Newswire

Sydney's water supply under threat from BHP Longwall coal mine extension

"Allowing BHP to undermine our drinking water supply defies common sense and breaches a personal commitment by Premier O'Farrell to prevent mining in drinking water catchments," Nature Conservation Council of NSW Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke declared on Tuesday with the announcement that approval had been given to BHP Billiton's Mount Kembla Dendrobium coal mine to extend under part of Sydney's water catchment.

On Monday 11 February the New South Wales State Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure gave approval to BHP Billiton's Mount Kembla Dendrobium Area 3B long wall mine extension plan. This involves several underground excavations directly under Sydney's Woronora water catchments. The approval was strongly criticised by conservationists including Total Enviropnment Centre director Jeff Angel, and the NSW Conservation Council Pepe Clark who accused the Premier Barrie O'Farrell of breaking a key pre-election promise of not to mine in Sydney's catchments.

Related: Longwall mining, subsidence and damage to Sydney waterways and wetlands | Aboriginal Heritage: Water - Everyone's Future

Laser powered vehicles are the future of transportation

AUSI, Australien Universal Space Industries have developed a system where lasers are beamed from telegraph poles onto passing vehicles to give them power for their electric motors.

Where does the lasers get its power ?

The Australian desert has enormous renewable energy potential & AUSI, Australien Universal Space Industries is working with the Gemasolar Thermosolar Plant in spain to initiate their solar power tower & Heliostat technology in Australias deserts.

Coal seam gas field proposal for Pilliga Scrub withdrawn by Santos

The Adelaide headquartered mining and energy company Santos has withdrawn proposals for development of the Pilliga gas field near Narrabri in north western New South Wales.

Santos took over Eastern Star Gas' assets in the Pilliga Forest in 2011 with the intention of developing 550 duel coal seam gas wells and associated infrastructure. They were vigorously opposed by the local community and activist groups including the Wilderness Society. Conservationists have welcomed the withdrawal but are aware that further proposals may be submitted in future.

Geography: 

A letter from Jock Palfreeman - Australian anti-fascist prisoner on hunger strike

Australian Anti-fascist prisoner Jock Palfreeman, serving 20 years in Sofia/Bulgaria for defending two Roma boys from a racist mob, is on hungerstrike from 13th January 2013 because the Director of the Central Sofia Prison has ordered another punishment measure because of Jock´s activist work as chairman of the Bulgarian Prisoner´s Association.

Due to this punishment Jock is now not allowed to finish his studies which is very important to him.

WGAR News: Michael Mansell continues call for community-driven rehabilitation programs: CAAMA

Newsletter date: 13 February 2013

Contents:

* CAAMA: Michael Mansell continues call for community-driven rehabilitation programs
* Carrie Fowlie, The Canberra Times: Jail costly way to tackle scourge
* Background to Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody

* The Wire interviews Liz Johnstone & Michael Mansell on the Tarkine

* Amy McQuire, Tracker: Greens call on NSW govt to get serious about culture and heritage

* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Alf Lacey & Michael Woodley
* YAC: WMYAC documents confirm Michael Gallagher is FMG’s inside-man

It's a business

Modern times have seen us lose much of our innocence regarding notions of political figures being heroic and committed to serving the public and the good of the nation. To even say it almost sounds like the set up to a bad joke. There probably was a period in our history when the idea of becoming an elected official meant being humbled by the opportunity to serve the nation. There probably was a time when many in Washington woke up feeling overwhelmed with the idea they had another day serving their great nation. Of that I have no doubt.

WGAR News: Let Aboriginal people manage their own affairs: Canberra & Brisbane Tent Embassies

Newsletter date: 12 February 2013

Contents:

* Aboriginal Tent Embassies in Canberra and Brisbane: Let Aboriginal people manage their own affairs
* Jon Lamb, Socialist Alternative: "They cannot put out the fire of sovereignty"
* Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement and the Aboriginal tent embassies

* ISJA: TJ Hickey: Nine Long Years...Time for Justice?
* Event: Rally 9th Anniversary of TJ Hickey's death - 14 Feb 13
* Emma Murphy, Green Left: NT government cuts services, reverses Aboriginal gains
* Background to Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody

Tasmanian Aboriginal rights events for your diary: National Close the Gap Day

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: Thu 21 or Fri 22 March 2013: Tasmania
National Close the Gap Day
"A day for Australians to join together and remind
political leaders to close the life expectancy gap
between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
within a generation." ATSI Support
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
still die 10-17 years younger than other Australians.
Closing this health gap cannot be done overnight.
We need a long-term commitment with adequate
funding, and investment in real partnerships." Oxfam

Increasing dissent, and global ethical human rights truth, taking NZ from a “stupid culture’ to a ‘thinking culture’.

Increasing dissent, and global ethical human rights truth, taking NZ from a “stupid culture’ to a ‘thinking culture’.

Anthony Ravlich
Chairperson
Human Rights Council (New Zealand)
10D/15 City Rd.
Auckland City.
Ph: (0064) (09) 940.9658
www.hrc2001.org.nz

The following is a discussion between myself and Boz Za who set up the site ‘External Perspective: US’ on Facebook which describes itself as about ‘discussing and sharing news, history and articles related to US geopolitics, as well as other relevant topics such as capitalism and banking sector’.

Keywords: 

South Australia exhibitions: Manuwangku: Under the Nuclear Cloud (Muckaty) + Good Strong Powerful

Adelaide and South Australia Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 13 February 2013: various locations in Australia
National Apology Day
"Commemmoration of the day ex-Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd moved a Motion of Apology to the
Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives,
apologising for past laws, policies and practices that
devastated the Indigenous Peoples
(particularly those of the Stolen Generation)."
"The NSDC holds annual celebratory events on the
Anniversary of the Apology (13 February each year)

Canberra: Constitutional Recognition Forum + Intern'l Day for Elimination of Racial Discrim'n Panel

Canberra Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 25 January - 25 May 2013: Canberra, ACT
Centenary of Canberra celebrates First Australians
"As we celebrate Canberra's 100th birthday in 2013,
we recognise Aboriginal people's continuing connection
to this place, a connection that spans some 20,000 years."
Includes Kevin Gilbert (1933-1993) Art Retrospective: http://www.canberra100.com.au/calendar/view/751/i-do-have-a-belief---kev...

Geography: 

Queensland events: In Conversation with Mary Graham + Clancestry Festival + Deepen the Conversation

Brisbane and Queensland Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 13 February 2013: various locations in Australia
National Apology Day
"Commemmoration of the day ex-Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd moved a Motion of Apology to the
Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives,
apologising for past laws, policies and practices that
devastated the Indigenous Peoples
(particularly those of the Stolen Generation)."
"The NSDC holds annual celebratory events on the
Anniversary of the Apology (13 February each year)

NT events: Kanyini Film screening + National Close the Gap Day + National Native Title Conference

Northern Territory Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 13 February 2013: various locations in Australia
National Apology Day
"Commemmoration of the day ex-Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd moved a Motion of Apology to the
Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives,
apologising for past laws, policies and practices that
devastated the Indigenous Peoples
(particularly those of the Stolen Generation)."
"The NSDC holds annual celebratory events on the
Anniversary of the Apology (13 February each year)

Sydney events: 9th Anniv of TJ Hickey's death + Kimberley Festival + Shane Phillips: Tribal Warrior

Sydney and NSW Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 7 February - 10 March 2013: Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
Production by emerging Koori playwright
Nakkiah Lui, called "This Heaven"
Director Lee Lewis
"'This Heaven' is the story about the
death in custody of a father and his
family's reaction on the night they're
told the police have been acquitted
of his murder."
Event details: http://belvoir.com.au/productions/this-heaven/

Victoria events: 5th anniv of the apology + Jacky Green: Flow of Voices + 'Lurujarri Dreaming' doco

Melbourne and Victoria Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 13 February 2013: various locations in Australia
National Apology Day
"Commemmoration of the day ex-Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd moved a Motion of Apology to the
Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives,
apologising for past laws, policies and practices that
devastated the Indigenous Peoples
(particularly those of the Stolen Generation)."
"The NSDC holds annual celebratory events on the
Anniversary of the Apology (13 February each year)

Geography: 

WA events: Flying Foam Massacre Remembrance Day + Kimberley Concert + National Close the Gap Day

Perth and Western Australia Aboriginal rights events for your diary

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 13 February 2013: various locations in Australia
National Apology Day
"Commemmoration of the day ex-Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd moved a Motion of Apology to the
Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives,
apologising for past laws, policies and practices that
devastated the Indigenous Peoples
(particularly those of the Stolen Generation)."
"The NSDC holds annual celebratory events on the
Anniversary of the Apology (13 February each year)

WGAR News: Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 44 events from 13 February 2013

Newsletter date: 11 February 2013

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 13 February 2013: various locations in Australia
National Apology Day
"Commemmoration of the day ex-Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd moved a Motion of Apology to the
Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives,
apologising for past laws, policies and practices that
devastated the Indigenous Peoples
(particularly those of the Stolen Generation)."
"The NSDC holds annual celebratory events on the
Anniversary of the Apology (13 February each year)

WGAR News: Call for royal commission into native title: The Wire

Newsletter date: 10 February 2013

Contents:

* The Wire: Call for Royal Commission into Native Title
* Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation: FMG's Native Title "Racism" Unravels
* Background to Mabo and Native Title
* Background to the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC)

* SBS Radionews Audio: Listing of Tarkine Indigenous sites welcomed

* Chris Graham At Large: Grog is a killer, but it’s far less dangerous than politics

* ABC: Gas hub future unclear after native title dispute

Philippines: Where does the FOI campaign go from here?

Right to Know! Right Now!

Today, we close our people’s campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the 15th Congress. We have, to the extent that our capacities and limited resources permitted, exhausted all avenues that we thought were open to us to get positive, decisive action from the leaders of the House of Representatives and from President Aquino no less.