Musical Chairs...

Day three of Bluesfest. This will be a two parter...

Plant vs. Pop

I want to talk about the choices we make because tonight I am faced with a big one:

Deciding between Robert Plant and Iggy Pop at the festival.

Some of you will say "Ha! Zepplin all the way man!".

Others "Iggy and the Stooges! Keeping it real!".

More of you might perhaps invoke that horribly ubiquitous phrase 'first world problems'. And let's face it there's nothing particularly dire about which rock legend I choose to listen to tonight. Except that there is...

Our choices large or small are the sum of ourselves. Robert Frost illustrates the importance of our decisions in his immortal lines:

"I took the one less travelled by,

and that has made all the difference."* 

When we invoke the mantra of 'first world problems' we feel perhaps that we are honouring those people in the world less fortunate than ourselves. But our narcissistic navel gazing does nothing to improve the lot of anyone; first, third (or second) world. Acknowledging the developing/developed divide does nothing to address it.

Perhaps instead of seeking a self-pitying ego boost, we could consider how our decisions impact on others and the world around us. Robert Plant actively supports charities involved in cancer research, animal welfare and supporting the education of underprivileged kids. Iggy Pop is involved with charities supporting at-risk kids, breast cancer research and music.

Which one do I go see? I'll let you know when I finish the blog tonight...
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Part Two...

So I cheated; checking out a little of Plant then a little of Pop before finally settling on Robert Cray. But after listening to Allen Toussaint in the afternoon I realised I was already getting more than my fair share of musical genius. It was easy in the end and I loved finishing of the night with some blues.

There was never going to be a big dilemma. I got a little preachy up there because I hate it when people trivialize an issue. Making something out of nothing (first world problems man!) then ignoring the hard stuff disrespects us all.

While I'm up here at the festival I'm going to check out some awesome tunes, talk to some people and check out some causes. Like the Orangutan Project, or Playing For Change. These guys take the opportunity of a gathering like Bluesfest and spread a little awareness of social justice issues to people who might otherwise miss them. See this was never just about the music; it was about how the music always connects to the bigger stuff in our lives...

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* Robert Frost, 'The Road Not Taken'

Tribes...

I'm a bearded man. Just putting it out there for those of you who haven't glanced up at the profile picture, or those who did and just assumed I'd lifted a shot from a serial killer fan-site. Bearded men in Australia, perhaps world wide, seem to own membership of a covert society made up exclusively of the facially hirsute. I like to call it the fraternity of bearded men.

As I ordered my coffee this morning at 'Fundamentals' in Byron Bay the magnificently bearded man serving me enthusiastically embraced my company. This brother from another mother saw in my beard a kindred spirit and I felt included. Then on the bus out to Bluesfest day two Rory from Brisbane complemented my beard as he enthusiastically related his struggles to grow and integrate a beard into his own life.

Beards everywhere and I felt myself in the eye of a bearded storm!

Now many people would acknowledge football fandom as the Australian tribe most identified with. Walk into a pub within a team's geographical footprint and you'd better be fan of the wherever lions or the hereabouts crows. Failure to be a local fan or worse to support the opposition will at least garner disapprobation, at worst a swift blow to the head.

'The Beards' with me right of stage!

But I'm not sure football fandom is really tribal in the same sense as beardom. Once a week football fans don the colours and go a little mad. The rest of the time they resume their lives and pass through life unobserved. But communities do not rest, tribes do not disperse to offices come Monday and the bearded wear their tribal brand everywhere they go.

Australian band 'The Beards' epitomise the tribal camaraderie that is beardom. They sing of triumph and desire in 'I'm in the mood, for beards!' but also of the discrimination faced by bearded men and women in 'This beard stays'. And really that is the essence of any tribe.  

You may have your society of secret handshakes, winks and nods but have you spent even a fortnight growing a decent beard? Tribes require an initiation. You will know when you are welcomed; women or men you've never met will smile, stop you and chat because you are kin. 

But never forget your beardless past! We all long to belong, crave the acceptance of our peers. No one deserves to stand, chin bare, against the cold alone. Because belonging is a privilege, and one we should extend to all our beardless brethren. Fully one half of the planet's population can't grow beards and yet without them no beard would ever exist!

Having a beard gives us a responsibility; to extend the warmth we feel with everyone we meet. Let no one miss the warmth of our embrace, or the rash of our pash!

Music, Philosophy & why A.C. Grayling could play bass in Frank Turner's band...

Hi all, I'm up in Byron Bay for Bluesfest. It's made me a little tardy in writing and truthfully I wondered if I'd find the time to research and get anything done...

But it's after one in the morning, I've just come back from some amazing bands and started thinking. It's funny how the music can do that to you. Even if you're dancing or drinking with a friend some songs will always draw you in to their reality and have you musing even as you sing along.

A band called Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls started all this, but first let's rewind a day for some context...

Driving up the coast yesterday we were gifted with extraordinarily heavy traffic and plenty of time for some radio. We tuned in to Radio National (basically the BBC with Aussie accents) and came across an interview with English philosopher A.C. Grayling. He discussed atheism, agnosticism, humanism, rationality and generally how we might all be a little better if we focussed on the common thread of our humanity. Important, heavy stuff.

Then tonight I saw Frank Turner rocking out at Bluesfest. In my head I compare Turner's music with Billy Bragg so I knew he had substance but then he threw into a song called 'Glory Hallelujah'. As he sang "there is no god, so clap your hands together" I thought of A.C. Grayling. Turner continued by singing about our shared responsibility to each other, about an end to religious violence, about shared understanding and peace all while people clapped and sang!

Later on I was listening as Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite did a song about war and the violence of masculinity. Earlier Rodriguez sang bittersweetly about drug use and it's effects. These guys are singing about our world; politics, religion, social and foreign policy. They're singing our philosophy and helping us make sense of it.

There's really no good reason why the stereotype of a philosopher is an old, white guy with a snowy beard. Philosophy is all of us, in our everyday lives and philosophers should look like everyone. For these ideas to be relevant they must be accessible to all people. Music does this, and for the most part it does it without preaching. This isn't anything new but I wanted to point it out because I don't hear guys like Frank Turner on the radio too much.

Between them, Grayling and Turner have Humanist philosophy well covered. But only Turner has a crowd of people clapping and singing along to it and that's what keeps it relevant...

Opportunities Missed...

A weekend has passed following broadcaster John Laws comments questioning whether a caller, Carole, was at fault for the sexual abuse she suffered from age six. Laws is singularly unrepentant for both his line of questioning and the attitudes that underly it. Lashing out at critics he suggested that anyone who has a problem with the interview can "go to hell".

Almost a week gone and the issue slips quietly from the news agenda. Perhaps the greatest shame is the missed opportunity to honour the story of Carole and offer support to victims of sexual assault. By framing the interview around blame and provocation Laws has potentially scared women who are struggling with their own sexual assault, making them reluctant to report their abuser.

Rape and sexual assault are on agenda worldwide. In India the brutal gang rape and murder of a 23 year old woman sparked protests throughout the country aimed at better protection for women. While in the Maldives a 15 year old girl has been sentenced to 100 lashes for 'fornication' after suffering sexual abuse at the hands of her step-father.

These cases and thousands like them are often described as the product of outdated traditions and a lack of gender equality. Where women have relatively depressed financial and social situations they have less opportunity and inclination to report their attackers.

Meanwhile in Australia people ask if the work of feminism has been achieved?

The Australian Institute of Family Studies describes sexual assault as "one of the most underreported of all personal crimes". They report an estimated 44,100 persons over the age of 18 were victims of sexual assault in the reporting period of 2005. The Australian Institute of Criminology, in a 2001 report on 'Sexual Violence in Australia' report that 18% of Australian women have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime. In all these reports it is acknowledged that data gathering is can be limited and complicated by factors such as a reluctance to report. Therefore figures may be much higher.

Despite all this John Laws questioned Carole, a victim of sexual assault, as to whether she may have contributed to the assaults she experienced. Laws claims he was "keeping it light". Listening to the interview he sounds uncomfortable. What is not widely reported in the media is that Laws did acknowledge that Carole had gone through a terrible experience. Yet when Carole's voice becomes strained he does not stop. We have little knowledge as to whether Carole is really coping with her experience and Laws offered no support opportunities to listeners who may have experienced the same assault.

One of the greatest difficulties in combating sexual assault and rape is how often it goes unreported. Laws contributed to this phenomenon of underreporting by implying that the assault could in some way be the victims fault. In talking about 'attractiveness', he perpetuated the myth that some women are 'asking for it'.

Victims of sexual assault need support to take back the control and dignity that has been stolen from their lives. John Laws needs to shut up until he learns this...

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If this blogspot or any of the issues brought up by John Laws comments have affected you there are support services available in Australia:

Lifeline provide 24 hour crisis support on 13 11 14 

or visit their website at www.lifeline.org.au for a list of services available in your area.

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If you'd like to take action on this issue:

GetUp! and Destroy the Joint have a petition requesting Laws apologise

and undergo training to better support victims of abuse.

Blame...

Let's get this out of the way from the outset: victims are never to blame for rape or sexual assault.

Yet prominent Australian broadcaster John Laws yesterday asked a woman who had been abused at age six "was it in any way your fault?" Laws goes on in the interview to question whether the woman was provocative during the nine years of abuse she suffered and whether or not she was attractive. Following criticism of the interview Laws stood by his comments, claiming he was "trying to keep it light".

A few days ago I wrote about men and feminism. I posited that for men to contribute they must first challenge their assumptions about equality, women and society and often stop talking; taking time to consider how these assumptions inform the conversation.

At a guess John Laws would not subscribe to my position on this. The self proclaimed 'King of Radio' speaks with full confidence that people are listening. To stop talking would be akin to death for him. His claim that he was keeping it light reveals his deep need to entertain, not challenge or inform. There is no place in his world for challenging assumptions.

This makes Laws a dangerous presence on the radio. Over fifty-four years of broadcasting he has garnered a huge audience, many who see no need to question what Laws says. Laws is the embodiment of oppressive, patriarchal discourse; an old, white guy talking without thinking, who is primarily interested in maintaining his own position.

How do we challenge such ingrained beliefs?

A fantastic picture I saw online recently depicts a girl holding a sign. It says "Why am I dressed like a slut? Why are you thinking like a rapist?" This is the crux of the matter. Too often we focus on the overt, the visual, the thing we can easily identify and that is the victim. We must instead delve into the thoughts, attitudes and beliefs of the attacker; reflect them back in his face.

When John Laws speaks to his sympathetic audience he has his beliefs reinforced. Let's hold a mirror up to his comments and ask what it means when a seventy-seven year old man thinks a six year old or a fifteen year old girl can be provocative?

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There is a very real danger that this story could be overshadowed by other news events. Today's SMH has the story relegated to page #15. following eight pages of election coverage and three pages of advertisement.

You can help keep it on the news agenda, hold a mirror up to victim blaming and show Laws how disgusting his comments really are. Write to him at Radio 2SM and sign the petition demanding an apology started by 'Destroy the Joint'. Only by speaking out will we change the conversation.

To #Spill once may be regarded as a misfortune, to #spill twice looks like carelessness*...

Here we go again.

The Australian Labor melodrama has gone from speculation through tension and drama, depositing us all on the other side with the status quo. It's the volvo with bad suspension of all roller-coaster rides!

It seems to me that in the ADHD, 24-hour news cycle of Australian politics leadership speculation has become the treat you enjoy between meals without losing your appetite. When all the talk of elections, budgets, even policies gets a little boring there's bound to be a new poll out asking whether someone else could do the job better. And we love it!

For the punters all this speculation is like a cross between backseat driving and shouting at the television. We know we're unhappy (with something, anything?) and so we take a few moments to dream of a different world. But it doesn't achieve anything.

Our democratic system has taught us that the power is in our hands! I'm not talking about political elections; reality TV and mobile phones let us make the decisions. Live! People seem to view the Labor caucus as something like the 'Survivor' island or 'The Biggest Loser' at weigh in. Worse the members of that caucus obviously feel the same way.

There is a different way for people to engage with politics. Getting involved through online activism, protesting wrongs where you see them or writing letters to your local member give everyone a chance to enter the political debate. Me I write this blog, as well as email, tweet or facebook anyone I think will listen.

Polls are only meant to gauge our opinion on a given day, yet we treat them like de-facto elections. Writing a letter or getting involved in a campaign might not give you the same instant gratification but it will ensure you're playing a part in something real. Not just the latest headline beat-up...

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* Most sincere apologies to Oscar Wilde!

Talking about Feminism...

I was overseas when Prime Minister Julia Gillard made her, now famous, misogyny speech to the Australian Parliament in October last year. It made an impact in Dublin, where I watched it late in the evening and I understand it was a similar sensation worldwide.

Back in Australia I find a country significantly energised by the debate on the role and mission of feminism in the public discourse. Movements such as 'Destroy The Joint' and large, social media driven responses to sexist comments by prominent radio announcers signal a refusal to tolerate a masculocentric view of the world.

But I'm a guy; do I have anything to contribute to 21st century feminism?

Man vs. Woolf

This question has plagued me since high school, maybe uni; whenever I first read Germaine Greer and Virginia Woolf. They opened my eyes to how fucked up men can make women's lives. My reading taught me a little on the notion of a dominate discourse and how minds, attitudes, opinions might be shaped simply by the way we talk about the world.

Virginia Woolf railed against the cacophony of male voices all trying to neatly encapsulate women. A litany of voices, pulled from all walks of life, spoke relentlessly with barely a voice raised against them. Woolf believed in an alternate discourse, created by women.

But to honour all voices some must be quietened.

An example...

Yesterday I went on a training course. In one of my non-blogging incarnations I'm a bartender and this was a cocktail making course, so nothing too strenuous.

Attending the course were about eighteen bartenders from around Sydney. Of our little group only four were female, so not quite 25%. Our instructor was a brand manager from the company running the course. Helping her were other brand managers from the company, again the female ratio was approximately 25%.

At one point during the training our instructor turned and thanked one of the guys for cleaning and clearing the bar while she made the drinks. He turned and responded in a mock, high-pitched voice mumming a maid. It got a huge laugh from the floor.

It was standard, bad pantomime aimed to keep the session light. That's what everyone responded to, with our instructor laughing alongside. On the other hand there was an implicit reinforcement in the mock-female voice that cleaning is predominately a woman's job.

Now I didn't jump up and shout "HOLD ON! Stop oppressing women and reinforcing the dominant discourse!" I'm not sure the crowd would even know what I was going on about. I didn't laugh either, I just sat there and thought about how deeply some of our prejudices go. It wasn't really my place anyway. Our instructor carried on and we all learned some new practical skills, even if some jibes continued.

If men are to contribute in a constructive way to feminist discourse it seems we may have to delve into our subconscious acts before attempting to make any conscious effort. By clearing away some of our assumptions we create the space to hear new ideas. By keeping our mouths shut when they might otherwise flap open we can create the space for those ideas to be spoken.

Shout, shout, let it all out*...

One vote every three years and then shake your head in disgust at the antics of government. This was and still is the model of participation for too many Australians.

Regular viewers will remember my last post, a discussion of Tony Abbott's interview on '60 minutes' detailing his regret over past, negative comments about gay people. I followed up this post with a copy of the email I sent Mr Abbott addressing this issue.

Yesterday I received a reply to my email.

My letter contained one simple challenge: for the Coalition to address it's policy on marriage equality. The reply I received from Tony Abbott was written "on his behalf", by whom I don't know. It did not address, or even mention the issue of marriage equality. What I received was thanks, twice, for taking the time to write. I also received a link to read 'Our Plan - Real Solutions for all Australians', which I gather is policy-lite in lieu of actually taking a real position on issues. Tony's response is not the worst offender though.

I'm really not having much luck engaging with politicians lately. Two letters to former Immigration Minister Chris Bowen on asylum seekers; unanswered. One to Brendan O'Connor when he took the Immigration job; unanswered. One letter to the Immigration Minister Pretend Scott Morrison over you know what; unanswered. Tanya Plibersek is currently my hero just for responding to emails, even when she doesn't address the issue.

Engaging with politicians is not an easy task it would seem. Many people I know, passionate people who care about the current state of Australia, express trepidation over writing a letter to a politician. Perhaps they worry they shouldn't bother them, or perhaps that they don't have the letter writing skill? Perhaps they fear their dissenting opinion will be viciously attacked as they see politicians attack each other daily on the news. Political discussion in this country seems in a deplorable state these days and it is alienating everyday Australians.

I like organisations such as GetUp! Australia for the service they provide making both issues and action accessible to everyday Australians. GetUp! describe themselves as "an independent, grass-roots community advocacy organisation which aims to build a more progressive Australia". They run campaigns to promote awareness, fundraise and take action on a range of community issues. Current campaigns include marriage equality, saving the Tarkine and asylum seeker rights.

GetUp! are also frequently criticised over issues such as being extreme, lacking transparency and for trying to 'subvert' the democratic process. As an organisation that is relatively new on the national scene** these are all criticisms that GetUp! have and will continue to address as part of their fight for the inclusion of everyday Australian's views.

What all these criticisms seem to miss though is the philosophy of participation that GetUp! fosters. By harnessing social media and digital culture tools GetUp! effectively engages their member base in a way political parties do not. Most fundamentally they offer an access point to issues by providing information. They then provide a means to take action thropugh their online petitions. Action is scalable though and people wishing to be more involved may write their own letters, donate financially to a campaign or even volunteer their time with GetUp! Finally GetUp! puts control of campaigns into the hands of it's members through CommunityRun, where members can setup and run campaigns important to their own area.

GetUp! is not the only organisation engaging people in accessible, online campaigning. I recently signed a petition run by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia aimed at saving digital community radio broadcasts. Greenpeace is also running an online campaign aimed at introducing a 10c refundable deposit scheme on a similar online model. Without a social media based strategy I might never had heard of these issues!

Social media engagement may not be the perfect model for activism. It should never replace more traditional models such a letter writing, peaceful protest and debate. But social media activism is a model that facilitates participation by huge numbers of people. Such participation has potential to grow beyond any one group into an engaged population.

So next time you write, if politicians refuse to respond to letters or address issues, remember we just have to ask more questions, make more noise...

"What started as a whisper, slowly turned into a scream..."

Ben Harper

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* The post title is of course a reference to Tears for Fears' song 'Shout!' - who says the eighties have nothing to offer!
** GetUp! was founded and became active in 2005
*** I've included links to contact details of the MPs I've mentioned. Check them out and drop them a line about issues you care about.

Leopards, spots & Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott yesterday spoke publicly about his attitudes on homosexuality, leadership and religion. In a fifteen minute interview on '60 Minutes' he expressed contrition that on previous occasions he had expressed opinions characteristic of bigotry and religious zealotry. Such public humility augurs well for the emotional maturity of the man predicted to be the next Prime Minister of Australia.

Unless it's a stunt.

Abbott's message of change was clearly framed as both a break from his past and an indicator of his potential as a leader. '60 Minutes' interviewer Liz Hayes described him as a "twenty-first century man who can admit the mistakes of his past". These views contrast favorably with his hardline image but as the unofficial campaign for election 2013 heats up the timing might be considered suspicious.

The interview addressed comments Abbott had made in 2010 stating he was "threatened" by homosexuality. The public now knows that Tony Abbott's sister is gay and had come out to him in 2010. He reflected that the comments made in 2010 were a reaction to what he perceived as a threat to the "cohesion" of his family. Having us believe that his deeply offensive comments were motivated more by personal confusion than any deeply held belief; Abbott said "I've changed and I'd like to think I've grown" adding "I've said some things then that I don't believe now", describing these comments as "throwaway lines".

The personal, confronting nature of the interview with both Abbott and his sister Christine jarred with the measured responses given by Abbott. The interplay between head-shots and scenes of a cosy family dinner felt to me like a carefully crafted message, but on what?

Public confession has become something of a cottage industry in the media of late. Lance Armstrong being the most recent in a string of public figures to fall on their proverbial swords, presumably hoping to rehabilitate their public persona. Australian politics has it's own precedent with former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke establishing a tradition of public confession that included alcoholism, infidelity and family drug problems. Hawke's mea culpa did little to harm him politically and arguably endeared him to the public as an honest, 'real' character.

Does Abbott then seek approval as the 'everyman', just a knockabout bloke? Scenes from the interview showing him in the surf and cooking a barbeque scream yes and the increasingly populist, presidential nature of our federal election campaigns accords with this strategy. Is this enough though to erase memories of past indiscretions?

There is of course the problem of Abbott's staunch derision of public changes of mind. Frequently on record condemning the Labor government for what he saw as lies over the carbon pricing scheme. He would have us believe these revisions, directed at the cohesion of the Labor/Independent/Green government, were unforgivable but that we should see his own revisions in a more favorable light. Such contradictions should sit uneasily with voters wanting to believe in the integrity of the 'new' man.

One question the voting public must ask is whether these softened attitudes are enough for a potential national leader? When Tony Abbott uses his considerable public profile to make comments against a woman's right to choose or the right of gay Australians to marry he lends credence to discrimination on all levels of society. His public change of heart does not undo the wrongs his public statements have contributed to. It is important to consider that Abbott has not signaled a policy shift on issues such as gay marriage in the wake of this interview. A true reflection of his changed perspective should include public advocacy of issues such as marriage equality and a woman's right to choose.

Ultimately it is up to the public to judge Tony Abbott's attempt to make amends. Describing his challenge to become Prime Minister as the "supreme challenge of my life" may acknowledge his sincerity or simply his ambition. I am not convinced and would prefer to hear 'sincerity' at a time when it is not also politically advantageous.

Second-hand books...

I went camping this week just gone. Only a short drive down the coast south of Sydney to Werri Beach and the picturesque hillside town of Gerringong. It was lovely, thanks for asking. Everything camping should be; swimming, mosquitoes, afternoon drinks and plenty of time to finish a few books in the cool evening air.

Fortunate happenstance then that as we drove into the town of Berry for a caffeine hit on Saturday, we noticed bold signs proclaiming 'Book Sale!'. Following our nose, and another sign that we eventually found, we made our way to the Berry School of Arts where we entered bibliophile paradise. On closer inspection it turned out to be more a bibliophile's pleasant weekend distraction, but there were lots of books! 

Me, In front of 'Black Books'

In the world of e-books and relentless debate over the evils/merits of online retailing I find second-hand book shopping a brilliantly refreshing distraction. Basically the equivalent of torrent-streaming your favourite movie or music for free; yet second-hand bookshops seem to complement rather than detract from new book readership. Personally I wouldn't have been able to afford university with out second-hand bookstores, consequently never becoming the reader I am today. These stores reinforce the love of reading, benefitting readers and authors alike.

Wandering rows of budget pulp I delighted at little treasures where I found them tucked away. My personal feeling is that a good book hunt must be surrounded by a plethora of books you wouldn't handle with gloves on. Sure I love a brimming Newtown second-hand store piled high with philosophical tomes, but it's never a real discovery when something jumps out at you. Here in Berry I had to seek if I wanted to find and there were about a hundred Dan Brown off-casts doing a bloody good job concealing the treasure.

Let me share with you a couple of gems I found...

'How to be Normal in Australia' by Robert Treborlang* was sitting unobtrusively in the 'Hobbies' section. I'd already learned that the genre indicators as laid out were at best a clever ruse. Featuring illustrations by Mark Knight, this book looked at best like a high brow version of Max Walker's 'How to Hypnotize Chooks'. Now if my Oz cultural references are getting a little obscure here, just hold on.

A quick poison tasting of 'How to be normal...' revealed a wry look at Aussie idiosyncrasies which I felt might resonate with my recently travelled subconscious. I can't imagine the Australian national identity would take kindly to deep anthropological investigation so perhaps this lighthearted review is a healthy contribution to the national debate.

The 'Collection of International Instruments and Other Legal Texts Concerning Refugees and Displaced Persons' (Volumes I and II) was definitely an unexpected find. The editor is Jean-Pierre Colombey and the edition I picked up for a few dollars was published in 1995. Dated definitely, it does however contain the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, as well as numous documents considering the definition and rights of what we variously know in Australia as 'asylum seekers' or 'boat people'. Considering how much I write on these topics how could I refuse?

There was also a stack of fiction and I found an edition of the wonderful Australian novel 'Holding the Man' by Timothy Congrave, but nothing compares to the thrill of finding some work that opens new territories in your mind you'd barely suspected existed.

Now as I am on a budget I couldn't buy all I wanted. Some Hunter S. Thompson and Italo Calvino got left behind, but that's okay because I know they're still out there. Maybe they found a good home, or perhaps they just got repacked ready for the next community fair bookstall to pimp out their wares on the reading public.

I suspect that more than a few of you out there reading this will also be fans of second-hand book hunting. What amazing finds have you had? Go on, post them and make me jealous!

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* So humble (or perhaps unappreciated) was the author that I couldn't find a webpage, only listings for where to buy the book. I'll let you check it out for yourself...

** I've included a link under the photos for 'Black Books'. If you've never watched 'Black Books'  before I am about to become your favourite person. Ever.

Bring them home...

I've talked often about the issue of asylum seekers in detention; the fact that many face an indefinite wait, the fact that children are imprisoned, the potential for harm, both physical and psychological. All of these are real dangers and as of today we know there will be little independent scrutiny to inform us if they occur.

The Australian Human Rights Commissioner has received legal advice that she has no jurisdiction to inspect and hear complaints from asylum seekers held on Nauru and Manus Island. The Fairfax press yesterday reported (http://bit.ly/166OLZF) advice from the Solicitor General that prevents scrutiny and calls into question how human rights are to be safe-guarded.

This advice comes after the government received heavy criticism from the United Nations in December over conditions in offshore processing camps (http://bit.ly/166SwOS). At the time the Minister for Immigration described conditions as 'adequate', whatever that means in real terms. He also claimed the government would continue to work with the Nauru government to improve conditions.

In light of the current legal advice it seems that further work will not be subject to any independent scrutiny. Presumably this dooms all facilities to remain at the government's standard of 'adequate'.

When the government proposed offshore processing of asylum seekers they maintained that Human Rights would be respected. This reassurances came against a backdrop of concerns over infrastructure and safety. The 'Malaysia solution' was dropped because they were not signatory to the UN refugee convention. Now the Australia government seeks to work without probity to a standard of their own devising.

Past claims by the government that offshore processing was a humane and workable solution cannot be maintained if their is no mechanism to assess conditions. Allowing the Australian Human Rights Commissioner jurisdiction over sites in Nauru and Manus island is the start of that process. If the government cannot do this then the only solution is to institute onshore processing and settle all current asylum seekers on the Australian mainland.
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Apologies: Just a quick mention that this was my first post entirely composed and posted on my phone. I hope it reads smoothly; I don't seem to have the same ability to embed links and review drafts. Fingers crossed you enjoy it and I will update the post when I get back from camping...

Marginal or Vulnerable?

So Julia Gillard has hit town in Western Sydney...

The story, as I understand it, is the PM will address the concerns of some of the most vulnerable; families, single parents and low income earners, telling them her vision for the west. The other story, as I understand it, is the PM will be attempting to shore up support in eleven marginal seats. The price of failure is an election loss come September.

Nothing particularly sinister here, especially if you're in western Sydney and have the ear of a politician. Except that between Abbott and Gillard western Sydney must be feeling like the birthday kid that everyone wants to sit next to, just to get a bigger piece of cake!

'Battlegrounds' is what the yanks call it, we prefer terms like 'safe' and 'marginal'. But be they regional, inner city, battler, conservative and green, these are all voter groups whose votes are being courted or ignored in the lead up to the election. The politicians will talk; promising and politicking about why they are best, and expect us to listen.

So how does it feel to be a demographic more than a person?

I find it alienating and also a little confusing. I mean I feel strongly about human rights issues, rent and think infrastructure development around the country is important for all Australians. That barely begins to describe my opinions but buggered if I can find someone speaking to me.

Come election time I'll have to make a choice that may not address all the issues that concern me. Other people may find themselves making a choice over one issue that concerns them.

If you choose based on which party is addressing child payments and tax cuts maybe you're identifying with the 'families' demographic. But if you're voting on environmental action and the carbon tax, you're more of a 'green' demographic. Perhaps you're concerned about financial regulation and your investments from a 'conservative' demographic position. There are other positions though.

Consider those who don't get a vote...

Kids don't get a vote, hell even young adults don't have the chance to poll their opinions which sucks if you've left school and are working and paying taxes but not yet eighteen. This means that parents must give some consideration to their youngsters when they think about who to give their vote to. Childcare and education become issues long after school. Not to mention the health care system and welfare.

Foreign aid, development as well as asylum seekers takes in thousands of people who do not get to vote in our elections. As a globally engaged country Australia is committed to initiatives overseas as well. Holding a seat on the UN security council, more than ever we have an obligation to consider how we act on behalf of refugees, people in crisis and those in war torn nations.

One vote and then three more years. Whatever 'demographic' you ostensibly fall into that's not enough and there's so much more we can do. Don't wait to be a demographic the politicians need to win, demand their attention now.

The people in western Sydney didn't have to wait for the PM to visit. At any time they could write, email or tweet:*

The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
email: 'Contact your PM'
twitter: @JuliaGillard

Or perhaps the alternate PM:

The Hon Tony Abbott MHR
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
RG 109
Canberra ACT 2600
email: 'Contact Tony'
twitter: @TonyAbbottMHR

Or even the balance of power in the Senate:

Christine Milne's Office
GPO Box 896
Hobart TAS 7001
email: 'Contact Christine Milne'
twitter: @senatormilne

Once every three years we vote to give them all a job. Let's not forget that the rest of the time we can hold them accountable for doing it.

_________

*All contact details were taken from the relevant pollies website and twitter pages. Apologies if they are not correct but good on you for trying to get in touch to try them out!