No Dissent from the Poor ,Thanks!

MELBOURNE, June 3, 2004 (theage.com.au): This (Australian) Government does not want to hear criticism – especially from the poor, writes Kenneth Davidson in The Age ….   When the poor speak, who listens? ….  The ability of groups to provide independent advice is now also under attack from the Howard Government. The nature of the threat is detailed in a report by The Australia Institute,  (Silencing Dissent: Non-government organisations and Australian democracy, by Sarah Maddison, Richard Denniss and Clive Hamilton), which was released recently  For links visit the page of the AUstralian CM at http://www.vincentians.org.au/vinnews.htm

(See also related item for June 3,  on the same page – THE SILENCING OF DISSENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVT)

THE SILENCING OF DISSENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVT
June 3,   2004  

SYDNEY, June 2, 2004:(tai.org.au): Ninety per cent of charitable and community organisations in Australia believe the Federal Government is determined to gag their right to free speech, according to a leading public interest think tank.  The finding was made in a survey conducted by The Australia Institute for a study of nongovernment organisations and Australian democracy. The report, titled Silencing Dissent, has been written by Sarah Maddison, Richard Denniss and Clive Hamilton. Releasing the study today, Institute Executive Director Dr Clive Hamilton said: “Responses from the 290 organisations which took part in the survey indicate that community groups reliant on government funding are experiencing unprecedented levels of intimidation, particularly from the Howard Government. The message is strong and clear – don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”