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Monday, 17th November 1997
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On-line research background to the book "Pauline, the Hanson Phenomenon" by Helen Dodd.


International:

Well here we have a classic case of reverse racism, an absolute classic.

Yesterday we posted a first hand report of a racist "pack attack" by 8 or 9 Aborigines on a year 10 school party in Newcastle on Friday Night.

The event might as well have not happened.

Yet today the media are full of reports of the "beheading of Yagan" attack. The only damage in this case was "black pride". No physical damage, no mental scars on real people... but the scope of the event was treated differently by clearcut media bias.

The descendants of Yagan, a nineteenth century Aboriginal warrior, are in the Nyungah Circle of Elders who say on their home page, and I quote, "THE SMELL OF THE WHITEMAN IS KILLING US." But, of course, that cannot be racist, no, no, it is perfectly legitimate because of the pain and suffering that the white man has put the Aboriginal people through in the past... but is it provocative, is this what reconciliation is supposed to be all about? You be the judge on that.

Below is a copy of the report in today's Courier Mail on the Yagan "beheading". Of course the article completely overlooks the fact that it is Robert Bropho, the man seen on associated television reports last night, who is the spokesman for the Nyungah Circle of Elders who have, in past weeks:

The Courier Mail article:

"Aboriginal elders in Western Australia were incensed yesterday after the second decapitation in nine weeks of their 19th century warrior ancestor. Yagan. The latest attack came three days after the 43kg head on the statue, on Perth's Heirison Island, was replaced. It was removed by vandals the first time in September, just days after a delegation of Aboriginal elders returned from Britain with Yagan's smoked head. Delegation leader Richard Wilkes said yesterday he "half-expected" the statue's second head to come off but he was "angry and disappointed" that his fears had been confirmed."

Here is another classic from the Courier Mail in an article under the heading "Australia faces up to racism"

"Organisers (of a petition against racism) attribute the petition's popularity amongst ordinary Australians to its ability to send a peaceful message of reconciliation, a contrast to the violent hate-fuelled anti-Hanson rallies beamed around Asia."

One only has to go to the background and pictures of any Hanson branch launch to see who are the goons and the face of violence in what was once the lucky country - it certainly is not One Nation members. Seems like we have just run out of luck.


Making the news"  -
an indepth exposé of media and political collusion at the highest possible levels in Australia.


Political:

The Wik debate is on the verge of blowing up to something really nasty. The bi-partisan Labor and Coalition parties have for so long played up to the minority groups for their votes in marginal electorates that they cannot now ignore the beast that they have created.

This beast does not represent mainstream Australia but is given the loudest possible voice by the fickle media who like to play history-maker with Australia - to enable their master to gain the biggest financial advantage possible - raw power.

Yesterday the Special Minister for State Nick Minchin referred to this development when he said, "A whole lot of innocent Australians have been caught up in this quite overblown and quite dangerous rhetoric about the Bill.

"The whole thing must be toned down. Let's go back to a sober debate about native title.

"A whole range of interest groups are using this issue to attack the Government. They are groups that are traditionally opposed to the Coalition and would rather see Labor in office."

Primary Industry Minister John Anderson remarked that the views of the rural community (those most effected by the Bill) have been totally overlooked "in all this".

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said that he felt that there had not been too much negative exposure overseas with respect to the Wik situation only saying that many countries had similar fights on their hands, "I don't think, to be honest with you, there's an enormous amount of interest. There is interest amongst some people but its not a major international issue.

"There are invariably very sensitive issues... so it is a norm of international diplomacy to be, if you like, understanding about the nature of these controversies but not to weigh into them."

The Coalition are considering some minor technical amendments to their ten point plan on Wik before it is put through the Senate.

If you go to Canberra, just down from Parliament hill, you will find a modern office building. If you enter and take the lift, then just down the aisle from the Prime Minister's office is a room. In that room is a typist, telephonist, and a few clerks. One is the secretary of the Federal Executive Council, Tony Levy. You can ring him on the telephone. His number is 02 6271 6333....

The Federal Executive Council meets about 36 times per year. Its deliberations are not reported, and its goings-on are covered by Cabinet secrecy provisions. Its work is held to be 'top secret' for thirty years. If you wanted to know what the Federal Executive Council has been up to in Australia in say 1997, then you will have to wait until the year 2027.

email the editor

You Say:

Subject: Launch of One Nation at Adelaide

I THINK PAULINE IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK .I FOR ONE WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THE MAJOR PARTIES AGAIN , THEY ARE SO FULL OF THEM SELVES AND CORRUPT.

I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AREAS AND I KNOW OF HEAPS OF DIED IN THE WOOL LIBERAL SUPPORTERS WHO WILL BE VOTING FOR ONE NATION PARTY COME NEXT ELECTION.

GO PAULINE

ROB

Personal trivia, from the global office:

It was a stinking hot day in paradise yesterday so the swimming pool became a very useful form of relief... with the whole family lounging in it for hours.

Today looks to be no better with temperatures of 35 degrees celcius expected.

Have a great day.


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