Oxfam Australia news feed: 'Opinion'

Biofuels add millions to the breadline

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +1000

Unlike many other developed countries, Australia has not set mandatory targets for biofuel production or use. This is encouraging. The Australian Government should not to go down that path.

Where Business and Human Rights intersect.

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +1000

Many Australian corporations are doing great work overseas. They are investing in developing countries, providing job opportunities to local people and working closely with local community organisations. Some Australian companies, however, are also ignoring people's most basic human rights. They are forcibly removing people from their land, dumping cyanide laden waste in waterways that are integral to livelihoods, and, on the whole, facing none of the legal ramifications they would face at home.

Three words that symbolise decades of neglect and hope for the future

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +1000

Close the Gap. Three words that symbolise decades of neglect and hope and goodwill for the future. Three words that remind us that the average Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian man does not live to see his 60th birthday. Three words that now represent an agreement between more than 40 organisations, state and federal governments that an unprecedented effort is needed if we are to achieve Indigenous health equality within a generation.

Reality for 34 million of the world's refugees

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1100

Last week Australia's only refugee camp was dismantled. Called Refugee Realities, the camp occupied Gasworks in Albert Park for four weeks while thousands of school children and members of the public visited. In building the camp, Oxfam's aim was to help people understand that refugees are no different to the rest of us. They just happen to have lived in extraordinary circumstances.

On Track to do it right

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1100

Opinion article published in the Herald Sun about the conduct of Australian mining companies in Papua New Guinea.

Australian mining companies need to develop a conscience

Wed, 6 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +1100

JUANITA Cut-ing is just one woman but her story, reported in The Age on Saturday, says much about the way mining companies in search of enormous profits have exploited people in the developing world. Cut-ing and her family live in a stilt home in the remote village of Didipio in the north of the Philippines, but their land is destined to make way for a dam to store waste from an open-pit gold and copper mine operated by Melbourne-based OceanaGold. The company says it will provide jobs and improved infrastructure, but its plans will destroy Cut-ing's dream of passing her house and land to her children.

Down the mine: Lafayette's lesson

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +1100

Australian mining company, Lafayette, operator of the Rapu Rapu mine on the small island of the same name in the Philippines, has just entered into voluntary administration. The news may raise eyebrows given the current mining boom, however, not everyone is surprised. The story of Lafayette's mining operation and the company's financial failure resonates with a lesson that Oxfam Australia has long observed; a company that fails to obtain and retain a social licence to operate, in other words one that operates without community approval, is not viable. Other Australian mining companies operating in the Philippines and elsewhere should pay heed to Lafayette's rise and fall and take note of this cautionary tale.

A mountain to climb in Bali?

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +1100

The United Nations Bali Climate Change Summit feels akin to climbing Mt Everest in just two weeks. For the last 10 days a myriad of bureaucratic sherpas from around the world have been carrying their loads up the mountain, agreeing what can be agreed and setting aside areas of disagreement to be picked up in a last final push to the summit by Ministers when they arrive today for the final three crucial days of negotiations this week.

Time for immediate action as climate change remains a race against the clock

Wed, 5 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +1100

Make no mistake - Australians worry about climate change. Labor's sweeping victory in the Federal Election was, after all, partly due to Prime Minister Rudd's commitment to ratify Kyoto. And in Bali this week the Government has a one off opportunity to flex some muscle on climate change. In one fell swoop Australia could go from the back of the pack to the front by declaring to the world that it's ready and willing to take up the challenge, not just for Australians but for all people around the world to tackle the worst effects of climate change.

Our chance to help the planet

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +1100

For the first time in many years, overseas aid has been elevated to the spotlight during an election campaign, highlighting Australia's potential to play a pivotal role in transforming our region and saving hundreds of thousands of lives.