This blog is open to any who wish to comment on Australian society, the state of the environment or political shenanigans at Federal, State and Local Government level.
Significant
excitement was generated earlier this month when a sharp-eyed member
of the public spotted a mostly white Donkey Orchid. His inquiries led
to experts believing this is a new species.
All
orchids and other collectable or merchantable native plants in NSW,
like ferns, Grass Trees etc are protected under the National Parks
and Heritage Legislation Amendment Act, so these handful of plants
are protected.
However,
they were growing in a relatively public location, meaning there is a
chance of their being accidentally trampled, or worse, being dug up
by some unscrupulous collector. As a result, the location, as with
most rare plants, especially collectable species are usually kept
secret.
I
must add that the majority of orchid ‘enthusiasts’ do the right
thing which, unless the plant is listed as threatened under the NSW
Biodiversity Conservation Act, is only a matter of paying a modest
fee for a permit.
There
are 568 native plants listed as threatened under the Act and
protected accordingly, which leads us to the hypothetical possibility
that, because these new orchids aren’t listed as threatened, that
handful of plants could be legally dug up under a standard
collectors’ permit.
The
problem is, it’s not just newly discovered species that are missing
out on protection, there are literally hundreds of rare species
facing extinction today, simply because nobody has done the research
and work required to nominate them for protection.
Before
declaring a species as threatened, the NSW Scientific Committee needs
to see credible evidence that the nominated species is under threat
of extinction. They need to know the extent of populations and the
threats they face, which can be costly and time consuming.
Anyone
can make a nomination, there is no one person, organisation, or
government department charged with doing this research. The problem
for new species is they first need describing and details published
in a reputable journal before a nomination can be considered, and all
that takes time and money.
A
dedicated rare species assessment team, charged with doing that work,
would be great.
John
Edwards
Australian White Finger Orchid 2021 IMAGE: Peter F Williams @pfwaus
Still some amazing diversity in the roadside orchids near Mallacoota, VIC at the start of Nov. with good numbers of beard and onion orchids out, the occasional large duck and the last few spotted sun orchids finishing up. Not bad for a fairly dry spring ... #orchids#ozplantspic.twitter.com/2mTlZVXhWP
When
Rick Ensby spotted cane toads on his Woodford Island property, he was
quick to call the local Clarence Landcare group.
The
Woodford cattle grazier said a control officer spent nine days
removing adults and metamorphs from the area.
"It
had a massive effect on the number of cane toads for quite some time
after," he said.
But
several years later the notorious invasive pests are back in "huge
numbers", despite the best efforts of Mr Nesby and his wife.
"We
both work and we work the farm as well and it's quite time-consuming
to go on an emu parade every night," he said.
"We
definitely will do that because cane toads are quite [poisonous] to
native animals and birds that we're a little bit attached to that
live around the place.
"We
grow hay and we don't want [cane toads] getting wrapped up in our
bales of hay and possibly transported elsewhere."
But
this time Clarence Landcare was only able to offer Mr Ensby
collection buckets and handbooks as Local Land Services NSW (LLS) has
discontinued control funding.
Funding
redirected to studies
The
NSW Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone shows areas in green where cane toads
have become established. (Supplied: NSW Department of Primary
Industries)
The
Ensbys' property was previously in a DPI Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone,
which meant all cane toad sightings had to be reported.
But
that classification, made in 2017, has now expired.
LLS
team leader for invasive pests, Dean Chamberlain, said field surveys
were being conducted to determine the cane toad's range.
"We
know from where the initial biosecurity line was when it was set up
that they've moved considerable distances to the west and in
reasonable distances to the south," he said.
"We
could spend money now where control has been done in the past, but if
it is 10 or 15 kilometres off the front line, then it's not really
effective management of incursion."
The
Ensbys' property was previously in a DPI Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone,
which meant all cane toad sightings had to be reported.
But
that classification, made in 2017, has now expired.
LLS
team leader for invasive pests, Dean Chamberlain, said field surveys
were being conducted to determine the cane toad's range.
"We
know from where the initial biosecurity line was when it was set up
that they've moved considerable distances to the west and in
reasonable distances to the south," he said.
"We
could spend money now where control has been done in the past, but if
it is 10 or 15 kilometres off the front line, then it's not really
effective management of incursion."
While
cane toads have been spreading west at a rate of up to 60 kilometres
a year in the tropical north of Australia, their spread south has
generally been much slower.
But
Charles Sturt University herpetologist Matthew Greenlees said that
was changing.
"They
were introduced around the Byron Bay area in the 1960s and they've
spread relatively slowly compared to the expansion that we've seen in
northern Australia," Dr Greenlees said.
"Since
the bushfires and consecutive La Niña events and wet seasons, they
just seem to be spreading more rapidly, particularly over the past
three or four years.
"So
from Angourie to Brooms Head [18km] it took them almost 30 years, but
now from Brooms Head down to Diggers Camp [slightly further] we're
talking five to six years."
Early
signs this season
Clarence
Landcare invasive species officer Matthew Morris said conditions had
been perfect for breeding this season.
Bureau
of Meteorology weather data shows Yamba received 615 millimetres of
rain between May and August this year, almost double the seasonal
average, and temperatures were also warmer than the median.
"I
think the toads have done a little bit better during the winter,"
Mr Morris said.
"Coming
out of winter we had that massive heatwave for a week and a half and
that triggered a number of breeding events, which we saw very early
in the season being reported to us."......
In
2011, the Australian Government released the Standard Operating
Procedure for the Humane Field Euthanasia of Cane Toads (SOP) which
was based on a comparative study of the humaneness of a range of
different cane toad killing methods [1]. However, this SOP has not
been updated and so omits some recently developed and evaluated
methods, but it still contains some useful information. No methods
are listed in the SOP as unconditionally acceptable, thus
highlighting the need for more research to develop a humane killing
method for cane toads.
The
following method is the most humane currently available to the
general public:
Cooling
and then freezing – one study has shown that this method may be
more humane than other methods [2, 3]. It involves placing the toad
in a plastic bag or container ensuring that there is sufficient cool
air around each individual toad to allow for uniform cooling and
freezing (e.g. place toads individually in containers). Place the
container(s) in the fridge at 4°C for 12 hours, and then after
ensuring the toad is not moving (it is effectively anaesthetised),
transferring it to a freezer (-20°C) for at least 24 hours to
painlessly kill the toad.
Gloves
must always be worn when handling toads. Toads must be confirmed dead
before disposal.....
How
do I know when a cane toad is dead?
When
using any killing method, it is essential to confirm that the animal
has died before disposing of its body. Determining death can be
difficult with amphibians as their heart rate is difficult to detect
and respiration can occur through the skin as well as the lungs.
Absence of all of the following signs will confirm that the cane toad
is dead (remember to wear thick plastic gloves when handling cane
toads):
Loss
of righting reflex – the toad cannot turn itself over when placed
onto its back
Loss
of withdrawal reflex – no response to a light squeezing of the
skin in between the toes
Loss
of deep pain reflex – no response to moderate squeezing of the
toes
No
respiratory movement – no throat movements that indicate breathing
No
heart activity – no chest movement or visible pulse
Always
check for these signs and do not assume an animal is dead just
because it is not moving or apparently not breathing. If death cannot
be confirmed, then the killing procedure must be repeated.
Currently
a UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.
Ms
Albanese holds a Law Degree (with honors) from the University of Pisa
and an LLM in Human Rights from the University of London, SOAS. She
is an Affiliate Scholar at the Institute for the Study of
International Migration at Georgetown University and a Senior Advisor
on Migration and Forced Displacement for the think tank ARDD
Situation in the State of Palestine:#ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects the State of Israel’s challenges to jurisdiction and issues warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. Learn more ⤵️ https://t.co/opHUjZG8BL
Situation in the State of Palestine: #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issues warrant of arrest for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif). Learn more ⤵️ https://t.co/UAlWfRQPrh
Coorabell
Hall is hosting a special Indigenous cultural event on Saturday,
November 23 at Coorabell Hall from 2pm.
Hall
secretary, Adele Smout, says that Many Rivers – Bundjalung Culture
and History – Understanding and Remembrance will feature Bundjalung
author and historian, Dr Shauna Bostock.
‘[She
is] winner of the 2024 NSW Premier’s Community and Regional History
prize, with her book Reaching Through Time. Historical photos that
form part of the event will be on display from 2pm, and Wahlubal
Elder, Uncle Lewis Walker, will conduct a Welcome and Smoking
ceremony at 5pm.
‘This
will be followed by truth-telling for understanding and remembrance
of First Nations people in the region.’
Entry
is by donation.
Coorabell
is just north-west of Bangalow and west of Byron Bay, in the middle of
Bundjalung Country which stretches further than the eye can see in
that part of north-east New South Wales.
The
address for Coorabell Hall is 565 Coolamon Scenic Drive,
Coorabell, Byron Bay NSW 2479.
Travelling north turnoff onto Hinterland Way (B62old Pacific Highway) and watch for the turnoff into Coolamon
Scenic Drive. Pass Friday Hut Rd turnoff and the hall is 1km further
on the left hand side.
How
Reuters Institute
for the Study of Journalism
annual Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024seesAustralia, based in large part on a YouGov survey using an online questionnaire at the
end of January beginning of February 2024.
Click on these four images to enlarge
AUSTRALIA
Population
26m
Internet
penetration 90%
The
past year has been marked by persistent inflation, a rising cost of
living, and severe flooding in many parts of Australia. Late in 2023,
following a divisive campaign laden with misinformation, Australians
voted against an amendment to the constitution to establish an
Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
It
is a critical time when audiences are in need of quality news yet the
news ecosystem continues to shrink. Australianow has 29 local government
areas with no
local news publishers, TV, or radioservicing the local
community. Print media have been hit hard due to the decline
in advertising revenue and rising print costs. Government departments
are cutting back print advertising and instead rolling out campaigns
on social
media. In 2023, the Victorian government announced they would cease
all metropolitan print newspaper advertising. For regional news
outlets the
reduction in government advertising spend is worrying and they are
lobbying for a more consistent policy. Currently the local, state,
and federal governments spend about 1% of their advertising budget
on regional news.
Streaming
services continue to grow, and their weekly reach (58%) has surpassed
that of free-to-air TV (54%). However, the cost-of-living crisis has
been forcing audiences
to cut back on their digital subscriptions. One in three subscribers
say they have reduced their subscriptions. The
major streaming services such as Netflix,
Amazon Prime, Paramount+,and Binge have reduced their
spendingon
local content by 11% (A$46m). The government has promised to
introduce a
quota system for streaming services in 2024. The media industry is
advocating for a 20% local content quota while streaming platforms
are lobbying for 2%.
In
March 2024, Facebook’s parent company, Meta, shocked the sector by
declaring they were pulling back from news, closing their Australian
news partnerships team, and not entering new commercial deals with
news organisations.
Their current deals with major companies are reported to be worth
A$70m annually. This follows the Australian government’s
introduction of the News Media Bargaining Code in 2021. Under the
Code, Google and Meta are together paying news publishers roughly
A$200m a year on voluntary content agreements.
This has helped sustain the news industry, but most agreements expire
this year. There are now calls to ‘designate’ Meta under the
Code, which would
force the company to negotiate with publishers or face fines of 10%
of its annual Australian revenue. Google
andMeta’s
combined advertising revenue in Australia
was A$8.3bn in 2023. This ismore than half of all
digital ad revenues(A$14.2bn).
In
late 2023, Communications Minister In late 2023, Communications
Minister Michelle Rowland announced A$10.5m in funding through the
News Media Assistance Program to promote a diverse and sustainable
media sector. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has
received the funding to implement the Media Diversity Measurement
Framework, which was developed
through a public consultation.
Public
broadcaster ABC continued its transition into a digital-first media
organisation in 2023, announcing a series of proposals to further
shift investment into
digital services. The ABC Five-YearPlan (2023-2028) forecasts
that by 2028most
of its audience engagement willcome through its digital
services. Newly appointed Chair, Kim Williams, said his
priorities included securing better funding for the ABC and upholding
its Charter responsibilities, including the requirement
for impartiality.
Misinformation
was abundant during the divisive Voice referendum campaignwhere
Australians voted to reject a proposal to set up a formal body for
Indigenous people to give advice on laws. There were widespread
claims that the plan might lead to tax increases or that the
Australian Electoral Commission would tamper with votes, revealing a
deep distrust with the government.
The
‘no’ campaign’s main strategy was to instil fear and doubt,
suggesting that the proposal didn’t carry enough details. Seven
in ten Australians subsequently expressed
concern about the lies andmisinformation on social
media duringthe
campaign.
The
media landscape is undergoing a significant shift as AI increasingly
permeates newsrooms, prompting traditional
outlets to reconsider their approach to the technology as the
industry grapples with how to use it
effectively and safely. News CorpAustralia is producing 3,000
articles aweek
using artificial intelligence. The riseof AI use has led to
widespread publicconcern.
According to a report frommedia monitoring
organisation Streem,117over
half (57%) believe AI creates moreproblems than it solves.
These concerns indicate a need for policy frameworks that
balance the benefits of AI with the public interest.
Sora
Park
News
and Media Research Centre, University
of
Canberra[my yellow highlighting throughout this post]
Dr
Sora Park is Professor of Communication and Professorial Research
Fellow at the News & Media Research Centre, Faculty of Arts &
Design, University of Canberra. She is internationally recognised as
an expert in digital media users and media policy, with a special
focus on news consumers and digital inclusion.
Full
Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024 at
The
Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption
Commission was appointed by resolutions of the House of
Representatives on 8 February 2023 and of the Senate on 9 February
2023.
considering
the appointments of the proposed Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners
and Inspectors nominated by the Minister;
overseeing
the Commissioner, the operation of the National Anti-Corruption
Commission and the Inspector to ensure they are accountable to
Parliament; and
reviewing the budget and finances of the National
Anti-Corruption Commission. To support its oversight role, the
committee's functions include reviewing, examining and inquiring into
the performance of the functions of the Commissioner and Inspector.
Membership
of this joint committee comprises 12 members of the Australian
Parliament:
CHAIR
Senator
Karen Grogan, Australian
Labor Party, SA, appointed
2021
DEPUTY
CHAIR
Dr
Helen Haines MP,
Independent, Indi VIC, first
elected 2019
COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Senator
Slade Brockman, Liberal
Party of Australia, WA,
appointed 2017 Mr
Josh Burns MP, Australian
Labor Party, Macnamara VIC,
first elected 2022
Senator
Varun Ghosh, Australian
Labor Party, WA, appointed
2024
Mr
Jerome Laxale MP,
Australian Labor Party, Bennelong NSW,
first elected 2022
Senator
the Hon James McGrath,
Liberal
National Party of Queensland, QLD,
first elected 2013
Mr
Llew O'Brien MP,
Liberal
National Party of Queensland, Wide Bay QLD,
first elected 2016
Senator
David Shoebridge,
Australian
Greens, NSW,
first elected 2022
Senator
Glenn Sterle,
Australian
Labor Party, WA,
first elected 2004
Mr
Keith Wolahan MP,
Liberal
Party of Australia, Menzies VIC,
first elected 2022
Mr
Tony Zappia MP,
Australian
Labor Party, Makin SA,
first elected 2007.
The
Parliamentary
Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission
will hold its first
public hearing
on Friday 22 November 2024 from 12:30pm to 2pm.
The
joint committee is required to examine each annual report on the
National Anti-Corruption Commission of which there are currently two:
One
under the signature of the NACC Commissioner at
Queensland
born, former school teacher, football coach, sports administrator, political speech writer,
author, commentator, media 'personality' and, current member of the Liberal Party of Australia, Australian Media Hall of
Fame inductee, Order of Australia recipient and climate change sceptic, made the news yesterday.
Child
Abuse Squad detectives have charged a man following an investigation
into alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning
two decades.
In
March 2024, State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established
Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate a number of alleged indecent
assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019.
Following
extensive inquiries, about 7.45am today (Monday 18 November 2024),
strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in
Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man.
The
man was taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with
a total of 24 offences against eight victims, including 11 counts of
aggravated indecent assault- victim under authority of offender, nine
counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touch
another person without consent and two counts of common assault.
He
was granted conditional bail, to appear before Downing Centre Local
Court on Wednesday 18 December 2024.
North Coast Voices no longer allows the Facebook Button sited at the end of each blog post to activate when it is clicked on by a reader.
This button has been deactivated because it has become clear that Facebook Inc. is not now and has never been a corporation genuinely committed to principles of digital privacy and security of Internet users' personal information and other associated data.
Unfortunately, because Blogger installs this button as part of a set, Gmail, Blog This!, Twitter, Pin Interest and Google + have also been deactivated and, we apologise to readers who may use these features.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
[Adopted and proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948]
Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.
A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourismbusiness development services.
A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!
An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements.The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.
A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.
A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?
A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.
An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?
A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.
A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.
A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?
An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.
When making comment defamatory statements, racist remarks, hate speech, incitement to violence, gratuitous insults, obscenities, sexual innuendo, active matters before the courts and linking to commercial products/promotions should be avoided.
Trolling will not be tolerated. Spam will not be accepted.
The blog administrator reserves the right to reject comments which ignore this policy.
