. In recent years, the rise of far-right extremism and neo-Nazi groups in Australia has drawn increasing concern from communities, academics, and law enforcement. Beneath its aggressive rhetoric and often-violent ideology lies not strength, but insecurity, manifested as hatred toward groups that challenge their sense of identity, status, and entitlement. They hate Asians because Asians … Continue reading The Insecurities of the Extreme Right
Category: News and Features
News, Features, Media Releases and Comments
Dutton’s Divisive Agenda is a Threat to Australia’s Social Cohesion
Peter Dutton's rhetoric and policies incite hate and division, and have an adverse effect on social cohesion in Australia. Social cohesion refers to the ability of a society to maintain harmony, trust, and cooperation among diverse groups. When a political leader uses divisive language or promotes policies perceived as targeting specific communities, it undermines this … Continue reading Dutton’s Divisive Agenda is a Threat to Australia’s Social Cohesion
Is This the Future of Law Enforcement in Australia?
Youth crime is out of control in Australia. It is not just in Alice Springs and Queensland like some politicians and media would have you believe. Every state is experiencing the same crisis. And it is not just youth who have a problem. As a former prison officer at Goulburn Gaol, we were aware that … Continue reading Is This the Future of Law Enforcement in Australia?
Nuclear Energy is Not the Answer
Peter Dutton still refuses to release any details about how he will introduce nuclear energy into Australia. This article will look at some details of why it won't work. The first clue should be that there are no private investors that have expressed an interest in building a nuclear power plant. All the energy companies … Continue reading Nuclear Energy is Not the Answer
A town like Alice: The youth crime problem
. There can be no doubt that the problems in Alice Springs are extreme, to say the least, but similar problems exist on Indigenous, remote and rural communities right throughout Australia. Nor is the problem confined to Indigenous people. It is happening right across the community. Alice Springs has come to the forefront in recent … Continue reading A town like Alice: The youth crime problem
The Day Brisbane Shut Down: 14 November 2005
On 14 November 2005, bomb threats were made to the Brisbane public transport system. As a result, Brisbane’s CBD was evacuated and public transport systems throughout Brisbane were shut down. On the 14th, three calls were made to police warning of bombs on buses and trains in Brisbane. All bus and train services in the … Continue reading The Day Brisbane Shut Down: 14 November 2005
The mystery of Bruce Lehrmann
. We hear a lot in the media about Bruce Lehrmann, but very little is known about him. While every minute detail of his alleged victim, Brittany Higgins, has been scrutinised in great detail in the media, not much is discussed about Lehrmann. Before he rose to prominence as an alleged rapist, nobody had ever … Continue reading The mystery of Bruce Lehrmann
A National Voice to Parliament is still possible
It is looking increasingly likely that we could still have a national Voice to Parliament, even though it wouldn't be in The Constitution. While the Opposition leader pats himself on the back for a "win" over Labor and for inciting hate towards Aboriginal people, the states and territories are working together to create Voices to … Continue reading A National Voice to Parliament is still possible
Centrelink rules enable coercive control
Queensland will introduce historic laws making coercive control a criminal offence carrying up to 14 years imprisonment, and these laws are welcome. However, Centrelink rules enable the continuation of such coercion, and it is time Centrelink put a stop to it. Under Centrelink rules, if one partner in a relationship is working past a certain … Continue reading Centrelink rules enable coercive control
Why we need a Voice to Parliament
As a white man who has lived and worked closely with the Aboriginal people over many years, in management positions, I will be voting Yes for the Voice to Parliament. I have seen first-hand that Indigenous people have been let down by “advisory groups” run by non-Indigenous people and, where we have failed, I strongly … Continue reading Why we need a Voice to Parliament
On this day (Australia): In 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war
On 17 September 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war. Australian casualties numbered more than 1,200, of whom 340 were killed. Only five years after the end of the Second World War, Australia became involved in the Korean War. Personnel from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war
On this day (Australia): In 1956, Australian television began
On 16 September 1956, Australian television began. Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with radio stations 3DB and 3UZ, and 2UE in Sydney, using the Radiovision system by Gilbert Miles and Donald McDonald, and later from other locations, such as Brisbane in 1934. Mainstream television was launched on 16 September 1956 in Willoughby, New South Wales with Nine Network station TCN-9-Sydney. The new medium was introduced by advertising executive Bruce Gyngell with the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1956, Australian television began
On this day (Australia): In 1870, work began on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line linking Port Augusta to Darwin
On 15 September 1870, work began on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line linking Port Augusta to Darwin. The Australian Overland Telegraph Line was a 3,200 km (2,000 mi) telegraph line that connected Darwin with Port Augusta in South Australia. Completed in 1872, the Overland Telegraph Line allowed fast communication between Australia and the rest of the world. An additional section was added in 1877 with the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1870, work began on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line linking Port Augusta to Darwin
On this day (Australia): In 1957, the second phase of British nuclear tests at Maralinga began
On 14 September 1957, the British nuclear tests at Maralinga entered their second phase as Operation Antler began. These were the last British tests on mainland Australia. British nuclear tests at Maralinga were conducted between 1956 and 1963 at the Maralinga site, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia about 800 kilometres (500 mi) north west of Adelaide. A total of seven nuclear … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1957, the second phase of British nuclear tests at Maralinga began
On this day (Australia): In 2001, Ansett airlines collapsed
On 13 September 2001, Ansett Airlines collapsed. The company was founded by Reginald "Reg" Ansett in 1935 as Ansett Airways Pty Ltd. This was an offshoot of his road transport business, which had become so successful it was threatening the freight and passenger revenue of Victorian Railways. This led the state government to legislate to put private road … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2001, Ansett airlines collapsed
On this day (Australia): In 1854, Flinders Street Station, the first city railway station in Australia, was opened
On 12 September 1854, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria Charles Hotham opened Flinders Street Station (pictured), the first city railway station in Australia. Flinders Street railway station is located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets in the central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Opened in 1854, the historic station serves the entire metropolitan rail network, as well as some country services to eastern … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1854, Flinders Street Station, the first city railway station in Australia, was opened
On this day (Australia): In 1914, Australian troops landed in German New Guinea
On 11 September 1914, Australian troops land in German New Guinea at Bita Paka (near Rabaul). On 21 September, all German forces in the colony surrendered. German New Guinea consisted of the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea and several nearby island groups and was the first part of the German colonial empire. The mainland part of … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1914, Australian troops landed in German New Guinea
On This Day (Australia): In 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the House of Representatives, and was widely condemned
On 10 September 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the Australian House of Representatives. After securing a victory in the Queensland lower house seat of Oxley, Hanson shot to prominence in her first speech when she said: "I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians." Pauline Hanson was elected to … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the House of Representatives, and was widely condemned
On This Day (Australia): In 1969, former Australian Democrats leader and senator Natasha Stott Despoja was born
On 9 September 1969, former Australian Democrats leader and senator Natasha Stott Despoja was born. Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja AO is an Australian politician, diplomat, advocate and author. She is the founding Chair of the Board of Our Watch, the national foundation to prevent violence against women and their children, and was previously the Australian Ambassador … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1969, former Australian Democrats leader and senator Natasha Stott Despoja was born
On This Day (Australia): In 2006, motor racing champion Peter Brock died in a race in Perth
On 8 September 2006, motor racing champion Peter Brock died in a race in Perth. He was often known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain", or simply "Brocky". Peter Geoffrey Brock AM was born on 26 February 1945 at the Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Victoria, the son of Geoff and Ruth Brock (née Laidlay). The family lived in … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 2006, motor racing champion Peter Brock died in a race in Perth
On This Day (Australia): In 1996, National Threatened Species Day was first held on the anniversary of the death of the last Thylacine
On 7 September 1996, National Threatened Species Day was observed for the first time. The date was chosen in memory of the last Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) in 1936. On 7 September each year, many people stop and reflect on the fact that on that same date in 1936, Australia’s Tasmanian tiger, also known as the … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1996, National Threatened Species Day was first held on the anniversary of the death of the last Thylacine
On This Day (Australia): In 1990, the Royal Australian Navy commenced contributions to Operation Damask in the 1991 Gulf War
On 6 September 1990, the Royal Australian Navy commenced contributions to Operation Damask in the 1991 Gulf War. This was part of a larger international task force that was already underway. On 18 July 1990, following a build-up of diplomatic tension, the President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, charged that neighbouring Kuwait had been stealing Iraq’s … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1990, the Royal Australian Navy commenced contributions to Operation Damask in the 1991 Gulf War
On This Day In Australia: In 1994, politician John Newman was murdered outside his Cabramatta home
On 5 September 1994, politician John Newman (pictured right) was murdered outside his Cabramatta home. Newman's death has been described by the media as Australia's first political assassination. John Paul Newman was an Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1986 until his death. He was 47 when he … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1994, politician John Newman was murdered outside his Cabramatta home
On This Day In Australia: In 2006, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being stung by a stingray
Steve Irwin On 4 September 2006, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being stung by a stingray off the coast of Port Douglas, Queensland. Stephen Robert Irwin was born on 22 February1962 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He was an Australian wildlife conservationist, television personality, and educator who achieved worldwide fame as the exuberant host … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 2006, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being stung by a stingray
On This Day In Australia: In 1901, the Flag of Australia and Australian Red Ensign were adopted by the Government of Australia as official flags
Australian Flag On 3 September 1901. the Flag of Australia and Australian Red Ensign were adopted by the Government of Australia as official flags, following a national design competition. The flag was first flown from the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Australia′s first ′Federal′ flag was chosen from a national flag competition held in 1901. Initially … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1901, the Flag of Australia and Australian Red Ensign were adopted by the Government of Australia as official flags
