Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Saffin tells Parliament 'Not a drop' from the Clarence River


Bravo to Federal Labor’s Janelle Saffin who really is in tune with her electorate in this 18 October 2010 media release.

Saffin tells Parliament -- ‘Not a drop’

PAGE MP Janelle Saffin made it clear on the first day of the Parliamentary session that she would be vigilant on protecting the Clarence River against water raiders.

Ms Saffin today told Parliament that a lot of people are talking about wanting to get their hands on water from the Clarence River.

But she said the message from the local community in response to those looking at river diversion under the Murray-Darling Basin plan is this – “Not a drop”.

“Engineering-wise, we can do anything -- we can do marvels -- but in terms of the environment and also the viability of the Clarence, it would be a disaster.

“The catchment area of the Clarence River falls within 100 kilometres of the New South Wales coastal strip.

“Our industries are fishing -- we have a huge commercial fishing industry -- and agriculture, and the economy is heavily underpinned by that commercial fishing.

“There is also forestry and tourism. It is all worth a lot to us.

“This debate is one of those debates that come up ever now and then.”

Ms Saffin said that right across her electorate thousands of cars display the ‘not a drop’ bumper stickers, part of a Daily Examiner campaign against Coalition water policy in 2007.

Following her statement in the House, Ms Saffin said she did not want to alarm people but she wanted to be up front on the first sitting day on this important issue.

“I also want to thank the local people who sent me good information on the issue this morning,” Ms Saffin said.

“The idea of diverting the Clarence River inland won’t stand up to closer public scrutiny.”

Leave river to flow free says local media


From the pen of David Bancroft, The Daily Examiner Editor, 18 October 2010

Click on image to enlarge

Huh, kids today!


Taylor taylorrtay Oh dear, my mother has a Twitter account now... that's the moment when you know this social network is heading downhill #sorrymum

Monday, 18 October 2010

What is in Armidale's drinking water?

Authorities must undertake an immediate audit of Armidale city's water supply. I'm not referring to its quantity, but rather its quality.

An Armidale resident has a letter to the editor in today's Daily Examiner that provides abundant evidence that a brain-destroying contaminant is in the drinking water in at least one Armidale home.
Click on letter to enlarge. 

Here's The Daily Examiner editor's response:
  
One of Stephen Heaney's strongest claims is that the fishing industry would benefit if fresh water was prevented from entering the river by being diverted elsewhere. That would be news to the fishing industry. For years the industry has fought tooth and nail to prevent diversion, recognising that natural river flows are essential to the health and therefore the viability of the fishing industry. It recognises that floods and freshes can cause disruption but, like farmers, understand their value to the productive capacity of the valley.

Also from the editor: 

We must fight any proposals to divert the Clarence.

Is anyone out there?


Looks suspiciously like everyone along the Murray-Darling rivers is having too much fun burning books and loudly swearing for the benefit of cameras to actually go online and give an opinion.

Last time I clicked onto the Murray Darling Basin Authority Basin Plan online forum page there were only a handful of comments and this was one example:

tony grose

17-10-2010 1:05 PM
Pipe Line

Out of left feild here but would it be viable to build a pipe line to feed water into the basin. We seem to be able to spend millions and millions of dollars on reports and the likes why dont we just bite the bullet and start a massive task like this. The government wants to stimulate the economy emagine how much work this would create. I see that the swiss have just completed the longest tunnel under the elpes and it has taken 14 years for just that part of it, that to me is long term vision. We have a massive water source in the north and north west so maybe we need to try and tap into that and then all Australians will benefit.

Tony

Abbott gave a reshuffle party and nobody came


Surely this14 September 2010 media release would have to heralded one of the quietest reshuffles in Coalition history:

The reshaped Coalition frontbench that I announce today is a strong and experienced team that will hold a weak Government to account. The new Shadow Ministry is a team with deep connections to the community, ensuring that we will continue to put forward practical policies that help Australian families get ahead.

There was little mention of this change to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's team of shadow spokespeople, but quite a few media observations on his attempt to censor video and photographs (below) and his ill-advised interview with Alan Jones.

Leaving one thankful that this man is not the Australian Prime Minister.