Well steelworks are related to iron ore, being that their industry is tied to the price of iron ore and the demand also.

People always harp on about moving jobs away from mining related industries. Well mining is down, with mineral prices (bar gold) at low prices. People are losing their jobs. So where are the jobs the greens/environmentalists spruik? Where is the pressure on the government to invest in the technology/manufacturing of green technology now to try and 'soften' the blow of these large mining related players going down? I expected pressure on the government not only to save these jobs but to act on falling demand for our resources.

I don't like the presumption that religion is man made and has no factual basis, and that religious historical teaching primary aim should be to "expose" religion what for what it is. That sounds like something North Korea would do, pre loading the curriculum with bias to manufacture a pre determined outcome.

Perhaps Jesus was real, or Posiedon does control the sea, we should be teaching kids to think for themselves and do the best they can with their intellect rather than trying to ram certain beliefs and standards down their throat. That is also brainwashing. There's of course an intellectual arrogance that people who believe in god are stupid and atheists are wise and smart and therefore they should be able to dictate what others think because they know best.

Don't be a drama queen. It's highly unlikely they're taught about gay sex but rather about how being a homophobic c*nt negatively affects LGBT children.

Know what the Council of Nicaea was? If not look it up. The champion of Christianity pretty much chopped and changed the bible to suit 'what the council felt was a reflection of Christianity' at the time.

Religion is a leap of faith and does not have any factual basis other than poetic and loose connections to historical events that took place at the time the bible was written.

Our government manufactures a results - I.E that Christianity is the most important religion as it is still a staple in the curriculum of kids today.



Then why does Christianity dominate in our education system? Teaching predominantly Christianity does not achieve what you mention above.



No there is only reality and then those who complain because people do not blindly accept their faith. I despise people who whine like children because not everyone wants to play their game.

I don't really follow your logic here.

There IS huge pressure and lobbying to try and get the govt to invest in green technology. The issue is that they aren't doing it.

I also don't see the link between environmentalism and what is happening in Whyalla - surely this has much more to do with the business cycle, the fall off in chinese demand, and too much oversupply being built up in the good times?

There isn't that much the govt can do to be honest. All the stuff being suggested (eg make govt use Australian steel in their projects) is not going to do anything to change the fundamentals which are that Chinese demand is softening.

I was suggesting that if kids were actually taught facts (eg that many different religions exist, and they all have their own historical context) that they would be less likely to be religious than if they are brainwashed with one religion. That's just my opinion.

But I think it absolutely important to teach kids to think for themselves and do the best they can with their intellect as you suggest.

By teaching comparative religion, that is what I think you are going to do. Teach kids that belief varies, and that non-belief also exists.

Public perception also plays some part in all of this. The rhetoric from the government has changed dramatically in a decade regarding mining and it's importance to our economy. It's a small part in the grand scheme of things but it's still a part. Financial media always talks about 'confidence' in the sector (not just mining). I've never seen confidence lower.

Look at Adani. The negative public perception and environmental lobbying has held this up for almost 3 years.

The Wyalla issue is expansion funded by debt during peak demand with no contingency for a downturn.



It's the responsibility of the government to transition as effectively as possible away from these failing industries then. I'm a huge supporter of mining but we can only mine what is needed. Oversupplying the market kills everyone's profits. The smaller players are always the first to go because they're most vulnerable.

If anything the government is slow on the uptake. They're trying to save companies that funded expansion through debt during the boom and can't pay the bills as the demand erodes.

Hundreds of companies have done this to my knowledge. Rather than trying to prop up failed ventures, the government needs to look into avenues such as manufacturing renewables and constructing associated infrastructure. I know with Wyalla there is an immediate crisis, but this comment is more looking to the future where it is likely more mining/associated ventures could be at risk.

The opposition is all about unsubstantiated fear of 'creating more gay people'. It's an inherently ignorant and homophobic opposition to an issue many of these fundamentalists don't understand.

That's obviously Australia is predominantly a historically a Christian country in the sense that most people identify as Christian and was founded by on judeo Christian values so naturally there's going to be an emphasis on the Christian religion because of its cultural, traditional and historical proximity compared with other religions.



As above christianity is more closely connected to our culture and history than other religions so naturally its going to be given more weight in the classroom. That's not to say that other religions should be excluded from the discourse but the major religions i.e Christianity Islam should be greater focus because they are simply more relevant to the world we live in.



That's simply your opinion, it isn't concrete fact. No kid should be taught they are detached from reality simply for having faith. I can understand you being convinced by your beliefs but when you suppose your beliefs are superior to people who believe differently that is intellectual arrogance.

There's a push from people are against the:
1. expansion of coal mining
2. not sacrificing prime agricultural land
3. more generally that environmental impact is minimised
4. That our economy is more balanced and is not reliant on boom times from the mining industry

No one sensible thinks that all mining should end

So you ignored the first part? You had a whinge about people not respecting Christianity and complained about manufacturing results and then justify doing the same thing? Come on Rusty.



Agree with the justification, disagree that any religion should be given 'weight' due to cultural relevance.



The problem with theistic religion is that religious people cannot accept that the burden of proof is on them. You can't hide behind intellectual arrogance because faith is not held above other religious persuasions.

I don't have a problem with people having faith. I have a problem with people putting their faith out there and then complaining about the response as if we're meant to water down our opinions so that their weak faith cannot stand criticism.

1. The issue with opposing coal mining and coal mines is where are the jobs going to come from for these people moving away from coal mining? The plans to diversify away from Coal mining aren't exactly something either side is taking to an election. I don't have an issue with ending coal mining (or at least greatly reducing its importance to the economy) providing it's viable to do so.

2. Are you aware of any 'official report' on the actual land classification for the Watermark Mine in NSW? I've seen many reports on how its too close to prime agricultural land but no actual data or any reference to data.

The Adani Carmichael mine has a publicly released report on environmental impacts: http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Carmichael%20Coal%20Mine%20and%20Rail/EIS/Appendices/M-Mine-Land-Use-Report.pdf

I don't think any new mines are needed with so many existing mines either on hold or in long term shut down mode.

3. The amount that every energy company has to pay for environmental monitoring is staggering. Look on the Santos website. You can actually track their water quality testing.

If you add more regulations there isn't going to be any point in mining anything in this country.

4. 100% agree but what is the plan?

Your whole approach to this topic is biased. You're fabricating for dramatic affect and it doesn't reflect the reality of the program.

1) You can't compare a drug addiction to sexual orientation, it's not remotely relevant.

2) Once again why choose to be gay? It's inviting bullying and mental issues caused by homophobic c*nts. That's the point of the program, to get these homophobic c*nts to view the wider picture and to teach them that LGBT isn't something to ridicule but to embrace.

3) You have absolutely no evidence that this program will 'create' or 'encourage' kids to 'try' being gay as a 'lifestyle' choice other than absurdly linking it to drug addiction. I strongly disagree on this. I can't see kids choosing to be gay and inviting bullying, it doesn't make sense unless you believe half the teenagers in Australia are masochists :lol:

4) How is it glorifying? Once again, loaded language. It's teaching, get your language right. Closing your mind to homosexuals leads to people with uninformed opinions like yours.

I'm not gay and have no interest in homosexuality. I know a few gay people but they're not exactly flamboyant and make more gay jokes than anyone else I know.

All I care about is that the most vulnerable kids at school have access to counselling rather than going to see a Chaplain who will inadvertently tell them to go see a doctor to get a cure for their affliction. I also support widening education to teach kids about homosexuality and that it's not a lifestyle choice or a disease to reduce the overall homophobia in this backwards country of ours.

The reason this argument is going around in circles is because you seem to be stating that this program "glorifies" trans or gay lifestyles.

Whereas, I think BETH FC and I are stating that it is just educating kids that variation exists, and that there is nothing inherently wrong with whatever lifestyle you choose.

I think it is laughable to think that an education program aimed at stopping bullying and vilification of gay/trans kids could somehow "force" straight kids to become gay/trans against their will. Beyond laughable - I think it is pathetic.

If a "straight" kid becomes gay/trans after being in this program, clearly they weren't that straight to start with.

1. Yes the Libs are pretty against the notion and Labour are pretty waffly as it will likely cost them votes. It's not a (major at least) party platform but it's something that we should be doing.
2. Life's too busy for me to have bothered looking for anything like that, it's not even close to my industry. I'm more against the watermark mine because of point 1 but if it was really taking agricultural land that would be another reason not to support it.
3. Yeah not necessarily advocating more regulation, just that it needs to be regulated tightly.
4. "Innovation" and "ideas boom" :lol:

Isnt it Social Darwinist to say that the chain of passing on the genes will stop if one does not adapt to making copies of their genes with the opposite sex?

Gay or not, by not making copies, genes will end

Not sure where all this 'fair' and 'safe' stuff started

Bronwyn Bishop has been dumped by the Libs.

ABCC legislation blocked in Senate, July 2nd double dissolution imminent.

Andrew Wilkie Wearing a South Hobart FC jacket in the house of reps.

He's a good man, nice to know he's a football supporter too.

Did she do something wrong?

Successful female leaders seem to irritate 11.mvfc

Nope. Literally nothing happened.

Minor gaffe from the GG, who later apologised, and Plibersek said no apology was necessary and that "the whole thing is a storm in a teacup".

An election is 99% on and we're talking about this. Talk about desperate diversionary tactics.

Yep. Bring it on, I think Labor is building a brave and solid policy platform and in my opinion is definitely shaping as a reputable alternative government.

I'll give Barnaby a tick though. He went over the top and sensationalised the Johnny Depp story, if he hadn't had done that, we could never have enjoyed this video.

[youtube]ORpBAIB9j64[/youtube]

I thought it was obvious I was taking the piss but okay.

I agree she handled it well. She'd make a much better leader than Shorten.

Having been sure I'd cast a blank ballot in the House for most of the last term I think I'll end up voting for the ALP. Shorten is an utterly unimpressive man but they'll no doubt be a better government than this one.

Xenophon for Senate though!

So bizzare. Reminiscent of the young American lad the North Koreans are holding onto.

While of course biosecurity and the provision of documents for customs are very important things, the handling of this whole episode, from the pathetically amateur "ISIS beheading" production values of the contrition video to Barney enjoying his moment of power in the celebrity limelight on twitter a little too much, makes our country look provincial and idiotic.

I wish your dad cast a blank ballot up ur mum.

:lol: