Asylum-seekers on Christmas Island receive payments
By Andrea Hayward
News.com.au
April 29, 2009 11:43pm
A FAMILY of four asylum-seekers living on Christmas Island in community detention receives up to $1000 a fortnight from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
DIAC spokesman Sandi Logan said 33 asylum-seekers who had undergone health and security checks were living in houses in the community while awaiting outcomes of their visa applications.
A further 40 asylum-seekers, mostly family groups, women, children and those with special needs, are in alternative detention while 193 single men are detained at the Christmas Island Detention Centre.
Women and children are not housed in the detention centre itself, and instead live in alternative detention called the construction camp near the Poon Saan neighbourhood on the island.
Mr Logan said adults in community detention were given $100 cash and $360 in store credit, which can be used at one of two local stores, a fortnight to buy food and other items.
A family of two adults and two children would receive $300 cash and $766 store credit each fortnight, which is administered by the Red Cross.
There were no figures available for the number of families on the island.
Those under the age of 18 who were deemed unaccompanied minors in community detention receive $50 a week and each household consisting of up to five minors, who are looked after by a carer, is given $900 a week for food and supplies.
Mr Logan said those on community detention had to cook and buy their own food.
"We can't put them out in community detention and let them starve," he said.
Some chose to save their money and buy luxury items including sunglasses and MP3 players, and were entitled to do so, Mr Logan said.
Inside the detention centre, detainees have 20 internet terminals.
"There is also a telephone available in each of the (eight) compounds and they are issued with a phone card each week to make phone calls, it could be to their representatives, to friends or to others ...," Mr Logan said.
The calls are unrestricted and include international calls.
Mr Logan said the detainees are encouraged to participate in activities and are rewarded for attending English classes and helping out in the detention centre.
The reward system has been in place for some time in Australian detention centres, Mr Logan said.
Detainees are free to move around the inside of the detention centre, often playing cricket and soccer on the oval, but have a night-time curfew when they go back to their single rooms.
The centre was built by the Howard government at a cost of $400 million and is located on the remote corner of Christmas Island, an Australian territory 2,600km northwest of Perth.
More than 200 people including 38 DIAC staff are on the island to support the centre.
More than 130 asylum-seekers picked up in the interception of four boats since Saturday, including two today, will also be taken to Christmas Island. It is not known when they will arrive on the island.
Anything Rudd's illegal Muslims want or demand,but NOTHING for Australians in need.
Pauline dudded of urgent treatment
Rudd's Australia:More Illegals arrive at Barrow Island
An American, Australian ,Israeli, British "Judeo Christian Friendly " blog.
Anthropogenic Global Warming SCAM
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Australia: Hilel Merhi Good Riddence to Middle Eastern Rubbish
Violent thug Hilel Merhi lived and died by the gun
By Kara Lawrence
The Daily Telegraph
April 28, 2009 12:00am
HILEL Merhi was a loud-mouthed young man with a penchant for extreme violence.
Armed with a pistol, he had robbed liquor and video stores and petrol stations, and had his driver's licence disqualified because he was a danger on the roads.
As the Sydney criminal world was speculating yesterday about who ambushed Merhi, pumping five rounds into him at close range at a party at the weekend, the 25-year-old's family and friends were in mourning as his funeral was held.
A former prisoner who met Merhi in jail said yesterday: "He was a very confident character and was very outspoken - in other words he was a smart arse"
Merhi's shooting at a 21st birthday party in Merrylands on Saturday night was breathtaking in its audacity. Two hooded men walked through a gate of the Davies St property towards an outdoor carport where people were dancing, talking and laughing.
One of the men walked up to Merhi, who was an uninvited guest at the party, and fired repeatedly.
Then the men fled, pursued by some partygoers, down the street and around the corner into Price St, where they jumped into a late-model Commodore and fled.
Police confirmed yesterday they believed Merhi's criminal activities were linked to his shooting.
Merhi's criminal record dates back to 2002 when he was charged with driving recklessly at Casula, had his licence suspended and was given a good behaviour bond.
He graduated quickly to more violent crime.
In late 2003, he went on a gun spree. In October of that year he allegedly pulled a pistol on fellow students at Miller College of TAFE.
Students fled for safety to the nearby Liverpool Catholic Club, but when police arrested Merhi later that night he claimed the gun was a cigarette lighter.
Days later, while armed with a silver pistol, he forced a female employee of Video Ezy Moorebank to hand over $250.
His next two armed robberies in the next two months netted him $1300 from Prestons Village Liquor and $500 cash and 32 packets of cigarettes from BP Moorebank.
He was sent to jail for maximum two years and eight months and ordered to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
He was released from another stint in jail in the middle of last year after serving time for driving offences.
By Kara Lawrence
The Daily Telegraph
April 28, 2009 12:00am
HILEL Merhi was a loud-mouthed young man with a penchant for extreme violence.
Armed with a pistol, he had robbed liquor and video stores and petrol stations, and had his driver's licence disqualified because he was a danger on the roads.
As the Sydney criminal world was speculating yesterday about who ambushed Merhi, pumping five rounds into him at close range at a party at the weekend, the 25-year-old's family and friends were in mourning as his funeral was held.
A former prisoner who met Merhi in jail said yesterday: "He was a very confident character and was very outspoken - in other words he was a smart arse"
Merhi's shooting at a 21st birthday party in Merrylands on Saturday night was breathtaking in its audacity. Two hooded men walked through a gate of the Davies St property towards an outdoor carport where people were dancing, talking and laughing.
One of the men walked up to Merhi, who was an uninvited guest at the party, and fired repeatedly.
Then the men fled, pursued by some partygoers, down the street and around the corner into Price St, where they jumped into a late-model Commodore and fled.
Police confirmed yesterday they believed Merhi's criminal activities were linked to his shooting.
Merhi's criminal record dates back to 2002 when he was charged with driving recklessly at Casula, had his licence suspended and was given a good behaviour bond.
He graduated quickly to more violent crime.
In late 2003, he went on a gun spree. In October of that year he allegedly pulled a pistol on fellow students at Miller College of TAFE.
Students fled for safety to the nearby Liverpool Catholic Club, but when police arrested Merhi later that night he claimed the gun was a cigarette lighter.
Days later, while armed with a silver pistol, he forced a female employee of Video Ezy Moorebank to hand over $250.
His next two armed robberies in the next two months netted him $1300 from Prestons Village Liquor and $500 cash and 32 packets of cigarettes from BP Moorebank.
He was sent to jail for maximum two years and eight months and ordered to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
He was released from another stint in jail in the middle of last year after serving time for driving offences.
Pauline Talty, Australia: Why Americans should think twice about Hussein's "Universal Health Care"
Pauline dudded of urgent treatment
Peter Dutton
News.com.au
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pauline Talty – the woman surviving in Royal Prince Alfred as she fights for government assistance for a bowel transplant – has been badly let down by the health system that should be helping her.
Proud Australian's Pauline Talty and Leo Sayer.
Last week, more than five months after she first applied to the Medical Treatment Overseas Program to travel to America, MTOP funding was rejected for a second time.
Nicola Roxon’s health chiefs in Canberra say Pauline doesn’t qualify because transplant treatment is available at a hospital in Melbourne where, I might add, not one bowel transplant has yet been attempted.
The advice of four medical experts that Pauline should undergo a transplant in America has been discounted.
Pauline Talty has been dudded in this process.
The plain fact is she should have been approved for overseas treatment months ago and the health department’s own documents clearly show that.
Pauline first applied for help last October.
In November, the department officials were told that “intestinal transplantation is not” currently offered in Australia – which should have led to a positive decision for her.
In January the department was told again “no intestinal transplant has been performed…in Australia”, yet an initial decision,
confirmed last week, was made to reject her MTOP application.
It appears to have been made on the basis that transplants could be carried out here in the future; Pauline was in effect being told she would have to wait for that day to come, even though she might die in the meantime.
There appears to be significant inconsistencies in reports before the department.
I think it’s outrageous! Pauline Talty should already be receiving treatment in hospital in America.
Minister Roxon needs to show some gumption. Get involved and turn this decision around.
Rudd's Australia:More Illegals arrive at Barrow Island
Note ALL BLUE coloured TEXT represents the VIEWS of Aussie News & Views and NOT those of Peter Dutton, I have inserted the picture and the comments underneath the picture written in BLUE, Capisch?
Peter Dutton
News.com.au
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pauline Talty – the woman surviving in Royal Prince Alfred as she fights for government assistance for a bowel transplant – has been badly let down by the health system that should be helping her.
Proud Australian's Pauline Talty and Leo Sayer.Pauline has been treated just as Australians would expect to be treated by their Socialist Government, she has been ABONDONED.
When you have socialised medicine the Government works on the fact that many,many of those requireing treatment will DIE before they make it to the "list" yes LIST, not the fricking operating table the bloody LIST,either from their medical condition or age.
Unlike hundreds of Illegal Islamic "refugees" who wash up on Australia's shores almost daily now since the Socialist Rudd government came to power in 2007,Pauline Talty is NOT able to access ANY of the "TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS " for instance,that has miracousily appeared to treat Middle Eastern Illegal immigrants, after they were badly burnt, after they voluntarialy set fire to their boat so as to ensure they were picked up by the Royal Australian Navy and taken to Australia's mainland,and take a seat on the Australian Labor Party's Islam, Refugee friendly, life time social security gravy train.
No expense has been spared for these criminals in treating them or providing them their every want and need so as not to offend their "Religious and Cultural sensitivities"
Pauline Talty however is neither a "refugee" or a "Muslim" she is one of the Australian Labor Party's most despised and reviled, she is an Australian.
Comrade Rudd and his Beijing / Marxist worshipping underlings that are his partys (Australian Labor Party, ALP) financiers, The Australian Council of Trade Unions, ACTU, see themselves as Internationalists first second and third, and as such have no time for Australians, least of all unwell Australians.
When you have socialised medicine the Government works on the fact that many,many of those requireing treatment will DIE before they make it to the "list" yes LIST, not the fricking operating table the bloody LIST,either from their medical condition or age.
Unlike hundreds of Illegal Islamic "refugees" who wash up on Australia's shores almost daily now since the Socialist Rudd government came to power in 2007,Pauline Talty is NOT able to access ANY of the "TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS " for instance,that has miracousily appeared to treat Middle Eastern Illegal immigrants, after they were badly burnt, after they voluntarialy set fire to their boat so as to ensure they were picked up by the Royal Australian Navy and taken to Australia's mainland,and take a seat on the Australian Labor Party's Islam, Refugee friendly, life time social security gravy train.
No expense has been spared for these criminals in treating them or providing them their every want and need so as not to offend their "Religious and Cultural sensitivities"
Pauline Talty however is neither a "refugee" or a "Muslim" she is one of the Australian Labor Party's most despised and reviled, she is an Australian.
Comrade Rudd and his Beijing / Marxist worshipping underlings that are his partys (Australian Labor Party, ALP) financiers, The Australian Council of Trade Unions, ACTU, see themselves as Internationalists first second and third, and as such have no time for Australians, least of all unwell Australians.
Last week, more than five months after she first applied to the Medical Treatment Overseas Program to travel to America, MTOP funding was rejected for a second time.
Nicola Roxon’s health chiefs in Canberra say Pauline doesn’t qualify because transplant treatment is available at a hospital in Melbourne where, I might add, not one bowel transplant has yet been attempted.
The advice of four medical experts that Pauline should undergo a transplant in America has been discounted.
Pauline Talty has been dudded in this process.
The plain fact is she should have been approved for overseas treatment months ago and the health department’s own documents clearly show that.
Pauline first applied for help last October.
In November, the department officials were told that “intestinal transplantation is not” currently offered in Australia – which should have led to a positive decision for her.
In January the department was told again “no intestinal transplant has been performed…in Australia”, yet an initial decision,
confirmed last week, was made to reject her MTOP application.
It appears to have been made on the basis that transplants could be carried out here in the future; Pauline was in effect being told she would have to wait for that day to come, even though she might die in the meantime.
There appears to be significant inconsistencies in reports before the department.
I think it’s outrageous! Pauline Talty should already be receiving treatment in hospital in America.
Minister Roxon needs to show some gumption. Get involved and turn this decision around.
Rudd's Australia:More Illegals arrive at Barrow Island
Note ALL BLUE coloured TEXT represents the VIEWS of Aussie News & Views and NOT those of Peter Dutton, I have inserted the picture and the comments underneath the picture written in BLUE, Capisch?
Hilel Merhi, shot DEAD.
Hilel Merhi was shot dead like a gangland killing
By Adam Walters and Chelsea White
The Daily Telegraph
April 27, 2009 12:00am
GANG life was the theme of his MySpace page and "gangland" would be the style of Hilel Merhi's death at a friend's 21st party.
He was shot several times from close range with a handgun after two hooded men crashed the party at Merrylands.
Gallery: Scenes from the birthday party
Birthday girl Tania Merhi, who was not related to the victim, was among the stunned witnesses.
One said: "Three guys just walked in and shot him on the dance floor."
A woman who was among the 100 guests said there didn't appear to be any argument.
"They just shot him and ran out before everyone started screaming," she said.
The victim, 26, described himself on his MySpace page as a "straight, single and athletic hustler, earning $250,000 a year".
The opening screen is adorned with a sinister illustration of a pistol and a hotted-up car under the title of Gang Life.
He painted a picture of a young man in a hurry, updating his mood status on April 21 to "impatient".
Neighbours thought they were hearing fireworks when the gunshots echoed through Davies St late on Saturday night.
Those at the party said it was a mix of invited guests and gatecrashers.
One of the partygoers, who didn't want to be identified, said the victim had no chance.
"I just saw him lying there with holes in his upper body. He wasn't moving and it seemed to take forever for the ambulance to arrive," the witness said.
"The cops actually beat the ambulance here but there was nothing they could do."
Some of the party's guests attempted CPR but Hilel was later pronounced dead on arrival at Westmead Hospital.
"I'm so devastated. What's this world coming to? May God forgive his bad doing," friend Lexy Saleh said.
Neighbours said Tania's grandfather, who raised her from a young age, went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the safety of guests, hiring their own security for the party.
By Adam Walters and Chelsea White
The Daily Telegraph
April 27, 2009 12:00am
GANG life was the theme of his MySpace page and "gangland" would be the style of Hilel Merhi's death at a friend's 21st party.
He was shot several times from close range with a handgun after two hooded men crashed the party at Merrylands.
Gallery: Scenes from the birthday party
Birthday girl Tania Merhi, who was not related to the victim, was among the stunned witnesses.
One said: "Three guys just walked in and shot him on the dance floor."
A woman who was among the 100 guests said there didn't appear to be any argument.
"They just shot him and ran out before everyone started screaming," she said.
The victim, 26, described himself on his MySpace page as a "straight, single and athletic hustler, earning $250,000 a year".
The opening screen is adorned with a sinister illustration of a pistol and a hotted-up car under the title of Gang Life.
He painted a picture of a young man in a hurry, updating his mood status on April 21 to "impatient".
Neighbours thought they were hearing fireworks when the gunshots echoed through Davies St late on Saturday night.
Those at the party said it was a mix of invited guests and gatecrashers.
One of the partygoers, who didn't want to be identified, said the victim had no chance.
"I just saw him lying there with holes in his upper body. He wasn't moving and it seemed to take forever for the ambulance to arrive," the witness said.
"The cops actually beat the ambulance here but there was nothing they could do."
Some of the party's guests attempted CPR but Hilel was later pronounced dead on arrival at Westmead Hospital.
"I'm so devastated. What's this world coming to? May God forgive his bad doing," friend Lexy Saleh said.
Neighbours said Tania's grandfather, who raised her from a young age, went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the safety of guests, hiring their own security for the party.
Sarah, oh Sarah!!!
Sarah Murdoch
Displays Bonds Ladies undergarments as only she can.
One of Sydney's Northern Beaches most beautiful exports to the world.
(Yes Rupert's daughter in law, Lachlan's wife)
Displays Bonds Ladies undergarments as only she can.
One of Sydney's Northern Beaches most beautiful exports to the world.
(Yes Rupert's daughter in law, Lachlan's wife)
Indonesia: Christian Minister & Wife Hacked to Death in the land of the "Religion of Peace"
Priest, wife hacked to death in Indonesia: policeYahooNews.com
April 27, 2009
JAKARTA (AFP) - An elderly Christian priest and his wife were hacked to death with machetes in Indonesia, police said.
Frans Koagow, 64, and his wife, Femy Kumendong, 73, were found in the priest's home in Manado city, North Sulawesi province, Saturday with deep slash wounds to their heads and necks, provincial police spokesman Benny
Bella said.
"The priest was cut from behind in the neck while his wife was cut in the head while she lay down sick with a stroke," Bella said.
"The priest had been squatting down to tie his shoes when he was attacked... there was no time for him to fight back."
Bella said police were looking for suspects but were unsure how many people were involved in the attack.
"We found a machete but we don't know if it was one that was used in the murder," he said.
North Sulawesi province is a stronghold of mostly Protestant Christianity in Indonesia, where Muslims make up roughly 90 percent of the national population.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Pakistani men beaten and shaved by Taliban for listening to music
Taliban militans shave four men as punishment for listening to music
From correspondents in Peshawar, Pakistan
News.com.au
April 26, 2009 05:38pm
TALIBAN militants in northwest Buner district shaved the heads and moustaches of four Pakistani men as punishment for listening to music, one of the men said.
Buner has been subject to huge US concern after hundreds of Taliban fighters advanced into the area from the neighbouring Swat, where the hardliners fought a brutal, nearly two-year insurgency to enforce Islamic law.
"I was with three other friends in my car, listening to music when armed Taliban stopped us and, after smashing cassettes and the cassette player, they shaved half our heads and moustaches,'' he said.
"The Taliban also beat us and asked us not to listen to music ever again,'' said the terrified man.
Local police said they had no information about the incident.
The victim said neither he nor his friends lodged a complaint with police, as this would have been "useless.''
"It might have annoyed the Taliban further and I fear for my life,'' the man said.
Residents in Mingora, the main town in Swat, said Taliban posters had been put up in streets and markets ordering women not to go shopping.
The posters had appeared after the Taliban's controversial agreement with the government to enforce Islamic law in the region.
"We will take action against women who go out shopping in the markets and any shopkeeper seen dealing with women shoppers will be dealt with severely,'' read the poster from the Swat branch of Tehreek-e-Taliban.
"The peace agreement does not mean that obscenity should be re-born,'' it added.
Hardline Islamists in the extremist Taliban consider it "obscene'' for women to leave their homes, and ban females from venturing out in public without an immediate male relative -- namely a father, brother, son or husband.
For years, Swat was a popular ski resort frequented by Westerners but the Pakistani government effectively lost control of the mountainous district after the violent Taliban campaign to enforce sharia law.
From correspondents in Peshawar, Pakistan
News.com.au
April 26, 2009 05:38pm
TALIBAN militants in northwest Buner district shaved the heads and moustaches of four Pakistani men as punishment for listening to music, one of the men said.
Buner has been subject to huge US concern after hundreds of Taliban fighters advanced into the area from the neighbouring Swat, where the hardliners fought a brutal, nearly two-year insurgency to enforce Islamic law.
"I was with three other friends in my car, listening to music when armed Taliban stopped us and, after smashing cassettes and the cassette player, they shaved half our heads and moustaches,'' he said.
"The Taliban also beat us and asked us not to listen to music ever again,'' said the terrified man.
Local police said they had no information about the incident.
The victim said neither he nor his friends lodged a complaint with police, as this would have been "useless.''
"It might have annoyed the Taliban further and I fear for my life,'' the man said.
Residents in Mingora, the main town in Swat, said Taliban posters had been put up in streets and markets ordering women not to go shopping.
The posters had appeared after the Taliban's controversial agreement with the government to enforce Islamic law in the region.
"We will take action against women who go out shopping in the markets and any shopkeeper seen dealing with women shoppers will be dealt with severely,'' read the poster from the Swat branch of Tehreek-e-Taliban.
"The peace agreement does not mean that obscenity should be re-born,'' it added.
Hardline Islamists in the extremist Taliban consider it "obscene'' for women to leave their homes, and ban females from venturing out in public without an immediate male relative -- namely a father, brother, son or husband.
For years, Swat was a popular ski resort frequented by Westerners but the Pakistani government effectively lost control of the mountainous district after the violent Taliban campaign to enforce sharia law.
12 Year old caught torturing Dog on Camera
Sociopaths Inc. latest recruit demonstrates her handy work
Twelve Year Old Girl caught kicking and torturing neighbors Dog, on camera.
Yes you guessed it she will be "counceled" by the RSPCA, how long before this charmer will be caught out torturing children?
Better to take this piece of shit out of the gene pool NOW before it has the opportunity to graduate to torturing humans.I know that wont happen... too many do gooders and professional compassionista's would be out of a job.
Yes you guessed it she will be "counceled" by the RSPCA, how long before this charmer will be caught out torturing children?
Better to take this piece of shit out of the gene pool NOW before it has the opportunity to graduate to torturing humans.I know that wont happen... too many do gooders and professional compassionista's would be out of a job.
Australia: Muslim scum rob house then bash Australian
Muslims Scum rob house then bash Australian who videoed their escape
'Sic' Aussie bashing vid posted online
By Joe Hildebrand
The Daily Telegraph
April 25, 2009 12:00am
A MAN who filmed two teenagers on his phone after they allegedly robbed a house was attacked by the pair before they stole his mobile and posted the footage on the internet.
The man had warned the pair that he had just recorded them and was taking the footage to police before they sprinted across a road and attacked him.
They then posted the footage on YouTube titled "IN GREENACRE AUSSIE GUY GETS HIT FOR RECORING JOSH ND HAMAD ROLLING A HOUSE" (sic).
Running at 18 seconds and viewed 780 times, it shows two young men running out of a house bare-chested and with T-shirts over their head before slowing to a brisk walk down the street.
The man then calls out in a broad Australian accent: "Hey mate. This is going to the police mate. I've got you on video."
The two teens then charge the phone's owner, knocking him to the ground.
Subsequent comments on the YouTube site indicate the youths stole his phone and then posted the footage, in which their faces cannot be seen.
One commenter asks: "did they steal the camera off him thats how u got this on the net?" (sic)
The poster unr8bleLebo replies: "yer we taxed (stole) his phone" (sic), however he then adds "Imao", internet shorthand for "laugh my arse off".
Another video apparently filmed near a high school in November titled "leb vs aussie at blacktown" states: "the aussie was 2x the size of the leb and the aussie got bashes i think u aussies should just fuking stick to drinking" (sic).
It has been viewed by more than 22,000 people.
The Daily Telegraph has referred the videos to police. The Greenacre video was taken down yesterday after the The Daily Telegraph made inquiries to the host.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Afghanistan:100 Taliban taken by Austyralian "Combat Team Tusk"
Australians take 100 Taliban
By IAN McPHEDRAN in Tarin Kowt
The Sunday Telegraph
April 25, 2009 06:57pm
AUSTRALIAN soldiers have killed more than 100 Taliban fighters and disrupted vast enemy networks in two of the biggest and most successful operations of the six-year Afghanistan campaign.
Details of the offensive were revealed during a secret visit to Afghanistan for Anzac Day by Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon who was accompanied by News Limited.
Operation Aabitoorah or Blue Sword began on March 19 in the northern Helmand province, south of the Australian base in Oruzgan Province and involved Dutch, British, American, Australian and Afghani forces.
The second, called Operation Shak Hawel or Mysterious Area, was fought by troops from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force between April 3 and 15 around Patrol Base Buman in the Chora Valley north of Tarin Kowt.
More than 200 diggers or almost half of the battle group led by Darwin based Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel took part with an Afghan National Army battalion.
During the biggest battle on April 12 dozens of Taliban fighters perished as they attempted to defeat the diggers from Combat Team Tusk in the fertile green belt.
"They tried to stop us doing what we wanted to do and they came off second best,'' Lt Colonel Gabriel told News Limited.
Troops from the task force have been engaged in numerous heavy fire fights during offensive patrols to mentor and instruct their Afghan comrades.
Mr Fitzgibbon received full details of the operations and spoke to the troops during a secret two-day tour of Australian bases in the lead up to Anzac Day at Tarin Kowt where Vietnam war hero and Victoria Cross holder Keith Payne was the guest of honour.
Mr Fitzgibbon became the first Australian minister to venture "outside the wire'' flying in a Chinook chopper low along the fertile valleys to forward operating bases framed by snow capped peaks, to judge the progress for himself.
Australian commander Major General Mark Kelly said Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) troops from the Perth based SAS Regiment and Sydney based Commando Regiment operated deep inside a Taliban stronghold for 26 days during "Blue Sword".
He said the number of enemy dead was not a measure of success, but he told News Limited that the tally was in excess of 80.
"It is a significant achievement by our soldiers over an extended combat mission.
"It has really disrupted the insurgent network in this part of regional command south,'' General Kelly said.
The specialist diggers were attacked by roadside bombs, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire and despite the intensity of the action just one Australian, Sydney based bomb disposal expert Sergeant Brett Till, was killed and four others wounded including one who lost his legs.
In addition to the number of enemy casualties, including bomb maker and leader Mullah Abdul Bari, the Australians uncovered numerous weapons caches and up to 14 improvised explosive devices in a day.
Mr Fitzgibbon, who toured Australian built hospitals and schools as well as fighting bases, said the latest operations were a major setback for the Taliban.
He said it was vital for the Australian people to understand these intense and deadly operations and just how dangerous and challenging the job was for the diggers.
"We are making real progress in Afghanistan.
"I wish to thank every man and woman in the Australian Defence Force who is making a contribution to what is a very important campaign,'' Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Commander of Regional Command South Dutch Major-General Mart de Kraif said the operation had disrupted insurgent activities including the drugs trade.
He said Australian special-forces troops had applied massive pressure to the insurgent leadership.
By IAN McPHEDRAN in Tarin Kowt
The Sunday Telegraph
April 25, 2009 06:57pm
AUSTRALIAN soldiers have killed more than 100 Taliban fighters and disrupted vast enemy networks in two of the biggest and most successful operations of the six-year Afghanistan campaign.
Details of the offensive were revealed during a secret visit to Afghanistan for Anzac Day by Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon who was accompanied by News Limited.
Operation Aabitoorah or Blue Sword began on March 19 in the northern Helmand province, south of the Australian base in Oruzgan Province and involved Dutch, British, American, Australian and Afghani forces.
The second, called Operation Shak Hawel or Mysterious Area, was fought by troops from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force between April 3 and 15 around Patrol Base Buman in the Chora Valley north of Tarin Kowt.
More than 200 diggers or almost half of the battle group led by Darwin based Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel took part with an Afghan National Army battalion.
During the biggest battle on April 12 dozens of Taliban fighters perished as they attempted to defeat the diggers from Combat Team Tusk in the fertile green belt.
"They tried to stop us doing what we wanted to do and they came off second best,'' Lt Colonel Gabriel told News Limited.
Troops from the task force have been engaged in numerous heavy fire fights during offensive patrols to mentor and instruct their Afghan comrades.
Mr Fitzgibbon received full details of the operations and spoke to the troops during a secret two-day tour of Australian bases in the lead up to Anzac Day at Tarin Kowt where Vietnam war hero and Victoria Cross holder Keith Payne was the guest of honour.
Mr Fitzgibbon became the first Australian minister to venture "outside the wire'' flying in a Chinook chopper low along the fertile valleys to forward operating bases framed by snow capped peaks, to judge the progress for himself.
Australian commander Major General Mark Kelly said Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) troops from the Perth based SAS Regiment and Sydney based Commando Regiment operated deep inside a Taliban stronghold for 26 days during "Blue Sword".
He said the number of enemy dead was not a measure of success, but he told News Limited that the tally was in excess of 80.
"It is a significant achievement by our soldiers over an extended combat mission.
"It has really disrupted the insurgent network in this part of regional command south,'' General Kelly said.
The specialist diggers were attacked by roadside bombs, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire and despite the intensity of the action just one Australian, Sydney based bomb disposal expert Sergeant Brett Till, was killed and four others wounded including one who lost his legs.
In addition to the number of enemy casualties, including bomb maker and leader Mullah Abdul Bari, the Australians uncovered numerous weapons caches and up to 14 improvised explosive devices in a day.
Mr Fitzgibbon, who toured Australian built hospitals and schools as well as fighting bases, said the latest operations were a major setback for the Taliban.
He said it was vital for the Australian people to understand these intense and deadly operations and just how dangerous and challenging the job was for the diggers.
"We are making real progress in Afghanistan.
"I wish to thank every man and woman in the Australian Defence Force who is making a contribution to what is a very important campaign,'' Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Commander of Regional Command South Dutch Major-General Mart de Kraif said the operation had disrupted insurgent activities including the drugs trade.
He said Australian special-forces troops had applied massive pressure to the insurgent leadership.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Rudd's Australia:US War Hero Lance Corporal Lee , bashed sensless in Sydney whilst on leave from Iraq.
War Hero bashed senseless in Kings CrossThe Daily Telegraph
April 22, 2009
A US Marine savagely assaulted in Kings Cross six months ago has made an emotional plea for information as police investigate a possible bikie link.
“I had been enjoying a night out on the town in Sydney after being granted liberty from the USS Peleliu and to end up the victim of an assault and fighting for life in hospital is distressing,” Lance Corporal Lee said, speaking from Camp Pendleton in California where he is completing his recovery.
The 25-year-old soldier sailed into Sydney on USS Peleliu last October after seeing active service in Iraq and was attacked by two men during a night out on shore leave on October 13.
Superintendent Tony Crandell said the men, who punched him to the ground without provocation on Roslyn Street, may have links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Inside Sydney's bikie bloodshed
“This attack has taken its toll on me personally, not only leaving me with serious injuries, but also significantly impacting on my career,” Lance Corporal Lee said.
“I still have not returned to full duties with the US Marines despite six months having passed since the assault.”
The injured servicemen said the incident has also affected his wife and nine-month-old son.
“I’d just ask anyone who might have witnessed the assault or have information that might assist the police investigation to come forward and speak with detectives.”
The attack occurred about 2am on Sunday, October 13, at the intersection of Roslyn Street and Barncleuth Lane, Kings Cross, when two men got out of a silver 2000-model Mitsubishi Magna.
They confronted Lance Corporal Lee, who was intoxicated and standing in the middle of Roslyn Street.
One punched him on the side of the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the road.
The attackers then fled in the Mitsubishi Magna.
Lance Corporal Lee was taken unconscious by ambulance to St Vincents Hospital in a critical condition with skull factures.
He underwent emergency surgery, remaining in a coma for nine days.
When he regained consciousness, he suffered short-term amnesia and could not recall his own name nor recognise his wife and parents.
He was also unable to walk for some time.
Detectives from Kings Cross Local Area Command are continuing their inquiries into the incident and are again appealing for public help to catch the attackers.
The first offender is described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, in his mid 20s, 185cm tall with a large muscular build, short dark hair and a neat beard.
He was wearing a t-shirt, shorts and runners at the time of the incident.
The second offender has only been described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, aged in his mid 20s and having a solid muscular build.
Lance Corporal Lee was discharged from hospital on October 30 and has since returned to work on light duties pending further surgery.
Anyone who may be able to assist the investigation is urged to contact Kings Cross detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sydney, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, handed over to the manifestations of the United Nations racist cult of Multiculturalism and Islamic Middle Eastern barbarism by the Australian Labor Party,ALP,financed by the Marxist based Australian Council of Trade Unions,ACTU.
Labor's "....rich tapestry of cultural diversity and Multiculturalism" on display:
Australia: 16 year old stabbed for been an Australian
Australia:Four Christian Churches stand against "Islamic beachhead"
Sydney International Airport, 12 "Middle Eastern men assault Female Customs officer
Sydney's Occupied Territories:Mahmoud Dib refused bail Video of court fracas
Sydney's Occupied Territories:Sydney Airport Killing aftermath
Some letters to the editor on this story, typical of the sentiments of Sydney siders and their disgust at what the NSW Labor state government calls law and order in NSW.
sydney used to be a beautiful place. I arrived here as a migrant 23 years ago and thought the world of this place. Now, i think there are too many bad elements in sydney, most notably Middle Eastern men (mostly young) who just want to cause trouble for no reason. To those below who state "what does their race have to do with it?" - you are just blind to what is happening in front of your very eyes.
Posted by: mc of 2:42pm today
Why mention they are Middle eastern, well, they are. A disproportional amount of the violence for the precentage of population in the city is coming from the Lebonese community. Kings Cross surcurity is just a cover for stand over middle eastern gangs. Look at Hyde Park a few weeks ago, who were they, the "Muslim Brotherhood Movement" who's agenda is racial hatred towards non muslims. Now who do you think they might be. Not to mention the airport drama and drive by shootings. Just ask the police were most of the street violence is coming from. Geeez, are they being picked on, I certainly don't think so
Posted by: PC of Sydney 2:40pm today
Thank GOD I dont live in Sydney. It's become a dirty city full of violence and aggro.
Posted by: JulieA of Northern NSW 1:51pm today
Sydney is rapidly becoming a no-go area. And most of the blame can be leveled at three ethnic groups. Lebanese, Pacific Islander and Asian gangs account for most of the crime, violence and brutality on the streets. I believe that the migration of various nationalities to this country has made it a much more vibrant and delightful place to live. To a large degree these people have become fine Australian citizens and contribute to society but like so many other countries we are discovering there are large groups who have nothing but loathing and contempt for the country that has given them a new home. They have no allegiance to Australia and see it simply as stupid place to exploit in every way. There should be a return policy with immigration. Unfortunately for a lot of them it is second generation hatred.
Posted by: Michael of Sydney 1:49pm today
News flash- Sydney is a bashers paradise! Young, old, heroes whatever- nobody is immune- and the cops couldn't care less.
Posted by: Blonde Ambition of Sydney 1:32pm today
Rudd's Australia: More illegals arrive at Barrow Island
More asylum seekers intercepted off WA coast
By Allison Rehn
The Daily Telegraph
April 22, 2009 02:30pm
ANOTHER boatload of asylum seekers has been intercepted off the West Australian coast.
The Federal Government has just confirmed the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Wollongong made the interception approximately 47 nautical miles from south-west of Barrow Island.
Border Protection Command aircraft first spotted the vessel, which then alerted the HMAS Wollongong.
Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said initial indications are that there are 32 people on board, all adult males.
Mr Debus said the successful interception demonstrated the effectiveness of Border Protection Command's targeted surveillance.
"Officers from Customs and Border Protection and the Royal Australian Navy continue to work together to protect Australia's maritime domain from unauthorised arrivals," Mr Debus said.
"The Australian Government is committed to strong border security arrangements to deal effectively and appropriately with people smugglers."
The group will be transferred to HMAS Wollongong and then taken to Christmas Island where they will undergo health, security and other checks to establish their identity and reasons for their voyage.
It is the seventh boat of asylum seekers to arrive in Australian waters this year.
More Rudd government supporters and future social security recipients from the middle east land on Australian soil.
The eighth boat so far this year, Rudd's answer is to pay Indonesia and extra $40million on top of the half billion we pay them already.
Why are these illegals coming back since the Howard governments illegal entrant policies were abandoned by Australia's Dear Leader, Comrade Rudd?
Well according to the Indonesians this is why.....
Refugees 'reacted to law change': Indonesia
Paul Maley
The Australian
April 22, 2009
INDONESIA experienced an increase in the number of suspected refugees transiting through its borders at the same time Australia was softening its border protection policies.
Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Primo Alui Joelianto, said Indonesian-based people-smugglers had exploited changes to Australian law as a way of drumming up business.
And as the political row over the surge in boat arrivals deepened - with Kevin Rudd branding Malcolm Turnbull "opportunistic" over his handling of the issue - senior government sources told The Australian another boat was due to be intercepted "within days". They are likely to join asylum seekers, who landed earlier this month, on Christmas Island.
Yesterday, Mr Joelianto said Indonesia had seen a spike in suspected refugees transiting the sprawling archipelago.
Significantly, Mr Joelianto dated the start of the increase at September last year, the same time the Rudd Government announced a series of policy changes aimed at softening Australia's treatment of refugees. But at the same time, the ambassador acknowledged Labor's claim about the causes of the surge, saying violence abroad and the scourge of people-smuggling were at the root of the problem.
Speaking to The Australian, Mr Joelianto said the problem of irregular migration was too big for Indonesia to handle alone.
When asked if more suspected refugees had been coming into Indonesia, heading for the main transit points for people journeying to Australia, Mr Joelianto replied: "We noted, especially after September 2008, the influx, the flow of illegal migrants get more and more," he said. "But I think we have to see the root cause - conflict, the political instability, economic problems in the origin country; that's why this problem is not easy to tackle."
But Mr Joelianto suggested people-smugglers were also using the policy changes as a way of drumming up business.
"I think maybe the traffickers use this as a trial to organise more of flowing of the refugees, because they get the money for that," Mr Joelianto said.
"So maybe they use this new policy, but I don't know exactly."
Mr Joelianto's assessment echoed that of Immigration Minister Chris Evans, who said the smugglers had used changes to Australian law as a "marketing tool".
Indonesian lawmakers planned to pass legislation outlawing people-smuggling, a high priority for the Australian Government, Mr Joelianto said.
His assurance came as Mr Rudd announced Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had signed the extradition to Australia of Iraqi-Iranian citizen Hadi Ahmadi.
Mr Rudd said Mr Ahmadi was suspected of organising the passage of four boats carrying more than 900 "unlawful non-citizens" to Australia.
Yesterday, Mr Ahmadi's lawyer, Joel Tannos, said Australia now had a month to organise the extradition.
"If it's not done within that time, the presidential decree lapses. So the time it's done is up to Australia," Mr Tannos said.
Presidential legal adviser Denny Indrayana said he expected the extradition to be acted on quickly.
"The two countries will follow up and accelerate the bureaucratic process on this," Dr Indrayana said.
The development came as police in the Northern Territory began interviewing survivors of last Thursday's boat blast that killed five asylum seekers and seriously injured dozens more.
When asked if a return the Pacific Solution of offshore processing would assist Jakarta's management of the problem, Mr Joelianto said the fight against smugglers was the key.
Additional reporting: Stephen Fitzpatrick
By Allison Rehn
The Daily Telegraph
April 22, 2009 02:30pm
ANOTHER boatload of asylum seekers has been intercepted off the West Australian coast.
The Federal Government has just confirmed the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Wollongong made the interception approximately 47 nautical miles from south-west of Barrow Island.
Border Protection Command aircraft first spotted the vessel, which then alerted the HMAS Wollongong.
Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said initial indications are that there are 32 people on board, all adult males.
Mr Debus said the successful interception demonstrated the effectiveness of Border Protection Command's targeted surveillance.
"Officers from Customs and Border Protection and the Royal Australian Navy continue to work together to protect Australia's maritime domain from unauthorised arrivals," Mr Debus said.
"The Australian Government is committed to strong border security arrangements to deal effectively and appropriately with people smugglers."
The group will be transferred to HMAS Wollongong and then taken to Christmas Island where they will undergo health, security and other checks to establish their identity and reasons for their voyage.
It is the seventh boat of asylum seekers to arrive in Australian waters this year.
More Rudd government supporters and future social security recipients from the middle east land on Australian soil.
The eighth boat so far this year, Rudd's answer is to pay Indonesia and extra $40million on top of the half billion we pay them already.
Why are these illegals coming back since the Howard governments illegal entrant policies were abandoned by Australia's Dear Leader, Comrade Rudd?
Well according to the Indonesians this is why.....
Refugees 'reacted to law change': Indonesia
Paul Maley
The Australian
April 22, 2009
INDONESIA experienced an increase in the number of suspected refugees transiting through its borders at the same time Australia was softening its border protection policies.
Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Primo Alui Joelianto, said Indonesian-based people-smugglers had exploited changes to Australian law as a way of drumming up business.
And as the political row over the surge in boat arrivals deepened - with Kevin Rudd branding Malcolm Turnbull "opportunistic" over his handling of the issue - senior government sources told The Australian another boat was due to be intercepted "within days". They are likely to join asylum seekers, who landed earlier this month, on Christmas Island.
Yesterday, Mr Joelianto said Indonesia had seen a spike in suspected refugees transiting the sprawling archipelago.
Significantly, Mr Joelianto dated the start of the increase at September last year, the same time the Rudd Government announced a series of policy changes aimed at softening Australia's treatment of refugees. But at the same time, the ambassador acknowledged Labor's claim about the causes of the surge, saying violence abroad and the scourge of people-smuggling were at the root of the problem.
Speaking to The Australian, Mr Joelianto said the problem of irregular migration was too big for Indonesia to handle alone.
When asked if more suspected refugees had been coming into Indonesia, heading for the main transit points for people journeying to Australia, Mr Joelianto replied: "We noted, especially after September 2008, the influx, the flow of illegal migrants get more and more," he said. "But I think we have to see the root cause - conflict, the political instability, economic problems in the origin country; that's why this problem is not easy to tackle."
But Mr Joelianto suggested people-smugglers were also using the policy changes as a way of drumming up business.
"I think maybe the traffickers use this as a trial to organise more of flowing of the refugees, because they get the money for that," Mr Joelianto said.
"So maybe they use this new policy, but I don't know exactly."
Mr Joelianto's assessment echoed that of Immigration Minister Chris Evans, who said the smugglers had used changes to Australian law as a "marketing tool".
Indonesian lawmakers planned to pass legislation outlawing people-smuggling, a high priority for the Australian Government, Mr Joelianto said.
His assurance came as Mr Rudd announced Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had signed the extradition to Australia of Iraqi-Iranian citizen Hadi Ahmadi.
Mr Rudd said Mr Ahmadi was suspected of organising the passage of four boats carrying more than 900 "unlawful non-citizens" to Australia.
Yesterday, Mr Ahmadi's lawyer, Joel Tannos, said Australia now had a month to organise the extradition.
"If it's not done within that time, the presidential decree lapses. So the time it's done is up to Australia," Mr Tannos said.
Presidential legal adviser Denny Indrayana said he expected the extradition to be acted on quickly.
"The two countries will follow up and accelerate the bureaucratic process on this," Dr Indrayana said.
The development came as police in the Northern Territory began interviewing survivors of last Thursday's boat blast that killed five asylum seekers and seriously injured dozens more.
When asked if a return the Pacific Solution of offshore processing would assist Jakarta's management of the problem, Mr Joelianto said the fight against smugglers was the key.
Additional reporting: Stephen Fitzpatrick
Australia:Four Christian Churches stand against "Islamic beachhead"
Churches unite against Islamic school in Camden
The Daily Telegraph
April 22, 2009 12:00am
FOUR Christian churches have joined in an unprecedented attack on the Islamic faith in an attempt to stop a Muslim school being built.
Calling the religion an ideology driven by world domination, a submission to the Land and Environment Court yesterday said a proposed school at Camden was a "beachhead" in Islamic takeover of southwestern Sydney, threatening the Australian way of life.
The attack, co-signed by local heads of Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian and the Evangelical Sisters of Mary churches, formed the spearhead of Camden City Council's defence to a court challenge over its rejection of a development application for the Muslim school.
"Islam is not simply a private religion. It is driven by a powerful political agenda, it is an ideology with a plan for world domination," the letter said.
"The Quranic Society application to establish an Islamic school in Camden is typical of a regularly repeated pattern to form a beachhead in an area for the development of a sub-culture which, for the most part, regards its own legal system as superior to the current Australian law."
They said the Muslim community would seek to dominate public space in Camden "as we have seen in Auburn, Bankstown, Lakemba and more recently Liverpool".
The provocative submission was penned by Camden's Baptist Pastor Brian Stewart, St John's Anglican Rector Tony Galea, Presbyterian minister Warren Hicks and Sisters of Mary's sisters in charge Sister Simone and Sister Gideona.
Use of the letter is a turnaround from previous claims that the council's ruling was on the grounds of traffic congestion.
The first day in the society's court challenge began with a visit to the proposed site on Cawdor Rd, Camden. Chris Gough, heading the Quranic Society's legal team, said there were no planning grounds why the school, for 900 students, should not be approved.
"The constitution of Australia talks about freedom of religion," Mr Gough said.
In their objection, the Christian ministries said they may be seen as racists or hypocrites but they were trying to preserve a rich, hard-won way of life that was incompatible with Quranic Society teachings.
"The Quranic Society espouses a world view which is not compatible with broader, Australian egalitarian culture," they said.
"A fundamental tenet of the faith is that Muslims are not required to obey any law that does not come from Allah."
Full marks to these brave "infidels" I have some history on this in the Video below, the next few weeks will be interesting to say the least.
The Daily Telegraph
April 22, 2009 12:00am
FOUR Christian churches have joined in an unprecedented attack on the Islamic faith in an attempt to stop a Muslim school being built.
Calling the religion an ideology driven by world domination, a submission to the Land and Environment Court yesterday said a proposed school at Camden was a "beachhead" in Islamic takeover of southwestern Sydney, threatening the Australian way of life.
The attack, co-signed by local heads of Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian and the Evangelical Sisters of Mary churches, formed the spearhead of Camden City Council's defence to a court challenge over its rejection of a development application for the Muslim school.
"Islam is not simply a private religion. It is driven by a powerful political agenda, it is an ideology with a plan for world domination," the letter said.
"The Quranic Society application to establish an Islamic school in Camden is typical of a regularly repeated pattern to form a beachhead in an area for the development of a sub-culture which, for the most part, regards its own legal system as superior to the current Australian law."
They said the Muslim community would seek to dominate public space in Camden "as we have seen in Auburn, Bankstown, Lakemba and more recently Liverpool".
The provocative submission was penned by Camden's Baptist Pastor Brian Stewart, St John's Anglican Rector Tony Galea, Presbyterian minister Warren Hicks and Sisters of Mary's sisters in charge Sister Simone and Sister Gideona.
Use of the letter is a turnaround from previous claims that the council's ruling was on the grounds of traffic congestion.
The first day in the society's court challenge began with a visit to the proposed site on Cawdor Rd, Camden. Chris Gough, heading the Quranic Society's legal team, said there were no planning grounds why the school, for 900 students, should not be approved.
"The constitution of Australia talks about freedom of religion," Mr Gough said.
In their objection, the Christian ministries said they may be seen as racists or hypocrites but they were trying to preserve a rich, hard-won way of life that was incompatible with Quranic Society teachings.
"The Quranic Society espouses a world view which is not compatible with broader, Australian egalitarian culture," they said.
"A fundamental tenet of the faith is that Muslims are not required to obey any law that does not come from Allah."
Full marks to these brave "infidels" I have some history on this in the Video below, the next few weeks will be interesting to say the least.
Islam can only exist as a DISRUPTIVE Minority or
as an OPPRESSIVE Majority
as an OPPRESSIVE Majority
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Rudd ignored AFP warnings over lack of border protection against coming illegal immigrants
Rudd was warned by AFP about border protection
EXCLUSIVE by Steve Lewis and Malcolm Farr
The Daily Telegraph
April 18, 2009 12:00am
AUSTRALIAN Federal Police warned Prime Minister Kevin Rudd just weeks ago his border protection laws were making the country a magnet for smuggling.
The warning came in secret intelligence briefings prepared by the AFP that were delivered to senior Government ministers.
The Daily Telegraph understands the AFP also expressed reservations last year as the Rudd Government wound back John Howard's tougher approach.
Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus last night refused to disclose details of the AFP intelligence. But the revelations are likely to harden the Opposition's claim that Labor's softer stance on border protection has contributed to a surge in the people smuggling trade.
The also come as at least four asylum seekers injured when their converted fishing trawler exploded were placed on life support.
Three asylum seekers died after Thursday's explosion off Australia's northwest coast.
All 44 survivors, including five Australian navy personnel, were yesterday receiving medical treatment in Darwin, Perth or Broome.
As the wounds were treated, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd rejected Opposition charges he had dropped the nation's guard.
Mr Rudd said the growing numbers of refugees globally meant more money would have to be given to patrolling.
The AFP warnings were based in part on intelligence from officers in Indonesia.
Australian spy agencies and the police have been monitoring an increase in people smuggling activity in Asia since mid 2008 - around the time Cabinet rolled back key aspects of John Howard's policy approach.
But the new "risk based" detention policy also coincided with an upswing in people smuggling.
Six illegal vessels have arrived this year. Mr Debus yesterday confirmed 250 people had sought asylum in 2009 - compared to 160 last year.
Mr Rudd defended his border protection policies and the Government's determination to repel smuggling attempts.
He said the policies were "tough, targeted and integrated with the border protection efforts our partners around the world".
"We have dedicated more resources to border protection that any previous Australian Government," he said.
"(We) will dedicate what further resources are necessary as this threat, this global threat, unfolds."
Funding for border protection operations was increased by $20.6 million to $280 million last Budget.
Another boat on the way
SMH
Phillip Coorey, Damien Murphy in Darwin Tom Allard in Bali
April 18, 2009
AUTHORITIES were believed to be tracking another boatload of asylum seekers en route to Australia as Kevin Rudd labelled people smugglers the "vilest form of human life" and pledged to provide whatever resources were necessary to combat the growing incidence of arrivals.
Government sources told the Herald yesterday another boat had been under surveillance for about two days and would be intercepted once it entered Australian waters.
Rudd: We're hardline on asylum
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says people smugglers can 'rot in hell' as the Opposition accuses his Government of a 'soft' asylum policy.
In Indonesia 68 Afghans planning to enter Australia were arrested in a hotel at a beach resort near Jakarta. They were detained for entering Indonesia without travel documents or visas in Anyer, a town in Banten, a province in West Java about two hours' drive from Jakarta.
The captain of a navy patrol boat escorting the asylum seekers' craft said a "high threat" warning had been sent from members of the naval boarding party just minutes before the vessel exploded and sank.
Lieutenant-Commander Barry Learoyd, captain of HMAS Albany, said the six-man boarding party had been aboard the craft for some time and had raised the alarm when the explosion occurred about 7.45am.
Commander Learoyd would not comment on what had prompted the "high threat" alert, other than saying it was a recognised code indicating something serious had occurred.
He said the boat people were not told they were being escorted to Christmas Island.
As the Opposition continued to insist the increase in arrivals was a result of policy changes, Mr Rudd said Australia's recent experience was part of a worldwide surge in asylum seekers. "People smugglers are the vilest form of human life. They trade on the tragedy of others, and that is why they should rot in jail and, in my own view, rot in hell," he said.
"This Government is absolutely committed to dedicating all resources necessary to fight the fight against people smugglers, to maintain a hard-line, tough and targeted strategy in maintaining this country's border protection."
On Thursday, the boat with 47 Afghans, two crew and Australian Navy exploded off Ashmore Reef while under naval guard. The death toll, confirmed to be three, was expected to rise to five as there has been no sign of two missing people.
The Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, said the toll could go higher. "It looks like we've got some really seriously injured and the death toll may mount," he said. Of those taken to the mainland, the eight most severely injured were being treated at Royal Darwin Hospital. There were grave fears for five of them.
One was in Broome and 22 others had been taken to Perth. Five of these are in intensive care in a critical but stable condition. One is in a perilous condition because of a serious airway burn. Another 17 are in the burns unit but all are stable. Thirteen slightly wounded people arrived in Darwin aboard HMAS Albany, the patrol boat which intercepted the asylum seekers' boat near Ashmore Reef on Wednesday.
The Federal Government sent 18 Australian Federal Police officers and forensic experts to Darwin and Perth to assist with the investigation.
The West Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, claimed the boat exploded after the asylum seekers doused it with petrol. Mr Rudd said the cause was still unconfirmed and he would be saying nothing about it until it was.
The Government cited the Howard government's incorrect claims about asylum seekers throwing children overboard in 2001 as the reason for taking time to ascertain the facts.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said Australians did not like to see politicians trying to profit from such circumstances, and the Opposition Leader "might care to remember that". Malcolm Turnbull maintained that last year's policy changes of abolishing temporary protection visas and the "Pacific solution" were responsible for the surge in boats arriving in Australian waters. He stopped short of pledging to reintroduce either policy.
The Opposition immigration spokeswoman, Sharman Stone, had accused the Government of being responsible for the deaths but Mr Turnbull tempered the claim yesterday. "The particular tragedy was not caused by the Government," he said.
Mr Rudd said there were "global factors at work". "You have tens of thousands of people arriving as refugees on the shores of countries right around the world."
EXCLUSIVE by Steve Lewis and Malcolm Farr
The Daily Telegraph
April 18, 2009 12:00am
AUSTRALIAN Federal Police warned Prime Minister Kevin Rudd just weeks ago his border protection laws were making the country a magnet for smuggling.
The warning came in secret intelligence briefings prepared by the AFP that were delivered to senior Government ministers.
The Daily Telegraph understands the AFP also expressed reservations last year as the Rudd Government wound back John Howard's tougher approach.
Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus last night refused to disclose details of the AFP intelligence. But the revelations are likely to harden the Opposition's claim that Labor's softer stance on border protection has contributed to a surge in the people smuggling trade.
The also come as at least four asylum seekers injured when their converted fishing trawler exploded were placed on life support.
Three asylum seekers died after Thursday's explosion off Australia's northwest coast.
All 44 survivors, including five Australian navy personnel, were yesterday receiving medical treatment in Darwin, Perth or Broome.
As the wounds were treated, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd rejected Opposition charges he had dropped the nation's guard.
Mr Rudd said the growing numbers of refugees globally meant more money would have to be given to patrolling.
The AFP warnings were based in part on intelligence from officers in Indonesia.
Australian spy agencies and the police have been monitoring an increase in people smuggling activity in Asia since mid 2008 - around the time Cabinet rolled back key aspects of John Howard's policy approach.
But the new "risk based" detention policy also coincided with an upswing in people smuggling.
Six illegal vessels have arrived this year. Mr Debus yesterday confirmed 250 people had sought asylum in 2009 - compared to 160 last year.
Mr Rudd defended his border protection policies and the Government's determination to repel smuggling attempts.
He said the policies were "tough, targeted and integrated with the border protection efforts our partners around the world".
"We have dedicated more resources to border protection that any previous Australian Government," he said.
"(We) will dedicate what further resources are necessary as this threat, this global threat, unfolds."
Funding for border protection operations was increased by $20.6 million to $280 million last Budget.
Illegals arrive at various Australian Hospitals for burns treatment following sabotage of boat after interception by Royal Australian Navy
Another boat on the way
SMH
Phillip Coorey, Damien Murphy in Darwin Tom Allard in Bali
April 18, 2009
AUTHORITIES were believed to be tracking another boatload of asylum seekers en route to Australia as Kevin Rudd labelled people smugglers the "vilest form of human life" and pledged to provide whatever resources were necessary to combat the growing incidence of arrivals.
Government sources told the Herald yesterday another boat had been under surveillance for about two days and would be intercepted once it entered Australian waters.
Rudd: We're hardline on asylum
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says people smugglers can 'rot in hell' as the Opposition accuses his Government of a 'soft' asylum policy.
In Indonesia 68 Afghans planning to enter Australia were arrested in a hotel at a beach resort near Jakarta. They were detained for entering Indonesia without travel documents or visas in Anyer, a town in Banten, a province in West Java about two hours' drive from Jakarta.
The captain of a navy patrol boat escorting the asylum seekers' craft said a "high threat" warning had been sent from members of the naval boarding party just minutes before the vessel exploded and sank.
Lieutenant-Commander Barry Learoyd, captain of HMAS Albany, said the six-man boarding party had been aboard the craft for some time and had raised the alarm when the explosion occurred about 7.45am.
Commander Learoyd would not comment on what had prompted the "high threat" alert, other than saying it was a recognised code indicating something serious had occurred.
He said the boat people were not told they were being escorted to Christmas Island.
As the Opposition continued to insist the increase in arrivals was a result of policy changes, Mr Rudd said Australia's recent experience was part of a worldwide surge in asylum seekers. "People smugglers are the vilest form of human life. They trade on the tragedy of others, and that is why they should rot in jail and, in my own view, rot in hell," he said.
"This Government is absolutely committed to dedicating all resources necessary to fight the fight against people smugglers, to maintain a hard-line, tough and targeted strategy in maintaining this country's border protection."
On Thursday, the boat with 47 Afghans, two crew and Australian Navy exploded off Ashmore Reef while under naval guard. The death toll, confirmed to be three, was expected to rise to five as there has been no sign of two missing people.
The Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, said the toll could go higher. "It looks like we've got some really seriously injured and the death toll may mount," he said. Of those taken to the mainland, the eight most severely injured were being treated at Royal Darwin Hospital. There were grave fears for five of them.
One was in Broome and 22 others had been taken to Perth. Five of these are in intensive care in a critical but stable condition. One is in a perilous condition because of a serious airway burn. Another 17 are in the burns unit but all are stable. Thirteen slightly wounded people arrived in Darwin aboard HMAS Albany, the patrol boat which intercepted the asylum seekers' boat near Ashmore Reef on Wednesday.
The Federal Government sent 18 Australian Federal Police officers and forensic experts to Darwin and Perth to assist with the investigation.
The West Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, claimed the boat exploded after the asylum seekers doused it with petrol. Mr Rudd said the cause was still unconfirmed and he would be saying nothing about it until it was.
The Government cited the Howard government's incorrect claims about asylum seekers throwing children overboard in 2001 as the reason for taking time to ascertain the facts.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said Australians did not like to see politicians trying to profit from such circumstances, and the Opposition Leader "might care to remember that". Malcolm Turnbull maintained that last year's policy changes of abolishing temporary protection visas and the "Pacific solution" were responsible for the surge in boats arriving in Australian waters. He stopped short of pledging to reintroduce either policy.
The Opposition immigration spokeswoman, Sharman Stone, had accused the Government of being responsible for the deaths but Mr Turnbull tempered the claim yesterday. "The particular tragedy was not caused by the Government," he said.
Mr Rudd said there were "global factors at work". "You have tens of thousands of people arriving as refugees on the shores of countries right around the world."
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Australia: Asylum-seekers 3 Dead 2 missing boat explodes
Asylum-seekers 'dead, injured' in explosion
NEWS.com.au
April 16, 2009 11:38am
THREE people have been killed and two are missing after a boat explosion on a vessel carrying 49-asylum seekers off the coast of WA.
Police have said that several other people are injured, but cannot confirm numbers.
Police say the explosion happened in the engine compartment of a vessel that was carrying a boatload of suspected asylum seekers from Ashmore Reef to Christmas Island.
Sgt Lambert from West Australian police said a navy vessel was towing the stricken boat to Darwin when the incident occurred.
"It is believed an explosion has occurred in the engine compartment of a vessel," Sgt Lambert said.
"It is believed that three people have been killed, two people are missing and others are injured, numbers are not yet known."
It's unclear whether any naval personnel were injured in the explosion.
Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus is expected to release a statement shortly.
The vessel is being towed to Darwin. Border protection authorities are investigating.
NEWS.com.au
April 16, 2009 11:38am
THREE people have been killed and two are missing after a boat explosion on a vessel carrying 49-asylum seekers off the coast of WA.
Police have said that several other people are injured, but cannot confirm numbers.
Police say the explosion happened in the engine compartment of a vessel that was carrying a boatload of suspected asylum seekers from Ashmore Reef to Christmas Island.
Sgt Lambert from West Australian police said a navy vessel was towing the stricken boat to Darwin when the incident occurred.
"It is believed an explosion has occurred in the engine compartment of a vessel," Sgt Lambert said.
"It is believed that three people have been killed, two people are missing and others are injured, numbers are not yet known."
It's unclear whether any naval personnel were injured in the explosion.
Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus is expected to release a statement shortly.
The vessel is being towed to Darwin. Border protection authorities are investigating.
Now for the latest, Rudd's spin Doctors massage their pals in the MSM.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Australian Judge saves girl from Circumcision
Court bars father from taking daughter for female circumcision
Caroline Overington
The Australian
April 14, 2009
THE Family Court has for the first time intervened to prevent a father from taking his nine-year-old daughter back to Africa to have her circumcised.
Family Court judge Paul Cronin ordered the man, who is an Australian citizen of African descent, to surrender his passport and that of his daughter.
Justice Cronin banned the father from "removing or attempting to remove the child, born in March 1999, from the commonwealth of Australia".
This is a picture of a young Egyptian Muslim girl been Mutilated by some Islamic holy man arse hole or other, so as to ensure she does not SIN by enjoying SEX.
It is not clear whether the order was successful, since the man, known only as Mr Abbas, failed to appear in court.
Female circumcision, also known as genital mutilation, has been a crime in most Australian states since the late 1990s.
The law makes it clear that it is an offence not only to circumcise one's own daughter, or any other female child, but also to encourage or enable any other person to do it; or to leave the country for the purpose of having it done.
The practice is commonplace in some parts of Africa, in particular Somalia.
Justice Cronin said the father had told his former wife that he intended to return to Africa, which is "not where the child was born, but she is shown as having an African nationality".
He said the father "wishes to return to Africa for the purposes of female circumcision".
The judge said he would prevent the father from leaving Australia "just in case the purpose that I have mentioned is in fact what he has in mind".
He also gave the Department of Human Services in Victoria power to visit the man's home to ensure the girl's welfare.
The case was the first in which the Family Court had placed a child on the airport Watch List specifically to prevent her removal from Australia for circumcision, but the second in which it expressly forbade a parent from circumcising their daughter. In the first case, known as Wadmal and Amrita, Family Court judge Sally Brown ordered both parents be "restrained from visiting upon the child the act of circumcision, or any other surgical procedure with like effect, and allowing any other person to do so".
The father, who described himself in court documents as a "respectable Muslim scholar in the Muslim community", and the mother, who was of Turkish origin, were divorced under Islamic law, and each accused the other of wanting the girl circumcised.
Horrific ? Offended? Damn well be offended and ask Hussein just what part of the above picture is so worthy of "RESPECT", and just what part did the President of the United States of America BOW to on behalf of the American people, and why If you object to this savagery does he think YOU are ARROGANT.
The mother told the court that in June 2007, she received a visit from the Department of Human Services workers who said they had been told she intended to have the little girl circumcised on her first birthday, for she herself had been circumcised, and it was part of her culture.
She told them she intended to do no such thing; that she was not circumcised. She had to undergo an examination by the department's doctors, who confirmed that she was not.
She told the judge that she did not even know that women in her husband's culture were circumcised until he told her so, the morning after their marriage, when he asked why she was not.
She told the court that she believed her ex-husband was trying to "attribute circumcision of the child to her, when in fact (it) had been arranged by him".
The father disputed this, saying it was common in his culture but "a primitive village practice" to which he was opposed.
The judge accepted the mother's evidence that circumcision was not practiced in her culture. He also said the father "sounded genuine when he said he saw the practice as primitive".
"But he sounded genuine when telling lies", and prudence suggested that orders restraining both parents from allowing the procedure be kept in place, the judge said.
Story
Who would take a razor blade to a child's vagina? A "respectable Muslim scholar in the Muslim community" of course, who the F**K else?
Even the Islam Friendly United Nations World Health Organization Publicly objects to Female Genital Mutilation
Hey we are talking about people/ "Religion" / mindset that the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, has said that the non Muslim world must RESPECT, he demonstrated his own submission to Islam by bowing at the hand of the Saudi King Abdulla recently in London at the United Nations G20 Gabfest, for what they are and the great contribution Islam has made to the world, hey it's one of the worlds "Great Religions",and it's a "Religion of Peace" as well, gee Hussein, maybe Female Circumcision should be compulsory for all females then.
Full marks to the Judge, I have to say I am surprised at his decision, as the Australian "Family" Court usually sides with the LOON'S in these type of matters, especially where the Muslim / Multicultural card is dealt, lest they be accused of been racist or God forbid, Islamophobic,hopefully this little girl will be able to grow up into womanhood without been mutilated in the name of her parents Satanic Cult of Islam.
Caroline Overington
The Australian
April 14, 2009
THE Family Court has for the first time intervened to prevent a father from taking his nine-year-old daughter back to Africa to have her circumcised.
Family Court judge Paul Cronin ordered the man, who is an Australian citizen of African descent, to surrender his passport and that of his daughter.
Justice Cronin banned the father from "removing or attempting to remove the child, born in March 1999, from the commonwealth of Australia".
This is a picture of a young Egyptian Muslim girl been Mutilated by some Islamic holy man arse hole or other, so as to ensure she does not SIN by enjoying SEX.It is not clear whether the order was successful, since the man, known only as Mr Abbas, failed to appear in court.
Female circumcision, also known as genital mutilation, has been a crime in most Australian states since the late 1990s.
The law makes it clear that it is an offence not only to circumcise one's own daughter, or any other female child, but also to encourage or enable any other person to do it; or to leave the country for the purpose of having it done.
The practice is commonplace in some parts of Africa, in particular Somalia.
Justice Cronin said the father had told his former wife that he intended to return to Africa, which is "not where the child was born, but she is shown as having an African nationality".
He said the father "wishes to return to Africa for the purposes of female circumcision".
The judge said he would prevent the father from leaving Australia "just in case the purpose that I have mentioned is in fact what he has in mind".
He also gave the Department of Human Services in Victoria power to visit the man's home to ensure the girl's welfare.
The case was the first in which the Family Court had placed a child on the airport Watch List specifically to prevent her removal from Australia for circumcision, but the second in which it expressly forbade a parent from circumcising their daughter. In the first case, known as Wadmal and Amrita, Family Court judge Sally Brown ordered both parents be "restrained from visiting upon the child the act of circumcision, or any other surgical procedure with like effect, and allowing any other person to do so".
The father, who described himself in court documents as a "respectable Muslim scholar in the Muslim community", and the mother, who was of Turkish origin, were divorced under Islamic law, and each accused the other of wanting the girl circumcised.
Horrific ? Offended? Damn well be offended and ask Hussein just what part of the above picture is so worthy of "RESPECT", and just what part did the President of the United States of America BOW to on behalf of the American people, and why If you object to this savagery does he think YOU are ARROGANT.The mother told the court that in June 2007, she received a visit from the Department of Human Services workers who said they had been told she intended to have the little girl circumcised on her first birthday, for she herself had been circumcised, and it was part of her culture.
She told them she intended to do no such thing; that she was not circumcised. She had to undergo an examination by the department's doctors, who confirmed that she was not.
She told the judge that she did not even know that women in her husband's culture were circumcised until he told her so, the morning after their marriage, when he asked why she was not.
She told the court that she believed her ex-husband was trying to "attribute circumcision of the child to her, when in fact (it) had been arranged by him".
The father disputed this, saying it was common in his culture but "a primitive village practice" to which he was opposed.
The judge accepted the mother's evidence that circumcision was not practiced in her culture. He also said the father "sounded genuine when he said he saw the practice as primitive".
"But he sounded genuine when telling lies", and prudence suggested that orders restraining both parents from allowing the procedure be kept in place, the judge said.
Story
Who would take a razor blade to a child's vagina? A "respectable Muslim scholar in the Muslim community" of course, who the F**K else?
Even the Islam Friendly United Nations World Health Organization Publicly objects to Female Genital Mutilation
Hey we are talking about people/ "Religion" / mindset that the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, has said that the non Muslim world must RESPECT, he demonstrated his own submission to Islam by bowing at the hand of the Saudi King Abdulla recently in London at the United Nations G20 Gabfest, for what they are and the great contribution Islam has made to the world, hey it's one of the worlds "Great Religions",and it's a "Religion of Peace" as well, gee Hussein, maybe Female Circumcision should be compulsory for all females then.
Full marks to the Judge, I have to say I am surprised at his decision, as the Australian "Family" Court usually sides with the LOON'S in these type of matters, especially where the Muslim / Multicultural card is dealt, lest they be accused of been racist or God forbid, Islamophobic,hopefully this little girl will be able to grow up into womanhood without been mutilated in the name of her parents Satanic Cult of Islam.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Australia likely to avoid Jew Hate Fest,Durban 2
UN Anti-racism conference likely to be avoided by Australia
April 14, 2009
The Australian
FOREIGN Minister Stephen Smith has given the strongest indication yet that Australia is unlikely to attend a controversial UN anti-racism conference.
There are fears the Durban Review Conference, to be held in Geneva from Monday to Friday next week could become a repeat of the original South African event in 2001, which was marred by claims of anti-Semitism.
Mr Smith expects to make a decision on whether Australia will attend possibly days before the main session of the conference on April 24.
Delegates from the US and Israel walked out of the 2001 meeting because much of the discussion focused on Israel being a racist state.
The Opposition has been urging the Rudd Government to withdraw from the conference, known as Durban II.
Australia has been delaying a decision so it could give organisers an opportunity to improve the draft text but the Rudd Government remains dissatisfied with the work done to date.
"I continue to have very grave concerns about the text," Mr Smith said yesterday.
"I continue to have very grave concerns about the prospect of Australia attending (the conference)."
The last opportunity for change appears to be as the group working on the text moves into a preparatory review conference this week.
"I will see how developments unfold in the course of the preparatory review conference before making a judgment," Mr Smith said.
"As things stand, I remain very gravely concerned about the state of the text. I remain very gravely concerned about the prospects of the Durban Review conference being a repeat of the earlier conference, and I expect in the next week or so to be able to make a final judgment about Australia's attendance or not.
"Frankly, unless something qualitatively changes or something qualitatively different occurs, it is most unlikely that Australia will attend the Durban Review Conference in Geneva."
April 14, 2009
The Australian
FOREIGN Minister Stephen Smith has given the strongest indication yet that Australia is unlikely to attend a controversial UN anti-racism conference.
There are fears the Durban Review Conference, to be held in Geneva from Monday to Friday next week could become a repeat of the original South African event in 2001, which was marred by claims of anti-Semitism.
Mr Smith expects to make a decision on whether Australia will attend possibly days before the main session of the conference on April 24.
Delegates from the US and Israel walked out of the 2001 meeting because much of the discussion focused on Israel being a racist state.
The Opposition has been urging the Rudd Government to withdraw from the conference, known as Durban II.
Australia has been delaying a decision so it could give organisers an opportunity to improve the draft text but the Rudd Government remains dissatisfied with the work done to date.
"I continue to have very grave concerns about the text," Mr Smith said yesterday.
"I continue to have very grave concerns about the prospect of Australia attending (the conference)."
The last opportunity for change appears to be as the group working on the text moves into a preparatory review conference this week.
"I will see how developments unfold in the course of the preparatory review conference before making a judgment," Mr Smith said.
"As things stand, I remain very gravely concerned about the state of the text. I remain very gravely concerned about the prospects of the Durban Review conference being a repeat of the earlier conference, and I expect in the next week or so to be able to make a final judgment about Australia's attendance or not.
"Frankly, unless something qualitatively changes or something qualitatively different occurs, it is most unlikely that Australia will attend the Durban Review Conference in Geneva."
Kevin Rudd's Australia: Paedophilia of the Mind
Racism lessons planned for the under-5s
By Susie O'Brien and Gemma Jones
The Daily Telegraph
April 14, 2009 12:00am
CHILDCARE centres could be forced to fly the Aboriginal flag and use "persona dolls" to teach youngsters about exclusion and ethical issues.
The guidelines are contained in a draft Federal Government program designed to help teachers deal with children aged under five.
Under the Early Years Learning Framework, childcare workers would be encouraged to teach the children in their care about a raft of social and ethical issues including reconciliation and racism.
Critics of the initiative, which claimed to make children socially responsibly for a "future world", yesterday said youngsters should be left alone to play.
"It is unnecessary and will cause enormous angst in the community," Opposition community services spokeswoman Pru Goward said yesterday.
"Let children be children. I have never heard of racism or discrimination (at a childcare centre).
"For goodness sake, they are three and four years old."
Ms Goward said most centres were good at teaching social inclusion and about Aboriginal heritage to peers at centres attended by indigenous children.
Psychologist, author and speaker Evelyn Field yesterday questioned the need for role modelling using puppets and dolls, instead preferring teachers "keep it simple through encouraging children to play together".
The political emphasis of the guidelines had divided early-learning experts.
Some, such as educational consultant Kathy Walker, yesterday questioned the merits of such issues being "rammed down the throats" of youngsters.
"Although I welcome the emphasis on play-based learning, there is an air of political correctness about the document overall," Ms Walker said.
Others, such as Kindergarten Parents CEO Victoria Meredith Carter, believed it was merely an attempt to "include and welcome all families to join in preschool and kinder".
In less controversial sections, the guidelines focused strongly on play-based learning, the importance of communication and language, the role of family in children's lives and social and emotional development.
By Susie O'Brien and Gemma Jones
The Daily Telegraph
April 14, 2009 12:00am
CHILDCARE centres could be forced to fly the Aboriginal flag and use "persona dolls" to teach youngsters about exclusion and ethical issues.
The guidelines are contained in a draft Federal Government program designed to help teachers deal with children aged under five.
Under the Early Years Learning Framework, childcare workers would be encouraged to teach the children in their care about a raft of social and ethical issues including reconciliation and racism.
Critics of the initiative, which claimed to make children socially responsibly for a "future world", yesterday said youngsters should be left alone to play.
"It is unnecessary and will cause enormous angst in the community," Opposition community services spokeswoman Pru Goward said yesterday.
"Let children be children. I have never heard of racism or discrimination (at a childcare centre).
"For goodness sake, they are three and four years old."
Ms Goward said most centres were good at teaching social inclusion and about Aboriginal heritage to peers at centres attended by indigenous children.
Psychologist, author and speaker Evelyn Field yesterday questioned the need for role modelling using puppets and dolls, instead preferring teachers "keep it simple through encouraging children to play together".
The political emphasis of the guidelines had divided early-learning experts.
Some, such as educational consultant Kathy Walker, yesterday questioned the merits of such issues being "rammed down the throats" of youngsters.
"Although I welcome the emphasis on play-based learning, there is an air of political correctness about the document overall," Ms Walker said.
Others, such as Kindergarten Parents CEO Victoria Meredith Carter, believed it was merely an attempt to "include and welcome all families to join in preschool and kinder".
In less controversial sections, the guidelines focused strongly on play-based learning, the importance of communication and language, the role of family in children's lives and social and emotional development.
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