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30Jul

Sri Lankans face return to Colombo or transfer to PNG

Posted in Media Releases, Politics, Society | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

Media Release from Department of Immigration and Citizenship:

Sri Lankans face return to Colombo or transfer to PNG
30-07-2013

A group of 68 Sri Lankans who recently arrived at Cocos (Keeling) Islands is now on Christmas Island about to begin enhanced screening processes.

They face the same assessment process that unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs) of Sri Lankan background have since last year when the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) took steps to stem a significant upsurge in boat arrivals from Sri Lanka.

“Those who are screened out will be returned to Colombo as soon as possible, often within days,” a DIAC spokesman said today. “If any of the group is screened in, they will not come to Australia for assessment; they will be among the first Sri Lankan boat arrivals sent to Papua New Guinea for processing.

“If they are entitled to asylum, they will not be able to settle in Australia; they will be settled in PNG.”

The Sri Lankans began their enhanced screening as arrangements were finalised for the first transfer of people affected by the post-July 19 regional settlement arrangement to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.

Under new rules announced on July 19, anyone – including a person from Sri Lanka – who arrives in Australia by boat without a visa no longer has the chance to settle in Australia.

“If they are not quickly returned to Colombo, they will be taken to Papua New Guinea where their claims will be assessed,” the spokesman said.

The prime ministers of Australia and Papua New Guinea signed the new agreement, meaning all people arriving by boat without a visa from July 19 will be sent to Papua New Guinea, where their claims will be assessed.

If people are found to be refugees, they will be permanently settled in Papua New Guinea – not Australia.

“The message this agreement sends is clear: the dangerous boat journey is not worth it and you will never settle in Australia,” the spokesman said. “Accommodation is being expanded on Manus Island and there is no cap on the number of people who can be transferred there.”

Almost 1300 Sri Lankans have been sent home since August 2012 – nearly 1100 of them involuntarily.

“These arrangements will continue and if they do not have proper asylum claims, people will be quickly returned to Sri Lanka,” the spokesman said. “This is making it clear that those who pay smugglers are throwing their money away and risking their lives in the process.”

Media Enquiries: National Communications 02 6264 2244

30Jul

Nuclear Warship USS George Washington in Brisbane

Posted in Environment, Politics, Society, Technology | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

The nuclear powered USS George Washington is docked at Patrick’s wharves for the week after participating in the Talisman Sabre 2013 war games. The George Washington is a Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft carrier, with a complement of roughly 5000 crew and 90 aircraft.

Environmental and peace groups protesting Talisman Sabre are calling for an end to the exercises. Robin Taubenfeld of Peace Convergence 2013: “USS George Washington is in Brisbane port – taking part in some of the world’s largest war rehearsals – Talisman Saber. Stop the exercises, close the bases, end the wars”

(more stories to follow on the environmental impacts of Talisman Sabre)

(Full photoset here)

29Jul

Archive Videos

Posted in Activism, Politics, Society | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy:
Sacred Fire Ceremony – Embassy Eviction

Nimbin Mardi Grass 2013 Parade:
Nimbin Mardi Grass 2013 Parade

28Jul

Brisbane Aboriginal Embassy to host Freedom Flotilla to West Papua

Posted in Indigenous, Media Releases, Politics, Society | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

Media release (Via BASE)

28 July 2013

Brisbane Aboriginal Embassy to host Freedom Flotilla to West Papua

The Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy will be hosting travellers in the Freedom Flotilla from Lake Eyre to West Papua at our meeting place. The Freedom Flotilla will be welcomed to Jagera country at the sacred fire on Tuesday evening from 4pm on the 30th of July. The flotilla is expected to stay in Brisbane for a few days.

The flotilla’s purpose is to bring attention to ongoing genocide in West Papua since the Indonesian invasion in 1971. A media blackout prevents foreign journalists from entering the country.

Jacob Rumbiak, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Federated Republic of West Papua, as well as Uncle Kevin Buzzacot of Arabunna country, a long time leading elder in the fight against uranium mining, are the forefront of the campaign and will be among the inspirational speakers at the ceremony on Tuesday.

“We have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters from across the water. We must bring the water and the fire, the love and the music to heal the country and move in solidarity,” said Buzzacott.

Water ceremonially gathered from the sacred mound springs in Arabunna country south of Lake Eyre is travelling with the flotilla to be united with its head waters.

“We work for world peace and justice, we start from our region, the Pacific,” said Rumbiak.

The Flotilla departs from Cairns in a few weeks, making its way up to the Torres Strait and across to West Papua.

Supporters in Brisbane are encouraged to come and pitch a tent with the convoy during its stay at the embassy. There will be music (courtesy of the travellers’ mobile PA), food via Food Not Bombs, and Chai, during their time in Brisbane.

For more info contact:

Uncle Kevin Buzzacot 0417 838 906 (Freedom Flotilla)

Boe Spearim 0424 610 492 (Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy)

For more details about the plight of West Papua and updates on the progress of the Flotilla goto:
http://freedomflotillawestpapua.org/

28Jul

Another PNG Solution Protest Sweeps Brisbane CBD

Posted in Politics, Society | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

Close to 400 people expressed anger at Rudd’s PNG solution yesterday as another protest swept through Brisbane CBD. The march was preceded by speeches and entertainment.

See below for some selected photos of the protest. For the full set of photos, see here.

Audio track of speeches available here (credit: David Jackmanson).

22Jul

Department of Immigration Release Photos of Distraught PNG Bound Refugees

Posted in Politics, Society | 2 Comments
by Max Riethmuller

Iranian refugees being told of the PNG Solution policy

Social media is awash with outrage today after the release by the Immigration Department of photos of refugee arrivals who have just been told of the new PNG Solution policy.

The photos show the refugees in obvious distress, and the whole incident appears to be manufactured by the Department of Immigration to support it’s tough new position on boat arrivals. It seems hardly likely that photographers would just happen to be on hand to photograph the refugees at the same time they were told of their being moved onwards to PNG. The photos are likely an intentional part of the government’s PNG Solution propaganda.

The photos can be seen here.

In what appears to be a wildly misinformed statement, Steven Karras, action Regional Manager for the Department of Immigration said of the refugees reactions “I’m sure they’re now thinking about whether it was wise to come in the first place. And I think in fact over the coming days … they will start to contemplate very seriously whether in fact returning home is a better option.”

Refugees spanning an ocean on substandard vessels, having spent their life savings and having endured untold hardships just to escape their circumstances, are unlikely to consider returning to their homeland to be more preferable than being processed on PNG. Of course if the conditions are so bad on PNG that it would act as a deterrent, then Australia is in dire breach of it’s obligation to the UN Convention on Refugees. Indeed, just this policy alone is almost certainly a breach of the convention.

ABC Radio Transcript discussing the photos: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/immigration-dept-publicises-asylum-seeker-reaction/4836284

22Jul

Boundless Plains Rally – PNG Solution Protest

Posted in Politics, Society | 1 Comment
by Max Riethmuller

After the announcement of Rudd’s PNG solution policy – a plan to send all refugee boat arrivals to PNG for processing and relocation – the Brisbane activist community responded with a snap rally in King George Square today. The rally will be followed with a protest at Rudd’s office Monday morning.

The rally attracted about 300 people and included speakers, entertainment and a march. Larissa Waters of The Greens spoke, followed by a range of speakers and music by Phil Monsour. Following this the group voted to march and set off down Adelaide Street, Edward Street, Charlotte Street, George Street and back down Adelaide.

Following are some inspiring pictures from the event.

For more photos click here.

20Jul

Refugee Action Coalition – Manus island “PNG solution” is no solution

Posted in Politics, Society | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

Press Release via Refugee Action Coalition

Manus island “PNG solution” is no solution

http://www.refugeeaction.org.au/?p=2701

21Jun

Why (and When) McDonalds Left Bolivia

Posted in Health, Society | Comments Off
by Max Riethmuller

Well as it happens, the first article on Altmax Media will be a clarification/debunk of a news article doing the rounds of the blogosphere and alternative news sites lately, ie: the news that McDonalds “is closing all stores in Bolivia and is being rejected by Bolivians”.

These articles, while generally accurate in that they reflect a real event, don’t clarify that this occurred in 2002 and is not something that is just happening now. McDonalds was present in Bolivia for about 5 years (1997-2002).

The claim that McDonalds was rejected on health grounds is a huge over simplification of the situation. Most Bolivian cities are rife with fast food: Burger King and Subway, as well as other local fast food franchises proliferate, just like in most urban areas of the world.

Operating losses, and the inability to sell McDonalds food at prices that the average Bolivian can afford, are also a large factor. Taking a quote by Esther Choque, an indigenous local woman, from “Latin American Studies”: “I’ve wanted to try the food but I never have”. She continues, “The closest I ever came was one day when a rain shower fell and I climbed the steps to keep dry by the door. Then they came out and shooed me away. Said I was dirtying the place. Why would I care if McDonald’s leaves if they do such bad things?” This kind of attitude has been reported elsewhere, and seems to indicate a failure by McDonalds to engage with the greater population of Bolivia in either economic or social terms.

I recommend reading the references below for a more balanced understanding of the reasons that McDonalds left Bolivia (and a more accurate time frame) than the majority of articles doing the rounds of the blogosphere currently.

References:
http://www.bolivianexpress.org/blog/posts/why-didn-t-the-mcchicken-cross-the-road

http://ain-bolivia.org/2012/01/mcdonald%E2%80%99s-left-bolivia-in-2002-fast-food-still-abundant-on-city-streets/

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/bolivia/bolivia-mcdonalds.htm

http://www.ilo.org/indigenous/Activitiesbyregion/LatinAmerica/Bolivia/lang–en/index.htm

http://wafflesatnoon.com/2013/05/13/mcdonalds-banned-in-bolivia/