IndyWatch Cairns QLD All Topics Summary Archiver

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Friday, 05 May

00:48

Everybody Knows, Part 8: When is a Government Not a Government "IndyWatch Feed National"

13 of the 19 members of the NSW Medical Council. Photo: nswmc.org.au

by Mary W Maxwell, LLB

I said earlier that I had read only half of Russell Pridgeons book Everybody Knows. I have now read all of it twice. Thank you to those who bought a Kindle or a paperback from Amazon, helping it...

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Thursday, 04 May

22:19

calls to crack down on advertising junk food to children "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

With south Australian children returning to school this week, there is growing concern around junk food advertising seen by children on their way to school and its potential influences on childrens dietary choices and health.

Research suggests that the average Australian child has a one in four chance of being above a healthy weight. Much of this problem is determined by what food is consumed. Australian Children are reported to obtain approximately 40 per cent of their energy intake from junk food with just 5 per cent of Australian children eating enough fruit and vegetables.

New data from the Cancer Council SA reveals that 80 per cent of food and drink advertisements seen by South Australian children on their way to school relate to junk food.  This comes as the The SA Greens are urging the SA Government to back a Private Members Bill to ban junk food advertising near schools on bus stops and railway stations.

Image: Image CC0

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Christine Morris Cancer Council SA Prevention and Advocacy Manager , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 04 May 2023

The post calls to crack down on advertising junk food to children appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

21:52

Douse the ABA Accreditation of Law Schools: An Interview with William Sumner Scott "IndyWatch Feed National"

Atty William Sumner Scott, presentation to NACIQI public hearing in 2016, Photo:YouTubeAtty William Sumner Scott, presentation to NACIQI public hearing in 2016, Photo:YouTube

by Mary W Maxwell, LLB

Six years ago, William Sumner Scott addressed a committee of the US Department of Education concerning the way in which the American Bar Association (ABA) controls the accreditation of law schools something he opposes. The opening words of his testimony to this committee were: The ABA is one of the gatekeepers of forced ignorance in the United States. He also said:

What better energizer for malfeasance could there be than awareness that forces at the top are dedicated to maintaining weaponized prosecutions against those lawyers who dare challenge an official Government narrative?

Talk about pith! I have now interviewed him about this.

Maxwell: In this photo you are speaking to a committee?

Scott: Yes. Its called NACIQI, an odd name for an odd thing, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. It provides expert advice to the Secretary of the US Department of Education.

Maxwell: Stop right there! Congress cannot legislate anything about education! Article I sec 8 of the US Constitution enumerates every area in...

21:46

Federal Court registrars aided and abetted thousands of Covid vaxx deaths "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Federal Court refused to file Covid vaxx actions Letter to the Editor The Announcement that Anthony Albanese is going to take the Oath of Allegiance from the Statute 1 Will and Mary ( Coronation Oath) 1688 ( C 6) at the Coronation of King Charles III is wonderful news for the people of Australia. I []

21:05

Liberal bastion no more? Border control to tighten amid EU swing to right "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Last year, we saw a number of countries in the European Union swing to the far right including Italy, Sweden, Germany and France.    

This was followed by EU leaders announcing tougher border control measures to keep out asylum seekers amid conflict in surrounding regions. 

More recently, the head of Finlands conservative National Coalition Party (NCP), which came first in the April elections, said he would start negotiating a centre-right coalition government that would mean power-sharing with a far-right anti-immigration party.

The Wire speaks with Flinders University Professor of International History and Future Fellow Matt Fitzpatrick to find out more about what is propelling this trend, and the potential consequences. 

Image: Hkan Dahlstrm via Wikimedia Commons

Produced By: Anisha Pillarisetty

Featured In Story: Flinders University Professor of International History and Future Fellow Matt Fitzpatrick

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 04 May 2023

The post Liberal bastion no more? Border control to tighten amid EU swing to right appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

20:32

Beetaloo Basin traditional owners condemn green light for fracking "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

The Northern Territory government will allow fracking in the gas-rich Beetaloo Basin, despite traditional owners, scientists, and environmental groups warning against the risks of this.  

The NT government has said it has met 135 recommendations from the 2018 Pepper inquiry which found fracking risks could be mitigated if these were fully implemented. 

But the the independent officer in charge of overseeing the recommendations, Dr David Ritchie, says a commitment to reducing emissions had not been fulfilled.  

Speaking to the ABC, NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said recommendation 9.8 had absolutely been met. 

National Radio News reporter Amy OHalloran speaks with Beetaloo Basin traditional owner and Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chair Johnny Wilson about this. 

Image: Image supplied by Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation

Produced By: Amy OHalloran

Featured In Story: Beetaloo Basin traditional owner and Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chair Johnny Wilson

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 04 May 2023

The post Beetaloo Basin traditional owners condemn green light for fracking appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

20:21

1966 - King Charles crowned for the first time with a Bondi lifesaver's cap! "IndyWatch Feed National"

Tremendous thanks to David Maegraith who writes of his grandfather and HM King Charles: This should get a run in media this week but no one seems to care. The first crown Charles wore was a North Bondi surf life saving cap, crowned by my grandfather Kerwin Maegraith What a...

19:51

Fixed Versus Variable Rate Home Loans "IndyWatch Feed National"

Whether youre looking to become a homeowner for the first time or looking to invest in another property, it helps to have a solid understanding of home loan interest rates.

One of the main concepts that you need to grasp is the difference between fixed and variable-rate home loans. Depending on your financial goals and economic outlook, one type of interest rate might be more beneficial to you than the other.

In this article, were going to look at what fixed and variable rates mean. To help you decide which one is right for you, well also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

Fixed Rate Loans

As the name suggests, this loan is where the interest rate remains fixed for a specific period of time. For example, you might get a loan where your interest rate is fixed at 3% for five years.

Once the term expires, your loan will generally move onto the standard rate unless youre able to re-fix your home loan.

  • Advantages
    One of the main advantages of a fixed rate is the certainty that you get around your expenses. During the fixed term, your monthly payments on your home will stay the same regardless of changes in monetary policy.

    With this certainty, you will be able to automate your repayments and set yourself short to medium-term financial goals in terms of your home finances. This will also allow you to budget more effectively for other expenses.Additionally, a fixed rate will protect you from rate rises caused by external economic factors. If youre able to fix at a low rate, you can save a significant amount of money during rate hikes.

  • Disadvantages
    Just as fixed rates protect you from rate hikes, they also prevent you from benefiting from rate reductions. As such, if the interest rate drops, you could find yourself paying more on your fixed-rate monthly payments than you would have been on a variable-rate home loan. Additionally, fixed-rate loans typically have penalties for additional repayments or overpayments. This means you wont be able to pay off your loans faster even if you have the funds for it.

    Another thing to consider is the revert rate. When your fixed rate expires, its possible that your loan will revert to a high variable rate. This could increase your monthly payments significantly.

    Because of this, its important to know what kind of rate your home loan will revert to once your fixed term expires.

    Also Read: Lenders Mortgage Insurance

Variable Rate Loans

...

19:08

It's a rail loop! "IndyWatch Feed National"

Thanks to Adam Creighton for the tip on this crazy expense.

19:02

Voice will transfer farming and city water rights to Aboriginal groups "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Voice will hand over all private and public water rights to Aborigines

18:15

Stan played the card, got the gig. "IndyWatch Feed National"

On Saturday we published our opinion: Stan Grant plays the Aboriginal card to get a spot at the King's Coronation Here's the result.

18:08

Is this why everyone here smells regardless of temperature? "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Is this why everyone here smells regardless of temperature?

All deodorant locked behind glass, no matter how many times you press the button nobody shows up. Where am I meant to get deodorant?? Only moved here recently so would appreciate some advice on what to do

submitted by /u/FirefighterNo773
[link] [comments]

18:00

Feds Must Sink $1 Billion Into Ending Sexual, Domestic, Family Violence, Says Frontline Org "IndyWatch Feed National"

As the federal budget approaches, a key area of the Albanese governments focus must be on putting a stop to sexual, domestic and family violence by creating new systems that are trauma-informed and which support survivors, says one of the nations lead advocacy and assistance groups.

Full Stop Australia has previously made calls for the sector to be funded with $1 billion a year to put a full stop to sexual, domestic and family violence.

That is our clarion call, and we make it again, said Tara Hunter, Acting CEO of Full Stop Australia.

Ms Hunter said in the wake of yesterdays Domestic Violence Remembrance Day (May 3), and reflecting on Domestic Violence Prevention Month (May), its important to honour the many lives lost as a result of domestic and family violence.

At the very least, Ms Hunter said, there must be a Commonwealth commitment to structural and programmatic change that works to end sexual, domestic and family violence.

As we reflect on the 56 lives lost in 2022 in domestic and family violence related deaths, we are reminded again that this is absolutely a life and death matter.

Acting CEO of Full Stop Australia, Tara Hunter.

These deaths are preventable and require a resounding, unified and multi-pronged response. We require a system that supports initiatives from prevention and crisis response through to recovery.

This requires adequate and sustained funding, with a commitment to legislative change and building the capacity of workforces across the sector.

Ms Hunter said that with the federal budget to be announced by the Treasurer next week, its critical that government prioritise funding that supports everything from prevention to recovery.

This should include:

  • Tailored age-appropriate consent education from early childhood that instils the key tenets of bodily autonomy.
  • Rigorous dismantling of gender norms and stereotypes, through education, campaigns, policy reform and advocacy, across the private and public sector, particularly in education settings and workplaces.
  • Comprehensive response network that is capacitated, in a trauma-informed way, to handle the enormous, and steadily increasing demand on services. This should be guided by clear care-coordination princ...

17:29

Inflation May Have Peaked, But Interest Rates Probably Havent, Predicts RMIT Expert "IndyWatch Feed National"

Mortgage holders in Australia hoping for relief amid an apparent levelling out of rising inflation rates had better think again warns an economics expert, with interest rates likely to continue rising until later in the year, and cuts not expected until as late as 2025.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has executed 11 consecutive rate hikes since May 2022. Dr Peng Yew, a lecturer in the School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT University in Melbourne, said the economic pain wasnt over yet.

Although inflation seems to have peaked, albeit at a still stubbornly high 7 per cent, the RBA has reiterated its commitment to bringing inflation within 2 to 3 per cent, said Dr Yew.

National Australia Bank are predicting the RBA will lift the cash rate three more times before September 2023. Along with Westpac and ANZ, theyve also forecast interest rate cuts, but not until 2024 and 2025.

If the major banks predictions are correct, it is reasonable to expect the mortgage interest rate will stay high, and even potentially continue to rise, in 2023 and into 2024, he said.

Australians are already struggling under the rising cost of living. After 11 cash rate hikes, a home loan mortgage rate is now around 5.6 per cent, meaning the repayment on a 25-year $600,000 NAB base variable mortgage will have climbed approximately $1,500 a month. At the same time, the borrowing power of homebuyers is reduced.

Nab Walgett? The National Australia Bank did more than just nab things.

These factors are negatively impacting the housing market, Dr Yew said. These issues give rise to further emerging housing supply issues.

As the housing market dips, a significant number of would-be sellers have (and are likely to continue to) withdraw from the market, resulting in fewer [available]properties.

Approximately 1,730 properties were put under the hammer across the nations capitals in the last week of April, which was significantly lower than the 2,699 in the same weekend last year, according to an ABC report.

Mr Yew said the building sector is also experiencing high levels of upheaval and hardship.

Australian Securities and Investments C...

16:53

Mexican women rise up against crime gangs, start their own local police force, drive state police and politicians from town "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Mexican villages create their own police From BBC In Mexico, organised crime reaches everywhere, even into the smallest village except for one small town in the state of Michoacan. Led by local women, the people of Cheran rose up to defend their forest from armed loggers and kicked out police and politicians at []

16:15

Victory! TGA liars forced to end ivermectin ban "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

By TONY MOBILIFONITIS AUSTRALIAS lying, pharma-funded public health bureaucrats at the TGA have been forced to remove restrictions on the anti-parasitic and anti-viral drug ivermectin, that they criminally banned during the plandemic. The move is a huge and well-deserved victory for former Liberal MP Craig Kelly, who was mocked and ridiculed by health authorities, media []

15:37

BRICS block set to renew and become bigger "IndyWatch Feed National"

Contributed by Jim Hayes

Reacting to increasingly uncertain economic times and political pressure from Washington to maintain American dominance over the global economy is causing a growing list of nations to adopt new strategies.

One of these is the revival of the BRICS nations. This is the coalition of Brazil, Russia. India, China, and South Africa, all of them major economies. These member nations are due to meet in south Africa during August. A major issue is moving further on discarding the use of United Sates dollar to pay for transactions between them. This is serious, because the make up the single biggest economic block, representing about two thirds of the worlds population.

Last year the greenbacks share of international reserves had slipped down from 55 percent in the previous year to 47 percent. In 2003, it was 66 percent. This marks a long-term decline, and it prompted U.S. Secretary of State Janet Yellen to admit, there is a risk that the U.S. currencys dominance as the medium of international trade could end.

The re-emergence of BRICS adds to this uncertainty.

Last week, during Chinas President Xi Jinping was in Brazil meeting with President Incio Lula da Silva, and they talked about greater cooperation and a series of agreements to boost climate sustainable development.

A new tranche of agreements has recently been signed by Russia and China. India is talking with both of them to get in on some of the action. So is South Africa. These are growing economies that are attracting a lot of global attention.

Reports suggest that there are about 20 other nations seeking to join BRICS. If they do, it will encompass most of humanity, and this means that all those out of the block could be locked out of the global economy.

To put this into its full perspective, the new alignment will involve not only the fastest growing economies and most of manufacturing. It will involve most of the Middle East and Persian Gulf area, which supplies much of the worlds oil, and it is also likely to involve Mexico and Venezuela, which are also major oil producers.

The Biggest impact will be on the United States, which particularly dependent on investing in the global economy. Without this, the domestic economy is in real tro...

13:35

PODCAST: Kitchen table conversations on the #Voice: Mary Crooks on the why and how of the Victoria Womens Trust Together, yes project "IndyWatch Feed National"

YES TO THE Voice cant happen without widespread engagement at the local level on a subject people who disagree generally steer clear of. Simple as that.  Yes therell be big ad spends, famous Australian endorsements and sophisticated polling informing highly targeted social media messaging. But, like the community independent movements success at the last election, []

13:22

Black entitlement to violent crime steps up a notch in Mareeba as street gangs wage war on townspeople, vigilantes coming "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Reclaim Australia say enough is enough From Cairns News contributors Vigilantes armed with baseball bats could soon be a familiar sight on the streets of Cairns, Mareeba and Townsville as Labors feeble attempt to curb violent crime dissipates. Cairns News contributors from around the Far North have advised their sources are warning vigilantes are on []

13:06

THE VOICELESS ONES "IndyWatch Feed National"

As the following comments reveal, the victims of Robodebt were The Voiceless Ones because the politicians and the public officials who were systematically defrauding and randomly murdering welfare recipients did not want to hear the truth, and so they just ignored the imploring voices of their victims.

Posting short link: https://wp.me/p1n8TZ-3fJ

However, as the proposed prosecution of Richard Boyle reveals, some politicians will go to extreme lengths to silence the voice of whistle blowers. Sadly, other politicians simply maintain the wall of silence that keeps the victims voiceless.

12:43

In defence of utopian speculation: what might a safe and just world look like? "IndyWatch Feed National"

There is no doubt merit in exploring what abolition might look like in practice. However, to focus solely on defending abolition on pragmatic grounds is to concede that political change must be realistic to be compelling. In addition to arguing that abolition is pragmatic, its also important to not lose sight of its principlesand one way to do this may involve leaning into the power of utopian speculation to shape our sense of the possible.

The post In defence of utopian speculation: what might a safe and just world look like? appeared first on Overland literary journal.

12:36

Aussie Gardener: Knowledge Is Power in the Vegie Growing Game "IndyWatch Feed National"

Brian and Kaylene Chapman from Aussie Gardener are on a mission to educate and empower vegie growers both new and experienced. Far more than an online gardening shop, Brian and Kaylene Chapmans Aussie Gardener store website is building a community for both new and experienced gardeners in order to get as many people growing food at home as they can. With a broad customer base harking from right around Australia and an existing platform in the form of their website, Brian and Kaylene could see the benefit of creating a space where their knowledgeable and like-minded clientele could connect with one another

11:55

Koalas using newly created wildlife corridor in Northern Rivers "IndyWatch Feed National"

Linda Sparrow, President of Bangalow Koalas, at the koala corridor planting. Photo supplied

Trees planted just two years ago, as part of the koala corridor being planted throughout the Northern Rivers by Bangalow Koalas with collaboration from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), have seen koala poo recorded among trees.

They are in the process of creating a koala corridor across the heavily fragmented landscape in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region. The corridor reconnects existing patches of koala habitat. 

We have planted trees from Byron Bay and surrounds heading towards Tenterfield and up to the Queensland border in Tweed Shire, Linda Sparrow President of Bangalow Koalas, told The Echo

...

11:23

US Big Tech had inside running before IPEF became public "IndyWatch Feed National"

May 4, 2023: Australians first heard about the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in March 2022, but Bloomberg reports that emails released to the US public this week show that the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) was seeking the input of Amazon and Google from January 2022. The corporate lobbyists were all former USTR officials.

IPEF includes the US, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Fiji and Vietnam. The next round of formal IPEF negotiations take place in Singapore next week.

President Bidens rhetoric about IPEF emphasises the benefits for workers, consumers and the environment, but the reality is that giant internet corporations had the inside running long before trade unions, environment and community advocates were aware of the initiative.

When the US published the four pillars for IPEF in September 2022, the Trade Pillar included: We intend to advance inclusive digital trade by building an environment of trust and confidence in the digital economy, by addressing discriminatory practices, and by promoting trusted and secure cross-border data flows. This is the Big Tech language for deregulation of cross-border data flows, no requirement for a local presence, and no government access to algorithms and source code.

In a January 2022 email to Amazon, a USTR official requested multiple meetings between Sarah Bianchi, the deputy trade representative, and Michael Punke and Jennifer Prescott, members of Amazons government affairs team and former USTR officials, to get to know them better. Punke had been a deputy trade representative and ambassador to the World Trade Organization, while Prescott was an Assistant Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources. 

Bianchis staff emailed to set up an additional meeting with Amazon lobbyist Arrow Augerot, previously deputy assistant for congressional affairs at USTR, in February 2022. And Bianchis staff in February contacted Google Cloud lobbyist Behnaz Kibria, another former USTR official, to request an off-the-record meeting to get feedback on IPEF.

They also show that USTR reached out to South Korean government officials about legislation intended to pare back the power of Apple Inc. and Googles app stores....

11:11

Issue 28 Out Now! "IndyWatch Feed National"

Issue 28 is packed full of inspiration and information to nourish yourself and the planet.

10:19

Otters, Tankers, Taxes, Printing Money and Governmints "IndyWatch Feed National"

Sea Otter source thecordovatimes.com

[A selection of emails from G5]

...

06:25

Road Trip to cooktown "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

21 y/o trying to drive from cairns to cooktown which requires 4wd. Anyone know a company that will rent a 4wd vehicle to a 21 y/o that will be allowed on unsealed roads? Thanks

submitted by /u/Expert-Job-2298
[link] [comments]

06:00

Bruce Lehrmanns trial judge Lucy McCallum gives rapist Thomas Earle community service instead of jail time "IndyWatch Feed National"

ACT Chief Justice Lucy McCallum has given rapist Thomas Earle community service because, in part, he was of good character. McCallum was Bruce Lehrmanns trial judge and I have accused of her []

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Wednesday, 03 May

22:08

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

030523 MASIU ON SLIP
New Dawn FM News

All schools across Bougainville, especially high and secondary schools are being encouraged to create plans to guide their operations and development.

Bougainvilles Senior Secondary Schools Inspector, Eddie Masiu, says School Learning Improvement Plan, or the SLIP is an important planning document that all schools in the national education system are required to have.

He says while the Arawa Secondary has been the only school so far to have launched its 3-year SLIP, there are others which are also developing theirs, close to launching them.

Inspector Masiu says schools which have SLIPs in place are usually successful both academically and physically.

Inspector Eddie Masiu further warned that schools without a SLIP can also be penalized.
ENDS AK

22:05

TRT World TV interview on the latest rise in tensions in Palestine "IndyWatch Feed National"

My interview on global broadcaster TRT World on the ramifications after the death of Palestinian hunger-striking prisoner Khader Adnan in Israeli custody.

The post TRT World TV interview on the latest rise in tensions in Palestine appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.

22:01

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

030523 ASoN NEW HOUSES
New Dawn FM News
The Arawa School of Nursing has taken delivery of five new high-covenant houses for its staff, marking the institutes steady growth and progress.
The houses, which came with white goods, were handed over to the schools board member John Donna and Principal Celyne Tusalah last week, by three separate contractors responsible for building the houses.
The contractors are Aunge Punks, SWB Limited and GND Constructions.
Secretary for the Department of Technical Services, Anthony Koiri, received the keys from the contractors and handed then over to Tusalah and Donna at Section 39 in Arawa Town, where three of the five houses are located.
Secretary Koiri praised the contractors for a job hes described that has shown competency and expertise that can be equaled to any other major building contractors in the country.
Principal Celyne Tusalah thanked Prime Minister James Marape and the National Government for making available 5-million Kina to build the staff houses.
Tusalah also thanked local landowners who have given up land to build the houses.
She told Secretary Koiri, who managed the project through the Department, that the remaining budget should be put to building one or two more houses.
The five high-covenant houses for the Arawa School of Nursing means five out of over 20 staff of the institution will now have permanent accommodation, easing the burden of rentals which the school currently spends on staff accommodation around Arawa Town. ENDS AK

21:56

Is Australias Planned Vaping Ban A Good Idea? "IndyWatch Feed National"

Australia's planned ban on recreational vaping has a solid base in current evidence.

The post Is Australias Planned Vaping Ban A Good Idea? first appeared on Science-Based Medicine.

21:43

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

030523 Police Minister appeals for calm to the people of Peit Constituency

New Dawn FM News

Minister for Police and Correctional Services Hon John Bosco Ragu is appealing to the people of PEIT Constituency in Bekut and Kohiso not to take the Law in to their hands and have those involve to Justice.

The Minister was responding to an alleged killing incident which occured at the constituency last night.

"Iam calling on to the Member for Peit Constituency, Former Combatants, Community Government Ward Members, Chiefs to control the situation.

"Our Journey to Independence does not need or allow killings and paybacks or any more major crimes to arise in the Region.

"People should Respect each other as Human beings and not animals," he added.

Attempts to get full report from the Acting Provincial Police Commander Inspector Ermart Tsimes, who was at the scene was unsuccessful.

The Minister is expected to release a media statement later this afternoon. ENDS////AK

John Bosco Ragu

20:58

2023 Research Grant Recipients Announced "IndyWatch Feed Qld"

<p>Congratulations to Jordy Groffen and Roy Farman, each a recipient of the 2023 Ric Nattrass Research Grant! Jordy is a PhD student at James Cook University, and Roy is a PhD student at the University of New South Wales. Here is a summary of their work, in their own words.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img alt="" class= "wp-image-1116" height="234" src= "http://www.qldfrogs.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Roy.jpg" width="374"> <figcaption>Roy in his PhD lab at UNSW. Photo courtesy of Roy Farman.</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>Roys research will aim to use the Quaternary fossil record of Queensland to explore the biogeographic ranges of fossil frogs and compare those ranges to living frog species today. Additionally, he aims to to compare the fossil frog response to climatic change events compared to living frogs.</p> <p>Roy says:</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>I intend on using my taxonomic guide of Australian frog ilia, as well as MicroCT scans and geometric morphometrics to identify fossil frogs from Queensland and then compare the biogeography of extant and fossil frogs from Queensland fossil deposits. My project will benefit frogs in QLD by increasing our understanding of palaeobiogeographical patterns, understanding of skeletal elements among Australian frogs, the evolution of Australian frogs and their relationship between other species, as well as increasing our understanding of the types of frogs present in Queensland during the Tertiary and Quaternary periods.</p> </blockquote> <p>Jordys research will focus on the Nursery frogs (<em>Cophixalus</em> & Austrochaperina), which are terrestrial breeders with direct development eggs are laid in moist leaf-litter and are attended through development by a male frog. As eggs laid on land are predicted to be at risk of desiccation from higher temperatures and lower moisture, predicted from a changing climate.</p> <p>Jordy says:</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>Breeding biology of these species is very poorly known. I will study parental care across <em>Cophixalus</em> species, under varied environmental conditions in the field (low elevation, upland areas, heatwaves, drought), to uncover the details of nest choice and parental care.</p> </blockquote> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignright is-resized"><img alt="" class= "wp-image-1117" height="395" src= "http://www.qldfrogs.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jordy.jpg" width="322"> <figcaption>Jordy out in the field testing equipment. Photo...</figcaption> </figure> </div>

20:37

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

020523 Nisira on Bougainville Trade Mission
New Dawn FM News
Bougainville's Acting President Hon Patrick Nisira has officially launched the Bougainville Trade Missions yesterday.
This is in light to the concurrent launch of the Bougainville International Prong launched by President Hon Ishmael Toroama.
Focusing more on Trade and Investment to promote to integrate the region into the global economy.
The launch was in conformance with the Bougainville Peace
Agreement, specifically paragraph 79 on the Sporting and Trade Missions.
"I further sought the concurrence of the PNG Government to 1) firstly to facilitate the rights of Bougainville conferred under the Peace Agreement to invite foreign trading partners to establish Trade Missions in the ABG and;
"Secondly, for Bougainville to setup its economic missions in strategic trade and investment locations abroad.
"These two critical elements of trade policy empowerment for the region to promote trade and investment opportunities as the key drivers of its economic development.
He added that he is aware of the foreign affairs power which remains under the sovereign power of PNG.
Nisira said the ABG Government will appreciate this special recognition from the PNG Government to facilitate our trade and investment interest for the economic reasons enshrined in the peace agreement.
"Let me announce again, we are open for other countries to establish their Trade offices in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville," he added. ENDS////AK

20230502_093601

20:34

Kroombit Threatened Frogs Project Update: January 2023 "IndyWatch Feed Qld"

In November 2022, a team of QFS volunteers returned to Kroombit Tops National Park to undertake additional monitoring and surveys for threatened frogs as part of the Kroombit Threatened Frog Project a project funded by a Community Sustainability Action grant awarded to QFS by the Queensland Government.

On this trip, QFS volunteers assisted with the deployment of acoustic recording devices at potential release sites for Kroombit Tinkerfrogs being bred in captivity at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The release of captive-bred animals into the wild is vital to the long-term survival of this critically endangered species in the wild. Acoustic recorders deployed at Kroombit in November 2022 will be retrieved from the field on the final QFS Kroombit Frogsearch in late February 2023.

Photos of some of the captive-bred animals being reared for release at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Photos courtesy of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Data from acoustic recorders deployed at potential release sites will provide important baseline data on the current abundance of Kroombit Tinkefrogs, against which the success of the proposed captive release program can be assessed.

Dr Ed Meyer

20:33

Best Chicken Wings in Town? "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Anyone have any suggestions. Love longboards buffalo wings. Just looking to try something new!

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20:05

Quick Quiz: Mapping Militarism 2023 "IndyWatch Feed National"

By David Swanson, May 2, 2023

Can you test yourself with this quick quiz?

A picture can be worth a trillion words or a couple of trillion dollars when its a picture of military spending.

Weve just published a new collection of maps for Mapping Militarism 2023. As always, they are at worldbeyondwar.org/militarism-mapped and available for your use. If you go there, you can pick a map, and zoom in and out. You can click on a country to get details. You can move the slider back to see earlier years. You can switch to list-view and get the information in text form. You can click source to see the origins of the data and exactly what it means.

Can you guess what the map above is?

Look up, not down, until youve guessed.

Ready?

Heres the answer:

Its NATO members and partners (in red). The position of the North Atlantic might be what makes it tricky. Bet you didnt know New Zealand was even in the North Atlantic.

How about this one?

Heres the answer:

Thats countries with wars (in red).

This next one is almost a mirror image. It must be the peaceful nations of the world, right? What do you think?

...

18:49

Economists surprised by interest rate hike "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Most economists were predicting a further hold on Interest rates and were wrongfooted by Govenor Philip Lowes RBA Board decision.

There now seems to be a groundswell of pushback as those already crunched by interest rates are becoming more and more desperate.  It also makes the budget for Treasurer Jim Chalmers an even more diabolical equation.

 

 

Image: Image: Courtesy R Chambers

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Tim Harcourt Industry Professor and Chief Economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 3 May 2023

The post Economists surprised by interest rate hike appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

18:35

NSW Police Hit Kirralie Smith With Trans-Activist Apprehended Violence Order "IndyWatch Feed National"

READ MORE AT CALDRON POOL  New South Wales police have hit Kirralie Smith with an...

17:50

Beetaloo Basin gets a qualified Green Light "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced the provisional go-ahead for gas mining in the Beetaloo basin today.

After an independent enquiry topped off a 5 year investigation process one of the biggest gas fields in the world 28 thousand square kilometres and an estimated potential 500 trillion cubic feet of gas, the process has given a qualified green light to the projects.

Indigenous people are to be given power of veto over individual projects, but many environmentalists are disturbed at opening up new gas fields which climate scientists aim to prevent.

Image: Image: Courtesy Dept Industry

Produced By: Roderick Chambers, and Martin Davies

Featured In Story: Senator David Pocock ACT, and Natasha Fyles NT Chief Minister

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 3 May 2023

The post Beetaloo Basin gets a qualified Green Light appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

17:39

Vape Sellers "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Any vape sellers in townsville?

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17:35

Greens Deputy Sues Pauline Hanson Over P*ss Off Back To Pakistan Tweet "IndyWatch Feed National"

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, the Greens deputy leader, has filed a lawsuit against One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson over a tweet telling her to pack her bags and piss off back to Pakistan. The tweet was a response to comments made by Senator Faruqi after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year.

Senator Faruqi wrote, Condolences to those who knew the Queen. I cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples. We are reminded of the urgency of Treaty with First Nations, justice & reparations for British colonies & becoming a republic.

This week, Senator Faruqi has filed legal documents in the Federal Court, alleging unlawful offensive behaviour against Senator Hanson. She seeks compensation in the form of preventing Senator Hanson from publicly using the phrases piss off back to Pakistan and go back to where you came from, as well as any variations of these phrases.

Senator Faruqi, who moved to Australia from Pakistan in 1992, wants Senator Hanson to delete the tweet and post a new one stating she has been found to have committed unlawful offensive behaviour against Senator Faruqi on the basis of race. Senator Faruqi is also seeking a financial contribution from Senator Hanson of $150,000 to a not-for-profit or community organisation of Senator Faruqis choice, as well as requiring Senator Hanson to undergo anti-racism training at her own expense.

Senator Faruqi believes that Senator Hansons comments were offensive and triggering for many migrants, and that her brand of hate has hurt migrant communities of colour for too long.

This court action is about holding her accountable and using the Racial Discrimination Act to prevent her from engaging in bigoted conduct that hurts people in the future, Senator Faruqi said.

She added that she is drawing a line in the sand and that Senator Hanson cannot keep insulting and humiliating [migrants]without any serious consequences. Go back to where you came from is a racial slur that most migrants and people of colour have endured, she added.

...

17:33

Federal Government Announces Vape Crackdown "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

A vaping crackdown is in the works from the federal government raising mixed perception from experts and users.

On one hand, the current vaping epidemic has drastically increased usage in nicotine products in underage consumers.

And on the other hand, making vapes inaccessible broadly could result in the creation of an illicit market that makes the product even more accessible to young users.

 

Image: Image: Shutterstock Master_foto

Produced By: Jono Wakeley

Featured In Story: Emily Jenkinson Lean in Tobacco Control at the Cancer Council NSW, Undergraduate University Student Anonymous, and Nicole Lee National Drug Research Institute Curtin University

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 3 May 2023

The post Federal Government Announces Vape Crackdown appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

17:33

JobSeeker to Stagnate This Budget Season "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

JobSeeker payments will reportedly go up for people above the age of 55, with those below the age line being left in the dust.

A committee, established by treasurer Jim Chalmers suggested raising the JobSeeker payments for all peoples, not just those over 55, but it appears their suggestions have fell on deaf ears.

Heading into the budget night, those who are struggling with JobSeeker income can expect to continue to struggle.

Image: Image: Shutterstock TK Kurikawa

Produced By: Jono Wakeley

Featured In Story: Peter Martin Crawford School of Public Policy Australian National University

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 3 May 2023

The post JobSeeker to Stagnate This Budget Season appeared first on 4YOU 98.5FM Capricorn Community Radio.

17:31

Snake Matt Kean back - Dumped Liberals ignore message from voters "IndyWatch Feed National"

The NSW Liberal Party is stuffed. After being brutally kicked out of office mostly because of the actions and ego of snakey green Matt Kean, the dribblers have him back on the front bench. Matt Kean. Shadow Minister for Health. The NSW Liberals are doomed.

16:29

Lobbying for access to our money. Sickening. "IndyWatch Feed National"

Pyne & Marles returns. Pyne: "I used to be the star and now you're the star." Marles: "Christopher you're always the star." Pyne: "I'm a supporting actor now." pic.twitter.com/aGBjGGvBiq Pablo Viales (@pablovinales) May 3, 2023

16:04

Tasmania gets AFL Team. "IndyWatch Feed National"

On behalf of the AFL Commission, the AFL is proud to announce the 19th licence has been awarded to Tasmania. Yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the AFL Commission where all Commissioners were present the AFL Commission resolved to award a licence based on conditions to a Tasmanian club ...

16:01

Trump Wannabe Extends Death Penalty To Include Child Rape "IndyWatch Feed National"

A political leader in the United States has signed a controversial new law which allows sex offenders to be executed in child rape convictions, despite a previous ruling by the US Supreme Court that banned capital punishment in such cases.

The legislation from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, which will take effect on October 1, will authorise the state to pursue capital punishment when an adult is convicted of sexually battering a child under 12. The move is part of a broader criminal justice package released by the governor, which includes enhanced criminal penalties for selling fentanyl disguised as candy.

DeSantis is expected to soon announce his candidacy against Donald Trump for the Republican Partys nomination for US president, and his latest moves appears to be an attempt at making criminal justice reform a cornerstone of his platform. DeSantis is likely relying on an appeal to the US Supreme Court against his law, generating publicity for him and possibly even a win the court is now tipped in favour of conservatives, after a series of Trump appointees.

Critics of the new law argue that it violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. However, DeSantis has defended his decision, stating that the most heinous crimes deserve the most severe punishment.

Were really delivering a big agenda, DeSantis said. So this is one important but admittedly very small part of an overall large agenda and very bold agenda thats really setting the terms of the debate for the country, quite frankly.

In addition to the child rape bill, DeSantis also signed two other components of his criminal justice package. One of the bills ends a requirement for unanimous jury decisions in death penalty cases, allowing capital punishment with a jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favour of execution.

Former US president Donald Trump. (IMAGE: Gage Skidmore, Flickr)

The other bill requires the Florida Supreme Court to develop a uniform bond schedule for state courts to follow and bars a chief judge from setting bond below the schedule.

In practice, the death penalty in the US is only used in homicide cases, and then only when certain cr...

14:00

Australian Dollar and Bitcoin "IndyWatch Feed National"

1.00 AUD = 0.00002 BTC
0.00010 BTC = 4.20 AUD
Converter

12:37

Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road "IndyWatch Feed National"

The Wizard of Oz

J.G. Olsen / Financial Expositor

PM Albanese with dog Toto this time around, Toto is on the side with the wizard.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11660355/Anthony-Albanese-Bill-Gates-meet-Kirribilli-House-time.html

In Australia, the leader of the ALP and his treasurer are spending like drunken sailors, the bar having been previously raised by short-lived PM Morrison, who got through $200 billion per year with the excuse of Covid-19 relief.

Reading the tea leaves:

Morrison seemed to think it was his job to lose gracefully in 2019 and the ALP would handle the upcoming plandemic with an all possible governments synchronised concept. He was somewhat green but had survived as immigration minister and had a run as treasurer. Morrison could barely believe his stratospheric career trajectory and subsequently had no grand vision and apparently no authorisation to do anything, apart from implementing Covid-19 measures. He went about talking for a few years and no real effort was made by any individual in the Conse...

12:24

Viewed in secret: The Peoples Joker and the ownership of myth "IndyWatch Feed National"

The regular claims that superhero stories are a kind of modern mythology almost never account for the fact that these are corporate-owned characters, fiercely protected. In 2014, DC Entertainment refused at first to let the Superman logo be used on the gravestone of a murdered five-year-old boy. The American Bar Association wrote that DCs aggressive policing echoes Batmans own crime-fighting, and that no one is immune, even deceased children.

The post Viewed in secret: The Peoples Joker and the ownership of myth appeared first on Overland literary journal.

11:39

Link "IndyWatch Feed National"

I like Princess Anne. A fair dinkum good sort.

10:38

PNGs Real Economy "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

Economic discussions in PNG are always centered on extractive industries such as natural gas, mining, logging, tuna, and large-scale agriculture. However, these export-orientated industries are tiny when compared to PNGs real mainstream economy, small farming.

Studies into rural livelihoods over the past decade show that customary land is highly productive, but its output and impact are neither measured properly nor publicly recognized.

That affects how we see family income but also national income. It also impacts our governments decision-making, our whole education system, and how we view development.

If a rural family had to buy at regional markets what comes from their gardens. They could have spent up to K20 000 per year.

That gives us an idea of the real value of subsistence output (what we produce to feed ourselves).

The value of domestic informal or market trading, including garden produce, is almost the same again, another K20 000 per year.

One million rural families could therefore be producing K40 billion in real value per year.

That, dwarves the annual combined output of Gold (1.7bn), Gas (1.69bn), Petroleum (1.63bn), Copper (0.75bn), Logging (0.8bn) and Palm Oil (0.47bn) which totals just K7bn.

That K40 billion value should be kept in mind when considering other economic activities that destroy or displace customary production, such as logging, oil palm or industrial sites.

We need to be much more mindful of what we stand to lose, in deciding whether change is justified or necessary.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE REAL ECONOMY

We also must be mindful of the employment that this real mainstream economy provides.

Over 6 million people in PNG work in their gardens everyday producing food and cash crops that nurture and sustain their families and communities.

Many economic surveys, especially those commissioned by banks, only measure formal commence as this is what suits their interests.

They ignore subsistence production and housing and often also bypass informal trading.

When these are combined with small businesses, export crop and employment, rural family output can easily reach an equivalent value of K30 000 0r K40 000 per year.

When customary land is taken from families or clans there is a massive economic loss to those people and the nation.

There may also be losses in social value (reserve employment, food security and cultural value) and in ecological goods and services.

If we are to understand the real meaning of development and build a better future for all Papua New Guineans, we need to start by recognizing and then building and strengt......

10:20

Evil. Brilliant! "IndyWatch Feed National"

This guy is pure evil but in a good way pic.twitter.com/5VaP1KHW1w Warren (@swd2) April 30, 2023

08:39

Ramsay health clinic cairns "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Considering going to the Ramsay health clinic because Im fucked up and need help but Im really terrified. Was just wondering if there was anyone who has been admitted here and if you have any advice or could share what it was like that would be really helpful. Im shit scared of getting help but my family thinks this is the best choice.

Edit

These replies have me sobbing. I completely forgot I posted this until now and waking up and reading these messages has honestly helped me so much. Thank you for all the kind words. Ive isolated myself from support for so long but I think Im ready to commit to getting better now. Thanks again for the comments, this has made me want to reach out to my friends again.

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08:23

Alarm over number of 'sex pests' in police force "IndyWatch Feed National"

IBAC report finds sex pests remain a problem for the force

Victorias anti-corruption body has found predatory sexual behaviour is rife within police ranks, with victims of crimes among those most at risk.

New data released by IBAC reveals that 68 per cent of all complaints received in 2022 were related to Victoria Police, according to Sky News host Rowan Dean.

Victorias peak weak anti-corruption body has found predatory sexual behaviour is still a problem within police ranks.

The review, conducted by the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), assessed 27 Victoria Police internal investigations into alleged predatory behaviour between 2018 and 2022.

Its aim was to scrutinise the thoroughness of those investigations and whether appropriate sanctions were dealt.

But despite findings that Victoria Police handle most allegations of predatory behaviour well, with a victim-centred approach, IBAC has found evidence sex pests remain a problem for the force.

IBAC Deputy Commissioner Kylie Kilgour said predatory behaviour involves an officer misusing their position to begin, or attempt to begin, an emotional or sexual relationship with someone they meet in the course of their duties.

It can also relate to the sexual assault, stalking, harassment or grooming of a person, Ms Kilgour said.

Despite efforts undertaken by Victoria Police over recent years, our review shows that predatory behaviour continues.

We found women experiencing domestic or family violence were targets of predatory behaviour by police officers and more than half of all cases reviewed indicated a pattern of behaviour by the perpetrator against more than one person.

Consensual relationships within Victoria Police can be considered predatory due to power imbalance or other circumstances.

Victoria Police, in 2014, set up Taskforce Salus, to investigate...

08:11

Scientists sign letter to stop Beetaloo fracking "IndyWatch Feed Capricornia"

Contributed by Adam Carlton

A hundred scientists have signed a letter calling on the Northern Territory government to abandon plans for fracking the Beetaloo Basin. They say the project will inflict damage on our climate if it goes ahead.

The letter has been published in national newspapers. It reflects calls from the International Energy Agency, the United Nations, and experts around the world calling for an end to fossil fuel development.

The government claim that the project is necessary to avert what it says is an energy doesnt hold water. There are many other ways to produce energy. Ignoring this, the fracking of Beetaloo was approved last month. The justification used was a flawed report of the Pepper Inquiry that found new risks involved. This was a case of whitewashing, because the inquirys scope was limited to inevitably produce a wrong report, according to the scientists.

They say the Northern Territory is failing to keep its commitment to implement all the recommendations of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing., aimed at ensuring there is no net increase of emissions emitted in Australia from fracking.

The signatories claim that the [project will could add up to 89 million tonnes of emissions to the atmosphere every year, which is equivalent to four times current emissions of the Northern Territory.

Australia has been suffering severe bushfire seasons, intense flooding rains, were seeing our coral reefs die off before our eyes all of these events are costing the Australian economy hugely, UNSW Professor Matthew England said. He is a specialist in oceans and the impact of global climate change.

The Northern Territory environment minister Lauren Moss insists that the federal governments safeguard mechanism, will ensure carbon emissions by 43 percent by 2030. This is disputed since...

07:58

Call for moratorium on NSW floodplain developments "IndyWatch Feed National"

Meeting with concerned resident groups prior to the NSW election is NSW Labor leader, and now NSW Premier Chris Minns, President of the Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association Inc (KRPA) Peter Newton, NSW Shadow Minister for the North Coast John Graham, President of the Tumbulgum Community Association Jenny Kidd and KRPA Vice President Angela Watson. Photo supplied

The additional flooding risk to existing housing and infrastructure caused by new development on floodplains is a serious issue for communities throughout NSW, in particular, legacy or zombie approvals. It was an issue that was particularly taken up with all parties by community representatives from Kingscliff, Tumbulgum and Chinderah in the lead-up to the NSW State election, including with Labor Party leader, and now NSW Premier, Chris Minns. 

Legacy developments are development applications (DAs) that have been approved but not yet built. When develope...

06:00

Overwhelming majority of Australians support stronger whistleblower protections as Albanese Government stalls reform "IndyWatch Feed National"

Australians overwhelmingly believe that whistleblowers make Australia a better place and should be protected, not prosecuted, finds new research by The Australia Institute and the Human Rights Law Centre. 

The new polling is being released to coincide with the United Nations World Press Freedom Day and comes as pressure builds on Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC to implement comprehensive reforms to whistleblower protections and discontinue the prosecutions of whistleblowers Richard Boyle and David McBride.

Key Findings:  

  • Three in four (76%) say whistleblowers make Australia a better place.  

  • An overwhelming majority of Australians (84%) support stronger legal protection for whistleblowers.  

  • Most Australians think that the government is too secretive about how it deals with allegations of corruption (60%) and how it spends money (51%). 

  • Four in five (79%) support the introduction of an Australian whistleblower protection authority. 

  • A majority of Australians think the government should intervene to end the prosecution of whistleblowers Boyle (71%) and McBride (64%). 

  • Since the Australia Institute last polled on this issue in November 2021, perceptions of whistleblowers have remained largely consistent, and in some respects increased. 

Kieran Pender, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre says:

Whistleblowers and journalists play a critical role in exposing wrongdoing and ensuring accountability in Australian public life.

But press freedom is significantly undermined when whistleblowers are on trial for telling the truth to the media, and whistleblowing laws offer weak protections that arent working in practice. 

"The Albanese Government must drop the prosecutions, fix the law and establish a whistleblower protection authority. 

Bill Browne, Director of Democracy and Accountability at The Australia Institute says:

Its clear that Australians want whistleblowers to be better protected, not punished. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus did the right thing when he dropped the prosecution of Bernard Collaery, but he has unfinished business: the unjust and cruel prosecutions of Richard Boyle and David McBride.

There is something broken in Australias legal system when large corporations get a slap on the wrist for leaking confidential government information to multinational clients, but whistleblowers exposing alleged war crimes or unfair treatment of small businesses face years of jail time.

The National Anti-Corrupt...

03:47

Fireball crossing Western Australian sky on May 2 likely a 10cm meteor, astronomer says "IndyWatch Feed National"

Western Australia's southern sky lit up early this morning as a fireball entered the earth's atmosphere and streaked across the sky to end south of Rottnest Island in Perth. Early risers spotted the meteor at 5:03am and it lasted about 15 seconds as it travelled from east to west. Planet astronomer Dr Hadrien Devillepoix dismissed claims it was space junk and said it was a natural object that entered the atmosphere. "People would have had a really good show of it," he said. "It was a very shallow entry, so a very slow, long fireball basically crossing the entire Wheatbelt."

03:00

Psychiatrogenesis (Whither Psychiatry or Reform) "IndyWatch Feed National"

It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society
attributed to Jiddu Krishnamurti 

The behaviour of any bureaucratic organisation can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.
attributed to Robert Conquest

Having worked in multiple public services in the UK and Australia over the last 27 years, the constant personal struggle has been, Am I doing more harm than good?

Sadly, the conclusion of this reflection is that iatrogenesis is the norm from diagnosis to treatment, and doing good is the exception. Diagnoses, especially borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia, lead to a pathological, limiting view of oneself and enshrine a nocebo effect that is difficult to shrug off. Medication treatment may provide some symptom improvement, but also comes with a panoply of side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

lonely man on the bench autumn, winterThe reason I went into psychiatry was that, unlike other medical disciplines with clear pathogenesis, clinical markers, and effective interventions, psychiatry was a much more ethereal specialty. Here, there was a balance to be made between the is-ness of the clinical encounter and the socio-politico-psychological cultural context in which the meeting was taking place.

There was no room for hubris or certainty; medication sometimes worked, hospitalisation may help in a crisis, self-harm may be a vitally important survival mechanism for someone. You could never get comfortable in the job; every day was challenging, and being an expert in psychiatry seemed oxymoronic.

But, as the years wore on, I saw a precipitous decline in deep listening, a drift to seeing people as diagnoses rathe...

00:59

Bobbi aims to brighten your home "IndyWatch Feed National"

HOMES around Australia are set to get a whole lot brighter thanks to a stunning homewares collaboration between renowned artist Bobbi Lockyer and Woolworths. 

The new homewares range, launched in stores last week, includes quilt covers, cushions, candles, photo frames, water bottles and coffee mugs. 

I am just super excited to be collaborating with Woolworths and having this amazing homewares range hit the shelves, Bobbi told the Koori Mail. 

Ive loved art and creating for as long as I can remember and I come from a very artistic family where we were encouraged to let loose and discover ourselves and our connection to the world around us through art. 

A proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru woman, Ms Lockyer was born and raised on Kariyarra Country in Port headland, in Western Australia. 

She is a prolific painter, photographer, fashion designer and a Mermaid Queen. 

The artwork you can see in the designs is really inspired by beautiful bright colours but also by the ocean

00:58

How Luke learned to walk in two worlds "IndyWatch Feed National"

WIRADJURI man and actor Luke Carroll will appear in a new play At What Cost? 

You most likely have seen Luke Carrolls face on the long-running childrens show Play School playing with Big Ted and Jemima. 

Carroll has been acting since the tender age of nine. His first appearance was in the Flying Doctors as Ernie Dingos younger brother. 

Carroll said Dingo soon became a mentor to him. When they returned to Sydney from shooting the popular soap opera, the pair soon bonded over their shared love of sports. 

Ernie would come and pick me up from the city and we both have a love of sport, in particular basketball, he said. 

We would go down to Chinatown, have a feed and just talk. 

Over that meal he told me a lot about the industry, mainly about keeping my head on my shoulders and to not get a big head, and to keep my ego in check. 

While Dingo was his main mentor within the Australian television and film industry, off the screen his late mum was his main supporter. 

My mother was a big inspiration

00:56

Remembering ANZAC Day and the Frontier Wars "IndyWatch Feed National"

ANZAC mourners were confronted this year with a statue of Lachlan Macquarie in Windsors McQuade Park doused in red paint and handprints with the phrases here stands a mass murderer who ordered the genocide and no pride in genocide. 

I cant argue with the sentiment, Macquarie as Governor of NSW was responsible for the mass murder of our people I get it was ANZAC Day and thats the whole point of the protest but you dont win any allies with such strategy. 

The only people who would feel any sense of accomplishment are the protestors, and not because they are winning people over towards their view or building reconciliation, its the exact opposite. 

As I wrote last issue extremists are only interested in ripping relationships apart they have no want in bringing people together or heal our tragic past nor build towards an inclusive future. 

Every year I see more and more of our Mob on social media posting memorials to loved ones who served Australia in WWI, WWII and service women and men from other wars. 

This means for many of our people, the want to be accepted within greater Australian society and respecting those who fought for this country is

00:55

Dream debut beckons for sporty Lajamanu teen, Telaya "IndyWatch Feed National"

BEING gifted at one sport takes dedication, sacrifice and mental strength to perfect your craft; to do it across two completely different sports takes that engagement to another level. 

Telaya Blacksmith from remote Lajamanu in the Northern Territory is a rising star who is doing exactly that. 

Telaya is breaking records in athletics in the 100m, 200m and 400m and making giant strides in long-jump. And as a massive Aussie rules football fan, Telaya is making great gains at the Sydney Swans Academy. 

The teenagers love of track and field events started with Little Athletics and has blossomed through time. 

I loved running and the feeling of being in the moment, she said. 

With athletics, too, youre also meeting lots of new people in competitions. I think Ive grown a lot in this sport. 

The 400m is the hardest. You have to have speed but also endurance and you need to pace yourself when you run it. Theres a lot of thinking in that event and you really have to focus.

I always looked up to Cathy Freeman and have watched her runs on YouTube, she was amazing, it made me want to do

00:52

Celebrating our 800th edition "IndyWatch Feed National"

Were super excited to be celebrating our 800th edition!

In this very special edition you will find our 2023 mid-year Higher Education Feature your guide to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education study, courses, degrees and more.

Other stories in this edition:

TRADITIONAL owners have expressed outrage over the start of construction of a new fertiliser plant on WAs world heritage nominated Burrup Peninsula. 

Multinational petrochemical company Perdaman is building a $6 billion facility to produce urea about 20 kilometres northwest of Karratha. 

Its the first industrial construction in more than a decade on the rock art-rich peninsula that was formally nominated for UNESCOs world heritage list in February. 

This important project represents a significant investment in the Pilbara and WA, underlining the regions role as the engine room of Australias economy, Premier Mark McGowan said when making the announcement. 

It is estimated the project will create thousands of jobs within the state and generate a total revenue of $77 billion over its life. 

The plant will convert natural gas from Woodsides Scarborough Gas Project into an estimated 2.3 million tonnes of urea

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Tuesday, 02 May

22:34

Testing and Filtering Your Water - #SolutionsWatch "IndyWatch Feed National"

If you're a regular Corbett Reporteer, then by now you're aware of the danger to human health caused by water fluoridation. But are you aware of the chlorine and other potentially toxic and carcinogenic substances in your tap water? And are you aware of your options for filtering your water and how to test to make sure you're getting all of the particulates out? Join James today as he talks to a water expert and answers some basic questions about testing and filtering your water.

22:08

Chile Announces Plan to Nationalize Lithium Industry "IndyWatch Feed National"

In a surprising though not unprecedented move, Chile announced plans to nationalize its lithium industry, following similar efforts in resource nationalism among major producers of battery metals. Although implementation of the reforms is expected to be gradual and keep existing contracts intact, the decision stands to influence the political will and feasibility for other lithium producers to follow suit. In seeking to indigenize and retain a greater portion of the value chain in their mining sector, the policies instituted by Chile and other lithium producers have significant implications for the global energy market as demand for electric vehicles and renewable infrastructure soars.

At present, Chile possesses the worlds largest lithium reserves and is the 2nd largest producer, behind Australia. In its return to resource nationalism, Chile seeks to secure its domestic supply and maximize revenue generation from this strategic resource, positioning itself as a leading player in the global battery metals market. Santiagos move toward greater state control of critical minerals precedes a similar phased plan for copper nationalization dating back to the 1950s and ending with the military coup in 1973 that removed the left-wing government of then-President Salvador Allende.

The post Chile Announces Plan to Nationalize Lithium Industry appeared first on Geopolitical Monitor.

20:54

Marape is juggling two nuclear warheads on a tight rope "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"


by
DAVID LEPI

The Post Courier caricature depicting Prime Minister James Marape standing dumbfounded beside a money bag as two gigantic arms with the inscriptions of US and China reaching out on either sides both in the gesture of shaking hands demonstrates Papua New Guinea's standing in geopolitics in the most simplest way possible. 

Perhaps it could have been more reflective had the cartoonist drew Marape as a jester tossing and juggling two primed nuclear warheads while walking aloft a tight rope before a 8 million or 17 million bewildering spectators. 

I am sure those in the business of espionage, foreign affairs, trade, security, statecraft and geopolitics would have better ways to put it

But whatever assertion they may have it would all point to the fact PNG has placed herself in a precarious position and must now rethink her foreign policy that should align trade, investment, security, defence and nation development in the context of the growing influence exerted by the bigger players in the region. 

The Pacific has been a theatre of war in WW2 and traditionally a United States sphere of influence until China splashed into the scene rivaling America on every front. 

Simply the American hegemony is now threatened by China and as from 2001 onwards the 'Red Dragon' entered a burst of growth unlike any experienced in modern history. China quadrupled the size of its wealth and is matching America militarily, technologically, finance and in every endeavour of advancement. 

PNG is among the few nations in the Pacific to build close relations with China and this has proved more productive such as the infrastructure boom from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure program. Of course this didn't go without challenge from the Western controlled media and schools of thought saying they were deeply concerned about Debt Trap diplomacy and the overall pattern of Chinese investment in PNG. 

We now have American investors in the country and equally the presence of Chinese businesse...

20:48

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

020523 Toroama-Nisira Government Supports Sustainable Industrial Development in region

New Dawn FM News

The Toroama-Nisira Government Supports investment in the sustainable Industrial development in the region.

According to Minister for Commerce, Trade and Economic Development Hon Patrick Nisira the ABG government is placing emphasis on downstream processing of commodities.
"In particular, Cocoa and Copra, fisheries and mineral resources to add value and increase the foreign earnings.
"We believe this could enhance our capacity to redirect our focus towards promoting import substitution.
"The challenge remains that the government lacks the necessary resources and technical expertise to promote downstream processing.
"We therefore, will welcome the foreign investors and stakeholders to partner with ABG and the people of Bougainville to develop industry in the region, " said Nisira.
Meanwhile, he appealed to the PNG Government to also support Bougainville to recognize and include one of Special Economic Zones from Bougainville. ENDS///

20230502_093515

20:38

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

020523 ABG today made a big announcement on Investing in Bougainville.

image from youtu.be

20:32

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

020523 The international community is welcome to do business in Bougainville
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The international community has been welcomed to Bougainville to do business according to the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development.
This call was made by Acting President and Minister for Commerce, Trade and Economic Development Hon Patrick Nisira during a media conference.
Nisira said the Autonomous Bougainville Government is looking at opportunities and steps to attract foreign investment, trade and create economic growth and drive responsible business partnerships with our international business communities around the world.

"My Ministry and Department expanded its scope of work to include industry, investment, trade and commerce to ensure Bougainvilles readiness to participate in different economic opportunities and its integration into regional and international trading systems.
"It is a reminder to our international business communities that Bougainville has its own 'Bougainville Inward Investment Act 2018' and the Board to assess foreign investment applications. Together they support responsible investment and productive business partnerships with local companies and communities.
"All foreign investment applications are submitted through my department for assessment by the Bougainville Inward Investment Board (BIIB)," said Nisira. ENDS////AK

20230502_093601

20:00

NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

020523MAMA BANK TO ESTABLISH IN BUKA

New Dawn FM News

The Womens Micro Bank Limited, commonly branded as Mama Bank, will soon be established in Bougainville.

This bank will be able to support especially women, girls and their families in the space of financial inclusion.

The Womens Micro Bank will establish its agency called MAP, together with the help of the Autonomous Bougainville Government in Buka Town.

An agreement to progress this partnership was signed between Regional Member Peter Tsiamalili Junior and the bank in Port Moresby last Friday.

The Regional Member and the ABG have jointly put up 2-million Kina to establish an agent for the Mama Bank in Bougainville.

Chief Executive Officer of Mama Bank, Gunanidhi Das, says setting up the Mama bank will enable people to have easy access to financial services and credit facility to support Bougainvilles economic plans in empowering entrepreneurship in the region.

Mr. Das further says, the partnership recognizes that women in the region should have proper banking services to save and grow their hard-earned money through access to financial services and credit facility.

The MSME Credit Scheme to be provided by the bank will be jointly coordinated by the ABG and a project team from the bank.

Chairman of Mama Bank, Noel Norikgu, thanked the ABG and Mr. Tsiamalili Junior for having confidence in the bank to support economic development in the region, calling on all men, women and youths to make use of the opportunity as the gateway to become economically independent. ENDS////AK

15:06

PNG Reactivates Short Term Multiple Entry Business VISA "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

The Papua New Guinea Government has reactivated  t he Multiple entry component of the Short Term Business Visa  last week.

Deputy Prime Minister and Labour and Immigration minister John Rosso explains that reactivating the multiple entry component supports trade and investment in PNG.

Minister Rosso adds the reactivation also helps to restore international travel arrangements to pre- COVID19 settings.


He says facilitating business, trade and investment opportunities has been a priority for the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA).

The reactivation of the multiple entry component of the Short Term Business Visa for holders of valid passports means that people who intend to visit PNG for short term business activities will be allowed to travel into PNG on multiple occasions within a period of 12 months.

The maximum duration of each visit is 60 days.

Minister Rosso says this visa product complements the existing Single Entry Business Visa which has a duration of only 30 days.

Whilst the Short Term Business Visa seems efficient, frequent business travellers to PNG can also apply for an APEC Business Travellers Card which is an efficient option that allows travel between APEC countries for longer stays.

Labor and Immigration Minister John Rosso also confirmed that the Immigration and Citizenship Authority is currently reviewing several visa categories to better meet the changing needs of business travellers to PNG.

Picture: Minister Rosso (R) and Representatives from the Catholic Bishops Conference signing the MoU in Port Moresby.

 Picture Supplied by the office of the DPM


Next : 

...

09:45

SP Brewery toasts a brighter outlook in Papua New Guinea "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

While higher costs, supply chain glitches and restricted trading have underpinned a tough two years, the head of Heineken-owned SP Brewery foresees better times in Papua New Guinea.

sp brewery

SP Brewerys mainstream brand SP Lager, celebrates 70 years in PNG this year. The brewer employs 450 staff and has two breweries, one in Lae and the other in Port Moresby (pictured). Credit: BAI

According to Managing Director Ed Weggemans, Papua New Guineas largest brewer, SP Brewery, witnessed a notable pick-up in 2022, with production volumes up 16 per cent and revenues rising even higher.

As well as consumers having more money in their pockets to spend, courtesy of higher global prices for agricultural commodities like coffee, vanilla and palm oil, Weggemans also attributes heightened demand to the 2022 national elections.

He expects the market to remain buoyant in 2023 but, in the absence of major upcoming events, he expects recent growth to cool somewhat. Inflation is there, and global pricing is coming down, so we expect to be back on 2019 levels on a monthly basis early this year, he tells Business Advantage PNG.

Meanwhile, Weggemans expects increased costs entrenched within international supply chains, due to higher freight costs and the inflated costs of raw ingredients, to start trending downward over the next 12 months.

Economy brands

Weggemans attributes the lions share of growth to the success of SP Brewerys mainstream brand, SP Lager, which has benefited from activities around the brands 70th anniversary and an upswing from the elections.

On the other hand, premium brands such as South Pacific Export lager were more directly impacted by lingering pandemic-era trading restrictions and liquor bans.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the companys mainstream beer, SP Lager, in 2023, SP Brewery expects to put a lot of effort into promoting the brand this year.

We are encouraged to keep investing in the brand imag...

07:58

The Charles Lieber Connection: From Nanotechnology To COVID-19 To Technocracy "IndyWatch Feed National"

07:10

Australia: Outsourced to the US Military Establishment "IndyWatch Feed National"

All Global Research articles can be read in 51 languages by activating the Translate Website button below the authors name.

To receive Global Researchs Daily Newsletter (selected articles), click here.

Click the share button above to email/forward this article

The post Australia: Outsourced to the US Military Establishment appeared first on Global Research.

06:01

Gold miner faces global protests as it rekindles a mine with a violent legacy "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

Activists from Papua New Guinea, where a controversial gold mine is inching toward reopening, have joined a campaign of global protests ahead of the annual general meeting of Canada-based Barrick Gold. Barrick, the worlds second-largest gold mining company, plans to hold its annual general meeting on May 2, reporting mutual prosperity through partnerships with countries and communities where it works. People living near several of the companys mines, however, took to the streets to protest what they describe as persistent environmental destruction and violence against locals. Stanley Peter, an environmental scientist who has volunteered with human rights NGO Akali Tange Association, joined the protest in Papua New Guinea to demand a dialogue with Barrick. In March, Barrick announced it would reopen the Porgera copper and gold mine. The mine had been closed since 2020, when PNGs government refused to renew its license, citing environmental damages claims and resettlement issues. Peter said Barrick has ignored demands that it take responsibility for violence and ongoing land and water contamination that has displaced people and contributed to ongoing and targeted attacks, home burnings, and even deaths. We are concerned that we will be overlooked, that they will not look at the issues that we are raising, and they will go ahead and get mining started, and we will be left as we are, Peter said. Barrick said its restarting the mine with a new vision: joint ownership with the government that will help ensure that the mine, expected to reopen this year, willThis article was originally published on Mongabay

02:32

You Ask, We Answer: How much does it cost Eau Claire to add fluoride to its water? "IndyWatch Feed National"

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW)  For this edition of You Ask, We Answer, one viewer is wondering how much it costs the city of Eau Claire to add fluoride to its drinking water?

City officials say the 2023 fluoride budget is $48,800. They say thats pretty typical, though the cost of the mineral has increased with Covid and inflation.

The city has been adding fluoride to its water since the 1950s. Fluoride is recommended by the Department of Health and the Department of Natural Resources for its benefits to dental hygiene. Officials say it lowers the risk of cavities, especially in kids.

Trace amounts of fluoride are injected as water leaves the treatment plant. Then, its a lot of lab work.

Every four hours an operator at the plant is checking the fluoride content in the water thats leaving and verifying that its at the optimal level. And then we also go out daily and grab samples from our distribution center, bring them back and analyze them for fluoride content, said water plant supervisor Mark Nelson.

Eau Claire has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health for its optimal fluoride levels.

According to the DNR, Menomonie also adds fluoride to its drinking water but Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie and Altoona do not.

*Original full-text article online at: https://www.wqow.com/news/you-ask-we-answer/you-ask-we-answer-how-much-does-it-cost-eau-claire-to-add-fluoride-to/article_72d3da8a-e86d-11ed-86d4-23f87e72a309.html

Monday, 01 May

17:04

Another Bad Creation "IndyWatch Feed National"

Look upon my works ye donors and despair, for reaching the stretch goal on this fundraiser was rather like losing a bet


EDIT to add:  The lyrics so you can sing along, or see where I fucked up, or see where I used the word you paid for:

Im not even trans so ~ Dont genocide me bro
Ever since it was the 80s ~ I wanted to be one of those rap ladies
Roxanne Shante, The Lady of Rage ~ Or Igloo Australia up on my white page
I need an umbilical Hernia sewed up ~ Time to get lyrical, My people showed up
I offered to rhyme one Word per donation ~ But some dont care for My rap oration
Cutty Snark and Monkat Offered well wishes ~ Which implies my rap Can sleep with the fishes
Meanwhile Trixie Gave in her quiet way ~ And left not a single word For me to rhymesay
At least other donors gave Words to make use of ~ So now I commence against English abusove
Im not even trans so ~ Dont genocide me bro
Ever since it was the 80s ~ I wanted to be one of those rap ladies
Rhyming like this re-Quires some strategy ~ You can play it safe and Avoid a tragedy
But then my bro asked for Salpingooophrectomy ~ That son of a bltch thinks That shlt will get to me
Someone asked me To make a rhyme for orange ~ This they tasked me To make it oh so cringe
Shlt could make my Brains tapioca ~ Ricky my Martins til This vida goes loca
I rap so wack I Say whoopsadaisy ~ So Ill just slack then Be ghost like Swayze
Peace

06:03

Politics, business and the state in Papua New Guinea: part one "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

This is part one of an edited extract from a speech by former Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu delivered at a 1995 conference in Australia, and published in the Pacific Economic Bulletin in the same year. Sir Rabbie died on 31 March 2023: read his eulogy.

Papua New Guinea today faces its greatest challenges since independence. How these challenges are addressed will determine our future stability, growth and unity.

Even though these are great challenges, there has been one other period in our short history which has in fact been more critical, at least potentially so. The rebellion on Bougainville, and the closure of the Bougainville Copper Mine, occurred in the early period of my term as Prime Minister. Our recent and current economic and fiscal problems have tended to dull the enormity of the crisis my government confronted in late 1988 and 1989.

The closure of the mine, and the rebellion, had a tragic effect on the whole national economy. At the time of its closure, the Bougainville Copper Mine provided about 10 per cent of Papua New Guineas GDP, 36 per cent of export earnings, and 24 per cent of total government revenue. Virtually overnight, a massive slice of the whole economy a third of exports, and a quarter of revenue was taken away. The situation was made even worse by the destruction of the North Solomons cocoa and copra export industries, and by the massive cost of the security force operations on Bougainville.

In total, these conditions were far more serious, and far more unexpected, than recent events have been. Despite that, the record of Papua New Guineas economy in the period immediately following the Bougainville Copper Mine closure is one to be proud of, and one which those in authority today can learn from.

In 1990 we managed to keep the budget deficit to 100 million kina, or 3.3 per cent of GDP, and to a similar figure in 1991. Bearing in mind that, in 1990 we lost, and lost virtually overnight, a quarter of total state revenue, that is no minor achievement.

Even though we lost more than a third of export earnings with the mine closure, we managed to maintain foreign reserves at a comfortable level. There was no foreign reserves crisis, as there was last year.

In the same period, and this is where the real lesson lies for today and for the future, we were able to achieve real mining and petroleum growth by 23 per cent in 1990, and a massive 41 per cent in 1991 our best ever performance.

The closure of the Bougainville Copper Mine, and the rebellion, ought to have had horrendous consequences for the mining sector and for mining investor confidence, especially international confidence, yet 1991 was our best year ever for mining and petr...

06:00

Politics, business and the state in Papua New Guinea: part two "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"

This is part two of an edited extract from a speech by former Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu delivered at a 1995 conference in Australia, and published in the Pacific Economic Bulletin in the same year. Sir Rabbie died on 31 March 2023: read his eulogy.

I do not want to go over all our problems.

I merely will mention one or two which must be addressed without delay.

The first, the most urgent, and the most tragic, is the failure of successive governments including my own to really deliver basic services, services our people have a right to.

Recently, the founder of our nation, Sir Michael Somare, commented that many of our people are worse off in terms of basic services and facilities than they were at independence. The rundown in basic services, such as health care and rural roads, is not only a tragedy, it is totally inexcusable.

The second great problem we face is an alarming decline in respect for authority, as evidenced by a breakdown in law and order in both urban and rural communities alike. While there is a relationship between poor services and a decline in law and order, there need not be. Restoring law and order is as much about restoring respect for authority as it is about police efficiency, tougher penalties and ending the revolving door practice which seems to be universal in our prisons. Respect for authority at all levels is at an all time low, and that is largely due to perceptions, accurate or otherwise, about the performance and standing of leaders, especially political leaders.

I want to deal in more detail with the service delivery area, because I see it as being absolutely critical to our future harmony, unity and progress.

The first requirement of government in Papua New Guinea today, and for as far as I can see into the future, must be improved service delivery for all people, coupled with a major upgrading and restoration of public infrastructure, particularly our roads, government services and facilities.

Some of our social indicators are quite disturbing such as high infant mortality, stagnating literacy levels and an escalation in crime rates.

Money alone will not solve these problems. With a comparatively high level of public expenditure as a percentage of GDP almost double that of Indonesia and Colombia we lag behind both these countries in terms of primary school enrolment, literacy and real GDP growth.

The vital question is how we spend, not what we spend. We are spending too much on our bureaucracy and on other recurrent expenditure areas, and nowhere near enough to service delivery and on basic infrastructure.

I believe we have to admit that government alone cannot meet the service delivery needs o...

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