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Wednesday, 12 July
21:31
The recent Jenin operation looks different when considering Palestine as a weapons laboratory "IndyWatch Feed National"
A strong review of my new book, The Palestine Laboratory, by writer Syndication Bureau (focusing solely on the Middle East).
An extract:
The occupation of Palestine is the most funded and resourced state project in Israels history. On the surface, the occupation has been sold as a temporary defensive measure necessary for Israels survival. However, it satisfies many other needs. Given the biblical connection to the West Bank, the occupation provides a religious veneer to the project of secular Zionism. Control over holy cities with deep meaning in Jewish religious history rallies Jews worldwide to support Israel and its government.
More importantly, Israels military control over an entire population has facilitated the creation of a lucrative weapons industry. In his new book, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World, Australian journalist Antony Loewenstein has documented the intricate connection between the occupation of Palestine and the development of the modern weapons industry. Controlling millions of people requires more than a strong military. Israel has dominated virtually all aspects of Palestinian life with remarkable efficiency through a matrix of checkpoints, physical barriers, and advanced surveillance technologies.
Read the whole thing: What Drives Israels Lucrative Weapons Industry | by Joseph Dana | Jul, 2023 | Medium
The post The recent Jenin operation looks different when considering Palestine as a weapons laboratory appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.
16:11
AliExpress enabling frausters doing nothing about it? "IndyWatch Feed National"
Any selling medium does attract criminals and while in Australia there may be law against false or misleading advertising, Australian 'consumers' are at the mercy of others.
There are plenty of fraudsters, Chinese nationals, on AliEpress, where they are blatantly ripping off overseas buyers.
What is AliExpress doing about it? Very little, not enough.
What is the Chinese government doing about it? Nothing!
Would one seriously expect a government to act against its nationals defrauding 'round eyes', when (globally recognised) copyright law has zero effect or execution in China?
What about Team America World Police, when are they going to save the day?
As they say, buyer beware.
In any event you can see this video, for 'entertainment' purposes:
Fake SSD from AliExpress | How to recognize a fake
See also:
I Got Scammed - Fake 4TB Samsung SSD from AliExpress
And:
I bought a $58 "64TB" External Drive from AliExpress...same scam, bigger storage claim
15:11
14:39
Link "IndyWatch Feed National"
Above: Tim Wilms (The Unhinged) and Jarrad Searby (Proud Boys/National Socialist Network/Finks/Melbourne Magistrates Court) pose for the camera. Wilms is wearing RWDS merch popularised by the Proud Boys and, more recently, mass murderer Mauricio Garcia. This week on Yeah Nah Continue reading
14:11
Hmmm. Have we seen this before? "IndyWatch Feed National"
In the 1970s, Whitlam set up the Royal Commission into Human Relationships (fascinating stuff).
One of the many topics they considered was comprehensive sex education.
There is a need for early and continuous sex education and for an educational program which will help young people to be responsible to themselves and to each other and to decide and act with knowledge, not in fear or ignorance.
Royal Commission into Human Relationships, Final Report, 1977
Conservatives at the time went into a frenzy of pearl clutching, insisting that priests and parents were the only people who should ever talk to children about sex. They ignored the evidence that many parents didnt have the information their kids needed, or didnt know how to talk to kids about sex, or had deeply disturbing attitudes towards sex that needed disrupting.
Most of all they ignored all the parents who wanted schools and experts to teach their kids about sex because they knew it would make their kids safer and happier.
Almost 50 years later, the only thing thats changed is a different Royal Commission stopped even the LNP demanding that priests should talk to children about sex.
Effective consent education stops the weaponisation of fear and shame. It gives kids and teens the power to make safer, stronger choices about their own lives and bodies.
People who reject consent education and people who think their power base depends on weaponising fear and shame theres a Venn diagram thats pretty much a perfect circle.
If you want to know more about consent education, heres something I prepared earlier
13:24
Lies, Lies, and Autism, Part 5: Putting Something Malicious in a Vaccine "IndyWatch Feed National"
(L) Frank Rochelle, plaintiff veteran, Photo: CNN (C) Dan Olmsted
of ageofautism.com, Photo: UPI (R) Dr John Walker-Smith, Photo:
Wikipedia
by Mary W Maxwell, LLB
Bioweapons are the type of weapon directed at human health. Of course, weapons such as a gun or a spear are also directed at human health, but here the method is to make the person sick rather than wounded. How to deliver a bioweapon? Put it in the food supply or water supply, inject it, or put it in an insect (or a rat?) which will then deliver it via a bite.
Its claimed that today there are higher-tech bioweapons. You get a chip put into your body which has a receiver of information. The perp can then send instructions for it to interfere with one of your bodys systems. Arent we just marvelous human beings that we have fi...
13:12
Federal Court does not recognise age pension discrimination, despite Australian Government's failure to close life expectancy gap "IndyWatch Feed National"
The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed the legal challenge seeking fair and equal access to the age pension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Proud Wakka Wakka man Uncle Dennis* brought the case in which the Federal Government faced court for the first time in connection with its failure to close the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people.
Despite recognising the ongoing gap in life expectancy, the Court did not accept that Australia's racial discrimination laws should give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people earlier access to the age pension.
It comes on the same day as The Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report found that Australia is still not on track to meet the target of equal life expectancy by 2031. No progress towards this target was reported since the previous year.
The Albanese government has a responsibility to address age pension inequality out of court, by lowering the pension age for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The current pension age of 67 years does not account for the stark differences in life expectancy and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not have the same opportunity to retire and receive support through the age pension as other Australians. Equal access to the pension would also support several Closing the Gap targets.
Uncle Dennis brought the case with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Human Rights Law Centre, with support from DLA Piper.
Proud Wakka Wakka man Uncle Dennis said:
Im frustrated with this white system, its not a system of the land. It doesnt give us a say. White people are living longer because they havent lost what we have lost. As an Aboriginal man, Ive seen too many of my people dying at a very early age. We are lucky to get to 50 years old. This case was about telling the truth, and asking the Government to work together with us, to give our people the same chance in life as everyone else.
Things will never get better unless the Government closes the gaps it created. We didnt have a problem, a problem came here. Our language, our culture and our identity comes from here, it doesnt come from another country. Truth, justice and accountability are important.
Nerita Waight, CEO at the Victorian Aboriginal
Legal Service said:
Everyone deserves to live a life with dignity but this is not
possible for our communities who have been left with no choice but
to live shorter lives in poverty because of decades of racist
colonial policies and a continued lack of investment and change in
the systems, institutions and policies that affect their lives day
in day out.
D......
12:32
Make it new? Art and knowledge in the age of automated content generation "IndyWatch Feed National"
In its combination of the already-known, AI cannot respond to the important challenges of our ageclimate change, various forms of prejudice, the inequalities of capitalism and settler colonialism, incipient fascisms. We need, more than ever, art and thought that gives us the authentically new, that tells us something about human life beyond the norms of media normativity of tech platforms and billionaire tyrants.
The post Make it new? Art and knowledge in the age of automated content generation appeared first on Overland literary journal.
11:42
World Federation of Trade Unions issued statement on the NATO Summit 2023 "IndyWatch Feed National"
The NATO summit in Vilnius is about to conclude. It faced some serious issues. Notably the situation in Ukraine and the controversy over an intended expansion into Asia. Critics point out that NATO is on a course towards war and that the push for the prevention of war and for a peaceful relationship between nations is critical to our collective future. The World Federation of Unions, representing 105 million workers in 133 countries issued the statement below just prior to the summit.
The World Federation of Trade Unions, on behalf of its 105 million workers who live, work and struggle in 133 countries of the 5 continents strongly condemns the imperialist plans of NATO and considers the 2023 Summit which is going to be held July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania, one more blatant provocation to the whole peaceful humanity.
The peoples all over the globe know we well the bloody mission of this imperialist alliance is to maintain, and expand if possible, the existing favourable correlation of forces for the NATO countries in order to safeguard the profits of their monopolies. In the imperialist system which is characterized by the fierce competitions of the imperialist forces for geopolitical control and the control of energy resources and their transport routes, both the peoples of the member-states of NATO and the other counties peoples have nothing to expect from the imperialist alliances and wars except death, suffering, poverty, and misery.
The class-oriented world trade union movement, the militant unions, and those who truly want peace consistently and continuously struggle against NATO which constitutes an aggressive war machine in the service of the interests of the imperialist countries of the alliance. The peoples of the world have a first-hand experience of NATO crimes and they know that NATO means nothing but interventions, wars, juntas, refugees, starvation, destruction, and death.
The WFTU condemns the continuation of military interventions and wars, the accelerated militarization of international relations, and the soaring military expenditures; it demands an immediate end to all imperialist armed conflicts, full respect for the sovereignty, independence, and right of every people to freely choose their present and future.
We denounce the exclusions, discriminations, embargoes, and sanctions imposed by the US, NATO, and the EU against various countries, as they negatively impact the standard of living of low-income families, workers, poor small farmers, and popular strata in general.
11:42
Anyone With Drugs, Put Them On The Table: The Redgum Years In The Sunshine State "IndyWatch Feed National"
John Schumann (ex-Redgum lead singer/songwriter) and the Vagabond Crew are returning to Brisbane with The Redgum Years in August. Here, Schumann reflects on gigging in the dark days of the Bjelke-Petersen regime, and finds Redgums protest songs from the 70s and 80s still apply today.
It was September 1979. We were staying in some crappy three-star holiday units in Tweed Heads and Tim Woods, our tour manager, assembled us in one of the kitchens after breakfast.
Redgum was very much a part-time band then. Two of us were high-school teachers so touring opportunities were confined to school holidays. Tim, now a successful concert promoter, was the only member of the touring party who had the faintest idea about the music industry and Queensland.
Okay, anyone with any drugs at all I mean at all put them on the table now.
People shuffled uncomfortably and little by little, small quantities of marijuana in tobacco tins and Gladbags and the odd morsel of crumbly black hash in tinfoil appeared on the Laminex table. It was pretty pathetic, really. These days the combined stash would be considered well within personal use limit for one person.
Right. Were going into Queensland. Were Special Branch targets so we need to be as clean as a bottle of Dettol. Smoke it now, flush it, bury it somewhere I dont care. But its not coming across the border.
Wed released our first album, If You Dont Fight You Lose, barely a year before. One of my contributions was a strident song delivered in my strangulated, nasal tones called Letter to BJ. It was addressed to Queenslands notorious premier and it had garnered a fair bit of attention on both sides of the civil liberties argument. Plenty of Queenslanders were dying to see us play it live. Plenty more would have been just as happy to see our heads on pikes lining the road out of Tweed Heads.
...
11:15
What Is Zero Waste? "IndyWatch Feed National"
New to the zero waste movement? We explain exactly what is zero waste and how living a zero waste lifestyle can help reduce your impact on the planet.
10:28
Clive Palmer launches second ISDS case against the Australian government with third case likely "IndyWatch Feed National"
12 July, 2023: The Attorney Generals Department has confirmed that Clive Palmers company, Zeph Investment which is registered in Singapore, has lodged a second Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claim suing the Australian government for $41.3 billion under the 2012 ASEAN-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
ISDS is a mechanism within some trade agreements which enables foreign (but not local) investors to sue governments for millions and even billions of dollars of compensation if they can argue, among other reasons, that a change in domestic law or policy has reduced the value of their investment.
Clive Palmer is claiming to be a Singaporean investor, as Zeph Investment is registered in Singapore, to utilise the ISDS mechanism to lodge his claim. He is alleging that the refusal of coal exploration permits in Queensland, which were refused on environmental grounds, entitles him to ISDS compensation.
Clive Palmers most recent ISDS case is just one of the two new prospective ISDS cases revealed in the May budget papers. The Attorney Generals Department has confirmed that Zeph Investment is expected to lodge a third ISDS case.
These cases follow two previous cases that Clive Palmer has taken against the Australian government. In October 2021, Clive Palmer lost his $27.8 billion High Court (non-ISDS) case against the Western Australian government over a disputed mining lease. He moved assets to Singapore to take this case to an ISDS tribunal and in April 2023 he sued the Australian government for almost $300 billion.
Clive Palmers latest case means he is currently suing the Australian government for $337.3 billion under ISDS, not accounting for a potential third case. Even if Clive Palmer loses these cases, it can be expected to cost the Australian government billions in legal fees. A previous ISDS case between Phillip Morris and the Australian government over plain cigarette packaging cost Australia than $12 billion in legal fees and over 5 years to resolve.
09:46
Discussing Lachlan Murdoch with Paddy Manning "IndyWatch Feed National"
Journalist Paddy Manning has written a fascinating book on Lachlan Murdoch, the heir apparent of the global media empire, called The Successor.
I interviewed him about the book and his methods behind it at this years Newcastle Writers Festival:
The post Discussing Lachlan Murdoch with Paddy Manning appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.
09:08
Barnaby Hunts A Name For New Nationals Think Tank. Hilarity Ensues. "IndyWatch Feed National"
Apparently (and by apparently we mean possibly) the Nationals are contemplating a Think Tank and Political Activist Group to rival GetUp!, Advance Australia and the IPA. Which, for pretty obvious reasons isnt going to be easy. Because, you know, the words Barnaby Joyce and Think Tank appearing in the same sentence is almost certain to evoke fits of laughter in most quarters, and get in the way of the very thing that think tanks are supposed to promote namely, thinking.
Ever ready to assist, the Twitterverse has exploded with suggestions to help the Member for New England find his way through the confusing maze of word thingies (and in the interests of accuracy its also possible that the Twitterverse is equally responsible for creating the whole concept but wheres the fun in fact-checking that). The batting was opened by a Mr. Philip Riley, proud Wiradjuri man and retired schoolteacher, whose suggestions include Intellecta Nullius, All Hat No Cattle, and Happy Hour.
Barnaby Joyce and the Nationals are contemplating a Think Tank and Political Activist Group to rival Get Up , Advance Australia and the IPA. Potential names are being bandied about including Mining for Votes , Intellecta Nullius . All Hat No Cattle .Suggestions ? pic.twitter.com/5sZrQPlOpj
Phillip Riley (@philmupp1) July 10, 2023
Other suggestions forthcoming include Septic Tank, Lie Down (a play on GetUp!, arf arf), Drink Up!, No Flies On Us, Empty Paddocks, No-one Left, Rorting Rooters, Bourbon Bangers, All Hat No Head, and Cattlemen Up No Trails.
Some of the more classy names included The Bull Dust Institute, The Mudguard Centre (all bright and shiny on top but filthy underneath), the Fertiliser Forum, and the Sir Les Patterson Foundation.
And in a flurry of suggestions, Greg Burch offered: Drink Tank, Gin Up!, Institute of Public Bars, Institute of Elicit Affairs, Institute of the Public Purse, and Integrous Nullius. Its possible Mr Burch is either no fan of the Nationals, or believes them to have a drinking problem.
Judy Lloyd Dalton offered more of an interpretive artwork than a name a photo of Barnaby Joyce sleeping through a session of parliament, prompting Mr Riley to remark, Hes got 2 of the Seven Dwarfs covered Sleepy and Dopey.
Keiran Dwyer also offered up some artwork:
K...
07:40
No consultation with new planning body "IndyWatch Feed National"
The NSW Reconstruction Authority has released a draft document, Protocols exercise of powers and functions under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, outlining its powers to act in relation to promoting community resilience to the impact of disasters in NSW.
The Authority has absorbed both the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) and Infrastructure NSWs HawkesburyNepean Valley Flood Risk Management Directorate (HNV).
The NRRC retains its Northern Rivers identity and continues to focus on rebuilding communities in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas. This includes delivering the Resilient Homes Program, states the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
While the draft document outlines that it seeks transparency and engagement with stakeholders, the Overview of NSW Reconstruction Authoritys key powers clearly identifi...
07:39
The two-tier economy "IndyWatch Feed National"
Have you tried to get a tradie recently?
How about booking your car in for a service, or hiring a removalist that can fit you in before Christmas?
If youve tried calling any of these local businesses recently, youve probably discovered that demand for basic services like these is majorly outstripping supply.
Welcome to the north coasts two-speed economy.
While the local retail sector struggles under the dual pressures of rising interest rates and the increased cost of living, industries involved in providing basic, grass roots services are booming.
Many tradies have waiting periods of two months for an average-sized job, while some, such as carpenters and tilers, are almost impossible to get, unless youre willing to pay a premium.
The average wait to book your car in for a service in the Shire is two-to-four weeks, and if youre moving house within the local area youll want to plan at least eight weeks ahead.
A series of interviews conducted by The Echo with experts and those working in these industries suggest the boom and consequent shortages in these industries are the outcome of multiple factors.
They include the increase in demand for the building industry brought about by the 2022 floods, and the mass migration to the Northern Rivers during covid.
At the same time, there is a critical shortage of workers in some of these areas, particularly in the trades sector.
Jason Bentley, from the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, said the region was definitely seeing different industries at different levels.
The trade sector is going gang busters. Some are struggling to keep up with demand.
But at the same time, others are having to close down their operations or move out of the area.
Jane Laverty, President of the Northern Rivers chapter of Business NSW, said businesses in the region typically fell into one of three lanes: those that were really struggling, those who were hanging in there, and those who were seeing ongoing very high demand.
Golden triangle
All of these businesses are facing what I call the golden triangle, which is housing, staffing and skills, she said.
These are the three biggest challenges that pretty much everyone is facing.......
06:50
Peter Duttons puppet is National Anti-Corruption Commission Deputy Commissioner Jaala Hinchcliffe. Has the NACC already been corrupted? "IndyWatch Feed National"
Peter Dutton covered up a lot of corruption in the
previous government and one of his puppets he used to do the dirty
work was Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity
(ACLEI) []
Tuesday, 11 July
20:09
Fire at powdered milk factory burns for 2 days in Australia "IndyWatch Feed National"
Firefighters will need to lift the roof off a powdered milk factory in order to extinguish a fire that has been burning for almost two days on the New South Wales South Coast. The factory in Bomaderry, north of Nowra, caught alight at about 1:30pm on Monday. Several employees attempted to fight the fire before Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews took over. Shoalhaven Fire and Rescue Inspector Rick Jones said the factory was full of highly flammable powdered milk, which had prolonged the firefighting efforts. "The product itself is something that burns very fiercely, which was evident yesterday," he said.
19:29
City of Perth wants you to report anti-social behaviour to a hotline "IndyWatch Feed National"
READ MORE AT TOTT NEWS Perth authorities, who
already have a smart city network comprising...
19:00
Checking In "IndyWatch Feed National"
What Happened to the Federalnaya sluzhba bezopasnosti Rossiyskoy Federatsii? The FSB answers directly to Vladimir Putin For the most part, it is the successor organization to the KGB in that the security of Russia is its mission. Since 2014, the FSB devoted substantial resources to preparing for a Russian takeover of Ukraine. Although Russias []
The post Checking In appeared first on Virtual Mirage.
18:30
When Net Zero Describes Common Sense And Progress, Rather Than Emissions "IndyWatch Feed National"
Australias path to net zero emissions isnt so much rocky as it breathtakingly foolish. That is unless were all okay with wide-scale habitat destruction both here and overseas) while wasting trillions of dollars in the process. Geoff Russell weighs in on the renewables vs nuclear debate, which seems to be going from the bizarre to the absurdum.
Mathematicians often use a form of proof called Reductio ad absurdum. If you want to prove something is false, then assume its true and see what that implies. If the implication is false or contrary to something we know is true, then the job is done.
Heres an example. Suppose Jill and Joe are having a discussion. Joe believes in the power of prayer and Jill wants to prove that praying for something doesnt work.
JOE: If I pray, then I can pass my exam.
Jill assumes prayer works and so tries to see what that implies.
JILL: If prayer works, then few, if any Christians would ever have died from cancer.
Thats true if most Christians with a cancer diagnosis respond by praying not to die (from the cancer).
Jill: So, since many Christians die of cancer (every day), prayer doesnt work.
Theres a bit of slack in that argument. Maybe Christians dont all take to prayer when given a cancer diagnosis, and maybe some die without being diagnosed. A mathematician doing mathematics would be more rigorous, but Reductio arguments are often used in this rough and ready way.
Of course, you can escape the argument by exploiting a common loop hole.
Joe: Prayer definitely works, just not all the time and only if you are devout.
Enter Net Zero Australia.
Best laid plans
All over the world, research groups are producing net-zero plans of one kind or another. The latest local work came out in April 2023, from Net Zero Australia (NZAU).
NZAU is a consortium of universities and consulting companies, with most of the people being from Melbourne University.
18:00
Animal Liberation is hosting a webinar and you're invited "IndyWatch Feed National"
Our webinars are a great place to learn about animal
rights issues and the campaigns that are working to create a kinder
world. You will also discover ways you can get involved, and
connect with like-minded people. See below to know some of the
people who will be presenting there.
During this meeting you'll hear from:
Tara Ward, co-founder and volunteer principal solicitor for the Animal Defenders Office (ADO). The ADO is a nationally accredited, volunteer-run community legal centre based in Canberra. Tara has also taught animal law at the University of New South Wales since 2008, and is an animal welfare representative on a university's animal ethics committee. Tara will be discussing some recent cases, with a focus on animal advocates.
Alex Vince, Animal Liberation's campaign manager, will be showing a snippet of On The Fence, an upcoming documentary about Australia's most misunderstood apex predator, the dingo. Alex was interviewed about 1080 poison in this documentary.
Tracey and Mick, founders of Peanuts Wellbeing Sanctuary, will be sharing why they started Peanuts Wellbeing Sanctuary, and how they break the cycle of abuse for children and animals, by nurturing empathy and compassion towards others.
When: 6:30 pm (AEST), Thursday, 13th July 2023
Where: Online via Zoom...
16:17
Piers Morgan Tried To Interview Roseanne Barr. It Went About As Well As Youd Expect "IndyWatch Feed National"
One of the challenging things about Roseanne Barr, at least over the past few years, has been working out whether or not she has a genuine mental illness (and is thus being exploited by morally bankrupt media types) or if, in fact, shes simply just a spectacularly shit human.
Unfortunately, Barrs latest media outing a bizarre, sycophantic, shouty interview from renowned whinging Pom Piers Morgan does nothing to solve the question. But first the brief background.
Morgan had Barr on overnight because, once again, the former comedian turned sitcom star has hit the headlines for saying things that, well, in the cold light of day look more stupid rant than funny. Which, unless youre Donald Trump, cant be put down to a deliberate career choice.
In Barrs case, at the end of last month she appeared on fellow comedian Theo Vons podcast, where, among many other wildly outlandish statements, she sarcastically claimed that Joe Biden had definitely won the 2020 presidential election over Trump. Barr, in case youve missed it, is a trenchant election denier, and so, to underscore her sarcasm, she also pretended to be a Holocaust denier. Which is never a good idea.
[Biden got 81 million votes in 36 districts]. That is the truth, and nobody died in the Holocaust either. Thats the truth. It should happen, six million Jews should die right now because they cause all the problems in the world but it never happened, Barr said.
In Barrs funny defence, she also told Von that Hollywood was full of Jews and that Americans should be grateful because if that wasnt the case, all youd have is f***ing fishing shows. But unfortunately for Barr, while sections of the left did indeed try to misuse the statements to make out Barr was genuinely anti-Semitic (it was clearly satirical and Barr is, in fact, Jewish), it still went down like a lead balloon within the Jewish community.
Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League lead the charge: Sarcasm or not, Roseanne Barrs comments about Jews and the Holocaust are reprehensible and irresponsible.
And speaking of that, enter Piers Morgan, who was obviously hopeful he might wring a bit more out of the fortnight-old controversy. Morgan also apparently mistakenly believed he had an ally and friend in Roseanne Barr, who, like himself, has repeatedly been silenced and cancelled for her views (well let the fact Morgan has his own television show, and Barr her own publicist for a national tour fly through to the keeper).
...
15:02
Melbournes Triple R radio on The Palestine Laboratory "IndyWatch Feed National"
My interview with Melbournes Triple R Radio program, The Grapevine, about my new book, The Palestine Laboratory:
The Palestine Laboratory is a new book by journalist Antony Loewenstein that documents how Israels subjugation of the Palestinian people serves as a testing ground for weapons and surveillance systems that are then exported around the world.
Built on extensive research, interviews and on-the-ground reporting, the book draws on modern events including Harvey Weinstein, 9/11 and the current crisis in Ukraine to show the consequences of a military industrial complex that facilitates the persecution of groups in many parts of the world.
Antony joined Dylan and Kulja on The Grapevine to talk through it all.
Whats happening in Palestine is not staying there the occupation is being exported The technologies and tools that Israel has developed over decades whether its spyware drones or facial recognition technology is now a massive export business to countless countries around the world.
The post Melbournes Triple R radio on The Palestine Laboratory appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.
14:37
ROBODEBT PROSECUTIONS "IndyWatch Feed National"
7 UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE MAY FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION
One of the outcomes from the Robodebt Royal Commission is a secret chapter that recommends civil action or criminal prosecutions. Years overdue, and far too lateb for deceased victims, but better late than never.
This postings URL: https://wp.me/p1n8TZ-3mo
Below are extracts from the report:
I have provided to you an additional chapter of the report which has not been included in the bound report and is sealed. It recommends the referral of individuals for civil action or criminal prosecution....
14:08
Fanny Lumsden "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Fanny Lumsden. Anglesea Memorial Hall. Anglesea. 7pm. $25 $40.
The post Fanny Lumsden appeared first on Forte Magazine.
14:07
Jess Hitchcock "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Jess Hitchcock. Anglesea Memorial Hall. Anglesea. 7pm. $40.
The post Jess Hitchcock appeared first on Forte Magazine.
14:04
Cable Ties "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Cable Ties. Anglesea Memorial Hall. Anglesea. 7pm. $35.
The post Cable Ties appeared first on Forte Magazine.
14:03
Kites a-courting "IndyWatch Feed Cvic"
Interesting to observe some Black-shouldered Kite courtship behaviour again near Campbelltown over the weekend.
The birds pictured here were actively hunting for mice as the temperature hovered around 10C with a 30 km/hour souwester feels like 7C!
Along with the kites there are good numbers of Nankeen Kestrels and Brown Falcons to be found across the plains country at present.
Black-shouldered Kites, Moolort Plains, 8th July 2023
14:01
Lowercase Poetry "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Gold Coin Donation
The post Lowercase Poetry appeared first on Forte Magazine.
14:00
LIVE An Exhibit by Lucinda Goodwin "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
LIVE An Exhibit by Lucinda Goodwin
The post LIVE An Exhibit by Lucinda Goodwin appeared first on Forte Magazine.
13:59
DJ Wormboy Residency "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
DJ Wormboy Residency
The post DJ Wormboy Residency appeared first on Forte Magazine.
13:58
Come Talk Art "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Come Talk Art
The post Come Talk Art appeared first on Forte Magazine.
13:54
Season Of Harvest ft. Groff, Dr Worm, Roche. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Season Of Harvest ft. Groff, Dr Worm, Roche.
The post Season Of Harvest ft. Groff, Dr Worm, Roche. appeared first on Forte Magazine.
13:52
Saturday Night Vinyl DJs "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Live vinyl DJs from 8pm at Medusa.
The post Saturday Night Vinyl DJs appeared first on Forte Magazine.
13:51
Saturday Night Vinyl DJs "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Live vinyl DJs from 8pm at Medusa.
The post Saturday Night Vinyl DJs appeared first on Forte Magazine.
13:30
ABC National helps UDIA push to cover golf-courses with housing VIC "IndyWatch Feed National"
We predicted this would happen when the Vic
government put developers in charge of what happens to the many golfcourses in
Melbourne and regional Victoria. The seizure of these
green public and private lands is now being normalised on public
media. Affected and ordinary citizens are not being interviewed, or
their community organisations, such as Planning Democracy, PPLVic,
Sustainable Population Australia, only property developers, who are
given an undeserved moral authority via the ABC, simply by
promoting their opinion via interviews that allow them to justify
overdevelopment and overpopulation without putting any of the
obvious logical challenges to their false and self-interested
arguments. Australians deserve more, much more from the ABC.
Max Shifman of the Urban Development Institute was interviewed
on ABC Radio National 792 Brisbane today around 8.30 am about a
push to develop golf courses in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs -
which would include the Mornington Peninsula. This interview used
and abused the problem of Australian homelessness as an excuse to
overturn hardwon community land and property rights that have to
date prevented wholesale slaughter-planning. 
Shifman, without any acknowledgement of the utter irony, pointed to the 'need to house new migrants' who he suggested don't want to live in high rise appartments - contrary to the Vic Government's current 'policies' to build this stylel of dwelling (e.g. activity centres) - but would rather detached homes. (So would most Australians, Mr Shifman - but not at the price the developer industry likes.)
The obvious rejoinder to the mention of migrants needing such developments to live in was that surely we should be limiting migration if it is causing us to disrupt communities and wildlife. No such comment. The ABC is so apparently corrupt with regard to pleasing the developer-led agenda.
Of course, we have massive population pressure due to the political pressure groups that have been brought to bear on our polity by the property developer institutes and their financiers, who have got government to engage with a huge expanding migration program. So, the Urban Development Institute has a history of issuing press releases to justify mass migration, yet we all have to put up with the ABC acting as if mass migration has nothing to do with such interest groups.
Every time I turn on the ABC, they are advocating more housing, more mi...
13:02
Dysfunctionality Critical Mass "IndyWatch Feed National"
J.G.Olsen / Financial Expositor
The Present:
There are now so many syst...
11:24
Alex Jones calls on God to blow up the earth before the Globalists do "IndyWatch Feed National"
During his show on Sunday, Infowar host and career conspiracy theories Alex Jones called on God to destroy the earth before the Globalists get a chance to. Jones said was hopeful God would answer his call for the sake of the children. We have to talk to the establishment and say you know you have []
08:59
Royal Commission shines torch on Robodebt injustice "IndyWatch Feed National"
Contributed by Joe Montero
The Holmes Royal Commission has produced a damning report on Robodebt and presented 57 recommendations Robodebt has been confirmed as one of the biggest scandals in Australia history. Maybe it doesnt offer a clear alternative. But at least it does help shine a torch on a great injustice and found that it was illegal.
A clear outline of how the victims were targeted and made examples of for accepting payments from Centrelink was given. As was how vilification, the hard to navigate process, and the assignment of blame without proof, were used as weapons.
Robodebt was not a mistake, nor was it the result of bad legal advice. This was a deliberate policy to play the blame game for failed economic and social government policies, and in line with the application of neoliberalism. Robodebt and the pain it brought were deliberately intended to force as many as possible into the cheap labour market.
Every indicator suggests a likely connection between corruption in politics and corruption in business, through the granting of lucrative contracts.
We know that the way individuals were treated resulted in immense stress, despair, ill health, and that drove some to suicide. The trauma caused extended to families and impacted on communities.
In the preface to her report, Catherine Holmes noted that the incidence of fraud was miniscule. This didnt prevent ministers and other politicians from blowing this out of proportion, to justify what was happening.
Now that Robodebt has become scandal, there is no shortage of politicians tut tutting about how terrible it was. They omit that part about the broad bipartisan support for it. There is a smell of insincerity here. The exception is former prime minister Scott Morrison, who continues to deny any wrong.
Cartoon by Megan Herbert
Robodebt was exposed through the effort of many of its victims, their supporters, and of course, the critical role played by whistleblowers within the system. If the politicians had not gone missing at the time, there wouldnt have been Robodebt.
The first recommendation in the report involves treating Centrelink recipients with respect and dignity, putting an end to the use of stigmatising language, and creating a process that is user friendly and efficient.
Instead of this, the post Robodebt system has delive...
07:34
Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating partner- its a gay man "IndyWatch Feed National"
Above recent photograph: Two old Sydney gays. Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating with Sydney radio shock jock Alan Jones.
I dont know who Paul Keatings live-in gay partner is.
Below photograph: former Australian Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.
...
06:05
Handling Trump Media Coverage: An Answer For Media Dummies "IndyWatch Feed National"
There
are no 'mistakes' for the media to learn from. They can either
cover Trump like everyone else, or they can give up on the
news.
03:24
NATO is 'malicious poison' - former Australian PM "IndyWatch Feed National"
Paul Keating has argued that the military bloc should remain confined to Europe and the Atlantic and not try to expand into Asia. NATO has no place in Asia and should stick to its original focus, that is the security of the Transatlantic region, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has argued. The Labour politician, who served in office from 1991 to 1996, also warned against attempts to "circumscribe" China. In his statement published on Sunday, Keating appeared to refer to a recent report in Politico, which claimed French President Emmanuel Macron had blocked NATO's plans to establish a liaison office in Japan.
02:34
Mystery: Young Man Found Dead In Popular Hotel Room In Ughelli "IndyWatch Feed National"
LAGOS JULY 10TH (URHOBOTODAY)-A 23 years old man, identified as Victor Benjamin has died in a popular hotel located along the East West Road axis in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Vanguard gathered that the deceased had lodged in room No: 414 of Wetland hotel Ughelli, on Saturday before his mysterious untimely death on Sunday.
According sources, The young man had gone to the hotel to relax and when his friends came looking for him, a receptionist told them that he has checked out of the hotel.
Not satisfied with the answer of the receptionist, they went to the room of the deceased only to find his lifeless body on the floor and they raised alarm. the anonymous source revealed.
When contacted via phone call, an investor in the hotel, Richard Kpedi Esq said, I was told a young man checked into the hotel at about 11-12 in the night and during the routine check and checkout time at about 1:pm his body was found on the floor.
When the house keeper got there he saw the man, he went and call his manager and he came, luckily for them, his relations were already coming because they said he came from Ghana.
He was rushed to the hospital in Ughelli there and when they got there, the doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
We as a corporate organisation, we decide to inform the police and a statement under caution was taken from the management, before we talked about bail and all that.
I think the next thing now is to wait for the autopsy report and know the cause of his death
When contacted the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright said, I will find out.
However, a source from the Delta State Police Command who confirmed the incident stated that the deceased lodged in the on July 7 and at about 2:pm the next day being July 8, his corpse was found lying on the floor.
According to the security source who spoke on anonymous condition said, The Chief Security Officer, CSO, of Wetland Hotel Ughelli, Oglagha Selebibia came to incident the case about the guest and their discovery.
He was rushed to Shekinah, a private hospital where he was confirmed dead by the Doctor and his body has been deposited at the morgue awaiting the autopsy report and while further investigation is ongoing.
As at the time of this report, it was further gathered the Manager of the...
00:15
The UN holds a robot press conference about the state of AI "IndyWatch Feed National"
The AI for Good global summit hosted by the UN tech agency invited a panel of robots and their creators to a press conference to answer questions from reporters.
Monday, 10 July
23:27
23:24
Inventi Ensemble "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Experience the joy of live music with your preschooler at our monthly cushion concerts.
Cushion concerts are a series of live performances for children by local as well as internationally recognised musicians. They are affordable and presented in a relaxed and friendly environment.
We choose music that is stimulating for young listeners, make sure each concert is unlike the last and keep the performance under 40 minutes.
Children bring a cushion (or borrow one of ours), as well as a teddy and a snack. If they need to move around to get a better view, want to dance or stretch out on the floor, thats fine. If a child has a question or want to talk about the performance thats great.
The post Inventi Ensemble appeared first on Forte Magazine.
23:19
Fanny Lumsden: Hey Dawn Tour "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Join ARIA + 8 x Golden Guitar award winning singer-songwriter Fanny Lumsden and her incredible band The Prawn Stars as they hit the road celebrating her 4thstudio albumHeyDawn.
Fannys third album Fallow, released in March 2020 was considered a breakthrough winning the ARIA, CMAA Golden Guitar and AIR awards for Country Album of the Year as well as 4 additional Golden Guitars. It was shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Music Prize, debuted in the top 10 ARIA Charts and got many people through lockdown. Needless to say, following that, a 4thalbum was always going to be a daunting.
The post Fanny Lumsden: Hey Dawn Tour appeared first on Forte Magazine.
23:14
Randy Feltface: Feltopia "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
In these uncertain times, you need a voice you can trust. Someone whos travelled the world and knows how to fix it. Courage. Integrity. Other stuff. Vote 1 Randy Feltface.
Randy Feltface has spent the past eighteen years carving out a unique niche on the international comedy circuit. He was nominated for best comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, played sold out seasons in London and New York and featured several times at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. He made his US television debut as crowd favourite on NBCs Bring The Funny, and his comedy specials have become pirated YouTube sensations. Politics seems like the natural next step.
Dont miss Randy Feltface as he brings his Feltopia World Tour home to the Southern Hemisphere.
The post Randy Feltface: Feltopia appeared first on Forte Magazine.
23:08
Arj Barker: Power Hour "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
What do you get when you take your very best jokes from over the last 30 years, lovingly restore, refine and remaster each one, jam them all into a single hour, and finally, sprinkle in some brand new material and a hint of improv? You get the best of Arj Barker. Also known as Power Hour.
The post Arj Barker: Power Hour appeared first on Forte Magazine.
23:07
23:04
Forever 80s Best of the 80s Tour "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Direct from sell out Australian shows, Australias number one 80s
touring show, Forever 80s
is
coming to Capital Theatre for one unforgettable night.
Prep that neon, put on those leg warmers and relive the soundtrack of the best generation. A time of musics biggest hair and biggest hits! Turn back time and sing along to Wham!, Whitney Houston, Billy Idol, A-ha, Tina Turner, Prince, Cindy Lauper, Bon Jovi and more. A night with Forever 80s, is a night to reminisce and is simply not to be missed.
Get excited, grab your closest and secure your tickets today. Dont miss out because you Just Cant Get Enough 80s music!
Forever 80s are
Simply the Best!
The post Forever 80s Best of the 80s Tour appeared first on Forte Magazine.
22:58
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror "IndyWatch Feed Cvic"
Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne International Film Festival and Bendigo Venues and Events present:
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
A silent film as it was meant to be heard!
Experience the thrill of the iconic vampire film Nosferatu, brought to life by a live orchestra, coming exclusively to Ulumbarra Theatre for one night only.
Following award winning, sell out shows at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and seasons at Edinburgh Fringe (UK), and Art, Not Apart (Canberra); duo Rasa Daukus (piano) and Will Larsen (percussion) have teamed up with Orchestra Victoria to expand their original score to the films eerie, gothic visuals.
A full orchestra, keyboard, electronics, and a massive labyrinth of drums, shakers, bells, cymbals, gongs and percussion come together to create an electrifying atmosphere to accompany the original adaption of Bram Stokers Dracula for the screen. An influential work of early filmmaking and the horror genre that followed, Nosferatu is considered a masterpiece of cinema, even 101 years on.
The post Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror appeared first on Forte Magazine.
22:56
Carl Barron: Skating Rink For Flies "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
When Carl was a small boy at school, he asked the teacher how Ants feel. He never got an answer all those years ago, but he still wants to know.
Voted number one comedian two years running, come along and see Carls brand new show Skating Rink for Flies.
A night where he ponders things we all think about but never mention. Things like plastic bags, peanut butter, and the possible emotions of an ant.
There is no point to this show other than to make you laugh as much as possible.
Funny stories from a bloke with a funny head. What more could you ask for? (Bit of wee guarantee)
The post Carl Barron: Skating Rink For Flies appeared first on Forte Magazine.
15:35
Fobif walks this Sunday (July 16) "IndyWatch Feed Cvic"
This Sunday (July 16) there will be a long and a short walk. The short walk will be led by Joy Clusker and will have a fungi focus. Meet as usual at the Community Centre in Templeton Street at 9.30 am. You can also meet the group at the Dog Rocks parking area at 9.45 am. See the walks page for more details.
The long walk will be led by Jeremy Holland. He has written the following update.
The route for this walk was checked a week ago and again last Sunday (9th).
Due to the wet conditions the section involving two crossings of Middleton Creek has been deleted (see photo below taken at proposed crossing point) and replaced with something safer.
The distance remains at 15 km which at 3km/hr should take 5 hours plus 1 hr for breaks over varied but interesting terrain with about 40%.being off-track. There is also one reasonably steep climb.
It is probably worth noting that similar to last year this is twice the distance of a normal fobif walk. Therefore be prepared for a solid but hopefully enjoyable day out.
Remember we meet at 9.00am in Templeton Street.
14:34
LISTEN BACK - Beyond the Bars 2023 "IndyWatch Feed Cvic"
Last week the Beyond the Bars program teams broadcast live from six Victorian prisons. We shared the mic with First Nations women and men across the state for NAIDOC Week 2023. You can now listen back to all the broadcasts and hear the insights direct from First Nations people in the system. We look forward to a day when we don't need to go into prisons to give First Nations people a voice. Pictured: Loddon Prison broadcast team L-R Amos, Karina, Jody, Tash, Gab, Chris, Bart, Mercedes and Dale.
Sunday, 09 July
22:14
GUM TREES "IndyWatch Feed Cvic"
Friday, 07 July
10:25
Construction insolvencies at decade highs "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
07:30
Antidepressants Can Cause Chemical Castration "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
From Maryanne Demasi Reports: Antidepressants can cause severe, sometimes irreversible, sexual dysfunction that persists even after discontinuing the medication. Sufferers have described it as chemical castration a type of genital mutilation caused by antidepressants, mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The condition is known as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD), a condition largely unrecognised, and the true incidence of which is unknown.
David Healy, psychiatrist and founder of RxISK.org said, I saw my first patient with PSSD in 2000, a 35-year-old lady who told me that three months after stopping treatment, she could rub a hard-bristled brush across her genitals and feel nothing. Josef Witt-Doerring, psychiatrist and former FDA medical officer said, This condition is so devastating that it will cause serious changes to your life and to those around you.
In 2020, during protracted Covid lockdowns in Melbourne, 23-year-old Rosie Tilli felt an increasing sense of anxiety and depression. Her psychiatrist prescribed a low dose of Lexapro (escitalopram), an SSRI to help Rosie calm down, assuring her that if she experienced side effects, theyd go away once she stopped the medication. Soon after taking the medication Rosie felt emotionally blunted, but took it as a positive sign. At first, I thought it was great because it felt like the medication was working. But then I couldnt feel my emotions, I couldnt cry, I had no sexual desire, and my genitals went numb.
After four months, Rosie decided to slowly wean herself off the medication. Some of her symptoms improved and the fog lifted, but over the next two years her libido faded to nothing. It has been two years of hell. Now, I have no sexual function. Im numb down there. I cant have an orgasm. It feels like my soul has just been vacuumed out of my body. I feel completely asexual, said Rosie. She sought help from various professionals, but none believed it could be the antidepressant because the drug had already left her system. They concluded it was all in her mind.
Rosie went to a local youth centre for help, but they ended up sectioning her under the Mental Health Act with an Involuntary Treatment Order, insisting she take antipsychotic medication. I refused to take an antipsychotic because I knew I wasnt psychotic. Instead, they forced me to take another antidepressant against my will in order to leave the facility, said Rosie. It was the most traumatic thing Ive ever been through in my life. I fel...
Thursday, 06 July
12:55
Donald Trump Jr cancels speaking tour in Australia over doubt the country would grant him a visa "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Donald Trumps eldest son had to cancel a planned speaking tour in Australia just days before he was due to arrive in the country over doubts the country would grant him a visa, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Donald Trump Jr was scheduled to make appearances in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne between July 9 and []
Tuesday, 04 July
23:42
Listings remain low, but... "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
13:49
More myth busting "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Quite amazing how many medics are coming out of the woodwork spruiking low carb eating. Im not keen to use the word diet anymore because diets are associated with weight loss through calories restriction. The keto/carnivore lifestyle isnt strictly about losing weight (Ive now lost twelve kilos), thats an added bonus as far as I am concerned. The real reason is to get healthy Anyhow, this guy has many interesting things to say, heres one I like
On a much lighter note, heres my favourite car journalist going off on a tangent I never expected. Language warning, but its very very good and funny to boot John doesnt understand how you cant exercise your way out of a bad diet, but his message is still more than valid..
Monday, 03 July
12:19
Make the Catholic Church pay land-tax, not the poor - Response to new land-tax bill Victoria, Australia "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The Catholic Church owns many billions of dollars of land in
Australia but does not pay any land-tax. Today, in Victoria,
Australia, if you own a second property worth more than 300,000,
you pay land-tax. Soon, however, property worth 50,000 and upwards
will be taxed, if a new bill goes ahead. This makes no moral sense
in an era of skyrocketing land-prices, where you would logically
expect land-tax thresholds to rise, not to fall. This letter to Tim
Pallas MP suggests that, rather than punish Australians with very
modest land-holdings, Australia should simply tax the Catholic
Churchs vast holdings.
The following letter was sent to Tim Pallas Victorian Labor MP.
Dear Mr. Pallas
Re: Land Tax Act 2005, recent amendments and
consequences
We write to express our concern and disappointment with your announcement in the recent state budget to reduce the exemption for paying Land Tax from $300,000 to $50,000.
The purpose of this amendment is inexplicable, perhaps other than to perversely begin levying Land Tax in a draconian way on the least wealthy land owners. Setting a $50,000 exemption is unnecessarily cruel and draconian on those who may have acquired a small holding many years ago, and who, for a range of reasons may not be able, or inclined, to dispose of the land.
Indeed, an increase in the exemption threshold was long overdue and was expected to be increased due to the long delay since the last adjustment. Logically, as land values always rise, so should the threshold for exemption, and we suggest the exemption should have been increased to at least $1 million to maintain the existing relativities.
Land-tax changes would affect pension eligibility
Pensioners for example, now forced to sell their land to pay for the increasingly prohibitive Land Tax rates, may find themselves ineligible for the pension, or reduced to only a part pension as they would then have too much cash to be eligible for a pension.
It is cruel and unfair to expect elderly pensioners, who may have owned the block next door for decades to have to engage in a market sale of their land, and the personal consequences to them, such as living arrangements, family issues, eligibility for health care etc. - arising from what is effectively for many a forced sale. In short, given the relatively few people affected it is a very limited source of revenue for the state. It seems instead....
Sunday, 02 July
07:16
2-Sense: House prices forecasts; record mortgage repayments in the post "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
2-Sense podcast
This week on the Australian Property Podcast I was joined by Chris Bates to discuss the big three property news stories of the week.
We discuss Domain's house price forecasts, which anticipate new highs, and also record mortgage repayments expected next year.
Tune in here (or click on the image below):
Monday, 26 June
13:50
Metabolic Overshoot "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Anyone lurking on this humble blog will have noticed that Ive become rather passionate about the state of the food industry and its impact on the global health system. All of the doctors and scientists Ive featured here in the past six months all say get off the seed oils and switch to olive or coconut oil. Which I did twenty years ago already. This got me thinking, is it even possible?
Global oilseed production is projected to reach 632 million tons on record plantings. Soybean production is forecast to rise 23 million tons to 386 million, a 6-percent increase. Production of all oilseeds is forecast to increase, with all but cottonseed and rapeseed reaching at least 10-year records.12 May 2021
On average, during the period 2016 to 2021, world production of olive oil was 3.1 million metric tons (3.4 million short tons). Spain produced 44% of world production. The next largest producers were Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey and Morocco. I now refuse to buy anything but Australian olive oil after being warned by a Sicilian wwoofer who worked here that most European olive oil is cut with seed oil.
Simple maths therefore shows that theres 210 times more unhealthy oil produced globally than healthy olive oil..
Coconut oil is just as bad at 3.6 million tonnes. Worse, a quick google discovered this :
As I suspected, the whole metabolic syndrome epidemic is not a problem, its just another predicament. In fact its so much like lets switch from fossil fuels to renewables, its not funny. This ones outcome, however, is that it will kill millions, if not, eventually billions of people.. And when youre in serious overshoot, population collapse is the only outcome.
according to Dr Robert Lustig who was one of Nate Hagens recent blog guests, the growth in diabetes in the USA (quite...
Saturday, 24 June
19:09
Taxing Times "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Realty Talk
01:01
LIMITS everywhere "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
When Nate Hagens says I know things that I cant say in a public podcast, then you know were slouching towards Mordor.
Friday, 23 June
22:50
Trades Hall backs campaign for refugees trapped in Indonesia "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
RAC activist Margaret Sinclair reported on the situation for refugees in Indonesia to the executive of the Victorian Trades Hall Council on 23 June. The executive carried the following motion unanimously. Victorian Trades Hall and its affiliates note that 14,000 refugees are trapped in Indonesia, most for eight years and many for ten years or []
The post Trades Hall backs campaign for refugees trapped in Indonesia first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).22:00
Fare rise unexpected "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The rise to $5 for a single trip and $10 per day for a standard Myki fare is unexpected, given these usually occur in January. The PTUA along with the rest of Victoria has only had a weeks notice of the increase, which is a big jump for most fares. Passengers wont be welcoming the rise, which Continue reading Fare rise unexpected
Tuesday, 20 June
11:24
eX-detainees Statement Refugee Week or Refugee Day is like a parody of a PR saviour campaign while we suffer continuous discrimination and detention abuse in Western and non-Western countries. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
At present, there are over 103 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, with over 32 million refugees among them. Over 1 million refugee children were born as refugees.
What is the main aim of Refugee Week or Refugee Day, originally initiated by UNHCR (the UN High Commissioner for Refugees), a mostly white, non-refugee led organisation? Highlighting fairytale-like sad and happy refugee stories, running a fundraiser for your refugee saviour organisation, or showcasing exotic cooking shows or cultural shows on Refugee Week or Refugee Day, while refugees surviving persecution and abuse have to prove to the world that we can assimilate, smile, or be prepared to participate in social transactions that enable refugee organisations to make money or deliver an exotic cultural presentation to everyone. This is the wholesale package delivered by Refugee Week or Refugee Day.
Do we still want to continue this vulture refugee industry? Is this about us or you? Nothing is surprising when the UNHCR sets the saviour complex bar within the refugee sector by running a patronising PR circus during World refugee week/day. When the world leader of refugee rights organisations functions like this, we can imagine that every other organisation will follow the same orientalist approach.
Meanwhile, the Australian government, and governments across the world are spending millions of dollars acquiring weapons and building their military while blocking those of us fleeing from the destruction caused by these policies from seeking protection and the opportunity to rebuild our lives so we can look forward to a future.
In so-called Australia, racist refugee policies continue. eX-detainees who arrived 30 years ago have still not gotten citizenship, and/or have no access to humanitarian pathways for family reunion. As a result, 1000s of eX-detainee families arriving in Australia kids and adult family members are not allowed to receive access to social security and many other support services to build a future, including Austudy or HECS. Each eX-detainee refugee needs to spend over $10,000 to bring family members to Australia. This adds another layer of trauma and oppression, on top of existing trauma and oppression, with many of us eX-detainees having to live with permanent disabilities caused by institutional abuse and torture by the Australian governments de...
Sunday, 18 June
09:58
Peak oil according to Dr Tim Morgan "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Surplus Energy Economics
The home of the SEEDS economic model Tim
#258: Written in the skies
PEAK OIL AND THE UNFOLDING INFLEXION
On a glorious summers day towards the end of the Second World War, a German fighter ace, his squadron grounded for lack of fuel, sat in a deck-chair watching the vapour trails of American bombers write the end of the Third Reich across azure skies.
Metaphorically, a similar message is being sky-written now. According to Goehring & Rozencwajg who are as good as it gets where energy analysis is concerned Hubberts peak is finally here. Only hindsight, of course, can conclusively determine the moment at which peak oil became a reality, but G&R are very probably right.
With conventional oil production in decline since 2016, the only source of unconventional supply which remains capable of further increase is the Permian basin, located in six counties in West Texas.
This basin, say G&R, is within a year of its own peak, and we know how rapidly shale production declines once a basin slips onto the down-slope of the drilling treadmill. The rates of decline of individual shale wells tend to be very rapid, and a point inevitably arrives at which operators can no longer drill enough new wells to stop overall output declining.
OPEC claims to have 4 mmb/d of spare production capacity, but this even if true, which is highly debateable wouldnt tide us over for long, with demand growing, and other sources of supply in relentless decline.
The peaking and impending decline of oil supply is sky-writing dramatic changes to activities hitherto taken for granted. Its almost impossible to overstate the importance of oil for so many aspects of daily life.
Some examples are obvious, though many others are less so. Unless you believe, for instance, we can replace avgas with recycled cooking-oil, mass air travel is finished, not necessarily imminently, but inevitably. Flying may remain an option for the well-to-do, but huge economies of scale will be lost, and industries structured around low-cost flights will be left high and dry.
Much the same applies to motoring...
Thursday, 15 June
22:46
Metabolic syndrome in a nutshell "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Finding anyone, regarding any subject of your choice, with whom I will wholeheartedly agree is getting more and more difficult as I cut through the quagmire that the internet is starting to consist of.
Even some of the people whose opinions I took as gospels six or seven years ago are seemingly losing the plot. Its a little bewildering. Is it me? Maybe its me losing the plot. Ill readily admit its getting more and more difficult to understand everything thats going on as it all unravels faster and faster.
Last week I featured another YouTube video starring someone who was campaigning on the issue of the growing metabolic syndrome epidemic, but even he didnt understand the role or otherwise of fiber in the diet. Then along comes this heart surgeon who, again, had so far flown under my radar. Philip Ovadia seems more than qualified to talk about metabolic syndrome, hes operated on many victims of this epidemic and he was one of its victims himself.
Yes its a long video, but knowledge always comes at a price. I found this faultless, and I really appreciate his honesty and passion.
Saturday, 10 June
16:46
Big Build burnout? "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
While we all want a better transport system, disruption fatigue is becoming a real factor for passengers, particularly on the train network. On some lines, there have now been major disruptions every year since 2016. Not all of these are in the name of better rail services. This winter a two week shutdown of lines Continue reading Big Build burnout?
12:39
More metabolic syndrome epidemic news "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
After seven months of nutrition investigation, Im utterly convinced that this is the truth. No conspiracies here, its occurring in broad daylight right in front of our faces.
Amazingly, he makes a terrible mistake when he mentions the removal of fiber from processed food. Nobody needs fiber. It has zero nutrional value. Its removal has absolutely nothing to do with the metabolic syndrome epidemic.
Thursday, 08 June
11:31
Growing Grey Gratefully "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Not only does music add colour to life, new research has shown that playing and actively engaging with music can also significantly increase the amount of grey matter in our brains, the area of our noggins where our valuable neurons are stored. Establishing a practice of regular music making has the potential to alter the Continue reading Growing Grey Gratefully
Wednesday, 31 May
12:37
Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement far from gold standard, fails on climate action "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
May 31, 2023: The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA), negotiated and signed by the Morrison Coalition government, came into force today, with the lazy media reporting about its apparently wonderful benefits. Two Melbourne University academics, Professor Margaret Young and Georgina Clough, analysed its impacts on climate change policy in The Conversation, and found it wanting.
The A-UK FTA does refer to the net zero Paris Agreement but does not commit parties to specific interim carbon emission reduction targets, or other measure to reduce climate change. This contrasts with the UK FTA with New Zealand, and with the FTA Australia is currently negotiating with the European Union.
The academic analysis showed that the UK-New Zealand trade deal, for example, signals that in some circumstances, it may be justifiable for climate action to affect trade. The European Union has proposed such action, in its plan to impose reporting - and potentially, a financial charge on emissions-intensive imports.
The UK-NZ agreement also takes steps to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, in recognition that government support for the coal, oil and gas industries distorts prices and discourages climate action.
And the pact between the European Union and Canada requires the development of climate-friendly labelling and certification standards on products.
Young and Clough acknowledge that the exclusion of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) from the agreement will prevent fossil fuel companies from suing both governments over climate change policies. They suggest that a working group required under the A-UK FTA to review and monitor environmental provisions relating to marine pollution from ships, ozone-depleting substances, illegal logging and the wildlife trade should extend its work to better integrate the climate and trade goals of both nations by connecting agricultural trade with land...
Sunday, 28 May
09:44
ERoEI, it depends "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
A couple of weeks ago, Nafeez Ahmed, whom I respect and whose work Ive been following for a long time (even featured here) wrote a piece attacking Simon Michauxs work on the difficulties we will face transitioning away from fossil fuels. I was gobsmacked to be honest because to me it looked like a total backflip from his previous views on the future of civilisation and its access to energy. You can read the article here.
Ahmeds debunking of Simons work was entirely based on assumptions of the ERoEI of non renewable renewable energy harvesting technologies being far superior to the numbers Simon has been using. Ive personally always thought that solar powers ERoEI numbers were totally inadequate for running complex civilisation, especially after reading Pedro Prietos work featured here and here.
ERoEI is critical to the success or otherwise of any transition away from fossil fuels. As far as I am concerned, non renewable renewable energy harvesting technologies simply dont cut the mustard and Nafeez Ahmed is simply wrong. I cant help thinking hes joined the ranks of the likes of George Monbiot who just cannot come to grips with the fact their cushy lifestyles are as good as over.
If youve been following DTM for a while now you will have heard me talking about Dr Tim Morgan of Surplus Energy Economics. Tim Morgan has been studying the collapse of ERoEI, except he calls it ECoE or energy cost of energy. Its catching on, heres another great article explaining the impact of failing ECoE on the global economy with some focus on the British one which is now seriously floundering.
Simon has informed me that, perhaps as a result of the many attacks on his work hes had to tackle, hes going to embark on a seminal work on ERoEI with the father of the concept, Charlie Hall. Im really looking forward to seeing what they come up with.
Also perhaps because of Nafeez article and the fact that Nate Hagens is a close friend of Simons, Nate has just posted a very informative video about ERoEI which explains why its so hard to get the numbers right. I thought my readers would like to see it too, enjoy..
...Friday, 26 May
13:07
Insanity rules. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Every day, I open the internet and more stupid crap falls through the door. The amount of insanity taking over civilisation today truly beggars belief. Its incomprehensible. And its thoroughly depressing.
Take this push to destroy farming in the Netherlands and other countries in Europe. To be sure, nitrogen pollution is a major problem, but this will actually make it worse. Farming certainly needs major reforms, no doubt about it, but this kind of reform will cause serious food shortages. And just as we should be recognising the Metabolic Syndrome epidemic and eating more meat, not less Its almost as though those in charge have finally worked out were in overshoot, and are out to kill millions of people. Yep, my own private conspiracy theory!
Done properly, animal grazing could improve the climate, not worsen it. But hardly anyone seems to have any idea. Instead of closing down farms, farmers should be re-educated. Heres a great scientific paper written by a Dutchman about what needs to be done :
The push for plant based diets is moving ahead at an amazing pace. And just like the push for non renewable renewable energy harvesting technologies, this is not only a technology doomed to fail, but it is just as unachievable.
Technology cannot save us from a social predicament.
All this crap only proves to me is th...
Wednesday, 24 May
17:17
NSW quits, Victoria hits "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Its been a big week for property tax. On Sunday we learned the new NSW government was extending stamp duty concessions for first home buyers and will introduce legislation this week to scrap the former governments opt-in stamp duty to land tax scheme. We dont think thatll do much for first home buyers theyll []
Tuesday, 23 May
19:59
Submission to the Victorian Legislative Council Inquiry into Land Transfer Duty Fees "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Prospers submission to the Victorian Legislative Council Inquiry into Land Transfer Duty Fees reflects our evolving thinking around the core motivations for the reform. 14 April 2023 Prosper Australia is an independent research institute focused on the management of land and other natural resources through taxation. Prosper was formed over 100 years ago to further []
19:51
State Budget: Upgrades welcome, but no step change "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed measures in the 2023 Victorian Budget funding incremental public transport improvements, particularly in outer suburban communities. Bus upgrades for growth areas such as Melton, Maddingley, Wyndham and Casey will provide vital connections for those communities, enabling better access to education, employment and other opportunities, said PTUA spokesperson Continue reading State Budget: Upgrades welcome, but no step change
Monday, 22 May
08:21
Melbournes Pandemic Rental Dynamics: the limits of faster housing supply to tackle affordability "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Prospers latest report sounds a cautionary note for policymakers placing market supply at the centre of affordable housing policy. Report author, Dr Tim Helm, Prospers Director of Research and Policy, described the report, entitled Melbournes pandemic rental dynamics: an (un)natural experiment in excess supply, as an exploration in data of housing market imbalances through the []
Wednesday, 17 May
08:48
Nuclear Fantasies "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
ERoEI, or rather lack of it, is what will determine our future. So when a video explaining it really well comes along I like to watch. Id never heard of Leigh Goering before. Initially he certainly sounds like an intelligent person with a great grasp of the subject of ERoEI and its history and the history of the deployment of modern energy systems like fossil fuels and renewables. I even learned quite a lot from this video. But then, he inexplicably starts waxing lyrical about nuclear power as if it wasnt subject to all the limits of the other energy sources he obviously thinks have no future
Over the past few years I have come across a lot of this nuclear fantasy. Its where Simon Michaux shines methinks, no vested interest in any BS!
Leigh Goehring believes nuclear power has astonishingly high ERoEI while he correctly pulls non renewable renewable energy harvesting technologies down to realistic levels. A quick search on work by Charlie Hall who invented the idea of ERoEI reveals nuclear power has an actual ERoEI of 5~15. This is what always happens when you include everything and dont cherry pick stuff to make your favourite saviour look good.
Digging a bit further,
I found that the literature is very divided on the EROI of nuclear,
listing it at anywhere from 1:1 (i.e., uneconomical at any price)
to 90:1 (i.e., the most bountiful energy source in history). Limits
to growth will be nuclears last nail in the coffin. Were already in
a surplus energy crisis and theres nowhere near enough left to save
complex civilisation. I think its ironic this video is titled
shortage of everything, except, obviously, nuclear power
Thursday, 04 May
09:17
More Metabolic Syndrome news "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
I cannot express how chuffed I am this podcast has come up Nate is obviously too busy with all he does to get involved with mere Mike Stasse on a personal basis, but I do know he reads at least some of the stuff I post on social media because hes left the odd comment on my FB wall. Then a week or three ago, he mentioned metabolic syndrome in one of his franklies I could not help thinking, did he pick this up from me? Because to be honest Im literally the only one banging on about the importance of this epidemic on FB, as it ties in with all the other emergencies were facing.
Over the past seven or eight months, Ive learned a huge amount regarding nutrition. Ive watched hundreds of videos and read tons of articles on the low carb high fat diet, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome but had never come across Robert Lustig. Having said that, Im really starting to think that this whole issue is finally coming out of the woodwork, as it should. Because I think its a definite driver of collapse as health systems everywhere are crushed. More and more people are joining the dots, at last.
Enjoy.
Thursday, 20 April
14:32
Vale Father Bob: refugee supporter "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Father Bob Maguire was an advocate for the poor, the homeless and those who were marginalised by society. He was also a fierce advocate for refugee rights. Many will have seen him at the Park Hotel/Prison last year at age 87, when he entered the cage in solidarity with the men held in the Park. []
The post Vale Father Bob: refugee supporter first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Wednesday, 12 April
19:20
Surf Coast Voice to Parliament Referendum Forum "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The post Surf Coast Voice to Parliament Referendum Forum appeared first on SCEG.
Monday, 03 April
12:47
Rocks n Stroll along the Elwood Singing Walking Trail "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The stroll takes in 12 sites along a 6.8km stretch around Elwood, telling an oral history through songs celebrating a wonderfully broad range of local topics from weavers to water rats; music halls to middens; sourdough to spotties; migration and many more to delight and enlighten listeners of all ages.
Sunday, 02 April
12:22
Empty Planet "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Recently, I hopefully shocked my eco modernist buddies This time its Darrell Brickers turn.
Saturday, 25 March
07:56
On NOT joining the dots "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Out of the blue, this video of someone Id never heard of before came up on my feed. It sure looked interesting, and by the time I was half way through, I thought, this guy is on the money, hes even on Simons page! But I was wrong.. How anyone smart enough to show the best explanation of climate change and its repercussion on the food supply Ive ever seen could not know about peak oil is really amazing
Adam Simon is an associate professor of mineral resources with the University of Michigans Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. When you google him with oil or peak oil as search terms, you get nothing. Bizarre
Hes also wrong about American mining safety. https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/us/u-s-mine-disasters-fast-facts/index.html
And as I suspected, hes also wrong about renewable energy being cheaper. Everywhere I have looked, the deeper the penetration of renewable energy, the costlier electricity is, and Texas is no exception.
Thursday, 23 March
13:20
The Hydrogen fallacy explained "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
This should but wont put the idiocy of the Hydrogen economy concept to bed. Paul Martin really knows his stuff when it comes to the smallest atom in the Universe. However, I was gobsmacked when he started waxing lyrical about electrifying everything! He really needs to talk to Simon Michaux..
Wednesday, 22 March
11:56
Yours Truly on the local FM radio station "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
As a result of the local greenies making an appearance on our local Huon FM radio station, the southernmost station in the nation, and talking the usual nonsense youd expect from energy blind greenies, I offered to set the record straight and they accepted. And theyre igoing to have me back.
Tuesday, 21 March
15:11
eX-detainee Refugees who arrived by boat in Australia strongly condemn the UK governments proposed adoption of Australias neo-fascist, anti-refugee stop the boats blue-print "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
RISE: Refugees, Survivors and eX-detainees is the first not-for-profit Refugee and Asylum seeker organisation in Australia to be governed by eX-detainee Refugees. We were founded in 2010 by an eX-detainee who was held hostage in both offshore and onshore detention camps after arriving by boat to Australia to seek asylum.
We eX-detainee Refugees from RISE who were detained upon arrival by boat in so-called Australia are alarmed by the UK governments proposed stop the boats bill. We cannot call it a mere coincidence that the current British ruling political party is touting these xenophobic policies while at the same time employing white supremacist Australian election campaign managers who have a long history of using anti-refugee wedge tactics to win elections in Australia at the cost of human life. Former Australian Prime Minister and current advisor to the UK government, Tony Abbott, has demonstrated an eagerness to spread this neo-fascist model in a past statement, saying that Europe is facing a peaceful invasion of asylum seekers while urging European leaders to secure their borders with Australian-style policies to avoid losing control as they risk losing their character. Australia is notorious for creating the modern blueprint of refugee detention torture and refugee boat turn back policies over decades to whip up xenophobic, white supremacist sentiments for votes. Many of us eX-detainee refugees are permanently disabled, and many of our community members have lost their lives on land and sea due to these murderous policies.
According to our experiences in Australia, the stop the boats and boat turns back policy has caused a permanent blockade of the right to seek asylum in Australia by boat. Persecuted refugees have no choice but to make perilous journeys, traversing both land and sea to seek refuge and safe haven. Australia undermines this wholeheartedly and turns refugee boats back into the arms of persecutors without any accountability. The Australian government implements this final solution against refugees by brazenly participating in joint military operations and espionage activities with military dictatorships and war criminals and funding corrupt government officials in the Asia Pacific to stop people smuggling and save deaths at sea. We, eX-detainees in Australia, call on UK-based rights supporters and politicians to stop more crimes against humanity by blockin...
Wednesday, 15 March
16:04
Three years on, still fighting for the right to support refugees "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
On Tuesday 7 March the RAC activists who had been fined in 2020 for our car cavalcade outside the Mantra Hotel, to show support for Medevac refugees detained there, went to Heidelberg Court for a contest mention. We held a brief protest out the front. The magistrate listened to our lawyer summarise our case: that we []
The post Three years on, still fighting for the right to support refugees first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Tuesday, 14 March
16:08
The Untapped Project "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The Untapped project is a marvellous initiative which gives
readers access to long lost books in both print and digital
form.
More than 150 titles are available to borrow from libraries and to
purchase. Partners in the project include the Australian Society of
Authors, National State and Territory Libraries, the Australian
Library and Information Association and Ligature Press.
Amongst those 150 titles are the 7 Writers Anthology, Canberra Tales, first published by Penguin in 1988.
This article, published in the Canberra Times today, April 15, tells the story of how 7 Writers came into existence, and how we continued meeting as a writers group for over 15 years.
My novel, One for the Master, published by Wakefield Press in 1997 and short-listed for the 1998 Miles Franklin Award, has also been re-published as part of the Untapped Project .
Its wonderful to be able to hold this long out of print novel in my hands again. Thanks to all those involved in the project, in particular Airlie Lawson and publisher Matt Rubinstein.
Sunday, 05 March
10:05
Limits everywhere "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Another great video from my friend Paul Mobbs
Saturday, 04 March
06:59
Limbic Capitalism "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Here is a new concept for you, Limbic Capitalism. I was drawn to this because of Nate Hagens idea that we do what we do because of our addictions to dopamine. This video doesnt equate addictive limbic capitalism or abundance specifically to the availability of fossil fuels, but it is definitely interesting Especially to all you social media addicts! Enjoy.
Friday, 03 March
16:10
Bedding with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, who torture and abuse us, makes you a white supremacist eX-detainee Refugees about Queer Displacement conference "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Bedding with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, who tortures and abuses us, makes you a white supremacist eX-detainee Refugees about Queer Displacement conference
While queers were parading with politicians, military, police, and detention profiteers at the Mardi Gras, in so-called Sydney, Australia, an organisation established by white queer refugees called Forcibly Displaced People Network held a Queer Displacement Conference. One of their sponsors was the Australian Department of Home Affairs. In addition to this, the Department of Home Affairs funded parts of their research on queer refugee settlement in Australia.
What is comical here, is that their white saviour privilege and colonial approach cannot be hidden. The organisers of this event are clearly collaborators with our torturers. Thousands of refugees who came by boats, all of whom are people of colour, have been and are still being indefinitely detained, tortured, murdered, abused, and deported under the direction of the Australian Department of Home Affairs headed by Senator Claire ONeal. eX-detainees who are subjected to torture and abuse by the Australian Department of Home Affairs include people of all genders, sexualities, and sex characteristics. There are an unaccountable number of queerphobic practises and incidents of sexual abuse, torture, and murder faced by the refugees in Australian-run detention centres for over 30 years.
In addition to overseeing detention torture and refugee boat pushbacks of black and brown refugees, the Australian Department of Home Affairs is also involved in ongoing espionage and border security operations with overseas military dictatorships and other corrupt money hungry officials in the Asia Pacific through the Bali process to stop the boats and keep so called Australia white. Many of us eX-detainees and detainees have sought protection from these very same military dictatorships and perpetrators of genocide.
The eX-detainee and detainee community is arguably ONE of the poorest, racially profiled, and systematically discriminated against community groups in Australia as well as around the world. Reducing our ongoing systemic oppression and cancelling our lives in Australia is white supremacy Bedding with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, who tortures and abuses us, makes you a white supremacist. You are likely to know this, if you are an eX-detainee or person of c...
Sunday, 26 February
10:59
My theory revisited "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Theres a lot of talk over the internet about the current excess deaths numbers. Theres no doubt its happening, the data is clear. Pundits like to blame the covid vaccines. Maybe those vaccines have killed people, but what I find interesting is that those people are dying of EXACTLY what people suffering from Metabolic Syndrome die from.. It cannot be a coincidence.
Tim Noakes reckons that 80% of Americans are insulin resistant, and Id be prepared to bet Australian and British people wouldnt be far behind. Insulin resistance must surely be growing exponentially, just like everything else in the world is. Global health systems are getting overwhelmed by this and will likely be part of the looming collapse. Im more certain than ever that a population crash is imminent. This is a couple of years old and pre excess deaths data, but I think he pretty much would agree with me today.
To top it all, the powers that be are wanting to make it all worse by reducing meat consumption. I have no doubt that agriculture is a serious contributor to climate change. You cant drive all that diesel powered machinery, manufacture all the agro chemicals and fertilisers, process all that resulting food and distribute it globally with more fossil fuels in ships, planes and trucks without belching more CO2 into our already overburdened atmosphere. But then to blame cows is utterly bizarre. Because theyre carbon neutral and could be carbon sinks if managed properly.
Friday, 24 February
14:19
Queer eX-detainees urge artists, presenters, and other participants to boycott the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, which also hosts WorldPride 2023, in so-called Sydney, Australia. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Queer eX-detainees urge artists, presenters, and other participants to boycott the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, which also hosts WorldPride 2023, in so-called Sydney, Australia.
Who are we ?
RISE:Refugee, survivors and eX-detainees is a not-for-profit
association and the FIRST eX-detainee led and governed welfare and
advocacy organisation in Australia. RISE is a unique organisation
distinguished by our ethics of self-determination and community
control. RISE raises the bar in the non-profit sector by ensuring
we are not subservient to politicians or businesses by not
accepting blood money from the Federal government, State
government, local government, or corporations who invest in
detention, prisons, the military, or are complicit in land grab or
labour exploitation.
What is the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
(SGLMG)?
Started in Sydney as a celebration after a protest march and
commemoration of the Stonewall Riots of New York City back in 1978,
the parade was a march against discrimination, police harassment,
and the criminalization of queerness. Their rally was met with
violence by the police. Many of these protesters were arrested and
abused in police custody, and those arrested were further outed by
mainstream media, leading to detrimental consequences to their
lives.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is now an annual queer party, arts and cultural festival for the privileged middle class based in Sydney, Australia. It is predominantly run by queer white people and a few handpicked queer people of colour. Like many queer festivals around the western world, SGLMG is now bedding with politicians as well as boot-licking the military, police, and corporations. Following the diversity trend, in recent years, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been working towards ticking diversity boxes after many years of centering [white] gays and lesbians, whilst not updating the Gay and Lesbian in their festival name.
What is InterPride and WorldPride?
Founded in the US, InterPride is a western global organisation
whose members are mainly organisers of queer festivals across the
world. A licensed event by InterPride, WorldPride is run every 13
years, each time in a different location. InterPride members would
nominate and elect which city/queer festival in the world would win
the right to host WorldPride during a particular year.
Being US- and Western centric, InterPrides Global Advisory Council has around 2 representatives from each of the 20 re...
08:37
A Rock and a hard place "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
A short one for you today. No punches pulled, forceful truth destroys bullshit
For anyone interested, you can watch the whole series of seven short 25 minute episodes on SBS TV on demand. Its very well done with English subtitles. Pulls no punches and stressful to watch.
Watch The Collapse streaming now on SBS On Demand.
Tuesday, 14 February
17:16
Finally, good news for 19,000 refugees now give permanent visas for all "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The announcement that the more than 19,000 refugees on temporary and safe haven visas (TPVs and SHEVs) will finally be able to get permanent residency is welcome but long overdue.
The post Finally, good news for 19,000 refugees now give permanent visas for all first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Monday, 06 February
11:51
Delusion exposed. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The truth is slowly but surely coming out. I had never heard of Mark Mills before and his sudden appearance on YouTube came as some surprise. My old sparring partner from Eclipse recently attacked and ridiculed me and Simon Michaux, yet heres someone who apparently doesnt even know Simon (he never mentions him) using IEA data, and comes up with exactly the same conclusions.... As usual, zero mention of limits to growth, but hey, nobodys perfect!
Sunday, 05 February
19:36
Dandenong line frequency cuts cause turmoil "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The PTUA is alarmed about cuts in the frequency of trains on Melbournes busiest rail lines, only days after the completion of works which were supposed to improve services. Having endured the closure of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines for almost a month to allow the installation of new rail equipment, passengers have had their Continue reading Dandenong line frequency cuts cause turmoil
Wednesday, 01 February
11:26
More Simon Michaux "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Yes, more Simon. Does he ever sleep? The amount of work Simon does is gobsmacking. Andrii is a new podcast kid on the block who is doing a good job and is planning to interview me too, so watch this space. Just because youve heard Simon before doesnt mean you wont learn from these two videos, I guarantee it.
Monday, 30 January
13:26
Death in Villawood (suburb in Sydney, Australia) Another immigration death in custody in Australian-run torture camps. 30/01/2023 "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
REST IN POWER
Death in Villawood (suburb in Sydney, Australia) Another immigration death in custody in Australian-run torture camps. 30/01/2023
It is not the first time and it wont be the last another death in administrative immigration detention in front of your eyes. Australia continues its white supremacy through refugee detention policies. Who is accountable now? Racist politicians or the people who voted them in?
Deaths in detention custody are triggering and trauma awakening for our community members who have been in detention or are in detention.
Who is going to repay the family and the loved ones for the loss of this person who was driven by the detention torture system to take their life?
There have been many inquiries and many reports of deaths in custody, torture and sexual abuse within Australian-run immigration detention centres yet nothing has changed and no one has ever been held accountable. There have been eX-detainees including eX-detainee elders who have spoken out against detention policies for over 30 years but nothing has changed.
ALL three major parties in Australia, the Australian Labor party, the Greens and the Liberal/National coalition endorse mandatory detention policies ignoring how it contributes to torture, trauma and deaths in custody like this. Australian detention centres are torture factories and have caused irrevocable harm to detention survivors. For Adam Bandt, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton and most members of the Australian public, this news is likely to be another headline story, but for the family who have lost their loved one in the hands of the Australian government, this is a lifelong trauma and loss. Another white supremacist day in the colony.
Finally, the sinister, white supremacist dog whistling media reporting on detention centres continues in Australia with for example Guardian Australia and Australian associated press concluding their news report of this victim who died after enduring at least 5 years of detention torture with this bizarre statement: Immigration detainees have access to health services, including mental health services.
Blood on your hands Australia.
#EndAllDetention
RISE eX-detainees
Sunday, 29 January
15:08
Mount Buller huts hike "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Be prepared for plenty of up and down steep up and down when hiking around the Mount Buller area in Victoria.
"https://www.bullerhutstrail.com.au/">Buller Huts Trail.I started at Mount Buller a ski resort in winter, popular mountain bike destination in summer and dropped down the Four Mile Spur track to the Howqua River and then the first campsite at Seven Mile Flat. Youd think going down would be easy. It was not. It was a warm day and it was steep and rough and there were a few places where you needed to clamber over and around fallen trees.
Wednesday, 25 January
18:54
RISE eX-detainees Invasion Day Solidarity Statement 2023 "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
For the 11th year running, RISE: Refugee, Survivors and eX-detainees, the FIRST self-determined advocacy and welfare organisation in Australia governed and led by eX-detainees, is making a public statement, supporting the boycott of Australia Day aka Invasion day. Even before we made our first public statement our organisation has never celebrated this day from the time we were founded in 2010.
As eX-detainees, in so-called Australia, we acknowledge that the land we seek protection on is the land of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples whose sovereignty was never ceded.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
On this day RISE, on behalf of the eX-detainee community, continues to acknowledge Sovereignty was never ceded, and we stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this country. We are committed to fighting for justice on the terms set by people and nothing else.
Refugees coming to Australia are being indefinitely detained both onshore and offshore, involuntarily deported back to their countries to danger and physically and sexually abused in detention centres. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have shown their greater solidarity with eX-detainees by raising their voices against Australias white supremacist refugee policy. We would also thank the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for their recognition and ongoing solidarity with us.
The crisis of disproportionate numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youths and adults being placed in institutionalised care, incarcerated and separated from their families and communities is not a recent one. We believe this is systemic abuse which has resulted in over 200 years of discrimination as part of the British colonial genocide strategy.
RISE eX-detainees call on members of our community to stand on the side of justice and equity. Take action at the very least, by condemning any refugee community representatives who partake in celebrations on Australia Day or event, that disrespects and erases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by glorifying stolenwealth and genocide.
Finally, RISE eX-detainees urge members of our community, allies and supporters to amplify and donate where possible to self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples-led movements and organisations.
In Solidarity
RISE eX-detainees
Nothing About Us Without Us
Sunday, 22 January
15:34
Pilk Purriyn 26 January truth-telling event at Torquay "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Hello Surf Coast Community Network members
You may be interested to know about the upcoming event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation with the support of Surf Coast Shire Council Pilk Purriyn (meaning sunrise) on 26 January 2023 from 5:30am-7am. Perhaps youre already planning to come along.
Open and free for everyone to attend, this inaugural event for Torquay and the Surf Coast follows this Councils decision in September 2021 to no longer support Australia Day activities within its municipality.
Pilk Purriyn will be an opportunity for truth-telling, deep listening and recognition of the meaning of this day for First Nations people; and a chance for their allies within the Surf Coast community to show their support.
You can help spread the word by circulating this event to your networks. You can find out more about the event at www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/pilk-purriyn.
We also invite you to like and share on social media via Surf Coast Shires Facebook Page or Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporations Facebook Page.
Were looking forward to being involved in this event, and perhaps well see you there!
Sally Sneddon (she/her)
Community Development Advisor
I work Tuesday to Friday
1 Merrijig Drive (PO Box 350) Torquay VIC 3228
Wadawurrung Country
Mobile 0438 160 541 | ssneddon@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
The post Pilk Purriyn 26 January truth-telling event at Torquay appeared first on SCEG.
Friday, 20 January
10:30
<p>Music and food make great mates, their charismatic combination creates the perfect context for friendships to flourish and where theres one you will invariably find the other. From Vocal Noshes to music camps and choirs, there is nothing like a spot of music-making to work up an appetite and a gathering of like minded people <a class="more-link" href= "https://cmvicblog.wordpress.com/2023/01/19/sharing-food-music-makes-sunraysia-shine/"> Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Sharing Food & Music Makes Sunraysia Shine
Wednesday, 18 January
16:01
eX-detainees Open Letter to Midsumma Festival. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
We eX-detainees urge the Midsumma Festival to immediately cut ties with security company Serco, Victoria police or any current relationships with politicians both federal and state. There is nothing to be proud of about the detention industrial complex and any individual, political party, corporation and agency who benefit from this industry. There is also nothing to be proud of about police racial profiling.
Who are we ?
RISE: Refugees, Survivors and eX-detainees is a not-for-profit
association and the FIRST eX-detainee led and governed welfare and
advocacy organisation in Australia. RISE is a unique organisation
distinguished by its ethics of self-determination and community
control. RISE eX-detainees raise the bar in the non-profit sector
by ensuring we are not subservient to politicians or businesses by
not accepting blood money from the Federal government, State
government, local government or corporations who invest in prisons,
military or are complicit in land grab or labour exploitation.
What is the Midsumma Festival?
Midsumma Festival is a queer arts and culture festival based in
Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. They are predominantly run by queer
white people and a few handpicked queer people of colour. In recent
years, Midsumma Festival has been working towards ticking diversity
boxes after many years of being cis-white-able-bodied-queer
centric.
1. Serco
Midsumma Festival allowed detention supply chain provider Serco to
have a stall at the Midsumma Carnival last year. This is utterly
abhorrent and triggering for queer eX-detainees who have survived
rape and torture in the hands of Serco security as well as
dismissive of the torture and trauma experienced by other
eX-detainee survivors.
We question Midsumma Festival, who have authorised Serco to have a stall at their Carnival event on 23rd January 2022. Serco has a direct role in the Australian governments abusive, human rights violating, asylum seeker trafficking, and detention supply chain in Manus and Nauru as well as in onshore detention centres. Giving a podium to Serco is an investment in the Australian mandatory detention scheme and the continued abuse and torture of refugees. There have been countless reports and inquiries regarding the deaths, torture, sexual abuse and gendered violence faced by refugees who have been incarcerated within Australias mandatory detention centres.
Detention Supply chain security company Serco at last years
Midsumma Carnival 2022
...
Tuesday, 17 January
11:51
Here is another example of Hypocrisy and racism prevalent in Australian cricket and Cricketers. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Australia has detained and stripped the rights of all those who arrived by boat including hundreds of refugees seeking protection from gendered violence. A Significant number of them are Afghan Refugees. Thousands of Afghan refugees are languishing inside and outside Australias detention centres, without basic rights. We also cannot forget Kevin Rudd, a former Australian Labor party Prime Minister and proposed Candidate for UN secretary General, implementing a cruel and discriminatory act in 2010, by freezing the Refugee VISA process for all Afghan asylum seekers who came to Australia by boat.
The racist Mandatory detention centre policy against refugees was created three decades ago, when some of the current players on the national team were not even born at this time. Yet so far, not a single cricketer or member of the Australian cricket board has condemned this.
The Australian cricket board and its players are a sample of white supremacy in Australia which thrives without question. Furthermore, public figures and institutions in Australia, conveniently call out and condemn other countries while turning a blind eye to Australia a Disneyland for white supremacy and refugee torture. Of course, we should not be surprised by this, given that the entire board of Cricket Australia, selectors, and as well as the top coaching team is white. This is how white Australia reigns supreme in the silence regarding torture and rape occurring in detention centres in their backyard.
Shame on you cricketers and Cricket Australia.
We are also wondering when Australian sports organisations will for example boycott France given it has deprived Muslim women/children of their rights by banning the hijab in schools since 2004. We are further waiting for Australian sport teams to boycott and withdraw from every sporting event connected to countries like Israel, Sri Lanka etc for crimes against humanity, land-grab, occupation and genocide. After all, to quote the CEO of Cricket Australia himself Basic human rights is not politics.
Afghanistan and Australia must be held accountable for crimes against humanity and breaching the fundamental rights of human beings.
RISE eX-detainees
Saturday, 14 January
18:05
V/Line: coming fare cuts set to worsen crowding "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Service upgrades, including full length trains, are needed to cope with crowding.
Sunday, 01 January
16:20
RAC calls for migration system that respects refugees "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
RAC Vic has made a submission to the Department of Home Affairs review of Australias migration system. RACs recommendations include: Read the RAC submission in full.
The post RAC calls for migration system that respects refugees first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Saturday, 31 December
06:57
SHAME, if you are applauding the Australian Labor governments recent announcement that 19000 eX-detainees are eligible for permanent residency early next year : The Labor party has blood on its hands (31/12/2022) "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
When Labor recently announced without any clear details, that 19000 eX-detainees are eligible for permanent visas, Australian journos simply appeared to rehash the governments PR/media brief and failed to question the Labor Partys own culpability in Australias brutal refugee torture system. News reports were published with minimal research, with token sound bites from a few white saviours in the refugee support industry, peppered with stories of trauma from an eX-detainee or two without proper context.
In fact, some Australian journalists were not even aware that eX-detainees on TPV were already allowed to travel overseas to see family based on emergency reasons under the Liberal/National coalition government. Job done this is journalism in so-called Australia. By not exercising due diligence Australian journalists have normalised the experience of detention torture, rape and the existence of eX-detainee discrimination and violation of refugee rights.
According to these various Australian news outlets, the government says that they will give permanent residency to 19000 refugees early next year. Next year is in fact tomorrow! yet, not a single journalist has questioned what early next year means. Is it next week, the week after or just before June 2023? How long are politicians and their advisors allowed to keep gaslighting and tamper with our lives?
Furthermore, if you are applauding the Labor party for allowing nearly 19 000 eX-detainee Refugees on TPV and SHEV visas being granted permanent residency, you must do a reality check on why these eX-detainees were subjected to these miserable conditions in the first place First inside detention centres and then outside detention centres. The Australian Labor party is responsible for the mandatory detention of ALL these 19000 Refugees as soon as they landed in Australia to seek asylum by boat.
It is Labor politicians who crafted Australias indefinite mandatory immigration detention system and tortured eX-detainees back in 1992. Keeping this in mind, the Labor party has blood on their hands more than any party in Australia over the last three decades.
...
Friday, 25 November
16:33
Victorias Single Use Plastic ban "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
From 1 February 2023, problematic single-use plastics will be
banned from sale or supply in
Victoria.
The ban applies to single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery,
plates, drink stirrers and cotton
bud sticks made from conventional, degradable, and compostable
plastics. The ban also applies
to food service items and drink containers made from expanded
polystyrene.
Single-use plastics make up a third of the litter in our streets
and waterways. They remain in the
environment for a long time, harming our wildlife and contaminating
our food and water. This
ban will also help reduce plastic waste and contamination at
recycling facilities.
Compostable plastics, such as biodegradable plastics, degradable
plastics, renewable plastics,
and bioplastics are included in the ban. This includes plastic
items with composting
certifications. Biodegradable or compostable plastic items can
still harm wildlife the same way
conventional plastic items do, if they are littered. Such plastics
require extended periods of time
or processing at a specialised composting facility in order to
break down.
The use of reusable containers is legal and an easy, affordable and
sustainable solution
businesses can adopt to manage the single-use plastic ban.
Consumers can BYO straws
especially for items such as bubble tea or smoothies and businesses
can encourage the use of
portable cutlery sets.
For more information: www.vic.gov.au/single-use-plastics
The post Victorias Single Use Plastic ban appeared first on SCEG.
11:54
Euroas Voracious Appetite for the Return of Vocal Nosh "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Its never been hard to get excited about a Vocal Nosh, whats not to love about informal harmony singing, hearty soup and crusty bread? For the folks of Euroa, the agonising wait for the return of this well-loved event is about to end this weekend, after more than two years in hiatus. We had our Continue reading Euroas Voracious Appetite for the Return of Vocal Nosh
Friday, 18 November
12:57
We say: stop this detention centre torture "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
RAC has called out the systemic torture of people held in Australian immigration detention facilities (IDFs) in a submission to a United Nations body. We have called for an end to mandatory detention, for refugees and asylum-seekers on Nauru and in Papua New Guinea to be brought here, as well as a raft of legal []
The post We say: stop this detention centre torture first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Tuesday, 15 November
14:58
Presidents Report AGM "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
<p>Presidents report: (2<sup>nd</sup> November 2022)</p> <p>Another big year for the SCEG committee:</p> <p><strong>Community Climate Forum:</strong></p> <p>Apart from SCEGs core work, weve also linked up twice with Surfers for Climate & SCS at their Community Climate Forum. This was an opportunity for people to find out what other groups are doing and to tap in to areas of interest.
SCEG strategy document:
Weve also completed our 5 year strategy and its now under way with 4 pillars: Andrew to provide details</p> <ul> <li>Energy Transition to zero carbon energy</li> <li>Natural environment & biodiversity
- Reducing and preventing waste
- A sustainable built environment.
The strategy is very much about a SYSTEMS approach to human sustainability; its not just energy or carbon or just about waste or biodiversity but responding to all of it as a network of interconnected parts as opposed to silos. Graeme will provide some more detail on that.</p> <p><strong>Spring Creek valley:</strong></p> <p>The vision in a nutshell is providing ecological stewardship to Spring Creek valley and to return the ecological vegetation class of Grassy Woodland with Bellarine Yellow Gum as the chief character species. It currently mostly exists as just a thin sliver along the creekline. We plan to do that using multiple strategy lines: For example:</p> <ol type="1"> <li>By community ownership of a parcel of land that is owned by the community and operated through a Board of Trustees.</li> <li>Developing our Biolink strategy; and SCEG has a high level Roundtable event later on this month to assist us with our strategy on this.</li> <li>Through encouraging Trust for Nature covenants on land titles</li> <li>And by partnering with other landowners to develop opportunities in say regenerative agriculture consolidated land use such as BnBs or Ashmore Arts for example.</li> </ol> <p>Importantly, the approach to this is SYSTEMS thinking with Ecology, Energy, Economy and Equity our guide in thinking. Using this approach not only helps us integrate planning but also to think big. I constantly reference the work done by the community in Wellington , New Zealand as the gold standard. Theyve literally retrieved a lost ecosystem and in the process created a $30 million/annum economy for the local community.</p> <ul> <li>Our partnership with TDLG means we are able to implement a 2<sup>nd</sup> round of the Wild Otways grant- another $19,030.00 for works out to June 2023.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>In addition, our community development plans around Spring Creek valley through our Old Great Ocean Road ridgeline trail project have been funded by Patagonia to the tun...
12:22
Art auction a big success "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
RACs Art Meets Activism art auction on Saturday 12 November was a huge success, with more than 100 attending and 90 per cent of artworks sold. The in-person auction and online, silent auction raised more than $40,000 between them. Refugees whose works sold received 100 per cent of the bid price. The remaining income, after []
The post Art auction a big success first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Monday, 14 November
17:54
All Directions Choir Summons Songs and Stories from the Deep "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
We began playing around with words and emotions as a group and there seemed to be a lot of congruence between the way we describe our feelings and water. We spoke of tears, and drowning or being lifted up and held by the waves of emotion, waves of joy, a congruence between the descriptive words of water and the descriptive words for emotion.
Tuesday, 01 November
15:51
PTUAs scorecard for the 2022 Victorian election "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Where are the services? With billions spent on transport infrastructure recently, the time has come for investment in additional public transport services to make the most of it. Our election scorecard reviews differing policies. Some initiatives are already funded, and/or assumed to be locked-in no matter who wins the election including many infrastructure projects Continue reading PTUAs scorecard for the 2022 Victorian election
10:51
Failure to welcome OPCAT team a disgrace "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
RAC Vic has protested to federal government ministers over the lack of support for the UN team investigating torture and/or degrading treatment in places of detention, under the OPCAT protocol. Read the RAC letter here.
The post Failure to welcome OPCAT team a disgrace first appeared on Refugee Action Collective (Vic).Friday, 21 October
12:45
eX-detainees at RISE highly condemn the recommendations of non self-determined Human rights and Refugee/Asylum seeker support organisations and individuals in so-called Australia to the UN Subcommittee for the prevention of Torture. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
eX-detainees at RISE highly condemn the recommendations of non self-determined Human rights and Refugee/Asylum seeker support organisations and individuals in so-called Australia to the UN Subcommittee for the prevention of Torture.
Our take on these NGOs broken recommendations
- Community detention is a form of detention and it is arbitrary and Alternative places of detention (APOD) should not be the first or last resort. Single parents, eX-detainees with chronic physical and mental illness, disabled people, and survivors of rape and torture will spell out to you what community detention and APOD is.
- The Bridging visa system for asylum seekers and refugees, in itself has discriminatory, un-humanitarian policies built into it.No one seeking protection from persecution should be in the community living a life of limbo, with poor access to healthcare, legal support, employment and education with the constant threat of deportation hanging over their head. No-one should be coerced to self-deport by depriving them of basic rights as has been done through the bridging visa system for asylum seekers and refugees.
- Australia has been running detention centres for over 30 years now. Why does the UN have to continuously spoon feed Australia cant Australian media, politicians, public servants and Australian voters figure out for themselves that this is torture?
- We dont need an improvement of detention centres, independent intervention or upgrading Shut them all down!
This NGOs letter of recommendation (https://piac.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/UN-SPT-recommendations-from-human-rights-advocates-1.pdf) is a great example of who is in charge of our lives. The UN has all the resources to meet eX-detainees and detainees (and those voices filtered by non-self determined organisations dont count). We dont need mouth pieces, or middle people to speak on behalf of us...
Sunday, 16 October
14:46
Moved to Substack Go to Lighthouse33 and Check it Out "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Yep I have moved on.
Thursday, 29 September
11:32
eX-detainees Day Statement 2022 "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
On eX-detainees Day, we demand reparations for eX-detainee refugees in Australia with top priority given to them by social services, including health, housing, employment and education and food banks. 29/09/2022
We, Refugee eX-detainees in so-called Australia, mark the 29th of September 2022 as eX-detainees Day for the seventh year in a row. On eX-detainees Day we commemorate the ongoing political struggle, pain, suffering and resilience of refugees around the world, many of whom are detained whilst crossing borders to seek protection. We raise our collective voice to spread awareness and challenge this injustice. We also honour the detainees who have died in detention or continue to experience trauma arising from indefinite, arbitrary detention and torture.
eX-detainees Day is to be distinguished from events like Refugee Week or World Refugee Day. These events are not controlled by the community they claim to represent, which in itself fails to address the racist oppression and structural violence that marks our lives. On the other hand, eX-detainees Day is initiated, controlled and directed by eX-detainees.
On this day we seek to determine our future by pushing for long-term changes for our community that are outlined in our 10 eX-detainee demands. We raise our voices to counter the narratives of a refugee sector dominated by the voices of non-detainees and non-eX-detainees.
Our pledge on eX-detainees day 2022
In Australia, the eX-detainee community is arguably ONE of the poorest, racially profiled and systematically discriminated community groups. There are so many eX-detainee members left in the community in limbo for many years with substandard social services and settlement case work support which has added more trauma and torture to our lives. If one believes, that when eX-detainees are released from detention centres the work is over. It is incorrect and very ignorant to think this way. While some purposefully walk out of our lives when we are released from detention centres, some other individuals and organisations build social and monetary capital using our names. Groups like these run away from responsibilities but we dont have any escape we are still here it is about us, our lives and our future.
According to our findings, services like housing, employment, healthcare, education, etc, do not place eX-detainees on a priority list as being one of the most vulnerable community groups in Australia in need o...
Monday, 26 September
12:58
Mothers Use the Benefits of Song to Promote Infant Development "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
A program led by Professor Shannon de lEtoile from the University of Miamis Frost School of Music aims to help at-risk mothers engage with their babies through singing, to support and promote development of emotional and self-regulation in the infants. Professor Shannon de lEtoile knows the impact of a mothers lullaby. Early in her career, Continue reading Mothers Use the Benefits of Song to Promote Infant Development
Monday, 12 September
15:27
Electric Vehicle Links "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The post Electric Vehicle Links appeared first on SCEG.
Wednesday, 31 August
08:52
Victorians want investment in public transport "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Polling released today by the Climate Council shows that Victorians want all levels of government to invest more in public and active transport. The PTUA is supporting the Climate Councils call for governments to allocate at least 50% of their transport budgets to public transport, and 20% to safe walking and biking infrastructure. 80% of Continue reading Victorians want investment in public transport
Thursday, 25 August
16:30
Every Thursday evening in Box Hill, Judy Oleinikov and Katy Addis host an open jam Celtic music session for young adults aged between 15 and 25. Offered by Quasitrad Music Melbourne, the sessions are open to players of all abilities and to anyone with and without lived experience of diverse learning needs, and or disabilities. The sessions are free, funded by the Keys of Life Foundation, a charity that supports students with disabilities and or diverse learning needs to flourish through music making.
Monday, 08 August
11:25
#HomeToBilo What Nades, Priya and their kids went through is a perfect example of. "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
#HomeToBilo
What Nades, Priya and their kids went through is a perfect example of
Australias white supremacy
Normalisation of indefinite detention torture and
abusive refugee policies
Australias White / POC / politicians who are part of
the colonial saviour complex
A) The Australian Labor party was responsible for the mandatory detention of Priya and Nades as soon as they landed in Australia to seek asylum after Prime Minister Julia Gillards No Advantage policy.
B) Under the liberal/national coalition government, Priya and Nades and children were suddenly abducted from their home by Australian border force and detained to be deported to Sri Lanka because their asylum claim was rejected and they were not able to get proper legal representation from refugee legal services in all of Australia.
C) They were then deported to Christmas Island detention centre and refused to transfer the family to the mainland for critical medical treatment until the government succumbed to political pressure.
D) When the family became exposed to media and became high profile everyone started weeping , because of the colonial saviour complex clouded with the populist bandwagon of protecting kids in detention.
E) Shamelessly, the labor politicians started visiting the family in detention, taking selfies with them for publicity and questioning the detention of the family from the Liberal Party.
F) Meanwhile the Australian saviour complex society neglected mostly adults in detention who were not part of any PR campaign and heavily focused on Priya and Nades family using kids in detention as a basis for the appeal to help them.
G) When the Labor party came back to power in 2022, all the Australian saviour complex society and refugee sector started lobbying Labor politicians to release the family as soon as possible
H) After implementing policies to destroy the hope and future of Priya, Nades and their children and damaging their lives, the Labor party released the family to the community and gave them permanent residence after nearly a decade.
Now the whole refugee sector thanks Labor politicians, and the saviour complex society in Australia as they pat each other on their backs, self-congratulating each other for their victory. Labor politicians who invented Australian indefinite mandatory immigration detention celebrates, the Australian Gree...
Tuesday, 26 July
11:57
Squeezing out the Zest! The Music Makers adding flavour to the Murray Mallee "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
We are quite isolated in terms of where we sit within Victoria. Given that we are a really diverse community, we punch well above our weight in terms of the people we have involved in performing arts and community music and I feel that were really just under the radar. So says Kylie Livingston, Community Continue reading Squeezing out the Zest! The Music Makers adding flavour to the Murray Mallee
Wednesday, 29 June
16:57
Spring Creek Field Day "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
A day of celebration, conservation and ambition.
Public figures, politicians, activists, nature lovers, artists and other passionate supporters of the Spring Creek Valley gathered at Ashmore Arts on Saturday 28th May in collective celebration of the DAL decision to reject residential development west of Duffields Road. The event was organised by the Surf Coast Energy Group and funded by Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
The weather couldnt have been kinder, with light winds and sunshine highlighting the exquisite backdrop of Spring Creek. A range of speakers described the communitys long journey that culminated in the DAL decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne. The newly re-elected Libby Coker, Federal MP for Corangamite spoke about the victory, as did Darren Cheeseman (State Member for South Barwon) and Andy Meddick (Member for Western Victoria in the State Legislative Assembly).
Our local political figures also provided a cautionary warning of the battle to come and the need to continue a vigilant defense of the Spring Creek Valley in the face of well-resourced residential developers. Indeed, since then two developers have taken the State Government and the Surf Coast Shire to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn the decision.
The importance of the Spring Creek Valley to the local community was highlighted by Darren Noyce Brown (Greater Torquay Alliance), while Pete Crowcroft (aka Possum Pete) talked about his iNaturalist work documenting wildlife in Spring Creek. On this point, a large set of images captured by Jordan Aytan highlighted the diversity of wildlife in the Spring Creek Valley that is present right now.
The Spring Creek Valley event outlined further ideas about what the future of the Spring Creek Valley could look like as the community moves, in the words of SCEGs Chair Graeme Stockton, from a protection to an ambition phase. He issued the warning that doing nothing risked playing back into the hands of the develope...
Thursday, 19 May
11:27
Speech or Song? Identifying How the Brain Perceives Music "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
"I remember sitting in the middle of the cello section and we were playing some particularly beautiful music one where the whole cello section had the melody...and I remember having this emotional response and wondering how is it possible that I can have such a strong emotional response from the vibrations of my strings traveling to my ear? That seems wild!"
Monday, 16 May
10:31
Rewiring Corangamite "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The post Rewiring Corangamite appeared first on SCEG.
Tuesday, 03 May
19:04
Incremental improvements welcome, still waiting for big investment in service, says PTUA "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The Public Transport Users Association has welcomed the Victorian Governments ongoing commitment to improving the states public transport networks, but says Victorians are still waiting for a step change investment in service delivery to match the governments record in building infrastructure. Were pleased to see improved metro and regional train services roll out with the Continue reading Incremental improvements welcome, still waiting for big investment in service, says PTUA
Thursday, 21 April
16:39
Committing to the Committee Model: How being Incorporated Sustains the Yarra Valley Singers "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Im totally supportive of the idea of committees of management, or whatever structures support the purpose of the singing group. These are the words of Belinda Gillam Derry, Musical Director of Yarra Valley Singers (YVS), a community choir established and singing together since 1988. When Belinda stepped into this role, back in 1996, Yarra Valley Continue reading Committing to the Committee Model: How being Incorporated Sustains the Yarra Valley Singers
Monday, 28 March
15:19
Singing in the Brain "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Summary: Researchers have identified a population of neurons in the auditory cortex that responds to singing, but not any other type of music. For the first time, MIT neuroscientists have identified a population of neurons in the human brain that lights up when we hear singing, but not other types of music. These neurons, found Continue reading Singing in the Brain
Friday, 25 March
13:06
HELP NEEDED! LAST CHANCE TO ENSURE PROTECTION FOR SPRING CREEK "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Dear Protect Spring Creek Supporter,
As you may be aware, a decision on the Distinctive Areas and Landscape (DAL) designation for the Surf Coast Shire by Victorias Minister for Planning, The Hon. Richard Wynne is imminent. Our Protect Spring Creek campaign in the summer of 2020/21 was incredibly successful; in all, more than 6,000 residents responded to the governments engagement process. Our community came out overwhelmingly in support of protecting the Spring Creek valley and the Bellbrae, Jan Juc and Torquay townships, through tighter planning controls and a permanent western town boundary at Duffields Road.
As a community, we now expect the government to honor its commitment, and deliver a policy outcome that is in line with community sentiment. Now, we have one final opportunity to influence the final outcome. In the coming weeks, as the Government prepares to hand down its decision, we now need you to write directly to Minister Wynne, and reiterate your support for the full protection of Spring Creek and our townships under the final DAL policy statement.
Just imagine if we could have letters from the community arriving in the Ministers inbox every day, as the government prepares its final decision! So, please take five minutes out of your day to email a clear and brief message to our Minister for Planning, Hon. Richard Wynne, supporting the governments efforts to protect Spring Creek, and our communitys unique way of life.
The email address for Minister Wynne is included below, along with other relevant elected representatives who you may wish to CC in your email. In your own words, include key reasons that are important to you (e.g. protection of nature, protecting our regions distinctiveness, maintaining our town character, keeping our community sustainable, avoiding unnecessary growth, putting community ahead of profits, etc.). You may recall that Option 2 was the option provided in the DAL that would prevent any further development of the Spring Creek area. Also, feel free to pass this message onto others in your community networks.
Please remember to be respectful, optimistic and positive; until now, the government has acted in good faith on the DAL process, so lets g...
Friday, 18 March
15:44
Pootins Holy War and the Champion President "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
It was in the year of our lord 988 when Christian Emperor Basil II reached out to the pagans over in the land of the Kievan Rus...
Tuesday, 15 March
20:34
Corangamite Climate Response Candidates Forum "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
On Thursday 24 March at 6.30 8.00pm the Corangamite Climate Alliance will be hosting a Corangamite Candidates Forum focused on climate change response.
The community is encouraged to come along, to get informed and be inspired about the future we can create with strong federal leadership.
We will hear from ALPs Libby Coker MP, Liberal candidate Stephanie Asher and the Greens Alex Marshall. The event will be moderated by respected journalist/ TV Producer Tim Lamacraft.
You can book for the event here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=880414&fbclid=IwAR1W5F9Uc8OIhPo8QwOgfrMhAffjaY4zgMHcMFN6aOrPEexXU5MsmlJwCas
The post Corangamite Climate Response Candidates Forum appeared first on SCEG.
Friday, 11 March
19:00
Film Night 17th March "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Damon Gameaus new short film Regenerating Australia will be shown next Thursday 17th
17 March, 6:30pm in Geelong at the Village Cinema.
Please buy tickets at
SCEG would like to endorse this event and hope that you can go and support this important work.
Its the 17 mins of a vision of hope we all need to keep fighting for a safe climate future.
Damon Gameau will lead a panel discussion after the short film.
Hope you can make it!
The post Film Night 17th March appeared first on SCEG.
Monday, 28 February
12:20
Drawing on a lifetimes experience of coordinating festivals, fundraisers and cultural events for a broad range of audiences, Judy decided it was time to drop a big old pin and mark Creswick out on the map. In addition to a phenomenal line up of headline acts including Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Eric Bogle Trio, The Maes, Lucy Wise, Fiona Ross, Keeahn and oodles of others, CresFest offers a whole other program - the Armband Program - filled with an exciting range of opportunities for community participation.
Sunday, 23 January
14:21
Five lessons from my last walk "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Water and The Long Spur
Take lots of water if youre walking up The Long Spur. Especially on a warm day. There is no water until you reach the top and a mountain stream on the other side. Its a 12km undulating slog up from the road junction. Its not too steep until the upper reaches, but its a pretty steady climb. And on a warm sunny day, like the day I went up, you sweat a lot. I took two litres and it wasnt enough. I ended up rationing my drinking to make sure I had enough until I got to the top.
Walking poles
I love my walking poles. People say that poles are great for your knees going downhill. But actually, I find them most useful going uphill. I plant both ahead of me, and then use them to help haul my legs up. Plus theyre good for leaning against, bent over catching your breath, or easing your pack weight from your shoulders for a bit of a rest.
Saturday, 08 January
16:54
A Falls Creek Circuit alpine huts, ridges and spurs, wayward maps and the kindness of strangers "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
For this years Christmas/New Year hike I plotted a 6-day route taking in a range of Victorias alpine huts and some less trafficked tracks. It involved lots of plodding up and down ridgelines and spurs, pristine mountain creeks and rivers, beautiful alpine meadows and campsites and some map confusion that saw me knocking on the door of a remote farmhouse and surprising a family to ask for directions.
Day 1 Watchbed Creek Trailhead Fitzgerald Hut
(approx 5.5km)
Started walking about noon
Finished about 3pm
I started from Watchbed Creek, just a couple of kilometres from the Falls Creek ski resort. Judging by the number of cars parked here, its a popular spot to start walks. I was aiming for Kelly Hut (where Track 107, the following days route, starts from) but missed the turn off. Theres sign at the junction but it doesnt have a pointer to Kelly (or nearby Fitzgerald) Hut, which I wrongly assumed would be there. Thankfully I checked the map before going too far and doubled back.
When I got to Kelly Hut I had lunch and then looked around for a water source as this is where I planned to camp. There was a large soak nearby but the water coming out of it was just a shallow trickle. So I moved to nearby Fitzgerald Hut where there was a well flowing stream from a spring. Its a nice spot to camp with plenty of open grassy areas and shady snow gums.
...Wednesday, 05 January
11:33
A Tripping Journey Through the Fungi Kingdom "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
I love this one. I created the video with excerpts from the wonderful film Fantastic Fungi and a couple of great tracks...
Wednesday, 22 December
07:47
33 Jottings and Ideas from 2021 "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The years keep getting more and more bizarre yet strangely pedestrian. Here is what I discovered or at least reminded of in 2021...
Wednesday, 15 December
14:27
The 33 Sages of the Plum Red Robes "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Many years ago in old China, there was a wise old sage. He traveled the countryside walking from village to village, teaching and healing people; helping in any whatever way he could...
Wednesday, 08 December
08:29
Cats and the Law of Distraction "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
It must be said that the prevailing new age wisdom at the time was that there was a special reason for events in one's life...
Tuesday, 23 November
10:02
The Sage Man is Nature "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
In Old China, as the Sage was teaching students, he said, Nature is the key. For in the naturalness of man...
Tuesday, 16 November
08:44
Oops, Another Beautiful Mistake Keep Experimenting "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
If you lead a very individual life, you are creative, you are an experimenter; others may see you as a bit strange and it's a given that you make more mistakes....
Wednesday, 03 November
09:49
270 Million Bombs and a Genuine Friendly Smile "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The planet is going through some unprecedented turmoil. Change and uncertainty create anxiety...
Thursday, 28 October
14:52
Leunig Canceled Over Vaccine Cartoon "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
Michael Leunig, one of the all time great cartoonists, has been dumped from his post of cartoonery....
Thursday, 23 September
15:58
The Lodeman "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
The Lodeman is the fourth book in my sea-change mystery series set in Queenscliff, Victoria. It was to have been launched in October 2021, but the launch has had to be postponed until February next year.
Its about the death of a sea pilot. Lodeman is an old word for pilot or navigator, from the same root as lodestar, meaning a star that is steered by.
My lodeman is washed up on the shores of Port Phillip Bay.
The Port Phillip Sea Pilots have a long, honourable tradition of piloting ships through the treacherous Port Phillip heads and in to Melbourne. It seems almost a crime against nature when one of them, respected Captain Delraine, is found dead by drowning on the beach close to their operation centre. Queenscliff constable Chris Blackie would have had little to do with the investigation into Captain Delraines death but for the fact that a friend of his found the body.
A Detective Sergeant looking for easy answers spurs Chris Blackie to ask questions behind the sergeants back and to uncover corruption, greed and high-running passions before the case is solved.
Thursday, 11 March
15:26
Asolo boots fail! "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
There was a downside on my recent Bogong Plains hike the tread on my Asolo hiking boots started coming off.
Thankfully it happened on the last day and when I was only about 7km away from the car it could have been worse. I only realised what was happening when I noticed a funny flapping sort of feeling from my feet as I walked.
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Monday, 08 March
11:20
Bogong High Plains circuit hike "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
After a year of pandemic and lockdowns, I got the chance to blow away the camping cobwebs with the hike on the Bogong Plains I had to abandon in early 2020 because of bushfires.
Id originally planned to do a one-way walk from Mt Hotham to Falls Creek the reverse of the popular Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing but after consulting the map, worked out I could do a circuit from Hotham.
My route was:
Day 1 Hotham to Dibbins Hut, via Derrick Hut about three hours
Day 2 Dibbins Hut to Cope Hut about six hours
Day 3 Cope Hut to Weston Hut, via Pretty Valley Pondage and Tawonga Huts about seven hours
Day 4 Weston Hut to Federation Hut via Blair Hut and Diamantina Spur about six hours
Day 5 Federation Hut to Hotham via the Razorback about six hours
It was a good, not overly strenuous walk. Even heading up Diamantina Spur wasnt as hard as I had built it up in my mind to be after reading about it. Steep in places yes, but keeping to a slow and steady pace with breaks and it was okay getting up. The tracks were easy to follow a mix of single and vehicle tracks and following snow poles.
The huts were great to see, supporting so much history. Some, like Dibbins, Tawonga and Blair are original cattle grazier huts. Cope was built in the 1920s as the areas first ski lodge. Weston is a replica of a grazier hut that burnt down a long time ago in a bushfire and Derrick a ski hut.
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Derrick Hut -
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Dibbin Hut -
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Thursday, 17 December
10:34
Mt St Leonard circuit "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
This is a challenging, 25km up and down hike on the outskirts of Healesville, about an hour drive east of Melbourne.
It took me around seven hours to do, including a few short breaks and lunch at the top of Mt St Leonard.
This was the first long, challenging walk Ive done this year, given the COVID-19 restrictions weve been under.
It was a good one to blow the cobwebs off and to make sure I was still fit enough to tackle the five day walk in the Alpine National Park Ive got planned for after Christmas.
I did the walk in an anti-clockwise direction, starting with walking along the water channel from nearby Maroondah reservoir before starting the climb up Condons Track.
The track started out as a wide vehicle track and then turned into a fairly steep, uneven walking track, which is what I was after!
Walking through the forest of tall, straight mountain ash trees was wonderful. It was a very windy day and listening to the wind through the leaves and watching the trees sway was great.
At the top of the track you reach Monda Rd, a dirt road, turn left and head for Mt St Leonard.
Theres a viewing platform at the top with views over the Yarra Valley and back to Melbourne. Its just over 1000m high so was a bit cool on top, especially with the wind.
The track back down was steep and tricky going. The ground was loose and if you didnt take care it was easy to slide.
A bloke I passed who was on his way up asked jokingly if it was easier going down. And seriously, while it might not be as strenuous, I dont think it is. You do have to take a fair bit of care.
Coming back down seems to take forever but the picnic area at the end is worth it and a pleasant place for a rest.
Sunday, 27 September
13:51
West Block "IndyWatch Feed Vic"
In 1983, when West Block was first released, there had been very little prose fiction set in Australias national capital. The first published novel to be set in Canberra was Plaque With Laurel, by M.Barnard Eldershaw, the pen name of Marjorie Barnard and Flora Eldershaw. It appeared in 1937. TAG Hungerfords Riverslake was published in 1953, then there is a gap of twenty-four years till Robert Macklins The Paper Castle in 1977. Blanche dAlpugets Turtle Beach, 1981, was followed two years later by Sara Dowses West Block. West Block was and remains a pioneering work.
In Ric Throssells biography of his mother, Katharine Susannah Prichard, he notes her comment that Canberra was like a town made by Pinocchio. All that neatness and prettiness, so far removed from the struggle for existence.
Prichards view was a false one, as people who have lived in Canberra for any length of time will know, but probing beneath the false view, forging a place for Canberra in Australian literature, took courage and effort, and was quite often received with a hostility which may seem strange to readers in 2020.
I consider it a privilege to review a re-issue of West Block almost forty years after its first release. The novel is as timely now as it was in the 1980s, combining, as it does, unforgettable insights into the workings of federal politics with an imaginative study of flawed human lives.
West Block begins with a prologue dated December 1977, then is divided into five sections, taking readers into the hearts of five very different characters.
George Harland has risen to a senior position in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and has served for more than two decades under Coalition governments, compared with only three under Labor, these three being the Whitlam years. His commitment is to the smooth running of government, rather than policies or political visions. Then his daughter Marion announces she is leaving her husband and her two young sons. Her politics are far to the left of her fathers and Georg...