Australia
- www.abc.net.au Jenny and other grieving families put through Monty-Python style farce but Telstra won't be penalised
Consumers and industry stakeholders are calling for better regulation of phone companies after family members of deceased customers are repeatedly contacted – in some cases for years after a person's death.
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Tune in to ASSANGE'S FIRST PUBLIC ADDRESS SINCE 2018! >> PACE hearing on Julian Assange's detention and conviction and their chilling effects on human rights
cross-posted from: https://feddit.nl/post/21795594
> When? > > Oct 1st, 8:30am CEST > --- > --- > > More info on the event: > > https://pace.coe.int/en/news/9600/julian-assange-to-attend-a-pace-hearing-in-strasbourg-on-his-detention-and-conviction-and-their-chilling-effect-on-human-rights > >
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Coles' and Woolworths' alleged land banking comes under the microscope, $30 million more given to watchdog for crackdown
www.abc.net.au Coles' and Woolworths' alleged land hoarding comes under the microscope, as treasurers seek zoning law changesFederal and state treasurers will meet to change planning and zoning laws to end alleged "land banking" by the supermarket giants, where property is purchased and sat on to prevent competitors from entering.
- www.theguardian.com Cleo Smith abductor’s appeal against sentence fails
Terence Darrell Kelly, who pleaded guilty to 2021 kidnapping, will be eligible for parole after serving 11 years and six months
> Terence Darrell Kelly, who pleaded guilty to 2021 kidnapping, will be eligible for parole after serving 11 years and six months
- www.theguardian.com Labor threatens to cancel visas for ‘inciting discord’ after protests against Israeli attacks on Lebanon
PM warns against importing ‘radical ideologies of conflict’ and home affairs minister condemns ‘any indication of support for a terrorist organisation’
> PM warns against importing ‘radical ideologies of conflict’ and home affairs minister condemns ‘any indication of support for a terrorist organisation’
- www.theguardian.com Woman left in ‘constant’ fear after being stalked by Australia Post employee
Man left voice recording in 64-year-old’s mailbox, outlining how he had been watching her on his mail run, but quit when confronted by his employer
> Man left voice recording in 64-year-old’s mailbox, outlining how he had been watching her on his mail run, but quit when confronted by his employer
- www.theguardian.com Award-winning journalist or Liberal party player: will the real Peta Credlin please stand up?
The former chief of staff to Tony Abbott made the jump to media in 2016 and has walked the line of politics and news ever since
Sky News host and newspaper columnist Peta Credlin has a swag of awards for journalism, a prime time nightly TV show and occupies significant real estate in the Murdoch press twice a week.
In addition to her various platforms, according to evidence heard in the federal court, Credlin has also been described as a “Liberal party mentor”, dispensing advice from the sidelines.
Ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming told the defamation trial she brought against the Victorian opposition leader, John Pesutto, that she has kept Credlin “in the loop, in general, at all times”.
....
- www.abc.net.au 'Unhinged' behaviour, 'stolen' planes and ruthless tactics: The inside story of Rex's downfall
Rex Airlines's bosses are no longer on speaking terms, but they exclusively told Four Corners the inside story of their failed bid to take on Qantas and Virgin and just who's to blame.
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Yo Aussie vegans. The implication is pretty clear :(
cross-posted from: https://vegantheoryclub.org/post/490206
> I've sent them an email to ask for clarity and will update with their response. > > Having a read of the food labeling standards (https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code/legislation) 1.2.2, 2.4, and schedule 10-2 any edible oil is only required to be identified as follows: > > >(a) The statement of ingredients must declare: > > > >(i) whether the source is animal or vegetable; and > > > >if the food is a dairy product, including ice cream—the specific source of animal fats or oils. > > > >(b) This generic name must not be used for >diacylglycerol oil. > > As such it turns out anything labelled as vegetable oil could contain palm oil, which is relatively likely given it's ~36% of global oil trade and the number 1 producer. https://ourworldindata.org/palm-oil > > So I recommend that unless you have specific knowledge, if anything has a thick texture at room temp and claims not to be hydrogenated you should assume it is palm oil. Especially if it's quite low in saturated and polyunsaturated fats which is a bit of a coconut oil tell. > > RIP to a delicious one. > - A former sinner
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McBride Vindicated by Afghanistan Oversight Panel
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
With Senator David Shoebridge & lawyer Eddie Lloyd.
David McBride, a military lawyer, was convicted and imprisoned for his disclosures to the ABC, Australia's national broadcaster, regarding serious misconduct by the country's Special Forces in Afghanistan.
On the very day McBride was sentenced, Australia's Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, belatedly released an unclassified 3-year report from a body called 'The Afghanistan Inquiry Implementation Oversight Panel'. He claimed that the release had been delayed, pending advice from the Office of Special Investigator, on whether the report “would, or could reasonably be expected to prejudice legal proceedings - specifically current and future war crimes prosecutions”.
The panel was to look into how cultural and professional reforms were being implemented in the Australian military, as had been the case for four years, and then in accordance with recommendations laid out in the 2020 Brereton Report, an inquiry into alleged crimes, including war crimes, committed by some Special Forces between 2005 and 2016. Brereton recommended that 19 soldiers be investigated by police for the "murder" of 39 Afghan prisoners and unarmed civilians, and the cruel treatment of two others. Besides McBride, only one soldier has been prosecuted to date, and oddly enough, McBride's case was neither cited as “current” by the Minister of Defence, nor by the Oversight Panel. Nor has its lengthy report had much attention from the media.
- www.abc.net.au 'An affront to dignity': The system allowing people with disability to be paid $6 an hour
A year on from the disability royal commission's final report, ABC NEWS takes a closer look at one of the biggest and most contentious proposals for change — phasing out segregated employment.
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Experts want Albanese to lead on indoor air quality as part of pandemic planning
theconversation.com Grattan on Friday: Experts want Albanese to lead on indoor air quality as part of pandemic planningFor many of us, COVID has become just a bad memory, despite its lasting and mixed legacies. While the media have largely lost interest in COVID, and people are now rather blase about it, the disease is still taking a toll.
- www.abc.net.au Market operator issues first-ever low-demand warning as solar 'juggernaut' risks grid overload
For decades, a big risk to Australia's electricity system has been excessive demand in summer. Now, it is excessive supply in spring.
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OVIC finds department responsible for breaches of privacy through use of ChatGPT
> Investigation finds that the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of personal information and to protect personal information from unauthorised disclosure
The report: https://ovic.vic.gov.au/regulatory-action/investigation-into-the-use-of-chatgpt-by-a-child-protection-worker/
> # Investigation into the use of ChatGPT by a Child Protection worker
> In December 2023, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) reported a privacy incident to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OVIC), explaining that a Child Protection worker had used ChatGPT when drafting a Protection Application Report (PA Report). The report had been submitted to the Children’s Court for a case concerning a young child whose parents had been charged in relation to sexual offences.
> Despite its popularity, there are a range of privacy risks associated with the use of generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT. Most relevant in the present circumstances are risks related to inaccurate personal information and unauthorised disclosure of personal information.
> After conducting preliminary inquiries with DFFH, the Privacy and Data Protection Deputy Commissioner commenced an investigation under section 8C(2)(e) of the Privacy and Data Protection (PDP) Act with a view to deciding whether to issue a compliance notice to DFFH under section 78 of that Act.
> OVIC’s investigation considered whether the Department took reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of personal information and to protect personal information it holds from misuse, as required by the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and Information Privacy Principles 3.1 and 4.1.
The full investigation report:
https://ovic.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DFFH-ChatGPT-investigation-report-20240924.pdf
- www.abc.net.au Aboriginal NT police officers detail allegations of 'racist culture' in human rights complaint
New details of a human rights complaint lodged on behalf of Aboriginal NT police officers have emerged, alleging 'countless' examples of racism by non-Indigenous members of the force.
I assumed it was well known.
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Woolworths, Coles sued by ACCC for ‘misleading’ price drop claims
> “We also allege that in many cases both Woolworths and Coles had already planned to later place the products on a “prices dropped” or “down down” promotion before the price spike, and implemented the temporary price spike for the purpose of establishing a higher “was” price.
- www.theguardian.com Lucy’s job should be more secure – but at Australian universities, labour laws are having the opposite effect
Closing loopholes bill was designed to offer a pathway to full-time work but some casual academics say it’s not a reality
- www.theguardian.com Australia’s public transport is among the world’s most expensive. Could Queensland’s 50c fares work countrywide?
Expert says 50c fares would be good for those near public transport, but regional and rural Australia may not benefit as much
- www.theguardian.com Magpie-swooping season is here. But you can avoid attack – if you play by their rules
From donning ‘pie-proof’ bike helmets to conversing with the songbirds, the key to avoiding avian conflict might be learning to speak their language, experts say
- www.theguardian.com Global heating is making El Niño and La Niña forecasts less reliable, BoM says
Exclusive: Meteorologists say climate change and the amount of heat being added to the oceans make predictions based on the past less reliable
- theconversation.com Tupperware has filed for bankruptcy – is multi-level marketing in trouble?
Tupperware was a pioneer of ‘multi-level marketing’ and enjoyed decades of success. Its demise offers important lessons for marketers in an age of new ‘side hustles’.
- www.abc.net.au Why Labor refuses to ban gambling ads - ABC listen
On any given day you are being bombarded by gambling ads on television, radio and online. A parliamentary committee is pushing for a full ban on advertising to protect younger generations from the dangers of gambling, but there are indications the government will stop short of that. Today, inves...
Direct audio link. (To conveniently allow listening at higher speeds if your device supports that.)
- www.theguardian.com Australia is a mess. Cop31 is a chance to redefine ourselves from climate laggard to global leader | Anna Cerneaz
Hosting the conference would help us overcome our colonial mentality and the fossil fuel lobby, both of which have held us back from tackling climate change
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Healthcare: How Long Do Patients Have To Wait?
cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/2962218
> Source.
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The Productivity Commission wants all Australian kids to get 3 days a week of childcare – but it won’t be until 2036.
theconversation.com The Productivity Commission wants all Australian kids to get 3 days a week of childcare – but it won’t be until 2036A new report also recommends free early education and care for families earning under $80,000 from 2026.
- theconversation.com High-speed rail plans may finally end Australia’s 40-year wait to get on board
The High Speed Rail Authority has publicly outlined plans that allow for some optimism that Australia could have these trains in the late 2030s.
- www.bbc.com William Crowther: A severed statue divides an Australian city
The state is grappling with the legacy of a surgeon who allegedly mutilated an Aboriginal man's remains.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/22774303
> > The state is grappling with the legacy of a surgeon who allegedly mutilated an Aboriginal man's remains.
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Reminder that NSW local gov elections are on again tomorrow
elections.nsw.gov.au 2024 NSW Local Government electionsView information for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections on Saturday, 14 September 2024.
Council elections may not the be most exciting but don't be like me a few years ago and forget they're on until after all the polling booths close...
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Australia’s climate ambitions have a modern slavery problem as materials for renewable energy technology is likely sourced through forced labour in China, researchers say
www.aspistrategist.org.au Australia's climate ambitions have a modern slavery problem: examining the origins of our big batteries | The StrategistSeveral big battery projects in Australia vital for storing renewable energy to meet the nation’s climate goals are highly likely to be using materials sourced through the forced labour of Uyghur and other Turkic ethnic ...
Several big battery projects in Australia vital for storing renewable energy to meet the nation’s climate goals are highly likely to be using materials sourced through the forced labour of Uyghur and other Turkic ethnic groups in China, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) research has found.
ASPI has examined the supply chains for big battery projects across various Australian states and found that, even when the batteries are sourced from US-based companies, critical components are still obtained from Chinese suppliers. These suppliers carry well-documented risks of involvement in human rights abuses.
Australia needs big batteries because its renewable energy plans require storage for intermittent sources such as wind, solar and hydro. That’s why state and territory governments are pouring billions of dollars into battery energy storage systems (BESS), also known as big batteries.
However, most of the global battery supply is controlled by companies based in the People’s Republic of China and is dependent on raw materials mined and processed in Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region (XUAR). Two of the largest companies that supply batteries and lithium cells for batteries—Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and EVE—are used in Australian projects in spite of having been reported to be implicated in grave human rights violations, notably forced labour of Uyghur and other Turkic ethnic groups in the manufacturing and processing of raw materials. In a damning 2022 report, the United Nations stated that such violations might constitute crimes against humanity.
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New polling: half of Australians want gambling ads banned entirely; LNP has big Queensland lead.
theconversation.com New polling: half of Australians want gambling ads banned entirely; LNP has big Queensland leadAsked whether government should prioritise tackling sports betting or pokies, 47% also said both in the new Resolve poll.
- theconversation.com Facebook has scraped public data from Australian users without an opt out. What can we do?
There are three key steps people can take to protect their data from big tech.
- reneweconomy.com.au Australians don’t know how far the energy transition has come – and that’s a problem
A new poll has revealed the average Australian has little understanding of how far the transition to renewables has already come. RE-Alliance says that needs to change.