Turkish president hopes Putin will attend opening of nuclear plant

Sam

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30/03/2023

Turkish president hopes Putin will attend opening of nuclear plant

Early Construction of Plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin may travel to Turkey for the inauguration of the country’s first nuclear power plant, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told local TV station A Haber on Wednesday. The Akkuyu facility was built in partnership with the Russian state nuclear development agency Rosatom.

The Russian leader will either attend the opening ceremony in person or via video link on April 27, Erdogan said, describing the plant as one of Turkey’s “indispensable investments” that would help the country “seriously store energy.” Akkuyu’s first reactor is set to become operational later this year, while the entire plant is due to go on-line by 2025. When complete, it will feature four reactors capable of generating 4,800 megawatts.

The Turkish and Russian heads of state spoke on the phone recently regarding collaboration between their two nations on strategic power engineering projects, including the Akkuyu plant and natural gas supplies.

Erdogan thanked his Russian counterpart for his assistance in the aftermath of the deadly earthquakes in Turkey last month, which included the donation of construction materials and the deployment of Russian rescue personnel and a field hospital in Hatay province. The quakes, centered near the city of Gaziantep, killed an estimated 50,000 people and injured many more.

The Turkish leader also praised Russia’s “positive stance regarding the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Directorate on Saturday. The two countries signed a deal with Ukraine and the United Nations last July, reopening grain exports from three of the Ukrainian ports that had been blocked with the start of Russia’s military operation last February, and the agreement was extended last week.

As a NATO member nation with strong economic ties to Russia, Turkey is caught in a difficult position regarding the conflict viewed by many as a proxy war between Russia and the military alliance, which has pumped tens of billions of dollars of weapons into the Ukrainian military over the last year. Ankara and Moscow nevertheless agreed in August to trade gas in rubles and hope to increase bilateral trade volume to $100 billion.

Source: rt.com

Palaszczuk Tougher hate crime and serious vilification laws for Queensland

Sam

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29/03/2023

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Palaszczuk Tougher hate crime and serious vilification laws for Queensland

Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Tougher hate crime and serious vilification laws for Queensland

New laws have been introduced to Parliament to increase penalties for offences that are motivated by hatred or serious contempt
The reforms amend the Criminal Code to ban the display of hate symbols
Criminals who commit crimes motivated by serious hate and prejudice against specified groups will face tougher penalties.

New legislation has been introduced to ban the display of hate symbols, such as those representative of Nazi ideology, and increase penalties for offences that are motivated by hatred or serious contempt and the existing offence of serious vilification.

The Criminal Code (Serious Vilification and Hate Crimes) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 gives effect to four key recommendations made by the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee in January 2022 to strengthen Queensland’s hate crime laws.

A new ‘Prohibited symbols’ offence will be introduced to protect the community from the distress and insecurity associated with the display of hate symbols.

Under the new offence, public display, public distribution, or publication of prohibited symbols in circumstances that might reasonably be expected to cause a member of the public to feel menaced, harassed or offended are prohibited, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

The offence is intended to capture a broad range of circumstances, including the public display of tattoos and the public distribution or publication of prohibited symbols online.

The reforms also amend existing offences to provide for a new circumstance of aggravation for offences, including common assault, going armed so as to cause fear, threatening violence, assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, trespass and public nuisance.

Criminals who commit these offences while motivated, wholly or partly, by hatred or serious contempt based on race, religion, sexuality, sex characteristics or gender identity will face increased penalties including longer custodial sentences.

These provisions are intended to give the courts greater ability to treat these offences as more serious and therefore deserving of a more severe punishment.

Quotes attributable to the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“People armed with hate and prejudice and extreme ideologies won’t be tolerated in Queensland.

“Our government promised to review and strengthen serious vilification and hate crime laws and this Bill is delivering on that promise.

“These reforms mean Queensland will have some of the strongest hate crime laws in the country.”

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman:

“A hate crime or the serious vilification of an individual or group because of their race, religion, sexuality, sex characteristics or gender identity is an attack on a human dignity and will not be tolerated

“These reforms send a clear message that criminals who commit serious crimes motivated by serious hate and prejudice will face tougher penalties

“We’re making it illegal for people to publicly display, publish or publicly distribute symbols representative of an ideology of extreme prejudice against a relevant group, because we recognise these symbols erode the safety and security of all Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to the CEO of Multicultural Australia Christine Castley:

“We are pleased and relieved to see the introduction of the hate crime and serious vilification legislation into the Queensland Parliament

“The laws will enhance the safety of every person and every community in Queensland, especially for those culturally and linguistically diverse communities who all too often face harassment as they go about their lives in public spaces and places of worship

“Multicultural Australia is proud to have been a part of the Cohesive Communities Coalition, which has advocated for these laws and shared stories from individuals in our diverse communities who, in many cases, had to relive harrowing experiences and trauma from acts of hate that in most cases will be a crime under the new laws

“We will continue to amplify the voices of affected communities and individuals, and work with the Queensland Government and response agencies such as the Queensland Police to improve awareness and reporting of hate crimes.”

Attribution: State of Queensland

Queensland Government slash land tax by 50 per cent Build-to-Rent developments

Sam

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28/03/2023

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Queensland Government slash land tax by 50 per cent Build-to-Rent developments

Southport Rental Apartments
Photo Blow the Truth

Tax concessions to drive investment into affordable housing

Land tax will be cut in half for Build-to-Rent developments that include affordable housing
Delivers action on a Queensland Housing Summit outcome
The build-to-Rent sector is growing in Queensland and with these new concessions, a larger number of projects will include affordable housing

The Palaszczuk Government will slash land tax by up to 50 per cent for Build-to-Rent developments that feature at least 10 per cent of rental homes as affordable housing, driving more investment to deliver new rental supply.

The range of investment-attracting tax concessions for Build-to-Rent developments will include:

A 50 per cent discount on land tax payable for up to 20 years
A full exemption for the 2% foreign investor land tax surcharge for up to 20 years
A full exemption from the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty for the future transfer of a Build-to-Rent site.

Queensland Treasury will consult with the property industry on the land tax concessions ahead of proposed 1 July 2023 commencement, to ensure they can support the delivery of more homes for Queenslanders.

Quotes attributable to the Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games:

“My government is committed to delivering a fair go for renters.

“We know Build-to-Rent programs create more affordable housing in the areas where it is needed most.

“Driving new investment into social and affordable housing is key to ensuring we get more Queenslanders into the safe, secure homes.”

Quotes attributable to the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“The private construction sector is at capacity across Australia.

Our government is working with industry to identify innovative ideas that create new pipelines of housing supply.

“The Build-to-Rent projects that we’ve already brought to Queensland are already boosting rental supply.

Further information:

The land tax concessions will help unlock more investment into housing and build on three developments supported under the Palaszczuk Government’s Build-to-Rent Pilot Program.

Combined, these current developments in Newstead, Fortitude Valley and the Brisbane CBD will deliver more than 1,200 new dwellings, of which up to 490 rental homes will be provided at discounted rent thanks to a Palaszczuk Government subsidy.

The Palaszczuk Government also recently released a new invitation for Expressions of Interest under the $2 billion Housing Investment Fund on 9 February 2023.

This process is targeting proposals with ready-to-proceed social and affordable housing developments on privately owned sites, including affordable-only proposals.

More information on the Palaszczuk Government’s Housing Investment Fund Private Site Invitation is available at www.treasury.qld.gov.au/programs-and-policies/housing-investment-fund/, with Expressions of Interest due to close on 8 May 2023.

Attribution: Queensland Government

Jones Blows the Truth on Gates called out by Roberts in Parliament

Sam

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27/03/2023

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Jones Blows the Truth on Gates called out by Roberts in Parliament

Bill Gates Called Out For Vaccine Mass Murder By World Leaders

Alex Jones breaks down the victory of Bill Gates being held accountable by world leaders for pushing deadly vaccines around the globe.

Senator Malcolm Roberts from One Nation Australia, Senate Speech.

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Dan Andrews Cementing Victoria’s Relationship With China

Sam

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26/03/2023

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Dan Andrews Cementing Victoria’s Relationship With China

“I look forward to being the first Australian leader to visit China since the onset of the global pandemic – continuing our long-held relationship with China on trade and culture, and further strengthening our deep ties.”

The Andrews Labor Government is cementing Victoria’s strong and enduring relationship with China, with Premier Daniel Andrews set to be the first Australian leader to visit the country since the onset of the pandemic.

As part of a four-day trip this week, the Premier will meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Beijing Government to discuss our long-held trade and cultural ties, and the return of Chinese students to Victoria – continuing their studies at our world-class higher education institutions.

In addition to Beijing, the Premier will travel to Jiangsu and Sichuan, meeting with key senior officials from Victoria’s sister states – deepening our strong relationships with these provinces, and exploring ways to further strengthen partnerships.

Around 42,000 Chinese students are currently enrolled with Victorian providers, with the Labor Government recently announcing a $10 million investment in the Study Melbourne Hub in the CBD, which provides free help and advice to international students around accommodation, mental health and employment programs.

Additionally, Victoria’s first overseas Study Melbourne Hub was established in Shanghai in 2021 – offering a space for Victorian education providers to engage with prospective students.

China is Victoria’s main trading partner, with two-way trade valued at almost $40 billion in 2022.

This will be the Premier’s seventh visit to China since the Labor Government came to office, building on previous trips held in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and two in 2019.

Attribution: Premier of Victoria Dan Andrews

Katter MP if you take away coal, you bankrupt this country.

Sam

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23/03/2023

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Katter MP if you take away coal, you bankrupt this country.

Hon Bob Katter MP

Mr BOB KATTER MP (Member for Kennedy): I agree with my colleague on the necessity to restrain the exponential growth
in CO2. I do not agree with my colleague on abolishing coal. If my honourable colleague seriously thinks this
country can do without coal, well, let me point out that we have only three exports: iron ore, coal and gas. We
gave the gas away, so we get nothing at all out of it. All these things are worth over a hundred billion dollars.
The next things down the list are maybe gold, cattle and aluminium, worth about $15 billion—they were the
last time I looked, anyway. So we’ve got the big three and nothing else. This House gave away one of them
for nothing. It gave all the gas away for 6c a unit. We’re now buying our own gas back for $49 a unit. I speak
with authority because I was the Minister for Mines and Energy in what was then the biggest mining state in
Australia—Queensland.

Mr Speaker, if you take away coal, you bankrupt this country. Start picking out the hospitals that you’re going
to close—just pick them out—because there’s no money. Already in Queensland, because they’ve got no money,
they’ve closed, for the first time in 110 years, outpatient services. That’s in Queensland, where we were opening
up coal mines again and again.

There’s a second issue here. Von Clausewitz, in the best book on warfare ever written, said that if goods do not
cross borders then guns will. If you think a tiny little country of 24 million people, which happens to be Anglo
and European, in the middle of Asia is going to tell China and India that they can’t have any coal, well, mate,
you’re asking for trouble—big trouble. And you mustn’t have read many history books—I can tell you that!

In a concession to your point of view: surely, if you’re going to let the coal go, you say that all of the stations have to
be heli-stations, which halves the amount of coal? Surely you get off your backside and make sure your coal-fired
power stations in Australia are converted over? You have to do this—and I’m not being patriotic here—in North
Queensland because we’ve got all the water. I bless the new Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya
Plibersek, because she told me the name of the algae that’s used. Michael Kelly, who was a prominent minister in
this place, was advocating the use of algae some considerable time ago. If you’ve got a huge area of land and a lot
of water, you can take all of the emissions from a coal-fired power station and turn them into a profitable product.
So let’s not believe that coal is the great evil, when in fact you can convert that coal into food through algae. A
great advocate for the environment and dealing with climate change is no less a person than the minister, and the
great advocates are now looking at where the answers are. But to cripple Australia and bankrupt Australia is not
the answer. And to provoke a fight with China and India is just the act of an imbecile, quite frankly.

Attribution Parliament of Australia

The transcript is in Original Form to comply with the Parliament of Australia Media Guideline

20 years on, how the invasion of Iraq War backfired on the US

Sam

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22/03/2023

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20 years on, how the invasion of Iraq War backfired on the US

Soldier, Humby and Tank in Iraq War

March 2003, then President George W Bush approved the military attack, with major repercussions for US politics, and global perceptions of the country

Twenty years ago, the world was shaken by one of the major geopolitical events of this century. On the morning of March 20, 2003, the US officially launched its illegal invasion of Iraq. The rationale was based on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s alleged ties with terrorists, and intelligence regarding the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. However, both claims turned out to be false and were later refuted.

Russian political analysts believe that the real reasons behind the invasion of Iraq included a desire for control over oil fields, the naive hope of creating a ‘showcase of democracy’ in the Middle East, and a demonstration of the ‘fight against terrorism’ to US voters. None of these goals was achieved, but the grievous consequences of the endeavour are evident.

The reasons behind the invasion

Continue

Seniors, More social housing being delivered in Cairns

Sam

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22/03/2023

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More social housing being delivered in Cairns

Queensland Government will build 23 new social housing units at Earlville with $8.5 million in funding under QuickStarts Queensland
Eight, one-bedroom detached houses in Parramatta Park have now been refurbished with $300,000 funding under QuickStarts Queensland
Both projects delivered in partnership with a local community housing provider

Seniors, especially older women, will be prioritised to move into eight beautifully-refurbished, heritage-listed social housing cottages at Parramatta Park in Cairns.

The Palaszczuk Government partnered with the Access Community Housing Company (ACHC) to refurbish the cottages.

ACHC received $300,000 funding under the QuickStarts Queensland program to help refurbish the cottages, which are currently vacant.

A second project consisting of 16, one-bedroom and seven, two-bedroom units built to Gold or Platinum standard is also expected to start shortly in Earlville.

Also delivered through a partnership with ACHC, the new complex will replace 14 outdated dwellings with new fit-for-purpose accommodation

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch:

“Both of these projects demonstrate the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to work in partnership with community housing providers to revitalise housing stock and create homes for people in need.

“Older Queenslanders, especially women aged over 55, are among the most susceptible to volatility in the private rental market.

“ACHC has taken possession of the refurbished cottages in Parramatta Park and is working with our local housing service centre to find eligible customers from the housing register.

“We are targeting single older women and seniors for these wonderful, historic one-bedroom homes.

“Meanwhile, through the Earlville redevelopment we will improve the amenity of the site for residents and neighbours and increase the site’s capacity to provide better homes for members of the community most in need.

“The Queensland Government will provide more than $8.5 million to deliver the 23 new homes in partnership with ACHC.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Cairns Michael Healy:

“The Grove Street cottages are among the earliest examples of civic funded affordable housing created for seniors in Cairns and through this refurbishment they are still able to play a strong role supporting those most in need,” he said.

“Refurbishment work included works to flooring and roofing in the cottages and improving some of the fixtures and finishes to bring them up to standard.”

“Air conditioning has been installed in each of the cottages and to help preserve the precinct’s heritage value, the timber boundary fence was replaced like for like.

“I am also excited about the Earlville project, which will further increase social housing stock in Cairns.”

Third party quote:

“Access Community Housing works tirelessly to meet the housing needs of low-income households in Cairns and Far North Queensland through the provision of safe, secure and affordable homes, creating opportunities for individuals and families to improve their lives and achieve their goals,” said ACHC Chief Executive Officer Liz Brown.

“We are delighted to have partnered with the Queensland Government in the refurbishment of these heritage cottages which form a well-known landmark in Cairns and a vibrant part of the city’s history.”

“We are also delighted to be working with the Queensland Government to redevelop the Earlville site and see construction of a new apartment complex for social housing in Cairns.”

“At a time of significant housing need in Far North Queensland, these projects are increasing the number of properties available whilst ensuring new, fit-for-purpose accommodation for seniors.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

The Queensland Government is investing $3.9 billion in social and affordable housing – the largest concentrated investment in Queensland’s history.

It includes commencing 2,765 social homes under our QuickStarts Queensland program, of which 255 new social homes will be commenced in the Far North Queensland region by 30 June 2025, through a planned investment of $102.1 million, supporting more than 320 full-time equivalent jobs.

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre during hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753. business

For more information on QuickStarts Queensland, visit:
QuickStarts Qld | Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (chde.qld.gov.au)

Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Source: Queensland Government

Housing Queenslanders a priority for the government Fund to $2 billion.

Queensland Government

Sam

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19/03/2023

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Housing Queenslanders a priority for the government Fund to $2 billion.

Broadbeach Queensland Apartments
Photo Blow the Truth

Housing Queenslanders a priority for the government

New housing model to predict supply and demand
Queensland Government has engaged AHURI to develop the model
$56 million to deliver positive housing outcomes for the Queensland community
Funding for emergency and food relief services doubled

The Queensland Government has engaged the expertise of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) to develop a robust model to predict future supply and demand for housing in Queensland.

Work has already started on the modelling, which will incorporate historical and predictive analysis.

The modelling will look at the housing system in Queensland as a whole, including social housing, emergency accommodation and the private housing market. It will be used to assist in promoting a healthy housing system overall.

Not everyone who needs help to obtain or sustain housing will need social housing – in 2021-22, the State Government provided almost 200,000 forms of housing assistance to Queensland households or individuals, including emergency housing, private market assistance, homelessness services and housing.

The model will be kept up to date and will be used to inform housing strategy and policy development, which will help guide Queensland Government’s future housing investment priorities.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch:

“This government understands the importance of hearing from the right experts to inform policy, which is why we have engaged the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute to develop this model for us,” Ms Enoch said.

“There are many differing views on what makes up an overall healthy housing system, and so I am very pleased that we will be working on it with the leading authority on these matters.

“While this important work is being done, we are continuing to roll out the additional supports committed at last year’s Queensland Housing Summit.

“As part of the summit, the Palaszczuk Government boosted its flagship Housing Investment Fund to $2 billion.

“The investment returns of $130 million a year will now be available from the Fund to support an increased target of 5,600 new social and affordable home commencements across Queensland by 30 June 2027.

“This brings the Queensland Government’s investment in social and affordable housing to a record $3.9 billion.

“The Summit also delivered an additional $5 million for the Immediate Housing Response for Families (IHRF) package was announced as part of the Housing Summit outcomes, bringing the total investment in IHRF to $26 million.

“To date, 4081 households have been supported through this package, including through the provision of temporary emergency accommodation.”

Later this month the Palaszczuk Government will hold a Housing Roundtable to address the housing pressures being experienced in Queensland, which are also being felt in all parts of Australia.

Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Source: Queensland Government

Pentagon releases video of doomed drone chased by Russian Su-27 fighter jet

Sam

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17/03/2023

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Russian Su-27 fighter jet

The US Department of Defense had previously accused pilots of reckless flying over the Black Sea.

The Pentagon released a video on Thursday, which it said was shot from a US MQ-9 Reaper drone – during a close encounter with a Russian Su-27 fighter jet – before the American aircraft plunged into the Black Sea earlier this week.

The 50-second clip provided to the media shows an interceptor plane approaching the drone from behind and apparently ejecting fuel as it climbs.

The Pentagon claimed that Russian jets made several such maneuvers on Tuesday, including one in which the unmanned aircraft’s tail propeller supposedly got hit and damaged. The footage appears to show two of them, with the camera glitching both times.

Source: rt.com