Yesterday I attended the Krebs Lecture 2015 at the University of Canberra given by Peter Garrett AM on the environment, climate change and ‘five simple steps we can take to save the hand that feeds us – our planet’.* Garrett’s credentials include former… Read More ›
law
Slavery, human trafficking & exploitation in Australia today (Not sweet at all – Part 2)
In my last post (here), I discussed the trafficking and exploitation of South Sea Islanders (‘sugar slaves’) in northern Australia and the discrimination that these workers and their families faced until only a few decades ago. Unfortunately, practices such as slavery and human trafficking… Read More ›
Not sweet at all – Australia’s sugar slaves (Part 1)
Many Australians are unaware of the key role that ‘sugar slaves’ played in establishing the Australian sugar industry that is now worth around $1.5 – $2.5 billion to our country’s economy. Throughout the last half of the 19th Century, South Sea Islanders (so-called ‘kanakas’) cleared the bush and… Read More ›
Do sculptures really need development approvals & building permits? At what cost?
A large outdoor sculpture in a small Australian country town has faced more than its fair share of debate over the past two decades. The sculpture, known as ‘Dreamer’s Gate’, provoked a series of complaints from members of the local community and… Read More ›
We play in the garden – where art meets the corporate world
It is a sunny day. Jack and Jill go outside to play.* Mummy is working in the garden. ‘Look at the pretty flowers!’ says Jill. ‘I love flowers!’ ‘Look!’ says Jack. ‘A ladybird!’ ‘I love ladybirds,’ says Jill. ‘Oh! The… Read More ›