The moral zealots are working overtime in Canberra pushing to see the gay and lesbian same sex union laws buried yet again.

This couldn’t happen if the ACT had the same standing as the Australian States – the responsibility and right to make binding laws on behalf of its citizens.  The ACT and the Northern Territory risk a Federal veto on any legislation a majority of parliamentarians may pass.  It’s way past time the territories were given the same constitutional standing State governments – and voters – expect and enjoy.

This disparity between territories and states means those living in the ACT and NT do not participate in or receive the same democratic freedoms the rest of Australia takes for granted.  This must change.  It will take a referendum to do it too.  Surely this is a referendum that would command a majority of votes in a majority of states, one Australia would pass.  The people in the territories are Australians too, after all.

Gay And Lesbian Rights

Naturally it follows, once the territories are given the same respect  – and recognition and autonomy – as the states, we will see laws such as for gay and lesbian marriages in the ACT proclaimed, out of the hands of the moralising minority that somehow manage to populate the federal parliament.

We’d see it taken out of the hands of the conservative crusaders who claim to be christians (none of this newfangled compassion nonsense) shuffling around the corridors of parliament pushing one eyed, “our size fits all”, depraved, dishonest and dissolute doctrines.

I suggest to the gay and lesbian rights movement that to achieve their goals, autonomy for the territories would be the vehicle they need to accelerate their freedoms.  This is common ground for their community and the heterosexual majority

This is a broader set of rights.  At the end of the day, we all win.

Scott Kane

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The CPRS legislation is before the Senate and the  Liberal/National coalition, with the predictability of a summer bushfire, have heaved out their old files supporting nuclear power.

They are in a bind, with 10 coalition MPs steadfastly and publicly opposed to the carbon pollution reduction scheme.  So Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has dusted off the nuclear power issue and brought it forward with the justification that “19 of the G20 countries already relied on nuclear power…”

One can only assume that if 19 of the G20 countries announced they were going to jump off a cliff into the ocean tomorrow Julia Bishop would don a new bikini (no pun intended) and join in.

We’ve got big problems with carbon based power.  The science condemning it is beyond question and the need to act is urgent.

But nuclear?

Consider the images above.   These are “survivors” of Chernobyl.  These are people.  The only difference between them and us is we wear hats with corks to keep away the flies, play cricket and Australian Rules or Rugby and prefer beer to vodka.

I could write paragraphs about the half life of various nuclear isotopes.  The centuries upon centuries it takes for them to be rendered inert.  But why?  The images  of the “survivors” of Chernobyl speak louder than words…

Warning Graphic Images Click to Zoom In.

Scott Kane

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From London to Washington the international press is giving Australia a beating today.  Gee – thanks Daryl!

Guest on the show Harry Connick Jr, rightly pointed out that it would not have gone to air – or would have been pulled – in the United States and managed to extract this apology broadcast at the end of the show:

“I think we may have offended you with that act and I deeply apologise on behalf of all of us – because I know that to your countrymen, that’s an insult to have a black-face routine like that on the show, so I do apologise to you,” Somers said, appearing embarrassed and stammering his words.”

Well Daryl, it’s a poor, wimpy and disconnected apology – and here’s why.

It’s offensive to our citizens.  To indigenous peoples, to ethnic communities, particularly after the scurrilous recent targeting of members of the Sudanese community including severe racially motivated beatings.

This isn’t the 1980’s or 1950’s, Mr Somers.  Stick to conversing with hats on broom sticks and pink ostriches – where your major talents appear to lie.

It is disgraceful that you, the producers and channel 9 television are unaware of the devastating consequences of such infantile “entertainment”.

It’s offensive because our Indigenous peoples are still under the thumb of the “Great John Howard Intervention”.   Considered doing something “positive” for them instead?

A challenge, Daryl Somers: do a show to highlight the plight of our indigenous people under the intervention.  Through comic wit, highlight our pathetic political leaders who introduced and continue to enforce it and the truck loads of “consultants” bleeding it dry without anything being done on the ground for those affected.  Restore some of your credibility.  Do some good.  Strike a blow for humanity, for our indigenous peoples.

I’m not holding my breath for that to happen.

That the amateur “actor” involved in the skit was partially of Indian decent is irrelevant.  Commercial television comes with sound and picture – not a genetic indicator with which to divine “ironies”.

There is funny and funny.  Maligning people on race, religion, gender, gender alignment or any of the multitude of other damaging “jokes” we’ve heard since the year dot is no longer funny.

The Australian public are better than that.

Shame on you, Daryl and Channel 9!

What message do we want to send to the world in this age of mass global communication?  That we are a nation of racist hillbilly hicks?

We can – and must – do better than this.

What’s next?

A revival of the 1947 statement by ALP politician Arthur Augustus Calwell: “Two Wongs don’t make a White?”  Because your “humour” is no better, mate.

Don’t think so?  There is a reason Pauline Hanson failed to be re-elected.  Australians are above xenophobic “jokes”.  Channel Nine should be excrutiatingly aware of that irony!  Hello 60 Minutes?

Put  “Hey, Hey it’s Saturday” back in the archives, seal the door and throw away the key if “nostalgic material” like this is all it can do.

Scott Kane

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Most Australians know aboriginal people regard the monolith – previously known as Ayers Rock for international readers not familiar with the correct indigenous and official name – as a significant sacred site.

Reports that it is still being used by tourists as a toilet is sickening.  This is disgraceful at a number of levels.  It is insulting to indigenous Australians.  It is disrespectful  to a unique landform and to Australia’s geological heritage.

Tourists climb the rock and once at the summit, whip out the dunny roll and take a dump!!

At the tender age of 17,  in a school group, I climbed the rock (the day Azaria Chamberlian went missing).  We didn’t use it as a toilet though!

That was three decades ago.  I know better now.  Climbing Uluru is disrespectful and quite dangerous.  Just read the plaques that adorn the base of the rock commemorating those who have fallen from the giant.

Andrew Simpson, general manager of the Anangu Waai tour company told Tuesday’s NT News.

“When people climb up the top of the rock there’s no toilet facilities up there.

“They get out of sight … (and) most of them have a toilet roll tucked away.

“They’re sh***ing on a sacred site.”

Let’s end this nonsense.  The view from “sunset strip” alone is worth the cost of going.  We dont tolerate tourists climbing our cathedrals and civic monuments.

We need to stop people climbing the rock!

Scott Kane

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For too long the policy of the Federal and Northern Territory governments has been ‘shoot the messenger’.

Nothing has changed it seems.

Now, the consultant who warned them the aboriginal housing scheme under the $672 million Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program was seriously off-track has been removed from his position by the NT government.

Isn’t that what consultants are supposed to do?

He warned them the scheme:

“might deliver as few as 300 houses, less than half of the 750 promised by the federal and NT governments.”

It is demonstrably a bad move for consultants to provide fearless advice to the NT government if it upsets the gravy train!

And a gravy train it is too…

Kerry Gearman and Bronwen King were employed as remote audit building managers by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, later seconded to work with the scheme in charge of public housing in the NT.

They said they were paid $71,000 each and in an interview with a News Corporation paper reported they:

“…spent five months, along with five other managers, doing “absolutely nothing” during their employment with the NT government.”

“They paid us wages for months to basically do nothing, because there wasn’t anything for us to do,” Mr Gearman said. “We were told to do a bit of research, go and introduce ourselves to people, but essentially we were given nothing to do.”

Apparently the couple quit their jobs in disgust at the wastage and mismanagement they witnessed.

Quite right too!

“Rivers of money” are flowing into the NT to address the terrible struggle of indigenous people, but little of that money benefits the misbegotten.

“I think Alison Anderson is right,” Mr Gearman said. “An awful lot of this money is going to disappear in consultants’ fees and other things when the hope was the stakeholders would pull together and get something done. “

What A Disgraceful Mess

The very people with integrity – as measured by their resignations or dismissals – bear the brunt of the Australian Labor Party’s standard approach of  “bring in the consultants for a cash smorgasbord” in running states, territories and this country. What a disgrace.

The Chief Minister should hang his head in shame and retire. And it is only reasonable to call – again – for the federal minister – Jenny Macklin – ultimately responsible for this consultant “love in” to also resign in disgrace.  That is what is expected under the Westminster system of government.

Disgusting!

Scott Kane

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