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Although only a small protest both outside and inside, it had a big impact. There was a national news report on SBS, a Guardian article and about at least 4 other articles that had a couple of BDS paragraphs about the event and the winner. SBS should pull out of Eurovision 2019 in Israel. Continue reading
The University of Sydney Association of Professors (USAP) invited a broad group of professors and managers from Australian Universities, with representatives from government and media, to consider the current and future opportunities and challenges in higher education generally and for … Continue reading
The larger question here is, of course, what is the role of the University? This topic was debated again at two high profile conferences in Sydney late last year, so I want to refer to a couple of arguments presented. … Continue reading
Contextualising the University of Queensland’s Proposed Demolition of the UQ Union Complex. UQ’s Proposal What are UQ bosses up to? Well, what we officially know is that, as the St Lucia Site Development Plan puts it, ‘the redeveloped Student Union … Continue reading
Regime change in Caracas would be the prerequisite to dismantling the Bolivarian Bloc consisting of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) in El Salvador, and several other actors in Latin America.” – Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya in “Rise of the Anti-Government Flash Mobs: First Ukraine, Now Venezuela” 20 February 2014[Source]
12pm Fri 15 Feb 2019: Regime Change in Venezuela
When the sun scorched the earth a child was being born in the mountain, in a cradle of hard stone that poisoned him. PEGALE DURO AL FIERO by Ruben Galindo
Panel – Eulalia Reyes de Whitney (Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network), Alex Bainbridge (Green Left Weekly), Trevor Berrill (Trevolution.com.au), Bevan Ramsden (Independent & Peaceful Australia Network), Ian Curr (Paradigm Shift, 4ZZZ).
Discussion about the causes and what to do about current crisis in Venezuela. Listen at http://ondemand.4zzzfm.org.au/paradigm-shift
As it did with regime change in Libya and in Iraq the US decided to destabilise Venezuela and take the oil. Russia, China and Cuba oppose it. The US created a political crisis where Maduro is embattled. They fund the opposition groups. They created the humanitarian crisis by placing an embargo on US…
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I recommend this film. It shows the uneven economic development of Lebanon inside the slums of Beirut. Neo-cons said their policies would bring wealth to Lebanon in the 1970s but this was untrue. And who suffers? Foreign workers are shipping … Continue reading
Darkness drops again; but now I knowThat 20 centuries of stony sleepWere vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?- W B Yeats Went to sorry day … Continue reading
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Last Train to Mirabad Julian Assange took on the US Wikileak’d ten years war in Afghanistan Julian roams downstairs in Woolwich Court Thinking what would Pilger and Ellsberg do now? Waiting to be taken through tunnel to Belmarsh Prison Where … Continue reading
Dear Members of the Community, As members of the Toowoomba Housing Task Force, we are reaching out to you about our campaign to save the 37 Aboriginal homes recently put up for auction. On Christmas Eve last year, families were … Continue reading
After six years of drought, Mount Isa residents prayed for rain. Then it flooded For graziers who sweated to keep their herds alive, praying for rain, the scale of the flood is hard to take Out the back of Mount … Continue reading
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Morrison and his government have proven to be lightweight. The modest reform (Medivac Bill) which allows doctors to transfer refugees from detention on hellholes like Nauru & Manus Islands to mainland Australia passed through the House of Reps on 12 … Continue reading
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Pégale duro al Fiero Strike the beast hardporque si no te deja el hombre; Because if you don’t it will leave you hunger;pégale porque te mata Strike it because they’ll kill you y te echan la tierra encima, And they’ll cover … Continue reading
Cuba Friendship SocietyGeneral meeting this Tuesday 12 Feb 2019Get ready for the National Consultation 29-31 March Tornado in HavanaMassive reconstruction work underway#FuerzaCuba A massive tornado ripped through five municipalities of Havana on 27 January. Four people were killed and 195 … Continue reading
Adventures with Agitators is a tribute to the resilience, determination, patience and tolerance of the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders of Queensland. In a series of short yarns about their battles in the justice and political systems, this book … Continue reading
Eurovision 2019 ‘Australia Decides’ Israel boycott and protest action on Saturday 8 February, Gold Coast Convention Centre Australian artists are calling on SBS, Sony Music Australia, and all ten contestants in Saturday’s ‘Australia Decides’ Eurovision Song Contest event to hear the voices of … Continue reading
Here’s another update on various projects and issues around Brisbane’s inner-south side. As usual, I would appreciate it if you can forward this email on to any friends or neighbours who might be interested.
Kangaroo Point Peninsula Community Garden
With the support of Kangaroo Point Neighbourhood Watch, quite a few KP residents are interested in setting up a community garden in one of the public parks on the western side of the peninsula. At the moment, the leading proposal for the garden location is at the northern end of James Warner Park, just next to the Story Bridge Jazz Club carpark.
I’m very open to this idea, but as this represents a significant change to how a public park is used, I want to make sure everyone gets the chance to have a say. I’m running a community vote to help inform this decision and demonstrate to council that there’s strong local support for the idea. If you have an interest in this part of Kangaroo Point, please follow this link to cast your vote.
Serbian Orthodox Church Open House and Renovation Plans
The Serbian Orthodox Church on Ross Street in Woolloongabba is a striking local landmark with a long and proud history. Internal renovation works have recently been completed, and they’re inviting all members of the local community to have a look inside.
Importantly, they’re also exploring options to relocate or demolish the old hall on the southern side of the site (directly opposite the main church entrance) to free up more open space. They don’t want to put in any more buildings – they just want to make room for a bit of greenery and a proper entranceway. They’ve been planning to remove this building for many years. However it’s listed on the local heritage register.
In order to decide whether I’ll support or object to the removal, I’m facilitating an open discussion on the afternoon of Sunday, 17 March so the church committee can share their plans with residents, and we can get feedback from the surrounding community.
The open day kicks off at 3pm, with tours of the church and surrounding grounds. From 4pm we’ll be meeting in the main church hall to discuss the complex question of what should happen to the old heritage-listed building. Everyone’s welcome to come on a tour of the church and take part in the discussion.
When: 3 to 5pm, Sunday 17 March
Where: Serbian Orthodox Church, 6 Ross St, Woolloongabba
RSVP on Facebook ›
Brisbane & GPS Rowing Club Expansion
The Brisbane & GPS Rowing Club on Hill End Terrace in West End is a non-profit community club that’s open to anyone to join. They have seen substantial growth in members and are keen to expand their facility. They also want to offer a bit of room to the West End Canoe Club.
Their facility in Orleigh Park is owned by council. They are currently negotiating their proposal with BCC and will soon be lodging a development application for the renovations. We held a community meeting about this issue last year, and I’m co-organising another meeting at the club on the evening of Monday, 25 February so residents can get a look at the plans and ask questions before they go through the formal council process.
Please come along to this meeting to see what’s proposed and share your views.
Where: 98 Hill End Terrace, West End
When: 5:45pm, Monday, 25 February
You can also invite friends via the Facebook event.
4101 Resident Parking Permit Scheme
Council has finally released the draft map of the new parking rules that will come into effect for the southern half of West End and Highgate Hill from 18 March. You can view the map at this link (we can also send you a PDF if you’re having trouble viewing it). As explained on this page, on some streets there will be a mix of parking rules, with some areas left as unlimited parking for everyone, and some areas marked ‘2P, resident permits excepted.’ On other streets – particularly the southern side of Highgate Hill and the high-density area to the west of Montague Rd – there are no significant changes to the existing unlimited parking, so those residents won’t need to apply for permits.
The map is still a draft, and my office is requesting a few minor changes, including more short-term parking on Hill End Terrace alongside Orleigh Park. After the scheme has been in place for a few months, we will review the rules and make further adjustments to the signage in response to changes in parking behaviour.
Here’s the link to the official council page to apply for permits. It doesn’t say it on the website, but you can call up 3403 8888 and request a physical visitor permit instead of an online one. I encourage all residents to get a physical visitor permit, because these are easier to pass from one car to another, whereas if you have a digital visitor permit you have to go online on and tell the council the vehicle registration number every time someone visits.
I’m also calling another public meeting for residents of Baynes St, Ewart St and Hove St to see what people think of the parking rules the council has proposed. This will be an important discussion to be part of if you can. The council is still receiving regular complaints from residents about vehicles blocking footpaths, and I want to make sure we get the balance right in terms of how much parking remains unlimited, and how much of the street is for resident permits.
Where: corner of Ewart St and Baynes St, Highgate Hill
When: Sunday, 3 March, 4:30pm to 6pm
Facebook event at this link.
Drive Under 40 in 4101
Finally, I wanted to express my support for the Kurilpa Futures community campaign that’s encouraging all motorists to stick to driving at 40km/h around South Brisbane, West End and Highgate Hill. Many parts of the 4101 postcode are already limited to 40km/h, and new school zone speed limits will also soon be installed around Brisbane State High School.
The Kurilpa Peninsula has changed dramatically in recent years, with rapid densification contributing to many more pedestrians and cyclists on the street. A general speed limit of 40km/h is a lot safer for all road users, and I think it’s inevitable that council will eventually drop the speed uniformly in the inner-city, however that could take some time.
While I continue to advocate for lower speed limits within council (both on residential side-streets and on main roads like Montague Rd), I think it would be great if everyone can drive to local conditions. BCC is very slow at making changes, so it’ll help greatly if residents lead the charge. There’s a Facebook page for this campaign at this link.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with my office. Don’t forget to check out all the other community events listed below.
Best wishes,
Jonno
Upcoming Events
FEB
14
Migrant Women to the Front: A Panel on Sexual Health
Thu, 14 Feb, 06:00pm–09:00pm
128 Boundary St, West End
Join True Relationships and Reproductive Health and the One Woman Project for an alternate February 14th activity; a panel on sexual health and relationships led by women of migrant backgrounds. This event is open to all and whilst it prioritises the voices of migrant women and women of migrant backgrounds, all members of the community are welcome to attend. Finger food and dessert will be catered by The Good Food Project, a social enterprise that supports women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Facebook event ▸
MAR
15
Valentine Date Night @ The Sunset Social
Fri, 15 Mar, 05:00pm–09:00pm
Davies Park Soccer Field, West End
Sunset Drinks & SummaFeast with your Loved One @ Davies Park West End 4101 .. Make it a Date Night .. BYO A PICNIC RUG .. Food Trucks are Back .. Come & Enjoy 😊 Family Fun & Pet Friendly Cocktail 🍹 Jugs .. Craft Beers .. Live Tunes & More Facebook event ▸
FEB
23
West End Community Feast
Sat, 23 Feb, 03:00pm–08:00pm
Davies Park Soccer Field, West End
All are welcome to the West End Community Feast! A shared meal made from rescued food. Come together in conversation over nourishing food that would otherwise have been wasted. Get together to combat food waste, eat healthy and ignite change through hands-on demonstrations and knowledge sharing with cultural community groups and local chefs. Facebook event ▸
FEB
24
Body Positive Pool Party 2019
Sun, 24 Feb, 06:00pm–09:00pm
Musgrave Park Swimming Pool,100 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane
The Body Positive Pool party aims to take a space that is historically problematic for folks with bodies that sit outside of society’s oppressive beauty standards and racialised gender norms, and transform it into a space that embraces radical, body positivity. The night will include: Live music | Food | Thematically linked art | Stalls | SWIMMING | Raffle | much more. Waged, unwaged, and combo tickets available. Fundraiser for the Gar’ban’djee’lum Network and Sovereign Families. Get Tickets ▸ | Facebook event ▸
FEB
25
Community Meeting: Rowing Club Extension Plans
Mon, 25 Feb, 05:45pm–07:00pm
98 Hill End Terrace, West End
The Brisbane & GPS Rowing Club on Hill End Terrace in West End is a non-profit community club that’s open to anyone to join. They have seen substantial growth in members and are keen to expand their facility. Please come along to this meeting to see what’s proposed and share your views. Facebook event ▸
MAR
03
Baynes St Community Meeting: Proposed Parking Rule Changes
Sun, 03 Mar, 04:30pm–05:45pm
Corner of Baynes St and Ewart St, Highgate Hill
Residents of Baynes St, Ewart St and Hove St are invited to a community meeting to see what everyone thinks of the new parking rules the council has proposed. This will be an important discussion to be part of if you can. Facebook event ▸
MAR
09
International Working Women’s Day Rally 2019
Sat, 09 Mar, 01:00pm–03:30pm
Queens Gardens, Brisbane, George St, Brisbane City
IWD was originally called International Working Women’s Day, and acted as a day of protest for the rights of working women: equal pay, maternity leave, equal rights in general. Nowadays, it tends to be more of a celebration, as if women have all the rights they could want. This event aims to remind people of the struggles still to come and throw back to the day’s socialist origins, emphasising a day for women who all do so much work, whether paid or not. Facebook event ▸
MAR
16
Stop Fining Healthy Transport National Bicycle Parade!
Sat, 16 Mar, 12:00pm–02:00pm
Wheel of Brisbane, Russell St, South Bank
This is a celebration of casual bike riding and will include a slow ride around the city. Facebook event ▸
MAR
17
Serbian Orthodox Church Neighbourhood Feedback Day
Sun, 17 Mar, 03:00pm–05:00pm
Serbian Orthodox Church Woolloongabba, 6 Ross Street, Woolloongabba
After 40 years (including 15 of construction) the new Serbian Orthodox Church is complete. The parish community is welcoming the broader community to an open day to have a look inside. This will be followed with a town hall style meeting to decide what to do with the now redundant old church (which was heritage listed by BCC). Facebook event ▸
Jonathan Sri Councillor for the Gabba Ward
2/63 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba
P: 07 3403 2165 • E: thegabba.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au
http://www.jonathansri.com
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owners of the lands on which we work, and pay our respects to elders, past and present. Continue reading
The Whitlam government of 1972 to 1975 responded to a wave of progressive feeling and ushered in a new political era for Australia. Briefly Australia became an independent state. Whitlam ended colonial servility. He abolished Royal patronage, no Sir’s and … Continue reading
Over 60 international NGO’s have added their voices in protest against the plan to hold the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv this year. They are now part of what is quickly becoming an international campaign by … Continue reading
There will be a meeting at 5.30pm on Thursday 14 February in Room 220 of the Michie Building, St Lucia campus, to plan for the rally on the 25th and discuss further activities. I have attached a revised version of the rally … Continue reading
The Federal Government’s attempt to derail the proposed refugee medical transfer bill cynically places politics above humane treatment of seriously ill refugees. – Spokesperson for the Refugee Action Campaign Canberra Dr John Minns said this today. He slammed the Government’s … Continue reading
its all about bankers doing the right thing not about regulation – its character! Greed etc etc – banks have responded to emerging issues and readjusted and on and on says Professor Hogan on ABC TV ‘the Business’
Hi all,
for an antidote to the self serving and hypocritical crap we are reading as commentary on the banking commission report, see a series of short essays by Humphrey McQueen in the latest issue of Meanjin:
https://meanjin.com.au/blog/a-humble-petition-to-commissioner-hayne
The first meeting of the 17 Group for 2019 will take place on Wednesday the 6th of February at 7 pm in Unit 6 at 20 Drury St, West End. You have probably already heard of the project of the … Continue reading
The terms of reference for the current Banking Royal Commission are to investigate malpractices in financial institutions. The institutions under investigation are the Banks and the Superannuation Funds. Neither functions without a battery of other institutions: accountants, actuaries, auditors, rating … Continue reading
Protesters attempted to stop the sale of 37 homes, which could now leave more than a hundred Indigenous tenants at risk of homelessness. By Ella Archibald-Binge Almost a hundred protestors have rallied at an auction in Toowoomba to prevent the … Continue reading
However my major criticism is a failure to understand that there were and are groups of revolutionaries further to the left than the so-called ‘far left in Australia since 1945’ referred to in this text. Continue reading
Aboriginal struggle
Call for truth and Reconciliation by Sam Watson
Aboriginal leader calls for truth and reconciliation commission to hold white Australia to account.
“There is still a long way to go,” Sam Watson said.
“There are still issues that are unresolved.
“We still don’t have a treaty.”
He called for “basic honestly from white Australia” about the history of our nation.
“We
didn’t give them our country, we didn’t sell our country, they stole
this country by armed invasion,” Mr Watson told the rally.
“To
this day, white Australia has never been held accountable…there should
be a truth and reconciliation commission here in Australia…white
Australia needs to be held to account for the crimes against humanity,
perpetrated against our people.
“This blood, this land, this suffering that…
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