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News Report Issue 66
Index
1. Thought for the day - Tom
2. Request:
3. Opinion: The acceptance of obscene
language - Antonia
4. Opinion: Building and using
internet communities to win in politics - Richard
5. Opinion: The forgotten Christian
holocaust - Antonia
6. Opinion: A tribute to a gutsy lady -
Antonia
7. Opinion: GST Business Destruction
starts - Lindsay
8. Life Sciences: a) Global boom in
organics - Forwarded by John
8. Life Sciences: b) Quotation: Dr. Michael
Antoniou - Sn. Lecturer in Molecular pathology.
9. Feedback: NZ petrol prices and Oil companies
- Hamish / Dave
10. Feedback: Australia & Guns - Philip
Madsen
11. Feedback: Free Trade? -
Kerry 12. Feedback: GMO's & Telstra
13. Feedback Contacts:
14. Editorial Policy:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Thought for the day:
"The problem with power is .....how to get men of power
to live for the public, rather than off the public ."
(Robert F.Kennedy)
Forwarded by
Tom Ruut. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2. Request:
For this online news report to be ultimately
effective it must grow to such a size that it and the ideas it espouses can't be
ignored. So do your bit and help circulate it far and wide. If we are to
challenge the elites (the Packers and the Murdochs) view of history, politics,
economics, the environment, the structure of society etc., then we are going to
have to do more than wait. We are going to have to be very active and vigilant.
We have given you one of the tools (information & a medium for comment) you
will need. Help us to help you. Lets fan the flames of knowledge. Spread the
word. Editor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3.
Opinion: The acceptance of obscene language
Last week, radio host Alan Jones informed his listeners that a female Queensland Industrial Relations Commissioner found that a Cairns Big W store had breached the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act by sacking an employee who called the boss a f+++wit. She said that while "inappropriate", such behaviour was not like attacking someone, and ordered Big W to pay the sacked worker four months salary, about nine thousand dollars. In unfortunate English Jones said, "Prior to calling his boss an f-wit and swearing at other colleagues, a female representative allegedly said that the employee called her a dumb, fat, stupid bitch" (13 / 3 / 00). Even after evidence of such brutishness, the commissioner determined people must put up with such appalling behaviour by their workmates. But it's not just the law that's an ass. Academics give judges a run for their money. Like the commissioner, a University of Queensland linguistics expert, Professor Roland Sussex, said people have to accept obscenity as part of everyday life. Why? Only because the likes of him and out-of-touch commissioners say so! OK, if these clowns think swearing is acceptable behaviour, perhaps people should start swearing at them. While it would be difficult for properly brought up people, perhaps they might just have to steel themselves to take effective counter action. So if you're in court, answer questions with a liberal sprinkling of expletives: "Yes, your f+++ing worship, I understand the f+++ing question". How long would the court be tolerant? And in university tutorials, let decent speech activists similarly pollute academics' ears by profanity and obscenity. I warrant that faced with reality, judges and academics would quickly change their minds about the alleged public acceptance of obscene language. Antonia
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4 . Opinion
Building and using Internet
communities to win in politics
By Richard J. Wood
Two recent articles in the journal
Nature report that the explosive growth of traffic and sites on the
Internet is creating patterns of usage that resemble other areas of natural
development.
Given the unregulated and highly
competitive environment in which the Internet is being developed, that should
come as no surprise. For example, it is noteworthy that millions
of Internet users follow the "trunks" of major search engines and
"branch" out to popular sites, which in turn lead users to smaller
sites (new generation search engines use this model to determine ranking by site
popularity). That is also the blueprint for all living
things.
Likewise, one can relate the Internet world
to land development where communities are built along heavily trafficked areas
and grow according to the demand and resources of their residents.
That is the blueprint for urban planning. Both perspectives
appreciate the necessity of combining the inanimate framework of a structure
with the free-flowing activity of living things that together form our world and
our communities.
In the Internet world, the framework is a
combination of hardware and software that establish things like domain names,
web pages, links, databases and scripts. The way people use that
framework and the choices they make as a result (often measured as Internet
traffic) is what makes the Internet closer to a living organism than a
machine. Together the framework and the users form Internet
communities.
Understanding how such Internet
communities develop is important to both political candidates and their
parties. In fact, during the 2000 election cycle, it will be vital
to using the Internet effectively. Since the typical campaign cycle lasts
about a year and building Internet communities is a time-intensive
process, candidates and parties will need to combine their own Internet
projects with existing communities to reach the estimated 10 million
Australians who will be on-line in 2000.
Building political Internet
communities
Almost every serious federal, state and
local candidate in 2000 will have some sort of Internet
presence. The most common will be an "official web
site" where a campaign or party designs a framework to attract users
and create an Internet community.
The following five principles serve as
guidelines for developing effective political Internet communities.
Seed -- The first step in building an
Internet community is to develop a plan, prepare the groundwork and
allow the initial site to grow. Choosing a domain name, designing
a site, building "domain name id" and a establishing a network of links to the
site are all beginning steps in creating an Internet community.
Each decision at this stage is very important because it establishes the
framework for the community. Like zoning a town or establishing a
university, it requires both consideration of who will be using the community
and how they will use it. Identifying target audiences is a large
part of this process.
Just as various parts of a body or
city serve specific parts of the larger entity, so should parts of a political
Internet community serve parts of the larger campaign or party.
For example, political Internet communities should serve candidates or officials
(providing e-mail), staff (downloading speeches),
donors (collecting and recognising contributions),
supporters (posting directions to an event) media
(posting press releases), voters (providing issue
positions) and the general public (giving news and background
information).
Cultivate -- After the framework is
in place, considerable effort is needed to build the steady flow of visitors
that make an Internet community.
While accessing a web site is as now
almost as simple as dialling a telephone, it is no more likely that a
web site will receive visitors just because it is on the Internet than it is to
get telephone calls just because a phone is plugged into a jack in the
wall.
Encouraging people to visit a site
is a large part of the cultivation process. Web site promotion
must be done through both on-line and off-line
advertising. E-mail messages should be developed that
tastefully invite people to the site and volunteers should be
encouraged to send them out individually. While Internet users are
quick to protest spam (usually defined to include any e-mail they don't want)
there are acceptable ways to utilise unsolicited e-mail. Off-line
promotion can develop "domain name id" by promoting the site in
traditional campaign advertising, on campaign literature and through
word-of-mouth.
Nurture -- Internet communities are
an excellent way to build the relationships needed for successful political
efforts.
An effective political Internet
community not only attracts new users, but also encourages them to visit the
site regularly and establishes a sense of belonging. This process
requires time and effort by the candidate or party that maintains the
site. It is not realistic to expect voters to be motivated if their only
contact with a candidate or party is the week before Election
Day.
While political web sites can develop into
on-line communities, they can also become "truck stops."
The difference between the two is that one provides a place where people
interact on a regular basis and consider a part of their lives and the other is
simply a source of materials or information that visitors pass through randomly
and infrequently.
Creating an e-mail newsletter is an
excellent way to engage visitors and build lasting relationships with
them. Use the newsletter to provide timely and helpful
information. For example, let supporters know about upcoming campaign
events, speeches, neighbourhood walks, etc. Give e-mail subscribers
advance notice of such events or invite them to preview radio or TV commercials
before they are broadcast. Allowing users to contact the campaign or party
through either direct e-mail links or form-generated e-mail is another way to
nurture relationships. Allocate adequate staff to respond to such e-mails
promptly and treat Internet community members as well on-line as if they walked
into the main office.
Weed - Community structures and
systems need a process to eliminate outdated, unwanted or dangerous
items.
The most basic example of this step is
checking links on a political site. While a link to a
newspaper article may have been a good addition, it's not unusual for such a URL
to later be used for something else or deleted. Not updating links
on a site is like sending traffic to a dead-end or a detour in the wrong
direction.
Another good example of weeding is
checking unmoderated discussion boards or guest books.
While it is important to encourage a free exchange of ideas,
candidates and parties should monitor their sites to prevent the posting
of incorrect or inappropriate material.
Likewise, it is a good idea to
eliminate outdated information, such as directions to a
fundraising event that has been completed or a challenge for debates after they
have been scheduled.
Harvest - Effective use of political
communities includes generating measurable results.
While some candidates and parties may be
satisfied with simply having an Internet presence, politics is an
industry where results are clearly measured in wins and losses.
Political Internet communities should be no different.
On-line fundraising is one of the
easiest ways to measure a web site's success. New technology that
allows secure credit card contributions is a simple way to raise funds.
Comparing the amount spent on a community to the amount it raises (both on-line
and in traditional fundraising) is one way to evaluate its success.
However, it would be a mistake to evaluate an Internet community solely
by fundraising.
Using an Internet community to
motivate voters in traditional get-out-the-vote efforts is also an important
task. Since Internet communities will most likely include users
who are not local, it is important identify both actual voters and those who can
contact local voters. With the transient lifestyle of many Australians it
is often surprisingly easy to identify personal and business contacts in
particular districts.
Another way to utilise Internet communities
is to recruit volunteers for both on-line and off-line campaign
tasks. For example, community members can recommend sites to
other Internet users, attend campaign events or simply display bumper stickers.
Reaching other Internet communities
Although building effective Internet
communities is vital to political campaigns and parties, it is not the only
requirement for on-line campaigns. Just as a campaign or party establishes
an internal organisation and also needs a plan to reach and utilise other
organisations, political Internet communities need to reach and utilise other
Internet communities.
This has profound implications on Australian
politics because the seamless integration of web sites on the Internet
completely ignores the geographic boundaries that provide the foundation of
politics in this country. As a result, candidates and parties will
need to utilise Internet communities that exist outside the boundaries where
they have traditionally operated.
Especially in federal campaigns
where candidates address issues of national or regional significance, it is
important to make sure the campaigns and parties identify existing on-line
communities that share their philosophies. Allocating a portion
of campaign budgets to reach these Internet communities will increasingly change
the dynamics of political advertising.
Likewise, Internet users will find it easier
to visit political Internet communities that cater to their specific
interests. For example, a voter concerned about environmental
matters may search for candidates who have included the issue on their web
sites. That voter may then choose to contact, support or recommend
candidates who share his/her philosophy on the issue.
However, it is also important for
candidates and parties to recognise that the rights to free political speech
will be rigorously tested by the Internet and its millions of new
sites. Understanding how and when to interact with other sites
will be one of the important lessons of the 2000 election cycle.
For example, an attempt to purchase
all domain names relating to a candidate is misguided. Instead of
attempting to control the medium, campaigns and parties should spend their
efforts promoting their own messages and following discussions of their
campaigns in other Internet communities.
While it is generally best to avoid engaging
opposing points of view, countering false, libellous or malicious
material is always a good idea. When dealing with other
Internet communities, candidates and parties should also be careful to
avoid federal election law violations by co-ordinating efforts with other
communities. Since this area is so new and regulations are still
being developed, it is generally a good idea to follow accepted guidelines for
dealing with print and broadcast media in this regard. For
example, providing campaign photos and press releases for use on other news
sites is probably fine while telling a site's owner what to publish is
not.
As the 2000 campaigns unfold amid a growing
network of Internet communities, the candidates and parties that
successful harness the power of these new social groups will have the advantage
on Election Day. Those who fail to do so will be relegated to the
textbook examples of how not to react to new technology.
This article may be quoted with proper attribution to
"Richard J. Wood, Queensland Campaign Director for the 'No' Case at the 1999
Republic Referendum".
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
5. Opinion:
The forgotten Christian holocaust Today it is little known that the Nazis targeted not one, but three groups in Poland for annihilation: the Jews, the Slavs and the gypsies. All three were regarded as inferior races. After getting rid of them, the Nazis planned the elimination of Poland's elite, and the reducing of the rest of the Polish population to ignorant servitude. Every trace of Polish culture was to go. Hitler's Viceroy in Poland said, "The Poles do not need universities or secondary schools; the Polish lands are to be changed into an intellectual desert." And so archives, museums, libraries, the press, publishing houses and art galleries were either destroyed or looted. (News Weekly, p.17. Book review of "The Forgotten Holocaust: The Poles under German Occupation 1939-1944 / Richard C. Lukas). Poland's agony was harrowing. Out of a population of 20 million, by the end of the war almost 6 million Poles, half Jews and half Christians, were killed. The reviewer makes the interesting point that while Pope John XII is still criticised for alleged anti-Semitism for his silence over the treatment of Jews, few have noted that he was equally silent over the treatment of the mainly Roman Catholic Christian Poles. The Catholic Slavs suffered the same fate as the Jews. The reviewer said, "The Jews of the Diaspora have made sure we know about their Holocaust, and don't forget it. But other actors and victims in that enormous conflict waged to the East and South East of Germany have not been served so well." Indeed. Lest we forget. Antonia +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
6. Opinion:
A tribute to a gutsy
Lady
I doubt it will be published but I sent the following letter to the Australian: Though not a member of One Nation, I made a
donation to Pauline Hanson's fighting fund. It seemed the least I could
do for the woman who breached the wall of political correctness in this
country. After her maiden speech there was an audible sigh of
relief as people heard the taboo topics - immigration, economic
rationalism, loss of sovereignty, Aboriginal affairs - mentioned at
last.
And the result? An orgy of hatred from the politically correct. Hatred so intense it resulted in verbal abuse and even physical violence against the supporters of Hanson. Clothes were torn, people spat on, punched, even felled by thugs. The right to peaceful assembly was denied to Australians, many elderly, as potential supporters were forced to run gauntlets of screaming, hysterical protestors with hate-contorted faces. At Dandenong, Keith Warburton was bashed unconscious. The media lapped it up and fuelled the hysteria with absurd headlines such as, "Cyclone Hanson endangers tourism" (WA, 12-13 / 10 / 96) and exactly a year later, "Coalition blames Keating, Hanson for loss of $ 2 bn ship deal." (WA, 11-12 / 10 / 97). Hanson was blamed for everything bar global warming and the spread of AIDS. The plethora of analyses by academics and journalists became ever more ludicrous and bizarre, clearly showing how utterly out-of-touch they were and are. The Australia-Israel Review disgraced itself in publishing the names and suburbs of members of the party under the offensive and intimidating headline "Gotcha!", leaving them vulnerable to abuse and threats from cranks. The one respected charity, Community Aid Abroad, joined forces with B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission to form "Racewatch", panelled by three eminent people. They even re-defined 'racism' to include people who believe migrants to Australia should assimilate. As they didn't out even one 'racist', clearly the un-Australian stunt was intended to intimidate people. The Victorian police also disgraced themselves by doing a deal with protestors to "allow" people stranded in a hall surrounded by a baying mob to leave under escort if the meeting was cancelled. The police told Hanson not to attend. A very black day for democracy. Australia has learned a lot about itself over the past four years since Pauline Hanson arrived on the scene, and what's been revealed is not very flattering. That a duly elected member of parliament was subjected to a constant stream of abuse, vilification, mockery, hounding, ridicule and worst of all, misrepresentation and censorship was a disgrace and the very opposite of the traditional Australian culture of the fair go. She may not be educated. She may be a poor politician and have wrong policies. She may be stubborn as a mule, and put people offside. She may have attracted whackos along with ordinary voters disaffected with the major parties. But she has physical and moral courage and in that she puts most of her most rabid opponents to shame. Antonia +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Opinion: GST Business Destruction
Starts.
The following series of letters have been forwarded to the News Report and have been repeated verbatim. The allegations contained in the letters are serious. An area of the Australian service economy, is being deliberately sacrificed by a deal concocted by the Liberals to be able to strike a deal with the Australian Democrats for the introduction of the GSY. As one of the writers makes clear is that he thought that the introduction of the GST was all about tax reform. I have to say I thought so too. Here is a clear example of others
agendas being surreptitiously put forward by those with political pull.
What both Liberals and the Democrats are doing is in breach of their
duties to the citizens of this country and should be exposed
and ridiculed. Get to work contacting politicians and bureaucrats
listed later and any other avenues that you think are appropriate.
The Editor
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Forwarded by Robert Balgarnie LINQUIP AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT Unit 6, 348 South Pine Road Telephone: (07) 3881 0686 Brendale Old 4500 Mobile: 0418 981 373 PO Box 5025 Facsimile: (07) 3881 0687 Brendale Old 4500 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 17th March 2000 Mr Robert Balgarnie The Long Plain Co. PO Box 987 INVERELL NSW 2360 Dear Robert, As a valued customer of ours, I should like to draw your attention to a recent political development that will affect our company, the livelihood of many Australians and possibly, your right to modify or improve your vehicle. The Liberal Party agreed last year to an agenda put forward by the Democrats, in order for the Democrats to agree to allowing the G. S. T. legislation. Of particular concern to us is the new ruling by regulation (as opposed to legislation), that from July 1, 2000 all used diesel engines will become a prohibited import if they are for road use. Imported engines that have a certificate of compliance with current Australian ADR Rules 30 and 70 would be exempt. This is however, theoretically and practically impossible as:-(A) most engines are imported from damaged vehicles and cannot be tested and (B) the customs department cannot specify what is a compliant certificate. In essence, probably 95% of present imports, whether for personal, commercial, road transport or farm use cannot comply. The reasoning behind the Democrats agenda is that these imported engines significantly contribute to pollution levels within Australia in general. I believe that this particular reasoning is basically flawed, despite the apparent good intent, and I ask you to read the attached letter, forwarded to our Local Federal Members of Parliament. Please note that used imported vehicles fitted with diesel engines are exempt and also that petrol engines are also exempt. I believe that the points raised in this letter are valid in their integrity and application and I urge you to contact your Local Federal Member of Parliament to voice your concerns should you agree. The GST is supposed to be about tax reform, not job losses. The parliamentary process to allow possible rescinding of this new law expires on the 10th April 2000 (approximately). The jobs of not only our staff members, but also possibly thousands of people throughout the communities of Australia could depend on your support. Please also read the attached copies of correspondence forwarded to Linquip by the M.T.A.Q. and the Diesel Engine Importers Association of Australia, and do not hesitate to contact me for further information. I look forward to your support. Yours Sincerely Signed: Lindsay Cullen Managing Director --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commonwealth department of TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL SERVICES GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone (02) 6274 7111 Facsimile: (02) 8257 2505 www.dot.gov.au Our Reference: L99/1602 Mr Tony Seimes Executive Director Motor Trades Association Queensland PO Box 3359 SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101 Dear Mr Seimes, I am writing to advise you of the introduction of a prohibited import regulation which will apply to used diesel engines designed for use in road vehicles, from 1 July 2000. As a result of the Tax Package Agreement with the Australian Democrats, the Prime Minister announced details of amendments to "A New Tax System" on 28 May 1999. The amendments included a range of environmental proposals under the heading 'Measures for a Better Environment' (MBE). One of the environmental measures is to ensure that motor vehicles retrofitted with imported used diesel engines meet current Australian motor vehicle emission standards. The proposal stated that "the import of second hand diesel engines which fail to meet current emission standards will be prohibited". The full text of the Statement from the MBE is at attached for your information. The importation of used diesel engines designed for use in road vehicles will be prohibited unless authority is obtained from the Minister for Transport and Regional Services or an authorised person of the Department of Transport and Regional Services. Permission will be granted only if it can be demonstrated by means of a test report from a competent laboratory that each engine complies with current emission Australian Design Rules. At the time of commencement of the Regulation the current Rules are Australian Design Rule 30/00. Diesel Engine Exhaust Smoke Emission and Australian Design Rule 70/00 Exhaust Emission Control for Diesel Engined Vehicles. These requirements apply irrespective of the age of the engine. It would be appreciated if you could inform your members of this new prohibited import regulation. If you have any inquiries concerning the procedures and evidence required to demonstrate compliance with the above ADRs please contact Mr Mike Kimberlee on (02) 6274 7434 Yours sincerely Signed: John McLucas Assistance Secretary Vehicle Safety Standards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 January 2000
Banned used diesel imports From: Ray Broughton - EKW (Member of Diesel Importers Association) Firstly, thank you for your response. We now have over 50 members for the Diesel Engine Importers association, and its still growing. You may be competitors or mates, you may have your likes and dislikes in this industry, you may import a few diesels a year or 100's, you may only deal in Mack diesels, or you may be dealing in 4 cylinder Japanese. But one thing you all have in common is a desire to continue to run a legitimate business that you have built up over most likely many years. Our one and main aim at the moment must be to continue the importation of used diesel engines into Australia. Like most of you I found it hard to believe that a Government could do this to an industry without any consultation or warning! In talking with Adrian at National Truck Spares, we agreed that firstly we must 1. Inform everyone concerned 2. Get as many to join as a group (association) to fight this Together with some of my staff we have spent the last 3 days sending faxes, emails and taking phone calls. Just to take some pressure off us and the 5 other importers on our flyer, I am including a quick outline with some of the facts and some government department numbers that will give you some information. Technically not all used diesels are banned. All used diesel engines that are out of a road vehicle are banned, unless each one is individually tested to the correct Australian design rules on emission (ADR 70/00) and smoke (ADR 30/00) and an import permit granted by the Transport and regional services. This is in effect a ban on 95% of used diesel imports. You should note that whilst machine diesels and marine diesel etc are still allowed into the country you can not import a diesel that has come out of a vehicle just because its intended use is on a pump etc. in Australia. So if it is not out of a machine or boat, it is banned. Customs have stated that; a.. Complete engines are banned b.. Long engines are banned c.. Short engines are banned d.. Blocks are banned You are all importers - check with your
customs agent. The customs regulation is "Customs (Prohibited imports) amendment
regulation 1999" Or Phone: Mr. Bill Henry from Customs on (02) 6275
6576
From the 1st of July no diesel engines can be imported into Australia without supplying a permit from the Commonwealth Department of Transport and regional Services (similar to that which currently applies to used vehicles). If you have any queries on how to get a permit phone Mr. Mike Kimberlee of Transport and Regional Services on (02) 6274 7434. Where did this all start? As far as I have found out (from Michael Ferguson from RE Engines, who has been aware for some months) it started with a James Whelan from the Queensland Conservation Council, who took his desire to ban diesel engines to the Democrats Senator for Queensland Mr. Andrew Bartlett who took it to the Democrat party. During the G.S.T. negotiations between Prime Minister John Howard and leader of the Democrats Senator Meg Lees, diesel bans were brought up and the Liberals who at that stage would have agreed to just about anything, threw them in. Senator Andrew Bartlett's Phone numbers are; Ph: QLD (07) 3252 7101. ACT (02) 6277 3406, Fax. Qld (07) 352 8957. ACT (02) 6277 3406 Although, unless you can give good reasons why the environment will not be harmed (and I think we can show that as efficient recyclers we overall have a positive effect on the environment) than I would not bother contacting him. Leader of the Democrats Senator Meg Lees phone numbers are; Tele. (02) 6277 3991 Fax. (02) 6277 3996 The Minister (Liberal/National Government) in charge of this is Mr. John Anderson Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Regional Services Ph. (02) 6277 7680 Fax. (02) 6273 4126 In fairness to the Government this was not their idea rather it has been forced onto them by the Democrats. The other Minister that would have an interest is Senator Robert Hill who is the Minister for Environment and Heritage. His numbers are; Ph. (02) 6277 7640 Fax. (02) 6273 6101. A good idea would also be to call your local M.P. Please advise any associated or interested parties, such as The Transport Association etc. of this problem. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
8. Life Sciences:
Global Boom in
Organics
"Organic production is heading
towards a global boom with annual growth rates worldwide predicted at between 20
and 30 per cent per annum." Why then bet on biotech and "put all our
eggs in the one basket"? Any investment advisor would council against
that! We urge support and protection of the organic sector from cross
contamination from GMO trials.
John Massey Biohazard Action Alliance ===================================================================== The US weekend magazine (the insert magazine for many Sunday papers all across the country) just published the results of a poll: 79% of Americans think there should be mandatory labelling for genetically altered foods. ====================================================================== MEDIA RELEASE Industry to Focus on Organic Dairy Boom, 23
March, 2000
The first Australian Dairy Organics Forum to plan the expansion of organic dairy production will be held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds on Tuesday, 4 April. The Dairy Organics Forum
will bring together key players from production, processing,
manufacturing and R&D to explore a national approach to issues such as
policy development, organic standards certification, technical information and
support, research and development and international trading
opportunities.
The keynote speaker at the forum will be
Patrick Holden, Director, National Soil Association, UK who will present a
global view of the organic industry. Mr Holden is the leader of the
largest organic certification organisation in the UK and has 25 years experience
as an organic dairy, vegetable and cereal farmer.
The organic foods market worldwide is currently valued at $US 11 billion. It is expected to jump to $US 100 billion in 10 years, with a major share of the growth in some of Australia's key dairy markets like Japan and Korea. "Limited production is the greatest impediment to Australia capturing a greater share of the rapidly expanding market for organic food," according to forum organiser Fiona Chambers. "In countries like Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland the consumption of organic products such as milk now make up 30-50% of market share. "Dairy has been identified as one of the sectors with greatest potential for growth by RIRDC's Australian Organic Produce Research Program. But as yet there is no national approach to developing the organic dairy industry," she said. Other speakers at the forum will include
Libby Blackett-Smith, Australia's Trade Commissioner in Japan;
Liz Clay, IFOAM World Board and Independent Certification Inspector; Scott
Kinnear, Chairman of the Organic Federation of Australia and organic food
retailer; and Audrey Schulz, Managing Director, Timboon Farmhouse Cheese which
has been producing and selling biodynamic dairy products since
1972.
According to the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), organic production is heading towards a
global boom with annual growth rates worldwide predicted at between 20 and 30
per cent per annum.
There are now approximately 8,000
organic farmers in Germany where the baby food sector is likely to soon become
wholly organic. In Egypt organic produce has become mainstream.
The biodynamic SEKEM initiative, employing about 1,000 people, delivers
its products to 7,000 pharmacies and 2,000 shops. And rapidly
growing consumer demand is also reported from countries like Argentina and
Poland.
For more information on the Dairy Organics
Forum call Fiona Chambers on 03 5441 4821.
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8. b)
Quotation: Dr Michael Antoniou, Senior Lecturer in
Molecular Pathology at a London teaching hospital says,
"The generation of genetically engineered
plants and animals involves the random integration of artificial
combinations of genetic material from unrelated species into the DNA of the host
organism. This procedure results in disruption of the
genetic blueprint of the organism with totally unpredictable
consequences. The unexpected production of toxic substances
has now been observed in genetically engineered
bacteria, yeast, plants, and
animals with the problem remaining undetected until a
major health hazard has arisen. Moreover, genetically engineered food
or enzymatic food processing agents may produce an immediate effect or
it could take years for full toxicity to come to
light." Articles Forwarded by
Veronica Griffin
Ph.D..
Kerawa Qld.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
9. Feedback:
NZ Petrol Prices and Oil
Companies
I saw this specimen on the news last night
claiming a victory against the oil companies because he announced that
the government would be looking into the prices and anti-competitive
behaviour. He is not happy they are acting like a monopoly.
Well excuse me? Those that should be living in glass houses should not
throw stones. What about the governments decision to
re-nationalise ACC? Or does dear old Jim think a monopoly
is okay, just as long as is it him in control of the aforementioned
monopoly?
A further point about the price of
petrol. If Jim wanted the prices lower for the consumers, the take some of
the petrol tax off. Half of all the price of petrol (at the
moment) is tax. I don't see the politicians announcing that fact,
or the media questioning the politicians on it either.
This letter is not supposed to infer that I
like the price of petrol, or that I don't think the oil companies should bring
the prices down. It is just illustrating that it is not just their
fault. It is the fault of Jim and his cronies in a large part,
and all the previous governments for imposing such draconian taxes on
petrol, of which very little is spent on our third world
roads.
Hamish Snowden
Forwarded by Dave Storage,
NZ.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 10. Feedback
Subject: Australia -
Guns
Some very interesting
statistics. Learn from the mistakes of others; It has now
been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced to surrender
640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed, a program costing the
government more than $ 500 million dollars. And now the results are
in:
In the state of Victoria, homicides with
firearms are up 300 percent. Figures over the previous 25 years show a
steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms (changed drastically in the past
12 months). There has been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the
elderly.
Australian politicians are on the spot and at a loss to explain how no improvement in "safety" has been observed after such monumental effort and expense was successfully expended in "ridding society of guns." Bet you won't see this data on the evening news or hear your governor or members of the state Assembly disseminating this information. It's time to state it plainly: Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws only affect the law-abiding citizens. Take note, Californians and other Americans, before it's too late! Phillip Madsen
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 11. Feedback:
Free trade? Tassie is digging in.....Tasmanian
Agriculture Minister, David Llewellyn, says the Federal government has
failed to negotiate effectively with the WTO. Peter Shelley at
the Tasmanian Food Council agreed saying, "Tasmania has built a
reputation for its clean, fresh and natural food. It's built that reputation on
our ability to maintain disease-free status on a lot of areas in horticulture,
agriculture and now aquaculture." (ABC's The World Today, 21 / 3 /
00)
An interesting constitutional argument may exist on this one. Section 51 that creates the power of the Commonwealth states that 51. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:- (x.) Fisheries in Australian waters beyond territorial limits: The implication is that there is no Commonwealth power over State Fisheries. Of course this is where the external treaties power would comes in. But this does show the danger and power of external treaties. Another interesting (non applicable ) Constitutional section on water is 100. The Commonwealth shall not, by any law or regulation of trade or commerce, abridge the right of a State or of the residents therein to the reasonable use of the waters of rivers for conservation or irrigation. Regards Kerry Spencer-Salt +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
12. Feedback:
GMO's &
Telstra
I wish to inform you of two extremely important issues affecting rural communities Australia wide:- Firstly the introduction of genetically modified organisms into Australia
My second point is the selling off of the
remainder of Telstra.
Country Victoria will suffer if the rest of Telstra is sold off, we already have "ordinary" reception there are an enormous amount of "temporary" lines in Gippsland, no real infrastructure has been put into place, leaving the purchasers (share holders) footing the bill to fix this problem, or forgetting the problem. I recently had a second line installed, and had to pay double of the "special price" for city people, as I am considered "rural" even though the connection was less then 2 km away. With little services like hospital, banking childcare, public transport, decent libraries, schools, or even television reception, I live an easy 3 hour drive from the centre of Melbourne not in outback Western Australia, a reliable telephone service is paramount. I urge you to do some research on the two matters that I have brought up, please make an informed decision, and do not rely on the advise of people who stand to make money. Yours faithfully, Sue Macphail +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Let us know what you think. Feedback is
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Antonia Feitz [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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