Tony Abbott cries "Censorship!" as he starts the final leg of his race for The Lodge

 

The Australian on 23 January 2013 reported:

 

FEDERAL Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Prime Minister Julia Gillard faces an election-year free speech battle if she presses ahead with planned anti-discrimination law reform.

 

What Abbott appears to be objecting to can be found in this section of the draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012:

 

1 Division 3—Racial vilification

 

2 51 Racial vilification is unlawful

 

3 When racial vilification is unlawful

4 (1) It is unlawful for a person (the first person) to engage in racial

5 vilification.

6 (2) Conduct of a person is racial vilification if:

7 (a) the conduct is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to

8 offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a

9 group of people; and

10 (b) the first person engages in the conduct:

11 (i) because the other person, or one or more members of

12 the group, is of a particular race, or because the first

13 person assumes that to be the case; or

14 (ii) because the other person, or one or more members of

15 the group, has an associate who is of a particular race, or

16 because the first person assumes that to be the case; and

17 (c) the conduct is engaged in otherwise than in private.

18 (3) For the purpose of subsection (2), conduct is engaged in otherwise

19 than in private if:

20 (a) it causes words, sounds, images or writing to be

21 communicated to the public; or

22 (b) it is engaged in:

23 (i) in a public place; or

24 (ii) in the sight or hearing of people who are in a public

25 place.

26 This subsection does not limit the circumstances that may

27 constitute engaging in conduct otherwise than in private.

28 Exception

29 (4) Subsection (1) does not make it unlawful for a person to say or do

30 something, reasonably and in good faith:

31 (a) in the performance, exhibition or distribution of an artistic

32 work; or

1 (b) in the course of any statement, publication, discussion or

2 debate made or held for any genuine academic, artistic or

3 scientific purpose or any other genuine purpose in the public

4 interest; or

5 (c) in making or publishing:

6 (i) a fair and accurate report of any event or matter of

7 public interest; or

8 (ii) a fair comment on any event or matter of public interest

9 if the comment is an expression of a genuine belief held

10 by the person making the comment.

 

Abbott’s objection raises a problem because the current Racial Discrimination Act 1975 contains this section (below) which also uses the phrases to offend and causes words, sounds, images or writing to be communicated to the public.

 

An act of parliament that during his time in government from 1996 through to 2007 he apparently did not seek to amend to remove the alleged threat to free speech.

 

Tony Abbott appears to have 'found' a censorship trigger within the bill before Federal Parliament just in time for this year’s election campaign.

 

Part IIA—Prohibition of offensive behaviour based on racial hatred

 

18C Offensive behaviour because of race, colour or national or ethnic origin

 

(1) It is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if:

(a) the act is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people; and

(b) the act is done because of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person or of some or all of the people in the group.

Note: Subsection (1) makes certain acts unlawful. Section 46P of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 allows people to make complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission about unlawful acts. However, an unlawful act is not necessarily a criminal offence. Section 26 says that this Act does not make it an offence to do an act that is unlawful because of this Part, unless Part IV expressly says that the act is an offence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an act is taken not to be done in private if it:

(a) causes words, sounds, images or writing to be communicated to the public; or

(b) is done in a public place; or

(c) is done in the sight or hearing of people who are in a public place.

(3) In this section:

public place includes any place to which the public have access as of right or by invitation, whether express or implied and whether or not a charge is made for admission to the place.

18D Exemptions

Section 18C does not render unlawful anything said or done reasonably and in good faith:

(a) in the performance, exhibition or distribution of an artistic work; or

(b) in the course of any statement, publication, discussion or debate made or held for any genuine academic, artistic or scientific purpose or any other genuine purpose in the public interest; or

(c) in making or publishing:

(i) a fair and accurate report of any event or matter of public interest; or

(ii) a fair comment on any event or matter of public interest if the comment is an expression of a genuine belief held by the person making the comment.

How low can Goward go?

I'm betting this statement either came from a NSW Housing press release or the office of NSW Community Services Minister Pru Goward: “Tenants {in public housing} pay some rent, although it's heavily subsidised by the government.”

Yeah, Pru – while you’re trying to paint this type of tenant as a bludger - let’s ignore the fact that they pay at least one quarter of their total household income to the government, week in and week out.

I’m sure there are hundreds of tenants out there who’ll raise a cheer if your seat disappears from under you in 2014, because from Day One you've never shown any empathy or understanding - going so far as to increase their rents because of "the carbon tax".

The Northern Star hosting an ardent coal seam gas supporter or an industry plant?

 

Online mainstream media is perhaps one of the most immediate ways Northern Rivers residents have of voicing an opinion on local or regional issues.

 

However, this individual raises a question.

 

After 93 pro-CSG mining comments in 20 days under The Northern Star articles concerning Metgasco – is three_0 an unusually enthusiastic member of the public or a mining industry plant?

 

In a comment on a 19 January article three_0 appears to admit to being employed in CSG mining, but it is unclear in what capacity he/she is employed.

 

This individual is also very supportive of Metgasco Limited generally and of its CEO, Peter Henderson:

 

* This as a lawful Australian company, employing Australians, supporting local contractors/companies and contributing to the local economy.

 

* You never see a CEO at such grass roots level personally providing factual information about the industry to interested locals. My hat goes off to you Pete.

 

Surely even Metgasgo wouldn’t be so manipulative as to encourage it own company directors/management/staff to protect its interests online without having them also declare a specific pecuniary interest in the debate?

 

Here is three_0’s history between 5-24 January 2013 found at http://www.northernstar.com.au/profile/three_o/.

 

Something to think about in the 2013 federal election year

 ABS trend estimate of unemployed persons

Australia’s unemployment rate is currently running at 5.4% according to the folks who know.

Jericho over at Grog’s Gamut points out that it would be 5.1% if Queensland LNP Premier Campbell Newman hadn’t taken a scythe to that state’s public service after he took office in March 2012.

Now how many times has Tony Abbott held Newman’s government as a pattern card of fiscal responsibility?

Well, there’s this:

“Mr Abbott said it was unfortunate that some of the Newman government's decisions were unpopular, even within its own ranks.

But he said those decisions were necessary and Mr Newman was doing a great job given the "economic basket case" he inherited from Labor.

"Sometimes they cause stresses and strains even within the ranks of the coalition here in Queensland," he said.

"But you've got to do what is necessary to bring this country and this state back to health."

Gee, sorta sounds like Abbott’s plan for the Australian economy doesn’t it?

Coal Seam Gas Baseline Research - watch the fur fly on the Northern Rivers

The Northern Star 22 January 2013:

 

THE peak body for councils on the Northern Rivers will be asked to fund new research into the potential impacts the coal seam gas industry could have on creeks, groundwater and the atmosphere.

Rous Water has already supported a motion calling for the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils - NOROC - to fund the Southern Cross University research project.

Ballina Shire Council will debate the matter at Thursday's meeting.

A notice of motion by deputy mayor Sue Meehan (pictured) calls on NOROC to provide $30,000 a year for three years to match Australian Research Council funds.

The research would be done by Dr Isaac Santos from SCU, whose recent work with Dr Damien Maher found CSG mining could be responsible for the escape of significant quantities of methane into the atmosphere.

Cr Meehan said it was important to get some baseline data.

 

Local government watchers on the NSW North Coast should see fur fly when this is debated, as councillors and senior staff whom Metgasco has assiduously wooed come out for their ‘mining mate’ during meetings which discuss this issue.

 

Expect to see attempts to scuttle the creation of a genuinely independent study.

NSW Local Government: Is this the mates' club in action again?

South Grafton has quite rightly been benefiting from a change in attitude by local government and now has a plaza (first mooted in 2006-07) to enhance the Lane Boulevard streetscape.

The Daily Examiner reported on 18 April 2012:
 
Clarence Valley Council deputy general manager Rob Donges said council would be putting together a business case for a cafe there and, should the cost of establishing be realistically recovered, it would be opened to private tender.....
The Plaza was funded by a $250,000 grant under Round 3 of the Australian Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program with council contributing $55,000.

 

A strong rumour has surfaced about which Clarence valley business person might like to run this cafe and, it doesn’t take a genius to work out who local residents think may have the inside running.

 

Clarence Valley Council Ordinary Monthly Meeting ,11 December 2012 ,Item 13.226/12: South Grafton Plaza –Stage 2:

 

OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION

That following the issue of appropriate amended development consent, Council calls for tenders for the construction of toilet facilities and a café on the South Grafton Plaza.

Having declared an interest Cr Challacombe left the meeting at 9.43pm

COUNCIL RESOLUTION – 13.226/12

(Crs Howe/Hughes)

That

Following the issue of appropriate amended development consent, Council calls for tenders for the construction of toilet facilities and a café on the South Grafton Plaza.

Voting recorded as follows:   For:	Councillors Williamson, McKenna, Howe, Simmons, Kingsley and Hughes
Against:	Councillors Baker and Toms

Cr Challacombe returned to the meeting 10.11pm

In 1979 it was Terania Creek, in 1996 it was Timbarra, in 2006 it was the Clarence River - and in 2013 it's Glenugie, Doubtful Creek and the Casino region

 

In 1979 Northern Rivers communities took on the NSW Government and forestry industry interests at Terania Creek in sustained direct action. The end result was cessation of logging in the disputed area and the later creation of the Nightcap National Park incorporating  Mount Nadi, Griers Scrub and Terania Creek.

 

In 1997 Northern Rivers communities again took on the NSW Government, local government and mining interests by direct action and through the courts. The end result was the closure and rehabilitation of the Timbarra gold mine site.

 

In 2006 Northern Rivers communities opposed the Federal Coalition Government and inland irrigators over the proposal to dam and divert Clarence River catchment water. The end result was bi-partisan support of the home-grown Not A Drop campaign by both Labor and the Coalition during the 2007 federal election campaign.

 

In 2013 Northern Rivers communities are continuing to oppose the NSW Coalition Government, elements within the Federal Labor Party and Metgasgo Limited over plans to create gas fields crisscrossing rural lots, improved pastures and agricultural land.

 

That these communities are again in for the long haul is rather prosaically demonstrated by these preparations at Doubtful Creek.

 

 

 

If the O’Farrell Government and Metgasgo think opposition from local communities will just fade away over time, they are likely to be disappointed.