GlaxoSmithKine pleads guilty to criminal charges of fraudulent promotion of its drugs - pays US Government US$3 billion settlement

The Lancet 7 July 2012:

On July 2, UK-based GlaxoSmithKine (GSK) agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges of fraudulent promotion of its drugs and pay the US Government a settlement of US$3 billion. If accepted, this will be the largest fine imposed on a drug company, surpassing the $2·3 billion paid by Pfizer for inappropriate marketing in 2009. The amount adds to GSK's $750 million settlement in 2010 over manufacturing quality.

What is particularly egregious about GSK's fraud is the calculated deceit and potential human cost of its aggressive and misleading marketing. For instance, while evidence was emerging that showed an increased suicide risk in adolescents prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for depression, GSK was actively encouraging off-label prescription of paroxetine to individuals younger than 18 years. This was not an isolated incident; off-label use was also encouraged for bupropion. For rosiglitazone, safety data were withheld from the US Food and Drug Administration and altered, potentially delaying restrictions on the drug's use and putting people to whom it was prescribed at increased risk of cardiovascular complications. The company is also accused of cheating Medicare. Such behaviour is not only illegal, it is immoral.

As Machiavelli observed, “he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived”. Sadly, in the case of GSK, this has involved doctors who were all too ready to be beguiled by illegal kickbacks and lavish hospitality…

Robertson at the Grafton Gaol picket line 10-11 July 2012

The Daily Examiner’s Debrah Novak films Opposition Leader John Roberstson

at the Grafton Gaol picket line 10-11 July 2012

 

 

"The mass sackings announced at Grafton Gaol today is a huge broken promise from the O'Farrell Stoner Government......During the Clarence by-election, Mr O'Farrell, Mr Stoner and Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis promised there would be no cuts or closure of Grafton Gaol. Now, we are seeing massive job losses that will quite simply devastate the local community." [NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson,29 June 2012]

Q: Why didn't the snake bite Chris Gulaptis MP?

A: Professional solidarity.

South Korea to join Japan in needlessly slaughtering whales - have your say

The 64th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission and the associated meetings of its Scientific Committee and other sub-groups was held in Panama City, Panama from 11 June – 6 July 2012.

This is South Korea’s position:

Opening Statement (IWC/64/OS Korea)

By the Head of the Republic of Korea Delegation, Dr. Joon-Suk Kang

Mr. Chairman, distinguished Commissioners, delegates, and NGO members.

It is my great pleasure to attend the 64th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in this beautiful Panama City. As the head of the Korean delegation, I would like to congratulate the Government of Panama on hosting this meeting and to express my sincere gratitude to the IWC Secretariat for arranging this meaningful meeting.

To start with, I wish to remind you that the Republic of Korea has been endowed with a very long history of active whaling. Korea’s whaling history dates back to prehistoric times, and whale meat is still part of a culinary tradition of some of Korea’s local areas such as Ulsan. Historically, Korea’s whaling took place in the form of subsistence fishing for food, similar to Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling (ASW). It is reported that 35 species are living around Korean Peninsula. In the 1970s and 1980s up to the Moratorium, for example, about 1,000 minke whales were captured annually around the Korean peninsula. However, the long coastal whaling tradition for livelihood and nutritional purposes was suspended in 1986 in compliance with the IWC decision.

At the time, the Korean government had to enforce the whalers to scrap all the whaling vessels completely, promising that they would be able to resume whaling upon the recovery of the resources. With this, the Ulsan community has long been waiting for the IWC to lift the ban for more than a quarter of a century. Good faith and pacta sunt servanda constitute the two fundamental principles of international relations.

In this context, I must, once again, draw your attention to Article 10(e) of the Convention Schedule which requires this Commission to undertake, upon the best scientific advice, a comprehensive assessment of the effects of the decision and to consider modification of the provision. However, it is unfortunate to witness that this process has been stalled by unnecessary political arguments.

The Republic of Korea has been respecting and strictly implementing the Commission's polices and decisions. Illegal whaling has been strictly banned and subject to strong punishment. The government also recently adopted a new ministerial Directive on the Conservation and Management of Whale Resources to establish a transparent system of distribution for stranded or by-caught whale meats.

It has been also reported that the minke whale population in the north Pacific has recovered considerably to the level maintained before the Moratorium. As a result, fishermen in this area are consistently calling for limited whaling. This is because they are experiencing disturbances in their fishing activities due to frequent occurrences of cetaceans in their fishing grounds and an increasing number of minke whales are eating away large amount of fish stocks which should be consumed by human being. We therefore hope that this Commission will set in motion the review procedure as a matter of urgency to reinstate traditional coastal whaling for the future of the IWC.

Since 2001, the Korean government has been conducting a non-lethal sighting survey of the whale population to assess the status of the stock in Korean waters. But it has turned out that this survey alone cannot identify the different whale stocks and has delayed the proper assessment of the resources. It also cannot correctly identify the feeding habits of these animals and thus the impact of the whale population on the fisheries resources as a whole.

In order to meet Korean fishermen’s request and make up for the weak point in a non-lethal sighting survey, the Korean government is currently considering conducting whaling for scientific research in accordance with Article VIII of the Convention. The proposed scientific research program is designed to analyze and accumulate biological and ecological data on the

minke whales migrating off the Korean peninsula. This research program will provide more comprehensive and detailed scientific information on the stocks and their interaction with other stocks will be more available. The Korean government is planning to submit research plan to the next Scientific Committee in due course. I hope that the research plan will be given the highest consideration at the next Scientific Committee meeting of the IWC.

As a member of the IWC, the Korean government is privileged to remind all the IWC delegations that the primary objective of the Convention is to ensure a proper conservation of whale species and stocks and an orderly development of the whaling industry. And in the consistent view of our government, it is essential that member governments mutually recognize the importance of cultural diversity and heritage of other countries. Any differences should be resolved through dialogue and cooperation based on mutual understanding.

The Korean government is committed to striving to achieve the Conventional objective of striking a balance between the conservation and sustainable utilization of whale resources. We hope that each member of this Commission will actively contribute to making the normalization process move forward for attaining the common goal of the effective management of the whale resources.

Thank you very much.

If you wish to register an objection to South Korea’s intention to commence commercial whaling under the guise of ‘scientific research’, this is the person to write to in Australia.

His Excellency Cho Tae-yong  

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

113 Empire Circuit,

Yarralumla

ACT 2600

Australia  

Tel : (61 2) 6270-4100

Fax : (61 2) 6273-4839

E-mail : info@korea.org.au

The truth about hunting in NSW National Parks?

National Park hunting according to the NSW Shooters & Fishers Party website:

Q. Will parks really be closed to other users while hunters hunt, and will NPWS staff have to supervise them, or will it be like in state forests?

A. It will be as it is in State Forests. National Parks will not be closed and there will be no close supervision by NP staff.

Thanks, Premier O’Fibba and Member for Clarence 'Steve' the Stuff up Gulaptis, for wrecking the NSW North Coast national park experience for locals and visitors alike.

Staff at Grafton Gaol say thank you to Clarence Valley community

The Sydney Morning Herald: Clarence Valley residents picketing Grafton Gaol July 2012

Letter to the editor in The Daily Examiner 10 July 2012:

Thank you

ON behalf of all the staff at Grafton Jail, our wives and husbands, partners, children and grandchildren we would like to thank some people instrumental in getting us where we are now.
Richard Williamson, Mayor of Grafton; Greg Hayes and his staff from Shoppingworld for supplying us with a table and the use of their photocopier - nothing was too much trouble; Jeremy Challacombe from the Chamber of Commerce; all the shop owners who had petitions in their shops and assisted us in collecting signatures; Ron Bell from the radio station for his assistance with radio announcements; Shirley and John Adams for their support in getting petitions signed at Shoppingworld; our union representatives, who have given us the drive to continue with our quest.
We would like to make a special mention of Tony King from Clarence Valley Unions for his unsurpassed efforts and organisational skills.
Without him, we would not have had a chance of organising this rally, and especially for his generosity in introducing our union representatives to the Grafton community.
Most of all, we would like to thank the people of the Clarence Valley.
We have been overwhelmed by their generous support.
We could not imagine working, or living anywhere else, because of the way the community has rallied for us.
You should all give yourselves a pat on the back and be proud of your efforts.
The staff of Grafton Jail is so proud to be part of Clarence Valley community. Thank you.

Staff of Grafton Jail

Tony Abbot under the influence of one of his many political delusions

ABC TV Lateline  6 July 2012:

TONY ABBOTT: Admiral Barrie, along with all other serving members of the armed forces, understands that the armed forces are under the direction of the government of the day. That's what civil control of the military means.

Oh dear, here is Opposition Leader Tony Abbott displaying his ignorance concerning the constitutional implications of the oath set out below.

Because when push comes to shove over turning back the boats, it is convention not law which has naval vessels on operational duty strictly obeying policy directions from the government of the day.

Mr. Abbott would also do well to remember that the Australian Constitution places the Queen’s representative, the Governor-General, as Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, not the Prime Minister or any other politician.

Something both Whitlam and Fraser had to come to grips with during their epic battle for control of the Australian Parliament.

DEFENCE (PERSONNEL) REGULATIONS 2002 - SCHEDULE 2

Oath or affirmation for enlistment of member

(regulation 24)

Part 1 Form of oath

I, (insert full name of person) swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors according to law, as a member of the

(insert Australian Navy , Australian Army , or Australian Air Force )

(insert

for the period of (number of years) , and any extensions of that period,

or

until retiring age, )

and that I will resist her enemies and faithfully discharge my duty according to law.

SO HELP ME GOD!

(person's signature)

Taken and subscribed before me on (insert date)

(insert signature, name and title of the person before whom the oath is taken and subscribed)

Note The oath may be taken before an officer of the Navy, Army or Air Force, a Warrant Officer of the Navy or Air Force, a Warrant Officer Class 1 of the Army, a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner for Affidavits or a Commissioner for Declarations.

Part 2 Form of affirmation

I, (insert full name of person) promise that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors according to law, as a member of the

(insert Australian Navy , Australian Army , or Australian Air Force )

(insert

for the period of (number of years) , and any extensions of that period,

or

until retiring age, )

and that I will resist Her enemies and faithfully discharge my duty according to law.

(person's signature)

Made and subscribed before me on (insert date)

(insert signature, name and title of the person before whom the affirmation is made and subscribed)

Note The affirmation may be made before an officer of the Navy, Army or Air Force, a Warrant Officer of the Navy or Air Force, a Warrant Officer Class 1 of the Army, a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner for Affidavits or a Commissioner for Declarations.