Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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.
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.
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