Is Japan beginning to win its war of attrition against the anti-whaling nations?
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has released its Chairs’ Suggestions on the Future of the International Whaling Commission found in the Report on the Small Working Group (SWG) on the Future of the International Whaling Commission, 2 February 2009.
Element 6: JAPANESE SMALL TYPE COASTAL WHALING
An interim quota for "O" stock common minke whales in Japanese coastal waters for a five year period would be implemented, having regard to the unique circumstances that exist for four Japanese coastal communities. This whaling would be managed, consistent with the advice of the Scientific Committee, under a Schedule amendment that would last for 5 years. The Scientific
Committee would provide interim advice concerning the total removals of O and J stock common minke whales. The advice would be provided under the following two scenarios: a) constant catches for 5 years and 0 thereafter, b) constant catches for 5 years with the same level of catches thereafter.
Any direct take of J-stock animals must be identified and included with J-stock animals taken as bycatch in commercial fisheries, and managed according to the recommendations of the Scientific Committee. No more than a total of five vessels from Taiji, Abashiri, Ayukawa and Wada would be used, all trips must be day trips, and monitoring, control and enforcement methods must be identified and implemented. All meat would be locally consumed. In accordance with the Schedule, annual reports would be submitted to the IWC for each year’s hunt identifying the number of whales taken, the position of capture, the species taken and locations where whales are landed. Arrangements would be made for the Secretariat to verify the composition of total removals regarding J- and O- stock animals.
Element 23: RESEARCH UNDER SPECIAL PERMIT
This issue was one of the most contentious discussed by the Small Working Group. Many countries remained opposed to whaling under special permit. Various approaches have been suggested, including elimination, bringing it under the control of IWC and using a Code of Conduct. However, in the spirit of trying to reach a consensus on measures to improve the performance of the IWC, a significant reduction in the number of whales taken under special permit during the interim period is proposed; during that period the issue will be addressed further with a view to seeking a long-term arrangement. Such a proposal should in no way be interpreted as meaning that countries who are opposed to special permit whaling are thereby endorsing it; they might prefer to view it as a step in the process of reducing the number of whales taken while negotiations continue on the future of the IWC.
Based on discussions, the following options are proposed:
Option 1:
(1) For the next five years, a phase-out of special permit whaling of Antarctic minke whales in the Southern Ocean would occur, where takes of minke whales in the Southern Ocean would be reduced by 20% in the first year and each year thereafter to reach zero by year 5.
(2) No takes of humpback or fin whales in the Southern Ocean.
(3) All removal levels would be reviewed by the Scientific Committee and consistent with its recommendations.
Or,
Option 2:
(1) for the next five years, an annual limit of x Antarctic common minke whales and y fin whales is established in the Southern Ocean associated with JARPA II research, pending interim advice from the Scientific Committee regarding the sustainability of these removal levels.
(2) It is anticipated, pending advice from the Scientific Committee on sustainability, that in the western North Pacific as part of JARPN II research, ww O-stock common minke whales, xx sei whales, yy Brydes and zz sperm whales will be harvested annually.
Concerning the conduct of research under special permit, the Commission adopted a new approach (Annex P) at the Santiago meeting. The Scientific Committee will continue to use this approach for the review of existing and new research programmes. Member nations will take account of recommendations from the Scientific Committee regarding the experimental design.
During the 5-year interim period the Commission will address all issues pertaining to Article VIII. Of special importance are the issues of where special permit whaling would be allowed (i.e. whether special permit whaling should be allowed in designated sanctuaries), the long term purpose or need for special permit whaling, and monitoring and compliance protocols.
Element 27: SANCTUARIES
A South Atlantic Sanctuary should be established for an initial period of five years. The boundary for this sanctuary would take into account the interests of coastal range states. A ¾’s majority vote of the IWC would be required to extend this designation beyond the interim period.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
North Coast pensioners took your advice, Kev - so how about it?
The Prime Minister gave pensioners a one-off bonus payment in December 2008 and told them to go out and spend to help the Aussie economy.
As far as I can tell on the NSW North Coast they did just that.
They spent it at the dentist, at the vet, buying clothes, sheets for the bed, tyres for the car, a new fridge, shoes for the grandkids and extra Christmas groceries - simple things like that which sent money straight into the tills of local businesses.
So Rudders not including a commitment to Aussie pensioners in his latest stimulus package anounced this week was a little alarming.
Is the Rudd Government going to put the promised mid-year payment increase for single pensioners on the backburner as it did paid maternity leave?
I second Senator Bob Brown when he called on the Rudd Government to once again include pensioners in the stimulus package by ensuring that they get a pension increase this year.
On the North Coast pensioners and seniors (besides being the backbone of many not-for-profit community groups and the bulk of the population in some areas) are what makes the money go round. I kid you not.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Australian national political donations: who gave to which party in 2007-2008
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) released the 2007-08 annual returns for political donations and expenditure this week.
Here is a brief breakdown:
Australian Labor Party [National] - 81 donations listed
Biggest donor Village Roadshow Limited at $205,000
Liberal Party of Australia [National] - 66 donors on record.
Largest donor Brickworks at $250,000
National Party of Australia [National] - 20 donations are recorded
Largest donor Hong Kong Kingson Investments at $250,000
Australian Greens [National] - 1 donation listed
Only donor Mr. Russell Thompson at $20,000
Family First [National] - 1 donor
Only donor Grocon Pty Ltd at $5,000
Christian Democratic Party [National] - 0 donors
In addition: the Business Council of Australia spent $2.3 million on political publication and broadcasting and the Australian Council of Trade Unions outlaid around $15.8 million across the spectrum.
AEC Search
Monsanto fruit?
* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.
Australian senators' financial interests now online
Open Australia is in the process of putting all senators declared interests online at its website.
All senators can be found here. Just follow the links.
Starting with the "A"s and continuing downwards it is remarkable to see the number of senators declaring a laptop computer given to them by that notable 2008 corporate collapse ABC Pty Ltd.
It's also fascinating to see just how many senators appear to be living on their parliamentary income alone, like Senator Conroy who (from memory) states a mortgaged family home and a single savings bank account along with that ubiquitous laptop.
However, others like Senator Coonan give a gentle hint at cash investments, jewellery, antiques and a handful of 'freebies', while Senator Heffernan presents a fairly typical country MP profile of investments, shares in own and other companies, trusts, and land a little land and starry skies above.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Rudd's $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan outlined
The Prime Minister announced today a second stimulus package which includes these key elements:
- Free ceiling insulation for around 2.7 million Australian homes
- Build or upgrade a building in every one of Australia’s 9,540 schools
- Build more than 20,000 new social and defence homes
- $950 one off cash payments to eligible families, single workers, students, drought effected farmers and others
- A temporary business investment tax break for small and general businesses buying eligible assets
- Significantly increase funding for local community infrastructure and local road projects
More offical detail can be found here.
Crickey has graphs showing which electorates will get the bulk of child and school related payments and funding at Kevvie Cash Rewards
Red face for Nationals Luke Hartsuyker over fuel prices
Despite a great deal of wasted ink, Nationals MP for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker just could not support his contention that the Rudd Government was wrecking all for North Coast motorists and businesses.Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker has slammed the country's Petrol Commissioner and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for failing to help local motorists still forking out unnecessarily high prices for unleaded fuel.
First the Petrol Commissioner told him that the difference between Kempsey and city unleaded petrol average retail prices was only around 4 cents a litre for the second half of 2008.
Now according to The Land on Saturday:
The difference between city and country fuel prices is no reason for alarm, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
This is despite calls for a full investigation into the price gap by country MPs last week.
The ACCC says some country petrol prices last week were cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne prices.
ACCC commissioner and petrol spokesman, Joe Dimasi, visited Central Queensland last week to talk to angry country motorists and see for himself what was going on with petrol prices.
The visit followed a formal request from Nationals leader, Warren Truss, and Opposition spokesman for competition, Luke Hartsuyker, for the ACCC to thoroughly investigate the disparity between petrol and diesel prices, and city and country fuel prices.
Mr Truss said diesel was traditionally much cheaper than petrol, and its current high price was flowing through to the cost of transport and food.
It would appear the Mr. Hartsuyker is not beginning the year with any political flourish.
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