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Category: News
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This has been the week from hell for Tony Abbott and his Government. Bill Shorten
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URGENT: LNP Supreme Court action against GetUp How to vote cards
Click here to enable desktop notifications for Gmail. Learn more HideMore1 of 20Web ClipForbes.com: Most popular stories – New Pew Survey Shows The Public Disagrees With Scientists On GMOs, Climate Change – 5 hours agoURGENT: LNP Supreme Court action against GetUp
Inboxx Sam R – GetUp!
1:02 PM (2 minutes ago)to meNEVILLE.We need your urgent help.
Voting has just opened in Queensland, and Campbell Newman’s LNP’s lawyers have applied for a Supreme Court injunction to stop us handing out our how-to-vote cards.
Right now, hundreds of GetUp volunteers are handing out cards telling people to put the LNP last, but if we lose this Supreme Court action we’ll have to stop.
We need to fight it, and we have to do it fast. We can only do it if we know we have enough money to fight the injunction in an urgent court action, and fight any appeal that may arise.
Can you fund our urgent fight in the Supreme Court? https://www.getup.org.au/supremecourt
If the case doesn’t go ahead or we raise more than we need, we’ll offer you a full refund. If you don’t want a refund we’ll put that money straight into the Reef Legal Fighting Fund.
It’s still morning in Brisbane, and the majority of voters haven’t yet hit the polls. This is likely to be one of the closest finishes in Queensland history, and having our how-to-vote for the Reef cards could make all the difference.
This is exactly what it sounds like — a cynical ploy to silence us on election day. It’s a dirty, desperate attempt to cling on to power in an election set to go down to the wire.
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The John James Newsletter 43
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Web Clip ESPN.com – Hernandez trial, Day 2: Testimony resumes – 1 hour ago
The John James Newsletter 43
Inbox x John James
6:07 AM (3 hours ago) The John James Newsletter 43
31 January 2015Syria jokeHow can you say that al Qaeda doesn’t have an air force? They have the Israeli air force.
The Anti-Science Climate Denier CaucusThe 38 climate deniers in the Senate who have publicly misrepresented the science behind global warming have received from the fossil fuel industry received an average of $73,300 each, while the 62 who haven’t denied the science have received an average of $18,400. In the House on average deniers took $273,000 from coal, oil and gas interests while the rest took $80,100.http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/08/3608427/climate-denier-caucus-114th-congress/
The Strategy Behind Israel’s Attack on Iran and HizballahIsrael appears to prefer that the Syrian army, Hizballah and Iran remain trapped in an endless struggle against the opposition – whatever their hue – that saps their resources and military strength, leaving Israel to control the playing field. Hizballah, by contrast, has every reason to want to cement its position in southern Syria. Sunni opposition forces now control both the border with the Golan Heights, giving them access to Israel, and with south Lebanon, home to much of Lebanon’s Shia majority and Hizballah’s heartland.http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article40782.htm
Syria’s President Speaks: “The War Will End with a Political Solution” We refer to “the West’s quiet retreat from its demands that Syria’s president step down immediately.” Given this shift in the Western attitude, is Assad more open to a negotiated solution to the conflict that leads to a political transition?http://www.foreignaffairs.com/discussions/interviews/syrias-president-speaks
Analysis of proposed Nicaragua canal To be built by the Chinese in the heart of the Americas with profound long-term political implications.http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/20/-sp-nicaragua-canal-land-opportunity-fear-route?CMP=ema_565
Snowden: iPhones Have Secret Spyware That Lets Govt’s Monitor Unsuspecting UsersThe NSA whistleblower’s lawyer says the secret software can be remotely activated to watch the user.http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/snowden-iphones-have-secret-spyware-lets-govts-monitor-unsuspecting-users
Map: How the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria has surged since Octoberhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/27/map-how-the-flow-of-foreign-fighters-to-iraq-and-syria-has-surged-since-october/Iran moves away from US dollar in foreign tradehttp://rt.com/business/225919-iran-switches-from-dollar/
“Panic in Kiev: Ukrainian Forces Surrender Donbass”The following article appeared briefly on censor.net.ua and was quickly pulled. It succinctly lays out the situation from multiple Russian- and Ukrainian-language sources.http://www.informationcl
US a dangerous ally: Former Australia PM“Australia effectively ceded to America the ability to decide when Australia goes to war,” said Fraser. He labelled the US a “dangerous ally” as Australia has become progressively more enmeshed in American strategic and military affairs. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article40815.htm
What Syriza’s Victory Means for Greece—and for EuropeThe election was a triumph for anti-austerity politics and a rejection of corruption—the godfather politics, the jobs for votes, the backroom union deals, the bribes under the table, the yards of red tape and, above all, the asphyxiating power of Greece’s oligarchs, who buy politicians by the dozen and feed the population a debilitating diet of pap on their private TV channels.http://www.thenation.com/article/196001/what-syrizas-victory-means-greece-and-europe
The victory of Syriza ‘bad news for Israel’ Alexis Tsipras, whose party Syriza won general elections in Greece on Sunday, stated last year during a rally in Athens that “the world should make every possible effort so that Israel ends its criminal attack and brutality against Palestinians.”http://ejpress.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51403&catid=10
Ukraine: The Rise of The RightUkraine’s bloody conflict faces a new fight against the rapid rise of far right groups. Filmmaker Ross Kemp saw first-hand how militias, made up of football hooligans and current and former soldiers, are now fighting on the front line. Just a few years ago they were on the fringes of society – shunned for their violent behaviour and xenophobic beliefs – but since the fighting against pro-Russian groups their popularity has grown. http://features.sky.com/ross-kemp-ukraine/Military-clad English-speakers caught on camera in Mariupol
From the port city in eastern Ukraine, under Kiev’s control, there are videos showing armed men in military uniform, who speak English fluently.
http://rt.com/news/226079-ukraine-foreign-military-mariupol/
Identified as English
to John -
All Eyes on Queensland- THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE
ck here to enable desktop notifications for Gmail. Learn more Hide3 of 57Recycling FactRecycling a 3-foot-high stack of newspapers can save one whole tree.All Eyes on Queensland
Trashx The Australia Institute <mail@tai.org.au>
2:05 PM (54 minutes ago)to me
Dear Neville — - The World’s Second Biggest Coal Exporter Votes
- Accountability and Transparency Enter the Debate
- Anti-Corruption conference – Tickets Limited
- Is it a Gas, Gas, Gas?
- TAI in the Media
The World’s Second Biggest Coal Exporter Votes
If Queensland was an independent nation, it would be the world’s second biggest coal exporter. That makes the State Election this Saturday a global concern, in addition to being crucially important to the lives of Queenslanders for generations to come.
The Australia Institute this week released a report challenging job figures claimed by the mining industry – and repeated by Campbell Newman. The paper found that projections of 27,000 new jobs were inflated by 300% with the use of modelling which is widely known to be flawed. Our research led to Environment Justice Australia, on behalf of GetUp! filing a complaint to the ACCC – challenging the basis for the projects approval.
Not only do Queenslanders have to suffer the destruction of their farmland, water table and the Great Barrier Reef, but a TAI report revealed, they’re subsidising big miners with $2 billion in taxes for the pleasure.
Accountability and Transparency Enter the Debate
Where there is coal, very often corruption can follow – especially when successive governments erode accountability institutions, and transparency laws.
The Australia Institute helped coordinate an Open Letter from 52 prominent Australians (mostly Queenslanders) calling on Queensland politicians to commit to principles formulated by preeminent anti-corruption figure Tony Fitzgerald AC QC. Dubbed ‘The Fitzgerald Principles’, the accountability and transparency standards quickly became a major issue in the campaign, and featured prominently in the televised leaders debate.
Placing a full-page ad in the Courier Mail, the Open Letter was backed by 22 leading Queensland legal, environmental and social organizations, demanding that parties “take specific steps to honour their election commitment to govern for the benefit of all Queenslanders and our unique environment”.
Anti-Corruption Conference – Tickets Limited
Following the election, The Australia Institute is supporting “Accountability and the Law: Safeguarding Against Corruption in Queensland” which will bring together leading legal and academic accountability experts, as well as the corruption fighting heavyweight, former commissioner of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Honourable David Ipp AO QC.
Other key players participating include two former Queensland integrity commissioners; Dr David Solomon and Gary Crooke QC; former CMC Commissioner Philip Nase; recently retired Supreme Court Justice George Fryberg; as well as Professors Graeme Orr and AJ Brown.
WHERE: Customs House, Brisbane
WHEN: 9 February, 2015
TICKETS: http://www.accountabilityconferenceqld.com/Is it a Gas, Gas, Gas?
A new report commissioned by The Australia Institute showed gas demand in NSW could halve within a decade. and questions the need for a gas network in NSW.
The report’s authors wrote in The Conversation that “a crash in gas use is more likely than the forecast shortage”. We know from the example of unnecessary infrastructure driving up electricity prices that inflated gas demand projections, will saddle NSW households and businesses with high prices for years to come.
TAI in the media
Guardian – Queensland democracy is being eroded by links to lobbyists, open letter declares
Brisbane Times – Prominent Australians’ open letter to political parties
ABC Radio Brisbane – How coal can be linked to corruption
The Drum – Gary Crooke: Qld election: bipartisan ethical bankruptcy
Sydney Morning Herald – Surging gas prices to prompt switch to electricity
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We can’t trust AGL GLOUCESTER LICENCE SUSPENDED
lick here to enable desktop notifications for Gmail. Learn more Hide1 of 20Web ClipWe can’t trust AGL
Inboxx Sam R – GetUp!
2:21 PM (29 minutes ago)to meHey NEVILLE,Huge news. AGL’s coal seam gas license in Gloucester has been suspended following a major environmental breach.
Hazardous BTEX chemicals (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) were found in the water of two of AGL’s wells. AGL discovered the chemicals on January 15, but didn’t report the breach until almost two weeks later.
It’s the latest in a string of incidents that have proven without a doubt that AGL can’t be trusted with our water, our land or our communities.
The suspension of their drilling license is good, but doesn’t go nearly far enough. Can you demand AGL withdraw completely from Gloucester right now?
AGL aren’t usually all that keen to consult the community or listen to feedback. But right now, we have a real opportunity to be heard. In just two weeks, AGL will have a brand new CEO, Andrew Vesey. We know he’ll be listening carefully to what people say as he looks to negotiate a tricky first few months on the job.
We need Mr Vesey to be aware of the widespread, passionate, grassroots opposition to the Gloucester CSG project from the first moment he arrives. Let’s welcome him by delivering an open letter with thousands of signatures demanding AGL immediately withdraws from the Gloucester CSG project.
AGL’s CSG projects have been mired in so many controversies recently it’s been hard to keep up. Here’s what they’ve done:
1: AGL’s license has been suspended by the NSW Government after finding hazardous BTEX chemicals in the water of two of its wells.1
2: AGL has been drilling for CSG under people’s homes in Sydney without residents having any idea.2
3: One-in-ten of AGL’s Camden wells were found to be leaking in a gasfield 200m away from houses.3
4: Hunter Water refused AGL permission to dump wastewater in the sewer system, but AGL did it anyway4
5: There have been huge fluctuation in groundwater levels near AGL’s CSG wells5It’s simple. We can’t trust AGL: http://www.getup.org.au/agl-suspended.
Before it’s too late.
Sam R, for the GetUp team.
References:
[1] AGL faces delays, additional conditions after BTEX chemicals detected. SMH. January 28, 2015
[2] Proof of CSG drilling under family homes in Sydney Yahoo News. January 22, 2015
[3] Leaks found at almost one in 10 AGL CSG wells at Camden SMH. October 14, 2014
[4] EPA investigation into discharge of treated flow back water into Hunter Water sewer network. Hunter Water. January 22, 2015
[5] Shifting ground water levels add to AGL’s CSG doubts. SMH. January 27, 2015 -
Calling all corporate tax dodgers
1 of 19Web ClipCalling all corporate tax dodgers
Inboxx Lily – GetUp!
8:48 PM (1 hour ago)to meDear NEVILLE,Last year, Treasurer Joe Hockey promised a “crackdown” on corporate tax avoidance. Instead he snuck a $600 million Christmas gift to some big, rent-seeking companies — by reneging on a promise to shut a notorious tax loophole.1
Fortunately, the Senate isn’t letting corporate tax dodgers off the hook so easily. They’re holding a formal inquiry to investigate the dodgy tax practices of multinationals and come up with some answers. The inquiry’s seeking public submissions, but we only have until Monday to have our say.
We’ve talked to key political insiders who’ve told us the best way to hold those companies to account, have an impact on the Senate Committee, and put pressure on the Government is: to create one hard-hitting submission highlighting the need for reform, supported by thousands of community members. But we only have a couple days to get it done.
Since the G20 last year, Treasurer Joe Hockey has huffed and puffed about corporate tax ‘robbers’ but has done close to diddly-squat about them.2 Inexplicably, the Abbott Government has refused to even support the Senate inquiry.
Firstly, the Treasurer canned an anti-avoidance measure to keep companies from using offshore subsidiaries to minimise their tax. What’s more, after saying transparency is: “our best weapon to crack down on tax avoidance“, the Treasurer may now scrap rules requiring $100 million companies to publish their tax details.4
Meanwhile, corporate tax dodging is costing us billions of dollars, while the Government asks everyday Australians to pay for GP visits and take on a lifetime of debt for a university degree.
This Senate inquiry is on track to expose the aggressive tax minimisation practices of big corporations — it will start summoning big companies to its hearings soon. Its findings will also make it harder for the Government to pretend it’s taking adequate action on corporate tax dodging. Now, with only a few days left until submissions close, a strong show of community outrage will help strengthen the Senate Committee’s case for change.
Will you add your name to this submission before Monday’s deadline? The more people who sign it, the more powerful it will be: http://www.getup.org.au/corporatetaxsubmission
Thanks again for all that you do,
Lily, Mark, Nat and Georgina, for the GetUp teamPS – If you have insider knowledge of multinational profit shifting and aggressive tax minimisation practices, or have expertise in corporate tax avoidance, why not make an individual submission to the inquiry? The submissions are protected by Parliamentary privilege, and the Committee could use your knowledge and expertise! To make an individual submission before Monday 2 February, click on the Senate Inquiry’s link below and follow the instructions: http://www.getup.org.au/individual-senate-submission. We’d also love for you to forward a copy of your submission to corporatetax@getup.org.au!
References:
1. ‘Hockey backflips on tax laws to target multinational profit shifters’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 2014.
2. ‘ATO chief identified tax ‘abuse’ by multinationals before Joe Hockey backed away from reform pledge’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 2014.
2. ‘The poor face onerous rules while rich corporations avoid tax with impunity’, The Monthly, November 2014.
4. ‘Policy of inaction on multinational tax’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 2014.
