I believe over the course of our history we have discriminated most consistently against two groups of people in Australia – those who were here first, our Indigenous peoples, and those who were here last, especially refugees.

The Federal Government has stated that it intends to increase the population of Australia. It is estimated by Treasury that the number of Australian citizens will reach 35 million by 2049. The Federal government has identified that, to meet the challenge of the increasing population, major cities will have to increase their urban density. Continue reading →

On March 16, the Australian Education Union released two new reports which revealed the extent of the underfunding of TAFE and the consequences for thousands of people who are missing out on training and education as a result. Continue reading →

Last January, we wrote a factual article in this pages, in part to counter fanatical Christians who are writing racist lies saying that Muslims were to blame for killing Christians. Continue reading →

Dr Gordon Moyes, along with other Members of the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2, will investigate how the NSW Government has managed the Commonwealth’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) Program.

NSW consumers are set to face the biggest increases in household electricity bills ever seen, according to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). From July 1 this year, bills for those on standard tariffs will rise by a cumulative total of up to 64 per cent by 2013. The increases will allow energy providers to increase investment in infrastructure and improve network security and reliability of supply in line with the new licence conditions imposed by the NSW Government. Continue reading →

The Auditor-General, Mr Peter Achterstraat, yesterday called for improvements in the management of Sydney metropolitan bus services. He stated: “Buses are vital for moving people and the public deserves good service. Sydney metropolitan bus services need to be improved.”

Two reports were tabled in Parliament recently. The Standing Committee on Social Issues released a report on “Substitute decision-making for people lacking capacity” and the Committee on Children and Young People released “Inquiry into children and young people 9-14 years in NSW”. Continue reading →

A recent report by the NSW Auditor-General found critical flaws in the system of protecting children from potential abusers and molesters. The Auditor-General’s findings revealed a failure in the State’s employment screening system. The report found that 14 people assessed in 2008-09 who posed a significant risk went on to get jobs working with children. At least one had access child pornography. Continue reading →

Yesterday, the New South Wales coroner recommended major changes to the spa building industry after the “avoidable” drowning of an 11-year old girl. Shannon Rankin died when she was sucked underwater in a spa in the newly built Sevan Apartments block at Forster on the NSW mid-north coast in 2006. Continue reading →