Quote of the Week

"What we can't do is endlessly subsidise lifestyle choices if those lifestyle choices are not conducive to the kind of full participation in Australian society that everyone should have"

[Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on the subject of traditional owners living on country their kinship & tribal groups have lived on for millennia who are now faced with eviction by WA Government]

Friday 13: and so it begins for Edward Moses 'Eddie' Obeid

NSW Court Notice:

BACKGROUND

NSW ICAC finds Obeid, Tripodi, Dunn engaged in corrupt conduct

A reliable food surplus is what holds villages, towns, cities and the nation that governs them together

These are the food producing women of the NSW Liverpool Plains:

http://youtu.be/ul2ItfwqUnE

What is not as well known is that the NSW 100 km wide coastal strip historically produces 20 per cent of the state’s agricultural product each year.

This strip includes much of the NSW Northern Rivers regions.

A reliable food surplus is what holds villages, towns, cities and the nation that governs then together and, this surplus is dependent on uncontaminated soils and clean water.

Coal seam gas and other unconventional gas mining places soil and water at risk in the rural and regional areas miners choose to industrialise.

Something to think about as we mark our ballot papers on 28 March 2015.

A petulant Australian Prime Minister spits his dummy in public - again

Australians are sick of being lectured to by the United Nations according to the petulant Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.

I rather think that what a great many Australians are sick of is this country being put in a position where it is in breach of international law.

I suspect many would also be critical of the Abbott Government's obvious reluctance to fully explain its actions to the United Nations (UN).

This is the section of the UN report, covering sixty-eight nations, that has the prime minister spitting his dummy in public.

The reader can decide if the following constitutes being "lectured to".

Excerpt from Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez, 6 March 2015:

Australia (a) JAL 27/03/2014 Case No. AUS 1/2014 State Reply: 26/05/2014 Allegations of indefinite detention of asylum seekers, detention conditions, alleged detention of children, and escalating violence and tension at the Regional Processing Centre.

16. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Australia for its reply, dated 26.05.2014, to the present communication.

17. The Rapporteur welcomes the Government’s initiatives to investigate and review the events of 16- 18 February; however, he regrets that the Government has not to this date submitted, as announced in its initial reply, any substantive reply.

18. The Rapporteur hence finds that the Government, in its reply, does not sufficiently address the concerns, legal obligations, and questions raised in the initial communication, which prompts him to infer that the Government fails to fully and expeditiously cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, as well as to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).

19. In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Australia, by failing to provide adequate detention conditions; end the practice of detention of children; and put a stop to the escalating violence and tension at the Regional Processing Centre, has violated the right of the asylum seekers, including children, to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT.

(a) UA 08/07/2014 Case No. AUS 2/2014 State Reply: 10/07/2014 Allegations concerning the situation of two groups of Sri Lankan asylum seekers and migrants (203 in total), including a significant number of Tamils, and their incommunicado detention and imminent deportation to Sri Lanka by the Australian Government, in contravention of Australia’s non-refoulement obligations.

20. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Australia for its reply, dated 10 July 2014, to the present communication.

21. The Rapporteur finds that the Government, in its reply, does not sufficiently address the concerns, legal obligations, and questions raised in the initial communication, which prompts him to infer that the Government fails to fully and expeditiously cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, as well as to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT). The Government in July 2014, stating that these matters were currently before the High Court of Australia. The Special Rapporteur has not received any communication since.

22. It has come to the attention of the Special Rapporteur that, as of the drafting of this report, the extradition of the two groups of Sri Lankan asylum seekers and migrants, has not taken place. The Rapporteur strongly urges the Government of Australia to protect the right of these 203 migrants to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT, and to refrain from deporting these individuals to Sri Lanka where they risk torture, thereby ensuring compliance with article 3 of the CAT.

(b) JUA 17/11/2014 Case No. AUS 4/2014 State Reply: 16/12/2014 Allegations concerning acts of intimidation and ill-treatment of two asylum-seekers, following their statements regarding the violent attacks against asylum-seekers, which allegedly took place between 16 and 18 February 2014 at the Manus Regional Processing Centre, and immigration detention centre located in Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, whose internal security is operated by a company on behalf of the Australian Government.

23. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Australia for its reply, dated 16 December 2014, to the present communication.

24. The Rapporteur takes note of the information provided by the Government that the allegations concerning the ill-treatment of Mr. A and Mr. B are subject to domestic legal proceedings currently before the High Court of Australia. He welcomes the Australian Governments adoption of 9 out of the 13 recommendations in the report “Review into the events of 16-18 February 2014 at the Manus Regional Processing Centre”, that was released on 23 May 2014. In spite of the information supplied by the Government, its reply fails to inform the Rapporteur about the status and progress of the case concerning Mr. A and Mr. B.

25. The Rapporteur finds that the Government, in its reply, does not sufficiently address all of the concerns, legal obligations, and questions raised in the initial communication, which prompts him to infer that the Government fails to fully and expeditiously cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, as well as to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention Against Torture (CAT).

26. In the absence of sufficient information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Australia, by failing to provide any additional information or details of the investigation into Mr. A and Mr. B’s allegations, has violated their right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by article 1 and 16 of the CAT.

(c) JOL 17/11/2014 Case No. AUS 5/2014 State Reply: 23/12/2014 Allegations concerning the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 and the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 which are reportedly being scrutinized by the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

27. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Australia for its reply, dated 23 December 2014, to the present communication.

28. The Rapporteur acknowledges the comprehensive account of the Government in response to the concerns, legal obligations and questions raised in the initial communication.

29. He takes note of the information provided by the Government that the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 and the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 passed both Houses of Parliament on 26 November 2014 and 15 December 2014, respectively.

30. Notwithstanding, the Rapporteur surmises that both bills put Australia at risk of violating the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment, which has passed both the house and the Senate of Australia at this point, violates the CAT because it allows for the arbitrary detention and refugee determination at sea, without access to lawyers. The Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancelation Bill violates the CAT because it tightens control on the issuance of visas on the basis of character and risk assessments.

31. The Rapporteur concludes that the Government of Australia, by failing to amend the provisions of the two bills to comply with the State’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly with regard to the rights of migrants, and asylum seekers, including children, has violated the rights of migrants and asylum seekers to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1, 3, and 16 of the CAT.

NSW State Election 2015: Full list of candidates standing for Northern Rivers electorates in the Lower House & local residents standing for the Upper House

Candidates standing for NSW Northern Rivers electorates and seats in the NSW Legislative Assembly (Lower House):

BALLINA

CLARENCE

LISMORE

TWEED

Candidates living in the NSW Northern Rivers region who are standing for election as state representatives and seats in the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House):

JOHNSON, W (Lismore Heights NSW) unaffiliated group

MELLAND, Julia (Lismore Heights NSW) AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS

SPEARS, Daniel (Lawrence NSW) SHOOTERS AND FISHERS

STOCKS, Sue (Nimbin NSW) THE GREENS

WALKER, Dawn (Fingal Head NSW) THE GREENS

WILLIAMS, Keith (Ballina NSW) COUNTRY LABOR

** Click on images to enlarge**

Baird Government and NSW North Coast Nationals continue to betray Northern Rivers communities and their sustainable regional economies

Gasfield Free Northern Rivers Media Release, 11 March 2015:

Northern Rivers under even greater threat of invasive gasfields.

                   

Today’s announcement that AJ Lucas has bought PEL 445, shows that they have set their sights firmly on the Northern Rivers for gas exploration. 

AJ Lucas is the biggest drilling company in Australia, they own seventy seven drill rigs, and have the capacity and resources to commence exploration drilling operations as soon as necessary approvals are in place. 

Ian Gaillard, Spokesperson for Gasfield Free Northern Rivers said "Our region is now threatened more than ever with Queensland drillers probably looking to the Northern Rivers to meet export gas shortfalls at Gladstone. 

"This development makes it more likely that the instant the election is over, if the Liberal National Government is returned to power, Northern Rivers communities will be facing the spectre of a gas drilling invasion. 

"Lismore, Kyogle, Nimbin, Coraki, out west past Urbenville and right down to Maclean will all be up for grabs. As will the regional water supply areas that service major population 

centres like Ballina and Byron Bay. 

"The transfer of PEL 445 to AJ Lucas makes the outcome of the upcoming election even more critical for the future of our region. 

"This news will galvanise people in the region to redouble their efforts over the coming weeks to demand a commitment from local National Party candidates who are the only party refusing to support community calls for a Gasfield Free Northern Rivers."

Coal Seam Gas and mineral exploration are issues in the NSW state election of 28 March 2015 right across Northern Rivers catchment areas

On Twitter 10 March 2015

MEDIA RELEASE: 9^th March 2015

Licence cancellation another cynical vote grabbing exercise by NSW Government

Gasfield Free Northern Rivers have responded with ambivalence to the announcement today that a petroleum licence in the south of the region has been cancelled. Resources Minister Anthony Roberts travelled to Grafton to announce that gas company Clarence Moreton Resources had agreed to hand in PEL 478.

“This is the cancellation of a small inactive licence. The fact remains that the current Liberal-National Government is actively supporting the roll out of the CSG industry across large parts of our region,” said Gasfield Free spokesperson Elly Bird.

“This government has already renewed Metgasco’s most active CSG licence areas (PELs 13 and 16), as well as the largest licence area in the region (Igas’s PEL 445), which covers Lismore, Nimbin and Kyogle and parts of the water supply area of major towns across the region, including Ballina and Byron Bay.”

“This is a cynical and tokenistic attempt by the Liberal-National government to look like they are doing something on this issue when they could have acted decisively long ago by refusing to renew the Metgasco and Igas licences that were quietly renewed despite repeated calls from the community for their cancellation.”

“The communities of this region are not stupid and will not be deceived by this latest gimmick from the government. They are angry that our local Nationals MP’s have the audacity to repeatedly ignore the community’s wishes over many years only to mock them with token actions at election time,” she said.

MEDIA RELEASE

Janet Cavanaugh

Greens Candidate for Clarence

m. 0429 479 968; e. clarence@nsw.greens.org.au

www.nsw.greens.org.au/clarence

9 March 2015

PEL CANCELLATION TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

The Greens have criticised the Government’s announcement that two Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) held by Clarence Moreton Resources Pty Ltd will be cancelled.

Greens candidate for Clarence, Janet Cavanaugh said:

“Today’s announcement is too little, too late. It is merely tinkering around the edges.

“The timing is just cynical electioneering. Both PELs expired in 2012 and could have been cancelled at any time.

“I am concerned that the Government is wasting taxpayers money on this electioneering stunt. Under the Petroleum Onshore Act*, no compensation is payable for the cancellation or suspension of exploration licences.

“Why is the Government paying off their mates in the mining industry?

“There can be no basis for compensation, particularly if there has been insufficient investment in exploration works in the licence area or any other breaches of licence conditions. The Clarence Alliance Against CSG is not aware of any onground works in PEL478.

“In PEL479, there have been substantial complaints about the drilling of the Annvale Borehole in 2011,” she said.

Greens spokesperson on mining, Jeremy Buckingham MP said:

“The Greens are not impressed by the cancellation of these PELs. “We would have been more impressed if Metgasco's PEL426 had been cancelled. It expired more than 12 months ago and should also be cancelled.

“PEL426 is the PEL with the Glenugie drill site. Metgasco’s attempts to drill here were met by concerted community action and a lengthy blockade. Drilling only proceeded after the

riot squad was brought in, at great expense to taxpayers.

“The Greens are the only party to have a position of being totally opposed to all unconventional gas mining and exploration in NSW - that's coal seam gas, tight sands

gas and shale gas. It just isn't worth the risk to our land and water,” he said.

* Section 22(5) of the NSW Petroleum Onshore Act 1991 states:

“No compensation is payable by the Crown for or in respect of the cancellation of, or a suspension of operations under, a petroleum title.”

MEDIA RELEASE

Meet the Candidates at Dundurrabin

The Blicks River Guardians invite you to attend an afternoon tea with NSW election candidates at Dundurrabin Community Centre, 4pm on Sunday 15^th March.  This event, on the beautiful Dorrigo Plateau, provides a great opportunity for you to come and meet the candidates from both the Oxley and Clarence electorates.  There will be time for Q & A about the issues that are important to you and following at 6pm will be a community dinner (bring a plate to share) and a fundraiser for the Blicks River Guardians with local musician and songwriter Noam Blat.

Mineral exploration on the Dorrigo Plateau and across the New England fold belt has increased in recent years.  The Clarence catchment has a number of active exploration leases for gold, antimony and other minerals, with Anchor Resources prospecting near the Blicks River at Dundurrabin and at Wild Cattle Creek near Dorrigo.  Also on the Clarence,  Australia United Mining (Altius) is exploring for gold in the Orara Valley near Coffs Harbour.  The Hillgrove mine in the Macleay catchment has plans to reopen with a proposal for a second mine awaiting approval.  Other large gold and mineral exploration leases are active at Uralla and Armidale.

The increase in mineral exploration above coastal water catchments across our region concerns local residents.

“Some of this exploration is being supported with taxpayers money by the state government, despite the list of contamination events that have polluted regional waterways in recent decades,” said Blicks River Guardians’ spokesperson Meredith Stanton, “Major rainfall events have led to heavy metal contamination polluting the Clarence River at Timbarra in 2001, the Macleay River at Bellbrook in 2009 and at North Parkes a gold and copper mine spill killed birds in 1995.  There are many more documented examples across NSW and more than 500 derelict mine sites that companies have walked away from leaving a legacy for NSW taxpayers.”

The Blicks River Guardians consider mining to be an inappropriate land use on the Dorrigo Plateau and aim to protect our high rainfall area from future mining development.  Local communities rely heavily on tourism and the local agricultural industry.  The risks that an open cut mine would bring to our catchments are not worth the few jobs that might be available to local people if mining development were to be approved. 

BRG will be asking the NSW election candidates where they stand on mining in our water catchments.  To learn more about BRG visit www.blicksriverguardians.org.

To ask the candidates about important local issues come along to the public event at:

Dundurrabin Community Centre,  Armidale-Grafton Road,  Dundurrabin.

Date:  Sunday 15th March 2015

4 - 6pm - Meet the Candidates.  Afternoon tea provided

6 - 7pm - Dinner.  Bring a plate to share.

7 - 9pm - Music. Noam Blat 

For event information call  02 6657 8040.

BACKGROUND

http://youtu.be/WjfmKpEH0Jg