anne_goddard

SORRY DOES NOT MEASURE UP

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:28:22 GMT

The Howard Government could apologise. so what?
empty words from an empty man.

As he say's, he didn't do anything wrong.
- He never separated a mother from her child.
- He never drove a bulldozer over someone's house.
- He never closed a hospital door on someone
- or beat a man to death in prison.
However, these things happened and went "uncorrected" under his rule.

When will this man stop.

He won't.

And SORRY just doesn't measure up (not to this white lady, anyhows).

Justice is needed.
Honesty is needed.

He does not deliver either with his empty bribes and his complete and
absolute bullshit!

Let's get Australia back on track.

VOTE THIS MAN OUT OF POWER!

U-tube - very cool

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:24:50 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_zulGddP6o#CKASYJTjtEs
Brilliant
By Cyrius01
:-)
worthy of the wait (even with dial up).
pass it on.

The PM and Aboriginal Australia - a timeline

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:22:37 GMT

the PM and Aboriginal Australia-a Timeline

source:CRIKEY.com.au

The PM and Aboriginal Australia -- a timeline

FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2007

Editor of The National Indigenous Times Chris Graham writes:

John Howard's brush with Aboriginal Australia -- a timeline:

March 1996: In John Howard's first act as prime minister, he calls a press conference and announces his intention to appoint an administrator to take over the powers and functions of the ATSIC board. It requires a change in the Act, but is blocked in the Senate.

April 1996: Howard announces he will appoint a special auditor to investigate allegations of widespread fraud within organisations funded by ATSIC. The special auditor finds no such widespread fraud, but the Federal Court soon thereafter deems the appointment of the special auditor illegal.

May 1996: In his first budget as Prime Minister, Howard announces a cut of $470 million from the ATSIC budget, forcing ATSIC to close a raft of community and youth support programs, including women's centres.

May 1997: John Howard'sreleases hisWik 10-Point Plan.

May 1997: At the Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne, Howard bangs the lectern and shouts at the audience as heclaims symbolism will deliver nothing, and unofficially launches the policy of 'practical reconciliation'. He also defends his 'Wik 10 point plan' which proposes to amend the Native Title Act (which had come out of the Mabo victory). The plan was passed by parliament, but decried by the United Nations and the international community, which labelled it racist. Members of the audience famously turn their backs on Howard as he speaks.

4th September 1997: John Howard on The 7.30 Reportalongside a map of Australia with sections coloured brown, "What has happened with Native title is that the pendulum has swung too far in one direction, particularly after the Wik decision. What I have done with this legislation is bring it back to the middle. Let me just show your viewers that this shows 78 per cent of the landmass of Australia coloured brown on this map. Now, the Labor Party and the Democrats are effectively saying that the Aboriginal people of Australia should have the potential right of veto over further development of 78 per cent of the landmass of Australia."

August 1999: Howard officially refuses a national apology for members of the Stolen Generations, with parliament instead issuing a statement of sincere and deep regret.

October 1999: John Howard on the importance of voting yes to the preamble for reconciliation, "A preamble is a broad statement of values and principles which aim to reflect the spirit, traditions and sentiment which underpin our commitment to the Constitution. It would also provide Australians with an opportunity to highlight the aspirations we share as we enter the second century of our nationhood.
The great value of the preamble is that it can unite republicans and anti-republicans behind commonly held Australian values. It is not conditional on whether the republic is supported or rejected. It can also make a contribution to the reconciliation process which is one of the most important issues we face as a nation as we enter the new century. The preamble honours "Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nations first people, for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and continuing cultures which enrich the life of our country".

28th May 2000: Howard refuses to attend the Bridge Walks for reconciliation.

29th May 2000: John Howard as quoted on The 7.30 Report: "I speak for the entire government on this and it's a matter that's been discussed at great length. We don't think it's appropriate for the current generation of Australians to apologise for the injustices committed by past generations."

November 2002: The Howard government announces a review into ATSIC. The review, which cost over $2 million, recommends reform of the body, and a strengthening of the regional council structure and the election of local officials. Howard proposes abolition instead.

October 2004: Howard formally dumps 'reconciliation' from the government agenda, axing the 'Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Reconciliation' portfolio during a a post-election cabinet reshuffle.

June 2005: Howard abolishes the democratically-elected ATSIC. He replaces it with a group of hand-picked Aboriginal 'advisers' (the National Indigenous Council). One of the first acts of the NIC is to recommend the compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.

May 2006: During his visit to Canada, Howard successfully lobbies new conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reverse Canada's support for the UN's Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

September 2006: John Howard reacts to the Native Title Noongar win in Perth, saying the federal court decision was one of "considerable concern", with the government falsely claiming a day later that even beaches in Sydney could be under threat.

June 2007: Howard launches his 'emergency intervention' into the Northern Territory in response to the Little Children are Sacred report.

August 2007: Six weeks after the announcement the Northern Territory Emergency Response Act is passed, giving the Government power to acquire Aboriginal land forfive years and hold back 50% of all welfare payments for necessary items. The long standing permit system, enacted as part of the 1976 Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) is scrapped. The legislation includes exemptions from the Racial Discrimination Act.

September 2007: Howard orders his delegates at the UN to vote against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

11 October 2007: Howard delivers a speech to The Sydney Institute in which he introduces "new reconciliation" and a promise to amend the preamble to the Constitution to acknowledge Indigenous Australians should he be returned to Government at the looming election.

Feel free to distribute

PEACE & GOD BLESS

Kirky a Koori from Parkes in occupied Oz.
Wife, mum, nan, sista, aunt, cuz & friend 2 all.
http://kirkys-world.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mrslynwelshkirk
http://www.kirkyskraftsandchitchat.bigblog.com.au
*Alwayz Waz & Alwayz Will B*
*ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER LAND*

1 stick can B broken ~ a handfull 2gether can't B broken ~ In Solidarity iz Strength.

my instinct is screaming...

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 03:01:06 GMT

i was drawn to Canberra for Sovereignty Day, January 26, 2006

i could not afford to go, so i borrowed money to get there…
i had to go.
i did not know why.

i left with monumental feelings of pain, loss and sorrow and my tears still flow freely and unpredictably.

there is an urgency within and without…

i must be on the road again soon…

i simply MUST.

and now… a call…

DAY OF MOURNING FOR ALLABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY

This is a call to all who have lost loved ones as Aboriginal Deaths in Custody throughout the country
(and to their supporters) to come together in unity with family, friends and the Redfern Community
at a “Day of Mourning” on Wednesday, 14th Feb., 2007, to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the death of
17 year old Kamilaroi boy, T.J.Hickey, arising from the Hollingsworth chase in Redfern, N.S.W.

The rally will begin at the fence at the rear of Turonga Tower Units in Phillip St. Redfern at 10am
(Koori time) for 10.30am start. where there will be an open mike to allow family & community to have their say with a commemorative silence before marching to the old police station in Turner St. and the new police station in Redfern St.

We will then head back to The Block for a community BBQ.

This Day of Mourning is for ALL Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and is also a chance to show our solidarity with the Doomadgee family and the Palm Island community.

STOP THE DEATHS IN POLICE CUSTODYENOUGH IS ENOUGH – JUSTICE FOR ALL

See more progress on: USE my intuition to it's full capacity

hike down if necessary...

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 14:04:41 GMT

and if it appears appropriate, i think i would like to speak

See more progress on: Accept this invitation...

14th February 2007- Day of Mourning at Redfern

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:43:24 GMT

DAY OF MOURNING FOR ALLABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY

This is a call to all who have lost loved ones as Aboriginal Deaths in Custody throughout the country (and to their supporters) to come together in unity with family, friends and the Redfern Community at a “Day of Mourning” on Wednesday, 14th Feb., 2007, to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the death of 17 year old Kamilaroi boy, T.J.Hickey, arising from the Hollingsworth chase in Redfern, N.S.W.

The rally will begin at the fence at the rear of Turonga Tower Units in Phillip St. Redfern at 10am (Koori time) for 10.30am start. where there will be an open mike to allow family & community to have their say with a commemorative silence before marching to the old police station in Turner St. and the new police station in Redfern St.

We will then head back to The Block for a community BBQ.

This Day of Mourning is for ALL Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and is also a chance to show our solidarity with the Doomadgee family and the Palm Island community.

STOP THE DEATHS IN POLICE CUSTODY

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – JUSTICE FOR ALL

See more progress on: Accept this invitation...

Done!

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:21:46 GMT

I am a non smoker
:-)
i choose to stay a non smoker.

See more progress on: Quit Smoking

Sovereignty Day, January 26, 2007

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 03:03:25 GMT

My family and I head out on Sunday, from central Queensland to Canberra.

Next week we will be taking a message for Land Rights,
and messages from Climate Change Action (sustainable energy supplies) to the streets of Sydney.
“(Sign the Land Rights Petition)”http://www.globalclimatechangeaction.org/node/18
(Sign the Climate Change Action online petition)

We will be collecting comments from the public on Ziggy’s Nuke “promotional propoganda”. Add your comments online

From the streets of Sydney we will be heading to Canberra on Friday 26th. We will be accepting the Tent Embassy’s kind invitation and will be joining many others in celebrating the first aniversary of “Sovereignty Day”.

My daughter Natalie (18), my son Scott (13) and I, hope to present your voices to our Prime Minister, Mr John Howard.

IN SOLIDARITY!

See more progress on: Stop the nuclear industry

Sovereignty Day, January 26, 2007

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:41:59 GMT

My family and I head out on Sunday, from central Queensland to Canberra. Next week we will be taking our Climate Change Action message for sustainable energy supplies to the streets of Sydney. w/ (Sign the online petition)

We will be w/ collecting comments from the public on Ziggy’s Nuke promotional propoganda.

From the streets of Sydney we will be heading to Canberra on Friday 26th, to join up with others at the Tent Embassy to join in the celebratations of the first aniversary of “Sovereignty Day”.

I will present the collected comments to John Howard in the hope of helping him to realise that WE, THE TAXPAYERS, do not want an expansion of the nuclear industry.

IN SOLIDARITY!

See more progress on: Stop the nuclear industry

To Care2 Climate Change Action Group

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:01:11 GMT

Hiya Members :-)

Welcome and thanks for joining. I founded this group to promote a climate change petition which was created by the original Climate Change Action Group http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ClimateChangeAction/ formed in November 2005 to share information and promote the walk for warming across the globe.
As we all know, the walk for warming has helped in a huge way to force our political leaders to at least pay some “lip service” to this global issue… which threatens the future of our planet.
While creating the petition on the Petition Site i stumbled across the Care2 communities, so i founded this group, though i have been too busy with the original group (and other issues) to promote this group.
If members here would like to join the original group (at Yahoo), they would be most welcome. New membership requires approval and posts are moderated for a short period of time.
Climate change is now getting mainstream media attention, people of the globe are worried. The more they learn the more they are concerned about it. Our political representatives will soon have no choice but to bow down to public pressure and DO THE RIGHT THING WITH OUR TAXES!
There are currently ~65 active members in the original Climate Change Action Group (URL above), and there is MOUNTAINS of information stored in the files section, the discussions, which have been ongoing for over a year, are lively and informative.
A great bunch of very active people from right across the globe.
The goal is 100,000 signatures and we have just over 700 to date.
Unfortunately i simply do not have time to participate in all the groups here at Care2, there are not enough hours in the day. I also do not get time to adequately moderate this Care2, when i signed in today for the first time in weeks, there was an event waiting to be approved (by Greenpeace). I have no idea how long this action has been put on hold due to my lack of time.
If anyone would like to step up or take over, or help… please email me asap. For actions to be put on hold (due to my lack of time) is simply not good enough.
anne@globalclimatechangeaction.org
oh…. almost forgot… check out our interactive website (under construction)...
http://globalclimatechangeaction.org
I would be delighted if members of this group would like to help add to the section “Ways Forward”. I hope that a “5 year Strategic Plan on the mitigation of global climate change” could be created there.
The petition can be located here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/737214963
Please sign it and promote it throughout your networks… if you are from an organization that would consider endorsing the words, please table the petition for endorsement at your next meeting.
There are requests for endorsement of the words of the petition pending to the Greens (Australia), Socialist Alliance (Australia) and Friends of the Earth (UK). I will be approaching further groups (and political parties) for endorsement in coming weeks.
Warmest regards
Anne
(founder and moderator)
Care2 Climate Change Action Group
Yahoo Climate Change Action Group
http://globalclimatechangeaction.org
anne@globalclimatechangeaction.org

See more progress on: Promote the Global Petition for Climate Change Mitigation, collect 100,000 signatures

wandering mind... action plan

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 05:33:36 GMT

my wandering mind has many doors to follow...
and many roads to take...
as does climate change mitigation.

i understand that wind and solar power (for homes and business in rural areas can be utilised for adequate generation, and wave and tidal can be utilised (for homes and businesses) in coastal areas. and i understand that there are remote areas in australia where geothermal energy can be produced locally (where viable) for large generation of power supplies.

i also understand that power from homes and businesses can be fed back intot he grid, rather than stored on site, to supplement other users (as "REAL" green energy). i also understand that majour transportation needs could be met with public transport systems that run on natural gas, ethanol mixes, solar hybrids (without thinking about rail).

i also understand that many people (particularly in cities) who LIKE to bike when there is safe access...

i also understand that the average "Joe" is actually prepared to turn off unnecessary electricals and change to energy saving bulbs.

so.... it is my understanding that the people are ready for change but our elected government can't be bothered!

they do not even want to contemplate the idea that that sustainable energy supplies are possible!

I would like to see a plan formulated for the implementation of sustainable energy systems, a strategic plan... all neatly laid out for them.

if they are too lazy to do it themselves, i will start work on it myself...
i will need a "panel of experts"...

.....
looks under 'puter....
hrm...

?

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 05:51:49 GMT

i had the opportunity, a while ago, to speak with a lady.
she told me of how she had grown up on a government provided diet of nothing more than flour and sugar.
while her mother cleaned beds of infectious patients without pay.

and how the closest thing she knew to "fruit" were onions, which were munched upon with relish when given the opportunity.

she has been quite ill.

and looks a lot older than her tender years.

she is very wise.

and i find her very beautiful.
i feel very honoured to have known her.

she is a warrior woman, and her voice carries through my soul.

she SCREAMS

!!!!!!!!"Mother Fuckers"!!!!!!!!!!

as the last tree falls.

and my tears flow with her cry.

"Civilisation" as we know it, is based on greed

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 05:56:50 GMT

I wish to help in the creation of a new civilisation.
A just and fair civilisation. One that is based on sharing resources, caring for your neighbours, keeping safe those that are vulnerable, and ensuring that protection is afforded to respecting the wisdom and beauty that surrounds us on this our greatest gift… our Garden of Eden.

---

note from a friend:

wow

Hey i just found this:

“Make Poverty History first by Getting Rid of the Greens”

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/make-poverty-history-first-by-getting-rid-of-the-greens/2006/11/18/1163266827937.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

on the herald..

your thoughts?

---

My thoughts:

Hiya buddie :-)

Nice to hear from you and thanks for giving me the golden opportunity to respond to this article.

Firstly, I am no longer a member of the Greens Political Party, so I have no “need” to “defend” them.

In the next election, I will choose to vote for the Greens or for a political party who’s policies are as close to the Greens Party as possible, eg, Socialist Alliance or Democrats.

Otherwise, I will probably choose not to mark my ballot paper. I will ensure that my preferences do not flow on to either the Australian Labor Party or to the Liberal Party.

I will not vote for an Independent unless that Independent declares that all of his or her preferences go to the Greens Party or to a political party that has “like” policies (such as the Socialist Alliance/Democrats).

I will not vote for the Australian Labour Party due to
. their fence sitting nuclear stand.
. their support for continued mining of uranium.
. their support for the expansion of Lucas Height Nuclear facilities.
. their support for bad infrastrutures in Qld (more dams and more freeways).
. their lack of accountability in their/our police force.
. their lack of accountability in their/our health industry.
. their fence sitting on the war with Iraq.
. their support for invasion(s) of other nations, without provocation or treat to our soils.
. their lack of accountability for their “cock ups”.

I will not vote for the Liberal Party due to their support for Bush in his insane war against humanity and this planet.

And due to;
. their blatant abuse of human rights (Indigenous/Asylum Seekers).
. their inaction on the fate of one of our citizens being held against the laws of the Geneva Convention (Terry Hicks).
. their push further into an unsustainable, poisonous and climate “worsening” energy future, when the technology EXISTS to give the people CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE energy supplies NOW!
. their lack of accountability for their “cock ups”.
. their arrogance and their bulls#!t.

The Australian Greens Political Party Policies can be located here: http://greens.org.au/policies/

They are well worthy of investigation if you want to really understand the “nuts and bolts” of this party.

In my opinion they are sound policies.

These policies have been formed by “grass roots” (members) input. The policies CAN BE amended at National Council by “grass roots” input.
“Grass roots” meaning input via local branch/state meetings and submissions.

I note in this article that even though the title mentions “the Greens”, it goes on to mention the organizations of “Greenpeace” and “The World Wildlife Fund”.

As far as I am aware, neither of these organizations are affiliated in any way to the Greens Political Party.

Therefore, “the Greens Political Party” has nothing to do with the two situations mentioned in this article, I wonder if this is the case for issues raised throughout the entire movie?

Unfortunately, I have not yet seen the movie. I am sure it will get great billing times and screen here soon (for a lengthy period during holiday times)... unlike Al Gores’ movie (as far as I know, “An Inconvenient Truth” has not yet been shown locally); or the Mike Moores’ earlier movie F 9/11, which had VERY limited screenings and was shown for a very brief period of time and then only due to pressure put onto the local theatre (by myself and other members of the general public).

Movie theatre censorship is very blatant here.

My thoughts on “Mainstream Media”;

Their “free public information” articles are controlled by their sponsors. If they publish something detrimental to their multi-national sponsors (who pay their wages), their advertising $$$$ can very easily “dry up”.

Everyone needs $$$$ to survive in our “civilization”.

To be a part of our current “civilization” we must have $$$$ to survive.

If we happen to live in a little cold valley where potatoes are the only thing that grows, and we are forced to use outside toilets in freezing conditions, i would strongly think that any form of industry (particularly one that promises to fix past mistakes) would be gladly welcomed!

In another mind frame and still thinking about this situation, though, “in a fair and just society”...

... Things tend to change.

For starters, if these people WISH to have mining on their lands, why then can they simply not sell the resource rights OUTRIGHT (at a fair price) to the company that wishes to exploit them? They then have the lump sum of money to do with as they wish – with funding in place to ensure effective environmental protections for their children’s futures.

Otherwise, why can’t the villagers who reside on the land with the resources become the major shareholders in all profits made by the developer/exploiter?

Or, shall things simply remain the way they always have been? The people will forego the millions of dollars that lay under their feet; and 1,000 willing, enthusiastic and energetic (short term) slaves will be created.

Eventually, the peoples resources are used up and gone, then the industry packs up and moves on, with the profits taken for their shareholders in other continents…
... leaving behind unemployment and broken loos!

Attaining wealth comes at the cost of removing wealth from another.

The Greens are ALL about empowering the voices of the people in towns, suburbs and cities – by giving THEM the RIGHT to make informed decisions for themselves and their family’s futures.

Rather than decisions being made for them, against their wishes and then forced onto them by their elected leaders. Elected leaders who’s only real “responsibility” for success is to ensure short term economic gains (by any means necessary), for their corporate sponsors… without accountability for the consequences of their actions’ long term effects.

We need political representatives who empower their people!

We need political representatives who will ensure that OUR TAXES give us adequate (sustainable, clean) power supplies!

We need political representatives who will provide us with adequate reliable public transportation systems!

We need political representatives who will ensure we have adequate food supplies!

We need political representatives who will ensure we have adequate health care!

We need political representatives who will ensure we have adequate education prospects!

We need political REPRESENTATIVES who will ensure a safe future is given to us (and our children) via OUR TAXES!

We do not need political LEADERS… who take away our rights and DIRECT us to head down a path to our own future destruction.

Warm regards
Anne

Justice for Mulrunji - Demonstrations this Saturday!

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 04:02:11 GMT

The weekend of November 18 will be the second anniversary of the police killing of Mulrunji in Palm Island's watchhouse. There will be a national day of action on that day calling for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody, justice for Mulrunji and for everyone who has lost a loved one to police murder and brutality.

Sydney details:
Sat 18 November (THIS SATURDAY)
12 noon Sydney Town Hall, proceeding to Tourism Queensland where a nationally synchronised one minute silence will be held

Come along and join this protest (bring a placard/flag; an instrument) help give solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Queensland; raise awareness in the community here; continue the fight for justice.

See also:
Brisbane Socialist Alliance (various posts)
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/brisbane/

Protests will mark Mulrunji anniversary (4 Nov 06):
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/689/35810

Cameron Doomadgee: 'Do right by my brother' (14 Oct 06)
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/687/35676

Sydney Socialist Alliance
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/sydney/

Protests will mark Mulrunji anniversary

Paul Benedek, Brisbane
4 November 2006

November 18 will be the second anniversary of the police killing of Mulrunji in Palm Island’s watchhouse. On that day, members of Queensland’s Aboriginal community and their supporters will rally in Brisbane to demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody.

Thirty-six-year-old Mulrunji was taken into police custody on the morning of November 19, 2004, for “public drunkenness”. Within one hour he lay dead in a cell, with four broken ribs and a liver split in two. On September 27 this year, Queensland deputy state coroner Christine Clements found that Mulrunji should never even have been taken into custody and that his death was caused by blows from Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.

“Mulrunji’s death is only one in a tragic history of police racism, violence and murder against Aboriginal people, yet virtually no police have been brought to justice”, Brisbane rally organiser Sam Watson told Green Left Weekly. “The importance of the case of brother Mulrunji is that at last some truth has been revealed. November 18 is about all of us who can’t rest until we see justice. [We’re] demanding justice for Mulrunji, but also for every person who has lost a loved one to police murder and brutality.

“Not only should Hurley be held accountable, but also Premier Peter Beattie … Beattie’s government has already said it won’t implement some of Clement’s recommendations.”

The Brisbane rally is demanding: an end to black deaths in custody and police racism; full implementation of the findings of the 1992 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; the reopening of all contested cases; and the dropping of charges against the Palm Islanders who rose up in grief after Mulrunji’s killing.

Protests will be held across Australia. In Melbourne, the issue will be brought into the protest against the G20 summit. For more information, phone Sam on 0401 227 443 or email <brisbane@greenleft.org.au>.

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 03:57:45 GMT

PLEASE FORWARD THROUGH YOUR NETWORKS

Calling all Indigenous Australians to come along on the Peace Train

A ride which recognises the traditional owners of this land and coastal
shores!

25th November 2006

"Music & Rhythm to celebr8 diversity!"

See flier attached or go to:
www.myspace.com/peacetrain06

Catch the 12:12pm train from Bankstown to Cronulla or jump on
at stations along the way

For full listing of times the peace train arrives at each station go to
www.myspace.com/peacetrain06
peacetrain06@gmail.com or ph:0408 292 256

Organised by Youth Councils in Bankstown, Hurstville & Sutherland

Confirmed performers include:

- Bruce Shillingsworth Aboriginal dance Troupe
- WireMC of Cuzco
- TSI group Beizam Koedal
- Karifi: African beats!
- Breakdancers
- Chinese dragon and much much more!!

It's time to join together and show solid support for diversity and a
recognition of Indigenous rights to this country

SYDNEY CITY - RALLY NOW!

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 02:08:20 GMT

PROTEST MARCH

Join the march on your lunch hour...TODAY!

Tuesday 14th November @ 12pm.

Meet at Hyde Park fountain then March to Parliament House

STOP THE IEMMA GOVERNMENT SELLING OUT THE STATE OF NSW FOR DEVELOPER DONATIONS

PUT THE PEOPLE BACK INTO PLANNING

Communities from around the state of NSW will join forces and deliver a list of demands to the Iemma Government to stop the planning dictatorship.

Speakers will include:

Community Groups from around NSW.

Peter Debnam – Opposition Leader

Sylvia Hale – MLC NSW Greens

Mick Mundine – Redfern Aboriginal Housing Company

Clover Moore – Lord Mayor City of Sydney and Member for Bligh

Redfern Preschool

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 02:04:10 GMT

Redfern Aboriginal Authority's

Campaign to save Marawina Pre-School

As you may know, the doors to Marawina Pre-School have closed.
LET'S UNITE TO RE-OPEN MARAWINA
A community meeting has been called for
Wednesday 15th November, 2006
Redfern Town Hall, 1st floor, 6:30 pm
The meeting will be chaired by Barrister, Tony McAvoy.

Options:
. Re-open Marawina under new Aboriginal Management.
. Re-open Marawina under an Administrator.
. Amalgamate Marawing with another pre-school.
. Close Marawina forever!

If a solution is not found by the Aboriginal community, Marawina will close permanently. Aboriginal controlled childcare will no longer exist in Redfern/Waterloo.

Our kids are the ones missing out.

Full Story "Gathering Ground"

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 01:15:09 GMT

From: Kirky
To: RW
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 4:14 AM
Subject: [savelakecowal] Gathering Ground

Gathering Ground
http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/gathering-ground/2006/11/13/1163266441664.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Katrina Lobley
November 13, 2006

Artists want to take you on a trip through Sydney's most maligned neighbourhood.

Lily Shearer, Karen Therese, Aletha Ronkson, Alan Clarke and Willurei Kirkbright-Burney. Seated from the left are Wire MC, Tracey Duncan and Beck Robinson.
Photo: Domino Postiglione
Genre
Spoken Word, Theatre, Dance
Location
Gathering Ground
Address
Everleigh St, Redfern
Date
16 November 2006 to 18 November 2006
Tickets
Free
Phone Bookings
(02) 9550 2744
Online Bookings
http://gatheringground.org
It's an understatement to say the Block, the cultural heartland of Sydney's indigenous community, has an image problem.

"Most people are afraid to come to the Block and that's a stereotype we need to break," says 21-year-old artist Willurei Kirkbright-Burney, daughter of the state's first indigenous MP, Linda Burney.

"So many people, even people associated with my friends who are my own age, say, 'Oh, I'm afraid to go down to the Block.' That's silly.

"There are some problems in this area - there are problems that exist within Aboriginal communities all over this country - but it doesn't necessarily mean that you walk down the street and you're going to get bashed or mugged or have your iPod stolen."

Kirkbright-Burney is among a multitude of artists, black and white, who have created the arts extravaganza Gathering Ground, which will unfold at the Block over three nights. Acrobats, dancers, rappers, musicians and theatre and film directors have spent the past month creating their works in collaboration with about 40 community kids, brought in from schools and drop-in centres four afternoons a week.

All their hard work will be seen during an intimate 90-minute walking tour of the notorious neighbourhood. As the sun sets, each evening's audience will gather at the top of Eveleigh Street.

It's a spot where passers-by are often asked for things - on the day of this interview, a woman shuffles over to ask, "Hey, sis, got a smoko?" Despite moments like this, the community here is proud and close-knit; they look after each other in ways that should be the envy of other communities.

"There are heaps of positive things about this place and this community, like the children who live here and the family connections, the closeness," Kirkbright-Burney says.

Indigenous director Allan Clarke is looking forward to his role as one of two tour guides showing outsiders around the Block. The 24-year-old learned a lot about being theatrical in PACT Youth Theatre's Step Up program, where he was mentored by indigenous theatre gurus Wesley Enoch and Kirk Page. Step Up was a segue to Gathering Ground, with many of the artists involved, including Kirkbright-Burney, moving on to this event.

Clarke says at the Eveleigh Street entrance to the event, "we want to plaster old Black Theatre posters on the wall as if there is a show happening and we want to have a nod to the freedom rides with a mock-up of the bus and a picture of the original troupe that went out".

The audience will move to the grass in front of Redfern Community Centre, where there will be a smoking ceremony and welcome to country. The procession will move on, with Clarke and a fellow guide, indigenous activist Aletha Penrith, giving their insight into important sites such as the Murawina hostel.

Kirkbright-Burney's handiwork will also emanate from one of the Block's derelict houses. "I'm doing a sound installation - the sounds of people living in a house - to symbolise the families that used to live here, and the houses that have been knocked down," she says.

The tour includes a stop at Mundines Gym, home base of boxing champ Anthony "Choc" Mundine.

Gathering Ground co-director Karen Therese says: "It's going to be presented like Jim Sharman's boxing tent, with an old carny feel at the front of the gym and then we'll invite people up to the gym. There'll be a boxing presentation and young people doing acrobatics."

The tour will move along Vine Street, where things will get louder and louder.
"It'll pick up in the protest feel and Allan and Aletha will be getting on megaphones and getting people to chant," Therese says.

The dramatic vibe continues at the basketball court, where Wire MC and Phreaze will lead a hip-hop battle.

The tour will return to the front of the community centre where there'll be an indigenous fashion parade and a screening of Kirkbright-Burney's video of kids talking about the Block.

"It'll be about [how] they feel about the area, what's great about it and how they'd feel if the Block didn't exist. I wanted to capture that there should be hope in our future, not just bleakness."

PEACE & GOD BLESS

Kirky a Koori in Parkes. Oz.
Wife, mum, nan, sista, aunt, cuz & friend 2 all.
http://kirkys-world.tripod.com
1 stick can B broken ~ a handfull 2gether can't B broken ~ In Solidarity iz Strength.

Artists want to take you on a trip through Sydney's most maligned neighbourhood.

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 01:08:41 GMT

Gathering Ground

http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/gathering-ground/2006/11/13/1163266441664.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

"Most people are afraid to come to the Block and that's a stereotype we need to break," says 21-year-old artist Willurei Kirkbright-Burney, daughter of the state's first indigenous MP, Linda Burney.

only one to go to 700 online signatures !!!!

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:56:36 GMT

Global Climate Change Mitigation Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/737214963

Saturday was very busy, after work i had to do the washing and the weekly shopping and i had promised the local kids (and my son) that i would take them all to the river. Unfortunately, there was no time left in the day to hang around Gin Gin collecting signatures :-(

I hope that i will have some spare time next Saturday.

All together (thanks to the help of my daughter) we now have around 800 signatures – 699 online signatures, and a little over 100 written signatures.

Please add your name requesting our taxes to be spent on sustainable energy supplies!

See more progress on: Promote the Global Petition for Climate Change Mitigation, collect 100,000 signatures

GIN GIN - Climate Change Action - Saturday, November 4, 2006

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:18:50 GMT

Please forward throughout your networks, anyone passing through tomorrow,
say hi :-)
------------------------
Saturday, November 4, 2006

Founder of the Climate Change Action Group, Anne Goddard, will be collecting
signatures on the group's Global climate change mitigation petition,
throughout the township of Gin Gin, Qld, on the Bruce Highway from 10 am
until 3pm, tomorrow.

Come along, have a chat and add your name to the written petition if you are
in the area.

The petition is available on-line @
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/737214963
and a printable petition is pasted below.

Look forward to seeing you :-)

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION PETITION

TO: The Honourable Elected Representatives of the Government(s) of our Nation.

We, as global citizens, having the right to decide where our taxes are spent, and being increasingly concerned about our taxes and research funding being invested into subsidizing unsustainable and polluting energy production methods which induce climate change (for example the coal and nuclear industries) hereby request that those tax dollars and research funds be RE-CHANNELED into sustainable energy production that will protect the planet and benefit all its inhabitants, indefinitely.

Due to Climate Change through high levels of CO2 being released into our atmosphere (and overwhelming information from the scientific community confirming this) we believe that our taxes and research funding would be better spent in reducing CO2 emissions if they were invested into clean, sustainable energy production methods and living systems.

We believe our tax dollars and research funding, which are currently spent on the production of energy for our use, must increasingly be used for the development and supply of the following sustainable energy production methods and living systems:

1. Research and development of government owned geothermal energy production.
2. Immediate investment into the development of Tidal; Wave; Wind; and Solar Power energy production.
3. More Government-funded infrastructures for local, clean, sustainable energy supplies.
4. The re-installment and/or continuation and/or the immediate development of a solar energy rebate scheme and the creation of subsidies and/or rebate scheme(s) for other alternative clean and sustainable power supply systems.
5. The development of Government funding support (at all levels) for sustainable living education programs for individuals and families.
6. Improved and affordable family oriented local and national public transport, funded by all levels of Government, which remain in the hands of the people of our nation.
7. Adequate Government funding (from all levels) for the maintenance and upkeep of our existing public transport systems and infrastructures.
8. No further privatisation of our existing rail systems and publicly owned transport infrastructures.

We also request that taxes currently spent on scientific research into polluting, toxic and CO2 producing industries be re-channeled into scientific research leading to the rapid and immediate development of CLEAN, NON-POLLUTING, SAFE and SUSTAINABLE energy production methods and living systems.

No Name Address P/Code DOB Signature

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6

7

8.

9.

DATED THIS 4TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006
authorised by the Climate Change Action Group http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ClimateChangeAction/

How Much Water?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:13:00 GMT

with thanks to Adam Dempsey for the document(s) below

Nukes: 2.3 L/ per kWh

vs Wind: 0.004 L/ per kWh,

Solar (PV): 0.11 L/ per kWh

How Much Water Do Wind Turbines Use Compared with Conventional Power Plants?

How much water do wind turbines use compared with conventional power plants?
Water use can be a significant issue in energy production, particularly in
areas where water is scarce, as conventional power plants use large amounts
of water for the condensing portion of the thermodynamic cycle. For coal
plants, water is also used to clean and process fuel. According to the
California Energy Commission (cited in Paul Gipe's WIND ENERGY COMES OF AGE,
John Wiley & Sons, 1995), conventional power plants consume the following
amounts of water (through evaporative loss, not including water that is
recaptured and treated for further use):

WATER CONSUMPTION- -CONVENTIONAL POWER PLANTS

Technology gallons/kWh litres/kWh

Nuclear 0.62 2.30
Coal 0.49 1.90
Oil 0.43 1.60
Combined
Cycle 0.25 0.95

Small amounts of water are used to clean wind turbine rotor blades in arid
climates (where rainfall does not keep the blades clean). The purpose of
blade cleaning is to eliminate dust and insect buildup, which otherwise
deforms the shape of the airfoil and degrades performance.

Similarly, small amounts of water are used to clean photovoltaics panels.

Water use numbers for these two technologies are as follows:

WATER CONSUMPTION- -WIND AND SOLAR

Technology gallons/kWh liters/kWh

Wind [1] 0.001 0.004
PV [2] 0.030 0.110

Wind therefore uses less than 1/600 as much water per unit of electricity
produced as does nuclear, and approximately 1/500 as much as coal.

NOTES

[1] American Wind Energy Association estimate, based on data obtained in
personal communication with Brian Roach, Fluidyne Corp., December 13, 1996.
Assumes 250-kW turbine operating at .25 capacity factor, with blades washed
four times annually.

[2] Meridian Corp., "Energy System Emissions and Materials Requirements, "
U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC. 1989, p. 23.

-----------------------------

QLD Premier Peter Beattie, 28/10/06

"At a time when our farming communities are hurting badly, it is a folly for
(Prime Minister John) Howard to be entertaining the thought of nuclear power
stations in Queensland or anywhere else," he said.

"Many towns and shires in our state are struggling to get enough drinking
water, let alone enough to satisfy the amount a nuclear station would need
to guzzle."

Mr Beattie said an independent study commissioned by the Queensland
government showed a nuclear power station would use 25 per cent more water
than a coal-fired power station.

Mr Beattie said a coal-fired power station produced up to 1,400 megawatts of
electricity a year and used around 19,500 megalitres of water to condense
and recycle steam.

He said a nuclear power station producing the same output would need about
25,000 megalitres.

"That is the equivalent of at least an additional 5,000 Olympic-size
swimming pools a year," Mr Beattie said.

"It is water that we simply cannot afford when drought and climate change
are drying up water supplies."

He said nuclear power stations needed a guaranteed water supply and a strong
connection to an electricity grid, implying a nuclear power plant would need
to be close to the eastern seaboard.

"Where is Mr Howard planning to put it? Is it Townsville or Mackay or
perhaps further down along the coastline on the Sunshine Coast or Gold
Coast?

"Even then a guaranteed water supply to meet minimum safety concerns would
be a tall order.

A guarantee like that is tough at the best of times, let alone in the middle
of the worst drought on record."

-----

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:05:40 GMT

Please consider putting pen to paper, Now is the perfect time!

----
to: ThePremier@premiers.qld.gov.au editorial@news-mail.com.au
letters@theaustralian.com.au
letters@smh.com.au
letters@theage.com.au
letters@smh.com.au

Sample letter (please edit the words to suit your style and make your letter
"original").
------------------------------

Dear Premier Beattie (and Media),

Climate Change is upon us, and the need for true leadership and immediate
action to mitigate the dire consequences we all face is urgent.

I note the report issued on 26/10/06 by Roam Consulting, "Nuclear Power
Station" from your website which states "a nuclear station of nominal
1400MW, 10,000GWh/a sent out production would be expected to use about 1.26
times the water usage of the equivalent coal fired power station, or about
25Gl/a. The water source would need to be assured in at least a one in one
hundred year drought."

This demonstrates that wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and natural gas
powered plants where almost no water is used are a more viable alternative
to nuclear OR coal.

With the majority of our majour populations hugging the coast, the viability

of tidal and wave power generation must be thoroughly investigated
immediately.

"Renewables" will consume some 25,000 megalitres of water less per year for
1,400 megawatts of energy produced by a nuclear plant, and about 19,500
megalitres less than a coal-fired plant of similar size!

The projected water savings of renewables and natural gas must be costed in.

Nuclear plants' waste water damages the downstream environment and destroys
prime waterfront land while continually exposing the surrounding environment

to the danger of radioactive pollution and there remains no safe method of
storage for nuclear waste.

Ample reasons to steer away from both nuclear (and coal) energy supplies in
Queenslands future.

Yours sincerely

take it a step further...

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 03:11:28 GMT

Dear Frank,

great post.

if you take it a step further and ensure that our stolen generation
indigenous australians were indoctrinated by their foster parents to
"believe and totally trust" in a certain New World, or face "real" death,
and the end of the world was nigh (and that the chosen One was coming soon
to fix it all up) and hence, they must not VOTE!

...it is very sad to see that we will continue our descent into climate
change chaos, peak oil, and nuclear proliferation...

when all along we just had to listen to the voices of our elders, saying,
"the poison - leave it".

God save the little children, for we DO KNOW what we do.

:-(
a

----- Original Message -----
From: "frank" <wetherbystn@bigpond.com>
To: "maillist for Green Activists" <green-activist@lists.altnews.com.au>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Green-Activist] Australian Aboriginal Issues

Dear Anne,

u got it! The things u see are all probable, but u did miss the biggest
culprit. Religions. They are promoting this lease deal through the Murris
Christianized because they were stolen from their Murri parents by those
same religions. Oh! But they are sooo sorry!

They plan to grab as much Murri land as they can. Hence the land rights
push by the same people. Mainland Murris didn't own land as islanders did.
They considered that the land owned them and they had a duty to sustain it.
The Marbo decision was based on the islander concept of ownership and in
reality doesn't apply to the mainland. Therefore any decision for
landrights on the mainland based on Marbo is flawed in law and is therefore
a political decision not a legal one. We all know religions own the major
parties.

I believe the intention is to cede large tracts of land to the Murris,
firstly through the courts, using Marbo as the excuse, then convert most, if
not all, to leasehold then steal it from the Murris.

Religions have robbed the poor for thousands of years. They fully intend to
continue their evil ways.

The way to put a stop to this thievery is to pass laws making it a crime
for anyone or any entity to make money from religion. It is fraud after
all.

frank brown

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne Goddard" <anne@globalclimatechangeaction.org>
To: <4corners@your.abc.net.au>
Cc: <green-global@lists.altnews.com.au>;
<green-activist@lists.altnews.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:24 PM
Subject: [Green-Activist] Australian Aboriginal Issues

> To the media...
>
> ON AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL ISSUES
>
> The governments intentions are crystal clear to me.
>
> Get 99 leases over Aboriginal Land without too much public noise.

Maralinga Vets Submission

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 04:59:36 GMT

From John Hill,
---

What about the many Aboriginal people and missionaries, etc., who were badly contaminated by fallout? Many Pitjantjatjara people in northern South Australia actually died soon after the blasts and many more were affected. Many of them have given testimony at the various hearings over the years. How come they are not being included here?

John Hill

re: Fw: Maralinga vets - pls write submission
From: Jim Green
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 3:38 PM
Subject: Maralinga vets - pls write submission

Hello,

It would be very welcome if before the end of this week (October 27), you could put in a brief submission to a Senate inquiry into the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006.

In short, the Howard government is offering minimal health care to some affected veterans of the British bomb tests in the 1950s. It's too little too late and we're hoping that this Senate inquiry will embarrass the government into being a little bit less ungenerous.

Below is a letter from Ric Johnstone, President of the Australian Nuclear Veterans Association. You could base your submission on Ric's letter. Also below is a media release from the shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs.

Please email submissions to:
Standing Committee On Foreign Affairs, Defence And Trade
Inquiry into the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006
Email: fadt.sen@aph.gov.au

If you want more information on the issues and controversy surrounding the recently-completed health study (which found an 18% increased rate of cancer incidence among nuclear veterans)

. see submission by physicist and armed forces veteran Jack Lonergan:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/nuclear_tests_bills_06/submissions/sublist.htm

or direct download
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/nuclear_tests_bills_06/submissions/sub01.pdf

. or you can email jim.green@foe.org.au to be sent some info.

More information on this Senate inquiry
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/nuclear_tests_bills_06/index.htm

Thanks, Jim
---
Jim Green
Friends of the Earth / Beyond Nuclear Initiative
Ph 0417 318368
jim.green@foe.org.au
---

Letter from Ric Johnstone:
National President
Australian Nuclear Veterans Association

It is the opinion of the Australian Nuclear Veterans Association that the provisions of the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Weapons Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006 do not go far enough in extending adequate compensation coverage and support to Australian Tests Participants (Nuclear Veterans) of the British Nuclear weapons Tests in Australia.

It is our sincere opinion that full coverage under the Veterans Entitlement Act should be extended to all of those military personnel who are bona fide British Nuclear Weapons Tests participants and whose names appear in the Government’s nominal roll, and to those civilians who were fully employed by the Federal Government and were present during the actual tests or may have been involved in the cleanup period after the actual tests.

The general difference between Military and Civilian participants is that civilian participants where only involved if they wanted to be and earned extremely high wages and bonuses, they could leave at any time that conditions were not to their liking.

Military personnel on the other hand were there because they were ordered to be there and had no say in the matter; they were all forced to sign the Secrecy Act. And they came under military law as well as civilian law.

Most of the civilians whose names appear on the nominal roll had left the test site before any tests were carried out and were put on the nominal roll purely to water down any tests or studies that would follow.

It is our opinion that military nuclear tests participants (Nuclear Veterans) should be allowed full qualifying service under the Veterans entitlement Act. or at the very least, immediate full implementation of the Clarke Committee’s Recommendations.

---

Media Release
ALAN GRIFFIN MP
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
BILLSON BACKFLIPS ON HIS SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR VETERANS

The Minister for Veterans Affairs, Bruce Billson MP, has reneged on his support for Australian Nuclear Veterans.
Mr Billson, in a submission to the independent Clarke Review into Veterans Entitlements in 2002, argued for Nuclear Veterans’ service to be declared non-warlike hazardous service.
In its final findings the Clarke review supported this position recommending that:
"participation by Australian Defence Force personnel in the British atomic tests be declared non-warlike hazardous and the legislation be amended to ensure that this declaration can have effect in extending VEA coverage"
The House of Representatives has today considered the Government’s response to the issues relating to Nuclear Veterans in the Australian Participants in the British Nuclear Test Bills. The Bills give effect to the Government’s decision to provide no-liability treatment of cancers to Australian participants in the tests.
The Bills do not implement the Clarke Recommendation to declare the Nuclear Veterans’ service as non-warlike hazardous service.
This means that the Nuclear Veterans are not given the chance to apply for a disability pension for war related injuries. It also means their widows cannot apply for a pension when the Veteran has died of his war injuries.
This was what the Clarke Review recommended, and this was what the Minister had previously supported.
The Nuclear Veterans understandably feel betrayed.
Labor supports the measures contained in this bill for all participants, military and civilian. However, it questions whether the Bill has gone far enough for Veterans given the Clarke Recommendations on this issue.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, questions why the Minister is avoiding the opportunity to fix what he himself described as “unfair” and “disappointing” treatment of Australian Nuclear Veterans.
“Is this just another example of the Howard Government being strong on rhetoric when it comes to its treatment of the Veterans’ community, yet weak on action?” Mr Griffin said.
“This is unfortunately yet another example of the Howard Government ignoring the recommendations of its own independent reviews that were conducted at great taxpayer expense”.
11 October 2006

-------------------------------------------
Jim Green B.Med.Sci. (Hons.) PhD
National nuclear campaigner - Friends of the Earth
Ph 0417 318 368
jim.green@foe.org.au