QResear.ch

#21677522 at 2024-09-29 10:00:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #37: EVERYTHING IS AT STAKE Edition

>>21677518

2/2

The crowd called for Australia to condemn Israel's role in the violence in Gaza, and to cut ties with the Israeli government.

There were also calls for Australia to follow other nations in formally recognising the State of Palestine.

WA senator Fatima Payman, who quit the Labor party in July over her stance on Gaza, also attended the rally.

Hobart demonstrators line CBD road in protest

In Hobart, a crowd of roughly 200 people made their voices heard along a busy stretch of road in the CBD, to mark the day of action.

Tasmanian Palestine Advocacy Network (TPAN) co-president Nadia Refaei said it was gratifying to see the size of the crowd.

"We've been turning out every week to demand a ceasefire and free Palestine, and it's especially important I think for all of us to be out here today because of the escalation in Lebanon as well," Ms Refaei said.

"We're aware that it's nearly a year in and everyone's feeling really tired and emotionally exhausted, so it's hard to predict how the momentum is going to carry itself. But really pleased with the turnout."

Her words were echoed by TPAN public officer Caitlin Shaheen, who said it was about more than one day.

"We exist not just on Saturday or Sunday when we turn up here," Ms Shaheen said.

"The people here, and the testament to the community, is that they live this every single day and they've lived it with us for 12 months."

Further protests in Canberra, Adelaide and along NSW coast

Around 300 protesters gathered in Canberra's Garema Place before a march through the city as part of the National Day of Action for Gaza.

Speakers included the ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury and members of the local Palestinian community.

The group called for a ceasefire, sanctions on Israel by the Australian government and more coverage in the media of the issue.

Hundreds of protesters also joined together on the steps of South Australia's parliament in Adelaide.

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young spoke at the protest and demanded the Australian government end the two-way arms trade with Israel.

She called on the government to sanction the Israeli war cabinet and recognise a Palestinian state.

"For over 12 months Australians have been watching in horror at the unnecessary suffering and the brutality that has unfolded on innocent people, including children, in Gaza," Senator Hanson-Young said.

"Australia needs to step up, speak up and do more. Hand-wringing and words are not enough anymore. Use the power the Australian government has."

Protests also took place on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, where dozens gathered at Port Macquarie's Town Green.

Protester Mahan Khan practices Islam but said it should not matter whether someone is religious or not to support Palestine and Lebanon.

"I don't think you have to be Muslim to care about what's happening in Gaza, you just have to be human," Ms Khan said.

"It's atrocious, the children, having a son of my own I couldn't imagine losing him the way parents in Gaza and Lebanon are losing their children."

Coalition sticks to UN resolution on Hezbollah

Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said the Coalition would not support calls for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel until Hezbollah was removed from the border region, consistent with the United Nations resolution on the matter.

But she accused Senator Wong of using her address to the United Nations, where she warned nations not to allow Lebanon to become "the next Gaza", as an opportunity to play domestic politics.

"We either uphold international law or we don't ... we can't pick and choose which bits we want depending on what's happening in Western Sydney," Senator McKenzie said.

"She is trashing our decades-long bipartisan approach to a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East.

"We need to maintain a responsible and respectful position in this. We shouldn't be changing just because domestic politics changes here at home."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-29/thousand-gather-rallies-solidarity-palestine-lebanon-australia/104409276

https://x.com/SenPaterson/status/1840242618476966145

#21252033 at 2024-07-20 14:11:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #37: EVERYTHING IS AT STAKE Edition

#36 - Part 50
Australian Politics and Society - Part 34
>>21188695 Woolworths to stock Aussie flags just months after Australia Day controversy - Woolworths will put Australian flags back on shelves, just months after the supermarket giant chose not to stock Australia Day merchandise. Woolworths revealed it will make Aussie flags available to customers ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. "With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games beginning later this month, and as a proud Australian retailer, we are pleased once again to be the official Fresh Food Partner of the Australian Olympic & Paralympic teams," Woolworths said in a statement to staff. "Given the Australian flag is the official flag of the Australian Olympic Committee and of our team competing in Paris, a locally made handheld Australian flag, made from long lasting materials such as timber and polyester, will also be available for customers to purchase across our Supermarkets and selected Metro stores." Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the move was a clear cash grab. "They've finally found their patriotism," she said on the Today show. "What this really is the reason they're stocking these flags is because they see a financial benefit. They're sponsoring the Olympics. So the more eyeballs they get, the more people through the door." The move comes six months after Woolworths dumped all Australia Day merchandise from stores across the nation, sparking outrage from customers.
>>21188731 Alleged member of Sydney terror network granted bail as magistrate brands Crown case 'weak' - A magistrate has dealt a fresh blow to a "weak" Commonwealth case against a suspected Sydney terrorism network, describing an alleged terror plan as "all talk" as he granted bail to a fourth teenager. The teenager, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, is accused of conspiring with three boys to plan a terrorist attack in the wake of the stabbing of a Sydney bishop in April. They were among six juveniles charged in sweeping police raids on an alleged terrorism network on April 24, four of whom have now been granted strict bail. Magistrate Paul Mulroney on Wednesday expressed concern the teenager could have access to knives and guns, but granted bail on strict conditions including house arrest and 24-hour parental supervision. "Given that it's a relatively weak prosecution case, it would be unfair and unjust to refuse bail," he said. Mr Mulroney said the alleged terror plan was "particularly vague" to substantiate a charge of conspiring to do an act in preparation for or planning of a terrorist act. "There needs to be some action on behalf of the offender to ensure that they're not all talk," he said. "There's talk about having access to a 'stash house'... there's talk about the young person supplying 'nerf guns' ... and the young person saying in unequivocal terms on the 20th April that he wants to kill. "But basically it's all talk."
>>21189008 Australia's last two WWII coast watchers die, aged 100 and 101 - "The last two World War II coast watchers, Jim Burrowes (101) and Ron "Dixie" Lee (100) passed away in Melbourne on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The courageous deeds of the legendary and secretive WWII coast watchers represent one of the most illustrious chapters in Australia's military history. Despite their losses, the coast watchers' contribution to reporting on Japanese shipping and air movements had a real strategic impact. Their finest hour was in the Guadalcanal campaign, where they reported on incoming waves of enemy aircraft, rescued the future president John F Kennedy, and launched lethal guerilla raids on the Japanese with the assistance of fearless Solomon Islanders. Their actions led Admiral "Bull" Halsey to remark: "The coast watchers saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal saved the South Pacific." Prior to World War II, the Royal Australian Navy detailed a former New Guinea District Officer, Lieutenant Commander Eric Feldt, to establish a network of expatriates who could covertly report on enemy movements around the coastline of New Guinea and the Solomons in time of war. In short order, he recruited planters, patrol officers and even priests for this potentially dangerous assignment. When the Japanese invaded the islands in 1942, these coast watchers undertook their mission with courage and at great personal cost. Some were beheaded, others simply disappeared, while others continued their clandestine task for months on end with the help of local villagers." - Vice Admiral Peter Jones (Retd) - smh.com.au

#21251417 at 2024-07-20 12:41:35 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #36: BADGE OF HONOR Edition

#36 - Part 50
Australian Politics and Society - Part 34
>>21188695 Woolworths to stock Aussie flags just months after Australia Day controversy - Woolworths will put Australian flags back on shelves, just months after the supermarket giant chose not to stock Australia Day merchandise. Woolworths revealed it will make Aussie flags available to customers ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. "With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games beginning later this month, and as a proud Australian retailer, we are pleased once again to be the official Fresh Food Partner of the Australian Olympic & Paralympic teams," Woolworths said in a statement to staff. "Given the Australian flag is the official flag of the Australian Olympic Committee and of our team competing in Paris, a locally made handheld Australian flag, made from long lasting materials such as timber and polyester, will also be available for customers to purchase across our Supermarkets and selected Metro stores." Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the move was a clear cash grab. "They've finally found their patriotism," she said on the Today show. "What this really is the reason they're stocking these flags is because they see a financial benefit. They're sponsoring the Olympics. So the more eyeballs they get, the more people through the door." The move comes six months after Woolworths dumped all Australia Day merchandise from stores across the nation, sparking outrage from customers.
>>21188731 Alleged member of Sydney terror network granted bail as magistrate brands Crown case 'weak' - A magistrate has dealt a fresh blow to a "weak" Commonwealth case against a suspected Sydney terrorism network, describing an alleged terror plan as "all talk" as he granted bail to a fourth teenager. The teenager, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, is accused of conspiring with three boys to plan a terrorist attack in the wake of the stabbing of a Sydney bishop in April. They were among six juveniles charged in sweeping police raids on an alleged terrorism network on April 24, four of whom have now been granted strict bail. Magistrate Paul Mulroney on Wednesday expressed concern the teenager could have access to knives and guns, but granted bail on strict conditions including house arrest and 24-hour parental supervision. "Given that it's a relatively weak prosecution case, it would be unfair and unjust to refuse bail," he said. Mr Mulroney said the alleged terror plan was "particularly vague" to substantiate a charge of conspiring to do an act in preparation for or planning of a terrorist act. "There needs to be some action on behalf of the offender to ensure that they're not all talk," he said. "There's talk about having access to a 'stash house'... there's talk about the young person supplying 'nerf guns' ... and the young person saying in unequivocal terms on the 20th April that he wants to kill. "But basically it's all talk."
>>21189008 Australia's last two WWII coast watchers die, aged 100 and 101 - "The last two World War II coast watchers, Jim Burrowes (101) and Ron "Dixie" Lee (100) passed away in Melbourne on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The courageous deeds of the legendary and secretive WWII coast watchers represent one of the most illustrious chapters in Australia's military history. Despite their losses, the coast watchers' contribution to reporting on Japanese shipping and air movements had a real strategic impact. Their finest hour was in the Guadalcanal campaign, where they reported on incoming waves of enemy aircraft, rescued the future president John F Kennedy, and launched lethal guerilla raids on the Japanese with the assistance of fearless Solomon Islanders. Their actions led Admiral "Bull" Halsey to remark: "The coast watchers saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal saved the South Pacific." Prior to World War II, the Royal Australian Navy detailed a former New Guinea District Officer, Lieutenant Commander Eric Feldt, to establish a network of expatriates who could covertly report on enemy movements around the coastline of New Guinea and the Solomons in time of war. In short order, he recruited planters, patrol officers and even priests for this potentially dangerous assignment. When the Japanese invaded the islands in 1942, these coast watchers undertook their mission with courage and at great personal cost. Some were beheaded, others simply disappeared, while others continued their clandestine task for months on end with the help of local villagers." - Vice Admiral Peter Jones (Retd) - smh.com.au

#21188695 at 2024-07-13 03:39:32 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #36: BADGE OF HONOR Edition

Woolworths to stock Aussie flags just months after Australia Day controversy

Woolworths will now sell Australian flags after the supermarket giant boycotted Australia Day merchandise in January.

Tess McCracken - July 9, 2024

Woolworths will put Australian flags back on shelves, just months after the supermarket giant chose not to stock Australia Day merchandise.

Woolworths revealed it will make Aussie flags available to customers ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

"With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games beginning later this month, and as a proud Australian retailer, we are pleased once again to be the official Fresh Food Partner of the Australian Olympic & Paralympic teams," Woolworths said in a statement to staff.

"Given the Australian flag is the official flag of the Australian Olympic Committee and of our team competing in Paris, a locally made handheld Australian flag, made from long lasting materials such as timber and polyester, will also be available for customers to purchase across our Supermarkets and selected Metro stores."

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the move was a clear cash grab.

"They've finally found their patriotism," she said on the Today show.

"What this really is the reason they're stocking these flags is because they see a financial benefit. They're sponsoring the Olympics. So the more eyeballs they get, the more people through the door."

The move comes six months after Woolworths dumped all Australia Day merchandise from stores across the nation, sparking outrage from customers.

In the statement sent to stores across the country, Woolworths said it acknowledges it "disappointed many" when it chose not to sell Australia Day merchandise in January.

"We have listened and accepted that, as a proud Australian retailer, that many in the community expected us to offer customers the choice of purchasing the nation's flag when shopping with us," the statement read.

At the time, a Woolworths Group spokesperson said a "gradual decline" in demand for the merchandise over the years and a "broader discussion" about the January 26 date and "what it means" to different parts of the community.

Woolworths has also revealed it will be releasing a limited edition range of "Green and Gold" bakery products as part of the store's Olympics festivities.

The range will include yellow doughnuts with green sprinkles, green and gold cupcakes and a "smash cake".

For every product purchase in the new bakery range, $1 will go towards supporting Paralympics Australia.

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/woolworths-to-stock-aussie-flags-just-months-after-australia-day-controversy/news-story/bcf3a337b399ae2a2a0def74b8feefbd

#19822029 at 2023-10-29 04:45:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

#32 - Part 20
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic, Australia and Worldwide - Part 1
>>19548649 Moderna set for Covid and flu 'superjab' in early 2026 - Australians will be able to roll up their sleeves for a "superjab" to protect them from both Covid and the flu by early 2026 if Moderna has its way. The US biotech company has slated its anticipated launch date for the product, which will combine vaccines for the flu and Covid-19 into a single shot for the first time. The northern hemisphere will be able to access the jab from late 2025 for its flu season, subject to regulatory approval, with a launch Down Under to follow in 2026.
>>19581632 Albanese to announce 12-month COVID inquiry - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will finally announce the long-awaited inquiry into Australia's response to COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday. The 12-month inquiry will not be a royal commission but is expected to have wide-ranging powers to call witnesses and it will examine the response of federal and state governments to the pandemic since it began in January 2020. Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler will on Thursday release the terms of reference for the inquiry, which will be led by a panel of medical and economic experts. Albanese has never promised a royal commission into the country's response to COVID-19 and instead has said, repeatedly, that he supported holding a "royal commission or some form of inquiry" into the country's handling of COVID-19. The federal government has argued that the pandemic is still ongoing when explaining the delay in announcing the inquiry.
>>19587828 State and territory decisions will be excluded from inquiry into COVID pandemic responses - Decisions made by state and territory governments - such as state-based lockdowns and border closures - will be outside the scope of the COVID inquiry announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday. A three-person panel led by a public service expert, epidemiologist and health economist will be given 12 months to probe the Commonwealth's response to the COVID pandemic and make recommendations for how Australia can better prepare for similar events. The inquiry will review the provision of vaccinations, treatments and key medical supplies to Australians, mental health support for those impacted by COVID-19 and lockdowns, financial support for individuals and business, and assistance for Australians abroad. Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said it was essential that an inquiry probed state and territory responses as well as the Commonwealth's. She called for leaders to be compelled to give evidence so that the investigation was not politicised against the former Coalition federal government. Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said it was essential that an inquiry probed state and territory responses as well as the Commonwealth's. She called for leaders to be compelled to give evidence so that the investigation was not politicised against the former Coalition federal government.
>>19587850 Covid pandemic royal commission refusal 'a protection racket', says Coalition - The Coalition has accused Anthony Albanese of running a ?"protection racket" for Labor premiers after refusing to hold a royal commission into the Covid-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister and Health Minister Mark Butler are on Thursday expected to announce an inquiry into the handling the pandemic, but it will not have the investigative powers of a royal commission. The inquiry will reportedly last for 12 months and be led by a panel of experts including an epidemiologist and an economist. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said there was "no doubt in my mind" Mr Albanese fell short of announcing a royal commission into the management of the pandemic to protect Labor premiers, particularly Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

#19587850 at 2023-09-21 11:00:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19581632
Covid pandemic royal commission refusal 'a protection racket', says Coalition

GREG BROWN, SARAH ISON and TRICIA RIVERA - SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

The Coalition has accused Anthony Albanese of running a ?"protection racket" for Labor premiers after refusing to hold a royal commission into the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister and Health Minister Mark Butler are on Thursday expected to announce an inquiry into the handling the pandemic, but it will not have the investigative powers of a royal commission.

The inquiry will reportedly last for 12 months and be led by a panel of experts including an epidemiologist and an economist.

Before the election, Mr Albanese said there needed to be a royal commission or "some form of inquiry" into the handling of the pandemic. "It is beyond doubt that you will need an assessment. Whether that be a royal commission or some form of inquiry, that will need to happen," he said ahead of the 2022 poll.

A month before the May 2022 election, a Labor-dominated parliamentary committee recommended "a royal commission be established to examine Australia's response to the Covid-19 pandemic to inform preparedness for future Covid-19 waves and future pandemics".

Opposition Health spokeswoman Anne Ruston accused Mr Albanese of walking back on an "initial commitment" to hold a royal commission.

"In the absence of the states and territories being compelled to participate it looks like nothing more than a protection racket for the state premiers," Senator Ruston said.

She said Australia was one of the best performing countries in the world throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

"However, with the power of hindsight, we have the opportunity to explore how we could do things better if faced with similar challenges again and we should all be open to learning from the experience," she said.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said there was "no doubt in my mind" Mr Albanese fell short of announcing a royal commission into the management of the pandemic to protect Labor premiers, particularly Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

"They're not delivering a royal commission and there's only one reason why ... and that's because a royal commission into Covid would have to look at national cabinet, would have to look at that function to keep us all safe through a global pandemic," she told Sky News on Wednesday night.

"But then look at the different jurisdictions' reactions and that means seriously examining the ?actions of Premier Daniel Andrews.".

Infectious disease expert Robert Booy said the inquiry was needed to investigate what the country could have done better.

"One might argue that some of our social-distancing approaches effectively locking people up in tower blocks was excessive and locking whole states down without compassion for people needing medical attention didn't make sense either," he told The Australian.

"An inquiry is a useful thing to do," he said.

Professor Booy, a consultant to vaccine manufacturers and an honorary professor at the University of Sydney, said he didn't believe a royal commission was necessary.

"It's not as if there are any huge blunders that need to be unearthed or addressed," Professor Booy said.

"For the first time in history we've had a preventive specific vaccine available for a new pandemic and in the main that probably prevented millions of deaths around the world and certainly thousands of deaths in Australia."

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/covid-pandemic-royal-commission-refusal-a-protection-racket-says-coalition/news-story/a26855d0fd0c7d33e8acee01e4b5473b

#19581637 at 2023-09-20 11:15:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19581632

2/2

Former prime minister Scott Morrison, who led Australia through the first two years of the pandemic, told the Australian Financial Review earlier this week that he would co-operate with an inquiry into COVID-19 but only if it looked at the role of and actions taken by the states as well as the federal government.

He also argued the inquiry should have the power to ensure state and territory officials appeared before it.

While no nationwide inquiry into COVID in Australia has been conducted, there have been numerous independent and academic examinations carried out.

The most wide-ranging report was funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and headed by former Prime Minister and Cabinet Department secretary Peter Shergold. It made a series of recommendations to boost preparedness for future pandemics and increased use of experts.

Other investigations have looked at particular policies. A report headed by economists Steven Hamilton, Tristram Sainsbury and Geoffrey Liu which examined the early withdrawal of superannuation stimulus policy found up to a quarter of people drained their retirement savings within days of it starting.

In June, federal Treasury revealed it would start its own independent investigation into the $90 billion JobKeeper program that supported the economy through the pandemic amid long-standing complaints it had enabled profit-making businesses to swell their bottom lines.

Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said the primary outcome of the inquiry should be to define proportionality in Australia's disease control response.

"The inquiry will only succeed if we take a forward-looking posture about how we best make public policy during future pandemics," he said.

"We should at all costs avoid a blame game, however there does need to be significant scrutiny on the states and territories because ultimately their polices were the ones that were most restrictive."

Before news of the inquiry emerged on Wednesday afternoon, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie accused the Albanese government of choosing to pursue an inquiry, rather than a royal commission, to protect Labor premiers.

Policy experts and the Australian Medical Association have been urging the prime minister to launch the sweeping investigation before the end of this year to avoid turning the probe into a political blame game in the run-up to the next federal election.

AMA President Steve Robson said its terms of reference should be focused on the future while its timing needed to ensure it was free from politics and could remain objective.

He said the health future of Australia was only going to get more complicated, particularly as the population aged and climate change increased risks from issues including vector-borne diseases and supply chain disruption.

The conservative Institute of Public Affairs backs an inquiry into the country's handling of the pandemic - and has proposed its own terms of reference for a royal commission - saying it should probe how the virus entered the country, the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on those who did not contract the virus, the operation of national cabinet, and the design of policies such as JobKeeper.

The left-leaning Australia Institute also believes an inquiry should look at the lines of responsibility between state and federal governments.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-announces-12-month-covid-inquiry-20230920-p5e6cd.html

#19548522 at 2023-09-14 10:52:49 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19548520

2/2

Price refused to condemn the views of No leaders Gary Johns, who has said Indigenous people should take blood tests for welfare payments, and David Adler, who accused journalist Stan Grant of artificially darkening his skin, but instead said she and fellow No campaigner Warren Mundine had been subjected to "horrible racial vilification", and that she did not support blood tests.

Many leaders, Price argued, had been scared to apply accountability to Indigenous communities because they were fearful of being marked as prejudiced.

"We are treating Aboriginal people differently. And we treat no other group of Australians in this manner. If I've got anything to do with it, we'll actually start treating Aboriginal people like Australian citizens."

Price received a standing ovation from a crowd that included No leader Mundine, Coalition MPs David Littleproud, Michaelia Cash, Bridget McKenzie, Kerrynne Liddle and Barnaby Joyce, and conservative commentators Tom Switzer and John Roskam.

She said, to the laughter and applause of her colleagues: "That would mean that those of us whose ancestors were possessed in their own country and brought here in chains as convicts are also suffering from intergenerational trauma, so I should be doubly suffering."

Price's comments were later condemned by Linda Burney, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, as "offensive".

"It denies the experience of so many First Nations families. We only have to look at the Stolen Generations and the impacts that has had, in terms of ongoing trauma and pain. Her comments are a betrayal of so many people's stories."

Roskam, an Institute of Public Affairs senior fellow, said Price's referendum campaigning was having a profound effect on centre-right politics in Australia.

He argued Price was proving the Coalition could win the culture wars and take on big business, which largely supports the Voice.

"This is a potentially transformational moment in Australian politics," he said.

After the speech, Central Land Council chief Les Turner said grassroots NT leaders had consistently said Price did not speak for them, according to Guardian Australia.

Liberal MP Keith Wolahan on Thursday pleaded for civility on both sides of the Voice debate, after a week of heated exchanges.

He urged Voice backers to avoid invalidating the outcome of the referendum by claiming the No campaign was based on "misinformation", a term he said was overused.

"When we stoke the fires on either side of this debate, there's consequences for that," he said.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/price-says-colonialism-has-been-good-for-indigenous-australians-20230914-p5e4lz.html

#19487583 at 2023-09-04 10:25:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

#31 - Part 69
Qanon / Conspiracy Theory Hit Pieces, Australia and Worldwide - Part 2
>>19321154 Donald Trump remains an existential threat to the survival of US democracy - "Donald Trump's orchestrated efforts to subvert the will of the voters and attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 US presidential election, to effectively instigate a coup d'?tat, is the most serious and egregious charge that can be made against anyone who believes in democracy, freedom and the rule of law. The prospect, though, of Trump being re-elected as president challenges the survival of this system. Trump has also shattered the norms and conventions of US politics; namely, the principle of the peaceful transfer of power embodied by George Washington, who retired after two terms. No previous US president, however upset at their defeat, sowed disinformation and discord like Trump. Trump remains a disgusting, disgraceful, dangerous individual. He is the first US president to be charged with a criminal offence. Trump's indictment for attempting to overturn the presidential election of 2020 will be one of the great trials of our time. It is imperative, for the survival of US democracy, that he is found guilty of these crimes and does not return to power." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>19327086 Video: Senator says Uluru Statement 'confirmed' as 26 pages by NIAA, after Albo blasts claim as 'QAnon' conspiracy - Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says the Uluru Statement from the Heart has been "confirmed" as being 26 pages long by the agency that produced the documents under freedom of information, as she called on Anthony Albanese to "come clean" after the Prime Minister derided the claim as a "QAnon" style conspiracy theory on Tuesday. Mr Albanese used Question Time on Tuesday to blast the claims as a "QAnon" style conspiracy theory. "That is a conspiracy in search of a theory, Mr Speaker," the PM said. "It is something that has been out there, like a whole lot of the QAnon theories, we have all sorts of conspiracy stuff out there, but this is a ripper. That is the Uluru Statement from the Heart on an A4 bit of paper. That is it. But what we have here is the conspiracy theories colliding with each other. They're struggling to get their scares straight. I mean, what role did Marcia Langton play in the faking of the moon landing, Mr Speaker? What was the role of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in that?" He stressed it was "absolutely nonsense".
>>19333351 Why PM's backtrack on the Uluru Statement from the Heart won't wash - "This week in parliament, Anthony Albanese doubled down on his claim that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is just a simple one-page statement -- almost an Australian version, he's said, of the Gettysburg Address. He's doing this because he needs the Uluru Statement to be a benign, uplifting document in order to get his voice referendum passed by voters, and because he needs to deny that the voice is just the first step in "Voice, Treaty, Truth" - a lengthy and complex process that will lead to multi-?billion dollar reparations payments (on top of the near $40bn a year that's currently spent on Indigenous Australians) and the rewriting of our history as a story of shame. He's so keen to bluff people out of referencing the full statement that he denounced the claim that it's actually a 26-page document as a "conspiracy" worthy of QAnon." - Peta Credlin - theaustralian.com.au
>>19387408 A tale of two conferences: a choice between hope and despair - "CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp, a wealthy political adviser and lobbyist, will appear at the Australian conference this weekend alongside Matthew Whitaker, who served briefly as acting attorney-general to Trump, despite nine legal challenges to his appointment. Australians love to think of themselves as larrikins who thumb their noses at suits and sophisticates. But not the CPAC Australia mob. Among the current and former Coalition MPs scrambling to share a stage with the grizzled men of the Grand Old Party are Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce, Bridget McKenzie, Keith Pitt, Alex Antic, Ted O'Brien and Bronwyn Bishop. And, of course, Mundine and Price. This pair love to present themselves as champions of "average" Australians, squaring off against the "elites" of Canberra. But it's hard to imagine a more elite look in politics than sharing a stage in a ballroom at The Star with two Trump loyalists. That's the No campaign. Full of doublespeak and hyperbole, happy to trade in misinformation and outright lies, and to demonise their opponents when called out. Just like Donald Trump." Marcus Stewart, Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation and a member of the Uluru Dialogue - theaustralian.com.au

#19434584 at 2023-08-26 13:52:16 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19222755
>>19297392
WA Nationals backflip on voice, join federal party's No push

PAIGE TAYLOR - AUGUST 26, 2023

The West Australian Nationals have fallen in line with the federal party on the Indigenous voice to parliament, backflipping on earlier support for the proposal.

WA Nationals leader Shane Love, who is also the WA opposition leader, had confirmed his support as recently as April for the proposal to amend the constitution with words guaranteeing the existence of an advisory body with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

National leader David Littleproud and Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie were in the room for the vote at the state party's conference at the Vines Resort in the Swan Valley, a winemaking region on the northeastern outskirts of Perth.

The WA Nationals' state conference carried the motion: "That this State Convention of the Nationals WA does not support the constitutional amendment as proposed by the Federal Labor Government for the 2024 'Voice' referendum."

The WA Nationals' supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for a voice under previous leader Mia Davies. Her predecessor Brendon Grylls is also a voice supporter.

However, the WA Nationals have come under pressure to revise their position on the voice after a campaign by the state Pastoral and Graziers Association to frame unpopular state Aboriginal cultural heritage laws as a sign of things to come if the voice referendum succeeded. New WA premier Roger Cook dumped the laws this month, describing them as too onerous for landowners.

The WA Nationals have also been influenced by the federal party's stance. Mr Littleproud has taken an even harder line than Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who opposes a national voice but supports legislating local and regional Indigenous voices that could give advice on local and regional issues. Mr Littleproud has expressed concerns about regional voices.

"The National Party of Australia does not trust the Labor Party to get this right," Mr Love said after the vote.

The WA Nationals' about face on the voice means they are now also in sync with the WA Liberals. This could smooth the path to a formal coalition between the much-depleted state parties as they look for ways to claw back seats. Between them they have just six MPs in the WA lower house between - four Nationals and two Liberals. WA Labor has a thumping majority in both houses.

Ms Davies, who stepped down as WA Nationals leader in January citing fatigue, said she respected the state conference's decision but she continued to believe the voice was sound and in line with her party's beliefs about good government. Ms Davies is the member for the central wheatbelt of WA, where most of the state's crops are grown.

"I am a member of the party because we fundamentally believe that including the people and communities we make decisions about in the process of developing legislation, funding programs, and infrastructure projects gets a better outcome for those communities and the taxpayer," Ms Davies said.

"It's a sound policy and philosophy to create a framework for advice to our parliament to assist in decisions that will go toward improving the lives and future of first nations people who have experienced decades of policy created for and about them that has effectively marginalised and diminished their opportunity to thrive.

"With political and community goodwill, I believe the Voice could play a part in shifting the dial on the issues we discuss so often - health outcomes, education attainment, suicide rates, and over-representation in the criminal justice system.

"It will not be a silver bullet, but it can be the start of a different conversation with our first nation people about our nation's future."

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/wa-nationals-backflip-on-voice-join-federal-partys-no-push/news-story/ef0a6fd6d856a8e85181d5f3ed194504

#19387439 at 2023-08-19 13:59:26 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19222755
>>19382273
Inside the conservative forum rallying troops against the Voice

Lisa Visentin - August 19, 2023

1/2

Coalition firebrand senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was treated to a rock star's welcome as she strode onto the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Sydney and rallied the crowd to do everything they could to oppose the Voice to parliament referendum.

The Voice was a central theme of this year's CPAC Australia event on Saturday, as the who's who of the No campaign rubbed shoulders with hundreds of conservative voters who paid up to $600 to attend the two-day conference. For those chasing the VIP experience and access to the after party, it was $7000.

Wearing a "Vote No" T-shirt, Price told attendees that while the polling was trending in the direction of a referendum defeat, they should not get complacent.

"We need every single one of you to sign up … to talk to your friends and family and your community. We need every single one of you to be relentless in your opposition to this dangerous, divisive referendum," Price said.

In a speech that criticised the Yes campaign and Labor, Price said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had "surrounded himself with the likes of Thomas Mayo and Teela Reid", Aboriginal activists who served on the government's referendums advisory panels.

The No campaigners have seized on tweets from Mayo and Reid calling for reparations and other demands to suggest there is a hidden agenda behind the Voice.

Price continued: "They don't want the best for Indigenous Australians. They want the rent paid. They want to pay their respects to the elders of the communist party. They want to abolish Australia Day. They want reparations."

There was no mention of the revelations this week that Australian Jewish Association head David Adler, who sits on the advisory board of top No outfit Advance, had repeatedly suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that Indigenous journalist Stan Grant had artificially darkened his skin, and had questioned Independent senator Lidia Thorpe's Aboriginal heritage. Price is the spokeswoman for Advance's anti-Voice campaign Fair Australia.

CPAC Australia organisers had no comment to questions about its sponsor Give Send Go, a Christian crowdfunding website appearing to host fundraising efforts for the legal costs for Australian neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell who was convicted last year of assaulting a Nine security guard. The site was also used to fundraise for medical costs for far-right leader Blair Cottrell.

This masthead does not suggest that the No campaign or CPAC Australia share the views of extremists who have used Give Send Go to fundraise.

The conference, held at Sydney's The Star casino, is modelled on the American CPAC that has in recent years become aligned with former US president Donald Trump and his allies in the Republican Party.

The Sydney event was attended by a rollcall of conservative politicians, including former prime minister Tony Abbott, current Coalition MPs Ted O'Brien, Barnaby Joyce, Bridget McKenzie and Alex Antic, who gave speeches or appeared on panels. Media were welcomed to cover the proceedings, but their lanyard passes granting them entry were emblazoned with Trump's "fake news" epithet.

(continued)

#19387408 at 2023-08-19 13:52:08 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19222755
>>19382273
A tale of two conferences: a choice between hope and despair

MARCUS STEWART - AUGUST 19, 2023

1/2

Allow me to borrow an idea from the great author Charles Dickens and tell you a tale of two political conferences. Both are occurring over the next week - and neither is the ALP national conference, which kicked off on Thursday in Brisbane and is already gaining plenty of attention.

But in Sydney, a very different meeting of political minds is occurring this weekend with CPAC Australia's conference at The Star. Headlining the CPAC program are Warren Mundine and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price - so no prizes for guessing the No campaign against a voice to parliament will be a focus this year.

Then on Thursday, Uluru Youth Dialogue will launch its Hands On Heart conference at Barangaroo, with more than 100 young delegates expected to attend to learn more about the referendum and how they can educate and motivate others to vote yes.

There could be no better illustration of the differences between the Yes and No campaigns than these two contrasting conferences.

CPAC stands for Conservative Political Action Conference, which has been hosted by the American Conservative Union for almost 50 years. That's right - the American Conservative Union. CPAC's presence in Australia is a much more recent phenomenon, with the Americans only establishing a franchise here in 2019.

When CPAC was founded in America in the 1970s, it was known as a thoughtful gathering for Republicans; Ronald Reagan gave the inaugural address, his now famous "A Shining City Upon A Hill" speech. While conservative, the conference was nevertheless known for welcoming a variety of views from that end of the political spectrum, especially in the run-up to the presidential elections, when any Republican hoping to score the nomination would make an appearance.

More recently, however, CPAC has morphed into an unabashedly pro-Trump circus. This year, Donald Trump was the only potential Republican presidential candidate to show up - and the only one welcome, apparently. News reports documented sparse audiences gathering amid garish stands selling Trump paraphernalia. Meanwhile, the CPAC website spruiks a range of ultra-right campaigns, from opposing "socialised medicine" (to those of us in Australia, that's the sort of public healthcare we enjoy with Medicare) to "stopping woke companies".

CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp, a wealthy political adviser and lobbyist, will appear at the Australian conference this weekend alongside Matthew Whitaker, who served briefly as acting attorney-general to Trump, despite nine legal challenges to his appointment.

Australians love to think of themselves as larrikins who thumb their noses at suits and sophisticates. But not the CPAC Australia mob. Among the current and former Coalition MPs scrambling to share a stage with the grizzled men of the Grand Old Party are Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce, Bridget McKenzie, Keith Pitt, Alex Antic, Ted O'Brien and Bronwyn Bishop.

And, of course, Mundine and Price. This pair love to present themselves as champions of "average" Australians, squaring off against the "elites" of Canberra. But it's hard to imagine a more elite look in politics than sharing a stage in a ballroom at The Star with two Trump loyalists.

That's the No campaign. Full of doublespeak and hyperbole, happy to trade in misinformation and outright lies, and to demonise their opponents when called out. Just like Donald Trump.

(continued)

#19355508 at 2023-08-14 09:49:36 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19222755
>>19297392
Qantas takes support for the voice to parliament to the skies with 'yes23' livery

ROBYN IRONSIDE - AUGUST 14, 2023

Qantas will not rule out further measures to drum up support for the voice to parliament after painting three of its aircraft with the "Yes23" campaign logo.

The Qantas Boeing 737, Jetstar A320 and QantasLink Dash 8 were unveiled at a major event in Sydney on Monday attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the voice architect Noel Pearson, former AFL star Adam Goodes and Qantas' entire senior leadership team.

Outgoing chief executive Alan Joyce said they were backing the campaign because they believed "a formal voice to government would help close the gap for First Nations people in important areas like health, education and employment".

"We're doing that in a number of ways," Mr Joyce said of Qantas' support.

"First we're helping the Yes23 team to get around the country and share their messages with people all over the Australia. We're also helping the Uluru Dialogue to do the same thing.

"We're also literally flying the flag - we have three aircraft with the Yes23 logo. These aircraft will cover a huge amount of the country - every major city, every major town will get to see this message."

Beyond those measures, no decision had been made on other potential forms of support including in-flight announcements.

Mr Joyce said Qantas' relationship with First Nations people went right back to their early days, when the airline's founders were given assistance to locate suitable landing sites.

"Then of course Qantas was one of the first companies to have a reconciliation action plan," he said.

"We have internships and trainee programs in schools to provide high quality jobs, and we also have a program working with First Nations suppliers."

Qantas also introduced a brief "welcome to country" on its domestic and international flights in late 2021 in a move that won praise from the federal government.

Mr Joyce acknowledged that not everyone would agree with Qantas' support for the voice, and said "we respect that".

"I encourage people to find out more, to listen to First Nations voices and to make their own decisions," he said.

Anthony Albanese told guests at the Qantas event he was proud to lead a government that would give "every Australian the opportunity to vote for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people".

"The spirit of Australia says yes, and the spirit of Australia says yes because this will assist recognition in a practical way," said Mr Albanese.

"Qantas has a long history of doing its bit to carry the nation, to lift all of us a little bit higher, both literally and figuratively and this is what this is about."

Opposition transport and infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said Qantas' actions "effectively marginalised" customers, shareholders and staff who planned to "respectfully vote no to constitutionally enshrined voice".

"Corporates who support only the yes campaign legitimately risk alienating Australians who respectfully disagree," said Senator McKenzie.

Other companies to publicly state their support for the campaign included the ANZ, Wesfarmers, Woolworths, Coles, Commonwealth Bank, Rio Tinto, BHP and National Australia Bank.

Virgin Australia recognised the "critical importance of the referendum for Australia's reconciliation journey" but would not be taking a more public stance on the issue.

Instead the rival carrier was of the view that individuals should vote as they saw fit.

The Qantas backing came as the airline faced intense scrutiny of its close relationship with the federal government and Anthony Albanese.

It followed the government's rejection of an application by Qatar Airways to operate more flights into the country, following Qantas' objection.

Transport Minister Catherine King has struggled to explain why the decision was made, telling parliament last week it was "not in the national interest".

Mr Joyce recently defended the relationship, and denied the government was in Qantas' thrall, highlighting his opposition to multi-employer bargaining laws.

He also pointed out Mr Albanese had criticised Qantas when Mr Joyce grounded the airline in 2011 over industrial action by three employee groups.

Following the announcement, Qantas shares dipped slightly, closing down 1.5 per cent for the day at $6.39.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-takes-support-for-the-voice-to-parliament-to-the-skies-with-yes23-livery/news-story/b114410aee64a90b977b66e13c90a26a

#15961978 at 2022-03-28 07:50:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition

>>15873706
'No friend in me': Keneally warns those who use Kimberley Kitching's death for political gain

Angus Thompson - March 28, 2022

Labor senator Kristina Keneally has suggested anyone who uses Kimberley Kitching's death for political gain will "find no friend in me" and instead urged her colleagues to channel their grief into winning the federal election.

And one of Senator Kitching's close parliamentary friends, NSW Labor senator Deb O'Neill, has urged the party to seek "respectful disagreement rather than torrid taunting" between colleagues.

Senator Keneally, one of three Labor parliamentarians to jointly deny bullying allegations against the late senator, said in a tribute in Parliament this morning that "much had been said and written" about the stress Senator Kitching experienced during preselections.

"Some of what has been suggested, I have strongly responded to on the record outside this place," Senator Keneally said, referring to a statement she made with Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher about mistreatment claims earlier this month.

"Today in this place I will treat her life and legacy, as I did prior to her tragic death, with deep respect for her intelligence and her capacity."

She said Senator Kitching was "not manipulated by others in her career, her beliefs or her passions."

"Those who use ... the grief caused by her death to purposes other than honouring her life and her work will find no friend in me."

Labor senator Penny Wong said during her tribute she would not "return anger with anger" over the death of Kimberley Kitching.

Senator Wong, the opposition's leader in the upper house, acknowledged talk surrounding Labor's internal politics - in which she had also been mentioned - following claims Senator Kitching had been bullied and shunned in the lead-up to her death from a heart attack.

"Much has been said and written in the days since Senator Kitching's passing," Senator Wong said.

"Many are hurting and many are grieving. I understand that grief and loss can be so profound that it can provoke anger and blame … I've made my views very clear outside this place about some of that misplaced anger and blame. I will not return anger with anger, or blame with blame."

She said Senator Kitching "deserves her life and legacy to be celebrated and remembered".

The third of the Labor colleagues Senator Kitching reportedly referred to as the "mean girls", Katy Gallagher, told Parliament she had been reflecting on their relationship in the days since the Victorian's death, and re-reading Senator Kitching's old speeches.

Senator Keneally also urged her colleagues to channel their grief into winning the upcoming election, repeating the sentiments of former Labor leader Bill Shorten at Senator Kitching's funeral.

"Securing a Labor government is the most fitting tribute to Kimberley's life," she said.

Senator O'Neill said the best way to remember her friend was through actions.

"We need to commit to a kinder, more harmonious place to work and to lead. We need to commit to agreement-making, seeking respectful disagreement rather than torrid taunting and brokenness," she said.

"We all need to lift and rise in her honour. That is the commitment that I make. That is, I hope, the practical outcome of the loss of our great friend."

Senator Kitching's husband, Andrew Landeryou, was sitting in the Senate chamber as parliamentarians took turns to pay tribute. A single white rose sat on his wife's desk.

His presence was acknowledged by Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, who said Mr Landeryou "spoke at Kimberley's funeral with incredible strength, he traversed, in an open and courageous way the highs and lows of that relationship".

He said it was "never easy to see those you love judged", referring to Senator Kitching's political career.

"Your angst at this reality in parts of Kimberley's life is evident, but you should take heart in all that she achieved."

Lower house Labor MPs in the Senate this morning include Deputy Leader Richard Marles, Mark Dreyfus, Tanya Plibersek and Madeleine King, among others.

Those to speak have included independent senator Rex Patrick, Greens senator Janet Rice, and the Nationals' Bridget McKenzie.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/penny-wong-won-t-return-anger-with-anger-over-kimberley-kitching-s-death-20220328-p5a8j3.html

#15916736 at 2022-03-22 08:17:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition

>>15916734

2/2

Political enemies set their differences aside to mourn her loss. On the Liberal side, Mr Abbott, Defence Minister Peter Dutton and other Liberal party members including Andrew Hastie, Amanda Stoker, James Paterson and Dave Sharma attended.

Victorian Liberal powerbroker Michael Kroger, Mr Abbott's former chief of staff Peta Credlin and columnist Andrew Bolt all turned up to celebrate the senator's life.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce attended along with Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also came to the service.

From Labor, the Opposition Leader went to the funeral as did Richard Marles, Tony Burke, Tanya Plibersek, Don Farrell, Mark Dreyfus and Michelle ?Rowland.

CFMEU boss John Setka attended the service, as did Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and state Opposition Leader Matthew Guy.

Mr Landeryou took aim at a "cantankerous cabal" of Labor Party members who treated his wife poorly before her death at 52.

"Of course there is a lot I could say about the unpleasantness of a cantankerous cabal - not all of them in parliament - that was aimed at Kimba," he said.

"And the intensity of it did ?baffle and hurt her.

"But I hope it is sufficient to say she deserved so very much better. The truth is that the vast ?majority of the Labor family was welcoming and supporting and encouraging and admiring of Kimberley, and they told her so often."

After commending Senator Kitching's moral courage and describing her "big plans" to one day be Australia's defence or foreign minister, Mr Landeryou said he did not intend to lecture the many MPs in attendance about being nice in politics.

"I'm not going to stand here in this place and blame any one person, or any one meeting or any campaign of unpleasantness," he said.

"Her friends and ferociously loyal staff are angry about how she was treated. I have no quarrel with them about that. They know what they saw with their own eyes."

There was an extraordinary show of bipartisan support for the senator of just six years at her ?funeral, after she died suddenly.

Labor senators Penny Wong, Katy Gallagher and Kristina Keneally all attended the funeral despite facing allegations they ostracised Senator Kitching from the party which friends later said exacerbated her health issues and stress.

She referred to the three women as the "mean girls", and made two bullying complaints in the second half of last year.

One was to deputy Labor leader Richard Marles and another to external consultants.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/kimberley-kitching-stood-apart-from-the-useful-idiots/news-story/3c054d52049e36ec00005e8773674954

#13955847 at 2021-06-22 08:54:49 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #16 - INFILTRATION NOT INVASION Edition

Revolt over China's grip on Port of Newcastle

GEOFF CHAMBERS and JOE KELLY - JUNE 20, 2021

1/2

Fifteen Coalition MPs are demanding Josh Frydenberg impose tougher controls on the half-Chinese owned Port of Newcastle because they fear its monopoly powers could be exploited to impose "punitive costs" to hurt Australian coal exporters.

In a letter to the Treasurer and Scott Morrison, the MPs call for new arbitration measures for the Port of Newcastle, arguing the current regulatory regime gives the "Communist Party of China a geopolitical advantage over the export of Australian coal''.

The Australian can reveal the letter, sent by Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz to the ­Treasurer and Prime Minister last week, outlines fears the port - half-owned by China Merchants Port Holdings - could lift access charges for Australian coal exporters and they would not have a legal mechanism to challenge it.

The letter, sent by Senator Abetz, followed a Senate estimates hearing this month at which Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims said the world's largest export coal port was a "monopoly" with no regulatory oversight.

The MPs are calling on Mr Frydenberg to declare the port a monopoly under the National Access Regime - set out in the Competition and Consumer Act - which would ensure that, if a user cannot agree on terms to ­access the port, the competition watchdog could resolve the dispute through arbitration.

The MPs are arguing for an arbitration mechanism to be put in place between the port and NSW coal producers "similar to the ACCC arbitration mechanism for other monopoly assets".

"As you are aware, the Port of Newcastle is a major strategic asset for Australia. It accounts for around 40 per cent of Australia's coal exports and is the largest coal export port in the world," the letter says.

"The port also operates as a monopoly, making it incredibly vulnerable to foreign interference. Most coal producers in NSW have no alternative but to use the Port of Newcastle. It is also half-owned by China Merchants Port Holdings, which is a state-owned corporation under the direction of the Communist Party of China.

"It seems incredulous that a half-Chinese-owned company that controls a monopoly bottleneck in the coal export chain can increase charges at their ­discretion, forcing up prices for Australian coal overseas and making our second-largest export commodity less ­competitive." The letter was co-signed by Liberal and Nationals MPs Barnaby Joyce, Matt Canavan, Bridget McKenzie, James McGrath, Sarah Henderson, Alex Antic, Kevin Andrews, Paul Scarr, Phillip Thompson, Llew O'Brien, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, ­George Christensen, Gerard Rennick and Susan McDonald.

The Australian has been told more Coalition MPs were expected to sign-up this week.

A spokesman for Mr Frydenberg said the independent ­National Competition Council had considered on multiple occasions whether the Port of Newcastle should be declared under the National Access Regime and each time had recommended against it.

"The government's decisions have been consistent with this ­independent expert advice," the spokesman said. "Following the NCC's most recent decision, the Treasurer agreed not to declare the Port of Newcastle." The Port of Newcastle has welcomed Mr Frydenberg's decision, as well as a subsequent review of the timeliness of decisions made under the National Access Regime.

Executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Peter Jennings told The Australian it was clear that "any Chinese company can be subject to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party to meet the party's political objectives".

"This is also underlined by China's national security law, which requires all companies and individuals to assist the Chinese intelligence community if asked to do so. The risk for Australia is that any piece of critical infrastructure which has an element of Chinese ownership is potentially at risk from this type of political ­behaviour. That is true of the Port of Newcastle, but also for a great deal of the electricity grid and gas infrastructure."

(continued)

#8006882 at 2020-02-03 02:49:04 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #7 - FIRE & FURY Edition

Resignations in the news

Australia Agriculture Minister McKenzie Quits Over Sports Grants

Bridget McKenzie resigned as Australia's agriculture minister after weeks of criticism over her handling of a A$100 million ($67 million) sport-grants program before last year's election.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said McKenzie had tendered her resignation following an internal investigation that found she had breached ministerial standards by failing to declare she was a member of a shooting club for which she approved a A$36,000 grant.

The investigation found the "timing was such that a potential conflict should have been clear," Morrison said at a press conference in Canberra on Sunday.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-02/australia-agriculture-minister-McKenzie-quits-over-sports-grants

—

Greens leader Richard Di Natale quits leadership, will leave Senate

Senator Richard Di Natale has resigned as leader of the Greens and will leave Federal Parliament within months to spend more time with his young family.

He made the surprise announcement to Greens colleagues on Monday, immediately spilling his position as leader and those of co-deputy leaders Adam Bandt and Larissa Waters.

The 10-member Greens party room will vote for a new leadership team on Tuesday.

Senator Di Natale, who replaced Christine Milne as the party's leader in 2015, described the decision to quit as "very difficult", but told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, "The time's right for me, my family and for the Greens.

"It's a tough, demanding job. It's been a privilege to do it. But I've got to the point in my life where I've got two young boys [and] I want to be there for them," he said.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-leader-richard-di-natale-quits-leadership-will-leave-senate-20200203-p53x6a.html

#7837465 at 2020-01-17 11:29:28 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #6 - YEAR OF THE BOOMERANG Edition

From General 10012

Government used sporting grants as slush fund for re-election campaign
The Morrison government used a $100 million community sports program as a slush fund for its re-election campaign, overlooking projects approved by an independent panel in favour of splashing cash in marginal seats.
A scathing report from the Australian National Audit Office has found Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, who oversaw the program as sports minister, ignored merit-based recommendations by Sport Australia for almost half the successful projects in favour of seats critical to the government's re-election hopes.
It is the second time the federal government has been warned to lift its performance on the use of taxpayer funds in three months, after a review in November found a $220 million jobs scheme has suffered from conflicts of interest and personal intervention by ministers.
The auditor then savaged the government's management of the sweeping policy to create "jobs and growth" in 10 regions as part of its promise at the 2016 election, with some decisions skewed in favour of Coalition seats.
The review into the Community Sports Infrastructure Grant, released on Wednesday, revealed 41 per cent of projects awarded funding were not recommended by Sport Australia based on assessment against the programs's published criteria.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-used-sporting-grants-as-slush-fund-for-re-election-campaign-20200115-p53rrt.html