Monday 18 February 2008

House of Reps crib sheet

Image from http://www.crikey.com.au/

Can't find your local member at Question Time.? Here's a guide to the House after the last round of musical chairs.
Click lower right corner to enlarge.

Australia preparing to come in from the cold and support UN declaration on indigenous rights

Yet another sign that Australia may just possibly be putting the neo-fascist Howard era behind it - the Rudd Government is currently doing spade work for the move to support the UN declaration of indigenous rights.
Australia was one of only four countries to hold out against endorsing the declaration in 2007. The others being the United States, Canada and New Zealand. There were eleven abstentions.
As this declaration is a non-binding text, the Howard Government's objections were always on rather dubious grounds.
 

Rats in the ranks Liberal Party-style

I'm really looking forward to tonight's ABC1 Four Corners episode on John Howard's end.
I foresee the amusing spectacle of Downer, Abbott, Hockey, and other Liberal Party luminaries, all vowing that they are truly intelligent politicians in tune with Australian voters, who just happened to be led by an old, stubborn man in November 2007.
This is going to be good for a belly laugh, because Hansard and newspaper archives clearly show that this baying mob of arrogant, right-wing bullies eagerly helped turn into law every one of the former PM's biased and misinformed notions of what Australian society should be.
This mob must really think we came down in the last shower, if they believe that they can distance themselves from their previous actions by a sly knife job on their former leader.
'Specially as the Liberals are now saying that they will resist any reform of their most oppressive acts and regulations.

Sunday 17 February 2008

And the Commonwealth 2008 Bills roll on

The 42nd Parliament is powering ahead with its bill schedule, including bills put forward by private members.
Although many of these bills will wither on the vine due to the lack of government sponsorship, the sheer number is becoming both impressive and somewhat disturbing when looking at those affecting the Australian Constitution.
 
This is last Friday's ComLaw list of published bills.
 
Alcohol Toll Reduction Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00019
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Fair Bank and Credit Card
Fees) Amendment Bill 2008
C2008B00020
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill 2006 [2008]
C2008B00021
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Constitution Alteration (Appropriations for the Ordinary Annual Services of
the Government) 2001 [2008]
C2008B00022
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Constitution Alteration (Electors' Initiative, Fixed Term Parliaments and
Qualifications of Members) 2000 [2008]
C2008B00023
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Electoral (Greater Fairness of Electoral Processes) Amendment Bill 2007
[2008]
C2008B00025
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2003 [2008]
C2008B00024
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Euthanasia Laws (Repeal) Bill 2004 [2008]
C2008B00026
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Genetic Privacy and Non-discrimination Bill 1998 [2008]
C2008B00027
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1)
Bill 2008
C2008B00029
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Marriage (Relationships Equality) Amendment Bill 2008
C2008B00030
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Ministers of State (Post-Retirement Employment Restrictions) Bill 2002
[2008]
C2008B00031
Date Published: 15/02/2008

National Market Driven Energy Efficiency Target Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00032
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms Bill 2001 [2008]
C2008B00034
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Patents Amendment Bill 1996 [2008]
C2008B00035
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Peace and Non-Violence Commission Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00036
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Poker Machine Harm Reduction Tax (Administration) Bill 2008
C2008B00038
Date Published: 15/02/2008
 
Privacy (Data Security Breach Notification) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00040
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Privacy (Extension to Political Acts and Practices) Amendment Bill 2006
[2008]
C2008B00041
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising Bill 2006 [2008]
C2008B00043
Date Published: 15/02/2008
 
Public Interest Disclosures Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00045
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australian) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00046
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Renewable Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Power Perecentage) Bill
2008
C2008B00047
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Repatriation of Citizens Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00048
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Republic (Consultation of the People) Bill 2001 [2008]
C2008B00049
Date Published: 15/02/2008
 
Rights of the Terminally Ill (Euthanasia Laws Repeal) Bill 2008
C2008B00050
Date Published: 15/02/2008
 
Same-Sex Marriages Bill 2006 [2008]
C2008B00051
Date Published: 15/02/2008
 
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00052
Date Published: 15/02/2008

State Elections (One Vote, One Value) Bill 2001 [2008]
C2008B00053
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Stolen Generation Compensation Bill 2008
C2008B00054
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Taxation Laws Amendment (Scholarships) Bill 2005 [2008]
C2008B00028
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Textbook Subsidy Bill 2003 [2008]
C2008B00033
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Poisons Standard) Bill 2008
C2008B00037
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Trade Practices (Creeping Acquisitions) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
C2008B00039
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Uranium Mining in or near Australian World Heritage Properties
(Prohibition) Bill 1998 [2008]
C2008B00042
Date Published: 15/02/2008

Workplace Relations (Guaranteeing Paid Maternity Leave) Amendment Bill 2007
[2008]
C2008B00044
Date Published: 15/02/2008

"Obama for America" team worries about superdelegates

Well the e-mails keep coming and now the Obama for America campaign team begins to marshal forces to win-over those Democratic "superdelegates".
Come on down, Superdelegate Lewis!
US oil money seems to be swinging Clinton's way and some commentators are saying that Clinton has the stronger support amongst these uber-delegates.
 
Yesterday's e-mail.
"As you've probably heard, there could be a wildcard in the race for the Democratic nomination.
We firmly believe that the candidate who has won the most pledged delegates -- the result of having more voters in more places supporting your campaign -- will be the Democratic nominee.
But to be safe, we are working to attract the support of "superdelegates" -- party officials and Democratic officeholders from across the country -- who also have a vote at the Democratic National Convention.
You may already know some superdelegates -- they include senators, governors, and even former presidents and vice presidents. But many others are ordinary people who hold positions in the state and local party operations.
These nearly 800 superdelegates will vote alongside the more than 3,000 pledged delegates who are chosen in the various state primaries and caucuses. The candidate that gets a majority of all delegates (superdelegates and pledged delegates combined) will be the Democratic nominee for president.
Right now, Barack is ahead in the contest for pledged delegates. We've won 23 contests out of the 35 that have been held so far -- including the last 8 in a row. And with our decisive victories in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC on Tuesday, we now lead by more than 135 pledged delegates in the race for the Democratic nomination.
While we intend to continue winning states and expanding our lead among the pledged delegates, and believe that will likely ensure that Barack is the Democratic nominee, we're also doing the work of reaching out to superdelegates and making sure as many as possible support Barack Obama.
Here's where you can play a key role.
Our work so far has taught us one important lesson: that your personal story about why you support Barack Obama is often the most powerful persuasion tool for someone who's undecided. That's true whether that undecided voter is your neighbor or a superdelegate.
The story of where you're from, what brought you into the political process, the issues that matter to you, and why you became part of this movement has the potential to inspire someone who could cast a deciding vote in this contest.
Our staff will compile stories from supporters like you and make them a key part of the conversation with superdelegates as Barack asks for their support.
Share your story to help persuade superdelegates now:
I've received a lot of email from folks asking how best to help with the superdelegate effort, and this is it.
Your note, combined with those of other Obama supporters, will tell the story of an extraordinary movement of ordinary people -- a story with a common thread of hope that becomes all the more powerful when it brings together the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our supporters.
Together we're building something historic, and your story can help make someone else a part of it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
David
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America"