Ep. 57 Coal in the Liverpool plains, WTO talks, woodchip actions + more...

Aired on 2ser 28th May

Click to download: Ep. 57 Coal in the Liverpool plains, WTO talks, woodchip actions + more...

Mining warden upholds BHP’s right to drill on Farmer’s land

Last Friday saw the close of legal proceedings made by farmers against mining giant BHP Billiton, which plans to drill on their land to explore for coal. The farmers are concerned that BHP’s practices have been unsound and destructive to the environment but Chief mining warden John Bailey dismissed the case, and upheld the company’s right to the same level of access they initially sought. The 3rd degree's Libby King spoke to Tim Duddy from the Caroona coal action group, whose farm is still being blockaded!

This week's Guest

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations, a free trade agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the pacific, poses serious threats to the pacific community and economy. We caught up with Adam Wolfenden from the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network about what this agreement might mean, and some of the other dodgy behaviour of the WTO.

Woodchip blockades

Actions have been happening around the country this week, at woodchip mills and ports to highlight the role Australian forests should be allowed to play in attempts to reduce carbon emissions. The 3rd Degree's Jess Minshall spoke to Harriet Swift, Convenor of the Chipstop Campaign Against Wood Chipping, who was part of a group who blockaded the woodchip export facility at Eden on the south coast of New South Wales on Monday.

Events

Discussion tonight!: Pacific Trade Off: What a Pacific Trade Agreement with Australia and New Zealand would mean to the Pacific

Discussion tonight on the pacific trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand. Speakers include: Maureen Penjueli - Coordinator Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Mele Amanaki - South Pacific and Oceania Council of Trade Unions (SPOCTU), Makoni Pulu - Pacific Council of Churches. Tonight at the Sydney Mechanics School of the Arts, 280 Pitt St, Sydney from 6:30 - 8:00pm.

G20 solidarity fundraiser

Next Tuesday there will be a G20 solidarity trivia night to raise money for legal expenses for 3 activists going to trial on charges from the G20 protests in Melbourne in 2006! At The Workshop, 16 Sloane Street, Newtown from 7.00pm $5-10 entry. More info at www.afterG20.org

Nukes gig

Next Thursday 4th of June the Sydney Nuclear Free Coalition is putting on a fundraising event to support Traditional Owners speaking out against the expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia, who are travelling from affected communities in the NT and SA to this year's Students of Sustainability conference in Melbourne and the ALP national conference in Sydney. Bands, film screenings and more at the Red
Rattler Theatre, in Marrickville from 7.

Presenters: Tessa Dowdell and Libby King