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Petition Tag - australian
91. Protect Australia's National symbols 
This petition is against the destruction of Australian National symbols, ie. the Australian Flag.
Thousands of emus are kiled in Western Australia every year. These animals are native creatures, they are on the australian emblem. There has to be other ways to control them other than shooting them!
This petition is to show the Australian Government that we will not tolerate the slaughter of kangaroos.
This is a petition to allow PCW to continue their wrestling shows as they always have, and to acknowledge that those responsible for crowd members being uncomfortable on Saturday, September 7th, 2002, was the irresponsible audience members who refused to heed warnings and as a result, complained about what they were subject to. This is to show the overwhelming support PCW, and other members of Australian wrestling receive from the public. Do not shut them down!
95. Kylie Minogue - sign for Tasmanian Fever
The aim of this petition is to encourage Kylie Minogue, Management and Frontier Touring Company to include Tasmania in her upcoming Australian tour. There are many Tassie fans who would love to see Kylie in concert, so if you're one of them and don't want to be left out please sign our petition.
96. Bravo, Dokic!
A young child, Yelena Dokic, and her family had to flee from their home when the civil war threatened their lives. They went far away, to Australia, and found hospitability there. We thank the Australian people for that, and Tennis Australia for the support they gave the young sportswoman.
But she had paid her debt back and is free now to play for her own country. Following her patriotic feelings, she didn't fear to confront such giant organizations, as Tennis Australia, and the Australian nationalists. Her human right is to play for whomever she chooses to, and she made the right choice. Let's congratulate and support her in playing for Yugoslavia, whatever the results she achieves.
97. WE WANT NWA on Australian TV
NWA Total Nonstop Action on Australian TV! WE want the NWA to be on Australian TV. We don't care if it is on the Mainevent Channel which is a PPV channel, or whether it is on a Pay TV channel that isn't PPV.
98. Aces Missing In Alston's Deck
The Federal Government is planning to ban all forms of Australian Licensed Internet Wagering Services. Legislation to be debated in Federal Parliament in June 2001 will, if passed, require all licensed Australian Internet Wagering Providers to close down their Internet Services.
Whichever way you look at it, Communications Minister Senator Richard Alston's attempt to ban internet gambling amounts to nothing more than a deeply flawed empty gesture from a hypocritical Government concerned not with policy, but with promoting a kind of nannyism which makes sense only to the politically gullible.
The British website "The Register" (www.theregister.co.uk) took one look at Alston's announcement last month and declared: "This man must be the biggest Luddite in history." It went on to say Alston's proposals pointed to "an overwhelming miscomprehension of the Internet" which "seems dedicated to ... destroying Australia's internet industry."
And we wonder why our currency is heading south so fast it will soon match Glenn McGrath's batting average. The world looks at Australia to now see an online gambling ban alongside worthless pornography legislation, a bizarre copyright ruling involving the forwarding of emails and a digital TV debacle of bewildering proportions. However, there's no denying gambling is a problem. We are veracious punters. This puerile logic has been used to decide the Government's online gambling legislation. If you have a computer, then you're just a click away from being a pathological punter. What hasn't been recognised is the fact that betting via the internet is a matter of choice and a matter of convenience. By denouncing Alston's moves and calling for the maintenance of our democratic and net freedoms, I am not trying to encourage gambling, quite the opposite. The net is built on a culture of freedom -- not just financially -- but also in an individual making choices, and as such, it should be free of controls, censorship or Alston-style regulations.
We can expect some strange rules within the legislation. If you believe a word Alston and Co are saying, they must also be dedicated to portraying Australians as heartless exporters of misery and family degradation. Why? Australian gambling sites will not be allowed to serve their compatriots, but they will be permitted to transact with foreigners. Obviously, our ministers feel no social obligation to a struggling family in Auckland blighted by gambling. They don't vote here, so to hell with them! Also, "Australian businesses wanting to offer betting services will attract off-shore customers", says Alston, "because we are seen to be a 'safe place' in terms of collecting". It's bizarre... we as Australians can't have "safe" services; however outsiders can?! The Government will not make ISPs filter gambling traffic, a tacit acknowledgment that a ban, in the true sense of the word, is an impossible mission. Therefore, Australians will be able to gamble on overseas sites. Just to recap ... Aussies can't gamble in their own country, but foreigners can, yet Aussies can go to overseas sites for a bet. The result of this will be pretty simple: Australians with a gambling problem will do their dosh overseas, and our local, legitimate gambling industry will be on the next flight out of here. Worst of all, this legislation lets the sharks back in to replace respectable businesses, such as Lasseters Casino, SportOdds, Centrebet, Readbet etc.
What are they smoking in Canberra? Some responsibility for this debacle has to taken by the National Office for the Information Economy, which is completely out of touch. It asked a services vendor -- of all organisations -- for a report on the possibility of enforcing a complete ban. NOIE reports: "ComTech found there are technologies available to implement a ban on interactive gambling. The Government could deploy these technologies at various 'enforcement points'. However, none of the technologies would be 100 per cent effective at preventing access to offshore interactive gambling sites and all would have negative consequences for internet performance." Gartner analyst Joe Sweeney says such a move would cost at least $US300 million ($612 million) and send many of the smaller ISPs to the wall.
The fact is, no-one can enforce a blanket ban on anything on the internet. China and the Gulf States continue to wage a pathetic war against freedom of information in the same way -- and they continue to fail. It is obvious that the Australian Government are ignorant of the fact that the net was designed by the US Defence Department specifically to avoid blocking.
If online gambling is banned, then where does that leave cyber share trading, which has been called the riskiest casino of them all, capable of hooking day traders into a cycle of addiction, loss and suffering? Talk about a modern version of Reefer Madness!
A solution to curbing online gambling abuse is relatively simple and does not require John Howard's parental methods. Firstly, regulation rather than prohibition should be encouraged. Only if gambling operators felt the rules outweigh the benefits, would regulation fail. Problem gamblers, or those under-age, could be dissuaded in a number of ways. Consider these US Internet Gaming Council tactics:
* Compulsory site membership before placing a bet. Applicants to supply proof of age.
* Establishment of a $1000 account before a gambler is allowed to play and a float never to be less than $200.
* Credit cards as the only form of payment (No-one under 18 is permitted to own one).
* Establishment of list of identified problem gamblers that casino sites should bar.
* Obligation on credit card companies and banks to approve transactions online with only approved online gambling sites. A government list of approved gambling sites, so gamblers know they are going to get a fair shake of the dice.
Many countries were looking to Australia for leadership on the issue of online gambling -- and an unworkable and flawed blanket ban was the best we could come up with. It's a pretty sad indictment on a country once renowned for its ingenuity and courage.
Sign this petition OPPOSING the Federal Government's proposal to ban all forms of Internet Wagering on racing & sports events by licensed Australian Operators, and it will be submitted to the respective offices of Prime Minister John Howard and Senator Richard Alston. Protect your right for online choice, convenience and freedom.
ANZFA Australian, New Zealand food association have received the first application for food irradiation in Australia. Foods such as garlic, onions, herbs, spices, nuts, ginger, and all teas will be subjected to the TOXIC effects of RADIATION. When this is established what's stopping them from IRRADIATING ALL FOODS grown within Australia and New Zealand includind ALL IMPORTS. This is unethical, morally incorrect and ignorant of HUMAN / ECOLOGICAL health and our FREEDOM of CHOICE. Please search the net for more info.
100. NATIONAL DISGRACE - Australia Dokiched
Isn't it ironic? We are known as the "Nation Down Under", and that's exactly where we are placed in the Dokic's minds. It is a national disgrace that we provide solace and protection during the civil unrest which occurred in the early 90's in the FORMER Yugoslavia, however to be shafted in this manner is totally unacceptable - especially with the funding Jelena has received from Tennis Australia to ensure she has every opportunity to be the best... now she (and Demir) have decided that we are "not good enough" and "rigging draws"?! I think that Tennis Australia and related parties have amicably dealt with this manner, however it is up to us - the Australian People - to stand up for our nation, and let it be heard by Jelena & Demir that we are not going to be used & abused! I hope that the patriotism shown during the Olympics and traditionally at the cricket will be vocally reciprocated as condemnation at the Australian Open Tennis...and beyond... Advance Australia Fair!
101. Free Beer at all Cricket matches!!!
For years Australians have consumed excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages at almost every opportunity. Including the cricket. It appears that this tradition is in danger. Over the last few years Australians have seen a massive alcohol tax increase, and a ban of full strength beer at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It seems that only the time honoured tradition of backyard cricket is safe these days.
The once grassy hill covered in yobbos with esky's is a distant memory. How much longer will Australian cricket fans pay nearly $5 for a warm light beer in a plastic cup?
102. Australians for Science and Technology
Over 50% of Australias high technology jobs are now being sourced from overseas. Australia continues to reduce funding to universitys, science, technology and research.
Without a substantial increase in funding Australia will fall even further behind the rest of the world.
103. Disband the Australian Army
John Howard doesn't need this toy.
104. Ban the use of Battery Cages
In Australia more than 10 million birds are continuously confined in battery cages. Battery cages are made of wire mesh with a sloping floor. Several birds are confined together in these cages. Each bird has a floor area of only 450 cm2. Battery cages are only 40cm high, just high enough for the hens to stand up. Hens are confined continuously in battery cages on average for more than a year.
Battery cages do not allow hens to behave naturally. The hens cannot preen their feathers, stretch out, or flap their wings, and they may have difficulty turning around. Battery cages do not provide the hen with a perch, litter or material for dust bathing or a suitable area for laying. The mesh floors of battery cages can cause serious damage to feet and claws. The restricted movement and lack of exercise can also cause skeletal and muscle weakness causing hens to develop osteoporosis.
Evidence from research into hen welfare indicates that battery hens suffer intensely and continuously throughout their confinement in cages. Chronic frustration of normal behaviours and acute suffering during the pre-laying period are caused by frustration of nesting behaviour.
There are humane alternatives to the battery cage system in the form of barn and free-range housing systems. These systems overcome the problems associated with confinement in battery cages by allowing hens to behave naturally.
Sign this petition if you too think that such a system is cruel. Help us stop their suffering.
105. Genetically Modified Food Labelling
Genetically modified foods are still an unknown quantiy. New allergens could be created inadvertently, and known allergens could be transferred from traditional foods into genetically modified variants. For example, when a gene from the brazil nut was introduced into soybeans, it turned out that people allergic to brazil nuts were also allergic to the soybean.
Growing GM crops on a large scale may have implications for biodiversity, the balance of nature, wildlife and the environment. In August 1999, Australia's state and federal health ministers had agreed that all foods, food additives and processing aids produced using gene technology would be labelled. But in response to US government and industry pressure on John Howard this has been watered down so that; refined GM foods, food additives, processing aids and restaurant meals will all be unlabelled; products accidentally polluted with up to 1% GM food are exempt too.
Many Australians do not want to expose themselves to genetically modified food. It is clearly their choice. For this reason it is important that food manufacturers are made to state clearly if their product contains ANY genetically modified material or resulting product. Some of the money raised from the advertising revenue on this petition will go to the Gene Ethics Appeal of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
106. No Pokies
In 1998, for the first time in history, Australian losses at poker machines exceeded national savings. One poker machine in every ten on earth sits in the pubs and clubs of NSW. Australians gambled more than $73 billion in 1996. During 1997-98, the major form of gambling was poker/gaming machines which accounted for net takings of $6.4 billion or 58% of the total net takings from gambling.
The devastating social effects caused by poker machines are not fully understood. However, some families are known to spend their whole pay each week on poker machines and rely on charities to feed their children.
Many of Australia's great pubs have replaced their pool tables and beer gardens with rooms full of poker machines. It's time to stop this madness!