NEWS AND VIEWS JANUARY TO MARCH 2003 OF ROSA RISSTROM - THE POLICY WATCHDOG

[WITH GUEST COMMENTARY BY CR. DAVID RISSTROM]

Rosa, the Greens' Melbourne City Council policy watchdog keeps a watching brief on ideas, issues and policies. If there are issues you think need to be discussed, please contact either Rosa at rosa@davidrisstrom.org or me at: david@davidrisstrom.org. I will endeavour to respond as soon as humanly, or otherwise, possible. I will e-mail you, and if appropriate, post a response on this website. Rosa last updated this site on 1 August 2003.

VERBOSITY HAS ITS REWARDS

My propensity to open my muzzle more often than banks close their branches has meant Rosa's Rave has had to move to new pages each three months. This page provides my news and views from January 1 to March 31 2003. Current news and views are available by clicking here: NEWS AND VIEWS 2003 IN THE GUISE OF ROSA'S RAVE 2003: Rosa.

GREG BARBER IS AUSTRALIA'S FIRST GREEN MAYOR!

Yarra Cr. Greg Barber is Australia's first [and best] Green Mayor!

Congratulations to Greg and the Yarra Council for supporting Greg's candidacy. Greg has been committed to serving the community for many years. With Greg's hard working and earnest nature, the Yarra community will be served very well by his tenacity, financial and management expertise and willingness to get on with the job. It is great to see real competition for leadership return to local government producing such a strong result.

The following statement was released by Yarra Council following the meeting that confirmed the election of Mayor Barber.

MacKillop Ward Councillor, Greg Barber was elected as Mayor of Yarra City Council at the annual Ceremonial Meeting of Council last night.

About 200 people attended the ceremony at Richmond Town Hall, to pay tribute to outgoing Mayor, Sue Corby and congratulate Cr. Barber.

Cr. Barber was first elected to Yarra City Council in March 2002 and was previously Yarra’s Finance and Resources Committee Chair.

In his first speech as Mayor, Cr. Barber spoke of the importance of local government in leading the community.

“Half the world’s population now live in cities and with that proportion set to grow, we have to get cities right,” he said. “These days government is a bad word. But the case for government has never been stronger. All the things government is responsible for, like protecting the environment, reducing inequality and making the ‘public good’ investments on which the rest of the economy depends, are in decline.

“The leadership and innovation on turning this around is not coming from state and federal governments. It is coming from local government.” Cr. Barber said the accountability of local government was greater by comparison than other levels of government. “Local leaders can’t avoid their people, they can’t avoid their problems, so they must find solutions,” he said. “We are coming together as one community with much more in common than dividing us. This Council is a mixed Council of Labor, Green and independent but residents can be confident the decisions we make are the best possible, because we work as a team.

“The issues this Council grapples with are common to all cities and humanity, so there is nothing parochial about thinking about your city first. We are citizens of Yarra and we are citizens of the world.” Cr. Barber presented outgoing Mayor, Cr. Corby with a gift to thank her for her work over the last two years. Chief Executive Officer, Lydia Wilson also thanked Cr. Corby, publicly acknowledging her contribution to the City of Yarra. “Sue has shown a unilateral commitment to Yarra and its residents. Over the last two years she has dedicated many hours to the community,” Ms Wilson said. “I look forward to working with the new Mayor and the other Councillors, in the spirit of partnership, and to our collective achievements.”

Active Yarra community member, Jeff Walker was joined by other residents who spontaneously came forward to address the gathering and thank Cr. Corby for her hard work and dedication. Among those to speak were fellow Councillors Jenny Farrar, Jackie Fristacky, Li Lai and Gurm Sekhon and community representatives from local tenant associations, Atherton Gardens Resident Association, Abbotsford Convent, Italian Senior Citizens of Richmond Hill, and the Collingwood Information and Drop-in Centre. Councillors were also elected to Yarra’s Planning and Community Development Committee and Finance and Resources Committee as part of the ceremonial meeting.

Councillor Jackie Fristacky will chair the Finance and Resources Committee, which includes Councillors Jenny Farrar, Li Lai, Sue Corby and Mayor, Greg Barber.

Councillor Judy Morton will chair the Planning and Community Development Committee, which includes Councillors Gurm Sekhon, Kay Meadows, Deborah Di Natale and Mayor, Greg Barber.

All Councillors are members of the Internal Development Approval Committee.

 

GOVERNMENT AND LABOUR JOIN TO VOTE DOWN SENATE INQUIRY INTO THE LEGALITY OF AUSTRALIA'S WAR ON IRAQ

I have reproduced extracts from a 27 March 2003 press release below by Green Senator Bob Brown on the Coalition and and ALP [Alternative Liberal Party] opposition to a Senate inquiry into the legality of war and methods for ensuring parliamentary approval before Australians are sent to war, and their opposition to Greens support for an independent, viable and free Palestine.

Government & ALP Defeat Inquiry into Legality of War and Parliamentary Approval for War.

Support for Independent Palestine Defeated in Senate

The ALP has sided with the Government to thwart a Senate inquiry into the legality of war and methods for ensuring parliamentary approval before Australians are sent to war, Greens Senator Bob Brown said.

The Opposition also sided with the Government to vote down Greens support for an independent, viable and free Palestine.

"Mr Crean has said this war is illegal. It is a momentous claim. The ALP should have backed the other opposition parties to really put the pressure on the Prime Minister over this illegal war," Senator Brown said.

"A Senate inquiry over the parliamentary break would have been an ideal mechanism to test these issues for the nation.

Senate inquiry proposal

That the following matters be referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee:
a) the likely implications on international law of this action
b) what constitutional changes are necessary to ensure parliamentary consent for such deployments of ADF personnel
c) what other mechanisms could be used to require parliamentary consent for deployment of Australian Defence Force personnel to hostilities overseas, such as changes to the Defence Act, as contained in the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval for Australian Involvement in Overseas conflict) amendment Bill 2003 or the various other Defence Amendment Bills introduced by Democrat Senators since 1985
d) whether such legislative or constitutional changes are desirable

Palestine Motion

"That the Senate supports the establishment of a free, viable and independent state of Palestine."

"The Greens support a peaceful resolution to the Palestine Israel conflict and oppose attempts to resolve the conflict through violence on both sides. Key to any long term solution, though, is an independent, free and viable Palestine," Senator Brown said.

23 MARCH 2003

COMMUNITIES IN CONTROL CONFERENCE

Our Community is organising a conference on 'Communities in Control. I took this information from LeftLink: A new initiative has been announced to look at issues to do with developing safer, stronger, and more viable communities - but, most importantly, about communities being in control of decision-making. To spearhead the discussion, to explore the growing evidence that a community "in control" is a decisive factor in improving community well-being and social and public health outcomes, and to further the development of communities in control, a world first conference is being held in Melbourne, 7-8 April 2003. Highly recommended! For further information, go to: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/control/control_main.jsp:

 

ROSA'S ON HER LONESOME

David will be away for an ICLEI Executive Committee meeting, and to give a presentation green purchasing to an international conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In the interests of preserving my nails, I may not have the chance to update this site until his return next week. It's a dogs life!: Rosa.

22 MARCH 2003

4% SWING TO THE GREENS IN NSW STATE ELECTION

A swing of 4% to the Greens in the NSW election is only the beginning. For results go to the Election 2003 Virtual Tally Room and for commentary you can try The Public Record. Green rock!: Rosa.

21 MARCH 2003

PEACE RALLIES IN THE CITY

Thousands of Victorians marched down Swanston St. Melbourne, yesterday to show our government and our people their opposition to the war on Iraq. The march from the State library to Federation Square was a light of hope in the darkest day of Australia's modern history. John Howard has confirmed his position as the worst Prime Minister Australia has had. Our Governments supplication to an aggressive United States administration has put world peace at jeopardy, has divided our country and placed Australia, Australians and many others at grave risk.

A further peace rally set for midday today (Friday) is also expected to be well attended.

Reading Marian Wilkinson's and David Marr's book Dark Victory, the scholarly and well researched history of the Howard Government's campaign against the boat people, known best by the catalytic events unfolding around the rescue of Iraqi and other refugees by the Norwegian Wilhelmsen boat The Tampa. The recommended retail price of the Allen & Unwin book is $24.95, and is well worth reading. A blurb from the back cover has resonance for events unfolding in Iraq:

They put lives at risk. They twisted the law. They drew the military into the heart of an election campaign. They muzzled the press. They misused intelligence services,defied the United nations, antagonised Indonesia and bribed poverty stricken pacific states. They closed Australia to refugees - and won a mighty election victory.

 

JOIN THE MOVE ON CITIZENS DECLARATION

You can chose to add your name to an international citizen's declaration at MoveOn.org. Click on the title to go to the sign up page. The text of the declaration is:

A Citizen's Declaration

As a US-led invasion of Iraq begins, we, the undersigned citizens of many countries, reaffirm our commitment to addressing international conflicts through the rule of law and the United Nations.

By joining together across countries and continents, we have emerged as a new force for peace. As we grieve for the victims of this war, we pledge to redouble our efforts to put an end to the Bush Administration's doctrine of pre-emptive attack and the reckless use of military power.

20 MARCH 2003

AUSTRALIA'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE WAR ON IRAQ IS A CRIME

The pre-emptive attack on Iraq has begun.

Brian Walters, Senior Counsel, has formed the view that the action of the Australian government in joining in this war constitutes the commission of a crime. With his permission, I have posted his argument below, and made it available as a word document by clicking on: The Decision of the Australian Government to Join in an Attack on Iraq.

A second article arguing the illegality of this war , 'Tearing Up The Rules' is available as a PDF download (315 kb) The report is attributed as authored by Roger Normand, Sandesh Sivarakumaran, Jacob Park, Sarah Leah Whitson, Sarah Zaidi, Ayliz Baskin, and Hadi Ghaemi, under the auspices of the Emergency Campaign on Iraq: Tel: 718.237.9145, ext. 21 or jpark@cesr.org.,The Center for Economic and Social Rights, Emergency Campaign on Iraq, 162 Montague Street • Brooklyn NY 11201

THE DECISION OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO JOIN IN AN ATTACK ON IRAQ By Brian Walters, SC, 20 March 2003

At the end of the Second World War, the victorious powers conducted war crimes trials at Nuremberg. They key defendants were charged with a number of offences, but the first charge involved conspiracy to commit crimes against peace

in that the defendants planned, prepared, initiated, and waged wars of aggression, which were also wars in violation of international treaties, agreements, or assurances.

Those convicted, including Hermann Goering and Joachim von Ribbentrop, were sentenced to death.

It follows that the debate as to the lawfulness of the prosecution of this war is not a matter of mere political significance. There may be legal consequences, and they may be of great seriousness for the individuals involved, including very lengthy terms of imprisonment (up to 30 years).

The decision of the present Australian federal administration, some 18 months ago, to take steps to prevent the asylum seekers on the Norwegian vessel, the Tampa, from landing in Australia and having recourse to the courts and the refugee system here, revealed a shocking disregard for the rule of law. Examples include the attempts by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to persuade their opposite numbers in Norway to require the vessel to leave Australian waters – without regard to the fact that the Norwegian government had no legal power to do so. It went on to misleading the Australian courts as to the conditions that the asylum seekers would be held on board the naval vessel onto which they were taken. It continued by making arrangements with both Nauru and Papua Niu Gini which were in breach of the laws of those countries – already struggling to uphold the rule of law. It reached its nadir by the proclamation of large areas of northern Australia to be, effectively, "outlaw lands" to which the normal rule of law does not relate.

More recently, following the US action in Afghanistan, two Australian citizens were detained by US authorities. Neither was armed at the time they were detained. Both are held, along with others, in Guantanamo Bay, without the protection of prisoner of war status (contrary to the Geneva Convention) and without being charged with any offence and without recourse to the courts. In other words, they are being held in extra-curial concentration camps. If this were to occur in Australia, it would constitute a serious crime. Morally, it is a crime. No word of protest has come from the present Australian government in relation to the treatment of Australian citizens in this way. Again, the rule of law is disregarded.

The decision to join in the US led attack on Iraq is a further example of disregard of the rule of law.

The legal advice released by the Australian government is dated mid March 2003 – over two months after Australian forces left for the Gulf. The advice is not from the Solicitor-General, the law officer who normally provides independent advice to the government.

The Government’s legal advice is founded on the following arguments:

· The failure by Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction immediately is a material breach of resolution 1441 September 2002.

· The material breach of Res. 1441, terminates the ceasefire in Res 687

· An end to the ceasefire "reactivates" Resolution 678 of November 1990 authorizing the use of "all necessary means to uphold and implement res. 660(1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security".

The first thing to note about this advice is that it does not go so far as to justify regime change. Resolution 678 (1990) authorised the use of force to ensure Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait. It had nothing to do with changing the government of Iraq, or with weapons of mass destruction.

At the conclusion of hostilities, via another resolution (resolution 687 of 1991) the Security Council required Iraq to submit to a weapons inspections regime and to destroy its chemical and biological weapons and to respect Kuwait's international boundaries.

But the legal opinion to the government is quite untenable. The resolutions in relation to weapons of mass destruction, including resolution 1441, do not authorise the use of force. So much is clear from the terms of resolution 1441. It is confirmed by the express statements of some of the Security Council members at the time. It is further confirmed by the attempts of the US and the UK to have a further resolution which authorise the use of force passed by the Security Council – only abandoned when it was clear that the Council would not authorise force.

An alternative justification for the war, although not relied on in the government’s advice, might be self defence. Article 51 of the United Nations Charter provides that:

Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.

The crucial words are "if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations". The operation of this justification for war depends on Iraq attacking the United States, the United Kingdom or Australia. There has been no such attack.

Some have tried to extend the doctrine of self defence to "pre-emptive self defence". This kind of argument has a long history. When German troops marched into Belgium in 1914, it was said that this was justified in order to defend Germany from an anticipated attack by France. When German forces invaded Poland in 1939, an incident was manufactured at the border involving prisoners dressed in Polish uniforms, and it was said that the invasion was necessary to pre-empt attack by Poland.

It is precisely because of the dangerous nature of the pre-emptive self defence doctrine that the United Nations charter does not recognise pre-emptive self-defence as a legitimate basis for war. For pre-emptive self defence is, by its nature, a doctrine which is dangerously open-ended and does not allow for objective assessment of the preconditions.

There is no determinative case law on the subject, but the practice of sovereign states since the implementation of the UN Charter supports the view that anticipatory self-defence is not recognised. When the US used a naval blockade to prevent missiles going to Cuba, the legal justification was not that the US early warning system would not be able to deal with the missiles in time, but that the deployment of the missiles in this way violated regional security arrangements. In 1981, Israel sent aircraft to bomb a nuclear reactor under construction in Iraq. There was no immediate threat to Israel, the plant being under construction. The UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israel for its action.

Even if anticipatory self defence could be justified, it would still be a requirement that armed attack be necessary and proportional to the anticipated threat. No facts have come to light, by way of either intelligence presented to the UN by Colin Powell, by the dossier provided by the United Kingdom, or by the reports of the UN weapons inspectors, which demonstrate that as a matter of fact war is necessary or proportionate to any anticipated self defence risk.

There have also been some arguments directed to the "humanitarian" nature of the proposed war. Intervention on humanitarian grounds was the basis of the intervention by NATO forces in Kosovo. However, warfare on humanitarian grounds is not lawful under the UN Charter. Such a situation is only lawful if a UN Security Council resolution authorises the use of armed force. There are good reasons for the requirement. When Hitler threatened to invade Czechoslovakia, he justified his conduct on the grounds that Czechoslovakia was oppressing ethnic Germans in the Sudetenland. He used similar arguments in relation to Germans in Danzig when he invaded Poland. Such arguments are used again and again in the rhetoric of war, and there is often some truth in them. Letting individual states go to war unilaterally on such a ground is not appropriate, because so much can be justified in this way. Accordingly, the UN may authorise this collectively, but an individual state may not unilaterally go to war on this ground.

Why is this war being fought? The US has, for some time, argued that it is in order to disarm Iraq from weapons of mass destruction. This was linked to terrorism in an attempt to justify a self defence argument for the war. However, it is now clear from the ultimatum delivered to Iraq that the war is primarily about regime change – the requirement was that Saddam Hussein leave Iraq, not that all weapons of mass destruction be delivered up. There have been further statements that this is a war of "liberation".

The US and its allies are on shifting ground in terms of the public justification for the war. This in itself suggests that no single justification can be made good. It is a war of aggression.

After the Second World War, criticism was made of the Nuremberg trials that they constituted "victor’s justice". However, that situation has now been changed. The International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity and genocide. Moreover, on 27 June 2002, the Commonwealth enacted the International Criminal Court Act 2002 and the International Criminal Court (Consequential Amendment) Act 2002 in order to facilitate the implementation of that court. These statutes incorporate war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide into Australian domestic law.

The crime of aggression is recognised under the Rome Statute which establishes the International Criminal Court. The jurisdiction for this crime will not vest until 1 July 2009, in order to permit further clarification of the definition of the crime and the conditions under which the jurisdiction may be exercised. This probably amounts to a mere procedural delay. In other words, an act of aggression committed now may be prosecuted in the ICC once the jurisdiction vests. The present leaders of the Australian government accordingly run the risk of prosecution for the crime of aggression at a future time – whatever the outcome of the war.

Further, if reports that the attacking forces propose to adopt "bomb and stun" tactics to coerce the civilian population to surrender are true, then those responsible for such tactics would commit war crimes and crimes against humanity whatever the legal justification for the war. Such crimes may be prosecuted forthwith. Such tactics are plainly proscribed and criminal. Proof of such charges will depend on the evidence available. However, public statements already made suggest an intention to commit war crimes as part of the prosecution of this attack on Iraq.

For sixty years the world has worked to develop a system of international law which involves collective decision-making before going to war. The system is not perfect, but is a great improvement on all that has gone before. Before the first US bombs have dropped on Iraq, Turkey is in the process of moving into the Kurdish section of Iraq. Turkey said, echoing the words of the US, that it could not leave the question of its self-defence to the UN.

If the US, with the help of the UK and Australia, discards the international rule book, this is precisely the kind of international pattern they can expect to develop.

The action of the Australian government in joining in this illegal war is a grave act which will have serious and irretrievable consequences. In my opinion, it constitutes the commission of a crime.

Brian Walters SC 20 March 2003

VICTORIAN GREEN ALTERNATIVES TO A WAR ON IRAQ

The Victorian Greens have established a website page to keep you informed of Alternatives to the War On Iraq. Click on the title for the page. On that page you will find the Vic Greens Global Issues Working Group has posted 'Alternatives to a War on Iraq'. Click on the title to download the word document directly.

During the War On Iraq, I will try to maintain an up-to-date list of information and peace sites related to the War: Go to David's Useful Sites for Promoting Peace During a War on Iraq

Be prepared to meet in front of the Victorian State Library, Swanston St at Lonsdale St, at 5 pm on the day that major bombing campaign begins in Iraq. [Bombing has been going on intermittently since 1991].

VICTORIAN GREENS - ALTERNATIVES TO A WAR ON IRAQ - PART 1: IN THE SHORT-TERM

Salvaging Peace:

1. We urge that no effort be spared for a peaceful resolution of the current situation in Iraq.

2. We call on all Members States of the United Nations Security Council to oppose or veto any resolution that could be interpreted as endorsing war.

3. We recognise that the UNMOVIC weapons inspectors have yet to find evidence that Iraq presently poses an imminent threat to international security, and therefore, that the use of military force against Iraq cannot be justified and will contravene international law.

4. We recognise that the UNMOVIC weapons inspectors have yet to find evidence that Iraq is producing or possesses chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons of mass destruction, and therefore that the use of military force against Iraq cannot be justified and will contravene international law.

5. We urge that should Iraq be found to be producing or to possess weapons of mass destruction, UNMOVIC be resourced to continue to pursue peaceful disarmament.

6. We call on the UN Security Council to allocate enough time and resources for diplomatic and other means, including the UNMOVIC weapons inspectors, to bring about the peaceful resolution of this crisis.

7. We urge that if the United Nations Security Council remains divided over war on Iraq, and a pre-emptive military attack is imminent or under way, Member States of the United Nations convene an emergency sitting of the General Assembly to condemn such military intervention, and to order belligerent states to cease-fire and to withdraw.

8. We call on all governments to refuse military and logistical support for war on Iraq.

9. We call on the UN Security Council to involve representatives of Iraqi civil society organisations, including ethnic and women’s groups, in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacemaking, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Addressing Humanitarian Crime in Iraq:

10. We strongly urge the governments of all states to give their full support to the implementation and upholding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

11. We urge that all states fully support the International Criminal Court and resource it to effectively perform the role of a legitimate, independent, and impartial world humanitarian court.

12. We urge the UN to establish an International Tribunal to investigate and prosecute crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq prior to the 2002 mandate of the International Criminal Court.

13. We recognise that economic sanctions have inflicted widespread suffering on the people of Iraq, without benefit for the stability of the Middle East and call for an immediate end to such sanctions.

14. We support humanitarian and development assistance for Iraq, including reconstruction of the civilian infrastructure.

15. We urge that the human rights of the Kurds, the Shia, and of other ethnic and religious groups in Iraq, including the right to self-determination, be fully addressed in any peace negotiations or settlements.

Addressing International Aggression:

16. We condemn any pre-emptive strike launched against the government and peoples of Iraq.

17. We recognise and reject the concept of a US-led ‘War on Terror’ as largely propaganda that obscures the pursuit of US global economic and strategic objectives.

18. We strongly condemn aggression by any state under the banner of a ‘War on Terror’.

19. We call on all countries, including the US to sign, ratify, and implement all outstanding international human rights and disarmament agreements, including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

20. We condemn as provocative and potentially belligerent the US Missile Defence Shield program.

21. We caution the US that the use of military arms that indiscriminately kill and maim civilians, including landmines, cluster bombs and weapons of mass destruction, cannot be justified under any circumstances.

22. We condemn the history of arms sales to Iraq, including supply of production materials for weapons of mass destruction.

Addressing the Issue of Oil:

23. We support the central role of the United Nations and its Courts as arbiters of natural resource ownership and related sovereignty issues.

24. We call for a comprehensive reduction in consumption of fossil fuels as an energy source.

25. We urge Australia and the US to ratify and implement the Kyoto Protocol.

26. We urge the establishment of an International Environment Court and/or Environmental Council at the UN to implement the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources as alternatives to excessive reliance on fossil fuels, and to bring about a reduction of energy usage through increased efficiencies and conservation.

Maintaining a Compassionate Domestic Policy and Avoiding Vilification:

27. We condemn the racial profiling and vilification of Arab, Muslim and other communities within Australia, and affirm our support for the ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity within Australia.

28. We strongly urge the compassionate and humane treatment of asylum seekers arriving in Australia and overseas.

29. We affirm that it is the right of any citizen to oppose the war with every non-violent means at their disposal, including civil disobedience, and we reject the vilification of such opposition.

Rethinking Australian Policy:

30. We urge the Australian Government to recall Australian troops and military resources from the Middle East, unless used for nominated peacekeeping roles as sanctioned by the UN and authorised by the Australian Parliament.

31. We call for a Senate Inquiry into any Australian involvement in a war on Iraq, and for a Referendum on whether Australia should be involved in any pre-emptive war.

32. We reject and condemn the use of US military bases in Australia for US intelligence gathering with the purpose of waging pre-emptive war on Iraq or on any other country.

33. We urge the Australian Government to pursue a non-nuclear independent, non-aligned, foreign and defence policy.

34. We counsel against Australian support for, and involvement in, a provocative, potentially belligerent and dangerously destabilising US Missile Defence Shield program.

35. We strongly caution Australian government and military personnel that they will be in breach of, and liable before, international law, if they participate in any pre-emptive strike.

36. We encourage government and military personnel to conscientiously object to any order that contravenes international law.

37. We remind Australian government and military personnel that it is their duty under international law to refuse participation in war crimes.

38. We call for the establishment of Peace Research Centres in Australian universities, and for peace education in the Australian school and university curricula.

VICTORIAN GREENS - ALTERNATIVES TO A WAR ON IRAQ -PART 2: IN THE LONG-TERM - Victorian Greens

Democratising Global Governance:

1. We call for extensive reform of the World Trade Organisation, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, to ensure they become democratic and reflective of the economic, social, and environmental needs of the peoples of the world.

2. We affirm our commitment to the United Nations in its central role in the maintenance of international peace and security.

3. We affirm our commitment to the UN Charter and its principle of the sovereignty of all Member States and we support efforts made to strengthen the United Nations to uphold this Charter. However, we also recognise a strong need for structural reform of the UN, to ensure that it becomes truly independent, inclusive and democratic.

4. We call on the General Assembly to address the issue of the structural reform of the United Nations, through a standing UN Reform Commission. Proposals for consideration include: i. Reforming the UN Security Council, such as by phasing out of the veto powers of its Permanent Members and regular review of the permanent membership; ii. Expanding the representation of Non-permanent members on the UN Security Council. iii. Restructuring the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly; iv. Establishing a directly elected People’s Assembly to operate as a ‘house of review’, carefully monitoring the decisions and deliberations of other UN bodies; v. Creating a Consultative Assembly composed of representatives from transnational firms, trade unions, professional associations and a broad range of other educational, scientific, cultural, religious, and public-interest organisations; and, vi. Creating (or transforming the Security Council into), an International Council for Conflict Resolution.

5. We urge all Member States of the United Nations to commit to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that calls for more women at every level of governance, and for gender issues to be taken into account in all aspects of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacemaking, and post-conflict reconstruction, and that women are included in all peace negotiations.

Addressing Global Social Injustice and Poverty:

6. We recognise that extreme poverty, inequality, injustice, and deprivations of the basic essentials of life provide the breeding grounds for terrorism and hatred of the West. We will work towards global social justice.

7. We call for the release of the Third World from the overwhelming burden of debt to the West, and measures for the prevention of the re-accumulation of such debt.

8. We call for an increase in Australian overseas aid up to 0.7% of Gross Domestic Product, as recommended by the UN.

9. We call for Australian overseas aid programs to be targeted towards the elimination of poverty as the primary objective, and not to be subordinated to economic and strategic interests in Australia and elsewhere.

Preventing Future Wars and Terrorism:

10. We call for the establishment of a multilateral International Crisis Prevention and Response Centre, supported where possible by Regional Crisis Centres, to address terrorism and other conflict. This includes capacity for a rapid response peacekeeping force

11. We call for worldwide elimination of weapons of mass destruction, and urge the UN to expand programs to secure and safely destroy Weapons of Mass Destruction stockpiles in the former Soviet Union and elsewhere.

12. We call on all states to avoid a renewed arms race by limiting arms production and trade, and by taking steps towards the freezing, reduction and elimination of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons production capabilities.

13. We condemn the US Missile Defence Shield program as provocative, potentially belligerent and dangerously destabilising.

14. We urge the development of international legal codes on the accountability of political and military leaders regarding human rights abuses and crimes against humanity, and that these be upheld consistently in all countries and contexts.

15. We urge all Member States of the United Nations to commit to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 681 that calls for a nuclear-free Middle East, as well as to all other UN Security Council Resolutions that pertain to arms control and the resolution of aggression and territoriality in the Middle East region.

16. We urge for a redoubling of all diplomatic efforts to bring about a just and peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and for comprehensive regional disarmament.

17. We support efforts made for the reconstruction of the Palestinian civilian infrastructure.

18. We urge the promotion of further steps for the strengthening of capacities for international conflict prevention and non-violent conflict resolution.

AUSTRALIA'S COMMITMENT TO A WAR ON IRAQ IS WRONG

Australia has been committed to a war on Iraq. The decision is a mistake.

An alliance does not require blind compliance to be honoured. ANZUS does not apply to Iraq.

The Prime Minister's announcement that Australia is going to war following a phone call from George Bush and prior to debating it in Parliament, was more akin to a deputy sheriff than a person elected by and for the people.

Australia is one of only three countries in the world committing troops.

Weapon inspections were making gains.

No evidence of a link between Iraq and September 11 has been demonstrated.

No evidence of a link between Iraq and the Bali Bombing has been demonstrated.

The contrast between the willingness to invade Iraq and the US's reticent position on North Korea is telling.

Being silent about having financed, armed and supported Saddam Hussein in the past makes the US' stance seem hollow. When a person is so willing to develop, distribute, sell and use weapons, their intent doesn't look peaceful.

Perhaps modern civilisation hasn't progressed as far as I had thought.

 

NEGOTIATE A USA-AUST TRADE AGREEMENT ON YOUR OWN TERMS: 'BOYCOTT BRAND AMERICA' PLEDGE

How about a trade agreement made on your own terms? Adbusters invite you to join 'Boycott Brand America.' Visit the website by clicking on the title, and make your own decision. Below is some of the material from the site.

Are You Ready to Take on a Lone-Gun Superpower?

The world struggles to fight global warming, and its biggest polluter thumbs its nose. The world calls for an international criminal court, and “the global supercop” rejects it out of hand. Now the world wants a firm but peaceful solution in Iraq, and America is beating the drums of war. It's the new global arrogance. The White House is right. The rest of us are wrong. And like it or not, the world gets a war.

How do we - from Tokyo and Bombay to London and Los Angeles - take a stand against Rogue Nation USA? Here's an idea: we hit the superpower with a boycott the whole world can see, and that American power can really feel. For most of us, the clear symbols of American culture gone wrong are the corporate logos that make up Brand America. So we empty the McDonald's, the Niketowns and Hollywood cinemas. We clear out Disneyland. We turn off Fox, CNN and MTV. We shut down Esso and Texaco, Gap and Starbucks.

When you make the Boycott Brand America pledge, you make a public statement. You also add your e-mail address to our secure list, so we can build the boycott into an international outcry on par with the peace marches. Watch for days of action on oil, fast food, sweatshop labor, the media - the intensity will build with every week of the war.

We face a historic turning point - and a need for new mass actions. Don’t doubt that we can turn the tide; the peace movement is already 10 million strong and growing. That’s enough consumer clout to make the Brand America Boycott a challenge heard round the world.

Ready for action? From personal choice to public protest, you can build the Brand America Boycott with the power of your own imagination. Whatever you choose to do, let us know (tell Sadie), and watch this site for updates, jams, photos and reports. Take on the global bullies and celebrate your freedom from commercial culture.

And remember: Empires fall!!

The Pledge [Got to Boycott Brand America to sign or to find out more]

Because I am one of the millions of people against the war And because the American government has made it clear that it won't listen to world opinion

And because the symbols of American power are its corporations and their brands,

I hereby pledge to boycott Brand America, from the moment the war begins and to the best of my ability until the empire learns to listen.

CRS. JANET RICE AND COLLEEN HARTLAND TO JOIN MARIBYNONG COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

Janet Rice and Colleen Hartland will be sworn in as members of Maribynong Council at the Maribynong Town Hall, at the corner of Napier and Hyde Streets Footscray, at a ceremony commencing 7 pm. All the people of Maribynong will be welcome to attend. Go Green Girls, Go!

GREENS VOTE STRONG IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITH WOMEN AND DEMOCRACY THE WINNERS

Support for the Victorian Greens remains strong, as yesterday's local government elections prove. Janet Rice, Greens candidate for Saltwater ward in Maribynong City Council achieved 44.6% of the votes cast on Saturday, making her a certainty to represent the people of Maribynong. Colleen Hartland, Greens candidate for Sheoak ward in Maribynong also looks likely to be elected. With many results yet to be returned, the Greens policy of upfront and honest commitment to their views has been endorsed with approximately 10% of the electors yesterday making the Greens their first choice. Results are available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.

VOTE GREEN BY 6 PM TODAY IN TODAY'S VICTORIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS!

Local Government elections are being held in a number of Councils today. Many Councils used postal voting that concluded yesterday, but some Councils have attendance voting that requires you to vote before 6 pm this evening. Details of candidates standing in this election can be found on the Greens website at 2003 Local Government Elections. With over 30 candidates standing statewide, it is likely that Greens local government representation will continue to grow from strength to strength.

 

A SMALL BRIDGE TO IRAQ

A wonderful insight into humanity is given by this short work 'On A Small Bridge To Iraq'. It is available as a PDF download (771 kb) by clicking on the underlined title, or you can go to the Japanese website at http://www.impala.jp/iraq/main.html for a 2 Mb download. Thanks to Peter Christoff for passing this on: Rosa.

FEDERATION SQUARE SPEECH ON PEACEFUL ALTERNATIVES TO A WAR ON IRAQ

David had the privilege to speak at a Peace Rally today at Melbourne's Federation Square. I have provided the text below and attached it as a word download: Peaceful Alternatives To A War On Iraq

Peaceful Alternatives To A War On Iraq. Federation Square, 14 March 2003

I acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation. For the Boonerwrung, Woiworung, Taungurong, Djajawurrung and the Wathaurung which make up the Kulin Nation. I thank them for sharing this land and I thank all of you for being here and standing up for justice.
John Howard’s attempts to provide a moral justification for this war are totally unconvincing. A pre-emptive unilateral invasion of Iraq is wrong.
*It is an unjustified attack on the innocent in Iraq.
*It is an unjustified attack on the United Nations
* It is an unjustified attack on the real security this planet so desperately needs.
No one believes Bush, Blair or Howard. The people here today know real security comes from
*Security of food supply for the worlds starving.
*Security of housing and sanitation for the world’s poorest.
* Security that force is not the principle that determines right and wrong.
Security will definitely not come from the ‘Mother Of All Bombs’.
The Australian Government’s willingness to enter a coalition of the willing, a coalition of the wilfully blind, fails to further any of those things that the world desperately needs.
Rather than investing in world stability, they are committing Australia to war.
This is not Australia’s war. This is an oil war. This is one of many resource wars that will dominate this century if we continue to squander the world’s resources. Oil, water, land, and human potential.
The Australian Greens absolutely oppose the deployment of Australia’s defence personnel, its men and women, to the theatre of war in Iraq and call on the Prime Minister to reverse that decision and bring those men and women home.
The Australian Greens condemn the Prime Minister for making that decision without reference to the Australian Parliament, without the backing of the Australian people and without a call, request or authorisation from the United Nations.
Some may say that whatever the mistakes of the past, Australia needs to act to stop Saddam Hussein. There is no doubt Hussein is a reprehensible leader, and that many innocent people in Iraq pay the price for his government’s avarice.
That is a fair argument, but the international history of selective military and political intervention and the Australian Government’s history of misleading the public during the children overboard affair and the Tampa affair where the very people fleeing the Iraqi regime were treated with a presumption of criminality, suggest the Australia Government’s judgement and motives do not deserve our trust.
This crisis has been catalysed by an Al Qaueda attack on the United States of America. No link between that attack and Iraq has been established.
Australia was further immersed in this crisis by a terrorist attack in Indonesia. No link between that attack and Iraq has been established.
Australia’s involvement in the coalition of the wilfully blind will isolate us from the ideals I understood we represented, and in doing so, place Australians and the value we hold in peril.
The price of our silence may be the lives of 10,000s of thousands of innocent civilians and belief that might and terror replace the United Nations as the most effective forum for resolving conflict.
We must give peace a chance. We must allow the weapons inspectors to complete their task.
Our actions must be to act in the interests of the planet. We must view an invasion on Iraq as if the lives of the 100,00 Iraqi children expected to die were our own.
The alternative of the war mongering we are seeing now, is both frightening and sickening. Iraq now. North Korea, Iran? Syria? When and where does it stop?
The decision to commit Australia to war is wrong. It will threaten our security, not secure it.
Waging war on Iraq will make us more alert. More alarmed. But,
* That is not a world moving closer to freedom.
* That is not a world in pursuit of justice.
That is a world in which real security is being jeopardised by our leaders who are placing wrongheaded national interests ahead of the common good.
The world deserves better. Better leadership. Leadership provided by the commonsense of the people.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
The actions of our government convince me of this.
Regime change begins at home.

THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT'S STANCE ON A WAR IN IRAQ IS A DISGRACE

John Howard's speech today provided no new evidence of a link between Saddam Hussein, Iraq and the recent increase in world terrorism. The justifications for a war on Iraq, let alone a war without United Nations support, have simply not materialised.

12 MARCH 2003

MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL MAJORITY VOTE FOR WAR

Incredibly, Melbourne City Council's Finance, Corporate Services and Governance Committee voted 5 to 2 against supporting the Victorian Local Governance Association's 'Statement on Communities and Peace' (FOR: Moved Cr. Redwood and Seconded Cr. Risstrom - AGAINST: Crs. Chamberlin, Goonan, Kitching, Ng and Riley) This puts the majority of Council supporting the position of the Australian and American Governments. [I am the VLGA delegate for the Melbourne City Council]

The full text of the VLGA Statement on Communities and Peace rejected by a majority of MCC Councillors is:

"Local governments lead and inform their local communities on issues affecting them, and will advocate and represent community interests to other spheres of government and in wider forums. Local governments will provide a strong an united voice at state/territory and national levels for the common concerns and aspirations of local communities." (Declaration on the Role of Local Governments adopted 1997 ALGA General Assembly of Australian Local Governments)

Local governments also play vital role in reducing the fracturing within our society and in building harmonious communities where all people can feel welcome, not only those of the 'dominant culture'. The VLGA urges local governments to celebrate their cultural diversity and build sustainable communities.

The VLGA is a passionate advocate for local governments increasing their capacity to strengthen and support local communities.

The VLGA writes to the Prime Minister the Opposition leader and leaders of the federal parties expressing our opposition to the commitment of Australian troops to any military action in Iraq without the endorsement of the United Nations Security Council.

We urge the government to seek to ensure all possible diplomatic initiatives are exhausted by the United Nations before agreeing to any Australian involvement in a military solution to the Iraqi crisis.

We urge the Howard Government and our Federal Members of parliament to actively support United Nations diplomatic efforts to support and encourage democracy and respect for human rights in Iraq and all nations.

The VLGA urges all Victorian local government to consider these statements on behalf of their communities.

11 MARCH 2003

SENATORS BOB BROWN AND KERRY NETTLE ON PEACEFUL ALTERNATIVES TO A WAR ON IRAQ

The Hansard record of speeches opposing Australia's involvement in a War on Iraq by Greens Senators Bob Brown on 4 Feb 2003 and Kerry Nettle on 5 Feb 2003 are a beacon of humanity in a midst of utilitarian pragmatism. Both are available as word downloads by clicking on the underlined text. I have taken two extracts out below.

Senator Kerry Nettle: … In making a decision to send Australian troops over to be involved in a war in Iraq, Prime Minister Howard is putting US economic interests ahead of the lives of Australian men and women in our defence forces and ahead of the lives of Iraqi civilians. …

Senator Bob Brown: … The Prime Minister has done the wrong thing by our defence personnel and he has done the wrong thing by this nation. Instead of sending out kits or requests for people to get kits to protect themselves from the threat, the fear and the potential of terror, this Prime Minister should reduce the fear and the threat of terrorism in this country by bringing our defence personnel home. This is not Australia’s war, Prime Minister Howard. This is not Australia’s war and Australians do not want you to prosecute this war for them. The best thing the Prime Minister can do to get the good wishes of Australia and to lessen the feelings of threat, terror, helplessness and anger in the Australian community is bring the 2,000 Australians home. …

9 MARCH 2003

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

The United States Greens have released a short animation on war amongst a wonderful world: 2/15/03 Worldwide Protect Against the War In Iraq (3.4 Mb mpeg). People wanting peace are not alone.

INNOVATING TO A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY IN 30 YEARS OR LESS

Philip Sutton, director of the company Green Innovations, has devoted a significant proportion of his life to creating solutions for a sustainable future. Philip administers the Greenleap webserver, which provides a mediated web notice board for environment issues. Phil forwarded me his most recent paper 'Innovating to a sustainable economy, in 30 years or less.' The paper is available in various formats including word and PDF by clicking on the underlined title and making your choice. An extract of the introduction by Phil Sutton is below.

Innovating to a sustainable economy, in 30 years or less.

It is increasingly widely recognised that the economic development model that is currently dominant is creating serious environmental problems and that very significant changes to the model are needed if the problems are to be prevented (Raskin et al., 2002.). There is also awareness that corrective action is urgently required. But, while awareness is growing, the number of places where environmentally-desirable development models are being applied systematically is still very small. So something more needs to be done than we are doing already.

This paper provides an introduction to a set of strategies that could be used to drive the implementation of a desirable development model so that a truly ecologically-sustainable economy can be created on a fast timeline. The purpose of the paper is not just to provide a wish list of desirable actions. Instead it sets out to summarise a new paradigm for approaching the whole issue of creating an ecologically-sustainable economy in a timely manner. The intention is for the paper to be as brief as possible while still presenting the proposed new paradigm in an understandable form.

 

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AWARDS APPLICATIONS SOUGHT

The United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards 2003 are seeking nominations. The Awards aim to recognise businesses, community groups, individuals, local governments, students and the media whose work serves to protect, manage or restore the environment.

The Major Award Categories include: Excellence in Water Management - Best company, community or individual that has demonstrated excellence in the conservation, recycling and use of water, in either rural or urban regions; Triple Bottom Line Award – for the best environmental, social and commercial best practice program for business; Business Enterprise Awards Category - for the best specific environmental initiative; and the environmental best practice program; Community / Individual Awards Category - for the best community based environmental project or initiative; and the special award for outstanding service to the environment; Local Government Awards Category - for excellence in overall environmental management; best specific environmental initiative; Education / School Award Category - for the best school based project exploring environmental themes or issues; Media Awards for Environmental Reporting - for the best print submission; the best radio segment; and the best television segment, which has been published, broadcast or telecast in Australia.

Nominations are open to all members of the community but close 5 pm, Tuesday 13th May 2003. Winners will be announced at an Award Presentation Dinner on June 6th. The complete guidelines, entry criteria and nomination form can be found at the UNAA website www.unaavictoria.com.au or telephone (03) 9482 3655, fax (03) 9482 5118, e-mail UNAA.VIC@bigpond.com

7 MARCH 2003

FALUN DAFA UNSUCCESSFUL IN INJUNCTION APPLICATION AGAINST MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION TO BAN FALUN DAFA FROM THE MOOMBA PARADE

FROM CR. RISSTROM: Falun Dafa were unsuccessful in their application for an injunction to allow them to participate in Monday's Moomba Parade. A vote of 6 to 3 taken in Council on 27 February to ban Falun Dafa confirmed an earlier decision to exclude Falun Dafa on the basis of their political associations. My reasons for voting against the ban are detailed below under the heading at 28 February 2003.

I was subpoenaed to give evidence, but was ultimately not called and left the Court prior to the final determination today. From what I have been told, the Tribunal had little difficulty in determining that Melbourne City Council based their decision to exclude Falun Dafa from the Moomba Parade on the basis of their political nature, beliefs or activities, but that the Anti Discrimination laws did not apply because the voluntary nature of Falun Dafa's activities did not place it in a position of being denied a service by the Council. Injunction proceedings require a high standard to be applied on the likelihood of issues being decided in the applicant's [Falun Dafa] favour at trial, which I understand, when applied to these legal issue, led the Tribunal to reject Falun Dafa's injunction application. I also believe the Tribunal made comments that in no way were encouraging to the approach the City of Melbourne took in excluding Falun Dafa from this year's Moomba Parade.

I am disappointed by the decision of the Tribunal. I had hoped the Tribunal's finding would allow Falun Dafa to participate in Moomba.

I continue to strongly oppose Melbourne City Council's banning of Falun Dafa from Moomba. It provides Melbourne City Council little to be proud of.

With a war on Iraq increasingly threatened, and the inevitable security fears and xenophobia encroach upon our confidence in ourselves, the majority decision of Melbourne City Council to ban Falun Dafa is at odds with the need for truth, compassion and forbearance: the very things Falun Dafa profess to stand for.

6 MARCH 2003

THOUGHTFUL ALTERNATIVES TO A WAR ON IRAQ

This cartoon is not new, but says so much so simply: Rosa

5 MARCH 2003

ACTION ON INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION ENDORSED BY TUESDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING

Melbourne City Council made a historic decision last night to give effect to its August resolution for Indigenous Reconciliation. Concrete action to implementing the unanimously supported resolution of the 6 August 2002 Melbourne City Council Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee was approved on 4 March 2003 of the same committee. Details on progress towards reconciliation is detailed on this site at: Achieve Indigenous Reconciliation. A summary of the report and its recommendation is shown below. The full report is available for download [296k PDF file] by clicking here: Report on the Progress of Reconciliation and Indigenous Interests at the City of Melbourne.

Details of other Green achievements working towards reconciliation and respect for indigenous cultural can be seen by clicking on these topics:

Acknowledgement of Indigenous Heritage,

Reaffirm Council's Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians.

Employ Indigenous Talents in the Organisation; and,

Sustain the Indigenous Arts Grants Program.

2 MARCH 2003

VICTORIAN GREENS LAUNCH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN IN MARIBYNONG

The Victorian Greens formally launched a campaign that many local government candidates had begun many years ago. For many of the Green candidates for local government elections this month, standing as a Green at this election is a natural continuation of their community involvement. With over 30 candidates standing statewide, it is very likely that Greens local government representation will continue to grow from strength to strength. Details of candidates standing in this election can be found on the Greens website at 2003 Local Government Elections.

Greens 2003 Local Government Campaign Launch

Left to right: Rosa the Policy Watchdog (Melbourne), Cr. Greg Barber (Yarra), Tony Hastings (Yarra Ranges), Stuart Kingsford (Glen Eira), Cr. Gurm Sekhon (Yarra), Cr. Jenny Farrar (Yarra), Mick Kir (Whitehorse), Cr. David Risstrom (Melbourne), Chris Mardon (Glen Eira), Janet Rice (Maribynong), Sylvie Leber (Maribynong), Colleen Hartland (Maribynong), Andrew Ellis (Maribynong), Michele Finey (Maribynong), Deborah Kottek (Monash) and daughter.

PS: Yours truly and the white shoe brigade young one are 'considering our positions' and deny all rumours we are standing for Council: Rosa

1 MARCH 2003

A SECOND THOUGHTFUL BACKGROUNDER FROM THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE ON THE NORTH KOREAN CRISIS

The Australia Institute is hosting another excellent paper titled 'Sunshine, Containment, War: Options on Korea' by Gavan McCormack, research professor of East Asian History at the Australian National University. This second paper, and Gavan McCormick's previous piece published in January, 'Putting Pressure on Rogues' is available as a PDF by clicking on the 'What's New' button on the Australia Institute Website. Here are some introductory paragraph from Gavan's second piece.

Sunshine, Containment, War: Options on Korea.

1. “Sunshine” The recent outpourings of analysis and comment on the “Korean problem” around the world are characterised by righteous indignation and denunciation. They tend to be shaped, consciously or unconsciously, by an “imperial” frame of reference, insisting that Pyongyang submit to the will of the “international community” when what is really meant is the will of Washington. To the extent that one adopts an alternative, Korean frame, and a Seoul-centered approach, the problem begins to look different. Nobody understands North Korea better, is in the present climate more positive and encouraging about dealing with it, and has more to lose from getting it wrong, than the government and people of South Korea.

Years of “sunshine” and multiple layers of contact and negotiation have begun to thaw and open tracks across the long-frozen “Demilitarized” line that divides North and South. The challenge for Seoul now is to build a buffer of protection and a bridge of communication linking Pyongyang to the world, while guaranteeing that international obligations are met and ensuring that Pyongyang’s legitimate security concerns are fulfilled; it is nothing less than internationalising“Sunshine.” In the world empire currently under construction, however, “sunshine” is not only not a priority but it smacks of appeasement, its exponents have to be restrained.

28 FEBRUARY 2003

MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION TO BAN FALUN DAFA FROM THE MOOMBA PARADE IS WRONG: CR. RISSTROM

FROM CR. RISSTROM: I strongly oppose the decision taken by Melbourne City Council last night to ban the involvement of Falun Dafa in the 2003 Melbourne Moomba Parade. To exclude them from participating in the Moomba Parade is discriminatory and wrong on political, ethical and legal grounds.

A majority of Melbourne City Councillors have sought to silence political freedom in a way that, fortunately, is rarely effective. By confirming the exclusion of Falun Dafa from the 2003 Moomba Parade in a decision in the Council meeting of 27 February 2003, a majority of 6 to 3 on Council have attempted to suffocate the rights of public participation of Falun Dafa members that are analogous to the claims Falun Dafa or like groups maintain concerning the suppression of those freedoms in China.

For Melbourne City Councillors to limit community involvement on the sole basis that a group may have a political affiliation is a dangerous precedent to promote. It involves us as politicians picking favourites among our community, rather than promoting engagement, tolerance and diversity.

Ethically, it is wrong to exclude a group that was invited to join the parade earlier this year, and then to withdraw that invitation over concerns that the group is political, and not a community group. Countless other Councils and a Federal Government body have recognised Falun Dafa as a community group. It is also wrong to characterise Moomba as being for families and to assume that means community groups such as Falun Dafa are unable to contribute to such a celebration.

In my opinion, legally, the decision discriminates against Falun Dafa on the basis of their presumed political beliefs and activities. To exclude a community organisation from engaging in, or gaining from, an activity provided by the Council on the basis that they express a political view has many characteristics of an act of discrimination on the basis of political belief alone. If true, I believe anti-discrimination law makes that decision illegal.

As I was quoted in the Melbourne Times on 26 February, "If they (the Falun Dafa) are organised and they have got something to contribute to Moomba they should be allowed. They have been recognised as a community group by countless other local governments and the Federal Government.

It appears likely that this issues will be pursued in a legal forum, from which a clearer view may emerge.

In my opinion, the question to be pursued is not whether this decision is popular. It is whether it is right.

27 FEBRUARY 2003

ERIC RISSTROM: THE TAXPAYER'S CHAMPION AND LOCAL LEADER: A LIFE FOCUSSED ON CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMON GOOD

My father, Eric Risstrom, a person many of you will know as either the leader of the Taxpayer's Association of Australia, or as a long standing Councillor for the Cities of Camberwell and Boroondara, is unwell. The City of Boroondara hosted a farewell for Eric last night, and it was great to see so many good people attend.

In a life characterised by brilliance and an obsession with work, Eric's contributions have focussed on the common good in a way that is less common than it could be.

As a Boroondara Councillor for the majority of his adult life, having been first elected in 1963, I recall having to wait up until after 11 pm every second Monday to see my father, who worked almost every other waking hour of his time.

As many of you who are older will know, much of Eric's life as 'The Taxpayer's Champion' for the Australian Taxpayer's Association, was spent pursuing, promoting and explaining his belief in a fair and equitable tax system.

Eric is unwell, and decided last December to stand down from Boroondara Council. I know that Joyce, my mother, and others around him, hope that now Eric can reflect on his achievements and his contributions and realise that, at a great personal cost to himself and those around him, he has achieved a great deal for a great many people. And that in a world where the common good needs a greater light shone upon it, is a great achievement.

26 FEBRUARY 2003

STATE GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT

The State Government's announcement that it will table legislation that formally recognises local government in the Victorian Government. As a Melbourne City Councillor having been the brunt of a sacking and to be later told by members of the Government that I was one of the good ones and that it wasn't personal, the entrenchment of the independence of local governance is a welcome and overdue development.

24 FEBRUARY 2003

GREENS TO LAUNCH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES THIS SUNDAY AT MARIBYNONG

The Victorian Greens are proud participants in good local government. This Sunday at 12 noon at Footscray Railway Station we will be launching our new crop of potential Green Councillors, giving strength to the adage 'Thinking Globally, Acting Locally'. I look forward to gaining more and more colleagues in the local government sphere this election and in years to come.

24 FEBRUARY 2003

MCC SPECIAL COMMITTEE MAKES IT CLEAR THEY ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE BUNCLE ST PLANNING AMENDMENT IN MOONEE VALLEY

Following on from my writing below on 11 February 'Dark side of the Maine Valley' specially convened meeting of the Melbourne City Council Planning Committee sent a very clear that they are unhappy with the way the C37 planning amendment at Buncle Street North Melbourne. The site is in the area that was formerly in the City of Melbourne, but reallocated to the City of Moonee Valley by the Kennett Government. The Council will be represented at a panel hearing on Wednesday, putting a number of issues before them including the height and bulk of the building, lack of consultation, dominance by roadways and use of street level parking.

23 FEBRUARY 2003

FINALLY THE ART WORLD RECOGNISES MY MERIT - THE LAUNCH OF GRASSROOTS INDIGENOUS ART EXHIBITION AT THE MELBOURNE MUSEUM

David had the good fortune to help launch a collection of indigenous art called 'Grassroots' at Bunjilaka at the Melbourne Museum. The work by Lyn Thorpe, an indigenous woman who teaches at Northcote Secondary School has melded photography with electronic processes to create beautifully composed art. All that being said, with the greatest of humility, I was grateful to be told by David that I feature in a work called Gundjitmara Man, where Richard Franklin shared the honour of my company while David was at Songlines at Trades Hall last year. Given my significant elevation, anyone sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to David Risstrom, c/o Melbourne Town Hall Swanston St, Melbourne Victoria 3001, will receive an authentic paw print from yours truly: Rosa

22 FEBRUARY 2003

SUSTAINABLE LIVING FAIR IS ON AT FEDERATION SQUARE TODAY AND TOMORROW

The Sustainable Living Fair is on this weekend at Federation Square and is well worth visiting. The Sustainable Living Fair is one of the highlights of Sustainability Month in February 2003. More details can be found by clicking on this Sustainability Month hotlink, visiting http://www.sustainabilitymonth.org or downloading this Sustainability month PDF. Having helped to bring the Fair to Melbourne [See Bringing the Sustainable Living Fair to Melbourne at Dave's 100 Green Achievements] it is great to see the Fair grow from strength the strength every year.

21 FEBRUARY 2003

MIKE HILL'S FAREWELL AT ST KILDA TOWN HALL WAS A GREAT GATHERING

Mike Hill, former Executive Director of the Victorian Local Governance Association, was farewelled last night at St. Kilda Town Hall. The large number of good people were probably the best indicator of the influence Mike has had on our society during his period at the VLGA. I'm sure Mike will continue to be involved in useful activities. On behalf of the people of Victoria and the Victorian Greens, I want to thank Mike for the contributions he has made, and will make, to the common good.

19 FEBRUARY 2003

LOCAL GOVERNMENT GREEN PURCHASING SET TO TAKE OFF

As a Melbourne City Councillor, a director of the municipal purchasing company MAPS Ltd. and as an executive and management committee member of ICLEI International, I have been able to initiate a Green Purchasing Pilot Project.

In conjunction with ICLEI and MAPS, 10 Australian Councils are participating in the pilot including Brisbane City Council and Maroochy Shire Council in Queensland; Adelaide, Marion, Onkaparinga, Burnside and West Torrens City Councils in South Australia, Hornsby City Council in New South Wales and , Whittlesea and Melbourne City Councils in Victoria. More formal statements will be released once the Pilot is officially launched, but more information is available on my 100 Green Achievements site Green Purchasing Across Australia, and at the ICLEI Australia/New Zealand web page Green Purchasing Pilot Project.

18 FEBRUARY 2003

GOING AS A HUMAN SHIELD TO IRAQ

I have taken this article by Ruth Russell off a LeftLink newsletter. It is by Ruth Russell, one of the incredibly brave Australians going to Iraq to act as a human shield as a means of deterrent against an attack on Iraq.

Going As A Human Shield To Iraq By Ruth Russell

Why am I going? I am going because this war is morally wrong. I am ashamed that Australians are being involved in this war and by going, I am saying "Not in my name". War is not the way a civilised society behaves. There is a way to solve international conflict diplomatically through the United Nations but we need the goodwill of our prime minister to find peaceful solutions instead of excuses for war.

As Australians, we were made aware of the tragic consequences of one bomb in Bali recently. Now our government is considering being a party to dropping countless bombs all over Iraq with unimaginable, horrendous deaths, maiming and destruction . Is this what Australians want? The Australian people are shouting out loudly NO but to date are being ignored. Australia will not gain long term security from participating in this war.

What do I hope to achieve ? The idea of a human shield operates on two levels. One is the symbolic action of saying that a war on Iraq is wrong and being prepared to put my life on the line because I believe this. The other level is the practical one of being with the Iraqi people to say not all Australians agree with this war. In Iraq, I hope to be with children in schools as I want to raise the issue that another UN Resolution that Australia is signatory to is to "protect children from the horrors of armed conflict". Why is Australia doing nothing to protect Iraqi children?

What has lead me to take this action ? I am a member of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Australian Democrats as well as a local Councillor. I want to live in a civil society. I think you have to speak out when something is wrong - stand up and be counted. If you don't, then you are complicit by your silence. Australians are being silenced through fear at the moment and this has to stop.

Details of my trip to Iraq: I leave Adelaide on Wednesday, 19th Feb at 6.:30 pm, flying to Amman, Jordan to meet with other 'human shield' volunteers. We will then travel by bus to Baghdad. I have to be totally self-sufficient and pay all my own expenses. It is anticipated that we will be staying with families, in schools or hospitals or camping near military targets.

What can you do? I am asking Australians to consider the ethics and morality of war and stand-up and speak out that 'War is not the way a civilised society behaves"Contact Details for updates

If you would like to know more about my progress this can be arranged through: aussieshield@aarli.com.au Ruth Russell Adelaide 13/2/2003.

16 FEBRUARY 2003

ROBERT THEOBOLD'S 'THE HEALING CENTURY

Robert Theobold, a great thinker and humanist who is no longer with us wrote a short article some years back called 'The Healing Century', which predicted and encouraged a more productive and co-operative 21st century. I hope he is right.

Just imagine if only a fraction of the resources we devote to military conflict provided food, shelter, medicine and education for those less fortunate than us. What a world it could be.

 

ASH WEDNESDAY ANNIVERSARY REMINDER OF FIRESTORMS NATURAL AND MANUFACTURED

20 years ago today, I was in the city and came out to see the smoke. A friend and I made a decision to go to my mothers house between Cockatoo and Emerald to help with the fires. I still haven't come to terms with the 3 days that followed, during which much more happened than I want to recall. Being in Cockatoo on the night of Ash Wednesday was one of the most terrifying events I have experienced. The uncertainty and terror were overwhelming. But the risk of bushfire is, in some small way, a choice many of us make when we live amongst our beautiful Australian bush. We are nearly always foolishly optimistic that what is likely to happen to us, never will. That is part of the good nature of Australians.

I can't imagine what it might be like to be a person amidst a firestorm ignited by a military attack. To think it is possible that people in bombers created mayhem by design. To be unable to predict if a bomb would engulf your home before you could be aware.

To wield violence without caution is to risk that its ill-discipline will engulf us. It is unlikely the planet and its inhabitants can afford to waste so much that is good about human life and the creativity it is capable of. I am not a religious person. I am a person who believes good people do good where they can and choose. To the political leaders of America, England and Australia and the military who serve us, please do not begin a war from which we will inevitably lose: David

15 FEBRUARY 2003

MELBOURNE VALENTINES DAY PEACE RALLY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

David and I joined more than a hundred thousand people and dogs in one of the best rallies I have ever seen. To walk down Swanston St. with so many diverse people was an absolute joy. The speeches were great, the music was great, some of the banners and cartoons were hilarious and everyone was well behaved and in good spirits. Thank you Melbourne, for showing how many of you are prepared to stand up for what you believe in. There are peaceful alternatives to a war on Iraq, and Australia should resist the temptation to impose war as a means of facilitating peace.

Details of other peace marches around the world can be found at the website: United for Peace & Justice.

Peter Garrett, President of the ACF spoke for many at Federation Square. A copy of his speech 'The Likely War in Iraq' as available in word format (Kb) and is reproduced below

 

THE LIKELY WAR IN IRAQ - Federation Square - 14 February 2003

If human history attests to any one thing, it is that war is the most horrible of human endeavours. And as history's page turns (to choose an expression we are all familiar with), as wars have become more numerous and fatal, as our understanding of the risks and the costs of war have become greater, with more and more innocents drawn into the hell of war so to the task of working towards peace, of using non military means to resolve conflict, has become more urgent.

In recent times these costs and risks, when associated with nuclear weapons, as may be the case in Iraq, were considered so high that alternatives to war were demanded. As we have come together tonight, people came together in the 80’s and 60’s and accelerated the process of ridding the world of these weapons. That process should continue.

At all times but especially since WW 2 we've made: Treaties, embargoes, diplomatic initiatives, international co-operation of all kinds including the formation of a United Nations. These things have been established as a guide to resolving problematic relations between nations and deserve to be supported and continued.

Where there is a truly reprehensible leader-and we should not forget that Saddam Hussein is clearly that- or a state bent on pursuing evil, then, in order to rebuff them, a justification for war might be made. But in this case war is the absolute last resort, to be considered, soberly, on the grounds that the evil it opposes and defeats is measurably greater than the evil, in terms of suffering and loss, it causes.

For any leader to commit their nation to war, to commit young lives to be risked and lost, the case for war must be put to the people and proved beyond all reasonable doubt and all possible avenues to avoid war must be pursued.

But as we gather here this evening, the case for unilateral invasion of Iraq has not been made. The reasons offered have not convinced us, and worst of all despite the presence of weapons inspectors and need for UN resolutions, it is clear that our government, at the behest of another government, had already made up its mind long ago. The ships and planes have gone; without consultation, without enough information, without the opportunity for the UN processes to reach their full conclusion, without considering other options for dealing with the problem the Iraq leader poses.

One country, having overwhelming power has decided to strike first, to rearrange the international rulebook and our PM has gone along. Despite the laughable charade offered by the government that we are not really committed. No less an authority than President Bush has confirmed that Australia is part of this thing called the coalition of the 'willing' and that Australia will be engaged in Iraq, with or without the UN.

So this is how it looks. Regardless of any other actions that may be taken. Against a terribly ruled, inept and weak, albeit dangerous power, on the other side of the world, we Australians are in a coalition of the willing.

Now the question is willing to do what?

Willing to rain down from the sky, by remote control, tonnes and tonnes of bombs on the innocent; children, women, non combatants, as the dictator hides deep below the ground safe from harm.

Willing to consider using nuclear weapons to finish the job quickly although the PM assured us in January that this would not be the case.

Willing to have a great wave of refugees issue forth in their tens of thousands as homes and fields are laid to waste.

Willing, as bombs rain down, and targets are missed, to risk the Middle east, already unstable and prone to violence, in a war it did not seek.

Willing to ignore the fact that the norms of international law which prohibit pre-emptively attacking and taking over another country, no matter how bad, have been broken.

Willing to ignore that President Bush now calls for international co-operation while thumbing his nose at international treaties, refusing the International Court of Justice jurisdiction, refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, to participate in the ABM and other anti-weapons treaties which have been the subject of painstaking behind the scenes effort by NGOs and other countries for the past two decades.

Willing to ignore that this is an issue primarily about American strategic doctrine and we have not had any debate about that. To ignore that Iraq was a US ally less than 20 years ago, that American and western European countries amongst others have armed and supplied Saddam's regime:

Willing to forget that the last Gulf War saw oilfields set alight, half a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, hundreds of miles of coastline polluted.

Willing to pretend that these impacts on the environment won't be greatly increased if Iraq's far larger oil fields are targeted or sabotaged in a war that does not finish as quickly as planned.

Willing to forget that in the last middle-eastern conflict, tens of thousands were killed and injured. To ignore the likely effects on young Australian serving personnel. The Washington Post reported recently that nearly a third of US servicemen and woman still suffer from chemical, biological and depleted uranium related illnesses. Today's newspapers carry the report that post traumatic stress disorder and depression is common amongst those Australians who served in the Gulf and that people should be adequately prepared-they haven't been.

Willing to ignore that this proposed war would be much worse. That up to a half a million Iraqis could be injured or displaced, exposed to famine, disease, without shelter and that most of these would be civilians.

Willing to ignore that the UN Security Council is split, that significant nations and blocs of nations including the EU are cautioning against the rush to war and seeking alternatives. Willing to suspend any thought on what kind of world would emerge from a conflict like this and