Second National Rural Regional Law and Justice Conference, 18-20 May 2012 at Coffs Harbour, NSW

The Second National Rural Regional Law and Justice Conference is to be hosted by University of New England in collaboration with Deakin University School of Law.

This national conference has a triple focus:

• On sharing knowledge amongst attendees with different professional backgrounds and concerns, but a shared interest in the future of rural and regional Australia
• On critical analysis of issues and problems
• On practical strategies for delivering greater social justice for rural and regional communities

Dates: 18 - 20 May 2012
Venue: Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Registrations:
Early Bird: $300 close 23 March 2012
Standard: $395 close 20 April 2012
Register for the conference today.

Keynote speakers listed here.

More information:
Visit the National Rural/Regional Law and Justice Conference website.

The mining boom is an unmitigated good in the eyes of many and further proof that Australia is indeed the lucky country. But it is not luck shared by all. Farming, mining and Indigenous communities are amongst those many Australians suffering its downside. Its economic benefits frequently fly over these communities, leaving them only with its adverse social and environmental impacts.

Several speakers at the 2nd National Rural and Regional Law and Justice Conference will take up these issues. National leader writer for The Australian and research scholar at ANU, Paul Cleary has subjected the impacts of the mining boom to the sternest scrutiny in his best selling 'Too Much Luck: The Mining Boom and Australia's Future' and the forthcoming 'Mine-Field: The Dark Side of Australia's Resources Frenzy'. His keynote address will look at the implications of the boom for rural and regional communities.

There will also be a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to listen (and speak) to the leading US commentator on rural democracy and justice, Jim Hightower.  Author of 5 popular books, 2 times Texas Agriculture Commissioner, and one of the most informative and entertaining commentators on rural affairs in the USA, Jim brings a hard-hitting viewpoint that will make everyone think. Jim Hightower speaks for the interests of rural communities across the USA, and broadcasts daily radio commentaries that are carried in more than 150 commercial and public stations, on the web, and on Radio for Peace International.  Jim will be talking about challenges faced by rural communities in Australia and the USA, ‘fracking’ and farming, and the power games that impact on farming communities.

The program features a range of speakers who will explore issues concerning mining development in rural and regional communities, and the role of the law in managing such conflict. The justice and equity issues of mining developments, and the impact these have on communities, will be debated in several thought-provoking and engaging sessions, including:
·         Professor Kerry Carrington, Queensland University of Technology: The social and criminological impact of mining development on rural communities
·         Adam Edwards, University of New England: Grass v Gas: The role of private nuisance in agriculture / mining land use conflict
·         Tony Meacham, University of Southern Queensland: 20 Years after Mabo – Is there any more certainty for pastoralists, miners, and Indigenous people?
·         Dr Jacqueline Williams, University of New England, and Sue Higginson, Environmental Defender’s Office: Mining: Coming to a farm near you

[Email from Jacqueline Williams, BAppSc MAppSc PhD, Senior Researcher AgLaw Centre University of New England]

The power of words strung together

Israel has declared the German author Guenter Grass "persona non grata" and barred him from entering the country because of this poem.

What must be said

Why have I kept silent, held back so long,

on something openly practiced in

war games, at the end of which those of us

who survive will at best be footnotes?

It's the alleged right to a first strike

that could destroy an Iranian people

subjugated by a loudmouth

and gathered in organized rallies,

because an atom bomb may be being

developed within his arc of power.

Yet why do I hesitate to name

that other land in which

for years—although kept secret—

a growing nuclear power has existed

beyond supervision or verification,

subject to no inspection of any kind?

This general silence on the facts,

before which my own silence has bowed,

seems to me a troubling lie, and compels

me toward a likely punishment

the moment it's flouted:

the verdict "Anti-semitism" falls easily.

But now that my own country,

brought in time after time

for questioning about its own crimes,

profound and beyond compare,

is said to be the departure point,

(on what is merely business,

though easily declared an act of reparation)

for yet another submarine equipped

to transport nuclear warheads

to Israel, where not a single atom bomb

has yet been proved to exist, with fear alone

the only evidence, I'll say what must be said.

But why have I kept silent till now?

Because I thought my own origins,

Tarnished by a stain that can never be removed,

meant I could not expect Israel, a land

to which I am, and always will be, attached,

to accept this open declaration of the truth.

Why only now, grown old,

and with what ink remains, do I say:

Israel's atomic power endangers

an already fragile world peace?

Because what must be said

may be too late tomorrow;

and because—burdend enough as Germans—

we may be providing material for a crime

that is foreseeable, so that our complicity

wil not be expunged by any

of the usual excuses.

And granted: I've broken my silence

because I'm sick of the West's hypocrisy;

and I hope too that many may be freed

from their silence, may demand

that those responsible for the open danger

we face renounce the use of force,

may insist that the governments of

both Iran and Israel allow an international authority

free and open inspection of

the nuclear potential and capability of both.

No other course offers help

to Israelis and Palestinians alike,

to all those living side by side in emnity

in this region occupied by illusions,

and ultimately, to all of us.

Günter Grass Nobel Laureate

Translated by Breon Mitchell

The Guardian UK 9 April 2012

Dear Hillary............

Mitt Romney suddenly found himself the only real contender
for GOP Presidential Candidate 2012

and decided to focus on ‘wimmins’

Montage from Texts From Hillary

See you there!

Quote of the Week

“And on a bad day, God created politicians”

{Fiona Patten in The Punch on 10^th April 2012}

An Australian political giant strides from the stage

Bob Brown during the Franklin River protests 1980s

The National Times Friday 13 April 2012:

Senator Brown, who is 67, made the announcement to his Greens Party Room colleagues this morning at 10am.

"I am sad to leave but happy to go. It is good knowing that the Greens have such a depth of talent and experience lined up for leadership - I could only dream about that a decade ago", Senator Brown said.

"It is prime time to hand over the reins. I offer a huge 'thank you' to the 1.7 million Australian voters who elected our Green team, and to my 9 colleagues: they have made each Green year in this parliament better than the year before - though the best is yet to come. For example, our policies for fairly taxing the resources boom and carbon polluters, uniquely enable the Greens to fund a national disabilities insurance scheme, the Gonski education reforms, Denticare, renewable energy businesses, as well as progress on High Speed Rail linking our major cities.

"I also thank my splendid staff, including my longtime friend, confidant, and fount of good political sense, Chief of Staff, Ben Oquist," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown has called the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Tasmanian Greens to inform them of his resignation.

"I look forward to fresh green pursuits including writing, photography, music, occasional talks, bushwalking, and getting out with Paul to see Miranda Gibson who has been perched for 120 days 60 metres high, in defence of a giant tree facing destruction in central Tasmania," Senator Brown said.

Wikipedia entry for Bob Brown

Parliament of Australia entry for Senator Bob Brown

Photograph from powerhousemuseum.com

Friday the Thirteenth April 2012



Photographs found at Google Images