BOB HONOURED
Greens leader, Bob Brown has been awarded this year’s Australian Peace Prize for his longstanding commitment to peace, non-violence and global justice. The Peace Organisation of Australia (POA) presented Brown with the award in a ceremony held at Melbourne’s Federation Square on September 22. ‘Senator Brown is a person of great determination and compassion, who through his leadership has inspired generations of Australians to preserve the only planet we have,’ said POA president, Dr Aron Paul. ‘He stood up for the Franklin River, and he stood up against George W. Bush. For decades, he has been a spokesperson for Australians who care deeply about the future of the world.’
LESBIAN MURDER TRIAL
A woman has appeared before the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court accused of killing her female partner in a brutal attack six years ago. Prosecutors claim 62-year-old Francis Marshall murdered 46-year-old Bernadette Liston after discovering she was having an affair with Marshall’s brother, who fathered the couple’s four-year-old daughter.
Marshall has been released under strict bail conditions and will reappear in court in October. She is expected to plead not guilty to the charges.
FOCUS ON HATE CRIMES IN VICTORIA
Victoria’s state government will amend its sentencing act to recognise the impact of hate crimes. The Sentencing Amendment Bill 2009 will mean that if crimes are found to be motivated by hatred or prejudice due to the victim’s race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, Victorian courts will have to take that into account when sentencing. Victorian Deputy Premier and Attorney general, Rob Hulls has praised the changes saying they ‘will send a clear message that attacks against any Victorian based on these factors cannot and will not be tolerated’.
QLD HIV RATES HIGH
Queensland has equalled its highest number of new HIV notifications since1984, with approximately 75 percent of new male diagnosis being men who have sex with men (MSM). The highest number of MSM notifications came from the 30-39 age bracket. QLD Health has revealed that 166 new HIV notifications were recorded in 2008, equalling the 2007 total, which was a 17 percent rise from the year before.
NMG RETURNS TO CO-CHAIR MODEL
After a turbulent few months, New Mardi Gras (NMG) has decided that the organisation’s top job will be shared by two people rather than one for the first time since 2005. Steph Sands and Nick Parker have been named in the co-chair positions and have both previously served on the NMG board. Prior to her re-election, Sands said that, ‘with the different format of the 2010 season, I believe that what NMG needs right now is consistency and knowledge.’ She was widely praised after the recent NMG AGM for admitting the organisation had made a mistake in its handling of the planned changes to the Mardi Gras format.
CALL FOR WOMEN’S STORIES
The Federal Government is drafting its first Women’s Health Policy in 20 years and lesbians are being urged to make sure their experiences are included. The Government’s initial discussion paper made no mention of same-sex attracted women so ACON will be making a submission and are asking women to share their personal stories anonymously at www.acon.org.au/women’s-health/news/herstory
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