Issues news

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

I consider myself pretty passionate about climate change, but at the moment I am feeling oh-so-uninspired. Why is it, that our politicians have made what is essentially a now or never moment, into a hodge podge of pollie-speak and acronyms. "A strategic opportunitiy. C.P.R.S., E.T.S., S.H.I.T." Way to rally the public Kev!

Thank goodness then, for a group of women (if you want something done...) who have come out with plain inspiring solutions. They plan to recruit one million Australian women and equip them with the tools and know-how to cut one tonne of carbon dioxide each, from their daily lives... THUS reducing the output of Australia by one million tones. Simple huh?

Join up at 1 Million Women to get on board with some mover + shaker women (captured in  flattering B+W by the talented photosmith Julia Schauenburg) doing their bit for the Earth. Without boring us all to death.

Tails for Whales is a global campaign from the International Fund for Animal Welfare petitioning governments to end whaling once and for all. The idea is simple – people from around the world upload a photograph of themselves making the “whale tail� to the website, to demonstrate their support for a complete ban on whaling. There are already 1174 whale tails from Australia alone, and the petition features a few familiar faces, including Daniel Johns and Twiggy. Show your support by logging on and uploading at www.tailsforwhales.org

There's a women's shoe retailer on my daily bus route that proudly has the following plastered over its front shop window

"Shoes make me happy. I'm superficial. Whatever."

Every time my bus rolls past, I read the slogan and I have feel this immediate stomach churn. I shudder, disappointed. It reminds me of The Simpsons episode where the Malibu Stacy doll talks for the first time. Lisa is anxious to hear what the doll has to say, yet all Stacy can muster when you pull her string are pathetic phrases like "Let's make cookies for the boys so they will like us!" or "Don't ask me. I'm just a girl!"

But the thing is, I DO love shoes. They DO make me happy. I just don't want to be grouped as a mindless, consumerific moron. So suffice to say, I choose not to shop there. But... find me a shoe store with the following on their window and I'll be their customer for life ::

"Shoes make me happy. Especially good quality leather. Maybe a cute, little wedge, but not the over-the-top crappy cork. Hand me those one-off trainers. Yes I'll take those vintage slouch boots, but keep your mass-produced plasticky gladiator sandals.

Shoes make me happy. I'm considered and intelligent. Forever."

As one who was momentarily traumatised by the very graphic description of Aayan Hirsi Ali’s circumcision in her autobiography, the new decision to ban the ancient practice in Uganda is in stark contrast to Monday’s report in the SMH on the impenetrable glass ceiling.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stood up for millions of oppressed women in Africa and deemed the ritual a violation of God’s work and lacking in any scientific foundations. The brutal procedure is also associated with an increased risk to contracting HIV, as well as an increase in death for both mother and child during birth.
Whilst progress in Uganda for women's rights is a strong shift in the right direction, should I be feeling lucky to live in a secular society or rightfully pissed off about the existing drastic difference in salaries between males and females?