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The proposed privatisation of
Telstra 16th March 1998
Queensland State Candidates meet the
people 15th March 1998
One Nation, the First Year 12th March
1998
Pauline
Hanson tackles the MAI in Parliament while the media re-writes
history 10th March 1998
Feature:
How did the Hanson phenomenon start?
8th March 1998
Presentation on
"the level playing field" that ain't 7th March
1998
B
A Santa Maria on Australia pre- and post- Hawke.
6th March 1998
Lateline report
on the MAI - 80% of Australia's economic activity is controlled by
multinationals. 5th March
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Indigenous Land Council - living by its own rules?
Some weeks ago we reported in length on the Kippa Ring and native title affecting freehold ownership in the city of Redcliffe north of Brisbane. The seizure of the land by the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action was conducted through the assistance of the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC).
It now appears that the role of the ILC is highly legalistic and aimed at re-writing the rule book when properties taken under native title are under threat because of non-payment of bills by residents on the property.
Here is an example which is happening right now:
Public notice in the Robinvale Sentinel, Thursday 19th March 1998:
The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is the current owner of the "Billa Downs", Sturt Highway, via Euston NSW. It disclaims any responsibility for debts incurred in connection with "Billa Downs" without its express authority.
Any inquiries in relation to debts incurred should be directed to Divisional Manager, Indigenous Land Corporation, P.O. Box 217, Albert Street Business Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4002. Contact phone no 3270 3750.
Our correspondent at Robinvale tells us that the part-Aboriginal who ran the station, Ralph Harridine, owes hundreds of thousands of dollars to a number of creditors who allowed him to buy goods because of the "Billa Downs" asset that he ran.
The ILC notice makes it quite clear that they will refuse to honour any debts which have been incurred without, and I quote, "their express authority".
A large legal team who are tax payer funded are ready to leach off the ILC should anyone be so bold to challenge this public notice. Equity in our legal system? Equity between the races in Australia? I think not.
Making the
news" -
Parer hole dug deeper
The ongoing saga over Resources Minister Warwick Parer and his investments in the coal mining industry took another turn yesterday when Parer said that he was now considering selling his equity in the mine because of the increasing furore over the investment.
The investment in the Jelinbah East mine west of Rockhampton is understood to be worth about Au$2 million.
Yesterday we reported that Parer had been caught out visiting one of the coal mine's major shareholders, Marubeni Corporation, in Japan last year. Now it appears that Parer visited a second Japanese shareholder in the company, Nissho Iwai, which holds a 15% in the mine while he was in Japan.
Both Japanese companies have extensive coal mining interests in Queensland and have now confirmed that they held discussions with Parer about the coal mines.
Perhaps the most telling development is the discovery that in 1990 Senator Parer was a director of Peldeen Pty Ltd and Winnin Pty Ltd - the former company being a coal mine which was sold to Marubeni in 1992. Winnin, again a coal company, was sold to Nissho Iwai.
Since taking on his position as Resources Minister Parer has dumped the coal export licences with strict environmental controls - Marubeni and Nissho Iwai being major benefactors.
Yesterday Parer was being very cagey about the new revelations saying, "I won't give you the details of what was discussed because I don't have their permission to do so."
Meanwhile Prime Minister John Howard's last remaining string of credibility has broken with his comment that there is no conflict of interest.
"What the Labor Party is really saying is in order to remain Resources Minister, he has got to throw away something that provides an income stream to his seven children."
Deputy leader of the Labor Party knocks the small investor
That great internationalist whose primary goal is to be the President of the United Nations, Gareth Evans, has come up with another mind-bending classic.
He revealed yesterday that the Labor Party would consider removing negative gearing on property if they succeeded in getting into power at the next federal election.
"Obviously you've got to think about the implications for the property market, but there are ways of addressing that which are not necessarily across the board and that's one of many, many options that we're certainly considering," Evans said.
Personally I am surprised that Evans has had the time to make any comment - let alone a stupid one like this - with the "alleycat on heat" taking up most of his time at the moment.
If the ALP were to remove negative gearing not only would the housing industry crash but so would the rental market and the homeless problem would escalate very, very quickly.
Of course Evans couldn't give a damn about the Australian voter, the head of this great internationalist, active promoter and supporter of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment is far too deep in the trough.
Have you noticed how the little Australian is continually being taxed on new fronts while the multinationals are continually getting new tax breaks to "help employment" to support the flagging tax base because of this inequity... it's a vicious circle promoted by the ignorants like Gareth Evans.
Another perfect day in paradise.
Have a good one.
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