Canungra protesters on trial
BRISBANE — Protesters arrested last year at the Canungra Land Warfare Centre went on trial at the Brisbane Magistrates Courts on May 12. Sixteen people were arrested for trespass and refusing to obey a lawful direction on December 7, the 22nd anniversary of the Indonesian invasion of East Timor. They were protesting the training of Indonesian troops at the base.
After the prosecution case was heard, the trial was adjourned to July 27, coincidentally the anniversary of major riots in Indonesia two years ago. The court appearance was preceded by a vigil outside the Army Recruitment Centre and a rally on the steps of the court attended by about 40 people.
Hinchinbrook inquiry
The Senate has approved an inquiry into the Port Hinchinbrook tourist development in Queensland. The Wilderness Society, which is demanding that all work on the project cease until the inquiry is complete, welcomed the inquiry, saying "the Queensland government has shown scant regard for the fragile nature of this place [and] the Commonwealth has covered for this completely unacceptable situation".
Polluters exposed
Freedom of information searches by the Queensland Conservation Council last week revealed that the Queensland premier was urged to water down new state air quality goals because they would cause problems for the Ampol oil refinery adjacent to Brisbane's river-mouth suburbs.
Ampol's refinery manager informed the premier that typical daily sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels recorded in Wynnum are nearly double the new state goals. He recommended that the goals be lowered so Ampol could meet them.
This is the second recent scandal around air quality standards in Queensland. Last week, Mt Isa Mines, which is exempt from regular air standards, was accused by environmentalists of pressuring the government not to raise standards.