Workers BushTelegraph

Dr John Sinclair AO, founder of the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) died on 3rd February 2019.

FIDO is honoring the outstanding contribution John made to conservation generally, and Fraser Island (K’Gari) in particular, by establishing the John Sinclair Memorial Lecture.

This pioneering conservationist spent decades fighting first sand mining and then logging on K’Gari before it was World Heritage Listed in 1992.

The Inaugural Lecture will be delivered by renowned conservationist Dr Aila Keto AO, Founder and President of the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society.

FIDO hopes the John Sinclair Memorial Lecture will become established as an ongoing event providing a forum for the promotion of public awareness in relation to the significant environmental issues of the day.

Details and link for booking tickets @

Kindly distribute this invitation to any friends or colleagues who may have an interest in this forum.

Enquiries:

Peter Shooter
Email: peter.shooter@gmail.com
Ph: 0417 649 158

Charmaine Foley
Email: chsfoley@gmail.com

Ph: 0411 880 375

WBT posts this message from Ciaron O’Reilly from the local Bring Julian Home Campaign.

*This week we continue with a Mon – Fri/ 9am – 1pm Solidarity Vigil for Julian Assange outside the UK consul 100 Eagle St Brisbane.

** Julian’s extradition hearing in London begins Mon Feb 24th – we will have a large solidarity gathering outside the U.K. consul Brisbane with speakers 12 noon – 2pm / Mon Feb 24th.

I just received the email below from Tom, originally from Western Australia who camped with me outside the Ecuadorian embassy & later outside Belmarsh Prison. He will be at the extradition hearing in London & has recently found reasons to be cheerful in terms of Julian’s struggle. 

Hi Ciaron,

                We are into the final few days in the run up to the extradition hearing and for a change my optimism is growing every day.

Almost daily there are so many signs that the tide has turned, have noticed the public opinion is changing but on the political front, the parliament in Europe taking a stance, Corbin makes a statement in parliament and isn’t shouted down by Johnson, Australian parliamentarians form a cross bench support group, doctors for Assange, media mention Assange’s name in articles that are not smear campaigns, so much has changed since you ran a lonely campaign in a box outside the Ecuadorian Embassy and now this

Is that a gift to the Assange legal team?

Judge Arbersnot has set a precedent, cannot be extradited to a country where he will face life in prison without parole.

I am feeling positive and it is all built on the long lonely days you put in way back.

Here’s hoping

Keep up the good work.

It’s a short 800m walk from the Minerals Council office to Parliament House in Canberra. The well-worn path between the coal lobby and our elected representatives was lined with bushfire debris yesterday as bushfire survivors, Pacific Climate Warriors and activists highlighted the coal lobby’s 20 years of blocking government action on climate change. If you’re keen to join the people powered movement to take back our democracy – learn more at our online webinar on tomorrow night at 6:30pm.

#CutAllTies Launch Webinar

Start: Thursday, February 13, 2020 • 6:30 PM • Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)

End: Thursday, February 13, 2020 • 7:45 PM • Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)

Email from 350.org on Wednesday, 12 February 2020:

Hi Friend, 

Yesterday was extraordinary. Together with bushfire survivors, Pacific Climate Warriors and local activists we launched a groundbreaking campaign to take back our democracy from the hands of the coal lobby – #CutAllTies

Brave and resilient folks from the NSW South Coast brought the remains of their homes and properties all the way to Canberra to make a powerful statement – it’s time to put an end to the coal lobby’s trail of destruction.

80 people and 32 wheelbarrows lined the streets from Parliament House to the headquarters of the Minerals Council of Australia in front of media and politicians – here’s how it all went down:

We met early to unload trailers of bushfire debris into the 32 wheelbarrows. There were all sorts of household items in the wreckage – teapots, solar panels, downpipes, even the kitchen sink. Behind every piece of debris was a powerful story of the damage being done by the climate crisis, and anger that the Government is refusing to take action in the wake of such a devastating tragedy.

Jack Egan, who lost his home on New Years Eve, gave powerful testimony to a throng of media, recounting his fear as he and his partner were separated as their house burnt to the ground. According to Jack, “after the firestorm passed that was a powerful emotional experience…at least we’ve survived bodily and almost psychologically.”

Jack knows too well the impact of 20 years of inaction on climate change in Australia, and he called on our Government to fulfil its first duty – to protect its citizens from harm – and cut all ties with the coal lobby so we can get on with becoming the renewable energy superpower we should be.

Together we marched the wheelbarrows from Parliament House along the short 800m walk to the Minerals Council office. 

Once at their office, The Pacific Climate Warriors created a seawall on the steps of the Minerals Council, and we heard an incredible spoken word poem from Sailoto about losing islands to sea level rise. 

Together, Sailoto and I delivered an invoice to the Minerals Council for the damages from the bushfires, the sunken money in fossil fuel subsidies, and the 20 years of holding back action on climate change that has cost us our future.

Why did we do it?

Because our research into the history of the Minerals Council has found that for over 20 years they’ve undermined action on the climate crisis. They’ve used advertising and lobbying campaigns, and an entrenched political revolving door, to undermine climate policies at every turn. You can read the whole dirt file here.

We know that we have all the solutions and public support we need to take action on the climate crisis, and support a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. But the truth is, Australia will never be part of the solution to climate change while the Minerals Council and the fossil fuel lobby still have a stranglehold over our politics.

That’s why we’ve launched the Cut All Ties campaign, to restore our democracy to the people – not the polluters. We have a plan to take back our democracy so it answers to the community, not the coal lobby – and it’s going to take a huge grassroots effort to pull it off.

To find out how you can be part of this campaign, come along to this special launch webinar on Feb 13 to introduce the powerful campaign that will take down the power of the fossil fuel lobby.

I am feeling so inspired and fired up to take on this campaign, which looks beneath the surface at the hidden power that must shift in order to shift Australia’s climate politics. There is no greater antidote to despair than action, and this campaign is going to be action packed and win. Find out how to be a part of it. 

In hope, 

Lucy, for the whole 350 Australia team

P.S. If you can’t make the webinar – you can still get involved! Find more ways to get involved on our new website, www.CutAllTies.org.au 

Paradigm Shift 4ZZZ FM 102.1 Fridays at noon is covering of the 2020 local government elections. Emphasis is being placed on independent candidates. So far we have interviewed anti-corruption campaigners Rob Pyne (Cairns), Jim Dodrill (Ipswich). This week we will be interviewing Gary Duffy (Ipswich) and Chelle McIntyre (Toowoomba).

If people wish to contribute please contact Ian at iancurr@bigpond.com

Paradigm Shift is broadcast on community radio 4ZZZ FM 102.1 Fridays at noon on the lands of the Toorubul, Jagera, Ugarapul, Mununjali and Yuggera people. We pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land.

Community radio 4ZZZ provides daily coverage of important events both local and overseas. It is an independent news source funded entirely by subscribers. It has a number of programs in the middle of the day concerned with the important issues such as ecology, democracy, women’s rights, renters and prisoners rights, gay rights et al.

We challenge the assumptions of our current society, to resist oppression and investigate alternative ways of living for a world based on justice, solidarity and sustainability.

Ian
Paradigm Shift
4ZZZ FM 102.1
Fridays @ noon
0407 687 016

When discussing the Climate Crisis with others, you need good reliable information – here are my recommended websites

Drawdown – give the solutions in order of environmental, economic and social prior for addressing climate crisis by drawing down CO2 and other greenhouse gases to safe levels https://www.drawdown.org/solutions

Converting the Australian Economy especially energy / transports / heavy industry / agriculture– www.bze.org.au

Climate Science and Emissions Analysis by NGO based at Oxford Uni – gives breakdown and excellent explanations

Country – production /  consumption / trade / cumulatively over time

Income / Inequality

Sector – Electricity/transport/agriculture etc

https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions#cumulative-co2-emissions

Other Reasons to get off fossil fuels

WHO analysis of air pollution deaths globally

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

Subsidies to the Fossil Fuel Industry – 6% of global GDP and make subsidies to renewables or energy efficiency pale into insignificance

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2019/05/02/Global-Fossil-Fuel-Subsidies-Remain-Large-An-Update-Based-on-Country-Level-Estimates-46509

Please pass these on to all and sundry.

Regards

Trevor Berrill

Sustainable Energy Systems Consultant & Educator

www.trevolution.com.au

29 Burnett St

Wellington Point

Queensland 4160

Australia

Phone 61 7 3207 5077 or 

Mobile 0400 177 283

So reads the headline for Bagehot’ s column for The Economist on January 18, 2020.

A sub-head warns that ‘Brand Sussex represents the biggest threat to the monarchy so far.’ The Suss-exiters threaten ‘to unleash the spirit of
capitalism on the very core of the monarchy.’ (Full text follows.)

What’s new? ‘By Appointment’ has adorned labels for soap, biscuits, whiskey, and soda water for twice as long as one of world richest has been allowed to reign over us. In 1934, the Sydney Morning Herald approved of the Prince of Wales’ performing as ‘England’s commercial traveller.’ In recent decades, one or other parasite has been dispatched to Saudi Arabia and like bastions of the English Tree of Liberty to flog weapons.
Sovereignty under capitalism is supposed to reside with the consumer. But too much freedom of choice eats into profits. How to resolve that
contradiction?

A 1928 Report on the seasonal employment patterns in the rag trades conjectured:

There is nevertheless some possibility of forcibly educating the consumer, as it were, by the action of manufacturers and salesmen, either
individually or in concert (the latter a more remote possibility in the present state of organisation in the clothing industries). (Emphasis
added)

In 1930, the British garment industry dispelled the ILO’s gloomy prognosis when it established a Colour Council to limit the range of colours on offer.
The marketers portrayed their educational efforts as a service to the consumer who would be able to coordinate her e􀀠·tsemble· with greater ease. Each season, the Council’s charts make it possible for you to buy French silks that will match Scottish tweeds, an English umbrella or match Viennese shoes, Czechoslovakian jewellery to tone with your evening frock, and even the sewing silk for making up your new season’s model.

That service had been made possible because what the industry still pictured as madame’s whims and fancies had been standardised more than two years before.

The British Colour Council secured two forms af Royal Patronage: first, a female Royal acted as patron; secondiy, the Palace. ccndescended to allow the Council to apply the imprimatur of the throne whe,t announcing the
fashionable colours for Coronations, Royal Tours and Weddings.

from Humphrey McQueen

Far away from Tesla HQ in California, Nigerian student Segun Oyeyiola converted a Volkswagen Beetle into a wind- and solar-powered car.

Change parking meters into charging meters!

“These are dangerous days
To say what you feel is to dig your own grave” – Sinead O’Connor

Paradigm Shift on community radio 4zzz (fm 102.1 Fridays at noon) – Friday 7 Feb – is covering Queensland local government elections. This is the first in a series in the lead-up to voting on 28 March 2020. Please contact the announcer Ian on ianacurr@bigpond.com if you wish to contribute.

Brisbane (Meanjin) is a city of the homeless, especially in summer when it is warm; its a place of summer storms, of weatherboard homes, high-rise on a floodplain, a dirty river slicing urban sprawl into a north / south divide. A port city to export coal and wheat. An aerodrome without curfew with two parallel runways. Meanjin, a city of deaths in custody where street marchers were arrested in their thousands crying out for democratic rights in the 1970s. This river city is hot and humid. The climate has changed. Creeks are flooding through developments with banks falling down. It is not safe for strangers, especially if they are young women, who have been attacked and killed only metres from police stations. Once it had central markets in Roma Street, trams and trolley buses, now it has freeways and traffic jams.

Each September, this city is on fire.

Once dominated by Labor the Brisbane City Council is the largest local government in the southern hemisphere with a $3.15 billion a year budget.

Curiously it has a library network without parallel where you can borrow books, film and magazines from and about anywhere in the world.

Yet developers run city hall.

To quote from Maaate – Bribe Proofing the Public Purse against Good Blokes by Bernie Dowling:

“Something is broken at councils in south-east Queensland. By 2017, it could not be ignored. The Crime and Corruption Commission, an independent investigator created by State Parliament, called an inquiry to investigate the conduct of the 2016 elections for the councils of Moreton Bay Region, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.”

This inquiry was later broadened out to include Logan City Council. As a result many corruption charges were laid against councillors and the entire Ipswich City and Logan City Councils were sacked by the Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe.

So, with 2020 local government elections imminent, I attended the postponed Reimagine Brisbane: Ideas Fiesta and Policy Conference held on Saturday 31 January 2020. The conference was delayed out of respect for the deceased Sam Watson, an aboriginal leader who grew up in Mt Gravatt in Brisbane and who had such an impact on this city.

At the end of the plenary session, councillor Jonathan Sri made a call for feedback and further discussion. This is Paradigm Shift’s attempt to do so. This is part of a series where I wish to tell a wider audience what important work is being done behind the scenes by activists to improve representation at local government levels here in the capital and in regional Queensland. There are local government reform alliance groups around the state particularly about amalgamation of shires but little is known about candidates who are part of this reform. I hope to remedy that.

Michael Berkman (Member for Maiwar) proposals to stop corporations influencing councils and government by giving political donations.

Interviews
Ian discusses local government with Rob Pyne from North Qeensland.
Topics covered are – Is it a Climate change Election? – where power lies – what are councillors paid – corruption in Ipswich and Logan City – Operation Belcarra into how elections are funded – calls for ICAC style inquiry – ad hoc changes – higher accountability than state government elections – amalgamation from 156 councils down to 77 councils – cairns amalgamation of Port Douglas with Cairns – should have combined Cairns with Kuranda and not Kuranda with  Mareeba – distribution of funds – money raised by commonwealth – state and federal should do more – a lot of money spent on Douglas shire – bridges needed to be replaced – councils often the biggest employer – infrastructure – the public interest – transparency – councils should operate water infrastructure – local repesentation versus party representation – influence of News Corp on elections – bad media coverage – Queensland Government Reform Alliance

Andy talks with Jim Dodrill from Ipswich Ratepayers & Residents Association about how his campaign against corruption ended in both he and his father being bashed.

Playlist
David Rovics – Margot Black Campaign Song
Ruth Mundy – Love in the time of coral reefs  
Jumping Fences – View from a Wooden Chair

*Make phone contact (preferably text) if you can join me at any stage  over the next three weeks in a solidarity vigil with Julian outside the U.K. Consul 100 Eagle St. Brisbane Ciaron Ph. 0402 252 354

Monday 10 FEB to Friday 14 FEB
9AM – 1PM

Monday 17 FEB to Friday 21 FEB
9AM – 5PM

Monday 24 FEB to Friday 28 FEB
9AM – 5PM

SOLIDARITY VIGIL UK CONSULATE BRISBANE

To vigil is to stay awake, while society slumbers oblivious to mounting
peril.

Julian Assange is presently in a maximum security prison in the United
Kingdom fighting extradition to the United States.

Julian is in jeopardy for standing with the poor and bombed. By exposing
the wars and high crimes of the rich and powerful.

Join us in keeping a solidarity vigil outside the UK Consulate, in the
lead up to and through out Julian Assange extradition hearing.

First day of extradition hearing 24FEB 2020

Contact: Ciaron O’Reilly
ciaronx@yahoo.com
0402 252 354

Face Book Vigil Link
https://www.facebook.com/events/297504787871892/

Sun, 09 Feb, 03:00pm
Red Brick Hotel, 83 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba

Public Forum concerning the 13th December 2019 recommendation from the Australian Parliamentary Committee to repeal the ban on the use of nuclear fuel in power plants and related issues. Speakers include Robin Taubenfield (Friends of the Earth) and Mike Henry (Just Peace). $5 donation. Tickets ▸

Keep Ban on Nukes forum

Sun, 09 Feb, 03:00pm
Red Brick Hotel, 83 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba

Public Forum concerning the 13th December 2019 recommendation from the Australian Parliamentary Committee to repeal the ban on the use of nuclear fuel in power plants and related issues. Speakers include Robin Taubenfield (Friends of the Earth) and Mike Henry (Just Peace). $5 donation. Tickets ▸