The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

Thanks for that, Deb.
A thought: Wouldn't it be interesting if other (non-Australian) A2Kers responded to this petition, too? I like the thought of the senators knowing that other people in the world are watching & taking note of what's happening, too! I know the petition is intended for Oz residents/voters but I imagine that they'd feel heartened (especially those Liberal senators who are opposing their own government on this proposed legislation) would feel heartened by a show of interest & support from around the world.

0 Replies

... & speaking of the border protection bill, here's an extract from an article from today's paper, from former Oz (Liberal) prime minister, Malcolm Frazer (hardly known for compassion & wisdom during his own prime minister-ship! :wink: ) Interestingly, he has become one of the strongest critics of this conservative Liberal government on human rights issues.:

.... There is a Convention on the Status of Children that underlines that children should not be detained, but the authorities don't worry about that. In contrast, overwhelmingly Australians are horrified at the thought of placing children in jail.

A year ago or a little more, there was a significant campaign to get those children out of jails. Australians were given a commitment that children would not again be placed in jails. Now we find, under the change of policy, that children will again be placed in Immigration Department jails.

The Government's awarding of temporary protection visas to 42 people from Papua was a correct decision, but the repercussions have been disastrous. Sending all future boat people offshore represents a massive extension of previous policies. It is cruel and inhumane, and reverses a promise made about children.

Compassion is a great Australian characteristic, as we have shown in response to many emergencies, but it is not an attribute of this Government. Its fundamental betrayal of Australian principles, seemingly to appease a foreign power, represents an extraordinary abdication of responsibility. ....

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/were-all-responsible-for-this-governments-inhumanity/2006/06/19/1150701481376.html

0 Replies

... & here's the latest update on the standoff between John Howard & his revolting (in the best sense of the word! :wink: ) backbenchers on the border protection bill. ....:

Last Update: Tuesday, June 20, 2006. 7:39am (AEST)

Migration bill stand-off tipped to drag on

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200304/r2503_5769.jpg

Some Coalition MPs are refusing to support plans to process asylum seekers offshore. (ABC TV)

A Federal Government backbencher says the impasse over proposed changes to the way Australia processes asylum seekers might stretch into August.

Negotiations with dissident Coalition backbenchers who are refusing to support the Government's plan to process all unauthorised boat arrivals offshore are expected to continue today.

One of the MPs seeking changes to the proposal, Bruce Baird, says he is not sure the issue will be settled by Friday, when Parliament rises for a six-week winter break.

"We'll see, it may well go into the next session, I don't know," he said.

If the impasse is not settled this week, it could complicate a meeting between Prime Minister John Howard and the Indonesian President.

They are meeting in an effort to heal the diplomatic rift between the two countries, sparked by Australia's decision to grant visas to a group of Papuan asylum seekers who reached the Australian mainland by boat.
The Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes has called for the migration bill to be delayed, saying it would make a positive statement for Australia on World Refugee Day.

Mr Innes says, as the case of the wrongfully detained Cornelia Rau showed, mistakes do happen.

"I would encourage the Government to take a step back on the proposed migration bill," he said. .... <cont>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1666830.htm

0 Replies

Is it all getting too hot to handle?
Is JH losing his grip on his own party?
Has he gone too far with this issue?:

Last Update: Tuesday, June 20, 2006. 2:17pm (AEST)

Mr Howard has ended debate on the bill in the joint party room meeting. (ABC TV)

PM ends migration bill debate

The Prime Minister has intervened to end debate on the Government's migration changes during a joint party room meeting this morning.

There are increasing tensions in the Coalition over the migration bill, as a group of backbenchers continues to argue for changes.

During a tense party room meeting, some Government members expressed concern about the appearance of Coalition division over the matter.

But John Howard stepped in to end debate, telling his colleagues there was nothing to be gained by further exchanges in the party room.

Mr Howard also had to deal with another area causing tension.

He moved to ease concerns over proposed legislation to exempt about 1 million independent contractors from new industrial relations laws.

He has promised to look at areas where some MPs say the changes do not go far enough.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1667349.htm

0 Replies

He's unfazed?
So why does he have to cut the debate short to keep his own ministers in line, then?
He expected the bill to have been passed last week.:

PM unfazed by migration bill impasse

The Prime Minister says he will be travelling to Indonesia next week, irrespective of whether the Government's migration bill passes the Senate. .......

...... Mr Howard has told Southern Cross Radio that he will not be held hostage to a particular timetable for getting the proposed legislation through the Senate.

"It's part of the great tapestry of parliamentary democracy, that you have issues and you debate them and you debate them inside your own ranks," he said.

"We have been in office for 10 years and at various stages we have had people who have had a variety of views of government legislation and it has been my habit to talk things through."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1667096.htm

0 Replies

Is it just me, or is it rather looking like the beginning of the end of you know who?

0 Replies

msolga wrote:

Thanks for that, Deb.
A thought: Wouldn't it be interesting if other (non-Australian) A2Kers responded to this petition, too? I like the thought of the senators knowing that other people in the world are watching & taking note of what's happening, too! I know the petition is intended for Oz residents/voters but I imagine that they'd feel heartened (especially those Liberal senators who are opposing their own government on this proposed legislation) would feel heartened by a show of interest & support from around the world.

Indeed, I would love to offer this petition to the membership of A2k in a thread devoted to that....but it would be against TOS (a call to action).

0 Replies

dlowan wrote:

msolga wrote:
Thanks for that, Deb.
A thought: Wouldn't it be interesting if other (non-Australian) A2Kers responded to this petition, too? I like the thought of the senators knowing that other people in the world are watching & taking note of what's happening, too! I know the petition is intended for Oz residents/voters but I imagine that they'd feel heartened (especially those Liberal senators who are opposing their own government on this proposed legislation) would feel heartened by a show of interest & support from around the world.

Indeed, I would love to offer this petition to the membership of A2k in a thread devoted to that....but it would be against TOS (a call to action).

Oh, goodness me!
I really had no idea that this could be a problem!

0 Replies

msolga wrote:

He's unfazed?
So why does he have to cut the debate short to keep his own ministers in line, then?
He expected the bill to have been passed last week.:

PM unfazed by migration bill impasse

The Prime Minister says he will be travelling to Indonesia next week, irrespective of whether the Government's migration bill passes the Senate. .......

...... Mr Howard has told Southern Cross Radio that he will not be held hostage to a particular timetable for getting the proposed legislation through the Senate.

"It's part of the great tapestry of parliamentary democracy, that you have issues and you debate them and you debate them inside your own ranks," he said.

"We have been in office for 10 years and at various stages we have had people who have had a variety of views of government legislation and it has been my habit to talk things through."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1667096.htm

Oh pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!

Be still my beating heart!

0 Replies

This is very heartening. Some Liberals appear to want to put the "liberal" back into the Liberal Party! The winds of change?:

Backbench revolt on refugees and stem cells
Samantha Maiden and Cath Hart
June 22, 2006/the AUSTRALIAN

IN the strongest rebuff to his authority in 10 years, John Howard was last night battling a backbench revolt on two fronts as Coalition MPs refused to back the Government on migration laws and a ban on stem cell research.

The Prime Minister last night confirmed significant amendments to the Government's controversial asylum laws, which are designed to force all boatpeople into offshore detention centres.

But rebel MPs, including Liberals Petro Georgiou, Russell Broadbent and Judith Troeth and Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce, warned the offer did not go far enough.

Their resistance means Mr Howard will go into the seven-week winter parliamentary break without an agreement on the bill.

.... Angry Liberal MPs also accused Mr Howard of a "snow job" on his support for a continuing ban on therapeutic cloning - the creation of embryonic stem cells for scientific purposes - and demanded further debate.

Mr Howard told the meeting of Coalition MPs last night that cabinet had resolved on Monday to reject the recommendations of the Lockhart inquiry into stem cell laws and retain the status quo. ....

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19549376-601,00.html

0 Replies

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/06/23/alanmoir_gallery__470x299,0.jpg

0 Replies

What on earth is going on here? What's at stake that we don't know about? Why is Howard so desperate to appease the Indonesians? I want to know more!:

Indonesia puts treaty in doubt

INDONESIA'S leader is considering scuttling reconciliation talks with Prime Minister John Howard following his failure to pass tougher asylum seeker laws.

Frantic diplomatic efforts were under way last night to resolve the row.

Indonesian sources remained hopeful the meeting on the island of Batam could proceed but said the situation was "fluid". .. <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/indonesia-puts-treaty-in-doubt/2006/06/23/1150845378110.html

0 Replies

... meanwhile, Alexander's office deals with that accidental shotting in Iraq.:

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/06/24/svCARTOON_gallery__470x310.jpg

0 Replies

.... & a few days ago the PM announced Australian troops will be staying on in Iraq ....as just about every one else is trying to get the hell out of there.:

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/06/23/knTANDBERG_gallery__470x365.jpg

0 Replies

Anyone one else (from Oz) stopping work & marching tomorrow?

I'll be marching but don't have to stop work to do so, because I'm on holiday. I imagine there will be quite a few folk who would like to stop work but feel intimidated ....

Anyway, to put us all in the mood ...:

Arise, ye workers from your slumber!
Arise, ye prisoners of want ....

:wink:

0 Replies

Information for Melbournians:

Stand up for fair work laws
Tomorrow!

http://www.vthc.org.au/storage/images/2006_flat.jpg

Wednesday June 28, 10am - 4 Starting Points
Trades Hall
Spring St
Federation Square
Spencer St

March through the city to Bourke St.

John Howard's work laws are here and they're hurting ordinary working people. Now we have begun to see the real impact of an industrial relations system that removes rights and conditions from working people and leaves them with no real protection from unscrupulous employers. In 2005 more than half-a-million people joined rallies around the country to voice their opposition to Howard's then proposed dismantling of Australia's industrial protections. He didn't listen.
It's time to speak out again. The voices of ordinary Australians cannot be ignored.

Stand up on June 28 and be join the fight against these unjust laws. Together we can win.

http://www.vthc.org.au/

0 Replies

Couldn't find any ACTU stopwork information apart from this:

http://www.actu.asn.au/

0 Replies

Last Update: Tuesday, June 27, 2006. 9:00pm (AEST)

Protesting ruled illegal for Australia Post workers

Australia Post workers have been ordered by the federal Industrial Relations Commission not to attend tomorrow's national protest against the Federal Government's workplace changes.

The union representing postal workers says the decision is unfair and it is lodging an appeal.

Australia Post yesterday went to the Federal Industrial Relations Commission, complaining that the union representing postal workers was inciting staff to walk off the job tomorrow to attend the national day of protest against the Government's workplace changes.

After marathon talks last night, the commission this morning upheld a directive from Australia Post that workers would be breaking the law if they attended the rallies, unless they had already sought leave to do so.

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing union spokesman Jim Metcher says it is an unfair ruling.

"We believe that all workers have a right to attend these rallies during normal work time," he said.

"We're disappointed in regards to democracy in this country, about workers and their families to be able to participate to exercise their democratic right to protest against a poor and unfair decisions made by the government, in this case industrial relations changes, which is going to have an affect on all workers in particular postal workers."

Lea Jaensch from the Australia Post says the union is not to direct its workers to attend tomorrow's rallies.

"The union doesn't believe they can get in touch with every member to let them know about this order. Fortunately Australia Post has been able to communicate that to some members so they should be well informed of this decision."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1673215.htm

0 Replies

A good rally yesterday in the centre of Melbourne. Though a few more politicians addressing us than I'd prefer. I'm not sure what Kim meant by continually referring to us as "patriots". Patriots? Huh? Confused

The crowd was estimated to be somewhere between 80 to 150 thousand - take your pick, depending on which side you're on. Anyway, it was a relatively painless experience - one doesn't attend these things for fun. It's about duty. (That sounded rather patriotic! :wink: )

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/06/28/workplace_gallery__470x314.jpg

0 Replies

<sigh>

At times like this I really miss goodfielder. (Anyone heard from him?) We could have a good, therapeutic rave about what complete & utter bastards the bosses & the pollies are! Laughing

0 Replies

The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know