Showing posts with label behavioural-change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label behavioural-change. Show all posts

Friday, November 12, 2004

Indigenous social services plan breaches race act!!!!

Concern: HREOC says the changes should not apply solely to Indigenous Australians.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has issued a warning about the Federal Government's plan to link Aboriginal social services to behavioural change.

HREOC says debate over Government moves to change the current social services system should take place in a manner that fully respects the rights of Indigenous Australians.

The Government is proposing to link social services payments to changed behaviour, such as ensuring children are attending school and are kept clean and clothed.

HREOC says it would be deeply concerned if changed requirements applied only to Indigenous Australians based on their race.

It says any changes must comply with the Racial Discrimination Act or be rejected outright as morally repugnant.

The head of the ATSIC regional council in far north Queensland says the Federal Government's proposed changes are disastrous.

Terry O'Shane says the reforms do nothing to address the problems facing disadvantaged Indigenous Australians.

Racist Minister Amanda Vanstone says the changes will be introduced in partnership with communities but Mr O'Shane says that is ridiculous.

"Her making that statement is an absolute embarrassment," he said.

"You go to the community, you go to the poorest of the poor and that's why they want to stifle the voice of the elected arm, a government department goes there and says this, this and that people are going to agree.

"They're afraid of losing any funding in that community straight away."


By Sorry 12 November 04

Related:

Constitution change recognises Indigenous Victorians
In an Australian first, Victoria's Indigenous community has been acknowledged as the original custodians of the state's land in a constitutional amendment bill passed by Parliament.

HoWARd's 'attitude' to Aboriginal welfare racist
The Federal Government says it is still considering a radical plan to rebuild the Aboriginal welfare system, which could make financial assistance dependent on behavioural change?

UN rates Indigenous health poorly
The Australian Nursing Federation says the United Nations has rated Indigenous Australians as having the second worst quality of life in the world after China.

Poverty cycle must be addressed: Ridgeway
The Democrats' Aden Ridgeway says Prime Minister John Howard should stop beating up on people who are on welfare, and focus on solving the national Indigenous unemployment rate.

AMA calls for extra health funding for Aborigines
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is asking for an extra $450 million a year to be spent on the health needs of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.

WA bid to recognise 'original custodians' stalls Western Australia's Opposition has rejected a Government proposal to amend the state's Constitution to recognise Aboriginal people as the original custodians of the state.

Labor to request Senate inquiry into ATSIC's future
The Federal Opposition has announced it will call for a Senate inquiry into the Government's plan to abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

Reconciliation dreaming
Djerrkura had witnessed the collapse of ATSIC, which he led from 1996 to 1999, with sadness. Despite the peak indigenous organisation's flaws, which he did not deny, its abolition, he said, had been done in "the classic imperial fashion, without negotiation, without understanding and with little empathy". He noted that as early as December 2001 he had called on his successor Geoff Clark to resign for the good of the organisation. But he reserved his harshest words for John Howard.

The bone has been pointed at Howard
A Queensland Indigenous leader says an ancient Aboriginal curse placed on Prime Minister John Howard is no laughing matter and could even have deadly consequences.Suspended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner (ATSIC) chairman Geoff Clark was with a group of Aboriginal people who performed a ceremony known as pointing the bone at Howard at Colac in south-west Victoria this week.

PM in denial over Redfern Death in Custody
Prime Minister John Howard says treating Aborigines differently is contributing to violent confrontations with police.

INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT: ISJA
If we want to survive we must work at it Indigenous unemployment reaching crisis: welfare group Action to lower Indigenous unemployment rate Govt underspends on indigenous employment: dept Economic development: The outback malaise Call for end to Indigenous welfare cycle.

Australian Govt human rights record 'worsening'
Community groups have given the Federal Government five out of ten for its record on human rights this year. Mr Purcell said the Government was also marked down because of the policy of holding children in immigration detention centres.

O'Shane blasts constitution
Controversial New South Wales magistrate Pat O'shane has described the Australian Constitution as flawed and grossly inappropriate.

Demounting Auntie Isabel Coe
The information demountable and Auntie Isabel Coe's demountable were set alight at 3am last Saturday morning. The info demountable was completely destroyed- 31 years of photos and info on the grassroots Indigenous rights movement destroyed! Wilson Tukey (FUCKER)has wanted any excuse to get rid of the embassy for ages. This week he has been using the excuse that the burnt out shell is a danger to the community therefore the embassy must be removed.

Thursday, November 4, 2004

Howard's 'attitude' to Aboriginal social services racist

Aborigines are Australia's most disadvantaged community

The Federal Government says it is still considering a radical plan to rebuild the Aboriginal social services system, which could make financial assistance dependent on behavioural change. [?]

The Government is considering taking a more hardline approach to social security payments for Indigenous Australians, linking them to modified behaviour.

[Why, because they're not as able to make decisions like everyone else?]

It could include payments being dependent on parents "ensuring" their children are attending school. [?]

[Then what if payments not being received by Aboriginals depend on ensuring children get a smack, if they don't go to school to ensure social security payments? Then what about payments being dependent on ensuring children go to school no matter how much encouragement they are given by their parents even if they're smacked?

Or what about payments being dependent on ensuring their children like school?

Or what about payments being dependent on ensuring their children abide by a curfew?

Or what about payments being dependent on parents who jump up and down on the spot just to suit the government of the day?

You can have this payment in order to survive if you become my slave?

What about that? SORRY!]

Racist Minister Amanda Vanstone wants to ensure the concept of mutual obligation, where a recipient of a social security payment has to do something in return, is working within Indigenous communities.

[But surviving is doing something. Like I said RACIST!]

John Howard the "rodent type" says there is no time line for change.

"We don't have any particular timetable for that, we believe very strongly that the new approach to Aboriginal affairs is the right approach," he said.

[In other words he doesn't care when Aboriginals become his slaves as long as they do become his slaves because it's the right approach!

But since when have Aboriginals become different than everyone else? Shame Howard is not in the same boat or else he would see the difference!]

There is also a proposal for an electronic card designed to limit what Indigenous Australians can buy with Government Social Security payments. [?]


In other developments:

Australia unveils Aboriginal body

"The Australian government has unveiled a new Aboriginal advisory body that will, [allegedly], help shape its policy towards disadvantaged native communities. [? or do the governments bidding!]

The National Indigenous Council will be headed by a magistrate, Dr Sue Gordon. She said it would focus on addressing domestic violence and reducing the widespread dependence on Social Security.

Earlier this year, the government abolished the biggest indigenous organisation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

The creation of the National Indigenous Council is the latest attempt to give Aboriginal Australians a real say in how problems in their communities are addressed.

[Just plain rubbish and propaganda. The body will be a white wash on Aboriginal people using some members of their own community who will be paid off to comply with the Howard government.]

The creation of the National Indigenous Council is, allegedly, the latest attempt to give Aboriginal Australians a real say in how problems in their communities are addressed, 6 November 2004." [?]

[Just plain rubbish and propaganda.]

The Government is considering taking a more hardline approach to social security payments for Indigenous Australians, linking them to modified behaviour, 11 November 2004.

By Sorry 11 November 04

Related:

UN rates Indigenous health poorly
The Australian Nursing Federation says the United Nations has rated Indigenous Australians as having the second worst quality of life in the world after China.

Poverty cycle must be addressed: Ridgeway
The Democrats' Aden Ridgeway says Prime Minister John Howard should stop beating up on people who are on welfare, and focus on solving the national Indigenous unemployment rate.

AMA calls for extra health funding for Aborigines
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is asking for an extra $450 million a year to be spent on the health needs of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.

WA bid to recognise 'original custodians' stalls Western Australia's Opposition has rejected a Government proposal to amend the state's Constitution to recognise Aboriginal people as the original custodians of the state.

Labor to request Senate inquiry into ATSIC's future
The Federal Opposition has announced it will call for a Senate inquiry into the Government's plan to abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

Reconciliation dreaming
Djerrkura had witnessed the collapse of ATSIC, which he led from 1996 to 1999, with sadness. Despite the peak indigenous organisation's flaws, which he did not deny, its abolition, he said, had been done in "the classic imperial fashion, without negotiation, without understanding and with little empathy". He noted that as early as December 2001 he had called on his successor Geoff Clark to resign for the good of the organisation. But he reserved his harshest words for John Howard.

The bone has been pointed at Howard
A Queensland Indigenous leader says an ancient Aboriginal curse placed on Prime Minister John Howard is no laughing matter and could even have deadly consequences.Suspended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner (ATSIC) chairman Geoff Clark was with a group of Aboriginal people who performed a ceremony known as pointing the bone at Howard at Colac in south-west Victoria this week.

PM in denial over Redfern Death in Custody
Prime Minister John Howard says treating Aborigines differently is contributing to violent confrontations with police.

INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT: ISJA
If we want to survive we must work at it Indigenous unemployment reaching crisis: welfare group Action to lower Indigenous unemployment rate Govt underspends on indigenous employment: dept Economic development: The outback malaise Call for end to Indigenous welfare cycle.

Australian Govt human rights record 'worsening'
Community groups have given the Federal Government five out of ten for its record on human rights this year. Mr Purcell said the Government was also marked down because of the policy of holding children in immigration detention centres.

O'Shane blasts constitution
Controversial New South Wales magistrate Pat O'shane has described the Australian Constitution as flawed and grossly inappropriate.

Demounting Auntie Isabel Coe
The information demountable and Auntie Isabel Coe's demountable were set alight at 3am last Saturday morning. The info demountable was completely destroyed- 31 years of photos and info on the grassroots Indigenous rights movement destroyed! Wilson Tukey (FUCKER)has wanted any excuse to get rid of the embassy for ages. This week he has been using the excuse that the burnt out shell is a danger to the community therefore the embassy must be removed.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Child sex offenders to be monitored in NSW

New South Wales Police Minister John Watkins says convicted child sex offenders in south-western Sydney will be monitored during a six-month trial.

The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties says it is concerned that the monitoring could become a system of harassment.

The vice president of the council, David Burnie, says there is a danger that intensive monitoring could hinder attempts by offenders to reform their behaviour.

"That is the real danger, that the system just becomes a system of harassment," he said.

"That'd be our concern that after a period of time it may just degenerate into a period of harassment rather than actually a system of assessment."

Watkins says a Child Protection Watch Team will track convicted sexual predators living in the community.

He says police, corrective services officers, health professionals, and housing department workers will be on the team. He has told State Parliament that the group will review offenders' criminal histories and behaviour and make risk-assessments. Watkins says the team will take steps to protect children who are perceived to be at risk.

"They will provide an early warning system for inappropriate actions or associations or living arrangements and they will take proactive measures to prevent these criminals from re-offending," he said. "They'll ensure police are ready to pounce if the danger does increase."

In Other Developments:

Crime facts INFO: Australian Institute of Criminology 13 April 2004

A report titled Recidivism of sexual assault offenders rates, risk factors and treatment efficacy provides an overview of Australian and international research on sexual, violence and general recidivism among sex offenders.

Despite the assumption that sexual offenders are particularly prone to reoffend, reconviction rates for sex crimes are relatively low.

Sexual offenders are similar to the general offender population in terms of their criminal histories and their sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics the report says.

"They are versatile offenders, with a large proportion having convictions for violent and 'other' offences, such as drugs or property crimes.

At the same time, they may specialise in particular types of sexual offences within their general criminal careers.

The risk of recidivism varies for different types of sex offenders, with rapists tending to be more criminally versatile than child molesters.

A retrospective study of 629 persons aged 16 years and over, who were apprehended by Victoria police on suspicion of sexual assault of adults pointed to a considerable degree of recidivistic activity between 1993 and 2001. A substantial number had been previously apprehended for violent (n=222) -and other-offences (n=348)."

" The number of sexual offences per individual was lower than for the other crime categories."

By Monitor 23 September 04

ED: Most child molesters come from families by focusing on people outside the families the children affected are less likely to believed when they say it was for instance 'my uncle Bill'.

WHY WE SHOULD OPPOSE HOME DETENTION
Surveillance is done with an electronic bracelet, which is attached to you for the length of your sentence and tracked through your phone back to central control. If you go outside the house without permission, it registers an escape. You must stay at home 24 hours a day unless you get permission to eg. work, do community hours, education. You receive phone calls at home throughout the day and night to monitor you.   

Related Sex Offender Links:

NSW: Rapists more criminally versatile than Paedophiles
Parents to be given paedophile details? But rapists are more criminally versatile than Paedophiles! So who let the dogs out? Police Minister John Watkins! That's who.

NSW Prisons Inmate Development Committee speaks out
I am writing on behalf of the IDC Inmate Development Committee in area 3, MSPC at Long Bay. Area 3 is where, the Department is congregating minimum-security offenders within maximum-security walls whilst awaiting mandatory programs at Cubit (Sex Offenders Program).

Vic database to track sex offenders' movements
The Sex Offenders Registration Bill is due to be tabled in Parliament later this week. Sex offenders will have to tell police if they change their names, address or work and will not be allowed to work with children.

Today Sex offenders TOMMORROW YOU!
To suggest there is a need to restrict their movement is rubbish! This is a grab for civil liberties in NSW and it offends everyone else who is free to associate because soon it could be you who is restricted or someone you know.

Gang-rape, police, disparity and the law..
The young woman and her friend have told police they met the players in Coffs Harbour on the evening after the Bulldogs played a trial match there and went back to the team's hotel with them.

Govt stands by child sex offender program
The Western Australian Government is standing by a taxpayer-funded agency that offers conditional confidentiality to child sex offenders.

Therapy key for teen sex offenders
US: One girl allegedly was raped in the boys' bathroom at Folsom High School on a warm midday in March. Another told officials the same boy, a freshman at the school, had tried to rape her days earlier in a girls' bathroom. Two other girls told investigators the boy had committed lesser sex crimes against them at school within the previous week. If true, such a pattern of escalation is worrisome, according to experts who study and treat sex offenders.

Sexual Abuse: Testimony
I'm Debbie Ingraham, and I'm an activist for Restorative Justice. I'm also a former litigant who filed an unsuccessful civil suit against a family member for incest, and a former victim advocate. I bring a 30 year personal perspective of "real life" experiences that come from living with the effects of sexual abuse.

Related Surveillance Links

Xerox workers to strike over satellite tracking plan
Over 250 Xerox workers will go on strike this morning over plans to use global positioning system technology (GPS) to track them throughout their day. Australian Services Union president Sally McManus says the proposal affects workers who repair Xerox photocopiers and other equipment in offices around Melbourne and Sydney.

Police want you to pay for their wire taps......
Ottawa — Canada's police chiefs propose a surcharge of about 25 cents on monthly telephone and Internet bills to cover the cost of tapping into the communications of terrorists, [scapegoats for the Coalition of the Killing's resource war's in the Middle East], and other criminals, [but not war criminals?]

Blunkett to extend long arm of the law
UK: Sweeping changes to police powers were proposed by the government yesterday, with officers in England and Wales to be permitted to arrest suspects for any offence, rather than only those which attract prison sentences.

Welcome to the MatrixB
US - In what civil liberties advocates call the most massive database surveillance program in US history, the Multistate Anti-Terrorism, [scapegoat and patsy], Information Exchange, or Matrix, continues to compile billions of records on law-abiding citizens and receive federal funding, despite public outcry and suspicion.

Govt tests airport security eye scanner
Technology that identifies people by scanning their eyes could be introduced into Australian airports as early as next year.

law and order days over, says Blair
Their 3D-iD system is ideal for both stationary assets, such as large physical inventories or for mobile assets like people and portable equipment.

Fingerprints now required for US visas
United States consulates in Australia have begun taking fingerprints from Australians applying for visas.

I won't be a criminal for you!
The only looming rules are for fools giving up personal details to the Devil in the first place when visiting the US.

Putting Your Finger on the Line: Biometric Identification Technology The NSW Department of Corrective Services has progressively been implementing biometric identification technology (BIT) for use on all entrants into maximum security prisons since August 1996. It currently operates in seven prisons in NSW and is scheduled for introduction at Parklea prison later this year. BIT has raised the ire of many community agencies, the legal fraternity and government authorities. Framed examines what the controversy is all about and what the implications of this technology are.

Mossad agents Killing Oz Tourists Steal their Identity to use in terror opps
The fugitive Israeli Mossad intelligence agent Zev Barkan has been dealing with Asian criminal gangs to obtain Australian and other passports stolen from Australians Killed in Asia, a New Zealand security official has said.

The U.S. system of 'justice' is a tragic joke
US: Police abuse, and sometimes kill, innocent persons at will. Cops plant evidence, they lie, they coerce confessions and they commit perjury. Many are, simply, criminals. 

Friday, September 26, 2003

Judge renews child detainee release call

A Family Court judge, for a second time, has appealed to Immigration Minister, Philip Ruddock to address the issue of children in detention.

The call comes in a case involving three siblings, two of them born in detention in Australia.

In the latest case, Justice Richard Chisholm has said that he does not have the power to release the children.

He has heard evidence that their mother has suffered paranoia, post-traumatic stress and depression.

The family lived for four months last year in a psychiatric unit in Adelaide. Since returning to a detention centre, their mother has not left her room. Their father looks after them but he says he is not sure he can cope either. Two of the children were born in detention in Australia.

Welfare reports say they have behavioural problems and delayed development. It was last month, in the case of an Iranian family, Justice Chisholm said detained children should be released as a matter of urgency and he appealed to the minister. They were later granted asylum.

In this case, he has again said he has no power to act and has appealed to the minister to urgently address the family's needs.

By Paramount Welfare 26 September 03

Related:

Signs of the Times: Aggressive Scepticism
If anyone has known a schizophrenic then you may also know that it is because of some sound or picture that invaded their thoughts which sent them mad. So possibly, any invasion of my time with self, a time to integrate past experiences could send someone mad. However if there is no interference with our own thoughts and ideas we sometimes choose to write down our conclusions and share our ideas with others socially.

Civil Liabilities: Howard's diversity? I had a dream?
The war criminal, Prime Minister, John Howard, who only yesterday was claiming he was showing diversity has stepped up pressure on the states to support plans to increase the war criminal, Federal Attorney-General's powers to ban terrorist organisations, [scapegoats and patsies for the Coalition of the Killing's illegal and degrading resource wars in the Middle East.]

Ruddock to challenge Family Court ruling
Ruddock said it is unfortunate the Full Court of the Family Court made the decision. He said a successful High Court challenge could see the children returned to detention.

Children in Baxter Detention Centre: Tell me a fable...
Opponents vow to fight yesterday's Family Court ruling against the release of five children from South Australia's Baxter detention centre has strengthened the resolve of groups fighting the Federal Government's policy of detaining child asylum seekers.

Where did you say you reside Mr Carr?
New South Wales Premier Bob Carr says a protest outside Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock's Sydney home should have been called off for moral reasons. Mr Carr says people who want to protest against the Federal Government's immigration policies should do it in Sydney's CBD, not outside Mr Ruddock's home.

Three protesters tricked outside Ruddock's house
Protest organisers have been critical of police actions at a pro-refugee rally near Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock's Sydney home.

Australia: Child detention, tell me a fable...
Democrat's leader Andrew Bartlett wants all children in immigration detention centres released, in the wake of the Family Court refusal to put a stay on one of its landmark rulings.

Amnesty calls for release of children from detention centres
Human rights group Amnesty International is pressuring the Federal Government to immediately release children from detention centres in the wake of the latest report on detainee children.

Child detainees 'living in a nightmare', report finds
A report being released today documents disturbing evidence about mental health for children in detention centres. The report is a joint work by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, NSW University and NSW psychiatrists.

Demonstrators prepared for Baxter protest
Thousands of demonstrators will converged at Port Augusta in preparation for this weekend's expected protest at the Baxter detention centre.

Tuesday, July 1, 2003

ALL IN ALL ITS JUST ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL

SCHOOL teachers will be given back the right to discipline students without fear of serious child abuse allegations being used against them because they have guidelines.

The State Government has ordered a review of proposed changes to the child protection code after it was revealed children complaining of verbal or physical abuse should be able to report their teachers to child protection officers.

The modifications to the code will be completed within weeks.

Signalling a return to common sense, teachers also will be able to comfort distressed children in the playground and help them when they are hurt.

The guidelines covering one million students across NSW allow for allegations of non-physical "abuse" in the classroom.

Under provisions of the code, teachers can be investigated for "targeted and sustained criticism" of a student and for "belittling, teasing and making unreasonable demands". They are also prevented from "socially isolating" children who are disruptive or naughty in the classroom.

The changes revealed last month have incensed parents, teachers and school principals who believe the new rules seriously undermine class discipline and potentially jeopardise students' safety.

But is discipline another form of punishment and does punishment work?

In direct contravention of the rule of law and social justice punishment doesn't work. In terms of the current literature, where it has been stated that punishment and discipline are known to be offensive, and do not offer any form of result in long term, of child behavioural changes.

It is stated for instance in Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordan PHD in relation to having and obligation by the child to change his/her offending behaviour. It is better to invite the child in the decision making process, so that the child makes their own decision to change their offending behaviour, and also has an 'obligation' to do so because it was 'their' decision.

Why would the child want to change because it was disciplined or smacked? According to Chief Judge Justice Alistair Nicholson of the Family Court of Australia "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault." He said.

The cycle of violence.

But smacking a child comes in many forms under the heading punishment. Locking a child in their room, taking away privileges and discipline are all forms of punishment.

Behind it all is the fact that if you raise your voice one-decibel then the only defence a child has to it is fear. When you have an obligation to discipline or punish children, they will be judged by you, the teacher, then right or wrong you're giving some form of master and slave ideology to them.

Result being that they hate you. Is that what you want? Or would it be better not to use power against them so that when they get out of school they are your friends.

Not just that, but they don't learn to punish, threaten or discipline anyone else, thinking they can get a result, by that sort of offensive behaviour.

It is understood the review ordered by Education Minister Andrew Refshauge will ensure that teachers can do their job without fear of recrimination.

"The code will remain but it will enable teachers to maintain discipline and not undermine them," a senior government source said yesterday.

"It will make clear that teachers can comfort a child in the playground [touching them if necessary] and help when they are hurt."

Public Schools Principals' Forum president Cheryl McBride said yesterday change was needed so those teachers could carry out their duty of care to students. "They need to be able to stop a child running across the road and also implement normal disciplinary measures," she said.

"That means being able to raise their voice without it being called child abuse or putting a child in the chair at the back of the room without it being emotional abuse."

Concerned parents have claimed the code undermines classroom discipline and potentially places children at risk of harm because of teachers' uncertainty.

Christine Wright, who has three children at Robert Townson Public School at Raby in Sydney's southwest, welcomed the Government's change of heart. "It [the code] has to be changed it just isn't right at the moment," she said.

School principal Brian Chudleigh said the policy change was a win for teachers. "It removes the fear that teachers have to act normally," Mr Chudleigh, who is also deputy chair of the Public Schools Principals Association, said.

"They will be able to safeguard the welfare of the children and it will also allow them to use fair and reasonable discipline."

Teachers across the state have expressed concern at being subjected to unfair or long investigations over trivial and/or malicious allegations.

GKCNN has learned, however, that in future minor allegations will not be pursued by child protection investigators and will be sent back to the school for resolution.

The Teachers' Federation, campaigning for changes to the code, has threatened a ban on excursions and other activities if its demands are not met.

Federation spokeswoman Jennifer Leete said yesterday teachers' concerns had been acknowledged but no changes had been delivered yet.

"Some issues cannot be addressed without legislative change such as the definition of child abuse in the Ombudsman's Act," Ms Leete said.

The Independent Education Union also has called for changes to the "unfair child protection laws" claiming they had placed the teaching profession at risk.

By PINK FLOYED 2 July 03 Education Reporter

THE STUDENT: Perhaps teachers and parents could go back to school and learn life skills, social skills or parent effectiveness training. Do our teachers lack these skills, because they never received them? Were they raised with mostly academic skills? If so, how can they create social justice in the classroom, if they don't have these skills to pass on to their students either.

Related:

School Curriculum needs balance? Life Skills and Academic Skills go hand in hand man Colin you need to be the students friends not their judge. Only when you can invite the students into the decision making process will you get an obligation by them to change their behaviour, because you Colin could lead by example and not by power.

NSW education professor warns further commitment needed
The author of a report on the New South Wales education system has urged the major political parties to do more for education in the election campaign.

Fiona Stanley, the children's crusader
It is all about prevention. As Fiona Stanley sees it, with one in five Australian teenagers experiencing significant mental health problems, there are just not enough treatment services to cope with the demand.

Parents call for feedback on social skills
Parents are calling for the same level of feedback on their children's social development as on their academic progress, according to a national survey.

The Seed
Respect, you only get out what you have put in. What about Life Skills, Communication and Conflict Resolution. Evolution, perhaps some children and adults miss the whole or part of the course. I did, and so how surprised do you think I was when I realised my parents missed the course as well. Things like Compromise, Win Win, Empathy, and Love. Invisible energy and other skills like public speaking, how to Relate, Assuming, Blaming, Forgiveness, Freedom and Discrimination. This is how I learned respect. If you don't know what it is then how do you relate?

The punishment: Is the 'crime'
The punishment is the crime according to retired chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia Justice Alistair Nicholson. "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault".

RESTORING TRUE JUSTICE:
Australian prisons are fast becoming the new asylums of the third millennium. The prison industry is booming, while Australia spends far less on mental health services than similar countries.