Analysis of the selling prices of houses in 90 local shires across the Murray-Darling Basin shows house values are rising — and they are strongest in river valleys that are in good ecological health.
The analysis, by the Australian Conservation Foundation’s economic adviser Simon O’Connor, shows a solid link between healthy rivers and a strong housing market.
“Houses in all parts of the Basin increased in value between 2006 and 2010, but house prices in regions where the river system remains in good health increased in value at a higher rate than house prices in the parts of the Basin where the river system is struggling,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Some opponents of a strong Murray-Darling Basin Plan have tried to suggest that returning more water to the environment would damage house prices in the Basin, but our study, using a more detailed set of data, tells a different story
“There is in fact a strong correlation between healthy rivers and healthy house prices.
“The best protection for regional communities and farming families is to keep the Basin’s rivers, Australia’s lifeblood, flowing.
“A strong Basin Plan is the best chance we have to secure a healthy environment and strong economy in the Basin."
The study used Australian Bureau of Statistics house price data from 90 councils and shires in the Basin and matched this information against the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Sustainable Rivers Audit, which rated the ecological health of the Basin’s 23 major river valleys on a scale of extremely poor to good health.
An invitation to the United Nations Association of Australia (Vic)
Business and Human Rights Workshops
The upcomingUnited Nations Association of Australia (Vic) Business and Human Rights Workshops– a corporate responsibility and sustainability leadership training program - may be of interest to you and your networks. Registration deadline for the first Melbourne workshop in the series is 22 March. Any assistance in promoting the program to your networks would be greatly appreciated.
The workshops, supported by AAR, will be facilitated by Vanessa Zimmerman, Former Legal Advisor to the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights and Principal Human Rights Advisor, Rio Tinto,with guest speakers including Shane Lucas, Group Head of Sustainable Development, ANZ and Dr Alexandra Guaqueta, Member of the UN Working Group Human Rights, Transnational Corporations and Other Businesses and the World Economic Forum Global Council on Human Rights, and formerHead, Social Standards and International Engagement at Cerrejon Coal.
The workshops invite professionals from diverse backgrounds wanting to learn more about business and human rights and how to apply the UN Guiding Principles – the global standard of practice on business and human rights - in practice. The workshops will build capacity to monitor and manage corporate human rights impacts and risks, and provide practical guidance on how to integrate human rights considerations into everyday business practices.
Please extend this invitation to your colleagues and networks.
Embedding respect for human rights into business practices is critical for risk management and the achievement of corporate sustainability objectives. In the face of legal, operational, commercial and reputational risks, business leaders are taking proactive steps to implement human rights policies, risk assessment and management strategies in core business and throughout supply chains.
This workshop series will provide participants with an understanding of the essential strategies and tools needed to develop and implement a corporate human rights policy and establish a human rights due diligence process in their own company/organisation.
The Australian Government supported the unanimous endorsement of theUnited Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in June 2011. TheUN Guiding Principles are a global reference point for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business. They are relevant to Australian businesses in all sectors whether doing business at home or abroad.
The workshops are an essential program for corporate responsibility and sustainability managers, investors, risk and compliance managers, and corporate lawyers.
The workshops are designed for business, government, investor and NGO professionals responsible or accountable for corporate governance, CSR and human rights as well as those working in corporate strategy/affairs, human resources, supply chain management, sustainability/environment, ethical investment, legal, compliance and risk management, and community engagement.
For more information about the program please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Catherine Sutherland || Program Manager
United Nations Association of Australia (Victorian Division)
PS: Miss Eagle apologies for the short notice. She only received this information on the afternoon of 21 March 2012 and has posted it as soon as possible.
This has been sent to me by the incomparable and outrageous Tess Lawrence [originally published on Independent Australia]:
HERE COMES THE BRIDE AND BRIDE, HERE COMES THE GROOM AND GROOM
Why are we threatened by same sex marriage?
I just can’t get over the histrionics of the political hermaphrodite that laughingly passes for our Parliament. And not just that nonsense with the Bob Kattery hunting and fisting party and those horny bull males.
Don’t tell me that Pierre Slipper isn’t unleashing his inner Priscilla when he lovingly adorns himself in formal regalia and slides into the Speaker’s High Chair, looking at Tony Abbott in that louche way.
How come we are more content to remain silent and complicit as we observe the daily ritual killings in the likes of Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq and yet squeal and reel in horreur at the thought of our brothers and sisters marrying whom they wish?
You have to wonder about the collective intellectual muscle of our politicians. Why the squeezing of the philosophical sphincter? Why do you have to have a conscience vote on this? Shouldn’t EVERY vote in Parliament be a conscience vote? There’s a fraction too much faction.
Those of us brought up Catholics probably find same sex marriages easier to accept. After all, Nuns are Brides of Christ. Crikey, I used to think, Jesus must be a polygamist or a Mormon or a Muslim. So many Brides for one groom. But hey, Jesus is the Son of God, so I guess stamina goes with the territory.
It always seemed a long and lonely engagement for a novitiate, but then, no need for earthly speed dating when eternity is on the bridal registry. Plenary indulgences — gold credit cards of another kind. Buy into it now, no interest to pay forever or Hell to pay.
And what about those vows. Poverty, Chastity, Obedience. Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder. And you don’t have to have child bearing lips. From here to paternity.
The fact that this invisible husband was never home, was a bit of a hermit and lived alone in the dark in a tabernacle, might be a plus for some, I suppose.
But then, every Mass, Nuns ingest their groom. Like we did. Like Black Widow spiders do.
Really. At least once a day they would swallow Jesus, mind you, being careful not to let Jesus touch the molars. That would be disrespectful. No flossing Jesus out of cavities, thank you very muchly.
It’s the miracle of the Sacrament. During the Mass, the Host (the wafer) is turned into the actual body and blood of Christ. All those bodily fluids. It’s not a metaphor. Not if you’re a believer.
So what do you do if you’re a vegan and not a carnivore? Father FitzPatrick was singularly unimpressed when I asked him this in Confession. Gave me a yard of Hail Marys to say.
These were all issues that tormented me in my early days, as I contemplated the Nunnery and unsuccessfully tried to levitate, a religious form of planking. But I was put off the cloisters when Sister ‘Bernadette’ gave me a clip around the ear just because I asked her if Jesus weed and went to the toilet, code for Number Two.
I was confused at how Jesus had all these brides for him, and yet priests couldn’t have any brides themselves, at least, not on the (holy) books.
And that some Popes had hundreds of little tackers running rampant around the Vatican.
Imagine what a surprise I had when I found out that priests used to be allowed to marry! Rome slapped a ban on marriage just to protect property and possessions going to heirs.
It’s like the notion of the Virgin Birth; probably the most famous IVF birth in history. Albeit artificial insemination from a God.
Ah, how like other great myths and legends is this story. How like stories from the pantheons of Greek and Roman, Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern and Aboriginal, Celtic, Saxon and Nordic songlines.
Whether or not you believe or even care if Mary’s was an Immaculate Conception, it still reeks to me of misogyny, and I don’t like to think of any god in that way — especially if she’s a She.
People go on about how marriage has been an institution for thousands of years. Not so.
The institutionalising of marriage and, in western culture, excising it from religion to the State, is fairly recent, is it not?
I reckon some of my gay friends are closet heterosexuals. I’ve urged them to go into the closet and to be unashamed of their sexuality. Be loud and proud. Like Bob Katter. Or Bill Heffernan and Craig Thomson. Or Wayne Swan, the mouse that bored. Or Amanda Vanstone. I’ve got a girlie crush on her, for sure. She’s the Sophie Tucker of Australian politics.
Let’s get down to the nitty titty on same sex marriages.
Be honest. I reckon it’s not the ‘marriage’ part that puts the wind up unconscientious objectors — but the ‘sex’ part.
It’s not the elephant in the room that’s the problem, it’s the elephant’s trunk.
It really makes me larf when you hear people go on about ‘abhorrent’ sexual practices of homosexual men.
Excuse me? Anal sex is not the presphincter of gay men alone. As if anal sex isn’t performed amongst heterosexual couples, bisexuals and transsexuals!
As if shoving things up one another’s orifices is not practised by heteros. Ditto sucking, licking and all the other ‘ings’.
Now I just don’t want to even think of Bob Katter doing IT. But I think it’s highly unlikely that an adult male gets to his stage in life without having experienced all of this. Especially someone like him, who is always sticking his big nose into someone’s else’s sexual business.
Surely, when we strip away all the blarney, this is about the equal right to love and marriage. Even if it no longer goes together like a whore’s and carriage. We should acknowledge the reality that not everyone marries for love alone.
Gay marriage is about access to justice and the right to equal protection under the State’s civil laws.
Marriage is not for everyone. Millions of Australians can attest to this. To each their own. But to exclude people from participating in this legal custom, on the sole basis of their adult sexual preferences, is facile and an inept legal argument.
Love has many dialects. No one dialect is greater than another. Love is like an emotional ringbarking of our hearts. Of our lives. It is a privilege to love. An even greater privilege, surely, to be loved.
It is a nonsense to suppose that the ideal marriage is restricted to a union of a man and a woman and our media headlines and Family Courts attest to this, as our coverage of the tragic story of little Darcey Freeman shows.
Regardless of the gender combination, a marriage certificate is no guarantee for anything and is certainly no proof of love or parental suitability. But it signals an intent and the State acknowledges that. Therefore, all its citizens should stand equally before the State, in the first instance.
Why should people of same sex unions be designated to a lower legal and societal caste of Australian?
The hypocrisy of religious and political figures on this subject is breathtaking, given that neither have their Houses in order.
To hear pontifications upon selective religious tracts and laws is an insult to our tolerance level and intelligence.
To think that this dysfunctional Government and politically anal retentive Opposition will no doubt vote against gay marriage, in a rare show of unanimity, is nothing more than political expediency.
Love, and its siblings – such as compassion, equal rights and a shared humanity – will be enslaved to the politics of Hate, that traffics in fear and the demonising of ‘the other’.
We are all ‘the other’ in one way or another. If we do not speak up for others, then we do not speak up for ourselves and, so, who will be left to speak for us? Not our politicians.
Let us err on the side of Love and the human family in all its imperfection and diversity.
And let us not succumb to those who love to hate and hate to love.
A movement for change is stirring in Australia as more Australians embrace our vision for a kinder world...
Throughout February and March, Animals Australia's Campaign Director, Lyn White, spoke to sell-out crowds in capital cities across the country — sharing her inspirational life journey and planting seeds of hope that a kinder, more compassionate world is not only possible but achievable.
Lyn's presentation resonated with audiences in each state. The sense of hope and empowerment at the end of each evening was palpable. People realised as they looked around them, that there has been an 'awakening' in this country — that the majority of Australians share their abhorrence for animal cruelty and want this world to be kinder too. From Supreme Court judges, to teenagers — those who attended Lyn's presentation were united in their belief that it is 'time' — that as a united community of caring and ethical Australians, we can demand change.
Many who attended these evenings have spoken to the fact that they were bothextraordinary and life-changing, which is why with so many disappointed to miss out on tickets, we are now providing everyone with the opportunity to 'attend' through the launch of a 'virtual' Evening with Lyn White.
Caring Australians uniting for change...
For the Animals Australia team, witnessing the growing number of Australians uniting against animal cruelty as a result of our work only increases our belief that we can drive needed change for animals in Australia — and our determination to conduct the investigations and campaigns that will bring about that change.
We are about to embark on the most ambitious campaign ever to be undertaken by an Australian animal protection charity — a campaign that will unite Australians to bring an end to the cruelty of factory farming.
You can help to make this campaign a reality bybecoming an Animals Australia Frontliner. By pledging a monthly donation, you will join others who have united against animal cruelty to provide critical support for Lyn and Animals Australia's ongoing work.
Thank you so much for caring,
Glenys Oogjes
Executive Director
P.S. In response to many requests, we have made Lyn's entire presentation available online so that everyone can be a part of this memorable event, from start to finish. But even if you only have a few minutes to spare,click here to watch our shortened video and join us and others in creating a kinder world for animals!
to support the Opening Night of Voices of Art 3: For the Love of Animals.
We would be delighted to have your support at this annual fundraising benefit for Voiceless, the animal protection institute.
Held in collaboration with the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, the event will feature an exhibition of work by some of Australia's most significant contemporary artists, including Janet Laurence, Shaun Gladwell, Peter Tyndall, Jonathan Delafield Cook, Louise Hearman, Sam Jinks and many more.
Art advisor Mark Hughes has curated an extraordinary collection of painting, drawing, digital photography, sculpture and ceramics which explore the human – animal relationship.
With all works available for sale, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a valuable contemporary artwork while making an important contribution to animal protection.
The Opening Night of Voices of Art 3 will be held:
Date:
Thursday 3rd May, 2012
Time:
6.30pm to 8.30pm
Venue:
Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation 16-20 Goodhope Street Paddington, NSW
This red carpet event will be a chance to meet contributing artists and eminent supporters of Voiceless, including Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney, who will address the audience and announce the winners of our Gold Prizes.
Uniting the animal protection and contemporary art communities, Voices of Art 3 will, we believe, be a celebration to remember.
Please join us for this special evening, For the Love of Animals -
ANTaR’s Rights Stuff merchandise program works to generate economic, cultural and social benefit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by offering a range of vibrant and thoughtful products to Australia and the world.
In doing so, ANTaR actively promotes a more just and equitable Australia.
The sale of selected ANTaR products cross-subsidises community enterprises and fledgling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
Any profit that is generated through the Rights Stuff program is reinvested to advance our mission to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This new collaboration between author Diane Lucas (Walking with the Seasons in Kakadu, Waterlilies), illustrator Colwyn Campbell (Waterlilies) and graphic designer Wilfred Russell-Smith, takes young readers through an enchanting moonlit landscape with one boy and his beloved brumbies.
Bronwyn’s book tells of her love of Australia – the sunburnt country.
From the the coast to the outback, from cities to the plains, from dramatic gorges to rugged alpine peaks, from deserts to rainforests … Australia is a continent of many and varied landscapes.
The Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD) is controlled by and for Aboriginal people, and supports Aboriginal self-determination through its unique and innovative education and training, language and culture, research and publishing programs.
The diary contains 26 colour reproductions of Central Australian art from Desert-affiliated art centres, plus cover.
Flaps back and front, including year at-a-glance chart. Two internal perforated card pull-out bookmarks, colour regional map showing geographical origins of each artwork
ANTaR is working for justice, rights and respect for Australia's First Peoples bycampaigning to remove racial discrimination and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples in our Constitution.
Contribute to our campaign for justice, rights and respect for Australia's First Peoples.
