Overwhelming is the best description for you wonderful subscribers and readers of SOS-NEWS, concerning the passing of my brother in law over the weekend.

Not only a dedicated Investigator to our cause but collected massive amount of information not yet sifted through that from what I read so far - dynamite.

I will be remaining with my sister for a period of time and keep the news flowing - major stories I had ready will await my return to base.

I am attending meetings with people, whom I have met recently, who are involved in areas that have rouses SOS-NEWS further inquiries.

The NSW CWA Annual Conference held in Jindabyne this week unanimously passed the resolution proposed by the Jerilderie Branch

"That CWA of NSW request the Federal, NSW and Victorian Governments to pass legislation stating that the Snowy Hydro should never be privatised".

After robust debate whether to change the word 'never' the meeting of over 800 delegates supported the original text and committed that Snowy Hydro remains in public ownership.

Last year when Governments attempted to introduce a 'Clayton's Cap' on foreign ownership of Snowy Hydro, the irrigators block including Murrumbidgeee Irrigation, Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative, Murray Irrigation Limited and the Ricegrower's Association of Australia decided that there will insufficient protections for Snowy Hydro and also, for their water allocations.

The Snowy CEO has described this vital water infrastructure as 'an insurance business' and that he can provide 'risk management' for water users and for energy consumers. To a well informed gathering of over 800 women Mr Charlton also said that 'those that spoke loudest are now silent' and that 'opponents of listing of Snowy Hydro did not understand what was going on.'

Indeed, Mr Charlton indicated he was seeking 'legal advice' because he felt that the author of this letter 'misrepresented' him asserting that people in the region felt - and indeed people do feel - that the rapid diminishing of water in the Lakes was a form of payback to the community.

This morning I had a conversation with a dignified Scottish lady who told me during the 1980's Margaret Thatcher emptied their lochs in order to generate energy for the United Kingdom! This came before the privatisation of the British energy sector which, incidentally, appears to have accrued no benefits for household consumers and marginal benefits for wholesale buyers of energy. At the same time, the dislocation of entire communities has changed the social landscape of northern Britain in particular.

The similarities are obvious with the Snowy Scheme - using water to pump energy sales in order to borrow or find 'debt' in order to invest in gas production.

In the case of Australia, entire communities may also be discolated due to major water shortages arising from arguably, poor water management during this most critical drought.

In this, Snowy Hydro and the three shareholder governments have to be brought to account.

We need the governments to table and publish in the immediate future, the history of water releases from the Snowy Scheme including forward allocations to unsuspecting farmers over the last 12 months, 24 months and 36 months.

Acacia Rose
Alpine Riverkeepers
Thredbo

The Howard Governments economic credentials are about to reveal their true stupidity and further prove the continuing short-term vision of our elected representatives.

A perfect example is home ownership in Australia, which previously was the main dream of the majority of young Australians. In the governments wisdom to halt a slowing economy they introduced the first homebuyers grant.

The immediate effect was to create a housing boom, create employment and improve revenue through stamp duty and taxation in general. Everyone was happy. Their existing homes doubled in value seemingly overnight. The banks profited through refinancing. Everyone bought new cars and home electrical and furnishings.

Many felt like they had become rich overnight but most including the government forgot that true economic prosperity comes from hard work and forward thinking, which was not the driver in this situation.

The outcome of the government's decision is now raising its ugly head resulting in:

• Our young peoples aspirations of home ownership is now in tatters through skyrocketing housing prices.
• The building trade is starting to feel the pinch from drops in building approvals.
• Most recent new homebuyers struggling to meet their huge mortgage commitments.
• Repossessions and mortgage sales are at an all time high, most now receiving less for their home than the total mortgage owing leaving them homeless and in huge debt.
• Resulting bankruptcies are at an all time high, in some states over 40%.
• Previously financially secure homeowners now have double the mortgage because of refinancing.
• Most of the purchases through refinancing have little or no resale value, i.e. vehicles, furniture and appliances like plasma TVs.

INVITING ALL VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS TO JOIN THE VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.

For further information please contact Peter Cannon - (02) 6869-7634
Mobile - 0428-697-634 or 0427-697-608

NSW Volunteer Fire Fighters - JOIN TODAY

NSW Volunteer Fire Fighters have united under the VFFA Banner to have their voice heard above the RFS "White Shirt" dictatorship within the RFS-Association. On the ground knowledge is ignored and volunteers are treated as if they do not know anything about fire fighting - those with senior years and senior service are hung out to dry.

There is no bushfire service without volunteers so join your open forum to the RFS by becoming a member of the VFFA.
Confidentiality is assured of membership at all times

To have our weekly radio show - news publications - interviews, all the latest info detailed Pocast to you direct, just click the RSS button. If you do not have a reader we suggest Feed-Reader that is a free download and will keep you up to date with SOS-NEWS Podcasting. Visit our podcast page on the website and listen to SOS-NEWS Broadcasts with some great interviews all "off the cuff" no scripting or as the pollies require - "what questions will be asked" - it we the people speaking - - Click Here ....