Managing director of Ebono Institute and major sponsor of The Generator, Geoff Ebbs, is running against Kevin Rudd in the seat of Griffith at the next Federal election. By the expression on their faces in this candid shot it looks like a pretty dull campaign. Read on
Crime Stoppers Queensland and Brisbane City Council’s third anti-graffiti campaign cropped up early morning today in West End.
Crime Stoppers Queensland Operations Manager Jonathon Cowley told the Westender that the AU$3.1 million is spent on cleaning up public spaces and he would not be surprised if local businesses and property owners have to spend a similar total amount.
“What are we missing out on by spending AU$3.1 million removing unwanted graffiti?”
A price tag both Crime Stoppers Queensland and Brisbane City Council urge residents to help them cut.
In the pamphlet they are handing out today says that, “graffiti vandalism can make some people feel unsafe. Further, graffiti vandals can progress to other criminal activities.”
When asked what that entails, Mr Cowley says it is more the feeling that if there is a lot of graffiti in an area, what other crimes are ignored?
“Law and order doesn’t feel right in the area.”
“[That] definitely doesn’t mean that [law and order] isn’t [doing it] right, but it gives you that uneasy feeling.”
When it comes to commissioned graffiti, he says Crime Stoppers Queensland and Brisbane City Council are fine with that.
“It’s an outlet for people who are that artistic to be able to do that [legally].”
There have been discussions surrounding legal graffiti walls in Brisbane. But unfortunately the availability of such walls are limited.
At the moment they are more focused on creating workshops where people come and legally put up their own graffiti at the workshop.
The benefit, he says, of providing such workshops and legal graffiti walls is that they are less likely to get tagged.
“Those places won’t get tagged […] even though [the graffiti artists] don’t have much respect for the law and [property], they do have respect for other artists, or who they believe are artists.”
Corporate Social Responsibility is not enough to save the planet, warns global report.
University of Sydney Business School’s Steve Elliot
An international team of experts backed by the United States National Science Foundation has devised an eight point plan designed to halt unsustainable levels of environmental degradation wrought by the private sector.
The plan is contained in a report titled New Nature of Business, which has been endorsed by a wide range of environmental agencies, academic institutions, government utilities and firms including the oil giant BP, Dow Chemicals and the India based multinational Wipro.
The report, the first international cross disciplinary project of its kind to be funded by the National Science Foundation, “aims to address the lack of awareness, review the challenges businesses face and present a persuasive case for action”.
Highlighting the urgent need for action, the report’s executive summary says that the degradation of the natural world is impacting dangerously on the availability of everything from clear air to food, water and natural resources that were once abundant.
The executive summary continues by saying that the destruction of habitats is leading to a decline in species and, increasingly, to extinctions and that climate change is now a major contributor to the forces that threaten ecosystems and biodiversity world-wide.
In a forward Director of the Board of the United Nation’s Global Compact, Matthew Tukaki, says that “distracted by global transformations and local crises, business has overlooked environmental degradation and the consequent destruction of biodiversity”.
Authored by the University of Sydney Business School’s Steve Elliot, Oregon State University’s Sally Duncan, and consultant Nigel Malone, the report goes on to provide firms with a “decision-making framework” for an environmentally sustainable future.
The step-by-step framework begins with an examination of environmental awareness levels within a firm and of relevant environmental issues and continues on to the formulation and implementation of appropriate responses.
The framework also covers the identification of sustainable business opportunities.
In a section of the report “Nature is part of everything we do”, Wipro’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Anurag Behar, talks of the importance of engaging employees in the transition to sustainable operations.
“We had regular communications to build awareness, employee eco-chapters at our sites and employees proposing improvements in their areas and taking responsibility for them,” Mr Behar said. “In isolation, these may not seem significant but employee engagement and ownership are critical, they create the corporate environment and build the culture.”
In another chapter titled “Risk versus rewards”, BP’s Group Ecology Expert, Mark Johnson, says that his company identifies its key environmental challenges through its risk processes.
These processes “cover both current risks (issues which occur now and may affect our business operations now) and strategic risks (issues which are being talked about and may affect our business operations in 5 to 10 plus years),” he said.
Co-author Professor Steve Elliot says that many firms have not responded to existing environmental challenges because they are unaware of them, are uncertain of their relevance or are uncertain as to how to deal with them.
“Some firms, particularly in the services sector, do not see that they are at least in part responsible for the degradation that we see all around us,” Professor Elliot said.
“Irrespective of their sector, it’s no longer good enough for firms to adopt CSR policies that focus only on their employees or the local community,” he added. “To be good corporate citizens they must also act to protect the environment.”
Sounding a financial warning to firms that fail to act, the New Nature of Business report quotes the founder of Singapore’s Siloso Beach Resort, Ng Swee Hwa, as saying that “consumer awareness will lead to less profitability in the long run for those who do not practice sustainability”.
New Nature of Business: how business pioneers support biodiversity and ecosystem services, is available at www.newnatureofbusiness.org
The report encourages the use of www.newnatureofbusiness.org as an “ongoing source of information and a place to collaborate, contribute and share experiences” with biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) which are defined as the benefits that nature provides.
The report also invites companies to participate in developing and testing the “Decision-making framework” and to register with the website to stay abreast of BES news.
Atop the hill West of Boundary St, 98.9 is the centre of Country Music and indigenous broadcasting in West End
As part of its relentless counter reformation campaign to eliminate all forms of community service and put the corporations and churches in charge of all aspects of our daily lives, the Federal Government is proposing to cut all funding to Community Radio.
West End community radio station, 98.9 FM is an integral part of the local community, especially those who like Country Music. Brisbane’s famous 4zzzFM is not just a great supporter of live music and local culture, it has a long and powerful tradition of bringing down governments and exposing corruption, oppression and wrongdoing.
It is the effectiveness of community radio that has it firmly in the government’s sights.
A year ago, a strong grass roots campaign reversed a proposed decision by the Gillard/Rudd Government to cut funding to the program to make community radio digital. This government is planning to cut funding altogether.
In response, the Community Broadcasters Association is calling on you to take action.
Our community radio stations are at serious risk.
The Commission of Audit last week recommended that funding for the Community Broadcasting Program be scrapped. The Government is set to hand down its Federal Budget on Tuesday. If the Government adopts the Commission of Audit’s recommendation in the budget, we could see community radio stations across the country forced off air.
Will you help protect our community radio stations by emailing the Treasurer now?
We have less than five days to ensure cuts to community radio stations don’t end up in the budget.
Take a minute right now to email the Treasurer Joe Hockey and tell him that our community radio stations are too important to be put on the scrap heap.
We know that community radio is an integral part of the Australian broadcasting landscape. Community radio provides vital content for so many different communities, especially Indigenous, ethnic, seniors, youth, the vision impaired, religious, and the arts communities.
We can’t afford to lose any of the stations who provide local content that commercial and public broadcasters can’t or won’t cater for.
Help protect our community radio stations by clicking here to email the Treasurer.
Thanks for your support,
Adrian Basso, President, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and the Commit to Community Radio team
The Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee has recommended the Federal Government not proceed with proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA).
Co-Chairs of the Close The Gap Steering Committee Kirstie Parker and Mick Gooda with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Campaign Co-Chair Kirstie Parker said the proposed changes would significantly weaken protections against racial hatred.
“We know that racism makes us sick and we know that legislative protections play a key role in shaping acceptable social norms.
“One recent study from Victoria revealed that 97 per cent of participants had experienced racism in the past 12 months. Eighty-four per cent of the participants had been sworn at or verbally abused and 67 per cent had been spat at or had something thrown at them,” said Ms Parker, who also co-chairs the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
“If we are to close the unacceptable health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians, racism must be addressed. The RDA in its current form has a critical role to play,” she said.
Campaign Co-Chair Mick Gooda, who is also the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, said the evidence speaks for itself and the proposed changes should not go ahead.
“Evidence clearly demonstrates experiences of racism are associated with both poor health outcomes and health risk behaviours. Racism is linked to anxiety, depression, poor mental health, psychological distress, suicide risk, diabetes, smoking, alcohol and substance misuse and emotional and behavioural difficulties,” Mr Gooda said.
“Before making any changes to the RDA, the Federal Government should explicitly consider the evidence on the impact of racism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It must ensure that any proposed change does not have a negative health impact,” Commissioner Gooda said.
The submission details the significant evidence that links Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experience of racism with negative impacts on health.
The Close the Gap Campaign has advised the Attorney-General that strong anti-racism measures, including protections of the type currently included in the RDA, are required to combat interpersonal and systemic racism.
The submission makes two recommendations:
That the Australian Government does not proceed with introducing the Freedom of Speech (Repeal of S.18C) Bill 2014 (Cth) into Parliament;
That prior to introducing an amendment to Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), the Australian Government, utilising the existing evidence base, assess the impacts the proposed changes could have to the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and that this assessment be made publicly available.
The Close the Gap Campaign is Australia’s biggest public movement for health equality. It is a coalition of Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous health and human rights organisations.
At this year’s National Close the Gap Day approximately 150,000 people participated in 1,298 events across the country showing their support for closing the gap.
Correy Edmed remains king of the mountain after another BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge hill climb crown, held as part of Bike Week 2014.
The 34-year-old conquered the 2.3 kilometre 9 per cent climb to Coot-tha’s summit in a gut-busting 6 minutes and 50 seconds, edging out close rival Ben Cook by just two seconds.
Correy and Ben were among a field of 1,500 riders who tested their limits in the timed run up the mountain as part of the 75 and 110 kilometre routes of the BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge while a further 600 revelled in the flatter courses of the Great Brisbane Bike Ride.
The rides, organised by Bicycle Queensland, wrapped up Bike Week 2014 and bought to a close nine days of cycling fun, education and encouragement.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson said the camaraderie of the big rides day was the perfect finish to the Bike Week program.
“The purpose of Bike Week is to encourage more people to cycle more often and the response from riders new and old has been outstanding,” he said.
“From a friendly 30 kilometre spin to the 110 kilometres up Mt Coot-tha and beyond, the big rides take in some of Brisbane’s top cycling experiences and offer an entry point for those who haven’t been on a bike in a while or a challenge for the more seasoned rider.”
Mr Wilson said the Closed Streets for Kids event was a new addition to the Bike Week program and proved to be a hit with young bike riders.
“The free event gave biking youngsters control of Riverside Drive between Jane Street and the Kurilpa Bridge and it was wonderful to see the next generation of Coot-tha Challenge riders having fun on their bikes and improving their road rule knowledge and skills at the same time,” he said.
“I think the parents may have learned a thing or two as well.”
No major incidents or injuries were reported among the participants and Mr Wilson thanked Brisbane’s other road users for their patience and courtesy as the riders completed their ride.
Bassidi Koné is a renowned Malian musician of exceptional talent. He plays traditional West-African instruments like djembe, gnoni and balafon. Win free tickets to his Brisbane performance this Sunday, read this story at the westender website and leave your details as a comment. …
Joining forces with six talented Melbourne musicians, the band – Koné Express, play a fearless and foot stomping set that navigates itself effortlessly through the realms of afro-jazz, latin, trance and reggae.
“Bassidi wields through mastery of the djembe, balafon and the songs of tradition. It results in performances that exude freedom and delight audiences all over the world” – Mateja Miljacki – Producer, Samba Lolo Productions, Boston, U.S.A
Three lucky subscribers to our weekly eNews will win double passes to next Sunday’s event.
Post a comment below to be in the draw.
Dates: Sunday 11 May Time:Workshop 1:30 / Show 6:30pm
Crime Stoppers Queensland and Brisbane City Council’s third anti-graffiti campaign cropped up early morning today in West End.
When asked what that entails, Mr Cowley says it is more the feeling that if there is a lot of graffiti in an area, what other crimes are ignored?
At the moment they are more focused on creating workshops where people come and legally put up their own graffiti at the workshop.
