Our enduring national shame - the Murray Darling Basin

From The Daily this month:

An extra 31,000 dams were built in the Murray-Darling basin in the decade to 2005, as the region grappled with severe drought.
Federal government experts studied satellite imagery of the basin's eastern areas to map the proliferation of water storages, largely farm dams.
The number of dams increased by 31,000, or six per cent, a result described by the experts as "seemingly large".
Many of the new dams were built around cities and towns. Dam hot-spots included Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Tamworth and Toowoomba.
In some areas, the number of dams increased by 20 per cent.
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission released the report, called Mapping the Growth, Location, Surface Area and Age of Man Made Water Bodies, including Farm Dams, in the Murray-Darling Basin.

For all that unsustainable dam building here is the on-the-ground reality of what little remains in either private or public storage:

“In the two years ending August, Murray system inflows were 3,540 GL – a new record low.
“Storage levels are extremely low. Active storage in the Murray system is only 1,690 GL or 20 % of capacity. This is well below the August long term average of 5,600 GL or 62 % capacity. (Active storage is water which can be released using only gravity).
“Persistent low rainfall during the past seven years, particularly in the alpine areas, has been the main cause for the record low inflows to the Murray system, with above average temperatures exacerbating the situation.”

Table of storages:
Basin Water Storages less commitments and not factoring in future inflows - 31 August 2008
Drought Update for September 2008

The 44th President-Elect of the United States of America

Barack Obama on the 2008 campaign trail

Picture from publicradio.org

Yesterday was an historic day for the United States of America and there is no doubt that Barack Obama fought hard and spent hard to win the White House and his place in the annals of his nation.

While the majority of American voters rejoice, here on the NSW North Coast many are quietly thankful that now, as one born and bred local journalist put it, "the leader of the free world is not a complete nong".

So we can all congratulate Mr. Obama on his gaining the highest office in the land and live in hope that he will live up to his campaign rhetoric and fulfill the perceived promise of his presidency.

Australian Women Online's 'wholehearted' support of Stephen Conroy?

This was Deborah Robinson, editor of Australian Women Online (AWO), in an email last Sunday concerning the website's stance on the Rudd Government's plan for national mandatory ISP-level Internet filtering:

Our statement only says that we support the "concept" of ISP filtering of "illegal" content. We think it would be rather preemptive of us or anyone else to debate about what form that will take when the government hasn't even made some final decisions on this yet. The government and their advisors are still researching and testing ISP filtering. The last I heard they are "considering" a two tier system of ISP filtering however, no final decisions have been made in relation to this. But as I said in the statement, we are not prepared to be drawn into a debate about the issues and nor are we in a position to provide a public forum on our website - we just don't have the manpower to do that and it really isn't our responsibility to provide a public forum anyway - it is the government's policy and therefore, it is their responsibility to handle the issue and public reaction to ISP filtering on the Internet.

On first glance it appears that Ms. Robinson is in denial that Australian Women Online had entered the debate on Internet censorship.

Even though the website's post of 30 October clearly stated:

Our motivation in being part of the debate is simply to say that we believe that as the internet is a shared space, what goes on in this space needs to be negotiated.

While AWO no longer wishes to be "drawn into the debate", there is one interesting echo of a 3 January 2008 post which appears to be missing in action from AWO along with at least one other concerning filtering:

A few days ago I wrote a post on this blog in support of the Australian government's plans to introduce a mandatory clean feed in homes and schools. Since then I have been villified and personally attacked all over the Internet. Now I'm wondering where are those groups who are against porn? I feel like I'm all alone taking the heat for everyone who agrees with the government's policy of ISP filtering of porn and violence, whilst so many who have fought for this remain silent. I maybe one of the most hated women in the blogosphere at the moment. But at least I had the guts to voice my opinion on this issue.....

Even before that 3 January post she was quite happy to personally enter the debate over at Search Views on 31 December 2007 with this comment linked to AWO:

Deborah Robinson [ December 31st, 2007 at 5:02 pm ]

Australia isn't censoring the Internet. They are providing a clean feed to filter out porn and violent material, something European countries have been doing for quite some time. Bloggers like Duncan Riley from TechCrunch are making a big fuss over nothing. Riley sprouts conspiracy theories and other rubbish to his legions of fans who are hungry for news. Bobbie Johnson from the UK is the only voice of reason in this debate and your readers should read his post on this issue and give Riley's a miss.

And again at Librarians Matter on 1 January when she posted a comment (also linked to AWO) which included mention of non-mandatory filtering which occurs elsewhere:

5 Deborah Robinson on 01 Jan 2008 at 5:24 am

It seems to me you have already made up your mind to condemn the move by the government to introduce a clean feed. So I don't know why you ask for further information on the subject.

There has been a massive over-reaction to the announcement by Stephen Conroy. Clean feeds have existed in the UK and and other democratic countries in Europe for years and no-one has had their civil liberties violated or been persecuted as a result.

I applaud Kevin Rudd and the Labor government for having the guts to clean up the Internet. For too long it's been a haven for child pornographers and other undesirables and it's about time something was done about it.

Indeed, so into the debate was Deborah that two days later she turns up on Austrolabe and other sites besides over time.

Australian Women Online was so enamoured by one port locking option that on 9 January 2008 it invited the rest of Australia to participate in lobbying:

Join Australian Women Online in the campaign to introduce the CP80 Internet Channel Initiative in Australia.

Now Ms. Robinson may feel put upon because she came out and cast a few stones at bloggers who objected to Senator Conroy's grand plan, but I'm not about to weep into my hankie for her or Australian Women Online.
They are quite happy to correspond with the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and be part of the online debate until challenged - then cravenly they try to hide behind government departmental processes.

For the record, here's a quote from Ms. Robinson and Australian Women Online which gives a small clue as to why they may not fully understand the Internet and those who use it:

Here is what we know so far: Although we would like to do more feature articles on the serious issues, the public just don't respond to them, which is why we don't see more websites for women dealing with the big issues. Women don't want to think about the big issues, they want to relax, make some new friends and be entertained. There is also a section of the community who just doesn't know what they want from the web.

Public Lecture on Community Relations and Multiculturalism in NSW, Southern Cross University, Lismore 13 November 2008

On November 13th the Centre for Peace and Social Justice at Southern Cross University is hosting a public lecture titled "Towards an inclusive community: Community Relations and Multiculturalism in NSW". It will be followed by afternoon tea.

The event is free and all are welcome.

Stepan Kerkyasharian, AM, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Community Relations Commission (CRC) will speak on community relations in NSW, with a focus on social inclusion and the future of multiculturalism.

The public lecture will be followed by afternoon tea with the CRC Commissioners at the Father Tony Glynn Japan – Australia Centre at SCU.

Public Lecture: 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Thursday 13th November 2008
Theatre B231, Southern Cross University,
Lismore.

Afternoon tea: 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Thursday 13th November 2008
Fr. Tony Glynn Japan – Australia Centre
Southern Cross University.

For afternoon tea please RSVP to Dr. Rob Garbutt, Centre for Peace and Social Justice, and School of Arts and Social Sciences, Southern Cross University by Friday 7th November on 6620 3790 or by email
rob.garbutt@scu.edu.au

Information courtesy of the Northern Rivers Social Development Council

North Coast Area Health Service accused of filching community money

It won't be long before Northern Rivers folk start to discuss the notion of coming after the North Coast Area Health Service CEO with tar and feathers.

So far he's reduced the number of ward beds available and cut nursing shift numbers on the pretext of holding back beds for future disasters, epidemics etc., is selling off Maclean land which will be needed for further district hospital growth and now according to the Tweed Daily News is alleged to have also done the following:

"Mr Ross claims $20,000 remaining in a Special Purpose Trust (SPT) is unable to be accessed to finish off work on an outdoor coffee shop area.

The money, raised over four years by the Murwillumbah Central Rotary Club, totalled $35,000 at its peak and was raised specifically for the renovation at the Murwillumbah District Hospital.

The remaining $20,000 was to be spent on a roof over decking built with the coffee shop, but has been made inaccessible by the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS), according to Mr Ross.

A further $213,000 from the sale of a property, previously owned by the hospital and used for sterilisation, has not made its way back to the hospital, according the hospital advocate.

NCAHS and NSW Health would not comment on the issue yesterday.

"The SPT was set up specifically for the coffee shop area and by law cannot be distributed or used for any purpose other than that designed," Mr Ross said.

"It is a grave concern to us the money we raised for the projects cannot be accessed now."

Mr Ross said the money obtained from the sale of the property should have gone back into the hospital.

"We believe NCAHS took it without the consent of the hospital," Mr Ross said.

Mr Ross said the NCAHS claims it spent money on upgrading air-conditioning at the hospital.

"They have not done that," Mr Ross said.

A letter sent as a response to Mr Ross earlier this year from the office of former New South Wales Health Minister Reba Meagher said the money was spent on the hospital.

"The proceeds of the sale were to upgrade the air-conditioning plant at Murwillumbah District Hospital at a cost of $50,000," the letter said.

Plans to spend $176,000 on palliative care beds were not successful because NCAHS could not secure a specialist.

Mr Ross said it was all false.

"Ask the cleaners if the air-conditioning is working. You do not have to go to the top to get the correct answer," Mr Ross said.

"Enough is enough. Give the hospital back its money and allow the Rotary Club to finish off the wonderful coffee shop and decking area."

When will the Rudd Government take control of the health system and free the North Coast from these petty tyrannies?

For US08 election tragics everywhere - where to find info on the night

US presidential election coverage will begin about 3-4pm on Tuesday 4 November 2008 in America, 1am in Britain, or between 10-11am on 5 November across the Australian east coast.

ABC News (US)
ABC News Radio (Aust)
BBC in America
Bloomberg.com
CBS.com - Campaign o8
CNN.com - Election Centre 2008
CNN Voter Hotline
Fox News - Election Central
iDashboards.com - interactive results
The Huffington Post
MSNBC.com - Decision 08 Dashboard Email alerts also available here
The New York Times - Text NEWSALERTS to 698698 to get national results
Twitter Election
The Washington Post

NSW North Coast Federal MP speaks out for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other human rights activists

Janelle Saffin (Page, Australian Labor Party) Hansard source

This motion is to draw attention to the plight of the approximately 54 million people of Burma, Myanmar, who not only live in poverty but also live in fear. I would like to give my thanks and appreciation to the honourable member for Pearce, who is joining me in supporting this motion tonight. I know that the issue has bipartisan support.

The motion draws attention to the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is known to all of us in this place and beyond. It talks about her birthday, which was on 19 June, so it is a belated happy birthday to her. Aung San Suu Kyi's plight is shared by many others, by all of her people. She does not seek attention for herself. She seeks to draw attention to the plight of the people of Burma and also her fellow political prisoners, of whom there is a large number. The number is always debated, but it could be as many as 2,000 people. U Tin Oo is a prisoner and he is one of Aung San Suu Kyi's deputies. The UN committee on arbitrary detention has declared that he is being arbitrarily detained. I am familiar with that matter because I lodged the application with the committee and got that declaration. U Win Htein was recently released from prison for between 15 and 17 hours in Katha and then taken back into custody following a radio interview. No-one knows where he is. I express my sentiments to his family, who are obviously very distressed about those events. Khun Htun Oo and Sao Hso Hten were given prison sentences of 90 years and 75 years respectively, which seems excessive when their 'crime' was political action. And then there is Su Su Nway and many others.

Burma is a state that has silenced political voices, political leaders, by incarceration. But it can change—and everyone wants change in Burma. I welcomed the release of U Win Tin, Burma's longest-serving prisoner, who appears to be as intellectually robust as ever. He said through the media that he was not released but evicted, and he stayed in his prison blues to make a point about how bizarre it is. He was one of just seven political prisoners among the 9,002 prisoners released. It looked great—9,002 prisoners released—yet only seven of them were political prisoners.

Burma's situation, as we know, is dire. The challenges are many, including reconciliation. Reconciliation requires discussion, it requires dialogue, it requires conversation—and that is one of the missing elements there. There was a constitution which went through a process in May. It was declared to be the constitution that the regime is going to the election with. The process was neither free nor fair. In 1973 they went through the same process, which was neither free nor fair, and that heralded a constitution that did not bring any political settlement, any constitutional settlement, any reconciliation to the state. It feels like history is being revisited.

Change does not come easily, but the people desire it. Even those who rule the country can change. If asked to define a characteristic that has marked or seared the psyche of the nation of Burma, I would have to say fear. There is fear at all levels—fear of authorities, fear of speaking, fear of doing, fear of acting, fear of thinking—because people end up being trapped in straightjackets. Despite their record of brutality and inept government at all levels, the top generals are also afflicted by fear—fear of foreign incursions and fear of their own people, particularly the ethnic nationalities. The reality is that, for reconciliation to occur and for peace and prosperity to prevail, the generals—led by the SPDC Chairman, General Than Shwe, and the SPDC Prime Minister, General Thein Sein—need to be bold enough to step up to the plate of leadership. That is what the other leaders, like Aung San Suu Kyi, have challenged them to do. As they only rule with command and control, they do not lead. They must lead efforts to broker peace, because it is peace that is missing in Burma. Such a transition would ideally include a range of initiatives, and it would have to include speaking to each other.

[from OpenDemocracy.org,20 October 2008]