Human rights is a very important part of the agenda we pursue in this place, as politicians like to call it.

     (The Australian Christian Lobby has) been particularly active on issues of persecuted people groups overseas and refugees in this regard, and of course join with others in the very fundamental Christian concern for the vulnerable in society and issues of poverty overseas.

     But despite our concern for human rights we do not believe that a charter is the best way to protect them. We believe a charter inevitably places competing individual rights on a collision course for which the courts are decidedly inappropriate and ill-equipped to offer crash and medical assistance.

     And I think we have heard enough from sufficiently well qualified and experienced people to demand that this view is not only reasonably held, but a serious reason to not go down this route and to seek other means of redressing human rights.

     In an address given to the National Human Rights Consultation, JIM WALLACE, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, argues against proposals for a new national Human Rights Act or Charter...  | more...|

Leaders and elected officials from European countries and the United States have remembered how Hungary, exactly 20 years ago, helped to remove the Iron Curtain, which divided Eastern and Western Europe for decades. But the celebrations on 27th June were overshadowed by concerns over Europe's future.

     People young and old sang the Ode to Joy, the European Union anthem, in front of the Hungarian parliament building to commemorate Hungary's role in ending the divisions in Europe.

     Exactly 20 years ago on 27th June, 1989, the foreign ministers of then Communist Hungary and neighboring Austria symbolically cut through the barbed wire fence along their country's borders.

     The move allowed tens of thousands of East German refugees later that year to escape to the west, including Robert Breitner Czuma who suffered because of his parent's church activities and his desire to emigrate.

     "I will never forget the material and moral support I have received in Hungary," he said in an emotionally charged speech in the historic parliament building.

     STEFAN J. BOS reports...  | more...|

Proposals for a national Human Rights Act in Australia have sparked a fierce debate ahead of this week’s public hearings in Canberra.

     The proposed act is one of numerous options being considered as part of a national human rights consultation process led by an independent committee charged with looking at whether human rights are sufficiently protected and what could be done to better protect and promote them.

     Launched in December last year, the committee is chaired by human rights campaigner Father Frank Brennan and includes former diplomat Philip Flood, journalist Mary Kostakidis, former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer, and lawyer Tammy Williams.

     The committee, which has already held 70 community roundtable sessions in towns and cities across Australia and received some 35,000 submissions, is holding three days of public hearings at Parliament House, Canberra, this week.

     Much of the debate has so far been centred on whether Australian should introduce a national Human Rights Act - a proposal which has prompted strong responses from those on both sides of the issue.

     DAVID ADAMS reports ...  | more...|

The news that singer Michael Jackson died early Thursday afternoon at his Los Angeles home, has predictably sent shock waves through the world of pop celebrity. It has also provoked a tidal wave of responses in the Twittersphere and blogosphere.

     Michael, of course, transcended the borders of his musical genre because he was an innovator, a pusher of boundaries in musical terms.

     Sadly, his celebrity in latter years became more a matter of various troubles, such as the charges of child molestation brought against him and, latterly, problems relating to money as his album sales dropped.

     Even his biggest fans were unsure whether Michael would be able to mount the ambitious series of concerts planned for London this year.

     In some ways, Michael's celebrity trajectory is unique; in others it follows an all too familiar pattern. Actually, on some levels, it seems to parallel the life arc of another 'king' of popular music and ruler of pop-culture - Elvis Presley.

     Following news of the death of Michael Jackson, MAL FLETCHER reflects on the parallels between his life and that of another music 'king' - Elvis Presley - and what we can learn from the lives of both...  | more...|

In 1989 the father of the Iranian Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Khomeini, died without a successor. His rightful and designated successor, Grand Ayatollah Hussain Ali Montazeri, had been sidelined in 1988 for protesting corruption and human rights abuses. At that time Khamenei was president, Mousavi was prime minister and Rafsanjani was speaker of the parliament.

     They were secure because they had not protested the purges and massacres! Possibly because Rafsanjani thought Khamenei could be easily controlled, Rafsanjani convinced the Assembly of Experts to appoint Khamenei as Supreme Leader even though he was not qualified for the role.

     ELIZABETH KENDAL, in an article written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, provides some context for the situation unfolding in Iran...  | more...|

     Powerful images taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station along with some captured by satellites show the earth from an unusual perspective...   | more...|

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OPEN BOOK: WHO IS THE RESURRECTION? (1)

Luke gives us the story of Martha and Mary. On one occasion, Martha was busy making sure that all the tasks of polite hospitality were being attended to for the visit and the comfort of the Rabbi (Luke 10: 38-41). You will know, perhaps, the common way of distinguishing two kinds of female activity - one active; the other passive - by reference to this story of the two different sisters.

     That's from Luke's account. But the interesting thing is that though Luke does tell us that they were sisters, he does not tell us about their brother Lazarus, and his raising (John 11: 19). Why? Maybe he didn't know about it. The apostle seems at various points to have "an insider's story" that links people and events that are not always evident in the accounts of the other Gospel writers. But Luke does seem to give us an account in his Gospel about a party where Jesus was anointed, or at least a party that bears a remarkable resemblance to the one John tells us about. Compare John 12: 1-8 with Luke 7: 37-50. Matthew 26: 6-13 and Mark 14: 3-9 are clearly descriptions of the same event which the apostle refers to in 12: 1-8.

     In his series on the Gospel of John, BRUCE C. WEARNE takes a look at what John says about Mary and Martha - and their relationship to Jesus... | more... |

THE LOBBYIST'S VIEW: THE TERRIBLE HUMAN COST OF LEGALISING EUTHANASIA

The issue of euthanasia is again raising its head in an Australian state, with Tasmanian Greens' leader Nick McKim introducing a 'Dying with Dignity' bill into parliament in late May.

     This is despite a previous Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry's unanimous decision to reject euthanasia in 1998, as well as last August's resounding defeat of Victoria's euthanasia bill by 25 votes to 13 in the Victorian Upper House.

     According to media reports, both Labor and Liberal MPs are to be allowed a conscience vote on the Tasmanian bill. However, thankfully, this vote is likely to meet with a delay while the bill receives closer scrutiny. Tasmania's Deputy Premier Lara Giddings has moved to have the legislation examined by a cross-party committee of both Houses of Parliament before being debated later in the year.

     But why are the Greens and others continually trying to resurrect the issue of euthanasia? And why should Christians be so concerned?

     GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, outlines why Christians need to fight the latest push to legalise euthanasia... | more... |

MY MISSION: TAPPING INTO THE RHYTHM OF FIJIAN LIFE

Stepping out of the plane, the island was hot and just breathing heated the lungs like inhaling a hairdryer on low. The air pulsated and shimmered the view over the tarmac of the Nadi International Airport.

    I'd never been to this part of the world. I was trying to check my excitement so I could soak it up.

    The building was not new. Inside, the walls looked musty suffering from humid days. Their murals of beaches, jungles and smiling hoola girls with jasmine necklaces lead us through customs.

    In the foyer we came upon the real thing, a small choir of native Fijians, wearing colourful sulus, strumming guitars and ukuleles with broad smiles and beaming eyes. The ladies heralding the welcome “Bula” once for impact, twice to reinforce, again and again. Ahh, feel the love.
    Musician GURYEL ALI writes about his recent visit to Fiji... | more... |

SIGHT-SEEING: ENDING POVERTY, ONE PERSON AT A TIME

A few years ago, at a Make Poverty History rally, Nelson Mandela said: "Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation."

     I recently interviewed Dr Tony Campolo for a new TV series. Campolo is a respected sociologist and author and professor of sociology at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. A former advisor to President Bill Clinton, he is widely recognised as a leading advocate and campaigner on social justice issues.

     I put it to him that making poverty history sounds good, but that for many people it remains little more than a noble dream, given the size of the problem.

     His response was characteristically succinct: with the enormous reserves of wealth still held within the developed world and the forces of globalisation and digitisation in media, we are the first generation in history which could realistically put an end to poverty.

MAL FLETCHER says that if we are serious about ending poverty around the world, it starts with us and how we live our lives every day... | more... |

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ON THE SCREEN: HOLLYWOOD ACTION BLOCKBUSTER OR "SPARSE" AUSTRALIAN STORY? TERMINATOR SALVATION AND SAMSON & DELILAH DELIVER IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS

If you have half a day and a few spare dollars, go and watch Terminater Salvation (aka T4) and Samson & Delilah back-to-back. One could not find a more contrasting set of movies.

     Why? T4 fills every second of the flick with movement and sound. Oh, so much sound! It is like a maddening symphony orchestra of spaceships and machines that pounds you into a migraine. Boom, boom, chow! Switch off the brain, sit back and take the ride. Clichéd dialogue, action smorgasboard, special effects heaven. Everyones favourite Governator also makes an appearance...or does he?

     Samson & Delilah, on the other hand, is sparse and full of space. The viewer is left to fill the gaps with their own thoughts, perceptions and emotions. First-time director Warwick Thornton is brilliant in his use of sounds intrinsic to the environment to create the feeling of the moment for the characters.

     ADAM KELSALL takes a comparative look at recent releases Terminator Salvation and Samson & Delilah...  | more...|

BOOKS: TIM FLANNERY CALLS TIME IN NOW OR NEVER

It has become noticeable that the tone of recent reports, articles and books on climate change is becoming increasingly urgent. This book by 2006 Australian of the Year, Tim Flannery, continues the theme of urgency, with its desperate sounding title, and it's picture of a clock showing just a couple of minutes to midnight on the cover.

     This volume, which first appeared in Quarterly Essay in September 2008, outlines the desperate situation the earth now finds itself in, and Flannery's solutions to the crisis. It is then followed up by a series of replies by others in the field of climate science or research (the one exception being Richard Branson who, through his Virgin group of companies, is making his own attempt at limiting his carbon footprint). One of the responses is from Ian Lowe, current President of the Australian Conservation Foundation. As Lowe points out, “the fundamental message of Flannery's essay is that we need to recognise the limits of ecological systems and build that recognition into our planning”.

     NILS VON KALM reads Tim Flannery's latest book... | more... |

MUSIC: BETHANY DILLON AND MATT HAMMITT'S IN CHRIST ALONE AN 'UNEXPECTED' DELIGHT

One of my favourite female vocalists in Christian music and the lead vocalist of Sanctus Real have taken some of the best crafted modern hymns and 'treated them'. From sparse orchestrations to curious genre bending mixes and a Brit-pops orchestra that, at times, wear kilts and at others wear top hats.

     There's the innocence of Dillon's vocal and the Rod Stewart rock of Hammitt. It's like Gershwin meets Wesley and the two have a chat about Bono.

    It's just unexpected, and I think I like that.

     From the Christmas pop-rock of Joy Has Dawned to the back beat soul treatment of In Christ Alone that somehow combines a brass band with a soulful claps and a marching snare, it's surprising. There are new takes on How Deep The Father's Love For Us , Clinging To The Cross and a personal favourite, O Church Arise.

    JUSTIN MICHAEL gets a pleasant surprise when listening to In Christ Alone... | more... |

COMICS: ALL THAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN - THE RETURN OF BATMAN AND ROBIN

There's a lot riding on this series, but I don't think anyone would expect it to not be a success. Famed Scottish scribe Grant Morrison killed Bruce Wayne/Batman in Final Crisis #6 a few months ago, but as we all know the term “comic book death” exists for a reason. Bruce Wayne isn't really dead just unseen, trapped in the past. He'll come back at some point, but it seems DC aren't in a hurry to do so.

     June brings a slew of new titles focused on the new Batman and Robin and how that affects Gotham and its unusual citizens. If you don't know who that new crime fighting duo are, here it is; former Robin Dick Grayson has now replaced his mentor as the new Batman, while Bruce Wayne's son Damian is the new Robin. Apart from the slightly improved costumes for both this is also a fresh start for the costumed pair.

     Really, Batman and Robin haven't appeared together that frequently over the decades, especially in the last few years. This is due to the fact that both characters have had their own separate series, so it's great to see them together in a regular monthly series. Not that Dick as Batman and Damian as Robin have ever teamed up as such, however. As Dick says, "This is it. Batman and Robin. Together again for the first time".

     KRIS BATHER reviews Batman and Robin #1 ... | more... |

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TRENDSPOTTERS: WHEN THE HAND IS QUICKER THAN THE EYE - THE SPORT OF STACKING

Originating in the US, ‘sport stacking’simply involves stacking plastic cups into different formations, usually pyramids, and then unstacking them - all done as quickly as possible. Played as an individual or as part of a team, sport stacking - also known as ‘cup stacking’ or ‘speed stacking’ - traces its history back to the late Eighties when it appeared in boys and girls clubs in southern California (apparently getting a big boost when it appeared on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show). Bob Fox, a teacher from Denver, is credited as one of the game’s early pioneers, introducing the game at his school some years after he first saw it on The Tonight Show. Since 1998, he and his wife Jill have run Speed Stacks Inc which makes the officially sanctioned cups for the sport - they have airholes to make for easier separation - and promotes the sport to phys ed teachers in the US.

    DAVID ADAMS examines 'sport stacking'... | more...|

HEALTH INSIGHT: SWINE FLU - PANDEMIC PANDEMONIUM
Following the ‘money trail’
So how does the pharmaceutical industry stand to profit from outbreaks? There are three massive sales growth factors that result when public and bureaucratic hysteria sets in:

     1. Consumer demand: The drug industry has discovered that bypassing the medical practitioner with its marketing is a very powerful tool to increases sales of drugs, any drug. If patients are lead to associate their symptoms with a medicine, then they tend to demand this from their MD. And while the pharmaceutical industry may be limited from direct advertising in most countries, it would seem that with the right media release, with enough "sizzle", the media machine quickly spreads the news without the need for a cent to be spent on advertising.

     In part three of his look at swine flu, Dr NICK HODGSON puts forward his theories on how the pharmaceutical industry stands to benefit and outlines a natural approach to the issue...  | more...|

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     In part two of his look at swine flu, Dr NICK HODGSON looks at treatment options and a lesson from the past...  | more...|

     In the first of a three part series, Dr NICK HODGSON takes a look at the what it means to call the swine flu outbreak a 'pandemic', how it's diagnosed and what the possible sources of the outbreak are... | more...|

ORIGINS: DONALD DUCK QUACKS UP 75 YEARS

It was 75 years ago last week - 9th June, 1934 - that Walt Disney’s creation Donald Duck first made his cartoon debut in The Wise Little Hen with the line “Who, me? Oh, no. I’ve got a belly ache.”

     From those early beginnings, Donald - who didn’t even get a credit for that first film - went on to have his own daily newspaper comic strip in 1938. He eventually featured in more than 150 cartoons - a total which exceeded even that of Mickey Mouse and included 128 of his own - and as many as seven full-length feature films.

     The duck was conceived as a counterpoint to the goody two-shoes Mickey and quickly became known for his almost indecipherable accent (it was Clarence ‘Ducky’ Nash who gave Donald his voice until 1985 when the job was taken over by Disney artist Tony Anselmo) as well as for running afoul of other characters within the Disney milieu, and, of course, for his short fuse.

     Donald Duck celebrated his 75th birthday last week. DAVID ADAMS reports on the rise of an unlikely star... | more...|

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