A new report into Indigenous housing is recommending a major overhaul. The Federal government review by Price Waterhouse Coopers has found the $380 million community housing and infrastructure program should be scrapped. This may not be a viable solution as many Indigenous Australians may be forced into a mortgage, a predicament Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma says most could not afford. Director of Health Habitat Paul Pholores says that maintaining existing homes is a key to better health. The establishment of a new organisation does not ease the concerns of Central Australia Policy Officer of NT Shelter Jonathon Pilbrow. He says the new body may not vastly improve living conditions for most Indigenous families.
Is free trade fair? Negotiations on the proposed Australia-China free trade agreement are set to continue in Beijing at the end of March. The government says an Australian-China free trade agreement will see our bottom line boom. Watch dog and industry organisations think the agreement - as it stands – will exploit workers in both countries, and in particular contribute to the demise of working class Australian manufacturers. Doctor Patricia Ranold of the Australian fair trade and investment network, cautions Australians to be conservative about optimism for free trade with China until both the Chinese and Australian governments are prepared to include human rights, labour conditions and environmental standards in discussions.
Today the Queensland Water Commission has announced new limits to come into effect in April 10, when Brisbane becomes the first capital city on Level 5 water restrictions. That's when dams are expected to reach a new low of 20%. The Commission wants to reduce water use by a tenth through the new restrictions. Communicatons Director Gerald Tooth says the number one way to do this would be if everyone in Brisbane showered for one minute less, each day. National Water Commission Director Ken Matthews says the draconian measures are necessary now. The Australian Conservation Foundation's Matt Ruchel says water restrictions educate the public about the scarcity of our water resources.
Remote health workers face many challenges. They work in isolation, deal with health problems that have disappeared in other parts of Australia and often work in areas with a high prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes. Held once every two years, the National Rural Health Conference, aims to assist with some of the challenges they face.The latest conference from March 7 to March 10, sees rural and remote health workers coming together to assess the current situation, the successes and challenges that still remain and compile a list of recommendations for change. National Rural Health Alliance Executive Director, Dr Gordon Gregory says the conference provides unique opportunities. Dr John Wakerman, Director of the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs says in his view educating communities is a key to better health outcomes.
Instability has plagued East Timor for decades. A small UN force was deployed before the referendum in 1999 and in 2002 the tiny nation finally gained independence from Indonesia. But loyalist Indonesian Militia still cause unrest. Peace keepers came out of Timor in 2005, but last year Australian troops returned to ease tensions over government conspiracy allegations. Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the Australian born wife of East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao, supports the involvement of Australia, and says timorese women hold the key to peace.
