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
The CCIQ strategic plan will roll the brand out into the suburbs
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, QICC, is working with local chambers of Commerce seeking accreditation to deepen its reach into local communities.
According to the QICC, the top two purposes of this program are to
reposition CCIQ as a vibrant and vital organisation by aggressively promoting and reinforcing it with all stakeholders, and
Introduce a compelling regional chamber value proposition that will see a consistent brand and position adopted across Queensland
For local chambers this means significantly better access to CCIQ resources, participation in CCIQ programs and, hopefully, better access to the corridors of power.
The Brisbane West Chamber of Commerce and Kenmore & District Chamber of Commerce are in the process of dissolving their current structure to reform as CCIQ – Brisbane West. The Brisbane West membership has already voted to proceed with the merger and the Kenmore group formally announced plans and a special general meeting for November 17th to vote on the issue.
Businesses in 4101 are generally covered by Business South Bank, West End Traders Association, the South West Chamber of Commerce or a combination of those groups. An overview of the local chambers with links to their websites is provided on this site.
Jo Bragg (l) and Michelle Maloney (r) of the Environmental Defender’s Office flank Andrew Paterson of Quantum Breakthrough.
Campbell Newman claims to be reluctantly in his suppot for his Attorney General’s current attack on the fundamental principles of law, but the raft of legislative change being rammed through parliament is better described as enthusiastic.
Solicitors from the West-End based Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) crossed the river last night to bring the Sustainable Engineers chapter of Engineers Australia in Spring Hill up to date on the implications of the unwinding of thirty years law in the so called reduction in “green tape”.
EDO chairwoman Michelle Malone addressed the incredible paradigm shifts in fundamental legal principles that are taking place as grass roots movements form mechanisms to overcome the global attack on the environmental protection laws.
Senior solicitor Jo Bragg focused on the harsh reality of the incredible roll back of environmental protection that is currently taking place in Queensland.
Despite their regular work as environmental engineers and passion for the environment, many of the engineers in attendance had no idea of the scale of the legal battles taking place in and about the legal framework.
The recent Westender article http://westender.com.au/coal-water-battle-comes-to-west-end/ about the Alpha Coal court case that pits a community group against the might of Hancock Coal is one example of the Environmental Defender’s work and the problems we face.
That mine site will cover 65,000 hectares of the Galilee Basin (next to Clive Palmer’s China First coal mine) and the pits themselves will cover 20,000 hectares. Stradbroke Island is 17,000 hectares in size so we are talking about a series of holes in the ground larger than that enormous island.
The community group is opposing it on the ground that the mining company cannot dig a hole that size without impacting on the water table on which the local community depends (not to mention the environment that supports them and their livelihood.)
One of the changes which the Newman government is pushing through parliament right now is the removal of the rights of people and community groups to bring cases like this to court. What is not widely understood is that, generally speaking, people or community groups do not have the right to prosecute alleged criminals for breaches of the law. The EDO has fought hard to include such rights in recent environmental laws.
The Queensland Government is tearing up 13 pieces of environmental legislation and replacing the Sustainable Development Act with the Queensland Planning for Economic Development Act. This is one aspect of the government’s campaign against Green tape.
As part of these changes the minister for planning will have the final say on a whole range of rulings with the Environmental Protection Authority reduced to an advisory capacity.
Jo Bragg has clocked up an incredible 20 years at the Environmental Defender’s Office, and points out that limited as these laws have been, it is the hard work of thousands of volunteers in hundreds of community groups that have achieved those results.
“We simply need to ramp up the fight,” she said.
Michelle Maloney explains the unique role of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance
Michelle Maloney took a more philosophical approach explaining the underpinnings of the movements by local communities around the world to take the development of law into their own hands and reverse the onus of proof.
She fronts Earthlaws.org.au which highlights the efforts of CELDF in the USA and other groups around the world who are simply asserting their right to a healthy environment and are finding ways to challenge any organization that endangers that.
As many people have found out the hard way, the legal framework essentially protects property and the rights of property owners. Since corporations claimed the same rights as human individuals in the late nineteenth century (after a concerted campaign over many decades – well documented in Ted Nash’s Corporate Gangs of America) they have regularly asserted their right to trade without interference as protection from regulation that attempts to restrict their activity.
Underpinning these shifts in the legal focus is a philosophical movement that challenges the central role of humanity in most social, philosophical and religious frameworks. This is a view that underpins movements as diverse as Deep Ecology, Sea Shepherd and most indigenous cultures and differentiates them from our hierarchical, growth driven view of the world.
She referred to the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, the agreement between the Crown and the Whanganui River in NZ and the recognition of the Rights of Nature in the 2008 constitution in Ecuador as outgrowths of this movement that are setting legal precedents.
Michelle Maloney’s Earth jurispudence slide
Michelle cited philosopher Thomas Berry as a major inspiration for many of the proponents of this movement. She recommends his book Great World as the easiest and most powerful introduction to this world view.
From a legal point of view the shift is from a anthropocentric view of the world to what is generally called earth jurisprudence. She has synthesized the major shifts into five categories.
Subject human laws to “higher” laws that refer to the source of our creation (science, religion, …)
Replace the notion of nature as a commodity with the idea that there is a community of interconnected subjects with legal rights. (legally a “subject” has the right to representation)
Give nature (animals, rivers, trees) similar rights to humans, and those currently claimed by corporations.
Replace pro-growth economic and political systems with those that recognise and respect natural limits.
Replace legal definitions that exclude (or dismiss) cultural diversity/indigenous values with a democracy that encourages diversity.
The range of reactions from the engineers present reflect the gulf between this view and the status quo, but also the power they have to generate enthusiasm and new ideas.
Dick Desert is smokin’ hot in front of the Desert Blues … a live and dirty backing for Vamp n BurnLola the Vamp will weave together a series of improvisations at Vamp and Burn in the Old Museum (pictured)
Vamp n Burn is coming to the Old Museum on Saturday 2nd of November after a successful first season at the Spiegeltent in Melbourne. It is a unique cabaret show where a bevy of local and interstate burlesque dancers improvise to the live blues of Desert Blues Cartel.
Desert Blues Cartel will perform their dirty blues, setting the scene for host Lola the Vamp, and some of Australia’s finest burleque performers who will improvise over the New Orleans style blues. All this and more at 8pm Saturday 2nd November at the Old Museum.
Hairdresser and businessman Stefan Ackerie was honoured at the 2013 Lord Mayor’s
Stefan’s needle is a lasting memorial to the acheivements of this local icon
Business Awards while other winners included Australia’s leading diversified alternative asset manager, a national retail chain founder, a pizza company and a digital publisher.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the awards celebrated the achievements and contribution made by the business community to Brisbane’s $135 billion economy.
“The awards reward and celebrate companies that are champions for Brisbane’s growth industries and inspire others to become business leaders,” he said.
“The city’s economic growth would not be possible without a bold business community ready to embrace innovation, world markets and new technology.”
Cr Quirk said Stefan Ackerie received a special Lifetime Achievement Award – a new category for the awards and created to acknowledge businesspeople who have served Brisbane throughout their career.
“Stefan has been tireless in his work for Brisbane over more than three decades and earlier this year was named a Queensland Great,” he said.
“This award recognises the enormous contribution he has made at a business and community level.”
CEO of economic development board and awards organiser Brisbane Marketing John Aitken said the 2013 awards attracted a record number of entries.
“As the city’s economic development board, Brisbane Marketing fosters growth in key areas reflected by the categories of the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards,” Mr Aitken said.
“The awards reward and celebrate companies that are champions for Brisbane’s growth industries and inspire others to become business leaders.
“Brisbane is Australia’s new world city and our innovative, entrepreneurial business community leads the way in creating a dynamic economic environment and setting a benchmark for other cities in the Asia Pacific region.
Annerley fire fighters at a different scene in the hilltop suburb
For rescuing three dogs who were trapped in a burning veterinary clinic, the firefighters of the Annersley Station of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service will receive a Compassionate Fire Department Award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia.
The fire on Station Road in Sunnybank started in a newsagency and quickly spread to the clinic. Three dogs were trapped inside until firefighters rescued them. They carried one dog, a 40-kilogram Rottweiler, out on a stretcher. For these efforts, the fire and rescue service will receive a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation from PETA.
“The compassion and heroism shown by members of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service are truly an inspiration”, says PETA Australia Director of Campaigns Jason Baker. “Brisbane residents are very fortunate to have emergency service personnel who are ready to protect and serve both residents and their beloved animal companions.”
Leading projects firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is hoping to raise $20,000 for Community Plus as it competes in the Santos GLNG Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge in October.
With 20 staff participating in the 100-kilometre ride, SKM is “cycling the talk” and living by its ethos of delivering a positive impact on the communities in which it operates.
SKM has a strong partnership arrangement with West End Community House (WECH), working closely with WECH to support a range of community initiatives and events.
SKM’s Hope Stevens acknowledged the many benefits of the close relationship with WECH. “We’ve shared a lot of information about our respective organisations, discussed various models of corporate citizenship, what we’re both seeking from a partnership and the many ways we can work effectively together,” she said.
Participating in the ride is the latest initiative to support WECH, and a great way for SKM staff to give back to their local community.
“We are proud to participate in this community event as it is not only a great team building event for staff, it will also make a big difference to the community partner we are supporting; that’s a strong incentive and will make us pedal harder for sure!”
About Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading projects firm, with global capability in strategic consulting, engineering and project delivery. It operates across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, deploying some 7,500 people from more than 40 offices. www.globalskm.com
About Community Plus (West End Family Care Services Incorporated)
Community Plus provides active centres to support strong communities within Brisbane’s inner south, including West End Community House, the Yeronga Community Centre, Annerley Community Service, the Kurilpa Kiosk and the Croquet Club Community Hall.
