Basmati rice, potatoes that glow when “thirsty” and a highland man from Papua New Guinea would seem, on the face of it, to have little in common. In fact, they form part of a rapidly growing group of organisms whose very essence — their DNA — has been patented by corporations seeking to claim private… Read more »
Posts in: environment
Life on the Line: Residents and unionists unite to stop Stonehaven Power Station
An unusual campsite sits 8 kilometres from Geelong in the middle of golden fields and beside a yellow dirt road. The campers — set up with a caravan and tents — are here for the long haul. The protesters recently celebrated the 200th day of their community picket, which was established in December 2001. The… Read more »
Why Greens need to be Reds
If there was one heartening thing about the disgraceful race/khaki election of 2001 it was the number of people who didn’t vote for the so-called “war on terrorism” and the racist, inhumane treatment of refugees. The cacophony of vilification of refugees, cynical appeals to xenophobia and outright warmongering was meant to win a majority of… Read more »
Salt water people versus corporate fishing giants: Unite to back their sea rights fight.
In March this year, a summit of Torres Strait Islanders resolved to ban commercial fishing in their “sea country” and this ban could soon extend across northern Australia. While not legally enforceable, it is an assertion by the traditional owners of their rights over the waters they’ve fished and looked after for thousands of years…. Read more »
Finish the fight to stop Jabiluka!
The fight to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine is close to victory. Rio Tinto, the new owner which took over North Limited, has announced that the mine will not be developed without the consent of the Aboriginal owners. The Mirrar people, led by feisty senior custodian Yvonne Margarula and activist Jacquie Katona, are rock solid… Read more »
Bitter Harvest: The Legacy of the Snowy Mountains Scheme
Politics and water are intimately related in Australia, the driest inhabited continent. For example, after a close election, Victoria now has a minority ALP government, supported by rural independents. One of these, Craig Ingram, gained his seat on the basis of a single issue — restoring some of the flow of the Snowy River. Steve… Read more »
Jabiluka Must Not Proceed!
The international spotlight is on Australia. The Howard government is hell-bent on allowing construction of the Jabiluka uranium mine at the Kakadu National Park. The United Nations World Heritage Committee has threatened to place Kakadu on the “World Heritage in danger list.” It has given the Howard government until April 15 to prove scientifically that… Read more »
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