Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/the-new-way-of-building-housing-that-could-lower-construction-costs-by-20-per-cent-20241018-p5kje8.html --- The article barely mentions the 'new way of building', it's mainly about cheaply leasing government land for housing dedicated to essential workers. They really will do gymnastics to avoid *just building public housing*.
zero_gravitas 4h ago • 100%
So little, so late. And no doubt just another way to delay taking any real action. That's all they've done so far - delay and obfuscate.
zero_gravitas 21h ago • 100%
Power to them, I hope people support them however they can!
Ridiculous that this trainee stuff is still going on with Grill'd specifically - they've been in the news media for it since at least 2016 (earliest story I can find).
What this SBS article doesn't mention is that Grill'd has been known to drag their feet on progressing a trainee, to just keep them on the lower rate indefinitely.
store.steampowered.com
> Hoxxes Halloween 2024 kicks off on Thursday, October 24th at 13:00 CET, and it’ll run until Thursday, November 7th.
> **In short:** > > The UN Rights of the Child committee chair is writing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Northern Territory's move to lower the age of criminal responsibility, which she says "contravenes" global treaty obligations. > > The NT's new conservative Country Liberal Party government legislated a new criminal age of 10 years old during its first parliament sittings this week. > > Australia's Children's Commissioner is also calling on Mr Albanese to make child welfare and justice a national cabinet priority.
zero_gravitas 3d ago • 100%
The Coalition voted for the anti-CFMEU legislation too, but I guess people could preference Coalition above Labor just to hurt Labor in the 2PP figures.
I'm not sure it'd send any clearer a message, though, than just preferencing Greens and socialists above Labor but still putting Labor above Coalition. Seems like a Labor government would be more likely to repeal the laws than a Coalition one, under pressure from a bolstered Greens bloc.
zero_gravitas 3d ago • 100%
I can't see anything on RTBU socials or website, but updates on there have seemed spotty/delayed when I've checked in the past, so that's not definitive. They're still bargaining, so it's possible.
They have a page for current industrial action on their bargaining campaign website: https://fightingforourfuture.com.au/current-industrial-action/
Right now, this is all it lists:
The below actions came into effect on 0001hrs on 11 September:
- Wearing union gear to work – indefinitely
- Placing stickers or other union/campaign material on Railway assets (so long as it does not affect safety) – indefinitely
- Speaking to members of the public or the media about campaign or union matters – indefinitely
So the union shirt is just an ongoing thing and doesn't necessarily indicate something's happening today. Next time, if you've got time, just ask the union member what's going on (as per point 3).
EDIT: I should say also that they posted a bargaining update for yesterday, and it doesn't say anything about further action either. See here: https://fightingforourfuture.com.au/member-updates/nsw-and-sydney-trains-bargaining-update/
> **In short:** > > The Department of Defence has confirmed Australia provided support for the US strikes on underground bunkers used by Yemen's Houthi rebels "through access and overflight for US aircraft in northern Australia". > > The US said its strikes were ordered by President Joe Biden to degrade the Houthi weapons stores and send a message to "our adversaries", which includes Iran. > > An Australian official said the support was "consistent with our long-standing alliance commitment and close cooperation, demonstrating the interoperability of our militaries".
> **In short:** > > The Northern Territory has passed new laws that lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10, about two years after the previous government raised the age to 12. > > It comes a day after the Country Liberal Party government pushed through tougher bail legislation and extra powers for police as part of a suite of law and order changes. > > **What's next?** > > New laws on public drinking and assaults on workers are expected to pass when parliament resumes next week.
> **In short:** > > Shaban Al-Dalou, 19, has been revealed as one of the victims of a massive fire which ravaged a refugee camp in the grounds of a Gaza hospital. > > An Israeli air strike hit the compound in central Gaza in the early hours of Monday morning, local time. > > **What's next?** > > Shaban's mother also died in the fire, and his brother struggled to identify their remains.
> **In short:** > > Two people died after a multi-vehicle crash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this afternoon. > > A number of people injured in the crash, including a pregnant woman, have been taken to hospital. > > The bridge has reopened in both directions after being closed for a number of hours.
zero_gravitas 4d ago • 100%
You mean changes to negative gearing? That's not the only thing they could do.
zero_gravitas 4d ago • 100%
Apparently they no longer want to know about it:
You're no longer required to report your positive rapid antigen test (RAT) in Victoria. Due to this, the reporting form has been deactivated.
from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/covid-19/checklist-covid-19-cases
So it looks like the best you can do is this: https://info.flutracking.net/
www.newcastleherald.com.au
> # Company behind PEP11 gas project says it has been recommended for approval > > *By Matthew Kelly* > > *October 17 2024 - 5:30am* > >  > > 📷 *Prime Minister Anthony Albanese campaigning against PEP11 on Terrigal Beach in 2021.* > > The government agency responsible for the administration of petroleum titles in Australia has recommended a controversial gas exploration project off the Hunter coast proceed, according to the company seeking the licence. > > BPH Energy, through its subsidiary Asset Energy, is seeking an extension of Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, or PEP11, which extends from Port Stephens to south of Sydney. > > The project site is in Commonwealth waters 26 kilometers off Lake Munmorah, which is about 35 kilometers north of Prime Minister Anothony Albanese's new home in the Central Coast suburb of Copacabana. > > Federal Industry and Science minister Ed Husic said last month that, based on the material provided to him, he had formed a "preliminary view" that the PEP11 permit should not be renewed. > > The minister's comment was applauded by environment groups and local MPs who have been opposed to the project for close to a decade. > > The government has provided the company with 1608 pages of material, which it has been asked to respond to before a final determination is made. > > In a statement accompanying an update to the Australian Stock Exchange last week , BPH Energy said a copy of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator's recommendation, which recommended the project be approved, was among the documents it had received. > > The company said it appeared the recommendation was mistakenly included in the 45 annexures of documents. > > It declined to provide a copy document to the Newcastle Herald for legal reasons. > > Both Mr Husic and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources declined to comment on the recommendation. > > NOPTA previously recommended the PEP11 exploration project should proceed in 2020. > > Despite having the support of former resources minister Keith Pitt, former prime minister Scott Morrision sensationally intervened to stop the project in late 2021. > > The decision was voided in February 2023 after Asset challenged the validity of Mr Morrison's decision-making authority in the Federal Court. > >  > > 📷 *Map shows the PEP11 zone in relation to the Hunter Offshore Wind project.* > > The latest application is being considered by the Commonwealth-NSW Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. > > Asset Energy has argued that the project is necessary to alleviate the national "gas crisis". > > Chief executive David Breeze told the Herald last month that the company would again seek legal recourse if it considered its application had not been dealt with fairly. > > "The need for gas has become much more critical," Mr Breeze said. > > "NSW is suffering the highest rate of business insolvencies relative to past times, inflation is still at a high and the cost of energy is a key point there. It's critical that this project proceeds." > > Surfers for Climate is among the groups opposed to PEP11. > > "It shouldn't be understated that there is a toll being taken on coastal communities when they are constantly on edge about potential oil and gas activity off their beaches,"chief executive Josh Kirkman previously said. > > "Australia does not need new oil and gas projects in our ocean, when the tide is certainly turning towards renewables and the electrification of our homes at scale." > > The state government recently introduced legislation earlier this year banning offshore petroleum drilling projects, such as PEP11, in NSW coastal waters. > > The legislation was driven, in part, by a significant public backlash against the PEP11 project.
> **In short:** > > Popular genetic testing company 23andMe is facing bankruptcy and may sell the genetic data of its 15 million customers. > > Users have the option to delete their data, but the company can retain it for three years. Data that's already been sold to researchers may not be able to be deleted. > > **What's next?** > > 23andMe's co-founder and CEO is attempting to buy the company's remaining shares to take back control. > Then, in 2020, there was a story about US police tracking down a murderer through members of his family who had done at-home genetic testing. > > This effectively meant I had dobbed in our entire extended family for past and future crimes. > "The data is now integrated into the research of the big pharma company. > > And there's another problem. There's a good chance that genetic data stripped of personal information such as name, address and date of birth can be linked back to the individual by combining it with other datasets. > > 23andMe's privacy policy also allows the company to sell customers' genetic data if the company goes bankrupt, is merged or acquired. > > In fact, such an event has happened once already. > And unlike passwords, phone numbers, email addresses and many other kinds of personal data, raw DNA data can never be changed.
> Each count takes just 20 minutes and helps BirdLife Australia’s scientists track how our urban bird populations are faring – and just by counting, you’ll go into the running to win some incredible prizes!
zero_gravitas 4d ago • 75%
Yeah, it's a bit overblown, but...
the bloke who is in the highest position you can possibly be in can’t buy a nice place to live?
He's not buying it to live in because an MP has to live in their electorate. So unless he's retiring - and he says he's not - it's either an investment or a holiday house.
But the reason it's news isn't because some guy bought a nice spare house. It's because, as you've identified, he's the guy in the top job, who is currently doing fuck all to address the housing crisis.
zero_gravitas 5d ago • 100%
Crisafulli said he would also aim to change the full preferential voting system, which he labelled “corrupt”, back to optional preferential voting.
Under the current system, it is compulsory for voters to number all boxes on the ballot paper in order of their preference or their vote is not counted.
“Preferences should not be a thing in Queensland elections, and it won’t be if government changes,” he said.
???
zero_gravitas 5d ago • 100%
Up to $600 million in Australian federal funding over 10 years would go towards setting up the franchise, player development, education and community outreach programs.
I imagine they'll be spending a fair chunk of money on flights, and maybe some stadium facility upgrades, too? I have no idea what the expenditure of an NRL club generally looks like.
zero_gravitas 5d ago • 100%
I was sacrificing my life for it and I realized nothing would change but I was hurting myself.
Yeah, part of acknowledging that it will take a long time is making sure your efforts are sustainable. Working as part of an organisation - even a small one - lets you share the work around and take breaks.
If you sign up for the APAN newsletter they'll let you know when there's campaigns on where you can take action. They have a list of stuff you can do here: https://apan.org.au/take-action/
The BDS Australia site also has targeted actions you can take: https://bdsaustralia.net.au/
There's nothing like local organising, though, if you can get involved that way. While regional organisations are going to be smaller, I think they can have an outsize impact. The difference between there being nothing going on in your area and something is huge.
zero_gravitas 6d ago • 100%
Honestly, the neoliberal propaganda is good, and it has convinced a lot of people that they can only act as individuals, and that you need to get instant results. Don't fall for it. We're going to have to organise together, over a long period of time.
There's groups all over the country organising in their own local area. This page has a sizeable list of them: https://wevoteforpalestine.net/solidarity/
Even if there's not an established group in you area, there are decent people everywhere. Create a social media account for '[PLACE] for Palestine' and share it around in local social media groups.
Even if you can't find anyone, get on down outside your local MP's office with a sign.
You might also be able to contribute remotely. Either volunteering to contribute your time and skills to one of these groups, or even monetarily to APAN (apan.org.au).
zero_gravitas 6d ago • 100%
I'm thinking they mean in protest, e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/22/teenage-boys-wear-skirts-to-school-protest-no-shorts-uniform-policy
zero_gravitas 6d ago • 100%
The initial Israeli evacuation area was within 2 kilometres of the border with Lebanon. There seem to have been some expansion of evacuations since, but I believe it's still only within a few kilometers of the border. Estimates in March were that about 60,000 Israeli citizens remain evacuated (source: AP).
The IDF camp in this article is around 55 kilometres from the Lebanese border, and about 30 kilometres south of Haifa (a city which is not evacuated) (source: ABC News (AU)).
zero_gravitas 7d ago • 100%
I don't and haven't, but it's something I'm curious about. I'd love to see a bit of the country that way. How do you find it?
zero_gravitas 1w ago • 100%
Incredible that they are still doing this 🤡🤡🤡
zero_gravitas 1w ago • 100%
Special Broadcasting Service: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Broadcasting_Service
The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect Australia's multicultural society".
zero_gravitas 1w ago • 83%
You mean huntsman?
zero_gravitas 1w ago • 100%
BBB 💙🖤💙🖤
zero_gravitas 1w ago • 100%
At a press conference later that day, Minns said “crime doesn’t turn off because a protest is taking place in Sydney”.
“We still have to have police to investigate serious crime in NSW, that’s proven to be incredibly difficult if our resources are tied up policing marches and protests,” he said. [emph. added]
Minns is so obviously talking out of his arse there.
[Police Association of NSW president Kevin Mor(t)on] said protests were treated as a user-pays event in terms of police staffing, but the government picked up the bill. He said he would support legislative changes to make organisers cover the cost.
“We would support any change that saw it entrenched, that any sort of protest would be a user-pay,” he said.
Get fucked.