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Sunday 21st September 1997
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Many islanders are concerned about the effect that global warming will have on sea levels with islands like Tuvala most effected - being just 2 metres above sea level.
After a day and a half of heated discussions Howard was able to win a battle of sorts by getting all 15 leaders in the region to sign a communique on gas emissions which supports Australia's stance rejecting legally binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
The Prime Minister of Tuvala, Bikenibeu Paeniu, summed up the mood of the conference when he said, "There was no compromise it was just no, no, no, no.... no way through."
"At least once in a while they should give us respect by allowing us to pass through a statement the way we see it and we believe in it."
Paeniu said all 14 leaders were united against Howard's stance but with Australia being the local superpower and with Canberra's donations to them amounting to Au$450 million dollars per annum they were left with little choice.
Howard refused to admit that he misjudged the mood when he left the Cook Islands claiming that the outcome was a victory for Australia.
That indomitable poody tat, Brisbane's Lord Mayor Jim Soorley, is revealing his bigotry in his war of words the churches of Brisbane. Soorley who is also a Roman Catholic Priest, lives with his partner Mary Philip, has also been having a go at the Roman Catholic leadership over the issue of payment of a new environmental levy. He is starting to sound more and more off beat... rather like a compatriot of his in thought - Mr Pantsdown.
This week the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Peter Hollingworth, said in the Sunday Mail, "They (churches) were around long before governments got into the act and have borne the heat and burden of the day. They will continue to play their role and do their best to respond to increased levels of need.
"Meanwhile the (environmental) levy is an erosion of a long-accepted principle recognising that work."
Soorley responded by saying that many charitable organisations are paying rates, "Many of the St Vincent de Paul (charity) properties pay rates, so why should the bishop's million dollar house be exempt from the levy?"
The churches have until the end of next week to pay these rates if they want to get their "early payment" discounts.
Making the
news" -
Nearly 60,000 people came to the ANZ stadium in Brisbane to watch the Broncos take out the inaugural Super League final.
It wasn't much more than a year ago that we thought that Super League was dead and buried.
Have a good one.
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