Newswire

Dear friends across Australia,

Almost 50 degrees one week, floods the next! Climate change is here, but our government continues to give billions a year in petrol credits to mining companies. Enough is enough. Let’s turn up the heat on the government this election year to end these polluter handouts! Sign now.

Environment Minister Tony Burke has just announced that he's backing down from protecting Tasmania's Tarkine wilderness, ignoring the recommendations of the Australian Heritage Council and instead allowing mining to expand. Click here to write a letter to your MP asking that they support Heritage Listing for the Tarkine: www.getup.org.au/tarkine-heritage

It's not what we expected to hear. In fact it is far worse than even our worst fears.

Tampons are labelled a 'luxury item' and taxed at a higher rate. In an election year where women will be key, Sophie thinks it’s time politicians ended this sexist tax.

Newsletter date: 17 February 2013

Contents:

* Gerry Georgatos, Indymedia Australia: Federal Court win by Yindjibarndi means Fortescue must negotiate with them
* CAAMA: Yindjibarndi 1 - Fortescue Metals Group 0 - court ruling favours the mob !
* YAC: Cause to come home - Yindjibarndi Federal Court win
* YAC: Truth is the Best Defense - Yindjibarndi Federal Court win
* ABC Indigenous: Yindjibarndi court decision brings 'tears of joy'
* NIRS: Former FMG employee allegedly threatens to sue National Indigenous Times
* Background to the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC)

Geert Wilders, the ultra-right Dutch anti-immigration and anti-Islam MP has been on Lateline to talk about his Australian tour and to promote his hateful and intolerant views. His visit is just the latest round in a potential conservative resurgence.

Newsletter date: 16 February 2013

Contents:

* Let's Talk: Live Broadcast 5th Anniversary of the Apology Link-Up Event
* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Chris Graham about the National Apology
* NIRS: Chris Graham slams lack of compensation and change for Stolen Generations
* Shelter SA: Mr Rudd, why aren’t you talking about self-determination
* Fiona Arney, The Conversation: Making the national apology count for Indigenous children
* Greens MLC Tammy Franks: Five or Fifteen Years After Saying Sorry is High Time to Make Amends

Top NZ Labour MP support for global ethical human rights approach to replace neoliberalism.

Anthony Ravlich
Chairperson
Human Rights Council (New Zealand)
10D/15 City Rd.,
Auckland City.
Ph: (0064) (09) 940 9658
www.hrc2001.org.nz

Member of Parliament, David Cunliffe, who recently challenged for the New Zealand Labour Party Leadership, was supportive of my recent article, ‘Increasing dissent, and global ethical human rights truth, taking NZ from a ‘stupid culture’ to a ‘thinking culture’(see anthony ravlich’s blog, guerilla media).

Newsletter date: 14 February 2013

Contents:

* BNI: Nuclear waste in the spotlight, Muckaty in the frame: Northern Territory exhibition to open at Adelaide Fringe festival
* Event: Exhibition by Human Rights Activist, Jagath Dheerrasekara: Manuwangku - Under the Nuclear Cloud: 14 Feb - 22 Mar 13
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump

* SNAICC News: Know your rights - Resource on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

* Sovereign Union: The Apology is still an empty vessel

Gerry Georgatos - On Tuesday February 12, the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) won a huge outcome in the Federal Court with Justice Neil Kerracher stating that only the YAC are authorised to negotiate with mining companies over certain Yindjibarndi Country. The claim area includes the vacant Crown land where Fortescue Metals Group is developing the Firetail mine site.