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Monday, 12th January 1998
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Democrats warn Queensland state parties.
The fairies in Australian politics, the Democrats, yesterday "warned" political parties that if they did a deal with Pauline Hanson's One Nation state candidates that they would put those parties last on their "How to vote" cards in the upcoming state election.
State campaign director Andrew Bartlett said that the Democrats would enter 40 candidates. Acting Democrat leader 23 year old Natasha Stott Despoja slammed Ms Hanson's comment that young people had "no understanding of the concept of responsibility".
This is what Ms Hanson actually said: "It is clear many young people have little or no understanding of the concept of responsibility. It is equally clear many young people are not exposed to a healthy understanding of the need for self respect and the taking of a respectful stance towards others, in particular parents, teachers and the elderly."
Despoja continued, "Blaming young people is a cop-out. Young people, like anybody else, show respect for those who respect them."
In further responses to One Nation's State policies so far released, State Opposition spokesman Matt Foley, described as "absurd" Ms Hanson's proposal for a citizens' board to review judges performance in sentencing saying, "It is a proposal which threatens the independence of the courts and prejudices citizen's rights to a fair trial."
The do-gooder brigade came stomping out with this classic from the president of the Australian Civil Liberties, Terry O'Gorman, who said, "Historically, all countries which have slid from democracy to totalitarianism started with attacks on judicial independence."
However, Ross Fitzgerald, a professor of politics and history at Griffith University agreed with Pauline Hanson's view that it should be compulsory for all students to learn Australian history.
While PNG faces drought Townsville in Northern Queensland faces torrential floods.
Australia is to upgrade its food assistance programme to drought stricken Papua New Guinea. AusAID will deliver food to some 60,000 PNG citizens currently facing starvation.
Here at home rising floods have decimated the tourist town of Townsville with a 200 year flood dropping over half a metre (550 mm) of rain in just 24 hours.
The major flooding has hit a large area from the South Johnstone River at Innisfail to the Tully, the Herbert at Ingham, the Haughton and the upper reaches of the Burdekin river.
The flooding follows Cyclone Sid and was made even worse because of king tides.
Queensland State Premier Robert Borbidge yesterday declared the area a state of emergency with damage estimated to run into tens of millions of dollars.
Acting state Emergency Services Minister Kev Lindgard said yesterday, "Massive gushes of water have come down the Black River and have met the high tide. Vehicles were seen going down the river with their lights on - at least a dozen vehicles are in the water and many homes are partially standing but severely damaged."
Apparently as many seven homes have been swept away by the flooding waters of the Black River.
Magnetic Island (off Townsville) faced a separate incident when a large landslip brought a 100 metre section of a hill down on ten units in the Magnetic Island international resort. Nobody was injured.
In Townsville at least one person is known to have drowned so far.
Skase's assets being chased by Australia
It is somewhat ironic that the Australian tax payer has now spent over Au$1 million tracking down the assets of the 1980's highflier-conman, Christopher Skase. Ironic because it looks like they could actually get something back - and that money would then go to the Hong Kong Bank - as principal debtor. The Hong Kong Bank (not an Australian institution in any way) had not bothered to pursue Skase.
The Australian shareholders in Skase's collapsed company Quintex stand to win absolutely nothing, not one brazzooo...
This week the Australian Government will attempt to serve summons on Christopher Skase and his step-daughters (Alex Buckham, Amanda Larkins, Carolin Argentini and Felicity Argentini) to appear in a court in the Cayman's to defend the surrendering of his Spanish property assets.
Making the
news" -
There is an absolutely classical case of hypocrisy in today's Courier Mail with an article headed "Contempt for the rule of law" by Labor state MP Matt Foley (shadow attorney-general) accusing the (Coalition) Borbidge government of "damaging the rule of law by repeated attacks on the High Court".
Who can ever forget the despicable manner in which he and his Labor stooges
saw to the financial ruin of the whistleblower in the Heiner Inquiry into
the shredding of court documents
by the (Labor) Goss Government! A case which still has to be finalised
and will eventually, seven years after the event and by sheer persistence
by the whistleblower, see the law finally
prevail.
Dear Editor,
You wrote (9/1/97): I don't know whether or not they will be able to take over central banks like the Bank of Canada and the Fed. That really seems too preposterous...
I have bad news. The following quote is from the book 'Secrets of the Federal Reserve' by Eustace Mullins: >Such was the soothing letter written by Donald J. Winn, Assistant to the Board of Governors in response to an inquiry by a Congressman, the Honorable Norman D. Shumway, on March 10, 1983. Mr. Winn states that "The Federal Reserve System was established by an act of Congress in 1913 and is not a 'private corporation'." On the next page, Mr. Winn continues, "The stock of the Federal Reserve Banks is held entirely by commercial banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System." He offers no explanation as to why the government has never owned a single share of stock in any Federal Reserve Bank, or why the Federal Reserve System is not a "private corporation" when all of its stock is owned by "private corporations".
I think you will find the same is true of the Bank of Canada. Wish I had better news.
Graham Strachan.
Subject: Comments on Australian News of the Day
To The Editor,
Firstly, I must say is was great to see the launching of candidates at last, I must congratulate the candidates and wish them all the best in the fight ahead and assure them of the support of the many people they may never get the opportunity to meet. May the Force be with them.
Secondly, Another matter that is unrelated but comes to mind as a result of the floods being experienced, Up North is the whereabouts of our Chinook Helicopters.
I recall during the Hawke era and the great floods in NSW ( due to the southward bound flood waters) that a great deal of valuable livestock and rescue work that would have been possible with the use of the Chinook Helicopters was not possible because of the Chinooks being in (Mothballs) and not available, at the time it was stated it would have taken at least 3 months to prepare them for service.
Our Service personnel and equipment are a valuable resource in times of emergency and should always be in a state of readiness for exactly this type of situation, let alone for DEFENSE reasons.
You may recall a warning given by a senior pilot during a recent exercise that what we have it what we go to war with, there will be NO TIME TO PREPARE. Do we still have our Chinooks? or have we also given them to Indonesia along with our Guns and Money?.
Thirdly, I see John Howard is reportedly in a panic as a result of Indonesia not doing the right thing by the Global Money Men, has hurried back from holidays (poor thing) to try and talk some sense into a leader that, has no respect for Australia and takes no notice of anybody. Best of luck John, don't let your other boss's down will you!
Be careful though, if you upset him he might spill the beans on what you and your Labor mates have been up to in the past. Heavens Knows you would not like us, The Australian Public to find that out would you?. But I suppose your other Boss's in the MEDIA would refuse to print it anyway.
Tony Fitzpatrick.
Subject: At last!
Hello!
I`m so glad that I finally found the site of a supporter of Pauline Hanson! I support her too and I agree 98% with her. One thing that I would suggest is to give the unemployment benefit only to "Australian citizen". Why should we care for people who come here solely to rip off benefits from our Government that otherwise they wouldn`t get from their own countries, at least not so easily as they do here!
At the last elections I voted for the Democrats .... what a waste! Next time I know for whom to vote!
I don`t know a lot about politics or things like that, but I`m not stupid either! I left Italy and came to Australia in 1980, as a resident, and after 3 year I became a citizen. I love this beautiful country and I cannot understand how so many migrants are complaining about this and that! If they are so unhappy why don`t they go back!!! Maybe my English is not so good, but I`m trying, how can you get to know a Nation if you do not speak the language? Everybody should make an effort!
Well better if I stop here, even if I have a lot more to say, but you know already what it is, just listen Pauline Hanson. She speaks exactly what I am concerned for!
Good on her.
Regards.
Loredana Modesti
Another beautiful day in paradise.
Have a good one.
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