Australia

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Why just the NT when he has the constitutional right to take over ALL states aboriginal affairs. Why are NT kid more at risk?

From what I understand the Federal Government has control over the NT, and Howard is encouraging the state leaders to tackle this problem in their own states.

I was glad to hear that something was being done about the aborigines' state of living. Enough is enough. Sure we came in and took over their land, but we've said we're sorry and now it's time for them to accept the situation and make the best out of it.

There is no reason for them to be virtually living in poverty and abusing each other and glue/alcohol. The aborigines are saying that Howard is being racist, but they've shown they can't be left to care for themselves. I'm fed up with seeing drunk aborigines staggering around Adelaide, begging for money and being abusive. There is so much government support available for them and all they have to do is take it. I think this clean-up program is a good use of our money, and if something isn't done about it now then it'll just get worse.

[LaurieAG]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

The author of the report Howard is reacting too seemed very puzzled on ABC TV the other night wondering why most of his 97 recommendations had been ignored and the whole approcah had been so heavy handed.
The poor guy after spending a year talking to aborigines in remote communities, gaining their trust etc seemed genunely bemused by Howard's response.

Hello Michaelangelica,

You might remember that in the very early stages there was talk about how John Howard was prepared to do unconstitutional things to help the poor Australian Aboriginals (without saying sorry).

Considering that the Northern Territory has not yet reached statehood, the federal government (read PM) operates in much the same way as our state Governors acted prior to the introduction of the (as yet unratified by the people of Australia via majority yes votes in a referendum) Australia act 1986, i.e. the governor was not a mere puppet of the government and could withold or disallow legislation (like the NT Euthanasia bill that was knocked on the head by the Federal government).

So now we have a coalition of the willing (state premiers) who (almost) all donate 10 police officers to prop up the federal governments non constitutional (constitutional prior to 1986) behaviour in a way that appears constitutional (under the post 1986 regime) ???

This twisted and convoluted process only seems to further support the federal treasurer, Peter Costello, in his statement on national TV (ACA) several years ago that 'the constitution is broken'. The federal government is behaving as if the states are the only legitimate constitutional authorities in Australia through their 'joint' actions.

It's not surprising that Johnnie and Kevvie don't want prince William as an Australian Governor General, because there would be no certainty that he would act as a rubber stamp for either of them.

[Michaelangelica]

William as GG!! LOL
If we are stupid enough to accept that I'm moving OS - NZ or Tasmania !
The Woman's Week opps monthly would love it

Constitutionally the Federal Government has power over All Aboriginal Affairs in All States.

Being poor and homeless is not an Aboriginal franchise.

Howard is a racist, (& an elitist) thats what "dog-whistle politics" is all about.

Anyone hear anything about the massive new USA/OZ NT Airbase? (Now ready to go). Because of the size of the military cargo planes this may be the only Oz airbase that can take them. But Why?

Anyone hear any protest about the new Australia Card?

Where is the GW debate up to?

The ABC screens a "Global Warming-they are telling you porkies" show this coming week.
What 'Interesting Times' we live in!
Science Show
Saturday 30 June 2007

Listen Now - 30062007 | Download Audio - 30062007

* 00:00: Mark Lynas and Six Degrees
* 12:17: Human activity and climate change
* 22:44: Climate models and The Regional Climate Group
* 32:20: Human responsibility and climate change
* 38:35: Scientific response to The Great Global Warming Swindle
* 44:40: Global warming effects on ecosystems


The Pasha is still there, some want it to stay (!)
Strange they can't make a decent steel cable or three in Newcastle- I guess it's always the weakest link

[Jay-qu]

What breaks a drought - a flood Gippsland floods image gallery: what the people saw. 29 Jun 2007. ABC Gippsland Vic. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

What breaks a drought - a flood Gippsland floods image gallery: what the people saw. 29 Jun 2007. ABC Gippsland Vic. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

thanks i could't find any photos
How big an area is under water?

This is an old article but with recent developments in NT very relevant now
Doctoring Territory-style - Features - Health Matters

Many Aboriginal people have had bad experiences with the medical profession and white authority figures in general.

and
US Aust to build massive NT airfield

US, Aust to build massive NT airfield

Thursday - 31 May 2007 - ABC News Online

Australian and US military personnel will build a special airfield in the Northern Territory next month as part of an enormous military exercise.

The 'Talisman Saber' exercise will be a test of the US military's ability to build fully functioning airfields, able to handle giant C17 Globemaster transport planes, anywhere in the world at short notice.

The site of the exercise will be the Bradshaw Training Area east of Katherine.

A similar exercise in the US saw forces build an airfield in 72 hours.

The new airstrip is expected to be completed before the end of June.

The Globemasters are Australia's biggest heavy lifting military aircraft and can carry four times as much as Hercules transport planes.

The personnel are testing new techniques for stabilising the soil, as well as earth-moving systems that use GPS technology.

The Defence Department says the air strip will stay once the exercise is over but is stressing that it will not be used as a US military base.

try googling "Bradshaw Defence Training Area east of Katherine" and see how little you get.No pics. i did get a 2000 estimate of cost at 54mil
Total projected NT expenditure on various bases etc
452.363m. A lot happening around Katherine.
Defence Budget Good News for the Northern Territory

total pesticide use in Oz 2006
Indicator: IW-16 Total pesticide use

[Jay-qu]

Im not sure, but gippsland is a big place and for the most part fairly flat! the news keeps making out as if most of it is under water, though I doubt that.

[LaurieAG]

Hello Michaelangelica,

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

William as GG!! LOL
If we are stupid enough to accept that I'm moving OS - NZ or Tasmania !

If we are stupid enough to allow the representative of our head of state to be a mere rubber stamp for our head politician then we prove our ignorance of the better systems of governance around the world and ignore the power of the veto. We have a constitution for a constitutional monarchy but we are told by those of both major political persuasions that we have a 'parliamentary democracy'. Surely we cannot be both, constitutionally anyway!

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Constitutionally the Federal Government has power over All Aboriginal Affairs in All States.

Correct. The changes made in a referrendum in 1967 removed all explicit references to Australian Aboriginals in our constitution (prior to MABO they were regarded as posessions of the crown, being present when Captain Cook took posession of Australia in the name of the crown, via 'terra nullis'). I'm not particularly proud that our constitution has a clause that allows (unrestrained) federal governments to make special laws for people of any race.

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

...Anyone hear anything about the massive new USA/OZ NT Airbase? (Now ready to go). Because of the size of the military cargo planes this may be the only Oz airbase that can take them. But Why?

What about the old one near Pine Gap? Is it just being upgraded? Also, what about the forced uranium dump, a good place to dump a whole pile of old bombs?

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Anyone hear any protest about the new Australia Card?

Isn't that going ahead anyway?

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Where is the GW debate up to?

What debate! After all of the secret trial plots grown all around the countryside in the past 15 years our politicians can be certain that GM interests have already been served.

Michaelangelica, the power of the veto wielded by a responsible Governor General/Head of State/President is one major key to responsible government that did exist (at least for our State Governors) prior to the introduction of the Australia act 1986. Ask any of our US friends if they would like their State Governors and Presidents to be rubber stamps for their respective legislative bodies?

Before Australia becomes a republic with a popularly elected head of state who wields the powers of the monarch (i.e. like the US) we should really find out who gave permission for our politicians to sell all of our public assets.

Finally Michaelangelica, sorry if I sound a bit harsh, I'm not really a monarchist but I am a realist, if prince William was our GG in 1999, would he merely rubber stamp our feral governments GST legislation? Or would he say something like 'you told the people of Australia, my future subjects unless they decide otherwise, that you would never ever bring in a GST. If I allow this legislation to go into law I will be bringing the monarchy into disrepute through your total ignorance of integrity and nobless obligee, the obligations and responsibilities of those who hold high office, now piss off you lying little twerp.'

I think many Australians would like to see something like that happen.

[LaurieAG]

pesky duplicate

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by LaurieAG

Hello Michaelangelica,

What about the old one near Pine Gap? Is it just being upgraded? Also, what about the forced uranium dump, a good place to dump a whole pile of old bombs?
Isn't that going ahead anyway?

Michaelangelica, the power of the veto wielded by a responsible Governor General/Head of State/President is one major key to responsible government that did exist (at least for our State Governors) prior to the introduction of the Australia act 1986. Ask any of our US friends if they would like their State Governors and Presidents to be rubber stamps for their respective legislative bodies?

Before Australia becomes a republic with a popularly elected head of state who wields the powers of the monarch (i.e. like the US) we should really find out who gave permission for our politicians to sell all of our public assets.

Finally Michaelangelica, sorry if I sound a bit harsh, I'm not really a monarchist but I am a realist, if prince William was our GG in 1999, would he merely rubber stamp our feral governments GST legislation? Or would he say something like 'you told the people of Australia, my future subjects unless they decide otherwise, that you would never ever bring in a GST. If I allow this legislation to go into law I will be bringing the monarchy into disrepute through your total ignorance of integrity and nobless obligee, the obligations and responsibilities of those who hold high office, now piss off you lying little twerp.'

I think many Australians would like to see something like that happen.

"elected head of state"
This is where we part company. I think this would be a disaster.
The last thing we need is yet another level of government power.

GGs will, and do the bidding of the Elected MOPs.
They are just a historical bit of political archeology.
The libs have shown they don't respect historical norms in the GG role.
The reason the "republican" movement stalled. "To elect or not to elect"

I like rubber Stamp GGs especially when they have not been elected
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Finally an image that only Australians will 'get'

[Jay-qu]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Finally an image that only Australians will 'get'

So where the bloody hell are ya' ?