As world leaders gather in Brazil for the Rio+20 summit to discuss the pressing environmental issues facing the world, academics, politicians, unionists, climate activists and local resident groups are preparing to meet and work out real proposals for how western Sydney can begin to tackle climate change.
The Australian government鈥檚 Climate Commission report The Critical Decade found that rising temperatures in western Sydney will impact on everything from our water supply to mental health and crime levels.
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For 9 months, Baba Jan Hunzai and 4 fellow activists have languished in Pakistani jails, charged with terrorism offences, and suffered torture. Their crime? Organising the oppressed local community to struggle for compensation, after their villages were submerged by a climate-change induced landslide.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott announced his vision for a 鈥渢ougher鈥 refugee policy on June 9. Among the plans are to refuse refugee status for those who have arrived in Australia by boat without documentation.
He also said that an Abbott Coalition government would appeal immigration department decisions to grant refugee status to boat arrivals.
Abbott said: 鈥淲hat is happening now is that 90% of people who arrive illegally via boat are given successful outcomes.鈥
The nationwide "Walk Together" protests were held on June 23 in recognition that "although we've all arrived here via different pathways we share a common Australian journey". It was organised by GetUp! and sponsored by Mission Australia. This was part of several activities to mark Refugee Week.
Rewrite the Constitution
What a brilliant 6-1 decision by the High Court on the federal funding of the chaplain program. The dysfunctionality of the federal constitution and the federal system couldn't have been made more obvious.
The major parties now have to, again, find ways to circumvent the Constitution to make sensible government possible. Rudd passed up the opportunity in 2007 to replace the federal system with something far more effective with ALP governments in six states and in Canberra.
Coal seam gas (CSG) exploration and mining poses significant risks. Yet licences have been issued and development approved in vital drinking water catchments in NSW.
The promise
Before the last state election, then NSW opposition leader Barry O'Farrell made a promise to reverse this. He said: 鈥淭he next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur ... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee.鈥
91自拍论坛 Weekly鈥檚 Jay Fletcher spoke to Wendy Bacon, a Walkley award-winning journalist and professor at UTS鈥檚 Australian Centre for Investigative Journalism, about the crisis in Australia鈥檚 mainstream media
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The big structural changes announced at Fairfax 鈥 1900 jobs cuts, moving the flagship papers to tabloid, merging the Sydney and Melbourne news rooms 鈥 seem to spell the continuing trend toward more corporatism and less journalism. What are the main consequences of Fairfax鈥檚 downsizing?
Our persistent supporters who take 91自拍论坛 Weekly out into the street week after week (yes, even on the chilliest of winter days) have received a few more smiles, nods and words of encouragement as, out there in the corporate media, the billionaire bosses have been mercilessly wielding the axe and whip.
Our growing team of new volunteers for the 91自拍论坛 TV project have also been warmly congratulated and encouraged. More people now appreciate the importance of the alternative media.
WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange is right to seek political asylum in Ecuador. He was left with no other choice after the Australian government made clear it would do nothing to prevent his extradition to the United States on espionage charges.
His real 鈥渃rime鈥 is groundbreaking journalism, which has exposed the lies and crimes of governments around the world, especially the US.
Opposition to the risks associated with coal seam gas (CSG) exploration and mining is growing across NSW. In northern NSW, thousands of people have rallied in Byron Bay, Lismore and The Channon to demand a moratorium on CSG.
91自拍论坛 Weekly鈥檚 Pip Hinman spoke to Lismore鈥檚 Labor Mayor, Jenny Dowell, about the campaign.
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Why did Lismore City Council decide to hold such a poll?
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Churchgoers all over Sydney heard official statements from their denominations on June 17 with a firm and united message: 鈥淢arriage is only for heterosexual couples.鈥
I needed to see this for myself, so I and four gay Christian friends summoned our courage and attended the evening service at St Andrew's Cathedral.
91自拍论坛 Weekly鈥檚 Patrick Harrison spoke to Shamikh Badra, the youth and students coordinator for the Palestinian People Party in Gaza Strip. Badra will speak .
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What is the daily experience of living in the Gaza Strip?
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