The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) ‘Together We Can’ campaign is reassuring if you are concerned about the climate crisis but feel overwhelmed and powerless and/or if you’ve been told that no one cares and it’s too late anyway. If you have made it onto an ACF mailing list you will […]
Jacquelene
Standing strong and rising up
Many are completely disengaged from contemporary politics but others, though fewer in number, are determined to diversify the voices in our national parliament and raise standards along the way. New Senator Dorinda Cox (Greens, Western Australia) had a great deal to say in her Maiden Speech that is worth consideration […]
Privileges Committee block shows need for federal watchdog
Community campaign network GetUp! continues to prepare for the next federal election (due before May 2022) by raising funds to pay for advertising in marginal seats. This time the refusal of the Morrison Government to refer Christian Porter’s non-disclosure of the donors behind the $1 million blind trust that covered […]
Planning forum aims to give some influence back to the community
CENTRAL COAST, NSW: A community planning forum to be held on December 11, is intended to give individuals and concerned community groups a chance to steer the planning agenda for their region. It has been argued that for the past decade NSW communities have been losing control over local planning […]
Digital platforms are publishers
The notion of platform as publisher deserves consideration when determining who is responsible for the digital undermining of everything from personal safety and wellbeing to the pillars of democratic society. By Jackie Pearson It took Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce complaining about his daughter being abused on social media for […]
Compounding crises demand new alliances
As we approach World Humanitarian Day on August 19, humanitarian crises are increasing in scale, impact and frequency and humanitarian organisations are forging new alliances to cope. In Ethiopia, for instance, women are facing the compounding challenges of growing conflict, COVID-19 and locust swarms. Kaleita Wendim is a 35-year-old mother […]
Warming up for grim news on climate change
The northern hemisphere is in the midst of a summer marked by devastating wildfires, floods, storms and, of course, the ongoing pandemic – none of which are good signs that the IPCC latest report on climate change, due for release on August 9, would hold anything but grim news. The […]
Deep concerns over military presence in south-western Sydney
With defence force personnel joining police in South West and Western Sydney, ACOSS, NCOSS and community sector organisations have expressed deep concerns and urged governments to listen to, respect and act upon the calls of local community leaders. Settlement Services International (SSI) CEO and ACOSS Board Director Violet Roumeliotis: “Many […]
What does it take to stop a coal mine?
When Centennial Coal cancelled its Angus Place coal mine application last week, five threatened wetlands in the Gardens of Stone were saved and 123 million tonnes of coal was kept safely in the ground. Chris Gambian, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council, says that’s equivalent to two years of NSW’s […]
HSC confusion is about vaccine supply no matter how you spin it
We have an over-supply of political spin in NSW at the moment and a shortage of honest leadership about a pathway out of the Delta outbreak and the mishandling of this year’s HSC is a strong case in point. By Jackie Pearson The poor old Class of 2021 and their […]