#249: National's agenda for privatisation

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #249, August 6 , 2008

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Kia ora koutou,

WEDNESDAY MEETING TO ORGANISE OPPOSITION TO NATIONAL'S PPP (PRIVATISATION) AGENDA
Hi folks! URGENT! Now that National have declared their hand in support of PPPs for infrastructure - it is now an election issue. They are not the only party supporting PPPs - so it is REALLY important that a campaign is cranked up to help explain to the public that PPPs are another form of privatisation and that PPPs do NOT benefit the public majority. NO PRIVATISATION BY STEALTH!
INITIAL 'BRAINSTORMING' MEETING to help organise this campaign:
Wednesday 6 August 2008, 5.30 - 6.30pm, Unite Union Office, 6A Western Springs Rd, Morningside
ALL WELCOME! A key aim of this meeting is consider how best to draw in as many people/groups/organisations as possible in opposition to PPPs and user-charges. How best to make as much fuss as possible about this issue to help educate the public about PPPs and who benefits! Please pass this on and help spread the word! (Those who have been contacted and support the idea include John Minto, Jane Kelsey, Mike Treen, Simon Oosterman, Rose Hollins, Jim Gladwin). This has all been done in a frantic rush - but I believe that we need to SEIZE THE MOMENT! Cheers!

"DO YOU MIND IF A FUTURE GOVERNMENT SELLS OFF KIWIBANK?"
Click on http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/index.cfm?c_id=1

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RED ALERT: APPLICATION FOR GE CROP TRIALS IN NEW ZEALAND
Field trials of Genetically Engineered broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale are applied for. Crop & Food Research in the South island have applied to ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Authority) for a 10-year field-trial of Genetically Engineered brassicas. The plants will have genes spliced from bacteria and viruses, including 'Bt' (Bacillus thuringiensis) which can kill some insects. See the full application at: www.ermanz.govt.nz or view a summary and make a submission online: http://www.ermanz.govt.nz (NB scroll down the page)
HAVE YOUR SAY - MAKE A SUBMISSION - Deadline : 12 December 2006. View the Key Notes (PDF) http://www.giantexperiment.co.nz/ Points to consider (PDF) http://www.gefree.org.nz/docs/points_to_make.pdf Visit the GiantExperiment website for an up to date index of key issues and articles about this application. http://www.giantexperiment.co.nz/

RIOT EXTRAS NEEDED
Jim Edwards' book "Waiting For the Revolution" is being turNed into a television drama. It tells the story of the Unemployed Workers' Movement and the hunger marches and the 1932 Queen St riot. The producers need hundreds of volunteers to take part in the re-created marches and the riot.They need lean and hungry males, 18-60.
Anyone interested, contact Aileen O'Sullivan, seann@ihug.co.nz

LECTURE SERIES BY NANDOR TANCZOS: TUES 12, WEDS 13 & THURS 14 AUG
"At the tipping point: thinking beyond sustainability" Former Green Party MP and recent Greens' Environment Spokesperson, Nandor Tanczos will brief students and members of the public around New Zealand on how the world's love affair with economic growth impacts on our environment. He will address the issues of climate change, peak oil, and resource depletion and discuss how rising to these challenges requires a fundamental rethink of current assumptions. For more info, contact: auckland@greens.org.nz or phone: 303-4143.
Date/Time: Tuesday 12 August, 12.15 - 1.15pm
Venue: Manukau Institute of Technology, J106, J Block, South Campus.
Date/Time: Tuesday 12 August, 5 - 6:30pm
Venue: University of Auckland, B10 (the lecture theatre under the main Library building).
Date/Time: Wednesday 13th August 12:30-2:30pm
Venue: AUT, AuSM student lounge (WC202), AUT Campus, Wellesley Street, Auckland CBD
Date/Time: Thursday 14th August 12:30-2:00pm
Venue: UNITEC, Yellow Lecture Theatre, Bldg 180, (The Hub) Entryway 4, Carrington Road, Pt. Chevalier, Auckland

HELP NEEDED FOR THE 2008 WHITE POPPY APPEAL
Volunteers are needed to help with CND's 2008 Hiroshima Day / white poppy appeal which will take place on Friday, 15th August. As this is the last year that white poppies will be sold around Hiroshima Day [*], your support for the 2008 appeal is particularly important. There are three ways you can help:
- having poppies and a collection box: at your work, school, church or other community place from 8th to 15th August. If you are outside Wellington and would like to help in this way, poppies and a collection box can be posted to you - please contact CND (see details below) as soon as possible to arrange this;
- making the poppies: in the week before the street collection, at CND's office in Wellington; and
- helping with the street collection: in Wellington on Friday, 15th August.
If you can help with any of the above, or would like to send a donation for this year's appeal, please get in touch as soon as possible - tel (04) 478 0947, or write to CND, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141 (any cheque should be made payable to 'CND'). Thank you.
[*] From 2009, distribution of white poppies will revert from Hiroshima Day to ANZAC Day (the nearest NZ equivalent to Remembrance Day), and will be a national appeal with proceeds going to a peace scholarship fund. More information about that will be available from Peace Movement Aotearoa early next year.

ISLAM AWARENESS WEEK
Islam Awareness Week provides an opportunity for the wider New Zealand community to learn about the beliefs, values and practices of Muslim New Zealanders and how these contribute to New Zealand society. Events will be held around New Zealand during the Week, including Open Days at most of the Masajid (Mosques) and Islamic Centres on Saturday, 9 August 2008, interfaith panel discussions, Islamic cultural arts and crafts displays and ethnic food fairs. For more information, visit http://www.islamawareness.co.nz/

SO YOU'D LIKE TO SEE OBAMA IN THE WHITE HOUSE …
but don't know how you can help … Here's your chance.
Help get American troops out of Iraq. "Tell an American to Vote."
The Obama campaign needs New Zealanders who can pass on the message as the demographics show that American's living abroad support Obama.
We need New Zealand volunteers who want to help publicize the website, www.VoteFromAbroad.org . This website makes it easy for Americans to register to vote from overseas.
Please urgently contact Ravaani Ghaemmaghamy (Ph 07 853 5468 / 027 493 4963 ravaani@clear.net.nz ) to find out how you can help the campaign.

ANZUS PLOUGHSHARES BOOK RE-PRINT PROPOSAL
As another way of promoting and explaining the praxis of Ploughshares actions I am interested in reprinting Ciaron O'Reilly's 1994 book "Bomber Grounded, Runway Closed: Prison Notes of a Gulf War Resister". Below is a review of the book - you can probably find others if you Google the title. The book is now out of print but Ciaron has the layout as a digital file and is willing to write an updated Foreword - Moana would do one too. The original production was 2,000 copies of the 255 page book. To print 2,500 copies in New Zealand it will cost about NZ$12,000. If we can sell them for $12-15+pp each - that will eventually raise about $30,000 for further Ploughshares stories (like a film and/or book about the ANZAC Waihopai Ploughshares) and the process of PS story-telling will continue.
Both Ciaron and Moana are very supportive of the idea: "It's such a good practical 'how-to' handbook for organising for folks, as well as a good read and still relevant analysis." - Moana
So, if I can find 5 people who have $2,000 that they could provide as a medium-term loan - hopefully 2-3 years or less - then I will put in $2,000 and we can get a new edition of the book printed and distributed. If this might be you, please email me (Manu Caddie): manu@ahi.co.nz and we'll start talking about how to make it happen. Have a great week. - Manu.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2008 ROGER AWARD.
You can send your nomination, and any supporting material, by 1/ Filling in the below form and e-mailing it to this address. 2/ Or by sending it by snail mail to the Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch. The nomination form and full details about the Award, including past winners, Judges' Reports, etc, can be accessed online at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/in...
Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser, CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.cafca.org.nz

VENEZUELA SOLIDARITY BRIGADE - NOVEMBER 2008
Register now for the next Australian solidarity brigade to Venezuela! November 20th-30th, 2008. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network's brigades to Venezuela are a unique opportunity to see first-hand an unfolding revolution. The deadline for registering for the November 2008 brigade is September 1, 2008. Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the brigade organisers are able to give advice and recommend a travel agent. You will need to budget for a total cost of approximately $5000. This includes: (i) International airfare approximately $3500 (departing Australia). (ii) Approximately $500-1000 for accommodation (twin-share basis), food and other spending during your stay in Venezuela. (iii) $500 registration fee (for brigade organisation, including translators and transport). For more information, email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org, or phone Lara Pullin on 0439 601 277 or Roberto Jorquera on 0425 289 394. (NB: Australian $ costs and ph numbers - but Kiwis welcome)
DOWN LOAD A BRIGADE REGISTRATION FORM http://venezuelasolidarity.org/files/novemberform.pdf

INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE "50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION"
Dear Friends: Next year the Cuban Revolution will arrive to its 50th anniversary: 50 years of solidarity and friendship between Cuba and the peoples of the world. From October 5th through 19th this year, our Institute will welcome the "50th Anniversary of the Revolution" International Brigade and friends coming from all over the world will enjoy this unique opportunity to celebrate this important date in Cuba. We are looking forward to hosting you!!!!
Asia-Pacific Division, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, Email: dasia@icap.cu Tlf: (53-7) 838 2430

INVITATION TO VENEZUELA EDUCATION STUDY TOUR
A Collaborative Exchange and Study Tour for Academics, Teachers & Students January 2009
Dear Friends and Colleagues, We would like to invite you to participate in the first Education Exchange and Study Tour of Venezuela. A number of educators here in Australia and internationally have become increasingly interested in the radical education reform currently taking place in Venezuela. The study tour will take place in January 2009 and will involve a range of meetings (seminars) and visits with educational groups, institutions, and community organisations. The details of the week are to worked out in conjunction with colleagues from the Bolivarian University of Venezuela, and local schools and community organizations in Caracas. For further details, to contribute ideas and/or to register your interest please contact the organising committee: Tom Griffiths Tom.Griffiths [at] newcastle [dot] edu [dot] au / Jo Williams Jo.Williams [at] vu [dot] edu [dot] au / Roberto Jorquera roberto [at] latinamericasolidarity [dot] org / Jorge Jorquera Jorge.Jorquera [at] rmit [dot] edu [dot] au

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Friday, August 8, 5.30pm, Aotea Square
Tibet Candlelight Vigil THIS Friday to coincide with the start of the Olympics

Friday, August 8, 10pm, RISING SUN - 373 Karangahape Rd
SOLID TERRITORY ALBUM LAUNCH 08/08/08: Cost: Koha: Over 30 Indigenous artists have joined forces to release the first ever Aboriginal and M?ori Hip Hop Compilation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists Astronomical, Dizzy Doolan and Maupower will hit the stage with local natives, Horomona Horo, Revolution MC's, Miss bMe, Upper Hutt Posse, Dam Native and DJ's Exile, the Morning Steppa and Mr Rivers on Aug 8th, 10pm @ the Rising Sun - 373 K Rd to celebrate the launch.

Saturday, August 9, 12-3pm, Glen Innes Shopping Centre, 12 - 3pm, near Pak 'n Save ( outside Christian Life Centre building ) BURMA Rally Commemorating 8.8.88 Democracy Uprising in Burma

Saturday, August 9, 5-7pm, Auckland Domain Wintergarden
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom CANDLE FLOATING CEREMONY to commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki. All Welcome. There will be crane-making, and music. Candles will be supplied. Contacts Helen Yensen 5200 179 or Joan Macdonald 360 8001

Wednesday 13 August 12noon -3.45pm, Auckland Conference Centre, 27-33 Ohinerau Street, Remuera
NEW ZEALAND NON-PROFIT SECTOR in Comparative Perspective and the History of the Non-profit Sector in New Zealand with guest speaker Lester Salamon

Wednesday, August 13, 4.30pm -6.30pm, Fitzroy Room, Mercure Hotel, Cnr Queen Street and Custom Street
NEW ZEALAND HUMAN RIGHTS CONSULTATION ROUNDTABLES. (MFAT) . If you want to attend please RSVP now to richard.kay@mfat.govt.nz or DDI (04) 439 8298.

Wednesday, 13 August, 6.30pm, Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland Central
'PACIFIC DEMILITARISATION, DISARMAMENT AND HUMAN SECURITY' MEETING / 'REMEMBER LEBANON: BAN CLUSTER BOMBS' COMMEMORATION - with Ema Tagicakibau (Fiji) and Andonia Piau-Lynch (Vanuatu) speaking about demilitarisation, disarmament and human security issues in the Pacific. Ema is Assistant Director of the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (the Secretariat of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific, based in Suva) with a focus on Pacific demilitarisation and disarmament; and Andonia (Andy) is the National Coordinator of the Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association, the organisation which lobbied successfully for Vanuatu to ratify the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and to become the first Pacific government to ratify the UN Disability Convention. Come along at 6.30pm for a shared meal, 7pm for 'Remember Lebanon: Ban Cluster Bombs' candlelit commemoration, and speakers - Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland Central. Ema and Andy are in Auckland courtesy of the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition; meeting organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Tamaki Makaurau), for more information contact email pma@xtra.co.nz or joanmac@pl.net
Leaflets to hand out at vigils will be available later in the week on the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition web site at http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/take-action along with more information about other things you can do. 'Flooding South Lebanon: Israel's Use of Cluster Munitions in Lebanon in July and August 2006', Human Rights Watch, February 2008 - http://www.hrw.org/reports/2008/lebanon0208

Thursday, August 14, 6-8pm, Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZCA - Teaching base, Level 1, 29 Great South Rd, Newmarket. Parking: Rear of the building - off Ngaire Street off Great South Rd.
WORLD ORGANISATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, Auckland chapter presents a conversation with Janfrie Wakim, Director, Child Poverty Action Group New Zealand with Dr. Jenny Ritchie, Contributor to Left Behind. Come and hear about the CPAG'S HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL CASE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT'S IN-WORK TAX CREDIT which they claim discriminates against children on the basis of their parents/caregivers' work status. This case has been ongoing since CPAG laid a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in 2002. Now the final proceedings completed on Friday 18th July mean that the outcome of the case is eagerly awaited by many NGOs that work for children and families who live on the breadline. "In rich countries it can be easy to forget that poverty exists. Sometimes people blame lifestyle choices and poor parenting, and overlook the big picture. But a firm commitment to ending child poverty would reinforce the need to work together to protect all our children" - Janfrie Wakim. CPAG have presented their latest report Left Behind, which looks at how social and income inequalities damage New Zealand children. It recommends that NZ adopt a child poverty target. Summary of the report and the details of the case are available on CPAG website. A light supper will be provided. Members free - others koha .

Friday, August 22, 6pm, The Peace Place: 22 Emily Place Auckland
"ANSWERED BY FIRE" An compelling mini series from Australia's ABC co-produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation- set in East Timor at the time of the 1999 independence referendum.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND
Photo Essay: Protesters Brave Storm & Police To Get Message Heard
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00309.htm
Gordon Campbell on National's economic vision
http://election08.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-national%e2%80%99s-econ...
Tears flow at Feltex Foxton
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00015.htm
Grey-suited thieves get a freedom-from-prosecution card
http://businessday.co.nz/blogs/frontline/2008/07/17/grey-suited-thieves-...
FM: Wallace & Manning Analyse Nat's PPP Policy
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0808/S00040.htm
1000 workers start action at SkyCity on weekend
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00003.htm
SkyCity strikers threaten to shut down New Year celebrations (video link available)
http://3news.co.nz/News/BusinessNews/SkyCitystrikersthreatentoshutdownNe...
SkyCity faces 24-hour strike
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4640110a13.html
Matt McCarten: Rumblings of industrial unrest spark warnings for National
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10524942
Service with a smell
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10525000&r...
Rice Elevates New Zealand from 'Friend' to 'Ally'
http://www.pubrecord.org/commentary/8-commentary/234-rice-elevates-new-z...

WORLD ECONOMY
Yes, That's $2 Trillion of Debt-Related Losses
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/yes-thats-2-trillion-debt-related/...

BOLIVIA
Popular offensive in lead-up to vote
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/761/39322
Evo Morales: "If the Bolivian people ask us for socialism, we will deepen towards socialism"
http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2008/08/evo-morales-if-bolivian-people...

KOREA
Korea: Stop arrests of trade union leaders
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c...

PALESTINE
Palestinians capture violence of Israeli occupation on video
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/30/israelandthepalestinians

PARAGUAY
New Paraguay leader's first challenge: land reform
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/03/america/LA-FEA-Paraguay-Lugo-a...

PHILIPPINES
Editorial : Striking similarities
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20080805-1526...

SERBIA
The war criminal Karadzic and Western hypocrisy
http://links.org.au/node/560

VENEZUELA
Venezuela's new assertiveness has brought it to the centre of international controversy: to some it has been stolen by populist dictator, while for others, it is the centre of a continent-wide democratic revolution. There is much at stake. Venezuela sits atop huge oil reserves, which are being used to foment a new order. President Hugo Chávez, who survived a military coup in 2002, has supported a number of controversial social programs that have pushed Venezuela onto the United States government's and media's radar screens. What makes Venezuela tick? Who is behind the movement and what does it seek? Filmed through the 2006 presidential elections, this is a documentary about the people building a new Venezuela. Go to:
http://links.org.au/node/554

ZIMBABWE
New ITUC Solidarity Website Supporting Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibebe
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00805.htm

ENDS

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