Grafton's purple haze in November 2011

Jacarandas in bloom abound across public spaces

City of Grafton, Clarence Valley NSW

Chris Gulaptis' masters block motion calling for moratorium on mining approvals on Dorrigo Plateau & in Clarence River Catchment

From A Clarence Valley Protest on 11 November 2011: 

O'Farrell Government blocks motion calling for moratorium on mining approvals on the Dorrigo Plateau and Clarence River Catchment

Today the NSW Parliament Legislative Council was adjourned at 3.52 pm until Tuesday 22 November 2011 at 2.30 pm.

However, before the House rose the O’Farrell Coalition Government gave voters on the NSW North Coast a very good reason to reject his candidate, Chris Gulaptis, at the 19 November Clarence by-election when it used its numbers and influence to block this motion:

349. Mr Buckingham to move—

1. That this House notes that:

(a) Anchor Resources Limited have conducted scoping studies that indicate a resource of 17,500 tons of antimony have been found at both Wild Cattle Creek near Nymboida, and the Blicks River to the northwest of Dorrigo on the mid north coast of New South Wales,

(b) Anchor Resources Limited has recently been subject to a majority takeover by the Chinese minerals company China Shandong Jinshunda Group Limited which now owns over 90 per cent of the company,

(c) antimony is a mineral resource used for a range of high tech products such as polymers, fire retardants and electronics,

(d) antimony and many of its compounds are toxic and the World Health Organisation has stated that oral consumption can result in "a strong irritating effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa and trigger sustained vomiting ... abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and cardiac toxicity",

(e) the Wild Cattle Creek project is located within the headwaters of the Nymboida River, which is the highest rainfall catchment in New South Wales,

(f) the majority of the municipal water supply for more than 100,000 residents in Coffs Harbour is provided by Shannon Creek Dam which is fed by pipes directly from the Nymboida River,

(g) the Nymboida also flows into the Clarence River which provides water for domestic and agricultural purposes and is part of an important fishery based around Yamba,

(h) the high rainfall of the catchment means there is a significant risk that run off containing antimony and arsenic from any mine site could contaminate the river systems,

(i) a previous antimony ore processing plant at Urunga Lagoon has been described in the Bellingen Council 2009-10 State of the Environment Report as seriously contaminated and unable to be rehabilitated, and

(j) the Government has admitted that mining activities at Hillgrove have caused serious and long-term contamination of the Macleay River from the mine to the Pacific Ocean.

2. That this House calls on the Government to:

(a) place a moratorium on mining approvals on the Dorrigo Plateau and Clarence until the Strategic Regional Land Use Plan has been completed for this area, and

(b) consider declaring the area around Wild Cattle Creek at the headwaters of the Nymboida an environmentally sensitive area, off-limits to mining as per the Coalition's Strategic Regional Land Use Policy.

(Notice given 8 November 2011—expires Notice Paper No. 72)

Legislative Council Notice Paper No. 55—Friday 11 November 2011

I know! Why not make it hard for voters in Yamba?

The Clarence Valley Review would have Yamba voters rock up to meet the 8 Clarence byelection candidates long after the polls have closed and in 2013 to make this Monday the 19th!
For those living in real time I'm pretty sure the candidates expect to see a crowd on Monday 14th November 2011 at 6pm.

Remembrance Day 2011

The tradition of Rememberance Day in Australia

Picture from Google images

2011 Clarence By-Election Scorecard. Part Four - the field begins to spread out

NSW Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis in the media this week:

FEARS up to 50 jobs would be lost in the Clarence Valley under the State Government's planned new tender process for road works were "a storm in a teacup", Nationals candidate for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said. “All it means is that instead of the tender going to council, contractors can bid for the work," he said…..

Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham last week called on the government to fast track a Regional Land Use Policy for the North Coast, which was not yet even budgeted.

Mr Gulaptis agreed.

"There is no reason we should be last in any area of government expenditure ... we've been doing it tough so if anything we deserve special consideration."

Responding to a challenge issued by Mr Buckingham for the National Party to choose between its rural constituents or big mining companies, Mr Gulaptis said the Greens' attempt to polarise the election on one issue was over-simplistic.

But Nationals candidate and former Page electorate hopeful Chris Gulaptis has been very quiet. Since he was announced as the party's candidate on October 16 we have seen only about three media releases from Mr Gulaptis.

As a candidate he is free to choose how to run his campaign and his campaign team might believe he has sufficient profile from his former mayoralty of Maclean Shire and his tilt at the Federal seat to see him through. But it is an unusual and risky approach, even for a frontrunner.

People expect to hear from the candidates, and in a State election campaign when we are about to lose 200 jobs from the local abattoir they deserve to know how they would deliver new jobs or improve the other areas of State responsibility such as roads, bridges, education, tourism, policing, health or the environment.

We have heard little of that. [The Daily Examiner Campaign on the quiet 10 November 2011]

NSW Country Labor candidate Peter Ellem released his first campaign flyer this week covering promises to fight for more jobs and better health services in the Clarence electorate particularly the Lower Clarence Valley, more police resources, a safer Pacific Highway, a second Grafton Bridge which doesn’t destroy Dovedale; and fight against any move to divert water from the Clarence River or privatise Grafton Goal.

He also sent out a very targeted media release on 10 November which took the fight up to the Nationals candidate concerning coal seam gas:

"I'm calling on the O'Farrell-Stoner Government to immediately suspend all Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses before irreparable damage is caused to ground water and aquifers in the Northern Rivers," Mr Ellem said.

"I'm also demanding the O'Farrell-Stoner Government cease issuing Coal Seam Gas extraction licenses and refuse any applications to expand existing operations.

"Coal Seam Gas has the potential to damage our local rivers, drinking water, prime agricultural land, fishing industry and tourism industry.

"The NSW Labor Opposition believes that until a regulatory framework is in place based on independent scientific research and conclusive evidence, we should not be allowing Coal Seam Gas mining to proceed freely.  

NSW Greens candidate Janet Cavanaugh put a number of media releases out this week including this strong statement:

“The Greens have a good track record when it comes to electricity privatisation,” Ms Cavanaugh said.
“We opposed it under Labor and we are opposed to it now under the Liberal/ National Coalition Government.
“It doesn’t make sense, particularly when it comes to the poles and wires which deliver electricity to our region and our households. These are an essential service and a natural monopoly. They should not be run for profit.

Janet also scores a small advantage because her supporters are enthusiastically getting her message out, including about a Clarence River Catchment anti-antimony mining rally to be held at Karangi Dam on 12 November 2011 at 11am. As well as for a clever use of buses as mobile advertising and showing a sense of humour by posting this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy90ylMRjLY.

Independent Wade Walker in the media this week:

I think it's about time we move forward in developing the Clarence electorate right across the board - areas like health facilities, sport facilities and renewable energy,"……….Among Mr Walker's other key policies is more of an emphasis on renewable energy in the Clarence and also a halt to coal-seam gas exploration and antimony mining in the Clarence area until more is known about their environmental and health-related impacts.

Christian Democratic Party candidate Bethany Camac has no media presence this week.

Outdoor Recreation Party candidate Clinton Mead has no media presence this week.

Australian Democrat candidate David Robinson has no media presence this week.

Independent Stewart Scott-Irving has no media presence this week.

Assessment:

1. Chris Gulaptis appears dismissive of local fears about more job losses on the NSW North Coast and his attempt to straddle the fence on coal seam gas and antimony mining doesn’t engender much trust. However, it is his attempt to deny that he had once approached the ALP concerning pre-selection which means that his minus score doesn’t mark time – it grows.

2. Peter Ellem continues to echo community concerns in relation to a number of issues, but still displays a strange reluctance to take a strong stand against antimony mining which is perhaps a more immediate threat to the south-eastern section of the Clarence electorate than is coal seam gas mining. His score moves forward from last week.

3. Janet Cavanaugh remains more adept at the use of social media than the rest of the field and her policy statements generally do not disappoint. She adds to her score.

4. Wade Walker has found his voice and gets his first run on the scoreboard for briefly mentioning some of the most pressing issues concerning the Clarence River catchment. Although it is hard to see his idea for four Clarence Advisory Teams made up of community leaders, senior citizens and also senior high school students in Casino, Evans Head, Maclean and Grafton, to raise important community issues ever getting off the ground. His publication of a campaign advertisement with no authorization, when a simple read of his candidate information pack would have shown him what pitfalls to avoid means he doesn’t score well. Swings and roundabouts for Wade.

5. Bethany Camac is virtually mute and her score doesn’t change.

6. Clinton Mead – Clinton Who? He can write a letter to the editor in his far distant home town but can’t be bothered putting pen to paper up here. Loses points.

7. David Robinson remains a puzzle as he is yet to tell the electorate what he is about. Losing ground.

8. Stewart Scott-Irving obviously doesn’t care about the Clarence electorate or its voters, as he is not speaking to them in any meaningful way. Enters minus territory simply because he can’t be bothered.

Rolling Scorecard

Gulaptis -3

Ellem 3.2

Cavanaugh 3.5
Wade Walker 0.5
Bethany Camac -3

Clinton Mead -2

David Robinson -0.5

Stewart Scott-Irving -0.5

Clarence By-Election: Ellem puts Gulaptis on the CSG spot

Ellem (left centre) and Woods (right centre) on the banks of the Clarence River

Media Release Thursday, 10 November 2011

COUNTRY LABOR CALLS FOR SUSPENSION
OF COAL SEAM GAS EXPLORATION

ELLEM AND WOODS TEAM UP TO PROTECT OUR RIVERS

Country Labor candidate for the Clarence by-election, Peter Ellem today called on the O'Farrell-Stoner Government to suspend all current Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses to protect the Clarence and Richmond rivers.

Mr Ellem was joined by the former Member for Clarence, Harry Woods who has come out of retirement and thrown his weight behind Peter's by-election campaign.

"I'm calling on the O'Farrell-Stoner Government to immediately suspend all Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses before irreparable damage is caused to ground water and aquifers in the Northern Rivers," Mr Ellem said.

"I'm also demanding the O'Farrell-Stoner Government cease issuing Coal Seam Gas extraction licenses and refuse any applications to expand existing operations.

"Coal Seam Gas has the potential to damage our local rivers, drinking water, prime agricultural land, fishing industry and tourism industry.

"The NSW Labor Opposition believes that until a regulatory framework is in place based on independent scientific research and conclusive evidence, we should not be allowing Coal Seam Gas mining to proceed freely.

"The National Party has let the people of country NSW down on Coal Seam Gas – Andrew Stoner isn’t willing to put our rivers and prime agricultural land first."

Former Member for the Clarence, Harry Woods backed the Country Labor stance on Coal Seam Gas and demanded the Nationals' candidate Chris Gulaptis reveal his position to the community.

"Chris Gulaptis is a fly-in, fly-out candidate who will be back on a plane to Queensland quick smart if the going gets tough," Mr Woods said.

"I'd like to hear what Mr Gulaptis will do to protect our river, considering his involvement with the mining industry during his time in Queensland.

"Mr Gulaptis talked about how he loved being ‘back in a community where mining was big’ during his time in Mackay. I think local residents deserve to hear about what his plans are to deal with Coal Seam Gas in Clarence.

"This by-election is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to send a message to the O'Farrell-Stoner Government about Coal Seam Gas on behalf of all country people."

MEDIA CONTACT: COURTNEY ROCHE 0413 055 189

Enough is enough, Prime Minister Gillard!

Statement by Northern Territory elders and community representatives - No more! Enough is enough!

Melbourne 4 November, 2011

United First People’s Law men and women who are born leaders representing people of Prescribed Areas in the Northern Territory make this statement. Once again, they have gathered to openly discuss the future of our generation who have been subjugated by the lies and innuendo of the Federal Government, set out in the Stronger Futures document (October 2011).

The Stronger Futures report has created a lot of anger and frustration due to the lack of process and the ignorant way in which the views of the people have been reported. We therefore reject this report.

We will not support an extension of the Intervention legislation. We did not ask for it. In fact we call for a genuine Apology from the Federal Government for the hurt, embarrassment, shame and stigma, and for the illegal removal of the Racial Discrimination Act. It is our intention to officially call upon Government for reparation.

The recent consultations report shows that Government has failed to take seriously our concerns and feelings. This report is simply a reflection of pre-determined policy decisions. This is shown clearly by the absence of any commitment to bilingual learning programmes as well as the proposal to introduce welfare cuts and fines to parent of non-attending school children. Once again a punitive policy that is neither in the best interests of the child or the family.

Blanket measures have been central to the Northern Territory Intervention and have been the source of much distress. Where there are problems, they must be addressed on a case by case basis and preferably with the assistance through the appropriate community channels.

Since August 2007 till 2011, more than 45,000 First Nations Peoples living in the Prescribed Areas were traumatised when a Bill was passed through both Houses of Parliament (The House of Representatives and the Senate).

This legislation suspended the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to put in place the Northern Territory Emergency Response. The Australian Greens were the only party to oppose the legislation.

These actions have placed Australia in breach of its international treaty obligations to the First Nations Peoples. Respectful discussion and negotiation with community elders did not take place before the introduction of the Intervention.
Discussions on a diplomatic basis are essential. There are elders in every Aboriginal Nation invested by the authority of the majority. These are the people with whom Minister Macklin should be negotiating, rather than with the chosen few, as has been her habit.

There has NEVER been acquiescence in the taking of our lands by stealth. Aboriginal people are sovereign people of this Nation. The process that will lead to legal recognition of customary law should be immediately commenced.

We believe that there should be an honest and comprehensive treaty negotiation with the Australian Government and facilitated by the United Nations.

We have a right under international law to self determination and after almost five years of the oppression of the Intervention, we demand that Government hand back to us control over our communities and provide adequate Government, long-term funding to ensure the future of Homelands.

Communty Councils have suffered from years of underfunding. The same is happening today with the Shires that have been imposed on us. There is a lack of funding for our Core Service.There is no capacity for Aboriginal communities to engage in long-term services planning without the certainty of long-term funding.

We have had enough! We need our independence to live our lives and plan our futures without the constant oppression and threats which have become central to the relationship between Government and Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. We will not support policies that have not been negotiates with all elders of Prescribed communities and we will not support an extension of the Intervention, or an Interventionunder other names.

Since the Apology and since reconciliation, the level of incarceration of Aboriginal men has increased three-fold; our families are being punished for failure to attend a foreign school design; our capacity to govern our own lives has been totally disempowered; Aboriginal youth suicide rates in the Northern Territory are higher than anywhere else in Australia; and our people have been demonized, labelled and branded. This is not what an apology is and it is not reconciliation. These outcomes are the very opposite to their intent.

Australia is in breach of its international treaty obligations to the first nation’s people through it membership to the United Nations in the elimination of racial discrimination.

We as leaders of the Northern Territory acknowledge other peoples’ views. We acknowledge that some may agree and some may disagree with parts or all of the ‘intervention’; whatever the name the Government chooses to call it. The only right we now have left is to remain silent.

We as Aboriginal people call on the international community to hold Australia to account for its continuing crimes against humanity for its treatments of its first nation’s people. Again, we say to our visits by the Minister’s department; this is not consultation. Proper consultation is about listening and inviting and including the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Consultation is about outcomes that are progressive and agreeable to all parties.

The future is based on our children having a quality education, but to date this continues to be a systemic failure. A quality education for our people needs to include:
• Bilingualism in schools to be returned and strengthened to ensure our children learn their traditional languages, dialects and cultural knowledges.
• Attendances need to be rewarded, rather than children and families being punished for non-attendance.
• Aboriginal teachers in classrooms and school educational leadership roles are essential to building quality, localized schooling programs. This means also equal pay and entitlements, rewards and opportunities consistent with their important roles.
• Curriculum needs to change and reflect traditional knowledges not just for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, but importantly for the broader Australian population who know very little about their own first peoples.
• Aboriginal teachers need to be treated fairly and equally to their non-Aboriginal counterparts in delivering quality education to our children. This includes the opportunity to tell oral stories of Kinship, Creation Stories, and about important cultural knowledge and skills.

Failure to accept these views and work seriously toward their inclusion will simply mean more of the same.

Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM
Japata Ryan
Harry Nelson
Djapirri Murunggirritj
Barbara Shaw
Yananymul Mununggurr