ARTIST: Liza Adamczewski (Wales UK)
This blog is open to any who wish to comment on Australian society, the state of the environment or political shenanigans at Federal, State and Local Government level.
Birchgrove Legal is a law firm based in Australia, specialising in servicing the needs of organisations from not-for-profits, small & medium enterprises to multi-national corporations.
On 26 November 2024 the law firm released the following media release:
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton Faces Group Legal action over Gaza Remarks and Incitement of Hate
25 November 2024
A representative legal action has been lodged against Opposition Leader Peter Dutton under Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act, accusing him of discrimination and inciting racial hatred through his remarks and social media commentary on Gaza and Palestinians.
The action, filed with the Australian Human Rights Commission by Birchgrove Legal, represents Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim communities in Australia.
Led by Professor Peter Slezak, an Australian Jewish academic and Palestinian advocate Nasser Mashni, the action accuses Dutton of dehumanising Palestinians, Muslims, and Jews, while stigmatising Australians who support Palestinian rights.
The legal action states that Mr Dutton’s comments contradict Australia’s obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute, particularly in relation to preventing genocide and protecting refugees.
Additionally, the legal action states that Mr Dutton’s public comments have led to increased vilification of Palestinians, including targeted harassment and hate crimes against peaceful protesters intimidating Jewish and other Australians supporting the Palestinian rights movement.
Principal Solicitor at Birchgrove Legal, Moustafa Kheir, said Mr Dutton’s words had normalised anti-Palestinian hate and dehumanising rhetoric.
“Mr Dutton’s pattern of spreading disinformation to justify the demonisation and oppression of a people facing plausible genocide is not only in poor taste, but a violation of human rights,” Mr Kheir said.
“This legal action seeks to ensure that political leaders are held accountable for their words and actions, and that we are all prescribed to the same judicial system despite our cultural background, privilege or faith.”
Among the 22 incidents, the key allegations against Mr Dutton include:
1. Misleading Claims About Palestinian Nakba survivors seeking refuge in Australia: In August 2024, Dutton claimed the Australian Government was jeopardising national security by granting almost 3,000 tourist visas to people from Gaza, which he labelled a “terrorist-controlled” zone. He also shared a misleading graph that sparked anti-Palestinian sentiment. Dutton’s insinuations that the Albanese Government’s actions were politically motivated to appease Muslim voters were reflected in hostile public responses.
2. False Claims and Propaganda: Dutton is accused of amplifying discredited far-right claims, including false Israeli propaganda about beheaded babies, and repeating debunked stories about Australian protesters allegedly shouting, “gas the Jews.” NSW Police had dismissed the latter claims, but Dutton failed to retract or apologise for spreading them.
3. Encouraging Violence and Deportation: The legal action highlights Dutton’s calls for “no restraint” in Israel’s military actions against civilians in Gaza and deporting pro-Palestinian protesters from Australia.
4. Disparaging Muslim Candidates: Dutton’s comments about Muslim candidates in federal parliament being a “disaster.”
5. Atrocity Denial: Dutton is accused of engaging in ‘atrocity denial’ by failing to acknowledge Israel’s disproportionate killing of civilians and unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.
Professor Slezak said it was abhorrent for a national leader to engage in such divisive public commentary fully understating the racial tensions it could breed.
“Mr Dutton is using the same ‘security threat’ language against Palestinians that was once used to demonise Jewish people before the Holocaust—and worse, he claims to do this in our name,” Mr Slezak said.
“Like many Jewish Australians, I grieve the atrocities Israel is committing against Palestinians and we will not be intimidated into silence.
“Statements that dehumanise any group of people, including Palestinians, must be challenged. All parties responsible must be held accountable for statements that dehumanise certain groups and fuel division, including Palestinians, whose suffering deserves recognition.”
Mr Mashni also condemned the harm caused by Mr Dutton’s comments citing the gross dehumanisation of Palestinians and Palestinian Australians undermined international law.
“On one side, we have a government refusing to impose sanctions, and on the other, an opposition leader encouraging Australia to flout international law and withhold empathy to the human suffering occurring,” Mr Mashni said.
“Our community urgently needs Australia to take a firm stand against Israel’s ongoing genocide, which will only end with sustained international pressure.”
The legal action requests a public apology from Mr Dutton and rectifications and compensation for affected communities.
If the Commission does not resolve the matter, applicants may pursue a Federal Court action on the same grounds. Law suits cannot be brought directly to Court under the Racial Discrimination Act and must start in the Australian Human Rights Commission.
ENDS
NSW Government, media release, 25 November 2024:
Consumers urged to choose quality batteries this sale season after record number of fires
Published: 25 November 2024
Released by: Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Environment and Heritage
Listen [to media release at https://vtdnntts-oc.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/vtapi4/9cad164f00c172d8a99da9e62c2f890c.mp3]
The NSW Government is warning consumers about the potential dangers of buying poor quality lithium-ion battery powered products as gifts this holiday season, which may pose a fire risk.
The warning comes amid fears that substandard lithium-ion battery powered devices may flood the market during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other pre-Christmas sales ahead of new regulations coming into effect next year.
New data reveals there have already been a record 275 battery-related incidents so far this year, surpassing last year’s record number (272). Small portable devices have accounted for the most incidents in 2024 (94), while there have been 86 fires involving e-micromobility devices.
If a lithium-ion battery overheats uncontrollably, it can release flammable and toxic gases in a process called ‘thermal runaway’, which can create fire and explosion hazards. The risk of thermal runaway is higher in batteries that are damaged, overcharged or exposed to high temperatures.
In a campaign launched today, the NSW Government is calling on people to shop, charge and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely, unveiling a new consumer warning video and a central website for people to visit when seeking information on lithium-ion products.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has developed a video to demonstrate how ‘thermal runaway’ can occur, featuring power tool batteries catching fire in a living room.
The NSW Government is urging shoppers to be vigilant and undertake safe charging and disposal practices with lithium-ion battery products.
Today’s warning follows the Minns Labor Government’s mandatory safety standards for lithium-ion battery-powered e-micromobility products announced in August, which will require e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards to meet new testing, certification, and marking requirements.
These NSW Fair Trading product safety standards are intended to curb the fire risks associated with lithium-ion e-micromobility devices by ensuring low quality and dangerous versions of these products cannot enter the market and be sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Retailers, manufacturers and suppliers will face fines of up to $825,000 for not complying with the new safety standards, which will be introduced in a staged process from 1 February 2025.
A nation-first Information Standard will also be introduced to provide consumer advice and warnings on fire and electrical safety, product storage, road rules and disposal of e-micromobility products.
Communities are being reminded that batteries do not belong in household garbage bins, where they can spark fires in garbage trucks and waste facilities.
Lithium-ion batteries can be disposed of at a range of dedicated recycling drop-off points, including many retail outlets and supermarkets. Products with embedded batteries, like an electric toothbrush or portable speaker, can be safely disposed of at 21 Community Recycling Centres across NSW.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
“The increase in battery related incidents is serious and concerning, so we’re working across government to address the risks posed at all stages – from purchase to use and disposal.
“Don’t throw batteries out with your household rubbish. If not disposed of properly, they can cause intense, dangerous fires which put others in harm’s way, including our garbage truck drivers.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“Lithium-ion batteries are an important part of the transition to alternative energy and technologies. But we must be aware of the safety risks and how to use these batteries safely so consumers can enjoy the festive season without an emergency visit from Fire and Rescue NSW.
“It’s not just micromobility products like e-bikes and e-scooters that cause lithium-ion fires, it can be devices you don’t expect like electric toothbrushes, shavers, vacuum cleaners, portable chargers and power tools that are contributing to these fires in NSW.”
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Our primary focus is making sure consumers are protected so please be careful when purchasing lithium-ion battery products and keep an eye out for Christmas sales that appear too good to be true.
“With the Christmas shopping period upon us, we want to ensure that everyone is buying safe lithium-ion battery products.
“Don’t skimp on quality and safety. Check the ACCC Product Safety website to see if there’s an active recall. Make sure the batteries don’t show signs of damage and check for standards labelling. If you’re uncertain about a lithium-ion battery product’s quality, don’t take the risk.”
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:
“If these batteries are allowed to overheat, or become damaged or compromised, they can cause an explosive chain reaction.
“These devices are powered by an array of batteries. If they enter that ‘thermal runaway’ process, they can spew a cloud of toxic gas inside your home and violently explode, resulting in an intense fire.
“There’s an additional risk when an unrelated fire breaks out in a home and then consumes lithium-ion battery devices, which can intensify the blaze and make it extremely difficult to extinguish.”
Sydney mother Kirsty Stead said:
“I shudder to think how my son charged his bike in his bedroom every night, as he slept.
“I urge all parents to take precautions and try to charge Lithium-ion devices, like e-bikes, in safe areas. Outside if possible.”
Byron Bay’s iconic yellow Waverider buoy IMAGE: water.dpie.nsw.gov.au |
On 4 November 2024 Manly Hydraulics announced that the Byron Bay Waverider buoy had been damaged and was unable to transmit data to the shore station and, a replacement buoy was to be deployed as soon as possible.
It is expected that the Byron buoy will be redeployed this week to rejoin the six other buoy sites off the NSW coast continuously live monitoring deepwater wave conditions. Which in turn allows the forecasting of nearshore wave height and direction, as well as supplying an overview of swell height and direction along most of the state's 2,137 kms long coastline.
IMAGE: researchgate.net |
After the Supreme Court set aside a Minns Government decision to cut off access to Newcastle Harbour in an effort to prevent a four-day climate protest, NSW Police were left trying to herd cats on port waters for most of Sunday, 24 November 2024.
The result was that thousands of people of all ages answered Rising Tide's call for a peaceful protest at what is said to be the world's largest coal port and shipping was disrupted as planned.
Here's how the Newcastle Protestival went down from the perspective of police, protestors and media.
The Canberra Times, 24 November 2024 |
🚨 Breaking 🚨 Protestors declare victory blocking Newcastle Coal Port. Arrests made. pic.twitter.com/mtFWjg1pL9
— RisingTideAustralia (@RisingTideAus) November 24, 2024
Over 100 people arrested in Port of Newcastle
Sunday, 24 November 2024 12:47:08 PM
Police have arrested over 100 people as a police operation continues in the Port of Newcastle.
Just after 10am today (Sunday 24 November 2024), a large group of people entered a shipping channel and interfered with the movement of vessels.
138 people have now been arrested after refusing to comply with a direction to move away from the channel.
The police operation is ongoing.
For their own safety and that of the other users of the port, police request that people refrain from entering the harbour with the intention to obstruct other users of the port. We also encourage all participants to follow the directions of police.
The community is reminded that under NSW legislation, the safe passage of vessels is protected. Unlawful activity may result in fines or imprisonment.
The NSW Police Force will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMNwXVEeiRY
Charges laid as police operation continues - Port of Newcastle
Sunday, 24 November 2024 06:20:26 PM
170 people have been arrested this weekend over the disruption of a major facility and failure to comply with marine safety directions in the Port of Newcastle.
Yesterday (Saturday 23 November 2024), two men and a woman were charged with not comply with direction by authorised officer relating to safety.
Just after 10am today (Sunday 24 November 2024), a large group of people entered the shipping channel and presented serious safety risks to themselves and others, causing significant disruptions to the operation of the harbour.
156 adults and 14 youths have now been charged in total - 138 with disruption of a major facility, and 32 with not comply with direction by authorised officer relating to safety. Two were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Monday 24 November 2024).
34 people were required to be retrieved from the water during arrests, ten people required assistance from police to return to shore, and one police officer suffered a fractured ankle.
Unrelated to activities in the water, there were numerous traffic infringements issued, and a further five charges were laid.
Despite disruptions, the harbour remains open and continues to operate with 31 shipping movements over the weekend since Friday (22 November 2024).
The police operation is ongoing.
The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community and there will be zero tolerance for illegal and dangerous behaviour.
Andrew George, 35, from the Lismore area in the Northern Rivers region was charged with two offences, including seriously disrupting a major facility and operating a vessel as to interfere with others use of waters, before being released on bail.
ECHO, 25 November 2024:
Police minister condemns protesters
Minister for Police Yasmin Catley has released a statement on behalf of the government thanking police for protecting public safety and condemning arrested protesters.
Minister Catley has described as reckless the behaviour of those she says think it ‘acceptable to waste critical policing resources and endanger officers with self-serving stunts’ and ‘irresponsible theatrics’.
GRAPHICS: @RisingTideAus |
White Donkey Orchid 2012 - usual colouring
https://beyondeyelevel.smugmug.com/Flowers/Wild-Orchids-of-the-Yuraygir-N
Clarence Valley Independent, 20 November 2024:
November 20, 2024 -
VOICES FOR THE EARTH
Significant excitement was generated earlier this month when a sharp-eyed member of the public spotted a mostly white Donkey Orchid. His inquiries led to experts believing this is a new species.
All orchids and other collectable or merchantable native plants in NSW, like ferns, Grass Trees etc are protected under the National Parks and Heritage Legislation Amendment Act, so these handful of plants are protected.
However, they were growing in a relatively public location, meaning there is a chance of their being accidentally trampled, or worse, being dug up by some unscrupulous collector. As a result, the location, as with most rare plants, especially collectable species are usually kept secret.
I must add that the majority of orchid ‘enthusiasts’ do the right thing which, unless the plant is listed as threatened under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act, is only a matter of paying a modest fee for a permit.
There are 568 native plants listed as threatened under the Act and protected accordingly, which leads us to the hypothetical possibility that, because these new orchids aren’t listed as threatened, that handful of plants could be legally dug up under a standard collectors’ permit.
The problem is, it’s not just newly discovered species that are missing out on protection, there are literally hundreds of rare species facing extinction today, simply because nobody has done the research and work required to nominate them for protection.
Before declaring a species as threatened, the NSW Scientific Committee needs to see credible evidence that the nominated species is under threat of extinction. They need to know the extent of populations and the threats they face, which can be costly and time consuming.
Anyone can make a nomination, there is no one person, organisation, or government department charged with doing this research. The problem for new species is they first need describing and details published in a reputable journal before a nomination can be considered, and all that takes time and money.
A dedicated rare species assessment team, charged with doing that work, would be great.
John Edwards
Australian White Finger Orchid 2021 IMAGE: Peter F Williams @pfwaus |
Still some amazing diversity in the roadside orchids near Mallacoota, VIC at the start of Nov. with good numbers of beard and onion orchids out, the occasional large duck and the last few spotted sun orchids finishing up. Not bad for a fairly dry spring ... #orchids #ozplants pic.twitter.com/2mTlZVXhWP
— Silver Dory (@thesilverdory) November 16, 2024
From a couple of weeks ago in the #PerthHills, some Blue Lady Orchids (Thelymitra crinita). These lovely #orchids have finished flowering now and have hopefully set seed #biodiversity #ozflora #ozplants #WildOz pic.twitter.com/IXabi7XQVl
— WA Orchids (@wa_orchids) November 3, 2024
Atlasof Living Australia, Cane Toad Occurrence records map, Family Bufonidae, est 38,038 records 1990-2024
ABCNews, 23 November 2024:
When Rick Ensby spotted cane toads on his Woodford Island property, he was quick to call the local Clarence Landcare group.
The Woodford cattle grazier said a control officer spent nine days removing adults and metamorphs from the area.
"It had a massive effect on the number of cane toads for quite some time after," he said.
But several years later the notorious invasive pests are back in "huge numbers", despite the best efforts of Mr Nesby and his wife.
"We both work and we work the farm as well and it's quite time-consuming to go on an emu parade every night," he said.
"We definitely will do that because cane toads are quite [poisonous] to native animals and birds that we're a little bit attached to that live around the place.
"We grow hay and we don't want [cane toads] getting wrapped up in our bales of hay and possibly transported elsewhere."
But this time Clarence Landcare was only able to offer Mr Ensby collection buckets and handbooks as Local Land Services NSW (LLS) has discontinued control funding.
Funding redirected to studies
The NSW Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone shows areas in green where cane toads have become established. (Supplied: NSW Department of Primary Industries)
The Ensbys' property was previously in a DPI Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone, which meant all cane toad sightings had to be reported.
But that classification, made in 2017, has now expired.
LLS team leader for invasive pests, Dean Chamberlain, said field surveys were being conducted to determine the cane toad's range.
"We know from where the initial biosecurity line was when it was set up that they've moved considerable distances to the west and in reasonable distances to the south," he said.
"We could spend money now where control has been done in the past, but if it is 10 or 15 kilometres off the front line, then it's not really effective management of incursion."
The Ensbys' property was previously in a DPI Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone, which meant all cane toad sightings had to be reported.
But that classification, made in 2017, has now expired.
LLS team leader for invasive pests, Dean Chamberlain, said field surveys were being conducted to determine the cane toad's range.
"We know from where the initial biosecurity line was when it was set up that they've moved considerable distances to the west and in reasonable distances to the south," he said.
"We could spend money now where control has been done in the past, but if it is 10 or 15 kilometres off the front line, then it's not really effective management of incursion."
While cane toads have been spreading west at a rate of up to 60 kilometres a year in the tropical north of Australia, their spread south has generally been much slower.
But Charles Sturt University herpetologist Matthew Greenlees said that was changing.
"They were introduced around the Byron Bay area in the 1960s and they've spread relatively slowly compared to the expansion that we've seen in northern Australia," Dr Greenlees said.
"Since the bushfires and consecutive La Niña events and wet seasons, they just seem to be spreading more rapidly, particularly over the past three or four years.
"So from Angourie to Brooms Head [18km] it took them almost 30 years, but now from Brooms Head down to Diggers Camp [slightly further] we're talking five to six years."
Early signs this season
Clarence Landcare invasive species officer Matthew Morris said conditions had been perfect for breeding this season.
Bureau of Meteorology weather data shows Yamba received 615 millimetres of rain between May and August this year, almost double the seasonal average, and temperatures were also warmer than the median.
"I think the toads have done a little bit better during the winter," Mr Morris said.
"Coming out of winter we had that massive heatwave for a week and a half and that triggered a number of breeding events, which we saw very early in the season being reported to us."......
Cane Toad Calls
>https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0011/232004/cane_toads_call.mp3
RSPSA Knowledgebase, 17 January 2024:
Whatis the most humane way to kill a cane toad?
What killing methods are being recommended?
In 2011, the Australian Government released the Standard Operating Procedure for the Humane Field Euthanasia of Cane Toads (SOP) which was based on a comparative study of the humaneness of a range of different cane toad killing methods [1]. However, this SOP has not been updated and so omits some recently developed and evaluated methods, but it still contains some useful information. No methods are listed in the SOP as unconditionally acceptable, thus highlighting the need for more research to develop a humane killing method for cane toads.
The following method is the most humane currently available to the general public:
Cooling and then freezing – one study has shown that this method may be more humane than other methods [2, 3]. It involves placing the toad in a plastic bag or container ensuring that there is sufficient cool air around each individual toad to allow for uniform cooling and freezing (e.g. place toads individually in containers). Place the container(s) in the fridge at 4°C for 12 hours, and then after ensuring the toad is not moving (it is effectively anaesthetised), transferring it to a freezer (-20°C) for at least 24 hours to painlessly kill the toad.
Gloves must always be worn when handling toads. Toads must be confirmed dead before disposal.....
How do I know when a cane toad is dead?
When using any killing method, it is essential to confirm that the animal has died before disposing of its body. Determining death can be difficult with amphibians as their heart rate is difficult to detect and respiration can occur through the skin as well as the lungs. Absence of all of the following signs will confirm that the cane toad is dead (remember to wear thick plastic gloves when handling cane toads):
Loss of righting reflex – the toad cannot turn itself over when placed onto its back
Loss of withdrawal reflex – no response to a light squeezing of the skin in between the toes
Loss of deep pain reflex – no response to moderate squeezing of the toes
No respiratory movement – no throat movements that indicate breathing
No heart activity – no chest movement or visible pulse
Always check for these signs and do not assume an animal is dead just because it is not moving or apparently not breathing. If death cannot be confirmed, then the killing procedure must be repeated.
.@FranceskAlbs perfectly deconstructs the bad faith question “does Israel have the right to exist?” pic.twitter.com/Tm2TUlFoHP
— Abby Martin (@AbbyMartin) November 16, 2024
Francesca Albanese
Currently a UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.
Ms Albanese holds a Law Degree (with honors) from the University of Pisa and an LLM in Human Rights from the University of London, SOAS. She is an Affiliate Scholar at the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University and a Senior Advisor on Migration and Forced Displacement for the think tank ARDD
Situation in the State of Palestine:#ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects the State of Israel’s challenges to jurisdiction and issues warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. Learn more ⤵️ https://t.co/opHUjZG8BL
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) November 21, 2024
Situation in the State of Palestine: #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issues warrant of arrest for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif). Learn more ⤵️ https://t.co/UAlWfRQPrh
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) November 21, 2024
ECHO, 20 November 2024:
Coorabell Hall is hosting a special Indigenous cultural event on Saturday, November 23 at Coorabell Hall from 2pm.
Hall secretary, Adele Smout, says that Many Rivers – Bundjalung Culture and History – Understanding and Remembrance will feature Bundjalung author and historian, Dr Shauna Bostock.
‘[She is] winner of the 2024 NSW Premier’s Community and Regional History prize, with her book Reaching Through Time. Historical photos that form part of the event will be on display from 2pm, and Wahlubal Elder, Uncle Lewis Walker, will conduct a Welcome and Smoking ceremony at 5pm.
‘This will be followed by truth-telling for understanding and remembrance of First Nations people in the region.’
Entry is by donation.
Coorabell is just north-west of Bangalow and west of Byron Bay, in the middle of Bundjalung Country which stretches further than the eye can see in that part of north-east New South Wales.
The address for Coorabell Hall is 565 Coolamon Scenic Drive, Coorabell, Byron Bay NSW 2479.
Travelling north turnoff onto Hinterland Way (B62 old Pacific Highway) and watch for the turnoff into Coolamon Scenic Drive. Pass Friday Hut Rd turnoff and the hall is 1km further on the left hand side.
It's hard to miss
IMAGE: https://www.coorabellhall.net/ |
Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.
A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourism business development services.
A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!
An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements. The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.
A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.
A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?
A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.
An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?
A fun fact musing: An estimated 24,000 whales migrated along the NSW coastline in 2016 according to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the migration period is getting longer.
A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.
A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.
A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?
An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.