4ZzZfm NEWS

Zedlines: 14 April 2009

2009-04-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

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.

Zedlines Friday 20th March 2009.

2009-03-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Blogged by Natasha Christian

Reported by Aneta Nedemovic, Rose Kang, Elisha Brinnand and Peta Fuller.

Last night the tenth Australian soilder died in the Afghanistan War.

The soldier was trying to defuse an imporvised explosive device. This is the second casulty this week. No details on the man’s identity have been released.

Fast food chain, McDonald’s will be sponsering an online maths program for Australian teenagers.

The online maths learning aid will feature the chains logo and message in the opening sequence. It is estimated that it will cost McDonalds millions of dollars and reach roughly 1.4 million children in grades 7 to 12.

Danny Lim, an independent Strathfield councilor is facing harassment claims after putting to lodging a motion for a fellow councilor to ’screw herself’.

Lim allegedly lodged the motion last month that council purchase a vibrator for New South Whales Minister for fair trading Virginia Judge to encourage her “to stop screwing with the people of Strathfield and screw her- self instead”.

Council refused to table the motion and Ms Judge has lodged a complaint with the council calling for action against Mr Lim.

The US will finally endorse the UN declaration to end discrimination against homosexuality.

President Bush was notably the only western leader who didn’t sign up last year.

Corey Irlam, spokesperson for the Australian Coalition for Equality, says this move puts pressure on countries that haven’t signed on.

A bill to protect journalists from naming their sources has passed parliament.

Attorney-general Robert McClelland strengthened shield laws for journos, provided the circumstances are appropriate. The Media, Entertainment and Arts alliance has welcomed the news, saying it was long overdue.

The Fair Work Bill was passed by the Senate in the early hours of this morning.

But the law to raise the threshold definition of a small business from 15 to 20 workers was amended.

The Coalition, Family First Senator Steve Fielding and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon argued this would deter too many businesses from employing people.

Zedlines 19/03/2009

2009-03-18T19:08:00.001-07:00

Reported by Sophie, Danielle, Isabel and Ez

This week is International Brain Awareness Week.

Neuroscience organisations worldwide have organised Brain Awareness Week to educate people on mind and brain disorders, as well as the benefits of brain research.

Australian research institutes, community support organisations, universities, schools and professional organisations will help campaign during this week.

Asylum seekers and immigrants no longer have to pay for their detention costs in Australia, after new legislation was introduced to Parliament yesterday.

The cost for one year's detention can be as high as $45,000. Federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans said this is an "unjust and ineffective" policy.

The legislation will waive all existing debts for current and former detainees, but no refunds will be offered under the scheme.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the legislation is "overdue", after the Government pledged to be more compassionate towards immigration and asylum seeker issues.

Ms Hanson-Young called on the Government to shut down the Christmas Island Detention centre and to have asylum applications transferred to the mainland. This will allow immigrants to access community support.

Australia is also going to cut its intake of skilled migrants up to 14% next year.

The current economic crisis and rising unemployment levels have caused the immigration department to make this controversial decision.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said it is important to keep Australians in work, and there is "no need" for migrants to compete for jobs when they are in short supply.

Health occupations, engineering and information technology will be listed on the critical occupation shortage list this year after May 12.

A leading Queensland environmental group are urging politicians to stop politicising the Moreton Island oil spill.

Simon Baltais from the Queensland Conservation Society said the conflict is "undermining the work and confidence of those working valiantly to minimise the damage caused".

Although Moreton Island and Brisbane City Council cleared away most of the oil, the clean-up is expected to take another month. The oil will wash up on cleaned beaches along the coastline.

Specialist equipment has arrived in Brisbane today to help with the clean-up.

50 per cent of Tasmanian forests are gone, according to the UN.

The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation released a report on the state of the World's Forests. The report said expansion of large-scale monocultures of oil palm, soy and other crops for agrofuel production has been a key factor in deforestation.

Friends of the Earth and the Global Forest Coalition have called on world governments to take immediate action to halt deforestation and forest degradation.

Sri Lanka has rejected a call from the European Union for an immediate ceasefire between government troops and the Tamil Tigers.

The EU urged the two sides to halt fighting in the north of the island to allow humanitarian aid to reach a "safe zone".

But Sri Lankan foreign secretary Palitha Kohonoa said the ceasefire will only allow the Tamil Tigers time to regroup and acquire more weapons.

The clean energy industry economy is booming in Germany, according to the German economics ministry.

280,000 people were employed in the country's clean energy sector, which is up from 30,000 two years ago.

Renewable energy now accounts for 10 per cent of energy consumption in Germany, furthering their role as leaders in sustainable energy.

Blogged by Ellie

Zedlines- Friday the 13th March 2009

2009-03-12T23:54:00.000-07:00

Reported by Nick.

Blogged by Natasha Christian.

The Pacific Adventurer, the ship responsible for the states worst oil spill in history is now anchored at Hamilton, and leaking fuel oil into the Brisbane River.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown flew over the River today, together with Queensland Greens MP Ronan Lee, and managed to see the oil leaking from the ship and travelling some 500m down steam.

Senator Brown is calling the disaster “an environmental emergency of national proportions.

A 70 year old man was found on the footpath with severe burns to his face and throat in Toowoomba last night.Detective Inspector Brett Schafferius says they are investigating the possibility of an acid attack but still can’t explain a motive for the incident

The man was rushed to the Royal Brisbane hospital where doctors say he is in a critical condition it is unknown when they’ll be able to speak to him.

An election promise has seen the Bligh Government reversing their decision to stop indigenous people living on their ancestral land in Mona Mona.

Barron River MP Steve Wettenhall yesterday revealed that a decision by the State government Cabinet meeting in December to create a park for cultural and historical purposes for the people of Mona Mona would not go ahead if Labor is re-elected.

The Indigenous community was outraged at the proposed plans, which would see the Indigenous people evicted from their own land.

In international news...

Human Trafficking is currently ranked amongst the highest criminal activities, a United Nations report reveals.

According to the report, it is estimated there are 2.5 million victims "at any given time", with 1.2 million of those victims being children.

The report cites Human Trafficking victims being used for Marriage, adoption, prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced labour, or the donation of their organs or body parts.

An Iraqi journalist who threw his shoe at former US President George W Bush has been sentenced to three years in jail.

Muntadher al-Zaidi who pleaded not guilty, could have been sentenced to 15 years under the charge of aggression against a foreign head of state.

Mr Al Zaidi defended his actions saying he did what any Iraqi would have done.

Texas Governor Rick Perry has called on the US government to send troops to the Mexican southwest border, after visiting the drug-war affected areas of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.

US President Barack Obama, however, does not consider militarising the border a top priority, as violence has not escalated into the country enough to justify sending troops to the border.

Mexican Government Officials say more than 6,200 people died last year as a result of the drug war, and over 1,000 were killed in the first few weeks of 2009.

The International Whaling Commission has wrapped up in Rome, with Japan attending to defend its program.

Greenpeace Australia whales campaigner, Reece Turner, says Japan needs to see that another year of needlessly killing whales and squandering its taxpayers' money is no basis for negotiation.

Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, says the commission's history of gridlock is not acceptable and Australia will continue work with other countries in an effort to modernise the focus of the Commission.

Zedlines 12/03/09

2009-03-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

Reported by Danielle, Sophie, Isable, Missy and Ez

20 tonnes of oil washed up on the beaches of Moreton Island since 3am this morning.

The Hong Kong-flagged ship, Pacific Adventure, lost several 20-foot containers of oil in rough seas.

The oil was also mixed with ammonium nitrate – a poisonous white powder used in fertiliser and explosives.

Channel 7 News helicopter pilot Greg Rogers saw the damage first-hand.

“The beaches for about 10km south of Cape Moreton… are just black,” Mr Rogers said.

The boat was en route to Indonesia from Newcastle in NSW.

Many working Australians may not be aware they might not be eligible for the government’s $900 payout.

Thousands of people who were not required to pay tax or received government rebates may not be eligible for the money.

QUT Senior law expert and practising accountant, Alistair MacAdams, said it’s possible that hundreds of thousand of workers won’t be able to access money because they receive low income, spouse rebates or are senior Australians.

He said workers that earned less that around ten thousand dollars, such as apprentices, would not receive the bonus.

You can read more about the stimulus package here.

Natural carbon sinks, such as oceans and forests, are becoming unable to keep up with the rising levels of carbon dioxide worldwide, according to scientist’s at the International Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

CSIRO scientist and co-chair of the Global Carbon Project, Dr Mike Raupach, said grasslands and oceans are absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere faster than ever, but are not keeping pace with rapidly rising emissions.

Dr Raupach said this study is based on identifying several issues that could cause the stabilising carbon sinks to be weakened or even reversed.

Whale campaigners are outraged with negotiations between the International Whaling Commission and Japan over whaling.

Conservationists are worried the talks that took place in Rome would encourage other commercial whaling nations to start whaling again, if Japan won the negotiations.

Talks revolved around allowing Japan to continue whaling closer to its coasts while remaining out of Antarctic seas.

Greenpeace issued a direct statement saying no whales were saved at the meeting, and they are calling urgent action to modernise the IWC to stop whaling.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers’ Union say they would be willing to hold off on pay rises if it meant workers would remain in their jobs.

Many retail and hospitality businesses are worried they won’t be able to afford the increased wages, penalty rates and loadings, when the Government’s Fair Work laws come into play.

The Union said they would prefer people to keep their jobs than be put off due to wage increases. They said they would be happy to phase the increases in over a 5 year period.

Blogged by Ellie

10/03/09 Zedlines

2009-03-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

Reported by Alex and Shannon

Road safety expert Professor Mary Lydon, The director of Adelaide's university centers has urged a loss in citizens freedoms in order to prevent road deaths.

According to the ABC website, Professor Lydon argued that the general public found Australia's road death toll of 1400 acceptable. She said that citizens should accept a loss in personal freedom and agree to devices that limit speed and increase safety in order to bring the road toll down .

The UN human rights chief has called for an investigation into the killing of two Kenyan rights activists.

Oscar Kamau Kingra and his colleague were shot dead in their car while on their way to a human rights meeting.

The Kenyan government has accused Mr Kingra's foundation of raising money for a Kenyan gang.

North Korea is making threats of war and has gone on full military alert.

The action is in response to the US and South Korea beginning their annual joint military exercises in the Korean Peninsula yesterday. North Korea's media has claimed that the US were imperialist warmongers and are using South Korea as a military puppet. Both the US and South Korea will continue the military exercises with over 50,000 troops for the next 12 days, despite North Korea's threats.

The Mexican Government is to allow the planting of Genetically Modified corn after previously banning Genetically Modified varieties.

Environmental groups have opposed the allowance saying it is the first step to pollution of fields and could threaten the crop's genetic diversity.

Mexico is the birthplace of corn with more than 200 varieties of corn grown in the region.

The Australian Greens have received information the the new generation of Sydney's City Rail trains will use considerably more electricity than the trains currently in use.

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the government may have gone for a cheaper engine option, but have avoided energy efficiency measures.

Ms Rhiannon says the new double-decker trains will serve Sydney for 30 years and are apart of a $9.5 billion public private partnership.

A prominent Australian professor has welcomed President Obama lifting of the ban on stem cell research.

Professor Peter Gunning from the university of New South Wales told radio national that the ban stunted research across the world. Mr Gunning says that this will stimulate research allowing quicker advancements in the field.

George W Bush banned the controversial research in private laboratories in 2001. Mr Obama has directed US National Institutes of Health to create guidelines within 120 days to ensure that no wold experiments can be made.

Zedines- Friday 6th March

2009-03-06T02:09:00.000-08:00

Reported by Elisha and Peta.
Blogged by Natasha Christian.

A talent agent who wishes to remain nameless has released a statement about diver Matthew Mitcham's involvement in Madi Gras.

The agent says the Olympic gold medalist is putting his career at risk by openly celebrating his gay sexuality.

He has said 'homophobia (is) still rampant amongst the gatekeepers of the Aussie media, particularly in television.'

Mitcham will be leading this weekend's Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.

19 year old American music artist Chris Brown has been charged with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats by the LA County District Attorney.

The charges relate to the alleged attack on his famous American girlfriend Rhianna on February 8th.

If convicted on all counts, Brown could face a sentence of probation to four years and eight months in state prison.

Brisbane's own Violent Soho will play their last local gig for months to come tonight before heading off to make it big in the US.

The gig will be at the Step Inn in Fortitude Valley and the band has told 4ZzZ they don't plan on hitting the stage till around midnight.

Tickets on the door.

The LNP's proposal to rely on volunteers in some areas of the mental health sector has angered health workers.

Australian Services Union secretary Julie Bignell says it's not only an insult to workers who provide professional service to the public in this important aera, but it is downright irresponsible.

Health spokesman for the LNP Mark McArdle, says the volunteers would work with professionals.

17 suspected cases of measles are being investigated by Queensland health on the Sunshine Coast.

Beerwah State High School is at the center of the out break with 7 students diagnosed and 5 still undergoing medical examination.

If presenting symptoms early treatment is essential as it is contagious.

Pauline Hanson's claims the recent collection of interview footage containing her self, by the the Queensland police is a smear campaign to derail her election in the seat of Beaudesert at this month's state election.

The footage of Hanson on channel 7's Today Tonight was voluntarily handed over by the network for examination by a fraud squad.

It contains an emotional Hanson discussing questions about electoral funding.

The Human Rights Arts and Film festival opens tonight and aims to put a human face on human rights issues.

It kicks off at the Powerhouse with the story of Sudanese children and their hope for a better future and an award winning film about one activists struggle for a day of peace worldwide.

Kevin Rudd may call for Australian company Pacific Brands to return some of the $17 million of Government assistance which it recieved in the past two years.

There was public out cry as Pacific Brands plans to sack 1,850 Australian workers due to economic pressure however the chief executive Sue Morphett recieved a pay rise from $680,000 to more than $1.8 million.

Rudd says "In terms of the money they've got from the Government we'll go through all of that in terms of what can be extracted back from them."

Ethical debate has broken out across the world as reports of a 9 year old Brazilian girl having an abortion surface.

The girl was pregnant with twins after allegedly being raped by her step father.

The Catholic church of Brazil is outraged and has reportedly excomunicated the girls mother from the church.

The young girls step father and alleged rapist, 23, will face a maximum of 15 years in prison if found guilty.

Zedlines 5/3/9

2009-03-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

Reported by Ez, Danielle and Isabel

Logan City Council have proposed to ban poker machines from being built in new venues, and stop existing venues from adding more.

Figures say the city is the states gambling capital, with losses of more than ninety two million dollars a year.

Local Councillor Sean Black said the policy is well overdue, and it will be Queensland's first major move to stop the spread of pokies if the vote passes.

A mini riot broke out at a nude swingers party after a Brisbane man refused to take his clothes off.

The party, held at the White Cockatoo Resort at Mossman, turned nasty when four women felt uncomfortable when approached by the fully clothed man.

The manager asked the man to show some respect and take his clothes off. When the man refused, threatening actions followed.

The White Cockatoo Resort is known for its distinct holidaying seasons. It operates as a Family holiday resort and at other times a Nudist Colony.

The New South Wales Shooter's Party and Christian Democrat Reverend Fred Nile have voted with the state government to ensure there is restricted public access to documents regarding the proposed Tillegra Dam.

Earlier this morning we spoke with Greens member of parliament, John Kaye, who claimed New South Wales remains the state of secrecy.

He said the state's population deserved to know the reasons for a proposal he deemed expensive, unnecessary and socially and environmentally damaging.

Mr. Kaye likened the project to Queensland's Mary River Dam, where the governments are locking the states into the proposed dams by spending millions of dollars before being formally approved.

The Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania have returned 54 beached whales and five bottlenose dolphins to the sea.

The last whale was rescued this morning.

200 pilot whales and some bottlenose dolphins were beached at Naracoopa off the Bass Strait on Monday.

The Liberal National Party expelled a member yesterday for running against an endorsed candidate over the issue of daylight saving.

Shannon Crane of the Mermaid Beach electorate has been expelled because he said the daylight savings issue was "too important to ignore".

The party said daylight saving is not an issue, even though both parties had a strong stance before the merger.

A vast majority of former National Party members vehemently opposed daylight saving, while many southeast Queensland-based former Liberals strongly supported it.

LNP State Director Michael Dwyer confirmed Mr Crane's expulsion.

"Anybody who does hold the electorate's trust and cannot hold loyalty does not belong in the LNP," Mr Dwyer said.

Mr Crane has decided to run as an independent.

Three quarters of undecided voters in the Queensland election said the environment is a top priority, according to a poll commissioned by World Wildlife Fund.

The poll found that while three in ten people were unsure of who they would vote for on March 21, two thirds of respondents said protecting rivers and coasts, the Great Barrier Reef and stopping the destruction of wildlife habitat as supremely important.

Queensland Program leader Nick Heath said the poll also highlighted that Queenslanders were unaware of the state's poor rating on greenhouse gas emissions.

Sydney scientists have made breakthrough stem cell research into a cure for muscle-wasting diseases.

The University of NSW and Childrens Hospital Westmead have found a way to replace the bad gene in stem cells and then use chemotherapy for it to repair and grow.

The procedure has been successfully tested on mice, but not on humans yet. Scientists said if its successful, the treatment could be available in three years.

Blogged by Ellie

04/ 03/ 09 ZEDLINES

2009-03-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

Australian Labour Party Defector, Ronan Lee has revealed Premier Anna Bligh was unaware police minister Judy Spence planned to roll out taser guns across the force.

Mr Lee, who defected from the party last year, came out last week saying he believes Premier Bligh was unaware of the Police Minister's plan to roll out tasers throughout the state, until after the announcement was made.

The controversial weapon was meant to be trialled for 12 months but was cut back to 6 when Spence approved their use by police.

The use of tasers within the police force is still widely debated, after the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission received 15 complaints about tasers; including one from a 16 year-old-girl, since their initiation.

The National Union of Students have employed the help of activist group GetUp to launch a student services campaign.

The NUS want parliamentarians to support a government proposal which would see the implementation of an annual HECS style fee of $250, compulsory for all university students.

The group says the fee will go towards the restoration of services lost after Voluntary Student Unionism legislation was passed in 2006.

Last year, the Australian Greens Public Transport spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam, initiated the first ever senate inquiry into public transport.

The inquiry is to be held at Clifton's Conference Centre in Brisbane Wednesday March 4th at 9am.

Anglo Coal Australia announced it will lay of 650 staff and contractors.

The job losses include 60 voluntary and 120 other redundancies among ACA staff, as well as a reduction of 470 contractor positions.

The redundancy program is in response to a review, finding the company must cut labor and contract costs by 20 per cent.

ACA Executive Seamus French says these changes will be implemented over coming weeks.

These cuts have created more bad news for Premier Anna Bligh, whose bid for re-election has been hit daily by job losses.

Three industry executives are among 13 Australians under arrest in Dubai, over property related bribery allegations.

Lawyers and the Australian embassy are particularly concerned about the serious allegations the three executives are facing, as United Arab Emirates law allows suspects to be held indefinitely without charge.

It is said that the bribery allegations involve millions of dollars in consultancy payments by Sunland to Nakheel and a third party over a waterfront property purchase.

reported by Ellie

ZEDLINES 23/2/2009

2009-02-22T22:42:00.000-08:00

In New South Wales the Greens are putting pressure on the state government to introduce gross tariff for solar power in houses.
Greens MP Dr John Kaye says the overall cost of implementing a tariff would be minimal, predicting an increase in electricity bills equal to one cup of coffee in a year.
Dr Kaye believes kickstarting the solar power industry could also create thousands of new jobs.

The support group fighting to save the Mary River says scrapping the plan for the Traveston Crossing Dam could help Queensland’s budget deficit.
After Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser announced a one and a half billion dollar budget deficit over the weekend, the Save the Mary Brisbane Group has said that dropping the proposed two point five billion dollar Traveston Crossing Dam would help bring money back into the state.
The Australian Government would receive a return of $2.32 for every $1 spent on an annual skin cancer awareness campaign over the next twenty years, according to new research commissioned by the Cancer Council Australia.
Completed by Deakin University, the research analysed the results of previous campaigns and calculated projected growth in Australia's skin cancer burden, finding the money the government spends on awareness would be more than doubled as a return - in the form of reduced health costs. In addition, awareness campaigns would save round 69,000 skin cancers over the next two decades. Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Ian Olver, says there needs to be an ongoing funding committment from the government.

Food outlets at the University of Woolongong will now be using only free range eggs in their products, as a result of a student initiative against the battery hen industry.
The move follows last year's decision by the University of Newcastle to ban cage eggs from catering, in the same way more than 350 American University campuses have done so in recent years. Animals Australia Executive Director, Glenys Oogjes, says the students should be applauded for committing to support humane methods of egg production over battery eggs, a problem which Australian politicians have largely ignored.

A media adviser for the state opposition party has been reprimanded for derogatory comments about the Premier.
Liberal National media adviser Katherine Smith posted comments about Anna Bligh on a Facebook page insulting her intelligence and physical appearance.The Deputy opposition leader Mark McArdle says the staff member will be writing an apology to the Premier, but the Facebook page is still online.
Caritas Australia in conjunction with AusAID will begin a multimedia exhibition examining global poverty in Brisbane today.
The exhibition, titled "Blueprint for a Better World: The Millennium Development Goals", uses interactive audiovisual elements to communicate themes of global poverty and invite public action, and will be at the Francis Rush Centre in Elizabeth Street until FridayCaritas Regional Co-ordinator for Community Engagement, Patricia Ryan, says the exhibition's interactive approach is what makes it unique in its' efforts to educate viewers.

The Ingham Community Recovery Centre for flood victims has stayed open longer than it was orignally intended, while support staff continue to provide assistance to residents.
The Recovery Centre was due to close this Saturday the 28th of February but staff will still visit properties and inspect properties. The Disaster Recovery Hotline is still open for those seeking information about grant eligibility, and the number to call is 1800 173 349.

In Cairo yesterday, a bomb in the city’s bazaar has killed one tourist and wounded twenty-two.
According to witnesses, two grenades were thrown into the street from a nearby rooftop.
The only casualty was a French tourist who died in hospital.

Greenhouse gasses could be reduced by a further 150 million tonnes, according to opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Turnbull described Labor's current model as too costly, too complex and ineffectual, but was unable to offer any other details of the oppposition's alternative approach when questioned by journalists. A Senate Inquiry will be persued by the opposition today into the emmissions trading scheme, an inquiry he labelled as the event Labor has been “too frightened to have.”

The search for a Brisbane man missing in a Japanese skiiing town has been thwarted by extreme weather.
The 27-year-old, whose identity is yet to be confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was last seen drinking with his friends early on Friday morning in the town of Niseko. Police, residents and friends are now involved in the search. Digging equipment was brought in to clear the heavy snow, but the search was also affected by strong winds and sub-zero temperatures.

In Pakistan the government in the north-west region plans to arm its rural citizens with rifles against Taliban forces.
Thirty-thousand rifles will be handed out to residents of the area which has been experiencing problems with the extremist groups, in what is called the Village Defence Rifle Program.
In the last two years, extremist attacks killed about sixteen hundred people in Pakistan.

Reported by Jamie, Elena

Zedlines 19/02/2009

2009-02-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

Reported by Sophie and Ellie

The Traveston Dam has delayed an upgrade to a dangerous stretch of the Bruce Highway.

The Cooroy to Curra section of the highway has caused 52 deaths since 2000, with two fatalities this week alone.

The upgrade has been on the agenda since 2004, but the section is being re-designed to cover the levels of the proposed dam and crucial work on the highway is being delayed.

Liberal Nation Party MP David Gibson will go to Canberra next week to ask for work to be done on the highway.

If you are concerned about the highway, please let your voice be heard and contact brucehwyc2c@mainroads.qld.gov.au

Beenleigh school students are using ID technology to sign in and out of class, as part of Beenleigh PCYC’s initiative to stop student truancy.

Students in the Beenleigh and Logan area are missing an average of 18 days due to sickness or truancy.

A paid officer will roam the streets to look for any kids skipping school.

Students found without a pass out of school during the day will be escorted back to school, and repeat offenders will have to undergo a mentoring program.

The police are hoping the program will also help stop petty crime.

Millions of tonnes of sediment dredged from the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay contains chemicals which are so toxic that they cannot be dumped back into sea.

The State Government’s tests show the sediment contains banned pesticides DDT and Chlordane, as well as harmful metals mercury and cadmium.

The sediment is used as landfill so the Port of Brisbane can expand port operations.

However, it is uncertain what the Port will do with the toxic sediment when the project is completed in 15 years.

A report from 2006 discussed the idea of dumping the waste into an abandoned coalmine in Ipswich.

The source of the contamination comes from heavy urban development in the Brisbane River catchment.

And some good news for gamers and drinkers everywhere; a video game-themed bar will open in the Judith Wright Centre in Fortitude Valley.

Guy Blomberg, owner of AustralianGamer, approached Arts Queensland with the idea of a video-game themed bar.

Click here to read more about the bar

The bar will be fitted with plasma televisions with several different video game consoles, mainly with multiplayer games like Mario Kart and Guitar Hero so patrons can have a drink with their friends while playing.

The bar’s proposed name is Mana Bar and will open in Brisbane later this year.

Blogged by Ellie

17/02/2008 Zedlines

2009-02-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

Reported by Jemma.

The University of Queensland's student union are not happy with Brisbane Cities decision to restrict parking to students and staff.
Councilor and Public Transport committee chair Jane Prentice says the restrictions have been widened in response to local residents who have raised concerns about UQ students and staff parking outside their homes.

UQ student union president Brandon Carter has said that public transport to the St Lucia campus is already at full capacity, so forcing cash-strapped students to use public transport is both unworkable and unfair.

The restrictions will be in time for the start of the new school term later this month.

Australian, Harry Nicolaides, who is facing a 3 year jail sentence for insulting the monarchy has been recommended for a royal pardon.

Nicolaides briefly referred to Thialands Monarchy in his 2005 novel, which was considered as an offense.

The complete documentation is still to be finalised but the investigation is in the final stages, with further evidence pending from the court.

The Australian Government and embassy officials have for several months been lobbying for Nicolaides' release.

Queensland University of Technology Professor Lydia Morawska has found that melted printer toner could be damaging to your health.

Professor Marawska found that toner turns into tiny liquid particles that can be breathed in, similar to those emitted from cars. These could have an adverse effect on your lungs.

However, larger printer manufacturers Hewlett Packard, says several research groups have not found a direct link between health concerns and laser printers.

The Federal Government is to announce plans today to create a national Creative Industries Innovation Center, to be based in Sydney.

The Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr, says the new centre will help businesses get through the current economic turmoil.

It will offer free business reviews to companies in the creative sector as well as matching grants of up to $20,000.

The Anzac day dawn service at Gallipoli is expected to be smaller this year as thousands of people put of travel because of the global financial crisis.

In previous years, up to 15,000 people from Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey have attended to honor the thousands of soldiers but this year, authorities are preparing for just 10,000 at the commemoration.

The Global crunch has also affected the Australian war memorials flagship tour. However, Anzac experts have said the predicted fall in visitors is a blessing for Anzac cove, which has suffered from too many visitors over the years.

ZEDLINES: 12/02/2009

2009-02-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

Reported by Sophie and Ellie

The Greens have welcomed the news of a wave energy plant being built in South Australia.

The Carnegie Corporation, signed with the South Australian Government, have proposed to build the plant near Port MacDonnell.

Greens MLC Mark Parnell said wave power is a key resource for the future.

Wave energy is a renewable source of energy which takes advantage of the interaction of wind and water.

Read more about wave energy.

The power of waves breaking on the world's coastlines is an estimated 2 to 3 million megawatts.

A leading atmospheric scientist said the pollution haze from Asia could be re-shaping rainfall patterns in northern Australia.

The CSIRO's Dr Leon Rotstayn said aerosols are much more than “negative greenhouse gas” because they can actively force changes in winds and ocean currents by altering distribution of solar heating at the earth's surface.

Read more about the effects of aerosols

Dr Rotstayn said that further research into how aerosols are influencing climate and rianfall patterns across Australia is critical to scientists' ability to more accurately predict the longer-term effects of climate change.

Queensland Public Sector Union General Secretary Alex Scott is furious at Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg for hinting at cutting 12,000 public sector jobs.

Mr Springborg has mentioned on several occasions that he is reducing the public sector by neglecting to fill job vacancies.

In the current economic climate, Mr Scott is appealing for voters to seriously consider these issues for the next State election.

“We believe the LNP needs to be accountable for its actions prior to the state elections", Mr Scott said.

He said Mr Springborg is slashing jobs because of “ideological reasons” rather than for any economic gain.

A group of women in New Delhi are fighting a radical conservative group by sending them pink underwear.

The Consortium of Pub-Going, Loose and Forward Women is protesting against a group called Sri Ram Sena – or Lord Ram's Army - which assaulted young women drinking in a pub in southern India.

The Consortium, who were founded on Facebook, is asking for women to post pink chaddis – Hindi slang for underwear - to Lord Ram's Army tomorrow.

Lord Ram's Army are trying to force unmarried couples celebrating Valentine's Day to either get married, or wear traditional string bracelets signifying that they are brother and sister.

They believe Indians should not celebrate Valentine's Day because it is not part of Indian culture.

Members of online social networking site Twitter are hosting charity festival Twestival at Metro Arts tonight.

The night starts at 6.30pm. Proceeds of Twestival will be donated to charity:water, a charity bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

Blogged by Ellie

10/01/2009

2009-02-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

Reported by Chris and Jemma

The Governments proposed economic stimulus package is being examined by a Senate Committee.

The Senate is being urged to hand out vouchers instead of cash payments.

The Australian Retailers Association's Richard Evans has told the inquiry that using vouchers would ensure that money is spent rather than saved.

Brisbane commuters who travel by train will find out today whether or not there will be a 24 hour strike next week.

The Rail, Tram and Bus union says the main issue is QR's demand for train drivers to work one in two Sundays, instead of one in three.

Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel has urged train drivers to consider the jobs of their passengers before they cause mass disruptions.

Brisbane held a meeting yesterday for international malaria specialists in a bid to eradicate the disease from the Asia Pacific region by 2060.

Director of global health, Sir Richard Feachem said the knowledge and tools are available to entirely stamp out the disease, which kills more than one million people worldwide each year.

Thousands from around the country have already raised millions of dollars in donations to help the people affected by the bush fires in Victoria.

Earlier this morning we spoke the “Victorian Country Fire Authority” who confirmed the death toll has risen to 173 and is expected to climb well above that number.

The Brisbane city council has pledged $200 000 to the Victorian relief effort.

The anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd has withdrawn from the battle with the Japanese fleet after violent collisions between both sides.

The potential for serious injury or death if the confrontation continued was the reasoning for this decision.

Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson said he was being followed by a fleet spotter ship. A spokesman for Japan's institute of Cetacean Research would not comment on the fleet's movements.

During a traditional festival in southeastern South Korea yesterday, a fire triggered a mountaintop stampede which killed four people and injured thirty.

The event is based on an old tale about the force of fire bringing good crops and happiness. Unfortunately, some members of the 150, 000 crowd were forced over a cliff as the flames spread out of control.

ZEDLINES 09/02/2009

2009-02-09T01:03:00.000-08:00

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says many university students will miss out on the Rudd government’s stimulus payments.
Under the current package, students must have been enrolled by February third to receive the payments.
Ms Hanson-Young says that because most universities have a much later enrolment due date, students will miss out on nine hundred and fifty dollars that could go towards textbooks and other supplies.

According to a recent study, the Australian lifestyle is having adverse effects on our vision in later life.
Professor Jan Provis from the Australian National University, says due to smoking, lack of exercise and unhealthy diets, Age-related Macular Degeneration is becoming an increasing problem amongst Australians.
The macula provides humans with acurate vision, but with the growth in AMD the ageing population faces major health and caring costs.

Crocodiles are going to be monitored under a new management system by the Environmental Protection Agency, following anonymous allegations that linked the old system with two fatal crocodile attacks.
According to Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister, Andrew McNamara, the new crocodile risk management system will prioritise public safety.
The plan includes the launch of CrocWatch, a database system to inform the public of crocodile sightings.

With unrest continuing in Sri Lanka, over 250,000 Tamil civilians have been displaced in what activists are calling an act of genocide.
Hospitals and churches housing displaced Tamils currently face firing from the Sri Lanka Army.
In response to this massacre, the Greens Left and Socialist Alliance organisations are holding a forum at the Brisbane Activist Centre on Thursday 12th February and will include a talk from pro-Tamil activist, Dr Brian Senewiratne.

Father Peter Kennedy of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church has been given until the 21st of February to resign, after such breaches of his order as blessing homosexual couples and extending his mass to allow buddhist participation.
The nature of his excommunication has affronted a large portion of the Brisbane churchgoing population, and highlighted an element of our culture that has worried the general public.

One leading editor of the Courier Mail went as far as to describe Father Peter's 700-strong supporting parishoners that tuned up to his mass yesterday as including "the usual socialist left rabble rent a crowd".

Residents in Newcastle are soon to be subject to what the Greens refer to as the same line of planning incompetence that allowed the building of Sydney's desalination plant, with the new $406 million Tillegra dam.

The dam, having a pronounced economic, environmental and social impact, was originally justified under the now diminished drought concerns, and a push for population growth in the region.

The anti-damming sentiment may prove too late, with government accrediting the plan with a "3A - Critical Infrastructure" status, restricting public input and appeal.

Internet piracy in Australia could soon be taking a hit under a new court case between several film studios and internet service provider iiNet, whom the studios have sued for allegedly authorising the illegal download of copyrighted films.
If successful, the case, in which Channel 7 has joined with the studios, could potentially see what internet industry commentators have asserted as unworkable burdens on the net.
Organisation Electronic Frontiers Australia has joined in criticism, stating that methods used to identify infringement are necessarily imprecise, and that it is likely people will be wrongly sought out.

Reported by Elena Gomez, Jerome Walker and Siobhan Hegarty

Zedlines 03/02/09

2009-02-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

Reported by Chris, Ez and Jemma.
Blogged by Jemma.

Today as part of World Wetlands Day 2009, Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced $500,000 in funding for wetlands along the Great Barrier Reef.

“Wetlands in coastal catchments are vital to the health of the Great Barrier Reef”, says Mr Garrett.

The funding is part of the Rudd Government’s Reef Rescue initiative, under Caring for our Country

A new survey shows that many people are unaware of the risks of Cort-ti-co steroids, which can cause osteoporosis and are commonly used to treat such conditions as arthritis and asthma.

The Australian government has begun subsidising a new treatment for people with osteoporosis caused by using these steroids. Over two million Australians are living with the condition.

Professor Phillip Sambrook, Director of the Institute of Bone and Joint Research, talks about the dangers of using these steroids.

An eighteen year old Sydney girl with no prior criminal history has been sentenced to three months jail for a fifty centimetre graffiti tag.

Magistrate Ian McRae justified the sentence with claims graffiti cost the community millions in clean up bills and a clear message taggers needed to be sent a clear message.

Randal, a facilitator of graffiti art at Jugglers Art Space in the Valley says the ruling is not consistent with sentences of more harmful crimes.

Her sentence comes two days after the New South Wales government launched a new campaign to combat graffiti.

Aboriginal people from the town camps of Alice Springs and nearby communities are preparing to take their fight against the federal intervention to the united Nations.

Human Rights Lawyer George Newhouse says the intervention laws are racially discriminatory and they breach Australia's international obligations.

Mr Newhouse conceded that the UN could not force the Rudd Government to change its policy but it could make a number of recommendations.

During the Chinese Premier's tour of Europe, Mr Wen gave a speech at Britain's Cambridge University in which a young protester threw a shoe at him.

Mr Wen did not appear frightened, though a security guard moved across and kicked the shoe offstage.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police said the man was arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offense, but gave no further details.

An Iranian woman activist has started a three-year jail term for taking part in a protest in 2006 to demand more women's rights.

Activists say women in Iran are subject to institutionalised discrimination that makes them second-class citizens in divorce, inheritance, child custody and other aspects of life, although they are legally entitled to hold most jobs and can vote.

However, the Iranian state dismisses such accusations and states that the rally was illegal as the protesters did not have a permit.

ZEDLINES: 2/2/2009

2009-02-02T03:56:00.000-08:00

Australian households will now be eligible for a 500 dollar rebate on rainwater tanks with the introduction of a new government program.

The National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative is a 250 million dollar program designed to encourage households to improve water-saving strategies.
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, says at the moment less than 10 percent of households in capital cities use rainwater, with the exception of Adelaide whose average is significantly better at 40%.

Anti-whaling protest ship, the Sea Shepherd has received a series of violent attacks by Japanese whaling ships.

One activist was hit with a metal ball thrown from a whaling trawler, and the crew's cameraman was hit by a water blast.
Founder of the Sea Shepherd conservation society and co-founder of Green Peace, Paul Watson says the organisation has successfully foiled whaling attempts, and this
is making the Japanese ships angry.

The Greens have announced a new green-collar jobs package for Queensland that will open the way for employing over 7600 people.

Fitting out homes statewide with improved insulation and solar powered hot water tanks, the Green's plan will also include spending $4 billion on two solar power plants for Townsville and the Darling Downs.
Greens leader Senator Brown says that this kind of action follows the example set by new US president Barack Obama's 5 million green-collar job plan, which Australia's federal government has thus far failed to do, instead spending taxpayers money on big banks and big polluters.

The development of solar powered air conditioner strategy would lessen both greenhouse gas emissions and the pressure on the Australian Power Grid, the Australian Institute of Architects has said today.

Managing Director Robert Caulfield says governments should invest more readily in research, as it could be a major contribution to lowering Australia's emissions.
Mr Caulfield also pointed out that through summer, when the use of air-conditioners puts the largest strain on the energy grid, the potential for solar energy supply is also at its highest level - a connection which is yet to be utilized properly.

A Moroccan man has been given six years in prison for selling customers hot dogs which contained dog meat instead of beef.

The man used chemicals to disguise the look and smell of the meat so customers wouldn't get suspicious.
He was ordered to pay a fine of almost 2 thousand dollars. The court also handed out jail sentences to four other men for their part in hunting and shooting the animals. The weather for today will be cloudy with showers in the afternoon, and a maximum of 28 degrees.

Under a proposed child protection scheme, children could be removed from the custody of their parents if they are over a certain obesity threshold and if other treatments have failed.

Dr Shirley Alexander of Westmead Children's Hospital proposes this measure as a part of a plan to combat the dire health risks to which overly tolerant parents subject their child.
Dr Alexander cites the case of a particular four year old of 40 kilograms that a child protection agency intervention successfully treated when the "family-focused" effort failed.

Increased cooperation between agencies has the potential to improve national efforts to prevent deliberately lit bushfires, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology.

The AIC's lates report shows that arson costs us at least 1.6 billion dollars every year, and about 50% of bushfires are found to be deliberately lit or suspicious.
Author of the report, Dr Damon Muller, says most of the arson activity happens on the weekends, and while the prosecution of those responsible is a good deterrent, the focus needs to be moved more onto education to make youth understand the consequences of bushfires.

In an effort to address chronic disease prevention, climate change and social inequality, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) has today released a report calling for a complete overhaul of food policy in Australia.

CEO of PHAA, Michael Moore, says the government needs to develop a national integrated policy that will benefit all Australians.

The report, A Future for Food, targets the environmental impact of food choices, the importance of affordable products and the current lack of nutrients in food, which can often lead to chronic diseases.

The development of solar powered air conditioner strategy would lessen both greenhouse gas emissions and the pressure on the Australian Power Grid, the Australian Institute of Architects has said today.

Managing Director of 'Archicentre,' Robert Caulfield, says governments should invest more readily in research, as it could be a major contribution to lowering Australia's emissions.

Mr Caulfield also pointed out that through summer, when the use of air-conditioners puts the largest strain on the energy grid, the potential for solar energy supply is also at its highest level - a connection which is yet to be utilized properly.

The Greens have announced a new green-collar jobs package for Queensland that will open the way for employing over 7600 people.

Fitting out homes statewide with improved insulation and solar powered hot water tanks, the Green's plan will also include spending $4 billion on two solar power plants for Townsville and the Darling Downs.

Greens leader Senator Brown says that this kind of action follows the example set by new US president Barack Obama's 5 million green-collar job plan, which Australia's federal government has thus far failed to do, instead spending taxpayers money on big banks and big polluters.

A new survey has revealed that Queensland is the hotspot for the record numbers of emmigrating British citizens.

The looming economic crisis, coupled with a bitter European winter, is driving 30% more Britons to Australia than the 2007 number.

Emmigrants will be leaving behind growing job concerns, and a series of strikes that appear to be gaining steam through social networking sites.

A new therapy shown to significantly reduce the risk of secondary heart attack, stroke or death will become available to Australian patients today.

The treatment known as "clopidogrel" is now listed within Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which means all Australians who suffer a heart attack will be eligible to receive immediate treatment.

Flinders Medical Centre's Professor Phillip Aylward described the new system as a win-win situation for both patients and the Australian Health system.

In France, more than one million people gathered to protest the government's management of the economic crisis.

Calling for job safety and increased salaries the mass union rally disrupted the country's rail and air services.

President Nicolas Sarkozy was under fire by protesters, after claiming salaries could not be increased due to the government's spending billions of euros bailing out struggling banks.

The Liberian government has declared a state of emergency this week after a mass pest infestation has placed farm production under serious threat.

More than 400,000 people have already been affected by the crop eating caterpillars.
President Johnson-Sirleaf has called for international aid, but the UN warns the reproduction of more insects could cause another attack.

A massive bronze shoe sculpture, designed to honour the Iraqi Reporter who threw his shoes at George Bush in a press conference, as been dismantled.

Iraqi artist Laith al-Ameri's sculpture was constructed only last week, but was taken down after an order from the governor, according to an official.

The journalist faces charges of "aggression against a foreign head of state" and could receive up to fifteen years in prison.

Reported by Jerome Walker, Siobhan Hegarty, Jamie McKinnell and Elena Gomez.

Friday Afternoon Zedlines.

2009-01-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

Reported by Natasha and Sam.
Blogged by Natasha.

In Sri Lanka, a UN convoy has removed hundreds of people wounded in the conflict between the government and the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lankan president has promised safe passage to people caught up by the fighting in the nation's north.

But humanitarian organisations say about 250 thousand civilians are still trapped in rebel held areas.

Research from the University of South Australia could cut cancer by one fifth if it is successful.

A team of scientists are trying to develop a vaccine for cancer causing viruses like HIV, Hepatitis B and Papilloma.

Team leader, Dr John Hayball says if they can eliminate those infections, there is a real possibility of cutting the incidence of cancer.

A Virgin airline passenger whose complaint letter has swarmed the internet has been invited to select food and wine on future flights.

Oliver Beale, a high-flying advertising executive, addressed his letter directly to Virgin boss Richard Branson, to complain about the quality of his meal during a flight from Mumbai to Heathrow last year.

According to the London's Daily Telegraph Mr. Branson rung Mr. Beale personally to apologise and offer the invitation.

Police have issued a warning to bank customers to be on the lookout after a card 'skimmer' device was found attached to an ATM at Mt. Gravatt yesterday.

The device is able to copy the details from a bank card as customers use the machine.

Detective Superintendent Brian Hay said that a woman had been trying to use the machine when she noticed something was wrong with it and reported it to the police.

Two Burmese fishermen found floating in an oversized esky in the Torres Strait are seeking to stay in Australia.

Ko Ko Oo and Haung Htaik told authorities they survived 25 days at sea by drinking rainwater and eating fish regurgitated by seabirds.

A Department of Immigration spokesman told AAP on Friday the men, now in Darwin, had both indicated they do not wish to return home and are to be tranferred from the mainland to Christmas Island.

ZEDLINES: 29/01/09

2009-01-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

Reported by Isabel and Ellie

The number of unrelated people living in one dwelling will be limited from six to five.

Brisbane City Council has advised the State Government to make the changes in order combat overcrowding in student accommodation.

Quest newspaper, the Southern Star, reported students in the Macgregor, Sunnybank and Robertson areas were sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding.

The worst reported house had 15 students living in it, with some sleeping in the garage.

The council's decision comes after taking action last year against illegal boarding houses for students.

A neighbourhood action group made complaints about the poor conditions of the boarding houses, which were altered from family homes to student accommodation.

The group initially wanted to limit the number of unrelated people living in a house from six to four.

In related news ...

Brisbane rent has risen by 10.1 per cent from last years figures released by Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The figures are the fastest annual growth rate since 1989.

ABS says the overall increase in rents across Australia were 8.4 per cent despite only an average increase in wages of 4 per cent

Chief economist Liam O'Hara says there are critical supply shortages, but renters would be pleased to know that landlords' obsession with hiking rents seems to be slowing.

A 26 year old Melbourne man is planning a fundraising concert in Brisbane in February to assist with the funding of his recently opened orphanage in Kenya.

Jess White opened Famalia Moja Children's Centre in 2007, after returning to Melbourne to work in finance and becoming disillusioned with the status-quo of society.

Mr White has used his expertise in finance to run the orphanage and plans to continue raising funds through events like the concert on 7th of February at The Joynt in West End.

Over the next twelve months Mr White has big plans to purchase land and build a permanent home for the orphanage.

All funds raised at The Joynt will go towards these goals.

A Japanese paper production group is saving the environment by printing poetry on toilet paper.

The Japan Toilet Labo said poetry on toilet paper will help cut paper usage by 20 per cent.

The poems share valuable insight such as:

“That paper will meet you only for a moment”
“Fold the paper over and over and over again”
“Love the toilet”

An industry body said studies show that more and more toilet paper is being used in Japan.

Blogged by Ellie

ZEDLINES 22/01/09

2009-01-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

Reported and blogged by ellie

Anti-whaling activists Sea Shepherd are at sea once more.

Their ship, the Steve Irwin, left Hobart, Tasmania yesterday afternoon at 1600 to stop illegal Japanese whaling. They are planning to meet Japanese ships on the 29th.

New volunteers from the US, Dubai and Spain also joined the crew.

This new campaign takes place soon after Captain Paul Watson's ultimatum to the Australian and New Zealand governments.

If the federal governments are willing to challenge Japan's actions in international court, Sea Shepherd will call an end to their infamously aggressive tactics.

After announcing a temporary suspension of trials in Guantanamo Bay, US President Barack Obama is drafting an order to close the detention centre altogether.

The draft said Guantanamo Bay needs to be closed within a year. Mr Obama said the closure will further US national security and foreign policy.

All pending cases for the next 120 days are being delayed, which will suspend 21 upcoming cases.

When the centre closes, some detainees will be released and others will be relocated and put on trial.

According to ABC News, there are 248 people currently detained in Guantanamo Bay.

A major study of Antarctica has found alarming information that the icy continent is melting.

Scientists said melting ice sheets will make sea levels rise by two metres by the end of the century.

This sea could cover one kilometre inland of the southern coast of South Australia.

Researchers initially theorised that Antarctica was cooling and would act as a restraint against global warming.

Although the eastern zone of Antarctica is actually cooling, it is outweighed by the western region and peninsula getting warmer.

NSW Police are anticipating a major crackdown on drugs at Big Day Out in the Sydney Olympic Park Showgrounds.

Authorities are looking to prevent drug and alcohol related crime in an estimated 50,000 person crowd.

Last year, 52 people were arrested for drug offences.

120 people are under arrest for drug-related offences at the Gold Coast Big Day Out.

52 of those people were discovered by police sniffer dogs.

(Note: I would just like to point out that there are two typos in the media release linked at the start. Police have a lot of power and should learn how to use apostrophes properly. - Ellie)

Poll results show that two-thirds of Queenslanders support same-sex marriage in the interest of family.

The Galaxy Poll was commissioned by a coalition of gay rights groups.

Although Queensland law recognises same-sex couples and their children, civil unions and marriage is still not legal.

The poll follows on from a Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report in 2007.

Zedlines 20/01/2008

2009-01-19T15:48:00.000-08:00

Reported by Chris Williams, Kirra Greaves and Jemma Fletcher.

Harry Nicolaides from Melbourne has been sentenced to 3 years in a Thai prison, on charges of lese majeste.

Nicolaides briefly referred to an unnamed prince in his novel, which sold less than 10 copies.

Although Nicolaides has lived and worked in Thailand, he was ignorant to the consequences of the lese majeste law.

He does not intend to appeal the decision but would like to consider an application for royal pardon.

Flooded communities in North-West Queensland are undergoing a large re-supply this morning.
Over 10 tonnes of dry food and medication will be dropped into isolated communities.

More supplies will arrive in the region later this month as some areas are expected to be cut off for as long as 6 weeks.

The Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donations because of the dengue fever outbreak in the states north.

The virus outbreak means blood donations cannot be taken from affected areas, which means the Red Cross is hundred of donations short a week.

Just under 150 people have been struck by the virus in Cairns alone.

It is predicted that the impact of global warming will affect Aborigines living in remote areas more than other Australians.

Reporters for the medical journal of Australia urge the government to improve Aboriginal health and housing, as the temperatures in the tropical north and interior are tipped to rise by 3 degrees Celsius by 2050.

The Federal Government aims to help lead global negotiations this year on a post-Kyoto climate pact.

Property owners in Queensland's mining and tourism centers are preparing for plunging prices.

This stems from the Access Economics report, which tipped Australia to be heading for a deep recession, particularly Queensland.

RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher, predicts that as tourism continues to slow down, North Queensland, The Whitsundays, and to some extent the Gold and Sunshine coasts will begin to feel the impact.

22 days after war broke out in Gaza which began in later part December last year, a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Palestine.

The end of fighting may not be long lived though, as Hamas announced it will re-engage attacks if Palestine does not withdraw from the area by Sunday.

Over 1300 Palestinians have been killed in the 3 weeks of fighting, more than 400 of which were children.

The countdown in Washington has begun for the swearing in ceremony of the 44th president of the “United States Of America”, “Barack Obama”.

The soon to be president won his place over 2 months ago but will officially begin work in the early hours of tomorrow morning, Brisbane time.

Obama will take the reigns of a nation with over 7% unemployment but has vowed to create as many as 2 million jobs for Americans.

ZEDLINES 19/1/2009

2009-01-19T04:21:00.000-08:00

British alcohol company Diageo has released a new 6 per cent alcohol drink designed to avoid the Australian government's new alcopop restrictions.

Designed for the younger market, the company's intended advertising has sparked outcry from health and political circles.

Greens MP and health spokesperson, Lee Rhiannon, says alcohol companies such as Diageo are only concerned with profits, not the health of the young Australians they are targeting.

A four-week expedition to the Tasmanian south-west ocean has revealed new species of animals and more evidence of the impact of increasing carbon dioxide on deep-sea corals.
The voyage of US and Australian researchers was co-led by chief scientist Dr Ron Thresher from CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation and Wealth from Oceans Flagships.

With the inauguration of US President Elect Barack Obama just days away, a reflection on the current Bush administration has sparked worldwide interest.

Non-profit investigative journalism organisation, the Center for Public Integrity, has created a list of the top ten Bush administration failures, as ranked by over 90,000 visitors to have voted on the site.

Areas include the problematic american health system, skyrocketing deficit and the number one Bush failure; false premise for going to war.


Three aid workers have been kidnapped by gunmen in the Philippines. 
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the workers had been visiting a local jail where they had been carrying out a water and sanitation project to improve the condition of detainees. 
A terrorist group linked to Al Quaeda has strong influence over this area of the Philippines.

The Gold Coast came alive yesterday with the 55,000-strong crowd of people converging on this year's Big Day Out.

The popularity of the event, no doubt encouraged by such impressive international names as Niel Young, The Prodigy and The Arctic Monkeys, has contradicted the spending forecasts of the global economic crunch.

Ambulance and police officers commented that they have no significant drama to report, despite well over 100 drug-related arrests being carried out, and a further 308 patrons being evicted from premises.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be addressing the Australians for Palestine Rally today, 2pm at the State Library of Victoria Corner of Swanston and Latrobe Streets.

Ms Hanson-Young will be calling on the Australian Government to publicly condemn the violent actions of the Israeli military in Gaza, which has seen an estimated 1000 innocent Palestinian civilians killed.

An Australian man has been charged with insulting the Thai monarchy after writing about the private life of the country's crowned prince.

Harry Nicholaides was arrested at the Bangkok airport and prevented from leaving the country.

Nicholaides can face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty, but similar cases have resulted in the pardoning and deportation of the foreigner.

The statistics are in for Queensland gambling over the 2008 period, revealing a 5-percent increase in punters' overall losses.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg asserts a lack of a serious approach by the government in tackling the issue, which has seen Queenslanders lose over $1.8 billion dollars last year.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser has tentatively proposed a scheme whereby each gambler would have an electronic card that effected a cutoff in the machine after a certain loss threshold.

A new content struggle in Australian Television has emerged with a backlash against the amount of small-budget New Zealand-produced programming featured on our screens.

Enabled by the “Australia NZ Closer Economic Relations Agreement”, Australian networks have been able to operate very cheaply with these imported shows, including “Bro' Town”, “Police Ten 7” and “Orange Roughies”.

These regulatory allowances will be debated by lobbyists in a hearing next month, hoping to bring home-grown content back to the broadcasting industry.

reported Jamie McKinnell, Siobhan Hegarty, Jerome Walker

Zedlines 13/01/2009

2009-01-12T16:45:00.000-08:00

Reported by Chris Williams and Jemma Fletcher.
Blogged by Jemma.

Brisbane's Indooroopilly Train Station has upgraded with additions including a rainwater tank and solar panels.

It is named the city's first “green' transport center after a $26.5 million refurbish.

One third of the state has been declared “a disaster zone” from the current flooding in North Queensland.

“EX-Cyclone Charlotte”, has now been downgraded to a Tropical Low, after causing over 20 million dollars in damage.

However, “The Department of Emergency Services” is warning people to take extra care, after a young boy was swept away last week in a flooded causeway.

Contamination of the Noosa River is believed to be causing a large number of fish to be born with deformaties.

Officials say the water is not dangerous to humans, but the matter is being looked into.

The federal government's Senate has received a submission by the Sex Workers Union regarding its Fair Work industrial relations bill.

The Union wants its member covered by an industrial award regardless of whether their activities are illegal.

Other submissions are from individuals, the West Australian government, Tasmanian and Victorian unions, the Shop Assistants Union, motor traders and the National Farmers' Federation

Fairfax has reported that one in six people who committed a crime in 2007 had no conviction recorded, under section ten of the New South Wales Crimes Sentencing Procedure Act.

Opposition justice spokesman Greg Smith said the section was originally designed for extenuating circumstances but now magistrates have empathy with a professional presentation.

In defense, the New South Wales Attorney General states that the law which allows a guilty person to escape criminal conviction, is not being misused. Furthermore, he says that the degree of the offense is taken into account and whether the person is likely to re-offend.

A Sydney woman is facing up to seven years in a Kuwait jail after arguing with immigration officials.

Nasrah Alsmary was arrested after allegedly insulting Kuwait's prince although she claims she didn't know who he was. However, under Kuwaiti law, the Emir does not have to be mentioned by name to commit the offense.

Alsmary will apply for bail on January 21.

Former Tasmanian tourism minister Paula Reed is expected to quit politics.

The mother of two attempted suicide last year after a sex scandal involving her was set to become public. She has applied for early retirement on health grounds.

And the Bureau says the weather today in Brisbane will be mostly fine, heading for a cooler top of 28 degrees.

ZEDLINES: 12/01/2009

2009-01-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

New entrants to university this year will carry the burdon of worrying reports concerning the use of unfair advantages amongst school leavers in their transition to tertiary education.
NSW Education minister Verity Firth is being called upon to end the practice of certain private-school students and their parents soliciting unjustified special consideration for entrance into universities.
Greens member of the NSW Parliament John Kaye say the problem is entrenched in the medical institutions of that state.

As of yesterday, Australia is once again globally recognised as equine-influenza free.
A World Organisation for Animal Health declaration, following the 12-month surveillance and compliance period since the last reported case, has internationally confirmed last years Australian government announcement.
Minister of Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin urges horse handlers to defend this newly reclaimed sector of the economy with a high standard of biosecurity and vigilance

Illness related minority groups have been further ostracised after a statement made by a human rights officer about people suffering from tuberculosis, leprosy and HIV.

Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission, Subashan Reddy has allegedly announced that people carrying life-threatening diseases should be prevented from having children.
Indian doctors were quick to disprove this claim, stating that neither tuberculosis nor leprosy were genetic diseases and pointing out that even people with HIV could now live normal lives due to anti-retroviral drugs.

Witchcraft killings have become an increasing problem in two highlands regions of Papua New Guinea, with more than 50 sorcery related deaths in the past 12 months.
Such statistics have forced the PNG government to create stricter laws to curb the number of witchcraft killings. Currently, rural courts can be lenient to sorcery related deaths, creating an excuse for murders.

Public venues need to offer healthier food options if they wish to maintain a 'family friendly' status, according to the NSW Greens Party.

This statement comes in response to a survey from the Parents Jury which showed almost two-thirds of parents were dissatisfied with children's food options when eating out.
The greens party said it was important for recreation venues, such as pools and sporting centres, to maintain their healthy image through offering healthy food options.

Reported by Siobhan Hegarty, Jerome Walker and Jamie McKinnell

Zedlines Friday 9th January.

2009-01-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

Posted by Natasha Tonks.
Reported by Nick, Chris, Natasha and Sam.

A number of Nothern Queensland towns remain cut off due to poor road conditions from the recent flooding.

12 districts of the state have been declared disaster zones, including Mount Isa and Burktown.

The damage total from the flooding currently stands at 21.5 million dollars.

Greens senator Bob Brown has questioned the relationship between police and timber company Gunns after the personal details of activists were given to the company.

The names and addresses of 13 activists including some who were not arrested were given to Gunns by Tasmanian Police.

Senator Bob Brown says Police had no legal requirement to provide the details and that doing so was a serious infringement of the right to privacy of citizens.

Biosecurity experts in New York say Northern Queensland is an infection 'hotspot.'

The say Australia resides close to countries where disease rates are expected to increase in the near future.

Doctor Stephen Prowse from the Australian Biosecurity Co-operative Research Centre says emerging diseases from neighbouring countries could spread to Australia and it is important to be aware of potential threat.

The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which has already claimed the lives of 760 people.

The Security Council vote was 14-0, although American abstained from voting.

US secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, says they would like to see the outcomes of the Egyptian mediation.

Zedlines 07.01.09

2009-01-06T17:21:00.000-08:00

Scientists have uncovered a connection between Australian coal exports and species destruction.

In a bid to prevent the expansion of coal mining, NASA scientist Andrew Hanson has found coal mining actively destroys the environment.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has supported this statement, stating Australia's annual 230 million tonne coal export creates more than 550 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Australian families are being thanked for increased support toward organ and tissue donations during 2008.

Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation Chief executive officer Allan Turner says 259 Australians donated organs in 2008, a 30 percent increase from 2007.

Mr Turner says Australia is moving in the right direction and encourages parents to teach children about donating organs.

Crisis continues in the states of Israel and Palestine as 30 students were killed overnight after an Israeli attack on a UN run school.

The site acted as a makeshift refugee camp for Palestinians, providing shelter for almost 14,000 civilians.

This most recent attack takes the Palestinian death toll to 660 victims since Saturday.

Five Israeli soldiers and three civilians have died since the fighting began.

In protest to the Israeli attacks the organisation Justice For Palestine will be holding a rally on Saturday, January 10th.

Protesters are also encouraged to attend a roadside vigil at Brisbane square on Wednesday, January 3rd at 5pm.

The group urges Australians to be active in ending the massacre and freeing Palestine from Israeli occupation.

Reported by Siobhan,

Headlines 06.01.09

2009-01-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

Environment minister Peter Garrett has given the proposed Tamar River pulp mill until 2011 to complete a series of environmental tests before it can secure approval.

Opposition spokesperson Greg Hunt says Mr Garrett wants to give the impression he is delaying the project when he has already given it a green light.

There are concerns the construction of the mill will impact on fisheries and the fragile marine environment.

US President George W. Bush will honour John Howard with the Presidential Medal of Freedom next week.

A White House spokesperson said the Medal honours Howard's role in fighting terrorism and promoting democracy and peace abroad.

Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be holding a press conference today discussing the topic.

In the US, The New York Times has broken an editorial taboo by opening the front page to advertisers.

The appearance is supposedly a means to enhance income as more and more readers shift to online newspapers.

In Tasmania, scientists have proposed building a fence to prevent the spread of a cancer that's threatening the Tasmanian Devil with extinction.

The contagious disease has already infected two-thirds of the population and unless action is taken the Tasmanian Devil could be extinct within twenty years.

The fence is planned to separate healthy and infected animals.

Reported by Thomas, Holly and Chris

ZEDLINES: 05/01/2009

2009-01-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

From today, the right turn lanes from Hale Street to Coronation Drive will be temporarily closed until completion of Hale Street Link in mid 2010.

Although only short delays are anticipated, motorists are advised to seek alternative routes. For more information, go to their website at www.halestreetlink.com

The most robust corals that make up the Great Barrier Reef have experienced a drop in growth of more than fourteen percent since 1990, according to a paper published in the international journal "Science".

The research, completed by three AIMS scientists, has been described as the most comprehensive study to date on the calcification of GBR corals. It suggests the decline is a result of rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification.
Co-author of the report Dr Janice Lough, points out if current trends continue, the corals would stop growing completely by 2050.

Communities Minister Lindy-Nelson Carr is encouraging those experiencing domestic violence or abuse to contact the available support services.

According to Ms Nelson-Carr, domestic violence support services become very busy at this time of the year.Queensland women in need of support should call1800 551 800, and men can call 1800 600 636.

Australia's major sexual healthcare organisation, Marie Stopes International, has suggested Australians should make a New Year's Resolution not to lose weight, get fit or quit smoking, but to get their contraception sorted.

The announcement came following research found 36% of women who did not use contraception at the time of an unplanned pregnancy had not been expecting to have sex. Meanwhile, a newspaper published by the Vatican has come out to claim the contraceptive pill is polluting the environment, and is even responsible for male infertility.

According to the Vatican, the Pill causes the release of hormones through female urine, which subsequently pollute the environment and damage the world around us. The report has been promptly dismissed by pharmacy organisations.

Into the new year, Queensland carries forth a worrying statistic, with 327 lives lost on the roads of this state in the 2008 period.

This number is only a mild improvement on the 2007 total of 360, showing that drivers are still not taking the simple precautions like sleep and sobriety that could save their lives and those of others.
Transport authorities urge drivers to learn from the recent tragedies, since the lessons themselves are nothing new.

The Rudd Government is being called upon by the Greens to add their voices to the demands for Israel to cease their part in the violence in the Gaza strip that has torn apart the lives of thousands of civilians.

Israel's current conflict with the forces of Palestine, the latest in a string of violence since the post-world war II territorial resettlement of the area by the League of Nations, revolves around violent skirmishes with Palestine's Hamas on the border of Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip.

Senator Bob Brown's mandate for the acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard comes after their parlimentary resolution to lift Israel's ban on foreign journalists was voted down by the Government in December.

Towns in north-west Queensland remain isolated this week due to road closures after monsoonal rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology has recorded more than 150mm of rainfall between 9am on Sunday and this morning. Roads around Mt Isa, Julia Creek and Burketown have been isolated by the floodwaters.
While SES volunteers were called to a handful of homes for repair work on leaking roofs, no properties were threatened by rising water levels.

Amnesty International has called for humanitarian workers to be allowed into the Gaza strip to provide civilians with food and medical emergency assistance.

Human rights officials and humanitarian workers have been banned from the conflict-ridden area since the beginning of November.

The international human rights group urges the involved parties not to target civilians, many of whom have been injured, including school children and refugees.

Four people were killed and dozens were injured in a series of earthquakes that hit Indonesia on Sunday.
Some of the effects were felt in Australia from a quake measuring at seven-point-three magnitude.Residents of the Papua province were at the epicenter of the earthquakes and had to search for higher ground.The earthquakes ignited fears of a repeat of the 2004 tsunami.

With the fluoridation of South-east Queensland tap water well underway, concerns over the treatment's toxicity are no less severe than they were in the leadup to the program, now culminating with legal notices being delivered to the offices of state government.

The notices, delivered to the Premier and Ministers for Health and Water by safe water advocacy groups, involve 200 pages of scientific research and 600 citizen letters of outrage for the purpose of reprimanding the ministers for their asserted recklessness, and driving them toward repeal.

The advocacy groups hold hope in this approach, demanding the answers that Government is lawfully bound to provide, instead of the angry dissent they have been able to dismiss.

Zedlines 19/12/08

2008-12-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

Blogged by Natasha Tonks.
Reported by Nick and April.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is predicting the number of cancer related hospital admissions will rise by 23,000 per year over the next few years.

The statistics are from a new report on cancer in Australia which finds the aging population is driving the increase in cancer related admissions.

The Institute of Health's Christine Sturrock says the increase shows that cancer will continue to have a major impact on the health system.

A campaign against proposed changes to tertiary education funding has been initiated by the National Union of Students.

They say the model will disadvantage students due to resources being allocatde towards more popular subjects, with regional universities suffering the most.

A review comissionsed by the Federal Government recommended that funding will not be tied to institutions but rather to individual students.

Palm Island residents are shocked at the decision of a Townsville court yesterday to overrule the original coroner's findings of the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee.

Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley won his appeal yesterday against the original coroner's report which stated that Doomadgee's fatal injuries were caused by Hurley when he lost his temper.

Community worker Sam Watson says residents of Palm Island were shocked at the decision, which comes just weeks after the four year anniversary of Mr. Doomadgee's Death.

Sixty-Six countries have called for the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality.

The appeal is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states in article one that 'All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.'

The sizty-six countires are deeply concerned by the violations of Human rights and fundamental freedoms based on sexual orientation.

The Australian Government has lodged a report to the United Nations about the implemation of the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Minister for the status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, says the lodging of the report demonstrates Australia's commitment to end discrimination against women.

An education kit on Women's Human Rights has been released informing the public on the CEDAW and the new protocols to help physically and sexually abused women.

A former Rwandan Army Colonel has been sentenced to life imprisonment for organising the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

The UN-backed tribunal has found him guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Two other military officers have also been convicted for their role in the mass killings.

Zedlines: 18/12/2008

2008-12-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

Reported by Sophie, Isabel and Ellie

Today is UN-declared International Migrant Workers Day.

The day marks and celebrates the rights of migrants to work which is a basic human right.

It is an occasion for international solidarity and for making migrants voices heard.

International Migrant Workers Day coincides this year with the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Australian Workers Union has released a report saying they have had a positive impact in preventing wage discrimination for migrant workers concentrated in the manufacturing sector.

One of the report's authors, Dr Brian D'Netto, said the perceived main challenges for migrant workers is that there is inadequate recognition of overseas skills, a lack of language fluency for many new migrants as well as social isolation.

The report said many highly skilled migrants working in jobs well below their skill level in order to survive.

Dr D'Netto said unions want to see more training, development and career opportunities provided for workers from ethnic backgrounds.

A report of the review of Australian Higher Education by independent Bradley Review was released yesterday afternoon saying students needed greater support while studying.

The Review recommended lowering the age of independence to 22 and increasing fortnightly payments to $400 before payments are affected.

Currently, students are only able to earn $236 per fortnight before their payments are reduced.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young welcomed the review's suggestions and students are paying more to live because the cost of living has increased.

She also says the pressure to work long hours is having an effect on their studies.

Ms Hanson-Young has called on Education Minister Julia Gillard to seriously consider the Bradley Review's recommendations and make a change to have greater income support for students.

The Bradley Review also said that 40 per cent of Australians aged 25 to 34 should have a degree by 2020 and recommended $6 billion of funding.

Part of the government's plan for education reform is to remove various regulations in university enrolment, including no limitations on student numbers.

However, the Opposition said the government can't afford these promises.

Blogged by Ellie

National Tertiary Education Union on report recommending a $6 billion injection into Australian universities

2008-12-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

Reported by Rose and Emma 17.12.08

The National Tertiary Education Union has released a report recommending a $6 billion injection into Australian universities.

President of NTEU Dr Carolyn Allport says the quality and accessibility of universities will be improved significantly after 15 years of neglect.

The report suggests improvements for staff and students over a four year period.

"It will enable universities to increase the number of students who come to universities, the Bradley review puts no limit on the number of students who can enroll," Dr Carolyn Allport says.

The Bradley review of higher education makes 49 recommendations in total, but raises two main points - it says Australia needs more university graduates and funding should be driven by demand.

The review also recommends an urgent increase in student support payments, finding current levels are inadequate.

"Current levels of income support are inadequate to support the participation and success of students from low socio-economic backgrounds," the final review report said.

You can see the full report here

ZEDLINES 15/12/2008

2008-12-15T00:49:00.000-08:00

Protests have swept across Australia on Saturday to mark dissent surrounding the Rudd Government's internet censorship plans.

Protests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and four other cities were forum to the concerns that the filter could drastically impair internet speed, block legitimate sites, and potentially be misused by government.

Organisers "The Digital Liberty Coalition" catered for a 1500-strong audience, coordinating talks by Amnesty International, academics from various state and national Universities, Electronic Frontiers Australia, and Fiona Patten of the Australia Sex Party.

Oxfam has again criticised Australia's participation in the UN climate change negotiations, saying that developed countries have not stepped up to do their fair share.
Progress has been made with a last minute decision to allow developing countries direct access to funds, but the problem remains finding where the money for adaptation will come from.
Oxfam Australia Director, Andrew Hewett, says the deal for the Adaptation Fund was on the table for the entire two weeks but was blocked by Australia, Canada and Russia until the last couple of hours of negotiations.

In Queensland news, a caterpillar plague in Yandaran is threatening the lives of residents, with one woman being hospitalised and others forced to wear full body protection suits.

The North Bundaberg residents say the caterpillars have taken over, with billions destroying local flora amid fears growing for the safety of family pets and the residents themselves.

Dallas Boothey, a resident forced to where a fully body protection suit admits "it's not funny anymore" and victims are requesting help to control the outbreak.

Two women have been charged with importing heroin at Melbourne Airport and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning.

The South African women were questioned by Customs officer who became suspicious that they may have been concealing drugs internally.
The two then passed a combined total of 176 pellets, believed to contain heroin, which will now undergo forensic testing.

In related news Mercedes Corby is back in the media spotlight this time joining the ranks of Jen Hawkins and Miranda Kerr on the cover of Ralph.

Mercedes – made famous by her sisters drug smuggling conviction, was ready to do something fun and positive.

Ralph's editor has expressed hopes to also get Schapelle on the cover should she get an early release from Kerobokan jail where she's serving her 20 year sentence.

On the topic of energy news, in an announcement by Environment Minister Peter Garret yesterday a new star-system of energy consumption ratings was introduced.

Arriving amidst the pre-christmas buying frenzy, the star ratings will aim to mitigate the carbon imprint of television usage in Australia, which factors in fourth behind climate control, fridges and lighting.

Starting off as a voluntary step by manufacturers, the system will be mandatory by October 2009.

Animal Liberation activists will stage a protest against New South Wales Broiler shed standards today in Sydney.

An investigation carried out by Animal Liberation filmed birds involved in a breach of the Code of Practice for Domestic Poultry, including dead and dying birds in the sheds.

More than 30 birds were unable to stand or reach food and water. Animal Liberation spokesperson Emma Hurst says the RSPCA will be notified of the conditions of the facilities, which are typical of chicken suppliers that provide to major supermarkets.

A man in Sydney's south has pleaded guilty in court to manslaughter following the 2007 death of his neighbour after an argument regarding water restrictions turned violent.

In October 2007 violence erupted between neighbours when the convicted, Mr Munter, made a passing comment about water usage as the now deceased 66-yo watered his garden.

The charge was dropped from murder to manslaughter and Mr Munter has been granted conditional bail awaiting sentencing in March.

Anti violence protesters in Rio de Janero have laid 16 thousand coconuts along the famous copacabana beach, each representing a victim of urban violence
The protesters are speaking out for victims of violence and homicide as well as police officers dying in the line of duty, those who have been shot in gunfights between authorities and gangs of narcotics traffickers.

A burglar who broke into a home in Kuala Lumpur was found dehydrated and fatigued by the owners who returned from holidays to the man who claimed to have been held captive by a ghost.

Police have reported that the man believes he was held captive by a supernatural being who wouldn't let him leave the residence after entering, and prevented him from getting food or water for 3 days.

Australia's childcare situation has been slammed again, this time by UNICEF for meeting just 2 of the 10 benchmarks listed and come in behind the US, the UK and Mexico.

The report says children in remote areas and ethnic minorities are most disadvantaged and warns poor quality care has the potential to cause both immediate and long time harm to children.

Zedlines 12 December 2008

2008-12-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Reported by Chris, Nick and April

Blogged by Natasha Christian.

For the first time in history, Brisbane's Gateway Bridge will close briefly in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The bridge will be closed for the installation of a 'gantry' which will take about three hours to complete.

A three year old girl is paralysed in hospital after being bitten by a tick while at her Sunshine Coast home.

She is on a respirator but in a stable condition at Brisbane's Mater Children's hospital and is likely to stay in hospital for several weeks.

Symptoms of a tick bite may include; itchiness, loss of co-ordination, blurred vision and difficulty of speaking and swallowing.

If any of these symptoms occur please seek medical assistance.

With the school holidays starting this afternoon, the community is being urged to keep a close eye on schools over the Christmas break to help protect them from vandalism.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford, says the Communities vigilance has been crucial in reducing vandalism by 24 percent over the last 12 months.

A 'School Watch Hotline' is in place to report possible crime, which receives roughly 60 calls a month from community members.

According to the Medical Staff Association at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, the financial crisis has jeoparadised the Government's original plan for a Queensland Children's hospital on Brisbane's Southside.

Health Minister, Stephen Robertson says that the new facility will go ahead as planned and existing commitments will be followed through.

The hospital plans to be opened in stages from 2011 to 2014 and will cost 1.1 billion dollars.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that public dental patients are more likely to have fewer teeth, gum disease and tooth decay.

The Institute's latest report says 42% of public dental patients were found to have tooth decay compared to 26% of the general population.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the coalition's blocking of a Commonwealth Dental Health Program has held up much needed services.

Ms. Roxon says the Dental Program would provide extra services for Pensioners and Indigenous Australians.

The Federal opposition and business groups are calling on the government to put emissions trading on hold due to the economic crisis.

Emissions trading is schedueled to begin in 2010 but as job losses increase, it has been called to be put back until 2012.

But Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says that if Australia does not act on climate change, it will deliver a huge economic burden in the long term.

Unions are calling on employers to do everything possible to protect jobs and incomes in the lead up to Christmas.

The recent rise in unemployment last month highlights the need for measures to be taken to protect the nation's workforce.

Australian Council of Trade Union's secretary Jeff Lawrence, says the small increase in unemployment to 4.4% is concerning, however the country isn headed for recession just yet.

Zedlines: 11/12/2008

2008-12-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

Reported by Isabel and Ellie

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change talks are underway in the Polish city of Poznan.

The European Union’s Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that European leaders will agree on a 20 per cent reduction target by 2020 and a further 80 to 95 per cent reduction by 2050.

Australian Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong is at the conference to argue that the economic crisis should not stop action on climate change.

But she also says that Australia’s policy will be the same as other nations.

The two week negotiation process seeks to continue making commitments between nations to reduce carbon emissions following the Kyoto Protocol, and as a precursor to further talks in Denmark next year.

Poland are entering final negotiations to sell 15 million Euros worth of greenhouse emission rights to Ireland.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, nations that are significantly under their emission targets – called Assigned Amount Units - can sell the excess to other nations.

The AAUs are being sold at 10 euros per ton.

The deal contains a clause stating that Ireland must invest these AAUs in developing clean energy or promoting energy efficiency.

Other Eastern European nations like Latvia, the Ukraine and the Czech Republic are also selling their excess AAUs.

The humble humming bird is the latest inspiration behind exciting new technology for completing radical heart surgery.

Queensland professor Dr Geoffrey Boyle has used the animals technique for hibernation to develop a similar action for the human heart to be used during cardiac procedures.

The cardio protection technology known as AdenocaineTM has the ability to safely stop the heart for for surgical procedures and then be restarted with less drugs and complications after the operation.

Read on for the interview with Dr Boyle by Isabel Fitzagerald...

What is it about a hummingbird's hibernation process that inspired this technology?

“What inspired the technology was that natural hibernators have this ability to put themselves into suspended animation. From knowing how they do that, I asked the question: could the human heart be pharmacologically manipulated to operate like the heart of a natural hibernating animal?

And that’s what led us down to the discovery of then manipulating that human heart pharmacologically and putting that into suspended animation.

We can do it for the short term or long term, and that’s what the technology is all about.”

What other benefits are there for the patients?

“It's unlike the current technology…it’s safer for the patient and much more predictable for the surgeon because it's a much more natural way to arrest the heart.

We use it to arrest the heart in cardaic surgery as well as transplantation. It's currently being used in 30 US hospitals. And I think about 15,000 patients have benefited from it in the US.”

The technology has the enormous potential to save lives, reduce hospital and health costs, and all by replicating nature.

Dr Boyle has been granted one hundred thousand dollars grant by the Queensland Government to take help take the technology global.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett yesterday called for restraint by conservationists during protests over whaling taking place in the Southern Oceans.

He said the Government condemned violent or life threatening acts and particularly mentioned Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and their methods of protest.

The Sea Shepherd are renowned for their aggressive and risky actions against Japanese whaling ships.

They have been successful on many occasions of stopping or reducing whale killings due to their proactive protesting.

Blogged by Ellie

Zedlines 09/12/08

2008-12-08T16:39:00.000-08:00

Reported by Chris and Jemma

Blogged by Jemma

The Queensland Greens have urged treasurer, Andrew Fraser, not to cut back on public transport spending.

Greens MP Ronan Lee says, Mr Frazer needs to decide which sort of infrastructure will be a solid investment in the future.

The Greens will be campaigning hard in the lead up to the forthcoming state election on a massive and rapid development of Queensland's public transport and cycling infrastructure.

The Commonwealth has announced it will match Queensland’s two million dollar commitment to the search for the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur.

268 people were killed when the ship sank 65 years ago, including 39 Queenslanders.

The final resting place of the ship remains a mystery, but is believed to be somewhere off North Stradbroke Island.

The European Union has included 11 new Zimbabwean officials in its blacklist, bringing the tally to 171.

This means they are not allowed to travel within the European Union.

In addition, this follows a catastrophic outbreak of cholera that has claimed almost 600 lives.

US security guards working for a private security company in Iraq have been charged over the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians and the injuring of 20 others in 2007, Al Jazeera has reported.

Five men from security firm Blackwater have been charged in a US court with manslaughter, attempt to commit manslaughter and weapons violations.

A sixth man involved pleaded guilty to charges last week.

Authorities in Amsterdam have announced they plan to halve the number of brothels and marijuana shops in the cities red light district.

The deputy major of Amsterdam says they want to fight money laundering, human trafficking and extortion.

He also says the city can keep the sex and the drugs, but in a way that shows the city is in control.

A rhino broke out of its enclosure at a South Australian zoo yesterday morning in an attempt to reach two female rhinos in a separate enclosure.

Zoo staff say the public were not at risk as the rhino remained within the zoo's outer fence.

ZEDLINES: 8/12/2008

2008-12-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

The Tenants Union of Queensland has given a mixed response to the new housing rights introduced in legislature yesterday.
The new legislation including bringing the "without grounds" eviction notice margin up from two weeks to two months, and explicitly outlawing open house situations, has been overshadowed by gaps such as the lack of prior notice laws for rent increases, and the lack of a fairness protocol in the expulsion of evicted residents.
Penny Carr, statewide coordinator for the TUS, observes that this state's legislature is the only one allowing for unfair expulsions, be it under so called “reasonable force”.

The Bligh government has begun to confront a crisis of a different note today, and in the spotlight is the rapidly declining Koala population in south-east Queensland.
Piggybacking the already existing Koala Plan will be a range of initiatives, centering around a 2 million Koala habitat map zoning job.
Sustainability and Climate Change Minister, Andrew McNamara, attributes the action to a specialised task group established in August by the Premier.

Taking a different look at the global economic crunch, Mission Australia is launching a campaign to raise $60, 000 for our nation's homeless, who will be in greater than ever turmoil with the crisis.
The campaign involves going to a website for Bayer Australia and designing a butterfly, for each submission of which Bayer will donate one dollar into Mission Australia's local projects.
For those of you who would like to contribute a butterfly design, please go to transformhomelessness.com.au and follow the prompts.

The federal government's new initiative to filter Australian Internet servers is inadequate and unwanted according to a nationwide protest group.
“Save the Net” protesters say the government's censorship scheme challenges our right to freedom of speech and freedom of choice.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the filtering program aims to block 10,000 sites containing 'inappropriate' material, but critics say the scheme will only slow down the internet and increase running expenses.
Protesters will hit the streets across the country on Saturday 13^th December, you can find “Save the Net” on facebook for more details about the event.

A report from the Australia Institute has found the value of time wasted on unsolicited telemarketing calls in Australia amounts to $1.58 billion each year.
With two in three Australians stating that telemarketing should be banned altogether, the paper highlighted the negative connotations associated to the selling system.
The report also found that the government based Do Not Call Register only minimizes telemarketing calls by about 30%, cutting the number of calls from ten to seven per month.

Australian consumers are imperative to monitoring and maintaining the organic food industry according to the Biological Farmers of Australia.

Products often carry un-substantiated labels and BFA warns consumers to be wary of claims such as 'natural', 'free range' and 'barn fresh'.
Organic productions enforce strict guides for animal welfare and balanced nutrition ensuring both the animal and the consumer can benefit.

And to international news, almost 5,000 demonstrators have rallied outside the Athens National museum in a violent protest against police after the the killing of a 15-year old boy on Saturday.
The youth's death is believed to have resulted after an altercation with police, and the officers involved have been arrested.
Chaos was reported throughout the city, with demonstrators smashing shop windows, setting fire to cars and sending three police officers to hospital.

Zedlines Friday 5th December.

2008-12-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

Reported by Ali, Andrew, Peta, Chris and Nick.
Blogged by Natasha Christian.

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has announced new changes to the ABSTUDY eligibility criteria which will ensure Indigenous scholarship holders receive financial assistance.

The changes are designed to help to close the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians.

Numerous studies have highlighted that aboriginal students have lower graduation achievement rates.

A proposed preamble to the State Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Queenslanders has earned high praise from Aboriginal groups.

Premier Anna Bligh has called for bipartisan support of the proposal in time for the state's 150th anniversary next year.

The preamble would recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of the state, with Aboriginal activists believing the change would also aid the reconciliation process.

The achievements of several inspirational Australians were recognised at last night's National Disability Awards.

The awards, which help celebrate the 'International Day for People with Disability,' were presented at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.

The winner of the Community Contribution Award was 24 year old Sarah Cullen, who recently launched a support group for young stroke survivors and their carers.

A recent survey has found that two out of three Australians intend to cut back spending this Christmas, while the countries youth are expected to spend up big.

Despite the worlds current economic turmoil, thirty-seven percent of generation Y respondents say they plan to spend more this year than last.

The Queensland Fair Trade collective will run a Christmas Market this weekend at the Marymac Community Centre in Annerly.

Shannon Sheedy from the collective says the stallholders are passionate about what they sell.

The ancient art of Tai Chi is being promoted by health experts as an alternative treatment for numerous health problems.

Mastering the slow movements are said to not only reduce stress and improve physical fitness, but can also help those suffering from diabetes.

Physician Barbara Zuegg believes the increased circulation and stretching from the controlled moves, helps to maintain low and even blood sugar levels.

Today is International Volunteers Day and Volunteering Australia says more support is needed to ensure that demand for services can continue to be met.

Over five and a half million Australians volunteer their time, an estimated $70 Billion dollar contribution to the community.

Volunteering Austrlia Spokesperson Peter Cocks says he expects The Global Financial Crisis will effect the amount of time people can offer and demand on services in the welfare sector.

In international news, the anti-immigration movement continues to gain momentum in the United States.

The most recent survey conducted by the FBI shows racial hate crimes are on the rise.

The CEOs of two leading American car companies have announced they will work for a salary of just one dollar a year, if the US government gives them access to a loan.

A thirty-eight billion dollar loan is being proposed by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, who say that the recent financial recession in America has had an adverse affect on the car industry.

Zedlines: 4/10/08

2008-12-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

Reported by Isabel, Sophie and Ellie

92 nations have signed treaty banning cluster bombs.

Norway was the first nation to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions last night in Oslo.

Britain, France and Germany also signed and are starting to destroy stockpiles of the munitions.

In an unexpected move, Afghanistan signed the treaty despite pressure from the United States, who has refused to support the ban.

What is a Cluster Bomb?

Cluster bombs are dropped from planes or fired from artillery guns which explode midair and scatter hundreds of smaller bombs.

Some of these bombs do not explode and instead act as landmines, which can explode years after a conflict has ended.

About one hundred thousand people have been killed or injured by these bombs since 1965.

You can read more at the Cluster Munition Coalition website.

Sex offenders will be relocated to homes in Townsville and Rockhampton prisons.

Queensland Corrective Services are going to spend six hundred and fifty thousand dollars developing houses on prison reserves for sex offenders.

The houses will be fenced and fitted with CCTV. Offenders will be under constant police supervision.

Hal Stone of the Capricorn Coast Community Safety Group said the decision is much wiser than letting sex offenders live among neighbourhoods, where families may feel unsafe.

“It would seem – so far about the proposal - that it would [be] more safe because it actually relocates these people into an environment where they're not in the community.”

The decision comes after controversy surrounding convicted pedophile Dennis Ferguson, who moved to the suburb of Carbrook and was driven out by angry residents five months ago.

Both the Federal Government and Federal Opposition have voted to continue logging koala habitat forests in New South Wales.

The Senate voted fifty one to six against a motion moved by Greens Leader Bob Brown which called to halt logging in any koala habitat forests in New South Wales.

Senator Brown said the government's logging was fragmenting the habitat of the koala and facilitating its road to extinction.

Australian entertainer Rolf Harris has apologised for his offensive comments towards indigenous Australians, saying he should have kept his mouth shut.

Mr Harris told Fairfax newspapers that Aboriginal children were never disciplined, and that indigenous Australians expected "other people to come in and clean up their mess."

The comment came as a response to a documentary Mr Harris had seen about indigenous accomodation in Uluru. He was promoting an illustrated book of his hit song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport” which includes this verse:

Let me Abos go loose, Lew
Let me Abos go loose
They're of no further use, Lew
So let me Abos go loose
Altogether now!

Mr Harris has not sung the verse since 1960.

His comments drew the ire of prominent Aboriginal leader Lowitja O'Donoghue, however Ms O'Donoghue said as far as she was concerned as long as Harris apologised the matter was "fixed".

The sixth Young Designers' Market will be held at Southbank this Sunday.

Starting at 10 am, the market is showcasing up to seventy stalls including a range of fashion, jewellery and prints.

See what it's all about here.

Blogged by Ellie

Zedlines: 03/ 12/ 08

2008-12-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

Reported by Cathy Niven and Emma Gough

The Australian Government's proposed Premises Act will take into consideration the aging population, people with disabilities and parents with prams; all of whom were previously ignored by legislation.

Community Relations Manager of Spinal Injuries Australia John Mayo says the building code of Australia only provided minimal technical compliance for people with disabilities and needed updating to provide adequate facilities for the population.

Mr Mayo says the Premises Act will give people the opportunity to access services and information regardless of disability.

The Alliance of Small Island States has made a plea for the world to commit to a strong action plan on climate change at the United Nations talks in Poznan, Poland.

Many island nations such as Tuvalu and Kiribati risk being submerged by climate change induced rising sea levels.

Other nations like Fiji risk losing important agricultural land.

Greenpeace head of campaigns Steve Campbell says the Rudd Government has embarrassed itself in front of our neighbouring nations, which have the most to lose from climate change.

Mr Campbell says Australia should show international leadership and support island nations in their call for keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees.

The Government's internet content filter will be no longer available for download after December 31st.

There has been no formal announcement by the Government but there has been a change to the NetAlert site stating downloads will no longer be available after 2008.

NetAlert promised to provide every Australian household access to an internet content filter to block unwanted content.

It is thought the ISP filtering system will not be ready by 2009.

The Public Health Association of Australia is pushing the Australian Government (PHAA) to allow Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) to be available for prisoners.

Chief Executive Officer of the PHAA Michael Moore says prisoners are one of the most marginalised groups in the community.

He says the health of those in prison could be improved significantly if Medicare and PBS were utilised.

Research in Australia has shown a higher death rate among prisoners, compared to the wider community.

Legislation changing tenancy laws has been passed in the Queensland parliament.

Under the laws the frequency of rent rises is limited to six months and rent bidding has been outlawed.

The notice period to terminate a tenancy at the end of a fixed term without grounds has increased from two weeks to two months.

The laws were introduced after skyrocketing rent, growth in off-campus student accommodation, rental accommodation for seniors and the emergence of rent bidding or auctions.

Zedlines: 02/12/2008

2008-12-01T17:11:00.000-08:00

Reported by, Chris, Aneta and Stephen.

Blogged by Jemma Fletcher.

A march in Brisbane this morning will call for the Government to end the unfair treatment of construction workers.

The rally, to begin at 09.30 at Queens Park, is calling for the abolishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

State secretary for the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Micheal Ravbar, says the event hopes to raise the profile of unjust conditions.

The state’s most comprehensive report into the residential sector has revealed a likely rough period for housing construction.

The number of housing constructions is forecast to fall by 12 per cent during the next year.However, renovations are expected to increase by 4 per cent over the same period.

The sector is projected to see a moderate rebound by 2010, bolstering overall activity in the Queensland economy.

Many people will be planning their resolutions for 2009 with quitting smoking at the top of the list.

Around one in six Queenslanders smoke daily and with New Years Eve fast approaching, many people will be planning their resolutions for 2009 with quitting smoking at the top of the list, says Philip Feinstein, National Co-ordinator of SmokEnders Australia.

The international smoking support group has helped over a million people quit the addiction, 40 000 of which here in Australia.

Over 30 000 people are hospitalised each year in Queensland placing unnecessary strain and costs on our health system.In addition, Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in the state but is steadily declining.

A significant leak inside the Victorian police may have compromised drug trafficking investigations across the country, the Age has reported.

It has been alleged that confidential information has been given to crime bosses and alleged killers.

The leak is thought to have originated from the Victoria Police covert support unit after suspects in custody were found with information prepared by the unit.

Department of Immigration figures show that formal warnings to employers breaching the four-five-seven working visa scheme has increased dramatically.

Union President Julius Roe stated today that these figures are a clear message that the scheme is being systematically abused to undercut wages and conditions rather than addressing the skills shortage.

Visa workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation as they often speak little English, have poor understanding of their rights and can be threatened with deportation if they speak up.

The CSIRO has created advanced new software which will boost Australia’s capabilities in understanding the impact of air pollution.

"The Air Pollution Model increases our ability to pinpoint pollutant behaviour in a wider range of atmospheric conditions,” says CSIRO’s Dr Peter Hurley.

Over the coming years the new model will continue to fill the gap between simple air pollution models and the more complex systems.

Monday, December 1 ZEDLINES

2008-11-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

Reported by Jamie, Jerome and Siobhan

Griffith University's Sommer Tuson and 20 colleagues are expected to finish a 900km cycle from the Gold Coast to Sydney on Wednesday, in support of Cystic Fibrosis.

Ms Tuson graduates with a double degree in physiotherapy and exercise science later this year and has been living with Cystic Fibrosis for 27 years.

She says her childhood experiences with physiotherapists influenced her choice of study, as they play an import role in the daily management of the disease.

The group will cross the finish line at the Children's Hospital at Westmead at 2pm.

Fluoride has officially been added to our tap water today but the process will not be complete until 2012.

The Bligh Government says there will not be any noticeable difference in the taste of tap water.

Queenslanders For Safe Water, Air and Food spokesperson Merilyn Haines says Anna Bligh needs to follow the example set by a New South Wales council, who provided free reverse-osmosis filters to anyone at risk of adverse effects from fluoride.

Australian physicists will meet in Adelaide this week to discuss solar power, the Large Hadron Collider and the variability of the sun and the role of oceans in climate change.

Abengoa Solar's Michael Geyer will explain the introduction of solar power into the international energy market.

The company is building the world's largest solar plant in Arizona.

72 per cent of organic food customers would prefer a single, new symbol used by all organisations, according to Newspoll.

Having one symbol was viewed as easier, clearer and less confusing, compared to the current situation of having eight different sybols, a system which consumers say makes it harder to identify organic foods.

Organic Federation Andre Leu Chairperson says the research shows a poor awareness of the majority of certification symbols.

Zedlines Thursday 27/11/08

2008-11-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

Reported by Isabel, Jamie and Ellie

The Traveston Dam is not needed if alternative water conservation methods are put to use, according to reports released by the Federal Government today.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett released the reports today after Premier Anna Bligh announced that constructing the controversial Traveston Dam would be delayed.

The reports from the Australian Rivers Institute said that setting water restrictions to less than 200 litres per person per day will mean that the dam is not needed at all.

Storm water harvesting could potentially provide 20 per cent of south-east Queensland's water supply, while the proposed dam would only provide 7 to 12 per cent.

The RSPCA has reaffirmed its opposition to rodeo events in Victoria, to align with the commencement of a prominent professional bull riding tour on Saturday.

The Victorian Bureau of Animal Welfare found that in the twelve month period starting from January 2006, about a third of the 64 rodeo events held in Victoria resulted in the veterinarian in attendance having to treat injuries.

During that time, three of the animals died.

RSPCA President Dr Hugh Wirth says the association disapproves of the events because they are cruel and serve no useful purpose.

Their campaign, Stamp Out Rodeos, plans to urge the government to introduce a ban on rodeo events.

A group called the Deccan Mujahideen are behind the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

Four gunman were shot and nine suspects were arrested by Mumbai police after the group opened fire in several areas in Mumbai.

80 people have been killed and two hundred are injured.

Reports say that British, Americans and Australians are being targeted.

Indian newspaper The Deccan Herald reported that ten members of one family were killed by a nearby bomb blast.

Three members of Mumbai's police and counter terrorism force were also killed.

The Deccan Mujahideen sent an e-mail to Mumbai Police on Saturday night threatening to attack the city.

The e-mail accuses Mumbai police of targeting Muslims in raids.

It threatens police that they are on a "hit list".

Read the e-mail here

Hostages are still being held in hotels.

The New South Wales State Government is trying to contact a trade delegation at the Oberoi Hotel, which is currently under siege.

If you have a friend or family member in Mumbai, please call the Department of Foreign Affairs on 1800 002 214.

(Note: "Deccan" refers to the southern plateau area of India)

Blogged by Ellie

Zedlines 24/ 11/ 08

2008-11-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

Reported by Elena, Jamie, Jerome and Siobhan

Blogged by Jamie.

Greens Senator and spokesperson for gender and sexuality Sarah Hanson-Young led a rally in Melbourne over the weekend to support same-sex couples rights.

The Equal Rights Now campaign was organised by the National Union of Students, where Senator Hanson-Young was presented with a petition of 30, 000 signatures supporting same-sex marriage.

Senator Hanson-Young says Federal legislation needs to be changed to reflect the growing number of Australians who support gay marriage.

Almost 200 people gathered at Eraring Power Station on Saturday to protest the Government's failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Rising Tide group of Newcastle protested against the power station in Lake Macquarie, which is one of the largest coal-powered stations in Australia.

The power station's carbon dioxide emissions reach over 12 million tonnes per year.

Spokesperson for Rising Tide Newcastle Georgina Woods says in the lead up to the UN Climate Talks in Poland, it is important to highlight greenhouse gas emissions are still on the rise.

We have not had any response from the Federal Government but in a week's time the UN Climate Talks are going to start in Poland and we are really looking for Australia to stop hesitating, to stop vacillating, and to act decisively to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from the year 2010 onwards.

A water safety group in south-east Queensland has accused the State Government of not notifying the public about fluoridation of south-east Queensland water.

Queenslanders for Safe Water, Air and Food, spokesperson Merilyn Haines says the public notice about fluoridated water in south-east Queensland from December 1, 2008 is insufficient.

It is absolutely disgraceful, they have spent millions of dollars on publicity by propaganda with all the advertisements on TV, newspapers and radio. Promoting fluoridation and to put one advertisement on page 85, when everyone in Queensland gets a free newspaper delivered to their household. Yet they had to go and put it in one newspaper, on one day, a newspaper that you have to go and buy."

Following a report released today concerning the number of domestic violence-related killings, State leadership can be expected to revamp their as yet lukewarm response to the reccommendations of the Ombudsman report of two years ago.

Murders within homes in New South Wales have taken a toll of 29 women and children after the report was released, leaving the leadership's war on domestic violence in question.

This week is Zero Footprint week, encouraging individuals, families and businesses to reduce their ecological footprint caused by food consumption.

The week is organised by the One At A Time Foundation, who point out 35 per cent of our ecological footprint caused by food consumption.

The One At A Time Foundation is promoting simple steps to help change this figure, such as buying in season produce and products with less packaging, in order to minimise transport and household waste.

The Federal Workplace Ombudsman plans to distribute thousands of flyers to schools, shopping centres and cinemas to warn students against being subjected to unnacceptable workplace conditions during summer employment.

Workplace ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says young people are often caught up in the excitement of first-time employment, not paying enough attention to whether they are getting a fair deal.

Common areas for concern are failure to meet minimum wage requirements, unpaid "trials" and not getting paid for training meetings.

For advice on fair workplace conditions the Workplace Authority info line can be contacted on 1300 363 264.

Under a new Government initiative Indigenous people will be given mentoring, business skills development and networking opportunities to help turn business ideas into reality.

Minister for Employment Participation Brendan O'Connor announced the Australian Government's support for the program.

Mr O'Connor said over the next two years, the Government will focus on establishing a new business hub called the Adelaide Indigenous Business Centre, in an effort to ensure economic opportunities for all Australians.

Spreading Awareness

2008-11-22T00:51:00.000-08:00

Brunswick Street will light up next Wednesday's balmy evening, the mall hosting this year's Amnesty Queer Rights Network Anti-Violence Vigil.

The event, featuring speakers such as Reverends Lee Neighbour and Lance Meergard and prominent community activist Gai Lemon, will help uncover the controversial issue of violence in same-sex relationships.

"The research shows domestic violence in same sex relationships runs at about the same level as it does in heterosexual relationships. It is equally a problem for people in same-sex relationships as it is for people in inter-sex relationships," said organizer Michael Hayworth.

"All violence of this nature is an abuse of human rights. The idea behind the vigil is to highlight and raise public awareness about gender violence and also same sex violence in same-sex relationships."

The vigil is part of the international 19 days of action against domestic violence, held by Amnesty International. Mr Hayworth said the vigil would serve as an extension of the work that the Australian government has already done towards protecting the rights of women and members of same-sex couples.

"It's obviously all relative when we are talking about all domestic violence. In order to prevent domestic violence in same-sex relationships there needs to be a focus on education and a focus on public awareness," he said.

"There needs to be a solid and coordinated provision of services to support survivors, and a strong level of coordination to help people with the prosecution of domestic violence perpetrators."

The vigil represents a step in the right direction in terms of providing this necessary education and awareness of domestic abuse in Australia, said Mr Hayworth, and he hopes more events like this will be arranged in the future.

Those wanting to take part in the vigil should meet at Brunswick street mall at 4:30, this coming Wednesday, November the 26th.

By James Brindley

Zedlines 21/11/2008

2008-11-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Reported by Nick, Andrew and Ali.

Blogged by Natasha Tonks

Brisbane CityCat services have resumed and the Inner City bypass has reopened for commuters today after Wednesday night's thunderstorms.

Debris in the river from the recent storms had forced the Brisbane City Council to suspend CityCat services late yesterday afternoon.

Heavy rain on Wednesday night caused eleven million litres of water to flood the Inner City Bypass tunnel which resulted in it's closure for the entire day yesterday.

It's time to celebrate for 40,000 Queensland Year 12 students who finish high school today.

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre say they have seen an increase in applications for tertiary students from year 12 students.

Students seeking tertiary places will have a nervous wait until December 20 when senior results are released and to mid January when tertiary offers are finalised.

The Australian Federal Police have announced that it will not extend the existing control order on convicted terrorism supporter David Hicks.

The decision came hours after Mr. Hicks released a video stating his concern that the AFP would seek a new control order.

The former Guantanamo Bay detainee has had to follow a strict curfew and visit police two times a week since he was released from prison at the end of last year.

Mr. Hicks thanked Australians for supporting him and says the decision is a great relief for his family.

He believes that the decision allows him for the first time to move on with his life.

A navy patrol vessel has rescued 12 people from a sinking boat off the Northern, West Australian coast.

The tweleve people on board including two crew members have been transferred to Christmas Island by the navy vessel.

Thw boat had a broken engine, damaged hull and was sinking fast when it was located south east of Ashmore Island, yesterday.

Immigration Minister Senator Chris Evans says that it is not clear what the group's intentions were but that people smugglers are a constant presence in the region.

Senator Evans says continuing conflict in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka has meant thousands of displaced people seeking refuge around the world.

Mt. Isa Mayor John Moloney has received an award for calling "all beauty- disadvantaged" women to his town in order to find themselves husbands.

The mayor was awarded with the Golden Ernie after suggesting that all unattractive women move to the mining town to help reduce the large population of single men.

The Ernie Awards, which are now in the 16th year, name and shame public figures for making sexist comments throughout the year.

In international news, Military medical teams have been mobilized in the Phillipines after an outbreak of typhoid fever that has left more than 100 people in hospital.

The outbreak is believed to have been caused by contaminated water from a stream in Quezon Province to the north-west of Manila.

Teams of doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians are on their way to the province with equipment to provide medical care to the victims of the outbreak.

Zedlines Thursday 20 November

2008-11-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

Reported by Susie, Ryan and Ellie

Road networks in Brisbane and the outer suburbs are flooded due to storms last night.

The Ipswich Motorway at Goonda and sections of the Centenary Highway are flooded, with only one lane on the Centenary Highway open, which has led to congestion back to Toowong.

The Inner-City Bypass is completely closed, which has delayed traffic to Victoria Point Road.

Several other roads are also closed due to flooding.

Find out more about road conditions on the RACQ website.

The storm also caused a landslide at Mt Gravatt and destroyed part of the Gabba Stadium's roof.

The clean up is continuing from Sunday night's storms, with State Government kicking up funding and relief packages for the worst hit areas.

In The Gap, emergency workers are attempting to stabilise a landslip threatening several houses in the suburb.

A $1 million funding package has been appointed to assist sport and recreation clubs with the clean up, with Premier Anna Bligh setting up the Recovery Taskforce to help co-ordinate long-term rebuilding efforts.

Check out the Main Roads website for some useful information on flooding.

Ex-prisoner of Guantanamo Bay, David Hicks, is pleading for help on a video uploaded on the GetUp Australia website.

In the short video, he thanks the members of GetUp for helping him leave Guantanamo Bay but asks for more help.

Hicks is under a control order by the Australian Federal Police.

Watch the video on the GetUp website.

The control order dictates that he's not allowed to leave the country, must report to police twice a day, regularly submit to fingerprint testing and isn't allowed to own any materials that could potentially be used for violent means.

Oxfam Australia says that women are suffering from climate change more than men.
The Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator, Julianne Richards, says climate change is affecting developing countries more and it’s affecting women in developing countries the most.

She says women are generally responsible for gathering food and water for the family and climate change is making this increasingly difficult.

Read about Oxfam's Sisters on the Planet campaign

Blogged by Elle

Zedlines - 19/11/08

2008-11-18T17:14:00.000-08:00

Reported by Emma Gough
Blogged by Sam Kerr

The plan to close the right hand turning lane onto Coronation Drive will have disastrous effects according to Greens MP Ronan Lee.

The construction of the Hale Street Bridge will cause the right hand turning lanes onto Coronation Drive to close in January 2009 and will not be reopened until mid 2010.

Mr. Lee said the closure will cause tens of thousands of vehicles to be directed onto Milton Road or other streets in Milton, Auchenflower and Toowong causing a traffic disaster for Brisbane's inner west.

A previous proposal of Mr. Lee's to have construction operations at night was rejected by the Brisbane City Council.

A trial for apartment buildings to have access to recycling bins has been a success according to the City Council.

Councilor Helen Abrahams said apartment buildings do not have any recycling bins and often the owners of the units have to pay for a private service and this causes a lot of recyclable material to be thrown away.

Educating unit managers and owners is the key to gaining more recycling services for apartment buildings Ms. Abrahams said.

Grade twelve students gearing up for schoolies week are being encouraged to practice safe sex and use condoms.

The Manager for Marie Stopes International Jill Micholson said it's an exciting time for school leavers but the party atmosphere shouldn't overshadow the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

“You may think that there is a lot of education about safe sex but it is not getting through to people and the education is not consistent and it is not being provided nationally in the right places.

We did some recent research and over half of teenagers surveyed think that by using condoms they will not contract herpes, about 45% were not aware they could be infected with chlamydia and have no symptoms.”

Ms. Micholson said research indicates that young people are embarrassed to go to the supermarket and buy condoms or they just don't have the money to do so.

Marie Stopes International is helping students practice safe sex with the 'TXT 4 Free Condomz' campaign.

Teenagers can receive two free condoms in plain packaging when they text their name and address details to 19SEXTXT (19 739898).

When it was trialled last year the campaign received over 1,000 requests for condoms.

“We had a very positive response last year from teenagers, even receiving text messages of support for the service from parents,” Ms Michelson said.

Mental illness and suicide prevention in rural communities is the focus of an exhibition currently being held at Red Hill this week.

Carly Burnham's 'A Mental Picture' collection aims to stimulate conversation to help assist men and women from rural communities to self assess and get help.

There is a lack of tolerance and understanding, and a lack of services available in rural areas to deal with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses Ms. Burnham said.

The exhibition runs from Wednesday to Saturday at Clovelly Estate Cellar Door, 210 Musgrave Road, Red Hill.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has hit out at the Government's compulsory income management scheme for communities in the Northern Territory.

Mr Calma said the income management scheme has made shopping a demoralising experience for many Indigenous people.

“People find they purchase a whole lot of goods, get to the counter to find out their card does not have enough credit on it.

So they have to put goods back and they have to take some time and it is because of this time that Aboriginal people are being shepherded in certain areas and it becomes very demeaning for people.”

Mr Calma also addressed the Government's current attitude towards existing legislation.

“Jenny Macklin has indicated that she does not want to have discriminatory legislation and she is working towards addressing that.

My view is that they should address that immediately and that all senators should recognize that we are a country where we believe in non-discrimination, where we believe in equality.”

Brisbane residents are being warned to be wary of door-to-door traders offering to repair damage after the recent wild weather.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said that if you are approached at home by a trader you should first ensure they are dealing with a licensed trader.

Consumers should also contact their insurance company directly to find out what damage is covered by their insurance Ms. Shine said.

UNICEF is concerned that the focus on international adoption will lead to a focus on providing care for individual children rather than supporting the families and communities that care for orphans.

President of Rationalist Society of Australia Ian Robinson said there is an enormous variety of programs available that do help the families and communities to support and nurture their children in need and keep them with their own relatives in their own culture.

The cost to an Australian parent of one inter-country adoption would ensure literally hundreds of children thrived in their own countries Mr Robinson said.

“If you look at the UNICEF website most of the orphans are actually being cared for at the moment, they are not wandering around homeless they are actually being cared for by relatives.

Their problem is not that they do not have people that love them, the problem is poverty.”

Mr Robinson also discussed the difficulties facing third-world children when they are flung into a different culture.

This culture shock can cause higher risk of suicide or mental illness because the child feels alienated from society Mr. Robinson said.

Power for the People or Power from the People?

2008-11-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

Would the implementation renewable energy production be more likely if it were the greater public, not the elites that controlled power production?

Representatives from the Socialist Alliances and Green Party answered in agreement, while they participated at the Walk against Warming rally that took place last Saturday at Queens Square.

Paul Benedick, an outspoken official at the Socialist Alliance, says that power companies and the local government have the main hand in the prevention renewable energy research and supporting fossil fuel use.

"Queensland is the highest coal producing state in the highest coal producing nation in the world, and the Queensland Government is set to approve the tripling of production here. I think that ultimately the corporate system and the Government defends them and does their bidding are collectively responsible for increased coal mining and Carbon Dioxide emissions."

This point is only accentuated by the fact that we as members of the Australian Culture are reliant on such an everyday necessity for electricity. Should the public have control over power production?

When it comes to electricity we dont get a choice. We turn on a light switch and we dont have much say about the actual production. Therefore power industries should be absolutely in public control, based on fitting into the interest of the broader community. When you have the market system, its all about he bottom line and the dollar, if they want to sell you an essentially disruptive productive.

Queensland Greens Party MP Ronan Lee agrees with Mr Benedick in his belief that the state government is avoiding renewable energy research despite the greater needs of Queenslanders.

"I think the fact that neither Labour nor Liberal/National parties are present at this rally goes to show just how close those two parties have become on issues of the environment. They are completely beholden to the coal industry. They are completely beholden to 19th century styles of energy production. What we in the Greens say is that we need to move into renewable in a big way; into a clean and green economy."

In addition, Mr Lee sees the governmental/public controlled power system suggested by Mr Benedick to be a worthwhile step towards promoting renewable energy.

For a good part of Australian history, power was generated by the government. In fact I campaigned quite actively to appose the state governments disastrous plans to sell off the retail arm of the electricity industry in Queensland. What weve seen since that sell-off is dramatically increasing prices for consumers, and no public control concerning energy production policy and energy pricing. This is a serious issue.

Mr Lee suggests a Gross Energy Feed-in Tariff that would provide financial support to those producing renewable energy, which would give homeowners incentive to install solar panels on their roofs.

Both the Socialist Alliance and the Greens party recognize that providing renewable energy is important, not just for the well being of Australian people and environment, but also for the well being of the greater world.

Should Australia and Queensland be using renewable energy controlled by the public? The answer, according to the Socialist Alliance and the Greens Party, is yes.

By James Brindley

What are your opinions? Should you own your power? Share your comments below.

17/11/2008 ZEDLINES

2008-11-17T05:48:00.000-08:00

Following this year's National Apology to the Stolen Generations, social justice groups question the government's commitment to the cause.
According to Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, actions are still being done "to", rather than "with", indigenous peoples.
The commissioner points out an ongoing division between the rhetoric and the action of the government.

Following on from this story, Commissioner Tom Calma has also called for the 'skilling up' of services working with Indigenous young people, in an effort to prevent juvenile crime.
Releasing a report on crime prevention, Commissioner Calma highlighted the fact that Indigenous young people in the juvenile justice system are at least four times more likely to hve an intellectual disability than the general population.
The report recommends further support for health workers working with Indigenous communities facing cognitive disabilities and mental health issues.

According to the Cancer Council's National Sun Protection Survey, teens spend an average of two hours in the sun in the worst part of the day for UV exposure.
To mark the start of National Skin Cancer Action Week, the survey shows that about a quarter of teenagers are getting sunburnt on a typical summer weekend, compared to just fourteen percent of adults.
Queensland SunSmart coordinator, Lisa Naumann, said that Queenslanders need to be more careful about being sunsmart and consider the long term effects of sun exposure.

It has emerged that an incident involving the tasering of a teenage girl was witheld from the media by the Queensland Police Service.
The girl, who had refused to leave the side of a sick friend until an ambulance arrived, was already being restrained by two security guards when the police officer discharged the taser into her thigh, and arrested her for "assaulting police".
Having ocurred during the trial period for the Taser device, the occurence stirrs anew questions concerning the attitudes of the QPS; questions harking back twenty years to the "bad old days" before the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

The RSPCA's call to ban duck hunting has been described as deliberately gross and misleading by prominent pro-hunting groups.
More than 135 conservation, animal welfare and political groups are calling on Peter Garrett to adopt a national ban on recreational shooting.
But President of the Supporting Shooters Association of Australia, Bob Cooper, says that the RSPCA's argument is narrow. His association, along with Field and Game Australia, have kept a careful eye on breeding patterns and have even been active in producing wetlands for breeding.

A possible breakthrough for AIDS has been made in Germany after doctors cured a cancer patient who was also infected with the HIV virus.
The man was cured of the AIDS virus after being given a bone marrow transplant to treat his leukemia.
Some medical professionals remain skeptical about the probability of the treatment, but the case has raised hopes for future discoveries.
Currently AIDS directly affects over 33 million people world wide, and almost 2 million people from the virus each year.

The number of Australians who buy organic products has risen by almost fifty percent in the last five years, according to a survey released by Newspoll.
The survey showed that in 2003, only forty-three percent of consumers opted to choose organic products, but in 2008 this figure has risen to over sixty percent.
Chairman for The Organic Federation of Australia, Andre Leu ("Andre Loi"), explained that there has been an increase in both concern for the environment and pesticide residue in foods.

Nine months after the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, it is still unclear whether government action is comprehensive.
A key concern, voiced in a speech by Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, is that things are still being done "to", rather than "with", indigenous peoples.
The commissioner also points out an ongoing division between the rhetoric and the action of the government.

The survey showed that about a quarter of teenagers are getting sunburnt on a typical summer weekend, compared to just fourteen percent of adults.

Queensland SunSmart coordinator, Lisa Naumann, said that skin cancer figures suggest that Queenslanders in particular need to understand the importance of being cautious in the sun.

In the aftermath of the latest episode of the storm-season, Brisbane residents are citing one of the biggest in recent memory.

The storm, taking out electricity for over 145,000 homes and businesses, has claimed the life of a Chermside man, as well tearing down several hundred kilometers of powerlines and closing traffic intersections.

Zedlines: 13/11/2008

2008-11-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

Reported by Cathy Niren, Peta Fuller and Sophie Benjamin.

Blogged by Jemma Fletcher.

Tourism Queensland has launched a $300, 000 marketing campaign to encourage tourists to whale watch at Fraser Island.

The Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism, Fraser Coast Regional Council and local whale watch operators have welcomed the campaign to help steady the industry during the current financial climate.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said early indicators show that so far this season, almost 30, 000 people have logged on to the Fraser Coast Whale Watching site, double the number of total hits from last year.

Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel has today introduced legislation to Parliament, clearing the way for new drivers licenses.

The new cards will replace the current laminated licenses that have been used for over 20 years.

They will have digital photos and signatures and be embedded with a computer chip, making forgery more difficult. Mr Mickel said the new driver's license will have higher security and better protection against identity fraud than the now-outdated laminated cards.

The SES is urging Queensland residents to protect their homes during the current storm season.

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said check the garden for branches, loose items or any other things that might cause danger around the home.

These warnings come as part of the national SES week which is from November 8th to 16th.

Families who have not lodged their 2006-07 tax return will now have to repay their Family Tax Benefit for that financial year.

Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the Family Assistance Office wrote to about 280, 000 families to remind them they needed to lodge their tax returns.

200, 000 families responded but the 80, 000 that did not will now have to repay the benefit in full.

Over 100, 000 people have signed the pledge calling for the Government to Close the Gap, since the launch in April 2007.

There is currently a 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.

The Australian leaders signed a statement of intent to Indigenous Health leaders committing to the long-term task of closing the gap when they apologized to the Stolen Generation.

The Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, from the Close the Gap committee, has presented the government with a detailed plan of the targets needed to ensure the gap is closed.

Doctor's groups are calling for an increase in federal funding for public hospitals.

The Australian Medical Association of Queensland says the system is underfunded to the tune of $600 million.

The AMA wants the federal government to immediately spend $3 billion on the system.

Climate change refugees should be accepted into Australia according to Australian Greens Leader Senator Brown.

A simple broadening of the definition of humanitarianism can hold a door open for refugees from low-lying countries affected by rising sea-levels.

Senator Brown said Australia is a leading global climate polluter and unless all countries participate in cutting carbon emissions, climate refugees will become an increasing reality.

South Australia's Department of Environment and Heritage will close the Simpson desert between the first of December and the fifteenth of March.

A risk assessment showed temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees celsius were dangerous for people crossing the desert, which covers an area of 3.6 million hectares.

The closure also includes emergency services. People caught crossing the desert will face fines of up to $1000.

Indonesia will get over $6 million from the Australian government for their presidential elections next year.

The funds will go towards educating voters and co-ordinating the difficult election process in the island nation.

The commitment was made at a joint forum where Australia and Indonesia's foreign ministers discussed security and economic issues.

The Rudd Government will introduce a transitional safety net, to cover charities looking to participate in the National Rental Affordability Scheme(NRAS).

The NRAS, will help build up to 50, 000 new rental properties across Australia, at a cost of $623 million in the first four years.

A further possible 50, 000 affordable rental dwellings will be made available over five years from July 2012.

NRAS rental properties will cost 20 per cent below market rate and up to 1.5 million households will be eligible to be tenants under the Scheme - including aged pensioners and key workers.

12/11/08 - Zedlines

2008-11-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Reported by Emma Gough, Cathy Niren and Natascha Schwartz
Blogged by Samuel Kerr

An Animal Management Bill has been introduced to Parliament to promote responsible pet ownership and managing of dangerous dogs.

Minister for Main Roads and Local Government Warren Pitt said the bill will provide a consitstent statewide approach to encouraging responsible pet ownership and help reduce the number of unwanted pets euthanised each year.

“Available records from local government pounds and animal welfare shelters show that at the very least, more than 13,000 cats and more than 10,000 dogs are euthanised in Queensland each year.” Mr Pitt said in a Ministerial media statement released yesterday.

Under the legislation all pets will need to be microchipped before 12 weeks of age or when ownership is transferred between owners and the classification of menacing dogs.

Mr Pitt said the Bligh Government was serious reducing the senseless destruction of thousands of unwanted cats and dogs throughout the state each year.

“The proposed legislation will put the onus of responsibility back on to pet owners and the government will work with councils and other industry bodies to make this happen,” he said.

The Government's internet filtering plan has too many unanswered questions according to Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam.

Currently the Government is comparing Australia's mandatory filtering system with other countries where net filtering is not compulsory.

Senator Ludlam has questioned how the filter would work but has yet to get a straight answer from Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy Minister Stephen Conroy.

Senator Ludlam said the proposal is very problematic and raises huge issues around privacy, censorship and freedom of speech.

“If they are indeed as is being reported attempting for a large scale mandatory censorship of the internet using isp level filtering than we are potentially going down a pretty dangerous track.”

Internet service providers will soon test a blacklist of about 1000 illegal websites for the Rudd Government's bid to protect Australians from viewing obscene material.

Within days, Minister Conroy will ask internet service providers such as BigPond and iiNet to participate in a live pilot trial to test internet filters.

The blacklists would probably apply to "real depictions of actual sexual activity:, child pornography, bestiality, material containing excessive violence or sexual violence, detailed instruction in crime, violence or drug use and material which advocated the commission of a terrorist act.

Senator Ludlam said the Internet has not traditionally been the focus of censorship in democratic countries and the online community has been relentless in its pursuit of straight answers from Minister Conroy.

The filtering plan has infuriated net users because it could slow internet speeds by 30 per cent, even though it will do little to block illegal content.

The plan could also expose users' financial details during online banking sessions and see popular websites including Facebook and YouTube banned.

“I'm just not seeing there is demand for large scale censorship of the Internet for everybody.” Senator Ludlam said.

The ban on coral reef fin fish fishing will be lifted from December 21 to 29.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said the latest scientific advice indicated that lifting the ban for the 9 day duration would not impact on the sustainability of fish stock.

Recreational and commercial fishers were in favour of removing the closure as it significantly impacts their industry.

There is still a planned closure between November 21 and 29.

Discrimination against people with disabilities is still prominent in Australia today as it has ever been says Melinda Tankard Reist, the author of Defiant Birth.
Disabled people are constantly being told how much money the government would save if they didn't exist said Ms. Reist.

A recent example is the case of German doctor Bernard Moeller who came to Australia to relieve the doctor shortage and was denied residency because his son Lukas has down syndrome.

Research also found a number of women were also made to feel guilty for bringing a disabled child into the world.

Promoting termination over living because it looks better on a balance sheet is something the government should be fighting not supporting said Ms. Riest.

The Australian Government's $46 million dollar Indigenous Aged Care Plan is set to build the first overnight aged care service at Mut-it-julu near Uluru.

The aged care service will contain 8 flexible care beds with general works and an equipment program to lift standards said Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot.

There are currently 30 nursing homes and hostels with significant Indigenous populations and 29 Aboriginal flexible aged care services in Australia.

The Walk against Warming rally will be held this Saturday to promote the need for renewable energy and a safe climate future for our children.

The final Garnaut report is still being debated so the rally is aimed to remind the Government that Australia is ten years behind the rest of the world when it comes to environmental policies.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, carbon dioxide levels will reach dangerous and irreversible levels by 2030.

The levels of carbon dioxide will cause acidification of the ocean threatening many species.

The panel, made up of scientific researchers say the world must do all it can to stop the levels of carbon dioxide rising in order to protect our oceans and their inhabitants.

The Bali bombers execution should be Indonesia's last according to Amnesty International.

Since the 26th June there have been ten executions in Indonesia which is a rise from the one person executed in 2007.

State-sanctioned killings continue the cycle of violence and is countering against the United Nations General Assembly Resolution which calls for a suspension on executions says Amnesty International.

It could be one-hundred-years until Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians have an equal social and economic status.

Researchers from the Australian National University compared life expectancy, employment, education, health and welfare.

The panel of Indigenous groups and researchers found that a workable and legitimate governance must be created in Aboriginal communities in order to close the gap.

The Australia Government has launched a new Local Sporting Champions program for young athletes.

Over eighteen hundred individual young sports people and over 200 teams over Australia will be awarded grants each year to help young athletes achieve their sporting goals said Minister for Sport Kate Ellis.

Funding will be available for people aged 12 to 18 years to help cover the costs of attending and competing in major sporting events.

The Bligh Government's Big Light Switch campaign has been labeled a success with Queenslanders earning a record for the biggest green giveaway in Australia.

One million energy-saving light bulbs were given out this week which was much faster than anticipated.

Premier Anna Bligh said most light bulbs were claimed within 24 hours but the challenge was for Queensland homes to install the light bulbs so they can start saving money, energy and ultimately the planet.

Anxiety, depression and self image issues are on the rise amongst teenagers.

A new concept developed by Queensland University of Technology researcher, Kevin Glasheen aims to give teenagers somewhere to turn.

He has developed an online counselling tool as an alternative for teens who are reluctant to participate in face-to-face counselling.

Mr Glasheen's research coincides with national psychology week which runs from the 9th to the 15th of November.

The Federal government has released a Code of practice for employers to help combat sexual harassment in the workplace.

There is a lack of understanding about what is sexual harassment in Australian Workplaces said Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick.

A recent Sexual Harassment National Telephone Survey found that 22 per cent of women and 5 per cent of men have experienced sexual harassment.

This code is a practical guide to the law, as well as a set of tips for employers on developing and implementing sexual harassment policies and grievance procedures, the Commissioner says.

The Senate will today vote on a move to allow same-sex marriage.

The Greens are urging the Liberal and Labor parties to permit their senators to exercise a conscience vote.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young hopes the vote today will have an outcome which will make Australia a country which promotes true equality for same sex couples.

Zedlines 11 November

2008-11-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

Reported by Peter and Danielle

Today is Remembrance Day, and commemorates 90 years after the end of World War I when fighting ceased on November 11, 1918.

Ten million soldiers lost their lives during the war. Sixty thousand of them were Australian.

The Germans called for a peace settlement and unconditional surrender after four years of continuous warfare.

Thousands of people, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull, attended the service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra earlier today.

Kevin Rudd spoke about hope for a new century of peace.

“We have all endured a most bloody century, but let us resolve afresh...that this might be a truly peaceful century."

Wreaths and poppies can be laid in ANZAC Square in the city today.

Link:
Australian War Memorial

(Image from Australian War Memorial website)

Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown will introduce a legislation that allows voters to decide if Australia should become a republic.

Senator Brown spoke to the ABC earlier today and said the republic debate needs to be back on the agenda.

He plans for the referendum to be held during the next election in 2010.

The Australian Election Study of 2007 conducted by the Australian National University showed that over 60% of those surveyed supported an Australian republic.

However, the last republic referendum was defeated in 1999.

Link:
Australian Republic Movement

Refugees have been on hunger strike for three days at Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre.

The strike ceased at 6pm (AEDT) last night after a lengthy meeting between detainees and immigration officials.

Over 100 refugees went without food to protest against the Government’s lack of action on detention reforms.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesperson Ian Rintoul is calling for Immigration Minister Chris Evans to urgently take action.

"The minister now has the opportunity to take the lead at implementing serious change to detention and refugee determination.

There is a good chance to take another step towards a genuinely humanitarian refugee and detention policy."

(from The Australian)

A spokesperson for the Immigration Minister said to ABC News that two-thirds of refugees were visa overstayers who had no right to be in Australia.

New changes to the Migration Act state that asylum seekers and visa overstayers are only to be detained if they pose a threat to the community.

Links:
Read some amazing refugee stories here
Want to get involved?
Refugee Action Collective Queensland

(Image is a file photo from AAP: Mick Tsikas)

Don't forget to get involved in Walk Against Warming this year.

Walk Against Warming is all about showing Australia's political leaders that Australians are concerned about global warming. This year, the walk wants to highlight the link between poverty and climate change.

The Walk is this Saturday, starting at Queens Park in the city and marches to the Roma Street Parklands.

Contact Cassie McMahon on WaW@qccqld.org.au or phone 07 3221 0188 for more information.

Link:
Walk Against Warming
(Image from Walk Against Warming website)

ZEDLINES: 10/11/2008

2008-11-09T17:07:00.000-08:00

National Recycling Week begins today and according to Planet Ark organisers community involvement is the key to creating a more sustainable future for the Australian environment.
Current statistics show Australia as one of the world’s biggest per capita producers of waste – with an estimate of 2.25kg per person per day.
Planet Ark spokesperson Karen Billington, says Australians are becoming more active recyclers, but technological advances such as mobile phones, pose new risks to the environment.

Detainees at the Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney started a hunger strike on Saturday to show their disappointment with the federal government’s poor response to concerns.
Over one hundred detainees went on strike and the situation is still yet to be resolved this morning.
Spokesperson for the refugee action coalition, Ian Rintoul said the strike affected all stages of the detention centre.

A social welfare model previously introduced in Cape York is likely to be imported to Brisbane by the state government.
The model involves withholding welfare payments to thise who have been engaged in criminal activity of who have failed to ensure their children’s school attendance.
Head of the Family Responsibilities Commission David Glasgow, says Brisbane suburbs such as Inala and Redbank could benefit from the scheme.

A new advertising and social marketing campaign launches today, aiming to encourage young Australians experiencing mental health issues to seek help.
The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Headspace, aims to address the increase in hospitalisation rates for intentional self-harm.
The campaign will be seen through TV, radio, billboards and social networking sites.
Headspace CEO, Chris Tanti explained that a key issue to address with the campaign is overcoming negative attitufes towards professional help-seeking.

A list of up eight different boarding houses is Innisfail were issued with Government operational warnings yesterday after a series of complaints by regional council.
The warnings, issued by the Queensland Fire and Rescue service, make note of conditions including the absence of fire alarms, exposed wiring, and even up to fifteen people being placed in a single room.
The boarding houses having to cease operation until requirements are met are amongst a pool of nearly 400 in Queensland that have faced investigation by QFRS.

According to a study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, carers are at a higher risk of depression and other mental health issues than the general public.
The study found that carers often feel they can’t afford to be sick while caring for another ill family member.

Manager of the Australian Family Relationships Clearing House at the Institute of Family Studies Ellie Robinson, says the study indicates a significant timeframe for addressing mental health issues in families.

To international news now, the ever-accelerating practice of state-sanctioned killing was continued yesterday with the executions of the three men whose part in the Bali Bombings five years ago resulted in the the deaths of around 200 people.
Many questions have been asked by humanitarian agencies as to the utility of the death penalty, citing a lack of evidence in support of the preventative benefits of execution.
"The executions of the Bali bombers may create martyrs whose memory risks increasing support and recruitment to their cause" said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's director for Asia-Pacific. "There is no reliable evidence that the executions will deter further criminal acts".

The 2008 Per Anger Human Rights Award was given to Bishop Sebastian Bakare of Zimbabwe yesterday for his work in human rights in a politically unstable Zimbabwe.

The prize is awarded each year to people who display bravery and initiative in fighting for human rights.
Bishop Bakare has worked towards people’s right to freedom of speech and protection against oppression. He will arrive in Australia on November twenty to tour New South Wales

Headlines by Jerome Walker, Jamie McKinnell, Elena Gomez, Siobhan Hegarty.

Morning Zedlines Friday 7th November 2008.

2008-11-06T16:47:00.000-08:00

Reported by Nick Wiggins and Sophie Benjamin.
Blogged by Natasha Tonks and Jacqui McWah.

Two protesters have chained themselves to the main conveyor belt carrying coal to Tarong powerstation, 150km north-west of Brisbane.

Protest spokeswoman Clare Towler says the pair has stopped production at the power station to protest the Rudd Government's failure to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The protest is being supported by ten other people representing a coalition of concerned Brisbane Residents.

The annual 'Walk Against Warming' is being held next Saturday by the Queensland Conservation Council, beginning at 12.30pm Queens Park in the city.

This years theme is 'Save our reef, save our Pacific neighbours,' and hopes to highlight the damage climate change is causing to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait and Asia Pacific regions.

Participants are encouraged to bring umbrellas decorated portraying the theme.

For further info check out www.walkagainstwarming.org

Lex Wotton, a Palm Island man convicted of rioting, faces a possible life sentence when he is sentenced this morning in Townsville.

Mr. Wotton's supporters held rallies in Brisbane last weekend calling for his release.

Supporters also delivered a petition to parliament calling for a royal commission into the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee which sparked riots in 2004.

Queensland Communities and Disability Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr says she will take up the issue of negatively disproportionate federal funding for disability services at today's national Ministerial Conference in Melbourne.

Ms. Nelson-Carr says even though Queensland is 20% of the Nations population, under the Howard government Queensland disability funding was only 17%.

Issues to be discussed at the meeting include models of care for young people with disabilities who may be in aged care, funding and indexation.

For more info check out www.disability.qld.gov.au

Next week is National Recycling Week and Planet Ark are encouraging people to think about what they put in their kerbside recycling bins.

They say making sure the right items are put in recycling bins improves the effectiveness of the whole process.

Planet Ark spokesperson, Rebecca Gilling says recycling correctly can help to conserve resources and reduce our impact on the environment.

In support, Brisbane City Council are waging a war on chewing gum litter, launching a gum removal machine which uses solar power and recycled water to clean chewing gum off Brisbane's pavements.

The CSIRO will today bring together traditional owners, land council representatives, and scientists from across Australia to identify opportunities for research collaboration on water and climate change issues

Chairperson of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Matthew Rigney, says tradional knowledge is vital to forming effective policies for climate change and water management problems.

Woodford Folk Festival organisers are aiming for their most ambitions program yet with more than 580 acts and 2600 performers.

The 23rd Annual festival will run from the 27th December to the 1st January.

This year's lineup includes The Herd, Ash Grunwald, Katie Noonan, Augie March and Kate Miller-Heidke.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark looks unlikely to win a fourth term as she goes into tomorrows election behind in the polls.

Ms. Clark has been Prime Minister for 9 years now and faces her toughest challenge yet from National Party Leader John Key.

Ms. Clark is trailing as preferred Prime Minister and her Labour party are 9 percent behind the opposition in the latest polls.

Thursday November 6 Zedlines

2008-11-05T22:36:00.000-08:00

Anti-uranium campaigners in Western Australia have voiced concerns over the Government's pro-uranium stance.

The group has assembled outside the parliaments first sitting to emphasize that Western Australians do not want uranium mining in their state.

Greens spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam says the state will not sit quietly if the Government decides to pursue it.

Primary school students from three Brisbane schools will meet at the Islamic College of Brisbane this week, as part of the Together for Humanity Project.

The Together for Humanity Project is a not for profit organization which has been running in Queensland for a year. More than 2,000 students in 20 Queensland schools will take part in the workshops.

Queensland Manager Kathleen Gordon says there is constant demand from teachers for the program.

For more information you can head to Together For Humanity's Website at togetherforhumanity.org.au.

The Australian and New Zealand Green Parties have announced they will work together to improve food labeling laws.

Both parties believe the current laws are deceptive and can be detrimental to the environment.

Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown says current food labels "don't tell consumers a lot of information they want to know" and carbon footprint labels should be developed.

The UK Bali Bombings Victims group has launched a last-minute plea against the execution of their loved ones' killers.

Representing 26 families affected by the 2002 attack, the group has maintained the bombers should remain in prison to avoid the risk of them reaching martyrdom within the fundamentalist community.

A statement released by the support group says none of the three men awaiting execution made or detonated the bombs, but merely acted their part in a plan involving 30 people.

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Body has been launched in Brisbane.

The group will meet with the Government and the Department of Child Safety to better represent the interests of children and families.

The meeting comes after recent studies found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's are six times more likely to be living away from home.

Coordinator of the Peak Body Dianne Harvey says she wants to provide support for children to stay at home.

A project assisting 75 people from Indigenous and African communities in Toowoomba will hold its first graduation on Friday November 7.

The project provided 45 part time paid work opportunities, resulting in accredited training for 20 people in metal fabrication and construction.

The Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Since its 1998 inception, AIDA has widened its focus on educational support to become a leading advocate for Indigenous health.

The original body of 30 doctors has increased to 125.

Reported by Suzie Ross, Samantha Marks, Sophie Benjamin, Danielle Golding and Jamie McKinnell.

Blogged by Ryan Moore

Zedlines - 05/11/08

2008-11-04T17:31:00.000-08:00

Reported by Jamie McKinnell and Holly Holmes

Blogged by Samuel Kerr

Scientists and Government representatives will meet in Sydney today to develop a new plan for managing water resources in the Murray-Darling states.

CSIRO spokesperson Ian Overton said it is of real value to give water back to the environment, and the meeting will focus on correcting years of over-allocation of water across the states.

The new plan will be released in 2011.

A study by The Western Australian Centre for Health and Aging has found Indigenous Australians in the Kimberlys suffer dementia rates five times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.

Professor from the University of Western Australia Leon Flicker said the prevalence of dementia in the Kimberly Indigenous population is one of the highest throughout the world.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month with an aim to increase public awareness of Type One diabetes screenings.

World Diabetes Day will be held on 14/11/08, this year the focus will on diabetes in children and adolescents.

International research has shown an increased incidence of type one diabetes in children under five.

Manager of Education and Health Programs for the Diabetes Australia Queensland Branch Christopher Stopp explained that the aim of Diabetes Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the prominence of diabetes in communities.

Environmentalists have pointed to the derailment of a train near Katherine to remind locals of the risks posed by BHP's plan to expand their South Australian uranium mine.

The train skidded around two hundred metres on the Alice to Darwin railway, causing a grassfire.

No Waste Alliance spokesperson Justin Tutty from said the current proposal means BHP would transport up to five thousand tonnes of concentrate per day and that the research for the proposal is lacking environmental consideration.

Chairman of Desert Knowledge Australia Fred Cheney claims governments' lack of consulation with remote communities has led to bad policy decisions.

Mr Cheney, a former Indigenous Affairs Minister, said all levels of Government are responsible and policies are being imposed on communities without their active involvement.

Protests have been held in capital cities this morning against the planned visit of Chinese Communist Party Official Zhou Yongkang to Australia.

Zhou is one of four officials responsible for the torture of the Falun Gong practitioners and the last to still hold a position of power within the Chinese Communist Party.

Queensland spokesperson for Falun Gong John Andress said the group has had no response from the Government over concerns for the invitation and the reason for the visit is still unclear.

The annual Walk Against Warming will be held this month across Australia as the debate over the final Garno Report heats up.

Families, workplaces and communities will raise awareness of renewable energy and a safer climate for the future.

This year's Walk will celebrate Australia's signing of the Kyoto Agreement and centers around discussions of what Queensland needs to do to save the Great Barrier Reef from the effects of climate change.

The Brisbane Walk Against Warming will be held on 15/11/08.

Afternoon Zedlines 03/11/08

2008-11-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Reported by Peta, Peter and Suzie

Blogged by Jemma Fletcher

Brisbane's historic City Hall is in need of serious repairs and Labor says the Lord Mayor must act soon.

Council's Labor leader, Shayne Sutton says we need to get in and fix the problem now, to avoid further costs to Brisbane's rate payers.

Queensland paramedics protested in Brisbane's CBD today, fighting for better pay and working conditions.

The group rallied for two hours outside the Executive Building in Brisbane's George Street over the Bligh Government's poor response to their concerns.

However, Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, says the Government's proposal is adequate in catering to paramedics in times of economic crisis.

The Federal Government's proposal to introduce a $250 compulsary student services fee is likely to face changes in the senate.

National's Senate leader Barnaby Joyce wants to ensure the fee will not be used for any political purposes, including on-campus campaigns or HECS fee protests.

Youth Minister Kate Ellis has denied claims the fee is a return to compulsary student unionism, saying the fee is necessary to restore the $180 million lost since the introduction of VSU in 2006.

Ellis has confirmed that struggling students will be able to defer the services fee under a HECS-style scheme.

Bravery awards handed down to Police for actions during the Palm Island Riots in 2004 have angered the Aboriginal community.

One of the police officers set to receive a bravery medal for the Palm Island Riots, was removed from the Island last week.

Senior Sergeant, David Dini was on the Island to attend a careers expo for local youth, but was removed after residents complained.

Tensions on the Island are high leading up to today's ceremony honoring the 22 officer's involved in the riots, with Aboriginal Activist, Sam Watson, believing the police should apologize. He says the police are being provocative in handing out the awards mere days from the sentencing of Lex Wotton over the Palm Island riots.

The winners of the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards will be honored at a gala awards presentation dinner in Mackay next week.

The awards honour six recipients in areas such as business, tourism and arts, with the Main Roads and Local Government Minister, Warren Pitt saying the 21 finalists show incredible work and community spirit.

As punters across the nation prepare for tomorrow's Melbourne Cup, animal rights groups have urged revelers to spare a thought for the horses.

The ACT Animal Liberation say horses bred for racing are often confined to a stable for 22 hours a day, with retired horses subject to ill-treatment and neglect.

Glenys Oojes from Animals Australia has asked the public to consider the plight of race horses before placing a bet in tomorrows annual carnival.

A survey released today has revealed that sexual harrasment in the workplace is still an issue for many Australian employees.

The survey found that in 2008, 22 per cent of women and five per cent of men experienced some form of sexual harrasment while at work.

Sex Discrimination Commisioner Elizabeth Broderick says the findings are an improvement on last year's results, but has urged employers to reinforce the message of sexual harrassment in the lead-up to this year's party season.

New legal reforms proposed by the Federal Government will help to better protect journalists and their sources.

Under the new laws, journalists will not face prison if they refuse to name a source, and will be provided with less restrictions when revealing sensitive national security issues.

Media groups are celebrating the new reforms, after lobbying the Government to alter the current laws, which offer very little protection.

Seven environmental activists in Newcastle, who blocked coal trains to protest government policy on climate change, will contest the charges of trespassing in court.

One of the Climate Camp activists, Emma Brindel, says climate change is a serious looming disaster that government isn't taking seriously.

They are hoping to enlist climate change scientists for their defence.

Internationally, the UN will deliver aid, the first in a week, to people in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo.

The country is in conflict over the mineral riches of the eastern regions.

20 people have died and 42 people are still missing after a mudslide engulfed Chuxiong city in China's east yesterday.

According to local authorities, the landslide of mud and rock began early Sunday morning, damaging more than 1000 homes in the mountainous Yunnan Province, near Tibet.

Torrential rain is expected to continue over the coming days, hindering the efforts of rescue teams in the area.

In the final day's before their execution, the Bali bomber's lawyer's have launched a last ditch appeal to save them from the firing squad.

Samudra, Amrozi and Ghufro were found guilty of the 2002 bombings and will face the death penalty in the coming days.

It is said that their families flew in overnight to say their goodbyes.

No Ferry - A Tragedy or Business As Usual?

2008-11-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year plans were drawn up for a City Cat wharf at Milton, providing easier access to the growing suburb that features a boulevard of high-end cafes, the iconic Suncorp Stadium, and the Castlemaine XXXX factory.

Nevertheless these development suggestions were binned last week, with not one investor biding for the ferry wharf’s construction.

In response to this news I spoke to several Milton restaurant owners about how the promising project’s cancellation would affect their small businesses.

Lure restaurant owner Josh said he was excited about the new development and is consequently annoyed about the project’s cancellation.
“Lure restaurant is somewhat halfway between the city and the Regatta stop, actually closer to the city so the ferry at Park Rd would have been beneficial to our business.”

The ferry stop’s proximity to the local stadium would have also been beneficial
“We’re one street back from Coronation Drive so only people who know about us come to eat here, but if the ferry stop were built it would give us great exposure to people coming to Suncorp Stadium,” Josh said.

The ownership at the Arrivederci restaurant on Park Road agrees with Josh’s opinion.

“If there was a ferry stop, people going to the Suncorp Stadium would walk right past our restaurant, and that would increase business,” the restaurant’s representative said.
Still, some local businesses said they wouldn’t be influenced by a lack of a ferry stop.

Ryan Volger, owner of the catering company and café Zac’s Simply Better said he wasn’t bothered by the project’s cancellation.
“It wouldn’t really affect my business either way because most of my clients are from local businesses.”

Brad, owner of Oxley’s On The River also feels secure with his regular clientele.

“The lack of a ferry stop wouldn’t bother us as we have mostly walk in clients from the river walk path. We don’t get much drive in costumers, nor do we get those coming or going from Suncorp stadium. “

The Brisbane city council is planning ferry stops at West End, Gateway Bridge, and in various other locations.

By James Brindley

Reclaiming the Streets

2008-11-02T20:20:00.000-08:00

Brisbane’s thirtieth ‘Reclaim the Night’ march was held in Brisbane last Friday, an event where female victims of rape and incest demonstrate to show strength and demand change.

The purpose of the march was to bring light to the problem of violence towards women; a problem with organiser Anna Gilet says is prominent in Australian society but is yet to be sufficiently addressed.

“I think stopping violence towards women definitely, definitely, definitely needs lots more work. I work at the Brisbane Rape And Incest Survivors
Support Centre, and there’s still lots and lots of women out there who are experiencing sexual violence. There are also lots of women who are still not being supported when they speak out about their experiences,” Anna said.

Reclaim the Night tries to give those women a voice.

“The idea behind ‘Reclaim the Night’ is women speaking out against violence in all it’s forms including sexual and domestic violence, and about taking back their freedom; to be able to walk in the street wearing whatever they want to wear, being themselves and being safe doing so…It’s where women come together and said ‘No, were not going to make violence against women our responsibility, were going to put the responsibility on the perpetrator and the community’. We’re going to take to the streets and say that we demand safety in this world”.

‘Reclaim the Night’ has included less and less marchers over the years, which perplexes the events organisers, but Anna said that the event would continue so long as there are women in need.

“Our numbers have been getting smaller and I’m not exactly sure why because its not like the numbers of sexual violence or domestic violence have been decreasing. But I do think it’s a very successful event, and in my work role I get lots of women calling up throughout the year asking ‘when’s reclaim the night?’. They talk about its importance in their lives, where they can feel validated as women who survive violence and feel supported by the community when taking a stand,” she said.

Emma Torrel, who has participated in ‘Reclaim the Night’ throughout the last six years, said the event was important in Brisbane because it gave proof to rape and incest victims that they aren’t alone.

“When people have the opportunity to march together, its sort of a collective re-affirmation of peoples rejection of sexism in society, and it helps people to remember that they have those views and to then to go one with renued energy to fight those fights in the rest of the week, year or month.”

Still, the march shouldn’t been as just group therapy on a large scale.

“I think that ‘Reclaim The Night’ does have a group support role, but it would be a shame if it was seen to be just that. I think the important part of it is that it’s seen to be a angry political women acting for themselves and showing strength; trying to make a change.”

By James Brindley

ZEDLINES: 3/11/2008

2008-11-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

The Federal Government has announced plans for a compulsory student services fee of up to $250 a year.
Youth Minister Kate Ellis claims that since the Howard Government introduced voluntary student unionism in 2006, universities had lost at least $170 million.
The government claims the fees are not a return to compulsory unionism, despite the funds being directed towards improving student services which the unions provide.
President of the National Union of Students, Andrew McFarland, disagrees that the funding should be coming from the government rather than directly from the students.

A Greens MP in NSW has criticised the state government for cutting funding to public schools which has resulted in a request for private schools to return some of their funding.
Dr John Kaye says it is the government's actions that have led to his appeal to 27 wealthy private schools.

Prisoners with minor offences will now be sent to work on community based projects under a new QLD corrective services work camp initiative.
The work farms will now be sent to work on community-based projects under a new Queensland Corrective Services work camp initiative, in a bid to move away from prison farm programs.
The state government hopes the new initiative will also provide prisoners with the skills they need to obtain jobs and therefore stay away from crime after their eventual release.

A report released today by the Australia Institute has shot down the federal government's plan to include agriculture in its carbon pollution reduction scheme.
Co-authors Helen King and Dr. Hugh Sadler have said that measuring carbon emissions in agriculture is ineffective and impossible. According to the report, the government does not provide enough incentives for farmers through its carbon pollution reduction scheme. The report has found that alternative policies would benefit farmers, but the federal government does not want to make a decisions about the agriculture sector until 2015.

The Human Rights Photography Competition closes this Friday, encouraging entrants to submit works that reflect the theme of "Dignity and justice for all of us".
Selected photographs will be placed on the Australian Human Rights Commission website and exhibited at the Medals and Awards ceremony in Sydney on December 10. For more information on how to enter, visit their website.

The annual Reclaim The Night march was held in Brisbane last Friday to raise awareness about violence against women.
The event came in the wake of a statement by the government announcing a national plan to reduce violence against women and children.
Sex discrimination commissioner Liz Broderick said one in five women are directly affected by sexual violence.

The CSIRO Food Futures Flagship has created a robotic machine to process and accurately predict the glycemic index (GI) of food products.
Helping food manufacturers develop wider ranges of healthy food products, the instrument works at a cheaper and faster rate than previous machines.
Associate Professor of the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Jonathan Shaw, said the new machine would be particularly beneficial for consumers facing problems of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Traveston Dam protestor, Steve Posselt, completed his 29-day kayak voyage to Sydney's Opera House on Saturday.
The 59 year old engineer undertook the marathon to highlight the problematic state of the Murray-Darling river system.
In opposition to the dam's construction, Posselt carried a petition voicing the opinions of thousands of Australians to hand to Environmental Minister, Peter Garratt.

Queensland paramedics will stop work in Brisbane at midday today as a protest over working conditions and pay.
The group is planning a rally outside the Executive Building in Brisbane's George St for two hours.
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union secretary Gary Bullock said that paramedics are disappointed with the Bligh government's poor response to their concerns.
The protest mirrors concerns from firefighters who previously aimed to gain a pay increase of between 9 and 39%.

Zedlines Friday 31st October 2008

2008-10-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

Reported by Ali Rae, Samantha Marks and Nick Wiggins.
Blogged by Jacqui McWha and Natasha Christian

The Greenedge Ethical national sustainability tour is coming to Brisbane next Tuesday, November 4th 2008.

The free conference, "Ecovillages and Sustainable Development - The Future of Property in Australia" will give advice to property investors and developers.

Paul Antonello, founder of the Somerville Ecovillage, says homeowners can also expect to benefit from the seminar.

The seminar is at the Griffith University, Nathan Campus Eco Centre from 7pm Tuesday November 4th.

Aboriginal activists are planning a rally tomorrow at Queens Park to call for the release of Lex Wotton and to stop black deaths in custody.

Organisers of the rally say it will be an opportunity for the Aboriginal community and supporters to call for justice.

Mr Wotton was found guilty of rioting with destruction during the Palm Island Riots in 2004, after the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee.

Community worker Sam Watson says Palm Island residents are "incensed" that no police officers have been charged and that Lex Wotton now faces imprisonment.

"Lex Wotton has now been convicted and faces life imprisonment. This will give us an opportunity tomorrow to send a message to the Queensland Government and the Queensland Judicial System. Aboriginal people are quickly losing faith in the so called justice system."

In a nationwide first, Queensland has become the first state to pass laws banning unnecessary cosmetic surgery procedures and solarium use for under-eighteens.

While the ban will be strongly imposed in commercial settings for tanning, including clinics and gyms, exemptions are in place for cosmetic procedures which may be need to correct deformities and other medical traumas for minors.

Individuals who breach the new laws could face a maximum penalty of $30,000, while a company could be heavily fined up to $150,000.

For further information check out the Queensland Cosmetic Surgery website.

Recent Queensland research of the state's elderly, has revealed alarming statistics in regard to the nutrition level of nursing home residents.

The report, conducted by the Queensland University of Technology, assessed the health of more that 350 high-care residents in eight aged-care facilities in Queensland and found the 43 per cent of elderly patients were moderately malnourished and 6.5 per cent were severely malnourished.

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, described the study as 'disturbing' and is currently stressing to nursing home operators that they must uphold their legal and moral obligation to provide proper care.

Today is World Teacher's Day and educational organisations are urging the Federal Government to increase funding for Australia's public schools.

Parent groups, Education Unions and School Principals' Associations are calling on the Government to announce a funding increase at the upcoming Council of Australian Government's meeting.

Australian Council of State School Organisations President Steve Carter says greater investment could reduce class sizes and provide new facilities and equipment for public schools.

"It's the increased resources to support teachers in the public education system, that's essentially what we are after."

The Greens are calling on the Federal Government to finally sign an optional UN protocol on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

The optional protocol would allow Australians to make complaints to the United Nations on matters of gender equality and women's rights if domestic efforts were unsuccessful.

Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, says that the current Rudd Government should prioritise and fast-track Australia signing the optional protocol.

Ms Hanson-Young is pressing the importance of recognising women's rights and hopes the Australian Government will stand up and commit to protecting those rights.

A Treasury reports says the Federal Government should be able to adopt internationally credible emission targets for 2020.

The Climate Institutes Policy Director, Erwin Jackson, says Australia will be globally competitive in the 21st century if we commit to a 25 per cent reduction by 2020.

"Carbon pollution reduction target of at least 25 per cent to 1990 levels by 2020 will enable us to play a leadership role in delivering a global agreement to reduce global emissions."

"Treasury modeling shows that Australia can address climate change while experiencing continued economic growth and rises in incomes."

For more information on carbon emissions check out the National Carbon Accounting System

The CSIRO Biotech-Imaging team is working with a UK personal care products company to find out how well their hair removal products work.

The maths-based technology uses images captures by a scanner pressed to the skin.

The software instantly reports information about the length and number of hairs in the picture, and can pick up differences in different types of skin.

Hair counting for product testing was previously done manually. The new technology greatly reduces human error.

A Japanese man has started an online petition to allow humans to marry comic book characters.

Aiming for a total of one million signatures in support for the union, Taichi Takashita , says that the reasoning behind his campaign is that he is no longer interested in three dimensions and would instead like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world.

So far he has gathered, over the internet, one thousand signed notices of support for the legal approval.

Happy Halloween:)

Thursday 30th Oct Morning Headlines

2008-10-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Reported by Danielle Golding and Gemma Snowdon

Blogged by Danielle Golding

The 2008 Land Warfare conference has entered its fourth day.

Brisbane is hosting the event where heads of army, big business, and academics meet to discuss weapons and tactics for combat.

Friends of the Earth says Australia should be saying no to militarism and spending the money on public services.

They are holding protests outside the Convention Centre at eight am every day until the conference ends.

Steve Posselt has gathered one thousand letters signed by people Australia wide opposed the construction of the Mary River crossing.

He has commenced paddling his kayak from Brisbane with plans to reach Sydney and have the letters delivered to Environment Minister Peter Garrett on Saturday 1st November.

The letters highlight that the project threatens critically endangered and iconic species and places
which belong to all Australians and must be protected.

Steve commented that collectively “we're achieving the objective of bringing this to the attention of the rest of the world and what a stupid thing it is to do”.

The UQ Climate for Change group hosted a forum at the St Lucia University campus yesterday putting forward a “sustainability plan” to the Vice Chancellor.

Experts in the areas of property management, Ecology and agriculture, Indigenous knowledge and economics spoke about their research and how it can be integrated into the proposed plan.

Speakers all noted that it was up to the Universities, as centres of learning, research and critical thought to demonstrate leadership in environment management and education for sustainability.

Controversial Tasmanian timber company Gunns Mills is holding it's annual general meeting this morning in Launceston.

The ABC have reported that about fifty protesters have assembled outside Gunns' headquarters, where the event is being held.

The protesters consist of people opposed to the logging practices of the company but also pro-forestry campaigners advocating with anti-Green picket signs.

The stand up against poverty campaign which took place last weekend saw more than two hundred thousand Australians join in with millions of people around the world.

It is estimated that the number of participants represents nearly two per cent of the world's entire population, and has been described as an incredible moment for the global anti-poverty movement.

Stand Up events took place across Australia in schools, churches, offices, retail outlets and online.

Recent statements released by the State Government on protecting the Great Barrier Reef from run-offs have been described as hypocritical by Greens MP Ronan Lee.

The Greens have revealed that the government was seriously considering withdrawing funding from monthly estuarine water quality monitoring between the Noosa River and Far North Queensland.

MP Ronan Lee has said that it is a situation where the premier is talking tough on regulating agricultural run-off but at the same time is making it impossible for the EPA to measure the water quality in rivers that push sediment out to sea.

“It's unconvincing how the Government talks about the importance of the reef and the water quality to the long term health of the reef, but on the other hand are reluctant to fund the important testing works that need to happen” says MP Ronan Lee.

A group of nine organizations nationwide have banded together in protest against the removal of occupational awards in the workplace.

The organizations say the removal of occupational awards will send women back to the dark ages when their work wasn’t valued.

They say women can’t rely on industry awards because they often identify with an occupation as opposed to an industry.

Queensland Shelter says the State Governments changes to the residential tenancy laws are a positive step forward but more needs to be done to protect the rights of tenants.

The new laws ban rent bidding and only allow landlords to increase rent every six months.

The Executive Officer of Queensland Shelter, Adrian Pisarski, says people still remain vulnerable to no cause evictions and extreme rent inflation.

Oxfam are sending a team and aid to Pakistan in the wake of an earthquake that left at least one hundred and thirty people dead.

They will send aid packages with soap, buckets, plastic sheets, kitchen sets and food to the areas devastated by the earthquake.

Three to five hundred homes have been damaged due to the earthquake, which is the second to hit the country in the last three years.

By late Wednesday emergency tents had not yet arrived and exhausted villagers were forced to sleep in the ruined shells of their homes as temperatures dropped below zero degrees.

The Dalai Lama recently spoke in front of a large Tibetan crowd gathered for the 48th anniversary of the founding of the Tibetan Children’s Village announcing that his faith in the present Chinese government is “thinning”.

The Australia Tibet Council have said that some media outlets had misinterpreted the Dalai Lama's speech by suggesting he had given up on pressing the Chinese Government about Tibet's future.

The council have conceded that Tibetan leader was also optimistic, adding to his speech that the “middle-way” approach has received support from increasing numbers of Chinese scholars and that he still holds faith in the Chinese people, not giving up on efforts to convince them.

The eigth round of Tibet-China dialogue will take place within the next few days.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has sacked three generals and other military officials after an investigation which found evidence that the army has been murdering innocent civilians.

AFP have reported that the scandal broke following the discovery in late September of 19 bodies in communal graves in northwestern Colombia. An army investigation was then launched on October 3rd.

The executions were initially reported by the Colombian militants as combat deaths.

The weather today is fine with a maximum of 28 degrees.

Inheriting the safe stuff

2008-10-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

Teaching your child to drive is an important milestone for parents; it's a bonding activity and represents a teenager’s first step towards independence.

Nevertheless, Brisbane driving instructor Felicity Sorrenson thinks mum and dad might not be the best role models in terms of good driving.

"I've noticed parents make many mistakes when they drive, such as poor roundabout navigation and too much clutch coasting. Sometimes what they don’t know is unbelievable. It is important that parents fix these habits before they are picked up by their kids."

Consequently, Ms Sorrenson thinks that parents would benefit from some optional road rule classes before supervising their children's driving sessions.

"I offer refresher courses to parents, letting them ask questions and relearn road rules so that they’ll be able to teach their kids the right way to drive. This gives kids a grounded start to driving."

North Queensland driving instructor Jan Hollingsworth supports Ms Sorrenson’s suggestion for parental driving courses, as they would prevent parents and instructors from giving mixed messages to new drivers.

"If you teach kids one thing and parents teach them something else, this isn't good. Parents need to use correct driving methods and understand the road rules. I think involving the parents is a good idea."

Bean Chaulker, whose teenage son will soon be learning to drive, said he thought both the refresher courses and a focus on instructor training could be important.

"I think there are possibly a lot of drivers who could benefit from brushing up skills; I'm not sure I would want to be the first person to teach my kids. I would like them to start of with lessons where they're with a professional. They can get a really good basis and get over the initial scare of riding in a car. After a while they get the basics down and then they need practice and time. That’s where parents step in."

Dee Hawkes from Cairns said that from personal experience she thinks parents could benefit from the courses.

"When I'm out in the car with my son he keeps saying that I would fail a driving exam. I think the courses are a good a suggestion. If it was just going to be a refresher, if you weren't going to get your license taken away, I would have been happy to do it."

By James Brindley

Zedlines 28/10/08

2008-10-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Reported by Aneta Nedonovic, Thomas Wright and Kirra Greaves.

Blogged by Jemma Fletcher

90 new regional buses are to be fitted with CCTV cameras throughout Queensland.

The $716,000 project will be completed this week and according to the Minister of Transport John Mickel, it will provide a more safe and secure bus trip.

Suspensions at an indigenous state school have more than trebled since an alcohol ban was introduced 10 weeks ago.

The Queensland Teachers Union has also recognised the ban as responsible for increased violence and swearing among students.

A new coal mine is proposed for construction in central western Queensland.

If accepted, it could process up to 80 million tonns of coal per year used for export to countries such as Japan.

Spokesperson of Friends of the Earth Emma Brindal says, "coal burning is a major threat to the environment and could seriously effect Ozzi icons like the Great Barrier Reef."

Furthermore, she says "alternative energies such as solar power are effective and do not pose a threat to the environment."

The West Australian Wheatbelt community has called on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma to investigate the health services after four attempted suicides in the last week.

The number of women in top jobs in Australia is declining.

The 2008 EOWA Australian Census of Women in Leadership showed that in the Top 200 Australian companies, only 8.3 per cent of women occupy CEO and executive roles.

These figures are alarming as the USA, UK, South Africa and Canada all have over 50% of women in executive roles.

A national strategy is being devised to help reduce the obesity crisis in Australia.

The program would encourage Australians to lose five kilograms in five months, reducing heart related hospital admission by 27 per cent and cut deaths by 34 per cent over the next 20 years.

The La Boite Theatre company has failed to qualify for renewal of their Australia Council grant of $156,000 a year.

The company can still apply next month for funding for individual projects.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garret announced under the Caring for Our Country initiative that Australia needs more Indigenous rangers to tackle climate change on the environmental front line.

Indigenous rangers have been given a $26.76 million boost to help fight the loss of biodiversity in remote areas

The Greens have called for the creation of a new category of visa, to cover those displaced as a result of climate change.

This is a huge issue in Tuvalu, where rising seas threaten to swamp the country.

An SBS documentary to be aired next month is suggesting that up to 20 Afghan refugees denied by Australia last year have been killed by the Taliban.

A full briefing of the matter from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has been requested by Immigration minister Chris Evans.

Mongolian Scientist Professor B. Sukhbaatar of the Mongolian University of Sciences and Technology has been named by the American Biographical Institute, as one of the Great Minds of the 21st Century for his contribution to the sciences.

Today is Diwali, a major Indian holiday.

It is celebrated across the world as the Festival of Lights which signify good over evil.

Morning Zedlines

2008-10-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Reported by Andrew Smith, Ali Rae and Nick Wiggins.

Blogged by Natasha Christian.

The Australian Greens are concerned that Food Standards Australia- New Zealand, aren't doing enough to ensure public health and safety.

Responding to Greenpeace's 'Eating in the Dark' a report on the labeling of genetically modified foods, the Greens say Australians have a right to know what is in the food they are eating.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert called for an independent review of the safety assessment of GM foods.

Ms. Siewert says 90% of consumers support proper labeling of products and cited the European Union's system as an example of what should be in place.

For further info check out the Australian Greens website and the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards website

A state government funding increase for bicycle user groups in Queensland will aim to reduce obesity, traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

A total of thirty thousand dollars will be provided to cycling groups across the state to aid the promotion of events such as Ride to Work Day and Bike Week.

Ben Wilson from Bicycle Queensland says that the funding will provide more cycling groups with some much needed help in encouraging people to cycle more.

"Bicycle Queensland works with smaller bike groups in regional Queensland, They're normally called BUGS which stands for Bicycle User Groups. It actually helps the BUGS, often pretty small organizations that don't have any funds or set fund raising of their own. It's a kind gesture of the government to give them a bit of a kick along so they can have more bicycle promotion in the regions of Queensland. For some of them it will mean they won't have to dip into their own pockets, and that's what it often gets down to, to try and get something happening, to get some good promotion of cycling and to put on a cycling event to encourage people to ride to work. It's a big state Queensland, and there are regions where people feel pretty isolated, so this will be a good help for them."

Visit Bicycle Queensland for more info.

Queensland farmers are urging local governments to start work with landholders, in hope of improving land management and reducing soil-pollution runoff into the Great Barrier Reef.

According to Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Farmers Federation, John Cherry, suggestions that farmers are the problem are misled and instead he calls for greater commitment by the state government to uphold the Reef Rescue Plan.

A part of that plan is a twenty three million dollar grant to support on farm activities, including Global Positioning Systems. It is hoped to allow farmers to monitor soil erosion, which have both known to cause fertilizers and chemicals to be washed into the ocean.

The Torres Strait Islander community has been urged to give more support to their local health workers after two recent incidents where the safety of workers was placed in jeopardy.

Queensland Health Minister Stephen Robertson called for more support of the workers as a man faces charges for breaking and entering into a nurse's living quarters on Mer Island on October 17.

Queensland Health had also evacuated a nurse, a health worker and her young child from Boigu Island after threats were made to staff on October 21.

Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission Tom Calma says that the state government has an obligation to ensure the safety of their employees and create a better working and living environment.

"They have a responsibility there, there have a responsibility to be able to work with the community and to let the community understand that their employees are like all the rest of us and we have certain rights and everybody has obligations. "

As the US presidential election draws closer, a Californian electoral office has found an innovative way for citizens to cast their vote.

Residents in Santa Ana will be able to vote using a drive through polling booth, as part of a move to encourage convenient voting on November 4.

Nice Going, but don’t stop now!

2008-10-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Kevin Rudd will be giving a gift of up till $2, 100 to pensioners and those on welfare before Christmas, in an effort to improve the lives of recipients and to try and inject finances back into the economy.

Nevertheless, state secretary of the Australian Pensioners and Super-Annuants League Joy Ferguson said this gift is only a start.

"It'll help pensioners initially, but they need a little extra every fortnight. I really don't know how pensioners and those on welfare live on what the government gives them. It would be very hard to make ends meet. The small pension, in addition to a rise in rent and food prices, makes it hard for people to get by."

Nevertheless, Ms Ferguson said the extra money could help pensioners like herself overcome the inevitable Christmas financial stress.

"By receiving the gift, pensioners will mostly get help with paying bills. Most of those who will receive the gift are grandparents, so the extra money will also help pay for their grandkid’s presents and the Christmas food."

"Also there's always bills that unfortunately come in at Christmas time. The gift only has a very short-term benefit, but hopefully it will ease some of that stress. I'd recommend to pensioners and those on welfare that they should spend the gift wisely while keeping a little bit for later."

The Australian Pensioners League receives constant requests for help from those finding it difficult to get by on what the government gives them.

"We can show them a few places they can go to for help, such as the Salvos and Lifeline. There's also a place down at Logan called 'Loaves & Fishes'. They give out food parcels valuing 200 hundred dollars for only about 30 dollars. The parcels include fresh fruit, veggies and some tinned food, although there isn’t much meat," Ms Ferguson said.

"Pensioners and anyone dealing with an uphill battle need support from the government. They should provide funds to charity groups or directly to those who need it, but this is still yet to be done."

Whether or not pensioners have trouble making ends meet with their pensions seems to be a very personal situation, with some fairing better than others.

Ralph Hawkes, a retired engineer and naval veteran, said those who can supplement their pensions with fallback plans have a better standard of living.

"I get by fairly well on my pension, but that's because I have previous investments and support from veterans groups. I'd imagine those without investments or super would be having a hard time."

By James Brindley

23/10/08 Morning Headlines

2008-10-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

Reported by Gemma Snowdon, Stephen Stockwell and Ben Walker. Blogged by Danielle Golding

Three thousand teachers from 54 schools walked off the job yesterday to protest education in disadvantaged areas.

Schools in the Logan and Beaudesert areas were affected as teachers called on the government to provide a better level of resources in areas that are disadvantaged socially and economically.

President of the Queensland Teachers Union Steve Ryan says parents, teachers and students cannot be blamed for problems within schools.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Ship “Steve Irwin” will depart for the Antarctic from Brisbane next month.

Greenpeace have not confirmed if they will send a ship southward and have refused to cooperate with Sea Shepherd unless they rule out the use of violence.

Captain Paul Watson of the Steve Irwin has said over three decades they have never harmed a single person.

Queensland Community Care Network is desperately seeking volunteers for its visitors program.

They say older Australians living in aged care facilities can become isolated from the community.

Volunteers from the Acacia Ridge area are needed most, but there are availabilities in most areas around Brisbane.

Manager of QCCN Ken Mawdsley says benefits of the visits are wide ranging.

“Nurses working at aged care homes say after the visitors have been the residents are significantly more upbeat," he said.

"They're happier, they often sleep easier and eat their meals better. We've had a few cases where the nurses have said the patient was on their last legs, but as soon as the visitor comes they seem to perk themselves up a little bit”.

Visit www.qcccn.org.au for more information.

A peak body for anxiety and depression says the next generation is more accepting of mental illness.

CEO of Beyond Blue Leonie Young says younger people are less likely to blame someone for their depression.

Ms Young says young people are more likely to see it as an illness rather than associate symptoms with the terms 'anxiety' and 'depression.'

She did say however, that most people are often glad someone has noticed they aren’t being themselves; and the days when people were reluctant to admit there was something wrong are over.

The jury of the Lex Wotton trial will retire later today to reach a verdict.

Mr Wotton is facing one charge of rioting and destruction for his alleged role in the 2004 Palm Island riot.

The riot occurred after a police report was read at a public meeting announcing the death of community member Mulrunji Doomadgee was an accident.

The death sparked controversy as Doomadgee was being held in custody at a Palm Island jail at the time.

Green Left Weekly says a police officer, who is a key witness, has admitted he lied during the trial of Chris Hurley.

The RSPCA has sends a warning to Year 12 students heading to schoolies or organising a muck-up day.

Muck-up day is the last day of Year 12 where students play pranks on at school.

Greg Bolan from the RSPCA says it is common for students to use animals in their pranks, which often distresses the animals.

He says there will be repercussions for students who use animals in an inappropriate way.

"Don't involve any animals in pranks or activities that are planned, it can be very distressing to animals. We've had problems in the past with schoolies week and we'll certainly prosecute anyone who is involved in any of these activities."

15 Australian scientists have today presented Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon with an open letter urging for an independent review of the safety assessments and labeling of genetically engineered food.

The open letter follows Greenpeace's report "Eating in the Dark," which was released yesterday.

The report found leading food organisation, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, is failing in its duty to protect the health of Australian consumers.

A coalition air raid in Afghanistan killed nine Afghan soldiers and wounded three, according to Aljazzera press.

The attack occurred on Wednesday morning in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan and according to spokesperson for the US military, the troops were unaware of Afghan forces in the area.

A local general says US forces should have been aware of the Afghan troops as they were involved in the same operation.

22/10/08 - Headlines

2008-10-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

Reported by Emma Gough
Blogged by Samuel Kerr

The organisers of Nation Water Week are encouraging Australians to get involved in protecting and conserving our precious water supplies.

State manager of the Water Conservation Group Ryan Doohan said that Queensland residents are adopting a water wise lifestyle.

“We're seeing 140 litres or less water used per person in the residential sector and that is a great achievement.”

Brisbane and surrounding areas are currently on High Water Level Restrictions and target for 170 litres per person per day.

Under High Water Level Restrictions residents can wash vehicles, clean external surfaces of houses, and water gardens and plants using a hand held hose with a trigger or twist nozzle for 30 minutes a week from 4pm to 4.30pm on Saturday for odd and un-numbered households and 4pm to 4.30pm on Sunday for even numbered households.

The Queensland Water Commission introduced High Level Water Restrictions on the 31 July 2008 after South East Queensland dams reached 40% capacity.

Medium Level Water Restrictions will be introduced if South East Queensland dam levels reach 50% capacity.

The Australia Institute says that the top tax threshold is not keeping up with high income earners.

Executive Director of The Australia Institute Dr Richard Dennis said that some executives in Australia earn more than $20,000,000 per year and that introducing a new tax rate of 50 per cent for income over $1 million per year would make the system fairer.

Dr Dennis said this tax rate would send a real signal that the era of ‘excessive capitalism’ is coming to an end.

A state petition calling for the ban of battery hen farming in Tasmania has been tabled by the Greens in parliament.

Greens Opposition Leader Nick McKim MP said the petition is one of the largest ever tabled in Tasmania's House of Assembly and demonstrates overwhelming community opposition to the cruel practice of battery hen farming.

Mr McKim said a ban on battery hen farming will bring huge marketing benefits for the entire Tasmanian egg industry while only two producers will actually be negatively affected.

The Brisbane Jazz Festival is coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse from Friday 31 October to Thursday 6 November 2008.

For the first time in 20 years Grammy award winning tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and John Scofield, master jazz guitarist will reunite to perform.

The line up of artists include a mix of local and international acts.

Groups in the Lower Murray regions are considering legal action against the State and Federal Governments regarding the lack of fresh water being delivered to their parched communities.

This week the Environmental Defenders Office will meet with people at Goolwa to discuss the constitution laws on this issue.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said it is understandable people are prepared for legal action because the Government is just not doing enough to help them and the environment they live in.

The tendency to keep children with abusive parents suggests children are the property of their parents said independent researcher and psychotherapist Dr Chris James.

Dr James said the acceptance of certain levels of violence within our community and our culture lead to some cases of child abuse being ignored.

Reports of suspected child abuse have increased by 50 per cent in the past five years yet only 19 percent are deemed serious child abuse cases.

The Australian Childhood Foundation has also raised questions about the difference between the Department of Community Service assessment of child abuse and what was actually required to keep children “safe and well”.

This coincides with figures released stating that 156 children who died in 2007 in NSW were already known to the Department of Community Services.

Between 8 and 11am today hospital administration staff striked on the Gold Coast as part of their campaign for a pay rise from the State Government.

Australian Services Union Branch Secretary Julie Bignell said the action has been taken by members because they are sick of waiting for the government to come back to us with a decent pay offer.

“Given that we've been negotiating now for a month trying to get a revised offer out of the Government and they haven't yet come back to us our members see themselves having no other option .”

Ms Bignell said that administration staff are the first contact for patients but the last priority for Queensland Health.

If today's action has no result Ms Bignell said there will be a full day strike on the 31st of October.

The Government is creating a new class of parents called a fother according to Queensland Senator Ron Boswell.

He defined a fother as a person who is not the mother or father in any physical or biological way but a person who replicates that role in a same sex relationship.

Sentator Boswell is concerned that taking steps to extend the classification people who are not parents are undermining marriage, motherhood, fatherhood and the rights of children to parents.

Sentator Boswell said there is no doubt that statements like this make him a homophobe but he asserted his right to say farewell to the days when a child had a right to a father and a mother.

Tomorrow marks the start of the Brisbane Radical Filmmakers Festival.

Running until Saturday the Festival will include Gillo Pontecorvo’s “Battle of Algiers", Michael Moore’s “SiCKO" and John Pilger’s “War on Democracy".

It is being held at the Brisbane Activist Centre in Fortitude Valley.

Information on the festival can be accessed here.

Zedlines 21/10/2008

2008-10-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

Reported by Aneta Nedonovic, Thomas Wright and Kirra Greaves.

Blogged by Jemma Fletcher

A new safety center for children is opening in Woodridge in an attempt to keep young people safe in the community.

The center is part of the state government's $30 million plan to improve Queensland's child safety offices.

Early preparation for this year's cyclone and flood season is vital, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

While the flooding rains of last year are unlikely to return, monsoonal activity in Queensland is expected to be above average

ABC reporter Stephen Crittenden has denied airing the Wednesday Religion Report.

The ABC has reported that Crittenden has been taken off air after comments he made about the cutting of several Radio National programs.

Management said he will be off air until further investigations have been finalised.

The Federal Government has announced a $12 million local grants program to improve respite services for carers in Australia.
The announcement comes during National Carer's Week, which aims to raise awareness of the valuable role carers play in our communities. There are over 2.6 million carers in Australia today.

A report into the effects of gambling has been announced by the Government, which will be released at the end of next year.

It aims to help shape government action on the issue.

A new government funding plan for private schools has been accused to be of “dangerous ideological underpinnings”.

The National Indeginous Times reported that West Australia Liberal MP Steve Irons said the curriculum had Marxist aspects and could not provide a balanced and accurate education.

A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that Australians are more likely to suffer from asthma than most other countries.

One in ten Australians suffer from the condition, with Indigenous and disadvantaged people being among the worst affected. Statistics show that 402 people died from the condition in 2006.

The Heart Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Program Manager believes the health system is flawed as Indigenous Australians are not receiving the same level of treatment as the non-Indigenous Australians.

The Heart Foundation is looking to change this and not rely on individuals like nurses and doctors.

The C-S-I-R-O has joined forces with one of the world's largest oil companies, PetroChina.

The partnership aims to strengthen Australia's relationship with China and improve the level of research and technology in the oil and gas industry.

British Health detection agency issued a warning for those using environmental light bulbs.

They emit 20% more UV rays than ordinary light bulbs and can cause reddening of the skin.

.

Firefighting 101

2008-10-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

Firefighting 101

The local fire department in Chapel Hill understands that their community's residents, just like those of other Brisbane fringe suburbs, live under the constant threat of bushfires each summer.

To prepare for this upcoming season, Station Officer Phil Wilson and the Kenmore

Fire Department will be holding an education seminar this Sunday at a Chapel Hill school.

"It is important to provide community education. The seminar will give practical information on how to get prepared for bushfires."

While professionals naturally take the brunt of fighting bushfires, Mr. Wilson says actions by residents will help reduce casualties and damage.

"There are three stages in dealing with bushfires. These include protections put into place before the bushfire occurs, those actions undertaken during the bushfires, and precautions after the fires have died out."

Preparing for bushfire season essentially involves making your residence as safe and protected as possible.

"You should clean up your yard to prevent damage to your home. Don't leave flammable material around the house such as dried leaves and wooden boards leaning against walls. Preparing your home this way is simple, efficient and practical," Mr Wilson said.

If a bushfire occurs residents can choose between evacuating themselves, or staying behind to protect their property.

"If you decide to leave, you should leave early and tell someone where you are going. If you decide to stay you need to be wearing suitable clothing and be ready to fight the fire. Although able-bodied people could stay behind and help, evacuation is still recommended because human lives are the Fire Service's biggest priority; people are more important than property," he said.

Before deciding to stay at home, you should first consider how capable you are to provide assistance.

"Elderly people shouldn't try to help firefighters as you need to be physically and mentally capable to undertake this task. Still, if you've taken the necessary precautions you shouldn't have to necessarily fight the fire. Your main job would be to watch for ember and flash fires which cause most property damage."

Although a bushfire may seem to have died out there will still be a chance of it re-igniting, so people need to stay vigilant.

"After a fire has passed people should to patrol their property for several hours, checking for fallen embers and smoking ash piles. Residents should damper these patches and make sure the fire is out. This is a critical time, as ember and flash fires can still destroy property."

Residents should continue watching their properties after a fire has seemingly ended until authorities tell them otherwise.

Not following the above three procedures can have dangerous consequences; Mr Wilson attributed damages caused by the infamous Canberra bushfires to the actions of negligent firefighters and local residents.

The free information seminar held at Chapel Hill State School on Sunday October the 26 (from 10am to noon) will cover the major strategies in preventing and containing bushfires.

All Brisbane residents are invited to attend the session.

By James Brindley

ZEDLINES 20/10/08

2008-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Australian Government has announced a National Disability Strategy today which aims to improve equal access.
Acting Network Co-ordinator for the Queenslanders With Disability Network, Amanda Tink, explains that the Strategy should be focussed on targeting a wider demographic, because people with disabilities are not necessarily the people making the decisions.

A Western Australian priest has blessed sheep and cattle headed for the Middle East in an attempt to save the animals from cruelty.
The Catholic priest performed the animals 'last rites' before they boarded the ship.
It is predicted the animals will be rejected at arrival, as the Holy Quaran states Muslims must not eat food blessed by another diety.

The University of Queensland student elections ended on Friday afternoon amidst allegations of assault.

Queensland President of the National Union of Students Kat Henderson was allegedly grabbed and pulled out of the main refectory as she entered to hand out leaflets.

The leaflets were photocopies of a newspaper article concerning a member of the opposing party.

The Queensland Government has announced an expansion of "Green Zones" in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Fishing will be banned in the Green Zones, but is still permitted in eighty-four percent of the park,
but Campaign Director for the Australian Marine Conservation society, Craig Bohm (CRAIG BOAM), says that the expansion is not enough, and that leaving eighty-four percent of the park is unacceptable.

Irish Bookmaker Paddy Power has announced it will pay-out more than one million euros in bets on Barack Obama to win the US election.
The move come three weeks before the election and is due to Power seeing an unusal trend toward the Illinois Senator.

A report has found that a native bird species, the Swift Parrot, will face extinction if its habitat in Tasmania is destroyed.
Greens Senator Bob Brown says it’s up to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to take action against the logging of Tasmanian forests.
The environmental report found the population of the bird species has dropped to one thousand pairs.

Equality groups warn that children of same sex couples are discriminated against current Australian laws.
A recent parliamentary meeting debated over Family Law Amendment and the role of the 'fother' – unbiological father or mother.
Rod Swift from the Australian Coalition for Equality says all children should be treated with respect, regardless of their parent's sexuality.

A survey commissioned by the Climate Institute has found that more than half of its subjects want their superannuation fund to invest in combating climate change.

The Climate Institute sees the current financial situation as a chance to focus on long term climate change solutions.

It is currently working with the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees to encourage cleaner technology and manage climate risks.

The Radical Filmmakers Festival will be on this weekend to help raise funds for GREEN LEFT WEEKLY.

The festival will be held at the BRISBANE ACTIVIST CENTRE and will feature left-wing films such as SICKO by Michael Moore.

A public hearing will be held tomorrow in the Parliamentary Annexe to discuss future funding for non-profit organisations.

The event held by the Public Accounts Committee will address community needs and monetary requirements.

Non-profit organisations will include Boystown, OzCare and Relationships Australia.

Zedlines October 17th 2008

2008-10-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

Reporting By Nick Wiggins, Alison Rae, Andrew Smith, Danielle Golding and Steph Tall.

Blogged by Jacqui McWha and Andrew Smith.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the UQ Medical School in Herston in opposition to the abortion forum being held there today.

Some of the topics being discussed at forum include the current presence of abortion in the Queensland Criminal Code, Victoria's recent law reforms and the use of the controversial pill RU486.

Bronwyn Lindsay from Family Planning Queensland says that she hopes the forum will lead to change within abortion laws in the state to make it easier for women who faced unplanned pregnancies.

"What we're really hoping for is the end of the day for us to come out with some key recommendations that we can put forward to the Minister of Health and the Attorney General...We are very keen for this to be one of the many steps to start the process of providing better accessibility and affordability for abortion services in Queensland".

For more information check out Family Planning Queensland

Most of South East Queensland's dams are remaining at low levels, despite the large rainfall received in the region in recent days.

While Brisbane's northern suburbs received falls of up to 60 millimeters, the Wivenhoe Dam only caught 15 millimeters in the storms.

The combined level of South East Queensland's three dams - Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine currently is just over 40 per cent. More rain is expected next week.

For more weather information check out the Bureau of Meteorology

Local cyclists are unhappy with the disruption caused by the construction of the new state tennis centre in Tennyson.

While the centre is on track to be completed by the end of the year, roadworks around the area have increased.

Cyclists say the council should have widened the road opposite the Yerongpilly train station. Cyclists travelling around the centre currently have to compete with traffic trying to merge onto Fairfield road.

For more information check out Tennyson Tennis Centre

A Brisbane bus driver saved a young girl who was choking on a dollar coin

Driver Debbie Smith said her maternal instincts kicked in as she pulled the bus over and helped the six year old.

Transport Minister John Mickel has congratulated the driver on her quick-thinking.

The Australian Greens are calling on the Government to adopt recommended changes to special disability trust.

The trusts allow elderly parents who have children with a disability to establish their financial security.

Recommendation from the senate inquiry into the trusts include relaxed eligibility requirements and tax exemptions.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert says the original legislation was flawed and that these changes would give peace of mind to parents.

For more information check out the Special Disability Trusts

Same sex couples living in defacto relationships will get the same rights as married couples under a new bill passed by the Senate.

The bill is designed to give all defacto couples equal rights in the Federal Family Court in the event of a marriage breakdown.

Rod Swift from the Australian Coalition for Equality says he is optimistic about the future of the legislation.

"Look it is a welcome move that the Senate has finally seen the light and finally passed this bill after sending it off for months to a committee. You've gotta remember that this bill deals with money that people are saving for their retirement and their pensions. So this is money that a superannuate already has a right to and that they should be able to pass to a same sex partner."

Basic english and grammar lessons will be restored to classrooms nationwide in an effort to improve the slipping standard of students writing and spelling skills.

The National Curriculum Board has proposed that traditional english classes focusing on pronunciation and punctuation, will be reintroduced after complaints were raised that students are still battling to read and write.

Other subject areas, such as the maths and science curriculum's, are a expected to face an overhaul in the Australian education system.

Office cleaners around the country will today demonstrate against poverty wages and unfair working conditions to mark International Anti-Poverty Day.

Around 30 office cleaners in Canberra will clean toilets to protest against the Menzies Group, who have refused to agree to higher wages for the workers.

Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union Secretary Yvette Berry says that the demonstration will hopefully ensure that the needs of office cleaners will be recognised across the country.

"You know they're the invisible workers, nobody sees them...so it's really important that we make sure that these cleaners get an opportunity to have a clean start just like many other thousands of cleaners across Australia and the ACT."

Trams for Brisbane: help or hindrance?

2008-10-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Trams for Brisbane: help or hindrance?

With infrastructure development funds coming from the Federal Government, the Queensland Green party says now is a good time to set up proposed light-rail tram systems in Brisbane.

Green party MP Ronan Lee, while speaking at the Green Festival last Sunday, suggested Brisbane's public transport was inefficient and needed to be supplemented with an environmentally-friendly tram system.

"We are currently dealing with a public transport system that is simply not coping with the numbers of people in the community who use it. Brisbane is desperately in need of sustainable transport solutions."

"You can see that the light rail fits the bill; you can run it on renewable energy and that is the important thing to remember," he said.

Mr Lee said the tram system would be beneficial to the Brisbane community by reducing road congestion, improving air quality, and providing better access to outer suburbs like Redcliffe and St Lucia.

Naturally new developments like this need extensive funds from the Federal Government, but Mr Lee sees recent fundamental changes in Australia's parliament as a chance for infrastructure improvements.

"For 11 years the Howard Government completely absolved responsibility with anything to do with public transport. Now there is the potential for government funded sustainable transport for the first time," Mr Lee said.

"We are calling on the Queensland Government to be making very strong bids to the Federal Government. Not for more freeways, not for more coal, but for public transport services that everyone can use."

What does the regular Brisbanite think about this proposed development plan? Does Brisbane need better public transport, specifically through a tram system spreading to St Lucia and the outer suburbs?

Opinions were mixed at Toowong's railway station.

"[The Green party] should do what ever is best for Brisbane. Trams would slow up the traffic and make it a whole lot harder to get through the city. Maybe more subways would be useful," one passenger said.

Others suggested the costs of tickets were a bigger issue.

"To get rid of the cars and to improve the train system, the Queensland Government should make public transport free," another commented.

Students waiting for buses at UQ's St Lucia campus didn't mention ticket prices, but they thought transport development was a good idea.

Josh Sim said that while the solution is not necessarily light rail, Queensland public transport stills need a revamp: "It is a pretty shitty situation at the moment. I used to live in St Lucia and buses would go pass full whenever I was trying to get into university. Once three buses went past before I could get on. I don't know about the tram thing; they just need more buses. I don't think having trams would have much of a positive effect on the environment."

Christine Edwards agrees with Josh, but she thinks trams could be a practical solution to the transport problem: "The Brisbane transport system is not good, so any improvement would be alright. I used to live in Redcliffe and there is almost no transport out that way. I think a tram going to Redcliffe would be awesome."

She said setting up the light-rail system could be relatively simple in comparison to building new heavy rail lines. "[The tram system] should be built if it is manageable; it would be a good idea."

The Greens have posted a petition on their website in order to gather support for the proposed project.

Words and Photographs by James Brindley

October 16 Zedlines

2008-10-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Reported by Gemma, Stephen and Liz

The Senate has passed a notion identifying the Mary River as a vital breeding ground for endangered species.

Greens Senator Bob Brown is calling on Peter Garrett to explain how the endangered species will be protected if the Traveston Dam goes ahead.

Kevin Ingersole from the Save the Mary River group says the public should take notice of these recent developments.

“He [Bob Brown] relies on advice from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts in Canberra... They’re not purely relying on the information provided by the Queensland Government because, quite frankly, a lot of it is misleading."

The Traveston Crossing Dam was proposed in 2006 as a solution to Queensland’s water crisis.

You can read more about the proposal on the Queensland Water Infrastructure website.

But the Save the Mary River group believes that the dam will harm the natural environment. According to the group’s website, the river is home to three endangered species - the Mary River turtle, the Mary River cod and the Queensland lungfish.

“In addition, there are many other significant species in the catchment, as well as in the internationally-recognised wetlands of the Great Sandy Strait, where the Mary meets the sea.”

Links:
Save the Mary River
Queensland Water
Photo from the Save the Mary River website

The Food and Agricultural Organisation within the United Nations launched World Food Day today.

World Food Day is about increasing awareness of food insecurity in third world nations. Agencies around the world are celebrating, including Oxfam.

Director of Oxfam Australia Andrew Hewett says that erratic weather and increased confumser demand are leaving millions of people without food.

“The result of the food price crisis has been an extra hundred million pushed in poverty. In the East Asia and Pacific regions, food insecurity has become a chronic problem. Our figures show something like one in two children under the age of five years are experiencing malnutrition.”

The Official World Food Day website says “global warming and the biofuel boom are now threatening to push the number of hungry even higher in the decades to come.”

Links:
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Oxfam Australia
Photo from Food and Agriculture Organisation website

The Government and Opposition have opposed the Australian Greens’s attempted amendment to the Prime Minster’s financial stimulus package.

4ZZZ reported this morning that Greens Senator Bob Brown was proposing to limit salaries of CEOs to five million or ten times the wage of the Prime Minister – whichever is less.

However, a recent Greens press release reported that only South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon voted in support of the proposal. Bob Brown criticised the Prime Minister's response as "all talk and no action".

"The Prime Minister has recognised that Australians want limits on CEO salaries. Just like with climate change, he has jumped on the bandwagon and started talking about the issue without any intention of doing anything about it."

Links:
Australian Greens Media Release

Blogged by Ellie

Zedlines 10th October 2008

2008-10-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Reported by Nick Wiggins , Alison Rae, Andrew Smith and Danielle Golding.

The traditional land owners of the Brisbane and Redcliffe areas will host an open day gathering at the Kurbingaibah cultural centre tomorrow.

The Ningy Ningy and Turrbal people have long been fighting for political and community recognition. Event organiser Naomi Fisher commented on the importance of non-aboriginal awareness and support.

The event will include educating participants through active discussion on the history, sustainability and custodianship of the Ningy Ningy and Turrbal peoples.

For further information visit the Turrbal Association website http://www.dakibudtcha.com.au/turrbal_native_title.htm

The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties has expressed concern over new laws passed by State Parliament that aim to put an end to prisoners supposedly abusing the system with frivolous complaints.

Under the new legislation, prisoners will be unable to misuse current anti-discrimination legislation in order to make complaints about items such as food and clothing.

Council Executive Member Andrew Sinclair said that he hopes the new laws will not set a precedent for mainstream society.

" Well it is a concern that if the government thinks it's appropriate to remove rights, fairly fundamental rights, from any group of people, that they can extend that to further remove rights from any other group of people."

For further information visit http://www.qccl.org.au

Despite recent confirmation from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that the pension will increase in next years Federal Budget, single pensioners are concerned that it will continue to be insufficient.

Single pensioner Joan Dunn has commented that the increase in rates for home owners and general living is causing her to sell her home.

"I find it very difficult to live on pension, to the fact that I am having to sell my house, because I just can't afford the uptake."

She says that the Government would have to sufficiently increase the amount provided to pensioners if they want to prevent single retirees from having to sell their homes.

Mr. Rudd said that it will be a costly exercise, with every ten dollar a week increase resulting in $8 billion of tax payer funds.

Calls to the Kids Help Line about mental health issues have more than doubled since 2002.

Mental health issues are the most common reason for females aged 19-25 years old to contact the counseling service.

General Manager Wendy Protheroe said that while the increase in calls was concerning it is important that young people are seeking help.

"As we are getting faster and faster in our daily life, there's more stress in terms of dealing with the personal, emotional and distressing problems that people have. I think that there is a growing awareness of mental health and that it is okay to seek help."

For more information check out http://www.kidshelp.com.au

The Queensland Greens are aiming at passing two new policies in state parliament, aiming at banning uranium mining and exploration.

Since the current cabinet does allow for extensive exploration, Queensland Greens MP, Ronan Lee is critical of the current government's policy stance on uranium mining.

"I've been very concerned for some time that the state government talk tough on saying no to uranium, in the sense that they've got a cabinet decision that bans uranium mining but have never taken the important step of in trying that."

Reported by Natasha Christian and Jacqui McWha.