I’m sure I don’t need to highlight the national symbolism of the Australian Brumby in particular those the roam the high country and have done for over 180 years they were immortalised in The Man From Snowy River, they helped us to build (and defend) the nation we call home, they carried us through wars and are the last symbolism of freedom in Australia. However, there are a minority in this country with extreme views that they should be eradicated from the Kosciusko National Park (KNP) by all means necessary including helicopter culling these groups are headed mainly by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and are supported by the ALP, the Greens, the Colong Foundation, the ANU, Fenner School and the Wilderness society and various national parks associations (ACT, NSW and VIC). I don’t need to remind you of the (very justified) public outcry of the events in 2000 in the Guy Fawkes National Park, when the NPWS under the Australian Labour Party (ALP) at the time butchered 600+ horses (and at the behest of the Colong Foundation in particular whose patrons have been and are Neville Wran and Bob Carr). Sickening footage of this event can be located easily on the internet, showing horses with their teeth blown out, mares shot dead while foaling and other horses with bullet riddle bodies, it was nothing less than a massacre and an event of international embarrassment and disgrace at the time when Australia had just again immortalised the Man From Snowy River and the Brumbies to an international audience at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. These wild horses are now an essential part of the ecosystem of the high country, they are not predators and have little to no negative environmental impacts as opposed to the wild dog and pig populations of which seem to get little attention from the NPWS. They have become a massive tourist attraction for those from the city and internationally that watched movies such as the Man from Snowy River and read books such as the silver brumby series when they were kids. We hold Banjo Patterson in the highest regard in this country for his literary work and skills in putting into poetry the world he lived in and the places he saw. It’s a shame we don’t hold such places and iconic symbols in the same regard to protect the culture of European Australia, as I fear in years to come all that the great achievements of the settlers of this country and the horses that took them there will be completely forgotten and a way of life reduced to another poem in a library or a video on “youtube” to show the next generation what it was once like.  Please help stop this disastrous program and allow the brumbies to live, it’s now our turn to protect them, as they carried on their backs 3 generations of proud Australians during 3 different wars and built this nation we love, don’t allow them to be sent to slaughter because of some extreme left green views, stand up for what is Australian and the brumby is certainly that, before we lose the little things we have left that tie us to those that were here before us.  

I’ve stayed silent until now. I needed to rebuild my life. But I can’t sit back and let the monster who drugged and sexually assaulted me as a child be released on parole before completing his jail sentence, in a few short weeks. I was only 6 when a stranger gave me a bottle of Coca-Cola at my friends house. He was supposed to be our babysitter, it was supposed to be a fun filled weekend.  It turned out to be anything but, the next couple of days were a horrific nightmare, the whole time Guider had us he made sure we were drugged up enough to not put up a fight. Once drugged he would sexually assault us and photograph his disgusting actions. I was the last of Michael Guider’s 11 victims before he was thrown into jail - guilty of a disgusting 75 child sex crimes and the high profile death of Bondi schoolgirl Samantha Knight. I can’t bear the thought of another child's innocence taken away by this notorious paedophile killer. He’s still got two years of his 17 year sentence left - but he’ll be released on parole at the end of this month unless we fight back. I am fighting on behalf of all Michael Guider’s victims. I am petitioning the NSW Attorney General and the Parole Authority to urgently stop this man from being released until his sentence is complete. Guider’s shown no remorse for his victims - some of them are now dead, but I’m still here, and I am ready to fight.

Simon Monteiro, a man described in court as a dangerous and vindictive rapist, has provisionally been granted parole. We, as victims of Simon's and advocates of rape victims, are urgently petitioning in the interests of the safety of women everywhere. The parole system needs to be reformed. Dangerous offenders should not be released. Simon is serving a 12-year sentence for the violent rape of his girlfriend. He has previously been jailed for stalking and intimidating another partner, and for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and destroying property of another partner. He has been acquitted of other sexual and violent offences against women. He is in jail for raping his then-partner while holding a pair of scissors because she wanted to leave him. He smashed a pair of glasses on her face, pulled a clump of her hair out, threatened her with iron bars and told her he would "gut her dad like a fish" if she ever went to the police. In custody, prison staff and psychologists have described him as being "belligerent, agitated, self entitled, abusive", demanding and refusing to accept responsibility for his actions. On August 17, the State Parole Authority signalled an intention to grant him parole. The final decision will be made after a public hearing on October 6. We are calling for a reform of the parole system to ensure that offenders who are not truly reformed and continue to pose a risk to the community are not released, even if their sentence is up. We call for the safety of victims and future victims to be paramount. We implore the State Parole Authority, the NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman, the NSW Corrective Services Minister David Elliott and the NSW Commissioner Peter Severin to ensure Simon is not released. He is manipulative, vindictive and dangerous. Far too many women have been sexually assaulted and their lives put at risk by dangerous men released on parole. We fear Simon's release may result in the same outcome.

SICK OF BEING RIPPED OFF AND FOBBED OFF? SICK OF BEING SOLD CRAP THAT YOU CAN'T RETURN? THEN SIGN THE PETITION!Ashton Wood destroyed his Jeep (Destroy My Jeep). Teg Sethi spent thousands making a video about his lemon Jeep that went viral. Why? Because they couldn't get a refund for their severely defective vehicles. This is still happening today. Only stronger consumer laws will stop this travesty of justice.Imagine buying a product for $20,000, or $50,000 or even $80,000 or more and it has so many defects you either can't use it or it is unsafe. Then the supplier blames you for the defects or offers to fix it and just patches it up. Consumer Affairs says 'we can't force a supplier to give you a refund' even though the Australian Consumer Law says that is what you are entitled to. So you are now headed to court or you watch your expensive lemon rot in your back yard. You will lose a lot of money no matter what you do just because you had the bad luck to buy the wrong product. Is this fair? NO. Should this be stopped? YES. Do consumers need far better protections that don't require legal action? YES. Lets send a clear message to the Australian Government that consumers have had enough and want stronger protections that don't cost them money when they buy a defective product. We want all the recommendations from the Australian Consumer Law review implemented.The Australian Consumer Law took many years to draft and was finally passed by Parliament for implementation on 1 January 2011. After 5 years of operation it was subjected to a review to find out whether it was meeting its objectives. Sadly it wasn't and so after extensive consultation and reviews, recommendations have been made to strengthen consumer protections and enforcement.Today, 26 April 2017, John Rolfe reported that Michael McCormack, Minister responsible for 'consumer matters' has torpedoed two of the key recommendations in the final report into strengthening the Australian Consumer Law. These are the 30 day refund provision and the multiple minor defects make a major failure provision. These two new provisions in the law would go a long way to ensuring that consumers are protected against shonky suppliers and manufacturers and not have to spend time, energy and money in seeking redress through courts, especially for larger purchases such as lemon caravans and cars.Michael McCormack is both the Minister for 'consumer matters' and the Minister for Small Business. This is a clear conflict of interest when making decisions about consumer protection that may impact negatively on small businesses who choose not to abide by the ACL and are selling or manufacturing defective products. Supporting Small Business growth and development shouldn't come at the expense of consumer safety and protection.Consumers need to send a clear message to Mr McCormack that they are sick and tired of being fobbed off, of defective goods costing them money and not the supplier or manufacturer, and being forced to take costly and stressful legal action just to get a refund.  Please sign this petition to tell the Australian Government that consumers have had enough and demand better laws to protect them, especially for very expensive purchases that they make that may be the second most significant purchase in their lives after their home.

Mrs Mary Vo, a mother, grandmother, widow, former refugee and our beautiful neighbour, is being evicted from her home through no fault of her own. The NSW State Government overturned it's plans last year and decided to sell her little home and all other public housing in Millers Point. The decision runs contrary to financial and urban planning advice as well as the government's own policy of allowing elderly to age in place. Given there is no reason to sell immediately, Mrs Vo pleads for them to wait until she has lived out her remaining few years. We need your help to let her stay where she belongs. Mrs Vo was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, just before the outbreak of World War II. In 1975 she was working as the secretary of the Vietnamese Radio Broadcasting station for 'The Voice of Freedom' and 'The Voice of the Mother of Vietnam’ but escaped the communist regime by boat, survived a shipwreck and then waited a year in a Thai refugee camp before coming to Australia in 1987. After raising four children, Mrs Vo is now 76 and has heart, gout, asthma and other health conditions to manage as well as impaired mobility. In the last few years she lost her husband to cancer and had seven major operations but family and Church remain the centre of her life. Mrs Vo relies on the community around her but still actively contributes, caring for her grandson, welcoming and cooking for fellow parishioners and tending her plants. Mrs Vo's home is only a short distance away so she is able to slowly walk to mass each Sunday. Mrs Vo often says, 'thank you very much Australia Government and Australians' for the 'freedom for life'. A survivor of significant trauma and loss, she was always cheerful. Now she is often in tears. Not surprisingly, given the government’s social impact study warned that forced relocation of elderly people would result in death and higher incidences of morbidity, the toll on her mental and physical health has been terrible. Mrs Vo understands that the Government can sell her home and she is scared of the repercussions of asking. Given that there is no reason to sell her home immediately, and the process promises very poor outcomes including the need for additional and significant health, medical and social services if she is evicted, we urgently request that Premier Baird give Mrs Vo, a resilient but vulnerable elderly woman, clemency from eviction. Premier Baird please show you are able to respond to the needs of real individuals rather than rolling on with a blanket decision that may be OK for some but life threatening for elderly or otherwise vulnerable people like Mrs Vo. Grant her the right to age peacefully in her own home, where she can be supported by the community that knows and values her, and where she can continue to contribute. Please sign to help keep Mrs Vo in our community. Displacing people like Mrs Vo negatively impacts on an entire community. It could happen anywhere. With thanks Kelli HaynesMillers Point Here are petitions to save more Millers Point residents Save Myra from eviction Save Flo from eviction Save Sydney's heritage workers flats Follow the story to save the people of Millers Point at: millerspointcommunity.com.au    

Barbara Farlow was sentenced to only six months' prison by a magistrate at Burwood Local Court today, after hitting and pinning a little 6-year-old girl while six times the legal blood alcohol limit and talking on her mobile phone. Over the next six weeks Barbara Farlow will be assessed as to whether home detention is appropriate. The girl suffered serious leg and hip injuries she's still suffering mentally. It was alleged by police she tried to leave the scene, only stopped by witnesses. The court heard this is her third conviction for drink-driving, with incidents dating back to 2007. In sentencing, the magistrate said Farlow should serve a prison sentence for her crimes, but because she is an alcoholic the 50-year-old will now be assessed as to whether she can serve that punishment as home detention to continue her rehabilitation. Farlow will be free until a decision is made. It's time Australians stand up to soft-handed approach our legal system is taking on repeat offenders.  Regardless of her age, Ms Barbara Farlow chose to drive that day, knowing full well that she was NOT in a condition to do so.  She also recognised her wrong doing, by allegedly attempting to flee the scene. Regardless of her age, Barbara Farlow chose to drive that day, knowing that she was NOT in a condition to do so.  She recognised her wrong doing, by allegedly attempting to flee the scene that day. Who's standing up for the victims of these repeat offenders?  certainly not the legal system. Say Enough is enough!!!!  by sending a clear message to The Honourable Mark Speakman NSW attorney general that we demand tougher penalties for repeat offenders  Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/04/04/16/33/drink-driver-sentenced-to-six-months-jail-after-hitting-young-girl-while-parking#W1pL1xuAb89tRHyR.99  

Wildlife protection is not "red tape", it is our heritage. Making it easier to shoot wildlife and remove reporting oversight is poor stewardship of our land and impoverishes our kids. Last year NSW issues licences to kill 47,000 animals and birds. At least this information was lodged with the Office of Environment and Heritage. Monitoring at least allows us to see when some species may become "a pest" due to climate conditions and when animal populations boom and bust. And we may be able to act on that information. No reporting requirement is reckless, it means managers operate in the dark and is against "world's best practice". To state that removal of licencing and overview is a "risk based approach" shows a lack of understanding of what a risk-based approach should be. To apply for a licence goes through a process of factors at play. Oversight is essential feedback to ensure the approach is working. Removal of a thoughtful consideration of actions, review of outcomes and oversight is a licence to kill indiscriminately.  To read more http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/baird-government-declares-open-season-on-native-animals-20161001-grsv5m.html Make sure the Biodiversity Laws strengthen protection, not remove S121 provision, and keep the monitoring of our native fauna

Judge Clive Jeffreys has repeatedly given lenient and inappropriate sentences for child abusers, violent offenders and pretty much anyone who goes before him. Since being appointed in 2011 he has had 5 of his judgments increased on appeal. One of those judgments regarding horrific child rapist Maurice Van Ryn was called "an affront to the administration of criminal justice" by the court of Criminal appeal, and was DOUBLED !  2GB's Ray Hadley is calling for him to be removed from hearing any criminal matters, we at FACAA echo those calls ! Sign the petition now to show the NSW Judicial Commission that WE THE PEOPLE want to see Judge Clive Jeffreys removed and justice restored to our legal system ! 

Migaloo, the white humpback whale, is afforded special protection in Queensland and Commonwealth waters but not in NSW waters. Migaloo has been granted special status by the Queensland government affording a 500 metre exclusion zone around the whale during its migration through Queensland waters. In NSW, Migaloo receives only the standard 100 metre exclusion zone protection. The 100 metre exclusion zones in NSW are not adequately enforced and can easily result in accidents and injuries to whales. Migaloo is very popular 'marine' attraction. He is at even greater risk of injury due to his unique features. Migaloo travels through NSW for a brief period before heading to colder waters. This petition seeks to protect Miagloo during this transit. We call on the NSW Environment Minister and the NSW Government to afford special protections to Migaloo so that his journey through NSW water is safeguarded. Specifically we seek a 500 metre exclusion zone ruling and, as a further preventative measure, a police escort through NSW waters.

The Proposed Awaba Conservation Area provides a vital wildlife corridor from the Watagan Mountains through Awaba State Forest and Sugarloaf Conservation Area to the shores of Lake Macquarie and the Lake Macquarie Conservation Area. There are many Threatened species living in the area including Squirrel Gliders, Spotted -tailed Quolls, and Swift Parrot, Grey-headed Flying foxes, Sooty Owl, Powerful Owl, Masked Owl and Tetratheca juncea.  In 2009 the NSW State Government Acknowledged the importance of the land with its high conservation and biodiversity values stating “Additional conservation areas in West Lake Macquarie are clearly the next highest priority for the future. DECC will be actively working to improve conservation of priority lands in the West Lake Macquarie area by improved conservation Practices on other crown tenures, through private land partnerships or as the sites for conservation offsets”    ( DECC 2009 LHCP p32). It is requested that:The current NSW State Government and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment acknowledge and include Awaba Conservation Area in the Hunter Regional Plan for its biodiversity and conservation values and its potential economic benefits and tourist values. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment work with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Land and Property Management Authority and Lake Macquarie City Council to establish the Awaba Conservation Area.