Newswire

This week Alcoa announced the closure of it's Port Henry smelter and aluminium rolling mills after a review conducted in the last year. This is a definite employment blow to the Geelong region, coming on the heals of the Ford factory announced closure. But it can provide impetus to reduce carbon emissions for climate change mitigation action by shutting down polluting coal fired capacity now excess to demand. The Alcoa closure will result in a reduction of about 360MW of electricity currently supplied to the Port Henry aluminium smelter. The Anglesea coal fired power station provides 150MW of this power, which would mean a need to reduce La Trobe Valley generating capacity by about 210MW.

Dear Radio Friend,
The latest Shortwave Report (February 21) is up at the website http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (128kb)(27MB), broadcast quality (16MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at page bottom
(If you have access to Audioport there is a highest quality version posted up there {35MB} http://www.audioport.org/index.php?op=producer-info&uid=904&nav=&)

NEW PODCAST!!!- feed://www.outfarpress.com/podcast.xml (128kb Highest Quality)

On the 26th of January in Brisbane, a few members of a fascist sect called the 'Australia First Party' attempted to disrupt the annual invasion day march held by the local indigenous community.

On the same day in Canberra the fuehrer of the party, Jim Saleam (former leader of ‘National Action’ and ’Australian Nazi Party’) gave a podium speech at a protest against the new Bikie laws in Queensland.

Back in December the party held a small rally outside the Greek consulate in Sydney in support of the ultra-nationalist Golden Dawn party.

February 17 by Maude Farrugia of Korumburra, South Gippsland

It’s been over a week now that CFA crews have been battling the 1.3km blaze at Hazelwood coal mine. It’s also been over a week now that the surrounding areas of Southern & Western Gippsland have been blanketed in a fine haze of toxic smoke. And it’s not likely to stop anytime soon with predictions the fire could burn for weeks, months or even decades if it gets deep into the coal seam.

Related: ABC - Air quality continues to deteriorate at Morwell, Traralgon, as mine fire continues to burn | The Age - Health fear rises over Morwell mine fire | Environment Victoria - Hazelwood fire highlights persistent problems and failures of Latrobe Valley coal mines | Flickr - Hazelwood Mine Fire Photos | VOST Victoria - Morwell Open Cut / Hazelwood Mine Fire Info

Newsletter date: 20 February 2014

WGAR events postings for each State and Territory: http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-wgar-events-postings

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

New Events: 20-25, 27-28 February 2014; 2, 6-7, 10-11, 13-14, 16-18, 20, 26, 28 March 2014; 28 June 2014:
Various locations around Australia including:
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Bendigo, Geelong, Newcastle, Canberra,
Redfern, Kalgoorlie, Moree, Adelaide, Rozelle, UNSW, Cairns,
Waurn Ponds, Mona Vale, Uni of Western Sydney, Perth,

Melbourne and Victoria Aboriginal rights events for your diary

WGAR events postings for each State and Territory: http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-wgar-events-postings

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

New Events: 18-25, 27-28 February 2014; 2, 6-7, 10-11, 13-14, 16-18, 20, 26, 28 March 2014:
Various locations around Australia including:
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hebersham, Bendigo, Geelong, Newcastle, Canberra,
Redfern, Moree, Adelaide, Rozelle, UNSW, Cairns, Waurn Ponds, Mona Vale,

Published in the World Socialist Website

The Liberal government in the state of Victoria has moved to enact sweeping antidemocratic legislation targeting demonstrations and workplace pickets. The proposed laws give police wide discretionary powers to “move-on” people from designated areas, and have the courts ban individuals from these areas for up to 12 months. Anyone violating such an “exclusion order” can be imprisoned for two years.

Related: Photos from Feb 18 Rally |

In addition to UK floods, I cover current heat waves in Australia, California, Brazil/Argentina, Alaska and Siberia. Did you know that increased rooftop solar in southern Australia in 2014 saved the electric system from blackouts experienced in the heat of 2009?

Normally on Radio Ecoshock, my expert guests do the talking, while I listen and learn along with you. But this week there are major developments here on Earth that are not coming through to you clearly, or not reported at all.

Last updated: 13 May 2014

Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement and the Aboriginal tent embassies
Main Contents Page:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...

- Petition

Change.org petition TREATY
Petitioning To the Australian Government, To the Prime Minister, To the Attorney-General
Petition by Gerry Georgatos, Bridgetown, Australia
Change.org : http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/to-the-australian-government-to-th...