Heartful are the OLO papers today. Australian citizen (I feel) are working hard to get to the core of problems facing our future and place in the world.

Think Gobal Act Local has not had such a surge of meaning in a decade or more and I am pleased to hear everyday Australians debate hard for the right to create a stand for our national Aussie directives.

Yes, this is perhaps the right idea. "With the good times rolling on for Australian mining companies, it’s time to establish an Australian Mining Ombudsman. In this age of massive resource wealth the Australian mining industry and the Government can certainly afford it."

Norway has begun to show leadership on the world stage when it comes to facing up to transparecy issues. And, Norway is also making a great effort to cut it's own governments RED_TAPE by 25%....

I dream Australia as a Nation can find its way again in the real issues that reflect the equity of ALL. It is not so much about RICH or Poor, but it is an issue about "opportunity" and having the balls to stand for the truth when it comes to "life quality". It is about CULTURES and the way we are DOING THINGS.

Also I wonder if the worlds doctor shortages (everywhere) hasn't got more to do with the Under-development of the globe and the way resources, both human and material are being strained by poverty + war zones.

Like the supply,cost and distribution of food, there is more that must meet the eye if problem solving and truth are to save us All from our own peril.

http://www.miacat.com
.

Andrew may be unaware that the EPA Acts in this country are breached 24/7 despite the government agencies employed to protect the environment and community health. Their efforts have been an abysmal, shameful failure.

Only last year, nearly 7 tonnes of mercury were dumped over the Kalgoorlie community in WA and almost 8 tonnes the previous year. No enforcement or prosecutions occurred. It's all up to the company to effect "voluntary" improvements to their operations which in this case happened to be KCGM, a JV between Barrick and Newmont.

Corpwatch, an American investigation agency on corporate practices, wrote a paper on the international operations of Barrick. Barrick is hostile to the claims in this paper and on their website had this to say:

"The report is nothing more than a compilation and regurgitation of salacious (and typically false) allegations made by a collection of unaccountable anti-mining NGOs which currently oppose one or more of Barrick’s projects at various locations around the world."

Contained in Corpwatch's paper was an article on Barrick's project at Lake Cowal NSW. An excerpt follows:

"Since 2001, Wiraduji Traditional Owners, represented by Neville "Chappy" Williams have waged a protracted and bitter legal battle in the Federal and NSW Land and Environment Courts.

"These court challenges have focused on the validity of consents issued by the NSW government permitting Barrick to destroy all cultural heritage sites at Lake Cowal and on the protection of Wiraduji Native Title rights.

"These challenges have been partially successful. Injunctions have delayed final approvals for the mine and lead to a complete overhaul of how consents to destroy Aboriginal cultural heritage are issued.

"In 2005, however, the NSW government passed specific amendments to its planning legislation to prevent the original mine approvals lapsing, thus thwarting the Land and Environment Court challenges."

Andrew has a compelling case for intervention. Case studies on the exploitation of the people of other nations are officially documented whilst corrupt politicians continue to feign ignorance and remain in denial .

Spare a thought about BHP Billiton's plans: 155,000,000 litres water/day for the Olympic Dam mine expansion (BHPB EIS) in SA, our driest state, already the state's largest electricity consumer and IN ADDITION to the fed gov's ackowledgement of nuclear power requiring "up to 83% more (water) than for other power stations" (4/12/06) and at zero cost to BHPB despite their record profit, and being exempt from FoI, EPA and Aboriginal Heritage Protection laws.

http://www.votenuclearfree.net

Protester shot at BHP Billiton supply
October 04, 2007 01:26pm

Excerpt:

"An anti-mining activist has been shot dead at a protest outside a nickel site supplying BHP Billiton, environmentalists say.

"Arman Marin, 42, was leading a small group of protesters outside the site in Sibuyan island when they were confronted by armed security guards.

"The mine's foreign partner, Pelican Resources, recently signed a deal to supply some 500,000 tonnes of nickel over five years to Australian-based BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company.

"The Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment said one of the guards opened fire and hit Mr Marin repeatedly. He died on the way to hospital.

"Police said the gunman was still at large.

"We call for justice for Arman Marin and an end to the nickel exploration project in Sibuyan,'' said Clemente Bautista, the group's co-ordinator.

Article from: Agence France-Presse From correspondents in Manila
Google: perthnow

Andrew

I trust you will peruse the following thread.

http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/wa/content/2006/s2053617.htm

Sound like a third world country to you?

Uh uh. It's the state of Western Australia.

The toxic stockpile of acid sulphate soils, in close proximity to residents in Gnangara, is mountainous, as filmed by Stateline last Friday.

JOHN KELLY - MAYOR OF GNANGARA: "My view is that the Department of Environment is without question the worst department that has existed anywhere ever."

The community complaints in the state are endless with a Parliamentary Enquiry into DEC's unlawful actions just completed.

Despite the enquiry, this department continues to view themselves as above the law and nothing short of a Royal Commission will change the culture in that agency.

What hope is there for the people in other countries who are being exploited by the same unregulated environmental vandals who are destroying the eco systems and the community health of this nation?

Government agencies, established to protect us, share their beds with the industry polluters, as does the State Government. "Profits before people" is their motto and they simply sneer at written community Appeals and unbelievably, continue to defend the polluters as you will note in the ABC thread!