Laughing at the “disabled”, Michael Noonan exposes his naughty bits!

CAUTION!                                                                                                                          Some academics may be offended  by the film footage in this link.     Michael Noonan’s Naughty Bits
The controversial Bris Vegas film maker, Michael Noonan, has been accused of producing “misanthropic and amoral trash” and exploiting people with intellectual disabilities who are not competent to make decisions for themselves in his PhD thesis “Laughing at/with the [...]

Censorship by the Wilderness Society, what next?

The above headline was Tony Jones, the anchorperson of ABC’s Lateline program’s comment about the Wilderness Society refusing to allow the media into their concert in Sydney on the weekend.
 The concert was picketed by a group of Cape York Traditional owners headed by Young Australian of the Year, Tania Major.
According to Lateline “The Aborigines say [...]

The N.T. Intervention – a perspective from the other side of the front line

I have just included a new link on the link list – “That Manunga Linguist”
This blog belongs to a linguist working in Southern Arnhem Land and, amongst other things, is documenting the Federal government’s intervention as it happens on the ground.
An excerpt from “The Intervention” 
“The meeting started with a representative from Darwin’s FACSIA office running [...]

Brisbane family challenges Queensland’s adult guardianship laws

 Media Release 26/8/07 contact John Tracey (07) 32552146
Brisbane family challenges Queensland’s adult guardianship laws
A Brisbane family who has a member with an intellectual disability has organised a protest against Queensland’s guardianship laws.
 
The protest will be next Wednesday, the 29 August 2007 at 9.00 am. outside the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court, 240 Roma St. Brisbane.
(a client of [...]

new website launch – “Queensland the Cruel State”

Negligence one day, cover-up the next! 
Before you visit Queensland be sure to checkout   “Queensland the Cruel State”
This website is designed to warn people with impaired capacities, their families and travel associates of the dangers of Queensland’s guardianship laws.

Picket – Expose the Qld. Office of the Adult Guardian. Stop neglect and cover-up.

See also ABC law report 15/8/06 “Guardianship and Administration Tribunal”  
Update – while the suppression order seems to have prevented media coverage of our picket, the Courier Mail has been following the issues with other cases and published the following on Sept 1……  “Unwilling ward of the state”
Join the campaign to reform  the Queensland Office of [...]

Disability and film

“The big dilemma for disabled actors is that they are a tiny minority, unable to get agents, regular work, or even their foot in the door.” 
“Liberal guilt is suffocating. Is it ever okay to laugh at the disabled?”
“………but the fact remains that the disability humor in “South Park” is outrageously funny. I’m disabled and [...]

“Unlikely Travellers” by Michael Noonan – movie review

 
The controversial movie “Unlikely Travellers” by Brisbane film maker Michael Noonan had its world premier on Sunday (Aug 12) as part of the Brisbane International Film Festival. The documentary features the lives of a group of people with intellectual disabilities who travel to Egypt as well as their families and support workers.
Up until Sunday’s screening “Unlikely [...]

Northern Territory intervention – the end of an era.

                                          Prime Minister Gough Whitlam hands back Gurindji land to the Late Vincent Lingiari in 1975     
                                                                                                                           The Late Oodgero Noonuccal, campaigner for the 67 referendum, reconcilliation and a treaty.
                                                                                                                  The Late Dr.  Kumantjayi Perkins, leader of the “Freedom Rides” and architect of Aboriginal self determination in government indigenous policy that lead [...]

A Benefit Gig for the Doomadgee Family of Palm Island – Aug 11

The Arena, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane August 11   8p.m.
Featuring Kev Carmody and The Beasts of Bourbon
 
also…..  *the Palm Island Dancers  *Banawurun  *Indigenous Intrudaz  *Lola the Vamp   *Dick Desert & The Shotgun Country Club
* Alex Doomadgee will MC proceedings.

Stolen generation claim – $500,000 compensation!

 A South Australian Aboriginal man who was taken from his family at the age of one year old has successfully sued the South Australian government recieving aproximately half a million dollars.
From the National Indigenous Times (NIT) 
Main story  Member of Stolen Generation awarded $500,000 compensation

also
 Judgement strengthens compo and ’sorry’ calls: Bartlett 
Stolen Generation judgement a “wake-up call”: [...]

“Unlikely Travellers” screening at BIFF

*update*  my review of “Unlikely Travellers”
The contraversial film “Unlikely Travellers” by Michael Noonan is being screened in Brisbane on August 12 as part of the Brisbane Independent Film Festival (BIFF).