Articles
Election Comment ... and candidates
Editor
09.03.10 12:02 am
Responsibility for election comment is taken by the Editor, Lindsay Tuffin, 9 Phoenix St, Howrah, Hobart 7018. Meanwhile: Check out all the election candidates, HERE: http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/
Where is the good in humankind?
Dave Groves
12.03.10 12:40 am
So, the time has come to stop bailing the sinking ship, overloaded with plunderers, rednecks, the self interested, hangers on, trough guzzlers and their ilk.
Personal | SocietyDon Knowler
12.03.10 12:15 am
After the crash, a cross appeared at the roadside. It was soon washed with mud, oil and grease from the passing traffic, taking the sheen off its black surface. The cross stood lonely in the grass until someone stopped and placed a book at its base, a Famous Five adventure, the downwind from the traffic ruffling its pages. Another car halted, bringing Oliver Twist; then Silent Spring arrived, carefully placed behind the cross so it would not catch the spray. For Whom the Bell Tolls came with an empty bottle of rioja red, followed by The Shipping News with a knot of string. Then a single page with a poem, Aubade. A truck roared by and the page fluttered amid the oil and grease and tyre dust, lost on the wind.
Writers | Don Knowler | ArtsThe big power subsidies the free-marketeers won’t talk about
Bob Burton. Picture: A potline at Comalco, Bell Bay
11.03.10 4:30 am
The cost of subsidising Comalco, Nystar and Temco’s power bills is a drag on the other more labour-intensive sectors of the Tasmanian economy and a form of corporate welfare that is due for an overhaul. Why won’t the Liberals, Labor or the Institute of Public Affairs champion the cause of this micro-economic reform?
Writers | Bob Burton | Politics | State | EconomyTourism on the teat. When will it end?
John Lawrence
11.03.10 4:30 am
Why does this industry need assistance? It is a mature industry. When will it stand on its own two feet? What other industry demands the Government fund their marketing budget? Sure there are lots of tourist enterprises who spend $s on marketing. But there are lots who don’t and who expect Governments to do it for them. Hell, that’s what Governments are for. Even those who spend their own $s expect Governments to pitch in as well. Why? What is this culture?
Writers | John Lawrence | Politics | State | Economy | Environment | TravelChris Middleton - President, Australian Medical Association Tasmania
11.03.10 4:15 am
The extra money and resources pledged to improve service delivery are a step in the right direction but it is unclear what each of the parties has planned to deal with the pachyderm on the premises that is the chronic and habitual underfunding of the public hospital system. The AMA has previously called for sufficient resources to be made available to allow public hospitals to run at an average bed occupancy rate of 85%. Without this, overcrowded emergency departments, bed access blockages and long waiting times for surgery will continue to blight the effective provision of healthcare in Tasmania.
Politics | State | HealthJane MacDonald, Save Ralphs Bay
11.03.10 3:19 am
Save Ralphs Bay Inc. is marking its sixth anniversary by holding a Franklin Candidates Forum in the Lauderdale Hall from 8.00 – 9.00pm on Wednesday, March 17th. Confirmed attendees so far include Nick McKim, a high profile Labor candidate, Wendy Heatley and Ross Butler. Details, Comment HERE
Politics | State | EnvironmentBilly MacTold
11.03.10 3:15 am
The thing is people might now have gained the impression St David’s Cathedral is named after the patron saint of Wales. It isn’t. It’s named in honour of our first lieutenant-governor, David Collins. It’s something I’ve mentioned here before, as has my fellow contributor Percy From The Pews. And it has to be said notable figure that he was in the founding of this city, and even if his name is commemorated in that of the cathedral, David Collins was no saint.
History | ReligionPeople of Tasmania v O’Byrne: The Judgement
Garry Stannus, Court of Public Opinion
11.03.10 12:19 am
People of Tasmania v O’Byrne [2010] TASPCOPO 1 (8 March 2010)
Download the judgement:
Judgement.pdf
Comment HERE
Police persecution of trade union activists
Max Bound, Claremont, Tasmania 7011
11.03.10 12:05 am
Terrorism is politically-motivated violence against civilians and should be condemned. But to allow the use of Australian police to support the police persecution of trade union activists, in a country with the vile record mentioned briefly above is the opposite to acting against terrorism.
Politics | National | Legal | PersonalTravels without a donkey: El Salvador (2)
James Dryburgh Editor at Large
11.03.10 12:04 am
Not for the last time the Salvadoran government managed to keep the USA on side by framing the rebellion as a communist uprising. Bodies were everywhere in some villages, prompting one international organisation to write to authorities not with concern about the killing, but rather regarding the potential spread of disease due to the difficulties of effectively burying so many dead and advising on deeper graves containing fewer bodies. The killing continued after the military ceased their campaign, with mobs of mixed race people ceasing the opportunity to steal indigenous property. This left a race frightened and ashamed to admit their identity and was perhaps the single biggest contribution to the loss of indigenous El Salvador.
Writers | James DryburghJames Dryburgh Editor at Large
11.03.10 12:03 am
Well over week has passed now since the initial request HERE: A cry from the heart ... and a plea for helpfor your help for El Salvador´s poorest. Since the first article we have seen even more extreme poverty, which has strengthened our resolve to try to help. This is a further request to donate, no matter how little. Please note: Donation must be received by the 24th March, otherwise there will not be time to organise, establish and report on the projects. We would like to thank the following people for their extremely generous donations: Leon, Hugh, Emily, Bill, Lindsay & Gayle, Tom & Sandra. It is greatly appreciated here.
Writers | James Dryburgh
Mike Bolan
11.03.10 12:00 am
Pressure of work dictates That Was The Week That Was bookmarks for the next few weeks, presenting the news of the week organised and linked as you like it with a full recognition that NSW Labor is like golden staph - New Matilda, HERE
Download 'TW3 Bookmark 2010 Issue 10.pdf'
Writers | Mike Bolan | Politics | Local | National | State | SocietyI’m tired of seeing his mug in the paper every day
Hag
10.03.10 9:05 pm
Pardon? Is keeping the “media happy and content” really a prerequisite for newspaper coverage of an election, particularly when such pictorial exposure amounts to little more than boosting the incumbent?
Regulars | The Hag | Politics | StatePublic Forum on Forest and Water Governance
Our Common Ground
10.03.10 8:38 pm
There is a widespread perception that there is one law for forestry and another for everyone else. Now the water toxin revelations in St Helens have created a crisis of public confidence in our drinking water. How will each party restore public trust and improve governance? Full details, Comment HERE
Politics | Local | National | State | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment | Health | What's OnAll set for the next EMRS poll ...
Hag
10.03.10 7:32 pm
Well, that was a delight denied your political and social correspondent. A lovely, but rather nervous young lady on the line asking Hag whether she would take part in the latest EMRS poll, being conducted this very night. Hag said she would be delighted, but was denied the pleasure of ramming it up young Barty. Seems she didn’t fit the criteria ... the lovely young lady wanted her to be under 44, for heaven’s knows what reason; and preferably male. Bit strange that. As one who is nudging 50, severely female and rarely sober, she was instantly ruled out. The young lady was also unable to anwswer Hag’s query on when the poll would be published. Think, next week. You nervous Barty?
Regulars | The Hag | Politics | StateBrenda Rosser’s questions for the panel of scientists
Brenda Rosser
10.03.10 7:26 pm
Local residents have already got together and asked these questions and the bureaucrats and politicians have refused to answer them. So why this new farce? Of course, it’s election time.
Politics | Local | National | State | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment | HealthNick McKim Greens Leader. Keynote Speech Delivered at the Greens’ State Election Campaign Launch mps.tas.greens.org.au
10.03.10 3:06 pm
We Greens have a vision of a future that will see Tasmania as a beacon to the rest of the world, taking its place as an early adaptor to the global sustainability crisis, and as a leader in showing how looking after the health of our environment looks after the health of our people, and the health of our economy.
Politics | StateClimate Action. Environment Tasmania
10.03.10 2:55 pm
When: Tomorrow, Thursday 11th March – 6.30pm. Where: Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre, UTAS, Churchill Ave, Sandy Bay. What: Tasmanian political parties go head to head on their climate credentials in the lead up to the state election. Speakers: Lisa Singh MP, Tasmanian Labor Party; Vanessa Goodwin MLC, Tasmanian Liberal Party; Cassy O’Connor MP, Tasmanian Greens; Melanie Barnes, Socialist Alliance state election candidate. This forum is a joint initiative of Climate Action Hobart (CAH) and Environment Tasmania (ET) and will be chaired by climate change commentator Peter Boyer. Full details, Comment HERE
And, Florentine Forest Defenders Act, HERE
Peter Skillern, Our Common Ground
10.03.10 11:26 am
“There is no reason we can’t have a dedicated debate on forestry policy,” said Peter Skillern, spokesperson for Our Common Ground. Mr Skillern noted the forestry-related events that have happened since the election was called: • A drop in Gunns profit of 98 per cent • FEA in Launceston suspending share trading on the ASX • Forest contractors still struggling • A toxic water scandal in St Helens All about the debate call, Comment: HERE
Politics | Local | National | State | Forestry | Gunns | Economy | Environment
