Showing posts with label neo-liberal-offensives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neo-liberal-offensives. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

30A.org AT THE OPERA: An eyewitness account

Well I rode into town on my pushbike and went straight down to the Quay to the protest location, got to about Surry Hills and could smell horse shit thinking the cops aren't far off. Sure enough I went around the corner and there were four cops on horseback and they were in riot gear so I avoided them.

I cut across Hyde Park but couldn't avoid the cops on every street corner. Must be hundreds! On my own quite early so I thought I better scan the area to see what the fuss was all about and the chopper was overhead loud as hell hovering above the skyscrapers.

Trying to warn off the protests is not a bad trick from the police gang but there is strength in numbers I thought, touch-wood! So it was quite early about 4pm and I wandered down the mall to get a drink to throw off any suspicion and to see what prevents the protesters getting to the Opera House.

But as I went closer it just got worse. A big cruiser in the harbour and cops walking all around not your average cops either they got the big ones out!

Just then I went over to the water to look into the sea and this bunch of cops comes past in this rubber dingy like the avengers of the neo-cons. Shit I thought, I'd better wait till the tribe gets here before I go any further. And to add to that feeling the atmosphere was bent just like a war zone and now I know what that feels like, cold and uncertain about your presence and future.

I knew I should have been a reporter!

Guerrillas everywhere, so I go over to a table just for fun and ask these tourists, "is this what normally happens around here?" Thinking if I had company it wouldn't feel so bad. Well they looked at me startled and said, "We can't believe it either". Just then they got up and left. I shouted 'be alert and don't be alarmed' they took no notice and I didn't blame them as I was definitely thinking the same thing myself.

Oh well, I thought I've come this far I guess I should have a look at the end. And when I got there it was a dead-end, a trap and I seen about 10 people and a girl with a sign that said 'No to corporate Greed' and a 100 police so I thought no, now is definitely not the time.

Like cold steel I slowly pushed my bike out of there away from the 'rocky web' for fear of prosecution for minding my own business and as I got closer to the Quay I felt relieved.

Then the tribe arrived from the Town Hall and what a relief to be with some real people at last. Then a short time later lots of people several hundred and if I can just say that the atmosphere was back to normal and not like a war zone.

That point I would like to express to everyone of you for this is precious and something we must never take for granted or for that matter ever let john hoWARd forget, amongst other things!

Even with hundreds of people at the Quay the police gang surrounded the people bridging up on three sides and most likely although I did not notice in the building as well and that would have fenced everyone in. The chopper noise drowned out the speakers until it was almost time to march to the dead-end! Coppers on horses, in the harbour, on foot and in the air for what? Forbes!

The police gang like to fence the protesters in and surround them grunting and staring is the tactic and if taxpayers are prepared to be pushed to that level then it is time to stand up for your rights to protest as well. Don't let them stand over your youth and fellow citizens who should be allowed to protest and demonstrate without feeling sick in the stomach with fear and worried about being there.

Or even to walk onto the forecourt of their Opera House and not be stood over by a bunch of cops and goons hell bent on foxing, intimidating and victimising the community so they will either get out of the trap and not protest or get caught in it.

Do we employ our police to intimidate?

You can just go down to Circular Quay sometime in the next three days and stand by your fellow citizens just as observers.


Related Video
:

Revolution Inc: 2005 in Review2

By Just Us 30 August 05


Related:

Government warned Terror Laws "inherently dangerous, draconian and open to misuse" As the free-market Forbes freaks meet in Sydney, proposed new "terror" laws have been touted as "inherently dangerous" and open to misuse. A recent poll, found that 70 per cent of respondents expected a terrorist attack in Australia within two years -- up from 66 per cent in March last year...

Community to keep an eye on police violence
The Community will keep an eye out for police violence while they are having fun demonstrating and protesting the Global Forbes conference today.

Clowning as a protest tactic
Australian police will call in reinforcements to help guard next week's Forbes Conference of world business heavyweights which is expected to draw thousands of demonstrators, they said on Tuesday.

THOUSANDS of protesters to take over Circular Quay
Trade unionists, anti-globalisation activists, peace campaigners, environmentalists and religious groups will join forces as the 30A Network on the opening day of the conference, August 30, to make their point on everything from industrial relations reform to global warming and the continuing commitment of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Illegal and Degrading War

Teachers accused of anti-US bias
AUSTRALIA: The fascist federal treasurer has drawn a rebuke from teachers for warning them against spreading anti-Americanism in schools and suggesting it could mutate into anti-Westernism and terrorist attacks against Australia.

Social Services

Australian Greens Senator Responds To: Social Services Cuts
I am writing to you because I am concerned about people living in poverty in Australia. In Parliament, legislation will be introduced to put many people with disabilities and single parents on unemployment payments. If this law goes ahead unchanged, more people will live on less money after July 2006.

Corporate Welfare

Corporate welfare or how to steal social services?
Ever wondered why there are so many homeless, why we need a 10 pc GST, lack of services for mental disability, still paying off the Olympics, poor public transport planning etc etc etc?

Unemployment

Work for the dole is legal slavery
Work for the dole was originally sold to us by Howard as a warm and fuzzy light work project. We would be working for nothing but we would be enjoying giving back something to the community, so it was reckoned.

Military Spending

Howard: We as a nation have got to invest heavily in defence?
Fascist Prime Minister John HoWARd has indicated the Government will make major changes to work place laws, cut disability support forcing the disabled to work and increase his defence commitment.

Hill primed for war!
Australian Caretaker Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Pearce Air Force base in Western Australia. Hill says $87 million would be spent on a major upgrade of the base, which is Australia's main flying training facility.

Troop deployment not a deepening of effort: Hill
Deploying an extra 30 troops to Iraq was not a deepening of Australia's involvement because they were being sent to protect those already there, Defence Minister Robert Hill said yesterday.

Auditor Generals damning defence report
The Defence Department computer system upgrade has cost Australia tens of millions of dollars in a gigantic bungle, according to the Federal Opposition. The Commonwealth auditor-general has issued a damning report into the project.

Climate Change

Pressure remains on Australia as Kyoto takes effect
The Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will today come into force after a decade of deliberations.

HoWARd: Winner who failed to lead by example but still won?
CHRISTMAS and the lead-up have their familiar rituals. On Christmas Day there is the present giving, church going and massive lunch, followed by the big recovery sleep.

Kyoto Protocol start date set
The Kyoto Protocol to combat global warming will take effect from February 16 after Russia formally handed over its notice of ratification overnight.

Law Enforcement Violence

Community Forum on Law Enforcement Violence
Don't miss an opportunity to join a diverse group of community members, organizations, students, workers, activists, organizers, artists, educators, experts, and spiritual leaders for a community discussion on organizing a grassroots movement to end law enforcement violence in our communities, on Saturday, July 16, 2005 from 9:00 am -- 12:00 pm at the TremZ Community Center, 900 N. Villere St. (at the corner of N. Villere and St. Phillip St.).

Racial Justice Day 2005
Religious congregations across the city will have services of remembrance & resistance, as a reminder to us all that police violence & brutality are real and continuing threats to the safety of communities throughout NYC and the nation.

Restrictions on police stun guns
UK: The controversial Taser stun gun is a "dangerous weapon" which should not yet be issued to all frontline police officers, Home Office minister Hazel Blears has said.

CPS drops prosecution over death in custody
UK: The family of Roger Sylvester, who died after being restrained by police officers, yesterday expressed their disappointment at a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute any of the officers involved.

Death in Custody: Douglas Bruce Scott
We congratulate Ms Letty Scott, her Family and her supporters, of which the writer counts himself and this Association as being, towards their successful twenty year struggle for Justice.

OUR STORIES MUST BE TOLD. THEY HAVE TO BE
This is for all the children, now, and those to be............

Rally to seek fresh Hickey hearings
A community rally calling for the reopening of the inquest into the death of Aboriginal teenager Thomas 'TJ' Hickey will be held at Walgett in northern New South Wales today.

Doomadgee's body released for burial
The body of a man who died in custody on Palm Island last month has been released for burial.

NSW Police Force: 2 dead, $1 million dollars to catch a thief?
NSW police have expressed concern about their response to the Macquarie Fields riots in south-western Sydney after a police pursuit that killed two young youths Dylan Rayward 17, and Mathew Robertson, 19 that went horribly wrong.

Community disturbed by riot violence?
Don't blame it on the social mix, don't blame it on the housing estate, don't blame it on the dysfunctional community but blame it on the Police Force!

The ALP's fascist police states
Welcome back Sid-in-knee. Old Falangist Samaranch would surely feel right at home in any number of fascist police states around this wide brown land today. Who needs Franco when you have Beattie, Rann, Carr, Bracks and co. Flamin' fascist fucks the lot of them.

AFP: The unlikely CRIMINAL
It was born of a bombing and it made its name after a far more devastating act of terrorism. But for most of the 25 years in between, little was known about the Australian Federal Police force or the work it did.

GIVE A DOG A BONE?
When the Ombudsman investigates police in most States and Territories of Australia they set about asking the police to investigate themselves to see if there is any validity to a complaint.

Fatal accident prompts police pursuit probe
A fatal car accident in New South Wales has prompted a review of the procedures police use during high-speed pursuits.

Bent cop no different
34-year-old police inspector Shane Cribb, who shot a man shouldn't be treated differently than any other person charged with the same offence.

Random police raid terrorised residents
A police task Force randomly targeting gang warfare is investigating nine murders and one disappearance, including a shooting death that sparked a dramatic random dawn raid in south-western Sydney yesterday.

Failure to sack 'racist' prison staff condemned
UK: Two prison officers suspended for racism are still on full pay three years after a stash of Nazi memorabilia, neo-fascist literature and Ku Klux Klan-inspired 'nigger-hunting licences' was found in a police raid on their home.

MISTREATED IN CUSTODY - NO ACCOUNTABILTY
I was in custody in NSW six weeks ago, and was a victim of an aggravated assault incited by a prison officer. Despite this happening in front of many witnesses, including correctional services officers and other detainees, and under mandatory video surveillance, a formal complaint to the NSW Commissioner of Corrective Services an his Professional Conduct Management Committee only revealed that as far as they were concerned, this didn't happen.

ICOPA XI International Conference on Penal Abolition
We are excited to announce that ICOPA X1, the eleventh International Conference on Penal Abolition will happen in Tasmania, Australia from February 9 - 11,2006. Please pass this onto all networks.

Baxter visit convinces Burke of need for royal commission
AUSTRALIA/CUBA Federal Labor's new immigration spokesman Tony Burke says after visiting the Baxter detention centre he is now more convinced then ever of the need for a royal commission into immigration detention.

Association for the Prevention of Torture
What needs to be done now? The Optional Protocol requires 20 ratifications to enter into force. All States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture should seriously consider ratifying the OPCAT as soon as possible. National Institutions and others promoting the human rights of people deprived of their liberty need to be informed of their potential role as national preventive mechanisms under the OPCAT.

Unlock the Box:
Unlock the Box is a product of many years of struggle to shut down the Security Housing Units in California. During this time, the United Front to Abolish the SHU was created as a forum to coordinate the actions of everyone involved in this campaign.

Baxter,'akin to the time in Nazi Germany'
I went to Baxter this Easter just past, and became more aware that this time is akin to the time in Nazi Germany when the concentration camps were being set up.

Overhaul Department of Justice: Reform Group
WA: The Prison Reform Group of WA is calling for a complete overhaul of the Department of Justice following recent events which have compromised its integrity, placing prison staff, prisoners, their families and the community, at risk. We call for the Minister to publicly apologise for last week's debacle which has seen the public badly let down by the Department of Justice yet again.

Detention Centres, Solitary Confinement
On Friday night the NSW Council for Civil Liberties awarded Sydney solicitor John Marsden honorary life membership. Julian Burnside was invited to make the speech in Marsden's honour. In the course of his speech, Burnside referred to the unregulated use of solitary confinement in Australia's immigration detention centres, criticising it as inhumane and also as unlawful.

Abu Ghraib, USA
When I first saw the photo, taken at the Abu Ghraib prison, of a hooded and robed figure strung with electrical wiring, I thought of the Sacramento, California, city jail.

On Solitary Confinement
There has been much written about solitary confinement by some of the world's leading psychiatrists, but very little written by victims of solitary themselves. I believe that the 32 years I have spent in solitary qualifies me for the task.

Failure to condemn prison abuse risks lives: Kenny
The Prime Minister is morally bankrupt stay "alert and alarmed"

Monday, October 11, 2004

Neo Liberal Coalition holds off on Family First talks

Federal Treasurer, [war criminal], Peter Costello says the Coalition will not hold talks with the Family First party until counting is completed in the federal election.

The Coalition's second front under the banner of "Family First" will jump when asked to by the Neo-Liberals who most likely set the party up to take care of the balance in the Senate.

Family First and the Coalition exchanged preferences before the election, prompting suggestions the new party would vote with the conservative side of politics.

But Costello will not speculate until the seat is decided.

"If you ask me my view, would I hope that here in Victoria, Labor only gets two Senators, yes I would," he said.

"If Family First or somebody else gets that third Senate seat, that might be more positive and constructive."

But I suggest it has nothing to do with being positive and constructive opposed to the grand plan by the Neo-Liberals and the initiation of Family First into Australian politics to attack the Senate.

By Family Last 11 September 04

Family FIRST? Family LAST Party!

One of the great certainties of this election is that "Family First Party" debunked as the 'Family Last Party' when you take into account the party has won the preferences and conditional approval of caretaker Prime Minister John HoWARd. 

THE HILLSONG'S ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF ' NEO-LIBERALISM' 

Only a bent mind would envisage the possibility or think of the concept that a '2nd Neo-Liberal 'front' promoted by the right and posing as a Church would enter politics under the flag of "Family First Party". 
  
Costello, Howard's Disciple

JOHN HOWARD AND PETER Costello lost their vision for Australia from the time they were elected and embarked on a vision for the neo-Liberals. 

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel?

Well praise the Lord the light is Hell bent here on Peter Costello, treasurer of the Howard Government who now has his own "flock" of onward Christian Soldiers. 

Related:

Nothing will save us from gullibility and greedy self-interest
A small book turned up last week entitled How to Kill a Country. It was written by three Sydney academics about our "free trade" deal with the United States.

Prospect of Family First senator
1) The ABC's Antony Green is not taking for granted a three (3) Liberal Senators outcome for SA.

REPORT: AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS' ELECTION NEWSPAPER
There was high drama as the only state prisons department in Australia to refuse The Australian Prisoners' Election Newspaper, was challenged in an emergency hearing before the NSW Supreme Court.

Australia Must Change Nation: Community
Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham is entitled to raise comments about what Prime Minister John Howard the "rodent type" made in relation to Asian migrants 14 years ago because the Coalition has been campaigned on his past.

Union tells workers not to abandon Labor
TOGETHER UNITED, WE'LL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!! Tasmania's main union body has implored the state's blue-collar workers not to abandon Labor in tomorrow's federal election. Unions Tasmania's secretary Lynne Fitzgerald says workers should not be seduced by the Coalition's forestry policy, which she describes as a "con".

ALP ahead thanks to the Greens
Liberals chances of victory tomorrow slipped away as a desperate John Howard continued to play the rat card after weeks of what Mark Latham describes as false advertising and lies about the history of his political career.

Howard's Tasmanian Chainsaw Massacre
JOHN Howard yesterday promised to lock up an extra 170,000ha of old growth forest in Tasmania, a pledge he claimed would not result in one job being lost. Releasing his long-awaited policy to a timber worker rally in Launceston, the nervous Howard was soon bowled over when he received a rousing applause from more than a 1000 chainsaws.

Villawood detainees go on hunger strike
A refugee advocacy group says up to 200 detainees at the Villawood Detention Centre, in Sydney, have begun a hunger strike to draw attention to their situation ahead of the federal election.

Afghan children lose High Court battle against detention
Lawyers have lost their constitutional challenge to the detention of four children at a South Australian immigration centre. Four siblings from Afghanistan, aged between seven and 15, have been in detention since they arrived in Australia in 2001.

HOWARD NO REMORSE!
Australian caretaker Prime Minister, [war criminal], John Howard 'a rodent type' does not need to apologise for the illegal and degrading war in Iraq despite a new report that has found Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction at the time of the US-led invasion.

Nothing fair about more lies, fear, terror and war!
Who's going to be sacrificed? for HoWARd's illegal and degrading war in Iraq and Australia's current foreign policies that are morally bankrupt?

Allies 'planned' Iraq war despite denials
The United States, Australia and Britain started to plan the invasion of Iraq months before the conflict, according to a report Wednesday quoting a leaked Pentagon document.

Critics attack Howard's forests policy
Caretaker Prime Minister John Howard's "the rodent type" announcement that a re-elected Coalition government would protect an additional 170,000 hectares of Tasmania's old growth forests has been criticised by unions, environmentalists, the Greens and a pro-logging member of the Labor Party.

GREEN REVOLUTION, REVOLUTION THINK!
Federal ALP''s Leader Mark Latham's forest policy with a promise to protect Tasmania's old growth forests and rainforest is a revolution. REVOLUTION THINK?

If crime don't pay, why is John Howard still in Canberra?
When Labor and the Liberals took away many prisoner's right to vote. The Greens stood up for your rights.

'Medicare Gold' policy needs examination: Democrats
But leader Andrew Bartlett says his party would look closely at the detail if the plan reaches the Senate to make sure it delivers benefits to the public rather than the private health insurance industry.

Medicare Gold is fully funded: Latham
The federal Labor leader has hit the airwaves this morning to sell his plan to provide free hospital care for every Australian over the age of 75.

Allies 'planned' Iraq war despite denials
The United States, Australia and Britain started to plan the invasion of Iraq months before the conflict, according to a report Wednesday quoting a leaked Pentagon document.

Potent strike into Howard's heartland before it's too late!
HOPE, urgency and Medicare Gold constitute Mark Latham's now formidable assault on The Lodge. In his first campaign launch Latham has unveiled a mega-initiative -- free hospital treatment, public or private, for all Australians aged 75 and over.

Pension claims valid: Opposition
The Federal Governments secret agenda to cut pensions, including the disability and single parent payments while 'spending billions on military hardware' is just too much for most disabled people to accept.

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.

Democrats to keep up pressure over asylum seekers
The Australian Democrats will maintain their pressure on the next federal government over Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, if the party can retain its strength in the Senate.

AUSTRALIA: VOTING PREFERENCES
Greens Senator Kerry Nettel's reasoning: A vote for Labor or the Democrats in the Senate is now potentially a vote for right-wing Christian candidates is beyond rhetoric.

Glenn Million: Why Neo-liberals are set to implode (again)
AS if the Neo-Liberal Coalition didn't have enough trouble. A quick re-cap: under John Howard they embrace a GST - a move that eventually forces the Democrats and Greens against him. That's followed by a collective act of dictatorship they jail Pauline Hanson. They dump One Nation leaders in jail - as racist, unworthy and flawed - but above all criminal, right at the time when the Liberal party is running to the last election, and desperate to stay in power.

TIME TO GO JOHN SYDNEY PREMIERE...
I hope fully that some of you can make it to the Sydney premiere of TIME TO GO JOHN, 15 X 5min films by filmmakers from around the country Fabio & I produced A MOMENT OF SHAME, one of the segments. Hope to see you Wed night Sept 29th at 7.30pm.

THE HILLSONG'S ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF 'NEO-LIBERALISM'
The Hill-Songs Church are alive with the sound of neo-liberalism. With songs they have sung for for the Federal Election....

Community demands Ruddock voted out!
Caretaker Attorney General, war criminal, Phillip Ruddock should have his portfolio seized by the community who have declared he has links to terror group the Neo-Liberal Coalition.

Hill primed for war!
Australian Caretaker Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Pearce Air Force base in Western Australia. Hill says $87 million would be spent on a major upgrade of the base, which is Australia's main flying training facility.

Annan tells world leaders to respect law
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan has made an impassioned plea to bring about the rule of law across the globe today. Mr Annan told world leaders to respect international law at home and abroad.

CO-OFFENDERS DO NOT REBUFF UN ON 'ILLEGAL WAR'
The 'coalition of the killing's' complicities - the US, Britain and Australia - have insisted that their countries' military action in Iraq was legal after they have committed war crimes against humanity.

Iraq war illegal, says Annan
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan says the United States decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 was "illegal". Australia was a key supporter of the war on Iraq and sent troops to join the United States-led invasion last year.

Opp calls for Cooperation: Rudd
Imron Cotan says 10 ambassadors and High Commissioners from South East Asian nations were told comments by Prime Minister John Howard about pre-emptive strikes were part of an internal debate and the idea was still being developed?

Defence people need to vote for the Greens
Caretaker Prime Minister John Howard will today unveil a plan to step up the fight against terrorism in the region, using specialist teams of Australian Federal Police (AFP) that could be sent to work in neighbouring countries.

Australia will not Save Your Soul
The Federal Government will not Save Australian Soul's? Even if you're an innocent bystander caught up in it. Despite a group claiming to have kidnapped two Australian security guards? The alleged group, which allegedly calls itself the Horror Brigades of the Islamic Secret Army, allegedly has given the Prime Minister John Howard 24 hours to end Australia's involvement in Iraq.

Trust John Howard like you can trust George Bush...
Once again Prime Minister John Howard unleashed his "politics of fear" to win his election campaign trying to scare ratepayers.

Apologise to children abused in care: report
A Senate report on children placed in institutional care has called for the Federal Government to apologise to those who were harmed by their experience.

Costello, Howard's Disciple
JOHN HOWARD AND PETER Costello lost their vision for Australia from the time they were elected and embarked on a vision for the neo-Liberals.

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel?
Well praise the Lord the light is Hell bent here on Peter Costello, treasurer of the Howard Government who now has his own "flock" of onward Christian Soldiers.

Gillard stirs Liberal leadership pot
The federal Labor Party claims Peter Costello has relaunched his leadership bid, after the Treasurer gave a wide-ranging interview outlining his support for an Australian republic.

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.

Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes
Complaint to Australian law officers about Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes.

Don't rock the Boat Howard!
PRIME Minister John Howard today denied the children overboard affair had swayed the 2001 election? Mr Howard has spent the week defending himself against claims he had been informed that nobody in Defence believed children had been thrown overboard by asylum seekers.

Australia an unfair nation, say young and all!
Young people and older people think Australia is undemocratic and unfair. Young people cite their teachers as having the greatest influence on their political thinking, according to a provocative new national survey funded by the Government. Older people cite "injustice" amongst other things as a "bent legal system" favouring hi profiled superstars, corporations and politicians.

HOWARD'S LIE DETECTOR TEST
But most voters have already decided that former ministerial adviser Mike Scrafton has contradicted Mr Howard's recollection of conversations just days before the 2001 election and says he has been vindicated by a lie detector test.

Not happy, John
Valder's alarm whistle effort 'let love be thy weapon' indeed Prime Minister John Howard is also the subject of a stinging attack in a Sunday feature this week, from the man who first engineered his ascent to the Liberal leadership in the mid-1980s former party president John Valder.

Howard 'unfit to lead'
The Federal Opposition says John Howard is not fit to be Prime Minister after new revelations about the children overboard affair.

Howard's war crimes, Turnbull, at least he's honest
HIGH-profile Liberal candidate Malcolm Turnbull has told voters the Iraq invasion was "an unadulterated error".

Alexanda Downer guilty of war crimes!
The agreement for going to war on Iraq carried with it and incentive and that was free trade with the US. The Howard Government knew about it and went along with it with the US under the guise of Iraq's WMDs. In criminal law this is commonly know as collusion to commit a crime.

John Howard's war crimes blameworthy
General Peter Gration is the spokesman for a group of 43 ex-military leaders, diplomats and departmental heads who have criticised the Government, saying involvement in Iraq has put Australia at greater risk of a terrorist attack.

Auditor Generals damning defence report
The Defence Department computer system upgrade has cost Australia tens of millions of dollars in a gigantic bungle, according to the Federal Opposition. The Commonwealth auditor-general has issued a damning report into the project.

Court reserves decision on 'no war' protest appeal
Two men have asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to accept that they painted "NO WAR" on the Sydney Opera House, to defend people in Iraq and Australia from war.

PM's Fox Defence? Less the evidence?
The Fox went out on a chilly night. He prayed for the moon to give him light. For he had many a mile to go that night....

Australians to be sacrificed: Howard
Howard vowed hostages wouldn't sway policy? The Federal Government say they would not negotiate with terrorists if an Australian were taken hostage in Iraq.

PM Howard Morally Bankrupt
Prime Minister John Howard insists the war in Iraq was justified despite his British counterpart Tony Blair's concession that weapons of mass destruction might never be found.

Howard 'should be tried for war crimes'
Former Liberal Party federal president John Valder says Prime Minister John Howard should be tried and punished for war crimes over Australia's involvement in the Iraq conflict.

Troop deployment not a deepening of effort: Hill
Deploying an extra 30 troops to Iraq was not a deepening of Australia's involvement because they were being sent to protect those already there, Defence Minister Robert Hill said yesterday.

War on terrorism' could take a generation: Downer?
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has launched the Government's terrorism white paper, saying the "war" could take a generation.

JUDGEMENT: HOWARD'S WAR CRIMES
Howard Vs Regina in Canberra the Capital Territory of Australia- Friday January 30 2004.

'FACTOPHOBIA' HOWARD, BLAIR AND BUSH

Well think about this! Australia's intelligence agencies look set to receive a substantial funding boost in this year's Federal Budget, with the Prime Minister saying it is an obvious step to take.

Howard, where's your head at?
Australians living on the edge! Seems each time the bombs go off overseas Australians are living on the edge.

Should John Howard be locked up indefinitely?
Australian convicted mock terrorist John Howard is seriously considering appealing the precise time limit on detaining terrorist suspects.

Daily Terror rolled-over for Howard's war games
The DAILY TERROR is suspected of being the source of the news this morning that Willie Brigitte is a terrorist and that Sydney faces a bomb attack.

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Prospect of Family First senator

1) The ABC's Antony Green is not taking for granted a three (3) Liberal Senators outcome for SA.

2) Is Antony reasonable in claiming the Family First "chance depends on a surplus from the Liberal quotas?

3) The chances of Family First displacing the Greens for a fourth 'conservative' seat are mainly to do with the % who vote 'conservative' rather than a direct flow of preferences from the Democrats to Family First rather than to the Greens.

4) The general appeal in part of the Democrats is that they pull votes from the 'conservative' electors as well as from those who don't want to vote Labor No 1.

5) On Antony's rationale if the Democrats do contribute to the pull down of the 'conservative' vote, then implicitly Family First will be adversely affected as they are a 'conservative' competitor.

6) If the excess in the Labor quota is to go to the Greens, and Labor increases more than the pro rata increase from an increase in the number of electors as unweighted by any increase in the informal vote, then the excess quota going to the Greens should put the Greens above the Family First quota score plus the Liberal excess.

7) The issue for the Democrats has been whether any increase in the Labor excess going to the Greens will be significantly adverse to the Democrat quota score.

8) If the pull from the 'conservative' vote doesn't reach its former flow to the Democrats, but goes to the FF and/or (but less likely) One Nation, and the flow to the Democrats from those who may not have wished to put Labor 1st declines, with this going to the Greens and/or Labor itself,then the Greens preferences to the Democrats may be adequate to get the Democrats elected on the fulfillment of two prior conditions

- a) Family First combined quota scores (inc. from the Liberals) is less than the Democrats;and,

- b) the Greens quota score (inc. Labor excess) doesn't match the Democrats quota score after the elimination of all the rest except for the Greens and the Family First.

9) The scenario above is a win for the 'progressives' because their votes will elect someone 'progressive' and the 'conservative' vote is wasted as insufficient.

10) The fear factor is that the 'conservative' vote will get up, because of the 'fear' scenario that the combined Labor excess and the Greens own quota score (inc. those first to be eliminated) either will be less than the Democrats quota but insufficient to give the Democrats the edge over Family First (inc. the Liberals excess), or will be just enough or more than enough to eliminate the Democrats themselves but insufficient to then trounce Family First, because (FF) will gain the Democrats quota score.

11) The proper question in light of the previous election results and taking into account the Antony Green analysis, is whether such an outcome, if it were to occur, might well have been properly avoided by the Democrats by a different preference deal (without any impact on the likelihood of the Democrats attracting 'conservative' votes as well as the votes of those who may not wish to put Labor 1st), or whether the appearance of such an outcome may be more to do with the substantive grounds on which electors choose to vote in the light, both of the preference deals previously advertised by particular parties (which admittedly is perhaps likely to be low compared to other more prominent grounds to do with 'image' or 'message' of a party), and the 'general trend' towards a 'conservative' vote (inc. the FF, but less likely to inc.the Democrats) rather than towards a 'progressive' vote for change (inc.the Democrats).

12) Unless there is some substantial reason to suppose that the generalvoting trend is irrelevant to the determination of a such a question in the instant case, and which is yet to be articulated, it may be as well to conclude that the outcomes being feared, are not unreasonable, but are still not of sufficient merit to be maintained in public without first estimating the general impact on the credibility of the 'progressive' 'image' and 'message' to the electorate by agitating the issue in any condemnatory way leading up to the decision-making days closer to the vote.

13) That a fear is not an unreasonable suspicion, may not be sufficient consideration to lose nerve and shift the focus from a range of'progressive' alternatives to the vicissitudes of a bickering antagonism between two parties that have otherwise agreed to a preference deal. The doing down of one, even if justified to the other, may only serve ultimately to be a form of self-fulfilling prophecy in as far as it may assist to formulate a 'conservative' trend prior to the election in reaction to an obvious incapacity in the 'progressive' parties to be seen to be able to continue with some 'image' or working together on a coherent and substantively similar 'message'.

14) What should not be overlooked is the message from the Indigenous contributors to the debate, like Tom Trevorrow, who have no party axe to sharpen, that respect is missing in the public operation of 'conservative' politics. If 'progressive' parties cannot maintain at least the 'image' of respect, apart from the necessity for the 'message' of respect, how can either the Greens or the Democrats in the 'progressive' group be seen to be asking people to do what they do rather than be seen asking people notto do what they do, but do what they say? And if so, how can the electors easily see either or both as 'progressive' except on what they say they are?

15) The advice is that appealing to people to vote against lies, requires that the hubbub of hypocrisy and the blame games of bickering, be avoided for the greater good, and for the greater good even at the expense of tactical advantage based on the reasonable suspicion that the general voting trend is looming 'conservative' and therefore 'progressives' should be all hanging together to avoid hanging separately.

16) If there are difficulties in accepting the bona fides of another' progressive', the need to avoid public hypocrisy and the appearance of direct misrepresentation to the electorate may be paramount, and indeed essential, for honesty in policy presentation. It's what parties do that equals what they say, and what they say they do.

17) However, being rash and hastily making a clean-breasted sweep of the insufferability of the 'other' in the 'progressive' camp, is a recipe to make clear to the more discerning of the wavering pro-government voter, that a protest vote may be less effective than conceived, and therefore not be any practical way to object to some part of government policy, because its implementation would be more likely to have quite a critical outcome, not for the government, but for the settlement of an acrimonious dispute among the 'progressive' parties. For those who wish to vote down the government in the Senate as a safeguard, helping 'progressives' resolve any issue may be a very much lesser attraction, if not plainly antipathetic to their rationale in voting away from government.

18) In such circumstances, and more so were there to be a general trend to 'conservative' voting, the protest vote may simply go to FF and/or One Nation and exacerbate the problem being publicly agitated rather than lessen the overall vote for the government, and irrespective of the claim that in any case a vote for one 'progressive' party is not a vote against the government because its preferences may well see that a 'conservative'is elected.

By Patrick Byrt 9 October 04

Patrick T. Byrt e-mail: Patrick_Byrt@fcl.fl.asn.au 

Family FIRST? Family LAST Party!

One of the great certainties of this election is that "Family First Party" debunked as the 'Family Last Party' when you take into account the party has won the preferences and conditional approval of caretaker Prime Minister John HoWARd. 

THE HILLSONG'S ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF ' NEO-LIBERALISM' 

Only a bent mind would envisage the possibility or think of the concept that a '2nd Neo-Liberal 'front' promoted by the right and posing as a Church would enter politics under the flag of "Family First Party". 
  
Costello, Howard's Disciple

JOHN HOWARD AND PETER Costello lost their vision for Australia from the time they were elected and embarked on a vision for the neo-Liberals. 

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel?

Well praise the Lord the light is Hell bent here on Peter Costello, treasurer of the Howard Government who now has his own "flock" of onward Christian Soldiers.

Related:

Australia Must Change Nation: Community
Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham is entitled to raise comments about what Prime Minister John Howard the "rodent type" made in relation to Asian migrants 14 years ago because the Coalition has been campaigned on his past.

HOWARD NO REMORSE!
Australian caretaker Prime Minister John Howard 'a rodent type' does not need to apologise for the illegal and degrading war in Iraq despite a new report that has found Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction at the time of the US-led invasion.

IRAQ: `Things are definitely not improving'
It's been a frequent refrain of US officials that Washington is winning its counter-insurgency war in Iraq. "It's very important for the people of the world really to know that we are winning, we are making progress in Iraq. We are defeating terrorists." In this case, however, it was US-installed Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi who made the claim.

Allies 'planned' Iraq war despite denials
The United States, Australia and Britain started to plan the invasion of Iraq months before the conflict, according to a report Wednesday quoting a leaked Pentagon document.

Hill primed for war!
Australian Caretaker Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Pearce Air Force base in Western Australia. Hill says $87 million would be spent on a major upgrade of the base, which is Australia's main flying training facility.

Annan tells world leaders to respect law
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan has made an impassioned plea to bring about the rule of law across the globe today. Mr Annan told world leaders to respect international law at home and abroad.

CO-OFFENDERS DO NOT REBUFF UN ON 'ILLEGAL WAR'
The 'coalition of the killing's' complicities - the US, Britain and Australia - have insisted that their countries' military action in Iraq was legal after they have committed war crimes against humanity.

Iraq war illegal, says Annan
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan says the United States decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 was "illegal". Australia was a key supporter of the war on Iraq and sent troops to join the United States-led invasion last year.

Opp calls for Cooperation: Rudd
Imron Cotan says 10 ambassadors and High Commissioners from South East Asian nations were told comments by Prime Minister John Howard about pre-emptive strikes were part of an internal debate and the idea was still being developed?

Defence people need to vote for the Greens
Caretaker Prime Minister John Howard will today unveil a plan to step up the fight against terrorism in the region, using specialist teams of Australian Federal Police (AFP) that could be sent to work in neighbouring countries.

Australia will not Save Your Soul
The Federal Government will not Save Australian Soul's? Even if you're an innocent bystander caught up in it. Despite a group claiming to have kidnapped two Australian security guards? The alleged group, which allegedly calls itself the Horror Brigades of the Islamic Secret Army, allegedly has given the Prime Minister John Howard 24 hours to end Australia's involvement in Iraq.

Trust John Howard like you can trust George Bush...
Once again Prime Minister John Howard unleashed his "politics of fear" to win his election campaign trying to scare ratepayers.

Apologise to children abused in care: report
A Senate report on children placed in institutional care has called for the Federal Government to apologise to those who were harmed by their experience.

Gillard stirs Liberal leadership pot
The federal Labor Party claims Peter Costello has relaunched his leadership bid, after the Treasurer gave a wide-ranging interview outlining his support for an Australian republic.

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.

Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes
Complaint to Australian law officers about Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes.

Don't rock the Boat Howard!
PRIME Minister John Howard today denied the children overboard affair had swayed the 2001 election? Mr Howard has spent the week defending himself against claims he had been informed that nobody in Defence believed children had been thrown overboard by asylum seekers.

Australia an unfair nation, say young and all!
Young people and older people think Australia is undemocratic and unfair. Young people cite their teachers as having the greatest influence on their political thinking, according to a provocative new national survey funded by the Government. Older people cite "injustice" amongst other things as a "bent legal system" favouring hi profiled superstars, corporations and politicians.

HOWARD'S LIE DETECTOR TEST
But most voters have already decided that former ministerial adviser Mike Scrafton has contradicted Mr Howard's recollection of conversations just days before the 2001 election and says he has been vindicated by a lie detector test.

Not happy, John
Valder's alarm whistle effort 'let love be thy weapon' indeed Prime Minister John Howard is also the subject of a stinging attack in a Sunday feature this week, from the man who first engineered his ascent to the Liberal leadership in the mid-1980s former party president John Valder.

Howard 'unfit to lead'
The Federal Opposition says John Howard is not fit to be Prime Minister after new revelations about the children overboard affair.

Howard's war crimes, Turnbull, at least he's honest
HIGH-profile Liberal candidate Malcolm Turnbull has told voters the Iraq invasion was "an unadulterated error".

Alexanda Downer guilty of war crimes!
The agreement for going to war on Iraq carried with it and incentive and that was free trade with the US. The Howard Government knew about it and went along with it with the US under the guise of Iraq's WMDs. In criminal law this is commonly know as collusion to commit a crime.

John Howard's war crimes blameworthy
General Peter Gration is the spokesman for a group of 43 ex-military leaders, diplomats and departmental heads who have criticised the Government, saying involvement in Iraq has put Australia at greater risk of a terrorist attack.

Auditor Generals damning defence report
The Defence Department computer system upgrade has cost Australia tens of millions of dollars in a gigantic bungle, according to the Federal Opposition. The Commonwealth auditor-general has issued a damning report into the project.

Court reserves decision on 'no war' protest appeal
Two men have asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to accept that they painted "NO WAR" on the Sydney Opera House, to defend people in Iraq and Australia from war.

PM's Fox Defence? Less the evidence?
The Fox went out on a chilly night. He prayed for the moon to give him light. For he had many a mile to go that night....

Australians to be sacrificed: Howard
Howard vowed hostages wouldn't sway policy? The Federal Government say they would not negotiate with terrorists if an Australian were taken hostage in Iraq.

PM Howard Morally Bankrupt
Prime Minister John Howard insists the war in Iraq was justified despite his British counterpart Tony Blair's concession that weapons of mass destruction might never be found.

Howard 'should be tried for war crimes'
Former Liberal Party federal president John Valder says Prime Minister John Howard should be tried and punished for war crimes over Australia's involvement in the Iraq conflict.

Troop deployment not a deepening of effort: Hill
Deploying an extra 30 troops to Iraq was not a deepening of Australia's involvement because they were being sent to protect those already there, Defence Minister Robert Hill said yesterday.

War on terrorism' could take a generation: Downer?
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has launched the Government's terrorism white paper, saying the "war" could take a generation.

JUDGEMENT: HOWARD'S WAR CRIMES
Howard Vs Regina in Canberra the Capital Territory of Australia- Friday January 30 2004.

'FACTOPHOBIA' HOWARD, BLAIR AND BUSH

Well think about this! Australia's intelligence agencies look set to receive a substantial funding boost in this year's Federal Budget, with the Prime Minister saying it is an obvious step to take.

Howard, where's your head at?
Australians living on the edge! Seems each time the bombs go off overseas Australians are living on the edge.

Should John Howard be locked up indefinitely?
Australian convicted mock terrorist John Howard is seriously considering appealing the precise time limit on detaining terrorist suspects.

Daily Terror rolled-over for Howard's war games
The DAILY TERROR is suspected of being the source of the news this morning that Willie Brigitte is a terrorist and that Sydney faces a bomb attack.

Tuesday, October 5, 2004

Family FIRST? Family LAST Party!

FAMILY FIRST DEATHGRAVE?

One of the great certainties of this election is that "Family First Party" debunked as the 'Family Last Party' when you take into account the party has won the preferences and conditional approval of caretaker [War criminal], Prime Minister John HoWARd.

But at the same time, struggling to throw off suggestions that it's closely linked to the Evangelical Assemblies of God Church and even more so as Howard's 2nd Neo-Liberal front.

Family Last the Evangelical Assemblies of God Church have made it known that this is the home of the 'religious right wing fanatics' who firmly believe and base their philosophy on having lots of $$$$$$$ money to be able to change the world.

Family First is a narrow-based, church party with a religious agenda and seeking to disguise itself as a broad-based, socially conservative party.

But the only broad base is its links to the Neo-Liberal Coalition.

The Assemblies of God Church, also linked to the Hillsong church famous for Church music and the political career of former pastor Andrew Evans.

Andrew Evens on the 7.30 report: " All I can tell you is I had a feeling and the feeling was there for 12 months."

Perhaps the same feeling that Dr David Millikan of the Hillsong church has gone on record saying? He thinks that he feels that Peter Costello has been destined by God to be the prime minister.

And I'm sure Andrew Evans feels that in his very being as well and is all too willing to convince those in his congregation of the same.

Andrew Evans: "I tried to push it away, I tried to get rid of it, but I had the feeling. And so one of the ways you understand whether you're doing the right thing or not - you knock on the doors and see if they open."

And in 2002 he knocked and the door to the South Australian Legislative Council opened.

THE HILLSONG'S ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF 'NEO-LIBERALISM'

The Hill-Songs Church are alive with the sound of neo-liberalism. With songs they have sung for for the Federal Election....

Then John HoWARd knocked on his door. Hello, Hello Mr Evans's. Nnock, knock, knock. Hello! Hello!

Andrew Evans became the first elected member of Family First but what does Family First stand for?

Andrew Evens: "Well, in a short way, we could say anything that helps the families, we'll support. Anything that hurts families, we will oppose. So, if they put bills up that are hurtful to families, we would say, "No, we're not interested."

Well doesn't that put HoWARd in Hell and the burning question no doubt?

That means more than half of Howard's policies should be opposed by Family First so how come they have a preference deal with the Neo-Liberal Coalition?

On Saturday, Family First will field 109 House of Reps candidates and 17 in the Senate and potently clear that Family First has something HoWARd wants?

What HoWARd wants? That's to appear wholesome to families when in fact that couldn't be further from the truth.

That said it appears that the major goal of the Family First party is to boost HoWARd's 'family last' aspirations in short they're the political enemy because they have taken their alleged Gods name in vain.

The party is well organised, and there's never a shortage of congregational volunteers on the ground. Where it gets even more thin-skinned is when it's called to answer questions about those who are behind it, those who drive its agenda.

Could those who drive its agenda be the Neo-Liberal Coalition?

Andrew Evens said, "We're just this little party that started off in 2002. People came to it. Obviously many of them were church people because of our values? They came to that, " he said.

"And because of my background - being in Assemblies of God - people came to it, but there's no connection in any shape or form." Believers?

There's no minute, no constitution document. We have no connection whatsoever and I made that very clear from the beginning."

But what about this?

A letter sent by Andrew Evans to all Assemblies of God pastors in NSW? It states: "Together we can support one another in a mission to protect family values."

It then quotes Family First Senate candidate Joan Woods proclaiming: "The time has come to influence our nation and change the course of history by being a member of the Family First Party." Joan Woods' husband Ian is the President of the NSW Assemblies of God.

Andrew Evens: "This letter was written by Ian Woods. He asked me to put my name on the bottom of it, which I did.

With his name on the letter he, calls on pastors to encourage membership, volunteers and donations. Evens ministered for that church for more than 30 years. So Family First is strongly connected to that church?

Andrew Evans is not the Federal face of Family First. His former assistant, Andrea Mason, a devout follower and an Aboriginal women will lead the Australian political party-similarly like the face of Condoleezza Rice is to the Bush administration 'a black illusion of decency.'

Andrea Mason says, " It's a big responsibility, I understand that. But I have a sense that it's important to not just be on the sidelines, but you've got to get involved and have an active involvement in the community and politics is a significant area to get involved with if you want to create real change for the community.

She is being used and that's not what a church should do to its congregation as well as give people more responsibility than they can handle.

Sounds like the dictator leading the devoted congregation and the only change if everyone believed it would be to undermine the community for the Neo-Liberal Coalition in HoWARd's war games and crimes against humanity.

House of Reps candidate Peter Robins launching his Adelaide campaign compares Andrea Mason to Winston Churchill how's that for entertainment.

The question is, are we supposed to laugh or cry at the antics of Australian politics today?

Despite all the hand outs on the platter handed round the Neo-Liberals know doubt! And all the good followers of the congregation, launching his Adelaide campaign that was full of empty seats and uneaten kabana It would seem Family First is still last and has lot of work to do to become Family First and a genuine player in Australian political life.

Over the last few decades we've seen a number of politicians and, indeed, religious figures who've stood for family values and stood for traditional values and then, in reality, been shown to have feet of clay on the issue.

So there's a bit of scepticism in the public when someone stands up and starts banging on with these values-based campaigns without any audience. Seen as just a political front for Howard the "rodent type's" scumbag political agenda.

Andrew Evens thinks they'll always be a minor party.

Andrew Evens: "I think we could have candidates in the Senate, which could be able to give some direction to where policies are going, but I can't see us ever becoming a major party and one of us PM."

Mind you he wasn't asked whether Pastor Peter Costello could fill that role for him by the 7.30 report.

7.30 report: "Not quite the loaves and fishes yet.

By Gifts and Religion 5 October 04

Related:

THE HILLSONG'S ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF 'NEO-LIBERALISM' The Hill-Songs Church are alive with the sound of neo-liberalism. With songs they have sung for for the Federal Election....

Costello, Howard's Disciple
JOHN HOWARD AND PETER Costello lost their vision for Australia from the time they were elected and embarked on a vision for the neo-Liberals.

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel?
Well praise the Lord the light is Hell bent here on Peter Costello, treasurer of the Howard Government who now has his own "flock" of onward Christian Soldiers.

Hill primed for war!
Australian Caretaker Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Pearce Air Force base in Western Australia. Hill says $87 million would be spent on a major upgrade of the base, which is Australia's main flying training facility.

Annan tells world leaders to respect law
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan has made an impassioned plea to bring about the rule of law across the globe today. Mr Annan told world leaders to respect international law at home and abroad.

CO-OFFENDERS DO NOT REBUFF UN ON 'ILLEGAL WAR'
The 'coalition of the killing's' complicities - the US, Britain and Australia - have insisted that their countries' military action in Iraq was legal after they have committed war crimes against humanity.

Iraq war illegal, says Annan
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan says the United States decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 was "illegal". Australia was a key supporter of the war on Iraq and sent troops to join the United States-led invasion last year.

Opp calls for Cooperation: Rudd
Imron Cotan says 10 ambassadors and High Commissioners from South East Asian nations were told comments by Prime Minister John Howard about pre-emptive strikes were part of an internal debate and the idea was still being developed?

Defence people need to vote for the Greens
Caretaker Prime Minister John Howard will today unveil a plan to step up the fight against terrorism in the region, using specialist teams of Australian Federal Police (AFP) that could be sent to work in neighbouring countries.

Australia will not Save Your Soul
The Federal Government will not Save Australian Soul's? Even if you're an innocent bystander caught up in it. Despite a group claiming to have kidnapped two Australian security guards? The alleged group, which allegedly calls itself the Horror Brigades of the Islamic Secret Army, allegedly has given the Prime Minister John Howard 24 hours to end Australia's involvement in Iraq.

Trust John Howard like you can trust George Bush...
Once again Prime Minister John Howard unleashed his "politics of fear" to win his election campaign trying to scare ratepayers.

Apologise to children abused in care: report
A Senate report on children placed in institutional care has called for the Federal Government to apologise to those who were harmed by their experience.

Gillard stirs Liberal leadership pot
The federal Labor Party claims Peter Costello has relaunched his leadership bid, after the Treasurer gave a wide-ranging interview outlining his support for an Australian republic.

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.

Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes
Complaint to Australian law officers about Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes.

Don't rock the Boat Howard!
PRIME Minister John Howard today denied the children overboard affair had swayed the 2001 election? Mr Howard has spent the week defending himself against claims he had been informed that nobody in Defence believed children had been thrown overboard by asylum seekers.

Australia an unfair nation, say young and all!
Young people and older people think Australia is undemocratic and unfair. Young people cite their teachers as having the greatest influence on their political thinking, according to a provocative new national survey funded by the Government. Older people cite "injustice" amongst other things as a "bent legal system" favouring hi profiled superstars, corporations and politicians.

HOWARD'S LIE DETECTOR TEST
But most voters have already decided that former ministerial adviser Mike Scrafton has contradicted Mr Howard's recollection of conversations just days before the 2001 election and says he has been vindicated by a lie detector test.

Not happy, John
Valder's alarm whistle effort 'let love be thy weapon' indeed Prime Minister John Howard is also the subject of a stinging attack in a Sunday feature this week, from the man who first engineered his ascent to the Liberal leadership in the mid-1980s former party president John Valder.

Howard 'unfit to lead'
The Federal Opposition says John Howard is not fit to be Prime Minister after new revelations about the children overboard affair.

Howard's war crimes, Turnbull, at least he's honest
HIGH-profile Liberal candidate Malcolm Turnbull has told voters the Iraq invasion was "an unadulterated error".

Alexanda Downer guilty of war crimes!
The agreement for going to war on Iraq carried with it and incentive and that was free trade with the US. The Howard Government knew about it and went along with it with the US under the guise of Iraq's WMDs. In criminal law this is commonly know as collusion to commit a crime.

John Howard's war crimes blameworthy
General Peter Gration is the spokesman for a group of 43 ex-military leaders, diplomats and departmental heads who have criticised the Government, saying involvement in Iraq has put Australia at greater risk of a terrorist attack.

Auditor Generals damning defence report
The Defence Department computer system upgrade has cost Australia tens of millions of dollars in a gigantic bungle, according to the Federal Opposition. The Commonwealth auditor-general has issued a damning report into the project.

Court reserves decision on 'no war' protest appeal
Two men have asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to accept that they painted "NO WAR" on the Sydney Opera House, to defend people in Iraq and Australia from war.

PM's Fox Defence? Less the evidence?
The Fox went out on a chilly night. He prayed for the moon to give him light. For he had many a mile to go that night....

Australians to be sacrificed: Howard
Howard vowed hostages wouldn't sway policy? The Federal Government say they would not negotiate with terrorists if an Australian were taken hostage in Iraq.

PM Howard Morally Bankrupt
Prime Minister John Howard insists the war in Iraq was justified despite his British counterpart Tony Blair's concession that weapons of mass destruction might never be found.

Howard 'should be tried for war crimes'
Former Liberal Party federal president John Valder says Prime Minister John Howard should be tried and punished for war crimes over Australia's involvement in the Iraq conflict.

Troop deployment not a deepening of effort: Hill
Deploying an extra 30 troops to Iraq was not a deepening of Australia's involvement because they were being sent to protect those already there, Defence Minister Robert Hill said yesterday.

War on terrorism' could take a generation: Downer?
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has launched the Government's terrorism white paper, saying the "war" could take a generation.

JUDGEMENT: HOWARD'S WAR CRIMES
Howard Vs Regina in Canberra the Capital Territory of Australia- Friday January 30 2004.

'FACTOPHOBIA' HOWARD, BLAIR AND BUSH

Well think about this! Australia's intelligence agencies look set to receive a substantial funding boost in this year's Federal Budget, with the Prime Minister saying it is an obvious step to take.

Howard, where's your head at?
Australians living on the edge! Seems each time the bombs go off overseas Australians are living on the edge.

Should John Howard be locked up indefinitely?
Australian convicted mock terrorist John Howard is seriously considering appealing the precise time limit on detaining terrorist suspects.

Daily Terror rolled-over for Howard's war games
The DAILY TERROR is suspected of being the source of the news this morning that Willie Brigitte is a terrorist and that Sydney faces a bomb attack.

Thursday, September 30, 2004

Potent strike into Howard's heartland before it's too late!

HOPE, urgency and Medicare Gold constitute Mark Latham's now formidable assault on The Lodge. In his first campaign launch Latham has unveiled a mega-initiative -- free hospital treatment, public or private, for all Australians aged 75 and over.

It is attractive and bold, a strike into John Howard's heartland and an admission that Mr Latham must penetrate the seniors' vote to win just like, war criminal, John Howard's strategy.

It is pure Whitlamism, free, universal, financially open-ended and based upon expanded powers of the federal Government. This helps Latham to reinforce his bid to make this election "a referendum on Medicare". And it signals the rise of Grey Power as a force that can make or break governments. The over-70s now total 1.7 million voters.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie warmed up the audience declaring: "It's very plain. John Howard is the past. Mark Latham is the future." Latham himself made it personal. "I'm ready to lead -- he's ready to leave," he said of Howard.

For the first time the candidate's wife spoke at a launch. Janine gave Mark her personal wrap and Mark said "Janine and the boys have taught me the power of caring, of our love and time together". Because "they have made me a better man", Latham, aged 43, was "in the prime of my life" for the top job. Unlike Howard.

Latham said the urgent need was for change. Now. He drew his message direct from the people and his themes were opportunity, responsibility and honesty.

"Unless we change now, it will be too late to save Medicare," he said. So Latham the reformer posed as the traditionalist. He wanted to restore bulk billing, improve the public hospital system and deliver for those aged 75 and over "the greatest extension in federal responsibility for hospital care in this country since the introduction of Medibank 30 years ago".

As he entered the Brisbane theatre Latham embraced his political father figure, Gough Whitlam, the original architect of Medicare.

Latham concentrated his firepower on senior citizens, the generation that should be treated with "honour and respect". He promised to index the pension quarterly for Australia's 3.5 million pensioners and offered a Grandparenting Allowance to assist with child-rearing.

Senior citizens are the generation that Howard bought in political terms.

At the same time hospital costs for the over 75s are typically a family affair. The political beauty of this policy is not just its pull for senior citizens, but its wider appeal to families whose budgets are stretched between education costs for a younger generation and health costs for an older generation. So Latham's initiative is targeted at the seniors demographic but also slots into his main theme of family budget relief.

The Latham launch was tighter and more focused than Howard's. He spent less and offered savings to fund his initiatives. He got his biggest cheer for his schools policy, declared he would help the US to "develop its true role of world leadership" and said nothing about withdrawing forces from Iraq by Christmas.

The independence of the ABC was also mentioned and an additional budget of 120 million to prevent governments like the Neo-Liberal Coalition from using the media giant for its own use.

By Paul Kelly & The Colored Girls 30 September 04

SO PUT YOUR LEFT FOOT FORWARD THIS FEDERAL ELECTION "WITHOUT FEAR" AND WITHOUT LIES" AND "WITHOUT TERROR" AND "WITHOUT BEING LOCKED UP ON SUSPICION" AND WITH EVERYONES ABC.

VOTE 1 THE GREENS, 2 THE DEMOCRATS AND 3 THE SOCIALIST ALLIANCE.

Written and authorised by the community.


Related:

Pension claims valid: Opposition
The Federal Governments secret agenda to cut pensions, including the disability and single parent payments while 'spending billions on military hardware' is just too much for most disabled people to accept.

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.

Democrats to keep up pressure over asylum seekers
The Australian Democrats will maintain their pressure on the next federal government over Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, if the party can retain its strength in the Senate.

AUSTRALIA: VOTING PREFERENCES
Greens Senator Kerry Nettel's reasoning: A vote for Labor or the Democrats in the Senate is now potentially a vote for right-wing Christian candidates is beyond rhetoric.

Glenn Million: Why Neo-liberals are set to implode (again)
AS if the Neo-Liberal Coalition didn't have enough trouble. A quick re-cap: under John Howard they embrace a GST - a move that eventually forces the Democrats and Greens against him. That's followed by a collective act of dictatorship they jail Pauline Hanson. They dump One Nation leaders in jail - as racist, unworthy and flawed - but above all criminal, right at the time when the Liberal party is running to the last election, and desperate to stay in power.

TIME TO GO JOHN SYDNEY PREMIERE...
I hope fully that some of you can make it to the Sydney premiere of TIME TO GO JOHN, 15 X 5min films by filmmakers from around the country Fabio & I produced A MOMENT OF SHAME, one of the segments. Hope to see you Wed night Sept 29th at 7.30pm.

THE HILLSONG'S ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF 'NEO-LIBERALISM'
The Hill-Songs Church are alive with the sound of neo-liberalism. With songs they have sung for for the Federal Election....

Community demands Ruddock voted out!
Caretaker Attorney General, war criminal, Phillip Ruddock should have his portfolio seized by the community who have declared he has links to terror group the Neo-Liberal Coalition.

Hill primed for war!
Australian Caretaker Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Pearce Air Force base in Western Australia. Hill says $87 million would be spent on a major upgrade of the base, which is Australia's main flying training facility.

Annan tells world leaders to respect law
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan has made an impassioned plea to bring about the rule of law across the globe today. Mr Annan told world leaders to respect international law at home and abroad.

CO-OFFENDERS DO NOT REBUFF UN ON 'ILLEGAL WAR'
The 'coalition of the killing's' complicities - the US, Britain and Australia - have insisted that their countries' military action in Iraq was legal after they have committed war crimes against humanity.

Iraq war illegal, says Annan
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan says the United States decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 was "illegal". Australia was a key supporter of the war on Iraq and sent troops to join the United States-led invasion last year.

Opp calls for Cooperation: Rudd
Imron Cotan says 10 ambassadors and High Commissioners from South East Asian nations were told comments by Prime Minister John Howard about pre-emptive strikes were part of an internal debate and the idea was still being developed?

Defence people need to vote for the Greens
Caretaker Prime Minister John Howard will today unveil a plan to step up the fight against terrorism in the region, using specialist teams of Australian Federal Police (AFP) that could be sent to work in neighbouring countries.

Australia will not Save Your Soul
The Federal Government will not Save Australian Soul's? Even if you're an innocent bystander caught up in it. Despite a group claiming to have kidnapped two Australian security guards? The alleged group, which allegedly calls itself the Horror Brigades of the Islamic Secret Army, allegedly has given the Prime Minister John Howard 24 hours to end Australia's involvement in Iraq.

Trust John Howard like you can trust George Bush...
Once again Prime Minister John Howard unleashed his "politics of fear" to win his election campaign trying to scare ratepayers.

Apologise to children abused in care: report
A Senate report on children placed in institutional care has called for the Federal Government to apologise to those who were harmed by their experience.

Costello, Howard's Disciple
JOHN HOWARD AND PETER Costello lost their vision for Australia from the time they were elected and embarked on a vision for the neo-Liberals.

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel?
Well praise the Lord the light is Hell bent here on Peter Costello, treasurer of the Howard Government who now has his own "flock" of onward Christian Soldiers.

Gillard stirs Liberal leadership pot
The federal Labor Party claims Peter Costello has relaunched his leadership bid, after the Treasurer gave a wide-ranging interview outlining his support for an Australian republic.

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.

Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes
Complaint to Australian law officers about Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes.

Don't rock the Boat Howard!
PRIME Minister John Howard today denied the children overboard affair had swayed the 2001 election? Mr Howard has spent the week defending himself against claims he had been informed that nobody in Defence believed children had been thrown overboard by asylum seekers.

Australia an unfair nation, say young and all!
Young people and older people think Australia is undemocratic and unfair. Young people cite their teachers as having the greatest influence on their political thinking, according to a provocative new national survey funded by the Government. Older people cite "injustice" amongst other things as a "bent legal system" favouring hi profiled superstars, corporations and politicians.

HOWARD'S LIE DETECTOR TEST
But most voters have already decided that former ministerial adviser Mike Scrafton has contradicted Mr Howard's recollection of conversations just days before the 2001 election and says he has been vindicated by a lie detector test.

Not happy, John
Valder's alarm whistle effort 'let love be thy weapon' indeed Prime Minister John Howard is also the subject of a stinging attack in a Sunday feature this week, from the man who first engineered his ascent to the Liberal leadership in the mid-1980s former party president John Valder.

Howard 'unfit to lead'
The Federal Opposition says John Howard is not fit to be Prime Minister after new revelations about the children overboard affair.

Howard's war crimes, Turnbull, at least he's honest
HIGH-profile Liberal candidate Malcolm Turnbull has told voters the Iraq invasion was "an unadulterated error".

Alexanda Downer guilty of war crimes!
The agreement for going to war on Iraq carried with it and incentive and that was free trade with the US. The Howard Government knew about it and went along with it with the US under the guise of Iraq's WMDs. In criminal law this is commonly know as collusion to commit a crime.

John Howard's war crimes blameworthy
General Peter Gration is the spokesman for a group of 43 ex-military leaders, diplomats and departmental heads who have criticised the Government, saying involvement in Iraq has put Australia at greater risk of a terrorist attack.

Auditor Generals damning defence report
The Defence Department computer system upgrade has cost Australia tens of millions of dollars in a gigantic bungle, according to the Federal Opposition. The Commonwealth auditor-general has issued a damning report into the project.

Court reserves decision on 'no war' protest appeal
Two men have asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to accept that they painted "NO WAR" on the Sydney Opera House, to defend people in Iraq and Australia from war.

PM's Fox Defence? Less the evidence?
The Fox went out on a chilly night. He prayed for the moon to give him light. For he had many a mile to go that night....

Australians to be sacrificed: Howard
Howard vowed hostages wouldn't sway policy? The Federal Government say they would not negotiate with terrorists if an Australian were taken hostage in Iraq.

PM Howard Morally Bankrupt
Prime Minister John Howard insists the war in Iraq was justified despite his British counterpart Tony Blair's concession that weapons of mass destruction might never be found.

Howard 'should be tried for war crimes'
Former Liberal Party federal president John Valder says Prime Minister John Howard should be tried and punished for war crimes over Australia's involvement in the Iraq conflict.

Troop deployment not a deepening of effort: Hill
Deploying an extra 30 troops to Iraq was not a deepening of Australia's involvement because they were being sent to protect those already there, Defence Minister Robert Hill said yesterday.

War on terrorism' could take a generation: Downer?
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has launched the Government's terrorism white paper, saying the "war" could take a generation.

JUDGEMENT: HOWARD'S WAR CRIMES
Howard Vs Regina in Canberra the Capital Territory of Australia- Friday January 30 2004.

'FACTOPHOBIA' HOWARD, BLAIR AND BUSH

Well think about this! Australia's intelligence agencies look set to receive a substantial funding boost in this year's Federal Budget, with the Prime Minister saying it is an obvious step to take.

Howard, where's your head at?
Australians living on the edge! Seems each time the bombs go off overseas Australians are living on the edge.

Should John Howard be locked up indefinitely?
Australian convicted mock terrorist John Howard is seriously considering appealing the precise time limit on detaining terrorist suspects.

Daily Terror rolled-over for Howard's war games
The DAILY TERROR is suspected of being the source of the news this morning that Willie Brigitte is a terrorist and that Sydney faces a bomb attack.