Burmese campaign to end the military dictatorship

This Wednesday marked the 19th anniversary of the last Burmese election, won by the National League for Democracy party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The next Elections in Burma is scheduled for 2010.

Ms. Su Kyi is barred from contesting the elections as she currently faces a five year jail sentence for breaching the terms of her house arrest.

Symbolically on Wednesday Members of Sydney’s Burmese community organised a rally at Martin Place in the CBD to urge the Federal Government to condemn military dictatorship in Burma.

 Joining  Tom Changarathil to speak about the rally is Burma Campaign Australia spokesman Dr Myint Cho.

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America’s First Female Hispanic Judge

The name Sonia Sotomayor probably does not ring a bell with many…. 

Her father, a factory worker with a third-grade education who didn’t speak English, died when she was 9. Her mother worked six days a week as a nurse to support her two children. Sonia herself was diagnosed at age 8 with diabetes and told that would limit her in life.
So should a person with such ordinary beginnings ring any bells at all? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes. as she is on the course to enter history books.

Nominated by President Obama, Sonia Sotomayor if confirmed will become the first Hispanic woman to wear the robes of a justice. Joining Tom Changarathil this morning James O’Donnell our Spy in America tell us more on this historical event waiting to happen.

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SpyingAmerica29

Reconciliation Week: How Universities are helping to “close the gap”

It’s been over a year since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave an official apology to the Stolen Generations and Indigenous people of Australia. This apology marked a monumental moment in Australian history and signalled a hope of bridging the gap between the aboriginal community and the rest of Australia. 

But a year on, has Australia “closed the gap”? According to University of South Australia Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Hoj, the best way to close the gap is through educational institutes such as Universities. To discuss the role UniSA and other universities are playing in reconciliation Tom Changarathil spoke with the Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Hoj.

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Peter Hoj Interview

South Australia’s copper history

We are mid way through history week, and 2009 is a significant milestone for an industry that brought a lot of early prosperity to a young South Australia.

This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the discovery of copper on the Yorke Peninsular, which saw the birth of towns like Moonta, Wallaroo and Kadina. 

Miners from Cornwall and Wales came to the state bringing their skills and customs that last to this day- including a culinary favourite, the Cornish pasty. 

John Fennell from the Copper Development Centre of Australia joined us for a copper history lesson this morning…

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Black and white relationships and consultation

In October last year, the board set up to review the Northern Territory Emergency Response recommended the NTER conform with the Racial Discrimination Act and for the government to ‘reset’ their relationship with Aboriginal people through genuine consultation, engagement and partnership.

Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin has released a discussion paper, ‘Future Directions’ for the NTER and in welcoming the paper, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma says true consultation with Aboriginal people is the only way to improve life outcomes and to create safe environments for women and children on an on-going basis.

Peter spoke with Mr Calma yesterday, who called for greater consultation in his 2007 Social Justice report and says the consultation process must ensure people effected are involved and fully understand measures in place… 

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Tasmania bans GM crops until 2014

The Tasmanian government has extended it’s ban on GM crops until 2014, who along with South Australia and Queensland contrast to NSW, WA   and Victoria who have lifted their bans. Should there be a country wide ban on GM crops?

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National Sorry Day

Yesterday was National Sorry Day, a day to reflect on a terrible part of our nation’s history, and how this Government will act towards its entire people in the future.

 Australian Greens Aboriginal Issues spokes person, Rachel Siewert talked to Peter Godfrey about issues that still need more action from the government.

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“Walk A Mile In My Boots”

The amount of people sleeping rough in Adelaide has been halved from 108 to 53 due to the State Governments Social Inclusion Initiatives.  People have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be homeless for an hour with the Walk a mile in my boots campaign which was launched today.

Housing Minister Jennifer Rankine chatted to Peter Godfrey about the Walk a mile in my boots campaign.

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What Just Happened?

“What Just Happened?” is the new film starring Robert De Niro, and Peter asked movie reviewer Kat McCarthy, whether the actor has possibly moved from away from his tough guy image into more of a comedic role…

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“Born or Bred?”

Chances are you recognise the name Martin Bryant, and maybe you remember some details of the day in 1996 that he and Port Arthur will forever be associated with.

It’s the history behind the event, including a myriad of things that potentially could’ve prevented the killing spree, that most people would not be aware of.

However, authors and journalists, Robert Wainwright and Paola Totaro hope to inform the public of issues such as these in their recently published book, “Born or Bred? – Martin Bryant: The Making of a Mass Murderer”.

Clare Hesketh spoke to one of the authors, Robert Wainwright, and aksed why he chose the Port Arthur massacre in particular to write a book about…

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