The Wire - Day Detail

Stories for Tuesday, 5 February 2008

The UN leaves East Timor, Will the Country be Ready?

Produced by Eleanor Bell

This week the United Nations police began transferring authority back to East Timorese police in the capital Dili. The UN took control of the country’s national security in 2006 when army units and the police fought bitter armed battles, dozens died, and thousands fled their homes. Last month, the International Crisis Group released a report warning of the risk of an upsurge of civil unrest, unless the government reformed the military and the police. Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd has committed 1000 troops until the end of 2008 – but will it be enough to maintain the rule of law in this volatile democracy? Featured in Story: Associate Professor Dennis Shoesmith, a former consultant in East Timor with the United Nations

Safety Fears for Hunting Expo in Wodonga

Produced by Shevonne Hunt

The biggest hunting exhibition ever held in Australia is taking place this week-end in Wodonga. Between seven to ten thousand people are expected to turn up, with 200 exhibitors selling their wares. Not everyone, however, is happy about the event. The National Coalition for Gun Control are concerned that the guns on display will contravene the Firearms Act. Featured talent: Peter Costin from Wild Deer and Hunting Adventures Magazine and Samantha Lee, National Coalition for Gun Control

Principals to Choose Teachers in NSW, will country schools lose out?

Produced by Ellice Mol

The NSW state government has announced its plan to eliminate the current system of allocating teaching staff. The pre-existing system rewards teachers for working in the most remote and hard – to –staff schools. The change would come into effect at the end of 2010. NSW education Minister John Della Bosca said the new arrangement would help retain the best and brightest teachers. Featured in story: Gary Zadkovich, Senior Vice President of NSW Teachers Federation and Deb Martin teacher at Finley High School.

Attacks on Psychiatry, an exhibition claims human rights abuse

Produced by Shevonne Hunt

“Psychiatry: Industry of Death” is an exhibition run by the Citizens Committee for Human Rights, an organization founded by the Church of Scientology. The exhibition sets out to prove that psychiatry is not a science, and that it’s guilty of many ills in society, from the Holocaust, to racism and the over-drugging of vulnerable people. Featured in story: Mike Woods,Citizens Committee on Human Rights and Professor Ian Hickie, Brain and Mind Research Institute Sydney