2010...
But farmers have hit back at the plan... saying it will take too long and Government irrigation schemes like the Meander Dam are too expensive.

New research shows marine sanctuaries can rebuild populations of threatened fish, resulting in a call for greater protection of marine environments.

Environmental advocates hope this research will provide the federal government incentive to expand marine sanctuaries in the south west of the country.

Less than one per cent of the marine environment is protected in this part of Western Australia.

Zedlines: 26 March 2009

Climate change will cause some of Australia's potential weeds to move south by up to 1,000km, according to a report by scientists at CSIRO.

CSIRO researcher Dr John Scott said, "Out there, throughout the nation, are many weed species lying low, but with the potential to take off and add to the economic and social burden of weed control."

He was addressing the GREENHOUSE 2009 conference on climate change in Perth.

Weeds cost Australia more than $4 billion a year, either in control or lost production. They cause serious damage to the environment.



Karoo Thorn has the potential to be a serious woody weed, which could affect Australian ecosystems. Image credit: Colin Wilson


Dr Scott said these cost estimates were only based on the damage cause by weeds known to be active in Australia, so the damage could be far worse.


Cane toads will be used as compost to feed sugar cane by a waste management company in Cairns this weekend.

The company is asking residents to bring in their captured cane toads, which will be used as raw material for compost.

Plant manager Hayden Slattery says the company hopes to get around 100kg of toads, which will be humanely killed then put through a special breakdown period before being used on sugar cane farms.

The project is part of Townsville's Toad Day Out.


A Tibetan photo exhibition titled "Never Give Up" opened in Paddington's Percolatar Gallery yesterday.

The exhibition brings together a collection of 50 colour and black and white images by Australian and Tibeten-Australian photographers. The images are said to capture the dignity, courage and vibrancy of Tibetan life that continues to develop, despite 50 years of oppression and exile.


Image: Natalie Grono


Click here for more info on the exhibition

Negotiations between the two countries continue to be at a standstill. Earlier this month, the Chinese Premier stated that future dialogue was up to the Tibetans. "The doors for negotiation are always open, as long as the Dalai Lama denounces separatism."

However, the Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet) has refuted the allegation of "separatism" and held firm to its "Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy" as a fair basis for future negotiations.


95 monks were arrested for taking down a Chinese flag and raising a Tibetan flag during a peaceful demonstration.

These demonstrations come in a politically sensitive month which marks the anniversaries of 50 years since the failed uprising against Chinese rule, and one year since the violent riots between protesters and Chinese authorities that killed hundreds of Tibetans.


Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that Australians are using almost 50 per cent more energy than 0 years ago, despite widespread awareness and greener technology.

Larger houses are consuming more energy because of peoples' dependence on air conditioning, heating and modern appliances, which has caused a spike in power use.

Although there has been a 49 per cent increase in renewable energy production, the report suggests there is a discrepancy between households concerned with the environment, and those actually taking up energy reducing practices and renewable sources.

In Brazil, at least 50,000 oil production workers began a five-day strike yesterday.

The workers from the state-run oil firm, Petrobras, stoped work at refineries, oil wells and platforms to protest against pay cuts and working conditions.

Officials from the National Oil Workers Federation said 165 employees have been killed in accidents in the last seven years.

ZEDLINES 23/3/09

An Oxfam report released today found that a Hong Kong manufacturing company used by Pacific Brands is not transparent enough in reporting working conditions.

Oxfam Labour Rights Advocacy Coordinator Tim Connor says companies such as Pacific Brands need to take more notice of overseas manufacturers and their workplace conditions, considering that more jobs may be sent overseas.

The Hong Kong company in question, Li and Fung, also contributes to the manufacturing process for other Australian clothing companies such as Just Jeans.

Muslim students at Melbourne's RMIT University have planned a protest today over the lack of Muslim prayer rooms on campus, saying it exposes their women to sexual abuse and harassment.

RMIT's Islamic society says they are sick of being given the run around, with students now being forced to pray in corridors and women's rooms.

But RMIT's Acting Vice -Chancellor, Dr Maddy McMaster, says there are already eight muslim prayer rooms across three campuses, and the policy remains that prayer rooms in the uni's spiritual centre are multi-faith and open to bookings.

The Coalition Against Duck Shooting will cause a stir outside Victorian Premier John Brumby's office today, when they display a collection of dead protected bird species which were illegally shot over the weekend.

A rescue team of 170 volunteers outnumbered shooters with the help of the Wildlife Victoria mobile veterinary clinic.

Campaign Director, Laurie Levy, says despite knowing that wildlife officers, police and media were present, shooters illegally started firing before opening time, calling it an "incredible show of stupidity."

Prominent Christian leaders have urged Australians to support fair trade and consider the exploitations of workers behind the production of cotton and chocolate this Easter.

Unfair conditions behind the production of coco and cotton include underpaying small holder farmers and the use of harmful agricultural products, a situation the churchs says can be prevented by consumers.

Products which promote fair working conditions are identified by the use of the Fairtrade symbol on chocolate made by companies such as Oxfam and Scarborough Fair.

Queensland's state government should declare half of the Great Barrier Reef a disaster zone, according to the Seafood Industry Association.

The fishing industry says the effects of the cyclone were felt from Bowen right down to Wide Bay, with jobs now at risk because reef wildlife has disappeared.

But Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO, David Gscwind, says media attention has already hurt tourism in the area, and the declaration of a natural disaster zone is unnecessary. (((((((((( GRAB 22 SECONDS )))))))))

Research in Japan has found that drinking socially is good for our health.

The study that observed drinking patterns and social support of almost twenty thousand men, from ages forty to sixty, found that light to moderate drinking was associated with reduced risks of heart disease and stroke.

Light to moderate drinkers with a higher level of social interaction also fared better in health than those with low levels of social interaction.

The proposed blacklist for banned websites in the government's internet filter which was leaked last week is not authentic, according to senator Stephen Conroy.

The list reportedly contains over 2000 web sites which were part of the blacklist, including several Queensland businesses.

But Senator Conroy insists while the list contains some common sites to those on the actual blacklist, it also has sites which were never the subject of an ACMA investigation.

Mines in Queensland's north west are under investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency after heavy rains caused on-site water overflows.

Ten mines in the area are potentially contaminated, where toxic water has spilled over, and may have affected some cattle stock.

And finally British scientists have developed a robot fish that will be able to detect water pollution

The fish use chemical sensors to identify hazardous pollutants caused from leaks.

They are one and a half metres long, and five robots will be released into a port off north Spain as a trial.