US 08: Monkeying about with the presidential candidates

With many of the published images and cartoons becoming rather vicious (in political comment surrounding the U.S. presidential race), it is nice to see an equal opportunity look at candidates McCain and Obama which is nothing but light-hearted.

Images from Celebrity Apes.

The Libs decide to protect the planet and Nelson acts the fool for Kerry O'Brien

Well now we know, confusion over the Federal Opposition's position on emissions trading is over - because the Liberal Party announced yesterday that it was all about Protecting the Planet:

The Coalition Joint Party Room has today unanimously agreed to key principles in relation to climate change.
We give the planet the benefit of the doubt and support action on climate change. [my emphasis]
We support in principle an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as part of a three pillars approach to combating climate change:
Clean Energy Policy;
International Pressure; and
An ETS.

The Coalition has deep suspicions about Mr Rudd and his ETS model and we will vigorously scrutinise the Government’s legislation based on:
The detail;
The modelling;
The impact on the cost of living; and
International developments.Australia must be part of a global response to reduce emissions however:
An ETS should commence when it is ready in an orderly, methodical and responsible manner which enjoys the broad support of Australian industry and protects vulnerable Australian households – not before 2011 and probably by 2012;
The design detail of an Australian ETS must be informed by the outcome of the Copenhagen meeting at the end of 2009;
The carbon price must be set at a level that reflects action by the rest of the world; and
If no action is underway – Australia must start an ETS slow, and low on price.
But Mr Rudd and his Government are on notice – the Coalition will not support a flawed Emissions Trading Scheme, nor will we support an ETS too far ahead of the rest of the world.
We will not sign a blank cheque on Australia’s future and will not support a scheme that will disadvantage Australia’s national interest and competitive advantage.
We properly reserve our position on Labor’s legislation until it is before the Parliament.
We will stand up for Australia.

It was almost painful to watch last night's ABC TV 7.30 Report and Brendan Nelson's attempt to put flesh on this announcement while justifying his weakening hold on the Liberal Party leadership.

Who is the Hon Robert Shenton French?

I have to admit that I had never heard of Rudd's appointee to Chief Justice of the Australian High Court, Robert French, until now.

Here's his entry on the Federal Court website.

"Robert Shenton French was appointed to the Federal Court in November 1986.
He graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws. He practised for 11 years as a barrister and solicitor and then at the Western Australian Bar for 3 years. At the time of his appointment he was Chairman of the Town Planning Appeal Tribunal of Western Australia, a Member of the Law Reform and Legal Aid Commissions of Western Australia and an Associate Member of the Trade Practices Commission.
In 2003 Justice French was appointed as a permanent non-resident member of the Supreme Court of Fiji and in 2004 as an Additional Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory. In 2005 Justice French was appointed as a Deputy President of the Australian Competition Tribunal."

What is fascinating about this brief CV is the fact that, once upon a time, appointment to the Supreme Court of Fiji signalled that a judge was forever lost in legal backwaters.
It seems times change.

Case law involving French J here.

That Tampa refugee case in which French and others found for the Howard Government is here and here.

Stub smoking out

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

At long last the NSW Government is moving to introduce tougher smoking laws.

The move comes two years after the NSW Parliament moved to establish a joint select committee to inquire into tobacco smoking in NSW.

The Committee received 70 written submissions, conducted four public hearings with 40 witnesses, held a public forum and conducted two site visits to the respiratory unit at Concord Hospital and a licensed venue (the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Woolloomoolo).

The Committee's report, which contained 26 recommendations, was tabled on 30 June 2006. The Government then had six months to respond. Read the Government's response here.

Today's Sydney Morning Herald reports:

The new measures approved by NSW cabinet include fines for smoking in cars in which there are children under 16 and a ban on cigarettes being displayed in shops.

Heart Foundation NSW chief executive Tony Thirlwell said smoking was the single biggest cause of heart disease and cancer.

"These measures are a major step forward in protecting young people from the harmful effects of cigarette smoke," he said on Wednesday.

Putting tobacco products out of sight in shops was the most important measure in the package, which also includes a ban on buying cigarettes using shopper loyalty points, Mr Thirlwell said.

"Cigarette packets and displays are powerful forms of tobacco advertising and significantly influence the uptake of smoking among young people," he said in a statement.

"Tobacco kills 15,000 Australians every year and worryingly, nine out of ten smokers start when they are children."

Quit also welcomed the proposed measures, saying other states should follow suit.

Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie said it was important the NSW government had proposed a total ban on the display of cigarettes, rather than leaving room for some displays.

Under the measures, large stores will have six months and smaller shops a year to put tobacco products out of sight.

"You'd be naive to think these tobacco displays in shops are anything other than showy advertisements for a product that will eventually kill half of long-term users," Ms Sharkie said in a statement.

"They are the first thing most people see when going into a shop, usually near ordinary items like newspapers, bread and lollies.

"This gives the false impression that these products are harmless."

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) NSW said taking tobacco products off display would be a powerful disincentive to children.

President Brian Morton said the association also welcomed the ban on smoking in cars with children.

"The confined space of a car means young lungs can inhale high concentrations of tobacco smoke," he said.

"We hope the other states and territories which have not already done so will follow with similar laws."

The laws are expected to be introduced in the spring session when parliament returns from recess.

The only time mention of NSW Planning Minister Sartor is funny

Cartoon found at NSROC Hands off our Councils

Joke found while browsing the online newspapers.

Q: How many votes could Frank Sartor muster in a leadership coup?

A: If you count Frank, Frank and then Frank, that would be one.

Which rather sums up how many in the Northern Rivers think of the Minister for Overdevelopment.