Centrelink, Economy, Rights

The present crisis is pushing Australia to make a choice about which road we take from here

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By Joe Montero

It hasn’t sunk in yet how serious the social and economic impact from the Covbid-19 outbreak will be. But it will. There is no way to escape it.

A concerted effort to mitigate the harm and protect the vulnerable is a necessity. Many have commented about the rise in poverty in recent times. As bad as its been, this is nothing compared with what’s coming around the corner. Just about every household will feel the effect. Continue reading The present crisis is pushing Australia to make a choice about which road we take from here →

Banks and Finance, International

Global banks ‘failing miserably’ on climate crisis by funnelling trillions into fossil fuels

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This article by Patrick Greenfield and Kalyeena Makortoff (The Guardian 18 March 2020), provides a timely warning. Two of them Citi and JP Morgan Chase happen to be the principal owners of the Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB and have a big stake in the ANZ. They control the banking system is Australia. They are ultimately responsible for all that happened and led to the Royal Commission last year and more. They also operate on a global scale. Collectively, a small group of banks dominate the global financial system. This article concerns their role in funnelling trillions into the fossil fuel industry, making them major factor in the climate crisis.  It’s important to know what they’re doing.

Continue reading Global banks ‘failing miserably’ on climate crisis by funnelling trillions into fossil fuels →

International

Video: Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro praises Cuba and China for help with Covid- 19

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This is part of the 10 March report to doctors on the pandemic threat and Venezuela’s response. this was the nation’s Doctors Day.

Venezuela has been preparing for the likely outbreak of Covid- 19 in that country and is receiving help to overcome the embargo in medicines. Cuba and China have worked together, to lead the global response against the pandemic. The are succeeding, while other countries are relying on the big pharma companies to provide the answer. Cuba and China have adapted interferon, which has helped to cure thousands and brought about a dive in infection rates.

Video from Libert Mayea Linares

Venezuela Initiates Social Quarantine to Contain COVID-19

The quarantine was decided at the right time to avoid further spread of the virus. Read More.

Cuban technology has been important in the fight against to the pandemic in China and is available for other countries that need it

Video from TeleSur English

International

International court war crimes case against the United States and others to go ahead

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By Jim Hayes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled on 5 March 2020, that the United States, the Afghan government and the Taliban should be investigated for war crimes. This includes intentional attacks against civilians, imprisonment and extra-judicial executions. Continue reading International court war crimes case against the United States and others to go ahead →

Economy

What does the Reserve Bank’s lowering of the interest rate again really mean?

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By Joe Montero

After a great deal of speculation, the Reserve Bank of Australia cut the interest rate from 0.75 to 0.5 percent on 3 March. The move has its fans and critics. The truth that many seem to miss the point. Whatever the intention, the power to arbitrarily effect the interest rate is seriously limited. Continue reading What does the Reserve Bank’s lowering of the interest rate again really mean? →

Indigenous

Suicides continue in the Kimberley with communities waiting for the Government to act

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Suicide among young Frist Nation people in West Australia’s Kimberly is an epidemic, made all the worse by ongoing government neglect. Recommendations from a coronial inquiry have not been implemented yet. This is a crisis deeply rooted in the history of marginalisation, and sense of hopelessness faced by the dispossessed. Claire Moodie and Erin Parke (ABC Kimberley 29 February 2020) write about how this affects the families and communities of those who have died. Everyone should read this. Here is a crisis crying out for something to be done about it. Continue reading Suicides continue in the Kimberley with communities waiting for the Government to act →

Official site of the May Day Committee (Malbourne)