On 2 September 1984, seven people were shot dead in a shootout between rival bikie gangs the Bandidos and Comancheros in the Sydney suburb of Milperra. The Milperra Massacre, Milperra bikie shoot-out or Father's Day Massacre was a firearm battle between rival motorcycle gang members on 2 September (Father's Day in Australia) 1984, in Milperra, a south-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. The … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1984, seven people were shot dead in bikie shootout in the Sydney suburb of Milperra
Category: News and Features
News, Features, Media Releases and Comments
On This Day In Australia: In 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed
On 1 September 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed in San Francisco. The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS or ANZUS Treaty) is a collective security non-binding agreement between Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United States, to co-operate on military matters in the Pacific Ocean region, although today the treaty is taken to relate … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed
A brief history of LNP lies
. The LNP would have you believe that society will collapse if The Voice to Parliament succeeds, but it's just another in a long list of scare campaigns they have run using the same tired old message of hate and division. In 1993, when Paul Keating introduced Native Title, the LNP started screaming that it … Continue reading A brief history of LNP lies
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
The aged pension is not welfare
The aged pension is an entitlement and Centrelink should not be treating it as welfare. All Australians should be entitled to it as a reward for a lifetime of contribution to Australia. While it is true that some contribute more than others, we live in one of the most democratic countries in the world, and … Continue reading The aged pension is not welfare
Dealing with discrimination
If you are tall, short, fat, skinny, old, young, have red or blonde hair, wear glasses or have some other physical trait, then you have probably been negatively stereotyped for it. How did that make you feel? For most of us, there is at least a fleeting moment where we feel not so good about … Continue reading Dealing with discrimination
Getting Brisbane’s Quarantine Centre ready for the homeless
Politicians from all three levels of government are arguing about Brisbane's Quarantine Centre being used to house the homeless, and the media and homelessness services have weighed in on the argument as well. The simple fact is that it is not yet fit for the purpose of housing 500 homeless people, and this article will … Continue reading Getting Brisbane’s Quarantine Centre ready for the homeless
The Social Model of Disability Affects Us All
The social model of disability is a framework for understanding disability that emphasises the role of society in creating barriers to inclusion and equal participation for individuals with disabilities. It is a contrast to the traditional medical model of disability which focuses on the individual's medical condition as the cause of their limitations. In this … Continue reading The Social Model of Disability Affects Us All
7 May in Australian History
Kids don’t belong in adult prisons
Sending 13 year olds to adult prison is an appalling idea. Send them to prison, yes, but not to adult prisons. As an ex-prison officer, I saw 18 year olds passed around like a plate of hors d'oeuvres, and come out broken beyond repair. It is sickening that certain politicians and segments of the media … Continue reading Kids don’t belong in adult prisons
How Australia scammed students into welfare debt
Imagine if the Australian government told people they had to willingly repay their social security entitlements, and also pay interest on it. And imagine if people agreed. Sounds a bit far-fetched? Well that's exactly what happened between 1993-2003. The Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) was a scam introduced by the Australian government 30 years ago, … Continue reading How Australia scammed students into welfare debt
Centrelink has a communication problem
My case officer at Centrelink has told me that they are not allowed to send or receive emails and the same rule applies with text messages. Apparently they don't want to commit to anything in writing. This is compounded by the fact that it is near impossible to get through to them on the phone, … Continue reading Centrelink has a communication problem
Leave Lidia alone, but lessons need to be learnt
Did the Prime Minister say that Lidia Thorpe has mental health issues? No, he did not, though many are misrepresenting what he said to advance their own agendas, claiming sexism and racism. Lidia's behaviour was inappropriate, but those claiming to defend her are only vilifying her more, and harming the Yes Campaign of the Voice … Continue reading Leave Lidia alone, but lessons need to be learnt
The need for gun control: A personal perspective
Australia has some of the best gun control laws in the world, and we should not change that. I am sickened every time some crazed redneck in the US points to our gun laws as "proof" that America should not have the same laws. What exactly is the point they are trying to make? That … Continue reading The need for gun control: A personal perspective
The changing nature of work: Why we need a UBI
The nature of work is constantly evolving and changing, driven by technological advancements, globalisation, and changing societal norms. Traditional jobs are less common, and for this reason, we need a UBI. This transformation is affecting every aspect of the workforce, from the types of jobs available to the way people work and collaborate with one … Continue reading The changing nature of work: Why we need a UBI
Dutton’s Alice Springs claims are dangerous and irresponsible
If Peter Dutton has evidence of the crimes he claims are being committed in Alice Springs, he should present them to the police, not the media. The reality is, he has no evidence and is just trying to stir up racial hatred amongst his followers. This seems to be something Dutton does on a regular … Continue reading Dutton’s Alice Springs claims are dangerous and irresponsible
Senator Fatima Payman speaks about The Voice, the RBA, the Greens and other issues
Senator Fatima Payman took to Reddit on Wednesday night to answer questions from the general public. Asked about her thoughts on the coalition opposing the Voice to Parliament, Senator Payman replied: “The Voice is about recognition and consultation, and it’s a shame the Liberals haven’t seized this opportunity to go on this path of reconciliation. … Continue reading Senator Fatima Payman speaks about The Voice, the RBA, the Greens and other issues
The Public Trustee is ripping off pensioners
The Public Trustee is supposed to protect people it deems incapable of looking after themselves, but instead they are virtually stealing their money. Take the case of Mark (not his real name), reported by the ABC yesterday. His sister placed him under guardianship, against his will, and the Western Australia Public Trustee now takes 40% … Continue reading The Public Trustee is ripping off pensioners
Patrick Gorman MP takes questions from the general public
Patrick Gorman MP took to Reddit on Tuesday night to answer questions from the general public. The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister opened the discussion stating that the Australian Labor Party has been the greatest driver of progress in Australia over the last 122 years of Federation. He added that the Albanese Government has … Continue reading Patrick Gorman MP takes questions from the general public
Homelessness in Honolulu
. In 2007, I moved to Hawaii in the United States. While it was meant to be a two week visit, it turned into a six month stay. I was surprised to find that even this tropical paradise has its share of social issues, including homelessness. I had travelled to Honolulu with an old friend … Continue reading Homelessness in Honolulu
How rent caps can and will work
Rent caps work in many countries around the world and will not lead to a decrease in supply. Indeed, Australia has had rent caps in the past, and it has not had any drastic effect on availability. Rent caps already exist in the ACT, which has been put forward by the Tenant's Union of NSW … Continue reading How rent caps can and will work
Mutual obligations should be scrapped
Mutual obligations is a punitive system introduced by the LNP government in their dying days as a final swipe at Australia's most vulnerable. Under the system, jobseekers must complete a range of tasks each month - such as job applications, education or training, or other personal development activities - to meet their requirements. The various … Continue reading Mutual obligations should be scrapped
The homeless in Seattle’s Underground City
In 2007, I found myself in Seattle, in the United States. I was meeting with a friend who wanted to tell me about the homeless in the underground city. The following are my observations from that time: Are homeless people living in undeveloped parts of Seattle’s abandoned underground city? From speaking with some of the … Continue reading The homeless in Seattle’s Underground City
Open forum discussion with Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John
Thousands of Australians took the opportunity to participate in citizen-led democracy on Reddit on Tuesday 15 March, engaging Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Senator from Western Australia, with questions on a wide range of topics including the NDIS, nuclear submarines, cannabis legislation and inclusivity during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. Asked about whether The Greens … Continue reading Open forum discussion with Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John
Centrelink payments to rise from Monday
Centrelink payments will rise from Monday 20 March, as part of the twice yearly increases driven by indexation. While the rises are welcome, they are still not enough. Single age and disability pension recipients and carers will receive an increase of $37.50 a fortnight, and couples a combined $56.40. The maximum fortnightly pension rate will … Continue reading Centrelink payments to rise from Monday
Craig Hill 