RSPCA set to pay legal costs of alleged animal abusers
MEDIA RELEASE
Jeanie Walker
Federal Animal Rights Spokesperson
Thursday, 1st July, 2010
RSPCA set to pay legal costs of alleged animal abusers
The RSPCA are today appearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to decide costs they will be paying for bungling what was potentially Australia’s biggest animal cruelty case against south-east farmers, the Brinkworths.
Federal animal rights spokesperson for the Australian Democrats, Jeanie Walker, says this again shows clearly that the RSPCA, a private charity, cannot be allowed to continue to prosecute large animal cruelty cases and these powers need to be handed over to a specialised police unit.
“The fact that the RSPCA is now having to pay legal expenses to the alleged perpetrators of animal abuse of around 800 cattle shows that the RSPCA is not up to the task of large scale animal cruelty prosecution and something must be done immediately.
“The public should be horrified that money they have donated toward stopping animal cruelty is now being paid to the alleged offenders because of mistakes made by the RSPCA,” says Ms Walker.
“During the recent South Australian election the Democrats called for an investigation into why this case was so badly handled but three months on the state government appears to have taken no action.
“The RSPCA needs to stick to what it does best, caring for and re-homing stray animals, and let the police handle large scale operators like the Brinkworths.
“To add insult to injury RSPCA members are being asked to donate more money, ostensibly to allow the organisation to continue with their animal welfare programs: their newsletters say nothing about the case and neither does their website!
“South Australians are sick of animal cruelty offenders getting away with murder and now is the time to sort out the system for good!”
The hearing is at 9.30am at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Jeanie Walker is available for comment from 7am onward on:
0427 076 336
Media Release – Kevin Rudd Suffers Memory Loss – Forgets People With A Mental Illness Vote Too
The resignation of Prof. John Mendoza, the Rudd Government’s chief advisor on Mental Health, is a slap in the face to the one in four Australian voters whose lives are affected by mental illness, say the Australian Democrats.
“Prime Minister Rudd and health minister Roxon have shown contempt for mental health professionals and a total lack of interest in those with mental health problems.” Australian Democrats Victorian spokesperson for Mental Health David Scott Kane said today.
“Prof Mendoza – their appointment – and over 60 mental health organisations have tried to present a letter to Kevin Rudd with a suggested plan of action for mental health. The Prime Minister and his health minister have declined to receive it, a clear message the federal government isn’t listening on mental health.
“Psychiatrists have advised for decades that a key element in treating mental illness is acknowledging there is a problem.
“The Rudd government isn’t even prepared to take this basic step. They are in complete denial and have tried to play hide and seek with the advisor they appointed.”
Successive governments – federal and state – have failed the mentally ill, their families, their carers and the medical practitioners that support them. They’ve failed in funding, in infrastructure and failed again by refusing to look at industry-suggested solutions to the daily problems the mentally ill face.
“The system is pale, sick, lost and in dire need of urgent assistance. The cure is for this government to face the crises.
Mental health is now the leading disability in Australia. It is the foremost killer of those under 44. Yet the Rudd Government ignores it, and now chooses to ignore the man they appointed to deliver the message to them.
“Kevin Rudd seems to think if he states something it will magically resolve itself. Restating his commitment ‘to do more on mental health’ and that it’s ‘next cab off the rank’ seems to be about as committed as he was on supermarket pricing and climate change. We should be grateful he didn’t use it as an opportunity to demonstrate his powerful command of expletives.
Professor Mendoza and the mental health organizations are offering possible solutions to the problems faced by the mentally ill. Solutions to save lives. Solutions to save families pain and reduce the soul-destroying frustrations of thousands of people treating and caring for the mentally ill.
“The mentally ill, their families and the mental health field are justifiably angry at the Rudd Government for continuing the cycle of systemic failure imposed on them by the current mental health policy – or lack thereof. They should vote accordingly.
“Rather than save lives and advance this neglected field, the Rudd Government concerns itself with internal leadership navel gazing and bickering. They have forgotten the reasons they were elected,” Mr. Kane concluded.
Media contact – David Scott Kane 040 434 1025
Burma – The Silent Tragedy
We have a neighbor that needs our help.
The Burmese people have been run by a vicious and selfish military government since 1962.
In May 1990, the government held free elections for the first time in almost 30 years. The National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, won 392 out of a total 489 seats.
The military government did not accept the vote of the people and placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.
She has been under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years!
The Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour
The Avenue of Honour in Bacchus Marsh – the third largest of Victoria’s Great War Avenues of Honour – is threatened by road works. Planning Minister Justin Madden is about to approve the uprooting of eight magnificent elm trees planted to remind Bacchus Marsh residents of the sacrifices their sons and brothers made in World War One.
“In the afternoon of the 10th August 1918 a crowd of over 1000 people assembled to witness and participate in the planting ceremony. A bugle call was then sounded as the signal to commence the planting simultaneously. All two hundred and eighty one elms were planted within half an hour of the bugle call.” – The Express, 17th August 1918.
The trees are over ninety years old now, but the spilled blood they mourn is still fresh and the need to respect the fallen unchanged.
Our boys gave their lives.
The Avenue of Honour is a warning to us all of the folly of war, the cruelty of man and the need for eternal vigilance to defend our freedoms.
The Victorian Government has no plan to replant the trees or renew the memorial in a modern form. They are just going to take away some more.
This government insults the integrity of the Bacchus Marsh community and the deep cultural significance of the Avenue.
I oppose the thoughtless and destructive Woolpack Road extension from Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd – for a truck route!
We cannot allow Premier Brumby and Minister Madden to diminish our proud Australian heritage.
Bacchus Marsh residents must be consulted on this issue and given the opportunity to come up with a more viable, honourable and respectful solution.
There are alternatives.
Mr Laurie Martin, a local and Vice President of the Didyabringyarodalong Angling Club, suggested diverting trucks to the other side of Bacchus Marsh to preserve and protect the Avenue of Honour.
Seems reasonable, Mr Madden. Are you listening?
Peter Papachristoforos
Let’s get down to business.
We have a New Members Night coming up but we’re not calling it a New Members Night because it’s for all members.
It’s a great night to get out and catch up over a cuppa. It’s a night to rub shoulders with a few familiar souls. Have you ever thought about the impact your presence can have at such an event?
Shortly after I joined the party a little under a year ago, David Collyer invited me out for a coffee. We talked for hours. He then invited me to a New Members Night. When I turned up at Bell’s Hotel last June, the first person I saw was David.
It made such a difference to the way I approached my first party function.
For those of us who aren’t candidates but support the ideals that we embrace, perhaps the single most important thing we can do is to be a friendly face for a new member.
Your presence could make a huge difference. Your encouragement or inspiration might entice a new member to leap out of their comfort zone. Your support for a member might lead to their standing in the forthcoming election or for one of the other many roles that need to be filled this year.
My father was a Natio in the Vietnam war. He wasn’t a solider though – he was a surgeon. For every soldier in the jungle there were ten people behind the scenes, just like him, supporting each Digger.
While I’d never compare politics to war, the analogy fits. Coming to a New Members Night and showing your commitment to the party is like standing behind a candidate or office bearer and giving them your support.
So stop for a moment.
Imagine a warm room, of old friends and the fragrance of after dinner coffee.
Feel the buzz of conversation. Feel the firm handshakes, and strain to hear your conversation over the one next to you. Feel the energy.
Imagine the effect that will have on the newly committed Democrats, nervously finding their way.
See you at 7:00.
Friday March 19th
Bells Hotel
Cnr Coventry and Moray Streets,
South Melbourne.
RSVP
Robin Davis (9752 – 6466) or (rbd<AT>knox.hotkey.net.au) or
Paul Roberton (0421 74 84 55) or paul<AT>paulroberton.com “
Rudd Abbott Wars – Episode XVVVV – Religion And The Education System Strikes Out?
I am a teacher and was a practicing Anglican for many years.
I have taught in some very different schools, where a range of religious teachings are followed.
In Victoria, Religious Education is taught sensibly and sensitively. In primary schools it’s usually optional and non denominational.
In secondary schools the two main religious subjects offered to VCE (Year 11 & 12) students are Religion & Society and Text & Traditions.
They lend themselves well to a personal reflection on religion, comparative theology and the impact of religion on society.
There is a wide expanse of territory for study. Within Text and Traditions there are four recommended texts: Ezekial, the Gospels of Luke and John, and the Qu’ran.
Students may choose to study one of the four texts in isolation before comparing with others.
It has never been an issue.
Let’s be clear though, what I’m referring to are electives for senior students. Students, one would hope, who have a grasp of their own beliefs and some functional critical thinking.
We know religious beliefs are deeply held and highly personal. Most of us let it sit quietly; some choose to evangelize.
Some go to war in it’s name, but it still extends the promise of a healthier, more tolerant community.
I find it ironic Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott, two Christian politicians, are prepared to dance around each other on an issue that could actually bring them – all of us – together.
They could agree that universal messages of tolerance, compassion and forgiveness in senior classrooms are a good thing, or they could agree to both stay out of the debate.
They could agree diversity of faith makes us stronger and philosophical debate makes us wiser.
Instead, they’re eyeing each other off like feather-weight boxers, twitching and flinching each time the other makes a move.
Prime Minister Rudd used a back bencher, Senator Landy to question the merit of the Bible in the new National Curriculum. Opposition Leader Abbott immediately weighed in.
This threatens to degenerate into a circus.
We must send a clear message: We resent the exploitation of religious belief for political gain. It cheapens politics and demeans our beliefs.
If religion is to become nothing but a lever for politicians to pull, we may have to pretend we’re all Jedi so they leave the matter alone.
May the Force be with you.
Paul Roberton
