New Population group says, "Slow down - lets aim for balance rather than endless growth"

Tue, 2014-03-11 08:27 — admin
“Population Growth Slow Down” (PGSD) is a new independent Pty Ltd company run on a ‘not for profit’ basis. Its purpose is to raise both the public profile of the population issue in Australia and to lobby politicians for change.

Join Melbourne Vigil for Peace in Syria, Friday 14 March

Tue, 2014-03-11 02:20 — admin

Join hundreds of others at Fed Square to shine a light of hope for the people of Syria.

Where: The Square
When: Friday 15 March, 7pm - 8.30pm
More info: www.with-syria.org, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Syria News, the Syrian Girl Partisan's YouTube channel, Global Research, PressTV, Russia Today, candobetter.net/syria.

David Tatnall exhibition of photographs of Royal Park - "The last summer" - 11-22 March 2014

Mon, 2014-03-10 19:41 — Sheila Newman

A potential memorial to the threatened destruction of Victoria's first and most important public land, these exquisite photographs by David Tatnall will be for sale at the exhibition in large formats. The proceeds are to go to help Royal Park's legal battle against the East West link tunnel which is the force that has placed Melbourne's defining park under threat. Photographs are also for sale on-line at the website http://www.thelastsummer.org.

A Constitution for People and Country

Mon, 2014-03-10 15:39 — Matthew Mitchell
Over recent centuries in the history of the West government has been about people and people’s rights. This led to some progress – at least formally, if not in practice - in relation to the rights of individuals. Such civic protections have been enshrined in systems of law and legislature i.e in formal constitutions which limit the power of leaders/rulers over the people. Formal constitutions often follow a tradition of establishing representative parliaments, an independent judiciary and an executive (in Australia, the Government’s cabinet) or some variation thereof and linked to the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta tradition is about protecting people from summary execution, or summary jailing or confiscation of property.These protections were sometimes far from perfect. Property rights were certainly not well protected for many English villagers who were removed from their land during the period of enclosures and industrialisation. Others such as Habeas Corpus – protection against arbitrary detention – have been somewhat weakened with recent anti-terrorist laws. The main point here is that for a past few hundred years (at least) the focus of constitutions for western governments has been on protecting the rights of people (and property rights).

Speeches against the Summary Offences and Sentencing Amendment Bill (Victorian Parliament)

Mon, 2014-03-10 15:07 — admin
The most powerful thing you can do to make your Member of Parliament work on your behalf is to ask them what they did to prevent harmful legislation being passed in Parliament, then publish this information. If they did nothing they stand accused. We reproduce here the speeches made against the Summary Offences and Sentencing Amendment Bill so that Victorians can see who tried to stop this. We include some pro-Bill speeches. It seems that no-one in the Liberal Party voted against it in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill is to be debated a final time, possibly tomorrow (11/3/2014), probably within the week. (Video of protests inside)

Unions and Community Groups see democracy alert in Summary Offences and Sentencing Amendment Bill

Mon, 2014-03-10 15:05 — admin
Video inside of nearly 4000 Victorians protesting re this legislation on March 6, 2014. "We believe that this harsh legislation is completely unnecessary in a society which is continually being undermined and is struggling to maintain work and environmental standards. This legislation is a further and heavy blow to democracy placing ordinary citizens in a position of increased likelihood of coming up against the force of the law for simply using one of the few weapons left, the right to congregate to demonstrate a point." - Jill Quirk, Sustainable Population Australia This article includes an annotated first and second reading of the Bill, with links to speeches against it and to Human Rights legislation in Victoria.

The South Australian Greens are supporting Stop Population Growth Now party

Mon, 2014-03-10 09:05 — Bandicoot


The South Australian Greens have given their first preferences at next Saturday’s 15th March state election to the Stop Population Growth Now party.

In an enlightened move for the Greens, the party in SA is actually acknowledging the strong and obvious link between living standards, environmental conservation and climate change – something that shouldn't be so obscure for the rest of the party with an environmental focus!

NATO helping boost Afghan heroin production: Russia

Thu, 2014-03-06 01:18 — Geoffrey Taylor

The head of Russia's Federal Drug Control Service has blamed the US-led NATO forces for the surge in Afghanistan's drug production.

On Wednesday, Russia's drugs tsar accused the US and its NATO allies of helping a surge in Afghanistan's heroin production.

The TPP, Treaties and the Constitution

Tue, 2014-03-04 20:49 — Matthew Mitchell


Will our sovereign rights be signed away with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the TPP) Agreement? Matthew Mitchell examines the likelihood in this article. Originally posted on the Australian Independent Media Network

Deadly diarrhoea caused by wastewater on crops

Tue, 2014-03-04 10:20 — admin

This research is significant for Australians who, with government engineered population growth causing rising water costs, are attempting to recycle water in many ways. "Researchers have identified that the use of wastewater to irrigate vegetable crops, which is common across developing countries, may significantly contribute to deadly health risks such as rotavirus, a major cause of diarrhoeal diseases." (Report from Melbourne School of Land and Environment)

What population policy means to a people

Mon, 2014-03-03 21:50 — Dennis K


Talk of 'population policy', of meeting population targets, or using immigration to achieve particular growth goals conceals a much larger problem and moral issue. Furthermore, it allows people who promote such policies, or who accept them for personal benefit, to wash their hands of the moral implications that such policy has. Generally, these questions of population are seen as simply matters of numbers and resources, and it is definitely true that there are issues of numbers, space and resource management behind these. But behind all this is a larger issue, one obvious when seen, but rarely pointed out. The very acceptance of the idea that a 'population policy', or any policy or idea to that effect being implemented for economic or growth purposes creates a moral dilemma. To accept this as valid governance is to reject another idea, that of a people having the right to self determination and self preservation. That growth, or lack thereof of a nation is determined by peoples individual reproductive choices.

Getting rid of the party system and introducing referendums to Australia

Mon, 2014-03-03 11:12 — Jenny Warfe


I’m all for starting a conversation about getting rid of the party system and introducing referendums. The recent independents in Federal Parliament in my view acquitted themselves very well, despite constant attacks from many of their parliamentary colleagues. Most politicians however have made themselves increasingly inaccessible and impervious to their constituents’ views – they are now mostly irrelevant to most of us most of the time and we to them.

Disempowering Australians: Electricity privatisation (begun by Jeff Kennett) is a disaster

Mon, 2014-03-03 01:40 — admin

Inside a short video on privatisation of electricity. In 1994, the Kennett government disaggregated the SECV into five distribution and retail companies (absorbing the MEUs in the process), five generation companies, and a transmission company. Along with other state-owned utilities (such as the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria), these businesses were all corporatised, then privatised between 1995 and 1999.

The smallpox holocaust that swept Aboriginal Australia - Red hot echidna spikes are burning me

Sun, 2014-03-02 18:58 — Jim Poulter
Editor's introduction Dr Jim Poulter's learned study has revolutionary consequences for much demographic theory on Australia's population pre-European settlement. This is a deeply satisfying analysis for specialist and enthusiast alike, given its knowledgeable attention to the role of the clan and skin system in ordering fertility opportunity; its integration of climate, space and tradition into the equation; and its careful use of European data on the effects and quarantine of smallpox in the years 1789 and 1828. Anyone studying the effects of smallpox anywhere, however, cannot escape being affected by its tragic and terrifying aspect - even across centuries - and the scale of its impact. - Sheila Newman (Population Sociologist)

Abstract
Utilising both historical documentation and Aboriginal oral history, the author explores the impacts of the 1789 and 1828 smallpox plagues on Aboriginal Australia. Particular reference is made to the Wurundjeri people of the Melbourne area, where the plague entered their folklore as ‘the Mindye’. An analysis is made of the natural carrying capacity of the land for hunter-gatherer society in Australia in poor seasons and the pre 1788 population is estimated at three million people. The course of the 1789 smallpox plague along the coastal areas and inland river systems is briefly mapped. A death rate of 90% is established for populations having their first exposure to smallpox and the Australian death toll for the 1789 pandemic is estimated as at least two and a half million Australians. The original population of Woiwurung speaking people in essentially the Yarra Valley area of Melbourne is estimated at 20,000, with this being reduced to 1000 people after the second smallpox plague that began in 1828. It is concluded that the massive social dislocation and internecine conflict caused by the plague was then mistakenly seen and recorded by early settlers and historians as the ‘normal’ state of affairs. [About the Author - see end of this article]

About Ukraine

Sun, 2014-03-02 12:28 — Geoffrey Taylor

The Syrian Girl provides her insightful perspective on events in Ukraine and Venezuela in an embedded broadcast.
As with all the recent major geo-political conflicts, the Western corporate and government newsmedia is concealing the truth about Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula in the Black Sea. The protest movement which preceded the coup against the elected government included anti-semitic and russophobic neo-nazis. The coup was made possible by the capitulation of the elected Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych to the rioters on 21 March. Given the destruction and mass murder the United States and its allies have inflicted on Iraq, Libya and Syria, in recent years, the Russian Government of President Vladimir Putin has good reason to fear a country on its borders falling into the hands of such right-wing extremists openly in league with the United States and Europe against Russia.
Update, 3 Mar 2014: Camouflaged Israeli soldiers on Maidan Square: Thiery Meyssan of Voltaire Net.
Update, 2 Mar 2014: Moscow reverses roles inKiev: Thiery Meyssan of Voltaire Net challenges the view that the new government is neo-Nazi. Rather it is a classical pro-Western extreme right-wing capitalist and pro-Zionist government.
Updates: From Russia Today: Sort out who’s boss in Kiev, Crimea takes care of itself – republic's parliament speaker (2 Mar), Thousands in Moscow, St Petersburg rally in support of Russian speakers in Ukraine, 675,000 Ukrainians pour into Russia as ‘humanitarian crisis’ looms, Seriously, what? Kerry tells Russia 'you don't invade a country on completely phony pretexts', Thousands rally against 'illegitimate govt', raise Russian flags in eastern Ukraine (1 Mar), Russian senators vote to use stabilizing military forces on Ukrainian territory, Putin: Russian citizens, troops threatened in Ukraine, need armed forces' protection,, Ukrainian Navy flagship takes Russia's side – report, Ukraine nationalist leader calls on 'most wanted' terrorist Umarov 'to act against Russia', Ukraine’s Donetsk calls for referendum, votes to restore Russian’s official status, Up to 143,000 Ukrainians requested asylum in Russia in two weeks, Radical forces destabilising Ukraine must be stopped – Russia’s UN envoy, 'Russian forces in Ukraine could be a stabilizing factor in a country with no legitimate govt', By Paul Craig Roberts: Ukrainian Neo-Nazis Declare that Power Comes Out of the Barrels of their Guns (26 Feb), On Global Research: The U.S. has Installed a Neo-Nazi Government in Ukraine (2 Mar), , Ukraine Transition Government: Neo-Nazis in Control of Armed Forces, National Security, Economy, Justice and Education, Ukraine: The Lies Of Empire and the Smokescreen Of Democracy, The Geopolitical History of Ukraine (1 Mar),
Military Movements: Ukraine alleges Russian "Invasion" of Crimea as Obama warns of "Costs", Ukraine and the "Politics of Anti-Semitism": The West Upholds Neo-Nazi Repression of Ukraine's Jewish Community (26 Feb), The Road to Moscow Goes Through Kiev: A Coup d’Etat That Threatens Russia (25 Mar), Democracy Murdered By Protest: Ukraine Falls To Intrigue and Violence (24 Feb).

First verification of genetic variation mechanism in humans

Thu, 2014-02-27 21:47 — admin

Epistasis, the interactive effect of two or more genetic mutations in the genome, influences the expression of genes in human populations in a world first study published in Nature by researchers at Queensland Brain Institute (QBI).
Scientists at the QBI and the UQ Diamantina Institute have found that epistasis – the long debated effect of whether mutations interact with each other – exists throughout human populations. This could be applied when treating diseases including Alzheimer’s, after 16 independent pairs of polymorphisms were shown to have an epistatic affect the expression levels of TRAPPC5, a gene known to be involved in the disease.

Victorian Budget: GSP +1.5% BUT population +1.7%

Thu, 2014-02-27 21:06 — ilan
The Victorian state budget was released today. The estimate for gross state product growth is 1.5% and population growth at 1.7% Note forecast for population growth has been raised to 1.7% for outlook period (until 2016) compared to 1.6% for previous budget. 0.1% seems tiny, but that is a 6.25% increase. No one is pointing out that per capita Victoria is going backwards.

Why the Party system won't allow us to push for major immigration reform

Thu, 2014-02-27 20:25 — tim

Only in Canada you say? Perhaps you have wondered, like me, why--- given the substantial number of Canadians who have consistently told pollsters that they want lower immigration levels---there isn't a single MP in any party who will take up their cause. Not one. At least four MPs from two different parties in the UK have done so, and in Australia, Labor MP Kelvin Thomson has loudly spoken out for lower population numbers and a cut in migration levels. But there is not a whisper about reducing immigration numbers from the trained seals on either side of the aisle in Canada's House of Commons. Why not?

Mainstream 'Environment' groups still fudge population matters

Thu, 2014-02-27 12:35 — Sheila Newman
"Which environmental NGOs are willing to say anything about population? The simple answer is: ‘Not many, and not much’ - and even those who are, only when pressed and with extreme caution," writes UK population author, Jonathan Porritt. Inside read the report on survey responses and find links to more detail.

Kew Cottages pre-State election Meet the Candidates Annual Public Meeting

Thu, 2014-02-27 02:20 — Sheila Newman

You are Cordially Invited to Kew Cottages Coalition Inc. Annual Public Meeting at the Kew Civic Centre, 8pm Tuesday 18th March 2014 (Details and Melways Reference at end of this article). Kew Cottages Coalition Inc. presents "Kew Cottages and the Victorian State Election: A Midsummer Night's Public Meeting" with MC Rod Quantock

Former Shire President, Richard Hughes, speaks at Hanging Rock defense day

Wed, 2014-02-26 15:42 — Sheila Newman
Video inside story.Richard Hughes gives a short, eloquent history of what residents achieved to safeguard the Rock with a buffer zone and to encourage native flora and fauna. He points to the 1993 report by the Loder & Bayly Consulting Group [which we make available below], who were commissioned by the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve Committee of Management to prepare a Landscape Management Plan for the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve. (We cite from this document and link to the original.) Also in here a description of soils and geology of Hanging Rock.

Australian Politician, Kelvin Thomson, warns Left is losing the war everywhere

Wed, 2014-02-26 12:52 — admin
The political left-of-center is losing the war; learn from Scandinavian states "We are losing the war. And by we, I mean the politically left-of-centre; I mean the Labor Party and other social democratic parties around the world, I mean the trade unions, and I mean the environmental movement. We sometimes win battles, but overall we are not winning. I repeat, we are losing the war. We sometimes win elections, but usually on the terms of our opposition. We are in office, but not in power. And at all times we are fighting defensive, rearguard actions to protect the things we have achieved and built up—the social welfare safety net; industrial relations and workplace rights and protections; environmental protections and national parks; publicly owned assets; rules against the abuse of market power. Our opponents are emboldened and enjoy unprecedented media power." From a speech by Kelvin Thomson in the Australian Federal Parliament on Monday 24 February 2014 [1]

Syrians show their support for President al-Assad in popular demonstrations

Tue, 2014-02-25 21:25 — admin
A link to the video, embedded below, was posted to a FaceBook discussion started by Samantha Power, US Ambassador to the United Nations with the comment, "Sorry Miss Ambassador but I don't see in this recent video taken on February 2014 that people are rejecting Assad".

Miranda Returns - Anne Lambert speaks up for Hanging Rock 2014

Tue, 2014-02-25 12:32 — Sheila Newman

Video inside story.Anne Lambert, who played Miranda, the girl who disappeared at Hanging Rock (1975 film called Picnic at Hanging Rock) returned on 23 February 2014 to speak to concerned environmentalists, regional residents and visitors at a Respect the Rock activism day. People who live near the rock are worried about development plans announced by the local Shire which would change the natural beauty of this place and alienate it from ordinary people and encourage over-use which would threaten the many native animals and plants that enjoy this beautiful and mysterious place. Update: Changes to comments as to who is proposing the new developments. See notes at end of article.

Overpopulation and industrial farming - city dweller tells of battery chicken factory night raid

Tue, 2014-02-25 11:50 — Anonymous


Paul McCartney famously said ‘if slaughterhouses had glass walls everyone would be vegetarian.’ Although I visited a factory farm and not an abattoir (more of a hard labour camp for chickens) and I was already a committed vegan before visiting, the experience certainly cemented my position on animal rights.

Pro-United-States coup in Ukraine

Tue, 2014-02-25 09:03 — admin

'Peaceful' protestors opposed to now deposed President Yanukovych pepare assault on police units, 3 Feb 2014
Under the control and in the presence of US diplomats, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine carried out a coup d’état, on 22 and 23 February 2014.

Youth Unemployment at "Crisis Point"

Mon, 2014-02-24 09:45 — PostGrowthEra


Youth unemployment has reached crisis point in Australia, the Brotherhood of St Lawrence says, as it releases an analysis of the latest official figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The number of young Australians out of work has reached ''crisis point'', as more 15 to 24-year-olds struggle to find jobs in the ripples of the global financial crisis.

The Age: Youth unemployment reaches crisis point says Brotherhood of St Laurence

United States attempts to overthrow popularly elected government of Venezuela

Sun, 2014-02-23 21:05 — Bandicoot
Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in marches for and against President Nicolás Maduro's government Saturday, as the nation's massive divide became ever more evident. Maduro succeeded late leftist icon Hugo Chavez last year, with the country's economic problems at the heart of often violent marches that have left 10 people dead and scores injured.

Government Firebugs threaten old forest at Victoria's Cape Liptrap Coastal park

Sat, 2014-02-22 01:27 — Sheila Newman
"Set aside by local farmers in the 1950s, the Waratah Bay section of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park has been free of fire for 80 years - regrowing fern gullies on old sand dunes with some very old bush high in the catchments of its myriad creeks. Sheltered from northerly winds the section from Waratah Bay to Bear Gully supports this now isolated bush, which in turn supports lyrebirds, wombats and bandicoots. It has not been the source of any fires for 80 years and it gets wetter as it gets older. It may be that we do not have to burn the bush all the time to be safe - in some cases burning the bush may increase its flammability and dry it out. Best to look before we burn - watch the video and write and ask for more time" writes Owen Roberts, under this video on youtube.

Prices rise to absorb increases in income - Article by John Kosy

Fri, 2014-02-21 15:59 — admin
Here is a story that explains this concept. Thanks to our contributor, Matthew Mitchell, for alerting us to this brilliantly simple analysis of our current problem, originally published as a comment here. It is a skilled, yet easy to understand, critique of economic theory that underpins todays political policy and the similar adverse impact of globalisation on places as far away from each other as Bangladesh and Australia.
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