November2009 Da N i s h NGO’s h O P e PU B L i C C a N i N F L U e N C e CL i M a t e ta L K s In this issue...

UN Special Rapporteur’s report on Australia

Climate Change news and acti on from Australia and the World

Eight years on: what’s changed in refugee policy in Australia?

NT Interventi on Walkoff

Tasmania’s Forest: Sti ll Wild, Sti ll Threatened.

Australian Nuclear Free Alliance 2009 Meeti ng

the U.N. climate change process police, and that’s a false picture,” element in European protests, by Warrick Jordan is inherently fl awed, and that it CJA’s Sti ne Gry said. “I think there and believes a strict adherence Several Danish NGOs have favours large corporati ons over fair is a more widespread acceptance to non-violence is important to expressed serious concerns over the and eff ecti ve outcomes. that civil disobediance is necessary, communicate messages potenti al outcomes of December’s as the current laws and structures eff ecti vely. COP15 climate negoti ati ons in The group, which formed to focus are not capable of dealing with the Copenhagen. on COP15, is planning to stage a one climate crisis.” “We believe that non-violent direct day occupati on of the conference acti on is an essenti al part of any NGO coaliti ons such as the and establish a ‘people’s conference’ Steve Phillips is the spokesperson for campaign. Large corporati ons government funded People’s Climate where alternati ve models for tackling leading Australian climate change have unprecedented access to the Acti on and the radical Climate Justi ce climate change are presented. direct acti on group Rising Tide, government, and we can’t compete Acti on are att empti ng to engage Janne Aagaard holds some concerns which is based in Newcastle, the through the usual channels. We the Danish public and those from that the good intenti ons of radical world’s largest coal export port. He need people to leave their comfort farther afi eld in events surrounding acti vists may backfi re if a small has some sympathy for the argument zone – there is no more important the summit. People’s Climate Acti on minority of fringe protestors cause put forward by CJA. “There are many issue than climate change,” Mr [PCA] is a government funded problems, and that confl ict may people from the grassroots climate Phillips said. organisati on responsible for raising overshadow both the summit itself movement arguing that the UNFCCC the general public’s awareness of and other positi ve acti ons by the process should be shutdown, as Duncan Jinks is the convenor of climate change, largely though public. it is only providing market-based Climate Acti on Newcastle [CAN], who funding and assisti ng climate related mechanisms and soluti ons for operates in the same city as Rising community projects. “There is a disti ncti on between corporati ons,” Steve said. Tide, working on initi ati ves such as people who want to fi ght and those household emissions reducti ons. “Our main target groups are the who are politi cally engaged,” Ms Rising Tide is hoping for successful Duncan, which will be att ending NGOs. We aim to make them bett er, Aagaard said. “You must respect negoti ati ons, however. “We believe COP15, sees the benefi ts of working with concrete projects that involve the fact thatt here are passionate that the UNFCCC is a very democrati c with groups such as Rising Tide. citi zens.These projects have to people, though that passion can be forum. Tuvalu has the same weight engage people,” said PCA’s Janne used positi vely or negati vely.” as the U.S. for example,” Mr Phillips “In some ways, CAN and Rising Tide Aagaard. “We are expecti ng that the said. “I’m not expecti ng anything are diametrically opposed, however NGOs in Denmark [will] pick up the The Danish branch of WWF has great to happen, but it will be a we virtually never disagree,” Mr torch and lead the engagement of previously criti cised Climate Justi ce tragedy if the talks fail, as this is Jinks said. “We appreciate each civil society, and we get thirty, forty, Acti on’s planned occupati on of the almost our last chance to get this other’s strategy. We need to apply maybe fi ft y thousand people, mostly conference as ‘counter producti ve’ right.” that internati onally.” young people and families, out on and as hindering the ability of groups the streets,” Ms Aagaard said. such as WWF to mobilise people Rising Tide has been a global pioneer More climate justi ce informati on in street marches, as they may be in using non-violent direct acti on can be read at: Climate Justi ce Acti on [CJA], an inti midated by potenti al violence. protests to engage the general www.climate-justice-action. organisati on formed of European, public in the climate issue. org North American and developing “We have this problem as being world acti vists with links to the stamped as crazy, violent, insane Steve says he is aware that there is expanding direct acti on ‘climate people who just want to fi ght the an occasionally more aggressive camps’ movement, argues that htt p://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 1 November2009

Wai was written in numerous nations from Wurundjeri, Gadigal, Arrente. We recognise the sovereignty of every Indigenous nation on this continent, acknowledge that sover- eignty has never been ceded, and pay our respects to all Traditional Owners, past, present and future. We will continue to support Indigenous peoples in their struggle for respect, compensation and self-determination. True justice will only be achieved when we recognise and rectify the injustices to the traditional custodians and the land on which we walk. ABOUT WAI Committee in March, highlighting the level of But Mr Morrison fears these voluntary Ne w s funding for Aboriginal legal aid in Australia. conservation agreements are under threat from mining and development. So this is the fourth issue of Wai. Out on the The UN has now responded, saying it is streets almost a year to the day since the $9m life raft for Indigenous languages concerned about a lack of adequate access to “If a better deal comes along, obviously you are In August Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett justice for Indigenous people. going to take it and that means that important has happened within the world and this announced a plan to rescue over 100 threatened areas that have been put on the National first one. It’s been an interesting year. A lot Indigenous languages across Australia. It recommended that the Government adopt a Reserve System could be just as easily taken off mechanism to compensate victims of the Stolen it for other reasons,” he said. paper. I think it’s fair to say that each issue The plan will see the Government allocate $9 Generations. has improved, although there are still some million over the next year towards the project, “I think we are actually in a policy crisis in relation hitches and glitches that we are working on. which includes funding for interpretive and translation services as well as a commitment to But the Government says there will be no to these issues in Canberra.” compensation. This issue we’ve probably broadened our invest in critically endangered languages with There are now 33 Indigenous Protected Areas horizonsthe sham a little that with was an the article ‘referendum about West on early childhood tests and mobile childhood A spokesman for federal Attorney-General nationally, following last week’s declaration of Papua remarking on the 40 years since teams. Robert McClelland says the Government’s focus the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area. is on ‘closing the gap’ and on initiatives through independence.’ There’s also a little look Mr Garrett says the funding and national focus Land Use Agreement for Central QLD the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at Australian companies in Burma, a little will improve coordination between all parties Native title claimants and five shire councils Healing Foundation. report about climate action groups that working to reduce the loss of languages. in central QLD have begun negotiations to are working in Denmark at the moment to develop an Indigenous Land Use agreement to As Julie Baxter told Professor James Anaya, the protest around the Copenhagen meetings He says the funding recognises that Indigenous over 39,090 sq km of pastoral and other leases, UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, and also a larger piece about the way coal languages play an important role in student reserves and unallocated state land. They are when he was in Alice Springs “other states have and other lobbyists are curtailing any learning, particularly in bilingual schools. And seeking recognition and protection of their title awarded compensation to Stolen Generations possibilitysection since of that an agreementwas always atthe Copenhagen. intention of that they are keen that relevant jurisdictions in this area where the local councils are required and yet we here in the NT get nothing because We’ve also included a little regional news are encouraged to provide the opportunity to provide infrastructure and services to their we are a Territory of the Federal Government for Indigenous language support, for those communities and use the land for certain public and they have refused to pay compensation.” Wai- to focus both nationally and regionally. Indigenous language programs that are already purposes. in place to continue. UN assured Aboriginal communities will Sacred sites in Darling Range set to be Locally we’ve got articles on climate change get compo destroyed actions, camps and protests around Australia, The head of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait A Federal Government report to the United there’s anti-nuclear news, a report back Islander Arts Board has welcomed the funding. Nations says compensation is due to be paid to A Perth Aboriginal Elder Albert Corunna from Operation Talisman Sabre, and the Aboriginal communities it took over as part of and other local Nyoongar Elders fear for the UN Special Rapporteur visit to Australia. The chairman of the board, Mark Bin Bakar, the Northern Territory Emergency Response. says preserving the languages would benefit all destruction of a cultural heritage site complex The Government has told the UN committee on at Red Hill in the Darling Range, north-east of Wai is going to take a little hiatus over the Australians, not just Indigenous people. the elimination of racial discrimination that it is Perth. Global German-based quarrying giant summer months with the next issue probably working to meet its international obligations in Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd has hiting the streets in late Feb/ early March. “I think when non-Indigenous people are in a relation to Indigenous people. recently lodged a Section 18 application with Hopefully it’s a busy summer of action and position to learn [a] language they can start to the Department of Indigenous Affairs to seek postive change and we can report back in the understand the connection to country and the The UN committee gave the Government until approval to destroy the sites. new year with a bang and some fresh ideas. connection to the essence of environment and to each other as human beings,” he said. the end of July to report on its plans to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act. The site complex includes archaeological and As always we are looking for people to ethnographic sites, such as the Red Hill campsite, helpor donations in anyway. to ensure Through that articles, we cover design the In its response to the UN, the Government says it rockshelters, grinding stones, ochre deposits, advice, and particulalrly with fundraising is consulting residents in prescribed areas about petroglyphs, ceremonial sites, Susannah Brook possible changes to the intervention legislation. and its tributaries and our spiritual Dreaming cost of printing (roughly $1700) to keep sites. At the centre of this is the Guardian BSB:this newspaper 633-000 free. Our bank details are: Account Name: Wai Quarterly Changes could include compulsory welfare Ancestral Owl Stone Boyay Gogomat. This is Account Number: 135 225 514 quarantining. about 20 metres high and is made up of three large balancing stones in the shape of an owl. In its report, the Government says it has asked the NT auditor-general to determine reasonable This area is also home to rare and significant amounts of rent to be paid to the Aboriginal plants and animals, such as carpet snakes, Thanks again and enjoy the read, owners of land leased for five years under the eagles and chuditch. The water of the brook is Intercultural training vital for Indigenous intervention legislation. the purest water flowing into the Swan River. ‘Wai’ team* education Contents New research has found the performance of The payments will be backdated to 2007 and In an interview with the West Australian Indigenous students could be significantly paid as soon as the determination, which is newspaper (Friday October 30, 2009) Mr Albert improved by ensuring all teachers, teaching imminent, is made. Corunna called on the Indigenous Affairs Minister assistants and principals receive thorough Kim Hames to reject the application. Danish Ngo Hope Public... 1 intercultural training. News and Updates... 2-4 The Government says it will then introduce The inter-cultural training being suggested aims legislation to ensure the measures comply with ‘We don’t want to take the risk with this ancient Towards Stalemate at Copenhagen... 5-6 the Racial Discrimination Act. stone because it’s so vital to our existence in this Gorgon Gas Project 6 - to ensure all parties understand and respect the differences between cultures. world, to our identity, to our Aboriginal culture HRL latest Greenwash 6 More money needed for conservation and we want it there,” Mr Corunna said. “I think Tasmanian Forests: Still Wild Still Threat it’s in the public interest that this stays because ened 7 Associate Professor Lyn Fasoliof from the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary the wider community will also benefit from Indonesian Forests soon to Go 8 this.” Macklin releases report 8 Education led a four year collaborative study that has produced a report titled, “Linking Bring back bi-lingual Education 9 The Nyoongar Elders commissioned their own More Flexibility needed... 9 Worlds ~ Strengthening the Leadership Capacity of Indigenous Educational Leaders.” report so as to have the owl stone recorded to UN Special Rapporter report 10-11 protect it from blasting and quarrying activities. Many voices: Amplatiwatchj to UN 11 “Nearly 40 per cent of our kids are Indigenous Three other reports were also written by Racism is not a Special Measure 12 independent anthropologists and archaeologists We want them to stop it 12 and many of them are in those remote communities. which all testified to the high significance of ANFA 2009 13 these sites to Nyoongar people. For the purpose Indigenous Experts Water Futures... 13 of a Section 18 application to destroy all our Eight Years on, what’s changed? 14 “And yet we have a fairly mainstream leadership approach. sites on their land, Hanson’s employed right Welcome to the red planet 15 The North Australian Land and Sea Management wing pro-mining anthropologist Dr Ron Brunton What we Waste 15 Alliance says the Federal Government needs to question the legitimacy of our culture, Sharehood 15 “We basically said a different form of leadership is needed to address the cultural differences and to make conservation more financially knowledge and sacred sites. This is the same Dr Regional Focus 16 rewarding than mining to protect areas from Ron Brunton who wrote a scathing attack on the 40 yrs on Act of no choice 17 the cultural contexts of these remote Indigenous schools.” development. important findings of Bringing them home, the Somaliland... 18 report of the National Inquiry into the Separation Operation Tailsman Sabre 19 Federal Govt ignores UN Stolen Generations The alliance’s chief executive, Joe Morrison, is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Resources 20 request calling for changes to the Federal Government’s from their Families. Brunton wrote “Bringing Upcoming*Disclaimer: Events The editors do not 20 The Federal Government says it will not comply Indigenous Protected Areas program. Them Home is one of the most intellectually necessarily share or agree with the with a United Nations recommendation that it and morally irresponsible official documents opinions expressed in this paper. Noth- compensate victims of the Stolen Generations. Over the next five years, the Government is produced in recent years.” ing within this paper is intended to incite The Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement submitted spending $50 million expanding these areas by illegal activity. a formal complaint to the UN Human Rights 40 per cent. It is vitally important not only for us to save our http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 2 November2009 culture but for all of our heritage landscapes It was found that Mr Ward died a ‘ghastly’ death, of the Aboriginal Town camps shutting racist is actually happening within Alice Springs. of the past to be protected for all future essentially being ‘cooked’ in the cop car he was slogans just before the incident. The men are Australian guilty of incorrect usage of generations. transported in. This is a disgusting example of to appear in court later in the year when more terms. institutionalised racism in this country. Mr Ward details will be heard about the death. Beazley calls for recognition of frontier was ironically arrested on Invasion Day 2008 The Australian Press Council has upheld a wars for driving under the influence. He was driven The second incident occurred in early Septem- complaint brought by A Just Australia against 570km to a courthouse in the back of a cop ber when a 48 year-old man, who went by the The Australian about their incorrect use of the Aboriginal people who fought European settlers van, remanded in custody, then driven a further monkier of Red, was found to be selling White term ‘illegal’ and ‘illegals’ in four articles and an during Australia’s colonisation should be 352km to prison. He was given a 600ml bottle of Power Alice Springs t-shirts opposite the town editorial on unauthorised boat arrivals published recognised alongside diggers who have served water only and placed in a van with no working council buildings on two separate occasions in April 2009. The Council agreed that these overseas, former opposition leader Kim Beazley air conditioner. The air in the van reached 50 during one week. The t-shirts were stuck in the terms, when used to describe unauthorised says. degrees. When he eventually collapsed from back of his window and had the swatstika em- boat arrivals who in all likelihood were asylum heat stress, the temperature of the metal floor belm with the words White Power Alice Springs seekers, are factually inaccurate. In a Remembrance Day speech at the Australian was 56 degrees, where he was essentially written around it. War Memorial in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr ‘cooked’ to death. He was found to have third Police Investigate immigration officials Beazley called for the creation of “interpretation degree burns on his body. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 120 centres” and memorials to recognise the frontier hours of community service and a fine for mak- Police are investigating immigration officials for wars. The guards only checked on him when he ing a false report to police about his number possible criminal conduct in the kidnapping of collapsed. They didn’t go into the van to help plates being stolen. a seven-year-old girl without her asylum seeker “That is not part of Anzac Day but there is room the unconscious man, just flicked water on father’s knowledge. for other commemoration,” he said. him before driving to hospital. GSL, the private The third is the proposed Alice Springs town company who operates the vans, has a history council by-laws that are to be voted on at the In 2003 immigration staff hatched an elaborate Mr Beazley, recently appointed Australia’s of human rights abuse. In 2008, they denied a end of November. The proposed by-laws sees plot to spirit the child away to her mother in next ambassador to the US, also said many 62 year-old detainee at Villawood Detention people fined for camping in the river beds and Tehran as her father, the legal custodian, was Indigenous Australians had told him they would Centre medical attention for his heart condition around town. A move that does nothing to in solitary confinement at Baxter Detention prefer Australia Day to be held on Anzac Day for three months. The detainee died of a heart address the lack of short term housing in town Centre. instead. attack. and as some media outlets have pointed out, particulalrly ABC radio, is clearly targeted at a Australian Federal Police are now investigating “They cannot sympathetically regard the In 2005, a prisoner was forced to go without specific group of people within the Alice Springs to see whether officials committed a crime foundation day of the colony of New South food or water for seven and a half hours because community. under South Australian law, overstepping Wales as a good thing,” he said. of a botched delivery. In 2004 five people federal deportation powers. Children cannot be were injured after being transferred to Baxter These incidents have lead Mpwartne/Alice removed from South Australia without a parent’s “I enjoy Australia Day, observe it and look forward Detention Centre in an unsafe van. They were Springs to be labeled one of the three most consent. to presiding at ceremonies in Washington for it. then denied access to toilets, forced to urinate racists towns in Australia by Chris Graham, in their compartments. The company was fined the editor at large of the National Indigenous The national co-ordinator for A Just Australia, “However, as I perform ceremonial tasks on Anzac $500,000 for the mistreatment of detainees. Times. Although as many callers pointed out Kate Gauthier, who brought the allegations, Day in Washington I will have additional comfort during a Racism Forum on ABC Alice Springs on said immigration staff acted criminally. ‘’It’s ... that there will be Indigenous Australians On Monday June 15, a Four Corners report Thursday 22nd October statements such as this this simple: someone took his child without wholeheartedly involved in commemoration revealed the government knew the prison are counter-productive and do nothing to help permission and without his knowledge. You here.” transport vans were a ‘tragedy waiting to alleviate or work on the issues. This, as many cannot tell me that is not a crime.’’ happen.’ Yet in this case, the disgustingly said, does not mean denying the racism that ex- inadequate actions of the guards that should ists in town, for there is racism in Alice Springs Man set on fire by police taser In this case, the then Baxter officer tricked the be enough to make them responsible for the like there is racism all around Australia, but to asylum seeker, Mr X, asking permission for him murder of Mr Ward cannot even be said to be focus on education and ways of constructively and his wife to take the little girl shopping. Mr X breaking any company regulations. dealing with the issue. To fly in for a couple said: ‘’No problem. Yes, go and enjoy yourself.’’ of weeks find the stories that back up your G20 defendants finally go to trial theory then leave does not help the community Instead, an immigration official put the girl on a After two years of waiting, the last three address the complexity of the issue of racism plane to Iran, plotting to distract her with toys defendants facing charges from the G20 protests within Alice Springs. if she resisted and asked to say goodbye to her in November 2007 have finally faced trial, with father. overwhelming success. Sina Brown-Davis was On a more positive nature these incidents have found not guilty of riot, though she was charged seen the community bind together to say that Yesterday, former immigration minister Philip with affray and criminal damage and end up this behaviour is not acceptable. In early Octo- Ruddock said he was not aware of police recieving Tim and Sunil were found not guilty ber a letter signed by over 200 individuals ap- investigations and knew of Mr X’s case only on all counts, including ridiculous charges such peared in the Centralian Advocate condeming from reports. ‘’Was I aware of the precise as aggravated burglary, aside from one count of all forms of racism in town. A public meeting On July 22, a man caught fire after being shot management of the issue? No. unlawful assembly for Sunil, who recieved a fine. has been held outside the town council lawns with a taser in the Indigenous community Congratulations to those who made it to trial, and there are two public forums on racism Warburton in WA. The man received third- Would I have been micro-managing it and what an awesome success. coming up in town. There is also talk of doing degree burns to 10 per cent of his body, including familiar with every detail? The answer is no,’’ he community his throat. Police were responding to reports of said. petrol sniffing at the man’s house. They say that the man ran towards the officers from his home The seriousness of criminal allegations in Mr X’s carrying a fuel container and a cigarette lighter. case have forced an internal review by Jeff Lamond The taser was fired after the man failed to stop - who was formerly employed by the Immigration when ordered, say police. Department - to be referred to Dennis Pearce, a former Commonwealth Ombudsman and expert The WA Police Commissioner has said that in Commonwealth administrative law. Professor despite the horrific incident, the stun gun policy Pearce’s appointment clears a perception of bias will not be changed. He said that the situation created by Mr Lamond’s past employment with could have been far worse had a gun been used the department. It is expected the review will be instead on the 36 year-old man. He maintained finalised by the end of October. that capsicum spray would not have been enough to ‘incapacitate’ the man. Ms Gauthier said the case demonstrated a power imbalance between asylum seekers and their The man will still be charged by police with keepers which allowed the abuse of detainees assault and petrol sniffing. Other teenagers to continue unchecked. ‘’He was an asylum present at the house will also be charged with seeker and the Port Augusta police don’t give petrol sniffing, and one woman with assaulting a shit about what happens in Baxter detention police after throwing rocks at the officer who centre.’’ threw the burning man to the ground to ‘smother the flames’ after shooting him with a taser. Inspector Peter Crouch, of the South Australian police, said any complaints made against a The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) prison were taken seriously. A spokesman for the and Queensland Police Service has found that Federal Police said police diligently investigated in certain circumstances the weapons can cause such complaints. injury or contribute to a person’s death. Mr X has since been granted asylum in Racism rears its ugly head in Alice Springs education on what racism can look like involv- This taser related injury follows on from taser Melbourne. He attempted suicide in the The last couple of months has seen racism ing as wide a cross section of the Alice Springs related deaths that happened earlier this year in months after the girl’s abduction and is seeking rear its ugly head in Alice Springs. In July an community as possible. And as reported in the Alice Springs and Queensland. compensation. aboriginal man was bashed to death in the Todd local NT papers the Mayor Damian Ryan himself River by five white young adults in a ute. The has held a closed door meeting with 50 key Coroner releases findings of WA Aboriginal His wife and daughter will be helped to reunite police say the crime was not racially motivated, residents about racism in Alice Springs. What death in custody in Australia if they wish, a departmental however the five men who committed the eventuated out of that was nothing substantial On June 12, the WA Coroner released their report spokesman said. crime were heard driving up the river past some but its something of a start to recognising what into the death of Mr Ward, an Indigenous elder. http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 3 November2009 (Sydney Morning Herald August 8th) sent to reactors in the US, the country that possesses the most nuclear weapons in the Australia: Union official faces jail threat world. A West Australian construction union official says he is prepared to go to jail in his continuing safety Green groups vow to keep opposing campaign for union members. Joe McDonald, uranium the assistant secretary of the Construction, Environmental groups visiting Kalgoorlie- Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) was Boulder said they were ‘standing strong’ with fined Au$10,000 in July by a Perth magistrate regional communities opposed to uranium for unlawfully entering three building sites two mining, despite the size of Mega Uranium and years ago. other industry players. Protests as Desalination plant contract awarded The first West Australian uranium project mining lease of the post-ban era has been granted to Canadian company Mega Uranium.

Conservation Council of WA Uranium Free campaigner Natalie Lowrey said state public opinion was still holding strong against uranium mining.

Anti-Nuclear Alliance of WA campaigner Kate Vallentine said she and Ms Lowrey were working with the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Newcastle Coal set to double community in Kalgoorlie-Boulder this week to raise awareness about yellowcake if mines climate fire. Makes you wonder when it comes Twice as much coal will be exported from On August 2nd, 10 protesters expressed were approved. to climate change what action if any is seriously the NSW port of Newcastle within sev- their dissent against the proposed $3 being undertaken by the Government. en years, the state government says, af- billion desalination plant to be built at “State wide and nationally communities have ter signing a new industry agreement. Wonthaggi by entering the site. Two major concerns about water, radioactive and As Clive Hamilton put it: “Many hoped a new protesters chained themselves to the fence cancer-causing waste and the transportation of dawn had broken with the election of a Labor Under the Hunter Coal Export Agreement, of the site for two hours whilst a protest this very dirty and risky mineral,” Ms Vallentine Government promising to take far-reaching any coal mining company opening or expand- caravan was parked over the site entrance. said. measures to tackle Australia’s contribution to ing a mine can demand extra capacity and The Victorian Government recently announced global warming. Many believed the Prime Min- the port will be obliged to build it for them. that the contract to build and operate the plant “The granting of the Mining Lease is an ister when he declared that climate change is went to French multi-national corporation Aqua- important milestone for the Lake Maitland the greatest moral challenge of our generation. sure. This amounts to the effective privitisation of project that will enable us to further progress But it is now apparent that its true intentions Newcastle, the world’s largest coal ex- 25% of Melbournes water supply. The company definitive feasibility studies on site,” a Mega were business-as-usual. It is now clear that port port, has been plagued by log- is guaranteed income under the deal even if no spokeswoman said. beneath the superficial differences there is bi- jams over the past 20 years, with ves- water from the plant is needed. partisan agreement that short-term commercial sels waiting an average 16 days to load. Mega has said it will now increase its interests must come first and as little should The Sunday Age also revealed recently that development and test work activities on the be done as governments can get away Ports Minister Joe Tripodi says the new Aqua-sure’s parent company was fined by the site, including trenching, bulk sampling for with.” agreement will ensure a steady stream of Brazilian Government for illegal clearing in the metallurgical studies, water studies and other coal continues to flow from the Hunter Valley. Amazon whilst building a hydro-electric plant. project development work. West Atlas Oil Rig finally plugged? “In the future, coal producers will be able The losing bidder BassWater, owned by Veolia Switch off Hazelwood: community places to explore markets globally and know that (whose transport company Connex runs decommission order on the La Trobe Val- back home the infrastructure will allow the coal to be delivered through the ports,” Melbourne’s trains) is reportedly being offered ley’s polluting Dinosaur. $10 million in compensation. he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday. On the 13th September over 300 people It looks like in one foul swoop the ALP State “The single biggest bottleneck for growth in marched to Hazelwood power station in Victo- government is building an environmentally the Hunter Valley has been addressed today.” ria La Trobe Valley to publically decommission destructive, energy-intensive plant, neglecting Victoria’s oldest power plant. 22 people were cheaper, cleaner alternatives, privitising our arrested by police on the day, all were charged The agreement has been worked out be- water and doing the bidding of foreign multi- and released on site. tween coal mining companies, coal terminal nationals. Earlier this month it was announced that operators Port Waratah Coal Services, and the oil leak of the West Atlas rig in the Timor the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group. Writing on Crikey Clive Hamilton had the follow- Sea had been temporarily plugged and the fire New uranium mine approved ing to say: that engulfed it had been put out. This after 10 The Federal government recently announced weeks and after three failed attempts. It must now be approved by the Aus- the establishment of a fourth uranium mine “The 40-year-old Hazelwood power station tralian Competition and Consumer in Australia. The Four Mile mine 550km north is Australia’s largest single source of carbon It has been estimated by PTTEP that a minimum Commission (ACCC) but Mr Tripodi of Adealide will open next year. It will be pollution and symbolises everything that is of 4.5 million litres of oil has leaked into the said he did not foresee any problems. Australia’s first new uranium mine in almost 10 wrong with greenhouse policy in this country. ocean, though some estimates put it as high as 23.5 million. Some marine scientists saying it’ll th “We have significant confidence it will be years, and the 10 biggest in the world. An industrial relic, Hazelwood was due to be be a couple of years before a the full environ- decommissioned this year. The owners applied mental impact can even begin to be assessed. signed off and supported by the ACCC,” he Members of the Adnyamathanha Indigenous for an extension of its life to 2031. In 2005 the said. community in the Flinders Rangers are panel appointed by the Victorian government Now a royal commission style inquiry has been outraged that they have not been listened to to review the application concluded that, if Ha- called. If it results in a more substantial plan during mine negotiations. Under native title, zelwood’s electricity output were replaced by and guidelines, as NT Environment Minister Karl despite being recognised as possessing title to natural gas turbines, carbon dioxide emissions Hampton expects, in which the Government land, Traditional Owners have no right to veto would be two-thirds lower. and other agency work together co-operative to mining on their lands. Thus, despite opposition ensure that any future similar spills are cleaned up as quickly as possible then the inquiry will within the community, and the failure of the But Big Coal won and the Victorian Labor have resulted in something. mining application to address several concerns government extended Hazelwood’s license to and regulations under Indigenous heritage pollute to 2031. The extension of its life will add But that’s not the real point. The real point is legislation, the mine will proceed. As well as around 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide that this is happening under the watch of an this, the company will not be required to clean to the atmosphere. By comparison, in 2007 Environment Minister who 20 years ago was up underground radioactive plumes that can be the whole electricity sector in Australia was screaming outside the Exxon offices when an oil expected to slowly drift into the underground responsible for 200 million tonnes of green- tanker was involved in a similar spill. Why has water table. house gases. the most environmental Environment Minister we’ve ever had allowed this atrocity to last for so long? The mine will be 75 per cent owned by US Over the next two decades, the carbon emis- company Heathgate, which currently owns sions from Hazelwood will wipe out more than Further, the company in charge of the leaking Beverly uranium mine, and is a subsidiary half of the emissions savings from the Rudd oil rig has been granted two more exploration of nuclear and arms manufacturers General Government’s 20 per cent renewable energy licenses and two oil fields. It’s as if the whole in- Atomics; and 25 per cent by Ian Gandel’s scheme.” cident wasn’t going on and is just further proof locally-listed Alliance Resources. It will be that when it comes to resources in this country managed by Quasar Resources. One of the The community decommission order also came the economy overrides the environment in directors of Quasar Resources is a man who on a day in which The Age reported that the spite of all the damage it so very clearly and helped devise the Predator unmanned aircraft Victorian Government was looking at exporting obviously does. being used in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. some of the states brown coal to India. Victoria Quasar Resources is also affiliated with General already shamed as the least climate-friendly Atomics a company which reportedly holds state, running three of Australia’s four dirtiest $US700 million in Pentagon contracts. Uranium power station, now is adding further fuel to the ore from the Four Mile mine is expected to be http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 4 November2009 stalemate, because China, India, and the other emissions. developing nations refuse binding emissions reductions. Juan C. Mata Sandoval, Mexico’s top climate of- ficial and a negotiator for Copenhagen, is frank This climate deadlock is nearly always framed that one of the business lobby’s chief concerns as the clash between the national interests of has been that his nation remain a “non-Annex wealthy countries that want to maintain their 1” country — one without required emissions standard of living and the national interests cuts. “We need to communicate with them of developing countries that need to lift mil- constantly to explain how the negotiations are lions out of poverty. But the arguments of going,” he said. “The private sector also wants the rich and poor nations actually have the a voice and an opinion on how much is Mexico same underpinning — that cheap fossil-fueled going to put on the table.” To w a r d a St a l e m a t e energy and other carbon-intensive activities like deforestation are keys to economic success. But in its own way, Mexico — like China, India, i n o p e n h a g e n And all of those governments — no matter how and Brazil — is addressing climate change. C : far north or south — are feeling the pressure of Mexico has a national climate change plan with the interests that have mobilized to keep this 86 specific goals it says will slow the growth of Ho w In d u st r y Pr e ss u r e s a n d Na t i o n a l conviction alive. its carbon emissions, now at about 700 mega- tons a year, by about 50 megatons by 2012. In In China, for instance, wind turbines rising absolute terms, Mexico’s carbon output would Ag e n d a s Di m Pr o s p e cts f o r a Cl i m a t e against the Xinjian Province mountains have be- still rise in the short term, but the country also come an iconic image of that country’s growing has mapped out a long-term pathway to reduce Tr e a t y commitment to cleaner energy. Severe crippling its emissions — if it receives technical and ice storms that marred Chinese New Year in financial support from developed countries. In the poor, but mineral-rich mountains of the sion made early on that developing countries, early 2008 touched off a national dialogue on Mexico has proposed a global Green Fund to eastern United States known as Appalachia, like China and India, where millions of people climate change. The government’s goal is to which all nations would contribute based on a coal millionaire Don Blankenship hosts a rally still lived without electricity, would not have achieve 20 percent renewable power by 2020, formula that takes into account all the factors for “Friends of America” to hear country music binding obligations to reduce emissions. That on the road to which it has doubled its installed that have divided rich and poor nations — both and “learn how environmental extremists and accommodation was made in recognition of wind power in each of the past four years. But historical and current emissions, both gross corporate America are both trying to destroy the need to eradicate poverty in countries China is also building coal plants so fast that domestic product and population. your jobs.” where per capita emissions remain low, and it still gets just one percent of electricity from that the bulk of greenhouse gases already in wind. The reality is that only one of the top 10 It’s just one of the ideas that have been floated On the other side of the globe, with an eye on the atmosphere came from countries that grew power companies — all of them state-owned for breaking the climate stalemate. The idea of his venture in an Australian port town known wealthy in fossil-fueled economies. But as a re- enterprises — will meet the government’s “nationally appropriate mitigations actions” — both as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef sult, Kyoto simply exempted the largest future interim goal of three percent renewables by cuts that make sense given a country’s state of and a smokestack industry haven, aluminum source of the problem; the International Energy 2010. The power company executives, all quasi- development — was actually included in the billionaire Oleg Deripaska battles that nation’s Agency projects that 97 percent of the increase governmental officials, have resisted propos- roadmap for the Copenhagen talks that was program to address climate change as “destruc- in global emissions between now and 2030 will als to help renewables by raising the price of adopted in Bali in 2007. Experts credit the Cen- tive for jobs, destructive for new and existing come from developing countries. And Kyoto’s coal. “There don’t need to be ‘lobbyists’ when ter for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), a Washington investment.” rich-poor nation divide on obligations made it discussions can happen directly through the non-profit that has been working to bridge the politically impossible to get the United States Party,” says Beijing-based political commentator rich-poor nation climate divide, for promoting And in China, ambitious renewable electric- — the largest historic source of greenhouse gas Zhao Jing. the concept. In dialogues with 30 developing ity plans look like an important step toward emissions — to agree to participate. tackling global warming, but progress lags due to built-in and deeply entrenched favoritism Kyoto always was seen as just a first step, with for cheaper fossil fuel. “There’s no need for new negotiations needed on a second phase of anyone to get over-excited,” says Lu Qizhou, commitments to begin in 2012. But those talks the government appointee who heads China’s for a new global warming agreement at Copen- big power industry group. Change from the hagen have become freighted with significance, coal-fired energy system will be slow and won’t due to hope for both new leadership from outpace “the market’s ability to cope.” the United States and for better ideas on how to bridge the gap between the world’s haves Around the world the story is the much same. and have-nots. “Copenhagen is not just about Wherever nations have taken the first modest negotiations, it’s a political policy event that will steps to stave off a looming environmental ca- have a big impact on global consciousness on lamity for future generations, they’ve triggered the state of climate change,” says Rafe Pomer- a backlash from powers rooted in the economy ance, president of the U.S. non-profit Clean-Air of the past. Opponents of climate action may Cool Planet and a former climate negotiator as have different methods as they pressure differ- deputy assistant secretary of state during the ent capitals, but the message is consistent: Be Clinton Administration. “It’s so big that it’s driv- afraid that a cherished way of life may be lost. ing activity all over the world. And the process Be afraid that a better standard of living will itself is almost as important as the outcome.” never be had. It was in anticipation of Copenhagen that the China’s wind turbines are a symbol of the government’s growing commitment to renewable energy, but the leaders of the developed countries known as country still gets just one percent of its electricity from wind. photo creative commons Kaj Iverson the Group of Eight (or G8) pledged at their July The pressure is less subtle in democratic countries, CCAP found that many were taking meeting in Italy to work to keep temperatures developing countries. For example, Brazilian steps to reduce electricity use and increase re- from rising more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently newable power. “They had all these things they (2 degrees Celsius) over pre-industrial levels. said he will go to Copenhagen with an offer to were doing on their own — not for money from Beyond that threshold lie grave dangers for civi- reduce the pace of deforestation in the Amazon [developed countries] but for good reasons in lization, says the Intergovernmental Panel on rain forest — one of the world’s most important their own countries,” says CCAP President Ned Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations net- natural absorbers of carbon dioxide — by 80 Helme. “We were trying to figure out a way to work of more than 2,000 scientists that reports percent by 2020. But Carlos Minc, Lula’s envi- build on that momentum.” the consensus view of peer-reviewed science. ronment minister, who has hands-on responsi- Risks include global sea-level rise, drought that bility for the policy, has faced an onslaught from South Korea and South Africa have proposed a reduces world food supply, loss of fresh water, the powerful agriculture industry and its allies system for harnessing that progress by tracking and increased wildfire, insects, and disease. in elected office who want to maintain free rein the actions by developing countries. Numer- on land use. One governor even threatened him ous world leaders have been working on ways The Global Lobby: Vested Interests with rape. “Many of those industries talk about that moves by the developing world could be zero deforestation, but when we press them made measurable, reportable, and verifiable so The G8 agreed that emissions should be cut 80 they want to kill us, or make speeches declaring they can be built into an international agree- percent or more below 1990 levels by 2050, in me persona non grata,” he says. “They call me ment. U.S. climate negotiator Todd Stern sees Coal mountain top mining in the Appalachia Mount- line with IPCC targets, but the world leaders to speak in the Senate or the House and I stay these developments as cause for optimism, ians of the US declined to name any short-term goals. And the for five hours under a massacre. They’re favor- even while many view the Copenhagen talks From Kyoto to Copenhagen IPCC views near-term action as crucial. In fact, able to zero deforestation, provided it doesn’t as on a path toward stalemate. “All the major it specifies that global emissions — which have affect …their own land.” economies are prepared to lay down significant Those fears will be center stage as negotiators been inexorably rising — should begin to fall by low-carbon development plans,” he said at a from 192 nations gather in Copenhagen this 2015 if the world hopes to stabilize the atmo- Rich Man, Poor Man recent U.S.-India energy forum in Washington. December to forge one of the most challenging sphere. (Even that stabilizing point — at 450 “This is big news. It’s never happened before. multi-national agreements ever. The daunting parts per million (ppm) carbon dioxide — is well The principle that developing countries It’s important stuff.” task: to reduce the pollution that the scientific below the more aggressive target of 350 ppm shouldn’t have binding treaty obligations is consensus says has imperiled the planet — that NASA scientist James Hansen and demon- dearly held by businesses that have the ear of But it’s a headline that hasn’t registered in the emissions from the burning of oil, coal, and gas strators around the world have called for.) government in those nations. In Delhi, India, climate politics of the United States or other that have fueled all economic development Bharat Wakhlu, resident director of the power- developed nations. Europe has a history of since the Industrial Revolution. In fact, none of the emissions reduction targets ful Tata Group — that nation’s largest business green party political power not found across for Copenhagen announced so far by wealthy conglomerate with nearly 100 companies from the Atlantic, and on paper it has ambitious U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern, testifying before countries meets the 25 to 40 percent below power generation to autos — says the company climate goals for 2020. But the actual emissions a House panel in September, will likely go to 1990 levels by 2020 that the IPCC said would recognizes it has a role in addressing global cuts contemplated within the E.U.’s borders Copenhagen without firm commitments, as be necessary to achieve stabilization. (See warming. But, he added, “We believe in a ‘com- were significantly reduced due to lobbying by Congress continues to grapple with legislation “Climate Goals Fall Short” to the right.) The cuts mon but differentiated’ approach, as we have heavy industries that protested they would face to cut emissions. being eyed in the United States and Canada, for to retain our competitiveness as well as ensure unfair competition from the developing world, example, are just a few points less than a bare the planet is safe.” United Nations climate especially amid the economic downturn. The world, of course, already has a plan in place return to 1990 levels. Australia, Japan, and the change convention documents dating back as to cut carbon dioxide and other greenhouse European Union have voiced a willingness to do far as 1992 use the phrase “common but differ- Those themes are echoed by representatives of gases — an agreement reached at Kyoto, Japan more, but contingent on action from other entiated” to describe the responsibilities of the so-called BINGOs, the Business and Indus- in 1997. But that deal was marked by the deci nations. Japan, especially, has an eye on the rich and poor nations; the key differentiation try Non-Governmental Organizations, that developing world. And that’s the crux of the has been that only wealthy nations need to cut attend the negotiating sessions all over the http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com world and have been a permanent presence in5 November2009 the United Nations’ efforts on climate change Americans think the federal government should the lobbying this year so far in the United States Developed countries should cut for more than 20 years. These climate uber-lob- regulate greenhouse gases, only 52 percent is at least $47 million. Senate advocates aim to greenhouse gas emissions 25 to 40 per- byists aren’t there to make a hard-sell pitch, but supported the cap-and-trade program policy- build support much as it was achieved in the cent below 1990 levels by 2020 in order to get to know the key players who congregate makers have chosen to address the problem. legislation that narrowly passed the House this to avoid the worst effects of climate around the treaty talks, to ease their way into Only 44 percent said they would back a cap- summer — by giving a boost to businesses that change, the Intergovernmental Panel on more specific policy discussions back home, and-trade system if it boosted monthly electric- fear they’ll be hurt by measures raising the cost Climate Change says. So far, the aims are where the real decisions are made. “We loiter,” ity bills by $25. Forty-four percent of Americans of the coal that supplies half the nation’s elec- for far more modest cuts. Here’s a look John Scowcroft of the European Union of the rated global warming as a “very serious” prob- tricity. But the concessions have not won over at how much some countries might cut Electricity Industry remarked at the recent talks lem in the Pew Global Attitudes Project poll, opponents like Don Blankenship, chief executive their emissions. in Bangkok. “It’s loitering with intent.” putting the United States near the bottom of 25 of Massey Energy, the largest coal producer nations surveyed, along with fellow major pol- in central Appalachia, who forcefully disputes Australia — 4 to 14 percent Back home, manufacturing powerhouses like luter China, at 30 percent. Some 90 percent of the science of global warming. Although that Canada — 3 percent the aluminum industry of Australia argue they Brazilians, 68 percent of the French population, makes him an outlier in the public debate, his European Union — 20 percent will lose jobs if developing country competitors 67 percent of people in India, and 65 percent of argument that the bill will cost jobs at the same Japan — 25 percent like China don’t face the same regime of emis- Japanese viewed the issue as “very serious” in time “it will increase global pollution by moving United States — 4 to 7 percent sions cuts. Such business opposition helped the international survey. production to unregulated countries like China” Developing countries defeat climate legislation in the Australian causes worry on Capitol Hill. yet to be set in stone still to be negio- Senate in August, even though polling showed a taed and worked out. majority of citizens favored it. Blankenship is just one of the business op- ponents who have worked to rally citizen ire “An Epic Struggle” — a campaign that has resulted in hundreds of alarmed phone calls to Senate offices. Given The business lobby has not been shy about the power of industry lobbying in Washington, pressing its views in Australia. The top 20 com- advocates see the best hope for the legislation’s panies that are expected to receive assistance passage as the competing U.S. businesses that this article originally appeared at from the Australian government to reduce support action, ranging from power companies www.publicintegrity.org. more emissions employ 28 lobbying firms. More than that want predictable energy policy to high-tech articles can be read there including a good half the lobbyists are former politicians, senior firms that aim to market climate solutions. article on the Brown Down of Australia’s Carbon government bureaucrats, or political advisors. Dan Reicher, director of climate change and Reduction Pollution Scheme, which shows the The business lobby has to be strong indeed to energy initiatives at Google, who also was a way in which the coal lobby have been working. slow climate progress in Australia, the hottest member of President Barack Obama’s transi- and driest continent on earth, which is amid a A poll by the Pew Research Center for the peo- tion team, is confident climate action can gain and for an article on the potential of geo-ther- years-long drought that contributed to deadly ple & the Press found roughly half of Americans support in the U.S. Congress, if it has plenty of mal as a baseload power read: wildfires and is watching its climate-stressed favor setting limits on carbon emissions and flexibility and opportunity for businesses. But http://newmatilda. tourism jewel, the Great Barrier Reef, on course making companies pay for their emissions, even he is under no illusions it will be easy. “It to be “functionally extinct” by 2050. The if this may lead to higher energy prices. But the shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that there’s com/2009/11/12/geothermal- administration of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, poll’s strongest finding was that the issue had a major proportion of our economy that’s built baseload-alternative whose first official act in office in 2007 was not even registered with the public, with 55 around traditional energy supplies, and would to ratify Kyoto, is working with opponents on percent said they had heard nothing at all of indeed feel some impact from controlling business-friendly amendments aiming to build Congress’s efforts to address the problem. carbon emissions,” he says. “So that’s what has support for a new vote on the legislation before to be sorted out politically.” At a recent confer- Copenhagen. If the public is unaware, more than 1,150 ence in Washington on energy efficiency — a companies and advocacy groups are very tuned pursuit Google aims to advance by providing In the United States, the Senate also is advanc- in, and they have deployed about 2,810 climate people real-time home electricity informa- ing its climate legislation in the Copenhagen lobbyists to Capitol Hill, an increase of more tion — Reicher summed up the climate change run-up, but popular support for the measure is than 400 percent from six years earlier, accord- politics succinctly: “This is going to be an epic, easily shaken. Although a Washington Post/ABC ing to an analysis of disclosures filed with the epic struggle.” News poll showed that three quarters of the Senate Office of Public Records. Spending on operate as an effective capture mechanism or they can operate as a leakage mechanism.” “Attempts to re-brand the power station as a gas-fired power station are a desperate attempt Go r g o n Ga s The Gorgon gas plant on Barrow Island was first a t e s t r e e n w a s h to fool investors and to green-wash the public. approved under the Howard government in L G : e a l 2007, but was returned for further environmental “If the project proceeded it would be twice as D : assessment in 2008 when Chevron decided to polluting as a genuine gas-fired power station. expand the project. The current WA Government HRL has also announced today that it wants to have also approved the expansion. HRL’s COAL DUAL increase the size of the power station to 550 En d a n g e r i n g a Initial work at the Chevron-led Gorgon gas GAS Po w e r St a t i on . MW, increasing the project’s emissions by over 1 project could begin before Christmas if final million tonnes per year.” he continued. investment is approved by the three joint Na t u r a l venture partners. Chevron’s Colin Beckett said Mr Wakeham said the project was extremely a few other formal approvals were needed unlikely to proceed. Re s e r v e before a final investment decision was made. “By Christmas we would be starting to do n the 19th of August the Australian Federal “Now that the proposed power station has O some of the initial work on Barrow Island Resources Minister Martin Ferguson announced while in other places we complete our design grown to 550 MW it would need to buy pollu- a $50 billion dollar deal with China for Gorgon tion permits for 4 million tonnes of greenhouse and get on with the procurement activity,” Gas project on Barrow Island off the North he said. “So we’ll be making early strides In it’s latest attempt at getting funding pollution per year at a minimum cost of $80 mil- West Coast of WA. This announcement was there and by the end of next year we’ll be for it’s stalled coal power plant HRL announced lion per year. A similar sized genuine gas fired made before the final approval had been working pretty flat out on Barrow Island itself.” on the 24th September that their stalled coal power station would have to buy less than half granted by the Federal Environment Minister project is in fact a new 550 megawatts gas-fired as many permits. “ Peter Garrett, casting doubts over the Greens Senator Rachel Siewert criticised Mr power station. Without irony, it seems, they Garrett’s decision to give the project the also warned investors and the public not to be Mr Wakeham said Victoria didn’t need another Barrow Island is home to a number of green light. She said there was no way Barrow endangered, rare and endemic species fooled by the company’s desperate attempts to polluting power station and that attempts to Island’s environment could be protected including the Barrow Island mouse, the from the development. “No environmental green-wash the project. pass off the power station as a ‘clean coal’ spectacled hare-wallaby, the golden bandicoot project ignores the fact that the Victorian conditions can protect the environment of and the threatened flatback turtle. In this island and it is a nonsense for Minister This is the same HRL that the Victorian Govern- Government is not proposing that this power total there are more than 20 endangered Garrett to hide behind such conditions,” she ment gave $50 million to in November 2006 station replaces more polluting power stations species on the 202 square kilometre island. said. “It is inevitable that the island will be to demonstrate its coal gasification, or ‘’clean like Hazelwood. Rather it would be an additional degraded.” The WWF and other environmental coal’’, technology, and that received $100 mil- polluting power station that would increase the In April this year, the WA EPA Chairman Paul groups have called on the companies to lion from the Howard government in March State’s emissions by 4 million tonnes per year. Vogel said that the EPA’s view of 2003 remained locate the processing plant on the mainland. 2007. unchanged: “Given the very high environmental and unique conservation values of Barrow Island, “The State Government’s spruiking of this proj- There are doubts that the plan to bury its which are reflected in its status as a class greenhouse gases under Barrow will be Now though the term ‘’clean coal’’ has been ect contrasts sharply with its failure to provide a A Nature Reserve, it is the view of the EPA dumped - not rating a mention despite the Vic- lifeline to Victoria’s other major proposed power successful. An expert panel found that that, as a matter of principle, industry some leakage of carbon dioxide is possible. torian Government previously hailing it as the station, the Solar Systems solar power station should not be located on a nature reserve world’s largest project of its kind to demonstrate near Mildura.” He said. and specifically not on Barrow Island.” The project involves injecting 3.5 million clean coal technology. According to HRL latest tonnes of C02 a year into a reservoir under media release, it seems 2013 is now the earliest Joint venture partners Chevron, Shell and Barrow Island. The carbon capture technique possible starting date for the power station (in ExxonMobil say that 2.5 kilometres beneath will cost Chevron and its partners more than 2006 when courting Government funding HRL Barrow Island is a geological formation $1 billion and is the biggest geo-sequestration where they can bury their greenhouse project of its type ever undertaken. announced that the power station would be gas emissions released during the providing power to the state in 2009). extraction of the vast natural gas reserves. It has been estimated 5.45 million tonnes of carbon pollution will still be released by the Gorgon Environment Victoria Campaigns Director Mark Mr Garrett approved the development last project each y ear helping to make WA one of Wakeham said: “The closer we get to the pro- week subject to 28 environmental conditions. the most carbon intensive states in the world. posed construction date the of HRL power plant, “CO2 will be injected basically into sandstone,” the further away the project appears. Unfor- said the former Midnight Oil frontman. “This proposal will have unacceptable tunately successive Victorian Energy Ministers “There are faults in the substrata there, but environmental impacts on the terrestrial and the have been pursuing this mirage like thirsty faults can operate in different ways. They can marine environment. It simply should not be going ahead on Barrow Island,” Senator Siewert said explorers lost in the desert,” http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 6 November2009 Developed countries should cut valuable specialty ti mber species. The Celery involved in the campaign for Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 to 40 per- Top pine for example is one of the best boat ancient forests and without hard working cent below 1990 levels by 2020 in order building ti mbers in the world and lives for volunteers signifi cant victories would not to avoid the worst eff ects of climate up to 800 years old, FT currently have no be possible. There is sti ll over 1000 hectares change, the Intergovernmental Panel on management plan for this species and it is of unprotected old growth forest in the Climate Change says. So far, the aims are for far more modest cuts. Here’s a look oft en laid to waste and burnt aft er logging. valley and Camp Florenti ne conti nues into at how much some countries might cut its fourth summer making it the longest their emissions. Forestry Tasmania say that over 80% of old running blockade in Tasmania. A weekend growth forests in Tasmania are protected, a of skill sharing and campaign training Australia — 4 to 14 percent stati sti c that increases every year as more and forest educati on will be held on the Canada — 3 percent unprotected areas are logged. Beside all weekend of December 5th and 6th. See www. European Union — 20 percent the rhetoric and spin the fact cannot be sti llwildsti llthreatened.org for more details. Japan — 25 percent ignored that the tall wet forests of the United States — 4 to 7 percent Upper Florenti ne, Styx and Weld Valleys G���� 20 ����� ������ Developing countries have been deliberately excluded from the yet to be set in stone sti ll to be negio- More than fi ve years aft er the fi rst writs were taed and worked out. World Heritage Area (WHA) to facilitate originally served in December 2004 the Gunns their destructi on. The WHA follows the 600- 20 trial is set to go before Justi c Forrest in the 650 meter contour lines on the map, it is at Melbourne Supreme court from Feb 2nd 2010. this alti tude that the tall forest gives way to scrub, heath and sub alpine vegetati on The trial will be heard before just a judge and of no commercial ti mber value. The Upper is expected to last for 5 weeks. So far the case Florenti ne is bordered by the mountains hs already cost an esti mated $3 million and of the WHA on three sides. It is an island is likely to cost much more by the end. It is already considered the longest running and in the WHA, below the 650m contour line, most expensive case of its kind in Australia’s and subsequently it receives no protecti on legal history. because it contains commercially desirable tall forest. You actually drive through The Huon Valley Environment Centre (HVEC) the WHA to get to the Upper Florenti ne. is, as one of the defendants, asking for your out at an alarming rate. There are several The Gordon River rd rises above the donati ons to fund expenses including accom- We all know that giant Tasmanian trees acti ve old growth coupes currently working 650m contour into the protected sub modati on, travel, communicati ons, telephone, 90m tall and 19m in girth are obviously in the Styx, Tyenna, Wedge and Weld Valleys alpine vegetati on and then back down computer and video. Our treasurer and co- ancient, but just how ancient these that Sti ll Wild Sti ll Threatened is monitoring. to the unprotected forested valley. The founder Jenny Weber will represent the Centre amazing life forms are is ambiguous, current reserve system is inadequate in its at court. especially if you ask Forestry Tasmania (FT). Destructi on of ancient forests can only be representati on of tall forest, an examinati on Your support, no matt er how litt le, will go a The government enterprise responsible described as a climate disaster. In a 2001 of a vegetati on map of Tasmania clearly for managing our state forests don’t know long way to make sure these corporate bullies study carried out by FT it was found that shows the vast majority of tall forest and do not win. We will not be silenced, with your exactly how old Eucalyptus regnans trees the high intensity burns that follow logging rainforest falls outside the WHA boundary. conti nue support we will conti nue to defend in the Styx Valley are but have said they release about 700 tons of carbon. The Tasmania’s ancient wilderness forests. esti mate the larger trees to be between logging and burning of an average sized 60 The logging of WHA bordering forests 200 and 300 years old. Forest campaigners hectare coupe emits about 42,000 tons. This poses many threats to the integrity of the for more visit: www.huon.org have doubted whether there is any science WHA. The most obvious eff ect on the WHA behind Forestry Tasmania’s age esti mates, border that industrial scale clear felling has COME TO TASMANIA as the body responsible for logging ancient is the direct loss of wilderness values, as the forests FT have always had a vested interest ancient forested fl anks of world heritage THIS SUMMER! in down playing the facts about these valued mountains are ripped apart and Experience the beauty of giant trees and unique forests to justi fy clear-felling them. grown back as plantati on like regenerati on. ancient rainforests! Industrial scale logging not only brings And get acti ve in the fi ght to save them Campaigners from Sti ll Wild Sti ll Threatened introduced species closer to the WHA but decided to get some radio carbon dati ng from wholesale destructi on at the hands also increases the risk of fi re. It is only a of the wood-chipping industry! tests done on samples taken from felled matt er of ti me before a high intensity forestry trees to shed some more accurate light on burn that occurs aft er logging, will escape It’s a crucial summer for Tassie’s ancient the matt er and provide another solid piece and jump the border into the WHA causing of evidence that demands ancient forest permanent damage to fi re sensiti ve alpine forests this year. protecti on. A stump search was mounted to eco-systems. In 2002 Australia’s largest tree fi nd the perfect specimen to take a sample “El Grande” was found by conservati onists With Forestry Tasmania planning logging from. A stump that was solid the enti re way in a Florenti ne Valley logging coupe, the operati ons in the Upper through was required to give the oldest age, tree was subsequently protected by FT but Florenti ne, Styx and Weld Valleys, and ac- however the oldest trees are rott en in the Conservationists from Still Wild Still Threatend col- then killed when the high intensity burn of ti vists gearing up to defend these precious centre, so fi nding the perfect one proved the logging coupe escaped and cooked “El challenging. Running around a clear-felled forests. Plus a state electi on just around lecting sample from felled old Growth coupe in the Grande” from the inside. The tree remained the corner! logging coupe, getti ng excited about very is more than the enti re annual emissions standing for another six months unti l its large stumps is a strange experience for a Styx to be radio carbon dated. of Norway. Carbon emissions from forestry dead skeleton was blown over in high winds. If you’ve ever thought about coming to forest campaigner. As perfect a stump that acti viti es are not counted in Australia’s could be found was sampled in the Styx emission totals. If they’re protecti on was Sti ll Wild Sti ll Threatened is preparing for Tassie – now is the ti me! Valley coupe SX10F using a chainsaw to cut included in an emissions trading scheme a very acti ve summer in the lead up the a small wedge of wood from the centre. there could easily and instantly be signifi cant Tasmanian state electi on in March 2010. S����� E�����: The sample was then sent to the University cuts in emissions. The Federal Government The group has maintained a constant December: of Waikato, New Zealand for radio carbon conti nues to keep dead silent on forests presence in the Upper Florenti ne since dati ng. Results of the radio carbon dati ng 5 & 6: Skillshare in the Florenti ne – learn and climate change as the Tasmanian November 2006, blockading a new logging about forest ecology, were startling and smashed pre-conceived Government conti nues to liquidate rd and preventi ng forestry access to the tree age esti mates, especially those of FT. world heritage bordered ancient forests. pristi ne valley. Logging schedules are sti ll campaigning, and skills for peaceful ac- The data produced from the dati ng revealed two years behind as a result of the blockade ti ons (poster att ached) that there is an 82% chance that the tree A recent report by ANU scienti st Brendan and the years of delay have created much appeared between 1420AD and 1510 Mackey has found that Eucalyptus regnans needed ti me for lobbying and building of 12th: Walk against warming. Join this AD meaning that is more than likely that forest stores more carbon than any other public awareness of this now iconic area. nati onal acti on against climate the tree is 500 –600 years old. This result forest type in the world. The report found change. In the Upper Florenti ne Valley puts the age of trees at double what was that old forests store more carbon than 2009 has been a very big year that has seen previously thought. If this evidence is previously thought and that protecti ng Forestry Tasmania construct one and a half January: not strong enough for governments ancient forests is a positi ve step to miti gate kms of roads and log the fi rst 20 hectares to protect ancient forests what climate change, “Conserving forests with out of over 1000 hectares of forest available Welcome to the bungle – a week of ac- more evidence do they need? large stocks of biomass from deforestati on for harvesti ng. Logging of the area was so and degradati on avoids signifi cant carbon contenti ous that it could only be carried out ti ons in defence of Tasmania’s The coupe the sample was taken from was emissions to the atmosphere, irrespecti ve under full ti me police supervision and a team Southern Forests. logged in December 2007, but promised of the source country, and should be among of private security guards. Over 80 people 29 -30th: Southern Forest Convergence protecti on by the Howard government as allowable miti gati on acti viti es. Similarly, have been arrested in the Upper Florenti ne part of their forest policy during the 2004 management that allows restorati on of a this year in oppositi on to logging operati ons February: electi on campaign. 18.000ha of old growth forest’s carbon sequestrati on potenti al also in the valley. 500 hundred people marched was promised and only about 4,000ha should be recognized.”(Keith, J, Mackey, into the acti ve logging site and shut down 12 - 14th: Be my Florenti ne forest festi val saved. The remaining unprotected forests B.G., Lydenmayer, D.B 2009). Logging operati ons in January. 300 people att ended of the Styx, Florenti ne, Tyenna and Wedge rotati ons of 60-80 years will not allow a rally that resulted in 22 arrests in May. conti nue to be decimated, with coupe carbon densiti es to rebuild to old growth Community support is growing, but help is for more details email: boundaries in some instances going within levels that were present prior to logging. desperately needed to conti nue frontline sti llwildsti llthreatened@ meters of the World Heritage Area. Trees that Short rotati ons that precede old growth direct acti on and maintain other campaign were growing while Christopher Columbus logging also wipe out slow growing highly avenues. Hundreds of people have been voyaged across the Atlanti c are being wiped gmail.com htt p://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 7 November2009

The forests are the natural habitats of wild FACTS AND FIGURES ON animals and plants that make Indonesia’s biodiversity so rich. Indonesia is world renowned INDONESIAN FORESTS for its biodiversity, with nearly 3,700 species, or 15 percent of the world’s total fauna found - between 1990 and 2005, Indonesia within the archipelago. lost 28 million ha of forest, including With the severe impact of climate change, calls 21.7 million ha of virgin forest for forest nations to preserve forests continue to grow in order to prevent the emission of carbon dioxide retained in tress. -It is estimated that up to 70% of the volume harvested is from illegal log- The Guinness Book of World Records claims that ging. In spite of a Government band Indonesia’s rate of deforestation is the highest timber is regular exported to Malay- in the world, with the equivalent of three soccer fields cleared every hour. sia and Singapore illegally

Around 1.8 million hectares of rainforest were - this illegal timber is used in a vari- cut down in 1997, with figures jumping to 2.8 ety of places in particularly it is used million hectares per year between 1998 and Indonesia may lose its status as the world’s cooperation, said that much of the total 120 2000. by Asia Pulp and paper to produce third-largest forest nation by 2015 as the million hectares of natural forests, were located disposable and designer bags for the country’s natural forests are likely to disappear in forest concession areas. due to deforestation and lax efforts to replant Since then, clearance rates have remained high, fashion industry logged forest areas. at 1.8 million hectares. “The declining trend of deforestation from 2.8 Rinekso Soekmadi, a forestry expert from the million hectares in the 1990s to the current - some of this illegal timber comes Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) said the level of about 1 million hectares is not due to Executive director of Greenomics Indonesia, from West Papua government should take tough action to force improved forestry management,” he said. Elfian Effendi, said that concession holders forest concession holders (HPH) to replant should uphold their obligation to replant trees logged forest areas. as stipulated in their logging licenses. More info on illegal logging practices “It is because we don’t have enough existing forests anymore.” can be found at: “Otherwise, all natural forests will be lost by “If they fail to uphold their business plans http://www.illegal-logging.info 2015. This is the worst case scenario based on to preserve the concession areas they work current rates of deforestation,” he said. Rinekso said the government’s forestry in, the management of those companies management gave too many benefits to could be sent into jail,” he said.for more on concession holders as there was no clear policy the plight of Indonesian forests check out. The government has allocated 64 million requiring them to take responsibility for severely hectares of natural forests, out of the country’s depleting the country’s forests. 120 million, as forest concession areas that can FYI: The carbon emissions of Indonesia be legally logged. deforestation amounts to around 8% of the “Many HPH holders then leave concession areas worlds carbon emissions. Thats more than all without replanting trees there,” he said. the cars, trains, buses, planes and trucks in the Rinekso, IPB’s director of international US and is the main reason why Indonesia is the third largest emitter behind the US and China. tures and support that are essential for said. Little Children are sacred? Indigenous Australians to live safe, healthy and productive lives,” a spokeswoman for “We recognise that increasing school atten- The NT government has fulfilled less Ms Macklin said. dance is essential to closing the gap,” the than half of the recommendations of the spokeswoman said. Little Children Are Sacred report, which The diets of Aboriginal Territorians from prompted the NT intervention, a report 73 communities have reportedly improved “And there are ... more health services to shows. significantly under forced income manage- reduce chronic disease and treat eye and Ma c k l i n h a n d s d o w n ment measures. ear complaints in children.” NT Minister for Child Protection Ma- larndirri McCarthy on Wednesday handed intervention r e p o r t The report showed shopping habits had The number of preventable diseases in down the first annual report by the Chil- changed after the “initial mistrust and con- children under the age of five, such as mal- dren’s Commissioner showing that the NT c a r d fusion about income management abated”. nutrition, ear infection and skin bacteria, government had only fully adopted 12 of dropped significantly in the first year of the recommendations made by the Little More than 68 per cent of all store opera- the intervention, although it’s believed the Children are Sacred report in 2007. tors reported an increase in the amount of number of reported cases will not drop healthy food, such as fruit and vegetables, again this year. - AAP She said the commissioner’s findings had being purchased. prompted her decision to seek the inde- This article by Larine Statham originally ap- pendent inquiry, which would examine More cases of child abuse and sub- However, the sale of some goods such as peared on the 12th November in Issue 190 of the the recent cases of alleged abuse as well stance abuse are being reported in remote cigarettes remained unchanged. National Indigenous Times. as the Territory’s child protection system. Northern Territory communities because of a stronger police presence, the federal While the report found substance abuse- Ps.Larissa Bernhadht wrote in her column “What the commissioner’s report has government says. related incidents had increased by 77 per in NIT on the 12th November: “There have highlighted to me is that we were starting cent since the intervention began, figures been 14,610 since the intervention and 80 to perhaps go off course and I have now A six-month progress report on the federal such as these are understood to have percent have resulted in referrals of some pulled it back directly on course and, that intervention into remote Aboriginal com- increased due to the criminalisation of kind. said, we must maintain the care of our munities, posted on the internet, shows alcohol possession. children as the absolute priority,” Ms Mc- only a handful of the measures included in What is not included here is that while the Carthy told reporters in Darwin. the Northern Territory Emergency Re- Ms Macklin’s spokesperson attributes intervention health checks in the Katherine sponse (NTER) have so far produced posi- the increase in substance abuse to higher region have reached 74 percent of children The announcement comes just two weeks tive outcomes. police numbers. in the area, the community health service after the Department of Health and Fami- screens 96 percent of children... lies was accused of failing to fully investi- Despite the introduction of several mea- “(It) has resulted in more reporting in a gate warnings about a baby that ended up sures to combat child abuse, the report number of offences including violence, The other piece of information in the report with brain damage. - Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory alcohol and child abuse,” she said in a indicating the government’s lack of rigour - shows confirmed instances of child abuse statement. in policy analysis is the section on welfare Several similar cases emerged in the days rose from 66 cases in 2006/07 to 227 in the quarantining. that followed. last financial year. The spokesperson said Ms Macklin’s of- fice was focused on increasing housing in Success benchmarks are measured by how Child protection workers spoke out about According to the report, the mobile child remote areas, where 73 percent of children much money has been quarantined ($197.7 being confronted with a huge backlog of protection team investigated 236 cases of under the age of one are at risk of sudden million), how many BasicsCards have been cases, hundreds of which, they said, had abuse across 40 Aboriginal communities in infant death syndrome due to bed over- handed out (95.9 percent of income man- not been touched in years. the first six months of 2009, resulting in 28 crowding, and improving school attendance aged customers had the cards [how are children being taken into care. Convictions rates. the 4.1 percent who don’t have the card When the cases emerged, Ms McCarthy for the sexual assault of a child rose from accessing their quarantined money?]) and announced that Children’s Commissioner 15 prior to the NTER, to 22 since the inter- From 2007 to 2009 the number of primary how many people are signed up (73 com- Howard Bath would compile a report vention began under the Howard govern- and secondary school students enrolled in munities and 10 town camp regions). There looking into the Territory’s child abuse ment in 2007. remote NT communities increased by 610, is no mention of how it is assessed in terms notification system and report back by the but the average attendance rate of 63 per of improving people’s lives. end of the year. “There is a lot more to do and we are de- cent remained much the same, the report termined to continue to deliver the struc- http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 8 November2009 “Very clearly the UN Committee on Economic improve literacy, they can only do so if they are Wagiman Electronic Dictionary Social and Cultural Rights in its latest report properly supported. (May 2009) to the federal government, acknowledged the loss of Aboriginal languages Connie Nugarrayi Walit, an interpreter for It has been a long time coming as several of and encouraged the government to look at the Yuendumu health centre and a school and so it felt especially good to be able to see bilingual education and to reinforce and to counsellor, told NIT she agreed with critics a finished product, and better yet, to give it support bilingual education,” he said. who say there are consequences that come back to the community. The electronic diction- with employing disinterested non-Indigenous ary now contains all that up-to-date informa- The commissioner also pointed out three UN teachers, a growing feature of the English tion. We also managed to produce sound Bi Lingual conventions the Australian government has medium programs which are replacing bilingual files for the majority of lexical entries in the ratified in the past, including the United Nations programs. She said that there needs to be more dictionary. There are around 1250 sound files Education Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Aboriginal teachers in the system to support in the dictionary altogether, totalling some 15 in April this year. All three UN instruments Indigenous students’ learning. With all the minutes of high-quality audio. support the rights of Indigenous peoples to current government’s talk of creating jobs for create their own education systems and teach Indigenous people in remote communities, The Wagiman community are very pleased and learn in their “native tongue”. like most other jobs in service provision in with the dictionary, and all enjoyed listen- communities, white people from the cities are ing to the marluga¹ who recorded each of In early July, a group of Indigenous and non- Wendy Baarda, a retired teacher and being hired to work in schools. Often, these the sounds. The Wagiman people were also Indigenous experts called on the government to Yuendumu community leader said her school non-Indigenous teachers are not passionate excited to see the mobile phone version of reverse its decision to scrap bilingual education had already implemented the NT policy. She about Indigenous education, don’t speak the the dictionary. It’s not quite as complete as in remote Indigenous communities. In the N.T., told the forum nearly all the children in the local language, have no understanding of the the computer based dictionary; it contains far most Indigenous children are multilingual, community begin speaking Warlpiri as their local culture, and have no understanding of the fewer sound files (around 300), and doesn’t speaking one or more Indigenous languages, first and only language and only use English lives, experiences and difficulties in education contain the sometimes lengthy dictionary learning English as a second, third or sometimes in school. Mrs Baarda was involved in the first faced by their students. They also don’t stay comments that accompany many lexical en- fourth language. Following a conference in years of implementation of a bilingual program long - people come from the cities to get a tries. This is an unfortunate constraint of the Canberra, education experts made it clear that in the community in 1974, and said that prior job that can give them work experience to be size of a standard mobile phone screen. bilingual education programs are the best way to the program only four out of 16 students able to go back to the city and get the jobs for children whose first language is Indigenous could read or write in English. She said since the they really want, creating a high turnover I also met with representatives of the North- to learn, and especially the best way for them introduction of a bilingual system, the numbers of inexperienced teachers which poses a ern Territory Department of Education, who to learn English. of literate students has increased dramatically. significant disadvantage to the students. were interested in supporting the dictionary and possible collaboration into the future. The This comes as part of growing concerns around “Warlpiri people have changed and adapted at “You have to teach [the children] in their Wagiman have given the tick, and the Depart- the impact of the March decision of the NT an enormous rate, way beyond generational mother tongue first. You are preparing them for ment are going to go ahead and install the government to replace bilingual programs in changes in our society,” Mrs Baarda said. that second language.” dictionary on all the computers in the schools remote Indigenous schools with a mandatory “But still the government thinks they haven’t in Katherine as a first step. We’re hoping that four hours of English per day, leaving only one changed fast enough. They think they can force Already there have been numerous reports we’ll also be able to get the Northern Territory hour a day for children to be taught in their first Walrpiri people to conform to mainstream emerging that strongly criticise the government Library on our side and install the dictionaries language. lifestyle, educational and employment levels policy, saying it ignores consistent evidence of on library computers. That way, most comput- by government decree. Even if they wanted to, the improved literacy outcomes as a result of ers accessed by children and young adults in The forum was attended by Aboriginal people can’t change so quickly.” bilingual education programs, the dismissal of the area will have the Wagiman dictionary and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice community and teacher consultation results installed. Commissioner, Tom Calma who said the Mrs Baarda, who still tutors and does voluntary which showed students and teachers wanted to decision has been “ill conceived”, and work at the school, said that the Warlpiri value keep the system in place, and a significant body In addition to the computer- and mobile perpetuated by the federal government. their language and culture and that “losing of opinion which demonstrates that health and phone-based dictionaries, we have also been language and culture doesn’t mean you take social factors are the central factor in education looking to produce a printed version. “Particularly in a bilingual teaching on other language and culture.... They don’t difficulties for students in remote communities. environment, it’s important that the first part want to, they don’t want to be the same as Perhaps the most important thing to come of the day is devoted to [the first] language and white people. All of the time it works really well Former NT Education Minister Marion out of this particular project is the demonstra- to [then] progressively develop competencies giving children a realistic role model. They can Scrymgeour, however, says that she doesn’t tion that accessible electronic dictionaries for in English.” be like an Aboriginal teacher. They will never regret the decision to scrap the program, which Indigenous languages can be produced for grow up to be a white person. These are the has only ever operated in nine schools in the relatively little extra effort, provided that the language in question has been adequately Mr Calma noted previous NT government best role models, they are good, hardworking, NT. reports show students who learn in a bilingual committed people of their communities.” described. Although for many languages, this environment actually progress quicker in their remains a significant obstacle. later years of schooling and in their English As an educator, the former teacher said that the competencies. benefits of bilingual education are numerous, This is an edited version of a post that original adding that while bilingual programs do appeared on: www.matjin-nehen.com Aboriginal health services in Redfern in Flexibility needed in inner Sydney, Broken Hill and Wilcannia A CASE IN POINT only way that Patrick can get to Perth Remote Aboriginal work in western NSW, Katherine in the NT and is to fly into Alice Springs and then fly out Broome in WA’s Kimberley, all effective in there. With no family or support network A belief by governments that legislation and dealing with health issues confronting their Patrick Tjungurrayi is a well known and the bureaucracy is the best way to deliver communities. respected Aboriginal artist of around 70 in either of those towns Patrick Tjungur- services to remote Australia is a fallacy years of age who lives in the remote WA rayi has said that they are not an option. according to Fred Hollows Foundation chief Mr Doolan said his organisation, which community of Kiwirrkurra. He is a share Brian Doolan. worked with blindness prevention and health bodies throughout Africa, Asia holder in Papyuna Tula Arts and last The saddest part is that in 2004 after Mr Doolan said the key to overcoming and Australia, had focused on building year won the inaugural WA Indigenous auctioning of some paintings in Sydney, stagnation in remote Aboriginal relationships with “people on the ground” Art Awards. He is also a senior law man including one that Patrick Tjungurrayi communities was creating flexibility and who knew what they were doing, had drive, moving decision-making powers from energy and a long-term commitment to the who looks after ceremony and country oversaw which fetched $300 000, Pa- various levels of faraway governments to problem at hand. between Balgo, Kiwirrukurra and Walun- pyuna Tula bought dialysis machines for those on the ground. gurru. He has kidney failure and needs Kintore which meant family living in Alice “Relationships are far more important than Mr Doolan, while stressing that the legislation in countries such as Vietnam,” dialysis. Patrick would have been one of Springs and receiving. Kintore is 140 km foundation had dealt effectively with he said, adding that the “greater realisation the many using the Renal Dialysis Unit in away from Kiwirrkurra. As a WA resident various levels of Australian governments was that our outcomes were far more Alice Springs. That was until earlier this however Patrick Tjungurrayi is not able to and was primarily involved in health issues, important than the processes”. said policies involving service delivery to year when the NT Department of Health use the dialysis unit he helped pay for. Australia’s remote corners were often set Flexibility was vital and there were lessons and Families informed the SA and WA up to empower bureaucracies, not those in overseas successes. “There is a much Governments that there are 163 dialysis who needed help. better mindset in Vietnam, for example, and we often work around those (legislative patients in and only 36 chairs they would PS. On the 13th November the Health Minis- He said the “honest truth” was that the or regulatory) barriers,” Mr Doolan said. not be able to take anymore people from ters of the NT, SA and WA meet in Adelaide to capacity of the public service to deliver was interstate. discuss the issue of renal failure and interstate “limited”. He said the bureaucracy’s inability dialysis. Although no outcome was made in to integrate into remote areas was “I remember Mick Dodson telling John understandable. As Miriam Raphael reported in the Cen- terms of WA/SA funding the cost of citizen ac- Howard during a reconciliation lunch in tralian Advocate on 27th October “while cessing diaylsis or assurances that the borders Melbourne a couple of years back that It was difficult to retain good staff in it appears like a valid decision considering would be re-opened the Governments did although the public service was often well- the outback. And there were “so many recognise the importance of Alice Springs as a meaning, it just couldn’t deliver on the cultural considerations” complicating those the current strain on resources, ‘closing health hub for the tri-state region. promises,” Mr Doolan said. significant issues. the borders’, has exposed the human cost of drawing such tight boundaries.” Meanwhile the Alice Springs Hospital has said “I tend to agree with him. In Australia, “We need a more localised approach. Time we work with many inspirational people, and again, it’s what every commission they will trial night time dialysis from Febru- key individuals. While we deal effectively and inquiry has found -- we need greater As a result of this change Patrick’s referral ary. They also say that the review of the no with key government departments, we flexibility at the local level and that allows was sent to Kalgoorlie some 1800 kilome- new interstate patients will be reassessed after find that we get much better outcomes by people on the ground to control how they June next year. empowering key individuals.” go about things,” Mr Doolan said. tres away. Kalgoorlie renal unit is current- ly at capacity and so the referral was past Legislation should be used only asa “This should not be about how good the on to Perth. With no flights or rail route starting point, as regulations often got in bureaucracy is, but what the outcomes from Kiwirrkurra to Perth ironically the the way of results, he said. He highlighted are.” the “excellent work” of the autonomous http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 9 November2009 I would also note a need to move Un Special RapporteUr Report on Australia deliberately to adopt genuine reconciliation measures, such as the The Government of Australia is to be proposed recognition of the rights of commended for taking significant steps Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander to improve the human rights and socio- peoples in a charter of rights to be economic conditions of the Aboriginal and included in the Constitution. I am Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, pleased that the Government has as well as for its recent expression of expressed its willingness in this support for United Nations Declaration regard, and I urge it to provide a high on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and priority to this initiative. As has been for its apology to the victims of the Stolen stressed to me by the indigenous Generation. After several days in Australia representatives with whom I have listening and learning, however, I have met, constitutional recognition and observed a need to develop new initiatives protection of the rights of Aboriginal and reform existing ones— in consultation and Torres Straight Islander peoples and in real partnership with indigenous would provide a measure of long-term peoples—to conform with international security for these rights, and provide standards requiring genuine respect for an important building block for cultural integrity and self-determination. reconciliation and a future of harmonious relations between indigenous and non- Over the past 11 days, I have met with indigenous parts of Australian society. Government authorities, representatives of indigenous communities and organisations, Furthermore, it is important to note and others, in Canberra, South Australia, that securing the rights of indigenous Western Australia, the Northern Territory, peoples to their lands is of central Queensland and New South Wales. I have importance to indigenous peoples’ visited a number of indigenous communities socioeconomic development, self- in both remote and urban areas, and have determination, and cultural integrity. collected information from several sources. Continued efforts to resolve, clarify, and I would like to express my appreciation for strengthen the protection of indigenous the support of the Government and to the lands and resources should be made. indigenous individuals and organisations In this regard, government initiatives to that provided indispensible support address the housing needs of indigenous in planning and coordinating the visit. Professor Anaya, Les Maelzer, Barbara Shaw and Professor Anaya’s assistant visiting Larapinta Town Camp Mpartnwe/Alice Springs August 20th photo: Pru Gell peoples, should avoid imposing leasing or by the Government’s own account is an Beyond the matter of the Northern duplicate or replace the programmes of other arrangements that would undermine During my time in Australia, I have extraordinary measure, especially in its Territory Emergency Response, I am Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders indigenous peoples’ control over their been impressed with demonstrations of income management regime, imposition concerned that there is a need to already in place, or that undermine local lands. I also urge the Government to comply strong and vibrant indigenous cultures of compulsory leases, and community- incorporate into government programmes decision-making through indigenous with the recommendations concerning and have been inspired by the strength, wide bans on alcohol consumption and a more holistic approach to addressing peoples’ own institutions. In addition, indigenous lands and resources made by resilience and vision of indigenous pornography. These measures overtly indigenous disadvantage across the international human rights norms, including the treaty-monitoring bodies of the United communities determined to move toward discriminate against aboriginal peoples, country, one that is compatible with those contained in the United Nations Nations, including the recommendation a better future despite having endured infringe their right of self-determination and the objective of the United Nations Declaration, affirmatively guarantee theof the Committee on the Elimination tremendous suffering at the hands of stigmatize already stigmatized communities. Declaration of securing rights for right of indigenous peoples to participate of Racial Discrimination to advance in historical forces and entrenched racism. indigenous peoples, and addresses not just fully at all levels of decision making in matters discussions with Aboriginal and Torres It is clear that these historical forces I would like to stress that affirmative social and economic wellbeing, but also which may affect their rights, lives and Straight Islanders about possible continue to make their presence known measures by the Government to the integrity of indigenous communities destinies, as well as to maintain and develop amendments to the Native Title Act and today, manifesting themselves in serious address the extreme disadvantage faced and cultures, and their self-determination. their own decision-making institutions and finding solutions acceptable to all. disparities between indigenous and non- by indigenous peoples and issues of safety programmes. Further, adequate options indigenous parts of society, including in for children and women are not only This approach must involve a real and alternatives for socio-economic terms of life expectancy, basic health, justified, but they are in fact required under partnership between the Government development and violence prevention education, unemployment, incarceration, Australia’s international human rights and the indigenous peoples of Australia, programmes should be developed in full children placed under care and protection obligations. However, any such measure to move towards a future, as described consultation with affected indigenous orders, and access to basic services must be devised and carried out with due by Prime Minister Rudd in his apology communities and organisations. regard of the rights of indigenous peoples to indigenous peoples last year, that is to self-determination and to be free “based on mutual respect, mutual resolve It is also necessary to ensure the from racial discrimination and indignity. and mutual responsibility,” and that is also meaningful, direct participation of fully respectful of the rights of Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander In this connection, any special measure and Torres Straight Islander peoples to peoples in the design of programmes and that infringes on the basic rights of maintain their distinct cultural identities, policies at the national level, within a forum indigenous peoples must be narrowly languages, and connections with traditional that is genuinely representative of the tailored, proportional, and necessary lands, and to be in control of their own rights and interests of indigenous peoples. to achieve the legitimate objectives destinies under conditions of equality. In this regard, I welcome the initiative that being pursued. In my view, the Northern is supported by the Government to move Territory Emergency Response is not. In Given what I have learned thus far, it towards development of a model for a new my opinion, as currently configured and would seem to me that the objectives national indigenous representative body and carried out, the Emergency Response is of the closing the gap campaign, the emphasise that indigenous participation in incompatible with Australia’s obligations Emergency Response, and other current the development of this body is fundamental. Finally, I would like to reiterate the under the Convention on the Elimination initiatives and proposed efforts of the importance of the United Nations of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and Government will be best achieved in At the same time, I would like to echo the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous the International Covenant on Civil and partnership with indigenous peoples’ own statements I have heard from indigenous Peoples for framing and evaluating Political Rights, treaties to which Australia institutions and decision-making bodies, leaders of the need for indigenous peoples legislation, policies, and actions that is a party, as well as incompatible which are those that are most familiar with themselves to continue to strengthen their Les Maelzer and Professor Anaya in the Senate Chambers Canberra affect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait with the Declaration on the Rights the local situations. It is worth stressing that own organisational and local governance Islanders Peoples. The Declaration of Indigenous Peoples, to which during my visit, I have observed numerous capacity, in order to meet the challenges expresses the global consensus on the Given these disparities, the Government Australia has affirmed its support. successful indigenous programmes already faced by their communities, and in rights of indigenous peoples and has developed and implemented a number in place to address issues of alcoholism, this connection I note the corresponding state obligations on of important initiatives in order to “close I note with satisfaction that a process domestic violence, health, education, and importance of restoring or building the basis of universal human rights. the gap” of indigenous disadvantage to reform the Emergency Response other areas of concern, in ways that are strong and healthy relationships I recommend that the Government within a wide range of social and economic is currently underway and that the culturally appropriate and adapted to local within families and communities. undertake a comprehensive review of all areas, with a stated emphasis on women Government has initiated consultations needs, and these efforts need to be included its legislation, policies, and programmes and children, and these programmes with indigenous groups in the Northern in and supported by the Government that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait must continue to be improved and Territory in this connection. I hope response, both logistically and financially. Islanders in light of the Declaration. strengthened. I would also like to that amendments to the Emergency In particular, it is essential to provide stress that I have learned of numerous Response will diminish or remove its continued funding to programmes that programmes in place by indigenous discriminatory aspects and adequately have already demonstrated achievements. This is a slightly edited version of the Statement authorities and organisations at the local, take into account the rights of that the UN Special Rapportuer on human rights regional and national levels that have been aboriginal peoples to self determination I did observe a number of Government and the fundamental freedoms of Indigenous working effectively to address the many and culture integrity, in order to bring this partnerships with local initiatives that Peoples, Professor James Anaya, gave in problems that their communities face. Government initiative in line with Australia’s appear to be succeeding, but I also Canberra on the 27th August as conclusion to international obligations. Furthermore, heard many accounts of situations his trip to Australia. A further report is due to Aspects of the Government’s initiatives I urge the Government to act swiftly to in which Government programmes be completed later on in the year and will be to remedy situations of indigenous reinstate the protections of the Racial fail to take into account existing local able to be found at www2.ohrhc.com. disadvantage, however, raise concerns. Discrimination Act in regard to the indigenous programmes already in place, hampering Professor James Anaya addressing the media in Canberra Of particular concern is the Northern peoples of the Northern Territory. their ultimate success. In this connection, Territory Emergency Response, which I am concerned about any initiatives that http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 10 November2009 I would also note a need to move deliberately to adopt genuine reconciliation measures, such as the Many Voices of Concern: proposed recognition of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander A letter from Ampilatwatja to peoples in a charter of rights to be included in the Constitution. I am the UN Special Rapporteur pleased that the Government has expressed its willingness in this regard, and I urge it to provide a high priority to this initiative. As has been stressed to me by the indigenous representatives with whom I have This destruction across the world Infrastructure Program across the met, constitutional recognition and I bring with me many voices of concern, from my leader’s who are custodians of shows that we have not listened and Northern Territory, designed to alleviate protection of the rights of Aboriginal we have not taken note of how best the chronic overcrowding and the physical and Torres Straight Islander peoples our traditions and customs, passed down over generations, for many thousands to protect our environment, species of and social issues that result from this, would provide a measure of long-term animals and plants, cultures, languages, and to address significant and persistent security for these rights, and provide of years; leaders who are the caretakers of our lands through our dreaming, traditions and customs of all people. under-funding and under-resourcing for an important building block for decades by all persuasions of government. reconciliation and a future of harmonious mother earth, and spirits - still with us to this day, watching over all of us. Today, and since the introduction of the This program is now being investigated relations between indigenous and non- “intervention” in 2007, Indigenous people by the NT government, and has caused indigenous parts of Australian society. These leaders saw our children with lighter across the Northern Territory are facing a at least one minister to resign from her renewed and sustained level of destruction party and very nearly lost Paul Henderson, Furthermore, it is important to note skins (termed half caste) taken away, because they were of a different colour to and denial of our basic human rights and the Labor party, government. that securing the rights of indigenous under the Federal government’s Northern peoples to their lands is of central our people. Some of these children were never to return, but were lost in a world Territory Emergency Response, introduced We were told recently by the Minister for importance to indigenous peoples’ under the guise of protecting children. Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, that socioeconomic development, self- of inhumane treatment perpetrated by the governments’ policies of assimilation Ampilatwatja Community will not have determination, and cultural integrity. The policies that were developed, passed any new house’s built - that there is not a Continued efforts to resolve, clarify, and and attempt to destroy our culture. Some returned in their late 50’s and 60’s, only to through parliament quickly, implemented great enough need. The sewerage system strengthen the protection of indigenous with martial law, and which were supported upgrades only commenced 5 weeks lands and resources should be made. find emptiness, as the older generation had already moved on to join our ancestral spirits. by the Labor party while in opposition,are after our people walked out of houses In this regard, government initiatives to having serious and detrimental effects and yards flooded with raw sewerage. address the housing needs of indigenous on Aboriginal people across the NT. The Government Business Manager has peoples, should avoid imposing leasing or Since colonization we have endured much hardship, cruelty, theft, promised some housing upgrades and other arrangements that would undermine The NTER breaches many articles of the repairs to existing buildings - and the indigenous peoples’ control over their genocide, and destruction of our culture, traditions, customs and laws. United Nations DECLARATION on the Rights massive commitment of a “rubbish” truck. lands. I also urge the Government to comply of INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, which Australia with the recommendations concerning proudly declared, through its minister for Yet we hear the Prime Minister and the indigenous lands and resources made by We are people who are very easy to forgive and move on; this we have done for over Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, that it Indigenous Affairs minister boasting the treaty-monitoring bodies of the United has endorsed or signed it, and that this that they are now closing the gap on Nations, including the recommendation 200 years, with no resentment and hatred, but always willing to extend our hands shows “our faith in a new era of relations all issues, under Council of Australian of the Committee on the Elimination between states and Indigenous peoples in Government ministers’ agreements and the of Racial Discrimination to advance in and welcome our fellow human beings to embrace them as one with our spiritual lands. good faith, good will and mutual respect”. Northern Territory Emergency Response. discussions with Aboriginal and Torres Yet it has not yet bound the Declaration to Straight Islanders about possible Yet the governments and the agencies Australian government legislation or any Release the chains of control; give us amendments to the Native Title Act and process of implementation and continues our freedom; let us walk once again finding solutions acceptable to all. have always continued their false pretence of charity, giving a little, while to perpetrate racially discriminatory laws as free human beings on this earth still retaining the power and taking away and increasingly so, across Australia. (our mother), with our ancestors, everything they could with the other hand. spirits, songs, and ceremonies. We seek the support of the UN Special Indigenous people have always put people Rapporteur, Prof. James Anaya, and other Let us share our richness of of different races and cultures first; above international human rights bodies, to advise cultures with others. We are all selfishness, above any personal wishes. the Australian Government to recognize that, one blood and connected through under Article 1, Indigenous people have the our spiritual dreams of pathways, We have always put our children alongside rights to the full enjoyment, as a collective Earth, Water, Trees, Sky, and us so they may learn the ways of our people or as individuals, of all human rights and Wind, which carry our thoughts through teaching, listening, and stories from fundamental freedoms as recognized in and spirits across all continents. their elders. They learned about life, the the charter of the United Nations, the interconnection of all living things, breeding Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Let us once again embrace our cycles of all animals on our lands, and the international human rights law; and Article younger generation into our folds songs that go with each animal; so they 27, to ensure to establish and implement, to show and give them guidance, too have a place on earth. The songs and in conjunction with the indigenous peoples as these are our next generation of ceremonies were to ensure the continual concerned, a fair, independent, impartial, leaders who are lost between two survival of animals and it was our ownership, open and transparent process, giving due worlds (cultures) but are at the cross Professor James Anaya delivering this speech at the National our responsibility to ensure no part of recognition to indigenous peoples’ laws, roads between light and darkness. Library in Canberaa on August 27th traditions, customs and land tenure systems, Finally, I would like to reiterate the those traditions and customs were lost. We have an opportunity and one importance of the United Nations chance in our life time to get it Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous right. Let your hearts guide you, Peoples for framing and evaluating not your government policies legislation, policies, and actions that which are at the core of the affect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait destruction of Aboriginal people. Islanders Peoples. The Declaration expresses the global consensus on the Richard Downs rights of indigenous peoples and corresponding state obligations on A man who takes away another the basis of universal human rights. man’s freedom is a prisoner of I recommend that the Government hatred; he is locked behind the undertake a comprehensive review of all bars of prejudice and narrow- its legislation, policies, and programmes mindedness. I am not truly free if that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait I am taking away someone else’s Islanders in light of the Declaration. freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from Today we see a great decline in all our species to recognize and adjudicate the rights of me. The oppressed and the oppressor This is a slightly edited version of the Statement indigenous peoples pertaining to their lands, alike are robbed of their humanity. that the UN Special Rapportuer on human rights across the world; all the living creatures that we were to protect through our songs territories and resources, including those Nelson Mandela - Freedom - and the fundamental freedoms of Indigenous which were traditionally owned or otherwise Compassion Peoples, Professor James Anaya, gave in and ceremonies to ensure the cycle of life continues for all, and to ensure there was occupied or used. Indigenous peoples shall Canberra on the 27th August as conclusion to have the rights to participate in this process. The greatest glory in living his trip to Australia. A further report is due to a place for them along side our human lies not in never falling, but be completed later on in the year and will be brothers and sisters across the world. But our friends have now moved on with others, There has not been one house built for in rising every time we fall. able to be found at www2.ohrhc.com. continuing to follow, as we will all do one day. Aboriginal people since the government’s Nelson Mandela - Inspirational - Great announcement of $672 million for - Challenges – Determination the Strategic Indigenous Housing and http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 11 November2009 games as our lives get worse. They are keeping of the laws. We want the resources wasted on the RDA suspended so they can threaten the “Intervention” to go directly to communities to Alice Springs town camps with compulsory meet our real social needs. acquisition and force communities to sign long term leases. The Minister will not get away with this. The idea that taking Aboriginal land, housing and When they finally re-instate the RDA it will be basic human rights away “for our benefit” is to entrench the racist intervention - not to the same paternalism that created the Stolen restore our rights. The Minister is claiming that Generations. the Intervention can be classified as a series of “special measures” under the RDA, operating The people at Ampilatwatja have walked off “for the benefit” of Aboriginal people. in protest against the Intervention and we are standing up across the NT. We are part of a How would the Minister like it if someone took growing movement around the country - includ- her house, quarantined her money, controlled ing unions, human rights and church groups. where she shopped, ate and slept, and then told Rudd’s Apology feels hollow two years on - we her it was all for her benefit? have been betrayed once again. We are calling for protest rallies across Australia on February The Minister will claim that her department has 13 2010. “consulted” with Aboriginal people, that we have somehow given consent to these laws. Racism is not a special measure. No more bro- ken promises – it’s time to break the Interven- But the consultation process was a sham from tion. the beginning. Public servants mostly pa- tronised communities with a government story PS. A letter has also been endorsed by over 150 Whilst in Opposition the Labour Party of him. about how the Intervention is working. Australia made the promise to residents different organisations including World Vision impacted by the NT Intervention that they Minister Jenny Macklin has once again broken a demanding the immediate re-instatement of The “Future Directions for the NTER” document the RDA as promised. would re-instate the Racial Discrimination clear promise given to Aboriginal people in the that consultations are based on gave no real Act (1975). This promise was reiterated NT. On many occasions she gave her word that choice to Aboriginal people about the Interven- earlier this year with Federal Indigenous the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) would be tion. Leaked documents from the Minister’s of- On the 19th of November the Federal Minister Minister Jenny Macklin promising firstly re-instated in the October sittings of parliament fice prove that we were never consulted about of Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin announced this year. Minister Macklin also gave this prom- compulsory acquisition of our land under the that they would introduce legislation to re- that it would be re-instated by the end of ise to the UN Committee for the Elimination of September sittings. As the year rolled on 5-year lease, because the government knew we instate the the RDA next week but debate and Racial Discrimination, following a complaint by would not consent. the act itself wouldn’t be re-instated until next this promise was altered to “the RDA will many of us from ‘Prescribed Areas’. year. Proving once again that when it comes to be re-instated during the October sittings We were asked which brand of compulsory In- of Parliament.” On the 29th October- the This is unacceptable treatment. Racism and Indigneous Affairs in this country promises are come Management we would like, what kind of easily broken. last day of October sittings- when the re- divisions increase and living conditions deterio- alcohol controls or police powers. But communi- instatement of the RDA had not been put rate each day the Act remains suspended and ties have said many times we want an end to all before parliament the following statement, the Intervention measures remain in place. We racist control measures. are like outcasts - denied basic rights afforded signed by 40 residents of prescribed areas to other Australians. in the NT, was read outside Warren Snow- We clearly made these statements again through this round of “consultations”. Get rid dons office in Alice Springs and handed to We know the government is playing legal arships if their land is selected and the government is likely to use this payment to Clearly, there is an opportunity to use this say the facility is for the benefit of the local extra time to initiate a better process of “We w a n t t h e m t o s t o p i t ” Aboriginal community. radioactive waste management. The pressure on remote communities to Around the world there is a growing accept high impact projects in return for awareness that community involvement in funding is a worrying trend. Both federal radioactive waste management decisions and Territory governments have slashed is essential for projects to move forward Re s i s t a n c e t o a radioactive w a s t e funding to the majority of remote Territory and come to fruition. Minister Martin outstations and communities, with policies Ferguson continues to lag behind interna- d u m p i n t h e No r t h e r n Te r r i t o r y directing funding to only a small number of tional trends with every week he delays on proposed ‘growth towns’. This abdication repealing the Howard-era dump laws. of responsibility goes hand in hand with encouragement for communities to either As Ferguson fiddles, the pressure on Aus- move to the ‘growth towns’, accept tied tralia to build an international high level background: Barbara Shaw, posioned country funding (like in return for a nuclear dump) waste dump continues to grow, with the or partner with companies wanting to idea publicly advocated by former Prime Years of inaction by the ALP on radioac- a standard answer ‘cut and paste’ and sent explore, mine or develop in the region, to Minister Bob Hawke and a number of high tive waste management has strengthened back to all written correspondence. gain private sector funding for infrastruc- profile nuclear industry figures. Though the the resolve of communities fighting a ture and services. ALP maintains a platform opposing impor- project left decaying from the Howard The most coherent (though worrying) re- tation and storage of high level radioactive government era- the plan to force a federal sponse to queries about when the legisla- materials, the ongoing secrecy surrounding radioactive waste dump on the Northern tive repeal will occur has been in recent the domestic dump process is a worrying Territory. months, with a grand announcement that benchmark. he will not consult with targeted communi- The plan was announced in 2005 by (for- ties until after a decision on a ‘preferred Radioactive waste management bridges mer) Science Minister Brendan Nelson, and site’ has been made. many portfolios. The Ministers for In- at the time was strongly criticised by the digenous Affairs, Environment, Health, ALP opposition. There were clear pre elec- Presumably Mr Ferguson is hoping that the Transport and Science have been sitting tion commitments from Labor to repeal targeted communities will get sick of wait- back and letting Ferguson push ahead with the federal laws allowing the dump to be ing for an announcement and wind down the Howard government plan, but it is time forced on the NT. Many ALP Senators and their campaign. for them to also stand up and break this senior politicans made theatrical speeches Audrey McCormack, Barbara Shaw and Diane Stokes deadlock. in parliament complaining the process was There is however, ongoing, fierce resis- outside Senate Enquiry Alice Springs November 2008 riding roughshod over the rights of Tradi- tance from people at all of the targeted Despite the financial incentive, many The fight to stop the dump proposed for tional Owners and other Territorians. areas, and support is steadily growing Traditional Owners remain steadfastly South Australia was a decade long battle, around the country. opposed. Dianne Stokes, Muckaty commu- but in the end the determination and However for the last two years, the ALP nity spokesperson, has travelling tirelessly resilience of the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta has been quiet on the issue, with carriage Four areas in the NT are still under assess- around the country to speak against the defeated the plan. given completely to pro nuclear Minister ment – three are Department of Defence dump proposal. When recently asked her Martin Ferguson, who has not visited any sites and the fourth is an area in the Muck- message to the government, Dianne said Mrs Eileen Wingfield, who was instru- of the proposed areas and refuses to en- aty Land Trust, nominated for assessment clearly “We want them to stop it. We mental in the success of the SA dump gage directly with affected communities. by the Northern Land Council. While the don’t want them to come back and ask campaign, expressed solidarity to the NT Howard era laws still stand, all of these again. They should have done it right the communities at the 2009 meeting of the Mitch, an Arrernte/Luritja woman who has sites are in contention, yet it is increasingly first time and we would have said no in Australian Nuclear Free Alliance, saying “if been fighting the dump since it was first looking like Muckaty is top of the list. the beginning. We don’t want them to they need help, we will come up there”. announced is angry that the Minister has come back and ask for our land. We want We need support from communities, trade not bothered to answers requests to visit The Department of Defence sites, con- Martin Ferguson to start listening. People unions, students, environment and health people on country. “Ferguson has still not sidered ‘Commonwealth land’, would not from the Muckaty Land Trust are saying groups around the country to build on de- consulted with affected people. Don’t be require any compensation to be paid to no to the nuclear waste dump”. cades of community resistance to the toxic afraid- we are the same as you. You are Traditional Owners or the NT government. nuclear industry and ensure the NT waste welcome to our community as previously. Two of these sites are located in the Cen- In October Senate Estimates questioning, dump plan is buried once and for all. If you won’t come, we want you to resign tral Land Council region, which supports a representative from the Department of and give the job to someone willing to Traditional Owners in their campaign to Resources, Energy and Tourism admitted consult”. say no to the dump. the first shipment of radioactive waste for more info checkout: returning from reprocessing overseas, ear- www.beyondnucleariniative.word- Letters, phone calls, faxes, emails and visits In contrast, Muckaty Traditional Owners marked for the NT dump, is not due back to Mr Ferguson’s offices in Melbourne and have been offered a $12 million package until mid-2015, adding years to the original press.com Canberra have been mostly ignored, with for roads, housing and education schol- schedule of a 2011 return date. http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 12 November2009 we go out there every weekend to get Australian bush medicine, bush tucker and kangaroos and I am also fighting against the (Northern Territory Emergency Response) Intervention. Nuclear Free All that area, its all under the Intervention. So I am fighting two wars at the moment, Alliance its making it really hard for us”. Audrey 2009 Meeting Statement McCormack (Alice Springs) “Since campaigning against the Intervention, The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) I have come to learn about uranium mining met on Nukunu country in Quorn, South and the waste dump issues in the NT. Today Australia, on the weekend of September th th people are playing a numbers game and the 5 -6 to take part in our annual national only way we can fight is we get the people gathering of Aboriginal people and NGOs, power and that’s what I am working towards focussing on grassroots resistance to the because its all about human rights for nuclear industry in Australia. everyone, everywhere”. Barbara Shaw (Mt Nancy Camp, Alice Springs) Over the past twelve years ANFA has brought together Aboriginal people living with, or threatened by, nuclear projects and uranium mining on their country, along with representatives from environment and Group ANFA photo, Quorn, SA photo: Nat Lowrey public health organisations who are actively opposing the industry. “Buthaoo Weir. Munda Yamadoo Iliga” – (No We are representatives of the Yamatji Marlpa poisons. Leave the land/ground as it is), Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation The ANFA committee is driven by Aboriginal Marsena Coleman-Richards. (Port Hedland), the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal voices and strengthened by community Corporation (Carnarvon region), Wangatha input. ANFA is a forum where our voices are “Leave our land clean and poison free, for People and the Noongar Nations. After truly heard and respected, and where we are our children, generation to generation”. Sue hearing their stories we understand the empowered through a genuinely supportive Haseldine (ANFA committee devastating impact of uranium mining on meeting process. A new committee was member). country, culture and families who have been elected at the gathering, with broad national affected from generation to generation. representation, including for the first time Traditional Owners & Bloodline Custodians Affecting the spirit of the land affects the Aboriginal representatives from WA and Qld. Some of the Women from NT giving a painting to the Nukunu at from South Australia spirit of our people. As land protectors we do Quorn, photo: Nat Lowrey not want our country to get sick, and will work This years gathering was attended by the At this years gathering Traditional Owners “The awi (water) is a precious and sacred together to keep it, and us strong.” following Aboriginal nations and NGOs; learnt there are many Aboriginal people who part of our culture and we know it must be share similar concerns about aspects of Native protected and kept clean for all Australians Title, especially in regards to uranium mining. and their future generations” said Nukunu (SA), Kokatha Mula (SA), Attendees demonstrated a clear opposition Adnyamathanha Elder Enice Marsh to new mines in the SA & NT, and are united Kokatha (SA), Noongar Nations (WA), in our stance against any attempt to impose a “The creek beds and waterways are being radioactive waste dump in the NT. Yamatji Marlpa Barna Baba Maaja carved up by exploration drill holes. Our Aboriginal Corporation (Port Hedland, land is being raped by mining companies All participants expressed anger and and we feel powerless to stop it because WA), Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal disappointment with federal Environment the governments are not taking care of Minister Peter Garrett, who recently approved Corporation (Carnarvon region, WA), the land like they should be. What good is Wangatha People (WA), Darumbal another uranium mine, Beverley Four Mile, in environmental legislation if the government SA, and the expansion of the Ranger uranium does not use it to protect our lands and Nation (Central Queensland), Warlpiri mine in Kakadu, NT. Participants stated waters” said Native Title Applicant Thathy The WA contigent at Quorn, Hands off. strongly that they do not want this poison (Central NT), Arrernte (Central NT), Anderson Traditional Owners & Bloodline Custodians Kaytetye (Central NT), Warumungu (uranium) going overseas to contaminate from Northern Territory - other countries and communities via nuclear Some of the impacts, from Uranium mining (Central NT), Anmatjere (Central NT), weapons, power stations/reactors or and radioactive tailings dams, on people and “The uranium industry has way too much radioactive waste stockpiles. Larrakia Nation (Darwin NT), West country have never been documented or support from both sides of federal politics, Mallee Protection, Anti Nuclear Alliance published, however, Aboriginal people on the the pro-nuclear lobby is very powerful in this ANFA members totally reject the misguided ground have , past and present, witnessed the country. Many generous concessions have of Western Australia, Ban Uranium notion that nuclear power is an answer impacts first hand. been granted to large companies - such as to climate change, due to : the enormous Mining Permanently campaign, Beyond free access and use of literally billions of litres Nuclear Initiative, Conservation Council amounts of fossil fuels and clean water “We have seen Kanagroo’s going blind, of clean Artesian waters – (ie BHP Billiton’s required to mine and process uranium, and birds with white sores on their legs”, Olympic Dam - SA water indenture act) of Western Australia, Top End Aboriginal unresolved issues of groundwaterc Geraldine Anderson enabling the rapid expansion of existing ontamination, increased transportation of Conservation Alliance, Mineral Policy mines, or the creation of new ones, often Institute, Friends of the Earth Australia, radioactive materials and radioactive waste Traditional Owners and Bloodline Custodians against the wishes of bona fide TOs. ANFA management - including highly toxic tailings from Western Australia is the only national anti-nuclear forum, that Australian Conservation Foundation, dams that will remain for millenia, the local listens to the voices of our people, we work environment long after the companies have Australian Student Environment “Uranium mining has not happened in WA hard,for no money, to get the word out to the Network, Arid Lands Environment gone. but there is a lot of talk that it could. We are wider community.” Donna Jackson concerned about this and have traveled across (re elected ANFA co-chair, 2009) Centre, Environment Centre NT An affiliated cultural group from South to Nukunu country, Southern Flinders Ranges Australia in South Australia. We have listened “I speak up on behalf of my brother and that’s to people who have been living with uranium one of the proposed waste dump areas and “Leave the poisons in the ground, no mining mining on their lands. the sad thing about it is he has a little tourism expansions anywhere”, Eileen Wingfield. business and that’s our hunting ground, (ANFA Honorary President).

Economic Development Options and their Australian law was also perceived as It was important to all who attended that Impacts and Institutional Governance not respecting Indigenous peoples Indigenous people should be recognised In d i g e n o u s Ex p e r ts Arrangements for the Effective cultural values and based only on short- as the key proponent for policy decision Management of Northern Water Resources. term economic vision. Historically making on the management of their water allocation(eg Ord River project) cultural, social and environmental Wa t e r Fu t u r e s Fo r u m Out of the meeting a taskforce demonstrated exclusion and marginalisation interests and commercial useses of water was established. Its role to look of Aboriginal people in planning and for their social and economic benefits. at: the Sustainable Capacity of the decision making processes at the significant Northern River Systems, the Economic detriment of Aboriginal groups in the for more information on indigenous Development Options and their Impacts region. The Kimberly Groups who attended and the Institutional and Governmental specifically voiced concerns that developers water projects go to: Arrangements for the effective won’t listen or understand Aboriginal Management of Northern Water Resources. views, cultural laws and right to water. www.nailsma.org.au Some key areas of concerned were also Delegates believed that they are only On the 5th-6th August about 80 indigenous raised. Many in attendance thought that considered to be worthy of consultation leaders from Northern Australia convened there was Institutional ignorance of the in regard to their cultural and subsistence for the statement in full go to: at Mary River, Northern Territory for the cultural values of water and the need to uses of water, but in fact demand to http://www.nailsma.org.au/fo- North Australian Indigenous Experts Water see water and land as one, and integral to participate in all levels of decision making. Futures Forum. The forum was convened Aboriginal culture. There was also concern Management and commercial uses of water rum/northern_water_futures_fo- by the North Australian Indigenous Land that many of the climate change predictions may be intended by governments to benefit rum.html and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). are based on “southern models” that are society and economic growth, but instead, not applicable to the north and do not can cause significant negative social and The forum looked at the Sustainable consider existing Indigenous Knowledge. cultural impacts on Indigenous people. capacity of the Northern Rivers, http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 13 November2009

children behind bars with filthy drinking water, deprived of basic education, malnourished and Some facts and figures very very frightened.” about Refugees in Austra- “Particularly confronting were conversations lia with unaccompanied minors, many of whom are housed in immigration jails with adult male At the end of 2008 UNHRC estimates there Ei g h t y e a r s o n , populations”, Taylor said. According to the were 15.2m refugees in the world, one third report, families are generally housed in more of them in our region. appropriate accommodation, when there are women and babies. However, there are many 13,750 places allocated by Australia for 13 to 17 year old children in adult jails, slipping humanitarian migration through the cracks because they are alone w h a t ’s c h a n g e d ? and do not have parents or siblings to look out 4,750 refugee applications to Australia last for them. The report observes that many are year orphans with no family at all, while some have families who sent them away from home after Australia takes less than one tenth of a per- older siblings were killed. cent of refugees in the world.

Taylor expressed her surprise at the hesitance 278,000 net total migration into Australia in of asylum seekers to get on a boat. “On one the year to March thing, the Australian government and the asylum seekers agree completely: that it is a 55% the rejection rate of refugee claims by terrible idea to attempt the boat journey to applicants by plane Yes it’s true that the complex is there and that Australia. Asylum seekers are horrified at the Reading and watching the news headlines the it should be used but there’s nothing to say prospect, and are driven to make an attempt 2-15% the rejection rate of refugee claims by past few weeks- and months for that matter- it the complex couldn’t be changed. Or at least only after they are convinced at the hopeless- arriving unauthorized by boat feels like we’ve travelled back eight years to with the expansion that the Government has ness of their situation. At the moment, there the start of the decade. Although the word announced those new buildings could be more is just no viable prospect of a safe, formal 48,500 people were in Australia last July un- “queue jumper” is not as prominent as it was communal and less like a prison. It would help resettlement into Australia” lawfully, nearly all of them got off a plane. back round the Tampa period the public debate Australia’s international human rights reputa- still seems to be stuck back in the same “we’ll tion. Where to then? 45,000 people in Australia unlawfully in decide who comes to this country and what cir- 1996. cumstances they’ll come in”. A xenophobic fear A humane policy that actually is humane, that mongering of invasion from a country whom “...This government is recognises the human story and courage of the 59,800 people in Australia unlawfully in close to 98% are descendants of immigrants stuck with a $400 million asylum seeker. An approach less rhetorical. As 2004. themselves. As the facts put it more people John Pilger in his speech the Great Australian are here illegally over staying their visas from resource that they’ve got Silence noted “in an essay for The Monthly It cost $400 million to build the detention flights than people putting their lives at risk by to use. They are making entitled Faith in Politics, Kevin Rudd wrote this centre on Christmas Island, to build the getting on a boat from Indonesia. Most people about refugees: same centre in NSW would cost $40 million who arrive in Australia by boat are accepted as the best of it, but it still is refugees, more than half of those who arrive by “The biblical injunction to care for the stranger Oxfam estimates it cost $1600 more, of plane and apply for refugee status are rejected. a prison.” in our midst is clear. The parable of the Good taxpayers money, to hold someone on And yet there is not the crack down. No in Samaritan is but one of many which deal with Christmas Island than on the mainland spite of the facts and the figures we seem like The Indonesian Solution the matter of how we should respond to a were falling back into a debate that’s happened vulnerable stranger in our midst …. We should There are currently 2107 people in Indo- before (sadly it’ll probably happen again.) It’s not just the detention of children on Christ- never forget that the reason we have a UN con- nesian detention centres who have been mas Island that echoes the policies of Howard vention on the protection of refugees is in large granted refugee status by the UNHRC and As David Marr pointed out in his September but as many media pundits have written the part because of the horror of the Holocaust have yet to find a place to relocate to Monthly Essay it’s not only the framework of Rudd negotiated “Indonesian Solution” is when the West (including Australia) turned its the public debate that seems to be languishing similar to Howards “Pacific Solution.” In fact as back on the Jewish people of occupied Europe In the 2008-09 year Australia accepted 35 but also the Government policies. The Rudd some have argued on places like Eureka Street who sought asylum.” Refugees from detenion centres in Indonesia Government although expeditating the time and in the fairfax media at least with the “Pa- in which asylum seekers are processed are still cific Solution” Australia was still in control, with Nowadays he is making statements like the fol- There are estimated, over six months since working within the framework of the Howard the “Indonesian Solution” it’s out of Australia’s lowing: “I make absolutely no apology whatso- the civil war ended, to be around 150 000 Governments policy and still in fact carrying out hand. And the problem of “illegal immigrants” ever,” he said, “for taking a hard line on illegal Tamils in Government Camps in Northern Sri many of the same contentious and morally cor- is placed into the hands of a country that is not immigration to Australia … a tough line on Lankan rupt policy. As David Marr wrote in the Sydney signed up to the UN convention on the rights of asylum seekers.”” Morning Herald on 28th October there are still Refugees. Currently there are 30 000 refugees in children living in detention on Christmas Island. Where’s the moral in that? Where’s the parable camps in Greece waiting for aslyum They may not be living behind barb wire as they As Pamela Curr, from the Aslyum Seekers of the Good Samaritian? It’s hard to stomach were out in Woomera but the Australian Gov- Resource Centre in Melbourne, said on Abc’s at times the difference between the rhetoric It is estimated that there are close to 2 mil- ernment still has a mandatory detention policy Lateline on October 27th there are currently and reality, spin and truth. Asylum seekers have lion refugees in Pakistan that sees children living in prison. As Greg Innes 2107 refugees living in Indonesian detention become another point scoring opportunity. Just of the Australian Human Rights Commision put centres and jails who have been recognised as look at Kevin Rudd’s reaction to the drop in the it to David Marr “...This government is refugees by the UNHRC. Some of these have opinion polls. It’s not that there is an urgency stuck with a $400 million resource that they’ve been there for as long as 9 years and have yet needed to ensure that peoples health, desires got to use. They are making the best of it, but it to be relocated to another country or accepted and well being are met it’s an urgency to ensure should be heading. We as a nation should be still is a prison.” by Indonesia. that the PR spin and face of the Rudd Govern- demanding our politicians to prioritise morals ment keeps it’s glossy face. Or the hasty reach and ethics over the game of point scoring And he’s right. Given that people, children, have out to New Zealand to accept the aslyum sekers politics. It would help us break out of a cycle of to be escorted when they go to leave the Con- on the Oceanic Viking on Australia’s behalf. misinformation. It would help us recognise the struction Camp or North West Point to come truth of the desperation of people willing to risk into town it’s hard to see how this is not prison; In a reflective piece in The Age Shaun Carney their lifes to get to some form of freedom and it’s hard to see how the Governments line that wrote that although the refugee issue has mor- safety. Until we do we’ll continue to circle in the they are not in “detention” is nothing but spin. al aspects, governments can never fully embody same pattern never moving forward. Malcolm moral positions. Politics is about compromise, Turnbull promising to re-introduce Temporary The complex they are living on is a series of so that moral rhetoric betrays government ac- Protection Visa need we say more. And even concrete fire proof buildings designed after tion and only alienates its support base. though it seems like there is some resolution the riots in other detention centres in the mid happening in the Oceanic Viking ‘saga’ whilst 2000’s to stop similar events occuring. The To Carney governments should be expected we still detain asylum seekers, whislt we still de- complex are hidden in the forest away from to treat refugee policy as ‘just politics’, so tain children in prison like conditions we are still the community of Christmas Island. They are As it’s been revealed some of the 78 Sri Lankan removing the moral dimension in the way that not acting with morals at the heart of policy. watched by 247 cameras. Tamils aboard the Oceanic Viking have been business people do when they speak of ‘just living in detention centres in Indonesia for 5 business’. This would avoid the inevitable disil- to read Jessie Taylors report visit: http:// This is the humane stance that Australia has ad- years. Detention centres that Jessie Taylor, a lusion that attends politicians whose actions do indymedia.org.au/files/REPORTon- opted. As it stands Australia is one of very few lawyer and refugee advocate who spent time in not match their words. countries that mandatory detains aslyum seek- Indonesia interviewing 250 people in detention ConditionsinIndonesianDetention- Centres.pdf ers. And yet Christmas Island is a place with the there which lead to the report Behind Austra- Countering this Andrew Hamiliton in Eurkea population of just on a 1000. It’s hardly Sydney lian Doors: Examining Conditions of Asylum Street put it as such “we should ask politicians or Melbourne. Google it. There’s not that many Seekers in Detention in Indonesia, describes as to consider the morality of their policies, and for an essay about the history of refugees places one can hide. If ever there was a place in in some cases“nothing more than a third that to divorce politics from morality damages arriving by boat in Australia checkout: which people could live in the community easily world prison.” Australia.” http://inside.org.au/the-fifth- then this is the place. It wouldn’t be hard to do. ripple-australias-role-in-the-global- It wouldn’t be as costly either. “In the worst places we saw babies and And it’s here where the asylum seekers ‘debate’ refugee-crisis/ http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 14 November2009 or planti ng more crops. The price signal to do this goes straight from the affl uent consumer, oft en completely oblivious of where their food WELCOME TO THE comes from or how agricultural markets work, WHAT WE to the world’s 1.8 billion farmers. WAS TE Julian Cribb RED PLANET While Sydneysiders, Canberrans and other urbanites were going “Wow! Cool! It must be like Mars!” as the recent dust storm enveloped them in its eerie extraterrestrial glow, few seem to have paused to refl ect that they are - at least in part, if not completely - to blame for the A recent report by David Baker, Josh Fear and phenomenon. soil half the size of China or the USA with con- crete and asphalt. At current rates of growth, Richard Denniss of the Australia Insti tute, Next ti me you hop into the supermarket for the footprint of the “world city” will be larger esti mates that Australian households are a loaf of bread or a juicy steak, you need to than either the US or China by 2040. throwing out over $5 billion worth of food per consider the damage you are doing to the conti - year, that’s more than it cost to run the whole nent, the planet and your children’s prospects Since citi es are, for the most part, located (for Australian Army. on it, with your ti ny economic signal. historical reasons) in ferti le river valleys, it fol- lows they permanently eliminate some of the The money you have saved on food in the last Worringly the report found that respondents Australia, say the scienti sts, is in a “dust age” - a world’s richest soils. The eff ect of their expan- 40 years is being subtracted from the world’s are able to identi fy ways in which they can period of accelerated erosion brought about, sion is to force agriculture farther and farther dwindling farm lands in the form of soil, carbon, out into drier, more marginal, drought and nutrients and future food. stop wasti ng food ie. Pre-planning purchases mainly by two things: the ten-year drought, the surveys found that respondents oft en which has dried things out incredibly, and the erosion-prone country. In eff ect, one hectare of pressure which all farmers the world over are lost river valley land has to be replaced by four When you leave the supermarket with bulging contradicted this by making impulsive purchases being forced to put on the landscape thanks to or fi ve hectares of dryland to grow the same bags and gun up the urban 4WD, the scienti fi c they would later throw out. the rott en prices they get paid in the globalised amount of food. This then has to be trucked evidence suggests, you are also helping to food system. These compel many of them to hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. ensure less rain falls over these already ravaged The report also notes that: “reducing food take unwise decisions to overstock or overcrop, regions. The scienti sts I speak to say there is waste has the capacity to deliver signifi cant and when the drought comes, the country In 1990 a world study called GLASOD found 15 a clear link between human CO2 emissions environmental benefi ts at no cost to the blows. per cent of the world’s useable land area to be and large-scale weather patt erns like El Niño, Government. Food retailers represent a major seriously degraded. In Asia, Africa and South the Indian Ocean Dipole and the Southern America soil losses were 30-40 ti mes greater Ocean Annular Mode, which all bring drought barrier to implementi ng eff ecti ve food waste In all of human history, food has never been so policies, since their profi ts are conti ngent on the cheap. The average Australian spends about than the rate at which soil naturally forms. to southern and eastern Australia. The more half what their parents and grandparents did, Slopes and badly-degraded rangelands, were carbon we release, the drier the world’s grass- amount of food sold rather than the amount of in terms of disposable income, on food. That’s losing up to 100 tonnes of soil per hectare ev- lands and grainbelts are going to get. food consumed. To overcome this, bett er public how we can aff ord all those 4WDs, plasmas and ery year. In 2008 a world satellite survey found understanding of the problems associated electronic trinkets. the degraded area had risen to 24 per cent Now I’m not trying to make anyone feel bad with food waste needs to be a priority for - and it mostly appeared to be in new areas, here. Aft er all, you maybe didn’t realise the governments at all levels. Without considerable The miracle has been achieved by farmers and additi onal to the old, clapped-out lands. full impact of your choices about tonight’s policy change in this area, household waste is scienti sts dramati cally intensifying farming meal. But I am saying that the extent of the likely to grow as income rises and the number systems, raising farm producti vity - and so Current rates of soil loss are esti mated at about problem is now so large, globally, that there 1 per cent a year, which doesn’t sound much, are no “quick fi xes” other than for humanity to of occupants in each household shrinks.” reducing what it “costs” to produce food. And by great big food corporati ons and supermar- but add 1 per cent a year to 24 per cent, and moderate its diet. And for supermarkets to stop kets who play one country’s farmers off against then see how much food-producing land is left screwing farmers. In 2007 almost 15% of Australia Greenhouse another in their eff orts to extract the lowest in 2050 to meet human demand for a doubling gases was produced by the Agriculture sector. possible price. Just to please you. in the world’s food supply. And for that to happen, alas, your economic sig- By reducing the waste that we throw out, the nal has to change and you will probably end up report says, we can go reduce the amount of What most people don’t seem to get To illustrate, the picture below, taken by Charles paying much the same for food, in real terms, land we use and clear for agriculture. is that there is a real cost to this that every one Sturt University’s Professor of Farming Systems as your Nan and Gramps used to. They, aft er all, of us is bound to pay sooner or later. It is com- David Kemp, shows a Mongolian “grassland”. A had a food system that was fairly sustainable. The report also found that the higher economic generati on ago the graziers were complaining If we aren’t willing to make this litt le sacrifi ce, ing out of the environment and at this stage status the more waste we produce. Worry ing there seems litt le chance of stopping it. they couldn’t fi nd their catt le because the grass then we needn’t even bother to try to sett le was too high. Now, they say, they can see the Mars. For all intents and purposes, Mars will consider the ever growing economic prosperity mice. This is happening in dry lands around the and development this coutry is obsessed with. Think about citi es. If you added together all the come to us. world’s citi es and towns you’d cover an area of world as farmers desperately try to scrape a liv- ing amid falling returns by running more stock the rounds through fi ve houses before being bourne, two in Northcote, and one each in fully devoured. Thornbury, Westgarth, Carlton and Abbotsford. A hood has recently started up in Wickham The most amazing part of the experience for in Newcastle too. There are also around a hun- me has been the community building and social dred and fi ft y other users not in these contact. Nowadays, I almost always run into areas, mostly in the US, but also in the UK and neighbours I know while walking down the throughout Australia. It is unclear whether street, which has been lovely. The day my cat these people have joined the site hoping that died, and I was home wailing all alone, I was there was already a hood in their area (maybe able to cross the road and ask my neighbour they’re in yours...), or whether they are intend- who also has cats to come and sit with me. She ing to start one. Regardless, there is massive sh a r e h o o d : c o n n e c t i n g t h e ended up bringing me food that aft ernoon and potenti al for the Sharehood to spread globally. checking up on how I was going with it regularly for a while aft er. That kind of supporti veness is The Sharehood organisati on itself is just starti ng w o r l d neighBourhoods a t a t i M e really special. to grow, there’s about ten of us now working on the project. We have just incorporated and As you can imagine, the Sharehood has a lot of received our fi rst grant three months ago. aims. Mostly it is about building community. The Sharehood is local community built available on the website, or you can just go Individuals with community are much more Media att enti on has been growing by itself, around a website. Its all about getti ng neigh- door-knocking with the idea. empowered, secure and acti ve. Additi onally, including in Adbusters and The Big Issue, bours to talk to each other and in the process, the environment is one of the major things the though we want to start getti ng proacti ve about share skills and resources. There is no good The Sharehood started about one year ago, Sharehood is all about, although we don’t this. We’re redesigning the site, updati ng the reason why we shouldn’t know our neighbours in Northcote, Melbourne, when I distributed content and programming new features. We are well enough to share tools, borrow books or a lett er inviti ng my neighbours to help create emphasise it so as not to alienate community- learning more about community development, wheelbarrows, babysit for each other, fi x up a local community that would enable us to minded non-greenies. Composti ng and commu- consulti ng with those in existi ng hoods and each other’s houses and bicycles, start commu- share household goods, skillshare with each nity gardens are oft en the fi rst issues that come community development workers to put to- nity gardens together and so on. Regular social other, and get to know one another. Thirteen up for a community, and additi onally, sharing gether resources for the site. We are looking for events are organised in order for neighbours to households responded initi ally and six of these resources means less producti on, consumpti on offi ce space, and are always looking to get more get to know each other. Once community starts came to our fi rst meeti ng where we discussed and transportati on, are all good for the environ- people involved. We have really big plans to building people start to feel comfortable asking how we’d like things to work. I went away and ment. change the world and we’re only just starti ng to each other for favours and sharing fl ows. setup a basic version of the website. Out of 240 scratch the surface. If you’d like to get involved, initi al lett ers, around 25-30 households are now Not only is sharing also good for saving money that would be fantasti c. Get in touch via Anyone can start a Sharehood wherever they involved to varying degrees. individually, it also directs resources away [email protected]. are in the world. You join yourself up at the site, from the capitalist economy and back into the www.thesharehood.org, and in the process fi ll We have had several diff erent social events - community sphere. Thus reversing the trend of If you’d like to start a Sharehood in your area, in some details about the people living in your picnics, aft ernoons at the local pub, really really markets expanding into areas such as cooking there is plenty more informati on on the website home, as well as listi ng the types of things that free markets, a big community garage sale in and childcare previously provided by the house- and we are also running monthly info nights at you would like to share or off er. Once you’ve our local guerrilla community garden and a hold and local community. The Sharehood also the Loophole Community Centre in Melbourne. joined you’ll be able to look at the listi ngs and BBQ. There has been a greywater working bee, incorporates a radical local currency which can Feel free to get in touch with us and ask any profi les of others who have joined within 400m and several lovely people share their kitchen be used for bigger trades with the aim of creat- questi ons or give any feedback, criti cisms or of your home. There is also an events calendar waste with our house compost bin. Some of ing local non-exploitati ve community econo- suggesti ons; the Sharehood is shaped by its that anyone can post to, a forum where you the sharing happening in our hood includes mies. This one is complicated to explain, so if community. can discuss whatever you like and a community people borrowing vacuum cleaners, ladders, you’re interested you can read more about it on www.thesharehood.org photo gallery. When you fi rst join, you may fi nd lawn mowers, tools, babysitti ng for each other, the website. that you don’t have any neighbours on the site. borrowing cars, using each others printers, giv- In order to encourage your neighbours to join, ing away excess food, even a cake that made There are now six ‘hoods’ operati ng in Mel you can edit and lett erbox our draft lett er htt p://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 15 November2009 Island. Biak is about one hour flying supporting one of the most brutal regimes The US, Canada and the EU have from Jayapura, the capital of Papua. in the world, Burma’s military junta. longstanding and broad trade and investment sanctions against Burma, but Traditional leaders, women, religious The campaign is a letter writing campaign Australia maintains only targeted financial leaders and community organizations with individuals asked to write to sanctions against members of the regime. in Serui expressed deep regret each of the eight companies on the over civilian shootings by police. Australian Dirty List expressing there In a situation like this, how can the An indigenous youth leaders in Serui concerns with those companies business companies that stay in Burma expect their said that the police that carried out the practices. There’s is also an international reputations to remain untarnished, and e g i o n a l masssacre action (sic) were inhumane and dirty list which can be found at: their business unaffected, when the money R unreasonable. “Local people are not guilty The campaign was launched just a and expertise they bring offers a lifeline to of anything but since July 1, citizens are week after students and monks in an internationally reviled military regime?” Fo c u s being terrorized by police, indigenous elders Burma asked for international help. intimidated, to kill civilians without cause Pacific Forum Leders demand a Workers occupy Ssangyong Pyeongtaek or clear evidence of wrongdoing,” he said. As Sharon Burrow, president of the commitment to 2 degrees or less factory in South Korea ACTU, wrote on newmatilda.com: Several civil society groups are calling for Over 800 Ssangyong Motors workers human rights in Serui to be respected. “To “The country is notorious for its massive occupied the Ssangyong Pyeongtaek factory enforce respect for human rights, and for in Korea for 79 days in protest against mass the sake of humanitarian considerations, and systematic violations of human and sackings without notice. The occupation was this case should receive international workers’ rights. There are numerous finally ended when police scaled down from scrutiny for fair and civilized behaviour,” reports of the widespread use of forced helicopters and raided the site in complete and compulsory labour, with infrastructure riot gear. This final bust came after the They also urged police and military projects linked to foreign investments company and government had responded officials in Indonesia to use the code of also involved in this abhorrent practice.... by using violent police attacks, blockading “military ethics” in Papua, in accordance the site and stopping food deliveries. The with upholding truth and justice. “We ...companies that do business in Burma are police even arrested doctors who are trying also urge that the police arrest and helping to fund the military dictatorship’s to provide medical assistance to injured prosecutethe Brimob elements that long-term financial viability and its In July in the lead up to the Pacific Island workers. Riot police have also been visiting were perpetrators and uncover the systematic human rights violations. Despite Forum meeting in Cairns Pacific Island the homes of workers and threatening their reasons and evidence with the shootings” the international outrage and calls for leaders have beseeched world leaders families. to increase their ambitions on climate sanctions that followed the crackdown, change in a move Prime Minister Kevin The Korean Council of Trade Unions had Fonterra Protest in New Zealand for some businesses, the resource-rich Rudd has described as a call to action. earlier called a general strike against the country with its vast reserves of natural police attack on the striking workers. On September 16 and 17 2009 Greenpeace gas, teak, gems and metals is still seen The leaders want to limit the New Zealand and activists staged a massive as a lucrative investment option.... increase in average global VIOLENCE IN WEST PAPUA action, blocking a shipment of palm kernel temperatures to 2 degrees or less. animal feed from Indonesia from entering Human rights advocate Burma Campaign The Pacific leaders want the world to On the 13th August the West Tauranga Port. The feed was destined for Australia has calculated that the Burmese collectively cut emissions by 50 per cent Papua National Authority in Fonterra dairy farms. They are calling on Government could earn US$2.5 billion on 1990 levels by 2050 but stopped Melbourne reported the following: New Zealand PM John Key to halt imports through royalties, income tax and an equity short of setting shorter-term targets. of the product due to its impact on climate stake in a joint venture project with one The West Papua National Authority change and address intensive dairy farming Over the course of the three-day forum, Australian company alone — Twinza Oil. leaders have been at pains to illustrate in Melbourne is reports that BAGUS in New Zealand. EKUDANTO, Commander of Police in Papua that millions of people will be affected Province ordered AKBP IMAN SETYAWAN The 12 activists boarded the East Ambition, By itself, this contract with an Australian if predictions of coastal inundation are (S.Ik) Head of Police of Yapen Regency several kilometers from Tauranga port company promises the Burmese correct. to ‘clean’ the West Papuan political and locked themselves to the vessel, the junta enough money to run roughly “It is a stark and sobering statistic movement in Yapen, including the old anchor chain and its four cargo cranes to one quarter of its military — the that 50 per cent of the populations village of Mantembu in the valley of Mt prevent the ship unloading. They stayed on world’s 12th-largest — for a decade.” of the Pacific lie within 1.5 kilometres Wayoi. On Sunday 2 August the police up to 11 hours before police cut them off of their coastline,” Mr Rudd said. kidnapped seven people from Mantembu and arrested them. After this around 200 It’s not just the oil and gas though that and took them to Jayapura where they Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne were incarcerated without charge. concerned citizens staged their own protest gives money to the Junta as the list shows described the emissions target as “wimpish” around the importing of the palm kernel tourism companies such as Gecko’s and said the Government’s own weak targets On Monday 3 August at 6am, Police 1 SSK animal feed at the gates of Tauranga port. Adventure, Jetstar Asia, Lonely Planet, and were influencing other nation’s actions. (a company of indeterminate number but Sri Asia Tourism, clothing chain Millers and companies like Andaman Teak Supplies “By locking in weak targets they are going to up to 150 personnel) entered Mr Wayeni’s undermine the ambition of the rest of the house and raped his wife in front of their Pty Ltd and Chevron are being targeted. world, and the communique by the Pacific second child who was sick. Mr Wayeni tried Islands Forum just proves the point,” she said. to intervene and was shot with three rounds Sharan Burrow again: “Some well-known of ammunition from a SS1 automatic gun Australian companies have already “Here we have nations most affected and then bayoneted. He ran out of the house recognised that dealing with Burma is not by climate change, nations drowning and died in the garden. The police threw in their own backyard, and Australia best business practice, and have voluntarily his body in their car, like a dead animal, dragging down the level of ambition.” and took him to the hospital to sew up his withdrawn from investing in or sourcing stomach. Yawan Wayeni was forty years old. from the country. They include QBE The forum leaders also reaffirmed their Insurance, Woolworths, and Downer EDI... decision to suspend Fiji from the forum He was a political prisoner in Yapen for nine and urged the military regime to return the years during the Suharto administration. country to democracy as quickly as possible. He leaves a wife and three children. Key sectors of Burma’s economy are controlled either directly or indirectly by The leaders also agreed to continue with Two informants in Yapen Island reported the military regime and people connected plans for a regional trade agreement, but that on the 20th August the site of the to the regime. Corruption and economic the pace of negotiations is being slowed by brutal murder of Yawan Wayeni was mismanagement are widespread... the reluctance of some smaller island states. made into a shooting range. They said The Dirty List: Australian Companies two trucks of soldiers plus some Jeeps involved in Burma ...Unconditional investment in Burma and dozens of motorcycles arrived in Mantembu at 9:45 am. The soldiers reduces any incentive for the regime to Burma Campaign Australia with support implement urgently needed reforms. The said they want to practice shooting. It is from the ACTU has launched a campaign terrorizing the villagers, mostly farmers. people who benefit from these business targeting Australian companies that dealings are the military junta, not the 90 per Yapen is pretty remote. If you want to support the junta in Burma. The ‘Dirty List’ cent of the population that the UN estimates go to Yapen Island, you have to take campaign is aimed at expose companies is subsisting on less than 65 US cents a day. an eight-hour ferry ride from Biak who are directly or indirectly financing and http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 16 November2009 Island. Biak is about one hour flying supporting one of the most brutal regimes The US, Canada and the EU have Al Jazeera Pulls West Papua from Jayapura, the capital of Papua. in the world, Burma’s military junta. longstanding and broad trade and Film investment sanctions against Burma, but Al Jazeera has bowed to Indonesian pressure not Traditional leaders, women, religious The campaign is a letter writing campaign Australia maintains only targeted financial leaders and community organizations to screen the West Papua documentary ‘Pride of with individuals asked to write to sanctions against members of the regime. Warriors. The film, which voiced West Papuan in Serui expressed deep regret each of the eight companies on the perspectives of the Indonesian military presence over civilian shootings by police. Australian Dirty List expressing there In a situation like this, how can the and human rights abuses, was due to be screen West Papua’s on Al Jazeera English channel on Thursday 2nd concerns with those companies business companies that stay in Burma expect their An indigenous youth leaders in Serui July at 6:30pm. said that the police that carried out the practices. There’s is also an international reputations to remain untarnished, and masssacre action (sic) were inhumane and dirty list which can be found at: their business unaffected, when the money Melbourne film-makers documentary ‘Pride of unreasonable. “Local people are not guilty The campaign was launched just a and expertise they bring offers a lifeline to Warriors’ was scheduled to screen on Al Jazeera of anything but since July 1, citizens are week after students and monks in an internationally reviled military regime?” English channel Thursday night at 6:30pm. 40 Years In cooperation with the 3rd largest English being terrorized by police, indigenous elders Burma asked for international help. intimidated, to kill civilians without cause Pacific Forum Leders demand a television broadcasters, the film had been made to uncover secret human rights abuses in the Workers occupy Ssangyong Pyeongtaek or clear evidence of wrongdoing,” he said. As Sharon Burrow, president of the commitment to 2 degrees or less Indonesian Province of West Papua. It appears factory in South Korea ACTU, wrote on newmatilda.com: that the channel bowed to pressure from the Several civil society groups are calling for Indonesian Government and removed the Over 800 Ssangyong Motors workers human rights in Serui to be respected. “To “The country is notorious for its massive documentary hours before it was due to be aired. occupied the Ssangyong Pyeongtaek factory enforce respect for human rights, and for of No Choice in Korea for 79 days in protest against mass the sake of humanitarian considerations, and systematic violations of human and The film, which is said to have been made by sackings without notice. The occupation was this case should receive international workers’ rights. There are numerous smuggling 6 camera’s into the province where finally ended when police scaled down from scrutiny for fair and civilized behaviour,” reports of the widespread use of forced 2009 marks 40 years since the now Independence. However in the referendum environment with impunity. foreign media access is severely restricted, voiced presided over by the Indonesian military helicopters and raided the site in complete and compulsory labour, with infrastructure infamous ‘Act of Free Choice’ legitimised West Papuan perspectives of the Indonesian Indonesia’s brutal takeover of West Papua. government, only 1022 Papuan’s were The military presence in West Papua is riot gear. This final bust came after the They also urged police and military projects linked to foreign investments military presence and human rights abuses. While national presidential and general allowed to vote under military supervision. increasing and repression and human Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told company and government had responded officials in Indonesia to use the code of also involved in this abhorrent practice.... elections took place across Indonesia this They voted unanimously in favour of rights abuses continue to go ignored. the Jakarta post Teuku Faizasyah that the film by using violent police attacks, blockading “military ethics” in Papua, in accordance year, in West Papua it is the military who integration with Indonesia. Despite Journalists and NGO’s are denied access was ‘sensational’ and ‘one sided’ and violated the the site and stopping food deliveries. The with upholding truth and justice. “We ...companies that do business in Burma are continue to hold power, perpetuating their U.N observers reporting the vote to to the region. The Red Cross was expelled principles of journalism. While claiming that he police even arrested doctors who are trying also urge that the police arrest and helping to fund the military dictatorship’s rule through repression and extortion. be a fraud, the outcome was accepted from the country in April after visiting was not aware of the screening being canceled, it is to provide medical assistance to injured Despite killings and imprisonment, the by the General Assembly, and remains political prisoners in jail. Despite danger clear that the Indonesian government has exerted prosecutethe Brimob elements that long-term financial viability and its In July in the lead up to the Pacific Island workers. Riot police have also been visiting were perpetrators and uncover the Independence movement has continued as the basis of Indonesia’s claim to of attack or arrest, major demonstrations significant pressure on Al Jazeera to prohibit the systematic human rights violations. Despite Forum meeting in Cairns Pacific Island the homes of workers and threatening their reasons and evidence with the shootings” to challenge military rule and call sovereignty over West Papua to this day. have been held across West Papua this film being screened to a worldwide audience. the international outrage and calls for leaders have beseeched world leadersfor the U.N to review its recognition year, calling for Papuan’s to boycott the families. to increase their ambitions on climate sanctions that followed the crackdown, of the sham referendum of 1969. The New York Agreement set a precedent election, on World Indigenous People’s This censorship shreds any legitimacy of the change in a move Prime Minister Kevin of international disregard of abuses of the Day, for the return of the Red Cross, and The Korean Council of Trade Unions had Fonterra Protest in New Zealand for some businesses, the resource-rich Rudd has described as a call to action. governments claim of democracy and freedom The ‘Act of No Choice’ as the phony human rights of ‘primitive’ West Papuan’s to commemorate 40 years since being in West Papua, when journalists are forbidden earlier called a general strike against the country with its vast reserves of natural On September 16 and 17 2009 Greenpeace referendum has become known was used to in the interests of capitalist development. sold out by the United Nations. to enter or report on such claims. Desperate police attack on the striking workers. gas, teak, gems and metals is still seen The leaders want to limit the West Papua is being plundered for its New Zealand and activists staged a massive give a façade of democracy to the military measures such as this to cover up for human rights as a lucrative investment option.... increase in average global occupation. Indonesia had invaded West abundant mineral and forest resources While the Cold War situation that lead temperatures to 2 degrees or less. abuses showing how widespread such abuses VIOLENCE IN WEST PAPUA action, blocking a shipment of palm kernel Papua in 1962/63 with the acquiescence by multinational corporations and by to West Papua’s invasion has long gone, really are. Standover tactics against foreign media animal feed from Indonesia from entering Human rights advocate Burma Campaign of the U.S and U.S.S.R. Both powers wished the Indonesian military who they pay the system of development and belief such as this demonstrate how desperately media The Pacific leaders want the worldto to gain favour with the new Republic of to protect their interests. Economic in progress that blind the West to the On the 13th August the West Tauranga Port. The feed was destined for Australia has calculated that the Burmese collectively cut emissions by 50 per cent stories from West Papua must get out to the world. Papua National Authority in Fonterra dairy farms. They are calling on Indonesia, making West Papuan’s the development has not brought wealth genocide of Indigenous peoples has not. Government could earn US$2.5 billion on 1990 levels by 2050 but stopped victims of Cold War ‘realpolitik’. President to Papua’s provinces, which remain the The International community is complicit Melbourne reported the following: New Zealand PM John Key to halt imports short of setting shorter-term targets. If Indonesia is able to exert such control over through royalties, income tax and an equity Kennedy’s C.I.A advisor declared in poorest in Indonesia by all socialindicators. in its silence. Australia continues to arm foreign media outlets with impunity, than it of the product due to its impact on climate 1962 that ‘a pro-Bloc (if not Communist) Instead it has brought a massive military and train the Indonesian military, while The West Papua National Authority stake in a joint venture project with one Over the course of the three-day forum, is a sad day for press freedom, and a success change and address intensive dairy farming Australian company alone — Twinza Oil. Indonesia is an entirely greater threat… than presence which is financed by illegal refusing to investigate the human rights for their attempt to vanish the truth about the in Melbourne is reports that BAGUS leaders have been at pains to illustrateIndonesian possession of a few thousand business operations and contracts to abuses carried out with this equipment. in New Zealand. that millions of people will be affected situation in West Papua along with the West EKUDANTO, Commander of Police in Papua square miles of cannibal land’. Kennedy protect foreign investment. Freeport mine Papuan people. However if a protest against Province ordered AKBP IMAN SETYAWAN The 12 activists boarded the East Ambition, By itself, this contract with an Australian if predictions of coastal inundationgained are the consent of Papua’s colonial had until 2007 directly funded the military correct. their censorship spreads on the net, their tactics (S.Ik) Head of Police of Yapen Regency several kilometers from Tauranga port company promises the Burmese masters the Netherlands and Australia to protect its mine, however moves towards will be revealed and come back to bite them. arguing that ‘those Papuans of yours democratisation and demilitarisation in to ‘clean’ the West Papuan political and locked themselves to the vessel, the junta enough money to run roughly “It is a stark and sobering statistic movement in Yapen, including the old anchor chain and its four cargo cranes to one quarter of its military — the are 700,000 and living in the Stone Age’. Indonesia saw the police force replacing You can encourage Al Jazeera that 50 per cent of the populations much of the military presence. Attacks village of Mantembu in the valley of Mt prevent the ship unloading. They stayed on world’s 12th-largest — for a decade.” of the Pacific lie within 1.5 kilometres to re-schedule the film at: Wayoi. On Sunday 2 August the police The U.S, Netherlands and Indonesia met this year on foreign workers at the mine http://english.aljazeera.net/Services/ up to 11 hours before police cut them off of their coastline,” Mr Rudd said. have been linked to the Indonesian kidnapped seven people from Mantembu in New York in 1962 (the Papuan’s whose Comments/SuggestTopic.aspx and arrested them. After this around 200 It’s not just the oil and gas though that fate they were deciding conspicuously military, who by blaming the attacks on and took them to Jayapura where they Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne absent), and agreed to takeover on the ‘separatists’ and police incompetence have References: were incarcerated without charge. concerned citizens staged their own protest gives money to the Junta as the list shows described the emissions target as “wimpish” around the importing of the palm kernel tourism companies such as Gecko’s condition that an act of self-determination attempted to regain their stranglehold and said the Government’s own weak targets would occur. The outcome of this act on power and reprisals against Adventure, Jetstar Asia, Lonely Planet, and were influencing other nation’s actions. http://www.thejakartapost.com/ On Monday 3 August at 6am, Police 1 SSK animal feed at the gates of Tauranga port. was preordained. In 1967 Indonesia had indigenous Amungme villages in the area. news/2009/07/01/al-jazeera-premiere-papua- (a company of indeterminate number but Sri Asia Tourism, clothing chain Millers and already sold a 30 year lease to the Grasberg “By locking in weak targets they are going to documentary.html up to 150 personnel) entered Mr Wayeni’s companies like Andaman Teak Supplies mining concession in West Papua to U.S undermine the ambition of the rest of thecompany Freeport, which would become house and raped his wife in front of their Pty Ltd and Chevron are being targeted. world, and the communique by the Pacific “Economic http://www.thejakartapost.com/ second child who was sick. Mr Wayeni tried the world’s largest copper and gold mine news/2009/07/02/aljazeera-cancels-premier- Islands Forum just proves the point,” she said.and Indonesia’s largest taxpayer. After development has not to intervene and was shot with three rounds Sharan Burrow again: “Some well-known removes-synopsis-website.html of ammunition from a SS1 automatic gun 7 years of Indonesian military rule the Australian companies have already “Here we have nations most affectedU.S ambassador to Indonesia felt that brought wealth to and then bayoneted. He ran out of the house by climate change, nations drowning for a description of the film and more information recognised that dealing with Burma is not 85 to 90% of West Papuan’s supported on al-jazeera pulling the film read: and died in the garden. The police threw in their own backyard, and Australia Papua’s provinces, best business practice, and have voluntarily his body in their car, like a dead animal, dragging down the level of ambition.” withdrawn from investing in or sourcing which remain the http://newmatilda.com/2009/07/15/west- and took him to the hospital to sew up his papua-air stomach. Yawan Wayeni was forty years old. from the country. They include QBE The forum leaders also reaffirmed their poorest in Indonesia Insurance, Woolworths, and Downer EDI... decision to suspend Fiji from the forum He was a political prisoner in Yapen for nine and urged the military regime to return the by all socialindicators.” This is not the first time that Indonesia has put years during the Suharto administration. country to democracy as quickly as possible. pressure on a foreign media outlet to censor He leaves a wife and three children. Key sectors of Burma’s economy are This could not continue if the effects of this independent journalism on West Papua. In controlled either directly or indirectly by de facto war were made visible. Campaigns February 2007 the Indonesia embassy pressured The leaders also agreed to continue with around the world are working to get the Two informants in Yapen Island reported the military regime and people connected plans for a regional trade agreement, but the Asia Pacfic Festival in Wellington, to pull the The reelection of PresidentSusilo Bambang voices of West Papuans heard in the U.N, for Australian composer Martin Wesley-Smith’s that on the 20th August the site of the to the regime. Corruption and economic the pace of negotiations is being slowed by Yudhoyono (former general) this year the Act of Free Choice to be reviewed, and the reluctance of some smaller island states. piece Papua Merdeka. More can be read here at: brutal murder of Yawan Wayeni was mismanagement are widespread... was heralded by many around the world simply to raise awareness of the everyday http://indymedia.org.nz/article/73081/papua- made into a shooting range. They said The Dirty List: Australian Companies as a signal of Indonesian’s maturation atrocities happening in West Papua. merdeka-free-papua-dropped-asia-pa two trucks of soldiers plus some Jeeps involved in Burma ...Unconditional investment in Burma as a stable democratic country, but to and dozens of motorcycles arrived in West Papuan’s this means little. Since To contact the campaign in Australia visit reduces any incentive for the regime to the fall of Suharto in 1998 the military’s Mantembu at 9:45 am. The soldiers Burma Campaign Australia with support www.myspace.com/westpapua_ implement urgently needed reforms. The power in the rest of Indonesia has waned. melbourne (melbourne)www.myspace. made a film on the 45 year struggle for in- said they want to practice shooting. It is from the ACTU has launched a campaign terrorizing the villagers, mostly farmers. people who benefit from these business However the perpetuation of conflict com/hr4wp (brisbane)www.awpawa. dependence by West Papuans. The films targeting Australian companies that dealings are the military junta, not the 90 per and repression in West Papua is vital for org (perth)www.awpa.org.au (adelaide) called The forgotten bird of paradise the military to maintain its funding and www.freewestpaua.com.au (sydney) the trailer can be seen on engagemedia Yapen is pretty remote. If you want to support the junta in Burma. The ‘Dirty List’ cent of the population that the UN estimates campaign is aimed at expose companies influence in national government, and for or for information about the international www.engagemedia.org go to Yapen Island, you have to take is subsisting on less than 65 US cents a day. mining, logging and palm oil industries campaign visit who are directly or indirectly financing and www.freewestpapua. an eight-hour ferry ride from Biak to continue to exploit Papua’s org. British filmmaker Dominic Brown has

http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 17 November2009 prosperous and stable communities. “The civil war came, and things fell apart,” Mr. Awale says. “People began to extend their stay in the mountain area (and) indiscriminately lopped trees for livestock.” Candlelight began a rehabilitation project in 1999, consulting the community and the government, holding environmental awareness workshops, and providing food for those work- ing on restoration. Subsequent work has focused on creating sustainable employment opportunities, such as beekeeping, and encouraging local and govern- ment management of the area.

“It has been very effective, and the community Camels in Somaliand photo Charles Roffey has appreciated the intervention. Ten years Solving Rural Conflict In later, a dramatic recovery in the flora and fauna of the mountain is made possible,” Mr. Awale says. “You cannot preach environmental manage- ment without helping to reduce poverty,” Mr The society of rural Somaliland is undergoing Somaliland’s Fragile Democracy Awale says. huge changes, however, and this is creating Somaliland’s teetering self-made democracy clan conflicts all the time. We are very much significant problems. Ahmed sees difficult times has managed two decades of relative stability in involved in mediating these,” Mr Knudsen says. Somaliland Politics ahead as the traditional nomadic herding life- one of the world’s most war-torn regions. This style becomes impossible. has allowed the nation to address underlying An Example for the Neighbours The Republic of Somaliland declared indepen- problems, including one of eastern Africa’s dence from neighbouring Somalia in 1991, after “Shrinking resources means they are disen- most intractable problems – land conflict. Somaliland’s relative stability has allowed proj- the fall of Somali dictator Siad Barre. chanted with the pastoral life,” Mr. Awale says. ects such as land conflict resolution to improve “They are settling and establishing horticultural In May 2006, three livestock herders caused Somali life, and the maintenance of peace The Republic held it’s first democratic elections and agricultural pursuits. I don’t say that they outrage in their local community of Darfale, allows institutions such as traditional clan- in 2003. Dahir Riyale Kahin was elected presi- are nomads anymore.” Somaliland when they extended their proper- dominated rural committees to solve disputes dent. He is currently facing elections, which he ties across a communally owned road. in their communities. has postponed twice. A lack of strong government institutions also Rural Somaliland’s abundance of weapons, appears to hamper efforts to deal with this complex clan loyalties, and under-equipped In neighbouring Somalia, from which Somal- Somaliland is currently unrecognised by any problem. police force means that land disputes can often iland declared independence in 1991, two de- government, however Ethiopia and the Welsh escalate rapidly. cades of continuous fighting has created large Assembly have established informal diplomatic “If there was strong government and more hurdles for development. No effective national connections, and the country recently hosted stability it would be better, however institutions In the case of Ahmed Ibrahim, Guleed Libaan government has existed since the fall of former an EU delegation. are too weak to tackle these challenges” Mr. and Aw Abdilahi Ahmed, however, a media- dictator Siad Barre in 1991, and rural develop- Awale says. tion committee of elders resolved the dispute, ment has been one of the many casualties of Saving the Mist Forest ordering the men to reduce the size of their war, along with an estimated Political Instability Threatens Progress enclosures so that the road could be re-opened. 300,000 lives. Despite two decades of independence, and six of democracy, life in Somaliland has never been Ahmed believes that national level clan politics, Success stories such as that in Darfale are dem- “The security situation in southern Somalia easy. an inseparable part of Somali political life, can onstrating that a measure of political stability makes it impossible to implement these type of slow progress on rural conflicts. Somaliland is is allowing Somalilanders to solve some of their projects,” Jan Stockbrugger says. currently undergoing its most serious political underlying problems, often one village at a crisis since the nation’s first free democratic time. elections were held in 2003. Frequent Conflict “The Ceel-Berdaale conflict in western Somal- iland has been going on for over a decade,” Mr. The Somaliland Academy for Peace and Devel- Awale says. “It is related to land ownership, opment, and the Institute for Development and and clan politics radiating from major cities are Peace, based at Germany’s University Duisburg- making ageold conflict resolution mechanisms Essen, have worked together since 2006 to more complex.” ensure that disputes are settled peacefully. Tensions have grown in recent weeks after Pres- Their joint project’s first report, in 2007, ident Dahir Riyale Kahin has twice postponed identified that “Land ownership and access to presidential elections. The President faces two land are the most frequent source of violent strong challengers, while a number of protest- conflicts in contemporary Somaliland.” related deaths have occurred in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. “We saw that land-based conflict was a real problem for development and political stabil- The BBC reported an outbreak of fist fights ity,” says Jan Stockbrugger, a researcher from in the parliament earlier this month over an the Institute for Peace and Development. He es- opposition motion to impeach President Kahin, timates that over a hundred people have been with reports that a parliamentarian drew a gun killed in conflicts over land in recent years. in the chamber. The management of conflict in rural Somaliland Continuing inter-clan violence has also been re- is a complex business. It is undermined by an ported in the eastern districts along the border almost total absence of legal documentation Nomadic herders are increasingly taking over communal lands and establishing agricultural activities, such as with Puntland/Somalia. and maps, a weak government, complex clan maize farming. loyalties, economic problems, and increasing In a region where conflict is endemic and food These events have highlighted the fragile nature drought and land degradation. Land disputes between semi-nomadic pastoral- and income often hard to come by, the devel- of peace and democracy in Somaliland. They ists and sedentary farmers are seen in several opment of an environmental consciousness have highlighted the repercussions that the The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), which neighbouring countries, with Darfur and in indicates that the vital signs of Somaliland’s civil rhetoric and actions of politicians can have for attempted a project in Somaliland in 2006 to recent months northern Kenya seeing violent society are improving. people across the nation. remove enclosures built by local settlers, expe- conflict. Mr Stuckbrugger sees the lessons be- rienced some of these difficulties. The project, ing learnt in Somaliland as being useful across One of Candlelight’s flagship projects concerns “Four people were killed a few days ago in which was created with local NGOs, communi- eastern Africa, even if they cannot be immedi- Ga’an libah, one of the highest mountains in western Somaliland in a land conflict. These ties, and government, has resulted in dramatic ately used in Somalia. central Somaliland. The mountain, an extension people have lived side by side until the recent changes to the lives of Somaliland’s nomadic of the Ethiopian Highlands, is covered by most political instability,” Jan Stockbrugger says. herders and has increased the importance of “We can try to make structures that are bot- of the world’s remaining Juniper ‘mist’ forests. “This only happens if the conflict is politicised. resolving land disputes was an initial success. tom up and not top down that can be applied If politicians have a dispute they will raise old to many areas,” Mr Stockbrugger says.“(The It was protected by the British colonial adminis- grievances, such as from when Siad Barre fell, “Due to a strong campaign, the enclosures were autonomous Somali region of) Puntland may tration in the 1950’s, and existed as a scenic and use their clans to fight each other.” removed, but now I think they have returned,” be possible to some extent, however there are reserve and seasonal and drought grazing area says Anders Knudsen, the refugee council’s significant security concerns with kidnapping of until the fall of the Siad Barre’s dictatorship in While he sees rural Somaliland as less exposed Program Coordinator. NGO workers, and also piracy. 1991. to the current instability than urban areas, Jan believes that a strong state is necessary for Despite this setback, the Council has enjoyed Ahmed Ibrahim Awale is the Executive Director In recent decades, herders in the surrounding future development. considerable success in creating rural devel- of Somaliland NGO Candlelight. Candlelight is areas began to settle permanently, fencing opment projects, providing seed funding and a member of the Network of Natural Resource off communal grazing lands, growing crops, and “In the future, if the state could increase its facilitating community ownership of projects. Management Somalia, which has14 member or- increasing the number of livestock. capacities it would be very useful, and most ganisations, including in Somalia and Puntland. traditional communities say they would wel- “That’s working very well. The key is to involve He agrees that there is potential for local proj- Poverty-stricken and desperate, herders began come it,” he says. all stakeholders, including women and youth,” ects to be an example throughout the region. to permanently exploit the mountain for graz- Mr Knudsen says. ing, and to cut the forest for charcoal produc- Candlelight promotes a mix of poverty reduc- tion, with disastrous environmental conse- The council is also heavily involved in resolving tion, environmental management and commu- quences. clan disputes in rural areas. “There are nity control over resources to encourage more http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 18 Two days after the Bonhoeffer 4 came out, 7 more activists entered the military area. for more on War and Aus- Three of them volunteered themselves to be tralia read: found after a few days. One of them stopped ...Op e a r a t i o n Ta l i s m a n Sa b r e ... a convoy of vehicles on a road, displaying a banner that read: “What have you done? Your http://newmatilda.com/2009/10/29/ brothers blood cries out to me from the earth.” civilising-afghanistan-death Military conducted helicopter and dog searches as people headed for both of the onshore live firing sectors. Two activists spent two nights http://newmatilda. in the eastern live firing sector and walked out com/2009/05/12/australia-runs- without arrest after 7 days. Two others stayed in vietnamstyle-killing-program the area for 11 days, until the end of the exercises.

A few days later, nine activists blocked the main Live firing was not reinstated. A Defence for a view from a soliders per- July saw around 17000 U.S. troops in Australia. spokeperson said that live firing had been They were here to participate in the biennial entrance road to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area for over an hour and a half, holding up due to stop at this time anyway, but activists spective read: U.S. led war games called Exercise Talisman question the truth of this statement. In Saber, with around 6000 Australian troops. This more than a dozen U.S. Marine Corps vehicles from being trucked in. They read aloud names previous Talisman Saber exercises, locals year Talisman Saber ran from 6-26 July. Troops had heard live bombing for many more days. http://newmatilda. practiced interoperability, amphibious landings, of civilians and troops killed in Afghanistan. As coordinated live firing and bombing, urban police prepared to move them on two Catholic More can be read at: com/2009/07/28/mind-us-army- warfare and much more, at a number of training Workers knelt on the road with signs reading sniper areas and bombing ranges around Australia. “Resist the War on Afghanistan” and “War is talismansabre.wordpress.com Terror is War”. They were both arrested and In late June, USS Tortuga and USS Essex initially refused to cooperate with bail conditions. docked in Cairns with 4000 sailors on their They stayed in the watchhouse for five days. www.indymedia.ie/ way to the exercises. Locals attempted a article/93188 Citizens Inspection of the ships, but were About eighty people made their way to a police denied access. One man was arrested as he roadblock on a road into the Training Area. People Announcing our Fourth Poster Series – tried to climb the security fence with a ladder. danced the hokey pokey at the police line and a great grandmother, June Norman, 68, was arrested Forthcoming in 2010peace_ink In Fremantle, Nuclear powered aircraft carrier dancing across the line and amongst police. USS George Washington and guided missile In 2010 Breakdown Press will be produc- cruiser USS Cowpens docked on their way to the The following day a protestor was arrested ing a newsprint poster publication titled exercises. Around fifty people protested at the climbing over the gate into the Rockhampton Barracks. He was released without charges. “The Peace Posters“, with the support wharf. Former Australian Senator Jo Vallentine of the Graham F. Smith Peace Trust. The was arrested after being given a move on order. A concerted effort was made to halt the live publication will be a collection of post- She was later released with strict bail conditions. firing and bombing, and like recent Ofog ers designed by artists and writers to Before and during Exercise Talisman Saber, actions in Sweden, people headed for live educate and raise awareness on the vital Peace activists from all around Australia firing areas while live firing and bombing were underway. A military spokesman had stated issues of peace. Artists will be encour- converged around the Shoalwater Bay Training aged to create new work which will Area, near Rockhampton in Central QLD, to in parliament that if people trespassed onto the area, the exercises would be stopped. be produced as posters on the general nonviolently oppose and disrupt the exercises. themes of peace building, the arms People were concerned about environmental The military were informed well in advance, trade, redirection of resources toward issues, military spending, and the ongoing and activists prepared themselves with helium a peaceful society, the militarisation of U.S. led wars of aggression which are causing balloons, emergency flares, mobile phones with aeriels, and a Personal Locator Beacon. everyday life, environmental impacts of civilian deaths in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. war, and global harmony. Actions were diverse. As the exercises began, Four activists, calling themselves the Bonhoeffer a group of Christian peace activists blocked 4, were the first to enter. After releasing helium If you an artist, writer or designer, start a gate of the Rockhampton Barracks for an balloons, they were found crossing a road thinking about poster ideas as details hour and a half. In an act of repentance for on their second day inside. When they were our own complicity, five lay prostrate on the found, live firing was halted. Two of them about submissions will be on our website refused to walk with police off the road. The ground before the gates while others held soon! a banner reading, “In the name of God stop four remained in the watchhouse overnight www.breakdownpress.org. the wars” and others prayed the rosary. and plead guilty in the morning. They were fined amounts varying from $200 to $1200.

of which Mr Forrest is the chief executive, negotiations with traditional Aboriginal Yamatji Marlpa chief executive Simon says it has a proud record of negotiations owners in the Pilbara, including with the Hawkins said while FMG touted its In- with Indigenous people, which is set to PKKP next week, as well as providing job digenous employment covenant and the continue. opportunities for the people of the Pil- federal government worked towards “clos- bara,” the spokesman said. ing the gap” in living standards between The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Aboriginal and other Australians, Indig- people from the Pilbara region, in Western Wednesday’s High Court decision has enous people were suffering. Australia’s north, had sought special leave wide-reaching ramifications for native title to appeal a decision by the full court of claimants, according to the Yamatji Marlpa “Indigenous people in the Pilbara are still the Federal Court made earlier this year in Aboriginal Corporation, representing the living in Third World conditions,” Mr Hawk- Fortescue’s favour. traditional owners in the case. ins said. But the application was dismissed on It said the decision to quash leave to While mining companies were making bil- Wednesday by the High Court of Australia. appeal meant Indigenous people would lions of dollars Aboriginal people were be limited in their right to negotiate and In July 2008, the National Native Title Tri- secure compensation. living below the poverty line, traditional bunal found FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd had failed owner Nyapuru Jefferies said. to negotiate in good faith with traditional owners about a mining tenement proposal “FMG never began any substantial nego- over 4,320 hectares of land in the west tiations towards an agreement with our Pilbara. people, they just went through the mo- tions,” Mr Jefferies said. It found FMG had prematurely sought a determination about a proposed mining “We’d only just finished on agreeing on a lease while the negotiations about the protocol on how the negotiations would tenement were in their infancy. take place. In April this year FMG successfully ap- “Agreeing to the protocol for the negotia- pealed the decision in the full court of the tions isn’t actually beginning the real nuts Federal Court. and bolts of a negotiation. Andrea Hayward FMG has welcomed the High Court’s deci- “It makes our people sad that a company sion to quash the appeal. “The High Court’s dismissal of this case that promotes itself as helping indigenous Western Australia October 16, 2009: A now means that mining companies are no people was putting a case to the courts to High Court decision to quash an appeal An FMG spokesman said the company had longer required to have substantial nego- make us powerless in our own country.” - by Indigenous people against a company “a proud record” of native title negotia- tiations with Indigenous people regarding run by mining billionaire Andrew Forrest tions and training and employing Aborigi- the use of their land. article originally appeared in nit on 16th will limit the rights of Indigenous people nal workers in its operations. October to negotiate with mining companies, an “This will further economically disenfran- Aboriginal corporation says. “We welcome the High Court decision, and chise Indigenous people and render them look forward to continuing native title powerless against big business.” But the company, Fortescue Metals Group, http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 19 November2009 Upcoming Events Food Not Bombs and Infoshops 29 -30th: Southern Forest Conver- Newcastle DECEMBER gence Kumera Soupie – Meat, Veggie and visit www.stillwildstillthreatened.org. for Vegan meals 3rd How to Make Trouble and Influ- more details. ence people Book launch Currently moving to new venue, but upstairs at the Berkelouw Cafe and Book- available to cater events. To contact, FEBRUARY Melbournevisit office at the Octapod. shop Newtown, 6-8 O’Connell St, Newtown, Irene Warehouse, 6pm-8pm. Entry is free and speakers include 12 - 14th: Be my Florentine forest the book’s author Iain McIntyre as well as Dr 5 Pitt St, East festival Brunswick. Community arts space, Meredith Burgmann, Mother Inferior (Order The Be my Florentine Forest Festival is back Foodrecording Not Bombs studios, circus space. of Perpetual Indulgence) and Simon Hunt again this year. Come down and be dazzled (Pauline Pantsdown). by the performers. More details on Monday lunch: 1pm, Brunswick St www.stillwildstillthreatened.org Monday dinner: 7:30pm, Western 5th: How to Make TROUBLE AND IN- Bulldogs oval, Footscray. FLUENCE PEOPLE Launch Party Tuesday dinner: 7:30pm cnr 13th: Stolen Generations to Brunswick and Gertrude Sts, Fitzroy Red Rattler, 6 Faversham St Marrickville, Intervention Sunday dinner: 6pm, at Loophole 8pm-midnight. Entry is $10 and speakers Community Centre, 834a High St, On the 2nd Anniversary of the Rudd BarricadeThornbury Books and Infoshop, A-Space, will include Iain McIntyre, Rachel Evans (No Governments Sorry speech a day of rallys To Pope Coalition) and Dave Burgess (who have been called by Stolen Generation painted No War on the Opera House in 2003) groups and Stop the Intervention groups 62 St Georges Rd, Northcote. Open plus projections, DJs and live music from Lee 2-6pm, Friday, Saturday, Monday, demanding for compensation for the Friendswww.barricade.org.au of the Earth shop, food co- Memorial (Melbourne, ex Sodastream), Bare Stolen Generation and for an end to the op, activist space, Arms and NinetyNine (Melbourne). The first Intervention. more can be read at: u 50 payers get a free Rock Against Bullshit 312 Smith St, www.stics.org SydneyCollingwood, www.foe.org.a XMas CD featuring Yuletide odes from the www.rollbacktheintervention.wordpress. Black Rose Anarchist Bookshop, bands and more. com 22 Enmore Rd, Newtown, 5th & 6th: Skillshare in the Floren- Jurablackrosebooks.org Bookshop, Library/ and Food Co-op, tine learn about forest ecology, campaign- APRIL ing, and skills for peaceful actions (poster attached) 440 Parramatta Rd, Petersham. http:// 9t h , 10t h a n d 11t h : Indigenous Brisbanewww.jura.org.au/ Food Not Bombs 12th Walk Against Warming. Solidarity Gathering Check your local environmental groups At a venue around Alice Springs the 2010 JANUARY Friday, 7:30pm, People’s Park opposite in your city for the specific details of what Indigenous Solidarity Gathering will be Friendsthe lizard, of theWest Earth, End Montague Rd, happening. There will be workshops iplanned for this nationwide day of Welcome to the bungle u protest on things such as soveriegnty and self- 294 a week of actions in defence of Tasmania’s DarwinWest End, www.brisbane.foe.org.a Southern Forests. visit www.stillwild- determination as well as performance and a Environment Centre NT, stillthreatened.org for more details. celebration of indigenous cultures. 3/98 Woods St, Darwin, http://www.ecnt.org 26th- Survival Day/ Invasion Day TrowerEnvironment Rd Hub, Rapid Creek Business Centre, Rapid Creek, 42 www.desertknowledge.com.au Intervention Walkoff Alice Springs Global voices, www.globalvoices.org http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress. Arid Lands Environment Centre, Shop RESOURCES Permaculture http://www.permaculture. com org Songlines, http://www.songlines.org u Radio 17, John Cumming Todd Plaza, Todd 3CR Melbourne community radio, 855AM Australian bush food and native medicine Indigenous Community News Network, forum, http:www.icnn.org FoodMall, Notwww.alec.org.a Bombs 3KND Koori radio Melbourne, 1503AM Courthouse Lawns 2NLD Koori radio, Sydney, 93.7FM, http://www.bushfood.net/ Kokatha Mula, New Community Quarterly http://www.kokathamula.auspics.org. , 6pm Sundays, 2SE, Sydney, FM, Western Australia CAAMA Central Australian Aboriginal Media www.newcq.org au/ Eco Shout Fern- Fremantle Envirnoment Resource Association, 100.5FM Network, 8CCC Alice Springs Community Radio, www.eco-shout.org Nuclear 102.1FM Breakdownpress Anti-Nuclear Australia, http://antinuclear. www.breakdownpress.org net/ 4ZZZ Brisbane community radio, 102.1FM Cityfarm, 1 Cityfarm place East Perth 4AAA Indigenous radio Brisbane, 98.9FM How to make trouble and influence people Beyond Nuclear Initiative, www.howtomaketroubleandinfulencepeople.org http://beyondnucleariniative. Southwestern Envirnoment centre, 4K1G Too Deadly, Indigenous radio North CanberraBunbury Queensland, 107.1FM wordpress.com Media Nuclear Free Australia, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Old 8KNB Radio Larrakia, Larrakia Nation NT, Parliament House Lawns 94.5FM Indymedia, www.indymedia.org http://www.nukefreeaus.org Yolgnu Radio, Darwin/Gove NT www.sydney.indymedia.org.au Nuclear Territory News, www.perth.indymedia.org http://www.ntne.ws/breaking.php Adelaide RTR Perth Indymedia Radical Radio, Food Not Bombs Wednesdays 7-8pm, 92.1FM www.tasmedia.org www.melbourne.indymedia.org.au Mining Engage media, www.engagemedia.org Mineral Policy Institute www.mpi.org.au , Saturdays, 4pm, Books, Zines, Newspapers FriendsWhitmore of the Square, Earth CBD. Adelaide, Mutiny zine, http://www.jura.org.au/mutiny Save Lake Cowal, Climate Action http://www.savelakecowal.org/ As the World Burns: 50 Simple Things You Can www.adelaide.c/- Do to Stay in Denial, Derrick Jensen. Rising Tide Grassroots Climate Action, Handsoffcountry, www.risingtide.org.au http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com Conservationu Council of SA, Level 1, Koori Mail, http://www.koorimail.com/ 157 Franklin St, CBD, National Indigenous Times, Hepburn Renewable Energy Association, www.hrea.org Forests Tasmaniafoe.org.a www.nit.com.au Upper Florentine Forest Blockade, Tasmanainatimes, Huon Valley Environment Centre, www.tasmaniantimes.com.au Climate Science www.huon.org Climate Code Red, Still Wild Still Threatened, Valley http://climatered.blogpsot.com www.stillwildstillthreatend.org FoodGordon Not River Bombs Rd, Upper Florentine Beyond Zero Emissions, Gippsland Environment Centre, General Resources Huon Environment Hobart, Centre, Tuesdays Activist Rights, www.beyondzeroemissions.org www.geco.org.au Zero Emissions Network, Central Highland Alliance, www.tcha.org.au Wilmot6pm, Franklin Road, Huonville,Square, CBD http://www.activistrights.org.au/ 3/17 Australian anarchist network and resource, www.zeroemissionsnetwork.org Save our Red Gums, www.saveredgum. Energy Bulletin, org. http://www. www.anarchy.org.au huon.org/ Anarchist resource, links, library, www.energybulletin.net Want to add an infoshop or soup http://www.infoshop.org/ Blogs Beating Hearts Press, Indigenous Uriohau anti-colonial and anti-capitalist blog, http://www.beatingheartspress.com Kooriweb, Voices for Black Australia, http://uriohau.blogspot.com/ kitchen in your area? Email Friends of the Earth http://www.foe.org.au/ http://www.kooriweb.org/ Slack Bastard, [email protected]. A World Without Sexual Assault, Intervention Rollback Action Group, www.slackbastard.wordpress.com www.worldwithout.org http://rollbacktheintervention. Eat the Suburbs, Desert Knowledge Centre wordpress.com http://www.eatthesuburbs.org/ http://waiquarterly.wordpress.com 20