Legislation
The Australian Senate is currently debating the Government’s Clean Energy Future package and will shortly vote on these historic reforms.
Earlier this week, during debate on the legislation, I spoke about the unrivalled natural beauty of the Australian environment and landscape and of our profound relationship with the land on which we forge our lives.
We are a unique nation, and our identity stems from our landscape. We have developed our character through our values. We believe in mateship, we believe in backing the underdog and, importantly, we believe in a fair go.
Continue reading "Carbon pricing is about more than a warm, fuzzy feeling" »
The exhaustion and anger that came with getting Mabo laws through Parliament nearly 18 years ago are set to be repeated with the carbon pricing legislation.
Maybe even magnified, establishing a new record for bitter, marathon debate.
We will see whether a new record will be set when the bills are introduced next month, but already the Government is drawing up strategies it hopes will see carbon pricing become law by the end of the year.
Continue reading "The real carbon fight is only just beginning" »
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Obob says:
How The Leftists/Warmists Prevent The AGW Scam From Being Exposed It’s easy to manufacture a consensus with that much money and power. Our means of determining truth has reverted to political authorities and their pet “scientists” declaring what is true, denying the evidence, and reviling the unbelievers. The trick is… Read more »
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The Claw says:
Bev - if you’re relying on “3 to 4 generations of improving efficient power generation”, I assume you’d be in favour of a modest levy on carbon emissions to fund research into such improvements. Say, something in the ballpark of $23 a tonne? A small levy like that, which would… Read more »
In the wake of New York’s historic decision to legalise same sex marriages, I find myself increasingly frustrated by the Australian Government’s refusal to provide Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) to same sex couples who wish to wed overseas in countries that recognise marriage equality.
As someone who is considering marrying their partner overseas, I am personally affected and outraged by this bureaucratic bigotry.
Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage are designed to assure foreign governments that the applicants can legally be married overseas; they confirm that applicants are of marriageable age, aren’t closely related to each other and aren’t currently married in Australia.
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Connor says:
That’s part of what was so scary about Huckabee; he’s etemerxly likeable and until you hear his stance on any number of issues you might think of him as medieval.Dennis Read more »
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Maria says:
Nick,It is no more sbivectuje of Anne to attach her religion and values than for you to attach your values to the debate- whether they be arguments of equlaity or rights, they are values. The only way into a meaningful discussion, or action on SSM is to ACCEPT other people’s… Read more »
As a parent of a gay man and National Spokesperson for Parents with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons (PFLAG), I am encouraged by the most recent Galaxy Poll taken showing that 75 per cent of Australians “believe marriage for same sex couples is inevitable”.
This poll agrees with another Galaxy Poll taken a few months ago that showed 62 per cent are in favour of allowing same-sex marriages, and a NewsPoll that showed 65 per cent don’t have a problem with it.
But still MPs are hesitant to take the step. When I meet with them in Canberra and ask “why?” so often the answer is “fear of the religious minority and possible loss of votes at the next election.” At least they are honest. But is this a good reason to keep discriminatory legislation in place? I don’t think so.
Continue reading "Government out of step with people on gay marriage" »
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Frank says:
Yeah , first off there’s no god or gods and the bible is pure fantasy and a furphy , because of this you just can’t reference them in arguement. In the context of for or against gay marraige the word inevitable is miles closer to pro gay marriage than any… Read more »
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Errol S Nilson says:
I will not believe that 75% of normal Aussies agree with gay marriage the polls if true must have been done on a selected area of gays. It is not natural and is against the order of nature!!! These gays are always in the news pushing their unatural views from… Read more »
Sharia should never be part of Australian law. In fact, Australian authorities should be making more concerted attempts to get to grips with sharia law as it is already practised in Australia, and to make sure that the benefits of a secular democracy are better understood in migrant communities.
First of all, though, let’s just be clear that what the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has proposed in its submission to a multiculturalism inquiry is not about stoning women for adultery or lopping off hands for stealing. What they’re talking about – at this point – is family law; divorces and marriages.
And when AFIC says (in today’s news reports) that they want Government support for a wider spread of schools and halal shops to stop ‘enclaves’ forming, they’re not talking about empire building, but about community support.
Continue reading "I hear ya on sharia, but please no hysteria" »
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Kevin Hicks says:
The trouble is Sharia Law is against all we believe in Australia Sharia4Australia Personally I ask Muslims here, in Australia what is their plan? Are they going to continue to reside here,weakened, oppresed without declaring their intentions, or are they working on ‘shari’ah by stealth’?, or are they going to… Read more »
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Jaydee says:
Really interesting to read everyone’s comments.I was born and raised in a country of 26 cultures and languages, for 32 years - I have lived here for 42 years & and am very happy to conform to this country’s laws.The laws are fair and good for all. Where I came… Read more »
The latest move by the Federal Government to make smoking a habit of the past is the latest salvo in the rapid expansion of the nanny state.
Recently the Health Minister Nicola Roxon re‑announced the government’s intention to force tobacco companies to adopt plain packaging for all cigarette brands.
From next year, smokers will be greeted with a standard olive‑green packet emblazoned with graphic health warnings screaming that “every cigarette is doing you damage”.
Continue reading "Nanny state’s thriving on tax harvested from smokers" »
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Josh says:
...Most narrow minded opinion ever, think about the raise in crime because children cant eat because their parents spent 400$ in a week on smokes.. goto another country and spend 4$.. the government is just trying to revenue raise because of all the mismanaged money they have lost in the… Read more »
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Jeremy says:
Try doing some research before you speak James… It is a fact the revenue raised well and truely pays for all of the hospital costs…. IT IS A MYTH that it doesn’t… It is a means of scarring non-smokers into fighting the cause by deception…. Tails I agree with your… Read more »
Smokers. The unthinkable may become a disagreeable reality. Smoking may be banned in private homes and apartments.
Scoff if you like about improbability of home smoking bans. How they would not only be unfair but unenforceable. Dismiss the concept as ridiculous.
Huff and puff about civil liberties, individual freedom of choice and the home being the family castle. Thump the table about government interference and intervention. About the spidery intrusion of the nanny state. But ignore the looming reality at your peril. The smokers’ nagging fear, that their final bastion will be invaded by smoke police, is already here.
Continue reading "The cigarette police are coming to get you - at home" »
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Parly says:
I’m glad smokers and non-smokers alike finally understand that secondhand smoke poses a dangerous health risk to everyone and needs to be banned from multi-family dwellings. It can’t be contained in the units and costs everyone $$ in health costs and shortened lives. It’s about time! Read more »
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Kev says:
Second hand smoke affects me as it seeps into my apartment. Just now recovering from a week off work due to chest infection brought on by smoke. The only exposure to cigarette smoke I have is in my home, the one I’m paying off with more than half my income.… Read more »
Justice may be blind, but many Australian farmers find the scales are tipped against them as they struggle to come to terms with a growing minefield of environmental regulations on top of other natural enemies.
They are not fighting the concept of land management, but the way in which their properties can be ‘locked up’ or confiscated without proper compensation. They can be prosecuted for something suddenly illegal under frequent amendments to vegetation laws which can be applied retrospectively. The farmer is virtually presumed guilty until innocence can be proven, often at great expense.
Those who live in cities and urban areas might find this difficult to comprehend. The following events are more suited to a communist dictatorship but they happened in our “free country” …
Continue reading "Laws of the land create an unjust environment" »
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sam says:
I would like to see people acknowledge where all the weeds came from in the first place? would like to see the alpine cattle graziers clean up the mess they have created, we have weeds at the top of our catchments thanks to the introduction of a foreign species, we… Read more »
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sam says:
its not nice when people just take your land is it, we have short memorys in Australia, if its a crime now then its always been a crime Read more »
Dr Phillip Nitschke’s pre-emptive move to set up a euthanasia clinic in Adelaide shows he has missed the purpose of the legislation before the Parliament.
The Criminal Law Consolidation (Medical Defences – End of Life Arrangements) Bill 2011 is purely aimed at giving a family doctor who has a long history with their patient the ability to use this legislation as a defence against a criminal charge should the medication given to their patient at the request of the patient result in the patient’s death.
The legislation does not legalise voluntary euthanasia. The legislation does not legalise assisted suicide.
Continue reading "Euthanasia clinic: A publicity stunt that muddies debate" »
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True Believer says:
@Stephen Thank you for a well-balanced post and telling it how it is. People who have done evil things under the guise of “being Christian” have caused much harm to many. They do not represent our Lord who never preached hatred or murder. He told us to love our enemies.… Read more »
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Elphaba says:
Regardless of why people believe you should or shouldn’t have the right to end your life, and what influences their beliefs, I agree, the option should be made available for the individual to choose. I’m sorry that your formative years were poisoned by the disgraceful representations some people think passes… Read more »
I appreciate the high standard of human rights we enjoy in Australia just as much as the next person. But when it comes to the possession of illegal substances, I think it’s better to be presumed guilty rather than innocent, even if it intrudes on our basic right to a fair trial.
In 2008, solicitor Vera Momcilovic was convicted of trafficking ice found in her apartment, despite her claims that the drugs were her boyfriend’s and she knew nothing about it.
Now she’s challenging the legitimacy of the state’s drug laws in the High Court, claiming the Victorian Charter of Human Rights effectively invalidates them because they remove the presumption of innocence.
Continue reading "On drugs: Suspend rights and consider them guilty" »
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John says:
Emily Portelli = ignoramus Read more »
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Roselyn says:
I find it aazming that you will go to all that trouble to put yourself in a mind altering state. First you might have a “panic attack”, severe headache, nervous, shacky, anxious for 20 minutes of being really stoned. Yeah, sounds like a really great time. Why don’t you just figure out what… Read more »
I recently wrote a letter of complaint to my local library.
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to lodge an official complaint with your management team regarding the horrible amount of noise that emanates from your establishment. I recently bought “A Touch of Frost” on DVD and your supposed “place of learning” has made it increasingly difficult to enjoy my purchase.
I constantly have to turn up the volume to drown out the hideous thumps coming from the library. Overwhelmed by this outrageous sound, I yesterday visited the building to investigate it. It has come to my attention that people are closing their books too loudly.
Continue reading "Hey complaint-lodgers, just soundproof your house" »
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taurfage says:
you must read <a >plus size bridesmaid dresses</a> to your friends Read more »
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Connie says:
Sounds like a hypochondriac noheibgur, certain noises get amplified in their weak brains. You could launch a complaint to the caretaker also.. this time do it on pc print out, suggesting noheibgur has a medical condition.This reminds me of our former noheibgur who pulled 3 steel wires (for laundry) from… Read more »
I once heard a story about a prostitute and a man who claimed to be her husband.
The prostitute, a middle-aged woman had complained about a car that was constantly parked outside her place of work and even sometimes as she made her way home.
Several weeks later, the car was spotted but when the man inside the car was approached and asked why he was parked there, he immediately started to cry. Pointing to the window of the brothel he said, “My wife is in there.”
Continue reading "Bringing sex workers out of the shadows" »
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Gerard says:
I can’t take seriously anyone who uses the term “sex worker”. Politically correct euphemisms do nothing to advance the cause of truth or justice. Prostitution exploits not only women but also the men who are seduced by its filthy lures, and probably in much greater numbers. It’s a degradation of… Read more »
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Rebecca says:
@ Zeta: “The Scarlet Alliance does a great job of representing the interests of individual prostitutes, but they’re not the solution to better sex industry policy. They should be viewed more like an especially left leaning Union. Good to consult with, good to access the views of workers, but not… Read more »
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