Saturday 28 January 2012
Q&A: what Tony Abbott actually said on Australia Day
For the record - because the mainstream media is beginning to subtly alter what was said.
A question & answer taken from a Doorstop Interview with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in Sydney. Posted on Thursday, 26th January 2012 at his own website http://www.tonyabott.com.au/:
"QUESTION:
Mr Abbott, today is also the 40th anniversary of the Tent Embassy in Canberra. Is the Tent Embassy still relevant or should it move?
TONY ABBOTT:
Look, I can understand why the Tent Embassy was established all those years ago. I think a lot has changed for the better since then. We had the historic apology just a few years ago, one of the genuine achievements of Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister. We had the proposal which is currently for national consideration to recognise indigenous people in the Constitution. I think the indigenous people of Australia can be very proud of the respect in which they are held by every Australian and yes, I think a lot has changed since then and I think it probably is time to move on from that."
"FEDERAL Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says it's time to move the Aboriginal tent embassy in Canberra, 40 years after four indigenous activists camped at the site opposite Old Parliament House....
Mr Abbott said he understood why the tent embassy was set up "all those years ago" However, it was time it was disbanded, he said." Friday 27 January 2012
Abbott fleeing from one of his many his blunders
Just in case you missed the edifying sight of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in full flight on Australia Day 2012.............
Video of a gracious Prime Minister rescuing a snide Abbott; http://youtu.be/pndFC1c1SwQ
Labels:
Abbott,
Australian society,
Gillard,
politics,
protest action,
safety
NSW Police, Steve Cansdell and those intriguing "technical legal issues"
The Daily Examiner 25 January 2012:
It is over four months since disgraced former Nationals MP Steve Cansdell admitted breaking the law in order to have a “clean slate” in the lead up to the 2006 state election; the Clarence by-election is over and the new Nationals MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis is safely sworn-in.
Now NSW Police raise the possibility of "technical legal issues" further delaying the day Cansdell faces court.
A term which perhaps hints at overlapping jurisdictions because of a complaint/s to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption concerning Steve Cansdell's time in Parliament.
One has to hope that these technical legal issues are genuinely the delaying impediment that has been implied, or NSW Police will lose all credibility and be seen as mere puppets of an O’Farrell Government determined to bury Cansdell's actions under a mountain of spin until time past sees the matter fade from memory.
Labels:
Cansdell,
NSW Parliament,
NSW politics,
police,
political probity,
scandal
U.S. Pesidential Election 2012: middle-aged wealthy farts show they have enough money to race
In 2010 Barack and Michelle earned US$1.7 million, Newt and Callista earned US$3.1 million and Mitt and his mittette Ann earned US$21.6 million. With effective tax rates of 26%, 31.6% and 13.9% in the order of mention.
The Washington Post
Click on image to grow
those dollar signs
This week the Los Angeles Times told the world that; "the Romneys expect to pay $3.2 million on $20.9 million in income for the 2011 tax year, for an effective tax rate of 15.4%".
No wonder Mitt didn't want to show and tell!
And here's the 2011 IRS tax rates for ordinary Americans.......
Labels:
taxation,
US election
Thursday 26 January 2012
Are we seriously considering this fool as our next prime minister?
On one of the most politically sensitive days in Australia’s public events calendar that feckin’ eejit Tony Abbott opens his gob wide:
Down memory lane on Australia Day.....
Remembering Mum's vanilla ice cream made with Gold Medal Condensed Milk, served with Aeroplane Jelly and seasonal fruit grown in the backyard
Labels:
Australian society
'Steve' Gulaptis MP and Deb Newton share the love........
Gulaptis and Newton...............
The Daily Examiner 23 January 2012
Critics claim taxpayers forked out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a by-election for the seat when Mr Cansdell resigned last September after he admitted to falsifying a statutory declaration to escape a speeding fine.
Mr Cansdell's successor in the seat of Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, said "there is a lot of love out there" for his predecessor......
Grafton resident Col Brown was more succinct in his criticism.
If you you've got a kid who misbehaves and you give him a lolly instead of a smack, he'll just keep on going the same way," Mr Brown said.
"This is offensive to me, Justice Einfeld copped jail time for doing something similar to this."
A ''tribute dinner'' has been arranged to honour Mr Cansdell, who quit the seat of Clarence in September after being forced to admit he falsified a statutory declaration to avoid losing his driver's licence. He faces possible criminal charges.
Up to 200 people are expected to attend the $50-a-head function at Grafton on February 4. The organiser, Deb Newton, Mr Cansdell's former campaign manager, said it was ''not really a fund-raiser'' but any money left over would go to the Nationals' local electorate council. ''There is still a lot of love out there for Steve and a lot of forgiveness,'' she said.
The Opposition Leader, John Robertson, said: ''Fund-raising off the back of the resignation of a disgraced state MP who stood down so his generous parliamentary pension would not be cut off is an insight into the real values of the government.''
The rest of the world.....................
The Daily Examiner 24 January 2011
Public Event · By Ursula Tunks
- When Saturday, February 4, 2012
- Time 6:30am until 9:30am
- Where Outside the Clarence River Jockey Club, Powell Street , Grafton, Australia
Labels:
NSW politics,
political probity,
right wing politics
Oi, oi, oi!
Northern Territory News 25th January 2012
Labels:
Australian society
Wednesday 25 January 2012
January 2012 is luverly weather for ducks on the NSW North Coast - rain, river heights & roads info
Mann River at Cangai from The Daily Examiner
Issued at 6.15am on Wednesday, 25th January 2012
Issued at 6.15am on Wednesday, 25th January 2012
North Coast LGAs Regional Road information
Regularly updated
Flood Warnings are current the Bellinger Nambucca and Orara Rivers
At this stage there is a greater than 70% chance of Minor to Moderate flooding as well as local flash flooding along the following river valleys from Monday onwards:
1.Tweed River
2.Richmond & Wilson Rivers
3.Clarence River
4.Macleay River
5.Hastings River
This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop. Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service. Across NSW, about 75% of Flood Watches are followed by flooding.
Latest Image Received at: 00:12 UTC/GMT Wed 25 Jan 2012
WST | CST | CDT | EST | EDT |
08:12am | 09:42am | 10:42am | 10:12am | 11:12am |
Wednesday | Wednesday | Wednesday | Wednesday | Wednesday |
Issued at 10:55 am EDT on Wednesday 25 January 2012.
"Heavy rain and possible thunderstorms which may lead to flash flooding are forecast for the Northern Rivers forecast district, as well as eastern parts of the Northern Tablelands and northern parts of the Mid North Coast forecast districts.
In the six hours to 11am today the heaviest falls occurred in the Tweed Valley area, with 116 mm of rain recorded at Kingscliff, 105 mm at Murwillumba, and 101 mm at Chillingham. Slightly lower falls were recorded further south.
A Flood Watch is current for the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Nambucca, Macleay and Hastings river valleys.
Flood warnings are current for the Bellinger, Orara, Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Nambucca and Clarence Rivers.
For latest flood warning information, refer to www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/"
Australian Journalism 101: Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant
A published letter to The Daily Examiner editor by Holly Shiach on 23 January alerted me to the many errors packed into so few lines by one notorious repeat offender employed by the APN regional media group.
See how many factual errors you can spot in the opinion piece below after reading a little about Greenpeace.
Whale of a PR machine by Graham Orams on Page 8 of The Daily Examiner, 16 Jan 2012:
WHALE activists aren't doing themselves any favours with some of their antics.
Greenpeace activists are losing a lot of support among the mainstream public because of their eco-terrorism approach to this matter.
For a start, despite its ostensible outrage, Greenpeace would have been rubbing its hands together when three of its crew members were detained on board a whaling ship recently.
In fact, I wouldn't mind betting that was the plan all along.
After all, a big PR firm like Greenpeace needs to constantly find new and exciting ways to get media attention.
That's not to say whales are not worth saving; it's just funny how activist organisations like Greenpeace never seem interested in saving endangered spiders, for instance.
That type of endeavour would unlikely stir the public's emotion enough for them to donate money (cynical, aren't I?).
And having to send an Australian rescue team to bring the "captured" activists back to Western Australia hasn't gone down well with many in the community, who are less than impressed at the cost to taxpayers.
Now we hear anti-whaling activists are throwing acid at Japanese whaling boats to get their message across.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Greenpeace claim to care about the environment?
I'm no marine biologist but isn't it bad for our oceans to have acid poured into it?
No matter what I say, though, there are many people who believe the means justifies the end.
But all too often that attitude amounts to hypocrisy.
Labels:
falsehoods,
journalists,
newspaper,
The Daily Examiner
How long will Nationals Chris Gulaptis hold his seat if the O'Farrell Government allows toxic mining in the upper reaches of the Clarence River Catchment?
The Nymboida River system is part of the larger Clarence River catchment. It is predominately from the Nymboida River that Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley local government areas draw their drinking water.
Based on his public statements so far, it seems that Nationals MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis is refusing to back a ban on mining in the headwaters of the major northern rivers in New South Wales.
However, the call for action from local communities continues.
ABC Mid North Coast News January 23, 2012 :
Coffs-Clarence conservationists are calling for a ban on mining and exploration in the headwaters of the region's major rivers.
One company exploring for antimony on the Dorrigo Plateau, Anchor Mining, has already been fined over the impact of its activity on the Orara and Nymboida river catchments.
It is in relation to activity at the old Wild Cattle Creek mine near Bielsdown.
Coffs Harbour councillor and mining opponent Mark Graham says exploration exposed ore bodies containing toxic minerals like antimony, lead and mercury.
"There's been major damage to rainforest and contamination of the catchment," he said.
"Mining must be prohibited in sensitive catchment areas, particularly drinking water supply areas.
"We've already seen poor practice, we've seen the law being breached and fines being issued.
"The only way to protect the catchment is to prohibit mining and further exploration activities."
Cr Graham says the New South Wales Government will be lobbied to place a ban mining and exploration in the region's river catchments.
"There is huge community support for banning mining in the Orara and Nymboida catchments because of the drinking water supply," he said.
"That community support will translate into political will and pressure will be brought to bear upon the State Government to set no-go zones such as the Dorrigo Plateau."
Is Monsanto hearing the far-off sound of the fat lady warming up her vocal chords?
Labels:
people power,
pollution
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance - this small insect is a health hazard
NSW Ministry of Health media release, 18 January 2012
Warning to Take Precautions and Avoid Mosquitoes
The NSW Ministry of Health is reminding the public to protect themselves against mosquitoes after one person contracted Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) in the New England area, and another contracted the Kunjin virus.
Both people experienced relatively mild symptoms and are now recovering from the infection.
“The two cases, which are both caused by infections carried by mosquitoes, are a timely reminder for people to take precautions against mosquito borne infection,” NSW Health Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said.
“The person who had MVE was infected from mosquitoes west of the ranges in late 2011. It’s unclear when the person with Kunjin was infected, as the person had travelled both in coastal NSW and west of the ranges before infection,” he said.
“Mosquito numbers increase in summer and with an increase in rainfall. Most people with MVE or Kunjin will not develop symptoms but the infections can have serious consequences for others.”
Symptoms of MVE include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and muscle aches. In more severe cases encephalitis can develop and this causes neck stiffness, lethargy, drowsiness, confusion, delirium, tremors, neurological problems and coma.
Symptoms of Kunjin include mild illness with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, rash, swollen and aching joints, headache, muscle weakness and fatigue. Some also develop encephalitis.
Anyone with these symptoms of severe MVE or Kunjin infection should immediately seek medical assistance.
In NSW, Kunjin is usually found west of the Great Dividing Range, although Kunjin activity was detected in horses in coastal NSW last year. Water birds are also important hosts for the virus in Australia.
Several viruses including MVE and Kunjin and also Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are transmitted by infected mosquitoes which breed in flooded, grassy and swamp areas and around rivers and waterways.
Simple steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes include:
· When outside cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.
· Use an effective repellent on all exposed skin. Re-apply repellent within a few hours, as protection wears off from perspiration, particularly on hot nights. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET) or Picaridin.
· Light mosquito coils or use vapourising mats indoors. Devices that use light to attract and electrocute insects are not effective.
· Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.
· When camping, use flyscreens on caravans and tents or sleep under mosquito nets.
“Preventing these viruses depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially in the warmer months of the year when mosquitoes are most active,” Dr McAnulty said. For a copy of the NSW Health fact sheet on Murray River Encephalitis (MVE) virus and Kunjin go to:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/murray_valley_enceph.html
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/kunjin.html
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) advises that Murray River Encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin virus can also affect horses. Further information on the disease in horses and how to protect horses is available at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horses/health
Mosquito gifs from Google Images
Labels:
health
Obama wants the world to know that yes he can croon
About the only thing Obama gives away for free as he gears up for the U.S. presidential election……………………..
Labels:
Obamarama,
politics,
US election
Monday 23 January 2012
Copy of formal agreement between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and then MP-Elect Andrew Wilkie, 2 September 2010
As the political waters are likely to be muddies by vested interests of all political persuasions this week - here is the Gillard-Wilkie Agreement 2010. Read the source and then read those media opinions on current poker machine gambling policy and political rants as they roll out over the next few days.
More bad news concerning coal seam gas mining - fugitve methane
REPORT: NATURAL GAS FROM SHALE NOT SUITABLE AS “BRIDGE FUEL,” MAY WORSEN CLIMATE CHANGE
Researchers Note Gas Emissions From Marcellus Shale and Other Sites Linked to Significant Increased Risk of Near-Term Climate Change
ITHACA, NY 19 January 2012
Far from being a “solution” to climate change, natural gas extracted from shale is a huge contributor of greenhouse gases when both methane and carbon dioxide are considered, according to a major new study by three Cornell University researchers.
The natural gas industry already accounts for almost a fifth (17 percent) of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions inventory, when analyzed using recently available new evidence. This percentage is predicted to grow to almost one quarter (23 percent) as shale gas continues to replace conventional natural gas.
Methane, which is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, is the culprit, according to the new report.
Just accepted for publication in Climatic Change and available online now at http://216.250.243.12/shalegasghgreport.html, the study titled “Venting and Leaking of Methane from Shale Gas Development,” is the work of professor Robert Howarth and Renee Santoro, researchers in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, and Anthony Ingraffea, a professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell.
The study follows up on the author’s groundbreaking April 2011 paper, which provided the first comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas obtained by hydraulic fracturing, with a focus on methane emissions. Rather than understating the impact by looking only at shale gas used for electricity generation (just 30 percent of U.S. usage), the studies also look at heat generation (the largest use) over both a 20- and 100-year time frame. The new paper emphasizes this 20-year time frame, and analyzes the US national greenhouse gas inventory in that context.
The 20-year time frame is particularly important, the authors explain, because it may well be the timing for a “tipping point” for climate change if emissions are not brought under immediate control. The new paper builds on major new findings from the United Nations and from researchers at NASA published over the past six months, highlighting the urgent need to immediately reduce methane pollution globally.
Robert W. Howarth, David R. Atkinson professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, said: “We believe the preponderance of evidence indicates shale gas has a larger greenhouse gas footprint than conventional gas, considered over any time scale. The greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas also exceeds that of oil or coal when considered at decadal time scales, no matter how the gas is used. We stand by the conclusion of our 2011 research: ‘The large [greenhouse gas] footprint of shale gas undercuts the logic of its use as a bridging fuel over coming decades, if the goal is to reduce global warming.’”
Anthony Ingraffea, Dwight C. Baum professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, said: “Can shale-gas methane emissions be reduced? Clearly yes, and proposed EPA regulations to require capture of gas at the time of well completions are an important step. Regulations are necessary to accomplish emission reductions, as economic considerations alone have not driven such reductions. And it may be extremely expensive to reduce leakage associated with aging infrastructure, particularly distribution pipelines in cities but also long-distance transmission pipelines, which are on average more than 50 years old in the U.S. Should society invest massive capital in such improvements for a bridge fuel that is to be used for only 20 to 30 years, or would the capital be better spent on constructing a smart electric grid and other technologies that move towards a truly green energy future?”
According to the report:
• The natural gas industry dominates methane emissions for the U.S., contributing 39 percent of the nation’s total methane emissions.
• On an overall basis, methane makes up 44 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions when considered on the 20-year time frame after emission, including all gases and all human activities.
• The methane emissions from natural gas systems make up 17 percent of the entire man-made greenhouse gas emission inventory of the U.S., when viewed through the lens of the 20-year time frame.
• When viewed on the time scale of 100 years following emission, the importance of methane is substantially reduced, but the shorter time frame is critical, given possible tipping points in the global climate system over the coming few decades.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Anderson Maloy at (703) 276-3256 or landerson@hastingsgroup.com.
Labels:
climate change,
Coal Seam Gas Mining,
environment,
safety
What is it with the American South that it so easily embraces the idea of assassination?
Andrew Adler, owner-publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times in the Friday 13th January 2012 edition of his newspaper suggesting that Israel consider assassinating President Obama:
“Give the go-ahead for U.S. based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place and forcefully dictate that the United States' policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies.
Yes, you read "three" correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel's existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don't you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel's most inner circles?
Another way of putting "three" in perspective goes something like this: How far would you go to save a nation comprised of seven million lives ... Jews, Christians and Arabs alike?
Yes, you read "three" correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel's existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don't you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel's most inner circles?
Another way of putting "three" in perspective goes something like this: How far would you go to save a nation comprised of seven million lives ... Jews, Christians and Arabs alike?
You have got to believe, like I do, that all options are on the table.”
* Newspaper image from Gawker
Labels:
politics,
scandal,
skullduggery,
USA
Sunday 22 January 2012
Is your local council using Brothel Busters?
Brothel Busters, known formally as Lyonswood Investigations and Forensic Group, advertised a vacancy for an investigator in MyCareer (see below) this week. While the job description makes for interesting (and somewhat mind-boggling) reading, it's the introductory part of the advertisement that caused this reader to wonder about which local councils use this mob's "services". And, for those that do, how do they go about detailing their expenses in their financial statements?
Source: MyCareer, 21/1/12
Labels:
brothels,
councils,
employment,
local government
Pacific Highway upgrade at Urunga to start in 2013
Australian Road Assessment Program
highway network based on 2009 data
The Bellingen Shire Courier Sun 21 January 2012:
Construction of a by-pass of Urunga is now expected to commence early next year.
Following negotiations between the Australian and NSW Governments a bypass of Urunga is a step closer, with construction companies interested in designing and upgrading the Urunga to Nambucca Heads section of the Pacific Highway having until February 23 to register their details with the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese said this 22 kilometre section is part of the larger 42 kilometre Urunga to Warrell Creek project and is another important step in upgrading the Pacific Highway between Port Macquarie and Raleigh.
“Once completed in 2016, the Urunga to Nambucca Heads upgrade will deliver safer, smoother driving conditions for the 15,000 motorists and truck drivers who use this section of the Pacific Highway each and every day,” said Mr Albanese.
The upgrade of the Urunga to Nambucca Heads section had been agreed between Ministers Albanese and Gay before they became aware of a news story on the issue which aired on Channel 9 last week…….
Rating New South Wales’ Highway Network for Risk 2011 – PDF download
Labels:
federal government,
infrastructure,
NSW government,
roads,
safety
Wandering home through art
Jude MCBEAN
Home 1996
Margaret SEALE
Welcome home party 1995
Marjorie BULTITUDE
As I see it [date unknown]
All paintings held by Grafton Regional Gallery in the Clarence Valley NSW
Labels:
arts
Saturday 21 January 2012
Yamba, as seen by a visitor
Sherilyn and her family, who visited Yamba recently, obviously had a helluva good time there.
I've taken the liberty of extracting a few bits from her blog piece On Hiatus in Yamba. Honestly, the local chamber of commerce couldn't have produced something as positive as this, even if it paid squillions for it.
Sherilyn wrote:
"We are enjoying some precious family time in the picturesque and laid back Yamba. No time for cooking this week, rather we are being waited on and sampling the local seafood and produce this region has to offer. Not to mention the salty stuff - water that is. The boys are in heaven!!"
Big Bash cricketer tells it as it is
Brad Hogg, who plays for Perth Scorchers in the BB, responded with a fair-dinkum double-dose of reality to the Melbourne Stars when the latter complained about having a long trip to Perth for Saturday night's semi-final and that they'd drawn the short straw with less rest time between games than Perth had.
Hogg said, "Stop complaining, seriously. ...there are people out there digging holes for a living and we're actually playing cricket ... so stop whingeing."Source: SMH
Labels:
cricket,
Twenty20 Big Bash,
whingers
The Gillard Government gambles on a mandatory poker machine pre-commitment trial
The Gillard Government has spoken on the subject of poker machine gambling, apparently indicating that the mooted trial of the new mandatory pre-commitment system will take part in the Australian Capital Territory.
A fact which should see clubs and pubs across the NSW border in Queanbeyan experience a wave pokie refugees as the new technology is bedded down in Canberra.
Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie's formal support of the minority federal government appears to be over and he may yet see all hope of curbing problem gambling through legislation slip from his grasp, as it is highly likely that any incoming Coalition government in 2013 would fail to act on the results of this trial.
The Gillard Government today announced its plan to tackle problem gambling, helping the five million Australians affected by problem gambling in this country.
This plan means the Gillard Government will do more to tackle problem gambling than any Commonwealth Government in Australia’s history.
The Government will act to:
- Undertake a large scale trial of mandatory pre-commitment;
- Expand pre-commitment technology to every poker machine across the country, that could then be used for mandatory pre-commitment if it is supported by a trial.
Rolling the technology out to every machine now ensures that we will be ready to flick the switch to a best-practice mandatory pre-commitment system, if the trial results support it.
We believe this evidence-based pathway to help problem gamblers and their families will gain the necessary support to pass the current Parliament.
It is our intention to introduce legislation in the first Parliamentary session of this year which will require that:
- All new poker machines manufactured from 2013 must be capable of supporting pre-commitment; and
- By 31 December 2016 all poker machines must be part of a state linked pre-commitment system, except eligible small venues which will have longer.
We will also continue to work on pre-commitment technology through the COAG Select Council on Gaming Reform. At this forum in May last year, state and territory gaming ministers agreed to support the required infrastructure for pre-commitment technology in all jurisdictions.
The Gillard Government understands that many Australians enjoy gambling responsibly. But for others it can have devastating consequences.
Problem gambling ruins lives.
That’s why in November 2008 we asked the Productivity Commission to inquire into problem gambling in Australia.
The Productivity Commission found that problem gambling affects up to five million Australians, including friends, family and employers of people with a gambling problem.
These far reaching impacts are why the Australian Government is delivering genuine, long-lasting reforms to help problem gamblers and their families.
The Government is also taking a range of other actions to support problem gamblers and their families including:
- Introducing a $250 daily withdrawal limit from ATMs in gaming venues (excluding casinos) by 1 February 2013;
- Electronic warnings and cost of play displays on poker machines by 2016;
- Additional counselling support with 50 new financial counsellors to work with problem gamblers, and expanding the reach of Gambling Help Online;
- Strengthening self-exclusion arrangements; and
- Improving training for staff in pokies venues.
Further, the Government recognises that gambling online and sports betting are a growing concern, and we will:
- Ban the promotion of live odds during sports coverage;
- Extend pre-commitment to online betting services;
- Crack down on online sports betting companies offering credit and introduce stricter limits on betting inducements; and
- Increase the powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to enforce these new rules.
The actions the Gillard Government is taking will be the most significant and far reaching national reforms to tackle problem gambling ever seen in this country.
Labels:
Australian society,
gambling
Are the Nationals creating a bizarre and corrupt political culture on the NSW North Coast?
Click on invitation to enlarge
In 2011 then NSW Nationals MP for Cowper, Steve Cansdell, was forced to resign when it became public knowledge that he had falsified a statutory declaration in order to avoid having his driver’s licence cancelled.
Subsequently the electorate found out that he was being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption and NSW Police. Both these investigations appear to be on-going.
In the local media this disgraced former state parliamentarian admitted that he would have never confessed to wrongdoing if a former staffer hadn’t blown the whistle.
Despite this, the new NSW MP for Cowper, Chris Gulaptis, embraced Cansdell’s support during the by-election campaign and afterwards – and now I'm reliably informed the Clarence Nationals are to give this admitted lawbreaker a $50-a-head two course tribute dinner next month in the Kensei Bar and the Event Centre at Grafton Racecourse, with RSVPs being handled by Nationals staffer Deb Newton.
The invitation shows that Clarence Nationals are also using the Cansdell name to fund raise for the political party itself.
Which begs the question: When a political party does not appear to recognise an acknowledged criminal act, how long before it condones widespread corrupt activity by its members?
The invitation shows that Clarence Nationals are also using the Cansdell name to fund raise for the political party itself.
Which begs the question: When a political party does not appear to recognise an acknowledged criminal act, how long before it condones widespread corrupt activity by its members?
Labels:
NSW government,
NSW politics,
scandal
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Are there any takers out there for a protest rally at the gates of the venue?
Why should we be saying to our children it is O.K. to lie as the National Party believe it is and when is this matter going to be heard in court?