News Update ... a snapshot

So much happens on a daily basis, and it is impossible for us to report on it all. In fact, that's not our role. We want to highlight some of the issues that affect the moral and ethical state of our nation and the world and the state of the church.

Just a few highlights...

* The abortion trial in Queensland - the trial has ended with the jury handing down a 'not guilty' verdict about being instructed by the judge... read our report on the Front Page.

* The mining tax...
WA Premier Colin Barnett has vowed to join mining companies if they decide to challenge the 'mining tax' in the High Court. They are claiming that the federal government doesn' have the power of taxation regarding mining royalties as they are a state matter... Read media report.

* Exclusion zone around abortion clinic?
An East Melbourne abortion clinic has called for the Victorian state government to legislate to form 'exclusion zones' around abortion clinics to stop people praying and 'protesting' outside abortion clinics. In response, the people who regularly stand outside the clinics say that many women have been helped by their presence and that they do not harass those attending the clinic. Read media report.

* This week is Anti-Poverty Week in Australia - various organisations are highlighting poverty in Australia - this report from the SMH highlights the Salvation Army helping those who are in financial difficulties.
A group called Christians Against Poverty is now operating in Australia to help those with problems. The group was originally started in the UK in 1996. CAP offers debt counselling and is setting up centres in churches to help educate people about how to manage money more effectively.
Check out their website - Christians Against Poverty

* More ethical problems have been revealed in the 'pink batts' insulation fiasco...
The Australian reports that "A report by the Australian National Audit Office yesterday revealed the Department of Environment's risk-management processes for preventing fraud and managing the risk of poor-quality insulation installations were woefully inadequate." They say "AT least 4000 cases of suspected fraud related to the federal government's pink batts scheme have been uncovered. The ANAO uncovered glaring potential compliance problems -- including 22,302 payments totalling $29 million made to installers for jobs relating to householders with different names but the same telephone numbers."
Read the media report.  Read the ANAO report - 4.94 MB