Friday 31st January 1997
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Issues - The banking system under the spotlight. Seems like the EU insists that Downer signs the trade agreement with a totally unrelated clause relating to a "universal commitment to human rights". The Australian Government have refused to sign because they say that they have problems with the clause saying that it provides an escape hatch for the EU to renege on the treaty.
Australia is not alone in their point of view - other ASEAN nations have also refused to sign the trade treaty with the clause which has been a standard part of the EU agreement since 1995.
Of course the Aboriginal lobby was quick to take up the running on the issue with Aboriginal native title lawyer Noel Pearson jumping on a soap box yesterday and claiming that the government's reluctance to sign opened the door for breaches of the Racial Discrimination Act in Australia as part of its response to the High Court's decision on Wik.
"I fear that the Federal Government anticipates that we may now for the first time have to breach the international convention against all forms of racial discrimination," said Pearson.
"The Australian Government may be paving the way overseas for the day when Australia for the first time is not going to stand by the international convention on racial discrimination."
Mr Pearson insists that any extinguishment of native title would require the government to set aside the Racial Discrimination Act.
"I think the farmers of Australia and the state governments of Australia have got to very clearly realise that we are not just living in a global economy.
"We are living in an era of global politics where those with whom we wish to trade expect us to stand by human rights."
One interesting point overlooked in these statements by Pearson - what about the human rights of the farmers on leasehold property who have no financial recource to cover their legal expenses when their land is suddenly claimed by indigenous people under native title legislation with the financial backing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission - who are funded by the Australian tax payer?
Australians will soon be watching cinema-style television with vastly improved picture and sound quality - thanks to the arrival of digital television. This move, which is described as the biggest evolution since colour, is planned to start before the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The legislation rejected by the Senate in November would be re-submitted on Wednesday with the Coalition "very confident" that it would pass through the house this time.
Federal Treasurer Peter Costello said yesterday that the passage of the legislation would save Australia Au$400 million in the current Budget blow out.
The new confidence follows discussions with independent senators Brian Harradine and Mal Colston who previously voted against the legislation.
I am Francesco Scafi of the Community in the Ascension in Naples.
On September 1, 1996, public access was forbidden to the Franciscan chapel where, together with the priest Antonio Maione, people previously gathered to celebrate mass.
As a matter of record we'd like to point out that in this same chapel, in May 1996, Antonio Maione and the Bishop of Partenia, Jacques Gaillot, conducted mass together.
We have decided to collect signatures (including electronic ones) in an effort to seek restoration of the physical security of an old painting, the deterioration of which apparently now rules out public access to the chapel, even though any other place would be fit for us to gather.
The following message contains the text of the petition for which we are collecting signatures. If you would like to sign it, simply enter your name(s) below the text and return it to me (use "Reply").
Anyone who wishes to can sign this letter, and we will be deeply grateful to you.
We thank you for your solidarity and would like you to know that we will periodically be posting on our Home Page the number of signatures collected.
Moreover we thank you for your attention and consideration.
The following message contains the petition to be signed.
Many thanks,
The Community in the Ascension - Naples
Francesco.
Francesco Scafi
Partenia-Partenope
mailto:fscafi@mbox.vol.it
Phone/Fax: 39 81 5449975
The Perth airport is expected to raise about Au$500 million with the Melbourne and Brisbane international airports expected to raise about Au$1.1 billion each. The jewel in the crown, Kingsford Smith in Sydney is going on tender nearer to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The process of selection is expected to take three to four weeks.
The tender goves the successful bidders a 50 year lease on the airport with the option to renew for a further 49 years.
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