Issues news
Today marks only five more sleeps until the most important day of the year for Australians - Federal Election Day, Wooooh! Not excited? It seems you're not alone. A study recently conducted by the University of Sydney found that “Young people feel uninformed about political issues and processes, view politicians as liars and promise-breakers, and rate voting as a rite of passage way below being legally able to drink and the end-of-year formal”. The survey, which was the largest ever focussed on Australian youth voting habits also uncovered the following:* Barely half of 18-year-olds would vote if it were not compulsory.
* About half felt they lacked the knowledge to understand the political parties and key issues and to make decisions about voting.
I’m sorry, but this just makes me super angry. If you don’t know much about the running political parties and their policies, then watch the news; and in conjunction with that, ask questions!! We have teachers, parents and entire organizations dedicated to informing us on the election process. To say that you simply don’t understand, is in my eyes, simply just lazy and doing nothing to dismantle the opinion that generation Y is disinterested and whingy. It’s too easy for us to dismiss the “big issues” such as climate change and interest rates as out of our control. But lets not forget the butterfly effect that the government’s decisions have on our lives. Everyday things such as your weekly rent, the cost of lunch, the drinking age (and probably the bloody end-of- year formal too) are all permissive to whichever government is in power. Lastly, I know you may not be faced with the most exciting choice, but just be thankful you have one at all. Without meaning to come over all Bono, there are citizens of many countries (which I won’t list in the interest of keeping this post relatively succinct) that have no say in their nation’s direction. So on Saturday, get your friends together and wield that democratic right y’all! Then go grab yourself a celebratory beer - 25 governments have earned it for you.
If your childhood was anything like mine, you should feel bloody fortunate that visits to the hospital were limited to the removal of grommets or, at worst, the odd broken limb. For many, many Australian children and their families this is not the case- and hospital wards are in fact all too familiar. Established in 1988, the starlight foundation aims to bring fun, laughter and joy to children living with serious illness or injury. A Father himself; Ksubi’s Dan single is an avid supporter of the foundation- claiming he would "jump off the moon to help a kid with cancer". On Thursday November 27, the designer will be doing the next possible thing: abseiling from a 31ft building to raise money for Starlight and their quest to grant the wishes of seriously ill and disabled children this Christmas. There are lots more Star Jump events happening around Australia, so remember how happy and healthy your own childhood was and support this amazing cause.
Tomorrow is International Day of Tolerance, and the world would benefit a whole lot if everyone did their bit, not only tomorrow, or the day after, but every day. We are currently in a climate where people fear fellow humans because of what they wear on their heads, or what country they were born in, and tolerance is seemingly non-existent. In the middle of this federal election, all we hear about is that to succeed as a democracy, we need to have a secure economy. However, Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN, was correct when he said “no society can hope to flourish if it does not promote this essential virtue.”
With tomorrow as a starting point, Australia needs to focus on bridging the gaps between minority groups, and supposed ‘majorities.’ Whether it being more understanding of the Muslim religion, actually learning about the plight of Aboriginals, rather than just judging them, or simply being patient when someone takes too long at the petrol bowser, everyone can do their bit.
Myer and David Jones try to construct themselves as diametrically opposed entities, despite (and let's be honest here), essentially providing the same kind of products and services as one another. Much like Labor and Liberal Parties do - and equally, it can be just as entertaining to watch.
These days, Myer and David Jones are most recognisable by their appointed queens - Jennifer Hawkins and Megan Gale. These are two strong Australian personalities who have managed to make their mark above and beyond the catwalk. Ironically, since representing these conflicting brands, it appears that the relationship between these homegrown honeys is also less than sweet.
Gale has struck out at the media over its comparisons between herself and Hawkins. Apparently she does appreciate being compared with her younger, allegedly more sales-worthy counterpart. Hmm, could it
possibly be that in the image-obsessed fashion industry younger trumps older? Yegads, what a revelation!
Gale has an impressive resume, is blessed with genes to humble the majority of humankind and is happily in a relationship with funnyman Andy Lee - who would surely point out how absurd reacting to the media's evaluations is in light of what she has done, where she has been and who she is. As one of the most well-known faces in
Besides, I wouldn't worry Megan, I'm sure the gossip rags will be having a go at Jen next. Haven't you seen how Hawko has been prostituting herself to every TV show, ad campaign, magazine cover and editorial shoot around?! I mean, if you aren't old, fat, too skinny or on drugs, there is
always something negative for the media to find.
What ever happened to the good old Matchbox car or hula-hoop? At face value, Bindeez appear as another one of those new fan-dangled playthings that involve a lot of mum’s vacuuming time and something called “magic beads”- yeah, sure. However, closer inspection by Australia's more intrepid children has revealed that the beads are indeed “magic”; but in a way less suited to little Timmy’s playroom, than some darkened club of the same name on Sydney’s Oxford street. Yesterday Bindeez were pulled off shelves across Australia and NZ after it was found that the toy contained a chemical that, upon ingestion, converted into the drug GHB- or Fantasy. Given the predisposition of young children to eat things they shouldn’t, hospitals have reported a number of little ones needing treatment for states of unconsciousness or seizure. Bindeez where ironically named Australia’s 2007 toy of the year and; although they’ll probably no longer be welcome in preschools, I’m sure they could find an accepting new market in the the more stupid of the upcoming summer festival crowd.
Instead of betting on the Melbourne Cup today, why not spend your money on a new outfit and help the homeless at the same time. If you’re in Sydney, head down to The Wayside Chapel Op Shop. It sells some of the best designer gear and you only have to check out these amazing looks, YEN’s fashion director, Imogene Barron put together (using only threads from the op shop for a charity function last week) to realise how great it is. The shop is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings at 29 Hughes Street, Potts Point. A big thanks also goes to Matt Reed for taking these amazing pictures at last week’s Wayside charity night. The Wayside Chapel services 2000 young, elderly, frightened and displaced people each week, so they need all the help they can get. I'll make sure I update you via YEN's website on their next event. So stay tuned. Have a great day!
In mid 2005, the Building Construction Industry Improvement Act was rushed through parliament with very little media attention (the well documented sale of Telstra, which was unfolding at the same time, kept most news outlets otherwise occupied). The Act saw the implementation of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), a watchdog which would exist to enforce workplace laws and address problems within Australia’s building industry. However, the experiences of many instead paint the ABCC as one that isolates and threatens the rights of construction workers; limiting their right to silence, to organise in a union, and the right to strike through fines and imprisonment.
Constructing Fear, by director Joe loh, tells the story of the reform- one which is unfamiliar to many of us, and how it affected the builders, labourers, tradesmen and safety officers at whom it was targeted. The documentary recently premiered around Australia and can now be downloaded here. It’s a fascinating story (and an ironic one, given Australia’s obsession with housing and property) that affects all working Australians and in particular, those concerned or confused by the recently introduced work choices laws.
