Reforms to evidence law will protect confidential communications between journalists and their sources, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said in a media release on 24th May. However, Amy Coopes, from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, believes the laws, in their current form, do little in a practical sense. The Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege) Bill was announced … Continue reading New Press Shield Laws Announced
The Great Burke Debate
All constituents should have access to all parliamentarians, regardless of the constituent’s background, according to Senator Andrew Bartlett, Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats. A spokesman for Senator Bartlett stated that the Democrats did not have a policy of their elected parliamentarians, or members of the Democrats, being prohibited from contact with former Western Australian … Continue reading The Great Burke Debate
King of Torts by John Grisham
The King of Torts is typical of the perception most people have of John Grisham. It portrays two lawyers, one honest and one corrupt. The twist in this tale of litigation and intrigue is that the main character is both lawyers. Clay Carter is a burnt out public defender, an honest man who has failed … Continue reading King of Torts by John Grisham
The Courier Mail, Brisbane Newspaper
The Courier Mail is Brisbane’s only daily newspaper, and is published Monday to Saturday, with the Sunday Mail on the seventh day. Once a broadsheet, it became a tabloid on March 13 this year, promising to continue the broadsheet style of in-depth journalism. The main reason for changing was to produce a more compact newspaper, … Continue reading The Courier Mail, Brisbane Newspaper
Backyard Blues
The traditional use of suburban backyards for weddings, cricket matches, children’s parties and barbecues is under threat. Only the very wealthy in the inner city and those living in country towns look like having large backyards by 2020. NSW State Planning estimates an extra 82,600 houses will be needed in the middle suburbs by 2020, … Continue reading Backyard Blues
One Way To Tragedy
Susan Smith, 18, died instantly, and another girl is injured, both passengers in a car that hit a pole and overturned at Glenelg last night. Police report the car as travelling the wrong way in Ringer Street, with speed and risky driving other possible factors. The male driver has been released from hospital after being … Continue reading One Way To Tragedy
Murphy’s Law 06 Constance Of Thought
Murphy felt the change as soon as he stepped into Chinatown. It was one step from the streets of Brisbane. It was also a giant step back into the village of Jiangdu, in Eastern China. He reflected that smell was the major trigger of memory. He drew deep breath, and took in the smells of … Continue reading Murphy’s Law 06 Constance Of Thought
Murphy’s Law 05 Pride Without Prejudice
Murphy listened with intent, as the man on stage spoke. The topic was Aboriginal Education, and the speaker knew his stuff first hand. Murphy listened, and took notes. He had much to learn here, and he didn’t want to miss a thing. He reflected what he knew of this man’s life, and the struggles he … Continue reading Murphy’s Law 05 Pride Without Prejudice
Murphy’s Law 04 Cop This
Murphy heard the man yelling at the woman, and saw her cowering from him. She covered her face with her hands, and crouched so her knees covered her stomach and lower body. The instincts of a woman used to being hit. Murphy’s instinct was to go to her assistance, but then he noticed the police … Continue reading Murphy’s Law 04 Cop This
Media Release 01 Big Issue Aboriginal Vendors
Media Release - National Indigenous Times - Aboriginal Vendors AUSTRALIA'S leading street magazine, The Big Issue, is looking for Indigenous people who want to work for themselves. The non-profit magazine is sold on the streets by people like Reuben (pictured) who has been selling The Big Issue in Brisbane for two months. He enjoys meeting … Continue reading Media Release 01 Big Issue Aboriginal Vendors
Murphy’s Law 03 River Deep
Murphy always admired the work of the emergency services. Seeing them on the news trying to locate a woman missing in floodwaters in Queensland, his stomach tightened as he felt the familiar certainty that nothing good would come of their search. It was partly a survival instinct he had developed after 30-odd years as an … Continue reading Murphy’s Law 03 River Deep
Big Issue Vendors 01 Shane S
Shane sells the Big Issue outside Borders Books on the corner of Albert and Elizabeth Streets, Brisbane. Raise your hand if you have met a Premier and helped to get the ball rolling on $135 million of extra funding towards homelessness projects. No? Well, Brisbane vendor Shane can lay claim to doing just that. Shane … Continue reading Big Issue Vendors 01 Shane S
Murphy’s Law 02 Play A Song For Me
Murphy listened with interest to the school headmaster. The man told of his plans for introduction of inclusive education strategies into his school. Many considered Murphy something of an expert on the subject. Murphy didn’t like that label. He had been lucky enough to work with many so-called disadvantaged people. It was just that he … Continue reading Murphy’s Law 02 Play A Song For Me
Letters To Me Mum 01 Everything’s All Write
Dear Mum Sorry I haven’t written for a while. OK, so it’s been three years. This is just a short note to let you know where I’m up to with things. As you know, my injury has stopped me from getting a lot of jobs. That narrow-mindedness really makes me mad. Well, now I have … Continue reading Letters To Me Mum 01 Everything’s All Write
Murphy’s Law 01 China Streets
Murphy watched as the seller sold his papers on the street corner. Murphy knew the man was homeless, and admired the work he was doing. He was trying to help himself, and making money to live on. This allowed him to feed himself, and maybe buy things he needed. Murphy decided this was good, and … Continue reading Murphy’s Law 01 China Streets
Train Of Thought
I marvelled at how no one was complaining. Usually, when the trains run late, that was the only topic of discussion among the passengers. Today, November 14, 2005, Brisbane got a little taste of terrorism, and nobody was saying anything. It had started earlier in the day. The lunch time trains and buses had been … Continue reading Train Of Thought
The Birds That Flu
The virus was spread by birds. Twenty-five million people died. First, it infected the pigs, where the virus could mutate. Then it infected the humans. Eighteen months after appearing, the virus vanished completely. Sound like a projection of the possible devastation of the current bird flu threat? Maybe an extract from Stephen King’s apocalyptic novel … Continue reading The Birds That Flu
Report: National Council of Women (Queensland) – Psychiatric Homelessness
Psychiatric Homelessness Seminar National Council of Women Queensland Branch Part One A seminar on Psychiatric Homelessness was held in Brisbane on 11th August 2005, convened by the National Council of Women Queensland Branch. The issue was Psychiatric Homelessness. I have some first hand dealings with this issue, over many years in various positions, and was … Continue reading Report: National Council of Women (Queensland) – Psychiatric Homelessness
Equity
The policeman, and prisoner, both stand in the court; Both equal, in the eyes of the law. It was just yesterday, that these two had fought, But now they’re equal, in the eyes of the law. The black man, they say, raped a white girl; All equal in the eyes of the law. Now, as … Continue reading Equity
It Snows
It snows and it snows My clothes are all froze And so's my nose And so's my toes Why do you s'pose It's cold when it snows Here's how it goes 'Cause a freezing wind blows The wind blows the snows And it gets up your nose And freezes your toes And freezes your clothes … Continue reading It Snows
Essay: Discourse Theory and Black English Vernacular Amongst Australian Aborigines
To understand the Discourse Theory, it is first necessary to distinguish between the terms “Discourse” (with a capital letter) and “discourse” (all lower-case). The term “Discourse” refers to the ways in which social and political inequity is reproduced (or subverted) through the uses to which language is put; whilst “discourse” refers to the actual use … Continue reading Essay: Discourse Theory and Black English Vernacular Amongst Australian Aborigines
John Cleese Letter to USA (November 2000)
NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE November 8 2000 To the citizens of the United States of America, In the light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA, and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will … Continue reading John Cleese Letter to USA (November 2000)
Goulburn Reconciliation Media Release 01
Walking Together – A Closer Look At Our History Much has been written and discussed about reconciliation recently. Many people have asked "But what is it?' Australians For Reconciliation is a project of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. This council was formed, as an act of legislation, in 1992. It is a result of the … Continue reading Goulburn Reconciliation Media Release 01
September 2 1977: Bandung Indonesia Photo Gallery
Photographs From Bandung Indonesia, September 1977 For a complete list of articles and photo galleries about my favourite memories during my travels, click here Click here to read article Click here to read article Click here to read article Tourism Articles On This Site “My Journey” Articles and Photo Galleries
August 31 1977: Jakarta Indonesia Photo Gallery
Photographs From Jakarta Indonesia, August 1977 For a complete list of articles and photo galleries about my favourite memories during my travels, click here Click here to read article Tourism Articles On This Site “My Journey” Articles and Photo Galleries
Craig Hill 