The Craig Thomson Saga: He's in another universe?

Jackson (left) and Thomson (right)

Health Services Union officials have rejected Federal Independent MP Craig Thomson’s claim that he was set up by a member/s of the union with regard to allegations currently being investigated by NSW Police – one even saying that he’s in another universe.

Certain political commentators are also tending to openly scoff at the MP's claim.

However, it may pay to tread carefully because Thomson’s claim bears a remarkable similarity to another HSU official’s claim in 2009. The fact that there are two individual claims in a short time frame tends to support the idea that dirty tricks may be part of the internal life of this union. The Jackson allegations were also allegedly investigated by police.

The Weekend Australian article concerning allegations against Jeff Jackson, April 2009:

The statement of a Bendigo Gold Visa card allegedly issued to Jackson shows expenditure on services that fall far outside his normal duties. It includes a string of prostitutes, designer clothes, dental work, gourmet food and drinks at a favourite Melbourne hotel. Jackson challenges the authenticity of this credit card account and dismisses allegations he has misused any funds as part of a "dirty tricks campaign" mounted by opponents within his union…..

Last year Jackson granted himself a 9 per cent pay rise, more than double the percentage his members received, after instructing his office manager Rita Wills to give him $15,000. This additional money was officially described on the union payroll as "back pay". When Jackson's junior official and friend Alex Hicks took leave without pay last October, he ordered that she get a one-off payment of $5000. Jackson told his office manager to record the sum as a political donation because Hicks was "campaigning for

Barack Obama".

Over a 15-month period to November last year, Jackson was reimbursed $19,000 for branch expenditure…..

The Australian article concerning allegations against Craig Thomson, April 2009:

A FEDERAL Labor MP and former union chief is facing allegations that his union credit cards were used to pay for escort services and to withdraw more than $100,000 in cash.

Fairfax newspapers report today that Craig Thomson allegedly also used union credit cards to bankroll his election campaign for the NSW seat of Dobell in 2007, but that this use of the cards had not been disclosed under electoral law.

Mr Thomson, 44, is a former national secretary of the Health Services Union, officials of which had made the allegations, it was reported.

Thomson is to make a personal explanation in the House of Representatives during the week beginning 21 May 2012.

Photographs found at Google Images

Update:

I acknowledge that I have played internal union and ALP politics for 20 years - and played it hard according to the grubby rule book of those environments. [National Secretary of the Health Services Union and Executive President of HSUeast Kathy Jackson, Is Kathy Jackson a hero?: a personal explanation, 1 February 2012]

And now journalists keep ringing her, wanting to ask about the political storm she accidentally sparked the previous night on ABC-TV's 7.30 Report when she accused the Government of interfering in the investigation into Thomson being carried out by the independent industrial umpire Fair Work Australia. It was an accusation she had not planned to make, and one that was especially awkward given her partner Michael Lawler is vice-president of FWA. She now concedes she has no firm evidence to back up the allegation. "That just sort of happened," she giggles as she lights a cigarette.......
[The Australian, Union dues,18 February 2012]

On  21 December 2011 Joint Vice-President of Fair Work Australia and past Howard Government appointee to the former Australian Industrial Relations Commission which adjudicated under WorkChoices legislation, Michael J Lawler, makes a formal complaint to NSW Police in a private capacity against certain officials in the HSU, after Fair Work Australia received complaints about alleged inappropriate contact and interference by Lawler in union matters on behalf of Kathy Jackson.

Further update:

Wixxyleaks on the subject of Michael J Lawler 17 May 2012:

I contacted Fair Work Australia today after anonymous sources informed me that he had been stood down. Initially I spoke to Michael’s PA, who informed me she knew nothing, only that he was not in the office all day.
I again contacted FWA as rumors persisted. late this afternoon I was contacted by FWA’s Communications Manager, Judy Hughes who informed me that Michael was on “Long Leave”. Not Long Service Leave, Sick Leave, or Holidays, “Long Leave”.
She would not expand on this, citing “privacy reasons”, however based on my earlier conversations with both her and Michael’s PA, I was left with the impression that this decision had been taken rather suddenly. I was also left wondering who actually made the decision, as when I asked Judy if Michael had chosen to go on leave, I was told that Judy ”did not have that information”.
Reasons for his “Long Leave” are, as yet, unclear — however questions are being raised as to whether it is connected with the HSU investigation in which his partner Kathy Jackson was the Union “whistleblower”. Questions have been raised about Lawler’s relationship with Tony Abbott, and how this may have had an influence on any investigations taking place in FWA which involved Craig Thomson.

Updating the updates:

In which Kathy Jackson stretches credulity about what is fact, what she would have known about her ex-husband and admits to an inappropriate discussion....

The Telegraph online 2 February 2012:

Also included in the file is an affidavit from Lynne Russell, an HSU councillor, alleging Ms Jackson's ex-husband Jeff had blown the whistle on the shovel incident, which is the subject of a police investigation.
Ms Jackson claimed the shovel was left by union opponents as a warning for her to keep quiet over the allegations of financial wrongdoing.
In the November 23 affidavit, Ms Russell said to Mr Jackson: "I read about Kathy being admitted to hospital, are her and the kids OK?"
Mr Jackson was then alleged to have replied: "Yeah, they're OK, the f ... ing shovel has been in the shed for the last 10 years."
Ms Jackson denied the allegations and said she was "not commenting about any affidavit that I have not seen"

Excerpts from ABC TV 7.30 21 May 2012:

CHRIS UHLMANN: Are you aware of any union officials before Mr Thomson be accused of consorting with prostitutes?
KATHY JACKSON: No.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Has Michael Lawler ever been involved with you in any of the strategy meetings with the HSU about any of the actions that you have got going?

KATHY JACKSON: Well obviously as my partner I talk to Michael about what I’m doing and as my partner I talk to him about not just HSU issues but other issues as well.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Is it that appropriate?

KATHY JACKSON: I think it’s very appropriate as my partner that I ask him advice and assistance. But he is not running the case for the HSU. I tell him what I’m doing, not the other way around.

NSW Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis' speech writer has him accept one aspect of climate change?

Nationals MP for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, has been providing endless amusement since he entered the NSW Parliament – not least because on the floor of the House he has suddenly developed a vocabulary, turn of phrase and occasional grasp of concepts which are totally foreign to his normal self and past utterance in the respective council chambers of the Maclean and Clarence Valley local governments.

One has to suspect that he is well-rehearsed by his ‘unofficial’ speech writer/s.

However one of his latest efforts is mindboggling, as it appears that in less than a month his climate change denialism has disappeared:

“Climate change is expected to affect the behaviour of invasive species as they shift in distribution and abundance in response to the changing environment.” [NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, 8 May 2012]

Or has it? Cynics would say he wanted something on record to point to before the electorate’s laughter about his anti-science absurdities becomes too loud.

Google's Street View cars collected names, addresses, telephone numbers, URLs, passwords, email, text messages, medical records, video and audio files

Australian Financial Review 7 May 2012:

Google could face new investigations by the Privacy Commissioner over its harvesting of personal information using Street View cars after a 17-month investigation by US authorities found it wasn’t the act of a “rogue” engineer.

From 2007 to 2010, Google’s ­specially designed Street View cars travelled the world taking detailed photos, recording wi-fi details and sucking up data carried on open wireless networks.

The report by the Federal Communications Commission found that “Google’s Street View cars collected names, addresses, telephone numbers, URLs, passwords, email, text messages, medical records, video and audio files”. When the snooping was discovered the search giant apologised for the collection and said it was due to a “rogue” code inserted by an engineer without permission.

But the FCC found that management was, in fact, told about the proposal in a series of documents and said Google obstructed its investigation. The company claimed its management didn’t read the proposal.

Authorities in Australia, the UK and Germany are examining the FCC’s report and considering further action. Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim told The Australian Financial Review his department would analyse the FCC report over the next three weeks to see if new investigations were required.

In 2010 Mr Pilgrim’s department found Google guilty of breaching the Privacy Act. But when the issue was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), it said there was evidence that the breach was “inadvertent” and that there was little chance of a conviction because gathering evidence would be too hard.

Has the Heartland Institute finally gone too far?

Heartland Institute media release:

May 03, 2012

Jim Lakely

May 3, 2012 – Billboards in Chicago paid for by The Heartland Institute point out that some of the world’s most notorious criminals say they “still believe in global warming” – and ask viewers if they do, too.

Heartland’s first digital billboard – along the inbound Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) in Maywood – is the latest effort by the free-market think tank to inform the public about what it views as the collapsing scientific, political, and public support for the theory of man-made global warming. It is also reminding viewers of the questionable ethics of global warming’s most prominent proponents.

“The most prominent advocates of global warming aren’t scientists,” said Heartland’s president, Joseph Bast. “They are Charles Manson, a mass murderer; Fidel Castro, a tyrant; and Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. Global warming alarmists include Osama bin Laden and James J. Lee (who took hostages inside the headquarters of the Discovery Channel in 2010).

Bast added, “The leaders of the global warming movement have one thing in common: They are willing to use force and fraud to advance their fringe theory.” For more about the billboards and why Heartland says people should not still believe in global warming, click here……

The next day a statement from one sponser, Microsoft, distanced itself:

Microsoft believes climate change is a serious issue that demands immediate, worldwide attention and we are acting accordingly. We are pursuing strategies and taking actions to reduce our own impact as well as the impact of our products. In addition, Microsoft has adopted a broad policy statement on climate change that expresses support for government action to address climate change.

The Heartland Institute does not speak for Microsoft on climate change. In fact, the Heartland Institute’s position on climate change is diametrically opposed to Microsoft’s position. And we completely disagree with the group’s inflammatory and distasteful advertising campaign…….

Two days later The Guardian U.K. stated:

The London-based drinks giant, which owns brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Moët & Chandon, said this year that it was "reviewing any further association with Heartland" following the release online of internal Heartland documents which revealed its corporate donors as well as a plan to promote an alternative climate change curriculum in US schools. Following the widespread outcry triggered by Heartland's billboards, a Diageo spokeswoman told the Guardian: "Diageo vigorously opposes climate scepticism and our actions are proof of this. Diageo's only association with the Heartland Institute was limited to a small contribution made two years ago specifically related to an excise tax issue. Diageo has no plans to work with the Heartland Institute in the future."…..

On 7 May E&E Publishing revealed another sponsorship withdrawal:

"It was disgusting. It was revolting," Brad Kading, president of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, said of the ad in an interview over the weekend. "It was a terrible mistake."

His group, which donated $125,000 to Heartland over the last two years, told the libertarian president of Heartland, Joe Bast, that their relationship is "untenable" in a letter Friday evening.

While this letter to another sponsor was posted online as one academic fought back against Heartland’s advertising:

May 7, 2012
State Farm Insurance
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
Dear State Farm,
As per a recent conversation with Tony Ardise, my State Farm agent, I provided him two weeks’ notice that I intend to cancel all of my policies with State Farm Insurance because of its support of Heartland Institute. I have been a loyal customer for over 21 years and currently send almost $4500 per year to State Farm. I do not wish my money to be sent to Heartland Institute – a group that recently compared climate scientists and those concerned about climate change to “murderers, tyrants, and madmen” such as Ted Kaczynski (Unabomber), Charles Manson, Fidel Castro, and Osama bin Laden. Although Heartland stated that they will remove the public billboards, their official statement offers no apologies. It is obvious that the billboards represent Heartland’s true feelings.
This indefensible and un-American assault on climate science is just the latest attempt by Heartland to discourage action on climate change, but there is a long history. As has been widely reported in mainstream media, Heartland Institute has been leading the charge for years to confuse our policymakers, the general public, and our school children about well-understood climate change science.
The United States National Academy of Sciences tells us that the climate is warming, humans are responsible, and that this behavior is increasing risks across a broad spectrum of society. Every international academy of science agrees and recent studies show that 97-98% of publishing experts concur.
Who else is concerned? Military and intelligence experts warn that climate-induced crises could topple governments, feed terrorist movements or destabilize entire regions and health officials warn us that climate change could be the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. These are experts who are warning us of a serious problem. We need to listen to these experts and not to Heartland Institute.
State Farm states: “We’re working with organizations all across the country – organizations like the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Protecting America – to help protect you and your family from the human injuries, property destruction, and financial impact that can result from natural disasters.” Climate change has been shown to have increased the frequency and intensity of droughts, fires, heat waves, and floods. Along with sea level rise, these types of disasters have already cost your industry many billions of dollars according to financial experts. I find it quite disturbing that State Farm would send money to a group that is clearly hurting its bottom line. Would the American Lung Association send money to Philip Morris?
General Motors and AT&T have publicly stated they will no longer fund Heartland Institute. State Farm should immediately do the same. If so, I will remain a loyal customer. Otherwise, I will take my business elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Scott A. Mandia

Two months ago when the names of Heartland Institute sponsors became public knowledge, General Motors publicly withdrew from the Institute’s funding pool, according to The Guardian:

In a statement, GM said that it now runs its business "as if climate change is real and believe we have a role to play in developing new cars, trucks and technologies that can make a difference".

The U.S. Blog Forecast The Facts is currently running an online petition urging all sponsors to follow suit.

One of the fascinating instances of science and culture meshing

Humpback whales from Google Images

Science tells us that; Cetacean ancestors probably moved into water before changing their diet (and their teeth)

Ancient Australian indigenous culture tells us that whales were ancestors living on the land who moved back into the ocean; During the dreamtime period Gyian intermingled with other creatures, passing on the Laws of Baiyami. He later changed form from a bird of the land to live as he does today in the ocean as a whale. This was the birth of Gyian on Earth.

Tweets of the Week

After the 2012-13 Commonwealth Budget was handed down………….

Tim Dick ‏@dick_tim

Only budget comment heard at Campbelltown today: They're bribing me, and I like it.

Courteney Hocking‏ @courteneyh

for tony abbott, numbers are like women: he doesn't get them & he can't help coming across as pig ignorant whenever the subject comes up.

blacksheep‏ @lissjeanrosa

Pyne shorter "I trust no one and nothing and especially dirty low income families" #auspol @SwannyDPM @BreakfastNews

Nostalgia as well as a perigee moon rising over Coffs Harbour this week

http://youtu.be/WQtgVy-ggoQ

A 'Supermoon' rose over Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia today, 5th May 2012 and even though it was hidden behind clouds on the horizon for a few minutes, it soon shone extra bright.
People were seen wondering the streets all night like zombies, wondering why the night was so bright.
Please note no copyright infringement is intended by the use of the Credence Clearwater song, 'Bad Moon Rising' which was used as a pun on the lunar event.

The Coffs Coast Advocate 6 May 2012

Which part was unparliamentary language? Was it "Abbott and Costello" or "The Three Stooges"?

Yesterday in the House of Representatives:  

Mr BRADBURY (Lindsay—Assistant Treasurer and Minister Assisting for Deregulation) ... I was not surprised to see reports in the papers today that there is a cunning and devious plan to parachute Peter Costello back into parliament. They figure that is about the only way they might be able to give their economic leadership a little bit of credibility.

Honourable members interjecting

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Assistant Treasurer will return to the question.

Mr BRADBURY: Unfortunately, it looks as though what was reported might not be happening—we will not be getting Abbott and Costello; we are just stuck with the Three Stooges.

Ms Julie Bishop: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Previously that phrase has been deemed unparliamentary and I ask that he withdraw.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is correct. That has been ruled as out of order in this context, and I will ask the Assistant Treasurer to withdraw.

Opposition members interjecting

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Everybody on that side might walk the plank very quickly if they do not show some respect to the chair. The Assistant Treasurer has the call.

Mr BRADBURY: I withdraw.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:I thank the Assistant Treasurer.

Source: Hansard, House of Representatives, 10/05/12

Image credit: perthnow.com.au

Gulaptis buys into Pacific Highway funding stoush by way of a Dorothy Dixer and gets caught out aiding a political deception

On 7 May the NSW Nationals Member for Clarence, ‘Steve’ Gulaptis, was reported in The Casino Times:

STATE Clarence MP, Chris Gulaptis, (pictured) today condemned Federal Labor for cutting $2.3 billion out of the Pacific Highway in its budget.

"I'm very disappointed to see that Federal Labor has walked away from an agreed 80:20 split on the Pacific Highway funding and cut vital funding from the Pacific Highway," Mr Gulaptis said.

Not content with that piece of political mischief, on 9 May 2012 he rose to his feet in the NSW Legislative Assembly and asked this preordained question of his leader:

My question is directed to the Deputy Premier. How does the Federal Labor budget break the Prime Minister's promise to complete the Pacific Highway upgrade by 2016?

One small problem for the Clarence MP is that records apparently show otherwise according to The Sydney Morning Herald:

Mr Baird and Mr Gay produced a letter from the former Labor transport minister, David Campbell, to Mr Albanese in 2009 saying he would ''undertake to seek a 20 per cent NSW government commitment to the additional funding''.

But Mr Albanese said: ''My reply to NSW was to reject minister Campbell's proposal for an 80-20 funding split. On the 29th of January I wrote back to minister Campbell and I said … I was very disappointed about the decision [of the NSW government] to reduce its funding further.''

This is not only confirmed in Andrew Stoner’s convoluted reply to Gulaptis according to the NSW Hansard of 9 May, but by letters published on 10 May 2012 in The Sydney Morning Herald.

These show that a federal government offer was retracted because NSW failed to act in time and one additional funding amount being made available was part of the stimulus package in response to the global financial crisis - see below.

It would appear that any hope of anything like a permanent 80:20 or 83:17 funding split in New South Wales’ favour was only ever alive in the mind of the NSW government of the day and, it was swiftly disabused of this notion.

Indeed, in 2009 the NSW Government agreed to reconsider its Pacific Highway upgrade contribution levels at a future date and, in light of that promise and in recognition of nationally hard economic times the Federal Government was more than generous when it came to monies for specific upgrade sections granted to the state.

NSW by its own admission paid only 10 per cent of the total cost of the completed Glenugie section and paid nothing towards the Kempsey By-pass section due to be opened next year. Yet Mr. Gulaptis has stated to North Coast media that these works were undertaken in an 80:20 funding split.

Mr. Gulaptis needs to realize that he first duty is to the truth and not to his party. He also needs to remember that political whoppers will almost always get found out.

NSW Minister for Transport's 2009 letter to Canberra

Federal Minister For Infrastructure's 2009 letter to NSW Government

Google Inc. cries poor in Australia

Posted on Slashdot 3 May 2012:

daria42 writes "Looks like Apple isn't the only company with interesting offshore taxation practices. The financial statements for Google's Australian subsidiary show the company told the Australian Government it made just $200 million in revenue in 2011 in Australia, despite local industry estimating it actually brought in closer to $1 billion. The rest was funnelled through Google's Irish subsidiary and not disclosed in Australia. Consequently the company only disclosed taxation costs in Australia of $74,000. Not bad work if you can get it — which Google apparently can. About that 'don't be evil' motto? Yeah. Not so much."

The Sydney Morning Herald 2 May 2012:

Search engine and advertising giant Google Australia has posted a wider full-year loss of almost $4 million, despite a sharp lift in revenue.

In a special purpose annual report for the year ended December 31, Google Australia posted a $3.93 million loss after income tax, down from a loss of $3.08 million in 2010.

Revenue from continuous operations was $201.1 million, up from $151.4 million the previous year.

Gross assets for the wholly owned local arm were $116 million and income tax expenses slumped, from $1.128 million to $74,176.

Google Australia, which is based in Sydney and has 568 employees, listed its principal activities as ‘‘to provide services, assistance and advice in connection with marketing and sales support for web search engine service and advertising services.

"Google Australia Pty Ltd additionally performs certain research and development services with respect to products, utilising Google RD Technology and other appropriate technology from Google."

It took on two new directors last year in Matthew Scott Sucherman and James Anthony Marocco, replacing John Kent Walker and Lloyd Martin in November.

Under the recently released Convergence Review’s recommendations to the federal government, Google would not be defined as a major media company, thereby escaping greater content regulations.

No dividends were paid.

LOL found at Fail Nation

Australia's unemployment hits 4.9% low. Something the Federal Coalition has to suck up before Abbott's Budget Reply Speech 10 May 2012

ABS MEDIA RELEASE
10 May 2012		67/2012
Australia's unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 4.9 per cent in April 2012

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 4.9 per cent in April, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. There was also a decrease in the labour force participation rate of 0.1 percentage points in April to 65.2 per cent.
The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 15,500 to 11,501,000 in April. The increase in employment was driven by increased part-time employment, up 26,000 people to 3,438,200, and was offset by decrease in full-time employment, down 10,500 people to 8,062,800. The increase in employment was mainly driven by an increase in male part-time employment.
The number of people unemployed decreased by 28,800 people to 598,200 in April, the ABS reported.
The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked series showed an increase in April, up 6.6 million hours to 1,633.9 million hours.
There has been some interest recently in how changes in the Australian population impact on the estimates of employment from the Labour Force Survey. The responses collected from the sample of people in the survey are weighted to projections of the Australian population for the current quarter. These population projections are based on the most up-to-date information available, but are different to the official estimates of resident population that are calculated at a later date. In order to explain these issues, the ABS has produced a special feature article "Population Benchmarks and the Labour Force Survey" in this month's publication.
More details are in the April 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0), as well as the upcoming April 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) due for release next week on May 17. Both publications are available for free download (after release) from the ABS website - www.abs.gov.au.

Playing the politics of envy with a fixed smile.........

Left to Right: Clive Palmer, Gina Rinehart and Andrew Twiggy Forrest

Last week one North Coast Voices reader sent me a link to the Fair Go For Billionaires’ Wealth Calculator. Unfortunately my annual income just wouldn’t register, so I went to the mainstream media for some examples.

The Central Telegraph reported on 3 May 2012:

It would take a person earning $70,000 a year - which is roughly the average salary in Australia - 56,000 years to earn Mr Palmer's net worth.

No, that's not a misprint - 56,000 years.

Conversely, it takes Mr Palmer, the man who plans to bring you Titanic 2, just 70.8 minutes to earn $70,000…..

Ms Rinehart? Well, it takes her just 28.8 minutes to rake in $70,000.

And if you've got a spare 67,857 years you too could earn her net wealth…….

Mr Forrest needs only 20 minutes to make a measly $70k, but the average Australian worker earning the same amount would need 6,057 decades to match his net worth.

Of course the lower your annual salary, the more depressing it gets.

Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Gina Rinehart

Photos from the ABC website and Google Images

A selection of NSW environmental damage/water pollution convictions February 2011-April 2012

According to Nine News on 5 May 2012:

Fourteen serious "code red" environmental breaches have been discovered at facilities across NSW, during a state-wide audit of high-risk industries.

The audit, which covered 40 facilities across NSW, discovered 62 instances of non-compliance, of which 14 were considered "code red" or "high risk", the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said.

On the same day The Sydney Morning Herald reported that:

The sites guilty of code red breaches include the Huntsman Surfactants Plant in Matraville, which the audit found was storing and handling hazardous chemicals without appropriate safeguards to capture any leaks or spills, ''thereby increasing the likelihood of polluting waters''.
The plant was also found not to be monitoring underground pipes, which transported effluent, for leaks. It was fined and a follow-up visit after the audit found all problems had been addressed.
The chemical manufacturer Pax, in Ingleburn, was also served with a penalty notice for its code red violation; a valve on part of the plant which was supposed to prevent the uncontrolled release of contaminated water was found not to be working. The valve was fixed immediately after the audit and the company was fined.
The most common serious breach was companies not having complete or up-to-date emergency response plans, including the Origin Energy plants in Port Botany and Kooragang Island...

This is a selection of convictions recorded by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority on its POEO Public Register over the last twelve months:

3/04/2012 BMG ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP PTY LTD Negligently dispose of waste in a manner that harms the environment, $100,000 fine. Ordered to pay investigation costs of $15,684.50

6/03/2012 COFFS HARBOUR HARDWOODS SALES PTY LTD Damage reserved land, $40,000 fine and, Pick plant that is part of a threatened species, $45,000 fine. Both counts - Ordered to undertake remediation works and to publicise details of the offence in the Coffs Harbour Advocate and Bellinger Star.

12/12/2011 AUSTAR COAL MINE PTY LTD Pollute waters. Ordered to pay $75,000 to the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority for the Mount View Corridor Threatened Species Habitat Rehabilitation Project. Also ordered to pay investigation costs of $17,269.13.

24/11/2011 BIO TORQUE FUELS PTY LTD Pollute waters, $500 fine. Ordered to pay investigation costs of $12,000 – plus two breaches licence conditions with fines totalling $1,500

11/05/2011 BIG RIVER GROUP PTY LTD Pollute waters, $67,000 fine. Ordered to pay investigation costs of $24,644.80

8/2/2011 XSTRATA MANGOOLA PTY LTD Pollute waters. Enforceable Undertaking

Orica Limited is yet to be prosecuted for a 1kg hexavalent chromium spill at its Kooragang Island plant in Newcastle or the arsenic, sulphuric acid and liquid ammonium nitrate spills at Newcastle and Port Kembla in 2011.

Thought of the Week for Climate Change Sceptics

Common sense is what tells you the world is flat

[Gingers Meggs cartoon strip wall grafitti]

Sometimes I wonder into which alternate universe I have wandered

Australia successfully survived the Global Financial Crisis under the stewardship of a federal Labor Government which did not panic and, with the cooperation of states and territories, acted swiftly to support weak points in the national economy.

So well did the nation weather this financial tsunami that a year on from the initial rolling economic destruction it was being openly stated by northern hemisphere economic commentators that Australia was the envy of the rest of the developed world and, in 2012 in comparison with that same developed world we still have low unemployment, low levels of government debt, low interest rates, an economy which is holding its own despite an historically weak manufacturing sector and good international credit ratings.

Which begs the question of why this Essential Report survey question elicited negative attitudes in these responses below - from 42 per cent of the very people who barely felt any effect of this global crisis.

Trust to deal with GFC

May 7, 2012

Q. If there was another Global Financial Crisis, which party would you trust most to deal with it?

	15 Aug 11	Total	Vote Labor	Vote Lib/Nat	Vote Greens
The Labor Party	31%	25%	68%	2%	42%
The Liberal Party	40%	42%	5%	83%	5%
No difference	20%	23%	19%	11%	39%
Don’t know	9%	10%	8%	4%	14%

If there was another GFC, 42% would trust the Liberal Party more to handle it and 25% would trust the Labor Party more. This represents a shift to the Liberal Party from net +9% to net +17%

The Liberal Party was rated higher than Labor with all demographic groups. Those most likely to trust the Liberal Party more were men (47%), aged 55+ (48%), full-time workers (50%) and income over $1,600 pw (50%).