What on earth is going on in Western Australia?
That state has an appalling reputation on human rights and climate issues, and now some serious and disturbing allegations have been made about a former Premier:
“Mark McGowan phone call allegation puts fossil fuel influence in WA under spotlight” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/09/mark-mcgowan-wa-premier-epa-climate-guidelines-fossil-fuel
If some form of state capture * , as suggested in that article, has happened, it is concerning for the people of Western Australia and their democracy (see also here), the ALP, and all people on this planet as a result of the exacerbation of the existential threat of the climate crisis.
I can’t say it is damaging to the reputation of the companies involved, as they have trashed their reputations themselves over the last few decades.
Directly related to that are the following articles:
“Inside Disrupt Burrup Hub's climate protest at the home of Woodside Energy boss” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-09/inside-climate-protest-woodside-ceo-house-four-corners/102949194
“WA police order ABC to hand over Four Corners footage of climate protests” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/05/wa-police-order-abc-to-hand-over-four-corners-footage-of-woodside-protest This could have a chilling effect on the flow of accurate information upon which democracy relies
WA police and the WA judicial system are, in my opinion, of poor or at least concerning standing, as shown by the following:
“WA Police fail to appear before inquiry into murdered Indigenous women and children” https://nit.com.au/04-10-2023/7955/wa-police-fail-to-appear-before-inquiry-into-murdered-indigenous-women-and-children “ “Government institutions in WA are culturally unsafe and systemically racist,” Mr Newhouse told AAP”
“Advocates seek answers after reform expert removed from WA youth justice role” https://nit.com.au/05-10-2023/7976/advocates-seek-answers-after-reform-expert-removed-from-youth-justice-role
Mind you, so are other states and the nation as a whole on this issue, including my home state:
“Inquest begins for Selesa Tafaifa who said 'I can’t breathe' before dying with a spit hood over her head in Queensland prison” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-09/qld-prisoner-selesa-tafaifa-died-spit-hood-inquest/102944660
“Victorian government backflips on youth bail reforms” https://nit.com.au/05-10-2023/7973/victorian-government-backflips-on-youth-bail-reforms
In fact, Australia more broadly has concerning problems - as, perhaps, is likely for a nation founded on a basis of a white supremacist policy and subservience to a colonialist power (see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).
On that, see also the following media reports:
“ ‘No safe space in society’: new UN report reveals the extent of systemic racism faced by people of African descent in Australia” https://theconversation.com/no-safe-space-in-society-new-un-report-reveals-the-extent-of-systemic-racism-faced-by-people-of-african-descent-in-australia-213365
“My full name is my identity – immigrants shouldn’t have to change theirs to fit into Australia’s systems” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/02/my-full-name-is-my-identity-immigrants-shouldnt-have-to-change-theirs-to-fit-into-australias-systems
“The days of D-Notices are not done” https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-days-of-d-notices-are-not-done,17961
“Beyond the PwC scandal, there’s a growing case for a royal commission into Australia’s ruthless corporate greed” https://theconversation.com/beyond-the-pwc-scandal-theres-a-growing-case-for-a-royal-commission-into-australias-ruthless-corporate-greed-214474
“Murdoch to Murdoch” https://theaimn.com/murdoch-to-murdoch/ “News Corp is best described as a conservative social engineering project disguised as a news media company.”
“Peter Dutton is the exploding fire hydrant of politics, pushing his party to the angry fringes and electoral oblivion” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/06/peter-dutton-is-the-exploding-fire-hydrant-of-politics-pushing-his-party-to-the-angry-fringes-and-electoral-oblivion “anger and aggression in rightwing politics is now a multinational enterprise”
“Pezzullo story points to serious issues in the Australian Public Service” https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2023/09/25/pezzullo-public-service-problems/ and https://theconversation.com/pezzullo-story-points-to-serious-systemic-problems-in-the-australian-public-service-214253 confirms my concerns (see here, here, and here): “just like the revelations about Robodebt from the royal commission, they must not be treated as an isolated case but as evidence of serious systemic problems in the Australian Public Service (APS). ... the Public Service Act, which states secretaries ... must uphold and promote the APS values and employment principles. ... One of those values is impartiality: The APS is apolitical and provides the government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence.”
On all that, Australia’s commitments under ICERD, DRIP, Articles 2 (1) (also noting this, this, this, and this), 3, 7, 14 (see here and here), 15, 16, and 26 of the ICCPR, Articles 2, 12 (2), 37, 39, and 40 of the CRC, and Articles 5, 12, 13, and 14 of the CRPD, should be noted (and cited in any advocacy, I would suggest). Oh - and the UNFCCC and multiple international agreements ... (I may publish whatever I write - which is subject to health - on this blog, or the parts suitable for public exposure, at any rate.)
On the other hand, we have had good leaders and some good things are being fought for ... we just need more of both ...
On former Premier of my state Daniel Andrews:
“Dan Andrews leaves office as a titan of Victorian politics - who drove conservatives to distraction” https://theconversation.com/dan-andrews-leaves-office-as-a-titan-of-victorian-politics-who-drove-conservatives-to-distraction-214373
“The Legacy of Daniel Andrews. Recognising the Good with the Bad” http://alpsocialistleft.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-legacy-of-daniel-andrews.html
“Daniel Andrews’ legacy will loom large over state” https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2023/09/26/daniel-andrews-premier-victoria/
“The
federal government will redefine 'full employment' to reflect a modern
labour market, the Employment White Paper has found” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-25/employment-white-paper-full-employment-september-2023/102896180
“Alan Kohler: Employment definition puts Treasury on a collision course with the RBA” https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/work/2023/10/02/employment-treasury-rba-kohler/ The restoration of full employment as a goal is long overdue
and
“Minister linked Qatar Airways decision to treatment of Australian women at Doha airport, FoI reveals” https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/05/minister-linked-qatar-airways-decision-to-treatment-of-australian-women-at-doha-airport-foi-reveals which I consider an excellent example of standing up for human rights
* PS - I wonder if state capture could also be by, say, neoliberal cliques inside the public service, or authoritarian elements in government departments?
Assumptions / basis
In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following:
- this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;
Possible flaws
Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:
- there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan
Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”;
- I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post.
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Finally, remember: we need to be more human being rather than human doing.
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