The surprise move this week by the Gillard Government to replace Labor’s Harry Jenkins with the Liberals’ Peter Slipper as Speaker of the House of Representatives has led to speculation that the deal struck between independent MP Andrew Wilkie and Prime Minister Julia Gillard to introduce mandatory pre-commitment technology for poker machines is off. But …
Humanists object to Christmas
With just four weeks to go, the Christmas rush is on in earnest. Gifts are being bought, presents wrapped, carols are playing, Christmas trees and nativity scenes are appearing, and we’re winding down in readiness for another hot lazy Australian summer commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, in America, the Humanist Association has …
Doctors support poker machine reform
The Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia has expressed deep concern at the number of Australians with gambling problems. The effects of gambling addiction extend beyond the individual to their family, and include depression, relationship breakdown, bankruptcy, lowered productivity in the workplace, job loss, criminal behaviour, and suicide. Dr Michael Burke, executive officer of …
Alcohol sale reform in NSW
The NSW Government may be fast asleep when it comes to gambling reform, and Premier Barry O’Farrell has in the past resisted moves to curb excessive alcohol consumption. But many in our community will welcome a new bill, introduced by the government, to encourage the responsible sale of alcohol by establishing a three-strikes disciplinary system …
Help end human trafficking
Today is Abolitionist Sunday, celebrated in churches around Australia, with a focus on human trafficking and slavery – the buying and selling of people for exploitative labour or sexual slavery. Trafficking enslaves around 27 million people today, in countries worldwide. Men, women and children are all vulnerable to human trafficking, driven by the demand for …
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