Petition Tag - commonwealth

Case for a People’s Bank.

The Commonwealth Bank was a successful government owned bank with many remarkable achievements over most of the 20th century while it was the ‘People’s Bank’. Among other things Australians saw it as insurance against exploitation by private banks.

The privatisation of the Commonwealth Bank in the 1990’s was a financial disaster for Australia. It came about in the shadow of government deceit, where the people were told that this was to be the last government sale of public assets.

Since deregulation, banks have enjoyed obscene profits and paid their executives multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses. The dark side of the coin shows they have closed branches, cut services, colluded and exploited legally and illegally their collective monopoly of power whenever possible.

This failed deregulation led to all state government banks collapsing and paved the way for a wave of further deregulation and privatization which can exploit the consumer.

The results are being felt by many Australian families who are having difficulties managing budgets such as their privatised utility bills.

Adding to their financial woes is they’re being slugged with an increasing range of bank fees and charges for services, most of which were given free by the original Commonwealth Bank.

There is a strong case to reverse this negative flow, starting with the banks. Options are to nationalise all banks, or create a government owned People’s Bank based on the original Commonwealth Bank model.

Australia’s federal and state governments, general public, and small and large business sectors all stand to gain from a People’s Bank.

For example, the private banks will have to fall in line with the policies and ethics of the People’s Bank. This means less profit for the private banks and more money in your pocket.

The Commonwealth Bank model is cited in overseas publications as a system with enormous merit to both public and private sectors.

We have an opportunity to again demonstrate to the world a banking system that can bring considerable benefits to the federal government and its people.

If you believe we need a People’s Bank, sign the petition and forward it to your family and friends to sign too.

Please check out these links for relevant information:

http://www.voxeu.org/article/don-t-rush-privatise-government-owned-banks
http://espace.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:11006/jqcba01.pdf
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/commonwealth_bank_aus.php
http://www.uq.edu.au/economics/johnquiggin/JournalArticles01/CBAPrivatisation01.html

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Isimeli Baleiwai known as 'Bale' to his friends is facing deportation from the UK after serving 13 years with the British Armed Forces. Bale is a foreign and commonwealth soldier from Fiji who was recruited by the MOD when he was 18.

He has served in 5 operational tours including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. His wife Kim is British and they have two young children a boy of 3 and a girl of 6; both British. Bale voluntarily discharged from the Armed Forces on June 15th 2012 in order to provide stability for his family.

He applied for British Citizenship in March while still a serving soldier. This was advised to him by MOD personnel because he had served 13 years and had a British wife and children. This was refused on 28/06/2012 by UKBA, Bale sent an 'appeal for review' but recieved a letter from UKBA on 14/07/2012 stating he had until 9th August 2012 to leave the country.

Under changes made to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1973 (ROA) in 2010 disciplinary offences dealt with at the Commanding Officer's discretion can now be equated to a criminal conviction.

Bale was fined in 2011 by his Commanding Officer for fighting with another soldier who instigated the fight. There was no police involvement, no trial, no defence and nor was it impartial. Bale did not know he was being charged with a criminal conviction. He believed this was an 'in-house' disciplinary offence only. He has no criminal record, this offence is only on his military record. There was no court martial. He has now appealed the conviction.

Under the changes made to ROA in 2010 Bale is now defined as a criminal by the Home Office and of not good character to become a British citizen or apply for indefinite leave to remain.

This is devastating for him and his family. It is a breach of Article 6 of the Human Rights Act (1998) and Armed Forces Covenant (2011). It is also inherently racist because the changes made will have no impact on his British Armed Forces colleagues because these military offences are not held on a criminal record. This change only has implications to immigration Law and Policy. The family believe the law and policy is discriminative.

Please show your support for Bale and his family, their lives are in turmoil. Bale has been told he has until the 9th August 2012 to leave the Country.

The Home Office has been using this 'Law' to deport Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers who have been medically discharged as well. This is a disgrace and immoral!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9417871/Commonwealth-soldier-kicked-in-the-teeth-by-Britain.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18940236

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01ky446
Last 10 minutes of show

For further links go to facebook page Bale Baleiwai http://www.facebook.com/bale.baleiwai?ref=tn_tnmn#!/bale.baleiwai?sk=wall

http://www.channel4.com/news/should-f-c-soldiers-whove-been-disciplined-be-deported

Twitter campaign @letbaleiwaistay

The family are humbled by offers of donations, however Veterans Aid are advocating for our family and others like us. If you would like to donate please donate to them at http://www.veterans-aid.net/

On 26th July Bale won the right to appeal his military offence 'out of time' because it was not in accordance with Article 6. UKBA still do not accept that this means it can not equate to a criminal offence. They granted Bale discretional leave to remain on 30th July. They have stated they will not make a decision on his deportation until the miltary offence is heard in a court of law. This is not a retrial as there was not one in the first place, this is being treated as a new case. Bale currently can stay but with no rights (work, doctor, benefits) he has a job offer but is unable to take it. Veteran's Aid and his wife will now be supporting the family. Bale feels his service has been dishonoured and UKBA are trying to make his family destitute.

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Update: On 20/11/2012 Bale was found NOT GUILTY of his summary offence at Colchester Military Court.

On 05/12/12 Bale was informd that the Home Office would be granting him citizenship. The Baleiwai family are overjoyed that this nightmare has finally come to an end. They also hope that this injustice is not repeated again and the new changes in Law prevent innocent soldiers from being deported or denied their rights.

The Baleiwai family would like to say a great Big Thank-you to everyone who has signed the petition and supported them and in by doing so have helped a lot of others who are facing the same injustice. The support has been overwhelming and kept the family going. Despite the challenges of the last 6 months the family feel blessed to have met so many great people on the way and be part of something that has resulted in a change for the better.

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There are three schools in the area: Troy High School, Ladera Vista Junior High and Commonwealth Elementary. All very fine schools with under aged people walking around in the neighborhoods enjoying there childhoods they will remember forever.

And in the center of it all at 306 N Concord Avenue is a future halfway house being renovated for the ill minded individuals who are recovering from their illness(es). Furthermore, there is a liquor store and a bar literally behind the wall of that property.

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The Annual Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is the nation’s homage to all those from the British Isles and Commonwealth who laid down their lives in two great world Wars and other conflicts to preserve our freedom.

The Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem parties clearly have little or no regard or respect for the citizens of our country, the defence of this country, the Commonwealth, HM The Queen and the principles for which the fallen we are remembering, died for. They are even sending dead servicemens' coffins down the back streets to prevent the public from paying their respects.

Please support this petition by signing HERE.

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We are wanting to change the November 2010 ACC Guidelines.

This guideline does not allow decorative iron front doors and it requires mullions (window grates).

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The Commonwealth has been silence on the issues of Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual & Trangendered (LGBT) people's persecutions and discrimination going on in many of its member-countries. Gay people in these countries are being denied access to healthcare, arrested and jailed, sentenced to death, exposed to public and state homophobia and denied state protection.

In the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2009) held in Trinadad and Tobago on November 27-29 2009, it was disappointing and appalling that the Commonwealth turned blind eyes to the Ugandan Anti-Homosexual Bill proposing death penalty to gay people and did not issue a statement nor discuss it even when that bill was top of the agenda for HUman Rights through out the world at that time.

Also, on the case of 2 young men arrested and detained in Malawi, charged on accusation of homosexuality since December 29 2009, the Commonwealth has kept mute and made no official statement. This means that some citizens of the Commonwealth can be denied their right just because they are gay or lesbians.

This continued silence of the Commonwealth therefore sends the wrong message to these countries and the general public that the Commonwealth supports these injustice and discrimination.

Of the 53 Commonwealth member-countries, 40 still criminalise same-sex relations, mostly under anti-gay laws that were originally imposed by the British colonial government in the nineteenth century. This is disgraceful to the Commonwealth when its core principles includes equality, non-discrimination, opportunity for all, liberty of the individual and human dignity.

If the Commonwealth continue in this silence, it is not only living short of its own principles, but it is assuring these countries that they can also ignore these pillars of justice.

Please sign this petition with us.

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I surely cannot be the only one who thinks that the new logo for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for 2014 is utter rubbish.

The fact that it cost £95000 to create beggars belief. Scandalous and criminal. Anyone who uses a computer could design a better one in 5 minutes. That can be put to the test.

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After visiting the Penndot Drivers License Center in Coudersport PA on two occasions I witnessed and experienced rude behavior by the employees at this location.

These people are suppose to be serving the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the community mentioned. After talking with several people in the community I am now aware that these acts are not specific to my experiences and it seems that this is the way that these particular PENNDOT employees conduct there services to the community and the people of the commonwealth.

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Some Human rights groups, Some international organisations, the opposition and sections of Kenyans abroad are calling for the imposition of sanctions against Kenya, banning Kenya from the commonwealth and discouraging Tourists from visiting Kenya. The reason given is to put an illegitimate government under pressure for allegedly rigging the elections.

The question to be asked as the British foreign secretary David Miliband in a BBC interview put it is, ….who does the sanctions help, who does the sanctions hurt and does it have the desired effect?

The effect of sanctions on Kenya is negative because putting the livelihoods of over 30 million Kenyans on the line to put the pressure on people who can endure even 50 years of sanctions does not solve our problems.

Kenya is made up of a government, the opposition and the citizens, imposing sanctions affects more of the citizens than it does a few individuals and hence poor Kenyans living on less than a dollar per day are robbed of the only dollar they have!

Poor Kenyans who have had enough of tribal violence, internal displacements and living in their own country in fear are condemned to “economic displacement”. By doing this, those imposing sanctions and displacing Kenyans economically will be partaking in the same vice they are preaching against.

Kenyans did their part, they voted peacefully. Going back to punish them instead of commending them is a grave breach of human rights. Sticking with us when things are fine and abandoning us when our house is on fire will be a clear indication of an insincere partnership. Due process and dialog should prevail!

We are not hearing calls for investigation and prosecution on crimes of those against who perpetrated ethnic killings and displacements on innocent Kenyans.

The effect of sanctions will be poverty, joblessness, and consequent crime, poor health, political and moral vulnerability aggregating the spread of HIV among other effects.

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The next Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting begins on the 25th of November. In preparation for this, the Royal Commonwealth Society has prepared a petition regarding the Commonwealth People’s Charter on Zimbabwe.

For more on the CHOGM, please visit http://www.thecommonwealth.org/subhomepage/33250

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Reston is not incorporated as a political entity and therefore has no official voice on major issues affecting it.

Based on Reston’s founding principles and previous studies, RCA supports a governance plan that will:
- Maintain Reston’s goals into the future
- Provide the official voice of a mayor for Reston on major issues
- Provide new and existing community services and facilities efficiently

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A La Mesa Directiva de la Plaza de la "Herencia Mexicana," al Concilio de la Ciudad de San José, y a otros que les corresponda:

El día primero de Septiembre, un pequeño grupo improvisado de representantes de varias organizaciones se reunieron con Marcela Davison Aviles, directora ejecutiva de la Plaza, al darse cuenta de que se planeaba tener al fundador del grupo "cazamigrantes" Minutemen, en un panel de discusión con el presidente del partido demócrata Art Torres en el 16 de Septiembre, día de "independencia" de México.

Después de muchas voces de grave preocupación, el foro fue al final movido al Commonwealth Club en San Francisco. En respuesta a nuestra preocupación, Aviles astutamente concedió una entrevista al periódico de habla ingles, Mercury News, quejándose que había sido intimidada para que cancelara el foro con amenazas de violencia mientras ella esquivaba a Celina Rodríguez, una reportera de habla español. Corto tiempo después el Commonwealth Club pospuso el foro solamente para anunciar recientemente que la Plaza resumiria su plan para tener el foro otra vez en Noviembre. Varios miembros de "Save Our State" (Salva Nuestro Estado -- una pandilla de minutemensos, nazis del la organización "Stormfront," así como aliados que han llevado acabo varias protestas en el sur de Califaztlan) han agitado la idea de atender el foro con o sin Simcox como resultado de su caprichosa publicidad.

Tal costumbre de repugnante negligencia y falta de respeto para nuestra gente no puede quedar inadvertido. Esta no es la primera vez que la señora Aviles ha ejercido tal conducta - en una forma conspirada ella paró un circulo sagrado de danza mitotiliztli para evitar que llevaran acabo su ceremonia semanal. Acaso ella ejecutaría las mismas tácticas si esta hubiera sido una misa Católica?

En espíritu de aquellos que luchan por llegar aquí - vivos o muertos - le decimos a la Plaza de la "Herencia Mexicana" y al concilio de la ciudad de San José: ¡YA BASTA!

Denunciamos enérgicamente a la supuesta "Plaza De La Herencia Mexicana" por estar agrediendo a la comunidad Mexicana al abrir sus puertas a los "cazamigrantes" Minutemen.

DENUNCIALOS POR MEDIO DE ESTA PETICION PARA QUE SEPAN ESTOS VENDIDOS QUE NUESTR@S HERMAN@S EN LUCHA TAMBIEN TENEMOS VOZ Y FUERZA DE VOLUNTAD PARA SALIRNOS ADELANTE!!!

Tal personas como Aviles no están en ninguna posicion para ser vocero del pueblo, y mucho menos de la "herencia Mexicana."

¡Que Aviles renuncie su puesto ahora!

!!Tlazohkamati y Mexihcah Tiahui!!

(Para mas información, visite la pagina yaoyopa.anahuac.org/esp.html; aquellos que van a llenar la petición -- sus datos personales permanecerían fuera de vista pública.)

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On September 1, a small ad-hoc group representing various organizations met with Marcela Davison Aviles, executive director of the "Mexican Heritage" Plaza, upon learning that a plan was in the works to have Minuteman founder, Chris Simcox, engage in an on-site panel discussion with Democratic Party chairman Art Torres on the 16th of September, Mexican "Independence" Day. After much voicing of grave concern, the forum was ultimately moved to the Commonwealth Club venue in San Francisco.

In response to our concerns, Aviles craftily granted an interview to the English-language Mercury News claiming she had been bullied into canceling the forum with threats of violence, while she dodged a Spanish-language reporter. Shortly thereafter, the Commonwealth Club postponed the forum only to announce recently that the Plaza will resume their plan to host the forum again in November. Several members of Save Our State (an active gang of MinuteKlansmen, Stormfront nazis and allies alike who have carried out several protests in Southern Califaztlan) have churned the idea of attending the forum with or with Simcox, as a result of her capricious publicity.

Such a pattern of gross negligence and disrespect for our people must not remain unaccounted for, as this is NOT the first time she has exhibited such behavior. In a conspired fashion, she stopped a sacred Mexihca mitotiliztli circle last year from carrying out their weekly ceremony. Would she have executed the same divide and conquer tactics had this been a Catholic mass?

In the spirit of those in struggle to make it here - dead or alive - we say to the MHP board and the San Jose City Council: enough is enough!

We firmly denounce the "Mexican Heritage" Plaza for having aggressed the Mexican@ community upon opening its doors to the MinuteKlan!

DENOUNCE THESE SELLOUT TACTICS BY WAY OF THIS PETITION!! LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN STRUGGLE ALSO HAVE A VOICE AND THE INTERAL WILL TO PREVAIL!!

The likes of Aviles do not represent our "Mexican Heritage" and therefore are in no position to speak on our behalf. Aviles must resign now!

(Visit yaoyopa.anahuac.org/eng.html for more information; those signing the petition need not to fear, your (private) information will remain out of public view.)

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Youths with Youth accounts with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) get charged high bank fees ----- on a YOUTH account.

Shouldn't there be NO fees or lower fees?

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October 13, 2004

Not all states in Australia have legislation to ensure private schools are fully accountable.

Thus if parents complain about issues, they may not necessarily have matters dealt with appropriately.

Students may be expelled without parents or students having a right of appeal or any natural justice system in place, and there is no public accountability as to how public funds are spent in these schools.

There is no external advocate for the students or parents in these schools if disputes are not resolved.

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We are campaignng to receive funding from the Commonwealth Government for In-Home based child care services. This will allow parents and children along the NW coast to have access to a sperior child care provider at an affordable rate.

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Many dogs are forced to endure a life of neglect, isolation and terrible extreme temperatures. Their entire life they are commited to be chained, roped or otherwise tethered outdoors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An existence of despair, often , without benefit of adequate shelter. Barely given enough food or water, they are tied and forgotten. Tell the congressmen and women of this Commonwealth that you want a change dog laws to ban this terrible practice. Make it an enforceable crime for dog owners to "tie 'em and forget 'em". Thank you

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On January 10 Th of 2001 Jake Rice's bond was revoked at his preliminary hearing. At his trial on March 13 th of 2001 his trial date, Mr. Rice's attorney was approached by assistant commonwealth attorney Andrew Robins about having Mr. Rice released on bond if he would agree to a continuance. The lawyer and Mr. Rice agreed. The judge agreed to, saw no reason for Mr. Rice's bond not to be reinstated so it was.

The trial was rescheduled for April. The first judge almost dismissed the case and made statements that he was going to. At the new trial date there was a new judge with out notice and this one knew the victim. Mr. Rice was convicted of a 3rd degree felony and sentenced to 10 years, serving 6 with 4 of probation.

This was Mr. Rice's first offence and the judge made it clear that another judge would have found Mr. Rice innocent but he need to make some unvoiced point.

After the trial in April Mr. Robins testified that Mr. Rice's bond was revoked due to a clerical error in the commonwealth attorney's office and that if it had not been for this mistake Mr. Rice would not have spent 2 months in jail. There is no law or recourse for someone wronged by the commonwealth attorney's office.

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For several decades the former Australian Atomic Energy Commission, now the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has been making application to successive Commonwealth Governments for a replacement to the multipurpose reactor HIFAR at Lucas Heights.

In 1992 a public inquiry was conducted by the Commonwealth Government called the Research Reactor Review, or McKinnon Review. The Review recommended a 5-year pause on consideration of the case for a new reactor for further assessment of issues including questions on Australia's need for a new reactor.

In 1997 the current Commonwealth Government announced that a new nuclear reactor would be established at Lucas Heights pending assessment under the Environment Protection Impact of Proposals Act, 1974. An Environmental Impact Statement process was undertaken, resulting in a favourable report from the Commonwealth Minister for Health. Assessment included review of the proposal by three international peer review agencies. The Commonwealth Government confirmed its intention to proceed with the proposal in 1998. Tendering for the proposal was completed by June 2000 and the tender granted to Argentinian company INVAP. The licensing process for design and construction of the new reactor is currently under way, with approval to be granted by ARPANSA in February 2002. The new reactor, to be commissioned around 2006 will be twice the power rating of the existing reactor, which will be decommissioned at a date to be confirmed.

It is understood that a replacement reactor locational study employing international consultants was undertaken around 1996. The public and the councils were not included in this undertaking, which appears to have been performed by the Commonwealth Department of Industry Science and Tourism with advice from ANSTO. The locational study report remains a Cabinet-in-Confidence document.

A cost for the proposed reactor of $286 million has been estimated by ANSTO as part of the current development assessment process although secret government documents obtained via Freedom of Information requests made by Sutherland Shire Council have revealed that the government’s own cost estimate is around $500 million. No design for the reactor has yet been revealed, despite the international peer review stating that the safety arguments used to justify the proposal now impose specific design constraints on the reactor in order to achieve these promised safety levels.

In spite of polls, submissions, lobbying and the actions of several state governments to prohibit the development of the dumpsites which will be unavoidable with a new reactor, the Liberal Government is continuing it's blind charge towards a future contaminated with the nuclear waste produced by the proposed new reactor.

Please take this opportunity to voice your opposition to this project and to raise the call for a nuclear free future.

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