Friday, August 8, 2008

ABC AM thismorning - New torture law for Australia?

I find the two most interesting items are to do with the torture laws.

Torture, I'm sure, is already illegal. However, when it's a case of finding out information for the safety of many, perhaps it is the lesser of evils. And pondering torture, I'm sure that the enemy would not baulk at torture, and perhaps not to gain information, but for a spiteful glee at causing pain and suffering.

On ABC AM thismorning:

Countdown to opening ceremony in Beijing
The ABC's Stephen McDonnell describes the scene at Tiananmen Square in Beijing where thousands of people have gathered to celebrate the dawn raising of the flag on the 8th of August, 2008. The issue of pollution is still making headlines but the head of the IOC has dismissed the haze as pollution, saying athletes are not at risk.
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Fresh warnings to athletes about doping
The World Anti-Doping Agency says track and field athletes must rid the sport of drugs or risk becomming irrelevant.
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Rudd Government to ratify torture treaty
The Rudd Labor Government is planning to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN's Convention Against Torture as well as introduce a federal law that would make torture a criminal offence. The Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland tells AM the move marks an end to the Howard Government's defensive approach to human rights
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Taser trouble for torture laws
Tasers are used by police in several Australian states and there are concerns that the Federal Government's decision to sign up to the UN's Convention Against Torture could make their use illegal.
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Primary principals call for curriculum overhaul
The Primary Principals' Association is worried about an overcrowded curriculum and has released a position paper arguing for a national curriculum that covers only the minimum essential content. It also wants funding to be reviewed, and doubled in lower socio-economic areas.
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Territorians prepare to vote in poll
Labor is chasing its third term in tomorrow's election in the Northern Territory, while the Country Liberals will be trying to claw back seats to ensure the party's viability.
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Countries circle Artic oil options
The search for new oil reserves and other rare resources has taken on a new impetus and energy hungry nations have their eyes set on the frozen territory around the North Pole. British cartographers have drawn up a new map to determine who owns what.
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Supreme Court to hear Sonny Bill case
The National Rugby League and the Canterbury Bulldogs will seek an injunction in the Supreme Court today stopping Sonny Bill Williams from playing for another club. Williams broke his contract two weeks ago when he fled the country and signed with the French Rugby Union club of Toulon.
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4 comments:

Boy on a bike said...

Listening to that much ABC in one day would be torture!

kae said...

lol

I should get danger money for doing this blog. Wonder what I should pay me?

I listen to ABC (or just have it on in the background) because all the other stations annoy the hell out of me more. Too many dills. At least the ABC doesn't have "gotcha" calls, and idiots laughing at their own lame jokes... oh, well not as much.

And I think some of the ABC Bris people are sick of AGW (or sceptics), and they're starting to rubbish Kevvie et al.

It's getting better! Did any news programmes take on Kevvies "Rev up the athletes" speech?

"Hip-pip.... hip-pip... hip-pip", then a very wooden recital of "Go get 'em Aussies."

Kelly Higgins-Devine rubbished him mercilessly and played it over and over again.

Sometime I just love that woman's irreverence.

Minicapt said...

Problem with torture legislation is the existence of current laws covering the crime: Assault causing bodily harm. Since common law allows for one to plead extenuating circumstances, one doesn't need additional rules seeking to define the indefinable. Generally it impresses me as a employment opportunity scheme for lawyers.

Cheers

kae said...

Hi Minicapt.
It's annoying that they see a need to make a new specific law. There is already a law against torture - I've heard that argument before, it's already covered. It's just making more work for the lawyers, and you know they aren't free!