With the elections and several inquires requiring to be written up, this issue is short on content.
From the next issue, out on Friday, there will be plenty of information you can get your teeth into.
Mal Davies
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Court challenge against bushfire report adjourned
Legal action over last year's coroner's report into the 2003 bushfires has
been adjourned until later this month.
Four senior emergency services officers - Mike Castle, Peter Lucas-Smith,
Tony Graham and Rick McCrae - have applied to the Supreme Court to quash
adverse comments made against them by coroner Maria Doogan.
They are arguing she showed bias and denied them procedural fairness.
The lawyer representing the men, Philip Walker, says the case has adjourned
so other people who were involved in the coroner's inquiry can be notified.
"They don't have to become a party, it's just to be informed that the
proceedings are on, and be served with a copy of the process so they know
what's happening in the court," he said.
Today the Director of Public Prosecutions and the New South Wales Government
also joined the action to argue against the four men's application.
The case will be back before the court on March 23.
ABC - online
Push For The Bush
RURAL LOBBY GROUP PUSH FOR THE BUSH IS CALLING ON THE BRACKS GOVERNMENT TO RE-OPEN THE WOMBAT STATE FOREST TO LOGGING. PFTB ORGANISER BOB RICHARDSON SAYS THIS WOULD PREVENT THE LOSS OF 14 JOBS AT THE BLACK FOREST SAWMILL NEAR WOODEND.
“The fact that Black Forest is closing its green milling line is a testimony to the Victorian government’s economic and environmental incompetence,” said Mr Richardson.
“Bracks has set up an unworkable auction system which has pushed the price of timber up to unsustainable levels for all but the larger companies.”
“An auction system is not appropriate when there is virtually only one monopoly supplier in Victoria – the government owned Vic Forests. There is no practical long term alternative supplier millers can obtain timber from.”
“Vic Forests is also an inefficient supplier because it is subject to political interference from the government to appease the green lobby,” said Mr Richardson
“A case in point is that the political decision to close the west of Victoria to timber harvesting means that logs for the Black Forest mill must be trucked hundred of kilometers from the north east and the east. It adds both to the cost and the unnecessary use of fuel.”
“The Wombat State Forest is close to the Black Forest mill and as it is not a national park it is available for logging. It has been harvested until recent times and harvesting ceased only to appease green protestors.”
“Push For The Bush is offering its assistance to Black Forest, it’s workers and Timber Communities Australia if they wish to campaign to open the Wombat for logging,” said Mr Richardson.
Contact: Bob Richardson 0402 658 012
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4 Corners Bushfire Program
I don't know just who set the program up but while Koperberger and Esplin were given the opportunity to whitewash the scene of utter devastation, Phil Cheney was kept to answering short questions.
The news that the ACT Government is rejecting Maria Doogan's findings is extraordinary but I guess is not surprising.
I guess the main impression left by the article is that Koperberger, Esplin are accomplished liars and have been trained by Sir Humphrey Appleby.
I felt really sorry for the voluntary fireman who is blaming himself for the back burns that got out of hand and burned the ACT.
I really don't believe that the value of fuel reduction measures was brought out well enough.
John Cribbes.
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