Friday, February 27, 2004
A secret report prepared by the Pentagon says that global climate change could cost millions of lives and is a far greater threat to terrorism.
Britain's 'Observer' says that the report was covered up by people in the Pentagon for four months.
The report seems to contradict the United States governments military and environmental policies, which have largely been supported by the Australian government. The governments of the United States and Australia are almost unique in refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. President Bush's scepticism on global warming has gone against the opinion of most scientists in the field.
The report says that, unless climate change is treated immediately as a top priority, "disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life...warfare would define human life".
The report cited scenarios including "catastrophic" shortages of potable water and energy leading to widespread war by 2020, as countries "develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies".
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Britain's 'Observer' says that the report was covered up by people in the Pentagon for four months.
The report seems to contradict the United States governments military and environmental policies, which have largely been supported by the Australian government. The governments of the United States and Australia are almost unique in refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. President Bush's scepticism on global warming has gone against the opinion of most scientists in the field.
The report says that, unless climate change is treated immediately as a top priority, "disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life...warfare would define human life".
The report cited scenarios including "catastrophic" shortages of potable water and energy leading to widespread war by 2020, as countries "develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies".
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
More than 50,000 Australian children have been prescribed antidepressants that are banned overseas.
The drugs Aropax, Cipramil, Efexor and Zoloft are banned for children in Britain. Britain's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency found that the drugs did not help children and increased their risk of suicide.
Australia's federal Health Department has not warned patients and doctors of the dangers and has made no moves to restrict access.
Pharamaceutical companies allegedly knew of the dangers of the drugs but supressed the evidence for seven years.
The Alfred hospital's head of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Dr Paul Denborough, said "I think antidepressants are over-prescribed among teenagers, given the reasonably minimal evidence of their effectiveness".
Dr Denborough said there was often a shortage of counsellors and it was easier for some just to prescribe antidepressants.
(Source: Herald Sun)
The drugs Aropax, Cipramil, Efexor and Zoloft are banned for children in Britain. Britain's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency found that the drugs did not help children and increased their risk of suicide.
Australia's federal Health Department has not warned patients and doctors of the dangers and has made no moves to restrict access.
Pharamaceutical companies allegedly knew of the dangers of the drugs but supressed the evidence for seven years.
The Alfred hospital's head of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Dr Paul Denborough, said "I think antidepressants are over-prescribed among teenagers, given the reasonably minimal evidence of their effectiveness".
Dr Denborough said there was often a shortage of counsellors and it was easier for some just to prescribe antidepressants.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Quote of the Moment:
"Around a dozen individuals have revealed they made serious allegations against non-union parties only to be told their testimonies would not be needed".
(From a review of a book on the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry, which heard 110 witness statements, four or five of which were overviews from peak bodies, the rest being allegations against unions, and none of which concerned any allegations against employers).
"Around a dozen individuals have revealed they made serious allegations against non-union parties only to be told their testimonies would not be needed".
(From a review of a book on the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry, which heard 110 witness statements, four or five of which were overviews from peak bodies, the rest being allegations against unions, and none of which concerned any allegations against employers).
Monday, February 23, 2004
Call centre company TeleTech has rejected a claim by a Sydney employee for leave following the death of his grandmother.
The company refused to let him use either accumulated sick pay, leave without pay or annual leave, to allow him to observe a traditional Jewish seven day mourning period.
The company refused a similar request from another employee in Victoria.
TeleTech workers in New South Wales and Victoria stopped work on Monday February 16 over the company's refusal to negotiate with the USU and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
Paul Morris from the USU said "these are young workers aged 20 to 25 who up until 6 months ago didn't even know a union existed...the statement that young people think unions are dinosaurs is simply not the case".
(Source: Workers Online website)
The company refused to let him use either accumulated sick pay, leave without pay or annual leave, to allow him to observe a traditional Jewish seven day mourning period.
The company refused a similar request from another employee in Victoria.
TeleTech workers in New South Wales and Victoria stopped work on Monday February 16 over the company's refusal to negotiate with the USU and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
Paul Morris from the USU said "these are young workers aged 20 to 25 who up until 6 months ago didn't even know a union existed...the statement that young people think unions are dinosaurs is simply not the case".
(Source: Workers Online website)
Melbourne Nazis may be behind an arson attack which gutted a suburban home on the weekend.
Robert Cecala's house in Greensborough was broken into and set alight at about 11.15pm on Saturday. Mr Cecala and his family were out.
The words "back off" and "or die" were spraypainted on his garage and car.
The attack might have been motivated by comments Mr Cecala made on a community radio program. He was commenting on a series of arson attacks in Perth against Chinese shops, where swastikas were painted on the scene. Mr Cecala said that left wing people had run Nazis out of town in the 1970s, and may do so again.
(Source: news.com.au)
Robert Cecala's house in Greensborough was broken into and set alight at about 11.15pm on Saturday. Mr Cecala and his family were out.
The words "back off" and "or die" were spraypainted on his garage and car.
The attack might have been motivated by comments Mr Cecala made on a community radio program. He was commenting on a series of arson attacks in Perth against Chinese shops, where swastikas were painted on the scene. Mr Cecala said that left wing people had run Nazis out of town in the 1970s, and may do so again.
(Source: news.com.au)
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Quote of the Moment:
"There is no need for the threats of punitive punishment".
(A recruit to the Victoria Police Academy complains about the culture of bullying that exists there, and also sums up the anarchist case against having a police force...)
"There is no need for the threats of punitive punishment".
(A recruit to the Victoria Police Academy complains about the culture of bullying that exists there, and also sums up the anarchist case against having a police force...)
A chief inspector and two other officers have been removed from their positions at the Victoria Police Academy after an enquiy into allegations of widespread bullying.
A staff member reported a series of incidents to Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon, and was victimised afterwards.
The enquiry investigated allegations of bullying of a policeman's son, apparently as payback for going over his immediate superior's head in order to get time off to visit a critically ill family friend in hospital; the bullying of a gay recruit and another Greek-Australian recruit; and a recruit being intimidated over needing to take time off due to an illness.
The enquiry was based on six months of research, using interviews and submissions from more than 100 staff and former recruits, including recruits who had resigned before completing the course.
It referred to managers who had "been party to inappropriate behaviour and to fostering cultural norms that reinforce bullying and discriminatory modes of behaviour".
The report also noted the existence of cronyism, with friendships unduly affecting management style and decision-making.
(Source: The Age)
A staff member reported a series of incidents to Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon, and was victimised afterwards.
The enquiry investigated allegations of bullying of a policeman's son, apparently as payback for going over his immediate superior's head in order to get time off to visit a critically ill family friend in hospital; the bullying of a gay recruit and another Greek-Australian recruit; and a recruit being intimidated over needing to take time off due to an illness.
The enquiry was based on six months of research, using interviews and submissions from more than 100 staff and former recruits, including recruits who had resigned before completing the course.
It referred to managers who had "been party to inappropriate behaviour and to fostering cultural norms that reinforce bullying and discriminatory modes of behaviour".
The report also noted the existence of cronyism, with friendships unduly affecting management style and decision-making.
(Source: The Age)
Friday, February 20, 2004
The cost of paying private operators to run Melbourne's trains and trams for the next five years has almost doubled to $2.3 billion under new public transport deals announced by the State government.
Train company Connex will be receive an average of $345 million of public money per year for five years to run Melbourne's train system. This is an increase of $165 million a year.
Yarra Trams will be paid an average of $112 million a year for five years to run Melbourne's trams - a $36 million a year rise.
No competitive bidding was allowed for the contracts.
The Government has also released Connex from its obligation to redevelop Flinders Street Station.
(Source: The Age)
Train company Connex will be receive an average of $345 million of public money per year for five years to run Melbourne's train system. This is an increase of $165 million a year.
Yarra Trams will be paid an average of $112 million a year for five years to run Melbourne's trams - a $36 million a year rise.
No competitive bidding was allowed for the contracts.
The Government has also released Connex from its obligation to redevelop Flinders Street Station.
(Source: The Age)
More than 60 of the United States' leading scientists have accused the United States government of systematically distorting scientific facts to fit policies on everything from climate change to whether Iraq had been trying to make nuclear weapons.
In an open letter, the independent Union of Concerned Scientists said: "When scientific knowledge has been found to be in conflict with its political goals, the Administration has often manipulated the process through which science enters into its decisions.
"This has been done by placing people who are professionally unqualified or who have clear conflicts of interest in official posts and on scientific advisory committees; by disbanding existing advisory committees; by censoring and suppressing reports by the Government's own scientists; and by simply not seeking independent scientific advice."
According to a 38-page report detailing its accusations, the government has misrepresented scientific consensus on global warming, censored at least one report on climate change, manipulated scientific findings on the emissions of mercury from power plants and suppressed information on condom use.
(Source: The Age)
In an open letter, the independent Union of Concerned Scientists said: "When scientific knowledge has been found to be in conflict with its political goals, the Administration has often manipulated the process through which science enters into its decisions.
"This has been done by placing people who are professionally unqualified or who have clear conflicts of interest in official posts and on scientific advisory committees; by disbanding existing advisory committees; by censoring and suppressing reports by the Government's own scientists; and by simply not seeking independent scientific advice."
According to a 38-page report detailing its accusations, the government has misrepresented scientific consensus on global warming, censored at least one report on climate change, manipulated scientific findings on the emissions of mercury from power plants and suppressed information on condom use.
(Source: The Age)
Thursday, February 12, 2004
An enquiry into the Australian Defence Force has found a culture of suicides and abuse, including gang rapes.
One 19 year old soldier, John Satatas, was found dead at Holsworthy Army Base in an apparent suicide. The Portugese-Australian soldier had 'Spiros' scrawled in black pen over his face and body. His family say he killed himself after episodes of physical and verbal abuse from other soldiers including some officers.
His family were promised the army would cover costs associated with the funeral, but ended up with a $1300 invoice from the funeral home.
His mother Rosa said "Defence did not investigate John's death properly, and we were offered no assistance afterwards."
Mark Drummond, a former cadet and teacher at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said there had been as many as 100 gang rapes since the institution was formed in 1986. Though reforms had helped clean up ADF, many culprits had not been dealt with.
"I'd guess many gang rapists must still be serving within the ADF" he said.
Matthew Liddell, a survivor of the HMAS Westralia fire in 1998, was in severe shock from the death of his friend. He was sent straight back to the scene of the fire, and later killed himself.
"Matthew did not want to go back to the Westralia," his mother, Dulcie, wrote. "It did a lot of damage to his mind, like sending someone back into the lion's den after they've already been attacked and mauled."
(Source: Herald Sun)
One 19 year old soldier, John Satatas, was found dead at Holsworthy Army Base in an apparent suicide. The Portugese-Australian soldier had 'Spiros' scrawled in black pen over his face and body. His family say he killed himself after episodes of physical and verbal abuse from other soldiers including some officers.
His family were promised the army would cover costs associated with the funeral, but ended up with a $1300 invoice from the funeral home.
His mother Rosa said "Defence did not investigate John's death properly, and we were offered no assistance afterwards."
Mark Drummond, a former cadet and teacher at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said there had been as many as 100 gang rapes since the institution was formed in 1986. Though reforms had helped clean up ADF, many culprits had not been dealt with.
"I'd guess many gang rapists must still be serving within the ADF" he said.
Matthew Liddell, a survivor of the HMAS Westralia fire in 1998, was in severe shock from the death of his friend. He was sent straight back to the scene of the fire, and later killed himself.
"Matthew did not want to go back to the Westralia," his mother, Dulcie, wrote. "It did a lot of damage to his mind, like sending someone back into the lion's den after they've already been attacked and mauled."
(Source: Herald Sun)
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
The governments of the United States and Australia have decided on a 'free trade' agreement between the two countries.
Under the deal, any US investment in new businesses will be exempted from Foreign Investment Review Board screening. The threshhold for screening US acquisitions of existing businesses has been raised from $50 million to $800 million. This would have exempted 90 percent of all US takeovers in the past three years from scrutiny by the board.
US Trade Representative Bob Zoellick also said that the agreement "contains important and unprecedented provisions to improve market access for US films and television."
US pharmaceutical companies won significant changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including the right for an review of decisions excluding their drugs from the scheme, extended patent periods, and 'consultations' when makers of generic drugs apply for approval.
(Source: The Age)
Under the deal, any US investment in new businesses will be exempted from Foreign Investment Review Board screening. The threshhold for screening US acquisitions of existing businesses has been raised from $50 million to $800 million. This would have exempted 90 percent of all US takeovers in the past three years from scrutiny by the board.
US Trade Representative Bob Zoellick also said that the agreement "contains important and unprecedented provisions to improve market access for US films and television."
US pharmaceutical companies won significant changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including the right for an review of decisions excluding their drugs from the scheme, extended patent periods, and 'consultations' when makers of generic drugs apply for approval.
(Source: The Age)
A letter captured from an al-Qaida courier says that the organisation is failing to attract support from significant numbers of Iraqis, undermining claims by the US government that attacks on American troops are organised by al-Qaida, or that Iraq has ever been a significant base for terrorists.
The letter says that many Iraqis "will give you refuge...however, they will not allow you to make their home a base for operations or a safe house".
Several US commanders have said that the Iraqi resistance generally sees al-Qaida as an unwelcome presence.
Having failed to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the US government has changed the emphasis of its reasons for going to war, towards ousting Saddam Hussein and the 'war on terror'.
(Source: Associated Press)
The letter says that many Iraqis "will give you refuge...however, they will not allow you to make their home a base for operations or a safe house".
Several US commanders have said that the Iraqi resistance generally sees al-Qaida as an unwelcome presence.
Having failed to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the US government has changed the emphasis of its reasons for going to war, towards ousting Saddam Hussein and the 'war on terror'.
(Source: Associated Press)
Monday, February 09, 2004
Quote of the Moment:
'The best time to invest [in Iraq] is when there is still blood on the ground'.
(delegate to a conference on investing in Iraq)
'Me? No, I couldn't do that to my family'.
(the same delegate when asked if he would be going to Iraq)
'The best time to invest [in Iraq] is when there is still blood on the ground'.
(delegate to a conference on investing in Iraq)
'Me? No, I couldn't do that to my family'.
(the same delegate when asked if he would be going to Iraq)
Friday, February 06, 2004
The brother of a trainee paramedic who died in an ambulance crash has been docked a day's pay, after attending the funeral of another paramedic who died with his brother.
Terry Oakley's brother, trainee paramedic Phil Oakley, died with Rob Bland when their ambulance ran off Maroondah Highway and hit a tree while attending an accident.
Mr Oakley was unable to return to work as scheduled on the 6th of January and used his three day's bereavement leave from January 6 to 8, attending his brother's funeral on the 8th. He was docked for attending Mr Bland's funeral the next day.
Mr Oakley will also lose his February rostered day off because he attended a combined memorial service for both men at St Paul's Cathedral.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Terry Oakley's brother, trainee paramedic Phil Oakley, died with Rob Bland when their ambulance ran off Maroondah Highway and hit a tree while attending an accident.
Mr Oakley was unable to return to work as scheduled on the 6th of January and used his three day's bereavement leave from January 6 to 8, attending his brother's funeral on the 8th. He was docked for attending Mr Bland's funeral the next day.
Mr Oakley will also lose his February rostered day off because he attended a combined memorial service for both men at St Paul's Cathedral.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Almost one in five Victorian workers is low paid, earning an average of $10.42 an hour.
A new report has found more than 370,000 Victorians earn $461.70 a week or less, leaving less than $390 a week after tax.
The State of Working Victoria survey found those working in hospitality were among the worst paid. A third earned less than $12.50 an hour.
Junior sales, clerical and service employees also tended to be low-paid.
Women were more likely to be poorly paid than men, and about 40 per cent of low income earners were under 30.
The ACTU wants a pay increase for the lowest paid workers of $26.60 a week, which would raise the minimum adult wage to $12.50 an hour.
(Source: The Age)
A new report has found more than 370,000 Victorians earn $461.70 a week or less, leaving less than $390 a week after tax.
The State of Working Victoria survey found those working in hospitality were among the worst paid. A third earned less than $12.50 an hour.
Junior sales, clerical and service employees also tended to be low-paid.
Women were more likely to be poorly paid than men, and about 40 per cent of low income earners were under 30.
The ACTU wants a pay increase for the lowest paid workers of $26.60 a week, which would raise the minimum adult wage to $12.50 an hour.
(Source: The Age)
The Howard Government yesterday laid out a $50 billion defence plan while admitting new delays and cost blowouts of more than $6 billion on major projects.
The Opposition alleges claimed that of the 20 most expensive Defence projects that were planned when John Howard came to office, two have been cancelled and the rest are a total of 85 years and $7 billion over budget.
(Source: The Age)
The Opposition alleges claimed that of the 20 most expensive Defence projects that were planned when John Howard came to office, two have been cancelled and the rest are a total of 85 years and $7 billion over budget.
(Source: The Age)
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
A woman who started a six-month job contract with the Australian Taxation Office was fired 4 hours into her first day through no fault of her own, and was then given three different reasons why.
Celeste Pridmore got a job with the ATO through the private employment agency Skilled Engineering.
She was first told that she had filled out the wrong police background check and that her employment would start again in two weeks.
Two days later she was told she did not meet the training requirements for the role and her contract would be terminated.
When she asked what the requirements were, a representative of Skilled Engineering said he was "not at liberty to discuss that information".
Later that afternoon, an ATO representative told her that her contract would be terminated because of 'budget restraints'.
Ms Pridmore gave up two other jobs to take up the ATO position, and says that "now I'm left basically destitute, I don't have a job and I'm looking for work again".
Skilled Engineering secretary Ken Bieg refused to discuss the case, but said that casual workers can legally be sacked with an hour's notice.
(Source: Hobart Mercury)
Celeste Pridmore got a job with the ATO through the private employment agency Skilled Engineering.
She was first told that she had filled out the wrong police background check and that her employment would start again in two weeks.
Two days later she was told she did not meet the training requirements for the role and her contract would be terminated.
When she asked what the requirements were, a representative of Skilled Engineering said he was "not at liberty to discuss that information".
Later that afternoon, an ATO representative told her that her contract would be terminated because of 'budget restraints'.
Ms Pridmore gave up two other jobs to take up the ATO position, and says that "now I'm left basically destitute, I don't have a job and I'm looking for work again".
Skilled Engineering secretary Ken Bieg refused to discuss the case, but said that casual workers can legally be sacked with an hour's notice.
(Source: Hobart Mercury)
Approximately 34 members of Victoria Police are facing criminal charges, including rape, assaults, and attempting to pervert the course of justice, but will suffer no cuts to their superannuation if found guilty.
At most, one third of the money will have been contributed by the officers themselves, with the remainder being public money paid from the police's budget.
(Source: Herald Sun)
At most, one third of the money will have been contributed by the officers themselves, with the remainder being public money paid from the police's budget.
(Source: Herald Sun)
A child is killed on a farm in Australia every 10 days on average, according to a new report.
The report by Farmsafe Australia said that nore than 570 children were admitted to hospital in 2002 with injuries suffered on a farm. Tractor accidents, dam drownings, toxic poisoning and electrocutions were among the main hazards.
Farming makes up about 4 per cent of the total work force, but accounts for 20 per cent of work-related injuries.
(Source: Herald Sun)
The report by Farmsafe Australia said that nore than 570 children were admitted to hospital in 2002 with injuries suffered on a farm. Tractor accidents, dam drownings, toxic poisoning and electrocutions were among the main hazards.
Farming makes up about 4 per cent of the total work force, but accounts for 20 per cent of work-related injuries.
(Source: Herald Sun)
National Australia Bank head Frank Cicutto will receive a lump sum of approximately $7.3 million upon his resignation.
Mr Cicutto also has $2 million in superannuation which he will be able to access next year.
He also has share options, presently worth a further $4.5 million.
Mr Cicutto resigned over the recent 'rogue trading' scandal.
Bank chairman Charles Allen suggested that the final straw for Mr Cicutto departure was publication of photographs of his new home, which will be worth an estimated $8 million when it is complete. Mr Allen said that the photographs were "very upsetting" to Mr Cicutto.
(Source: Herald Sun)
Mr Cicutto also has $2 million in superannuation which he will be able to access next year.
He also has share options, presently worth a further $4.5 million.
Mr Cicutto resigned over the recent 'rogue trading' scandal.
Bank chairman Charles Allen suggested that the final straw for Mr Cicutto departure was publication of photographs of his new home, which will be worth an estimated $8 million when it is complete. Mr Allen said that the photographs were "very upsetting" to Mr Cicutto.
(Source: Herald Sun)
