*swerve*
Mark Geary writes:
Ireland Street. and Cromwell Street junction, Burwood, Melbourne, Australia. Is someone having a laugh, or were the streets given these names by coincidence?
Anyone?
Tag Archives: Australia
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who has defeated Tony Abbout for Leadership of the Liberal Party.
Mark Geary, in Australia, writes:
We have a new Prime Minister. Aus is saved from its [budgie smuggling] version of George W Bush….
Malcolm Turnbull defeats Tony Abbott in Liberal leadership spill to become prime minister (The Age)
Pic: The Age
A Irish man is in an induced coma and two other men have been charged following a brawl outside a pub in Bondi Junction.
Jason Cierans (above), 29, was found unconscious and bleeding from the mouth just after 1am on Saturday when police were called to the Tea Gardens Hotel on Bronte Street following reports of a brawl.
He sustained serious head injuries and has been placed in an induced coma at St Vincent’s Hospital, where he remained in a critical but stable condition on Saturday night.
Seven News reported Mr Cierans crossed the road and was attacked without warning in front of a 7/11 convenience store.
“I don’t know, my friend just walked and this guy punched him – and that’s it,” a witness told reporters at the scene.
Man in induced coma after brawl outside Bondi Junction pub (SydneyMorningHerald)
Thanks Darren
Broadsheet Australian correspondent Mark Geary writes:
I captured the pivotal moment in the Australian Cyclocross Elite Men’s race [Essendon Fields, Melbourne] on my phone.This video helped decide the outcome. I gave my phone to the commissaires, who reviewed the video multiple times before giving the race to the big bloke in blue. Not sure they got the decision right……Lots of debate here. I wonder what the BS experts think?
Anyone?
Darren Conlon asks:
The Australian definition of marriage is for Parliament to decide and a referendum is not required. The current thinking is that same-sex marriage is close to passing and becoming law if it were to be brought before Parliament.
However, the Australian press cannot seem to accept that the majority of Irish people who chose to record their opinion on same-sex marriage voted ‘Yes’. The latest argument is that because 40% of the population chose to not vote then claims of a resounding ‘Yes’ vote are invalid. Rather, 72% of the population did not vote ‘Yes’.
In keeping with this thinking, the inference is that same-sex marriage should be decided by a referendum in Australia because voting is mandatory and therefore a ‘Yes’ vote from a vocal minority would carry less weight. The risk of same-sex marriage resulting from politicians ´bending knee’ to a populist and vocal minority would be neutered.
Two problems with this thinking that I think remain unanswered:
1. This Utilitarian model is, as expected, flawed; because a portion of society will remain very unhappy if same-sex marriage does not pass. It clearly breaches 3 of the 4 the bioethical principles being justice, beneficence and non-maleficence. It also impinges on the 4th, autonomy.
2. The fact that voting is mandatory in Australia. In a true democracy members can choose to participate, or not participate. Forcing persons with no real opinion to make a choice by its very nature is undemocratic. Again a breach of autonomy.
Any thoughts?
Previously: How Low Can Australia Go?
(Image via Star Observer)
Grahame Morris
True, in fairness.
Newstalk reports:
“An advisor to the Australian Liberal Party has launched an anti-Irish tirade, after members of the opposition called for a vote on gay marriage there. Speaking yesterday on Sky News Australia, Grahame Morris made several claims about Ireland and the Irish people.”
“‘The trigger was a vote in Ireland – I love the Irish and half the parliament’s full of Irishmen, but these are people who can’t grow potatoes, they’ve got a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can’t verbalise the difference between a tree and the number three,’ he said.”
“Mr Morris was complaining after a member of the opposition, Tanya Plibersek, had said her party was going to put up a vote on same-sex marriage, following the vote here.”
Jaykers.
Howard advisor slams same-sex marriage debate (The New Daily)
Previously: In The Middle Of A Chain Reaction
Pic: ABC
Equal marriage rights, now.
The recent fruit of Australian photographer Steve Axford’s continuing quest to document the world’s most obscure fungi. These colourful species are all native to the Northern Rivers area of Axford’s native New South Wales.
More here.
Robfromduiblin writes:
The fallout from the referendum continues apace. Some of Australia’s biggest and most iconic companies have taken out a full page ad in The Australian (the country’s somewhat right-wing paper of record). Also, [Chistine Forster] the sister of the conservative & religious prime minister believes that gay marriage will be legal by the end of the year and the leader of the opposition has been calling for a vote in parliament. This is a direct result of Ireland’s vote. Well done to everyone at home!
The West Australian
Jonathan writes:
From yesterday’s edition of the ‘West Australian’, the (somewhat right wing) newspaper of record in this part of Oz. This letter was printed unchallenged and with no view from the opposing side. Personally I read this in the voice of an irritated Alf Stewart. Great that the Irish result is stirring up so much debate around the world though.
Meanwhile…
Twitter HQ , San Francisco
Via Helen Moyes
Sarah Hanson-Young
The Guardian reports:
“The Greens [in Australia] have brought forward a Senate debate on their marriage equality bill in a bid to capitalise on momentum for change following Ireland’s successful referendum to introduce same-sex marriage at the weekend.”
“The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has a private member’s bill before parliament on changing the Marriage Act to remove restrictions on marriage being between a man and a woman.”
“The party will move to have the debate on the bill brought forward to 18 June, with a final vote slated for 12 November before parliament rises for its summer break.”
And the Financial Review reports:
“Federal Opposition Leader [in Australia] Bill Shorten will take the initiative in the long stalled Australia debate about gay marriage, giving notice he will move a private member’s bill in Parliament next week on marriage equality.”
“The move follows the historic referendum result in Ireland on the weekend and comes after signals that key figures within Labor who have previously been opposed to changes in the law have softened their stance. Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek will second the motion for the legislation.”
Same-sex marriage debate brought forward by Australian Greens (The Guardian)
Bill Shorten to take the initiative on gay marriage (Financial Review)
Previously: How Low Can Australia Go?
Thanks Donie