Howard government threatens academic freedom

As Peter McGregor noted in GLW #639, I recently resigned in protest from a committee of the federal government's National Health and Medical Research Committee (NHMRC) and called for a boycott by academics of government committees generally.

I believe the current attack on our universities by the Commonwealth government has gone too far for me to continue to serve on any of its committees. I therefore resigned from the NHMRC committee I was on and refuse to work for the NHMRC in any capacity.

Many academics sit on advisory committees to help the government devise policy on all sorts of things - health, agriculture, economic policy, etc. I am urging my academic colleagues across the country to join me in boycotting these committees.

In resigning I also attempted to draw attention to the fact that on two occasions while on the committee, to two separate academic members, I expressed concern that each had suggested that the committee needed to "cut its cloth" of its recommendations to suit what the government might find acceptable. One of these comments was prompted by the fact that I had suggested a heading for the discussion we had just had as "social justice"! When academic scientists sitting on such committees, instead of giving frank and fearless advice, begin to think in terms of what is palatable to government, we are in a sorry mess.

I do not blame the two committee members for what they said. The comments are, however, symptomatic of the problems we face in academia in retaining and practising academic freedom under this government.

I subsequently wrote to Professor Alan Pettigrew, the CEO of the NHMRC. In reply, Professor Pettigrew stated that I had implied that members of the NHMRC's committees had been "directed to tailor their advice and recommendations to suit political considerations". I had never implied such a thing.

The NHMRC deliberately misconstrued my reasons for resigning. By doing this, the NHMRC got themselves off the hook and failed to address the substantive issue that I was raising.

What is pleasing is the very considerable support I have received from fellow academics for my stand.

We do need to be vigilant today in defence of academic freedom. For example, I find it very worrying, indeed scary, that federal education minister Brendan Nelson was recently jumping up and down about the freedom of the University of Western Sydney to invite whomsoever they wanted to talk on their campus, in this case former Guantanamo Bay inmate Mamdouh Habib. Minister Nelson, commenting on a forum on war, terrorism and civil liberties organised by the UWS students, said that he would seek an explanation from the vice-chancellor over Habib's appearance.

According to an August 24 news.com.au article, Nelson stated: "When I saw the report of that ...I immediately got on to the vice-chancellor's office out there at the University of Western Sydney ...to find out what on earth is going on."

It is ironic that the meeting Habib spoke at was on, among other things, civil liberties. Nelson might have learned a few things had he attended.

I have to wonder how often government ministers contact university vice-chancellors to get this or that stopped or investigated. I have it on high authority (but not directly from the vice-chancellor) that Amanda Vanstone rang my vice-chancellor to get me to shut up (although about what I do not know - it could have been many things). I heard nothing of this from my vice-chancellor - he believes in academic freedom.

Presumably, however, such ministerial contacting of vice-chancellors does sometimes result in a vice-chancellor trying to curb academic freedom. This is such dangerous territory. We must watch with interest what the UWS vice-chancellor does or does not do in the wake of Nelson's inquiry into "what on earth is going on" at UWS.

By Gavin Mooney posted 9 September 05

[Gavin Mooney is professor of health economics, director of the Social and Public Health Economics Research Group at Curtin University in Perth and co-convenor of thhe WA Social Justice Network]

Green Left Weekly

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'A Nice Day Out' From Risdon Prison

Arranged for maximum-security prisoner 43637 Trustrum, Thomas Edward, by Justice Pierre W Slicer, Tasmania's Supreme Court human-rights an social-justice crusader.

(* quote from Supreme Court transcript 4 May 2005,page 36, para 40)

Prisoner Trustrum - age 73: At about 8am on my two nice days out arranged by former solicitor (now judge) Mr Pierre Slicer, on 4 May and 15 June this year, the yard-officer informed me that I was 'going to court'.

A 'yard' is a big wire cage containing about 40 cells and around 60-70 prisoners (half of the 3mtr-square cells are shared). There are six big wire cages altogether holding around 500 prisoners.

I was then marched form my cage by a guard, to what is called the 'reception centre', where prisoners ordinary cloths are stored in small' shoeboxes' for between 12-months and 30 years.

There is no similarity between Risdon prison's ugly little 'reception centre' and a real reception-centre on the outside.

Prisoners going on a nice day out to court or the Royal Hobart hospital can choose whether they wish to go in their prison track-suit and boots -- or in their crumpled suit and used shirt stored in their shoebox.

The big prison laundry is next to the ugly little 'reception centre' -- but prisoners are NOT ALLOWED to go on their nice days out in fresh, clean cloths.

Either way, you are then instructed to STRIP OFF and bend over, to allow your anus to be checked for concealed crowbars, cranes or helicopters. Your underpants and socks are 'shaken out' and your shoes or boots are peed in (correction -- peered in).

After you have dressed and stood upright again, you are handcuffed and bent over again to scramble and slither into the low prison van (without using your hands, because you are handcuffed) which takes you on your nice day out to court or hospital.

The inside of the small van is based on the design of a sardine-tin. The floor and two bench seats along each side are of shiny painted sheet-metal. There is nothing to 'hold onto' (even if you were not in handcuffs). This means prisoners are thrown around when the van is moving.

The sardine-tin usually carries three or four prisoners at a time on their nice days out to and from court -- but up to eight at a squeeze. The vehicle is also used for carrying sick or injured prisoners to and from the Royal Hobart hospital -- in handcuffs.

Once the guards have locked the bent-over, handcuffed prisoners in the sardine-tin, they get in the driver section; which is a separate compartment. This often causes prisoners anxiety as the guards cannot see or hear them -- and if the cheap old van were ever to collide and burst into flames, the prisoners would be BURNED ALIVE in handcuffs, as the fuel-tank is under their locked door!

(Prisoner Trustrum had noted on tv on several occasion after being jailed that prisoners and terrorists in Third World countries are often transported in small modern coachers. But in will obviously be many years before the Tasmanian government can afford the luxury Spirit of Tasmania Three ferry - which sails between Sydney and Tasmania mostly empty- and a small coach for Risdon's 500 prisoners.)

On arrival at court on your nice days out, you are marched to the cells below in your handcuffs and locked in, until your case is to be heard. Or you are marched through the Royal Hobart hospital (in handcuffs) if you are sick or injured. Or you are handcuffed to a stretcher or trolley.

After you nice day out in court or hospital, you are handcuffed and bent over again, to climb into the sardine-tin without using you hands (which are handcuffed) where you spend the next 20 minutes - or two hours if you are at Launceston - PRAYING that the old tin without springs will not collide with anything and burst into flames.

Eventually your nice day out in court or hospital in handcuffs, in a crumpled suit and dirty shirt, comes to an end as you arrive back at the ugly little 'reception centre' next to the big prison laundry.

Your crumpled suit and dirty shirt are thrown back in the shoebox again; ready for your next nice day out.

[Arranged by judge Pierre Slicer of the National Committee for Human Rights Education.]

Next -- prisoner Trustrum, 73, taken to Royal Hobart hospital. He is warned by mysterious visitor of plan by DPP Ellis - to kill him. Prison Governor Barber conceals the story.

By Just Us posted 27 July 2005

Related:

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Global Alliance for Justice Education: Regional Conference

We are writing to you as a member of Global Alliance for Justice Education (Australasia) to determine the interest in a regional conference to be held during 2006.

Background to GAJE

Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) (Australasia) is part of a worldwide organisation which brings together legal academics, law students, jurists, advocates and legal practitioners from around the world with the common goal of achieving justice through legal education. More information on GAJE can be found on its website.

Aims of a GAJE Regional Conference

There exists significant research and activity on social justice and legal issues in the Asia-Pacific region. However what is lacking is the opportunity for advocates, lawyers, students and communities to connect over these issues and develop new ways of working together. A GAJE regional conference can provide a forum where crucial issues can be discussed from a legal and social justice perspective.

We are currently in the early stages of planning and would greatly appreciate any thoughts you may have on possible conference themes. If you could complete the attached questionnaire and return it to us as soon as possible, that would be of tremendous benefit.

If you would like more information or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the Kingsford Legal Centre
Phone: +61 2 93986366 (Monday) or (Wednesday)
Email: a.hartree@unsw.edu.au

Yours sincerely

Anna Hartree Tina Lian & Melissa Chu
KLC Coordinator Student law clerks

GAJE REGIONAL CONFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Would you be interested in attending a regional GAJE conference? Yes / No

2. Are you able to assist with the organisation of a regional GAJE conference?
Yes / No

3. If you have attended previous GAJE Conferences, please provide us with some feedback. (e.g. strengths and weaknesses)
___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

4. What important social justice issues in the Asia Pacific region do you think
could be the themes for a regional conference? Eg
a. Immigration _________
b. Refugees _________
c. Anti-terrorism _________
d. Environment _________
e. HIV/AIDS _________
f. Womens rights -Violence against women _________
g. Indigenous justice _________
h. Taxation reform _________
i. Regional governance _________
j. Social security and welfare _________
k. Globalisation _________
l. Peace and security _________
m. Economic empowerment _________
n. Changing role of women _________
o. Other _______________________ _________

Please indicate your preference in the order of 1-5.

5. If a Conference was to be organised with a focus on the areas you have indicated above as your important issues, would you be interested to participate?
Yes / No

6. What would like to participate in during a Regional GAJE conference? (eg training, networking, debate and discussion, key note speakers
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

7. Please provide contact details of any other individuals or organisations who may interested in attending a regional conference?
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

8. Please indicate your preference for the location of the conference
a. Sydney _________
b. Melbourne _________
c. Brisbane _________
d. No preference _________
e. Other _________

9. Would you require assistance with any of the following to attend the conference:

a. Accommodation expenses Yes/ No
b. Travel expenses Yes/ No
c. Details of other assistance ________________________________

10. Any other comments?
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

By Anna Hartree, Tina Lian, Melissa Chu posted 26 April 05

Community Challenges in Justice

Punching on ones own like yourselves is soul destroying, we need a few friends. Keen to learn of your friends?

Professor of criminology at Victoria University, Philip Stenning, recently visited the Napier Public Library to view the Robson Collection, which is a special collection on criminal, restorative and social justice based on the philosophy of "developing communities not prisons".

Named after John Lochiel Robson (1909-1993), the collection was developed as a community initiative by the Napier Pilot City Trust, and it relies totally on donations from the community and around the world.

"I've had a fairly long association with John Robson himself, he is one of my predecessors, being the founding director of the institute of criminology where I'm now the director." says Philip.

"John's whole vision was that doing criminal justice too big a task for government and that the only way you can really achieve effective justice is by involving communities and embedding "the doing of justice" in the communities themselves."

He believes the Robson collection is a very significant element in what's happening here in Napier, because it represents an effort to provide a unique knowledge base from which the community can develop sensible community positions. 

"John Robson was very insistent 'that's it's not enough to have a community - it has to be a well-informed community", because the alternative to a contribution from the well-informed community is ill-informed and prejudiced vigilantism and the lynch-mob scenario."

Criminals have been called a lot of things over the years, including 'society's trash', and Philip analogises the disposal of rubbish to highlight his point. "The traditional idea of how we deal with rubbish is to collect it, put it in a rubbish bin and put it out on the street and then the city comes and takes it away.

Then you don't worry about what happens to it afterwards, or how much there is.

What we've come to realise now is that this is not an acceptable way to deal with rubbish because for a start the city doesn't have unlimited capacity to deal with rubbish, but more to the point, the environment doesn't have unlimited capacity to absorb and accommodate all that rubbish.

What we see in the environmental area is a whole lot of new initiatives and more effective ways to dispose of rubbish, but more importantly, more effective ways to prevent rubbish from accumulating in the first place.

We are seeing is an increased effort to require the community to take responsibility for the amount of rubbish it produces and what happens to it afterwards. In some ways we've treated crime and criminals in a very similar way in the past.

When a crime occurred, you'd call the police and expect them to take the person away and deal with it and you don't worry about it afterwards.

We've now realised that is not an effective way to deal with rubbish, and John Robson and others have been promoting is that this is an ineffective way to deal with crime and criminals.

We need think of new ways of dealing with this, and to persuade communities to accept responsibility, not just for dealing with it but for the generation of criminality in itself." He says we need to get people to recognise that criminality starts in the home, in the schools and in our institutions.

"Criminals aren't "out there", they're not "them", they're "us", and that's what the idea of community-based criminal justice and penal policy is all about, getting the citizenry to understand that the origins of criminality are within the community."

While some groups, like the Sensible Sentencing Trust for instance, could argue that this approach would absolve the criminals of responsibility, Philip says this is not the case.

"No, we're not doing that. After all, committing a crime is a choice, but it's a choice that is structured by the environment in which people grow up. If we want to reduce or prevent crime, we have to not only work on changing people's choices but also work on changing the underlying environment within which they make those choices."

He agrees it is not easy to solve the problem, which is often deeply rooted in particular lifestyles.

"For instance, take the kid who goes to school after a night of not much sleep because his parents have been fighting. He hasn't had breakfast, he can't learn on an empty stomach, he can't concentrate, he's falling asleep all the time, so he fails in school. And where does he end up?

He ends up in a criminal lifestyle. And you can treat that kid all you like, but unless you address the underlying problems that led him into that lifestyle in the first place then you're not solving the problem. 

It's a case of recognising that the roots of crime are in our own communities, they're in our own homes, they're in our own institutions, and we have to address those as well as dealing with the crime after the event. This is why the whole community needs to be involved, because the only people who can change those things are the community itself."

By Carolyn Veen posted 5 November 04
 
Photo: The John Robson Collection  

Related:

NSW Prisoners' linked to Osama Bin Laden: Ten News
NSW prisoners held in a "box within a box" with "no fresh air or sunlight" at the countries terrorist jail (HRMU) or High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre, (a super-max prison in NSW), are said to have followed Osama Bin Laden from their isolated cells.

Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
There used to be a (VJ) or Visiting Justice who would go into the prison and judge any claim or accusation that was made by any prisoner or prison guard. If it were found that a prisoner had offended then punishment was metered out.

A TOTAL ABUSE OF POWER
We the prisoners at the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre would like to ask you for help in receiving equal treatment and opportunities as other prisoners throughout the system. As we are told that we are not in a segregation unit but we are treated as though we are in one.

RIOT ACT READ AGAINST INSPECTION TEAM
The gates into the HRMU were blocked by over twenty five armed police. The Inspectors in charge, Greg Jago and Alan Whitten said access to the institution was being denied.

Rally for Inspection of Terror Unit, the HRMU
Letters from prisoners describe abuse which, is part of the system. Prisoners report that they are kept in isolation without cause, they are deprived of air to the point of near asphyxiation, they are kept in freezing temperatures, gassed with unknown substances, and deprived of natural light. There is medical evidence that they are self-harming due to the conditions.

Prisoner Abuse Not Just in Iraq
"The basic message of the study is that prisons are, basically, destructive environments that have to be guarded against at all times," he (Craig Haney) said. Regular training and discipline could keep prisons from degenerating into pits of abuse, but the vigilance had to be constant, with outside monitoring as well.

Conditions in the HRMU
Justice Action is trying to obtain documents on behalf of prisoners held in the Goulburn High Risk Management Unit (HRMU) from the Federal Attorney General's Department, Corrective Services Minister's Conference regarding the process described below, in which the Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia were adopted.

Message of Solidarity: Greens
No where is the problem more evident then in the High Risk Management Unit in Goulburn Jail. Like the "super-max" units in the United States the HRMU uses unsubstantiated claims of "risks" to justify what is often the unjustifiable - the segregation and isolation of human beings.

Doctor Ron Woodham I presume?
"Corrections Health staff provide medical care. However, its staff's authority is essentially limited to making recommendations to corrective services on treatment. Corrective services staff can then decide what treatment can be given."

Carr's Castle the real story H.R.M.U.The High Risk Management Unit Goulburn Correctional Centre. A prisoner writes, " I was unsuccessful in my letters to Dr Matthews CEO of the Corrections Health Service on my problem regarding air - claustrophobic effect the cells have on me. Just recently the management decided my injuries are not seriously affecting me so no further discussions are necessary.

NSW Terrorist Minister leads the way
New South Wales is hosting a two-day conference of state and territory prisons ministers on how to detain terrorists. John Hatzistergos and Bob Carr know all about it having the states most draconian terrorist unit already. The (HRMU) acronym Harm-U the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn.

On the treatment of prisoners at the NSW HRMU
Prisoners sister's letter from her brother: Following our phone conversation some weeks ago I would like to set out a few points on the treatment of prisoners in the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn (Super Max) (Guantanamo Bay).

Review of Justice Ministers claims about conditions at HRMU
There is no fresh air in our cells only Air conditioning pumped out of an 8 x 8-centimetre vent over our beds. Conditions change with filthy moods of the prison guards. Induction clothing "one set" mostly shorts and a prisoner remains there for two weeks depending whatever suits the staff. If a prisoner shuts up about the abuse, and freezing conditions (Goulburn cold in winter hot in summer taking into account you're housed in concrete) then you may go to units 8 or 9.

Watchdogs slaughtered in NSW
On Tuesday the Carr Government reduced transparency and accountability yet again and New South Wales is in danger of becoming entrenched with cronyism and intimidations with the Carr Labor Government that continues to slaughter the watchdogs.

The ruling class, capitalism and de-valuing the scholar
An example is the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre. " a box within a box" with no sunlight or fresh air. With no constructive education, hobbies or work for the prisoners. Extensive lock-downs and security rule the HRMU. Visitors have to pass a security test to gain access. Prisoners are chained and cuffed in leg-irons if they are to be moved. Prisoners are moved into a different cell every 14 days and the guards move their personal belongings.

Escape proof but not so the prisoners mind
Fewer prisoners escape from prison these days because they're "cemented in" by materials that do not break and by legislation that can keep prisoners in jail until they die.

PRISON CORRUPTION AT THE HRMU
Just lies! Powerful prisoners don't exist at the HRMU because of the security of the prison. So even when prisoners are dumped inside a concrete box that is inside a concrete box with no fresh air, no sunlight and no constructive work they are powerful? What about powerless. These prisoners are moved from their cells to another cell every 14 days and constrained with leg irons and cuffs, how are they powerful? Please explain!

Noble Cause Corruption
I am writing to you as I have been in segregation for a couple of weeks. I have had my "C1" minimum-security classification taken off me and replaced with an "A2" special management at Goulburn jail. I most definitely have not done anything to warrant such punishment.

PRISONERS OFFER OF RECONCILIATION
Premier Bob Carr, Deputy Premier Andrew Refshauge, Senator Aden Ridgeway,and other community representatives have been invited to receive the message from the men of "The Hole.

High Risk Management Unit (HRMU) INSPECTION
This letter is to request permission for an independent inspection team to examine the 75-cell HRMU at Goulburn Jail. The proposed inspection team consists of specialist doctors, jurists, members of the Corrections Health Service Consumer Council and prisoners representatives.

Stopping Violence
We had a TV program in NZ some time ago where a guy pointed out that it doesn't matter how long the sentence is sooner or later they will have finished their sentence and go back into society and therefore live next door to someone!

Abuse within prisons makes prisoners more violent upon release
The Australian public was confronted with similar accusations during 1978 when the NSW Royal Commission into Prisons headed by Justice Nagle found that the NSW Department of Corrective Services and its Ministers of both political persuasions had unofficially sanctioned the systematic brutalisation of prisoners at Grafton Jail from 1943 to 1976. A former Grafton prison guard, John Pettit, testified to the extent of that brutalisation:

Our very own Alcatraz
I heard voices from the Gatehouse. The clicking of handcuff ratchets. The noise heralded the arrival of the transfer escort. I looked around my cell for the last time my home since the summer of '71, when I was transferred to Grafton as an intractable prisoner.

Intractables
As an ex-Grafton intractable (1971-1975) and the only living ex-prisoner to have served the longest time inside Katingal (1975-1978) I feel qualified to offer the following personal observations:

Brett Collins: Speech to Nagle Symposium 25 years on
I was serving 17 years, was in segregation and had served five of the almost ten I eventually did. The prison movement outside had made the Royal Commission aware of the plight I was in as one of the prisoner organisers. That attention meant I was safer from that time on. Although two years later I was returned to Grafton with the classification of intractable.

Midnight Special
If you ever go to Goulburn HRMU yeah, you better walk right You'd better not breathe and sure thing better not fight.

The Long Trail to Apology
Native America: All manner of unusual things can happen in Washington in an election year, but few seem so refreshing as a proposed official apology from the federal government to American Indians - the first ever - for the "violence, maltreatment and neglect" inflicted upon the tribes for centuries.

Restorative Justice Practices
Restorative Justice Practices of Native American, First Nation and Other Indigenous People of North America. This is part one in a series of articles about restorative justice practices of Native American, First Nation and other indigenous people of North America. The series is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather a broad thematic overview. A related eForum article, "The Wet'suwet'en Unlocking Aboriginal Justice Program: Restorative Practices in British Columbia, Canada," can be read at:

PRISONERS' STRIKE
That the forms of restorative justice and mentoring that are so successful in reducing social unrest be adopted immediately, running parallel to imprisonment until the public feels safe without prisons.

Restorative Justice and the Law
To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe."-- Marilyn vos Savant.

Government justice not personal justice
Mr Brett Collins of Justice Action said, "Victims should be looked after properly by implementing restorative justice measures and victims should be compensated for their pain and suffering. " However prisoners are entitled to serve their sentences in peace and privacy as well."

Sentencing: Violent crime and practical outcomes
In addition introducing restorative justice programs giving the offender a chance to interact with the offended person if they wish and visa-versa. People are not "dogmatic" therefore should be given a second chance opposed to Life means Life!

Sentencing reform
Beyond Bars is making a submission (with a focus on alternatives to custody) to the sentencing council. "We should consider the alternatives which take into account victims' interests and involvement. Restorative justice. Also mentoring as a positive form of social support, coupled up to restorative justice (as the punishment) to satisfy those who demand it."

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.

Families worse off under Lib/Lab: Community!

The Old Australian Ways

The London lights are far abeam, behind a bank of cloud. Along the shore the gaslights gleam, the gale is piping loud; And down the Channel, groping blind, we drive her through the haze. Towards the land we left behind -- The good old land of "never mind", and old Australian ways.

A debate has erupted over exactly how many families would be better off under the Greens family morals package and the Democrats Lie Detector Test!

The narrow ways of English folk, are not for such as we; They bear the long-accustomed yoke of staid conservancy: But all our roads are new and strange and through our blood there runs... The vagabonding love of change, that drove us westward of the range and westward of the suns.

The Greens morals package includes truth, honesty, and ethics for all those families whether they earn any money or are on social security benefits.

The Democrats, as well, have a revamped lie detector test, which will not be means, tested for politicians on less than $200,000 a year.

The city folk go to and fro, behind a prison's bars. They never feel the breezes blow and never see the stars; They never hear in blossomed trees, the music low and sweet. Of wild birds making melodies, or catch the little laughing breeze that whispers in the wheat.

Two community morals crusader's McMillan and Wife say 100 per cent of families will be better off every week under the Greens morals package.

Mr McMillan said, we would be better off with politicians like Bob Brown, who we can trust.

"We're quite happy to have an argument about how overwhelming the majority of families are going to be better off under the Greens package -70, 80, 90, 100 per cent, that's a terrific debate to have."

Our fathers came of roving stock, that could not fixed abide: And we have followed field and flock, since e'er we learnt to ride; By miner's camp and shearing shed, in land of heat and drought. We followed where our fortunes led, with fortune always on ahead and always further out.

Mrs McMillan disputes Liberal figures and can only trust the ALP by a thin blue margin.

"A whole lot of Australian families will be worse off if we don't know the real facts or figures," She said.

The wind is in the barley-grass, the wattles are in bloom; The breezes greet us as they pass, with honey-sweet perfume; The parrakeets go screaming by, with flash of golden wing and from the swamp the wild-ducks cry, their long-drawn note of revelry, rejoicing at the Spring.

Community Activist Banjo Patterson says the Liberal lie fails to take into account community values.

"When you listen to, [war criminal], John Howard's lies and propaganda together with the spin from, 'hired corporate media' you don't know what the truth is."

 "Don't trust Lib/Lab they'll always fudge the figures and they've been caught out plenty of times," he said.

So throw the weary pen aside and let the papers rest. For we must saddle up and ride, towards the blue hill's breast; And we must travel far and fast Across their rugged maze, to find the Spring of Youth at last and call back from the buried past, the old Australian ways.

"What Lib/Lab say is not what you get when they are elected that's a fact we are all aware of," Banjo said.

When Clancy took the drover's track in years of long ago. He drifted to the outer back, beyond the Overflow; By rolling plain and rocky shelf, with stockwhip in his hand. He reached at last, oh lucky elf! The Town of Come-and-help-yourself, in Rough-and-ready Land.

Banjo said, "The community would be better off on a weekly basis, if you vote 1 the Greens, 2 the Democrats and 3 the Socialist Alliance and when you look at it on a yearly basis, we're better off," he said

And if it be that you would know, the tracks he used to ride. Then you must saddle up and go, beyond the Queensland side - Beyond the reach of rule or law, to ride the long day through. In Nature's homestead - filled with awe: You then might see what Clancy saw and know what Clancy knew.

Andrew Barton Paterson ('Banjo').

By Gregory Kable & Andrew Paterson 8 September 04

Work for the dole? $10.00?

StandUp! Wishes to draw your attention to a serious attack on all of us--work for the dole. We were assured that unemployed would not be forced to work in areas where employed workers would normally be employed. This has shown to be a lie! Under work for the dole, unemployed have been forced to carry out; concreting, tiling, landscaping, repairs, renovation, painting, gardening, nurses and teachers aid work.
 
Related:

PM may be hung in Parliament?
War criminal John Howard the rodent may be voted the worst Prime Minister in Australia's history and his portrait hung in parliament.

Major parties urged to reveal adequate climate change policies
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says the major political parties are yet to reveal adequate policies on climate change as they campaign for next month's federal election.

Brown won Australia's trust: poll
The latest Newspoll survey shows 55 per cent of voters think the Greens Leader Bob Brown can be trusted to tell the truth, while 1 per cent supported, [war criminal], Prime Minister John Howard and 23 per cent believe Opposition leader Mark Latham can be trusted.

RE: URGENT - Prisoner enrolment to vote!
Justice Action has been talking to the Australian Electoral Commission over the past three weeks about what steps were being taken to ensure that prisoners were given the opportunity to enrol to vote in the Australian Election on October 9.

Government selling us out!
The Federal Opposition says it now has proof the Government has been "playing politics" with the US free trade agreement (FTA), after the Trade Minister Mark Vaile admitted the future of the deal will not be affected by a change in government.

Govt's Hicks concerns an 'election stunt', says Brown
Greens Senator Bob Brown has accused the Federal Government of an election stunt with its questions to the United States authorities about the trial of "Australian Citizen" David Hicks.

Australian Community Newspoll
Oh! Did I forget a party or two? Well perhaps not! If Ch/9's Sunday program can pose the same question asking its viewers to choose between two other parties not listed above then I guess we can do the same? But that wouldn't be fair! So if you get the time here is another party to choose from:

Hostages' Ruddock's political capital
Scum of the earth, war criminal, Philip Ruddock exploits Russian hostages. The Opposition accused Philip Ruddock of using the terrorist crisis in Russia for tasteless political point-scoring.

Cheesed-off voter tells PM he's past his best
[War criminal], Prime Minister John Howard "Scumbo" has been visiting the marginal seat of Richmond on the New South Wales far north coast. It is held by the National Party's Larry Anthony by a margin of just 1.7 per cent.

Governance a misfortune to experience
As an employee with the Australian government agency Centrelink my job was to interpret Australian law to determine entitlements for Australian citizens.

Democrats call for improved accountability
The Democrats are calling for greater political accountability and protection of whistleblowers, in their first policy package of the election campaign.

Latham stands by Scrafton in children overboard affair
[War criminal], Prime Minister John Howard needs to apologise to Mark Latham over the children overboard affair! The Federal Government lies and John Howard's integrity is in the sewer after attempts to discredit a defence, [war], whistleblower over allegations he did not tell the truth before the last election.

Children overboard continues to haunt PM like the plague...
War criminal, John Howard's lack of integrity and morality will be under question "again" today after Labor seized on claims that a Liberal Senator called Scumbo Howard a 'lying rodent'.

Un-Australian Polling Pill Boosts Illusions
The Howard Government is a 'claw in the back' not "clawed back" with today's Newspill revealing the Coalition and the Un-Australian Newspaper are ready to pounce on the primary vote.

Howard 'Scumbo': Community
The community warned that the, [war criminal], Liberal Coalition was susceptible to what they described as a 'Scumbo' neo-Liberal agenda. Mr Truth said this included issues like children over-board, the illegal and degrading war on Iraq, and children in detention which some liberal politicians think, is normal.

Trust John Howard like you can trust George Bush...
Once again, [war criminal], Prime Minister John Howard unleashed his "politics of fear" to win his election campaign trying to scare ratepayers. Looking back it makes me shiver, don't be scared to kick the past, selling losers down the river.

Howard can't look back
War criminal, John Howard's election pitch to focus on future because Howard can't look back! Prime Minister 'Honest John' Howard, [?....], says he will use the election to outline his 10-year vision for Australia.

When the going gets tough, THE TOUGH GET GOING!
THERE is an air of hysteria about the election campaign that is unrealistic and misplaced. Unrealistic, because today's hot-button issues are SERIOUSLY likely to maintain momentum during the formal election campaign. Misplaced, because WAR CRIMINAL PRIME MINISTER JOHN HOWARD WON'T STEP DOWN.

PM LIES! AND THE LIBERALS ARE 'IMPLODING'
Hard yards paying off...Opposition Leader Mark Latham back at work yesterday after his short rest. The Community warned that John Howard's dishonesty would implode him and his own party at the coming election. A large majority of voters have said this issue will influence their polling booth choice; there is no doubt that the Prime Minister lied.

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.

Gillard stirs Liberal leadership pot
[War criminal], Peter Costello yesterday said that the Federal Government should aim to get all children out of immigration detention and he suggested there should be an increase in immigration levels.

Public wants accountability: Latham
Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham says the Prime Minister needs to take responsibility for what he has said to the Australian public. Earlier today Howard responded to a list of alleged lies that Labor says he has told during his time in office. The Opposition released a document on the weekend titled Truth Overboard outlining 27 alleged lies.

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.

Not happy, John
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'S LIE DETECTOR TEST: CHILDREN OVERBOARD AFFAIR
Prime Minister John Howard says voters will decide whether he has told the truth about the children overboard incident.

Children Overboard Affair: 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. A former federal ministerial adviser says he told Howard in the lead-up to the 2001 election that no children had been thrown overboard from a boat carrying asylum seekers in Australian waters.

'Refugees and Indigenous People in John Howard's Australia' Politician - Senator Aden Ridgeway, the only Indigenous Federal parliamentarian, visits Villawood immigration detention centre and is a vocal critic of current refugee and Indigenous policy. Senator Ridgeway will discuss the proposed abolition of ATSIC as well as current refugee and Indigenous policy changes being fought for by the Australian Democrats. Advocate.

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.

Human Rights Watch slams Iraq war attacks
Human Rights Watch has condemned the 'wanton' targeting of civilians by 'armed militants', in Iraq. Then what about the Coalition of the Killing?

Genocide and Torture in Iraq: Justice in the balance?
No one is more vulnerable than a prisoner held beyond the reach of the law. So the grim picture of life as a US detainee, [prisoner], held without charge or trial, set out in the Guardian yesterday by three Britons should come as no surprise.

Auditor Generals damning war 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.

Truck drivers working for US face death: resistance
A lot has been written about Insurgents they're all over the place these days especially in Iraq and the term means "Rebel" so all the Rebel's once they've been locked up and "tortured" become "Enemy Combatants" without any "rights". Can someone explain to me what is going on?

Ancient Babylon ruined by foreign troops: Iraqi minister
Iraq: Foreign forces in Iraq have caused severe damage to the site of ancient Babylon, one of the world's most renowned archaeological treasures, and need to leave the area as soon as possible, Iraq's Culture Minister Mofeed al-Jazaeri said.

UK report propaganda
Damaged basic services, cover up of key intelligence and prisoner abuse........They got that right but they got the remedy of the report wrong. Sure as hell they're using this as serious "propaganda".

Iraqis accuse British troops of war crimes.........
British troops committed "war crimes" in post-war Iraq, unlawfully killing civilians and beating and torturing prisoners in their custody, lawyers for the victims have alleged. Soldiers played cruel "games" with prisoners, forcing them to recite lists of English or Dutch footballers and beating them if they failed, Phil Shiner, a British lawyer leading six test cases in the High Court this week, said.

Fifteen "resistance" killed in Iraq shootout
The US military said insurgents opened fire on Iraqi security forces as they provided security for the 1st Infantry Division during a raid in a nearby farming area.

US:Military Draft expected
US: There is pending legislation in the House and Senate (twin bills: S 89 and HR 163) which will time the program's initiation so the draft can begin at early as Spring 2005 -- just after the 2004 presidential election. The administration is quietly trying to get these bills passed now, while the public's attention is on the elections, so our action on this is needed immediately.

US accused of butting into Australian election
The Prime Minister, war criminal, John Howard couldn't win an election this year if he hired the cheerleaders of the US Super Bowl. Howard the coward has accused the Opposition leader of hypocrisy in his response to the, war criminal. Bush administration's criticism of Labor's Iraq policy.

Whatcha Gonna Do, When They Come For You? Bad boy!
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was a threat and sought to possess weapons of mass destruction, United States President, [war criminal], George W Bush reaffirmed when asked why no such weapons had been discovered in Iraq.

Saddam trial US propaganda
Saddam will be handed over to Iraqi, [puppet], justice on Wednesday, two days after the country allegedly regained sovereignty from Washington, but US militants will still guard him to ensure he does not escape.

US liars warn against 'fortress Australia'
The US and Australia could lose the war on terror, [the Coalition of the Killing's resource war's in the Middle East], if they adopted a fortress mentality and failed to go after the terrorists, [scapegoats and patsies], in their global strongholds, US ambassador to Australia Tom Schieffer warned yesterday.

Fahrenheit 9/11: Cannes ends in controversy
Moore's film - about the, [war criminal], George Bush presidency and its response to, [US reichstag, call to arms, false flag], 9/11 and the subsequent, [resource], wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - pulls no punches in depicting George W. as a duplicitous buffoon.

George Bush never looked into Nick's eyes
My son, Nick, was my teacher and my hero. He was the kindest, gentlest man I know; no, the kindest, gentlest human being I have ever known. He quit the Boy Scouts of America because they wanted to teach him to fire a handgun. Nick, too, poured into me the strength I needed, and still need, to tell the world about him.

IRAQ: CPT Colleagues Describe Massacre in Fallujah
What is portrayed in the US mass media as a grand and heroic firefight is,in reality, the crassest, goriest, and basest single incident of massacre of innocents by US troops in recent memory.

Lose the Occupation and Win the War on Liberty!
Friendly allies do pull militants out of illegal battles, believe it or not, under the heading, lose the battle and win the war. In this case it's lose the Occupation and Win the War on Liberty.

Spain demands 'radical change' in Iraq strategy
Spain's prime minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has demanded a "radical change" in the post-war strategy in Iraq otherwise he would withdraw Spanish militants from the country.

'FACTOPHOBIA' HOWARD, BLAIR AND BUSH
Well think about this! Australia's intelligence agencies, [fear mongering, propaganda 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.

US to increase Iraq border security in Iraq
Just plain rubbish, the USA are the terrorists and are dividing and conquering Iraq, by attacking the Shiite Muslims and blaming it on someone else another "A" typical false flag operation.

Halliburton's Ancient Scandals
In the world of corporate scandals, the story breaks, there is a frenzy of reportage, a culprit in the lower levels of upper management is thrown to the SEC and then, slowly, the story dies.

Missile defence program 'will lead to arms race'
A group of Australian doctors opposed to war is warning national security will be compromised by any proposed involvement in the United States' missile defence program 'Son of a bitch'..

Pope calls for sanctions on leaders who violate rights
Leader of the child molesters, Pope John Paul II has called for political leaders who violate human rights to be punished, in a World Day of Peace message released amid worldwide debate over how Saddam Hussein should be brought to justice.

War criminals should be tried: Human Rights
The UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague should try George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard for their part in the coalition of the killing for crimes against humanity.

Who cares wins? Those who inflict or those who endure?
When occupation means war then who cares wins? Not those who can inflict the most, but those who can endure the most, I would have thought.

Coalition of the Killing's alliance against law 'the wrong way'
Australia and Britain [and the Coalition of the Killing], could have agreed that the [resource], wars on Afghanistan, Iraq, and liberty, the proliferation of Security Housing Units, and Detention Centres, can be addressed unilaterally - a trend in the US that is feared all over the world - but must be faced collectively.

A STRUGGLE ON TWO FRONTS: PRISONS & IMPERIALIST WAR
After a war waged by the U.S. military against Vietnam which took the lives of more than 3 million Vietnamese people and more than 58,000 GIs, the U.S. finally withdrew in 1975. It had suffered its first official major military defeat by a united people struggle led by the Vietnamese, along with a mass U.S. anti-war movement.

Police surround protesters outside US Embassy
Thousands of protesters have marched to the Lodge to protest against [war criminal], US President George W Bush's visit. The protesters had rallied outside Parliament House, booing when the president arrived this morning and chanting "go home Bush you war criminal".

David Burchell: Paradox of anti-Americanism
[War criminal] President George W. Bush's trip to our shores today has focused attention on a striking fact - the apparently irresistible rise in hostility among many Australians towards the US.

Pilger said White House knew Saddam was no threat
Australian investigative journalist John Pilger says he has evidence the war against Iraq was based on a lie which could cost George W Bush and Tony Blair their jobs and bring Prime Minister John Howard down with them.

Illegal and degrading war crimes: Society on the New World Order (OWN)! While Australia and the US are very distinctive societies war criminal, Prime Minister John Howard and war criminal, President George Bush share core values.

Thousands march for peace! But does that mean no war?
THOUSANDS of people took to the streets around the country yesterday to march against the war in Iraq and for world peace.

US disturbed over 'biased' reporting in Arab media! But the US lies to the world! How could anyone describe pre-emptive strikes on a sovereign nation, occupation, genocide, torture, and human rights abuse by the Coalition of the Killing in a positive light?

Coalition force 'surprised' by stiff resistance for food aid
About 4,000-5,000 allied forces have launched what they vowed would be an all-out blitz. "We're going straight through that city," a US Marine officer, who asked not to be named, said. "It will be a Hail Mary with guns ablazing."

Explosions rock Baghdad, jets overhead Iraq
BAGHDAD, March 20 [Rooters] A handful of explosions rocked Baghdad at dawn today as jets roared overhead, Iraqi anti-aircraft batteries opened up and air raid sirens sounded.

Bin Laden calls? CIA blind man's bluff!
A [US propaganda, fear-mongering] taped message purportedly from Osama bin Laden has warned Arab nations against supporting a war against Iraq but has branded Saddam Hussein an infidel.

U.S. AMBASSADOR WARNED TO STOP MEDDLING:
The Australian Federal Opposition and Labor Party Leader, Simon Crean, has again warned the U.S. ambassador to stop meddling in Australian politics.

War: Part one The human cost
On the road to Basra, ITV was filming wild dogs as they tore at the corpses of the Iraqi dead. Every few seconds a ravenous beast would rip off a decaying arm and make off with it over the desert in front of us, dead fingers trailing through the sand, the remains of the burned military sleeve flapping in the wind. "Just for the record,'' the cameraman said to me. Of course. Because ITV would never show such footage.

Mandela speaks out against Bush, Blair
Former South African leader Nelson Mandela has lashed out at US President George W Bush's stance on Iraq, saying the US leader has no foresight, and cannot think properly.

All the way with (LPK) Love Peace and Kindness: Dalai Lama
Communication is a two way street. Threats and punishment solve nothing and serve none. In fact it is against the law in most countries to threaten or punish a person.

Pleas for peace ring the globe
Anti-war demonstrators turned out in their hundreds of thousands around the world on Saturday to protest against United States military preparations for an invasion of Iraq.

Not too late for Iraq peace, Blix says
But we all know that's rubbish now. The Coalition of the Killing were not seeking WMD in Iraq, they were there for their resource wars. So who gave the 'UN' and Blix the wrong information back then? War criminals!

George Bush's other poodle
John Howard, Australia's PM, is the mouse that roars for America, whipping his country into war fever and paranoia about terrorism within.