GPJA #454: Rally against assett sales 6pm tomorrow in Wellington

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 454, January 12, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUPPORT SINKING LID POLICY FOR POKIES

This February, Auckland Council will be consulting with the public on two new policies for the Auckland area – the NZ Racing Board (TAB) Venue Policy & the Class 4 Gambling (Pokie) Venue Policy. The policies propose a ‘cap’ on the number of TAB Venues (current number 43) and ‘sinking lid’ for Class 4 (Pokie) Venues (Current number 305). What is a ‘sinking lid’? A sinking lid policy means no new licenses for pokie machines can be issued, and pokie machines cannot be transferred to a new pub or owner if a venue closes. This will have no impact on venues in Auckland which already exist. Auckland Council is taking submissions from the public on the proposed policies from the 18th January – 28th February. You can submit in writing by filling out the submission form (see link below) or online at: http://nomorepokies.org.nz/ We encourage the public to submit and support a sinking lid for Auckland. Submission form: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Auckland%20Sinking%20Lid%20FINAL%209-1-13.pdf

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

Wednesday, February 13, 12-2pm, outside head office of Mighty River Power, 23-29 Albert St, Auckland CBD
PROTEST! Say No to Asset Sales 3:30 – 5:30 pm, outside Mercury Energy Office, 602 Great South Road, Penrose. Thanks for all the great work you do to make New Zealand a better place to live♥. Cheers- Barbara T. ,Secretary, West Auckland Branch, Green Party Aotearoa

Wednesday, February 13, 6pm, Frank Kitts Park in Wellington
Rally to oppose government asset sales. The Rainbow Warrior will be in town and will drop a banner off her side in support. Join the crowd after work at Frank Kitts, bring the kids. Hear interesting speakers (named below) and some of Wellington’s finest musicians and performers, Aroha Priest, Warren Pomana, Marama Te Kira, Skank Jigger, Lucky Ngatuere, Tribal Rizin and Brass Razoo. Now’s the time to show you care, if you don’t like the idea of selling our assets. No other time will do. So, Wellington and anybody else, come on down and bring a couple of people with you. Greenpeace is backing this event, so show your support for them when they’re here. Say No To Asset sales is a rally not a protest. We all recognise the diversity of opinion in opposition to the government’s proposed sale of state assets. We all know that we will have to fight hard to stop the sales, but that we can do it. Only by retaining 100% control of the power companies can we, the public, develop and enjoy a clean, affordable, NZ-owned energy system. Selling removes these opportunities and, crucially, replaces the chance to investigate historical and contemporary violations of the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi with mere promises that the issue of rights in water between Government and tangata whenua will somehow be unaffected by privatisation. The following speakers at this Rally represent the diverse range of groups, organisations and factions and the vast majority of people in Aotearoa/NZ opposed to the sale of our state assets. Celia Wade-Brown, Major of Wellington City Council; Justin Duckworth, Anglican Bishop of Wellington; Nathan Argent, National Policy Adviser, Greenpeace; Dr Geoff Bertram. Senior Economics Lecturer, Victoria University; Dr Jane Kelsey, Professor Law, Auckland University; Maanu Paul, Chair, NZ Maori Council; Peter Love, Te Atiawa & Board Member Wellington Tenths Trust with mokopuna, Kaira Love, Te Atiawa; Frances Kuo, Spokesperson, Aotearoa is Not for Sale; Dr Ganesh Nana, Chief Economist, BERL; Roy Reid, National President, Grey Power; John Maynard & Steve Booth, Spokespeople, Peoples Power Ohariu.

Thursday, February 14, 12noon, Takaparawhau/ Bastion Point via Michael Savage Memorial Park, Auckland
V-day Dance Stop Violence against Women and Whanau: Dear Friends, Hope you can join us on Vday. “One billion women being raped or beaten is an atrocity.” http://www.onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/startarising/4v5k2a “Domestic violence is a pervasive, life-threatening crime that impacts on thousands of New Zealanders with serious physical, psychological and economic effects.” – Women’s Refuge * Between 33 to 39% of New Zealand women experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to a study by Janet Fanslow and Elizabeth Robinson1. The year 2012 ended with tragic news about the gang rape and murder of a girl on a bus in Delhi. To view/rehearse dance steps please check out: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/11/delhi-rape-savile-ohio-violence-tolerated More info: http://www.onebillionrising.org/pages/about-one-billion-rising Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand, Advancing the rights and welfare of Filipinos and other migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Thursday, February 14, 12 noon, Frank Kitts Park, Wellington
One Billion Rising: The whole world is rising up on Valentine’s Day to make a statement that violence against women is not okay. Te Rito Wellington Family Violence Network and the Wellington City Council are joining to get Wellingtonians rising. Come to Frank Kitts Park and enjoy an hour of dance to Rise Up against violence against women and celebrate 15 years of V-Day campaigning featuring: – ZUMBA; – Pasifika Aerobics; – CubanFusion.Today, one of every three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That is ONE BILLION mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, and friends. Yet, most of the world remains silent and indifferent. The time has come to put a stop to the violence, and to the silence that surrounds it. On February 14th, 2013, one billion women and those who love them are invited to walk out, rise up, dance, and strike to demand an end to violence against women and girls. Please forward this invitation to Rise Up to your friends and workmates. Print off this email and put up at work or post on your work blog. Grab your friends and workmates and we will see you there! Find out more about this global event here www.onebillionrising.org And RSVP and share this event via Facebook here.

Thursday and Friday 14 & 15 February 2013, AUT University Business School, 42 Wakefield St, Auckland city
Supported by the Occupational Health and Safety Research Group, AUT University; the NZCTU; the SFWU; the University of Auckland and the NZ Industrial Relations Foundation Trust Inc. PRECARIOUS WORK AND THE LIVING WAGE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. Two Day Symposium and Workshops. Keynote speakers include: Guy Standing, Professor of Economics, University of London; Malcolm Sargeant, Professor of Labour Law, Middlesex University; Iain Campbell, Senior Research Fellow, RMIT University; Deborah Littman, Metro Vancouver Alliance. This symposium will include in-depth discussions on the employment of vulnerable workers and the current developments around a living wage in New Zealand and around the world. We encourage participants from academia, unions, NGOs, faith communities and government agencies to attend. There is a charge of $40 per day. Attendees must register to: work.research More info: www.workresearch.aut.ac.nz/ohs www.livingwagenz.org.nz

Saturday, February 16, 9am – 5.30pm, Blockhouse Bay Boat Club, end of Endeavour St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland
The Workshop for Agents of Change is an interactive, transformational workshop designed to deepen our understanding of what it means to be an Agent of Change, and to empower our capacity to address humanity’s most pressing issues. All participants will receive a resource notebook from the day that includes worksheets, resources and inspiration. Participation by koha: Participants are invited to contribute with great love commensurate with their experience.

Saturday, February 16, 11.30am, Mission Bay Fountain, Auckland
Tamaki Housing Group has organised a march to the Micky Savage memorial on Bastion Point to reclaim the Micky Savage housing vision of a decent home for ALL families. Come along and support this courageous community fighting the destruction of their community to make way for the wealthy who want the nice sea views.

Tuesday, February 19, 3-4.30pm, CBS Arena, Christchurch
STAND UP FOR CHCH KIDS. RALLY ORGANISED BY THE NZEI.

Monday, February 25, 7.30pm, The Peace Palace, 2F/22 Emily Place, Auckland
The Peace Palace invites you to a showing of the documentary film “You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train” which follows the life and work of (the now late) Howard Zinn, America’s most outspoken and high profile anti-war campaigner. Entry is free/by koha. Please circulate this to your networks. We look forward to seeing you there. The Peace Place 09-377-5541 info

Wednesday, February 27, 7pm, Waipapa Marae, Auckland University, Wynyard Street, Auckland
Next Mana Tamaki Meeting: We will be planning the year ahead and in particular looking at the local body elections in October. How should Mana be involved? Everyone welcome!

Sunday, March 10, 10am to 4pm (set up Saturday 9th, or Sunday morning), Olympic Park, New Lynn (area surrounding Sustainable Living Centre).
EcoDay 2013 – an opportunity to show your green credentials! Calling for Eco Expo exhibitors and stall holders. EcoDay is back by popular demand. If you would like to be part of the biggest EcoDay in West Auckland then get in touch with us as soon as possible. The details of EcoDay are: – Eco Expo featuring commercial businesses selling and promoting sustainable or environmentally friendly products; – Green Marketplace with art, craft, growers and not for profit groups; – Green Transport zone; – Free Interactive Workshops; – Kids entertainment and activities; – Food and Beverage providers. Booking deadlines: to assist with site planning we would appreciate a verbal commitment by Friday 8thFebruary. Final booking & payment by 1 March 2013. For more information and an application form please contact EcoDay Event Manager – Anna Fomison atecoday or on 021 163 7492

Saturday, March 16, 4pm, Westlake Boys’ High School, 30 Forrest Hill Road, Auckland, New Zealand
MIGRANTE: The Filipino Diaspora ( A Joel C. Lamangan Film). A touching movie about the trials, hopes and dreams of migrants working in foreign countries. Bring along your family and friends to this inspiring film about migrants helping one another in times of great need. Ticket sales will be donated to support purchase of lifeboats for communities vulnerable to massive flooding and for rebuilding of schools for indigenous people devastated by typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

Monday, April 15
2013 Global Day of Action on Military Spending: 15 April 2013 – if you would like to be involved in the 2013 Global Day of Action in Aotearoa New Zealand, or would like your organisation listed as a pma

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Annette Sykes: “We belong to the water and the water belongs to us” http://workersparty.org.nz/2013/02/12/annette-sykes-we-belong-to-the-water-and-the-water-belongs-to-us/

John Minto: Special deal for privileged pupils – The Government is quick to prop up a private school when many public schools are in serious need. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10863813

John Minto: ‘Police singled me out’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8267524/John-Minto-Police-singled-me-out

The wrong side of history – again! – Minto http://mana.net.nz/2013/02/the-wrong-side-of-history-again-minto/

The text of this year’s Joan Cook Memorial Waitangi Day Essay, ‘Thoughts Around the State of the Pakeha Nation’ by Susan Healy, a lay member of the Dominican order is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pakeha-nation2013.pdf

Lawyer blasts govt for refusing to let activist speak http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864818

Gordon Campbell on secrecy about charter schools, and Dotcom http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1210/S00074/gordon-campbell-on-secrecy-about-charter-schools-and-dotcom.htm

Refugee deal takes New Zealand down the wrong path http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00065/refugee-deal-takes-new-zealand-down-the-wrong-path.htm

Refugee group condemns New Zealand refugee deal http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53273

Key needs to do his research on conditions in Nauru and PNG http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00119/key-needs-to-do-his-research-on-conditions-in-nauru-and-png.htm

West Papuan freedom fighter blocked from NZ Parliament http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00063/west-papuan-freedom-fighter-blocked-from-nz-parliament.htm

Gilchrist sent naked photos of teenager to police http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00278.htm

NZ ECONOMY

CTU: 163,000 People Unemployed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00042/163000-people-unemployed.htm

Unemployment Figures Highlight Ongoing Crisis http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00047/unemployment-figures-highlight-ongoing-crisis.htm

Bernard Hickey: Reserve Bank sticks to the script as our economy teeters on brink http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10863081

New Zealand’s sad manufacturing problem http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/dave-armstrong/8257643/New-Zealands-sad-manufacturing-problem

Chris Ford: The economy becomes more unbalanced – free market silliness must end! http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/chris-ford-economy-becomes-more-unbalanced-free-market-silliness-must-end/1273/146494

Carbon credit price meltdown http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/8252659/Carbon-credit-price-meltdown

Government must promise NZ won’t cave on Pharmac in TPPA http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1302/S00022/government-must-promise-nz-wont-cave-on-pharmac-in-tppa.htm

Greenpeace report on green development welcomed by CTU http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00072/greenpeace-report-on-green-development-welcomed-by-ctu.htm

Brian Gaynor: Mainzeal collapse needs investigation http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business-editors-picks/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501981&objectid=10864282

Questions raised over job statistics http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8278888/Questions-raised-over-job-statistics

POVERTY & WELFARE DEBATE

Beneficiaries ‘attacked on all sides’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10863719

FOODBANK QUEUE IN AUCKLAND

CPAG: Call for greater protection for children http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00068/call-for-greater-protection-for-children.htm

The politics of the child poverty measurement consultation http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/politics-child-poverty-measurement-consultation

Gordon Campbell on income inequality, and Tunisia http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/02/07/gordon-campbell-on-income-inequality-and-tunisia/

WORKRIGHTS NZ

Battle for a living wage: A Kiwi bloke can survive on $19 an hour … yeah right http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864565

Redundancy leaves truckies stressed http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864567

The pay you need to survive http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864620

Editorial: Key to ‘living wage’ will be equating it with fairness http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864756

Mayor pushes to give hundreds a pay increase http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8289717/Mayor-pushes-to-give-hundreds-a-pay-increase

$2 an hour ‘common’ for migrants http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864817

Students obliged to take jobs at well below minimum wage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864809

c_id=466&objectid=10864575

Unions seek ‘living wage’ for thousands http://www.3news.co.nz/Unions-seek-living-wage-for-thousands/tabid/421/articleID/286322/Default.aspx

Key not keen on Living Wage http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8288718/Key-not-keen-on-Living-Wage

Brian Rudman: Collapse painful for all but bosses http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?

KFC employee hospitalised after oil vat explosion http://www.3news.co.nz/KFC-employee-hospitalised-after-oil-vat-explosion/tabid/423/articleID/286355/Default.aspx

Union speaks out over KFC accident http://www.3news.co.nz/Union-speaks-out-over-KFC-accident/tabid/423/articleID/286422/Default.aspx

Worker who lost fingers ignored warning http://www.3news.co.nz/Worker-who-lost-fingers-ignored-warning/tabid/423/articleID/284963/Default.aspx

Waikato trucking firm fined for overworking http://www.3news.co.nz/Waikato-trucking-firm-fined-for-overworking/tabid/421/articleID/283166/Default.aspx

Guy Standing Guy Standing: basic income and the Precariat – Professor of Development Studies at the University of London, founder member and co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network, and author of The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class. He is visiting New Zealand as keynote speaker at the Precarious Work and Living Wage Symposium. (48′48″) http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2545950/guy-standing-basic-income-and-the-precariat.asx

STATS OF THE WEEK

America’s top 0.1 percent of income earners have seen their take-home nearly quadruple over the last three decades, the Economic Policy Institute reports. After adjusting for inflation, average top 0.1 percent earnings rose from $569,521 in 1979 to $2,158,892 in 2011. These totals don’t include income from capital gains and other investments.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“History says, Don’t hope

on this side of the grave.

But then, once in a lifetime

the longed for tidal wave

of justice can rise up,

and hope and history rhyme.”

Seamus Heaney http://www.panhala.net/archive/the_cure_at_troy.html

“Excessive inequality is corrosive to growth; it is corrosive to society. I believe that the economics profession and the policy community have downplayed inequality for too long.” Christine Lagarde, International Monetary Fund managing director, Cut bankers’ pay or risk another crash, Independent, January 24, 2013

FEATURES

Launching the Socialist Register 2013: The Question of Strategy http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls160.php

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Old Story, New Threat: Fracking and the global land grab http://www.tni.org/briefing/fracking-and-global-land-grab

Losing the Land Again; The risks of privatizing property on First Nations reserves http://intercontinentalcry.org/losing-the-land-again/

CULTURAL DISSENT

Shakespeare and the Greek tragedy of capitalism http://www.readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/shakespeare-and-greek-tragedy-of.html

50 years since ‘The Feminine Mystique’ http://links.org.au/node/3216

Happy Days Are Here Again

BAHRAIN

 

Democracy protests build as national talks approach http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53293

CANADA

Campus Fightbacks in the Age of Austerity: Learning from Quebec Students by Xavier Lafrance and Alan Sears http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/771.php

Mobilizing against tar sands pipelines in Ontario http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/mobilizing-against-tar-sands-pipelines-in-ontario/

Idle No More: Is this just the beginning? http://www.nowtoronto.com/mobile/story.cfm?c=191127

CHILE

In Chile, Plunder and Perverse Laws against the Indigenous Population http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/8877

ECUADOR

Ecuador’s Correa has large lead in presidential race: polls http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/08/us-ecuador-election-idUSBRE91700Q20130208

GREECE

Factory in Greece starts production under workers’ control http://www.viome.org/2013/02/the-factory-of-viome-industrial-mineral.html

INDONESIA

Goodbye Indonesia: People & Power investigates one of the world’s most forgotten conflicts – the West Papuan struggle for independence. http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2013/01/201313018313632585.html

IRELAND

Progress? Yes. Change? – Bernadette Devlin McAliskey http://www.midulstermail.co.uk/news/local/progress-yes-change-bernadette-devlin-mcaliskey-1-4177025

MALI

France readies for ‘long haul’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53286

How Washington helped foster the Islamist uprising in Mali http://newint.org/features/2012/12/01/us-terrorism-sahara/

MEXICO

Mexico’s Supreme Court unfairly rules against SME http://www.industriall-union.org/mexicos-supreme-court-unfairly-rules-against-sme

PACIFIC
Bainimarama promises Fiji constitution by March http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-07/fiji-getting-a-new-constitution/4507518?WT.svl=news5

PALESTINE

Defying surveillance, Gaza farmers demand boycott of Israel http://electronicintifada.net/content/defying-surveillance-gaza-farmers-demand-boycott-israel/12185

SAUDI ARABIA

Will Saudi Arabia Ever Change? http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2013/jan/10/will-saudi-arabia-ever-change/

SOUTH AFRICA

Inauspicious start to the ANC’s year http://terrybellwrites.com/2013/02/09/inauspicious-start-to-the-ancs-year/

TUNISIA

Rage explodes after leftist leader killed http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53276

Left-wing leader Chokri Belaid was assassinated on February 6.

Tunisia faces general strike after Belaid assassination sparks crisis http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/07/tunisia-general-strike-assassination-crisis

Why Tunisia’s Arab Spring is in Turmoil http://www.juancole.com/2013/02/tunisias-spring-turmoil.html

UK

Sussex student protest gathers momentum as Peter Capaldi, Caroline Lucas and Tariq Ali offer support http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/sussex-student-protest-gathers-momentum-as-peter-capaldi-caroline-lucas-and-tariq-ali-offer-support-8490572.html

This obsession with outsourcing public services has created a shadow state – The winners are private equity and shareholders. The losers are the low-paid and the vulnerable. And in the end we all pay http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/07/public-sector-outsourcing-shadow-state?CMP=twt_gu

USA

U.S. Prison Population Seeing “Unprecedented Increase” http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/u-s-prison-population-seeing-unprecedented-increase/

The kings of corporate welfare – Gary Lapon explains how Corporate America picks the pockets of U.S. Taxpayers. http://socialistworker.org/2013/02/05/kings-of-corporate-welfare

Kill List Exposed: Leaked Obama Memo Shows Assassination of U.S. Citizens “Has No Geographic Limit” http://www.democracynow.org/2013/2/5/kill_list_exposed_leaked_obama_memo

Daniel Ellsberg: NDAA Indefinite Detention Provision is Part of “Systematic Assault on Constitution” http://www.democracynow.org/2013/2/5/daniel_ellsberg_ndaa_indefinite_detention_provision

America’s Global Torture Network By Robert Scheer http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/americas_global_torture_network_20130207/

Susan Crawford on Why U.S. Internet Access is Slow, Costly and Unfair http://billmoyers.com/segment/susan-crawford-on-why-u-s-internet-access-is-slow-costly-and-unfair/

Michael Moore, Chris Hedges on Challenging NDAA Indefinite Detention and the “Corporate Coup d’État” http://www.democracynow.org/2013/2/11/michael_moore_chris_hedges_on_challenging

VENEZUELA

The real meaning of ‘Chavismo’ by Elias Jaua who was Venezuelan vice-president from 2010-2012 and is now foreign minister. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53292