Blow the Truth

T he Palaszczuk Government has today taken action to ensure the state’s vilification and hate crime laws reflect its commitment to deliver a fair and inclusive community for all Queenslanders. The Leader of the House, the Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP, today referred the matter of serious vilification and hate crime to the Queensland Parliament’s Legal Affairs and Safety Committee. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said: “We recognise and value the extraordinary contribution that individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds make to our communities, which is why we are committed to a strong and unified Queensland that is fair, harmonious and inclusive. “Prior to the last state election, we made a commitment to refer the Cohesive Communities Coalition’s options paper 'Serious vilification and hate crime: The need for legislative reform' to an appropriate Parliamentary Committee for review and consultation. “The Cohesive Communities Coalition options paper

Wind Farm Image by  Ben Kerckx  from  Pixabay   Two wind farms and up to 400 jobs in the Southern Downs are a step closer to reality with the State Assessment and Referral Agency giving the green light. Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles said Acciona received approval to build the $1.96 billion MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct (the Precinct) at Cement Mills, approximately 40 kilometres south-west of Warwick. “Soon there will be 180 wind turbines in the Darling Downs South West region propelling up to 1026 megawatts of energy into Queensland’s electricity network,” Mr Miles said. “Once operational the MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply about 700,000 Queensland homes. “The MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct is set to provide up to 400 local jobs during construction, with an additional 240 jobs for the construction of the 64km transmission line, and 14 full time jobs once in operation. “Acciona also expects its local spend duri

Nurse with Vaccine Injection Image by  fernando zhiminaicela  from  Pixabay     by Caroline Chen Dr. Carey Washington was eager to be vaccinated. The psychologist, who was still working at 80 years old, got his first coronavirus shot on Jan. 12 and followed up with the second Pfizer dose on Feb. 4. With both shots done, he let his guard down at the office he shared with another doctor, sometimes leaving his mask off. Then he woke up on March 7 with aches and fatigue, feeling as though he might have a cold. When he started experiencing chest pain and finding it hard to breathe, he booked an appointment with his primary care physician, who sent him on to his cardiologist. Both thought that his symptoms must be related to his past heart issues. But Washington’s symptoms got worse. He was so tired he could barely get out of bed. His cardiologist reassured him that the fatigue was likely due to the irregular heartbeat he was experiencing, and that the medications prescribed for that would t

President Vladimir Putin A telephone conversation initiated by the United States took place between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and leader of the United States of America Joseph Biden. The current state of Russia-US relations and certain pressing items on the international agenda were discussed in detail.  Joseph Biden  confirmed the previously transmitted invitation to the President of Russia to take part in the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate, which will be held on April 22–23. Both presidents expressed their willingness to continue the dialogue on the critical areas of ensuring global security, which would meet the interests not only of Russia and the United States, but the entire international community. In addition, Joseph Biden expressed interest in normalising the state of affairs on the bilateral track and establishing stable and predictable interaction on pressing matters such as ensuring strategic stability and arms control, Iran’s nuclear programme,

Fauci Suggests Masks More Effective Than COVID Vaccine: Vaccinated People Can Still ‘Inadvertently Infect’ Others NIAID director Anthony Fauci claimed that vaccinated Americans can still “inadvertently” infect others with COVID-19, so a mask must still be worn at all times. Speaking Sunday with NBC’s Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press”, Fauci explained that the vaccine “dramatically diminishes” one’s risk from the coronavirus, but does not eliminate it. What happens is that you might get infected and get absolutely no symptoms, not know you’re infected, and then inadvertently go into a situation with vulnerable people. And if you don’t have a mask, you might inadvertently infect them,” Fauci said. When you get vaccinated you are clearly diminishing dramatically your risk of getting infected. That’s one of the things we’ve got to make sure everybody understands. You dramatically diminish it,” Fauci added. In effect, Fauci endorsed masks over the COVID-19 vaccine. Fauci’s statements are parti

Soldier Firing Weapon Image by  Amber Clay  from  Pixabay     This is an important day for the veteran community. After five years of campaigning for a royal commission, parliament has backed a motion to establish one. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also signalled he would no longer oppose the move. For at least two decades, there have been numerous inquiries into veteran suicide, institutional abuse, mental health, the transition from military to civilian life, and combat trauma — with little positive outcome. More Australian veterans have lost their lives by suicide than have been killed on active duty since ADF personnel were first deployed to Afghanistan in 2001. In October and November of last year alone, nine veterans took their lives , leading Senator Jacqui Lambie to argue veteran suicides should be treated as “one of Australia’s most pressing problems”. Thirteen veterans have tragically taken their life so far this year. A petition calling for a royal commis

Community groups and key peak bodies will be able to keep the conversation going about Victoria’s mental health reform at a local level, thanks to a $750,000 Andrew Labor Government investment. Minister for Mental Health James Merlino today announced 16 community groups and peak bodies will share in the funding to support targeted engagement with their members and communities. The organisations will use the grants to host forums and events, communicate with their members and the wider community on the key reforms and next steps to deliver all 65 recommendations of the landmark royal commission. This funding is an important and necessary next step to ensure more Victorians have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the redesign of Victorian’s mental health and wellbeing system. VMIAC Tandem Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) Australian Services Uni

Joe Biden Joe Biden: Hello, folks.  Thanks for coming over.  Good afternoon, everyone.  Earlier this week, I spoke with President Putin of Russia about the nature of our relationship — the relationship between our two countries.  And I was candid and respectful; the conversation was candid and respectful.  Two great powers with significant responsibility for global stability.  And President Putin and I have had a significant responsibility to steward that relationship.  I take that responsibility very seriously, as I’m sure he does. Russia and Americans are both proud and patriotic people.  And I believe the Russian people, like the American people, are invested in peaceful and a secure future of our world.  During the campaign for my — for the presidency, I was unequivocal that if I was elected President, I’d respond to any attempt to influence our elections — the last election — and — because elections are sacred.  They’re sovereign undertakings, and they’re an expression of the will

 Glass recycling centre Packaging and recycling giant Visy today announced a $35 million upgrade of its Laverton glass recycling centre, in a clear endorsement of the Andrews Labor Government’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). The proposed upgrade is expected to create 92 jobs during construction and a further six ongoing positions once completed. It will double the centre’s recycling capacity from 100,000 tonnes of glass each year to 200,000 - that’s the equivalent of 150 glass bottles recycled for every Victorian each year. Visy’s centre at Laverton currently operates by sorting glass 10mm in size or larger. Once this upgrade is complete, the new facility will be able to sort glass down to 3mm in size – boosting recycling opportunities and diverting even more glass from landfill. The additional recycled glass will be made into new jars and bottles for Australian food and beverage companies and will be used in asphalt and road base works. Set to start in 2023, the CDS will maximise