THE BYRON SHIRE Byron Bay International Film Volume 27 #36 Festival Program Tuesday, February 19, 2013 inserted in this week’s Echo! Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] www.echo.net.au CAB 23,200 copies every week AUDIT MAYBE YOU’VE BEEN BRAINWASHED TOO? Inside Helena Norberg- OMG The Libs Ten things you The best cinema Byron Shire this Hodge on have a policy should know reviews the world Council Notices week globalisation – p9 paper! – p10 about CSG – p14 has ever seen – p25 Pages 40 CSG-free feds Flashing it for V-day Nats candidate joins MP Elliot in opposing north coast CSG Hans Lovejoy Additionally, a position on CSG by a Tony Abbott-led federal government, Both federal candidates for the up- aligned with the Nationals, remains coming September election have now unclear. Little exists of CSG policy on gone renegade against their own par- the Liberals’ website. One press release, ties over coal-seam gas (CSG). dated April 4, 2012, blasted a Greens National’s hopeful for the seat of inquiry into coal-seam gas as ‘politi- Richmond and Hungry Jack’s opera- cally motivated and counterproduc- tor Matthew Fraser told The Echo he tive.’ And an address to the West Aus- agrees with sitting Labor MP Justine tralian Leadership Matters breakfast in Elliot that CSG should not be mined late 2012, Mr Abbott was critical of the in the northern rivers region. red tape holding up a CSG project in Meanwhile, Ms Elliot and fellow central QLD. MP Janelle Saffi n (Page) stepped up the campaign by launching a petition, Capitalise the outrage which, if 10,000 signatures are reached, When asked what is the diff erence will be tabled in state parliament. Th e between both candidates, Mr Fraser petition, found at http://bit.ly/XFd0GB, said, ‘Th e only diff erence is I have never requires it be printed out for signing. change my position and I’m not using And although the decision to frack the CSG agenda to hoodwink voters. and mine NSW lies with the state gov- ‘I think it is obvious to most people: Nurse Perverse, along with around 150 women and a few blokes, gathered for an early morning ‘fl ash mob’ dance at ernment, The Echo understands that the election is called then she’s taking Byron’s Main Beach on Thursday. The event was part of V-Day, a call to action based on the appalling statistic that one in the federal government could inter- a stand against CSG. Where was she three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime. Photo Jeff ‘Flash And Panned’ Dawson vene by amending the Corporations on this issue for the past two years? Act. But so far, both candidates have ‘At the same time her Labor party not given any indication that this is an has stated they wish to reduce obsta- avenue they would pursue. cles and impediments to fast-track State and feds refuse CCTV funding CSG operations.’ Hans Lovejoy had also spoken to the home aff airs to areas like Byron to help curb the CSG free petition While both candidates scramble to minister about the need for CCTV, but alcohol-related violence. Mr Fraser told The Echo, ‘I do not capitalise on public outrage, it remains Funding to install CCTV for Byron’s again was not given any commitment. ‘We constantly see his government believe that it is possible for CSG op- unclear as to what infl uence Ms Elliott CBD has not only been refused by ‘It takes a suite of measures to ad- giving more police resources to Syd- erations in Richmond to meet [Th e has, and potentially Mr Fraser would the state, but now by the federal gov- dress the complex issue of alcohol re- ney, while our police numbers are cut Nationals] criteria and I will not be have, in stopping it. Th eir respective ernment. lated crime,’ she said. ‘Police numbers on the north coast.’ supporting any such proposal.’ parties at both state and federal level are Despite in-principle support from are vitally important to this. Commu- Meanwhile Mr Waters has says he According to Mr Fraser, the federal planning to expand CSG and general Council and with urging from police nity education and resources are also has taken on loan ‘portable high-tech National’s criteria includes that no CSG mining. Federal Labor environment and the business community, it ap- important. CCTV can also play a role.’ mobile CCTV units,’ which he will ‘development should occur unless it is MP Tony Burke gave conditional ap- pears the only option left is for CCTV She also blamed the current state trial in the next month. ‘We’ll look proven safe for the environment’ and proval for 110 CSG wells at Gloucester to be installed and run privately. government for lack of police pres- at sponsorship if the government that prime agricultural land ‘must be last week, while the state Nat/Lib gov- President of Byron’s chamber of ence. ‘I know there are many great doesn’t end up contributing,’ he says. protected from activities that destroy its ernment failed in a bid to push CSG commerce (Byron United), Paul Wa- community groups working with the capacity to deliver food security.’ on suburban areas of southwestern ters, said that aft er the state govern- police to try to address these prob- Additionally, CSG, ‘must not occur Sydney in early February. QLD federal ment refused to assist, local MP Don lems. While the police do a great job Byron CSG meeting close to existing residential areas.’ independent Bob Katter put forward Page approached the federal attorney in diffi cult circumstances, the fact is, A coal-seam gas (CSG) information But Ms Elliot condemned Mr Fras- legislation to stop CSG but it failed last general’s offi ce who delegated the re- if there aren’t enough resources, the meeting will be held Saturday er’s stance, claiming that, ‘he can sup- week. ‘It’s his second attempt to stop the quest to the federal minister for home whole community suff ers. February 23 at the Byron Regional port CSG operations when it meets practice,’ reports www.news.com.au, aff airs, Jason Clare. ‘As Don Page has been unable to Sport and Cultural Complex at 2pm. his guidelines.’ She says that unlike Mr ‘aft er his previous bid was voted down Th at request was declined last week. deliver a CCTV grant for the area I Drew Hutton from Lock the Gate Fraser, she doesn’t support CSG min- by the major parties last year.’ When The Echo asked Richmond would urge him as minister for the Alliance will speak and all are invited ing in our community, ‘no ifs, no buts, Q See Ten things you should know Labor MP Justine Elliot if she was able north coast to get his government to assist in ways to help with the no conditions.’ about CSG page 14 to make representations, she said she to deliver more police and resources street surveys. <echowebsection=Local News> Local News Poetry and writing master classes Mullum’s colourful Valentines Day Washed-out road partially Two workshops will be held genres and is as inspirational by one of Australia’s most ac- and relevant to seasoned pro- reopen and supplies fl own in claimed and awarded writers fessionals as he is to the fl edg- of prose and poetry, Mark ling wordsmith.’ Thankfully Wanganui Road Committee local operations Tredinnick, on Saturday March reopened on Friday aft ernoon controller (LEOCON), Super- 2 and Sunday March 3. Over two days but only to authorised vehicles intendant Stuart Wilkins, says They are a creative non- Mark says, ‘Writing well, like under 3.5 tonnes. Th e road had an emergency access route has fi ction and poetry masterclass living well, is partly a matter of been closed since a landslip over been identifi ed for the belea- respectively. Presented by Th e technique and partly a matter the Australia Day long weekend. guered road. Northern Rivers Writers’ Cen- of courage.’ Places are limited: He says the shire’s ‘signifi cant ‘Th is route will only be used tre, director Jeni Caffi n said, to secure your spot, contact the number of landslips’ are being by emergency service provid- ‘In Mark Tredinnick, we have a centre on 6685 5115 or email assessed by geotechnical con- ers should a life threatening in- generous teacher who traverses [email protected]. sulting engineers and reported cident occur and the Westpac to the Natural Disaster Assis- Rescue Helicopter service can tance Scheme to gain access to not attend. Th e development of This Week@Lightforce funding for repair works. an interim access road will take Cupid’s personal assistant, Valleyntine, was dispensing words Meanwhile, Upper Coopers some time and is dependent on iPad Madness with Discounts of love and devotion to the romantically intoxicated at the Creek Road remains closed weather, approval from private Art Depot in Mullum on Valentines Day. *apple Photo Jeff ‘Be My and continues to aff ect about landowners and access. on iPad Accessories! accessories Valiumtime’ Dawson excluded 40 properties. The Upper Coopers Creek SES helicopters have been Road landslip occurred on the Correction Man found safe resupplying residents with es- Australia Day long weekend Last week The Echo incorrectly 29-year-old Charl Viviers, who sential items, which occurs and the road was closed to named the new chair of the was declared missing by police on Monday and Th ursday, say motor vehicles and pedestrian The iPad Mini: Byron Bay Liquor Accord as following the January fl oods, Council.