The Weir Proposals

 

Figure 1: Project Location Source: GHD Pty Ltd (2014)

 

The Construction of the Rookwood Weir on the Fitzroy in Central Queensland is considered a critical nation building project . Anne Stunzner from Growing Central Queensland stated that Rookwood Weir will deliver $1 billion to Central Queensland annually and generate 2100 jobs (Gately 2016).

On the pre- election campaign trail,  Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce announced the federal government would commit to $130 million in funding for the development of Rookwood Weir (Rockhampton Regional Council 2016).

However, since the election, the issue has turned into a political shift the blame game.

Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce recently joined Capricornia MP Michelle Landry in an scathing attack at the State Government for holding up the Weir projects that will eventually amount to thousands of jobs and billions  of dollars  for Central Queenslanders.

It would seem that Landry and Joyce are utilising the weir funding to frame the ALP in a negative light so if the project does not go ahead then the public will see it as Labor’s fault.

Rockhampton Labor MP Bill Byrne fought back and stated that Mr Joyce was ‘muddying the waters’ (Mesner 2016).

“When Mr Joyce announced construction funding for Rookwood Weir, it was conditional on the Environmental Impact Statement and business case stacking up. Mr Joyce was aware at the time that these processes were underway, but not finalised,” said Mr Byrne (Mesner 2106).

Currently the Environmental Impact Statement is in it’s final stages and progressing as planned (Department of State Development 2016).

ALP candidate for Flynn Zac Beers also stated that it is not appropriate to announce funding for the project until the completion of the feasibility study.

 

Figure 2: Fitzroy River Turtle Source: Fitzroy Basin Association

 

Environmental groups have voiced concern over the environmental impact of the weir on endangered species such as the Fitzroy River turtle. Capricorn Conservation Council coordinator Michael McCabe stated that “The proposed Rookwood Weir and the raising of Eden Bann will drown over 200 kilometres of riparian vegetation, damage the integrity of the natural river levees and floodplains, reduce water quality, prevent fish migration and destroy habitat for vulnerable species such as the Fitzroy River Turtle,” he said(Mckee 2015).

References

Department of State Development 2016, Current projects , viewed 22 September 2016, http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/current-eis-projects.html

 

Fitzroy Turtle 2013, digital image, Fitzroy Basin Association, viewed September 22 2016, https://www.fba.org.au/portfolio/fitzroy-river-turtle/

 

Gately, M 2016, ‘Turnbull in Rocky’, The Morning Bulletin, viewed 23 September 2016,  http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/turnbull-rocky-day-campaign-trail/3033852/#/0

 

Mckee, C 2015, ‘ Proposed weirs to be the damnation of the Fitzroy River’, The Chronicle, 20 July, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/damnation-fitzroy/2711447/

 

Mesner, K 2016, ‘Major CQ projects stalled by State Government’, The Morning Bulletin, 20 September, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/major-cq-projects-being-stalled-by-state-governmen/3091601/

 

Mesner, K 2016,’ Barnaby Joyce and Bill Byrne clash over dam delay’, The Gympie Times, 21 September, viewed 23 September, http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/barnaby-and-bill-clash-over-damn-delay/3091836/

 

Project Location 2014, digital image, GHD Pty Ltd., viewed 21 September 2016, http://blogs.abc.net.au/.a/6a00e0097e4e68883301b8d13c9b10970c-pi

 

Rockhampton Regional Council 2016, Prime Minister announces $130 million for Rookwood Weir , Media release, 26 May, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/AboutCouncil/News-and-announcements/Latest-News/Prime-Minister-announces-130-million-for-Rookwood-Weir

 

Thorpe, A 2016, ‘Beers toes party line on Rookwood weir’, The Queensland Times, 7June, viewed 22 September, http://www.qt.com.au/news/beers-toes-party-line-on-rookwood-weir/3037744/

 

Climate Change

Figure 1: Climate Change Source: kwest/Shutterstock.com

Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.

– Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

 

Climate change is a contentious and hotly debated topic that divides political parties and communities worldwide.

According to NASA (2015), ‘Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals show that 97 percent publishing climate scientists agree: Climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities’.

While the science community is in agreement, it is clear that Australia has an economic interest in the maintenance of a global fossil fuel economy given its status as the world’s largest exporter of coal (Beeson & McDonald 2013).

In the 2016 Yale University Environmental Performance Index, Australia  dropped ranks to now be placed as 150th out of 169 countries for its trend in carbon emissions from electricity generation(Yale University 2016).

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbot was quoted as saying “Coal is good for humanity, coal is good for prosperity, coal is an essential part of our economic future, here in Australia, and right around the world,” he said.

According to 350.org, Australia, since the last election The Coalition and Labor received large donations to the sum of $3.7million dollars from fossil fuel companies.

In the decade to 2014, the fossil fuel industry spent $484 million on major lobbying bodies such as the Minerals Council of Australia and Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA). This kind of money can distort the views not only of politicians, but set media agendas and influence the community (Ormerod 2016).

Figure 1: Temperature Anomaly Source: NASA 2015

 

A ReachTEL poll of 2,400 respondents in May 2016 revealed that 56% believed the government needed to do more to address climate change and 64% would vote for a party policies that plans to source 100% of Australia’s energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar ( Holmes, 2016).

The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Kelly O’Shanassy said “the vast majority of Australians recognise that we need new and powerful laws to protect the places we love from the impacts of climate change. It is clear from this poll that an increasing number of Australians support that goal on climate change grounds,” she said( Mitchell 2016).

Based on the evidence available one cannot argue with the facts. With a strong scientific consensus about the need for Climate Change action and consequences of non-action, it is in all our best interests and also of future generations that we all work towards renewable energy sources and reaching a clean carbon neutral world.

For further viewing, watch scientist Brian Cox take on One Nation’s Senator Malcom Roberts on ABC’s Q & A is excellent viewing and shows how people can twist the facts and scientific data to suit their own political agenda.

 

 

References

Beeson,M & McDdonald M 2013, ‘The_politics_of_climate_change_in_Australia’ Australian Journal of Politics and History, Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 331-348.

Climate Change n.d., digital image, kwest, viewed 8 September 2016, http://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/

GreenshackDotinfo 2016, Professor Brian Cox explains climate science to denier Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts, video, 15 August, viewed 7 September 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxEGHW6Lbu8

 

Mitchell, T 2016, Poll: Punters Are Looking For Stronger Environment Policies, viewed 8 September 2016,https://newmatilda.com/2016/05/16/poll-shows-voters-think-coalition-should-be-doing-more-for-the-environment/

 

Ormerod, T 2016, ‘Resetting the Political Moral Compass on Climate Change’ ABC, 24 May, viewed 7 September, http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2016/05/24/4468424.htm

 
Temperature Anomaly 2015, digital image, NASA, viewed 8 September 2016, http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus

 

NASA 2015, Scientific consensus: Earth’s climate is warming , viewed 8 September 2016, http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/

Yale University 2016, Yale Environmental Performance Index – 2016, viewed 8 September 2016, https://issuu.com/2016yaleepi/docs/epi2016_final

 

 

 

 

 

 

The NBN

Figure 1: NBN Source: The NBN Project

The NBN is a nation building project that will provide high capacity data communications across the nation for individuals and businesses (Parliament library 2014). The NBN has been subjected to intense political, media and industry debate since Labor first announced the project in 2009.

Labor’s proposal for the National Broadband Network (NBN) was to construct a fibre- to the premises (FttP) network with a total cost of $44.1 billion that would reach 98% of the population (The University of Melbourne 2014).

 

During the 2013 Federal Election, the Coalition released an alternative NBN Policy. Coupled with the slogan – “Fast. Affordable. Sooner.” – the policy outlined a Fibre to the Node (FTTN) network using the existing copper network. Initially the Coalition NBN project would be completed in 2019 and to cost less than Labor’s, at $29.5 billion (The University of Melbourne 2014).

According to a report by the University of Melbourne, which discusses research into the Australian media on agenda framing of the NBN coverage, there was no set agenda by the sampled media over a period of 5 years (The University of Melbourne 2014). Although, the media coverage of the NBN is almost always negative and doesn’t support any of the positives to NBN with the focus instead upon the technical, cost and management issues (The University of Melbourne 2014).

Chief executive of NBN Bill Morrow insists that the Multibillion dollar rollout of the NBN remains on target and on budget. On the ABC’s Am program Mr Morrow said that the ‘project will be complete by 2020’ and he that he remains confident that it will stick to the $49 billion budget (Ryan 2016).

For a good wrap up of the NBN politics watch The Project with Waleed eloquently explain the issue:

 

References

Department of Parliamentary Library 2014, National Broadband Network (NBN), viewed 1 September, http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201314/NBN

Just Think About It 2016, NBN The Project with Waleed Aly, video, 6 April, viewed 2 September , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMAA4XCmaNk

Ryan, P 2016, ‘NBN boss Bill Morrow says broadband rollout on time and budget’, ABC News, 9 September, viewed 10 September, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-09/nbn-boss-bill-morrow-says-broadband-rollout-on-time-and-budget/7828948?section=technology

The NBN 2015, digital image, The NBN project, viewed 1 September 2016, http://www.nbnco.com.au/blog/the-nbn-project/nbn-101-Everything-you-need-to-know-about-Australias-broadband-network.html

The University of Melbourne 2014, Framing the NBN- Public perceptions and media representations, viewed 2 September, http://networkedsociety.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1661314/Framing-the-NBN.pdf

 

 

 

Seeking Asylum

 

Figure 1: No Way Source: Australian Government

 

The world today is in a humanitarian crisis with over 21 million refugees fleeing war, terror and poverty (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2016).

Australia’s asylum seeker policies provoke debate and is a complex multifaceted political  issue  where asylum seekers are dehumanised for the sake of the Government’s agenda setting and using politics of fear so it seems, to gain votes and popularity.

How the media frames the news surrounding asylum seekers also effects the way in which the public views and responds to the issues. Positive framing from the media can shape new ideas and change beliefs leading to positive outcomes, whereas negative framing from some media can promote fear and hostile opinions (McKay, Thomas & Warwick Blood 2011).

With an increase of refugee boat arrivals and ultimately asylum seeker deaths at sea, consecutive Australian Governments have introduced policies of mandatory detention and off shore processing in both Nauru and Manus Island (Department of Parliamentary Library 2013) with the intention to “Stop the boats”.

The numbers do speak for themselves, the boats have stopped arriving in our waters . http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1516/Quick_Guides/BoatTurnbacks

 

In an effort to deter people smugglers from sending asylum seekers to Australian waters, the message from the Government is clear-

 

The government and the opposition remain firm that to discourage people smugglers, no-one will be resettled in Australia. So what do we do with the asylum seekers/ refugees currently languishing in offshore detention ?

Even though current policies do reduce boat numbers, offshore detention is ethically questionable. There are no easy answers but as a signatory to the International Refugee Convention, the Australian Government is obliged under international law to protect the human rights of all asylum seekers and to establish policies that are aligned with the Refugee Convention (Australian Human Rights Commission 2015).

In light of the recent release of the  Nauru files and the unfolding humanitarian crisis on Nauru and Manus Island, there seems to be no case for maintaining the inflexible line on resettlement and leaving 543 asylum seekers (including 70 children) to face  indefinite detention  in Nauru and 926 asylum seekers on Manus island( Australian Human Rights Commission 2015).

Refugees and asylum seekers have a lot to give to our community. As a part of a photography blog I work on called ‘ Humans of CQ’,  I have come across some amazing people with harrowing stories. I met Ali on the beach in 2015, watching his son and wife playing happily in the sea. Ali told me he had spent four hard years separated from his wife and child in offshore detention before being resettled in Central Queensland. A kind man, he seemed grateful for a chance at a good life, away from war in Iran.  Here in Australia he can play freely on the beach with his family. A simple thing us privileged and and somewhat sheltered Australians can take for granted.

Figure 2: Ali Source: Rebecca Ward (2015)

 

References

Ali 2015, digital image, Humans of Central Queensland. viewed 17 August 2016, https://www.facebook.com/humansofcentralqueensland/?fref=ts

 

Australian Human Rights Commission 2015, Asylum seekers and refugees guide, viewed 16 August 2016, https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/asylum-seekers-and-refugees/asylum-seekers-and-refugees-guide#rights

 

Australian Human Rights Commission 2015, Immigration Detention Statistics, viewed 16 August 2016, https://www.humanrights.gov.au/immigration-detention-statistics
Department of Parliamentary Library 2013, Immigration detention in Australia 2012-2013, viewed 17 August 2016, http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/2012-2013/Detention#_Toc351535443
McKay, FH, Thomas, SL, & Warwick Blood, R 2011, ‘‘Any one of these boat people could be a terrorist for all we know!’ Media representations and public perceptions of ‘boat people’ arrivals in Australia’, Journalism, vol. 12, no. 5, p. 607.

 

No to people smuggling 2013, You won’t be settled, video, 29 August, viewed 16 August 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvz3U-JOvOU

 

No way n.d., digital image, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, viewed 17 August 2016, https://www.border.gov.au/about/operation-sovereign-borders/counter-people-smuggling-communication

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2106, Global Trends: forced displacement in 2015 report, viewed 16 August 2016, http://www.unhcr.org/576408cd7

Marriage Equality

 

Figure 1: Marriage Equality Source: Libertarian Party of Oklahoma (2015)

In 2016, same sex marriage remains a strong topic of debate. At an international level, over 20 countries have passed marriage equality laws, allowing same sex couples to be legally married and thus allowing them the same freedom and legal rights as heterosexual partnerships (Australian Marriage Equality, 2015).

In contrast, same sex relationships remain illegal in 73 countries and some of these including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen even declare homosexuality as punishable by the death penalty (Nunez 2016, p. 1).

Figure 2: A World Divided Source: National Geographic(2016)

 

Australia also remains a country without marriage equality. During the recent federal election, the Australian Labor Party vowed to introduce marriage equality within 100 days (Labor , 2016).

On the other hand, the Coalition suggested a plebiscite to gauge the public’s opinion of gay marriage (Otto 2016, p. 1).

A plebiscite is drawing a lot of negative attention and can be seen as a way for the coalition to stall on the issue. A commissioned poll by Crosby-Textor suggests that over 70% of Australians currently support marriage equality (Australian Marriage Equality, 2014).

Figure 3: Crosby-Textor Poll Source: Marriage Equality Australia(2014)

 

A plebiscite is also costly – up to 500 million of tax payer’s money as reported by Keany (2016, para. 1) and as Otto (2016) suggests, a plebiscite can incite more discrimination against the gay community which can lead to have detrimental mental health effects.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has stated a case against a plebiscite due to concern for the mental health wellbeing of those who it affects. The APS said that “Recent evidence from a suite of studies confirms that the process of putting marriage equality to a public vote can be harmful to the psychological health of gender and sexual minorities” (Gridley 2015, p. 2).

The APS also recommended that since “marriage equality is a human rights and equal opportunity issue and therefore on principle, it should be a matter for Australian law and our parliamentary system, not a popular vote” (Gridley 2015, p. 2).

At home, my local federal member for Capricornia Michelle Landry was quoted as stating “marriage is between a man and a woman” (Ison, 2015). This drew some heavy backlash and debate in the community, but she was still re-elected.

Figure 4: Michelle Landry Source: The Morning Bulletin(2015)

All in all, marriage equality is a fundamental and legal right of all members of our community and to discriminate against persons on the basis of who they love and who they choose to spend their life with is simply unacceptable in our modern society.

By introducing marriage equality, it will be seen as an important step towards working to removing these prejudices and inequality towards  GLBTI  people and allowing people equal rights and opportunities regardless of their sexual orientation.

This page is an excellent resource to find out where your local MP stands on the issue and how to show support.

http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/whereyourmpstands/

 

I also found this is a good quick video to share on social media as it explains the issue in simple terms.

 

 

References

Australian Labor Party 2016, Positive Policy- Marriage Equality, viewed 10 August 2016, http://www.100positivepolicies.org.au/marriage_equality

 

Australian Marriage Equality 2016, Marriage Equality – What It’s all about!, video, 6 July, viewed 10 August 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIx1RsYf4YU

 

Carrol, A 2016, A world divided, digital image, National Geographic, viewed 10 August 2016, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/lgbt-laws-gay-rights-world-map

 

Crosby-Textor 2014, digital image, Australian Marriage Equality, viewed 10 August 2016, http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/crosby-textor-same-sex-marriage-research-2014

Francis Keany 2016, Same-sex marriage plebiscite to cost $525m, PwC modelling shows , 14 Mar 2016 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-14/525-million-price-tag-on-same-sex-marriage-plebiscite-study/7243298

 
Gridley, H 2015, APS submission popular vote on marriage, viewed 7 August 2016,  http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/2015-APS-Submission-Popular-vote-on-marriage.pdf

 
Ison, C 2015, ‘Michelle Landry not supportive of same sex marriage’ The Morning Bulletin, 27 May, viewed 10 August 2015, http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/michelle-landy-not-supportive-same-sex-marriage/2653203/

 

Marriage Equality 2015, digital image, Libertarian Party of Oklahoma, viewed 10 August 2016, http://lpalabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/issues-marriage-eq.png

 
Marriage Equality Australia 2014, crosby-textor same sex marriage research report 2014, viewed 7 August 2016, http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/crosby-textor-same-sex-marriage-research-2014

 

Marriage Equality Australia 2015, Marriage equality around the world, viewed 7 August 2016, http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/overseas-same-sex-marriages

 
Michelle Landry 2015, digital image, The Morning Bulletin, viewed 10 August 2016, http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/michelle-landy-not-supportive-same-sex-marriage/2653203

 

Nunez, C 2016, Map Shows Where Being LGBT Can Be Punishable by Law, viewed 10 August 2016, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/lgbt-laws-gay-rights-world-map

 

Otto, D 2016, Same sex marriage, viewed 10 August 2016, http://electionwatch.unimelb.edu.au/categories/policies/same-sex-marriage