Saffin invites Inquiry Into The Operation Of The Insurance Industry During Disaster Events to hear evidence on the NSW North Coast

Media release from the office of Janelle Saffin, Federal Labor MP for Page, on Thursday 16 June 2011:

PAGE MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed a new inquiry into how the insurance industry responds to natural disasters, including floods, storms and bushfires regularly experienced by Northern Rivers residents.

Ms Saffin has wasted no time in inviting the House of Representatives Standing Committee Chair, Graham Perrett MP, to hold public hearings in her electorate during the second half of this year.

“Our region is frequently affected by floods, storms and bushfires, sometimes several times a year, and there always is a mountain of paper work and phone calls for policy-holders to navigate,” she said.

“Some of my constituents have been less than satisfied with their insurance companies’ handling of claims or unacceptably long delays in having those claims assessed and finalised.

“This new inquiry will provide the insurance industry and consumers will an opportunity to make submissions on how the system can be streamlined or improved.”

The inquiry will examine the insurance industry in respect to extreme weather events, which due to Climate Change, are becoming more common.

It will consider:

· The information provided to consumers about claims processing arrangements.

· The timeliness of claims processing.

· The impact of third-party consultants on timeframes for claims processing, and

· External and internal dispute resolution processes.

Ms Saffin urged policy-holders who had made a disaster-related claim in the past five years to participate in the Committee’s on-line survey by visiting www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/spla/insurance/index.htm

Full terms of reference for the inquiry can also be found at this website. Individuals and organisations are invited to make submissions to the inquiry by Friday, July 15, 2011.

----------------------------

This Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry is also conducting an online survey:

To gauge community concerns relating to this inquiry, the Committee is conducting an online survey. The survey is targeting members of the community who have made a disaster-related claim on their insurance policies in the last 5 years.

Tell us about your experience of dealing with insurance companies in relation to disaster-related claims here.

Another non-event on the night

It is almost a certainty that if a spectacular night-time celestial event is about to take place (be it comet, meteor shower or total lunar eclipse) then the night skies over northern NSW coastal estuaries will seriously cloud over.
Last Wednesday night and early Thursday morning were no exception.

Here is a little taste of what places like Mt. Gambier in South Australia saw on the night

This is what Yamba, Iluka and many other Northern Rivers villages saw as the Moon turned red

Still, one must be thankful for Nature's wayward mercies. At least it has stopped raining for the moment.

Google live feed of 15-16 June 2011 lunar eclipse on now

http://youtu.be/UgUieQsR4YI

Oh, the gall of the man!

"Legislation to cap public sector wage increases at 2.5 per cent passed the Upper House yesterday and is expected to be finalised in the Lower House this afternoon."
Premier Barry O'Farrell's announced "the cap will also apply to him and all other state MPs."
Yeah, and pigs will take to the air in squadrons.
Does the Grand Poo Bah of the State Coalition Government think that we eejit voters don't realise that an act of Parliament sets NSW MPs basic wage at $500 less than that awarded to Federal MPs and that these two wages rise in tandem.
I'm sure we've not forgotten that the cream in these remuneration packages are in the extra salaries for offices held (along with expense allowances) which in Bazza's case tops up his $136,140 basic parliamentary salary by at least another $189k. And that's without his electoral allowance thrown in.
Just as I'm sure that the average public hospital nurse, teacher, ambulance officer or fireman will be most unimpressed by this hypocritical 'wage restraint' of Bazza's part.
How much does a full-time registered nurse earn again? That's right - around $72k per year. Public school teachers get a bit less.
And a full-time assistant in nursing? Well he or she gets about $45,445 annually.
Somehow I think pegging their wage increases will have more effect on their personal hopes and dreams than Bazza's pretend salary cap on have on his life after politics in the private sector.

Pic from ABC NEWS

Where's the blinkin' taxi stand at Yamba Fair?

If you happen to shop regularly at the Westlawn Property Trust’s Yamba Fair shopping centre(the only one of its kind in the Lower Clarence)one of the first things you notice is the number of people who arrive at its front door on foot and also the number of people who wait outside for a taxi to take them and their many shopping bags home.

It’s bad enough that over the years Westlawn’s attempts to upgrade the centre has seen verandas installed which neither shade nor shelter and one walkway with such a slope to the parking lot surface that shopping trolleys develop a will of their own and drag older shoppers into the path of moving cars; but what really irks is the lack of a dedicated taxi putdown and pickup space.

Trying to load the family shopping into the boot of a taxi while keeping an eye out for cars impatiently nudging past the stationary cab is one stressor too many on a busy day.

When is Westlawn going to consider the needs of regular Yamba Fair patrons? After all they contribute to the fact that the Trust draws at least $1.9 million in rent annually from the shopping centre.

Anony-mice

Yamba

Coal Seam Gas Exploration in Australia 2011

http://youtu.be/smP9tL_e3U8

Abandoned Metgasco coal seam gas exploration site in June 2011 – waste water storage leaking and overflowing at Dobie’s Bight Road in the Dyraaba area on the NSW North Coast.

From coalseamgasnews:
Update; So two days later they have cleaned this up after me making a complaint, I happened to visit it again while they where there. They just filled it in, covered it all with dirt without removing the water. So I'm not sure how effective that was. Like I said I don't know what was in these ponds, produced water, drilling fluid, rainwater, whatever it was at some point chemicals or toxic water were probably stored in those ponds and even if they pumped it out and what I'm looking at is rainwater, you'd think they'd also remove the contaminated plastic liner when they pumped it out? Instead, now they let it flush out for months and have just buried it. The nearby creek runs into he Richmond River.

Cracking Telstra's code and speaking to an Aussie Telstra staffer

This Telstra customer, like millions of others, has had a gutful of phoning Telstra about a fault with its service (I'm not sure that "service" is the correct term, it probably should be referred to as a "disservice") and having the call relayed offshore to someone in the Philippines with the stupid notion they'll be able to understand what the problem is AND be able to do something about addressing the problem.

Hey, let it be known from the outset that this has nothing to do with racism, if that's what readers are starting to think. It's a simple matter of Telstra's very dubious policy of employing cheap, inefficient, unqualified persons who are far removed from the situation and have no idea about fixing a problem that a staff member whose feet are on the ground in Australia can address in a matter of minutes.

Last week I spoke with four persons in the Philippines on three occasions (calls were made to Telstra on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and each was diverted to the Philippines). On Wednesday I was told that Telstra would have my problem remedied within 4 hours. By Thursday, the problem still existed - Telstra said it would now be fixed in 4-12 hours. Friday, still no resolution - Telstra said it would now be fixed within 24 hours.

Clever me says, "I've had enough. Put me through to your supervisor". Supervisor reviews the case notes and admits all three employees (that's a dead-set misnomer, I suspect they're really contractors or sweat shoppers) were wrong. It would take ... wait for this ... five, yes F - I - V - E, 5 working days to have the problem addressed. That was on Friday, so I pointed out to the supervisor that I live in eastern Australia where Monday 13th June was a public holiday. "No worries", says supervisor, "the complaints section works on Monday and I'll make sure your matter is being followed-up by having Telstra ring you on Monday. What's a good time for Telstra to ring you?" I answer, "After 8.30am."

Monday, 4.55pm and still no call from Telstra so this litle black duck rings Telstra and when the computerised answering system asked what my call was about  I smartly said "Complaints about Telstra."

Well, knock me down with a feather, because a real live Aussie took my call in far-flung Perth. Yep, you guessed right - Telstra in the eastern states were enjoying their public holiday but it wasn't a holiday in the west. See here for WA's public holidays. WA celebrates the Queen's Birthday on 28th October.

A quick review of my case notes confirmed my worst fears. Yes, my small problem which was entirely of Telstra's doing, would take up to five working days to resolve AND I should have been told that if the first person had logged my complaint correctly and initiated proper action to have it addressed.

Where did my problem begin? Yes, in the Philippines when I spoke with someone at Telstra (in the Philippines, of course) about my phone connection two months ago. When did it come to my attention? When the bill from Telstra arrived via Australia Post and I noticed I was being billed for something I never sought nor wanted.

I still cannot work out the 5 business days bit. Perhaps Telstra uses carrier pigeons to send messages from the Philippines to its workers in Australia who actually do the work and fix up their stuff-ups.

Perhaps we could revisit the good old days when the PMG Department had carriage for all these matters.

The Twitterverse luvs Kev.......and Jools

Australian MP Tweets sez of the 99 Aussie pollies who tweet:
"Note that Kevin Rudd (@KRuddMP) has over 940,000 followers and 220,000 friends, and as such has been excluded from this chart – his significantly higher figures makes it difficult to see the detail for the remaining members."
Rudd's twitterverse popularity comes off a total of only 1,178 tweets.
At around 4pm on 11th June 2011 Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was coming in second to the Foreign Minister with 106,696 followers, Malcolm Turnbull was firmly in third place at 56,038 and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott trailed a poor fourth at 34,762 tweeters interested enough to click the +Follow button.

Click on image to enlarge

McDonald's Yamba's spin machine revs up

                 Where there's smoke there's fire.

The franchisee of McDonald's Yamba must live in some parallel universe. In today's Daily Examiner the franchisee says the only negative reaction to the restaurant (that's his description of the dump, not mine) since its opening has been damage done to four of the five signs on bus shelters in Yamba that carry its advertising.

“I haven’t had any problems since we opened other than that,” the franchisee told the Examiner.

That's strange because word on the streets of Yamba is the place is doing so poorly Head Office has taken a very keen interest in the figures appearing in the hamburger joint's financial books.

 Source: The Daily Examiner, 13/6/11

Severe weather warning for Northern NSW 13 June 2011

 

Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 4:25 am EST on Monday 13 June 2011.

Weather Situation

A strong high pressure system west of Tasmania is moving very slowly east extending a ridge across southeastern and northwestern New South Wales and a low pressure trough is deepening off the central and northern coasts.

Heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding is forecast for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and the east of the Northern Tablelands forecast districts during today.

Between 9am yesterday morning and 4am this morning, Evans Head received 160 mm of rain, Yamba 126 mm, Coffs Harbour 94 mm and Kempsey 76 mm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

       Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.

       Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

The next warning will be issued by 11:00 am EST Monday.

       Flood Watch – Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Brunswick, Clarence, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Macleay, Hastings, Camden Haven, Manning and Macintyre regions.

       Flood Warning - Bellinger River,  

       Flood Warning - Orara River,

What language is that?

One thing growing older teaches is that change is inevitable and that the language one grew up amongst is no exception to this change.

I’ve accepted that British, Australian and American spelling is now interchangeable and am amused by new words which spread with the speed of lightening thanks to the Internet.

I wince at changes in emphasis which make certain words clumsy on the lip or almost unrecognisable to an aging ear, but which become verbal favourites of news readers everywhere in spite of the guidance contained within the covers of reputable dictionaries.

I am annoyed by the fact that “un” is frequently replacing the “in” of words such as indefensible, indiscoverable and indiscernible.

However, this is not the end of our ability to murder the mother tongue.

This week’s example of written gymnastics at the expense of the English language is “disencouraged”.

Now one can disentangle, disembowel, disenchant, or even disestablish but one can only “discourage” if the writer wants to express disapproval of or dissuade rather than encourage.

Even Microsoft’s Word spelling check rejects “disencouraged”.

Permanent ban imposed on Tony Abbott

I had a dream........

Abbott caught out again by his own words

Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on the subject of ‘toxic’ tax in June 2011:
any move towards a carbon tax or an emission trading scheme would be an economic own goal, it would be an act of economic self harm by Australia."

However, in his 2009 A REALIST'S APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE speech given at the David Davies memorial dinner the attitude was somewhat different:

Click on image to enlarge

http://www.tonyabbott.com.au/News/tabid/94/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7087/A-REALISTS-APPROACH-TO-CLIMATE-CHANGE.aspx

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:VMmnb0GCLxoJ:www.tonyabbott.com.au/News/tabid/94/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7087/A-REALISTS-APPROACH-TO-CLIMATE-CHANGE.aspx+A+REALIST

Front line services on the NSW North Coast get an additional $1.9 million in funding

 

From a 7 June 2011 media release from the Federal Member for Page on the NSW North Coast:

PAGE MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed the Gillard Government’s investment of an additional $1.9 million over three years to help 12 community organisations in her electorate provide emergency relief services to vulnerable families and individuals.

The Government is also providing ongoing funding for two financial counselling services -- the Lismore & District Financial Counselling Service Incorporated and Grafton-based Anglicare North Coast Incorporated – to assist people in crisis across the North Coast region.

Ms Saffin said this ongoing investment for front line organisations will ensure services in Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Evans Head and Grafton can continue to help people in real need.

“Emergency relief services provide vulnerable families and individuals with life essentials such as food, clothing, pharmacy, transport vouchers and help with accommodation and utility bills,” Ms Saffin said.

“This secure, ongoing funding recognises that demand for emergency relief services remains high across our region.”

The 12 local organisations, and their funding allocations, are:

·       Salvation Army, Lismore/Tweed, Goonellabah -- $352,619.

·       St Vincent de Paul, Ballina -- $318,024.                                  

·       Salvation Army Lismore Community Welfare Centre, Goonellabah -- $184,372.

·       Salvation Army Grafton Community Welfare Centre -- $183,970.

·       Casino Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated -- $172,110.

·       Riverside Care, South Grafton -- $166,052.

·       St Vincent de Paul, Lismore -- $148,333.

·       St Vincent de Paul, Kyogle -- $132,426.

·       Mid-Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, Evans Head -- $114,971.

·       Lismore Community Services Centre -- $83,302.

·       Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, Grafton -- $34,392.

·       Bunjum Aboriginal Cooperative Limited, Ballina -- $32,251.

Ms Saffin said she was pleased the Government is also continuing to fund the Lismore & District Financial Counselling Service and Anglicare North Coast over the next three years to deliver free, confidential and professional counselling to people experiencing financial difficulties.

The Gillard Government is providing $2.2 million over three years for the 1800 007 007 number so Australians who cannot readily access a face-to-face service can have immediate access to a qualified financial counsellor.

Unemployment: compared to the rest of the developed world Australia is not doing too badly

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, International Labor Comparisons

In May 2011 the official U.S. unemployment rate was 9.1 per cent, the latest figures available from the U.K. show an unemployment rate of 7.7 per cent (March) and, in New Zealand  and Canada the rate stands at 6.6 per cent and 7.6 per cent (April) respectively. Also in April 2011 Japan recorded a seasonally adjusted  unemployment rate of 4.7 per cent.

How the Australian Bureau of Statistics sees the Australian labour force in its latest release for May 2011:

MAY KEY POINTS

TREND ESTIMATES (MONTHLY CHANGE)

• Employment increased to 11,444,200.
• Unemployment decreased to 588,400.
• Unemployment rate steady at 4.9%.
• Participation rate steady at 65.6%.
• Aggregate monthly hours worked increased to 1,602.5 million hours.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ESTIMATES (MONTHLY CHANGE)

• Employment increased 7,800 (0.1%) to 11,440,500. Full-time employment decreased 22,000 to 8,027,100 and part-time employment increased 29,800 to 3,413,500.
• Unemployment increased 8,900 (1.5%) to 592,800. The number of persons looking for full-time work increased 6,700 to 421,800 and the number of persons looking for part-time work increased 2,200 to 171,100.
• The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.9%. The male unemployment rate decreased 0.2 pts to 4.5% and the female unemployment rate increased 0.4 pts to 5.4%.
• The participation rate remained steady at 65.6%.
• Aggregate monthly hours worked increased 6.4 million hours to 1,601.1 million hours.

LABOUR UNDERUTILISATION (QUARTERLY CHANGE)

• Trend estimates: The labour force underutilisation rate decreased 0.1 pts to 12.0%.
• Seasonally adjusted estimates: The labour force underutilisation rate increased 0.2 pts to 12.2%. The male labour force underutilisation rate increased 0.2 pts to 10.2%. The female labour force underutilisation rate increased 0.2 pts to 14.6%.

UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE (TREND ESTIMATES)

MALES
The trend estimate of the underemployment rate for males fell from 5.6% in May 2001 to 5.2% in August 2002 before rising to 5.4% in May 2003. The trend then generally fell to 4.3% in May 2008 before rising to 6.3% in August 2009. The trend has since fallen to 5.3% in May 2011.

FEMALES
The trend estimate of the underemployment rate for females rose from 9.1% in May 2001 to 9.6% in February 2002. The trend then fell to 9.3% in August 2002 before rising to 9.7% in February 2004. The trend then fell to 7.8% in May 2008 before rising to 9.8% in November 2009. The trend has since fallen to 9.0% in May 2011.

Internet should remain as open as possible - UN expert on freedom of expression

On 3 June 2011 the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression Frank La Rue warned Friday that fearful Governments are increasingly restricting the flow of information on the Internet due to its potential to mobilize people to challenge the status quo.

Mr. La Rue also called upon Governments to develop a concrete and effective plan of action to make the Internet widely available, accessible and affordable to all segments of the population.

Excerpts from the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression covering the free flow of information and recommendations are over the page.

Full report at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/14session/A.HRC.14.23.pdf

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Media Release 3 June 2011

Close the door on the way out

From The Onion, a clear case of Earth to Humans?

“EARTH—According to a statement released to the press Tuesday, the planet Earth has "just about run out of ways" to let its roughly 6.9 billion human inhabitants know it wants them all to leave.

Following a recent series of disastrous floods along the Mississippi River and destructive tornadoes across much of the United States—as well as a year of even deadlier natural catastrophes all over the world—the Earth said its options for strongly implying that it no longer wants human beings living on it have basically been exhausted.

"At this point, I think I've stated my wishes quite loudly and clearly," the Earth's statement to all of humanity read in part. "I haven't exactly been subtle about it, you realize. I have literally tried to drown you, crush you, starve you, dehydrate you, pump you full of diseases, and suck your homes and families into swirling vortices of death. Honestly, what more is it going to take for you people to get the message?"

"Do I have to spell it out for you?" the statement continued. "Get the f**k out of here. I want you to leave now."

Sorry for nicking your logo Mr. Fore!

Senator John Faulkner speaks his mind

Australian Labor Party Senator for NSW John Faulkner when delivering the annual Neville Wran Lecture at New South Wales Parliament House, Sydney on 9 June 2011:

When I joined the ALP, it was the political face of a broad social movement. Many of the tensions and disagreements within the Party were precisely the result of the depth and breadth of its appeal as a party that promised reform through government. All of us were deeply and passionately committed to the Labor promise of a “bringing something better to the people … working for the betterment of mankind not only here but anywhere we may give a helping hand.”

Opinions, however, varied on what should take priority in that struggle, and what policies and legislation would best achieve it. Ending Australia’s involvement in Vietnam, defending unions and unionists in the workplace, fighting apartheid in South Africa, free tertiary education and health care, decriminalising homosexuality, better sewerage for the suburbs, workplace equality for women, preserving Australia’s environmental heritage, modernising Australia’s censorship laws, preventing nuclear proliferation – the list of Labor’s concerns was a long one.

People were attracted to the Labor Party because they wanted to make the world a better place. Their involvement in the Party was often only one facet of their pursuit of that goal. And, while the Party has never welcomed those who seek to make it the servant of another organisation’s agenda – and endured a devastating split for that very reason in the 1950s – the Party I joined accepted that membership was, for many, one aspect of active community engagement.

These days, as Party membership dwindles, ALP strategists talk about ‘reaching out’ to organisations active on particular progressive issues, ‘gaining endorsement’ of our policies.

That idea, with its implications of ‘us’ in Labor and ‘them’ in community organisations, is wrong. The frequency with which it’s raised by hand-wringing apparatchiks makes many wonder if Labor has lost its way.

Progressive, socially aware activists passionate about social and economic reform must never be outsiders to the Labor movement.

Labor cannot thrive as an association of political professionals focused on the machinery of electoral victory and forming, at best, contingent alliances with Australians motivated by and committed to ideals and policies.

A Party organisation staffed by experienced and competent strategists and managers is necessary to serve the campaign and organisational needs of Labor’s members and supporters, not to substitute for them.

Nor should Party membership be a useful and engaging experience only for those with ambitions to secure preselection…….

The Party has now become so reliant on focus groups that it listens more to those who don’t belong to it than to those who do. This makes membership a sacrifice of activism, not a part of it.

Full transcript overleaf here.

McDonald's Yamba: a marketing and public relations disaster

The word around the traps, which is said to be coming from "informed sources", is that the Big M in Yamba is in big, big trouble, perhaps heading towards going belly up.

The other day I journeyed to Yamba for a spot of fishing with a couple of mates, Blue and Snow. When we were putting Snow's tinnie in the water at the boat ramp an old-timer (OT) who said he's lived in Yamba for over forty years started yarning to us about a thing or two.

OT told us that Maccas in Yamba is in big strife with its turnover being a lot less than was anticipated. OT reckons its staff turnover is probably higher than its cash turnover.

We drove around to check out the place for ourselves. We didn't venture into the place but had a good 'Captain Cook' from outside. The car park said it all. We suspected the few cars that were there all belonged to staff. While we were there (about 15 minutes) we didn't see a solitary soul enter or leave the premises on foot or drive-through.

Our group also saw a Macca's sign on a bus stop that's been "touched up". Another local said, "That's been like that for ages. You'd reckon they (Maccas) would either fix it up by restoring it or having their logo totally removed."

While not condoning the behaviour responsible for the sign's current appearance, something is terribly wrong with the local management's marketing and public relations to allow the sign to stay like that for so long. 

Gene Ethics: Grain traders snub GM canola

Excerpt from a Gene Ethics media releases of 3 March and 26 May 2011:

Major grain purchaser Co-operative Bulk Handlers (CBH) has confirmed that strong demand for non-GM canola has resulted in premiums of $50/tonne over the price for GM canola (See MR attached). The co-operative's March 3 Grain Weekly says: "By far and away the biggest development this marketing season has been the increased demand for Australian non-GM sustainable canola.

European and Australian demand for GM-free grain is so strong that leading grain traders Elders-Toepfer and Glencore Grain refuse to buy any genetically manipulated (GM) canola this year. And traders that buy GM will pay up to $45/tonne less than for non-GM grain.

“This market is a bonanza for the majority of Australian grain growers who wisely stayed with non-GM canola varieties,” says Gene Ethics Director, Bob Phelps.

“Ninety five per cent of Western Australia's canola sold to Europe last year and strong demand is expected to continue, but only for non-GM. European shoppers have zero tolerance for GM canola.

* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.

When science became opinion and Abbott became a scientist

From the Don’t Know Whether to Laugh Or Cry files……………

Abbott and Joyce are like Copernicus and Einstein

Frank O'Shea says just because the overwhelming majority of scientists believe humans are changing the climate, it doesn't mean they're right; science, after all, is just a matter of opinion.

According to the website Independent Australia “Frank O’Shea is a retired mathematics teacher. He lives in Canberra and writes for The Canberra Times, The Irish Echo and Eureka Street. His book Keeping Faith: 40 Years of Marist College Canberra was published in 2008.” He is a former staff member of the Marist College.
I suspect that Frank is being deliberately provocative. Surely nobody could be that much of a dill in real life?

'Grafton Goss' bites the dust as Facebook responds to community concern

Snapshot taken 8 June 2011
Click on image to enlarge

Before going to bed on 3 June 2011 a Clarence Valley resident sent an email to Mark Zuckerberg (see below). I’m told that a Facebook Inc computer had read this email shortly after midnight and by 5am AEST on 4 June 2011 the Grafton gossip page had become unavailable and was no longer cached by Google.

Facebook’s online complaint facility is rarely capable of reacting swiftly, so it was good to see the company respond to a personal email in this manner.

To date the gossip page is unreachable and hopefully it will remain so.

From: [redacted]
Sent: Friday, 3 June 2011 9:55 PM
To: 'MZuckerberg@fb.com'
Cc: 'SSandberg@fb.com'; 'legal@fb.com'; 'press@fb.com'; 'abuse@fb.com'

Subject: COMPLAINT TO CEO: Offensive content, sexually graphic language, defamation of students/minors at Facebook webpage "Grafton Goss"

Chief Executive Officer
Facebook Incorporated
1601 South California Avenue
Palo Alto CA 94304
USA

3 June 2011

Dear Sir,

Re: Offensive, sexually graphic and defamatory Facebook webpage titled “Grafton Goss” - Account ID 100002421426059

This letter is a formal complaint about the existence of a Facebook webpage titled “Grafton Goss” and its offensive, sexually graphic and defamatory content which can be found at [redacted] and [redacted].

I request that you personally inspect this webpage and come to a decision concerning this page in relation to breach of the company’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and other terms of use.

Further, I request removal of the webpage in question as in multiple posts it compromises the privacy of high school students and minors.

For your information I supply a snapshot of the last few entries on the “Grafton Goss” wall, which mirror the content and tone of the majority entries made by the anonymous creator of this page.

Additionally, I attach a link to an Australian media report concerning Facebook and “Grafton Goss”:
http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/story/2011/05/25/site-spews-vile-goss/.

I make this approach to Facebook in the first instance in preference to contacting the Australian Federal Police.

In anticipation and appreciation of your assistance with this matter.

Yours faithfully,


[redacted]

*********

Community Action Grants application round open to local clubs, community & environmental groups until 1 August 2011

From a Dr. Mike Kelly MP media release:

Community groups around Australia can now apply for small grants to help fund local environmental and sustainable agriculture projects.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly, today announced that $5 million will be available through the 2011-12 Community Action Grants round.

“Community Action Grants are helping rural, urban and Indigenous community groups around Australia take action to conserve and protect their local environment and natural resources,” Dr Kelly said.

“Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 are available to help local community groups undertake activities such as planting trees, revegetating landscapes, rehabilitating dunes, removing weeds, controlling pests, holding field days, recording traditional ecological knowledge and improving sustainable land management practices.”

Since Community Action Grants were announced in 2009, 877 projects have received funding worth more than $15 million (GST exclusive).

“We have listened to feedback from the community and this year eligibility has been broadened to include all local community groups that deliver environmental and sustainable agriculture projects,” Dr Kelly said.

“Eligible community groups may include rotary clubs, surf clubs and scout groups, in addition to Indigenous, Landcare, Coastcare and other local community groups.

“The Australian Government is committed to supporting local community and volunteer groups which play a vital role in restoring the landscape.”

Community Action Grants are part of the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative.

Funding allows volunteers and local community groups to contribute to the Caring for our Country priority areas of protecting biodiversity and natural icons, coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats, and using sustainable farm practices.

Applications for the 2011-12 Community Action Grants will close Monday 1 August 2011.

More information on Caring for our Country and Community Action Grants, including how to apply, is available at www.nrm.gov.au or by calling 1800 552 008.

Jury Duty: I shouldn't laugh, but........

Twenty-eight real or fanciful excuses and attitudes found on Teh Netz for getting out of jury duty:

1. I am unable to speak and understand English – I’m a cat.

2. I’m a dog – the vet says so.

3. If I was meant by God to judge I would be presiding over my own courtroom.

4. I committed a felony, I just wasn't caught.

5. I’ll have to bring my seeing-eye wombat.

6. My budgie is sick, dying, dead.

7. I'm psychic and so I already know the outcome of the trial.

8. My entourage needs me.

9. I have a very important Warcraft quest to finish and my guild is depending on me.

10. My people do not recognise your Earth laws.

11. I fart uncontrollably.

12. I’m a racist.

13. My voices tell me I shouldn’t.

14. It has been my experience that all cops lie.

15. I can't leave home due to the impending holocaust.

16. My bladder causes me to pee quite often. I will not serve unless you can guarantee I can pee every 30 minutes.

17. Please excuse me from jury duty so I can attend a party.

18. I can only communicate telepathically.

19. I shouldn't have to serve because I am too obese.

20. My wife just called. She's in the hospital.

21. I have no faith in the justice system.

22. I'm too busy practicing law to be a juror.

23. I'm a writer. By nature we're shiftless, unreliable, and we make stuff up for a living.

24. Yes, I know the defendant, and the prosecutor, and the bailiff. I know ALL of you!

25. Can I be impartial? As long as impartial means any fool can see the man is guilty.

26. Dress horribly inappropriate for your age/gender.

27. I'm with you, Judge, I'm twittering the whole thing!

28. What was that, Your Honor? I'm busy updating my blog.

Berlin released from custody

The Daily Examiner article In the Courts, 8 June 2011 on Page 9:

MACLEAN identity John X Berlin has been released from custody.
Berlin, who was refused bail when he appeared in court last month, was granted conditional bail when he appeared in court in Grafton on Monday.
His conditions were that; he not have any contact with any media organisation; he was not to go on the internet; he was not to represent, in any way, to any other person that he has been, at any time, a serving police officer, and; he not advertise or publish in any way for sale or purchase of police memorabilia.
Berlin was in court facing two charges of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, one count of using a false instrument with intent to pervert the course of justice and one count of using fabricated evidence to mislead a judicial tribunal. He is to appear in court again on those charges on August 23.

Apparently that "toxic tax" was not so toxic after all for Mr. Rabbit in 2009

Something changed over the last three years..........

Australian Oppostion Leader Tony Abbott in 2009:



Abbott in 2011:

Potted History: Australia 1966 - 'very well and cunningly devised'

Correspondence between W.C. "Billy" Wentworth MP and Minister for External Affairs Paul Hasluck concerning censorship in July 1966 - four years after Australia's involvement in Viet Nam began and one year after Prime Minister Menzies formally committed Australian troops at battalion strength to the Viet Nam War.
[Digital images from the Australian National Archives,Communism - Control of Communist Propaganda in Australia - Vietnam War]

Click on images to enlarge

The finger points squarely at Tony Abbott

 

It’s come to a sad pass in this country that undertaking scientific research on climate change within a university setting sees academics threatened and harassed:

“SYDNEY, June 4, 2011 (AFP) - - Climate researchers at one of Australia's top universities have been rushed to a secure location after receiving death threats, an official said Saturday, as debate rages about plans for a carbon pollution tax.
The Australian National University (ANU) scientists had to be shifted following mounting abuse, with threats they would be attacked in the street if they didn't stop their research, said ANU vice-chancellor Dick Young.
Young said the menacing emails and phone calls had intensified in recent weeks amid heated public debate over Prime Minister Julia Gillard's plans to introduce a tax on carbon emissions aimed at reducing pollution.
"Obviously climate research is an emotive issue at the present time," Young told ABC television.
"These are issues where we should have a logical public debate and it's completely intolerable that people be subjected to this sort of abuse and to threats like this."
Young said the threats had rattled the academics, who were "really not equipped to be treated in this way."
"The whole scientific process is one of open debate and discussion, but the concept that you would be threatened for your scientific views and work is something that is completely foreign to them," he said.
"I think it is totally outrageous and the vast majority of Australians would think it is totally unacceptable for anybody in society to be subjected to this sort of behaviour."

This is the bitter crop that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s rabblerousing and demonising has raised up.
If someone gets hurt I will be pointing my finger squarely in his direction.

Insert from Google Images

Onya, Janelle - give 'im heaps!

From ABC Radio Australia News 7th June 2011:

"An Australian Federal Labor MP pushing for a freeze on live cattle exports to Indonesia has rejected a compromise solution put forward by Meat and Livestock Australia.

The morality of exporting live cattle has been hotly debated in Australia since ABC's Four Corners program aired footage of cattle being mistreated in Indonesian abattoirs.

Meat and Livestock Australia says cattle could be sent to 25 slaughterhouses in Indonesia that meet world animal health guidelines.

But MP Janelle Saffin says she does not trust Meat and Livestock Australia to effectively police the abattoirs and the proposal does not go far enough.

"At this stage we can't be assured how the cattle are going to be treated and until we know that the ban, or the halting, is the best solution," she said."

Update 8th June: Temporary six-month live export ban

''In light of the evidence presented to us, we have resolved to put a total suspension in place,'' Ms Gillard said. ''This suspension will remain until we can make sure cattle from Australia are treated properly at every step of the supply chain.
We will be working closely with Indonesia, and with the industry, to make sure we can bring about major change to the way cattle are handled in these slaughter houses.''