Saturday 24 September 2016
Political Cartoon of the Month
Labels:
Australian society
Our silence supports this..................
Fifty-one pages of February-March 2016 incidents reports from the Nauru Regional Processing Centre created and funded by the Australian Government with the implied consent of the Australian people.
Nauru incident reports by paulfarrell on Scribd
Labels:
asylum seekers,
health,
human rights,
international law,
safety
Quote of the Week
For my part, I’ve never met a national politician as ill informed, as deceptive, as evasive and as vacuous as Trump. He’s not normal.
Friday 23 September 2016
The United Nations clearly recognises that Coalition prime ministers may have changed but the Australian Government continues to be a bad international citizen
Then……
Australian Prime Minister John Anthony "Tony" Abbott
69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 25 September 2014
Speaking to a near empty hall
Now……
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Bligh Turnbull
71st Session of United Nations General Assembly in New York, 22 September 2016
Speaking to a near empty hall
Labels:
history,
Malcolm Bligh Turnbull,
Tony Abbott,
United Nations
South Australian motorists are wondering why their NSW cousins have a workable Fuel Check and they do not
One of North Coast Voices South Australian readers alerted us to this.
CHRISTMAS 2015…..
ABC News, 24 December 2015:
Motorists will soon have access to the same petrol price information as retailers, under a deal brokered by the competition watchdog.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reached agreement with petrol price information service Informed Sources and four major petrol retailers to make almost real-time data available to motorists.
Currently, the retailers have exclusive access to information about petrol price moves within 15-30 minutes of when they occur through Informed Sources.
Under the deal, Informed Sources will make the same information available to consumers for free and to third parties on commercial terms.
The ACCC's chairman Rod Sims told ABC News that this will facilitate improved competition amongst petrol retailers.
"Consumers will have the information to shop and get the best deal, that will improve competition on the ground," he argued.
"Secondly, ourselves and motoring organisations and others will be able to see exactly what's going on, who's leading prices up, who's leading prices down."
See: Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), Petrol price information sharing proceedings resolved
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA JUST ON 9 MONTHS LATER……
RAA, media release, 17 September 2016:
Site specific fuel prices will no longer be available via RAA’s website due to a deal struck by the ACCC, and it could cost motorists up to $24 a tank when filling up.
RAA Senior Manager Mobility & Automotive Policy Mark Borlace said the agreement comes into effect from today.
“At the moment we receive site specific fuel prices for Adelaide twice a day, and we share that information with motorists via our website,” said Mr Borlace.
“We also use the data to monitor price trends day-to-day, which allows us to notify motorists when a price spike is imminent, just as we did this week when prices spiked +27cpl.
“As of today, we are only able to provide a daily average price for fuel in Adelaide, which is significantly inferior to what motorists have benefited from via our website for more than a decade.”
Using RAA’s website, on occasion Adelaide petrol motorists could spot as much as a 40cpl variation in prices between the best and worst sites.
“Using this information, Adelaide motorists would have saved anywhere between $12 and $24 per 60L tank over the past year,” said Mr Borlace.
“If motorists are left to rely on street price boards, they won’t be able to see the ‘bigger picture’ to decide which route to take on any given day to get the best deal on fuel.”
RAA is disappointed that motorists will not be able to get reliable site-specific fuel price information online as a consequence of the ACCC’s deal with the fuel industry, and has called on the State Government to take action.
“Earlier this year, New South Wales introduced legislation that compels every fuel retailer to report their fuel prices in real-time to a government agency who provides this to the public free of charge without any restrictions,” said Mr Borlace.
“Not only would an initiative like this allow motorists to find the cheapest prices, it also means we could continue to scrutinise the fuel industry and enhance competition amongst retailers who have to compete with a good price to attract customers.”
RAA will continue to investigate all avenues to cater for motorists’ needs when it comes to purchasing fuel.
“Limited pricing information is available via a number of smartphone apps but these offerings do not reliably tell motorists where to find the cheapest fuel,” said Mr Borlace.
“We’re also concerned that by only providing fuel prices in one format, it disadvantages over half of our members who don’t use smartphone apps. These people are generally the most sensitive to fuel price movements and would benefit most from knowing where to find the cheapest prices.
“In reality, most motorists will be left in the dark when it comes to fuel prices due to the ACCC’s agreement with the fuel industry.”
SA Fuel price information is available at raa.com.au/fuel
South Australia’s Deputy Premier John Rau has allegedly told the RAA that it would be too expensive to change the law to make releasing the petrol price information legal.
What's in a name?
What do Michael Nicholas Felson formerly known as Nikytas Nicholas Petroulias and United Land Councils Pty Limited have in common?
They have both used this address in New Zealand - 1173 Motueka Valley Highway, Motueka 7196, New Zealand - as their residential or business address.
1173 Motueka Valley Highway, Motueka, New Zealand
What do these individuals have in common besides the name "Nicholas" and why are people asking that question?
Nicholas Peterson and Michael Nicholas Felson, formerly Nikytas Nicholas Petroulias.
Nicholas Peterson and Michael Nicholas Felson, formerly Nikytas Nicholas Petroulias.
Perhaps a North Coast Voices reader has the answer to this particular little mystery and will enlighten us all.
Thursday 22 September 2016
Looking back on the Abbott-Heydon politically motivated fizzer
Professor John Quiggin writing at johnquiggin.com, 10 September 2016:
When Dyson Heydon delivered the report of the Royal Commissioner into Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, he claimed that his findings represented “the tip of the iceberg”. At the time, I commented that, given nearly $50 million of public money and lengthy hearings with the exceptional powers of a Royal Commission, the Australian public was entitled to expect the whole iceberg.
It turns out that I was too charitable. In the months since the Commission reported, a string of the charges he recommended have been thrown out or withdrawn In fact, six months later, there has only been one conviction, resulting in a suspended sentence. The only big fish to be caught since the establishment of Heydon’s star chamber has been the Commission’s own star witness, Kathy Jackson.
And the bills keep coming in. The last budget allocated $6 million more for the AFP-Victorian Police taskforce, which currently has outstanding cases against a grand total of six unionists. By contrast, taskforce Argo in Queensland, focused on child exploitation, has a budget of $3 million.
For another contrast, here are a few of the cases of alleged wage fraud, misappropriation of worker entitlements and so on that have emerged since Heydon’s Commission was launched: 7-11 ( million underpayment), Queensland Nickel, Pizza Hut, Myers and Spotless, and lots of small employers in the agricultural sector. That’s on top of the general run of sharp practice, environmental vandalism, market rigging, and dubious practices of all kinds.
It would be absurd to deny the existence of corrupt union officials and, though it is much rarer, systemic corruption, as in the case of the Health Services Union. But the continued failure of a massively expensive, politically motivated inquisition to turn up more than a handful of cases suggests that the problems are isolated, and that the real drive is to attack unions for doing the job of representing workers.
Some thoughts on the Clarence Valley Council mayoral election on 27 September 2016
The Daily Examiner, Letter to the Editor, 19 September 2016, p.11:
Heal the distrust
Well the results of the Clarence Valley local government election have been announced and while congratulating each of the nine councillors, I feel that some facts should be noted.
Firstly, only two of the councillors seeking re-election this September increased their first preference vote tally over that received in the 2012 council election. These were Karen Toms and Jim Simmons.
Of course one re-elected councillor had no yardstick with which to measure performance, as he was elected unopposed in a 2015 by-election and this was the first time he had to face the Clarence Valley electorate.
If those underperforming re-elected councillors are genuinely seeking to adequately represent residents and ratepayers over the next four years, they need to lift their game - and a good way to start would be to avoid attempting to explain away a demonstrable level of unpopularity by erroneously blaming "scare" campaigns or a difficult election campaign.
Most Clarence Valley voters are not fools, and underperformance along with a growing lack of connection with the electorate had been noticed for years, not just during the election campaign.
Secondly, in addition to the reduced incumbent vote, the large candidate field and the successful election of three new faces appears to indicate a desire on the part of the valley electorate for a change of style and approach.
As all nine councillors will soon be meeting to vote in the mayor and deputy mayor, I would hope that at least four councillors will nominate for each position so that there is a genuine choice to be considered.
This month offers a chance for councillors to elect a mayor and deputy who are perceived to carry no excess baggage and who might begin to heal the mounting distrust of local government. I would further hope that those who had either been mayor or deputy mayor previously would give local government renewal a chance and not nominate this time round.
By the same token, the candidate elected on preferences in the last count round who chose to absent himself for the entire length of the election campaign and on polling day - never bothering to offer the electorate any information concerning his stance on current issues and community concerns - should seriously consider refraining from nominating or accepting nomination.
Clarence Valley Council has the great good fortune to govern an area which contains individuals, groups and communities which go the extra mile to ensure that our natural environment, local economies and lifestyle are protected from adverse winds and who willingly support the council's better efforts in that regard.
I sincerely hope that this new council will not squander that goodwill.
Judith M. Melville
Yamba
Labels:
Clarence Valley Council
Wednesday 21 September 2016
Law Council of Australia: further parliamentary scrutiny necessary of new counter-terrorism laws
Medianet Release
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See:
Labels:
Australian society,
Commonwealth Law,
human rights
DYI biohacking rears its ugly head in Australia?
Gene Ethics, 8 September 2016:
DIY biohack threat
US biohacker Ellen Jorgensen, of Genspace New York, toured Australia in Science Week to promote DIY gene hacking, in informal labs, and to encourage untrained nerds to do genetic manipulation. The OGTR promised to tell her audiences that Australian GM laws require training, contained labs and expert supervision, but did not. The OGTR has also failed to define new 'gene editing' techniques and their products as GM, so they remain unregulated. We advocate tough laws banning any DIY genetic manipulation of living things. Humans invented computer programs but they fail, are hacked and virus infected for fun. Untrained, risk-takers, aspiring to be the next bio-Gates or Jobs, must be stopped.
University of Sydney, Faculty
of Science:
Biohacking events at
Sydney Science Festival
Get down with DNA
10 am, Thursday 18 August, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Stage 6 biology students and their teachers will meet Dr Ellen Jorgensen and spend the day exploring exciting DIY bio techniques and the amazing things biohackers do. The DIY bio movement gives bio-entrepreneurs low-cost access to facilities for proof-of-concept experiments. Hands-on science workshops will be delivered by Sydney’s leading science organisations including the Royal Botanic Garden, Taronga Conservation Society, UTS Centre for Forensic Science and the Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics. Students will also experience a behind the scenes tour of the Royal Botanic Garden’s Plant Pathology laboratory to look at gel electrophoresis, a DNA transilluminator and participate in an interactive demonstration of plant DNA extraction.
10 am, Thursday 18 August, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Stage 6 biology students and their teachers will meet Dr Ellen Jorgensen and spend the day exploring exciting DIY bio techniques and the amazing things biohackers do. The DIY bio movement gives bio-entrepreneurs low-cost access to facilities for proof-of-concept experiments. Hands-on science workshops will be delivered by Sydney’s leading science organisations including the Royal Botanic Garden, Taronga Conservation Society, UTS Centre for Forensic Science and the Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics. Students will also experience a behind the scenes tour of the Royal Botanic Garden’s Plant Pathology laboratory to look at gel electrophoresis, a DNA transilluminator and participate in an interactive demonstration of plant DNA extraction.
The Global Biohack Revolution
6pm, Thursday 18 August, ATP innovations
Meet the biohackers from Australia and around the world who are leading the global biotechnology revolution! This all-star panel of biohackers will discuss the challenges and opportunities in democratisation of science through biohacking with a focus on education and the commercialisation of research. Dr Ellen Jorgensen will be joined by JJ Hastings (BioQuisitive, London Biohackspace), Meow-Meow Ludo (Biohack Sydney, BioFoundry), Andrew Gray (Biohack Melbourne, BioQuisitive) and Oron Catts (SymbioticA Perth).
6pm, Thursday 18 August, ATP innovations
Meet the biohackers from Australia and around the world who are leading the global biotechnology revolution! This all-star panel of biohackers will discuss the challenges and opportunities in democratisation of science through biohacking with a focus on education and the commercialisation of research. Dr Ellen Jorgensen will be joined by JJ Hastings (BioQuisitive, London Biohackspace), Meow-Meow Ludo (Biohack Sydney, BioFoundry), Andrew Gray (Biohack Melbourne, BioQuisitive) and Oron Catts (SymbioticA Perth).
DNA groundswell
10 am, Friday 19 August, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
This session is an opportunity for science communicators and scientists across Sydney to think about how they can incorporate exciting open access programs into their work. Learn how Genspace uses biohacking to engage the community through courses, cultural events, educational outreach and experiences for students and the public. Meet the people behind BioFoundry, Australia’s first open access lab that also runs courses for enthusiasts and curious amateurs. Discover how biohacking is democratising science around the world by lowering the financial and technological entry barriers to science education and research training. International guests Dr Ellen Jorgensen will be joined by local biohacker Meow-Ludo Meow-Meow, Co-founder of Sydney's BioFoundry.
10 am, Friday 19 August, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
This session is an opportunity for science communicators and scientists across Sydney to think about how they can incorporate exciting open access programs into their work. Learn how Genspace uses biohacking to engage the community through courses, cultural events, educational outreach and experiences for students and the public. Meet the people behind BioFoundry, Australia’s first open access lab that also runs courses for enthusiasts and curious amateurs. Discover how biohacking is democratising science around the world by lowering the financial and technological entry barriers to science education and research training. International guests Dr Ellen Jorgensen will be joined by local biohacker Meow-Ludo Meow-Meow, Co-founder of Sydney's BioFoundry.
Biohacking: why should we care?
6 pm, Friday 19 August, University of Technology Sydney
How is biohacking changing the world? Should we be concerned about safety? Can DIY labs ferment a revolution? What are the opportunities? Can they create a culture of start-ups and entrepreneurs? In this public lecture, Dr Ellen Jorgensen will provide insights into biohacking, novel applications it has produced and how it can serve as a useful education tool. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr Sheila Donnelly, Prof Peter Ralph and Prof Michael Wallach from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Jackie Randles is Manager Inspiring Australia (NSW). Dr Ellen Jorgensen’s Sydney visit is part of a national tour supported by Inspiring Australia for National Science Week 2016.
6 pm, Friday 19 August, University of Technology Sydney
How is biohacking changing the world? Should we be concerned about safety? Can DIY labs ferment a revolution? What are the opportunities? Can they create a culture of start-ups and entrepreneurs? In this public lecture, Dr Ellen Jorgensen will provide insights into biohacking, novel applications it has produced and how it can serve as a useful education tool. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr Sheila Donnelly, Prof Peter Ralph and Prof Michael Wallach from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Jackie Randles is Manager Inspiring Australia (NSW). Dr Ellen Jorgensen’s Sydney visit is part of a national tour supported by Inspiring Australia for National Science Week 2016.
Inverse, 8 September 2015:
Biological research and
experimentation is no longer the sole realm of Ph.D-having, grant-backed,
hypothesis-wielding scientists. As science moves into more and more complex
territory, it is also — somewhat paradoxically — becoming more and more
accessible to those who lack the bonafide to wear a white coat. In Australia, Biofoundry is at the heart
of the movement to democratize experimentation. Biohacker Meow-Ludo Meow-Meow
(his real name; an homage to the 2001 cult classic Super Troopers) founded
the lab, the first of its kind on the continent, last November. And he says
he’s thinking about building a chain
Inverse caught up
with Biofoundry’s Meow-Ludo Meow-Meow (his real name; an homage to the 2001
cult classic Super Troopers) and picked his brain about what the lab is up
to and what it hopes to achieve.
How did you get
interested in biohacking and creating a place like Biofoundry?
I was halfway through my
molecular biology degree. My job prospects weren’t very good. In Australia, we
pretty much have no innovation and technology work. Basically, molecular
biology graduates are fucked in this country. In New South Wales, which has
about 6 million people, we only have about 12 jobs for biotech.
So I started to get
concerned, because I wasn’t a grade-A student or anything. I looked around, and
I found BioCurious [in
California] and Genspace [in
New York City]. But in Australia, nothing like this was happening. So I figured
it was on the burden of me to get things happening.
I had a meeting with a
group of people about 4.5 years ago. We had a huge group that shrunk down to
about 12, and we continued to meet for four years. That culminated in a few of
us just saying, “Fuck, let’s set up a lab. It’s been too long, let’s make this
happen.”
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