'Queen of No' finally gets her comeuppance?

Pic of Abbott’s pet Peta found at The Australian

Only masochists look forward to watching the House of Reps Question Time, when our elected representatives are gathered in Canberra supposedly governing for us all and in front of a camera at the same time.

So I was pleasantly surprised to discover the new Speaker Peter Slipper wasn’t tolerating either interjections, points of order which were out of line or answers which strayed from the questions asked.

It warmed the cockles of my heart to see how many childish pollies were sent to the naughty corner for an hour after interjecting or dissing the Chair.

Especially last Thursday, when Nationals Leader Warren Truss was ejected for interjecting and the Nats threw a collective dummy spit and staged a walk-out.

But later in that same Question Time, my heart fair burst when Speaker Pete finally called to order the unelected paid cheer squad belonging to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and threatened to ban all interjecting advisers – including the chief offender of the moment the Queen of No Peta Credlin - from ever entering the House while it was in session during his speakership.

Hansard on the 16^th February:

Mr Albanese: Mr Speaker, on a point of order, is it in order for advisers in the advisers box to interject against the Prime Minister while she is giving an answer to a question?

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr Stephen Smith: Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER: I will hear the Minister for Defence.

Mr Stephen Smith: Mr Speaker, in addition to the point which the Leader of the House has made, in the course—

Opposition members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The member on my left who interjected will remain silent, and the minister will commence his contribution again.

Mr Stephen Smith: In addition to the point which the Leader of the House made, in the course of the Leader of the House's contribution the person from the advisers box was continuing to interject on him.

The SPEAKER: The answer to the question asked of me by the Leader of the House is: clearly, it is grossly disorderly for anyone from the advisers box to interject. I did not actually observe that but I give notice that, if I do, the offending individual will be banned from the advisers box for the duration of my speakership.

Page MP Janelle Saffin hosts local National Disability Insurance Scheme forums in Grafton and Casino, 21 February 2012

Page MP Janelle Saffin has organised two National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) forums to be held in Grafton and Casino next week.

“I have said that I will keep the community informed on the progress of the NDIS and I am delighted that the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas has agreed to come to Page to deliver the forums with me.

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme for Australia is a fundamental reform to how we respond to and provide care and services to people.”

“An NDIS means people with a disability and their carers having a say in how they are supported; it means making sure support reaches those who need it, and it means breaking down barriers to schooling, work and community life.

“I encourage as many organisations; people with disabilities; carers and friends of those with disabilities, to attend either of these important information sessions.”

“I know how important it is for local people that we get on with the job of building the NDIS and the forums will provide an opportunity for local people to stay informed about how the Australian Government is working with the States and Territories to push these reforms through.

“Many key local organisations have been working with me to make sure we had these forums here, including DAISI, and disability service providers Caringa Enterprises and Windara, RED Inc and others, and I thank them for their support,” Ms Saffin said.

The forums will take place next Tuesday 21 February 2012. The Grafton forum is at 10.30 at Caringa Enterprises and the Casino Forum is at 2.30 pm at Windara Communities.

Both venues have full access and if you would like to attend please contact Matt Dunne at Ms. Saffin’s electorate office on 1300 301 735 for further details. Bookings are essential.

[Janelle Saffin MP Media Release, 16 February 2102]

The Daily Examiner editor calls the Federal Opposition on its private health insurance scare campaign

Click on image to enlarge

NSW Minerals Council is offering itself to government as the economic saviour of New South Wales

The NSW Minerals Council spinning so hard that its head has left its shoulders……………

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Mining industry adding jobs to help stabilise NSW economy

Direct employment up 107% in four years to 45,708

At a time of growing uncertainty and warnings of more job losses in NSW, the minerals sector continues to show strong jobs growth and low unemployment in the State’s key mining regions.

According to the ABS, the number of people directly employed in mining has grown by 107% over the past four years from 22,041 to 45,708.

New data from the Illawarra Regional Information Service confirms employment in the region’s mines is at a 20-year high, and according to the Hunter Valley Research Foundation unemployment in the Upper Hunter is a low 2.8%, significantly lower than the state-wide unemployment rate of 5.6%.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said today that our world-class NSW minerals industry provides an opportunity to keep the NSW economy buoyant as the state braces for an uncertain year ahead.

“Job losses announced this week and warnings from the NSW Treasurer about a contraction of the financial sector are concerning as the problems in Europe continue to cast a shadow over our economy,” he said.

“But the strong growth in mining jobs shows a way to help protect our State from future economic difficulties.

“In the Hunter, the Illawarra, and the State’s Central West, mining is delivering strong economic activity outside of Sydney that can help to counter the difficulties being faced in other sectors.

“And given every direct mining job generates at least three additional indirect jobs, it is clear that growth in mining can deliver right across the economy at a time when other sectors are shedding jobs.

“The mining industry is making 20 and 30 year investments in infrastructure and economically sustainable jobs that create a positive flow-on effect into the rest of the economy. The new projects and infrastructure being planned will contribute to strong state growth through jobs and billions of dollars in investment.

“Our industry can be a stabilising influence on the NSW economy and generate terrific returns for the people of NSW through successive rounds of business activity and royalty payments to the NSW Government - tipped to total $8.5 billion over the next four years.”

“Mining in NSW accounts for 2.5% of Gross State Product and has the potential to make an even greater contribution to the economy and NSW Budget – but only under the right policy settings.

“While growth in the NSW mining sector can help insulate our State from the impact of global economic uncertainty, the carbon tax looms large. The Federal Government needs to reconsider its carbon tax, especially at a time when there is so much economic uncertainty.”

Media Contact: Lindsay Hermes  lhermes@nswmin.com.au  02 9274 1419

   

Find out why our people, NSW Miners, are leaders in global mining at www.worldclassminers.com.au            

          

From the Opposition benches K-K-Keneally shows her claws are still sharp

Sydney Morning Herald 15^th February 2012:

Keneally keeps up with Kardashians by turning the jibe on O'Farrell  

NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard on Valentine’s Day 2012:

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: I repeat that government Kim Kardashian style is over. This Government does not appoint Ministers or do interviews on the basis—

Ms Kristina Keneally: Point of order: Given the length of the Premier's first marriage, he is the real Kardashian in this place.

* O’Farrell’s first marriage to Antoinette Holford in 1987 is reported to have lasted less than a year. The Kardashian-Humphries marriage apparently lasted 72 days.

GetUp! does Monckton, Rinehart and capturing the news media

Click on image to enlarge

GetUp! mock up of newspaper under a Fox News-style editorial policy envisioned by Lord Monckton and relayed to members attending a meeting at the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation in West Australia.

http://youtu.be/aX2kMAfJggU

A common complaint of motorists and pedestrians on the 'Grey Coast'

Letter to the Editor in The Daily Examiner 13 February 2012:

Mobility speedsters

After the story in Saturday's paper I would like to make a plea to the riders of mobility scooters.

Please, before you cross Prince St from one of the vegetated kerb blisters, STOP!

Because of the height of the vegetation at these points and your low height, it is damn near impossible for a driver to see you.

I have witnessed and experienced several near disasters from scooter riders bolting out of these blisters and expecting to be immune from disaster.

One day someone will just not be able to stop in time and some poor driver will have to live with the consequences of having knocked a disabled/elderly person off their scooter.

Simple solution - just stop and look before you cross the road. It doesn't matter that there is a pedestrian crossing; you still have to enter it with caution. And technically, you are driving a vehicle, you are not a pedestrian.

So before we have a disaster on our hands - and remember there have already been 60 fatalities - use your common sense and don't just assume because you are on a pedestrian crossing that you have right of way.

And of course, all drivers should be approaching the crossing with due care as well.

But, given the speed that these scooters are capable of, sometimes it is just impossible to predict their approach.

If they are supposed to be designed for simply "mobility", why is it necessary for them to be capable of such speeds anyway?

From where I see it, it looks like they are being used as commuter vehicles, rather than mobility aids in a lot of cases.

Any vehicle capable of travelling at any faster than a swift walking pace (say 10 kph), should be regulated in some form, for the sake of all road users.

LISA CRISPIN

Grafton

U.S. Presidential Election 2012: Just when you thought you'd seen everything

Roseanne Barr announces candidacy for Presidency of the United States of America and also for the Primeministership of Israel in a twofer.

http://youtu.be/iSZYGyOK_yY

“I'm tired of watching as men destroy all the world. Everything used to be beautiful when women were in charge, and now I, working as the physical manifestation of the goddess Isis and the reincarnation of Cleopatra, have decided to save the world.”

U.S. Presidential Election 2012: Translating the "Grand Old Party"

http://youtu.be/js3BYcHmBhE

http://youtu.be/e9L9A1IMTQo

http://youtu.be/BagYRDEFvy0

http://youtu.be/igQlbesF0zA

At last! Someone translates GOP presidential candidates for the rest of the world.

The digital ignorance of Australian judges is mindboggling

Like others who from time to time use the Internet to undertake serious research I am well aware how easy it is to retrieve from cyberspace documents that have been published or posted concerning a given individual once I have a name or initials and, at least one 'fact' associated with that same individual.

Not all Australian judges first came to the bar before the Internet was invented and some were still practicing as barristers when Google became a popular research tool. So it is more than naive, indeed it could be seen as reckless, for any court to suppress the name of a defendant or witness yet allow journalists to identify them by their own initials.

After reading one recent newspaper article online, it took me exactly two minutes to hit a correct search engine link which lead to the full name and details of unlawful activity to which one suppressed-identity defendant had plead guilty.

Another two minutes was all that was needed to retrieve further publicly available information which might allow an educated guess as to the general contents of a document which had been sealed by the court, as well as detailed evidence he had given previously in another matter.

One more mouse click and I had access to a number of full face and body photographs of the defendant. Several more after that and online media reports produced age, marital status, number of children, suburb of residence and welfare benefit status.

One has to presume that identities are often suppressed by the courts because of physical safety concerns. However, in this country such suppression orders are a feeble joke. Because even though the law may seek to blindfold, the Internet has myriad eyes.

Splendour in the Grass comes home to NSW North Coast in July 2012

ABC North Coast NSW February 10, 2012

The Splendour in the Grass festival will move back to Belongil Fields in Byron Bay this year.

The Splendour In The Grass music festival is planning a return to Byron Bay for this year's event.

After two years at Woodford in Queensland, Splendour In The Grass organisers are currently working on taking the festival back to its original home at the Belongil Fields.

The dates for the 2012 event are Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July.

For updates go to the Splendour in the Grass website at http://splendourinthegrass.com/#

U.S. Presidential Election 2012: Conspiracies Unlimited

U.S. President Barack Obama probably will be the subject of character assassination long after he's met his maker.

This is one of the enduring classics - calling into question his American-born status - still doing the rounds during the run up to this year's presidential election.

Doctored ID

Genuine ID

http://www.snopes.com/

Freak storm rips through Coffs Harbour on Sunday 11 February 2012

Severe Storm Cell moving out to sea after unleashing on Coffs Harbour. 11/02/2012

Sentinel Photography

Storm moving up the coast off Coffs Harbour on the 11th February

Ken Sedgmen

ClareDeligny Clare Deligny

Tonight on NBN News, a freak storm rips through Coffs Harbour causing widespread damage and destruction.

Do as I say, not as I do

The Daily Examiner 6 February 2012

Sky News as a big LOL

This advice to its house journalists from a news service which was one of the first to be embroiled in the Tent Embassy quotes misquotes saga….

Sky News has told its journalists not to repost information from any Twitter users who are not an employee of the broadcaster.

An email to staff on Tuesday laid out new social media guidelines for Sky News employees, including a contentious ban on retweeting rival "journalists or people on Twitter".……

"Where a story has been Tweeted by a Sky News journalist who is assigned to the story it is fine, desirable in fact, that it is retweeted by other Sky News staff.

"Do not retweet information posted by other journalists or people on Twitter. Such information could be wrong and has not been through the Sky News editorial process."………

A Sky News spokeswoman said: "Sky News has the same editorial procedures across all their platforms including social media to ensure the news we report is accurate."

{The Guardian on the 7th February 2012}

How quickly the story changes once animal cruelty is exposed *WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES & SOUNDS*

http://youtu.be/Zp-8PpA4upM

This week various media outlets reported that; The NSW Food Authority ordered the immediate halt yesterday to slaughter at the Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors at Wilberforce, in Sydney's west, after seeing undercover footage apparently taken by a worker at the abattoir.

Since the animal cruelty allegations surfaced there have been professions of innocence or ignorance and, suggestions that what was shown on the video was rogue behaviour on the part of either individual abattoir workers or this one particular business
.

Although these are comforting sentiments for the general meat-eating public, they are unlikely to be based on verifiable fact. The number of workers shown in the video and the relaxed body language suggests that the actions shown were probably commonplace and acceptable within company culture.

A number of local businessess are attempting to deny seeing or hearing anything, however one cannot exclude the possibility that it was common local knowledge that the abattoir was operating in an inapproriate manner.

This morning further allegations emerged in The Australian:

The Weekend Australian viewed a cache of documents dating back to the late 1990s, including correspondence with council and local MPs, detailing alleged ammonia leaks, poisoning and pieces of animal carcass carried by birds on to adjacent properties. Although one case went to court, no prosecution was recorded.

Neither the Federal Labor Government nor the NSW Coalition Government can spin this away and both should act on the matter. The Gillard Government by looking into the possibility of a national abattoir monitoring policy and, the O'Farrell Government by creating legislation which mandates CCTV on all abattoir killing floors and by vigorously prosecuting any wrongdoing.

According to information available on the Internet, HAWKESBURY VALLEY MEAT PROCESSORS PTY LTD,  R W LANGLEY WHOLESALE MEAT PTY LTD and M & A BUTCHERY all share the same physical address at 62 King Road, Wilberforce, New South Wales.

The first two business appear to be connected with Ken and Glenn Langley and the third with Michael and Angela Diasinos along with their sons.

This is M & A BUTCHERY featured in a local food blog in November 2009:

Whilst the family still run the butchery and own the abattoir, the abattoir itself is leased to another party. The meat in the shop though still comes from the abattoir which is only 200 metres away…. A typical day lasts from 6.00am to 6.00pm. The head butcher will set up in the morning whilst Dean goes to the abattoir and works out what to bring into the shop.  

This is the same business in February 2012:

Click on images to enlarge

Previous post concerning the Hawkesbury abattoir.

Celestial art

Click on photograph to enlarge
Then click again for full resolution

Carina Nebula

Milky Way :  Star Formation

Distance: 7500 light years

This broad panorama of the Carina Nebula, a region of massive star formation in the southern skies, was taken in infrared light using the HAWK-I camera on ESO’s Very Large Telescope. Many previously hidden features, scattered across a spectacular celestial landscape of gas, dust and young stars, have emerged.

Credit:  ESO/T. Preibisch

The spirit of Elizabeth Macarthur lived on

Forget the bad and eventually mad John Macarthur – and remember that it was Elizabeth who kept those original merino flocks going and helped Australia jump on the sheep’s back.

In The Sydney Morning Herald on 8^th February 2012:

“Sheep have a greater diversity of genes than many other animals in Australia because of the way they have been bred, a new study has found…..

"Our detailed gene map is telling us that sheep breeds have been formed in a fluid way that makes them different from other species of domestic animals," lead author James Kilas from the CSIRO said in a statement…..”

Pic found at Google Images

It's time to ask Australian butchers and supermarkets where they are sourcing the meat you buy

 

As the NSW abattoir currently in the news for alleged animal cruelty apparently slaughters for domestic consumption only, here is a brief outline for ethical consumers.

The Sydney Morning Herald 10 February 2012:

A SYDNEY abattoir has stopped slaughtering and faces closure and prosecution after hidden-camera footage of chilling animal cruelty emerged.

The NSW Food Authority ordered the immediate halt yesterday to slaughter at the Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors at Wilberforce, in Sydney's west, after seeing undercover footage apparently taken by a worker at the abattoir.

''This is one of the worst cases I've seen in an abattoir of animal cruelty,'' said Peter Day, a spokesman for the authority. The footage, recorded over six days at the end of last month, shows workers mistreating sheep, cattle, pigs and goats….

The Telegraph 10 February 2012:

It is believed Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors provided the footage to authorities after becoming aware animal rights activists had provided it to a media outlet.

Department of Primary Industries NSW Food Authority 9 February 2012 media release Slaughtering at Sydney abattoir stopped:  

Action by the NSW Food Authority today has led to the shut down of slaughtering at a Sydney abattoir. This follows the Authority examining disturbing video footage of acts of gross animal mistreatment.

The video shows the slaughter of sheep, cattle, goats and pigs that allegedly breaches the Food Regulation 2010 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

Australian standards under the Food Regulation 2010 require that "animals are slaughtered in a way that prevents unnecessary injury, pain and suffering to them and causes them the least practical disturbance."

A full investigation of slaughter practices at the site is now underway, which involves the RSPCA.

Non compliance of food and animal welfare laws is taken extremely seriously.

The welfare of animals in NSW is protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA) 1979 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation which are overseen by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Under POCTA fines of up to $110,000 or two years imprisonment apply for acts of aggravated acts of cruelty to animals.

The NSW Food Authority regulates abattoirs in NSW.

All abattoirs operating in NSW are required to hold a licence and operate in accordance with the Food Regulation 2010. Abattoirs are required to comply with the NSW Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption.

https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/07-183

Extracted from ASIC's database at AEST 06:45:33 on 10/02/2012

 

Name	HAWKESBURY VALLEY MEAT PROCESSORS PTY LTD
ACN	119 318 295
ABN	53 119 318 295
Type	Australian Proprietary Company, Limited By Shares
Registration Date	19/04/2006
Next Review Date	19/04/2012
Status	Registered
Locality of Registered Office	Mona Vale NSW 2103
Jurisdiction	Australian Securities & Investments Commission

Directors of this company appear to include Glenn Langley and Ronald Winston Langley of R W Langley Wholesale Meat Pty Ltd

Q: Is Hartsuyker telling untruths to his electorate again? A: Is he opening his mouth and moving his lips?

Nationals MP for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker, media release dated 6 February 2012 and reported in The Coffs Coast Advocate on 7 February:

"An analysis of Treasury modelling has revealed that in addition to rises in the cost of living, under a carbon tax real wages will drop one per cent by 2020 and six per cent by 2050," Mr Hartsuyker said. "A one per cent drop is the equivalent of $600 per year for a worker on average wages. As we approach July 1 when the carbon tax will come into effect, the true impact is becoming very real. The double whammy of lower wages and higher prices will hit families hard.

"Last week Qantas announced an increase in their charges as a result of the Gillard Government's carbon tax.

This will have an impact on our domestic tourism industry which is so important to the North Coast. …"

Sounds terrible, doesn't it? Shall we panic now as this less than honest MP obviously hopes we will?

Well, before you expend any energy on emulating Chicken Little for the edification of neighbours and friends, consider the following – a 15 February Qantas price increase is not due to the yet to be implemented Australian carbon pricing scheme and, the most recent Treasury update does not support any doomsday scenario in relation to wages.

Qantas statement concerning the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme:

From 1st January 2012, aviation will be included in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The EU ETS covers all flights operating into or out of the EU, no matter where the operator is based. The EU ETS requires the operator of the flight to acquire allowances in respect of the emissions generated by any flight into or out of the EU. Qantas as a result will need to comply with the EU ETS, with an estimated cost impact of approximately A$2.3 million in the initial calendar year 2012.

In context of the significant challenges facing the global aviation industry, the Qantas International business will be unable to absorb the additional costs associated with the EU ETS and there will be a pass-through to customers…..

While the Qantas ticket prices to UK/Europe may rise initially with the introduction of the EU ETS collection from 15 February 2012, Qantas ticket prices will remain competitive and are subject to change. [my red bolding]

Qantas statement concerning Domestic Carbon Pricing and Carbon Tax charge:

The Australian Government introduced its Clean Energy legislation last year, which created a carbon price system (CPS). The CPS takes effect from 1 July 2012…

In the context of the significant challenges facing the global aviation industry, the Qantas Group will be unable to absorb the additional costs associated with the CPS and there will be a full pass-through to customers.

Price rise projections (including GST per sector) start at $1.82 for journeys under 701kms to $6.86 for journeys of 1,901kms and above.

Australian Government Treasury, Modelling A Carbon Price Overview, September 2011:

This update revises the policy parameters of the national and sectoral economic modelling contained in the Strong growth, low pollution: modelling a carbon price (SGLP) report.

It presents two additional scenarios: one that reflects the Clean Energy Future package endorsed by the MPCCC, with a starting carbon price of $23/t CO2‑e instead of the $20/t CO2‑e modelled in the SGLP report; and one that also includes additional Government policy measures.

The updated modelling confirms the Australian economy will continue to grow strongly while emissions are reduced. Macroeconomic and sectoral projections from the updated policy scenarios are very close to those of the SGLP policy scenario, as the policy scenarios feature the same emission targets, the same carbon prices after the first three years and share a majority of other policy features.

Average incomes measured by gross national income (GNI) per person increase by around $9,000 from today's level to 2020 and by more than $30,000 to 2050. GNI per person grows by 1.1 per cent per year to 2050 with carbon pricing, compared to 1.2 per cent per year without carbon pricing. Employment continues to grow strongly, with national employment increasing by 1.6 million jobs by 2020, with or without carbon pricing. All state economies continue to grow strongly.

The impact of a $23/t CO2‑e carbon price on aggregate consumer prices (of 0.7 per cent in 2012‑13) was reported in the SGLP report; no update is needed.

The main additional results in this modelling update are:

·         the higher starting price reduces domestic emissions by an additional 5 Mt CO2‑e in total over the first three years of the scheme;

·         the Government measure to apply an effective carbon price to fuel used by heavy road vehicles from 1 July 2014 reduces Australia's domestic emissions by an additional 4 Mt CO2‑e in 2020 and 20 Mt CO2‑e in 2050 and lowers the cost of meeting Australia's emission reduction targets; and

·         updated electricity sector modelling confirms the estimated 10 per cent increase in electricity prices in 2012‑13 from carbon pricing presented in the SGLP report.  [my red bolding]

Excerpt from a 9 February media release by Federal Labor MP for Page, Janelle Saffin:

PAGE MP Janelle Saffin says Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker’s latest attempt to discredit the carbon price shows that he has got his facts wrong … again.

“Mr Hartsuyker is trying to instil fear into workers by claiming that a carbon price will cut real wages,” Ms Saffin said.
Ms Saffin said the facts are Treasury modelling of the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Package shows that under a carbon price:

• Real wages will increase by 20 per cent by 2020 and almost 50 per cent by 2050;
• Incomes will grow – real income per capita is projected to increase by $9000 in today’s dollars by 2020;
• Employment will grow with 1.6 million new jobs created by 2020;
• Strong economic growth will continue with gross national income projected to grow at 1.1 per cent a year to 2050;
• Price impacts will be modest with a one-off increase of 0.7 per cent in the Consumer Price Index, much less than the 2.5 per cent impact of the GST;
• And importantly, pollution will fall – by 2050, carbon pricing is expected to reduce Australia’s domestic carbon emissions by nearly half what they would be without a carbon price, a reduction of 485 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent.

Ms Saffin said Mr Hartsuyker can remain a climate change skeptic if he likes, but he should not consistently misrepresent Treasury modelling.......

The Government’s Clean Energy Act will put a price on the pollution of the country’s 500 biggest polluters, creating economic incentives to reduce pollution and invest in clean energy.

“The Government will then assist households through tax cuts, increases in family tax benefits and higher pensions and allowances. Nine out of every 10 households will receive assistance.

“Almost six million households will get tax cuts or increased payments that cover their entire average price impact. Over four million households will get an extra buffer with assistance that is at least 20 per cent more than their average expected price impact.”

In Page, around 43,000 out of 48,000 taxpayers will receive a tax cut. Out of these 43,000, 36,000 will receive a tax cut of at least $300.

Overall, more than 55,300 people in Page will receive household assistance through income support payments (e.g. pensions) and family assistance payments (e.g. Family Tax Benefit A)..... [my bolding]

Preview of Granny Herald's changes to banner and editorial policy?

Dan Ilic provides a laugh with this alternative front page for the Fairfax media's flagship - The Sydney Mining Herald 

Click on page to grow the joke