Julie Bishop denies The Guardian article

 From Facebook  Exposing Tony Abbott & The LNP - Memes & Stuff's Photos

ABC News 31 May 2013:

Indonesia has sent another clear message that it opposes the Federal Opposition's policy of turning back boats carrying asylum seekers. Indonesia's ambassador to Australia says his country would welcome whoever wins the election, but has ruled out collaborating on turning back the boats to his country. Nevertheless, the Coalition is vowing to press ahead with its policy to turn back boats where it's safe to do so.

Herald Sun 3 June 2013:

"At no time did I say in an interview ... that the coalition had either negotiated or reached an agreement with Indonesia," she said. "Indeed I said repeatedly in that interview that the coalition in opposition cannot reach agreements with foreign governments."

The Guardian 3 June 2013:

Here is the relevant extract from the transcript of Lenore Taylor's discussion with Julie Bishop:

Lenore Taylor: “On Indonesia, you always seem to say that you have had lots of discussions with Jakarta and you think you could manage the issue of turning back boats. Why do you think you could manage the issue of turning back boats given what Indonesian officials always say publicly? What do you know that we don't know about how about that could be managed?”

Julie Bishop: “Well I am not at liberty to tell you. I have had a number of conversations with high-ranking Indonesian ministers and officials, as has [immigration spokesman] Scott Morrison as has [Coalition leader] Tony Abbott and I am convinced we can work in cooperation with Indonesia to achieve our policy aim.”

Lenore Taylor: “So they would take boats back?”

Julie Bishop: “I am confident we would be able to achieve what we did in the past. The fact is they are Indonesian boats with Indonesian crew and I am sure we can work cooperatively with them and Lenore, one thing you understand about diplomacy and others do as well is the professional diplomats are paid to present, aah, particular views but what goes on behind the scenes can be quite different – what people say privately can be different to what they say publicly, that’s why I am devoting my time to quiet consistent diplomatic messaging and relationships.”

Australian Government helps bring international arms treaty to fruition

More than sixty countries had signed this international treaty in the first 24 hours it was open for signature. The Federal Labor Government can be proud of its role.

PRESS RELEASE BY THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVES OF ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, COSTA RICA, FINLAND, JAPAN, KENYA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

New York 3 June 2013

Seven High Representatives welcome the opening for signature of the Arms Trade Treaty and encourage its early entry into force.

Today, the Arms Trade Treaty will open for signature at the United Nations. This is a welcome and extremely important milestone. It is the culmination of seven years of efforts to achieve a comprehensive Treaty to set common standards for effectively regulating the international conventional arms trade. The Treaty clearly shows the commitment of the United Nations to human rights and international humanitarian law.

We, the High Representatives of the seven co-author countries of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the Arms Trade Treaty, are heartened by the large number of States that will sign the Treaty today, many of which will be represented at Ministerial level.

It is vital that the Treaty comes into force as soon as possible and is effectively implemented. It is only then that the international community will have an effective tool to address the unregulated and illicit conventional arms trade that causes unspeakable human suffering throughout the world and undermines peace, security, stability and human rights. The co-authors, mindful of the many challenges that still lie ahead, will continue to work hard with other governments and civil society to achieve early entry into force and effective implementation of the Treaty.

We urge all States to make every effort to sign and ratify the Treaty as soon as possible. On 2 April 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted the Treaty by an overwhelming majority. We need to carry forward that same commitment now and get the largest possible number of States to sign and ratify the Treaty, so that it can be swiftly and effectively implemented. It is only then that the Arms Trade Treaty will be able to save lives and help achieve a safer, more just world.

Follow on Twitter: #ArmsTreaty #ATT

Hogan, are you with the Knitting Nannas or Nash's Nats? asks Saffin

Hogan, are you with the Knitting Nannas or Nash’s Nats? asks sitting Federal Labor MP for Page Janelle Saffin.

Nationals candidate Kevin Hogan really needs to answer that question soon - for his ability to represent those Northern Rivers communities taking a stand against coal seam gas exploration and mining is in question as reports continue to reveal his political bosses are not in the mood to not listen to party small fry like himself:

* The Coalition has stated that it wants to remove the additional layer of federal oversight for CSG projects should it gain power in September, and create a “one-stop shop” for approvals at state level.

* Worse still was Opposition resources spokesman Ian MacFarlane, whose own electorate of Groom takes in CSG proposals, calling on industry to work to ensure the controversy surrounding the gas sector rollout does not become an election issue.

He needs to further explain how he would rein in both his Coaltion colleagues and the industry given that in May 2013 even the Productivity Commission has observed:

the practices of some resource explorers (and some subcontract drilling operators and others) have tainted the reputation of the industry.

While just yesterday ABC News North Coast reported that an email trail revealed that NSW Liberal MP and Minister for Resources & Energy Chris Hartcher was so eager to accommodate Metgasco that he was determined to grant that company a CSG production lease ahead of approval conditions being established - apparently in an attempt to help Metgasco bolster its faltering share price.

A ploy which apparently worked - because in September 2012 Metgasco's share price did rally before once again beginning its inexorable fall.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-03/foi-csg-ministerjpg/4730022

Update

The Daily Examiner 4 June 2013:

In another revelation, it seems Metgasco did not want to have any announcement about their production licence being granted before council elections on September 8, possibly because of the CSG referendum being held by Lismore City Council.

On 3 September 2012 Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited had 9,996,123 shares in ERM Power Limited which is Metgasco Limited's largest shareholder. This represented 5.93% of all issues shares and made the Commonwealth Bank of Australia its third largest shareholder.

Since then the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and its subsidiaries appear to have divested themselves of the bulk of these shares and the bank ceased to be a substantial shareholder in ERM on 7 May 2013. Has the bank also sold off its Metgasco shares?

Newcastle Trades Hall Council joins Lock The Gate in opposing CSG exploration/drilling in Hunter Valley

Newcastle Trades Hall Council (NTHC) and Lock The Gate 14 May 2013 statement:

The Lock The Gate Alliance looks forward to working with the Newcastle Trades Hall Council, after the peak union body declared it is totally opposed to further coal seam gas (CSG) exploration and drilling in the Hunter Valley.

The motion passed by the Council cites risks to the environment and the community, and concerns for agricultural lands and townships, and supports the NTHC working closely with groups opposing CSG until the unconventional gas mining practice is proven safe.

NTHC Secretary Gary Kennedy said that CSG drilling technology was not proven to be safe. “The dangers to aquifers, the environment and the community are real, with little public benefit,” he said.

“While it is true that there is a shortage of natural gas, this is because we are selling our gas to overseas markets to maximise corporate profits.”

“The NSW Government have not gone far enough to fully protect the environment, landowners, and the community,” said Kennedy.

Lock The Gate's regional coordinator for the Hunter, Steve Phillips, welcomed the involvement of the NTHC in the campaign to protect the Hunter Valley from CSG. “The movement to protect the Hunter Valley from CSG includes residents groups, farmers, vignerons [wine producers], and environmentalists. It now includes the peak trade union body in the region — the Trades Hall Council,” he said.

“People and organisations are uniting to fight coal seam gas, because CSG is a major threat to farmland, ecosystems, waterways, and public health. Propaganda from both gas companies and the NSW Government — through it's laughable CSG “information” website — cannot hide the facts.”

“In Queensland, where the CSG industry has been allowed to take hold, the worst fears of the community are coming true. Gas is leaking up uncontrollably from the ground, and from rivers. Kids are getting sick. Communities are being destroyed.”

“More than 80% of surveyed residents in Tara report health problems since the development of the British Gas-owned CSG field there. Symptoms include coughs, chest tightness, rashes, difficulty sleeping, joint pains, muscle pains and spasms, nausea, vomiting, spontaneous nose bleeds, skin irritation, and eye irritation.”

“Lock The Gate welcomes the inclusion of the Trades Hall Council in this critical campaign to protect public health, agriculture, ecosystems, and waterways from coal seam gas drilling,” concluded Phillips.

The spinning top that is Tony Abbott

Almost every utterance of Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has to be taken with a grain of salt.

This was Tony Abbott during the House of Representatives’ Question Time on 30 May 2013:

My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind her that the latest IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook shows that Australia's competitiveness has slumped to its lowest ranking in 17 years….

Oh dear, poor Mr. Abbott. The 2013 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook actually showed that Australia’s ranking has risen since 2012. Which means he has been a little slow in noticing the ‘slump’.

Mr. Abbott also doesn’t mention that this year’s IMD report records Australia at rank 16 as being more competitive than the United Kingdom, Mainland China, Japan and New Zealand among others.

I wonder if he has noticed that none of the data used by the Swiss business school which produces this year book is actually sourced directly from Australia?

Just when you think the Institute for Cetacean Research cannot sink any lower, the media reports this..................

ABC News 2 June 2013:

Japan's peak whaling body has launched a new campaign to promote whale meat as a nutritious food that enhances physical strength and reduces fatigue.

With about 5,000 tonnes of whale meat sitting unwanted in freezers around Japan, the country's Institute for Cetacean Research has decided to launch a new campaign to promote the by-product of its so-called scientific whaling program.

Once popular in school lunches, younger generations of Japanese rarely, if ever, eat whale.

But the institute hopes to revive flagging interest by advertising whale meat as a great source of balenine - a substance believed to enhance energy and physical health….

Sushi made from Minke whale meat and blubber

Where Australian political parties and candidates are officially finding their funding

The Guardian's DataBlog posted these graphs covering donations to Australian political parties/candidates based on the latest publicly available information:

 

The Australian Electoral Commission:

Entitlement to election funding

A candidate or Senate group is eligible for election funding if they obtain at least 4% of the first preference vote in the division or the state or territory they contested. The amount to be paid is calculated by multiplying the number of votes obtained by the current election funding rate. The funding rate for the 2010 federal election was 231.191 cents per House of Representatives and Senate vote. This rate is indexed every six months to increases in the Consumer Price Index.

Amount paid

The amount of election funding payable is calculated by multiplying the number of first preference votes received by the rate of payment applicable at the time. The rate is indexed every six months in line with increases in the Consumer Price Index.

The current election funding rate from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2013 is 247.316 cents per eligible vote.

The Sydney Morning Herald 31 May 2013:

While the parties are cagey about campaign spending, electoral commission figures show that in 2010-11, the financial year in which the last federal election was held, the Liberal Party spent $108 million, more than three times what the party spent the year before. In 2010-11 Labor spent $88 million, more than double what it spent the previous year.

Garma’wu Buku_luŋgthurra (Getting People Together), Gulkula NT, 9-12 August 2013

The Annual Garma Festival is Australia's Leading Cultural Exchange event.  It is held annually onsite at remote Gulkula, a traditional meeting ground in Arnhem land.   

This song is dedicated to Tony, Chris, Cory & the rest of the Canberra wingnuts *Warning Strong Language*

Can you post this song on North Coast Voices and dedicate it to Tony Abbott, Christopher Pyne, Cory Bernardi and the rest of Canberra wingnut crew? 

Anony-mice 
Yamba 

Look inside, look inside your tiny mind
Then look a bit harder
'Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired
Of all the hatred you harbor

So you say it's not okay to be gay
Well, I think you're just evil
You're just some racist who can't tie my laces
Your point of view is medieval

Fuck you, fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate
And it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Do you get, do you get a little kick
Out of being small minded?
You want to be like your father
It's approval you're after
Well, that's not how you find it

Do you, do you really enjoy
Living a life that's so hateful?
'Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
You're losing control a bit
And it's really distasteful

Fuck you, fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate
And it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you

You say you think we need to go to war
Well, you're already in one
'Cause it's people like you that need to get slew
No one wants your opinion

Fuck you, fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate
And it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you

* Guest Speak is a North Coast Voices segment allowing serious or satirical comment from NSW Northern Rivers residents. Email ncvguestpeak at gmail dot com dot au to submit comment for consideration.

Australian Medical Association calls for coal seam gas health checks

AMA calls for coal seam gas health checks

23/05/2013

The AMA Federal Council today passed a policy resolution calling on all Australian governments to ensure that all coal seam gas (CSG) mining proposals in Australia are subject to rigorous and independent health risk assessments before they are allowed to proceed.

The motion reads as follows:

That Federal Council adopts the policy resolution urging governments to ensure that:

• all existing coal seam gas extraction projects are regularly monitored for any health impacts and the presence of air and ground-water pollutants in their local environment; and,
• all future proposals for coal seam gas mining are subject to rigorous and independent health risk assessments, which take into account the potential for exposure to pollutants through air and groundwater and any likely associated health risks. In circumstances where there is insufficient evidence to ensure safety, the precautionary principle should apply.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that governments must strengthen the assessment and monitoring of the health impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) developments in Australia.

“Despite the rapid expansion of CSG developments, the health impacts have not been adequately researched, and effective regulations that protect public health are not in place,” Dr Hambleton said.

“There is a lack of information on the chemicals used and wastes produced, insufficient data on cumulative health impacts, and a lack of comprehensive environmental monitoring and health impact assessments.

“The assessment of the health impacts of CSG developments needs to strengthened and made consistent across all jurisdictions.  The regulation of CSG varies between the States, with standards for health regulation ranging from a degree of consideration to apparent disregard.

“In circumstances where there is insufficient evidence to ensure safety, the AMA recommends that the precautionary principle should apply.  This is essential given the threat of serious and irreversible harms to human health.

“The AMA welcomes the current move by the Commonwealth to strengthen environment protection laws relating to the impacts of CSG projects on water resources, but this must be supported with national standards and safeguards for health,” Dr Hambleton said.

23 May 2013

CONTACT:                     John Flannery                           02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
                                         Kirsty Waterford                        02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

Abbott is caught out - then slides away on the back of a number of political lies

On 24 May 2013 – eight days after he declared a budget emergency – Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott agreed to progress the passage and assure the Coalition vote for the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2013  which would retrospectively and into the future deliver millions of dollars to the coffers of major political parties.

Then the issue became a hot topic in both the backrooms of the halls of power and in electorates across Australia.

Suddenly Abbott's office claimed that the opposition had not seen the legislation, then that A deal on the reform was originally negotiated between senior Labor and Liberal figures but Mr Abbott had not formally declared his position.

Later still the line was that he had actually agreed to the legislation before his budget reply pointed out the so-called 'budget emergency'.

Finally we hear that even though Abbott had agreed, it was only provisional as he had no power to sign off on the agreement.

The political lies ran trippingly off Mr. Abbott's tongue during a number of televised interviews.

However his letter is out there in cyberspace for all to see........

Tony Abbott's letter to the Government showing Coalition support for controversial election funding legislation

Telstra and the Federal Coalition want you to continue to pay for privacy

Consumers Federation of Australia 28 May 2013:

In February, ACCAN welcomed Telstra’s move to waive the fee for people who are under a protection order or at risk of violence. However, ACCAN argued in its submission to a recent Senate Committee inquiry that this exemption is not enough and a Silent Line should be free for all consumers.

“Under Telstra’s policy, many people who rightly need a Silent Line will still be forced to pay the fee,” said ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin. “It’s clear Telstra aren’t going to remove this fee for all consumers, which is why we’re calling on the government to act. We want to make sure all Australians do not have to pay for this privacy protection,” said Ms Corbin.

In the Senate Committee’s report, Labor and Greens Senators recommended the fee be banned, however a majority of Coalition Senators recommended against banning the fee……

Telstra has not said publicly how much revenue is collected from the Silent Line fee, however in 2007 a Fairfax newspaper estimated that the fee generates as much as $30 million annually. This conservative estimate is a small fraction – around 1/1000th – of Telstra’s annual sales revenue (over $25 billion FY 2011-2012).

Other providers like Internode, iPrimus and iiNet all charge their customers a Silent Line fee due to the costs passed on from Telstra. Optus charges a Silent Line fee when it resells a Telstra landline service, although it doesn’t charge a fee on its own service.

In 2008 the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended the fee be abolished.

In the No-Land of Oz

I was watching TV when news of the recognition walk and the push for a referendum so that Australian first peoples to be recognized in the Constitution of Australia came on the screen.

This started me thinking of the lies government tells itself and the public to achieve its ends.   

              

The idea of terra nullius was basically a lie and because Aboriginal people did not use the land in the manner of Europeans they were considered to have no rights to ownership of that land. 

This convenient lie allowed the British Government to appropriate all the landmass of Australia and give ownership to whoever they wished. 

The first peoples were considered part of the fauna and flora of the country, this in effect stripped them of their human status, and from this thinking came all the injustices that future generations suffered. 

This brings us to the current times were another convenient lie has gained ground - the idea of exempting even the mainland of Australia from our migration zone.

We have gone from terra nullius to nec terram. First there were no people now there is no land. 

Where could this lie lead us in the future? 

All ex-pat Australian citizens cannot return because there is now no land for them to return to! 

Maybe the government is correct and we have no land since it is all being dug up and shipped overseas anyway.

Does this mean that since the Australian population now lives in the wonderful No-Land of Oz we don't have ownership of our country or its resources?

This could explains an article in the Sunday Mail on the 26th of May on page 22 titled “Super Nation fails to take off”, it seems that there has been a campaign to force the US President to look at merging the United States and Australia into a new super nation called Ameristralia.

If it had succeeded I wonder when we Aussies would have been told?

Is your MP a psychopath?

This is Dr. John Clarke’s pick of the top jobs preferred by psychopaths:

1. CEO
2. Lawyer
3. Media (TV/radio)
4. Salesperson
5. Surgeon
6. Journalist
7. Police officer
8. Clergyperson
9. Chef
10. Civil servant

Ever noticed how many lawyers and journos gravitate towards Canberra? 

Most famous ex-journo currently strutting the corridors of Parliament House? Tony Abbott! Nuff said.

Tweeting pure hate * Strong Language*

Sometimes the level of hate directed at women using the Internet is truly mindboggling.......

This Twitter account has since been suspended:

It's pretty tough when even your so-called mates cannot get your name correct

Such was the level of mirth at the table of knowledge at the local watering hole yesterday a couple of the lads were thinking seriously they'd need to ring 000 and get an ambulance to take a few of their mates to the local hospital with instructions they have their sides sewn up - you see, they were splitting their sides while laughing after they read a piece in Monday's Daily Examiner.

The piece, titled Weekly Whispers, carried a copy of part of a NSW Farmers Association's notice of a meeting of its Grafton Branch. According to the notice, the special guest at the meeting would be Clarence MP Steve Gulaptis. 
Yep, that's right Steve Gulaptis!

In some circles the current Member for Clarence is referred to as Mr Walker (a.k.a The Phantom).

Credits: The Daily Examiner and Robbo

Prince George's County Maryland joins the IT scammers

I'm fairly certain that the Prince George's County Executive are blissfully unaware that their IT system and what appears a legitimate staff email addresses is being used to piggyback yet another email scam.

-----Original Message-----
From: Clay, Josephine B. [mailto:JBClay@co.pg.md.us]
Sent: Friday, 24 May 2013 12:17 AM
Subject: Please Confirm Details?

Your email has been announced the winner of the Microsoft E-mail Sweepstakes of 5.6, Million Pounds. Please send these informations:
Full Name:
Address:
Tel / Mobile No.:
Country:
Occupation:
Sex / Age:
Alternative E-mail:
Contact Mrs. Kathrin Rogers : Kath.rogers@msn.com<mailto:Kath.rogers@msn.com> OR Kath.rogers@rogers.com<mailto:Kath.rogers@rogers.com> with details. Sincerely, Josphine B. Clay (Microsoft Management Board, Copyright 1991-2013)


This E-mail and any of its attachments may contain Prince George's County Government or Prince George's County 7th Judicial Circuit Court proprietary information or Protected Health Information, which is privileged and confidential. This E-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this E-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of and attachments to this E-mail is strictly prohibited by federal law and may expose you to civil and/or criminal penalties. If you have received this E-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy of this E-mail and any printout.

More than $160,000 for Page Electorate community projects courtesy of Federal Labor

Joint Media Release

The Hon. Senator Joe Ludwig

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Janelle Saffin MP

Member for Page

More than $160,000 for Page community projects

Three local community groups have received a total of more than $160,000 in Community Landcare Grants as part of the Australian Government’s Sustainable Agriculture stream of Caring for our Country.

Member for Page, Janelle Saffin said Clarence Landcare Inc., North Coast Regional Landcare Network Inc., and the Alstonville-based Soilcare Incorporated, each received grants of up to $55,000.

“Groups such as these, whose members live and work in the community, have the local knowledge and ideas to keep our agricultural land healthy, resilient and sustainable.

“These local projects are about promoting sustainable land management practices and building local skills.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the Community Landcare Grants program provides support for community action, agricultural innovation and community capacity building.

“Community Landcare Grants will this year fund 152 projects across the country, helping local community-based organisations take on-ground action as well as build their capacity and skills to manage our productive lands.

“The government recognises the important contribution that volunteers, Landcare and other local groups and Indigenous organisations involved in sustainable agriculture make in engaging communities and inspiring local action,” Minister Ludwig said.

23 May 2013

Pending Message - Internet scammers scraping the bottom of the barrel

Some scammers obviously think Internet users are the worst form of idiot. At least someone at redturmar.com.ve/includes/pear/index.htm does.

From: Mail Service Alert [mailto:Service-mail-alert@g08ksd77jjjjsd.gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, 23 May 2013 8:05 AM
To: redacted
Subject: Pending Message

Dear User

We need some information to verify your ID. This protects your account from unauthorized access. Please click the Link Below

 Verify

Account Team.

Coalition trying a CSG con job on Northern Rivers communities, says Saffin

Coalition con job on CSG

The Liberal National Coalition is pretending to oppose CSG on the North Coast, but has declared in Canberra it will wind back CSG environmental protections if elected.

Page MP Janelle Saffin said the Opposition’s shadow Parliamentary Secretary on the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, has spelt out the Coalition’s position in the Senate.

“While National Party candidate Kevin Hogan says he opposes CSG, the Coalition he represents has declared it will undo the Government’s water protection measures if elected. He has to do more than say he doesn’t like it.

“I fought hard and worked with the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to find ways to protect our water and our farmers from harmful CSG,

“The Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill offers that protection. The House of Reps passed the Bill in March and it is now before the Senate.

“The Coalition is in a spot. They don’t like the CSG water protection measures, but they don’t want CSG to be an election issue because of the strong community campaign.

“So they are just lying low on the issue.

“Senator Birmingham listed the water protection measures they don’t like and then said: ‘we will work to fix these issues should we succeed later this year.’

“To add insult to injury, they are also trying to hand all environmental assessment powers to the states, in our case the New South Wales Government.

“We know we can’t trust the Liberal National NSW Government on CSG.

“The Government has ignored community demands for a CSG exclusion zone on the Northern Rivers, while declaring CSG exclusion zones for Hunter Valley horse studs and wineries.

“I have taken up the community concerns and have worked for years to push for the Federal Government to explore the extent of its powers to protect our area from CSG. This bill does that.

“The people of Page do not want 1000 gas wells across the Northern Rivers. And they do not deserve to be conned by a Coalition feigning community concern while plotting to bow to the mining companies’ demands and remove these protections.

“If Mr Hogan opposes CSG he needs to explain why he is standing for the Coalition which would remove our water protections. 

21 May 2013

Clarence Valley Council 2013-14 Budget and public meetings

 

Clarence Valley Council states it intends to spend $44 million in the forthcoming 2013-14 financial year.

 

The following documents are now available online:

Draft 2013/14 Fees and Charges
Draft 2013/2017 Delivery Program and 2013/14 Operational Plan including Revenue Policy

 

There are still two more public meetings for those residents who might be interested in following the money trail:

 

5pm Tuesday 28 May at Maclean Council Chamber

5pm Wednesday 29 May at Grafton Council Chamber

NSW Northern Tableland By-Election 25 May 2013 - polling results links for tonight

For all those political tragics.....

NSW Electoral Commission:

2013 Northern Tablelands By-election Results - online updates activated after 6pm tonight.

General

Electors Enrolled on 22 April 2013: 51,802

Number of Candidates: 7

Boundary map and polling places

Result

The results are presented in a series of 3 reports:

• Election Night Results  (PDF)[84 KB]
• Check Count Results  (PDF)[44 KB]
• Distribution of Preferences (PDF)[46 KB]

ABC NEWS - Antony Green - live cover online from 6pm

Fracking PsyOps. Yesterday America, today New South Wales?

For all those NSW Northern Rivers 'insurgents' out there.........

http://youtu.be/vJwAXTxPIXo

DRIVING FORWARD A UNITED INDUSTRY FRONT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, ENGAGE NGOs AND LEVERAGE MASS MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY TO OVERCOME PUBLIC CONCERN OVER HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, Houston, Texas USA 2011

CNBC 8 November 2011:

CNBC has obtained audiotapes of the event, on which one presenter can be heard recommending that his colleagues download a copy of the Army and Marine Corps counterinsurgency manual. That’s because, he said, the opposition facing the industry is an “insurgency.”....

Another told attendees that his company has several former military psychological operations, or “psy ops” specialists on staff, applying their skills in Pennsylvania....

In a session entitled “Designing a Media Relations Strategy To Overcome Concerns Surrounding Hydraulic Fracturing,” Range Resources communications director Matt Pitzarella spoke about “overcoming stakeholder concerns” about the fracking process.

“We have several former psy ops folks that work for us at Range because they’re very comfortable in dealing with localized issues and local governments,” Pitzarella said. “Really all they do is spend most of their time helping folks develop local ordinances and things like that. But very much having that understanding of psy ops in the Army and in the Middle East has applied very helpfully here for us in Pennsylvania.”

At another session, Matt Carmichael, the manager of external affairs for Anadarko Petroleum , spoke on the topic of “Understanding How Unconventional Oil & Gas Operators are Developing a Comprehensive Media Relations Strategy to Engage Stakeholders and Educate the Public.”

He said he had several recommendations for the oil industry media professionals at the event, one of which, he said, involved the military.

“Download the U.S. Army-slash-Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Manual, because we are dealing with an insurgency,” Carmichael said. “There’s a lot of good lessons in there and coming from a military background, I found the insight in that extremely remarkable.”

Audio here.

Approximately 472 page U.S. Army -Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual (December 2006) here.

Excerpt from U.S. Army - Marine Corp Counterinsurgency Field Manual: Afghanistan Edition here.