Issues news
Unless, you've lived under a dictatorship or communist government, you would not know the pleasures of living with your internet censored. Lucky for us here in Australia we can now share the joys.Apparently most of the Federal Government agreed on censoring the internet in Australia, by filtering through all sites being accessed here.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, it isn't even clear how, or if, the planned internet filter will distinguish between illegal and legal material acceptable to view.
An old blacklist created by the Australian communications regulator's, was leaked earlier this year and contained many sites that were not related to offensive or unacceptable web pages. There were online poker sites, YouTube links, Wikipedia entries, and of course Satanic and fetish approving sites among those that made the list.
Regardless of the odd Satan worshipper, the hardcore porn addict, and the online poker player, we need to think that this is a democracy, and as a democracy we are meant to believe in freedom. Censorship is not freedom.
Away from the Liberal party's newest leader election, the global financial crisis, climate change, petrol prices, rate increases, unemployment, the obesity epidemic and swine flu! I came across the GMH blog.
It stands for Gives Me Hope, and people post tidbits about a moment that gives them hope.
So smile, because there's hope! Maybe Tony Abbott will believe in the choice of abortion, the use of IVF and stem-cell research, and the practice of no-fault divorce. I'm hoping.
Get a wriggle-on! You only have 2 days to apply for one of five $10k Big Green Idea Grants!
Applications for the Big Green Idea grants close this Friday which means you have three whole days to articulate why your little piece of eco genius is deserving of 10,000 smackers.
If you don’t know already, the lovely folks at the British Councilare offering five $10,000 grants to eco-visionaries tinkering away on projects designed to look after our little ‘ol planet.
Winning projects will appeal to 18-35 year olds and deal with environmental issues in urban areas that:
- Reduce waste
- Save energy or get energy from a renewable source
- Save water
- Celebrates sustainable design (think architecture, fashion, graphic or interior design)
You don’t need to be a greenie to apply; you just need to be a bit clever by coming-up with a more sustainable way of doing something. The British Council will provide you with seed funding and some support to help get your project off the ground.
Don’t know where to start? Well here’s a bit of inspiration:
- Deano http://goodbrew.com.au uses organic hops and solar panels to brew beer, decked-out in green velour he then delivers the kegs on the back of his trike
- Beer not your thing? Then how about a pedal-powered coffee shop www.bikecaffe.com
- Something healthy? Well Dave makes sustainable surfboards out of reclaimed timber www.treehousesurfboards.com
- And finally, the glorious Clothing Exchange, prolonging the life of glorious clothes and having a wonderful time, what clever chickies! www.clothingexchange.com.au
So your application in and tell your friends. The criteria and application form (super easy to fill-out) are on the website – www.biggreenidea.com.au
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=166628783303
Twitter @10kBigGreenIdea
Web www.biggreenidea.com.au
One in every nine Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. It could be a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, niece or friend. Whoever they are, one thing they have in common is that they will all need our help and support.
Today is Pink Ribbon Day. Pink Ribbon Day is your chance to help raise money and awareness for all Australian women affected by breast cancer.
For as much as we do to help improve survival rates and treatments, the fact is there is still so much more to be done.
Show your support for breast cancer by
buying pink, holding a
pink fundraiser, or making a
donation.
Every year, Australia sends around 4 million sheep and cattle overseas for slaughter. They endure gruelling road and sea journeys and tens of thousands die before they even reach their destination from heat and disease. Those that do make it are killed in conditions we have no control over, in countries with no animal protection laws. WSPCA has released a report outlining some practical steps the government can make to discourage live exports, but they need your help to make sure they're implemented. Put an end to this inhumane practice by heading to their website and joining the Humane Chain.
The National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) has just launched Australia’s largest ever national community survey – NAPCAN are aiming to get 50,000 Australian’s to take a stand against child abuse by completing the simple survey, which is online at: http://www.preventingchildabuse.com.au/.
Their survey is part of a nation-wide campaign to gain insight into the sensitive issue of child abuse and to develop more effective ways to prevent it. The key message of the campaign is:
Walls protect child abuse, not children.
Help breakdown the walls and bring child abuse out into the open.
The simple online survey at www.preventingchildabuse.com.au provides an opportunity for all Australian’s to contribute to the development of prevention strategies that really work.
For more information visit www.napcan.org.au
